Design, Holiday decorating, Interior styling, Tips

Christmas Decorating with chocolate treats

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The past several years I have done different variations of this peppermint themed Christmas display on my client’s kitchen island. It is such a fun easy way to create a festive display that is edible too! Because who doesn’t love some chocolate during the holidays? I use  anything that is peppermint themed, red or white. My only rule with the candy is I try to find something with either a red wrapper or peppermint themed. You can get creative and use what you have on had to hold the candy and chocolate. I grabbed some stuff from the bar and used a crystal ice bucket, martini glasses, cocktail glasses and vases. I even use a white cake stand she already had on hand because it adds another layer of height.

I added some greenery and lights to make it fun and festive. It is a big hit with family and friends who come for the holidays. Just make sure you have some spare chocolate to replenish your display as it gets eaten. Chocolate covered pretzel sticks are one of my favorite things to add. They look great in a glass and taste delicious too! Would your family like this for the holidays?? Go get creative…

Design, Holiday decorating, Interior styling

Colorful Christmas Living Room

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My client recently redecorated her living room in some fun bright colors. This year for Christmas I wanted to tie in the fun bright colors that reflect her new space and her style and personality! 
I had so much fun designing this mantle display with lots of colored bottle brush trees. I added colored ornaments in clear glasses and vases. Of course twinkle lights are a the finishing touch to bring it all together. 
I even found those fun bright colored gift boxes in pink, green and cobalt. I embellished them with ribbons and ornaments to add some extra sparkle.  I love the way it all came together!  Target had a great line of holiday decor this year so I found most of the decorations there! Bright colored ornaments in small packs by color, an assorted box of the perfect bright color palette of large ornaments and assorted bottle brush trees by color too. These gift boxes sold out almost immediately so I was lucky to grab them before Thanksgiving. Shopping early does have its perks!

Design, Feng Shui, Interior styling

How to add Hygge to your home

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What is Hygge?

If I had to describe Hygge in one word I would say “ cozy”.

I have found that over the years my style has evolved and I love the feeling of a cozy home.

The more cozy elements I add the calmer I feel. 

Some of my favorite ways to make a home feel more Hygge are:

-Blankets, pillows and more blankets!

-Battery powered candles and twinkle lights.

-Real candles burning in my favorite scent 

-A warm dog on my lap 

-A cup of tea or coffee 

-A good book or movie 

How does your home feel right now? Could it use some cozy touches for Fall?

Design, Interior styling, Tips

A simple way to add warmth to your home

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Do you ever feel like your home is missing something? Maybe it just doesn’t feel warm and inviting?

A really easy and inexpensive way to add warmth to your home is by adding texture. There are so many ways to do this without running out and buying a bunch of stuff. You can repurpose things from other areas of your house that aren’t being used or appreciated. Texture can instantly elevate a space and add those finishing touches that were missing. 

Here are a few easy ways to add texture to your space:

– Plants, flowers, vases

– Decorative boxes and trays 

-Baskets

– Pottery

-Throw pillows and blankets 

-Art

-Rugs or tapestries 

-Books

Search your home to see what you can use in a more creative way!

 

Closet edits, Fashion, Outfit styling, Shop your closet, Shopping

Ways to shop for clothes in your closet

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closet

What does it really mean to shop your closet?

What are the advantages?

-The ultimate goal is for you to love your wardrobe and wear everything in your closet.

-Do you want to clean out your closet once and for all and get rid of what no longer feels like you? But you feel guilty about your past shopping mistakes and overwhelmed about where to start?

-Sometimes clients don’t know why they aren’t wearing an item. Is it the fit? The style? The color or pattern? Or is it just a matter of creating the right outfit with it?

-Shopping your closet can be so much fun. I love helping women create new outfits using what they already have.

– I like to think outside the box and create interesting color combinations and add accessories to complete the look. The idea is to embrace your current style and have fun with it!

-And yes sometimes an item just doesn’t work. But this is the easiest way to know you gave it one last styling attempt and it’s time to let it go.

-Shopping your closet saves you time, money and frustration. When you do need to add some pieces to your wardrobe you can create a VERY intentional shopping list.

Have you shopped your closet lately? Are you bored with your wardrobe? Are you constantly running out shopping to buy something new?

I’m here to help if you need it!

Books, Design, Interior styling, Tips

Styling and Simplifying your home

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Do you know what one of the easiest ways to refresh your home is? Take away some of the excess clutter and only display things you love. Be a ruthless editor of what you allow in your space.

These days we see so many influencers on social media redesigning their spaces every few months with all new things. This makes me crazy. Not only do most of us not have the budget for that but it also sends the wrong message that things are disposable and something shiny and new is always better.

My favorite thing to do for my clients and at my own house is to first shop your home. Look at all of your decorative items and collections and see if there is anything you can display or use in a new way. I find that one overlooked area can be the kitchen or china cabinet with small decorative bowls or other interesting objects. Mementos from travel or family members can also be great to incorporate into your design.

Be very selective and take away anything that doesn’t add to the space or make you happy. Less is more. If you want to add a few new things then consider small changes like a new throw pillow, vase or picture frame.

My 3 main tips would be:

-Calm down the space by de cluttering and removing the excess.

-Create a cohesive color palette.

-Display old items in new creative ways and mix old with new. Make sure to add texture and color.

Is there an area in your home you can tackle today? You will be surprised at the impact even the smallest changes can have.

If you need some inspiration here are 2 of my favorite books on simplifying and styling:

I highly recommend them both!

Design, Interior styling, Office Design, Tips

Exciting and Bold Modern Office Re-design

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Guess what my client’s first thoughts were on this wallpaper that was already in her office space when they moved in?

This is going to give me a headache. I cannot work in here and this is really not my style.  We debated removing the wallpaper but the rest of the office had bold patterned wallpaper and I did not want her office to feel like it wasn’t even part of the same space. So we worked with the wallpaper and let me say it was definitely a design challenge. I needed to add some traditional elements to make the client happy and calm down the overall space. However, I wanted her office to still feel like it could flow with the rest of the other work spaces around her. I love the way it turned out and the client was happy which is the most important thing!                                  

So what did we do to calm down the overall space?

Here are some of our design tricks and tips:

-We added some ivory into the color palette with chairs and a rug to soften things.

-We added some greenery and florals to add contrast against the busy wallpaper.

-We added a mirror to reflect light and the beautiful view.

-We added pops of teal with furniture and artwork so it still felt modern and bold and brought in the wallpaper.

-We chose a natural wood color for her desk so that she could keep the traditional feel she wanted.

Organization, Tips

Are you ready for summer guests?

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photo credit: Pure Salt Interiors

Summer can be such a busy time filled with lots of activities and trips. It can also be a time for last minute guests.

-A visit from family or friends or a last minute sleepover for the kids.

– Birthday parties and cookouts, Special occasions and events.

-A neighbor dropping by for a play date or glass of wine.

-A last minute weekend get away or day trip to the beach or lake.

So what can you do to make summer a little easier and less stressful? How can you be ready for your guests and stop that last minute panic?

Guest Room:

-De clutter your guest room now. If it is always ready for guests then there is no last minute panic and shoving everything in a closet.

-Update the bedding and towels. Make sure everything is clean and fresh.

-Make sure the room is clean. Dust and vacuum regularly to keep the cobwebs and dust away.

-Make sure there is a working lamp or some sort of lighting.

-Check your guest bathroom inventory for soap, shampoo and any necessities guests may need.

-Have a space for guests to put their suitcase or hang up a few items.

Household Systems:

Set up household systems so that everything has a place and it is easy to maintain. This makes a last minute clean much easier.

Keep surfaces clear from clutter:

Keep main surfaces as clean as possible. Try not to use your dining room table, kitchen table or kitchen island as a drop zone for papers and other clutter. If these surfaces are easy to clear then last minute entertaining is much easier.

Kids Areas:

Create a summertime routine so that kids areas do not get completely out of control.

There is no reason for “mom” to keep spinning her wheels cleaning up all the time. Kids can be taught routines and taking care of their things; then when they ask to have a friend over no one has to be stressed and cleaning frantically at the last minute.

 

Design, Interior styling, Organization, Tips

How does your home make you feel?

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Does your home feel like a sanctuary or is it a source of stress and anxiety?

I had an interesting conversation with a longtime client last week. She commented that she loved her powder room and it made her happy. It was recently redesigned with a new bold patterned wallpaper and a textured tile backsplash. Along with a new beautiful navy vanity and a fun piece of artwork.

Before my client even said anything I had been thinking how much the powder room represented her fun bold and colorful style. And how streamlined and clutter free it was compared to other parts of her house. So I asked her “What if your whole house could feel as good as this powder room?”

You don’t have to tackle your whole house at once. Just take one space at a time. Walk around your house and take inventory of what spaces and things you truly love. Less is more..you can create the home you have always wanted.

Take one room at a time and be a ruthless editor. De clutter, organize and style it so it represents your current lifestyle. And your style right now. Not the you from 5 years ago, not your ex-husband’s style and not the hand me downs from your family and friends you are keeping out of guilt. Keep only the things that feel like you and make YOU happy. (Of course, you do have to be mindful and respectful of other family members and their spaces.) But start with what you can change and you and everyone else will notice a difference I promise!

Outfit styling, Shop your closet, Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized

Are you ready for summer vacations?

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I love to help my clients put together some go to outfits ahead of time for travel; I find that this makes packing for a trip much easier!

Take inventory of your closet and wardrobe when the seasons change, it will help you to avoid any last minute panic. Don’t run out shopping right before a trip, create some outfits you love ahead of time. Assess your closet and make a list of any pieces you are missing. When you have a list of what you truly need, you’ll be prepared and shop more intentionally in the future.

I recently made this outfit for a client and it just feels like a day at the beach to me. Throw on some sandals and you are ready to go to lunch or dinner or a day of sightseeing.

 

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