What About That Artwork?

I've been working with a client who wants to fall in love with her home. She and  her family have lived there for many years and she's never really been happy. It's a beautiful home . . . set in a beautiful rural location in southern Connecticut. Sounds like a fun project! But what has been interesting about the 7 hours I spent with her this week is that so far it's been about . . . artwork.

And what has been reinforced to me is . . . this doesn't have to be difficult. With a few "rules" everyone can surround themselves with the art they love - and make a huge change in how they feel about their homes.

Using children's artwork

As an example, one of the rooms we're working on is the basement "rec" room. It now has a pool table, comfortable seating, and will soon have a pub table and chairs. But what to do with all those walls?

We decided on a travel theme. She bought travel posters and artwork of beautiful travel destinations - or even just words. The room is fabulous. And here is "rule" #1: connect the artwork in each room in some way. While maybe a strict theme isn't necessary, the art should be similar in colors, frames, and/or subject matter. Another room we worked on is the entry. The art we hung in the entrance with very high ceilings is all artwork her college-aged daughter had done through the years. With different subject matters, we combined works with similar colors and done in the same medium, creating a unified look that makes the home owner smile every time she walks through the door.

Gallery in a Box from Pottery Barn

Our next room to tackle is the family room, where she wants a wall of family photos. Which brings us to "rule" #2: family photos, like collections of any sort, make a greater impact when displayed together. It doesn't have to be a wall, but consider within a bookcase or on a console table. (Save the mantel for large, eye-catching art.) 

Back to the photo wall - and rule #3: hang groupings close together. A good rule of thumb is 2" or the width of the mats (if there are mats). And if you have a lot of photos to hang (rule #4), use matching frames styles. Sizes can be different, but keep the style simple and the colors the same. 

There are a few more "rules" . . . but this is a good start. And if you make an error in placement? That's what spackle is for!

Is It Time for It to Go?

I saw a client from years ago at a meeting  yesterday. I didn't recognize her at first, so she reminded me that, when I worked with her on her home, I kept saying to her "Remember, less is more". And although I did remember  her then, that's something I say quite often to clients. It  makes a lot of sense with staging clients but I've found often clients who are staying in their homes have too much stuff. And while every home should reflect the people who live in it, sometimes it's hard to tell just who that is when there's too much going on.

Of course some of us like more things around us than others, which is fine. But I believe William Morris said it best when he said "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." And whether this

or this

is your style, that pretty much says it all - although I would like to take it a step further.

First, make sure you find it beautiful or useful now. If the last time you used it was 3 years ago but you might use it again in another 3 years, it's not useful. If you loved the crystal vase when it was given to you at your wedding years ago but now your tastes are different, it's no longer beautiful to you.

Make sure when you look at something, you feel happy. Sentiment is neither useful nor beautiful. Keeping the photos of your  honeymoon hanging on the wall now that you are divorced is not a good idea. Neither is keeping the still-beautiful-to-you lamp given to you by your ex-mother-in-law, who no longer speaks to you now that you're divorced. Unless of course all you see is the beauty of the lamp and feel no other emotions around it. (Be honest!)

And the best news? When you're done with loving it, there are probably plenty of people who will. Sell or give away* those things that still have life in them. Give someone else the opportunity to find them beautiful or useful.



*One of my favorite give-away places is Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. Not only do they take old furniture, accessories, building materials and things like old kitchen cabinets, but they pick up!

What To Do With That Mantel!

Just like the rest of the house, dismantling the mantel after the holidays leaves a big hole in my decorating scheme. I miss the warmth of the greenery, the glow of the lights and candles - and just the general fullness (is that a design term?) they bring to the living and family rooms. So when the decorations go, I'm looking for something that brings in the beauty of the winter without feeling stark or cold.

For me, that means less color but reflective surfaces, something that mimics the light from the sun coming off the snow. While I'm not a great fan of mirrors on the mantels, now might be the time to use one. And perhaps include something reminiscent of the bare tree branches.

HGTV

I stay away from a lot of color, other than the whites, silvers, grays, and perhaps icy blues of the winter landscape. And that includes any artwork. I'm fortunate to have a beautiful winter photo my husband took that looks stunning against the fieldstone of the of the living room fireplace. Appropriate greenery can be nice, such as evergreens (not the swags or trees of Christmas, but something that doesn't scream "holiday") or perhaps Narcissus or Amaryllis.

And, of course, a lit fire. What brings warmth to the house like the glow of the fireplace on a cold winter's night. Maybe I can wait just a little longer for spring.

Lighting the Darkness

One of the hardest things about the end of the holidays is the lack of light. During the season we have lights everywhere - indoors and out. They are in the front yard, the back yard, on all of the Christmas trees (inside and out), on both mantels, on the staircase roping . . . you get the idea. Several years ago we decided to leave up the back yard lights (that only we can see), calling them winter lights. They stay up through February, when you really can tell the days are longer. But inside has still been a problem - but now I've found solutions!

Apartment Therapy

Lamps Plus

While I will not go the traditional route of putting white lights on a large indoor plant or tree, I do like the idea of white lights on branches. The branches can be large like these and come from the back yard, or smaller, like the kind sold at craft stores for decorating projects. Or use the string lights to create your own wall art tree for a stunning effect.

I like the idea of a curtain of lights. From a few simple strands of star string lights all the way to a puddle-on-the-floor curtain, they certainly keep out the darkness. And the best news? When warm weather comes, hang them on your porch for beautiful summer nights. These beauties are good indoors or out.

Now that's what I call lighting the darkness.

A Space of Your Own

For those of us whose only office is in our home, having a space of our own to do that is extremely important. But even without working full-time from home, many more of us do at least a part of our work from there, whether it's telecommuting, having a sick child, or simply overtime needs. And that space of our own is still important. It gives us the privacy we need and encourages others (particularly family members) to take us seriously. And it keeps our business from being mixed in with the rest of the family's "things".

But how do you do that if your home is already full - and there just doesn't seem to be any space? Get creative! And that doesn't mean putting a desk in the master bedroom, a very bad idea. Instead, think of space you don't use as effectively as you could or one you could perhaps do without.

In some cases that may be the dining room, which can be a little used room except for the occasional holiday dinners. Why not make it the office, while still keeping it functional as a dining room on those rare occasions you might need it? Pretty shelving, perhaps a chest to hold filing and papers, and a table that can works well as a desk, but converts easily to a dining table may be just the ticket. Casual or formal - either will work.

If you are lucky enough to have a "bonus" space such as a large landing on the
second floor or an extra large hallway, use it! Out in a desk, perhaps a small bookshelf, a cabinet or special built-in for your papers . . . that's all you need to make a space your own.

Courtesy: Country Living

And perhaps the best idea? That closet that does nothing but hold junk can be able into an adorable office, especially if the door will close or it's out of the main living area. You can truly make it your own with lighting, colors, perhaps wallpaper . . . the options are endless.

So use your creativity, both in figuring out the space to use and in designing it. Not only will it give you the office you need, but you'll have fun going to work!

Who Has Enough Dining Chairs?

Real Simple

With the holidays upon us, dining tables often expand . . . but unfortunately, the number of dining chairs stays the same. That means we use mis-matched chairs from other rooms, bring out the folding chairs, or even use chairs from our outdoor dining set. But with a beautifully decorated table, it's nice to have pretty chairs as well - which really is possible with a little creativity.

Of course if the extra chairs you are using are pretty, it's perfectly fine to mix and match. In fact, that can add interest to the setting. Pretty wicker chairs from outside look right at home when brought inside. Using matching wingbacks or other upholstred chairs at the ends of the table add an elegant look. Even bringing in a bench from the entry or a loveseat from the living room works well.

HGTV

But for those times when that's just not possible and it's really a chair menagerie, it may take a little more work for a pretty look. If the chairs are similar enough in some ways (size, color, style), wrap a large ribbon around the back where it meets the seat. Tie a pretty bow, attach a sprig of something festive from the outdoors such as holly or winter berries, and you're done.

And if they are very different? You may need to cover a bit more of the chair. Slipcovers will of course do that. While they can be a bit pricey (especially if they are custom), it's easy to make your own. Buy inexpensive fabric (painters' cloth from the hardware store looks great and cleans easily), cut large enough to cover the entire chair to the floor, then wrap the ribbon the same way. If you have rough edges on the fabric use fabric glue to hem them.

BHG

Or to keep it really simple, use one long piece of fabric (table runners would work or cut your own) and cover the entire front and back of the chair, leaving the sides open. Use the ribbon idea above to keep it secure or attach ribbons on either side for pretty ties.

Whatever you do, remember it isn't about the chairs. It's about the joys of sharing your home with family and friends. And that's what they will remember.

There's Nothing Simple About White

By now you probably know that Simply White (OC 117) is Benjamin Moore's Color of the year. While I think it's, shall I say, an interesting choice, it sure beats Pantone's Merlot. And that horrible Emerald Green that was someone's choice a couple of years ago. And if you read the narrative on the Benjamin Moore website and see the photos (you can do that here), the rooms certainly are lovely.

But there are two things that niggle me: I really like white more as a background color, and there's absolutely nothing simple about it. If you've ever tried to select a white anything, you know just what I mean. Benjamin Moore itself has a whole separate ring in its color kit just for the whites.

I do realize that Simply White is the name of this particular white, but I can't help thinking that, by choosing that particular white, they are trying to portray white as a simple color. But even when I choose a white for trim, the shade of white I select depends on the color on the wall. The undertones in the white selected must go with the undertones of the wall color. And that's not always easy to determine.

HGTV

Having said that, there are some ways I absolutely love to use white, beginning with kitchens. And by that I mean cabinets. (And no, I don't care what anyone else says. For me, there's nothing better.) Granted, you have to warm the space up, perhaps with wall color, backsplash, or (as in the photo) warm woods. But if you do it right, it's warm, inviting, and lovely.

Country Living

I love white furniture when it's set against a beautiful wall color. In fact, that's what I've done in my office. And just look at how the lovely wall color sets off the rustic white furniture in this photo! The warmth in the walls and the wear of the furniture makes this setting cozy and inviting.

And of course I do love how white trim sets off wall colors, making them pop. And it's not always just the wood trim. The white in this paint treatment makes the different colors stand out even more dramatically.

So yes, I do love white in many of its incarnations. I'm still not quite sure about it as a color of the year . . .