Down in the Decorating Dumps? 3 Ways to Brighten the Mood!

For most of the world, winter has arrived in full force. Here in the Northeast, we are experiencing cloudy, sun-less days that are short, wet, and dreary. If you're like me, you may also be experiencing some dreariness indoors, too!

Here a 3 ways to get your spaces out of the "decorating dumps":

1. Get New Shades! Take a look at your lamp shades. If they're a bit too dusty or dingy to be revived, consider purchasing some new ones. I have two lamps in my living room that have dark, leather-look shades and I'm excited to swap them out for white drum shades. It will brighten the room considerably and won't break the bank!

Source: dear lillie via Pinterest

2. Brighten Up! Winter is a great time to accomplish indoor chores. One great way to brighten your space is to freshen up your painted walls, doors, and trim. Whether its just a quick coat of white over white or a completely new color, paint is a cost effective and easy way to lighten and brighten your home.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Pinterest

3. Smell the Flowers! Especially during the winter months, fresh flowers do wonders for a room. Flowers add beautiful, bright color and lovely fragrance to any space. So bring a little Spring into your home with a lovely bouquet, just because.

Reviving the Conversation Pit

Bell-bottoms, feathers, fringe, bright wallpaper are some 70s trends that have reappeared on the style scene in recent years. And now I'm considering reviving yet another forgotten fad: the Conversation Pit.

Source: interiordesign.net

Source: klad.com

Source: openbuildings.com

Source: bry-backmanor.org

I have a small/den office area that is currently being used as storage for excess inventory for my shop and gallery. I was originally going to make this a boring office space, but I was inspired by a quick flash of a conversation pit room in the opening credits of the TV show, "Selling L.A." (Don't blink or you'll miss it!) The idea of a cozy, comfy retreat with built-in couches around the entire perimeter covered in cushions and pillows.... *love*!

*MyEH Tip: Take Control! Don't let the room dictate its use ("office" "den" "family room"). Instead, allow your lifestyle - or your desired lifestyle - to influence decor and function. For example, my "office" space could have been set up as a couple of desks and some shelving, but because I'm on my laptop 99% of the time I'm working, I'm designing a fun, retro, lounge area as an alternative. Think outside the box!

Haven't told the hubby yet. There are a few "major construction" elements that need to occur in that space first before I can start to work my design magic, like closing off an "extra" doorway to the master bathroom, and maybe even closing off an exterior doorway to the deck (there are already two others).

Here's a BEFORE image (total disarray :( )

AFTER pictures - if I can convince Orion ;) - will be posted in the future.

What do you think? Is the Conversation Pit worthy of reviving in today's spaces?

Cuckoo for Cardigans

While some may be cuckoo for cocoa-puffs, I am a little nutty when it comes to cardigans. I recently took a tally, and let's just say I have more than 20 but less than 100. :)

Source: Pinterest; imgfave.com

Source: Pinterest: nevernotknitting.blogspot.com

Source: Pinterest; chictopia.com

Source: Pinterest; hm.com

Source: Pinterest; griffithsrated.blogspot.com

 

I decided to explore Pinterest (*love*) for some ideas on how to incorporate my love of the cozy, knitted, soft, warm wardrobe staple into my home decorating. I found these wonderful and creative ways to style my home while giving homage to my love (aka "addiction") to cardigans. Which is your favorite? (I think I love the ottoman best!)

*MyEH Tip: If you go through separation anxiety when it comes time to sort and simplify your things, consider re-purposing special items, like a favorite old sweater re-purposed as a pillow or tea cozy! But make sure it will be something practical and useful, otherwise donating is the best option.

Have a cozy Friday!

Source: frenchbydesign.blogspot.com

Source: Pinterest; countryliving.com

Source: Pinterest; lunareeceart.blogspot.com

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest; thedesignfiles.net

Source: Pinterest; theberry.com

Source: Pinterest; designsponge.com

Can't Commit to Modern? Don't!

Sandwiched between advertisements for sleek, Italian leather sofas and minimalist, modular housing options is the article, "Arch Support," in the February 2012 issue of Dwell Magazine. While I've always admired ultra modern design, I've never been able to fully commit to it. I think that's why I loved the article subject so much - it takes my commitment phobia to modern style and creates an almost split design personality. The dwelling is a "crumbling 18th century flat in the middle of Barcelona" which was refurbished by an architect.

Source: Dwell Magazine

She maintained the age and character of the original flat, often preserving faded hand-painted tile and raw stone walls, while adding modern details like a sleek, cow hide chair and sculptural lighting. A perfect eclectible mix of styles, blending original with contemporary in an understated way so as to not distract from the unique history of the building.

*MyEH Tip: Not sure how to mix modern and vintage? Find some images in your favorite decorating book or magazine and recreate the look. They're the PROS - they know what they're doing - and imitation is the best form of flattery!

Source: Dwell Magazine

Maybe it's the dozens of Sunday mornings watching, "This Old House" with Dad, and my dream of converting a barn or school house into a dwelling, but I just LOVE the idea of maintaining the history of a structure while also sprinkling in contemporary touches. When done well, the result is a beautiful, unique living space with a style all it's own!

Feeling Patriotic?

Source: House Beautiful

Of all the color combinations I've considered and ultimately used in my various homes over the years, I've honestly never considered red, white, and blue. Until now. The House Beautiful February 2012 issue, "Jazz It Up" article is a lovely pictorial of bold, bright colors done well. Not at all tacky or off-putting, color is used brilliantly throughout this home.

*MyEH Tip: Not too confident with color? Trying picking a neutral palette as a base and then sprinkle in pops of color in artwork, accent pillows, lamps or draperies. Spread the color around the room to keep the eyes moving.

The Guest Room is my favorite space: gorgeous, deep blue walls, lovely red fabric as an accent against crisp white linens and lamps. Makes me want to stand up and salute!

10 Lessons I Learned from "To Wong Foo"

I took advantage of some alone time this weekend and watched "To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" with Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo as three drag queens on a quirky and crazy cross-country adventure. Classic, hilarious, touching, campy, and worth it just to see Wesley don a two-piece fringe number.

Source: movieposters.com

 Here are some wonderful life lessons I took away from "To Wong Foo:"

1. A girl's gotta have girlfriends
2. All you need is a couple fabric fans, a few shawls, and a kimono to take any room from drab to FAB
3. It's never OK to hit a woman
4. Chivalry is dead
5. A party's not a party without a THEME
6. Always moisturize
7. There's nothing better than someone loving you for YOU
8. Style trumps substance every time 
9. There's always a good reason for a Girl's Day
10. Imagine good things, and then make it happen

Play "Dress Up" with Your Decorating

In my "True Blue" post and latest MyEH Tip, I suggest readers take a cue from the contents of their closet when thinking about how to decorate their homes. Truth is, fashion is fashion, whether for you or for your home, and the shades and style of the items in your closet make you look good and feel good. Try "dressing up" your interior with some of these great style ideas!

Here are some great fashion looks that translate well into home decorating:

CHEVRON CHIC

Source: Betz White: blog.betzwhite.com

Source: Feathers Flights: www.feathersflights.com

BOLD BOTANICALS

Source: fashionframe.com - DVF Spring 2012 Collection

Source: decorica: decorica.blogspot.com

TOTALLY TRIBAL

Source: Harpers Bazaar

Source: TidyStuff.com

 
FRINGE BENEFITS

Source: Harpers Bazaar

Source: Apartment Therapy

True Blue

Source ELLE Decor

According to the Elle Decor Special Issue January/February 2012, trend-spotters predict boring beige and black are on their way out, and navy blue is the new, hot hue in decorating.

 

Source ELLE Decor; dvf.com

Timeless and classic, navy has been in fashion circles for decades and continues to make appearances on today's runways. 

*MyEH Tip: Take a look in your closet for color cues to use when decorating your home. Your wardrobe represents the styles and shades that make you look good and feel good!

Source ELLE Decor

Tried and true, blue is a perfect choice for your next decorating project!

Is your house already TRUE BLUE? Please comment and share your blue hue success stories!

My Mosaic Dream Bathroom

The highlight of 2011 for me and my family was moving into a new home in the beautiful Village of Trumansburg, New York. Sprawling space and an open concept floor plan were welcome changes coming from a dark and damp basement apartment. But the house needed a lot of updating and our first project was the main bathroom which was a light blue nightmare - floor to ceiling light blue: toilet, tub, walls, sink...everything blue!

We decided to keep the layout the same in order to save money, even though it was not optimal. Two of the biggest challenges were scraping up 3 layers of peel-and-stick vinyl tile, and removing the two large double doors opposite the tub/shower unit, which had been used as wheelchair access to the room. Framing in the wall and installing drywall proved to be harder than we thought -  

*MyEH Tip: Hire an expert drywall-er to do the finish work

Mudding and taping is a skill - and this task can eat up a lot of time (and you will eat a lot of dust!) when a pro could whiz through it no problem.

Despite the setbacks with the drywall, I was very excited to tackle the custom tiled shower. We plotted out the design on graph paper, took many measurements, and purchased a great wet tile saw.

We used all off-the-shelf tile from Lowe's, and I believe we attained a wonderful high-end look by combining three different sizes, united by the lovely warm sand palette. 

*MyEH Tip: Don't buy custom! Get a custom look by combining different sized tile in the same color palette.

Our mishaps with the drywall forced me to think up a creative way to cover a large area of wall somehow. So I purchased a three-panel screen from OrientalFurniture.com with a beautiful floral pattern, separated the panels and hung them vertical. OrientalFurniture.com offers dozens of options and sizes, even double-sided screens, too. This is a fantastic way to hide imperfections and make a big statement, even in a small space.

*MyEH Tip: Hide a multitude of sins with a three or four panel screen. Separate the panels and hang vertically or horizontally for more coverage.

I choose a dark mahogany freestanding furniture-style vanity with contrasting crema marfil marble top.

And with extra glass mosaic tile from the shower wall, I transformed a boring basic mirror into a custom jewel!

*MyEH Tip: Shop for mirrors at thrift stores and yard sales for a great deal and customize with paint, tile, shells, buttons, broken pottery