Small Space Solutions for Home Computer Station or Niche

Hi Friends!

So, I been thinking about new home construction and how the times have changed in the past 10 years.  One thing that seems like a MUST HAVE in a home now-a-days is a computer niche.  We almost didn't build one in our home that we built 4 years ago but I realized if the computer (or laptop) didn't have a specific space it was going to be left out on the counter or dining table forever!  I'm one of those people who REALLY want to have a specific space for everything so I am very happy we found a little "hole in the wall" area and that is where I put my computer.

Let's look around blog land to see where others have carved out space to fit their computer areas!  Utilizing under stair space is a perfect way to either add storage or gain a computer station.

Obviously, these people had the space to plan a large built in area for their computer.  I love the soft green cabinets.

Source


This nice white built in has pocket doors that can hide the entire computer area.  Very smart!

I appreciate this area designated for the computer.   I have a feeling they were in a similar predicament as I was (no more room!) but they pulled off a nice bar area specifically for computer use.  I really like the drawer added under the counter.

Source

I love how they made this computer alcove away from the center of the home.  I think putting it in a more secluded spot would help with the fact that some of us can't stop spending time on our computers!!!  Out of site out of mind - right???  :-)

We honestly did not have money to add another square inch to our floor plan, so we had to figure a solution utilizing the space that was already there.

Previously, the end of that bar was just a solid wall. We were able to squeeze out just enough space to make a sliding pocket door computer niche.

It's not a perfect spot (due to the fact that the back door is right behind me!) but it sure beats the computer sitting on the dining room table for the next 50 years. ;-)  

AND yes, my wine is stored right about my workstation.....could it get any better??  I have to say, this space was used to it's FULLEST potential!  ;-) 

There you have it!  

Isn't that a fun collection of ideas?  If you are ever thinking of remodeling or building don't forget to keep a collection of ideas so that when the time comes, you won't have to re-invent the wheel for your own computer area.

What room do you have your computer area???

 Don't miss out on Selina's home decor tips and inspirations - Sign up to receive her once a week post :-)

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

DIY EASY Window Cornice Out of Old Art Frames

Hey Friends!

Does anyone else have the DIY blogger epidemic where you can no longer throw ANYTHING away just incase there is this AMAZING idea that pops into your head on how to salvage the odd piece of junk you really should have thrown away?  :-)

UGGH, this happens to me all the time.  It's not good for the cleanliness of our garage. 

So, when I had the glass crack on my picture frame and "should have" thrown it away, the idea came to me that I should make it into a window cornice! (How do these strange ideas come to me LOL)

NEW window cornice from OLD useless art frame!

All I did was throw out the broken glass,

Used the cardboard that it came with and wrapped that in bubble wrap. (It’s just what was handy, as that was the material it had been wrapped up in for the move.)

Next I took a pillow sham I bought at the thrift store and wrapped that around the bubble wrapped cardboard. I just taped the fabric to stay together. (if the fabric looks familiar, I used the other identical pillow sham to upholster this chair for her desk!)

I really wanted some depth to the cornice so I went to Home Depot and bought a small board and had them cut it to size. I also bought some D rings/hooks so I could hang it.

I used wood glue and glued it all together.  (all the pro’s use turtles and knife holders to weigh down their jobs, right?) Then I screwed on the D hooks to hang it.  Once it was all dry, I took some stain and stained the wood posts I bought to make it darker to match the frame. 

Overall this may have taken me 30 min to put together and the total cost was around $5.00.

But the part I’m happiest about is turning Lemons (a broken picture) into Lemonade!! (a pretty window cornice)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And here is the final desk area after I applied some American Clay to the wall.  You can also check out the before and after of the blue chalk paint desk I did. :-)

It’s all about keeping those Creative Juices Flowing – huh!!

 Enjoy your weekend!  We have a FULL one including a yearly piano recital. (I get so nervous for the kiddos!)

  Don't miss out on Selina's home decor tips and inspirations - Sign up to receive her once a week post :-)

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

CRAZY Yummy Cabbage Rolls - Easy

Some of you are probably thinking HOW can she say yummy and cabbage in the same sentence?

Well, these my friends are SO GOOD!

Pressure or Slow Cooker Meat Cabbage Rolls!

Not only are they very tasty, they look all fancy too (and they were easy!!)

I have a very sweet friend that I helped virtually decorate her mountain cabin (which I would love to show you guys sometime!!) but as a gift for doing that, she sent me an Instant Pot pressure cooker.

 Click on the image and check out the reviews!!!

WOW, I haven't ever experienced cooking with a pressure cooker before and let me tell you, somewhat life changing! You can cook FROZEN chicken breasts (or entire chickens) to juicy perfection in 15 minutes! Things that I would have to cook in the slow cooker for HOURS is done in under 30.

So, these cute little things took 18 minutes in the pressure cooker, but you could also use your slow cooker on low for 9 hours or high for 5 hours. (see how handy the pressure cooker can be!)

So here is what you do:

Cut the core out of a LARGE cabbage.
Steam (boil) it in a pot of water for 5-8 minutes.
Remove the cabbage head, pull off the outside leaves that come off easily
Boil again and repeat pulling off leaves that come off easily till the whole veggie is dismantled.

Now you have your wraps

In a bowl combine: 
(for the inside of the wraps)

1 cup pre-cooked rice
1 1/2 - 2 lbs Raw ground beef, sausage or turkey
1 egg
2 shredded carrots
1/2 c chopped onion
1 can green chili's
minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
(I added a dash of cinnamon/sugar too as I did it with sausage and wanted a bit of a sweet spicy thing going on)

MIX it all up.

In a saucepan:
 (for the top of the rolls)

cook 1/2 c chopped onions in some butter
add minced garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1/4 c white vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

You can chop up some of your leftover cabbage pieces and add to the sauce also.

At the VERY end you can take out the rolls and add 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to thicken up the sauce.

• 
  

You should be able to make at least 12 wraps.

Take your cabbage leaf, add about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture to one end of the cabbage, turn edges in and ROLL up the cabbage.

Set 6 rolls on the bottom of the pressure cooker, pour some of the sauce over them.

Layer next set of rolls on top and pour the rest of the sauce over the top.

(if you are using the pressure cooker, add about 1/2 c additional water to the pot for the pressure/steam to build up correctly)

Either pressure cook this for 18 minutes OR slow cook them for 5 hours on high or 9 hours on low.  If using the pressure cooker, after the 18 minutes, let it sit for another 15 minutes and then quick release any left over steam.

Server hot! Set on the plate and spoon the sauce over the rolls.

I think pairing this up with a green vegetable or a salad is perfect.  Guest will think this took you forever as it really does look and taste gourmet!


Some of the other things I have cooked in my pressure cooker is YOGURT! Seriously, I pretty much just pushed a button and at the end strained it to get THIS! It's by far the easiest way to make yogurt hands down.  You can check out my Pinterest Board for all the great recipes I've pinned for this cooker.

Check out the reviews on Amazon for the Instant Pot and my Pressure Cooker Board for great recipes (including the yogurt!)

Follow Creative Juices Decor's board Pressure Cooker Recipes on Pinterest.

 Don't miss out on Selina's home decor tips and inspirations - Sign up to receive her once a week post :-)

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner