tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12152102470994794322012-02-16T07:11:00.032-06:00Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.comBlogger721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-54023167813060312952012-01-06T15:17:00.004-06:002012-01-06T15:38:04.075-06:00

Goodbye front door.Goodbye handle so low it came to my mid-thigh. Goodbye 1/2-inch heat-sucking gap. Weighing in at nearly 100 lbs. our old solid-wood front door was a formidable entree to the house. And since it stuck heavily in the lower corner, it was kind of like a nightclub bouncer—able to keep any weak-armed riff-raff out, even if they are my own children.I was feeling guilty about

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-72433759531634070842011-11-28T08:51:00.004-06:002011-11-28T09:13:56.762-06:00

Here's a great way to spread your decorating dollar: Buy just a quart of paint ($10.88 at Home Depot) and use it to garnish your small-space walls with a wide, graphic stripe. I perked up our plain white bathroom with this technique, and the splash of color really made a difference even though it only covers about a third of the wall.A quart of paint will coat about 100 feet of wall space. That's

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-47704104730080210952011-11-18T10:48:00.002-06:002011-11-18T11:18:50.650-06:00

Taa Daa! This is the result of several months of thinking, noodling, and nudging. As my recent posts point out, fussing over one space in your home always carries over to other areas. Thankfully, I am pleased with this arrangement of the mantel—as well as the new kitchen wall.If you aren't overwhelmed with awe over my originality or sophistication, I'm not hurt. This is hardly a "new" idea to put

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-48773871131879688672011-11-07T20:48:00.007-06:002011-11-07T21:19:20.361-06:00

Since I last posted, I've been busy, busy, busy. As you well know, one tickle of an idea often leads to a spillover of projects, with one thing leading to another and another and another. Such was the case with the kitchen wall.I was dissatisfied with the art hanging up there and was trying to figure out what next to do (see previous post "Blank Wall or Blank Canvas?"). My first attempt involved

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-12525593390896829362011-10-04T15:04:00.004-05:002011-10-04T15:39:29.650-05:00

I'm ruminating on a blank wall in my kitchen. It used to display a large, colorful print of a vintage-poster. But I needed something to spiff up the mantel arrangement, which was looking fuddy-duddy and dull.I am still considering this new look, which is why I haven't committed to nailing anything in place yet. The print rests on the mantel and the framed art is hanging by fishing line from the

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-28213031730518722852011-07-22T15:20:00.009-05:002011-07-22T15:42:15.866-05:00

Isn't it funny how you can get hit with a creative thought at the most random of times? I was jogging through the neighborhood the other day and admired someone's front door color. I plan to head back there with my fan deck and see if the homeowner is nice enough to let me copy the hue.Recently I took my younger daughter to a local garden/arboretum. We reveled in the clever way they laid out the

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-20809214383899434942011-07-13T10:05:00.008-05:002011-07-13T22:44:49.817-05:00

There seems to be differing opinions these days about whether it's better for your home's value to remodel and update it, or to sit tight, not make any changes, and sell it as a blank slate for a new family. It's hard to know where to come down on that, since these decisions are so personal. One family I know just sold their house "as is," and the family moving in said they were happy to be able

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-31119462994404607212011-06-27T11:26:00.006-05:002011-06-27T11:52:24.094-05:00

Hi Everyone! I'm back from a restorative family vaca to the beaches of North Carolina. It was a much needed getaway after finishing the front-yard landscaping project. I promised photos and details of the undertaking, so here goes...To quote the famous ad campaign:Total cost for labor and materials: $2121Value of enhanced curb appeal: pricelessWhat a difference 18 months makes. The first shot

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-31325896033051826312011-06-03T08:38:00.004-05:002011-06-03T10:02:19.817-05:00

The landscaping work continues this week. We had great weather, so we just dug in and got dirty. Today, I'm shifting the remaining ton of gray gravel to edge the back portion of the driveway. When the grass seed fills in a bit, I'll be able to take a photo of the completed work. It definitely pays off to do some of the work yourself. I have a delightful new friend in the landscaper, Marilyn, who

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-18363231125177158442011-05-19T16:33:00.005-05:002011-05-19T16:46:47.105-05:00

My barking laugh was heard down the street the other morning as I was trying to eat toast and sip coffee. I was so surprised by an item in the newspaper, I think a little coffee might have spurted into my sinuses when I choked out a guffaw. I've recovered, but I still get the sillies when I think about it.What cracked me up in such an undignified way? An article by a wire service called HealthDay

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-27927971450677758712011-05-13T16:24:00.005-05:002011-05-13T17:26:52.779-05:00

From pinching pennies to big-budget fantasies. How's this for a switch in topics?What is the kitchen of your dreams?Is a kitchen-renovation magazine as tantalizing as Star at the checkout line? Do you watch Food Network as much for the kitchens as for the recipes? I do. My current faves are Ina Garten's new barn kitchen and Claire Robinson's 5-Ingredient Fix kitchen. I suspect hers is really a

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-89686554082110750592011-05-04T14:17:00.003-05:002011-05-04T14:41:45.479-05:00

I have to be careful where I put my pennies, like many—if not all—of you. This may be no surprise coming from the so-called Cheapskate Decorator, but in fact, this is more than a persona for me. Cheap is my lifestyle.We're faced with overhauling the landscaping of this house, after the previous owners let things grow wildly out of control. Plant too many bushes in fertile soil, follow up with 10

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-16947311125057623022011-04-18T10:30:00.004-05:002011-04-18T15:36:22.993-05:00

Most people I know get a sense of renewed energy, optimism, and creativity with the advent of Spring. Not me. For me, Spring is just one big, huge To Do list. Everywhere I turn, there is a project to tackle or something to clean. The thin sunshine finally spreading over the house only reveals how dirty the windows are. The determined daffodils and hyacinths just draw my attention to the fact that

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-18951991856717653552011-02-23T09:28:00.005-06:002011-02-23T09:59:44.400-06:00

I did it! I bought a rug for the dining room. It involved no fewer than six consultations with my husband, daughters, and friends as to whether this was the right rug. I was concerned it was too traditional. But the consensus was that it was a fine choice, so here it lies.Why did I bring it home if it was too traditional for my tastes? Price. It's a 9x12-foot, 100-percent wool rug that only cost

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-53703395464932153292011-01-13T15:53:00.009-06:002011-02-15T09:27:43.331-06:00

Many of you know I've been promising to re-work and generally spiff up my dining room for some time now. It's a large space (14x18 with 9-foot ceilings) right in the heart of our small home. I walk through it probably a thousand times a day. Each time is a little painful when I'm not happy with how it looks—or how it sounds. You know that echo-y feeling you get in large, cavernous spaces, like in

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-67616877121324299032010-12-03T14:15:00.004-06:002010-12-03T14:35:04.627-06:00

For someone who strives each and every day to put things away and clear the decks, getting out Christmas decorations is a painful effort.Don't get me wrong, I love the season. I love the everyday and the monumental celebrations, from the first snowflakes to the Christmas Eve concert. But hauling box after box of knickknacks from the attic irritates like pine needles in my holiday sweater.I have

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-84005008988270792822010-11-20T09:46:00.006-06:002010-11-20T10:56:25.269-06:00

I'm writing this with the sound of Jacques Pepin narrating his cooking show in the background. And I'm in a funk. I feel I lack sophistication of any sort—I can't even speak with an accent!Part of this funk comes from the daunting prospect of decorating this house for the holidays. I've been working half a year with Matthew Mead as he (seemingly) effortlessly pulled together one holiday

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-25633644027152965412010-11-09T19:57:00.003-06:002010-11-09T20:21:37.656-06:00

That's right! The magazine I've been writing for and rooting for has arrived. Hot off the presses, incidentally. Check these glamour shots to give you a taste of the one-of-a-kind style guide.HOLIDAY is the creative outpouring of Matthew Mead, a genius with food, decorating, crafting, entertaining, photography, and (it turns out) magazine-making. That's right, this is his baby in every way, from

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-67827782221682659662010-11-08T10:07:00.003-06:002010-11-08T10:23:34.723-06:00

I've been away, obviously, but it hasn't been too long, right? Only long enough for me to submit the last of my articles for Matthew Mead's Holiday magazine, see two daughters through the start of school and their fall birthdays, adopt a furry new member of our family (Tess, a golden-retriever mix), and watch some of my favorite college football teams.As you know all too well, the days are busy.

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-37668150218136156782010-08-18T14:28:00.011-05:002010-08-29T15:16:33.848-05:00

I think my decorating philosophy could be summed up with a trite little phrase that often has a sexual connotation: Use it or Lose it.What I mean is, unless the things in your home have a purpose, are useful, and provide beauty or a service, they should hit the curb (in a recycling bin, of course).I'm pretty disciplined about this. Every season, I cull my clothes down to the things I know fit,

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-18338133710945804642010-08-18T13:53:00.002-05:002010-08-18T13:57:38.054-05:00

Hi Everyone!It's good to re-connect after the busy summer. I hope you all have had fun, fabulous times—and even found time for some frugal decorating.Here's what I've been busy doing this summer. My good friend, Matthew Mead, style-guru for many decorating magazines, web sites, and TV shows, is producing the second issue of Holiday with Matthew Mead. Check it out...then place your order!Cheers!

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-75429317962592402672010-07-22T13:35:00.006-05:002010-07-22T14:05:21.027-05:00

You know how you have those areas in and around your house that need attention, but you just can't seem to summon a single good idea? I've been perplexed by several spots in this "new" house. One is a dark, slender crevice between the fireplace and wall, which I filled with a tall floor lamp. The other is this pergola at the end of our yard. Previous owners had taken care to construct it to have

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-9869149028769962312010-06-29T16:38:00.004-05:002010-06-29T17:04:53.302-05:00

Apart from this week's sewer mishap in my basement, I lead a truly lucky life. I can count among my friends some spectacularly creative people, such as painters, photographers, flea marketers, stylists, bloggers, visual artists, and magazine-makers. Being surrounded by all this talent inspires me to work harder on my house. When I'm feeling lazy or bored with the way things look, it won't take

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-47685561875438356242010-06-10T14:03:00.004-05:002010-06-10T14:24:20.859-05:00

This might be the one and only time I make this analogy, but I'm kind of like a concert pianist: I need to warm up before I perform. Writing-wise, that is.Let me explain: This blog for many years has been a pleasurable pursuit. It has also been a professional aid. If I am having trouble getting started writing a decorating article for one the magazines I work for, I often will post a blog entry

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-83267632315958448392010-05-07T13:23:00.003-05:002010-05-07T13:41:20.994-05:00

I do not have a green thumb, but every spring I get an itch to plant a few flowers and herbs. Mostly because I love to eat, and cooking with homegrown herbs is an inexpensive way to get good food. Some of you might remember I had several big planters in the backyard of the old house where I sprinkled chives, rosemary, dill, thyme, and parsley seeds every spring. Those planters stayed with that

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-44393254973216695092010-04-30T10:48:00.004-05:002010-04-30T11:15:40.091-05:00

More than 40 years ago, my grandmother paid $10 for a large, antique cabinet with glass doors. Only in small-town Pennsylvania, in an era when antiques weren't as popular as new dining room suites, could she get such a bargain. But then, my grandmother knew quality when she saw it, and she was cheap. She would say thrifty or prudent, so I'll honor her and call her the same. I'm cheap. Perhaps

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-55871517699935048152010-04-18T20:31:00.003-05:002010-04-18T20:52:47.720-05:00

My pumpkin turned into a construction cone. The warm and spicy hue for my front door that I thought would look great with my charcoal-gray house turned out to be more like a newly sprouted squash than the muted pumpkin pie I envisioned.Isn't that always the case? Why is it that colors NEVER turn out like you thought they would? Sometimes, it's a pleasant surprise; sometimes a horrid one. But

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-31468143224007393452010-04-02T09:42:00.007-05:002010-04-02T10:16:44.263-05:00

It has been a funny spring for me. I've had a few instances where my professional life and home life coincide in nearly perfect rhythm. For example, I am working on an article about color trends right now, at the same moment as I have the exterior of my house painted. I was in the middle of an interview with professional color consultant Philippa Radon about the color gray, when the painter

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-49394981167907980092010-03-26T08:57:00.005-05:002010-03-26T12:33:17.222-05:00

It's the time of year when I extricate myself from the corner nook of the sectional sofa in the family room and try to plump up the cushions. My winter nesting spot is looking a little more haggard than normal this year because it has been such a bloody long cold spell.I can't say I have a lot of get-up-and-go yet. But things are starting to percolate around here. We bought this house last

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-3146328772808209032010-03-05T11:20:00.004-06:002010-03-11T16:02:21.516-06:00

Last weekend, my family and I traveled to Pennsylvania to say goodbye to my grandmother. We gathered at the quaint, whitewashed church on the perimeter of the town park to say our loving words and think our heartfelt prayers. Then, as a group, we walked the block to my grandmother's two-story, Colonial-style house. We call it "Grammy and Papa's house," but my grandfather has been gone almost two

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-49877378390921703052010-02-24T11:02:00.003-06:002010-02-24T13:20:07.177-06:00

My daughter loves little spaces. She's 3 1/2 and we only just moved her to a twin-size bed because she was so comfortable in her crib. It isn't unusual for me to find her playing contentedly in a cupboard or the bottom shelf of bookshelves.This is an urge I can relate to. As a child, I liked snuggling up in the corner of our sunken living room. So I wanted to give her a snug space of her own,

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-3736549393589119232010-02-18T11:38:00.006-06:002010-02-18T13:31:33.693-06:00

If you've read my blog for any amount of time (Hi Mom!), you know I'm not a fan of clutter. Every day, I wage a small guerrilla war on the accumulated stuff in my house, trailing after my husband to gather his discarded newspaper sections and after my school-age daughter to neaten the piles of papers/art projects she brings home. (Some of them end up in the recycling bin when she's not looking.

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-19740541429373042042010-02-03T18:26:00.006-06:002010-02-03T20:06:20.477-06:00

We had a great bar in the old house. Part of a 1960s walnut-and-chrome "wall system" (the old term for an entertainment center), it had swank appeal. But the wall system won't fit anywhere in this house except for a basement wall near the laundry room. Not exactly a convenient spot from which to pour a glass of my cheap sau-blanc or for Jason to fix a G&T.My solution was to turn one of our

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-67407934756559956172010-01-29T10:13:00.006-06:002010-01-29T16:33:33.758-06:00

I've gone Command Hook-Happy. These temporary hooks from 3M ($4 to $15 per set, depending on size, at Target and hardware stores, left) are the perfect tool for those of us with commitment issues. You stick them on, and if you don't like the placement, you peel off the wonderous adhesive with nary a trace.Though we moved into an old house with plenty of dings, scratches, and nail holes, I'm still

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-6023815167849667062010-01-22T09:49:00.004-06:002010-01-22T14:40:59.079-06:00

Icicles dangle from the house like an array of crystal drop earrings. You would think this would be beautiful, and it was for about the first two hours of the storm, but then the incessant drip, drip, drip outside my office window started to eat into my appreciation of winter's glory. As a homeowner, too, I am concerned about the damage all this weight and blockage is doing to my gutters, fascia,

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-8365231601657629682010-01-15T11:37:00.005-06:002010-01-15T11:59:27.045-06:00

Well, I think it worked. As function goes, it certainly fits the bill. I have handy pots in close reach. As looks go, it's so-so. And as the budget goes, it's a winner.In my previous house, I was spoiled by a wall-mounted pot rack with loads of storage for lids, pots, pans, strainers, and utensils. It even had a shelf for my pasta pot and tea kettle. For a small kitchen with limited storage, it

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-62125118001194266292010-01-10T14:29:00.007-06:002010-01-10T15:00:28.197-06:00

I've been away so long, Google asked me to log in again (with a quizzical look, I imagine) as I began to write this. Many apologies.As my earlier blogs have mentioned, the year ended with me wrapping up a magazine called Flea Market Style, which will debut on newsstands on February 23rd, and moving to a new house. Whew!I'm slightly back on track now and anxious to dig back into creative and

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-59107257757324062382009-10-26T09:40:00.006-05:002009-10-26T09:56:35.552-05:00

My six-year-old daughter and I were glued to the television Saturday night for what constitutes as Must See TV in our house: a Halloween decorating competition on HGTV. Norah, who usually barely glances at the television unless it's tuned to the Disney channel, could not be moved or interrupted for the entirety of the show. For her, it was a perfect combination of arts-and-crafts, a competition,

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-76105627403971417222009-10-23T16:39:00.002-05:002009-10-23T16:47:54.110-05:00

I love color. I have a purple rug. I think that says a lot about me. Yes, I live in a white house, and my father once commented that every wall in it is painted "beige" (which, for the record, is actually light cocoa and pearl gray). But I also have a turquoise kitchen and a green bathroom. People seem to forget that I love color.My daughter has decided she would like to keep the day-glo orange

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-16116133802540985192009-10-09T13:41:00.005-05:002009-10-09T14:02:27.886-05:00

I've been a quiet blogger lately, obviously. Things have been hopping in my other lives as a mother, wife, writer, and homeowner, so I've been focused elsewhere. Most pertinent to this venue, however, is the last bit: homeowner. We're in the process of maybe moving. I stress the maybe because I'm a cautious Midwesterner (and part Scot to boot), so I'll believe it's going to happen when the

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-39667912605927795732009-09-21T10:42:00.006-05:002009-09-21T11:08:16.650-05:00

I spent two days this weekend browsing the aisles of the Junk Bonanza in Shakopee, Minnesota. Put on by my friend Ki Nassauer, it's a selective flea market with wonderful vendors and lots of creative people. Not only did I bring back a fabulous belt, but I found inspiration too! Here are a few awesome cheap-o decorating ideas and the oh-so-clever people who let me steal them.Arc's Value Village,

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-63186289115943991732009-09-08T16:26:00.005-05:002009-09-16T22:17:19.561-05:00

Does anyone care to share their kids' toy storage tactics, tips, and treatments? I'm about to dive into the pit that has become of my basement playroom and sort it all out. I want to get rid of at least half the stuff there. But then what do I do with what's left?I love this friend's solution. She turned her sunroom into a guest room / playroom and used the built-ins as stylish Legos, Barbie, and

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-57711370063328137282009-09-01T21:02:00.003-05:002009-09-01T21:24:03.920-05:00

You know that phrase, if you can talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk? Or some such thing. I've been thinking about it lately. As many of us wrestle with life at the confluence of the Green movement and the sinking economy, thriftiness has a whole new level of seriousness, or should I say, devotion?I've been working on this piece about 2010 trends for the Century 21 magazine, At Home. It's

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-33408395783768246062009-08-27T14:10:00.006-05:002009-08-27T14:23:17.110-05:00

Some of you may have heard that I'm working on a new magazine with the über-talented Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer called Flea Market Style. Lucky me! It's due out in February 2010, so we're just getting to the nitty-gritty part now where images come together with words and the magazine starts to take shape. I've been poring over stunning photographs Matthew shot of some projects using vintage

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-11380024897961444542009-08-24T14:15:00.005-05:002009-08-25T09:53:38.757-05:00

I made the change! One old kitchen faucet with hard-water build-up traded out for a shiny new Delta faucet in a similar style. Here are my thoughts about this process:• Style: I was too timid to change it dramatically. Would I love a restaurant-style sprayer? Yes! But in my un-modernized and far-from-commercial 1920s kitchen, it would have looked off.• Installation: Cramming myself under the sink

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-6611296155560591842009-08-07T15:09:00.008-05:002009-08-08T15:35:34.477-05:00

Coaching my youngest daughter on the art of pottying has me spending a great deal of time in the bathroom lately. This has led me to a few budget-minded ruminations.In the main bath downstairs, I need a new paint color. The current green hue, "Quaking Aspen," is a bit gloomy for this north-facing room. And the old plaster walls are starting to look like snakeskin with all the humidity. I had

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-33207428395989217282009-08-01T14:53:00.002-05:002009-08-01T15:06:30.110-05:00

You can not get much cheaper than building something out of found objects. That's why I love Amy Flynn's Fobots (Found Object Robots—get it?). They are so cute and personable, and they're made from old stuff that most people would toss into a landfill. Or, on a nationwide-art-gallery scale, take a look at artist Tara Donovan's work with toothpicks and Styrofoam cups. I mean, WOW!I wish I had an

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-2014582720936312852009-07-30T10:25:00.002-05:002009-07-30T11:04:58.079-05:00

Lately, I've been entranced by the idea of a small, hidden sanctuary where I can escape for a while each day to be alone with my thoughts or my artistic pursuits. We spent two weeks at the beach, but I didn't come home relaxed. I think a daily retreat—from the phone, the email, the To Do list—would probably do more to ease the tension between my shoulder blades than did the beach vacation, with

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-8554880808199817632009-07-22T14:42:00.005-05:002009-07-22T15:15:21.818-05:00

Is there such a thing as decorating porn? I've heard this tongue-in-cheek term used by foodies when gushing about their artisanal cheeses and preserved lemons. But I haven't heard it in reference to my particular obsession: kitchens. If there is such a thing, I am on the hunt.I watch the Food Network, not because I love to cook (though I do) but because I can stare at the kitchens behind the

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-5980516979255368382009-07-21T11:15:00.002-05:002009-07-21T15:53:46.889-05:00

Much like the "off-limits" living rooms of our childhood, this blog is suffering from neglect. I've been out of town for two weeks visiting with extended family. It has been a wonderful time away from my work commitments, text messages, e-mails, and household chores. But I find that I am standing here with my hands on my hips, surveying my blog and wondering, "Where do I begin?" —much the same

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-20719511991077211412009-06-08T14:05:00.003-05:002009-06-08T14:43:46.595-05:00

With my sister comfortably ensconced in her Chicago condo, and my house pausing on a decorating plateau, I haven't had much opportunity lately to offer decorating advice—solicited or not. Even my friend Courtney, who lives just a few streets away, has nearly completed the deft decoration of her house.Happily, I can now rev up my advice-giving machine and scour the stores and Internet for new

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-83520362511891732892009-05-29T09:54:00.009-05:002009-05-29T10:39:42.010-05:00

Chances are, you have access to free stuff, either through neighborhood swaps, clean-up days, or web sites like freecycle.org and craigslist.com. I urge you to take take advantage of these opportunities before you set out for the traditional store. I have nothing against retail stores— I love to come home with new finds—but there's something to be said for taking someone else's trash and turning

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-90246273563577743242009-05-19T15:47:00.005-05:002009-05-19T16:47:33.476-05:00

Like many of you, surely, I've been focusing my attention outside lately. Even though I am a reluctant gardener, I've been tidying the yard, adding some new annuals, and putting in the vegetables the girls and I like to tend and harvest all summer.So I haven't been indoors more than necessary. It's stuffy and kind of despairing in here actually. The pillow project I promised you lies unfinished

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-41835904361422295622009-05-13T09:37:00.008-05:002009-05-13T10:45:10.128-05:00

Where do you get the best money-smart ideas? We're all looking for a bargain, and now it's more than a hobby, it's a necessity. I was dumbfounded the other week when my local newspaper ran an article about new styles in spring shoes, and none of the pairs featured cost less than $100. That's just not in the sphere I would call affordable. To its credit, the paper is starting a column of tips

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-9963148686151134822009-05-06T09:56:00.004-05:002009-05-06T10:35:08.233-05:00

This time of year in our house, we always find ourselves scrambling a bit. It's the end of the school year, so there are all kinds of special events, from ballet recitals to classroom parties. The yard is in desperate need of a thorough sprucing up, garden beds are looking plaintively bare, and a truckload of mulch just arrived in our driveway. On top of all that, there's Mother's Day to

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-79002127565938805062009-04-23T13:40:00.005-05:002009-04-23T14:16:29.759-05:00

Who's ready for a little outdoor decorating idea? Spring is finally gaining a bit of a foothold here and I wish the same for you. Daffodils are leading the charge in my yard, with tulips and ferns following with much trepidation. And no wonder, it's 82 degrees one day and 46 the next. Fortunately, today is an 82-degree day, so I'm planning to shut down the computer and head outdoors post-haste.

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-17785613467736341612009-04-20T15:11:00.010-05:002009-04-20T20:26:55.407-05:00

Kitchen organization is pretty much an obsession of mine. Go figure. For one thing, I'm a type-A Aries. For another, I work in an 8x8-foot space with one wall of cabinets and one countertop. If I weren't organized, I'd probably just have to unplug the oven and store shoes in the fridge.This obsession leads me to continually cull and sort my stuff. We went through a period where we made lots of

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-56181267924497608972009-04-12T21:28:00.005-05:002009-04-12T21:50:20.267-05:00

If you're not overloaded on sweets from the recent holiday (creme egg, anyone?), here's a simple, cute idea for a child's room. Though I also think this would look good in a kitchen with photocopies of Mom's or Grandma's handwritten recipes. Or, hang children's artwork or family photos in a hallway.Quick-and-Easy Wall HangingMaterials:Two wooden cabinet knobsLatex stain or paintHot glue and

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-2555026599740283312009-03-30T21:41:00.003-05:002009-03-30T21:52:55.672-05:00

Geez, has it been that long? My last post is dated 12 days ago. Isn't that a fortnight or something? Good thing I'm not British because that makes it sound like I'm really out of touch.I've been busy. You know how it is. I had some work assignments stack up. (Yay! I'm working...for pay!) The funny thing is that one job was to research design blogs. What fun! I stumbled this way and that across

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-5004879843198013682009-03-18T09:13:00.010-05:002009-03-18T10:02:59.408-05:00

I love "Before" and "After" comparisons, don't you? Particularly in decorating and remodeling magazines. I'm more than skeptical of the Before and After shots in weight-loss ads. There's even a whole magazine devoted to home makeovers, called, wisely, Before & After, which is put out by Better Homes and Gardens® and is great fun to read (http://www.remodelingcenter.com/before-after-magazine/?psrc

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-25313381470267489612009-03-13T13:51:00.009-05:002009-03-13T14:20:49.524-05:00

More than just the clocks are changing around here. True to my last post, I am shifting things all around the house. I took the wreath off the front door (finally!) after admitting to myself that no one was buying it as a Valentine's decoration. Then I turned my laser-beam sites on the mantel. Cloyingly cutesy and Christmas-y, the shutters, red accents, and snowmen artwork were not doing it for

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-81751831524791803412009-03-06T14:37:00.006-06:002009-03-06T15:10:31.560-06:00

The arrival of spring makes some people think of cleaning. Not me. It makes me think of redecorating. My husband is starting to dread the first daffodils because it means I'll bring up a kitchen redo and greet him in a re-arranged living room.With a seasonal change, I always look at my rooms and my furnishings differently. For example, I have been bothered by the shelves in my dining room. I use

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-9931139034517700182009-02-27T14:10:00.007-06:002009-02-27T14:39:11.285-06:00

Regardless of what the art community may think of me, I want to tell you about an idea for inexpensive wall … decoration. (There. I won’t call it art.) My friend Susan came up with this nifty project for her son’s room. He’s a very active toddler (is there another kind?) who loves balls. She went to the crafts store and picked up blank canvases on sale, stencils of different kinds of sports balls

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-2072502783846112652009-02-20T09:14:00.001-06:002009-02-20T13:07:24.663-06:00

A friend recently asked me for some paint-color advice as she works on a newly purchased home. I was clear in telling her that picking colors for my walls is not something I’m particularly gifted at (an experiment in mauvy-red comes to mind). And, color is such a personal choice. But regardless, she came over to take a look at some of my rooms.Since most of my living spaces are in desperate need

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-11618396600114985142009-02-17T13:49:00.007-06:002009-02-19T14:32:35.421-06:00

I'm not so sure about this pillow project I mentioned a couple weeks ago. Like a puppy in pursuit of a squirrel, I was all eagerness without the faintest idea what to do next.Here's what I have so far. True to the instructions in the magazine, the sweater shrunk into a tight felt that doesn't fray. It is barely large enough to fit my 10x10 pillow form, so I won't have extra material for the cute

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-14937468164940841132009-02-12T13:19:00.005-06:002009-02-12T13:41:58.202-06:00

Before any of you get the idea that I am some kind of expert decorator, let me set you straight: This is the dining room curtain rod I just hung. Notice the gradual but severe dip in the center of the rod? That’s because I re-used a rod on a span that’s simply too wide for it. Being cheap, I haven’t replaced it yet, or figured out how to brace the middle.The last thing I want to convey is that I

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-16128223174201062772009-02-07T14:37:00.007-06:002009-02-09T10:17:26.779-06:00

Not enough can be said about cheap window treatments. I have definitely spent money where it mattered, such as on the wood blinds that offer light control on the south-facing side of our house, as well as privacy control on the high-school-facing side of the house. But for most of our windows, I have spent very little.In the kitchen, I just redid the window treatments for $21 apiece! The old café

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-15651759281792379182009-01-30T10:18:00.002-06:002009-01-30T10:54:35.909-06:00

Is it possible to be too cheap? I just reused ice cubes.I was standing at the sink with drippy cubes in my hand (having just rinsed off the Diet Coke in preparation for a glass of water), when I was struck by the insanity of what I was doing.I’m a big fan of reuse. Pillowcases made into laundry bags. Tea towels hung as curtains. Greeting cards reused as gift tags. But ice cubes?! That was

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-66067461035078732762009-01-23T09:25:00.004-06:002009-01-23T10:29:35.180-06:00

This time of year, when the sun is low in the sky—when it appears at all—I’m usually a little hard up for decorating inspiration. I’m in full-time de-cluttering mode because being in the house all day, every day makes me feel claustrophobic. Although the house feels lighter, it doesn’t feel prettier.My daughter called me on it. Not only is she exhausted by my purging (and her battles to rescue

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-30760077116281940872009-01-16T13:39:00.002-06:002009-01-16T14:00:30.640-06:00

My To Do List reads like this: 1. Organize recipes. 2. Organize kids’ artwork. 3. Organize junk drawer. I am happy to say there is now a check mark by all three.I finally three-hole-punched and sorted the accumulated magazine and newspaper recipes I cut out. (Yes, let it be said, I am a HUGE nerd and own two three-hole punches). Total cost $0. I reused a binder from my college days.I then set up

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-3632147045770650742009-01-15T13:38:00.000-06:002009-01-15T13:56:35.139-06:00

The wrapping paper is in the recycling bin, the ribbons are re-coiled, and the toys are threatening to overtake the house. Whew! I’m bushed! Anyone else out there planning to spend January recovering from December?I have heard that there is a hangover effect that hits people after the holidays, and I can say with certainty that I am feeling the pain. I’m sad to have said goodbye to friends and

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215210247099479432.post-63887525200309547802009-01-13T16:16:00.000-06:002009-01-13T16:26:36.535-06:00

Welcome! Allow me to introduce myself: I am a writer, editor, amateur interior designer, and all-around cheapskate. If I pay full-price for something, there better be a darn good reason. If I have to hire someone to fix something in my home, I’ll first try to do it myself (at risk, sometimes, to life, limb, and dignity). And if I see something pretty in a magazine, in a movie, or on a TV show, I

Sarah Arnold Eggehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841249921136713906noreply@blogger.com0