"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
- Leonardo da Vinci
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Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
HOME HINT: How to fold a fitted sheet
My mother has bought a motel and I thought I was being most helpful by folding the laundry that came out of the dryer. Alas, the housekeeper slapped my wrist and told me I had no idea how to fold a fitted sheet. She was right. I am used to fitted sheets being a bunch of horror in my linen press and I didn't realise there was a knack to it.
To fold a fitted sheet so it doesn't bulge out of the shelf requires skill and a love of corners. You kind of have to tuck the true corner of the sheet (as opposed to the elasticated edge) into each other.
STEP ONE TO FOLD A FITTED SHEET: Have the sheet with gathered edge facing up and long sides at the left and right. Pinch the lower right corner with your right hand and turn it inside out with your left so the seam is exposed and the corner has folded over your right hand like a loose glove. Bring the corner up to meet the upper edge of the sheet and tuck it inside the upper right folded corner. Repeat with the lower left and upper left corners. You should have a squarish shape. Smooth creases and straighten the left, lower, and right sides.
STEP TWO TO FOLD A FITTED SHEET: Pinch the upper right corner and turn it inside out. Bring the right corner over to meet the left corner and tuck the right corner inside the left. This is what I mean about the edges fitting into each other.
STEP THREE TO FOLD A FITTED SHEET: Smooth any creases. You should have a slightly rectangular shape with two straight edges and two curved edges. Fold the sheet in half lengthways with curved edge on top. Fold in half again. Fold the two short edges in to meet in the middle and then fold once more for a neat finish that will surprise and delight even the sloppiest housekeeper (IE, ME!).
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Thursday, August 5, 2010
Q&A: A cheap way to renovate a kitchen: all about benchtops
Q. I want a new kitchen but everyone's saying it's cheaper just to get new benchtops. Are they right?
A.
Well, there's much to think about. Replacing benchtops can be more affordable than replacing an entire room of cabinets, especially if you aren't changing appliances or plumbing. You can even get old benchtops resurfaced to look like new but that's another discussion altogether. When it comes to choosing materials, most of us like something flashy that will smarten up the look. All benchtop materials have pluses and minuses. Natural stone such as granite or marble can look fantastic but is expensive and requires sealing. The quality of stone can also vary depending on where it was quarried and how it is prepared. Engineered stone such as terrazzo or SmartStone can be similarly priced to natural stone but you can save money by buying thinner profiles and having it finished with a straight edge; bevelled or fancy edging costs more. Engineered stones are usually made from stone or glass chips mixed with a resin and don't require sealing. Remember that all stones can chip or crack if heavy or hot pots are placed on them, so they're not as bulletproof as people think. Engineered stone is especially prone to chipping around an under-bench sink. Stainless steel is expensive but is long-lasting and extremely durable (if you don't mind the fingerprints). Laminate is the hardiest and cheapest bench material and comes in many colours and profiles. It usually has a quicker turnaround time to custom-install than more expensive materials, too. Timber is one of the most overlooked benchtop materials but hardwood is durable and easy to sand back and reseal to update its appearance. Some timbers even have natural anti-fungal properties.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tiny holiday house, room for four (plus a dog)
Am feeling all inspired by this gorgeously rustic cabin an American family built themselves ... I WANT ONE TOO! Especially today. Go and check out the rest of the tour here.
The ingenious little family built the shed on an island by taking out a small loan and tailoring certain things - like deck rails and windows - to their own tastes. It's only small - barely even 20 square metres - yet it looks like a great place to escape to.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Which floors are best? hard or soft ...
I used to hate carpet. Now I love it. There's nothing nicer than walking over my hand-tufted silk runner on a cold winter morning. Carpet also hides much dirt. It's cheap. It's insulative. The bad thing is that carpet harbours dust, requires regular vacuuming (rather than mopping). Tiles are a much more utilitarian flooring option - easy to clean with a quick sweep or mop, but they tend to be loud and a complete bastard if you drop your crockery on the floor. Timber is soft and ages well, but can't be mopped as easily as tiles and tends to cup or warp if the environment becomes too moist, hot or cold. Which floor do you prefer to walk over?
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Pictures: Living with Style
Monday, August 2, 2010
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"A doctor can bury his mistakes, but an architect can only advise clients to plant vines."
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Related stories
The cheaper way to renovate
How to renovate for profit
Financing renovations
Pictures: CoteMaison
The cheaper way to renovate
How to renovate for profit
Financing renovations
Pictures: CoteMaison
Sunday, August 1, 2010
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