Where did you find that?

I am always looking for a good bargain. I don't mind buying used, close out, or refurnished items as long as they are still use able (which is a given, i know). But, we get so excited about an item and what we think is a great deal is actually a worthless piece of junk- I know i have been there... and boy is that frustrating. To avoid the pitfalls that can come from eagerness and reckless buying, I've developed some "straight to the point" guidelines i would use when buying from the Internet (such as Ebay, craigslist or the tv shopping network or catalogues).

So, to get the most bang for your buck-
1. Do your research- the more you know the better idea you'll have on what makes a piece high quality or low.

2. Know what you are looking for. It amazes me how many people just simply shop to shop- and buy things they don't really love. They just BUY because they need something to fill the space. You will have MUCH more success if you decide beforehand what type of item you want. What style, colors, price etc. Then you can narrow down quickly what will and won't work for you.

3. If someone claims to have a "vintage" piece or something by a specific designer, make sure they have a certificate or you can see the branding. Don't get taken in by a name either. I think Frank Lloyd Wright made some beautiful furniture, but I'm not going to buy it to furnish a comfortable loft simply because it's a frank Lloyd Wright. Which leads me to the next point-

4. Buy appropriately. If you are finishing a dining room for a young family of 5 it might not be the best idea to get silk covered chairs. You can still get the look you want and buy smart.

5. Set a budget and don't go over it. You can find a lot of sellers who accept offers and with others you can simply ask for a discount. Often,if a seller rally wants to rid of something they will cut you a deal.

6. Make sure you see the entire object by all sides. Retail websites usually take returns, but private sellers often don't. Make sure you know what you are committing to purchase.

Don't be dissuaded by shipping online. Just be smart. It is extremely convenient and you can find some killer deals online and in catalogs. Now all you have to do is decide what you need to buy next....

Be Daring!

What are you dying to try but haven't yet?

I live in a pretty drab place right now. I just moved in and the walls are a yawn. I can't decide between these colors:
























































































I am into warmer tones and wall textures right now.
Once I get my last project done I am going to start painting.

What interests you right now?

Do I follow this trend?

Dear q/a How do you decide what trends to follow?

Trends comes into our lives and add excitement- encouraging and enticing us to add any thing from a certain color to our rooms, a lacy fabric, or dark thick accents. Months after we have succumbed to these trends, some fall in love their trendy pieces while others have moved onto the next new thing. A small percentage are content with their choice for years, but the majority have grown to hate their new additions and are lost at what to do now.

Don't get me wrong, I think change is great. It can produce a positive beautiful environment, but depending on the type of change, how it's executed, and why, it can also create a long lasting negative response that may require a time consuming repair. I'm just saying-Don't purchase/paint/re-upholster/glue the next hot item somewhere simply because it is that... the next hot item. Chances are you won't be pleased after some time as passed. Only follow the trends you truly care for.

I think we should try to only surround ourselves with things we love (of course, each person only has so much control over this- annoying co workers or in laws aren't really negotiable) and if what you love just so happens to be the trend at the moment- all the better for you! Pleasing loved objects generate harmony and peace within ourselves and our atmosphere. If you are feeling like your space needs a revamp from a misguided impulsive pressured-into change- Go back to your roots and find something you love.

Various motifs, arrangements, colors, fabrics etc will always cause us to have a positive reaction whether it because of a memory, the feel, the smell, or simply because it is pleasing to our eyes.

I personally love the Paisley.
(FYI- Originated in India- kidney shaped design- believed to be a stylized floral spray)

I could place this motif in every room and be happy. I find it soothing, beautiful and interesting. The Paisley is my "go to" when I need a pattern I love. It becomes a trend every couple of years, used in an unexpected color pallet or paired with modern straight furniture to make it "new," but this is a classic enduring design; recognized as far back as 1888, the design will always have a high held position in design
whether it's a more extreme abstracted stylized form

or the more traditional ornate Indian design.

It may not be "the" pattern for everyone, but it works for me.

That's what you need to figure out for yourself. Who cares if it's not #1 on the "chic" list? Find what you love and keep it in your back pocket to pull out when you need a return to the familiar and comforting.

I was once told if i ever needed to add a little spice to a room, I was to simply add some black somewhere. OK. Sounds pretty easy.

But what if you hate black?
Then that isn't such a great suggestion.

I personally like black (in the right application), but I'm not sure I would want to add it to every spice less room I have ever been in. If not used properly, it can become a giant black hole and suck all the attention to an insignificant area, causing viewers to miss out on the interesting textures, colors, accessories and intricacies that are present in most rooms (at least the well designed ones).

Of course, every designer has their own guidelines about what they think is best, but if you are stumped as to what little extra touch you can make to a room (like a vase, flowers, pictures frames - nothing too massive and attention grabbing *remember* small additions can make a big impact) I suggest putting some of your favorite color in.

Why?

• It's your favorite color- that in it's self is a good enough reason)
• You will be happier surrounded by things you love I.E. you favorite color
• It's a good excuse to buy something new in that color YAY
• It will five each of your rooms a personal flair and help create your own style
  
  

What's your favorite color? Some people have a hard time picking just one, but who says you have to? If you have multiple favs, add one color to one room, and the other color to another (that's a mouth full).

If you're feeling passive about colors but want to find which ones you gravitate towards- look at your wardrobe. What colors fill up your closet? Or look around your place? You bought most of the items you own, so there has to be a reason as to why you chose the color you chose. You'll (hopefully) notice a single color or a color combination you enjoy.

If nothing strikes you are "the color" NEVER FEAR. There is a sure fire way to find at least ONE color you like. Walk down the towel isle at a department store (or any store with linens). Don't think and analyze, "Will this look good against my wall?" or anything remotely inquisitive. Just GO and let your gut pick out whatever color/towels you're drawn to. You might find many, you might find one. Either way you'll have a found a favorite color.


Now go do something with it.

Dear Q/ A- I have a hole in my wall from my son throwing a book at his little sister. What is the best repair method?
Signed
"I need a hole in my wall like a hole in my head."

Dear Holes in places-
I first and foremost recommend removing all books from little arms length-actually anything heavy enough for a child to pick up that could inflict real damage to anything.

Then if you opt for the super easy method; Hang a picture over the hole. If you don't have anything that matches the room you can go buy a piece- YAY! Shopping spree. Although a "good" designer wouldn't suggest this misleading patch-up method, I have seen many a clever "camouflage-the-fight" pictorial arrangements (children aren't the only ones who throw things when they get upset).
Another option is to have your son (or you to release some aggression) throw more books around the room and create wall texture/art. The random dents will always be a conversation starter.
If you wanting to fix the hole in a seamless manner- and I'm assuming it's not TOO massive. (how big a dent could your son have made?) I have some good news for you, it's fairly easy. :)

You will need:
Newspaper
joint compound
putty knife
sandpaper
touch up paint

Step 1- Crinkle up newspaper (allow children to play with newspaper during this time- perhaps making hats or planes) and stuff it in the hole- unless the hole is shallow or on top of a wall stud, then continue to step 2.

Step 2- Use putty knife to fill in the hole with joint compound. You don't really HAVE to use a putty knife- I usually use my fingers, although it may make it harder for some to accomplish the next motion which is: Smooth down patch. Fill compound up and over the hole. When it dries it shrinks and hardens in a nice white blob.


Step 3- The next day when it's dry, or when you get around to it again- use the sandpaper and move in circular motions to smooth the patched area. If you are soft and steady your hole will blend in with the rest of the wall , making it almost impossible to know your son ever had a tantrum. *Be careful when you're sanding- it's easy to sand too much and then you have to repeat step 2 which takes time and we all have more fun things to do than reapply joint compound. That is why I suggest using circular methods- it's easy to get carried away if you are just sanding with no rhyme or reason.

Step 4- Once sanding is finished, paint the area with primer and allow it to dry thoroughly- this can be a pain especially if you are like me, and don't like being tied down waiting on anything let alone for nothing more than PAINT TO DRY. But- this leaves opportunity for you to multi-task. YAY. Read a book, eat a cookie, do something while you are waiting.

Step 5- Once primer is dry repaint the area with your desired color, or choose to use this opportunity to repaint your entire room a new color, hang wall paper, and make whatever changes you feel are needed.

So that's it. You're done! If only keeping brother and sister happy were this easy.

Your First Paint Job

The most frequently question I'm asked is, "How do I make over my room for cheap? I'm sure many of us out there know the answer (say it all together now...)
PAINT!
Paint comes in a wide variety of brands, types, textures and of course COLORS- which can cause some to be overwhelmed.






















If it's your first time painting a room I recommend you ask me what type would be good for you, or you go to your local Sherwin-Williams (most highly recommended! Not that i have anything against these other stores- Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart- where paint can also be purchased-it's just when i was younger, i painted my room for fun (literally once a year. My family said my walls were 1 foot smaller than any other room in the house because there had so much paint on them- by the way-they weren't) and their employees are not nearly as knowledgeable as those at Sherwin-Williams. You may think paint is paint, but there can be the BEST paint for a certain room.

Once you've started to paint, remember not to freak out! This is a change you are making, and a lot of people get really nervous midway through.
Always finish what you started and chances are you are going to really like it.

Remember to:
1. Wear old clothes, you most likely will get paint on you (put hair up and out of your face)
2. Listen to good music
3. Eat breakfast
4. PRIME!
5. Feel good about calling this your work out for the day
6. Not make any drastic decisions until you have your room all put back together
7. Enlist in the help of friends to make it go faster
8. Don't inhale too many fumes
9. Realize that (usually) one coat, is not enough
10. Feel good about making a positive change


And remember if you REALLY don't like it. You can always repaint it.