A
few tricks may clean easily stained marble
Dear Sandi: I have a coffee table with a marble top. Over the years, it has been stained by spilling drinks or plant residue, etc. The stains are colorless, but one can see the damaged areas by the loss of luster in these spots.
Can the marble be resurfaced or restored? I would appreciate any advice you may have. I enjoy your column. Thank you.
—Shirley H., Salem -November 5, 2004 - Real Living
Depending
on whom you ask, linoleum is paintable
Dear Sandi: My daughter just moved into an apartment that has an ugly colored kitchen floor.
We painted a linoleum floor some 30 years ago, and I can’t remember the facts on doing it. If you have the answers, I would sure appreciate it.
—Grace S., Salem - October 29, 2004 - Real Living
Layered
rose petals highlight lamp makeover
Dear Sandi: I saw your article about turning an old lamp into a romantic reading light. I love the idea and wondered if you could give me a few more ideas on creating this look.
—Millie D., Salem -October 22, 2004 - Real Living
Simple
magazine photo can spark creative idea
“Where do you get your ideas from?” “I’m not creative, how can I be more creative?” “I want to do some of this stuff, but I have no imagination.”
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard versions of the above, so I would like to share some thoughts on “being creative.”
—Sandi Reinke, Salem - October 8, 2004 - Real Living
Inside
and out, birdhouses add character
I have
always loved birdhouses, and I have just recently discovered that there
are so many more style options than what I remember growing up. How would
you suggest I display my now increasing collection?
—Wendy, Keizer -
September 24, 2004 - Real Living
Romantic
feel will make guests say, ‘Ooh, la, la’
Dear
Sandi: Our daughter is going away to college this fall, and I
want to turn her room into a guest bedroom. I really like the new romantic
look that you have talked about before. Can you give me some quick, easy
ways to add this element to this room?
—Maxine L,
Salem
-September
17, 2004 - Real Living
Peer
at the world with an open imagination
My husband,
Art, and I were running an errand downtown after a blustery rainstorm
a few weeks ago. We noticed these big chunks of bark that had been blown
off a nearby tree. They were fabulous, all mossy and full of interesting
textures and colors. As we returned to our car we both gathered up an
armful of the stuff (Art is really good about this type of thing) and
loaded them up. I’m not quite sure just what I’m going to
do with them, but I know that there is some cool project here.
—Sandi Reinke, Salem -September
3, 2004 - Real Living
Handmade
papers brighten up everyday items
My
kitchen is done in blue and yellow, and I couldn’t believe it
when I saw the blue and yellow story in the September issue of Woman’s
Day magazine, with your papers.
The magazine didn’t tell me enough about the storage boxes. Could
I use these in the kitchen, how are they made, etc. Thanks.
—Samantha
T, Salem
-August
27, 2004 - Real Living
Take
a cue from the English for garden rooms
My
husband and I recently returned from two wonderful weeks touring England
by car. One of the things I fell in love with the most were the conservatories
that were attached to so many, even modest, houses in the country. The
feeling is quite different than the American garden room. How can I
get a bit of this feeling in my own garden room?
—Debbie L., Beaverton -August
20, 2004 - Real Living
Good
garden spaces can be a bit less obvious
I love
to garden, but our back yard is really tiny. Personally, I would fill
the little space we have with flowers, but my husband wants to use the
area for a few vegetables. Any solutions?
—Rose J., Salem -August
13, 2004 - Real Living