Spring Vase Fillers

The old standards are easy to repeat again and again when it comes to filling glass vases as a base for an arrangement or as a standalone centerpiece component.  If you would be into something very spring specific, here are a few vase filler ideas just prime for Easter time.

Thinking outside the box, consider asparagus spears for both round and square vases.  They won’t last you a season but would instead be a real attention getter for your Easter dinner table.  Line stalks side by side to fill the perimeter of a vase.  To keep them in place, opt for a vase-within-a-vase method, using a smaller interior vase or jar to hold water and your flower arrangement.  If you need extra cushion for them to hold their spots, opt for a hidden filler layer like small handfuls of crumpled, fitted tissue paper.  The same concept could be applied to carrots as well, which would draw any bunny to the table.   

Easter eggs are another timely item perfect to fill a grouping of vases, flowers or no flowers on top.  To keep it modern, group similar color families together, like pinks and oranges or blues and greens.  Or go monochromatic and choose one color or an ombre effect by layering one color from dark to light in shade.  Both plastic eggs and home dyed eggs will work beautifully for this arrangement. 

Easter candy can be a sweet spot on the dining room table when it’s used to fill vases.  Stagger a grouping of cylinder, square, rectangle, or apothecary vases or jars down the table’s center, and fill each with your candy of choice.  Jelly beans, marshmallow birds, gumballs, chocolates, and so forth can all be used.  Use one smaller vase inside if you would like your display to be a fence line of chocolate rabbits or marshmallow chicks neatly in a row.     

Why stop there?  The Easter basket grass doesn’t have to be left out, but instead can be a vase filler all its own.  You can use it as a base to nestle eggs, a nest, or some bunny figurines, or let it be the display below a spring floral arrangement.  To keep it from floating, use the vase-within-a-vase method when arranging flowers.

Take your Easter and spring staples and fill up those vases with something just right for the season to create an attractive, tasty feast for the eyes down the center of your table.  And that’s before you even serve up those traditional Easter lunch favorites.

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

  

Putting Together a Hoppin' Easter Basket

When it comes to compiling the perfect Easter baskets, it’s hard to beat the Easter Bunny himself.  But if you have some little ones in your bunch you’d like to assemble something special for, here are some tips for layering it in just right.

First, start with something other than a typical Easter basket.  The classic woven style with a handle doesn’t translate into anything but Easter, and they don’t often linger too much longer once the holiday is over.  Instead, choose a bin or milk crate basket that can be used for kid room storage when the goods are gone.  They come colorful and printed or are made of natural woven materials that will have some double duty staying power.

Do layer in some faux grass.  Today’s Easter basket grass comes in different spring colors and feels hardier and less messy than what I remember as a kid.  If your basket has some depth to it, feel free to bunch up handfuls of tissue paper to give your grass layer a boost in order to show off the goody layer more prominently. 

Branch out beyond the candy.  Choose some small items that your individual recipient will enjoy.  An Easter weekend at the beach would be a great opportunity to add in a couple of sand toys.  The little artist would appreciate a new box of colors or markers with a fresh coloring book or sketch pad.  Any small trinkets for the season like sidewalk chalk, a jump rope, or a bottle of bubbles are simple, inexpensive additions that can be played with and enjoyed.  Consider a book, a DVD, or even a gift card to top off the loot.

Choose unique sugary finds.  It’s natural to gravitate just to the standard staples of mini candy, but walking through the Easter candy aisles of a store can be a great wealth of new-treat information.  You’ll find creative and crafty special items made just for the holiday like decorated cookies, carrot shaped bags of bite sized candy, and other indulgences that come packaged in fun and artistic ways. 

Don’t forget the eggs.  Topping your basket off with some filled plastic eggs makes for a nice presentation and one more way to gift little surprises.  Individually wrapped candy pieces, coins, and tiny plastic toys are all welcome reasons to crack open another egg. 

Now arrange all your gifts with one viewpoint in mind, stacking the larger and taller items in the back and working toward the shortest in the front, fanning things out to show as much of each piece as you can.  Leave your eggs for last, either spreading them out or leaving them in a cluster.  

You may not have rabbit ears and a cotton tail, but following this game plan could make you just as popular as the Easter Bunny when your little ones dive into your hoppin’ Easter basket.

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

  

What You Need for Hosting This Spring

Ladies’ lunches, showers, spring tea parties, and casual dinners can all have your doorbell ringing and your table filling up this season.  If you enjoy being the hostess, here is a list of supplies you’ll want to have on hand for your spring event.

Glass drink dispensers – They hold more and dispense more easily than pitchers.  They look great in a grouping of 2 or 3 with colorful liquid and perhaps fruit pieces on display.  And they make self-serving easy for guests’ refills.  Add in a chalkboard area for drink labeling or a pretty gold dot design, and you have a fancy-but-easy drink bar started.

Coordinating colorful paper goods – One of the simplest places to display a party’s theme is in the paper goods, and there is such a wide array of colors, styles, prints, patterns, and themes available today.  Dinner plates, appetizer plates, dinner napkins, and cocktail napkins are easy, disposal, and showy for any event.  They help host a crowd with less clean-up post-party.

Paper straws – For any girly event, paper straws are a simple added touch that packs a party punch.  Display them in a glass cylinder vase alongside your drink bar or stake them in individually prepared glasses or Mason jars.  They can coordinate with your paper goods and add another pop of festive color.

Sweet nibbles – Candy and gumballs that start out as décor and ultimately double as small bites of sweet treats can add a lot to a spring buffet.  Fill square or round glass vases with loose candy or gumballs or stick lollipops into a layer of dried beans or split peas for an anchor.  If they start to disappear, even better.

A signature – Be it a drink or dessert, having a signature something for guests to enjoy at the beginning or the end can be a memorable takeaway that stands out from the traditional punch or slice of cake.  Present it with a little sign that shows off the crafty name you’ve given it that tells what it is with a play on words or funny saying in the mix.

A takeaway – Let guests leave with something small and thoughtful you’ve prepared that goes with the theme of your gathering.  A decorated cookie wrapped in cellophane, another dessert bite in a mini box, or a glass bottle drink with a custom label are all crowd pleasers that show you thought of everything from beginning to end.

Take advantage of the fun items and ideas that can boost your spring event to a raved-about party guests are so thrilled they attended because you really know how to host.

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

  

Out of the Box Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning.  It’s the time to tackle those annual hot spots so you can come out on the other side and feel like your home has gotten that deep down scrubbing that makes you feel very accomplished.  The usual list involves windows, under and behind the heavy stuff, the drapes, closets, under the beds, and of course your regular chore list on steroids.  It can be a lot to tackle.  And yet, there could be more . . .  Since the basics feel pretty, well, basic, let’s cover another short list of spring cleaning mini-projects that can each have you feeling like you’ve tackled something big and won.

The Jewelry Box – It can be an overstuffed, overflowing, tangled mess we’ve woven over time.  Sift, sort, decide to keep or give away, and then properly store what you’re keeping.  Ideally, hang necklaces, pair earrings in divided boxes in a drawer, and stack bracelets in trays or bins.  When you purge what you don’t wear and arrange what you do so you can easily see it, you’re set to accessorize your future outfits. 

Media – How many CD cases and DVDs are taking up storage space in your entertainment center or elsewhere?  Free up space by storing music files digitally and parting with movies that won’t see a screen again. 

Magazines – How do they become these piles in four different rooms in the house?  Donate back issues of magazines to a local doctor’s office or recycle them.  Afraid you’ll part with something you intended to reference again?  Don’t be; you’ll probably just Google it if the topic comes up again.

Office Supplies – If you never have the right size of envelope or can’t find a stamp when you need one, take stock of your home office supplies and purchase refills where needed.  Store them neatly for easy home office access.

Cleaning Products – In the midst of spring cleaning, empty out your cleaning products stored away under the sinks and access your use.  If it’s old, nearly empty, or has been forgotten and replaced by a new bottle or brand, clear it out.  Purchase new sponges and bar rags to start fresh.

Tools – If your junk drawer could warrant its own zip code, or the bin you pull tools from is a disastrous mess, take the time to organize.  Determine what basics need to be at the ready in the house and what is better stored in the garage for periodic use.  Compartmentalize picture hanging supplies, nails, and nuts and bolts so you know what you have and can pull from your supply easily when needed.  Replenish your stock of batteries while you’re at it. 

 

Paint – A collection of cans in the garage with runs all down the sides may not lend itself to quick and easy touchups.  Determine what paint is still good, and label the lids with the house location in permanent marker.  If a lid has been cracked and air has allowed a thick film to form on the paint’s surface, remove it; it won’t do you any good for future touchups.  Consider buying a quart of it as a new replacement.  When buying new paint, keep the paint swatch and write on it what you got in the way of finish for reference.

Think out of the box for some easy-tackle, nice-payoff projects to go along with your spring cleaning to-do list.

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

            

Spring Decorating Basics

Nothing lends a light and airy feel to your home like spring décor popping up here and there.   If you’d like to transition into some seasonal staples, here’s a rundown of spring decorating basics.

Nature coming indoors is a key element of spring décor.  We know about the bunnies, eggs, birds, nests, and butterflies, which can all be taken in a modern direction to ensure they come off mature and picturesque on display.  Simply bypass versions that appear too kid friendly and opt instead for more muted colors, small wall art, plates and platters, and small figurines that can be grouped together and displayed as spring scenes.  Pair these with cake stands for added height in table centerpieces, and mix in a little greenery.

Spring green is a top seasonal shade that can be conveyed in a variety of ways, with greenery being at the top of the list.  Moss, potted plants, hydrangea and tulip blooms, green apples, and grass sprigs all do the trick.  Moss is the perfect base for a display, cover for a front door wreath, or filler over the base of a plant or bloom display.  Plants indoors are a natural accessory this time of year, as are individual stems resting in clear glass vases.  A cake stand, tray, or serving bowl full of green apples or limes is fitting for kitchen and dining displays.  Squares and rectangles of real or faux grass in a tin or wooden box are easy accessories for side and coffee tables. 

Ladylike touches also convey a spring vibe, so if you have pretty teacups that usually are reserved for the cabinet, pull those out and set up a mini tea party display with a couple of cups and saucers on a drink tray you accent with a short vase of fresh blooms.  Layering on the table linens, playing up lace, and topping table chargers with cloth napkins and napkin rings or napkins folded between layered plates can step up your dining room’s style.       

Vibrant color is also a sure sign of spring.  Bright glassware, latte bowls, and vases with hues of pink, orange, and purple in bloom can be grouped together for a table centerpiece or standalone floral accent.  Bright patterned placemats, napkins, and table cloths welcome guests to the table.

Put some spring in your home’s step this season by adding in some timely essentials that will be pretty on display until summer arrives.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 1st.

         

Your Version, Your Way

Do you ever have a pretty definitive idea of how you want something to look, be, or turn out, only to find that finding it ready-made is easier said than done?  There are so many items we automatically assume we just need to buy at the store as-is, and yet there is a self-made route to take to really customize what we’re in the market for. Enter: your version, your way.

When the boxed thank you notes and note card sets on the shelf don’t meet your needs in theme, color, or quantity, it’s easy to settle and just pick something anyway.  The alternative, however, can get you exactly what you want.  Custom online printing is so widespread, selling customizable versions that graphic designers have made and posted for sale, as well as offering the option to design your own graphic, upload, and order.  Whether you’re handy with a computer program that builds your own designs or not, you can find countless themes, color schemes, and customizable text, photo, and printing options of gorgeous designs with online printing companies like Zazzle.com. 

If you’re a couch snuggler, throw pillows aplenty might be your thing.  Sometimes you find just what goes with your theme and palette in-store, and sometimes you don’t.  To stretch beyond that limited inventory, you can take two routes, depending on whether or not you’re handy with a sewing machine.  If you’re a DIY seamstress, you can turn to fabric by the yard (which can also come in limitless options when purchased online) or take nearly-there versions of fabric, like 20 inch square dinner napkins that can be ironed, sewn together, and custom filled.  If you’re not the needle-and-thread type, you can locate plenty of seamstresses across the globe who are available for hire through their online galleries like Etsy.com.  What they collectively offer outnumbers a store shelf’s options, and some will even accept the fabric by the yard you ship them and make you what you desire. 

Can’t find a nice wooden cutting board design you like?  Have one custom engraved.  Would you like a number decal for your front door or your mailbox?  Pick an online design and have your own house number printed in a pretty font.  Want your item to say it’s yours?  Monogrammers, engravers, and glass etchers are out there able to fulfill your order.  Want to wrap up a special gift in paper you design or custom design your own bolt of fabric?  Those options are out there, too.

When you want to spell it out that You. Designed. This. make it happen with a little assistance from somebody crafty who is in the business of custom creating your version, your way.    

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

Kick the Curb Appeal Up a Notch

As the weather heats up and the lawn gets back to its rigorous maintenance schedule after the lull in the winter, our attention turns more to the outdoors.  Though the first day of spring is officially still a little more than a month away, there is no time like the present to start planning for a spring spruce-up in curb appeal. 

There are some key features to hone in on when you want to give the front of your home a fresh look for the season ahead, and that typically starts with the focal point: the front door.  A fresh coat of paint or a new color altogether can go a long way to giving your curb appeal a real boost.  Installing new doorknob hardware or a door knocker can offer additional eye-catching detail.  Depending on the style, adding new metal house numbers in a modern font to the door itself, off to the side, or to a front feature like an archway can add a polishing finish and a visible reference for the area. 

If your green thumb will be put to work this season, focus on how you can dress up your front entry.  If you have flower beds that flank your entry or run alongside a front walkway, choose plants and shrubs suited for the area that will bloom nicely in the months ahead.  Adding nice ground cover like a thick layer of mulch is a neat and tidy visual while helping to protect your soil and fill in the space between newly-planted plants.  If something more low maintenance is a better fit, planters or flower pots with something hardy (or even faux) inside make attractive bookends for your front door. 

If you like to accessorize, consider installing a new, more substantial pendant light or porch light sconces.  Warm bulbs that give off plenty of light add to the security and night curb appeal of your home.  If you have a mounted mailbox, a contemporary replacement can provide a fresh start while sporting a new look.  Consider adding new numbers or lettering to your curbside mailbox to freshen it up.  A new welcome mat that does its due diligence of giving shoes a gritty scrub can help add to the warm greeting vibe you’re reestablishing.

If space allows, a seating area with a couple of outdoor chairs and small table between them, a rocker or two, or a bench can all offer that extension of outdoor living space and inviting appeal of your front porch area.  And added bonus is front door furniture provides a visual block to package deliveries that may sit out for a while before you take them in.  A storage bench with a hinged lid is something you can alert your delivery drivers to so they can stow packages completely out of sight. 

Get a jump on a mini-makeover to kick your curb appeal up a notch and start your spring off with a new and improved look that’s ready for those steadily increasing sunny days.      

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

     

All the Ways I Love You: Home

Home,

You are my retreat.  You are where I go to settle in, get away, put my feet up, and have some quiet time.  You safely nestle us away from the rest of the world and offer an environment of peace and calm. 

You are a reflection of me.  You proudly display my design choices and wear accessories like they were made just for you.  You let me paint you and update you so we stay surrounded by elements that showcase what we love and admire on your walls and floors. 

You clean up nicely.  I love the feeling of having those routine chores done almost all at once so you feel crisp and clean and inviting.  I like working hard at getting you to that point, and I love enjoying the tidy fruits of my labor.

You are the backdrop of our easy entertainment.  Whether it’s an evening or a full Saturday of couch lounging and TV or movie binging, you are there to call us to some downtime, offering a deep, snuggly place to recline and pillows to go along with it.  You don’t seem to mind a few dropped popcorn kernels or a couple of plates stacked on the coffee table ottoman.

You are a culinary hub.  It can be a simple dinner or an afternoon of baking, and either way you have lighted counter space to spread out on and get to work.  With an apron in place, I love to mix, whisk, chop, boil, and bake my way to tasty dishes and treats.  You may look like a big floured, splattered surface in the end, but what we dish up together is worth the clean-up.

You are more than a welcome mat.  You open your doors to guests and family and are a gathering place in celebration or simply togetherness.  You offer them a place to stop and visit or share a meal or a milestone.

You are a master bedroom haven.  You hold our warm, soft bed and more pillows than he would have chosen on his own.  You pull back the covers and allow us to bid the day farewell for hours.  You have my favorite bathroom layout with our own space and privacy and enough closet storage to allow me to still shop.

And now, you are a nursery, getting ready for another resident.  We’re working together to turn a now-empty space into a new retreat for a little girl who is on her way.  You’re where we’ll rock and sing and play and wish for sweet dreams while we watch her grow. 

Home, we couldn’t have chosen a more fitting place to start and grow a family than you.

Happy Valentine’s Day.       

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

         

Go Bold

When you’re inspired to take a design leap into something big and bold, the thought of actually pulling it off in your own home can seem daunting or too ill-fitting to actually pull off.  Magazine and TV home shows make it look wonderful and glamorous, but translating that to everyday life in a real space can give you enough pause to stop altogether.  But if going bold is something you’d be into, here are some ways to make it work.

Making over whole rooms at a time isn’t typically practical.  But inserting something new that changes the overall look can be.  Instead of contemplating all new living room seating, which wouldn’t be easy to come by, consider one new accent chair in a large graphic pattern.  Between local stores that offer reasonably priced furniture pieces and great deals online that can even come with free shipping offers, you can place one new piece that stands out and represents a style that you love that will transform the look of your seating area.  Upholstered, armless seats with a big repeating pattern can be just what you need to spice up your living space. 

An area rug is another route to introduce new colors and an eye-catching pattern without committing to an entire room full of it.  Area rugs under a dining table and as an anchor to family room seating can display a color you really favor but wouldn’t be comfortable painting in an entire room.  And while a bold graphic print couch may feel too trendy to stick with, a bold graphic rug can update a whole room of traditional furniture.  

Another side piece that can take the spotlight is an upholstered ottoman or bench.  While offering a foot rest or occasional seating off to the side, these pieces can also take on a look you feel is very contemporary and meets with your style approval without too substantial of a cost investment or commitment to a long-term look.  A fresh ottoman can be paired with a solid leather side chair, and an upholstered bench accents the view from a large window or pairs nicely with other seating or a focal point like a fireplace.

For a tall take that stands up to its shorter counterparts, a floor lamp that arches out from a sturdy base and suspends a light diffusing drum shade into a seating arrangement or desk area is a great statement piece that easily updates the age of a room.  Before, this style carried a hefty price tag and was only available through select stores.  But its popularity has brought it to the masses at a fraction of the cost.  It’s a modern spin on traditional table lamp lighting that can feel like art as much as lighting. 

All it takes is really one piece that stands out from the rest to jazz up a room and give it a designer feel.  Adding these elements over time is an investment in how you enjoy your living space and what it says about your desire to go bold when you go home.      

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 1st.

Stash and Dash: Hostess Gifts

If you keep a little stockpile of small gifts to give on the go, you may have depleted your stash with holiday parties and opportunities to take a little something as a gesture of thanks for your hostess.  Now is a good time to keep an eye out when you’re out and about or shopping online to gather a few giftable items to have on hand when a dinner invite or impromptu party calls for a token tagalong.

Wooden kitchen utensils with painted handles are a trending kitchen accessory.  You can find some variety with everyday designers on sites like Etsy.com.  They’re simple, pretty, and add a fitting display of thanks when you’re invited to a dinner.  Patterned or monogrammed coasters are a nice hostess gift that offer form and function.  A patterned tray, like a printed acrylic or porcelain serving tray with a graphic, is something any hostess can put to good use at her next function.  A set of appetizer plates, both plain and themed, or a set of etched glasses, pretty tumblers, or cheese knives are all pieces that can be welcome additions to most any kitchen.  

Outside the kitchen, there are a variety of options for small gifts.  A trinket dish can hold jewelry or loose change and look good while doing it.  A stackable set of decorative boxes can be put on display and used for storage, too.  The same goes for a ceramic bowl or glass vase with an interesting shape.  A picture frame with a note of thanks as a placeholder in the glass is a thoughtful touch when you’ve been included in a special event you’ve looked forward to attending.  Scented candles can’t steer you wrong when you choose neutral scents like lavender and vanilla or something mild and woodsy.  A set of 2 or 4 guest towels for the bathroom might be put on display as soon as you gift them.

If you see a party, shower, or other event on your calendar’s horizon this spring and have more prep time, you can look into more personal options.  Taking something to be monogrammed shows you put some special thought in ahead of time.  Finding that great item that really suits your hostess or has a familiar meaning between the two of you – like a printed makeup pouch, colorful scarf, or themed wine stopper - also would be a welcome surprise when you arrive.

It’s easy to see neat finds when we shop that catch our eye but may not immediately bring a specific need to mind.  But gathering a few of these together to stock up for when a gift giving opportunity arises, whether planned or out of the blue, allows you to be prepared and share your design eye with a gracious hostess ready to welcome you and your little treasure into their home.

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

You'll Be Seeing These Again

If you like to stay up to date with what is trending, here’s the rundown of what is in for 2015.  It may influence your shopping list and paint preferences, or it may just keep you in the design loop. 

Neutral palettes top the color list this year, with gray being at the top.  Gray will continue to be prevalent for paint selections, furniture, and décor accents because of its ability to be a great background and accent shade alike.  Soft palette neutrals that lean toward pastels are right up there as well.  Soft pinks, nudes, cool blues, and earthy greens are creating soothing, inviting environments in bedrooms and living rooms while feeling much more grown up than the made-just-for-kids versions.  On the brighter side, indigo and electric blue are lighting up walls and fabrics.  If bold is more your style, rich shades are also trending, with “Marsala,” which looks like red wine, being named as the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year.  

A power couple this year will be the further-emerging gold and white.  Gold is hitting its stride in wall art, lettering, and frames.  And now we’re seeing more gold and white in pottery, glassware, and decorative accents with striping and other geometric details.  In general, warm metals are popular, with a resurgence of gold and brass making their way back into home fixtures like faucets, doorknobs, and accents in a modern way versus the strictly retro styling that’s continually replaced on home design shows.  Also look for this trend in lamp bases, figurines, faux animal head sculptures, and throw pillows.

Wire and metal are now common materials available in small side tables, furniture legs of accent tables, and a variety of pendant light fixtures that opt for a sculpture look over more traditional domes and other bulb covers.  Marble, with its prominent gray and white swirl pattern, is a kitchen and bathroom countertop trend that adds to that high end look.  This paired with clean white backsplashes and Shaker style cabinets will continue to offer quality kitchens that chef appeal. 

We don’t all run out and buy up all these products just to say we’re on trend.  But it’s nice to know what is prominent and what will continue to offer great style when we are in the market for something new, whether that be for a new shade for our walls or a pretty accent piece.  The best styles show themselves when we take elements we love and bring them together in ways that add to the look and feel of our homes.  So we can take this you’ll-be-seeing-these-again trends and choose whether they make our own list of gotta’-have-it looks in 2015.

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

     

Top 5 Home Resolutions for the New Year

Just as many have vowed to lose weight, get in shape, or make some other change for the better in 2015, your home can have its own set of New Year’s resolutions you decide to implement to make improvements this year.  What tops your house-proud list?

1.  Kick the Clutter – Trying to tame the clutter can feel like trying to tame a wild animal.  But making a conscience effort to kick the clutter to the curb in your home can have lasting benefits.  To succeed, you need support from family members and a willingness to work at maintenance.  Set up good organizational systems that make putting things away effortless.  After all, clutter develops when items don’t have a designated home and they end up being placed around randomly because that is easier than finding a proper spot.  Banish those hot spots where items pile and find good homes for the things you actually use.

2.  Pare Down – Right along with tackling clutter, paring down your household contents can be a priority to many.  “We have too much stuff” is a common sentiment.  Choose less by determining what is being used, what is being properly stored for future use or as genuine keepsakes, and what is just excess.  And then get rid of the excess that’s taking up your limited space through donation or trash collection.

3.  Have a Clean Routine – If your regular cleaning routine could use a little more structure and a bit more effort (or consistency), decide to up your cleaning game.  Set days for specific tasks to be handled and determine by whom.  A little at a time can go a long way to stress-less home maintenance.  Clean out your cleaning products and toss what you’ll never pick up again and instead invest in products and equipment you will be willing to put to good use in a timely, repeated manner.

4.  Showcase Your Style – If you look around and feel what you’re seeing doesn’t say “2015” to you, contemplate décor items you would be willing to part with in favor of some new pieces.  This doesn’t have to be an overnight makeover; instead, make a few new purchases over time to pull a fresh, updated look together. 

5.  Get Out the Toolbox – Home repairs and general maintenance can pile up over time when a short list gets ignored until it feels unmanageable.  What needs attention?  A roof or ceiling crack repair?  A flooring issue?  A paint job?  Make an actual list and discuss budgeting and perhaps hiring someone more capable to get things marked off this year.

 Make your own list of home resolutions for 2015 to enjoy your everyday spaces to their fullest potential.  That is worth being resolute about.    

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

A Fresh Start

As much as we love the holidays, there is something that just feels good about the sense of newness that January's fresh start brings with it. If you're getting your home back to normal and the Christmas decor back in storage, there are some steps to consider to get the New Year off to an organized, prepared start. 

Decide not to store things that you are not interested in reusing again next year. If you first got into your Christmas containers and left some pieces back and didn't display or use them this year, determine if that pause was temporary or permanent. Also take into consideration items that could have been damaged or now look too worn out to display. If you don't see those pieces in your decorative future, choose to donate them now instead of store them another year. More storage space for ornaments and accessories means room for new pieces in the future. 

Replenish your supplies. If you wrap like I do, you're likely running low on tissue paper and gift wrap tape. Instead of waiting for the next gift wrapping occasion, which can pop up and feel last minute, go ahead and restock your gift wrap supplies with a stack of all-purpose white tissue paper and gift wrap tape in bulk. You'll thank yourself when you don't have to dash out for some when you need it right away. If you have a pile of boxes from gifts that could go or stay, sift through and pick some good ones to keep to wrap future gifts in. For easy storage, break the larger ones down for flat storage and keep a short stack of shoe box and shirt box sizes with your wrapping supplies. Also look through Christmas wrapping paper on sale that doesn't expressly look like Christmas, like a chevron pattern ‎in black and white or lime green and white. That could be used for many occasions throughout the year. 

As you get your treasured gifts situated in your home, it's a good time of year to purge some items. If you received a gift that essentially replaces something older that you have, decide if a "one stays and one goes" policy would help with your space and your organization. I received some glass kitchen storage that is superior to another set I owned. I'm definitely not into cramming things into cabinets, so I took the opportunity to assess my new quantity and remove ‎the superfluous pieces that just didn't measure up now.  If you didn't go through this process with the kids' toys back in the fall in preparation for Christmas, now is as good a time as any. When they have their new toys to compare to, they may be more likely to scrutinize old items and be willing to donate to free up some room in their rooms. 

January is a time of starting anew.  Take some time to put that into practice to get your home off to a fresh start in 2015.

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

Ring in the New Year

The countdown begins to 2015, and you still have time to be the home family and friends gather in to watch those seconds tick down to midnight.  A New Year’s Eve party can be simple and casual or glitzy and glam while being festive either way.  Do you want to ring in the New Year as the ultimate holiday hostess?  Send out the call, and get prepping. 

Holiday-specific and colorful paper goods make picking a theme and having ready-made décor on display pretty easy.  For New Year’s, some of the most popular options are black and white and combinations of gold, silver, and champagne.  A party, craft, or supply store is likely stocking those aisle end caps with both dinner and dessert plates, dinner and cocktail napkins, paper hats, and noisemakers that clearly convey a New Year’s Eve party theme.  Take your pick, and your theme is established.  You can also buy some of the plates and napkins marked with New Year’s and beef up your stock with solid colors of each that coordinate. 

If you start your party later in the evening, like 9 pm, you’re not hosting a six hour long event that would require dinner and snacks later on as well.  With many parties winding down after midnight (or the ball drop for the sleepy), you’d be perfectly set with a nice spread of appetizers and finger foods.  Can you get creative and fancy with dressy little nibbles?  Sure.  But it’s not required to have a great party.  Classics are often favorites: pigs in a blanket with dipping sauces, meatballs on toothpicks, chips and crackers with a variety of dips, a veggie tray, and cookies and brownies will all be gobbled up.  You can make it quite simple for your set-up when you turn to the frozen section of a warehouse club store and plate up eggrolls, potato skins, wings, mini quiche, and just about anything in a little phyllo dough cup like you made them yourself.

Keep your beverage service uncomplicated by choosing a signature drink or punch that can be offered in a punch bowl or series of carafes kept chilled in the fridge.  Frozen and fruity bases topped off with ginger ale or lemon lime soda are quick and easily replenished.  Have your champagne and sparkling cider ready to serve just prior to the ball drop or midnight.

 A little party atmosphere is set with good music in the background and tabletops with lit candles for some sparkle.  Use your hats, noisemakers, and bulletin board number cutouts to add some flair around your serving area, coupled with shiny tinsel and votives. 

Special touches like round sugar cookies decorated to look like clocks, groupings of balloons, and milk and cookies for the kids at the big finish can all go a long way to create a memorable, celebratory night surrounded by the people you will be happily sharing 2015 with.  Have a safe and Happy New Year!     

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

                         

Checkin' It Twice: The Christmas List

Here we have arrived at the week of Christmas.  It has likely been a holiday whirlwind since Thanksgiving with gift buying, decorating, wrapping, party attending, travel planning, baking, and hosting galore.  So take a deep breath, grab that to-do list, and decide to go ahead and check it twice.

Ideally, these tasks are all complete:

You’ve bought gifts for everyone you intended to.  You’ve wrapped or shipped every one of them.  You baked the goodies you wanted to share with a select few and delivered them.  You’ve mailed your Christmas cards.  If you’re preparing Christmas dinner, you have your menu planned and your grocery list ready.  If you’re hosting family in your home, you are wrapping up your preparations in anticipation of their arrival.  If you’re traveling, you have your flight or driving plans made and your luggage at the ready.  You’ve accomplished everything necessary to finish up the kids’ school days before the break. 

Is it any wonder we make it through such a bustling season with so much on our plates?  But the best news is that all of these things – the parties, the gift giving, the time spent with family – is all meant to point us back to the reason for this season.  We’re joyful and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus.  When we get bogged down by trying to accomplish a seemingly insurmountable list, we have to stop and remember why it’s all worth it and what it should all stand for.  We give because we’ve been given the ultimate gift.  We share because we have an abundance that overflows to our loved ones.  We relish Christmas because it means we have a hope greater than any to-do list task could offer. 

So as we enter this week of Christmas, let’s give ourselves a little gift each day to help the true meaning of Christmas stand out above the rest.  Today, give yourself the gift of reflection.  Remember your best Christmas memories of years past.  Share stories, look at old pictures, or just take some time in thought to remember what has made this time of year special and memorable for you.  Tomorrow, focus on the gift of thankfulness.  One of the fastest ways to banish an overwhelmed outlook is to count your blessings and dwell on the things you’re most thankful for now and all throughout the year.  Tuesday, give yourself the gift of quiet.  Maybe you can only garner a few minutes, but deliberately remove yourself from the commotion and relish a little renewing silence.  Wednesday, give yourself the gift of breathing – you know, that thing we do naturally in short spurts when things are hectic.  Instead, take some intentional deep, slow breaths.  It will be Christmas Eve, time to wind down, making sure you’re enjoying that slide into Christmas Day. 

I wish you a genuinely Merry Christmas as we stop to acknowledge Christ’s birth.  After all, that is the ultimate top to any Christmas list.  Merry Christmas!       

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