A Token Summer

Sometimes all you need is a familiar touch of those time-honored seasonal elements to keep things cool indoors while the summer temperatures continue to climb in the great outdoors.  For simple, easy additions to give your rooms a little sizzle, keep it updated while giving a nod to the traditional.

 Navy and white is the quintessential nautical theme, which pair perfectly for some summer flair.  Quick ways to add in navy and white, even if they are not part of your everyday décor, are placemats and napkins around the breakfast table, a printed runner rug in the hallway, a swapped-in coverlet for the guest bed with all-year white shams, and a handful of bright, printed throw pillows for the living room seating.  These two neutral shades accompany other colors like coral, aqua, lime green, and pink, which also lend themselves to this season’s look.    

Sand, shells, and starfish say summer supremely.  Say that six times fast.  Cake stands or glass cylinder vases with little beach scenes make quite the view down the center of a dining table or highlighted on a buffet or foyer table.  Layer sand, seashells, and other dried sea naturals for small vignettes that lend a breezy feeling to your space.  For the same type of layout, consider collections of lemons, limes, and oranges for a fresh and fruity arrangement instead. 

Other naturals that can make their way indoors include both natural and faux grass decorations, little potted herb gardens, and river rocks.  Whether accented on a coffee table, lined in a window sill, or filling a bowl on a night stand, earthy elements also provide small settings inside that represent their seasonal spots outdoors.  These can also be great souvenirs that will call up the memories of your summer vacation well into the fall. 

Taking it back to basics and putting your own modern spin on traditional tones of summer can feature some new decorations in your home without any hassle.  Quick, simple, and true-to-type decor can offer you a truly token summer.          

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

    

 

We Go Together Like . . .

Timeless duos: macaroni and cheese, peaches and cream, Bonnie and Clyde.  Some things just go together.  Design is no different.  Powerful combos add to the look of our homes, our wardrobes, and the styles that let us shine.

Colors combined show flair and visual interest in how we paint our walls, outfit our furniture, and stock our closets.  You can never go wrong with the classic black and white.  It’s traditional and yet always contemporary.  A twist is navy and white, which is a classic combo this time of year with its nod to the nautical.  Other popular pairs include navy and aqua, coral and turquoise, spring green and pink, and gray and butter yellow.  Think along these lines when picking new paint, upholstery fabric, bedding, rugs, invitations, jewelry, and handbags. 

Layering patterns together has gone beyond the old philosophy of one-at-a-time.  Put a lattice design, with its wide geometric print, with a tighter, more intricate pattern like a modern paisley or floral.  Mix a zig zag print with sunburst dots, or an animal print with a brighter solid.  The power of two is in letting each shine in its own individuality while making a unified statement together.  Think couches and throw pillows, rugs and drapes, sheets and comforters, and even accent wall wallpaper and headboards. 

Storage and organization go hand-in-hand.  Oh, you knew I had to throw that in.  Even great decorating can take a back seat when a home has an overall feel of clutter and chaos.  Meld organization techniques right into design by using attractive storage solutions: dark woven baskets, linen boxes with lids, fabric bins, and acrylic cases.  “A place for everything and everything in its place” is an organization motto to adhere to in order to keep your chosen design style in the spotlight.    

Good things can be better together.  The right pairings come together to make bolder statements than the individual pieces convey alone.  Take the Noah’s ark approach and move forward two-by-two to double up on style. 

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

A Sift-Through Summer

Summertime is a great time of year to get to some of those passed-over organization projects that the rest of the year seems too hectic for.  And while trying to beat the heat, staying indoors can pull double duty.  Here are some simple areas to tackle if your storage space could use some sifting through. 

Books – With the increasing use of eBooks, their paperback counterparts are not the only option anymore.  If your book collection houses selections you do not deem classics or read-again worthy, pull out the excess and donate or resale them to free up some storage or display space.

Movies and CDs – We all have movies that do not get watched again.  VHS tapes take up space, and not every home still has their player attached to their entertainment center.  DVDs are sometimes bought but are not considered real keepers.  And CDs are likely transferred to computer music files.  Old VHS tapes can be sorted through and donated.  DVDs and CDs in their original cases can be sold online for some easy extra cash.    

Toys and Games – Toys mount in a home like seemingly no other item.  Some board games are just taking up cabinet space but do not make the rounds of family fun night anymore.  Paring these down is a good family project that can free up space better used for more active household goods.  Toys and games make great garage sale items that can add money to your vacation fund.          

Seasonal Serving Pieces – Those melamine trays you bought a few springs back have not seen a backyard cookout since.  Your corn skewers are red with rust.  But they all still have a home in your kitchen.  Sort out the keepers from the pieces you will not pull out again in front of guests and free up some cabinet and drawer space for “the good stuff.”

Luggage – Take stock of the suitcases and bags you have in the closets, under the bed, and in the garage.  Those that are showing wear signs of having seen more than their fair share of trips could use replacing, especially if you typically pass them over when packing.  They are too big to stay home year after year.     

These or any categories that are pertinent to the things you store at home can make straightforward to-do list items to mark off, organization style.  Gather, sort through, and decide: keep, toss, donate, or sell.  Clean up, clean out, and kick back, satisfied with your productive self this season. 

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

Let's Take This Outside

To add a little curb appeal or a splash of design to your back patio without outfitting your space with a complete patio furniture set this summer, consider setting a smaller scene instead.  A little can go a long way with the right placement and accessories. 

More than just windows can frame your front stoop.  Establish a welcome entryway by placing one outdoor chair alongside a small metal side table next to your welcome mat.  Chances are you may have these sitting around in the garage in all their old, rusted glory.  This is a perfect opportunity to give them new life.  Clean them up, sand the surfaces, and give them a fresh coat of paint fit for outdoor furniture use.  You can choose clean and bright white, a modern gray tone, or even a brighter pop of color like a sunny yellow.  Add one printed outdoor pillow to the chair’s seat and top the table with a potted plant.  Your mini seating area can add real charm to the look of your front door. 

The same game plan can also go for your back patio door.  Add a few battery-powered candles to the table’s center for nighttime use without a breeze blowing out regular candles.  If you have flowerbeds nearby, stake a garage sale find like a couple of tiki torches or metal lanterns on stands in the dirt.  Dress up the area with a bird feeder or bird bath or some large garden stones.  String some outdoor lights to the underside of your patio cover to provide a soft light for your evening backyard time the whole season long.  For a different or additional small seating area, place a bench on your patio or within a garden setting.  Toss on a couple of patterned throw pillows and a coordinating seat cushion to add some color and softness.      

Other summer-perfect outdoor accessories are inexpensive, plastic Adirondack chairs for lounging; glossy, square potted plant holders for seasonal plants or an herb garden; a lacquered serving tray for a thirst-quenching break from the heat; and even an outdoor rolling cart to house some board games and cards, garden-tending tools, or extra bird seed. 

Repurposing some old pieces or nabbing a bargain at a summer yard sale can add a fresh style on a small budget to dress up your front door or backyard hangout.  Perhaps a little paint and some simple accessories can say more than your welcome mat does on its own.    

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

    

A Sparkling 4th of July

It’s not too late to pull off a talked-about 4^th of July party for family, friends, or your neighborhood bunch.  The clincher is to carry out the patriotic theme in everything you serve up and set out.  Think red, white, blue, and bountiful.

Keep the drinks sweet and simple, such as lemonade, iced tea, and an even combination of the two, known as an “Arnold Palmer.”  Serve a punch in a red shade or a fruit juice you tint blue with some food coloring.  And keep the ice coming to chill down the evening.  Fruits can also play a key role in a simple fruit tray appetizer or rosy dessert.  A tray of strawberries, cherries, and blueberries with a fruit dip can tide the crew over until the main course comes off the grill.  To take it up a notch, use a star cookie cutter to cut out decorative pieces of watermelon or pineapple as well.  A strawberry or cherry cheesecake, cupcakes with tri-colored sprinkles over icing, or a layered gelatin dessert with whipped topping would polish off the night perfectly. 

A backyard barbeque featuring hamburgers and hotdogs is classic and can be easily outfitted with all the trimmings to dress up your casual meal.  Serve toppings and spreads in a buffet of white dishes and trays that showcases a clean, streamlined look.  A build-your-own style accompanies this type of set-up well when you allow guests to add their favorite toppings, allowing you more hands-off time to relax and chat.  Chips or French fries served in red, white, and blue tissue paper cones are portion-perfect sides.  Paper plates and plastic utensils and cups in the three colors make set up and clean up as easy as can be and continues to carry out your casual theme. 

Keep décor simple, like red and blue candy in groupings of small, white dishes, and even use fireworks or – more my style – sparklers arranged into centerpieces that will be used to end the night with a bang.  If you have tiki torches or paper lanterns stored away, this would be a great summer night to get those out and put them to work to light your after-dark space. 

Turn your backyard or your family’s dinner table into a gathering place for a fuss-free, breezy evening spent around some all-American dishes with a flair for the thematic.  And celebrate the 4^th of July with some true, patriotic sparkle.    

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