Welcome Home

2008-08-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

"Morning Glory"

A Breakfast Nook Just for You!

Picture a cozy corner or "nook" somewhere in, or off your kitchen that can be a special place of your own just to sit enjoy your morning cup of tea or coffee. Perhaps you have an area in front of a window that needs some prettying up, or some usable space in a pantry room or unused closet that can be turned into such a place. These are some basic and easy ideas that can transform any small area into a charming breakfast nook.

A small round table works well in tight spaces because there are no hard square edges, but you can work with a small square or rectangular one, too. One or two chairs will be all that you need. One for you, and one for a "visitor." Check out local yard sales or second hand stores for a good buy. You can always paint and fix up a "find." You can add a nice seat cushion to customize your look.
An optional area rug always warms up a space and gives you a soft, warm place to put your feet. You can decide if a rug will work with your space and decor.
Don't forget about lighting. Adding a small chandelier or pendant light over the table will really "up" the charm factor and give you some good reading light for your morning devotions.
Keep a special place setting just for you, perhaps a pretty china teacup, saucer, and plate all your own. Pamper yourself with a cloth napkin and even sterling silver utensils, if you like.
Of course, add a simple live or silk flower arrangement to the table to coordinate with your design scheme. Fresh picked flowers from the garden are always lovely and, best of all, they're free!
Keep a little basket on the table of your favorite jams and jellies. I love those little sample-sized assortments!
One or two well-chosen art prints and/or a phrase sign may be used to embellish the walls, which you can paint in your color choice. In a small space, consider a chair rail molding using fresh shade of white on the bottom and a warmer shade on top.
If there is a window, pretty cafe curtains or a simple valance should be all you need.

That's all there is to it! A nook of one's own... what a great way to start the day!

2008-07-28T15:25:00.003-04:00

"Setting the stage for beauty is part of the pleasure of picnicking; not only must the food be delightful, but the display must also be decorous." ~
Victoria Magazine

Those lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us. I am not a big fan of this type of weather myself, but rather, am a seeker of cold, conditioned air wherever I can find it. Never-the-less, one of my favorite summer past times is alfresco, or outdoor dining. There is something so romantically Victorian about it. Just picture a summer lawn party scene from "Anne of Green Gables" or "Emma" and you'll be transported to another place and time. The following is a recipe for a lovely Victorian themed brunch. All you need is your own backyard, good friends, and a table or two to make a wonderful summer memory.

The Invitations ~
Back in the days when good manners and etiquette reigned in even the simplest of events, a lovely hand written invitation was sent out to each guest cordially inviting them to attend this or that affair. Today, we have the ease and convenience of our computer's word processor and printer to make beautifully appointed invitations for any occasion. Using unique papers or card stock and a multitude of font styles, you can make customized and professional looking invitations for a very small cost. Look in any craft store to find something to go along with the garden party theme and use a pretty script font. Choose a time before the warmest part of the day for your brunch, such as 10:30 AM. You may want to request that your guests wear a simple, comfortable outfit that is reminiscent of the day. (“Simple” is the key word!) Hats are always fun, and will protect from the summer sun as well. Make sure you send the invites out early enough to give your guests ample time to arrange their schedules for babysitters, etc. Two or three weeks ahead should be sufficient time.

Setting the Table ~
Find the prettiest spot in your yard, ideally nearby a garden, to set up your table(s). Use the weeks prior to your event to preen and water your garden so it looks its very best on the day of your party. Use clean, white flat sheets as table covers. You can sew on some pretty crochet lace or pom-pom fringe to the edges if you like. Secure the ends with weights to keep the wind from lifting them up. Small assorted seashells sewn onto the end of each corner is a unique Victorian touch. The shells (available in craft stores) sometimes come with small holes already drilled into them. If not, ask hubby to do it for you. It is very easy to do, but you will need a very small drill bit to make the holes without breaking the shells.

If you have a flower garden, cut a large assortment of seasonal blooms and place them in a container to use as a centerpiece. Market flowers are just as pretty and are fairly inexpensive in grocery stores or Sam's Club type outlets. The key to a wonderful arrangement is fullness; so don't skimp on the flowers! Cut glass containers will catch the light beautifully, but you can use anything pretty that will hold water as a flower container. Whether your tastes lean toward china and silver, or more rustic ironware and enameled flatware, do consider setting your table with real dishes for that extra special touch. It will be so much nicer than using paper plates, and sure to be fondly remembered by all who attend. Back in the day, the "good" dishes were brought out to even the humblest of outdoor gatherings. Linen or cotton napkins are always special too.

The Menu ~

White meat chicken salad on bib lettuce
Deviled eggs w/paprika
Cold, sliced cucumbers in lightly sweetened sour cream
Fresh baked corn bread served w/honey
Fresh berries, in season with fresh whipped cream
Lemonade Spritzers w/mint leaf garnish (2 parts sweetened lemonade w/1 part plain seltzer water)

Be sure to have a digital camera on hand to capture the day. You can print out or e-mail each guest a photo to remember the day!

2008-06-17T11:13:00.005-04:00

Summer Redux

According to Wikipedia, redux is from the Latin, meaning to re-do or re-interpret. As the seasons change, I like to re-inspire my home decor to be more in tune with the time of year. There is no law that says we have to live with the same look all year long! I frequently perk up and change the feeling of a room just by making a few small changes here and there. For example, you may change-out (or add) a lighter, more summery area rug to lighten and brighten a living space. I like jute rugs with cotton canvas borders for the summer, creating a patio or beach-like setting. Add a few woven baskets and fill a corner with a tall container filled with beach grass. Add a collection of conch shells or coral to your tabletops to complete the look. You can also change-out your lampshades for crisp white linen, or wicker style shades.

Heavy drapery should be taken down, dry cleaned, and stored for next fall. Wash the windows and sills and replace the drapes with any number of fresh and airy sheers for the summer. I like to use natural muslin, cotton, or linen sheers for a richer look. Recently, I took down my black and cream toile curtains in order to re-paint my dining room and, on my daughter’s advice, I am leaving them down until next fall. The 2" wood blinds with accent tapes are just enough to add both privacy and a good design element to the room

The same holds true for winter bedding. Dry clean and store away 'till next winter. Replace with crisp, 100% cotton sheets, pillowcases, and light-weight blankets. I like to keep a throw blanket on the bed, just in case, for cooler nights or when the AC makes the room a little too chilly. Also, as your decor allows, try adding a "pop" of color to your space using throw pillows and accessories. My favorite fun color to use this year is bright, citron green! I hope these few simple ideas will help to inspire and jumpstart your summer style. Enjoy!

2008-05-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

"Setting a Proper Table"

For as long as I can remember, setting the table for dinner held a special place of propriety in our day-to-day lives. Perhaps it was a fear of slipping into the mediocrity of life in the suburbs coupled with the rules of proper dining bestowed on her by her dear "Gram" (a Scotswoman of great societal tradition), but my mother never allowed the dinner table to be set any way other than what was considered "proper." By that I mean that the dinner plates were placed neatly at each setting, forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right, and placed on top of neatly folded napkins. Drinking glasses were placed just slightly above and to the right of the plates. Cooking pots were NEVER allowed on the table. Each main and side dish had its own matching serving dish.

I remember distinctly our dinnerware being a deep blue, Currier & Ives pattern of scenes depicting early American life. As a child, I was not particularly enamored with our dinnerware, though I found it interesting to look at. How I wish we still had it today! There were other hard and fast rules, such as, no elbows on the table, no eating with ones fingers, or reaching across the table for something, often resulting in a slight jab to the hand with the tip of my mothers fork. Harmless, but to the point. We learned early on the importance of these particular rules of etiquette as they pertained to our little family, and quickly adapted. There is something sweetly correct in living life with the simplest rules of civility, but which seem to have become somewhat obsolete and lost in the chaotic pace of twenty-first century life. I am glad my mother instilled these things in us, and I have taken them with me into adulthood and parenting. Along the way, I have infused some of my own aesthetic touches to setting my dinner table, such as always having a fresh or pretty silk flower centerpiece on the table. I like to light candles during the simplest of meals, and use real linen napkins at least a couple of times a week. I am happy to say that my married daughter also sets a beautiful table, and although my son is only fourteen, I hope someday he will find the perfect girl who will set his table with such love and tradition. Thanks, Ma.

2008-04-30T22:52:00.002-04:00

Spring Cleanup
April... time for Spring-cleaning and to take stock and inventory of all the stuff we've accumulated throughout the year. Time to decide what to keep, what actually enhances our lives, and what clutters up our lives bringing us stress unawares. The benefit to de-cluttering, aside from the obvious, is that it reduces a stronghold of stress. Let's face it ladies, we are (most of us) by nature, savers and keepers. I mean you just never know when you are going to need that fourth throw blanket you bought on sale for the living room couch, and because you paid good money for the other three, you keep them all out on display. Some "casually" cascading over the arms of the chairs, others folded over the top of the sofa, ala' granny style. These are the kinds of things that before we know it take over our homes and lives. Clutter equals confusion, and must be dealt with.

Less is More
One of the first things that a home stager does for those trying to sell their home is to ask the homeowner to remove a good portion of their furniture and accessories. Only then can the real decorating that will show a home to its best advantage begin. This is the first principle of interior decorating, "less is more". In other words, what is not there is as important as what is there. When decorating your home, consider that a single item displayed on a bookcase or counter top can make more of an impact than 3 or 4 items that are all bunched together. The reason is because it's difficult for the eye to focus on more than one time at once. What often happens is the eye simply slides across multiple items without actually seeing any one of them. There is a reason why art galleries choose to display a single work of art on a wall. It allows the viewer to fully assess and appreciate the value and beauty of the piece without distraction. I'm not saying your home should look like an art gallery, but you get the point.

Become a Clutter Critic
It is possible to train your eye to recognize clutter and it's confusing and debilitating affects. The next time you visit a shopping mall look at the window displays. What catches your eye? Which windows look most elegant? Which look overstuffed, or gaudy? You can apply the same test to magazines at the newsstands. I always go for the issue with the most understated and elegant cover design, and shun the ones that are screaming twenty-five different decorating concepts jammed onto one cover. Your natural eye should be able to tell you which is most appealing. Soon you'll be able to apply the less is more principle to your own decorating.

Ready, Willing, and Able
So, you would really like to declutter your space and create a more simple, calming atmosphere in your home. Sometimes all that needs to be done in order improve the appearance of a room is to simply rearrange things so that the best items you own are showcased and displayed to their best advantage. This may mean storing, selling, or giving away some things. Start by picking a small "catch-all" area of your home and collect everything in a box or basket. Sort through it and throw out anything that is outdated or unnecessary. Separate what you love from what you are just hanging on to. You need to get rid of things that have no particular reason for being there and toss them. If there are a lot of sentimentally valued items, put them in a box. Label and store them in the basement or attic. One day you will find them again and be able to reminisce over them, but for now, they do not need to be taking up valuable living space. Use pretty wicker storage baskets for keeping things tidy and out of sight. I like to use the same shape and size baskets for a neater, more uniform appearance. Another thing that tends to clutter a home are houseplants. I think greenery, whether silk or live, can certainly make a beautiful statement in a room. They should be used sparingly though, as accents, not overpowering a room. Unless it's a solarium, one or two per room is sufficient.

I hope this helps you as you get on with your spring-cleaning and de-cluttering projects. Please send any questions or comments you have regarding your interior decorating projects. I will be happy to read and answer them promptly and look forward to hearing from you!

2008-02-26T11:47:00.000-05:00

Romantic Style Decorating

The following is a list of some of my favorite ways to add a romantic touch to your decorating. By romantic, I mean the pretty, soft touches that add warmth and comfort to a home. They need not be overwhelming, but rather a touch here and there that tell family and friends that they are "welcome." It need not even be every day, but often enough to tell them they are special!

Set the table with the "good" dishes on a week night
Lower the lights and light candles at dinner
Use freshly laundered and pressed linen napkins instead of paper
Place a container of fresh flowers in the kitchen, entryway or where ever the "hub" of your home is
Use soft blanket throws on your couch and chairs that you can change out with the seasons
Fill throw pillows with feather down inserts (Trust me. It makes a difference!)
Use scented candles for fragrance and a warm glow
Use "special" soaps for everyday, such as lavender, for aromatherapy
Hang decorative mirrors in unexpected places
Install dimmer switches to add a soft glow of light in every room
Use area rugs to "pretty up" and add personality to a space
Play soft background music instead of listening to TV "noise"

2008-01-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

Recently, I read an article on why certain award winning spaces were so chosen. I gleaned some important pointers and mixed in some of my own decorating views to share with you. While the goal may not be award winning decor in 2008, we can always take a step up in decorating the most important space of all... our homes, for the most important people of all... our family and friends.

Adding personality

While a showroom full of furniture and excellent decorating may look beautiful, our homes should reflect the individual personalities of those living there everyday. A problem can also arise from an injection of too much of ones personality in a space. The obvious answer is to find a delicate balance of good judgment mixed with our personal belongings and treasures. Resist the temptation to cover every surface with collectables and dust collecting knick-knacks. They can be overwhelming, distracting, and create too much busyness in a room. Try to keep collections together in one particular area. Showcase them where they can be appreciated as a whole, not causing the eye to dart all over the room but rather a place to rest upon and admire.

Scale and proportion

Choose furniture and fixtures that will balance a room, while making optimum use of space. Large rooms with high ceilings demand large-scale furniture and accessories. Larger pieces such as an armoire or a full sized chandelier are good examples of pieces that work well in a large room. As in every room, a focal point is the key to a well-balanced room. If there is not a natural one, such as a fireplace, or other architectural feature, then you must create one. It can be simple as a windowscape, or the decorative headboard of a bed. Whatever it is, dress and accessorize it so that when you enter the room your eye is immediately drawn to it. Everything else should flow out from and compliment a room’s focal point. It is important to mention here, that having more than one focal point is perfectly acceptable, as long as the room’s size can handle it and they are complimentary to one another.

Accessories

A well-appointed room should be accessorized with the same good taste and judgment you would use to accessorize an outfit. It should be appropriate for the style, fabric, and the occasion you are wearing it to. My advice is usually to edit, edit, edit! The rule of "less is more" applies here. A well-edited room speaks volumes, making the room more welcoming and serene. A pretty bouquet of fresh or silk flowers breathes life and injects color into a space, as does greenery. Whether they are live or silk plants, they should never overtake a space, but be a decorative accent to enhance a room’s furnishings.

Practicality

Form follows function. This is a very important rule to remember when decorating our homes. Trendy, uncomfortable furnishings have no place in a well designed home. Make sure your furniture is compatible with your lifestyle, considering upholstery fabrics, space planning, and the amount of people who will be using it on a regular basis. If you entertain often, make sure there is ample seating and tabletop space to accommodate the needs of your guests. Choose lighting with location and function in mind, making sure to hang fixtures at the right height, neither too high nor too low. When choosing artwork for the walls, be sure to hang at an appropriate height, as well. My rule of thumb is slightly higher than eye level for larger pieces, and smaller ones either clustered just above eye level, or hug low at end tables. One should only have to raise the head slightly to view artwork from a standing or seated position.

Cohesiveness

It is said that classic, well-designed interiors have a common thread woven throughout the home without overloading the senses. In other words, as much as is possible, one room should flow effortlessly into the next. This can be achieved with the use of color, texture, and symmetry. For instance, my main floor is traditionally decorated with patterned oriental rugs on wood floors combined with leather and wood furniture. The kitchen and dining room are French country. The thing that brings the two styles together is the color scheme. Very warm, caramel toned walls paired with the furniture and black accents blend seamlessly to a black and ivory toile themed kitchen and dining area. Glass French double doors also help to define the space while allowing light in and giving a feeling of openness. My house is not large, but the effect is one of space and a good design flow. Create symmetry with furniture and accessories, while playing up the architectural features of a room. Windows are important, not to be overlooked or neglected. Make sure your window treatments are fresh, up-to-date, and work well with your decor.

"Brown Paper Packages"

2007-12-03T10:27:00.000-05:00

I thought I would "wrap" up the last of my 2007 Apples of Gold articles with a quick lesson on crafty Christmas gift-wrapping. With a trend toward all things natural, everything from the food we eat, to recycling our resources, I thought I would share some simple, all natural gift-wrap ideas sure to please everyone on your list.

Materials you will need:

Roll(s) of craft paper
Tape
Natural hemp rope or twine
Wide cotton seam binding
Pine cones
Pine or Spruce branches
Cinnamon sticks
Holly sprigs
Rubber Christmas stamps and ink pads (optional)

You can purchase craft paper on a roll, it’s available almost anywhere. It is quite a bit less expensive than highly inked gift-wrap, and it's very easy to work with. Craft paper cuts and folds nicely, and doesn't tear like standard gift-wrap has a tendency to do. Once you have wrapped your gift box with the paper, tie up the package with your choice of twine or cotton binding. Simply slip into the center knot any of your choice of natural package toppers described above. Optionally, using a rubber stamp and an inkpad, you can stamp the box with an old-fashioned Christmas design. The choices are endless, with everything from snowflakes to the initial of the recipient. I have seen a stamp with the imprint of a gift tag so that you can fill in the "To" and "From." There you have it... simple, natural, and timeless gift-wrap. May your days be merry and bright, and have a blessed Christmas 2007!

"The Perfect Autumn Centerpiece"

2007-11-06T14:00:00.001-05:00

This is my favorite time of year... splendidly beautiful autumn. I can already feel the delicious crispness in the air, a sure sign that it's time, once again, to put flannel sheets back on the beds, and cozy sweater throws on the furniture. I've begun tearing out hearty fall recipes from magazines, and thinking of a new centerpiece for my dining room table that will take me right into Thanksgiving.

My good friend, Mary, told me of this great idea she saw for pumpkin candleholders. I am going to make a pumpkin "village" for my centerpiece using the white variety because it's more decor friendly. Start with an assortment of about 3 medium to small sized white pumpkins with stems. Next, cut open the top and remove the innards. Make sure that the inside bottom is nice and flat so that a candle can be placed inside without tipping over. With a precision carving tool, (available at craft stores) cut out a front door and two windows. (It helps if you draw them on before you cut.) You can add a lot of visual interest by carving the windows with windowpanes. This takes a bit more patience, but will really look great with soft glowing candlelight flickering through. Place a votive candle in each little "cottage," and replace the stemmed top for a roof. Place them on a bed of autumn colored leaves in the center of your table. I recommend using artificial leaves which you can purchase at craft stores. They are reusable, and much less messy. Place a potted fall Mum on either side of your little village. I will be using white to match the pumpkins, but you may use any color you choose. There you have it...the perfect fall centerpiece. Enjoy!