Growers & Nomads Blog

Soak it Up: Small Tubs for Small Bathrooms

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:09:00 -0500

Soak it Up Small Tubs for Small Bathrooms

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Friday, March 12, 2010

We know your story, because we've been there: You're planning to remodel the bathroom and you’ve all but given up on the idea of putting in a tub. There’s just not enough room. And we feel for you, because we know that, deep down, you’re holding out hope – either for the bathroom to grow, or for you yourself to shrink. You live for that after-work hot-water bath. It’s your favorite way to unwind.

Attention, remodelers, let’s turn our eyes to the East. Specifically, to Japan. In Japan it is very common to find a “soaking tub” in a bathroom, and soaking tubs (thought they come in a variety of shapes and sizes) can be as little as half the length of a standard American model. A perfect choice, perhaps, if square footage is the problem.

You’ll have to get your Zen on sitting more upright than reclined, but we’re sure you’ll quickly adjust. Check out these models, and let the remodeling begin.

[1shottub.co.uk]

[Hotel on Rivington on tripadvisor.com]

[signaturehardware.com]

[Top: travela.priceline.com]

Tags: Bathroom, Bathrooms, Soaking Tubs

Live Like a Rock Star: Sandra Bullock's Oscar-worthy Digs

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:41:00 -0500

Live Like a Rock Star Sandra Bullocks Oscarworthy Digs

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Before Sandra Bullock snatched up the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, she already knew a little something about staking a place in history. CasaSugar reports that Bullock and husband Jesse James bought the Koch-Mays house (built sometime between 1860 and 1870) in the historic Garden District in New Orleans late last year (more photos here).

This inspired us to find our own Victorian gems to snatch up a la Ms. Bullock. A quick breeze through the MLS turned up these homes currently up for grabs (maybe for you?)...take a peek!

Charleston, North Carolina

64 Rutledge Avenue

The "Palm Villa" Landmark Victorian home, built in 1903, is located in the heart of historic Charleston. Boasting eight bedrooms and two magnificent wraparound piazzas with more than 1,800 square feet of space, it's accented with a beautiful Canary Island date palm from which the property gets its name. If you've got a spare $2,500,000 lying around, here's your chance at Victorian luxury.

Bristol, Rhode Island

631 Hope Street

Built circa 1851, this Victorian home is in the heart of the Bristol Historic District. New owners can enjoy a "center hall, grand scale rooms and comforting library with fireplace overlooking lush perennial gardens," not to mention a "master bedroom suite, two staircases and a chef's kitchen with Bosch and Wolf appliances." Price tag: $1,100,000.

North Hampton, New Hampshire

46 Ocean Boulevard

Sea Verge, a North Hampton landmark, is apparently being offered for only the second time since 1882 (whoa!). Much has changed to bring this vintage home into the modern age, including upgrades in the kitchen, baths and geo-thermal heating and AC systems. Own the dream for $2,395,000.

Port Townsend, Washington

2030 Monroe Street
And our favorite - the J. W. Griffiths House in Port Townsend offers spectacular water views and a secret garden Morgan Hill location. Close to shops, restaurants and the farmers' market (and check out that view!), this Northwest haven is currently priced at $548,000 (does not include cute, new rain boots and statement umbrellas).

Tags: Live Like A Rock Star

The Perfect Sewing Room

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:07:00 -0500

The Perfect Sewing Room

Posted by Jenna Briand
Thursday, March 11, 2010

I don’t sew. Beyond what I learned in 7^th grade Home Economics – replacing a button, fixing a hole, that sort of thing – I am the tabula rasa of tailoring. The empty vessel of embroidery. You get my point.

I love the idea of sewing though. Also of knitting, crafting, and all the other deliberate, meditative activities one can wile away an afternoon doing while using one’s hands. I would have come to the conclusion to start sewing on my own (I do have a 3 year old with a prematurely developing fashion sense, after all), but seeing the rooms below has accelerated my desire to have a new hobby. Watch out Betsy Ross.

Because, just look. The color! The privacy! The excuse to organize and label! How did I not realize how great this would be until now? One small detail -- I don't have an extra room. Maybe the walk-in closet will do.

[decoratinggallery.bhg.com]

[sallysblog.blogspot.com]

[thedomesticdiva.blogspot.com]

[saldos de concha via flickr]

[Top: sew-whats-new.com]

Tags: Interior Design, Sewing Rooms

Are Great Rooms Really So Great?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:05:00 -0500

Are Great Rooms Really So Great

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Ah, the Great Room. Since the early 1980’s they’ve found themselves sitting majestically at the center of many, many new homes – their multi-use function and way-up-there ceilings providing a sense of grandeur to the modern family’s home.

But are Great Rooms really so great? Two years ago Money magazine listed the Great Room as one of the “5 Dumbest Renovation Fads” (their words, not ours), and they make a sound financial case for it. Great Rooms are large and expensive to heat and cool, and constructing them can cost twice as much per square foot as building their “normal” sized companions. Money also noted that the sound quality of a Great Room is often comparable to an echo chamber, and that design-wise, the rows of stacked windows often look more hotel-lobby than cozy-home.

We’ve noticed a trend away from Great Rooms, ourselves – one based more on emotion and psychology than dollars and cents. It seems to us that since the past two years’ economic tribulations, people are hunkering down more at home. And at home, people are hunkering down in cozy nooks and comfy corners, not so much in formal arrangements. We think of the many articles we’ve read about reading nooks and home offices, pillow-strewn floors and snug dining rooms – all of which work well in achieving homey-ness because they are separate and distinct. And we're not psychologists, but we remember the comfort of childhood forts, long mornings spent under the covers, curling up on the couch for movie night with our sweetie -- and 20 foot ceillings weren't involved in any of those situations.

Obviously the size of one’s living area is a subjective choice, but if you’re feeling like you just don’t need all that un-used vertical space, or you’d really like a wall between you’re work and your kids cartoons, you’re not alone. Because small(er) is also great.

[Images: dollylovespink via flicker, top: 1399castlehill.com]

Tags: Construction, Great Rooms, Interior Design, Living/dining

10 Tips to Avoid Plumbing Nightmares

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:00 -0500

10 Tips to Avoid Plumbing Nightmares

Posted by Home Minders
Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Something as small as a leaky faucet can waste up to 5,000 gallons of water each year. But with a bit of maintenance, you can not only make your home and life greener, but also prevent the little drips as well as the big plumbing catastrophes.

Here, 10 tips to help you avoid plumbing problems, and the tools you need to be your own plumber in times of crisis!

1. Replace worn hoses on washing machines.

2. Inspect water pipes and fittings annually.

3. Know where the water shutoff valve is in case a hose or pipe breaks.

4. Check the water pressure—normal pressure is 60 to 80 psi.

5. Check the grout and caulking around toilets.

6. Exercise the angle stop on your main water valve by turning it every four months.

7. Make sure that sump pumps are free of debris.

8. Drain water from the bottom of the water heater until it runs clear to get rid of sediment.

9. Don't leave the house with the dishwasher or washing machine running.

10. Turn off the water supply to the washing machine when you're taking long vacations.

And the tools you need around the house for basic plumbing procedures:

Adjustable wrench
Basin wrench (to remove and replace the nuts that hold a faucet in place)
1/4-inch flat-blade screwdriver
Philips head screwdriver
Pliers
Teflon tape
Assorted washers and O-rings

Winter Maintenance

Follow these steps to prepare your plumbing for cold weather:

Check the insulation around indoor, attic, crawlspace and exposed pipes.
Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation or heat trace tape as needed.
Drain underground sprinkler systems and blow out any water left in the lines.
Cover exposed spigots with a Styrofoam cover or with newspaper, a plastic bag and duct tape.
Shut off outdoor faucets and drains.

Bring in a qualified handyman to help you with your plumbing solutions. Our local, trusted partners are reliable, affordable and ready to help.

Tags: Bathroom, Handyman, How To, Kitchen, Plumbing

A Moment of Reflection

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:26:00 -0500

A Moment of Reflection

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Monday, March 8, 2010

Mirrors. We look into them every day to primp, brush, preen and, at times, obsess over the Bad Hair Day we're having. Mirrors are the friend of some, the enemy of others. Still, we need them. We can’t walk around with smudged eyeliner, shaving knicks and bedhead all the time, now, can we?

Mirrors can be an ally to your home as well, in brightening – even enlarging – a room. You know the room. That one with the north facing windows next to the shade tree that is, for its lack of light, the equivalent of a subterranean cave. Or that teeny room at the end of the hall which you use for guests – assuming your guests are under 5’5” and 120 lbs. In rooms such as these, a mirror can be a room’s best friend.

A strategically placed mirror can be a focal point and give a room the illusion of depth. It can reflect light from either a natural or artifical source, giving the illusion of more brightness. It can even be a way to unify a room with contrasting colors and patters, bringing a little of the lavendar on that wall to mix with the reflection of the wallpaper on this one. And yes, it can help you fix your smudged eyeliner too.

The images below show how artfully placed (and designed) mirrors can help transform a space.

[crateandbarrel.com, jdesigngroup.com, bfr.com, designschemeinteriors.com, michiganshelf.com]

Tags: Handyman Connection, Interior Design, Mirrors

Project: Installing a Dimmer Switch

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:13:00 -0500

Project Installing a Dimmer Switch

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Friday, March 5, 2010

Dimmers can definitely help create a mood. It seems even the dingiest dive bars have dimmers to create low-key ambience, saving the harsh, "ugly" lights for 2 a.m. to help shoo off the barflies.

If you're ready to ditch the one-light-fits-all scheme to dress up a room, hallway or any other area in your home with dimmers, here's what you'll need to arm yourself with the right tools and get the job done.

What you'll need:

Screwdriver
Circuit tester
Wire stripper
Twist on wire connectors
Wire cutter

To install the dimmer switch:

Using a screwdriver, remove the cover from the light switch.
Unscrew the two screws that hold the switch inside the wall box.
When the screws are removed, gently pull the switch out from the wall box.
If needed, use the circuit tester to determine which wire is the hot wire.
Turn off the power to the switch from the circuit breaker box. Use your circuit tester again to verify that the power is off.
Unscrew the wires from the switch. Remove the switch and set it aside.
You will see three wires coming out from the wall and three wires on your new dimmer switch. There should be a green wire (or bare copper wire) on your dimmer switch; this is the ground wire. Connect the green wire to the ground wire from the wall (the wall ground wire is the one without insulation).
Take the two black wires coming out from the wall, and using a wire stripper, expose about a half inch of the wires.
Take one black wire from the switch and one black wire from the wall, line the two ends up side by side and twist on the wire cap clockwise.
Repeat with the two remaining wires.
Once the wires are secure, gently push the switch into the box.
Screw the switch and the plate back into the box.
Screw the cover plate back on and replace the knob.

Restore the power to the switch and turn it on. If you don't have any loose connections, you're all ready to set up your best mood lighting!

Bring in a qualified designer or handyman to help you with your lighting solutions. Our local, trusted partners are reliable, affordable and ready to help.

[Images: maridesign via flickr, bruninghaus via flickr]

Tags: Lighting, Project

The Master Bedroom's Going Green

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:59:00 -0500

The Master Bedrooms Going Green

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Thursday, March 4, 2010

If there were something out there that could soothe you and alleviate your anxiety – and it didn’t require a drink mixer or a prescription – wouldn’t you try it? Such, experts say, are the healing powers of the color green, which can be yours with a simple call to the painter.

If green soothes, why not try painting it on the walls of the most restorative room in your house? The master bedroom.

Green walls can, in theory, bring the brightness and warmth of nature right into your home. Even bright greens, as shown below, can evoke the feeling one gets in a forest or meadow, and, assuming those are pleasant feelings for you, bring a certain sense of harmony into the room.

Feng Shui guidelines concur. Green is good. It’s just up to you to choose your shade. For some, the boldest of greens will evoke all the good feelings we cite here, and for others they will be immediately transported to their high school cafeteria. Choose wisely, green-lover. Remember, the goal is inner peace, not Mystery Meat flashback.

[HGTV]

[ghareexpert.com]

[housetohome.uk]

[sorteobuop.com]

Looking for the perfect green? Bring in a qualified painting contractor for a free consultation to help you with your color picks. Our local, trusted partners are reliable, affordable and ready to help.

[main image: HGTV]

Tags: Certapro Painters, Find A Local Painter, Green, Interior Decorating, Master Bedroom, Paint, Painting

Seven Storage Tips for Your Bathroom

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:13:00 -0500

Seven Storage Tips for Your Bathroom

Posted by June Kurt
Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Now that the space below your sink has shrunk to one spare square inch, are you seriously considering stacking items on the back of your toilet?

There's a better, smarter way. Herewith, seven tips that range from simple baskets you can source at any container store to recessed tile shelves that you should probably hire a handyman to install...(especially if tile is involved).

#1: For a "furnished" look, use a narrow lingerie chest to organize cosmetics, medications and first-aid supplies in separate drawers.

OnlineAmishFurniture.com

#2: Set extra towels, rolled instead of folded, in an open basket.

BedBathandBeyond.com

#3: Enclosing an old tub on legs in a wooden box or a “deck” (a headboard is a popular choice) can give you shelf space at either end and a wider tub edge—and save you from cleaning under it!

#4: A clever carpenter can create a recessed bathroom shelf where you need it, even if the wall is tiled.

#5: From the back of the bathroom door, hang tiered wire baskets for cosmetics or a linen rack for extra towels.

Dormbuys.com

#6: Move your sink out of the center (or add another!) with a small but efficient corner vanity.

UniversalCeramicTiles.com

#7: Use a storage stool with a lift top to store paper supplies.

ContainerStore.com

Bring in a qualified designer or handyman to help you with your storage solutions. Our local, trusted partners are reliable, affordable and ready to help.

[Image: Hola Images | Getty Images]

Tags: Bathroom, Bathroom Storage, Bathrooms, Find Me A Storage Solution, Storage

Live Like a Rock Star: Shaun White's Teen Bedroom

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:38:00 -0500

Live Like a Rock Star Shaun Whites Teen Bedroom

Posted by The Growers and Nomads Team
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Two-time gold-medal snowboarder Shaun White likely has a house in every powdery corner of the world at this point. But before he became a Winter Olympics sensation and was just rising to alternative snow-sport stardom, his "chillax pad" bedroom in his parents' home in Carlsbad, Calif., was charmingly teened-out and is "totes" worth a look.

Closets
Even the most laid-back wardrobe needs some organization. Seems he had a cubby hole for every important piece of board gear a teen could acquire.

Paint
How adorable is his pixelated '80s video game wall paint? Was it this pattern that he stared at daily during his formative years that stimulated his brain into becoming an Olympic genius? In any case, it's just the perfect thing to match his bed and futon outfitted in cool blues and creams. So perfectly low-key and boyish.

Shelves
Shaun's matching shelves and display case bring order to his (then) growing collection of action figurines. He sheepishly admitted on MTV's Teen Cribs that he couldn't help snatching them up every time he visited Japan for an event.

Is it too cute that his favorite board matched his bedroom? We don't think so. We love you, half-pint Shaun (USA! USA!).

[images via mtv.com/cribs]

Tags: Cal Closets, Certa Pro Painters, Closets, Colors, Live Like A Rock Star, Organization, Paint, Sheles, Teenage Bedroom