.

.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Summer Solutions


When Summertime hits, we want to be outside; a few minutes of fresh air and sunshine seems to make everyone’s world feel so much brighter. If we’re lucky, our thoughts drift to daydreams, and we remember to look around us a little bit more; absently wondering about the universe, instead of rushing around and complaining about what we should, or shouldn’t, be doing next. I like to believe that Summer is nature’s way of telling us to take a break, and slow down a bit.
Of course, I know that it isn’t all sunshine and daisies, and sometimes our outdoors is not what we would like it to be, but waiting until we have the perfect space is to deny ourselves a whole lot of happy moments. Instead of worrying about what we don’t have, why not adapt what we do, tweak it a bit, and enjoy that extra dose of Vitamin D (see, it’s even healthier to be outside!). Here are my favorite items for getting the most out of any outdoor space.
A round table with a pedestal base – Will comfortably seat four, six at a squish, and takes up very little room.
Mirrors, crystals, wind-chimes etc - Adds energy, and extra space, by creating movement and reflecting light.
A sturdy bench or trunk – Useful as a serving piece, a display area, extra storage, and a place to sit on.
Candles, lanterns and fairy lights - Makes an outdoor room feel warm and cozy (and practical).
Plants - Let these be your go-to item (the garden equivalent of the little black dress); they will soften any corners, add texture, color, and hide the bits you don’t want to see.
Height – Not technically an item, but so necessary to add scale and interest. Use your accessories to go up (hanging baskets, lanterns in trees, tall screens or trellises etc).
Your personality - Probably the most important item of all. Don’t forget to bring some of yourself outside with you. Add a few books, your favorite color, an ornament, or a blanket for when it gets cold…

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

English Thoughts Abroad


There is something very iconic about the Union Jack. Of course, all countries have flags, and many use them as promotional souvenirs and symbols of patriotism, but I think that the Union Jack may be the most decoratively used flag.
While reading an article about a popular British model, I was struck by a beautiful vintage flag that she had in her New York apartment (a Union Jack, loosely pinned up on the wall, implying that it wanted to be a headboard).  My mind fell in love, and I had to see what other Interior Designs I could find that were inspired by this graphic favorite.
I suspect the bold graphic has a lot to do with its visual appeal, but I also like to think that it (subliminally) fills our minds with thoughts of royalty, tradition and a murky reminder to move forward, hold our heads up high and carry on.
In this children’s room, it is nestled between the two beds; echoing the preciseness of the design, but (thankfully) adding a bit of personality, saving it from being just a little too sweet.
Perfect for almost any room, it evokes a certain nostalgic, pop-art vibe that is the muse for many designers. English designers in particular, are well known for incorporating the flag into their fashion, and some have even stepped into the Interior Design market, creating exclusive pieces for an elite list of clients.

This rug, by Vivienne Westwood, is fabulous in this home. The casualness of the setting totally belies the expense; it manages to feel a little undone, but enormously grand at the same time.
This rug is definitely another item for my designer bucket list!





Thanks to Vivienne Westwood for always providing inspiration, and The Rug Company for their gorgeous designer rugs.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Home is not a home without...

This week, I am happy to post a piece written by Sue West. Sue is a professional organizer whose company, Space 4U, specializes in helping people to downsize, organize and simplify their personal and business lives. In this excerpt, she writes about how to cope with clutter during a time of major change.
As a special treat, Sue is offering a free copy of her book, 
Organize for a Fresh Start: Embrace Your Next Chapter in Life to one of our readers. Just submit a comment (make sure we have an email address for you) and all names will be put into a hat for the drawing. My daughter will choose the lucky winner, and you will be notified next Friday if you have won! 


External clutter is often a symptom of internal clutter. The mail that’s piled up is because your child was just diagnosed with a learning disability and you’ve got a lot on your plate now. Or your mom now needs caregiving and you’re trying to figure out how to make her a priority, and still give your all to your family and your business. Or a room no longer has a purpose. Or it has too many purposes going on at once.
Major changes and life transitions often bring on distraction, intense emotions and some overwhelming feelings. And when that happens, whether the change has been of your choice or foisted on you, our stuff and our time can get a bit out of control.
The good news is that reorganizing is cathartic, not just for your physical stuff, but also for your internal, emotional or psychological "stuff." The organizing makeover—that big change you make in the beginning—can be quite a journey: one that is cathartic, sentimental, and treasure-laden. It can be a very useful processing time that helps you deal with the changes you've gone through or are transitioning into.
Once you’re on the other side of that life change, you will think differently about how you use your time – what’s important now – and you’ll think differently about which belongings are most important to have around you. You’ve changed inside and gained new clarity.

The Journey Starts with a Tour
As you prepare to physically reorganize your house and your belongings, you’ll start by taking a tour of your own home. Bring your notebook or your camera because as you tour, you’re going to decide which belongings truly make home feel like home. You’ll want a record of this to help you move forward, after the tour.
Sit or stand in each room and acknowledge what specifically makes the room feel like home to you. This will be your first cut at identifying what stays in your life and what you may be ready to let go of, as you move into your next chapter. 

Each room has had a purpose in the past, but each room can have a new purpose now. Use the questions below to help you decide which items from the past are still part of who you are today and which items are not so anymore. This reorganization is about having your home reflect who you are now and who you are becoming. We need to make physical space for current and new interests. You may not know what they are yet, but you will, soon enough.

Questions to Ask Yourself
What do you see? What do you notice first (and why?)
What kind of energy do you feel in this spot?
What's in place? Out of place?
Which objects have good memories associated with them?
Which things do you not really see anymore?
What did you love – awhile ago – but now feel differently about?
What activities used to occur here and don't need to anymore (but the stuff is still located here)?
How would you like this space to be?
Do you need space for something which is wedged in somewhere else in the house currently (“I wish I had space for …”)
Do you enjoy the color scheme, décor, and lighting? Is it still your tastes?

It's a pretty exciting journey if you're ready to get on board. So enjoy it and don't rush it. It's the journey, not the destination; the destination may change, as you make the journey if you let it.

Thursday, May 10, 2012


If you give a Mom a minute,
      she'll want a cup of tea and a magazine.
Reaches for her favorite mug,
      but starts to unload the dishwasher instead.
While putting away the dishes,
      she rearranges the cupboards.
Decides to put some dishes aside for a garage sale.
      Calls her friend for advice,
but forgets to ask about garage sales.

Goes to the toilet, and notices the shower is dirty.
      Sprays and scrubs the shower stall,
while she reorganizes the body scrubs and shampoos.
      Throws away expired medicines,
and cleans the bathroom cabinet.
      This reminds her to call the Pediatrician.

On the way downstairs to get the telephone number,
      she notices the floor needs vacuuming.
Gets the vacuum cleaner,
      and sees all of her handbags.
Distracted, she starts to look inside them.
      Throws out a a pile of old lists,
seventeen hair ties and a melted lollipop.
      A dirty cigarette packet,
but knows she doesn't smoke.
      Puzzled, and embarrassed,
she remembers picking it up off the lawn months ago.

Thoughts of smoky handbags remind her to wash the laundry,
      and she forgets to call the Pediatrician.
As the laundry spins,
      she begins to tidy the cellar.
Makes another pile of things for the garage sale,
      wondering why on earth she agreed to do it in the first place.

The laundry done, she hears a drip,
       but decides to ignore it.
Folds the laundry, opens the mail,
        and fills the tea kettle with water.
As she waits for it to boil,
       she absently wonders why the water is still running.
Perhaps the washing machine has turned back on,
       or maybe it is starting to rain.
A lot.
     
She hears more noises in the cellar.
     The cat is crying, and the phone is starting to ring.
So she just stops listening.
     Her child is sick,
and she must be picked up immediately,
      if not sooner.
Before she hangs up,
      she is sweetly reminded that she has to bring four decorated cakes,
473 dark blue napkins and 8 dozen bottles of water to school.
Tomorrow. By 7:30am.
      It's Children Appreciation Day.
Oh, and don't forget -
      no gluten, no sugar, no peanuts, no dairy and no mushrooms.

She drives to the school,
      brings her child home, and puts her to bed.
With a bucket.
      Which reminds her of water,
and the cat.
      Marooned on a shelf,
he is watching as the water steadily laps around the basement floor.

Calling the Plumber reminds her that she never did drink that cup of tea,
      so she decides to turn the tea kettle on,
                       and take that minute....


(Written by me, but inspired by Laura Numeroff's wonderful books for children).