by Jen | Apr 10, 2014 | Art, Fun Style, Happiness at Home, How To, Interior Decorating
It’s time for the Top 5 Decorating Tips for Fabulous Rooms that Look Like YOU—or how to not be boring. I so hate boring. Who has time for boring? Life is too short for boring. Let’s put some zip in it. Let’s put some fun with it. So without further ado…
5. Something Old. Ever walk into someone’s perfect house and feel like you are in a furniture showroom? Or a model for new construction? I get the willies just thinking about it. You know what would shake that off? Something old. Something old and painted with chippy paint is awesome. Something old and quirky is awesome. Something from a junk store or flea market that is random and old is awesome.
Something with some history…something with layers and time and grit and experience. Something that says I have seen life man and I have survived. Got it?
Great grandma’s chest and old toolbox from junk shop make for great office storage. That’s Leo on the right.
Second (or third) hand table and my 19th C stick back desk chair a la chippy paint.
www.sydandharper.com
I had a treasure map painted on this dresser for my boys.
My House. Something Old–the snow shoes and the apothecary. Old and quirky;)
4. Something New. Now if everything in your room was old and gritty and chippy and quirky–it would just be weird. It would be too much. It would be the opposite of a furniture show room and just as bad. It would be a room in a junk shop or in an antique store. You need balance man.
So a little trendy is absolutely perfect.
West Elm
This is nice. But it does kind of look like a furniture show room.
But what if you added Something Old? Like below.
The picture above does a nice blending with Something New/Trendy (the chairs, sideboard, and chandelier) with Something Old (plate rack.)
Home Office by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Katie Leede
The above picture is definitely Something Old and Something New. It’s got style. It reminds me of someone…YOU, you stylish devil. Where have you been hiding?
3. Something Black. I think I heard Nate Berkus on Oprah say this years ago. I like it. So it’s on the list. Every room should have at least one black accessory in it. Black gives some depth. Some class. Some foundation to all the oomph. It’s just baaaad (meaning good.)
www.sageatelier.com
I just love this room. And you know what? The black makes it bad ass. This room rocks. Above and below.
2. Art. I really can’t talk to you if your walls are bare. You might as well be naked. For the love of Pete hang something on your walls. If you are overwhelmed I’ve written about a bajillion posts on it. You can start reading here, or here, or here, man.
Thrift store frame. Art cost $3.50
Thrift store. Vintage travel poster.
Bowls. They aren’t just for meals.
This is beautiful art waiting for a frame. Original photograph by Parul Patel captured in India. Love the title~ Morning Prayer.
1. Something that Tells Your Story. Who lives in your house? YOU do. Live authentically and let it extend outward. Every room should have something in it that speaks to you. It could be a picture of your favorite place. Maybe an ashtray that you nabbed from Old Glory in Georgetown when you were 21 that says ELVIS LIVES~OLD GLORY (Ok I’m not proud but it was over 20 years ago). That ashtray made a super soap dish. Maybe it’s a Barbie board game from when you were a kid that you use as a placemat on your desk. Maybe it’s something simple like a pretty plant that your little son planted for you for Mother’s Day and the masking tape with his name is still on the pot. It makes me smile every time. Framed photographs of fun memories is an obvious choice~but where are yours?
Picture of one my favorite places, Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island From Above 2, Kathleen Chaney Fritz
Barbie Board Game doubling as my desk blotter.
These are my wooden shoes, obviously.
This little plant was started by chubby hands and a teeny cutting.
Good times.
So that’s my Top 5 Decorating Tips for Rooms that Look Like YOU. What do you think? What’s one of your favorite things that tells a story about you?
by Jen | Mar 10, 2014 | Fun Style, Happiness at Home
Once upon a time I was in Hawaii. The breezes were warm as I parted fuchsia flowering vines and walked onto a white sand beach with turquoise and emerald green water. I had just eaten an avocado burger in a beach shack on the North Shore. Nobody needed me to do a thing. I had no watch. My only plans were dinner later and a drive back down through the island…where the wait staff waited.
How about a tropical beach with crystal blue warm waters, white sand, gentle breezes, in an exotic location with few people and lots of good food…and drinks…and people waiting to wait just on you? I don’t want all the hassle of packing and planning. I want to be beamed there like in Star Trek and then back before homework and kids stuff starts…or maybe just after;) Actually maybe I do want a week. But then there is reintegration after it’s over. Back to busy, back to noise, and back to stress. Why can’t everyday life be more like a beach vacation?
And why does the beach make us happier? Is it just fresh air, a good book, control of your day, maybe sleeping in, avocado burgers, bougainvillea, and sunshine or is there something more?
Why, yes, there is…
The color blue has been shown to produce feelings of security and relaxation.
The sound of ocean waves actually alters our brain waves. The most pleasurable sounds have predictable wave patterns and low pitches…like those of the ocean. And, only ocean sounds activate a special part of the brain, which is associated with emotion and self-reflection. This leads to calmness or excitement–things that we know improve our mood.
Plus, when we go to the beach we have the tactile sensation of sand between our toes. Apparently, sand has such huge emotional power that is sometimes used in psychotherapy.
The ultraviolet rays in sunshine can improve your sense of physical and emotional wellbeing by stimulating the production of vitamin D – this boosts our production of serotonin, the chemical that works to keep us feeling alert, up-beat and happy. (from Beach Tomato)
Then there is what we do at the beach. We walk. We play. We swim. And when we move we reduce stress. We also make good memories and that, my friend, is just good happy.
Want to know more? Check out Why the Beach Makes us Happy by Barry Yeoman. And Scientist Wallace J. Nichols’ BLUEMIND, the brain-ocean connection.
If your life is blissfully beachlike everyday…this post isn’t for you. If you are staring at snow…still, well this one’s for you.
Chatham Architects & Designers Polhemus Savery DaSilva
by Jennifer Farlin | Mar 5, 2014 | Happiness at Home, Life Reflections
Sometimes life is so crazy it’s hard to celebrate what’s right. A few years ago my husband was in a terrible accident, my mom had ovarian cancer, and I was a military mom on my own taking care of two little boys. And those are just some of the bullet points that come to mind.
The nitty gritty of the in between felt even worse. Way worse.
So. Much. Worse.
It’s almost so absurd that I kind of, well, laugh. I mean what’s the alternative? Fall apart? I don’t know about you but most of the time, especially with a deployed husband, there are no safety nets. If you fall…well, it’s just that much further you have to climb to get back up. Better to hang on. Better to laugh.
I love my friend Mony. We do a phenomenal job of laughing together. I went to DC this past weekend and did some house hunting while staying with her. We laughed until we cried one night over a memory involving a past deployment, a boat sailing to Australia, a checkbook, and a completely ridiculous complication involving our military life. It really wasn’t funny. Our husbands would concur as they stared at us with expressionless faces, but that sort of made it funnier. Moments like that are good. The military has provided some really good material for the absurd over the years.
The military has also provided some safety nets. Last week I was given the opportunity to take a 5 day seminar through the Army on communication, perception, learning styles, self-reliance, cognitive restructuring, group dynamics, empowerment, problem solving, synergy, stress and conflict, wellness, creative thinking, team-building and leadership. I don’t even think I mentioned everything. I received a diploma, a military coin, and a nice moment with a General. Even more meaningful was the small team of women from all over the world that I spent the week with. We had a Pearls of Wisdom board in our room. Whenever anyone said something that resonated with the group it would be added to the board.
“Choice” makes you in charge of happiness.
Express your needs effectively so people can meet your needs effectively.
Don’t sabotage yourself with your own expectations.
Well managed conflict equals positive and substantial change.
You have ownership over your own energy. (That was mine!)
A few years ago I might have said next time this year things will be easier. Next time, however, the following year, my husband and my mom almost lost their lives. Now I say I have no idea where I am with “easier”. Is it easier today than yesterday? Will next year be easier than this year? Was last year easier? Will tomorrow be easy? I pretty much took “easier” and “easy” out of my vocabulary. Who the heck cares about easy. Easy is just boring anyway.
Now I focus on strong safety nets. I focus on right now. I focus on laughter.
A dear friend told me a few years back as I struggled with the nitty gritty in between all the bullet points to give myself some Grace.
To give myself some Grace.
I love that.
“Grace” to you.
-Jen
by Jen | Feb 19, 2014 | Happiness at Home, How To, Interior Decorating
Did someone say “Moving?”
From the ages of 18 to 41 I have moved 18 times. It’s not really that bad. Only 6 of those moves involved LARGE moving trucks. The rest involved multiple trips via a car, and/or rental furniture, or just living without. I moved around a fair amount before becoming part of a military family. I’m ok with moving. The world is big.
On the other hand, I hate moving. It’s hard work. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
So here we are, 3 1/2ish months from moving, again. I had a nice break in Virginia for 6 years so I was a little rusty when I had to pack bags this last time. I was so settled. Now, I’m unsettled–in a settled kind of way. People who come into my house think we’ve lived here for years. This either means one of two things: 1. I unpacked too much and am currently delusional over the amount of time we are living in said house OR, 2. I’ve got this down.
Let’s go with 2.
So how do I make temporary housing feel like home?
I have rules. Let’s use my house for examples.
Little stuff is bad. Unpack it and put it all together in like categories. Then repack it. Put it in rubbermaid storages totes. Label the totes. Say good-bye. Who the heck has time to manage baubles, curios, doodads, ornamental items, knickknacks, trinkets, and…tchotchke? (Yes, it is all the same thing but I’m trying to make a point.) UNLESS it’s your kid’s small stuff-let them have what they want if it makes it feel familiar.
Little pictures are even worse. What makes a statement is one nice size picture per room and leave it at that. Easy. I’m talking poster size or larger.
Bigger is Better. Little pictures get lost on walls unless hung correctly. And if they are hung correctly that means they are grouped with quite a few others and, oh, all the holes and measuring, and then patching and painting. Now don’t get me wrong–I think you should USE the walls. But most people I encounter are too afraid to hang anything–so what I’m saying is if you are falling in this category, buy big art. One large piece in a room is awesome. One teeny postage size picture is so so NOT awesome.
Stick to 3 or 4 colors throughout the house. I don’t mean the whole house including the kids rooms have to match–but I kind of do. Don’t be afraid to paint your stuff either.
Me and my sweet cat painting the dining room buffet that became our dresser to the the changing table to each of the boys dresser’s (at separate times).
Paint now comes with built in primer. It’s getting easier. Stick to a strict palette. Choose either white OR cream. You can’t have white and cream next to each other without the cream looking dirty. I’m doing more with blue, green, and white. Most of my furniture is neutral. Camel couch, white painted furniture, shades of blue painted furniture, dark wood, lots of accent pillows that I recirculate. The blue armoire from the craft closet is now my youngest son’s dresser, my youngest son’s dresser is now my oldest’s…it all works because the colors are all in the same family.
Blue armoire was craft closet in previous house.
Shelves were from garage. Table was from porch. BIG art.
Which brings me to my next point. Think outside the box with furniture. Bedside tables could be end tables. Craft closet from laundry room can turn into dresser (blue armoire from above), side table from dining room (from before marriage) can be turned into changing table for babies which evolves into a dresser for big boys. Small old dresser can become office storage. Front porch table can become desk. Garage storage can be turned into shelves for office.
Only display and use what brings you joy. If this is a temporary space–life is too darn short to display stuff you hate because someone gave it to you or because you are too lazy to replace it. Your home is love. It has no time requirement. Own your space now.
Nice lamp!
Gorgeous Lamps. No one pays attention to lamps! I’m going to write a whole post on this whole topic. It will be called Lamp Love. They are the jewelry for your house! Yours are too small. I’m not even at your house but I just know they are. And the lampshades?! They need to complement each other. You have lamps on either side of the couch? One shade cannot be white and the other cream…I told you why above. And are they old? Do they look like you bought them at the Dollar Store? Are your lamps boring? Oh my gosh I can just tell you need help. Not here, but later. Just remember, lamps are worth it.
Keep ONE rubbermaid tote with sentimental items that make the cut. You can display family pictures or trinkets that mean A LOT to you and that make you SMILE. Keep it simple. One large tote of baubles and what nots and snapshots. Go crazy and sprinkle them throughout to make your heart sing. ONE tote. Keep the tote empty. When it’s time to move pack it up again and keep it with you–it’s one of those “Movers Do Not Take” boxes:)
Books. I’m guilty of this and I’m working on it. Why do you have the books if they stay in boxes where you can’t get to them anyway? What are they accomplishing? I like books to be out. They make a house nice. Keep the nice looking ones and arrange them in shelves by color. Just try it.
See the books organized by color? See what they are on? Fake mantle. One of these from a junk shop/antique store etc… can come in really handy for temporary housing. Have a wall you don’t know what to do with?
Trays. I use trays all over to corral clutter and make piles look purposeful. Moving is busy. Who has time to stay on top of papers? At least they will look nice.
Plants. Buy them. Fill the gaps, the lonely corners, and the awkward room layouts. And, bigger is better. If you have lots of small ones invest in pretty pots and saucers–they don’t need to match, just be unusual. (Go to Goodwill.) One piece of greenery per room at least.
Just because it’s temporary doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty…and pretty goes a long way to making it feel like home.
A final note. You know what really makes a house feel like home? Pets.
We were blessed to have our sweet cat for 15 1/2 years. She made 9 moves with us. Yesterday she died, taking a little bit of “our home” with her. Bless you Bella. We miss you so much baby cat. Thank you for making everywhere you were feel like home.
by Jen | Feb 14, 2014 | Fun Style, Happiness at Home, Inspired Style, Interior Decorating
sarah & bendrix
Happy Valentine’s Day~Jen
by Jen | Feb 8, 2014 | Fun Style, Happiness at Home, Interior Decorating
My Pop loves newspapers. He sends me articles from all over on decorating. I got a laugh over a few recently as they are proclaiming what’s in and what’s out.
Ikat prints are OUT. My pillows are out. Ikat is no good. And I quote Designer Sheldon Harte: “You know it’s over when it’s showing up on paper plates in CVS.”
My Mom’s macrame she made in the 70’s? 60’s? is IN. I bet she is beaming as she reads this.
Woodland creatures are OUT. Oh thank God. I hated the damn owls. No more blinky owls, foxes or timid deer.
Andy Harman. www.lushhome.com
Of course what if it is made out of macrame? Does it become IN again? I really hope not.
All white kitchens are OUT.
I do NOT agree. This is just lovely.
Dark blue and charcoal is In.
Living Room by Berkeley Interior Designers & Decorators Urban Orchard Interiors
Faux painted walls are OUT.
Wallpaper is IN. Remember my post about Why Wallpaper is the Coolest?
Traditional Powder Room by Norwich Architects & Designers Smith & Vansant Architects PC
Did you notice the Snowshoe Mirror? (Hey Pottery Barn Check Me Out!)
Brown or black furniture is OUT. Does this mean wood? I have no idea but I guess I’m in trouble.
Painted furniture is IN.
Yellow accents are IN and natural countertops are IN.
JAS Design-Build Houzz.com
Corduroy Upholstery is IN.
Particle board is OUT. When was it IN?
And fun colors are in. Well we like that:)
Jen
