Guest Post - How To Care For Fine Crystal

Today I welcome a guest post by Julie about how to care for fine crystal. I believe it's not something we should store away in the cupboard only to be brought out every now and again like some do. I think we should spoil ourselves with little luxuries whenever we can! Of course, if we use it more often, we need to know how to care for it properly.....

Fine Crystal Care

By Julie Shuford, Bering's Hardware

A good friend of mine recently hosted a brunch for her four year old daughter's friends and their mothers. Everything was going quite nicely until my girlfriend poured hot tea in a crystal pitcher, instantly causing the pitcher to shatter from the heat. The pitcher shattering wouldn't have been so bad, if it hadn't been her mother's - who is no longer with us. Yes, it was a very special piece. My girlfriend, like many of us, was unaware how to care for crystal.

If you do plan on using your lovely crystal, like the beautiful Baccarat Massena wine glass, or lovely Waterford Lismore bowl featured below, at your brunch or get-together, then we have some helpful tips on how to care for and clean your crystal pieces!

Let's begin with first making the recommendation to always hand wash your crystal with mild dish soap in lukewarm water. It is a safe bet for caring for your crystal. While some manufacturers claim their pieces are dishwasher safe, we always advise hand washing. You run the risk of a dishwasher setting that is to warm, as well as the pieces hitting one another during machine washing.

Once you have hand washed your crystal pieces, it is important to dry them with a soft cloth. Do not leave your damp pieces to air dry. Air drying can produce water spots, especially in areas with hard water. Burp cloths or cloth baby diapers make excellent choices for drying pieces.

The majority of us clean our crystal because we are using it for food. However, displaying your crystal pieces as décor in your house, like the Juliska compotes below, also calls for the occasional cleaning. Exposing crystal to food or air can cause it to develop a film like patina from acids in food and oxidation from being exposed- resulting in crystal streaking if not washed properly.

Sometimes even hand washing just does not achieve the clean streak free look you were hoping for. If you need a little help, as well as a quick alternative, spritz some Hagerty Chandelier Cleaner or Akemi Crystal Cleaner and wipe with a cloth towel.

Keep in mind, that while the spray will add a sparkle, it is not suggested for actually cleaning. For pieces that you will be using to serve drinks for food on, we suggest a little elbow grease with hand washing. ...It isn't that bad!

Here are detailed steps to wash your crystal:

1. Draw some soapy lukewarm water. Be sure to use dish soap without a lemon additive.
2. Include 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
3. Place no more than one crystal piece in the sink at a time to prevent pieces from chipping from hitting one another.
4. Hold piece in liquid and rub with a soft cloth before rinsing under the same temperature of water.
5. Gently dry with a soft cotton towel.
6. Spritz with Hagerty Chandelier, or Akemi cleaner for a little extra sparkle.

Treat your guest, as well as yourself to your beautiful crystal! Caring for it post-party or get-together is simple. Waiting for that "special" occasion to use your crystal pieces usually amounts to never using them. It will add a serious sparkle to your get-together, as well as a festive touch!

About the Author:

Julie Shuford is the Marketing Manager for Bering's Hardware in Houston, TX. Julie is a girl's girl who loves a good sale, a long run, and time with her husband and new baby boy. Bering's Hardware is a unique retail store that provides everything from hardware to fine china, such as the pieces shown in this article.



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Thanks for all the great tips Julie!

Linda. xox

Flowers As The Perfect Piece Of Decoration...

Today I welcome a guest post from Patricia Hall, a florist and lover of flowers! Thanks for your terrific post Patty.

Flowers As The Perfect Piece Of Decoration...

Giving fresh flowers has long been associated with special occasions. A bride carries a floral bouquet, men give their wives and girlfriends roses on Valentine's Day, and flowers are placed on the graves of the departed. And, of course, using fresh flowers to decorate your home is a wonderful way to bring life to any room.

The History of Floral Display

Thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians would display vases of fresh flowers in their homes. The tradition of placing flowers in the tombs of dead loved ones started with them. The Greeks and Romans continued the trend, favoring floral wreaths instead of vases of flowers. All around the world, and throughout time, the hobby of arranging and displaying flowers continued, mostly with the use of locally grown flowers. This was to change with the age of exploration.

        

     

When European explorers set out to explore the lands beyond the ocean, they brought back some of the native plants founds in the New World. Tropical fruits and flowers brought back to Europe made their way into floral arrangements, adding more color and texture.

Today, people do not have to commission an exploratory voyage to overseas to get unique and colorful flower bouquets. With the advent of the Internet it has become even easier to order flowers and receive those flowers by post in just a few days, as fresh as the day they were picked.

What to Do with Fresh Flowers

Flowers bring a splash of color and texture into the home. No matter the decorating theme of the home, a bouquet of flowers can be custom-designed to match. Old-fashioned arrangements with heirloom flowers in subtle shades is at home in a Victorian-styled home. Bold, simple arrangements add an eye-catching visual spot in a home with a modern design.

  



When the flowers arrive, getting them into water immediately will lengthen their life. Cut the stems at an angle and submerge them in water with the plant food packet from the florist added. The vase of fresh flowers is then ready for display.

Instead of candles, place a vase of fresh flowers on the dining room table. For this option, it is best to use flower arrangements that do not have a strong scent. Low displays are best on the table so the view of other diners is not blocked.

                        



Fill a bedroom with the scent of fresh roses to create a romantic atmosphere. A bouquet of fresh flowers on the dressing table or chest of drawers will enhance the room's appearance and smell. Choose flowers to match the color theme of the bedroom for a subtle effect, or opt for a contrasting color so the floral bouquet stands out.

                    



Greet guests in the front hallway with the sight and smell of fresh flowers. A bouquet of deeply scented flowers in the entryway adds an air of hospitality and a fresh look that can be changed weekly just by ordering more flowers by post.

Flowers displayed in the living room can soften the sharp lines of modern furnishings or blend easily in with classic decor. Placing the flower arrangement in front of a window will keep the flowers fresher longer. A mirror placed under or behind the flowers doubles the visual effect.

For homes with pets or children, it is best to keep a floral display out of their reach. The beautiful, eye-catching colors will entice pets or children to sample the flowers, which can result in the ruining of the floral display and sickness in the child or pet.

Indulging in an age-old tradition of floral display in the home is easier now than ever. Exotic flowers or local varieties are easily procured with a simple procedure to order flowers and have those flowers by post sent home for display in any room of the house.

About the Author

Patricia Hall works part-time for a florist and flower delivery but loves to surround herself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in her free time she loves to involve herself with everything flora and fauna.

'To me there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers - it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways - unity of all mankind!'

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Image credits:
1. Roses In Hair
2. Elizabeth Anne Designs
3. Apartment Therapy
4. Homedit
5. Martha Stewart Votives
6. Orange Flowers
7. Gap Interiors
8. White Lilies

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Fearless Fantasy Friday - Guest Post... Mirrored Furniture

Hi all! I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for DesignShuffle.com, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers from around the world and their work. My writing focuses on things I'm passionate about: decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art.

I am so happy to be writing a Fearless Fantasy Friday article for Linda! I love HeartFire and the idea of home being a “soft place to fall”. I also love the idea of magical places or vignettes created within our homes. So my Fearless Fantasy Friday post is on mirrored furniture. I love how mirrored furniture is continually in flux with the changing light and activity in a room. Hope you enjoy this post and are inspired by these gorgeous pieces of mirrored furniture.

Rosie's Posies via

Mirrored furniture can be entirely covered in mirror, fitted with mirrored panels, or highlighted with mirrored accents. Silver and chrome accents or legs blend in with the mirror to create a uniform look.

Designed to the Nines via

A mirrored chest of drawers can work wonderfully in a living room as well as a bedroom. Love how the mirrored surface reflects the patterned wall paper as well as the rest of the room.

The Home Look via

Mirrored furniture paired with wall mirrors and reflective metallic finishes, such as silver or gold, creates a lively, sparkling vignette. Such glamorous decorating ideas for living rooms. Imagine how beautiful this group would be lit by candlelight.

Decor Fair via

Some contemporary mirrored furniture feels more antique with a technique called egloimise, reverse painting on mirror or glass. Adore the floral pattern on this mirrored cabinet.

Mirrored Furniture via

Mirrored furniture comes in all types of styles, from antique to contemporary, including this modern style dresser.

Nice Space via

Contemporary mirrored furniture can feel very space age, like this console table.

Mirrored Furniture via

Mirrored furniture can make small spaces, like bathrooms or entries, feel much larger. It can also add glamour to any room, including the bathroom. What great bathroom design ideas!

Decor Fair via

Black and mirrored furniture can be very dramatic. The architectural mirrored panels on this armoire heighten the dramatic impact of the piece.

This post comes courtesy of Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior designs from around the world – from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

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Thanks Susi and have a great weekend everyone.

Now, go forth and decorate!!

Linda. xox

A Guest Post About Decorative Finishes

I've been flat out over the last few weeks as this is one of the busiest times of the year at work. So, when the folks from Arcadian Lighting contacted me about a guest post, I cheerfully agreed as it meant I got to 'take a post off'!

Here's their guest post about decorative finishes...

Anyone can buy a light fixture or accent chair from a chain market and call it decorating. But if you truly want to make these pieces your own, consider designing with decorative finishes.

Once relegated to the stippling or faux-finishing of drab, beige walls, more people are now customizing their pieces by using decorative finishing techniques on their table lamps, furniture, and even floors.

Take a look at some of these images for your own design inspiration. After that, break out your can of paints, glazes, sponges and dry brushes, and get to finishing!

(via)

Here is a chair that has been scavenged from Craigslist.  It was reupholstered in a velvet pea-green fabric and the frame was refinished with black lacquer.  Lacquering wooden furniture is easy; just sand the previous finish off, coat with primer and then paint it with a couple of coats of high-quality lacquer paint.

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Boring old kitchen cabinets have been sanded and refinished with glossy black lacquer paint and a pretty gold trim.  Goodbye boring, hello chic!

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Shown here is a wall that has been color-washed.  The wash of color is warm and rustic and will create the appearance of worn paint.  This finishing technique is very easy.  After preparing your walls for paint, mix together ¼ cup of water, colorant, and 2 cups of glaze.  Apply this mixture with a large sponge and finish it with a dry bush.

(via)

If you are able to, consider painting or finishing your floors.  The floor of this entryway has been finished in three different stains to create a gorgeous chevron-like pattern.

(via)

A junky, $5 table lamp found on Craigslist gets a makeover with several coats of matte paint. The base used to be coral red and the shade was dingy beige. This shabby chic lamp just went from drab to fab!

So, if you think you’ve found the perfect $10 chair or lamp but it’s too old and worn out, use a decorative finish to make it like new again. If you live in your own home, accent boring beige walls, ceilings or floors with a decorative finish.

(Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!)

Thanks for the guest post A.L!

Linda. xox

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