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.