Fifthroom Living

5 Tips for Easy Spring Cleaning

Fifthroom — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:28:59 +0000

It’s that time of year again. Spring cleaning time! If you’re anything like me, it’s probably not your favorite time of the year, but it is necessary. And since spring cleaning is a necessity, here are a few of my favorite go-to tips for making the job a little easier.

I am a big fan of “green” cleaning. I prefer natural cleaning products to just about anything you can purchase at the store, and one of my favorite ways to go green, is to make my own glass cleaner. It’s easy! Simply mix 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle.
Take it one step further by using newspaper to wipe down your windows instead of a cloth. Your glass will be virtually streak free.
Try removing water rings from furniture by mixing equal parts baking soda and plain white toothpaste. Rub the mixture in small circles on water rings, and wipe off with a dry cloth.
Remove the smell from your disposal by tossing citrus peel down it a couple of times a month. Your disposal will smell fresh and clean.
If you have a porcelain sink, you know how dirty and scratched they can become. Here’s an easy tip for keeping them sparkling…about once a month fill the sink with warm water and about ½ cup of bleach. Allow the water and bleach to remain in the sink for a few hours then drain. The stains and scratches will virtually disappear!

So when you’re spring cleaning this year, try using some of these tips and hopefully the job will be a little easier!

~Wendy Hyde

What’s in Your Fifthroom?

Fifthroom — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:30:13 +0000

Close your eyes and picture it – your ultimate Fifthroom. What does it look like? Where would it be? Is it a space inside your home, or an outdoor retreat?

A fifthroom can be any space you choose – indoors or outdoors – that is a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The possibilities are endless.

Not sure what kind of fifthroom is right for you? Let’s explore some options that are not only popular now, but will remain a solid investment for years to come.

Pergolas are a wise choice if you’re looking to create an outdoor fifthroom. They can be used in many ways. As an attachment to an existing structure – such as the back porch of your home – they can enhance what is already there. As a free-standing structure, pergolas also can be used anywhere you desire. With the right furniture, lighting and décor, you can create the perfect ambiance for you and your guests.

Gazebos also make a nice outdoor fifthroom, and can be decorated to suit your specific needs. Interested in an outdoor dining area that is protected from inclement weather? A gazebo is perfect for insuring you and your guests will enjoy a meal outdoors no matter what the weather. Thinking more along the lines of relaxing instead of eating? Fill your gazebo with some comfortable outdoor furniture and enjoy a book or even a nap!

Thinking more along the lines of an enclosed outdoor room? A sunroom may be the perfect choice for you. They can be attached to an existing structure – such as your home – or designed to be a free-standing building elsewhere on your property.

Still not sure what is right for you? Visit our website and try out our unique design tools, which allow you to create your structure based on the features you desire.

~Shari Berg

April Showers… bring May … Baskets

Fifthroom — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:51:02 +0000

April Showers… bring May … um… May Baskets! If you are a quilter a basket is a shape you are drawn to (or at least most quilters I know are!). We usually love flower, be it in the garden or on our quilts and May is the time to start planting them everywhere! I wanted to talk about some antique quilts that inspire me… and why.

This piece has about the happiest baskets and flowers every! A nice simple shape, yes I know there is a LOT of flowers… but they are easy shapes! I like how the red ones pop around the swag… and speaking of swag, that edge details just makes this quilt. Have you done a scalloped border? They are showy!

This quilt is circa 1927 made by Laughlin, Sarah from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0737I love this quilt for a few reasons. It has a dark background and everything just sparkles on that navy ground. The basket is GIANT and filled with totally yummy flowers.

Now let’s look at the border… this is different. Grapes and grape leaves. They don’t seem to go with the flowers in the center… does that mean the maker just loved grapes? My friend Brenda does so I bet she would do that on her quilt.

This quilt is circa 1920-1940 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0652This is an older quilt and very traditional. What appeals to me is how faded the colors are… but more interesting is that flower in each one – very primitive and fun. The on point setting is super and I really think the wide sashing is effective. It’s almost too wide but works!

This quilt is circa 1840-1860 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0693This is my quilt called “Be Thankful.” One of my all time favorite basket quilts. I really would like to make it again in another color family… maybe with my newest fabric line!

~Pat Sloan

http://blog.patsloan.com

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

Fifthroom — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:36:49 +0000

Bugs, that is! Anyone who has gardened for a while has encountered their share of bugs in the garden. Some are instantly recognizable, like the ladybug, and others are head-scratchingly unfamiliar. Just last week I saw a ton of tiny bugs in my new vegetable garden and I thought they were baby ladybugs—only to find out that they were burrower bug nymphs, which aren’t exactly the garden do-gooders that ladybugs are! Before reaching for bug spray or pesticides, figure out what kind of bug you have—not all of them are bad!Most of us recognize the ladybug—or ladybeetle—and know that it’s a “good” bug in the garden. What makes it good? They feed primarily on aphids, which are infamous for their garden shenanigans. If aphids are in short supply, ladybugs will be happy munching on the eggs of mites, thrips, moths, beetles and other small insects. The more ladybugs you have in your garden, the better—to attract them, plant herbs from the mint and dill families, flowers from the daisy family and provide a shallow bowl of water for a cool drink.You might not see this bug unless you are digging in the soil—these nasty-looking things are called grubs and they are some of the worst offenders in the garden! They typically eat the roots of plants and grass, so if you see your lawn or prized plants dying, try pulling them up and inspecting the roots. If the roots are gone or noticeably absent, look for grubs. Now, most gardens have grubs, and you can live with a few without needing to treat for them. If you have more than 6-8 in a hole that’s a foot wide and deep, then you’ve got an infestation and need to go to war. Treat in the fall to prevent spring infestation, but if you have a problem in the spring there are a number of different products to use to get rid of them. Check with your local extension office or trusted nursery for recommendations. One caveat—these are small grubs, typically 1” long—if you see any super big ones (very fat and 2” long), those are good grubs! They aerate the soil and do no damage.Now for the ugly—praying mantis, anyone? Yes, they are fascinating insects, but there’s no denying that they are prehistorically awful-looking. But more specifically, are they good or bad? The answer is: neither. And both. They’re predatory insects and will eat most things that happen to saunter by. So if you’re having a tomato horn worm infestation, you’ll be happy that your friend the mantis will make quick work of devouring them—but beware that it will also go after our little friend the ladybug as well! Mantises usually don’t present an overwhelming problem in the garden, so you can feel good just leaving them alone.

~Jenny Peterson

Using White in Decorating

Fifthroom — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:43:12 +0000

White is a decorator’s secret weapon. It is clean and crisp, and can vary from restful to energizing depending on the colors it is paired with. I use white in every room that I design.

In my own home, I favor a neutral palette, and white is one of my favorite colors to use. I enjoy layering white on white, while varying shades and textures to create interest. But I also enjoy using white as a building block in a more diverse palette. Starting with white for the main pieces of furniture, allows bolder choices to be made in the accessories either through the use of stronger colors or through addition of energetic patterns.In my own living room, I use a neutral palette that includes a wide variety of shades of white. I have creamy white walls and white sofa which allows me to punch things up through the use of bold patterns on my pillows and area rug.In my dining room, I layer shades of white, and then accent the palette with a bit of black.My children’s rooms have more varied and vibrant palettes, but they are each grounded in a sea of white which I use on the walls.

Even if you are not a fan of an all-white look, incorporating white in your decorating scheme is a great way to create a place for your eyes to rest in the midst of color, and goes a long way toward creating a visual flow in your environment.

~Wendy Hyde

www.shabbynest.blogspot.com

Fifthroom Trends for 2012

Fifthroom — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:29:43 +0000

Tired of the same old patio furniture, arranged in the same old boring way? There are some new and exciting trends for 2012 to help spruce up your “fifthroom,” including new fabrics and styles guaranteed to make your usual space a little more exciting.Wicker furniture’s appeal is fast-growing this year, in part due to its all-weather durability. However, real wicker is not known for its longevity in an outdoor environment. Fifthroom offers a great solution to the problem with it synthetic wicker that is sure to fool anyone. Woven with top-of-the-line synthetic wicker fibers, our line of wicker furniture is durable, non-fading and insect-resistant.Aluminum furniture also is fast becoming a popular favorite due to its strength, ability to resist rust and its lightweight feel. This furniture can be “dressed up” with the addition of the right cushions for chairs and centerpieces for tables.Ceiling fans and outdoor lamps also are trending this year, and Fifthroom has a great selection of both. Ceiling fans can be added to any existing outdoor patio, pergola or ramada to help keep you and your guests cool in your outdoor retreat. Resin lamps – which are completely weather-resistant – also are a good choice for any outdoor area, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space long after the sun has gone down.

Not sure how to incorporate some of these new trends into your outdoor area? Let one of Fifthroom’s knowledgeable project managers assist you. Contact us toll free at 888-293-2339.

~Shari Berg

Sashiko

Fifthroom — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:15:36 +0000

I am announcing today my love of learning! Do you challenge yourself to learn something new every so often? I’m fascinated by the Japanese embroidery style called Sashiko, which I’ve never tried.

It’s fabric, it’s thread, and it’s using a soft open running stitch with which you create an embroidery design onto the fabric. Traditionally, the fabric is navy with white or off white thread. I love the simplicity of the design and the repeating geometric of many of them. When I look at this I see order, and beauty, and a new fabric at the end! People actually stitch chunks of fabric to be used later in other projects.Wiki says Sashiko was traditionally used to reinforce points of wear, or to repair worn places or tears with patches. I have seen modern Japanese quilts that have Sashiko worked onto denim and blue fabrics in a simplistic style. I remembered reading those were a modern take on the ancient need to … well… basically mend clothing!

So I took a cruise around the internet and learned that Sashiko originated in rural Japan in the 18th century. It seems the stitching was designed for strengthening a single layer of fabric or for patching worn clothing. Sometimes it was also used for quilting together several layers of fabric for warmth and durability.

For more inspiration you can explore “Bandana Almanac” which is a great photography and fabric blog from Osaka, Japan.There are many modern takes on Sashiko. I love how this runner incorporated traditional patchwork blocks with the circles of Sashiko. Lucky for me as I looked around the internet I found not only loads of quilts (do a Google image search), but there are a lot of videos on YouTube, and even places to buy pre-printed backgrounds… I love that!

What are you going to learn this year?

~Pat Sloan

http://blog.patsloan.com

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Fifthroom — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:37:06 +0000

In many areas of the country right now, we are being treated to a spring explosion of wildflowers. From rural meadows to urban roadsides, wildflowers are not only a stunning floral display; they provide cover for wildlife and prevent erosion. But if you live in the city instead of a rural area with acreage, you can still add wildflowers to your small garden—it’s all in the preparation.Start by deciding which wildflower varieties you want to grow—each area of the country has its own native wildflowers that are adapted to the region’s climate. Check with your local county extension office or a trusted nursery for specific recommendations. From there, wildflowers are available either as plants (in some cases) or in seed (most cases), and if you do a little bit of research, you may find a wildflower seed mix that is blended for your area. Where I live in Texas, bluebonnets (above) are not only the state flower, they are one of our most vivid and stunning wildflowers.If you use wildflower plants, look for four-inch to 1-gallon pots at your local nursery that specializes in native plants. Flowers like daisies, poppies, coneflowers and fleabane are often available in smaller pots and ready for spring planting. For other wildflowers that establish best when sown by seed, place your order with your nursery so you’ll be ready for seed-sowing in the fall. In some northern-most areas of the country, you can sow wildflower seeds in the spring—but always check with experts in your neck of the woods for the best advice.Once your wildflowers are established, very little extra watering is necessary. If your area is experiencing a drought, be prepared to add up to a half inch of water a week to keep the wildflowers going. Fertilizing is rarely needed—in fact, many wildflowers will bloom less if they are given too much “food,” so opt to make your soil as healthy as possible and forgo the fertilizer. Wait until after your wildflowers have finished blooming and gone to seed before mowing down to a height of four to six inches. This is extremely important—when the wildflowers are allowed to go to seed, they will be much more prolific the following year. It can take several years for a full wildflower display to establish, but you’ll be glad you took the time when you see the results!

~Jenny Peterson

April Showers

Fifthroom — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:06:26 +0000

April Showers bring May flowers.. and what do showers often bring? A rainbow! This antique quilt measures 87″ x 82″ and is embroidered with initials. This kind of quilt totally fascinates me. What made this person do a rainbow quilt?

This quilt is Dated 1898 International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0768

And what is even more fascinating is that there are two of them at the IQSC collection. This brown one is 79″ x 80″ .. did the same person make them? And did they use them or were they maybe a ‘fine’ quilt just put out for show?

This quilt is Dated 1892 International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0673

A modern piece is “Summer Rain” by Donnell, Radka. Measuring 82″ x 62″ this is also a larger piece. I so love how the stripe fabric was used to simulate rain, and how there are flowers on green.

This quilt is from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 2007.033.0001I don’t have a rainbow or a rain quilt but I did design the Umbrella quilt to go with them! This fun little piece I designed and made for McCall’s Quick Quilts magazine. Maybe I should make a little pattern for it.. what do you think?

~Pat Sloan

http://blog.patsloan.com

GET CHECKERED!

Fifthroom — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:25:49 +0000

I just returned home from a flower and garden show visit where I was treated to 10 incredible display gardens featuring incredible plant styling, stunning art pieces and mind-boggling creativity. Display gardens at flower and garden shows are not meant to be “copied” literally—the creators often take liberties with pairing plants that don’t necessarily “go” together (succulents and azaleas, for example), and typically create landscape features that would be insanely difficult, if not impossible, to maintain in a more typical home garden. What I look for when viewing these gardens are plant and design trends as well as fresh ideas on construction—and this year, I was struck by the “checkerboard” design motif. Here are a few examples that can be translated into cottage-y and whimsical gardens as well as clean and contemporary landscapes.If you have a small lawn area, or some grass beside your patio, consider creating a checkerboard lawn. It’s easier than it looks—grab some square concrete pavers from your local home improvement store, arrange them in a checkerboard pattern and fill in with squares of sod. Make sure it’s all level so it’s easy to walk on! Maintenance is a snap with a string trimmer.Have a nice, blank wall by your patio, garden shed or fence? Try arranging hanging wall planters in this trending pattern for a graphic and interesting display. For an artsy or whimsical vibe, use a variety of pots in different colors and patterns—but for a more clean and contemporary look, opt for identical planters.While set into a more linear pattern, these tiny terra cotta tiles make an intriguing set up for a pathway or garden feature. In this display garden, they filled in with crushed, recycled glass—if it’s tumbled, it’s safe to use, but otherwise plan to fill in between your tiles with something softer like mulch, sand, river rock or pea gravel. Your choice of materials will directly impact the style—use colored or unexpected materials for a more artful look, or cool grey rock for a peaceful Zen feel.

~Jenny Peterson