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!)

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!

Home technology automation does that and so much more. Televisions, high-tech home theatres, inercom, security systems, lighting and electronic shades can all be fully automated for us users.

Rather than looking like an afterthought, Mark Wagner of Wagner Home Systems suggest this technology be incorporated into the planning stages of your renovation, remodel, or build-new.  He says, “Electronics can blend in so much that if you didn’t know where to look for them, you wouldn’t realize they were there.”

Think of having a whole house audio system with access to your music library from anywhere in the home. Think of a sprinkler system that can be accessed remotely, so you don’t sprinkle the lawn while it’s raining.

Remember, our homes must fit us like our favorite shoe. Ask yourself—”Does the Shoe,,,FIT?” Need a little help? Just call us. We are here for you.

Do they work? You bet! And many are sleek and modern looking. There are accessible tubs for compact spaces, as well as full lie-down bathtubs. Some models for wheelchair users allow the user to slide in. Doors can swing outward, inward, or slide up and down. Features can include a power lift seat, jets (my mom loves this), a seat, grab bars, and rails. The compact models are sit in, and fit a smaller space than a traditional tub. Others fit the standard tub opening.

The drawbacks? Very few. The biggest hurdle is that you need to empty the tub before you can get out–but even that has been worked out with tubs that empy in less than 30 seconds.  Please send in your comments for others to read & share as this is something many of us haven’t considered before.

Remember, our homes need to fit us like our favorite shoe. Ask yourself…..Does the Shoe  FIT? Is it both attractive to YOU (regardless of magazine photos) and functional to YOUR lifestyle? If you need help, give us a call. We’ve been helping people just like you with their homes for over 20 years.

However, dual flush models cut the water consumption by providing full flushes to dispose of solid waste and half flushes for liquids. A new dual flush toilet runs approximately $300, but I’m told there is a conversion kit for your existing toilet that only costs $99.00 and is available at major retailers. It is called the Perfect Flush, and it works with a top-mounted push-botton box.

It is said the conversion only takes about 30 minutes to install, and can save a familyof four about $100 a year in water costs–so you recoup your initial expenditure right away. Other similar products are Select A Flush and Aquanotion’s Two Flush.

Although interior design doesn’t always address commodes, they are part of our interiors. Want a quiet flush? Toto is the brand for you. Want a standard toilet with a strong (no pun intended) reputation? American Standard is one of the brands to look at. You probably already know there are many styles, colors, and heights available in toilets. There are also self flushing models (for homeowners), warm seat models, and oh my, what else!

Even when discussing a commode, you have options on what is best for you, your life, and your budget. Remember, your home should fit you like your favorite shoe. If not, give us a call. We help people just like you with your home interior and yard problems every day, making them happy people.

 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.

When we simply plant things that appeal to us, where ever there is room, we often lack harmony, which is defined as all objects having a common trait. When a space has harmony, it gives us humans a sense of order and peace. After a full day we long to come into our garden for some relaxation, recouping some peace in our lives.  A variety of textures, colors, heights, shapes, etc.,etc. may be robbing us of this peaceful feeling.

Yet, if here isn’t some contrast in our garden, it may look boring. If an entire yard has nothing but white tulips, all the same height, all in neat rows, we don’t appreciate it as much as a sprinkling of groups of white tulips in various areas of the yard in groups (not rows) of 3, 5, 7, or 9 plants per group. These groups of pure white tend to harmonize the entire space. The varying number of plants per group gives a little interesting contrast to them.

Contrast provides a little spark to our garden. However, if we plant 1 shrub with a purple flower, one medium sized plant with tiny foliage, one small plant with large yellow flowers, one large leaved plant; as lovely as each of these are, there is no harmony to the group. There is no element that carries through.  Bjut what if we planted several of the large leaved plant around the shrub, with some tiny foliaged plants encircling or bordering the entire group? Or perhaps we have shrub, with large leaved plants, and tiny leaved plants intersperced through the space, but they all had flowers in the same color?

To help you achieve a beautiful yard or garden, give some thought to planning the harmony and contrast of the space before planting. 

And if you need a little help, contact us. We are the interior-exterior space specialists, and can make your yard fit you like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself…..Does the Shoe FIT?

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.

Visually, seniors have problems with low contrasts such as the graphics on appliances, or between text sizes on signage, or between wall and floor transitions. Solutions could be found in using big bold, dark text on a light background; or using a darker flooring or flooring border, with light colored walls.

Dark surfaces around brightly lit surfaces, such as a window or light fixture with brilliant light, can also cause slower cognitive response. One solution to this is to use fluorescent bulbs as they give diffused, softer lighting rather than intense, hard edged light from halogen bulbs. I recommend using a type of fluorescent that has a kelvin color temperature (color–nothing to do with feel) of 3000 degrees as it is closest to the color of incandescent light bulbs that most seniors are accustomed to.

Here are some other findings the Architectural Research Consortium discovered in 2009: Seniors have problems adapting from high noise levels to low noise levels and vice versa. They do better with comunication in quieter spaces than hearing loud voices.

The research report also states that temperature levels need to change as we age. Seniors often stay home more, have lower activity levels, and wear light weight clothing. So thermal comfort for them usually is at a higher level than for young people.

Since seniors have reduced perception in both taste and smell, smoke detectors and other similar aids are extremely important.

Aging should not be defined as a period of withdrawal and less involvement. Providing environments that take into account senior needs will allow a much more satisfying life.

Make your home fit you like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe…FIT?” If you need help, contact us; we are the space specialists, with cross country references for designing for seniors.

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!