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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Randi Dukes

Blogger | Flower Mound, TX http://www.dukesandduchesses.com
157 Followers 286Likes 4682 Shares
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  • Comments19
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  • Likes25
  • Following177
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Featured Photos

About Me:

I'm a Canadian turned Texan, mom of five, husband of one, and lover of all things creative. The smell of paint makes me smile.

Favorite area of home improvement:

I love the small projects that really finish off and personalize a room after all the big stuff is done.


Recent Activity


  • 3
  • Dictionary page & chalkboard walls give the entryway a vintage look for about $20.

Book Page Entryway Walls

Our entryway had cheap, old, ugly paneling which made for a unpleasant entry into the house. Rather than tear it out and replace it, I covered the walls with vintage dictionary pages. See the before, during and after in the blog post.

Angie @ Knick of Time
Angie @ Knick of Time Quincy, IL
8 Comments | Post Comment | 4080 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Commented 4 days ago
    What a fun idea!
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  • new uses for old things
  • Cool Projects
  • the before photo: broken chairs, chairs dragged from other rooms, and no fun elements
  • the after photo: painted, colorful benches and fun design elements
  • turquoise chalk paint transformed ordinary pieces into fun and functional

My Dining Area Makeover

We eat most of our meals in our kitchen eating area and I've hated that spot for months. The area has had chairs that are falling apart, another chair pulled in from another room, and no ...»
design elements. I recently refreshed the area with some new benches as well as some fun new accessories that brought color and functionality to our spot.

Randi Dukes
Randi Dukes Flower Mound, TX on Apr 25, 2013
Post Comment | 80 Views
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  • Painted Furniture
Advent Air Conditioning Inc. Mohawk Home
  • Randi Dukes
    Followed 2 people on Apr 25, 2013
  • DIY globe light fixture cover
  • Using a thrift store glove, a little paint and double fold bias tape, I created a new light fixture cover.
  • Globe light fixture cover,

Thrifty DIY shade replacement {using a globe}

When the thin glass shade to one of our light fixtures cracked, I grabbed a few supplies from around the house and made a new one. ;) Note: this light fixture is rarely ever used due to ...»
French doors and a window in this space as well as the dining room light flooding this small out-of-the way room too. Please take safety into consideration (perhaps low wattage bulbs, never incandescent and a high heat/temp paint or a flameproof coating. See tutorial for link.

DIY Show Off
DIY Show Off Pittsburgh, PA
19 Comments | Post Comment | 2981 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Liked on Apr 25, 2013
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  • Salvaged
  • Boy's Room Ideas
  • homemade laundry detergent
  • ingredients needed for homemade laundry detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent

With only four ingredients (borax, washing soda, baking soda, and soap flakes), this homemade laundry detergent is simple to mix up and cheap to make. It only takes two tablespoons per load. We've been using it for years and love it!

5 Minutes 6-7 Easy
Randi Dukes
Randi Dukes Flower Mound, TX
7 Comments | Post Comment | 7386 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Commented on Apr 20, 2013
    ShirlSumm ... click on the link above where it says "see more" and you'll see the full recipe.
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  • Decor Ideas
  • Cool Projects
  • The boots are from Target and they were on clearance!
  • I cut forsythia branches and brought them inside to force some blooms. 1
  • I just stuck a tall vase in each boot, added water and the branches. 1
  • I added a pair of wooden buckets and a little bunny to balance it all out.
  • After the forsythia blooms die off I plan to add an ivy plant to each boot.
  • See 2 more photos

Easy Rain Boot Vase or Planter

Very easy way to add color and a bit of whimsy to your entry or porch. All you need is a pair of inexpensive rain boots, a couple of vases and some fresh blooms. #springdecor
Ann @ On Sutton Place
Ann @ On Sutton Place Findlay, OH
22 Comments | Post Comment | 8488 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Liked on Apr 04, 2013
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  • Garden inspiration
  • garden ideas

Painted Flower Pots

Spring has sprung! Painting flower pots is an easy and fun way to dress up your front porch. Terra cotta pots are a great inexpensive canvas! I painted three flower pots for my porch ...»
steps for a pretty POP of color! #springdecor

Chelsea @ Making Home Base
Chelsea @ Making Home Base San Diego, CA
3 Comments | Post Comment | 1263 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Liked on Apr 04, 2013
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  • Gardening
  • Spring
  • Using special items in your garden....
#Garden

Using Special Items in Your Garden.....

I love things that have a story. I think that's why I love history, vintage items, and antiques. They are an extra special treasure when they are passed down from your own family.

Over the years we have worked on creating garden rooms and different vignettes throughout our yard and garden. I like to add things that have a special story or that end up being a little unexpected surprise tucked away here and there. ...»

#Gardening

For more details come on over:

Daune | Cottage in the Oaks
Daune | Cottage in the Oa... Greenville, NC
4 Comments | Post Comment | 2016 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Liked on Apr 04, 2013
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  • Organized Clutter - Gar...
  • Garden Inspiration
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Re purposed Old Milk Crate

Turning a old Milk crate into a container planter
Tammy H
Tammy H Corona, CA
4 Comments | Post Comment | 1487 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Liked on Apr 04, 2013
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  • Organized Clutter - Gar...
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  • Turning a challenging aspect of a landscape into a focal point of a design is often time very rewarding. The end result often times looks like it was meant to be, we love when that happens.
  • The cedar arbor at the top of the steps creates a beautiful frame of the lower flower garden.
  • The natural stone step are functional... but with the arbor and gate they become a beautiful focal point of this backyard garden paradise.  Make sure there is enough room at the top and bottom of the steps to linger and enjoy.
  • Through out the seasons a focal point can make a wonderful statement.  As fall approaches the arbor can become even more important as a visual element.
  • With the natural stone retaining wall extended further into the yard the lower flower garden hosts a beautiful paver patio.  The space easily flow from one to another.
  • Steps can act as built in seating... The natural stone steps under the arbor are a perfect place to take a quick break from gardening and survey your accomplishments.  Strawberries where planted at the top of the wall for a neat treat.
  • See 3 more photos

"Make it a Focal Point" ~ Turn obstacles into opportunities and champion challenges in your landscape design

Have you ever found yourself standing in the middle of your yard or garden saying something like, "I know what I want but I don't know how to put it all together and what do I do with ...»
THAT!" All yards or landscapes have what can be perceived as difficulties, obstacles or challenges. When you embrace and look to enhance these challenges, that is when a landscape design become incredibly special.

The glass is always half full and filling for a landscape designer when visiting a potential site for the first time. Take for example the project in the accompanying images. The original grade for the backyard was one big slope that made the desired use a bit challenging. The natural stone retaining wall was extended out nearly 30 feet from the home and included the stone steps to create two level garden areas. The cedar arbor added at the top of the steps extenuated the transition between the upper vegetable garden and the lower flower garden. The lower garden then became host for the paver patio and outdoor dinning area. The large retaining wall allowed for the grading to be more level and conducive for each activity.

Don't be afraid to bring in a professional landscape designer to help work through difficulties in your landscape. They can bring fresh eyes and have years of experience in dealing with challenging sites. But, remember this is their career and have dedicated their life honing their skills. Make sure to duly compensate them for their 'ideas' and knowledge. Taking difficult obstacles and turning them into beautiful landscapes and gardens is always a rewarding journey.

Switzer's Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.
Switzer's Nursery & Lands... Northfield, MN
10 Comments | Post Comment | 6310 Views
  • Randi Dukes
    Liked on Apr 04, 2013
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  • Innovative Landscapes
  • backyard spaces
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