My Design Secrets

The Life-sized Cloaked Grim Reaper from Frontgate is scary even before you see the face (below).

Time to get ready for Halloween!  For Thanksgiving and Christmas I like to carefully craft a look that compliments my home.  On Halloween, all bets are off.  The important thing is to make it creepy and fun.   Depending on the ages of the kids in your home or neighborhood you can go from the silly to to the super scary.  Here are some items that made my Favorite Halloween Things list.

Start shopping for Halloween and the upcoming Holiday Season! 

With witchy-poo shoes, the Krinkles Halloween Cake Stand is whimsical and colorful, just like their Christmas decorations.

Walls Slicks are a great way to decorate your walls, doors, and windows. Or you can perk up this year's Halloween party by adding these to the place mats, a table cover, or any other smooth, flat surface that appeals to you.

Ugly Dolls from Room Service Home are a fun treat instead of candy.

Magnetic Bats and Pumpkins from Ballard Designs are a quick way to dress up a chandelier or sconce.

These vibrantly painted Skull Masks would dress up a buffet table, foyer table or mantel in a snap.

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Together, Red, White & Blue give a patriotic or nautical feel; separately, they make a bold statement.  Either way, they are palette pleasers that will add pride to your pad.  JCPenney now carries home furnishings that echo that patriotic spirit and are easy on your pocket book.  This year they launched the American Living Collection.  The look has a Ralph Lauren feel, but at a fraction of the price.  Right now they are offering free shipping on orders of $49 or more!

Take a peak at JCPenney in My Secret Database!

Sitcoms frustrate me with their goofy depictions of Dads pining for talking Bass plaques and basements complete with fuzzy rugs and ragged recliners.  What woman wants to live under those conditions?  Well, there is a way to give the man in your life a great home-related gift, without spoiling your carefully crafted decor! 

Women and men definitely have different priorities when it comes to home design, but that doesn’t mean you cannot wend your way to a cozy compromise.   When I work with my clients, I often find that it’s merely one or two items that are the key to a man’s heart.  They realize that decorating the house is a top priority to their lovely ladies, so most times they don’t say much and happily go with the flow.  But in the name of Father’s Day, I would like to introduce you to some ideas that will let Dad know he is top notch and that his personal preferences are a priority in your home.

The New York Times store has an exquisite collection of photography with a wide variety that is sure to tap into Dad’s interests.  From iconic sports and history figures to landmarks and science, they have it all.  The photos are available with or without a broad selections of mats and frames.  In particular, the sports photos capture remarkable moments that are full of emotion and detail.

The recliner.  A long debated and often rejected piece of furniture.  Men want them, women hate them.  But there is hope on the horizon.  Many companies are making recliners that meld the style and comfort that you are both looking for.  Being a designer, I cannot help but choose a timeless classic and a stylish runner-up.

Slam Dunk.  Cut him a little slack by the pool.  Stop fooling around with those dinky pool toys that are demolished in one afternoon (while you coyly smile). Step up to the plate and buy him a real toy that will foster poolside fun and a little exercise (with bragging rights later). 

Disclaimer:  I know we have a great group of design conscious men out there who put great effort into the decoration of their homes.  They can ignore this post and go directly to My Secret Database to find what they need!

Happy Father’s Day to all you great Dad’s out there; especially mine!

Memorial Day Weekend! -  Break out the shorts and sunglasses; it’s time to dine on summer specialties.  When I was a kid, there was much excitement surrounding the simple, dome-top, charcoal BBQ grill.  The smell of lighter fluid meant hamburgers in 30 minutes and s’mores in 60 if you were lucky!  Now we have high-tech grills and custom outdoor kitchens that will blow your mind and your budget.  With chef-quality appliances, these outdoor cookeries sport wine coolers, marble counter-tops and more BTU’s than you will know what to do with.  So in honor of all you Grillers (you who suffer for charbroiled perfection) and Chillers (we who kick back with a frozen cocktail), I will share some outdoor cooking quarters from the simple to the sublime.

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I am not talking about a dog but rather something that could make your home just as warm and inviting.  Stray Dog Designs carries a stellar selection of home furnishings and they have a unique back-story.  Bill Pritchard and Jane Gray were newly-weds in Mexico in 1994 “figuring it out” when they came upon a small, sad looking pup that needed a good home.  They took La Princessa in as their first joint project and things just took off from there.  They started importing pottery to the States and that soon evolved into having a tinsmith bring Jane’s artistic visions to life in the form of lamps, mirrors, urns and other cool stuff.  In 1995 they were very warmly received at the Atlanta Gift Show and the rest, as they say, is history. 

They now live on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee with 3 kids and a houseful of pets which of course includes a former Stray Dog (a Great Dane named Big Girl).  They carry accessories, lighting, furniture and cool holiday stuff.  I would say their style has a Dr. Seusslike quality to it but with a bit of modern polish.  In their words: “Stray Dog Designs’ core design principles are simple: all items are handmade with careful construction from quality and recycled materials, melding quirky charm and true artistry, and providing fair wages for local workers.”  The vivid colors and whimsical shapes are the product of two people who run a company with a lot of heart and soul.

Come Visit Stray Dog Designs on My Design Secrets!

It’s time to celebrate the Heart and Soul of our dear Moms.  They nurture us, worry over us and celebrate our victories.  For that, they deserve at least one day of honor!  As you consider gifts of flowers, chocolates and jewelry, I would like to offer you some ideas that hit a little closer to Home.

Current Photos – What Grandmother doesn’t have a brag book with photos of her cherubs?  Keep her up to date whether she is near or far.   The Ceiva Digital Photo Frame allows anyone with a computer to send photos to Mom and they will appear magically before her very eyes.   The frames come in several finishes to compliment her decor.

Rest and Relaxation – Memory Foam mattresses are luxurious but can be a bit pricey.  On the other hand, Memory foam Mattress Toppers are affordable and a snap to install.  They improve support and will reduce pressure on her body.  She will feel refreshed and revived.

New Faucet – Aging hands and arthritis can make it difficult to turn the knobs on faucets.  Surprise Mom with a fashionable new faucet with levers that are easy to turn.  The Danze South Sea Faucet from Fixture Universe has a modern bamboo motif with a brushed nickel finish. Don’t forget to include installation.

Enjoy the day and make sure you share My Design Secrets with Mom!

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day bring family and friends traveling from near and far.  Is your guest room ready to do its job?  When they arrive on your freshly swept doorstep, welcome them with open arms and a well-appointed space they can call their own (for the weekend:-)).  Beyond decorating the bedroom 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!

Pottery Barn
FILLED GLASS VOTIVE CANDLE, SET OF 16, IVORY
Votive Candle, Set of 16 $24.00

It’s time to start dressing your home for the holidays. We all have favorite decorations we display each year that give us a comforting sense of ritual and tradition. But I always like to do something a little different each year to celebrate the growth and change that we experience each year. I have a couple of simple ideas that will bring some smiles and wonder to your space.

There is nothing like twinkling candles to give you gorgeous ambient light in a room. They immediately bring a sense of calm and joy to a space. I have all sorts of candles but some of my favorites are small filled votive candles. By “filled” I mean the holder has been filled with candle wax instead of a separate votive that you pop in. They are very small so I use many of them and spread them around the table or on an appetizer tray. It has such a nice effect as opposed to only having 2 candles on a table. You can also place them around the house, on coffee tables, or in the powder room.

Pottery Barn features a set of 16 for $24. These are unscented so they don’t compete with your scents from your food or floral arrangement. If you happen to have a Linens & Things near your home, they have them in sets of 6 for $4.99 at the store but not online.

The other little item that I like is a bit more expensive but really cool. They are light charms by Magnificent Trimmings. These magnetic charms can be added to any iron based home accent. Think chandeliers, sconces, candle holders. Now my taste is usually a bit more on the subtle side but at the holidays I think that a little extra sparkle goes a long way! Don’t forget to look in their “Closeout” section for some good deals.

Happy Holidays to Everyone!