SLIP INTO SOMETHING MORE COMFORTABLE!

Tip # 3 Add Slipcovers to lighten up the mood! The one great trait that I love about slipcovers is the ability to instantly change your home’s look. Overall they can make you room feel entirely different, lending you to take notice of the forms of your furnishings, creating a desire to keep the room as a whole simple. Apart from changing color or texture, all white slipcovers can convey a feeling of ease and simplicity, giving a room an airy quality to it. When we think of spring and summer, who doesn’t conjure up thoughts of a warm breeze caressing our skin, time taken up with outdoor activities and casual. There are a number of ways to purchase slipcovers; many retailers offer them as an option when ordering your new furniture, custom made by a local upholsterer or retailers such as JC Penney and Target or my online favorite CONTORELLE at www.contourelle.com where they have introduced a beautiful new line of textured cream covers.

Tip Two or Through the Tulips!

COOL FIRE STONES FROM OUTDOOR LIVING


Wow I am dating myself with that song from Tiny Tim...Tip Through the Tulips! Seriously, I am on to the next tip in decorating on a dime for Spring. So far I have cleaned (some, no windows yet) and replaced my pillows and throws. Next tip is to clean out that fireplace which is a nasty job, and my husband and I (did I mention his name is Tim), disagree on the best time to do this. Since I live in New England we can have raw cool damp days into June and there are times I like to have it going to dry out the house. So tip # 2 will focus on how you can give it a fresh look to carry you through the warmer weather!

Tip #2. Change out your fireplace accessories to create a more fresh look. Fireplaces that still have your winter accessories can be heavy looking in the warmer months so consider switching to a candle arrangement with varying heights of big white pillars, lanterns or mercury glass candle holders. For the cool factor, check out these unusual Fire Stones from www.outdoorlivingshowroom.com. However, if you are tight on storage, thoroughly clean all the fireplace accessories and switch the wood to one beautiful piece of Birch, the white bark is so lovely; if you are a DIY drill holes and add candles. Or add a beautiful basket with dried hydrangeas, shells, moss or other natural elements that convey srping or summer. All of these suggestions allow you to still have ambiance without the heat.

Spring Decorating on a Dime!

Hi all, finally the sun is to shine here in the north east for Easter weekend! I will surely have spring fever after experiencing weekly nor'easters , floods and record breaking rain in the month of March. Not only will I pull out the golf clubs, detail my car and rev up my work out program, I will be attacking spring cleaning and decorating.

So with many of you looking to do the same, I thought I would give you some decorating tips on how to get your home ready for the warmer weather to come! This will surely bring back memories of our mothers switching out their winter curtains for their summer ones and of course window washing (Cleaning is the first step afterall)! Watch for my tips over the next two weeks.

TIP #1 Replace all heavy textured accessories such as throws and pillows with lighter versions, choosing linen, cottons, flax and sisal. Freshen up the colors by incorporating the lighter hues of your room's palette. I love heading to Pottery Barn where I can purchase pillow covers at a fraction of the cost and they often have coordinating throws. Bring out your decorating books that have warmer weather lifestyles as a focus, arrange them on a coffee table and add a looking glass to encourage your guests to peruse through them. A couple of my favorites are anything to do with gardening, roses and outdoor spaces. Change out your metallic accessories for lacquer, rattan and bamboo all having wonderful textures, but not heavy.

Pottery Barn Pillow Covers

Spring Trends Make an Appearance at the Oscars!

Once again the Oscars" Red Carpet did not disappoint! There were some amazing dresses and while I noticed more metallics this year, I also noted the number of pastel gowns as well. Last years awards ceremony was all about neutrals and simplicity, it absolutely trickled down to the masses with the popularity of neutrals in the fashion and home fashion trends forecasted for 2010. So now that I have seen color slowing making its way back in this season with the surge of pastels, how is this translating to our homes?



I think I saw it best in this months issue of Elle Decor, they had a great selection of Pastel Finds. my favorite William Sonoma's wing chair in pale blue with nailheads. The details make the difference.

Luxury Liner Chic!

When I think of heading on a vacation on a cruiseliner I always get a little sentimental, envisioning myself heading on a luxurious old steamliner. The men in white dinner jackets and the women in beautiful chiffon dresses in tantalizing colors dancing the night away. Yet today, the cruise ships are all glitz and glamour with more amenities and services, replacing the beautiful warm wood tones and starboard strolls. But I have found the next best thing to these ships of yore!

Starbay furniture company has designed beautiful classic pieces salvaged from great luxury liners! Their pieces are made of rosewood, brass and bone inspired by the history of travel on these great ships from distant lands. Whether looking for a clever storage piece or a folding chair for two this is a must visit to http://www.starbay.net.

GREATEST KITCHEN ELEMENTS!

House Beautiful's "Kitchen of the Month"

A friend of mine has just purchased a wonderful new home that will need a total kitchen rehab! So this past weekend we spent time looking over the plans and possibilities. As I went through the scenario of choosing the elements of her new kitchen she increasingly became overwhelmed. While I find the process exciting, I needed to remind myself that to the average homeowner it is a daunting task.

So today I thought I would share the reason our kitchens are so important to who we are and the lifestyle we are looking to create and live. Where do your family and friend congregate when entertaining? Why the Kitchen of course! The labor of love goes into cooking and entertaining, there is something very empowering in putting out food and drink for those who are guests in our homes. It has a timeless appeal as we are connected to those in our families who are now gone, but had once shared their homes, meals and love with us. Our kitchens can never be big enough, people always want to be in there. They need to be created with love, food, family and friends in mind! After all this is the "Heart of our Home" and the "Hub of our life". Give it the planning and patience it deserves!

It's a Classic

"A classic is a classic not because it conforms to certain structural rules, or fits certain definitions(of which its author had quite probably never heard). It is classic because of a certain eternal and irrepressible freshness" Ezra Pound

What constitutes a "classic" look? With the general public looking for stability and longevity, timeless interiors are taking shape all across the country. So really what makes a room, sofa, or coffee table a "classic"? Think of Grace Kelley, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy Onassis etc., all women of style. Creating a room of style which will hold its "look" no matter what the home decorating or fashion trends are at the moment

So lets look at some qualities of a "Classic"; a room that never goes out of style, furnished with sofas and chairs that have good lines and are well proportioned, anything that has staying power and can mix the past and present. Pieces that can transcend different design sensibilities and will look at home with antique or contemporary accessories and artwork. Think of updated traditional that feels fresh and modern. The room above is a great example of classic design by Mary Douglas Drysdale.

So what is your "signature style"? Really think about this and create a home with staying power...a true classic.

THE MODERN RULES OF MIXING IT UP!

Looking through design magazines these days, you really see a mix of patterns, prints and colors. But how do you take that information and incorporate it into your own home without it looking like a circus tent? It can be most confusing and with the endless possibilities available to homeowners the choices are daunting. There are a few rules you can follow to help keep it all in perspective.

A. Odd numbers mix best.Think of choosing patterns in odd numbers, 3, 5, 7. Really tune in to your comfort level. Most designers are more comfortable mixing more patterns than most people.

B. Scale: so important to consider when choosing your patterns. Think of small, medium and large. You don't want your patters to be all the same scale. If you are a newbie, try one small, medium and large one.

C. Design: Patterns come in the form of stipes, plaids, checks, floral, organic etc. You get the picture, start by mixing 3 different types of designs. Play around with diffent designs to see what level you are comfortable at. When you come up with 3, add two more.

D. Placement: Mixing patterns are not only for your sofa and chairs, remember to include you rugs, window treatments, pillows and lamps. You are striving for balance in all elements in your room

HURRY TODAY ONLY! OVERSTOCK BEDDING SALE!

Hi All

I wanted to share this with you today! Overstock.com is having a great bedding sale! Not only do you get the great pricing from manufacturers who have inventory left over and need to unload it, you are able to take and additional 10% off on their down bedding! Are your looking to purchase some luxurious silk sheets to share with your loved one on Valentine's Day? No worries, still time to order and get it before the 14th. Look below for the link.....and I would love to hear what home purchases you are making as a Valentine's gift for that "special person"in your life.

http://www.overstock.com/30904/static.html?CID=148833&fp=f&token=148833-14883320100204144651920-1-267ef7&

THINK TWICE ABOUT THAT FAVORITE ACCESSORY!

My last post I talked about some of the ways to find colors that can translate into home decor. So where else can we find inspiration for color? Look around at some of your favorite "D'object de Resistance", those little bits of accessories that you had to have and would find a place for! What are the colors in them and how can they be worked into a room? Need help with picking out the right color match? Take it with you to the paint store, with today's technology you can always do a match on sight! Here are some inspiring plates I fell in love with by Thomas Paul at Velocity Art and Design (866-781-9494)....at $28.00 a set of four they are a steal and a great source of inspiration!

MIDNIGHT GARNET.....FAVORITE NEW COLOR!

My husband and I spent Sunday afternoon at the Wine Expo in Boston with friends and family. This is the primo and largest wine expo in the country! Wine tasting at vendor tables from all over the world was a blast, but the highlight of my day was when I discovered the new Infinity G series convertible, mind you not just for the beauty of the car, but for the unbelievable color!!! How clever to have this beautiful "Merlot" hue on this car sitting in the middle of the wine expo, great marketing ploy! They have me sold, though a convertible in New England is not the most practical. So it got me thinking to why I am so drawn to the red hues? It has been my favorite color since I was a little girl and I wear it constantly. So next time you need some inspiration for color in your home, look in your closet. Many of us are drawn to decorating our homes in the colors we wear! So what is your favorite color to wear? I would love to hear from you!!!!

TREND #4.....REFRESHED

The final of the four trends for 2010 packs a whole lot of punch with bold use of color taking much of it's inspiration from vintage 60" and 70's. Infusing dashes and splashes of a bold single color into a neutral backdrop draws the eye around a room or space to space for a revived and refreshed atmosphere. Think of Crisp Fresh Greens, Lemon Yellow, Orange and Violet mixed with neutrals like navy, beige and white in Missoni knits, Pucci prints and Hermes scarfs. This trend will surely lift your spirits with a fresh dose of optimism. Head to MOMA or your local museum of modern art for inpiration!

Do you have the "Post Holiday Blues?"

Have you been a little down in the dumps since the holidays? This time of year is always a little tough and with most of the country literally "out in the cold" I like to think of "Blue" in a happier context. Enjoy this video of designer Nancy Corzine's Cool Blue Living Room.

Design Trend #3...Sophisticated Simplicity

So in keeping with the economic times it is no surprise to see an increasing trend in getting back to the basics....where a return to simpler times and "less is more" is becoming the current mantra for many. Naturally this is often translated over to design in fashion and home furnishings. Looking at this design trend you will find neutrals, sheer and transparent fabrics, uncluttered simplicity, simple and clean accessories and the emphasis on form and function. Think of the Bauhaus movement, with the 90th anniversary of this movement in 2010, this has become a classic for the Baby Boomers where "form followed function".

Below are some examples...what are your favorites, how do you see yourself applying this trend to your lifestyle?

MET HOME OF THE YEAR BY KARMAN NG/BARCELONA SOFA CIRCA 1930


FABULOUS HEADBOARD


WONDERFUL CHAIRS!


LOVE THE GRAY FIREWALL!


NEUTRAL PALETTE


KELLY HOPPEN DINING ROOM


GREAT ACCESSORIES FROM LAGUNA B onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w5sy8euIprwVcr527P7oXyzLBuUnU8xyFwLy9fj_KnfkLXBCr4gov5cPMSMBP2aUTfOeiMvPDOo8uYMDNMWtzo1uaLEbTya1uhZgcx0wNWykTvfkrgm86TAILCFRdwrJ_U8-DBSvRq-N/s1600-h/design-ideas-ED0110-WhatsHot-article.jpg">