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.

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.

 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.

How many times homeowners move into this lovely home, but become more aggrevated with time because an architectural detail doesn’t align with other things! Here’s an example, and some solutions. The shallow niche in this dining room wall did not align with the center of the room. The chandelier and the bay window were aligned. So as you sat at the dining room table,  the niche seemed oddly placed & disturbing.

Typically, the table would be centered along the axis of the room, but this emphasized the misalignment. So I suggested some alternatives. The first was to break up the niche by adding both a high boy cabinet as well as a lower small serving table or buffet, or even an easy chair or rocker.

The second suggestion was to move the table perpendicular to the window and niche, to somewhat camoflauge the line of axis by the strong table line going in the opposite direction.

The third solution, our preference, was to put the table on a diagonal in the room. A strong diagonal line will always take attention from other things, in this case visually obliterating the axis line of the architectural elements. The accent paint was taken off the niche wall, as we didn’t want to call attention to it; accent paint was put on the large wall across from the entry so upon entering the home, one’s attention would be drawn across the room, with the diagonal table pointing in the same direction. This accent wall would be a good place for artwork.

Good space arrangement will always improve a problem. Remember your interiors need to fit YOU like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself, “Does the Shoe….FIT?  If you need some help, contact us. We are the interior and exterior space specialists that have helped hundreds of homeowners, and given hundreds of workshops and programs on design.

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.

According to STIR, American adults are still very fearful of intense colors. When such colors are paired with gray, they become quieter, not so “in your face.” But gray does need special handling. Done poorly, it can give a space a heavy, even oppressive feel.

However, the color gray has alot of positives. It goes from very cool to very warm options, from taupes to blue-greens. It can be apart of a sophisticated, understated color scheme or a background color for an extremely lively, active color scheme.

What colors should YOU put with it? Actually, what colors should YOU use for your surroundings? Let’s take the next few blogs and discuss how to determine what colors fit YOUR need. Remember, your spaces should fit you like your favorite shoe. Ask yourself,  “Does the shoe…FIT?”  If you need some help, contact us. We are the interior and exterior design experts.

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.

The first step to a healthy houseplant is giving it the environment it needs. Read these words: “READ THE LABEL”  The particular spot you had in mind might not have the right sun requirements, or any number of things. Now truth be told, sometimes you can also be led astray by the label. This fall I purchased a lovely plant that the label said would grow in low level light, and only needed medium water requirements. However, after I purchased it and did some research on my new plant, I read it needs to be kept constantly moist. I am watering it twice as much as the many other plants in my home…..and it needs it.

Light and Humidity are the biggest problems for indoor plants. Here are some warning signs to watch for:                        

*Lower leaves turn yellow and drop    (Too much water!)

*Spindly new growth (Too little light)

*Doesn’t flower (Lack of light)

*Leaf tips are brown (Either too cold, too low humidity, or too dry)

*Leaf margins are brown (Too low humidity, or over-fertilization)

*Wilt (Either the roots have rotted from overwatering, Or it needs water)

*Bleached spots (Too much sun)

*Sudden defoliation (Too cold, or a change in environment)

Charley’s Greenhouse recommends watering plants once a week, keeping soil a bit dry. They say we should cut down on fertilizers in the winter, using 1/4 strength with each watering. Plants love an east or west window, but here in Colorado,” filtered” east or west light is best so the plants don’t bake. Give the plants humidity by placing on a saucer filled with water and pebbles, or by misting them. Wiping off foliage with a damp cloth regularly prevents pests and removes dust. Know that your plants generally need to be repotted every few years.

Your home need’s to fit your personal lifestyle like a favorite shoe fits your foot; ask yourself, “Does the Shoe FIT?”   If you need some help, contact us. We are the Total Space Specialists.