The Mother of All Inspiration

Where we draw inspiration from to give our homes the look and style we desire comes from a vast variety of sources.  Some we’re not even aware of when the lightbulb moment or subtle suggestion arises.  Let’s look at some obvious and not-as-obvious inspirations to tune into.

Clothing and Accessories – You see a dress or a top in the store or on someone and think it’s really cute.  Something about its pattern or print or texture sticks with you, and the next thing you know, something oddly similar shows up in your shopping cart in the way of a throw pillow or bedding piece.  You may or may not even realize the connection, but fashion just impacted your home design.  The same can be said about the potential relation between a faux alligator skin purse and a dining room chair or button tufted ottoman as well as a chunky necklace and drawer pulls on a dresser.   

Advertising – I’ve often said I’m a marketer’s dream.  Commercials and other ads can prompt action on my part pretty easily when I am so inclined.  From buying household cleaning products to making a trip to a department store because of something seen on TV, we can be swayed by what is put in front of us through various media.  Even the settings behind a product for sale, like a pristine kitchen or cozy family living room, can have you thinking about an overhaul on a small or large scale, or just incorporating a neat piece that caught your eye. 

Online Designers and Compilers – Hitting Pinterest boards, web image searches, and not-sold-in-stores online hot spots for goods can all be eye candy to someone looking for both inspiration and how-tos for a project, recipe, or creative suggestion.  We design a party look and menu off of someone’s creative display they shared online.  And we find unique pieces someone’s making in their home that we have to have, as not just anybody can pick one up on a local store’s shelf. 

Seasons – Thirsty for lemonade?  Think a cold slice of watermelon would make a great after dinner treat?  There is something about the rotation of seasons that bring back around season-specific interests that make them feel fresh and new and totally desirable at just the right time.  As we approach summer, just watch and see what seasonal favorites you’ve gone without for several months now that start popping up to deck out your table spread or next gathering to make it feel totally in-season.

The mother of all inspiration can be found just about anywhere that strikes your fancy and lends itself to motivation in the design department.  Happy Mother’s Day to those special ladies who do so much and do it with style!

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 10th.

  

Mayday! Re-dos to the Rescue

As we turn the calendar page to May, we know that summer is just around the corner.  If the crafting bug bites and your decorating aspirations could use some uplifting, here are some hands-on ideas to the rescue.

Problem: “I love seeing the store shelves lined with outdoor seasonal décor, but decorating outside isn’t really my thing.”  Solution: Bring it in!  Those boxwood topiaries are beautiful, but you would be heartbroken if they “walked off.”  Take items being marketed for your patio or porch and let them adorn your living space.  Topiaries in large planters can also flank the inside of your front door and look like picturesque statues in your entryway, while smaller versions can add height to a centerpiece down the center of your dining table.  Painted pots for plants can house an indoor herb garden, rolled hand towels in a guest bathroom, or double as your kitchen utensil caddy for the season.  Those lanterns that could hold citronella candles on the patio table could just as easily light up summery scents and rest on your coffee table.  Don’t feel obligated to keep the outdoors out all summer.

Problem: “What could I do with all these old picture frames I’ve taken down that are just being stored?”  Solution: Repurpose and reuse.  In our digital age, some family photo picture frames have gotten the boot.  Take mismatched frames, remove their backing, and spray paint them to be a cohesive collection.  Hang them in a gallery grouping as simply open frames.  Return the backing (minus the kickstand or hardware) and glass to a larger frame and fill it with craft paper or fabric to make a tray for remotes in the living room or coffee service in the kitchen.  Screw in tea cup hooks to the upper inside of a small open frame you’ve painted and hang it in your back entryway to hold keys.  Hang a low gallery wall for interchangeable kid art with ribbon and clothespins suspended from open frames.

Problem: “These bookshelves look bland.”  Solution: Do a wrap job.  Give old books new life and décor status when you wrap the covers in craft paper.  Do different shelves in different complimentary shades, go monochromatic, or choose different prints and patterns in one color family.  The end result is an eye-catching work of [cover] art.

Problem: “My mismatched glassware is in a sad state.”  Solution: Spring for a matching set, and let the oldies-but-goodies move up in the world.  One set of matching drinking glasses for the dining table is great for company and everyday use as well.  If breakage and loss has turned your glass cabinet into a regular police lineup of nearly-no-two-are-alike, put a new set on your shopping list and pull out some for new roles.  Use painters tape and spray paint to give new life to a few juice glasses to hold toothbrushes and cotton swabs on the bathroom counter.  Turn a newly-painted drinking glass into a vase.  Paint a few to use as tealight holders to incorporate into a centerpiece display. 

Hit the refresh button for the upcoming season by rethinking common uses and giving new decorating life to tired pieces.  Bring your own re-dos to the rescue this May.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 3rd.

                   

What to Get Mom?

With two weeks left until Mother’s Day, now is the time to ensure you have your gift plan in the bag.  Or better yet, the wrapped box.  What do you get for the woman who “has everything” and is known to buy what she wants when she wants it?  Here are some sweet Mother’s Day treat ideas.

At times we can aim for the symbolic to the point of excluding the functional altogether.  If Mom has a wish list she’s created online with a site (like Amazon.com, for example), read up.  You may find something she does want, will use, and will be pleased you discovered.  If she doesn’t have a wish list or doesn’t know about them, prompting her (and Dad for that matter) to work on one for future gift ideas will give you an advantage the next time a gift giving opportunity rolls around. 

Think of things she’s into, and then create a gift with items that go toward that theme, but that she wouldn’t necessarily put together herself.  So Mom’s a baker.  Round up a modern silicone brownie pan, silicone mixing tools, unique cupcake liner papers, a handheld pancake mix dispenser, and some extra-large piping tips for her next buttercream creation.  If Mom enjoys hosting backyard get-togethers in the summer, get her a set of milk bottle glasses for fun drink displays, several packs of colorful striped straws, packs of paper dinner and cocktail napkins you found online, ice cube trays for making round or oversized square ice cubes, and an acrylic serving tray to display it all.  Offer her what’s in for the things she loves to do.

Turn to an online designer of crafty things for a custom piece of wall art or a framed display.  There are countless versions that depict special sayings, the names of the kids or grandkids in an artistic way, a favorite family recipe, a personalized monogram, or a tribute to milestone dates in her own history.  You can find similar concepts for jewelry, home décor, and sewn items as well.  Etsy.com provides a connection to a wealth of designers creating unique pieces.

You know her best; what would thrill her to open?  You could go for a handful of gift cards to treat her little indulgences, like iced coffees and shoe shopping.  Or wrap up a box of fancy bar soaps and boxes scented candles.  Score the latest gadget for the tech guru.  Package up a handful of home décor pieces for the mom who loves your decorating advice.

More than anything, show Mom some love with a gift that says you know her – her stylish, hard-working, always-there-for-you self who deserves a sweet treat this Mother’s Day.  Now get shopping! 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 26th.

      

Style Forecast: From Spring to Summer

Having a look and accessories that seamlessly transition from one season into the next is key to getting the most bang for your buck when decorating your home.  When it comes to what is going to flow from spring into summer, here is your style forecast.

The overall design look for this time of year works to lend a casual feel – rooms are airy, the mood is light, and the pace needs to be able to keep up with busy families who also enjoy their downtime.  Spring and summer are about fun, enjoying outdoor spaces, and relaxing at home. 

Trending colors at play now are shades like bright blue with a pool-meets-popsicle look, version of coral that range from bright to peachy, light eggplant purples, bright and bold pinks, sunny yellows, sophisticated black and white, and accents of gold.  Steering away from the pastels, colors are showing up in bright ways on walls, front doors, in accent furniture pieces, and in everyday accessories that are easily interchanged for new looks like throw pillows and tabletop décor groupings.  More eye-catching accents pop nicely against neutral backgrounds and natural furnishings that look good year round.

Patterns are also all the rage and will continue to shine into next season.  It seems just about anything geometric goes, as we all have our different pattern preferences, and we make them work.  Stripes, chevron, herringbone, honeycomb, lattice, Greek key, Moroccan, and ikat are some of the top trenders.  And layering patterns is a definite yes, as you don’t have to pick one print for a room and run with it.  Layered prints and patterns, like curtain panels, bedding, pillows, and an area rug that all have different looks to them but that are cohesive in feel give a space more depth and visual interest. 

As for home accessories, layer them in.  This is a great way to use bright pops of color without involving a paint roller.  Whether you’re displaying colorful groupings on a shelving system, clustering items together on a coffee table, or livening up the kitchen with some countertop eye candy, sunny shades are welcome.  Contemporary florals are cropping up in wall art, upholstered accent pieces, throw pillows, patterned drapery panels, area rugs, and actual vases as well.  Ceramics are a way of displaying both color and themes you enjoy in figurines, small statues, and bowls and utensil holders.  This is also a popular time of year for front door décor, whether you’re hanging a themed wreath, a preserved boxwood square, or a dressy wooden monogram.   

Your style forecast doesn’t look cloudy, but rather bright and cheery for the season ahead.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 19th.

        

Spring Makeover for Your Closet

The start of each new season can be a good time to embrace the phrase “out with the old, in with the new.”  If your wardrobe could use a spring makeover, here is how to start tackling that project.

Changing temperatures can signal a closet rod turnover, especially if you have limited space and move seasonal clothing in and out according to what you’re currently wearing.  Take some time to go hanger by hanger and pull out items to donate.  Criteria to consider are: 1) Does it still fit?  2) Am I wearing it?  3) Do I still like it?  If an item doesn’t pass this simple test, it’s just taking up your space.  Better to move it out and free up space for something new down the line.  The same goes for folded clothing, shoes, accessories like scarves and ties, and even belts and purses.  There’s no need to crowd limited space with items that don’t work their way into your regular rotation. 

Once you’ve pared down to the good stuff, organize what you keep for easy retrieval and post-laundry put away.  I subscribe to the rainbow method of hanging each color of clothing together from white to black with groupings of tan, peach, coral, red, brown, green, blue, purple, and gray – or whatever your wardrobe entails - in between.  Within each color section, group from least to most fabric, like sleeveless to long sleeve.  When it comes to patterns and prints, just hang them lightest to darkest in shade within their color family.  You’ll always be able to find what you’re looking for, and putting clean laundry away will be fast and easy. 

Maximize your shelf space by using bins and containers when applicable to hold folded clothes, clutch purses, and rolled up belts.  Determine where you have more room for items like ties and scarves – hanging on an organizer on the rod or rolled up in bins on the shelf.  Arrange shoes in a neat and orderly fashion, whether they’re lined up on a shelf, on a rack, or on the closet floor.  Try to consolidate suitcases, travel supplies, and other storage in another closet or storage space so items that are not in use all the time are kept out of your clothes closet. 

  When space is at a premium (and it usually is), pull out keeper items that won’t be worn in the warm months, like winter coats and sweaters.  If they can’t be stored in another closet in the home, use large clear plastic storage containers to hold them cleanly and securely in the attic or on garage shelving.  Having this rotation method allows you to keep season-specific items within reach and out of season clothing in nearby storage.

One weekend project can turn a jam-packed, all-weather closet into a sleek and stylish hub for getting you dressed and ready and out the door looking your best this spring.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 12th.

    

Day-of Easter Touches

Whether you’ll have a whole house full for Easter lunch or will simply be entertaining the family, there are some last minute, day-of touches to add some Easter flair that’s not already on the menu.

When setting the table, turn everyday cloth napkins into a set of bunny ears at each place setting.  Lay each napkin out flat, start to roll it from one corner all the way across to the other creating a scroll on the bias, and fold in half so you have a looped bottom and two pointy ends for ears.  Stick the bottom loop through a napkin ring to secure.  If you haven’t considered place cards for your table, fold squares of plain cardstock or craft paper you have on hand into tents and sign each dinner guest’s name with a nice marker.  Or, if something single-serve like cupcakes will be a part of dessert, stake a small name card into the frosting and place at the top of each silverware arrangement to mark each seat.

If the meal will be served later in the day, use the kids’ plastic Easter eggs from this morning to create a cute presentation of tide-you-over mini snacks for the youngest in the group.  Hand wash empty eggs and line them in a real egg carton, ceramic half dozen cartons, or on a tray using the basket’s Easter grass for support.  Fill with things like little carrot sticks, broccoli trees, grape tomatoes, cereal, small crackers, trail mix, and cheese cubes.  This fun snacking method may keep the kitchen clear long enough to serve up your dishes.

Serving tea may be your drink plan, but there’s still time to dress it up, spring style.  Mix up a batch of lemonade and use a couple of drops of food coloring to give it a seasonal twist.  Serve each half-and-half for refreshingly easy Arnold Palmers.  Do you have a can or two of a frozen concentrate in the freezer?  Mix one with a 2 liter bottle of lemon lime soda or gingerale from the pantry for a 2-ingredient punch.

Tweaks to what you’re already planning can take a dish from traditional to Easter-ready.  A platter of deviled eggs can be turned into Easter chicks by the way you cut, fill, and decorate them with tiny eyes and beaks (view a cute example at DesignInMindColumn.blogspot.com).  A pan of crispy rice treats can turn springy if you mix in some pastel chocolate candy pieces from the new Easter basket candy stash.  A tray of otherwise plain sandwiches can be bunny or egg silhouettes after some cookie cutters get ahold of them.

Small changes can make for easy day-of Easter touches to make the day extra special.  And what a special day it is as we celebrate the resurrection of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ!  May you and your family have a happy and blessed Easter Sunday.

Congratulations to the 2015 Algodon Royal Court named today!  View the reveal in today’s paper and at AlgodonClub.com.    

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 5th.

       

Spring Vase Fillers

The old standards are easy to repeat again and again when it comes to filling glass vases as a base for an arrangement or as a standalone centerpiece component.  If you would be into something very spring specific, here are a few vase filler ideas just prime for Easter time.

Thinking outside the box, consider asparagus spears for both round and square vases.  They won’t last you a season but would instead be a real attention getter for your Easter dinner table.  Line stalks side by side to fill the perimeter of a vase.  To keep them in place, opt for a vase-within-a-vase method, using a smaller interior vase or jar to hold water and your flower arrangement.  If you need extra cushion for them to hold their spots, opt for a hidden filler layer like small handfuls of crumpled, fitted tissue paper.  The same concept could be applied to carrots as well, which would draw any bunny to the table.   

Easter eggs are another timely item perfect to fill a grouping of vases, flowers or no flowers on top.  To keep it modern, group similar color families together, like pinks and oranges or blues and greens.  Or go monochromatic and choose one color or an ombre effect by layering one color from dark to light in shade.  Both plastic eggs and home dyed eggs will work beautifully for this arrangement. 

Easter candy can be a sweet spot on the dining room table when it’s used to fill vases.  Stagger a grouping of cylinder, square, rectangle, or apothecary vases or jars down the table’s center, and fill each with your candy of choice.  Jelly beans, marshmallow birds, gumballs, chocolates, and so forth can all be used.  Use one smaller vase inside if you would like your display to be a fence line of chocolate rabbits or marshmallow chicks neatly in a row.     

Why stop there?  The Easter basket grass doesn’t have to be left out, but instead can be a vase filler all its own.  You can use it as a base to nestle eggs, a nest, or some bunny figurines, or let it be the display below a spring floral arrangement.  To keep it from floating, use the vase-within-a-vase method when arranging flowers.

Take your Easter and spring staples and fill up those vases with something just right for the season to create an attractive, tasty feast for the eyes down the center of your table.  And that’s before you even serve up those traditional Easter lunch favorites.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 29th.

  

Putting Together a Hoppin' Easter Basket

When it comes to compiling the perfect Easter baskets, it’s hard to beat the Easter Bunny himself.  But if you have some little ones in your bunch you’d like to assemble something special for, here are some tips for layering it in just right.

First, start with something other than a typical Easter basket.  The classic woven style with a handle doesn’t translate into anything but Easter, and they don’t often linger too much longer once the holiday is over.  Instead, choose a bin or milk crate basket that can be used for kid room storage when the goods are gone.  They come colorful and printed or are made of natural woven materials that will have some double duty staying power.

Do layer in some faux grass.  Today’s Easter basket grass comes in different spring colors and feels hardier and less messy than what I remember as a kid.  If your basket has some depth to it, feel free to bunch up handfuls of tissue paper to give your grass layer a boost in order to show off the goody layer more prominently. 

Branch out beyond the candy.  Choose some small items that your individual recipient will enjoy.  An Easter weekend at the beach would be a great opportunity to add in a couple of sand toys.  The little artist would appreciate a new box of colors or markers with a fresh coloring book or sketch pad.  Any small trinkets for the season like sidewalk chalk, a jump rope, or a bottle of bubbles are simple, inexpensive additions that can be played with and enjoyed.  Consider a book, a DVD, or even a gift card to top off the loot.

Choose unique sugary finds.  It’s natural to gravitate just to the standard staples of mini candy, but walking through the Easter candy aisles of a store can be a great wealth of new-treat information.  You’ll find creative and crafty special items made just for the holiday like decorated cookies, carrot shaped bags of bite sized candy, and other indulgences that come packaged in fun and artistic ways. 

Don’t forget the eggs.  Topping your basket off with some filled plastic eggs makes for a nice presentation and one more way to gift little surprises.  Individually wrapped candy pieces, coins, and tiny plastic toys are all welcome reasons to crack open another egg. 

Now arrange all your gifts with one viewpoint in mind, stacking the larger and taller items in the back and working toward the shortest in the front, fanning things out to show as much of each piece as you can.  Leave your eggs for last, either spreading them out or leaving them in a cluster.  

You may not have rabbit ears and a cotton tail, but following this game plan could make you just as popular as the Easter Bunny when your little ones dive into your hoppin’ Easter basket.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 22nd.

  

What You Need for Hosting This Spring

Ladies’ lunches, showers, spring tea parties, and casual dinners can all have your doorbell ringing and your table filling up this season.  If you enjoy being the hostess, here is a list of supplies you’ll want to have on hand for your spring event.

Glass drink dispensers – They hold more and dispense more easily than pitchers.  They look great in a grouping of 2 or 3 with colorful liquid and perhaps fruit pieces on display.  And they make self-serving easy for guests’ refills.  Add in a chalkboard area for drink labeling or a pretty gold dot design, and you have a fancy-but-easy drink bar started.

Coordinating colorful paper goods – One of the simplest places to display a party’s theme is in the paper goods, and there is such a wide array of colors, styles, prints, patterns, and themes available today.  Dinner plates, appetizer plates, dinner napkins, and cocktail napkins are easy, disposal, and showy for any event.  They help host a crowd with less clean-up post-party.

Paper straws – For any girly event, paper straws are a simple added touch that packs a party punch.  Display them in a glass cylinder vase alongside your drink bar or stake them in individually prepared glasses or Mason jars.  They can coordinate with your paper goods and add another pop of festive color.

Sweet nibbles – Candy and gumballs that start out as décor and ultimately double as small bites of sweet treats can add a lot to a spring buffet.  Fill square or round glass vases with loose candy or gumballs or stick lollipops into a layer of dried beans or split peas for an anchor.  If they start to disappear, even better.

A signature – Be it a drink or dessert, having a signature something for guests to enjoy at the beginning or the end can be a memorable takeaway that stands out from the traditional punch or slice of cake.  Present it with a little sign that shows off the crafty name you’ve given it that tells what it is with a play on words or funny saying in the mix.

A takeaway – Let guests leave with something small and thoughtful you’ve prepared that goes with the theme of your gathering.  A decorated cookie wrapped in cellophane, another dessert bite in a mini box, or a glass bottle drink with a custom label are all crowd pleasers that show you thought of everything from beginning to end.

Take advantage of the fun items and ideas that can boost your spring event to a raved-about party guests are so thrilled they attended because you really know how to host.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 15th.

  

Out of the Box Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning.  It’s the time to tackle those annual hot spots so you can come out on the other side and feel like your home has gotten that deep down scrubbing that makes you feel very accomplished.  The usual list involves windows, under and behind the heavy stuff, the drapes, closets, under the beds, and of course your regular chore list on steroids.  It can be a lot to tackle.  And yet, there could be more . . .  Since the basics feel pretty, well, basic, let’s cover another short list of spring cleaning mini-projects that can each have you feeling like you’ve tackled something big and won.

The Jewelry Box – It can be an overstuffed, overflowing, tangled mess we’ve woven over time.  Sift, sort, decide to keep or give away, and then properly store what you’re keeping.  Ideally, hang necklaces, pair earrings in divided boxes in a drawer, and stack bracelets in trays or bins.  When you purge what you don’t wear and arrange what you do so you can easily see it, you’re set to accessorize your future outfits. 

Media – How many CD cases and DVDs are taking up storage space in your entertainment center or elsewhere?  Free up space by storing music files digitally and parting with movies that won’t see a screen again. 

Magazines – How do they become these piles in four different rooms in the house?  Donate back issues of magazines to a local doctor’s office or recycle them.  Afraid you’ll part with something you intended to reference again?  Don’t be; you’ll probably just Google it if the topic comes up again.

Office Supplies – If you never have the right size of envelope or can’t find a stamp when you need one, take stock of your home office supplies and purchase refills where needed.  Store them neatly for easy home office access.

Cleaning Products – In the midst of spring cleaning, empty out your cleaning products stored away under the sinks and access your use.  If it’s old, nearly empty, or has been forgotten and replaced by a new bottle or brand, clear it out.  Purchase new sponges and bar rags to start fresh.

Tools – If your junk drawer could warrant its own zip code, or the bin you pull tools from is a disastrous mess, take the time to organize.  Determine what basics need to be at the ready in the house and what is better stored in the garage for periodic use.  Compartmentalize picture hanging supplies, nails, and nuts and bolts so you know what you have and can pull from your supply easily when needed.  Replenish your stock of batteries while you’re at it. 

 

Paint – A collection of cans in the garage with runs all down the sides may not lend itself to quick and easy touchups.  Determine what paint is still good, and label the lids with the house location in permanent marker.  If a lid has been cracked and air has allowed a thick film to form on the paint’s surface, remove it; it won’t do you any good for future touchups.  Consider buying a quart of it as a new replacement.  When buying new paint, keep the paint swatch and write on it what you got in the way of finish for reference.

Think out of the box for some easy-tackle, nice-payoff projects to go along with your spring cleaning to-do list.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 8th.

            

Spring Decorating Basics

Nothing lends a light and airy feel to your home like spring décor popping up here and there.   If you’d like to transition into some seasonal staples, here’s a rundown of spring decorating basics.

Nature coming indoors is a key element of spring décor.  We know about the bunnies, eggs, birds, nests, and butterflies, which can all be taken in a modern direction to ensure they come off mature and picturesque on display.  Simply bypass versions that appear too kid friendly and opt instead for more muted colors, small wall art, plates and platters, and small figurines that can be grouped together and displayed as spring scenes.  Pair these with cake stands for added height in table centerpieces, and mix in a little greenery.

Spring green is a top seasonal shade that can be conveyed in a variety of ways, with greenery being at the top of the list.  Moss, potted plants, hydrangea and tulip blooms, green apples, and grass sprigs all do the trick.  Moss is the perfect base for a display, cover for a front door wreath, or filler over the base of a plant or bloom display.  Plants indoors are a natural accessory this time of year, as are individual stems resting in clear glass vases.  A cake stand, tray, or serving bowl full of green apples or limes is fitting for kitchen and dining displays.  Squares and rectangles of real or faux grass in a tin or wooden box are easy accessories for side and coffee tables. 

Ladylike touches also convey a spring vibe, so if you have pretty teacups that usually are reserved for the cabinet, pull those out and set up a mini tea party display with a couple of cups and saucers on a drink tray you accent with a short vase of fresh blooms.  Layering on the table linens, playing up lace, and topping table chargers with cloth napkins and napkin rings or napkins folded between layered plates can step up your dining room’s style.       

Vibrant color is also a sure sign of spring.  Bright glassware, latte bowls, and vases with hues of pink, orange, and purple in bloom can be grouped together for a table centerpiece or standalone floral accent.  Bright patterned placemats, napkins, and table cloths welcome guests to the table.

Put some spring in your home’s step this season by adding in some timely essentials that will be pretty on display until summer arrives.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 1st.

         

Your Version, Your Way

Do you ever have a pretty definitive idea of how you want something to look, be, or turn out, only to find that finding it ready-made is easier said than done?  There are so many items we automatically assume we just need to buy at the store as-is, and yet there is a self-made route to take to really customize what we’re in the market for. Enter: your version, your way.

When the boxed thank you notes and note card sets on the shelf don’t meet your needs in theme, color, or quantity, it’s easy to settle and just pick something anyway.  The alternative, however, can get you exactly what you want.  Custom online printing is so widespread, selling customizable versions that graphic designers have made and posted for sale, as well as offering the option to design your own graphic, upload, and order.  Whether you’re handy with a computer program that builds your own designs or not, you can find countless themes, color schemes, and customizable text, photo, and printing options of gorgeous designs with online printing companies like Zazzle.com. 

If you’re a couch snuggler, throw pillows aplenty might be your thing.  Sometimes you find just what goes with your theme and palette in-store, and sometimes you don’t.  To stretch beyond that limited inventory, you can take two routes, depending on whether or not you’re handy with a sewing machine.  If you’re a DIY seamstress, you can turn to fabric by the yard (which can also come in limitless options when purchased online) or take nearly-there versions of fabric, like 20 inch square dinner napkins that can be ironed, sewn together, and custom filled.  If you’re not the needle-and-thread type, you can locate plenty of seamstresses across the globe who are available for hire through their online galleries like Etsy.com.  What they collectively offer outnumbers a store shelf’s options, and some will even accept the fabric by the yard you ship them and make you what you desire. 

Can’t find a nice wooden cutting board design you like?  Have one custom engraved.  Would you like a number decal for your front door or your mailbox?  Pick an online design and have your own house number printed in a pretty font.  Want your item to say it’s yours?  Monogrammers, engravers, and glass etchers are out there able to fulfill your order.  Want to wrap up a special gift in paper you design or custom design your own bolt of fabric?  Those options are out there, too.

When you want to spell it out that You. Designed. This. make it happen with a little assistance from somebody crafty who is in the business of custom creating your version, your way.    

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 22nd.  

Kick the Curb Appeal Up a Notch

As the weather heats up and the lawn gets back to its rigorous maintenance schedule after the lull in the winter, our attention turns more to the outdoors.  Though the first day of spring is officially still a little more than a month away, there is no time like the present to start planning for a spring spruce-up in curb appeal. 

There are some key features to hone in on when you want to give the front of your home a fresh look for the season ahead, and that typically starts with the focal point: the front door.  A fresh coat of paint or a new color altogether can go a long way to giving your curb appeal a real boost.  Installing new doorknob hardware or a door knocker can offer additional eye-catching detail.  Depending on the style, adding new metal house numbers in a modern font to the door itself, off to the side, or to a front feature like an archway can add a polishing finish and a visible reference for the area. 

If your green thumb will be put to work this season, focus on how you can dress up your front entry.  If you have flower beds that flank your entry or run alongside a front walkway, choose plants and shrubs suited for the area that will bloom nicely in the months ahead.  Adding nice ground cover like a thick layer of mulch is a neat and tidy visual while helping to protect your soil and fill in the space between newly-planted plants.  If something more low maintenance is a better fit, planters or flower pots with something hardy (or even faux) inside make attractive bookends for your front door. 

If you like to accessorize, consider installing a new, more substantial pendant light or porch light sconces.  Warm bulbs that give off plenty of light add to the security and night curb appeal of your home.  If you have a mounted mailbox, a contemporary replacement can provide a fresh start while sporting a new look.  Consider adding new numbers or lettering to your curbside mailbox to freshen it up.  A new welcome mat that does its due diligence of giving shoes a gritty scrub can help add to the warm greeting vibe you’re reestablishing.

If space allows, a seating area with a couple of outdoor chairs and small table between them, a rocker or two, or a bench can all offer that extension of outdoor living space and inviting appeal of your front porch area.  And added bonus is front door furniture provides a visual block to package deliveries that may sit out for a while before you take them in.  A storage bench with a hinged lid is something you can alert your delivery drivers to so they can stow packages completely out of sight. 

Get a jump on a mini-makeover to kick your curb appeal up a notch and start your spring off with a new and improved look that’s ready for those steadily increasing sunny days.      

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 15th.

     

All the Ways I Love You: Home

Home,

You are my retreat.  You are where I go to settle in, get away, put my feet up, and have some quiet time.  You safely nestle us away from the rest of the world and offer an environment of peace and calm. 

You are a reflection of me.  You proudly display my design choices and wear accessories like they were made just for you.  You let me paint you and update you so we stay surrounded by elements that showcase what we love and admire on your walls and floors. 

You clean up nicely.  I love the feeling of having those routine chores done almost all at once so you feel crisp and clean and inviting.  I like working hard at getting you to that point, and I love enjoying the tidy fruits of my labor.

You are the backdrop of our easy entertainment.  Whether it’s an evening or a full Saturday of couch lounging and TV or movie binging, you are there to call us to some downtime, offering a deep, snuggly place to recline and pillows to go along with it.  You don’t seem to mind a few dropped popcorn kernels or a couple of plates stacked on the coffee table ottoman.

You are a culinary hub.  It can be a simple dinner or an afternoon of baking, and either way you have lighted counter space to spread out on and get to work.  With an apron in place, I love to mix, whisk, chop, boil, and bake my way to tasty dishes and treats.  You may look like a big floured, splattered surface in the end, but what we dish up together is worth the clean-up.

You are more than a welcome mat.  You open your doors to guests and family and are a gathering place in celebration or simply togetherness.  You offer them a place to stop and visit or share a meal or a milestone.

You are a master bedroom haven.  You hold our warm, soft bed and more pillows than he would have chosen on his own.  You pull back the covers and allow us to bid the day farewell for hours.  You have my favorite bathroom layout with our own space and privacy and enough closet storage to allow me to still shop.

And now, you are a nursery, getting ready for another resident.  We’re working together to turn a now-empty space into a new retreat for a little girl who is on her way.  You’re where we’ll rock and sing and play and wish for sweet dreams while we watch her grow. 

Home, we couldn’t have chosen a more fitting place to start and grow a family than you.

Happy Valentine’s Day.       

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 8th.

         

Go Bold

When you’re inspired to take a design leap into something big and bold, the thought of actually pulling it off in your own home can seem daunting or too ill-fitting to actually pull off.  Magazine and TV home shows make it look wonderful and glamorous, but translating that to everyday life in a real space can give you enough pause to stop altogether.  But if going bold is something you’d be into, here are some ways to make it work.

Making over whole rooms at a time isn’t typically practical.  But inserting something new that changes the overall look can be.  Instead of contemplating all new living room seating, which wouldn’t be easy to come by, consider one new accent chair in a large graphic pattern.  Between local stores that offer reasonably priced furniture pieces and great deals online that can even come with free shipping offers, you can place one new piece that stands out and represents a style that you love that will transform the look of your seating area.  Upholstered, armless seats with a big repeating pattern can be just what you need to spice up your living space. 

An area rug is another route to introduce new colors and an eye-catching pattern without committing to an entire room full of it.  Area rugs under a dining table and as an anchor to family room seating can display a color you really favor but wouldn’t be comfortable painting in an entire room.  And while a bold graphic print couch may feel too trendy to stick with, a bold graphic rug can update a whole room of traditional furniture.  

Another side piece that can take the spotlight is an upholstered ottoman or bench.  While offering a foot rest or occasional seating off to the side, these pieces can also take on a look you feel is very contemporary and meets with your style approval without too substantial of a cost investment or commitment to a long-term look.  A fresh ottoman can be paired with a solid leather side chair, and an upholstered bench accents the view from a large window or pairs nicely with other seating or a focal point like a fireplace.

For a tall take that stands up to its shorter counterparts, a floor lamp that arches out from a sturdy base and suspends a light diffusing drum shade into a seating arrangement or desk area is a great statement piece that easily updates the age of a room.  Before, this style carried a hefty price tag and was only available through select stores.  But its popularity has brought it to the masses at a fraction of the cost.  It’s a modern spin on traditional table lamp lighting that can feel like art as much as lighting. 

All it takes is really one piece that stands out from the rest to jazz up a room and give it a designer feel.  Adding these elements over time is an investment in how you enjoy your living space and what it says about your desire to go bold when you go home.      

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 1st.