Decorating Your Dining Table for the Holidays!

There is no question that as soon as November 1st come, our stress level goes up - knowing that Thanksgiving is only three weeks away and then the realization the Christmas is just eight. I feel my heart starts to race just typing it.

Many of us have holiday parties and do a bit more entertaining around this time of year, setting the table has been burned into our heads since we were little kids. If you are anything like me your table has to look as if Martha was over and did the decorating for you, but who can afford to decorate like Martha and not only that who has the time!
I have a few time savers and budget friendly ideas to share and a couple links to some great ideas.

Center piece

So....
 Decorating that table -
Layer on the goodness - start with an inexpensive table cloth and dress is up with ribbon stretch from one side to the other. Secure it to the cloth with double sided tape.
Use inexpensive napkins in a couple colors, overlap them down the center of the table ( no sew!)
One of my favorite ideas is using burlap as a runner. Table runners can put a whole in your wallet, using burlap, ribbon and beads you can design your very own runner. This one will take a little bit more time but just think of all the compliments you will get.  Attach the ribbon along the edges with sewing tape or hot glue. weave beads into the fibers with jewelry wire.
 Next layer -
The reality is that most of us do not have extra sets of dishes around and glassware. My thought is go ahead and ask a friend if you can borrow from them. Worried about mixing and matching sets? Stop worrying! It makes it more personal and play it off as intentional.
Add a little sparkle to your glassware, using beads and jewelry wire string up some fun and wrap around the stem of wine glasses.
I love the look of chargers under your main dishes. They add a little formality and elegance. You can purchase chargers at the Christmas Tree Shop for a minimal cost.
 My biggest challenge used to be the centerpiece. Keep it simple and remember that Mother Nature is your friend! Get inspiration from what is right outside your home. Gather pine clippings, berries, and lay them down the center of the table. Using candles with nuts is a very easy decoration.

Simple table cloth with burlap as a runner. Layering plates with green glass and simple white plates.

Here is a great link to Fresh Home Magazine with a great table idea that can be changed with the holidays.

http://www.freshhomeideas.com/diy-projects/holiday-projects/how-to-set-the-table-for-the-holidays

Be creative with recycled materials and create a one of a kind table display.

glass plates with cylinders - wrapped with ribbon enhanced with a pine cone

fresh flowers with tall vases filled with faux pumpkins - switch it up for Christmas with cranberries or pears

Different shaped containers - using candles and nuts with fresh greens

Food jars wrapped with twine, lace, different ribbons. Line these up the center of the table. Use a bright colored
fabric as a runner to show off the jars.

Happy Almost Holidays! and Happy Decorating!

Please share with your friends and let me know what you think!

Lighting Your Life - A Few Tips to Think About When Adding Light to Your Home

Want a complete design? Additional lighting can make all the difference in the world. Your interior environment needs different types of lighting to be able to provide the proper lighting for  each person.
Lighting and lighting controls provide us with the flexibility to adjust and adapt the mood and ambiance of our spaces.  Lighting  adds beauty and drama to any room. Lighting is a great way to make a small room look bigger, more inviting and comfortable.
I think of lighting as an accessory - one of the most important accessories in your home, with so many different shapes, sizes, colors, options the possibilities are endless.
Any design budget can use lighting to make the biggest and smallest changes to a room.

The first thing to think about when adding additional lighting to your space is to determine your needs. Lighting should be planned to complement your life style. It is best to develop a lighting design plan that meets individual needs as well as those of your family.

When planning your lighting:
 * identify the activities that happen in each of the spaces. ( reading, cooking, laundry, homework, paying bills, etc.).
 * identify the decorative elements you would like to emphasize ( great way to show off architectural details in a home)
 * identify the mood or ambiance that you want to create
 * when remodeling, it is important to note the details of the remodel, knowing where existing lighting is and if you are willing to add more. (construction )
 * keep in mind that dark colors absorb much more light than lighter colors, be sure to provide supplementary light in spaces with dark wall colors and finishes.
 * identify areas that serve more than one purpose, these spaces may require more than one type of lighting.

 A few basics in the world of lighting:
 Ambient light
 Task
 Accent
Each room should have all 3 types of lighting - this way you can use the room for multiple purposes and be able to change the lighting for your needs.

Ambient lighting is your overall illumination also called general lighting. Generally the light is provided using chandeliers, ceiling or wall mounted fixtures, recessed or track lighting.
Task lighting is the light that helps your perform as specific task, such as reading, grooming, cooking, playing games, etc. This lighting is typically in the form of recessed and track lighting, pendants, under cabinet lighting, portable floor or desk lamp. Important note about task lighting: should be free of distracting glare, shadow and should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain.
Accent lighting is the lighting that adds the drama and creates visual interest. As interior design scheme using accent lighting to up light indoor plants, paintings, sculptures, stone walls, architectural details. Accent lighting needs to be 3 times brighter than the general lighting around it to be effective. Accent lighting is usually provided by recessed, track or wall mounted fixtures. (picture lights).


Here are a few photos from designs that I have done with great lighting plan:

this kitchen also has under cabinet lighting!

In the burlap is white Christmas lights to use as accent lighting

Happy Designing!

Sustainable Design - Going Green and I'm Not Talking Color

Last week I was so excited to spend the day in Boston at the Design Center; one workshop that I was attending was about Sustainable Kitchen and Bath Design. Although it is everything that I already knew, it made me realize a little blog on "being green" would be a great idea.
Small changes that you can make in your home can benefit you in many ways.
By making little changes in your home you: Save money! Help air quality! Increase value in your home!and help the environment.
What things can you do you ask?
   * Change out faucets - having a good quality low water use faucet will decrease the water flow as well as add new aesthetically pleasing look. This is an area that you do not want to go cheap. The faucets in your home are a highly used object and they get a lot of attention.
   * New low flow toilet! it uses less water so it will decrease the water bill as well as help out the environment. The designs have improved over the last few years and flushing is not an issue. The designs of the bowls have also improved so you can get a very stylish and functional toilet.
  * Update your appliances - this is a big one for many homes, the cost can be significant but the payoff is great. Energy star rated appliances are the way to go. This includes your clothes washer and dryer as well. An inefficient refrigerator can cost you money - having a new one that runs better and keeps your food longer and colder is beneficial for your grocery budget as well as your electric budget.
  * Light bulbs! Change them out.
  * It can be expensive but make sure that your windows are efficient. Why waste money and let all your heat or cool air just go right out them. It is a waste of money and energy.The cost upfront can be big but the savings will be worth it.
  * Digital thermostats - set it an forget it! When your not home who needs the heat to be toasty warm, save the energy for when you are. Set the timer to have your heat come on about 20 minutes before you come home and you will be nice and warm and not feeling guilty for wasting heat on the dust bunnies.
  * Water heaters - there are many different options for them - visit your local store and ask lots of questions to learn all about them.
  * Add plants to your home - they add contrast to a room but help with the air quality.
  * When painting use low or no VOC paints! helps to keep the air clean and there is no chemical smells

There are just a few ideas to get you going - it is the little things that will help make a big difference.

Happy Designing

The World of Whimsical

Being whimsy is like thinking outside the box - doing something in your home that will make guests stop and take a second look or start a conversation!
Depending on how whimsy you want to be, will depend how far outside the box you go. Something as simple as a crazy throw pillow could be just enough for you - check out some of these pillows!

bold and adds movement - mix with a few solid or striped teal and you have a show stopper

geometric shapes are always an easy way to go outside the box and test
 yourself with how daring in design you want to be.

I love this latest trend that I have been seeing - taking the bookshelf to a new level:

A great DIY project.

 







Even on the most recent HGTV design Star the winner created a bookshelf using wood for sides and books for the shelves. A great conversation starter.

Adding bits of  uncommon items in your home reflects who you are as a person. Keeping your large furnishing to a neutral is important in my opinion when you want to play on the edge with some design ideas. For a sitting area you have a couple options as to where you can add your whimsical charm.

Area rug! go crazy make it a piece of artwork on the floor! Have one upholstered piece in a real crazy print or in a solid bright color.

Great area rug - with lots of motion and color

This area rug is just unique - think about the angles and shapes you have in your room,
and add something a little different to the mix

Count the many whimsical pieces! Love the blue chairs! and the very purple one.
(photo from Rachael Reider)

I worked with a client a few months back and we wanted to take his paint colors to the next level - we put a raspberry colored wall as an accent against and appletini colored wall! This really spoke to his outgoing personality.

The different colors helped to create architectural details and lines to a rather standard layout.

 Other quick ideas to add a little whimsy to your home:

    * add beads to lamp shades with a little hot glue

    * take plain curtain panels from the store and add silk flowers and beads to give you a custom look

    * paint your floor (unless you will get in trouble from a landlord)

    * paint your ceiling!

    * wallpaper the back of bookshelves

    * add vinyl wall designs to your oh so plain jane walls

Most important is to have fun when decorating your home - and as I always say - its about you ! so design your home for you!

Happy Designing!