Ready or not, another school year is about to begin.  Preparation goes way beyond purchasing pens, pencils and backpacks.  Moms and dads are thinking ahead to the school year scramble that will certainly ensue:  after school this, sports practice that, music lessions, science projects, the dog ate my homework, essays, algebra, carpooling, dinner on the go, heartburn, headaches – I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

Families living in the fast lane need to be adaptable and organized. Working with a designer can help this familiy establish appropriate study environments, storage solutions, as well as encourage a comforting space for the fleeting moments of relaxation.  A family on the go doesn’t have time for “Mom, where is my [fill in the blank]?”

Your friendly professional organizer is just a phone call away!

KAZA, local design shop and entreprenuer extraordinare, was recently chosen NH Hampshire Magazine’s “Editor’s Pick for Shabby Chic Revival!”  But wait – there’s more!  Home Accents Today (a national publication) also named KAZA as one of the 50 Retailers for 2010!  (I am so proud, I am busting!)

Located at 202 South Main Street in Concord, KAZA is an absolute gem.  Stop by or visit www.kazadesigns.com to see for yourself what all the buzz is about.  You’ll be a raving fan too!

KAZA:  Recycle.  Trade Fair.  Live Funky.

Lordy! Lordy!  Has it been hot!  After sweltering through a week like we’ve had, wouldn’t it be nice to spend some time relaxing on the water?  During the summer months, many vacationers and New Hampshire locals will be traveling to their lakeside second home or rental property. Often times, these spaces contain a hodgepodge of hand-me-down furnishings and decor from their owner’s primary residence.

Do you have a second home or cottage in need of some expert advice?  Contact Lavender & Lotus Interior Design to create the dream getaway you will never want to leave.  Each design is custom made to meet your needs and reflect your style. 

Do you rent the space to traveling vacationers?  Working with a designer is a great way to increase the value of your investment.    Help is just a phone call away.

Well, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:  good design is about function just as much as it is about beauty.  Such is the case when it comes to lighting.

An often overlooked element, lighting plays an important role as to how well a space supports the needs of our everyday activities.  Just recently a friend asked me what she could do about poor lighting in her small kitchen.  Great question!

Lighting works best when applied in layers:  general, task, accent, and decorative.  While most homes come equipped with general or ambient lighting, fewer incorporate essential task lighting.  To remedy this situation, consider installing under cabinet lighting or adjustable recessed fixtures.  For the best advice, however, invite me over for a consultation

Have you noticed a friend or family member hunched over the kitchen counter, struggling to see what they were doing?  Or have you been startled by your own shadowy reflection while using a friends’ bathroom?  Perhaps Suzy Q from your office has developed a reputation for wearing one blue shoe and one black shoe.  These people may be suffering from poor lighting conditions.  I can help homeowners overcome their lighting obstacles as well as refer a reputable electrician if necessary.

Probably every home or office has that catch-all drawer, table, or closet, but some cases of clutter are a bit more severe.  The stack became a pile, the pile became a mountain, and the mountain grew out of control.  Like watering Gremlins and feeding them after midnight, clutter can multiply to chaotic and destructive measures.  One day you may step back and wonder, “what happened to my home?”

Clutter can rob someone of their energy, freedom, and living the life their soul intended.  If you know a friend or relative who has some serious clutter issues, I ask that you simply plant the seed about working with a professional.  This habit can be a lifetime in the making and will require a commitment from them to change.  When they are ready and willing, I’d love to help them on their way to greatness.

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of organizing a space to create a harmonious living environment.  To be quite honest with you, it is not a service I often mention.  Reason being:  of those who have shown interest in the practice, I have met an equal number of skeptics. 

Regardless of whether or not you are a believer, principles such as harmony, variety, balance, and awareness to the flow of energy thread Feng Shui into what I consider simply good design.   

Potential candidates for Feng Shui include those who:

• have read/watched “The Secret”;
• enjoy authors such as Napoleon Hill or Paulo Coelho;
• believe in abundance, recognize energy, or have studied Tai Chi; and
• are looking for a catalyst for change.

From the interested individual to the hard-core enthusiasts, Lavender & Lotus Interior Design would love to be part of your next project.

I need to tell you about a serious problem – a problem that has plagued homes and offices across the State.  Side effects may include nausea, indigestion, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, insomnia, or increase in blood pressure.  Similar to the symptoms of ugly wallpaper, I’m referring to…

UGLY WINDOW TREATMENTS!

Aside from the obvious fact that they are ugly, window treatments in need of replacing may have been damaged from a climbing cat, faded from direct sunlight, or reflect the style of decades past.  I can help homeowners with custom designed window treatments, as well as with selection of ready-made alternatives.  What do YOUR windows look like?

Mother Nature, in all her glory, sure had her share of mood swings this week.  Sunny and 86 one day, drizzly and 56 the next.  (We must be in New Hampshire!)  Well despite her occasional cloudy disposition, I’d like to thank Mother Nature for infecting so many of us with Spring Fever.  The male reaction to this climate change is often to jump on their Harley’s or scramble to the nearest golf course.  Women, on the other hand, might take this opportunity  to update their home with the season.

 Spring is a time for cleaning, pulling clothes out of storage, organizing, rearranging furniture, or change color palettes entirely.  Make the most of this year’s Spring cleaning with the advice of a professional.  Call or write for a consultation today!

While innocently perusing pages of Facebook, I was quickly distracted by an advertisement for DecorDreamHome.com.  Since I’m such a sucker for beautiful things, I couldn’t help but investigate further.  The pillows!  The accessories!  Very exciting…

Where do I begin?  Just the thought of writing this post has my mind racing with excitement!!!  That, or perhaps I’ve had too much coffee.  Either way, Target is a fantastic resource for just about everything.  Rather than walking you through, aisle by aisle, I will do my best to focus on that which is most relevant.

The images below reflect a lot of my own personal style.  Aren’t they fabulous?!  If you happen to disagree, don’t count them out alltogether.  Between their retail stores and online, Target has a huge selection of bedding, lighting, window treatments, home decor, tableware, and the list goes on…