January 2011 - Restyled Homes

2011 DC Design House

After almost completely convincing myself that I wouldn't make it in the Washington DC Design House, (I tend to do that when it gets down to the wire & I get really nervous) I got a call today from one of the Design House Committee members letting me know I'd been accepted. I was kind of in shock and just so insanely happy when I listened to her voicemail.
I can't even express how truly honored & grateful I am to be able to participate in the Design House. Here's a photo from the DC Design House facbooke page of the outside of the 2011 home:

The DC Design House benefites The Childrens National Medical Center which is "the largest non-governmental provider of pediatric care in the District of Columbia and treats all patients regardless of their families' ability to pay. Each year Children's provides more than $50 million in uncompensated care. As a nonprofit hospital, Children's National relies on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to meet the health needs of children..."

I'll keep you posted as the date nears, but it's set to run April 9th - May8th.

The address is 3134 Ellicott St, NW

Do you remember this succulent that had me all excited a while back?

It was growing in the garden room of the design house.

It completely embodies the feeling I'm after for the space I have (an upstair bedroom/ sitting room) and I just love how fresh and luminous it is. I'll definitely keep you posted on everything and if you're in the area, hopefully you'll be able to make it to see for yourself! I'm teaming up with some amazing people including local artist John Matthew Moore.

I'm thrilled & honored to be joining a super-talented group of designers for this year's Design House:

James Rill (Rill Architects), Liz Levin, Patrick Sutton, Erin Paige Pitts, Nadia Subaran (Aidan Design), Whitney Stewart, Gary Lovejoy, Nancy Colbert, Camille Saum, Denise Willard, Barbara Franceski, Samantha Friedman, Jason Hodges, Cindy McClure, David Mitchell and Iantha Carley

A huge congratulations to the other designers selected and cheers to the 2011 House!

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

2011 DC Design House

I'll keep you posted as the date nears, but it's set to run April 9th - May8th.

The address is 3134 Ellicott St, NW

Do you remember this succulent that had me all excited a while back?

It was growing in the garden room of the design house.

I'm thrilled & honored to be joining a super-talented group of designers for this year's Design House:

A huge congratulations to the other designers selected and cheers to the 2011 House!

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Color Mixing Charts

Color mixing with paint is great fun. For this activity, you'll want several small cups or containers, a brush for each color, and some heavy cardstock that can stand up to painting. I love these Crayola paints because they're washable, and because they smell like the art room did when I was in elementary school.

Instead using of a smock, I kept the boy in his pajamas. He needed a bath anyway.

"What will happen when we mix red yellow paint together?"

"I don't know."

"Well let's do it!" This yielded a grin.

I used crayons to draw a circle for red, a circle for yellow. Then I used a white crayon to draw a "mystery" circle for the mixed paint.

It's nice to have a brush for each color, especially if you plan on doing more than one set of mixes at each time. I got a bunch of these foam guys for about 10 cents a piece at our local craft store.

After our red and yellow circles were complete, it was time to mix. With great enthusiasm, the boy declares "it's pink!" Hmm. He is right, it does look a little pinkish.

I helped him get a little more paint in the mixing cup stir it a little more.

Now looking a little bit more orange, but the original sight of pink was imprinted on his mind. So I grabbed a nearby pink crayon. "Pink like this?"

Silence. Then, "No, not like that. Pink like...no, orange. Red and yellow made orange."

We repeated the process with several other combinations, and then just spent some time painting with the colors we had made. It was great fun.

Housekeeping

{new cubbies in my ~~office~~ studio... "studio" sounds so much better, doesn't it?}

Just enjoying the last spec of the loooong snow-filled weekend before bed. Last week was such a nutty week that I totally forgot to post that I was a guest blogger/ designer over at Room Remix! PK's going a great series on paint with some of my favorite blog friends so check it out if you have a minute:

ROOM REMIX PAINT SERIES

Many of you asked about the driftwood hanging above the cubbies. My dad found it 20 or so years ago while fishing in Georgia. It's a cypress tree root. There used to be bass mounted on it but he gave it to me so they're gone :) It used to be in the shape of a star but a piece of it fell off over the years. He's wants me to reattach it but then I wouldn't have room for my cubbies!

Also, you might have noticed a few changes around here. My blog's been getting a few tweaks including a some new buttons on the sidebar. I haven't linked everything up yet but as soon as I do, I'll be sure to give you a little tour.

Is anyone going to the design bloggers' conference in LA? I'm all signed up so let me know if you're in!

And... I find out tomorrow yes or no for the design house. Am so nervous and can't wait for the pit in my stomach to leave. ( it has to go away whether we get it or not, right?? ;). I might be in need of virtual hugs so I'll keep you posted. Finger crossed.

xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Housekeeping

{new cubbies in my ~~office~~ studio... "studio" sounds so much better, doesn't it?}

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Find Love With Right Feng Shui

Find Love With Right Feng Shui

Feng Shui, in which changes location as well as the addition of simple elements able to attract the energy of love, prosperity, longevity and happiness. Although there are still many doubts, but this makes sense. For example, we feel better when in a bright room.

If you are interested in using feng shui to attract love into your life, there are variations depending on how the layout of your house faces, the shape of the house, and depending on the birth of your element.
Here are some of the withdrawal of energy into your bedroom, so filled with love and attention.

Give more space

Wardrobe and objects your memories of past relationships are messy, able to emit negative energy. You must give the bedroom more space for yourself and others who will join you. Put at least 2 pillows, 2 bedside tables and make sure under the bed does not have anything for energy to flow perfectly.

At bedtime, consider the direction of the head and face

In feng shui is very important to facing a certain direction when you sleep for interesting aspects of love. Make sure your head up to face the same direction. Also make sure the foot does not directly deal with the door.

Sleep better

In feng shui, a good sleep of your bed indicates that a strong, stable, and entirely yours. This means also should not reuse the same bed, which you use together with a previous relationship. If you can not sleep well, buy a new bed sheet, buy headboard stronger, and make sure the bed has an appropriate weight.

Eliminate or move the barrier energy

Many objects are capable of inhibiting energy into your bedroom, for example, a large mirror, objects are not useful under the bed, plant, dark colors, painting a picture of someone who is alone, televisions, and computers. You must move the object to attract the energy of love. Remember that the bedroom is an essential location to sleep, make love and get dressed. So, try to remove objects that are less used.

Reduce Heat With Your Park

Reduce Heat With Your Park

Park is an area that contains the components of hard and soft materials that support each other. Park deliberately planned and created by humans as conditioning zones inside and outside the room. Well, one of the factors triggering the air current, namely by bringing the garden at home.

Parks can be used as a tool to neutralize the air in the house so that air inside homes more healthy and cool.

In addition to opening, the park's role in the home are also able to reduce the amount of heat that comes into the room. Therefore, the garden can reduce the heat to five degrees Celsius in the daytime. Aspects such as these that must be considered.
So, before the sun's heat directly touch the building, you should desist with anything that could reduce the solar heat.

Types of plants that can you apply also varies. Able to apply an indoor plant or an indoor garden, live how you choose how their application. Want to put a potted plant or other plants are planted directly into soil? The main point to note is, whether plants absorb pollutants and environmentally friendly or not?

Therefore, the choice of appropriate tree or plant is one of the factors triggering the house can call that a healthy and environmentally friendly. Plant is environmentally friendly that can be the lungs for the occupants of the house. Plants are able to absorb quite a lot of air pollution.

There are several things to consider to design an environmentally friendly garden. Among other broad-leaf plant, the trees were used for reducing the evaporation of water into the air. Put the trees in some parts of the house combined with the design of the park.

Second, the park should be fused with the homeless lifestyle. That is, the park that you create must not "harm" you and your family. Like not using thorny bushes, the area should be larger, and do not plant trees that the branches easily broken and pulled out the sap.

Third, the protective barrier and is one of the elements to create an environmentally friendly garden. If you have a house facing west, then place it that can protect the occupants of the house follows the sun during the day.

How Mirror Can Change Your Shelter

How Mirror Can Change Your Shelter

The mirror is an object made of glass that bounces, flat surface on the reflectivity is usually made of glass. Its that bounce due to the back of the glass coated with a thin shiny metal so opaque.Mirror can be an uniquely accessory which enhance your home. Mirror function is divided into two, as the needs and decorative elements. Mirror-called accessory if used as an accent in certain areas only.While the mirror as needed you can find it on how it manipulate a room especially the narrow one. Making a broad impression on the chamber by using the mirror it would need excellent method so that the application can be realized optimally.
So how to make it work for you, the first is about the placement. A proper placement of the mirror is usually on the side wall that is still some distance to the furniture.

The second is about the type of mirror. Type of mirror should be suitable to manipulate your room for being huge and large it should need the large mirror too. Because, it can form a space to be doubled from the previous.

In addition, note also the position of the mirror. Basically, the mirror can be applied to any position. The best position on the mirror is follow the room. There are two positions to place a huge mirror, it vertical and horizontal. Vertical position to get the impression of an area to be more pronounced. Another way, using a mirror mounted on the wall intact with no connection so the room becomes more spacious.

If you want to apply a horizontal position, the mirror can be applied as furniture such as sample design bed or cupboard. Mirrors can also be applied as a replacement bulkhead or wall it can generally be found in the concept of minimalist house.

The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.

image source, Babiekins

Well, it's been roughly a month since I've signed into this blog to write anything. I can't really explain why it's taken me so long to get back to it except that I felt a need to be quiet and really had nothing overly interesting to share. Every time I thought about writing anything I was met with a blank wall, which may have been a reflection of my January state of mind or the fact that I was working very hard to finish up the gardening magazine I was writing...over 144 pages of container gardening stories and info and well, I think my mind went into sleep mode and so did I. It has taken several emails from sweet readers wondering where the hell I was to nudge me into logging in.

As I mentioned after Christmas, I received a new and improved camera as a present and it seems to have scared me into never picking up a camera again. I bought myself a new, pretty camera strap (which still hasn't arrived!), a camera bag, a 50 mm lens, and an instructional DVD. The fact that I did all that and still haven't taken more than a few photos speaks to my current lack of ambition/courage. I have vowed to at least put the DVD in the player and watch a few minutes as soon as the magazine is finalized. Then maybe I'll become brave enough to actually post a picture of something.

Until that time, I decided I am better off sharing a few photos and links of things I have found to be lovely, annoying or curious and see what you think. Some are things I purchased as Christmas gifts for others, others are pretty people or homes/decorating, and others are just plain dumb.

Please, January, just hurry up and be over already!!

****************************

The Good:

I bought this pillow for my house from Helkat Design and a green and blue one for my mum. I don't care if they are a fad; the Union Jack is special to me.

I love this blog. Her life seems so sweetly simple and back to basics, and I mean that in the nicest way, truly. Just look at this wonderful handmade Christmas she created for her "little one." And her kitchen is so pretty, too.

The Bad:

On the opposite end of the spectrum is this nursery. I have seen it floating around several blogs lately and while it is stylish, it just grates on me that a parent could so overtly choose style over safety. Yes, the yellow crib is beautiful and the room's vibe very Anthropologie, but that crib scares the heck out of me. Some may defend it, but if they do they have never had children and are glued to design sites where cutting-edge style is more important than comfort or warmth... or were the kind of parents who had a horseshoe kicking around inside of them.

I know you know what I'm talking about.

The Beautiful:

When I saw this photo of Jenny Holiday on her blog recently I was dumbstruck at how beautiful she looked with her pink hair. Have you ever seen a hair colour so perfectly suit someone? I will never have the nerve to colour my hair anything other than my assisted blonde, but for some people, it just works!!

And this blouse:

I want it so badly but the price stops me in my tracks. Plays upon all of my childhood hang-ups.

And add the high shipping charges and the taxes and duty that big U.S. retailers so thoughtfully pay/charge on my behalf and it just makes the cost prohibitive. And don't get me started on companies that won't ship to Canada!!

Yep. Beauty and the Beast, that blouse is.

And one of the most beautiful of all poems, perfect for those of us with children who are edging closer to flying the nest. My favourite line is:

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.

On Children
Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Rock Garden Design

A Rock Garden Design at Home

We know the park as a collection of plants that are in one area. Type plants were selected have various impression such as cool, cool, and comfortable so our home can get a similar impression. But what about “the rock garden“?

Rock garden is a unique type of garden. In a sense, more widely used materials in the rocks and sand rather than elements of plants. We generally know the type of rock garden as a garden composition using hard media, such as sand, coral stone, and gravel.

To make a rock garden, the first things to consider is the location and size of the land. Usually we can applied it in the house adjacent to the inner court. But, it sometimes can be found on the front page or the back of the house. Just because a character is dry, when applied in the front yard will influence the impression of the main building.

The dry garden requires a supporting element in order to soften ROCK GARDEN character. You may add plants and water elements in this garden. With notes, make sure the plants have similar characteristics. That is, plants resistant to heat and does not require special treatment. Take the example of cactus, plants soft-shelled, or other dry crops.

To give a touch of fresh and gorgeous, you can apply the flowering plants. If not possible, you may choose the plants leaves are gorgeous and bold characters, or select the form of a gorgeous rod. You can also add other elements in the park. Take the example application fountain or make small pools. For its size, you can adjust the land area available. Most importantly, the purpose of pool or fountain made it to soften and refresh the rock garden.

You should adjust the concept of a garden with character building so it have a better point on aesthetically and functionally. Rock garden has a relationship with the concept, or rather the rock garden should be themed so that the application does not impress at random.

So even when choosing the ROCK elements that want to use. Surely not just any gravel or stone you use. In this case you should carefully choose the type of stone that would be used, such as coral, granite, or large stones. While the matter of its magnitude, you can set it according to the initial concept of this park. Take for example, select a stone with the same type but different size is selected. Just how do you manage it….

My Office & a Snow Day

We've been snowed in today with no electricity and I'm really glad we kept our wood-burning stove:

The power went out last night & we sleep in a pretty cool house so we didn't really notice it until this morning. We got a fire going in the wood-burning stove and it toasted up our entire lower level, where the family-room-combination-office is. We had breakfast (cereal with MILK! ;) at my work table and got all cozy by the fire. I took the pic above with my cell phone & thought I could beat the power outage and post from my ipad but I couldn't figure out how to get the pic up from the ipad! ah vell.

We took the kids out in the snow & Justin (above, 1) loooved it. He was watching a snowball fight between Daddy & Christian:

{Yes, that's a snowball pelted at my 3 year-old's head. My husband's a bit like Dumb & Dumber in the snow. He hit me with one and it was seriously like a baseball... I guess it makes us tough??? }

Anyway, onto the office. I've been needing more storage and we have the room for it so on a whim we decided to go for these shelves (from Target) last night. (We've beein toying with the idea of built-ins but want to keep the room open for alternate arrangements) Dave made it home just before things got really crazy around here snow-traffic-wise. I'm thrilled with the results:

I haven't really organized it yet and I still have some empty cubbies. Much of my gear is in our laundry room & Dave's work-out room so I'm going to bring out only the most-used items.

(empty cubby hiding behind Schumacher bag ;)

I put my ink pads & stamps in this old hammered ice bucket and I know I'm just begging for little Justin to come explore. (He loves to carry things with handles.)

I've never really shown you what all is in my office so I thought I'd share some peeks. Inside this little closet (which is next to the new cubby shelves) I keep some of my smaller fabric samples in color-coded clear plastic bins. I prefer to pull my fabric swatches from their books unless it's a book of solids like linens or velvets:

{The printer & a bunch of other junk also lives in here.}

Larger fabric samples go in the hallway (most of them are Schumacher in case anyone spies anything they have to have in the pic;) and are grommeted and attached with shower rings to curtain rods we hung:

looooove my pretties...

...And just to keep it real, here's the view I never show:

I'm working on this spot. I want to add more shelving up to the top and turn the whole area into the spot for my active client boxes, which store swatches & samples for each invidual client. Completed job boxes go in a less-accessible area. And that poor thing hanging on the wall is one big mess. For now it houses all of the miscellaneous pads & notebooks I've accumulated so that I remember to use them... but there's definitely a better way to use this space. I'm getting there ;)

..Okay, and because I like to end positively, here's one last look at my new cubbies:

{Do you spy our candle collection?? Leftover from the power outage}

This little addition gave us some much-needed breathing room and I just love that feeling.

I think I'll leave a couple cubbies empty for quick "mess stashes.."

And I'm going to go now because I'm doing more organizing. ahhhhh so happy.

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

My Office & a Snow Day

We've been snowed in today with no electricity and I'm really glad we kept our wood-burning stove:

We took the kids out in the snow & Justin (above, 1) loooved it. He was watching a snowball fight between Daddy & Christian:

{Yes, that's a snowball pelted at my 3 year-old's head. My husband's a bit like Dumb & Dumber in the snow. He hit me with one and it was seriously like a baseball... I guess it makes us tough??? }

I haven't really organized it yet and I still have some empty cubbies. Much of my gear is in our laundry room & Dave's work-out room so I'm going to bring out only the most-used items.

(empty cubby hiding behind Schumacher bag ;)

I put my ink pads & stamps in this old hammered ice bucket and I know I'm just begging for little Justin to come explore. (He loves to carry things with handles.)

{The printer & a bunch of other junk also lives in here.}

looooove my pretties...

...And just to keep it real, here's the view I never show:

..Okay, and because I like to end positively, here's one last look at my new cubbies:

{Do you spy our candle collection?? Leftover from the power outage}

This little addition gave us some much-needed breathing room and I just love that feeling.

I think I'll leave a couple cubbies empty for quick "mess stashes.."

And I'm going to go now because I'm doing more organizing. ahhhhh so happy.

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

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