Tip of the Day - Hanging clustered picture frames

As a rule of thumb, I like to tell people to use any shape and size, but keep them all one color. There might be some exceptions to the rule (i.e.; different finishes, but all antiques, etc.,) but it is a safe rule to follow. And it is always smart to take the time to make templates and lay them out first before you start nailing away. Also, make sure to take into account the whole space. If you are clustering the pictures on one wall, find the center of the wall from the sides, then start the center of your cluster 2/3 the way up the wall and work your way out. If you are clustering above a piece of furniture (sofa, hall chest, piano etc.) then you still want to stay roughly around 2/3 the way up the wall, but the bottom of your cluster should not be higher than 18" above your piece of furniture - no matter how high your walls are.

Tip of the Day - Paint 1 - Test your color

When picking a paint color/s, I strongly advise that, once you have narrowed your selections down to 2 or 3, you purchase the little 1/2 or 1/4 pint samples. That way you can paint a section of the wall and see what the color will look like in that space and with the light specific to that space. You will also be able to see the paint in the morning light, the afternoon light and the evening light - which are all different! Glidden has a wonderful paint tester line that they offer (http://www.glidden.com/products/paint-testers.do) Their sample paint comes in a container with it's own paint brush and enough paint to cover 3 square feet of space. If you are not able to purchase a sample for testing, then make sure you have your paint swatch and tape it to the wall - or get 4or 5 swatches of the same color, take them home and tape them all together to give you a larger sample to look at. Then, look at the swatch on the wall at different times of the day to get a feel for what it will actually look like. Also, you can lift the swatch above your head, with the color of interest facing the ground and that will give you an idea of the darkest shade it will go in that space. You will be amazed at how dark the color gets and even how it seems to change colors!

Tip of the Day - Storage Benches

Storage benches are great multipurpose pieces. They come with separate inner cabinets, outer cubby holes or just one big inner space like a chest. They can be used in almost any room. When in the entry way, they serve as a place for people to sit while removing their shoes, as well as offering a place to put their shoes, instead of cluttering up the floor. They can be used in a mud room, also as a place to sit while removing shoes, but maybe the cubbies hold each child's gloves, scarves and hats. You can organize the separate cabinets however you like. They can also be used in between two twin beds with the top acting as a nightstand table to either bed (remember to put the lamps UP on the wall - see Tip of the Day #2, Up, up and away) Each cabinet can be used for books, or toys, etc. They can also be used in a Music room, as a table, a bench and/or a place to store music books, etc. What about in the basement or family room or multimedia room - any place where you need extra seating - and inside the cabinets or single large chest space, you store even MORE options for seating - large, colorful floor pillows! The list goes on and on...

Tip of the Day - Cabinets/Consoles

In my house, everything has to have more than one function. That is why I LOVE multi-functional furniture!! Here is one example...

In my last house, my TV cabinet, not only housed my TV, cable box, game console/DVD player and receiver, but the bottom TWO drawers housed the kids stuff. The top drawer was organized with diapers, wet wipes and burp cloths and the bottom drawer was easily accessible for the little guys to put their toys. It worked out wonderful. "For everything a place, and everything in it's place." my hero, Peter Walsh.

And if your TV cabinet won't work, never underestimate a darling chest. They are narrow, and can house crayon boxes, my 9 year old's drawings and art supplies, coloring books, games, you name it! No one will ever know!

Tip of the Day: Fresh Flowers

Want to brighten your day? Add a sense of crisp spring air in the middle of winter? Pick up a simple garden bouquet the next time you are at the grocery store. Often times, a simple glass container will do the job - clear or colored glass, either will work great. How about even using tin cans - yup, from that evening's dinner. Just peel off the paper and tie some twine or ribbon around the top.

Tip of the Day: Mix & Match

Now, I know it's easier and safer to buy the complete set of furniture at once. But just remember that all the pieces in a furniture group do not have to match. Contrast and compliment are great words to include in your design plan. Basically, if you love a particular piece, buy it. But if you buy too much of the same, then all of a sudden, your favorite piece looses it's magic.

Tip: It's OK to mix and match. Just remember, when doing so, to keep some commonality so that it "compliments" the whole design, i.e.; different chairs, all the same height; or different size picture frames, all the same color; or seating in different fabrics, all within the same color scheme.

Tips of the day - Lighting 4 - Accent Lighting

Accent lighting will really give your space a voice. It will remind you of the often-forgotten spaces that were originally so important during the buying/building process.

Under cabinet lights in the kitchen serve two purposes. They are functional, giving extra light for food prep, and they also add a soft, accenting glow to the space. With the under cabinet lights on or, even better, on dimmers, the home owner is reminded of the full depth of the counters as well as what a wonderful investment the granite (marble/stone/steel/tile, etc) actually turned out to be. And, when the meal is over, and the cook is closing up for the evening, you might hear a soft whisper from the corners of your counters saying, "Hey , look at my beautiful, clean counters... spacious and yearning to be touched again... how about dessert?"

** When searching for your under cabinet lighting, be careful not to get just any LED lights - some tend to be too white and jarring. Ask your hardware clerk for a product with a softer, yellow hue... more similar to incandescent lighting.

Tip of the Day - Lighting 3 - Mood lighting - Candles

There are many ways to create mood lighting. Today I want to address candles. Yeah!

What a beautiful way to set the mood for your space. They come in all shapes, sizes and scents. Just dim the lights, light up your candle/s of preference and enjoy the soft, alluring scent and the mesmerizing glow. Instantly feel your heartbeat slow to a calm rhythmic thump and your muscles take a relaxing breath...

Unless you have small kids. In which case, you would not dare introduce such a destructive idea to curious faces... So, the question is how to get that same effect without fire. While not entirely as magical as real candles, there are some pretty descent options out there that will allow you to practice "safety first" while still feeling somewhat connected to the simple pleasures of the grown-up world. Check out battery operated, flameless candles. Below are a few places to look for these candles. Personally, I prefer the ones that hide the flame inside rather than the ones that show it on top of the candle. I just think they look more realistic. I also prefer bunching candles of all one color - in particular, all white, all off-white or all silver-gray. And as far as the scent, you might want to go with the Febreeze option.

Flameless candles can run anywhere from $10-$20+ each, so you will be able to find something that fits your budget. Google: Images, "flameless candles", to see the wide variety that exist.

http://www.febreze.com/en-us/pages/febreze_home_collection_luminary.aspx

http://www.openwindowdesigns.com/FloralDesignPermBot.htm

http://www.walmart.com/ip/3-Piece-Flameless-Candle-Set/10258697

Tip of the Day - Lighting 2 - Night stand lighting

UP, UP and AWAY!

OK. So, my two year old may be little for his age, but as the last of 5 kids, he is definitely tough and determined. When he wants to climb up in bed with me, he reaches as far as he can with both hands to grab the sheet and he pulls with all his might as his little frog legs flip around searching for something with leverage. That is when he found false anchorage on my night-time reading pile of magazines and a novel. With one strong push, there went my pile, and my night stand lamp and everything made a crash landing. Ahhhg!

First of all, I obviously had too much junk on my night stand. Second of all, I know better about the lamp!! So, for all of you out there who can relate to my story... If you have small night stands or little kids or both, try investing in wall sconces. They run about $30+ and they are actually really pretty. You can also get a cord cover for about $8 that will hide the cord behind the metal protector - keeping it out of sight from curious hip-high eyes and fingers.

Ahhhh. A clean and organized table surface, now with space to spare. And the lamp? Up, up and away! Sigh...

A great and inexpensive place to start your search for bedroom wall sconces:

http://www.homedecorators.com/search.php?search=wall+sconces&x=0&y=0

Tip of the Day - Lighting 1 - task lighting

Ok, so this week, I'd like to gear the tips towards lighting. Something most house holds need more of...

Task lighting. Make sure you have lighting specific to the task you are doing. If in an office, you should have a task lamp over your desk area. If you have a favorite chair where you like to curl up and read or knit, there should be a task light just for that space. At a child's desk for homework, over a craft table, under the cabinet or over the counter for food prep, etc. You will see, task lighting makes a WORLD of difference!!