I Didn't Start The Fire (he did)

About this time last year, the hubs and I were at his family reunion.  When the sun set, the party moved to the back of his parents farm for a bonfire.  This was definitely not your run-of-the-mill fire.  My father-in-law set aside a massive pile of brush and hubs didn’t hesitate to torch it.  Being the city girl that I am, I was pretty concerned that Smoky the Bear might show up and haul us off for setting the whole county on fire.  But despite me having Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” stuck in my head for the next couple days, everything ended up being just fine and everyone enjoyed watching the flames dance throughout the night.

Since the weather has turned a little crisper and the leaves are starting to change here in KY, I have found myself wanting to sit in front of a fire.  Our home does not have a fireplace, so periodically we will switch on the TV and go to the Insight channel that provides an image of moving flames and the crackling noise you would hear from a real fire.  I know it’s not nearly the same thing, but it feels pretty close when I curl up on the couch and read.

Beyond warmth, I think we can get so much benefit out of fireplaces.  Their mantles provide the perfect spot to display prized possessions.  At Christmas, our stocking can be hung there awaiting Santa’s goodies.  A raised hearth provides a stage for the child in your family who loves to entertain.  (I speak from experience on that one.  As a child would always stand on the hearth to sing and dance for my aunts, uncles and grandparents.)  If your fireplace doesn’t work or you choose not to operate it, you have the opportunity to fill it will beautiful decor (like this photo I found on Pinterest).  The pumpkins spilling out create the perfect Fall ambience!  

Whether it houses a fire on a chilly night, your family portrait or your seasonal decor, be creative with enjoying your fireplace and all that it offers. 

Don't want to go under the knife?

I'm not a huge fan of Halloween.  Haunted Houses frighten me so badly that I refuse to go in them.  I am uncomfortable around people wearing masks because I can't tell who is really behind them.  I am pretty sure all of these fears were birthed from watching far too many scary movies in my adolescence.  Despite my hatred for being scared, I do enjoy one element of Halloween: decorating pumpkins. 

Carving pumpkins can be a chore. Cleaning out all the seeds and pulp creates a huge mess.  Then there is the danger of slicing a finger with the carving tools.  A great alternative to carving is painting.  Pumpkins make a create canvas for kids to paint.  It's an activity that everyone can enjoy and it showcases your creative side. 

I started painting pumpkins for my nieces when they were too little to enjoy the ritual of carving.  I would paint their favorite cartoon character on a pumpkin that was just their size.  One year it was Minnie Mouse and Cookie Monster, another year it was the UK Wildcat mascot Scratch.  This year I am planning to paint portraits of their favorite Disney princesses.

If you aren't as artistically inclined, don't worry.  You can do simple designs that will bring just as much joy to you & your child. Polka Dots are fun.  Painting your daughter's monogram in bright green will make your front porch uber chic.  Your son would love a fire truck sprawled across the orange sphere!  Or stick with the tried & true jack-o-lantern face painted-on instead of hollowed-out.  If you aren't comfortable painting free-handed, stencils can be very helpful.

Happy pumpkin painting!

Vintage Vantage Point

I’m Liz and I’m a Madmen-aholic.  It’s true.  I love some Roger Sterling and Don Draper.  Better yet, I love eyeing the set design for the show.  Set in the 60’s- one of my favorite eras for fashion and furniture- the homes and offices used for the show are so eye-catching.  Sleek, low-profiled sofas.  Sprinkling in metal and glass furniture to modernize a room.  Clean lines and silhouettes.

I think this period is my favorite because everything fit well.  We weren’t wearing baggy clothes OR bustles under our skirts.  A woman’s feet would touch the floor when she sat in a chair, as opposed to the overstuffed and incredibly deep seats abundantly available now.  Tailoring is classic and beautiful and the 60s were full of tailored pieces.  Here are a few things from that decade that I find inspiring:

Portrait Collars

Streamlined furniture

Picture Windows

Tiny Houses

I was unfamiliar with the tiny house concept until a couple weeks ago. Per the usual, I was on my sofa watching HGTV’s Design Star and the challenge was to decorate a tiny house.   When I saw one for the first time, it reminded me of my nieces’ playhouse.  Au contraire!  With fully functioning kitchen & baths, these houses can fit full grown adults and all their essentials.  Notice, I said essentials.  The whole concept of these tiny houses, built by Jay Shafer, is that everything has multiple purposes.  With limited room (from 60 to 600 square feet) you have to seriously maximize your space. 

This idea really intrigued me.  Just a few days ago I wrote a blog post devoted to pieces that are overflowing with function.  Things that pull double duty.  Now this episode airs all about getting the most out of your small space.  I loved it!  In fact, I loved it so much that I told my husband if anything ever happened to him the dog and I would live in a tiny house.  His reaction was one of concern.  I seemed to like these houses just a little too much and he wondered if he should fear for his safety.  Once I alleviated those fears, all was well. 

But seriously, what a unique concept in a time where bigger is always better and we feel the “need” to have so much.  I really love the overall message derived from these houses- slow down, live within your means, and less is more.  Sometimes my most rewarding projects for clients are the ones that are limited in space and creativity has a huge role in how to make them function well. 

Click here for more info on Tiny Houses.  There is a wealth of information and seminars available to educate people on these homes.

Black & White

It's black. It's white.  As I am typing, I am humming Michael Jackson's hit  (As mentioned in previous posts, everything to me related to a song).  I'm sure that you are glad this is a text post and not a video!

Enough about music, I really want to talk about the trend of using black & white in home decor.  These colors have been strong in the fashion world for the past couple seasons and now are making a big splash into the home scene.  Everything from checkerboard tile floors to mod bedding to luxurious throw pillows. 

Some people are jumping into the trend and re-doing entire rooms to reflect their love for black & white.  If you aren't so sure, start off slow.  Introduce black and white in small ways.  Ceramic accessories in these solid colors lend an air of sophistication to a bookcase.  Are you afraid of being void of color? Choose a gorgeous wall color like turquoise, use all black and white patterned fabrics in the space and top it all off with a punch of yellow in the throw pillows and accessories.  Be careful not to overdo the yellow, or it will lose it's impact.

Don't forget about Christmas decorating with these colors!  White has always been a favorite for the feel of fresh fallen snow that it provides.  Pairing black and a dash of silver with it takes the decor to a Chanel level.  Very chic, classy and beautiful.

Stretching the Dollar to Cover Your Windows

We all want unique items.  There is something about having what no one else does that makes us proud.  But sometimes lack of time and money get in the way of us having one-of-a-kind pieces.  When it comes to window treatments like draperies there IS a way to have the best of both worlds.  Store- bought window treatments can be dressed up to appear as if they were custom made.  Adding trims with beads, baubles or tassels instantly allow the panels to appear expensive.  Another embellishment option that gives a more streamlined look is adding a band of fabric along the edge of the treatment. 

Don't forget about the hardware.  My advice to my clients is to always splurge on a rod with a larger diameter (1.5- 3 inches). Steer clear of the thin half-inch metal poles that look as though they will snap if you stare at them too long.  Finials add a sophisticated element that enhances the decor of the room. You want a finial to have some weight to it so it looks sturdy and correctly proportioned to the size of the rod.

A popular look for hardware right now is to use a pair of shorter rods instead of one long one.  This can only be done if the panels are not functional (meaning they do not open and close).  I refer to non-functional panels as "dummy panels".  You hang these drapes on either side of the window, each with its own rod.  The appeal to this method is that you aren't staring at a rod that sprawls the width of the window.  Instead your eye can focus on the beautiful draperies that flank the window casing. 

Happy window dressing!

Hidden Potential

I am always on a quest to re-purpose things.  If an item has multiple uses, you can bet that I will buy it.  I'm not sure where my affinity for function is rooted, but it's rooted deep!  That's why I had to share my top three favorite pieces that are off the charts in both beauty & function!

1.  Cocktail table seating.  A storage ottoman that also serves as a bench seat during parties.  A round glass-topped table with four seats tucked below.  Either option makes a room that is short on space more useable.  I have implemented these options for clients who regularly hosted friends and needed additional seating.  The dual purpose makes me giddy!

2. Trundle Beds.  I know bigger is considered better nowadays.  But I still love twin beds, especially daybeds!  They are perfect solutions for kids or small guest rooms.  Storing a trundle underneath affords you the option of allowing the kid's friends over for slumber parties or creating a double bed when your out-of-town friends come for the weekend.

3. Serving Platters.  Pewter, ceramic, wood or glass trays have a million uses.  Of course, they come in handy for displaying yummy appetizers at parties.  But their function goes so much farther than that.  Platters can be used to adorn the top of your kitchen cabinets or dining room hutch.  They can be placed on your coffee table to serve as a gathering place for the remotes or magazines.  Resting on top of your bedroom dresser, a tray can be the gathering place for loose change, your wallet and car keys. 

If you are tight on space or a neat freak (like me!), these three pieces can completely change your space!