Space Planning

Space Planning is EVERYTHING!  Unfortunately, when the housing boom was going on, contractors put up a house in weeks, rather than months.  The consumer comes along, takes advantage of the great deal but doesn't really consider if the house will function well with their family and lifestyle.  Often the 'curb appeal' takes precedence over the space or we realize some of the spaces won't work but we decide to sacrifice and make do.  Big Mistake. 

That's what I did.  Because of circumstances, I had just two weeks to find a home for the kids and I.  This home has some great spaces but some pretty dysfunctional ones.  I, like many, decided to make do.  Now, I regret to some extent the decision I made.  

Take for instance my 'office'.  When I moved in, there was no place to put a computer so I created a desk in my bedroom as shown in the picture below. 

It functioned well enough but I got sick of the constant mess and people coming and going from my room.  This past summer, I decided to make a change.  The computer ended up here...

In the hall closet.  I liked some features of this little nook.  I could shut the door on the mess and no one was in my room at all hours of the day and night working on homework.  Not a great space because it was too small if two people were sitting at the computer.

Recently, I came up with this solution. 

We have a loft in our house that is too small for much of anything.  While I didn't want my office upstairs, it really was the best solution and best use of space.  I built a corner desk unit so that we can house two computers, one for Shelbie and one for me and my business.  The filing cabinets also fit well which was a problem with the closet location.

In the past, I use the loft as my sewing/craft space too.  Well, my solution to that was to keep it there but behind the closed doors of an old computer armoire.

That has worked out great!  When I am working on a project, I pull out the keyboard tray and place the sewing machine on it then close it all up when I'm done.

The corner desk was really easy to construct.  I had two long 'card' tables so I put them edge to edge.  That left a big hole towards the back where there was no table.  I went to the lumber yard and asked for some 'throw away' pieces.  They had some particle boards that they sold to me for $2 and even cut them to fit.  I cut one the length of the table plus the empty space at the back.  The second piece I cut to fit the second table. 

I made a fitted covering complete with ruffle. 

It was so easy and didn't take all day to complete.  It has been so much better. Even still, I can't wait for the day when I can design a house that actually meets our needs, all of them, even the small ones.

The Old Screen Door

What a find...this old screen door! When I bought it, I had big plans for it.  It makes the most perfect message board for our family.  The screen is wire so pictures, memos and messages can be attached with fun magnets.  I love it! 

So, using a wire brush, I cleaned up the frame, got all the old dirt and chipping paint off.

Our family has a mantra that I wanted to have on the top of the screen so I chalked it on.  You can barely see it in this picture.

Next, taking embroidery floss and using a backstitch, I stitched our saying onto the screen.  It was so easy and didn't take long.  Our mantra is from the movie Land Before Time..If we hold on together

The photograph is not the greatest and doesn't really do it justice.

I bought a small roll of aluminum screening to add some embellishments

Again, it's hard to capture a photo of wire mesh.  Using a simple flower pattern, I cut out several from the wire and layered them together then stitched them onto the screen day on the bottom half.

I added some stitched stems and voila!  It is the cutest board ever!

So, what if you don't have a screen door like this?  Well, imagine repurposing any small screen from a window or staple aluminum screen onto the back of an empty picture frame then stitch your own message into it.  It's fun for teenagers to display all the pics of their friends or young kids to display their artwork.  There are lots of unique possibilities and would make a fun and unique Christmas gift.

Get Organized

Fall is typically the time of year that we take on the deep cleaning of our homes.  It's when we finally break down and tackle the blinds and the base boards.  I love de-cluttering and deep cleaning.  When the task is done, a real sense of accomplishment and peace resides in the place where junk once was.

It seems I do a lot of deep cleaning many times a year.  Closets and cupboards can quickly get out of control if we don't stay on top of it.  The last few months, I have been working on a few problem areas of my home.  One of the biggest messes was my laundry room.  Here are some before pictures.

My cleaning supplies end up conveniently on the floor and a mess of too small jackets and other junk hang on the hooks

The shelf above my washer and dryer were filled with who knows what.  I seemed to have a nice collection of random products I never use but somehow acquired every time a neighbor moved away.

These photos don't really do the mess justice.  My laundry room is basically a deep closet off a narrow hallway so it was hard to get far enough away for a full shot at the room.   After a little work and lots of bulging garbage bags later, it's a room I can live with for now.  It still needs some improvement but this is a good start.

I got rid of my extra vacuum so I only have to house one here.  The mops and brooms are neatly hung and the coats that didn't fit anyone are now in the hands of someone who can use them this winter.

I eliminated all the products I don't use and just keep my current cleaning supplies on the shelf. 

 What's left to do? Lots!  I'm still not happy with the space but transformation takes time. As I go out into people's homes, they often seemed overwhelmed with so many things they want to change.  It's important to take it all in stride.  Rather than go into a debt of time, or money, do little things a little at a time and soon the pay offs will be big. 

Working the Color Trends

So, are you ready to embrace the new bold colors for next year?

Photo from Pantone

 

I have this to say about trends of any kind.  Do not be intimidated by the latest fad. Do not feel pressured to include every trend in your home.  I often run across people who want to change the paint in their living room but are so worried they will make a mistake that will be dated next week so they tend to gravitate to the current trend or think if it's good for Pottery Barn, then it must be good for me. 

Trends will eventually be dated.  That's their job, they come, they go.  My philosophy as a designer is that your home should reflect you.  Your values, your morals, your character and all of your beliefs.  It should not necessarily reflect the political climate of the country in which you live, the environment or even your next door neighbor's taste. 

Creating an 'honest' environment in your home is never out of date.  It speaks volumes and people who come and go will feel your spirit. 

Sometimes, it's fun to try something new and trendy.  Invest in the little things that have little cost associated with them and are easy to switch out when you tire of them.  Pillows, for instance can pack of lot of design punch.  They are a fun surprise and easy to make or inexpensive to buy.  You can never go wrong with updating pillows.   Make them fun or keep them sophisticated.  Whatever you do in your home, make it yours!

Color Forecast

Did you know that the color trends for 2012/13 have already been released?  For some of us, we are just barely getting on board with this year's color trend.  How do they decide on the color trends and who decides what's hot and what's not?

Well, Pantone is the leader in the science of color but companies like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, along with others make their forecast as well.  Generally speaking, each forecast is complementary to one another. 

Color trends are cued by many environmental factors such as the economic climate even the political climate.  In 2008, an election year, the hot color was yellow.  Yellow represents change so it really made sense especially considering we voted in our first Black President.  This country back then was all about change.

2011, our colors were all representative of ESCAPE!  How fitting since we are all trying to escape the bad effects of a limping economy.  Colors leading up to 2012 are bolder, brighter and give a sense of reclamation, even enlightenment.  Faith and belief is big, the battle between light and dark continues.  It's time to take back control and rediscover the values this country was built on. 

Colors for 2012 are about refocusing on what's important, preserving what we have and being enlightened.

• Neutrals will be a big part of color this coming year and we welcome back a strong neutral
• Black!!  Yes, black is the new black!! 
• Metallics will be big and gold makes a come back but silver is still strong.
• Anything worn, irregular, handcrafted, recycled and repurposed is hot, very hot! Think preservation!
• Colors will be grayed and weathered
• Red- think brilliance, passion ie. chili pepper and clay.
• Blue- Turquoise, and Teal...it's been awhile since we saw teal.
• Greens- symbolize healing.  They will be bright like lime but also seafoam and moss.
• Browns- become more important, this is the reclamation part of the color trend representing grounding and deep rooted.
• Yellow- warm, bright and staturated with color.
• Pinks- bubblegum pink, bold and bright

I love this color pallette!  It's fresh and fun but I especially like the theory behind the colors.  Nothing is hotter right now than repurposing things and breathing new life into the old.  I'm hoping to build on this even more in the coming year than I have this year.

So, how do you feel about the color scheme for 2012?

Energy Efficiency- part 3

Here's the final energy tip for the week.  When was the last time you changed your furnace filter?  If you can't remember the last time, it's probably time for a change. 

Did you know that filters should be changed every single month?  That is if you are buying the very inexpensive $2 or $3 dollar filter.  There are some filters designed to last three months, sometimes more depending on the manufacture.  Of course you are going to pay more for these types of filters.

I found this style with a febreze air freshener in it and it lasts 3 months.  I do not have time to remember each month to change my filter so this better fits my needs. 

Nothing like airing my 'dirty' filters!!!  This is the old filter I pulled out of my furnace.  It's been sitting in there since Spring.  That is not the color of the filter, that is dirt!  Disgusting. 

Here's another tip...If you hold the filter up to the light and you can't see the light through it, that's a bad thing!!

Why change the filter?  Well, if you think about it, a filter is meant to, well....filter!!  It's job is to filter dust and other allergens from your home.  Keeping the filter clean will help your furnace run with greater efficiency and keep your house cleaner.  A cleaner filter means less dusting!!   The harder your furnace has to work because of a dirty filter, the higher your utility bills!

I know all of us can save money on heating bills...change those filters.

Energy Efficiency part 2

There is another place in your home that lets in a huge amount of drafts and I bet you never knew!  Outlets!  They are big culprit for lost energy.  Test it out next cool day you experience.  Sometimes just putting your hand against an outlet or switch is enough to feel a draft. Sealing up the outlets is super easy.

Again, I started with a DIY kit from Duck.  Duck has all sorts of weatherstripping kits and they are very affordable.  Depending on the size of your house, this kit came with enough to do just about all the outlets in my house. Exterior outlets. 

The material is a spongy, insulation.  Each outlet sealer is in a perforated strip so just tear them off as you need one. 

They fit snugly over your outlet.  Once in place, secure the plastic outlet cover as usual. 

This may seem small and insignificant but it can make a huge difference in your heating bill.  I don't know about you but it's more often the draftiness that makes you chilled to the bone.  Here's hoping winter stays outside instead of inside this year!