Maya Angelou Defines a Woman

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... 

enough money within her control to move out 
and rent a place of her own, 
even if she never wants to or needs to... 
something perfect to wear if the employer, 
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... 

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. 

a youth she's content to leave behind.... 
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to 
retelling it in her old age.... 
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... 
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry... 

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....... 

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family... 
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, 
and a recipe for a meal, 
that will make her guests feel honored... 

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. 

a feeling of control over her destiny... 
how to fall in love without losing herself..  

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

how to quit a job, 
break up with a lover, 
and confront a friend without; 
ruining the friendship.... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... 

when to try harder... and   WHEN TO WALK AWAY... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

that she can't change the length of her calves, 
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.. 
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... 
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. . 

whom she can trust, 
whom she can't, 
nd why she shouldn't take it personally... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...  

where to go... 
be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. 
or a charming Inn in the woods... 
when her soul needs soothing... 

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... 

What she can and can't accomplish in a day... 
a month...and a year...

--MAYA ANGELOU--- 

Little things, it's the little things

I believe that it's the little things in life that bring us the most joy. Those little nuances that only appear to us if we take the time to carefully observe our surroundings. Little things, those little itsy bitsy things that were either carefully or carelessly placed in an environment that one person may not see but another person gushes about for the next few weeks. Isn't it funny how our memories serve us?

I consider myself to have a keen observance for the little things... partially because I love those details and partially because I'm a middle child and observing was how I always learned. Picking up on these little details in life is something to appreciate... and when it comes to interior design the little things are sometimes what makes the entire space.

To me, little things in interior design can mean a variety of things. Things like the detail someone puts into how the crown moulding or chair rails are designed. Maybe the designer has taken the time to work up something that isn't traditionally paired together. Instead of specifying a one piece moulding they've specified a series of rectangular pieces that when paired together creates a contemporary take on a traditionally "traditional" detail. Little things can also take form in how simple solutions are substituted for creative solutions. For example, instead of using pump soap in your bathroom you get a vintage candy dish and fill it with soap petals. Or, instead of having a step stool in your pantry you have a lively colored milking stool for all those hard to reach heights.

Little things can also help create signature spaces. Some designers have a signature detail they add to all of the spaces they design. It could be a custom piece of art, a signature arrangement of furniture or a decorative item from a favorite artist that always finds a place to settle. For example, I have a friend who decorates and re-decorates her home as often as the seasons pass. Her ONE signature is never to leave an empty corner. I've seen her hang a wire candle chandelier, lean a mirror, drape a vintage dress over a piece of furniture, place tiered plant stands. I love it because it's so "Catherine." It's simply her way to pay attention to the little things and express her personality.

These are some little things I just love...

Abacus Owl Clock $99 www.abacusgallery.com

Wall-Mount Bulldog Bottle Opener $15 www.rejuvenation.com 

  

Lavender Provincial Decoupage Personalized Wastebasket $116 www.laylagrayce.com

  

Misc. Hardware $12 www.anthropologie.com

Retail Schmetail

Every single professional practicing a specific trade knows a few things that outsiders don't. There are tricks of the trade we keep and rarely share. We keep these tricks in our back pockets to make us seem like the hero in a tight situation. But why should I keep it to myself? If you can be flexible, creative and not uber-picky there are a few things to learn here.


Lets talk furniture retailers.

Any store that sells furniture where you can customize your finish options is going to have some items that never make it into their intended homes. Sometimes they come in with the wrong fabric... some of them are discontinued showroom items... some of them come in with a slight imperfection. (And some of the homeowners that order them refuse them when they come in because they came in differently than what they thought they were going to be.) Now, it's the showroom or dealership's problem.

Unfortunately, sometimes these items can sit in a warehouse or delivery depot f-o-r-e-v-e-r. However, if you know that these furniture graveyards exist you can speak to a manager who has a stake in making a few bucks back on a piece they thought were a lost cause. Take this for example; When a dealership purchases custom goods they are paying a NET cost on everything and marking them up to a RETAIL price. The margin on these pieces most likely start at a 20% mark up... a percentage that allows the dealer to stay afloat. (Anything lower than that really doesn't cover overhead costs and commission to any sales personnel involved in the sale.) Now this piece that is now sitting in a warehouse has already been paid for by the dealership. One day, you (you savvy buyer, you) comes into the showroom and says that you're looking for a sofa. You love what you see on their floor but cannot afford it. "Do you have a stock room or warehouse of furniture that you could offer at a discounted price?" Sales people may not be so inclined to because they won't make any money on it ... but in reality... they probably will help you. (If they say they don't, ask if they have preferred delivery or installing companies that they use... they could be a 3rd party that houses everything off site.) And, if the sales person is giving you the cold shoulder ask to speak to a manager... remember ... they have a larger stake in it than the salesperson.

You find a piece you love and the dealer will still mark it up but it will be considerably lower than if you paid for something custom off the showroom floor. If you pursue multiple locations and hold out for a deal, you can score a brand new piece at a discounted price! (And nobody will ever know... but you'll probably brag about it to your friends like you would a sweet deal you found on a designer bag.)

 

 

 

What is YOUR style?

Style your home like you style yourself...

If your home doesn't somewhat resemble your closet and drawers of accessories something has gone terribly wrong.  

  

  

  

 

Color Scheme Swatch Party

Color scheme swatch party!! ::::Knock a drum and doodle a harmonica:::: Color scheme swatch party!!


In a list of my most favorite things (excluding whiskers on kittens) color schemes, textile swatches and a combination of the two are close to the top...if not the tippy top. They can transform any space and alter your mood. Different combinations can prove to be masculine, feminine, classic, modern, cottage chic.

When considering a new space know that you don't have to settle for the first scheme you discover and you don't have to acquire everything at once. (The limitations and combinations are literally endless!) To establish a jumping off point find something that inspires you. It may be a photograph, a swatch of upholstery, a funky piece of furniture, a piece of artwork. Second, figure out why that piece inspires you so much. Does it have many colors? Does it have amazing lines? Is it eclectic? Does it have sentimental value to you? Your answer to those questions may get you started in the right direction. For example, maybe you've found this amazing bench and you've never seen anything like it... so you have to get it. (This happens to me all too often.) Now, this piece can just go in any room. It should be designed around because you love it and in the end it will bring that character to your whole room... thus leading you to love the entire room! Below see my thought process...

"OH MY. I have to have this bench."
"Is it too graphic for me?"
"Nope. It's going to inspire an eclectic room... but what room?"
"My home office... a place that is special to me."
"Okay, what's next? I need to find something to ground this bold piece. Something to balance it."
"Start with a table desk, a pop of color on a comfy chair, a side table, a rug, a wallpapered accent wall."
"Neutral paint on other walls. Bright white simple trim."
"Oh yes, this is me."

     

Take that one object and work with it. Put together a visual board for yourself and plan things out before you make purchases or paint rooms. Consider scale and proportion, you don't want one thing to swallow up the room. Allow yourself colors, neutrals, textures, energetic patterns. Also keep in mind the surrounding rooms and appeal of the total package in your home. If you continue similar concepts throughout your home it will be a joy to walk through and will continue to inspire all who enter!


More on this later because as I said, the options are limitless!  Enjoy.


:: Furniture in this article come from wisteria.com and laylagrayce.com ::

Dish me the Dishes!

A few years back I designed high end kitchens in the NY metro area. The process honestly, was exhausting! (I give all the kitchen designers who have stuck with it out there major props!) Seven out of every ten clients I worked with were dead set on getting as much storage as humanly possible. Upper cabinets to the ceiling, clever storage for deep corner base cabinets, pantry walls, roll out shelves, double roll out shelves, shallow drawers, deep drawers... yadda yadda yadda. On the other side of the fence of all those clients who wanted storage, storage, storage there were considerations for the size of a room and how much money the entire kitchen was going to cost. Cabinetry is expensive any way you look at it... whether it's "boxed" off a shelf, "semi custom" from a dealer or "custom" from a mill worker it's going to take a chunk of change. (Unless you can repurpose, repaint, etc which I encourage!) Here's a tip, the fewer quantity of doors you put on a kitchen means fewer dollars spent. In addition, sometimes you only have so much space! So, how do you get all the storage you want without closing in a small (or large for that matter) space?


I always suggest the idea of open shelving. Not all open shelving, but some... and mostly upper cabinets. People would say to me, "But then I would have to buy all new dishware and I don't want to do that... plus, whoever has this house next may not like that." It's your house... not some future buyer 15 or 20 years from now. (Is there such thing as "shaking adult syndrome?" I swear if I acted on my frustrations I could have injured someone... but I didn't!!!) And talk about saving money, a new set of dishes cost a fraction of a new kitchen and they will also last you a lifetime. In my opinion, if you are making an investment in your kitchen you should really discuss the purpose of your kitchen and how to accommodate for all your kitchen necessities.


When working on your own kitchen, carefully consider what kind of storage you need. I literally used to measure linear feet of shelving, drawers etc before we started to design a new kitchen. While planning for all that needed space I always encouraged my clients to really evaluate what they have in their existing cabinets. Many of us acquire things over the years and because our cabinet doors are closed 99% of the time we don't realize how much junk we have accumulated. Guess what? It's possible to downsize.

Consider the following ideas:

 

Secondhand Collections

What is a collection? The dictionary defines it as something that is collected; a group of objects or an amount of material accumulated in one location, especially for some purpose or as a result of some process.


Ok lets break that definition down... a group of objects? Correct. Accumulated in one location? Sometimes. Especially for some purpose? Not always. Result of a process? Perhaps. Personally, I believe that a collection, especially one that you include in your decor, should be one that you're passionate about for a specific reason. I also believe that any collection you have should be shown off to all who enter your home and not wrapped in newspapers and packed away somewhere in your attic.


Some of my favorite collections include things that you can only find one of. I don't need a set of 4 or 6 or 8. And it doesn't matter what it is. For example, I love vintage plates, tea cups, candle holders, milk glass, home town paraphernalia, old maps, handkerchiefs, pharmaceutical glass canisters, doilies, frames. You can decorate with them or use them in your everyday life. Nobody ever said your dinner plates needed to match! (Except maybe for your OCD friends who have to have everything 'just so.') Oh - and there is hope yet for my OCD friends that appreciate this syle! Collect something like dishware that is all clear glass... or all white. You can keep a sense of unity while mixing up with sizing and texture. Also consider collecting something with the same theme, only different colors. For example, toile.


The best part? This kind of collecting doesn't need to be expensive! You can find these items at secondhand stores, yard sales, flea markets, junk shops, craigslist, eBay and other spots for antiquing.

  

 

 

 

Lifestyle Adjustments

...This post is dedicated to anyone who has ever found themselves in a less than ideal living situation...

How do I define a 'less than ideal living situation?" A less than ideal living situation could mean a variety of things. You could be in college in a small shared room with one or more people who are polar opposites when it comes to lifestyle and personality. It could be that you used to live in a spacious home but have had to downsize to make your payments. Maybe you are a young professional who can't hack rent on your own so you've succumbed to craigslist roommates. Oh - and - how about my favorite - you've recently moved in with your significant other and you have to figure out the whole "How do i get what i want but keep my partner in mind?" thing goes. What ever the case, I'd like to take some time to look into how important it is to brand your own space where you feel comforted and happy with yourself and your environment... even if it is not so ideal.

My freshman year of college at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA was something I was anxiously awaiting. I was going to be free from home. Free from small town Verona, NJ where I was brought up. I could expand my mind and my view of the world. And for the first time in my life I was out of my comfort zone. The day I got my roommate assignment I was thrilled. I was paired up with two other young ladies in a 'forced triple' in the Evans Way dormitory. They both had bubbly personalities and I was looking forward to moving in even though we would be a little cramped. Well, I was excited until I got a letter saying they had availability for me in a regular double room in Baker Hall. Ohhhh boy. I was NOT prepared for the hilariously scary outcome of this new living adventure. I called my roommate to figure out things like who was going to bring the microwave? Do you like bunked beds or separate? Do we have similar tastes? I can tell you that I don't remember who brought what.  I can however vividly remember her telling me in a scary monotone vampire-ish voice  that she was going to bring her 75 gallon fish tank with her and her (insert name and species here) CARNIVOROUS FREAKING FISH to school with her. Oh hell no. OH HELL NO. This was only the beginning.

I played volleyball in college and all the athletes arrived on campus early to start double sessions. One afternoon I returned to "my" room to find Ms. Robin (don't be fooled my the innocent sounding name.) She had re-bunked our beds, putting me on the bottom with her smelly wool army blanket cascading over the sides. The single light source (besides the one window) was a fluorescent light fixture on the side wall. It was now covered with green plastic wrap. There was an eerie glow that highlighted so nicely the goth poster of a naked woman on the wall with bullet holes through several spots in her chest. The sprinkler head was no longer just something that had to be in the room for safety's sake. It was now a hook... from which she had hung a voodoo doll. She gushed about how excited she was that "this year is scheduled to be the second coming of the anti-Christ." She explained that she didn't have female friends anymore because she had been stabbed in the back before. I wondered to myself, "Was she actually stabbed in the back? Or is that a figure of speech?" Oh - and don't get me started on the ferret she had come stay with her on the weekends or her friend that had leopard spotted hair that I was so sure had tuberculosis.

After being turned down for a boarding re-assignment I knew I was going to have to adjust the way I thought of my space. If I didn't adjust, if I didn't make MY space somewhat comfortable I was for sure going to lose my mind and there was always the chance of contracting TB. (Just to be clear, I don't think he actually had tuberculosis. He just had this faint cough all the time and it wouldn't stop.)

Ok - sorry - back to adjusting...

The first step I took was communicating to Ms. Robin that I "couldn't sleep at night" when she had people over until 3 AM. "Would you mind if I rearranged things to make it a little more comfortable?" She agreed it was okay and I got to work right away. Below is a horrible "paint" version of the before and after. Before, we shared all open space. If she had friends over I was forced to be a part of their time together. When I rearranged the room I separated our spaces with our tall wardrobes. We set them up like yin-yang. I laid the bed rail that was used for bunk beds over the top of the wardrobes and went out in Chinatown to get inexpensive fabric to drape over them which allowed me (and her) a little more visual privacy. I now had all the natural sunlight, my own tiny space and there was a clear line of what space was "hers" and what space was "mine." I could sit with my headphones and watch movies. I could have a friend come stay with me from out of town on the small floor space that was available. I could have soft ambient lighting and get changed without her catching a glimpse of my then smaller more firm ass.



Adjusting to a new space when someone else is involved is tricky. It's incredibly important to have a space to yourself. Men drool over the idea of a man cave so they can retreat to awful leather couches from Bob's, a dormitory fridge filled with booze and the flat screen tv that they're free to watch sports on 24/7.  That is my nightmare. Probably because I have a vagina and sense of style. Now, a woman's retreat is different. It could be as simple as having full reign over designing the bedroom with soft neutral ruffles and pink sheets.( Hey, in my opinion  it's okay to make your sleeping space romantic and feminine if it makes you feel good.) It could be that you have an extra room that you make into an office or crafting room. You could have a front entry space that is designed and decorated in such a way that immediately calms you as you enter your house. Or maybe it's your kitchen... where you spend time making loving meals for the ones you love (or can't stand!) If you're spending alot of time in one place I suggest you take charge of it. Play with color, texture and layout. But remember one important thing - in order for the space to be successful it needs to be functional! Don't just design a pretty space that you can walk into, look around and turn around to walk out of. If you're going to spend time there, the room needs to have a purpose.

Do you have a personal space query? Post a comment and I'll reply with my suggestions!

Happy branding.

The Bed Post

New England is incredibly gray and rainy today. The humidity is up. My hair is a mess. And quite frankly, I'd much rather be at home in bed. Perfect inspiration for a bed post. (C'mon, pun intended!)

Top 5 favorite bed trends: vintage wrought iron or brass beds. Cotton sheets, matelasse, vintage quilts. Pillows, lots of them. (Think two king, two standard, bolsters, etc.) Four poster beds. Tiny milking stools next to beds. Elevated beds. Upholstered headboards. Chandeliers hung over beds. Mismatched night stands.

I'd like to be in these beds cranking the AC with a mug of mint tea with honey and a good flick.

 

  

 

The Inception of Me... The Cottage Queen

Alas, the blog is born. My identity as the Cottage Queen is official. You're wondering how I got here? Probably not. But as usual, I'm going to tell you anyways! (Don't try to shut me up when I have something on my mind. If I don't say it, I could regret it. Rule #1.)


As an interior design professional I have always wondered what my "style" is. Much like my personality, it consists of both ends of the spectrum. I love bright bold color with busy patterns and clean lines. I also love intricate antique lines and monochromatic color schemes. I find though, that when it comes to personal style it has always been a mix of it all. I call it Cottage BohoChic.


Cottage BohoChic is eclectic. It's unassuming and inviting. There are simple guidelines but no hard rules. It's about what makes YOU feel at ease and happy. It's personal. It's timeless. It's no fuss. It can be minimalistic or it can be a beautiful concoction of heirlooms and vintage knick knacks.


So why do I call myself the Cottage Queen? It can be summed up in a memory. Have you ever been the guest in a home, hotel or vacation property that was designed & decorated in such a way that when your host said, "Make yourself at home" you actually felt like you could? That feeling is what I strive to deliver for clients and their guests. I feel that way most often when I'm in a beach cottage with summer breezes, touchable linens and thoughtful decor. Viola! Cottage Queen, the instigator of sought after memories.