Maybe You Need a Little Texture.......

Sometimes a room really seems to come together........except there's something that just seems to be missing. If you can't quite put your finger on it, that missing element may be texture.

Courtesy BHG

Texture can be easily overlooked so it often plays a quiet - but very important role - in our design plan. It creates interest, helps to set the mood of a room, and helps us to "feel" the room (because we remember how textures feel when we see them).

Typically, more traditional rooms have softer textures than those that are a bit more modern.Notice in the photo at left how the soft texture of the sofa contrasts nicely with the smoother texture of two of the throw pillows. The smoothness of the coffee table blends nicely with the textured sofa - and woven rug underneath adds another element. The smoothness of the lampshade helps balance the smoothness of the coffee table and the floral arrangements add their own very unique texture to the entire room.

Courtesy BHG

In a more contemporary room texture tends to play more of a minimalist role because of the sleekness of the style. However, even in this room, the chairs add a softness without the nubby comfort of the more traditional room. And all of the smoothness of the room is offset by the very plush rug, but without taking away from the contemporary look and feel of the room.

When incorporating texture into your room, keep in mind a few basic tips. Carry the texture story around the room, just like you do with the color story. Similar textures placed around the room will help carry your eye through the space, just as color does. In more colorful rooms, less is probably better with differing textures. The color statement may be so strong that a variety of textures may overwhelm the space. And finally, don't be afraid to do something a bit dramatic if it seems to be called for in the room. Just as that special accessory can add the punch a room needs, so can a very interesting texture.

If you'd like to see a few more examples of texture, check out my new board on Pinterest!

Late Summer/Early Fall Outdoor Entertaining

I know a lot of people consider Labor Day the end of summer. But there are actually still a few more weeks of summer. And even more weeks than that to enjoy the outdoors. In fact, late summer and early fall get-togethers can be some of the best of the year. You don't have to worry about a heat wave. Yummy fresh, local food is available, making recipes simple. People are looking for something to celebrate now that summer vacations are over. So now is the perfect time to have an outdoor party. Just keep in mind a few things to make it even better.

A great way to light the stairs

Because it gets dark earlier, have plenty of outdoor lighting. Bring lamps from the inside to the outdoors for the evening. Have plenty of candles in hurricanes or other protected containers that still give plenty of light. Place solar lighting in strategic locations. Make it safe for people to navigate while creating a warm ambience.

Prepare for cooler evenings. Have blankets and throws available. Set up a fire pit or a chimenea for both warmth and ambience. Invest in a heat lamp, especially if you would like to do this often.

Decorate for the season. Use apples, mums, pumpkins, acorns, leaves. Get creative and use these items for centerpieces, to hold food (hollowed out pumpkins make great soup bowls), as candle holders or as place cards.

Then relax..........and let the fun begin! And if you like these ideas, check out more on my new Pinterest board.

The Importance of Vignettes

I had the opportunity to stage a small but light-filled vacant condo in Milford, CT last week. Of course it was on a limited budget, which meant lots of creativity with the accessorizing. Then when I saw a fabulous vignette posted by Jill Hosking Cartland of Hosking Interiors on Facebook, I realized just how important accessorizing and vignettes are - regardless of the budget. They are truly like the icing on the cake.

So what does it take to create a memorable vignette? For one thing, not overdoing it. That means to let the display items speak for themselves. The simplicity of this arrangement allows each of the items to work together without one of them standing out. And the colors work perfectly with the rest of the room.

Courtesy BHG

Scale  is also important. Not only do the accessories need to fit the space they also need to work with each other. If implementing the rule of 3, think small, medium, and large.

Creativity in vignettes really makes them personal. Adding items that are important to you and your family add meaning. And mixing styles and textures can also create interest. And don't forget the artwork! Including artwork when appropriate completes the "picture".

Color, textures, shapes, creativity in selection - all go together to create something memorable. And for additional ideas, check out my new board on Pinterest.

That '70's Look

I'm not sure I'm wild about it, but it seems to be making a comeback. Having started my first away-from-home decorating experiences in college during the '70's, it can feel a little old to me rather than retro. Having said that, there are some things from the '70's I'm glad to see!

I love, love, love "shag" rugs. Now called Flokati, modern shag, or longer-pile rugs, they have a softer more appealing look than those of the '70's, despite being a bit difficult to clean.

While avocado green isn't a favorite, there is something to be said for harvest gold, especially when paired with brighter, more up-to-date colors like this light green and orange.

IKEA has fabulous offerings of the '70's retro look. Complete with floral coverings for their sofas and chairs, interesting coffee and end tables
(remember metal carts?), and very cool lights, it may just be the go-to place for that '70's look. I love this table!

And finally, lighting.....think swags, chrome, lava lamps........ Okay, forget the lava lamps. But don't hesitate to swag your pendant lamp. And if you're looking for a desk lamp, what could be cuter - or more retro - than this?

If you're like me and thinking maybe the '70's decorating wasn't all bad, check out my new board on Pinterest.

What Vacation Will Do For You!

I've spent a little time away from my computer over the past month. Not necessarily from emails, but from social media as well as this blog. I took some vacation time, but also just spent time doing a bit more relaxing - some of it in my own backyard. And those who say this can get the creative juices going were right!

After spending a little time in nature I feel like my color palette was completely refreshed. When I sat in my backyard enjoying the color, I realized how beautifully everything worked.I'm not a photographer, but I hope you can imagine the beauty of the purple Baptisia, the brilliant pink of the coral bells, the yellow of the day lilies, the purple and white iris, all the different shades of green in the vegetation, and even the pale blue-gray of the sky. What about using them in a room?

DesignbyInspiration did just that in this room for HGTV. Sure, the colors are bolder than those usually found in nature (at least all together), but this office would certainly inspire me!



You don't have to be quite so dramatic with the colors to have a colorful room. The addition of colorful pillows, seat cushions, and rug to the white background take this dining room beyond cheery. What a great place to spend some time on your laptop, chatting with your family, or simply lounging on the banquette!

Designer Todd Klein for HB

I know rooms this vivid may not be everyone's cup of tea. But staying open to color choices and combinations at least keep things interesting. Even a spot of unexpected color in, say, a bowl on the table, a single flower stem or a pillow can add just the refreshing energy that keeps a room from feeling boring to fun.And if you spend just a little time outdoors at this time of year, you'll see Mother Nature isn't afraid of a little color!

And if you would like to see a few more colorful rooms, check out my latest board on Pinterest.

Family Rooms Are For Families

Family rooms.......there's a reason they are called that. It's where the family hangs out. Sometimes it's immediate family only, sometimes it's extended family, and sometimes it's friends who feel like family. Because it needs to work for the family it serves, there aren't any hard and fast decorating "rules" to follow. But here are some ideas that just might make yours a little more fun!

Roger Davies

Have younger family members? Rather than putting their art on the refrigerator, what about framing and using it in place of more traditional art? Simple frames in black or white won't interfere with more colorful art and make switching art projects easy.For art that can change more often, paint a large piece of plywood (make sure it's been sanded) or even the wall with chalkboard paint. Frame it and keep a basket of colorful chalk nearby and the "art" may change daily!

BHG

Need lots of seating? Use poufs as side tables, store small ottomans under console tables for extra seating, use a bench as a coffee table, decorate
with large pillows that transition easily from the furniture to the floor.

Place less emphasis on the television by having lots of games handy. Store them in an armoire or in baskets or bins, but make sure they are easily accessible - and there is room to play them.

Family rooms should have family memories. Keep a basket on the coffee table of photos from family vacations through the years. Or cover the coffee or side table with photos, then cover with a glass top to preserve them. Or decorate with treasures picked up during these trips. Fill a glass jar with seashells collected while at the beach, make a collage of leaves found during a fall foliage tour, or hang a map of the state, the country, or the world and put a decorative pin in all of the places the family has traveled.

Whatever you do, make it yours. Family rooms are all about families, so make sure yours reflects the love of the people who live there........and inviting to all those who visit. And if you would like more family room ideas, check out my board on Pinterest!

Preparing to Sell.......or Stay!

Two years ago my husband and I decided to downsize, so we made some upgrades to our  home. And guess what happened? We decided we really liked what we had done, so we were going to stay a little bit longer. This spring, the downsizing idea came around again. So we started making a few changes and........we'll see what happens, but it's looking pretty nice around here. So why didn't we do some of these things earlier? Good question. So in case you're considering selling - or staying - here are a few inexpensive (and mostly) easy ideas that will help you enjoy whatever time you have left in the house. And make a good impression on your potential buyers when the time comes to sell.

Paint the grout. We have an off-white tile in our foyer and kitchen which originally had an off-white grout. But over the years the dirt built up, making the floor look old and dated. Rather than regrout, I cleaned the old grout with a special cleaner, then used a combination grout paint and sealer to bring back the old color. For a fraction of the cost of new tile the floor looks fabulous!

Paint or cover dated tile. If you're selling your home, dated kitchens and baths can be deal-breakers. But removing dated tile is very expensive. Instead, try painting it. You need to cover the tile with a 2 JANE. They offer some solid colors and some patterns - with a frequently expanding selection. I've used them for staging clients and have just ordered some for my kitchen backsplash.
special adhesion primer, then use an epoxy-based paint on the tile. If painting tile is a bit more than you want to do, try Tile Tattoos from

Paint the brick fireplace. You can do this one of two ways. To simply tone down the color, use a rag to lightly cover each brick, which will tone down the color but not cover it completely. If the fireplace is really unsightly, use a color that matches the walls.

Paint the cabinets. Talk about an instant update to kitchens and baths! Change the hardware and you've got a whole new - and updated - look!

Paint paneling. Nothing dates a home faster than old, worn paneling. For a simple update, use a milk-based paint to cover the defects. To get rid of the wood-look completely, fill in the cracks between the panels, then paint when dry. Hard to tell it's wood.

Use vinyl tile. If you have a floor that really needs updating, vinyl tile may be an easy, inexpensivesolution. Now available in many different styles, it looks like the "real" thing, as you can see in this sample from Armstrong.  If you are putting it over an old floor, just make sure doors can still open and close properly.


If this seems like a lot of work, break it into manageable chunks. The results will be well worth it!