home  noun \ˈhōm\

- one's place of residence

- a familiar or usual setting
- a place of origin

 As a residential designer, I use the term “home” quite often.  This week that word has such a personal meaning to me. 

Just over a year ago my husband and I came to South Florida from the Boston area to spend the winter.  We loved it so much we purchased a place.  Since then I have enrolled in school here to continue my Interior Design education.  We have since sold that place and bought another one, but Naples has become my home.

 The events that have transpired this week in Boston have caused me to re-evaluate my personal meaning of the word “home”.

I grew in North Carolina, where I met and went to high school with Miss Ginny, and most of my birth family still lives there.  That is my home.

After high school I moved to Atlanta, Key West, and eventually Boston.  All of these were my home when I lived there.

I have lived in the Boston area for more than half of my life.  I went to school there.  I fell in love there.  I married my soul mate there.  And my family through marriage is there.

The terrorist actions on Monday really hit me hard.  Terrorists struck MY home.  And they came within minutes of striking my family.  A Facebook post by my sister-in-law showed her and my niece and nephew standing at the point of the second explosion.  Then there was silence.  Because of the cell phone blackout and public transportation being shut down, we were unable to confirm their safety for hours.  I have not felt this kind of helplessness since 9/11.  Luckily, they had walked away just after the picture was taken.  My sister-in-law is an amazingly strong woman and protected her children as best she could under the circumstances.  The children are still confused and upset by the chaos they were involved in.  They have experienced fear and emotions that no one, especially children, should ever have to experience.

This is MY home.  This is MY family.

This brings me back to the definition of home.  We have all heard the saying “Home is where the heart is”. Home is also where your family is.  I’ve realized that I have many homes.  North Carolina is my home.  Florida is my home.  Boston is my home.  Most importantly, America is my home.  And America is my family.  When terror strikes in our country, regardless of location, it is striking MY home and MY family. 

And though my heart aches for those that have been injured or killed, as well as their families, I will not let the actions of a few misguided, evil people impart fear into my home or my family.

Home IS where the heart is.  And my heart is with all of my family and friends in the Boston area, and with all of my friends and family in this great land.

Online Shopping: in Spartanburg, SC

I wanted to post a note about some great online resources I've found. Being in a fairly small market in South Carolina, I've not found the kind of lighting, hardware and fixtures that we need for the house at Beechwood, so I've resorted to a lot of online shopping. I've also been using a couple of great social bulletin board sites for communication purposes. I wanted to share them all with you so that when you are in a pinch, you might get assistance this way too!

First, Houzz and Pinterest have been terrific tools for communicating ideas. I've set up boards and ideabooks where I can post photos to give visual picture for my clients and for contractors. Some people see this as modern, and what I was meaning was this, so it helps when I can pull out my phone and click on the Houzz app (also available for adroid, iPad and online) and show to whomever I'm speaking, exactly what I'm talking about. And the best part is I can share my ideabooks and boards with others and my clients can pin to them as well, it just eliminates confusion when we are all talking about the same thing.

Second, I have discovered allmodern.com and wayfair.com. I actually "discovered" them because I sat next to one of their account service professionals on a flight from Vegas last week. Mid-Century Modern is not very prevalent in this area, so we've been finding great lights, fixtures and furnishings all in one place and shipping is free! (and I've done most of the shopping in my pajamas!)

Third, I have been looking for wallpaper and fabrics and it can take hours to go through books, and most of them don't have even one paper I need. I've found that the best way is to search for the exact description of wallpaper I'm looking for online and then peruse the online shops. Most are by manufacturer and all I've found will send you a sample in just a couple of days, usually for just the cost of postage. It's much easier to carry around that sample that it is to lug around large wallpaper books for just one page. The same goes for fabrics, but of course, nothing substitutes for touching and seeing them in person, and you might get a few duds that just aren't what they looked like online, but I've probably ordered twenty samples of fabric and wall coverings in the past month, and I've only gotten three that I just threw in the trash because they weren't even close to what I thought they'd be. And while they cost about $2.00/ea. to mail, it's still cheaper than my gas to run all over searching for them.

This does not scratch the surface of the number of websites and resources I've used in the past month, but they are the big ones. I've grown to rely on them so heavily, I thought I'd share! Hope you find them useful and if you have ideas of other resources, please share. Happy "surfing"!

Special Kid Spaces: Color Selection for Children with Autism

     I want to start this article by saying, I'm in no way pretending to be a expert on the information I'm sharing here. I'm simply going to share what I've learned in the past twenty-four hours on the subject. I'd also like to say that I'm not making any recommendation about the education, therapy nor care of children with Autism.

Yesterday I was contacted by a friend  who has two children with Autism. The non-profit school, which they attend, is relocating to a new facility and they were seeking advice on colors for the twelve classrooms and the reception area. I was thrilled that they had contacted me, so I started digging to learn all I could about the special concerns, if any, for the precious little ones.

While choosing colors and understanding the effect of color on our senses in not new to me, what is new is the way it affects people with autism. I found a plethora of information about how colors, patterns, shapes and light affect those who fall on the spectrum of Autism. Let me say, that I learned that there is a very broad spectrum and that not all of the information will be applicable to all children. While my purpose for this project is just to suggest the group of colors (they requested that each space be different), I'll share some of the other findings.

Most of us are aware that color can affect us in various ways. Bright colors are used to elicit a stronger reaction, that's why they are used on logos and for sports teams. Softer or pastel colors tend to be calming and soothing, we associate them with nurseries, hospitals and spas. These are very general rules, so I wondered what else is there to know... if we want these kids calm, then we just paint every room in a pastel color, right?

Add caption

Well, what I learned is this, children with autism actually "sense" colors differently, and that bright and stimulating colors can actually "feel" painful for them. I read that the color red can actually seem fluorescent for a child with autism and even tend to glow or "move". Can you imagine how distracting that would be if you were in a room with a large "glowing, moving" wall?

While I wasn't particularly surprised that red was not the best color to use, I was surprised to read that yellows can cause some children with autism to have feelings of anger. I did not find out why it is thought to do so, nor does it seem that all shades of yellow cause the same feelings. You'll see that in my collections of colors, I have included yellows, but it very light tones. I've also included lots of shades of pink and lavender, not what you'd expect for a school that only has three girl students, but I read that in a study, most kids with autism gravitated toward objects that were baby pink. The purple shades, I chose because purple is thought to stimulate creativity and learning.

Pattern can also be very distracting for these kids. Stripes, even pastel stripes, can cause them to fixate. They tend to have a need for order and symmetry, so an uneven number of stripes or those of varying widths can go against that "need". Even pattern created by the sun shining through the slats of a window blind can be a distraction, so to eliminate that problem it is suggested to use solid colored walls and roman or roll shades.

A few of other short points and I'll move on to the scope of my job...
     * tables and shelves should be at a level comfortable for the children (this is only common sense in a space for kids) and book shelves should be at the same height or in equal increments to the tables. In other words, if the table is 24" tall, then book shelves in 48" or 72" heights will "balance" the space for the child.
     * toys, books and other "manipulatives" should be stored away from view. If they can't be put in closets, then they should be in solid colored bins so that the items inside can't be a distraction.
     * floors should not have patterned tiles, and should have soft finishes that are comfortable for sitting or lying on.
     * furniture should be heavy and made of natural materials because children with autism are very tactile, so metals and plastics can be very cold and lack texture, which they crave.
     * natural lighting or LED lighting is preferable for their spaces because florescent lighting is not only harsh, but even the sound that they make can be uncomfortable.

Boy! I could go on and on, but I will, instead, list the resources I used at the end of this article in case you'd like to read more on your own.

Now, on to my opinion of color selection. In any design, regardless of the person or persons occupying the space, I recommend that rooms in a single home or office have flow from one to another. That can be achieved through colors that are similar in shade or in tone. For example, we've all seen a color deck in a paint store. The colors on the same tab are similar shades of the same hue, but the ones in the same band of each tab are of similar tone. The farther down the tab, the more saturated the color, the top of the tab, the colors are very pale.

In most cases, I would suggest that colors from room to room be along the same band. It just "feels" better to me. Not everyone shares that opinion, and that's OK, if it works for you! In this case, I'm  recommending that all of the spaces be close in saturation, but that in rooms where the children will be playing that there be a slightly deeper tone. The idea behind this is that in spaces where you want them to exert energy, the colors will be darker, thus encouraging them to release it in the appropriate place so that when they return to a learning environment, they will be settled down for learning.

more "natural" colors

more pinks and lavenders

the softest palette

For children who are higher functioning and have the ability to distinguish color and/or give an opinion, it was suggested that they be given options of colors to chose from, however, in a school, that's not feasible with so many different children to consider. But, if you're reading this and you are considering color for your own child, it might be worth a try. I have put together five different color collections, they are very similar, but with slight variations. In a couple I've included a few brighter tones. I hope that the school will see a group that is pleasing to them.

full spectrum of colors,
including darker tones

a mixture of pastels and natural
with some darker tones

I've certainly enjoyed learning about the special design needs and considerations that go in to making well-fit spaces for all types of situations. For children with Autism, as well as, in educational environments. I'd like to thank the writers of the articles I consulted, as well as my daughter who is an educator and who has a love and passion for teaching all children, but who has a very big spot in her heart for her students with Autism.  I am, also, very grateful for the opportunity to put this together for my dear friend and her beautiful children.



*** The articles I pulled information from are following:

* Designing for autism, by Ginger McGuire
* Autism Facility Designed to Calm the Mind
*How to Design a Calming Room for Autistic Kids, by Chris Chagaris
*Reactions to Colors, by www.YourTherapySource.com

Re-generating... Again: Spartanburg, SC

The thing I love most about my line of work is it's about changing. It's why I named my business "Regeneration Interiors". It's all about making over. We make over our homes so that they continue to fit our lives, because life is always changing.

In this ever-changing life, I find that the more I'm willing to embrace whatever comes next, the more things come along. With 2013, I'm taking some chances on opportunities and have set a few resolutions that I will, in fact, keep. I am resolved to do more of what I am passionate about: interior design and travel.

On the travel side, I've resolved to complete my visit to each of the fifty United States. I lack thirteen states to have been to them all, so I'm calling this "13 in '13". I've been working on schedule and budget, and I'm intent on making it happen.

On the interior design side, I'm still working on the Beechwood project with my aunt (and loving every minute of it). And am working on a marketing plan to really launch in SC. I've got a few other projects on the line, and am excited for the possibility of doing some collaborating with a dear old friend who is starting on this journey this year as well.

I felt very confident when I decided to start on this path that "Regeneration" was part of who I was. It describes what I do, but also what I'm about, but as much as much as anything else, it gives me the freedom (at least in my mind and whose else matters really?) to make over myself as often as I like. My mission remains the same, my dedication to my work and those I work with remains the same, but my creative direction can go in as many different ways as I choose and it further reiterates the name and the idea behind it.

That being said; my blog will be changing (and I believe... improving). I've invited my friend, Scott Duseau of David Scott Designs, to share my title "The Designing Prose". And he has agreed, so here we go on another adventure!

We'll be keeping the name, but will be changing the tag line. Instead of being "a blog by Regeneration Interiors", it will be "A Collaborative blog by Regeneration Interiors and David Scott Designs". Scott will be bringing a fresh new (and handsome) face to the page and we will be trying a "dialogue" approach to blogging. We'll be discussing the trials and tribulations of remodeling, interior design and the working relationship with client/designer. We'll also be discussing the design and creative process together while figuring out solutions to our clients needs.

I told you he was handsome!

We're very excited about this new endeavor. We are each passionate about design and about giving the best to our clients, as well as, sharing what we've learned and are learning with each other and you. We hope that you will follow along on our journey and will find what we do helpful and maybe a little bit entertaining!

Welcome Scott! I'm glad you're here! AND, Welcome 2013 and all you are bringing!

Mid-Century Modern: Another Great Design - Spartanburg SC

I'm so excited to be starting my business (again), but this time in South Carolina. I'm in the upstate area and near my family in North and South Carolina. I'm very blessed to have wonderful family around me who are eager to see my business get going and have hired me to do their home. My aunt and uncle (Judy and Del Ezell) have bought a nearly 9000 sq. ft. Mid-Century Modern house in Spartanburg. For those of you who know me, or who follow me, you know this is my dream house and the style I'm most passionate about. If I was a dog, my tail would be a waggin'.

The house was originally built for a Winn-Dixie heiress and has gone through several renovations since it was built in 1956. Some of the renovations were done without consideration for the style or period of the house, so they had to go. And after years of neglect the house needed a great deal of structural repairs in addition to the basic updating and restoring that all older homes tend to need. We are four months into the project and the house is looking more like a construction site than a home, but for those who have worked day after day on it, it's coming around!

I won't bore you with all of the details about plumbing problems and electrical issues, or leaks and floods, or structural issues that had to be fixed, but suffice it to say these homeowners know how Tom Hanks and Shelley Long's characters felt in the movie Money Pit. The good news is, they aren't having to live in it during this process and they love the process! I think I got that gene from Aunt Judy.

I've posted photos on Facebook and mentioned some of the details we were working on. However, I'm not sure if most people can truly appreciate how many details there are to a house with five bedrooms and ten bathrooms and a guest house. Besides the house there are over eight acres of land with beautiful gardens and patios. This is a huge project and a great test of my knowledge and expertise. I'm so thankful they have trusted in me to guide and assist them in the design.

I'll include a few "before" photos here, and will follow up in a couple of weeks with some "during" shots.

The Laundry Room

This will be a Craft/Multi-purpose Room

The Kitchen has been updated most recently. The changes are mostly cosmetic, but will be amazing. The wall you can't see is all glass a overlooks the pool and patio area. I've got great ideas to makes these two areas harmonize!

The Dining Room

This light in the Dining Room is way too ornate for the architecture of the house. We will "simplify" the fixture and blend the dome with the ceiling. This room is about the views!

Living Room

 I can't wait to see this living room done with the beautiful finishes we've selected!

This "cubby hole" will be a real "show piece"

The wall and tank are gone!

Re-Open in Chesnee, SC

As many of you know, I'm living part-time in Las Vegas and the other part in Chesnee, South Carolina. I've just re-opened Regeneration Interiors in South Carolina. I have one very excited "project" I'm working on. My Aunt has purchased a beautiful mid-century home and I'm helping her with some of the details. It's very exciting to be able to help her out, and even more exciting to be able to see this beautiful home come back to life!

I will still be traveling back and forth to Vegas to be with my honey, but will be taking on clients in the GSP (Greenville/Spartanburg) area in hopes of transitioning here more full-time.

Since most of a designers "advertising" comes by word-of-mouth, I'm happy to give references and testimonials from my former clients. I'm excited about my new opportunities and look forward to what GSP has to offer!

Y'all give me a call!

"The" Nursery

Many of us dream of what our baby's room will look like, even before we are expecting. That space where you'll bring your baby home to, and where you'll spend countless sleepless nights soothing her; it has to be perfection! "The" nursery... just the sound of the words conjure up wonderful images in our minds. Well, when the nursery you're dreaming of is for your grandchild, it's even more special. (I wasn't completely onboard with being a Grammie in the beginning, but let me say, it has definitely become my biggest excitement).

Beachy Chairs on the front porch

My daughter lives near the coast in North Carolina and her home has a comfortable beach-inspired feel. She is very adamant that the beach "theme" not be too literal, so she uses cotton fabrics, slip-covered furnishings and painted finishes. She sprinkles in touches of beach with a vase of seashells or an abstract painting of an ocean. She also likes nautical inspired clothing like Vineyard Vines, it's more of a preppy, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard kind of feel, rather than tropical or west-coast. So, her decor is more beach cottage feeling, than beachy... I'm not sure this is coming across, but a picture is worth a thousand words, right? 

So, taking these things into consideration, I set out to design the best nursery for "Clementine" (code name since they aren't telling anyone the name yet), but one that also functions for the parents and that flows with the feel of the rest of the house. Painted furniture, wicker and other natural materials, and lots of comfy, easy, cotton fabrics. 

we used gift tags to label the contents of the baskets.

They had a buffet that they were using in a guest room as a dresser, but it had doors instead of drawers on the sides, so we removed the doors and replace them with baskets to make it more functional, and we love the final result. 

Boat Cradle built by my dad with blanket crocheted by my mom.

She wanted a white crib and we found one that has a bead board detail, which is very cottage feeling. Since they had an upholstered and slipcovered rocker, recliner in the living room, they opted for a wicker chair in the nursery. With it's smaller scale and natural fibers, the same as the baskets in the dresser, it was the perfect choice. 

 A designer friend of mine had a small table she had rescued from a client who was throwing it out and we painted it to go next to the chair. We found a wicker lamp that works well with the other woven natural materials and it looks great in the space.

Then we added in details...

Changing pad attached on dresser, easily removed when she gets older.

You can see additional photos on my Facebook page and on Pinterest.

I used patterned scrapbooking papers to make her initials,
and then bejeweled them to make them sparkle.

I chose sheets to go with the quilt that reminded me of mens
shirts from Vineyard Vines.

We used more gift tags to organize the clothing by size
in the closet.

the gift tags and matching
clothes pins were invaluable
for organizing and hanging the clothes;
they look great too!

This little oar was adorable, but my son-in-law added these
glass knobs in the same colors to make it a coat rack.