My Design Secrets

One of our readers, Lauri, wrote in and asked:

“Do you have any unusual ideas for “King” size headboards, other than just the traditional ones the stores offer? Thanks! I just recently discovered your website and I LOVE it!”

Thank you, Lauri, for asking a great question.  I am happy to help you come up with some unique solutions to your dilemma.  Our vendors offer a lot of lovely headboards, but I think it’s great that you want to try something fun and unusual.  First of all, let’s think about the function of the headboard.  While exploring your options, keep a couple of things in mind:  Headboards provide support when sitting up in bed as well as a nice decorative touch to balance out your room.  With that in mind, here are some fun choices.

Paint or Paper – A simple trick that you see a lot in show houses and magazines is to paint or wallpaper something directly onto your wall. Here is a post a while ago about wall decals.  The options are unlimited and it’s an inexpensive way to go. A large photo of a flower has big impact!

Found Objects – You can use virtually anything you can find at a flea market or antique shop.  Don’t worry about it being exactly the right width, though wider is better than smaller.  An old door on its side, a beautiful screen, or even a surfboard makes some surprising and fun headboards.

Artwork - Sometimes you don’t need a headboard at all.  A nice collection of well-framed artwork against a dramatic wall color is a showcase in itself.  Just make sure you hang it high enough so that you are not leaning against it. 

Shop for Paint, Artwork, Wall Decals and Room Screens in My Secret Database!

When family and friends arrive on your freshly swept doorstep, welcome them with open arms and a cozy space they can call their own (at least for the weekend:-)).  Beyond decorating with your personal flair and style, think about furnishing your guest room with the same consideration you give to your own bedroom.  Carefully contemplate how the room will be used and by whom.

Here are a few Back-to-Basics suggestions:

• Cradle them in Luxury- A good foundation is critical, so why not go all out on the bedding?  Purchase 400+ thread count sheets and some wonderful pillows and a comforter that suits your climate.  Make them feel like they are at a luxury hotel.
• Wake them up Gently – Put an alarm clock with a CD player in the room and leave them a variety of Cd's.  Soothing tunes to fall asleep and something upbeat for during the day.  Why not burn a CD with a mix of songs you know they will like and let them take it home as a gift?
• Remember what they Forgot – Put an extra robe in the closet and extra toiletries in the bathroom.  They will really appreciate not having to ask for these items.
• Make Room – Make sure your closet and drawers have extra space for their belongings.  Nothing says "we are happy you are here" like some extra space and a few empty hangers.
• Stay Tuned In – Whether you like having a TV in your bedroom or not, most guests appreciate one.  They may use it to go to sleep or just to take a break on their own.
• Creature Comforts – Put a glass of water by their bedside and let them know where they can easily find a snack in the kitchen.
• Light the Way – Make sure the room is well lit for safety and comfort.  Do they have a good light for reading?  How about a night light to the restroom?  It's best if you have a light that can be switched from the doorway and the bedside.

The best way to assess the comfort of your guest room is to  spend a night sleeping there yourself!  You will be amazed at the small things you notice.  This is the easiest way to get the full experience; giving you time to replace lumpy mattresses and stale towels before your guests arrive.

There are many people in our lives that we wish we could see more often.  It's great to show them how much you care through the little things you do to prepare for their visit.  Just like a gift, it's the thought that counts most.

Explore Furniture & Bedding in My Secret Database!

Boutique hotels provide wonderful interior design inspiration.  Unlike large, chain hotels, the interior designers are often encouraged to focus on ambiance above all else and make the guests feel they are enveloped in luxury.  Occasionally I will show you some great hotel interiors that deserve your attention and give you some insight as to why the design works and how they pull it together.

The photo above is from the Setai in South Beach, Miami.  Their motto is “Be embraced by Serenity”; and you can certainly see they live up to this promise.  This bedroom creates a wonderful mood and achieves a delicate balance.  Let’s start at the bottom and make our way up.  The flooring is a combination of teak and slate.  The combination of flooring gives you a nice balance of warmth and coolness as well defining the spaces.  The simple linens on the bed are graceful and crisp.  This is a look that it is easy to create in your own bedroom.  The wall color is creamy and warm.  Nothing too bold to take away from the beautiful wood.  Lighting, now this is critical.  They have used 3 different types of lighting in this room.  An overall light from the ceiling that highlights the bed and could be used for reading.  The sconces add drama and ambiance along with the floor lamps which are a good idea for a small spaces where nightstands are a squeeze.  All lights are controlled from switches beside the bed.  There are a lot of straight lines in this room but the central focus is on the soft, light colored bed that softens the space and balances the feel.   Overall a great design.

Make sure to explore the Exotic Style in My Secret Database!

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.