Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Decorganizing Wednesday: Shoes
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Fresh or Fake Flowers; Yay or Nay?
I am not a snob about silk flowers as long as they look real--the ones that look real are certainly more expensive but think of all the money you save in the long run? A stunning silk orchid will last much longer in your powder room without natural light (well obviously) than a real one.
Some say they get dusty and they’re right! That’s when it’s time to toss ‘em!
I usually have fresh flowers on my dining room table or entry but not everyone can afford to deck out the entire house with fresh flowers every week. I don’t know about you, but a tastefully done fake in a tablescape in my living room (for example) makes me happy, how about you?
What’s your take on fakes?
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me for on-line or in-person decorating and colour.
Related posts:
How to Style a Bookshelf without Spending a Fortune
Do you need a Tree for your Interior?
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Pro or Con: Painted Stripes
Decorating Ideas For Young Teen's Bedrooms
Decorating children's bedrooms can be fun, but once your kids reach a certain age you may find there are vast differences between what they like and what you like and that includes the cost!
They're no doubt be after the latest on-trend 'must-have' which will cost an arm and a leg, whilst you'll be looking for value for money and hard wearing, durable fabrics and materials!
Neutral walls and flooring will be a better plan than bubblegum pink or primary blue. You have so many options to add colour in where it can be easily changed, such as the window dressing, that it is better to leave the walls and flooring a neutral canvas that will easily blend into new designs later down the line. If your young teen wants hot pink curtains to match their bedspread then go with it, next year they'll probably want lime green curtains and new duvet cover sets!
Besides, try having the final say on decorating your teen's bedroom! The older they get, the more difficult it is to decorate their bedrooms and the more toys/books/clothes etc. etc. they will have to be stored away - making storage a key planning essential. Furthermore, their rooms become multi-functional and not only will they need it for sleep but for entertaining friends, doing their homework and generally to have seek refuge from moaning mums and dads!
Image: Small Place Style
Monday, June 28, 2010
Travel Trailer Chic
According to Triple A, it has been predicted there will be over 35 million Americans hitting the roadways for the July 4th holiday! While some may be heading to vacation homes, others will be visiting family and/or friends. There are also many who will be looking for accommodations in hotel suites or vacation villas. I wonder if the travel experts have done a poll on how many are taking their accommodations with them?
I have to admit . . . I’m not a “camping” kind of gal. On the few occasions I’ve made the effort, it was either due to meeting the requirement of a Girl Scout badge, (and I have a very funny side tale about that adventure), or it was to appease my spouse, of whom I fondly refer to as “Nature Boy”. I have done stints in a tent, an overnight sleeping bag trek - under the stars, and stayed in an unusual contraption called a “camping cabin”, which roughly translated: an abode with no running water or facilities, but by golly it had a cable hook-up for your television! Yes, I can probably count my roughing-it experiences on one hand, and I don’t anticipate using the other hand for future calculations.
(This Airstream,Classic Limited provides cool luxury for a trip through Anza-Borrego Desert in California.)
In the meantime, I do have to say, I’m a bit enamored with the Airstream Travel Trailer. Maybe because it’s heyday falls in the same time-period of Mid-Century Modern design. The sleek, rounded body hasn’t veered too far from it’s origins. Interestingly, it was first created in the late 1920’s, by Wally Bynam. He began by building trailers out of Masonite, in his LA backyard. Eventually, Airstream trailers were manufactured in the trademark aluminum shell, so many of us recognize, today. There is a long and fascinating history of events, of which I’ll economize on words, by having you click onto this link to read the rest of the story.
I’m truly impressed by some of the beautiful interior fittings I’ve seen in some of the recent models. I also have an affinity for a little bit of the kitsch, associated with the vintage Airstream models. It conjures up thoughts of diners, driving on historic Hwy Route 66, and of all things Americana.
Let’s hit the road, together!
This is the Victorinox Swiss Army Limited Edition, made in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Swiss Army Knife. How many of these are available? You guessed it! Only 125 were produced at around $61,000 each. It’s just like the knife - the epitome of function and sleek.
Need something a bit softer? The owner of this vintage Airstream added some femme touches – pops of pink and a crystal overhead fixture.
Although vacation really means leaving your work behind, this Airstream version is outfitted with the executive in mind. Upon completing your day, there is a light at the end!
If you aren’t quite ready to run out to purchase one of these beauties, there are many areas where you can actually rent an Airstream, on location. The version, above, provides a beach bungalow vibe in the exotic locale of Byron Bay, in New South Wales, Australia. (Excuse me while I sigh a little.)
I’m still pondering what I’ll be doing, during the July 4th break. It will more than likely be something a bit closer to home. I’m not one who loves being in the thick of the mass exodus on the roads. It could be a great time for creating a backyard barbeque, churning some homemade ice cream, and finding a display of fireworks to enjoy. If I did have the option; however, this sure looks like the ticket . . .
Happy July 4th! Let freedom ring!
Experience the best about design, at home or on the road! Wanda
Sunday, June 27, 2010
2 Questions to ask before you Renovate vs. Decorate?
As a homeowner, your list of updates is long and sometimes it’s hard to prioritize which one to tackle next.
It could be a list that could look something like this:
1. Painting, this of course creates the biggest bang for the buck!
2. Flooring (it’s the one that’s the easiest to change—well relatively—for the second biggest impact)
3. Kitchen or bathrooms—countertops, flooring, cabinets, plumbing fixtures
4. Fireplace mantle/tile/stone
5. Additions, balconies, sunrooms, etc.
6. Landscaping
The list goes on and on but unless it’s falling apart and truly decrepit, here’s what I would ask before you start demolishing your kitchen or bathroom (for example):
1. Can it be painted? Backsplash tile, cabinets, even countertops can be painted to get you through until the renovation really needs to be done.
2. Is my living/great room decorated?
One of the participants from my True Colour Expert Training said one of the many things she came away with in my course these last 3 days was to take one room and finish it (the great room or living room—the one you spend the most time in and your guests see) instead of spreading your money around to a bunch of rooms/areas in your house and not getting anything finished.
When you do that, you still can’t walk into any room in your house with any kind of satisfaction and enjoyment because there’s always something else you’re looking at that you know needs tweaking or updating.
I know I sound biased because I am a decorator but unless your new kitchen is going to completely transform your great room, I would not spend my money there until I had spent some money (first) on creating atmosphere in the main areas of my house. And how do you achieve that? With new furniture, lighting and accessories—that’s how.
The rental I’m in now has peach kitchen cabinets that I will eventually paint (instead of a weekend away I would rather buy paint and love my space then worry about the money I’m spending on a rental plus this is what I do, I cannot live with apartment beige) however that is last on my list because my living/dining/entry is my first priority. There’s only so much you can do to a kitchen or bathroom to create atmosphere—these spaces have have very little opportunities for creating softness and colour with fabrics and lighting.
I know I’ve said this before but I’m saying it again here. Before you start installing crown molding or replacing the doors and closets in your entire house, hire a designer to help you or at the very least a consultation to get you started in the right direction in terms of furniture colour, style, space planning so that you can create your very own slice of heaven and get happy every time you walk into your home!
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me for on-line or in-person consultations.
Related posts:
Danger Zone; The First 24 Hours after you Take Possession
Atmosphere; The one Thing you Cannot Buy
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