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.