SK's Home Sweet Home

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2009-06-09T11:06:00.001-07:00

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WEB DESIGN BY AN COMPLETE NOVICE

2009-06-05T11:20:00.001-07:00

I am NOT a web designer. I am an artist and interior designer. I learned slugged through basic web design specifically to add content to my personal pages. It would be interesting to me as an artist, how many newbie, web designers web sites are being rated on first pages of major search engines. I cannot possibly be the only one out there who is discovering the passion it takes to keep a business web presence on the first page of Google.

WHAT IT TAKES

I had the impression to be a web designer or alternately have a great web presence; you needed to be a major brain or have schooling in the specific technology. Wrong… In my search for useful web design information, which by the way, most is free, you can teach yourself the art of web design and search engine placement.

Of course I will never be able to complete with the big boys. So I have been told or led to believe. Maybe, maybe not. I have successfully been on Google’s first page for my key phrases for weeks. Does this mean I have cracked the code? No. But I am persistent. I have had REAL web designers shrug, figuratively pat me on the head and wish me luck. All the while knowing I would never be able to keep up.

PERSISTENTS

My persistent nature keeps me searching for answers to the same questions as most other internet explorers. I also believe these answers change daily. If I don’t keep up on today’s ideas and discoveries I will fall behind.

Being a visual artist/designer, iniatially the looks of my web sites was most important. Then I discovered a beautiful web site meant nothing unless people actually saw, read, and internalized its content. So I have made a point of reading as much GOOD SEO, Web 2.0 and basic design articles I can get my hands, (eyes) on.

WEB DESIGNERS VERSUS ARTISTS/GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

There is no competition. The expert web code designer will win hands-down in the goal of reaching first page rankings. But, and that’s a big but, I will always believe an artist and graphic designer can make a web site attractive with their instinctual knowledge of space and white space, color and what color can do. I also know a cross-over is happening. By cross-over, I mean web designers are either using proven templates or have begun to be artists themselves. There are amazingly beautiful sites which are instructional and easy to roam.

Web art isn’t as simple as putting a cool looking page together with all the bells and whistles. It has become a fast driven art. Some of the most beautiful sites are very hard to digest. Alternatively, some of the simplest web sites are the easiest sites to internalize. Why can’t we have both?

As an artist and designer, I am bound and determined to have pleasing and easy sites for people to explore. Just maybe I can become both, an artist and web presence. Well, maybe not. But I will endeavor to keep a moments pace with the amazing works on the web. They awe and inspire all those having the privilege of visiting.

SK Sartell
www.sksartell.com
www.whiteoaksbedandbreakfast.com
www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com

Eliminate Interior Design Disasters

2009-05-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to my design thoughts. Finding online design books.

With thousands of websites, articles, newsletters and blogs on interior design, is it any wonder home design is confusing? As an artist and designer, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of fabulous information available for the curious and motivated homeowner. And Free to boot!

Keeping it simple is a little more difficult. I have visited many "designers" client homes, just to see the designers particular brand or style stamped all over the place. How do we keep our homes in the realm of our own personalities?

When you are searching for a design and or designer, first look at their product. Talk to past clients. Visualize the designers work in your private space. Does it work? Or could you have done a better job on your own and a whole lot less expensive?

I have designed many different styles. Each as individual as the client themselves. How is this done? First, you have to do the homework. A client whom states : Do whatever you like, I trust you and I will be back from Bermuda in six weeks" might be a client I may choose to steer clear of.

I will not brand my personal style on a clients home. Your home should and must reflect your personality and uniqueness. With excitement and motivation, create something totally yours, you can learn how to build a truly stunning environment all your own.

Magazines, websites other design information can be your very best friend. You have done it before, I just can see both of us searching magazines, ripping out the cool stuff and making piles...This is your start to discovering your personal style.

Build a book on these pictures. Study each picture. Circle the idea or picture which caught your eye. Put you piles of pictures in categories. i.e. living, bath, family, kitchen. Then go back and cull out the pictures which may not be as appealing. Only keep the very best. You will eventually discover what you love, whether in color, shape, size or style name. My personal style is called European Recycled...No joke.

Keep your first trial and run simple. Paint is the least expensive re-do and has an amazing impact. A fresh coat of paint is magic. Interior design can be a simple act of re-arranging or de-cluttering.

Find your magic. Love where you live. make it a peaceful and creative environment all your own.

SK
http://www.sksartell.com/
Or visit SK Sartell's Design Tutorials website at: http://www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com/

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Strathmore 2009 Who's Who Publication

2009-05-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

SK Sartell has been inducted into the 2009 Strathmore Who's Who Directory for her lifetime commitment to her world of design and artwork.

Sartell's online interior design books are part of her newest creations.

Fairytale Home Of SK Sartell

2009-05-04T05:18:00.000-07:00

Your Home Design Tutorials

Home Interior and Design Dilemmas Eliminated

Become your own interior designer With SK Sartell.
Become an expert Do-It-Yourself, creative genius with home design tutorials and interior design books. Your interior rooms will prove your uniqueness for taste, style & interior design.

Once upon a time there was a do-it-yourself home built. This fairy tale home is unlike any other. A practical very un-witch-like artist/designer named SK built this solid concrete home from the ground up. Using self-taught design and building skills, this practical magic home came to be.

Gazing at the home from the street you feel as if stepping back in time and place to a country farm in 19th century France. Fantasy begins at the curb and continues as you walk across the bridge to the front door, the gentle sound of waterfalls lull senses as you pull the chain attached to a bell. The unique doorbell is another indication imagination, fantasy and fun have had full reign as this home was built.

SK’s diminutive stature makes you think she’d be more comfortable sitting in a turret serving tea or curds and whey. As you survey this innovative, charming and fanciful home you’ll be surveying the talents of an artist whose energy is boundless.

For instance, the front door is absolutely charming with its curved top and antique finish. When SK couldn’t find the perfect front door for her home, she built the door herself.

As we enter the whimsical home in this magical, Victorian town we wonder if we have left the land of "ordinary" and entered the land of make-believe where all the charming ideas you ever dreamed of in a home were made possible. Architectural pieces were purchased and stored for years before finding their perfect place in the home. Antique Doric wood columns define living and dining space. Copper that was hand-pounded into an embossed design came from France. The kitchen boasts French country cabinetry, hand-built by the owners. The varying heights of the cabinets, antique glass fronts and antique finish give you the impression of being shipped from a farmhouse in Provence. Counter tops are made of concrete and acid stained to give an older appearance. Copper was chosen for the many qualities for chefs. The antibacterial properties of copper contributed to their choice in this custom chef’s kitchen. These copper counter tops were handed pounded by SK.

The French glass pantry doors are sand blasted and feature bouquets of massive sunflowers through which you can peek into the interior of the pantry. Again, designed and done by SK. As a practical interior designer SK has designed age into her home, making it look well loved and well used.

In her guest bath, SK’s imagination worked overtime. While walls are painted in deep and misty forest murals, fairies peek impishly from behind painted ferns. Warm mist rises as the large soaking tub is filled by a rock waterfall. From this woodsy bath you relax looking out upon a roof garden overflowing with wild strawberries...

SK’s talents are innumerable and she isn’t afraid to tackle a new media. With her forty years of design and remodel experience SK is tackling the newest of many projects. She has finally been convinced to open her creative minds door and share her ingenious ideas with her tutorials on e-books. Her personal fairy tale home projects are the topics for these Do-It-Yourself e-books. You will learn her projects with step-by-step full color detail pages.

Artist & designer SK Sartell’s, do-it-yourself Home Design Tutorials are an inexpensive alternative for the creative person wishing and wanting a beautiful space.

You can visit SK and her home at http://www.sksartell.com and her Home Design Tutorials can be found at: http://www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com

Fairy Bedroom Headboard

2009-04-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

My headboard is made of green alder branches. They were cut green and no more than 1-2" around. Strip them of their leaves. These small branches need to be up to 12' in length. Depending on your location, you can usually find branches or small trees near streams. Get the landowners permission. I have never had any person say no. Cut your 2x12 the width you want the headboard. Mine is 6'6" wide. Start with your largest in diameter and longest twig. Nail it to the outside of the 2x12" width wise. Keep adding you twigs toward the center of the 2x12". Cover your twig ends and the nails with the metal mesh (small diameter chicken wire).

With someone standing on the 2x12, bend your outside twig toward the opposite side of the 2x12 base and nail securely in place. Continue with all your twigs toward the center.

With all your branches nailed securely in place cover the nails with your metal mesh. This just help to keep the branches in place as they dry. Don't get to finicky. However it turns out it will be unique and fun to decorate.

Have fun with this. It's pretty for a child's twin size too. Twine silk greens into the branches. You can also mix in netting and little fairies for your little fairy princess.

I try to cut more branches than I will actually need. You can visit my website and see the other stuff I do...http://www.sksartell.com and http://www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com

SK's Orange Chicken

2009-04-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

I have been asked to post my Orange Chicken recipe. Yum. We use this recipe constantly because it's easy and fast and seems to be a fancy dinner.

SK's Orange Chicken

I buy my chicken breast without skins or bones. You can buy it by the bag at Costco, as if you didn't know that. These breasts are considered half a breast. One is plenty per person.
Thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Don't try to "fast" thaw chicken. In my opinion it changes texture when it has been thawed to quickly, by water or microwave. They seem to be drier.

I place plastic wrap on my counter top. Place a half chicken breast with the sinew down. In other words place the smooth side up. Place another piece of plastic wrap over the chicken and using a meat tenderizer, use the smooth side to pound the chicken into a thin layer. Continue to the next piece. I place my pounded pieces of chicken in the refrigerator until I'm done pounding all the pieces.

With a piece of plastic wrap on the counter, I begin to make the chicken rolls. With the sinew side up, I place a thin piece of ham on the chicken,(sandwich ham works great) then add a slice of Swiss cheese. Sprinkle in a few bits of freshly chopped parsley for color. Fold the ends of the chicken in and then roll the sides over one another. Pin together with a toothpick or skewer. Your trying to seal the rolled chicken. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn't
For six breasts, I use a square glass baking dish.

350 Degree Oven

SAUCE FOR SIX BREASTS: 1 large can of frozen concentrated orange juice,
1 Stick non-salted butter
½ C Cream (Optional)
A small pinch of red pepper flakes (Optional)
In a small sauce pan melt the frozen orange juice and butter together. Stir in the cream and pepper flakes. heat through, do not boil.
Using ½ of the sauce, pour over your stuffed and rolled chicken breasts. Save the remainder ½ of your sauce for later. Place a small piece of Swiss cheese on each individual rolled breast. Cover with tin foil for first 40 minutes. Uncover for the remainder of time till done. Bake for just under 1 hour.

Presentation: The tops of the chicken rolls should be golden brown and bubbly. I use a pretty platter to place all my rolled chicken breasts on. Drizzle on a portion of your saved orange sauce. Then serve the remainder of the sauce in a gravy boat. Small new red potatoes, cooked in salted water with parsley and lemon make a great side dish. Put fresh parsley and your little red potatoes around the chicken and serve hot.

Smile, take care and invent something new today!

Visit SK's site for her newest recipe: Interior Design Books

http://www.yourhomedesigntutorial.com

SK's Home Sweet Home

2009-04-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

Most of you know how I think. I would like to believe I have a right to choose what and who, surround me on a daily basis.

I like my clients and MOST like me in return. Hmmm... I'll have to check on the validity of that statement. Maybe some of you will respond?

Anyway, I love gathering stuff which makes me smile. Laughing cheers the saddest of hearts.

If I'm having hot chocolate, I serve myself from an old and beautiful china cup. The chip on the edge is a nostalgic memory or question as to what the past held for this sweet china cup.

As I enter a room or our home, I want to smell something wonderful.

I make a date with myself. A time to pamper myself. You have to make and take time for yourself.

Make it a point today to do something special. Even if it's only to stand in front of a mirror and smile at yourself.

The little things we choose to surround ourselves with make a difference in the joy of life. It keeps us young.

Make a choice with little things that make you smile. It lightens your world for a moment. We need these moments in times of stress and concern. Think of it as filling your cup for the times when things are a bit parched.

SK
Check out SK's interior design books and tutorials at:
http://www.YourHomeDesignTutorial.com
http://www.sksartell.com

You can follow SK on her Ehow posts and Twitter