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.