Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Where do you draw Inspiration to Decorate?

Prayers go out to all the victims of the Marathon.
I can't help but think about all the runners and how they trained so hard and for so long. How inspired you must be. So, with a heavy heart I ask, what inspires you? It's a much lighter subject, but when you decide to add an accessory to a room, or a piece of furniture, what is it that inspires you?
I would say first I need COMFORT.
My family room has to have cozy sofas or chairs to st and read a book or chat with a friend. My kitchen has to have comfortable access to the things I need to cook. I love to cook and feed everyone. I need a big round table so everyone can talk and see each other as we have a meal together.
My bathroom has to smell good, that's comfy to me. Pretty towels to dry your hands.
He bedroom, of course, needs a soft fluffy bed. Any other bedroom in the house has to wrap you up and make you feel like your in a cocoon for the hours you are there. I'd love to hear what inspires you.
On another note, our outdoor spaces can be found square footage. I'll be sharing ideas in the coming posts.

Thursday, March 28, 2013 A Few Ideas for your Holiday Table

Happy Spring!! The weather here in New Jersey has not been spring like yet. I'm hoping it will be warmer soon. With Easter coming this weekend, I just wanted to do a quick post with a few ideas for you all who might be entertaining this Sunday.
I usually buy my candles at Bath and Body Works. Love the variety of scents , they burn nicely, smell up the whole house with one three wick candle..I discovered the other day that when the candle has burned out you can reuse the glass container for a variety of things. Just fill the glass with water and the wax will float and you can pop it out.. The labels come off easily and you have a glass vessel for whatever you want...

Here you can take strips of fabric and tie a knot and presto you have a pretty vase..three of them 

down the center of a table would be pretty. 

Another idea , tie burlap and ribbon around the pots of flowers and set in the middle of your holiday 

table.

This was my crown roast dinner last year, if you look closely you can see that I took a burlap runner 

and slipped a ribbon down the center to add some color. There were string eggs strewn about the table and I added little bunnies here and there.

Here is a closer look at the string eggs.

It is quite easy to do and fun, I thought so anyway..

Blow up a small balloon and tie it off. Take thin colored cord or yarn and dip it in fabric glue, be careful not to knot the string. Wrap the string around the balloon in varying directions. Set it for a few hours to over night and when the string has become hard, pop the balloon and you have an egg. I scattered them all over the house, on my dinner table, in baskets, attached them to my burlap wreath. 

Love tulips, even if you only decorate with flowers your table will look amazing for Easter or Springtime.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 Finds You Might Like

Been shopping and wanted to share some of what I found.
I have been obsessed with yellow for a few years now, ever since I painted my living room a gray shade and wanted to use the yellow as an accent. At the time, it was so hard to find anything yellow, but now it is very accessible.

Buttery yellow throw, from Target $30.00 it goes in any room. Comes in other colors, too

This is a jewelry holder so cute for a girls room . Found it on shoplucketts.myshopify.com

Here's a peek at an idea board for a neutral room . The textures and prints are the way to make the room interesting. 

Till next time...

Wednesday, March 6,2013 Little Changes

Time for a change up?
Is there a spot in a room that just needs some help?
Maybe you have an idea of what to do but can't quite pull it together?
Here is an example:
A sad spot at the bottom of a brick fireplace.

There was a perfectly fine glazed container sitting in a bathroom upstairs, intended for magazines, but never saw a single copy. 

Here is some greenery that was just sitting on top of a wooden cabinet in another room. 

Not a penny spent and the bottom of the fireplace looks alittle freshened up..

It's the change up. You can do it too. Or email me if you need some help. Damcraig@ Optonline.net

Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Kitchen Update

Hey everyone..hope your week is going well. Wanted to share with you pictures and some advice I gave to a friend on a renovation project for her kitchen. The homeowner is someone I have known for years and I worked for her a few years ago when we were both Southern Living At Home consultants. She has great style and and eye for design.

Love, love the fireplace in a kitchen. My friend asked if the fireplace should be painted. I said a 

big YES! Whitewash it . I also would do a mantle. 

The popcorn ceiling was being refinished. I suggested that the cabinets be painted white and new hardware. 

This hutch is in the kitchen but on a separate area from the fireplace and the cabinets. I like the idea of a marble top, paint the piece a darker color and change out the hardware. If you do a marble top, or another material that will stand up to water, you can use as a dry bar.

A different view of the room. The table is a wood stained top and black legs. The chairs are black wood. Once the cabinets are painted white I would evaluate whether the hutch would look best in all one tone, maybe a black wash and black granite, to keep consistent with the rest of the counter tops. 

The island has a black granite top and is painted a green color. I will keep you posted on the progress of this awesome kitchen. This home is so great for entertaining. See you soon...

Monday, March 04, 2013. Doors and Knockers, Knockers and Doors

Love to see colored front doors. shows personality and sets you apart from your neighbors with just alittle can of paint...
What color to paint the door???
That's where most of us just end the thought of possibly painting the door a new color.I remember going on a college tour with my son to Muhlenberg College where many of the doors on the buildings on campus are painted a bright red color. It left an impression on me and was a bright spot on an otherwise dreary scene of brick and mortar.
A little history, Red doors are a sign of "welcome" in many countries. In Ireland it is said to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. In Chona it is a symbol of good luck for the New Year.

Blue doors are said to evoke a sense of calm and serenity

Black doors are a sign of Strength and Sophistication

Of course you have to consider the amount of sun exposure the door will get, as the color could fade. 

On to the jewelry for the door.. The knockers and the hardware. There is such a variety of items to choose from and they can be found online and in stores everywhere. Here is a cute crab knocker that is on our front door. It has a brass/ patina finish. I love it but there have been a few skeptics. At the very least, it starts a conversation as someone spots it.

Here is a pretty dragonfly from Restoration Hardware

Anthropologie has  some unique ones I thought were worth sharing.

Friday, February 15, 2013. Window Treatment Ideas

Hi, hope you are staying warm and cozy inside your homes. This cold weather makes you appreciate your nest.

Working on my sons room and thought you'd like to see the window curtain rod.

My son loves baseball, so I thought making the rod out of a bat would be a unique idea

The concept would work with a golf club, lacrosse stick too. Love working on kids rooms.  Have a nice weekend.