My Weekend at Rehoboth Beach

"This is the life" I said as I walked the boardwalk at Bethany DE last weekend.  The sun was shining, there was fun to be had everywhere, and I had a drink the size of 2 large chihuahuas.  My dear friends Mel & Marc, and Jen & Geoff invited my family to their Rehoboth beach house for some R&R.  When you are lucky enough to be tight with friends who happen to build a place minutes from the beach, you never pass on the opportunity to go.  

I have been slowly assisting them in bringing together a cozy beachy-chic home that was recently built for the purpose of having fun with lots and lots of friends.  Needless to say, we purchased a bunch of pull out sofas, bunk beds, and large tables.  For me, a beach home is not overstated, not stuffy, and easy to take care of.  It is all about the view, about friends and family, and should feel serene.  Here are a few of my favorite things so far that we have done. 

Like life, it is a work in progress! 

Bring simple punch of color to the lower back porch.

Add a lot of seating to the best room in the house so 

everyone can enjoy the sunrise with eggs and a cup o' joe.

A little cozy spot to curl up with a game or glass of wine.  

We customized the chair upholstery in a sand dollar pattern-ahhh.

Added a dining table for the kitchen that seats 12 with a long bench for all the kids to pile on.  The back striped wall will be a great backdrop for the decor going on it!  And yes I know, the chandelier needs a facelift.  

Tip-a beach house table should be well crafted with that old farmers tabletop look because when it gets beat up, you won't be the wiser. The chairs are from a different manufacturer but the white finish on the table legs and the chairs brings it all together.

This is one of the bedrooms. White and blue shout 'beach house', and these southing tones, along with the natural window covering, pillows and accents, keep the space calm.

But the kids bathroom bring in the mouth watering fun and colorful emotion..a truly happy place.


That was just a sneak peek; a tickle if you will.  When we get time to dig into the new homes' overall design, I will blog again!

(this is some of the DE gang-we are a content bunch of shoveling fools).

Don't expect any pictures soon though because when you can do this all day, how do you find the time to decorate?

One Day Spa Bedroom Makeover

One year ago I drove out to Easton PA to meet with Sheryl who was very sad about the current state of her bedroom.  She had nothing but a wrought iron bed.  We sat on her bedroom floor and talked room color, bedding, window treatments, accessories, lighting and adding architectural interest to her walls.  She wanted a spa like space that was bright, calm, and airy.  After choosing the rooms color palette I figured out that Sheryl was a very visual person I looked at her and said “let’s just go out now to some local stores and I can show you exactly what products will completely change your space.”  We hit the road and had success.  She didn't buy anything but seemed inspired to start on her room.  So I waved good bye and drove away.

A year later Sheryl called upon me once again to help with a kitchen renovation.  When I arrived she took me by the hand, up the stairs and smiled from ear to ear as she opened her bedroom door.  It was EXACTLY the vision we wanted a year ago!  Using the products we had looked at a year ago she pulled it off beautifully! It is simple, classic and tranquil.  And best of all Shery is very happy with it.  It meant a lot for me to see it because I do a lot of consults, giving ideas for spaces, then I leave, and sometimes, I never know if my design came to fruition.  I don’t have the ‘BEFORES’ but here are the ‘AFTERS’:

The spa like feeling comes through by painting the walls AND ceiling a greeny blue like the color of the Mediterranean Sea.  It completely covers you and calms you. Everything else in the room is natural and airy, including the woven roman shades and sandy golden drapes.  And the simple creamy yellow bedding looks and feels soft, casual and cozy. The mix of lamps brings in more light and color.

I suggested wainscotting the wall behind the bed and paint it white so the black wrought iron bed would really show through beautifully.  We took it 3/4 way up for more visual effect.  Sheryl's husband did a great job!

The nightstands we chose are not traditional nightstands but work great for Sheryl because they are high for easy access and since she didn't need storage, add to the airy feel by not boxing the bed in.  A chair is always key and the contemporary high legs and simple lines and fabric on this one keep the space open.

The black furniture pieces coordinate with the finish on the bed and the cluster of framed art pair beautifully with it.  Size was very important to give this wall substance all the way to the ceiling, and balance the opposite wall with the bed.

I am so very proud of Sheryl for adding this piece!  She used her own jewelry as art on her wall.  I talk about doing this all the time!  Why hide such beautiful pieces.  

Thank you Sheryl for sharing your fabulous space with me!  I can't wait to come back and see your kitchen (this time I took BEFORE shots).

p.s. - I knew you would love that granite store!

How To Make Greeting Card Wall Art

 

If you missed watching me turn greeting cards into wall art yesterday on ch 69 News at Sunrise you can catch it HERE (there are two segments-1. how to create the art work 2. how to hang artwork).  It is so hip to mix bought art or framed photos with homemade art, and SO SENTIMENTAL to include a card that someone chose just for you. You know the thought involved with picking a card- you roam up and down the card aisle at Hallmark looking for that perfect card.  Well if you have some of these stuffed in a drawer this project is perfect for you!!
Supplies you need:
-greeting card (you can use an invitation or announcement also)
-8x11 canvas board
-1 piece of square scrapbooking paper
-8 white push pin
-4 nailheads

I created one on the show for a little girls nursary using these supplies

Finished Greeting Card Wall Art:

Catch the second segment to see how to hang art without making those annoying extra holes!


Decadently Yours,
Shoshana

Come Back Friday For Info About The Greeting Card Wall Art News Segment

Oh baby!! After a busy day planning out spaces and creating product lists for clients, I am ready for dinner and to concentrate on my channel 69 appearance tomorrow.  I am excited to share my Greeting Card Wall Art project with Eve Tannery and viewers on WFMZ News Channel 69 at 8:40 am.  This craft is so easy to create and brings sweet sentiment onto your walls.  Then at 8:50 am I will demonstrate how to hang the Greeting Card Wall Art on your wall in a gallery form.

After the show airs I will blog about it and attach a link to the segment video if anyone wants to see it.  So come back to this blog Friday for the craft details and photos ;)  

Decadently Yours,

Shoshana

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.