Spring Decorating

Living out West, you are used to enjoying the out of doors most of the year, but probably you most appreciate being out in the Spring.  The temperate climate lends itself to outdoor living, and the ability to bring in the outdoors is something that folks across the nation often envy.  How to best make use of the outdoors is a matter of personal preference.

I have seen many beautiful gardens, and I am often surprised how little these gardens are used; they can be an easy focal point for many homeowners who are missing a great opportunity.   On some level, folks love their interiors and their exterior grounds, but they do not see the connection or realize how easily the two areas can be integrated to a fuller extent.

Your windows are key to that integration.  It is one thing to use window coverings for privacy, to protect your furnishings from the sun, to maintain a comfortable interior temperature during the cool months; but to miss the beauty of a garden or the vistas provided by nature is truly unfortunate. 

Look at your windows as portals to the outside for your enjoyment-- unless you have a neighbor only a few yards away. Each window with a view that made you fall in love with your home in the first place should be exploited.  Try removing heavy drapes and layers of curtains to expose your views; doing so is like a breath of fresh air after months of being closed up inside.

Many potential homebuyers will put a view above many other practical necessities of home ownership, because locations and views are nearly as important to them as kitchens and baths and in some cases more important.

There are many clever ways to protect privacy while still enjoying the outdoors; semi-sheer drapes and window shades are just two.  However, consider nothing at all on those windows that afford you the prettiest views when privacy is not a factor. Another option is to use a pleated shade hidden under a cornice box or valance for those times of the day when either privacy or protection from the sun is important.

If you have to replace windows in your home, another way to enjoy your view is to keep the glass plain, that is, panes without grids, common to homes built in the 1980’s.  When there is no view, these grids may add charm; but where there is a view, they are distracting and further complicate your design if your window treatments have horizontal lines, like shutters or wood blinds.  The idea is to open up and love your view.

If you do not have a pretty view, create one!  Use props like a trellis to frame a view outside your formerly uninteresting window.   Use colorful pots with hardy perennials for structure and annuals for color.  Add a simple water feature and feed it with a drip tube attached to your watering system.  You will attract birds and butterflies so your newly created view is vibrant with color and song.

A Little Molding Can Go a Long Way

Homeowners with a yen for a little more interest in a plain room may find that molding can be a great solution.  It does not take great skill to cut molding with today’s materials and tools plus a steady hand and a little patience.

Today you can find deep crown moldings that are light as a feather, being constructed of sturdy foam with a light plaster coating.  Crown molding will add architectural interest to any room.  You can find many moldings in different styles and great tutorials on-line to help you install it.

If crown molding seems a bit too formal for your country home, but you still want a little interest in a plain room, consider a slim molding framed out long rectangles along a wall.  Painting them the same color as the wall will give it subtle interest without appearing to be too traditional.  Painting the molding a contrasting color, say white or even beige over a colored wall, will give a room a soft traditional look.  Adding a bright contrasting accent color can add just the punch a quiet room needs.

Casing your windows with molding is an investment that will pay off immediately with your enjoyment and later when you sell your home as molding will be an added feature that not all homes can boast.

A long, uninteresting wall can be upgraded with a simple chair rail plus molding to represent panels below the rail.  Panels can be painted or wall papered for additional charm.  Using a rail and panels in a room that lacks personality is a good way to add color and pattern without a big expense.

Panels would be an excellent way to add a color punch in a child’s bedroom.  Also, consider painting a single panel with chalkboard paint; this paint comes in a variety of colors now, not just black.

Molding that is painted the same color as the wall can stand alone nicely as architectural element; later, if you decide to change the look of the room you can do it simply by painting moldings or the walls.

Changing out your baseboards is another way to give a room a fresh update.  Doing one room at a time is a budget wise way to increase your enjoyment and the value of your home.

Making the Most of Your Pantry and Under Counter Cabinets

Most of us can benefit from more storage in every room, but the kitchen, being the heart of the home, deserves special consideration.  Once, storage for food, cooking utensils, and large and small appliances, were all that a kitchen afforded the one cook in the house.  Counter space was important, too, but not as much so as it is today.  Now kitchens serve as entertainment areas as well as the food preparation and eating room.  Now, too, there may be multiple cooks in the kitchen.

Great storage, therefore, is even more important to today’s homeowner.  Old-style kitchen cabinets for food storage are more outdated now than ever, and have been replaced by pantries and pull-out shelves, which are far more practical.

What do you do, if your current kitchen doesn’t have these amenities?  Start with what you have, basic cabinets; lower cabinets will be far more efficient with pull-out shelves.   Most homeowners can retrofit the cabinets without having to break the bank.  The nice thing about pull-out shelves is you can buy them one or two at a time as your budget affords.  Having pull-out shelves allows you to utilize the entire 24 inch depth of your lower cabinets, without having to call in acrobatics to reach whatever might have slipped to the back.

Once your lower cabinets are in order, concentrate on the upper cabinets; for many of us, they are too tall to utilize more than one or two shelves effectively, so make the most of what you do have.  Using the hard-to-reach upper shelves for little-used items or large serving pieces makes the most sense.  For the shelves you can reach, try clear, vacuum sealed canisters; they come in a great variety of sizes for all your dry storage needs.  These are great for cereals, rice, crackers, and pasta; and you can easily see how much you have on hand, thus making quick work of your grocery shopping list when it’s time to restock.

You may want to keep your baking materials in one place; vacuum sealed canisters are a must here too, either clear or stainless or ceramic work nicely.  The smaller items like baking soda and powder are fine in their commercial containers and fit well into the space.  Since you likely use salt frequently, you may want to keep it in an easy-to-scoop apothecary jar for convenience.

Adding stackable wire racks to cabinets or a pantry shelf helps with cans and jars like soups and tomato products.  Once these items are faced-forward and in order, it will be simple to see and access them and record what is needed for the next stop at the grocery store.

If you are fortunate enough to have an actual pantry, keeping the above-mentioned ideas in mind will help keep your pantry well ordered.  If you happen to have a closet near-by--and I mean right near the kitchen--you can easily outfit it with some of these ideas.  Relegating a make-shift pantry to an entry hall closet is less than ideal; but remember that a retrofitted closet is going to be about 24 inches deep, so the same rules would apply regarding shelves that re too deep to access the items at the rear of the closet.  Having pull-out shelves would be most beneficial.  Having shelves custom cut to fit, measuring about 12 inches deep also works.  Lower shelves in a make-shift closet-turned-pantry can be deeper for storage of little-used large appliances, like a crock-pot, 40-cup coffee maker, or small appliances. 

All of these ideas are all simple enough for most homeowners to achieve a high level of success and a more orderly and efficient kitchen space.

Even Organizers Need a Tune Up

Sometimes décor means being better organized.  After all, if you aren’t organized, you waste time and cannot enjoy your lovely décor because you are busy searching for that thing you know you have, but cannot find.

This condition is a problem for everyone except the compulsively organized, which, by the way doesn’t apply to me and probably doesn’t apply to you.

I recently gave a talk about organizing the spaces we live in; even I was surprised at what I found in my own home.  The space under my kitchen sink was still organized, and everything that I use daily was in its place and easy to reach.  Lesser used items were relegated to the rear of the cabinet, but were easily accessed with the pull out container in which they sat.  The only improvement was a light cleaning; after the cleanser dust settles it just stays on everything until it is wiped away.  Boy I could use an app for that!

One area that was recently improved upon was my spice storage.  When we had our kitchen island replaced, I had one of those slick, narrow pull out spice cabinets installed.  While I loved it in theory, I found it to be less than idea in practice.  Small spice jars took up as much space as their taller ones, and I could not read the labels unless the top of the container was marked.  I found myself having to lift each one out to see if it was the spice I needed, which was a huge waste of time.

I found a pantry door system that is fantastic for me.  I counted the items I have stored on the back of my pantry door and discovered they numbered 73-- many more than I could store either in a drawer or in the pull-out cabinet.  Not all the 73 items are spices, but they are pantry related items and free up valuable pantry real estate.

The one area the group I spoke with, was most impressed with was the ever-present “junk drawer”.  Yes, mine was organized and does not deserve such a pejorative title; maybe it should be called the “odds and ends” drawer, but we all know every kitchen needs a junk drawer.  Organizing it makes it far less frustrating and quite a time saver in the bargain.  The key to avoiding this potential kitchen disaster is using small compartments that you can fit wall to wall and front-to-back, so there is no shifting about within the drawer.  Empty space begs to be filled, and hurried people tend to drop an item in the empty space rather than find its designated spot, thus creating the junk drawer syndrome.

The pantry door hanging system took my husband only minutes to install, and I took over fitting the baskets to suit my height.  From there it only took me less than an hour to complete.  It is not a weekend long project; actually, it took under 2 hours including the pantry shifting.

Next time: Making the Most of Your Pantry and Under the Counter Cabinets

Time for a Quieter Décor

As the holiday season settles into the recent past, leaving us with happy memories recorded in our minds and on digital cameras and computers, we can look forward to a quieter time as well as a quieter décor.  While it is nice to pull out all our holiday decorations and trim the house and tree, I find it comforting to get back to an old décor phrase: “less is more”.  It is a perfect time to assess what has been into what can be, just like when you trimmed the house a month or so ago.

I usually go with a white theme, I keep some of the candles that I had out that are white and place them around with small white accents, like the little lamb I move from place to place.

I replace evergreen wreaths with wreaths using white flowers or sprayed white with natural elements.  I like to create small vignettes using the white on white theme.  Buying a white amaryllis or orchid lifts my spirits, and they will last until spring. 

A favorite vignette during the holiday may be adaptable without the holiday theme and its colors to white.  In my case, I replaced a red cardinal with a chickadee.  The bird sits in a huge snifter with a base of broken tempered glass, to simulate ice, a pine branch and a small nest, it is a small scene that can easily change with the seasons.

A monochromatic color scheme is a very restful and pleasing pallet but can be tricky unless texture is incorporated along with a reminder to scale; it need never be dull.  As with most things, the best results are in the details; it is a good idea to “go shopping” in own homes to see what we have that compliments your monochromatic theme.  Those who collect only things that have meaning to them and that are loved will find a treasure trove of items to choose from.  Sometimes just moving things from one room to another, or even from one location to another within the same room, will give the room a lift.  Of course adding a small bouquet of fresh flowers that suits your mono-color scheme will add the texture needed to help bring your room to life.

These are a few simple winter décor changes.  I am a firm believer in making small changes, especially for people who claim they don’t like change.  Those who try might just like what they create.

Turn Holiday Discards into Décor

For many families, as soon as the Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings are eaten and the rest packed up, the Christmas lights go up and the decorating boxes come out; at least that is how it is at my house. 

After opening the boxes of lights that had been rolled carefully and stored away for the season, my husband checks to see how many of the lights survived storage and are ready for another year of service.  Much to my surprise he came into the house of chaos with a huge plastic carton filled with burned-out bulbs.  I think there must have been four full strings of lights that were all working when he placed them in storage last year.  I was shocked, and more so to learn that these were destined for the dumpster!  Much to his dismay, I asked him to leave them on the counter for me.  “I have an idea,” I said.  I’m sure, his internal voice was groaning.

Home decorators have been filling pretty bowls with ornaments and vintage lights for decades, but I’d put a little different spin on the idea.  I had a mid-sized footed glass container and decided that these full sized clear colored bulbs would be a funky decoration this year.  I found some tiny LED lights at a big box store that were strung on thin stainless or copper wires and were powered by a battery pack.  I previously had used these bright lights twined around some pine branches, and they add just the right amount of sparkle; I thought of them again to add some illumination to a container of burned out lights.  The string of lights have a timer, so I don’t have to turn them on and off every day; they do it themselves, and the container looks so pretty and bright, almost like the bulbs are lit from within.

Each year, I see something that I think I can adapt or improve for a holiday decoration; if I really like what I’ve come up with, I often repeat it for another year or change it up just a little or move it to a new place in my home.

Because decorators are always intrigued with new ideas and putting their own special touch on things to make them unique, I encourage you to do the same.  Something as simple as placing an old item that you use every year, in a new place in the home brings a different dimension to it and sometimes new life.

A Holiday Vignette

A collection of favorite ornaments, photos or anything that provokes a happy memory can bring special delight to your family and guests during the holiday season.  These collections need not be static as new photos can be added at any time as the family grows.  For older generations, photo collections make a nice tribute to family tradition.

You can unify your dispirit collection of photos by placing them in similar frames; choose all black, gold, silver or red for the holidays. You can alternate the photos with red or green frames or a color that reflects the theme of the room.  Matting can be a unifying element too; using just black and white photos you can add one color of matting or again alternate with a holiday color or gold or silver.

Special ornaments that may be too fragile or become lost on a large tree, can be a vignette all their own.  Place them on a small tree made of any kind of material: wood, glass, metal.   Use a branch that has been spray painted gold, silver or black will make a striking statement.

A collection of stars hung from a low or slanted ceiling will reflect the light of candles below.  If you have a small village that you put out at Christmas time, try hanging stars at different lengths.  Use nylon filament or pretty ribbons to the magic of the scene below.

A large room can afford several vignettes depending on the number of collections you may have and would like to display.  While scale is usually the most important thing to deal with in décor, with holiday decorations, scale can be a little more relaxed.  For instance a large Father Christmas overlooking a tiny village is somehow alright, especially in the eyes of children, who tend to see him as larger than life, as he represents their fantasy world. 

If you have a collection of ceramic animals, you can take them out of their usual environment and place them on table tops around your room.   Tie a bright, colorful ribbon around each one’s neck to add a bit of whimsy to the room.  If the collection is large, try breaking the group up into smaller groups of three or five, as uneven numbers are more pleasing to the eye.  Place one next to a pretty floral arrangement or plant.

Don’t forget to put away some of the items you have on display all year, so your holiday vignettes are not competing with other collections.  Besides, it is nice to have a little change once in a while, even if it is just for a month.

Dress Up Your Space with Light

Finding new ways to add a little pizzazz to your home can be daunting for some.  My usual word on that front has been paint; but if have just painted, new lighting is another spectacular way to add that next level of excitement your home.

You will see on the market every type of chandelier from very fancy and expensive to more modest styles; one that will suit your space is just waiting for you to select it.

With lighting, you can step out of your comfort zone a little and not make a terrible mistake as long as you keep scale in mind.  Add together the dimensions of your room, and that sum will give you a good idea of the diameter of the light fixture you should be looking for.  Of course there are many things to keep in mind when deciding the size of your light fixture.

The size of your table when at rest is the number you should be considering for an everyday chandelier; when the table is fully extended for special occasions, you can add candles for additional light and ambience.  Set the fixture 30 inches to 34 inches above the table top for most ceilings, a bit higher if you have excessively high ceilings.  Having a dimmer on your dining room chandelier is always a good idea.

Pendant lights over an island are ideal, giving you good task lighting as well as being a focal point for your island or peninsula.  A lighting fixture is a great way to add an accent color to the room, as well as a focal point in your kitchen.  The addition of recessed lighting over your island or peninsula can be helpful, and dimmers here will enhance the use of the space, because sometimes you just need a little more or less light.

I like to see variety in decorating.  I often suggest using a modern light fixture in a traditional or country setting to create a happy surprise for you and your guests.  The same is true in the reverse: try a funky fixture in a typically modern setting; it helps give your space an extra layer of interest.

The bathroom is another area of the home that can use a lift with lighting.  If you have a small powder room, you can make it noteworthy by bringing in some interesting color and décor elements and set it all off with a spectacular chandelier.  Powder rooms don’t usually have much in the way of upper cabinets, so you don’t have to worry about doors opening and interfering with a hanging light fixture.  Since it is not your main bathroom, you don’t need to be as concerned with the quality of light; it’s more about setting a fun mood.

For your master bathroom, again, you can have a combination of recessed lighting as well as wall sconces or a chandelier-- whatever the décor will support.  Keep in mind that you will want good lighting for applying make-and shaving.  If you hang a chandelier, be sure that it will not interfere with medicine cabinet or linen closet doors or with privacy.

Fireplace Focal Point

With the holidays arriving at lightning speed, you will want to make sure your fireplace is clean and attractively appointed for company.  Make sure you have your chimney cleaned by a professional for the safety of you and your family.

You can easily make your mantel ready for fall with simple natural branches, leaves and gourds you can pick up around your property or buy from craft stores.  Large leaves like Magnolia are perfect for dramatic statements.  Warm metal colors are all the rage in décor; so with a can of spray paint you can make your leaves and branches into a floral bouquet or sculpture that will reflect the beauty of the firelight and bring visual warmth to your space.  Light and airy tumble weeds will cast interesting shadows to your mantel too.  Just walk around and see what catches your eye, and imagine it in a warm gold, brass, or copper tone. 

You might try covering a piece of foam board with a fabric, lightly textured paper or just paint, add it to a very large frame and place it on the mantel . This project will work nicely if you have brick above the mantel to highlight your natural sculpture.  Adding some votive candles or a pair of low wattage lamps will aid in casting shadows without the competition of the brick behind it.  Since this is a temporary backdrop, you will not have to sacrifice your brick.

Mirrors work well above fireplaces if you have something of interest to be seen in the reflection, as well as reflecting light from candles and small lamps.  Use some large glass cylinders and fill them with a string of tiny white lights; fill around the lights with nuts, pine cones, berries or colored glass ornaments.  Using various sizes of glass containers will add interest to your composition.  You can elevate similarly- sized containers by placing them on books or paper wrapped boxes, keeping in mind the theme you are wishing to express.  You will need to hide the cords by tacking them close to the wall and covering them with greenery from your garden; juniper branches work well and do not dry out as quickly as softer stemmed plants do.

If you are considering masking the brick behind your fireplace with a frame covered in fabric or paper, don’t be shy; go bold, and remember it is only temporary; the holiday season is a good time to experiment.  You can take a very dramatic color and go from the mantel top to the ceiling with your color and see how you like it.

Foam board is lightweight and easy to work with; it can be cut with a utility knife, and your fabric can be wrapped around the edges giving it a finished look.  There is no need for a frame if you want it to extend all the way to the ceiling.  There are a variety of 3M products intended for temporarily hanging things on walls without damaging the wall surface.

A mantel that is already painted is perfect for a change of color at the holidays.  Mantels usually are not so large that the project can’t be done in no time and repainted after the holidays.

If your fireplace has no mantel, you can easily affix branches to your brick work with small finish nails and wire or museum putty, found at craft and home centers.

Just imagine a change, then think of ways you can incorporate your ideas into a simple but different look-- just for a little while.

Update the Country Charm of Your Kitchen

If you would like to update your beloved country kitchen, there are many things you can do without breaking the bank.  The following ideas may help to dress-up your kitchen and give it a bit of a facelift—without making major changes, like flooring, new appliances or even new cabinets.

Starting with a clean foundation, making repairs is key to any satisfactory job.  If your cabinets are in good condition, but you are tired of the same old look, consider painting or re-painting them; or how about painting only the uppers or just the lower cabinets?  This painting style lends itself to a country kitchen like no other design element. 

 Adding some hardware or changing existing hardware could be the most expensive thing you do, but it doesn’t have to be.   There are plenty of attractive, inexpensive knobs and pulls.   You might think of mixing and matching different styles or go with old-fashioned glass.

Changing the backsplash is a little more involved, depending on what you have behind the counters now.  A simple painted backsplash is the easiest to enhance.  You can use old tiles or new tiles.  Bead board is a tried and true country fixture.  There are flexible, plastic-like “tin tiles”-- available at home centers-- that can be cut easily to fit, and trimmed out with wood molding to match your cabinets, painted or natural.  You might think about sheet metal in the tradition of old diners; use a diamond pattern for a country look as well.

Depending on the style of your cabinets, if you have paneled door fronts, you can remove the panel and insert custom cut glass panels.  Your local window or glass store will have a variety of glass to choose from including, sanded, seeded, and ribbed to name only three.  All would make a great statement in a country kitchen.  I would recommend using this idea on upper cabinets only, for safety reasons.  

If your cabinets are in poor condition, think about removing one or two doors, leaving the cavity open and add baskets or bins in a material fitting your style; the baskets and bins can be used to store root vegetables or anything suitable for an open container. 

How about removing some upper cabinets all together?  If you feel your walls are too bare, add bead board on the wall from counter to ceiling, then get some attractive iron brackets or rustic corbels and add some open shelving.  Use the space to store your everyday dinnerware, for easy access or store serving bowls and platters up high where they are easily viewed but out of the way for every day.  If your dinnerware is colorful, displaying it is a great way to add color to your kitchen.  If it is white, try adding a dash of color to the backsplash.

Yet another easy fix to an updated look is changing out the light fixture.  There are so many clever ways to make a country statement.  Take a colorful colander and turn it upside down; or buy a pendant kit-- available from the home center-- and create a fun and colorful fixture over your sink.  Let your imagination go a little wild here.  Select an outside lantern or fixture normally used outside a barn; dust it off and install it, and you have an instant country look.

Nothing Trumps a View

In design, the word is that nothing should compete with a great view.  There are great houses from the Mid-Century era that do not appeal to the masses because of their austere furnishings.   Most people prefer a little comfortable clutter, reminders of their everyday lifestyles and items from their past.  The ultra-modern home was designed for the view; therefore, the furnishings took a back seat in design and in some cases, comfort.  Sofas and chairs had minimalist in their features including upholstery to avoid detracting from the spectacular views many of the modern homes afforded.

Whether you are in a city, country or suburban neighborhood, you should consider a pleasing view when furnishing a room.  Setting up a conversation area around a fireplace is a cozy way to enjoy your room; and now that televisions can be mounted above them, there is less competition; but take care not neglect a beautiful view of the mountains, sea or a park like front or back yard.

My husband and I have just returned from our favorite vacation spot with our best friends; and each year, the four of us talk about the obstructing cabinets and a non-essential partial wall that block both a meadow and ocean views from our end-unit condo.  Clearly there are builders who cannot see past the plans, who demonstrate no vision regarding placement and outside views.

I think one of the things that defines the 1960-1980 house or condo is the bank of cabinets over an island or peninsula blocking either the view into an adjoining room or outside view.  This was one of the features our home offered when we built; and nearly from the beginning, I was disturbed by the obstruction.  It took about two decades of living with it when I decided that I could find a place for whatever I stored above the island, in order not to have to duck down to see people sitting at the island or in the dining room.

As with everything, there is some give and take with regard to making a change.  Since the cabinets were too high for me to reach and too low for me to see beyond easily, we decided to remove them.  We did recycle the upper cabinets, as a nearby family could make good use of them for an addition they were building.  Having full view of the adjoining room has made working in the kitchen much more open appealing overall. 

If you find that you are living with an obstructed view, be it window coverings, a cabinet or a wall that could be removed to expand your living space and enhance your view, consult with a professional to see  what it might take to make your room truly spectacular.  After all, when you live in a space you should enjoy it to the fullest, including the view. 

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands have become one of the most requested features for home buyers when searching for a new home.  While they have been a staple in kitchens for several decades, older kitchens do not usually have them and may or may not have space to accommodate one.

I will focus on the space without an island, but in need of one.  Naturally, a galley-style kitchen affords little or no space for such a feature, but if there is space enough for a temporary island, I suggest one one on casters that can be pushed aside or into another room when not being used.

I have made a portable island for a client using a common wire rack storage unit found in any home center.  An adjustable one that is close to counter height of 36 inches is perfect, but you can alter it somewhat if you are taller or shorter, making it a comfortable working surface for you.  The wire rack will have at least one lower shelf, which is great for additional storage.  This type of island can be a baking center: keep the mixer on top and baking supplies below, i.e., baking sheets, mixing bowls, tools and the like.

The top can be a simple hardwood cutting board; for my client, I used one from IKEA; it cost about ten dollars.  I had my husband rout out four circles that would fit over the four poles that made up the vertical structure of the rack and the cutting board fit perfectly over the top, making a great work surface.

Adding a towel bar and/or some hooks on one end is a good idea, for convenience and as a place to keep pot holders as well.  This rack, now cart, is easy to move about and has actually changed purpose from its first intended use.

There are many kitchen islands on the market today to choose from, so the choice can be difficult.  First, make sure it will suit your needs, and fit your style.  If you have room for a heavy based island, great, but if your space is more confined, look for something with less visible weight to it: something with more slender metal legs instead of heavy turned wooden legs.

You might take a walk around your house and see what you have that could be converted into an island.  I did this exercise to see if there was anything that I could use; and I did, indeed, find a table that would serve well as a kitchen island.  It is currently in my office, holding my printer as well as my case of Dunn-Edwards paint sample library.  It has a shelf, where I keep extra printer paper.  There is a drawer for ink cartridges, staples, and the like.  This table has followed me for many decades and it is by no means a “pretty piece”.  It has served as a desk for my daughter in her junior high days; and I think spent some time in the garage, collecting nothing more than dust.

As a kitchen island, I would paint it a bright color, add some locking casters and perhaps another shelf to elevate it from its desk height of 28 inches to a counter height of 36 inches.  Finally, I would add a top to serve my needs, perhaps have a piece of granite or marble cut a bit larger than the surface of the table, but balanced for stability, or have a stainless steel top made for it.  I would add a towel bar and perhaps some hooks for hanging necessary large utensils.  Keeping large pots or mixing bowls could free up some storage space inside my cabinets.

Take a look around your house and see what you could use to make a kitchen island or additional work space.

Work Stations in the Kitchen

A well-organized kitchen can be the key to a happy home.  So many kitchens today have built-in desks to pay the household bills, to check on recipes or homework.  It all sounds good on paper, but more often than not; the desk becomes a place of clutter.   Don’t know what to do with this paper or that photo--put it in the kitchen desk area.  These convenient desk areas have replaced the “junk” drawers of days gone by.

The desk areas can be controlled with a few “rules”.  The same way you train your children to put toys and school things away, you can train the family to treat the kitchen desk area with respect.  With more and more households going for “paperless” bill paying, this clutter situation should improve, but what about all the other detritus that appears on the desktop?  Take a careful look at what has collected; it is a bit like an archeological dig of your life.

Begin by clearing the nearest counter or dining space near the kitchen desk as a land spot for all that falls on the desk, and move the trash can within easy reach for tossing what is not wanted.  Separate what you need to keep or file; make piles of keepsakes, such as children’s art or photos that you wish to keep close at hand.

Once you have separate piles, you will easily see what actually falls on the desk surface and how you can change a few habits.  It is a proven fact that if you provide a specific space for things, people are more inclined to put things where they belong.  I love the idea of keeping a shredder in this area; sometimes it is not possible, due to space constraints; but if you have the space, do it!  You will find that more than half of the detritus will be gone on a daily basis; providing a trash can of some kind will help achieve the same purpose.  Opening mail daily over a trash can eliminates much of the mess with little effort.

Use the walls surrounding the desk as vertical storage for action items and label them for easy identification.  Be brutal here: keep only what is necessary, and remember to keep it simple.  There are plenty of wall mounted file holders that can be decorative as well as functional.  Mark them in a manner that is consistent with your needs; for example: label some with each family member’s name; label others bills to pay, receipts to file/keep for tax returns, school permission slips and the like.

These desk areas are usually surrounded by three vertical walls; use one for the file holders, large or small; they are effective.  Next, if you have a pile of children’s art, you might consider putting a bulletin board on one wall and keep magnets or push pins handy for affixing the art.  These works of art can be enjoyed for a period of time and replaced by the next creative effort.  Decide at the time the new piece comes in, if it deserves to be saved in the “treasure box” you created for each child; if so move it there.  This is a box that can be stored under children’s beds; use the long flat type that slides easily.

You may want a blackboard on one of the desk walls, easily achieved with blackboard paint.  (See Decorating Tip, Blackboard Walls 11-16-10, edition of the Country Journal).  This is a great idea for leaving a quick message or reminder; you also can hang a small blackboard or dry erase board in place of creating a blackboard wall with paint.

These efforts should leave your desk surface clear of papers, so you can sit at the desk to use a lap top computer easily, review a recipe, or write a thank you note to a friend.

Hot August Nights

August is our last blast of old fashioned summer.   Sure it is still hot in September, but September is typically the beginning of fall with school starting; so this is it and we all want to hang onto it as long as possible.  Many of the plans you have had for projects around the house and yard, may be put on the back burner for the summer, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy a bit of summer respite.

Where will you find such a space in the chaos of your family, friends and visiting relatives?  Kids do it, cats do it, even you can do it:  Find a small, private hiding spot for a bit of reflection, star gazing, reading a book in peace; or simply find a place to listen to your music or share a story with a special friend.

While not everyone has the benefit of shelter outside for these delightful summer eves, you can create one.   Take a hard look around your patio, yard or property; is there a tree or juniper bush, that seems inviting and secluded, or is there even a corner of the fence, where you can put a bench or chair that will be away from the hustle and bustle of the family?

Once you have located a spot, begin to make it yours; go back to the child in you if you feel you lack imagination; remember the forts you built with sofa cushions and sheets?  You can recreate a peaceful spot with very little.  The evenings darkness will provide you with the privacy you wish; add a mosquito netting, intended for a bed canopy (on-line, or import stores have them); netting will provide you some protection from nighttime insects and give you a sense of security.  There are battery powered lights and candles that can illuminate your private space, without being too bright.

If your private hid-a-way is on a paved surface, great; but if not, you might want to clear the path for safety; you could line it with stones or plants.  Add comfy seat for one or two.  Use old cushions or something new; there are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from.  Perhaps add a rug, again an old one, doomed for the dumpster; or a rug made for outdoor living would be a nice addition, if you wish to have a small gathering to share your space.

You can get as elaborate as you wish, adding more and more amenities as you see fit, but remember the simplicity of childhood and that special feeling that you have a secret spot for your own thoughts.

Space Saving Sleeping Solutions

Most homeowners use their homes to its full capacity. When faced with impromptu or even planned overnight guests, there can be a mad scramble for space.  Lucky is the homeowner with a dedicated guest room used only for the frequent or occasional guest.  For the rest of the population, a spare room may be rare and usually doubles as a home office or game room for the children.

Murphy beds have been around for about a hundred years and have improved as technology advanced and style became desired over function.  Today’s consumer will find a great variety in style and size of the traditional Murphy bed-- more commonly known “wall bed”-- with several manufacturers from which to choose from.

Styles include very traditional to the ultra-modern plus those for youth, to suit everyone’s taste and needs.  The wall beds are made all over the country; a simple Google search will reveal a number of national brands offering specialized styles to include true space-saving and multi-use beds.  There are even wall beds that will accommodate a full sized desk that you can leave set up with your computer and even a cup of coffee, while pulling down the bed portion for a good night’s sleep.

The one I’m considering for an office/temporary sleeping area in a client’s small room measuring only 9’8”X10’3” is a bookcase style.  When the bed is folded against the wall all that appears is a wall of bookcases.  There are panels that fold back to reveal the bed.  Available sizes include twin, full, queen or king, (both standard or California King).  Since the room is small and there is a dedicated guest room, the client is considering only a full-sized bed for a little extra overflow during the holidays.  The full will allow for a little more space around the bed without overcrowding the room.  The closet will be used as office storage for extra paper and supplies as well as the necessary printer.  I have suggested the purchase of a simple desk that is on wheels so that it can slide easily back into the closet recess when the bed is in use.  On one side, the closet door will be removed to allow for the desk and a chair to be accessed easily, while the other side of the closet can hold shelves for supplies and be out of sight with the door covering the office necessities.

There will be room enough for a small, upholstered occasional chair, which can be moved into the main living space as needed.  Since this room is small, the current entrance to the room off the hallway will be closed; a large opening in the wall common to the living room will be made for more accessibility.  Sliding doors with obscured glass will be hung on Barn Sliders to give access to the living room without compromising interior space of either room, giving both the living space and office a greater sense of space, light and versatility—a good solution for a small room.

Consider your small room and how it can be made more useful with the use of a wall bed; there are even styles for bunk beds or a small sofa for a studio-sized apartment.

Adding a Vintage Look to your Room

Whether your home is contemporary, modern, country or eclectic, adding a vintage accent adds interest and adds dimension to your room.  This can be achieved in many interesting ways by using items from the past.

A picture wall can have special mementos matted and framed to expand on a family member’s photograph and thus tell a story.  Great–grandfather’s military metals, and the drumsticks he used in the drum and bugle corps from long ago campaigns have special meaning and keep his memory alive.  Great grandmother’s christening gown, now fragile with age can be safely mounted on acid free board and placed under special light filtering glass in a shadow box.  If you dig through some of your treasures, you undoubtedly will find something meaningful from your family’s past.

No matter how formal or casual your home, it is still the place in which you should feel most comfortable, and it should reflect where you came from and possibly where you are headed.

A collection of frilly or beautifully embroidered handkerchiefs can be mounted, folded or flattened to display the skill and intricate workings of a bygone art.  If you travel and collect small items, you can make a clever display of them for either table tops or a wall.

Larger items like musical instruments can be grouped together and placed in bookcases or on table tops, to encourage people to handle them and get a sense of a past era.  It is through sight and touch that we connect with the past; museums are great places for such an education, but your home can be a similar place in which your own family can take pride in the past and their own history.

As we age, we are amazed that what was new is now old and frightfully how quick the playthings of our childhood seem like Stone Age toys to today’s children.  Do not be afraid to dust off some of your favorite memories and put them on display.  I kept my husband’s original slide rule-- now a bit rusted from age and non-use-- framed it and placed it in a place of honor on the family picture wall.  I imagine that to children today, that slide rule is as foreign to them as the abacus was to us; but where would any of us be today without an understanding of how these “ancient” tools were used and evolved?

I found a sculpture I made in grade school of a rabbit; it must have been for Father's Day, since I gave it to my dad.  He kept it, and years later when he was gone, I found it again among his saved treasures.  My husband was surprised at how intricate the piece was, showing musculature and details--pretty good for a third grader, so up on the wall it went.

The Psychology of Color

Most people recognize that color can influence many of our everyday choices.  Major marketing firms have done studies to determine what colors will assure that the consumer “notices” a particular product.  Studies have also determined the effect of color on a more subliminal level--the level at which a consumer may not be as aware of the influence.

It is a fact that we are affected by color.  There are three different responses to color: emotional, physical, and behavioral.  Every color can affect people, and each person will react to a greater or lesser degree to each color.  For instance, red evokes an emotional response of love and passion, and is associated with courage, danger and vitality.  On a physical level, red increases blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate.  A person may eat more in the presence of red.  From a behavioral aspect red is the color of impulse purchases, and both aggressive and sensuous behavior.

Yellow is the color of optimism, warmth, cheer, wisdom and brightness on an emotional level.  From a physical point of view, yellow sharpens memory; it is no wonder that “post it notes” and “legal pads” are yellow.  A behavioral aspect of yellow lies in warnings such as a yellow traffic signal warning that a red light is next.

The color blue rounds out the primary color spectrum generating feelings of serenity and peace as well as sadness and depression.  Blue is also associated with sincerity and loyalty.  Physically, studies have shown that a blue stimulus will decrease blood pressure and pulse rate; it is cooling and relaxing, and the antidote for red.  Conceptual, responsible, dogmatic and conservative behaviors are associated with the color blue; consider the “sincere Blue Suit” that politicians and motivational speakers wear when they wish to sway your opinion or affect your behavior.  Blue is the color associated with problem solving.

Secondary colors are just as important in their influence on how we relate to emotional, physical and behavioral aspects of life.  Green, for instance, emotionally is associated with growth, birth, envy and inexperience.  Expressions like, “she’s pea green with envy” and “he’s a real greenhorn” have been used throughout history to express these life aspects.  Rejuvenation and balance may be evoked as a physical response to the color green (think “Spring Green” which is as perennial as new grass).  From a behavioral standpoint, green promotes moderation, security and compassion; and is associated with wealth.

Emotionally, orange is the color of activity, vigor and exuberance.  While from a physical standpoint, the color tends to decrease hostility and irritability, sadly, orange is associated with cheap, inexpensive products or businesses.  However, orange tends to increase social interaction, and it promotes extroverted and pleasure seeking behavior.

Violet has long been associated with supremacy, reverence, elegance and royalty.  Violet has the same attributes in a physical sense as the color blue, in that it decreases blood pressure.  Behaviorally, violet stimulates the creative process, philosophical thinking and day-dreaming.

I have always advised my clients to live in colors that they like.  Proportion is the key; a little may go a long way in the world of décor.  You may love a fun summer shirt with hot pink, bright orange and white stripes, but would you be comfortable living for several years in rooms painted these colors?  Probably not, but that isn’t to say you cannot have those colors in your room in more pleasing proportions.  Try to avoid over- stimulating children who may have behavioral problems, but remember color can be an effective tool in helping to tame their feelings.

Multi-Use Furnishings

Recently, I made a purchase for a client that made my day because it has many uses, and nothing makes me happier than multi-use furnishings.  The piece is called a “Butterfly Table”, named for its self-contained leaves that open like butterfly wings.

The table looks like a small trestle-style table perfect behind a love seat; where it sits until the client can take it to its new home.  The table struck me as a perfect kitchen island with the potential as an expanded workspace for the kitchen or to provide additional seating for larger parties.  My initial thought was it could be elevated from its standard table height of 30 inches to 33-34 inches, closer to counter height of 36 inches, with the addition of large locking casters for easy mobility.  The client thinks it may work just fine as it stands, as it is not too heavy to move and can be used in many places in the home.

Any table that has self-contained leaves is a great bonus for fitting into different rooms.  I particularly like the gate-leg table or more common drop leaf table.  The table can remain closed, or one or both leaves can be opened if you have the space for a larger table, or leave one or both leaves down for everyday use, depending on space.

If you find such a table, and it is in good condition, great; but don’t pass up one just because the finish isn’t perfect; paint is always an option.  Of course, you can refinish it yourself or have a professional do it for you, depending on your skill level.  As always, a “found” piece comes with its own history, so imperfections add to its charm, or make up your own story using some imagination, real or fanciful.

Another multi-use utility item that has great potential is a section of wrought iron fencing.  Used perpendicular to its normal use makes a kind of ladder that might be useful in a bathroom as a multi-towel hanger or a drying rack for delicate laundry.  Of course, if used as a drying rack for delicate things, you would want the rails to be smooth, or use hangers.  You would need to fix several inches of chain link (sold by the inch or foot at hardware stores), to the top of each side of the piece to allow it to tip out away from a wall for hangers or “S” hooks to fall away from the wall.  When not in use, this drying rack can be fastened to the wall; and if painted a bright or contrasting color, could be “art”.  There may be many other ideas for this piece both inside and outside.

For the Love of Birds

One of life’s joys for me is seeing nature up close, and incorporating it into my everyday life, through décor.  Birds have always held great fascination for me from the time I was a small child.  My poor father forever had to bury any unfortunate bird caught up in the fruit tree protective netting--if I saw it first.  I am sure many a bird was otherwise disposed of without much ceremony if he happened upon it before I witnessed its demise.

In décor, birds have long been a favorite subject in ancient prints all over the globe, and they have been translated into elegant wall coverings and sculptures.  It will come as no surprise to readers to learn that I have many small vignettes around my home with a bird theme.  You can see them by visiting my Facebook business page or by going to my website.

When using a large collection of your favorite objects, you will create more interest by breaking them into smaller vignettes around the house, and they can be changed seasonally.  By using smaller vignettes, you will be less inclined to tire of them, and it will be easier to clean around them.  Using a couple of small pieces from a collection can add a surprising impact in color and texture to a room or small space.

Naturally, décor is not confined to the indoors, and being able to enjoy clay, cement and metal sculptures outside is an added joy.  Feeding birds and providing a safe place, as well as water for them will encourage them to entertain you and perhaps your pets, for hours.

Bird sculptures in a garden are as natural as color is to flowers.  The garden often allows for a bit more felicity in the use of such objects, especially if your home style doesn’t allow for such whimsy.  Color and style can be used with greater abandon outside and a sense of surprise is always welcome in a garden.  Wild birds do not seem to mind their effigies used in such a manner, and can produce much happiness in small children.

Using plants makes a natural environment for wildlife, especially birds, so you might think of tucking a small ceramic bird or a nest among your potted plants inside and outside your home.

My collection of birds almost has no bounds, I have wooden, ceramic, glass, metal and feather covered birds, mostly gifts from friends.  All these treasures have special meaning and fond memories.  Etchings in pen and ink are another way to express my love of the avian species; I have framed some prints from old books, and mixed them with landscapes and other scenes.  I always marvel at how the stroke of a pen or brush can capture one of nature’s most amazing creatures.

Transform a Dull Staircase

The staircase is an often overlooked feature in a home-- unless you happen to have a sweeping open staircase like the one in Gone with the Wind.  Most staircases are pretty utilitarian, whether they are open or closed; however, you can wake them up a bit with some clever carpet or color treatments.

For instance, if your staircase is covered with matching carpet to coordinate with the rest of the rooms and you find it a bit dull, you can change it out with an interesting texture or patterned piece that will make a statement in your room.  Carpet on stairs often takes a beating in the wear department, so changing it out might be a practical solution.

Stairs that are open and uncovered with carpet can take a hit of color and can be easily changed as your mood or tastes change.  Consider painting a “runner” up the stairs with a bold color and border it for a finished look.  Paint is so versatile; try just painting the risers, which is less of a commitment than the entire staircase painted like a rug runner.

Country and cottage houses can benefit with a bit of whimsy, such as painting each stair and riser with a different color, or by adding fun decals to each riser.  Those of you with a wicked sense of humor you can simply paint a small mouse hole near the edge of one of the stairs-- just for fun.  You many have seen magazines featuring numbers up the staircase, either painted stencils or applied using different metal numbers otherwise intended for identifying your address outside.  The sky’s the limit with these fun ideas; especially for households with young children or those who are just young at heart.

Dark staircases do not need to be overlooked; add a pretty chandelier to illuminate the space and cast some pretty shadow effects on the walls.  It is fairly common to showcase family photos up the staircase, but can be difficult to hang them.  Try matching frames and keeping them close together to form more of a collage effect.  By keeping the frames the same, you will help the collection be more unified--even though the subjects are varied.  With today’s technology, it is easy to transform your favorite family photos into different tones, like sepia and black and white.  Then you can use a collection of colored frames that all match and coordinate with your stair color whether painted or carpeted.

Always prepare your staircase for painting by roughing up the surface with a light sanding or chemical product, and use a paint intended for stairs, usually an outdoor product.  Check with your favorite paint store expert.