If you are a Pink Thumb,–know you are one in hundreds of thousands! I give programs about the extreme challenges of western gardens–but inside our homes, it isn’t any easier to raise a plant. Here are the biggest reasons most westerners (and easterners) have trouble raising houseplants:

1) Our homes are BONE dry inside (jusy dry if you live in the eastern US). Yet many houseplants on the market are tropical plants! (Think:  Rainforest)  (And perhaps your bathroom!)

2) Plants need light. Yet our window ledges at this time of year can be frigid, as is the floor and air next to a tall window.

3) Again–Plants need light.  But often, when we give them western or southern light, they BAKE in the west. The strong southern sunlight is exemplified through our glass windows.

4) Let’s admit it–We forget to water them!  Best way to handle this, is to set a certain day of the week to water them. Maybe for you, it’s early Sunday morning, or perhaps, when you do some weekly chore that seems somewhat related. (For me, it’s on the week-end, because generally, I do “some” cleaning on the week-end, to make the house look nice, and plants are a part of that overall look. A half-dead plant does not contribute to the overall look.)

There ARE plants that are extremely easy to grow in your home. (I know, you’ve heard this before—) In order to keep this blog to a typical blog size, I’ll continue next blog with easy to grow plants for pink thumbs.  Why make this a big challenge, if it needn’t be?

Remember, our homes must fit us like our favorite shoes! Ask yourself,…..”Does the Shoe FIT?” If not contact us. We help people create attractive, up-to-date, functional, and easily maintained homes that fit them perfectly.

See you back February 15th! (And remember, plants make excellent gifts!)

Water-jet technology cuts precise shapes with a single blade, twice the thickness of a human hair. We can use it for floor design, mural design, and backsplashes–shapes and patterns that would be unthinkable with a traditional cutting tool. Yet it is cost competitive with other cutting techniques, and often able to cut designs not otherwise economically achievable.

Like most computer-generated design, you get a representative drawing before creating the real thing. Is it for your next project? If you think you may be relocating in 5-7 years, create a general enough pattern that other’s can live with the design as well. (Vs. your family crest!)

Remember, your home needs to fit YOU and YOUR living style, like your favorite shoe fits. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe …..FIT?” If not, contact us. We help you create the environment that says who you are, not what magazines currently feature that may NOT be your living style!

        ***Sorry I missed you the end of December; I unexpectantly had to go back in the hospital, but am now looking toward a GREAT 2012 for us all!!–Sharon

Well, those instructions I’ve written are NOT accurate–but who can get them accurate? If we hide the poinsettia in some dark place, how do we remember to water it at all? And since it’s out of sight, I’m positive we’ll remember to put it in the light 6 months from now, and keep an accurate record of the increased time it has light. Suuuurrrrreee we will!

I say, “Phooey” to all this winter-over plant information. When the pointsettia loses it’s red, or pink, or burgundy, or white blossoms, put it in a sunny window and water it with your other plants. By summer it will be a nicely rounded out plant…..Particularly if you’ve taken it off that dinky little 1.5 -2 inch mesh plant starting ball from its roots, and allow it’s roots to grow in some good potting soil .

Put it out on the deck this summer, in semi-shade (yes, our western sun is MUCH brighter than tropical climates with huge shrub shade all around and frequent rain showers.

Next fall, you will be rewarded with a lovely green leafy plant for your home–and you’ll have it for several years. It “may” still bloom for you again, even with these conditions; I’ve had them do so a few times–in July! (really, haha) But why should I take such a lovely plant and subject it to my forgetfulness when I could just let it become a healthy, green plant for year round?

Our homes need to fit us like our favorite shoes in order to be both functional, and fun (as well as lovely). Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe….FIT?” If not, give us a call. We are the interior design and yard design specialists (even if not the botanical experts that cause poinsettias to rebloom every December). Life, and Homes should be enjoyed!

Well, we all like festive lighting, but this certainly didn’t sound too environmentally based. ….Until he told us the entire lighting cost would only be a fraction of last years’ cost!  HOW?

They switched for the holidays! Today’s LED Holiday lights are reliable, fairly inexpensive and EXTREMELY economical to use. They will pay for themselves in a very short time, and continue to be economical to use for a long, long time, because they last much longer than any of our bulbs. Besides–there are no bulbs to break or go out.

L.E.D. stands for light emitting diodes; they are not bulbs at all, but produce a good white light (the current ones, not the earlier ones).

Although LEDs began being marketed about ten years ago, they were mainly used as novelty accent lighting for commercial buildings. As technology has progressed, LEDs are moving into offices and are just beginning to be seen in our homes. Recessed lighting seems to be the best interior method of handling LEDs at this point….in addition to strings  of light. They are the new lightinhg technology. Isnt it time to switch?

Remember your interior and exterior surroundings need to fit YOU like your favorite shoe fits you, in order to be functional and attractive. Ask yourself…..”Does the Shoe FIT?” If not, contact us; we are the experts in interior spaces and yard space. You’ll be glad you called or wrote us.

 Power strips are hidden. Sinks and ranges are integral to the counter. Allmilmo makes a counter top that slides open to reveal the sink and cooktop below. Berloni’s 2-in-1 kitchen furniture contains the functional needs of cooking and cleaning on one side, while the other side functions as a work desk and for relaxation. (This concept works particularly well with open-plan homes.) Poggenpohl has a walk-in professional kitchen with decorative panels that conceal the kitchen when not in use.

Stainless steel appliances continue to be a favorite, as they integrate so wellwith a variety of cabinet finishes. Ariston’s ovens feature controls designed right in the handles. Ellea has a series of extremely compact, jewel-like ventilation systems.

Many of these concepts are available in American products, but all can be obtained in America, regardless of where it was manufactured.

Remember, your surroundings need to fit you like a favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe …FIT?” If not, give us a call. We are the licensed, awarded design company that specializes in creating surroundings to fit YOU.

The rug itself can be either painter’s canvas with two coats of gesso or the backside of a piece of vinyl flooring. Here are some instructional steps from Sherwin Williams paint company on making one, using the back of a piece of vinyl flooring.

     1   Purchase a 10′x12″ piece of vinyl flooring.

     2. Map out the design by using painter’s tape. Design can be your own or a copy of a piece of art perhaps blocked in square by square from a grid you draw over the original design or art that you admire.

     3.  Apply the paint, tinted with floor enamel. If you take your artwork to a paint store, they can help you get the proper paint and color(s). After the artwork is painted on the rug, allow it to dry

     4. “Antique” with one coat of faux finishing glazing liquid tinted brown. This liquid is made by major paint companies.

     5. Top the dry rug with 2 coats of polyurethane so the clost can be damp-mopped.

And there you are! These “rugs” look great over hardwood flooring, tile, vinyl. Be sure to choose a style and colors that fit your design scheme to give everything a consistent look.  Remember, your surroundings need to fit you like your favorite shoes. Ask yourself…..”Does the Shoe FIT?” If not, give us a call. We are awarded in interior and exterior design, and have helped many hundreds of clients just like you.

The formulas, or templates, are:

MONOCHROMATIC:  One color throughout a room in both light and dark tones, and various intensities of that one color. This is a good one for a formal, peaceful, setting.

ANALOGUS: This is a bit more colorful, using three colors right next to each other on the color wheel. Examples are Yellow, Yellow-Orange, and Orange   or   Blue, Blue-Purple, and Purple.

COMPLIMENTARY: Two colors directly across from each other on the color wheel. Such as Purple and Yellow or Blue and Orange. Unlike the first two formulas, these colors are not related in any way! They will clash if one color is not dominate and the second subordinate.

SPLIT COMPLIMENTARY: Similar to complimentary except that you choose a Y shape on the color wheel. Take one color and go directly across from it on the color wheel–BUT, before you get there, vere off to the right and the left of that opposite color, thus traveling in a “Y”. Example: Purple, Yellow-Green, and Yellow-Orange. If color intimidates you, this may not be the best to try, as it is tricky–but lively and fun when pulled off successfully. The trick is to have a ratio where one color takes about 65%, one about 30%, and one about 5%.

TRIAD: The most exciting look–and most difficult to achieve. NOT for places of quiet refuge. One the color wheel, choose three colors that create an equilateral triangle, such as Yellow-Orange, Blue-Green (Aqua or Turquiose), and Red-Violet (Crimson). Again, the ratio for the three colors needs to be about 65%, 30%, and 5%.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me through this blog, or through private consultation. Remember, your surroundings should fit you like a favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe….FIT?” If not, contact us; we are the interior/exterior space specialists.

What are the latest  thoughts on accessories? Here are a few, some given by this same regional manager from her experience in dealing with the public. She says Americans insist on quality craftsmanship with good design of the piece. It should be as authentic as possible, particularly in materials. These considerations guaranty lasting appeal.

Today’s population is more traveled and wordly than previous generations. They stop at boutiques, trade shows, world markets, vendors and manufacturers. They will discuss the quality and details of a piece.

We are seeeing a bolder, stronger look with ethnic influences, giving a feeling of relaxation in overall appearance. In the right setting, antique items continue to be popular. Americans like unconventional options, things being used with a new twist; we like exaggerated shapes and forms, and unexpected materials.

Artwork is often dimensional, sh0wing details of an object or image, as opposed to the whole. Often it is digital. Custom framing and matting show the artwork to best advantage.

Take some time choosing accessories that reflect YOU, your style, your take on life. Remember your surroundings should fit you like a favorite shoe. Ask yourself–Does the Shoe….FIT? If you need help–contact us. We have been helping people personalize their spaces for decades.

We had some choices. What if she painted an accent wall; it could quickly and easily be repainted back to white when the time came to move. But which wall? The wall behind the sofa could be a cool light color to visually allow it to recede–making the space look bigger. But then as you entered (the entry was next to the sofa), you’d look ahead of you and still see three areas of white walls. The wall across from the sofa was already open to the kitchen; paint wouldn’t achieve much. But the dinette was right off the living room and easily visible from the entry. By painting the dinette, we could actually create an intimate dining “room” feel, while breaking up all that white. The space was small, three walls with a large window and a french door. It wouldn’t take much time, energy, or money to paint the three walls, and the trim would be left the existing white, which gave a crisp look to the muted green paint put on the walls.

Having a deeper color on these walls gave a feeling of intimacy and relaxation. The green emulated the natural landscape beyond the windows, and tied in exactly with the green in two existing paintings of wine bottles. We put the small painting on a small wall in the dinette, and the large painting opposite the small one, on the far kitchen wall. Before hanging the large painting, we painted a square of sintra board (easily removed) with the green paint, and hung it behind the framed art, sort of like a green border around the art. With some green plants and colorful fruit around the kitchen, it tied right in with the dinette. What a difference to that apartment!

Your spaces need to fit your life and style like your favorite shoe fits you. Look around your interiors and ask yourself, “Does the Shoe…..FIT?” Contact us if you need help; you’ll be glad you did!

HOWEVER, we have a special treat for apartment and small-space dwellers today and also in our next blog of November 30th.  This fall “Rachel” called me for an in-home interior design consultation, and expained she lived in a tiny apartment. She said she really needed help to enhance it on a budget. She hated the all white walls and wanted to give some mood and style to the place. She also thought it appeared too cluttered. The apartment consisted of a living area, dining nook, and kitchenette all open and flowing into each other (plus a private bedroom & bath.)

First, we looked at the scale and amount of the furniture. The sofa was the main piece;  there was a coffee table in front of it, a side table on either side of it, and a console table directly across from it that held Rachel’s entertainment components. A  trunk sat under the side window that could also be used for seating. I asked Rachel if she really needed all 4 tables. She loved the coffee table with it’s convenient shelf underneath, and one table was near the entry door, where she could put things on as she entered. So we removed the opposite end table, found a floor lamp to put in it’s place, and created a more spacious corner. The taller floor lamp also better illuminated the room.

A larger sized piece of modern art on the wall, hung off center to create asymmetrical balance with the lamp, completed the wall. The openness of the artwork allows the viewer to see through sections of it, rather than having an overpowering solid piece in this small space. Taking out the area rug would have visually expanded the area, also; but the soft color and it’s large size gave definition to the “living” space. We decided to keep it. Notice how the accessories are mainly tall and thin, with vertical emphasis, rather than horizontal, which takes room space.

Next blog, we’ll tie in wall color (in a rented apartment!!) for Rachel. See you then! 

If you have an interior or exterior design problem, feel free to contact us. We are the Space Specialists that make YOUR space fit YOUR way of life like a favorite shoe. Look around your space  and ask yourself, “Does the Shoe…..FIT?”