Category Archives: DIY

Maintaining Kitchen Freshness

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I discovered an interesting natural product to maintain kitchen freshness by increasing the longevity of produce in the refrigerator. Not only does this cube absorb ethylene gas in the refrigerator, it can also be used to absorb smells in other small spaces around the house.  What an interesting product:

What is it?

This neat little black cube efficiently purifies and refreshes the air in smaller spaces as it reduces odours. Try it in places such as drawers, closets, the car or your refrigerator.

Moreover, it can be used to keep food fresh by absorbing ethylene gas – try placing it in your fruit bowl and it will stay fresher for longer.

6 x 6 x 6 cm

Tested and documented effect by Danish Technological Institute.

What is it made of?

Kuro Cube is made from powdered and compressed White Charcoal.

This is the highest grade of charcoal available with an extremely high carbon content.

The raw material is Korean oak and the powdered White Charcoal is organically produced and handcrafted in Korea.

How to use?

Remove the plastic cover and place your Kuro Cube straight into your fridge or in any small space you want to deodorize.

Occasionally exposing your Kuro Cube to sunlight allows it to dry out thoroughly and regain its ability to absorb.

Do not use a microwave oven for this purpose.

How long does it last?

Kuro Cube remains active for one year.

How to recycle?

A used Kuro Cube is an excellent fertilizer. Just crush it and mix with potting soil, in order to nourish it and regulate its PH levels.

Want one? Order here.

 

 

 

Storage Upgrades: Drawers

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A few  ideas to add function, style and convenience to your storage:

1) refrigerated beverage drawers:

~photo credit~

2) Make your shelves drawer-like for better access. What a brilliant idea to maximize space and keep things organized. No need to call in the professionals, this can be an easy DIY project.

~Photo Credit~    DIY Resource

3) Outlets in the drawers.  Need I say more? Your counters will thank you! Great idea.

Photo Credit 

4) Luxury Drawer Liners- Infuse your clothes with the luxurious scent of Jo Malone  by lining your drawers with lime, basil and mandarin liners.

Which of these ideas enthuses you most? If you have other drawer upgrades or organizational tips  to share, please comment or send them in!

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Appliance Buying Advice From a Wise Repairman

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I had an appliance repairman named Danny over to fix my dryer today.  He was a wealth of knowledge.  What started out as idle chat quickly turned into an interview.  Here are a few thought-provoking things that I learned.

Where to buy appliances:  At a certified appliance store. Only. “You wouldn’t buy your car at a grocery store as you shouldnt buy your appliances at a ‘lumber’ store” (I won’t name names here, but we all know the large stores that this term implies…).  For a few reasons- if the appliance breaks, the large “lumber” stores will direct you to handle it yourself with the manufacturer.   Also, even though you may think you are buying best of the brand you trust the most at one of these large “lumber” stores or wholesale superstores, you are actually buying a version made specifically for those stores to carry (usually a lesser model than they otherwise manufacture to sell).  So, if you want the quality you anticipate from a specific brand, buy from the appliance stores. Who knew? The appliance stores want your repeat business so they will gladly help you if you need repairs.

How to choose appliances that will last:  This is where it gets interesting all over again: avoid the new high-tech computer panels and touch screens.  They have a short life expectancy and will cost you routine repairs and early replacement. My repairman went so far as to even suggest that these high-tech models are planned revenue generators for the manufacturers because of their higher replacement cycle. Hmmm.  Opt for knob controls over touch screens whenever possible. Another pointer from Danny- buy from US-based companies rather than foreign competition if you want easy to repair appliances with accessible parts.

Decoding the brand choices: Did you know that: KitchenAid, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Estate and Roper are all owned by Whirlpool?  Or that Whirlpool now manufactures the Kenmore brand for Sears? News to me.

Deciding which brand to buy: Be careful who you ask. To quote Danny, “if you really want to know what the most reliable car to buy is, you should ask a mechanic, not a car dealer for x,y or z brand car — same goes for appliances”.  If you ask a hardware superstore or your favorite wholesale club, the answer will of course be one of their in-stock items. If you want a legitimate answer, ask an appliance repair specialist or go to an actual appliance store who has equal loyalty to a wide range of brands.

His most highly recommended brand:  I had to ask. Whirlpool brand, it will be the best of the best in the way of parts, technology and lifespan.  Sounds good to me.

Danny certainly knew what he was talking about. I appreciated his appliance buying advice, as I’m sure you do. We can all think of more fun things to spend money on than repairs or replacements. If any of you in the Dallas area ever need a repairman, let me know.

 

 

Blackboard Paint Brings Interactive Element to Rooms

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Our gadget and social media obsessed society has inspired an interesting update to home decor that encourages self-expression: blackboard paint.

Blackboards as message boards, quote boards, menu boards…

This one cleverly tops off wainscot in a dining room. Photo credit: homedit.

How fun, encouraged self-expression for the young ones! Photo credit: style-files.

This ought to be interesting after a party… Photo credit: hammersandhighheels.

Blackboards as art… is this going too far? Photo credit: Pinterest.

So, what do you think? Would you incorporate Blackboard Paint into your home decor?

How High Should You Hang a Chandelier?

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photo credit: murano imports


If you have to walk under it, you want to allow for clearance of 7-8 feet from the floor. If the ceiling is super high, consult your designer.

If it is over a table, you want it 30-36 feet from the table, depending on the fixture.

Any design questions? Send contact us and we will be happy to address them.

10 Tech Things Everybody Should Know How to Do

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Great article from apartmenttherapy.com highlighting things we should all know how to do around our homes… how many do you know??  No worries, helpful links are provided for anything you need to brush up on.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-things-you-should-know-how-to-do-with-tech-164388

How to Find a Stud (design, not dating advice…)

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Want to hang pictures this weekend? You always hear about the importance of finding the studs to support your heavy pictures, but do you glaze over when faced with how to actually find them?

Follow the helpful advice of this DIY blogger and you will get it right: http://diyhomeblogger.com/?p=10

“You definitely don’t want to be entertaining people at your home and WHAM…. a shelf falls off the wall and cracks your dinner guest over the head.  This is not the kind of thing we want happening to any of our readers!”    Many thanks to this blogger for showing us how it is done.

Caring for Silver

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Now that the holidays are over, people are returning their family silver to storage.  I thought this would be a good time to address the proper care for silver. Contrary to popular belief, silver does not need constant cleaning and the need to do so can be reduced by regular dusting with a soft cloth or washing with warm soapy water, rinsing and drying well. Some other things to keep in mind:

  • Silver should not be put in the dishwasher
  • When not in use or on display it will tarnish less if kept wrapped in acid-free tissue paper or undyed cotton or linen and kept in airtight conditions.
  • Tarnishing is caused by a number of factors including humidity, sulphurous foods such as egg yolks and fingerprints which can leave deposits.
  • To remove tarnish it is best to use cloths impregnated with silver foam or polish (never use polish intended for copper or brass).
  • Silver dip, which can be wiped on large objects, should not be used too many times.
  • Rinse after cleaning and dry carefully.
  • Never use wire or abrasive cloth to remove stains as they will scratch the surface.
  • Polish plated objects as seldom as possible as a small amount of silver will be removed over time and eventually wear away, exposing the metal core.
  • Silver will corrode as a result of being in contact with salt.  Salt cellars should be gilt or glass lined and the salt should be removed from them after use.

If you have any other topics you would like addressed, feel free to let Courtney Price Design know!

Caring For Your Marble Countertops

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Marble is an elegant surface that updates the look of any kitchen. It is the preferred counter material for many bakers because of the ease of rolling out pastries and dough on its surface.

However, you should know that it requires more maintenance than granite because it is a softer and more porous material - making it susceptible to stains, cracks, scratches, or dulling of the shine. Not to worry though– with a little knowledge and discipline, your investment will be protected.

The most important thing to remember:  seal marble countertops at least once a year. You will know if they need resealing if water fails to bead up when splashed on the surface.  Sealing prevents stains and damage.

 

Ways to avoid damaging the surface:

  • remember that acids are the enemy. that means anything citrus, tomatoes (even ketchup), vinegar, soda, oils, cleaning chemicals.  These substances can erode, stain or cloud the surface.
  • do not use regular cleaning products that can scratch the surface over time, and do not ever use abrasive cleaners or powders, or abrasive scrubbers like steel wool– they will damage the finish. Dust weekly with a soft microfiber cloth and use a pH-neutral cleaner designed for marble. Your countertop company will be happy to recommend a solution.
  • wipe up any spills immediately, then wipe the area with a little water and dry immediately. Spills that are left to absorb into the counter CAN eventually lead to cracks.
  • never allow wet dishes, glasses or water to stand on a marble countertop for any length of time. Water will seep into the stone and leave a permanent ring to remind you where the water was— removable only by professional polishing.

Has this scared you away from ever having marble counters? I hope not. As long as you know the rules of the territory, your marble will remain beautiful for many years.  And there is always the school of thought among Europeans that scratches, scrapes and stains over time create a patina that adds character and witness to the use of the kitchen… it’s a perspective worth considering.

If you have any topics you would like to read about, be sure to let Courtney Price Design know! Have a great day-