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Faith Durand's Recent Articles
Page 3
Real Life Style at Home: Adding a Bar Cart
Now that summertime is fully upon us, folks are opening up their homes for seasonal entertaining. Nothing says “soiree” more than a bar cart in your home! Here are five from House Tours I’ve photographed in the past year, all with incredible bar carts. Some are traditional and some are created from unexpected pieces. •
Faith Durand
Jul 14, 2011
… And Eat It Too: Fifteen Creative Kids’ Cakes
A friend is planning her son’s summer birthday party and asked me for good cake ideas. Not being a notable baker, I turned to you guys for the creativity. I’m sending her this gallery of creative kids’ cakes from reader submitted My Party posts. The cakes range from difficult to totally do-able. She may not
Faith Durand
Jul 6, 2011
Before & After: DIY White Kitchen Makeover
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) This is a great kitchen makeover. Using budget items from IKEA, repurposed materials and creatively placed chalkboard paint, this kitchen was completely transformed without ripping the cabinetry out. You don’t want to miss this one! • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
Jun 30, 2011
“A White Kitchen is Timeless”
White kitchens are trendy? I always assumed a basic white kitchen was a classic and timeless choice, not a trendy one. Happily, the wonderful Barbara Sallick, Founder of Waterworks and true visionary of design, seems to agree with me. “A white kitchen is timeless,” she said during our phone interview last week. • Read the
Faith Durand
Jun 27, 2011
A Pretty Retro-esque Play Kitchen
Our love for play kitchen knows no end and this home brew version is no exception. Made with love and painted with care, this space is perfect for cooking up whatever their heart desires and is designed around a rather common room feature. • Read the full post at Ohdeedoh
Faith Durand
Jun 22, 2011
Renovation Inspiration: 10 Kitchen Designers to Bookmark
When you’re planning a renovation, who better to look to for inspiration than professional architects and designers? Even if you’re planning to do the job yourself, you can find countless good ideas just by clicking through portfolios online. • Read the full post at Apartment Therapy
Faith Durand
Jun 17, 2011
A DIY Freestanding Vertical Garden
If you ever thought you didn’t have enough space for plants, or enough money for a vertical garden, think again. Lifestyle blog, A Kate Offering, recently built their very own freestanding vegetable vertical garden — and for just 4-inches of depth and a few feet of length, they now have a ‘wall’ that grows plants,
Faith Durand
Jun 16, 2011
10 Gorgeous Glass Beverage Dispensers
There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than a glass of lemonade or iced tea — or even better, an arnold palmer! If you’re having friends over or are planning a long day outside, there’s no better way to serve icy cold drinks than with a beverage dispenser. Here are a few of our
Faith Durand
Jun 10, 2011
Why You Should Make Your Coffee at Home
One of the main reasons why we completely stopped buying coffees at coffee shops is basic economics. Buying a cup/mug or two a day adds up to a lot of money over a year. In fact, you’d probably be surprised to learn that the Starbucks coffee you love so much could end up costing you
Faith Durand
Jun 2, 2011
On Making Chive Flower Vinegar
Chive flowers, those pretty purple poufs, are high up on my list of edible-flower-favorites. I like tossing them into salads for a burst of color or as a special grilled cheese insert, but it wasn’t until last year that a neighbor tipped me off to their merits as an infusing agent. The results? Beautiful and
Faith Durand
Jun 1, 2011
Inspiration Gallery: Edible Gardens in Every Shape and Size
It’s no secret that we love our edible garden. The joy it brings when we harvest something—even one tiny cherry tomato at a time—is so simple and pure. To look at a beautiful garden and know that it provides sustenance and nourishment, too? Well, that’s just the best. Here are ten of our favorite inspiring
Faith Durand
May 25, 2011
Create A Snack Station
I’m in love with this clever idea to create a snack station because I’ve done the same thing at my house. Instead of hunting for snacks at the last minute and possibly reaching for something less than healthful, I have a tray of individual sized portions of food that I want my kids to snack
Faith Durand
May 24, 2011
A Space Saving Vertical Salad Garden
There is something so satisfying about growing and eating your own food. If you think you don’t have the space, think again! This vertical salad garden by Anne Phillips at Go Green Gardeners is less than a meter wide and 1.5 meters tall. Here’s what’s involved: • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
May 23, 2011
Ten Things You Need to Know about Apartment Therapy
It’s ICFF week here in New York, and design is in the air. I’ve had the honor of hosting a number of events already, including two Design Evenings in which I interviewed Danny Seo and Todd Bracher. I was fascinated to discover that their paths, not unlike mine, were far from the straight and sensible paths that most parents wish for.
Faith Durand
May 17, 2011
Disposable Dinnerware: 9 Alternatives to Plastic
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to starting thinking about picnics and outdoor cookouts! Fortunately there are now greener alternatives when it comes to disposable dinnerware. • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
May 17, 2011
Pretty Party Idea: Host An Ice Cream Social
With summer on everyone’s mind (seriously, will it ever get here?), thoughts of warm days and cool ice cream just sound divine. Instead of dishing out a complicated party theme, just stick to the basics and host an ice cream social instead. This one is beautifl and even has a few vegetables thrown in for
Faith Durand
May 16, 2011
Eserro’s New Garden365 Mobile Planter
Similar to Food Map Containers, these brand new polyethylene tubs are large enough to hold an entire small garden. Canadian company Eserro just launched these portable planters as part of their Garden365 series — the tubs are designed to be wheeled from sunroom to outdoor patio, depending on the season • Read the full post
Faith Durand
May 13, 2011
Inspiring Cakes & Cupcakes from Coco Cake
It’s been a while since we checked in with Lyndsay of Coco Cake, but every time we do we’re rewarded with the next best thing to seeing and eating these sweets in person: eye candy. • Read the full post at Ohdeedoh
Faith Durand
May 12, 2011
Amazing Out-of-the-Ordinary Refrigerator Designs
I’ve griped about my tiny under-counter fridge in the past, so I’ll spare you my litany of complaints today. Suffice it to say; while a regular old Frigidaire would set my heart to palpitating with desire, these dreamboats have me positively swooning! • Read the full post at Apartment Therapy
Faith Durand
May 10, 2011
Smash Cake Gallery: 10 Ways To Annihilate A Birthday Cake, Cupcake Or Donut
You can make the prettiest party decor and diy the cutest invitations, but when it comes right down to it, what folks really want to see at early year birthday parties is a child covered in cake. Don’t believe us? Check out these Ohdeedoh birthdays with oh-so-memorable cake smash-mash-get-it-all-over-you moments! • Read the full post
Faith Durand
May 9, 2011
Technological Range Hoods: The Best in Air Evacuation
When you have extra money in your budget for a luxury appliance, then you should consider getting a high-end range hood. Once people have bought a range hood, it’s rare that they change it before moving. The best range hoods have got LED lights and all sorts of features that put them a step above
Faith Durand
May 5, 2011
Gardening 101: Separating Seedlings
Vegetable and herb seedlings are often sold in a clump in a small container. One of the biggest mistakes beginning gardeners make is planting the whole clump instead of separating out the individual plants. Teasing the plants apart before planting helps get them off to a healthy start. • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
May 4, 2011
Save Money By Running Appliances/Recharge At Night
Utility companies generally charge higher rates during peak hours, during the day when the load is highest with everyone awake and using their stuff. During off-peak hours at night the rates are quite a bit lower. Here are some tips to take advantages of the lower evening rates to save money on your utility bills!
Faith Durand
Apr 29, 2011
Gardening 101: Six Spring Vegetables to Plant Now
Cool season vegetables like radishes and greens are completely underrated in my book. They grow well from seed, mature quickly, you can often harvest them at different stages and eat multiple parts of the plant. I gathered together a few of my very favorite spring vegetable varieties here, but I’m curious to know what you
Faith Durand
Apr 26, 2011
Polish Your Silver Using Banana Peels
I’ve read before that bananas can polish silver, but I’d never actually tried it. That is, until this weekend, when my parents were cleaning out their basement and my mom stumbled across a creamer she thought I might like… • Read the full post at Apartment Therapy
Faith Durand
Apr 21, 2011
Before and After: A Budget Kitchen Makeover
When Theresa and her family first bought their home it had been unused for a long time. But with the sweat off their brows, some thoughtful budget spends, and some clever DIYs they are turning their unused house into a gorgeous home. Here’s a peek at how they handled the kitchen. • Read the full
Faith Durand
Apr 20, 2011
Dishwasher Safe Wood Plates From Moneral
The idea of wooden plates isn’t a new one, nor is using raw wood slices as serving trays or display pieces. But these pieces kick it up a notch. These bad boys can be used in everyday life, and they can even go in the dishwasher! • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
Apr 14, 2011
Wine Storage From Antique Railroad Supplies
For the last 4 years I’ve lived within a stone’s throw of 6 major railroad tracks. Some might call it loud, I call it homey. And the result is that there’s an amazing amount of debris and old parts lying around for the taking. (Don’t worry, we asked). Even though I’ve conjured up all sorts
Faith Durand
Apr 11, 2011
10 Must-See Small Cool Entries: Week One
We’re only in the first week of Small Cool 2011 and things are already hot, hot, hot! These mover and shaker entries have caught the eyes of our readers thanks to their savvy solutions and smart style. How many of these have you clicked the “favorite” button on already? Click through for the hot list,
Faith Durand
Apr 7, 2011
Daniel Bellow Porcelain
Pick-up a few dinnerware or serving pieces from this oh so talented potter before his work appears in retail favorite Anthropologie. Bellow’s ware is non-toxic, dishwasher and microwave-safe. I’ve seen his work in person, and it’s lovely, organic and whimsical while being sturdy and durable. • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
Apr 7, 2011
Before & After: A Kitchen Transformed By Paint, Twice
I love to watch the evolution of people’s spaces. As soon as you remodel or paint one thing you begin to think about what you would have done differently and what you can do next. Katy from Mom and Her Drill has documented her kitchen as she painted it, and repainted it over time. Without
Faith Durand
Apr 6, 2011
Dalhaus: Colorful Ceramics by Heather Braun-Dahl
Here’s a Friday pick-me-up for you. I’m not a huge handmade pottery person, but when I saw Heather Braun-Dahl’s chromatic vases online I immediately bookmarked them for another look. An abstract artist who double majored in painting and ceramics, Heather has an eye for simple but arresting shapes and colors. • Read the full post
Faith Durand
Apr 1, 2011
Awesome Salvaged Kitchen by WhyDesign
Ever wonder what a kitchen made from almost entirely recycled materials would look like? Design team, WhyDesign, cooked up just that using flea market finds and deconstructed goods. Take glimpse at their creation, and find out how they did it! • Read the full post at Re-Nest
Faith Durand
Mar 28, 2011
Marlous & Pim’s Sunny Dutch Home
A sunny kitchen in a sunny home in the Netherlands! • Read the full post at Apartment Therapy
Faith Durand
Mar 25, 2011
There’s An App For That: Retractable Kitchen Island
While we’re not sure exactly why anyone would need a retractable kitchen island, it certainly is cool that it’s possible. And even cooler for you iPhone users out there is that the mechanism for such an island can be controlled by your mobile device. Yup, there’s an app for that. • Read the full post
Faith Durand
Mar 23, 2011
How To Repair Chipped China
I love delicate porcelain. What I don’t love are the moments right after you accidentally chip one of your prized possessions. But before writing them off completely, I thought I’d see if there was anyway I could salvage my beauties. While I realize they will never be 100% perfect again, my attempt at salvaging them
Faith Durand
Mar 23, 2011
KOR Introduces New Stainless Steel Vida Water Bottle
The KOR water bottles, which first launched their ONE bottle in 2008, showcased two new lines last week, the Delta and the Vida. Like the ONE bottle, the Delta is also made of Eastman Tritan, a BPA-free co-polyester material, but the Delta is lighter, and the cap and the spout come apart which makes for
Faith Durand
Mar 22, 2011
7 Ways to Clean Your Home with Baking Soda
If you are a natural cleaning products aficionado, then you are probably familiar with the benefits of baking soda as a disinfectant: it’s environmentally friendly, effective, inexpensive and healthier then the chemical-laden products on the market. But we were amazed at just how many things baking soda can do in your home.
Faith Durand
Mar 21, 2011
An Affordable Heart Shaped Tea Set
I was never the set kind of girl. I didn’t have small parties in my bedroom with my stuffed animals or pretend to eat fake cookies with my Cabbage Patch doll, though this set makes me wish I had! Forget those “safe plastic sets” as the price is perfect for a starter play set —
Faith Durand
Mar 21, 2011
Melamine Mania: Fun, Durable (and Safe?) Tableware
I love melamine tableware because it is free of BPA (Bisphenol A), is dishwasher-safe, and is virtually unbreakable. And it is so bright and cheery! Melamine, which had its heyday in the 1950s, has been popping up in kitchens everywhere in the form of plates, cups, trays and storage containers. But what exactly is melamine
Faith Durand
Mar 16, 2011
Terrific Tea Cozies!
Having been raised by a Brit it is no surprise that I am an avid tea drinker. I can and do easily consume several pots throughout the day, especially during the winter months. But no matter what time of year I need my tea to be toasty, and nothing keeps the pot hot like a
Faith Durand
Mar 14, 2011
Before & After: A Raised Garden Bed
During the last year, we focused mainly on fixing up the inside of our house. But 2011 is all about the outside, and we got to work before the holidays so we could eat out of our first food-producing garden come early spring. So far, so good. Take a look! • Read the full post
Faith Durand
Mar 11, 2011
Before & After: Chicago Bungalow Kitchen
Jarret and Catherine of Bungalow Bungahigh had a classic renovation story play out when rehabbing the kitchen in their Chicago home. What could go wrong, did, and the job took much longer than initially expected. But, I’m sure you’ll agree the results are worth it — just check out the after: • Read the full
Faith Durand
Mar 10, 2011
Product Review: Boskke Sky Planter
It’s cold and rainy here in Seattle, but today my kitchen just got a little bit brighter. I’ve been intrigued by the Boskke Sky Planter after reading about it on Re-Nest a while back and last week my husband surprised me with a planter of my own. See how we installed it and my initial
Faith Durand
Mar 7, 2011
Wood Coasters: A Textural Element for Your Tabletop!
Add a textural element to your décor and protect your furniture at the same time. These organic shapes look beautiful when stacked together. They come from the branches of trees like birch, pine, olive wood, dogwood and English yew. As a nice bonus, children love playing with them. They will entertain your littlest guests for
Faith Durand
Feb 25, 2011
Before & After: Dated Kitchen Transformation
Mirrored backsplashes, a dingy drop-ceiling, handcut trailing grape borders, sponge-painted wallpaper, and pickled cabinets? A cringe-worthy combination that Matt was dying to change. Check out how a little elbow grease, a lot of paint, and some handy friends transformed this 1990s traditional kitchen into a transitional space ready for 2011. • Read the full post
Faith Durand
Feb 24, 2011
How To Organize Waste in a Small Kitchen
Sorting waste can be a real challenge in a small kitchen. First there’s your basic trash, then there’s recycling (co-mingled if you’re lucky) and compost. Like most people, we didn’t want to give up precious floor space for these bins, so we came up with a semi-custom and affordable solution.
Faith Durand
Feb 23, 2011
Before & After: A Quick and Easy Kitchen Update
Last spring, when my husband and I bought our first house, we hadn’t painted a full wall between the two of us. That changed within about two days of us getting our keys. We soon learned that the greenest (and most budget-friendly) trick in the book is to work with what you’ve got—so click through to see how our kitchen has progressed from dark and dated to light and lovely on a dime.
Faith Durand
Feb 22, 2011