May 20, 2012
Color Your World
Honestly, I am always drawn to neutrals. I adore them. But unless neutral palettes are done “just so”, they can be very boring. And who wants to live in a boring house? Here’s where the whole thing gets a bit complicated, however, because many people are afraid of color. Or, let’s put it another way. When it comes to decorating, many people are afraid of how to put colors together or even which colors they should use.
But using color in your home doesn’t need to be scary. In fact, there are many tools available to help you look at and choose colors in an educated way. Today I’m going to share with you a couple of tools to help you get your feet wet in the world of color.
It’s actually quite easy to look at a room and date it based solely on the colors that are used in the décor. Why is that? Well, there is actually an entire industry devoted to color forecasting. Yep. Groups of individuals get together, look at the current trends in color, and forecast where those trends are going. They decide what the popular colors are going to be for the year. So how does the average homeowner learn what these trendy colors are? Virtually any paint company can offer the answers. Pick a paint company, find its website and you’ll be able to see its color forecasts for the year.
So now that you know what the “in” colors are for the year, how do you go about putting them together? Well there’s a tool for that too. Try running an online search for free color scheme generators and you’ll get a myriad of websites that will help you generate color schemes. Some base them on photographs, some base them on a main color you want to use. Regardless of the method they use, each is a valuable tool to help figure out a workable color scheme.
Now that I’ve shared with you two valuable color tools, you are ready to face that boring beige interior with confidence. So go out and color your world!
~Wendy Hyde
Perk Up Your Patio
As we round out the last week in March – closing out a winter that featured record-breaking warm temperatures in many parts of the country – I can’t help but think about spending more time outdoors.
With the recent run of warm weather, many of my neighbors have been breaking out their grills and spending more time outside. I admit, watching them ignited the “barbecue season fever” in me, and I looked at my patio, thinking of the possibilities. Then I realized that I didn’t have much space for guests, and I immediately began planning how I could perk up my patio and make it more inviting.
Next to a comfortable patio or poolside area, a must-have for any outdoor retreat is a comfortable place to sit and enjoy an outdoor meal prepared on the grill. How many guests do you generally entertain? If you like to have a lot of guests at once, you’ll want to choose a larger table to accommodate your needs. Prefer a cozy get-together? A smaller, two-seater table will provide intimacy and comfort while you enjoy the outdoors with a friend.
Another fun way to dress up your outdoor space is to add a mini bar and seating. There’s nothing like being able to offer your guests an ice-cold drink while you lounge by the pool on a hot summer’s day.
Are you more interested in relaxing rather than having an outdoor dining area? Consider adding an outdoor set like the one above. You and your guests can sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors and some good conversation with a set like this.
What are your ideas for perking up your patio this season?
~Shari Berg
The Sampler
Many of us learn to quilt by making a sampler. We start with an easy patchwork block, and then each lesson takes us a step forward to a new block with more pieces and usually more difficulty. We learn the basics this way. I am a firm believer in understanding the basics so we have a firm foundation of skills to rest on.
This is my sampler. Most people in class used a floral… me? I made a fabric with petro glyph images. Most people made 4 blocks… well I was ‘hook line and sinker’… so my quilt has 9! This is the quilt that started my obsession with quilt making… can you identify yours?
I went out to the IQSC site to see what I could find under samplers… pieced. Oh boy was that fun! This soft 30s fabric sampler is very enticing. There were a lot of pieces in those blocks, so I bet it was not a beginner’s project. This quilt is Circa 1920-1940 International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 2006.043.0123
A crib quilt at 47″ x 49″ is a super size to try out a few blocks, see how you like them, and then sew them into a quilt. I think many a quilter is inspired to make a lovely piece for a new baby.
This quilt is circa 1880 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 2003.003.0371
Here we go . . . this pile of fabric is yet another sampler… I’m going to make one bed size …just because I can!
Did your first quilt give you “the quilt bug”?
~Pat Sloan
LANDSCAPING TO SELL
If you’re like millions of other people across the country, you’re in the middle of getting your house ready to put on the market. We all know what to do on the inside to make it more marketable—fresh coats of paint, new carpet, de-clutter and make sure everything is clean—but what about the outside of your house? Good-looking landscaping can increase the resale value of a property by up to 14%–so get outside and get crackin’! You’ll be glad in the end that you spent the time and a few extra dollars.
Clean Up: The first step is easy! Remove all dead plants and weeds, trim your trees and shrubs, and mow and edge the lawn. Gather up any trash and throw it out. Make sure your walkways are clear of plant limbs so potential buyers can easily get to the doorway; you don’t want to make it hard for them to get to the inside of your house.
Add Color: You don’t have to remove all your old plants and start over—the goal is to spend the least amount of money for the best return on your investment. Add some colorful potted plants by your entryway and up by the curb where people will see it as they pass by. A few flats of bright annuals and a couple of flowering perennials will be just the touch of color that your landscape needs to draw buyers. 
Re-Mulch: Applying a fresh layer of dark, shredded mulch does wonders to perk up the landscape. If you already have mulch in your garden, consider adding just a light layer to renew the color. This makes the garden look tended to—and buyers who see it will assume that the inside of your house is just as neat and tidy.
Create Vignettes: Don’t spend any real money on this, but if you already have outdoor furniture, clean it up and arrange it in an inviting way on your patio or deck. Hang a hammock in between trees or tuck your bistro table into a corner of the garden. These charming extras will help a potential buyer picture herself and her family relaxing in the garden or entertaining friends.
~Jenny Peterson
5 Simple Ways to Freshen Up Your Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is meant to be a retreat. But let’s face it. Since our bedrooms are also meant to be private spaces, we often don’t give them the same attention that we give the public spaces in our homes. So today, I wanted to share five simple ways to perk up your master bedroom, and give it the attention it deserves.
Add window treatments. Because the windows in bedrooms usually have blinds for privacy, a lot of times, we don’t feel like we need to do anything more. The simple addition of a set of draperies goes miles towards increasing the feeling of sophistication or opulence in a room. And beyond that, fabric softens. So adding it to your windows will help create a cozier atmosphere. And shouldn’t a bedroom always feel cozy?
Paint. Bedrooms should reflect your personality. And one very easy way to do that is to paint your walls. Choose a color that you love and make it the backdrop for you room by covering the walls in it. So your favorite color is bright orange? Don’t let that stop you. Bedrooms are personal spaces, so make the wall color a true reflection of who you are!
Get some new bedding. Fresh, crisp bedding makes a bedroom (and the bed itself) a much more inviting place to be. And since bedding is a relatively small investment, you can keep the look of your room fresh by switching it out with the seasons.
Add some seating. This might seem obvious, but it is surprising just how many bedrooms actually lack a place to sit down (other than the bed.) Place a bench at the end of the bed. Bring in a comfy reading chair. If you have the space, try adding a small settee. Bringing in additional seating makes you feel like your room is a place to hang out, not just a place to sleep.
Add flowers. Flowers are a perfect addition to the bedroom. In fact, studies have shown that flowers can elevate the mood and increase overall feelings of well-being. And a fresh bouquet of flowers is also a lovely thing to see when you open your eyes in the morning.
Incorporate these easy spruce-ups in your master bedroom and enjoy a space that is all your own.
~Wendy Hyde
Luck ‘O the Irish
There is an old saying that “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”
In addition to wearing green clothes and shamrock hats, consider giving your home a little Touch of the Irish as well with these decorating tips. These ideas are easy to implement, and can be left in place long after the thrill of being Irish for a day wears off.
The easiest way to bring a little Irish charm to your home is by adding shades of green. Green candles are an inexpensive way to introduce shades of green into any space. They can be strategically placed on tables, fireplace mantles and even on nightstands. In the photo above, a series of green candles were arranged and displayed in a traditional wood-burning fireplace. You don’t have to get this elaborate with your candles. Something as simple as gluing green fabric and some beads to a mint-colored candle can be attractive.
Table centerpieces also can add a Touch ‘o the Irish to your dining area. The arrangement pictured above is just one of many creative ways you can bring greenery to your table. Don’t like floral arrangements? Consider doing the same thing with a clear vase and some green apples. Tie a bow around the bottom of the base to dress it up a bit.
Want to bring a little Irish luck to your home? These horseshoe candle holders will fit the bill. Top those off with some green-colored candles and your home will be blessed with luck year-round.
What is your favorite Irish-inspired piece?
In love with the Irish
I’m in love with the Irish ever since we toured the country with a bus load of quilters on a trip that included meeting two quilt guilds, what fun we had! I wrote a book called “Tour of Ireland” and of course had to include an Irish chain quilt.
This is my quilt done with a ‘triple’ Irish chain and the border was inspired by one I’d seen on an antique quilt. I really think the border makes the quilt!
I got curious about the Irish chain quilt when designing mine. What was a stand color way, number of ‘chains’? What do antique Irish chain quilts look like?
This is a classic two-color version. Lots of space for quilting designs and I love the unique border.
This quilt is circa 1860-1880 International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0884
Another two-color version with a simple border… and it’s big at 102″ x 102″. Many of the Amish versions used a background color.
This quilt is circa 1800 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 2003.003.0289
I think lots of quilters today think of the Irish chain with 30′s fabrics. This is a super example of a scrappy version. This is officially on my LONG list of quilts to make!
This quilt is Dated 1939 from the International Quilt Study Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, IQSC Object Number: 1997.007.0447
Have you made an Irish chain… yet?
~Pat Sloan
A FRESH SPIN ON OLD TERRARIUMS
While some areas of the country are starting to warm up, others are still in a deep freeze. If you need to satisfy your need to garden but can’t get outside, try creating a terrarium instead! And get those old images of your mother’s terrariums out of your head—these are new, fresh spins on old favorites that will look clean, contemporary and modern in your home décor. It all depends upon the materials, many of which you might already have on hand, while the others are readily available at craft stores and nurseries.
Start with a clear glass container, but don’t limit yourself to the old fishbowl shape of the 1970s terrariums. Take a walk around your house or the local craft store to get some good ideas—test tube containers, wide shallow bowls, tall glass cylinders and clear glass coffee or tea cups work well. Look for glass containers with side openings as well as those that open from the top.
Get creative with your layering techniques! Different colored sand, small pebbles or river rock are great layering materials, but be sure to place the more finely-textured material down first (over a bottom layer of activated charcoal to absorb odor). Tilt the glass container as you gently add them, so your terrarium has a more interesting visual dynamic.
After you’ve added plants (tiny ferns, cacti, succulents, tillandsias), don’t stop there! Add tiny decorative items—little statuary, watch faces, seashells, decorative buttons, or tiny children’s toys like cars or dinosaurs. This ensures your terrarium says “you,” adding character and personality. Small gardens like these can be a great place to create something a little oddball or offbeat—this whimsy may not work in an open garden area, but it’s perfect for tiny indoor vignettes. Have fun and be creative when designing yours!
~Jenny Peterson
Monogram It
Nothing says sophistication in décor quite like a monogram. We’ve all seen monogrammed towels, monogrammed dishes or silverware, even monogrammed bedding. Monograms are just as popular as ever, and they’re still found in all of the places listed above. But if you want to add a monogram to your décor today, there are a myriad of think-outside-the-box ways to do so. Here are three of my favorites.
First up, why not take monogrammed bedding a step further, and monogram a headboard? That’s right. Adding a monogram to a headboard is a fun way to add personalization to a bedroom. And if the room happens to be shared by two, it is a great way to delineate individual spaces while maintaining a cohesive look. The monograms on these headboards were created by using felt and fabric glue which is an extremely easy (and economical) way to create a customized look.
Next, try adding interest to a typical gallery wall with the addition of monograms. By throwing in a couple of different versions of a family monogram you can add a bit of whimsy and interest to a wall grouping.
Finally, if you don’t have the budget to purchase monogrammed tableware or linens, try adding a similar feel by creating your own monogrammed table runner. It’s as simple as purchasing some fabric transfer paper, printing a monogram on it, and then ironing it onto a table runner. Voila! The sophistication of a monogram without the investment.
If you love the look of a monogram, why not try incorporating it into your décor in a new or unusual way? These three suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg. Use your imagination and you’ll find ways to add a monogram to just about any type of home décor you can think of.
~Wendy Hyde
Shabbynest.blogspot.com
The Perfect Pergola
With springtime fast approaching, many of us are looking outside and itching to spruce up our yards. It can be a great time to add something new to your outdoor area, or to improve on existing features.
Pergolas are one of the fastest-growing outdoor trends, with styles and sizes to suit any need. Providing shade, as well as an area that is ideal for climbing plants, pergolas help add to the aesthetics of any outdoor area. Let’s explore a few styles, as well as ways to customize them to your outdoor theme.
Two-Beam and Deluxe Pergolas
Two-beam pergolas are the most standard and classic style of pergola. Because of their two-beam design, they are the only pergola that can be attached to an existing structure. Ideal for porches, they add a unique look, versus a standard roof or retractable umbrella. Finish off the look with a patio set in a shade to match the pergola.
Want to add some privacy to your outdoor pergola? Consider adding curtains rated for outdoor use. Curtain rods can be hung on the pergola in locations that will facilitate your privacy needs. The finished look will not only provide added privacy, but also unique style, to your outdoor structure.
Deluxe pergolas come in many styles and are constructed of a variety of materials, including pine, cedar and vinyl. Because they are free-standing, this type of pergola can be placed anywhere on your property. Use it near the pool for a fun retreat, or place it in a quiet spot in the back yard to create a safe haven from the noise and confusion of everyday life.
Small Pergolas
Like the look, but don’t have a lot of space to spare? A small pergola may be ideal for you. Available in sizes as small as 3 feet by 8 feet, these structures allow you to get the look without taking up valuable space. Pair them up with a small table and chairs to create an outdoor reading area, or a place to enjoy the occasional outdoor meal or snack.
Garden Pergolas
Want to use a pergola in a unique way? Consider placing one at the entrance to an outdoor garden. Garden pergolas – called arbors – usually arches that can serve as entryways. They create a dramatic entrance to your garden, welcoming all who stop by to visit.
If you want to add a little pizzazz to your arbor, consider one with gates or benches. The best arbor for outdoor use is one with a flat top. Equally sturdy and durable, they also encourage climbing vines and flowers, which can create a “crown” at the top. The best plants for garden arbors are wisteria, honeysuckle and hydrangea and trumpet vines.
Want to learn more about pergolas? Visit our website to speak with a qualified project manager who can help you choose the pergola that is right for you.
~Shari Berg
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