After an iffy May, it's suddenly 80 degrees in the shade here in Oakland. We've got our deck ready - pots of plants trimmed, the grill scrubbed and ready to sizzle. If you're like me, I like a summery feel to our rooms inside too. Here's some quick tips to make our rooms feel more like summer is on it's way. architecturaldigest.com Fill your empty fireplace with cut firewood, chunky candles or glorious sea shells. aburstofbeautiful.com Replace framed artwork with baskets. Don't forget the quintessential summer plant, the Boston fern. theantiques.com Do as the Swedes do - roll up the rugs and cover the furniture. edenhome.com Gather houseplants from other rooms to create a green focal poi
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Since it's sunny and in the 80's around here, it's high time to be outside. On our little deck, we edge our chairs to a small strip of shade and keep moving as the sun passes overhead. Are you dreaming of more shade? Let's look at some ideas to add a little shade on our sunny outdoor rooms. homed.com Don't you love this dining room table with a built in tree? Imagine those leaves turning in the fall. lushome.com A simple length of cotton sheeting. flickr.com A curtain panel billows in the breeze. IKEA is an ideal source. kotijakeittio.fi Mosquito netting promises easy napping. apartment therapy An al fresco meal under a canopy. theartofthehome.com Red and w
Here's a Happy Hour that will give you plenty of pat-on-the-back satisfaction. Styling a bookcase is a quick change you can make to any room. By editing your books and adding objects / framed photos / art, you'll have a new look without costing a cent. And while a bookshelf is the practical place to store your curated books, let's look at how to create even more interest by using handsome styling. apartmenttherapy.com Organizing books by color has been around a few years but it seems fresh in a white room. dailymail.co.uk Any room would benefit by such shelving. How about cookbooks on such a wall in a kitchen? thisisglamorous.com Monochromatic books, art and accessories - lots of "calm"
In our Shelter-in-Place world, why not mix it up in our rooms? Some call it "layered design" but I think design historian Emily Evans Eerdmans says it best, "We're hungering for complex carbohydrates again." The idea is to use textures, repurposed materials and layers about our rooms. There's also a call for bold color but even if you're a "neutral nut" like me, there are some easy ideas we can use to create warm and comforting nests. Maybe the quickest way to add "carbs" to our rooms is with textiles. Let's take a look. emilyaclark.com Just a toss a simple throw over an armrest and add a few more pillows. houzz.com Cotton throws over white slipcovered chairs creates quick interest. pinter
What kind of person has 17 mirrors hanging in their house? I just took a count and that doesn't include the ones over the bathroom sinks. How many mirrors are too many? Maybe a good rule of thumb is one mirror in most rooms but I seem to sneak more in wherever I can. Mirrors bring in light and brightness, make a room look larger and can be a pleasant, cheap thrill. I'm a big fan of duplicating looks in different rooms as it brings continuity. At the top of this page is a mirror (from Lowe's) in our bedroom that is secured to the wall but also rests on the bureau for a more relaxed look. This "aged" mirror makes everything look a bit more romantic. In the guest room, the same mirror, be
Happy May Day! How about celebrating May Day this year since we're all tucked inside? A little bouquet on your neighbors' doors might be just the ticket to perk us up. When I wrote this last year, getting out to the nursery wasn't a big deal but even now, there's lots to pick from just outside our doors. I'm sending this out today in hopes you have a special May Day! For this Happy Hour, how about bringing back May Day? I love the idea of May 1st being a day of celebration. In the 1950's, my Mom would make little flower bouquets that my brother and I would deliver to our Portland neighbors. We'd hang the flowers on the door, knock as loud as we could and then run fast. "Happy May Day"
