On a budget? Daffodils are inexpensive, and just what the doctor ordered in sometimes gloomy March. Add some twigs from your floral shop {or nearest winter tree} and a weighty container to create an incredibly easy yet impressive bouquet. Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sprigs of Spring
On a budget? Daffodils are inexpensive, and just what the doctor ordered in sometimes gloomy March. Add some twigs from your floral shop {or nearest winter tree} and a weighty container to create an incredibly easy yet impressive bouquet. Monday, February 22, 2010
Can Good Design Make you Happy?
Last week, I ran into my friend Karen Pinkston at a networking event. In addition to being a great home warranty rep (with Homeguard), she has what most excellent customer service-people have: excellent people skills. So as we spoke about this blog, it was only natural that the conversation turned toward how design can affect our relationships in our lives. She mentioned that recently Oprah did an episode on the "Happiest Place on Earth", Copenhagen, Denmark. I missed the episode, but the best thing Karen got out of it? The Danes, apparently, revere round tables. Why? Because everyone can see everyone else. Love it!
our lifestyle and design decisions. Let's round out the balance, soften corners, and make sure everyone's included. That's how my friend Karen lives, how the happiest people on earth live, and probably how Oprah herself lives. Sunday, February 14, 2010
Heightened Horizons
This week, I came across this photo of a gorgeously designed bathroom {by Heidi Bonesteel, courtesy House Beautiful} and was so inspired by the band of accent tile at the top of the walls. I love how it lifts the interest above eye level, placing the boldest visual in the room in one of the most refreshingly elegant and unexpected locations. It's so impactful, yet so simple.
Like this look? There are so many ways to lift your spirits with high horizontal bands.
Install decorative molding at picture rail height (about 2 feet below the ceiling), and paint the upper band of wall in an accent color; add window valances, cornice boards or drop-down shades in contrasting colors or patterns; consider a shelf about a foot below the ceiling as in this Kenneth Brown-designed room, below.


Sunday, January 31, 2010
Children's Rooms-Inspired, Dramatic, Simplicity
I don't have children yet. But I decorate children's rooms, which is a little like being the fun aunt--all the glory and none of the challenges. And as the decorator, my job is to help children fantasize about the things they love most, listen to parents about how their lives need to function {number one request? Fabric that camouflages stains!} and find the perfect way to give everyone what they want.
This week, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you. And while functionality, frugality and future food stains may not permit you to copy every detail of these rooms, you can certainly take a cue from their inspired styles.
Inspired: Instead of creating a room which conforms to your own sense of trend or style, try embracing what your child loves and choosing it as a stylish inspiration for a room which also works for mom. I love how this room by Pottery Barn Kids incorporates the very inspired element of butterfly mobiles suspended from the ceiling.
Dramatic: The most stylishly successful children's rooms make kids feel special with something not every kid on the block has. Maybe its something decidedly grown-up, like these nurseries' chandeliers, or oversized, like the topiary in the nursery above, or just fancy, like the canopy at top. Nursery photo {above} courtesy Art for Kids, www.artforkids.net. Nursery at right courtesy Pottery Barn Kids. Canopy photo {top} courtesy Veranda magazine.
Simplicity: I believe that as children grow, their rooms should be free to grow with them--as their tastes, needs and lifestyles change. Keeping the bones of the room simple {furniture, architectural elements} allows for them to continually change their style, express themselves as they wish through art and accessories, and, of course, find their own personal style along the way. This safari-styled room, at right {courtesy Pottery Barn Kids}, has so much personality, but the furniture will work with many styles in this child's future. All it takes is a can of paint and removing the canopy to achieve a blank slate, ready for whole new look.Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Key to Color--Accessories!
One of the most common questions clients ask me is how to have a room full of their favorite color without creating a room that is, literally, all that color. I can't tell you how many times a client has called me in after painting all 4 walls of a room in their favorite color, only to find it not quite as satisfying as they'd hoped. A safer way to treat color is like the hot fudge on top of vanilla ice cream. Keep the strongest flavor in the topping--small little bursts of joy that enhance and delight with every bite but don't overpower the main event.I recently came across this photo in Veranda magazine and thought it was a great example of how color can be injected into a room subtly and delicately. This room has somewhat neutral surfaces, but comes off as colorful due to the blue accessories. The lamp shades, framed mattes, curtains, throw pillow and upholstery on one chair all make use of the same tone of blue and create a "blue room" without hitting you over the head with the color. The blue is further enhanced by warm tones of gold, gray and cream, and a pop of complimentary peach in the tulips. If you are craving a bit of color to brighten up your dreary winter, try adding it in the accessories.
Have a great week!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Ten Things Every Room Needs
I'm a list person. I love a great checklist. And, perhaps more honestly, I require checklists. I am lost without my grocery list, daily to-do list, etc. I'm an analytical person who thinks and learns through words so when I embark upon a new house or design project, I use words to brainstorm design concepts--"Fresh" and "Warm" being the most common--and I end up with a kind of list of what the space will become.And although every home is different, the rooms I love most have a few specific elements which combine to create excellent spaces. Spaces which invite, comfort, ease, inspire, and of course, "freshen" and "warm". Here is a handy checklist of ten things I think every room should have to be great.
1. Organic Material such as wood, sisal, seashells, antlers, coral, natural cotton. I think of "organic" as any material which feels raw, makes me feel grounded and reminds me of nature, and seems like it came from the earth and not a factory. In particular, I love how organic materials can ground more formal rooms, like how the sisal rug makes this room less fancy and more approachable.2. Light Reflection. Something shiny or glossy. Polished silver, laquer, glass, silk, polished stone. It's like jewelry--add more for a more formal look.
3. A Pop of Color. My partner, Chrissy, calls it the "lipstick on the room". While she accordingly gravitates towards reds, oranges and hot pinks for her room-lipstick, any bright color will do. I find it most impactful in a small dose like a bud vase or throw blanket, and easiest to pull off in a brighter version of a soft color already in the room. For instance, if you have a bit of aqua already in the room, add a bright turquoise pop. Or go opposite the color wheel to complimentary yellow.4. Softness. The cooler the color palette and the harder the surfaces (such as with stone floors), the more softness you need. And I mean literal softness. When you are shopping, look for things that feel good to the touch.

5. Plants. Never underestimate what a few well-placed indoor plants will do for your space. I always get nervous that I'm placing too many, but plants are neutral and you really have to have a lot to get that 70's jungle look going, so try to be brave and do a few more than you'd think. Where Coco Chanel advised you to remove a piece of jewelry before you leave the house, I advise you to add a plant (or two matching small ones).
Although this room {photo above} has floral bouquets, its topiary-style plant is so striking only one is needed. Try this--place your thumb over the plant on your computer screen. Notice how the entire room becomes more dull, the colors less cohesive. The green of the plant creates a freshness that pulls the entire room together.
6. Candles. Although not a necessity, I find that life is better with candles. I prefer white or cream-colored candles for their lovely glow. Everything feels more warm and welcoming with candlelight--I have at least one in every single room of the house and I light them daily, even when no one is home but me. Also, if you are watching your electric bill, try candlelight while watching TV in the evenings instead of lamps or overheads. It feels so much cozier and is practically free.
7. Repurposed items. I love taking something utilitarian and making it into something decorative. Repurposing is very successful when done with outdated items. Specifically, I have seen quite a few old nautical props and anything to do with milkmen. In this photo, the obvious scene-stealer is the French console, but I also really like how they've topped it with old French cutting boards as decorative items and as-needed trays.
8. Opposites. Opposites create balance. And I'm a libra so I love that. If you have something formal, add something casual. With something old, add something new (feel free to add borrowed and blue!). With something very simple, add something very intricate or ornate. The key is to keep it in the same style--your style.
9. An Oversized Element. One or two oversized elements give a space drama, and can make a small room feel much larger and more substantial. I love how instead of placing many little things on this foyer table, the designer kept it simple and impactful (yet understated in style) with this large stone container and orchid.
10. A Strong Silhouette. Which is a fancy way of saying something with an interesting shape. I think this is most effective when it is black to accentuate the form. This vase's silhouette quietly lends strength and style to a refreshingly simple entry.
Have a great week!
All photos courtesy of House Beautiful.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
New Christmas Traditions, Part 2
New Decorations. I love the ritual of Christmas decorating. As a decorator, I especially appreciate the joie d'vivre of decorating that doesn't have to take itself too seriously. Its temporary nature makes it a perfect family activity: you may not let your young son choose a fabric for the drapes, but hand a fruit loop garland on the mantle? Sure, why not? This week, I'd like to highlightthe elegant, inexpensive crafts of this Better Homes and Gardens slideshow, which I found very inspiring. Check out the whole slideshow, with instructions, at the link below. Here are my faves.
Replace framed personal photos with family photos from past Christmases 






