My Design Secrets

I started My Design Secrets more than a year ago with one goal in mind:  Help people who love home decorating by giving them professional advice and easy access to the best online interior decorating sources.  After receiving a lot of wonderful feedback and learning that close to 100,000 people visted the database last year, I realized that My Secret Database was the answer to many of your decorating prayers!  So, I  was determined to continue sharing my interior design advice and resources.

A couple of months ago, I announced that we would be making some upgrades to the website.  Now, the time has come!  We wanted to make My Design Secrets even more useful, interesting, and fun for all of you decorating enthusiasts. (And for those of you who don’t know, my husband, Tim,  is the what turns “me” into “we”.)

So, here is what’s in store…

Improvements to My Secret Database *

The new database is PHENOMENAL.  When it comes to home decorating, My Secret Database blows any search engine out of the water.  Take that Google!  Here’s why: 

• Search through hundreds of online retailers for the product(s) you need and in the specific style you want.
• View a wide assortment of photos of specific products from the vendors in My Secrets Database. 
• Check out the the handy $-$$-$$$!  These icons will help you stay within your home decorating budget.

*While we wanted to keep doing all this for free, a girl has got to make a living!   With all these great new features, we are confident that you will recognize what a great value it is.  So starting this Wednesday at noon, My Secret Database is going to become a membership only site.  We are sure you will agree that the nominal charge of $9.95 per month is a fair price for access to this incredibly valuable, time-saving database.

Hot New Topics and Inside Tips in the Blog (Free)

The blog will continue to be free of charge and will offer my professional design tips as well as introductions to some of the hottest new decorating sources on the web.  I have lots of great ideas for new topics and, as always, you are welcome to make suggestions.  Feel free to search my existing blog entries covering over 350 decorating topics!

Great New Giveaways

We know you all love a Great Giveaway, so those are definitely going to continue.  We have some great ones lined up for high quality paint, gorgeous home furnishings, and fabulous interior decorating/design books.  And remember, your paid membership will automatically enter you into the giveaways.

Thank You…Thank You…Thank You

I have appreciated your support over the last year and sincerely hope that you will find these upgrades very helpful as you continue to put your personal decorating stamp on your home.

~ Lorrie

For a simple home office, you cannot beat the price and functionality of the Trovato Office-In-A-Box from Office Max. A desk, hutch and storage ottoman for $149.99.

More and more of us are working from home.  Some people need to take work home from the office, others work from home full-time and still others are starting new businesses “on the side” just to earn a few extra dollars in these money-tight times.  And let’s not forget how organized you need to be to manage a household – baseball games, trips to the vet, and school plays!

While it would be great to have a whole room for your office, many times you need to carve out a little space in an already crowded home.  The key here is to create a small, but well-organized space so you can focus when it’s time to settle in and get down to business.   Here is a sure fire way to make it work!

The Right Desk Spells Success

Find a desk that works for you. Not for the kids, not for your spouse, for you!  This means it has the right amount of space to hold the things you need (computer, phone, printer, etc) but not so much that you are filling it with clutter.  The height is very important because you want to be comfortable when using your keyboard.  If the desk does not have a keyboard tray then you will have to make sure your chair is adjustable so your shoulders are not scrunched up by your ears!

Steelcase has been making commercial office chairs for years. Now you can have an eco-friendly one that conforms to your body. It's a win-win. $659 at Crate & Barrel

“Chair” Man or Woman

Don’t buy a CHEAP CHAIR!  Your back, your neck and your butt will thank you.  The best chair allows you to adjust your seat up and down, and tilt forward and and back.  It should have lumbar support and allow you to adjust the arm rests.  Even people of the same height can be built so much differently with shorter arms or longer legs.  A good chair will last you for years.  Mine has gone 10 years so far and every vertebrae in my back is thankful.

This flexible gooseneck lamp from LampsPlus will twist and turn in any direction. LED lights keep it burning cool and saves energy. $99.99

Let There be Light

It’s great if your room already has overhead light but you still need some task lighting to make the space work.  If you are doing detailed worked, halogen lamps are great because the light is bright and clear.  But make sure the shade is not metal or it will get super hot.  Another great option is a light that uses LED bulbs that burn cool and last a super long time.  Table lamps look good but they really don’t give you the focused light that your eyes truly need. 

Metal mesh on the outside and cork on the inside allows you to use push pins or magnets. Pick your poison. $37.99

Organize It

Your organizational needs will vary greatly depending on your line of business but there a few basics that can help everyone!  Make sure you have enough filing space.  That sleek and simple writing desk may just have to wait if you have files you need at your fingertips.  There are lots of great looking desks with ample storage.  Also, some kind of  bulletin or magnet board is a huge help.  It can prevent you from getting lost in a flutter of Post-It notes.

These are just some basic tips to get you started with your furnishings.  If you feel you could use the help of a professional home office organization expert, then my friend Brandie is your woman!  She has contributed to My Design Secrets in the past and offers consultations to get you going in the right direction!

Please share your personal home office tips and tricks below!

These wall shelves from JCPenney can be used to display a variety of items. They come in black, mahogany, and white. Were $129, now $49.

Where’s the best place to put a special picture, keepsake or small treasure?  You don’t want to cast it amongst the the books and candles that cover your coffee table.  It needs a special little spot and a wall shelf could be your answer.  If you want a minimalist look, then choose one that blends in with the wall.  If you want the shelf to be an accessory itself, then go for something more obvious and ornate.  Either way, it will dress up the wall and give your special something a new home.  Here are some great picks to choose from:

The sleepy hollow storage shelf-nightstand from CB2 can be used as a nightstand or shelf and includes handy storage beneath. Comes in Bamboo and Black. $149.

This iron demi lune wall shelf can be used indoors or out. The size and shape make it useful as a small foyer table too. $55

At 14" wide and 18" deep, these can be used as a shelf, night-stand, or bookshelf supports. Custom made and available in 27 colors including Kiwi and Wild Salmon. $420.

Brown faux croc with nickel studs, gives these shelves a more masculine look. 24" shelf was $59, now $29.

A beautifully distressed French reproduction, this shelf features a zinc top and carved angels. $229.

Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!

Yes, you have a calender on your desktop, laptop and iPhone but sometimes it's nice just to glance up and have one there.

If you work from home like me, it’s important to find the perfect balance of “home” and “office.”  You want the space to be organized and efficient but at the same time not too “officey”.  Know what I mean?  Recently I found this cool little site called “See Jane Work” and it has everything you need to give your office a keen sense of style.  The founder, Holly Bohn, was dissatisfied with the bland offerings from Home Depot so she took things in her own direction.  From notebooks that organize personal and work papers to labels, to clips, file stands and binders; you will get organized in the most stylish way possible.  Here are a few things on My Wish List:

My dog, Emma, has a regular doctor and a holistic doctor, so this will help keep things in order for me and her sitter (my mom).

With slots labeled Notice Me, Respond to Me, Read Me and Pay Me, you can quickly categorize and prioritize bills, letters, bank statements and more. Side compartments are sized to hold magazines and catalogs.

With this bulletin board you don't have to punch pin holes in your favorite photos and notes stay put. My post-it's always seem to fly away.

Shop My Secret Database to get your Home Office spruced up!

Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!

Today I am happy to welcome guest blogger, Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer.  She has a fabulous website and blog for those of us with a home office or anyone who just wants to get organized!  She does a great job of sharing her expert tips along with links to other sites that are immensely helpful.  I am glad she is with us today and I hope you enjoy her tips as much as I do!

~Lorrie

Get Organized: 6 Steps To Get Started

Ready to get organized?  If you’ve decided to get organized, you’re not alone.  Have you tried before and been unsuccessful? Don’t stress! It is possible to get organized and stay that way.  Pick one area at a time, and move onto the next.  Here’s some tips to help you get real and get going:

1. One project at a time.  Don’t tell yourself “I’m going to get my life organized”.  Guaranteed you’ll be burned out in two weeks.  Pick one room that you want to work on.  If that seems overwhelming, pick one bookcase or drawer.  Small successes will build your confidence and motivate you to move forward.
2. Simplify, simplify, simplify.  I’d just love to take credit for this quote, but I can’t – it’s Henry David Thoreau.  Part of getting organized is evaluating what you have and what you really need.  This is the first step, no avoiding it.  Yes it’s work, but if you don’t do it all the other efforts are wasted.
3. Work with what’s left.  Once you get down to what you really truly need you’re ready to go the next step.  What’s left will determine what sort of products you’ll need, and help you….
4. Assign homes.  Here’s a tip: “being organized” simply means everything has a place (and everything in it’s place…).  If it doesn’t have a home, it’s homeless and will wander aimlessly for all eternity.  So, do yourself a favor and commit to giving a home to everything you’ve decided to keep.  Take it one thing at a time, and put things together that make sense to you.  If that seems a little daunting and permanent, don’t worry – you can always move it later, but you have to start somewhere.
5. Put things away.  You don’t have to live in Perfection Utopia – it’s a myth and just not real.  Period. What you need to do is put things in their homes (see previous step) consistently.  Just like anything else you’ve got to do this and make it a habit.  Once you do, you’ll see your space change for good.
6. Change and re-evaluate as necessary.  Sometimes people move from one home to a new one. The only constant is change, so don’t worry if things in your space change – because they will.  So, go with it and re-evaluate as needed.

You really can change your life with organization.  And honestly, when I type that it sounds caddy and simplistic – but I know it to be true.  Start with changing your space.  Organize your stuff, get real with it, dig deep.  You just might surprise yourself!

Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer, is a dynamic speaker, author and professional organizer.  Brandie helps home office professionals get organized.  Her website includes free resources, teleclasses, personalized services and a blog with dozens of articles. For a free copy of her Top Ten Organizing Tips, visit her web site at www.thehomeofficeorganizer.com, or call her at 971-533-7735.

When it comes down to it, we all work from home.  Whether it’s the place where you earn a living or where you keep your family’s lives in order, you need space for the computer, paperwork and a few paper clips.  Otherwise it’s a constant game of “Where did that bill go?” or “Please don’t play with my computer.”  A clearly defined workspace not only creates an area for all the “stuff” but it also creates a private space that gains respect from those around you.  From closets, to guest rooms, to an entire dedicated room, here is a simple plan to help you create a beautiful, comfortable and productive atmosphere.

Here you go:

1. Know your needs – Assess what currently works and what does not.  Clean out the space and make sure your storage is adequate.  Beyond file cabinets, consider baskets, bins and shelving.
2. Develop a floor plan – Don’t try to crowd too much furniture in the room and consider pieces that can pull double-duty.  Ballard Designs has a cool little Home Office Kit to help you plan your space.  Or just get out some graph paper, pencil and ruler and design the space yourself.
3. Create the Right Environment – Make it a comfortable and supportive environment for your creativity and concentration.  Though I encourage you to go with your gut on color, here are some basic color/mood associations that might give you a boost:

• Blue – calm, orderly, water
• Green – nature, health, renewal
• Orange – balance enthusiasm
• Purple – spirituality, wisdom
• Red – energy, strength
• White – pureness, simplicity
• Yellow – joy, optimism

4. Architectural Elements – If your budget and time allow, then go for the gold with new flooring, molding and lighting.  My friend and trusty web developer, Andrew, is redoing his office so I put together these tips with him in mind.

• Flooring: I recommend hard surfaces with wood topping the list.  Carpeting can get dusty and I like to keep the area around the computer equipment super clean. 
• Molding:  Be bold with base and crown moldings.  Don’t look to the original molding for size.  Often they are wimpy and small.  If you have 9 foot ceilings then anything up to 9″ each for the crown and the base is fair game.  I usually make the base a couple of inches less than the crown.  Mixing traditional moldings with modern furniture gives the space a designer touch.
• Lighting:  The best lighting for a workspace is a combination of good general lighting (such as recessed lighting) highlighted with some task lighting (lamps).

5. Personalize- Working from home allows you to personalize your space and really make it your own.  There are no rules!  Highlight the room with your favorite painting or a lamp with a cool shade.  Use a cork-board for special mementos or family photos.  Just make sure your office portrays an air of professionalism if you meet with clients in your home.

It doesn’t take much to turn a simple space into a home office.  And the boost to your efficiency and peace of mind will be priceless.

Good luck with your Home Office and be sure to use My Secret Database to fine everything that you will need!