Home & Garden Blog

Jason Miller, the interior designer featured on the NYTimes.com this week, talks about the beauty and simplicity of throwback 70’s style. He recommends three things: Polyester, Pop Art, and Plastic. Think Andy Warhol’s factory meets Hippie global world views. What do you do with all this throwback? A classic part of the 70’s that Miller doesn’t want to recreate is the colors–according to him, the cheap fabrics, carpets and furniture of the 1970’s made for flimsy fabric and flukey, dry colors. He recommends springing a few extra bucks and getting some dark chocolate browns and nicely hued colors instead. I like where he’s taking the modern twist.

So what do you do to recreate the 70’s charm? Take a look at these options I found on Smarter.com. Hope it helps! With Halloween coming up this weekend, why not put your whole house in costume?

Retro Modern Chair: $290.99

Momeni Shag Comfort Rug from Walmart.com: $59.00-819.00

Shop for more vintage style furniture and vintage style rugs.

Do you like rugs?  I used to like them a lot because they always seemed to be a great accessory to use decorate any room, but now that I found these eco-friendly area rugs I like them even more.  Why?  Is not only the feeling that I put my two cents in to help the environment, but knowing that rugs can be really practical because they:

1) Eliminate static electricity and moisture.

2) Absorb and reduce noise.

I want to show you two different designs I found on Smarter.com, which in my opinion look really good.

This wool area rug was love at first sight for me.  I think its design is totally original, wonderful and refined.  Besides, it’s a really high quality product, totally resistant to wear, that will look like new for decades.

It is very easy to picture this rug, placed in a wooden floor living room, next to the sofa, fitting perfectly from a classic to a contemporary deco, since it really is a very versatile piece.

I’m going to give you now another decorating option for this rug. Note: What I’m going to tell you next can’t be done with any rug, it needs to have an awesome design like this one. Okay, here we go:  What if I told you to hang it on the wall?  I think it would look incredible and I bet every single guest would stay staring at it for hours, admiring its delicate design.

Pictured: Area Rug Wool Foreign Accents Area Rug - Eco Friendly Rug: $592.00

My second and last choice is as beautiful as the first one, and is even more versatile since it can be used for outdoor spaces too.

This rug is made of duracord, which feels as soft as cotton, and offers the durability expected for an outdoor product, resisting mold and mildew.  Another great thing about this material is that it dries faster than other kinds of outdoor fabrics and regains its softness much quicker.

Foliage images are in the spotlight nowadays!  That’s why there are so many decorating accessories made with these kind of motifs.  In my opinion, they look totally elegant and fresh.

It’s very important for you to know that there is no need to get rugs that match perfectly with the rest of your decor.  That’s what’s so great about them!  Using a rug with a different style helps create spontaneous decor and gives the room an original touch.

Pictured: Savannah Neutral - Medium: $99.25

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more eco friendly area rugs.

Truth is when I first heard of “leather” shag rugs my first instinct was to cringe a bit. I don’t know why but I immediately got a vision of a hairy bo-hunk with a disco shirt open to the naval, boppin his head and spewing cheesey pick up lines! Ha!

But upon closer inspection I have changed my mind and think it is actually quite chic. Check out the Allover Leather Shag Area Rug from HomeDecorators.com. 

The popular leather area rugs are perfect to accent or even hang on the wall! The leather shag rugs are available in brown, golden sunset, multi and black. The one I have featured is the “multi” color. I think it looks like fall foilage. Which is pretty. My interior design eye pictures dark mahogany furntiure hard wood cheery floors and suede couches….grrrr!

If you want to check out the Allover Leather Shag Area Rug - Click here!

Shop for more Discount Area Rugs - Click here!

This beautiful Belize rug really caught my eye as I was scrolling about for deals. I like the delicate floral arrangement, it is whimsical enough to be pretty without being too granny looking.

This unique contemporary rug from the New Wave Collection features high quality wool with plush half thick pile and extra soft texture. The Belize rug has been meticulously hand carved and specially crafted to produce the look of hand knotted rug at an affordable price.

Price varied depending on size but the smallest one (2′x3′) cost - $69.00

To bargain shop for the Belize Area Rug, click here.

To discover more great deals on Affordable Rugs- Click here!

Recycling is not just for soda containers anymore but is useful for clever economic housing. This tri-level, 11,000-square-foot Puma store, known as Puma City, is made of 24 refurbished shipping containers and is fully dis-mountable so it can be packed up and shipped anywhere…

Awesome, huh!

(Finish reading at Inhabitat Blog)

In Smarter Home and Garden Blog:

1. Christimas Tree Shaped Wreath from Williams-Sonoma
2. Discount Bedding - Save 60% Off Bed in a  Bag 
3. Attractive Outdoor Trash Hideaway - Makes Trash Look Good 
4. Save Money on a Set of Discount Standard Pillows
5.  Stair Decoration & Protection - Madison Braided Stair Tread Rugs

You should know that my bum clenches up like crazy when I encounter steep, slippery stairs or steps. I am one of those people that cling to the side rail when descending subway steps regardless of how filthy they may be! My fear of slipping and falling to my death supersedes my phobia of public germs. Which is saying a lot.

I don’t know where this fear came from I just have always been super cautious of steps. One time my best friend ate face when we watched Phantom of the Opera at Pantages, perhaps that image of her tumbling down the steps still haunts my psyche…

Regardless of where I picked up this phobia I now “rug-ify” all wooden steps in any home I inhabit. Which is why I chose to highlight the Cambridge Stair Treads from Taylor Gifts!

Non-skid stair treads make steps safer without sacrificing style. Timeless Old English pattern brings out the natural beauty of any hardwood surface. Non-skid latex backing keep treads in place and helps prevent slips and spills. Comes in a set of 7!

Your Price: $19.98

If you are interested in purchasing the Cambridge Stair Treads from Taylor Gifts, click here. 

Still want to shop for other low priced decorative rugs? Click here!  

Attractive, affordable area rugs are hard to find. If they are affordable they tend to be poorly made and shed all over the place, and if they are finely crafted they of course cost a small fortune. Where is a happy medium?

Check out this Recife Seagrass Round Rug  from CSN Rugs!

Distinctively designed to complement the simple, yet classic styling of outdoor furniture, uniquely colored to make stone entryways and patio decks warmer and more inviting. The Recife Seagrass round area rug is that happy medium we are all searching for, stylish, well made and affordable.

Price $169.00

Plus at CSN Rugs they offer FREE DELIVERY and Hassle Free Returns if you are not satisfied!

If you are interested in shopping or purchasing this area rug, click on the image or link listed above.

Good rugs are hard to find, the good ones can get pretty pricey! If you are in the market for a decorative affordable rug then check out the Urban Outfitters Heart Flower Rug!

Source: Grassroots Modern Blog

How many times have you slammed your finger with a hammer! Well with the Shark Tool maybe it will be the last time, the Shark allows you to hold nails and screws secure so you don’t have to break your finger while hanging a frame.

Source: Yanko Design Blog

I actually saw beach beds like this when I went to Cabo, Mexico. Let me tell you from first hand experience that they are awesome! Comfotable, supportive, sexy.

Source: Behind the Curtains Blog

While in the land of Smarter Home & Garden ….

Discount Cookware & Bakeware …

Discount Drinkware - Martini Chiller

Discount Small Kitchen Appliances - The Perfect Grilled Cheese!

Funny Photo of the Week - Shag-a-riffic Chair!

Clean Deal - Indoor Cleaning Supplies

How many times has your heart skipped a beat when you almost slip and die on some poorly constructed front steps? Well it happened to me yesterday, it wasn’t even rainy! I really feel that architects or home builders should be aware of the material they use to construct stairs and steps. Seems awfully negligent to use materials that may be aesthetically pleasing but potentially dangerous! Sorry I had to vent for a moment …

Well if you are such a home owner and you don’t want to gut out your porch steps, take a look at these Safety Rubber Stair Treads! These genuine rubber stair treads provide safe footing and help prevent stairway falls. Unlike slippery vinyl treads, resilient rubber muffles footsteps and lessens the noisy clatter of bare stairways. Plus, I happen to think they look a lot classier.

You can use them on basement, attic, and back steps, they come in black. Treads are sold individually, so buy as many as you need.

Rubber Stair Treads - $3.45 each

I have always LOVED the whole “white shag rug over smoked cherry wood floors” thing. Just one problem, let’s just say that I lack the “resources” to purchase my heart’s desires. Suffice to say I work under budget restraints, which in my experience is the majority of the population, so my comrade in arms I decided to purchase the following:

Safavieh Shag sg302b White 4′ X 6′ Area Rug for $192.00 from the people @ Rug Studio

Here is the final product being modeled by my friend. (Who politely put my throat in a death grip if I didn’t block out her face!) Also, please note that this was taken shortly after I moved into my old apartment, so excuse the mess!

Here is a close up, see how plush and thick it is!! Yummy right? Buddha and I give this rug 2 thumbs + 2 paws up!