Thoughts On A Sofa

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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

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!

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'

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

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!

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

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...

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

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.

Simply, Regal, Black

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

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....

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

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

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

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!

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

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...

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...

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

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!

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

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?"...

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

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"