GOOD FENG SHUI
This unusual modern application of taupe-brown stone slab (I'm guessing a marble like Labrador Antique Light) trimmed with a sleek metal edge complements the dark paneled walls. I love how the mantel is painted the same black as the walls. This is a great way to make a space modern and traditional at the same time.
Chinese Chippendale Chair - $251.40 » Chinoiserie is still much loved, and the classic Chinese Chippendale chair, whether a valuable Hollywood Regency vintage find or a new reproduction, is a staple. This one comes in three different colors.
Blue Bird Outdoor Pillow - $25.00 » Modeled after vintage Chinoiserie fabrics from the 1920s, this lovely outdoor pillow features birds and flowers on a porcelain blue background.
Bamboo Curl Mirror - $345.00 » An elegant and understated piece, this works perfectly with colorful and vibrant Chinoiserie wallpaper. Faux bamboo crafted of iron in black and gold, I love the arched top and flat bottom of this mirror.
Coraline Canopy Bed - $999.00 » This wonderful pagoda style bed would be a fabulous focal point in the bedroom. I adore canopy beds, and this one has great Chinoiserie flair. Also available in white and other sizes. Price is based on the twin size.
Macau Chair - $249.00 » The iconic and classic Chinese Chippendale chair at an excellent price. Available in rubbed black, chocolate brown, or antique white, it's a must in Chinoiserie design.
Pop-Up Storage Bedside Table - $199.00 » This pagoda style bedside table is very stylish and very functional.
Ceramic White Elephant - $49.95 » So Hollywood Regency, this large white ceramic elephant would look chic holding an orchid, or next to a chair as a perch for a book, magazines, or a drink.
Enjoy the process. This is decorating, it's supposed to be fun! There is no need to rush or seek absolute perfection. In fact, as far as I am concerned, a house is never "done." Experiment, make mistakes, dive back into your inspiration files when you need new ideas, but also commit to enjoying and using your home as it is right now.
Make room for your passions. Love to sew? Surf? Dance? Wherever your passion lies, be sure that it has a place in your home. This could mean carving out a nook to write in peace, organizing a hall closet to hold your knitting projects, or simply hanging inspiring artwork and photography that reflects the loves in your life. Take a moment to jot down a few ideas while they are fresh in your mind.
Edit, edit, edit! Take one more look at those inspiration images and this time, be ruthlessly discerning. It is so much better to end up with a handful of images that perfectly capture your style rather than a bin full of so-so examples. That said, no one image is likely to encompass everything you want, and that's good. The unique way you combine things is what puts your personal stamp on your home.
Look for patterns in what you love. Once you have amassed a large collection of inspiration images, sit down and take some time to begin picking out themes and similarities in what speaks to you. For instance, my inspiration file almost always includes lots of pictures of open shelving in the kitchen and chalkboard paint. This is an important step, because it will help you hone in on what you really love.
An important tip: Be sure to note down what it is you like about each image as well as the source. Just like the cool floor lamp or the paint color? Write it down! You do not want to realize at the wrong moment you lost the name of your favorite paint color or the phone number of a shop that carries your dream rug.
Seek inspiration. Look through your favorite magazines, books, catalogs, websites and blogs for images that inspire you. Keep magazine tear sheets in a file and bookmark your finds online so that you can easily find them later. If you find most of your inspiration on websites and blogs, you can use online tools to organize your finds, like creating an ideabook on Houzz.
10. Maintain your space. Think about instituting a "One In, One Out" policy in your household. By letting something go each time you bring in something new, you can easily stay on top of the clutter in your home before it reaches epic proportions. For instance, if you purchase a new pair of sneakers, toss out an old pair; when you buy a new book, choose one you've read to donate to your local library.
. Involve the whole family. Sigh. Not so easy, I know, but so important! Encourage children to fill a box with old toys and clothes to bring to a children's charity. If it seems difficult, try timing the big giveaway before a birthday or major holiday when new toys will be rolling in. Once you have purged your home, set up new systems in key areas used by all. Baskets and hooks in the entryway or mud room and bins at the foot of the stairs would be great places to start.
8. Give frequently used items pride of place. As you move through each room, think about which tools you reach for most often and try to put these items within easy reach. Place your favorite long-handled wooden spoons in a crock on your counter top and a pot of fresh herbs in a sunny window near the stove. I am constantly surprised at the beauty in useful objects, artfully displayed.
7. Make your bedroom a sanctuary. As the least public room in the house, it is all too easy to let the bedroom become neglected. Piles of dirty laundry on the floor, unread magazines spilling out of the bedside tables, dust bunnies, shopping bags, children's toys, you name it, it ends up here. Which is a shame, because having a tranquil bedroom can promote restful sleep and help reduce the stress of busy days — something we all can use, right?
This gift wrapping station has layered lighting, from the ceiling and under the cabinets — perfect for late-night wrapping jobs and holiday card writing. The best part of this command central for holiday wrapping is the chalkboard door, which makes writing names for a gift list and crossing them off that much easier.
5. Bring in the bulletin boards. Accessorize both your children’s study area and your crafts area with bulletin boards; the kids can pin up assignments, and you can create your own inspiration board. “This is a creative, productive space, so you should have an area to post images and ideas that create visual inspiration for you,” says O’Hara.
2. Store wisely. Clutter does not benefit studying or creativity, so set up proper and organized storage. “Keep frequently used tools and materials in open containers for easy access, and keep anything extra or items used only occasionally to dedicated shelves and marked boxes,” says interior designer Jenna Denson. Private Comment
Extra credit: Conduct a space audit. Looking at each item in your home, from the curtains and throw pillows to the contents of your desk drawer, is a time-consuming project, to be sure. But if the new year has you feeling motivated, going through your home piece-by-piece can be quite eye opening. By intentionally deciding what to keep (and why) and what to let go of (and why), you can increase your feelings of engagement with your stuff — and your life.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER
7. Refresh your bathroom. The beauty of a bathroom makeover is that it takes so little to make a big impact. Splurge on nice hand soap and lotion, and place them in a little tray on your sink (you can always refill the bottles with your usual stuff when they're empty). Snip a fresh bloom and float it in a bowl or cup, give your sink and mirrors a good scrub, and pick out a stack of new, fluffy white bath towels.
6. Give your front door a facelift. When was the last time you gave your front door a second thought? It contributes a lot to the first impression people have of your home. Is it in good shape? Could it use new hardware? A new color? Consider adding something new, such as fresh potted plants in hefty urns to flank your entrance, a stately door knocker or modern house numbers.
Commit to keeping a clean and clear desktop. For ultimate productivity and peace of mind, make a habit of completely clearing off your desk before ending the day.
Surround yourself with things you love. What do you need to add (or remove) to really love your home office? Give favorite colors, artwork, photos, plants and personal items pride of place, and get rid of (or at least hide in a cabinet) anything that is bumming you out, from ugly tech equipment to bulky binders of old work material. Private Comment
Sorting Discards Resist the temptation to post unwanted items on Craigslist and eBay as soon as you come across them. Once you're done organizing for the day, place them in a spot where they're out of the way and make a note to tackle this task later. Expert tip: Wait to return items to their homes until after you're finished organizing. Returning individual items to various rooms can become a time-consuming distraction.
6. Curate your collections. Collections can be wonderfully creative additions to your home, but they have a tendency to get out of hand and lose their impact. The solution is twofold: curate with purpose, and create intentional displays. By narrowing down the focus of your collection — white ironstone, say, or plates featuring birds — you can create a more interesting and cohesive collection.
4. Repeat after me: less is more! If you find yourself using "But I might need this one day... !" as an excuse, this step is for you. Be honest. Do you really need two dozen ratty old towels, or will four nice fluffy ones for your family and two extras for guests do?
5. Separate emotional clutter from the gems. I am not going to tell you to get rid of Grandma's wedding dress or those bins full of your child's artwork. The point here is to be intentional about what you are saving and why. Items that you want to be able to pass down to your children should be stored properly to avoid damage, while other mementos could be put on display where you can appreciate them on a daily basis.
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