Retro Glamour Home...Hello Miami

A while back I wrote a blog article called Retro Glamour In Progress. I showed samples of the materials I was using and some lighting prospects for a residential project I was doing. Well fast forward to today......the window treatments, furniture and accents in place. It is really coming together nicely. There is a definite Miami vibe with lots of sparkle and shine. I took some photos of the progress. Enjoy!

Walking Through The Mall

My friends first introduced me to Vera Bradley bags four years ago. Although I have seen them hanging off the shoulder of many stylish Pennsylvanian women, I had yet to step into one of her stores. I finally did at the Bridgewater New Jersey mall. The bags were so colorful and made me wish some came in blanket size. What I really liked was the entryway into the store. I took a photo of it with my i-phone to share with you.

After a smoothie and a pretzel, I walked past the Pottery Barn store and had to back up, walk in and just stare at their holiday display. I am like a child when it comes to sparkle and shine, mesmerized by it all. PB does a good job. Looking forward to the holidays now.

Decadently yours,

Shoshana

Eeping Over Interior Decorating Article

Last week was full of lovely surprises for me!

1. The Morning Call article I contributed to hit the news stands Sunday and I was thrilled with the content! Lots of good information for home owners looking to decorate on a budget, or to sell their home. To my surprise, it included, not only one of my clients rooms, but me as well. Check out the article http://www.loveyourroom.com/morning_call_interior_decorating_article.cfm.

2. I also celebrated another birthday. Yee haa. They tend to come around too quickly if you ask me, but was a good time anyway. I met up with some friends and enjoyed a good meal. Thanks Rhonda, Fay and Rachel!

3. I began working on three new spaces in Lehighton, Center Valley and Macungie. I am excited and 'eeping' over the possibilities.

4. I learned new vocabulary and furtune telling sayings: when you 'Eep' it means you are happy. (thanks for that one Haunani), and I learned that 'as long as you get a good parking spot you will have very good shopping!' Colleen, you and I proved it on our very successful decor shopping trip.

"I eeep over that purple sofa with the lime green skirt!"

A Home Office Inspired By A Pizza Box

A few weeks back my friend Tracy came over with pizza. The most gigantic box of pizza I had ever seen! I had no idea anyone could consume so much pizza, but we all did! And the jokes that ensued became childish. At the end of the day I was left with the box, and a crazy idea.

I thought the box would make the perfect stencil. So I used the box to create a wall treatment in my home office. What do you think?

Here is how I did it:

With the help of a ruler, level, and scissors, I cut out a 29” circle.  Using a graph paper, I plotted out where the circles would go.  Based on my graph the circle size allowed for for circles horizontally and three rows vertically.  After splitting the wall in five equal parts using painters tape, I traced the box onto the wall with a pencil, starting in the center.

I painted the outer and inner pencil lines using a small paint brush with a fine tip first. Then used a larger brush and it took two coats. Paint I used for the circles is Sherwin William’s Reflecting Pool. The walls are Sherwin Williams Egret White.

After two nights, and some frightening expressions from P, my hubby, I finished. 


The large scale makes my walls look very tall. And, no, it does not smell like pizza!


For complete detailed instructions CLICK HERE. Houzz, a design and decor loving website, featured it on their homepage.

Mentioned In Morning Call Newspaper, October 18

Hi friends!

If you get the Morning Call newspaper please look in the Real Estate section of the Sunday, October 18th edition. I will be included in a worthwhile article geared toward homeowners. I will be sharing easy inexpensive ways to decorate your home. I will link a copy to my blog once the article runs.

Decadently Yours,

Shoshana

Home Office Closet

I am on a closet 'roll'. I am finishing up the renovation to my home office. Here is my closet re-do. So much better than before.





I like everything at my fingertips. I can get messy & I hoard things so I need open storage that can handle it.





I will post the finished home office once it is complete.

My Revealing Closet

What is the one room in your home that is:
1. ALWAYS too small,
2. Forever cluttered, and
3. Is such a disaster it is off limits to anyone, & never mentioned in conversations.

YOUR CLOSET!!

It's time to take control of the mess and create a closet that works for YOU! One with cheerful personality that is fun to be in.

Even the smallest closets can be transformed into a smart functional personal space that showcases the shoes, the handbags, and the couture you wear so well. Below are pics of my own closet that I put together with the philosophy of ‘everything will be at my fingertips’. I am a busy working mom and don’t have time to look for a misplaced shoe. And when I put my clothes away, I want to just drop it and go. For me, the look of my closet is another room in my home that I look forward to being in. My Grandmother would be so proud. When I was a kid I had the messiest bedroom on the street. She had to clear a pathway to my bed for me when she visited. Hope you enjoy!


I re-worked the original wire shelves so I wouldn’t waste them. After literally ripping them out of the walls, I patched the holes, and re-used everything on one side of my closet.

I bought an IKEA Expedit bookcase for the other side of my closet and absolutely love it in the space. It works great.

I wear a lot of beaded necklaces, and my collection keeps growing. These hooks hold 'em all!

If you are about to under-go a closet renovation....good luck!!!

Decorating for Fall - A Warm Relaxing Home

Wow! It's 59 degrees today. Definitely feels like autumn. I love this season. The smell of cinnamon and apples; The wondrous color changes of the leaves; And three of the greatest holidays- my birthday, Halloween and Thanksgiving! I recently helped a client in Bloomsbury New Jersey, who has goats and deer in her backyard, achieve a relaxing warm sophisticated look in her foyer, dining room and living room. So perfect for this season. Enjoy!

My Thoughts On Color, News & Exciting Rugs

Three Topics:

• Color Quiz
• Talking Trends & Color In September
• Surya Rugs Are Cool

Color Quiz

I don't have much time these days to work on my blog as I would like. I wish mine could be as amazing as others that I have found. But alas, it is not to be right now. So when clients and friends tell me about things of interest or something that moves them, I can't wait to post it so anyone who reads this little blog can enjoy it too. Yesterday I received an e-mail from Brian, a very cool and savvy homeowner who has been enthusiastically working on his 1875 remodel (can you believe it!). He sent me a fun color test called The Color Sense Game by Pittsburgh Paints. I took the test and thought it did a good job of figuring me out. Didn't take long so TRY IT!
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Talking Trends & Color In September

September will be interesting in the world of interior design. Color Trends for 2010, upcoming home design trends, and new products will be discussed by the gurus at the Las Vegas Market. I look forward to hearing about it. I have my ideas about what is up and coming in trends and color but so excited to find out!
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Surya Rugs Are Cool



Loving the new lines of Surya rug collections. Large print is HOT and bold colors bring the floor alive! They even make throw pillows, throws and art work that coordinate with most of them.






Decadently Yours,
Shoshana

Retro Glamour In Progress

I have been working with a very hip, very lovely couple in Easton, PA, designing their newly constructed town house with a living room ceiling that soars, and windows that are twelve feet high. It is an awesome space. We are using the color combinations below as our guide, adding in pieces that are retro and contemporary. The turquoise fabric sample you see will become long pleated drapes hanging against creamy white walls. We will incorporate 2 funky shaped arm chairs upholstered in the textured fabric to the left, and add a lounging chaise that will be covered in this cool silver silky fabric with pale blue veins. There will be a scrumptious off white shag underfoot in the living room, and to ground the dining room, we will use a zebra stripe. Lighting will be large and it will sparkle. I will keep you posted on the rooms progress.
I found these lights on line and heart them. They are part of the Fetish collection by Varaluz. Not outrageously priced at all. I can see them in any room in the house, including the bathroom-Fun!

Two more stunners from Varaluz! A mirrored mosaic pendant & pinwheel of twisted aluminum ribbons pendant. I have to find a way to use them all :)

Kids Homework Room

I am very excited this morning! I am going to present my newest room re-design to my client. This is my favorite part. It is also the most nervous part. I worked very hard to make this space, a home office for three young girls, functional (to do homework, read and have some fun). The most important thing was to give them each a sense of individuality and a little lot in the room to claim as their own. Yet tie the room together so it flows well. This was a bit of a challenge considering the moderate size, the floor vents, and two doors. I also incorporated a storage cubby for coats, shoes and backpacks per the momma's wish. I will tell you how it went and, if all goes well, show photos of the AFTER. In the meantime please enjoy this clean budget friendly presentation board.

Below is a close up of two walls in the room where the 3 girls will do homework. I positioned two of the desks on the same wall then, for privacey, added a curtain btwn them. I used 3 colors in the room, each girls' favorite. I wanted to give them a place to sit back and relax, and chose a chaise over a sofa which would have taken up too much needed space.

Cubicles and Home Offices

I have been doing research on another home office project I recently began. This one is for three sisters ranging in age from six to twelve. It will be their homework and craft hub. This has me thinking about my own home office. I twittered late last night about adding zebra stripes to one wall in my all white space. I confess that i was pretty high on chocolate cake at the time, but I may still do it. We should all be able to take on creative control in our offices don't you think? One employer, the Balcom Agency, a full-service Advertising & Public Relations agency in Fort Worth TX does just that. They have allowed their employees to turn their cubicles into personal inspirational cocoons. Check out this fab magenta and zebra stripe one:

And check out more cubicles here. What is your idea of a fun and functional office? Below are some home offices that have ageless charm and oh how I wish corporate offices could look like:

Designer: Jamie Drake Featured in: The House that Hollywood Built

Designer: Nate Berkus Featured in: Honor Guard
ELLE DECOR, September 2008

Designer: Lili Abir Regen Featured in: Country Chic
ELLE DECOR, October 2008

Designer: Ray Booth and John Shea
Featured in: Swept Away ELLE DECOR, September 2007

Designer: Wendell Burnette
Featured in: Metal House on the Prairie Metropolitan Home, June 2008

This is a very thought out closet office that rocks - office. To make it work, the clutter is kept to a minimum and the color palette as well. Organization is KEY.

Yummy Turquoise Bedroom

I just had to share this deliciously cozy bedroom with you. It was designed by LA local, Betsy Burnham.

"The room above seems to personify the season of winter itself, with a huge white shag rug that we'd imagine like walking on a polar bear's back and ice-vibrant turquoise striping up and across the ceiling. Cool, but definitely not cold." I want to curl up in it!

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