… or sweet… or tranquil… or sophisticated… or cheerful… or sporty… (felt like I was naming off Spice Girls or the 7 Dwarfs for a second there…)

Summer is an awesome time to paint. But when contemplating the options feels a bit like counting stars in the night sky, it’s no wonder that many are overwhelmed with the thought of it. Regardless of whether you love or hate to paint, color can have a remarkable affect on us - not just psychologically but physiologically.

Few people realize that color affects our mood, our appetite, even how well we are able to concentrate or relax in a space. Literally, color can make or break a room. Need I also mention that 1 in 10 men are also color blind?

Because color can be so complicated, and because I know the difference the right color can make, a color consultation is one of my favorite services I offer. I love being able to work with someone for what could be as little as an hour, and be able to provide them with peace of mind and confidence that they will love their color selection.

Is there a painting project on your To Do list this summer? Call or write today to schedule your consultation.

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Last but not least, metal is also trending strongly these days. Another classic element to design, metal is great for adding variety, sophistication, and a touch of sparkle to a space. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, but be mindful that different finishes may support or conflict with the character or vibe of a room.

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Just so we are clear, this post has nothing to do with big hair or magic spells… A Pouf is defined as a “soft round or square seat with no back or sides”. These adorable little buggers are fantastic! and here are several reasons why. Not only are they adorable (as mentioned), but they are versatile too. Poufs can be used for additional seating as well as to rest your feet on. In some applications, you might even use one as a semi-sturdy side table. Poufs can be colorful, textural, and durable as they are generally made out of leather. Still need convincing? Poufs can also be used as storage! That’s right folks, storage. Traditionally, European countrys are slim on storage so they keep their off season clothes in these soft boxes. Love, love, love them.

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Believe it or not, I’ve just discovered Etsy. (I know! What is wrong with me?!) Granted I heard about it ages ago, but I never slowed down long enough to peek for myself. Amazing! This is an excellent resource for vintage finds and handcrafted wares. Take a look…

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Talk about amazing… Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a very talented woman with a remarkable home. Miss Kandi has a fantastic eye, not just for decorating, but the architectural details as well. Between her creative vision and her husband’s proficiency in carpentry, there is little they cannot accomplish. Perhaps my most favorite feature of their 1904 home is the kitchen’s fireplace (bottom right), followed closely by the second set of stairs, which would have been originally used by the house staff.

Thank you again Miss Kandi!

Fortunately, I am still in the position of minimal responsibility when it comes to Thanksgiving. Well, in terms of food preparation that is. I think it is safe to say that I tend to fall into the role of “floater” in situations of family gatherings. Forgot a major ingredient? I’ll zip to the market. Kids need a distraction? Auntie to the rescue! Minor flooding in the basement? Tend to the turkey Mom, it’s under control.

As you may have guessed from my last entry, my initial reaction to Thanksgiving = ***FOOD!***. Hence, the post on decadent dining rooms. Nevertheless, I’d like to give props to those multi-taskers doning the aprons this year - enjoy these amazing kitchen images.

This is a fun post I started a while back… Stairs are one of those structural details that doesn’t have to be boring. Just see for yourself!

In what will be an exciting series dedicated to color, I have decided to start you off with one of my absolute favorites: Green.

Green is known to represent hope, growth, luck, nature, fertility, rebirth, peace, balance, luxury, prosperity, vitality, abundance, and more. From yellow-green to blue-green, there are more variations of green than any other color in the world. Green has become associated with environmentalism, and is considered to be Nature’s perfect neutral. Enjoy!

To be honest, the excitement of Christmas hasn’t been the same since I outgrew my one-piece “feetie” pajamas. If you are like me, one way to nourish holiday cheer is to decorate your home.

Families and traditions come in all shapes and sizes. Your style of choice may be the classic red, white, and green combo, or blue and white for Hanukah. If so, I am here to encourage you to step out of the box! The possibilities for decking the halls are endless, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

As an alternative to the classic red, play things up with pink or orange. Purple, green, blue, turquoise, brown, silver, gold, etc. all have potential to create dazzling displays individually or in combinations. The inspiration behind a theme can come from anywhere: a hobby, rural/farming, urban/modern, retro, Adirondack, tropical, winter solstice… Your favorite holiday book or movie are other sources for decorating ideas. Silver bells can represent “The Polar Express” or a thin, somewhat pathetic secondary tree lends a nod to “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown”.

Have fun - it’s time to celebrate!

(Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens)