MY thoughts on decorating my home

I wrote this in March 16, 05. I wanted to post it here.

Because your home remodeling project is so personal to you and you have invested so much energy, thought, research into your project, the stakes are high when the dollar amounts are revealed to you. This is where you ‘sink or swim’. You must learn how to stay afloat amidst the rubble of samples, swatches and price quotes! Keep a level head and don’t let on that you don’t know what you are doing. Why? Because that is what the other side is doing as well! Ah, you see there is no mystery!

There is NO grand mystery to getting a project done, no matter what size it is! If you have ever organized your closet, pantry, kid’s school lunch box, or family picture album, you can master a project. To me the best way I think of the description of what to do is to describe what you do every day that is similar. Divide and conquer! Break down the larger jobs into small tasks like steps. Then go through them as if it were one step at a time with the ultimate goal of having the project cross the finish line.

Today’s laundry equipment makes doing the wash more complicated than driving your car! You gather the laundry out of the dryer and then put like objects with like. All of your husband’s things together, socks of same color together, then you have all the wash cycle choices, the temperatures, the amounts of rinse cycles, the speed of spin, well you get the idea. If you can accomplish daily tasks without stress, then you can organize anything!

Decorating is basically organizing with flair! There is no mystery. Coordinate all your functional items to harmonize and only add decorative items to fill in the empty spots, it is really that simple!

When I have a project that I really ‘get into’ I find myself lost in a different world! I really enjoy the time I spend doing it. Time just seems to stand still and the clock moves so quickly through the numbers as if they don’t have a meaning to me anymore. I love to ‘get lost’ in what I am doing (it is called ‘engaging’). And I guess that is the same approach I take to decorating. I especially like to feel something different after I change something in my home. If I add a new color for instance, I immediately feel like there is a visitor (or intrusion) in the room. When trying new colors or accessories in my home, I like to leave it alone in the room for a while and visit it once in a while to see if my mood changes towards the new object. I like to check out groupings of items with one another. I feel that the one that does not fit will stick out like a sore thumb. I won’t have to guess what fits or doesn’t fit because it will be obvious and functional items create harmony in my home.

There are times I don’t’ know what to think when it comes to my environment. After all, all we need is 4 walls, a door, a window, and a light for a room, mattress to sleep on, and a TV, phone and computer! But when the environment around me is pretty, it does something to my soul, my mood, my heart, and suits and fits me with a more complete experience. It gives me reason to smile when all else is down in my life. I feel I will be accepted and understood in this space, protected. Now that IS HOME! And HOME is what we all really want to achieve isn't it?

My RL Polo kockoff linen!

Ralph Lauren, linen: Here is the REAL thing! Beautiful, crisp, and very layered and interesting. Notice that my attempt (picture below lower on the page after this one) does not look as crisp (nor professional!, but mine didn't cost over $1,200!)
I could not afford that amount so I set out to do my own... a copy!
This is Hawiian Barkcloth that I love. I got this one from eBay and it has orchids instead of roses (more to my style). Can't believe how close they are in mood and color! This fabric has a nice texture ($100% cotton) that us upholstery weight. Below is MY attempt at making this bedding! The bedding is NOT FINISHED yet! I am in progress but thought I would post this picture now.
I got (shopping with Judith!) the quilted blankets at Home Goods (a king for the king sized bed and a queen to cut up for the Euro shams).
I made my own cording (so don't look to closely at the seams!) This shows the bedding on my guest bed which is a queen. I am sewing in that room, so I wanted all the pieces there to assemble first. The white pillow has a black cording sewn on around the flange (made that by sewing on the pillow case that came with the white bedding I bought. Those pillows will have velcro closing.

The black and white striped fabric (couldn't find that exact scale online or at fabric stores in the area) so I bought black and white fabrics and cut out stripes at 3" wide and sewed them together, then added white cording.

The small pillow is just pinned closed because I was looking for leather luggage tag straps for that similar closing as the inspiration picture. I have found some on eBay, they may not be real leather, so I am waiting to find something, I might just make ties to close it till I get the right look.

In the picture the barkcloth is just folded and there is no pillow in it yet. The checked fabric is just loose (will hem that) and the black band is just a 'cumberbun' (has interfacing underneath to stiffen it) that is put on and then tucked in. They can be removed quickly to use the bed.

This bottom picture shows a pillow I made for my painted wingback chairs for the breakfast room. I made 3 of these from a bureau scarf (thick upholstery type fabric) I got a thrift store for $1.45! I used my current pillow stuffings for the interior and made the cording from cutting the sewn edge of the scarf. I think this pillow can be a good mix and match with above bedding.

Here is a lamp I picked up on sale at Kirklands that I thought would dress up this room.And here is a picture that is a (peek) preview of what is to come in the Master Bedroom. I just had this sepia photo (allposters.com) matted and added it to one of my old frames (refinished).

Birdcage find!

My new birdcage, actually it is a birdcage I found on craigslist. It is made of metal and quite heavy. I want to use it to house Canaries someday. Picture below shows (picture from craigslist listing) the doors open, one in the back for access to inside for cleaning. Top comes off and twists back on. I will adjust the finish to match my things when I find its permanent home.

My style and how I would describe it.

or my interpretation...

How I would describe my style or 'look' for my home:

I look for anything that is Empire style or has the lines of that style in it. Then I simplify it a bit (due to not wanting the 'museum' room complete with dust and cobwebs, I want to be able to use my stuff) and then add some relaxed beach feeling to it, like I am on vacation, so I don't want to fuss. That is how I describe my look. And I feel like a guest in my own home! This keeps it FUN for me! Duncan Phyfe is a great look with mahogany woods that add a drama with their clean lines. It is best when not cluttered all in one room, but showcase each piece separately. I love white or light colored walls as a back drop and this makes the mahogany pop. I also love moldings and texture added to walls, this creates interest and shadows in late day lighting. I think the Duncan Phyfe lends itself well mixed with the more relaxed wicker and island feel that I learned to love in South Florida. I will add LoriB's comment that it is New England with tropical.

Above: I love the clean lines of the architecture in a room, this inspirational picture shows the simple dressy look of clean lines. This is a wonderful backdrop to the informal relaxed furniture in this Miami house taken from Better Homes and Garden magazine 'before and after' summer issue of 2008.
The pictures below are NOT my furniture, they are pictures I have taken off the internet as examples of what I am writing about.

Below: the Empire chest of drawers (an antique) shows the wonderful simple lines and the curve on the legs with the small lyre curve at the top of the side rails.
I also love the curves on the mullions of the glass doors. This has that splayed line that carries the Empire style.
This shows an Oak buffet unit that is an American piece with less value, but the lines are still there on the legs. I like that you can stain this piece mahogany and still see Oak grain. Some of the earlier pieces are of such larger scale and really meant for 10-plus ceilings. That is why I love the 40's Duncan Phyfe knock offs that have a smaller scale for today's 8' ceiling smaller homes and cottages. Unfortunately they are also veneered mahogany, but at least I get the feel of the dark woods and the lines.
And this lyre table was on Craig's list! (priced too high or I would own it now!)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was one of 19th century America’s leading furniture makers.Born Duncan Fife near Loch Fannich in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, he immigrated to Albany, New York at age 16 and served as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice. In 1792, he changed the spelling of his name, moved to New York City, and opened his own business, which eventually employed over a hundred workers. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling furniture for relatively low prices. He is most famous for his simple style, a reaction to the imported French designs popular at the time. Duncan Phyfe's furniture can be seen in the White House Green Room.American Federal Period also has some great furniture lines, more straight with some curves.

Below is an example of an Empire styled sofa or settee. It has the splayed legs you will recognize.

This is a new furniture manufacturer (Craftique) that makes this style new today.Here is an antique shown from an online auction house of a Duncan Phyfe china cabinet. For example, I love these antique DF chairs, but on my budget could not afford.

I found the DF set made by Drexel and the lines are not pure, but similar to this inspirational set. I love the curve in the arms that reminds me of tropical and island furniture that goes with my 'island' mix.

My set from Drexel made in the 40's with mahogany veneer (shown when I brought it home from an antique shop before the finish was renewed.My dining room shown with the bottom of my Quoizel chandelier

A view of my living room in my home with the DF china cabinet used as a book case and the buffet unit to the right in the picture.This is another DF table with 3 legs that I have in my guest room. Makes a great second DR table for a large dinner!Here is an antique that I found online, I just love the lines!And here is a picture from my house when we redid our master bedroom. The table is solid mahogany (painted black) and I found it an an antique shop. The lines are similar to above but the scale is smaller and I use it as a night stand. I intend to strip off the paint to show off the mahogany wood (when you turn the table upside down, which happened on loading it after I bought it, and the mahogany is not covered there, I was so excited!).

This is a picture I found of an online auction that shows a buffet piece. I have the same one, but mine has a better finish on it. This came from Sears in the 40's. I found the receit in the back of one of the drawers! I altered that 'factory finish' with Howard brand refinisher and then waxed my buffet and all my mahogany furniture. It gives it a nice patina that refracts light nicer and softer. The picture (opening picture) at the top of my blog is taken on top of my buffet unit.

Here is a Sherton style piece. The lines are simpler.

These are Sheraton style chairs, I just love that shield-shaped back!So, that shield shape came in my home as the mirror over my mantel. I just loved the acorn or shield shape, thought I would get the chairs, but found the other set first.

Finds! SP candle holders!

The tall SP (silver plate) candle holders were a gift from a friend (lucky me!) and the smaller set was found at a thrift store.

Empire table

These two first pictures were the ones with the Craig's List listing.

I brought the table home, and introduced it to my things! These are my pictures with my stuff with the table. I may not use it this way, but wanted to see if all blended and went together well. I love the Empire style! I had decided to keep all my mahogany stuff when the house sells and this table will add to that look very well. I particularly like the way the bottom shelf will hold my antique English leather luggage.

I know that in my next house I probably won't have hardwood flooring, I will miss these floors! they really go well with the furniture I have and the look I love!

New mulch in front yard

We added some new pine bark nuggets to the front yard. I like the texture of this mulch. You are looking at 4 yards of mulch! We are preparing the house for sale so there is a lot of primping going on around the inside and outside of the house! In the front where the mulch is, there is a mound and a pile of extra mulch that was later moved, that is where we had it dumped when it was delivered.