Into Obscurity: Random Little Updates to Make

We often focus on what bigger changes can be made when considering home design and décor updates.  After all, that is what makes bigger statements in eye-catching and overall appeal.  But what about all those random things around your house that could get a boost as well?  Let’s get on the hunt…

Let’s start outdoors with your mailbox.  If you want to change out one fixture to reboot your curb appeal, a new mailbox or even new numbers can offer change.  For more of an investment, a new front door would create a new focal point, or a fresh paint job in a new color would help set it apart from the neighbors’. 

Indoors, you could change the look high and low with new crown molding and/or baseboards.  A room with no crown molding looks more upscale with the addition, and a standard baseboard look can be elevated with a taller, sleeker version.  In that same vein, a new coat of trim paint with more luster than before can make your home’s transitions clean and fresh.     

You can change the (out)look of any window with new blinds as a replacement to broken or dated versions or as simply an addition for more light control.  As you’re coming in and out, replace door mats in and out to offer more what-you-track-in control.  A printed door mat from a few seasons back has probably lost its shiny newness and may be worn down to the point of not doing its job as well. 

You know those sets of soap dispensers, soap dishes, and toothbrush holders you registered for years ago?  Are they still sitting there?  This bathroom threesome is an inexpensive update for a new look around your sink.  You can also branch out and choose items not for those intended purposes, like olive oil bottles, pretty plates, and short vases. 

Drawer and cabinet pulls can be a costly investment if done on a larger scale, but they are small pieces that really can change the overall look in your kitchen and bathrooms.  For a hands-on route, remove and paint what you have, or select the costly pieces you love for a small area, like for a dresser’s drawers. 

What to see your living room in a new light?  Change your bulbs.  Overhead recessed lighting, fans with lights, and lamps can all change the look of a room depending on the bulbs.  Explore your options in a hardware store if you want to brighten things up or soften any harshness you see now.    

You can go into obscurity to find random little updates to make that will fit-and-flatter your home’s style.  Some DIY projects don’t receive the glitz-and-glamour treatment that others do, but they can be just as interesting and effective to pursue.  

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

Paintspiration

When you’re interested in slathering on a couple of new coats of paint to refresh and update your walls, the shades to choose seem like an insurmountable decision among the nearly countless choices of paint swatches on display.  If you head to the home improvement store with some inspiration in tow, that just might help you narrow down your perfect pairing.

Look around.  What colors in your everyday environment make you feel happy, calm, restful, inspired, energized, creative, and so forth?  What colors keep popping up around your home in your fabrics and décor and clothing?  You can hone in on the color families that you would likely enjoy on your walls by looking to your natural favorites. 

 But within that sea of shades within a color category, how do you know which one to pick?  Consider looking to items or digital photos you can take with you to that paint wall of wonder.  Check your closet.  Do you have a go-to layer or top that always survives the donation cut and works its way into your wardrobe on a regular basis?  Is there a purse, scarf, belt, piece of jewelry, or pair of shoes that just seems to go with everything that you love to add to your outfits?  Wear or take that item to the store to hold up and compare to different paint swatches to find a fitting match. 

Take a look around your bedroom and living area. Look at the sheets, comforter, throw pillows, blankets, and cushions.  Is there a color, whether a base shade or a pop of color, that would look great on a grander scale?  Take that fabric in to use for comparison. Check out your decorative pieces.  Look at frames, ceramics, trays, candles, wall art, furniture hardware, storage baskets, glass pieces, book covers, towels, lamps, and vases.  You might find a color palette that suites your style. 

In the kitchen, look at your dishes, serving pieces, decorative accents, cup towels, soap, trendy paper straws, and even small appliances. If you really are open to getting creative, look inside your fridge.  Some fruits and veggies might just hold the key to your next wall color.  The same could be said of succulents, herbs, pantry staples, and snack items.           

The phone you carry with you can also be a wealth of inspiration.  Pull up images of décor, clothing, and rooms decorated by design pros to hold up next to those color choices to make comparisons.  Making a color selection that you are going to be very happy with is worth feeling a little funny about carrying a random item right up the color wall with you.  You shouldn’t have to rely on your memory when a side-by-side comparison could be just what you need to roll on a new coat and roll with the new flow of your designer home. 

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

Must-Haves for Back to School

Setting alarm clocks, getting haircuts, and rounding up those school supplies are timely tasks this time of year with back-to-school approaching.  Beyond packing new backpacks, there are some home-prep steps that can make the family’s transition into the school year that much smoother.

First, consider starting the new time routine in the few days before school starts.  Going from sleep-‘til-you-wake-up to up-and-at-‘em in a blink can be tough and can make for some pretty groggy, slow-going mornings.  Set the alarm for school wake-up time beforehand, enjoy a laidback breakfast together, and start transitioning into an early morning routine again.

Establish a “Launchpad space” where you stage school materials the night before so they’re ready to go in the morning.  Home entry areas that can be outfitted with locker-like cubby spaces, hooks, bins, and space for shoes make for a real investment in a time saving, organized start to the school day.  Use the products and supplies that would best help you create a spot for tomorrow’s shoes and socks, a filled backpack, any needed sports’ equipment, and supply bags packed for afterschool activities.  Any prep work that can be done leisurely the night before will make for a more prepared stroll out the door the next morning.

As you depart from the free time free-for-all, get back in the swing of structured schedules with a family planner.  Some prefer planner books with plenty of options and tabs for keeping track of school events, meetings, games, and other extracurricular activities.  Others like the big dry erase board method, using different marker colors and sticky notes for each family member’s notations.  Regardless, mounting a bulletin board or other pretty pin boards to hold notes, invitations, school flyers, and other paperwork to reference alongside your calendar is a good tool for staying organized. 

Extend your organizational upkeep to the closets as well.  Not only is this a great time to clean out outgrown clothes as the new school clothes come in, but staying on top of wardrobe planning each week will help alleviate early morning meltdowns over not knowing what to wear.  To take it a step further, you can search online to buy closet rod labels marked with days of the week to pick out outfits days in advance and have all the components hanging together and ready to wear.  This is a perfect tool when you have practices, games, or special events in your schedule. 

When you’re stocking up on school supplies, take the opportunity to restock your own home supply for your own projects and the school projects to come this year.  Markers, colors, pens, pencils, tape, cardstock, sticky notes, glue, craft paint, and notebooks can all come in handy.  While you’re at it, taking the time to organize and properly contain and store your supplies now will ensure they’re neat and accessible when they’re needed.

“Rise and shine” will have more merit when you feel you’ve prepared for those bright and shining starts to the days to come with your new must-haves for back to school.

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

        

Glass + Paint

Sometimes the simplest elements can be pulled together in a crafty way to make centerpieces that are elegant, trendy, modern, or colorful.  With a few supplies, you can take glassware and paint in any style direction you choose.

What to choose?  Think small and inexpensive.  A trip to a local discount store can provide shelf after shelf of options.  Flower vases, bud vases, juice glasses, candle sticks, and milk bottle style pieces are all popular options.  Also consider glass pieces you already have.  Wine and sparkling cider bottles, olive oil bottles, glass water and soda bottles, pickle and olive jars, and glass coffee drink bottles can all have their labels removed to leave a clean surface to work with. 

You can also buy in bulk.  With the Mason jar craze, jars in 8 to 32 ounces can be bought rather inexpensively by the case at everyday supply and grocery stores.  Some have designs or lettering in the glass that can be enhanced with paint to add to the decorative look.  If you’re interested in old fashioned milk bottles or another style of glass you have not seen in stores, look into ordering online.  You can purchase a quantity to turn into a substantial centerpiece with your decorative touch.    

Depending on your chosen method, both spray paint and latex paint are options for easy glass centerpieces.  You can spray, dip, brush, and swirl your way to a finished product.  Your options include matte and glossy finishes, metallic or glitter finishes, and they can be mixed and matched for more visual interest in your painted collection.  Toss in painter’s tape, and you have countless options for added design elements like stripes and chevron patterns, dots, angles, and color blocking. 

Additionally, you can change the look by the choice of painting the inside or the outside of your glass piece.  Spray paint is great for the outside, as is the placement of painter’s tape for patterns and designs.  For the simplest latex paint application, pour paint into a glass piece or jar and swirl to evenly distribute the paint on the inside.  Turn the piece upside down on a well-protected surface, slowly swirling as needed, to let the remaining paint run down and out to reach the lip.  If you want your paint brush strokes to show, use a thinner paint application and plenty of brush strokes in your desired pattern.  The same technique can be used with a mix of water, school glue, and glitter applied to the inside with a foam applicator brush for a glitter wash effect. 

Look for some online inspiration to get your painting project going.  You can generate the skills to make easy centerpiece designs great for any season, occasion, or custom gift-giving opportunity.  

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

     

Au Naturel

Less can be more when you like a clean, neat palette for your home.  The key to making low-key stylish instead of sluggish is hitting all the right au naturel notes.

One of the great things about neutral pieces is their long term versatility.  When the base stays the same and the accent pieces around it change, you get miles and miles of style out of your mainstays.  To ensure you can pull this off, choose high quality neutrals with staying power.  Upholstered sofas in durable fabrics in khakis, champagnes, light grays, and shades of white make fitting backdrops for any number of throw pillow change-outs.  An upholstered headboard in similar colors can accommodate multiple rounds of bedding selections.  A neutral rug can be placed under countless combinations of furniture styles.  Or, any of these can be blended with more layers of natural palettes instead of brighter or deeper colors to drive home a cool, light feel in your color scheme.

Natural themes can also be conveyed through continuity in large scale elements like wood or laminate wood-look flooring.  When making a change, it’s important to find balance between what is trending and what is going to be attractive for the long haul.   The same concept applies to countertops and tile work; there is simplicity in updating a kitchen or bathroom space with décor and accent pieces when the backdrop offers a neutral look. 

To create a natural feel through your décor, use nature-based elements.  Choose barn wood frames for photos, art, or mirrors hung on the wall, or lean a grouping against the wall on top of your mantel or in your entertainment center.  Use wood-look candle pillars, lanterns, trays, or woven-look storage baskets and bins.  Use butcher paper as covers for a jumbled collection of books on display for a subdued effect.  Go green without the green thumb when you use dried naturals in vases, single stems of palm fronds in tall vases, or other hardy greenery in bud vases.

Use water elements like river rocks or sand as bases in glass bowls or glass cylinder candle holders.  Choose jar candles in earthy scents in shades of white and tan.  Scatter shells or starfish on a tray or mirror for coffee or end table décor.  Use birds’ nest décor or front door wreaths in a similar style.  Consider linens and burlap fabrics for tablecloths, placemats, napkins and even chargers for your table setting.  Incorporate stone materials like a marble cutting board that doubles as a display surface for kitchen décor or serving pieces.

Au naturel turns ooh la la not when you lay it on thick, but when you make light oh so right.

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