Tag Archives: January

A January Jumpstart

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6

The house looked a little empty today,
with the Christmas color packed away.
Even though the day was sunny and bright,
I’m too tired and lazy, to set things right.
From my favorite chair, I took to the net,
to see what inspiration I could get.
Color and clean lines are two boosters for me,
add some great displays to make it three.

Enjoy the pics and explore the source links. They’re sure to jump start your January!

 

Upon discovering this photo quite some time ago, I literally gasped and knew it had to be saved for a future post. A wonderful example of how display can be so very simple but achieve such breathtaking reactions.

Loft Living contemporary-living-room

This is from one of my HOUZZ Ideabooks “Color”. It’s really In Your Face but in a nice way.

Colourful, Fresh Family Home contemporary-bedroom

Ah, can I ever stress “Simple” enough? Substitute “easy” if that’s the word you prefer. Either way, this look could be done by anyone, It just made me smile.

Boys Rooms traditional-kids

Speaking of smiling.

Glencoe Living and Dining Room traditional-living-room

Simple, simple, simple but so effective! Okay, you get the idea.

Yellow Wallpaper contemporary-family-room

Everything just fantastic here and it all works together perfectly. Wonderful display with my three “C’s” Clean, Comfortable, Colorful. Wow.

Bountiful traditional-bedroom

I’m not even much of a “yellows” gal but how could anyone not enjoy this (at least just to look at)!

Guest Bedroom modern-bedroom

And MORE color here! Ahh. And once again, simple. Start with a neutral wall color (will work with lots of themes), choose an inspiration piece (the beautiful toss pillow), bring in colors from that item and finally add an accent color for some extra pizzazz. Here it’s the coral flowers on the nightstand. This is also a great example of some of the “rules” I use. The nightstand has 3 simple items at 3 different heights. There are 3 smaller toss pillows and yes, only two bigger pillows BUT together, you’re still working with an odd number in your display. Unlike what we’ve always been told, ODD is good, DIFFERENT is delightful.

Remember decorating is personal so make it “YOU”. And don’t forget that decor rules are the stairway to your design, but it’s OK to skip a few steps. My Magic #3 is a suggested place to start, but once you get your motor revved up, take off down your own road.

Bedtime contemporary-bedroom

Think my guests would appreciate this guest room. I sure would.

Metal decor collection contemporary-family-room

And finally, sometimes we just need things to be black and white.

This is such fun, I could go on forever, but have to get going on my house. Well, I’m cheered and this has kicked me into, if not HIGH Gear, at least to a bit more driven speed. So I best get goin’ while the gettin’s good!

January can sometimes be gloomy, but find ways to stay positive and you’ll stay productive too!  We’ll talk again soon.  Leave a comment and it’ll be even sooner 😀

Have a most Happy New Year.

Later – Cheryl

You’ve just read “A January Jumpstart” featured first on Artzzle.com. You’re invited to ask a question or leave a comment. I look forward to your input.

 

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Following Trends … or NOT

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9

Long time readers know that in the past two years, Hubs and I have been redoing the cabinetry in our little house.

The one and only bathroom was attacked first,  with B4’s featured here and resulting AFTER’s here.

It was not too difficult, but very time consuming.  When finished, we decided to live with it for a bit, wanting to evaluate the products chosen, to see how they held up under wear and tear.  And then too, we were just pooped and needed a break.

The kitchen project ahead, took more consideration.  Go with all one color on those cabinets, or the two-color combination, then a big TREND.

And if two colors were used, would uppers be one, and lowers another?  Would everything on the walls be the same and only the island different?  While on break, a color strip from our local True Value store was agreed upon, and a dark tone from that was used for a quick redo on our island.

Newly Redone Kitchen Island

Through the next year, we painted all upper cabinets in a lighter tone (from that strip), and the remaining lowers were done to match the island.  Will the two-color look go out of style?  Honestly, we don’t care.  Our decisions were based strictly on what we liked and thought we’d enjoy for a long time to come.

Artzzle KITCHENS, COUSINS and CABINETS feature

AND, it’ll be just fine, because . . . we’re not going through all that again … at least not for a very.long.time!

There needn’t have been any worries about styles, then or now.  Trends in kitchens continue to be varied in styles and materials, as well as colors.

The HGTV newsletter recently featured this great collection of kitchens.  Every color – or combination of, along with woods, steel, glass, copper.  And cabinets – modern, closed, glass doors and/or open shelving.

HKITC108_After-Full-Kitchen-Orange-Cabinets_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725

Above is one of my favorites from the article.  Ya all know I love cozy spaces, AND the color orange, of course.

GH2012_Kitchen-01-4-Hero_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725

↑↑  Here’s a definitely different look . . . and unique combination of materials.

DP_Renewal-Design-Build-White-Kitchen_s3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288

↑↑   This could be considered a combination of old and new looks, with the glass doors and open shelving.  Nice use of small spaces.

H2DSW206_Blue-Kitchen-2_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725

↑↑ Talk about color.

Be sure to check it out.  The article has 100 different lovelies to look at.

TIP:  Treat Trends as Treacherous Territory
TREND is one of the words to be used very selectively in decorating. There are always certain looks, colors, objects and so on, that are popular at any given moment. That’s fine and can be fun when with small items or a can of paint; things that can be easily and cost effectively changed out.

TIP:  Take time with MAJOR decisions, changes & purchases
Make sure you go with something you like, enjoy and will be comfortable with for an extended time.  Don’t do something big, just because someone says it’s the trend.

When in doubt, it usually works out to go a bit more neutral in expensive areas, and dress them up with smaller items as “trends” change.

I’ve never really cared to fit myself into y specific “Style”.  I approach decor and design differently, especially when working with others, and that “what style am I” question comes up.  For me, it’s important to stress that they explore and not to trap themselves into one concentrated look.

We’ll talk again soon.  Meanwhile, do a little decorating to chase away those January gray days.

Later – Cheryl

A January Jumpstart

Posted on by
6

The house looks a little empty today,
with the Christmas color packed away.
Even though the day was sunny and bright,
I’m tired out and lazy tonight,
with slim initiative to set the place right.

So, from my favorite chair, I took to the net,
to see what inspiration I could get.
Color and clean lines are two boosters for me,
add some great displays to make it three.

Enjoy the pics and explore the links for their sources. They’re sure to jumpstart your January!

Upon discovering this photo quite some time ago, I literally gasped and knew it had to be saved for a future post. A wonderful example of how display can be so very simple but achieve such breathtaking reactions.

Loft Living contemporary-living-room

This is from one of my HOUZZ Ideabooks “Color”. It’s really In Your Face but in a nice way.

Colourful, Fresh Family Home contemporary-bedroom

Ah, can I ever stress “Simple” enough? Substitute “easy” if that’s the word you prefer. Either way, this look could be done by anyone, It just made me smile.

Boys Rooms traditional-kids

Speaking of smiling.

Glencoe Living and Dining Room traditional-living-room

Simple, simple, simple but so effective! Okay, you get the idea.

Yellow Wallpaper contemporary-family-room

Everything just fantastic here and it all works together perfectly. Wonderful display with my three “C’s” Clean, Comfortable, Colorful. Wow.

Bountiful traditional-bedroom

I’m not even much of a “yellows” gal but how could anyone not enjoy this (at least just to look at)!

Guest Bedroom modern-bedroom

And MORE color here! Ahh. And once again, simple. Start with a neutral wall color (will work with lots of themes), choose an inspiration piece (the beautiful toss pillow), bring in colors from that item and finally add an accent color for some extra pizzazz. Here it’s the coral flowers on the nightstand. This is also a great example of some of the “rules” I use. The nightstand has 3 simple items at 3 different heights. There are 3 smaller toss pillows and yes, only two bigger pillows BUT together, you’re still working with an odd number in your display. Unlike what we’ve always been told, ODD is good, DIFFERENT is delightful.

Remember decorating is personal so make it “YOU”. And don’t forget that decor rules are the stairway to your design, but it’s OK to skip a few steps. My Magic #3 is a suggested place to start, but once you get your motor revved up, take off down your own road.

Bedtime contemporary-bedroom

Think my guests would appreciate this guest room. I sure would.

Metal decor collection contemporary-family-room

And finally, sometimes we just need things to be black and white.

This is such fun, I could go on forever, but have to get going on my house. Well, I’m cheered and this has kicked me into, if not HIGH Gear, at least to a bit more driven speed. So I best get goin’ while the gettin’s good!

January can sometimes be gloomy, but find ways to stay positive and you’ll stay productive too!  We’ll talk again soon.  Leave a comment and it’ll be even sooner 😀

Before I sign off, I want to thank the author of Leaf and Twig for allowing me to use her beautiful photo in my newest header.  Hope you enjoy it and the background change.
Have a most Happy New Year.

Later – Cheryl

You’ve just read “A January Jumpstart” featured first on Artzzle.com. You’re invited to ask a question or leave a comment. I look forward to your input.