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Home Decorating

Wanted to introduce myself.....

14 years ago

Hi to all my fellow decorators and wannabe's. I'm definitely in the wannabe column but I really do enjoy making my home warm and comfy. I recently downsized and moved to a small town in NC near Raleigh. I'm in a townhome that I've been renovating and decorating for about six months now. I look forward to getting to know you all! Anne

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Comments (14)

folkvictorian
14 years ago
Good morning, Arkrnhsnc! Pull up a chair and a cuppa coffee and join the fun. Welcome to the Home Dec forum!
runninginplace
14 years ago
Anne, I'm already predisposed to like you :). Welcome to the group. I look forward to hearing from you as you work on your new place!

Ann
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introducing myself
Q
Comments (22)
Hi pats....I'm glad you like the mushrooms. They were fun to make, and I love the look of them in the garden. I let the concrete "cure" before I mosaic the item. There are differing opinions on this, and some people are mosaicing the next day, but I've been following the rule of wet curing for a couple of days (keep spritzing with water to keep item damp, and cover with plastic) and then I let it cure for at least a couple of weeks. All the books I've read say wait about 28 days (I try to wait that long, but sometimes it's a little shorter)....but like I said, I've heard differing opinions on this lately. If you're new to creating concrete structures, I highly recommend a book by Sherry Warner Hunter. I use cement based adhesive (also called thinset) and the brand I use is Mapei - it's the MAPEI - Ultraflex 2 - Professional Grade Polymer Modified Mortar. It's good for both indoors and outdoors. I use several different brands of grout - love the MAPEI - Keracolor-S (they have the best BLACK that I've found) have also used Custom Building Products - Polyblend, and recently used Tec AccuColor (scored some bags at a thrift store). I've had good experiences with all 3 of these brands. I definitely prefer SANDED grout over unsanded. And would NOT recommend pre-mixed grout. Also, when you mix up your grout - it's easier and less messy if you mix it a little on the dry side - like a thick peanut butter consistency....and I don't use a damp sponge for cleanup - I use soft cloths (strips from t-shirts work well)to wipe off the excess and clean up the tiles. On working with something the size of the bigger mushroom, by the time I finish putting on the last of the grout, the first part I applied was ready to be wiped down with the cloths. Since joining the other forum, I discovered that several people over there are using this same method...all with good results. Hope this helps. AND....since you're new to mosaics, also come on over to the Stained Glass and Mosaics Forum...look through the FAQs there......there's a wealth of knowledge contained there, and it's like this forum, everyone is so nice and friendly and helpful. You'll be able to get answers to all your mosaic questions there - no sense in trial and error....when you can ask the questions ahead of time! Welcome to the world of mosaics - it's addicting!! lyndalu
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Introducing myself
Q
Comments (14)
ncrescue, the first photo is definitely taken in the evening, and I am pretty sure the second was a morning shot. There are no bad times of day, here, lol! Theresa, hi! I hear that area is gorgeous, and if I can ever get a horse sound again I would love to ride up there. maybe we can hook up sometime. lycopus, we already have finches up the wazoo, and we already have rosinweed growing in our field. But hubby did sneak in some compass plant seeds, even though our soils and location are dry and dry mesic. We are trying to stick with shorter species, but he couldn't control himself with the compass plant, lol! I should make up a complete list of the seeds that will be going down in the next week or so. esh, thanks for the welcome! christie, yes, we are restricted somewhat to what we can plant in the yard, basically nothing that is on any invasive species list anywhere...which is completely understood, but difficult for me because I am also a landscaper and deal with ornamentals. TNC was the second owner of this property, and while they owned it they put a conservation easement on it, focused mainly on development but also addressing the planting restrictions. As far as planting natives not in my area, that is a tricky question. We are eager to be good neighbors with TNC, but even they are beginning to plant some species that are "new" to Nachusa. So I guess it will depend on the species and how urgently I feel the need to have it. ;o) They feel VERY strongly about our using seed with local genotypes, so we do the best we can to know our seed sources. The word on the street is that once upon a time there was the endangered Wooly Milkweed on this original property, but the third owners sprayed out the fields for pasture. It will be interesting to see if it actually makes another appearance, given the opportunity. terrene, yeah, perfoliatum will spread around pretty aggressively. They don't even collect it at Nachusa, because they known it will get itself where it wants to be, lol! I have added several new birds to my life list since living here, and hope to spot some more next Spring. I feel very fortunate to live here, and am grateful every day. Seriously.
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Hi - Wanted To Introduce Myself & Glad I Found You
Q
Comments (4)
Welcome, Roanimare! Hope you enjoy it here. I'm sorry I can't seem to get back to my polymer clay so I can ask questions! I am SO glad it doesn't dry out! LOL! I will get back to it one day soon; I have some projects in mind I want to try out. Be sure to do a show n tell in the gallery if you have anything! BTW, very nice website. We had a few horses when I was young. They are special animals. :-) I like the PSP tubes; have you visited the Computer Crafts board? Let us know when you get your Ranch Store open!
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new member, wanted to introduce myself and get some feedback.
Q
Comments (13)
I would like to see more importance given to the front door with the side entry and garage I don't think it will be visable. I would change the living room to exterior entry doors or consider just one unless you have already considered furniture placement. I would change the kitchen/dining room to be more accessible but I'd keep in mind the sight lines with the island sink. It's not too far but I picture lugging dishes around that wall. Do your kids enter through the front door? (ie. bus riders/walkers) or will it be little used. I'd be tempted to swap the study and porch entry to open up the front door space. [Traditional Entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2107) by Boston Architect SAVOIE Architecture [Traditional Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by Minneapolis General Contractor Stonewood, LLC [Eclectic Entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2104) by New York Architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC [Traditional Entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2107) by Portland Maine Architect Whitten Architects If both upstairs bedrooms are occupied (not a guest room) I'd move the door to the common wall so it's not as far for bedroom #3. If it's a guest room I'd keep as is:) Love the size of the kids play room!! Love the connection to the outside and patio. Upper level looks ready for fun! I would as gaonmymind mentioned seriously consider not having an open balcony unless your kids are older.
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haley_comet
14 years ago
Anne - Welcome and nice to meet you! Looking forward to reading some of your posts.

Cheers
Haley
amysrq
14 years ago
Welcome! Post pics! :-)
museblues
14 years ago
Hello! I am new too...
A testimony to the warmth here :)
mitchdesj
14 years ago
A big welcome to you, I hope you enjoy the forum !!
beware of the addiction........
akrnhsnc
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the warm welcome, now if I could only figure out how to post pics I could show you my newly refurbished fireplace.
jesemy
14 years ago
Hi Anne,

Welcome--I'm in Wendell and work in Raleigh.

Here are some pretty good directions from the Kitchen board on posting pictures by Buell.

Nancy

Open an account w/PhotoBucket or other photo hosting site.

Take a picture using a digital camera (or film camera but get them on disk when they're developed)

Resize your pics so they're approx 400x300 (resize keeping the same proportions so they don't get distorted...i.e., don't specify a specific size, use %-ages or similar)

Upload your pictures to your photo account

Find the label that contains the link to the picture

(In PhotoBucket, it's the box labeled "HTML Code")
Copy that link and paste it into the "Message" box of a post.

When you "Preview" your message, you'll see the picture.

Posting a picture from somewhere other than your Photo hosting account

Copy the following into the "Message" box where you want the picture to be:

{{gwi:1467847}}

Next, replace the http://www.XXX/image.jpg with the address of the image.

When you "preview" the message, you should see the picture.

Hoboken_kitchen also posted this:
You do not necessarily need an online image hosting account to upload pictures to gardenweb.

Here's a way to do it without having to create an account.

1: go to www.tinypic.com

2: browse for your picture

3: select the size you want - I ususally choose the 'message board' option

4: Click 'UPLOAD NOW'

5: Select the top line of html code

6: paste the code straight into your gardenweb post.

Voila! Images on gardenweb with no online picture hosting account
User
14 years ago
Welcome Anne! I've been around awhile, but not forever. It's a great place with lots of wonderful folks very willing to help. I live in a two story Queen Anne Style Victorian Revival that will never be finished, but we love it just the same. Looking forward to getting to know you.
~Becky
pattiem93
14 years ago
Hi Anne! Welcome! I'm in Chapel Hill
User
14 years ago
Hi Anne! Welcome to the forum, I'm always amazed at how many creative and wonderful ideas I find here! And like the others have said, beware, it's addictive!
texashottie
14 years ago
Hi Anne!! Thank you for your heartwarming words on my thread. Welcome to the forum! I used to live in Durham and work in Chapel Hill. You live in a beautiful part of the world. ;)
colorblind1961
14 years ago
Hi Anne! Welcome - This is a great forum. I could not decorate if it wasn't for these folks here. Where outside of Raleigh do you live? The best 11 years of my life were spent in Cary, where my son was born and raised. I worked in Raleigh and absolutely LOVED every minute of every day - you are blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country!
akrnhsnc
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow, so many former and current North Carolinians! I know I may be biased but I think this is a great area, too. Plus the people are as nice and welcoming as you can find anywhere. I'm in a small town called Holly Springs, About five miles from Raleigh. Although we're small, we're growing all the time. We were even named to the top 100 best places to live in 2008. We're right next to Cary, a regular on the best places to live list in Money Magazine.

As far as the warning that this place is addicting, I've just spent several hours reading posts on here. There is such great advice, no need to spend $$$ on an interior decorator. Thanks again for the welcome and the directions for posting pics. I'll give it a try soon.

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