Laura's girls study in style

Laura contacted us to reinvent a room in their home as a study lounge for their two daughters. Here is her letter:

Dear Lisa:

We have a bedroom in our home that we’d like to reinvent as a space for our two daughters, ages 6 and 8, to do their homework. We’ll need two desks, some room for books, notebooks and study-type supplies. Also, we want a spot for them to cozy up with a book. They’re not princesses, so no pink walls, please. We want it to be a room they look forward to hanging out in for the years to come since we know the homework load only increases from here on in! Hope you can help us.  Thanks, Laura

Laura, we hope your girls rush home from school and get right down to business in this stylish study space. Here you go!

1. We picked up our color palette from the whimsical rug we found. Since we’ve got bold splashes of aqua, pink and lavender around the room, we thought a muted green shade like Guilford Green (B.M. HC 116) would be the perfect wall color.

2. Laura requested a cozy nook for the girls to read. We love the pattern and price of this chair. Plus it comes in a double size if Laura thinks there is enough room.

3. We think a pair of these poppy magnetic boards would be perfect for each girl to hang above her desk to keep soccer schedules, school deadlines, pictures of family and friends, notes from the tooth fairy and everything else they deem important front and center!

4. This book case is an essential piece for its attractive storage potential as well as how it will function as a divider between the two desks. With each desk positioned on either side of the book case, the room will have two designated study zones so projects and papers don’t get mixed up between the two sisters.

5. A pair of these desk lamps will provide much needed task lighting to each work space without hogging all the surface area on the desk. We love how the leafy green shade color picks up on the green tones in the chair and rug.

6. This set of five flip-lid boxes (or even two sets!) will help the girls corral their supplies, crafts, and knick knacks on the shelves of their desks and the shared book cases. We think their translucent material will make storage and organization a snap.

7. The swirling colors in this rug were the perfect jumping off point for our color palette. It’s not a girly-girl pattern, but instead rather whimsical and fun; certain to inspire creativity!

8. Ah, the desk–the essential study corral. We heart these trestle desksfor their affordability (remember, Laura has to buy two!) and open simplicity. Let’s face it, young kids do not know how to use hanging files. They know how to pile and put things in storage bins.  Furthermore, we dig how these desks can be assembled with the shelves on either side. So the desk to the left of the book case will have shelves on the left, and the desk to the right of the book case will have shelves on the right side. Symmetry–bet Laura’s girls already learned about it in math class!

9. These super stylish desk chairs made of clear polycarbonate plastic and chrome add an air of sophistication to this studious lair. They’re easy to clean and uber-affordable.

10. These cute pencil holders will be a fun desktop accessory. Now, Laura won’t hear, “Mom, I need a pencil.”

11. These incredibly affordable peacock panels are machine washable and a fun splash of color on the walls. If Laura and the girls want to go for another layer of texture and pattern, they can add this striped, crinkly satin set too.

12. I didn’t have room for these on the mood board, but if Laura and the girls decide they want to add some more pattern to the walls, here are a few fun decal sets to consider (butterflies, trees, birds, birds in tree, flowers).

Laura, I hope you and your girls love the ideas for your fun, new homework room–and you didn’t think fun and homework could be combined in the same sentence!

Paper vs. Tea: The Great Towel Debate

First, it was paper vs. plastic. But lately, I feel like a jerk if I even ask for plastic in the check out line. I feel obliged to casually mention how I’ll be picking up after my dog so I actually really need these bags, when the truth is I have six reusable bags in my car that I forgot to bring into the store with me.

Since I find myself at the grocery store nearly every day, I vowed to keep the reusable bags in the front seat so they’ll be in my line of sight when I’m locking up and heading into the store. I discover this works, and I’m living guilt free, and then? I stumble upon this article from the LA Times blog.

Here’s someone who has vowed to reduce paper towel usage and is actually doing it. She writes, “According to The Green Book — the bestselling guide to greening the planet — we are a paper towel-loving nation: A decrease in U.S. household consumption of just three rolls per year would save 120,000 tons of waste and $4.1 million in landfill dumping fees.”  Wow! I think I go through three rolls in a week! Am I the only guilty party here?

Image by © Lawrence Manning/Corbis

It’s not just an environmental issue, it’s an economic one too. The author drops $15 at her local big box store for a jumbo package of paper towels, and then at a similar type store finds a package of 24 bar keep towels for $12. My Kindergartener could do that math. She’s creating less garbage, and her plan has her only doing a load of tea towels and cloth napkins once a month! Hmmm, that doesn’t sound so bad.

To read the full article and discover how she does it, click here. I have to admit, I’m a rather inspired. We can save the planet, one little tea towel at a time.

Keep a design diary

Ever find yourself fingering a new towel set or enchanted by lovely drapery panels when you’re out and about, only to wish you could remember the exact shade of blue you’d painted that bathroom? Returns are no fun, and you never know when you’ll stumble on that well-priced must have item. Should you pull the trigger or not? Dilemma solved. Start a Design Diary for your home.

Image from seejanework.com

It’s an easy practice to start. Pick up a purse (diaper bag, backpack, small suitcase, whatever you’re carrying these days) sized notebook. We like these from See Jane Work.

In your diary you can designate a few pages for each room. Make a list of the items you’re searching for (window treatments, art, towels, bedspreads, lamps, furniture, accessories, etc.). If you’ve painted already and are happy with the outcome, tape the paint chip from the paint store right on the page. Staple in any fabric swatches. (No one will ever notice the small cut from your dust ruffle!) You can also attach pictures from magazines and catalogs that inspire you. That way, when you find yourself at HomeGoods with only 10 minutes to spare before your lunch hour is over or you need to pick up the kids, you can consult your design diary to determine whether that bath mat you’re contemplating will work with your colors, and whether you actually NEED it.

You can also use your design diary as a record for work you’ve had done in your home, and as a place to collect business cards from quality contractors whom you’d like to call again should the need arise.

It’s easy to tailor this concept to your home’s design needs, but making it portable is key. When you have it at the ready, you can avoid the whole “seemed like a good idea at the time” kind of buyer’s remorse that sends you straight back to the returns lane.

style your bookshelf

For a recent client, I recommended that she pare down from two domineering bookshelves in her living room to one with a less imposing design. Editing her book collection and then restyling the new bookshelf seemed like a daunting task to her, but it’s really not so hard if you follow these simple steps.

Edit down your collection

Remove everything from your shelves and start sorting. Sell, donate, or recycle any popular fiction, cookbooks, business or reference guides and children’s books that are either outdated, unused, or damaged.

Keep your prized possessions

Hold on to any books that have sentimental value to you. I have an old copy of Gone With The Wind that my grandmother gave her father for Christmas in 1936, for example; it’s a keeper. A book may have real value if it’s been signed by the author so you’ll want to keep it for sure. Also, hang on to any children’s books written before World War II because they're valuable too. Ultimately, it’s your space, and you’re the one who will be looking at the shelves most often, so keep the books that mean the most to you and reflect you and your family.

Find your shelving style

Once you’ve determined your keepers, you have lots of options with how to display them. Keep in mind, there is no right way to do this, just work it until it feels right to you. Some ways to consider are to group by color, size, or subject matter.

Image courtesy of colourlovers.com

You can shelve your books by varying the heights to achieve a skyline look. You can stack them horizontally; this works especially well for heavy hardcovers on lower shelves. Or, you can go for the traditional staircase style.

Add some accessories

Scour around for some objects that could be used as unexpected bookends. Choose other items you have to showcase–small vases, decorative boxes, picture frames, objects from nature–and work them in so that the sizing of the objects is in proportion. A small vase with a single flower looks great placed on an oversized hardcover book.

Make it work for YOUR home

Designate a basket of children’s books on a lower shelf to keep that often messy hodge-podge looking stylish and accessible. Lean a painting or framed photo on the back of the shelf for a simple and elegant look. Most of all, make it work for your family. And if you get bored with the look, it’s one of the easiest and cheapest things to makeover next week!

baby, it's cold in here!

Below freezing temps, school cancelled and ice on the inside of our mail slot. Brrr….!

We’re staying in our pj’s and working on Valentines today (or at least for the next 15 minutes).

{Clearly we’ve been so busy that there’s been no time for brushing hair. }

{At least one of us is dressed and ready for action.}

Yep, 15 minutes have passed, and we’re on to Scrabble Junior. What are you up to today? Hope you’re staying cozy, wherever you call home.

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?