Ways of Using Color in Small Spaces | InteriorHolic.com

Often one of the most important things that I do when starting a job is developing a color palette. It sets the stage for everything from window treatments to upholstery. Setting just the right tone or mood to a room relies heavily on color selection. This article from InteriorHolic.com is quick to hit on the ultimate power of color. Enjoy the read!

Ways of Using Color in Small Spaces | InteriorHolic.com

First Post on the "New" Blog

I'm very excited to share my new blog design with you all! I hope to post more frequently, with before and after shots of client's homes and lots of insider tips and tricks. I look forward to sharing my favorite design inspiration with you. Thank you for stopping by!

Holiday Home On a Budget

It's that time of year again, well, kind of.

The holidays are quick on our heals and with the price of food, gifts and travel in these leaner times, we sure are feeling it.

Remember the days of holidays past when we barely paid attention to our grocery bill or gift costs? In our minds it was only once a year and we felt it acceptable to splurge. There were wreaths and ribbons to buy and ornaments to fill the tree and lights to string. How about the parties we readied our homes for with a new piece of furniture here or a new rug there?

Wow, things sure have changed, but just maybe, that may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Never fear, it's not all bah humbug here. There are plenty of ways to freshen up your home for those holiday get togethers without breaking the bank. I promise to help your home sing, without using up the cash that you'll be needing for Santa's cookies.

To begin, I would suggest a good (long overdue) deep cleaning, decluttering. From that point you will be able to take inventory and see what you already may have. For instance, if you can deep clean that traffic spot in your rug and put that rug replacement cash to use in a more noticable fashion, you'll be able to really stretch your budget.

Paint can make the biggest impact with minimal investment. This works especially well when you just want to paint a feature wall to warm up a room. Its quick and if you tire of it after the winter then you can easily change it come spring. Throw pillows are another trick for a burst of color as well as cozy blanket throws. Check out your lamps and shades. Are they too small or just plain wrong for the scale of the room? Replacing them with lamps that fit the style of your decor can really pull it all together.

Next, we really need to talk about those dirty little scatter rugs that you've managed to acquire from one end of your home to the other. My suggestion? Put them in the dog's crate and replace them with new solid colored rugs only where you really need them. Remember, it's not always about what you bring into a room, all too often it can be more about what you can take out of a room that will really freshen things up.

Sprucing up the powder room for holiday guests will be much appreciated by all. Again, paint and a new area rug with fresh magazines, plants and soaps will really do the trick. Don't forget a holiday scented candle and hand towels for that warm, welcoming touch.

So, you've just remembered that you have guests spending a few nights this holiday season and your guest room is feeling a bit worn and tired? Again, a good cleaning will go along way to start. Follow it up with fresh sheets and a new duvet or throw at the end of the bed. Check the light bulbs and put out fresh matching guest towels. Finally, stack some favorite holiday books alongside a box of sugar plums for especially sweet dreams.

Curb appeal is easy this time of year with lights and or festive wreaths and garlands everywhere to be found. Remember to clean up any old summer pots or tools and clear all pathways.

I truly feel that this year's holidays may hold more meaning for most then they have for a long time. Rather than counting the gifts under the tree, I am hoping that we will be focusing

on those people that are around the tree. These are the loved ones that are there for us throughout year lending an ear with a generous heart no matter what trials they too are facing. I for one will be putting up a smaller tree this year with all of our beloved old family ornaments rather than my twelve foot tree filled with coordinated, glitzy bulbs and bows.

The only twinkle I really want to see this year is the twinkle in my family's eyes.

Embrace 'Me'...How to Find Your Personal Design Style!

"How do I start when I don't even know what I
like?"

If I had a dime for every client that asked me that question, I'd be blogging from my new lap top by now!

I feel what these clients are really asking is for me to define their personal style. Unable to see a completed project in their mind, my phone rings.....

Everyone of us has a style. If you put clothes on everyday and take a good look in your mirror you'll see it.
Take notice of the lines that you are drawn to for comfort as well as appeal, check out the colors that you tend to wear more frequently. Even if you are wearing black seven days a week, its a style, it says something about you and how it makes you feel.

Now let us talk about what design project you are starting first.
Lets pretend that you are about to move into the penthouse of your dreams and are able to paint and decorate however you like with an unlimited budget?

"Yes, this should be fun for us both, but you're scared, I'm not, and this is how it always begins."

You brought me in on your project to help find your direction and personal style. You're afraid I'll roll my eyes in judgement of your taste, simply not the case people.
Remember that I am there (in this scenario) to help you find you, the real you, there is only one you, and you need to get past that fear of someone disliking your style. Once you realize this, you will be able to enjoy expressing your personal designs as well as living amongst them.

So, client, my first recommendation would be to have you show me some of your favorite clothing, art or textiles, something you really enjoy. We would discuss what it is about them that you like. Is it their colors (or lack of) their shapes or textures?
This all gets jotted down as we further our discussion comparing similarities there may be amongst these items.

Another task I assign my clients to start before we have our meeting is to go through magazines, catalogs, (whatever you can tear up) and put them in a folder. Whether it's the colors of a photographed sunset or the fur of a cheetah, we need to start somewhere.

All of the above, will start to define your personal style. Next, we choose which colors and furniture styles you'll find comfort in and build from there.
Before you know it, your selections will begin to make sense to you. You will start to see the real you on paper, right before your eyes.

After you have a firm grasp on finally being able to identify your personal style, the rest is pure fun!
The fear that you used to have when it came to design will disappear! No more wandering endlessly through furniture stores only to walk out empty handed, or worse, have furniture delivered that you never make a real connection with.

Gone are the days that you used to spend at the paint store with a million color samples in hand only to end up painting everything white!
You are armed, ready and confident in your new design abilities.

Your penthouse is now complete.
Every room that you enter feels like a warm hug.
Before you know it your friends are asking for your design opinion.
Now you my friend, are... stylin'!