Melody's Musings

Stuff that catches my fancy and random, sorted thoughts from the inner scrambles of my mind.

What you may expect to find here are what I consider good taste and some of the best in photography, philosophy, humor, art, architecture, food, music, poetry, literature and dance. I hope you like some of the things I enjoy.

I like anything to do with good design such as interior design, architecture, photography, and art. I enjoy philosophy and psychology. I love to figure out what makes individuals tick. Music of most all types but particularly classical, world, pop, acoustic guitar is a big part of my life and add some dance to the music and my day is great! I like to write and occasionally I will write poetry and I really love to read it out loud and I even record it sometimes.

I'm a Myers-Briggs type ENFJ which means I love people and have a great interest in them.

I guess you could say I'm a humanities kind of person. :)







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    High Roller For a focal-point pot rack with an undeniable rustic flair, suspend a vintage wooden sled above a kitchen island. Hang S hooks from the rails to support your collection of pots and pans. The pot rack not only looks great, but it also frees up cabinet space for other kitchen necessities.

    High Roller

    For a focal-point pot rack with an undeniable rustic flair, suspend a vintage wooden sled above a kitchen island. Hang S hooks from the rails to support your collection of pots and pans. The pot rack not only looks great, but it also frees up cabinet space for other kitchen necessities.

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    Skylight Kitchen

    Skylight Kitchen

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    See-thru kitchen storage

    See-thru kitchen storage

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    Get Creative with Paint Kitchens typically don’t have a lot of wall space, thanks to cabinetry, backsplashes, windows, and doorways. Use limited wall space as a chance to display a color you might not otherwise choose for a large wall or whole room. Here, a sable brown colors the space above the windows, which grounds the light kitchen. Also, look to the “fifth wall” of a room — the ceiling — as a place to add color with paint.

    Get Creative with Paint

    Kitchens typically don’t have a lot of wall space, thanks to cabinetry, backsplashes, windows, and doorways. Use limited wall space as a chance to display a color you might not otherwise choose for a large wall or whole room. Here, a sable brown colors the space above the windows, which grounds the light kitchen. Also, look to the “fifth wall” of a room — the ceiling — as a place to add color with paint.

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    The ultimate spice rack:I would LOVE to have this in my kitchen as I use many fresh herbs in cooking.

    The ultimate spice rack:
    I would LOVE to have this in my kitchen as I use many fresh herbs in cooking.

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    Gorgeous kitchen!

    Gorgeous kitchen!

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    My kitchen spice cabinet

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    As of June 13, 2012 this photo on facebook has gotten 16,140 likes, and 13,503 shares. It blows my mind. I get emails EVERY day from people who were inspired to make their own pennies floors even! This small section contains 5000 pennies. I worked in sections, blocking off my understanding family & pets, until the glue on each penny dried. You can head to my Grouted, and waiting for sealant! In total, there are approximately 31,140 pennies

    Penny Floor Mosaic


    This is the installation I get asked them most about. The idea came about one afternoon while talking to my husband about covering our living-room walls in copper sheeting. We joked that it would be cheaper to cover it in pennies. That joke lead to a conversation about what we could cover in pennies… because it was just too cool of an idea not to! We had been wanting to redo our kitchen floor for a long time, but funds & a lack of really good ideas had prevented us from doing so. Within 5 minutes, we decided that it would be my newest project, and I couldn’t wait to run out and get some rolls of pennies & start!


    I generally got $20 worth of pennies at a time from the bank. I worked on the penny floor for about a year… on weekends, rainy days, and here and there between raising a family, and working full time as a mosaic artist. I used Weldbond Glue to adhere each penny, individually, to my floor. ALL wax was removed from the floor before I started. To be just a little crazy, I made each penny heads up & facing the same direction. Here and there, I would throw in a dime…. and when I found a cool penny (like a wheat penny), I put them tails up. It gave everyone something to look for. :) As I finished a section, I grouted them. I used a black, sanded grout. This kept dirt from finding it’s way into the cracks, and I think gives it a really finished look. 


     I didn’t start to seal the floor until I was almost done. I wanted the sealant to have a smooth, consistent look. I went off to the hardware store and picked up a polyurethane floor sealant.. the same kind you would use to seal any other kind of floor. Using a wool brush, I applied 3 coats. It protects the floor, protects the pennies, and makes it as easy to clean as any other floor.


    In total, there are approximately 31,140  pennies. We’re thrilled with how it came out, and would LOVE to see any photos of your penny or coin creations if you decide to tackle a similar project! To read an article that appeared in the Portland Press Herald, about our floor, please click here.

    (Source: mandolinmosaics.com)

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    Modern Blue Kitchen with open shelves

    Modern Blue Kitchen with open shelves

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    Low cost kitchen updates Style Underfoot Save the expense of buying new floors by updating the ones you already have with paint. Add a couple coats of polyurethane when paint is dry to help preserve the finish. Remember that scratches can add to the character, particularly if you’re aiming for a country look. Get this free stencil pattern.

    Low cost kitchen updates

    Style Underfoot

    Save the expense of buying new floors by updating the ones you already have with paint. Add a couple coats of polyurethane when paint is dry to help preserve the finish. Remember that scratches can add to the character, particularly if you’re aiming for a country look.

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    Low cost kitchen updates Subtle Beauty Subtle beaded-board accents throughout a kitchen develop a warm, cottage-inspired look. Accents of beaded board incorporated into this bright coastal kitchen add texture to all-white cabinetry and the cool blue island. Beaded-board panels come in a variety of patterns that incorporate slightly different textures.

    Low cost kitchen updates

    Subtle Beauty

    Subtle beaded-board accents throughout a kitchen develop a warm, cottage-inspired look. Accents of beaded board incorporated into this bright coastal kitchen add texture to all-white cabinetry and the cool blue island. Beaded-board panels come in a variety of patterns that incorporate slightly different textures.

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    Low cost kitchen updates Basket Storage Break up a wall of concealed cabinetry by removing the doors and adding pretty storage baskets. To create drawerlike convenience, purchase hardware that will accommodate slide-out baskets. Use the baskets to store items from shelf-stable vegetables to kitchen linens.

    Low cost kitchen updates

    Basket Storage

    Break up a wall of concealed cabinetry by removing the doors and adding pretty storage baskets. To create drawerlike convenience, purchase hardware that will accommodate slide-out baskets. Use the baskets to store items from shelf-stable vegetables to kitchen linens.

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    Low cost kitchen updates Supporting Roles Decorative brackets dress up open shelving, while molding edges prevent items from falling in this all-white kitchen. Home centers and online vendors sell a variety of detailed brackets in both wood and metal.

    Low cost kitchen updates

    Supporting Roles

    Decorative brackets dress up open shelving, while molding edges prevent items from falling in this all-white kitchen. Home centers and online vendors sell a variety of detailed brackets in both wood and metal.

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    Low cost kitchen updates An Arm’s Reach Away If you struggle with limited cabinet space, free up a significant amount by installing a pot rack. Easily construct a pot rack using a sturdy curtain rod, or strengthen a hollow rod by inserting a wooden dowel into it. Hang the rod above the range to keep pots and pans within reach while you cook.

    Low cost kitchen updates

    An Arm’s Reach Away

    If you struggle with limited cabinet space, free up a significant amount by installing a pot rack. Easily construct a pot rack using a sturdy curtain rod, or strengthen a hollow rod by inserting a wooden dowel into it. Hang the rod above the range to keep pots and pans within reach while you cook.

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    Low cost kitchen updates Hang It Up Professional chefs hang their cooking utensils within easy reach, so why shouldn’t you? But some professional-grade stainless-steel systems are expensive. Make a low-cost, high-impact copycat using a short metal rod outfitted with steel S hooks to hold spoons, ladles, and other cooking must-haves.

    Low cost kitchen updates

    Hang It Up

    Professional chefs hang their cooking utensils within easy reach, so why shouldn’t you? But some professional-grade stainless-steel systems are expensive. Make a low-cost, high-impact copycat using a short metal rod outfitted with steel S hooks to hold spoons, ladles, and other cooking must-haves.

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