WEEKLY NEWSCAST:


Well, even with very good intentions, my "Weekly Newscast" has not occurred each week.  It is summertime and I am either out gardening or sitting in the garden reading a good book!


DESIGN TIP:


When selecting several paint colors, there is a wonderful series of sample charts by HGTV at Sherwin Williams.  I just selected four coordinating colors for a restaurant project, using the "Urban Organic" series...and they look terrific!

WEEKLY NEWSCAST:


I am wanting to give more attention to ceilings.  Even when they are not very high, they can be painted a color and add another dimension to your room.  One designer calls ceilings "the 5th wall" and always give them a special treatment.




DESIGN TIP:


Paint the ceiling a soft yellow or soft blue, depending on your wall color.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST:


On my recent trip to the National Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas, I gathered many new ideas.  Kitchens are getting more streamlined in design, with consideration given to several age groups sharing the space.  One display had a sit down counter that swiveled out from under the peninsula space, so the children or the grandparents could sit comfortably and help with food preparation.  Then it swiveled back under to make more floor space.


DESIGN TIP:


When picking paint colors I recommend carrying the chips around the house to look at them in many light sources, rooms with windows with sunlight streaming in, darker rooms with windows with no direct sunlight, corners that are dark, spaces with no windows... and select the final choices  on a sunny day, not a dark and dreary one.    I think that gives the best chance for the colors to work well in all types of lighting.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST


Summer is approaching and I'm going to de-clutter again...right after I finish planting the flower garden, dead-heading the iris and picking the strawberries.  Then my house will be "clean and clear" for the air conditioning season which keeps me inside almost as much as in wintertime.




DESIGN TIP:


I recommend taking the curtains/draperies to the ceiling in rooms with 8' ceilings.  It makes all the difference in elegance and also helps to visually "raise" the ceiling.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST:


The spring rains have come, the garden is planted and enjoying all the rain.  I'm inside staying dry and wondering how to pick paint colors on this very dark day.




DESIGN TIP:


I still find that sunshine is required to pick paint colors.  If I select the colors in the very best light, they look good in all types of light.  So on these rainy spring days if you need to select paint colors, pick several shades and save them to look at when the sunshine returns.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST:




Today I visited a good friend and client who has moved into an assisted living apartment.  She downsized and moved only her favorite things and things that would fit well in the new, smaller space.  And it is lovely...she has her "past life" in her "new life" and is enjoying how everything looks in different arrangements.


TIP OF THE WEEK:

When arranging furniture in an assisted living space, we needed to be sure the walkways were clear and large enough for her walker to fit.  And also, that the seating area accommodates visitors who may not be able to negotiate deep, plush sofas and chairs.  So we used what were "occasional" chairs as the main conversation area chairs.  Their straight backs, higher and firmer seats work very well for visitors in all shapes and sizes.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST:


Now that spring is arriving, my time will be divided between the garden and the house.  Time to plant and be outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  But, my house is suffering from the "winter cluttering"...it seems to happen without me being aware...so I'm going to put the "remove 5 things from each room" Rule and de-clutter so I can enjoy it when I come in exhausted from too much gardening and just sit down and rest, not look around and go "oh no!"




TIP OF THE WEEK:
Enjoy the spring time weather by opening all the windows and letting the warm breezes fill the house.  And "un-fill" the house of extraneous stuff!

WEEKLY NEWSCAST:


Spring has finally arrived and we are working on the garden.  Removing leaves and debris and being delighted to find the perennials are beginning to return...hostas about 1" high, hydrangeas adding leaves, mums beginning to grow...It is wonderful.  And along with gardening, comes getting the deck ready for outdoor living.   A new yellow/red/green striped umbrella has set the mood.  Our house is yellow with dark green shutters and our lawn furniture has deep red cushions.  Soon the flowers will appear to complete the scene.


DESIGN TIP OF THE WEEK:


In between working and playing outside, it's time to reorganize the closets...put away the winter clothes, inventory the spring wardrobe and if possible install that closet organizer system that I've been longing for. 

WEEKLY NEWSCAST










DESIGN TIP OF THE WEEK:






As we begin to go into spring, I recommend a "de-cluttering" day to clean out the "winter stashes", organize the paperwork, decide what to keep and what to give away of all the things that seem to accumulate during and after the holidays.  An "internal" inventory, so that lists can be made of tasks to be completed before the spring gardening season arrives...and the pretty weather when we all want to be outside.  I've just finished cleaning out my supply closet, my tax files (just learned we only need to keep 6 years of returns), my client files and even my email files...so that I'm ready to begin planning the garden, the outdoor deck and furnishings...in other words, change my view from interior to exterior.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST














DESIGN TIP OF THE WEEK




When painting a room a dark color, be sure that the walls are as smooth as possible.  Dark colors show up the imperfections in the wall.  Also a satin or eggshell finish looks smoother than a glossy finish.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST








DESIGN TIP OF THE WEEK:




Well the holidays have come and gone.  I enjoyed them a lot, but I did not do any work during those days.  So I'm back, restored and revitalized and ready for the New Year's projects.  I'm working with two clients, one is redoing their master bath and one is redoing their kitchen.  Both of these projects will take much patience and flexibility from these families and I hope to help them make the work as easy and organized as possible to begin the New Year.

WEEKLY NEWSCAST




















DESIGN TIP OF THE WEEK:


Well, the holidays have come and gone and I did not post any design tips.  But I guess that is ok. The holidays are a good time to get away from work and enjoy the festivities, family and friends and then January comes with its own quiet retreat time.  And then about mid January I am ready to begin the next projects.  I'm working with two clients, one is redoing their master bath and one is redoing their kitchen.  I recommend only doing one of those big projects at a time.