Maybe the color Emerald is What We all Need

Have you heard?  Pantone's 2013 color of the year is Emerald.
 "Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty                      
                        that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
 
Of course as a decorator, my mind first thinks about how to use that color in the home.   The more I started looking at green the color, and the meaning of green and what feelings it brings about, the more I am positive that we all need a little Emerald in our life right now.  After all, green is the color of balance and harmony.  It is the color of growth.  Green reminds me of springtime, of nature and renewal.  After a long winter in the midwest, the color green restores depleted energy and is an emotionally positive color.  Maybe the color Emerald, whether it's through accessories in our homes or accessories in our wardrobes, has that magical subconscious power to help us restore ourselves back to a sense of well being.  Although my blog isn't the place to talk about our nations' challenges and it will take a whole lot more than the color green, I've decided to embrace the color Emerald in small ways where I can so it will remind me of "well-being, balance and harmony" on a daily basis.  

Some simple ways to incorporate this lively, lush color inexpensively and for a punch of color around the house:

Simply add some bamboo to your kitchen counter! 
Add a few emerald color pillows to your bed or couch. 
If your bathroom needs painting, consider painting it green.  Or maybe do just an accent wall.
Bring in a small wooden accent table and paint it green and white for beside a bed or chair.
Easier I think to bring some green to your outdoor area this spring/summer.  Change up your outdoor furniture cushions with a fun pattern including emerald.
Add a green throw over your couch to keep you warm on a cold winter day.
Wear a green pashmina/scarf this winter.
Buy some green jewels and put them in a hurricane vase with an earthtone candle.
Fill your candy bowls with green candy.
Buy a green coffee mug!

I posted at the top of my blog a Houzz widget with my Emerald finds from their website.  Make sure to take a peek!

New Year's Eve Decorating

Are you throwing a New Year's Eve party?  Make the party extra festive by adding some finishing touches to your decor.  Try a New Year's centerpiece like this one using some of your Christmas ornaments:

I think it's a wonderful idea to use clocks as a New Year's theme.  As a cupcake topper (photo courtesy of Fiskars.com; check out the pattern to make these at www2.fiskars.com) or a decorative place setting:

Scatter clocks throughout the party area and have them set to go off at midnight!  (photo courtesy of MarthaStewart.com)

Countdowns make a fun decor element and coordinates well with the clock theme.  You can find directions on making these corkscrew countdown numbers on www2.fiskars.com in their crafting section.

photo credit below: Antonis Achilleos/Women's Day
I just learned about the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas just after midnight or on New Year's day because they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity.  So as pictured, fill vases with black-eyed peas for good fortune and add some flowers for color and interest.

 

Another good fortune idea is to create your own fortune cookies with inspiring New Year messages inside of them.  The directions to make these can be found at www2.fiskars.com.  Just remember to have fun, be safe and to approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each day!  Happy New Year!

 

 

Decorator Nate Berkus Reinvents His Manhattan Duplex : Architectural Digest

Decorator Nate Berkus Reinvents His Manhattan Duplex : Architectural Digest

I absolutely LOVE how he transformed those awkward windows in the Master Bedroom to look like tall windows!  Pretty cool idea!

My New Mantel Holiday Decoration

This year I decided not to hang my stockings from my mantel and instead try something new.  I love, love, love these big ornaments so they went front and center and became the focal point of my mantel this holiday season.  My husband was glad I decided to hang them here because otherwise he was going on the tall ladder to hang them from our 2 story foyer chandelier.  He may not get off the hook next year! 

Why Choose Custom Window Treatments?

There are many reasons why to choose custom window treatments.  First reason is that they are guaranteed to be one of a kind!  There are so many fabric choices for custom treatments.  You are welcome to come with me to the designers showroom to see all the fabric books!  Your head would spin!  There is such a wide range of colors and patterns.  I love the hunt and finding the perfect fabric and matching the trims.  That's another reason why to choose custom; details like trim and cording make your window treatment especially unique.  Custom window treatments just look and hang better because of the quality construction that goes into the fabrication of the treatment.  Custom treatments can be specifically made to fit challenging windows or doors.  The ready-made treatments you find at the stores won't always fit arched or oversized windows.  These specialty shaped windows require creative designs.  Window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme.  So finish your rooms by adding warmth and style with a treatment that you are excited about!

Greenhouse Fabrics: Greenhouse Fabrics Chevrons and Geometrics

Greenhouse Fabrics: Greenhouse Fabrics Chevrons and Geometrics: Chevrons and geometrics dominate the scene.  From fashion, to fabric, to furniture, these modern trends can be seen everywhere.  Brighter ...

Want something new? Re-Design it!

You may have heard the term Re-Design.  What is it exactly?  In literal terms, it's to change the design of something.  You can do this in many ways.  In decorating, you can start from scratch and come up with a new design scheme; new colors, new furniture, new layouts, new window treatments, new accessories.  Or you can take something you already have and use it in a new way.  Or you can tweak something you already have and create a totally new look.  However you re-design, it's fun to have change in the home and find a new appreciation for your decor.  After all, your home is your haven.  So make it inviting, comfortable and beautiful for you.

Window Treatment Re-Design:  We redesigned this over the sink window treatment.  The homeowner wanted to open up her view over the sink so we raised the existing treatment with medallions to accentuate the arch of the window.  We also added some beaded trim so it would catch the light in the windows and add more interest.