Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Dried Cotton Stems now available


One of the key things that speaks Autumn to me is cotton.  Here in Arizona cotton is planted in the Spring and harvested some time in November each year.  I love to watch the plants grow and mature especially when the cotton bursts from the pods.  If you've never seen a cotton plant in full bloom you should - it's quite something.

For a limited time and sadly, limited quantity, we're offering cotton stems for sale.  Each stem is hand-cut from a living cotton plant and then prepared for shipment to you.  Stems range in length from 12 inches to 15 inches, some times we're lucky to cut longer ones!


Each stem has at least two cotton puffs and some still have an unopened pod, which only adds to the beauty.


We think the cotton puffs look like soft, pillowy clouds.


We have a limited quantity available, with the small chance we'll receive more in the next week or so.  Sadly, one the stems are gone, they are gone until late next October (2015).

$5.00 per stem (lengths vary and are random when shipped)
Shipping is $7.00 no matter the quantity you purchase.

Purchase today through PayPal.




***Please remember, these cotton stems were once a living plant, therefore natures defects will sometimes occur.  Stems are rarely straight and occasionally there will be fragments of dried leaves stuck in the cotton puffs.  These are easy to remove but can also add to the character.  We cannot accept returns or give refunds/exchanges on these purchases.  Your package will be carefully prepared to ensure the safest form of delivery of your cotton stem.***

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Introducing a new series to the blog: Monday Morning Makeover


This blog series should be up every Monday morning and here's what you'll see:

A drab space updated for little to no money at all!

We'll show you the before and after shots and include detailed descriptions on how to create the look at home.  Sometimes it will be an entire room made over, sometimes it will be an amazing table scape for  a Holiday party or as a vignette.  We'll include sources or links to where you can purchase items that were purchased (if applicable) and even include some DIY tips.

We're excited to bring this series to our blog and hope you enjoy it!

See ya on Monday for our very first Monday Morning Makeover!

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PS - if you are a Phoenix Metro resident (specifically the East Valley) and would be interested in your very own Monday Morning Makeover, please contact us to get on our waiting list!!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Kitchen drawings to actual kitchen

Kitchen remodels or, in the case of this post, kitchen design from the ground up can be very intimidating.  There is so much to consider including budget (the big one), time frames, cabinet styles and colors, not to mention the actual cabinet manufacturers (there's a ton of them).  And then where do you go go order your cabinets and counters?

When using a designer your kitchen can go from builder basic to totally fantastic (even with keeping your budget in mind).

Here is where we started in the kitchen of this custom home.

 We had 18 feet on the back east wall to work with, and so we sketched up a "dream" plan that included lots of drawer space, double ovens, a range top and a built-in refrigerator.

Next we sketched out a "dream" plan for the over sized 5 foot x 10 foot island with seating.

Finally, we sketched up "dream" designs for a small desk area and dining nook cabinetry.

After the dream designs were approved, the actual cabinet designs took place.  Banks of drawers are of course much more expensive than a cabinet with a drawer and cabinet door, so some changes were made to maximize the overall budget.

Here is the current state of the kitchen progress.  The mix of antique white (main cabinetry) and umber (the island) gives a great sense of depth and character.

The granite really ties in the two different cabinet colors and brings it all together.

We chose to include bookshelves on either side of the island for cookbook storage as well as storage for kid's books or supplies.

Stay tuned to see the final result of the kitchen with the pendant lighting and wood-look tile.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014