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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Something New to Me!!



I must have been under a rock when these first appeared in blog land. I don’t even remember where I first saw them. I think they are such a great idea that I had to share them with my readers.
I figured if I had not seen these, then maybe, just maybe, you have not seen them either.

Since everyone is getting so handy with painting and re-purposing furniture(unlike myself, who happens to be known for being a total disaster when a paint brush is in my hands.) I just knew that all of you fabulous DIYer’s would just love to add these to your DIY repertoire.


Have any of you heard of, “O’VERLAYS?”…………



See the over lapped ovals on the front of this chest? These are called O’verlays. They are the brain child of Danika and Cheryle they even have a blog, just click on their names and it will take you to their blog. 

They fit  Ikea furniture pieces, but they will also make custom lengths for your needs.
Seriously!? I think these are wonderful and they come in all different patterns.


This is a favorite of mine! I love the Greek Key pattern.






I like the way this dresser shows you three different patterns that you can purchase.

These are made out of flexible material and they are all paintable. I love these things. I have no idea what I would do with them, but I know all of you creative bloggers will come up with tons of ideas.

I would love to see these used around a door frame or as a border in a room. Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head.


What would you do with these? Inquiring minds would like to know!!


“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Finding a new product that can add a special touch to your environment!!

Kathysue

Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday’s Question Of The Day!?


I know that many of us have this dilemma in our homes if we happen to live with someone else that does not  have our same design aesthetics.  All she is asking for is a pretty bathroom, is that too much to ask? 





 Please help this reader out and give her some suggestions on what works for you !  Help!……..


Our bathroom has become a disaster ( to me), littered with my husbands sports clothing, bike helmet, shoes, clothing not put away and toiletry items scattered all over the counter. It has become so bad that I am tempted to abandon our pretty Master Bath and move my things. Any suggestions?


Thank you to all of you that participate each week with a question or by answering in the comments. If you have a question you would like to ask blog land just send an email to me at:

Goodlifeofdesign@yahoo.com
Subject: Question of the Day? 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Blasters and Sleepers!!





On Monday I did a post about the color MINT which I have seen creeping into our view through blogs and magazines. It made me stop and think about how some trends come out with a blast and others just slip their ways into our hearts and homes.


Have you ever thought about how long it takes the general public to warm up to certain color or design trends? I have a theory.  It is not a theory in which I conducted any kind of scientific analysis, or even one that I asked a group of people their opinion. It is rather  a theory that I have watched evolve over my 30 some odd years in the wonderful world of design.



I might be totally off base, so realize it is just my opinion……..

color wheel (158x175)
I know that there is a color board that decides on what colors will be popular for the upcoming year for our clothing, homes, and even our cars. In fact, I read once  that we should take note of what the new car colors are and those are the colors we  will start to see emerge in clothing and interior design elements.

(By the way, be on the look out for this color combination in the upcoming year, just my opinion.)




I think  some new colors, or designs are immediately taken in by the masses, and some are sleepers that work their way into our lives.

gray (466x582)



Sometimes it will take us about two seasons for us to notice these colors in the market place, by the third season we start bringing it into our lives. By the fourth and fifth year we are totally invested, and the colors are no longer in vogue, and we can not find anything to go with what we have. Sad but true, the design world has moved on without us on board.

home,interior,living,family,rooms,blues,clean,classic,living,room-ad5480b60d65c11235880bb41abc42d4_h (489x500)

I remember when yellow became in vogue. The reason I am using this color as an illustration is because I have loved soft maize yellow for over 40 years. I remember so many people, and clients saying how much they did not like yellow at all. Until……. and only until they saw it being used in a new way, and then EVERYBODY wanted yellow!!! Six months prior to that I could not have sold that color if my life had depended on it.

7 (540x720)

Why am I having all this dialogue about colors and trends? I am mentioning it because I want all of us to be sure of what we truly love before we jump in with both feet.


Designing a home is an emotional experience in our lives, and it is also a very costly experience in our lives. Just because a design element, or a color  is popular now, doesn’t mean it will be next year, or the next.

If you don’t really love it, you will want to get rid of it. If you truly love it, it won’t bother you that no one has a red dining room, and you do, or no one has a denim sofa and you do.




If you love it keep it and enjoy it!! Make  your new color choices in paint and accessories. Keep your main pieces in the style and the color that you have always gravitated towards. If you do that you will never feel guilty for purchasing a few new pillows, or a can of paint.

Trust me, if you jump on board with a look, or a color that you never liked before it became the color of the year, you will always regret the amount of money, and effort you put into a room that has now evolved into something you don’t even like.

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Really coming to terms with what you love in colors and design elements.

Kathysue

BTW: I am guest posting with some other bloggers in a series  on Amanda's blog, We will be discussing our own personal favorite paint colors!! Here is the line-up of bloggers that have contributed to this post. What an honor to be in this line-up: