Schooner or Later - Good news, Gary. Another couple has declined our New Year’s Eve invitation because our living room makes them seasick.

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I’ll be the first one to admit it….The World of Home Design takes itself a bit too seriously sometimes. When I see the way-to0-perfect photos and the magazines that suggest you re-invent your living room every year, I think, “Who has the time and money for this?”  That’s why I loved reading about websites that lighten it up by poking fun of it all!

Catalog Living is one my favorite.  Molly Erdman has created a fictional couple that live in a home full of rooms featured in catalogs.  The short, extremely witty titles and captions bring our attention to the fact that we may try to live up to some crazy expectations when it comes to decorating our homes.  Remember, a home design magazine is no different than a fashion magazine;  great for inspiration but take it too far and you wind up spending way too much money and looking like a fashion victim!

For a good laugh, check out both of these sites and tell me what you think!

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Catalog Living – a blog created by actor/comedian Lisa Erdman

Unhappy Hipsters – created by an anonymous author, their tag line is “It’s Lonely in the Modern World”

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Special Thanks to my “not-too-serious” designer friend, Michele, for bringing my attention to these sites!

Tim (my husband) and I both work from home.  And while it’s convenient with no commute, sometimes it’s a little TOO cozy with work-stuff overwhelming our home and our lives.  Poor Tim had a desk wedged into my sample room and sometimes it was hard to find him amongst all the fabric and wallpaper. With many of my vendors moving their catalogs and libraries online, it was time to start downsizing by moving all the catalogs and fabric into my office.  It was going to take some organizing but we finally did it!

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My Sample Room aka Tim's office. His desk was wedged in at the right.

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So now Tim has some extra room in his office.  But before he could even start enjoying it, I had new ideas about how we could use the space…..yoga room, reading room, guest room…TV room during football season.  Being the amiable guy he is, he was up for re-purposing the space.  What we finally decided on was all of the above.  A big part of this equation would be a great sofa bed… which I know seems like an oxymoron, but please read on.

I had my reservations about sofa beds.  They are okay for a night or two but most people “put up” with them.  You know, the bar, the springs, the whole lame deal. But I am sure you will all agree, sleeper sofas are a hefty investment and it would be really great if they were actually comfortable!  So I did some research, talked to a couple of designer friends and jumped in!  Our choice was the Savannah Sleeper from American Leather. I had ordered a number of leather sofas for clients from this company and their quality is great.  They also offer many different fabric choices in addition to leather.

Their Comfort Sleeper Sofa Program is wonderful.  The sofa is comfy and generous in size but the way they designed it allows it to fit into tight spaces.  The sofa can also be taken apart if you live in an apartment with narrow stairways or doors.  The mattress is foam, kinda like a Tempur-pedic mattress (which you can also upgrade to) and it has a stain-resistant Crypton finish which resists moisture, dirt, mold and mildew. Check out a video of how the sleeper works here.

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So the sofa was delivered last week and we stood there and smiled.  We hooked up a larger monitor to Tim’s laptop and he’s in heaven watching tons of movies on Netlfix and football games online.  Then, I moved my yoga stuff into the room and it all fits nicely into the matching storage ottoman!  Now we had a wonderful space and room for our family and friends too.

But the “sleeper” portion did not come into play until last night.  My throat was scratchy on Christmas night and when I woke up the next day I had the whole achy, sniffly, cold thing going strong.  I knew Tim was never going to get a good night’s sleep with me blowing my nose, so I suggested he give the new sofa a whirl.  I kinda held my breath because no one (especially a designer) wants to find out the investment they just made was a bad one.  But when I woke up this morning, Tim looked well rested and gave it the thumbs up!  I breathed a sigh of relief.

The great thing is that American Leather is sold in many stores around the country so if you are in the market for a sleeper sofa (or any sofa for that matter) you may want to visit and check them out.  I’ve already done the homework for you.

Sweet Dreams!

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Congratulations to Amber and Codi for winning the journals!

I have a fun little Friday pick-me-up for you!  I received a wonderfully kind email from a gentleman named Johan Karrman in Sweden.  He runs a company called Archie Grand and they make these wonderful little brightly colored journals.   The style is simple and classic but the thing I really love is the title selection:

Secret Agents I Met and Liked

Husbands I Met and Liked

Brats I Met and Liked

and my favorite….

Designers I Met and Liked

At last count they were up to 53 titles!  The journals are about 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" and perfect to keep in your purse for lists, poems, doodles and diary-writing.  The inside pages are crisp clean and white so there's no limit to the imaginative doodles and quotes you can add!

Johan was nice enough to share a little treat with our readers.  I have 2 journals for you entitled "Designers I Met and Liked" and if you win I expect to be mentioned in your random musings. So if you would like to get your hot little hands on one, here are the rules of the game: Step 1:  Visit ArchieGrand and shop around. Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me 1) which of their existing notebooks would be on the Top of Your Wish List, and 2) your creative idea for a new notebook title. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Friday, September 24th to enter.  Two random winners will be chosen and announced soon after. Good Luck! ~Lorrie

I sit down to write and the guilt immediately creeps in…

I usually post once a week (maybe twice) but I was aiming for so much higher this year.  I love interior design, I love writing, and I love my readers… So what’s the problem? I am sure you can relate.  Some days I feel so efficient that I can do the work of 3 women and other days it’s a flurry of stop, start, stop, start ….Ugh!  Between work, family, the website and trying to squeeze in a little fun it doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day.

Every day ideas for posts are running through my head and across my desk.  The transfer speed with which this huge pile of torn-out magazine pages turns into posts has slowed way down and I would like your help.  Here is a (partial) list of topics I am considering, now please tell me what to do!

THE LIST

1. Pillow arrangements for different size beds
2. Affordable Custom Mural Art
3. Sumptuous Area Rug Designs
4. Appliances Finishes – Modern & Retro
5. A Wonderful Selection of Wooden Chandeliers & Lamps
6. Selecting the Right Mosaic for your Kitchen Back-splash
7. Color Palettes for Kids’ Rooms
8. Decorating Do’s & Don’ts
9. Countertop Materials Roundup
10. Selecting New Fabric that Works with your Existing Design

So please post a comment below selecting one of the topics above and I will start in order of popularity.  Or you can  help me out by sharing some ideas or questions of your own.  I am happy help, just let me know where to go!

Grateful for some guidance. 

~Lorrie

Even thought One Kings Lane only exists on the Web, this is its virtual home.

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70% off on gorgeous high-end furnishings for your home….now I have your attention!

One Kings Lane is an wonderful  site that offers a limted number of designer deals each and every day.  Furniture, art, accessories, it’s all there.  Today there are 10 vendors listed with everything from high-end bean bag chairs to hand-crafted candle flowers that could pass for the real deal.  The sales start at 8AM Pacific Time every day (the founders are Manhattanites turned West Coasters) and feature at least 3 brand new vendors.  There’s a schedule listed for easy reference plus you’ll receive an email each day announcing the sales.

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An adult sized bean bag chair is relaxation and luxury rolled in one. This shade of orange is the perfect accent for any room. (Retails for $250, their price $149)

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If you recommend a friend who makes a purchase they give you a $25 credit which is a nice little perk.  On Saturday’s they have the Tastemaker Tag Sales that feature “curated selections from leading interior designers.” This weekend they are featuring Vintage Print Gallery and I am excited to see what they offer since some of their artwork hangs in my clients’ homes.  Check it out and see what you think!

If you have not entered our Rejuvenation Giveaway, make sure you take a look.

You could win a $300 light just for stopping by!

Enter Here!

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This cute little desk lamp is so charming that it was recently reproduced by a major lighting company, but the new ones don't capture the authentic character of the originals. $300

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Whether your taste is traditional or modern, you just can’t knock a good antique.  Most designs you see today take their cues from days past and lighting is no exception.  And that, my friends, is a big fat hint at the fantastic giveaway we have for you today!

Rejuvenation (my favorite source for classic lighting) has expanded its online antique lighting assortment with a collection of vintage industrial lights spanning the 1890s through the 1940s.  It’s called Antique Industrial.  They have also added a few new collections with antique style where you can customize ’till your heart’s content!  So let me tell you a little bit about them…

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The Ford's Mill makes an excellent bathroom or hallway light.

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Rejuvenation’s current offering consists of lights that originally illuminated movie theaters, garment factories, machine shops, schools, warehouses store display windows and New York City Subways. Minimal refinishing work has been done to these lights to maintain their rustic beauty and original patinas. When more extensive restoration was necessary, original period appropriate parts were used whenever possible.

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The McCoy is from around 1900 and you can customize it with blue, green & red shades as well as some metal options.

In addition to these wonderful originals, they have also added some classic fixtures where you get classic style and your choice of finishes, shades and light bulbs.  The Ford’s Mill makes an excellent bathroom or hallway light.  The Menlo, McCoy and Wiley are fantastic pendant lights for any space.  Think hallways, dining areas or kitchens. (That’s where I  have mine!)  So jump out of the box (or the Big Box Store) and select a unique light with lots of charm.  You will be amazed at how many people will notice. .

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This is how to enter:

Step 1:  Visit Rejuvenation and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which item would be on the Top of Your Wish List and Why. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, July 7th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

For those of you receiving this entry by email, please visit our website for the full story and photos.  There were so many lovely shots that I have posted 2 slideshows for your viewing pleasure!

Wild Birds is just one series of pieces you can choose from!

Lonesomeville -A curious name that sounds sweet and melancholy at the same time.  Here’s the story… It all started with a farm house built in the late 19th century and a group of people who could not bear to see it torn down.  So what did they do?  They bought it!  And over the last 20 years the owners have brought the house and the lovely grounds it is nestled on back to life!   From the cabinetry, furniture and tableware to the railings and gingerbread, no detail is overlooked by their artisans. And so, Lonesomeville was born.

[[Show as slideshow]]

But that’s just the beginning of the story.  Danny, one of the homeowners, happened to be an accomplished potter.  Soon thereafter, the home and grounds became the birthplace of Lonesomeville Pottery Company.  Really, it’s a campus of sorts with a lovely home, garden, and studio that all provide endless inspiration and comfort for those that reside there.

As you browse through the website you will see that each piece is inspired by nature.  Leaves, insects, flowers and birds are lovingly integrated into the designs.  As you click on each motif, there is a wide offering of shapes and sizes. Maybe something for your end table or mantel… dining room or kitchen?  It’s all there and it’s beautiful.

[[Show as slideshow]]

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Would YOU like to Win your choice of

Beautiful Lonesomeville Pottery worth $150.00?

This is how to enter:

Step 1:  Visit Lonesomeville Pottery and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which piece would be on the Top of Your Wish List and Why. You can choose any piece up to a value of $150!  If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, May 26th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

P.S.   And remember, you can be the first to hear about Lonesomville news and the latest designs by signing up to receive their Newsletter or becoming a fan on Facebook!

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I get email updates from Mountain Living Magazine.  I don’t quite know how they started but I love them!  Western or Mountain design has such a nice warm feel to it.  You know where it belongs and it seems to easily bridge the gap between indoors and out.  Mountain Living just did a feature called “Women In Design” and it’s fabulous.  It features designer and architects in the western part of our country who each have a style all their own but yet they all celebrate the unique style of the West.  Their designs are anything but typical.  They honor the past  but feel wonderfully comfortable right now. 

Enjoy and click on each photo to go directly to the designer’s website!

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A room from the the famous Kips Bay Showhouse in years past designed by LL Designs.

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Spring is a wonderful time to take a peak at some of the loveliesthomes in your area on a house tour or in a showhouse.  My mom took me to a few as a kid and as I wandered from one colorful room to the next I wondered who would let all these people in their house!  I highly recommend that you look for one in your area. It’s like like taking a grown-up field trip! 

Showhouses are a good way to raise money for a charitable cause while also quenching the public thirst for great design.  They are usually held in a home that is on the market.  A different designer is usually assigned to each room.  Sometimes the entire home has a theme and other times it’s a surprise in every room.  Either way,  you are seeing designers at their best.  They are donating their time and talent for a good cause and may gain some new fans along the way. 

Home Tours, on the other hand, are private homes that are opened up to show wonderful architecture and design from historical homes to the super modern.  Imagine giving up your home to let a few hundred people wander through next weekend.  It’s a serious commitment.

Take a look at these upcoming events and maybe there’s one right in your backyard!

A Listing of Home Tours – The New York Times

Home Tours – Some modern stunners sponsored by the San Francisco American Institute of Architects

Check your local chapter of the Amercian Institute of Architects for more listing.

The  Top 9 Annual Designer Showhouses – From About.com

So grab a friend and make a day of it.  A little lunch, a little touring.  Step in, take a peak but you’ll have to file all the good stuff away in your head.  Sneaking photos is a no-no.

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