Reading...again (and another broken rule)

So, today I was reading and looking at pictures on HGTV.com  Designers Portfolio, and I realized that the rooms that welcome me the most are the ones with less color. I think I'm one color off from being "monochromatic"! Or, as my Aunt Judy would say, "booorrrriiinngg!".

my wardrobe!

Then I took a look in my closet and my entire wardrobe, and think, it's not quite monochromatic, but it is pretty boring, at least to some people! What I really like about fewer colors is that, it's easy to get dressed, everything matches and for the most part black and white can be dressy or casual. It's about being simplistic and classic and in such a simple palette, texture goes a long way.

 Now, I don't just decorate my spaces with black, white and cream, although that is all I've shown you so far I think, but I could easily do so. I've heard designers say that picking color for your space is like picking color for your clothes. The colors you feel most comfortable dressing in, you'll feel comfortable living in as well.

My living room now. Do you see my "broken rule"?!

So, I took a look around me to see if I really am boring in my new space and what I decided is that I'm not! I think it goes back to the living in small digs, and needing less visual clutter in my own space, because in my house in Vegas I have lots of color!

Well, after I checked out my space more I realized it's not color that I don't have, it's pattern. With my dark purple wall (which I've totally ignored) there is actually tremendous amount of color here, but with the solid sofa, solid colored pillows and chair, it does feel less visually stimulating.

What you might notice, if you've followed my blog for long, is that I have used the same accessories over and over. I love changing things up regularly, and since I can't rearrange furniture, I rearrange accessories. I once heard a decorator friend of mine say, "A well appointed house is one where you can take furnishings and accessories from one room to another and they work beautifully". She is sooo right! It's the same with the wardrobe, mix and match every single piece! This again goes back to a simple color palette and knowing your style.

So, what is all of this about really? Well, it's this: take a look in your closet for inspiration on your style and color palette; remember that color and pattern are not equal when thinking about how to add them to your room; and use magazines and the internet to help you find styles you like and get a feel of what you'd be comfortable in! You might just find that your space fits you like your favorite outfit!

(The "broken rule" is the height of the art over the sofa, and I have to say it is a pet peeve of mine. However, when I hung them the sofa wasn't there and I was trying to make them about a hand's width above where I thought the sofa was going to be. Because they each require two huge anchors to hold them, I decided to leave them where they were! My landlord will be glad I didn't put more holes in his walls!)

Designing a New/Old Kitchen

As you all know, I've been working with my parents on their house. Well, we're at the point where it is time to rip out the old kitchen and start over! This has to be the biggest and most dreaded part of the house to remodel/redesign. This is where all of the things I tell you about where and how to start come in to play. I'll take you on a little journey with me as this all gets done.

First, let me tell you that the room is not very large, and at the current time has a set of stairs coming down one wall that land and turn out into the kitchen, they are going! There is also a storage area under the stairs that is no longer needed due to the large pantry we added on. So by removing this two-in-one feature, we are creating a lot more space. However, we are having to move the desk area out of the living room so we are building in a "home office" in that space. Having said all of that basically means that the footprint of the kitchen is remaining the same, so the goal is to make it much more functional!

So, to start off with my first step, taking stock of what we have to work with! Ok, the room is 14' 4" X 17', there are only three walls as one side is open to the dining room. There is a door to the deck in the corner and a window on the shorter wall over the sink. That window is going to be replaced, and we have not yet decided whether to add the same size or double it up (Momma and I say, double it up). Adding more window is great, more light and more view, but less cabinet space, so it's a toss up.

We have three large unfinished armoires which I put five shelves in each, two of them will serve as office supply storage, as well as the CPU and printer, craft supplies and books, the other will store dishes. They will make up one wall and will also serve as the ends of a desk top that will be fitted between them. The desk will also serve as a place for sewing, so the plan is to put a flat screen computer monitor on the wall over the desk, reserving the surface for other tasks. We will paint these armoires white, to tie them to the other cabinetry, since we have not selected the cabinetry yet, the color and hardware will be the common thread here.

"rough draft" of kitchen, but on the right track!

I've been working with the kitchen planning software on the Ikea website. I haven't yet figured out how to attach the plan to the blog, but when I do, I'll send it along. Of course, it is subject to change as we find obstacles to the plan. (This feature on Ikea's site is awesome, you can actually look at the room from all sides and angles, but this still image will have to suffice for now.)

Right now, we have all of the appliances except for the dishwasher and microwave, however, Daddy has been shopping for these in the "scratch-and-dent" sections of his favorite appliance stores. He has gotten some incredible deals on high-end appliances. Some of these were just purchased and then didn't fit in the spaces and returned, but because they weren't in new packaging, they mark them down tremendously! So, we're on the look-out for a dishwasher, microwave and great stainless sink!

As we search for materials and ideas, I'll keep you posted, and would love to hear your thoughts and ideas as well. Remember, this is a project on a tight budget and will be reusing, repurposing and recycling as much as possible. This isn't just about saving a dime, it's about saving the environment as well. We want to be true to the style of the house and still have modern conveniences. So creatively using materials and finishes is going to be the key to making this old kitchen new!

Reading & Writing

So, I was on Amazon.com today looking at decorating and home design books, (there are 5,899 books that come up under that search) and it got me thinking... why are there so many books about this subject? I think it's because so many people are intimidated by designing and decorating. I have heard so many people say, "I don't know where to start" or "I'm just not a decorator". Well, most people aren't decorators, but it can't be that hard, we all know what we like, right?!

When designing (or decorating) a space, I always start by taking stock of what I have to work with. It might just be an empty room with a window or it could be a room full of furnishings, either way, I look at the space and what is in the space and try to get an idea of what I want the outcome to be.

Outcome, for me, is about the function as well as the look or feel. For example, if it is a bedroom, it's pretty easy to decide the main function, but what if you don't have a home office, yet you need a place to pay bills and check emails, etc. Then we need to "build" in to the function of that room a space for a desk or at least a place to organize bills and mail.

In my current space I have a sofa table that is functioning as my desk. The desk that I have (and I love) is huge, it is nearly the size of a dining room table, so it definitely wouldn't fit in this condo, however, the sofa table is almost the same width, but not as deep and still has 3 drawers that keep my necessaries neatly organized. It is not ideal for long-term use (because I have 2 printers and right now can only fit one), but it works fine for me, for now.

Getting back to the point... knowing what functions you need from the room will help to decide layout, furnishings, lighting, color, finishes, just about everything! That seems like a simple thing, but sometimes it's hard to think of every single use you might have for a space.

Common functions for a den, for example, are TV watching, family gatherings, kids playing, even video games and usually a place for the family computer. That is a lot of function for a space that for most of us, isn't typically all that large. It requires a lot of seating, comfortable, durable finishes and furnishings, good lighting, but not too bright or it interferes with the TV, and enough floor space to play the Wii without smashing something! Right?!

A dining room needs a table and chairs, but what about space to store linens or dishes? And wouldn't it be nice if there was a space to set up a buffet or display desserts during holiday gatherings? This is a pretty easy one to figure out, but what about finishes and colors? This is where it gets in to what you like!

There are certain colors that invoke certain psychological reactions and it would do well to use those colors if you are looking for a certain reaction to your space. For example, the color red in a dining room increases the metabolism and stimulates the palate, thus encouraging energetic conversation, lively parties and gatherings. Think of a large Italian family gathered around the table... you know the colors would be bold and so would the food and fun! Green is a calming to a space; so if you like your meals quiet and relaxing, this is the color for you, would work great in a breakfast room, to wake you gently.

My best suggestion for a starting point is finding the inspiration piece. Maybe it's a piece of furniture or a color or a piece of art that you love, you can use anything! Ladies, have you ever designed an outfit around a pair of earrings or shoes? It's the same concept, only larger!

One other thing that I think helps when you just don't know where to start is thinking outside the box. Now, I've talked before about using furniture in ways that they weren't originally intended, but here it is again. When you are needing a buffet for your dining room, think about a dresser in a bedroom that you aren't using. You can also use extra dining chairs in a bedroom if you don't use them all the time. Try a drop-leaf table for a desk in the corner of the den, you can put the leaves up for more work surface and then fold them back down when you need the space. I love armoires, and I use them for everything from storing clothing, hiding the TV, a "desk" (because I can close the doors on my mess) and I've even used one in a hallway for a coat closet for guests. 

I like using old things, and repurposing so I love this book about Flea Market Decorating. Anyone can do it, it doesn't take a lot of money to be creative. It's about thinking out side the box, about recycling, reusing, but it's about having things around you that you love! It might just be that you can find inspiration from something old to create a new space!

So, what of all of this book writing and book reading on the subject of decorating and design... Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, and there couldn't be enough books written to describe every taste out there, so read the books (or blogs) and take advice, but write your own story in your space!