I'm in print

Months ago, I read an inspiring article (December issue of BH&G) about a talented young designer, Lauren Liess, who is transforming her home along with her husband and their young family. I was totally smitten with her (she’s gorgeous, friendly, creative, and from Virginia). I found myself going back to the article again and again. It was the first time I could recall a national shelter magazine featuring a house that was so relatable for regular folks. Lauren’s house doesn’t have a charming wrap around porch, a gourmet kitchen with granite and high-end appliances, or a spa-like master bath. No. Her home is a 1970′s split level that sat on the market for four years before she came along and saw the potential. Now that, I can relate to.

(I promise I’ll include all the links to everything I’ve mentioned about Lauren and her fabulous home, but please indulge me for a few more sentences while I make this about me and my nanosecond of glory.)

Did I mention I was inspired? I was so inspired that I actually wrote to BH&G to thank them for including such a relatable article in their publication. And guess what? They thanked me back by including my letter on page 15 of the February issue. I know it’s a little thing, but dang if I’m not excited. I’m in print!

{Oy, the scan is so blurry! Sorry!}

What is really fun for me is that I first learned that my letter was published from my friend Ann in Chicago who mentioned it on Facebook. I’d forgotten about even sending it in, to be honest. Then, Pam, an old (but still young!) friend from Virginia, said the world felt a little smaller when she saw my letter in her copy of the magazine. I love hearing from everyone, and I also love the idea that we can reach out and connect with each other even though everyone is so geographically spread out and far flung these days. How cool is that?

Here is the article about Lauren’s house from the December 2010 BH&G entitled “Christmas Present”. The best way to read it (unless you get your hands on that issue) is on Lauren’s blog, Pure Style Home, which I highly recommend.

Lauren Liess Kitchen from BH&G 12/10 Issue

Also, here are more pictures from her DIY kitchen remodel that include tons of doable ideas. Take a look at all of it when you have time. I think you might find yourself rather smitten with Lauren, too.

style your coffee table with these simple steps

One of my favorite reads is the Thursday email I receive from The Washington Post Home section. It always offers good eye candy and relatable articles about dwelling. Today’s article features a local D.C. area antiques shop owner giving tips about how to makeover your coffee table. Inspired, I glanced over to my bare living room coffee table and decided I would try out the simple steps to see if it was as easy as it sounded.

It was, and you can do it too. Just follow this easy formula:

Step 1: Start with a plant

Or fruit, or fresh flowers…something living is the idea here. I’m momentarily stumped since my budget doesn’t allow for fresh flowers, and I do have that black thumb affliction. But then I remember that my one surviving plant might work, so I add it to the table.

Looking better already!

Step 2: Vary the heights

Ok, well I’m just working with one item here, but I’ll keep that in mind as I add more. For now, I am liking the spiky tall leaves on my plant, so step 2, I guess, is complete.

Step 3: Add books and stack them

Well that’s something we have a lot of! The idea is you switch out books based on seasons, or the interests of your guests, but since I’m the only one home right now, I’ll choose a few of my own home decor faves. Note to self: later must switch to BBQ cookbooks and a gnomes/fairies/Star Wars combo to meet the needs of the other residents and their after school play date guests.

Step 4:  Place an object on top

This step leaves A LOT of room for interpretation, but I’ve seen enough to know what we’re looking for here. The article suggests a non-scented candle. (Why? Scented candles are bad? I did not know this!) I only have a scented candle handy, so I try it.

Remember Step 2 about varying the height? I’m not loving the way my candle is looking on the stack of books; it’s too stumpy (although it smells lovely, so there!). I go for a little black vase with a little feather ball thingy conveniently already in it. I like the height better. Don’t you?

Step 5: Use odd numbers

I do the math so far. Three books, one vase, one plant. As far as I can tell, my grouping is filled with odd numbers, and since I’m a whiz at first grade math lately, I think Step 5 is complete! Check!

Step 6: Keep proportion in mind

Proportion? Scale? This is definitely more like middle school math, so I reflect on my arrangement. Is it in scale with the table? I think so. Is it in proportion to the room? I think so. It doesn’t look overwhelming or oversized, so I think I’m good here. But that’s all a matter of interpretation; you have to trust your own instincts on this one. So ambiguous, I know! With all this talk of mathematics, don’t you just long for the “right” answer?!

Step 7: Keep it all on one side

Whew, we’re back to basics on this step! The idea here is if you keep your display to one side, then you have room for a tray of goodies when you’re having company. I don’t have anyone coming over today, but I pretend I do. Here’s what my imaginary guests and I are having…

Step 8: Use the space underneath

Honestly, I’m more in favor of this step if you have a base to your coffee table. I like the sleek lines of my coffee table without something below. But not to be one to deviate from directions, I find a basket and cover its contents with a throw.

Step 9: Keep it interesting

Although most of you might not find much interesting here except that bottle of wine, the point is, if you mix things up and include objects that are interesting to look at or touch (photos, books, found objects, etc.), then it becomes an appealing display that is easy to modify as long as you keep the basic steps and principles in mind.

I do think that my coffee table looks a lot more interesting now, and the steps were really easy to follow and required no purchasing of new swag. But I honestly don’t know how long that plant or vase will last with my dog wagging her tail around, and I know my kids will mess up that stack of books within minutes of arriving home from school. As for the wine, anyone want to come over for a clink later?