Salvaged Ideas

I recently visited Schiller's Architectural Salvage in Tampa with my cousin Leah. It was a great way to spend an afternoon and I could have spent hours more in the cavernous building that houses thousands of items saved from the wrecking ball.

While some things might be a little too eccentric for the average shopper, architectural salvage warehouses can be found in every city and are a great resource to those wanting to repurpose an old piece and turn it into a unique design element for their home.

Not to mention, places like this are just plain fun regardless of whether or not you have a project in mind. Sometimes a visit to one can inspire ideas you didn't know you had. Finding a diamond in the rough and turning it into a gem is the ultimate recycling project.

Check back as I'll show you some examples in upcoming weeks of how to give an item new life functioning as something completely different. And in the meantime, find yourself an architectural salvage warehouse that you can visit. I promise that you'll have a wonderful time.

Getting Away From It All

This past Father's day weekend, we were fortunate enough to stay at The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Ojai, California along with our son, who was participating in an event on the premises.  The sprawling 220 acre complex has taken great pains to blend each structure into the beautiful grounds surrounding the buildings.

The view from our balcony was breathtaking and I couldn't wait to get out and explore. At every turn, there were little vignettes of gorgeous landscaping and art that complemented the architecture of each building.

What made everything so impressive was the simplicity of it all. There were no outrageously decorated rooms or courtyards, just well tended plantings with pots of healthy blooms and minimal tablescapes with unique pieces atop. Most could be replicated at home enabling you to achieve the same serene effect on a smaller, more manageable scale. Very Inspiring.

Have an empty wall outside? Hang a weathered mirror to reflect more of the greenery. How about some old terra cotta pots? Fill them with colorful geraniums and line them up in a grouping for impact. Do you have a few old watering cans that you left outside and they've become rusty? Give them a place of purpose and treat them like you planned it that way! As long as you keep it simple and don't go overboard, you can have a vignette worthy of the best hotel. What can you come up with? The possibilities are endless.

Kelly Wearstler's New Collection

I went to the Pacific Design Center today to see Kelly Wearstler's new collection for Lee Jofa's Groundworks line. Presenting along with Kelly was Executive Vice President/Creative Director for Lee Jofa, Stephen Elrod.

Kelly is an accomplished interior designer and author who launched her own clothing line in 2011, sold at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. She has also been a celebrity judge on Bravo's Top Design. Kelly's collection for Groundworks is sold exclusively to the trade through Lee Jofa.

This is her second collaboration with Groundworks and it focuses on natural materials, graphic patterns and unique colors, such as periwinkle blue, pistachio green and smoky aubergine.

Enlightened?

When thinking of remodeling, most people overlook lighting. Many people think there's no reason to invest in good lighting in lieu of buying furniture. While lighting can be expensive, it should only be on average 10% of a total project's budget...and can transform a good remodel into a great one.

One of the most innovative items I've used is an adaptor that turns a recessed light into a pendant and is available from Ballard Designs www.ballarddesigns.com/lighting/pendant-light-adaptor/  . This can make a boring light in a bathroom a beautiful focal point, saving the homeowner the cost of an electrician. The best part is that it is reversible. If you get tired of the look, just remove it!

There are several styles available, even adaptors that plug in to a ceiling socket. Think of how this could update the look of a kitchen if placed over an island. I've used them in several client projects and the photos below are just one example.

This was just a recessed light above a kitchen sink and is now a beautiful pendant light, all by just unscrewing a lightbulb, placing the adaptor into the socket, adjusting the length of the cord and securing the finishing plate that covers everything.

I encourage you to go out there and do some research about new products on the market. You don't have to have plans to remodel in order to benefit from some of the wonderful products now offered. You might be surprised at how easy it is to update a room!

Color of the Year.

We are almost to the mid point of 2012, but I bet you didn't know there was a Color of the Year! Pantone, a New Jersey corporation greatly influences many industries with it's color choices. Twice a year the company hosts, in a European Capitol, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations' color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debates, they choose a color for the following year. Their choice influences fashion, design and even electronics. This year's color? Tangerine Tango # 17-1463. Variations on this color are being found everywhere.

It can be found on clothing, accessories, of course paint colors and is even offered on a case for your iPad! This is a strong color and may turn off a lot of people, but don't dismiss it as too loud for your home. There are many ways to incorporate the latest color trends without it looking like a circus tent!

For example, an accent wall is a good way to use a strong color, especially in a kitchen.

A piece of furniture, a side chair or accessories can bring in a new shade with little effort. Even something as simple as a pillow can add the right pop of color.

Tabletops are a great way to keep up with trends, as they can be changed out to completely transform the look of a room without redecorating.

And let's not forget that it's summer and the outdoors is an excellent way to use a strong color like Tangerine Tango. Embrace it, don't overdo it and enjoy it!

Picnic In The Park

Why does everything seem to taste better eaten outside under a beautiful blue sky? Take advantage of the great weather and get outside to take in a concert or a picnic with friends.

One Kings Lane (www.onekingslane.com) is a website that offers beautiful home decor at up to 70% off. Check back often, as they are constantly offering new deals. I recently found great items from Picnic At Ascot, in every price range.

Check them out and envision yourself with the perfect lunch in the park or perhaps dinner under the stars.

Weekend Wish

This is a repost of a couple of photos of my favorite outdoor space: my very own back yard.

However you spend this Memorial Day weekend, whether with family and friends, on a road trip or relaxing at home let's not forget the real reason why we observe this holiday and to also thank those who currently serve to protect our country.

Take care and have a great holiday weekend.

Finishing Touches

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. Whether you plan on entertaining, just spending a quiet weekend at home or have a notebook of wish list projects you want to start, here are some suggestions for putting the final touches on your outdoor room.

Nothing is nicer than sitting by a crackling fire under the stars. The firepit kit below from Lowes is easy to assemble, budget friendly and can be enjoyed that evening.

Pillows aren't the only way to add color to a space. The Beauclaire planters from Ballard Designs are deceptively lightweight and beautiful. Starting at $79.

If you have a covered patio or pergola, why not make your space a truly outdoor room with the addition of draperies? You can purchase them ready made like these from Ballard or you can make them yourself. I'll discuss how-to in a future post, but I can assure you that it's as easy as sewing a straight line.

Finally, there is no easier, more affordable and definitely more rewarding way to add color than with flowering plants. Depending on what you choose, they can provide a summer's worth of beauty and enjoyment, not to mention attracting butterflies and birds to your backyard.

Now get going and have some fun exploring all your options!

Accentuate the Positive

Even if you have a great seating area that you and your family enjoy using, what do you do if guests show up unexpectedly? Will you have enough seating or serving space to accommodate everyone?

Accent furniture fills these needs beautifully. Many pieces are dual purpose or can be stored out of the way when not in use.

The Allen and Roth side tables from Lowes can be pulled out as side or serving tables when entertaining and slide underneath one another when not in use.

For those who want to show a more colorful side, the metal drum tables from Cost Plus do double duty as side tables or extra seating, and at $59 they're wallet friendly as well.

The mosaic table below from Pier 1 Imports adds a splash of summer color to any outdoor space and is small enough use as a side table, yet large enough to set out a few serving dishes when entertaining.

Make It Your Own

Area rugs, pillows and accessories are the way to express your personality and latest trends. Keep the furniture simple and freshen up the space each season with affordable extras that don't break the bank, yet make your outdoor rooms feel new again. You are only limited by your imagination!

The bright colors of the pillows below add just the right pop of color for more neutral seating while the subdued area rug in a palm motif anchors a space without overpowering bolder furniture. It's all about balance do choose wisely.

With Design In Mind...

I just the spent the last few days at the Pacific Design Center attending WestWeek, where the showrooms open their doors...hosting seminars and open houses for the design  industry. Most notable were the Roger Thomas presentation (award winning designer and creative genius behind the world famous Mirage, Bellagio and Wynn hotels in Las Vegas and Macau) and the Keynote Address, sponsored by California Home+Design Magazine.

The panel included Antonio Ballatore (HGTV's The Antonio Treatment),  David Bromstad (HGTV's Color Splash) and Kathryn Ireland and Martyn Lawrence-Bullard (Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators).  They discussed how fame has changed their lives, helped them build their brands and changed the way the world looks at design.

 I was most impressed with Antonio Ballatore , who is refreshingly humble, down to earth and seemingly unaffected by the celebrity he has garnered through winning Design Star. David Bromstad was, of course, adorable just like we knew he'd be. Kathryn Ireland and Martin Lawrence-Bullard, being well established in the industry, had better insight to the impact that celebrity has to a design business, but all on the panel were warm, inviting and eager to share what they've learned.

What's In Store....

In the upcoming weeks, I'll be showing you step by step how to create an outdoor room of your own that won't break the bank.

The first step of course, is finding the right furniture for your space. It shouldn't overcrowd the area and should be comfortable. Determine exactly how you want to use your space and then start searching for pieces that fit those needs. Here is a sampling of some of my favorite pieces I found during a recent shopping trip.

 

The Ciudad open stock sectional from Pier 1 allows you to customize your seating by mixing and matching pieces. Corner chairs are $199.95, armless chairs retail for $169.95. Use 2 corner chairs to make a small loveseat, 2 corners plus an armless for a larger sofa, etc. Here you see 1 corner chair flanked by 2 armless on the left and 1 armless on the right, making a corner sectional. The ottomans, which retail at $149.95 can do double duty as coffee tables or extra seating The legs of the side tables slide under the chairs for a sleek profile and retail for $129.95. Choose your color of cushions for a personalized look. 

Looks are deceiving with this next set. Target is famous for being able to combine style, function and value and this is a perfect example. These three pieces are actually a 5 pc set that will only set you back $399.

Besides the two comfy chairs, it has two pull out ottomans and the side table top lifts off to reveal extra storage....perfect for small spaces.

Home improvement stores can be a great resource for attractive outdoor furniture as well. These Eastfield Conversation chairs (Set/2 for $530) from Allen & Roth look like real wood, but are actually made of weather friendly aluminum. There is also a loveseat/ coffee table combination for $568 that finishes out this grouping for a very comfortable and upscale look.

I have to admit, I was impressed with the 4pc set from WalMart that retails for $348 and consider this the best value. While it may be slightly lacking in style...remember, it is alright for the furniture to be a little basic as long as you accessorize properly. With attractive pillows, a beautiful outdoor rug and a tray with some candles, you can have a casual, yet inviting outdoor area.

Are you just starting out on your own and don't think your budget will allow for outdoor seating? Do you live in an apartment and think your patio is too small for anything but a hibachi? Well, you are wrong on both counts! The La Salle bistro set will only set you back $99 and comes in four colors at target.com. This is also good for homes that have an unused side yard or patio. Why not turn it into a relaxing breakfast area or a place to unwind with a glass of wine after a long day? 

Up next, I'll cover step 2 for creating your perfect space. We've done the hardest work already, now it's time for some fun. Hint:  think rugs, fountains, plants, etc.

Put your smartphone down, go outside and find the perfect spot to enjoy the season!