Adventures of Dusting

tulipsandteapots

I used to think I wanted a home filled with collections and things I love. I wanted my guests to have a very clear idea of who I was as soon as they walked in my home and found themselves surrounded by my life. Crown moulding, framed pictures, hand-me-down furniture, fabrics, books, and details, details, details.

How naive I was.

Today, I was a good daughter to my mother and decided to dust her entire home. Repeat: her entire home. Well, at least the parts I could reach, so my 5'3"ish self actually dusted about 1/8 of the house.

I dusted around the crown moulding, framed pictures, hand-me-down furniture, fabrics, books, and details, details, details.

coohomehousedesigning

Since then I have come to my senses. I now think something like this would better suit me. One quick swoosh of a rag and you're done. Easy breezy.

Jaime Hogge

can't. narrow. down.

too. talented.

I mean, come on.

I've been staring and staring...

frightening and peaceful

how does one make a space this boring look so inviting?

yum colors, framing and texture

and my ultimate favorite:

it reminds me of days in San Diego

Did you not feel as if you were standing in each of these places? I sure did.

Jaime Hogge, you are spoiled with talent.

Blind-date Boy and the Balcony

Once upon a time I was set up with a boy who had a balcony overlooking all of Salt Lake City. Every time I went to his house I found myself planning it so we eventually made it to the balcony - rain or shine, day or night. You guys, it was incredible. I loved it out there. However, that was the only thing I loved about my time with him. And I'll admit, I went on those last dates just for the balcony. It was hard to say goodbye.

The balcony stayed in my mind far longer than he did, and since then, my interest in designing outdoors has been peaked. Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating your own outdoor living space.

The Purpose

Be it for gardening, grilling and dining, poolside afternoons, a play ground for the kids, relaxing, or parties, having a clear purpose in mind will help your outdoor space to become beautiful and useful.

1 and 2

Space

Obviously you have what you have. Rather than wishing and hoping for a different shape or size, keep these tips in mind and think outside the box. Surely we can come up with something and make it work.

Comfortable Seating

Hammock, day bed, cushioned chairs, sofa set, or poufs. If it's not comfortable, you won't want to spend time out there.

Color

What colors and patterns would you like to use to accent to the natural beauty of the outdoors?

Landscape

Remember, you are outside. Let nature have a say in the space.

1, 2, 3

Lighting

Floor lamps, overhead lighting, spotlights, candles, lanterns, or Christmas lights. They not only make the space useable in the evening hours, but can help set just the right mood.

Shade

And if you live in a warm place, misters are awfully helpful

Happy Birthday, oh creative one

My younger brother, Oliver, has this obnoxious and inspiring habit of turning everything he touches into a masterpiece. I'm not just being a nice sister - this is the truth. Without a day of private lessons in his life he has managed to learn enough guitar and piano to get by in the music writing process, without a solitary hint of support from any English teacher he has written some amazing lyrics, and he's picked up paint brushes, sewing needles, guns, hair straighteners and cameras and always manages to create something better than the next guy. It would be disheartening, however I assume some of that natural talent was shared with me during the divvying out of chromosomes so I keep on trying.

Today, being this handsome giant's birthday, I was able to present him with a gift that I think is more so a present for me than for him (he will get to use it, but I'll get to look at it...and maybe sometimes he'll let me use it too). After over a month of keeping this perfect present a secret, I handed him a Polaroid camera and five boxes of film. I can't WAIT to see what he creates from this moody film and the details he chooses to capture in the infamous 3.5" x 4.2" box.

Here's to many more years of creativity, Olivert.

Being Happy and Content

Thanks, Let go live freely

I think something we must all remember is that we don't need a new replacement for every outdated thing in our life. We can make things work, be grateful for those things, find the beauty in our "used" goods, and then move on to live happily with what we have.

Scattered Blacks and Whites

Thanks, Habitually Chic. Really, I thank you.

Roman and Williams, you can do no wrong.

A room inside a room - how creative is that?

Why does this work?

• Textures galore! Even the flooring, though it isn't so much a tangible texture as it is visual.
• Complete cohesiveness in their style of furnishings. Rustic, yet tailored.
• A room inside a room. Did I already mention how insanely creative that is? It seems so comfy as well.
• The white isn't a dull, lifeless white. There is a tint of cream in it, allowing it to remain white but dance in the light with different hues. 

Smorgasbord of Headboards

Some say it comes when you first start supporting yourself, some say it is when you turn twenty-one, but I think the mark of adulthood comes when your bed has a headboard attached.

But I think I'm doing it backwards. I have cheated the system. I have gone back to a life of living at home after being away for a few years - something that seems a bit more adult-like than living under the roof of my parents - and yet, now I get a headboard. I'm not complaining one bit. I'm merely commenting on how I longed for a headboard during my years of a lumpy mattress balanced precariously on cinderblocks. I'll consider it my graduation present.

While a headboard can be a steep purchase for someone bouncing from apartment to white-walled apartment, the sacrifice doesn't have to be made completely. Below are a few creative and do-able headboards for a less than expensive price:

               A display of things you love                                A piece of fabric draped over a rod 

        A fireplace mantle       A jumbled collection of cool things         Simple, yet bold artwork

                      A wire room divider                         A framed chalkboard. Especially useful for an artist.

I find joy in making things work. It is such a pleasure to have to think around a problem to find a non-conventional solution. But for now, I'll stick with my real life adult headboard.

A House Tour: Sheryl Crow

I recently had two interviews with the same company. One of which was a group interview, which is essentially a game of who can sit up the straightest and make all of the good answers fit into one run-on sentence.

I sat up so straight.

In one particular run-on sentence by a competitor she stated that this company was, in a way, that person. That person who always looks tailored, the one who can pull off anything, the one who gets the coolest jobs in the coolest cities and has friends all over the world, but still treats you like you are her best friend. You know, that person. I agreed completely with my competitor and started daydreaming about people I know and places I've been who have those characteristics.

Her explanation reminded me of a house tour I saw recently by Architectural Digest. I suppose I should admit that this is Sheryl Crow's house. I guess it's good that I'm a fan of one thing she's created...don't tell her I said that.

Thanks, Architectural Digest

What I like most about this home is that it looks like a harbor to her collections. It looks like someone lives there and that personal thought has been put into the decor. Not to mention the black and white theme that ties every room together - something I've become more fond of over the past few months. This house, despite it being a Hollywood Estate for a Grammy winning artist, seems reachable. It has elements that can be tied into the home of someone who has never released a studio album. It seems like Mrs. Crow found what made her happy, displayed what she liked, narrowed out what she didn't like, and slowly made her home into a library of furnishings and collections carrying her personality.

Serena Eller Photography

Serena Eller has a really cool job. For one, she gets to be a photographer every day. My jealousy is already raging. But beyond that title, she gets to be a photographer of interiors, which means she gets to spend her time in rooms like these:

Very cool, Serena Eller, very cool.

Determining Your Style

One of the easiest ways for someone to decide what they do like is by first deciding what they don't like.  It's a simple solution, as a designer, to bring magazine clippings of rooms to a meeting and circle, cross out, highlight and take notes on the picture based off of the comments made by the client. That unfortunate attention on the negative can usually result in an understanding of the client's style, if that has not already been determined.

Below I will post pictures of sitting rooms, all completed well, in my opinion, but each in a very different style.  For those of you in the process of decorating or redecorating a home, consider this my free consultation with you.  You can take notes on aspects and details that you find appealing and "live-able" and also on those parts that seem completely out of touch with your needs and wants. By that process of elimination, your style should be determined.

Be honest with yourself in this little quiz.  Some styles are more popular than other right now, some photograph better than others, but when you are choosing the look of your home it is important to choose something that will seem timeless and perfect to you. Let's begin.

Thanks, Apartment Diet, for this beautiful industrial-rustic space.

Cozy and French, via Pretty Little Things For Home

Tailored, yet eclectic, via House Beautiful

Soothing and airy, via House Beautiful

Thanks, My Little Apartment. You showcased a modern glam room with a hint of natural elements

Traditional with - I say African - they say tropical influences. Thanks, Traditional Home

A Danish cottage beauty thanks to NY Times

The "No-One Really Lives Here" living room, via Traditional Home

Sleek and Modern, thanks to Home-Designing

And this is hardly the beginning. There is Moroccan, Contemporary, Shabby Chic, Tuscan, Bohemian, Mission Style, and many more. But I'll stop here before anyone gets too overwhelmed. So, did you find something you like?