Pre-Holiday Decorating
October 12, 2007 in Decorating
I know it’s not even Halloween yet, but I’m already starting to plan for Christmas. It never seems like it’s too early to get started anymore since time seems to move at warped speed this time of year. I’m even starting to piecemeal a couple of holiday items into my décor. I have some Harvest décor up now of course – but I can’t help but have the anticipation of Christmas décorating being just around the corner.
I have a new Holiday 
project book that was recently released called “Joy, Joy, Joy.” It features four decorating themes and one of them is called “Wildberry Lodge.” This look is more about Nature’s beauty and earthy colors and is not just Christmas specific. It’s the kind of look that works well from Fall through Winter. (International friends – My apologies, I know temperatures of our seasons can be pretty different – but we are entering the “chilly” season here in Spokane, WA) In case, you don’t have the book – I thought I’d share a few of the projects and 
ideas from the section. I hope you get some inspiration for your “pre-holiday” decorating.
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Pinecone Centerpiece
October 12, 2007 in Decorating
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Office Facelift - First Steps
March 8, 2007 in Decorating
You all heard me make a commitment in January to a new project. My plan is to give my office an overdue "facelift."
Since I have to do this "other thing" when I'm at the office - you know..."work." That does seem to take up most of my time these days. So my plan is to work in this project whenever I can and report my progress to you.
So, I'm off to a somewhat meager start....
1. First I went out shopping. Hey, that doesn't sound so bad so far! (And, that meant I stopped at Starbucks, too - I know how to shop!) I was on the hunt for new art pieces that I could hang on the back wall of my office. This newly selected art would also be the inspiration pieces for the room and to determine the color story.
2. Based on the Art prints; Next, I picked out the Paint color and decided to just paint the back wall. It's much less of a commitment to do just one wall and you always have the option to do more if just one painted wall doesn't do it for you. The good news is that it worked for me (at least so far). I chose a kind of sage-like green and I think the prints will look lovely on the wall.
3. The tall table that held my little stereo unit got the once over too. We put a coat of a rich brown color over the whole piece. After seeing it painted, it looked like the top piece could use a little more focus. So we painted it a darker brown and sponged a lighter and a more medium brown on top of it to create a more interesting texture and depth.
4. To protect the painted finish we put three coats of gloss varnish on the top, lightly sanding between each coat. The bottom of the tall table was painted with an enamel paint, so I didn't feel it needed to be varnished.
Next:
I'm thinking about removing the large oversized shelf unit out of the office. Once I realized it was mainly storing stuff, collecting dust and taking up a lot of room in my office. It seemed time for it to go. In the meantime, I'm cleaning all the items off of it and finding new homes for everything.......
I'll keep you posted.
Debbie
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Decorating Tips!
February 3, 2007 in Decorating
Thinking about a decorating project? Check out my checklist.
Here's a couple more tips on picking paint color:
1. Test your paint color right on the wall! The best way to tell what it will really look like in your home is to paint a large swatch right on the actual wall you will be painting. Many paint stores have small samples you can buy; or ask them to mix a
test quart. This is a small expense compared to having to repaint a room (or even worse, live with a color that you really don't like!).
2. Is the color you want for your walls on a piece of fabric or an accessory? Take your sample to the paint store. If it is a solid color, they can often scan it and create a paint color to match. If it is blended, they will work with you to find a color that works and add more pigment if needed for a darker tone.
3. You don’t have to rely on paint fans. You can create your own sample! If you have acrylic paints, mix the color you want and paint a sample on a white board or white paper p
late. The paint company can scan your sample and mix a color to match.
4. If selecting a paint color from printed samples from the paint store, be sure to look at the sample in natural light (take it outside) as the lighting in the store can be very misleading. Also, be sure to look at it in the room you intend to paint. This brings us back to #1—paint a swatch in your room to make sure the color looks good with the lighting in your home.
5. Be aware! The way color looks will change with the lighting. It can look dramatically different at different times of day.
Paint and color can be so fun to work with and create exciting, new changes in a room. Hopefully, these tips can help you experience the results you’re looking for. Good Luck! Debbie
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New Decorating Project
February 3, 2007 in Decorating
Some decorating (and other) projects just keep getting put off. And, my office is one of those projects. It is always busy at work and I'm not sure how/when to fit something like that in? Not to mention, I've stopped even seeing what my office looks like. I just walk in every morning, spend hours there every day, and close the door behind me at the end of the day. Except for an occasional moment of really taking notice - I have just ignored the fact that it is long overdue for a little attention and updating.
Anyone who knows me also knows I'm not the neatest person in the world. So, I tend to let piles of papers stack up that I also try to ignore on a daily basis. It's time to deal with some of this clutter!
So, I thought maybe if I track this project through my blog - I would somehow figure a way to get it done. So, I'm showing you some very embarrassing "before" pictures of my office. My strategy is to just do a step at a time when I can, keep it manageable, and I'll keep you up to date on my progress.
My goals for the office are really pretty simple: make it feel a little less crowded, bring some new colors in, and modernize it a little by updating the art and accessories.
Maybe you want to join me and choose a decorating project that you've been putting off or lost "sight" of? I'll share some basic Decorating Tips that may help you get started.
Debbie
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Off and running....here I go!
November 22, 2006 in Christmas, DecoratingHi out there in blogsville! I feel a little awkward about writing to you in such a casual forum. I know it will take a little getting used to. I'm set up just how I need to be. It's after midnight, I have a glass of wine, I'm in my jammies, snuggled in my bed with my laptop. Well, at least I'm snuggled with "something" in my bed! Really, I'm exhausted and I should be sleeping instead of blogging. Sometimes you're too tired to sleep.
Ok, so you'll never believe what I did last weekend. It's not even Thanksgiving and I put up my Christmas decorations! I was getting stressed and trying to imagine how I was going to get it all done - and I said to myself, "Why don't you chill a little, and just get a start on putting up the decorations!" And now I feel so much better - I got it pretty much done. No, I didn't do the tree, and no, I didn't put up the outside lights. My neighbors would roll their eyes if my lights went up this early. I don't want to appear to be an over-achiever. This year I'm not having guests on Thanksgiving - so I thought I could get away with this plan!
I love pulling out the decorations - it's just like Christmas....hmm, I guess it's almost like Christmas. I have a personal goal to put things in different places every year. That way it looks different and fresh to me even if it's the same stuff. Well, I do add a few new things every year. I just can't help myself. There are so many wonderful decorations to choose from.
The Christmas to-do list is a big focus right now. Planning the calendar for a few parties and get-together's, making the gift list, figuring out if I can sell anything on eBay to raise shopping funds! Ha! The problem with Christmas shopping is I always manage to find more things for myself than the people on my list. I'm always real clear when I see something that I want - but a little fuzzy when it comes to picking things out for people on my gift list. Maybe we'll make it a gift card year. Those gift cards aren't particularly "romantic" - but they sure are easy! We'll see how it goes...........
Nighty-night! Debbie
