Monthly Archives January 2007

How Light Affects Color

Color & Light
Light affects how color appears to us, for instance if you are looking at a block of red color it will change in appearance when exposed to lights of various intensities and types. The same color can appear to transition to another color depending on the light used to view the color. Not enough lighting will further darken a color and too much lighting will wash out a color.
Considering lighting when selecting colors for paint, wallpaper or fabrics for your home is crucial and this section will help you understand how to avoid costly mistakes.

Some color and light tips for those of us living in Florida

Avoid dark colors in rooms that are exposed to lots of sunlight. The effects will be a room that heats up QUICKLY and holds that heat for a while.  Light cool colors work best in rooms that are exposed to large amounts of sun through the day

Color & Natural Light
Natural light is generally the predominate home lighting during the day and depending on which direction your windows or glass doors face that will dictate the color and visible temperature of the natural light that enters your home.
Quick Guide to the Interaction of Natural Light and Color

Typically, most rooms have natural light exposure from several directions; in that case, the light in the room will be a combination. Understanding natural light is imperative when considering colors for you home decor. If you have a warm orange-red paint on your living room wall and that room has a window facing west then the orange-red color will become even more vivid after noon. If in that same room the window faces north, the orange-red wall paint will be subdued and toned down because the light filtering in has a bluish cast.

Color & Artificial Light
Day light is supplemented by artificial light in our homes therefore we need to understand their properties. Most fluorescent lights give off a green tinge and can really dull warm colors. There are now fluorescent lights, which have a pink tinge, are more color friendly, and should enhance warm colors. Incandescent light or halogen lighting may cast a yellowing warm light dulling down cool colors. They however will enhance warmer colors.  If you will be using tinted lights, remember the INTENSITY RULE!!!! You will either increase the colors intensity or dull it if it is a complementary color.

Andy Warhol Inspired Betsy Johnson Pop Fashion

What could be more fabulous than a Betsy Johnson Andy Warhol inspired pink dress? Creating your very own super-cool, pop-infused Andy Warhol inspired wall art.
Betsy’s amazing dress serves as a canvas for the sexy Marilyn Monroe iconic painting by Warhol but you don’t have to be a super-star fashion designer to bring incredible style home. Melissa Clifton, a very creative and talented photoshop expert guides you step by step toward creating your very own personal pop-inspired art in her instructional article “Andy Warhol-Up Your Photographs”.
Fashion Inspiration (on the left): Betsy Johnson Starlet V-Neck Dress.(Image source
BetsyJohnson.com)
Divine Design (on the right): Melissa Clifton’s Warhol-Up Tutorial . ( Image source MelissaClifton.com)

Cross-posted from our new design blog – Dress My Nest: the fusion of fashion inspiration and divine design.

Christian Dior Pink Sofa Inspiration

This haute couture inspired look for the home is bold. It’s hot. It’s edgy. It’s sexy. Above all it’s not for the shy or for those who worry what others might think or say.

Fashion Inspiration (on the left): Christian Dior Spring / Summer 2007 Collection.(Image source Style.com)

Divine Design (on the right): Karim Rashid Omni Sectional Sofa from plushpod.com. ( Image source plushpod.com)

Fashion for the Home: The fusion of fashion inspiration and divine design.

Chanel Crisp Whites and Sharp Blacks Inspired Bedding

When it comes to haute couture there is no greater design house than Chanel. We dedicate our first post at “Dress My Nest” to the captivating and time transcending style of Chanel.

Fashion Inspiration (on the left): Chanel Spring / Summer 2007 Collection. Available at Chanel stores (Image source Style.com)

Divine Design (on the right): South Bay Linen bedding collection available at Inside Avenue. (Image source Inside Avenue)

Fashion for your Home: The fusion of fashion inspiration and divine design.

Decorating Tips for the Home Seller

When you’re selling your home the phrase “You will never get a second chance to make a good first impression” should be first and foremost on your mind. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly plan and prepare your home for sell. The tips below will help you make the best first impression.

Clean House

Sounds like common sense but I’ve seen enough homes that fail that first test. The smell of a closed up or dirty house will instantly make your potential buyer make a U-turn and find his way out the door quickly. If your home isn’t in tip top shape consider hiring a cleaning service to create a clean and fresh image that buyers will appreciate.

Floor Planning and Traffic Flow

Study your current furniture & room layout and determine if that is the best configuration. Take into account traffic flow patterns. Homeowners grow accustomed to their surroundings and may not even realize they have a floor plan issue or that they don’t have enough space to comfortably walk between the sofa and the entertainment center. Fixing a floor plan and/or traffic flow issue can be as simple as re-arranging furniture to better show off features of a room. You don’t want potential buyers tripping over the sofa or having to suck in their stomachs to get by some ill placed chairs and tables. They will remember that feeling of discomfort and associate it with the house. They may also leave thinking that your home is much smaller than it actually is because of the poor layout.

Be Brutally Honest about your Home’s Cosmetic Shortcomings

Take note of all cosmetic defects and set out to fix them before your potential buyer ever has a chance to see them. It’s easier to fix a cosmetic defect before a buyer sees it than later. The impression has been made and the sale may have been lost.

Leave the 60′s, 70′s, 80′s

Updates may be necessary if your home resembles the set of “I Dream Of Jeannie” , “The Brady Bunch” or “Miami Vice”. Outdated decor, furnishings and colors are a turn-off to many buyers. This is probably one of the hardest things to do because you probably aren’t aware of your home decor or style. Speak to your Realtor or a close friend and ask them to give you their honest opinion. Let them know that you don’t want it sugar-coated just the facts so you can get started on fixing the issue at home thereby getting you closer to the sale of your home.

Room By Room

Bedroom should always feel bright and airy. If it’s not be prepared to make it so. Neutral color schemes that evoke a serene feeling are the best. Look at photos of luxury hotel rooms for inspiration.

Bathroom should be well-lit, clean and smell fresh. Toilet seat should be in the down position. Mirrors should be streak free and shiny. Put your personal care items away. Again think of creating a bathroom like one you would find in a luxury hotel. There should be very little traces of you – that makes it easier for the potential buyer to see herself in “her” bathroom not yours. If you need to go out and buy new bath linens in neutral colors. Ratty towels send the wrong message and the same goes for dirty bath mats and moldy shower curtains. Investing a few dollars into updating and upgrading decorative items, bath accessories and bath linens will pay handsomely later.

Closets and storage spaces should look organized and not over-stuffed. Potential buyers are interested in closet space that appears like it can hold all their belongings, wardrobe etc. You need to remove the bulk and create a sense of airiness and space. Even if you have a huge walk in closet, if it is stuffed to the top it will send the wrong message.

Kitchen should obviously be clean and uncluttered. Potential home-buyers are not interested in your vast array of cookbooks precariously piled on a counter. They need to visualize themselves cooking and living in that area. If one-third of your counter space is filled with books, knick-knacks and other items a potential buyer will immediately think that there isn’t enough room for her stuff. You need to create the impression that space abounds and that everything she has will fit quite nicely. Kitchens are a major selling feature and you need to highlight that fact by:

• displaying sufficient counter space
• highlighting storage that is well-utilized and not over-stuffed and cramped
• providing bright illumination / lighting from both artificial and natural light sources
• removing all magnets, photos, list, etc from the refrigerator door

Green, Green and more Green

Think of green as the new beige. It is a neutral and can be used to your advantage. Add fresh plants and flowers to the rooms in your homes. Remember to care for live plants – dead leaves or worse dead plants send the wrong message to potential buyers. They will wonder what else you failed to care for. Beautiful silk or poly-silk botanicals can be substituted for live plants in your home. They will give you the same fresh visual image as live plants without the hassle of caring for them.

What about Fido and Kitty?

Remember that we may love our pets and consider them part of the family but not everyone feels that way. Therefore do the best you can to minimize their presence. Also keep in mind that some individuals may have pet allergies so you may want to send your pet to a Pet Resort – specially if you are holding an Open House. Remove their toys, kitty condos, food /water dishes and litter box. It may be a slight inconvenience for you and your pet but again it’s one of those little things that pay back handsomely. You don’t want to lose a potential buyer because they are terrified of, are allergic to or just hate animals. On a side-note to those with large dogs in the back-yard. Your potential buyer may and probably will want to venture out into what they some day hope will be their backyard. Don’t ruin it by having them accidentally step in a “little surprise”. Clean your pet’s outside areas and again minimize any chance of “surprises” that can dampen your sales prospects.

Just Say No

It may feel that you are suppressing your personality a bit in order to sell your home and that is true. However it is necessary in order to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. So here goes some more personality suppression:

• Get rid of the flamingos, gnomes or any statues that may be deemed offensive. This speaks for itself – leave your lawn for flowers and graceful landscaping.
• Political signs are a major no-no. This is the fastest way to lose a sale. If your potential buyer differs from you politically they may not even bother getting out of their car to go see your home.
• Dirty clothes strewn throughout the house. You may feel like a free spirit and just want to drop your clothes any where but you potential home-owner may not appreciate your sense of free spirit
• Strong wall colors : Gothic Black, Lime Green… Most buyers prefer neutral tones – give them what they want.

Home Remodeling Software Spotlight: BHG Designer Suite 7.0

Better Homes and Gardens Design Suite 7.0 is a feature-filled and fun home remodeling software tool that makes designing floor plans and remodeling plans quite simple.

BHG Design Suite 7.0 is loaded with useful tools, libraries and templates. It has over 30 instructional videos which will guide you through the process of creating the home or garden of your dreams. One of my favorite features is the house design wizard – which is great if you want to come up with your own design but if you rather not you can always use one of the 1500 available design plans provided with the software.

Like other software in its same category (non-professional home user) the Better Homes & Garden Suite 7.0 provides 3-D model visualization and virtual tours of your design concepts. The models truly are critical in order to help you really “see” the end product and I believe BHG delivers the best models I’ve seen in their price range.

I’ve included some of key features of the BHG remodeling software (Source Chief Developer – creator of this application):

• The software includes a complete set of CAD (Computer Aided Design) tools to detail designs and Plan Check, which automatically validates the design against the most current building standards.
• With the program’s Planning Center, you can use Material Painter to create a virtual look and feel of the design before it is built. You can test your design with actual colors, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, windows, and even window treatments.
• Quickly place and arrange walls, windows, doors, cabinets, choose colors, place furniture, create decks and landscaping. Design and visualize your home with 3D Models and Virtual Tours.

This is an easy to learn and an easy to use home remodeling application – that truly stands out from the crowd based on the number of templates, plans and design features that are provided for less than $100.00.

Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 7.0 is available via Amazon.com.

Earthy Bedroom Decorating

A new Design Sketchbook topic has been added. The decorating topic is: how to achieve a luxury bedroom using the popular 2007 color scheme of warm golden tones – an excerpt follows:

Warm Earthy Colors Bring Comfort Home

One of the leading color trends for 2007 is an eco-palette replete with rich browns, refined golds, warm coppers and soothing natural muted greens. If you love nature then you will love the this earthly design trend.

We’ve based our latest Design Sketchbook on this rich eco-friendly color palette to create an unprecedented earthly bedroom that captures the warm richness of browns, golds and ivories.

Creating The Focal Point This luxurious dark brown headboard (read Earthly Luxury: Bedroom Decorating...)

Rescue From Domestic Perfection

is the name of a new decorating book by Dan Ho, the anti-decorating decorating guru who a few years back launched the anti-decorating shelter magazine called “Rescue”. Dan offers up some wonderful ideas about decorating as a style instead of decorating for the sake of decorating. They are timeless recommendations in a world in which we often mistakenly believe that the perfect upscale kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, granite, Espresso bar and crystal chandeliers will bring us happiness when in reality simply eating dinner off those cherished china dinner plates bequeath to you by your grandmother brings a happiness unlike any other.

Mix the low with the high. Keep the chipped china that belonged to your grandmother. Put out that acrylic afghan. Serve cupcakes and champagne.

Value what you have. Resist the idea that if you bought new accent tables or lamps, life would be better. Instead, drape a scarf you don’t wear over the table you already have. Add a pink bulb to a lamp and cast a new flattering light over your possessions.

Leave the ’50s tile in the bathroom and use the money you would have spent on remodeling to buy a great piece of art. The art can be passed down.

Pay attention to the legacy factor. An Ikea chair may end up in a landfill but the one by Le Corbusier will be snapped up if you put it out on the curb.

Forget the idea that your house should be ready for guests at any time. True hospitality, Ho says, “is generosity with your personal time and space, the ability to go with the flow. If you’ve got the domestic-diva guest room set up, so what? Maybe you should take in a boarder.”

Declutter your bed. “Beds are not meant to be gazed upon as if they were the pillow aisle at Nordstrom.”

Instead of remodeling so you’ll have more space, pare down. Use a suitcase to house out-of-season clothes. Convert your summer cooler into a “closette” for storing beach towels and gear during the winter.

Clean. We live in a world where it’s easy not to get down on your knees and scrub your floor, Ho says. “We miss out on an opportunity to renew our relationships to our objects because we don’t handle them. But when you preen your stuff, you love it a little more.” (source Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Rescue from Domestic Perfection: The Not-So Secrets of Balancing Life and Style available at Amazon.com

Dress My Nest Decorating Show

I saw this juicy tidbit come over the decorating wire and just had to share it with you:

Everybody has that one favorite outfit that makes them feel and look their best, so what better place to start for home design inspiration than right in your own closet? That’s exactly what Style Network is doing in the new series “Dress My Nest,” a unique concept that takes interior design to a whole new level of personalization by using favorite clothing as inspiration for the design of a living space. Hosted by Thom Filicia, the interior design aficionado from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” this half-hour series will motivate viewers to look at interior design from an entirely new perspective — one that is as singular as each of us. The series will premiere March 28, it was announced today by Salaam Coleman Smith, Executive Vice President, Style Network.

“Style Network has helped viewers find their favorite look and style when it comes to clothing,” said Coleman Smith. “Now we are taking those invaluable tips and using them to design your living space, helping viewers look and feel as good in their homes as they do in their favorite outfit. We are especially pleased to have Thom onboard to lead this charge. He is — hands down — one of the best known and respected personalities in the design field, having helped countless people restyle their homes in ‘Queer Eye.’”

“I’m so excited about ‘Dress My Nest,’” said Filicia. “I love the idea of marrying your style of dress with your interior design aesthetic to create a unique living space with your own personal stamp.”

In each episode, Filicia and our resident fashion expert meet with the show participant to see the space they want designed and to take a look at their favorite outfit. The two experts then pick apart the outfit to figure out exactly what it is saying about the homeowner and how it can inspire the decor of a room. How can a twill hat help you select your furniture or how animal skin shoes can inform the color of a room?

After they conceive the design, Filicia presents it to the participant to get initial reactions. Then it’s off to the races as Filicia hits the streets to find the best pieces of furniture and decorative touches, tracking down rugs, couches, wall hangings and paint that reflect that favorite outfit. Finally, the designers present the new room to our homeowner, hoping she finds it as comfortable and stylish as that favorite outfit. While the results are sometimes good and sometimes bad, they are always as unique as our subject. (courtesy PR NEWS)

I’ll definitely be setting my DVR to record each and every episode

Decorating 2007 Forecast from Design Maven Lynda Reeves

The Vancouver Sun reports that Lynda Reeves, president of House and Home Media, which publishes Canadian House & Home magazine, has forecasted the following home decorating trends for 2007 (Color 2007 report link follows below):

Canadiana: It’s all about the Martha Sturdy resin bowl, the reclaimed maple coffee table from Roots Home Design and, from the HBC Signature Collection, a funky ottoman upholstered in a Hudson’s Bay blanket.

Man Glam: Just when you thought it was safe to exile the black leather sofa and big screen TV to the basement, masculinity is making a mainstream decor comeback, with hard-edged furniture like wooden cube chairs, geometric prints and dark colours such as tobacco showing up in family living spaces.

Pastels: From coffee makers to throw pillows, soft girly colours like powder pink and robin’s egg blue are the hues du jour, which can only mean that the avocado-coloured fridge you threw out 20 years ago is ready for its encore.

Surf Shack: Wicker, monkeypod, grasscloth, driftwood, floral prints, it’s the OC meets the tiki torch meets a Long Beach wetsuit.

Undecorated: Call it eclectic or flea-market chic, but the undone look really does work, but only if mix-and-matchers heed the intricacies of a cohesive colour palette and appropriate proportions.

Want to know what the latest color trends for Spring/Summer 2007 are? Then read our Home Decorating Color Spring / Summer 2007 Forecast.

Update April 8th 2008 – Lynda Reeves at Zeller’s.

We have received dozens of emails regarding Lynda’s new home decor and furniture line. We were unable to locate a website that had her collection – though several do mention they will be carrying her line – those include The Bay, Zeller and Home Outfitters. You can contact Lynda via her magazine “House & Home” for details on where you can find her new collection. styleforliving@hhmedia.com or call (416) 593-0204. Hope this helps