The Dream (mine anyway): The Weekend House

living area

 view to front door from dining area

 dining area

 bedroom

I was so happy when former clients, a married couple, called to say they purchased a small weekend house in Jersey and wanted my help getting the place together. 

The showed me pictures of the home (with the former owner's furniture, shown) along with about 100 images on pinterest they gathered for inspiration. We discussed budget, how they wanted to 'live' there, and the overall feeling they wanted to space to have. We decided 'beach chic' summed it all up and took it from there.

After giving me a floor plan with dimensions, I created a furniture plan to figure out what pieces they needed and what sizes would actually fit the space which you'll see it in the next post!!

My Inspiration Board

I had a cancellation the other day so I spent the morning changing up my inspiration board. I switched out a few images I was bored with and added some new ones. Lots of these are pulled from magazines but there are also images pulled from the web that I printed on photo paper. The pink drawing in the last image is a my nephew's signature penguin.

New Business Cards

Wanted to show you guys my new business cards. While it's the same layout as my previous cards, it's now blind embossed on double thick ivory paper (white were too stark looking). 'Blind' means there's no ink used. Thanks to the guys at Publicide for all their help. 

Simple, clean, modern without actually having to say it...

Lists

Are you a list maker? I have a pretty bad memory so I cannot function without them. I have personal lists, work lists, and lists of things to do on the cover of each client notebook.  

The key is having limited amount of current lists (not a link, just wanted to accentuate this point). Having multiple ongoing lists is not the way. Cross things off on one list then when you've gone thru most of it, transfer what's left to a new list and toss the old so there aren't piles of half crossed out lists everywhere. 

"I have always lived my life by making lists—lists of people to call, lists of ideas, lists of companies to set up, lists of people who can make things happen. Each day I work through these lists, and that sequence of calls propels me forward." - Sir Richard Branson in 'Losing My Virginity; The Autobiography'.

Picture Break

Just a few pics from my inspiration file (I really need to label things better as I don't have credits). These inspire me in many ways; not just for the individual pieces but the mix of color, proportion, texture, materials. Not only for creating outfits of my own and fashion in general, but for interior spaces as well. 

Falling For Fallon...

Ok, I just had to show you guys my latest acquisition. Large Swarovski crystal earrings with a small golden spike below, they're Fallon by Dana Lorenz.


I don't have a ton of jewelry so instead of keeping them in my jewelry box, they're hanging on my inspiration board (which is across from my dressing area) so when I'm not wearing them I still get to enjoy them.

Inexpensive But Cool Window Hardware

bedroom windows before

bedroom windows after

The windows in the bedroom of this rental are screaming for long flowing curtains. We wanted one long rod but those can be pricey. Instead, I suggested black steel pipe bought at a local hardware store for about $60. The rings make opening and closing the curtains easier than if the curtains were just hung on the rod itself.

Black steel pipes come 8' and 10' lengths in varying widths plus varying length nipples (what the small lengths are called) to fit just about any space. The 8' rods can be cut and threaded where you buy them.

I've seen them used in many ways but most impressed by these amazing wall units like here and here.

Blog Love: Manhattan Nest

(image courtesy of manhattan nest)

I just had to show you what Daniel over at Manhattan Nest did to his bathroom. Any bathroom can be fabulous. And just about every bathroom I encounter needs a bigger medicine cabinet. Especially love the art. Click here for the full post and to more more pics.

Technical Difficulties

interior design by brad ford

image courtesy of freundevonfreunden.com

image by stuart mcintyre

I have lots to show you but seems all the pics I take lately are coming out horribly. So when I figure out how to solve this I'll be posting again. In the meantime, just a few pics from my inspiration file to enjoy. Sorry I do not have all the credits!

Less Stuff, More Happiness

Couldn't have said it better myself....

Stay Tuned...

(afraid i do not know any of the photo credits...)

Sorry for the lack of posts. I'm helping two separate clients get settled into their new apartments. Working 8hr days while keeping up with my regular clients has left me quite exhausted. The good news is I'll have some projects to show you very soon so please stayed tuned!!

In the meantime, here's a few pics from my inspiration file...

George Carlin on Stuff

If you've never seen George Carlin's rant on stuff, you must! My favorite line is "Have you ever noticed that their stuff is shit, and your shit is stuff?"

The Meaning of Wardrobe

all images thesartorialist.com (i think):

A wardrobe is a thought out collection of pieces that work together to express a clear point of view.

Before I went through my process (before I was an organizer), I had clothes; individual pieces that had no relationship to each other. Pieces that needed me to purchase new things to make an outfit around it. Pieces that didn't fit my lifestyle and were never worn. Pieces that stand on their own are nice, but if you cannot wear them, what good are they?

When buying something now, I think of how it relates to my wardrobe as a whole. I get pieces that enhance what I have instead of just 'oh this is nice' like I used to do. Pieces that help me wear the things I already have in new ways.

Do you have clothes or an actual wardrobe?

5 Easy Everyday Things To Make Your Home Nicer

(unknown source)

(design by albert hadley via lonny mag)

(image by stuart mcintyre)

- MAKE YOUR BED(s). if it takes you more than 2 minutes (per bed), consider simpler bedding. i have a fitted sheet and comforter, takes me 15 seconds.

- KEEP THE TOILET SEAT/COVER DOWN. seriously, who likes looking into the toilet?

- TAKE OUT TRASH + RECYCLING. i don't understand the storage of garbage, it takes up so much room and quite frankly it smells!

- DO THE DISHES. even if you do it before you go to sleep, it's so nice waking up to a new day with a clean, empty sink.

- OPEN THE WINDOWS. i don't have to explain this one do i?

The Ikea Debate

(eddieross.com, ikea sofa with DIY slipcover)

(andreas apt via apartmenttherapy.com. the floating console are ikea kitchen cabinets)

(client entry, ikea dresser. progress shot, ignore the plant that hasn't be re-potted ;O)

(my apartment, ikea bookcases)

(interior designer michael bargo's apt in domino magazine. ikea dining table)

My feeling about Ikea is that 92% of it is crap, but the remaining 8% is great. When people say they're 'too old' for or 'above' Ikea I think it's a little silly. I see their products in beautiful designed spaces all the time.

The bottom line is setting up an apartment can cost a lot of money and the best way to get a beautiful and affordable result (even when you understand that 'affordable' is a relative term), is to do a careful mix of high and low end pieces. As a renter for over 10 years, I chose to spend money on accent furniture and decorative things, things that I've been able to take with me and successfully use in each space.

Do you have Ikea pieces in your home?

Guest Blog Spot

I did a little guest spot on Arianna Belle's fab blog, as part of her 'How I Organize' series. Thanks Arianna, it looks great! Check out the full post here.

Blog Love: Moth Design

(all images by Erica Cook)

This is the amazing closet of interior designer Erica Cook. I love her use of beautiful glass bowls + dishes to hold accessories but I especially love the way she framed her shopping bags. Ingenious!

Check out her blog, Moth Design to see more images of her home, her client work and bits about her life raising 5 kids, which is hard I know, my mom did it!