Faux Bois

In Florida

I am staying in a Beach House in Fort Lauderdale.  The one disadvantage to this is the lack of internet service.  Staying in a hotel has an advantage here for this reason, but when traveling with children and other families, the house makes life easier.

I spending all my time in a Convention Center attending workshops and meetings.  When I am not so occupied, I RUN to the beach.  Thus, the blogging has suffered.  I apologize. 

Glass Block and White Linens

We began our trip to Florida today.  Yes.  We are driving.

The rest stop at the Virginia/North Carolina border was worth a decorator’s mention for the long expanses of glass block. 

We are resting for the night at the Hampton Inn in Darien, Georgia.  Hampton Inn is part of the Hilton chains.  The white bed linens are very nice but not as luxurious as those at the Hilton where we often stay in Virginia Beach.

Big Sale at Pier 1

Today’s circulars include an eyecatching flyer from Pier 1.  Printed on heavy orange paper, the flyer boasts of 25, 50 and 75 percent off. 

Inside shows a nice assortment of wool rugs, including the Danville, for $249.98.

Raja Tablesare $39.98-49.98.  I looked at these in the store.  They would work well in a teen room as end tables or on a covered porch. 

I love this mirror.  Though not in the ad, it is available in the store.  Only $44.68 and great texture!

Woven Chairs

Stopped Mid-Magazine

I was reading my newest Food & Wine magazine (July 2008) when this gorgeous page brought me to a screeching halt.

At first I thought it was wallpaper–WHY?  My next thought, “Oh, this is gift wrap…”  But not quite.  I looked for a long few seconds, unaware of what in the world this was an ad for.

The entire magazine page has texture, a result of the gold ink.  This could be wallpaper from the turn of the century, except for the image in the center bottom, which looks like a seal embossed with  “St. Germain Delice de Sureau”.

Thank goodness for Google.  A quick search and I find this is a liquor.  I feel very thirsty all of a sudden. Madison Avenue has done its job.  If they were targeting interior decorators, that is.

Kids Just Wanna Have Fun

I worked on a color story for an entire house yesterday and one blue swatch stood out from all the rest, screaming at us, “I don’t belong here!!”

Well, I have to admit that the color stayed.  WHAT?!?!  The sapphire blue tone was chosen by the 5 year old daughter of my client.  I can’t say no to children.

Seriously, I am a decorator who thinks it is OK for kids to get what they want in their rooms.  It would be rather hypocritical of me to do otherwise.  My philosophy has always been that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  And kids tend to love brighter colors and busier spaces.

To prove my point, here some kids room from the Decorate Your Space archives.

Dynamic Digital Images

I hung some wonderful photographs today. 

I have know Art Cole for at least 5 years now, and I am no less enamored with his work than I was the first day I saw it.  So when a project needed local fauna, it was a pleasure to be able to share his talent. 

These birds were photographed locally on the waterways here in Northern Virginia.  Art captures moments in time.  The detail is crisp and the images appear dimensional somehow.  The Heron flying is huge.  Only the frame gives away the fact that it is not really there.

Etsy Success

As a follow up to last week’s blog entry, I just received my first order from Etsy.  I started small.  I ordered a wrist-let key chain from Sweet Irie Originals in very Decorate Your Space colors.

The ordering was simple.  I had to create a log in and password and I paid with Visa without having to deal with my PayPal account.  I ordered exactly a week ago at about 11 pm.  I got a thank you email from the seller the next morning.

The package I received was wonderful!  Beautifully wrapped, and best of all, I got a free gift.  Michele Bingham  (listed on her very professional and attractive business card as “Owner, Creator, Designer”) also sent me a thank you gift.  Enclosed in the package was a scrabble tile, the back covered in a gorgeous blue and green fabric and varnished.  A silver loop is attached to the top so that I can wear it as a pendant.  And I will! 

A card for 10% off my new purchase was the cherry on top.  All this, only $8 and change. 

Dressing Up a Half Bath

The tiny hall baths on the main floor of many homes constructed within the last 10 or 15 years are paralyzingly boring.  The ceilings are often high, but the walls are narrow.  I see a lot of hall baths with zero personality.

I have an easy fix.  Add a chandelier. 

Simply remove the light fixture above the mirror.  Choose a chandelier that suits your decor.  Smaller versions are better.  The faceplate can be mounted on the wall where the old fixture was wired.  Install a heavy plant hook to the ceiling and string the chandelier cord over the hook so that it hangs directly over the sink.  (High enough to avoid tall person head collisions.)

Add an interesting color, or better yet some wallpaper, and problem solved!