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.

Design Influence: Greece

Greece’s Mediterranean style is classic in nature and is characterized by seaside stucco exteriors and red tile roofs. Warm neutral colors like peaches and yellows make up the exteriors and accent white walls or other shades of cool blues, greens, and grays. Greek style homes have large windows, inner courtyards, columns, and large covered verandas.

Artwork is a distinctive part of Greek design, usually portrayed in large murals and nature paintings. The focus on symmetry and order in its classic interior design calls for mirroring seating arrangements around a central focal point. Cotton and linen fabrics that are both durable and understated cover furnishings. Stone and marble create visually interesting, cool flooring surfaces. Sculptures, statues, textured rugs, rustic pottery, candlesticks, and more formal pieces are common decorative elements. The Greek climate is open to proper, manicured hedges as well as tropical landscaping and palms.

Take a note from the Greek culture when hosting, and serve meze, or appetizers, that fits well with light summer fare, such as olives, hummus, pita bread, grapes, and recipes that call for feta cheese. Lamb, shrimp, skewered meats, and eggplant can comprise main dishes, and traditional desserts like baklava could be a new treat for your company. Or put together an array of cold pasta salads that include olives, feta, and olive oil for a summer gathering. Set up a buffet outdoors highlighted by candlelight or lanterns.

Take advantage of our coastal Valley setting and add in some Greek ingredients to mix things up. You may not be headed to the Mediterranean, but you can bring a new sea vibe straight to your home. No airfare needed.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star June 19th.

Design Influence: England

The English country style of home interiors is characterized by a dark color palette, with wood floors, patterned wallpapered walls, and dark mahogany or cherry wood furniture. Floral patterns of wallpaper, rugs, and upholstery fabrics are common. More antiqued-looking brass hardware prevails over American nickels and chromes. Furniture is comfortable and informal, usually having a large-scale, more filled out look. English homes are accessorized with details: books, picture frames, china pieces, and collectibles. Fabrics are mixed in upholstery, throws, accent pillows, and drapery.

English properties are often known for their gardens. Those with a green thumb and a willingness to capitalize on what plants thrive where they live can turn a plain grass space into a seasonal oasis of color and blooms. Patio spaces decked out in stone and brick work and trellises pick up on English influences.

A staple of English cuisine is breakfast, which creates a prime opportunity for hostesses to share quite the spread with their own “B&B” guests. A traditional breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns, toast, and tea makes up a great morning menu. Add in grilled tomatoes and fried mushrooms for some English authenticity.

Tea is also a staple of English tradition. Afternoon tea, or “low tea,” as it’s called, is a light meal between 3 and 5 pm with brewed tea with milk and sugar, along with mini sandwiches of cucumber, egg, ham, or salmon, plus scones and other small cakes or pastries. Your own version of an occasional afternoon tea could be a memorable tradition to start with young children, complete with cloth napkins and a real tea set and special tiered serving platters.

Other British traditions to partake of could be themed dinners of a casual night of “fish and chips” take-away, which is battered fish and slab-cut French fries, or a traditional Sunday meal of pot roast, potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. Any ideas you can take from the English influence and incorporate into your home or dinner table spread provide the opportunity to raise more than a stereotypical pinky; you could raise a glass or even a few cheers.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star June 12th.

Design Influence: Italy

For the month of June, let’s explore ways in which you can add design influences to your home and your hostess repertoire from other countries, namely Italy, England, Greece, and France. Consider it a summer vacation of sorts.

Italian design is earthy and brings the outdoors in. Natural colors like browns, tans, yellows, and terra cotta shades are prevalent. A lot of stone work, thick plasters, and wood make up exteriors, patio areas, and interior walls. Intricate tile and mosaics add decorative touches, along with pottery and ceramics. Natural wood furniture and metal pieces are found. Potted flowers and greenery make proper arrangements around a front entry or back patio slab.

Wine glasses, candelabras, silver and metal trays, and jars and bottles are small decorative pieces that can be incorporated. Think wine bottles, olive oil, and jars of olives and peppers. Copper kitchenware adds an instant Italian touch. Add an herb garden with basil, thyme, and oregano in small terra cotta pots to the kitchen windowsill and use fresh herbs instead of dried ones when cooking. Place an arrangement of glass water bottles on a silver tray on a buffet or hutch. Use a pizza stone in the oven instead of placing pizza directly on the rack for a more authentic crust.

When hosting guests, set out a bread basket and dipping oil plate with garlic with your appetizers. Make homemade gelato or granita for a sweet finish to your meal. Serve espresso or cappuccino with biscotti cookies. On a breezy evening, let the family dine al fresco on the porch. Skip breakfast and instead choose a Saturday brunch with frittata and juice. Chill a bottle of Italian soda for a sultry afternoon thirst quencher. Try different foods like pesto and bruschetta to see if they can be added to the list of family pleasers. Try your hand at homemade alfredo sauce, which is so rich and delicious.

It does not take a passport to explore another culture. If there is something that appeals to you about another location, whether from a trip, an idea, or simply something you see in a movie, see what can be done to add a little touch of that to your living space or your activities. Who knows? You may feel a little trace of vacation after all.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star June 5th.

What Is Your Design Style?

What is your design style? You hear the labels: modern, contemporary, traditional, classic, and eclectic, but what exactly do they mean? Let’s explore our options by definition.

“Modern,” as it relates to design, actually represents a specific time period in the 20th century, namely the 20s and 30s, when architecture began to rely on advances in technology and engineering. “Clean lines” is a descriptor that still holds true, as buildings and furnishings became less ornate and more representative of their simplistic function. “Contemporary” is a term that is typically interchanged with “modern,” though contemporary actually speaks to what is currently popular and prevalent in design during the present day. What was modern when I was little is still technically what is modern today; however, what was contemporary then is very different from what is considered contemporary today.

“Traditional” is usually representative of classic European design. The details can be more ornate and decorative, like arches, claw footed and wing-backed pieces, and darker wood tones. Many antique items are probably traditional pieces. “Classic” design stems from Roman and Greek influences and revolves around harmony, order, balance, symmetry, and a central focal point. You do not find contemporary influences in classic design; classic design follows timeless tradition.

“Eclectic” is the blend of different styles and time periods and not following one set of design “rules.” Though it comes from different backgrounds and ideas, eclectic style is still harmonious and well executed with a plan to find the commonalities and a theme within a blend of design elements.

So what best describes you? Are you clean lines and functional style? Bold patterns and prints that have emerged as popular in recent years? Neutral colors and rich, elegant furnishings? A symmetrical arrangement situated around a fireplace and mantle? Or a blend of these elements that come together in a way that works for you?

To know the elements of the style that draws you most is to know how to bring more of those fundamentals together to create your ultimate living space. Stylish execution really is in the details. So what style says “home” to you?

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 29th.

Updating Options to Modernize Your Bathroom

A total bathroom renovation is a huge undertaking that would require a costly investment of time and money that is not always practical. Dated bathrooms, however, take away from the everyday appeal as well as the resale value of a home. By picking and choosing a few select updates a la carte, you can make the best impact for your cash.

Consider both big and small options for updating in two main categories – visual appeal and function. Obviously, your walls make up some of your biggest visual interest. Painting your sheetrocked wall space is a big change without the heavy price tag. For more of a change, installing modern wainscoting on lower walls for a contrast is an option.

Fixtures are another easy item to update and replace. You can incorporate new faucets, handles, shower fixtures, and drawer pulls with a more modernized look and have a wide array of price ranges to choose from. Moving away from brass or gold fixtures and adding brushed nickel or chrome pieces in their place brings the look of your bathroom quickly into today. You can also incorporate new functional features when choosing new shower sprayers and nozzles. To take it a step further, replacing decorative tile pieces with a tile style found in new construction homes can take a weekend project and turn it into a major upgrade for your bathroom. With some know-how or detailed instructions, certain tiling projects can be DIY.

An additional way to update a bathroom just on the surface is to replace your linens. If you have a mix-matched set of former towels and rugs, streamlining those pieces into more spa-feel elements brings your space into 2011. White towels, posh hotel style rugs, and a new, more luxurious looking shower curtain removes that dated, worn feel and freshens up the space with clean essentials. Pare down your decorations to things that support the clean spa theme like candles, glass, and dried or grass naturals, and remove any clutter, dated décor or window treatment, and any products on display.

Pick and choose updates to meet the needs of your bathroom space and your financial plan to ensure your home is not stuck in the 70s or 80s. Whether you plan to call your place home for years to come or are considering a move in the future, modernizing your bathroom elements truly adds value on more levels than one.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 22nd.

Turning Flea Market Finds into Fresh, Modern Décor

The desire to update a space and add new decorations can easily be squelched by fearing the task of having to go out and buy brand new pieces in order to do it. If making a big investment in small decorative items is out of your budget range now, you do not have to let that stop you from having something that YOU MAKE NEW.

We all have little trinkets and decorative pieces that have a) been removed from display but we still have, or b) we still have on display but wish we didn’t. But there is a trick to taking mixed-matched pieces and turning them into unified, collective displays: spray paint. I do not mean the old, stereotypical teenage spray paint in neon colors that gets youth in trouble. I’m talking about quality spray paint in a modern mat or acrylic-look glossy finish that you see dramatically changing furniture and outdoor chairs in TV commercials today.

Take a look around and see what you have laying out on bookshelves, coffee and end tables, and buffets and hutches. Open up kitchen cabinets and dig out old bud vases and small serving bowls that are not being used or seen. Pull down boxes from the top of the closets and see if you have any little, dated statues, pottery, glassware, or curios that you would allow to be made-over. Or expand your search to include similar items in local garage sales or flea markets that you buy at a total steal of a price. Gather your collection of mixed items and prepare to make them look like a complete collection that was meant to be a set.

You will need a quality base coat spray paint to prepare each surface for the decorative spray paint. Then choose your one color of spray paint in the mat or glossy finish you desire. Shades to consider are classic white, black, chocolate brown, or something from the yellow, gray, or aqua color shades. Thoroughly clean your pieces of glass, ceramics, or other mediums. Stake sheets of recycled newspaper in the yard so you reduce the amount of paint that drifts freely onto the grass. Spray each piece with the base coat and allow that to dry according to the product’s instructions. When applicable, carefully finish off each piece with one or two coats of your main spray paint color.

In the end, you have a variety of dated pieces that you have completely made over to look like a fresh, modern collection. Display your grouping on a mantle, coffee table, or entertainment center shelf. Your pieces have the potential to look like they were ordered right out of a current home décor catalog. And you can keep the secret to your “latest finds” to yourself.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 15th.

1 Gallon of Paint, Endless Projects

When you want to make an impactful change without making a big impact on your wallet, one avenue of home project possibilities to contemplate is the seemingly endless endeavors that you can carry out with a simple gallon of paint. One gallon of paint can take you further aesthetically than you might have imagined. And a 1-gallon project may not even take you a full weekend to finish. So let’s roll through some options that may be painting projects you would consider tackling.

Painting your front door a standout or new complimentary color that goes well with the look of your home’s exterior is one big visual factor in adding curb appeal to your property. I have seen shades in the red, yellow, gray, and blue color families make bold statements when lacquered on front doors.

Adding a darker shade to the walls of a small bathroom can do the exact opposite of what you may think, which is make a small bathroom look smaller. Instead, darker shades added to some small spaces provide more definition and depth, giving the space a grander, more spacious feel. And adding a new gallon of paint to a bathroom is a fast, economical way to update it without replacing old tiles or fixtures. Throw in a new set of white towels, and you’re on your way to a spa feel at home.

The bedroom furniture you picked “back in the day” may not be what you would choose again now if you had it to do all over again, but that is a sign of how times and tastes change. Instead of dreaming of new bedroom pieces amid their weighty price tags, let a gallon of paint turn your current headboard into a new creation. By adding a new color and picking your preference between a mat or glossy finish, you have given your room a new look without replacing anything.

Painting kitchen cabinets and bookshelves are larger-scale undertakings, but their work load can be diminished while still making their impact increase. Paint kitchen cabinet fronts and doors, and leave the interior walls and shelves as they are if your goal is to simply change their look. Do, however, remove the doors and the hardware prior to painting to avoid taping off and doing a less than professional looking job. To the contrary, a way to change the look of bookshelves and entertainment center built-ins is to just paint the back wall and leave the interior dividing walls, shelves, and fronts the way they are. Adding a paint shade to the back panel you see is a standout design element that highlights what you choose to display on the shelves while being a kind of artwork on its own.

Dip into one gallon of paint, and see where the brush strokes can take the look of your home.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 8th.

Casual Theme Dinners that are Easy to Pull Off

“Dinner parties” may be a term reserved for more formal affairs in the home that center around presenting your guests with a fancy spread in a sit-down setting. However, the more casual approach today to having friends or family over for dinner without the sit-down dinner preparation can be as uncomplicated as throwing casual themes into the mix.

Takeout is a great place to start for fast, simple dinners that can still be presented with some personalized flare. The trick is to carry out your theme in the details. By stocking up on some party supplies in the right categories, you can always have some affordable tools at your disposal to whip together a gathering. When you think takeout, two applicable themes to consider are Chinese and Italian food options, which can be served up with ease.

Whether you order from your favorite Chinese restaurant or attempt your own tasty versions at home, you can still serve your dishes very authentically. For a small get-together or movie night, why get out the plates when you can serve right out of Chinese takeout cartons? They are available at party supply stores, so you can have your own inventory at home. Let dinner guests scoop their selections from white serving bowls right into their own takeout cartons, and set up your spread around the coffee table instead of the dining table to bring the casual dining level down to the floor. Offer a large bowl of fortune cookies, and incorporate the simplest of décor with chopsticks arranged in a collection of small, clear glass bud vases. To take it a step further, add a few paper lanterns to your setting in varying sizes. Once folded flat, they can be stored away for future use.

Carryout pizza can be jazzed up to party level with a little atmosphere. Serve iced-down glass bottle soft drinks out of a large bucket or serving bowl. Remove the pizzas from their boxes and serve buffet style on serving trays and even cake stands to vary their heights. Offer breadsticks and marinara sauce for dipping, plus add-ons like parmesan cheese, red pepper, and ranch-style dip in their own small serving bowls as well. Skip the big dishes by offering red paper plates and red-and-white checkered paper dinner napkins. To take it a step further, play an Italian dinner night CD for background music or dine alfresco on the back patio for a twist on a summer night picnic.

“Supper from a sack” doesn’t have to be as bland as that sounds. Play up a meal’s theme to create an atmosphere fit for inviting guests over. And don’t feel guilty about the leaving the cooking to the pros; you are merely in charge of setting it up and pulling it off with your design in mind.

DesigninMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star Sunday, May 1st.

To Latch or Not To Latch: Modern Ideas for Childproofing in Style

Walk down the child supply aisles of nearly any store, and you will have a vast selection of childproofing products well within reach of your adult fingertips. Plastic devices, door knob covers, latches, locks, corner cushions, and door stoppers are found aplenty. But the question is: do you really want to deck out your entire home with those little white gadgets gleaming on essentially every surface? If your slightly guilty-parent answer is “no,” don’t sweat it. There are ways to keep your kids safe in your home while still living in an adult-friendly environment.

A fundamental part of childproofing is simply de-cluttering. The fewer opportunities for trips, slips, and tumbles, the smaller the Band-aids® you have to keep on hand. Well, almost. By keeping your home organized and tidy, you reduce the risk of haphazard accidents. Keep your hallways and stairs clear. Have designated storage pieces and hooks installed up high at your entry points for shoes, umbrellas, and backpacks. Be vigilant about keeping surfaces clear of clutter in the kitchen, home office, and bedrooms by having designated homes out of sight and reach for small appliances, supplies, and accessories. Store books and magazines properly on upper shelves or in magazine files or decorative baskets. Keep toys from totally having the run of the place by collecting them in bins, baskets, or cubby systems and purging what your children have outgrown once or twice a year.

Also, consider ways to swap out child-hazard elements for something both kid friendly and visually appealing to go with your decor. To me, placing those corner cushions on the four points of a coffee table ruins the look of a perfectly good table. Try something more modern that serves the purpose but also eliminates a hard, pointed surface altogether in your living room seating area by using cluster ottomans instead. Whether leather or upholstered, these soft surfaces can fulfill the role of a table without posing a threat during a fall while they add a stylish touch to your furniture arrangement.

Make smart storage choices in your family’s home to do away with the need for all the latches and locks that ultimately just make your daily tasks a little harder to carry out. In the past, latching the double cabinets below the kitchen sink was a staple to keep harmful cleaning products out of the reach of children. But why wasn’t it commonplace to store things like cleaners and bleach in upper cabinets or in the laundry area instead? Today’s homes tend to offer more storage solutions with upper cabinets, more than one “linen closet,” and both shallow and deep heavy drawers below the sink and cooktop in lieu of cabinetry. Take advantage of your storage space and “move it on up” if you would rather your child not have access to a grouping of items. However, when it comes to electrical outlets, do go ahead and use the little clear covers to cover your bases low down.

Find the balance that will work for your family and your children’s stages of development. Keep them safe and you happy by blending storage and safety solutions in a fashionable manner. And provide your youngest children with plenty of appropriate stimulation at their fingertips to help keep them from steering into unlatched waters.

Appeared in the South Texas Family&Health Issue in the Valley Morning Star Friday, April 29th.