FINDING YOUR STYLE

YOU GROW COMFORTABLE WITH A CERTAIN DECORATING STYLE AND YOU CONTINUE WITH IT FOR YEARS; THEN YOU GET THE URGE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW….NOTHING TOO DRASTIC, JUST A STYLE; A FRESH TAKE ON YOUR FAVORITE :)
THE HEART OF ANY HOME REMAINS IN THE PERSONAL ITEMS THAT YOU TREASURE AND THEY NEEDN'T BE COSTLY; I WOULD RATHER BUY SOMETHING RECYCLED, RESCUED, OR RESTORED, IT HAS SO MUCH MORE HISTORY".
YOU MAY CHANGE THE COLOR OF YOUR WALLS AND SWITCH OUT FABRIC AND RUGS, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS PLEASING TO YOU, AND WHEN YOUR FRIENDS SEE THE CHANGE THEY STILL THINK IT'S YOUR STYLE, ONLY UPDATED AND FRESHER. EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL SAFE IN A COZY FAMILIAR ROOM FILLED WITH FAVORITE FABRICS AND COLORS AND KITSCH. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHETHER A PIECE IS ANTIQUE, REPRODUCTION, OR NEW AS LONG AS YOU LIKE IT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.
THERE'S NO RUSH TO DECORATE AND GET IT DONE IN ONE FELL SWOOP; RELAX AND CREATE LAYERS OF MEANING OVER TIME. A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME UNLESS IT'S RELAXED, COMFORTABLE, AND FILLED WITH PERSONAL TREASURES.




SOME AMONG US ARE ARTISTS BY DESIRE, NOT BY
TRAINING; RECOGNIZED SINCE THE.1930'S IN THE AMERICAN
ART SCENE AS FOLK ARTISTS, SUCH PERSONS TOIL WITHIN
THEIR MEANS, FUELED BY THE PASSION TO MAKE THEIR
SURROUNDINGS A BIT MORE BEAUTIFUL. MY HOME IS IN
HONOR OF THE PERSONAL SPACES THAT RESULT WHEN
I GET A CREATIVE URGE I CAN'T IGNORE.
AFTER A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR I THINK I'VE FINALLY
FOUND MY STYLE: SIMPLE, CASUAL AND COMFY.

TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR STYLE:
WHEN CREATING YOUR ROOMS, START WITH
SOMETHING YOU LOVE.
*SLIPCOVERS CAN MAKE A CHAIR OR SOFA LOOK MORE

TAILORED AND COMFY.
* CREATE A TRANQUIL SPOT IN YOUR HOME THAT IS
YOUR OWN RETREAT WITH SIMPLE FURNISHINGS.
*ADD LAYERS OF TEXTURE AND JOLTS OF COLORS.
*USE SISAL RUGS. THEY CAN STAND UP TO HEAVY
TRAFFIC AND GO WITH MANY DECORATING STYLES.

*BRING TOGETHER COLLECTIONS THAT YOU LOVE; SUCH
AS BASKETS, YELLOWWARE, QUILTS, OLD GAMES.

THE WINTER LIVING ROOM

                                           


IT'S TIME TO BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AND GET READY FOR THE BIG CHILL; OF COURSE ANYTHING UNDER 70 DEGREES IS COLD TO ME!
DECORATING A LIVING ROOM IS A UNIQUELY PERSONAL STATEMENT OF YOUR LIFESTYLE. THE FURNITURE SHOULD CONFORM TO THE WAY YOU USE THE ROOM.
COMBINE SEASONAL HUES: MIDNIGHT BLUE, RUBY RED, HUNTER GREEN AND MUTED GOLD INCORPORATED INTO VELVET PILLOWS, SUEDE SLIPCOVERS AND DRAPES. TOSS THROWS OR A QUILT OVER YOUR COUCH AND CHAIRS.
ADD SEASONAL ACCENTS SUCH AS BOWLS OR BASKETS OF PINE CONES AND SPRIGS OF BERRIES. (BE CAREFUL IF YOU HAVE PETS).
IF YOU'RE BORED DURING THIS FROSTY SEASON, YOU CAN REPAINT A WALL OR TWO IN A CHEERFUL COLOR, AND IF YOU GO TO A HOME SUPPLY STORE YOU CAN BUY THEIR MISTAKES AT A FRACTION OF THE NORMAL COST, OR YOU COULD WALLPAPER ONE WALL OR JUST USE A BORDER IF YOU'RE TIMID. IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO PUT DOWN AN AREA RUG OR WALL TO WALL CARPETING. THIS IS WHAT DO IN THE WINTER AND TAKE THEM UP IN THE WARMER WEATHER.
TO GIVE A GRANDER FEELING TO YOUR ROOM, HANG DRAPES FROM FLOOR TO CEILING; THIS ADDS HEIGHT. A TALL MIRROR, STRIPED WALLPAPER AND AN ARMOIRE OR LARGE CUPBOARD ALSO DOES THE TRICK.
MIRRORS PLACED WHERE THEY CAN REFLECT THE OUTDOORS, ADD LIGHT TO AN OTHERWISE DREARY WINTER. DON'T BLOCK YOUR WINDOWS WITH TALL FURNITURE, INSTEAD SELECT CHAISES, BENCHES AND OTTOMANS FOR EXTRA SEATING, WHICH WILL EXTEND THE VIEW TO THE OUTDOORS AND VISUALLY ENLARGE THE SPACE.
ADDING TRUNKS, CHESTS, AND CABINETS ARE A GOOD ADDITION TO KEEP OUT OF SEASON STORAGE ITEMS.
FURNITURE PULLED INTO A CONVERSATIONAL GROUPING AS IN THE CENTER OF A ROOM, CAN LEAVE CORNERS BARE. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR FILLING THE CORNERS:
* A CHAIR AND OTTOMAN ANGLED IN A CORNER.
* A CORNER CUPBOARD OR ARMOIRE.

* AN ANGLED DESK OR GAME TABLE.

*A FOLDING SCREEN.

* A TALL PLANT STAND
* A ROUND PEDESTAL OR SKIRTED TABLE.

* ARTWORK ON AN EASEL.
* AN OLD COLUMN WITH OR WITHOUT SOMETHING ON
IT.

AS FOR THE HEATING OF YOUR LIVING ROOM, I FOUND A FAUX ELECTRIC WOODBURNER SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I SEE THEY ARE GETTING MORE POPULAR THAN EVER!YOU CAN PURCHASE THEM AT A HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE.I CURRENTLY HAVE THREE AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW EFFICIENT THEY ARE.I HAVE LARGE ROOMS AND 9 FOOT CEILINGS. THEY ARE 1500 WATTS, THE BLOWER IS ON THE BOTTOM AND THE FLAME IS SO REALISTIC, YOU MAY WANT TO ROAST MARSHMALLOWS! WHEN I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY THIRD ONE AT THE HOME STORE,I TOUTED THEM SO MUCH, I SOLD TWO! TOO BAD ,I DON'T WORK THERE!
SO SNUGGLE UP, IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG WINTER!!!!

THE WINTER LIVING ROOM

                                                  THE WINTER LIVING ROOM


IT'S TIME TO BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AND GET READY FOR THE BIG CHILL; OF COURSE ANYTHING UNDER 70 DEGREES IS COLD TO ME!
DECORATING A LIVING ROOM IS A UNIQUELY PERSONAL STATEMENT OF YOUR LIFESTYLE. THE FURNITURE SHOULD CONFORM TO THE WAY YOU USE THE ROOM.
COMBINE SEASONAL HUES: MIDNIGHT BLUE, RUBY RED, HUNTER GREEN AND MUTED GOLD INCORPORATED INTO VELVET PILLOWS, SUEDE SLIPCOVERS AND DRAPES. TOSS THROWS OR A QUILT OVER YOUR COUCH AND CHAIRS.
ADD SEASONAL ACCENTS SUCH AS BOWLS OR BASKETS OF PINE CONES AND SPRIGS OF BERRIES. (BE CAREFUL IF YOU HAVE PETS).
IF YOU'RE BORED DURING THIS FROSTY SEASON, YOU CAN REPAINT A WALL OR TWO IN A CHEERFUL COLOR, AND IF YOU GO TO A HOME SUPPLY STORE YOU CAN BUY THEIR MISTAKES AT A FRACTION OF THE NORMAL COST, OR YOU COULD WALLPAPER ONE WALL OR JUST USE A BORDER IF YOU'RE TIMID. IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO PUT DOWN AN AREA RUG OR WALL TO WALL CARPETING. THIS IS WHAT DO IN THE WINTER AND TAKE THEM UP IN THE WARMER WEATHER.
TO GIVE A GRANDER FEELING TO YOUR ROOM, HANG DRAPES FROM FLOOR TO CEILING; THIS ADDS HEIGHT. A TALL MIRROR, STRIPED WALLPAPER AND AN ARMOIRE OR LARGE CUPBOARD ALSO DOES THE TRICK.
MIRRORS PLACED WHERE THEY CAN REFLECT THE OUTDOORS, ADD LIGHT TO AN OTHERWISE DREARY WINTER. DON'T BLOCK YOUR WINDOWS WITH TALL FURNITURE, INSTEAD SELECT CHAISES, BENCHES AND OTTOMANS FOR EXTRA SEATING, WHICH WILL EXTEND THE VIEW TO THE OUTDOORS AND VISUALLY ENLARGE THE SPACE.
ADDING TRUNKS, CHESTS, AND CABINETS ARE A GOOD ADDITION TO KEEP OUT OF SEASON STORAGE ITEMS.
FURNITURE PULLED INTO A CONVERSATIONAL GROUPING AS IN THE CENTER OF A ROOM, CAN LEAVE CORNERS BARE. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS FOR FILLING THE CORNERS:
* A CHAIR AND OTTOMAN ANGLED IN A CORNER.
* A CORNER CUPBOARD OR ARMOIRE.

* AN ANGLED DESK OR GAME TABLE.

*A FOLDING SCREEN.

* A TALL PLANT STAND
* A ROUND PEDESTAL OR SKIRTED TABLE.

* ARTWORK ON AN EASEL.
* AN OLD COLUMN WITH OR WITHOUT SOMETHING ON
IT.

AS FOR THE HEATING OF YOUR LIVING ROOM, I FOUND A FAUX ELECTRIC WOODBURNER SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I SEE THEY ARE GETTING MORE POPULAR THAN EVER!YOU CAN PURCHASE THEM AT A HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE.I CURRENTLY HAVE THREE AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW EFFICIENT THEY ARE.I HAVE LARGE ROOMS AND 9 FOOT CEILINGS. THEY ARE 1500 WATTS, THE BLOWER IS ON THE BOTTOM AND THE FLAME IS SO REALISTIC, YOU MAY WANT TO ROAST MARSHMALLOWS! WHEN I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY THIRD ONE AT THE HOME STORE,I TOUTED THEM SO MUCH, I SOLD TWO! TOO BAD ,I DON'T WORK THERE!
SO SNUGGLE UP, IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG WINTER!!!!

THE OUTDOORS

YOU CAN HAVE THIS LOOK BY PULLING STUFF FROM YOUR HOME THAT YOU HAVE STORED & JUST ARRANGE & PILE IT ON! HANG A CHANDY FROM A TREE OR ARBOR OR CANOPY OR OFF A HOOK. I ENJOY MAKING THESE AS THEY ALL TURN OUT DIFFERENTLY WITH WHAT I BLING THEM WITH.

PUT A TABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN & HAVE AN AFTERNOON TEA

HAVE A DESSERT PARTY, PULL OUT TABLES FROM THE HOUSE, DRAPE THEM & SERVE THAT LEMONADE! USE BURLAP OR OLD TABLE CLOTHS THAT WON'T MATTER IF THEY GET RUINED.

A PICNIC WITH VINTAGE CONTAINERS

EVERYONE NEEDS A PORCH & ADIRONDACK CHAIRS

USING DISPARATE ARCHITECTURAL PIECES/ OLD WINDOWS/ COLUMMNS ETC. YOU CAN CREATE A ONE OF A KIND LOOK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE & KEEP ADDING PIECES LATER ON TO BUILD THAT "LOOK"

EVERYONE NEEDS A VINTAGE SCREEN DOOR SOMEWHERE AT

HOME

FRENCH DECORATING

A FRENCH STONE  CHATEAU.....GET THE LOOK WITH FAUX STONE ON AN OUTBUILDING. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE REAL THING AT LEAST YOU CAN HAVE A GETAWAY THAT LOOKS LIKE ONE :)

TOILE & A CHANDY

A TENTED BED WITH GAUZY FABRIC IS ROMANTIC & MAKES YOU WANT TO READ IN BED ALL DAY

TALL CUPBOARDS CAN HOLD A MYRIAD OF OBJECTS & A WRITING FARM TABLE CAN BE MOVED AROUND WHERE NEEDED

CANOPIES.......VERY FRENCH OVER A DAYBED

WHITE IS SO ROMANTIC & A SEWING MACHINE BASE AS A TABLE

URNS &  BUSTS/ STATUARY BRING THE GARDEN IN/ A FARM TABLE CUT DOWN TO COFFEE TABLE HEIGHT ADDS CHARM

A BISTRO STYLE SETTING ON THE PATIO WITH BROKEN GRANITE & SET ON SAND

FRENCH FARMHOUSE KITCHEN
 & SINK

LINENS WAITING TO BE USED OR CREATING PILLOWS/ SACHETS ETC.

VINTAGE WOLFF DRESS FORMS ARE GREAT FOR DISPLAYING THAT APRON OR NECKLACE COLLECTION

WIRE DIVIDER CREATES A SEPARATE AREA YET LEAVES THE VIEW OPEN

ALFRESCO DINING

FLOWERS & A FLOWERY TABLECLOTH ADDS SOME NOSTALGIA TO THIS SWEET SPOT

A BIT OF AQUA TO A PREDOMINATELY CREAM ROOM ADDS PUNCH

EVERYONE NEEDS A SMALL POOL OR SOME SORT OF WATER FEATURE TO HELP THOSE NEGATIVE IONS KICK IN......YES I SAID NEGATIVE, BECAUSE FOR ONCE NEGATIVE IS A GOOD THING & WATER WILL REFRESH & REPLENISH YOUR SOUL, MAKING YOU CALMER. ADD SOME SAND & YOUR SET TO GO IN THE "BEACH" MODE

FARMHOUSE FAUCET/ GINGHAM TO COVER A CABINET WITHOUT DOORS 

COUNTRY CHIC BY THE COUNTRY CHICK....(THAT'S ME)!!

THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTO THE COUNTRY LOOK HAS A DREAM OF WHAT YOUR PERFECT COUNTRY HOUSE SHOULD LOOK LIKE: WARM AND INVITING WITH A SENSE OF COMFORT AND STYLE THAT COMES NATURALLY.
THERE ARE NO BOUNDARIES TO THIS DECORATING STYLE.
IT'S AS APPROPRIATE FOR A LAKESIDE CABIN

AS IT IS FOR A NEW YORK TOWNHOUSE, A GARDENERS COTTAGE, OR A CALIFORNIA BUNGALOW.

THE FOCUS IS TRULY ON YOUR PERSONAL STYLE WHICH GIVES YOUR HOME IT'S UNIQUE LOOK. MIXING AND MATCHING COLORS, MATERIALS, AND FURNISHINGS; THE OLD WITH
THE NEW, FINE ANTIQUES WITH WONDERFUL "FINDS", SHOWS YOUR DECORATING SENSE. ONE OR TWO INTERESTING COLLECTIBLES CAN TRANSFORM A ROOM INTO A PERSONAL SPACE.

THE HEART OF A COUNTRY HOME IS THAT IT'S COMFORTABLE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THERE AND EMBRACES THOSE WHO VISIT. EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY, THE MOST URBAN HOME CAN HAVE COUNTRY ALLURE.
THE USE OF COLOR FOR COUNTRY STYLE IS A COLOR PALETTE OF NATURAL PIGMENTS AND DYES;(THINK EARTHY). MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEMES WORK BEST IN A ROOM WHERE YOU WANT TO UNWIND, VARIANT SHADES OF THE SAME COLOR WILL GIVE YOUR ROOM SOOTHING VISUAL INTEREST WITHOUT DISTURBING ITS CALMNESS.

FABRICS ARE ALSO NATURAL: LINENS, WOOLS, COTTONS ALL OF THESE HAVE A HOMESPUN QUALITY.
WEATHERED WOOD AND STONE ARE ALSO NATURAL MATERIALS THAT GIVES A COUNTRY HOME APPEAL. EVERYTHING IN MY HOME IS THERE BECAUSE I LOVE IT, NOT BECAUSE IT'S FASHIONABLE OR BECAUSE I NEED IT. I ALSO I DON'T BUY ANYTHING THAT I WOULDN'T PUT IN MY OWN HOME; IF SOMEONE WANTS MY KITCHEN TABLE, THEN I'LL SELL IT; AND I WON'T HESITATE TO PULL SOMETHING OUT OF MY HOME TO FURNISH A CLIENTS WHEN I DO ROOM REDOS. SOME THINGS IN MY HOME HAVE PRICE TAGS ON THEM FOR THAT VISITOR WHO DROPS BY AND NEEDS SOMETHING FOR THEIR SELF OR A GIFT FOR SOMEONE ELSE. BY USING MY HOME AS A SHOWROOM IT GIVES PEOPLE AN IDEA OF HOW IT CAN BE DISPLAYED.
MOST OF ALL WHEN DECORATING WITH ANY STYLE, YOU NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN AND INJECT HUMOR INTO YOUR HOME; AS I DO IN MY OFFICE WITH A SIGN THAT READS: "I'M A SCHIZOPHRENIC AND SO AM I"! SOME THINGS IN LIFE YOU HAVE TO TAKE SERIOUSLY. HOME DECORATING ISN'T ONE OF THEM!



CALM COUNTRY LIVING IS THE HEART OF SHABBY CHIC COUNTRY STYLE OR "SHABBY CHEAP" AS I CALL IT. SUBDUED DECORATION, WORN AND PEELING PAINT, FADED FABRICS, AND TATTERED LACE EVOKE AN EARLIER ERA.

ELEMENTS OF SHABBY CHIC: *AN ANTIQUE GAS STOVE *GLASS DOORKNOBS
* WOODEN TRUNKS AND AN IRONING BOARD IN THE KITCHEN SERVES DOUBLE DUTY AS A SHELF WHEN NOT IN USE.

* AN OLD RAKE HEAD HUNG ON THE WALL, SERVES AS A UTENSIL RACK FOR HANGING ITEMS.
* VINTAGE BUTTONS IN A JAR OR FRAMED.

A WEATHERED WHITEWASH FENCE.

* COBBLESTONE PATHWAYS THAT LEAD TO THE GARDEN.

* HANG A LARGE WREATH ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. '" OLD METAL WASHTUBS CAN BE STUFFED WITH PLANTS AND HERBS.

* "SHABBY" STYLE BIRDHOUSES IN THE GARDEN ADD A TOUCH OF WHIMSY.
* A ROCKER ON THE PORCH IS A FRIENDLY GREETING.
SIMPLE COUNTRY IS FARM FRESH AND COMFORTABLE WITH HANDCRAFTED AND FOLK ART ITEMS. TIN WARE, HOOKED RUGS, PILLOWS AND QUILTS. THIS STYLE CAN BE WORLDLY AND DELICATE WITH CHINTZ, CHECKS AND PLAIDS .IT CAN ALSO BE DOWN-HOME OR RUSTIC.
ELEMENTS OF SIMPLE COUNTRY:
* CRINKLE BROWN WRAPPING PAPER OR TAKE APART GROCERY BAGS AND USE AS WALL PAPER , THEN SPONGE PAINT.
* BOXES, TINS AND RUSTIC STYLE CANDLES ON SHELVES.
'* USE VINTAGE PICKLE JARS OR AN OLD CROCK TO HOLD KITCHEN BAKING UTENSILS.
AS WITH ALL DECORATING ASPECTS RELAX AND HAVE FUN!