the blue giraffe

Buying Furniture (caveat emptor)

2012-01-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make, I am becoming a furniture snob. As you know, I love anything that relates to decorating the home, especially furniture; my heart beats faster when I see a quirky, vintage chair, or a table, so exquisitely built that my sense of reason (and budget) is momentarily lost. Take me shopping, and I will touch everything that catches my eye, thinking of inventive ways to take it home, strapped to the roof of my car if necessary. I will obsess over it, creating stories in my head that explains why I must include it in my life. I may not take it home, but I can guarantee that I will dream of it that night ...

But, recent experiences have tilted me towards furniture snobbery, and I hope it makes you feel the same way. Have you bought a dining or bedroom set lately? Did you see the signs that said "Wood", and the description that said it was "Cherry"? Automatically, you would assume that it is made of wood from a Cherry tree. Right? Wrong. I just clicked to the website of a very well known furniture store. Went to Dining Room sets, and hit the Cherry option. A 7 piece set (which is code for a table and six chairs, go figure) was $2,300. Go to the product description, and you find out that Cherry is the color, and it is ".....crafted of hardwoods, cathedral cherry veneers and exotic avodire veneers".

Don't get me wrong, veneers and composites are a wonderful, and possibly sustainable (?) way to produce furniture, but it is also a way to cut costs and create things that appear to be what they are not. If stores are going to use them, and charge those prices, then say what they are, don't try and trick the consumer into thinking they are getting a quality, solid wood piece of furniture. Veneers and composites have more parts, therefore they will automatically have more issues than solid wood - the veneer may lift up, the glues can come apart, and the stain will often wear off more quickly. I did contact the company about their $2300 dining room set. With your purchase, you get a free one year warranty that covers manufacturers defects, or, you can spend an additional $230 to get their 5 year warranty. This will cover all sorts of spills, dents and normal wear and tear.

It used to be that wood was more expensive than veneer, but somehow that has shifted a little. I found a comparable, solid wood dining table and 6 solid wood chairs for $1600, at a very good on-line home store. In my opinion, solid wood has a couple of advantages. One, it will wear well (there is nothing to peel off or come apart), and two, it will probably last longer, and definitely look better as time goes on. FYI, soft woods (pine) will dent easily, whereas hard woods (oak, mahogany etc) will resist dings.

Whatever your preference, promise me to do some shopping around before you buy. If you are buying from any store, ask about the warranties and look for feedback on their website. Consider on-line catalogs and home stores; these used to be a lot more expensive (and style specific) but are now much cheaper, and offer a lot of solid wood choices. Also, if time is something you have to spend, go to some local thrift stores or second hand retailers - older pieces tend to be more solid.

Furniture can be an expensive, and permanent, purchase for your home, so don't be afraid to do your homework first. And, if you're wandering the stores, undecided, just give me a call!

p.s. Photograph of this lovely, mis-matched, reclaimed dining room set is from House Beautiful

Your Home, Your Story

2012-01-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

After 3 weeks of being in New Zealand (where I grew up) I am a bit flummoxed about what to write. So many ideas come to mind, but many would need to be edited, and others would be, perhaps, uninteresting to those who don't know me very well. So, I decided to write, in bite-size pieces, about the homes that I visited. Apart from the fact that I love all of these people, the best part is that who they are is truly reflected in where they live....

A lovely home that was changed, discreetly, to accommodate a wheel chair. A rose garden, immaculately tended by an 86 year old who cares for his loving wife.

Encased in sunlight and flowers, minimal but beautiful; this home makes me feel like a child again, taken care of and nurtured.

A window seat in just the perfect spot, a place for dreaming. Random swatches of paint have become optimistic pieces of art.

Years of memories are lovingly displayed in a grand, mahogany cabinet. Each piece is personal, and tells a story.

Welcoming, wide open spaces (and cupcakes) lead to a stream and a stone bridge. Built by hand.

An iron gate, flanked with tall, blue flowers leads to a family of chickens with funny feathers on their toes. The wooden porch is home to a very healthy, persistent passionfruit vine. Inside, the house is filled with comfort, laughter, kittens and dreams. Outside, the children climb fences and search for fresh eggs.

Close to the beach, and surrounded by trees, a home has speckled, soft (yes, really) concrete floors. I have to stop myself from lying down on them, and try to be content to just touch them with my bare feet....

(The gorgeous photo above is of Hobbiton, a place created for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and filmed in NZ)

Supermarket Gifts and Fruitcake

2011-12-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

In some countries, a Fruitcake is given with pride - a dense, rich, time-consuming cake, made lovingly, months in advance, and enjoyed as a special treat on Christmas day. However, where I live, it is a metaphor for something vile; given to people you really don't like, and then passed on again - a gift that is perceived as old, inexpensive and filled with unidentified fruity objects.
My point being, that we are all different. If you spend a bit of time thinking before you buy, you will be less stressed, your gifts will be appropriate and the money you spend becomes more manageable.
Some people don't celebrate the Holidays, and some just don't like to give gifts, but sometimes you just need to do it...Call it whatever you like (obligation?) but at this time of year you will probably be invited somewhere where you need to take a gift.
If you are not going to drive to the mall, or bake a batch of your famous, best-ever cookies, then my solution is to hit the supermarket. The only caveat with this type of shopping is to wrap it with care; don't take it in the plastic supermarket bag, with the receipt and price tag still attached. And, buy imported things if you can - the packaging is different, and it can make an ordinary item feel a bit more special.
With that out of the way, here are some good gifts that can be picked up on your way home for about $20.

Hostess Gift:
(tasteful, edible, re-giftable)
Sparkling, non-alcoholic, wine or cider and a box of truffles.
A Christmas plant (poinsettia etc).
If you know someone likes wine, find a bottle with an unusual, seasonal or funny label.
Specialty Christmas blend of Organic Coffee, or gift box of Teas (Twinings, Bigelow etc).

Friends/Family:
(personal, useful, indulgent)
Warm, fuzzy socks, cocoa and shortbread cookies (Walkers).
Moisturizer, lip balm, cuticle cream etc in a decorative tin/package that is more of a splurge than a regular buy (Burts Bees etc).
Nice gloves and a scarf.
Good quality scented candles in a jar (gingerbread, vanilla, apple etc) Soy candles are gentler, if you can find them.
Several large bars of Chocolate tied up with a big ribbon.

Children:
(fun/funny, colorful, creative)
Drawing pad, stickers and pencils/markers/crayons.
Brownie mix, bowl, toppings and mixing spoons.
Deck of cards/UNO and mini games from the stationery aisle.
A funny calendar or book.
Old fashioned Silly (or fart) putty.
Their favorite food, or candy.

No matter what you buy for people, it needn't be expensive or stressful. Write some ideas before you go, allow yourself time to look around and buy something that you really think they would like (fruitcake optional...)

Have you ever......(staged your own home?)

2011-11-28T13:46:00.000-08:00

Even though it is the Holiday season, many people are still trying to sell their homes. Always a daunting process, I thought I would share some ideas, hopefully made easier from a more personal perspective.

Several years ago, I was faced with the possibility of selling my own home. During the process, I had to get several Realtors in for assessments. One of them told me that it was a wonderful old house, and would appeal to a quirky owner (the thought of 10 cats and a cupboard filled with an infamous canned food, beloved by Monty Python, came to mind) and the other, was not shy in saying that my house was cozy (small) and shabby (without the chic).

What was good, is that it gave me the chance to see my home through the eyes of someone who saw it from a very different perspective. Some of it seemed quite harsh, but truly, they were giving me the reality of the housing market, and I learned a lot from talking to them:

The first thing I learned, was that selling a house is about filling the needs of as many people as possible, not about how much you love the crooked staircase and your quirky gargoyle collection. It is no longer about you, it is about a commodity.

The second thing I learned was to be realistic. eg. A mansion, in a not-so-good neighborhood, no matter how much money you put into it, will probably never get you the return that you hope for. Likewise, a small home will always appeal more to couples or young families looking for a “starter” home.

Depersonalizing was the next lesson. Not a bad word, it just means that you have to edit what you have, so that the house is the main event. Family photos and “stuff” are a distraction. At the very least, keep mementos corralled in one area, not spread all over the place.

Clean it up - the outside and the inside. Buyers are fickle; first impressions can prevent someone from even wanting to look inside (put garbage cans, broken Halloween decorations and green hosepipes in the garage).

Also, a house that is tidy looks bigger, welcomes you in and makes you want to see more.

Make your home feel cared for. Open the curtains, fluff up the pillows and let in the light. Water your plants, and get rid of ones that are past their prime.

Every room should have a purpose. Spend some time making sure your rooms look like what they are supposed to be (computers in the office, baskets of clothes in the laundry room, television and photos in the family room etc). A spare room that is filled with “leftovers” puts people off – it needs an identity.

If you want to fix things prior to the sale, be wise in your choices. Many states have mandatory inspections, and you may have other things to repair that are far more important (and expensive).

Finally, your home should smell good. At the absolute least, change the kitty litter, empty the garbage and open the windows (no air-freshener please!). If you can, bake something in the stove or light a natural scented candle. Make people feel at home with these favorite, comforting scents: Apple pie, cinnamon, coffee, vanilla, chocolate chip cookies….

Lovely, airy photograph from: http://www.softlineonline.com/blog/?m=201104

100th post!

2011-11-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

It seems like a special kind of wonderful, that on my 100th blog posting day I got a nomination for the Versatile Blogger Award! I was asked to share seven things about myself, and then nominate others as well.
So, without further ado, here are seven things that you may, or may not, know about me:

- My upstairs bathroom is painted entirely in chalkboard paint (my daughter and her friend's draw and write on it all of the time). I also have a wall in my TV room that is entirely covered in chalkboard paint.
- My toaster says "TOAST" on the front of it (I have had it for over 10 years, and it still makes me smile every morning).
- I worked at the United Nations, in NYC, for three years.
- I cut and color my own hair all of the time; sometimes it is quite disasterous, but I do it anyway :-)
- Pencils are one of my favorite things (hate pens).
- I own a black jeep (it makes me think of New Zealand, where I grew up - the above composite photograph, called "Sheepsail" is by Ted Scott, it is one of my favorites).
- I am a ridiculous romantic; constantly dreaming, planning new things, head in the clouds...

Here are a few of the blogs that I read, and would nominate:

Beautiful Living Style (observations on life, style and the bits in between)
The Lettered Cottage (interior design - pretty and practical)
Rooms Reborn (interior redesign - more great ideas from Ann Anderson!)
The Happiness Project (no explanation needed - always a good dose of happiness when you need it)
Mind the Beginner (thoughts on life, and being better...)
Pink Miles (pink observations on running a family and a marathon)
New Light Redesign (interior redesign, decoratively speaking)
Jane Pollak (entrepreneurial inspiration, and a mental kick in the bum when you need it)

Warming up!

2011-11-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

Apparently. I don't handle the cold very well. During the recent 5 days without heat we became nomads, eating at friends homes and roaming the town to buy large cups of hot chocolate. By the end of day five, me, and my disposition, were not at their prettiest!

When the electricity finally came back on, I knew that I needed to create an emergency plan, and, far more importantly, redecorate my home for Winter!

So, with a blissful weekend all to myself, in my warm home, this is what I plan to do:

Bring in the Red: Psychologically, it reminds us of fire, so I will add a few red things. A blanket is perfect, it will keep me warm and look warm when I'm not using it.

Create layers: Give myself license to add (even more) accessories. Add extra pictures on the wall, pillows on the sofa and cram books into any bare shelves that need to be filled up. More things will absorb the cold, and make it feel cozier. (I will declutter in the Spring).

Rearrange my Furniture: Any excuse to move my furniture is a good one. I will create closer, more intimate groupings where I can. Making sure there are tables for drinks, and lamps to read by. Think comfort - would I want to sit in that space, curl my feet up and read a book? Why, why not?

Add plaid, of course: Love it or hate it, it will always evokes a feeling of log cabins and warm days by the fire.

Find more lamps: Will go to second hand shops, looking for lamps (checking that they are safe to use, of course) or, might even buy a couple of inexpensive ones from discount stores. Change the shades if I need to, or re-paint the bases. Don't underestimate the impact of a lot more lighting, especially in Winter when the days are shorter.

Put my glass away: I love glass, but it is cold. I will minimize the amount of glass in the house, and replace it with pottery, children's art, books or something more substantial and dense.

Light candles: Seems obvious, but these are not just for decoration; the flame emotionally warms us up, and gives off a tiny bit of heat. I love to put small, metal-cup votives into my best china cups (especially good when you have a power outage) and scatter them around the house. Those delicate little cups have a translucency that will make the entire cup glow when you put a small candle in them, plus, they are safe and easy to carry around because of the handle. Buy some at a thrift store for a couple of dollars.

Well, with my weekend planned, I will sign off, and get started. Maybe you will be inspired to do the same...

Curtains 101

2011-10-22T07:54:00.001-07:00

Do you ever gasp at things that make you happy? An image, or a color, that is so perfect you can't believe it existed without you knowing about it?

The other day I fell in love with a curtain. Yes, a curtain! For those of you who know me well, you know that the curtains in my living room are, in fact, cream blankets from Walmart; a solution that happened on a cold February day, after weeks of looking for the "perfect' curtain. Not my first option, they ended up being what I love the most; hanging casually from old, copper pipes with distressed curtain hooks. In fact, the process was so time consuming that I had no option but to write about it. http://wendyandthebluegiraffe.blogspot.com/2009/05/cautionary-tale-of-curtains.html Anyway, I recently saw some curtains that I loved, and it reminded me once again how difficult it can be to choose them.

I think, the first thought should be whether your need is driven by beauty or function? Of course, ideally, everything in life should be a combination of both, but in reality that rarely happens; to get there can take far more time than any of us have. Regardless of why you need them, spend a little bit of time wondering about your curtains before you buy.

In my living room, for example, I have three very large windows, each over 10 feet wide. I wanted a curtain that insulated the room in the Winter, but was not so decorative that it conflicted with my need to scatter random pieces of art onto the walls. Hence the cream blankets; they are simple, but warm, and I love the thick texture against the painted walls.

Like most things, we can get bogged down in the thought process, but going forward is always easier than we think. Decorating your windows should be fun, just ask yourself a few easy questions before you begin:

- Do you want the curtains to be purely decorative - a statement of color or pattern? Then choose with no restrictions. Buy what you love. Remember to open the packet, and hang them up (or lay them out on the floor) before you throw away the receipt. Any curtain will look totally different when it is opened up into a 4 foot by 7 foot panel.
- Are they something that you are buying because you "have to"? Be understated/neutral/classic in your decision. For total anonymity, try to match, or use a shade similar to the wall color.
- Is keeping in warmth, or shutting out sunlight, important? Spent extra time researching speciality curtains. They may cost a bit more, but will definitely solve your problem.
- How much do you want to spend?Be realistic with your budget. Don't be lured into things you cannot afford. Find your favorite, then see if there is a less expensive option available.
- Is your room large or small, ceilings high or low? If it is small, then choose curtains that are similar (or complimentary) to the wall color. Hang them above the window for extra height. Too much pattern, or opposing colors, will break up a room, making it appear smaller. If ceilings are very tall, check the length before you buy.

The gorgeous photograph above is from http://searchingforstyle.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html A lovely blend of pinks that are elegant and feminine, without being too "precious". The curtain is crushed silk.

Formal Living in a Casual World

2011-10-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I went to an event the other weekend, and they were handing out magazines and supplements. One of them, which I had not read before, was "T", from the NY Times Magazine. It was their Fall Design issue. As I flicked through it, I fell in love. Yes, it was filled with over-priced art and fancy furniture (many of them labelled, price upon request - which means, if you have to call you can't afford it), but it was beautifully done. Luxury was definitely the theme, but it's accessibility made me want to pour myself inside and roll around the pages...

For someone like me, who thrives on budgets and spray paint, this magazine was not my usual read. Often, formal rooms go too far, and I (we?) are scared to go inside, worried we may crease the pillow or ruin the design. But, done right, it can be a wonderful, comfortable option.

One article in particular really struck me. The home was based on an 18th Century design, complete with spindly chair legs, gilded mirrors and original artwork from hundreds of years ago, but it was livable.
As I looked at the pictures, I could see how cleverly this couple had worked to create a home, not just an elegant showpiece. My favorite photograph is the one of the bookshelves, deliberately built with bowed wood, to make them look older than they were.

If you lean towards the elegant, and want to live with formality, here are some easy ideas on how to do it:

- Paint the walls a warm color (a bit darker than you dare).
- Use "real" things; wood, artwork, floors and light-fixtures shouldn't be fake (or plastic). Be authentic.
- Furniture should be comfortable to sit on, and not flimsy. Even if you are inclined towards very formal, classic pieces, consider adding a modern, bulkier chair or sofa to bring some weight to the room.
- Group your accessories very tightly together (closer than you would think). This is a clever way to show off your collections, but make the room feel comfortable at the same time. Scattering them around just leaves them looking homeless and confused.
- Keep curtains simple and classic (avoid trends, and too many doo-dads).
- Make furniture groupings deliberate. Use a rug and coffee table as your centerpiece, and bring sofa and chairs up close to them. (Think about a doctors waiting room - if it looks like that, change it).
- Layer non-matching pillows and blankets on the sofas for added softness.

Remember, you have all these beautiful things, enjoy them!

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/the-contrarians/?ref=design-issue

Color Wheels and Rainbows

2011-09-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

When a client asked me to help her choose colors based on the Color Wheel, I was a little unsure. Yes, I have an Interior Design Color Wheel, but, personally, I sometimes dig my heels in when I am told what I am "supposed" to do. I guess the Color Wheel falls into that category - being told what to do...

So, we sat down, looked at the front, chose our color, spun the wheel, then started to read the back of the card. We both burst out laughing, neither one of us understanding what to do next. We put it away, and chose the colors based on her favorite things instead. If nothing else, it was a lesson; it gave me something to write about, and left me wondering if I could explain it to my readers (just in case you're curious).

Did you know that the Color Wheel was invented in the 1600's by Sir Isaac Newton? It was originally based on sunlight - he separated the sunbeams with a prism, which created different colors (just like a rainbow), then joined them back together to show the natural progression. So, does that mean that if I look at the color sequence of a rainbow, and turn it into a circle, it will look like the color wheel? Well, I just tried it, and it does! The colors of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green. blue, indigo and violet ...

Now that I know where it came from, I understand it even less. Why are we basing our judgement on a rainbow? Does that mean that we should decorate according to all natural combinations? If I wear green and brown together, won't I just look like a tree?

Anyway, back to the story. The premise is that by spinning a wheel you will be told which colors go together, therefore, you will know exactly how to decorate your home. It begins with you highlighting the main color that you want to use. Once you do this, it will automatically bring you to the coordinating set of colors, based on a few guidelines. Complimentary (the color opposite the main color), Monochromatic (any shade of your main color) Split Complimentary (the two colors either side of your Complimentary) and Related (any shade that is either side of your main color). Confused? Don't be. If you are a bit cautious, maybe tones of the same shade would be a good beginning. More adventurous, choose the complimentary or split-complimentary colors.

If you buy an Interior Design Color Wheel, my advice is to read the directions, let it guide you, but most of all have fun playing with the spinning circle.
After all, it is just a round rainbow...

Stories and Words

2011-09-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, many years ago.........our words were written on pieces of paper.

I thought of this line yesterday, as I was reading a magazine. My mind drifted to a time when words would become artifacts in a museum. I imagined we would all walk around with little hand-held electronic pads, tapping away; reading page after page by scrolling around, quietly, with our fingertips. I wondered if our hands would evolve into different shapes, to compensate for our new, technological habits?

Of course, I know that we can't stop our world from changing, but what I will miss is the process of "doing". We learn by doing. By making mistakes, and figuring things out. By touching things, and seeing how they feel. It makes us think as we go along. If we take that away, what do we lose?

Will we have no public libraries? A comforting, communal space for those of us who don't want to own every book we read. Who don't mind sticky fingers, and a story that goes along with each book; corners folded, crumbs caught in the middle of the pages, and the mild smell of paper, cigarette smoke and dust...

I go to the library because I want to go. I know the people who work there. They tell me if they have read the book that I am checking out, or who their favorite author is. They look questioningly at me if I have a pile that seems far too serious, and they stared at my stomach when I (unsuccessfully) tried to distract them from all of the baby books. They have become a part of my life.

Magazines, though different, are just as important to me. Yes, they could be deemed a waste of time, and I know that they are filled with advertisements for things that I don't need, but I love to turn the shiny pages. I always read them from the beginning to the end, no flipping ahead to find something interesting that caught my eye on the front cover. I patiently wade my way through, never knowing what I will find. Even though I will never buy a perfume that is hidden inside a page, I will always try it, just so I can wrinkle up my nose and go "peeuuw!" To me, they are like presents; I never know what is inside, but I appreciate the gift.

If I was reading a magazine, electronically, I know that I would check the index and scroll forward to whatever caught my eye. There would be no slow pleasure, as I waited to see what the next best thing would be. I would never see the shoes that cost as much as my mortgage, or the environmental car made out of grass. My needs would be impatient, and I would never enjoy it quite as much.

I worry, that in our search for instant gratification, we will lose the art of taking our time. That efficiency will be valued over humanity, and happiness will be something we download...

Budgeting for a Quick Fix

2011-09-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Driving around my town the other day, I noticed a lot of houses needed painting.With the price of everything going up, many people are putting home improvements to the bottom of the list. Of course, some are still doing repairs, but many are waiting until they can afford to replace the item, or get it fixed perfectly.

Right now, perfect may not be an option. Gas and groceries are taking up the main bulk of our budget, and buying new "stuff" makes us pause far more than it used to. I, also need my house painted, but knowing that I want to go beyond the traditional white, I am waiting until the Spring, because I know that the cost will be far more than normal.

However, I still want the front to look nice, in the meantime. So, armed with a small paintbrush, duct-taped to a really long stick (yes, really) I touched up the little bit where the paint had peeled off. No, it wasn't perfect, but it was just enough to hide (and protect) the wood underneath. This got me thinking, were there other short cuts that we could take, while we waited for the perfect solution?

- Peeling or chipped Paint: If you don't think you have enough paint to touch up the front of the house, add a tiny bit of water to the can to stretch it. Or, paint a bit of the color onto a paper plate, let it dry and take it to the hardware/paint store to get it copied. Buy a sample pot (less than $5-). It might be all you need.
- Linoleum Tiles lifting up: An all purpose epoxy, or floor adhesive, will stick it down. Clean the area under the tile as best as you can. Smoosh the glue underneath (be liberal), wipe away the excess, tape down the tile with painters tape, and cover with a brick for 24 hours.
- Cracked Ceramic tiles: Buy some tile filler. Either mix some matching paint into it, or, fill in the crack and paint it afterwards. If the tile needs to be replaced, see if you have an extra one. Chip out the old, clean up and replace with a new one. Not for the faint hearted, but easier than it sounds!
- Scratched, wooden furniture: Blend scratch by using shoe polish, crayon, strong coffee or markers. Then polish.
- Dirty, tattered, old sofas and chairs: Clean them with a can of foam upholstery cleaner, if needed. Turn cushions over, to get the nicer, less squashed side. Add (complimentary) throws, quilts or pillows to distract from the ugliness. Make it look deliberate, don't just put a horrible blanket on the sofa. Safety-pin it over the areas that annoy you. Move the furniture around, and put a nicer piece as the focal point.
- Cracks or holes in the wall: If you want to fix these yourself, there are so many easy, instructional videos that will show you exactly what to buy, and how to do it. It isn't hard, but it can be time consuming and messy; best for patient, neat people who are also organized enough to have plenty of leftover paint. If you don't have any paint, consider diverting the attention away from the crack with a nearby piece of art. Cover a hole with a picture. If you have a small amount of paint, try just taking a small brush and painting in/over the crack - it may be just enough!
- Small cracks in windows: Clear, large packing tape, applied neatly, should stop the crack from spreading, and will almost be invisible.
- Ripped screen in door: Not as hard as it may seem. There are actual screen repair kits, but I found them harder than replacing the whole thing (but, that's just me. ). The easiest suggestion, is to take the whole thing to the hardware store and look very helpless! They may, kindly, do it for you, or, at the least show you what you need, and how to do it. If you do want to do it yourself, first remove the rubber "spline", or whatever is holding it in place. Buy a new piece of screen and just put it back in the exact same way. Replace the "spline" by pushing down with a blunt knife. Trim the excess screen afterwards.
- Squeaky, loose or jammed door: Check all the screws and bolts to make sure they are tight, and lined up. Drip a tiny bit of vegetable oil down onto the hinges (wipe away excess).

Well, the list goes on, but I will stop here. Fixing (or hiding) a few things yourself, will make you feel more connected to your home, as well as give you a boost of confidence.
Your home will never be perfect, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't find ways to take care of it.
Photograph from http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/

Nautical and (very) Nice!

2011-08-19T09:19:00.001-07:00

A lovely Inn that sits on the sand, overlooking the ocean. For me, this is what dreams are made of; the sound of the waves, salty wet bathing suits, fresh seafood, and no computer or make-up. The only schedule is the time of the next fishing boat. An easy life, that makes me forget about what I "should" be doing.

I fell in love with this place when we visited last year, and, I confess, that I think one of the reasons was the way it was decorated (or, undecorated?). It merges into the landscape in a, seemingly, effortless way.

As simple as it sounds, creating a wonderful seaside home takes some editing. Too much, and it's nautical predictability becomes silly and boring - a caricature, that mocks the beauty that surrounds it. Too little, and the potential magic is ignored.

For me, a beach home should be comfortable. The furniture and floor should be practical and solid, ignorant of fussiness - sand, water and bare feet can be cleaned up easily. No tip-toeing through, fearful that you may scratch the expensive finish, or get sand on the bed.

Lots of white, of course, is a natural choice. Add in a few old tables and dressers to enhance the character, and prevent it from becoming too pristine. Art and accessories are easy; black and white photographs, paintings (prints?) from a local artist, or a shadow box filled with souvenirs from your last walk on the beach. Don't get stuck on the details, any bowl can be filled with things that you have found on your travels (postcards, rocks, pieces of fabric...). Warm up your home with blankets and piles of books. Keep old-fashioned games out for people to see, reminding them to play when the evenings turn cold.

Living (or being inspired) by the ocean gives us a feeling of calm, with the thought of an adventure never too far away. Don't lose that thought, just let your home be the accessory.

Easy Dorm Style !

2011-08-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

Beige corridors, led to beige doors, that opened unceremoniously into a beige (non air-conditioned) room. Optimistically ready for two, new students, a thin piece of cork lined the room, a plastic mirror hung from a piece of string and two curtain rods hung, crookedly, inside two small closets (without doors).

This was my first look at a College Dorm room.

It's August, and plenty of students are beginning to plan their time in college. Finally allowed to leave home, the promise of freedom is a teenage vacation just waiting to begin. The reality, is a full class schedule and twenty eight people sharing three bathrooms - a complex life, crammed into a generic 12 foot square room.

With costs being what they are, parents are limited in what they can provide for the college-bound. Admittedly, it takes a bit of planning, but creating a Dorm Room that reflects who they are, and functions at the same time, is not as difficult as you may think.

Rooms may vary between schools, but decorating guidelines are usually similar - minimal (or no) holes in the walls, and no paint. Here are some items to make it fun and personal:

Eraseable, compact refigerator - share the cost with your room-mate - write notes, and store late night snacks at the same time.

http://www.target.com/Emerson-Erase-Door-Compact-Fridge/dp/B004WF6EUY/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

Bamboo curtains - for those pesky, no-door closets.

http://www.beadedcurtainstore.com/itemdis.php?idnum=00055

Removable, adhesive hangers - maximum weight 5 pounds (not for mirrors or heavy breakables, but great for pictures and hanging bags, light coats etc).

http://www.amazon.com/Command-17040-Sawtooth-Picture-Adhesives/dp/B00114TFO6

Over-the-door mirror - saves time and space.

http://www.target.com/Room-Essentials-Black-Over-Mirror-Blk/dp/B004C3YG2Y/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

Mirrored decals - a useful, decorative, option.

http://www.target.com/Dots-Mirror-Wall-Decals-pc/dp/B003BO0U8O/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

Cork or fabric boards - should be used in abundance for notes, appointment cards, photos and any miscellaneous pieces of paper.

http://www.target.com/Note-Style-Grey-Fabric-Tagboard/dp/B003GF70D6/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

Over-the-door hooks - perfect for everything!

http://www.target.com/s?keywords=over+the+door+hooks&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0

Desk fan - a lot of air, for a small price!

http://www.amazon.com/Vornado-Flippi-Personal-Small-Raindrop/dp/B0013LNKIO/ref=pd_sim_hg_5

A McQueen State of Mind

2011-07-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write about the Color Wheel this week. My idea was to break it down into simple theory, so that we could all understand what the heck it meant, and why we really should combine orange walls with blue furniture.....

But, I got distracted. Yesterday, a stressful morning, just begged to have a happy afternoon. So, I decided to take my daughter to the Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I have loved Alexander McQueen from the very first time he emerged, kilted and chubby, onto the Runway, deciding to shock the fashion industry out of it's classically trained coma.

This year, the McQueen Fashion House came to the Met. For a few months, many of us had the unique opportunity to see the designs that walked, ran and splattered down the Runway. Sometimes, the ability to shock can masquerade as creativity, but McQueen was not one of these people - he was a man who could cleverly channel his feelings into his talent, and tell a story.

I think that this is what made me so in awe of him. He was able to apply himself to his craft, in a way that expressed who he was, while still keeping the public entertained. He saw beauty in everything, especially the unfinished and the questioned. Inspiration was whatever he was experiencing at that moment; be it political or emotional, he managed to express it through his passion, staying true to what he believed in and channeling his energy into his work (art).

When we do things that we love, it shows. We put more effort into it, and we try our hardest to make it better every time. It gives meaning to the everyday, poetry to the ordinary.

I have been to many exhibitions at museums, but this was the first one that provoked so much emotion. Each collection was divided into rooms, all of which were designed to match the theme; slabs of concrete, holographs, words, music, shattered wood, mirrors, glass, wind and water, were all incorporated into a non-stop journey of his life.

The people who created it should be applauded for giving us an experience, not just an exhibition. Almost every piece was close enough to touch; making it easy to see the exquisite details, and allowing us time to decide whether or not we really liked what we were looking at. Although the lines were long, and the crowds heavy, it was possible to take as much time as we needed; wondering whether or not we would prefer to wear the black ostrich feather coat with the teetering armadillo shoes, or the molded, leather dress (I would wear the molded, leather dress - in the burgundy, please!).

My daughter loved all of the asymmetric coats, and the outfits made out of unusual materials (are mussel shells as heavy as they look?), while my favorites changed from one room to the next. I was overwhelmed by many of the pieces, especially the ones that combined hard and soft materials, balancing good and bad, life and death...

One of my favorites was a gold-leafed, duck feather coat combined with a full, white skirt. The photographs do not do it justice - thousands and thousands of feathers were hand painted, then sewn to create a coat that hugged the body like a suit of armor. It molded her hips, then the skirt exploded from underneath into a sea of plain, white tulle and gold thread.

When so much is happening around us, it is easy to overlook the extraordinary, thinking that to take the time would be frivolous or indulgent. But, we are wrong, to appreciate beauty, in any form, is never a waste of time....

It's 97 degrees outside - now what?

2011-07-21T03:53:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to New Jersey, I rented a room in a large family home. When the dog days of Summer began to settle in, the curtains were closed, and the roof was opened! Whoever was upstairs at the time, would turn an old fashioned crank, that would slowly open up a big, square trapdoor, seamlessly fitted inside the roof. Then, we would pull a long, metal chain and a gigantic fan would begin to turn, drawing the hot air back into the universe.

Of course it worked, sometimes the best things are the simplest, but it always reminded me of something that Professor Potts would have built in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie; perhaps the next time it wouldn't close, and suddenly the house would be filled with birds and airplanes, precariously avoiding the fan that was spinning far to fast....

Anyway, all this heat, means that most of us retreat inside; watching the children through the window, as they play in sprinklers and pools, or, simply see who can lift up the heaviest bucket of water before they drop it on someone elses head (praying that no-on gets hurt, and we don't have to run outside, cranky with sweat, to save them). I wish that I still felt that way; loving the playfulness of ice cold water, hopping about on hot concrete, and eating Popsicles that dripped more than I could eat (licking my hands to catch the red, syrupy concoction, not caring that my mother would never be able to get the stain out).

Summer days for grownups can feel like a chore, but, maybe if we can keep our cool (and our home's) we can lower our electric bill, and enjoy ourselves at the same time...

Of course, there is the obvious - keep your curtains closed when the sun hits the hottest ( darker colors keep out more light, but lighter colors make you feel cooler - you choose). But, either way, closing the curtains in the heat of the day, will help reduce the temperature. It will also prevent your furniture from fading. If you are inclined towards all natural fabrics, the sun can damage them beyond repair. The fibers can break down, and the color will fade. The next time you buy new furniture, for a sun-filled room, inquire about fade resistance and sun durability.

Trees will shade your home and reduce the glare, but no-one can grow a quick tree, so this is a silly suggestion really.

Window Fans are a good, temporary solution. They drawing hot air out of the house and can be removed when not needed. Scattered throughout your home, conventional fans will keep the air circulating, giving the illusion of being cooler, even if you're not.

A Dehumidifier. If you don't have one built into your home heating/cooling system, then consider buying one for the main area of the house. They can be an expense, but you will be shocked at how reducing the humidity will lower the temperature and make your home more comfortable. Plus, the water it collects can be used to water your plants!

Don't run appliances unless it's necessary, they create so much excess heat. Run the dishwasher and washing machine at night, when it is cooler. Cook, or bake, only if you really need to. Use the grill, or make sandwiches and salads.

Turn off computers, televisions, stereos, lamps, cell-phone chargers etc when they are not in use.

I hope this helps, but, if not, maybe you should go out for a Popsicle?

In the beginning........The Dollar Days of Decorating

2011-07-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Before

Do you remember when you got your first apartment, or the first space that you paid for all by yourself?
No-one to tell you what to do, a decorating nirvana for you to fill with whatever the heck you wanted. Paint colors as limitless as the stars, and dreams as big as the Milky Way. Your head spinning with ideas...

Then, it began. The bills, the decisions and the confusion. If you were lucky, you had a few hand me downs from friends and relatives - a sofa, a coffee table and an old bed that you wish you hadn't taken, but were too polite to give back.

It's tough sometimes, making a place look like a home when you have limited resources and a beginners salary. Often, you are not allowed to paint the walls, and some spaces feel much smaller (and dirtier) once you carry that last box of stuff inside the front door.
Regardless of your new situation, there are ways to brighten it up and make it feel like home, without spending a lot of time or money!

After ( I just drew over the
exact same image to give
you an idea of what I mean)

Here's what I would do........
Make a list (see below) of what I really needed to make my place feel like a home (quickly), then, visit all of the inexpensive chain stores (Walmart, Target, Cosco, Ikea, Warehouse etc). Quality is nice, but not always affordable the first time around; basic, functional items, in classic colors, look more expensive - save the bright colors for accessories. If I had time, I would also go to Thrift stores and garage sales looking for good, old pieces of furniture. Finally, I would ask friends and family if they have any (useful) odds and ends in their home that I could borrow for a while.

Then......
- Buy an inexpensive, colorful rug and a few pillows that don't match my sofa.
- Add art on the wall, above my sofa. About 2/3 of the width of the sofa and almost as high (no wimpy installations please). If possible, make it personal; photographs, prints, postcards, children's art, letters, collections etc. If doing a collage, buy black, plastic frames to make it cohesive. Lay them out on the floor first to see the size etc. (A staggered, layered look is easier to hang than a grid pattern).
- Find at least one side table, dresser or bookshelf with storage. I always check on the side of the road; wooden furniture is the most common item thrown away, and re-cycled. It can be painted, stained, or at the very least, cleaned up and polished.
- Unpack books and photographs, stack my magazines and display all of the things that I love.
- Bring in some plants. They add warmth and energy. Ask friends and family for cuttings of their favorite indoor plants, put them in a glass with some water.
- Get curtains. Go to dollar discount stores and look at their curtains, blankets and single sheets. Be creative, until a more permanent solution comes along. These are also great places for inexpensive curtain rods (or, get copper/steel pipe at the hardware store for a more casual, industrial look).
- If I just want the illusion of curtains, but they don't have to be functional, I would buy a panel (cut it in half) or two, and use the tiniest of nails to (artfully) attach them to the wall, either side of the window. No-one will ever know!
- I never underestimate the potential of a decorative, sturdy, storage box (a trunk, crate, ottoman etc). It can hide anything you don't want to see, be a place for your coffee cup, hold your table lamp and display your favorite photographs.

Finally, don't be put off by waiting for the perfect solutions, they don't really exist. Decorating a home is a process that will constantly change with you. In the beginning, it's about feeling settled in your home, being surrounded by what you love and maybe, "making do"...

Original photograph from www.apartmenttherapy.com

Embrace the Dust-Bunnies?

2011-06-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

"You look "very fancy", my daughter said when she came home from school the other day. There I was, dressed in a skirt, top and cardigan, with my hair pulled back. A normal day, where I had gone to the car dealer, the library and the supermarket - nothing particularly exciting, but apparently I looked "very fancy".

Made me wonder, have our expectations become so low that casual is now the norm, and anything that shows effort is labelled as fancy?

I love nothing more than to go into a home that is a little undone; it makes me feel comfortable, and, most of all, it feels as if people live there. But, taken too far, it can appear a little neglected, like our appearance...

Caring about ourselves, and where we live, is a self-taught lesson on the journey to happiness. It takes some effort to keep a home, and dress in a way that won't get you stares from the people at the supermarket. (Maybe you have been ill, but does wearing your manky slippers out in public really make you feel better?).

Everyone wants to be comfortable, but there are times when it is nice to put a bit of effort into where we live. Whether we admit it or not, a cared for home makes everyone in it feel happier. Straightening pillows, putting flowers in a vase, folding laundry (and putting it away) are all signs that we care, and who doesn't want to live in a place that feels cared for?

I admit, I have dust-bunnies almost permanently in my home; with a dog and a cat, vacuuming could become a twice-daily event, but it isn't. Frankly, it is not my main priority. A fact that was lovingly pointed out by a dear friend who recently gave me a lint-roller as a present :-)
She, and I, both know that I justify the dust-bunnies in my home by knowing that my home is, overall, always reasonably tidy. Not perfect, or super-clean, but straightened. Lived in, but cared for.

I know, that life can become overwhelming, and that thinking about housework is one of the most depressing things on the planet, but unfortunately no magic fairy will fly in and do it for you.

Here are some ideas on caring for your home, while making it easy on yourself:
- Open the windows and doors as often as possible. A closed up home will smell stagnant and lifeless, no matter how clean it is. Spend a few hours just listening to the outdoor noises!
- Integrate laundry into your day, so that it is not such a chore. Most of it can be done while watching TV, sleeping, listening to music, cooking dinner etc.
- Make an effort to keep your main living rooms tidy (not perfect). Straighten them constantly, and remind the rest of your family to do the same. If they don't, just gather all of their debris in a plastic bag and present it to them (nicely, of course).
- Wash floors, vacuum and mow the lawn as late as possible! This way you will be too tired to complain, and will wake up to a nice clean floor etc.
- Add life and energy to your home with flowers, plants and anything organic. Even a pile of (clean) rocks on a table will help.

Remember, it is not about keeping up appearances, it's about showing that we care....

Finding the "Why?" to get to the "How?"

2011-06-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I have just added a Monthly (email) Magazine Page as an extension of my website and blog. What most of you don't know, was that it almost never happened at all.

My problem began when I knew that I wanted to do one. As soon as I had made that decision, I became stuck. From a logistical point of view, I knew that newsletter programs existed, and that help was always around the corner (thank you, Ladies), but I couldn't figure out how to begin. Every time I sat down, I became more and more confused about what I should be doing. The definition of how it should be done, conflicted with the ideas that were bouncing around in my head. Nothing seemed to click.

At some point, during my dilemma, I was talking to a friend about something great that she had accomplished. When I asked her how she had done it, she said that she had had to figure out the "Why?" before she could move forward - she needed a reason that was meaningful to her.

This got me thinking, did I really know why I wanted to do the newsletter? At that moment "should" was becoming a pretty weak reason for going ahead; let's be honest, no-one wants to read something that was done just because it "should" have been done. The more I thought about what she said, the more it made sense to me. How can you do something, with care and conviction, unless you know why you are doing it?

I decided to really think about why I wanted to do the newsletter. With pencil and paper, I began to write down my reasons for moving forward. As I wrote, my thoughts began to create my decision, and I knew why (and how) I wanted to do the newsletter.

Mostly, we write because we want to share information about things that we are passionate about, but sometimes it's just because we want to share a part of our journey. Whether it is a decorating decision or a heart-wrenching change in your life, maybe it would help to ask "Why?".......

p.s. If you would like to see my Monthly Magazine Page, and subscribe to future ones, the information is on the left hand side of my Blog.

The Television, The Room and The Armoire

2011-06-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when Televisions started to get bigger?
When we all wanted one, but didn't want to see them when they were turned off? Their size, and bulk, dominating wherever they were placed? Too heavy for a small table, everyone struggled with what to do once they had bought one.

As quickly as they appeared, Furniture manufacturers came up with a solution. The entertainment Armoire; an even bigger piece of furniture that enclosed our new purchase, and hid it away until we decided to turn it on. Not the best solution really. Yes, it hid the Television, but it created another problem - where to put the new piece of furniture. Entire walls and corners were filled with an often overwhelmingly large, wooden structure.

What seemed like a necessity for most homes, became obsolete quite quickly, as Televisions got larger and larger. They also became thinner, and we no longer needed to accommodate their bulk into our decorating plans. Before we knew it, the Television had outgrown the Armoire; it was dismantled, or set aside in a basement, waiting for goodness-knows-what. Many of them were expensive, and still in great condition, so we were reluctant to throw them away.

I really believe that we should re-use things if we can. If not, maybe it can be donated, and someone else would appreciate it all over again? But, until you decide what to do, why not try one of these solutions for that fleeting, but usefully wooden, piece of Television history.

A perfect pantry or extra storage in your Kitchen.
Small closet for a baby.
Take the doors off and use it as a bookshelf.
Remove all of the shelves, add a hanging rod at the top, and use it in a Mudroom or Entrance hall for coats and gloves etc.
Easy storage for games and crafts (leave the doors on?)
Put your sewing machine in there, and store all of your threads and fabric.
A Home Office. Your computer would easily fit. Cork-board glued to the inside of the doors would be useful, and there would be plenty of space for files etc.

Here are a few photographs to get you inspired...

Sanded and whitewashed, a very elegant solution
for an after dinner drink.

Who doesn't need more room in their Kitchen?
As a pantry, or just to store those extra bits and pieces, this is perfect.

For a baby, or a children's room, this gives you just the
right amount of space.

Industrial Thoughts

2011-05-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Although I live in an old fashioned house, my heart palpitates with the thought of Industrial spaces that have been turned into homes (or, at the very least, spaces that mimic this idea). I think it is my love of opposites that fuels this fascination with hard, factory pieces juxtaposed with warm, organic life.

I still stop the car when I see abandoned factories; their sad history, and complex use of man-made components, makes me wonder about how they were made, and why they are now left alone. Metal, in various forms, has been around for many years, but wasn't used in mass production until the 19th century, when inventors found ways to harness the complicated elements and make them into various materials of strength. I can't pretend to understand the science that goes on behind it, but I did just look it up (am being honest), and, really, it is pretty amazing to know that something so natural can be manipulated into being such a powerful part of our infrastructure.

Once, so expensive, the process is now simple, and most metals are available for everyone to buy. Which makes me wonder about homes that embrace an Industrial influence. Too much metal, and the home will appear to be cold, but, with just a hint, the space will automatically become more interesting. Traditional iron pieces, like birdcages and hooks, are easily added to a home, but what if you want to go a little further?

Designers have fully embraced this trend, and have provided us with many options to bring into our homes. Here are just a few of them to help you bring a little bit of the Industrial look into your life (without feeling as if you need a blow torch or an extra large sewing machine).

Many old factories are being explored, their contents repurposed for household
use; perfect for books, gloves, or even pantry items in the kitchen (coat in polyurethene, just in case).

Storage and a surface at the same time; this small table, made of a wire basket
and an old cupboard door, is useful in any room!

Stainless Steel is a practical choice for any style of home. However,
it is not for the faint-hearted, its beauty grows more with every scratch!

An old file cabinet can become your new file cabinet...

A trough, with a wooden top and a sink added, becomes a
great focal point.

The perfect combination of simplicity - glass, metal and light!

Wallpaper Art

2011-05-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

I remember wallpaper, growing up, to be either anaglypta (a thick, embossed wallpaper) large brown and green squares or, sometimes, a very flowery concoction that reminded me of prairie dresses and things that were overly cute. Their role (roll? :-) was to decorate the walls and cover imperfections.

After many years of this, wallpaper was exiled; people were tired of the busyness of it all, they wanted cleaner, more neutral spaces. Thoughts of scraping someone elses glue and paper off the wall sent home owners searching for simpler ways to decorate. Paint became the de rigueur.

Now, like any good fashion trend, wallpaper is back again; gracing the covers of magazines, with the designer elite singing its praises as a beautiful and bold way to accessorize our homes.
It has now become Art.

I am glad; anything that makes decorating easier, and can be put on a wall, makes me very happy. Now, the wallpapers are easier to apply, and, more importantly, easier to remove. As a statement on a wall, or a backdrop for another piece, designs are made to be graphic, but tasteful - adding to what you already have, with just a little bit of star power, rather than stealing the entire spotlight.

Bringing modern freshness to all styles of homes, this old idea may just become your new, favorite piece of paper!

Photograph from http://www.elledecor.com/

A Moment in Time...

2011-05-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

The "after"

Last week I hated my Living Room. Truly hated it. When I looked at it, all I saw was a sea of brown, surrounded by some brightly colored artwork that just seemed to show up the dull "brown-ness". I had become my own worst client, I couldn't see past the ugly.

My Living Room has a big window at the front. Most things fade quite quickly; I have the curtains drawn, widely, and I like to have as much light as possible in my home. As a result, everything fades and the fabrics erode quite quickly from the sun (rather odd when you remember that I live in New Jersey, not exactly the sunshine capital of the world).

The furniture had faded over the last year, and as I re-decorated the room for Spring, I took out most of the plants and colorful blankets that had been the accessories for the last few months. I guess, in my haste to remove the Winter, the room was left feeling colorless and boring, lacking in life. The life and color now being outside, instead of inside.

In my head, it became the worst Living Room that anyone had ever seen. A vintage (old?) golden, brown sofa, an old (vintage?) brown chair, an old, collapsible oak table and a vintage (genuinely old), standing radio sitting alongside a nicely rusted, generously sized, wrought iron chair from outside. The entire combination had morphed into a 1940's sitcom, with all the good bits taken out.

As I panicked in my brown-ness, I mentally scanned my house for replacement pieces of furniture. There were none I could use. There was no hope, I decided I MUST drive to the store right that very second before I was swallowed up by the awfulness of it all.

I drove to the store, really fast (but not over the speed limit) and I found a purple sofa and a lovely, oversized slipper chair with an exaggerated pattern of zinnias bursting with orange and dark green....perfect (!?) I looked at the furniture as I took out my credit card, and I walked out of the store.

A cafe mocha, no whipped cream, and a half hour later reality hit. I was calm as I made the list of what I wanted, needed and didn't want in my Living Room. With list in hand, I went home and began to empty the room. The old, brown chair was the first to go....

Pic-nic (pik-nik) – an outing that is shared, outside, with food…

2011-05-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

What is nicer than a picnic on a Summer’s day? I imagine sitting in an unmown field filled with daisies, the manicured lawn of a historic castle or a ragged, cliff-top overlooking the Aegean sea. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of; lovingly described in the well-worn pages of my old storybooks.

Picnics happened a lot when I was little. Mum and Dad would pack sandwiches and drinks, along with old blankets and a few sweet treats for afterwards. We would head to the seaside, a public park or sometimes just to a nearby hill (!) for the afternoon. It always felt like a Holiday – a day off where my sister and I we were playing hookey, allowed to run as far away as we wanted to; coming back when we were tired, for soggy tomato sandwiches and warm fizzy drinks in a shared cup. It was bliss!

Now, as old-fashioned as it may seem, a picnic is still a wonderful way to spend the day together. Go to a local park or beach, and spend the day doing as little as possible! Bring along books, magazines, games and bubbles (leave the technology at home).

Check out the latest picnic accessories that will make your day more comfortable (fully equipped picnic baskets with cutlery, napkins and plates, water-proof blankets to keep your bottoms dry, and even metal spikes to hold your wine glass in between sips!). Pack food that will hold up well and won’t get too soggy – ham, cold fried chicken, cheese, bread, chips and fruit are all easy to pack. Prepare it beforehand, so that you don’t have to worry about knives and forks when you get there – finger food is always best!

Bring lots of napkins,and have fun!

Lovely image from www.theresourcefulcook.com
Lots of picnic accessories and ideas available at: www.picnicfun.com

Loving Your Old Kitchen

2011-04-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

My kitchen is tiny; I am always dreaming of ways to make it bigger (?) and better. I have done almost everything that a normal person could do to make it what I want it to be, without taking down walls and ripping up floors. I know how I would love it to look, but I am happy to be creative until (if) that time comes.

A kitchen is such a big budget item that many of us wait until we are moving, or get an unexpected windfall, before making changes. In the meantime it sits, getting older and more disappointing as we wait for that elusive, happy day.

I don’t like that idea. While we are waiting to win the lottery our kitchen is still part of our every day life; it has to be used constantly, so why not try to make it better until our package of perfection arrives? All of these things I have done myself, and I know they do make a big difference with very little effort.

Of course, I have to mention knobs and draw pulls first. Changing the shape, texture or color will always make your room look refreshed.
Add a decorative mirror to an empty wall (easy to clean, and brings in light and energy).
Paint some of the cabinets. If you have a set of cabinets away from the others, consider painting them a different color and giving them unusual hardware. They will look like a separate piece of furniture.
Talking of separate furniture, what about removing an upper and lower cabinet altogether, and replacing it with a buffet, dresser or desk that is even more useful (and decorative)? If you don’t like your kitchen anyway, be bold and give it a try!
Take down some upper cabinets (not as hard as you think) and install shelves. Or, remove the doors and “pretend” it is open shelving. Your kitchen will look bigger with open shelves.
Remove the doors and the central piece of wood off a pair of cabinets to create a nook for cookbooks. I did this, and I know they were oak cabinets, but truly, I love having the books showing and it makes the kitchen far more interesting. (Removing the center piece – with a hacksaw - did not compromise the strength of the cabinet at all).
Bring in things that are “un-kitcheny”. Art, curtains, books, lamps and furniture will give your kitchen a personality; it will feel more like a room than just a place that you cook dinner.
Grout vintage tiles onto your old countertops to make a more interesting surface that is heat-resistant and looks pretty. If you are not keen on it being permanent idea, then buy a really large marble tile, put rubber feet on it, and place that on the counter. This is perfect for large, hot dishes and for baking on.
Remove dated appliques and fancy, wooden doo-dads. Sand and stain (or paint) over any imperfections or, cover it with a picture.

Wide Open Spaces (inside)

2011-04-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

I once worked with a woman who lived in a renovated, industrial loft. It was everything I dreamed that a loft should be - huge, tall windows, lots of cozy seating areas, and bookshelves lining an old brick wall.

Her favorite thing to do was to have cooking competitions. She would ask us all to bring a version of one dish, and we would vote, and then eat. The winner could choose a plant or a book off her many shelves, but, obviously, the best prize was serious bragging rights until the next year! Sometimes, she would ask an Australian and a New Zealander to cook the same thing, to see which was better! (She was Scottish, which just made it more fun). One of us would use the kitchen in the loft next door, running back and forth to check on our secret recipes, sipping glasses of wine and listening to half-spoken conversations.

Her home was a wonderful lesson in decorating. She embraced what she had, and she loved it. The style suited who she was, exactly. Sections were not divided by paint or partitions, it was left open; a massive room that she allowed to be just what it was, an open space that cared more about friends than function.

I think that sometimes, newer homes are developed by an impatient need to please, rather than an architectural plan. We want the openness, with high ceilings and large spaces, but we want it to feel comfortable as well. What happens, is that builders respond to this with a composite of what they think we want, which often leaves us with a lot of space and a lot of design dilemmas.

Because I have come across this quite often, I thought I would offer some ideas that may help.

Accept the space. Work with it, rather than against it.
If you have an open plan area, treat it that way. Divide living spaces with furniture arrangements, rather than vertical paint lines. This leaves the space visually open, but still creates comfortable areas to live in.
Bounce color and scale around the entire space to create a balanced look. Your eye should move around the room, not stay focused on one particular item.
If your kitchen is part of the space, don’t forget about it, include it in your decorating plan. Maybe a cabinet color can be repeated on the other side, or a color from a painting can be put in the kitchen? They need to feel connected.
Consider your lighting when you have a tall ceiling. Can you change a lightbulb that high up without installing scaffolding? What are the other options available? A large, hanging glass sphere may look pretty or, even, a skylight? Maybe table and floor lamps would be better? Don’t just settle for something that may not suit you.
Avoid having one area very formal, and the other too casual. This, almost always looks disconnected. Blend them together.
Painting the ceiling the same color as the wall will make it less obvious, whereas different colors will emphasise the height.
Artwork should be of a decent size (no floating, tiny pieces on an empty wall). Consider an abstract collage of photographs, a triptych or a wall of words…

Thanks to http://www.1kindesign.com/ for the photograph.

Ladies and Red

2011-04-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

My mom has a Red sofa. One of the few things that she has bought, on her own, in over 30 years. It was a transitional time in her life, when she walked through a home furnishings store, and fell in love. Red and gold damask, beautifully upholstered and ridiculously expensive. She had to have it; no planning, no second thoughts, just pure happiness on four wooden legs.

A friend was recently going through a change in her life. She decided to go on a major spending spree - in Red. Small appliances, rugs and pillows were all bought in Red, replacing the traditional yellow and white that had been her norm. Her only explanation was that it made her feel happy, the color of the Red coffee maker made her smile every single morning.

Years ago, I went to an Estate Sale with a good friend of mine. I was going through a difficult time, and shopping was not high on my "to do" list. But, my friend and I both have a love of antiques, so we try to spend a few times a year together, wandering through places that feed that part of our soul. That day, was one of those days. I had never been to an Estate Sale before. It seemed a bit sad wandering through someones home, knowing their belongings were being sold because they were moving on. It felt quite voyeuristic, even though the owner knew we were there.

The lady who owned the home was an artist, and a couple of rooms were filled with her paintings. Not planning to buy anything I came upon a canvas of a woman painted in Red. At the time, my life felt very beige; old furniture, too many antiques, and a certain tiredness had overtaken me and my home. The painting was an unusual pick for me, but I loved the color, and I liked the serenity on her face; she had an old fashioned dignity that was nicely at odds with the abstract pieces of paint. I decided to bid on the painting, and was told I could come back the next day to see if my bid had been accepted, or if she had been sold at full price. The next day I returned, and she was still there. My offer was accepted, and I drove home with her.

I put her on the wall, and she didn't quite match my dull living room, but just looking at her cheered me up. Within a few months I had decorated my living room around her, bringing color and absurdness wherever I thought it should go. I wrote to the artist and thanked her for the painting; I hoped that her move had gone well, and I wanted her to know how much I loved her work.

All of these stories come together with a color and an emotion. Red seems to give a healing energy to many people, unconsciously giving us a strength to move forward when we are emotionally drained. Scientifically, it may not be a proven theory, but from what I am learning there is definitely something that makes us feel better when we are around certain colors. Perhaps, it's the boldness of Red that makes us feel powerful, or maybe it's as simple as embracing a color that is the opposite of what we are used to. Whatever the reason, it is important, because it makes us happy. (Or, maybe, it's the shopping that makes us happy, and not the color after all :-)

With gracious thanks to: Rosa Maria Thummel http://www.rosathummel.com/

To Dream of Outdoors is a Wonderful Thing

2011-04-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's barely Spring here in New Jersey, and I am itching to get outside. The ground is still muddy, and the garden still seems so undefined. A mixture of gray and green, Winter is reluctantly giving up control of its cranky gloom, appearing to hold onto us longer every year. I hope, that soon, the daffodils will be flowering. Never a big fan of yellow, I now crave the clear brightness of them, deliriously happy when I can finally pick some and bring them inside. Every day I look at them, knowing that they will be here soon. They remind me of my Grandad's garden, in England, I don't know why...

As the clouds grow darker outside, my mind wanders to the subject of patio spaces and outdoor rooms. My ideal would be a cobbled patio with moss and thyme sprinkled in between the stones (no weeds). A few chairs facing a round picnic table, and a big fire pit off to the side. We would toast marshmallows and hot-dogs on sticks, late at night, staying warm with checkered blankets and oversized sweaters. Perhaps an old fashioned, charcoal BBQ would look pretty; the men would curse at the inefficiency of it all, as the women relaxed, sipping wine and waiting for the food that will take hours to cook. (Yes, I know that is sexist, but, well, that's how it usually works if we are honest - and lucky :-)

My table would have the biggest market umbrella standing over it. 10 or 12 foot wide, so that no one has to scrunch to fit underneath. It would be a lovely persimmon color, not quite orange or red, but somewhere nicely in between. Or, I may get all sophisticated and choose black, perhaps with lime green peeking from underneath...

Giant games would be scattered on the lawn, and a hammock would lie in a quiet spot.

The trees would be covered in thousands of white, mini Christmas tree lights and large, colorful paper lanterns would hang inbetween. An extravagant candle chandelier (well, maybe one from Ikea) would be hung from the biggest tree. Underneath, there would be chairs and sofas, sitting on an outdoor rug, making it the perfect place to relax and talk (or, take a nap).

So, as my dream continues, I look outside. It is still raining. The picnic table (that I found on the side of the road) needs painting, and the dog has worn a muddy track all through the moss garden. My umbrella was enjoyed by the hungry mice, living in the garage, and my potting table is starting to show loving signs of wear and rot.

Don't worry, I'm not delusional, this is what I do. Each year I plan and fix and wonder about all the amazing things I will do. Rarely are they accomplished, but that is not what I need. I love the planning, the wondering and the creating. Not worrying about the mice needing a Winters snack, I am glad at the excuse to re-cover (or attempt to) the umbrella with a new fabric. The table I can paint, or seal with a wood sealant, and the rest will gradually take care of itself. For me, it is the process that keeps me motivated. The dreaming and the planning.....

And, yes, of course I will buy the candle chandelier (from Ikea, at $29.99 who can resist?), and I will find the perfect tree to hang it from.

Thanks to http://www.housetohome.co.uk/ for the lovely photograph and Ikea for my chandelier http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70018049

A Poem ....

2011-03-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

She wants to move the furniture,
On a Sunday afternoon.

It's always fun to decorate,

But first, she empties the room.

The room looks dull, so she gets some paint,

Decides to tape off a square.
Big and gorgeous, chalkboard black,
Perhaps, she'll paint a pair?

The paint is drying, furniture is out,
The rug she brings back in.

It's old, it's small, but has to do,
Now for the fun to begin.

She pushes the sofa across the room,
Moves the rug at an angle.
Amused, she decides to vacuum the floor,
After finding a fork and a bangle.

Thought she was careful, but not enough,
Looks down at the scratched wooden floor.
No need to fix it, just cover it up,
By moving the rug some more.

The sofa sits on the rug, looking big,
She sits on a chair next to it.
The chair is old, the fabric worn,
And now, she's gone straight through it!

She picks it up, and throws it out,
With a strength she never knew.
Another chair is quickly found,
Lucky, she has quite a few.

Another chair, another side,

The sofa is moved again.
She stops, and moves it back some more,
some more, then more again!

Decides to have a cup of tea,
To think of lots of things.
Looks at the mess, and dreams of poems,
Of Cabbages and Kings.

Up she gets, and washes her cup,

Determined to finish the room.

She checks the paint, and sees that it's dry,

Sweeps the floor with a broom.

Brings in a bookshelf, some lamps and a painting.
Pillows, photographs, china and tables.

Arranges flowers and washes the floor,

Straightens the curtains, and opens the door.

The afternoon over, she smiles, at the the end.

Her home is now different, but not a penny did she spend.....

Just do It!

2011-03-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

Years ago, when I was taking my Redesign classes, we were each asked to decorate an empty fireplace mantle in a clients home. When it was my turn, I was paralyzed with fear. I whispered to Ann (Anderson) that I couldn’t do it. The house was not my style of decorating, and, naively at the time, I thought that every piece had to be perfect (my idea of perfection, not theirs). She whispered back to me “It’s not about you. Stop thinking. Just do it.”

Once I had recovered from the shock of being told it wasn’t all about me, I knew she was right. We all have different ideas of perfection, it’s what we do with those ideas that matter. The other thing I learned that day was to “Just do it!” A mantra that now carries me through life, teaching me to analyze the important, but not to hesitate with the easy or obvious.

Which is where Interior Redesign comes in. Unless you are painting a room, or knocking down a wall, most decisions can be reversed within a few hours. Looking at a room, fully dressed (both you and the room should be fully dressed, it’s easier that way) it is almost impossible to understand how it will look with a different floor plan.

Even if a designer can “see” it in their head, it is often difficult to explain, and sometimes, well-thought-out ideas may change once the room is emptied. It is far easier to begin moving things around, it gives you a better sense of how the room should be. Often the plan changes; the symmetry may be wrong, or the floor plan impractical. If that happens, just keep moving. Play with the furniture. Try every conceivable idea. Don’t stop and theorize about why you should, or shouldn’t, do something. It’s furniture, it’s moveable. Just do it!

(By the way, I wish I could say that I designed the above room, but I didn’t. I love the eccentric calmness that manages to combine several functions into one space. Beautiful and practical)

Thanks to www.dreamhome-design.blogspot.com for the great photograph.

Decoratively Speaking.

2011-03-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, we are reluctant to give up the much-loved items that we covet. We become disorganized collectors of things that we simply must have (and keep). But, for many of us, excess can be just another reason to decorate!

Postcards, jewelry, notes-to-self, cd's. Anything (but shampoo)
can go in the pockets of this shower curtain.

Keep what you have, but be creative. Often, interesting (and decorative) solutions can be found for the same price as a hum-drum piece of rubbish. Don’t hide things away in boxes or cupboards. If you love it, show it…

Don't throw a favorite cup away, use it.
You are recycling, and getting daily pleasure at the same time.

Justify the splurge by using it in-between cake time. It's the
perfect place for keys, watches or loose change.

Over the door storage isn't just for coats. Hang towels,shoes,
necklaces, belts, ties, dog leashes....

If your cup collection has grown bigger than your cabinet, hang them up.

Bowls are a clutterers best friend. Small things fit inside perfectly.

A ladder propped against a wall is a shelf
that can hold far more than you think.

Wine on the wall. How convenient.

20 perfect little cubbies to put things in. Absolutely anything.

Sources: www.urbanoutfitters.com (shower curtain) www.potterybarn.com (cubby, cup hooks and over-the-door hanger). www.ewineracks.com (wine storage)
The other items are used/vintage from stock images.

The "Stuff" We Keep

2011-03-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hoarding has become the ugly sister of clutter; an in-your-face television representation of lives that have tipped the scales of common sense. We are shown piles upon piles of paper and belongings, showcased in homes that haven’t been cleaned in decades, a public process that sometimes seems more humiliating than helpful.

Are we really that extreme? No, but many of us are busy and overwhelmed with our “stuff”. According to the IRS, “You must keep your records as long as they may be needed for the administration of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code”…..

So, with that helpful sentence, here are some easy ways to try and control it (clutter, not the IRS) without losing your mind, or your mail.

If you want to keep receipts, papers and household bills forever, put them in plastic storage boxes, label them and put them in an attic, cellar or neatly stacked in a closet or laundry room. If they will be visible, buy neat, black containers to minimize their visibility. Don’t let them take over your “living” space.
Spend a day recycling. Check your town for guidelines on what you can recycle. Ask about recycling paint and oil cans, computer equipment, cell phones, anything that can’t go in the regular garbage.
Load up your car and dedicate a nice, sunny day to getting rid of it all.
Don’t keep things you don’t need (or want).
Throw away broken and damaged items if you haven’t repaired them in over 6 months.
Have a system for the mail that works for your lifestyle. Promise yourself you will take care of the mail every day.
Give away ugly and/or useless things that annoy you on a daily basis. Someone else may appreciate them.
Keep things that are important to you (but not necessarily want displayed) in a keepsake box or vintage suitcase, somewhere safe, dry and together.
Get rid of clothes that you no longer wear, or don’t fit. They're so many organizations that will take them, re-use them and sort them for you. At the very least you could put them in bags and drop them in one of those clothing bins.
Don’t buy more storage bins to control what you have – it will just grow and evolve into something uncontrollable. Challenge yourself to use what you already have.
Consider decoupaging your old newspapers onto the wall.

Things that Bling!

2011-03-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

Unlike Magpies, I am not attracted to shiny objects. If I buy something new for my house, the next day you will find me sanding or painting it, trying to make it look older than it is. I am the same with clothing, rebelling against beads or sequins, no matter how appropriate they may be for the occasion. Even jewelry; preferring vintage to modern, I will always let my silver tarnish, and I would rather wear glass beads than diamonds (really!).

As a decorator, I worried that this would be one of my challenges; something that I have to work at, because it goes against my personal style. But, oddly enough, what I realized was that every home, regardless of its style, needs a little sparkle. How you decide to add the sparkle is up to you. It doesn’t have to be a chandelier dripping in jewels (although I think I have fallen in love with the one in the picture), it can be something as simple as a glass bowl filled with apples or a pretty, ceramic vase on a shelf.

A window, perhaps, could be the easiest solution; even if they aren’t clean, open the curtains and let the glass be part of the decoration. Anything that transfers light around a room will work. Hang mirrors or necklaces in unexpected places for a pretty, practical type of energy.

A little shine makes all the difference. It becomes the vehicle for light to reflect and bounce around a room. Without it, a home could appear dull, bogged down by its opaqueness.

So, even if you are like me, and hesitate to use things that “bling”, be cautious, but add some anyway – you just might fall in love!

Many thanks to Erickson Beamon for his fabulous Glam Rock Chandelier image!

Who is Normal?

2011-02-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

I went to a conference last September; the absolute best kind (for me) filled with creative, like-minded women who encouraged and commiserated as needed. While we all had a common passion, we all had entirely different lives that had led us to this point. I used to feel that my normal was caring for a young child and creating a happy and safe family, but, as I have gotten older, my life has changed and my expectations have now expanded. My normal, now, also includes a business and a constant curiosity about where I am going next and how I can get there. Sometimes I spend my time trying to mush them all together, hoping for some type of cohesion, my own quietly, composed muddle.

Like most people, in the wee small hours I am afraid of what "could" happen. I counter this, on a good day, with thinking positive, moving ahead and stay involved in the lives of friends and family. On a bad day, I may just sit and feel sad or, be distracted, wandering around as I wait for bedtime, knowing I can crawl into bed and wish it all away until the morning. Everything is better after a good nights sleep. Over time I have learned to follow my instincts and nurture what I need to make me a happier person, day by day.

As I talked to the people at the conference, I was struck by how different our stories were. No-one gets a free pass; regardless of what they do, or try to do, we all have struggles and ways that we learn to cope with our daily challenges. Every person that I spoke to had a wonderful part inside of them that spoke of their personal success, a light that outlined a piece of who they really were, but wasn't always in full view of the person holding it.

We all have lights that speak of who we are, but sometimes it's difficult to acknowledge the success. To say we are normal, is easy and dismissive, often self-deprecating, a quality that can be praised in the current world of egos and reality divas. But who we are inside, what is normal for us, should be celebrated.We are always more than we think, it just sometimes takes another person to help us realize that. Listen to others, believe what they say and tell them what you see in them. Find the light inside yourself and don't let it go out.

The Power of Plastic...

2011-02-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

When I first moved into my home, 20 years ago, the outlets and light switches were brown, plastic, faux wood. My walls were white. I kept them both, because that’s what you did. They came with the house, and, honestly, I thought I would electrocute myself if I removed them, so I didn’t. I didn’t like them, but I just accepted them as part of the decoration.

Now, years later, they have been painted or replaced with something that either matches or coordinates with the room that they are in. It was so easy that I couldn’t believe I ignored these important, little pieces of plastic for so long.

Sometimes we want them to be a feature, but often, most of us just want them to disappear, invisible pieces of necessity, erratically scattered all over our home.

Make it simple - if your room is white or cream, match that color. If you have a colorful room, consider steel, black or wood for a subtle contrast. These basic styles can be easily (and cheaply) picked up at your local hardware store. Of course, there are many decorative ones you can buy online, but be wary of creating too much of a “theme”. In your children’s bathroom a fish may look cute, palm trees in your master bedroom, maybe not so cute?

I often paint mine. Use the wall paint that you have, priming and/or sanding as needed. Just dab gently with the paint as you don’t want it going into the outlet (of course, removing the plate first would be the most sensible option, but I have done it both ways, depending on how impatient I am feeling). If you want to, add a matte polyurethane over it for durability.

For less than a dollar let children personalize their room with their own design. As long as you can still move the switch, let them glue, paint or stick anything they want to onto the plate for a fun and useful accessory. Be creative.

A beautiful home is composed of many things, please don’t let this utilitarian piece of plastic become an unwelcome detail…

I Love You, But Can I Please Eat The Sofa?

2011-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

He is 47 pounds of love and insanity. After many cats, and a couple of hamsters, we decided to adopt a dog. Totally won over by his happy, affectionate personality we brought him home, naively thinking he would fit right in, and life would continue on it's merry little way. Um, no, not exactly. The first time I left him alone I came home to a living room that was almost unrecognizable. His sweet personality totally belied the damage he was capable of; a chair was destroyed and moved (!) across the room, every coat and handbag on the back of the door was shredded beyond repair, all the curtains were torn down, and several pot plants were smashed on the floor....

It wasn't what we expected. He gets upset when we leave. Months later, he is better; the damage is minimal, and on a good day he will just "relocate" a few items when we are out. Fortunately for him, my house is not a palace, and I really do believe that the good far outweighs the bad. So, as odd as it seems, I thought I would write about him this week.

Growing up, I had dogs and cats (and a goat) that were kept mainly outside. They came in at night (not the goat) to sleep, so their impact on our home was far less than their impact on our lives. Living in New Jersey, the climate is different, and pets spend a lot more time inside, which means that we have to be prepared to share our house with our animals.

As someone who got their dog on impulse, I have absolutely no authority on the subject, but I do know that I did run a few thoughts through my head before I brought him home. I knew that I would have the time to care for him most of the day, and that he wouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. I knew that we had a fenced in area (so that my inherent laziness could thrive if needed) and I knew that I really wanted my daughter to grow up with a dog.

What I knew, did not prepare me for the reality. Standing outside in the rain, with an umbrella, in my pajamas, pleading with my dog to pee against the tree. I admit, I even tried to demonstrate it for him, just in case he didn't get the memo in doggy boot-camp. Muddy paws, tearing through the house, scratching the floor and skidding to a stop. Tail wagging. Wet-dog-smell was nothing compared to broken lamps and random bites out of my sofa. I started to wonder if he would hurt himself, confining him only seemed to make it worse.

I always had to think before I left the house; doors were locked and plastic bags were hidden, it was all about damage control with a heavy dose of denial thrown in. Returning home every day to a happy, affectionate dog that seemed disconnected from the mess around him. It became about creativity, how could I ease his fears while keeping my home from looking like "America's Least Wanted".

What the heck was I doing? Were my things more important than the dog who was destroying them? No, not really. Yes, we had to try and control the chaos (isn't that the name of a book?) but I could not give him up when the rest of him was so good.

My home has always been important to me, and although I found it very jarring to see papers strewn around and coats torn from their hangers, I found, over time, that my definition of home adjusted. A home is defined by the family that lives in it, and I was eternally hopeful that we would be alright. I stubbornly tried to understand him while I repaired what I could.

It has been six months now, and we leave him alone quite often. Assuring him that we will always come back, I think he is finally starting to believe us. We take him in the car whenever possible, and on a nice day will leave him outside to play. He has a special basket of toys and treats that I give him when I leave the house, "hiding" things in it for him to find. His anxiety (and mine) has lessened, any damage now is minimal at best.

We love him, and he adores us, but we also know that bringing a pet into your life is far more than just opening the door....

Cupboards, Dressers and Drawers.......

2011-02-02T15:14:00.000-08:00

Where do you put your clothes? When I lived in England, many of us had wardrobes instead of closets. Tall, free-standing, ominous-looking structures, that threatened to fall on us when we were asleep; their height seemed disproportionate to their width, leaning slightly towards the middle of the room. Now that I am older, I love these gigantic pieces of history, their Narnia-like depth filled with old fur coats and boxes of secrets.

Here, where I live now, I have a small closet. A built in cupboard that is tiny; barely two feet wide, it does the job, but in a far less romantic way. I also have a chest of drawers for all things that lay flat. I found it at a flea market years ago, and I like that it is has an old label on the back from a furniture shop decades ago.

If I was in a really large house, I think I would love gigantic closets with lots and lots of shelves. A shoe and boot rack to keep things standing up, and small boxes with fancy labels that told me what was inside. Large, decadent coat hooks for scarves and necklaces and padded, black hangers for fancy dresses. A drawer for jeans, and one for cardigans - lots of each, folded perfectly, (magically) always in the right size...........

I think, that where we store our clothes is a personal thing, but maybe we should talk about it now and again.

"What About The Rest Of Us?"

2011-01-26T05:36:00.000-08:00

“It’s all very well being all “designery”, and living a Polly-Perfect life, but what about the rest of us? Those of us with four children, two jobs and a home that wasn’t our first choice. Never mind telling us to spray paint the brass chandelier with chalk-board paint, what are we supposed to do?”

That’s a really good question, and, honestly, it’s not easy. None of us have charmed lives filled with matching doodads and champagne coming out of the faucet. Decorating a home isn’t about that. As our grandparents used to say, it’s about making do, but I prefer to call it “pretending as if”.

“What Not To Wear” is one of my favorite shows, and having a home, to me, follows the same principles that they teach. Their credo is that you have to accept the body you have right now. Even if you hate every nook and cranny of it, it’s yours, and that’s what you have to work with. If you dress that body as if you love it, then you will get nice clothes that fit, you will look better and, gradually, feel kinder towards yourself. Maybe you will never, ever be the size you wish you were, but if you enjoy what you have, and take pride in it, you may begin to fall in love with it.

Your home is exactly the same! Even if you are not happy about where you are, you could still pretend as if it is the most perfect place in the world to be. Make some changes as if you really do care; fix things that bother you on a daily basis, don’t cost a lot and can be done in an hour or two.

Here are some quick fixes for “the rest of us”:

Declutter your kitchen. It’s often the most used room in the house; keep the surfaces clean and remove what shouldn’t be there. This will make it a much happier place to be in (and it might be bigger than you think).
Place a decorative bin somewhere for each of your children (and yourself). Toss in everything that should be put away. When the bin is full, empty it.
Check your front door; remove dead plants and fix anything that is broken (doorbell?). Coming home should be a good experience.
Buy everyday items (dishwashing soap, laundry powder and liquid soap) in colors, designs and scents that you like. Making daily decisions that please you will sneak into your well-being.

See, nothing wrong with a little pretending….

Spring Cleaning (in Winter)

2011-01-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Every Spring, when Winter has finally left, I look around my home and feel a bit disappointed.The ground outside is thawing, little bits of color are peeking out, but inside my home feels dingy and cluttered (closed in, tired, and filled with too many things). It happens every year, so I shouldn’t be surprised. Then, within days the garden comes to life; the sunshine is a little brighter, and all of a sudden there are not enough minutes in the day to get things done. I become overwhelmed with things that I “must” do.

When it’s really cold, I can’t be bothered to run outside to take things to the garage, so I put them in cupboards and onto shelves, waiting for a warm day. Eventually, after almost six months of this, my home becomes a hodge-podge of orphaned items that really don’t belong in there. Add to this, the hibernating effect of Winter, and my home becomes a candidate for prescription medication.

So, this year I’ve decided to do things a little differently. Instead of bemoaning the cold (well, I will always do that really) I have started to Spring clean my house now. I cleaned my kitchen the other day, and pulled everything out of the cupboards. Plonked what I didn’t want into the car, and drove around with it until I was forced to go out into the cold (again) and deliver it to the local thrift shop. Then, in anticipation of a not-quite-freezing day, I collected boxes of “stuff’ by the front door. One day, armed with warm gloves and a coat, I traipsed it all into the garage and put it away, tidying as quickly I could before my fingers started to go numb.

Two weeks ago I repainted my counter-tops with new “counter-top” paint (wouldn’t really advise it in the bitter cold, it is nasty smelling and takes a few days to cure). I love them now that it’s finished, but don’t do it with young children or pets in the house with you, it’s very strong, oil-based paint and the fumes take a while to dissipate.

Yesterday I went through all of my filing, yes, all of it, and threw away more than any grown woman should have. In lieu of a shredder, I found great satisfaction in setting them on fire (safely, of course), which made the whole process seem quite exciting! This weekend, I will venture into the closet, maybe the basement and even consider painting the Living Room again.

I know it seems like I am playing games in order to make it through until Spring, and you’re right, but truthfully, it’s fun to play games in your own home!

Designing With Energy

2011-01-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

Y'know when you just have a good feeling about a place? Some people say that how a home is decorated can influence our emotional well-being far more than we realize. With the world moving faster every day, many people believe that the core of who we are has become compromised, which in turn disconnects us from our natural environment, and can make us feel out of balance with the world.

From a design perspective, this modern dilemma is one that can benefit from the ancient art of Feng Shui. Used far more often now, Feng Shui is no longer classified as a wacky trend that conjures up thoughts of burning sage and gibberish chants. It has become a respected avenue for many people who want their homes to be a nurturing part of their life.

I thought, for this week, I would offer some simple ideas, based on Feng Shui, that can easily improve the "happiness quotient" in any space.

Begin with the entrance to your home. Energy is attracted to curves. Use plants or garden ornaments to "soften" any angular paths that lead to your front door.
Encourage family and friends to stay by having intimate seating areas that are not too cluttered. Add accessories that represent life and/or movement (eg. mirrors, wind-chimes, pebbles, flowers etc).
Attract positive, natural energy by bringing in any of these five elements - Earth, Wood, Fire, Water and Metal.
Open windows and doors as often as possible to circulate (and remove) stale air.
Bring calm, space and abundance to your home with mirrors, positioning them in small or unexpected places.
Feel safe and secure by positioning your furniture (and beds) so that you can see anyone arriving or leaving.

When I first learned about Feng Shui, years ago, I was very skeptical about the whole thing, but, as I went along the premise of it started to make sense. The above information is such a small interpretation of what it represents, but I hope it has piqued your interest....

January, Better Than You Think!

2011-01-04T11:38:00.000-08:00

At this time of year we are all recovering from overindulging in one way or another. The wake up calls come fast and furious; the credit card bills start coming in, we question our bank balances and we worry that the dryer is mysteriously shrinking our clothes. We decide to stay home more, saving money, and promising ourselves we will get back on track during the coming months. The happiness of giving (getting?) gifts, and celebrating with people we love, is quickly forgotten as January stretches before us; a long month that often feels hungover and bloated.

But, it doesn't have to be that way. Truly. So what if we ate too much, and bought far too many decorative candles (just in case :-) It's done; remember the fun that we had, make a budget, eat a bit less and start planning your dreams.

While you're at it, why don't you take some steps to guide you through the post-holiday blues? Taking down the Holiday decorations will automatically make your house look cleaner and less cluttered. Whiz around with the vacuum cleaner and you're half-way there. Next, honestly, I would buy some flowering bulbs (if you are still like me, trapped in the Winter months) to cheer you up and bring some life and color inside. If you are living in the Southern Hemisphere, throw out the tree, tidy up the tinsel and pick a gorgeous bunch of something to put on the table.

Chances are, wherever you live, the daylight is different at this time of year, consider moving the furniture so that it catches the afternoon sun. Experiment with angles, or swap an unexpected piece from one room to another. Clean off a chair or bench from the garden and bring it inside for extra seating. Have fun, deliberately try what you absolutely know won't work, and try to see your home from a different perspective. Give it a day or two, and if you don't like it, just move it back. All you've lost is a few hours.

Do you have a favorite poem, photograph or painting that you can frame and hang somewhere? The slightest decorative change in your home will make you feel happier! Even a favorite vacation spot to motivate you. It is so easy to download and print a copy of something that you love. If it is an old poem, consider printing it then soaking it in tea or coffee to age it. Any photograph, reprinted in black and white will look more "artistic", but, more importantly, it will fit seamlessly with absolutely any style of decorating. Many museum stores sell postcards of famous paintings for no more than a few dollars; placed, matted, in a frame, they will take on an importance that belies their actual cost. Even an old letter or drawing can be displayed with a simple, black (plastic or wood) frame. Buy several from a discount store, or take out something from a frame you already have. Hang your new piece of art in a favorite spot that you will see every day!

Another thing to do is to play music around the house. Go through your CD collection, or plug your I-Pod into speakers. Dance around. Listen to songs from ages ago. Reminisce. I know it sounds daft, but sometimes we have to get back to basics and put a bit of effort into cheering ourselves up. Bake something from scratch just for you, not because it is a special occasion for someone else. Enjoy the time it takes to measure out the ingredients. Eat it warm! Play a children's game on the computer (Spongebob Squarepants?) read a book for hours (without feeling guilty) or get some paints and pretend you are an artist for the day.

Whatever you do, don't let January be a blue month, because it's always better than you think!

Thoughts On A Sofa

2010-12-28T11:50:00.000-08:00

Buying a sofa (or couch) can be complicated. It seems so easy to say "I am going to buy a sofa", but, like buying a car, it has to be the right fit for who you are and what you expect it to do.

We all want a sofa to be comfortable, but we all sit differently......and we are all different sizes. For myself, I like to sit curled up against the left side of the sofa; I don't like to sit up straight, and I like the seat to be quite deep, enveloping me so that I feel all cocooned and cozy. I like a straight back, with lots of pillows that I can move to fit where I am. Too much extra padding, while always more comfortable, can add a lot of unnecessary bulk to a sofa. Always measure before arranging for a piece to be delivered. Having a smaller, older house means that my doors are narrow, and some pieces of furniture need to be taken apart to get them inside. Actually, some don't fit at all, and have to be returned, whereas others have to wait on the front lawn while someone removes a door, unscrews the legs or takes out a very large window.

A sofa should fit your home. Do you want it to be formal or casual? Will you have children and pets sitting on it a lot? How many people need to sit on it?Would you like a modern, simple design or a rounded, squishy one? Will a pattern look nice in your home, or would a simple color be better? Did you know that Leather can feel cold, or that Microsuede leaves imprints when you sit on it? How big will the imprint be? Are you ok with that?

Of course, the list of questions is endless, and never make yourself crazy about a decorating decision, but it does warrant a little bit of thought. My best advice is to always sit on a sofa before you buy it, and remember, most importantly, it should fit your bottom AND your life.

Sofa from: Morosa

Warm Colors to Chase Away the Cold!

2010-12-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

It's two weeks before Christmas and we are starting to get our freezing cold, windy, nasty weather. The type of days that make you just want to hide under the covers with a book and an endless supply of hot chocolate. It's so cold that the dog just looks at me when I open the door. He backs away from me, wagging his tail; determined to please, but positive that there is nothing outside that really needs his attention. He waits until I am not looking before he jumps onto the blanket-laden sofa. It is the perfect place for him; he looks at the Christmas tree, trying to decide which gingerbread cookie he will steal next as he lazily watches the world go by.

The blanket he sleeps on is old. Knitted by an Auntie many years ago, it is heavy and warm, the colors bright and clashing. It is a Winter blanket. Living in a house that is about as insulated as a paper lantern, I have begun to realize that when the days turn colder I need to adjust my house as well as my wardrobe. It seems so obvious, but we respond differently to textures and color depending on the weather and the circumstances. I truly believe, for me, that I need to surround myself with warm, rich colors (and textures) to make myself feel warmer! A pale blue, cotton blanket, while wonderful in the Summer, will often feel (and look) cold in the Winter, whereas a dark blue, wool blanket will bring me warmth and comfort on an icy afternoon when the sun goes down.

My love/hate relationship with Winter is always better when I accept these changes, when I put on the woolly sweaters and fill my home with strong, deep shades. Cool-colored throws are hidden away until the Spring, and I add lots of plaid and homemade blankets wherever I can. Uncoordinated as they may seem, this is exactly what brings them together; they are bold and imperfect, they are meant to be curled up on (or under). Be indulgent in your design ideas, think cozy and organic, with a dash of whimsy. Wrap a pillow in an old fluffy sweater. Use a gigantic glass bowl to hold your gloves and scarves, or an assortment of twigs and pine cones that you found somewhere outside (or in the supermarket!).

More than any other season, Winter is about spending time in our homes, so why not have some fun and decorate it with things that make you want to curl up and stay.....

Once A Year Is Not Enough!

2010-12-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Was watching television yesterday and was surprised at the concentration of shows that were focused on the Christmas Holidays. Now, I have to admit I was writing our cards and wrapping presents, so I was watching an endless amount of cooking and decorating shows. Ask me anything; I could tell you how to cook a Turducken (!), make gingerbread ornaments and "festify" your bathroom before I even finish my morning coffee! Not to say I'll do any of these things, well, maybe the gingerbread ornaments, but the point is that the networks are saturated with ideas on how to make me and my home "better" for the Holiday Season.

As I watched, I noticed that most of the ideas were applicable throughout the year, which made me think that maybe we should be reminded of these things more than once? Why can't I make my life "better" all year long? Wouldn't it be nice if we could have little refreshers throughout the year, say quarterly, to keep us motivated and happy, instead of cramming all of our Joy into the month of December?

Anyway, here are some things that I learned yesterday (to be used, liberally, year-round):

Trends are short-lived, don't spend a lot of time and money on them. Classic, whimsical or homemade items are the ones we tend to reach for year after year.
Have people over for a meal. Plan a little, but don't forget about them in your quest for the perfect evening.
Give up on perfection, it's never, ever going to happen!
If you can't (or don't) cook, order in or be creative with grocery store items.
Likewise, if you have a small house, or hardly any chairs, make do, don't let it stop you from having friends over.
A Turducken is a chicken stuffed inside a duck, that is stuffed inside a turkey then tied together and roasted.
Give unexpected presents to people whenever you want; their favorite candy bar or a flower that reminded you of them!
Have your home reflect you and your personality, not what you have seen somewhere else or imagine it should look like.
Try to be organized with your personal life, it's very important for your health and well-being.
Be kind to yourself (and your friends and family) all year long.

Animals In Public

2010-11-29T09:35:00.000-08:00

I have always shied away from animal prints; the thought of imitating an animal instantly took me to a place in my head with bearskin rugs and a stuffed moose above the fireplace. But, recent changes in design have proven me wrong.

Because decorating our home has become more of an art form, we are far more adventurous with our accessories, which in turn has made us demand a higher level of sophistication from the things that we choose. Style has evolved, and the animal print has now become an unexpected neutral in the current world of design.

Gone are the days when it was a cheap accessory; it can mix and mingle with the best of them, livening up rooms that may have become a little too quiet over the years. It's whimsical personality and organic feel combine perfectly to bring interest to any spot that needs a little something extra.

No longer just for safari's or a teenage girl's room, a small, giraffe print or a bold zebra rug is guaranteed to make you smile when you enter the room!

Thanks to: West Elm and House Beautiful for the photographs.

Sit Back And Relax, You're Home!

2010-11-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Here are six easy ideas to make any home feel comfortable the minute you step through the door.

Have a doormat inside and out, they make everyone feel welcome.
Buy several large, white pillar candles. Light them, then blow them out. This automatically gives the impression of warmth, and makes a home feel that it is lived in (an unlit wick will have the opposite effect).
A blanket draped on a sofa always invites you to sit down, put your feet up and relax.
Piles of magazines, catalogs or books are just asking to be picked up and looked at.
Get personal. Display something that you love, that reveals (or explains) who you are. A word, a painting, an object?
Always have live plants and/or flowers in your home. Their natural energy helps to create a balanced, peaceful environment.

Weekend Makeover

2010-11-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

I painted my bathroom last weekend. Black. The bathroom was remodeled about 10 years ago and, as conventional wisdom goes for a room that is barely 4 foot square, I painted it cream and white. I really liked it; vintage inspired fixtures coordinated perfectly with the subtle cream color on the wainscoting and the new oak floor. The artwork was simple, pages from an old book, framed in black. The room always looked nice.

However, as time went on the painted white walls started to show signs of wear. I tried to perk it up with different artwork, but all of a sudden the classic room began to look cheap. Bright colored, children’s art looked silly against the white walls, like a classic black dress with a gigantic crepe-paper flower stuck at the hip with a safety-pin. It began to bother me, and, as my daughter and I use it every day, it’s confused style was a daily reminder that I no longer liked the room.

So, I decided to paint. I knew that I wanted to keep the artwork and the cream-colored wainscoting, all I needed was color on the walls. Because the bathroom is at the top of the stairs I couldn’t paint it red; the risers on the stairs were already red, and I knew it would appear very odd to have the stairs and bathroom the same color. (For more about the red stairs click on the link) http://wendyandthebluegiraffe.blogspot.com/2010/02/would-you-tell-me-please-said-alice.html Blue didn’t feel right, and my kitchen was already green, so I started to think about black. The more I thought about it the more I liked the idea, plus if I used chalkboard paint (my favorite paint) then we could also write messages to each other or, rather strangely, doodle while on the toilet (that thought just occurred to me…..I wouldn’t recommend doodling while on the toilet).

It took me the whole weekend (black not being the easiest color to work with) but in the end it was far more than I had hoped. Despite what you would assume, the room doesn’t look smaller at all. The subdued, black color is the perfect background for my daughter’s pictures. A geranium and a few empty, wooden frames gives a classic feel to a room that now has a slightly beautiful sense of whimsy.

Notes on Sitting

2010-11-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

Because what we sit on is usually the largest thing in the room (no, I don’t mean our bottoms), it makes sense that we often find the placement of it to be a bit daunting. Although I don’t like the idea of rules, I do think that with some areas of design there are guidelines that exist just because they make sense. Furniture placement is one of those areas.

If you are unsure about where to place your seating arrangement, take a deep breath and begin by discovering your favorite part of the room, the part that you want to look at. Whatever is the most important feature of the room is where your furniture should be facing, whether it is a big screen TV or a beautiful view outside a window. Reason being that you want to draw people into the room and encourage them to stay. It’s only furniture, and it can be moved anywhere you want it to go, but it is so much easier once you have a place to start.

If you can’t find a focal point then make relaxation the priority, creating a seating arrangement that is a little closer than you think it should be, encouraging secrets or curling up with a book and a glass of wine.

After you’ve found the beginning, go ahead and move your furniture. An “L” , “U” or “V” shape arrangement is often used by designers to make a comfortable seating area. These shapes tend to connect the furniture in a more welcoming way than an “l l” shape; an “l l” can sometimes appear a little uninviting to guests, like you are being interviewed for an important job or waiting for your annual check-up.

Another thought is that we all have a sense of our own personal space, an imaginary circle that surrounds us and keeps us safe. I think it’s 3 feet, and if we are sitting closer than that we may feel a little uncomfortable. We want people to feel relaxed. Accept that a loveseat, while perfect for couples, may often seat just one person, and, a regular size sofa will only be comfortable for two when chatting over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

Finally, never be afraid to play with your furniture, allow it to influence the look and feel of a room.

We're Moving In Together!

2010-10-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Two blenders, four sofas, one bicycle and twenty-seven lamps……………Whatever the circumstances, moving in together can be wonderful (and crowded). What do you do with it all? How do you blend styles and function into one home? Who’s “stuff” gets priority?

Whether you are moving into someone elses already furnished home, or buying a new place together, try to be realistic about your plans. With two households colliding, take a look at what you really think you need, then assess what you have together. Keep the sofas and chairs that are the most comfortable, and in the best condition, regardless of who they belong to. Don’t automatically keep something just because it is easier, and already there; you are probably hiring a truck (and possibly a storage unit?) so take some time when you try to merge your belongings. The goal is to make a house feel like your home, not that two people are just existing together in the same space.

Compromises always have to be made. If you absolutely must keep the La-Z-Boy recliner with the 48 oz cup holder and refrigerator in the armrest, then do so, but, be fair, allow room for her treasured set of pink appliances.

When buying for the first time remember that large pieces of furniture are expensive, so make these decisions based on quality and adaptability (neutrals?). Your tastes will change as your grow together, and your budget may be limited for a while, so be fussy about the big decisions and less concerned with the box of memories that appears on your doorstep.

No matter how much you do the Math, two households can’t fit into one space, so be thoughtful of each other’s needs and belongings; time spent planning your new home will make it a much happier place to be!

Paint Misbehavin'

2010-10-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Have you been to look for paint recently? Last weekend I went to the local hardware store to do some research for a friend. Two hours later, armed with paint chips and several “helpful guides”, I went home to look (again) at the miniature pieces of colorful information laid out before me. As I got out my pencil and notepad, I reminisced about the easy, lazy days of Red, Yellow and Blue.

In their efforts to help, Paint manufacturers have given us far too many choices, making it so overwhelming that many of us buckle with fear; after anxious nights, looking at various shades of taupe, we finally end up with walls that look suspiciously like antique white.

Honestly, I never go to the paint store to choose a color. It’s too much, it does my head in. I am lucky in that the colors that I choose are usually inspirational, happy accidents, that I find along the way. I will photograph something, rip it out of a magazine or borrow it from someones house, anything so that I can copy and recreate that color in my own home.

If I need to paint, and I have not found something that I love, then I will go through magazines or the Internet, looking at homes to see what others have done. Seeing a photograph of a completed wall is far more helpful than imagining a 2 x 3 inch pigment covering your 15 x 20 foot living room. Often, these beautifully decorated rooms provide the name, number and manufacturer of the paint, which can help a great deal if you decide to use it. If the details are not there, just take the page and match it as best you can (or use the color matching machine available in most of the larger stores).

Paint is fun; explore your options, but don’t become lost in the process…….

Thanks to: www.atticmag.com/…/paint-swatches-rug-style/ for the paint swatch photograph.

Debunking the Myth: Small Spaces

2010-10-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

Homes are like people; it’s the life that exists inside them that is important. Don’t be limited by stereotypes, consider these “truths” next time you hesitate to love a small space.

- Always paint with light colors:
Of course this will brighten a room, but a dark color in a well-lit room can look even better – cozy, welcoming and warm.
- Small room, small furniture:
Be wary of the doll house look. Yes, there is wonderful furniture out there that is scaled for apartment living, but too much of it can make a home appear off-balance and well, a bit weird… Combine large and small pieces for symmetry.
- Using little, or no accessories, will make it appear larger:
Avoid clutter, but do use your accessories to enhance the space. Mirrors will always bring in more light, and cluster your wall accessories a bit higher than normal to create interest and draw the eye upwards.
- Beige and white all the way:
Neutral pallets are a wonderful base for any home, but they have to be amped up with texture and/or color (otherwise the room will just float away into a sea of nothingness).
- Keep floors clear:
Area rugs are great in small spaces. They can visually anchor an entire room, and, an oversized rug, will usually make a room appear bigger.
- Place sofas and chairs against the wall for maximum space:
Yes, it will give you more square footage, but not necessarily more space. Experiment with angles and different furniture placements before placing them against the walls.
- Built-ins and storage units are too big for small spaces:
This is where you may need to measure and be creative. Think corner units, shelves placed high up and shadow boxes for display. Mount a television on the wall, or place it on (or inside) a piece of furniture that has additional storage.

Never underestimate the value of a small room; use it, play with it, experiment with scale and color. Make it into something wonderful!

Thanks to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davemorris/ for the use of his photograph.

Formal Living?............No Problem!

2010-09-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

A prospective client, asked if she could look at my home before I came to hers. Later, as we drank cups of tea in my living room, she told me that she didn’t think I could decorate her house. Her husband was not into “shabby chic”, and she worried that her home would be too formal for me to work with. I hastily told her that if I redesigned her house it would not be a reflection of my style, it would be her belongings that I would be working with. She still wasn’t sure.

A year later, after many cups of tea, we put the finishing touches on her newly decorated home. We joined my ideas with her style, we found the perfect balance for her home, together.

Honestly, most of the homes I go to are more formal than mine, the most common complaint being that they are not “comfortable” enough. The rooms are generally avoided until they are pushed into use for the Holidays, or some other special family occasion.

If your home is unhappy in its formality, don’t run screaming into a casual direction. All it may need are a few personal touches, and, more often than not, a little imperfection to welcome people in. Maybe a lamp that doesn’t quite match, or an interesting collage of photos on the wall (instead of an unsteady selection on a side table, poised to fall over at the slightest movement). People can be intimidated by the thought of having to move a pillow, or put a drink down where there is no coaster. Make them feel that it’s ok to sit down and read a magazine, that you care more about their comfort than the way your home looks. It can be as simple as moving the furniture into a more cozy arrangement or, add some humor with a little gnome unexpectedly tucked between your crystal glasses.

Formal beauty does not have to be sacrificed for comfort, the combination, in fact, can be quite magical!

Not Just For Squirrels

2010-09-16T06:20:00.000-07:00

I turned the heat on the other night. I wasn't proud of it, but unexpected cold temperatures and a rainy day made me want to hibernate under a blanket with hot chocolate and a years supply of books and magazines (or, even better, Project Runway and Design Star on the television). I wasn't ready for the cold. My flip-flops were still by the door, and my skin was still brown from too many days without SPF700.

But, here it is, Fall, Autumn, whatever you like to call it, attacking us with no warning in mid-September. Temperatures that soared up to a 100 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) a week or two ago, have now plummeted to around 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) at night.The annual flowers are struggling, and this morning I watched my daughter walk to school on frost-bitten grass. Sneakers soaked, she was happy to kick at the wet ground seeing the patterns that they made.

Here, where I live, the seasons are very defined. I find myself looking forward to the next one just as I get tired of the one that I am in. But, no matter how many time it happens, it always takes me a while to transition. For several weeks I demonstrate confusion; a coat with a summer skirt or flip-flops in the rain. I often feel displaced and unhappy that I have to adjust my lifestyle once again to follow the changing weather patterns.

When I look outside I see that the world is so much more organized than I am. Weeks ago, I noticed squirrels with acorns and chestnuts in their mouths, deer eating the plants as if it could be their last meal; they had a purpose, they were getting ready, they know that Winter is not far away, they know what they are supposed to do.

My garden has that worn look that tells me it is tired and ready to be pruned; the weeds are in full glory, and the roses are loving the colder weather that lets them bloom more brightly and longer than usual (no surprise that the English-grown roses are far more beautiful than mine).

When I look at the garden, and the natural evolution of the seasons, I wonder at myself. Why does it take me so long to accept the reality of the seasons? Is it denial, a resistance to change, or is it just a blind optimism that things go on forever? Regardless, it is here and I being pushed to embrace the colder weather.

We carved pumpkins the other day. Early, I know, but my goddaughter is staying with us, and she had never carved one before. When we had finished, we put candles inside them and placed them on the step to be admired. Despite my initial reluctance, it was a welcome shot of color in my nearly spent garden. Looking at them made me happy. I instantly found myself glad for a new excuse to redecorate the front of the house; ideas were forming in my head, and I wanted to go outside at that moment to see what I could do to make it look pretty for the next couple of months.

Inside my house, I am making it feel more cozy; swapping bowls of shells for buttons, and layering quilts and blankets wherever someone may want to sit and put their feet up. Tomorrow I'll prune the plants and move my favorite geraniums in from the sun-room. I'll get the snow-blower checked and stock up on salt for those icy days. Try on Winter coats, hats and boots. Drink hot cider and eat apples (or maybe just apple donuts).
Admire the organization of the squirrel...

Something Old, Something New...

2010-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Anyone who comes to my house knows that, if possible, we will sit in the sun room. It's my favorite room; I love feeling like I am outside, while still being protected from the weather. Even at the worst of times, my garden energizes me, it reminds me of how lucky I am to be able to sit and watch the natural world go on around me.

That being said, the table in the sun room is surrounded by wonderful, old folding chairs. They are about 50 years old, folding in and out of zig-zag shapes; sometimes it takes time just to figure out how to open them. Age and paint have made them look equally charming (my words) and disgusting (a dear friend's). Because of their age, they are very small. The seat barely 12 inches square. However, with my ample bottom I know they are far more comfortable and sturdier than they look. Despite their look, lead paint chips do not attach themselves to your clothes, and they do not collapse at the slightest glance. I sit on them all the time. I work out there sometimes and I often sit at the table for hours, writing or dreaming of what I am going to do next.

The last week or so we have had several people over for dinner. Each time, as we go to sit down at the table, I see the sideways glances of the adults. Looking at the old, wooden chairs, trying to decide which would be the safest (and cleanest) one to sit on. I always laugh, and show people the chair that I think suits them the best. One of them is covered in layers and layers of very old green paint. I often approach the chair, with new paint or polyurethane, but I just can't do it. The paint tells it's story and I didn't want to erase that part of it. Sometimes, noticing their hesitation, I would run and get the chairs from the dining room and bring them out for us to sit on. But, last week I knew it was time to face reality. Three dinners in a row, with friends and family, convinced me that making my guests uncomfortable, time after time, was not worth me sacrificing function for character.

I don't like to buy new furniture (unless I really have to), so it was with a lot of reluctance that I went looking for chairs. Many hours later I came home with dark red, outdoor, wicker dining chairs that I had fallen in love with. Of course, they needed some tweaking once I got home (ie. redecorating the entire room around their red "newness"...) but as I see them, settled, in the room, I know it was the right decision.

Honestly, in hindsight, I was just being stubborn. The romantic beauty of the old chairs had captured my heart. The truth had become blurry, and I couldn't admit that it was time to let them go..........

p.s. I'm not really letting them go. They are going into my office where I can still sit on them. I love them so.

Fashionably Designed

2010-08-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

With Fall nudging its way into our homes, I love to settle down with Fashion magazines. To me, Fashion and Home Design are connected. The best stylists know how to balance scale with texture; to create a look that is always interesting, and sometimes provocative. Decorating a home is exactly the same; no-one opens a magazine to be bored, and no-one ever aspires to look at a repetitious, impersonal space. What we look at should always evoke some kind of feeling.

The latest Fall fashions make me hyperventilate with joy; a sumptuous combination of rich colors, tweed fabrics alongside ridiculously oversized, girlie taffeta skirts, and accessories that just beg to be noticed. While these looks are often exaggerated, their message can often be applied to our everyday lives.

I have attached several editorial photographs. The first one is a classic, retro look, the second, a beautiful study in neutrals, and the third, a playful mix of pattern and texture. If you forget their original purpose, they could easily be used as pieces of artwork, or, even better, inspirational guidelines to decorate your home.

Whether or not you love Fashion, pick up a magazine now and again. Notice the way that their photographs are styled. I am sure it will make you think differently about your home.

With many thanks to: http://nibsblog.wordpress.com/ for the retro photograph, and two other magazines (whose names I have forgotten) from which I tore out these pages.

The Sweet Dreams of Reality

2010-08-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

A friend recently asked me about decorating her bedroom. After living in her home for many years, her bedroom had become a transitional mess; a place for laundry (in all it’s stages), a storage facility, and a home office that was slowly reproducing technical equipment when no-one was looking.

Why do we put ourselves last? Bedrooms should be the simplest room to decorate. The focal point is already established, and the function is pretty much self-explanatory. More than anything else in the modern world, people are lacking sleep and relaxation; wouldn’t it make sense to focus on these things before picking out kitchen cabinets, or deciding what book to place on our coffee table?

I promise, that whatever the state of your bedroom, all it takes is an afternoon to make it a better place to spend time in.

- Start with the obvious, take out everything that doesn’t belong in there! Minimize or eliminate all electronics.

- Then, decide what you do (and don’t) want to see first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Close the closet doors, make the bed, straighten the dresser and take a look at what is happening on the walls.

- Group family photo’s in an interesting way; asymmetrical displays will look casual, but pulled together at the same time. Keep them tightly arranged, no more than an inch or two between each.

- Artwork above the bed should not be too high, or too small, that it feels disconnected from the bed. Consider an inexpensive piece of wall sculpture instead of a painting. Some people like inspirational words above their bed. If making a statement, make it bold!

- Use color or texture for interest. Place a rug on the floor, over your carpet if necessary. Layers of flooring are better than layers of sweatshirts and dirty underwear.

- If the ceiling, bed linens and floor are all too similar, add a contrasting color for depth and balance. Rooms need contrast for them to feel grounded and “whole”.

- Create a personal story around you of things that will inspire you to have sweet dreams (words, pillows, blankets, books, Art, silence, notepaper, flowers, pens, stuffed animals, plants, lotion, photographs, music, nothingness

Simply, Regal, Black

2010-07-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Queen Victoria wore black exclusively for almost 40 years? She turned mourning into an Art form after her husband, Prince Albert, died. New fashions were created, and black jewelry (Jet, Onyx etc) were more popular than ever before.

This trend continued until she passed away. Eager to leave black behind, the former Victorians celebrated with pretty furnishings and decadent lifestyles. But, their colorful reprieve did not last long; Wars began, and England entered a very turbulent time. Black became synonymous with grief, disease and War, extreme times of hardship.

Now, many years later, women covet the LBD (Little Black Dress), but the color black, in furnishings, is still approached hesitantly. It sounds somber, and people worry that it will be too harsh, or overwhelm a room. But, used correctly, black can be one of our favorite accessories.

Many designers swear that every room should have a touch of black, and, as I go through my decorating adventures I tend to agree with them. Black brings gravity to a room; even the smallest piece will provide an inexplicable anchor that pulls an otherwise humdrum room together.

If you are adding it to a very light-colored room, then several small touches of black may be needed, one piece may not be enough to give you balance. But, in a more colorful home a simple picture frame or a lamp stand may be just enough. Even the tiniest black, brush stroke on a painting will bring more depth to a space.

When England finally recovered from the Second World War, they celebrated with color! Black was almost discarded, and everything in their world became lighter (fabrics, colors, jewelry, shapes, furniture).

We live in a time where color and design choices are infinite; a Queen does not dictate how we decorate our homes. Therefore, be bold, add a little touch of black, and watch your room come alive.

The Betty White Theory

2010-07-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Everyone is talking about Betty White lately. She's on television again, presenting at award shows and appearing in Summer movies. As I thought about her sudden resurgence into pop culture, I started to think about recycling (sorry, Betty) and how we, as a society, sometimes discard things just because they are old.

Even if they are still useful, the lure of something new will often tempt us in a way that makes us forget about the things that we are leaving behind. Good grief, as soon as I wrote that I could hear the metaphors, but it wasn't intentional, so I'm leaving it in :-) Instead of mixing metaphors, I decided to wander around my house and photograph some things that I have re-purposed, to fill a practical (or decorative) need.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a lecture on recycling, or saving the planet, more a reminder that we often have the items we need sitting in our houses already. Using unexpected things, for ordinary reasons, will always add personality to a home. Before buying, check around your home to see if you already have what you are looking for. It may not be exactly what you wanted, but that doesn't mean you can't use it (eg. put jewelry in your best china bowl or hang a painting with brightly colored thumb tacks).

Of course, creative shopping will never take the place of good, old-fashioned retail therapy, but that's an entirely different story.....

Plant inside a Frame.

Chipped Cup for Pens.

Wooden Vent as Door Decoration.

Tie Rack to hold(apparently, a lot of)
Necklaces.

Wine box with Magazines.

Metal table from outside.

Children's shoes organized (?) in a Fruit Crate.

Jam Jar with Pencils.

Warhol, Faster Please....

2010-06-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

I am one of those people who can be physically moved by an image. Recent photos of the Pelicans on the Gulf Coast left me speechless, the photographs churning in my stomach for days, a disturbing mixture of Art and Reality. It was a visceral reaction, an emotional response that I could not control.

Strangely, rather than protest the recent bombardment of images, I would rather see them than not. With technological advancements, our needs have accelerated so quickly that Art has become far more mainstream, and definitely more provocative. An instant barometer for our feelings, it is easier than ever to express our point of view in a non-verbal way.

With a click of a button we can order four colored images of our dog, a la Andy Warhol, or a giclee collage of our favorite swear word. Local stores have “handmade” pieces of found objects, abstractly joined together to create something that reminds us of a family heirloom. Your own original for only $29.95, plus tax.

As a sometimes annoying, self-proclaimed purist, I never understood the need for this. If I couldn’t have the original Andy Warhol, why bother? But, as our lives become more automated, Art, rather than suffer because of it, has blossomed into an important part of our every day existence.

Photographs can be downloaded, re-touched, re-sized and sent overseas in just a moment. Anything we want can be created and hung on a wall in minutes; an instant reminder of something we love, a memory or a secret thought.

In these days when we all complain about a disposable society and “chicken-nugget moms”, I am grateful that Art has become a beneficiary of our advancements, not a victim.

Enjoy it, use it, create it.

Counter proposals

2010-06-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

Like everyone else, I am often distracted by the new and the shiny! Trends are a part of our life. We get bored, and before we know it someone reinvents an old classic; we are always happy to embrace the newness, and pretend that it really is different than before (for example, why am I wearing Jeans combined with Leggings that are now, frighteningly, called Jeggings?).

The latest trends in home design are similar to the ones in fashion. If we aren't careful, we become victims of an overused, and short-lived, media darling.

With home accessories costing more than fashion accessories, it is foolish to go straight to the obvious choice. To me, Granite is the expensive "Jeggings" of home design. Granite has been the star of the show for the last few years. Sometimes, I hate to say it out loud, but people have bought it for the prestige. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the appeal, but let's not be so blinded by the press that we overlook all of the other available options.

Natural Stone has been around since the beginning of time, originally in very posh houses, that often had gilded picture frames and tassels on their curtains. Now that it has become more mainstream, it is the number one choice for homeowners. I understand why, but please don't limit your ideas. Counter tops are a big fashion element of your kitchen, plus, they need to work hard for you every day, efficiently. They are an investment.

Some things to consider:
What type of surface do you need? Are you like me, do you need somewhere that you can put a heavy pan down without thinking about it, or are you more careful when you cook? Do you want your kitchen to look bigger, smaller, old fashioned, modern? Do you want a dark or light color? A busy pattern, a glossy surface? How much maintenance are you willing to put into it? Would it bother you if the color/surface changed with age? What is your budget?

Next, you need to see and feel what you are considering. Go to some of the larger hardware stores or kitchen showrooms. Ask questions. Get samples if you can. Visit a granite showroom and ask what they charge for direct installation. Look at their less popular, more unusual stones. Alternatively, think about combining a less expensive counter with a unique edging. Man-made counters are far more durable and appealing to the eye than they used to be. My mom has a laminate counter top that is edged in a beautiful, native wood. I honestly didn't know it was laminate until she told me, because of the clever design combination. If you want something unusual, that is not typically used in a kitchen, check out the reviews online. Don't just believe what you imagine to be true in your head.

Thoughts: Poured concrete, Soapstone, Marble, Granite, Wood, Silestone (a Quartz composite) Stainless Steel, Corian, Laminate, Formica, WilsonArt stone and laminate, Glass, Tile and Slate.

It's worth the time and effort that you take into making this decision. A counter top should be a timeless and beautiful addition to your home; something that you enjoy working with every single day. Don't get caught up in a trend, or, like Jeggings (cringe) you'll lose your originality and be bored with it in a few weeks.

Fat Chick on a Hot Shingle Roof

2010-06-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know that some people will hate this title, and feel that it is self-deprecating and unprofessional, but let's be honest. It is what it is.

I have fixed so many things this last week, that when I finally had to climb onto the garage roof, this was the only sentence that was playing through my head.
I found it immensely funny; it was a zillion degrees, I had to climb more than halfway up the ladder, I was wearing old shorts, and had to stretch out as far as I could, onto the roof, to hammer in the shingles. My garage may be quaint, but it's covered in moss and a bit dilapidated. And, I am not a young Elizabeth Taylor.
In my own mind, I was some cute, slightly middle-aged woman fixing the roof with her hair in a ponytail. But, when teenage boys walked their bikes past my house, I am sure this was not the image that assaulted their young retinas.

Caveat: I am not a plumber or handyman, and I don't particularly enjoy fixing broken things, but my hope is that by reading this, some of you will consider a bit of DIY before making the call. After all, it is your house, and some things (after the initial panic) are not as difficult as they first appear to be.

This week has been a mess of home improvements. In my design life, I automatically look for creative ways to make things work. My first solution is to begin at the end; I think of what I need/want, then try to figure out how to get there with as little hassle as possible. And, hopefully, without spending a lot of money. I don't usually, consciously, apply this idea to my home repairs, but this week was a little different. Faced with several issues, and an already busy schedule, I decided to stop and think before I picked up the telephone.

The week began with me closing the door to my car. As I pulled it shut, the entire thing (armrest included)came off in my hand! I called the dealer and they told me to come over straight away. They would check the damage and order the part. 24 hours later I was told I needed a new door panel, and it would cost $624. After resigning myself to getting it fixed, I went outside to take another look at it. I considered the possibility of gluing it with some type of epoxy (nothing to lose really; my car, my $624 dollars to spend if it didn't work). I had flashbacks of my father using duct tape and super glue. I wanted to cry, and felt like a fool for even thinking I could fix it.

When I looked, the armrest had a screw in the middle with broken plastic around it. This meant the screw slipped straight through the hole and the armrest was not secure. I went to the garage, got a washer, placed it over the hole and reattached the screw into the armrest......My daughter and I just looked at it. Fixed. In five minutes. Then we screamed.

The next day I went downstairs to find a large puddle on the basement floor, by the hot water heater. The top of the heater and air ducts were covered with water, there was warm water dripping through the floorboards onto my head as I looked up at it. The wood was soft and mushy. My first instinct was to turn the water off (it is always helpful to know where and how to turn your water off - test it to make sure it works before you have an emergency), but I needed to know where it was coming from. It was warm water, and I was running the dishwasher. I could see it dripping through the hole where the plumbing pipe was. Upstairs the sink cupboard was filled with water. I emptied the cupboard and checked all the pipe connections that I could see. One of the rubber seals was broken, so the joint was leaking all of the water from the sink and the dishwasher. I took the broken seal to the hardware store and bought a new one. Ran the dishwasher again, and it was fine - no leaks.

Later that night I noticed the house was cold, but still humid (we had had the air conditioning unit serviced the previous week). I checked the setting on the humidity regulator, it had been turned down so I turned it up to the correct number. When the unit still didn't turn on, I went downstairs again. The entire dehumidifier had been unplugged (obviously during the service call). Plugged it in, and within minutes there was water circulating and pouring out into the drain.

Not a big deal. But, honestly, haven't we all called the repair people for something really simple before, without even looking to see if we could figure it out ourselves?

The fix-it list goes on. My garden gate wouldn't close, so I loosened the nuts and bolts and repositioned the side panels. This I know was my fault, I am not the most delicate of lawn mowing people. I tend to drive my lawnmower as if it was a jeep, in a race, through the New Zealand countryside. In my haste I occasionally bang into fences and gates.

Which leads us to the garage roof. I had already had my daughter climb up the ladder and help me remove the tree. Afterwards, I was still left with a big hole splintered with wood and debris. My first thought was to call the insurance company, and get a roofing guy out. But, the repair would not have been more than my deductible and, there were no supporting structures damaged. All I had to do was clean up the mess and attach a heavy piece of plywood to the inside of the garage.

With the rain kept out there was still a large hole in the shingles. I left it for a while but it started to collect water and leaves. I was going to send my daughter onto the roof again, but child services, and the thought of trying to explain the process to her, made me decide to do it myself.

So, Sunday came, and there I was......Fat Chick on a Hot Shingle Roof.........

The Walls That Bind Us

2010-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of things on my walls. A 1930′s ostrich feather dress for someone with a 22 inch waist, collage of old black and white photos, chalkboard, souvenirs from countries I have visited, large paintings, a favorite book, a decorative wooden grate, a puppet, mirrors of all shapes and sizes, plants…..If I can stick a nail in it, or figure out a way to hang it, I will.

It’s not deliberate. I aspire to be a minimalist. Each time I redecorate, I take it all down, and promise myself I will keep the walls clean and open; more simplistic and calming. I have thoughts of soft creamy walls, slate gray sofas and a single, gigantic red poppy on the wall. Then, gradually, reality takes over and I add back more of my “stuff”, always seeing gaps that just have to be filled. As the room fills up, I feel comforted. I like seeing what I have, and being reminded of who gave it to me.

To some, it is clutter. My sister could not live in my house. She decorates in a way that I aspire to be. She is a creative soul; always changing her home with paint or new ideas, but she doesn’t need to have everything out for her to see. She wants the serenity of an uncluttered space, with a few, very meaningful things out for her to love. That is what makes her happy, and her home reflects that part of her. When things get crowded it feels claustrophobic and messy. She likes her walls to be quiet.

For myself, I always seem to exist in a gray area, slightly hovering between neatness and eclectic chaos (I find eclectic always sounds so much kinder than messy). I have accepted that, while I yearn for more sparse surroundings, it wouldn’t be possible for me to live that way. It does not suit who I am.

It’s important for our peace of mind to live within our own category. If where you are begins to feel uncomfortable, change it. We should live in a home that nurtures and replenishes who we are, not who we think we should be.

It's a numbers game!

2010-05-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

When in doubt choose three.

Decorating isn't a science, and it certainly isn't something that should stress you out, but sometimes it's helpful to have a few guidelines.

Using numbers as a guide is one of the simplest, but most effective ways to decorate. For some reason, odd numbers always create more interest than even (which in theory doesn't make sense; we naturally assume that even numbers would be an easy way to make a balanced room). But, balance and symmetry are different than matching.

If you have a room that needs help, and you don't know why, look at the numbers. Always start with three; visualize creating a triangle of repetition, the three points of the triangle should be scattered throughout the space. The idea is to keep the concept of three, vague, but present. The simple way to begin is by repeating three of something specific (eg. three lamps - in different shapes and styles). Another way is to be less literal, and use items that are different, but cohesive in some way. For example, a floor lamp, a hutch and some artwork, while all different, may carry the same visual weight.

In the photographs below are various ways that numbers have been used to decorate rooms.

In this first photograph,the purple theme is scattered around the room between the sofa, the chair and the lamp base.

A secondary color, pink, is also repeated. The rest of the room is fairly neutral, but care has still been taken to balance some small, darker elements around the room.

This next photograph shows an example of a room that, unfortunately, looks a little bland. It has a pair of purple sofas, with identical matching pillows.

It is just begging for help in that back, right hand corner. Yes, they have three tables, but they are almost identical, and have been placed at equal distances from each other (which exaggerates their sameness).

With just a little tweaking the room will look great.

This third picture has a single purple sofa as a focal point.

It is very deliberate; the room is composed as if it were a piece of art. The white and silver are the accessories.

It works because of it's simple, but highly stylized planning (I am not sure if anyone really lives here, but it is beautiful to look at).

Simply outside

2010-05-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Have to confess when I wrote the previous article it was, selfishly, about my own garden experiences. I didn't address the difficulties of creating an outdoor room in a small space, or an area that was not yet established. So, in response to several emails, I thought I would talk about the challenges that many people have with their outdoor spaces. And, of course, offer solutions.

When you don't know where to start, start with what you have. Is there an obvious corner that would fit a chair or a bench? A private area behind a shed or garage? A large tree that is shaded in the afternoon? This will be your spot. Then look around the house and garage to see if you have something you can already use. A chair or stool that could be used outside. Make a bench from a piece of wood and some large bricks, or simply lay down a waterproof picnic blanket.

For an even easier beginning, buy a plastic Adirondack (or garden) chair in a dark green, red, brown or black. It will blend into the landscape more than a white one. The idea is to have a starting point, and a seat is a good way to begin.

Once you have somewhere to sit, look around. Can you hang a plant from a tree, or the side of your house? If you can, go to the garden center and buy a hook and a wire hanging basket; line the inside with plastic (to keep in the moisture) and the outside with moss or coconut fiber (they often come prelined) and fill it with large, drooping plants. Make it excessive, no wimpy plants! The baskets will last forever, so the small investment is worth it. Don't buy the white, plastic hanging baskets that come pre-made. They are usually pot bound, very generic, and, sorry, not the prettiest thing to look at. Think organic.

If you can't hang a plant, do you have a stool or table that you can put one on? If not, put one on the ground and try to elevate it a little to make it feel more important. Maybe you could turn another, larger pot upside down and place a plant on it? Again, buy your plants at the garden center, but don't leave it in a white plastic pot. Either buy a new pot at the garden center, or search your house for a large container that you can put a plant in (saucepan, colander, box, basket, galvanized bucket - anything you can hammer a hole into). If you absolutely don't want to re-pot your plants try to buy something in a less jarring color, like black or dark green plastic (remove all of the labels and tags). Group three or five together if they are small.

If you have a concrete or wooden patio area, with no grass, add as much texture and organic material as you can. Put an old rug on the floor (check garage sales and trash day in your neighborhood). Wooden boxes on concrete look gorgeous. Buy a large old, wooden crate at a flea market or garage sale; place something in the bottom for drainage (and to take up space) fill with soil and plant with flowers, herbs or vegetables. You can even elevate it on rocks or terracotta "feet" if you want. Empty it out and bring it in each Winter, it will last you several seasons.

Something in the bottom for drainage:
Crumpled soda cans, packing peanuts, layers of magazines/newspapers, crushed plastic pots, dead plants from last season, mulch, rocks, pebbles etc.

Easy plant choices:
Geraniums - high sun, reliable all season, drought resistant.
Super (wave) Petunias - will cascade, good colors and fairly drought resistant.
Thyme, oregano, basil etc - great for containers, drought resistant.
Mint - must be contained, sun or shade, rapid growth, nice scent (deer resistant usually)
Begonias and fuchsia's - reliable, colorful and good for shade.
Tomato, sweet potato vine, sweet pea, morning glory, nasturtium - climb/cascade.

Creating an outdoor spot doesn't have to be hard. Be extravagant in your plant choices; don't plant something that will take months to reach it's full size - it will be frustrating, and it will just look like you are trying too hard but didn't quite get there. Go for volume and interest. Also, remember with containers, they will need to be watered more than plants directly in the garden.

Texture, shapes, opposites and height can make an outdoor room more interesting. Fortunately, nature has done most of the work for us, all we have to do is accessorize. Tie a paper lantern to a tree. Use old cups and saucers for your plants. Hang a shelf, inexpensive mirror, door or old window on a wall. Write favorite words on a rock and "plant" it in a pot.

Or, just do nothing.
It doesn't matter how imperfect you may think your outdoor space is, there is always room to enjoy it!

Let's take it outside...

2010-04-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

This time of year just begs for us to go outside.

For me that means just another excuse to decorate!

Before the daffodils have finished blooming my head is

reeling with ideas and dreams of what I would like to see in my garden.

Not surprisingly, most of my thoughts turn to nooks; places to sit, read, sleep or eat. I covet outside rooms where I can be with friends or just sit and watch the day go by.

My grandparents lived in a row house when I grew up. The garden behind the house was a perfect rectangle, about 20 feet wide by about 40 feet long. Little concrete paths leading to compact, tidy shapes that were filled with vegetables and flowers. A compost pile and a greenhouse were neatly placed at the very back, next to a wooden gate that led to the neighbor’s garden.

My grandad would be considered a Master Gardener by todays standards; it came easily to him, and he knew instinctively how to combine the art of design with the necessity of function. I loved that garden. To me, it was crammed full of adventure, constantly changing and filled with places to explore.

In the middle was the perfect patch of mown grass, often scattered with daisies and the occasional toadstool (just enough to keep the fairies occupied). But, the most special part of all was the secret garden.When you walked out the back door, to the left you were met with a rose-covered wooden structure. Another turn led you to an opening. Inside the opening was a room completely filled with roses. I can still see the room in my head.

There was a bench inside, and I would sit and try to break off the thorns on the roses without hurting myself; when successful I would drop them on the ground, forgetting that later on one of us would probably step or kneel on them. When Summer was at its fullest the room was like a beautiful cave that transported you to another world. You were hidden from view, surrounded by the almost overwhelming scent of tangled roses. Winter made it harsh and cold looking, still beckoning, but not quite as friendly to small children.

All it takes to create an outdoor room is an idea. It doesn’t have to be literal, it just has to have a feeling. Think of what you would like it to be, then dream about how you will get it there.

(of course, if dreams don’t do the work for you, feel free to use plants, furniture or structural pieces)

Possibilities...

2010-04-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

I have papers pinned to a corner of my office wall. It started off in an organized way, but has slowly grown into a happy mix of things that I just like to look at. My first thought was that I wanted a vision board, but that made me feel too controlled by what "should" be there. Then, I thought of a design inspiration board - again, too restricting. So, I started a "possibilities" board. The word, to me, conjures up ideas of infinite dreams and thoughts. No limitations.

Everyone should have a space to display wonderful, papery things. All it takes is a tiny bit of wall space. Don't stop to analyze their significance; choose anything that you like and encourage the randomness of it all.

Here are a few of the things that I have posted.

- A funny childrens book by John Lithgow called "I am a Manatee" .

- Old picture, torn from a magazine, of men diving into a swimming pool, the Eiffel Tower casually iconic in the background.

- Email from a dear friend telling me how much I had brightened her day.

- Newspaper article about Roger Ebert; discussing his illness and how he tries to live each day with dignity and as much joy as he can.

- Photograph of the delightfully crooked Serendipity Cottage (the Inn that was featured in Nights in Rodanthe) as it begins to collapse into the sea. Just looking at it's fragile beauty transports me to a fairytale state of mind.

- Handwritten note from my favorite designer in the entire world, Alexandra Stoddard.

- Nighttime photograph of an old house in a field. A scene from the movie "Casablanca" is projected onto the side of it (now, that is a date I want to go on).

- A swatch of the most perfect mustard yellow that I have ever seen.

Embrace the Elephant

2010-03-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

I have a vintage necklace with a metal Elephant on the bottom of it. As it’s quite bold I can only wear it with certain outfits. I like Elephants, but I don’t have an unusual affection for them. It was my mother-in-law’s, Anita, she passed away many years ago. After she had gone, her husband gave me some of her more unusual pieces of jewelry; he recognized that side of me before I did. At the time I was a little unsure about being known for originality, it bothered me a bit. I preferred to blend in.

Now, I like originality; nothing makes me happier than to go into someones home, to see a collection of personal treasures that are filled with meaning for the person that lives there.

I have a friend who loves Elephants. What started off as a pair of Elephant earrings, turned into an obsession that knows no bounds. She will buy anything that has an Elephant on it, or is even remotely in the shape of an Elephant. Elephants make her happy.

When you first go into her home it is a little startling to see the old-fashioned etagere’s filled with hundreds and hundreds of these creatures. They are made of every substance imaginable; some of them exquisite and colorful, others clumsy and dark.

Initial thought is that she may be a little mad. But, she’s not. It is a collection of her beloved things, and she is not embarrassed to show them off. This is one of the things I love about her; she embraces her Elephants, and her own uniqueness. She displays them with no apologies, amassed together, in a room that is used every day.

When we display what we love, people react. It is a feeling; regardless of whether or not we love what we are looking at, we are swept up into what is important. It is a privilege to peek inside someones personal belongings, and a joy to imagine what they see.

Make mistakes, they're good for you!

2010-03-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Remember the stairs that I painted a few weeks ago? Well, I finally finished them. But, in my haste I forgot to plan the rest of the space; the space that also had a blue and red hutch, directly beneath the newly painted red stairs. When I was done I was left staring at two painted pieces that were very similar - a bold red and blue. It just looked like I had spent an afternoon with a lot of extra time and paint on my hands. Together their extreme "paintedness" overpowered the room. At that point I could either go in the decorating direction of a cartoon, or try to scatter the color throughout the room, incorporating the other, more subdued pieces that I had.

So, here's what happened. I had a glass fronted hutch and a green, distressed buffet. All in different corners of the living/dining room. I moved the green one out and replaced it with the glass one. Moved the blue one where the glass one had been and the green where the blue one was. The green one was too small, so I bulked it up with vintage hats and accessories until it looked like I lived in a millinery store. Lived with it for a few days and decided the scale and content was wrong, I hated it.

The next morning, newly inspired, I moved the blue hutch back to it's original home. Pushed the green dresser into the place where the blue one had been (formerly home of the glass hutch). The blue was still too jarring, but the scale was right. I painted the blue hutch cream!

After painting it cream it became more of a country piece than an art piece, which led to another reassessment of the room. The balance was off again, and I needed to balance the negative spaces with the vintage and colorful.

Less than an hour later and I was done. The room looks refreshed, and there is a good symmetry that flows around the space. I didn't buy anything new but I did bring another chair down from upstairs, to give me more seating.

Like a lot of my decorating, I didn't intend to write about this, and I didn't plan on redecorating my home, but sometimes it happens. Painting the steps seemed like a very small, innocuous thing to do, but the depth of color became an additional strong element in the room that threw off the entire space. When I realized what it had done (admittedly unimportant in the larger scheme of life) I thought at first that I had made a horrible mistake, and I would have to repaint them. Then, as I lived with it, and went through the process of redoing the room, I knew that it was the right thing to do; a learning process to help me make the space more of what I wanted it to be.

The Art of a Bookcase

2010-02-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

I love old books. The thing that makes me coddle and sigh over a vintage handbag, is the same feeling I get when I look at an old book. Especially children's books, with handwritten notes inside, pages so worn you're almost afraid to turn them. I hastily try to find the dates they were written, but many of my books don't have them. They are from a time when it was simply enough to say "The End".

This week I decided to redo the bookshelves in my living room. They had been the same way for too long, and the display had become like milk, important but bland. A hodge podge of crafts, paintings, books and collectibles; none of them valuable, all of them precious.

I took everything off (the shelves :-) and thought about it for a while. What did I want to see on there instead? What feeling did I want to evoke? I wandered my house looking for things that I had not noticed in a while, things that maybe needed some attention. I didn't know what I was looking for.

I began to find the children's books, scattered in piles, in different rooms. I hadn't taken the time to look at them lately; they were all so beautiful and different that they had to be appreciated, if only by me. I had forgotten how many I had collected. All my favorites, comfortably loved.

They became the inspiration for my shelf decorating. I collected the books, then began to look through what I had taken off the bookshelves. My intention was to edit out some things, but I quickly realized that my optimism was not a reality. Within an hour I had covered the dining table and the sofa with my "stuff". Instead of minimizing my collections, I seemed to have added to them. This wasn't what I had planned, but I was determined to try and fit everything back on the shelves.

I began with the books, as they were the largest group of items. I loosely divided them into categories - old and worn, poetry and fairies (yes, I know, but I'm being really honest), decorating and design, inspirational and modern. The old books I stood in a row, at eye level, because they were my favorite things at the moment. I didn't line them up according to height; I wanted them to look a bit disheveled, collected over time, with no apparent thought as to how they looked on a shelf. The other books I either stood up or laid down on their side, depending on the size of the book and what their topic was.

After that I took the paintings and placed them so that their scale coordinated with the books (eg. large pile of books, small piece of art work). Once I had the large items in place, it was time to play with the accessories. Small objects can be placed anywhere, but once you start to really look at what you have, you will see that themes have already begun, and it becomes easier to play with what you have. A small tree in front of a painting of a tree, a bird on top of a fairy book or a handcrafted, aged piece of clay nestled against a worn copy of Treasure Island.

An easy way to create interest is to place things at different depths and levels. Lining things up in a row creates a sort of visual indifference, but if our eyes have to dance around to look at things our brain is tricked into thinking it is looking at something more interesting. Try to think of it as an Art composition, rather than just sticking things on a shelf.
If you can't find an apparent theme, emphasise the opposites. Fine bone chine next to an old flower pot, or a birds nest next to (or inside) a sleek, modern bowl. One of my favorite pieces is a crystal Tiffany bowl filled with real cotton buds that have just popped open from their casing. The soft, naturalness of the cotton inside the gorgeously, brilliant crystal takes the formality away, encouraging people to touch it.
If you do have a collection, and you don't want to play with opposites, group them together, deliberately,with no apology, in uneven numbers. Or, for more interest, add an unexpected element. For example, twigs, feathers or rocks lying next to a Lenox collection. Grab something from outside if you need to. Fill a plain glass bowl with dirt as a whimsical counterpoint to the fine china.

When you look at my photograph, you may not like anything on the shelf, and you may think it cluttered, but that's my point. Regardless of how you feel about the items, they are displayed with deliberation. My goal was to display my treasures in the most decorative way possible.

I want you to see that it does not matter what we have, it can all be appreciated and cared for. It is not a matter of style or taste. With a bit of thought a bookshelf can be an interesting (and changeable) part of our home. It can reflect who we are in a provocative way that makes people want to take a closer look.

The End

"Would you tell me, please," said Alice timidly, "Why are you painting those red?"...

2010-02-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

Years ago, when my daughter was 2 years old, I decided to remove all of the carpet in my house. My motivation was to make it easier to clean up playdoh, and to accommodate an old, incontinent cat (no explanation needed). It was probably not my wisest decision; it took weeks of hard work, and tackling it with a 2 year old was difficult to say the least. Suffice to say, I can now verify that my daughter used to be the exact same height and width as an enclosed shelf on a very heavy hutch...

After I had pulled up the carpet (and the lining and the tack strips and the nails and the staples) I was left with a floor that was old, but beautiful. Thank goodness. Unfortunately, the floor was laid about 60 years ago, so it was not polyurethened like the modern floors we have now. It had a thin layer of wax on it, which has gradually worn away and is now a haven for every spill and puddle that falls upon it. Disregarding the puddled messes, I love the floor and know that one day I will get it finished, but for now it doesn't bother me at all.

When I removed the carpet on the stairs I found that the risers (the vertical bit that you kick your toe against) were painted white. I immediately redid them in cream to match the living room.

Several years later, and it seems that our home often has 10 year old girls running up and down the stairs. Their feet are growing, often still clad in the sneaker of the week, and they have not yet become as graceful as they are destined to be. My stairs are a mess. The cream is covered in scuffs and smudges that no amount of cleaning will remove. Painting them cream, again, seems like a waste of time. I decide to paint them red.

As I began painting the steps I knew it was the right thing to do. I needed a creative diversion in my home that would not be too time consuming; it would be just enough to keep me happy and content throughout the worst Winter month. And, it would hide the scuff marks.

Like a lot of things in life, the steps looked worse before they looked better. My daughter returned from school (when I had just done one, streaky, hastily brushed coat of paint) and stood there with her mouth open. She mouthed "oh mom" in a loud, slow motion way that indicated she was not too thrilled with the stairs. Which was unusual because she has often come home to unexpected decorating "surprises". After she had calmed down, I told her to be patient, and I promised her it would look good when it was finished. When I suggested writing inspirational words on each step I almost lost her completely! I could see she was very kindly thinking I had gone insane.

Painting for me is very zen-like. I don't enjoy painting entire rooms with a roller and a fistful of tape, but I do love the repetitive calmness of using a brush and transforming a surface into something beautiful. I think part of it is also that it is very transitional, it can be changed and adapted to suit what we want. It is not permanent, which makes it open to all sorts of possibilities.

When I look at the finished steps, it appeals to my childhood. It looks special, and I feel that it is leading up to something magical. Really, it is just our bedrooms and my office, but I like the surprise of it when I turn the corner to go up them.

To me, this is what decorating is all about; transformations that are personal, that provoke an emotion and always make us wonder at the possibilities.

Your questions = Answered

2010-02-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

This week is all about you, the people who read my blog and support what I do! Here are some of the questions that I get asked all the time; either by mail or in person. I hope you enjoy reading them, and that they will inspire you to continue decorating your life!

1. How can I create an uncluttered but chic and inexpensive window treatment. I currently have no curtains/blinds etc. in my living space because I just can't decide. My trim is painted wood and my house is about 50 years old with high ceilings.

If you aren't going the curtain route yet then I would buy inexpensive, neutral sheets that you love (measure your windows first so you know what size you need). Hem or fabric glue to the right length. Get copper or steel pipes (or wooden dowels that you stain)for curtain rods. Hang higher than your window and wider than your window to keep it looking casual but modern. Attach curtain clips to the top to hang sheets or, if the pocket is big enough, just thread the rods through the hem of the sheet.

2. I hate the color of my refrigerator. Can I paint it?

There is appliance spray paint on the market. I have never done it myself, and I know several people who have and were not thrilled with the result. I think it's a large surface to cover evenly and professionally. If it was in the garage or basement I would attempt it with primer, paint and a brush or roller but probably not if it was in a very visible part of my kitchen. If you make a mistake your only solution is to keep painting......it's never coming off.

3. If I don't know what my style is how can I decorate?

I think we get too hung up on choosing a style or theme for our homes, which leaves to indecision and, therefore, nothing at all. When we decorate with a specific idea in mind it can look very deliberate and, unfortunately, boring. Ideally, rooms should be created over time. They should tell a story and reflect who you are now, with bits of your history scattered throughout. What makes you smile and what makes you cringe is a good indicator of what you should do!

4. How do I decorate my home with things that I don't like but were given to me by people I care about (without hurting their feelings)?

Funnily enough this has come up a lot lately. My instinct is always to tell you to get rid of those things, but I know in reality it's not always possible. If you have to have them in your home, put some thought into it. Maybe that gorgeously, horrible painting can go in a lesser used hallway, or the large, ornate vase that isn't your style can hold laundry detergent capsules in your basement. Try to integrate it in a place where you are not looking at it constantly. Remember, if you have something in your home that you don't like, and you are constantly looking at it, it will annoy you and put you in a bad mood (I know there's a relationship joke in there somewhere, but I won't say it out loud :-)

5. How do I pick a paint color. My room is white and I want to change it, but I am afraid of making a mistake.

If you haven't seen a color that inspires you (eg. I painted my kitchen based on the smallest piece of green that framed a painting that I love) then do whatever you can to visualize and create the look you want. Go online to one of these sites, you can play with color to see how they would look in a room.

Sherwin Williams: http://ttp//www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/index.jsp

Benjamin Moore: http://http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_explorecolor&cachebuster=Fri

Behr Paints: http://http://www.behr.com/Behr/home

Also, look through decorating books at the library or the color leaflets in the Hardware store. These, while not exact, will help guide you in the right direction. One caveat, if you are painting a living area always go a bit darker than you think. It is better to make a statement, than to end up with a pastel room (unless you wanted that in the first place, of course).

6. Why do some decorators match their furniture and accessories and some don't?

When we match items they will always look more formal. Years ago it used to be a sign of wealth, and most accessories were sold and displayed in pairs. Unfortunately, our eye tends to get bored when identical items are spaced evenly, at the same height. We stop noticing them. A more classic approach is to arranged items symmetrically around a room, balancing them in scale, texture and color, rather than duplicating them. Our vision has to bounce around to take it all in, which makes for a more interesting room. Think co-ordination, not repetition.

7. None of my family photographs and frames match. I get new portraits and school pictures every year. I have them on the wall but it doesn't seem to look right.

First of all, it is best to keep family photos in one spot, in a grouping. Plan what room you want them in. Start with a large photograph and hang it somewhere in the middle (about 5 foot about the floor). Add others around it, but keep them close together, never more than 2 inches apart. Hang them so that they overlap, don't try to match them or keep them lined up. If you are not sure, lay them out on the floor and play with the composition and the scale. Your goal is to create an art grouping that can be added onto, not a hodge podge of indecision. If the frames have stands on the backs, either tape them down or rip them off, so they lay flat against the wall. Think of it as a living, changing piece of artwork.

8. How do I make my living room look more interesting? I have 2 sofas, 2 big chairs, a round coffee table and some pictures on the wall. It doesn't seem finished and no-one really goes in there. Any ideas?

What about a bookcase or some shelves? Bookcases can add a ton of personality. They can showcase pictures, books, knick-knacks, children's artwork, plants etc. Also, take a look at the texture and balance in your room; maybe you need to add some interesting pillows, a bowl of photographs on your coffee table or a floor/table lamp?

Thank you to everyone for sending in your questions! I have to end this blog with a very famous, but relevant quote from William Morris.

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful"

Handles, knobs and things that squeak

2010-01-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

It's January, and the New Year is filled with promise. Magazines are busy making our resolutions. Telling us how we can do better in 2010; shed those extra pounds, declutter our home, find love and have biceps like Michele (all within 28 days or less).

As I thought about what to write, I wondered what I would want to read about so early in the month; post Christmas, in the cold New Jersey Winter, with a pimple on my chin from eating too many chocolate truffles.
Handles, knobs and hardware was what I decided on, for no reason other than it being a random thought in my head. I think they deserve their 15 minutes just like everybody else, so here goes.

To me, they really are the accessories in a home, when replaced they should always be given more than a passing thought. Unfortunately they have become more of a designer item over the last few years, and some options have become more expensive than they should be. However, with a bit of time and planning you can change the look of a door or cupboard (cabinet) quite easily for a small amount of money.

When changing old hardware, stainless steel (or brushed nickel) in a sleek, modern design is often the first choice. But, be careful, sometimes our quest for something new becomes more important than finding something that coordinates with our current home. I love these sleek handles as much as anyone, but take some time to see what is really available before making your final purchase. It will look silly if it doesn't match, never mind the money you will have spent. Especially when it comes to kitchen cabinets, at several dollars each the cost can be more than you anticipated.

Another thing to remember is the distance between the screws when measuring for new handles. They can vary from 2 - 3 inches, or more, and unless you are prepared to drill new holes or patch old ones, it is easier to find ones that line up with what you already have. If you are not sure, unscrew an old handle and take it with you to the store. Luckily, most new items are returnable so you can buy a few and try them before committing to your decision.

A few years ago I changed all the handles and door pulls in my kitchen. I didn't like the shape or the feel of the old ones (they were brass, made to look a bit like bamboo and are a common design in a lot of older kitchens). I also wanted my kitchen to look less like a store bought "kit," and more like a room that had evolved over time. I didn't like the cabinets, but that's another, more expensive problem (see the Kitchen Envy blog for the full story).

After painting the upper oak cabinets with a creamy enamal, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to put glass knobs on them. Because I was replacing the door handles with a knob, I did have to fill the leftover screw holes with wood putty and sand them down before painting. It was a small amount of prep that was made easier because of the paint (a wood stain would never have completely blended with the putty. Isn't putty a funny word?). The bottom cabinets, however, really annoyed me, so my plan was to make them cleverly disappear into their ever-present, universe of oak.

Once I had the ideas in my head, I began to look. What I found was that a lot of knobs are not exactly what they say they are. Glass is often acrylic, wood is sometimes a soft composit and metal can often be a less expensive version treated to look like the real thing. Fortunately, you can usually tell by the feel and weight of them. But if you like it, buy it (fake or not)! I ended up buying a "lot" of glass knobs on ebay for about $2. each, a local Home store wanted $4. each for new, acrylic versions of the same thing. If you do buy them on ebay, or from a second hand shop, make sure they come with the screw attachments. If they don't, it can be a real pain to find ones that match exactly.

I then purchased unfinished, plain, wooden handles for the bottom cabinets which I stained to match the cabinets themselves. My theory was that by having the handles match the cabinets they would be less noticeable. I just bought the smallest pot of stain, in an oak color, and dabbed it onto the handles. The handles cost a dollar each and the stain about $4.

The largest investment in hardware should be your time. When choosing it yourself, it really is something that you need to see, in your home, to decide whether or not it is right. Sometimes what looks lovely in a shop can look a little insane when you put it in your kitchen and multiply it by 16.....

Believe in yourself.

2009-12-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

I am very distracted by the trees outside my window. It is brittle and cold; the tops of the trees are clattering against each other in the wind. The ground is covered in white snow and the sky is as blue as can be. It is too beautiful to be working. How did this happen? When did I start allowing myself to be so captivated by such a simple thing?

At some time in our lives we will all experience a disruption, something that forces us to make decisions and choose to either go forward or stay where we are. Even if we choose to stay where we are the world continues to move around us, making it almost impossible to keep still. Over time we have to move, whether we like it or not.

How we move is up to us. No-one can do it for us and no-one else is responsible. For myself, I have found that I began to believe in the magic of the most simplest of things. A twig, holding fast onto the ice that fell the night before, glistens more than any diamond I have ever seen (maybe I need to see a few more diamonds just to be sure :-) I love to look at sharpened pencils, sitting in a cup (I have never liked pens, so am constantly buying pencils, both mechanical and old-fashioned ones. To me there is beauty whenever I use one, the lead giving slightly with a softness as it writes (or draws) on a piece of paper.

I know I am a dreamer, and this often creates problems when I am faced with technology or an over scheduled lifestyle (occasionally I have to schedule time alone, to be silent). But I also know that when I recognize this part of me it becomes a strength that allows me to enjoy the more mundane aspects of my life.

To tie this into my decorating life is a bit of a stretch, I know, but I will try. At the moment there are a million things to be done, it's the Christmas season and I am going on vacation next week. My house is in desperate need of a cleaning, but if I am honest, it is not important to me. My priority is to decorate the house, buy presents, pay attention to the people that I love and keep the ice off the driveway. Cleaning the house is irrelevant. I know that when the other things are done I will clean the house - maybe not perfectly, but it will be enough for me.

Ask yourself what you would really like to do right now. Whether it is cleaning the house, reading a magazine, decorating the outside with moving reindeer, checking homework, baking, buying a new moisturizer or watering your plants, then that is what you should do right now. If you do what is important to you first, then you will have the peace of mind, and the motivation, to get the other things done.

Stop fighting against who you are. Find what your strength is and use that to deal with your life. I know I seem to be advocating taking the easy way out, but I have found that if we find as much pleasure as we can in our everyday life then it makes dealing with the other stuff so much easier.

I met someone recently who wanted advice. As I got to know her I realized that my life and my opinions were nothing more (or less) than what worked for me. To gather ideas and opinions is always one of the best ways to go forward, but in the end we have to sift through what we are given and accept who we are. We are far more likeable when we are ourselves and, believe it or not, it is easier.

As grown-ups we still fall prey to peer pressure, especially around the Holiday season, but if our heart is not in it then it is nothing more than an illusion. An exhausting exercise in trying to please others. Try to stay focused on what is important to you. Your family and friends will notice the difference, and you may just feel a little happier inside.

Believe it or not, I had originally drafted a gigantic article on decorating, but I think you've probably heard the ideas all before (pinecones, bulbs, berries, wreaths, ornaments in bowls etc) so I won't print it. Who needs to be told more things that they "should" be doing by someone who has time to write a blog?

I would, however, always recommend making wishes.

Get some plain, round glass ornaments. Get little strips of paper (1/2 inch by 3 inches) and ask friends and family to write a wish on the paper. Roll it up tightly, carefully take the cap off the ornament and put it inside.
Each year you can add another wish (or, you could ceremoniously smash them open and see if they have come true).

See you all in the New Year.
With love
Wendy

Is Clutter a dirty word?

2009-11-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

With the Holidays fast approaching I have noticed my home has become to sprout little piles of miscellany, carefully covering any flat surface they can inhabit. As I came upstairs with my cup of tea I smiled to myself; my dining room table reminded me of a friend's house which is constantly filled with little piles of books. Dozens of them; all neat, waiting to be read, in categories that are the constant decoration in his home. My dining room table has now become the same way; we are eating breakfast in puzzle formation, moving each pile around to make room for another.

I aspire to be a minimalist, a person who has very little clutter and is organized, but it doesn't seem to happen. I wish I knew where other people put their bills and library books. Scraps of paper with phone numbers, DVDs to be returned and receipts to take to the dry cleaners. Where do they all go? Are they piled in an office and dealt with once a week, accompanied by a glass of wine and an aspirin? Are people so efficient that they have baskets by the door for things that need to be returned? Are bills highlighted, pre-stamped and filed according to date?

For me, I am a bit inbetween. I don't want my clutter to become decoration, but I convince myself that as long as it is in neat piles, and the bills are paid on time, I am organized.

One thing I have realized is that my clutter stems from a need to be able to see things. If I can't see what I have then I tend to forget. I need visual reminders of things I need to do, and as I am inspired by what I see, I seem to be predisposed to live in a loosely haphazard, decorative way.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas almost here I thought I would write a few of my own ideas on how I try to keep ahead of the clutter and staying organized without making myself crazy.

- Spend a few minutes each night writing out what you need to do the next day. It will help you sleep better.
- If you send out a lot of cards at this time of year, keep them in a box with a pen, your address book, stamps and labels, ready to work on when you have time. Make a note on your calendar to remind you to write them. Allocate enough time, over several days if needed. Send them off as soon as they are done.
- Plan who you need to buy for and write a list of ideas (make a budget). If you are buying online try to consolidate as much as possible. Many places offer free shipping if you spend over a certain amount, plus it's easier to keep track of your orders if you just use one or two places.
(www.amazon.com and www.anthropologie.com are very good for inexpensive and unique gifts)
- Go through the mail when it arrives and discard what you don't want immediately. Especially at this time of year; don't keep catalogs and "free offer" coupons unless you were planning on buying from them anyway.
- Pay bills early if you are going to be away over the Holidays. Don't be caught by bank closings and late fees.
- Hang a sturdy bag on the door handle and put in it anything that needs to be returned or dropped off. Take it with you each time you leave the house.
- Keep pens, pencils and a good supply of paper by the telephone, computer and in the car.
- Clean out your car each week. Or, put a medium sized container in the trunk and throw absolutely everything in there (get the kids to pitch it over the back seat). When it gets filled with too much stuff, take it into the house and go through it.

Finally, if it all gets too much, go to bed with a book and a bar of chocolate.

Italy, or somewhere else.

2009-11-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

I am having a Sophia Loren moment. It is 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside (4 Celsius) but I am waltzing around the house in a long skirt and a small cardigan, barefoot, pretending I am in Italy. In my head it is 1968, a more elegant time, and I am about to sit down at an old typewriter to finish my manuscript. For me, this counteracts the dull, coldness of the outside and helps me to focus. It makes me smile as I work. As I begin, I contemplate how pretending to be something we are not can transform us, in our minds, into something else. By deliberately capturing a specific notion in our head we can influence our emotions, and therefore change the way we feel. This logically (or illogically) tells me that I can do the same thing in my house.

Using the transformation idea I am thinking about changing my living room. It is looking a bit stale. It has been the same way for several months now, and although I like the eclectic feel, and the colors, I think it looks a bit too composed. If we leave our homes and accessories the same way for too long it becomes like wallpaper, we don't see what we have anymore and even the most arresting design will become boring.

I have decided to decorate the room around an idea, my focus is on the end result, not the process. My first thought is that I want to defy the weather outside and make the room appear warmer, like my sunny, Italian daydream. However, my visions of sandstone steps and blue oceans are abruptly shattered by the harsh reality of at least five months of Winter. I save Italy for another day, because I know that when it is freezing cold what I really need is to feel warm and comfortable. Maybe more English cottage (or pub) than Italian villa.

As soon as I have the idea, my writing becomes distracted. I want to move the sofa and I am doing a mental inventory of all the other furniture that I have around the house. I need some unexpected pieces, maybe an old wooden bench from outside, or some bricks? Don't ask me what I would do with the bricks, but they are lovely, hand-cast and full of character (a dear friend found them years ago, by a dumpster. We carried them away a few at a time when no-one was looking). I will find a place for the bricks.

I might have to add some woollen plaid blankets somewhere. When I say "somewhere", what I kindly mean is to cover the part of the sofa that the cat has shredded. Unfortunately, I always have to drape a blanket over that corner, but fortunately for me the sofa is quite ugly so any distraction is always a good one.

In my head my cottage idea cannot have too much pattern. I want it to look ridiculously cluttered, without being messy. A place where you know you can curl up for hours; tucked away amidst the pattern and the organized chaos, sneaking little pockets of time protecting yourself from the nasty cold outside.

I know this is one of my wandering-off-on-a-tangent posts, but truly, sometimes, we should let our imagination do the decorating for us. We don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to create a new look in our home. What we do need, however, is a positive thought, an inspiration or an idea. We need a direction. Instead of focusing on what we don't have, or what we think we need, think about what we want and then figure out how to get there. If I just said that I hated my living room I would be instantly creating a dead end for myself, it is a negative thought that will put me at a standstill. But, if I think about what I want my living room to be eg. warm, cozy, cluttered (I know, go figure!) then I am putting a positive idea into my head. A positive idea that makes me think of the possibilities instead of the limitations.

So, next time you want to redecorate, work backwards, think about the end result. Go barefoot if it helps....

Gift giving - naturally.

2009-10-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

It’s Friday. It’s raining. I have good hair. I am meeting my dear friend for lunch today, at her house, and I want to take her a present. I don’t have to. I’ve reached that strangely grown-up time in my life where I don’t take a present to somebody’s home unless I really want to (and I truly enjoy being with that person). This does beg the question, why do we go to someones home if we don't like them? But that's another story.

But it’s raining. And, much as I love her, I don’t want to go out into the rain, to the shops, because I am not even sure what I want to take.

As I got ready I thought about the whole idea of giving presents; for some people it is an obligation, a nuisance, and for others it is a joy and a demonstration of their feelings. My theory is that if we want to do things that make people happy then it shouldn't be complicated (and it should make us happy too).

So, with that in mind I started to think about what to take to my friend. Hydrangeas are my first thought. My garden is filled with Hydrangeas of all colors and sizes but, aside from the fact that they are laden with rain, they take up a lot of space on a table and would need a large vase to hold them. I decide to wander around my garden for inspiration (in the aforementioned drizzly rain). I have a Thyme plant on the back step. With frost looming I thought that would be a good gift. My friend loves to cook and eat fresh, organic produce. Perfect. I bring it inside, pick out the dead leaves that had taken residence, washed the excess dirt off and prune it so that it looks cared for.

Turns out it looked so happy in my kitchen that I put it on my windowsill, and decided not to give it away afterall.

I then remembered I had some more herbs, which I had planted in a half-barrel, in a rather dismal attempt to try and grow a Mediterranean garden. How ironic, it looked like rubbish all year and now, as Winter approaches, it decides to take on some form of fabulousness! I dug up the large, fluffy Oregano and went to look for one of my favorite terracotta pots (I found a pile of old, odd shaped pots just lying on the side of the road years ago, abandoned. I like to imagine they have lived a long, interesting life, squirreled away in some secret garden – maybe even a castle courtyyard overlooking a cliff). I planted the Oregano in one of these pots and put a rock on the side for decoration (in reality it was to stop the plant from tipping out). Found a small china saucer to put underneath it and I was done. It would look at home in anyone’s kitchen.

Anyway, after potting my herb plant I wanted to share my ideas for gift-giving (not the Wedding sort, just the everyday, I’m happy to see you, sort).

- My first idea is to always shop at home first. I know as I write this that it does take a bit of forethought, but overtime it will become a habit, and you will be surprised at how much you can improvise with what you have around you. I love to bake, but I also know that when I don’t have all the ingredients there are some delicious box/refrigerator items. Brownie mixes (Ghirardelli) and sweet Bread mixes (Krusteaz) are always very good (you can easily add extra chocolate, nuts or dried fruit to these too without changing the cooking time). Don’t mean to be rude, but steer clear of the cut and slice cookies in the refrigerator section, buy a box of pre-made cookies instead.
- Check your pantry cupboards. Do you have something delicious that hasn’t expired? (e.g. imported box of tea, cookies, specialty jam, hot-chocolate and marshmallows). Unopened of course.
- Flowers or plants from the garden that you can pick (or dig up)?
- If I have nothing at home then I do head to the shops, but admittedly I usually spend a few moments before I go, thinking about my budget and planning what I would like to buy. This saves time and stress.
- Don’t overlook the beauty of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Find the absolute best you can, put them in a clear cellophane bag and tie with a ribbon (grapes, peaches, asparagus, tomatoes on the vine, fresh cranberries). Miniature fruit is another one of my favorites, especially in the Fall (e.g. lady apples, clementines, forelle pears).
- Bottle of wine from your home town (or country) or one that has a particularly funny label on it (Australian ones especially, have a lot of funny names and pictures and are often around $10).
- Flowers or plants from the supermarket. Find the most natural looking bunch of flowers there (gerberas, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, tulips etc). Ask for a cellophane floral sleeve to put them in. These keep them fresh, and always make your gift look a bit nicer without being too fussy. Remove any baby’s breathe, ferns, rubber bands, labels or price tags. Cut the stems all the same length. Place back inside the cellophane bag and either take as is, wrap in gift wrap or tie a ribbon around the middle. Fold down or cut the cellophane neatly if it is too high.
- Plants. Same idea. Go to the supermarket and pick something natural. Remove any garish decorations, price tags etc (if you need the care label try to hide it, or just give it to them later).If the plastic pot is covered in a foil or paper sleeve that you don’t like, change it. Take it off, put a piece of plastic (or a plastic bag) over the holes then cover with a square of your own wrapping paper. Tie with a ribbon, or, for a quieter look, just carefully tape the wrapping paper to itself so that it doesn’t fall off. Even easier, just take all the extras off, put some tissue in a bag and put the “nude” plant in the bag, letting it peek out the top.
- Inexpensive book that you know pertains to that person’s life at the moment (e.g. the funny side of parenting for a mother raising teenagers).
- Chocolate, a really delicious bar. Wrap it as if it is the most precious thing in the world.
- Daily desk calendar of their favorite indulgence (travel, shoes, handbags…)
- Anything that they love (favorite candy bar, shampoo, soap, beer, lip-gloss, Twinkies etc)
- A balloon. Who doesn’t love a balloon?

Well, you get the idea, the list could go on; but the point is that with just a little time and thought (and not a lot of money) it is very easy to give gifts to people that we care about.

Decorating with Children - Part 2

2009-10-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

I love my daughter dearly, I must do, because I promised not to disclose the contents of the debris that lurked in her room. Things that had not seen the light of day since George W. Bush first entered the White House, and many things that, if offered, would be happily accepted by any of the CSI franchise.

It took four days to finish her room. Painting was the least of it. I took as much out of the room as I could, but the rest I had to move from wall to wall as I painted. Some things were put back while the paint was still wet, and I know there are smudges of purple in areas that there shouldn't be. Decorating is never a perfect process, but like any room, once it's re-loaded the imperfections disappear, and, if we are lucky, we see it as a whole, not just a single piece.

The end result is better than I had hoped. I finished about 10 minutes before she came home from school yesterday. I turned on all the lights, made the bed and fussed with the curtains. Just like a makeover show on HGTV I made her close her eyes while I opened the door. When she opened them she squealed. She loved it so much.

The best part for me is that her room now reflects who she is at this exact moment. It is filled with what is important to her. Her hamster and hermit crabs are on the desk by her bed (so that she can watch them as she goes to sleep). The small loveseat has been rediscovered as a place to sit with her friends. Her collection of rocks, shells, bones and claws (!) have been given their own shelf. There is plenty of room to add more, and she can finally see what she has without sorting through worn, paper bags and special, little cardboard containers. I gave her a white board for drawing and a cork board so that she can pin up art work and photographs. Things that she still loves, but doesn't need on a daily basis, were stored away; still accessible but not on display.

Before I began her room I decided to do a consultation with her. I pretended she was a client ; asking what she liked and didn't like,what she wanted and how much leeway I had to use my own ideas. I wrote notes as we talked and I sketched a plan of the room. We discussed the placement of her bed and whether or not she liked to sit by the window. What could I store away and what did she need to have in plain sight. The small amount of time that this took helped me to understand her as a person, not just a girl who recoiled in horror every week when asked to clean her room.

As parents we often ignore what our children want in lieu of what we think is right for them. Decorating a room is an easy opportunity to let them create their perfect world, to show them that we care about what is important to them.

Decorating with Children

2009-09-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

I had to write this title. As I did all I could think of were putting hooks all over the wall and attaching my children to them. Of course I never would, but it's a funny visual.

It is time to decorate my daughter's room again. She is 10. Gone are the days of looking at the Disney color charts, and picking out the pinkiest pink in the entire universe. This time she, asked what her budget would be, when could I start and how many friends could she invite over to help. Her budget is $35, excluding paint and of course her friends can help. However, I know who will be doing most of the work. The color she picked is called vintage purple, just the name makes me happy. It conjures up visions of daisies, worn out leather and great guitar rifts played in an open field. But I digress, this is after all her room, not mine.

I never tire of decorating; as soon as she asked for my help, I found myself sketching layouts and writing down ideas. Decorating and design are an inexplicable joy for me, I will never push for a client or ask to redo someones home, but if you ask for my advice I can guarantee you that my head has already started the planning process.

Before I forget, yes, I will post before and afters of her room as soon as it is done.

For most people having a baby is all about the cute clothes and the squidgy, little faces, for me it was also another opportunity to decorate. My inspiration for her room was a wonderful set of curtains that were bright, lime green with abstract yellow blobs on them. I painted two walls yellow and the opposing ones green. The ceiling was painted sky blue with white clouds. Of course we had glow in the dark stars, how could you not? I also found glow in the dark paint at the craft store (which really does work and lasts forever). The accessories and crib were all red, yellow, blue and green. It was an easy palette to decorate with. As she grew up, and started to walk, she loved the colorfulness of it. Add to the room a few hundred toys and it became a kaleidoscope of messy color.

Ever the lazy mother I drew pictures of her clothes and taped them to the outside of the drawers. I was determined that from an early age she could learn to find her clothes and put them away. Little did I know that just because she knew what to do, didn't mean she would actually do it. Apparently I was lazy and naive. But when she was little my theory worked really well. As she figured out the pictures (eg. a t-shirt, pants, dress, underwear) I added the words so that she could learn through recognition. It became a game for her and an artistic outlet for me. I continued the theme and drew things on the walls around the house, writing the name next to them so that she could learn what they were. A word of caution, if you ever do this, do not use a permanent marker, years later I still have the words "Chair" peering through the paint in the living room. I have used every product available and still the words continue to bleed through. I wrote it seven years ago....

When she was five she had to have a pink room. I, foolishly, let her pick the color. It was a bright, fuchsia pink that became quite dark when I began to paint the wall. It looked horrible. I immediately went out and got a new, softer pink, trying to convince my daughter that it was the same color, that it had just faded when it came out of the can. I still feel bad that I lied to her about it.

We (I) decided that the pink room needed fairies. My friend and I found wall stickers of fairies. I painted a tree and the fairies danced around the tree. I painted her lampshades to match and glued the fairies on them (it's ok to do this, it dims the light a bit but it is not hazardous in any way). Her Aunt gave her a lovely canopy for her bed that had flowers around the top, it matched the fairy theme and became a little hideaway for her and her friends to sit in. I found 5 large pink circles of carpet that became lily-pads for them to hop on as they made their way around the room. She still has them and her friends still play with them like giant pieces of hopscotch.

About 2 years later we hit the Pop Star phase. Hannah Montana ruled our universe for approximately 5 months. Everything had to be Hannah. We took down most of the fairies, hung up a Hannah poster and tried to make the room look a little more grown up. I gave my daughter a budget of $25 and we went to Target. She bought a pink and orange beaded curtain for her door, a pink lava lamp, a pink and purple laundry hamper and some other accessories. She was so excited to be able to buy her own things and working within a budget made her feel very grown-up. It was a good lesson for us both. I would really recommend doing this with young children.

As abruptly as it started, the Hannah phase finished. In came the Jonas Brothers and a need for a more sophisticated room. She and her friends were starting to hang out in her room more and she was, I think, a little self-conscious that it was so cluttered and some of the items were a little young. I have always let her keep her room the way she wanted. Now and again I make her clean it up, but as long as her bed is made and there aren't any actual living fungi anywhere I give her carte blanche to do with it whatever she wants.

So now here we are, ready to paint again. It is going to be purple (vintage, of course, which makes me smile - it's kind of a murky, faded purple) less cluttered and a more mature version of a girls room. I broke the bad news to her, it had to be cleaned before we could paint.......She was shocked and told me "But you're a house designer, can't you do it all for me?". So, I asked "Would you like me to clean your room, organize it, paint and redecorate it while you're at school, sweetie?". "Yes please" she said............

Well, after I had stopped laughing, she really did have to tidy her room. Fortunately for her I can't resist a decorating job, and I have been dying to redecorate her room for a while now. The only instructions I have is to not look under the bed or in her desk, that's where her private things are. As bad as I can be, I promise that I won't look. She is at the stage where I am not sure I want to read everything that is going on in her head, some things are better left unsaid. The fact that she told me where not to look made me giggle.

I decided to treat her like a client. I asked her what her requirements were (hamster, hermit crabs, lava lamp, books and cd player by bed) and what she did and didn't like about the room (not enough space, too much clutter, too babyish, loved the windows and the light, still liked her flower canopy and beaded door).

We discussed some options and decided that the bed and sofa would stay where they were, but everything else I could move if I wanted to. After sketching up a plan I told her I would try to start this week.
Darling that she is, she even offered to pay me a fee...

Eat cake

2009-08-31T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a three day workshop on Sculptural Cake Decorating. It was relaxing, tiring and wonderful all at the same time. The weekend came to an end with ten exhausted women carrying ten beautiful (and completely different) works of art to their cars. Hugs were shared, and some of us promised to keep in touch. Unfortunately for us, the structure of our cakes were made from styrofoam; not the lovely, buttery confection we had imagined, eating it for weeks afterwards until we finally exploded from too much sugary goodness....
We bonded over fake cake.

However, now that I have it home, sitting on the table, in my living room, I no longer want to eat it; I want it to live forever in my house; I will never get tired of it, no matter how dusty and faded it gets. It's a reminder of a pocket in time when I lost sight of who I was supposed to be, I immersed myself into whatever decided to dwell inside my head. For three days I didn't care about the outside world, or if anyone approved of what I was doing.

What made it all so special, for me, was how the center had managed to combine the artistic lifestyle with the classes that they held there. Where we stayed was quite basic; the house was over a hundred and fifty years old, the amenities were minimal, the atmosphere one of simplicity and comfort. We had no choice but to forget the outside world. We were in a very rural area with no televisions, no radio, definitely no internet service and very sporadic cell phone coverage. Everyone at the center was there to study or learn a craft, so the focus was on their art (not the latest debate on Government Healthcare). We had no choice but to be absorbed into our surroundings.

When we first arrived we were given hours of instruction on the art of fondant cakes, and how to decorate them. Then came time to start sketching our designs. I admit I was a little intimidated to have to design and present a cake (albeit styrofoam) to a woman who has singlehandedly taken the dessert world by storm (the delightful and tremendously talented Collette Peters). Fortunately, she made it very easy for us to like her, and I began to sketch my ideas out onto my notepad. I knew almost immediately the pattern and colors that I wanted to use. After she had consulted with each of us we were given the arduous task of carving the cakes out of styrofoam forms. It sounds easy, but honestly, I think it took me about three hours to get the measurements and the shapes right. At the end of day one I had three sawn off pyramids, all of graduating sizes. The following morning the fun part began, we started coloring and shaping the fondant to cover our "cakes".

During the next two days I want to believe that the cake became a reflection of me and my ideas. It is a colorful cake that has symmetry and whimsy, but it is also woefully imperfect. It may be an act of self-preservation, but I firmly believe that beauty and character lie within our imperfections.

As my cake evolved I needed to change a few things. The bottom layer was supposed to be purple but as I mixed the purple food coloring into the white fondant it started to turn blue. I added more and more purple and it just became more and more blue. Collette asked me why I had that puzzled expression on my face (my daughter lovingly calls this my twisty face) and I explained about the color problem. She said that for some reason the purple reacts with that brand of fondant and turns it blue. Adding red only muddied the color, so I had to change direction and redo all of my color schemes throughout the cake. I was happy that I was able to adapt so easily. The more philosophical part of my reminded me that this was perhaps just another teachable moment that can only happen when mistakes are made (but, let's not get too carried away, it was afterall, just a styrofoam cake, not the Mona Lisa).

Last night, after I returned home, I thought of some of the other women who were in the workshop. An architect who spent some time the week before planning her cake; she assembled it beautifully, so quickly and perfectly, with no gaps or structural issues. A young woman did an amazing cake that was a stack of classic horror stories. The top of the cake had a bloodied hand creeping out from the top. Alternately, she also did the sweetest, tiny cake that looked like it had just fallen out of a fairytale. And my dear friend, Debbie, who did a topsy turvy cake that was a glamorous study of pinks and purples with silver pearls in between.

Does this mean that given the freedom to do whatever we want, we begin to embrace who we really are inside? I think it does. All of these women were creative, and yet the cakes could not have been more varied. As we got to know them I could see why they did what they did and the relevance that the cake may have had in their lives.

These women had an opportunity to design whatever they wanted; in an environment with all of the tools that they could possibly need, with a teacher of world-class renown. When given all of these things most of us chose to demonstrate who we were in a very tangible way. All of them beautiful, but all of them different.

I think we should enjoy what makes us different. What makes us think or cry or giggle. Take the time to find out what these things are and make them a part of your life.

Does it count if I'm wearing Pajamas?

2009-08-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have decided to spend this weekend trying to re-organize my home office. Like most rooms in my house it is small, barely 8 x 8 with a sloping attic ceiling. The size is irrelevant because this magical room has a view of my garden and at this exact moment a deer and her two fawns are playing in the middle of the lawn. I'm not making it up, they really are, the fawns, still covered in spots, can barely run to chase each other.

It never used to be an office; it was a computer room, a beige man-cave filled with old computer equipment and vinyl records. A few years ago I gradually started to reclaim the space. As I tried to figure out what I wanted I realized that my needs had to co-exist with my decorating ideas. I wanted an office, but it must be one that I enjoyed being in, otherwise what was the point?

When you walk into the room you are facing the window that overlooks the garden. The wall that it is on has a sloping ceiling, actually two, the middle of the wall (above the window) has a four foot flat area, this slopes down on either side to walls that are about four feet tall. I decided to try and make the room appear taller by painting the window wall, the ceiling and the slopes a soft butter cream. The rest is painted in a gorgeous blue/green color that I bought in the discard section of the local hardware store. I would love to say that this was effortless, but it wasn't. It took me several colors of paint, and many painted walls, to find the combination that made the r0om look as large as possible while also maximizing the natural light coming in from the window.

After I had painted I scrounged the house for things I could use as storage. I already had a filing cabinet and a desk but I knew I needed a place for my decorating supplies, color charts, books etc. I found an old white bookcase, a table lamp and a strange, collapsible shelf from years ago that had been stored in the basement.

Armed with all this I knew that my first priority was to put the desk in front of the window. The desk is quite old, laminated in an old fashioned duck egg blue with gold speckles and one of those lovely little shelves that pull out to the side to give you extra space. I rarely use the shelf, but it makes me happy to know that it is there, hidden, just in case.

Once I had put the desk in front of the window the white bookcase went to the right of the window and the other, smaller one, went to the left hand wall with my printer on it. The metal filing cabinet disappeared with just a few magazines stacked on top of it. The computer chair had to go so I brought up an old, wooden dining chair from the basement. I later decided I needed a chair in the corner of the room. I was fortunate to have a wrought iron armchair in the garden that I didn't mind bringing inside. I spray painted the chair white, sanded it a little then recovered the plastic cushions with some vintage tablecloths.

Now, I know that this seems like a very vanity driven room, and I think, in hindsight, it is. But, I know myself well enough to know that how my surroundings look and feel reflects the way I function. I need to be organized, but I also need my home to inspire me, and I have to enjoy what I am looking at. The other side of it is purely practical. If everything is in it's place and I like where I have put it, I am more likely to be able to find things and therefore stay motivated and on task.

On the mundane side I have tweaked things as I have gone along. I tend to accumulate a lot of coffee cups on my desk which has led to a designated spot that I had to train myself to use (yes, it sounds daft but if you have ever spilled a cup of coffee on your desk you'll know what I mean). I can't do without coffee so I had to adapt my work area accordingly to avoid future mishaps. I also decided to screw two vintage cup hooks into the side of the bookcase that faces to the right of my desk. These have binder clips hanging from them which hold bills and anything of importance that I need to attend to. This idea was simple but so successful as they are always in my sight and I can reach them easily. The bookshelf is from Ikea, and is made of melamine, so the hooks screwed in easily but securely. A noticeboard or a taut picture hook wire with clips could also be used.

While I am thinking of binder clips, here are some other thoughts that may help the pajama clad worker:

- Try and keep your office folders and books all of one type/style. Whether you are a contractor or a writer this will help to keep your work space visually clutter free. If you are not sure what to choose just use all black stationary, it's inexpensive and always looks good.

- Think of unusual pieces of furniture to store your PC equipment on. Traditional computer tables and desks are often too big and unnecessary, don't overthink your solutions. Many electronic pieces are smaller than they used to be and you can easily store them on a small table or shelf that you may have already.

- Add artwork to inspire and motivate you. Some people find words and quotes to be helpful.

- Limit the amount of family photos and belongings that you have in your home office. I know as I write this that it sounds a bit callous,but I think that if you have the luxury of an office at home it is important to try and avoid blurring the lines. You will be less distracted and work more efficiently, if you and your family recognize that this is work and not just a parent playing on the computer.

- Find your most productive time of day and let that be your strength. Make phone calls and important decisions during that time.

- Pretend that you work in a cubicle; at the end of each day tidy your desk and make a list for tomorrow.

- Anything that you can stick a pin into is a good thing (this sounds funny when I read it back, but you know what I mean). I am a visual person, I need my notes, colors, inspirations out where I can see them. Do the same with lists, phone numbers, anything that you need or want to be reminded of. Hang it in plain sight. Even small sewing pins can attach pieces of paper to a wall with minimal damage.

- Reorganize often. As your needs change so should your office space. Don't be afraid to admit it is no longer working, get in there and move things around.

And finally, put on your pajamas, grab a cup of coffee and get to work!

My Kitchen - a love story

2009-07-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have Kitchen Envy. Anyone who knows me knows that I lament my kitchen. Whenever I visit a home for the first time (or second or tenth) I can often be caught hyperventilating in the corner as I gasp in awe at their kitchen. I try to be discreet as I look around; taking in the details, my mind immediately begins to work overtime. I briefly entertain the idea of magically transporting their kitchen into my home. Do you think they would notice? Slightly disillusioned I go home and look around, sadly. If only I could knock down a wall or replace the floor or make it just, well, better. Then (this is the odd part) I immediately fell guilty for inflicting such disdain onto my small, unpretentious 1930's kitchen.

My kitchen and I first met in 1991. It is very small, about 8 feet by 10 feet with three entrances leading into it. It has one small window over the sink. The refrigerator, when opened, blocks one door, the dishwasher, when opened, blocks another and a cabinet door can easily block the last entrance. The fridge and oven are side by side and the sink is on the opposite wall. The microwave sits by the telephone. It is a maze of disorganization in which I am often spinning from area to area like a confused, plus-sized ballerina.

When I moved in it had yellow, peeling linoleum on the floor and orange and yellow calico wallpaper. The countertops were a bright sky blue and the cabinets were oak with rectangular brass handles. Pretty standard fare for a house that was from the 1930's but was last renovated in the late 70's.

The first thing I did was to try and remove the wallpaper. Unfortunately there were several other layers of wallpaper underneath. As I investigated the last layer I could glimpse the bathroom wall on the other side. I hastily patched the wall and tried to forget what I had seen. My solution was to put up pretty flowered wallpaper that matched (?) the blue countertop. It instantly brightened the room but I tired of the wallpaper almost before I had finished putting it up.

Next I decided to get the floor redone. Peeling yellow vinyl linoleum was replaced with more white vinyl linoleum. Don't ask me what I was thinking; my plan was to lighten it all up, and to have as much white as possible seemed to be the right solution at the time. The white linoleum lasted for about a year, until I decided I wanted slate on the floor. Not being able to afford slate I got slate colored press on tiles instead. To be fair to the tiles I have had them about 15 years and I still quite like the way they look.

Ok, so I have the floor in pretend slate and the walls are still flowery. Time to tackle the countertops. I was watching HGTV one day when I saw Christopher Lowell paint countertops. I had to do it. My countertops were bright blue, I dreamed of a neutral countertop. So, I primed the countertops, painted them cream and applied many layers of polyurethane to them. They looked beautiful (to me). Shortly afterwards I found some decorative vintage tiles at an old farmhouse store in Pennsylvania. I laid the tiles onto the countertop so that I could put hot pans and things onto it. I loved the uniqueness of them. I later went on to attach them directly to the countertop (crumbs were always getting caught inbetween them and we had become home to about 3 million ants). As an afterthought I also bought two large marble tiles and glued them to the little countertop next to the stove - they were great for putting hot pans on and were very easy to clean.

It was during all these exploits that I realized one of my favorite things to do was to decorate as much as I could with as little money as possible. When I added up what I had spent, it was barely anything. Most things just needed a little creativity, some planning and time.

I continued with the kitchen. The wallpaper had to go, I wanted to create a serene kitchen that was functional and pretty but did not draw attention to it's many, obvious flaws. I decided to paint over the flowery wallpaper. I had a small painting in the living room that had a border of dark green paint. I loved that green, and decided that if I hung the tiny painting in the living room it could be a suggestion of the color that was also in the kitchen. I color-matched the paint and began to paint (without primer). Yes, it bubbles up and yes it took a lot of paint. But, if you wait a little bit, or pop it with a pin, the bubbling subsides and you can flatten the paper out. Obviously I would never recommend doing this in a large area or an area with a very bright color on the wall. The dark green covers a lot of flaws and is very forgiving in the kitchen.

When it was done I hung up some old back and white photographs and admired what I was beginning to create. The photographs stood out nicely against the green and the cream countertops balanced well with the cabinets and the floor.

My next adventure with the kitchen was the cabinets. I have two dreams for my kitchen. Well, more than that but I'll tell you the first two. The first one is to remove the cabinets that flank the window and put up open shelves instead. The second idea is to remove the cabinets altogether and to make an entire wall of windows. As I thought about these options I knew that what I could do in the meantime was to remove the cabinet doors to give the illusion of open shelves. So, this is what I did. I lived with this for a while but then I decided it just looked like I had removed the doors on the cabinets. Not exactly what I was looking for.

At this point I needed to stop and think a bit, my kitchen had to remain functional while I experiment with my ideas. What I came up with was to paint all the upper cabinets cream, remove any dated moldings and replace the hardware. I decided I wanted to try and develop a bespoke kitchen, one that looks pieced together over time. I wanted the kitchen to appear as big as possible and I wanted to make the oak cabinets as quiet as I possibly could without actually replacing them.

So what I did was buy (on ebay) glass knobs for the upper cabinets and wooden, unfinished pulls for the bottom ones. I stained the wooden ones to match the cabinets. I went ahead, primed and painted all of the cabinets (note: don't use water based primer on something that you really need to be durable, I had to redo the entire kitchen with an oil-based primer as the water based one could be scraped off easily). I removed several pieces of molding that I didn't like, painted the flowery walls behind them and I put the new hardware on the cabinets.

When it was done I was so pleased with it. The green, cream and wood blend together nicely and the glass knobs on the cabinet give an unexpected lightness to the cabinets.

You may think I am done at the moment, but I'm not. I now have my eye on some original dark red linoleum for the floor, and, despite frowns from some kitchen designers, I am still thinking of marble or stainless steel on the countertops. Not to mention that I want the wall above the stove knocked down and some cabinets removed and a free standing pantry..............

A few of my favorite things

2009-07-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

I love those bits in magazines that tell you the Editor's favorite picks for the months. So, for this week I thought I would list a few of my favorite decorating items and websites. Things that I either covet or already own.

Artichoke Lamp

Created by Danish architect Poul Henningsen, in 1958. I am not sure what it is that I love so much about this lamp (I don't even like artichokes) but the design is one that is also studied and admired world wide. It is truly timeless and would look at home in any setting (modern or traditional).
www.scandinaviandesign.com/poulHenningsen/index.htm

Photographs by Ted Scott

Ted Scott photographs and digitally enhances the sights and sounds of New Zealand, it's people and landscape. I have several of the 8 x 10 prints in my home. One of my absolute favorites is a composed photograph of Sheep and Sailboats. Ted's photographs can be purchased for a very small amount of money and the quality is exceptional.
www.fotofile.co.nz

Sofas

Made to order by a company called Cool Sofa's. Fabrics, design and size can all be custom made for a very good price. The website allows you to experiment with your designs on the computer and you can request samples of the fabric for a very nominal fee.
www.coolsofa.com

Handmade and Vintage Items

A website devoted totally to entrepreneur's who make or sell handcrafted and vintage items. Everything from handmade stationery to jewelry and clothing. It is all unique and there is the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting a home business. Many things can be custom ordered to your specifications.
www.etsy.com

Leaf Garland Lamp

The second pendant lamp on my list (I actually had five but narrowed it down fearing a bit of a fetish). This lamp has been on my "to buy" list for about 10 years. In silver, I know that it would probably look a little crazy in my house but I love the ethereal shapes of the leaves, the whimsy of it.
www.moma.com

Linens, china, glassware, utensils, furniture, lighting, countertops, flooring

Everything can be found at Ikea, either online or at the store. Items are less expensive and better quality than mid-priced retail stores. The only downside is that the turnover is huge, buy when you see it as it may not be back for a while. All furniture can be tested out at the store and usually ordered in many different styles and colors. If you want style within a budget then this is the place to go.
www.ikea.com

Thrift Stores, Habitat ReStores, Mission Stores, Salvation Army etc

I love wandering around these stores. Several pieces of furniture in my home were bought here, usually the price of delivery was more than the cost of the item. If you are looking for something specific it is best to go often, dealers are always scouting these places for antiques and great bargains they can re-sell at an amazing profit. The best things to buy are sofas and chairs (reupholster or change the pillows if needed or add taller legs if they are too low) dressers, bookshelves, china and vintage kitchenalia.

Lady in Red
by Rose Thummel

I bought this painting several years ago and I never tire of looking at it.
It's never too late to start a wish-list. Keep a website file in your computer (or just cut out pictures from magazines and pin them to the wall). I am almost certain that one day what you want will find it's way into your home...

Flip-flop Decorating.

2009-07-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

I grew up in New Zealand. The photograph above is of the beach down the street from my house. I never appreciated it until I moved away. Now I live in New Jersey and when Summer hits I always feel the need for water, sand and sun. Last week I went to the beach twice. I found that once there I never wanted to leave. Both experiences were totally different but equally as much fun.

The first day we went to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. If ever there was a place that confronted the senses head on it would be Coney Island and the surrounding area. After visiting the NY Aquarium we walked onto the Boardwalk for lunch. The boardwalk is made of wood and very wide, sand and ocean on the left and the Amusement Park on the right. The original Amusement park was shut down years ago but then reopened with modifications a short time later. There are vestiges of the old amusements; some working and some left to slowly fall apart. I know that eventually the ones that are not being maintained will have to be removed, for safety reasons, but for now they are a fond memory for those of us who visited it years ago.

After lunch we went to the beach. The beach was so crowded that to relax and listen to the ocean was not on the agenda. But people-watching was. There were people there from all walks of life, some were in bathing suits but many were in street clothes with their pants rolled up and their shirts unbuttoned. Many were children straight from school; still carrying backpacks and in school uniforms, their parents yelling at them to hold their shoes up out of their waves. The day was warm and there were street vendors walking the beaches selling homemade jewelry and bottles of water. It reminded me that summer should be what we make of it. Grasp the moments when you can and don't worry if your not exactly prepared for it, just enjoy.

The next day we went to Spring Lake in New Jersey. An area filled with Victorian homes and a small town center with Antique shops and ice cream parlors. The boardwalk is more modern but it is long and welcoming to anyone who wants to walk it or ride their bicycle along it. There aren't rides or amusements but there is a small pavilion and outdoor showers. It is very beautiful, sailboats pass by and you are almost certain to see dolphins and ferries. The ocean was rough that day, to watch it from a distance was relaxing but not very safe for those who wanted to swim or surf. The children played at the very edge while the lifeguards were kept busy curtailing the adults who needed to show off their surfing skills.

On both days I left sunburned, happy and tired. When I got home I realized that my home needed to reflect the summer days a bit more and I wanted that carefree feeling to blend seamlessly from the outside to the inside.

So, after two days at the beach here are my ideas for Summer decorating:

Color.
- If you want to create a festive mood use bright colors like reds, greens and blues or,
- Use greys, whites, blues and pale yellows for a more serene feel.

Organic.
- Pick branches from a tree, buy a bunch of flowers at the farm or supermarket. Try to choose plants that are naturally occurring around your area, this will feel more relaxing than an exotic or artificial plant. If you can't find a bouquet that you like then just buy a plant, in bloom, repot it and put it on your table.

Memories.
- What does summertime and vacation mean to you? Even if you can't go on vacation scatter things around the house that evoke that feeling for you. (Souvenirs, fabrics, even a bowl full of sand and shells that you collected ages ago or ones that you bought at the craft store recently).

Photographs.
- Enlarge photographs of places you have visited and hang them on the wall in inexpensive frames. Or just put the photographs in a bowl and put them on the coffee table, no-one will be able to resist looking through them.

Vision Boards.
- Cut out pictures of places you would like to visit, or postcards you have received and pin them to a noticeboard. Add words that inspire and relax you.

I know we all work, and that life can be hectic, but try to make your Summer a special time for you and your family. Think of it as an opportunity to enjoy being outdoors; remember that feeling of being a teenager, sunbathing in the backgarden and reading cheap novels that took no effort (other than turning the pages and trying not to spill your iced tea). Go to a farm market and buy fresh fruits and vegetables (only the ones that you truly love). Make homemade guacamole and grill fresh corn alongside your hamburgers. Play music louder than you should. Wear flip-flops to the grocery store and cotton peasant tops that make you feel cool and comfortable. Sit outside and eat. Light candles, listen to what is happening around you and wait as long as you can before you surrender to the mosquitoes.

Whether or not you go on vacation is irrelevant, pretend that you are already there!