DaVinci's Gallery

Gallery for Gals

2010-09-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Case #3 Bread No-Drawer Disaster

Another mess. Help: Please comment with suggestions.

Where do you stash you bread?

I tried this wicker basket first.

Then I tried the leaf platter.

Then this--wrapped the whole thing up in a sack. Looks like something died.

HELP.
Calling all organization experts and decorating geniuses.
What do you suggest?

Please comment or email: terri@devokids.com. Look forward to your solutions.

Decorating Imperfection: Case #2

2010-09-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

How to decorate the top of the refrigerator

Case #2

How do you beautify the top of the refrigerator and utilize the space? Do lovely and functional spaces coexist?

Help, Bloggers, help! Calling all decorating and organizing gals in blogger land. Please link to DaVinci's Gallery, comment your ideas, and I'll link back to ya! This interactive blog is for you--showcase your ideas here.

Other places to look for me: http://www.devokids.com/ and davincisclassroom.wordpress.com.

Can't wait to hear from you!
Terri
CONTACT: terri@devokids.com

SOLUTION:
Karen writes: I think you are on the right track with your basket idea for bread storage. Bread and baskets go beautifully together! I think where you are running into a problem is the size of your basket and where you are stashing it. I think we can also combine your bread storage problem and your top of the refrigerator storage dilemma.

Find a larger basket that meshes with your decorating style. I found a set of open weave willow baskets marked down and at the end of the season at a larger department store. If it is not lined, find or purchase a cloth napkin or cut a piece of fabric to line it. I bought some cheery gingham checked napkins at a yard sale! I put the basket with my loaf of bread as well as our chips or pretzels on top of the refrigerator. It looks decorative and when I get ready to pack lunches, I just pull it down! I have seen professional organizers use plastic baskets with handles and I could see a sleek modern kitchen with chrome baskets. There is such a wide variety of baskets available, it would be relatively easy and inexpensive to find a basket that would suit anyone's style.

Thanks, Karen. What a great idea. I'd never considered a larger basket. I'm going to look for a basket and I'll post the picture when it's ready. Thank you! Terri@DaVinc's Gallery

SOLUTIONS:

Here's one idea from http://www.stylisheve.com/.

Kelly Edwards, from GMC Trade Secrets, answered this query on aol.answers.com.
"I don't suggest putting anything on top of the fridge that could potentially come crashing down on anyone?s head when the door shuts. My idea is to go with some colored plastic or resin vases that give the illusion of glass but without the weight. You could also go with something a little more traditional and do an array of vintage tea tins with flowers or even baskets, which can give you extra storage."

Here's my first solution.

I also found this suggestion online:

Add a Boston Fern in a basket to sit on top of the refrigerator. All my mind can see after a few weeks is a shedding fern. Any other suggestions from the decorating or organizing world?

Another online idea...just build a cabinet over the top. Adding a custom fit cabinet will cost far more than a boston fern, but might be worth the expense.

Here's another pretty picture of a Better Homes and Gardens kitchen.

Brainstorm: Why not build more refrigerator or freezer space on top of refrigerator? I wouldn't mind climbing on a step-stool for extra storage.

Please comment and I'll post your suggestions, your links, and your pictures.
NOTE: The comment box doesn't seem to be working, so email terri@devokids.com until I figure out the problem. Thanks.

DaVinci's Gals....

2010-08-23T05:41:00.000-07:00

Help!

DaVinci's gal loves writing. So her other loves, like decorating, languish. Calling all decorators to come to the rescue and help Miss DaVinci (a.k.a. Little Red Writing Hood at DaVinci's Classroom)

correct the dilemmas.

Case No. 1: Curtain

Baby curtain in boy's room is still hanging and he's ... umm...in school.

Challenge for Gallery Gals:

Help me use what's on hand around the house, as you see in the first picture, a blue throw and a light blue bedspread. Yes, my son wants a blue room with green accents. I'm thinking Narnian type theme.

Should I dye the light blue spread to a dark blue and should I use the throw as a curtain?

What are your suggestions?

Gals, please help DaVinci's Gallery. Email terri@devokids.com.

ReUnited

2010-06-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

New Posts Coming Soon!

We've taken a siesta, but DaVinci's Gallery is coming back.
We'll be posting writing opportunities, occasional gardening tips, and whatever else comes to mind.

Writer's may guest post by contacting terri@devokids.com

Gardener Du Jour

2009-03-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

Part III
Season: Almost Spring

This is the continued story of Marshall and his garden tips. Follow me as I learn from Marshall, a gardener for 61 years.

Marshall: "I'm mad."
Why?

"The peach tree is about to bloom. I'm afraid we'll get another freeze. I'm not happy. What can I do if it gets killed."

Marshall, is it time for me to start seeds?
"Almost. I'll tell you when. You aren't going to have much of a garde, anyway. But you can try.
I'm tired. I'm upset."

He shakes his head back and forth.

"This climates different. Don't know when we're getting a cold spell. Hey, I got basil in a little pot. You can make your own seeds. You know the little black seeds. If you start your plant early enough, you'll get seeds from it. You can make seeds from just about anything."

"I'm going to plant some yellow stripe zucchine. I know you like it. Oh, well. The peach tree--she'll take 28-26 degrees. No bees around either."

It's looking good.

"It should be pruned. Let it go--I'll tie the limbs. This tree ought to last 20 years. I don't know if I'll last that long. Here's my Dutchess Pear. Look at these flower buds. No bees to pollinate them. They'll just drop off."

"Pray to God we don't get a freeze. I'm going to call the ag center to see if it's too early for my trees to bud."

"See how the dirt is--oh, it's warm."

2009-03-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

GARDENING: Gardener Du Jour
Part I Season: Winter
Here's the dirt: Marshall says, "go get your gardening soil" for your seeds.
Is it time to start little, baby seedling?

No. Is it time to dream over the seed catalogs? No. It's time to order, man! Who in the world is Marshall? Marshall is gardener du jour. Come back and I'll share Marshall's story, his gardening secrets, and his garden with you.

Not exactly the garden in three dimensions, but I'll send you pictures of the masterpiece. You wouldn't want to see mine. I harvest and nurture renegade sprouts from compost that vine across the garden making a mess until I exterminate it round about August.

See you for our almost spring, spring, almost summer, and summer into harvest garden link.

Gardener Du Jour Part II

Season: Almost Spring
Marshall left dropped this by the house. “I knew you liked flowers.”

22 degress Marshall plans his garden when he’s not planting.
“I started some seeds to see if the potting soil was any good. Two years ago, I got a terrible batch—lost everything. It’s good soil. You’re plants won’t dampen off.”
Dampen off?

“Yeah, it’s a fungus. The plants just wilt and die.”

Thanks for the seed catalog, Marshall.

Marshall rubs his hands together. “I got millions of catalogs. I use them for reference. I cross check plants to see what they're resistant to. I try to avoid blight. I’m going to plant Early Goliath tomato seeds. They seem to work on my soil.”

“I hope I have a good garden this year. I’ve been gardening since I was five years old. It depends on so many things—the soil, the climate, the weather, finicky plants. Everything has to be just right.”
I’m growing everything—melons, squash, tomatoes. Even cantaloupe. Cantaloupe is the only thing I can’t grow. Marshall rests after planting a persimmon-"It probably won't do any good."

And, Marshall waits for spring.

Gardener Du Jour

2009-03-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

Gardening Du Jour Pictures

DaVinci's Gallery

2009-03-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

http://easyhitcounters.com/

Adoration

2009-03-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

MARRIAGE 8:00am

HUSBAND: Face scrunched, irritated tone: “Why are all those bottles in the cabinet?”

WIFE: “It’s the medicine cabinet, they’re supposed to be there.”

HUSBAND: “All those bottles are not medicine.”

WIFE interrupted husband aka, Mr. Virus with 101 temperature, “I don’t know- but if you’re going to gripe--I’m leaving this room.”

HUSBAND: “Well, okay then, I won’t tell you which bottles dropped in the toilet.”

DaVinci's Library

2009-02-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

SMILE

I'll bet you wonder why I smile?

I smile because I read and read and read.

Don't you?

I can't wait to get up to get my latest book. Here's the list I've

been reading lately.

French Women Don't Get Fat

Mireille Guiliano

"I have to keep up with my French friends."

The Way of the Wild Heart

John Elderedge

"I understand this book will help me understand men."

The Explosive Child

Ross Greene

"I'm a school teacher and a mother--I must read this."

At Home in Mitford

Jan Karon

"If I ever get out of this chair, I'd like to visit Mitford."

The Truth About Beauty

Kat James

"You can never have too many beauty tips. You should see her before and after picture. She' beautiful because of what she eats! Eating sounds good DaVinci....it's time to eat."

Visit DaVinci's Classroom: http://www.davincisclassroom.wordpress.com/