Happy Friday!!!
I’ll be back Monday to share all the fun deets of Clay & I’s 10 year anniversary trip!
Xo, Melissa
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Going “green” in the kitchen {by Erik Braunitzer & Elliman Real Estate of NYC}
This is Erik Braunitzer, from Elliman Real Estate in New York City. I am very excited for the opportunity to guest post for Melissa & Virginia here at House To Home Blog.
Tips for a greener kitchen
By Erik Braunitzer, and compliments of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, agents for NYC Rentals.
There’s a lot of emphasis these days on going green, but one of the places it’s heard most is in the housing industry. The way we use resources in our homes as we go about our daily lives has a tremendous impact on our carbon footprint, and this is especially true in one of the most energy-heavy rooms of the house: the kitchen.
Appliances: A home’s kitchen is its heart. All too often, it’s the heart of our electrical bill, too. Kitchens are full of large, energy-sucking appliances. One of the most direct ways to reduce home energy use is by ensuring that all major appliances such as stove, fridge, microwave, and dishwasher are energy-star compliant at the very least. Exceeding those standards would be even better. For dishwashers and faucets, purchasing models that use less water or utilize low-flow technology is another key element. Look for appliances with the energy star sticker. Not only is this better for the environment, but you will save loads of money on your bill.
{via Comparance}
Lighting: A combination of natural lighting during the day and efficient lighting in the evenings add up to green savings. Compact fluorescent bulbs can be used in existing standard-sized sockets, and last up to ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Alternatively, LEDs are even more efficient, lasting up to ten times longer than CFLs. During the day, try to not flip a switch on at all, and instead use the light from windows. If existing windows are old or drafty, consider replacing them with an energy-efficient alternative. Most of a home’s heat loss occurs through its windows, so it’s important to find a balance that allows plenty of natural light without sacrificing excess energy loss.
Counters: Counter tops are the real workhorse of a kitchen, but green can still be tough. Kitchen counters can be made of recycled glass, sustainable hardwoods, renewable bamboo, or natural stone. Any of these options provides a beautiful, chemical-free alternative to the typical plastics-based counter top that may be off-gassing toxins into your home for years to come.
Reclaimed wood counter tops – beautiful & recycled{Photo via Fresh Interiors}
{via CoolCounters}
Flooring: Replacing worn vinyl with new vinyl doesn’t solve any environmental problems. Vinyl is a petroleum-based product that cannot be recycled, does not degrade, and has a limited lifespan. The production process required to create vinyl includes toxic waste as one of its main byproducts. Natural linoleum or cork flooring is comparable in price to high-end vinyl, have natural antimicrobial properties, and are both very durable. Both are renewable, and biodegradable, making them ideal for the homeowner who wants to go green. Natural tile and bamboo are other good alternatives.
Chevron reclaimed wood floors {Via Pinterest}
{Via Pinterest}
Cabinets: Remember, being green isn’t just about using non-toxic, renewable, or energy-efficient products. It’s also about keeping waste out of landfills and making the most out of your existing resources. If current kitchen cabinetry is dated but still functional and sound, a quick coat of glossy zero-VOC paint can bring them up to date. If the alternative is to rip out the kitchen and dump the cabinets in a landfill while replacing them will all-new cabinets made from recycled or sustainable materials, which option is really better for the environment? High-quality non-toxic paint is a whole lot easier on the budget, too.
Reclaimed wood cabinetry goes with any style. Whether you like rustic, modern, contemporary or a mix of a few.. you can achieve that look with reclaimed wood
{Images via Pinterest}
Remember, going green isn’t just about physical surroundings. It’s about the decisions we make every day. This includes making smart choices about water usage by taking short showers and only running full wash loads, recycling, composting, and carpooling. A few small changes tossed in with all that remodeling will make it easy to be green.
Erik is a member of the creative writing & web strategy department at PDE. Along with an experienced team of writers, he blogs mostly about interior design and issues of sustainability. For more information, feel free to contact Erik directly.
Photograph Collage Wall Complete
I finally got around to making that collage wall I was telling you about awhile ago! I found the idea on Pinterest and knew I had to do it. It’s like personalized wallpaper!
The part that took me the longest was sorting through our millions of wedding & engagement photos.
I picked up the knob from Anthropologie
I wanted the entire door covered in photos, so to fill in any bare spots, I cut out some photos of our wedding cake, favors, scenery etc
Considering what the door used to look like…
this is a huge improvement!
You like? Xo, Melissa
Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized
Now is the perfect time to sell {Easy tips to get your house ready for the market}
Spring is here and with it brings lots of home buyers looking to purchase! If you have been considering selling your home, Spring time is by far the best time to do so.
{We have compiled a list of tips for preparing your home to be sold}
Your goal with this first and foremost is to make sure your home is clean, bright and comfortable.
Keyword clean. You want buyers to be able to envision themselves living in your
home. You don’t need to go crazy fixing up your house, but in order to get top dollar, make sure these key things are complete:
- Clean carpets & remove stains and/or replace flooring if necessary.
- Clean windows, doors (finger prints), keep kitchen clean; remove all food products, cookware, etc from counter tops.
- De-clutter the home. Get rid of the knick-knacks.
- Pretend you are a potential buyer. Clean up and repair everything that would turn you off.
- If your home will be vacant consider having it staged. This helps the buyer see what the house looks like with furniture.Also; depending on the home’s condition can help the house look more appealing! When a house is completely bare, it tends to show every little flaw.
- Clean bathrooms; get rid of mildew and mold, toilet bowl rings and remove personal hygiene products. Bathrooms and kitchens are top sellers, so get them in the best condition possible. Nobody wants to see your tooth brush and toothbrush sitting on the vanity! Also, consider buying white hand towels, new bathmats & shower curtain – white suggests clean.
- A small vase with pretty flowers wouldn’t hurt either. Just sayin!
- If necessary, remove pieces of furniture to make a room feel bigger.
If you have dark or bright colored paint on your walls, we suggest you paint
them a neutral light color.Wild colors don’t really appeal to buyers. Neutral sells.
- Handle all minor repairs around the house. Examples: fix faulty electrical wires, replace lose tiles in the bathroom, replace cracked electric plates,replace light switch plates, fix leaky faucet, repair sprinklers, re-calk shower.
Click here to view our Handpicked Home Vendors list for reputable tradesman – plumbers,house cleaner, electricians, painters & more
- Install Carbon Monoxide detector – mandatory & the law as of July 2011
- Install fire alarms in the home or make sure current ones are in working order.
- Mow the lawn, paint front door, straighten up front porch & plant some pretty flowers (flowers optional). It’s always helps the home sell when it has curb appeal, so do what you can.
We hope this helps! Contact us today for a free, no obligation market analysis of your home.
Any other questions, feel free to email, call or text us anytime.
Direct – 408.921.3601
RemaxAdler@gmail.com
Happy Friday & enjoy your weekend!
Xo, Virginia & Melissa
Filed under Property Values, Selling Your Home, Uncategorized
OlioBoard Obsessed
I recently came across the most amazing website known to man.. or should I say women. It’s called OlioBoard and I am beyond obsessed. I spent approx 3 hours playing around with the site & designing my ideal home office!
Here’s the gist of how it works; You create your own digital mood/inspiration boards on their site & save them to your profile. A lot of interior designers use this site + regular people who want to design their own space.
It’s free to join. They do have a pro version that enables you to choose wall colors, add text & use the budget feature, which is $8.99 a month.
All the images you select on the site are fully available for purchase and they list the product’s specifications & prices!! Amazing! You can even upload your own inspiration photos from your computer or photos of your current furniture.
I put this board together for my ideal home office. What do you think?
{Click to enlarge}
It really helps you envision the room you are trying to create.. instead of buying items at stores only to find out that they don’t match your current decor – talk about a major time saver.
White Parson desk $299 from West Elm ** Round Coco sunburst mirror $199 from West Elm **Aqua glass table lamp $502 from Layla Grayce ** Grant Wing Back Chair in Ivory w/Nail head trim $999 from Home Decorators ** Reflections white storage shelf $349 from Home Decorators ** 9 drawer mirrored dresser $1,963 from Layla Grayce ** Paris Flea market collection champagne chandelier $700 from Layla Grayce ** Distressed metallic pillow $48 from DwellStudio ** Gold Leaf Cade table lamp $179 from Home Decorators ** Gold table clock $74 from Layla Grayce ** Glossy red boxes – set of 3 $79 from Dwell ** Small wire basket $13 from Crate & Barrel** Yellow laquered magazine storage $22 from West Elm ** Pearl box $48 from West Elm ** White washed weaved storage bins $39 from West Elm ** Trina gold corkboard $49 from Home Decorators **Owl Coin bank $10 from All Modern ** Bold Black & White Stripped rug $399 from Overstock** Metallic Gold Leather Moroccan Pouf $199 from Overstock
xo, Melissa
DIY Tufted Headboard Tutorial
I have been wanting a headboard in our room for so long. For some reason it was just never something high on the priority list. I also never really found one I was in love with – that wasn’t $1,000+
The other day, I was searching for something on Google and came across this amazing blog and saw that she did an incredible tufted headboard and tutorial. So I thought, why not give it a try!
Let me first start off by saying that this wasn’t complicated or hard to do, but just takes time! Clay & I did this over a weekend, but you could stretch it out over the week.
The headboard took about 2 days from start to finish. We followed Little Green Notebook’s tutorial exactly.
After doing this myself, I came up with a lot of tips for you, which I will share throughout this post.
{Materials you will need}
Home Depot
- Pegboard from Home Depot, cut to size. We measured our bed (King size) and had them cut the pegboard 40 inches high x 76 inches wide
- Spray adhesive
- Staple gun & staples
- Mounting hardware to attach headboard to the wall behind the bed
Joann’s Fabric Store
- 3 inch thick upholstery foam
**Huge Tip** Download the Joann’s app on your smartphone for a 50% off coupon. They have coupons every month for 50% off a single item, plus 20% off your entire purchase. For some reason these pieces of foam are extremely expensive – we would have paid $120 just for the foam!
- High loft batting
- 3 1/2 yards (less if your bed is smaller than king size) of whatever fabric you like. Originally I wanted a more velvet blush pink fabric, but we found a light blush pink satin fabric for 50% off, making it only $4.99 a yard!
Here was my inspiration photo
- 4 inch upholstery needle
- Waxed button thread
**Tip** I highly recommend using waxed upholstery grade thread, don’t use non-waxed. Half way through the tufting, we ran out of thread, so I went to a different fabric store that was closer to our house. They only had non-waxed thread. It was IMPOSSIBLE to work with. We ending up having to go back to Joann’s to get the waxed stuff anyway. The wax sticks to the fabric and makes it much easier for making knots as well – more on that later.
- Button making kit + refills 5/8 inch size – enough to make 58 buttons. You can do less if you plan on having less tufts or if you have a smaller headboard.
Total cost $150 – not bad for an upholstered king headboard
Now that you have all your supplies let’s begin!!
First you will need to figure out your tufting pattern – we decided on rows of 11 and 10 buttons, alternating each row
circle where you will make your holes with chalk
then take a sharpie and make dots through the chalk marked holes.
Take the pegboard off and now you have your pattern.
Take a pairing knife and cut out your tuft holes
Now that all your holes are done, use your spray adhesive and glue the foam to the pegboard. Now all the holes will match up and you’re ready for tufting.
**Tip** make sure to let the foam hang off a 1/2 over the pegboard on the top and sides. This will make the edges more cushy and soft looking when you go to staple the fabric around the edges.
Then make your buttons with your kit
This part wasn’t as bad as I was anticipating.. we watched some Oprah & Real Housewives + we had this fatty to keep us company 
Once all your buttons are done
Lay your pegboard, foam, batting & fabric down – in that order
Take your needle, waxed thread & button
and poke it through your first hole
Pull it through and staple a couple of times. Triple knot the thread around the staple to ensure it doesn’t come loose
And there’s your first tuft! Yeee!
I am so thankful the Little Green Notebook said to start in the middle of all rows and work your way out with the tufts & save the edge tufts for last.
Knowing us, we would have totally botched this part if not for her advice!
After all your tufts are done, staple at the bottom on the foam slightly pushing up when stapling so that your staples aren’t visible.
Then just simply pull fabric tight around all edges and staple to the back!
Attach your mounting hardware & attach to your wall behind your bed & there you go!!
What a difference this pretty headboard makes in our room!
Notice how the tufting starts right at the top of our mattress and the rest hides behind the bed perfectly
Our headboard kind of reminds me of this Pottery Barn one – I think ours is way cuter though and we didn’t have to spend $800 Yay!
What do you think? Are you thinking about making one??
It really makes our bedroom feel so romantic & chic. What do you think of the color?
The best part is, I was about to buy something identical to this headboard for $600 about a year ago. With everything said and done, we spent a total of $150!
Hope you like our headboard as much as we do!
Xo, Melissa
Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized
DIY Tufted Headboard Sneak Peak!
We are loving our new tufted headboard!
The step by step tutorial will be up tomorrow. For now here is a little sneak peak:
Here is the tutorial
Xo, Melissa
Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Life, Uncategorized
Brand New Listings & Open Houses
Happy Friday! Thought we’d share some new listings that have hit the market recently. Some of these are having open houses this weekend {2/25-2/26}, so if you are house shopping in the Bay Area, here are some great deals you should check out.
**1691 BLOSSOM HILL ROAD, San Jose 95124 {Bordering Los Gatos}**
Charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath Cambrian home near Los Gatos offers updated kitchen with granite slab counters, stainless steel appliances, cherry cabinets and Travertine floor & breakfast bar. Hardwood floors throughout home. Large back yard with covered patio. Central A/C, close to freeways and shopping, mature fruit trees: apple, lemon, peach & more! 10 days on the market. Please contact us if you are interested in viewing this property. We would be happy to give you a tour. There is no open house this weekend. Full property details here.
Listed for $549,999
{Click photo to enlarge}
***57 HERNANDEZ AVENUE,#A and B, Los Gatos 95030*** {Monte Sereno/Los Gatos area}
Great opportunity!! Two houses on one lot in the prime Glenridge area of Los Gatos. Both the larger house and the cottage would be perfect rentals. Or rent one & live in the other! The lot would also be a perfect site for new construction if you prefer. 4 days on the market. Full details here.
Listed $639,000
Open House this Saturday & Sunday {2/25 & 2/26 – 1-4pm}
{Click photo to enlarge}
***2217 Santoro LANE, San Jose 95124*** {Bordering Los Gatos}
Absolutely stunning 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths newer Townhome with 1,535 SF of living space – a fabulous floor plan in the very desirable Parkwood community by Summerhill Homes. Formal living room w/cozy fireplace. Spacious kitchen w/pinewood cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, gorgeous cherrywood floors, large bathrooms, large patio & more! Union schools – Carlton Elementary, Union Middle & Leigh High School. Near freeways 85 & 17. Walk to Los Gatos, parks & Good Samaritan Hospital. 4 days on the market! Full property details & photos here.
Listed $615,000 HOA: $215
A must see! Open House 2/25 & 2/26 1:30-4:30pm
{Click photo to enlarge}
***1151 NORMANDY DRIVE, Campbell 95008***
Gorgeous 1,723 square foot, 4 bedroom, 2 bath completely remodeled Campbell home offers tons natural light, beautiful hardwood floors in all rooms except master. Sunroom not included in the square feet. Huge country kitchen with granite counters & abundant cabinetry. Recently installed central A/C & Heat. Beautifully landscaped backyard features huge paved patio,waterfall, lawn for kids.Plus a 1 bed 1 bath guest cottage with kitchen!! Perfect in-law unit! Large lot – 9,100 sf lot size. Fenced in front yard perfect for dogs & children. Great schools & close to all major freeways, farmer’s market & downtown Campbell. 4 days on the market!
Full details & more photos here.
Listed $849,500
Open House Sunday 2/26 1-4pm
{Click photos to enlarge}
We hope you enjoy this sunny weather & your weekend!
Are you looking to buy? We can help! 408-921-3601
Mortgage loan pre-approval info here.
Xo, Melissa & Virginia
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Filed under Listings, Open Houses, Property Values, Uncategorized
Weekly Pinterest Favs {Easy DIY projects}
Mirrored furniture is extremely popular right now. I have had my eye on this peice to complete our living room & provide some much needed storage. Honestly though either I’m becoming a major bargain shopper or I am just getting used to Craigslist & TJ Maxx prices, because for some reason I just can’t pull the trigger. It’s also $800 for a decorative piece. Little ridiculous. Plus Babe has been dying for a new bed and would be a little annoyed if I bought that over a new bed first! OK anyways, I found this awesome and easy peasy DIY on Pinterest:
{How to make mirrored furniture}
Step 1 – Buy a thrift store dresser, desk, buffet with drawers
Step 2 – paint it in whatever color you like
Step 3 – Measure the drawer panels where the mirrors will go & have a hardware store cut the mirrors to size – Pay extra to have polished edges
Step 4 – Drill holes for the hardware & apply the mirrors to the drawers with mirror glue or liquid nails.
Step 5 – Tape mirrors on furniture to ensure they stay in place while drying. Let dry overnight & you’re done!
Now you have a chic and glamorous new piece of furniture
Check out this DIY mirrored coffee table tutorial
{Tufted ottoman DIY}
Make an ottoman out of an old coffee table or chair! Brilliant & cost effective! Instructions here
{All images from Pinterest}
{DIY Herringbone Tray}
This looks so easy! All you really need is a tray, paint, ruler and tape. She did a great job. You could do this in whatever color matches your decor. I’m tempted to do this in hot pink.. ah so cute!
Instructions here
{Photos via House & Home}
So those are my Pinterest favorites this week.. This weekend me & the man will be attempting this tufted headboard project ekksss!! I’m really scared but I think we can pull it off; I’ll keep you posted with pics & everything!
Any of you attempted making your own headboard?? Please share your tips with me, as I will need all the help I can get! Haha
Xo, Melissa
Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized
EASY DIY – spray painted media cabinet + trellis design
Since everything else in the living room has been updated, our good ol’ Ikea media cabinet was really starting to bug me. It was in need of some serious style infusing.
Soooo for fun, I started googling “trellis design/pattern” and came up with this
I decided to print it out and glue the paper together, making it large enough to fit in my 11×18 inch windows of the media cabinet.
It looked a-ma-zing, so I got all excited and informed my husband that I would be painting & covering the windows to the media cabinet. He always thinks I am nuts, but agreed and requested I paint it an antique white color rather than pure white.
I really didn’t feel like getting out my paint brushes, sander & primer and doing the whole messy ordeal, so I grabbed a couple of cans of Heirloom White Rust-oleum spray paint from Home Depot. (I ended up needing 4 cans) + some spray adhesive to apply the trellis paper to the windows.
Tapped off and hardware removed.. First coat!
Almost done…. Oh and I bought two aqua knobs from Anthropology to replace the old brassy gold ones + it matches the aqua wall.
So here is the living room before..
Before again..
After!!
Yayyy now people don’t have to see my extensive collection of workout dvds!!
I sprayed a light coat of spray adhesive directly on the paper before sticking it to the windows – worked very well!
What do you think?? Just for the record, I definitely don’t recommend skipping the sanding and priming steps even if you are going to spray paint. I am just lazy.
{Some other options/ideas}
A stencil would be amazing on any piece of furniture you are re-painting like this one - Cutting Edge Stencils have a good variety
{source unknown}
O’verlays would be amazing too
{via pinterest}
Xo, Melissa
Filed under DIY Ideas, Home decor ideas, Uncategorized
