These are absolutely hilarious! Our exhibitor Studio Oz, LLC carries these hilarious, unique yard gnomes!
Don’t take yourself or your yard too seriously, everyone can always use a good laugh!
Especially great for The Walking Dead fans or those with darker senses of humor!
Who knew there were garden gnomes who are NSFW!
Ha, come see them at the Orlando Home & Garden Show to see those I was not allowed to post!
A personal favorite is ‘Flippy’ 😉
Navigating The Three Cooking C’s
Navigating The Three Cooking C’s
Caribbean • Cuban • Cajun
If you are in a dinner rut, like most folks tend to get, or you are looking for new flavors to serve your family, check out this awesome recipe for Jerk Chicken by Pirate Jonny! Pirate Jonny and his wife found a need for good quality rubs, seasonings and sauces to help those ‘flavor challenged’ individuals, spice it up! With Jonny being from Florida and his wife from New Orleans they created perfect flavors to make your meals have a delish Caribbean, Cuban or Cajun flare! And what it won’t have is gluten, MSG, too much sodium or any unnecessary additives!
Pirate Jonny’s Grilled Jerk Chicken
Yields (4) Servings
Ingredients:
1 Whole Chicken – Split & Flattened
3tbsp – Pirate Jonny’s Jamaican Jerk seasoning (hot or mild)
1/4c – distilled white vinegar
2tbsp – Soy Sauce
Directions:
Prepare hot coals or gas grill with smokebox. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Jamaican Jerk seasoning, vinegar and soy sauce and mix well. Add prepared chicken legs (rinsed & patted dry) and turn each leg to coat evenly. Cover bowl tightly and refrigerate at least four hours.
Remove chicken legs from marinade and place the chicken on a grill rack. Grill the chicken for 30-45 minutes, or until the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F with a meat thermometer, and juices run clear from the chicken when pierced. When cooked through, remove from grill and allow to rest while preparing the glaze.
In a small sauce pan over medium high heat, add the ingredients for the glaze and bring to a boil, then immediately lower heat and reduce the liquid to an almost syrupy glaze. Pour glaze on chicken when it comes out of the oven and serve.
Pirate tips:
- Use the marinade recipe on the bottle of Jamaican Jerk!
- Use their Syrena’s Seduction with ranch dressing as a dip or add a little to the glaze for an extra kick!
Think an Interior Design Consultation is out of your budget?! Nope!
Orlando’s best Home & Garden Show is back at the Orange County Convention Center and offering FREE Interior Design Consultations, by The Design Diva, Natalie Kight! It is easy to feel intimidated by your interiors or know where to begin, prepare to take advantage of this amazing opportunity in the following ways:
- Bring photos, drawings and/or measurements of your space.
The more you have for us, the more we will be able to give you. It’s hard to imagine a space without some sort of visual, even for a designer. Bring in what you have. Any existing pieces or floor plans you want to work with. It’s hard sometimes – but any samples of existing colors within your space that will not be removed during the updating process are extremely helpful with selecting new colors for a space.
2. Have a budget in mind.
This is a big one. Although budget plays an extremely important role in decision making, clients rarely figure that part out first – but they should! Having a budget in mind not only gives your designer a ‘stopping point,’ but ALSO helps their creativity flow. Anyone can create a gorgeous space with $2M dollars in their pocket, but if you give your designer a realistic budget you can actually work with, you’re more likely to get a design you can achieve.
3. Take the advice given.
We get it – We haven’t seen your space and don’t quite know your colors. But you came to us for help – so take it! The most important part about receiving a free design consultation is actually taking the advice that is given. Too often, clients will resist the change they were looking for in the first place. Not every decision is going to be comfortable, some will take some getting used to. Design affects the way we live our everyday lives. Change your home’s design, and change yours.
Come on down to the show you know, The 9th Annual Orlando Fall Home & Garden Show, August 10-12 at the Orange County Convention Center to be inspired by amazing interiors and landscape seminars, plus tour over ten tiny homes and learn how to pare down and live a more simple, ‘tiny’ life! And this show is for the whole family, there are kids activities going on all weekend from cooking classes and character meet & greets to art workshops and author readings of great kid’s books; and more! You don’t want to miss this!
Do Tiny Houses Intrigue You?
Have you seen the shows on TV or run across them on social media and thought, wow, I like the idea… but how can someone live in that… permanently? We get it! We had the same thoughts, so we asked home remodeler, tiny home builder and tiny home dweller, Matthew Collins for some insight! Collins owns and operates Tiny3GB, a division of Third Generation Builders, LLC.
Matthew’s family of six underwent a drastic downsize from a three story, 3400 sq. ft., home in a Charleston suburb HOA neighborhood, to arrive on one fenced acre and a home of less than 900 sq. ft. in the small town of Ravenel, minutes south of Charleston towards Edisto Beach. During their renovation they lived in a two bed one bath single wide without a washer, dryer or dishwasher.
They learned that there were a lot of “things” they could live without and continue to purge their lives of things they no longer need. The Collins family made three moves before they finally arrived in their finished home. Each move made them question: do I need this thing enough to haul it from here to there once more and store it for weeks or months? Many things did not pass this test, leaving their load much lighter today.
When we asked Matthew how he managed to get his four children on board with giving up their “things” and moving to a tiny house, he shared the following ideas:
- Get the kids invested and involved; we had four yard sales, as I recall, and the kids were allowed to keep the proceeds of any items they contributed to the sale.
- Give yourself time to see what you miss; we put everything but the bare necessities for about 6 months as we renovated. That put “things” into perspective and we truly enjoyed each other’s company and enabled us to see what we really missed and what we didn’t.
- Turn purging into sharing; we were able to give quite a few items away on free cycle and Craigslist that we no longer needed finding it really is more blessed to give than to receive. The children went with my wife as she gave a lady our second set of Christmas decorations (we had 2 different color themes and rotated every year—crazy—why did we do that??). The lady was hosting Christmas for her daughter and family for the first time and it was indeed a joyous occasion. Also, we were able to gift our piano to a small country church and that too was such a joy when the two members came to pick it up.
- Get excited about the ‘pros’ of the change; our family was very excited to be moving from a small yard in a big neighborhood to a big yard in a sparse residential area. Plus, they loved the idea of a “small chicken farm” which has evolved into raising Kinder Goats as well. And now, in our final phase of transformation we are staying on the farm building tiny houses and not fighting Charleston traffic across town to renovate and repair homes.
- Our downsizing experience really helped us to focus on prioritizing our relationships with those we love over any worldly possessions. It has been a sweet time in the life of our family and we are grateful for the journey. We have seen God work in our lives and our circumstances.
If you’d like to explore the idea, and some tiny houses for that matter, we’ve got just the thing! The 9th Annual Orlando Fall Home & Garden Show has a Tiny House Village in which you can tour about a dozen Tiny Houses! Homes will be coming from as far away as Texas. There will be homes of all shapes and designs; and all less than 400 square feet. The Tiny House Village will also have fun family activities, including a Farmer’s Market! AND!! These builders do not want to drag these houses back home, so bring your best offer and buy a home on the spot.
NOAH (National Organization of Alternative Housing), the sponsor of this feature, is the premier third-party inspection and certification company for tiny houses on wheels. Addressing the challenges of life, fire safety, structural efficiency and energy efficiency in the construction of the homes, Noah is like the building department for Tiny Houses on Wheels. NOAH will have representatives at the Village to answer your questions regarding national codes and construction of your tiny house on wheels. Also, some challenges faced with Tiny Houses are placement, insurance, and funding, so NOAH will have representatives on site with solutions to all of these!
4 Tips for Maintaining Hardwood Floors
Many homeowners ask, “How do I best take care of my new hardwood?” With proper maintenance, hardwood flooring can last a lifetime, serving as an enduring investment in your family’s comfort and property value. Here are 4 tips for maintaining your hardwood floors:
Use Mats and Rugs
Take preventative measures to protect your flooring. With the strategic placement of mats and rugs, you can protect your hardwood from debris and moisture. High-priority locations include:
Doormats should be placed near entryway, the longer the better, so that visitors have ample time to clean the bottoms of their shoes.
High-traffic areas, such as a mudroom or hallway.
Sweep and Mop Often
Another preventative measure is to remove dirt and grime from your floor before it can damage it. Our shoes carry particles of sand and grit that can wreck havoc on a beautiful hardwood finish. When mopping to remove particles from your floor, be sure to use a cleaning agent that will not stain hardwood or remove the finish. Chemicals to avoid include vinegar, citrus, silicon, acrylics, urethane, or tung oil. When vacuuming, take extra precautions to ensure you do not scratch the floor. Vacuum attachments, especially rolling brush heads, can easily scratch a finish.
Get Your Dog a Bed
Don’t let your hound sleep on the ground. The spots where our canine companions spend the most time are obvious because animal fur removes hardwood finishes over time. A dog bed is a sound investment for maintaining your beautiful hardwood flooring, as well as making you very popular with Fido. Pet owners should also be sure to regularly trim their pet’s nails, which leave unsightly marks on your floors.
Polish Your Floor
Applying a polish to your floor can help smooth a floor’s surface by filling in dings and scratches. Be sure that whatever you use is appropriate for the species of wood and the finish. For best results, hardwood floors should be polished every few months.
Floor Coverings International Winter Garden is dedicated to finding the perfect flooring for Orlando, Winter Garden, Windermere FL area homeowners. Learn more about your hardwood options by visiting their booth at the 9th Annual Orlando Fall Home & Garden Show, August 10-12, at the Orange County Convention Center!
10 Things You May Not Know About Solar Power
1. Solar power is the most abundant energy source on Earth.
Every hour, more solar energy hits the earth than all of humanity needs for an entire year. Solar panels harness this clean energy source by using photovoltaic cells.
2. You can use solar power to run your entire home.
It’s a cheaper, safer, and green solution to running air conditioners, hot water heaters, appliances, etc.
3. Solar power has a long history
The potential to harness solar power was first discovered in 1839 (a year after the first coal fired power plant was built) by Alexandre Edmond Becquererl. He found how to create an electrical current in a conductor that was hit by the sun rays, in other words, the photovoltaic effect. The creation of modern silicon photovoltaic cells was completed in 1954 at Bell Labs. Since then, the efficiency has increased more than four times, while the price has decreased significantly!
4. Solar is the world’s most popular form of new electricity generation
Due to decreased cost and increased efficiency, solar has quickly become the preferred new electricity generator. More than 73 gigawatts of new solar power was installed in 2016!
5. Solar power produces no pollution
Apart from the pollution given off during manufacturing, solar power is one of the cleanest, most sustainable, and most renewable resources in the world. However, not all panels are created equal. SunPower panels are the only solar panels to have achieved a Cradle to Cradle certification, meaning the panels are manufactured in the most sustainable, ethical way possible.
6. Solar power improves world health
The burning of fossil fuels creates toxic pollution, which has an impact on global health. Pollution affects as many people as HIV or malaria, and has serious consequences on children, older adults, and all living plants and animals. Solar power reduces the amount of fossil fuels used, meaning less pollution is going into the air, and into our lungs.
7. Solar panels can increase your home value
Initial studies have shown solar panels can increase your home value an average of $20,000, a higher payback percentage than a kitchen remodel.
8. Solar can help lower electric bills
Depending on where you live in Texas, you may be able to take advantage of net metering (your system is hooked up to the electric grid and you sell back excess energy you produce). If you decide to finance, there is a possibility your monthly loan payment will be less than your average electric bill. Solar can help you save money from day one!
9. Solar systems come with a warranty
Most solar systems come with a warranty. The warranty we offer at SunPower by Freedom Solar is a 25 year warranty on product (guarantees the quality of the system), 25 year warranty on service (repair or replace defective panels) and 25 year warranty on power (guarantees highest power production).
10. You don’t have to buy solar panels outright
There are multiple ways to afford solar, you don’t have to pay cash to reap the benefits. Low interest loans are available to solar system owners, as well as other financing options.
By: Freedom Solar
Contact them for the latest info!
Design 101 by Carmina Marie Interior Design
Design 101:
How to break down a design scheme for your home
We live in a time of convenience, where next day shipping, lightning fast search engines and social media are the norm. That means you can find inspiration in less than a second with a few keywords. This leads to tons of ideas, pinning and inspiration for home décor. We even have hashtags that make it that much easier for you to search for the latest trends in kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.
But, with all that inspo and options, there inevitably comes, indecision. With our screens filled with amazing work from designers, we want to copy and paste it into our own homes. But unfortunately, that isn’t how it works. What looks and feels right in one space, cannot always be transferred to another. The question is, how can you take that décor from your dream space and bring it into your actual space?
There are three main parts of decorative scheme that can help you get there.
- Color (just kidding, it is important but it isn’t number one) It’s actually Texture:
- So, what does that actually mean? Be aware of all the different textures around you, right now. From the floor, to the chair to the table. All of these different textures add something different to your space. A wood floor can visually add warmth to a room or a soft accent pillow can add comfort. A space that has little texture, will lack dimension and interest.
- Try a textured natural linen table runner or two-toned metal lighting accents to bring more visual interest to a room.
- Shape
- This is the best way to stay within a scheme that you like, from rustic to transitional to ultra modern. Your furniture choices can really define the overall look of a space. Mid-century modern pieces are iconic because of their form. Placing them in a room will immediately change the whole feel.
- Don’t be afraid of patterns. Looking at small samples, don’t always do the designs justice. Remember to always try to bring bigger samples into the actual room before using it in something like a curtain or a sofa.
- Last but not least, Color
- Deciding on the right color scheme is essential to setting the right tone and mood for a space. I have my clients pick out at least 3 colors that they would like to incorporate into their space. From these colors, we build on what might compliment or contrast with them.
- The color scheme seems to fall into place once the client has decided on textures and shapes for their space.
Those are the basics of a design scheme. A good interior designer will always talk through these points with you and guide you through the whole design process. It never hurts to get a head start on designing your dream space.
An Inspiring Letter From Celebrity Kim Lewis
Hey Everyone!
What is ‘ethical design’ really?
Well, I say it is an art form of design that goes far deeper than the surface. As a designer, I remember that moment in my career when I questioned whether or not my work really mattered. How does it leave a positive impact on the world? How can I use my work to help people? How do I “create with purpose?”.
A few short months after leaving ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition“, I found myself in a van on a red dirt road in Ghana, West Africa. Pencil in hand, volunteering with my team; in a 3 day journey to Kumasi, we drew an art therapy center for children who had been rescued from trafficking. We saw firsthand how creativity can empower lives and awaken souls.
The art center was such a success another non-profit asked us to design one for girls who had been rescued from sex trafficking in Cambodia. A year later, I found myself in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Renovating a tiny boat outside of Battambang, the art center offers just enough space to transform bruised souls, inspiring confidence and worthiness through a crayon.
Ethical design is a choice, and one we all have the power to make. Whether you travel overseas to create, or you’re right here spreading your gift in the industry, you have the power to change lives through design!
After being the Production Designer for several television shows, I found myself on FYI’s “Tiny House Nation”. Cramming a dining table, stairwell and pantry into 90 SF on paper, I was intrigued, challenged, and for the first time, drawing a house I could see myself living in.
Two years later, and I just moved into my own tiny home, with my new husband and an 80 lb lab puppy. It’s a lifestyle you may or may not choose for yourself, but I’m excited to share honestly how it’s been. “The good, the bad, and the ugly,” as ‘they’ say…
With our local “Community First! Village” and tiny home initiatives around the country spreading like wildflowers, I’m excited to make you a believer. My hope is to challenge you to see this tiny home ‘trend’ as another way to foster ethical design choices for our community and nation.
If you’re a skeptic of tiny homes, come sit on the front row of my seminars at the Austin Home & Garden Show, Jan 13 & 14 at the Palmer Events Center. Click here for appearance schedule!
Can’t wait to see y’all there!
Be inspired,
Kim Lewis
Check Out Our New Look!!
We don’t like the term “rebranding” because our brand remains the same, same great company, same great employees, same great home shows… however we have updated our look! So, when you see the new fun flower, it’s still us!
We are getting ready for an awesome Spring season, sporting our new look!
Click Here For Our Spring Season Schedule
Thanks!
Show Technology Productions
Taste The Holidays!
With the holidays approaching fast, everyone is in the spirit for spirited spirits! Here’s a little inspiration!
Rocks Hard Cider
Hard Apple Cider (your favorite)
Rocks Mai Tai Mixer
Cinnamon Schnapps (optional)
Mix equal parts cider to equal parts Rocks Cocktail Mix. Add a splash of cinnamon schnapps (optional). Serve hot or cold. If serving hot, do not bring to a boil.
Let It Snow Martini
3 oz Pineapple Vodka
1 oz Coconut Vodka
4 oz Rocks Ultimate Mixer
2 oz Cream of Coconut
Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Mix it up and strain
into chilled glass. Toasted coconut garnish optional…Enjoy
Red Sangria
3 oz. Rocks Mai Tai Mix
3 oz. red wine (red blends are best!)
Pour Mai Tai Mix and wine into a glass; blend well.
Add frozen grapes to glass to act as ice for your sangria.
To find the Rocks products listed in these ingredients visit the San Antonio Christmas Showcase at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall this weekend, November 18 & 19! Rocks Brands International can be found in booth #812!