10 min. Vignette

I try real hard not to do a lot of "ME" post on my blog. I am very uncomfortable posting my clients homes and most my friends do not know that I have a blog. My mom only found out yesterday. But I thought I would share this work in progress with you . . .

My youngest daughter recently moved out and I am turning her room into a all-purpose space. I do not want to spend a lot of money and plan to use the room for my gym, scrape booking and the computer. I wanted to get a table for the scrape booking and found this one at a junk shop for $200.00, plus it came with 2 chairs that were like the ones I use in my pool house so I jumped on it. I brought it in "as is" and put together this little vignette in about 10 mins. I wanted to show that it is not the condition or style of the peice that makes it work, it is the eye candy on top.

Again, not wanting to spend a lot of money, I got these simples drapes at T.J. Maxx I did finally iron them.

This is the before, I closed the drapes, because my daughter had not cleaned her window in . . . forever! I added texture to the walls and hard wood flooring. I still have a long way to go, but I wanted to let you guys see what I have been up to.

Asian Influence

I have been in a Asian mood lately . . . I made sweet and sour soup with egg rolls last night for dinner and now I am drinking black tea with my breakfast. So I thought I would go all the way and do a Asian post this morning. I've had these photos in my files for awhile and hope you guys like them.

However, this is my real experience with China . . . My daughter in her high rise apartment in Hong Kong . . . Notice how low the counters are, and all the beautiful accents . . . I only wish I had taken a photo of my son in law using the ironing board . . .

Drama Queens

Some rooms just demand to be the center of attention. They show off with big color and pattern , screaming , "Look at me!"

I really like this room. It is fun and exciting, very well done, but I wonder if I would soon lose interest and retreat to a calmer space . . .

I tend to think we should leave the drama to "Children's Rooms" or to our own bedrooms. But then how would one get any rest? Is it just me? How do you feel about "Drama Queens" ?

Something to Talk About

Penny for your thoughts on this room.

The Coffee Table

Named for the beverage introduced in the Early seventeenth century, the coffee table has become "habit forming".

Reputed to be the only piece of furniture invented in the twentieth century, the coffee table is perhaps the most versatile.

It stands ready to hold drinks, books, plants, as well as coffee. Though it's name may imply a specific purpose, the variations are unlimited. So tell me, what's on your coffee table right now?

Happy Birthday Twiz

Living Room

The most important quality of a living room is that it is actually lived in . . . gone are the days of "show rooms" for company only.

This very important space should be for reading, listening to music, relaxing as well as for socializing.

If the room is too formal it will not be comfortable for anyone . . . so make it feel more casual. Take away anything that is too precious, anything that says, "HANDS OFF".

Add a throw blanket, a few well-loved books, candles and fresh flowers. Is your living room holding up the "WELCOME" sign?

Pet Peeve ~ Too High

This is the most common mistake that I find when I go into other's homes. The "Too High" mistake. Lower the art in your mind and you can see how much better it would be. I usually think about 6 inches from the sofa works best.

When placing something over a table the same rule applies, so many times you need to stack pieces. Scale and balance is so important in design , these few little rules can change the whole feel of a space when done correctly. Look around your own castle, do you need to lower just a bit? Or maybe add something above or below? Is it time to go shopping or time to get out the tools?

Get to know Ms. Weaks

This designers work speaks for itself . . .

Pink

I am always drawn to pink rooms, and yet, I have never had one myself. I know why this is . . . it is because I want all the rooms in my house to flow from room to room and I do not feel that a pink room would do that.

But if I ever get the chance to start over fresh, I promise I will do things differently. I will not be so earthy and safe and I WILL have a pink room, maybe even two.

I am thinking about doing my guest room something like this. Do you like it? I can't decide, I love green and ivory too and those colors would flow in my earthy house so much better. Let's take a poll . . . help me out here, which should I do?

The pop of pink makes this space so hip and fresh. The room is timeless but the pink makes it so now! How do you feel about Pink, do you have a pink room in your castle?

Talking Walls

Our home environment speaks for our life. This personal communication has less to do with the verbal and more to do with the physical elements.

Does your taste run to minimalism - a person of few words . . . or to the abundance of an extrovert ? The point is, walls speak . . .

I also find that a homes exterior will tell you a lot about a the people living there. It speaks volumes about how they feel about themselves and the life they have made . Look around your castle, what are your walls saying about you?

Things That Make You Go

ahhhhh . . .

BEWARE

I know we have all heard it by now that "Wallpaper" is making a come back. Don't say you were not warned to walk away . . .

Even the most beautiful, will put you in a box that is hard to step out of. Soon the walls will be caving in and there will be no stopping your suffering.

I do think this is pretty, but I have fallen for that trick before . . . Don't be deceived by the wrapping!

Even the great " Mr. Smith" has shown he too can lose control. Will you be next?

Something to Talk About

Penny for your thoughts on this room . . .

Forgotten Spaces

Halls, staircases, doorsteps are all "non rooms" that have incredible potential for something unique to happen. Notice how a whole new set of windows have been painted on this wall in Ms. Joan Rivers home.

Spaces often passed by on ones way to another space can become "Art Galleries" to stop and enjoy for just a moment.

Do you have a sadly ignored space, that could be a golden opportunity to showcase something wonderful in your own castle?

Collecting Art

Art is the one thing you can put in your home that will not ever need "updated". If you love a piece of original art it will become something that you can keep forever. It need not be expensive either, there is great art out there at all price ranges. This is a piece I lovely take out every Dec. my mom painted it for me.

This is a painting I purchased some time back from Fifi Flowers
http://www.fififlowers.com/ Be sure to check out her blog for more of her work.

Most of the art in my home is original with the exception of a few pieces used in my bedrooms . . . and I plan to replace those as I find pieces I love and the funds to cover them. I got this piece on a trip I took to Hong Kong. (Buying art when traveling will always take one back to that place and time.)

Never buy art to match your sofa ect. Buy what makes your heart sing . . . this is a pastel of me when I was 13 years old, done by a neighbor boy. I took alot of kidding over this one . . . but when we built our home, he gave it to me as a house warming present.

Not a good picture of this watercolor, but my camera is not taking the best pictures for me these days. (I think it is time for new one. ) I wanted to include it because of everything I own this is my favorite thing. It was done for me as a 16th Birthday present , painted by my boyfriend, now husband. I will share more of my collection at a later time and I would love to hear about your own collection.