Fun & Funky Wall Decals

My #1 designer tip: Go Big Or Go Home! When I dress the walls of a room, I look for big and bold artwork or a bunch of smaller bold pieces that I can group together. A fabulously dressed wall beckons your guests to 'come in and look at me!'. This can get expensive. A good alternative is wall decals which have come a long way from corny quotes and a million tiny vinyl butterflies. I really dig the over sized abstract decals. It is a simple way to create a focal point for under $50. For a dramatic dining room paint the walls a rusty orange or a red and use an over sized tree shadow in black; or to create a soothing airy feeling guest room, paint it a turquoise and add a Dandelion blowing in the wind in white. Check out www.dezignwithaz.com for a huge assortment of decals like this. They also have cute chalkboard ones for kid spaces. www.secure.wonderfulgraffiti.com is another great place to get inspired.

-decadently yours, Shoshana

Modern Basement Office Makeover

I would like to share with you an office re-design I just completed. I had so much fun turning this basement office into one that is now fresh, modern, sleek and works over time. I have included a rundown of the changes made so you can try any of them yourself.

BEFORE

AFTER

1. Choose A Desk That is HOT
Large bulky traditional desks are so yesterday. There is a new wave of desk options that take up less space. They are called Laptop Desks but can be used with a CPU as well. The desk above in this room is a brand new line by Riverside. It feels weightless. I love the clean lines and the way it is illuminated with the chrome oval pulls.
2. Tangy Modish Color Palette
To keep with the industrial theme the color pallet is kept neutral (Ancient Marble by Sherwin Williams)with a jolt of a tangy green (Shawgreen by Sherwin Williams) on one wall.
3. Choose A Few Large Bold Art Pieces
We added just a few choice art pieces based on my clients love of old heating/cooling units and modern design.

4. Break Up the Room Into Zones
I split this room into three zones: a computer/writing area, conference area, and storage and electrical device area. I didn’t waste any space.
5. Include Lighting That Works For Each Zone
There are recessed ceiling lights, an adjustable desk lamp, movable track lighting for built-in, and stand up lamp for conference table.
6. New Flooring
We found a rug that was very wearable, yet still felt good under foot because it is a home office. We chose a golden toned color with a slight design to feel warm and give it depth.
7. Turn Your Closet Into More Work Space
We turned a useless closet into a built-in that included floor cabinets, a counter side wall shelves for books.
8. Creative Window Treatment For Small Window
This was the only window in the office. Rather than covering it up and losing the light, or trying to figure out how to make it look larger, I worked with it the way it was. My modern solution was to use it as natural lighting to illuminate sculpted bottles.

9. Add Drama To The Ceiling
We switched out the old tiles in the drop down ceiling with funky bold ones (www.ceilume.com has a great selection).

Decadently Yours,

Shoshana

The Soundtrack of Life

Remember this scene in Twilight when Edward says 'Hold on spider monkey'? I remember the song that went along with it. Every great moment in life should share an unforgettable song. Those songs turn into the soundtrack of our lives. It inspires us to do great things. Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight, let songs move her to write her famous books (If you get a chance click on her name above and read how she wrote her book and published it-it is a Cinderella story). She says she ‘can’t write without music’. And I can see why. My heart speeds up every time I hear Supermassive Black Hole by Muse and Tremble For My Beloved by Collective Soul (who got me through my early 20s living on nothing but fun on the upper east side of NYC).

I could not begin to design without music. Every project, whether for a client or just me, has a sound track behind it. For one of my latest, a home based office for a gentleman, I needed to find a song that left the fluff behind, didn’t require any pretense, and just felt good to work in. I went back to the beginning. With a pencil and sketch pad, I kicked my shoes off, sat back and scrolled through my iPod for something that moved me. There it was: Abraham. Written and sung by The Kin, it was composed without the fluff, and is raw and beautiful. I have shared the link to a video of them singing it without any filler (including a microphone). Check it out by clicking here. The Kin are one of the few bands that can play with anyone, and for anyone. My next blog entry will feature the finished office.

I have a list of favorite artists under my profile. Do you like any of these? What music moves you? I would love to download some more good artists out there.

Decadently Yours,

Shoshana

A Hot Look for 2009

This photo above taken from www.furnitureseen.com is a perfect example of today’s fresh and fab décor look. It is chic without being stuffy. It is a place that is peaceful and I love it. It encompasses all the trends we are seeing: serene wall colors with bold elements illuminating through like these moss green sheers. The furniture is built to be comfortable, upholstered with less fussy fabrics without the overstuffed pillow look. The track arm, that skinny little contemporary thing you push your elbow into, is seen as more attractive than the big fat oversized roll arm. And my fave fave fave element in the room are the oversized lamps. Since my motto has always been ‘go big or go home’ you can imagine how happy I feel to see this.

Speaking of BIG, I want to marry this amazing Minka Kovacs Arc Floor Lamp you see to the right. The photo shows how it looks in a room (I copied it from a Family Circle article called 'A Lofty Ideal: Creating a Stylish, Eco-Friendly Home'. You can see it at www.parents.com.) It is stainless steel, marble and GEORGOUS!! It is overwhelmingly large. It is pricey but makes a huge statement. I have seen it often in designer publications. I am waiting for it to ask me out. Call me Minka!!

A few months ago I presented a design plan with these elements, including the Arc lamp, to the sweetest couple who have impeccable contemporary taste. This pair fell in love with a 100 year old home that has a lot of history and needed a LOT of work. They are rolling up their sleeves and creating their dream home. And thoughtfully documenting it all. I hope to share the end result with you when they finish. It will give you another example of this fresh and fab look we are seeing more and more of. Brian, I am talking about you my friend.

A Day As An Interior Decorator

Today I turned into an unruly Rock Star. No one realizes just how hazardous an Interior Decorator’s job can be. It’s not all ‘pops’ and ‘panache’ all the time. After suffering a knee injury trying to shut my trunk full of too many good buys for a client, I hit myself in the eye with my i-phone. Blind and limping, I met my contractor at a Granite store. Within the first five minutes there, I managed to lock myself in the bathroom. The door was ridiculously stuck. I pushed, pulled, and grunted for quite some time but even my rock-hard muscles were no match for the strength of this 3’ pocket door. I had to stand on the sink to get a signal on my cell phone and call for help. Don’t worry, this story has a happy ending- I was saved (although everyone laughed at me).

I spent the rest of the day getting lost in Phillipsburg, stuck in traffic in Easton, and after painstakingly shining, wrapping and hauling fifteen perfect vases, I broke one. I even endured a nasty paper cut while designing a bathroom on graph paper. All for the love of what I do best (drum roll please!)….. Interior Decorating!!

Hope you all are enjoying this blog! I am having fun writing on it.

Decadently Yours,
Shoshana

Two Very Lucky Girls - Part II

My friends, you have waited long enough for Part II, to see how the very lucky little girl’s bedroom I wrote about in Part I turned out (to read Part I and see the design board, scroll down to the article with the same title from April 10). When I last wrote, I had just created the design plan. Since then the room has been ‘a rockin’ with change. This was a fun project to work on. The inspiration came from my young client. After sitting with her and listening to what she wanted I realized she was a bold and bright girl and nothing but that would do for her. I wasn’t there for the big reveal but here is the e-mail I received from the little girl’s mother:

“Anna’s room came out PHENOMENAL!!!! When we opened the door her mouth dropped open and she couldn’t speak. She was looking around in amazement and then started jumping up and down yelling THANK YOU SO MUCH!! She was thrilled beyond belief! I can’t wait for you to see it. Thank you so much for an amazing one of a kind room that Anna is soooo happy with! We are very grateful!”

Here is the BEFORE and another view of the AFTER:

My favorite part of the room was the thank you sign left for me from my young happy friend:

THE INSPIRATIONAL CORK

I would like to talk about a cork.

A tan and wheaty, crumbly fumbly round and good smelling cork. Why am I discussing a cork? Because not long I ago I was a very tired, head full-of-ideas, crazy woman who had a hectic day and needed to end it desperately with my high heels off, feet up, and a tall full glass of Riesling. Unfortunately for me, this would prove to be a bit tougher to do than I had anticipated.

I had the Riesling bottle in one hand, the opener in the other, and was almost there. Almost to the Promised Land. Almost. I could not get the cork out. You should have seen me playing tug of war with a cork that was determined to stay right where it was. I pulled and twisted and pulled again. In the end it was no match for a woman irritated to the core. I wiped the sweat off my brow and saved the cork to remind me that struggles can make you stronger, and lead to happy endings.

This very scenario is what inspired me to add something special to my client’s kitchen re-design in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania. My client, a woman, much like myself, spends her days running around. When at home, the room she utilizes most, is her kitchen. She cooks there, cleans it (a lot), does projects, and manages her daily schedule at the kitchen island. She deserved a kitchen that was all about helping her. Together we created a calm functional kitchen by using a cool color palette of breezy blues and refreshing greens, reconfiguring the dining table and adding 2 basket weave head chairs, and stools at her island. We also added a large round drum pendant light above the dining table, incorporated a very large framed cork board, and to soften and diffuse the large bank of windows, we brought in woven roman shades and fun paisley print pleated drapes.

The kitchen looked amazing BUT was missing one thing. I looked at my wine cork and instantly knew what it was. A place to stop running around! I incorporated a special cozy nook in the kitchen space, where she could actually use it. To me, it beckons ‘come and relax!’ What do you think?

Backyard Indulgences

It has been a while since my last blog entry. If you enjoy reading them then I apologize for the delay. I have been busy working on very cool projects and just came back from vacation. I have been in Florida the last week and half, and had a great time kickin’ back and taking in the sights and sounds. Florida is all about outdoor living. For me, it is so relaxing to sit at any hole in the wall outdoor bar that looks at the ocean. It’s the sound of the waves and watching them crash gently into the shore, whether under the glow of the moon or the hot sun, it is very soothing to me.

I don’t live near the beach BUT I still enjoy that outdoor living. And now that the warm weather is here, I am excited to do more relaxing, grilling and partying in my own backyard. Outdoor spaces are treated these days, like another room in the home. You can do so much more than merely adding a colorful umbrella to your picnic table, planting some simple pansies and bringing in a bird bath; you can turn a backyard into a resort hotspot. Imagine relaxing in a soft sofa, with a cold drink in your hand, as a light wind touches your skin, while watching the sun set.

You can truly utilize your outdoor space to the oomph degree even if you don’t have a great view to look at. Uses are limitless, from full kitchens for upscale dining to outdoor plasmas for movie nights. It is so inviting to lounge in an outdoor living room, with a fireplace, bar, and water features, that can include fountains and pools. Offer shade with pergolas and stylish gazebos for parties. Furnishings range in style, design and price so that anyone can get what they want. Upholstery comes in the hottest prints and colors, and spaces can be finished off with an indoor/outdoor rug and drapes. You can hang chandeliers, sconces, ground lights, switch out your current outdoor lights, and include tons of metal artwork. The best thing is that you can get all this from your local stores. Target, Lowes and Home Depot have good selections but I beg you, with all these choices, please, please, no pink flamingoes!

My ‘Kinder-Newbie’

The greatest thing about having a blog is that you can write about whatever you want. Today I registered my daughter for kindergarten and I feel the need to tell you what I learned. I learned that I am more of a baby than my little baby. Here is my story that has nothing to do with interior design.

As soon as I walked through the school doors, a name tag was slapped on to my daughter’s Hello Kitty t-shirt and instantly she was escorted down the hall by a stranger to what will be her kindergarten classroom. I was left dumbfounded, whimpering in my black jeans, watching her disappear around the corner and grow up before my eyes.

And just as quickly as the first tear fell down my cheek I was bombarded with information on the school, the busing, and everything else that went along with registration. But I could not concentrate. I was stuck on the vision of her walking down that hallway without me. Where was my information packet on how to deal with her growing up?? Where is my folder filled with ideas on how to be comfortable with this?

I am getting whip flash thinking about how quickly time has passed. I remember my first day of kindergarten. I remember nervously waiting for the bus to come. I attached a photo so you can see the fear on my face. I looked like a red picnic tablecloth. My lunchbox is almost as big as me, and check out all the construction paper choking me around the neck. Kindergarteners were treated like luggage apparently, with large identification tags sticking out of every crevice. Maybe my Christmas present size paper tag was so big because it had to spell out my full name – can you imagine! You can see my sister in the background laughing at me. My Mom was too busy taking photos and smiling from ear to ear to notice the sweat pour down my forehead (or maybe it was the huge bangs that hid it so well).

When the bus came I remember waving and seeing her tear up. I wondered why she was the one crying. I was the one leaving her. Oh no- she was leaving me for the first time -Now I understand.

To all the ‘Kinder-newbie’s’ out there - Best of luck on this long journey ahead of you. And to all the ‘Kinder-newbie’s’ Moms – Best of luck getting through this!

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day everyone! In honor of this special day I am posting my research article from last year's Earth Day because regardless of the time that passes we can still make a difference in reducing our footprint.

18 Ways To Live A Greener Life

by Shoshana Gosselin

I keep reading about our loss in natural resources, loss in energy savings, and amazingly high amount of pollutants. And we are the ones responsible for it every day. We are in serious trouble. Studies show that global warming is already occurring and that it is caused primarily by human activities. How soon and in what ways will it disrupt our existence? Our planet is choking from exhaust fumes and burning of fossil fuels and unregulated deforestation is stripping off layer of soil, increasing the incidence of floods. Americans use at least twice as much water and energy per person as anyone else in the world. This is a problem considering that by 2025 the world must increase its water supply by 22% in order to meet its needs. Meanwhile, 40% of the drinking water supplied to homes is flushed down the toilet. As far as energy goes, it’s used mostly for heating and cooling. We need to act now, so future generations will have a chance. We need to act now to make our lives better. There is a growing environmental movement out there, but it will take all of us to help reduce our ecological footprint, which measures humanity’s demands on nature. Here are some simple, inexpensive ways to go green:

1. Recycle, Recycle, But Beware. Perhaps the simplest act to save the environment. Simply dump your cans, bottles, cartons and wastepaper in recycling bins. Be aware, that most recycling centers will only accept plastics that have a certain number, located within a triangle of arrows on the bottom of the plastic (this designates what type of plastic it is). When you mix in unacceptable plastics, it contaminates the mix, turning an entire truck’s worth of plastics into instant landfill. Check with your local township to see what they accept, and what to do with what they don’t. Also, as you have noticed, many fast food restaurants do not have separate recycling trashes that you can use, so do your part in fast food recycling by throwing your trash in recyclable containers wherever available. Even alert the restaurants you like to go to about the possibilities.

2. Ditch the Styrofoam coffee cups. Next time you buy a coffee or latte, bring your own travel mug and ask them to use that instead. Or use one of their ceramic mugs. Your coffee will taste better, and you'll be saving the environment. Most coffee houses, including all Starbucks and Panera Bread, don’t have a proper place to recycle their cups. If you don’t recycle it yourself, where do the billions of cups go?

3. Stop Buying Bottled Water. Filter your tap water for drinking. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it produces large amounts of container waste. A study in 2004 found that bottled water is rising 12% every year, supported by annual spending of about $35 billion. Many Americans who drink bottled water believe that it is safer than tap water, although a study of a thousand bottles sold in U.S. stores revealed known and/or possible carcinogens in a fifth of them. The plastic bottles are made from polyethylene, which although is recyclable, too many end up in the trash.

Check out this study to get a new perspective on the water bottle and its future by going to http://www.worldwatch.org/brain/media/pdf/pubs/mag/EP172C.pdf.

4. Turn the heating down by one or two degrees and install energy saving devices. Save money and save the environment. Turning your thermostat down by a few degrees in the winter and easing up on the air conditioning in the summer won't make much difference to the temperature, but it'll cut your heating bill. Remember to clean or replace conditioner filters. Choose energy efficient appliances, including low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads. If you use the dryer, do two loads in a row to make the most of the heat already in the dryer.

5. Adopt Water Saving Habits. Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth. Leaving the tap running while you're brushing your teeth, can add up to quite a bit of wasted water a day. Families in some developing countries struggle to survive on just that small amount each day. Only run the dishwasher and laundry machine when full. Take shorter showers to save water the energy to heat it. Wash clothes in cold water when possible and use a drying rack or clothesline. Take your car to a carwash rather than washing it yourself. Commercial carwashes use less water. Avoid power washing.

6. Buy the Right Light Bulbs. As each light bulb burns out, switch to energy-saving CFL bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost a bit more than regular bulbs but they use about 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times as long. These days, almost every store carries CFL bulbs. I bought a few at Wal-mart the other day (Keep in mind that CFLs contain mercury, so look for low-mercury models and dispose of them safely).

7. Turn It Off and Unplug it. Did you know that even when turned off, items like your TV, computer, and cell phone charger still sip power? Unplug your electronics when not in use. Turn off lights when they’re not in use. Another big item to turn off is the engine in your car. Idling 10 minutes less per day can keep 550 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air every year.

8. Office Talk. Consider a laptop the next time you upgrade your computer, as laptops require 50 percent less electricity than desktop computers. Use both sides of paper when printing, and to save even more trees pay bills on-line.

9. Disposing of Electronics. E-waste from discarded cell phones and computers is a growing environmental problem. Dispose of them responsibly. Recycle your cell phone and rechargeable batteries. Local stores like Wal-mart have recycle bins. Check them out on-line to see how it works.

10. Buy Used. If you are planning to redecorate, consider using an on-line service like Craigslist to locate furniture, appliances, and other items, rather than buying them new. I have found that there is a great deal of good, barely if not ever used items for sale. It will save you money also. Garage sales are another great place to find unique things that have a story to tell.

11. Precycle. Choose products that create less waste from the start. Buy grocery items in bulk and opt for items with less packaging, such as a two-liter bottle of soda versus a dozen single-serve cans in a box. Buy a large container of yogurt rather than individual small plastic containers. Reduce unwanted catalogs and unsolicited mail at catalogchoice.org and dmachoice.org (a $1 fee applies), respectively. At fast food restaurants use refillable condiment dispensers instead of individual packaged ones to reduce fast food waste.

12. Gift Giving. Rather than buying birthday, thank you and holiday cards, make them. Try a homemade gift instead of purchasing one. Re-gifting is a word that most people cringe at, but if I tell you it is a very ‘Green’ thing to do, does that make it all right? Then go for it because it is. Another very creative gift for friends of all ages is to give a tree. Every tree you plant will provide oxygen for two people for the rest of their lives. What a great way to say you care about that special someone.

13. Buy Local. Shop at your local farmers’ market. Sometimes it can be more expensive BUT you can generally count on a higher quality product-and the purchase goes directly to the farmer. Buying goods produced locally saves energy by reducing the fossil fuels needed to transport food and other items across the country and around the globe.

14. Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies. Simple ingredients like baking soda, soap, and vinegar, can make cheap, easy, and non-toxic cleaning products that work.

15. Decorating Your Home. If you are looking to paint the interior of your home, look for paint products that are labeled “low VOC” (volatile organic compounds)-VOCs can be harmful to the environment. You can find eco-friendly paints at Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and even Home Depot. And it has become easier to find sustainable furnishings for your home. You have more choices of attractive, eco-friendly wares now from large companies like JCPenney, Macy’s, and Pottery Barn, who are launching organic lines, and smaller green enterprises popping up every where. You can ask for cabinets made from reclaimed, renewable, or recycled materials; Get recycled glass and tile; purchase earth-friendly upholstery made of organic cotton fabrics; even get insulation made of 100 percent recyclable natural denim and cotton fibers (Bonded Logic carries it).

16. Compost Your Food Scraps. Composting (getting rid of your leftover vegetables, fruit peelings, tea bags, coffee grinds, and much more) helps reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill, which can save you money if you live in a municipality with a “pay as you throw” system. In the process, you create free, healthy fertilizer for your garden (or your neighbor’s). If you don’t have a yard or space for a compost pile, try indoor ‘vermiculture,’ or worm composting. Sounds strange but I think it is a wonderful project to do on your own or with your kids. Here is a very good link to tell you all about it http://earth911.org/blog/2007/04/02/composting-with-worms/.

17. Decline Plastic Bags Whenever Possible. I read that one plastic bag can take up to 500 years to decay. Use a canvas shopping bag instead (I bought a bunch for 99 cents at my local grocery store). Keep them in your trunk so they are handy. Wow, can they hold a lot. For those in the Lehigh Valley, I was in Kings grocery store and was given paper bags with handles to hold my groceries. If you bring the bags back and re-use them you can save money.

18. Teach Your Kids. They are the future so we need to instill in them the importance of respecting our planet. Do it in a fun way. I was impressed with an article I found at www.gimundo.com called Five Ways to Help Your Kids Go Green. To check it out, go to the website and click the ‘Green’ link. I found Gimundo while doing research on how to help the environment. This site is chock full of positive changes, not only news stories on people trying to help the planet, but positive stories in general. Their tag line is ‘Good News. Served Daily’.


I hope you find this useful. Researching this was a real eye opener. There are many good websites out there that talk about ‘going green’. Www.treehugger.com and www.thegreenguide.com are two of them. Start small, or take these ideas further. Be able to feel good when you celebrate Earth Day next year.


My Resources:
www.worldwatch.org; www.gimundo.com; www.ourcanberra.com; www.helium.com; www.myfootprint.org April 20, 2008

Two Very Lucky Little Girls – Part I

I LOVE what I do! I get to help people find inspiration in their living spaces by creating rooms that make them happy. And when I get the opportunity to design a room as a surprise gift for someone, it makes the design even greater because of the sweet sentiment behind it.

I received a phone call last June from a mother of three beautiful young girls. She asked me to design a bedroom for her oldest daughter. It was going to be a surprise birthday present. I sat down with the mom and discussed what the room should include to be functional, and of course the style, colors and interests her daughter had. Once the room was completed, the very lucky young lady was shown her new room and was so excited! Seven months later I was called upon again to design the bedroom of the second oldest daughter. This time I had the opportunity to sit down with this very special young lady and find out what kind of room she wanted. The room was recently finished. Here is what the mother e-mailed me:

“Anna’s room came out PHENOMENAL!!!! When we opened the door her mouth dropped open and she couldn’t speak. She was looking around in amazement and then started jumping up and down yelling THANK YOU SO MUCH!! She was thrilled beyond belief! I can’t wait for you to see it. Thank you so much for an amazing one of a kind room that Anna is soooo happy with! We are very grateful!”

I will be posting the before photo and the finished room soon. Until then here is the presentation board. Stay tuned!

Spring Fever to Decorate!

Poor Amy Winehouse. She started her re-decorating project with good intentions. Her inspiration were her lips. So she knew the walls would be painted pink. But when she hit the paint store she became overwhelmed with all the choices. This is a photo of Amy leaving the paint store. Behind her is a car full of sample paint cans filled with every shade of pink the store carried. Check out her eyes. Amy, blink!! Or call me, I’ll be right over.

Seriously, with the start of spring, I too am re-visiting my home projects from last fall. My house is screaming at me for a new paint color and new flooring. I have put away my winter coat and boots and I am thinking about the fresh makeover my home deserves. Everyone is. We have come out of hibernation, had a good stretch, and now we are scratching ourselves wondering what to do about ‘in progress’ projects; projects that include new wall color, window treatments, furniture pieces, and everything else that causes heads to spin around and eyes to pop out from all the choices out there.

I know. I get the loveliest people call me up for help with all sorts of decorating needs, from simply choosing paint color to re-designing a room. If this sounds like you, take a deep breathe, and remember ‘you are re-designing your room to improve your well being – to create a space that inspires you and sets a mood.’ Don’t stress over it-enjoy it! Repeat that quote and read my quick TIPS:

-Do not to rush yourself. Everything cost money and the wrong decision can be expensive.
-Do not let yourself get pushed into anything.

-Don't take on too much - stick to one room at a time and keep a list of what you want to change so you stay focused.
-Know what you want by looking through magazines and keeping a folder of the pages you like.
-It also helps to choose one stain, one finish and two accent colors. Stick with them if you are unsure of your decorating decisions.

-carry your folder around with you. make sure it has any measurements you need. keep a measuring tape with you also. it is very helpful.

Happy spring!

Simply Sentimental Or I LOVE IT

If someone handed you the Mona Lisa would you hang it up in your living room? Of course you would!!.....with flashing arrows around it. Everyone knows that piece of work and it is worth $$$$$$$$$$$$. Of course you show it off…….. but would you truly love looking at it everyday? Or maybe a $50 framed poster of a bright yellow lemon is more inspiring for you. Who cares what it is or what it cost.

Every home should tell a story about the people that live in it. Their loves, talents, and interests. What does yours say about you? I am talking about the rooms flowing from one to the other through color, texture, style. I am talking about adding personal touches including photos, artwork, and special mementos. Spending time in rooms that include items you cherish and truly enjoy. Years ago I read a Feng Shui article that stuck with me. It included a story about a very large painted portrait of a family member that had been handed down generation to generation. The great great great cousin that now housed this special and large artwork, placed it right over the fireplace mantel in her living room. No one really stepped into the room for fifteen years. Fifteen years! Until a Feng Shui expert came in, recommended taking the portrait down and placing it somewhere else or giving it to another family member who would enjoy it more. Once the artwork was replaced with something the owner enjoyed, the room was used once more. The moral of the story is 'don't place anything in your room that doesn't make you happy.' Priceless information :)

Your Guest Room-A Memorable Over Night Stay

Heidi and Spencer are staying the night at your place and have sent over a list of their usual requests - a king size massage bed and a roll of quarters, blue M&Ms and purple tootsie pops, two million plus count Egyptian cotton sheets in pink, a tanning bed, a 10’x10’ closet for their over night ‘necessities’, a night light, curling iron, tweezers and an eyelash curler for Spencer, 3 bottles of hair spray for Heidi, a full length mirror with a spot light, …and a sleeping bag along with some cheese whiz and crackers for the camera man that follows them around.

Although I kid around about the homecoming king and queen coming over (they are far too busy getting media attention for, well, being themselves)I am wondering how far out of your way you go when you have guests staying the night at your home.

After writing my blog article below titled ‘Elegant And Easy Headboard’ I started remembering the times that I was an overnight guest in someones home. I can recall guest rooms that allowed me to get a good night sleep, and guest rooms that left me tossing and turning only to wake up with a stiff back. A very memorable overnight stay was at a friend’s apartment in Hoboken, New Jersey back in the 1990’s. She had the teeny tiniest apartment and no guest room; I slept in a pull out bed in the living room. BUT she made sure I had a good stay. The sheets were a high-count cotton and she had extra pillows and towels at the end of the bed. There was a place to put my overnight bag and she presented me with a sweet basket full of essential overnight goodies like a tooth brush, toothpaste, wash cloth, and other things that came in handy.

And in the morning I woke up to coffee brewing and bagels. I was so impressed with her hospitality.

When you have a guest stay over night, in the morning do you ask if he or she had a good sleep? Or do you not care. To me, if you are expecting guests who will stay the night, you should not only think about cleaning up for them and preparing yummy food for them- you should care about their sleep. It doesn’t take a lot of work; just some simple planning that makes all the difference. Maybe I should have titled this article ‘Guest Room Etiquette’ because here is my list of guest room necessities so your over night guests have a very relaxing stay:

1. Check your mattress to see if it is comfortable. Try sleeping on it one night. If it is too firm, try fitting it with a mattress pad.

2. Use soft 100% cotton sheets on the bed.
3. Keep a blanket at the end of the bed in case the comforter or duvet is not warm enough.

4. Have extra pillows available that are firmer or softer than the ones on the guest bed. They will appreciate the choice.

5. Place an ottoman, chair or suitcase rack nearby for your guests overnight bag.

6. If you have a closet in the room, leave some hanging space and a few hangers.

7. Have a travel size toothbrush and toothpaste, a wash cloth, floss, lotion, aspirin, band-aids, tweezers, a bar of soap and a brush on a nice tray or in a basket in the guest room, or in your guest bathroom (you can pick these up at discount stores in advance).

8. Neatly fold large towels and present them to your guests at bedtime so they know they are fresh.

9. Have at least one bedside table with a lamp and alarm clock.

10. Have a variety of shampoos and conditioners in the guest bathroom.

11. ALWAYS have extra toilet paper that is easily accessible in the bathroom.

You can also leave a note for your guests telling them how happy you are that they are here. You can place it in an envelope on the bed with some chocolates. I have been known to leave a framed note in my guest room with funny house rules (my sense of humor is too risqué to give you an example). I also try to include a photo of my guests that I may have kept in another room or that hasn’t been out at all.

Two final tips, always tell your guests where things are located before they retire to bed, and ask if they need anything. And remember to ask if they had a good night sleep in the morning. It is the little details that will make your guests remember their night at your home and smile. Your thoughtfulness will make your guests feel so very special.

Elegant & Easy Home-made Headboard

Guest rooms get the short end of the stick. They are not given the same attention as the other rooms in the home. You can usually find furniture hand-me downs and mismatched bedding in these, all too often, small spaces. But your guests are special and the room you offer them for their stay should be welcoming and comfortable. I recently re-designed a guest room for a client in Allentown, PA. The room was small in size but in the end, big on drama.

For this guest room, I knew immediately the focal point would be the bed. I wanted my clients’ guests to walk in and want to sink into a sea of warmth. I chose a milky neutral paint on the walls and turned to rusty oranges and chocolates for bedding, window treatments, and accent colors. The crème de la crème would be the headboard. It had to have major curb appeal and be comfy. Custom headboards for a full size bed can be expensive and although I think guest rooms should not be left in the 1980-1990 era complete with all the furnishings you had back then, you do not need to spend a lot of money on it either.

To save money on this project I decided to take on the challenge of building one myself. It was actually easy. I found clearance priced cushions that had the look I wanted, and then I simply went to Home Depot where I purchased all my wood and screws. They even cut the wood for me! All I had to do was go home and put it together. I recommend this project to anyone willing to do a little measuring and drilling. If you have any cushions at home, recycle them into a headboard. If you have any fabric (i.e. old window panels) or wallpaper at home, recycle it also! It takes some thinking outside the box, but you will be so proud of yourself for doing it!!

Below I have listed everything I used to build this headboard and a step by step guide.

For this project I needed:
1/2” thick piece of plywood cut to width of full size bed.
3 pieces of 2x4 wood cut a bit smaller than my plywood

1 ¼” drywall screws
3” drywall screws
2 27” square cushions
54”x37” piece of wallpaper
fabric trim
Power drill
Hot glue gun

fishing wire and sewing needle
buttons found around the house

My costs included:
$30 for both cushions
FREE wallpaper remnant
$11 for ½” plywood
$2.60 for 2 2x4s
$8 for all screws
$12 for fabric trim
= $63.60


Caution should be used when operating a power drill, screws, and hot glue gun. Never leave these items unattended with children around.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE:

1. This is what my headboard is made out of: cut plywood the width of the bed, 2 yummy cushions, & textured wallpaper.

2. I wrapped the textured wallpaper around my plywood board and hot glued the edges down pulling tightly on the backside.

3. This is what it looks like so far.

4. Using 3 screws, I drilled two pieces of 2x4 wood, one 5 inches from the top and one 5 inche from the bottom of my plywood that will be used to hang the finished headboard on the wall later. I made sure the 2x4s were level. When I finish the headboard I will screw an identical piece of 2x4 wood into my wall, again, keeping it level (make sure you locate your studs), then simply hang my headboard right on top of the 2x4 in the wall. This hanging method is called a cleat.

5. I measured where all the button holes were on the cushions and made an identical grid on headboard itself using a pencil. I drilled small holes into the headboard where the buttons were located.

6. I placed the headboard on a sawhorse topside up with the cushions on it. I threaded a sewing needle with thin fishing wire and on the backside of my headboard, pushed the needle through the holes I drilled, and then through the cushion button hole and back again making a stitch, then pulling the fishing wire tight, I tied it tight around a button. I did this for each of the drilled holes.

7. Once the cushions were attached I hot glued fabric trim all around the edges of my headboard.

Ta Da! Took two hours to complete this headboard.

The Land of Pottery Barn

We live in the land of Pottery Barn. We drink our Starbucks Coffee and watch our reality TV in rooms designed by PB (Pottery Barn). Every American home is only complete when there is a PB catalog lying on the counter or hangin’ in the powder room. Even those who can’t afford to purchase anything, still hold on to the magazine as inspiration for decorating their rooms. How did this happen? What does this say about our individual style? And, as asked by a friend of mine, what is PB style any way?

This smart home furnishings chain creates their popularity by giving out free catalogs of glossy colored pages filled with trendy carefully designed rooms. These catalogs are read cover to cover. I applaud a well thought out room full of pieces that anyone can easily get. It reminds me of what popular fashion designers like Isaac Mizrahi, Stella McCartney and Vera Wang have done for the average person with short purse strings. They have been successful bringing their designs to chains such as Kohl’s, H&M and Target at affordable prices.

But there are pitfalls to this idea; be prepared to have at least three other girls show up in the same dress as you at the next party – ouch! And the same will happen with your home design. When you order furnishings from a brand that boasts its ‘rooms in a box’ you are bound to have house guests pointing to something in your home and commenting “is that Pottery Barn?” or “I have the same thing at my house.” ‘Special’ is no longer a word used to describe your décor style. And so the PB revolution goes on.

I do believe that PB has sparked an interest in less traditional, more liberated decorating styles, and applaud them for that. They create interesting spaces by mixing up designs, adding pops of color, and creative detail. They have brought sophistication into our homes. I do worry that individual style and artistic angle is being lost after staring at enough of the catalog pages. I question whether PB sells the trends, or creates the trends.

So what is PB’s style? My first thought is transitional, made up of a mix of contemporary and antique lines. What ever it is, they have become a major influence in American decorating. So I think there should be a new style called Pottery Barn style – the ‘PB Style’. And anyone can get the PB look including a single family home in the Lehigh Valley, an apartment in New York City, a townhouse in San Francisco, a condo in Florida, and a co-op in Chicago.

With every issue in every season of the year, PB gives us ideas, shows us what colors to use, and instructs us on how to mimic their every move. And so many follow their lead; they dictate what is ‘in’ and sell more and more. The PB Style! But who wants to be like everyone else? Or is this the trend? What do you think?

Vote For Us at Lehigh Valley Magazine

Do you live in the Lehigh Valley? Did you vote for your fave professional and show support for him/her? No? Oh my! It is your duty to complete the survey by Lehigh Valley Magazine and vote for your favorite professionals in our area including best restaurant, local band, healthcare provider, and of course, interior designer (hint hint..vote for me please) for 2009. Time is running out. It will only take a few minutes and is fun. It will be much appreciated. So right now follow this link and click on the red talk bubble to vote!

http://www.lehighvalleymagazine.com/page.php?page=simply_the_best

Remember just click on the red talk bubble!

Thank you,

Shoshana Gosselin

Interior Decorator