Yesterday we were talking about children's rooms.  In going through some old paper work, I came across this picture.  It is from a To the Trade magazine.  This room was done by Bonnie Pressley in Benbrook, Texas.

We have been talking about all the things in this room.  Notice the murals on the walls.  As the child grows these can easily be covered over.  The rug is by Mary Englebright.  The photographer is Bradley Olman.   The table and chairs can easily be used elsewhere, or redone to fit into another scheme.  Everything here says little girl, or young teen.  How fn.

 

Designers used to have what we called tear files.   I still tear things out that I like, but now there are easily filed on my computer.  This is one now that I found, is on the computer.

 

The walls look like several areas, it is just done with paint.  Murals have become very popular in many areas, inside and outside.  Thee is also Faux painting in this room, that may never have to be changed until the child is quite older.

 

Another thing I forgot about is "Blackboard Paint".  It can be purchased in most paint departments and make you own chalkboard on your child's wall.  It works great.  They can express themselves and change it, play games or whatever.  It also works well on any wall, to leave messages for family members.  You can frame it and it looks great.

 

\This is a room for the client's grandchildren.  So see, you can do everything, and anything you want to do.

Bathrooms again

I am thinking that I should attach a charity to my blog and donate a part of each  question and charge a fee for the answer,  and give it to a worthwhile charity.  I am more in favor of one's to do with children.  They didn't ask for any life they have been given, and they have to learn to deal with it on their own.  I need to do some work on this before I even try it.  I am sure I needs a lot of investigation.

I was thinking about this blog and writing all the things I have learned on design, and today what I read is nothing new to me.  What goes around comes around.  It is not what you know, but who you know.  I have been in this business all my life, and never really got to know a "WHO".  I have no big name in my field, although I have done a lot of things in my field.  My book, was before it's time, as was my DV, or else it is my website.  Too late for the book, but my DVD is still available and it is fantastic.  Everyone who has used it, changes their home immediately.  Go to www.decoratorsworldinc.com, and take a look.

I will touch a bit on bathrooms for children and teens.  Girls need way more space than the boys.  Boys are always in a hurry, unless primping for a date.  It there is a linen closet in the bathroom, you have it made.  If you have multiple bathrooms in the house, even better.  Again, I will say how much I love hooks and baskets.  Make sure your basket has a label on it.  I use hooks to hang a curling iron around, even if it's hot in a linen closet.  As long as it is far enough away from anything that could burn.  I have baskets with hair things, extra combs, my round brush and clips, anything I need for my hair.

For boys, baskets for their combs, brushes, gels, shaving creams, deodorants, and after shave.  Then another for misc., as they always have other things.

I love a dish by the sink to put the things that are in your pockets into it at night.  That even helps with the laundry and saves time in looking for things.  I even put one by my husband's sink and he asked me what for?  You wouldn't believe what he is always putting in it.  More than my dish.. When I took it out to wash it, he asked, "where is my dish?". 

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!


"A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN IT'S PLACE"

Good to teach your children to live by.  Many young people are not responsible for their things, perhaps they were given too much.

This is my psychology background coming through.

For younger children, make sure they have a stool to reach the sink, or they make a terrible mess.  My son had a stool and it said: " This little stool is mine, I use it all the time.  For all the things I should and even those I shouldn't".

Don't always use blue for boys and pink or lavender for girls.  Paint the walls , or wallpaper them in a more neutral color and accessorize in colors they like. Much easier to change each year as their tastes change.

You can always get in touch with me with any questions.

A Small Bit Today

Still talking about bathrooms, one easy thing you can do to give yourself a fresh look.  Buy some inexpensive fringe, I love to use Jo-Ann's as they always have a coupon.  Buy enough for either down the side, or across the bottom.  Sometimes two layers on the bottom is stunning if it shows well.  If not, as mine does, I put the fringe down the side and tied it back with the fringe.  I bought an inexpensive shower curtain in white and trimmed it in a beige fringe.  You can be as dramatic as you want, and get the look.  You don't even have to sew, they now make glues for fabrics.  Glue it on.  Another little trick is using a tassel on either the closet door, or a handle in the bath, it adds some charm, and gives your guests something to talk about.  Use things in different ways.  A small tray, can sit on the back of the commode and hold misc. items.

Change rug colors, depending on your color scheme.  Since I have blue and yellow stripes, I have a set of yellow rugs and blue rugs.  I like the blue rugs as they don't get as dirty as fast as the yellow ones.   They probably do, but you can't see it as quickly.  It is the same with towels.  I use a light color for my bath towels, and I like the oversize ones.  Then I buy different colored washcloths and hand towels.  I am a great fan of hand towels.

If you want to give your towels a stunning look, trim them with the same trim as you did on your shower curtain.

I seem to run out of time with all the things I want to do.  I make my to do list and I really need to finish one project then go to the next.

It is like the stack of paintings I need to start working on.  Teaching multiple classes a week and now I am adding more, I barely have time for preparation.  Commissions I do get done immediately, but they take me more time as I want them to be perfect.

I guess I am toooooo much of a perfectionist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which Bath to do First

In doing bathrooms, the first thing is to know who uses them.  If is strictly the master bath, you may decorate it differently than a children's or teenager's bath.  A guest bath in again totally different, and a pool bath is another type.  So the easiest thing to do is write that down for each bath.

A master bath usually reflects the master bedroom.  So your colors are carried through.  then add what ever it is you want.  I will be showing a lot of things on bathrooms.

A children's bathroom can be whimsical, or very feminine or masculine depending on the children.  Age tells a lot too, if the child is very young and a boy, perhaps Sponge Bob or a favorite character.  A young girl may have a princess bath.

A guest bath is where you really should put your thoughts.  Make sure there is everything in the cabinets for a guest, in case they forgot something and don't want to ask.  Make a list and put it all in there.  Use fluffy towels and nice soap.  Follow your heart on the design.  If you have been saving ideas, go over them, and pick out the best ones and use them.  Use what you have.  Just add color or fresh flowers and a scented candle.

These al make for a wonderful guest experience.  Especially the scents and the flowers!!

Continuing bits on Estate Sales

As we have been doing, before and after shots are so impressing.  It is visually stimulating and  a sense of accomplishment.  A designer usually does before and after shots to keep to see the progression of work.

I hope you take before and after shots.  It is so easy today as they can be stored on your computer or even on your I Pad or smart phone.  We used to take them and then have them developed and have folders full of them.  So much easier today.

I talked about an estate sale the other day, and I will again today.  Use your good china and crystal, if you have some everyday.  No one wants it and there it is for sale for next to nothing.  One thing I like to do is mix china.  I decided I would like to set a table in white and gold one year for the holidays.  I saw some gold and white plates at Pier 1, and loved them.  However all they had was the dinner plates.  That was when I decided to buy any white and gold dishes.  It really looks great when I set up the whole table with all the different gold and white and use gold silverware.  You have to look all over, resale shops, flea markets, garage sales, even estate sales, and acquire some great pieces.

Beautiful table settings are in all the new magazines.  Look and your will get some great looks. Napkin rings, knife holders centerpieces are only a few great things to look for.

Use what you have or it will end up in a estate sale and never have been used. 

Add fresh flowers, that are now readily available in grocery stores, to add a bit of elegance, no matter what your look is.

Going From Outside In

Going from inside to outside is a transition all over the world.  Some places though in the world have outside 365 days a year.  Since I am one of those, I can still relate to other parts of the country.  I lived in the Midwest all my life until 11 years ago.  I loved the springs, summers and fall.  I liked winter when I was younger and could enjoy the outside sports.

We have been talking about porches, lanai's in Florida  lately as we have been talking about the great buys out there.  Have you found any?  Today, I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics and bought a small bale of hay.  Can you imagine hay in Florida.  It is fall and Halloween is coming.  We do decorate down here too, even though it is supposed to be 88 tomorrow.

Yesterday I talked about a water closet, and here are some after pictures:

 

Here is a corner stand, and I just recently saw some at Hobby Lobby in different sizes.  Not exactly like this one, but similar.

 

Here are some accessories and one of my paintings added to it to give it warmth.

 

 

Here is an original Fritz Van Eeden acrylic above the commode.

 

 

 

The last thing I added is another painting across from the commode.  Look back on yesterday's blog to see how small this water closet really is.  That is a lot to put into one room, yet tastefully.  You will also notice in center bottom, a small piece of ceramic hanging on the wall.  It is an original piece of pottery.

 

Just to let you know, nothing is new.  The last picture was bought in the 70's, the vase is from Indiana and is in it's third home.  Remember I told you how to make floral arrangements last, that is what I do.

The hydrangeas are a giclee' of one of my paintings and the other is several years old and painted in a class I was taking.  The corner stand came from Tuesday Mornings about 9 years ago.  See how you can make do with what you have.  If I want to change it a around for a new look, I'll just pick things from other rooms, or paint or buy a new piece of art.

 

What will you do next?

 

Outdoors And Back In

We've been jumping again.
 
First, here is the painting, not done yet, but in the place where it will hang.  I needed to see the different lighting on it, to continue it.

 

It is coming along pretty good, although I feel the background may be to bright.  We will see when I finish the leaves.  I will put I the purplish banana pods today, that may help.  In doing a painting, you have to feel it.  It is so visual.  Then again, I may not even like it there.  No Rules!  See how yellow green the bushes and trees are in the back right side.  To me this must all blend together.  It does however, match the dish, my first goal.

 

We will start focusing on goals in your decorating.  Do you have any?  If not, start making a list, even if it is a door knob or a handle.  My lists have lists.  Actually this picture is a long overdue project,  probably made at least 1 of my lists, but I keep adding new ones.

 

A goal is to make this a very comfortable area.  It is in the master bath, and no one actually uses it except the owners.  I will take it from here today and finished tomorrow.

 

Now a bit on bathrooms.  Here are some before pictures in the small water closet as they are called.  It is 4'4" x 3'4", actually very small.

 

 

This very small water closet has a cream color on the walls.  I used a floral border with yellows, pinks, turquoises and greens on a blue background.   It works well above the woodwork in small areas.  It gives interest.  You can't even imagine how much tasteful stuff can go into a small space.

 

 Tomorrow, I will add paintings and accessories.  This is again the visual part.  When you see the difference little things make, you will start thinking of areas in a different way.

 

 

Life's Simple Things

Yesterday, I stopped at an Estate Sale.  So sad o see someone's life laid out for all to see, touch an buy.  On the happy side, the new owner can put new life into the piece and treat it with the respect that the previous owner had.  I bought a beautiful white bowl an flower arranging frogs, and a small white bowl with a frog in it for arranging flowers. In my mind I pictured a lily pond and trickling water as it has lily pads and lily buds on it.  Very beautiful!   Soooo Soothing!

Back to my morning reading, the Traditional Home showed a lot of blue and white again.  The artist in me started daydreaming about blue skies and white clouds.  Perhaps one's fascination with color comes from things that are so visible everyday.  Perhaps we don't even think about it, but it is relayed to our brains.  Many times I call things head turners, did you ever look back at something?  That is a head turner. 

Sometimes things are like magnets and draw us back.  These are our visible emotions, and that is what design is all about.  VISIBLE!

The simple things in life seem to be in days gone by.

The straight lines of boarding school furniture.  Perhaps they are more restful in todays hectic life.

The rustic look that you find in the mountains.  It is of vintage America.  Today Adirondak chairs are made of plastic and come in very bright colors.  Think back to the old wooden ones.  Don't they speak rest on me!

One of my paintings called Resting Place.

 

Getting nostalgic reminds us of a simpler, earnest life of days gone by.  The 1950's diner look with the black and white and red booths and stools.

 

I am seeing much more vintage looking new pieces out there.  It is a good mix with todays things.

 

 

A bit on re-cycling and More

I was talking about the grill area yesterday and showed you a picture.  Here is the painting, still not done, but in transition:

 

The lighting was wrong this morning, so I will get one in better light later.  You can see how it is developing to match my art deco dish.

 

Let's talk about what is new in the 2014 palette.  Nature inspired blues are leading the way.  Remember, I said before, I love purple and turquoise, then add lime green.  I have always been a blue - white - and yellow person, but I wear a lot of turquoise jewelry.

 

Sun, sky, sea and sand are all the rage in color.  Outdoor things painted in any of these colors and add green, see that wind and weather do a job on all paintwork.  The look is intoxicating to one who loves the outdoors and brings it inside.  This is where re-cycling comes into being.  Be on the lookout for faded painted items.  Incorporate them with their fresh items and see the great look.  Shabby chic with new gone wild.  Recycling blows in from around the corner with nostalgia of blurry images from the past in its shadow. Consuming less is more. Try Turquoise !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still Outdoors

" Good houses take work and they evolve.  You can't just assume that once it's beautifully decorated, it's going to stay completely vital and interesting" a quote by 'Michael S Smith'.  by evolving I mean changing.  It you are traveling and find a gorgeous piece, you can fit it in somewhere.  There that area evolved.

It is better to live with what you have until you can find or afford the thing you really want.

Furniture and accessories should be able to adapt to new situations.  So make sure you really love what you buy.

Yesterday I showed you a picture of the grill area, and here is what was added to make it fashionable,

 

The space in between the lantern and the French vase is where I am painting the leaves for. Any area can be changed overnight with what you have if you plan.  I had the flowers, as I always have those on hand and by them when they go on sale.

 

I love to buy my flowers at Hobby Lobby, they are more expensive, but some are gorgeous. Buy when they are on sale.  I buy some at Jo-Ann's and Michaels to.  I have also bought some at Pier 1.  Watch for their sales as some of the things are bought at a great price.  The trick to pretty silks is to keep them clean.  I hose mine of and leave in the sun.  Silk flower cleaner works well too.

Changing color a bit

I should have titled this blog "High-end look for Less".

Today, I was reading a lot about color.  I love, love purple and pale turquoise, but today I saw a picture of purple and lime green.  It was smashing!!  I am going to try something tomorrow.  I have white furniture in my living room.  I also have a dark blue oriental rug.  I have always used blue accessories with crystal and silver.  Tomorrow, I am going to pull in my turquoise pillows from the pool area.  They are an outdoor fabric, but it doesn't matter.  I have looked for two years for plain purple throw pillows that I like.  I will have to make some to get what I want.  Yes, I sew.  I try and fit it in every once in a while if I want something special.

We have been talking about the outside areas.  Even if you live up North, you can buy things for the outdoors very cheap this time of the year.  Even in Florida, things that are classified summer are on sale.  I bought a yellow outdoor pillow that is embroidered with fall color flowers.  It will fit nicely with my other yellow pillows.  I am truly the Queen of Pillows

Yellow is a color that shouts "Look at me", in a setting, even a garden.  Yellow is  bright bit to add to anything.  I have yellow throw pillows outside paired with the turquoise.  I am not sure what I'll add if I take the turquoise indoors.  That is the wonderful thing about all colors of pillows.  I really need an area just or pillows.  I have several bags of them in the attic.  Fortunately, I have an air conditioned attic room.  It is loaded!

I will be taking some before and after pictures of my lanai, as I am redoing it this week.  Here is a picture of the grill area, with the retro dish (that I bought at  yard sale) sitting there.  That is what I am doing the painting for.

 

On the right is a flower pot holder, with a French pot that has changed color due to weather.  I will fill it with flowers.  tomorrow, I hope to have that project done.  I am starting too many projects.  It is easier to take on section  at a time.

Design and Crafts

I am guessing that most interior designers are extremely creative or they wouldn't be in this field.  I have met a lot of them who are artists, clothes designers, jewelry makers and more. 

I have found that I love to do it all. 

Here is a picture of a hat I designed for a roaring 20's party:

 

When I am not working on interiors, I am painting and creating other things.

 

I guess one of the problems is, I never sit  unless I am doing something.  Yesterday it was designing this hat, flower arranging, and painting on my banana leaf painting.  I also re-painted a lamp from the outside that had started to rust.  I forgot to take a before picture, not like me, but I have so much going right now.  I will take a picture of the lamp tomorrow but you will just see the after.      I can get up everyday and have 100 things I want to do.

 

Speaking of outdoors, since it is getting a little cooler out ( not here yet), that is a good time to paint outside.  Did you know that you should paint outdoor porches  the color of the sky.  That way spiders and bugs think it is the sky and don't make nests there.   This is from design when I was a child, my grandmother told me that. In a lot of coastal towns, you will see that.  Another thing is transition time, that is usually now in a lot of areas.  In the north, you can plant fall flowers. In the mountains, pansies, and in the south impatiens, but they require a lot of water now as it is still too hot.  Soon it will be time to plant geraniums.  Funny on how flowers grow all over the world and the times of the year they grow.  Tomorrow and Wednesday, I am going to plant pots.

 

 

Rethink your Dining Room

Let's jump around the house today.  Let's talk about the least used room in the house.  The dining room.  Is yours used the least?

Let's think of it as an all purpose room.  A quiet place to do homework, for writing letters, that is, if you still do.    Sit with your laptop and keep your notepad near it for ideas or things you have to do. 

Make it inviting.  Perhaps just a new color or new art work to spice it up a bit.  Make it inviting.
Use slipcovers on your chairs if you need to, to add new texture or color.  Or do you just have chair pads.  Pier 1, has lots of choices.  Even online.  I am getting to be a n online shopper.  Love to google  something and there it is.  Sure saves on gas, and my time. 

Make your dining room if your furniture isn't too formal or too expensive, into a kid room to put together puzzles, play board games, that way you can leave them to do at your leisure.  One thing in this electronic age, it keeps kids away from the electronic games and I pads or smart phones.  Set a rule that that is what the dining room is for.  Make it look like a fun room.  It can easily be transformed into a formal dinner room when desired. 

I use my table, for many things as I always have a bunch of projects going at the same time.  Today, I made a hat for my "Roaring 20's Party".

Back to the dining room:
"Greg McKenzie" quotes, "A room with art is a room that has life".  So art can make or so they say break a room! I happened to go to an estate sale yesterday, and the art was unbelievable.  Very little in the way of good, mostly furniture store bought or just prints.  Some of the pieces were so faded from the sun, and that is what happens to prints that are just cheap.  I know that art can be expensive, but the timing right now is great to find some pieces you personally love. If you buy unframed art, take them to a regular frame shop, you will see a huge difference in cost and savings, compared to the stores that always have 50 or 60% off coupons. 

Rethink your dining room.  It can be used, not just sitting there looking pretty and using up your space.

A bit about estate sales!

On my way home today in the next sub-division, was an Estate Sale.  I can hardly pass those up.  So I turned around and back I went.  There were some terrific buys, of things I didn't need.  There was a gorgeous kitchen island that I'd have bought in a minute but it was sold. 

If I were redoing, I could have had some great deals. I however, need nothing, but I did buy some things.  I bought a basket of ribbon, which you can always use.  I use ribbons for memory books, and wrapping and whatever else I can think of.  You can never have too much ribbon..  Another great find are battery operated candles, $1.50 each and they are large ones.  Great when you entertain.  For the holidays, battery operated ones are great to set a festive mood.

Here in Florida, a lot of time is spent on the lanai.  I found a great metal plaque that has a rich patina and it was $3.00, will look good out there.  A stand with 12 small votives for candles was only $5.00,  and a beautiful desk pad for $5.00.  So for $16.50, I did well. Just the ribbon was worth that. 

Recycled furniture, painted the same color such as a bakers rack, which they had, a chest of drawers, which they had, or a night stand,  work wonders in a home and done well.  Baskets used for storage, especially  square ones, take up less space, and they stack so they are wonderful.  they had all kinds of baskets, but I have enough.

So today was a little scavenge day.  I started taping my walls, and got way laid by other things.  I have also been working on my painting.  I am going to work on it right now to see if I can at least finish one thing as I think there is a real need for outdoor art, and living here, with the humidity and sun, I am hoping my new venture will be a success.

How to Re-Arrange Your Room

Does your home have an architectural plan?  By this I mean niches, curves, fireplace, doorways with arches, pillars inside, moldings in different places, anything that is different than plain walls.

You need to work out your furniture arrangement around a these things.  If you have plain walls, then you ma have easier placement features.  the other things have to be worked around.  I find using a furniture template, tape measure and  piece of graph paper, and I am all set.  You can do the same thing.  Measure your walls and draw them on graph paper, usually 1/4" equals 1 foot.  You can fill in the doors and windows.  You can make your own template by using the same paper and drawing out your little pieces of furniture, and move them around on the graph paper of your room.  I know you can do this on the computer, if you have the proper program and the time.  It is easy for me to do it the old fashioned way.

If you read this blog, and want a template, I can send you one for free, just pay the shipping and handling.  I only have a few left, so contact me immediately.  I will let you know what the shipping is, depending on your location.

Once you see your furniture on a piece of paper in front of you, it is easy.  Another thing to try is measure for instance your sofa.  Using newspaper, tape pieces together and make an outline of your sofa.  You can now move this around your room very easily.  Do this with each piece of furniture.

When you have this worked out, it is time to fill in the blanks.  These are the lamps, area rugs, and anything else you want to put in your room.

Wella!!!!!!!!!!!!  Your room is re-arranged.

Before Striping a Wall

On my hallway walls, I used a Behr, semi gloss latex paint.  Since it was covering a gold color, I used 2 coats to be on the safe side.  With white tile, white ceiling and white walls, it is very bright compared to before.  I have let it sit for 4 days and now I am ready to stripe the walls.  I will use blue painters tape and use it from floor to ceiling using a metal yardstick.  I will use a small level to make sure my stripes are straight.

Here are my very white walls.

In this picture, the room you see beyond the white woodwork is also  shade of white, but the room has green carpet.  It gives the room a slight hint of green walls at certain times of the day.

 

The room you see on the left here is a light gold color, so it looks very warm.  That room is like a great room as all walls are open from the main area.  All corners are rounded so there is really no starting or stopping point.  You find that a lot today in the newer homes.

 

See how white changes color on each wall as reflections from other rooms will reflect on it.  Also, the chandelier will cast a incandescent yellowish light  in the evening.

 

Tomorrow I will show you the taping, it will be easy to see as it will be dark blue painters tape.  My walls should be dry enough that no paint is pulled off the walls.  Fortunately, this is a small area and the ceilings are 10 foot.  I don't think I would even tackle a large area or 12' ceilings.

 

With using white, so many of the whites read differently depending on the light.  They could cast gray, beige, pink, yellow or cream.  Whites are also tricky as they reflect the floor or drapery color.  If you have colored carpet, the white walls will reflect it making it look a light hue of the carpet color. 

 

Well off to striping.

Bits of before and after

I've been talking before and after areas.  I showed you some before pictures of a hall in my house that I am dong.
To refresh your memory:

This was the old ceiling fixture.

This is one wall of the hall.

 

This is another wall!

 

 

This is he third wall.  As you can see the walls are pale gold in color, and the ceiling is white.

The lighting is recessed.  I want it to look fresh and new.  The first thing is to paint the walls  all white.  It has to set for a few days because I want to stripe it pale blue.  So I need to tape in the stripes. 

 

Here is the new fixture:

 

 

We had to add a ceiling molding to the light so it could cover the hole.  It is much more traditional with a hint of the gilded age.

 

Tomorrow, white walls.  I want you to know that I used the same white paint I used in the pool bath because of the wash ability.  In the pool bath because there is only one door and it is glass with a blind, and lavender tile, (not my choice), the walls look pink.

 

 

See the color, it is reflected from the floor..  Tomorrow, white, white walls, as the woodwork and the tile are white.

Always remember color reflection!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Fabric Tile and More Pieces

I was again reading "Veranda" this morning, and here is another fabric great for wall tile.

 

I am amazed lately, about things that I talk about , I seem to find in magazines.  Truly, when I write this blog, it is just what comes to mind then the pictures seem to be every where..

 

I was told today by one of my students, I should teach painting on my blog.  I think, I would have to do that on another blog.  Then I am not sure I'd have the time.  I sit at this computer way longer anymore that time permits. I don't seem to use the right labels to get hits.  I read about a couple of girls who did a blog for a charity and put up things to auction and had a million hits almost immediately.  I wish I was that wise.   I am happy to have learned how to do this.

 

Some time ago, I was talking entrance and foyers.  I showed you a picture of an entrance way.  Here it is again, for those of you who missed it.

 

 

Actually, I guess I didn't show you this one.  Tomorrow I will have to take another picture and  put it on the blog so you can see the whole table.  This is what we called back in the 60's a sofa table.  Reason, they were usually put behind a sofa with a small lamp, floral arrangement, stools underneath for extra seating, stacks of books or anything you desired to put on them.  Do you still have one?  Mine is Country French so I will never get rid of it, but I can use it in many ways.  Here, because my Living Room is wide open with a wall of glass behind it and the front doors opposite the wall of glass, my sofa is in the middle,  I really needed something to break it up as a divider, and that is the sofa (now called a console table) table

 

More on those tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!.

 

 

 

Fabric For Back Splashes

Have you ever thought of putting fabric on walls?  It has been a favorite of designers for a very long time.  I was at Jo-Ann Fabrics this morning, and I never saw so many people buying fabric including myself.  I was buying trims.

I remembered an article I read in our newspaper yesterday.  It was a back splash with fabric on it that looked just like tile.  I had totally forgotten that that has been done since the 70's that I know of and possibly before.  I was waiting my turn, and saw a gorgeous rooster fabric, and thought that would make a great back splash in a country kitchen.  It is applied like wallpaper.  Try it out first on a sample area, as it depends what kind of paint is on the walls.  Make sure your walls are clean and apply a fabric adhesive and you have an instant wall, at a very small cost.  there are lots of remnant  pieces available for  dollar or so.  Check it out!

The designer in the newspaper, "Dee Patnoe", used a fabric that looked exactly like blue tile.  She also scavenged cabinets from a kitchen redo and added some unfinished ones she purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's, I'm not sure.

Looking for counter tops can be a chore, but there are a lot of miscut pieces or inexpensive pieces you can purchase.

A coat of a wonderful paint, new hardware, and you have a brand new looking kitchen.

While at Home Depot today , I saw a etched piece of material, with a sticky back that you can peel off and use on a window, to mimic an old fashioned window.

You can do whatever you want if you set your mind to it.

Do something new today!!!!!

A bit of a lot of things

A piece on uneven numbers.  When you accessorize, the rule is uneven numbers. It doesn't mean it has to be, but it really looks better.  It is that way in art also,  you should use uneven numbers.  Whether I had this painting on my blog before, here it is again..  I told you to notice pictures in magazines and notice how many hydrangeas are used on tables.  Well I painted a picture of hydrangeas so I can see them always as I love them.  I liked it so much that I had giclees' made of it so one can get it in numerous sizes at a much lower cost.

 

This is one of my favorites.

Title: Seeing Blue

Size: 30 W. x 22 Ht.

Framed: 42 W x 34 Ht.

Price Unframed: $1200.00

Framed: $1600.00

 

 

Seeing Blue

Unramed $1,200.00 USD Framed $1,600.00 USD

 

 

This painting is loved by all who have bought a print.  They vary in price due to the size.

 

We have also been talking a lot about resale shops and garage sales. Moving sales are a great place to buy furniture and accessories.  If you have little money or furnishings, you can find some great things at a very reduced price.  Below is a table from a moving sale that I loved the top on.  It is a faux top and just fits with my décor:

 

 

It matches the leather sofa perfectly and adds texture to the room.  The metal of the bottom is dotted with pink.  It really looks great.

 

 

Now add the rule of three.

 

 

Add flowers and the table is done.  See how little it takes, using what I am sure you have.  Actually, yesterday I was at Hobby Lobby getting some paints and there was a 50% off on flowers so I bought these, and a few more for other places.  These are white and  pinkish red color, so in reality they don't look pure white.  These are easy to add other colors to, especially at holidays.  I really like to use white.

 

See if you can re-arrange something today to change a look.  It gives your room a little uplift.  More on up lifts tomorrow.

 

 

 

A Bit More on Tile

We've been talking a lot about tile lately.  Here is a picture I found in Veranda Magazine this morning.  I thought it was interesting as it is painted tile.

 

 

This is a tile made in Spain, and if you look close enough you can see the company.  This shows you some design in tile, that is why many people paint their own, or commission an artist to paint them.

 

 

Another interesting thing happened today, I was at Hobby Lobby, in the art aisles, and a lady asked me if I was an artist? I told her I was and I helped her get the right supplies for a project she was going to do.  I hope it worked out for her, as I wasn't real familiar with one of the products.  So people seek advice even if they don't know you.  Sometimes you can be in just the right place to get advice for nothing and from an expert.  When doing a project, familiarize yourself with the product.  Looking it up online is such a help.

 

These tiles have a lot of island colors.  They would be perfect in a vacation home, or a bathroom that you want to look sumptuous.  the colors of water, sky and that wonderful color of the Caribbean  all in one place. 

 

You can even mix these or I should say any painted ones with other tile.  It depends on the look you want.  I stay away from fad colors, as when they go out, it dates your home immediately.  Use them for throw pillow and floral or small accessories.  I love to look at the rooms in the magazines because you get a bit of both, style and color.  Again, the mixtures of everything, eclectic.

 

Today in Veranda, I again noticed the use of blue hydrangeas in some of the pictures.  I have to look back and see if I put it in a post, the picture I painted.

 

Do you need tile?  Remember when I was talking about faux painting early on, I showed you a picture of a faux tile floor.  That is another way to go.

 

Let me know you questions on design>

 

 

A cozy, comfortable room

Newell Turner, Editor in Chief of House Beautiful Magazine quotes: " There is no ' One size Fits All' when it comes to rooms or to a house".

This is the same with furniture, color, accessorizing, or anything or room or part of your house.   It is your size, your taste and YOUR home.  Make it that way.

If you have so much money that you could do anything you wanted whenever you wanted and change it on a whim, that could be a different story.  Many of the famous designers, who did the multi - million dollar homes, constantly changed things.  If the owner didn't like it, change it, that simple.  Well in the real world, it is not that simple as most people work within a budget.  I think the most fun to be had in doing  house, is to do it completely with used things.  Are you aware of just what is really out there to buy in a given week.  Everything!

I have always wanted to do a complete house only from garage sales.  It can be done and done well. 

In a home, it seems to me that people gravitate to cozy, comfortable places.  The kitchen always seems to be a gathering place, so it should be warm, cozy and full of wonderful smells.

As a matter of fact, the whole house should be full of wonderful smells.  Do not over do the smells.  Use the same scent throughout.  Soy candles, that burn clean, offer wonderful smells.  Potpourri just sitting in  bowl smells wonderful.  I am not even sure they still make rings to fit on  light bulb and you add a few drops of scented oil in them and when the lamp is on it emits a wonderful fragrance.  There are so many things on the market to create wonderful smells ad so many to choose from.   A cozy, wonderfully warm feeling and a fabulous smell, make  a home feel good.

If you want  more drama, go bold and pretty, it makes a huge statement.

 Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan states: " Empty spaces allow the eye to rest".  You cannot possibly fill all the spaces in a room, that leads to clutter.  Are you a neat person or a cluttered person?  How would you characterize yourself.  .

If you are making lists, decide what has to stay and what can go to eliminate clutter if you have it.  If you are an extremely neat and organized person, you will avoid clutter.  I am somewhere in between.

Think about how you perceive yourself.

Breaking the Rules

I have been reading about blogs, and am seeing that those that have been around a long time do well. I read today that their are so many design blogs, by many designers, that you can be mind boggled by even trying to find one.  I sure hope that the few that are following me, that you tell all your friends to tune in.  I see that charity blogs get a very lot of hits.  I am right now, my family's charity. 

An article about "Anya Sarre" had a great little saying: " Always dress to impress, accentuate your best features, and know when to Break The Rules."  This is exactly what we have been talking about lately. 

Who made the rules?????  Rules are made to be broken and you can do it.

I have been talking about before and after pictures, forgetting the in-between.  I have been really working to get you before and after  and now an in-between.  I will paint the hallway tomorrow, and then really let it dry before striping.  The woodwork is all done, and looks great.  I want you to know that I used Sherwin Williams, oil based semi gloss enamel.  I like enamel on woodwork, it is kind of old fashioned, but I believe it looks much better and is easier to clean and touch up.  I don't think you need a picture of the woodwork as I am sure you can picture it.

However, on my banana leaf painting, I have come along now to in between;

 

It is still a long way from my retro dish, but it is starting to take shape. That is one good thing about being an artist.  In my daily reading of all types of magazines, even some from way back, I get inspired.  What inspires you?  When I am finished with this painting, I hope by Saturday, I will let you know why I did it and how it will affect my art business.

 

Let's talk about outdoor furniture today.  Look at what you have, and make a list of what you want.  No matter how much you have, you always want something more.  If you have very little, you try to do with what you have.  For many years I was the later.  I had to look for ways to make something that cost pennies look like a million bucks.  There was an old saying, " A champagne taste with a beer pocketbook".  I think that is true of many people.  So stay on our journey and make the beer into champagne.

 

I told you a few days ago, that now is a good time to shop for outdoor furniture as it is on sale everywhere.  Use outdoor furniture inside.  Wicker, bamboo, rattan, woven water hyacinths,  or even find these at resale shops or moving sales.  You can even make your own tables, using old table bases painted however you want them and put on a glass top.  If you cannot afford a glass top, find any kind of round and put a tablecloth on it with a topper of another color and wella! you have a new look.  Moving sales are my favorite, as you can find all these things.  Be there early!  Both of my grandmothers used tablecloths on their tables.  My generation only used them for entertaining  or holidays.  That is because placemats, and table runners became popular.  Here is a neat trick I like to use, combine two placemats together, one on top and a larger one on the bottom, it just gives a neat look.  Depending on what you have, combine several different ones.  I told you before, I love placemats.  Always look for sales and you can have a drawer full just like me. Resale shops and yard sales usually have placemats.  Keep your eyes open.  Here is a website that I use for tablecloths for parties and they are very inexpensive: www. tableclothfactory.com.  I use them a lot.

 

Start checking the newspaper or online for garage sales as you can become addicted to them.  I love, love, love them.

Jumping from Place to Place

Since yesterday, I am finished with the woodwork in the hallway.  I need to get some supplies from the studio as my roller and pan are there.  See I even jump around from place to place.

We were talking about tile, and back splashes.  Here is an interesting bit done with tile on a floor to separate one tile from another:

The pinkish orange tile is in the kitchen and the white tile is in the areas around the kitchen.  The use of the tumbled marble in diamond shape gives a great transition from on to the other.  This can be done on wood floors also.  Once you see something, sometimes you can't get it out of your mind.

Have you ever seen something you absolutely loved and couldn't afford it no matter what.  You can always improvise.  Again, just ask a professional.

As  I was taking a tea break, I picked up an older Oprah Magazine and one of the articles, was extremely interesting to me.  It started out, " Someone is trying to tell you something, and that someone is you.  Your intuition is the wisest adviser you'll ever have, and what it says - about what you should do, what you should not do, and how you should live your life-can change everything".

What a powerful phrase.  It has to do with every part of your life.  Even when it comes to design.  Remember, I said you really don't buy things you don't like, that is your inner self taking over.  It's like putting on an outfit, and you look at yourself and march right back to your closet and get something else.

Have you ever walked into someone else's house and thought of all the things you could do different?  If it is a good friend, would you tell them?  As a designer, I don't.  I compliment the things I like. Now if I am on a consultation, then I do.  Your taste is very personal, and a trained designer can tell it as soon as she walks in your door.

What is your taste, or are you still developing one????

Back splashes and more

We've been talking about so many things, that I am going to talk a bit more on kitchen back splashes.

I was talking about many different ways to do a back splash.  I am just going to list them:
Paint, wallpaper, stencil, faux paint, use mirrors, hang pictures, or small pediments, different types of tiles, and yesterday glass tiles.  There are a lot of other  types of tile to choose from.  If you are using granite countertops, you can us the same granite or even matching granite tiles  I prefer tumbled marble tiles, not because I have them, but I like the look.  Remember, We did not build this house, so we made no choices as to what was here.  I always said it was the perfect house, as I loved everything.
The people who built this house even used mural tiles and painted tiles in between.  Here are
 a few pictures:

 

This is a mural painted on the tumbled marble.  It was purchased this way, and I think it may be an Italian piece.  Below are the painted tiles that are interspersed with the plain tiles.

 

You can purchase plain glazed tiles and use glass  paint and do some yourself.  Get a how to do it book, or go ahead and ask me!

 

You can clearly see the imperfections in the tiles,  It adds texture to the room.  I have a friend/client who has the plain tumbled marble and she has small pictures and pediment hanging on them.  I will ask her if I can take a picture of hers and show you.    Remember to use a sticky hook.  The sticky stuff can be cleaned off with either lighter fluid (if you can find it or Goo Gone).  I keep goo gone all the time, it works for a lot of things.

 

Tell me what kind of thing you are thinking about for a change in your kitchen.  If you ask, I will answer.  Actually, ask about anything and I will answer.

 

Remember yesterday I said I have projects to get done.  Well, I started painting the hallway and I am so glad it is small, because my painting wall days are over!!!!!!!!!!!!  When this is done, I will hire a professional.

 

I also started on my leaf painting to go with my retro leaf dish.  I chose banana leaves as I can see them right out my kitchen window.  Here is the start!

 

 

 

There will be very little sky left and it will probably have a lot more colors in it as it faces west, and we have the most beautiful sunsets in the world (At least I think so).

 

I will probably paint a little more on it tomorrow.

 

We will talk a little more about flooring tomorrow!  Do you have a project list?  Is it a honey do list, or is it your list?