Clutter

Number 6 in strategies for small places!

"Control Your Clutter".

This is rather easy, as long as you have a place for everything.  An old saying, " A place for everything and everything in it's place".

Small credenza's or a tea cart, also know as a bar cart, can be used as servers or to put items that are used all the time on.  If you are going to use it for a bar, keep glasses, ice bucket, tongs and liquor bottles on it or on the shelf below.  If it is a cabinet, you can use the inside for storage and the top as a bar.  Utilize all the space you can.

Organize drawers with space savers and they will stay pretty organized.  I use a silverware tray in my bathroom drawer for my makeup and things I need to use there.  It works fabulously.  I love little storage things for everything.  At Office Depot, I bought little square boxes that stack and put a lot of my paints and art supplies and label them.  I love to label everything, then I can find exactly what I need.

In every room, if you organize, you eliminate clutter.  It means putting whatever you are using away as soon as you are finished with it.

If you don't need it anymore or never use it, get rid of it.  Quit saving things as that leads to clutter, and if you want to be free of clutter, rid yourself of non necessary things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Visual Continuity

Strategy #5.

Have visual continuity!  Do you want a calm setting, a wild setting, a very colorful setting, a quiet setting, a children's setting, an adult setting, or any type of setting you can think of.

Find the palette that pleases you in your setting and adhere to it.  Use the same palette to create unity from area to area or room to room. 

If you are looking for a clam setting, soothing to you, restful to your mind, close your eyes and think restful.  What do you see?  Do you think of water, sand, sky, or downtown New York City or a sidewalk café in France?  Whatever it is that comes to mind in your daydreams, write it down and expand upon it.  Think of the palette it evokes.  Is it the tranquil turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or running on golden sand, or whatever it is, write the colors down.  Then build a palette from that and carry it through you small space and on to the other spaces.  You can add other colors as you go thru other rooms, but make it flow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of Texture

In our strategies for small places, we are on #4.  Go dark or light!

Even though a area is small, does not mean it must be painted a light color to make it look bigger.  A dark color can give it the splash that it needs.  If I go dark, I always use white woodwork and white blinds, shutters or draperies on the windows.  Mirrors do wonders in dark areas.  Be careful on choosing too dark of fabrics, as they will close in the room.  If you should choose A dark fabric for a piece of furniture, use light accessories and pillows or a throw.

The opposite happens if you pant the room light.  You can use darks with it to make it dramatic and not antiseptic feeling.  All lights will make it feel blah.  Now if you use great textures in a white color scheme, then that gives us a totally different feeling.  Using leathers, nubby fabrics, sheers, silks and posh fabrics and possibly a furry rug, make the room feel lived in.

Color and texture are the two biggest things in design.  Just purchase something with a great texture and see how it changes your room.

Another age old suggestion is paint one wall dark and the rest light.  Then go to work on color and texture.

What do you have in your room to add texture?

Functionality

Here as promised is the interior of the Spanish Mediterranean amoire that I painted.  See the amount of office storage that is in here!

 

Sorry this is so blurry but you get the idea. This is the top, even with a small drawer.

 

These are four large deep drawers.  You could use this in any room to serve as several different things.

 

So our #3 Strategies for small spaces, this is one great idea.  This could serve in  dining room, use as a bar, or in a children's room for electronic toy storage and clothes.  Do you have an idea what it could be used for?  This is a piece to maximize functionality for many rooms.  Another great piece is what used to be called a buffet server.  The top with a formica top, opened up so it could be used as a buffet.   This was very late 60's or 70's.  There was usually a drawer for silverware in it and storage on the bottom.  Many old pieces, were made for functionality.

 

In the post WWII days, houses were not large.  Often only one bathroom for a family of 4 or 5 or more.  In those days furniture served many purposes as there was literally no room.  If you go to antique shops or resale shops, even the Salvation Army and Goodwill shops, you can find many of these pieces.  Painted they serve extremely well.

 

Tomorrow, a picture of a buffet server.

More on Multi function

Yesterday I was talking about multi purpose furniture.  I promised a picture of n armoire that has been refinished and used for storage in my computer room/guest room.

 

This only took a few days to do.  I used spray paint and then rubbed a glaze on it.  The ferns are freeform painted, but you can use a stencil to do something similar.

 

I also painted a French Provincial nightstand that I paid $25.00 for to match.

 

 

They are in the same room with an iron bed.  Doesn't bother me, and I have had offers on both pieces.

It just take a little time and thought to do this.  Anyone can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Number 2 in 12 strategies

Step 2 under the 12 strategies is don't be afraid to use big pieces.

One of my favorite things to use is an old armoire.  They are great for storing things, drawers are wonderful doubling for linen closets, and the top can also be used as an office of types.  Tomorrow I will show you a picture of an old Spanish Mediterranean armoire, that I painted an antique white, and painted ferns on it for a spare room.  The top house miscellaneous books and things for my business, the drawers contain art supplies. 

So no matter the space, a large armoire will work wonders, and they can be bought fairly inexpensively.

Another large piece that works well is an oversize chair, as it will be your comfort zone;  with an ottoman that can double as an extra seat if needed, or a table.

Computer desks are really not needed, but a printer is.  You can find great small pieces to use and they can fit in a small place.

Here I go on the Shabby Chic thing again as it really does blend with other things.  Paint pieces to make them more interesting.  Sand the edges to make them look shabby, paint something on them.

Look at Mackenzie Childs things to get ideas.  I love that look also.

That is what happens when you are in this field.  You love too many things and always want change.

Small Spaces

Yesterday, we talked about "The 12 strategies for making the most of small spaces".

Let's take them one by one.
1.
Choose furniture that multi tasks.  We've talked about that previously.  One great thing is an appropriate table that serves as a desk, art table, sewing table and a place for homework or board games.  Whatever you need it for, have all the things that are needed for it in baskets, stacked neatly on shelves as nearby as possible.

For instance, all office supplies are in one basket, if you need that, just take out the basket, do your chore, return things to the basket and put on the shelf.  The key is to keep very organized.  I find that baskets or bins are the greatest.  Hang a label on the front of the basket as to what is in it.  A shelving unit with baskets to fit, serves a lot of purposes.  Not only for the baskets, but a sewing machine (on the bottom shelf), a library, a place to put storage files.  If you get a bookcase with doors, that will work wonderfully and hide the items.  You can put a drape, or shower curtain to keep it out of sight.  Use a spring tension rod, ( a shower rod works well), wedge it between the outside of the shelves, (Make sure you put up a bracket for the rod to either fit into or can use it to wedge the rod.
You then have everything behind a curtain.

Ottomans, can double as extra seating, footrests, or coffee tables.  If using for a coffee table, use a tray on the top to hold items. 
Small hassocks will fit  under tables for extra seating also.

Use your imagination to come up with ideas, then write to me about them and I will publish them on my blog!

A Piece on Strategy

I would really like to know what you want to see in this blog!!!!!  Please let me know!

This has to do with downsizing!

In House Beautiful, 7/8 2013, an article written by Jen Renzi:

12 strategies for making the most of any small space

1.  Chose furniture that multi-tasks
2.  Don't be afraid of big pieces
3.  Maximize functionality
4.  Go dark or light
5.  Visual continuity-calm-adhere to the same palette to create unity
6.  Control your clutter
8.  Create zones
9.  Create a jewel box - Splurge on something sumptuous, materials and exuberant treatments
10. Manipulate sight lines
11. Trick your eye into seeing more space.
12. Customize every inch

More on each of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bit on the Internet

Since it is Sunday, I rarely work outside the house with client's.   I did however today , and was posed with several problems.  It was the first time I realized how many companies have closed in the last few years.  I do know that companies I deal with, do not carry the stock that they used to.  Everyone is downsizing.

I also was talking to one of my jobbers on Friday and they have just bought a new house.  Going from large to downsizing.  I guess that is becoming a new term that I am hearing more and more. Downsizing!

The internet has a lot to do with that also.  Without leaving your home, you can buy what you want.
It may not always be the right thing, but the price is right.  Remember, you only get what you pay for.  Ask an expert then buy.  Right now I am working on drapery rods, fabrics, blinds, and now remodeling bathrooms.  I have been on the internet trying to find things I want to know about.  It is n information highway.  As long as you know what you want and the exact item is exactly what you think it is, then I would still call or ask an expert.

Restoration Hardware is a great place to find things, as well as Ballard Designs.  They have the visual that I always talk about.  If you find something you like, see if it is available near where you live and go see it.  Shipping things back and forth is rather costly.

It is okay to splurge on sumptuous materials and exuberant pieces, as this is your space.  Live It!!!!!!!!!!!!

Changing A Bit

Lately, I have heard  a lot about people downsizing.  I guess, one thing that seems uppermost is the room that re rarely used, One is the Living Room.  We went through a period in the late 90's about great rooms that are used.  Now we are back to living rooms.  They are just not used as you get older.  Only if you entertain a lot.  I have even been into a home lately that has a ping pong table set up in the what was the living room.

I am doing a brand new house again with the open concept, the difference is, homes now have home offices, media rooms, exercise rooms, sewing rooms, art center and craft rooms, so many formal rooms have been done away with. 

I have an art room, that the previous owners used as a media room.

A new big thing in older homes with limited closet space is to use a spare room and turn it into a closet.  I had two different friends that each had a whole bedroom as a closet.  I have also been in some very large closets in new homes.  the ide is, What Do You Need Or Want?

The way my house is set up, I just use my spare room closets because we have what is called a split plan.  The master suite is on one end of the house and the guest area is at the other end of the house.  We have such a big family that our guest rooms get a lot of use.

Look around and think about the use your house gets.  Especially if you are an empty nester.

Geometric and old fashioned design

We are seeing different styles in today's furniture, wallpaper an window coverings.  Scallops are back along with geometric design.

Evidently the younger people like the sleek lines of  geometric.  I am seeing it in artwork, sculpture, clothing, accessories and furniture lines.

I think it has it's place.  I love scalloped lampshades.  I think they are classic especially if they are a good one.  Which brings me to lamps.  We have  lampshade house close to me and I love to take my lamps in there and have them fit  them with a shade.  It doesn't necessarily mean I will buy one, but then I can shop.  Remember, the professionals know all the rules, including lampshades.  "Not one fits all".  You can at least know the size.

I also love old fashioned doilies.  I remember my grandmothers using them, all starched up and so
 light and airy and old fashioned.  I have a few yet and use them under vases filled with fresh flowers.  Not starched though.  But I do know how from them.  A touch of old fashioned adds charm to any setting.  If you are very ultra modern, this would not fit with your style, but a silver colored dish would help solve the problem of water on wood, or glass.

It is so much fun to mix everything today.  Years ago, they called it early attic.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bit of Brightening Up

Have you checked out my fine art blog yet?  I also have another blog: www.riverviewartstudios.com,  or my design website?  www.decoratorsworldinc.com.

 My Nancysadowskisfineart.blogspot.com is up and running.  You can hook them all together and who knows what you may find.

Since it is into the fall months, unless you live in the South, you are raking leaves and getting ready for winter.

Now is the time to really perk up the inside.  Do it with color.  North rooms are usually cod rooms, especially in the winter so brighten them up with anything colorful.  Even plain baskets painted setting in a pile can add color.  If fresh flowers aren't available, buy some silk ones and arrange them in a vase.

Change out artwork.  I have noticed in client's homes and offices I have visited lately, faded paintings.  They are cheap prints and they just fade from light.  Most of the time, the frames are great.  You can reuse the frame, and buy a good piece of art.  I also see good art at garage, moving or estate sales.  Even a piece can be found in a resale shop.  sometimes you may need a framer to help.  I suggest you try ad find a local framer rather than use one of the big name brand shops.  Even with discount coupons, they are more expensive.  The little guy will normally give you a much better deal.

I have found my own framer here in Florida, and I have sent everyone I know to him, and they can't believe how much they saved.

So add a little color and art to your rooms to brighten the up on a cold winter's day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is New

Sorry, I missed yesterday, but I expect that ill happen from time to time.

I've been noticing a resurgence of apricot, peach an orange.  It has been a while since those have been around.  "What goes around comes around".  Go with the flow.  If you like it, it is in your future.

Also, mercury glass in silver has made a big comeback.  I have seen it at Macy's in beautiful candlesticks.  Now in magazines, I have seen quite a few vases.  They add a lot of glitz without the upkeep of metals.

Colors are amazing  - each night the sunset imbues new color palettes.  Those who aren't able to see beautiful sunsets should at least travel to areas where they are and experience what we here in Florida take for granted every day.

You cannot say that the color combinations don't go together, because they do.  Some nights, they are so spectacular that people will come out and stand there and just look.  The colors of the sunsets, put together, make a room sing.  They are soft, yet bright.  They are colorful, yet subdued.  They range a wide variety of hues that go together so superbly, that you can almost copy the whole palette in your home.

I will try and show some photos tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arranging Your Walls A Bit

Today was a teaching day, so little in the design field was addressed except for art work.  I was talking about backgrounds.  Especially on walls.  Since most walls host a gallery of paintings, or photographs.

This leads me to talk about family photographs.  We all want to show family photos.  Back in the day, home movies were the rage.  You had to be careful whose house you went to because you may sit and watch home videos.  Not today, everyone shows photos on their smartphones.

So what to do with all those family photos.  One you can download them into a digital photo frame, or use them in your decorating theme.  Hallways are the perfect place or family photos.  I prefer to see all of them framed alike.  Same color of frames and same style if possible.  That way you can have a family wall.  The only people who really want to see them are family members.

Small pictures gathered together on a night table, dresser, or mostly in a bedroom work well too.
That way, those who you loved and love are there for you to see all the time.

In many homes, you may see family portraits done by a professional artist.  Most are done in oils.  There are many portrait artists around every area if you find that is what you want.

There are cat lovers, dog lovers, flower lovers, bird and animal plus hundreds of others.  You can find anything you want at any time.  Surf the internet, and then go looking. 

I an starting a new service for my clients.  I am taking my paintings to them, as long a they are local.
Don't forget my new blog: Nancysadowskisfineart.blogspot.com.

More Estate Saling

I returned to the estate sale again yesterday, and bought a chair for $15.00.  Here are pictures of what I bought on Friday:  Tomorrow I will show you the chair, as my daughter picked it up and it is not here.

 

 

Here is the wonderful needlepoint chicken pillow I bought for $4.00.  The whole back is navy velvet and you can see the front.  Look at how good it looks in the burgundy leather chair.

Here is a picture of one of the lamps I bought, for $10.00 each.  The shades are not right, but that is an easy fix.  The great thing is that they are 36" tall, which is very hard to find today, and with the high ceilings, tall lamps are so much better.

I will have to do some moving around this week and look for new shades.  I also bought a great wing back chair for $15.00.  I am not proud.  I will put it in the master bathroom, for my husband to sit on as he is a little disabled.  It is a great piece to have reupholstered as it is a good piece of furniture.  They had so many great pieces, but I have no room for them.  I would have to start to redo everything.


See what you can find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bit of Jumping Around

Today, I went to the Estate Sale, at 7:30 A.M.  I ended up buying two matching lamps for $10.00 each.  They both need new shades and they will be great.  One reason is that they are definitely a Florida type lamp or a beachy lamp as they are ceramic and have bamboo on them, even though it is poured mold bamboo.  They are creamy white in color so they will go anywhere.  The good thing is that they are tall, and that is something very hard to find today.  I may paint them.  First new shades.

I also bought  blue and yellow throw pillow (remember the queen of pillows) because it is needlework and has a rooster on it.  Love it for $4.00.

I call that an eventful day.

Since I love country French, and I do have a lot of pieces that fit into that period, I am not the country, but the provincial French.  There were a lot of roosters and that type of thing there.

So once you have  total theme, stay within its bounds, and add bits and pieces from other periods.

Here is  another bit on children's bedrooms.

They are no longer restrained by old school ideals for juvenile décor, but more mature so that it carries them for years.  They like things that are "cool", "crazy", "clever" and still cozy.  Pop art is popular for kids, because you can easily buy and frame posters of their favorites. Later pop the out and replace.  If you keep the room more neutral, you can add colorful sheets, throws, and accessories, such as wastebaskets, desk accessories and clocks.  There is just so much out there now.

Ikea has many items that can be useful for many, many years.  One thing I will say though, furniture is not made to the quality some of us were used to 40 years ago.

Look around!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Punching up Color

I have been so busy painting for my other blog, Nancysadowskisfineart.blogspot.com , that I am lagging behind here a bit.  I will be showing more pictures, especially window treatments, as that is really what puts a room together.

A lot of people who live in Florida, as I have said before, have hard window treatments.  I have been working on soft window treatments this last week.  I have found some of the most beautiful fabrics out there. The new colors are so soft and gorgeous.  Have noticed oranges to apricots and the following:

Turquoise- like the Caribbean, makes you feel resort like. It is  happy color, whether it be pale, medium or bright in color, it is almost a neutral.  It blends with everything.  think water, crystal clear pale turquoise, and think of gardens all around it. 
Add purple for a bright punch, as we talked about pizazz the other day.  Some other colors to punch it up are pink, fushia, lime green,  or any shade of green and lavender.  Just check out a drapery store or search window magazines and see the latest.

Again, pillows are the easiest way to punch up a room.  Try it, get a fresh new attitude in your room for the coming holidays.

It used to be, that people did a lot of changing after school started and mom had time now to look around and shop.  I have found great things just by looking with no intent to buy.

Tomorrow, first thing, off to an Estate Sale.  Let you know what I find.  I really don't need a thing, but one never knows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More on Furnishing

Refurnishing your home can be a real chore in today's marketplace.

First take an inventory of what you have.  If you have good furniture and want to add some pizazz to it, or just have a new look, this is where you start.

Write on your list all the pieces you absolutely love, and then what you want to keep.  Make sure you and your partner agree on all of this.  Then get rid of the other things.  If you have  place to store them better yet, as I have found people many times regret getting rid of things they want back after a fashion.

Depends on what you are doing and the look that you want, there are ways to make a room look more modern or more traditional or older, especially if it is new construction.  Lighting is the easiest way.  Wall sconces, chandeliers, or floor and table lamps give a traditional look, while recessed lighting, track lighting or sleek shinny chandeliers make a room more modern.

Make your home a happy place!

I love a mixture of white, light and dark woods.  Dark woods all over are heavy and can be very depressing.  Light woods are more cheery and make your rooms interesting.  Try moving different woods around and see what happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bit About Scale

When looking for furniture, buy things that can be multi functional.  In the 70's they made consoles that opened up  and became a buffet, or a bar.  They are still out there.  You can use sideboards or credenzas for serving, as was done back in the 60's.  Sideboards have been used since colonial days.  Mine is Italian provincial, is a beautiful solid piece of wood with a beautiful finish.  I got it at an Estate Sale.  Of which, I am going to an estate Sale on Friday morning at 7:30.  One thing I have found out, that the people who run these sales, get the best of the things first.  Hope I find some great treasures.  Some people's trash is another's treasure.

You can find serving carts at these kind of sales, and work wonderfully at dinners, as they hold the overflow of foods.  I have two of them and both are outside pieces.  Both are suitable to bring indoors as needed.  Multi functional!  The use if stools, either high, medium or foot stools have great uses all over.  They are great in work areas, at counters, work centers, and just plain foot stools to pull up to a conversation area and chat. 

 Think about what you need and set about finding it.  Craig's list and e-bay are good places to hunt along with want ads in the newspaper.  Plan what you want and don't settle for less.

Yesterday we talked about scale.  Your furniture should be scaled to fit the people who use it.  Scale is what is important - not the clutter of to many small things.

Do you have clutter?  Let's unclutter and give you a better look

My newest blog is : Nancysadowskisfineart.blogspot.com.

A Bit More on Furniture

Many Blogs ago, I wrote a quote by Newell Turner, "Editor in Chief" of House Beautiful Magazine, "There is no 'One Size Fits All' when it comes to rooms or homes".  This same thing applies to furniture.

I have long legs and I cannot stand to sit in a chair that is short seated.  This simply means that the length  of the seat from the back to the front is short.  It is very important for both husband and wife to sit in a chair or sofa before buying because of this.  Most men are very uncomfortable in short seated furniture.  On the other hand, some chairs are too deep for people with short legs and there they sit with their legs sticking out as they don't reach the floor.  This is where throw pillows are used for a specific reason to put against the back and the persons feet can be more comfortable. Kidney pillows are used for this purpose and they look nice in a chair.  Recently I heard them called another name, but I failed to write it down.  I have heard them referred to rectangular pillows also.  They are narrower but still as long as a regular throw pillow.  I always have a few around.  Remember, I am the throw pillow queen ( to my grandchildren).

So today's lesson in design is on seating.  Regular dining chairs and kitchen chairs, have the same problem.  This is where the man of the house needs to have a say.  He is usually the one with the longest legs.  I have used two types of chairs at one table.  Two arm chairs and 2 or 4 side chairs.  The two arm chairs should match and blend with the side chairs.  You will see that in a lot of older magazines. the arm chairs are usually deeper seated.

Again today, younger people like the sleek lines and no muss and fuss. They are more the IKEA look, or Crate and Barrel look, or many of the other stores carrying that sleek look.

 Personally I like the comfortable look.  Cushy chairs and sofa with a throw over the back to keep me warm if I get a chill or what to take a nap.

With winter coming, it sure sounds good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Little Bit on comfort

Now that I am writing 2 blogs, it takes time.

We were talking about furniture in the last blog, so let's interject antiques.  Either you love them, or they are just not you.  They do take care to keep them looking their best. I feel that some pieces are ageless and can be used with no matter what you have.

This has become a throw away society, and young people seem to want sleek new lines, little clutter, and bright colors or are very mono-chromatic.

The baby boomer generation, as many of us are referred to, like out things.  We tend to hold on to things that make us comfortable.  We are not catching up on the new technologies as fast as the younger generations.  If I need something, I can count on my grandchildren to know how to do it.

Perhaps it's always been that way. 

so to all you younger generation whoa are reading this, try and keep the older things, they are memories, warmth and comforting when things get tough.  Remember your old Teddy or Blankie, or whatever you had that you sought comfort in.  It is the same with old things. 

This is why I keep going back to Resale shops, Thrift shops and Estate Sales.

A Bit on Window Treatments

I haven't talked about window treatments much. Let me tell you that the most important thing is to measure them correctly. There are different ways to measure: Inside, this is the exact measurement of the inside of the frame. Measure the top inside and the bottom inside and use the smallest measurement to order a blind. The same with the length, use the smallest measurement. This is great for ordering blinds such as minis, micros, 2" faux wood or what ever you want including window shades. The outside measurement is where ever you want it to be mounted outside the window. If you have good woodwork, you really don't want to mount nails or screws into it on the face of it. You have to on an inside mount. A standard amount or draperies is 3" on either side. If you are using a decorative rod, the edge of the inside of the racket is 3" from the frame. For vertical blinds it is the same, inside or outside. If it is on a sliding glass door, it has to be a one way draw, either left or right. Which means it pulls either to the left or right and the stack back ( the amount of space it covers when it is opened) must be considered in on the width. Stores have charts on stack backs so you are safe in asking. If it is a slider, you may want to stack it back further on the wall so the whole window shows. I have found that pleated shades are much more energy efficiency than a lot of others. as the keep the heart in and the cold out. You can even buy them battery operated. Pretty neat!!!!!!!!!!!

Help Organize a Child's Room

I've been talking about painting on walls and children's coloring book pictures as art in a child's room or bathroom.  If you and your child pick a theme, look at local art shows for cute art or their rooms also.   I love hooks in a child's room for hanging up their clothes.

Remember old hat racks or coat racks?  They do make reproductions and good ones today.  They are great in bedrooms and laundry rooms as well as mud rooms if you have one.  Even in the garage.  Check out resale shops or even antique stores.  If you find an old bet up one, paint it to match your room.

It does help teach little ones to organize early.  A large clothes hamper of their own, and rewards for throwing their clothes in for a week, month or however you think you want to do, works great for little ones.

I saw today a window that had been painted to look like stained glass.  The craft stores have glass paint and you could do that on their bathroom window or on a shower door.  There are so many cute ideas for children's rooms.


One I hung a Japanese parasol upside down with cascading vines and butterflies hanging on fishing line, and that was 40 years ago..  You could do the same thing today even outside and have a great look.

 

This is  picture of a Teddy Bear, actually a Beannie Baby Bear that I have taught in some of my classes. It is great in a small child's room.  I only do these on commission now, in any color.  This one was sold a long time ago.

 

Keep looking in magazines for ideas.  Please ask questions, I hope I have the answers.

A Little bit More on Children

We have been talking about children's bedrooms and baths.  One thing to remember is that they seem to grow so quickly that it is hard to keep up with them.

Choose things that will last for at lest 5 years.  Even things you pick can last a lot longer.  Don't buy a lot of towels, etc. that have a character on them.  Buy a few and wash often.  Pick primary colors, red, blue and yellow and use things that match.  Another little hint, save the paint in a plastic jelly jar and attach a small paint brush to the jar so you have it handy to touch up nicks.  Do this with the paint in every room.

When doing a theme, stay as close to your colors without having to spend a fortune.  For instance, instead of buying say a Sponge Bob toothbrush holder, buy a yellow one and Sponge Bob toothbrush or toothpaste.  They are available as I have bought them.  That way, the toothbrush holder is always usable.

The same with bathroom rugs, if you are doing say the Sponge Bob theme, buy blue rugs, it is like the water he lives in, and towels with maybe Sponge bob washcloths.  Look around before you leap. The same thing goes for girls bathrooms if they are themed.

What I am not sure of is if you can get decals to put on the walls.  You could get a picture, or have your child color pictures and frame them and use them on the walls.  One, the child loves to see their own work, and two, your art on the walls is covered.  This is a very inexpensive way to decorate your child's bathroom.

I see a lot of that kind of thing at garage sales.  That is another great idea and really inexpensive.  Use your imagination, be creative, use the right side of your brain!

Today I started a new blog, Nancysadowskisfineart.blogspot.com. I hope you stop by and follow.

A Bit on Flowers

I would like all of you to look in several magazines that are devoted to space and design.  First of all notice that all most all rooms have fresh flowers  in them.  That is what adds life to rooms.  We have talked about that in previous blogs.  In magazine rooms, they are staged, much as stagers d t put a home on the real estate market.  they add  lot of color to  room for  small amount of money.  If you use pitted plants, they can serve a duel purpose, as they can be planted outside to bloom again. 

Now try and picture that same room in the magazine without the flowers.  See how unattractive the setting looks.  When they do a room for photo shoots, the set things in rooms just like they do on a stage set.

Real or good artificial, these things set off a room and fill in the spaces.

Here is a test:
Either use a bouquet of artificial flowers you already have and move it from table to table and place to place.  Move it from room to room setting it everywhere you can.  Place it and leave it for awhile admiring it.  then move it somewhere else.  Did it help the room or the space?

You can do the same thing with  bouquet of real flowers.

It is like your house at Christmas, before and after.  when all things are put away, it is like a void in all rooms that were decorated,  Flowers do this.

Even if you just use greenery cut from outdoors in your yard.  It fills in the voids and looks great.

Try this little trick and et me know how it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!