How to clean and maintain your (indoor) teak furniture

As many of my friends are lovers of teak (and maybe even lucky owners!), I thought I would point people in the right direction of proper maintenance...I found an awesome article about maintenance by Jennifer Akre on ezine@rticles. Here are some choice parts:

First, the good news about indoor teak furniture...

Many people who have teak furniture in their homes purchased it because they believed they could have very beautiful furniture that didn't need a lot of baby-sitting. Unlike other tables that need regular oiling, cleaning and care, you can literally leave teak furniture for months, or even years, and it will remain as strong as it was when you first got it.

Second, the maintenance plan...

The first thing you need to do is thoroughly clean your teak furniture. The removal of dust and debris in from your furnishings should begin with a wiping down of the furniture with warm soapy water. Then look for particles that may have gotten caught in between pieces of wood and remove those particles.

Once it is clean, allow it to dry completely.

Now you can decide if you want to allow your teak furniture to change colors or maintain that orange-brown shade it came with. The way you can maintain your original color is to re-oil it after the cleaning. Teak wood has a high level of natural oils, but by adding a new layer after you have cleaned and dried your it, you will offer a little extra support, keeping it looking new for years to come.

Taken from Teak Furniture - How To Clean Your Indoor Furniture.

DIY - Cleaning a shower curtain

So I had company stay for the weekend recently and noticed that my shower liner is Gross Gross Gross. I contemplated simply buying a new one because I had heard somewhere that it was a bad idea to throw it into the washer. I looked a bunch of places online - found this on wikiHow and finally decided to take the plunge.

I threw my shower curtain liner (no magnets!) into the washer with the shower curtain and the bath mat. I added one cup of baking soda, a little detergent, and used warm water. An hour later it came out looking BRAND NEW. CRAZY!

Light of the Week - The Flip Floor Lamp

Two looks, one lamp - found via circa lighting. Though this lamp has a hefty price tag, I like it's art deco influence...I wish they had more options like this!

Getting ready for winter - a velvet duvet cover from Pottery Barn

So I've been working away at my art deco inspired bedroom and have now fallen in love with this beautiful velvet duvet cover from Pottery Barn. It would go well with my pink velvet chair and the walnut furniture but I don't know...what do you think??

Map Cabinet by Courtney Skott

While searching for a jewellery storage solution, I found this beautiful map cabinet by Courtney Skott. It's description reads:

Spring 2005
34" h x 45" w x 14" d
Birch plywood, silk screen

The Map Cabinet has its origin in my ongoing interest in the aesthetic forms of honeycombs and corrugations, and how those forms are being used in new textiles, constructions and technologies. The cabinet appears as a sliced section of a larger corrugated structure, and functions as one too - the structural integrity of the piece relies not on glue, but rather on the compression of bent plywood pieces slotted into a frame.

Light of the Week - The Artic Pear Series

Made by Ochre and available in Canada via South Hill Home. They have tons of variations, these ones are just my favorite...

Blog - Absolutely Beautiful Things

Absolutely Beautiful Things is written by Anna Spiro.

About the blog:

I am an Interior Designer in Brisbane Australia and I have started this blog as a record of all the beautiful things I find which inspire me and also as a record of work I have done and displays we have created in my shop Black & Spiro. My style is to mix vintage treasures with modern pieces to create an individual look for my clients and my shop. I hope this site is also an inspiration to all that continue to visit it.

Enjoy!

Store - Urban Mode

Urban Mode looks like an interesting store based out of Toronto. I know that some of the stuff they have is also available through BluePrint here in Ottawa - they have a lot of small scale stuff though, it would be great for inspiration or maybe even one stop shopping? For my friends that love mid-century, they have a lot of stuff right up your alley. Like this:


Chicago 8 Shelving Unit by Blu Dot

Light of the Week - The Boston Bookeepers Lamp

Boston Functional Bookeeper's lamp

Size: 20" - 26" high x 15" wide. Base: 8" round. Available in hand rubbed antique brass, (as shown) or polished nickel.

Found via Elte.

Art Deco from L.L.Bean??

So it seems crazy to me that L.L.Bean even has home decor let alone this fantastic clock called the Moonbeam.

From it's product info:

First introduced in 1952, this unique "moonbeam" clock wakes you with a gently illuminating light. If you fall back asleep, a bell sounds. Now available in four colors you'll find only at L.L.Bean, plus classic Yellow. Snooze feature. Fully lighted dial.



They also have it in pink and green. My favorite is probably the yellow though I think I'll be buying the white.

Bedroom Inspiration via an American President

You read it right, I love the North Octagonal (Madison) Room of Monticello. I have a thing for cubby beds, it must be the kid in me. That said, I wonder how easy it is to make the bed?? Not that I ever remember to make my bed...that would be another benefit of those curtains! Found via the Monicello Image Gallery.

Light of the Week - The Gerry

I am discovering that Etsy is a great source for truely unique lighting. I found domesticconstruction a couple of weeks ago and had to highlight my favorite chandelier! I wonder if they've ever used those green vintage dishes?

A blog about fabric, motherhood, and other good stuff

I found a blog recently by a woman named Tanya that creates the prettiest, boldest fabric! I want it all...

From her blog description:
I'm Tanya. I blog here about my life as a wife & mother & my work as a fabric & sewing pattern designer. My fabric collections, Barefoot Roses & Ava Rose for Free Spirit, are available internationally, my 3rd collection Darla will be out August 08, my fourth collection, French Hatbox, later this year. Thanks for stopping by!!

Marimekko fabrics for accessories

These fabrics would be perfect for curtains - the selection at FinnStyle is fantastic!


Marimekko Lumimarja Grey / Orange Fabric

The Marimekko Lumimarja fabric was created by fabric designer Erja Hirvi. Erja Hirvi is a highly versatile designer, whose patterns have a strong feel of life to them. Hirvi's Lumimarja design features a tree blossoming and flourishing on a grey, snowy day.


Marimekko Kaivo Red / White / Black Fabric

Kaivo is a fabric design by Marimekko artists Maija Isola & Kristina Isola in 1964. The mother and daughter team created a simple and popular pattern using large, simplified graphic rhythms with rich, bold colors.

Found via FinnStyle.