Archive for January, 2010

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!