Thursday, February 07, 2013. New Stuff

New Doings..
First of all, thank you for the positive comments some of you have been leaving, it is very encouraging and I appreciate it very much. Hope everyone had a fun SuperBowl. Wanted to share with you what my son and I created for our party. It's supposed to be a stadium made out of dips and chips n crackers.

Pinterest is a great site, not sure if you are familiar with it so I'll explain. It is a site that is free and anyone can join and you are able to make a virtual pin board and attach pictures to access whenever you want, or to share with others. I think it is a great tool for me to use for any online consultations that I am doing. You can pin items you love for certain projects and they can be viewed by anyone you wish. There is a privacy button so it can be seen by just who you decide.

Went to Staples and discovered these office items that are part of Martha Stewart's line. I am not an 

organized person but these labels and notebooks make me want to organize my whole kitchen. Look 

at the chalkboard labels

Saturday, February 2, 2013. Finds You Might Like

Let's talk about some things I have come across that I think you might like to check out. I love Nate Berkus.. He has put out a line of fabric that is being featured in Calico Corner. They are classic yet modern and look to be great for so many projects from curtains to covering a chair cushion. Here are a few that I really love.

West Elm has great items. I am obsessed with these little side tables. They are available in a variety of colors from Orange, yellow, to to gold and silver. On sale $120.00

Also a find from West Elm, these poofy, hairy pillows.. I just love them, they say fun.. You can 

Put them in a modern room or they add just alittle bit of personality to a more refined space. Available in a bunch of neutral shades.

Finally, Monogramming is so hot right now. There are so many styles and fonts..love it on walls, on pillows...

Wednesday, January 23, 2013. Vignettes: Asymetrical/Symetrical

Let's talk VINGETTES
A vingette by definition is, creating little displays or arrangements on different surfaces around your home.
Now is a great time to do this because the holiday decorations are put away and there is a fresh, clean slate for you to start styling a small space in your home. You can go out and purchase all new items, but it is more fun to walk thru your home, and see what you aren't using in one room and put it to use somewhere else. Maybe you have a shelf in your pantry where you put away items you are sick of seeing, well now maybe you will want to use them in a vingette...

Here is an example of an asymmetrical display. This is when two sides of the presentation do not match, and are irregular. This is the type that I prefer, but there are also Symmetrical displays. This
was so easy to create. It is located on top of a wood cabinet. I found the glass container in a dining room, I added faux pears. The metal boat was on a coffee table, in another room, not really doing anything. Asymmetrical uses varying heights , texture and a pop of color. The tin on the wall is a metal, distressed item. The decorative balls add more texture with moss, grass, twine, and porcelain.

This is an example of Symmetrical, same items on either side, it is very appealing to the eye. It gives a different feel. Not as much texture. Clean to the eye. My mom decorates Symmetrical. How about you?

Wednesday, January 09, 2013. Inspiration

Happy New Year to everyone. I love the new year, January brings cozy nights at home, entertaining friends with good food and drinks, and time to think about projects you want to tackle in your home or just little changes that can be made now that the holiday decorations are packed away. My Christmas tree is still up, have to tackle that this week. Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays with family and friends.
Ok..so on to new business..If you are thinking about changing a room's color or maybe add color to a room with neutrals, why not look to Fashion and what colors we wear each and every day.
Look at your wardrobe, these are the colors you live with all the time. What colors make you feel
good? Is it Red, Blue, Pink? Incorporate it into a room. Could be a painted piece of furniture, an accent wall, or just a pillow or a throw. In a kitchen, colored glasses are big right now, or colored dishes, either for everyday use, or a few pieces on an open shelf or hutch. Doing this is a way to make your room look personal and ultimately feel good to you and your eye. Don't just try to copy a photo out of a catalog, this is good for ideas but not to copy the whole room. Look online or in clothing catalogs to see what colors are being paired together, they look great and can give great inspiration. Here are a few examples...

Here you see a gray colored paired with a soft melon and the necklace show a pop of alittle blue. I love the combination and is something you might not think of using in a room. Now check out the room with common elements.

Love the green and blue and it's not visible with this photo but the walls are a light gray color.

Notice how the blue is a simple pillow or even a blue book cover. Take off your book jackets and check out the hardcover color.

Here we have pink and brown and a hint of navy. Gives you a hint that you can add a dark contrast and it looks great.

Love the pale pink sofa and brown accent pillow. The antique gold is a great compliment to the white walls and if it was an outfit, it could be earrings or a pretty bracelet.

In this photo we have gray cotton/silk pants and shiny silver pumps and a shot of peacock blue. It's a great example of different textures being used. The pop of color can be so many different colors. The gray and silver are so neutral but they aren't boring because of the textures and the cool style.

House beautiful showcased this gorgeous bedroom. See the shades of gray and white and the different textures? There's a pop of blue in the side table lamp and in the picture near it. 

The possibilities are endless. Go to your closet and put together an outfit you love and then use it for inspiration for a room. When I help a client, one of the first questions I ask, what colors do you like? What colors do you have in your wardrobe? 

Get inspired it's the New Year!

Tuesday, December 18,2012 Holiday Decorating Ideas, Continued...

With a heavy heart I write this post, in light of what has happened in Newtown, Conn. The unimaginable has happened and there are no words to describe what those families are dealing with at this time. I am so blessed to have three children of my own, and I count my blessings each day. I only hope in time the families and the entire community of Newtown, will find peace. With that being said, I would like to share two items for your holiday decorating. When the world around me gets crazy, for whatever reason, to whatever degree, I always look to peaceful, safe place, and decorating that for me.

Ok so last week I talked about wreaths hanging from curtain rods. Here I did three small gold wired wreaths, hanging from green wired ribbon. The wired ribbon is alittle more expensive but so much easier to work with and it lays better. You can add little berries or faux ice sticks to these if you like. It decorates a small space without taking up floor space or room on a coffee table.

Here is our family tree. It is not a perfectly themed tree as you might expect. It is a mosh mosh of home made ornaments my kids have made thru the years, and so many other ornaments that we gave bought on trips we took, or friends and relatives have given to one of us. As a tradition, I give my husband and each of my kids an ornament that represents something from the past year or something that reminds me of them. There are so many ornaments..What traditions do you enjoy? I would love to hear about them. I love Christmas!  

Wednesday, December 12, 2012. More Holiday Tips

Ok, so let's talk Garland.  It's easy to spruce up garland and it definitely adds holiday cheer.

Here faux frosted fruit is hot glued to faux garland. The glittery butterflies clip on and add color and sparkle. Add a pretty wired ribbon and you are done. You can add little lights.

This garland has big bulb lights intertwined in the greenery.

I also love the look of real greenery hanging loosely horizontally, flanking a doorway.

Any clear containers you have can become instant decoration. These are shiny red pears. Lots of great container fillers at Target, Potterybarn , and craft stores.

Hang a wreath indoors by using a thick ribbon and tie around a curtain rod. Just make sure the wreath isn't too heavy that it bends the rod. 

Happy Decorating

Friday, December 07, 2012 Holiday Decorating

So the holidays are upon us. I live in an area that was hit hard by Sandy and I feel like with so many people losing their homes, and belongings, it seems so unimportant to be posting about decorating, but life goes on, day by day. Though we didn't have power or heat for days at our home, it still was our place to feel safe, despite the cold and darkness. With the holidays around the corner, I wanted to share a few tips with you for decorating your home.
Color palette: There are so many choices. I like to take colors that are in the room all year long round and add some Christmas color to it. It is cost effective too. In this room there is a hint of turquoise and the pop of red makes alittle christmas felt in the garland and the wreath. Using the same candycane ribbon unifies the space.

Adding alittle christmas color with pillows and a throw.

 All from Nordstrom home..they ship quickly if you don't have a store near you.

Change out your everyday dishes to have alittle holiday cheer with all your meals in December.

Do you have a collection of Santas or Snowmen? group them together for a cohesive display.

Some unexpected christmas in the powder room. Have a great scented candle too.

Adding alittle Christmas color with bright red pillows and a cherry red throw is easy and makes an impact. All are from Nordstrom Home.

Change out your everyday China for holiday inspired tableware. I change out my dishes for the whole season.  If you don't want to invest in the place settings, you can do just red colored mugs and plates.

Do you have a collection of santos or snowmen? Group them together for a bigger impact.

Make sure you remember alittle Christmas in the bathroom. Scents are important. A great plug in or a favorite candle adds the final touch

Use containers you have around the house to hold shiny colored baubles that will add alittle shimmer.