Make Your Outdoor Entry Eye Candy In One Day

Firstly, thank you changeofaddress.org for including my blog as one of your top 30 Interior Decorating Blogs For Your New Home. And also thank you to Jabbour Linens for including my blog as one of your favorite places to go for inspirational home decor.  It feels really wonderful to get positive feedback and know that ideas you share are valued!  I am blowing kisses right now.

OK, now I'd like to spend a moment talking about my new eye candy-my front outdoor entry! 


I am excited to talk about it because it is really a crime that I, a professional Interior Decorator, let this go for so long.  My outdoor entry way is so blah. The lack of dazzle has been creeping up on me like grey hairs.   My home is shaped like a box and in the four years that I have lived here I have yet to unwrap the contractor grade elements it came with. I have grand ideas of what it could be BUT until I hit the lottery and find the time and energy to really blow it up, I need to make some quick and easy changes. 

Steps to Turn Your Front Yard Into Eye Candy In One Day:
-Paint door
-Change door hardware
-Change outdoor lighting
-Add light post
-Add door 'jewelry' like a door knocker
-Add big pots of flowers
-Add border to cement walkway
-Choose a worthy welcome mat

BEFORE

AFTER

I can't tell you enough how much this small facelift has meant to me.  As little as it was to do it has made such an impact on me emotionally; it welcomes me home every evening; and the other elements add much needed charm.

BEFORE

I used to try out new wreaths like they were tic-tacs but I was never happy.

AFTER

 Now I love my door! The new coat of Sherwin Williams Sundried Tomato looks so warm and inviting.  And red is a lucky color.  And after changing out my welcome mat to a larger one my home shouts 'Welcome!' (more inviting and more room to wipe your feet).

I found my new Hampton Bay Classic Collection light fixture with flemish copper finish and venetian bronze Kwikset handleset at Home Depot.  The light cost $39.97 and the door hardware cost $89.

The lights that came with the house were so flat and dark.

 The finish on my new handleset befits the door and the shape and texture of the seeded glass and crackle of the finish adds character. 

Even the walkway looks great by simply adding a border of pavers on either side.  And I am still working on adding a light post, copper window box and door knocker.  So many knockers to choose from for whatever sport or hobby you are into from horse back riding, tennis, gardening to crabbing!  I am thinking about these-whimsical vs. classic.  

Isn't this squirrel oil rubbed door knocker adorable?!

I love this Baldwin S shaped one also.

Those will be the finishing touches to complete my low-cost face lift.  Until then though I have to say I feel so much happier now; I love leaving and coming home.   

Tip-if you are considering spray painting your outdoor hardware I don't recommend it.  I thought of that, did research, and found there were way too many people telling me it didn't hold up.  Instead, look for sales, look to Craigslist, E-bay.  You never know if a contractor is looking to get rid of some door handles, knobs, etc.

My Bedding Picks-Comforter vs. Duvet

IT's always a great day when I meet a new client.  Today I headed out to Nazareth PA to talk about putting some 'OMMPPPHHH' into a four year old home for a family of three.  One of the spaces I will be working on is the master bedroom and that got us talking about bedding.  'So which should I use-a comforter or a duvet?'  There is no right or wrong answer....just preference.  There is a lot of thought that goes into making that decision so kick off your shoes and get on your jammies.

A comforter is a blanket filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and encased in a shell/covering. It gives a cleaner look because it isn't as bulky as a duvet.  You can use your comforter all year round but may wish to add a blanket at the end of your bed if you want more warmth.  If you are looking for an affordable quick bedding purchase, you can find a 'Bed In A Bag' in bedding stores everywhere.  The downside is that washing it is difficult because it is bulky; may require a professional dry cleaning.

A duvet is a soft flat bag traditionally filled with down or feathers, or a combination of both, and used on a bed as a blanket.   It is usually placed in a duvet cover to keep it clean (like a giant pillow case!).  This combination gives an overall fluffier look.  Makes me want to dive right into it. Two great advantages of this bedding is that you can change the duvet cover to suit your decor and you can wash the cover  real easily (without all that pounding and pushing of a comforter into a washer and dryer).  Disadvantage is that it can get hot under that cover (you may want to put it away for the summer).  They also require a little extra fussing when making your bed.

Here are a few bedding looks I put together that I adore:


For a luxe coastal hotel suite look, this coral bedding from R. Jabbour & Sons is crisp and chic.  Looks fabulous with dark wood toned furniture.  Use a creamy white paint like Benjamin Moore™ OC-17 White Dove or wrap the room in a hug from a teddy bear using Behr PMD-51 Cardamom and add beachy accents (buy some hurricane vases and fill them with seashells & coral you pick up on vacations).  Can you smell the ocean?

 click here to go to bedding product page        click here to go to sham product page

 

click here to go to throw pillow product page

For a bedroom with feminine flair try this Urban Outfitters look. I love the ruffled bedding because it reminds me of a wedding dress.  And the wiener dog pillowcases keep it fun and young.  The Sherwin William Calico paint will keep the space relaxing and calm.

click here to go to Waterfall ruffled duvet product pg        

click here to go to Weiner Dog Pillowcase product pg

This look is fun and flirty.  I dig it against the black.  Its from Target.  You can liven it up by painting Valspar 253-6 Still Tidewater on the wall behind the bed.

click here to go to the bedding product page

Want a spa-in-a-box complete bedroom makeover with one click? Try this new Athena 10pc. Comforter Set with Bonus Ottoman from JCPenney (for an extra $10 get a brand new master bathroom-just kidding!).  Paint this mushroom Benjamin Moore™ HC-125 Cushing Green color on the walls for an earthy soothing feeling.

click here to go to this bedding product page


And if you are looking for over-the-top, cotton candy-meets-leopard bedding for Teresa Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, this would be it!! Its from Horchow.

'Is this pink and frou-frou enough for you Teresa?'

 

click here to go to bedding product page

______________________________________

R. Jabbour & Sons has a great selection of luxurious bedding. They first opened its doors in New York City over 80 years ago.  Passed through four generations of family, R. Jabbour & Sons continues to be a trusted and highly knowledgeable resource for the finest bed, bath, and table linens.  Its loyal following of customers rely on the utmost attention to detail and service.

My Favorite Pumpkins This Fall

"Rock-a-bye pumpkin, on the tree top.."  

I skipped as I left the pumpkin patch today with the hottest green pumpkin! I love the look and taste of granny smith apples and this one looks like one on steroids.  Pumpkins can make a fun statement and dress up the outside and inside of your home.  They can have brilliant color, fun imperfections, and last longer than a bouquet of flowers (try bringing a bouquet of gourds to your next dinner party).  

This blog entry is dedicated to pumpkins, the squash-like fruit that range in size from less than 1 pound to over 1,000 pounds. To all the people and pumpkins out there, I hope the weather is grand by you.  It has been raining cats and dogs the last two days around here.  I have been going bananas with all the rain. Then the sun came out today, I felt a slight breeze, and smelt that autumn air. I am finally getting into the Fall season! Seems like everyone has--except for my mail carrier who is rockin' shorts (you go girl!).  

So after checking on the progress of a reno project I am working on in Easton PA I  pulled on a purple tweed sweater and headed to Grim's in Breinigsville.  I wanted to see what pumps besides the classic orange were all the rage this year. Grim's is a great place for pickin' pumpkins and they have a giant corn maze that is carved out differently each yr.     

Orange, orange on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?  At this pumpkin patch, about a million.  I asked if I could win a prize if I guessed how many could turn into Cinderella's stage coach.  

I fell in love with an enormous albino White Pumpkin and slipped it my phone number;

Then I did a double take on some pumpkins covered in peanut shells.  These pumpkins looked like they were painted the most gorgeous water colors, then dreadfully drowned with the shells like warts. They are appropriately called Peanut Pumpkins.  

I filled a cute little red wagon with my pumpkins, downed some honey sticks, and headed home.  I couldn't wait to place my pumps all around my house.  It is so much fun.  Here are some great sites with ideas of how to decorate with pumpkins this fall: 

• BHG (love the window box display and potted pumpkins)
• Martha Stewart
• Today Show video (ideas from Southern Living from 2009)
• Good Housekeeping (using pumpkins without carving them)

I added pumpkins to my front door, in my front mulch, and to my bird bath.  I am waiting for my homeowners association to approve some minor cosmetic changes to the front of my home, so until then, it's all about the pumps. 

Get creative with where you place your pumpkins.  Happy October!!

As Seen On News: Adding Fun & Function To Kid Spaces

click here to see video

Maybe it is time for you to give a child's room a facelift; and I don't just mean their bedroom.  This applies to playrooms, mudrooms, foyers, and bathrooms.  

It is essential that kids of any age have a place where they can feel free.  Today I presented my ideas on WFMZ-TV 69 News at Sunrise.  Click here to see the segment (2 parts).  What a fun morning!!!!  Here is a recap:

Three goals your kids space should be designed to do:

-Create a happy and inspirational room;

-Set their imagination free; and

-Increase their motor skills.

1. Color. Let your children’s personalities come through.  Use colors that interest them.  Warning-don’t go too bright.  Shades of blues and pinks are popular because of the natural and psychological effects they have on people.  For example, soft shades of blue triggers associations with the sky and a psychological sense of calm.

Pink is another calming color.  It enhances the mood by calming heart rate. Interesting research was done reporting that Baker-Miller Pink (a pepto bismal, bubblegumy color) suppressed angry, antagonistic, and anxiety ridden behavior among prisoners.  It is used to calm violent prisoners in jails.  No joke :).  

How To: In this bedroom I created vertical stripes in two tones of light pink, and used her love of avocado green, which is a deep color, for the accents.  Trick-The bed canopy is made from a window box I flipped over and upholstered.

2. Make walls fun and functional by adding a large wall mural and placing hooks on it that hold supplies.  I call the one below a Tree System. This is not only fun but a valuable addition to a room with little space. 

In a playroom it can hold art supplies and costumes.

Use in a mudroom or foyer, to hold outdoor items in a creative way!

How To: grow your own Tree System using painter tape.  Just tape out your design then paint your wall. Next, peel the tape to reveal your design! My daughter assisted me in this fun part.

3. Storage. Use window boxes below your windows on the inside of your home to hold toys.  Bookcases are also great for storage, especially ones with large opening. IKEA is a great place to go for storage in kid spaces. I am a big fan of their Expedit series.  Variety of finishes and sizes and the storage bins come in diff. styles too.  

How To: I labeled the bins using chalkboard paint covered thin mdf rectangles I bought from Michaels.  I attached them using chothes pins.  Now children can read them without looking into the bins & I can easily erase and re-name each one.

4. Add a chalkboard, but not your Momma's chalk.  Chalkpaint can be tinted to almost any color these days! And you can turn an entire wall where your children can really express themselves.  I went to Buss Paints in Emmaus, PA to get tinted paints and Magnetic paint to create a wall so fun and funky!

How To: Roll on Magnetic Paint (needs 3 coats).  Buss Paints in Emmaus, PA carries it.

Then prime it and paint it Benjamin Moore Newt Green.

Then create 9 equal boxes using painters tape. And using a round template (My 6 yr old and I used a giant bowl), hold it up to the middle of each square and trace it with chalk. Paint each square Benjamin Moore Venezuelan Sea.  

5. Reuse the gold contractor chandelier that came with your home and turn it into a brand new one!

How To: Take off each sleeve and cover the socket with painters tape, then place each sleeve back on.  Then Sand it lightly.  Prime it with paint spray (I used a red color from Rustoleum), then spray it again with red paint.

6.  Create a little reading nook using a paper lantern.  You can find them on-line and at Pier 1.  Turn it into part of your theme like I did creating a miniature hot air balloon.

 

How To: Using a hot glue gun, glue the ribbons down in a pattern, then add a light mini bird cage (I bought it for $1 at Michaels).  Up the effect by adding ribbon to your vinyl window shade using fabric glue or fabric tape.  

BEHIND THE SCENES:

I would like to thank Buss Paints and Wallpaper for the magnetic paint and the chalkboard paint.

327 Main Street, Emmaus, PA 18049-2704, (610) 965-5466

And thank you to the nice gentleman from Lowes who cut the 8' board into 2 pieces for me to use on the show! 

'Crack!'

And thank you to the little girl on my daughters school bus today who asked if I was the babysitter (made my yr!).

Hope you get some great ideas and let me  know if you try any of these!!!!