So, there are SOME things I do not like about the holiday... doesn't mean that they are wrong... just not my cup of tea.... especially when there is cocoa to be served!
Colored Christmas tree lights. Let your decorations lend the color to the decor.
Blinking ornaments. Enough already,.... let's keep it simple.
Decorations in the bathroom.... we get it. It's the holidays... I don't need to wash my hands with Rudolph.
Tinsel. I don't think I even need to expand on this one... do I?
But DO decorate with live holly, misletoe and magnolia leaves. A simple festive floral candle in the bathroom will get you message across. Fresh pine boughs tied up anywhere lend a festive spirit. A fire in the fireplace is always welcoming... just remember to temper your heating to accommodate your guests. Red candles make a joyous statement. Candles strike a lovely atmosphere... the more the merrier.
Stay away from anything that needs any industrial blower or will jack up your electric bill by 25%.
Think environmentally and you will do everyone a favor!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Mies Van der Roh and Christmas!!!
I have just moved two wing chairs, a side table, a needlepoint footstool, a dining room table and six chairs.
I am shifting the house to make room for the Christmas tree... however, when opportunity presents itself, be ready!
Wow. That bigger wing chair sure looks good in the study, even though the other chair was much smaller. The blue and white garden stool fits neatly underneath the huntboard. Decluttering the mantle to make way for the garland has given the living room a new look.
Sometimes the best decorating involves editing. The old adage about removing one accessory before going out also applies to the home. We tend to clutter our homes as we do our lives. Paring down is cathartic.
Give yourself a gift. And maybe someone else too... declutter your home, donate your extras to Goodwill before the Holidays. Make someone else's Christmas and take a write off too.
Less can be more.
I am shifting the house to make room for the Christmas tree... however, when opportunity presents itself, be ready!
Wow. That bigger wing chair sure looks good in the study, even though the other chair was much smaller. The blue and white garden stool fits neatly underneath the huntboard. Decluttering the mantle to make way for the garland has given the living room a new look.
Sometimes the best decorating involves editing. The old adage about removing one accessory before going out also applies to the home. We tend to clutter our homes as we do our lives. Paring down is cathartic.
Give yourself a gift. And maybe someone else too... declutter your home, donate your extras to Goodwill before the Holidays. Make someone else's Christmas and take a write off too.
Less can be more.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Some things I love for the Holidays
Silver.... Silver decorations are festive for both Christmas AND New Year's Eve. Decorate once, enjoy it twice! Silver candles are particularly pretty in crystal holders. Silver balls are beautiful in a punch bowl. Silver place settings are always elegant.
Ok, so not everyone had mint julep cups BUT if you do, don't wait until the Derby to pull them out! They make lovely water "glasses" and look great next to crystal stems. Or set one at each place at the table and fill it with holly sprigs.
Age old trick, always a fresh idea... stud fresh oranges with cloves. You can get creative and make designs if you wish. The orange and clove scent is is perfect for the holidays. A big silver bowl filled with studded oranges makes a great centerpiece.
Can't afford pricey table decorations? Do you have small jewelry gift boxes? Wrap them in festive paper and tie pretty bows on them. Group them as a centerpiece.
On the cusp of sounding like Hints from Heloise, I save pretty Christmas cards, cut the front from the back and wrap a present with a single ribbon (do not tie in a bow; just tape the ends) then I stick the pretty card on top of the taped ribbon. Beautiful wrapping and you've done your part recycling!
Well I'm off to indulge in one of holiday favorites... Egg Nog!
Ok, so not everyone had mint julep cups BUT if you do, don't wait until the Derby to pull them out! They make lovely water "glasses" and look great next to crystal stems. Or set one at each place at the table and fill it with holly sprigs.
Age old trick, always a fresh idea... stud fresh oranges with cloves. You can get creative and make designs if you wish. The orange and clove scent is is perfect for the holidays. A big silver bowl filled with studded oranges makes a great centerpiece.
Can't afford pricey table decorations? Do you have small jewelry gift boxes? Wrap them in festive paper and tie pretty bows on them. Group them as a centerpiece.
On the cusp of sounding like Hints from Heloise, I save pretty Christmas cards, cut the front from the back and wrap a present with a single ribbon (do not tie in a bow; just tape the ends) then I stick the pretty card on top of the taped ribbon. Beautiful wrapping and you've done your part recycling!
Well I'm off to indulge in one of holiday favorites... Egg Nog!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
You CAN take it with you
So while I have frowned on theme decor, I do want to stress that if there is a "style" that strikes your fancy, don't be afraid to embrace it.
I just returned from a grand adventure... one that both confounded and delighted me. We spent a week on Nevis in the West Indies. If you haven't heard of it, don't be ashamed! With about 12,000 inhabitants and one (currently inoperational) hotel to it's name, Nevis is sort of off the beaten path.
Liberated from British Occupation in 1983, Nevis definitely still houses some of the old British West Indies charms. There are several old sugar plantations which have been restored and turned into genteel inns. Among our favorites are Golden Rock Inn, The Hermitage and Montpelier.
I gleaned a few things from the charming Nevisian style which I would like to incorporate in my own decor: The Hermitage used pewter chargers underneath each place setting; the Montpelier holds a proper cocktail hour, with themed drinks, from 7:00 to 7:30 (yes, Island time is dawdling and lovely); Golden Rock incorporated its outdoor spaces in to double its entertaining area.
British West Indies style is abundantly present... mahogany furniture, oriental carpets, local and exotic floral arrangements, exquisite place settings and crisp linens. Louvered shutters are used instead of screens. Bright pastels - think Pepto Pink and Cornflower Blue - dominate the scene. Dark furniture is accented by bright white bedding. Candles illuminate exterior space.
Maybe I can't turn my home into a gingerbread cottage like those that dotted Mt. Nevis, but I can certainly bring home some of the genteel atmosphere. Maybe I will entertain on a little slower pace, maybe I will pour more rum (with grated nutmeg, a local trick), maybe I will buy pewter chargers on eBay. I think I do like mahogany against ivory and my love of oriental rugs has been reaffirmed.
In short, don't be afraid to take with you more than memories... take home a little inspiration and relive your vacation every day!
I just returned from a grand adventure... one that both confounded and delighted me. We spent a week on Nevis in the West Indies. If you haven't heard of it, don't be ashamed! With about 12,000 inhabitants and one (currently inoperational) hotel to it's name, Nevis is sort of off the beaten path.
Liberated from British Occupation in 1983, Nevis definitely still houses some of the old British West Indies charms. There are several old sugar plantations which have been restored and turned into genteel inns. Among our favorites are Golden Rock Inn, The Hermitage and Montpelier.
I gleaned a few things from the charming Nevisian style which I would like to incorporate in my own decor: The Hermitage used pewter chargers underneath each place setting; the Montpelier holds a proper cocktail hour, with themed drinks, from 7:00 to 7:30 (yes, Island time is dawdling and lovely); Golden Rock incorporated its outdoor spaces in to double its entertaining area.
British West Indies style is abundantly present... mahogany furniture, oriental carpets, local and exotic floral arrangements, exquisite place settings and crisp linens. Louvered shutters are used instead of screens. Bright pastels - think Pepto Pink and Cornflower Blue - dominate the scene. Dark furniture is accented by bright white bedding. Candles illuminate exterior space.
Maybe I can't turn my home into a gingerbread cottage like those that dotted Mt. Nevis, but I can certainly bring home some of the genteel atmosphere. Maybe I will entertain on a little slower pace, maybe I will pour more rum (with grated nutmeg, a local trick), maybe I will buy pewter chargers on eBay. I think I do like mahogany against ivory and my love of oriental rugs has been reaffirmed.
In short, don't be afraid to take with you more than memories... take home a little inspiration and relive your vacation every day!
Friday, November 19, 2010
When in ....
So.... though HGD doesn't really smile upon theme decor, we do think you should embrace your environment.
Live in the Midwest? You probably shouldn't paint your victorian shocking pink, though if you were in San Francisco we would definitely greenlight you. However, don't feel hampered by your geography. Victorians loved color. If your house is crying for it, embrace it. Just try try to remember your atmosphere... a little less vogue than the West Coast. Maybe use Mauve in lieu of pink. Taupes instead of greens. A little more conservative but still colorful.
South? Well, here is our forte. Chintz? You bet. Oriental rugs? Of course. White slipcovers for summer? Yup. Photos of the ancestors? Of course. Candelabras? Sure!
Northern? Think simplicity. Pine. Kilims. Buttermilk paints. Quilts? Why not? Hook rugs? Sure.
West Coast? Linen. Raw silk draperies. Exotic flora. Terra cotta tiles. Windows. Environmentally friendly products... like bamboo floors.
EC? Historical colors. Wood floors. Matelasse. Wing chairs. Pottery.
Do you need to be completely defined by these styles? Of course not. Think about it. Do you live where you were born? I was born in Mississippi. I live in the DC area now. It's important to me to incorporate both the Southern and the East Coast style in my decorating. Use where you are from and where you are now to define your own style.
Live in the Midwest? You probably shouldn't paint your victorian shocking pink, though if you were in San Francisco we would definitely greenlight you. However, don't feel hampered by your geography. Victorians loved color. If your house is crying for it, embrace it. Just try try to remember your atmosphere... a little less vogue than the West Coast. Maybe use Mauve in lieu of pink. Taupes instead of greens. A little more conservative but still colorful.
South? Well, here is our forte. Chintz? You bet. Oriental rugs? Of course. White slipcovers for summer? Yup. Photos of the ancestors? Of course. Candelabras? Sure!
Northern? Think simplicity. Pine. Kilims. Buttermilk paints. Quilts? Why not? Hook rugs? Sure.
West Coast? Linen. Raw silk draperies. Exotic flora. Terra cotta tiles. Windows. Environmentally friendly products... like bamboo floors.
EC? Historical colors. Wood floors. Matelasse. Wing chairs. Pottery.
Do you need to be completely defined by these styles? Of course not. Think about it. Do you live where you were born? I was born in Mississippi. I live in the DC area now. It's important to me to incorporate both the Southern and the East Coast style in my decorating. Use where you are from and where you are now to define your own style.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
A hospitable guest room
So a lot of decorating is as simple as adding accessories... like putting on earrings with that fabulous dress.
Whether or not you have a dedicated guest room, you can make room appealing to a guest. Take some cues from the best hotels:
Use a lovely tray and stock it with bottled water. Use a pretty crystal bowl or a silver compote and fill it with wrapped candies. Fresh flowers go a long way. A stack of recent publications is always desirable. Buy towels to coordinate with the room and stack them on the end of the bed.
Your guests will appreciate the effort and you will appreciate the "new" room.
Whether or not you have a dedicated guest room, you can make room appealing to a guest. Take some cues from the best hotels:
Use a lovely tray and stock it with bottled water. Use a pretty crystal bowl or a silver compote and fill it with wrapped candies. Fresh flowers go a long way. A stack of recent publications is always desirable. Buy towels to coordinate with the room and stack them on the end of the bed.
Your guests will appreciate the effort and you will appreciate the "new" room.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Highlight your assets
So this came to me last night in a dream... really. I have a beautiful french chair that I inherited from my grandmother. I chose to cover it in an acceptable silk stripe in a beautiful cinnamon color.
However, in my dream, I painted the wood electric pink and covered the cushions in black leather. I woke up inspired a more than a little disappointed that I had already spent so much money recovering the chair.
The point?
That chair is a show stopper. Electric pink and black leather would have totally accentuated its great lines. Don't be afraid to tinker with our "antiques". That said... if the Keno brothers have appraised your card table, you probably don't want to marbelize it. Be judicious but don't be afraid to have fun.
However, in my dream, I painted the wood electric pink and covered the cushions in black leather. I woke up inspired a more than a little disappointed that I had already spent so much money recovering the chair.
The point?
Friday, November 12, 2010
The bar is back!
Crystal decanters. High balls. Ice buckets. Cocktail napkins.
Blame it on the recession if you will, but entertaining in our own homes is becoming more and more fashionable. That means the focus is on your decor.
You don't need a fancy set up or glamourous kitchen. You can arrange a tidy bar almost anywhere. I once used a dressing table, with a skirt, as a bar. I put a tray on it and arranged crystal decanters of liquor on it. I found pewter tags (Rum, Vodka, Scotch) at Pottery Barn and hung them on the decanters. On the shelves below, I stored my glasses.
Other ideas... bear with me. Open your mind...not sure what to do with the expensive diaper changer you bought? Think about it. It's the perfect piece for arranging a bar up top and glasses beneath. Sure be skeptical, but give it a try.
A writing desk? Yup. The drawers can hold coasters, bottle openers and napkins.
All you've got is cement blocks and piece of pine board? Paint the blocks black, marbelize the wood.
Your house will shine as long as it reflects you... wether you decorate with marble or cement.
Blame it on the recession if you will, but entertaining in our own homes is becoming more and more fashionable. That means the focus is on your decor.
You don't need a fancy set up or glamourous kitchen. You can arrange a tidy bar almost anywhere. I once used a dressing table, with a skirt, as a bar. I put a tray on it and arranged crystal decanters of liquor on it. I found pewter tags (Rum, Vodka, Scotch) at Pottery Barn and hung them on the decanters. On the shelves below, I stored my glasses.
Other ideas... bear with me. Open your mind...not sure what to do with the expensive diaper changer you bought? Think about it. It's the perfect piece for arranging a bar up top and glasses beneath. Sure be skeptical, but give it a try.
A writing desk? Yup. The drawers can hold coasters, bottle openers and napkins.
All you've got is cement blocks and piece of pine board? Paint the blocks black, marbelize the wood.
Your house will shine as long as it reflects you... wether you decorate with marble or cement.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Repurposing
Gran's silver compote? Perfect for keys right as you walk in the door. That beautiful pottery olive boat (I mean, really, who in the last 40 years has ever heard of an olive boat?); great for holding tiny seashells from that last beach trip. Received only one brandy snifter from the wedding registry? Fill it up with matchbooks and keep it on the mantle. One too many glass vases? Arrange them together and fill them with various objects - corks, pebbles, coffee beans, candy, coins.
Holcomb Gray Decor loves to repurpose your household items. Give us call and see what we can do for you and "useless" things! 571-232-4507
Holcomb Gray Decor loves to repurpose your household items. Give us call and see what we can do for you and "useless" things! 571-232-4507
Monday, November 8, 2010
These are few of our favorite things... today
Gray walls with white trim.
Black candlesticks in glass holders.
Burnt orange accents.
Sterling silver.
Pine cones turned on their sides to hold place cards at the Thanksgiving table.
Mirrors.
Metallic grasscloth.
Colorful lampshades, especially red.
Relic pinot noir... OK, ok, you can't decorate with it but you can decorate while drinking it!!
Black candlesticks in glass holders.
Burnt orange accents.
Sterling silver.
Pine cones turned on their sides to hold place cards at the Thanksgiving table.
Mirrors.
Metallic grasscloth.
Colorful lampshades, especially red.
Relic pinot noir... OK, ok, you can't decorate with it but you can decorate while drinking it!!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Testing testing one two three....
So a dedicated reader suggested that I need to post photos, even videos, on this blog to effectively demonstrate some decorating techniques.
Yikes! I am kind of a luddite so I thought I would just try with something simple.
I am a wallpaper afficionado. Yes. It is expensive. Think about making a big statement with a smaller investment... like a tiny powder room. Wallpaper can make the room look more expansive. Just make sure when you are decorating a small space not to be fooled into thinking that you need a small print. A larger print will actually make the room look larger.
I have a smallish study, about 10 x 12. I chose a vivid apple green wallpaper with a chinoiserie print. It was a bold choice and one I am thrilled with. Here (hopefully!) is a photo showing detail...
Yikes! I am kind of a luddite so I thought I would just try with something simple.
I am a wallpaper afficionado. Yes. It is expensive. Think about making a big statement with a smaller investment... like a tiny powder room. Wallpaper can make the room look more expansive. Just make sure when you are decorating a small space not to be fooled into thinking that you need a small print. A larger print will actually make the room look larger.
I have a smallish study, about 10 x 12. I chose a vivid apple green wallpaper with a chinoiserie print. It was a bold choice and one I am thrilled with. Here (hopefully!) is a photo showing detail...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Reflections on style
So we have covered that Art is subjective and that ANYone can start their own collection with anything that interests them.
What else can dress up a wall?
Mirror, Mirror, tell us now!
Of course, you know to use mirrors in your bathroom and over your dresser. Have you thought about doubling the way your dining room looks by using a pair of mirrors, facing each other on opposite walls? Yes. I too have read that you should never face mirrors. Try it. See how the light yawns out... the warmth is doubled. So seemingly has your space.
Mirror in the hallway? You bet. As large as you can get it... floor to ceiling, baby.
Fannie, you've gone mad! A mirror in the kitchen?! Do it! Try it on the wall opposite an island.
Mirrors hung like art. That's right. Group a collection of mirrors together. They can be all sizes and shapes but try to keep the frames all one color.
HGD can help you reflect the positive. Call 571-232-4507.
What else can dress up a wall?
Mirror, Mirror, tell us now!
Of course, you know to use mirrors in your bathroom and over your dresser. Have you thought about doubling the way your dining room looks by using a pair of mirrors, facing each other on opposite walls? Yes. I too have read that you should never face mirrors. Try it. See how the light yawns out... the warmth is doubled. So seemingly has your space.
Mirror in the hallway? You bet. As large as you can get it... floor to ceiling, baby.
Fannie, you've gone mad! A mirror in the kitchen?! Do it! Try it on the wall opposite an island.
Mirrors hung like art. That's right. Group a collection of mirrors together. They can be all sizes and shapes but try to keep the frames all one color.
HGD can help you reflect the positive. Call 571-232-4507.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Spice it up!
One day, I entered my kitchen and took stock. I really took my time decorating in there because I recognize that not only do I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but whenever I entertain, my guests are in there too. I have a comfy chair and multiple light sources. I have two cabinets dressed with china and crystal. I have pretty granite countertops (though I would have preferred marble... another story).
Anyway, I spent all this time dressing my up kitchen and there on the floor was a scummy looking stainless steel bowl for dog food. Blech.
Now I was fortunate... Home Goods stocks adorable things like little benches with niches carved out for food bowls... perfect for pets. However, a nice ceramic bowl in a cheery color would have done anequally nice job of perking things up.
The point? Don't forget small details... new potholders in a fun fabric, kitschy salt and pepper shakers, a colorful apron hung on the wall (like art!)... any of these small things goes a long way to improve the look of your kitchen.
HGD can help spice up your kitchen! 571-232-4507
Anyway, I spent all this time dressing my up kitchen and there on the floor was a scummy looking stainless steel bowl for dog food. Blech.
Now I was fortunate... Home Goods stocks adorable things like little benches with niches carved out for food bowls... perfect for pets. However, a nice ceramic bowl in a cheery color would have done anequally nice job of perking things up.
The point? Don't forget small details... new potholders in a fun fabric, kitschy salt and pepper shakers, a colorful apron hung on the wall (like art!)... any of these small things goes a long way to improve the look of your kitchen.
HGD can help spice up your kitchen! 571-232-4507
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Study the situation
Many of us have home offices these days. Even if you do not make your paycheck at home, you most likely have an area dedicated to your computer.
Slave to aesthetics that I am, I have lived without a printer for 9 years. I didn't want to mess up the look of my study with cables and extension cords. Well, no longer. Voila! The wireless network that came with FIOS (through Verizon) allows me to use a wireless printer! Genius! I highly recommend a wireless network if you aren't currently using one.
You might also want to consider painting a wall in chalkboard paint, perhaps the wall behind your monitor. You never know when brilliant idea might strike or you just need to leave a note about the dry cleaning.
Lighting. Because I am a design fanatic, I have an antique murano glass chandelier in my study. Because I need plenty of light, especially at night, to write these scintillating blogs (!), I have several lamps as well. Get creative with your lighting. Maybe you like art deco... scour eBay for a great art deco metal study lamp.
Everything needs its own place, especially in a study. HGD can help you organize your study so that you are more efficient. Good decor starts with good organization. 571-232-4507
Slave to aesthetics that I am, I have lived without a printer for 9 years. I didn't want to mess up the look of my study with cables and extension cords. Well, no longer. Voila! The wireless network that came with FIOS (through Verizon) allows me to use a wireless printer! Genius! I highly recommend a wireless network if you aren't currently using one.
You might also want to consider painting a wall in chalkboard paint, perhaps the wall behind your monitor. You never know when brilliant idea might strike or you just need to leave a note about the dry cleaning.
Lighting. Because I am a design fanatic, I have an antique murano glass chandelier in my study. Because I need plenty of light, especially at night, to write these scintillating blogs (!), I have several lamps as well. Get creative with your lighting. Maybe you like art deco... scour eBay for a great art deco metal study lamp.
Everything needs its own place, especially in a study. HGD can help you organize your study so that you are more efficient. Good decor starts with good organization. 571-232-4507
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Fashion in your home?
It has been said that there is a direct correlation with home decor and the fashion runway. Oscar de la Renta just designed fabrics for Lee Jofa; Ralph Lauren produces paint, wallpaper and fabrics; Vera Wang even hawks mattresses!
This fall designers are showing military accents, army green, lace and fur. For those fashionistas out there, you can bear these trends in mind while updating your look. Remember, fashion is fickle and these are trends; they will be outdated soon so before you paint your study army green think about making a smaller less committed investment.
Lace pillows on your bed. A faux fur throw on your sofa. Army green towels in your beige bathroom.
Holcomb Gray Decor can show you how to incorporate the newest trends into your decor, without breaking your bank... so you have some money left over for your wardrobe! 571-232-4507
This fall designers are showing military accents, army green, lace and fur. For those fashionistas out there, you can bear these trends in mind while updating your look. Remember, fashion is fickle and these are trends; they will be outdated soon so before you paint your study army green think about making a smaller less committed investment.
Lace pillows on your bed. A faux fur throw on your sofa. Army green towels in your beige bathroom.
Holcomb Gray Decor can show you how to incorporate the newest trends into your decor, without breaking your bank... so you have some money left over for your wardrobe! 571-232-4507
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Simple fixes
Need to update your look but don't want to spend a lot to do it?
Consider changing your lampshades; Target, yes Target, has a variety of lampshades from which to choose.
Change the hardware on your kitchen cabinets; hardware can really date your look. A fresh wrought iron will really modernize your kitchen.
Buy some plants; a vivid orchid or a feathery fern can really adorn a room.
Buy cloth napkins in black... it goes with everything and makes a dramatic impression.
Change those throw pillows... its a lot cheaper than reupholstering your sofa. Consider a set of pillows for every season... Light linen for summer, sumptuous velvet for winter.
Use a table runner.
HGD has a number of ideas for sprucing up your old digs. 571-232-4507
Consider changing your lampshades; Target, yes Target, has a variety of lampshades from which to choose.
Change the hardware on your kitchen cabinets; hardware can really date your look. A fresh wrought iron will really modernize your kitchen.
Buy some plants; a vivid orchid or a feathery fern can really adorn a room.
Buy cloth napkins in black... it goes with everything and makes a dramatic impression.
Change those throw pillows... its a lot cheaper than reupholstering your sofa. Consider a set of pillows for every season... Light linen for summer, sumptuous velvet for winter.
Use a table runner.
HGD has a number of ideas for sprucing up your old digs. 571-232-4507
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Express yourself
You have bare walls and an empty wallet. You would love to collect art but that's for rich people, right? Wrong.
Art is simply decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter (if we are talking about art on the walls... not the myriad of other forms like sculpture or glassware). Is your five year old's broad stroke butterfly made at school art? You bet. So is that collection of vintage postcards you have.
Frame that series of japanese hand fans your grandmother gave you. Cover your hall wall with old family black and white photos (keeping all the frames in the same color family). Go to your local paint/wallpaper store and ask for their discontinued wallpaper books; pull out pages that you like and frame them.
Cut out snowflakes and frame them in black frames for winter, buy a satin covered hanger and hang a handsmocked baby dress on it in your little girl's room, hang a whole wall of baseball caps in your son's room. Old Tennis rackets as art? Yup.
Let Holcomb Gray Decor help you find your artistic side. 571-232-4507
Art is simply decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter (if we are talking about art on the walls... not the myriad of other forms like sculpture or glassware). Is your five year old's broad stroke butterfly made at school art? You bet. So is that collection of vintage postcards you have.
Frame that series of japanese hand fans your grandmother gave you. Cover your hall wall with old family black and white photos (keeping all the frames in the same color family). Go to your local paint/wallpaper store and ask for their discontinued wallpaper books; pull out pages that you like and frame them.
Cut out snowflakes and frame them in black frames for winter, buy a satin covered hanger and hang a handsmocked baby dress on it in your little girl's room, hang a whole wall of baseball caps in your son's room. Old Tennis rackets as art? Yup.
Let Holcomb Gray Decor help you find your artistic side. 571-232-4507
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Style vs Theme
So you love Paris. You've bought berets and miniature Eiffel Towers and lots of poodles and you are ready to decorate!
Hold up! Put that poodle down!
Theme decorating is great for parties and can sometimes even work for a child's room but a whole house or even just an adult room decorated in a theme is just too kitschy.
You can embrace a STYLE... let's say french provincial but you should decorate with restraint. Research the colors and textures used in that style. You can subtly convey a style; themes are a little more brazen.
It is a thin line to walk but Holcomb Gray Decor can help you navigate this tricky path.
571-232-4507
Hold up! Put that poodle down!
Theme decorating is great for parties and can sometimes even work for a child's room but a whole house or even just an adult room decorated in a theme is just too kitschy.
You can embrace a STYLE... let's say french provincial but you should decorate with restraint. Research the colors and textures used in that style. You can subtly convey a style; themes are a little more brazen.
It is a thin line to walk but Holcomb Gray Decor can help you navigate this tricky path.
571-232-4507
Monday, October 11, 2010
Going Green and saving it too
So you use Seventh Generation household products and drive a hybrid car; good for you! You're doing your part for the environment, right?
You can make some pretty green choices in your house as well. From bamboo flooring to VOC paint, you can decorate beautifully and responsibly.
Some other green venues, would include purchasing your furniture from a consignment store and your books and knick knacks from thrift stores or yard sales. In addition to being environmentally responsible, these choices are kind to your wallet as well.
Holcomb Gray Decor can help you decorate responsibly. Call us today at 571-232-4507.
You can make some pretty green choices in your house as well. From bamboo flooring to VOC paint, you can decorate beautifully and responsibly.
Some other green venues, would include purchasing your furniture from a consignment store and your books and knick knacks from thrift stores or yard sales. In addition to being environmentally responsible, these choices are kind to your wallet as well.
Holcomb Gray Decor can help you decorate responsibly. Call us today at 571-232-4507.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Decorating for dinners, brunch and Happy Hour!
So you don't need to remodel your house every time you entertain and unless you want to rival Martha Stewart you don't need to get all cute with cocktail napkins either.
However, there are a few things to bear in mind while decorating if you do like to entertain in your house.
Flow. Does your home have it? Can you easily navigate your way around the living room or are you dodging furniture and toys? Walk around; feel the flow. Maybe you have a nice big ottoman which is great for propping up your feet whilst watching the game but for that big cocktail party where most people will be standing you need to move that to an unused room.
Usable space. Are there end tables accessible to your chairs, sofa so that people can put down their drinks? Do you have enough dining space, or should you invest in a card table to give people extra room? Card tables are cheap and store easily. Next time you have a big dinner party, have several different tables in different rooms rather than cramming everybody in at one table. Antique malls have stacks of beautiful vintage tablecloths which are affordable. If you don't have pets, think about investing in big floor pillows and having a dinner party on your living room floor.
Knick knacks and what nots. Have you filled all your table space with little porcelain figurines and vases? Think about clearing your tables for a party so that people have room for their glasses, plates and such. When I entertain, I clear my kitchen countertops to make room for the dirty dishes and silverware.
Finishing touches. Do you have a stash of pretty candles and nice hand towels? New bars of scented soap? Just like how you put on those earrings to complete your outfit, dress your home up a little too.
Holcomb Gray Decor is happy to assist you in preparing for you next big shindig!
However, there are a few things to bear in mind while decorating if you do like to entertain in your house.
Flow. Does your home have it? Can you easily navigate your way around the living room or are you dodging furniture and toys? Walk around; feel the flow. Maybe you have a nice big ottoman which is great for propping up your feet whilst watching the game but for that big cocktail party where most people will be standing you need to move that to an unused room.
Usable space. Are there end tables accessible to your chairs, sofa so that people can put down their drinks? Do you have enough dining space, or should you invest in a card table to give people extra room? Card tables are cheap and store easily. Next time you have a big dinner party, have several different tables in different rooms rather than cramming everybody in at one table. Antique malls have stacks of beautiful vintage tablecloths which are affordable. If you don't have pets, think about investing in big floor pillows and having a dinner party on your living room floor.
Knick knacks and what nots. Have you filled all your table space with little porcelain figurines and vases? Think about clearing your tables for a party so that people have room for their glasses, plates and such. When I entertain, I clear my kitchen countertops to make room for the dirty dishes and silverware.
Finishing touches. Do you have a stash of pretty candles and nice hand towels? New bars of scented soap? Just like how you put on those earrings to complete your outfit, dress your home up a little too.
Holcomb Gray Decor is happy to assist you in preparing for you next big shindig!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Welcome Autumn
The sun drops a little earlier these days and when it does, the temperature goes with it. The last of summer's tomatoes cling to the vine and we find that we are not spending quite as much time mowing the lawn.
Ah, Autumn. It's descended.
So have you thought about decorating your house to reflect the changes outdoors?
We've put out our obligatory pumpkins. Have you?
Here are few other things you might consider doing....
Apples apples everywhere. Bowls of them. In the kitchen. On the dining room table. Use nature's bounty.
Scented candles. Decor encompasses all of your senses. Buy those Bergamot or Cedar Spiced candles at World Market. Invite some autumnal spice into your home
Run a runner. Find a beautiful runner at Home Goods or Pier 1 in pumpkin or cranberry and put it on your dining room table. No dining room? Pick out straw placemats in autumnal colors and use those in your kitchen.
Soaps. Buy heavily scented soaps for your bathrooms. The luxurious scent will warm you up.
Don't want to turn on the heat yet? Buy a fuzzy throw for your living room. I found some beautiful ones with crewel work details for 19.99 at HomeGoods.
Bake some bread, a pie and spice cake.
Change your candles to darker colors.
Think about investing in draperies to ward off chills from your windows.
Think about acquiring a set of china for a different time of year. I use white in the summer and heavy earthen pottery in the colder months.
Enjoy the change!
Ah, Autumn. It's descended.
So have you thought about decorating your house to reflect the changes outdoors?
We've put out our obligatory pumpkins. Have you?
Here are few other things you might consider doing....
Apples apples everywhere. Bowls of them. In the kitchen. On the dining room table. Use nature's bounty.
Scented candles. Decor encompasses all of your senses. Buy those Bergamot or Cedar Spiced candles at World Market. Invite some autumnal spice into your home
Run a runner. Find a beautiful runner at Home Goods or Pier 1 in pumpkin or cranberry and put it on your dining room table. No dining room? Pick out straw placemats in autumnal colors and use those in your kitchen.
Soaps. Buy heavily scented soaps for your bathrooms. The luxurious scent will warm you up.
Don't want to turn on the heat yet? Buy a fuzzy throw for your living room. I found some beautiful ones with crewel work details for 19.99 at HomeGoods.
Bake some bread, a pie and spice cake.
Change your candles to darker colors.
Think about investing in draperies to ward off chills from your windows.
Think about acquiring a set of china for a different time of year. I use white in the summer and heavy earthen pottery in the colder months.
Enjoy the change!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Questions & Answers!
We have been very pleasantly surprised by the readership of our new blog and while we can talk, or in this case write, a blue streak, we would love to hear what kind of decorating help you need.
Drop us a message on our Facebook page, Holcomb Gray Decor, or join our blog on Google, and let us know what your decorating dilemmas are.
We look forward to hearing from you and answering some of those questions!
Drop us a message on our Facebook page, Holcomb Gray Decor, or join our blog on Google, and let us know what your decorating dilemmas are.
We look forward to hearing from you and answering some of those questions!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Appetizing ideas
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether or not you love to cook, most of your parties will end up 'round the fridge. So let's make sure that the magnets on the refrigerator are not your only decor.
Use what you eat. Have a table in your kitchen? One of the fastest ways to make a kitchen more appealing is to feature fruits and vegetables in a pottery bowl. Its cheap, its easy and you can feast more than just your eyes.
Those pretty cookbooks can be used to stimulate visual interests; purchase a book holder, wrought iron is nice, and open your favorite cookbook, illustrated of course, to an especially pretty page. Instant counter art.
Hide what you don't use daily. Not a big baker? You don't need that KitchenAid mixer sitting out on the countertop. You could probably use more prep space anyway; who couldn't?
Scour thrift stores, or even Target, for inexpensive pretty prints... of what else, food. A nice still life of lemons, a cute print of a coffee cup, even a poster of a pepper. Don't ignore the walls of your kitchen.
If you are not fortunate enough to have some sort of shelving in your kitchen, install some. Feature tea cups, spice jars, salt and pepper shakers. Too kitschy? Prop up your prettiest plates or simply line up your nice crystal wine glasses.
Think about the color in your kitchen. Do you have a lot of natural light? Lucky you. Need to warm/brighten things up? Consider spicy colors or vibrant yellows.
HGD can help get things cooking in your kitchen. 571-232-4507
Use what you eat. Have a table in your kitchen? One of the fastest ways to make a kitchen more appealing is to feature fruits and vegetables in a pottery bowl. Its cheap, its easy and you can feast more than just your eyes.
Those pretty cookbooks can be used to stimulate visual interests; purchase a book holder, wrought iron is nice, and open your favorite cookbook, illustrated of course, to an especially pretty page. Instant counter art.
Hide what you don't use daily. Not a big baker? You don't need that KitchenAid mixer sitting out on the countertop. You could probably use more prep space anyway; who couldn't?
Scour thrift stores, or even Target, for inexpensive pretty prints... of what else, food. A nice still life of lemons, a cute print of a coffee cup, even a poster of a pepper. Don't ignore the walls of your kitchen.
If you are not fortunate enough to have some sort of shelving in your kitchen, install some. Feature tea cups, spice jars, salt and pepper shakers. Too kitschy? Prop up your prettiest plates or simply line up your nice crystal wine glasses.
Think about the color in your kitchen. Do you have a lot of natural light? Lucky you. Need to warm/brighten things up? Consider spicy colors or vibrant yellows.
HGD can help get things cooking in your kitchen. 571-232-4507
Appetizing ideas
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether or not you love to cook, most of your parties will end up 'round the fridge. So let's make sure that the magnets on the refrigerator are not your only decor.
Use what you eat. Have a table in your kitchen? One of the fastest ways to make a kitchen more appealing is to feature fruits and vegetables in a pottery bowl. Its cheap, its easy and you can feast more than just your eyes.
Those pretty cookbooks can be used to stimulate visual interests; purchase a book holder, wrought iron is nice, and open your favorite cookbook, illustrated of course, to an especially pretty page. Instant counter art.
Hide what you don't use daily. Not a big baker? You don't need that KitchenAid mixer sitting out on the countertop. You could probably use more prep space anyway; who couldn't?
Scour thrift stores, or even Target, for inexpensive pretty prints... of what else, food. A nice still life of lemons, a cute print of a coffee cup, even a poster of a pepper. Don't ignore the walls of your kitchen.
If you are not fortunate enough to have some sort of shelving in your kitchen, install some. Feature tea cups, spice jars, salt and pepper shakers. Too kitschy? Prop up your prettiest plates or simply line up your nice crystal wine glasses.
Think about the color in your kitchen. Do you have a lot of natural light? Lucky you. Need to warm/brighten things up? Consider spicy colors or vibrant yellows.
HGD can help get things cooking in your kitchen. 571-232-4507
Use what you eat. Have a table in your kitchen? One of the fastest ways to make a kitchen more appealing is to feature fruits and vegetables in a pottery bowl. Its cheap, its easy and you can feast more than just your eyes.
Those pretty cookbooks can be used to stimulate visual interests; purchase a book holder, wrought iron is nice, and open your favorite cookbook, illustrated of course, to an especially pretty page. Instant counter art.
Hide what you don't use daily. Not a big baker? You don't need that KitchenAid mixer sitting out on the countertop. You could probably use more prep space anyway; who couldn't?
Scour thrift stores, or even Target, for inexpensive pretty prints... of what else, food. A nice still life of lemons, a cute print of a coffee cup, even a poster of a pepper. Don't ignore the walls of your kitchen.
If you are not fortunate enough to have some sort of shelving in your kitchen, install some. Feature tea cups, spice jars, salt and pepper shakers. Too kitschy? Prop up your prettiest plates or simply line up your nice crystal wine glasses.
Think about the color in your kitchen. Do you have a lot of natural light? Lucky you. Need to warm/brighten things up? Consider spicy colors or vibrant yellows.
HGD can help get things cooking in your kitchen. 571-232-4507
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Small changes, big impact
Sometimes in life, we are "handed" an opportunity to start anew. These opportunities come in different forms... new baby, new marriage, divorce, death, inheritance, job loss... we never know how life will treat us.
We do know that we need our home to be our haven, especially when we go through drastic change.
So how do you know how to make changes without creating upheaval?
Start with basics... pare down. Going through a divorce? Pack up those wedding gifts you were never fond of but were too polite to toss.
New baby? Let's shelve away all those breakables for a while.
Job loss? Let's make sure your home office is adequately prepared for brainstorming.
Any time is a good time to reevaluate color and how it impacts you. Did your ex-hubby choose the living room paint color? Change it. Is the red dining room too dramatic for you while you are experiencing a life change? Tone it down.
Let's finally get rid of those college paperbacks and upgrade to some investable hardbacks. Let's take down the old wedding photos in the office and hang up a cork board, framed of course, so that we can tack up new ideas.
Baby all grown up? Let's donate those plastic sippy cups and purchase some nice tumblers from Crate & Barrel.
Want to dramatically change a room without spending much money? Take those drapes hanging from the windowsill and hang them from the molding/inch below the ceiling.
Tired of that old print poster from the museum of art? Invest in a mirror, which will broaden the room and brighten it as well.
Put a simple smile on your face by just changing the candles from cream to chartreuse.
Holcomb Gray Decor can help you make the transition. Call us today at 571-232-4507.
We do know that we need our home to be our haven, especially when we go through drastic change.
So how do you know how to make changes without creating upheaval?
Start with basics... pare down. Going through a divorce? Pack up those wedding gifts you were never fond of but were too polite to toss.
New baby? Let's shelve away all those breakables for a while.
Job loss? Let's make sure your home office is adequately prepared for brainstorming.
Any time is a good time to reevaluate color and how it impacts you. Did your ex-hubby choose the living room paint color? Change it. Is the red dining room too dramatic for you while you are experiencing a life change? Tone it down.
Let's finally get rid of those college paperbacks and upgrade to some investable hardbacks. Let's take down the old wedding photos in the office and hang up a cork board, framed of course, so that we can tack up new ideas.
Baby all grown up? Let's donate those plastic sippy cups and purchase some nice tumblers from Crate & Barrel.
Want to dramatically change a room without spending much money? Take those drapes hanging from the windowsill and hang them from the molding/inch below the ceiling.
Tired of that old print poster from the museum of art? Invest in a mirror, which will broaden the room and brighten it as well.
Put a simple smile on your face by just changing the candles from cream to chartreuse.
Holcomb Gray Decor can help you make the transition. Call us today at 571-232-4507.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Making a collective impact
Let's say you've always loved teapots. Or over the years, you have accrued quite the matchbook collection. Maybe your grandmother started giving you Lladro when you were small or perhaps you just can't explain why you need beer cans from around the world.
Collections. I think we all have them in some form. And we want to show them off; that's great! Nothing gives a glimpse into a personality better than a collection. However, there is definitely a RIGHT way to display your collection.
Groupings make an impact; assorted pieces strewn here and there may you look like a hoarder. Designate one wall for that Hand Fan collection. Use an entire bookshelf for your elephant collection; Do Not place an elephant in every room.
Collections can be charming; display them so they are so.
Need help making a statement with your collection? HGD can help you with that. 571-232-4507
Collections. I think we all have them in some form. And we want to show them off; that's great! Nothing gives a glimpse into a personality better than a collection. However, there is definitely a RIGHT way to display your collection.
Groupings make an impact; assorted pieces strewn here and there may you look like a hoarder. Designate one wall for that Hand Fan collection. Use an entire bookshelf for your elephant collection; Do Not place an elephant in every room.
Collections can be charming; display them so they are so.
Need help making a statement with your collection? HGD can help you with that. 571-232-4507
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Help with high,low, old and new
As we go through different stages in life, our homes do too. There are the post-college years, marked by posters and Ikea furniture; the Big Purchase years where we finally have income and invest it in a dining room table or sofa; the children years, where toys and scrubbable wall paint enter and then there is a time where some of us might find ourselves right now - the Acquirement Years. Your parents are downsizing or perhaps you have lost a grandparent... you find yourself the recipient of a family heirloom or maybe Grandpa's lounger. Regardless, you are now in a place where you have to meld styles, incorporate looks and you would like to do seamlessly.
Acquiring handed down objects can be stressful. Perhaps you really don't love Gran's victorian vases; maybe they don't seemingly match your modern decor. Maybe you love the dining room set your parents just passed on to you, but you already have one.
At these times, inviting an unbiased discerning eye into your home might be necessary. Holcomb Gray Decor can help you with the tough decisions... should we recover Granny's chair, keep the oil lamp, dump our current sofa... these can be daunting decisions. We can help you develop a holistic approach to incorporating the new with the old.
Acquiring handed down objects can be stressful. Perhaps you really don't love Gran's victorian vases; maybe they don't seemingly match your modern decor. Maybe you love the dining room set your parents just passed on to you, but you already have one.
At these times, inviting an unbiased discerning eye into your home might be necessary. Holcomb Gray Decor can help you with the tough decisions... should we recover Granny's chair, keep the oil lamp, dump our current sofa... these can be daunting decisions. We can help you develop a holistic approach to incorporating the new with the old.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Nursery grows up too!
After you have discovered that you are pregnant and you have been to your doctor and taken all the necessary steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy, the fun part begins; decorating the nursery!
There is a lot of really cute baby stuff out there. Ethan Allen has gorgeous cribs and bedding that sells in the thousands of dollars. Target has beautiful more budget friendly baby decor. Pottery Barn nestles safely in between the two. You can definitely go a little crazy decorating for baby... the ruffly tutus and the truck bedding. Pinks and Blues, toile and stripes. You can easily be tempted to go all out.
Don't. Baby grows up quickly.... really quickly. Take it from me, your little princess might come home one day and declare she wants get rid of all of her "girly" stuff. Let her. Here's how you can decorate to appease your wishes and still let them grow up.
Stick to basics. Paint your nursery a warm sunny yellow or a soothing green. These are gender neutral colors. Buy your baby bedding inexpensively at Target; indulge your desires here for ballerinas or cowboys. Use accessories to define the room; pink baskets with pink gingham ribbons; red bookshelves with firetrucks stenciled on them. Want to get really crazy? Paint one whole wall in the room with chalkboard paint. Remember, people love to buy babies gifts - pink teddy bears or dinosaur pillows - so you will receive a lot of the fun stuff to decorate with.
The bottom line is you don't want to spend a lot of money on a room that will morph as your child quickly grows. Have fun but do it cost efficiently.
HGD can help you outfit that nursery! Call us today for fun, affordable consultation. 571-232-4507
There is a lot of really cute baby stuff out there. Ethan Allen has gorgeous cribs and bedding that sells in the thousands of dollars. Target has beautiful more budget friendly baby decor. Pottery Barn nestles safely in between the two. You can definitely go a little crazy decorating for baby... the ruffly tutus and the truck bedding. Pinks and Blues, toile and stripes. You can easily be tempted to go all out.
Don't. Baby grows up quickly.... really quickly. Take it from me, your little princess might come home one day and declare she wants get rid of all of her "girly" stuff. Let her. Here's how you can decorate to appease your wishes and still let them grow up.
Stick to basics. Paint your nursery a warm sunny yellow or a soothing green. These are gender neutral colors. Buy your baby bedding inexpensively at Target; indulge your desires here for ballerinas or cowboys. Use accessories to define the room; pink baskets with pink gingham ribbons; red bookshelves with firetrucks stenciled on them. Want to get really crazy? Paint one whole wall in the room with chalkboard paint. Remember, people love to buy babies gifts - pink teddy bears or dinosaur pillows - so you will receive a lot of the fun stuff to decorate with.
The bottom line is you don't want to spend a lot of money on a room that will morph as your child quickly grows. Have fun but do it cost efficiently.
HGD can help you outfit that nursery! Call us today for fun, affordable consultation. 571-232-4507
Monday, September 27, 2010
Let's paint this town!
I have received my paint fan books from Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball! It's like Christmas at Holcomb Gray Decor!
Paint affords you endless possibilities on a small scale budget. I sat in my living room, painted Benjamin Moore's Castleton Mist, and salivated over some new colors. In particular, Farrow & Ball's French Gray is so enticing. A greenish gray, the color is at once elegant and slightly shabby. It reminds me of the walls in Napoleon House down in the Quarter in New Orleans. Walls which have SEEN so much, walls which convey life's rich pageant.
I will confess, as much as I love my little house, I do fantasize about stripping it bare and starting all over. I would LOVE to paint my kitchen cabinets a high gloss mandarin red or gild my small bathroom downstairs.
I love paint. Call me today and let's look over the new shades for fall! 571-232-4507
Paint affords you endless possibilities on a small scale budget. I sat in my living room, painted Benjamin Moore's Castleton Mist, and salivated over some new colors. In particular, Farrow & Ball's French Gray is so enticing. A greenish gray, the color is at once elegant and slightly shabby. It reminds me of the walls in Napoleon House down in the Quarter in New Orleans. Walls which have SEEN so much, walls which convey life's rich pageant.
I will confess, as much as I love my little house, I do fantasize about stripping it bare and starting all over. I would LOVE to paint my kitchen cabinets a high gloss mandarin red or gild my small bathroom downstairs.
I love paint. Call me today and let's look over the new shades for fall! 571-232-4507
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Creating your atmosphere
So we have established that decor in your home is a direct reflection of you. Let's take that a little deeper. You know when you are feeling a little down and you pull on all black? Ever thought of trying to lift yourself by dressing differently? Put on that cheery lipstick or that favorite football jersey instead. Well, you can surround yourself with positive vibes in your house too.
Ok, so maybe you don't have the budget to overhaul your house daily; who does? You can however decorate daily to set a mood. Sunflowers on the dining room table. A bowl of green apples on the dresser in your foyer. On a cold December day, put out an array of photographs from the beach. Switch out your white towels for chartreuse. Buy an assortment, in varying heights, of inexpensive glass candle holders and pumpkin colored candles for your mantle. Donate all of your paperbacks to Goodwill and reorganize your hardbacks. Buy some brightly colored throw pillows for your chocolate sofa or throw a turqoise blue blanket over the back. Buy some wide, grosgrain ribbon in a primary color and tie back your curtain panels in a pretty bow.
Your house can lift you up or bring you down. Decide how you will let it affect you.
Holcomb Gray Decor can change up the mood in your house! Let's work with what you have. Book an appointment at 571-232-4507.
Ok, so maybe you don't have the budget to overhaul your house daily; who does? You can however decorate daily to set a mood. Sunflowers on the dining room table. A bowl of green apples on the dresser in your foyer. On a cold December day, put out an array of photographs from the beach. Switch out your white towels for chartreuse. Buy an assortment, in varying heights, of inexpensive glass candle holders and pumpkin colored candles for your mantle. Donate all of your paperbacks to Goodwill and reorganize your hardbacks. Buy some brightly colored throw pillows for your chocolate sofa or throw a turqoise blue blanket over the back. Buy some wide, grosgrain ribbon in a primary color and tie back your curtain panels in a pretty bow.
Your house can lift you up or bring you down. Decide how you will let it affect you.
Holcomb Gray Decor can change up the mood in your house! Let's work with what you have. Book an appointment at 571-232-4507.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
It's all subjective
So in my never ending quest to educate myself on interior decor, I checked a number of books out of the library today. One was House Beautiful's 750 Designer Secrets. Here is the interesting part... almost all of the "secrets" contradict one another. "Use bold colors! Go neutral! Flowers should only be in art! Use big florals for a big effect!".
What can you learn from this? What's the big secret that all designers know? I'll let you in on it... it's you. You're the secret. You and your own style. Decorating is all subjective. Like red? Use it. Hate florals? Avoid them. Want to mix your lucite with your Hepplewhite? Go ahead.
In the end, decorating is all about mixing and/or matching what you love in order to represent who you are.
Use the bold, the neutral, the stripe, the floral, the cheap, the irreplaceable... use any and/or all. Think about what matters to you most. Do you want the pets to be comfortable on all your furnishings? Think about leather or microsuede. Want the children to be able to jump on the sofa? Consider slipcovers. Like filtered light? Opt for no lining on the drapes.
It's all about your lifestyle. Think about how you live and how you want to portray that lifestyle.
Holcomb Gray Decor is here to help. 571-232-4507.
What can you learn from this? What's the big secret that all designers know? I'll let you in on it... it's you. You're the secret. You and your own style. Decorating is all subjective. Like red? Use it. Hate florals? Avoid them. Want to mix your lucite with your Hepplewhite? Go ahead.
In the end, decorating is all about mixing and/or matching what you love in order to represent who you are.
Use the bold, the neutral, the stripe, the floral, the cheap, the irreplaceable... use any and/or all. Think about what matters to you most. Do you want the pets to be comfortable on all your furnishings? Think about leather or microsuede. Want the children to be able to jump on the sofa? Consider slipcovers. Like filtered light? Opt for no lining on the drapes.
It's all about your lifestyle. Think about how you live and how you want to portray that lifestyle.
Holcomb Gray Decor is here to help. 571-232-4507.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Living with Kids in the Living Room!
It seems kind of unfair... just about the time you get your act, and bank account, together and can decorate that family room, you notice someone decorated it for you - with Elmo.
Relax. People understand you have children (and if they don't, do you really want them in your house?). However, there should be a place for everything, even if your house isn't 6000 square feet.
A little parenting tip I gleaned along the way... kids under the age of 10 (after that all bets are off), love to help pick up. The important thing is to have a place where they can store their things. If you can make the investment, think about a storage ottoman. An ottoman is versatile - place for feet or it can be a coffee table - , can balance a room, and can hide a multitude of toys. Ballard Designs makes great ones and has a terrific choice of upholstery fabrics.
Too hefty a price tag on that ottoman for right now? Check out Pier 1 or World Market. They stock great baskets, even some little woven chests or the handpainted wooden ones from India. Place your basket/chest next to the fireplace and put the toys in there when they are not in use.
Of course, the best solution is to have the kids take their toys to their rooms, but hey, we are trying to be realistic here!
HGD can help you reclaim your space for Kiddie Wonderland! 571-232-4507
Relax. People understand you have children (and if they don't, do you really want them in your house?). However, there should be a place for everything, even if your house isn't 6000 square feet.
A little parenting tip I gleaned along the way... kids under the age of 10 (after that all bets are off), love to help pick up. The important thing is to have a place where they can store their things. If you can make the investment, think about a storage ottoman. An ottoman is versatile - place for feet or it can be a coffee table - , can balance a room, and can hide a multitude of toys. Ballard Designs makes great ones and has a terrific choice of upholstery fabrics.
Too hefty a price tag on that ottoman for right now? Check out Pier 1 or World Market. They stock great baskets, even some little woven chests or the handpainted wooden ones from India. Place your basket/chest next to the fireplace and put the toys in there when they are not in use.
Of course, the best solution is to have the kids take their toys to their rooms, but hey, we are trying to be realistic here!
HGD can help you reclaim your space for Kiddie Wonderland! 571-232-4507
Monday, September 20, 2010
Inspiration comes in funny forms
Don't ignore your sense of style. Maybe you are off beat; embrace it! Go ahead - use that bookend as a doorstop. Make that antique wrought iron birdcage the centerpiece of you dining table. Who says you can't use those old lace hand towels in the kitchen?
Be open to inspiration. You never now where it might come from.
Be open to inspiration. You never now where it might come from.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Paring down to dress it up!
Sometimes pulling together your best look is a lesson in editing.
You might have beautiful built-in bookshelves but they are crammed with paperbacks from Sophomore year. You have lovely black and white photos but they are scattered throughout 4 different rooms. You have a lovely tailored sofa but it is covered with 7 throw pillows.
Delve back into the books, literally. Recycle those dog-eared paperbacks; invest in some quality hardbacks of your favorite authors. Remember to use decorative pieces in your shelves as well. Stack some books, place a vase next to them. Try using one color palette, for instance, all cobalt blue glassware.
Round up your treasured photos. Put them all in similar frames, like silver for a polished traditional look or black for a clean modern appeal. Group them together, paying attention to heights and size, larger photos in back, smaller ones to the front.
Find new homes for those pillows. Typically 3 is enough for any sofa.
You've just updated your look!
You might have beautiful built-in bookshelves but they are crammed with paperbacks from Sophomore year. You have lovely black and white photos but they are scattered throughout 4 different rooms. You have a lovely tailored sofa but it is covered with 7 throw pillows.
Delve back into the books, literally. Recycle those dog-eared paperbacks; invest in some quality hardbacks of your favorite authors. Remember to use decorative pieces in your shelves as well. Stack some books, place a vase next to them. Try using one color palette, for instance, all cobalt blue glassware.
Round up your treasured photos. Put them all in similar frames, like silver for a polished traditional look or black for a clean modern appeal. Group them together, paying attention to heights and size, larger photos in back, smaller ones to the front.
Find new homes for those pillows. Typically 3 is enough for any sofa.
You've just updated your look!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Defining your style
You really love your ceramic owl that you made in third grade. You're not too sure about that chair you picked up off N. 17th street's curb. You want a carpet to tie everything together but can you find one that will do that?
Hang on. Let's back up a bit.... a ceramic owl, a chair and a carpet. Ok. Let's define this room. It's a bedroom. Ceramic owl is perfect. Let's put it on the bookshelf along with a collection of family photos all in black frames. Bedrooms are perfect places to show a more intimate you.
So we've defined the room's function - bedroom, personal oasis - now let's talk about focal points. Windows? Fireplace? No? What about a nice headboard? If you can't find an architectural focal point, create a point of interest. Let's use a headboard between two windows.
Function? Check. Focal point? Check. Now let's work on traffic flow. The bed is centered between two windows on the far wall. We have nightstands on either side and dresser on the wall facing the bed. Now , what about that neglected corner? Perfect for our chair! Out of the way and providing a nice little reading niche. Perfect. Remember, we can always reupholster our junkyard finds. 18th Century Upholstery in Farifax picks up AND delivers.
So, let's review... we've defined the function, focal point and traffic flow of our room... and decorated with what we had on hand. Start with the definitions... think of them as a collective Little Black Dress!
Your favorite room is within reach. HGD can help you discover it.
Hang on. Let's back up a bit.... a ceramic owl, a chair and a carpet. Ok. Let's define this room. It's a bedroom. Ceramic owl is perfect. Let's put it on the bookshelf along with a collection of family photos all in black frames. Bedrooms are perfect places to show a more intimate you.
So we've defined the room's function - bedroom, personal oasis - now let's talk about focal points. Windows? Fireplace? No? What about a nice headboard? If you can't find an architectural focal point, create a point of interest. Let's use a headboard between two windows.
Function? Check. Focal point? Check. Now let's work on traffic flow. The bed is centered between two windows on the far wall. We have nightstands on either side and dresser on the wall facing the bed. Now , what about that neglected corner? Perfect for our chair! Out of the way and providing a nice little reading niche. Perfect. Remember, we can always reupholster our junkyard finds. 18th Century Upholstery in Farifax picks up AND delivers.
So, let's review... we've defined the function, focal point and traffic flow of our room... and decorated with what we had on hand. Start with the definitions... think of them as a collective Little Black Dress!
Your favorite room is within reach. HGD can help you discover it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Decorating with you in mind
Trends come and go. Good style lasts forever.
So what defines good style? Is it inherent? Can it be acquired? Do you have to wear an ascot?
Good style comes when you use the fundamentals of good decor; do you really think hot pink vinyl will always be hip? Olive shag carpeting anyone?
But do you have to outfit your house with toile and oriental carpets to be stylish? The answer is no.
Good style is YOUR style. Good style is apparent when your home reflects your own personality and maybe that does mean you use pink vinyl and olive shag carpeting. Think about your possessions; what best expresses who you are? It can be the wall clock you found at Goodwill, the Tiffany candlestick holders you got as a wedding gift or the lucite box you bought at Target.
So be honest with yourself about your own likes and dislikes and find what best reflects who you are.
Holcomb Gray Decor can help you hold up the mirror.
www.holcombgraydecor.com
So what defines good style? Is it inherent? Can it be acquired? Do you have to wear an ascot?
Good style comes when you use the fundamentals of good decor; do you really think hot pink vinyl will always be hip? Olive shag carpeting anyone?
But do you have to outfit your house with toile and oriental carpets to be stylish? The answer is no.
Good style is YOUR style. Good style is apparent when your home reflects your own personality and maybe that does mean you use pink vinyl and olive shag carpeting. Think about your possessions; what best expresses who you are? It can be the wall clock you found at Goodwill, the Tiffany candlestick holders you got as a wedding gift or the lucite box you bought at Target.
So be honest with yourself about your own likes and dislikes and find what best reflects who you are.
Holcomb Gray Decor can help you hold up the mirror.
www.holcombgraydecor.com
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