A Bit More on the Pool Bath.

Talking about bathrooms, some people light candles, use bath oils, have a glass of wine nearby and relax.   Your bathroom can be like your own mini spa.  If I am to indulge myself, I bring Jeeves (My silent butler), to hold the necessities.  I happen to have a Jacuzzi so that is a very relaxing thing and it is built in with tile shelf around it, to hold what I need.  Jeeves worked well in my last house, and still does in the guest bathroom.

Before we go on, I want to pass on a very important thing!

In your guest bath or baths, make them comfortable for your guests.  Put in them what you would want in your bathroom.  I keep extra toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste, hand mirror, cotton balls, and everything else I would expect myself to use.  Make sure your towels and fresh and nice.

Okay, now that that is done let's go back to the pool bath we were talking about yesterday.

 

Here is another light fixture above the mirror and the pedestal sink.  It is almost across from the hanging dogwood fixture.  This is definitely not a bathroom to put on make-up, as the lighting is terrible, but looks good.  It is a pool bath to take a shower, dry off and walk to the other guest bathroom.

 

This is what I love about this bathroom, are the accessories and paintings that are in here.  I love to use  wall pedestals or shelves to set things on.  This is a plate I brought back from Germany of a castle.  Below it is one of my paintings.

 

 

 

Title: Waterford and orchids

Size: Framed - 33" Ht. x 25" W.

Price $650.00 includes shipping

Original Watercolor

 

 

 

I actually own this vase and I thought it would be great to paint it as my grandchildren bought it for me and each of there names are on the bottom.

As you see, I have a small wall pedestal above it, with a plate I bought in Germany, I love to hang things above each other, for more drama.

 

 In that pool bathroom is the one above, of tri color heron and baby.  It is a ribbon winner.  This is the original, but I have giclee prints of it in any size.  You must request a size, then I can price it.

 

Title: Who Me

Size:  Framed -  40" W x 33" Ht.

Original Watercolor

Price: $1100.00 includes shipping

Giclee' Prints available in any size

 

 

 

 

The other thing I like in a bathroom are plants or artificial plants.  They warm up a room.  Fresh flowers for guests.

 

Tomorrow, more on accessories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

A bit more on bathrooms

Hope you are enjoying the bits and pieces about bathrooms.

We left off yesterday with the pool bath and lighting.  Today I was reading about small spaces.  The articles covered all types of rooms, but no bathrooms.  To me they are the smallest areas in a home.  They also need character.  We talked yesterday about lighting.  I gave you a few examples you only saw part of this one, and here are a few more:

 

Here is the copper and enamel light fixture in the pool bath.  This was purchased by my mother in the early 70's.  I couldn't let it go.  It was very expensive then, now who cares what it is worth, I simply love it.

It is hung above a black double door chest that serves as storage for the pool towels.   Because the bathroom is so narrow, I could just get a picture of a portion of it.  It has a marble top and is black and trimmed in gold.  Very elegant and very serviceable.

 

 

 

Here you can see the lavender floor I talked about yesterday.  There is also a gold mirror hanging above it, that you saw yesterday.  Remember this is a pool bath, and everything in it is elegant.  I just couldn't part with these things.  Another cool thing is my silent butler.  I bought him years and years ago at Bombay Company ( which no longer even exists). That was my most favorite store ever.  I hated to see it close.  Every time I walked in the door, I walked out with something.  I use him for many different things.  I use him at my studio to place a basket with flyers in for people to take.  I use him at my front door for parties, that tells you to watch your step.  I use him in the bathroom to hold soaps, shampoo, or whatever and now he's in the pool bath, holding extra towels. Here he is just getting older:

 

 

 

He has a tray to hold anything.  I even set a larger tray on top of his and it serves many purposes.  even drinks at the front door.

 

Remember " IF YOU LOVE IT, BUY IT", and you will find it a home.

 

These are the things that make a room special.  This is a long narrow bath room and see all that is used in it.  It has a shower, extra lighting, storage, that wasn't there, and a silent butler, that doesn't require to be paid..

 

More on bathroom tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pieces on Lighting

First of all today, we will continue on some lighting.  I showed you a picture of a hall light in progress.  Here is the light hung.

 

Upon arriving home, I realized that it needed a different bulb and a dimmer switch.  They have both been rectified.  More about this hall later.

 

Let's get back to bathrooms.  Today may be a lot of pictures day.  As again, visual is always the way to go.  The light above is from the late 60's, and is more beautiful that fixtures you can find today.  If you are lucky enough to find salvage places with items from torn down old homes, or vintage lighting, it is ever so much more attractive.

 

The following are some bathroom pictures:  I will start with the lighting.

 

 

This particular chandelier is above the master bathroom bath tub.  You must seek out what you would like, and buy it.  Make sure you have a place for it, or make a space for it.  I have had so many different places wired for different types of lights n the most unlikely places..

 

I love to use different types of lighting, not the traditional types.  If it's different or used in a different way, I love to use it.

 

 

 

This is a pool bathroom.  On the far left is a light made out of copper with enamel.  I will show you tomorrow  as I didn't get a good picture of it today.  The curtain divides the bathroom in half.  It is a pool bath, but you would never know it.  There is the door leading out to the pool.  As I told you before, I think a bathroom should be elegant, gorgeous and suit everyone.  This is what someone might call feminine, but on the contrary, you have so much to see in a small place, that I have been told it is overwhelming.  I also love to put pictures, or pediments above doors.  As below, It is just wasted space.  I hate wasted space.  By the way, this is our pool bath.  The valance changes a simple wood  1' blind into something very eye appealing. The top picture shows only a little of it as there is a shower on the right.  Since there is a shower there, there is a lot of wall space opposite it.  I do not like traditional towel bars.  I know they are a must but I only have one small one in the master bath.  I have hooks and a towel bar on the back of the guest bath

 

 

So you add things that you find.  The fish came from an art fair and the arrangement came from a flower shop.  See the variety of color being used together.  I forgot to tell you, this bathroom has a lavender tile floor, non skid as it comes in directly from the pool, absolutely not my choice, but it is workable with blue, yellow ,green and touches of pink. I also have several different colors of rugs that I change out  every once in awhile, to give myself a different look.  I do change out the art a lot, as I paint something new, I like to look at it.

 

I also hang a lot of art in my bathrooms.  In quite a few magazines lately, they are talking about art.  With all the art fairs, galleries, craft shows, and the like, great art is much more affordable and will last through your lifetime.  Buy WHAT YOU LIKE, DO NOT MATCH IT to something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Start keeping your eyes open for ideas, they are all around you.  More on baths tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Bathrooms a bit of Refreshment

Style.  It is a word that seems simple enough to comprehend, yet it is so often misunderstood.  The mystery of it lies in the fact that though one immediately knows when it is present, its exact nature is difficult to analyze.  Though classic in character, its distinction lies in its ability to surprise, reinterpret, reinvent.

This phrase could be used about David Snyder, and is out of the book "Epoustouflant", meaning extraordinary interior design.

In talking about bathrooms, now it depends on which bathroom you are doing.  Is it a guest bathroom? A children's bathroom, a teen's bathroom, the master bathroom?  Is it a powder room, meaning no bathtub or shower?  Decide which one to do first.  Even if it is just to refresh it a bit.

So let' first talk about the Master Bathroom.  Once again, I can tell you, I love hooks.  If you have a solid door, a hook on the back is handy for hanging up robes, clothing, or bath towels if necessary.  I love a towel ring or a hook next to each sink for a hand towel, as it is needed to dry your hands constantly.  A hook or two in a linen closet, are great for hanging up a hair dryer or a curling iron.  Jut twirl the cord around it and it stays in place and out of the way.  It is also a space saver. 

Lighting is also very important in the bathroom.   A woman needs lots of light for putting on make-up, doing her hair, and all else for hygiene.  There are magnifying mirrors that can be attached to the wall that have different light.  I prefer fluorescent lighting above my sink as it is a brighter white.  As you get older, you may not want a harsh light as it shows everything, I prefer it so I know how to fix what  I am looking at.  At one time I had a travel magnifying mirror that had suction cups and attached to  mirror.  I left in on a ship while taking a cruise.  I must add that to my list of things to buy.  I love crystal chandeliers in a bathroom, if you have a space for one.  I have one over the bathtub.  It adds elegance to a bathroom.  I also love a ceiling fan in my bathroom.  I feel all bathrooms should have one.  This may compromise lighting, so check with a lighting expert at your local home center to see what is available.

Depending on the size of your bathroom, depends on what you can do with lighting.  Before you buy, look at your choices.  Many stores have a return policy, that if it doesn't look good or fit the space, as long as you repack it and keep the receipt, you should be able to return it.  I keep all my receipts for each project so I can look them up quickly.  File by month and room.

I look for good carpets at garage sales.  I prefer an oriental rug in the master bedroom.  A print or geometric, or even a nice border rug looks good.  I find the best one's at places you can't even imagine.  Look online.  Sometimes you'll just get lucky.  I don't like to spend a lot of money on rugs as you could ruin one just by dropping something on it.  I bought a beautiful 8' oval with fringe at an estate sale for $50.00.  It is perfect. The color matches just like I would have looked for. If it lasts a few years, I am super happy.  Although I am sure it will last way longer.  Area rugs make a room.  Besides taking the hollow sounding sound out of a room, they add beauty and color.

I love to put glass jars, or  pretty clear plastic in a bathroom for cotton Balls and Q-tips, and the likes.  Put a vase in your bath or several, and fill with artificial flowers.  It makes one happy without even thinking about it.  Flowers are a happy thing.  When I have guests, I put fresh flowers in their bath and bedroom.  Just a little extra that says , Hello! I've thought of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Towels are kind of a personal thing.  Everyday towels, I like to be able to bleach, it keeps them looking fresh.  I have some colored towels that I might use when I entertain and some very fancy ones I use for parties.  Even plain towels can be transformed so easily.  Joanne Fabrics has some very exquisite trims.  You can stitch them on in a matter of minutes.  If you can't, perhaps a friend will help.  You can get a great look for a small amount of money, and you can use coupons.

More tomorrow on the other bathrooms is you home.

A starting point!

"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt.  Poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen" by, Leonardo da Vinci.

How true that is.  Feeling is what we want to have when we walk into a room.  Sometimes it is love, comfort, uneasiness or so calming.  What do you want to feel?  What do you want to see?

First do before and after shots of the area or room you want to do.  Here is a before shot of the ceilings, in both hallways.  Plain old canister lights.

The first one is the canister light that was in the hallway.  The bottom is the chandelier that is being hung today as a matter of fact.  See the plastic round that was used to cover up the larger hole.  I have another hall, that also has the canister light and right now, it looks like this:

Tomorrow, I will show you what it looks like.  Then I will take you step by step to change a hallway.  Both of the fixtures belonged to my mother, and when she died and I rented the house, I took out the fixtures I wanted.  They are quite old and there is nothing that comes close to the look for me today plus the sentimentality.

This is the actual seeing of a project. Visual!!!!!!!   I even take pictures of new home construction for my clients if needed.

Most of the time hallways are just non-descript.  I think every room should have character.  I am starting with the lighting as I have my son-in-law here doing the work.  Yeah for me.

Every room needs a focal point or a center on interest, or something interesting that makes you feel wanted there.  This particular hall has 4 doors leading off of it, and it is 42" wide by 9.25 ' long.  Not very large, but it is seen from all 4 rooms.  Especially from the family room and the kitchen, so I really want it to blend without being garish.

Painting the walls a white, and striping them in blue, then of course all the art I can fit in, will give it a natural beauty.  It is a great starting place for this wing of the house as it is the guest area.  It is also the area that I am re-organizing as well.  So that you can get a feeling as to how a designer or decorator works, this is the beginning.

I choose a white, a softer white, to use as my base coat.  I will paint the ceiling the same white. I will then mask off the stripes and paint in the blue.  The walls may take two coats as they are a gold kind of color now and it can show through.  I will do the stripes next, seeing if I need two coats.  The woodwork will be white, semi gloss.  I will take you through different rooms to show you how to put them back together, also with organization.

Choose a starting point.  Take your pictures and save them for future reference!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bit more on storage solutions

Yesterday we were talking about storage solutions.  A funny thing happened, I got an e-mail from "Better Homes and Gardens" to go to their website and look up "Storage Solutions for Every Room".  I really haven't had time to look at it yet.  I have been doing it for so long, that I have my own solutions at present.  But I will look, new ideas happen everyday.

We were talking about kitchens.  I am sure there are hundreds of ideas for just about everything.  So let's talk about cozy, clutter, counter tops, hardware and windows.  I talked about painting cabinets, or stripping them down and re-staining them.  Just adding new hardware, can totally change the look.  For plain doors, you can buy trims, or medallions to glue on and paint.  It is a petty instant fix.  So once you have your color, or just want it plan, wallpapered, or Faux designs, You should be on your way to a new look.  My cabinets have plant shelves above them because of my high ceiling.  This is another great place to change your whole look.  I like to put small paintings on easels there for a different look.  I have a few niches also, that one contains a large rooster, and one a very  large vase.  I look for things for there at estate sales, auctions (another one of my favorite things to do), or sale areas.  If  find something in a store such as Pier 1, or Dillards, I watch for it to go on sale.  T.J. Max, Marshalls, Home Goods or Ross, all have things from time to time.  These items speak to you.  Some radiate comfort, some are very stoic, some are very colorful, and there are many styles of items.  My one daughter is very Americana, another is much like me, casual elegance, and my 3rd likes the comfort look.  What is the style of accessorizing that you like?

I love to decorate the walls of a kitchen.  One with paintings, pediments, decorative plates, stained glass pieces, or  wall hangings.  Here are a few paintings that I did for kitchens, that are still available:

 

Title: Silver and Berries

Size: Framed  28" w. x 21 ht.

Price: $750.00 includes shipping

Original Watercolor

 

 

 

 

Title:  Peppers

Size: Framed   28" w. x 21 " ht.

Price $450.00 includes shipping

Original watercolor

 

 

 

I have others, of which I will show you another time.  I love using pictures like this in a kitchen.   Especially mixing them with other matching items.   I have a great advantage over most people as I can just paint what I want, and hang it.  I do commissions, and that works well also.    

 I like to use things that don't cost a lot or are free.  For example:  cosmetic bags, they are free many times with a make up purchase.  I use to give them away, but now I use them for lots of things.  Sample packages of shampoo or conditioners, cosmetic brushes, paper clips, ( of which I put in baggies first according to size). pencils and pens.  Just about everything I can think of. 

Office Depot, especially this time of year, has many types of small boxes, of which I use or my paints, erasers, hooks, markers, and just about everything in my art room.

So let's organize, or at least think about what you have that you really don't want that could be used for storing something. 

I also love, tags, that are in the scraping departments at craft stores.  I have really gotten to shopping online lately.  I can take my time and find what I am looking for.

Start looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Organizing to Feel Good

I like to have something that inspires me.  What more than to have family move back in your home with you.  With a 2 year old to boot.  That was almost 4 years ago.

Now we must baby proof the house.  Since retiring, it seems I have collected more stuff than ever.  Being in the decorating business as long as I have, I have so many, what I call "precious stuff".  It was sitting in every room of my home.  What to do?  Organize!  That is all you can do.

The following picture is of my laundry room.  I had to put tags on all my arts and crafts things as they could no longer be in guest room drawers or closets.  I was totally inspired.  I should say , I have all 10 and 12 foot ceilings, so that is great organizational space.  If you don't have that much space, then you need to do alternative things.

 

First off to Joanne Fabrics to buy baskets that would fit my shelves.  I came up with these,  they are longer and wider.  They fit perfect.  I went through the drawers in one room first and organized the things in the baskets and put a tag on the basket with what is in it.  It looks very neat and it is very organized.

 

Next, I had shelves in my closet, and I knew the space was wasted so again off to Joanne's and looked for matching baskets that fit the space.  I usually buy all the baskets that match, I can always use them.

 

These are my next find for organizing:

 

 

I have other shelves with these baskets on and you can see several stacked together yet.  I am into re-organizing as we have had company again.  As a matter of fact, in the last 4 years, we have had 4 different parts of our family live with us.  As soon as I get everything back together, someone else moves in.  NO MORE HOPEFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I loved that these had their own labels so I don't have to hunt for what I need.  I think I bought 20 of them.

 

Another thing I love is storing shoes in clear shoeboxes, the clear ones you can get at Joanne's or Michaels.

 

 

You can also see through them so you know what is in them.  My closet has a high ceiling and not a real lot of room on the lower part.  This utilizes areas that normally are not used.  And these are the shoes I don't use very often.

 

So, now that you have seen a few things I have done, more to come later, this is what you do when you start re-doing a room.  Do you have things that need to be organized?  Do it now, one room at a time. 

 

We talked about kitchens yesterday.  If you are on a very limited budget, and have terrible cabinets, paint them.  If your budget is larger, you can have new doors made.  In Germany, and I really don't know about other countrys, you take your kitchen with you when you move.  At least the area where my daughter lived in the town of Kilsberg.  That was a strange concept to me, but that way you can spend a lot of money and it never goes to waste.  Again, the visual thing. 

 

Home Depot, Lowe's Menards, and Ace Hardware are familiar shopping places to me.  They have so many drawer organizers for kitchen drawers and pantry's that just by buying a piece every so often, you can organize everything.  Someone laughed at me once as I have my kitchen towels rolled and set in a drawer.  Fold in half the short way and again in fourth and roll.  It makes a much neater look.

 

I stack my spoons in an organizer some spoons up and some reversed.  Makes more room.  Enough  about me.

 

There are websites that show you how to organize everything.  There are even companies or people who will come and organize your home for you.  I just helped a client organize several rooms.  It is so mind boggling to me to be so disorganized that I try to do everything so it makes life so much easier. 

 

Organizing does make life so much easier.  And don't forget to use coupons at craft stores or use their apps on your phone.  I have all of them on my phone and it is so easy.  The other thing I now love, is the bar code scanner so I know where to go to get the best price.  If I find it in one store I can scan it and it'll tell me where it is the cheapest.

 

Believe it or not all of this falls into the decorating of your home.  It needs to look good everywhere for you to feel great about it.

 

Tomorrow, jumping around a bit again.

A bit on organization and kitchens

Since I started this blog, I have jumped from one bit to another piece, stating that color was the single most important thing in design.  IT STILL IS!!

But I would feel negligent in my duty if I didn't tell you to totally organize as you go.  While recently on a trip, I saw the large Tupperware head quarters.   I don't know why I was so surprised, as their products last and last.  Believe it or not, I sold Tupperware at that time in house parties.  I still use it and have a lot of pieces in my cupboards.  They really might  been one of the first organizers without realizing it.  That was back in the 60's.  There cereal savers kept your cereal fresh as long as it lasted.  It still does, I have 2 of them.  Along with many other pieces in my kitchen pantry.  The trick is to know what is in everything and keeping it fresh.  Glass jars work well as do jelly jars and peanut butter jars as they are plastic.  It you use the same brands, even their lids can match, making your cupboards look even more organized.  Store beans, rice, pastas, barley, brown sugar, different spices, and almost anything you can think of.

So let's talk about kitchens for the next couple of times, with a little extra here and there.

Do you have a lot of wall space in your kitchen?  Look and see what you have.  Let's start with back splashes.  Do you have a ceramic tile, or the newer glass tiles?  Do you just have a wall?
It you have tile, you can still hang small pictures from it.  Use the stick on hooks available every- where.  Goo Gone, a product that is out there, will clean all the sticky adhesive off the tile or any surface that has left over adhesive on it.  It is a great item to keep on hand.  I use it all the time.

If you have just plain walls, that are painted, you can faux paint them, with any type of faux for a great look.  I also love to use mirror squares.  They are great in a small area as they reflect the light  to make your kitchen look brighter.  I also have used wood or plastic medallions and placed them on the space under the cabinets for a different look and painted them a shade darker than the walls.  You may even want to place initials and paint them.

You could use a wall paper border next to the back splash for another great look.  Or consider stenciling.  The latter are the least expensive ways to go.  You can also start a gallery of small pictures, and have  fun changing small pictures from season to season.

All of these work for under cabinet looks.  You might even want to install lighting under your cabinet for more light.  They have ones that you can put up yourself.  Check home improvement places.

This again, is where color comes into play.  Many times this is a starting point for a home.  People spend the most times in the kitchen.  Even when you entertain, people seem to gather in the kitchen.  It is like the hub of the home.  Everything radiates from it.   So what color do we want?  What are we going to do with our back splash?  How much wall space do we have.  Do we have space above our cabinets?  How high are our ceilings?  Do I need to organize my cupboards or drawers? Do I need new light fixtures?  Do I need/want anything else?  Write all this down as we will attack each one, and hopefully, you will find your answers.

Another bit of jumping around

I read somewhere, " How I enrich you, enlighten you, or enrich your daily life, is my most important challenge".  This takes a lot of digging, investigating and hard work.  But the results are never ending as one thing always leads to another.

Draperies are a great way to introduce texture into a space.  Again, this is a visual thing.  I have complete binders of drapery treatments, that I have done, or just to show clients.  It's like shopping for everything else, if you like it, get it, if not, just walk on by.

Draperies soften the look of  room.  They are called soft treatments.  Blinds, verticals, woven woods, shutters are what we call hard window treatments.  They can be softened with draperies, valances or cornices.  Remember, check out my website for an easy way to add texture, color and warmth to hard window treatments. (www.decoratorsworldinc.com).  I have these all over my house and so do many of my clients.  I believe I had pictures earlier in my blog. This softens a room immensely.  Draperies also absorb sound.  If you have ever heard the hollowness of  room, carpeting and draperies deaden the sound.

Draperies also add something that reflects as it plays up your palette.

Light brings textures to life.  Again a visual thing.  Usually your eyes can tell you how it feels. Is it soft, like your bed, is it itchy as some fabrics are rough looking, is it romantic as sheers, is it elegant as silk, velvet and satin?  What type of feeling do you want?  Think about it.  I love to walk into a place and immediately feel comfortable. 

Remember, if you are old enough, when people had plastic coverings on their furniture.  You didn't even want to go into the room.  It was like STAY OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things are written to inspire readers.  They teach us how to look at things differently as does art.  The main reason is for you to learn something new, about a lot of different things, subjects, furniture, authors, artists and so on.  Everyday, should be a learning experience.   We hope we can inspire new interests.

Make the leap - trust your own instincts and what you already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A bit about entrances

Your entrance sets the tone for your whole house.

First your front door.  In the art of Feng Shui, it is believed that a red front door especially facing East keeps out bad spirits. I will let you know as I am going to paint my front door red, as it faces east.  There are many things in the practice of fen shui that are believed to bring one good luck.  I read one time, that in the Asian countries, that many large corporations follow this practice.  I will let you know a little every time I write about an are.

It does teach it though right from the front entrance. 

When a realtor looks at your house to list it, they talk about street appeal.  This is what your house looks like from the street.  Throughout the world, the few places I have traveled, street appeal seems important, unless it is an area where courtyards are the thing.

Back to the front entrance, the outside is as important a the inside.  Today there are multitudes o fancy pots, statuettes, furniture and lighting to enhance the front entrance.  Do you live in a community that people are always walking around.   Set up  conversational area on a porch if you have a porch.  It is the new thing in PUD'S ( Planned Unit Developments  where you can walk to the store, library or wherever.  Sort of old fashioned neighborhoods.  I love the idea.  Today instead of walking, I have noticed a lot of golf carts running around these type of neighborhoods.

I have noticed traveling abroad, that people in other countries walk a lot more than people in the USA.  It seems that in areas, people are more fit and rugged.   Here in the past decade, people are becoming more health conscious.  That is one of the purposes of PUD'S.

So how to make my entrance very attractive?  Again it depends on where you live.  If you live in a very cold climate, flower pots of concrete, serve you much better, or some of the resins.  Regular pottery or clay pots will break under extreme cold or extreme heat.  There, you can either plant seasonal things in pots, or plant a shrub that is cold weather tolerant.  Then at different times of the year, you can plant small pots with color in them.  In the south, I find shrubs do very well in pots.  Plan ahead and ask a garden professional because none of this is cheap.  I did mine little by little.
Better Homes and Gardens seems to have the best articles on what to plant when and how to showcase your plants.  I love their garden tips.  I am an interior designer, that has had to learn outsides to. 

At my studio, I have quite a few gardens in the back.  I have tried a lot of different things.  Because of the old oak trees, the soil is very acidic. I have learned the cheapest way to go , after spending a lot of money, is to go with natural habitat flowers and plants.  They thrive there as they are taken care of.

 

Roses grow well in sandy acidic soil.  I try and add to the soil.  This the actual rose that bloomed in my yard here in Florida.  I called it Mom's Rose as it was her favorite.

 

Name: Mom's Rose

Original  Watercolor

Size: framed - 33" ht. x 33" w.

Price: $800.00 includes shipping

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Colorful Nature

Size: 39" ht. x 33" w.

Original Watercolor

Framed: $850.00 includes shipping

 

These are seagrapes that grow almost wild in Florida and coastal regions.  They can be very colorful at certain times of the year.  They are not my favorite choice of beautiful things, but combining their colors the pictures are beautiful.

Mom's Rose:

 

 

 Colorful Nature:

 

So to start sprucing up an entry way, inside or out, there are a lot of different things to do.

 

Start with the door inside and out, and look for things to set on the outside, remember the library or online can help.  For outside, use pots, etc., as I suggested before, and start with a rug on the inside, and a mat on the outside.  That may give you other ideas.  Now is the time to look for outdoor furnishings as it is the end of the season.  Really, I have seen a lot of outdoor things at Joanne Fabrics on sale for up to 70% off.  Check online.

 

It now depends what entrance you use.  If it is in the front and the one you always use.  They will be definite things that you need to use there.  If it one only guests use, you will want it to look more in style with the rest of your home.  Are there sidelights or a glass door?  Or both?  No window or sidelights?  What is the style?  Is there wall space? Is there tile or carpet?  Just what is there?

 

Tomorrow a piece on what is there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Where do you live?

Embrace the contrast of your taste with the style of your home.  What is the style of your home?  Do you know?

This again, depends on where you live.  North Eastern States have a totally different style than those of Southern States, the same with Northern and Western States.  Look in your library if you don't know, or go online to types of architecture.  This will help you find the style.  Now your taste.  Does it fit in with the style?  Do you think it should?  The answer is you do what you want, you have to live there.  You choose what you like, you have to live with it.

I love the "American Glamour" that is luxurious yet relaxed.  I call it casual elegance.  It is a formal atmosphere with a sense of comfort. To me it goes anywhere in the world.  Bring out the things stored away.  Mix crystal, pottery, silks, leather, vertical blinds with sheers and whatever else seems to go.  Wood tables with glass top tables or faux tops or even marble will look wonderful with leather.  Dress it up or dress it down.  Some people think leather is to hot for the South.  On the contrary, it is not hot and it is easier to care for.  It is a lot easier to clean a leather chair than an upholstered one.  They always look good.  In the west, paired with cowboy boots, rope around tables, barrels of all kinds for tables, baskets with things sitting in them create a perfect Western atmosphere.  Paintings of desert, cacti, horses, wagons etc., that remind us of the old west.  I have even gotten round to painting horses lately, not really a Florida subject, but neat.

 

 The title of this is " Run "

Size:  15 " ht. x  11" w.

Original Watercolor

Price: unframed $300.00
 

Imagine your home re-invented by switching things around.  This again is where visual help, helps you.  Magazines are your best source of different styles.  It is there in front of you.  Go back to an earlier blog that tells you to select just a piece of a room you like and circle it and save it.

As far as texture, old terms are showing up in trade magazines as well as some design ones.  Watch for these terms and see how they are use.

Hexagon
Trapezoid
Polyhedron
Chevron -  zigzag pattrn

I have seen them lately in wall coverings, fabrics, and shapes of furniture,  the backs of chairs, the shape of tables and ottomans.  Watch and see what you can see.  some are really great.

One quick going back a bit, No lighting is as flattering, as eye level lighting. (Table Lamps)

It has been 51 days of design tips, are you ready????????????????


 

Another piece of design

Yesterday we were talking about metals.  Another thing I love is hooks. Most are metal. They can do so much and are so charming in many rooms.  Have you ever been some where and wanted to hang up something and couldn't find a place.  I love hooks of all kinds.  There re so many to choose from and you can usually find some on sale at Joanne Fabrics, or even use a coupon.  I use them everywhere. I have them hanging in all closets, for clothes and curling irons and whatever I choose.  They are great organizational tools.  Here are a few examples of some neat ones, and there are so many more neat ones out there:

 

These are some examples of different hooks.  These are more decorative.  The bird house is ideal for a mudroom or laundry room.  Even outside on a porch.

 

The other one that says family can go just about anywhere.  I have it in the garage for hats.  It is a neat storage place for baseball caps.  It is right outside the door to the laundry room and you can drop one as you go in, or pick one up a you go out.

 

Style is a concept that cannot be precisely defined and yet, when we see it, we recognize it. Just as you see something in a magazine such as a beautiful table setting.  You can tell if it is fairly plain and that you can do, or it reeks of elegance that only the rich can do.  You can do anything that you want.

 

I feel that you can do anything.  You just know how to do it.  Just like with metals, you can find them if you really look.  E-Bay, Craig's list, newspapers, thrift shops, or again my favorite, garage sales.

 

Another word for eclectic I transitional, mixing old and new.  I haven't shopped a lot, for a lot of things as I have accumulated a lot of things in my years as a designer.  Then I have things that were in the family.  When I used to teach design classes, I would tell the people taking the class, there are only three reasons you have something. 

1.  You loved it and bought it.

2.  Someone precious gave it to you( such as mother, children, husband , good friend).

3.  You inherited it.

Otherwise you would have gotten rid of it.  Things just don't appear, unless you live in my house.  I'm always finding that great deal, that I just couldn't pass up.

 

My mother called it the disease.  You walk into a shop, and always find something.  I am really proud when I don't, but it is not very often.

 

An easy way to add a piece of furniture to keep expenses down, add an ottoman, ( that can be used s a

table top, or a seat), small floor tables just sitting around, plant stands, floor vases, garden seats or just a stack of books with a top on it, serves as an extra table.

 

A quote from "Billy Baldwin", "Decorating is never successful unless it is personal".

 

And that is what it is all about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bit on Metal and Organization.

Metals:  Brass is timeless and affordable.

Pewter is somewhat old fashioned.  It reminds me of Paul Revere, or New England.  It works well in country settings.

Silver is elegant, but takes time to keep it looking it's very best.  I have some pieces and after they are polished, I keep the largest pieces in plastic space saver bags, so they don't need to be polished when I need them.  Perhaps just a touch up.  I love silver and candlelight.  It is so very romantic.  The majority of younger people today don't want the care of it.  Unless you have help to keep it polished, it is a very time consuming effort.  I just polished 2 ice buckets that were not wrapped.  You bet, I bought bags to store them in.

This is one reason a lot of people like brass.  It gives such warmth and reflective qualities to a room.  Used in the best ways, it can also be romantic.  It is easier to care for as most of it today is coated. If not, it can be like silver, but it doesn't oxidize as quickly.

Since many people have become collectors, hammered aluminum has made a little come back.  I have quite a few pieces, and they look nice in certain settings..  Used with milk glass from the 50's, and a splash of a vibrant  color such as fuchsia, purple, navy blue or bright turquoise, it makes a stunning table.  You could use almost any color for the occasion.  I collect different colors of napkins, and placemats, so I can change at a whim.

One thing you must wonder, is where all this stuff is.  I like to think I am very organized, so I make space.  My husband always says to the kids when we entertain, watch where she gets things from,  or where she puts it away, because if she dies, I will never find anything. This is  standing joke in our family.  Again, this is why I love garage sales and resale shops.

As we grow older, we become more informed on all the things we like.  We also see all the things we gave away, got rid of one way or another, and here they are back.  I find it had to part with things.  I do give them to my children, as I know which ones will take care of them.

I went to an estate sale today, and everything was so over priced that I didn't even buy one thing.  That is a first for me.

I want to create a balance of conscious decoration ( accessorizing), nostalgia  and spontaneity, to create a comfortable situation. 

When I decide that I am going to redo cupboards or under sinks, I go to Bed Bath and Beyond, to see what kind of space savers they have.  Sometimes I have my husband just build me a shelf 2 legs and a top, the width of the cupboard and wella!, I have more room. 

A question you must as yourself when you are doing this, Do I still like this? If my answer is maybe, I store it, if yes,, I use it, if no, get rid of it now!!!

As I redo a room, I redo the storage, dressers, nightstands and closets.  No room is complete if the outside looks good and the inside is not organized.  I love baskets in closets.  You can store anything in them.  I have a bunch of black ones that I bought a few years ago at Joanne Fabrics, I make tags on the front which purses (pocketbooks, handbags,) are in them.  It makes it very neat and I can find what I am looking for immediately. 

Today we started with metals and ended up with organization.  You never know where I will take you tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting Pieces!

There are so many ways to make a room interesting.  Here are a few:  texture, layering, scale of furniture and pieces, objects and art.

So if you are ready to start your hunt, make sure you have want lists.

Go to several stores in your area, that may have what you want.  Get information and prices on what you are looking at.  Get the price, size, fabric samples and pictures o the piece.  If they don't have the picture or the fabric sample, ask if they can get you one or if you can take a picture with you camera or phone.  Ask them to order a swatch of the fabric, or wallpaper.  You may have to pay a small charge, but it will be worth it.  If you have ever seen a design board, it has all of these things attached to it.  Again, it is visual.  Take pictures of things you like. If you really like the piece and can afford it, go ahead and buy it, it will work in I you really like it.

Here is a picture of a multitude of patterns and colors.  It is done very tastefully and is pleasing to the eye.  An interesting piece the rickshaw.

 

I rather think it is stunning.  Although, you couldn't possibly put all these colors to use in one room.

 

Back to shopping.

 

 List all the prices nest to the item so you know exactly your costs.  If you buy something, take a picture and save it in a file for insurance purposes.  Or perhaps down the line, you may want to sell it, to change again.  Save all warranties and invoices and care information in a file folder or wherever you can go to it.  This is a quick reference guide in case anything gets damaged.

 

Take the swatches of fabrics with you when shopping so you can see them with other things.

 

When you have completed an area, take pictures of it for reference.

 

The majority of people do not want plain things.  They like pretty and usable.

 

When shopping, don't forget antique shops, resale shops, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.  Fridays are the best time to go to garage sales.  Make your list and use your GPS and off at 7:00 A.M..  The early bird catches the worm.  I missed out on a great one, right across the street from me a while ago.  I saw a truck sitting in the street with someone in it at 6:45 A.M.  as I was getting the newspaper.  If I had been smart, I would have looked in the paper to see that  my neighbor was having a moving sale.  When I realized it, I saw this man putting furniture in his truck.  I went over and he had already bought the best stuff.  I did get some great things though.  Not one thing on any of my lists though. Look for furniture in those type of paces that has a good name brand.  Most things made in the 1970's or before were made well.  Look for good bones.

 

Become a flea market aficionado!  Give fresh interpretations of classic designs by either refinishing them or painting them.  What fun to say, "I did that myself", or "Do you want to see what I did?".

That is exciting.

 

I have realized that a good bit of my audience is in Russia.  I really believe that there is a treasure trove of items over there that one can use.  I loved the parts of Italy, Paris, Germany and Hong Kong that I visited.  I just couldn't cart large things back.  I wish I knew then, what I know now and would have done it.

 

In doing old furniture, some pieces may look great in gloss, high gloss (lacquer), stained or highly polished. Decide on a plan or the piece, then do it.

More pieces to our puzzle

I said yesterday that I didn't want to be one sided.  Here is one of Valspar Paints ads that are appearing in magazines:

 

They have chosen an iguana to show off colors.  Watch for it in magazines or go to Valspar website.  As I said before, I prefer a one coat paint with a primer in it.  I don't off hand remember which company possibly Behr has come out with a white gloss and no gloss that is guaranteed to cover in one coat.  It is quite expensive for a quart.  If it works on woodwork and covers well, it is well worth it.  Contractors seem to but it up as soon as it comes in.  I am not sure if I got it at Lowe's or Home Depot.  Another thing for me to look up today.

 

I talked about feelings you get when you are in a room.  Or the feelings of color, or just the type of day it is, rainy, dreary, dark or sunny.  This is mood.  I try to be happy everyday.  If  am not feeling super cheery, I attack a room, or a flower arrangement or something to give me change.

 

Writing this blog has given me great inspiration as far as wanting to do new things.  I am slowly, but I am not 100% focused.

 

So let's talk about feelings.  As a designer, I need to know how my clients feel about color, the items they already have,  what is their favorite style (you can usually tell it when you walk into their home).

Here are some of the feelings: relaxing, entertaining, soft, warm, luxurious, fresh, young, or any others you can think of.

Now pick out the things you really love.  There is our starting point.  Hopefully by now you will have somewhat pictured your colors, and what you want to do..

So let's start talking about other bits and pieces.  I will jump around a lot now, so take notes or print out the blog and cross off things you have done or make our own list of what you want to do.

The bones of your home.  These are architectural things, fireplace, wainscotings, crown moldings, niches, or anything other than plain walls.  All of these things can be added to get the feeling that you want, for instance crown molding.  If you cannot afford it, you can use borders to achieve a similar look.  Border the ceiling and border the top of the wall.  You can even drop the wall border several inches and paint in between the two for a stunning look.  I have used this in dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.  It is a daring thing but looks gorgeous. Look for paintable borders.

You could also use plain pieces of molding, that is less expensive and paint it. One on the ceiling and one dropped down on the wall a bit. Paint it all a gloss white.  You will be surprised at how well it looks. 
These are a few ways to get the effect of an expensive look.  Some large cities have stores or warehouses, where they are recycling things from homes that have been torn down.  Check salvage stores.  Ask around and someone may know.  These are great places to find old beautiful wood if you are willing to do the work.  If you are at all handy with tools, you may try to make something of your own.  My husband and son are very handy.  My son has made some of the most beautiful furniture for their family, not for me though. I did get a wonderful  4 ft. canoe that is all hand made.  You may know someone like him.  He lives in Minnesota and does make things for people.

Using antiques is the ultimate in green.   It is recycling in a beautiful way.  This is where shopping becomes a hunt.  I love the hunt.   To me it is gratifying.  I need to borrow a truck and go hunting in Palm Beach or Naples.  I had a friend who worked in a resale shop in Palm Springs, Calif.. She said years ago, you need to come here.  You could furnish houses so elegantly, for next to nothing.  Living in Indiana then, that was not a possibility.

How I would have loved that.  The Hunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bit and piece on color!

Have ( or develop) confidence to express your own style.

The ideal customer is the one who wants beauty and creative design.  They give a designer free reign.  A lot of potential customers scour all the stores and the internet to find the very best prices.  The best deals really are through the professionals as they know their business.  They don't make the mistakes that you could possibly make in making choices.   It's like loving a dress in the store and getting it home and hating it.  This is a norm, and it happens all the time.

While working at the golf course this morning, I was reading several articles about confidence.  That isn't something I can give you, but I can help you work to it.  Just by using a poster board to try faux painting, will either give you confidence or make you totally give up on it.

I can't express the word VISUAL enough.  If you can see it, you can decide if you like it or not.

All of the paint companies are coming out with many ads on color, trying to entice you to use their product.  The following are a few of Sherwin Williams ads:

 

These are only a few of their ads.  Notice that each color way has a number of colors on one strip.  These are the hues of that color.  They all blend so nicely together.  Tomorrow I will show you how other companies are advertising so  I don't seem so one sided.

 

The guru of colors is Kate Smith.  She also has a website, so you can google her.  All of these paint companies are seeking your support.  Remember, you are the client, you are seeking knowledge from the paint experts.

 

I seem to have gravitated to paints that are, one coat covers.  I do my own painting at present.  I do believe, that this will be the last time I attempt it, as I don't like going up and down ladders.  I am so much a perfectionist, that I prefer to do all my own work.

 

These are a few tips:

 

A room will only be sunny during the day, not at night.  Decide when you spend the most time in any of your rooms.  This will also dictate the hue of the color you want to use.  Figure out the feeling you want to convey at a given time.  Mostly, the amount of time you are spending in the room.  This helps more than you think.  Use the color strips to help, and use that little bit of paint on a wall and see what happens.  In the very beginning, I stated " Color is the single most important thing in design", and I will continue to tell you this always!  Seeing color in different light, will help give you feeling.

 

Feeling is how you feel when you see something you like, or love.  This is how you need to feel about color in any given room.  From this you work toward the BONES of the room. 

 

What are the bones of a room????????

A bit about your home!

A house should be a reflection of the people who live there. 

If you want to feel a part of the tradition that you were brought up in or one you have seen, it is very easy.  Start your own tradition!!  Mix things from a lot of different periods.  If you have a lot of antiques, and feel you are stuck in the past, go beyond.  Color, Color, Color!

It is easier than ever to design with cultural treasures you have collected or are beginning to collect, from around the world. 

Take ideas from places you have visited or been to, it is so easy with cameras or smart phones.  Even in stores, TAKE A PICTURE of something you really like.  An old Cliché, "A picture is worth a thousand words".

Yesterday we talked about layer upon layer with a picture of pillows.  The following is another way to layer color, this time in a bathroom:

 

Notice, that plain old orange crates have been whitewashed and towels rolled up in them.  Imagination!  Texture and patterns are visually stimulating.  I think this is a great idea for a bath off of a pool area for pool towels.  Notice the compliments of color in each area.  This could be a garden of flowers in all colors.  Don't be afraid to experiment.

 

Look back on design in the past 50 years.  It is easy online or at the library.  There are what I will call Retro shops popping up all over and in magazines many pictures or reproductions of the retro look.  Many pictures of retro ideas, combined with things that are newer.

 

If you are not ready to redo something in your house, get a group of friends together, discuss ideas, help each other with their projects.  This is brainstorming. what a lot of large corporations do to come up with ideas.  One person can't possibly come up with all these ideas.  Look at a design magazine.  They are made up of  lot of design articles by many not just one person.  And believe it or not, many of these ideas have been around for a long time coming from greats like Carlton Varney or Sister Parrish.

 

Try something new each week, say for one year.  I started with fresh flowers.  Each week I buy a different color.  The next week, change throw pillows.  Now I have a habit doing these two things.  Each week, fresh flowers, and a change of throw pillows. Remember early on I told you about my grandchildren saying they will never buy a throw pillow because of me.  I have all colors of pillows and store the ones I am not using in the attic.  Make a list of what you own in a notebook, things that are put away, check it out from time to time, you may have something packed away that you can use.  Recently, it was a couple of light fixtures from my mothers house.  One crystal chandelier is in the master bathroom over the tub, and the other is going in the hallway.  Later, I will show you some pictures. I move accessories around each time I dust.  These things become habits and sometimes it is all you need to lift your spirits.  Make a wish list for each room of your house.  Try and check off one item each month.  It really will work.  Many times you can find these things on sale, or at Marshalls, Home Goods, T J Max, or Ross.  My favorite place to look besides these places is Dillard's and Macy's.  I have found that Hobby Lobby has some of the prettiest artificial flowers, so I add some here and there.  Today, I changed a vase on my Dining Room table to Pink and White tulips.  It was in my family room with just white tulips, and I found some pink ones on sale and added them to my whites.  Really looks pretty.

 

 

Just look at the beauty in nature.  This was clipped out of a magazine, I really don't know when but the combination of color just jumped at me.  I am going to do my pool area adding some purple and pink for fun.

 

This is how an idea starts. Feel free to ask me questions on how I can help you make some very small changes.

 

Tomorrow, back to the subject of light,  I jump around consistently.