Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.  I don’t have to pretend, I’ve got Irish ancestors and strawberry blonde hair to prove it!  Because of my hair color,  I was always told that redheads should dress in Kelly green but never did until lime became fashionable (I was such a rebel!).   So I decided to create a St. Patty’s Day table using the non-traditional chartreuse.

Create an updated Irish table with lime green

Monochromatic color schemes (everything one color only) can work in interior design and on the table if you incorporate different shades, hues and lots of texture.  I wanted to set my table with what I already had around the house and didn’t have any trouble finding enough for a table for 4!

Place mats are a good alternative to a table cloth

I pulled out an antique side table with drop leaves from my living room for an intimate dinner.  The woven and embroidered placemats cover most of the top when overlapped.  No need to worry about spills or hot food.

Classic white dinner plates can be the foundation for any table

If you don’t have a set of white dinner plates, start looking for some.  I bought these on sale from Pottery Barn a few years ago and have two other sets from Goodwill.  You can never have too many white dishes.

The clear salad plates with a cut vine design came from an antique store. The label said Heisey, but I haven’t been able to verify that claim.  If you know one way or the other, please leave me a comment below.  They are very pretty and delicate and sold as a set of 8.

"Paint" your own dinnerware

No need to purchase special dinnerware for a once a year meal.  Create your own by placing a little design under a clear plate.  I cut out shamrocks from some left over green craft foam I had.   I drew mine free hand, but you can look for clip art to copy.

Napkins are tied with a matching green plastic wire.

Tie a cord around fan folded napkins

My sister gave me some battery-light candles.  No dripping wax or fear of fire (she knows about my passion for lime green).  I scattered some polished glass stones and craft ribbon on the table.

I added a little drawing to the centerpiece. Looks like an Irish village.

I love this little drawing of an antique village.  Could it be Ireland?.

Beer is the beverage of choice to go with corned beef and cabbage and will look great in the cut glass pilsners.  Add a postcard to each placesetting and the conversation will be off to a great start.

Toast to good health and friendship.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And my God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
~Irish Blessing

Create your own award show party

Movie fans all over the country eagerly watch the Academy Awards ceremony on TV.  I’m a big movie fan, but the TV show does nothing for me personally.  I like to see what the women are wearing and who won the major awards and  I’m always curious to find out if any of the movies I’ve seen during the year are nominated. But I can get the scoop Monday on a morning news show.

Create a glitzy and elegant bar

I like to make the event more fun by hosting an Oscar party.  It’s the perfect opportunity for a wine or champagne tasting party (it gives guests something to do during the boring segments of the show!).  Have everyone bring a bottle of their favorite beverage.  Since it’s Sunday night and no one will want to dress up, tell your gal pals to get decked out in all the bling they can find.  The more glitz, the better.  Even diamonds look great with jeans!

I pulled this little bar together in half an hour with things I found around my house.  You know me, I love to entertain so I have lots of stuff to set all kinds of tables, but you will be surprised at what you own too.  It doesn’t matter what your interior design looks like, carve out a little piece of Hollywood glamor in your own family room.

Find any little table for a make shift bar

Gold lame is the foundation for an Oscar theme party

Place a table near your TV for easy access.  I covered mine with a gold vinyl tablecloth I bought at Goodwill (I used it for a Mardi Gras party a few years ago).

Glass reflects the gold and light

Then find all the gold, silver and crystal you have stashed away.  What better occasion to use the “fancy” stuff than a celebrity style party.

Crystal candlesticks can be picked up for a song at Goodwill and antique stores.  Choose a variety of sizes to give height to the table.  I added a pair of mismatched silver tapers, but you can use gold ones too.

Serve drinks in your best glasses

Every table, even a bar needs height

Bring out your best champagne flutes and wine glasses.  A pewter compote topped with a
silver tray makes an elegant way to display glasses.  Throw on whatever jewelry you aren’t wearing.  It’s all about the bling, baby!

Bring out all the gold and silver accessorizes you can find

Even simple snacks look elegant in a cut crystal candy dish.  Pull out all the stops.

Pretzels become gourmet food when served in a beautiful dish!

Scatter gold stars and faux diamonds around the table for more shimmer and shine.

Throw lots of confetti around the table.

As your guests discuss the bouquet, clarity and body of the wine, be sure they jot down their comments in a wine journal.  In fact, these make great party favors.  Give one to each person as they arrive.  Everyone leaves with details about the bottles they tasted and will remember the ones they liked best.  Tally the votes and announce the winning wine with drum roll and fancy envelope.

Have party journals on hand for guests to write in

Hand out wine journals to everyone

For the fun of it, invest in a movie journal too.  Have each person critique their favorite or worse movie of the year.

You can record the winning movies or write about your favorites that didn't get nominated

I took down the painting I had on the wall behind my make-shift bar (didn’t go with the theme) and added a carved gold frame from an old picture to fill in the blank.  You can use a movie  poster  for a backdrop.

Even an empty frame can be a piece of art!

This frame might not fit your interior design, but it really works for this party!

My challenge was to create a fun party setting without spending any money on props.  You can serve caviar or potato chips, Dom Perignon or diet soda.  Doesn’t matter, get carried away with the theme, invite the neighbors and have fun cheering or jeering!

Make it as glamorous as you can

This setting is reminiscent of the 1930s

Anna Quindlen said, “I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consist of mostly building enough bookshelves.”

Although I love books, read every day and collect various works, book shelves aren’t just for holding books.  In fact built-in or free standing shelving can solve all sorts of display and storage issues.

An old store shelving unit is perfect for display

The patina of worn paint gives the piece character

It even has wheels in case I need to move it.

It took me a lot of hunting to find the right shelf to fill an empty corner in my family room.  Fortunately I’m very patient when it comes to furniture.  I would rather do without than to settle for something I don’t love.  This white shelving unit probably came from a store of some sort.  It’s sturdy, has wheels and with just enough chipped paint to give it some charm.  The size is perfect for my empty space.

Displaying collections can be a challenge.  Remember the rule that things have a greater impact when grouped together instead of spread around the room.  So, throughout the year I will re-do my shelf to give you tips and ideas on how to display your own collections.

I had not idea I had this many wood boxes!

The simplest display is to group like items.  I didn’t start out collecting wood boxes, but when I pulled them all together, I realized I had enough to show-off.  I rearranged and played around with them until I found an arrangement that looked good.

• I placed the heavier trunk on the bottom.  Had I put it on the top shelf, the whole unit would have felt top-heavy.

Put the heavier items on the bottom shelves

• Stagger pieces; pull some forward and others behind.  Overlapping items gives depth and dimension.

Stagger the boxes for depth and dimension.

• Pay attention to height.  None of the items should be the same height on a shelf.  Stack them up to create height or use risers (like books!).   I placed the painted box on its side so the design is visible.

Separately, each box has its own shape, color and texture, but together they tell a story.  The collection makes an impact.

The shelf becomes a focal point with a single collection.

I can't pass up cute little doll house chairs.

I also have some miniature chairs.  Anything this tiny is much more difficult to display.  They would get lost if I set them on a shelf all alone.  But when paired with a couple of boxes, they stand out.

Use the same display principles for the chairs.

Pair of traditional dining chairs in miniature

Even little items have a big impact when grouped together

Voila! In no time I created an interesting display.

Go hunting in your own house.  You might be amazed at what you’ll find.

I don’t consciously collect hearts, but I was amazed at how many I found around my house!

Business card holder and key chain

My friend Bonnie bought me the card holder and key chain for birthday presents from her favorite store Brighton.

She gave me this heart shaped candle dish one year too!

I worked with Lise Lawson Interior Design for many years.  When Lise went on vacation, I took care of her cats.  Sydney and Pika gave me little tokens of affection every February 14 to show their appreciation.

One year it was heart embroidered hand towels.

Another year, heart shaped soaps

Even a trivet with hearts.

I have a stash of hearts made from antique quilts when country style was the rage.

Home baked cookies!

I rarely bake, but did manage to cut out a few hearts (ready made dough from the grocery store and frosting in a can!).  Couldn’t even get a snap shot without someone taking a bite!

I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with family and friends, love and laughter.  Chocolate and a bottle of good wine don’t hurt either!

I’m the type of person who, instead of buying a card, would rather spend the additional money on the gift.  That being said, when I do send cards, I make my own.  I design Christmas cards every year and special cards for special events.

Of course the best cards are the ones made by your own children.  Nothing beats a childish scrawl that says “I love you Mommy”!

The best Valentines are made by someone who loves you!

If you want to send something really personal, make your own Valentine’s Day cards—write your own Love Letters.

I  do mosaic pieces with old book or magazine pages.  The ideas are limitless with a little paper, glue and a copy machine.

For Love According to Webster I enlarged the definition of love I found in a dictionary, cut card stock to fit and glued it to the front.  With a red pen, I quoted Elizabeth Barrett Browning “How do I love thee…?”

"Love According to Webster"

Enlarge the definition of Love from the dictionary

For Let Me Tell You the Ways I used the same dictionary definition, just enlarged it a couple more times and cut individual words out.  Glue them in a particular order or randomly.  Choose words that are appropriate for the person receiving the card.  A little glue stick on red card stock and you has an original work of art!

"Let me tell you the ways!"

Cut out the love words that are appropriate

The question I am asked most often by clients, friends and in general conversation is “What color is ‘In’?  It’s a simple question with a difficult answer.

The Color Marketing Group (CMG) is an organization that forecasts color trends two to three years in advance for  industry and manufactured goods.  Paint companies will create their annual color palette for the upcoming year and fabric weavers will chose shades and hues based on CMG directions and predictions.

Ever get frustrated when shopping  for bath towels to match those you purchased a few years ago?  Chances are you were disappointed to discover that the current shade is not quite the same as what you already own.  Instead of ‘silky moss’, for example, it’s now ‘pine needle’.  Out with the old and in with the new.

The good news is interior trends and colors don’t change as fast as fashion and paint stores have the ability to reproduce any color under the sun.

In December, Pantone, a company that provides color standards for the design industries, chose turquoise as the hottest color for 2010.  That’s right, turquoise.

Pantone chose turquoise as the 2010 color of the year

My advice is to look at the latest color fads and trends but stick with colors that fit your Signature Style.  Just because someone says turquoise is the color of the year, is no reason to change your own color palette.  Remember fads come and go quickly.  If it’s a color you truly love, by all means, introduce it into your home.  Buy some new throw pillows or bath towels.  You shouldn’t have any trouble finding turquoise  towels this year!

Pittsburgh Paint and Glass Color 2010 Color Trends:

Home Harmony Collection

Canvas Collection: beige, browns, gray

Grace Collection: pale butter to sea-foam green

Zest Collection: bright yellow, pure white, sleek black

Pink City Collection: Indian pink and spicy rusty orange

Sherwin Williams created their own color palette for 2010:

Sherwin Williams Treasured Collection: Aging, layers, artisan

Sherwin Williams Refreshed Collection: Exuberant, fresh, optimistic

Sherwin Williams Simplified Collection: Translucent, structure, sophisticated

Sherwin Williams Rooted Collection: Mystery, enduring, natural

The 14th of February is a day devoted to celebrating love.  You can express your affection to that special person in the usual way (go out to dinner, box of candy, over priced flowers) or with a little imagination and for a lot less cash, celebrate at home.

Create a romantic dinner for two.

It doesn’t matter if you are planning dinner or a leisurely breakfast, make it cozy and intimate.  Food in front of a roaring fire is always romantic especially if you are seated at a low table with floor pillows.  You can use a coffee table or in this instance an old wood trunk.  Cover it with a table cloth or a piece of red fabric.

Pull up an old trunk for a cozy table for two

I fell in love with this bold red and white print at IKEA. It's perfect for a Valentine's Day tablecloth.

There isn’t a single heart or flower in this setting.  Instead of placemats, I pulled out old Scrabble board games  Write a message or spell out your feelings for each other with the tiles.

You can use almost anything as a placemat or charger. Have fun with Scrabble boards.

An old muffin tin is the perfect size for extra letters, votive candles and candy (no expensive and fattening box of chocolates here!).

You know you will want extra Scrabble pieces with this dinner. Use a vintage muffin tin for candles and letters.

The valentine card is vintage, but the XOXO says it all.  Use dinnerware you have left over from Christmas.  Square red plates set “on point” complement the square game boards.

You could buy a new valentine, but I love the sappy sentiments on old, vintage cards!

XOXO equals 18 points!

Little copper napkin rings surround softly folded white napkins.  Dinner should be simple.  After all, the emphasis should be on dining, not cooking.  Chinese take-out allows you both to share.

Tuck a pair of chop sticks in the napkin ring.

Add a couple of floor pillows and you have a romantic evening ready to surprise someone you love.

Tell your love how you feel.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning said,

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

I say spell it out!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

New Year’s Design Resolutions

I never make traditional New Year’s Resolutions.  I know myself well enough to know that the beginning of the January isn’t sufficient motivation to make me follow through.  So I make lists of things I truly want to accomplish and will enjoy doing.  Some are personal, some business related and others pertain to design and my home.

Personally, I will continue with my French lessons, but make a point of spending more time practicing.

For Business I plan to blog more regularly.

Design Resolutions:

I changed the floor in my guest bath in December, so now I want to make a few more changes.  The black and white tiles have inspired me to create une salle de bain à la française.

My home office is located on the landing space on the second floor.  It originally was a bedroom before additions were made; now you need to walk through to get to the bedrooms.  I have a window with a backyard view,  book shelves and a large desk. But I’m considering creating a real office space in an unused bedroom.   A room that will inspire creativity and where I can get organized.  I envision a space that will become my own personal design laboratory.  In a family of men, I can carve out a truly feminine room!

I would love to hear your design resolutions.  Let me know!

Once my Christmas decorations are down and packed away, I’m ready to tackle a new design project.  As usual, I want instant design gratification—I want something new right now.  The house is rather dull and dark after a month of light, color and holiday spirit everywhere.

The easiest, fastest and no cost decorating idea you can do is to replace the soap in your bathrooms.  Chances are someone gave you new soap or bath products and lotions as a gift.  Get them out and use them right now!  What are you waiting for?  Put them in a new dish and you are ready for guests.  Put them in a fun container in your own bathroom.  Soap is meant to be used not saved.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in someone’s home to see a dish of lovely soaps for display only!

This soap is divine! Even the box is charming.

I love anything French or lavender scented.   My mother gave me box of dainty French milled soaps.  Another friend gave me soap from Italy. They both smell wonderful. I have enough to share (some for me, some for the guest bath!).

These French soaps look really cute in a snowman candy dish.

I found this Homer Laughlin dish at an antique store for a couple of dollars.

A basic white vintage soap dish

A basic dish is a nice contrast to a fancy soap.

You can use almost anything as a soap dish. Try an appetizer plate.

My Italian soaps are perfect for the Paris plate!

Perhaps someone gave you a hand made pottery dish.

Rustic soap is the perfect compliment to a hand-thrown bowl.

You can use almost anything for soap. This pewter pedestal dish looks really elegant.

Pile a large pewter bowl will all kinds of soaps, but be sure to use them!

Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you have to pack away all your decorations.  Snowmen and snowflakes are great for the holidays, but they can also brighten your home during the long winter months.  I live in a northern climate  where we get lots of snow, cold weather and more dark than daylight.   Snowmen are the perfect indulgence for this endless season.

• Take them off your mantle and tuck them into little nooks and crannies.  Just by moving them around the house, you’ve created a something new.

Don't pack the snowmen away just yet, move your collection to the bathroom or guest bedroom

When grouping the snow people together, vary heights, sizes and texture for a more interesting display.

• Move part of your collection to the bathroom or bedroom.

This snowman candy dish is perfect for fancy soap in a guest bathroom.

• If you’re expecting guests this winter, display them in the guest room for an unexpected touch.

• Set the table with snow friends.  Position one at each place setting at a winter party.

• Gather your men with a little quilters batting or fake snow on a tray for a centerpiece.

JI just love this snowflake plate my kids gave me for Christmas. I can use it all winter long.

Group your snowman collection on a pretty plate

• Make paper snowflakes (or have your kids do it) to hang in the window.  Line the snowmen on the window sill.

• Fill the empty corner in your kitchen with snowmen.
  

• Don’t pack away the snowmen dishes you used at Christmas time.  Fill them with appetizers at your next football party.

You can’t fight winter, might as well enjoy it!