Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

We’re indeed bit by bit getting busier as the house approaches its completion. We’re taking this as our cue to start thinking about dolling up the interiors. Hoping that it pushes through, we might start buying the appliances one by one soon especially that we found an ample space to temporarily shelter the stuffs. Aside from the furniture and appliances, we’re now also looking for decorations like framed canvas prints, ornaments and other trinkets to prettify the inside. My research about canvas lead me to the website of Colour Graphics as I saw this movie canvas of the 1983 movie Scarface starred by Al Pacino as Tony Montana.

Colour Graphics offers stationary, advertising and other business high quality printing services that uses the Full Colour technology. Among their services are banner and canvas printing, Banner stand and graphic display stands, and large format printing. The offer exceptional and artful design services, too. What’s noteworthy about this company is their earth-nurturing commitment that they only use natural, recyclable, re-usable and energy-saving materials without sacrificing the craftmanship of each product.

I’m trying to picture if the Scarface movie canvas will fit and look good in the little entertainment room that we’d have. I’m hesitant because it appears a little bit off. Although it’s Al Pacino and a movie shot, the bath scene itself is kinda inapt. isn’t it?

The patio, yard, porch and the garden must be equally clean, organized and decorated just like the indoors. Actually, all the more that we should keep the outside area of the house presentable because the outside is what gives the house an overall impression and a glimpse of how lovely and homey it is inside (or it can be the other way around). The outdoor patio furniture add spice to the landscape of the garden. Not only we should choose stylish and striking ones but also we see to it that they can be easily cleaned and maintained.

Among the outdoor furniture I have browsed over the web, the woodard furniture featured at Outdora seems to be the most complete, the most elegant and the most inviting garden décor pieces I’ve browsed so far. We’re visiting our Little Mansion this coming Sunday and as it’s nearing its completion, we’ll likely have an idea how the outdoor landscaping will be like. That is why I have bookmarked the outdoor furniture’s pictures that we’ll have as options. And guess what, my browser’s bookmark tab is already brimming with outdoor furniture designs and inspirations. I’m pretty sure that we’ll have a grand, tough time contemplating which to choose and order.

Woodard Cromwell Bench

I’m also currently researching reads about the material types that are elegant but just easy to clean. Like for example, for the patio dining furniture, I’m comparing the steel and iron ones versus the aluminum versus the teak or other type of wooden furniture. I have learned that teak needs little or no maintenance but quite more expensive compared to the steel ones. However, steel and iron furniture’s coating paint, when it chips, oxidizing starts that will lead to rust and degradation. I have much more to know about these outdoor furniture. But for the mean time, let me share the outdoor furniture that caught my fancy.

The facade is what the guest notices first in a house. The outdoors also gives the impression of how and what it’s like indoors. So it’s just right that a house owner also should make it a point that the exteriors are decorated well and designed invitingly. One way of infusing that goal is to make use of elegant Address Plaques strategically located in the garden, by the front door or in the front lawn.

There are several types and designs of Address Plaques. A lot of suppliers abound online but I’ll discuss the ones that I saw from Outdora as this particular online shop has among the widest collection of address plaques. The Wall Mounted Plaque is the most common type and is placed usually by the front door. Made only from rust‑free recycled aluminum and weather‑resistant paints, these can be further customized into a carved stone or artisan metal looks with traditional designs or playful themes as designs to choose from. Inscription options include the house number, the street, your name, or a combination of any of these.

There are also called address lawn plaques which usually have stakes so it can be driven into the ground. A strategically placed address lawn plaque makes it easier for your house to be spotted by guests, service and emergency attendants for food and special services delivery (repairman, telephone and cable installers), fire truck, etc. Some are specially designed as illuminated plaques and reflective plaques for added visibility. Some lawn plaques can also be wall mounted.

A commemorative plaque, on the other hand, has the same material as the address plaques but are used differently. An inscription of a special event or happening can be made into a plaque for memory preservation. Like let’s say for wedding and cardinal anniversaries, memorial and a “welcome family” inscription for the house.

Surely, there are a lot of options for address plaques requirements. Browsing at Outdora is the easiest way to choose the one that fits our requirements best.

How would you want to have this space-saving and functional ironing board in your pad?

It functions as a mirror when the board’s upright then as an ironing board (fondly coined as “kabayo” locally) with a lamp on the side when the board is opened.

Designed by Nils Wodzak, this Mirror Ironing Board Closet is manufactured by Konzept Design from Germany. The price ranges from €200 to €300 (about Php 12500-19000).

Vessel sinks or sometimes called, Glass sinks, are my dream bathroom sinks and the hottest current trend in bathroom design. It is coined as “vessel” sink because it adapts the shape of a vessel. Aside from the aesthetic charm, a lot prefer go for this type because it occupies very less space both width and height wise. It only contains a small sink with vessel faucets and a beautiful stand matching in color and design with the bowl. Another advantage is the control on the setup customization like the bowl and stand can be changed and the vessel faucets can be replaced with a single one type. Shapes and designs come in great variety, too. They make great bathroom vanities and give you a feel as if you’re in luxurious and posh hotels.

It would be nice if our dear Little Mansion can have these vessel sinks for the two bathrooms. Price wise, they’re a little steeper than the regular ones so I’m not sure if our little budget can still accommodate this upgrade if ever.

Wind chimes are one of the most common decors that we first notice whenever we enter a house. Simply because they are usually hung on the door itself or on the outer frame and its cheerful sound as the door opens, greets and welcomes the guest. These chimes come in different styles, designs, sounds and materials. But more than the aesthetic and security purposes they provide, do you know that wind chimes are used as powerful tools in “channeling the home’s energy” in certain ways? They are one of the most widely used Feng Shui tools and the cheapest too as chimes’ materials can be sourced cheaply.

Feng Shui experts explain that chimes can certainly purify or enhance the flow of “chi” or energy in a certain area depending on the location where they are hung, on the sound and on the material they are made of. For example, there is a dark corner in the room which needs to have more energy and attract chi to it, placing bamboo wind chimes would not only attract chi energy but also enlighten and give life to that dark spot. Another one, if the path from the street to the front door is long and straight just like the pathway leading to our Little Mansion, hanging a wind chime by the door (or porch steps) slow the chi down so it enters the home gently.

Here’s another compilation of Feng Shui notes that I’ve listed down for my future reference when I “accessorize” our new home of wind chimes:

1. North is associated with stillness, quiet, and isolation and therefore not favorable for a home’s entrance (north-facing entrance). To counteract this, Metal and aluminum wind chimes can attract more activity and enhance chi in this area.

2. West is sometimes called the children area. A hollow chimes’ sound in this spot can promote harmony within the family, and positively influence the health, behavior and academic performance of children. For those wishing for a family addition, activating the chi area here adds chances of having a child.

3. Northwest is the perfect spot to hang wind chimes when aiming to attract helpful and influential friends or mentors.

I searched on the web for stylish wind chime designs and Outdora has the widest and nicest reasonably priced collection of wind chimes not only for indoors but for the garden and exteriors as well. Here are the ones that caught my fancy:

Goose Rocks Arcadia Wind Chime

Woodstock Chimes of Kyoto

Dolphin Pewter Wind Chime

If my browser and its bookmark functions can just talk, they’d surely complain how I’ve been stuffing them with so much links these days. Links that are home-related specifically. Well, they can’t blame me. As the big day nears that the Little Mansion is fully constructed, I can’t help but collect, browse and peruse sites to get ideas and inspiration that we can apply to our humble abode. I’ve surely blogged and posted pics about our ideal room designs up to exterior furniture. Aunt Angie, who has an interior design background, has also drafted the interior styles for the finishing touches of the house. Now I’ll be sharing a few trinket inspirations that I want to adorn our soon-to-be little dwelling. These will be just options for the mean time as I prefer to see the fully finished house first before I finalize and select the appropriate accessories and embellishments to go along. I also have to consult Aunt Angie if these will blend just perfect with the house’s interiors, size and color.

Vases:
I want something contemporary for the living room such as a Luna ceramic vase by Eero Sairanen. For the dining table, I’ll experiment with these elegant crystal vases from waterford. Their glass works are so explicit and stunning.

Seahorse Vase

Lismore Vase

Irish Lace Vase

Picture Frames:
There is no better way to show off your loved ones pictures other than displaying them in elegant and lovely crystal picture frames.

Clocks:
To cap off that true little “mansion” feel, a Crystal Coliseum Clock will be the perfect piece.

Christmas ornaments:
I know it’s too early to put on and think of Christmas ornaments at this time but since this year will be our first in our own home, only the best decors should be put.

“You get a chunk of chocolate and you do what I do
You roast a marshmallow, you toast it just right
You smoosh them all together and you take a big bite
Cracklety crackers and lickity sweet
Mmmmmmm, S’Mores. They’re so good to eat.
Mmmmmmm, S’Mores. A real camping treat.”

If you are a parent who has a Barney fanatic son, then I guess, you are familiar with these lines and probably even sang it. It could also have been your frequent LSS (Last Song Syndrome) many times. So what brought me to think about S’mores and camping and bonfires? Well, apart from feeling chilly on this cold Thursday night, I suddenly recalled our bonfire childhood days as I see these fire pits from Outdora. We were on sixth grade then and it was the school’s first time to conduct an overnight recollection or to what they call a spiritual retreat. One of the highlights was we were grouped into a smaller number, circled around an improvised bonfire and tried to read the surprise recollection letters our parent sent us through our teachers. It was really touching and inspiring and I must say that the bonfire thingie was effective and added the much needed reflective mood.

Even though our parents weren’t there, we felt their comforting words and wisdom through the warmth exuded by the outdoor fireplace. It’s as if they were talking to us in person.

Now this topic suddenly gives me an idea for the Little Mansion’s outdoors. We have a little space outside where we could allot a spot for a camping or S’mores night with my son. I bet my son would love to experience that every now and then. Conversations over bonfires can be a one of a kind bonding moment for the whole family especially during chilly nights such as now. I just have to make sure though to consider putting fire rings for everyone’s safety. If the limited space won’t suffice, this portable Patina fire pit from Outdora will do. The moon and stars cut-out design will surely capture my son’s heart. I can already hear my son’s voice singing Barney’s S’mores song while roasting mallows in my imagination.

There are tons of charming designs at Outdora.com that you might want to check out. Based in Sonoma, CA, Outdora offers wide array of high-quality selection of outdoor fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and patio fireplaces.

The “little mansion” is designed to have 3 bedrooms on the second floor. But we’ve requested the developer to just have 2 bedrooms for a start so that we’ll be having a bigger master’s bedroom. My son’s too little anyway to have his own room. It’s very timely that I have read this article about Bedroom trends for 2010. Hubby and I will have a guide and reasonable options in bringing these two bedrooms “updated” and à la mode in terms of styles and designs perfect for this year.

* Bold Bed Linen – the easiest way to bring up the bedroom with bold colors are through bed linens with vintage-y bright florals or sugared pastels.

* Elegant Headboards – go for a super-chic style and elegantly designed headboards ala-boutique hotel style. On colors, a palette of sleek greys and blacks and an accent colour, such as yellow or lime do the trick.

* Statement Beds – remember those Georgian type of beds with poles and ceilings..beds that of royalties. Classic but remember to infuse a modern touch for a twist.

* Feature Walls – Feminine floral wallpapers are perfect for creating a soft, romantic feel.

I don’t know about you but my childhood Christmas years consistently consist of eager anticipation for Santa on the Christmas eve. Yes, we grew up believing in him…a tradition that I’d also like to pass on to my son. And as an eager beaver parent that I am, I’ve got his stocking ready by now. It’s the same Christmas stocking that he used last year. I would like to have it personalized but I think I don’t have enough time to do that now especially that our daily schedule before Christmas is so busy. Perhaps, next year, that’s the number one task on my Christmas to-do’s. Meanwhile, here are a few personalized Christmas stockings that are simply eye candies.

Personalized Rudolph Character Stocking from Walmart - $19.90

Personalized Stocking with Reindeer Fabric from Etsy - $22.50

Funky Fleece Christmas Stockings from Etsy - $10.00

Velvet Monogrammed Red Stocking from Target - $9.08

Velvet Olive Cuff Personalized Stockings from Stocking Factory - $20.94