You Said It: ‘We Get the House a Present’ and Other Quotes of the Week

Happy Halloween, everyone! I still haven’t picked up my treats yet, but I realized if I go with the whole Teal Pumpkin Project spirit, I would not only help kids with food allergies feel included, but I would eliminate the problem of consuming all the treats myself before the little beggars arrive. After all, I can only wear so many spider rings at once.

Speaking of teal pumpkins, the highlights from Houzz this week were quirky and fun. I enjoyed looking through your fall photos so much that I have gone back three times to gaze and daydream, and I’m sure I will again. Elsewhere around Houzz I saw a steampunk kitty structure and learned all about the daily dramas of bee life. Here are a just a few favorites from this week.

Decor-trend pumpkins started the tradition, but this year cartoonist Molly Brandenburg has expanded the jack-o’-lantern possibilities to include anything that trended big this past year. I’m glad it’s a cumulative collection — I got a wave of nostalgia for that Missoni-fueled rush to Target, thanks to the inclusion of a Missoni pumpkin from a past year.

Full story: The Latest Designer Pumpkins to Haunt Your Halloween


“Cats are always looking for something to do. That’s why we developed the Steampunk Cat Transit System (CTS) for a private residence in San Francisco.” — Jillian Northrup

This is one of the coolest pet-loving projects I’ve seen in a while, because while it’s got big style for Jules Verne fans, it’s all about function. Much thought went into how cats like to climb, play, lounge, hide and peek.

Full story: Geek Lab: How to Build a Steampunk Cat Transit System


“Sure, there are inconveniences, but there are also great benefits to living here. If you want to see them, just look out the window.” — homeowner Leah Taylor, as told to Mary Jo Bowling

First of all, great sentiment in general. Second, this California schoolhouse has a great story. It was saved at the last minute by Alfred Hitchcock, who rented it as part of the sets and scenery for the film The Birds. However, my favorite part of the story is about the Taylor family’s buying the schoolhouse and renovating it themselves to create a family home. My favorite tidbit is that neighbors who had pilfered items from the school when they believed it was going to be demolished returned them after the Taylors moved in.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Meet the Schoolhouse Saved By ‘The Birds’


“My husband and I have a joke: How can you tell a male bee from a female bee? The male bee naps while the female works.” — Debbie Ballentine

Usually when I see a bee, I just get out of its way. The thought of Ballentine and her husband’s using them for hours of entertainment delighted me; I thoroughly enjoyed her cheeky descriptions of bee behavior.

Full story: 12 Entertaining ‘Bee-haviors’ of Native Bees


“She originally put the glass on top of it simply to protect it, but then she arranged magazine cuttings underneath to give it a different twist.” — Siobhan Lam

Fashion designer Helen Cody’s home (and studio) in Dublin, Ireland, is full of original ideas. Some of my favorite bits were the clippings that enliven her dining room table, a framed vintage corset, a vintage kimono draped over a mannequin and a fantastic art collection (she recommends scoring great art at art students’ graduation shows).

Full story: My Houzz: Urban Space With a Peaceful, Easy Feeling


“Oh, and we get the house a present every Christmas. We all enjoy that!” — Houzz user jjasper, in the Comments section

I loved this concept, and from the responses and “likes,” I see a lot of you do too. What’s on your home’s holiday gift list? A thermostat from Nest? New shutters? A spa treatment, aka a power washing? Please share with us in the Comments section.

Full story: Simple Pleasures: Your Home Is Your Château


“Those who move frequently, like military families, learn that home is where you make it.” — Laura Gaskill

I’ve added Gaskill to my dream life-coach team, along with Alison Hodgson. Gaskill’s tips for settling in and chasing homesickness away are so smart. They include setting up a routine and becoming a regular at local spots; joining groups that help you follow a passion; trying out a new style; embracing local customs, like tea time (personally, my favorite foreign custom is a siesta); and more. The list has a lot of things to try out even if you haven’t moved recently. Many of them can get you out of a rut and trying new things.

Full story: Making a Home Away From Home


“[Houzz user] Bluenan showed us a rainbow of colors, including an actual rainbow, in eastern Missouri.” — Annie Thornton

You all did such an amazing job with the fall photos you shared; I am absolutely in awe. Thank you so much for posting them!

However, you did make it impossible for me to choose a favorite, so I chose the double rainbow one, because … oh, my God, it’s so intense. Oh, oh, my God …

Full story: Brilliant Scenes of Fall Color Indoors and Out

What ideas stuck with you this week? Please share them with us in the Comments section.

URL: You Said It: ‘We Get the House a Present’ and Other Quotes of the Week http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24942.html