I want to extend my Happy Holiday Wishes and Merry Christmas to everyone.

Please enjoy any past postings and see you next year!

Us designer’s like to do some venting from time to time!  House Beautiful’s January issue has decorating mistakes shared from decorators/designers.  The little things that drive us nuts.  Here are a few mishap highlights shared:

1.  Decor that does not match the customers personality or lifestyle  (Heidi Bonesteel)

2.  Karate-chopped pillow   (Steve Sclafoff)

3.  The misuse of decorative painting…you end up with vulgarity when quality was the goal.  (Mary Douglas Drysdale)

4.  Bright overhead lights that make you feel like you are center stage.  (Barclay Butera)

5.  Candlesticks side by side…..more alluring when light is spread around the room and balanced.  (Albert Hadley)

6.  Lamps are disproportionate sizes on either ends of the sofa.  (David Kleinberg)

7.  Pieces of furniture plastered against a wall!.  I love this tip: This designer imagines the sofa talking to the chairs, the chairs talking to one another.  So create a space for good conversion.    (Whitney Stewart)

8.  Gloomy lighting…..mix a variety of overhead, floor and table lamps.  (Alan Tanksley)

9.  Just pick one good idea… too many are just a mess.  (Alessandra Branca)

10.  Sofa slammed up against the wall.  Pull it out six inches.  (Jackie Terrell)

I am going to add mine!  I hate when the underside of a soffit is painted the ceiling color.  You should always wrap the wall color underneath…..a much less choppy look.

New Rules For 2009!

How do you make a small space look bigger?  Of course,  I think paint color plays a big role, but also mirrors are a great addition!   An article, Manhattan Show house Full Of Ideas To Make A Small Space Feel Bigger,  written by Jill Scott has some very helpful hints.  One is about using mirrors.  Elizabeth Mayhew of House Beautiful Magazine shared her tip about mirrors,  “You really need to do a couple of things to make your space feel much better,” says Mayhew. “Number one, hang a mirror. Mirrors reflect light. They can double your windows in your apartment instantly. Just whatever you do, just reflect something beautiful.”

Think outside the box and hang mirrors that serve as artwork, too.  The photo above from Design*Sponge shows the various shapes that mirrors come in.  Just have fun and be creative!

The mirror that not only reflects light, but also servers a purpose.  Small Space Style explains that in her entryway, “ the mirror does 2 things, makes the space appear larger and its great of that one last look before you leave. So if you only have room for a few hooks and a bench, you can still have entryway.”  Who says designers are not practical, too!

Mirrors have a use in Feng Shui. Rodika Tchi, About.com writes that the mirror brings the Feng Shui energy of the water element.  Mirrors draw beneficial energy and with proper placement can shift the flow of Chi (energy).  Mirrors bring a sense of refreshment in a given space!

Placement of the mirror and what it means:

• East (Health & Family)
• Southeast (Wealth & Abundance
• North (Career & Path In Life)

Reflect the most out of your home!

Cute, creative, and extremely helpful!  Minted.com has the freshest designs on paper.  Project Nursery led me to minted.  100 snap shots (not kidding!) later to find a photo minted could use to make my boys look like sweet angels for my X-Mas card (smith_wetxlz8_proof3).  I, first of all, loved the unique designs, but mostly loved the one-on-one attention that I received from the minted design staff.  I feel it is extremely helpful to talk to an actual person for a change!

The above card is for all the holiday cooks that have a “favorite got-to-share recipe”…..the recipe card.  I just think this card is a cool holiday tradition to share with friends and family.  I need all the help I can get with cooking and this card would be a welcomed surprise in my home.  The peace card below looks like a retro card creation.  I love this unique format…..too fun! 

Make “Minted” Your Choice for a Fresh Holiday Card!