Make a Home for the Homeless...

I am so excited to be part of this amazing project to help a family in need. Without giving to much detail about the family, I can say this homeless family is well on their way to a new beginning. I was asked last week to work with these giving individuals who help families begin their new lives in a well furnished apartment. Most, if not all rooms are decorated from donated items. The picture above is just a small area of "decor" items in storage for our use.

I am decorating the living room, dining room and a toddler boys room. During my hunt today at the storage facility, I was able to accomplish a lot of the bigger items needed for these rooms such as sofa, chair, curtains, lamps, and some miscellaneous decor. I found the most adorable little valance with primary colors for the boys room. This was my inspiration for the rest. I couldn't let this little boy settle for mixed matched sheets, so I headed to the cheapest store I could think of. It starts with a "W" and that's all I am going to say. I just don't like that store, but the price is right for this particular project :) Of course I couldn't just walk out the door with only sheets. Included with my purchase was fleece material with the perfect colors with little cars and trucks, oh too cute. A great activity rug with the same primary colors so he could play with is cars and trucks in his room. The cars and trucks will be donated from my kids.

This Saturday is the reveal for the family. Be sure to check back next week for pictures of the finished project, I know I can't wait to see the faces on the entire family, especially the little boy's!

Theresa

Small changes that make a big difference...

House Beautiful shares 101 makeovers in their February issue. I thought I would share my top 10 favorite ideas they suggest that I have used in my house. Small changes really do make a big difference...

1) Take a white garden bench and paint it the color of your favorite flower.

2) Put a real rug, not a bathroom rug, in front of your bathroom sink. It will hold up just fine.

3) If you have a full bookcase, remove one shelf of books and treat it like a shadow box.

4) Buy a large map, poster, or have a favorite photo enlarged and cut it into equal parts. Frame all the sections and reassemble them on the wall.

5) Paint the ceiling of a white room a pale, pale blue or gray. It will feel as if there's no ceiling at all.

6) Bring your favorite piece of outdoor furniture indoors.

7) Does your big round table just not look right? It needs something tall in the middle, or it will always look restless.

8) Arrange your flowers in anything but a vase: Go through your pantry and find a pitcher, a tureen, a mug, a teacup.

9) Get your sofa off the wall. Pull it into the center of the room with a long table or desk behind it, a lamp, books. Accessorize!

10) Rearrange your fireplace mantel. Instead of one candle-stick at each end, mass lots of them on one side. Remember: Odd numbers make the best arrangements.

Make one of these changes today and get rid of the winder blahs in your home. Did anyone say Spring? ;)

Theresa

Dr. King Song...

We had another big snow fall last Thursday and as soon as the kids walked in the door we were outside. This was the kind of snow were we could make great snow angels and snow women (per my daughter). In the middle of making snowballs and snow angels, my daughter looks up at me with her big blue eyes and proceeds to recite what she had learned in kindergarten about Dr. Martin Luther King. With such a sincere look on her face she gives me all the detail about the bomb, the threats and how the "brown people" couldn't be with the white people and how Dr. King died. She thought it would be awful to live "way back then" and would be really sad if she couldn't play with her "brown friend" Brianna anymore. Then she shared this wonderful song they learned at school:

Dr. King Song (sung to: This Old Man)

Dr. King had a dream

That we would work as a team.

We shouldn't care about the color of

our skin.

Let's get along and be good friends!

Happy Dr. King Day!

Theresa

First Annual "Reveal Party"...

If your local to Clarksburg, Md., you won't want to miss this...

Here's how the "Reveal Party" will work:

The winner of the "Reveal Party" will receive a free "One Room Redesign" courtesy of HeavenlyChic (that's me ;) If you are the lucky winner, all you have to do is the following;

Invite as many friends as you like for morning coffee to view the "as is" room that you have selected for the "Redesign". After a careful evaluation of your wants and needs for the room, together, we will go over items that must stay and items that can be eliminated or used in another room. With your approval, I will "shop" other rooms for furniture and accessories that I think will work best for your redesign room. When the evaluation is over, out you go so I can get to work. When you return home, you will come home to a redesigned room without spending money on new furniture and accessories. You will invite the same group of friends back over that evening for a small get together for the "Reveal Party". You can make the "Reveal Party" as elaborate or simple as you like. Just like hosting a home party but nobody has to buy anything! Just a evening of sharing decorating ideas and being with friends.

To Participate You Must:

1) Email or call (301-706-6604) in your name, address and phone number to be placed for the drawing. Please feel free to submit a photo of the room if you like, but not necessary to participate.

2) All entries must be received by midnight January 31st.

3) Drawing will be held February 1st. You will be notified that you have won and together we will pick a date for the "Reveal Party" in February.

4) I will provide the invites - you will distribute to your friends.

I hope after reading this you are excited as I am about the first annual "Reveal Party"

Please let your friends and family know about this exciting event!

Get Ready! Get Set! Go! - Good luck to you all!

Cheers, Theresa

Final Step #3...

You have selected your style, inspiration pieces, furniture and wall color. Now you need to pull it all together. Here are a few tricks to the trade to help with your floor plan:

1) Find your focal point: fireplace - large window - large armoire - t.v. - Whatever your most desirable view is when sitting.

2) Arrange your furniture around your focal point to create a main conversation area. A conversation friendly grouping (sofa, chairs and coffee table) typically seats 5-6 within 8-10'. Try to avoid placing furniture directly on the wall if space allows. If you have a small space angle your furniture to make the room appear larger. However, one angle demands another. If you angle your sofa, make sure your chairs or love seat are on the same angle. Squared off chairs or a love seat against an angled sofa would result in an unbalanced room.

3) Read a room like a book...left to right. Create height on the left to keep the eye moving around the room.

4) Decorate from floor up, not ceiling down.

5) Follow your ceiling line with art work: tall to tall, narrow to narrow etc. Hang center of artwork 54" - 60" from floor. Relate art to furniture by hanging only 4-6" above.

6) Use odd numbers for accessories. Vary sizes and add tall elements. Layering accessories is fun and interesting.

I hope these three steps give you some tips on how to get started in creating your new space.

If you have any questions, feel free to post a question and I will be happy to answer it for you.

Happy Decorating, Theresa

Step #2 - "Knowing Your Style"...

A great example of color inspiration...

Now that you have found your decorating style, it is time to find an inspiration piece to build your room around. Your inspiration piece can be a favorite print, fabric, rug, lamp, china and don't forget your favorite shirt. The inspiration pieces are endless.

Find a color in your inspiration piece to paint your walls. The color doesn't have to be the exact color from your inspiration, but the paint color should be in the same hue. It is really difficult to paint your walls your favorite color and then try to fnd furniture that compliments your wall color. If you work around your favorite furniture piece and art, your paint color selection should be easy to make.

Remember, the fail safe method is to stay true to your sense of style and comfort level. Make sure you say "I love it" before deciding on your choices. Never settle on a color or style if you find yourself saying "it's okay" It is never "okay" Believe me, you'll find yourself painting over (who me?...no way ;) if you don't "love" your choice.

Curious about trends for 2008? - Neutrals, earth tones, blues and greens are the 2008 trends. But remember, if Red is your thing, go for it!

I would love for you to leave a comment and share your favorite color!

Cheers, Theresa

Step #1 - "Know your Style"

The first rule in decorating is knowing your style. First of all, I am a firm believer you shouldn't decide on any particular decor just because it is the latest trend. If you don't like black and white patterns, DON'T buy this look just because someone tells you it is the "trend". Stay true to yourself and your style and this combination will always result into a comfortable and personal space for you.



What is your style? This is one of the first questions I ask a client. Knowing your style is very important. This will help you transform your room(s) into the desired space you are looking for. How does design change your mood? Do you feel comfortable in a room with dark colors or light colors? The next time you walk into a furniture showroom or model home, pay attention to your emotional reaction. Do you feel happy..relaxed...uptight...blah? Note your emotions when you are in a room painted a dark color or light....dark furniture or light furniture...drapes or shades...carpet or wood floors. There are a lot of styles out there these days. The best news is, most of the old school rules are out the window. Mixing furniture periods and accessory styles is accepted and mostly preferred. Please, no matchy-matchy furniture for me ;)



Not sure of your style, here are a few pointers on the following styles:



Formal - This look is achieved by using fabrics with some sheen. Wood colors are generally dark like cherry, walnut, or mahogany and are usually finished with a high sheen. Legs on wood furniture are very detailed. The use of pairs is typical in a formal setting with matching chairs, lamps and tables. Symmetry is an important part of a formal setting. Dressmaker like details with window coverings.



Traditional - This look has some similarities to formal but with more casual fabrics with no sheen. Florals, stripes, plaids, and tone on tones are common choices for the traditional room. Deep colors are often found on upholstery. Wood colors are generally dark with less ornate legs than the formal style.



Cottage - This style is very common and can be found in most decorating magazines. Cottage can be formal or casual style. Cottage is very Eclectic. A combination of a variety of styles and eras are acceptable. The color palette is generally light tones. The combination of leg styles and mixture of fabrics makes this look work. Touches of whimsy are important factor in this look as well.



Contemporary - Modern - There are very few differences in this style. Generally "less is more" with either style. Fabrics generally are geometric and solids. Wood is usually teak and oak with sleek and straight leg lines. Metal and other industrial furnishing are very common.



Of course this is general information on each style and there are many other styles out there. These are just a few that I thought would help you get started with finding your style if you have no idea where to begin.



Here's to finding your style!



Cheers,



Theresa

Happy New Year!

Today will be spent planning and organizing. Although I love a clean house, I am not the most organized person when it comes to paper work...my only resolution for 2008, stay organized!


Cheers to a Happy and Prosperous New Year!



Theresa