Home Decor

The First Step of Good Décor

2008-07-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

If you don’t clean regularly and thoroughly (or have someone else do so), décor won’t make your place look a whole lot better. No matter how high the quality or expense of your stuff may be, if your place is dirty, it loses a lot of panache.

It’s obvious that you never really see something until you have to clean it. Most people just keep buying things and stuffing them into available spaces, or, at best, putting some thought into placement and then just leaving them there for years. Every so often they’ll wipe said object off, and perhaps dust it once a month, but it’s important that the area around it not be forgotten-and not just as a matter of clearing out dust bunnies and other allergens. Believe it or not, the vibrancy of every item of décor, as well as walls, draperies, blinds and carpeting diminishes when left unattended for too long. Cleaning is an excellent time to take stock of the condition of your possessions, the practicality of their placement, and the way they interact with their surrounding space.

This week, I did my every-nine-month wall, door and molding cleaning-and as usual, was surprised that it actually gleams (it’s all white). I probably should do it more frequently, but the idea of it is always more overwhelming than the actual work. What’s funny is that if this type of cleaning is separated into 3 or 4 activity periods of about an hour each, it’s not difficult at all, and a quick wipe with a simple wet cloth dampened with diluted liquid soap can extinguish almost every mark except paint scratches or splashed hair coloring. At the same time, you’ll get an overview of just what repair work may need done, and chances are, you’ll also have a few brainstorms along the way regarding décor changes.

Small rugs can be washed outside and rinsed with the hose, then left to dry in the shade while hanging over a chair; you would be wise to vacuum first to remove pet hairs and ground-in dirt. If your drapes can be machine washed, try to do so at least annually-you will be able to notice a distinct difference, and will feel good knowing that you’re no longer breathing in the trapped dust. Blinds should be wiped fairly often, but, if you’re like most people, this chore falls way down on a priority list, if it’s even there at all. But try to give them a decent cleaning to get off the top layer of grime, especially if you’ve gone to the trouble to wash the other window treatments.

Now how do you retain that level of almost-perfection? Keeping on a cleaning maintenance will also keep the attention on your lovely items and décor choices instead of your guests being distracted by clutter or dirt. That means making a schedule and sticking to it-or forcing your kids and spouse to abide by some parameters. Try to get your weekly cleaning routine down to a science in a way that works for you. For example, clean each room at a time or, even one floor per day…whatever you can manage. See if there’s a convenient socket so that you don’t have to keep moving your vacuum connection; it’s much easier to do an entire level in one swoop. Keep a supply of cleaning products and utensils in each powder or bathroom so you don’t have to keep toting them around.

Who wants to come home to a dirty house and be more stressed? Your abode should welcome you with organization, beauty, with favorite items out arranged to your satisfaction. When people (especially kids) clean their own mess, they will hopefully realize humility and understand accountability. When one aspect of your life is under control, you may feel empowered to take even more control in other areas; feeling like the house has the upper hand is not the best feeling to experience. Finally, think about it-when’s the last time you saw a messy, dirty room advertised in a décor magazine or showroom? No one wants to live in a museum, but the most harmonious surroundings are clean and neat as well.

Sounds Can Add to our Homes

2008-07-21T07:37:00.001-07:00

This site is primarily about the visual aspect of our homes, yet we can’t forget the audio aspect. What good is it to have a stunningly lovely home, but have our nerves be grated upon by sounds that make us want to go elsewhere?

Noise pollution is just as bad as all other kinds of tangible pollution. Do some sounds really annoy you? The other day a perturbing sound started me thinking about the relevance of why certain sounds affect certain people, and the only reason I could figure was that they touch part of our historical psychology-in other words, they remind us of past unpleasant associations. Probably psychologists have a whole realm of more technical causes, but I don’t like reminders of times when I felt bad, and I’m sure most people don’t, either. The same could be said for sounds that elevate our mood; again they are quite variable and can cover a wide range. But, some sounds bother us to such a degree that they may even be a reason for not living in a specific locale.

Some of the sounds I particularly find disquieting would definitely affect my home atmosphere, just as those I love could add to it. For example, I find the sound of a train whistle quite sad, and would never live near a track that’s still in use. The forlornness of a train whistle conjures a despair of hard times from my parents’ generation that is unexplainable, but still very real to me. I would not wish to hear neighbors play music from the 40’s, especially polkas…My grandparents would listen to such music on an old radio every Sunday, and, although my childhood was happy, such songs have always inexplicably annoyed me.

I also can’t stand Instant Message notification…you know, that aggravating “blmmmp”. Even worse are those sounds that some people install in place of that blmmmp. (One time I was near the computer and didn’t realize it was on. My daughter had just turned off the monitor but left the audio volume on “high”. As I bent over to retrieve something from the desk drawer, a loud kissing smack reverberated out of the speaker and almost gave me a heart attack.) That, to me, is noise pollution.

So, what can you do to eliminate the bad noise and add good noise into your home to put you in a better mood? And, is there any way to add to your décor while doing so? Perhaps there is, if you think long and hard and use some creativity. One very common way to block out street noise is with a machine that generates another noise, such as humidifiers, air conditioning, heating, and the like. But few want to have to resort to machinery all the time, especially if it’s not really required. “White noise” devices for bedrooms are small but effective, and bubbling fountains may be considered for use in family or living rooms. They don’t need to be the type seen in pictures of mansions; less ostentatious models are now available for the “average” homeowner. Most folks wouldn’t want to keep a television on all day, but turned to cable music stations, or using a radio set on a non-commercial station may also work in offering a pleasant layer of music to blanket the neighbors’ lawnmowers, dogs, or kids.

Don’t forget chiming clocks; grandfather clocks have been long held in esteem for their reassuring bongs every hour, but only you can decide if they would be disruptive to your sleep. Wind chimes outside a door that’s open during warm weather can add a pleasant feeling to your home, but you can also hang one on the inside, above a window, for the same effect. (These have the added benefit of being made in metal, wood, shells and other natural materials, and can be a lovely accessory to any room.)

Look around and see if anything bothers you, and do something about it. Turn off speakers if they bother you; close windows if the kids are playing ball underneath it-or open windows to hear the wind and the birds.

There are good reasons why certain monks and nuns maintain periods of silence, and why cats run away from noise and commotion. Sounds do have a way of getting to us, for good and bad reasons.

Decorating with Childhood Toys

2008-07-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Do you still have any of your toys from childhood? And, if you have them, are they in closet somewhere, or displayed in a creative way? There is something touching about saving what was once important to you, even if you don’t have children or aren’t even planning on having children.

My parents kept some of my toys in their attic for almost 30 years. I’m glad they did; it was heartwarming to see my daughter play with them. Until age 6 or 7, my old fashioned Barbie with the puffy blond hair and Stewardess outfit did just fine. Then my daughter realized that Barbies no longer change their clothes; parents just buy more Barbies. Poor puffy haired Barbie dropped low on the totem pole behind Mermaid Barbie and the Brat doll (who didn’t even have feet). Such is the way with new inventions…

So what have I done with such remnants of my youth? Well, it’s not exactly like we’re living in a toy store, but I put some items out now and then to add a little humor, and perhaps you can adapt these ideas to do the same with your possessions.

1. If you have a child-sized chair, stash it in a corner of a room, add a cushion, and then sit a doll on top of the cushion. Young guests will be drawn to that corner, and it could add just the whimsy you may want.

2. Small animal collections, or even horse statues, might fit on one of your shelves, especially in a workroom or office. Group like materials together, such as a collection of Beanie Babies and arrange them to be all sitting up or facing the same way.

3. If you have small toy fish, you can create an underwater scene by gluing them onto poster board that’s been painted in blue and green swirls, then attaching small seashells along the bottom, and framing it. This may work well in a bathroom.

4. Two or three similar stuffed animals (either by type or color) can also add lightheartedness where you need something different. Tie strips of material around them as scarves in the winter, and let them don sunglasses in summer.

5. If you display mini-cornucopias around Thanksgiving, see how children’s plastic fruit or vegetables look when displayed in it; they may or may not be too small. Another option is to arrange the fake food in small bowls around displays of pilgrims and fall items representative of the harvest.

6. Horseshoes and old game boards can be hung on the walls of game rooms or finished basements, and blocks can be set besides standing books, like book ends.

7. If you or your child has a collection of really small novelty items, you could consider making them into refrigerator magnets. All you need is a bunch of old advertising magnets, cut into 1 or 2 inch squares, and some heavy-duty glue. Find the flattest space of each object, glue the magnet piece on, and let dry overnight.

8. Old checkerboard or chessboards can be painted over with fanciful designs to become conversation pieces.

9. Consider hanging one or two shelves just for those special objects that you would like to have within sight, but don’t want to be in the way, such as past souvenirs, flags, or trophies-even if silly.

10. Bulk a large amount of small colored balls in a jar, place a collection of different playing cards in a basket, or drop several dozen marbles into a glass vase.

11. If you have older kids, they may be amused by “toy wreaths” using items from their earlier youth, such as a forgotten collection of plastic reptiles, bugs, dinosaurs, snakes all hot-glued onto a twig-wreath.

12. Another use for old toys could be a small Christmas tree decorated with a few strings of colored lights and model cars, small plastic novelties or tiny animal statues.

Finally, as mentioned a few weeks ago, cute centerpieces can be made by using toys arranged in seasonal themes.

Add a bit of panache to your surroundings with well-loved items from the past. You may not feel like a kid again, but you may just feel wonderment at life once again.

Are You an Inside or Outside Decorator?

2008-07-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it seems that many adults o fall into one category or the other when it comes to their efforts and use of free time.

Take summer, for instance-my husband rises even earlier than usual to water his garden and flowers. It would take a great deal of inspiration for me to crawl out of bed at 6 am if I did not need to, especially to stand and hold a hose. He spends countless hours in the yard growing what is available right down the street at the grocery store, and spends ridiculous amounts of money trying to enhance that which is already green. I cannot understand this. In our front yard, he spaces the flowers the same distance apart, using just the right soil ingredients, then encompasses it all within a deer fence so the results aren’t eaten. (Tomatoes still disappear nightly, but the way I see it, animals have to eat, too.) His herb garden is equally measured into sections, all neatly labeled with the specimen in progress. The yard itself is not landscaped with a retaining wall, flagstone path, fountain, bridge, pool, or any other “décor” item, but to him, it’s beautiful.

Who knows why some like fixing up their outsides and others don’t? Some people dream of having a huge yard to landscape, but I dream of moving back to a townhouse where even mowing isn’t necessary. I hate to admit it because you green thumb people will judge me negatively, but I couldn’t care less about what happens in my yard. If company is coming and I think we’ll be sitting outside, I’ll clean the furniture and sweep, and perhaps buy a pot of flowers, but that’s the extent of my time or energy.

When others rave about their excitement in watching handiwork bloom and ripen, I do feel that I’m missing an elemental joy, but it still doesn’t motivate me to start digging. People like me prefer to putter around inside. We fill our time with pursuits involving electricity while the former types prefer hobbies that take place in the great outdoors. I think that it’s ironic that men who spend hours in the heat-such as fishing and golfing-can’t stand to be without air conditioning when indoors. This is not saying that people like me spend all of their time inside when the weather beckons; it’s implying that, given a choice, we’d opt to spend energies on activities which are easier done within the comforts of four walls, soft chairs, and conveniences close at hand. We simply like to have our materials close at hand so that we can come up with our wonderful and creative results without having to fight the elements.

The focus on today’s article is that to not feel inadequate if you're surrounded by people who constitute whatever type of decorator you are not. The world needs both. A desire to work in the hot sun or humidity, getting fertilizer on one's hands and weed killer on one's feet, amounts to something. Strangers driving along (like me) often point and exclaim how pretty the landscaping and flowers look. Such efforts have the ability to brighten an entire street. Perhaps the inside of such a person's house doesn’t have the most conducive walkways, seating arrangements, or room “flow”, but residents probably sit outside on most warm evenings, anyway. Those of us who like to live inside are equally comfortable entertaining in a room that we’ve spent many hours rearranging and are just as happy gazing upon our results. Both of our “surroundings” could be considered temporary, and both take some amount of work. Both can also be the source of pride and achievement.

I thank those who give the world more beauty through their efforts in their yards and flower beds. I appreciate your improving on Mother Nature and admire your patience. It’s good that you can do something for at least part of the year that you enjoy and find fulfilling. But as for me, I decorate the inside of my house-and perhaps the front door. It may not be all I am physically capable of doing, but right now, I’ve enough to keep me very busy inside.

Worth A Thousand Words

2008-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has not had to acquire a specific painting or photograph must not have seen enough yet, for there is something about a particular visual medium that can, as they say, “take us to a better place.” Art simply makes us happy. Even babies enjoy pictures, and young toddlers try to create their own-even if it’s with an ice cream cone on a wall. We have to wonder about this innate drive to produce images, since no other living creature seems to care about doing so. (If I’m wrong, please leave a comment here so that we can all be informed.)

Probably everyone has art in their home that falls into one of three categories:
A: That which was purchased after a long-standing love affair.
B: That which was either a gift or made by a loved one.
C: That which was grabbed up because it seemed to go with the décor.
Guess which type I’m going to talk about here? Gotcha! It’s number one, not number three as you may have supposed.

It’s the art that haunts us for years that has that special significance-the painting that seems to call out for us to gaze at it every day and still find something new within its borders. Most of such art pulls us into it; perhaps we feel we’ve been there or wish we could be. Or, there’s something about the juxtaposition of light and colors that speaks to us of a happy memory. It’s when we happen upon such a piece that logic takes a back seat. Who cares if it’s too big for the hallway or it doesn’t go with the kitchen colors? Having that art, whether it’s an original, print, or copied reproduction, is all that matters. That’s when you know it has called out and chosen you, not the other way around.

Such a painting has stuck with me for years. As a young teen, I took art classes at a museum and would return every week to a painting by Albert Bierdstadt entitled
“Seal Rock”. Only recently, with the advent of so many poster and art reproduction companies, have I finally been able to get my own copy-and the enigma is still there. I know it may sound strange to have hung it in my master bath, but it seems to belong there. Since dark green waves constitute ¾ of the painting and room has a lot of dark green turquoise, it fits in on a décor level, but, reflected in the main mirror, it keeps me company during the good amount of time that I spend there getting ready. And, since I’ve always loved that painting, it’s good company. Who says you shouldn’t put paintings in a bathroom?

For me, this wonderment also holds true regarding two artists who are famous for their works depicting Paris. Christa Kieffer’s views of French evenings on the town are found in three of my rooms, and I acquired two prints by Michael Delacroix after seeing his Paris scenes displayed in the local library. In every case, it was love at first sight instead of a long term romance-but not to say the emotion was any less real. In addition, I have framed and hung holiday cards reflecting images of my city which are pleasant reminders of times past; for whatever reason, I can’t throw them away. Whether it’s the art evoking memories or my memories expressed in art is irrelevant.

Almost two years ago, I spent a weekend writing for a photographer, and it has been my favorite assignment to date. Looking at one beautiful photo after another is a great way to make a living. An affinity for photos or paintings isn’t a vice but art appreciation. Few can spend $87 million on a painting like someone did in New York back in 2006, but, in this case, price means nothing. You can buy a painting or photograph for almost nothing, yet, its value to you may be invaluable. That’s the mystery and allure of art. If you want to have certain art around you, go for it. This is one time to not worry about logistics. If it draws you in and holds you captive, you’re meant to have it in your life.

Flower Arranging Using Common Sense

2008-06-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Most people have seen enough flower arrangements to know what looks good and what they like. Although every florist boasts a designer to create masterpieces that can take your breath away, don’t be intimidated. You, too, can achieve decent results and a fairly professional artificial flower arrangement using common sense and following a few steps. Furthermore, silk flowers are quite forgiving-if you don’t like the way they look, simply take them out of the vase or basket and try again.

First, consider the season; you’ll have the best results if you focus on the flowers that are growing at that particular time. If you plan to have the arrangement displayed throughout the year, choose those that are almost always available, such as roses or carnations. This will go a long way with color as well; you won’t see too many blues or yellows in the northeast during winter, but oranges and rusts replicate autumn perfectly. The goal is to take nature’s lead, since she usually knows best. Think about what grows when, and with what, and you’ll have some idea of where to start. (For example, holly berries and pine are partners in December, but lilacs don’t bloom at the same time as pussy willows.)

Second, consider the size of your chosen sprigs and hold them up to your available containers. Using the analogy of a lady wearing a hat, a very large woman with big hair probably wouldn’t look good with a teeny cap, just as a petite gal would be overwhelmed with a monster-sized ten gallon cowboy hat. Your vase is the person and the flowers are the cap; they should be comfortable with each other. The range of the flowers' height and width should be somewhat close to that of their containers for the most harmonious effect.

Third, you may wish to use florist’s foam or Styrofoam to anchor your stems so that they stay put for several weeks-even if they'll be in a vase. Styrofoam blocks can be cut using a kitchen knife, and they can withstand many uses. Once they’re filled with holes from flower stems, however, it’s time to throw them away, as they’ll be of little use. If you’re using a basket, set the Styrofoam inside to see how high up it goes. If it’s too low, place something underneath, such as a small empty plastic container, an unused book, or anything else that provides the desired height. If the foam is too high, you can cut its depth.

Fourth, secure the foam in your container so that it’s not movable-if you must use two pieces, secure by connecting with a few toothpicks. Start with one type or one color of flower, placing those around the parameter and inside that parameter in a fairly symmetrical pattern. Followed up with another color or type in the same way, until you no longer see the foam. Remember two things: You don’t need tons of flowers to do this; the first tip is to bend wire stems and fluff out petals to fill up space. The second tip is to add bits of greenery here and there to eliminate empty patches. Voila!

There are a few other considerations that may make this more user-friendly. Keep in mind that stores such as Michaels or Joanne Fabrics often have wonderful sales and coupons when you can purchase large bouquets of silk leaves and flowers. If you’re on a budget, stock up and then snip apart the bouquets. You’ll be left with a lot flowers and leaves at your disposal to mix and match in different arrangements, and it’s much cheaper than buying single stems of silk posies. (Some may be a little difficult to separate, but using pliers, bend the stems back and forth repeatedly, and you’ll have success.)

When you think your arrangement is getting dusty, a spray of water from a spritzer used for real plants will allow the blooms to sparkle again. Finally, once a silken flower begins to fall apart, pull it off its stem and throw it away, but save the stem. You’ll find use for it in the future, for those flowers whose stems may have broken or separated from the wire, or for extra flowers on existing stems that you wish to have their own stems.

Hopefully, these tips will help you create a flower arrangement that is truly one of a kind, yet looks like it is a professional work of art!

Considerations When Rearranging a Room

2008-06-16T13:26:00.001-07:00

Some folks rarely, if ever, move furniture around. Others, like me, seem to have to do it every three or four months, in accordance with the seasons. After so many years, I’ve come up with a few parameters that seem to apply in every case, which just may help some of you who don’t normally rearrange, but are considering it. These tips may save you aggravation in terms of wasted time or energy.

First, consider the season if you don’t live in an area that’s the same all year. Those who must bear cold winters should try to keep beds and couches away from windows during that time unless you’ve covered windows with dressings of blinds, then sheers, then insulated drapes. Equally important is not covering up the heating vents, which always seem to be exactly where you’d like a heavy piece of furniture to be placed. You may luck out if the furniture doesn’t sit directly on the floor, but still, be careful that the heat won’t get blocked by floor-length drapes. In the summer, the same reasoning applies if you’re a big fan of air conditioning. If not, and you know that you’ll often be opening and closing windows, make sure that you can easily reach the windows without having to bend over, or squeeze behind, something else to get to them. You also don’t want to place anything that may easily be bleached by sunlight directly under a window. (Even some flooring and rugs are somewhat susceptible.)

Next, think about your electrical connections and have extension cords available; in all likelihood, especially if you don’t have an overhead light fixture and the main table light is controlled by a switch. The same goes for the complex computer station and cable television connections-it may be a serious undertaking to relocate that equipment. An alternative could be to switch the desk or TV to face another direction, or buy longer cables. Nothing is impossible, but dealing with wiring is rarely easy.

Are there items that no longer fit in your space after rearranging, in terms aesthetic or practical? Well, that happens. Of course, the answer is to put them in another room, but if that’s not feasible, don’t lose hope. Stash smaller things under a table that may be covered with a long cloth, or stack them; use vertical-instead of horizontal-space. Don’t forget unused spaces such as closet floors, high shelves, or even under-bed areas for small and flat accessories.

You will probably find that you may need to re-hang some wall art, or change it completely; it’s not as hard as you think, and you’ll be glad you made the effort. If you are changing colors, you could go all out with a new paint job, or you can just change bed linens, furniture covers, window treatments, accessories, and the like.

You probably already have 99.9% of what you might need; the trick is to dig through your stuff to find what can clearly convey your idea of what your new space should convey. For example, if you like music, you can clear out a lot of miscellaneous things from a room, and focus of those things musical: framed sheet music, wall hangings of music notes, displays of instruments, and pictures of famous musicians. (If you’re a pianist, you may even want to pepper your space with items that are predominantly white and black.) Almost any hobby can be emphasized by displaying your accoutrements. Using the main color theme of your focal point, plan your other colors…the simplest example could be displaying a little girl’s pink and white tutu and pink ballet shoes, then removing items in other colors, save for those which are pink and white (stuffed animals, dolls, boxes, etc) or dance-related.

Changing window coverings gives a lift to a room, and it’s smart to use lighter curtains up in the summer and heavier ones in the winter. Keep in mind which direction you will now be facing upon awakening; you may just room darkening window treatments if you’ll be facing east and sleeping past sunrise.

Rearranging may take a few hours until you’re satisfied, but the hours of pleasure you’ll have for the next few months will definitely be worth the time investment. You may just feel like you’re living in a new-and better-place!

Centerpiece Ideas

2008-06-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

When it comes to centerpieces, don’t let yourself be boxed in by any preconceived notion of how it fit into certain parameters. In fact, placing something in the middle of your table is one area where you can allow your imagination to take issue with rules, expectations, and even the rest of your décor!

At this point in my life, thinking back over some of my centerpieces, I wish I would have taken pictures; there were some I truly enjoyed. But one of the greatest things about centerpieces is that they can be timeless and displayed for as short or as long as you’d like. They can also be given as gifts, copied for others, and taken apart and the components used elsewhere-just like they can be created in the same way. There’s no big amount of time or money commitment with a centerpiece; in fact, some holiday ones can even be kept in storage and used year after year. Centerpieces are one of those decorating dreams that give a lot and rarely take much.

If you’re lucky enough to have both a kitchen table and a dining room table, you may want to use a larger, more elaborate centerpiece in the dining room, even if it won’t be seen by as many casual guests. You’ll see it every time you walk past the room, and it will bring you a jolt of pride. Plus, it won’t get damaged from being jostled three times a day and will make eating there even more special. In the less formal surroundings of the kitchen, your centerpiece may need to be smaller to coincide with the size of the table, but try to have one that can be easily moved for those times that your meal takes more room. (It’s quite annoying to hear someone complaining to “move that thing out of the way” after you’ve spent your creative energies to produce it.) If your regular dining companions don’t like to have anything but their meal on the table, you can still make the table look festive with an attractive covering, runners or placemats, and a decorative napkin holder and salt/pepper shakers grouped with a pair of candles. Make a larger arrangement to keep on the table between meals, or place it on a kitchen center island or the center of anything, such as coffee table, end table, shelving, mantel, etc.-after all, who says a centerpiece has to be on the center of an eating surface?

It’s probably easier to jumpstart creative juices on the holidays, when there is an abundance of novelty items. One of the simplest ways to define a centerpiece base is with a large placemat or folded cloth, preferably in a seasonal color or design. On top of that, a good start is either one large central item, or two large items on either end. This tends to offer a sense of the arrangement having stability. These can be surrounded by smaller items which support the theme-but stop before it looks like a sidewalk sale. An example may be a red basket filled with pine boughs in the center of a white base, with a pair of red candles in tall brass candlesticks slightly behind on one side, a small holiday figurine slightly in front on the other side, and the entire display asymmetrically encircled with garland, in which small red, white and gold bows or ornaments are placed. It’s simple, elegant, and somewhat whimsical, while cohesively conveying the nature of the season.

Think of the defining aspects of the holiday or season for item ideas…New Year’s Eve can use champagne glasses with spirals of curled ribbon falling out of them, surrounded by confetti and noise makers. In summer, think small flags, brightly-wrapped sparklers, and pinwheels protruding from clever containers. Birthday centerpieces can include weighted balloons, novelty artificial cakes, or even large “number” candles stuck in a pot of greenery, flowers or sand. Try to have a consistent color pattern between the base and the items, and everything should connect.

For special occasions, use something representational for the celebration, such as a small trophy, a graduation cap set on an elevated base, or a large photo of the happy couple-you get the idea. Flowers make do make nice centerpieces, but there’s so much more that can make your table one that will be remembered. Have fun with your centerpieces, and a hum-drum meal just might seem a bit more festive!

A Few Novel Decorating Ideas

2008-06-02T11:26:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my favorite designer, Dorothy Draper, I’d like to share a few tips on some innovative decorating ideas. Now mind you, these are contained in one of her books published in the 1960’s, which goes to show you that cleverness and creativity never go out of style as the years pass.

1. If you have a young son, daughter, niece, nephew, or grandchild, you just may be the recipient of some lovely original artwork. One way to display it is to frame some of the smaller ones, or crop, cut and mat them (if the artist won’t mind) and hang them on a large piece of driftwood. If the child has a lot of certificates from school or clubs, or even pins from scouts, you can mount those as well on backing and attach those as well. When guests admire it, you can inform them it’s your “family tree” of accomplishments.

2. Should a beach chair, patio bench or chaise lounge find itself sitting unused in the basement, try throwing a colorful cover over it, and/or pads and pillows, before adding it to a game room. If the rest of the décor is fun, this un-thought of piece will add a bit of whimsy.

3. Instead of always looking for vases for fresh cut or silk flowers, try placing them in earthenware pitchers, small flower pots painted white, or even large, empty cans (with labeling removed and a pretty cloth going half way up, secured with a rubber band that’s hidden by the top of the material hanging down.)

4. Should you be tiring on an old, plain headboard, try placing a high row of narrow, open shelves behind the bed. (If they can be adjusted to different heights, it’s even better.) You can thus place your radio, tissues, etc. immediately behind you and a lamp to the side, then use the upper areas to display knickknacks, photos, or other lightweight items. Move your headboard and night stands to another room for a short change of pace. Remember that if you like to read in bed, it’s wise to invest in one of those support pillows to be comfortable, especially with this arrangement.

5. Some inexpensive ways to add cheer to a room could include buying new knobs for your cabinets, dresser, or armoire, filling apothecary jars with colored candies or brightly wrapped snacks, adding bright white kitchen curtains, hanging a flowered, extra large towel wide upon a towel rack, or even painting an old item an uplifting color.

6. You may have a piece of glass on top of a coffee table or end table, or other surface. If so, you can make the base underneath serve a purpose by laying special items under the glass in an attractive display. Some suggestions may follow themes such as family (photos, art work, family tree diagrams, etc.) vacation (photos, pictures from brochures, maps, etc.) achievements (recital programs, certificates, etc.), and anything else that may hold sentimental importance to you. As long as you arrange the items with thought for an interesting layout, it will be a striking conversation piece for family and friends for as long as you’d like.

7. While you may enjoy your current kitchen window treatment, for a change you can try a roll-down bamboo covering for a fresh and tropical look that keeps out light and heat.

8. For a sizeable amount of pictures in a room with a distinct color scheme, you can gain cohesiveness by either using frames of the same neutral color, or mats of the same, neutral color. If, instead, the room is neutral, you can jazz it up by adding mats or frames in the same bright color (chose one that’s most appealing to you, and stick with it) or, if you’re creative, buy white mats and added dabs of colored paint to all of them in a consistent manner, or cover them with brightly patterned contact paper.

9. For a sophisticated change, make identical book covers for all displayed books, either out of wallpaper, contact paper, or even sturdy material.

Let me know if you try any of these suggestions, and how they worked for you!

Mantels-And What to Do With Them

2008-05-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mantels are one of those funny things: you really don’t need them (or the fireplace below them, actually) but if you buy a house that has one, it becomes a decorating focal point. For almost 40 years I lived quite well without a mantel, but once I acquired one, I suddenly had the chance to do all those things with it I’d seen in magazines. Some ideas have worked better than others, but I’ll share some of them and perhaps you can also add your own.

We probably all have vague memories of grandparents’ old houses with a big mirror on top of the fireplace; in my relative’s case, they also had some knickknacks on their mantel. I don’t think they varied them from year to year (except, perhaps to add Christmas decorations every December) but it seemed to me that their mantel was rather under-appreciated. So, since I first received my mantel in the month of November, I decided to place all of my Thanksgiving pilgrims and turkeys along its length, like little soldiers in formation. Nope; that didn’t look right at all. A little rearranging showed that many mantel piece items look much better-and more important-with groupings. Another finding was that seasonal items seem to gain panache when also grouped with candles that pick up the main colors. Whether you plan on lighting them or not, a group of pink candles against your white walls, in the midst of pastel Easter flowers and bunnies, looks so much better than standing on their own at the far ends of the mantel. In fact, anything at the far reaches of the ledge looks rather lonely, even if your pattern is symmetrical; it’s much more harmonious to leave a bit of space between a decoration and the end of the mantel.

What if you aren’t interested in the traditional candles, statues and knickknacks on your mantel? There are countless options that still look classic, elegant or whimsical, depending on your mood and/or general décor. Model ships, small baskets filled with flowers or greenery, small plants, glass vases filled with sea shells, colored stones or marbles, bud vases, ginger jars, small boxes, plates, bowls, wooden sculptures and personal collections add zest to any boring mantel.

Right now, in the center of my mantel is a pink and white flower arrangement in a pink wicker vase that my daughter made in tech-ed. It’s flanked on either side by three brass candleholders holding white candles, next to a grouping of photos in similar white and pink frames. It’s symmetrical over all, but because I’ve placed the individual items differently, there is a difference between the two sides which I like.

In the past, I’ve truly loved the look of many mantel arrangements, but the longest I’ve kept any has been about two months-after that, I feel a change is due. One of my favorites happened to be at Christmas, when I placed small trees (trimmed with red bows and gold and white ribbons), at either end. With a display of red and white candles in high brass candlesticks in the center, and surrounded by swags of pine boughs, the look was cheery and could be easily adapted for Valentine’s Day by removing the trees and boughs and adding vases of red, white and pink roses.

Some folks like to add paintings or other art above their mantel, as I have, but the colors may clash with your mantelpiece choices-so if such a thing bothers you, be discriminating. Luckily, my prints have enough colors so I don’t have too much of a problem, but you can picture how autumn décor may conflict against a background painting filled with pink pastels, especially if that’s the first thing you see upon entering a family or living room.

Probably the worst thing a person could do with their mantel is to leave it totally empty, or stick one solitary small object in the center. Look around for prized possessions that match your room décor, trial different placements, and keep what appeals.

If you make good use of your luck in having a mantel, you will be rewarded by the lift it gives you every time you walk into the room and gaze upon it.

Oriental Rug Musings

2008-05-12T06:41:00.000-07:00

Do you own any “oriental” rugs? I like to refer to those intricate and colorful creations as “oriental”, even though their home may be only as far east as New York. In fact, I’m annoyed by those who feel that, unless such a rug is dozens of year old and thousands of dollars, it shouldn’t be referred to by that name.

When I had my first apartment at age 23, I bought a lovely black and gold oriental rug at a retail store for what was a lot of money to me back then. One night, I a date took me home, and he looked at the rug and actually sneered, “That’s not a real oriental rug.” Needless to say, he didn’t visit long, and never again. As years went by, I bought another one but after even more years (and a few cats clawing at them), I cut the fringes off. The way I saw it, the rugs were pretty old by, and I figured the change may help. They looked OK, but I moved them upstairs and thus began a period without any oriental rugs on the main floor.

But I suffered from oriental rug withdrawal. So, you can’t blame me when, while at a home supply outlet to buy light bulbs, I spied another beautiful black-background creation and snatched it up. Again, it didn’t come from the Far East, but it was good enough for me. (By this time, my other two rugs were long gone, and I saw this one as the second generation.) My first thought was to put it under my dining room table on the hardwood floor, but it wasn’t quite large enough. Then I put it in the foyer, but hated the thought of everyone wiping their shoes on it. Placing it under the kitchen table wouldn’t work, either, since I have rolling chairs. So, I decided to rebel against Design 101 and lay it on top of my existing Berber carpet in the family room, with a large, round, wicker coffee table on top. The primary colors are perfect with the room, and the black background stabilizes the entire setting. (I never liked that Berber anyway.) My point here is that if you fall in love with an oriental rug, don’t feel that you can’t buy it just because you have no open, uncarpeted space. It obviously isn’t necessary when you already have carpeting, but if it adds something to the space, and you like looking at it, so what?

With a colorful oriental rug, it’s obviously best to have neutral colors of furniture and paint, or a monochromatic match of furniture and paint in a color that’s found in the rug. (How soothing would it be to always see a red, blue and gold rug against a gold couch, blue armchairs, and yellow walls? Even though the main colors are duplicated, it’s still a hodge podge.) Neutral colors will allow you to add accessories in the same colors found in the rug for cohesiveness.

Also, patterns can be used with even “busy” oriental designs, if they’re small and not too colorful. If you just can’t part with your flowered sofa, you can invest in plain furniture covers for about $100. Or, you can look for a rug that’s minimal in design, but possessing the same colors as your couch, and be analytical about the rest of the room. For example, my couch and love seat are a turquoise, pink and gold tapestry print and I’ve a turquoise armchair, black entertainment area, and light gold walls. The rug, as mentioned, is black, with scrolls of turquoise, pink and gold. I have no pillows other than those that match my set; my lamps candlesticks, vases, etc. are brass or very neutral, and my tables are natural wicker. My rug still commands attention, but in harmony with everything else.

If you’d like oriental carpets in your kitchen but hate the price, here’s another tip: go to a home supply outlet and check out long oriental runners, then cut in half or thirds with heavy-duty shears or knives. You won’t have fringes, but you’ll still have a luxurious look.

It may take some time and planning, but I’m sure you can achieve success in your goal of enjoying oriental elegance.

Little Details Mean a Lot

2008-05-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

If you’re like most people, you may not realize which details to consider when it comes to décor, so perhaps this will help.

First, forget the idea that if something is good, more has to be better. On the contrary, too many knickknacks, or too much of any one thing, is detrimental. No one item should overtake any room. That means one of three things: either create small groups of your collectibles and keep rotating them throughout the year, get rid of what no longer has meaning, or try to place like items in a group, to decrease the appearance of their number. Don’t forget to leave some “blank” space around, with nothing on a few feet of shelf space, or a corner left fairly open; the eye will need some place on which to rest where it’s not inundated with viewing numerous small items.

Next, consider cohesiveness among your belongings. It’s all well and good to have eclectic taste, but try to go for a basic theme in each room, whether it’s color, style, material, etc. For example, you may try to use all wicker furniture, tables, baskets and such in one area, or transfer all of your green pillows to a room with predominant green hues. This serves two purposes: it immediately offers a more restful and organized image to a space, and makes it appear that a good deal of thought went into the individual purchases.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, regardless of your color scheme, it’s always necessary to have just a few touches of black and white in any room. This does not mean a white couch or black coffee table; this purpose can be served by using stark white candles, white silk flowers, an ebony vase, black picture frames-you get the idea. These two “colors” serve like salt and pepper in food; they add just a hint of spice. Black will seem to stabilize the area while white adds a spark. You may also find that employing shiny metal, in moderation, adds just that glint that you may need, such as copper wall decorations, brass votives, shiny silver statuettes-whatever catches the light can add a great deal with a minor investment. Some designers feel that at least one mirror should be used in a room to reflect back lighting; just make sure it’s not so high that the average person’s head gets chopped off at the bottom. These few details make the most of any color theme.

Speaking of color, some people like maintain a one hued palette, while others prefer to use two or three colors. Obviously, this is a personal preference, but remember that no one is forcing you to keep the same look forever. If you like a monochromatic décor, fine, but every so often, jazz it up with small contrasting accessories, like pillows, vases, throws, rugs, candy dishes, etc. If your room is currently based on, say, blue, yellow and green, take out, or replace one of the colors every so often for a whole new look. (Don’t forget flowers or plants; they add color while contributing to the very necessary feeling of bringing nature indoors.) With some thought, you can even obtain a very fun and colorful look from a fairly basic room without spending a lot of money. For example, say you have a room in blues and whites. You could incorporate aqua and green, with perhaps a touch of yellow. These colors may already exist in other rugs, lamps, pillows, blankets, picture mats, or candles. Look for inexpensive prints displaying those same colors in tropical undersea life or beachscapes. Add a dish or vase filled with seashells, perhaps some family pictures from a seashore vacation, a few other beach or nautical accessories, and voila! You’ve got a new room with a definite feeling of creative design. (Of course, this means taking out the stuff in other colors that was in the room in the first place, but the beauty of decorating is that nothing is cast in stone forever.)

It is always exhilarating to have new surroundings, especially when it’s still home sweet home. You just need to keep an eye on details.

A Chair Can Be a Work of Art

2008-04-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, home décor items are simply too pretty to use. For example, furniture is meant to be practical, but it’s still difficult to picture an outstanding piece withstanding the onslaughts of daily use. However, every so often, eye-catching furniture appears that people actually want to utilize, even at a high-end price. Inherent properties are aptly put to use by clever design, resulting in the item becoming more than just an ornament.

Take, for example, a chair available by ABC Carpet and Home. The inventor probably aimed for a finished product that was unique, but still perfectly adaptable to almost any environment. He or she also, in all likelihood, wished to provide a safe and user-friendly functionality while blending artistry pleasing to the eye. But, since millions of chairs already fit that description, what would make this particular one stand out from the competition?

The creator thus started by considering the chair’s basic use, with the realization that the best designs allowed easy access and just the right amount of cushioning. The decision was made to offer a wide, square seat and chair back of the equal dimensions, with no arms. This appears to be a wise choice, as such parameters can accommodate individuals of all sizes and shape, while still providing adequate back support. Keeping with a fairly bared-down body, the designer was then faced with question of chair legs. With this preliminary look, a typical base could easily duplicate it the look of a standard office chair, which is not something a high-end user prefers in their environment. The problem was solved with conceptual thinking that became as important as the chair’s upholstery…

The designer opted to repeat the square pattern reflected in the seat and back components, but with a strip of narrow, silver tubing. This became the base that rests on the floor, visually providing the sense of a firm and secure foundation, but without any heaviness or bulk. The lightness is compounded by the fact that the two ends of the tubing, in the rear, reach up and connect to the chair bottom. Lest anyone think this is an engineering impossibility, the designer employed a stroke of brilliance: he or she brought the tubing forward, with a slight leaning to one side, then leaned it back again, before attaching it to the exact middle of the chair bottom. The concept of streamlining, blended with a visual optical illusion, would make anyone rush to sit on it, if only to see if it feels like a “regular” chair.

But that’s not all. What kind of material should a designer use with a chair like this, with a goal towards ultimate versatility? Leather is common; high gloss would designate it to modernism, and wood wouldn’t be fanciful enough to match the playfulness of the base. Here is where true ingenuity took over…The creator researched the world for textures exhibiting durability, color-resistance and a plush, exotic comfort. These traits were found in the ancient art of suzani, a Pakistani style of embroidery done in conjunction with raised needlework. Suzani replicates mosaics in the sense of deep colors inside defined areas, which in turn contribute to a symmetrical pattern. Since its main purpose has been for wall tapestries, suzani was probably never used in a chair until now, but appears to work perfectly. With an eastern motif of flowers and sunbursts on the chair back, and similarly patterned, but different sized striping along the sides, the look is total cohesion. The addition of swirling, abstract designs on the seat commands attention with the boldness that comes from knowing that repetitiveness isn’t always necessary for sophistication. In the colors of wine, gold, burgundy and fuchsia, this chair is bright and elegant, but still a tad whimsical. The end result is not so unusual that most folks would shy away, but different enough to attract those who already own what’s currently manufactured.

To make full use of the creative process, it never hurts to do what this chair designer did: Consider every aspect of the job and question how each component can be made to reach the final goal. The concept behind most designs is usually good; doing research into structure and materials, and combining that knowledge with sensuously appealing touches, will help that concept succeed.

More About Feng Shui

2008-04-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Last week, I alluded to Feng Shui, an ancient eastern method of living in harmony with the environment and all healthful energies. It’s more than just a new-age fad, and it’s encouraging that it’s being discovered by today’s western society.

There are thousands of books and guides to this art, but research may be daunting at first. That’s because there are several schools of thought on the subject. Feng Shui can focus on compass directions, symbols, object placement, colors, or methods based on the bagua, an 8 sided shape. Most schools combine teachings, as well.

It is believed by those who practice Feng Shui that the area one inhabits can be beneficial or detrimental, and it teaches how to optimize the positive in order for necessary energies for peace and achievement to flow freely. When a person feels unexplained stress, anxiety or inattention when in a particular space, there could be many factors, according to Feng Shui. It could be do to a lot of clutter and disorganization, which distracts from the task at hand, or because the room is either too energizing or relaxing for its main purpose. In Feng Shui, these contrasting modes are referred to as yin and yang.

Yin is the environment for quiet relaxation and contemplation, such as in bedrooms or dens. It is best exemplified with the furniture against walls, low ceilings, carpeting, solid materials, muted colors, and specific lighting. Such décor would not be best for any place geared to quick action, fast results, or with an emphasis on efficiency. Yang is lively and conducive to movement, displayed in freestanding furniture, windows with depth of views, high ceilings, skylights, ceramic or wood floors, patterned material, intense lighting, and bright colors. Placing such amenities in a kitchen would be much better than having them in a restless child’s room. However, the ideal is to combine a bit of the contrasting element in any given area to provide some balance, as in life.

More complicated is the school utilizing compass directions. Basically, the theory is that the strength of each direction is positive for certain aspects of life. Much of this is connected to the favorable compass directions of elements, which, in turn, have anm unrecognizable but natural affect on peoplel. As an example, constructing a bathroom where it would coincide with a water element direction would be favorable for the aspect of life represented by that part of the house. It could also mean placing plants and wicker in “wood” areas, hanging pots in “metal” areas, candles in “fire” areas, and pottery in “earth” areas of rooms to attract good energies (and good fortune). Taken further, this application could involve moving one’s bed to the optimum location for better sleep, or repositioning a desk to face one’s “lucky” direction. These compass methods usually work in conjunction with the bagua, an octagon visualization of one’s home into 8 equal and distinct areas, with each relating to a component in life. Very simply put as an example, one’s “wealth” area (the southeast corner of the house) might happen to be their office. Therefore, to maximize money opportunities, certain decor should be used in the room that support the direction, such as greens, browns, woods and water.

However, the most fun Feng Shui applications are the study of particular items’ placement. Although they may seem to be purely whimsical, all have a basis in either elemental or color connections. Some examples would be: a picture of oranges and peaches in the kitchen, a dragon statue near the kitchen sink, a horse statue in an office, or a “wall of accomplishment” on a person's left as they enter their bedroom.

Feng Shui covers a multitude of other helpful and reasonable décor ideas, such as providing right-angled seating, live plants near computers (to balance electro-magnetic frequencies), creating a path to the hub of the house, and employing means of creating a welcoming exterior. It’s also very practical, like not placing shelves above sitting or sleeping areas, making hallways as light as possible, and not sitting with one’s back to a door.

Reading anything about Feng Shui can’t help but motivate a person to start ridding themselves of anything old and broken, and shifting what’s left to most auspicious locations! Feng Shui is never boring, and is actually quite intriguing. It may just open up many new decor opportunities!

Alternative Uses for Sheets, Drapes and Tablecloths

2008-04-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

If you’ve never realized that all sheets, drapes (and even tablecloths) are just pieces of cloth that can serve your needs in unique ways, you’ve probably never looked at them creatively. If you ever find yourself stumped with a décor problem, you may find the answer right in your linen closet.

Throughout the years, I’ve found numerous uses for these items, and have actually received compliments from folks who’ve said to the effect that the ideas were “clever”. Actually, I wasn’t trying to “clever”; I just wanted either color or style co-ordination, and sheets, drapes and tablecloths often provided enough material.

Just today I was thinking about my master bedroom, and realized that changes were needed. Since I started researching Feng Shui, I’ve been learning a lot about the use of color. My last article here on Décor Blog touched on Dorothy Draper’s view that colors should be clear and bright (actually copying the coordination of nature) and I’ve followed her advice for years. However, I misunderstood when it came to my master bedroom. I have wall to wall carpeting in fire engine red, with white walls, white bedspread, gold curtains, and a king size wall unit in medium cherry wood with gold, oriental etchings-in addition to a huge headboard mirror and windows on 2 sides. Yikes-talk about bright! No wonder I’d had problems sleeping; according to Feng Shui, the room is filled with yang energy (exciting and energizing), which is definitely not conducive to rest. The way to remedy it is to ground it with more yin energy to promote restfulness and an environment to slow down. This is achieved with cushioning, fabrics, soft textures, more subdued colors, more filling of space, fewer sharp shapes (such as triangles, diamonds or pyramids) and a slew of other aspects (which I’ll save for a Feng Shui article).

So, I grabbed extra gold curtains and folded one to fit on the headboard ledge, softening not only the appearance of bare wood but the mirror image of it. The other I used to cover my armoir. Then I closed all 3 window curtains slightly to diffuse some of the bright light. I removed all items with red, such as a flower arrangement and a few decorative boxes. Then I pulled out a double sized comforter in dark blue and gold and threw it over the spread. Since it was part of a set, I then took the fitted matching sheet and covered my sitting chair with it. One extra pillow case covered a square pillow which then was placed in the middle of the bed, and the other was folded, and placed on top of the gold headboard covering. (On top of that, I added some gold knickknacks previously in another room.) Last, I took the flat matching sheet and covered a side table, placing on it two pairs of gold candelsticks with white candles, and now the room feels more low-toned and softer, but still cohesive. (Feng Shui suggests using pairs of items in a couple's bedroom, instead of singles or trios.) All I need is either a matching navy rug or one with blue and gold to tone down the expanse of red rug and I’ll be set.

In the past, I’ve taken lovely, pastel flowered sheets, drapes or curtains and draped them over small nails above a bed as wall hangings. I’ve utilized pillow cases as decorator pillow covers against my daughter’s white spread, and plain colored sheets as swags over patterned drapes. Any of these cloths can also be table top coverings when the room needed a bit more color. In fact, for Easter, I folded a bright yellow sheet into a diamond shape, placed it in the middle of an ivory table cloth, and set upon it a centerpiece arrangement of small baskets of yellow daffodils and white carnations.

Even furniture covers can be used once you tire of their original use. They’re large enough that they can be folded to cover large spaces (such as a computer workstation) or used for chair cushions, curtains, or any of the uses mentioned above.

Let this be not only a motivation to take a good look at possible uses of your existing linens, and as a reminder to not throw such good material away too soon-you never know when it will come in handy.

A Designer Ahead of Her Time

2008-04-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of Dorothy Draper? She was a well-known designer who styled many New York establishments in the mid twentieth century, and who is probably most famous for her renovation of the Greenbrier in West Virginia. Even though she did most of her work over 30 years ago, her concepts are still as fresh and exciting as they were when first introduced. Let me share with you my reactions to Ms. Draper’s work; it may just motivate you to do some research yourself to see if you can implement some of her ideas in your own space.

Years back I had the privilege of visiting the Greenbrier with my husband, who was there for a business seminar. Not having ever visited West Virginia, I imagined a homey, country-setting type of lodge, especially because the first night we were invited to a “Hoe Down Square Dance” in one of the meeting rooms. I never expected to pull up to what looked like a slightly smaller version of the nation’s White House, complete with 5 story columns stretching across the front, with carved archways and formal gardens gracing the front lawn. Little did I know I “ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The inside of the Greenbrier literally took my breath away. I’d traipse from room to room in awe, camera in hand, mesmerized with the décor. At some point, I heard the story of Dorothy Draper and became a fan. When I returned home, it so happened I visited a small town library and came across a book she had written in 1965 entitled “365 Shortcuts to Home Decorating”, and signed it out immediately. When my 3 weeks were up, I returned and asked if I could buy it from them. That stumped the clerks; apparently no one had ever asked them that before. The consensus was that I could buy it, once they figured out what to charge. I think I got it for a couple of dollars, but it’s worth about 25 times that, at least to me. I’m not a book collector, and seldom read anything more than once, but I’ve read this at least 4 times, and still refer to it.

The Greenbrier is actually a very high end, luxury resort that was once the summer getaway of the rich and famous. It was built around white sulphur springs (the city is actually named that) that supposedly had healing properties. Allow me to describe some of the rooms:

Imagine two double beds with snow white spreads against a wallpaper of white background with clumps of red flowers and lots of green leaves. The same green is seen in the carpeting and one quilt on each bed, and the same tone of red is seen in another quilt on each bed as well. There are two benches and one chair cushioned in white upholstery, with one bright red, cushy armchair.

A suite’s sitting room is outfitted with a bright red rug and a matching, curved sofa. On this red sofa sit pillows in black and white pattern. A black lacquered coffee table separates the couch from a blue divan with red pillows, while 2 armchairs upholstered in red, blue, white and yellow sit between the couches. Against the muted navy wallpaper sits a white armchair and anther black lacquered one, while white sheers and the same red, blue, white and yellow chair pattern is found in drape material. In the middle of the coffee table sits a huge arrangement of mixed yellow flowers.

Or, imagine an entryway with oversized black and white checkerboard flooring tiles, up against white waist coating, topped by 7 feet of bright red wallpaper. The doors, thresholds, crown molding and ceiling are all glistening white. A bench upholstered in yellow satin, and a small chandelier above a cherry wood side table adds to the grandeur.

You can see that one of Ms. Draper’s trademarks is to offer surprising mixes of colors that are clear, strong, and exactly matching or contrasting. Over the next few weeks I’ll bring more of her concepts to you through this site (along with others, of course!) so that you can see for yourself that classic decorating concepts will always stand the test of time.

Non-Artists Can Create Wall Hangings

2008-03-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

One day, you may get the urge to decorate a wall with something other than a mirror or photo collage. You could run to Kmart, Michaels or a department store and find a fairly decent still life or nature scene, but it’s probably already owned by several hundred other folks. Or, you could visit an art festival, gallery, or go online and purchase a print and have it expertly framed, but that takes time-and money. But, you may still not have something that identifies you or fits into your décor. The choice is simple: do it yourself.

Most people respond that they “can’t even draw a straight line.” Yet, most art does not rely on straight lines. Plus, if you mess up, no one will know because they’ve no idea what you intended, anyway. Making a wall hanging shouldn’t take more than a few hours or a few purchases.

First, look at the wall space and determine just how big of a hanging you need. Most folks think that a large space needs a large piece of art, but, that’s not always what may be best, for your taste. There could be a space that just screams for something to fill it up, or there could be something else hanging further down the wall that you may not wish to have as competition. It all depends on how you visualize your wall in terms of coverage. Once that’s determined, find an appropriately sized canvas panel, a prepared canvas with sides around it, or a piece of heavy cardboard,. (It doesn’t matter what printing or color is on cardboard because you’re going to cover it with paint anyway.)

Next, decide what colors would be best for the room. Again, this is very personal, but a good rule of thumb is to choose 3 colors, 2 of which may be found in the paint or wallpaper, rugs, or upholstery. Apply the “base” (normally the darkest color) over the surface of your canvas or cardboard and let dry. This can be done with spray paint, or applied with sponges or wide brushes. Small bottles of acrylic paints from craft stores work fine, are inexpensive, and contain enough to last through many more projects.

Third, take one of your other colors and dab it over the base-you can use wadded-up newspapers for this, adding as much or as little as you’d like, but making sure what you do add is relatively uniform in coverage. While this is still damp, take the third color and either drip on in little squiggles or globs, or flick a loaded paintbrush with your fingers for a sprayed effect. (This isn’t as messy as it sounds, but make sure your work area has newspaper under the artwork and you’re wearing old clothes.) Variations are fine, and actually preferred, as they’ll make the piece look interesting. The colors will blend as they dry, and if you stand your piece on its end, the colors may even be wet enough to drip down for another effect. Let it dry thoroughly.

Fourth, if you like the abstract look that you’ve achieved, you can quit. But you may wish to add something more. This is where colored, moldable clay comes in, the kind that never gets hard. Squeeze off hunks of clay and roll them into long, skinny, jelly-roll forms. If you wish different colors, simply break off pieces and blend them by rolling together. (You’ll have long tubes of clay that are predominantly one color, swirled with one or more colors) These strips can be pushed onto the canvas or cardboard foundation in any design imaginable. You can create modernistic designs (squiggles, swirls or curlicues), realistic shapes (like stars, hearts or sunbursts), spell out family member’s names, or even a simple line drawing that appeals to you. Once properly positioned and meeting with your approval, a little regular glue will help keep the clay strips anchored.

Superglue a wall hanger or thick “washer” to the back and it’s ready to hang. When you get bored, add or remove clay strips, or add more paint. This is your art, and as such, it can grow and change as you do.

Where Did I Put That? (The Need for Organizers)

2008-03-25T10:08:00.001-07:00

Is it my imagination, or are we all misplacing more things? Is it because we’re getting older, busier, own more stuff, or all of the above? Our homes are filled with countless items except for the one that we want at any particular moment. Certain things just seem to up and go away until they’re ready to be found again, seemingly disappearing into thin air. (Perhaps they think we’ll appreciate them more; there’s nothing like something re-appearing to make you hold it up in glee and shout, “Guess what I found!”) If this is supposed to teach us patience and organized thinking, apparently we need more practice!

Haste accounts for a good bit of this problem, but probably the biggest culprit is the lack of organizers.

The thing about losing or misplacing items is that it makes us feel stupid and guilty. That should not be the case, with drawers, shelves, cupboards, bags and boxes ready to help. Keeping organized relies on the space with which you have to work, and how often you use the items. Here are a few suggestions that may work for you:

Small plastic bins can be lifesavers. Consider lining them along a closet shelf (either on their bottoms or sides) to stash purses, belts, caps, etc. (In a child’s room, this may encourage neatness when used for underwear and pajamas, since drawers are often hard for little arms.) The same type of bins can contain crafts or art supplies, and since stackable, can hold a great deal of stuff in a corner area of less than a square foot.

Stuffed animals can be tossed into a laundry basket, or if it’s kept in the open, a large wicker basket or hamper. It’s difficult to keep toys neat, but open shelving does a better job than cabinets, since kids can see at a glance what’s where and won’t tear other things apart in their searches.

Consider stashing a plastic, 3 drawer organizer (sold in office supply stores) in a coat closet. Designate one drawer each for gloves, scarves, and hats/earmuffs. Once your family gets into the habit of returning stuff to the appropriate drawers when hanging up their outerwear, the next exit should be faster and smoother.

Misplacing paper is easy since we have so much. You may wish to invest in a file cabinet; a little time in labeling files can save you hours of searching in the future. If you don’t have extra space or don’t like the look, you can always just buy cardboard folders and keep them in a big box, out of sight under a desk or in a handy closet-and start putting receipts and bills away immediately.

Learn to maximize storage opportunities. Using plastic bags for seasonal decorations can keep them clean, while moldable enough to squeeze into narrow closets or fit under beds (or covered chairs and tables, if space is truly limited.) Decorative baskets in appropriate reading areas (i.e. cookbooks in the kitchen, hardbacks in the bedroom) can contain reading materially neatly if you don’t have space for book shelves.

However, you don’t want to have too many places in which an item may be hiding. Resist the impulse to use 15 storage bags or boxes when 8 will do. Sort items into categories that make logical sense, and label. Try to have “hubs” for stuff used on a regular basis (Good examples are kitchen utility drawers, a convenient area to keep all pet items, one large jewelry box, etc.) Having one space to dump miscellaneous items, such as information to be read, things to be repaired, and the like, should be available for each household member. This can be accommodated by any large drawer, bin, box, or container, and if it will be out in the open, can be found in wood or wicker.

It’s easy to keep your décor looking good while still finding more storage space; having set places for daily items will make you feel efficient and organized.

If you’re like me, you get cranky when you can’t find something. Make it a mission to become organized this weekend. You’ll be proud of the results.

Improving Unattractive Ceramic Tile

2008-02-25T10:42:00.001-08:00

If you find yourself stuck with inheriting a kitchen or bath tile that is unattractive, don’t think that you must have it removed and replaced with different tile or wallpaper. Before you incur that time and expense, try repainting it yourself, or ask an artistic friend or relative to help.

This works best if there is a relatively small area to improve, and if the area is not near water. It probably would not be advantageous to paint an area that has constant contact with splashing water, since even the most resilient shellac may not offer adequate protection.

However, for decorative areas above a work area or counter space-or even a back splash-it doesn’t hurt to try this before ripping out the old tile. It may even be what the room décor may need to complement the color scheme.

Visit the local crafts store; acrylics are an excellent choice, as most are available in small bottles and are inexpensively priced. They also wash off clothes, brushes and grout easily, and can be mixed with other brands of acrylic paint. Plus, in the event the artist changes their mind about the style or color, this type of paint can be removed by scrubbing with soap and water, even if dried. (This is why a fixative, glaze or other protection is required after completion.)

Next, decide what colors would best suit the surroundings. Chances are, with the vast assortment of acrylics, you will find at least 4-5 tones of the shade you’re considering. Should you utilize 2 or 3 colors, it widens the range even more. Opt for 2 or 3 different paints, as fewer won’t be as interesting and more become too difficult when blending. (Blending is important as it can hide a lot of mistakes while still looking artistic!)

The initial step in implementing this project is to cover all grout with strips of masking tape. (If the area is larger than a few feet, aim to finish a section at a time, perhaps an area of 3 tiles across and 3 tiles down.) Then, start with the first color and dab over all tiles in the section. Use a flat sponge brush, since individual strokes are not needed with that type of applicator. Leave plenty of room for the other colors. Repeat with the 2nd color, and then the 3rd color (if used). By this point most of the original color is covered and other colors are somewhat overlapped. This process must be done fairly quickly, as acrylic dries more rapidly than other paints. The final step is to take a wet paper towel and start blotting into the colors. This will not only “blend” the paint but also lift out some of it, leaving a textured and layered effect. If a tile does not look the way you wish, simply wash off and redo. It may take some trial and error to determine how many tiles to work on at a time, but eventually it will become easier.

After all sections are complete, let dry overnight in order to see the finished project in daylight. If some tiles need more of a particular color, dab extra on; if others are too harsh or dark, dab with a wet paper towel to lift some color off. When satisfied, remove masking tape, let thoroughly dry, and then apply a coat of varnish or other clear protection. (Most are available in glossy, semi glossy or flat finishes.)

The time required to paint tiles will, of course, vary, but plan on spending longer than you originally expected. Allow an entire weekend in order to accommodate changes or repairs to the paint job; however, the process of doing several squares at once is the most efficient and provides uniformity for the blending process.

Although the time investment may seem like a lot, this is the type of project that provides ongoing satisfaction and compliments. People will never believe that you’ve done it yourself, as it really does add a designer touch to any space. Every time you’ll look at the handiwork, you’ll feel good that you have custom painted tile, and hopefully you will enjoy the process as much as the end result!

Office and Outdoor Furniture - Invest in Style and Comfort

2008-02-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

Article Submitted Via Our Submit An Article Page.

Working Better and Healthier with Fine Office Furniture
Comfort is the first consideration. Be it office chairs or desks, each of the furniture of an office ought to meet the standard of comfortability. A comfortable chair and desk in an office assure the workers a space to work better. Health surveys, be it UK or any other country, state that serious health problems like headache, body ache, mental stress or other psychological disorders are caused by poor sitting posture in office due to uncomfortable chairs. Thus, comfort level should come first. Affordability and style come next. It’s important that style of the chairs, desks, etc. is meeting the modern standard style. Office Furniture meant to be kept at reception has to be much more stylish than the one used at workplace.

Design Trends Worth Notice
Hi-tech and Tradition Perfectly Combined
The concept of "fittings" is what the systems are based on and allows the user to make an infinite number of configurations with the joints or fittings as they are called. The systems are great for any application from entertainment wall to storage units, and even beds

Convenience Taking Counts
Convenience seems to be driving many of the new furniture designs as it does so many other aspects of our lives. Take a cool computer desk for example. All the cables and computer components are contained within the desk and the top lifts for internal access. On the side of the desk reside the CD, RW/DVD, USB, and Hot Keys for a complete computer experience.

Multiple Configuration Options
Many designers are giving life to furniture that has multiple configuration options. The main reason for this emerging trend is versatility, allowing the piece to be used in spaces of various sizes. These modules are "based on shapes like graphically geometric, sinuous, and futuristic forms making this smart furniture useable in more settings. For example, magazine Rack are now taking more flexibility.

Outdoor Seating: Bring Indoor Comfort to Outside
An innovative approach to outdoor seating, a wide curving sofa, a semi-circular footstool, small elliptical table and an arching canopy which can be mixed and matched to create the ideal arrangement for your summer's leisure. The wide curving sofa when paired with the sweeping foot stool offers a huge base on which to recline and relax. Good outdoor furniture adds glamour and style to your gardens and patios.

Outdoor Furniture Choice
Cushions: Consumers want indoor comforts outside. Many companies sell furniture and umbrellas made with great fabrics, which are "pretty much indestructible.
Faux wicker: People like the look of wicker but want to leave furniture outdoors; hence the popularity of powder-coated frames covered by resin strips. Wicker feels like a vacation house.
Lounge seating: dinning sets are no longer the big draw. Customers want outdoor rooms to look more like lounges, experts say. Contemporary designs are a big part of this look.

Sofa Fashion
Sofa Bed with Multiple Function
There are many pieces on the market today that serve multiple purposes. One of my favorites is the sofa bed. I think sofa beds offer terrific functionality when needed and provide daily living requirements of being a great piece of furniture to lounge on. You will not always have overnight guests, but if you do, it is nice to offer them a place to sleep. Also, if your spouse, girlfriend, or boyfriend misbehaves, you can send them out to the sofa for a good night sleep!

Sectional Sofa: Functional and Space Save
A sectional sofa for a small space probably appears to be an oxymoron. How could there possibly be a perfect meeting of the two? Well, the honest answer is that in the right home, a sectional sofa could actually save you space! Centrally locating sofa pieces within a small living area not only lends to proper seating for conversation and intimacy, but could also make the space feel more spacious. If seating in one specific spot is not to your liking, with sectional pieces you have the ability to place them however you prefer. This would lend your own personal creative touch to the living room. When looking to purchase a sectional sofa, it would be a wise decision to locate a home furnishing store or website that sells each piece individually or as a whole. That way, if a set is too large you could subtract a couple of pieces and if a desired set is too small, you could add an extra piece. The ability to choose particular pieces allows you to mix and match, therefore, creating your own unique signature "look".

The Material Quality Really Cares
When purchasing outdoor furniture for your space, you need to get something that is made out of higher quality materials. If you don't, then what you purchase will end up breaking down under the elements and will have to be replaced sooner rather than later. Teak along with thick synthetic materials including polymer, resin, and recycled plastic. Every one of these materials will last for quite awhile. Plus, they are all very pleasing to the eye and can be made even more beautiful by the different finishes and colors that are applied to them, something that allows you to also personalize the look of your space. Like, if you just want that plain, sophisticated wood look, then you can get furniture made out of the Southern Cypress with just a clear finished applied to it. Or, if you are looking for something that has a little more flair and panache to it, then a great option would be to again get something made from Southern Cypress, but this time have a hand painted vibrant color applied.

The History of Christmas Decor

2007-11-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas trees, wreaths and Santa Claus seem to have been part of the Christmas season for as long as any of us can remember. Most Christmas celebrants are celebrating the arrival of Jesus into the world. Others may be celebrating Christmas as a purely secular holiday where families exchange gifts and spend time together. It seems to most of us that this is how it has always been and we are merely repeating the same holiday traditions of the many generations that have gone before us. While many aspects of Christmas, and winter decor have been part of the holiday tradition for thousands of years, their heritage is not what most of us think. There has been a celebration for thousands of years during the winter season, but Christmas as we know it is a relatively modern invention.

The winter solstice has been a time for celebration and ceremonies long before Christianity made its' presence in the world. The Romans celebrated their God, Saturn, during the second half of December with street festivals and holiday decor. They decorated their homes with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles to celebrate their god. Festive meals with family and friends were common as was the exchange of good luck gifts called Strenae. Saturnalia, the celebrations honoring Saturn, was a festive time of parties and joy. Garlands of laurel and brightly lit trees seem to be part of today's celebration of Christmas. But our current Christmas traditions are not merely a Christian veneer to an ancient Roman holiday. Modern Christmas traditions have their past in more than just Roman behavior and many of the traditions we enjoy today had to fight long and hard to re emerge on the Christmas scene.

The Romans were not the first nor the only culture to celebrate during the winter solstice. The ancient Mesopotamians, Persians, and Babylonians all held celebrations during this time of year. In Europe and the British Isles, there is a long history of celebrations held during the winter solstice. The tradition of the Yule log most likely originated in the Scandinavian countries where the sun disappears altogether during the winter months. The Scandinavian tradition was to send scouts in search of the sun, and when they finally spied its' return, a great Yuletide festival would be held to celebrate the return of the sun. A feast would be held around the burning Yule log and apples would be hung from trees to remind the participants that spring would return again. The feast would last as long as the Yule log burned, sometimes as long as twelve days. In other places in Europe, late December was the time the cattle would be slaughtered since the cold would preserve the meat and the herd would not need to be fed during the winter months. Most of the wine and beer had fermented, so food and drink was plentiful as the early Europeans celebrated the approaching spring.

Mistletoe was popular in the colder regions of Europe where its' evergreen nature kept it attractive all year round. In fact the Christmas concept of " Peace and Joy" can trace its' roots to a pagan Norse concept that the mistletoe held magical powers and enemies meeting under the mistletoe had to call a truce until the following day. Ancient Druids also utilized Mistletoe during the winter solstice and distributed it as a talisman against evil. Mistletoe and Yule logs have long been part of winter solstice celebrations, as they are a part of our Christmas celebrations today. But just as Christmas is not merely a Roman holiday neither is it merely a renamed pagan holiday. It is a combination of all of these celebrations with new traditions added in.

The urge to feast had been a cultural part of the human existence long before the advent of Christianity. As occurs when a new religion captures the human soul, old customs are merely renamed. The early church did not celebrate Christ's birth. In the third century, the church decided to celebrate Jesus' birthday and December 25 was chosen. It is most likely that the Church could not stop the pagan celebrations that surrounded the winter solstice, and by celebrating Jesus' birth at this time the Church acknowledged the power of the human need to celebrate the winter solstice . The Church also realized the control they would gain by twining the winter solstice celebrations with those of Jesus' birth. Winter Solstice celebrations, especially Saturnalia, had been rather wild. This wildness continued up to the Middle Ages where most attended church but followed it with a raucous celebration that mimicked the traditions of Saturnalia and other solstice festivals before it.

In the sixteenth century, the Germans started the Christmas tree tradition that we know. Trees had always been part of the solstice tradition in Germany, but they became part of the Christian tradition in the 1500's. Martin Luther is credited with adding the first lighted candles to the tree. I wonder if he had read about the ancient Roman tradition of putting lighted candles in their trees?

In the mid 17th century Christmas was canceled. At least in England. The Puritan forces took over England and in an attempt to purge the country of decadence, Christmas was canceled. In England this was reversed when Charles II was returned to the throne, but our forbearers were even more conservative than Cromwell. Christmas was illegal in Boston, but celebrated in Jamestown. Christmas as we know it today really came about during the Victorian era in the 1860's. It was declared a national holiday in the United States in 1870.

So how did Christmas go from being illegal to being one of the most celebrated holidays on earth? And why am I not arrested for having mistletoe and Christmas trees and festivities? Well we have Queen Victoria and her German husband to thank for all the Christmas festivities and lights we enjoy today. Queen Victoria was shown with a Christmas Tree, compliments of her German husband. What was previously seen as pagan, now became fashionable. The Christmas floodgates opened, once again apples and ornaments and lights could be found decorating homes during December. Gifts are given and feasts are had. It is almost like some fundamental need of human kind to celebrate during the winter months has been let free.

The Church also finally gained control over the nature of the winter celebration. Most families engage in some religious activity during the Christmas season and the truly wild nature of winter festivals has been tamed. Nevertheless, lighted trees, Yule logs, Mistletoe, feasting, laurels, wreaths and apple ornaments are all part of our holiday decor. As they have been, for over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas decorations are truly pagan in their history. But merely because they had decorative value for our pagan ancestors, does not mean they cannot decorate our homes in celebration of Jesus' birth. These decorative items were used by our ancestors to celebrate important times in their lives. It is fitting, we use the same items to celebrate important times in our lives.

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2007-10-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

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2007-10-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

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The History of Christmas Decor

2006-12-23T20:56:00.000-08:00

Renovating your House for a greater Profit

2006-12-23T04:11:00.000-08:00

Getting into real estate business of buying and selling properties can really make a living. Getting started get you a lot of expenses like acquiring license as a broker and other expenses dealing in this kind of business. Not to mention the connections you must have in order to make good deals or progress yourself as real estate broker.

If you are just starting out and thinking of selling your house for greater value, why not renovate it before you can sell it. Renovating your house can make you demand for a greater value, like you are adding another room or space can add up to the selling price. Most likely, with a renovated house, many will pursue of buying the house since it is furnished and just like any product, presentation is necessary. The other thing is your profit is tax-free and has it as direct selling. If in time the renovated house is still on sale, you and your family can still use the house and benefit for the extra room you had spent in while waiting for the buyer. Some people are used on doing this, they buy the house and renovate it while using it, when a buyer comes they moved out to their prospective house bagging with them the money. Although it can be way to hectic if you are having a family that wants to reside in a single house.

The downside of selling your own house, you are the broker, the owner and the contractor. If a buyer gets in, you need to be involved or participate in all transactions as the broker-owner. These include approving for plans, arranging the financing and even hire a contractor. If something goes wrong with the plans and the result as well of the financial matters, still you are involved. You take the risk as the owner who arranges the payment to the renovations. Since you are selling the house, if you do not have any place to stay in, definitely you have to stay in your house by the time of renovation. You will be waiting for weeks or month to fully realize the renovation or construction of the house.

Therefore, if you are thinking of being a real estate broker at the same times using your home as your first investment think first before acquiring the property. There is truth about site-profit relationship theory by urban planners. The strategic placement of your house to the overall urban design of the city can be advantageous or disadvantageous for you. If your house situated in residential area that is proximately not far from other city utilities, amenities and institution then your house is most likely to sell. The distance from the most important places is just not far or not too close in your house is convenient for the next owner of the house. Many will be buying the house since it is accessible to these institutions especially when it is close to their work. But if your house is not far from the city proper and the nearby zones where not residential instead industrial or agricultural zone, better think twice before renovating it. Most people would like to be in residential zones since you can expect that 10 to 15 years from now, that zone will remain to be residential. However if your house is in the middle of industrial zone or close to industrial zone, your house might be bought by companies owning industrial lands. Your purpose of renovating it will not be buyable having these disadvantages.

When buying a house, compare the lot price and the overall potential of the house for renovation in the future. Consider the neighboring structures that the house is in. Compare prices of the expensive and less expensive and the total area of the house. Ask in the residential planners of the government of how much is the exact amount of the per square meter in that area. If the government says that is much higher value than the price given by the owner, then you can acquire it since you can sell it in higher price due to location. Be sure to have a detailed budget for the renovation of the house. Know and understand the building regulations of the town especially in acquiring land. Lastly if you are renovating the house, do not forget to check the trend of houses around the neighborhood and making it outstand.