Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Preparing your Spring Porch for Enjoyment ‘ from Adele Baumann Healey. Today, I feature Shelley Harcar from the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she gives us creative ways to perk up our spring outdoor homes.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #70

Olioboard Inspiration: Creative Spring Outdoor Home Ideas –  Shelley Harcar

After an exceptionally cold and snowy winter in many areas, I believe it is safe to say most of us are more than ready to say farewell to Old Man Winter. No matter your location, welcoming a change of seasons can be a big project. It does not, however, need to be an unpleasant project.

Outdoor home spring tips

There are some important things to remember when getting your outdoor areas ready for a new season. Inspect fire pits, patios, porches & decks (as well as outdoor furniture, grills or play equipment) for signs of wear or damage that may have occurred during the colder weather. Repair or replace as needed.  Check for nests of bees, wasps and other insects. Consider calling a professional to remove, especially if these are large infestations.  Also inspect, tune up and fuel any yard equipment. If doing a garden bed, turn over the soil & consider enriching it with one of the many types of organic fertilizers available also remove weeds and dead plants from your garden beds.

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When planning your outdoors for spring, you will want to think about what is already in your yard, many of spring’s greatest treasures were planted during a previous autumn. Also take into account you yard size and personal style. Some people want elaborate flower beds, others prefer a simpler and easy to care for design.  Options are almost limitless. Whatever type of garden you choose, remember to think about the amount of time and care you want to put into your outdoor surroundings.

Spring gardening ideas

A happy compromise between Spartan landscaping and high maintenance displays is container gardening. Choose decorative pots and containers and use them to create interesting groupings. While climate & sunlight will be considerations, you will be faced with fewer concerns about soil drainage and quality and containers can be moved to shelter during inclement weather. This method is ideal for all amounts of space and for a variety of settings. Porches, decks, patios, and balconies all are great places for container gardening. A wide variety of plants & flowers as well as some fruits and vegetables are well suited to container gardening. Don’t neglect your outdoor furniture. This can help to pull together a look while adding extra entertaining space.

In the designs which I created for this article, I have given some different examples of outdoor decorating. The design featuring the façade of a house shows off large garden beds and hedges. This would be rather time consuming to maintain, but definitely makes the outdoor area stand out. I’ve put together examples of container gardening as well. In an urban patio setting containers and trellises add color and style to a small ordinary patio. While there would be time required to water these plants, certain aspects of gardening, like weeding, are not a big factor. In my final design, a family patio space is transformed by numerous, colorful plants and flowers. The containers can be elaborate or simple, as the star attractions are the foliage and blossoms.

I hope I have inspired you to head outside and welcome spring by preparing your outdoor areas. You won’t regret the effort once you find yourself comfortably surrounded by loveliness in your own back yard.

About Shelley Harcar

I am a lifelong Ohioan and presently live in Stow with my family. I am a graduate of Youngstown State University, where I studied Social Work and Psychology. I am currently employed as a substitute teacher within my local school district. I also do freelance writing. My designing interest began over 20 years ago when I became a floral designer. In addition to making floral designs, we were invited into customer’s homes to assist with holiday and seasonal decorating.

I discovered Olioboard through a friend, and I quickly became caught up in the fun of the Olioboard Fan Room. It is a great escape from everyday life and I find a great deal of satisfaction in taking a blank screen and turning it into something lovely. When I’m not designing, I enjoy watching sports with my son, shopping, writing, and spending time with friends & family. You can read Shelley’s writing here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Bringing Fresh Spring into your Kitchen Design‘ from Lisa Ketz Cross . Today, I feature Adele Baumann Healey Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she helps you get your spring porch ready for entertaining and enjoyment this season.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #69

Olioboard Inspiration: Preparing your Spring Porch for Enjoyment –  Adele Baumann Healey

Now is the time of year to start thinking about preparing your porch for future pleasant days and evenings.  Thank goodness!  Not only is it important to plan your porch so it looks inviting and comfortable, but it can really boost the curb appeal of your home.

Get your front porch ready for spring

First, time to cut down and trim those bedraggled looking plants, and you might consider making a plan to add color to the front of your home by planting flowers, or adding bushes with different leaf colors.  Remember to somehow tie the landscape of you yard to the hardscape of your front porch – whether it be with color, style or a certain “personality”.   Does your porch need to be painted or stained?  Now is the time to do it BEFORE moving the furniture and potted plants to their designated spots.

Front door and lighting ideas

Consider splurging on a special front door, or for less cost, paint your door a color that will draw the eye to the front of the home and guide your guests to the entry.  Also, keep the path easy to maneuver by removing or trimming any overgrown bushes or plants.

Lighting is an important consideration for night time guests.  Whether it be lights along the sidewalk or a bright front door light, help them find their way easily and safely.

A small front porch can still offer opportunity to show your home’s personality by adding a small chair or table, a bright rug, some hanging plants, or my favorite – Morning Glories growing along the roof of the porch.  So easy and so striking!  Also, find a little special spot to share your love of art by highlighting your favorite outdoor piece.

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And don’t forget to make sure your house numbers are easy to spot.  There are so many styles of numbers to choose from that it should be easy to find some that will compliment your home.

Create an inviting outdoor living area

If you have a large side or back porch, use that opportunity to create an outdoor living area for three of the four seasons.  Comfortable seating, tables, rugs, plenty of lighting and possibly even an outdoor fireplace or heater will give ample opportunity to use that often overlooked space.  Have fun designing an area where your friends and neighbors will want to join you and spend relaxing time with you.  Show your own personality through quirky or special touches.

Always consider the size of the area and the ability people will have to maneuver the space of the porch.  So, although you don’t want to crowd the area, an empty porch can make the home feel much less inviting or welcoming.

Time to pull out those photos of your dream porch and making it a reality, and before you know it, the weather will cooperate and it will be time to enjoy that dream.

About Adele Baumann Healey

I am a mother of two and a grandmother of 4. Our family was a member of the military for 21 years and lived all over the U.S and in Europe, moving 13 times in 19 years. While residing in Germany, we travelled constantly (my little kids in tow in our old V.W. camper) and I absorbed, through osmosis, the many historical attributes of architecture and design. Even in the U.S. it was a learning experience to see how the many people I met decorated and used their creative skills, each influenced by the environment in which they were living. Simply put, when you move so much and live in so many types of residences it was always a challenge to achieve a homey place for your family to grow and be nurtured. What was my biggest challenge to make into a home? An old TB ward of an empty, Army hospital building! Follow Adele as Redadie on her Olioboard profile and Facebook profiles.

For more Olioboard ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Olioboard Inspiration: A Tribute to Our Own – Cari Murphy

Please watch this tribute video in Cari Murphy’s honor:

Link to video –> Tribute to Cari Murphy

To see other Olioboard’s that Cari Murphy contributed to Stagetecture click here. (Please note some boards may link to another Olioboard Fan Room member, so you will have to read the post to see which one’s are specifically hers)

Cari Murphy’s Olioboard’s on Stagetecture

Thank you all for remembering Cari Murphy and all of our hearts go out to her family and friends. She will be missed.

For more Olioboard Inspiration on Stagetecture, click here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Bringing Winter Ideas to your New Year’s Home‘  from Madeline Jones. Today, I feature Tonya Wright who is a member of the the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and while the adults are trying to organize their homes this New Year, how about the kids? She gives you creative kids’s room organization ideas for their playroom or bedroom. Thank goodness, us parents could use some help, right?

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #63

‘Creative Kids’ Room Organization Ideas ’ – Tonya Wright

It’s been a fun-filled day.  You’ve enjoyed a nice family dinner, the kids have been bathed, and now it’s time to tuck them into bed.  As you walk into your child’s room, you notice some toys out of place.  You make a mental note to deal with it tomorrow when everyone is well rested.  That is, until you feel the excruciating pain of a Barbie shoe stabbing into the bottom of your foot.  Right there and then your mind begins formulating a plan to instill organization in the chaos that comes with the ever growing number of toys, books, and other items that are spilling over in your kids room.  The question you may be asking yourself is, “Where do I begin?”  That, my fellow parents, is what we all ask ourselves.

The first decision you need to make is whether or not to keep all those toys in your child’s room.  Some of us don’t have a choice because of space limitations.  But for those of us who have an unused room or some space in the basement, a designated playroom may be a good idea.  Either way, the principles outlined below will help you get going on your quest for organization.

SORT AND PURGE

The first order of business is to sort all the toys, books, stuffed animals, and art supplies.  Once you can see how many your child owns of each item, you can move on to purging.  Perhaps she has twelve dolls and you feel it’s more than she needs.  With her help, you can determine which five she’d like to keep.  It may help to explain that by donating her gently used items she will be benefiting children who may not otherwise be able to have toys,bringing a huge smile to their faces.

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FIND A PLACE FOR ALL KIDS’ BELONGINGS

Make sure everything you keep has a place.  The options for storage are limitless.  You may want to use clear storage boxes so the contents are easily visible or you may want to use baskets and bins that coordinate with the décor of the room yet keep the abundance of toys out of sight.  Regardless of what you use, it’s a good idea to label the containers to remind both you and your child what it is meant to contain.  Adding a picture to each label enables younger children to help with clean up.  Consider using pop-up hampers in fun colors to corral stuffed animals or other bulky items.

Your child will benefit by having a large number of books that cover a multitude of topics.   Attaching plastic gutters or wooden spice racks to the wall allow you to visually display them.  Your child’s art work or the letters of the alphabet can be strung up using a piece of jute or clothesline and decorated clothespins.

DESIGNATE AREAS FOR EVERYTHING

A reading nook, whether it be a cozy bench or a pop-up tent, encourages children to take time to relax and read.  A table and chairs in the room gives children a place to create works of art and to take part in imaginative play.

Hopefully, these ideas will help get you going. Happy organizing!

About Tonya Wright:

A native of Colorado, Tonya Wright has a passion for organizing and enjoys helping others find practical ways to create order in their home and work place.  She takes a comfortable, lived in approach to decorating and greatly enjoys home DIY projects.  When she’s not designing or organizing she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and scrapbooking. You can find her on Olioboard.

Do you have any kids’s room organization ideas? We’d love to hear them!

For more Olioboard ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Creative Outdoor Thanksgiving Decorations’ from Cari Murphy . Today, I feature Shelley Harcar who is a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she helps you thank the holiday host or hostess with delicious treats and memorable gifts. This holiday season don’t show up empty-handed!

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #51

‘Perfect Ideas to Bring the Holiday Hostess’ – Shelly Harcar

With the holidays fast approaching, now would be a perfect time to plan the gifts for those dear people who will be hosting upcoming events. While a gift for your host or hostess is not obligatory, it is a nice gesture which expresses your appreciation of their hospitality.

Choosing a gift for your host/hostess does not need to be difficult or expensive. For this article, I have compiled a collection of unique and thoughtful gifts available at a variety of price points. I chose readily available items which do not require much forward planning. Of course, the more familiar you are with your host/hostess the easier it will be to tailor these gifts to their own personal tastes.

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A LITTLE SOMETHING EDIBLE:

Try gathering a few pints of gourmet ice cream and several toppings (like hot fudge, butterscotch, and caramel) for a delightful treat your hosts can enjoy well after the party is over.

A lovely basket lined with a tea towel and filled with two or three loaves of bread and a bread knife is tasty universally enjoyed. Another nice idea for bread gifting is a baguette slicing board and a single French baguette.

Several varieties of flavored vinegars or cooking oils, presented in a seasonal wine bag puts an interesting twist on the traditional hostess gift of a bottle of wine.

A beautiful glass candy jar filled with colorful candy is thoughtful and reusable.

 Another creative and tasteful idea is to bring your host or hostess a collection of muffins or bagels, with jams & assorted teas and/or coffees. This provides your hosts a little breakfast for the morning after the party.

Use these ideas to bring the holiday hostess or host this season

About Shelley Harcar

I am a lifelong Ohioan and presently live in Stow with my family. I am a graduate of Youngstown State University, where I studied Social Work and Psychology. I am currently employed as a substitute teacher within my local school district. I also do freelance writing. My designing interest began over 20 years ago when I became a floral designer. In addition to making floral designs, we were invited into customer’s homes to assist with holiday and seasonal decorating.

I discovered Olioboard through a friend, and I quickly became caught up in the fun of the Olioboard Fan Room. It is a great escape from everyday life and I find a great deal of satisfaction in taking a blank screen and turning it into something lovely. When I’m not designing, I enjoy watching sports with my son, shopping, writing, and spending time with friends & family. You can read Shelley’s writing here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you enjoyed – ‘Preparing your Holiday Guest Room’ from Adele Baumann Healey. Today, I feature Heather Lee who is a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she gives a loving tribute to her father in honor of Veteran’s Day today. Let her words and Olioboard inspire those Veterans from the past, present and the future.

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #47

‘A Daughter’s Veteran’s Day Tribute’    Heather (Ashlee) Lee

Veteran’s Day Tribute

I am an Army Man’s Daughter.  I have led the Army life.  My mother was introduced to it when she became my father’s wife.

I was born a few years later and moved from place to place.  Sometimes I never knew when we were to move again or my new friend I just discovered had to move all over again.  Friends came and went through my life; it was hard to get really close.  I knew at any time there could be a post.  I was posted here and posted there and even overseas.  I learned that people spoke and lived different ways than me.

I had no idea why my life I had to go here and there, why couldn’t we stay in one place where friends and family were?

There were all these protocols that you had to figure out.  We had certain ways we must act and not tarnish the army name.

As I grew older I dated army men and there was always a saying “The army wife came from within.”  It was easier for an army man’s daughter to become an army man’s wife because she had already been through the ways of army life.

I left home later on and thought I got away from the Army way but it seemed to follow me every time I went home for a stay.

My father is now retired from the Army life but now he has become a Veteran and changed my thoughts on life.  Now I call him Poppy, for that distinction he has earned and he made me a small set of his metals which he had proudly earned.  I am so proud to be a Veteran’s Daughter I wish I could wear the metals every day and puff my chest out proud.  But I take them out on Remembrance Day each and every year and go and stand by Veterans with my metals I am proud to wear.

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They fought for our country and fought for freedom and many lost comrades but still they stand there proudly chest puffed and metals dressed.

So when you see a Veteran, please remember this, they fought for us to be here and deserve the right of respect.

–Heather Lee

(I had this in my head for the last few weeks and had to get it out.  I am not sure it is exactly the way I want it to come out but I hope Poppy likes it!)

My name is Heather Lee but I go by Ashlee on Facebook. I am the daughter of a Canadian Army Veteran. I spent much of my life traveling with my family all over Canada and the North and South of Germany. I was very lucky to be able to travel so much and learn other languages. I lived a mile from the border of France and the family traveled there often. I think I have seen every castle in Europe. I now live on my own in Toronto, Ontario. I am a huge animal lover and I volunteer with the Annex Cat Rescue that helps feral cats. I also foster cats. I enjoy creating different rooms on Olioboard and talking with other members of the Olioboard community.

Entry #2945, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween! Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Last week you enjoyed – ‘Spooky Halloween Porch Ideas from Connie Parker. Today I feature Nanette Reynolds who is a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and who says Halloween is only for kids? She shows how adults can have the festive Halloween spirit too with these creative party ideas!

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #44

‘Creative Grown-Up Halloween Party Ideas’    Nanette Reynolds

Creative Halloween theme ideas

Scary or funny or a combination of both, once you decide on a central theme you can focus your energies on creating decorations in service of the story you are telling, with an eye to where they will make an impact in your space. So whether your party is based on a movie or a fairy tale, a haunted mansion or a spooky graveyard, a real-life crime story or murder mystery novel, your guests will be happily spooked.

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Inexpensive Halloween decorations

Scary Halloween lighting to set the atmosphere

If you’re headed off to college or you’ve already started back you are probably wondering how to personalize your dorm room with just your style, right? Well here are some dorm room collage ideas from you! Take a look at these collages that take some of the best dorm room ideas and puts them into dorm room collections of decor, organization, and trendy solutions for making your college dorm room rock! Try making your own inspiration boards at Olioboard – like my past Olioboard Inspiration members or try Polyvore like these below examples.

Image via: As the Ocean – via Polyvore

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Living in a dorm requires a great amount of organization skills. This is because you are often restricted or have limited access to areas where you can modify. It’s not like your own home that you have the choice to do what you want to renovate at any given time. More often than not, dorm owner doesn’t allow major make over especially when it involves the majority of the areas in a dorm room.

Decorating your dorm room isn’t an overnight task. You have to plan ahead and consider several things before even starting to make your first step. This will lessen your time, efforts and expenses needed in decorating your dorm room. To help you out, here’s how to decorate your dorm room on a budget:

• Make your own artwork

Even if you’re in a dorm room, you have to add something that will represent yourself. To do this, you can create do-it-yourself artworks to show off your skills and at the same time enhance your interior. The artworks will definitely save you a lot of money. Also, make use of the available resources you have for the materials.

Image via: Poetic Princess via – Polyvore

• Spread out the curtains

What makes curtains effective is that it can create an illusion of a wider space for your room. But you have to hang your curtains from the ceiling down to the floor. This will definitely make your room look spacious. It will also create a beautiful highlight for your room interior. Don’t forget to choose the right color motif you want.

• Prefer multi-functional yet stylish furniture

How about a chair with storage function? This is like buying one item for a couple of purposes. You will not only save money but enhance the looks of your dorm as well. You can also have a bed with storage function at the bottom or a coffee table with drawers. These furnitures don’t compromise design over functionality.

Image via: Nahed-samer via Polyvore

You can actually do a lot of ways to decorate your dorm room. Just take some time to plan ahead on what to do and everything will go accordingly.

For more dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.