Fall Bonfires (and Getting Rid of a Stump)

My house currently smells like a campfire, and I am very, very okay with that. <3

If you caught the post on Friday (which if you haven’t entered the giveaway yet, go on and do that and then come back… I’ll wait.), the back yard has pretty much been filled in, leveled (as much as an unskilled DIYer can), and is ready for next steps. And believe me, there are a number of plans in the works! I’ve been sketching ideas to my heart’s content, and I’ll share some of those plans with you later this week.

But before I can really get started on some of this, I needed to do some more clearing. Namely, I needed to address the overhanging branches that were coming over from the rear fence and work on the remaining stumps that couldn’t be ripped out using the backhoe.

For clearing out yard debris, I mainly rely on (and recommend, so these are affiliate links) the following tools:

• A battery-powered reciprocating saw (for the big branches) with a serrated blade (usually it says on the packaging that it’s good for pruning)
• Large loppers for overhanging branches
• Small pruning shears (for clipping the larger stuff down to manageable sizes for the fire)

Now that it’s October, we’ve finally entered an allowable burning season in my county. So, I’ve been getting rid of all of my yard debris in a fun way with a temporary burn area. Since most of the yard is still bare dirt, it seemed like good, safe timing to take care of all of the things I ripped out from the backhoe project without a lot of risk to neighboring yards (though just to be safe-ish though, I did create a perimeter with lots of that leftover scalloped edging you know I hate). I’ll admit, I’m not the poster child for fire safety (though I am more careful than seasons past when my ex lived here! — and wow, would you look at the difference in pine straw now that those trees are gone?), but I’m also working outside while all of this goes on, so nothing is left unattended.

This burn spot is helping get rid of the stump I mentioned in the last post — try as I might on that backhoe, the root system on this particular set of trees was just too thick and extensive. Even though the tree removal guys did a decent job of grinding down stumps, I still had plenty more under the dirt once I started leveling things out. I could rent a stump grinder (and will if this ultimately doesn’t work), but I have heard about burning a stump and thought it might be fun to experiment.

My neighbor was the one who recommended that I try to burn it out, which is basically win-win for me since I have plenty of things to burn (and I offered to him to just throw extra debris from his yard onto the pile as well, since he’s always such a help for my projects). I’ve been watching a few Youtube videos for tips, and here’s what I’ve been applying thus far:

• Use a hammer drill to bore holes a couple of inches apart along the stump and roots. You’ll want to use a spade bit or similar and go as deep as you can, but since I didn’t have an extender for my bit, I am just boring deeper after each fire (which is a lot easier to drill into once burned)

• I’m using cheap, regular vegetable oil to pour into each hole and let it soak (I love it when regular items can be used in DIY!). This oil has been in the back of my cupboard for way too long anyway, so I’m getting rid of something I needed to chuck to begin with. This helps the burn, though for faster results, it’s recommended to let it soak for a lot longer (a month or so) than I’ve been doing.

• After the first burn, I bought an inexpensive bag of charcoal and just let that burn on top of the stump.

So far, things are going really well, though I don’t have high expectations that this will be quick. I’ll have an update for you guys after the first few burns and report back. But, it’s also not expensive and gets rid of lots of my yard debris, small pieces of scrap wood, etc. in the process without a lot of extra work, so I’m enjoying it quite a bit. If only every project would go this pleasantly, right?

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Indulgences: Food

HAZEL’S DEBUT  At Hazel, a new DC hot spot from the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, interiors feature items handcrafted by local artisans, from light fixtures by Rick Singleton to a mural by Kris Mullins that pays homage to the 9:30 Club next door. Former Tallulah chef Rob Rubba also gets crafty with the menu, which offers medium-sized dishes with a global influence. 808 V Street, NW; 202-847-4980. hazelrestaurant.com

OUT OF INDIA  The Knightsbridge Restaurant Group has opened Bindaas, serving up Indian street food in Cleveland Park. James Beard award-winning chef Vikram Sunderam of Rasika fame has developed the menu of small dishes meant for sharing, from chaat to kebabs and wraps. A mural reminiscent of graffiti and light fixtures fashioned from baskets evoke the street life and marketplaces of India. 3309 Connecticut Avenue, NW; 202-244-6550. bindaasdc.com

DOWN-HOME DINING  Homestead, a new restaurant in Petworth, specializes in seasonal comfort foods served family-style. Opened in a former 1922 row house, the restaurant salvaged original woodwork in its design. The menu features charcuterie boards and freshly baked breads. 3911 Georgia Avenue, NW; 202-627-2371. homesteaddc.com

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Indulgences: Travel

VIVE LA FRANCE  Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa offers laidback luxury overlooking Grand Cul de Sac Beach on the French isle of St. Barts. Paris designer Sybille de Margerie created its 46 rooms and suites while Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin takes the helm in the kitchen. A La Mer spa pampers guests, who can also work out in the fitness center. From $683, including breakfast. lebarthelemyhotel.com

PACIFIC COAST ALLURE  Fresh from an $18 million renovation by New York design firm Krause + Sawyer, W Seattle features 415 revamped guest rooms and nine redecorated suites. Rooms offer stacked-wood walls backlit by LED lights, while in the Extreme Wow Suite, guests soak up views of the city from a Jacuzzi tub. From $299. wseattle.com

SPANISH HOLIDAY  Interior designer Beatriz Silveira took inspiration from 1950s Scandinavian design in her makeover of Vincci Centrum Hotel in the heart of Madrid. In the reception area, Ariostea marble contrasts with natural oak furnishings; the light fixture is by Delightfull. Guests enjoy buffet breakfast, a lounge and close proximity to city attractions. Rates from $295. en.vinccicentrum.com

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Mega Builders: Leading home builders in Los Angeles

If you are thinking about remodeling your home or custom homes los angeles, then you should consider a livable space addition as part of your remodeling project. The most difficult component of a kitchen or home renovating venture is choosing the right specialist. There are plenty of kitchen renovating companies available, but finding that balance between cost and quality is no simple task. Thus, one must approach the right way to choosing a contractor.

To get over of this, you can take help of internet and contact the leading company as they can offer effective los angeles home improvement solutions for your home that will help you in enhancing your home life. We “Mega Builders” are one of the leading companies that are experts in offering kitchen remodeling services to our customers in Los Angles.

We offer clients coming from the throughout the world at very cost-effective assistance costs. We use outstanding elements for appropriate set up process. Our main priority is to offer top quality products and awesome solutions. If you want to have second ground improvements in your home and looking for efficient home builders in Los Angeles, then we are great place for it. You can depend on us as we are the innovator in the market. For more information you can simply go through our online website at www.megabuilders.com.

Visit “Mega Builders” for Excellent Kitchen Remodeling Services

Renovating the kitchen is a personal choice and no one should tell you what to do, but using a kitchen remodeling service can help you for making better choices based on price, work and styles. You want to ensure to use the best components that are affordable and coordinate your style. The first thing to do is get your ideas together on what your idea of a perfect kitchen is.

If you like the current structure of the kitchen but are fed up with the color, atmosphere and old units then a few changes can go a long way. Your kitchen remodeling specialist can advice you on cupboard re-facing compared to brand recently designed units and kitchen counter laminated flooring compared to clay or marble. Among many companies, we “Mega Builders” are one of the leading companies that specialize in offering Kitchen remodeling Los Angeles services to our customers.

We only work with highly skilled and trained professionals, who have many years of experience in the industry. Moreover, if you are looking for a reliable service provider that can offer you high quality kitchen design los angeles, then you are at the perfect place for it. We are the one stop destination for you to visit once and take advantage of our services. For more details, explore our online portal at www.megabuilders.com.

Connected Appliances: The Voice of the Future

By Laurie Leiker Years ago, the Jetsons showed us what homes would be like in the future — a robot maid and computerized systems controlling everything, from temperature to food preparation to lighting and entertainment. With the advent of smart … Continue reading →

New Home Source Blog - Buying a New Home, Working with a Home Builder, Designing Your Custom Home

Creative Spirit

Beginning October 27, a stroll through Atrium Interiors’ showroom in Tysons Galleria will reveal four chic new room vignettes. They will showcase individual custom furniture collections masterminded by established DC-area interior designers Paula Grace Halewski, Skip Sroka, Marlene Weiss-Alexander and Lisa Bartolomei. The pieces are handcrafted for Atrium Interiors, which carries traditional and contemporary custom furniture, lighting and accessories. “The craftsmanship is unique,” says Halewski of the store’s wares. “The furnishings—including our collections—are all made in a small town in Portugal where each craftsman has their specialization.”

The vignettes will occupy 200-square-foot spaces in the 2,600-square-foot showroom. New collections will be introduced every six months, and the designers will rotate rooms.

Grace Notes  A sophisticated dining room vignette by Paula Grace Halewski of Paula Grace Designs will highlight her Away Dining Table, which will be paired with Ode to Thomas O chairs upholstered in Kravet leather. Halewski also designed the wool-and-silk Link Rug for the collection. Sculpted-glass chandeliers by Fine Art Lamps will be on display.

Approachable Luxury  Lisa Bartolomei of Bartolomei & Co. defines her collection as “luxury-minded items built at an approachable price.” Her living room vignette will feature casegoods: a rosewood bar cabinet with a laser-cut brass front; a chest of drawers in Macassar ebony with brass accents; a marble-and-brass coffee table; and an end table of anigre and ebony. Upholstered pieces will include a slipper chair inspired by a 1940s French design, as well as a contemporary sofa.

Design Synergy  Skip Sroka of Sroka Design, Inc., designed his collection in response to a growing trend: clients requesting spaces that serve more than one function. Sroka’s library vignette “combines work and dining—it’s a synergy with what is happening to our homes,” he says. A buffet opens into a desk with storage beneath it and an étagère offers storage and display space. The Corey Chair—named for Sroka’s late, beloved pet—boasts whimsical dog legs that harken back to early Egyptian and Greek designs. All of the pieces are finished in lacquered mahogany.

Mother of Pearl  Marlene Weiss-Alexander of Weiss Alexander Design Group took inspiration for her bedroom vignette from a mirror she had designed for a client using a mother-of-pearl wall covering by Innovations. The iridescent surface now accents nightstands and a headboard covered in fabric from Great Plains by Holly Hunt. A dresser is made of pau ferro wood with wenge ebony accents and a bench of wenge ebony is upholstered in Romo fabric.

Atrium Interiors, 2001 International Drive, McLean, Virginia; 703-883-1134; atrium-interiors.com

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