Sunday, January 29, 2017

7 Proven Tips and Tricks for a Perfectly Clean Bathroom

Image via Dustjacket-Attic.com

If you struggle to keep your bathroom shiny and spotless, you’re not alone. Next to the kitchen it is the most used room in the house, which can make it hard to keep everything neat and clean. From toothpaste stains and soap scum to hair products all over the counters, there is always work to be done.

And while I don’t have a way for your bathroom to magically clean itself, I do have something just as good: Proven Tricks and Tips to Organize and Clean Your Bathroom. With use of these proven cleaning methods, I’ll help you make your bathroom tidy and pristine. Because if the place you go to get clean isn’t clean, then what’s the point?

Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors, Inc.

From Grout to Grime, here are 7 proven tips to make bathroom cleaning easier:

A dirty bathroom is not only unsanitary, but unsightly. Who wants to wash in a room where there are soap rings around the toilet or grout that looks gray?

To combat these common stains and achieve floors that are clean enough to eat off of (not really, but you get the point) we found simple, effective mixtures that will get the job done. Read on and find out the answers to your most stubborn cleaning problems.

TOILETS

It makes sense that toilets, the place where we empty out tummies, are one of the hardest to clean parts of the bathroom. Plus, standing water can cause lime build-up and mineral deposits, making it hard to keep fresh. Luckily, there is an easy way to keep it clean, and it's using household baking soda.

Amber Interior Design

For daily cleaning: pour a cup of baking soda into your toilet, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then brush gently around the sides using a soft-bristle brush and flush. You can also use this solution on the outside of the toilet and the seat, using a rag to wipe and rinse.

For built-up stains and caked-on grime: use the same amount, but allow it to soak longer and use a damp pumice stone to scrub clean. Pumice stones work well without scratching the toilet surface.

TILES AND WALLS

Image via DecorPad

Tiles can be a pain to keep clean, as every splatter and fingerprint tends to show. A quick, efficient way to clean them involves just 3 basic items (a rag, bathroom cleaner and your shower), but done in a different and more efficient way.

Simply spray the walls and ceiling with a basic bathroom cleaner, then run a hot shower and let the room steam up. Close the door, keeping the steam in for about 20 minutes, then go back and wipe down the walls and ceiling with a rag. The steam loosens and moistens the tiles, allowing for a much deeper clean with minimal effort.

SHOWER


Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors, Inc.

While the trick above works great for shower walls, it won’t do much for your shower head, tub, or doors, which are breeding grounds for bacteria.

To get your shower head clean, fill a Ziploc bag with white vinegar, then submerge the head in it, securing it with a rubber band. Leave it to soak overnight, then rinse with warm water. This can be done weekly for a deep cleaning. 

For shower doors, make a paste, using a few drops of distilled white vinegar and baking soda, then apply to the door. The paste should be thick so it sticks to the door. Let sit for an hour, then rub it off using a microfiber cloth. Rinse with water and dry.

BATHTUB

Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors, Inc.

Bathtub’s can be an annoyance to keep clean since they are used so frequently. An easy solution is to mix pack of baking soda with vinegar to lightly scrub the tub with, then rinse with warm waterThis solution is also very effective for removing stains from grout.

GROUT

Cleaning grout is tedious but necessary. To get it white and looking new, dip a toothbrush or brush in bleach and rub over itRinse after with water to prevent yellowing. The previous baking soda and vinegar solution is also great for grout. 

SINK

Brooklyn home of Catbird founder Rony Vardi

Sinks are one of the most used areas, so keeping them clean is essential. To keep the faucet and water knobs sparkling and germ-free, use disposable cleaning wipes regularly if you're on the go. Especially since soap and water alone will not kill all the germs. Wiping down your sink daily will really go a long way. For the drain, pour white vinegar down the drain and flush with hot water to keep bad odors away.

Once you try these easy cleaning techniques you'll find that you have more time to enjoy your house- and the people in it. And once your bathroom and home are cleaned to perfection, you'll also have more time for the luxuries of life... like enjoying a spa day at homeCheers to a life that's not only cleaner, but more relaxing!

For more tips on cleaning and organization visit Top Reveal

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

4 Shortcuts to a Luxury Look at Home - Sponsored by Overstock.com

If your home is already furnished, but you still aren't achieving that luxury look you're going for, it could be because you need to revamp your home decor accessories. You'd truly be surprised by how far a change of accessories will go with your present furnishings. The secret to achieving a luxury look is to select high quality decorative items, that will add visual impact to your space. 

With the help of Overstock.com you don’t have to sacrifice great design over price to create a well-designed, luxury space. Overstock.com has an incredible assortment of home products at every price-point so that everyone can create their dream home. However, sometimes it's easier to have a professional point you in the direction of pre-approved decor to achieve your dream space. In this blog post I've linked to beautiful home decor additions from Overstock.com that will have luxury impact at an affordable price. Let's get started!

4 EASY SHORTCUTS TO A LUXURY LOOK AT HOME - Sponsored by Overstock.com!


THE RECAP - FEATURING WHAT TO SHOP FOR INSTANT LUXURY:

(1) Introduce nature inspired elements to your home like marble, wood, and leather. Consider these beautiful home decor items:
(2) Add a touch of gold at home with these great accessories: 

(3) Buy a range of colorful glass vases to add a pop of color at home. They are even gorgeous when flowers aren't in them! Try these: 

(4) Decorate with rich fabrics. And once you've found the perfect, high-quality curtains to accent your home, make sure to complete the look with equally luxe curtain rods. I suggest these curtain rods in antique gold, which I use at home right now. Afterall, rich fabrics + gold accents are always a hit! Here are my recommendations for top notch upholstery to beautify your home: 

Overstock.com is your one-stop-shop for luxury home decor selections at an affordable price. Adding these pieces to your home will absolutely give your home a luxury boost! Which of these luxe home accessories featured is your favorite? Happy shopping!

Monday, January 23, 2017

Designer Spotlight: Ponyo Porco of Taiwan


Ponyo Porco, based in Taiwan, is a print & textile design company focusing on fine art, fashion, and graphic design with the intention of their painterly prints being used across the spectrum. Ponyo Porco's hand-painted print designs lend themselves to uses from home decor to fashion and more and has landed the brand a coveted spot in New York Fashion Week this year. Take a look at our recent interview with Crystal Lupa and Larry Chen, the creative design duo behind Ponyo Porco.

Ponyo Porco at 2016 New York Fashion Week.

I saw your runway show at NYFW this past fall, is this the beginning of Ponyo Porco being a part of the international fashion industry?

Lupa: It was really a good start for us to share our concept and creations around the world as we are a very new team. It’s not easy but we are working hard on developing our brand to be more connected with the international creative industry.



How did you become interested in working for the fashion industry?

Larry: Ironically, we started our careers not that interested in the fashion industry but we both liked to create and design with prints. And since Lupa graduated with a focus on fashion design women’s wear, we combined our specialties to create a brand that is not just about fashion, but more so a print lifestyle brand.


Artist Crystal Lupa, one of the creative forces behind Ponyo Porco.

I noticed that each collection has an excerpt or poem that goes with it, what came first as inspiration – the writing or the collection?

Lupa: You're right. Each print has it’s own poem and original artwork. The poems are always written once the artwork is complete and serves as a description. 

Original artwork for Ponyo Porco prints.

Original artwork for Ponyo Porco prints.

Since your designs have a fairytale aspect (especially with the use of writing) are their any childhood stories, folktales, and stories etc. that inspire the design process?

Lupa: My painting style is definitely inspired from childhood stories and folk art. I often create characters with self-invented logics about the world, and love to express a glimpse of cold, dark charm in the style of naïve amusement. I’m especially attracted to seemingly inanimate organic forms. While trying to endow them with personified characteristics, I also like to demonstrate an event or scene narratively.

Original artwork for Ponyo Porco prints.

What is each of your favorite pieces, or favorite collections you have worked on?

Lupa: My favorite pieces are the prints of WITCH&CROWS coat and the POOL pleated dress.

Larry: I like the printed coats in all prints!


Do either of you have a fashion icon that you find inspirational?

Lupa: Frida Kahlo

Larry: Yves Saint Laurent


Since, Ponyo Porco is based in Taiwan, how does that influence your work?

Lupa: Although we founded the brand in Taipei, most of the education in art and working experience is in London. So I can say that there is a mixture of cultures in the creation. Taiwan is a beautiful island filled with oriental visual inspiration as well as various foreign influences, both of which greatly impact our work.


How does Ponyo Porco want their buyers to feel when they wear your collection?

Larry & Lupa: Unique, bold, delicate, and playful!

How much does the type of material and fabric influence each piece? Is there a specific way in which you select them?

Lupa: For Ponyo Porco the textures and characteristics are very important. Before we confirm the fabric for each piece, we digitally print on more than 15 kinds of materials for samples. We use 100% polyester fabric for pieces that need to be pleated, because the cotton won’t stay in pleats after a few washes. And for the coats and bomber jackets, we use 100% cotton with a satin finish to bring a subtle glow for more formal occasions.


What do you hope to see Ponyo Porco to become in the future?

Larry: So far we have developed our print ideas into a diversity of products such as clothing, accessories, paper products, and packaging. As we move forward we look to cooperate with brands, manufacturers, and studios from various fields to develop creative products in even more forms. There will also be a great 2017 calendar and a menswear capsule collection. Overall, we hope to become a strong design team and feast for the eyes of the print lovers around the world.

By Jamie Lee, Interiors by Jacquin intern