Christmas . . . By Design

Today we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The design of God’s plan of sending His Son to earth as a baby at the perfect time in world history continues to inspire and change the hearts of the people He came to save.

The right king had to be on the throne.  The right mom-to-be had to have the precise past.  The right man had to choose her for his wife despite the speculation.  The right government decrees had to be handed down at that specific time.  The right place had to be available for a humble birth to take place.  The right heavenly bodies had to align to be the ultimate guiding light. 

The design set in motion before time began culminated in God’s flawless timing for the modest start to the life on earth of our Savior.  That life on earth would end in the greatest sacrifice that ever had or ever would exist.  And yet, He lives.  Today, we celebrate love.  We remember the journey of a virgin birth to the growth of a young man to the message of salvation He spread that continues to pass from generation to generation.  He could have come with all the pageantry and grandeur of a king.  But instead, he was born in a stable and was laid in a trough for the animals, just as God designed. 

God chose a most unique entrance for Jesus.  And we are invited to choose Him as the Lord and Savior of our lives.  He offers the free gift of salvation every day of every year.  No boxes.  No wrapping.  No bows.  No tags.  No need to place it under our Christmas tree.  The greatest of gifts is extended to you today.  All you need to do is open your heart and receive it.  That is the ultimate message of Christmas . . . by design.      

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 25th.

Personalizing Your Christmas Party

Treat your Christmas guests to a little something special by adding some simple, personalized touches to place settings around the dinner table and unexpected extras along with your holiday party buffets.  Let your family and friends know you are happy to host them personally this Christmas season.

The standard fold-over place card can be upgraded by accessorizing.  The mission is the same: designate each chair with a name to suit your planned seating arrangement.  But a little flair can go a long way.  Print name cards and tie them on to Christmas tree ornaments, setting them alongside each place setting.  Use a ribbon strand in place of a name card, using sticker lettering to spell out the names of your guests.  Tie each on to your napkin rings or run each through a decoration at each place, like a pinecone or a small wrapped box.  Tie decorative flag-style pieces of paper with each name onto candy canes or Christmas straws standing in the glasses at each place.  Pierce a few cranberries or other pieces of fruit with wooden grilling skewers, topping each off with a name card on the top.  Stand each in a drinking glass or small glass filled with dried fruit or pebbles and place beside each charger. 

For a little takeaway gift for each party or dinner guest in a more casual setting, spread your monogrammed accents throughout your buffet serving area, drink station, or on a foyer or sofa table.  Use the flag-style name markers on the sticks in cake pops or sticks you place in the center of cupcakes.  Serve them up on a decorative cake stand.  Fill a short cylinder vase with coffee beans and use it as a base to stand other little labeled goodies in it like whimsical holiday lollipops, rock candy, or tall candy canes.  Fill small favor boxes with mini chocolates, and add each guest’s name on gift tags or sticker labels you print out. 

Whatever small token you choose, let all those who gather around your Christmas tree know that special attention went into your guest list this year with your own personalized touches. 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 18th. 

                

Christmas Cards on Display

Your kitchen counter, foyer table, or storage basket may runneth over at this point as a series of Christmas cards and holiday photo cards have arrived and will continue to be special deliveries in your mailbox over the next few weeks.  Families can go all out with attractive Christmas cards worthy of display that can compliment your Christmas décor.  As more guests parade through your home this season, share with them the holiday cheer that has been so graciously extended to you by putting your Christmas cards on display.

String some thin ribbon back-and-forth or around-and-around a hanging mirror or decorative picture frame, securing points along the sides.  Secure cards and photos to intermittent sections of the ribbon with clothes pins, tape, or even paper clips.  For a back-of-the-door display, cut three or four sections of 2½ inch Christmas ribbon that run about ¾ of the height of your front, back, hallway, or bedroom door.  Spread the ribbon out evenly and secure the top of each piece to the very top of the door using thumb tacks.  If the ribbon is curling up, attach the end of each piece to the door with some double sided tape.  Again, use clothes pins or paper clips to affix Christmas photo cards along each strand. 

If you have a staircase, you can punch a hole toward the top of each of your selected cards, run a piece of thin ribbon through the hole, and string each up, tying them to sections of your banister.  For a tabletop display, fan out a bundle of dried branches from the craft store in a cylinder vase and use them like branches of a Christmas tree fit for ornaments.  Use clothes pins or ribbon to hang your photos and cards from branch sections, thus decorating your dried natural arrangement. 

A stack in a pile or basket does not allow you to look over your growing collection of Christmas photo cards again and again.  Pick your favorites, and give them center stage instead.  By using some simple supplies and a wall hanging, door, banister, or arrangement, you create a gallery to show off seasonal snapshots of your family and friends and celebrate the passage of 2011 and all the warmth and happiness it has brought us. 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 11th.

A Christmas Chandelier

Chandeliers do not always have to come straight off of a showroom floor.  At Christmas time, you can create your own to accent the places family gathers and add some sparkle and shine at the same time. 

Lighting fixtures over kitchen and dining tables and in high ceiling foyers can become anchor points for a homemade chandelier featuring beautiful Christmas ornaments.  Now, the tree is not the only place to showcase all those baubles and trinkets.  You need a few things to get you started on making your own chandelier: a plan, a collection of ornaments, thin ribbon, scissors, and potentially fishing line and hooks, an open picture frame, or even a decorative tree branch. 

First, pick the right lighting fixture in your home to build around.  If you have a longer fixture over your dining room table that runs with the length of your table, you may be able to construct using ribbon alone.  If your lighting fixture is more of a single pendant style over a table or in your entryway, fishing line and hooks can help you create your base using a suspended picture frame.  If the structure allows, string ribbon through the loops in the top of a series of ornaments and tie at varied heights directly to your lighting fixture structure.  Create an artful focal point in the way you string up each piece in your arrangement that produces a spiral, a traditional chandelier shape, or a “rollercoaster” of a silhouette. 

From a pendant style fixture, use fishing line and hooks to secure an open picture frame to hang below it to give you a surface to string ornaments from.  Always make sure the weight of what you intend to hang can be easily supported by your base.  To take it a step further, suspend a decorative branch directly from the ceiling using ceiling hooks and fishing line.  Hang your ornaments on ribbon strands along the branch, fashioning a real conversation piece for your guests throughout the season.  

Peruse some design inspiration online, and start building your own masterpiece to take your Christmas décor up, up, and away for a holiday that is even more merry and bright.       

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 4th.

The Christmas Switch

Every family’s traditions differ for the weekend following Thanksgiving.  You may have spent your weekend continuing to entertain holiday guests, stood in line in the dark and waited patiently for the best shopping deals, or moved on to Christmas with a whirlwind of decorating.  Can you guess which of these I did?

The faux pumpkins are packed away, and all is merry and bright!  If your home now has decked halls and walls, you’re all set for a new month of winter cheer.  If Christmas decorating is on your to-do list, here are some thoughts about getting the ornaments rolling.

If your table centerpiece for fall was built around a series of glass vases, the winter season can be highlighted using the same foundation pieces with new accessories.  Swap out the tablecloth for a shade that goes with your Christmas theme.  Empty the glass vases and give them a good wash-and-dry.  Stagger them down the table’s center again, and fill with ornaments.  If your Christmas tree has taken on a new theme or color scheme in recent years, using your older ornament collection or keepsake ornaments within your tablescape is one way to keep them on display without hanging them on the tree.  Fill in around the vases with another layer of holiday accents, which could include small loose ornaments, mistletoe or holly sprigs, or even a sprinkling of faux snow from the craft store. 

Replace your fall chargers, napkins, and napkin rings with winter versions.  That could be as simple as going from gold to silver chargers, from chocolate brown to white cloth napkins, and from warm-toned metal rings to jingle bell napkin rings instead.  Take down your front door wreath and hang up a Christmas wreath that features bells, shatterproof ornaments, or seasonal ribbon strands.  Replace your guest bathroom hand towels with whimsical Christmas hand towels, and add a new bottle of winter pump soap alongside the sink.      

When your fall décor started with some easily-transitioning pieces, making the switch to Christmas can be as smooth as swapping out accessories.  This makes investing in decorating staples that much more worthwhile.  And it makes getting to that warm Christmas feeling that much simpler.  

 

 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star Sunday, November 27th.

My Christmas tablescape:

   

The Hostess Diary: Preparing for Gobble Day Guests

As your food preparations will really heat up in the next week, turn your attention now to prepping your home for your Thanksgiving guests.  If family is going to be taking up residence in your guest room, get a jump start on making their holiday stay as comfortable as your post-turkey nap. 

Start by making your space for guests feel like a space for guests.  If they will be sharing a room with an office space or craft area, pare down on what is on display that speaks to work and not rest.  Clear your desk, put away displayed supplies, and store as much as possible out of sight in storage boxes under the bed or on closet shelves.  If your guest closet is doing double duty as a whole-house storage space, provide your company with an over-the-door hook stocked with hangers to hang on the outside of the closet door for their clothes.  Clear drawer space and let them know they are welcome to unpack.  If there is no room for a dresser, add a folding suitcase stand like those provided in hotel rooms.

Consider all the comforts of home and more that you can provide to make their stay cozy and enjoyable.  Layer multiple weights of covers on the bed to suit a variety of temperature preferences.  Provide blankets and additional pillows in a trunk or chest at the foot of the bed.  Add a serving tray to the nightstand alongside a good reading lamp that holds a water pitcher and glasses, a clock, and a box of tissues.  Provide some seasonal magazines in a nearby basket for perusing before bed.        

Outfit the guest bathroom with hotel amenities.  Provide new shampoo and conditioner in the shower, along with some fragrant fall shower gel.  Clear a drawer for guest supplies like individually packaged toothbrushes, travel size toothpaste, new razors, cotton swabs, and other necessities like a small hairdryer.  Keep guest towels in plain view, along with easy access to replacement rolls of toilet paper and boxes of tissue.  Provide a basket designated for used towels, and transfer them to the laundry room frequently. 

It can be a combination of little touches that ensures your overnight guests know they were thought of and very welcome in your home for your collective Thanksgiving feast.  

 

 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 20th instead of November 13th.

Christmas Zazzle Designs

Get a jump on Christmas photo cards and stamps to send out next month!  Here is a peek at the different Christmas designs used in my holiday collection. 

Find your fit.  There is plenty of winter whimsy to go around.
My Gallery

Soften the Season with Feathers and Ribbon

To incorporate a range of materials into your fall tablescape and decorative groupings, merge some softer textures in with your sturdy fall standards.  Feathers and ribbon are two modern materials that can bring a supple touch and polished finished look.

Fill a vase with a large bundle of tall feathers in lieu of flowers or branches, placing it in the center of your dining table, on your side buffet or hutch, or on the coffee or end table.  Hang an alternative to a wreath made of leaves or vines by creating your own feather wreath.  Use a styrofoam wreath ring as your base, and hot glue layer upon layer of feathers, completely covering the base and fashioning a full and fluffy end result.  Add a peacock feather to each place setting by tucking one into each folded napkin or affix one to each place card for your family’s Thanksgiving feast. 

Use slim ribbon strands in a print, pattern, or shade that matches your table’s décor, and wrap them around mini pumpkins, gourds, large acorns, or pinecones.  Secure one end over the other with some double sided tape.  Fill a large glass pedestal bowl with your collection.  As an alternative to dressy napkin rings, tie a ribbon strand around your gathered cloth napkin at each place setting.  Or fold each napkin to create a pocket for your silverware, placing a napkin on the charger at each place setting, wrapping each in ribbon.  You could add a decorative embellishment to the center of the piece of ribbon like a button, small fall leaf, or dried berry using a spot of hot glue.  For a casual table runner, run different widths and patterns of ribbon down the center of the dining table.  You could also run cross sections of ribbon across the width of the table connecting the place settings across from each other, generating a stylish grid system.

Soften the season with feathers and ribbons to enhance your autumn style.  You may just find the smooth touches add another dimension to warm your home from your doorstep to your dining room.         

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star November 6th.

Alternative Plans to Wrap Up Halloween

For a family that wants to keep their distance from the spooky, creepy elements of Halloween, there are plenty of alternatives to still have fun and make smart choices.

 Treats and sweets can originate in your own kitchen and not just in the candy bag today.  Make an afternoon activity of baking fun by dipping apples or making popcorn balls.  Both are seasonal favorites that can be enjoyed during the preparation just as much as the consumption.  Give kids other hands-on options like frosting cupcakes or drizzling chocolate over pretzels that can result in simple, thoughtful treats for them to give to a neighbor to turn the day’s focus on getting on its head. 

 For a crafty project, get the family involved in prepping for the next holiday by arranging the table and buffet or other side tables for Thanksgiving.  A handful of small to medium pumpkins, clear glass vases, white pillar candles, and bags of candy corn can create a visually interesting, whimsical centerpiece.  Alternate the pumpkins and vases down the table’s center.  Place a 3 or 6 inch pillar candle in each vase.  Fill in the base of each vase 2 to 4 inches high with candy corn.  It’s that simple.  If you want to go a step further, scatter autumn leaves at the bases of the pumpkins and vases you cut from a craft store vine or swag.  Lay out some chargers and cloth napkins at each place, and you’re well on your way to hosting a turkey feast around your table, and you’ve gotten the kids forward-focused with a positive project.

Wrap up the evening with a family comedy movie night, perhaps accompanied by those popcorn balls for a sweet alternative to a movie’s best snack companion.  Whatever you choose to do with your day, enjoy it.  Tomorrow rounds out one of the last weekends before the hustle-and-bustle, travel, and family gatherings really pick up during the holiday season.  And unwrap more than just candy. 

 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 30th.

The Frames of Fall

To take fall décor up and beyond tabletop surfaces, you can use frames in creative ways to feature simple touches of the season.  Whether on the wall, situated on the mantel, or even suspended from the ceiling, picture frames can highlight more than treasured family photos.

Backless frames can be used in a variety of ways to construct appealing and uncomplicated displays to showcase any theme of your choice.  For autumn, use other elements like leaves, ribbon, acorns, pinecones, and craft supplies to put together structured collections.  Gather a few frames of varying sizes, keeping their exteriors similar – wood tones, metallics, or glossy acrylics.  Take individual faux fall leaves and space and affix them to a string of ribbon in a coordinating color or print.  You can use hot glue, needle and thread, or decorative tacks or pins.  Attach the ends of the ribbon to each side of the frame by tying or tacking.  Do this for each of your frames, and then arrange them standing up on the mantel, foyer table, or buffet. 

 For another variation, tie narrow ribbon strands around acorns or pinecones, and suspend them from the top of the open frame.  Stagger the materials and heights to create a modern spin on the concept of mistletoe in a doorway on a smaller scale.  You can also take small craft foam balls, pin a ribbon end securely into the center, and glue on small leaves, dried beans, or ribbon pieces, completely covering the foam.  Hang these from a backless frame and either display as recommended above, or, to take it a step further, securely suspend your frame or frames from hooks you anchor into the ceiling over a dining table or fireplace.             

A little crafting know-how and a willingness to think essentially inside the box can provide quite an attractive finished product.  Add some structure to textured pieces that represent the season with ease, and you will have a collection fully fit for display in the frames of fall.  

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 23rd.

Pumpkin Painting

Pumpkin carving is classic, and pumpkin painting could be a modern variation of the trend of using decorated pumpkins in fall displays. Without cutting in to the pumpkin to create your design, you also get more longevity out of your seasonal centerpiece. With a few simple supplies, you can have a finished product worthy of the spotlight.

Pick some pumpkins of varying shapes and sizes for the most visually appealing mix. Whether short and plump or tall and slender, each pumpkin can lend itself to a charming design. You will need some spray paint in the color or colors of your choice. I feel a monochromatic look or a mix of two complimentary shades will look the most cohesive. Consider paint colors that blend well with the pumpkin’s orange exterior like teal, aqua, hot pink, yellow, white, and a contemporary gray. Also pull together some painter’s tape, wide rubber bands, and recycled newspaper.

Spray painting outdoors is of course your best bet for ventilation and cleanliness. Stake some recycled newspaper in the yard to spray against as your canvas’s backdrop. Use the painter’s tape to tape off sections to not paint and keep the bright orange skin showing in your finished design. You could run a tape line across the middle of the pumpkin, cover the pumpkin’s top with extra newspaper, and tape that down over your first tape line. Spray the bottom half of the pumpkin with your desired spray paint color and allow it to dry completely according to the can’s instructions. Only remove your newspaper and tape lines once the paint is totally dry. Now you have a fresh half-and-half design. On a more slender pumpkin, wrap a handful of wide rubber bands around the body in an overlapping, sporadic fashion. Cover the stem completely in painter’s tape. Spray the pumpkin with paint and allow it to dry. When you remove the tape and rubber bands, you have just a few slices of orange showing through. Your options are really limitless with designs: stencils, stickers, and freehand application of painter’s tape could construct an array of styles.

One evening craft project could elicit weeks of head turning decorations to impress dinner guests and trick-or-treaters alike. Arrange your painted pumpkins as a centerpiece along the dining room table, buffet, foyer table, porch bench, or front steps. And consider pumpkin painting an early treat for yourself.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 16th.

Pumpkin Puree Soiree

We like to see pumpkins aplenty this time of year. And tasting them ranks pretty close to the top of the list as well. If you set aside the can opener, go for the gusto, and play with fresh pumpkins in the kitchen this month, you may find a whole new appreciation for how you can design this squash fruit to be more than an autumn staple.

Many pumpkin recipes can get started through baking whole pumpkins at home. It’s important to wash the exterior before cutting in. Carefully cut the pumpkin in half, slicing down through the top. Scrape out the fibers and seeds, leaving the smoother flesh. You can bake the halves or go on to quarter the pumpkin pieces, and lay them skin up on a baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for about a half hour, or until the flesh is fork tender. Let the pieces cool, and then scoop away the flesh from the rind. To puree, add the pumpkin flesh into a food processor and blend until smooth. Now doesn’t that sound tastier than the canned version? Your fresh pumpkin puree can be used in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe to start. Or branch out and consider recipes for pumpkin pancakes, muffins, cake, or bread loaves. For more variety, cream cheese, marshmallow crème, cinnamon, and pumpkin puree combine to make a sweet seasonal dip.

Pumpkin soup can be a savory or sweet hot dish that puts a spin on the typical uses. Find recipes that call for ingredients like chicken broth, garlic, thyme, and sautéed onions, or take a different route with heavy cream, diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add in your creation as a separate course for a weeknight dinner to make it anything but an ordinary weeknight dinner.

Leave the can opener in the drawer, pull out the baking dishes, and draw on the spice notes of the season to whip up some rich and flavorful specials to serve for any meal, brunch, or soiree you host for friends and family.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 9th.

Fall at Your Front Door

October has arrived, and holiday guests knocking at your front door is just weeks away. Beyond sprucing up your dinner table with some seasonal touches, dress your front stoop to be inviting and visually appealing with warm fall decorating ideas. Visitors will know they are in for more than a treat when they cross the threshold.

Simple and fitting, you cannot go wrong with a collection of pumpkins and mums. The bright blend of orange and yellow sets the tone for autumn appeal. Two larger, potted mums flanking your front door with a handful of pumpkins in varying sizes clustered around them is complete in minutes and will last for weeks. Now carving any pumpkins this early in the month will have you replacing them before four weeks are up. But you know we can always get more creative than that.

For the same effect without the mess, consider what paint can do on the exterior of pumpkins without taking a knife to them. Use a stencil, which you can print and cut out yourself, of your family’s monogram letter, and spray paint the sizeable letter on the largest pumpkin in your grouping. The same could be done with limitless designs, short sayings like “Welcome,” and graphics to suit your style. For a custom pumpkin collection, you could actually spray paint your entire pumpkins in one monochromatic selection or a couple of paint color choices, including light-catching metallics. There are more pumpkin painting ideas for indoors coming later this month!

In the process, do not neglect your front door itself. A wreath can be the crowning jewel to your entryway. You can purchase a ready-to-go wreath and hang it on a door hanger, or you can make your own for a custom look. Start with a plain dried naturals wreath, which is essentially a ring of tightly-woven, vine-like branches. Add on the decorations you want, using a glue gun for the most secure hold. Take all of the leaves off of a faux fall leaf garland, and glue them on individually in clusters. The same can be done with small acorns, gourds, sprigs of berries, or other fall trimmings.

Lay out a fresh welcome mat, and await that first knock or door bell ring that culminates in a compliment to your inviting entrance. You know that special holiday moments are right around the corner when you have fall literally at your front door.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star October 2nd.

A Warm Front

We may not have hit our seasonal stride with a welcoming cool breeze blowing in from the north just yet, but trying to enjoy your own fall feel just has to start with a warm front. Warm tones can be incorporated in your design style this season and still meld nicely with our local temperatures. It is all about picking and choosing the right simple fall updates for your living space.

Soften your sofa with a chenille throw draped over the arm or over the center of the back in a shade that compliments your fabric or leather but picks up on a crisp fall feel, such as a dark khaki, chocolate brown, brick red, or olive green. Tuck your accent pillows into a linen closet and replace them through November with warmer colored options that play up more earthy details, like wooden toggles over glittery sequins. Store away your placemats around the dining table for now and incorporate more textured versions with wood beads or stone pieces, or choose chargers for each place setting in gold, chocolate, or another warm metallic finish.

Faux flower arrangements can be put away in storage cabinets, and their spots can be replaced with any decorative piece that features something from the dried naturals’ aisle of a craft store. This could be a bunch of branches, curly willow, or spray painted mesquite limbs in a vase or decorative container, as well as a bowl of dried natural ball decorations that are entwined pieces or that have items like beans, coffee, or dried berries lacquered to their surface. Any brightly-colored candles can be stored away for spring, and clean white or cream tapers and pillars can take their place in a centerpiece, display, or fireplace arrangement.

Little swap-outs can take your space from hot summer to cool fall with some warm additives tossed in. Raise the temperature on the tones of your fabrics, linens, and decorations to create your own seasonal ambience inside your home, no matter the temperature outdoors.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 25th.

A Touch of Fall

So we may not have the crisp shades of fall drifting down to the ground in the form of leaves falling from our . . . mesquite trees. Let’s face it; the fall season here in the Valley may be missing those season-turning visuals that envelop other parts of the country. But that does not mean we cannot enjoy them just the same . . . indoors.

If October feels more pumpkin-y to you, then tap into some décor items fit for the start of fall in September. You cannot go wrong with traditional staples like leaves in warm red, orange, and brown shades and prickly pine cones. Take a fall leaf garland and remove the leaves from the plastic vine (just throw that away) to spread the leaves throughout a display on your dining table, buffet, or coffee table. Tuck a few leaves under the edge of the charger at each place at the table or under a short stack of books on your coffee table. Let a handful of leaves peak out between displays of white serving pieces on your buffet. Fill a staggered series of glass vases, whether cylindrical or square or a mix of both, with pine cones in different sizes and let them stand alone as a striking centerpiece that runs the length of your dining table’s center.

Think beyond the stereotypical fall decorative items and add in your own creative touches to soften the summer feel that has wafted through your home the last few months. Layer in coffee beans, mixed nuts in the shell, and river rocks in glass vases or pedestal bowls and set them on the foyer table, kitchen bar, or bathroom counter. Let a similar mix anchor a bunch of curly willow or dried branches in a tall cylinder vase on the kitchen island or a side table. Similar collections can be filled with dried cranberries, small gourds, green apples, dried corn or candy corn, wine corks, pears, acorns, and artichokes.

Pick your pumpkins next month. For now, enjoy your own indoor blend of cooling down and warming things up with those first touches of fall with your own style in the mix.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 18th.

The Beauty of Remembering

Today, our nation honors the lives lost and the great sacrifices of so many as we look back on the impact of the events of September 11th a staggering decade ago. It is likely that you remember exactly where you were and how you felt in the instant you learned of the tragedy that was unfolding in New York City that day. These types of memories make great impacts on us as pivotal moments in our personal history. Honoring any great losses in our lives as a way to respect and remember loved ones is a part of healing as we pay tribute.

There are so many special, small ways in which to acknowledge the influence on us of special people we have lost. Some plant tribute gardens or trees and mark them with placards. Even planting distinctive potted plants or a windowsill herb garden and adding a framed photo alongside of a relative or friend who has passed is a way to acknowledge them as you tend to and watch your plants thrive.

Adding a fixture to your garden, porch, or home that represents a special person is another way to pay tribute. A bench in a garden could be a memorable way to reminisce over a parent whom you spent time there with. A rocker or swing on your front porch could illicit memories of a grandparent you miss. Taking a piece of furniture, a chair, or a decoration with some family history and using it in your own home keeps part of their history alive with your own family. You could paint an old chest of drawers and add new hardware or reupholster a side or dining chair to make it fit your style while keeping its original frame displayed. An aged mirror from a relative’s dresser could be lacquered in a new finish and rest on your mantle for a fresh look with a story behind it.

Photo books made through an online company are another distinguished way to preserve the moments that were captured in stills over the years and can be displayed on your coffee table or bookshelf. A photo collage hung in matching frames in a hallway or on a dining room wall can be a blend of memories from many years ago with the activities of your family now.

Ultimately, displaying something that has meaning for you is a way to celebrate the life of someone who you held dear. Whether it is based on a funny memory or story or is a simple gesture of remembrance, filling your home with tokens of love and life adds meaning to yours.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 11th.

The Modern Birthday Party Theme

We have likely seen the glittery examples of the child’s birthday party of years past that just had to center around a super popular theme of a character or movie or television show, and all the accessories, from the paper plates to the party favors, had to feature this trademarked image. For today’s parent who may prefer not to scoop up an entire aisle’s contents at the party store for their next soiree, there are a boat load of creative themes to implement through a little imagination and eye for design.

First, consider what all your child is into, from colors to activities to hobbies to general interests. From this list, you can find a wealth of information to start to build the look of your custom birthday party. I say, the more consistently a theme is carried out, the more impact you get for your investment. And it all starts with the invitation. You can use an online company to print your invitations, or you can get hands-on with a computer program and have a local company print your finished picture file. Use your invitation to give guests a peek at what they can expect and entice them to your unique event.

A color being a theme is perfectly acceptable. Everything hot pink or a nautical combo like navy and aqua in your serving spread, decorations, and cake design is a theme in itself. Monochromatic or two-toned pieces together are very visually appealing and draw attention. Other themes that fall outside the character-featured norm that can really craft a catchy modern theme are things like trains, safari animals, robots, fish, gardens, boats, princesses, sea creatures, classic toys, surfers, barnyard animals, birds, butterflies, mermaids, bumblebees, frogs, elephants, and zebras. Use their colors, patterns, or silhouettes in your linens or paper goods, food labels and signs, and trendy cupcake fondant toppers and takeaway gift packaging.

Another essential element of any party is of course the food. Really jazzing up your display is like a gift in itself for your guest list. Whether you are serving pizza, sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, or finger foods, be sure to add plenty of side items in small quantities to incorporate more visual impact and tummy-satisfying treats. Think breadsticks standing in glass cylinder vases alongside an abundance of dipping sauces, French fries in scrapbooking paper cones, or short juice glasses with carrot and celery sticks standing in a dollop of dip. Presentation really can be everything in laying out an inviting buffet. And when it comes to kids, you cannot go wrong with candy. Glass apothecary jars with brightly-colored treats to match your color selections are ideal for grab-and-go goodies and decorative flair.

Whatever you do, ensure a birthday party is always a celebration that makes the one blowing out the candles truly feel like they already got their wish.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 4th.

New Heights with Drapery Panels

Drapery panels can feel like an architectural feature in a room when hung to highlight the ceiling height and provide symmetrical frames to your light-infusing windows. If right-out-of-the-package panels have left you feeling less than thrilled with your retail fabric options, contemplate the alternatives to create customized panels that suit your home and your unique style.

You can choose from options beyond drapery panels by looking at the extensive selections of flat bedding sheets, fabric shower curtains, and fabric by the yard. For any of these options you may choose, you can buy extra to make throw pillows to match to add to your seating or bedding. Why limit yourself? Flat bedding sheets are wide enough and long enough for billowy, drama drapes, and they come in so many colors and styles. You can match or blend with your actual bedding to carry out the design. Fabric shower curtains similarly provide plenty of width and height and bold patterns and prints. Fabric by the yard is a great option for someone who is handy with a sewing machine to finish off a hemline. And fabric by the yard can easily create tall drapery panels that can be hung from a level just below the ceiling line to add height and sophistication to the look of your room. When hung correctly, they can all look professional in place.

That starts with the right hardware. My preference is a rod mounted above the window frame or at the ceiling line with two or three simple hardware mounts that the rod rests in. The size and style selections are wide-ranging from thin metallics to larger wood or iron rods with a slew of end cap finial styles. Pair this with sets of ring clips to accommodate the width and weight of your panel. Each ring slides onto the rod, and its attached clip holds a pinch of the fabric. This completely eliminates the need for those dated, hard-to-operate, thin, metal pieces you had to slide through tight pockets sewn into the drapery panels and then struggle to affix to their mounting hardware. Instead, update to a modern version for both ease and style.

Think outside the drapery aisle to find fabric panels that can act as art and décor in your living space. From vivid shades to strong graphic or geometric prints, you can add texture and personality, panel by panel.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star August 28th.

The Dish on Organizing Recipes

A recipe box stuffed with random, handwritten pieces of paper and online printouts alongside stacks of outdated, mix-matched cookbooks is not fully conducive to creative, productive time spent in the kitchen. Every family has their favorite recipes that are handed down from generation to generation and those popular dishes that are craved each holiday. To ensure your special collection stays intact and easy to retrieve, give your recipes a makeover of their own before the next holiday season starts to cook.

Add some order to your storage system. I recommend moving away from recipe cards and getting your go-to recipes in 3-ring white notebooks with clear view covers and spines for inserting labeled sheets. This helps eliminate the free-floating factor that can cause cards to be lost or quickly disorganized. Type out the card contents on full sheets of paper and include picture references when possible. You can use one larger 3 inch notebook and use dividers to separate and label your categories. Or for larger collections, use 1 inch or 1 ½ inch notebooks for individual categories. Consider using the labels “Appetizers,” “Soups & Salads,” “Vegetables & Side Dishes,” “Main Dishes,” “Meats,” “Breads,” “Desserts,” “Cookies & Candy,” or any detailed categories that would suite your set of recipes, like “No-Bake Desserts,” “Pies,” or “Beverages.”

Another important step in organizing a recipe collection is pairing down. Have you found recipes, tried them out, and then decided they didn’t make the cut for your family’s tastes? Throw those away. Organized and stored recipes should be made up of the ones you intend to use repeatedly. Use a plastic document case or an expanding file folder to pull together internet recipes or recipes torn out of magazines or off of product packaging. Only add them uniformly to your main collection if you have tried them and decided they are worth making again. A similar principle applies to cookbooks. They can stack up over the years and may just be taking up shelving space if you only really use a few recipes continually out of a book. Make photocopies of those applicable pages and add them to your notebooks. Then donate the cookbook or pass it on a relative or friend. They may find all new kitchen treasures inside.

Tackle your boxes or piles of recipes and turn them into a well-oiled kitchen machine right at your fingertips that can produce tasty dishes again and again. Do it with style if you use decorative scrapbooking paper, contact paper, or even leftover wallpaper in your finished product, and you have added a little flamboyance to your flambé.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star August 21st.

Decorating with Numbers & Letters

Reading, writing, and arithmetic have their place in modern home décor. To add a little literary zest to your living space, consider the ways in which numbers and letters can really count.

I like the concept of using numbers to add a modern decorative touch as well as organization to a space shared by multiple family members or house guests. Hang up pegs, hooks, or oversized clips in a bathroom in place of a towel ring or bath towel bar and place decorative numbers above each. These are the kind that are used to display addresses on the exterior of a home and can be found at a home improvement store or online for even more size and style options. This is a twist on the “his-and-hers” labels of decades past and works great for kids and overnight company as well. Each person has their own hand and/or bath towel under their own assigned number, which keeps things straight, neat, and may even cut down a little on the laundry.

The use of initials and monogram letters is also a more popular decorative accent idea. Display the family initial on a wall by way of a wall decal you custom order and apply or large wooden or acrylic lettering you find in a craft store and hang. For more of an art gallery feel, use the first initial of each family member’s name, perhaps pets included, in an arrangement, and make the last name initial the most prominent. Similarly, using symbols in the mix like the hash tag, ampersand, “at” symbol, or exclamation point can add a more creative and contemporary flair to a collective display.

Whether you choose to mix letters and numbers in a functional or purely aesthetic way, going back to the classroom basics can provide you with some standout labels and displays that add sophisticated structure and artistic finesse to your rooms. Decorating with numbers and letters really can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star August 14th.

10 Things: Must Do’s Before School Starts

1. Revamp the closets. Before the shopping bags enter the bedrooms full of new outfits for the new school year, clean out what no longer fits and what just doesn’t make the cut any longer because it’s torn, faded, or stained. You know, kids tend to have that effect on clothes. And you need the closet space.

2. Wipe the slate clean. With your calendar, that is. To keep the family schedule on track after a lackadaisical summer, employ the use of a large dry erase calendar and message board center to organize the paper paraphernalia of meetings, practices, parties, and events all in one stylish place.

3. Do the sporting goods shuffle. Store away the floaties, boogie boards, water guns, and pool noodles and dust off and organize the sports equipment that will be making an appearance on the field or court this fall. Decorative bins or baskets as a part of your back entryway storage keep these items at hand.

4. Swap your shades. Though August is not quite time yet for pumpkins and such, transition into the new season by toning down brights and adding in some school-spirited primary colors in table linens, guest bathroom hand towels, and couch throw pillows you rotate.

5. Revamp your outdoor living spaces. Some may use them consistently and some may use them sparingly in the heat, but regardless, keeping your patios and porches picked up, swept up, and well stocked will entice lingering activity outside as the after school hours wind down in the coming months.

6. Outline your “office space.” Since the lines of recreation and work in the home blur during the summer, help line out the difference by creating proper homework stations for your kids that supply them with everything they need to get crackin’ on the books without all the entertainment distractions.

7. Make your own menu. Free range snacking runs rampant June through July, so plan to rein it in and provide proportioned, nutritious after-school snacks and family dinners with a little more structure and planning. Making a menu plan ahead of time and grocery shopping accordingly can organize your eating and your food budget at the same time.

8. Make the beds. Now would be a good time to take advantage of end-of-season sales and spruce up the look of the kids’ beds with new, perhaps more grown-up bedding selections. Your available options can surely provide some contemporary choices that fit everyone’s style preferences.

9. Stock up. Your go-to items of the back-to-school days involve more than what makes the cut of the lengthy school supply list. Consider things for home like tissues, cold medication, extra white socks, bandages, batteries, wipes, water bottles, and lunchbox favorites that wait their turn in your pantry.

10. Soak up the last of summer. Take a day trip to the beach, savor the last crops of summery tastes like watermelon and peaches, and relish the longer daylight hours. And if you’re like me, one of the things you love most about the seasons is that they change. And then they let you anticipate their return.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star August 7th.

The Big Look of Smaller Scale Furniture Arrangements

Grand, large scale furniture is well suited for many homes, but smaller scale furniture has its place as well. When square footage is a challenge, don’t squeeze; just size right for the perfect petite setting.

The core of a smaller furniture arrangement is seating. An easy start to scaling back is choosing a loveseat over a full size sofa. When you pair it will smaller pieces, a loveseat can be just as substantial as its couch counterpart. Instead of a bulky recliner that seats one, choose two slim framed occasional chairs to accompany your loveseat. A couch and a recliner in an L shape seats four, and a loveseat and two side chairs in a square or rectangle seats four. You can recreate the same seating count and lay it out in a tighter formation to save on floor space and make your living area cozy and inviting.

Another key to a smaller arrangement is scaling back on the size of the side and center pieces. A loveseat does not need to be flanked by two standard end tables or have a massive coffee table in the center; they would all make your seating look diminutive. Instead, dial back the bulk of your tables and use small nesting tables, a tray side table, or a drum side table. The size and shapes of these pieces are well proportioned alongside small sofas and occasional side chairs. Additionally, take lighting more vertical and up-and-off the end tables. A lamp drum shade on a floor standing lamp can saddle up closer to your seating and not take up any surface area on a side table. Your living area arrangement is still well lit, and the height of two symmetrically-arranged lamps adds volume to the space.

Mix in bold patterned throw pillows that do not overwhelm the height of your loveseat cushions, decorative pieces like short glass vases, small sculptural pieces or coral, a stack of 3 or 4 books, an area rug to anchor the space, and framed artwork and pictures hung in a proportionate pattern. You will have created a smaller scale furniture arrangement fit for a big style look in your home. And you did not break the bank . . . or your back.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star July 31st.

Shelving Design, One Layer at a Time

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever heard about how to arrange pieces on shelves is to treat each shelf like its own tabletop. I think that takes the pressure off of trying to arrange an entire bookcase at once decoratively and to cohesive perfection. Instead, take one step (up) at a time.

Blending is the optimum word when trying to decorate shelving in built-ins, bookcases, and entertainment centers. Pull things together in a way that looks appealing, natural, and melded together. This starts with your decorative items. Literally, what do you bring to the table? The classics are books, pottery, vases, small sculptures, candlesticks, framed art, photos, clocks, dishes, small knick knacks, and natural elements like stones, dried naturals, grass, and coral. Pick things that reflect you and the type of display you want to create, whether that says contemporary, classic, intellectual, rustic, dressy, or thematic, like shells and sand for a beach display or sepia photos and collector’s items for the genealogy enthusiast. By choosing items - whether in things you purchase or collections you gather from different rooms in your home - that go together, you are on your way to a cohesive shelf display.

Some other tips to consider when arranging your items are symmetry, pattern, color, orientation, layering, and space. Symmetrical arrangements that have two or more items mirroring each other always look neat and well put together with purpose. Mixing complimentary patterns and textures draws the eye in and makes your display its most interesting. The use of a monochromatic color palette or picking two or three shades that pop together also draws the eye in and highlights your individual decorations. Staggering the orientation and layering of your things to ensure you have items spaced well within the back, middle, and front of each shelf, as well as the left, middle, and right sides, will provide the most balance and keep your collections from looking heavy in one spot and sparse in another. Another key point that can be overlooked in the goal of a full display is allowing for open space. Cramming too much in detracts from the individuality of what you want to feature. Adequate “white space” between stacks of books, arrangements of frames, and gatherings of glassware keeps the focus flowing.

Treat each shelf like its own canvas and work to create an artful display, one layer at a time. In the end, step back and see how each level works together to showcase an entire design that represents you, your home, and your interests with sophisticated, well-planned – and well placed - creative touches.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star July 24th.

Black and White . . . and Make Them Green with Envy

Ah, black and white. This classic color combo has been a sustaining design element through generations. It dresses up and dresses down with ease and has an air of sophistication on all levels. Incorporating black and white into your home design can be a refreshing take that both modernizes and dials up your style quotient.

A mixture of furnishings in black and white is elegant and timeless. While a white sofa is not appropriate for all homes, it is a beautiful addition with both black and white printed pillows. Black occasional chairs in a patterned upholstery fabric with white throws draped down their centers with a brightly colored throw pillow in each seat are stand-outs in a living room furniture arrangement. Additionally, large pieces of furniture, like entertainment centers, hutches, and armoires, in either black or white establish a landmark piece in a room around which other elements revolve.

Black and white makes an ideal mix in both bedroom and bathroom schemes as well. High end hotel bedding styles can be recreated in your own room with white as the standard base. A white comforter or duvet with a black outline around the bed’s top with both black and white shams and throw pillows creates an idyllic master bedroom design. A shower curtain of similar design with white spa-like towels and thick bathmats offers the same sophistication in bathroom décor as well.

A zebra print in upholstery fabrics and rugs is a standard black and white mix that stands out nicely with various décor schemes. Black and white in artwork and photography can offer up an at-home display worthy of a gallery. Stairways with painted black steps and white risers can turn a blank staircase into an attractive focal point.

Whatever your preference, integrating this traditional black and white color combination can be a great place to start to build some new style elements into your space. And you may just make a few visitors a little green with envy in the process.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star July 17th.

10 Things: Add Some Splash to Your Summer

1. Toss in a cool blue ocean shade for the season. Layer bright hues of aqua, sky, and navy on the family room sofa and the beds with multiple throw pillows or lightweight blankets. Serve off of a mix of blue platters to add another summer color to your hot weather dishes.

2. Make your own water feature for the table centerpiece. Fill glass vases of varying heights ¾ full of water and stager them down the center of the table. You can add a base of rocks or float candles, petals, or palm fronds. To brighten things up, drop in different amounts of blue food coloring in each.

3. Make homemade popsicles with fruit juice and chopped or pureed fruit. Stick to the molds you can buy or give it a whirl with paper cups and arts and crafts sticks. Either way, you should have a sweet, cold treat in the end for the quintessential summer dessert.

4. Host a water party in the backyard, pool or no pool. A series of water slides, kiddie pools, water balloons, squirt guns, and sprinklers can turn an ordinary grass yard into your own water park on a sultry afternoon.

5. Use seasonal fruit in some decorative arrangements. A pile of limes or lemons in a square glass vase is an instant décor piece for a coffee or end table. A stack of oranges in a tall cylinder vase can brighten a kitchen counter.

6. Swap out your everyday hand towels in the guest bathroom for a rainbow spectrum of towels rolled and displayed in a basket on the countertop. Mix in an inexpensive, bright, geometric-patterned shower curtain and a bath mat, and you have a tropical touch that can last into September.

7. Trade in traditional hand soaps and shower gels throughout the house for summery scents in bright pump bottles or vivid soap dishes for a simple touch of color and great aromatic additions.

8. Consider a string of paper lanterns in pink, yellow, aqua, and lime to light a patio or backyard for evening barbeques and cookouts. Tiki torches made with pest repellent help keep your outdoor living spaces pleasant and cast an inviting glow while you linger outdoors.

9. Take the heaviness out of standard drapery panels and add ironed, flat white sheets on ring clips to your drapery rods for the summer. The fresh, airy feel they offer, coupled with the billowy effect they provide as they gather at the bottom, is ideal for living areas and bedrooms alike to lighten up your windows this season.

10. Let a CD of summer hits be the backdrop that sets the mood for a laidback gathering over a buffet of cold pasta salads, summer fruits and veggies, and an indulgent combo of “s’mores” and sorbets to polish it off.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star July 10th.

Independent Design

As our nation celebrates independence, I have considered some ways in which we make our own independent mark on the design in our lives. How do we stand apart in the look of our homes? What keeps us personal and not cookie cutter? I think the key is to find how to put more of ourselves into the spaces we live in.

What reflects you? That is where to start. Take what reflects you and turn those things into design elements in your home. Maybe you feel that is as straightforward as filling your home with photos of your family and important moments. A mantle, hutch, or buffet lined with an arrangement of attractively framed pictures reveals snapshots of memories and a portrait of your family history that tells a little bit of your story. Beyond pictures of the family, an independent take on the same concept is to turn your photography into your own custom artwork. Take pictures of scenery from your travel or even a series of images on a topic that appeals to you or would blend nicely with your décor, turn them into black and white, sepia, or enhanced color images, and blow multiple photos up to any size you prefer between a 5”x7” and a poster. Frame them alike and hang as a gallery display in a living room, dining room, or hallway.

Maybe you have a really outdoorsy nature, and rustic, earthy pieces draw your attention. Bring greenery indoors, along with wood or stone components that show off more masculine textures. Maybe your passport has taken you to various countries, and elements from those excursions are things you want to surround yourself with at home. Whether it is African rugs or Chinese sculptures, cultural designs lay a good foundation to build upon to reveal personality through design. Perhaps a refined, sophisticated feel is what you favor. Rich fabrics and grand furnishings could be your style. Perhaps there is a staple hobby of yours like movies, cooking, or art that could be reflected in your furniture, color choices, and the scene you set in your day to day space. Take what you like and turn it into practical application.

Incorporate you. Home design ingredients do not have to come straight off of a retail shelf. That is what independent design is all about – taking something that reflects you and making it work in your space. Whether you buy it, inherit it, come across it, make it, add to it, or have saved it for years, what you set out and hang up at home tells a story about you to every person that crosses your threshold. What do you think your design says about you this Independence Day? And what do you want to do to further impact that storyline?

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star July 3rd.

Design Influence: France

French inspired design is a mix of city sophisticate and rustic countryside. More elegant furnishings are paired with rural décor. French style is ornate and detailed, while the overall feel is uncluttered. Rich colors of reds, blues, greens, and golds can be incorporated, as can a pastel color scheme in certain settings. You may find decorative items that center around roosters or hunting paraphernalia that make up French country themes, along with whitewashed painting of wooden furniture. Cooper kitchenware is also found in French inspired homes. You are more likely to find curvatures in French tables and chairs over straight lines.

Contemporary French décor angles toward elegant and chic. French style is considered romantic and glamorous. Decorative gold-rimmed mirrors, glass and mirrored accessories, and extravagant collectibles are peppered across walls and tabletops. Both large-scale, masculine and more feminine, light furniture pieces remain popular. Chandeliers and decorative ceilings have roots in French style, as do piping, trimming, fringe, tassels, and polished nail heads accenting furniture.

To host a French themed dinner party, think classy and chic. You can set up a drink station with wine, champagne, or sparkling cider and a collection of glasses and flutes. Keep the menu applicable by preparing both cheese and chocolate fondue and offering bread squares, strawberries, pretzels, and other cubed fruits for dipping. Lay out dessert trays with tarts, truffles, and pastries. Serve a spread of thinly sliced meats and cheeses alongside mini croissants or brie cheese, smoked salmon, and an array of crackers. Stringing lights around a patio deck and hedges can create your own “under the Eiffel tower” atmosphere. Add in the Nancy Meyer’s movie, “Something’s Gotta’ Give” to turn it into a movie night.

French influences can decidedly travel beyond fries here in the states. Add your own glitz and glam in your own personalized way. Whether dressed up or dressed down, a little French style can go a long way. It can even cross an ocean.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star June 26th.