Little Girls Yellow Flower Bedroom

Kids bedrooms are so much fun to design.  I get to think big, and let my imagination take over totally.  Kids spaces should be over the top and very personal.  This is where children create and make believe on their own.  I loved working on this particular kids bedroom re-design.  It was inspired by the striped comforter you see. The colors reminded me of a beautiful bright summer day.  The mother of this little cutie showed me paper flowers she had purchased a while back that she wanted to incorporate some how into the design.  And thus the room plan was established and within days, the room was complete.   

After the yellow paint went up (two tones of the buttery yellow) I began work on the wall treatment.  With a pencil, I drew flower stems at different heights.  I painted them a deep green, highlighting certain areas with a lighter green (to get that 3-d look) using a thin paintbrush.  I then added leaves.  Using small nails, I hammered the flowers on to the tips of the stems-such an easy project.  Took a few hours.

BEFORE

AFTER

Kids Camp Barn Makeover Part 2

This is the kids camp.........

That has the white barn...........

That hasn't been used in years.....

And this is the group of gals that cleaned it up for the kiddies!

please note that not all the volunteers are pictured above and I want to thank each and every one!!!!  It was another worthy cause that gave us reason to help and bond with pretzils and music from my nano that not everyone appreciated (you know who I am talking to ;) .

Using only donated paint and fabric, and many helping hands, this very old barn received a little facelift that will be perfect for indoor use when it rains.  After we left lots and lots of fun kid friendly game tables and furniture was added. 

Drama/Creative Room

Before

AFTER (minus the furnishings)

More Camp Transformation:

Game Room

Before

After (minus the furnishings)

This blog entry is part 2 of an earlier entry I wrote.  To find out more about the fabulous volunteer Tikkun Olam team that worked on this camp, click here.

A Library and a Foyer Get Transformed

I remember when this Library was a kids playroom.  When I first walked into this space the walls were bare and there were toys scattered about.  This home has a large finished basement so my clients gathered up all the toys and wanted a new use for the room.  We transformed it into a contemporary hollywood glam loungy library perfect for a glass of wine with friends or a good book.  Its warm rustic orange walls become the perfect backdrop for the deep rich woods in the large artwork, bookcases, and leather chairs.  Silvers, blues and green sparkle as tables, pillows, chandelier and accents.  To keep the room intimate and dramatic we added chocolate drapes.   

Next we turned our attention to the dining room.  I hope to have a photo for you soon.  

Lastly we worked on the foyer.  This was a simple one hour re-do.  We brought in a large mirror and re-used a bench.  The bench's cushion was a plain white fabric.  Instead of spending money to re-upholster it we wrapped a table runner with black circles around it.  It added a fun detail.  Pop some color using more throw pillows and  bold small accents and you create visual interest.  

 

Sexy Little Bench I Picked Up for a Steal

I had to share with you this chic little faux zebra upholstered bench I just bought yesterday for my ever evolving bedroom.  I found it at Big Lots for $169 and think it is a great buy for the size.  I am happy with the construction, it has so much character with its nail heads & curvy black legs on castors, and mostly because a little bit of animal goes with everything!

Shoshana Will Turn Greeting Cards Into Artwork July 8 Channel 69 WFMZ

 

Dear friends,

If you are nostalgic like me and hold on to little mementos and greeting cards you have received from friends and family, you will love my crafty little decorating segment on channel 69 WFMZ news July 8 at 8:40 am & 8:50 am!!!!  

My fun and easy project turns those piles and piles of greeting cards we all collect into hanging works of art.  No scissors or glue necessary.  I will also give tips on how to hang a gallery of pictures on your wall.  Watch the fun!

Decadently Yours,

Shoshana

Inspiration From One Happy Island

I'm BACK!!!  I haven't blogged, tweeted, or answered the phone in a while.  It has been a great and busy year but by June my creativity tank was almost on empty so I went MIA for 10 days visiting a little popular island called Aruba with my family.  My Dad came along for the fun and I am newly refreshed (a bit heavier-bcse their food is smokin' good!)...and inspired. How could you not be inspired and refreshed after being on an island with vehicle license plates that read "One Happy Island".  

Here is my cute kid feeling happy!!

I brought back some of the island's coral, which I love because of the bleached white color and the many organic shapes and sizes.  I found some that looked like hearts, some that had holes through it which I will be making into necklaces for friends, and I love it because it can be found all over the island!!  I placed the little ones my daughter collected, in a bowl in her bathroom, and displayed the larger pieces on a bookcase at the end of my upstairs hallway (when you look at the photo of my bookcase below you should start singing ..."these are a few of my favorite things" from The Sound of Music).  

I also brought back a georgous necklace made of beautiful stones and shells in the shape of a flower.  I know I won't wear it that often but love looking at it so I added it to my bookcase also.  I hung it around an old bell I brought back from Aruba ten years ago, on my honeymoon.  Oh happy happy memories!! 

p.s. - if you find yourself needing a place to rev up your creativity engine I would prescribe Aruba as your remedy.  Here are my recommendations on the island:

1. Drink frozen mojitos in the pool; then drink frozen mojitos on the beach until its time to eat dinner.

2. Take a sunset cruise that has a rope to jump off the boat from (always the instigator, my husband was doing flips mid air).

3. Rent a car for 1 or 2 days and explore the island.  It is way cheaper than taxiing it everywhere.  Our little white mobile was so small that if you sneezed the entire car shook.  Although the island is only 11 miles long there is good stuff on the other end like Baby Beach and lots of old ruins to explore.

4. Stack rocks. You will find thousands of stacked rocks everywhere. Supposedly if you stack 3 rocks on top of one another (Each rock has its own name (love, wealth, and health)) you can make a wish and if the rocks are blown over by the waves, your wish will be granted.  

5. Eat at the Flying Fishbone! Get a table right in the water.  Let your feet dangle in the ocean as you eat the most delectable food and watch the sunset. It doesn't get better than that.

 

Bon Bini friends!!

A Contemporary Asian Inspired Family Room

I fell in love with interior design when I knocked down the interior walls of my own home in 2002.  I built them back up the way that worked for me.  From that point on I thought outside the box (literally).  When space is used wisely, function and design is achieved and life at home is harmonious regardless of our style and color palette. That is the next step. 

For my clients Paul and Haunani, a couple in Macungie PA, who love to relax with friends and family, poorly laid out space in their family room was a buzz kill. 

BEFORE

 No matter which way they turned their furniture, it didn't work well, which made the hub of their home, a very irritating space.  The problem stemmed from an angled fireplace that took up precious real estate.  

AFTER

We created a new floor plan that included demolition of the current fireplace.  A new electric fireplace surrounded by built-ins was re-configured along the back wall.  And to create ample seating for them to put their feet up and host dinner parties as well, a sectional and ottoman were brought in.  The ottoman opens up for storage.  We also used a sofa table that had two leather stools that could be moved any where.  

We had so much fun creating custom drapes in three different fabrics, and choosing the rich red color palette.   Haunani, an amazing artist, created the koi fish canvases on either side of the television. 

I love the authentic Asian touches that are very important to the home owners, including the black and white prints framed and hung over the sofa, which depict the correct way of Hawaiian dancing.  Sometimes you have to go backward (demo something that is there already) to move forward.  And you can then achieve harmony.

Make The Most Out Of A Small Bathroom

People first describe me as 'short', then after that is established, as a 'delightful quirky warrior'.  I am five feet to be exact-but so much more.  That is why the bathroom renovation I just completed in Allentown PA meant so much to me.  It is a packed bathroom in the size of a walk-in closet.  I looked at it and knew right away that I wanted everyone to walk in and forget about its size and just see the beauty inside.  

BEFORE

AFTER

There is no secret to making anything look bigger and taller.  For a five foot lady like myself that means wearing four inch heels.  For this little bathroom that means using materials that reflect and grab the eye all the way to the back of the space.  We used iridescent subway glass tile in the shower all the way up the wall, and so the space isn't interrupted, we inlcuded a frameless glass shower door.  Big tip about flooring in bathrooms-try long wide tiles  that require less grout lines, making the floor feel bigger.  And just because you use white wall tile does NOT mean you need to have white floors too!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Space was so tight and measurements had to be precise to take full advantage of everything.  We switched out the round toilet for a narrower oval one, and the vanity was a great find online.  It uses its depth instead of its width as storage, yet the sink bowl is still large enough to be extremely functional.  

Instead of centering the bathroom mirror over the vanity, we used a large mirror that measured the size of the toilet and vanity to bring in more light and create an illusion of space.

BEFORE

AFTER

We took advantage of the empty wall opposite the vanity by adding a focal point that will come as a surprise for visitors.  The door opens into this wall so as soon as they step in to the space and close it behind them they will see a large niche covered in more of the iridescent glass subway tile, framed out in glass bars, with a wooden tree sculpture.  You know, every room should have interest, including the bathroom.

We used very contemporary pieces in a chrome finish.  I actually had fun picking out even the knob for the shower.  And the right accessories can set any space off.  Don't forget about the details!!

I know this bathroom thanks its owner for seeing its potential and taking pride in  it!  "Thanks Wayne!"

Kids Camp Barn Makeover Part 1

I have designed and decorated home and office interiors, but this weekend I will be working on a barn.  The barn is part of a local kids camp in the Lehigh Valley.  I will be busy, along with a few friends as part of the social action group I chair called Tikkun Olam (hebrew for Repairing the World).  We will turn the empty spaces into fun new places where memories will be made for these campers.  I remember my camp experience.  We ate our brown-bagged lunches on our pool towel, and sat on the grass for hours working with lanyard, having sing a longs, and reciting hand clapping games.  I looked forward to the ice cream cups we would get while waiting for the bus and remember the bees kept bothering us if we stood too close to where the juice and milk was kept.   There were no comfy sofas, or delicate anythings around.  Nature was our room to play in.  But when it rained we had to find shelter.  This will be their shelter!! Here are photos of what the barn looks like now.  

This space will be a Game Room full of fun games!

This space will be a Creative Musical Room to inspire kids to use their imagination!

The barn 'extreme makeover' has been fully funded by Fabrics by Allan, Sherwin Williams on Tilghman St. in Allentown, Buss store in Emmaus, and donated pieces from the JCC Nearly New Sale.   I can't wait to see what a group of friends who care about their community can do.....I promised to show off my Vanilla Ice moves so watch out!  I will blog about the 'After' next week.