A Pretty and Functional Den

I was visiting Mom recently and she gets pretty much every magazine there is. She had a copy of the Dec. 2010 issue of a really good home magazine, Southern Living.

I spotted a room makeover in this issue and was really impressed with the attention to detail, palette and design of the room. The article appears on pg. 72 and is called “Meet The Hassingers.” It is a story about a couple that met and married and then had to mesh their own personal styles. I am not sure what happened to this world, but apparently men also have opinions on design and style. When I was first married this was all considered the woman’s prerogative and frankly, my own husband never cared what I chose.

But, it’s all different now and that is a good thing. Anyway, if you take a look at the “before” photos, they are comical at best. They feature two giant brown leather recliners and for added measure a huge green leather (pretty sure we are talking faux leather here) wing chair, a sad window treatment and a super-sized TV above the fireplace. This must have been his home, not hers.

The transformation is fantastic. The designer chose a soft neutral grey green for the walls, a large sailcloth sofa big enough for two or four with masculine tacks and then to feminize the space, added bright pink and green pillows, hot pink vases with roses and colorful art to the walls.

But what most impressed me was the window treatment. So many people are skittish about anything but beige fabrics and this designer chose an ikat design drapery in a green, red, pink and gold palette. It totally pulls the room together. The TV is still atop the fireplace, which is ok since there are other interesting things to focus like the jute rug, artwork and accessories.

Of course, I have a few areas I would have treated differently. While the fireplace is not centered on the main wall and is flanked by bookshelves, I think the choice of recovering books with white or off white covers is weird. These shelves would be better suited with some interest, like greenery, and vases in the accent colors or even plain white vases mixed in with real book covers. I think the art on the left wall is hung way too low, as if only a three year old could appreciate it and the giant lamp hanging over the sofa is really difficult to sit beneath. A really big lamp in red or pink on the table behind the sofa would be great. I do like the comfy upholstered chairs that flank the fireplace but I am not wild about that cocktail table.

That said, the overall transformation really captured what the clients wanted – a comfortable and functional room in which they could relax and entertain.

Photos from Southern Living

Spring Smiles Part II

We recently talked about bringing that springy feeling into your life with some inexpensive changes (candles, flowers) and getting some candy too. Here are a few more décor ideas that require a bit more time.

First, no fun, but cleaning up is a good idea. I don’t mean the usual vacuuming thing, but really clean up some of your clutter. Go through those piles of magazines, tear out the things you want to keep (Bon Appetit here I come) and discard them into the recycle bin. Go to your linen closet, gather up the sheets etc. that no longer have beds to fit or towels that really have no good home and start a Goodwill or Salvation Army box. I think I still have towels from 4 houses ago. They are never used, just saved “in case.” In case of what – 20 people showering at once, or the dryer breaking forever or a flood? You get the picture.

Buy a new colorful throw – I know it is getting warmer but even the spring and summer produce some cool nights. Take the old one and retire or store it and buy a new one in a soft, pretty color like yellow or pink or even cream. Try to find a few more accent pillows that you can exchange with the current ones that pick up a different color in your room. Even small changes like this can add so much.

Paint something. A chest, a chair, an old table – it doesn’t matter. Put a shiny new coat of paint (I love white) on a piece and watch it come to life. You can even stencil a cool design on it if you wish.

Add a few new accent pieces. You must be getting tired of the old ones and it is nice to add or change – go to flea markets or discount stores and find a new mirror you can refinish or just hang. Buy a few new frames or candlesticks. Or buy a new tureen and display it in the dining room. Add a new lamp to the foyer or change the shade on the one you have. These are simple ideas that really will make you feel like spring is here. You don’t need to spend a ton of money, just a little time for the hunt. And you will discover treasures in so many places.

Invite some people over – it is the perfect time to update your look in a small way and even if they don’t notice (remember some of them are men) YOU will know the changes you have made!

Photos from Better Homes & Garden

Honoring a Dad and a Hero

Jen M. from Boston (a favorite blog reader with great comments and questions) recently wrote to me regarding a piece of special memorabilia she received from her dad.

Jen inherited her dad’s Army duffel bag. It has so much sentimental value for her family and she wanted some creative ideas on how to use it in a practical manner and perhaps share it with her 3 brothers. Jen sent me a few photos which you can see below. If any of you have any good ideas on how to best use the bag please let us hear from you.

Here are my suggestions:

I think the best idea (especially to share the bag) is to purchase shadow boxes and make 4 (Jen and 3 brothers) framed pieces they can each hang in their homes. Using the heavy green canvas for the background, Jen can customize each one. Use the straps to create a border (or just a top and bottom border) or use patriotic ribbon for a colorful accent. The buttons on the bag along with a photo of dad with each child can be added in the box or a photo of dad in uniform. The identification tag can be cut and used prominently. Add a USA patch or a medal or military patch of dad’s and perhaps an engraved plaque at the bottom with dad’s name and rank.

A good framer can do all this and more, but it can get pricey. I am thinking Jen can do this herself for a lot less money if she purchases the shadow boxes at Michaels (use your coupon, Jen) and cuts and irons the fabric perfectly before gluing it in place as the backdrop. Each frame can be individually decorated with dog tags and other sentimental items. The shadow boxes do not all have to be the same size and need not be identical when completed. The shadow boxes come in white, black and a deep mahogany stain – some are very plain while others have a beaded edge.

Camouflage fabric is also available if there isn’t enough of the canvas duffel bag fabric.

A second idea is to purchase a small ottoman (see photo) that has a removable lid and cover the lid with the fabric from the bag. I don’t think there is enough fabric to cover an entire footstool, although you could supplement with camouflage. A good upholsterer can use the straps to “trim” the top and it can also provide a bit of storage.

A couple of small pillows can also be made from the fabric if it is carefully cut. Again, use the straps for accents or “stripes” and miter the corners and sew on a USA patch or one of Dad’s patches in the bottom corner.

Jen, I hope these ideas will be useful and send you on a personal journey to utilize this wonderful keepsake. I am sure you and your brothers have many mementos that will honor your dad. I would love to know what you finally decide to do.

Pillow Talk

Have you seen the beautiful new silk pillows out there? Fabulous dyes of deep, rich colors like burgundy and chocolate brown and a range of greens. I love the embroidered ones!

Need to make a small update in your family room or living room? Try purchasing a few new pillows. Add some colors that you don’t always use and enjoy the punch! Your current pillows probably need to be replaced – they begin to look worn a bit if people nap on them or the dog accidentally drools on them. Do it! There is some good pricing out there and what a change they can make.

Jack and Jill Accessorize

So we've been working on a design project for a former client of mine. A few days ago in "Jack and Jill United", we were focused on bedding - but today we are all about the bathroom and accessories.

The colors we are working with are a soothing aqua green, a soft lime green and periwinkle blue – the “watercolors”. I suggested a periwinkle paint for the connecting bath but it could also go in the more sophisticated of the two bedrooms. Pottery Barn offers some great bath rugs and towels. For this project, I suggest the cornflower blue or clover green. In the bath be sure to use towels that pick up the colors in both rooms. For the window treatments one idea is to buy roller shades (they have come back BIG) like the Ribbon-Border Roman Shade in parsley from Pottery Barn. Roller shades come in cool colors now too. Or, we can just use the existing wooden blinds.

The Company Store is a great source for linens and accessories. They have wonderful 500 thread count sheets in the nicest, softest sateen finish. Check out Eloquence Supima Sateen Sheets - I prefer the woven dot in skylight. If you can, it is really nice to give your guest the best sheets you can afford. They will last longer and launder nicely, too. The Company Store also carries tone on tone striped bamboo blankets and throws and these are SO soft and nice. This is also my source for down comforters, for those winter months. Folded on the foot of the bed, they just look so luxurious.

Since our rooms are to be used for guest rooms only, we don’t need a lot of storage - now may be the time to replace the dated chest with a painted white bookcase with drawers or a nice desk. Your guests need to have somewhere to put away a few things, but they don’t need an entire dresser. (We don’t really want them to stay too long, do we?) On the bookcase put a pretty decorative vase or plate or colorful baskets and boxes. Use white wooden frames and a framed white decorative mirror (a good, large mirror is essential) like the Brighton Mirror mirror from Crate and Barrel below.

Accessorize with some unusual pillows that don’t match the bedding. I also recommend purchasing a different dust ruffle than the ones that come with the matching bedding. Buy a contrasting color or pattern so it gives a custom look. Be sure to have some nice lighting on your nightstands too. Your guests are sure to rest comfortably!