You Said It: ‘Art Is a Great Way to Begin the Tale’ and More Quotables

There is no sweeping theme to tie together some of my favorite nuggets of wisdom from Houzz this week, but the stories made me see lots of new possibilities, and I learned a lot. I never knew what a Rumford fireplace was. I hadn’t thought about the hidden costs of an inexpensive faucet. I didn’t know you could have radiant heat in a wall or find a specialty window at a marine supply store. I’m intrigued to see what designers will do with the fact that Brady Bunch–colored appliances are coming back. Here are those highlights and more.

“Anyone can do this — just remove the doors from your upper cabinets and paint the backs a bright hue.” — Laura Gaskill

For those considering open shelving, this is an easy way to get the look and add color to the kitchen, all for the cost of a small can of paint. The best part is, if you try it out and it doesn’t work for you, you can simply reattach the cabinet doors.

Full story: 12 Ideas for a Knockout Kitchen


“Though their entry price may be appealing, lower-priced faucets are often made with plastic parts that don’t hold up. When you factor in the cost to replace an inexpensive faucet and the fees to hire a plumber to install a replacement, it may quickly negate the savings.” — Judith Taylor

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for, whether it’s choosing a contractor or choosing faucets. Though a gorgeous set like this one might give you sticker shock initially, factoring in the costs of replacing a cheap set may even the playing field.

Full story: How to Pick a New Kitchen Faucet


“Notice how the Rumford is shallower, and how air is drawn up the chimney by the Rumford’s rounded throat.” — Elizabeth Miller

I love learning something new, especially when there is an easy-to-understand illustration.

Full story: Rumford Fireplaces Are Hotter Than Ever


Mincing Mockingbird 2012 Calendar by Mincing Mockingbird - $13.99 “Calendars are one of my favorite sources for wall art.” — Becky Dietrich

It really is cheap and easy to create an interesting wall of art; you may just need a little push in the right direction. This ideabook is full of great ideas, from printing family photos on canvas to creating a cohesive wall of inexpensively framed artwork.

Full story: Fill a Blank Wall on a Beer Budget


“Art is a great way to begin the tale.” — Ian Stallings

This beautifully appointed room was put together in just four days with an artist’s eye, and a striking painting (shown) was the starting point of the inspiration.

Full story: Room of the Day: Curiosities Bring Quick Intrigue to a Living Room


“Tolerant of deer, drought, rabbits and shade, they [hellebores] meet my criteria for a low-maintenance, evergreen perennial.” — Karen Chapman

We tend to think plantings bloom for only a few months, but with plants like hellebores, you can extend flowering season into the cold months.

Full story: Great Design Plant: Gold Collection Hellebores Perform Like Stars


“Viking’s French-Door Oven got a lot of attention for its single-hand operation.” — Anne Higuera

I love to see the latest from the big shows, and getting the highlights from a pro is so much better than actually going; those expos are exhausting. I’m intrigued not only by the oven’s French doors, but also by the colors. With stainless steel hitting the tipping point, I had wondered when colored appliances would make a comeback.

Full story: Standouts From the 2014 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show


“If you are looking for a true functioning porthole that you can use as an exterior window, your best bet is to order directly from a marine supplier.” — Erin Lang Norris

Seems like a no-brainer, but I never would have thought of that. Porthole windows are a really playful choice.

Full story: Say Ahoy to Porthole Style at Home


“But to me, the more integrated even a small detail such as trim is with an idea about a place or structure, the more it can support the overall logic of a building.” — Eric Reinholdt

This is true of the smallest of details. Reinholdt has compiled a set of thoughtful ways to make sure window trim suits the architecture to a T.

Full story: Design Workshop: 10 Surprising Twists on Window Trim


“I need the negative space of winter, that place that eases the senses after a rush of color, sound and texture.” — Benjamin Vogt

Read every word of this article. It made me smile and wish winter would come back to my hometown for a few more weeks.

Full story: 6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring

Did you learn something new on Houzz this week? Did a featured ideabook help you with your renovation or decorating plans? Please share with us in the Comments section.

URL: You Said It: ‘Art Is a Great Way to Begin the Tale’ and More Quotables http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-22860.html