Displaying Holiday Cards

Ok...when did it become only 19 days until Christmas? I better getting working on the Christmas posts PRONTO!!!

One thing I find people always seem to struggle with is how to display all of the Christmas cards they receive. Here are a few of my favorite ideas...

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS-DEC 2005

MARTHA STEWART

HOUSE & HOME

CENTSATIONAL GIRL

LIFE HACKER-RICK BROIDA

Even though this is a photo wall, this idea could easily be converted for use with Xmas cards. You could even adhere patterend papers to to the wood to give it more of a Christmasy feel.

PIER 1

Or if the above option is too much DIY for your blood...I'd buy a couple of these and call it a day!

What Hotel Do You Stay At?

My most recent work in progress is a Guest Bedroom. I've been working with my client for some time now and we seem to be on the same page with everything for the most part. When I asked him what he wanted for the room he said "He wanted it to feel like a hotel." At first I was really excited and then as my emotions simmered down I thought "what sort of hotel?" There were so many directions I could go with this and I started to get worried that maybe my vision would have been different than his. I basically took the approach that it has to lend itself to both a masculine and feminine feel and I wanted the guest to feel really good when they stayed there. It is a small room so I want to paint the walls white (quite opposite of what I normally do) and then the furnishings and accessories can bring in the warmth and contrast. I'm calling this Modern Elegance with a light Rustic twist! When I emailed him over the proposal I jokingly said "Let me know if we aren't staying at the same hotel". When he replied back he said "We are definitely staying at the same hotel!"

So everything is now ordered and I can't wait to see this room come to life!

In The Works-Santana Row Client

I was so excited when I was brought on to a commercial project on Santana Row to help with the overall style, colors and look of the store. My clients wanted a vintage look but I nudged them in the way of doing it with a more modern edge. I checked in recently to view the progress and was so excited to see how the wallpaper had turned out. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see the beautiful black and copper colored medallion pattern I specified for the fitting rooms. It was being installed at the time but, the completed areas looked fantastic and I knew I had done my job well!
A black with bronze, large scaled scroll with a gold and taupe narrow stripe paired well together in the main areas of the store. The stripe, although subtle, has some shimmer to it and it's a nice surprise as you get up close to it. The background of the medallion pattern also had a narrow stripe which was great in creating flow between the two areas. I can't take credit for those spectacular vintage sewing machines that will be displayed up on the wall. Those were already decided upon when I started my design work. I hadn't seen them before this day but I had LOVED the idea all along.

More to come of this fabulous project!

Game On!

I thought I'd share a design board of a video game room I'm currently working on. And yes...you heard that right. An ENTIRE room devoted to video games. Men everywhere will be jealous and women...will be cursing me for now putting the idea into their heads. I'll go into more detail when I post pics of the final product but I will tell you that the main requirement for this room was "Fun."

Creepy Class

Now this, is how you can add some Halloween decor to your home in a more subtle way. Just a hint of creepiness is all you need to get in the spirit of things. Vintage apothecary jars, white skulls and the funky floral arrangement bring on the creep while damask covered pillar candles bring back some of the class.

Better Homes & Gardens-Halloween Issue Oct 2010

How to Use Orange

I LOVE the color orange, always have...always will. I find people either love it or hate and many have apprehensions about using it in their homes. I've searched for some examples on how you can use orange without HAUNTING your home!

I think what makes the orange work so well in all of these rooms is that it was used strategically only as accents instead of having it overwhelm the spaces. Can you also see how much gray was used with orange? It is such a beautiful combination and has become one of my new favorites! You could easily add some blue as a third layer of color if you're really bold.

Ron Marvin

Martha Stewart Living~Oct 2003

Heather Garrett Design

Unknown Designer-Photo courtesy Decor Pad

Photo Courtesy~Blue Label Bungalow

Lonny Mag Jun/Jul 2010, Designer Lee Kleinhelter

Lonny Mag Feb/Mar 2010~ Designer Betsy Burnham

Nail In The Coffin

This sure puts a new spin on "A Nail in the Coffin" doesn't it?!?! Besides the fact that it makes one of the most unique platforms for a buffet I've ever seen, the nailhead detail on the coffin...I love it! This party as well as instructions how to make this coffin yourself can be found on pg 82 of the current issue of Halloween (Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Oct 2010)