Technology – Friend and Foe?

I am, admittedly, a technological dinosaur. I don’t like    things that beep, flash on and off, have a lot of wires or machines that come with a booklet and an instructional CD. I get by on the bare minimum. I am in the category of people who would rather write long-hand than use a computer. 

Having said that, I have noticed, lately, that most households struggle with the  amount of electronic equipment that they have. Many have multiple computers and televisions; this seems to have just added to the clutter, instead of minimizing it. Mountains of paper sit alongside the computer, and a tangle of wires often creates an ugly image hanging below wall-mounted televisions.

I know these things are here to stay, but maybe we can decrease their impact on our lives? I have never studied Feng Shui but I firmly believe in homes needing positive energy. This is often brought about by  placement, plants, light and striving for a clutter free environment.

Thinking about all of this prompted me to list several quick, easy ideas for controlling technological clutter.

- Organize the wires under your computer or television. Fold them into loops as short as they can go, secure with a twistie tie or rubber band. Maybe they can be taped to the back of your desk or file cabinet?

- Attach wires, neatly, to the wall with telephone cable wire nail-in clips. (These are less than a dollar at the hardware store).

- After they are attached to the wall, either paint them to match the wall color or hide them behind a piece of art.

- Buy black  if possible, it is less obvious than silver or beige.

Post Holiday Blues…

No problem. These blues will definitely lift your spirits. Did you know that blue is America’s favorite color? The color of the sky and the sea; blue is also the color of optimism and new beginnings. Whether it’s a trend in home decor or a frock straight from the runways – we’re seeing all kinds of shades from indigo to ice, and everything in between! (I love the touch of orange and violet in this kitchen – it’s reminds me of a Matisse painting.)

The linking of blue with water and heaven runs through almost every culture, but in India the color is especially revered. It symbolizes the heavens, mercy, love and the mysterious nature of truth. – An excerpt from an article titled Cross-Culture Color by Denise Turner.

 

 

Right to left: Olympic Paints Acqua Chiffon, SW 6496 Oceanside, Glidden Clear Blue Sky, Pantone 15-5519 – Turquoise (and the Pantone color of the year), Valspar Sea Kiss 5005-9C

Sometimes analogous color schemes (colors that sit side-by-side on the color wheel) can seem like a mis-match. If you like to combine different shades of blue, you can do so with ease if you throw another color into the mix – like this cheery red. Now all the eye sees is fun!

I’ve never been a fan of blue painted kitchens. Kitchens look best in colors of food and anything served on a blue plate is considered unappetizing. That said; if blue is for you then warm it up with colors that keep it from becoming too cold.

I love shades of blue with either undertones of red or green, so this Kenton Nelson painting certainly does it for me. It makes me feel like summertime isn’t that far away.

How about a quick update? Just add a splash of color in an unexpected space like the interior of this front door. You can get the same results by painting the inside of a bookcase, a wall niche or the inside of a cabinet. Let your imagination guide you.

To view the entire post, visit http://beautifullivingstyle.blogspot.com

New Year…New Organizing Ideas for Every Room in Your House

From House Beautiful, this article has an array of ideas that are smart, stylish and easy to achieve.  To start 2010 with a fresh start, try some of these products and tips for a newly arranged space that is also pleasing to the eye.  Being organized is essential for a smooth transition from 2009 to 2010 whether it’s for your home or office.  Focus on a few rooms that may need some tweaking and you’ll be amazed at the results!  To learn more, click the link below…

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/organize/organization-tips

Selling Your Listing During The Holiday Season

Handy article for anyone who may be a little discouraged about moving during the holiday season.  This quick read states all the positive things you can do to get through the struggles of selling a home with the stress of the holidays looming over you.  Click the link below to access this article from Robitaille Real Estate of NY.

http://www.robrealestate.com/77_Selling_during_the_holidays.htm

Article submitted by Christine Spitale, Owner of Sunflower Staging, www.sunflowerstaging.com.

Colorful Christmas

Okay, I’ll admit it – I am one of those red, green, gold and silver type of girls. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate all of the wonderful color combinations you can create when decorating your home for the holidays. Maybe in my next life I’ll get to break out of my classic box.

Red and green would be oh so wrong in the dining room above. Don’t fight your current color scheme – go with it. Shades of lavender, brown and cream are all that’s needed. If you already have a jazzy palette; use subtle hues mixed in with natural elements instead.

Green, green and more green. This is a wonderful option for someone who likes a monocromatic look as seen in this all white living room pictured above. Choose someting a bit more bold than classic “Christmas geen” like chartreuse, then simply support this sassy color with accents of brown, white or gray.

Add just one more color – like this blue with green – and you can update your holiday decor with ease. Embellish your existing decorations (like these stockings) with elements that can easily be removed. Pin bands of ribbon, add a decorative ornament, piece of jewelry, or beading to the cuff. (Stockings make excellent “gift wrap” too.)

Forget choosing a few colors – choose them all!

My tips for a colorful children’s tree:

Use yards and yards of candy dots as garland.

Stick a handful of sturdy branches topped with gum drops into boughs.

Hang lots of candy canes in as many color combinations as you can find.

Use candy necklaces and bracelets as decorations.

If red and green is your thing, then do it up right! These gorgeous wreaths are made from styrofoam and oodles of red carnations. (Choose faux and it will last for years.) You can also do this with cranberries or coxcomb with a little help from your trusty glue gun.

Reposted from: http://beautifullivingstyle.blogspot.com/

Images via countryliving.com, cocokelly.com, and bhg.com

Deep Cleaning: Kitchen & Bath Checklist When Selling Your Home

Came across this article today on suite101.com.  The article written by Theresa Borsman highlights critical points when it comes to prepping a home for sale…After all, a complete deep cleaning must done before any real estate staging can be tackled.  A clean home conveys pride of ownership and will contribute to the wow factor more than you will ever know!  Click the link below to check it out.

http://home-staging.suite101.com/article.cfm/preparing_to_sell_your_house

Wall of Mirrors

I love Mirrors! I used to collect vintage ones at Flea Markets and Antique Fairs; at first because I liked the different shapes and styles, but later because I started to see them as pieces of Art. When you hang a mirror on the wall it does what it’s supposed to do, it reflects light. But it is so much more than that. Hung in groups, or singularly, they create interest in a far less obvious way than a picture would.

Sometimes mirrors are perfect as they are, but if not don’t hesitate to change them. One mirror I knew needed more character (the large wooden frame was very generic). I loaded spackle into a pastry bag and “piped” patterns all over. After it had dried I painted it cream, antiqued it with stain and sanded a few patches off. Now in its third reincarnation, many years later,  I have just painted it a dark red. Prior to paint it I first painted it with a glue that would create a crackle finish. I then rubbed it with aluminum foil to add some broken texture to it.

Other easy uses for mirrors:

- Place one on a dresser and put a collection of rocks or shells on it.

- Hang a group by the entryway instead of a traditional, large hall mirror.

- Hang one outside, on the side of a garage or shed, to create the illusion of an extra window or just for decoration (bring inside before frost).

- Etch an inspirational word onto one that you look into every day (use etching cream and a stencil).

Staging Works

I had the opportunity to stage a (very large) condo that was vacant.  This was through a relo company and the condo had been on the market for 5 months – with very little activity.  After previewing the condo, I decided the living/dining room, kitchen, and master bedroom and bath (the entire first floor) were all that needed to be staged, which would save the relo company quite a bit of money, but still have a great impact.  So I rented the furniture from an outside vendor, rented my own accessories to the relo company, and moved everything in. 

And guess what?  The condo sold 5 weeks later!  When i wnet there earlier this week to pick up my things I met the selling agent and the new homeowners.  And each of them said to me – separately, – that the reason the buyers bought the condo was because it was staged.  That allowed them to see the space as it could be used…..despite the rather dated interiors.

That’s wonderful news for all of us who stage……..let’s see what we can do to spread it!

Window box makeover

I consider my window boxes to be a part of my interior decorating.

They are outside the house, but positioned directly in front of my living room window, a few inches above the windowsill. They are about 8 feet long, so what is in them becomes a part of my living room. It’s like having an extra wall to decorate (always a good thing).

At the moment the days are getting colder, the old-fashioned geraniums are struggling to flower, and they need to be rescued from the boxes.  I’ll bring them inside and try to coax them through until the Spring. After I’ve repotted them I’ll go scavenging through the garden for things to fill up the empty boxes. Anything in the garden will do (berries, pine, twigs, dried hydrangea etc.) Small pieces can be bundled together with a piece of string.

I always start with the largest pieces first; cutting them at various levels, on an angle, then pushing them deep into the dirt. Try to create as much interest and dimension as you can; have branches draping over the side and overlapping each other at different angles. 

Add color after you have the basic structure in place. If you don’t have winter berries, use what you have to add texture. Broken flower pots (they will freeze and crack so don’t use good ones) old bird houses, seed pods, iron garden ornaments etc.  Stand back from the house, or drive by in your car, to see how it looks from a distance. 

When you are done, water the window box really well. This will help to freeze the plants into the dirt and keep your display looking fresh during the long, Winter months.

Hang it up

Now that the cold weather is settling in I have found myself reaching for a coat and the occasional pair of gloves. Having an incurable accessories addiction I have always had to be creative with finding places for them to live. I thought I would share some of them with you.

- A dresser by the front door. The drawers will easily keep mittens, hats and scarves right where you need them, without creating clutter.

- Wooden coat racks (from the craft store). I have attached them to the inside of my front and back doors and painted them to match the room. 

- A vintage bread basket, placed by the  front door, easily keeps track of gloves.

- A large, copper plant tray, while a bit expensive, will get gorgeously distressed as you use it to hold your boots and winter shoes (and should last forever).

- Think your coat closet is full? Take a second look. Screw in hooks along the back or side to hang your scarves and seldom-used coats.  Go vertical and hang one above the other.