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Friday, February 8, 2013

Making a Nice looking Room Look GREAT!!!

 

Today I want to talk about something that can make a nice room turn into a GREAT room.

We have all heard the word TEXTURE many times, but have you ever thought of how important it is in a well designed room.

Often times you might see a room that you think looks pretty, but it is not GREAT! Chances are the room is void of varying types of textures.

When you here the word texture it will often conjure up the image of something rough. Truth be told there are, rough, shiny, and smooth textures that need to be considered.
Try This

Now for a little exercise…… Choose one room in your house.  Now walk into that room with fresh eyes.

See if you can list the varied textures in your room. Is there a balance? You need all three textures in a room to keep it balanced and interesting, rough, shiny and smooth.

Personally I did not have enough rough textures in my room. I tend to like things that are more smooth or shiny. 

NEXT STEP

Write down what textures you have, and don’t have in your room. What textures are lacking in your room? 

Personally I needed more rough textures in my room.

TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT  YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR ROOM!

I needed  to figure out what elements I like that would come in a rough texture. For me it was baskets, and cutting boards. I love both of these elements, and they can give some interest to my room.

HELP!

Do not fear, Kathysue is HERE!!

For a little help I made a list for you  that might help guide you in your observations, and in choosing textural elements for your room.

Let’s look at a few elements that will give texture to a room, and maybe you will find something you like…..
Rough
Baskets….Clay pots…….Plants



Notice in the image below the rough stone, nubby throw, rough hewn wood mantel. Even the  rug has a rough texture. You will find shine in the candle holders and smooth finishes in the pottery pieces.


Wood Beams

Source: houzz.com via Rachael on Pinterest

Next you will see a list for shiny, and smooth elements that you  can add to your rooms.

SHINY
Mirrors
Candlesticks
Pottery,ceramic, porcelain pieces
Lacquered furniture
Light fixtures
Hardware
Natural stone (this can fit in all three categories, depending on the finish your get, shiny or honed.)


SMOOTH

Upholstery
Flooring
Wood finishes
Painted finishes
Ceramics, porcelain, pottery pieces
Tile

I am going to now show you a few rooms that have varied their textures.  Now you can see what a difference it can make in making your room NICE or GREAT!



Let’s look at another image……..


Can you pick out all of the different textures in this room?
 Remember, rough, shiny, smooth.

One more…….

So by now I think you probably get the picture! 

If you feel your room is missing a little 
Something-Something it just might be missing a good dose of textures.

Are you ready to go into your own personal space and evaluate the textures?

LET THE TEXTURE GAMES BEGIN!!

 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Watching The Trends Go By!!

 



As much as design is my first love, I think fashion might just be my second love. Personally I love being a girl so anything to do with hair, make-up and fashion excites me.

I don’t claim to be on the cutting edge, nor do I have a couture wardrobe, but I do love to look at fashion, and upcoming trends.

In my looking I often will start to see more, and more of certain looks.  Today I thought I would share with you a few of my own personal observations.

Nothing groundbreaking, or news worthy, just casual observations I have made along the way.

There are certain trends I will be participating in and, many more that I will not go near for one reason, or the other. Some are too youthful, and others are just strange to me.

Lets take a look at a few of my latest observations over the last few months.

Starting at the top with hair……….

The side pony

This is something for the young. I remember wearing a side pony in the 80s. 
Did any of you wear your hair like this. The newer version is either done in a messy carefree look like in the above image, or a more glamorous look like this…….

Very pretty, and glamorous and if I were younger I might just go for this look for the right occasion.

BANGS
Next we have the BANGS!!! Now I have always worn bangs so they are not a new thing for me. 

They have been making a comeback for quite awhile now, but recently instead of gently swept to the side they are a full-on brow sweeping bang…..


This is how I like to wear my bangs. I have always said I can do my hair in two minutes flat, but it is always the bangs that take me forever to get right.

It is hard to make them look like they just were swept by a gentle breeze, a little messy, but still in place.


Even fashionista Rachel Zoe is trying them out. Rachel, you need to eat a little more sweetie!!!


Speaking of famous ladies with bangs!!

Moving down the face......


The Heavy Brow



Yes Brooke Shield called, and announced she is very happy!!(not really I just made that up)

There is also an emphasis for the perfectly arched eyebrow and there are many tutorials around the web to get that perfect High-brow look.


The Neon Lip


I know this look was used on the runway,but for the everyday woman, I am not liking it very much.


I tried to find an image of someone wearing this trend that I thought looked good in it, and frankly I could not find one. I think this will be worn by the very young for a very short time period.(we can only hope!)

I am not forgetting the red lip or the nude lip, but those have been around for awhile now. 

I do like both of these looks. Personally I have not found a red that does not look harsh on me, and a nude lip is a bit pale for me unless it has a touch of pink/brown in it.


If any of you are looking for a good nude lip color with just a hint of color I did find one that I would like to try this one from Mac called Twig!

Moving right along……..

Around The Neck

Another 80’s trend is making a come-back, ribbons tied around the collar…….


Another place I am starting to see ribbons tied in a bow, is on hair-dos…..

Source: tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

The messy look gets a retro feel with a ribbon.

Source: via Cortney Lyn on Pinterest

Omgosh I just had de ja vu!! I wore this in the 60’s.

You know what they say about trends don'tt you?…..

 If you wore it the first time around, you should not be wearing it the second, or third time around.

This next trend I will definitely be embracing………



Loving this extra long chained necklace. I knew this type of necklace had a name so I looked it up and this is what I found……..
 Sautoir An extremely long neck chain, which falls below the waistline and terminates with a tassel or pendant. Popular in the early 20th century .

This is a look I can definitely embrace! 

 Well that is all I have for you today, but if you would like to see a few more of my observations on what I think is trending now you can go to my Pinterest board…

Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me of any of your own observations on what is on-trend, or what do you think about any or all of the above trends!! I always love hearing from my readers!

 

Monday, February 4, 2013

12 Ways To Help Improve Your Life



Grab a cup of coffee and sit back and enjoy.......
As the New Year marches on we all tend to think about ways to improve our lives. Many of the ideas we have pertain to better health, and weight loss.



Trust me I really need to lose some weight for better health. I have to admit I am not very disciplined when it comes to this. 


I am not sure if it has something to do with being a creative soul or not. 

I know when you have a creative mind you often will tend to be a mood worker, or at least that is how it is for me. I hardly ever get in the mood to exercise.(go figure!)



I came up with an idea the other day that I am going to try out, and see if it works for me.

One thing I have discovered about myself is if I don’t enjoy doing something it helps if I put it into small increments of time, then I will be more likely to do it.


It dawned on me that I can take at least one hour out of every day, and do something that nurtures me. It does not have to be done in one full hour, it can be broken up throughout the day.



Sometimes we forget the little things in life that truly help us along the way so I thought I would make a list as a reminder.



To be on this list it must nurture the body, soul or mind.

The one criteria is I will always start out my day with prayer, and I must do some form of exercise at least for 30 minutes a day. These are non-negotiable for a better quality of life.


With that being said I am going to use one hour out of my day for self improvement. Here is the list of things that I can do  to help me attain this goal.


I won’t do all of them in one day, but the list is made to help remind me there is always something I can do to self-improve in each and every day!!…….


1. Start each day off with a prayer of thanksgiving  and ask for guidance for the day.


2. Exercise ( this has to be done at least 5 days, half hour a day)


3. Menu planning (incorporate organic products)


4. Grooming ( facial, manicure, hair masque etc, all done at home)


5. Read books pertaining to better lifestyle and health, anything to do with self improvement. Don’t forget daily    devotionals and bible reading.


6. Organize something


7. Gardening (breathing in the fresh air and making something look beautiful is always a plus in any day)


8. Writing, journaling, creative writing, or even a blog post.


9. Enjoy the company of a friend whether it be a phone call, email or just a cup of coffee. Make sure you have outside influences in your day.


10. Make sure you hug a loved one daily and tell them you love them!!


11. Laugh every day, even if you have to just read a joke    to  laugh, make sure you laugh every day!!


12.  Give back  in some way (Community, elderly,  or a child).


I have to thank my group of friends for helping me come up with this list.  I have found my friends to be a valuable part of my life and I am truly grateful to all of them.

I don’t know about you all, but I think if I do some of these items every day I can only improve  the wonderful life God has blessed me with.


As the saying goes.......

   “This is not a dress rehearsal" 
(Next in line is the final act then a curtain call)


What are some of the things you do to improve your life on a daily basis?