After Christmas Shoppping

This comes in a set of 6 cards. The clever die cut opens up to be this illusion of of a snow globe. Could you purchase a cooler card? And of course- if you buy them now for next year- they are on sale. I love a good sale. (set of 6 for $19)

This is what my hall needs- a 46 x 24 Santa Rug On sale for $69. I like it :)

I admit that I never feel like spending money after Christmas. I feel like I have already spent so much this month, but...



The deals are so good. I am not really liking my Christmas decorations, and they are at such good prices right now. This pyramid nativity is made in Germany. The heat from the candles makes the nativity turn in circles. Cool huh? (marked down from $350 to $174)


What a good time of year to purchase dinnerware- so many good sales. I love this lotus print. Decorative enough for a dinner party. Casual enough for everyday. What a great black and cream pattern.
(items above are from Gumps)

So, are you doing any after Christmas shopping this year? Do you like any of my favorite finds? Find any good deals you can share with the rest of us?
Happy Shopping!

Like a typical mom, my after Christmas purchasing was done (online of course) on Garnet Hill Kids, Mini Boden and Hanna Andersen.

But I wish it were done on Gumps. :)

Wallpaper Wednesday

I watched Home Alone last week, and saw LOTS of wallpaper :)

A little too much for one house in my opinion. But I really liked the paper in the Entry/ Stair area. I couldn't find a photo of it, but to check it out- you can see it in the trailer. I love the large pattern. Very cool. Merry Christmas :)

Speaking of too much...

TOOOO much!!!


Ahhh, just right.

If less is more, then more is...

Having my home decorated for Christmas gives me mixed feelings. Of course I love the way it makes my home "feel" like Christmas. However, as a designer, my personal taste is far less "cluttery" than I feel like my Nutcracker collection is making my place feel right now. (and I only brought out about half of them.)



I want to make a shift. I want to instead of adding to my decor. I want to replace my decor. I do this to some degree, but I am going to go more that direction. Then I won't have "more" decor.



I ran across these pillow cases from Garnet Hill, and thought, how fun would it be to have holiday bedding for my kids' rooms.



Perhaps I cam remove my picture frames and replace them with holiday frames with Christmas pictures in them.

Frames also from Garnet Hill.


So- tell me what you think... do you like your Christmas decorations all over the house? Do they bug you at all? Do you buy new ones every year? Have you had the same decorations for the last twenty? Do you have a "village" or collection of some sort that keeps you from being able to dust?

Which is Better?

Corrie wrote in previously, and I posted about ideas for her family room.

This is her entry, which do you think is better?

Me? Well, first of all, I would have to say that they are both good choices. Good scale, good colors, not too high, etc. Which really brings it to a personal preference. My preference?- I like the mirror. :) Well done Corrie! I will tackle ideas for your family room wall when I have more time.

Wallpaper Wednesday

1. My cool new source , Velocity, from Monday also carries wallpaper!
2.

I am really loving the uniqueness of their design.

3.

I could see using this alphabet paper in a children's room. It comes in lighter colors.

4.

OK- this floral is fabulous! I love it! What do you think? Which is your favorite, 1, 2, 3, or 4?

My vote... gee this is a hard one... I'm going to go with 4.

Becky's Pallet

Hi Christine,

I have another question for you. I want to know how to choose a color palette for a home where there are several rooms that seem to flow together. It's not a "great room" design, but many of the rooms/areas are visible at the same time, depending on where you're at, and I want my home to have a nice flow to it. Recently, I had an "interior designer" come to my house, and for $150.00, I received the news that my home is "brown on brown on brown on brown." It's hard to hear, but I know she's right. I do love color, I just can't figure out how to make them flow together. I love light blue, red, green, taupe, and cream especially. It's actually hard for me to pin down my favorite colors. I try to use them, but I am drawn to the "safety" of neutral brown. For reference, my tile/carpeted areas are taupe-colored (don't look good with yellow/gold tones), and my kitchen countertops are a very dark granite, a popular reddish-black one. Cabinets throughout the house are honey-colored.

Dear Becky,

Your question made me think of working on a "showcase house" that I did a couple of years ago. In a "showcase house"- each room is decorated with a different Interior Designer. We are given a "color pallet" to stick to, which then helps the home to flow with so many different people working on it.

You could come up with your own color pallet. Take the colors that you say you like, the light blue, red, green, taupe and cream. Go to a paint store, and select specific colors using paint samples. Not every shade of light blue is going to look good with your favorite shade of green- find a set of colors that really look nice together- take your time. If you have existing items that you intend to use, make sure the colors coordinate.

Were you around in the 70's when women carried around their "colors" with them to help them in selecting clothing that would look good on them? (the whole season thing?) Do the same with your home pallet. put it in your wallet. Don't' purchase things that don't "go." I love it when a home flows. Don't' go from grayed tones in your living room to primary colors in your kitchen. Keep it consistent.

Check out this post, I did on creating a color scheme- It has some different ideas as well.

Good luck!

Christine

Large Scale- Cool New Find

I talk about scale a lot on this blog. I think it is an area where many people are a bit "off" in their decorating. New homes also seem to have larger and larger walls, higher ceilings, and bigger spaces, making it sometimes a challenge to find wall decor that is the right scale. I came across a great web site today, with some terrific prints. The one pictured above is a whopping 70 x 100! How great is that ? Really great.

Check out Velocity Art and Design- Such a fresh fun source for your home.

Masland Should be Paying me...

Hey Christine,

I was hunting around on the web because I just got this quote on a Masland carpet for our master bedroom and the quote was way high in my humble opinion. I saw that you are a Masland fan and wondered if you are familiar with the cost of it. The carpet we looked at was “Sea Pearls” by Masland and we were going to do our bedroom and our closet. The quote was $3,600! My husband and I laughed and thought we might as well put wood floors down for that cost. We live in a northern suburb of Atlanta so maybe I just need to hunt around a bit, but our bedroom is 20 X 20 and our closet is 15 X 9. Is that a ridiculous price to pay or is that carpet really worth it? Thanks for any advice you have.

Christie

Dear Christie,

Sometimes carpeting just one room tends to be more expensive per square foot than when you are carpeting the entire house. For your room, for instance, the company selling you the carpet would probably order in the following amounts of carpet:

For the 20 x 20 room: 12 x 20, and 12 x 20. For the closet, 12 x 15.- So- what you thought was perhaps 535 square feet, is actually, in carpet feet, more like 660, plus a waist factor of perhaps 3 (3 x 12) feet, taking the total to 696 square feet.- So- $3600 divided by 696 square feet comes out at just a little over $5/ sq ft.- no- that is not a high price- that is about what you would expect for really nice carpet. Shopping around might give you a variance of around 30 cents a foot, usually not much more than that. You will have two left over pieces, one at 3 x 15, and one at 4 x 20- you can think about your home and see if you can use it somewhere else in your home- you could maybe even do a staircase with the left over pieces. (extra labor charge for stairs though.) A little over $5 is actually sounding a little low. I bet they pieced up the closet, and planned on ordering less than that.

If, on the other hand, you were to put in wood, they would take the 535 sq/ feet, add 10%, taking it to 588 sq/ feet, and then round to the nearest box. Your floor prep will be additional, etc. You would most likely be over $6000, unless you happened to choose a very inexpensive wood. It's a sad reality, I know. Don't forget that you would then probably want a nice rug on your wood floors...

Consider, on the other hand, if you were to choose an inexpensive carpet, you would take off $2/ square foot. Your carpet would be $1400 less. However, it would not be nearly as beautiful, and absolutely not as durable. You wrote to a carpet snob- but it sounds to me like your price is right in there, you just have a large house :) If you don't plan on staying in your home long, a less durable carpet would probably be fine, but if you plan on sticking around- you can't beat Masland. (Except perhaps with Fabrica... :)

Another Classic

In college, I recall a class where we had to find pictures of classic furniture in magazines. We were given a list of specific pieces, specific designers. It really was a fun project. I knew I had finally found the right major for me when I loved my homework this much. (third major- 1st was broadcasting- second was business- third- Interior Design) To this day, I feel a need to clip a shot of a classic piece when I come across it- as if somehow Mrs. Stimson is going to ask for more pic's! Today, I found the Barcelona chair in my Costal Living Magazine. LOVE the chair! I L-O-V-E this chair.

Designed by Ludwig mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929, and still in production today. That's a classic.

Wallpaper Wednesday

Let me just start by saying that these are some of the coolest wallpapers EVER! Part of me really wanted to keep these a secret. I don't know why.

The papers in today's post are from Schumacher's "Nest Collection." They are made entirely from natural feathers.
The feathers are placed by hand into these papers to make the exquisite patterns and textures. Richness and beauty like this could only come from nature.

The feathers are "humanely gathered" meaning, that they did not go around plucking birds. It also means that they are on the expensive side. But imagine the paper in just an alcove, or architectural niche. You could have a lot of fun with even just one double roll :)
I personally will have to wait until my children are older, I have a feeling this paper shouldn't be "played with."
OK- so tell me- were you as impressed as I was? What do you think of the Nest Collection?

Laura's Question

Hi Christine,
I love your site! Here's my question - what to do with a small space (I'm just concerned with the living room right now) when we have a big family and I'm talking big! We have recently had our married daughter and husband and children move back in with us, temporarily, but that now makes a total of 4 boys under 4, along with our 4 teens and 2 middle school children, plus 4 adults (and then our other daughter and her 3 children that visit almost everyday and 2 more adults whenever my in-laws come to visit)!

I love my family, but space was tight before, now - WOW! Anyway, I like a very comfortable, but organized look and need to replace our sofa and loveseat. I know how you feel about the sofa/loveseat combo, I feel the same way and I am hoping you can give some ideas for alternatives when we need a lot of seating.

We have a dining living room combo so, our dining room table takes quiet a bit of space. I will attach a few pictures, things have changed a bit since taking these, but it shows the space.

Also, window treatments. I like the look of shutters, but that's way out of our budget and the kids are still at the point of running to the sofa, looking out the window when mommy or daddy get home, so I just have this visual of the shutters being shattered! Anyway, whatever suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks! Laura

Dear Laura

4 BOYS UNDER 4! YIKES! You do have a house full! Check out the advice that I gave to Gayle I know that your room is not as large as hers, but with a smaller sectional, you could do the same thing. I would use two symmetrical, curved sectionals, with a low back, (lower than your window sill if possible.) Use ottomans in the center that can double as additional seating.

Consider moving your console table to a different location, and adding a bench there instead.

For your window treatments, use panels and sheers. This is far less expensive than shutters, and adds pattern, texture, and color.

Your wall decor is all too small. Remember scale. You can use small items, but put them in clusters, creating a larger feel that will have balance with the size of wall that it is on. Your art is not only too small, but hung too high above your fireplace and the console table. Remember that when wall decor is hung above a fireplace, or piece of furniture, it should have a "relationship" with that furniture. Hang it much lower, only a few inches above the furniture. Your fireplace is on the small side. Painting it a dark color with a high contrast, accentuates the small size. I would paint the fireplace Sherwin Williams SW 7507, and the wall, SW 6128. I know this would require re-painting the wall in the dining room as well, also the 6128. I like the way you repeated the gold wall color. This helps your rooms to flow together, and gets away from just the "accent wall" look. If you want to e-mail me your address, I would be happy to have paint samples sent to you. Sherwin Williams is very helpful that way. It sounds like you have a great family! Have fun decorating!

Thanks,

Christine

The metal wall art is from Uttermost, the bench is from Decorize, and everything else (furniture, window panel) is from Z Gallery.

Instant Glamour

OK- so you want to freshen your look? It can be as simple as new throw pillow. Take those tapestry pillows that your mother gave you in 1992 and give them to the Good Will, and then the Good Will will throw them away for you, because really NOBODY wants them.

Find some new, interesting pillows that will liven up your sofa or bed.

They will give your room that fresh new, "something" that will make you smile when you walk in it.

I love that branch silhouette pattern. It is similar to the cherry blossoms that I am such a big fan of. Picture some solid gray bedding with this fabulous pillow.

Yes- that is what you need- a new pillow- or two. I have a new favorite web site, Bliss Living Home, where I found all of these decorative pillows. I was really surprised at how well priced they were. They have some beautiful bedding, check it out! :)

P dub- Counter Advice

Ree, are we on a first name basis, can I call you Ree? Which do you think is more informal, P-dub, or Ree? When are we going to do lunch? Do you have any trips to California planned?

OK- your counters- this is what you said:

The kitchen cabinets are in, and Terry and Jerry have put plywood countertops on
them to give us an idea of how they’ll look. We’re still making final decisions
about countertop materials, and since we have a lot of countertop area to cover,
we’re looking for ones that won’t be prohibitively expensive. I’m thinking of
concrete (no color; just naked [but sealed]), butcher’s block, and/or marble,
but not fancy schmancy marble. And maybe galvanized steel. Don’t laugh; we have
it at our farm, and it’s cheap and rather charming.
What counter top
materials am I missing? What’s cool and hip and not typical

My advice?

1. Concrete is not terribly inexpensive, averaging over $100/ square foot where I live. Unless, perhaps, you have a special source. Great look- I would love it in your place.



2. Butcher block- No- too much "wood."




3. Marble... I love the look of marble. At the firm that I worked for down in LA- we were not ALLOWED to use marble in the kitchen because it is too porous. So- great look- LOVE the look- but beware- it would be a shame if it were to stain. I would love a honed limestone... But again- not the most practical of surfaces.




4. Galvanized steel? Interesting. I have not seen it done- but it sounds cool.
   
   My suggestions:

1. I liked your concrete idea- it is a great look.

2. Slate: Used for centuries to create stylish weather resistant roofs, slate's natural beauty and strength are finding their way into the kitchen. Befitting of a roofing material, slate is durable, hard and fireproof. Luckily, it's beautiful, too, making it a prime choice for homeowners seeking a counter top that will make a statement. Its low absorption rate keeps stains at bay, though you may want to seal regularly to add a further dose of protection.

Soapstone: (picture above) Often referred to as "the original stone counter top," early settlers in New England relied on the durable material for their own counter tops. Far from a high-maintenance top, soapstone's inert nature means acids won't etch the material, and stains can be rubbed out. Mineral oil treatment will bring out a darker, richer color. Make a powerful statement by combining with a soapstone sink.

Quick tip: As you investigate your natural stone options, consider functionality first, then this: do you want a stone that will look brand new 10 years from now, or one that will take on the patina of age? Let your answer help guide your choice.

To clean: Stone is a natural product, and cleaning is fairly simple, though be sure to follow specific instructions for your stone. Monticello Granite, the first nationally available counter top company, recommends that stone surfaces be cleaned with a few drops of a neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild liquid dish washing detergent. Always avoid products containing abrasives, lemon, vinegar or other acids, as well as scouring pads.

Also- consider re-cycled glass- Made of 85% recycled glass- this is "in" because it is "earth-friendly" :). This is also more of an option for a place like P Dub's- because it lends itself to be that juxtaposition of shininess in a rustic interior, whereas true glass is just too modern.

Paper-base- Say sayonara to stone. Richlite’s paper-based countertops provide a durable-as-stone and heat and stain-resistant surface that's more than just a unique countertop alternative. Used in commercial kitchens for years, Richlite is available in six colors including sage, slate black and nutmeg. Using only sustainable materials, Richlite is the first company to offer hemp-based countertops, which are both heat and stain-resistant. Cost: $65-$75.


Personally, I think in a kitchen like the one you are doing, I would do a counter that is not the focal point- something with a dull surface- a simple color- The focal point of the kitchen should be the hood... which I will discuss next time :)

So- anyway... call me :)- we'll do lunch!

Wallpaper Wednesday

This paper is a spin on grass cloth. I love this one. The texture, the pattern, the richness... I can imagine this one in architectural niches or entry way walls. I would put it on an accent wall behind a nice buffet or console table. What do you think? Are you as big a fan as I am?- or not so much?

Paper by Ronald Redding, of course- he rocks.

Cool Cheap Find

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I really love Roman Shades. Generally speaking, I really love nice expensive custom made Roman Shades. On Black Friday I went to IKEA with my sister, and saw their super inexpensive Roman Shades. They start at 24 inches wide, at $19, and go to a 55 inch width, for only $39. Now imagine finding some cool fabric, cutting it the right size, and affixing it with perhaps some stitch witchery. (OK- so I can't sew- but if you can, I guess you can use a sewing machine- Tamlynn- you can do that, the rest of us will iron on the fabric with some stitch witchery :)- And there you have it, a super affordable, Roman Shade.