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!!!!

A DREAM KITCHEN FOR EVERY BUDGET

WHETHER YOU'VE BOUGHT A "FIXER UPPER",   

   OR YOU JUST WANT A CHANGE, A

KITCHEN REMODEL IS SOMETIMES INTIMIDATING BUT WITH A LITTLE PLANNING,

REDESIGNING THE HEART OF YOUR HOME DOESN'T NEED TO BE EXPENSIVE OR STRESSFUL.
QUICK FIXES FOR AN OUTDATED KITCHEN:
* REPLACE KITCHEN ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS MICROWAVE, COFFEEMAKER, DISHES ETC.
* REPLACE COMPACTOR WITH A WINE COOLER.
* REMOVE WALLPAPER AND ADD TWO COATS OF FRESH PAINT.

*GLAZE OR PAINT CABINETS AND CHANGE DOOR AND DRAWER HARDWARE.

* UNDER CABINET LIGHTING AND NEW FLOORING VISUALLY EXPAND A SPACE.
* VINTAGE CANISTERS, COOKWARE ADD NOSTALGIA.

* AN OLD WOODEN (OR NEW) WINDOW BOX CAN CORRAL CUTTING BOARDS AND UTENSILS FOR AN EASY GRAB & COOK DESIGN.

IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR THE COUNTRY CLASSIC LOOK:
*COUNTRY IS NEVER FORMAL IT TAKES ITS CUE FROM THE COLONIAL STYLE; UNCLUTTERED AND SOOTHING WITH RAISED PANEL OR GLASS FRONTED CABINETS, HARDWOOD FLOORS AND COUNTERTOPS OF GRANITE.

*KEEP PATTERN MINIMAL AND WINDOW TREATMENTS TAILORED.
*A CEILING MEDALLION AND AN AREA RUG ARE EXTRA DRESSY TOUCHES.
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR A COTTAGE STYLE:
*IT'S ALL ABOUT CHARM, PATTERN AND COLOR. THINK ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDENS WITH CHINTZ AND FLORAL FABRIC.
* FORTIES STYLE REFRIGERATORS AND RANGES.
* VINTAGE FABRIC LIKE OILCLOTHS - AND
PRINTED LINENS.
* THE COTTAGE KITCHEN FLOURISHES ON ACCESSORIES SUCH AS OLD TIN CANS WITH COLORFUL LABELS AND COLORED HANDLED UTENSILS.

IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR LOOK: FARMHOUSE

*TODAYS STYLE OF A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE IS AN UPDATED LOOK OF GRANDMAS KITCHEN.
*FURNISH IT AS YOU WOULD ANY OTHER ROOM IN THE HOUSE USING FREESTANDING CUPBOARDS, RAG RUGS, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE YOU FEEL COMFY.

* INCORPORATE WOOD WHEREVER YOU CAN AS IN A CENTER ISLAND OR USE AN OLD FARMTABLE ON CASTERS; IT SERVES AS A PRACTICAL WORKSPACE THAT CAN BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY WHEN NOT IN USE.

 *ADDING WROUGHT IRON COMPONENTS, A HANGING POT RACK, AND A COLLECTION OF BASKETS AND CROCKERY SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT "FARMHOUSE" .
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR THE "RUSTIC" LOOK:

*COUNTRY MEETS LOG CABIN STYLE WITH BEAMS OVERHEAD, WIDE PLANKED FLOORS, AND CABINETS IN DISTRESSED FINISHES. HANGING BASKETS AND DISPLAYS OF IRONSTONE AND WOODENWARE.

*PEELING PAINT IS A PERFECT RUSTIC TOUCH AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT CHIPPING ALL OVER THE FLOOR YOU CAN SPRAY IT WITH MATTE CLEAR PAINT.
* RAG RUGS, HOMESPUN ,MISMATCHED CHAIRS AND FURNITURE BREAK UP THE ROOM
IF YOU HAVE OR ARE GOING FOR THE RETRO LOOK:

*STRUNG UP BUNCHES OF HERBS
*WE'RE ALL ABOUT SPEED COOKING AND EFFICIENCY IN OUR KITCHEN, BUT RETRO MEETS REPRO IN VINTAGE LOOK STOVES; AND IF YOU CAN FIND AN ORIGINAL, ALL THE BETTER. ANTIQUE APPLIANCES GIVES THE RETRO KITCHEN A CERTAIN ATMOSPHERE; IF YOU HAVE A LARGE ENOUGH KITCHEN, YOU CAN USE THESE APPLIANCES SUCH AS AN UNWORKABLE STOVE AND ICE BOX AS STORAGE FOR POTS AND PANS AND DRIED GOODS.
* ADDING TO THE AMBIANCE OF RETRO IS BEADBOARD WALLS, LACE PAPER SHELF LINERS,AND FIESTWARE DISHES.

 

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR KITCHEN?
IF IT'S GREEN:
IT'S ALL ABOUT HARMONY AND COOLNESS. WHO SAYS GREEN CAN'T BE EXCITING, TOO?


TOUCH OF RED WILL BRIGHTEN A ROOM
*COMBINE FOREST GREEN WITH TOMATO TO RED.
* PAINT CABINETS CITRUS GREEN IF YOU HAVE A FIFTIES RETRO KITCHEN.
*COMBINE TERRA COTTA, YELLOW, AND SPRUCE GREEN FOR A GLOW OF TUSCANY LOOK.
*USE TABLECLOTHS FROM THE 30"S TO 50"S FOR TABLE AS CURTAINS.

IF IT'S BLUE :

COOL IN BOTH SENSES OF THE WORD-BLUE JUST MAY BE EVERYONES FAVORITE COLOR".
*A SCANDINAVIAN KITCHEN IN DUSTY BLUE IS FRESH AND NOSTALGIC.
* PAIR IT WITH YELLOW FOR A FRENCH COUNTRY LOOK.
*PAINT KITCHEN FURNITURE BLUE GRAY FOR A CALMING EFFECT.

IF YOUR COLOR IS RED:

ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO ANY ROOM WEARING RED!

* CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION, RED WORKS GREAT IN A SMALL SPACE TO WARM THINGS UP AND PROVIDE A COZY, FRIENDLY FEELING.
IF YOUR COLOR IS YELLOW:

YELLOW NEVER FAILS TO WARM THE EYE AND COMFORT THE SOUL.

*FRAME GOLDEN YELLOW WALLS WITH ENAMEL WHITE WOODWORK FOR A WARM WELCOME FEELING.
*UNITE YELLOW WITH GREEN AND WHITE TO INSURE YEAR ROUND SUNSHINE.
*PAIR GOLDEN YELLOW TILES WITH BLACK ACCENT TILES AS A BACKSPLASH.
*SUNDRENCHED YELLOW ALWAYS WORKS WITH FRENCH COUNTRY DECOR.
*IF YOU ARE PUT OFF BY YELLOW, USE IT AS AN ACCENT COLOR; IT'S
ALWAYS THE RIGHT TOUCH FOR A RUSTIC KITCHEN.

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.

PAINTED FURNITURE

1 ) PAINTED FURNITURE .... I LOVE PEELING PAINT AND CRACKLED SURFACES.
2) ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS .... REMEMBER I'M THE DONALD TRUMP OF ARCHITECTURE! ANYTHING FROM OLD DRESSER MIRROR WISHBONES, MANTELS, COLUMNS, FINIALS, OLD DOORS, TO OVER THE DOOR MOLDING.

3) BEDDING AND TEXTILES ..... MY FAVORITES ARE TATTED LACE AND QUILTS.

4) OLD BOTTLES AND MEDICINE CABINETS ..... I LIKE BLUE BOTTLES AND SMALL DAINTY ONES.

5) GARDEN ORNAMENTS ... GLASS CLOCHES TO KEEP TENDER PLANTS THRIVING, WIRE BASKETS, ENGLISH AND FRENCH WATERING CANS AND URNS.

6) OLD BUTTONS AND SEWING ITEMS ..... I COLLECT OLD YELLOWED BUTTONS AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SIT ALL DAY AND SORT THEM! ALSO PINCUSHIONS AND THIMBLES ARE A FUN COLLECTION.

7) OLD CONTAINERS .... WHETHER IT BE WOODEN BOXES, BASKETS, BUCKETS, BEAT UP GRANITE OR OLD VASES; ANYTHING CAN BE USED FOR FLOWER ARRANGING OR POTTING PLANTS.

B) ENAMELWARE ..... MY FAVORITE COLOR OF THIS IS GREEN SWIRL, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO FIND AND THAT IS MY MISSION WHEN I GO TO THE EAST COAST. ACTUALLY ANY EXCUSE
TO GO TO THE EAST COAST!

9) OLD ALARM CLOCKS .... I ALSO HAVE A COLLECTION OF THESE ,MOSTLY THE WHITE ONES.

10) IRONSTONE AND TRANSFERWARE .... I COLLECT BROWN TRANSFERWARE WHICH IS HARD TO FIND; AGAIN EAST COAST!

THE NEW COUNTRY COLONIAL

CLASSIC AMERICAN DESIGN ACCOMPANIED BY CLEAN ORDERLY LIVING SPACES ,YIELDS A SCALED DOWN AIRY PRESENT-DAY VERSION OF COUNTRY COLONIAL.
THIS STYLE UNITES 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY FURNITURE AND ART WITH CONTEMPORARY FURNISHINGS AND NEUTRAL BACKGROUNDS. THE INTENT IS TO CREATE CONTEMPORARY LIVING SPACES IN RELAXING, WELCOMING ROOMS RATHER THAN TO RECREATE THE PAST IN MUSEUM LIKE SETTINGS.

THIS STYLE WITH ITS FURNISHINGS, IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN SEABOARD. THE PARED DOWN LOOK IS APPEALING FOR THOSE WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT COLLECTING; THIS LOOK IS RELAXED FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND/OR PETS. FRAGILE ACCESSORIES ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM AND UPHOLSTERED PIECES ARE CHOSEN FOR SIMPLE LINES, STURDINESS AND COMFORT.

IF YOU OWN A PIECE OR TWO OF TIMELESS AMERICAN FURNITURE, ANTIQUE, VINTAGE, OR REPRODUCTION; USE THAT AS A STARTING POINT. CONSIDER PINE OR RUSTIC FARM TABLES AND WINDSOR CHAIRS. FOR LIVING AREAS, ACCENT TABLES RANGING FROM TILT TOP AND TAVERN TO TRIPOD STYLES.

 

USE LIGHT NEUTRAL BACKGROUNDS, PAINTED WALLS, SISAL RUGS WITH NEW ENGLAND STYLE COLLECTIBLES-TOYS, PEWTER, WEATHER VANES, LIGHTNING RODS, CLOCKS, AND QUILTS AND BASKETS.
* FLOOR LAMPS ADD VISUAL INTEREST.
* PAINT WALLS SOFT WHITE OR OFF WHITE.
* NATURAL SHADES TO USE: MOSS GREEN, RUST AND MUTED MUSTARD; YOU WANT TO PERK UP WITHOUT SHAKING UP THE SETTING.

* INCLUDE WOOD TONES TO WARM THE PEACEFUL ROOMS. *USE PATTERN CAREFULLY
* WHEN WINDOW TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED CHOOSE DRAPERY PANELS, SHUTTERS OR SHADES. SHUTTERS CAN BE USED IN SO MANY WAYS TOO HIDE ITEMS & OBJECTS & FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE.

* AVOID SOPHISTICATED TREATMENTS AND FLAMBOYANT DETAILING TRIMS.

SECRETS OF INSTANT ROMANTIC STYLE

ROMANTIC STYLE IS RELAXED AND INVITING, IT LACKS PERFECTION OF HISTORICAL RESTORATION OR FORMAL TRADITION. IT CAN AND DOES MIX ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING FROM ANTIQUES TO GRANDMAS TREASURES TO BARGAINS PICKED UP AT FLEA MARKETS, GARAGE SALES AND AUCTIONS.

ROMANTIC STYLE TIPS:
A FEW COATS OF PAINT AND SHABBY CHIC UPHOLSTERING CAN MAKE A DREARY PIECE PERK UP, AND ROMANTIC STYLE LOVES FLOWERS; FRESH OR SILK.

THERE'S NO ONE LOOK FOR ROMANTIC; LIGHT AND AIRY OR WARM AND RICH.
OLD ROUGHED UP, VINTAGE AND "LIVED IN ITEMS LEND THEMSELVES TO THIS STYLE MORE SO THAN NEW AND SHINY.

MANY ROMANTIC STYLE HOMES USE AN ABUNDANCE OF WHITE, BUT ANY COLOR SUCH AS GARDEN COLORS: THE PINKS AND PEACH HUES OF ROSES, THE GREENS OF SPRING GRASS AND NEW LEAVES, ROBINS EGG BLUE, FRESH LILAC AND LAVENDER ALL EVOKE ROMANCE.

DON'T BE TIMID ABOUT MIXING PERIODS, PATTERNS AND FABRICS.
VINTAGE TEXTILES CAN BE REPURPOSED AS WINDOW VALANCES.
IF YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS ARE DARK AND DREARY, PAINT THEM WHITE OR PASTEL.

COLLECT OLD CANDLESTICKS AND
SCATTER THEM AROUND THE ROOM.

YOU MUST HANG A CHANDELIER!

HOOKED RUGS SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR AND EVEN OVERLAPPING ARE A ROMANTIC STYLE MUST AND YOU CAN EVEN HANG A NICE ONE ON THE WALL OR PUT A SMALL ONE ON A TABLE.

IF YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING LIGHT FIXTURE HANGING FROM THE CEILING, STENCIL AROUND IT OR BUY A CEILING MEDALLION.
BLUE AND WHITE CHINA MAKES A WHITE CUPBOARD POP AS DOES ALL THAT'S STORED IN THEM.

FOUND TREASURE OF ROMANTIC STYLE:
PORCH COLUMNS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE BED ADD ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST.

YOU CAN PUT FAUX VINES AROUND THEM WITH AN URN ON TOP.(IF YOU HAVE PETS OR SMALL CHILDREN YOU MAY WANT TO SECURE THEM TO THE WALL.
A SHORTER COLUMN CAN BE A PLANT STAND.
A BED BENCH MADE FROM AN OLD HEAD AND FOOTBOARD THEN PAINTED TO MATCH YOUR DECOR, LOOKS NICE IN A BEDROOM.

PORCH CORBELS MAY BE HUNG IN THE DOORWAY.

IT'S GOOD TO CHANGE THINGS AROUND, IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL :)