What to Get Mom?

With two weeks left until Mother’s Day, now is the time to ensure you have your gift plan in the bag.  Or better yet, the wrapped box.  What do you get for the woman who “has everything” and is known to buy what she wants when she wants it?  Here are some sweet Mother’s Day treat ideas.

At times we can aim for the symbolic to the point of excluding the functional altogether.  If Mom has a wish list she’s created online with a site (like Amazon.com, for example), read up.  You may find something she does want, will use, and will be pleased you discovered.  If she doesn’t have a wish list or doesn’t know about them, prompting her (and Dad for that matter) to work on one for future gift ideas will give you an advantage the next time a gift giving opportunity rolls around. 

Think of things she’s into, and then create a gift with items that go toward that theme, but that she wouldn’t necessarily put together herself.  So Mom’s a baker.  Round up a modern silicone brownie pan, silicone mixing tools, unique cupcake liner papers, a handheld pancake mix dispenser, and some extra-large piping tips for her next buttercream creation.  If Mom enjoys hosting backyard get-togethers in the summer, get her a set of milk bottle glasses for fun drink displays, several packs of colorful striped straws, packs of paper dinner and cocktail napkins you found online, ice cube trays for making round or oversized square ice cubes, and an acrylic serving tray to display it all.  Offer her what’s in for the things she loves to do.

Turn to an online designer of crafty things for a custom piece of wall art or a framed display.  There are countless versions that depict special sayings, the names of the kids or grandkids in an artistic way, a favorite family recipe, a personalized monogram, or a tribute to milestone dates in her own history.  You can find similar concepts for jewelry, home décor, and sewn items as well.  Etsy.com provides a connection to a wealth of designers creating unique pieces.

You know her best; what would thrill her to open?  You could go for a handful of gift cards to treat her little indulgences, like iced coffees and shoe shopping.  Or wrap up a box of fancy bar soaps and boxes scented candles.  Score the latest gadget for the tech guru.  Package up a handful of home décor pieces for the mom who loves your decorating advice.

More than anything, show Mom some love with a gift that says you know her – her stylish, hard-working, always-there-for-you self who deserves a sweet treat this Mother’s Day.  Now get shopping! 

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 26th.

      

Style Forecast: From Spring to Summer

Having a look and accessories that seamlessly transition from one season into the next is key to getting the most bang for your buck when decorating your home.  When it comes to what is going to flow from spring into summer, here is your style forecast.

The overall design look for this time of year works to lend a casual feel – rooms are airy, the mood is light, and the pace needs to be able to keep up with busy families who also enjoy their downtime.  Spring and summer are about fun, enjoying outdoor spaces, and relaxing at home. 

Trending colors at play now are shades like bright blue with a pool-meets-popsicle look, version of coral that range from bright to peachy, light eggplant purples, bright and bold pinks, sunny yellows, sophisticated black and white, and accents of gold.  Steering away from the pastels, colors are showing up in bright ways on walls, front doors, in accent furniture pieces, and in everyday accessories that are easily interchanged for new looks like throw pillows and tabletop décor groupings.  More eye-catching accents pop nicely against neutral backgrounds and natural furnishings that look good year round.

Patterns are also all the rage and will continue to shine into next season.  It seems just about anything geometric goes, as we all have our different pattern preferences, and we make them work.  Stripes, chevron, herringbone, honeycomb, lattice, Greek key, Moroccan, and ikat are some of the top trenders.  And layering patterns is a definite yes, as you don’t have to pick one print for a room and run with it.  Layered prints and patterns, like curtain panels, bedding, pillows, and an area rug that all have different looks to them but that are cohesive in feel give a space more depth and visual interest. 

As for home accessories, layer them in.  This is a great way to use bright pops of color without involving a paint roller.  Whether you’re displaying colorful groupings on a shelving system, clustering items together on a coffee table, or livening up the kitchen with some countertop eye candy, sunny shades are welcome.  Contemporary florals are cropping up in wall art, upholstered accent pieces, throw pillows, patterned drapery panels, area rugs, and actual vases as well.  Ceramics are a way of displaying both color and themes you enjoy in figurines, small statues, and bowls and utensil holders.  This is also a popular time of year for front door décor, whether you’re hanging a themed wreath, a preserved boxwood square, or a dressy wooden monogram.   

Your style forecast doesn’t look cloudy, but rather bright and cheery for the season ahead.

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

        

Spring Makeover for Your Closet

The start of each new season can be a good time to embrace the phrase “out with the old, in with the new.”  If your wardrobe could use a spring makeover, here is how to start tackling that project.

Changing temperatures can signal a closet rod turnover, especially if you have limited space and move seasonal clothing in and out according to what you’re currently wearing.  Take some time to go hanger by hanger and pull out items to donate.  Criteria to consider are: 1) Does it still fit?  2) Am I wearing it?  3) Do I still like it?  If an item doesn’t pass this simple test, it’s just taking up your space.  Better to move it out and free up space for something new down the line.  The same goes for folded clothing, shoes, accessories like scarves and ties, and even belts and purses.  There’s no need to crowd limited space with items that don’t work their way into your regular rotation. 

Once you’ve pared down to the good stuff, organize what you keep for easy retrieval and post-laundry put away.  I subscribe to the rainbow method of hanging each color of clothing together from white to black with groupings of tan, peach, coral, red, brown, green, blue, purple, and gray – or whatever your wardrobe entails - in between.  Within each color section, group from least to most fabric, like sleeveless to long sleeve.  When it comes to patterns and prints, just hang them lightest to darkest in shade within their color family.  You’ll always be able to find what you’re looking for, and putting clean laundry away will be fast and easy. 

Maximize your shelf space by using bins and containers when applicable to hold folded clothes, clutch purses, and rolled up belts.  Determine where you have more room for items like ties and scarves – hanging on an organizer on the rod or rolled up in bins on the shelf.  Arrange shoes in a neat and orderly fashion, whether they’re lined up on a shelf, on a rack, or on the closet floor.  Try to consolidate suitcases, travel supplies, and other storage in another closet or storage space so items that are not in use all the time are kept out of your clothes closet. 

  When space is at a premium (and it usually is), pull out keeper items that won’t be worn in the warm months, like winter coats and sweaters.  If they can’t be stored in another closet in the home, use large clear plastic storage containers to hold them cleanly and securely in the attic or on garage shelving.  Having this rotation method allows you to keep season-specific items within reach and out of season clothing in nearby storage.

One weekend project can turn a jam-packed, all-weather closet into a sleek and stylish hub for getting you dressed and ready and out the door looking your best this spring.

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

    

Day-of Easter Touches

Whether you’ll have a whole house full for Easter lunch or will simply be entertaining the family, there are some last minute, day-of touches to add some Easter flair that’s not already on the menu.

When setting the table, turn everyday cloth napkins into a set of bunny ears at each place setting.  Lay each napkin out flat, start to roll it from one corner all the way across to the other creating a scroll on the bias, and fold in half so you have a looped bottom and two pointy ends for ears.  Stick the bottom loop through a napkin ring to secure.  If you haven’t considered place cards for your table, fold squares of plain cardstock or craft paper you have on hand into tents and sign each dinner guest’s name with a nice marker.  Or, if something single-serve like cupcakes will be a part of dessert, stake a small name card into the frosting and place at the top of each silverware arrangement to mark each seat.

If the meal will be served later in the day, use the kids’ plastic Easter eggs from this morning to create a cute presentation of tide-you-over mini snacks for the youngest in the group.  Hand wash empty eggs and line them in a real egg carton, ceramic half dozen cartons, or on a tray using the basket’s Easter grass for support.  Fill with things like little carrot sticks, broccoli trees, grape tomatoes, cereal, small crackers, trail mix, and cheese cubes.  This fun snacking method may keep the kitchen clear long enough to serve up your dishes.

Serving tea may be your drink plan, but there’s still time to dress it up, spring style.  Mix up a batch of lemonade and use a couple of drops of food coloring to give it a seasonal twist.  Serve each half-and-half for refreshingly easy Arnold Palmers.  Do you have a can or two of a frozen concentrate in the freezer?  Mix one with a 2 liter bottle of lemon lime soda or gingerale from the pantry for a 2-ingredient punch.

Tweaks to what you’re already planning can take a dish from traditional to Easter-ready.  A platter of deviled eggs can be turned into Easter chicks by the way you cut, fill, and decorate them with tiny eyes and beaks (view a cute example at DesignInMindColumn.blogspot.com).  A pan of crispy rice treats can turn springy if you mix in some pastel chocolate candy pieces from the new Easter basket candy stash.  A tray of otherwise plain sandwiches can be bunny or egg silhouettes after some cookie cutters get ahold of them.

Small changes can make for easy day-of Easter touches to make the day extra special.  And what a special day it is as we celebrate the resurrection of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ!  May you and your family have a happy and blessed Easter Sunday.

Congratulations to the 2015 Algodon Royal Court named today!  View the reveal in today’s paper and at AlgodonClub.com.    

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