This is an ad for Thomasville furniture (it's a Darryl Carter chair). Not only is the ad beautiful — the contrast of black and white and the curve of the chair with the type "tucked" into it, but, its message is right on!
How many times do I strongly suggest that you use pieces where they work, where they best suit your needs vs. where they are intended to be used? Wing back chair stuffy? Not always. Mix it up!
I just returned from a fantastic vacation with my extended family to Fripp Island, SC. My sister and I took our mom on a horse drawn carriage tour of historic Beaufort, about 18 miles down the road from Fripp.
was looking forward to the visit to Beaufort as it has been one of those places I've been seeing featured in Southern Living, Country Home and Country Living magazines for the past many years AND Money magazine recently named it one of the top 5 or 6 cities in the country to retire.
Recently Diana Hudson reminded me it was also the site of the 1998 HGTV dream home, and she had discovered that the former dream home was on the market and could be fetched for a pretty darn good price sans its original furniture and home decor.
The house pictured above is not the former dream home, but it is a gorgeous old home that is typical of the homes spotted in historic downtown Beaufort. Travelling through this city gave me an appreciation for the old South. It's as though the town is "frozen" in a time of grace and beauty, where life was enjoyed at a slower pace, at least until the Civil War changed everything. Yet Beaufort has stood the test of time and has seemingly come full circle. Something about it invites you to slow down and take in the beautiful marshes across the Beaufort River, and look upward to the Spanish moss swaying in the trees.
As decorators, we often strive to create this same sense of classic, timeless design as portrayed everywhere in a city like Beaufort. And then you go there and it is just an effortless and natural thing.
It makes me think that some things just cannot be "done" again.
Beth Batke
www.finaltouchesredesign.com
Where does the time go? Another year half over and here we are again celebrating our country's Independence Day. Red, White and Blue dot the country as people use the U.S. Flag to decorate their homes and businesses for the holiday. We've all used the flag from time to time in our decorating projects, especially for the 4th.
But, did you know that using the flag for decorative purposes is actually regulated by Federal Law?
The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the United States. There is no penalty for failure to comply with it and it is not widely enforced — indeed, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that punitive enforcement would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
As a decorator, I found these particular rules interesting:
Following my huemor me: blue blog posting I started looking around for all things blue for the home. First up, lamps!
Since adding a color to your room doesn't always mean painting I thought I'd gather a few blue lamps for you to meet. Every room, no matter what color, needs light. These just happen to be bright and beautiful.
Looking to add lamps to one of you rooms? Select a coordinating pair, or select one bold choice and let is shine among other, more neutral choices. No matter what, start with function and make sure you are lighting up all of the spaces in your rooms.
When I'm meeting with a client and we're discussing color during a remodel, I get asked, "What texture should I use?" So, I thought I'd share some popular wall textures with you. I know in some areas of the country, no texture is used. In the areas I serve, textures are very popular. By no means is this list exhaustiv, but here we go!
French Lace or Spanish Lace
This texture is said to be popular in Florida. Got any Floridians out there? Let me know if you agree! This is a hand texture and this application - hand application - seems to be the thing to do. Depending on your preference, this can be applied to give a light to heavy finish.
Santa Fe
This is another hand applied texture that is popular in the southwest. It's a heavy texture, so it covers all your blemishes! Definitely a plus!
Splatter
This application requires the drywall compound to be first sprayed onto the drywall in varying thicknesses depending on the nozzle on the sprayer. Then, a hand trowel is used to flatten out some "blobs" to create flat areas. Like my technical terms?!
A splatter technique, Orange Peel, is a common application in my area. Often times, this is applied to the ceiling with an accompanied hand trowel technique applied to the walls. It's coined orange peel because once on the wall, it looks like....well, an orange peel. Go figure!
Knockdown or Skip Trowel or Splatter Drag
This is applied like orange peel but with a larger nozzle opening - to create larger "blobs" of drywall compound. This is a slower application, so something to consider when planning your project. This can be applied light to heavy as well. As a rule, the heavier the texture is the more paint it will take to cover the wall or ceiling. Also, the lighter the application is the more subtle the effect will be. If a subtler effect is desired, a glaze can be applied to highlight the groves in the texture to give the wall some dimension.
Whatever you do, please NO Popcorn texture! I am an unofficial member of the PAPT (people against popcorn texture) group. HA!
Also, as I was researching, I found that the names and application varies depending on who you are talking to but I hope this information helps you when communicating to your clients or painters. Happy texturing! As always, tell me what you think!
A recent listing I staged was in need of artwork. I needed a piece for the living room. Canvases are great stock pieces for my staging and seasonal decor business. I have used this piece on multiple occasions. Here, I covered it with a shower curtain I found at Dollar General for $10. I used my staple gun to attach it to the canvas...Voila! Instant artwork!
The same canvas was used over a client's mantle as artwork for her seasonal decor. I used coordinating wrapping paper that was also used on her "faux" presents. It made for a great focal wall! I know it's early to be thinking about seasonal decor, but my Hobby Lobby has Christmas stuff out! What are some ways you've improvised with your artwork? I would love to hear about your creative ideas!
then suspended at different elevations. Don't worry If you don't have trees. This idea will work by hanging the Lanterns or Votives from an outdoor structure such as the metal skeleton of an outdoor canopy.
"Wreaths aren't just for the doors". Consider propping up the Wreath and using it as a Centerpiece.
While we are in the "Spirit", consider having a Chocolate Fondue station. Your guests can dip Red Strawberries, White-Pound cake and Big Black-Berries, (look navy blue). You could have three pots. One with Red Chocolate, One Blue and One White. You can find colored chocolate disks for melting at a Candy & Cake supply store or even Michael's craft stores.
Blue is a widely loved color and it's easy to see why! It reminds us of a clear blue sky and ocean waters. It's patriotic and tough, solid and classic or soft and soothing. Like most colors, I believe there's a blue for everyone...it's just a matter of finding your best blue. Time to get our of your box when it comes to blue and see what the hue has to offer!
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