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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Author Archives: melissaoconnor

Black Friday Sale!

23 Friday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Crafty Ideas, Shop Gray Star Design, Shopping

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black friday, etsy, graystardesigns, holiday, sale, shopping

Black Friday Sale!

Today until Sunday you can get 15% off everything in my shop, including invites, save the dates, albums and all custom items! What are you waiting for?

 

The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

21 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Advice & Inspiration, Daisy Hart, Guest Posts, Weddings

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bouquets, cutting flowers, daisy hart, flowers, light, watering

If you want your flowers to grow properly and live longer, you have to know how to treat them. Cut flowers are the most difficult type of flowers because they die out very quickly and you need to be well aware of the different ways in which you can change that. Here are some great and easy tips on how to properly cut flowers and take care of them.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

The secret is in the treatment which involves the use of proper growing floral substance, watering and nutrition and in the correct performance of the cut of the stem. The best way to take care of a flower is to treat like an actual living being, a human or an animal. All are simple requirements, space, water and care and light.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

Try to learn everything about the specific type of flower and you will see your knowledge will grow for it but also your understanding of the way it lives and develops.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

The Best Time to Cut Flowers
In order to achieve the best results imaginable you have to gather the flowers early in the morning, before sunrise or after sunset, before the night falls. The general idea is that you must not expose the cut flower to too much sunlight or too much heat. Therefore you must also remember that it is important for you to pick the flowers in a cool day with a cool weather, not freezing but balanced and cool. Aim for a temperature somewhere less than 80 degrees of Farenheit.

The problem that is caused by higher temperatures and exposure to direct sunlight during the process of cutting consists in the fact that the metabolism of the flower will be quickened and the flower’s energy will be greatly deducted, this experience is something similar to a human stroke . Take care of your flower and it will repay you with its beauty. In addition, if you cut the flower when the sun is shining and the air all around it is hot, its water naturally gets more easily evaporated and by the time you put the flower in the vase with the new water, the flower will most likely have been damaged to a great degree.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

The crucial period for cut flowers is between the moment they are cut and the moment when they are placed in the vase with fresh water supplies. No sudden evaporation of water will take place in the evening or the early morning when the air is the coldest and the sun is nowhere to be seen. However, you must not cut flowers that are wet in any way because once cut they are very vulnerable to diseases. If the flower has any sort of liquid on it when it is cut off, the moisture upon it may develop some sort of bacteria and then the flower may wane even faster than if it was cut off during a sunny hot day.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

Useful Tools
The tools that can prove to be very helpful in the cutting flower process are scissors, that enable you to make a nice, clean, straight cut, without any plant particles remaining on the end of the cut of the stem. Also, remember that everything must always be clean. Change the water and wash the flower itself every day.

Guest Post: The Basics of Working with Cut Flowers

{Daisy Hart is a writer and blogger with great flair for flowers and flower decoration projects. She is focused on writing the best possible way and is constantly searching for new sources of inspiration. Currently she contributes articles mainly on flower related thematic.}

http://www.flowershops.co.uk/anniversary-flowers/

Written by Daisy Hart

Holiday Party Tips

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties

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bouquets, centerpieces, christmas, Country Living, decor, decorating, favors, flowers, fun, garland, holiday, Holiday Party Tips, interior, nature, ornaments, party, thanksgiving

The holidays are here! With Thanksgiving in a few days and Christmas & New Years right around the corner, it’s time to start planning those holiday parties. There are so many fun things you can do to dress up your home and make it festive. Here are a few tips I scored from Country Living that should totally inspire the designer in all of you.

Using ornaments in different ways is always fun. You don’t have to just hang them from the tree. Gather some in a bowl or vase, hang from doorways and moldings or create garland out of them. Try to stick with a theme or color and go with it.
Holiday Party Tips

Let nature be your guide and feature lots of green. From small centerpieces to holly type garland, there are lots of ways to use flowers and plants. You can even create small bouquets for people to bring home as favors.
Holiday Party Tips

Create some laughs by dressing up photographs of family and friends with funny faces and holiday cheer. Just use a dry erase marker and you should be good to go.
Holiday Party Tips

Instead of adding lots of decorations, dress up your table with pretty bowls and plates. Whether they shine, shimmer or bring pops of color to the space, festive they will be.
Holiday Party Tips

Creating a Designer Kitchen on a Budget

19 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, James Harper, The Home

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Tags

appliances, cabinets, Caple, color, design, diy, floor models, Frigidaire, General Electric, home, interior design, james harper, kitchen, Kitchen Appliance Centre, redesign, refurbish, shopping, sinks, vintage

The average custom kitchen can cost upwards of $20,000, but in this poor economy not many people can afford to spend that much. If you’re willing to put in some sweat equity, you can have the designer kitchen you want without blowing your budget.

Add a Splash of Color
Bold, bright colors are everywhere; candy-apple reds, sunny yellows, and rich, warm tones are very popular in appliances. Electrical stores and kitchen specialists offer a huge range of products to suit all budgets, look for established brands Neff, Zanussi and Caple and do your research to find top of the line products. Buying your appliances from a discount outlet will give you the high end look you want at a much lower price.

As an alternative to spending thousands on an appliance that will have a permanent place in your kitchen, consider buying changeable panels for your dishwasher, stove and refrigerator. Other less expensive options include freestanding appliances in bright colors, changing lighting fixtures, adding a bright splashback, or re-facing cabinetry and changing hardware. These smaller projects can cost less than $100, but make a big impact.

Guest Post: Creating a Designer Kitchen on a Budget
Photo Credit: Kitchen Cabinet Design Ideas

Refurbish Vintage Pieces
Today’s less structured looks can be achieved at a lower cost by taking some styling cues from your family room. Get the look by using different finishes on furniture-style cabinetry; a cheap way to do it is to refurbish old pieces like dressers, armoires, and even rolling carts to create additional storage. For even more personalization, incorporate architectural pieces from the salvage yard.

Guest Post: Creating a Designer Kitchen on a Budget
Photo Credit: Ghoofie Design

Buy Floor Models
Manufacturers such as General Electric, Frigidaire and Caple frequently have stock that’s been slightly damaged; in most cases, the “damage” is a slight scratch that you won’t even see once the appliance is in place. Buying from scratch-and-dent stores or getting a floor or demo model can give you the kitchen you want without breaking the bank.

Shop Smart
Other kitchen necessities can be bought on the cheap as well. Caple sinks, custom cabinets, granite countertops and flooring made of bamboo and other materials are all widely available from discounters both in-store and online. With all the options available, it can be hard to find the look you want at a cost you can afford–online comparison-shopping tools make the process much easier.

Do the Work Yourself
Some of you may be reluctant to get your hands dirty, but going the DIY route can help you get a designer-look kitchen without the designer price tag. Installing your own countertops and splashbacks will give you a tremendous sense of accomplishment (and a fatter wallet). Of course, your pricing will vary depending on the products you choose, but you’ll definitely save on labor.

Guest Post: Creating a Designer Kitchen on a Budget
Photo Credit: CabFabLab

Written by James Harper on behalf of the Kitchen Appliance Centre

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