My Design Secrets

Just like a fine quality spice in your favorite food dish, a little Exotic influence in your decor goes a long way.  Exotic is one of the 7 Styles we feature on My Design Secrets and it can be incorporated into virtually any other style.  It features fresh colors and striking designs from faraway places including locales such as Asia, the Middle East, and South America; to name a few.  Today I will run down some Exotic tips that will bring zest to your nest. 

• Modern interiors come to life with vibrant animal-themed artwork.
• An old leather chair ups its hip factor with a painted Moroccan side table.
• Light and airy draperies add romance to your bedroom.
• A colorful lantern makes an indoor or outdoor conversation area warm and cozy.
• Intricate wood work on a headboard (or room screen hanging above a bed) adds interest and a focal point for the bedroom.

Exotic design comes in many forms; from hand carved and inlaid woodwork to vibrant textiles and unusual accessories.  Introduce a bit in your interiors and I bet you will never turn back.

Explore the Exotic Style in My Secret Database!

Searching for some sumptuous new sheets for your bed?  Hunting for the perfect housewarming gift for a friend who likes to entertain?  The Giving Tree Luxury Linens is the place to go when you want to indulge.   

The owner, Carol Teplick, stocks the store with only the best for your bedroom, bathroom and tabletop.  They carry brands such as Peacock Alley and Yves Delorme and help you find what you need with good old Southern Hospitality.  They have a shop in Mobile, Alabama; but if you are shopping online you get the same type of attention you would get in person.  You can request free fabric swatches to make sure you select the perfect item and if you need more details don’t hesitate to call them.  They go above and beyond with stellar customer service.  

I have purchased from the Giving Tree for many of my clients and they love the beauty and quality of what they have to offer.  Also, if you sign up for Carol’s Newsletter, you are in a drawing for a $250 gift certificate each month.  Then you can really indulge!  Happy Shopping!

Shop for Bedding and Table Linens in My Secret Database.

Any day is a good day to pick up a bargain!

Many of the websites I include in My Secret Database have a “Sale” or “Clearance” section where they feature items that have been marked down.  This is a fabulous place to find some incredible value for your money.  Whether you are searching for the finishing touch or seeking a treasure that sets the tone for your room, you are bound to find some awesome deals that are hard to resist.  Here are a few incredible items that are easy on your budget:

First is the Tenpo Open Console Bookcase from Room and Board.  I love the simple lines of this piece which could be used in many settings.  It would be at home in your office, dining room or at the foot of your bed as a bench/storage piece.  $499 (was $999)

Second, while browsing through the Horchow website I found this beautiful Cherry Blossom print that is textured to look like a painting.  The vivid turquoise sky against the delicate pink cherry blossoms would be a fantastic focal point in any room.  The frame alone is worth the price.  $299

Lastly, these elegant Portico Crystal Lamps from Restoration Hardware are one of those great design classics.  Crystal lamps are at home in Modern and Classic homes and I can guarantee you will hang onto them for a long time to come.  Pop a new lamp shade on and you have a whole new look .  They offer two shade styles in ten different colors!  $214.99 (was $444) At this price you can get two for the price of one.  (A little feng shui hint - try to accessorize in pairs in your bedroom to enhance harmonious energy.)

Make sure you read the fine print. Sometimes marked down items are not returnable.  Also, don’t wait too long to make a decision as many of these items are in limited quantities.

This is affordable luxury at its best!

Merino Wool Throw from Pendleton

There are so many beautiful styles and materials. From Merino wool to cashmere or a quilt. I genuinely think this is something worth splurging a little on. For the number of times a throw gets used, its cost per use is pennies!

Area Trio Throw from Pillows and Throws – It’s reversible

• Throw one over the arm or back of a chair or sofa to add some color.
• Place a folded large throw at the foot of your bed for a great layered look that is super useful in the middle of a cold night.
• Keep a blanket in your car. You never know when you want to picnic spontaneously or someone might want to take a nap.
• Give one as a gift. You cannot go wrong!
• Put one out on your porch swing and enjoy a snuggle!

Safety in our home should be at the top of our list of priorities. There is no reason why beauty cannot be married with practicality and safety. Today I would like to review some points on window safety and specifically how it relates to children.

October has been designated as Window Treatment Safety Month for the last few years. One of the potential hazards that most people have heard about is that children can become entangled in window cords. But beyond that, there are many other hazards that exist and often there are simple preventative measures you can take to decrease the potential risk.

• Furniture and anything that could be climbed should be kept away from windows.
• Choose tempered safety glass whenever it is an option. This type of glass will shatter but the pieces adhere to the interlayer preventing exposure to shards of glass.
• When you open a window for ventilation, consider who has access to the open window.
• Check the locks on your windows and how easily they are operated.
•  Screens will not prevent falls so do not rely on them to do so.

As a general point of safety, practice safety drills with children. Small children tend to hide from fire or danger. It is important that you direct them to a safe place and familiarize them with the route.

I have only touched upon a few points here but as you can see, small changes can make a world of difference.

If you happen to have an older window treatment that is a hazard, free retro-fitting devices are available by calling 800-506-4636 or going to the website of the Window Covering Safety Council. The website has lots of information and a video to help you understand the cord hazard.

Soft, beautiful bed linens are a luxury that is certainly worth the money. Good quality sheets last a very long time and dollar for dollar get much more use than most of your favorite clothing items. I always encourage my clients to treat themselves to the best sheets they can afford. You deserve it. Luckily, there are many companies out there making beautiful looking and great quality bedding. The sheets above are from Anna Sova and are 460 thread count and come in 3 basic colors and 3 colors with “wow” factor.

Many people judge (and brag about) a sheet based solely on its thread count but there are other points to consider. I am going to break it down so you only have three things to look for:

Thread Count – This is how many threads per square inch. The more the better but it really tops out at 500. The companies that are claiming higher thread counts are using other processes with smaller threads so they can claim the higher thread count in their marketing. I recommend 200 or higher.

Materials - Cotton is King! Don’t bother with sheets that have polyester in them. Blended fabrics do not breathe or absorb moisture so they are not as comfortable. They will never be as soft and they will pill. Egyptian cotton is the best you can get.

Finish – The fabric is processed or finished in various ways that will affect its “hand” or the way it feels. The processes can be complicated but you just need to feel it to know what you like.

I am also thrilled to see that many of our mainstream companies are offering organic bed linens. Cotton is unfortunately one of our most pesticide laden crops so while organic sheets cost more, they are worth it, especially if someone in your family has allergies or chemical sensitivities.

West Elm

Pottery Barn

Gaiam

And always, always wash your sheets before you use them for the first time!

Sheets from West Elm

Lighting in the bedroom, what to do, what to do? We all know that overhead lighting in the bedroom seems harsh and doesn’t provide an inviting glow. And please don’t tell me you use the light attached to the fan! For reading, nothing beats a swing arm lamp. You are able to read well into the night without disturbing your partner and you are able to adjust the lamp to your comfort. A few things to keep in mind. Cheap lamps don’t swing well and won’t last long, so don’t bother. Invest in a decently priced lamp ($150 and up per lamp). Dimmer switches or 3-way switches make them even better. The Classic Swing Arm Lamp from Circa Lighting has a diffuser (an acrylic disc that sits at the bottom of the shade) which provides soft light that is very comfortable to read by. It is $189 in the bronze finish.http://circalighting.com/item.asp?idProduct=633&Cat=Wall%20Lamps

Installation – You have a couple of choices when it comes to installation. You can hire an electrician to hard wire the lamp into the wall at your chosen height. The lamp will appear to float on the wall and you will not see the cord. The other choice is to mount it on the wall with hardware that is usually provided. The cord will hang down and you can hide it by buying a cord cover. They usually have them in the basic finishes (Black, White, Brass) or you can finish them yourself. If you buy a lamp with a very special finish, you will want to seriously consider hiring an electrician or the effect will be lost with the ugly cord hanging down or a finish on the cover that does not quite match.

Height – What height should you mount the lamp? You need to keep in mind the overall height of your mattress and the height of the user. Generally you want the bottom edge of the lamp to be 20″ above the top of the mattress. Adjust higher or lower for people who are not average height. Jump in bed and have someone hold it at different heights to make sure you get it right.

If you want the same effect but can’t mark up your walls because you are renting your space this type of lamp provides the same effect. It’s the Osso Black Brass Swing Arm Table Lamp from Bellacor and is $246. I love the clean lines and simple shade.http://www.bellacor.com/detail.cfm?ItemID=181293&partid=EmailItemtoaFriend

I was working on a project and looking for just the right mirror to finish off a teenage girl’s room. I looked through all my trade sources and still came up empty-handed. Then I started searching the web and “voila” I found just the thing! The piece that is featured above the bed is a mirror that is beautiful opened or closed. I also purchased a different style for her bathroom. This company has the most beautiful carved and inlaid furniture and accessories. I have ordered several mirrors from them. The prices are great and they carefully pack them for shipping. They have furniture from Syria, Morocco and Turkey.

Arabian Nights Imports

http://arabiannights.ca/arabian-main.html

Did you enter our Free Giveaway today?