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: