Small Living Spaces
A friend of mine moved into a beautiful new two bedroom apartment recently. She wanted me to see it and asked how I could make it work for her. The living room is the size of a postage stamp; there’s a small eating area off the kitchen, but no large dining area. Additionally, there is no place to lounge, or generally be a slob, watch TV and put your face into a bowl of popcorn.
My friend likes things to be elegant and yet simple, but she needed to have a place for guests or family to sleep as well as where she could lounge without fear of someone coming to the door. I suggested for her living room, where people enter and see all, that she put two matching love seats in the middle of the room facing each other. We did this and put a long sofa table behind one of the love seats (both of them in a floral print so they won’t show spills and stains). On the sofa table we put a lamp, a green plant (philodendron) that doesn’t require a lot of sun, some coasters and a figurine from Ross’s. The figurine was of a porcelain girl with a basket of flowers on her arm: Ross has great accessories and they are usually a bargain.
We put a small oval (you don’t want sharp corners in small rooms) coffee table in between the love seats; and on the table we placed an artificial flower arrangement along with a decorative candle. We put a floor lamp in the corner by the sliding doors that led to the patio. Floor lamps give off great light when needed. Next to the lamp we put a 6’ tall artificial plant. A small table with a drawer, where she could drop her keys, went by the door (found this at the Salvation Army for $30.00). The love-seats we bought at a consignment store, two perfect ones about 5 ½’ long. The room is 14 x 12 feet.
Just a side note: leather sofas are really good for high traffic areas, so if you are not into floral, try a dark leather sofa, especially for a one bedroom place where the living room is the only place to lounge. Notice we did not put a TV in the living room, my friend doesn’t like to watch it when she has company so we put one in her bedroom and a small one in the 2nd bedroom. The love seats are small enough and if she has to set up a card table for extra dinner guests, she can move the love seats towards the wall or sliding door.
One wall in the living room allowed for a single bookcase, so we filled that up with books and some of her treasures she wanted displayed. In the dining area we used a round table. Round tables can seat a lot of people, and there are no sharp corners. We picked up a large picture from Salvations Army (they have great pictures sometimes) to hang in the dining area; the picture was of a waterfall with lots of foliage on either side. The high counter in the kitchen that separated it from the living room we kept cleared off except for one plant and a decorative candle.
In the master bedroom, she used an armoire, like those in hotel rooms, to put a TV in. This bedroom is large and also has space for a desk. In went her desk of dark wood with a matching file cabinet. Now she has a nice small office space under her bedroom window. In the 2nd bedroom, we bought a trundle bed from Craig’s List. It serves as a sofa when closed and two twin beds when opened. We lined the wall opposite the trundle bed with bookcases, including a shelf for the small TV and lots of other things that needed a shelf. Voila
I think the point of a small apartment or home like this is to keep down on the clutter. Practice regularly giving away to the Good Will or whom-ever, or throw out things you don’t use or need. They add to a home that reeks of disorder and muddle. Clean out paper and things on a weekly basis. I keep a large trash basket lined with 33 gallon garbage bag under the kitchen sink. Once a week before trash pick-up, I go through the house and empty everything into one bag. Of course, I keep the recyclables separate. If you have to live in a small space, don’t forget to pick up after yourself.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Writing
Other Things -
Today I am going to write about WRITING.
For some this may drive you crazy to read about how I work on my books, but for me it is only a short putt. Sometimes I have three books being edited, all open on my desk at the same time. How do I keep things straight, you ask? It’s simple, for each story I keep a list of the characters in the footer. Below is an example of a story I am working on. My books always have lots of characters.
SAMPLE FOOTER OF FICTION CHARACTERS: Sarah of Bethany & her serving girl Anna,& manservant, Gaddi. Crippled Rebecca & Jonathan from Cana, her servants Jochebed and Samson, Bleeding Ruth from Bethsaida, The other prostitute Hannah from Korazin, Zipporah from Sychar in Samaria, and friends in Arimathia. Martha, husband Andrew, Son of Alpheus, son of Zebedee, John, Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Bartholomew, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thaddeus, Thomas Tamar & Ephraim of Nain, Joseph of Arimathia, his wife Dara, Galilee, Nathan of Magdala Mary M’s fiancé, Zilpah,her serving maid., Bezai & mom Hephzibah; Jonas MM head serving man. Cuza, MM servant left to watch the house, Jada, MM servant & Tirzah Jada’s true love., Kishi the old man
IT'S A JUMBLED MESS, I KNOW, BUT I CAN KEEP THE CHARACTERS STRAIGHT.
Why you ask, do I like to work on more than one story at a time? It is because after I write, create a portion of the story, I have to let it sit for a day or two before I go back to it. Often there are many, many rewrites. In the meantime, while I let a story sit or maybe I am just bored with it, I work on another story for awhile.
I write historical fiction, and my stories never have sex scenes or foul language in them. Here are four stories I am working on right now; they are on average 75,000 words. One story is about a young woman in 1931 California, another is about a young business woman in 1902 New York City. A third story is about a family in 1839 England, and a 4th is about the women who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry.
I have one book that is with an agent right now; you can read about that one on my website www.priscillamcdaniel.com .
I haven’t heard back from the agent whether or not she is interested. It takes about 60 to 90 days to hear from an agent once you have sent your material to them. All fiction sent out has to be completed with between 70 to 100 thousand words, which makes up a book of about 300 to 400 pages.
How does one get started on a book? Sit down and start writing#$%^^&**. Make an outline if you need to; sometimes it gives you direction and helps you gather your thoughts. However, the important thing is to START. Write that first sentence, don’t worry about research until you need to know something. The outline comes in handy, when after you have written a few pages, you are stuck. You don’t have to follow the outline, remembering that many stories take on a life of their own, so only use the outline as a guideline.
If you have any questions, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.
Today I am going to write about WRITING.
For some this may drive you crazy to read about how I work on my books, but for me it is only a short putt. Sometimes I have three books being edited, all open on my desk at the same time. How do I keep things straight, you ask? It’s simple, for each story I keep a list of the characters in the footer. Below is an example of a story I am working on. My books always have lots of characters.
SAMPLE FOOTER OF FICTION CHARACTERS: Sarah of Bethany & her serving girl Anna,& manservant, Gaddi. Crippled Rebecca & Jonathan from Cana, her servants Jochebed and Samson, Bleeding Ruth from Bethsaida, The other prostitute Hannah from Korazin, Zipporah from Sychar in Samaria, and friends in Arimathia. Martha, husband Andrew, Son of Alpheus, son of Zebedee, John, Judas Iscariot, Matthew, Bartholomew, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thaddeus, Thomas Tamar & Ephraim of Nain, Joseph of Arimathia, his wife Dara, Galilee, Nathan of Magdala Mary M’s fiancé, Zilpah,her serving maid., Bezai & mom Hephzibah; Jonas MM head serving man. Cuza, MM servant left to watch the house, Jada, MM servant & Tirzah Jada’s true love., Kishi the old man
IT'S A JUMBLED MESS, I KNOW, BUT I CAN KEEP THE CHARACTERS STRAIGHT.
Why you ask, do I like to work on more than one story at a time? It is because after I write, create a portion of the story, I have to let it sit for a day or two before I go back to it. Often there are many, many rewrites. In the meantime, while I let a story sit or maybe I am just bored with it, I work on another story for awhile.
I write historical fiction, and my stories never have sex scenes or foul language in them. Here are four stories I am working on right now; they are on average 75,000 words. One story is about a young woman in 1931 California, another is about a young business woman in 1902 New York City. A third story is about a family in 1839 England, and a 4th is about the women who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry.
I have one book that is with an agent right now; you can read about that one on my website www.priscillamcdaniel.com .
I haven’t heard back from the agent whether or not she is interested. It takes about 60 to 90 days to hear from an agent once you have sent your material to them. All fiction sent out has to be completed with between 70 to 100 thousand words, which makes up a book of about 300 to 400 pages.
How does one get started on a book? Sit down and start writing#$%^^&**. Make an outline if you need to; sometimes it gives you direction and helps you gather your thoughts. However, the important thing is to START. Write that first sentence, don’t worry about research until you need to know something. The outline comes in handy, when after you have written a few pages, you are stuck. You don’t have to follow the outline, remembering that many stories take on a life of their own, so only use the outline as a guideline.
If you have any questions, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Table setting for company
Setting a Great Table for Company
When it comes to setting the dinner table for company, I am in my glory. I love to have a theme, and often I purchase dishes, table favors and decorations from the $1.00 Store or the $.99 Store. I have found amazing and exciting things from both. I am very fortunate to have inherited beautiful sterling flatware (service for 12) and Lenox dishes (service for 12). They are truly exquisite but not appropriate for all occasions.
I once, no that should be several times, purchased dinner plates from the stores mentioned above. We often entertain members from our Sunday school class, the old folks that is, just like my husband and me. Usually we have anywhere from 2 to 10 people, but on holidays with family we can have more. It is fun for me to decide not only the menu, but how I want to set the table. I have numerous table cloths and napkins in a variety of colors, so I start with that, but starting is just that, my first choice is not always my last. Try different things out several days before your company is due.
The $1.00 Store and the other one can have ugly plates and things, but once in awhile, if you look or hit them at the right time you can find things that no one would ever believe where you got them. One day I was at the $1.00 Store and I had a basket full of goodies, but on the way to the register (I don’t know how I missed them) I saw a fabulous set of red and white dishes, bowls, and coffee cups. I instantly fell in love with them, because red is one of my favorite colors, and quickly emptied my cart. I proceeded to fill it back up with a complete service for 6 of the red and white dishes.
Another time, I planned dinner for 10 and, again, I wasn’t going to use my Lenox service, so I went to the $.99 Cent Store and just happened to see 12 marvelous, large, 11 inch, tan colored, dinner plates. They looked like expensive stone wear. I snapped them up in a minute, and proceeded to make my dinner theme into one from the Holy Land. I made the river Jordon down the center of the table using $1.00 Store rocks and stones, small ferns, and light green, orange and tan candles. I put the candles on a plate made to hold them, and I had short, little vases, $1 each from Wal-Mart. To each vase, I added a single orange flower from a $3.00 bouquet I bought at the grocery store. I
One year, we hosted a dinner, and I bought from the $1.00 Store, adorable cats that stood about 4 inches high. They were dressed in various colors, black and white stripe, pink, hats, feathers and purple or light green outfits. There was a place to put a name card, so for the women I used the cats to indicate where everyone should sit. I used a simple place card for the men. The whole theme was, of course cats. The celadon green, table cloth held a creamy white satin runner, and I filled out the rest of the décor with a bouquet of roses and candles. I have lots of beautiful candle holders that hold tapers (tall, slender candles) and for this theme I used purple tapers.
Well, you get the picture. To make a fun table, use your imagination and shop cheap. One time I bought 12 plates that looked like they came from Macy’s but were from the $1.00 Store. I went to Wal-Mart (my favorite store) and bought 12 glass salad plates for $1.00 each. I use them with the above dishes that have a dainty rim of colorful flowers around the white plate. FYI the $1.00 Store always has cheap, some times ugly, figurines displayed in the front of the store and on shelves elsewhere. If you need ideas for a theme, or you need favors, look these items over and pick out the best ones (check the faces to make sure they are done well, some are sloppy). These stores are a great plact to get ideas for how to set your table.
PS People love to hear my stories of where I found my dishes and the fact that I am not too proud to tell them of my great purchases.
When it comes to setting the dinner table for company, I am in my glory. I love to have a theme, and often I purchase dishes, table favors and decorations from the $1.00 Store or the $.99 Store. I have found amazing and exciting things from both. I am very fortunate to have inherited beautiful sterling flatware (service for 12) and Lenox dishes (service for 12). They are truly exquisite but not appropriate for all occasions.
I once, no that should be several times, purchased dinner plates from the stores mentioned above. We often entertain members from our Sunday school class, the old folks that is, just like my husband and me. Usually we have anywhere from 2 to 10 people, but on holidays with family we can have more. It is fun for me to decide not only the menu, but how I want to set the table. I have numerous table cloths and napkins in a variety of colors, so I start with that, but starting is just that, my first choice is not always my last. Try different things out several days before your company is due.
The $1.00 Store and the other one can have ugly plates and things, but once in awhile, if you look or hit them at the right time you can find things that no one would ever believe where you got them. One day I was at the $1.00 Store and I had a basket full of goodies, but on the way to the register (I don’t know how I missed them) I saw a fabulous set of red and white dishes, bowls, and coffee cups. I instantly fell in love with them, because red is one of my favorite colors, and quickly emptied my cart. I proceeded to fill it back up with a complete service for 6 of the red and white dishes.
Another time, I planned dinner for 10 and, again, I wasn’t going to use my Lenox service, so I went to the $.99 Cent Store and just happened to see 12 marvelous, large, 11 inch, tan colored, dinner plates. They looked like expensive stone wear. I snapped them up in a minute, and proceeded to make my dinner theme into one from the Holy Land. I made the river Jordon down the center of the table using $1.00 Store rocks and stones, small ferns, and light green, orange and tan candles. I put the candles on a plate made to hold them, and I had short, little vases, $1 each from Wal-Mart. To each vase, I added a single orange flower from a $3.00 bouquet I bought at the grocery store. I
One year, we hosted a dinner, and I bought from the $1.00 Store, adorable cats that stood about 4 inches high. They were dressed in various colors, black and white stripe, pink, hats, feathers and purple or light green outfits. There was a place to put a name card, so for the women I used the cats to indicate where everyone should sit. I used a simple place card for the men. The whole theme was, of course cats. The celadon green, table cloth held a creamy white satin runner, and I filled out the rest of the décor with a bouquet of roses and candles. I have lots of beautiful candle holders that hold tapers (tall, slender candles) and for this theme I used purple tapers.
Well, you get the picture. To make a fun table, use your imagination and shop cheap. One time I bought 12 plates that looked like they came from Macy’s but were from the $1.00 Store. I went to Wal-Mart (my favorite store) and bought 12 glass salad plates for $1.00 each. I use them with the above dishes that have a dainty rim of colorful flowers around the white plate. FYI the $1.00 Store always has cheap, some times ugly, figurines displayed in the front of the store and on shelves elsewhere. If you need ideas for a theme, or you need favors, look these items over and pick out the best ones (check the faces to make sure they are done well, some are sloppy). These stores are a great plact to get ideas for how to set your table.
PS People love to hear my stories of where I found my dishes and the fact that I am not too proud to tell them of my great purchases.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Clutter in the CLOSET
Now that you know how finicky I am about clutter, you can imagine my next subject – CLOSETS stuffed with unworn, unnecessary, worn out or out grown clothes. So where do you start?
Plan to take at least half a day to do this and be prepared to work hard. First take everything out of your closet(s)and put it all on a bed, then separate the blouses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dress slacks, casual slacks, sweaters, jackets, and suits into piles. Put spring and summer clothes in a separate closet from fall and winter. Or separate them in the closet. Check for clothes that are out of style, maybe they shrunk and are too small now. They have lost their luster and just don’t look good anymore; even expensive clothes over the years can be worth getting rid of. For your summer shorts and cotton tops, see if they will fit into a drawer or on a shelf in the closet, rather than hanging them up; cotton tops don’t need a hanger.
I might suggest that if you have a Costco membership or an organizer store close by that you pick up matching hangers. Costco has black and burgundy hangers – 50 to a box – that are felt; they are great for clothes that fall off the hanger and they help keep your closet looking neat. For suits you can buy at Target, or similar store, hangers that have a skirt/pant hanger that attaches to the Jacket hanger.
I bought two boxes of black hangers from Costco, which is plenty for one person, and I love clothes, and I have a big closet. Now that you have all your clothes stacked in piles on the bed and have put them together by style, pick up each article of clothing and determine if you have worn it out, or worn it recently, or did you out grow it. Anything in these categories should go to the homeless. Have 33 gallon baggies handy for giveaways.
There is no point in over stashing your closet with clothes that don’t fit. If you are fat, you should still want to look your best, so purchase new clothes that fit you and feel good about yourself. There are a lot of overweight women who are well groomed and look very nice, despite their heaviness. So do it. I know it hurts, but trust me, you will feel beautiful, especially if you have only clothes that fit, a new hairdo and good makeup. FYI, anyone who sells makeup will give you a free makeover.
Side note – confession…..Not too long ago when I helped out Rose, see my blog entitled Charity Affair, I found myself intrigued by the clothing at the Salvation Army. One day I went in there looking for something for her apartment and all the store’s clothes were on sale for $1.00 each. Believe it or not, I purchased 5 jackets – a red wool, a brown velvet, a red velvet, and a turquoise linen and a red linen jacket. Wow, my friends who sometimes look through thrift stores were so jealous. These jackets look great, so don’t be proud. I took the jackets home and ran them through the self dry cleaning, Dryel, that you put in the dryer. It was cheaper than taking them to the cleaners. So don’t have to worry about the money to replace some of your things.
Now, back to the bed, by going through your clothes, you will be amazed at how many things you forgot you had and how many things will go together that you never dreamed of. Believe it or not, you may find that you don’t need to buy any new clothes because you have been able to match up a number of items.
Go through your casual and dress slacks, skirts, suits, dresses, and blouses. Give away what doesn’t fit, what is old and more importantly, WHAT YOU HAVEN’T WORN IN OVER A YEAR.
Watch for colors also. If the color doesn’t make you happy, even though you like the outfit, give it away. Colors are important and you will naturally feel and look good in what is best for you. People will often compliment you when you have on a color that is good for you. So loose that ugly outfit, sweater, dress, blouse or suit, that whenever you wear it, you wish you had stayed home. You will find the color that is best for you is the color of the majority of your clothes. Good Luck, have a friend help you if you can't do this alone.
Plan to take at least half a day to do this and be prepared to work hard. First take everything out of your closet(s)and put it all on a bed, then separate the blouses, tops, pants, shorts, skirts, dress slacks, casual slacks, sweaters, jackets, and suits into piles. Put spring and summer clothes in a separate closet from fall and winter. Or separate them in the closet. Check for clothes that are out of style, maybe they shrunk and are too small now. They have lost their luster and just don’t look good anymore; even expensive clothes over the years can be worth getting rid of. For your summer shorts and cotton tops, see if they will fit into a drawer or on a shelf in the closet, rather than hanging them up; cotton tops don’t need a hanger.
I might suggest that if you have a Costco membership or an organizer store close by that you pick up matching hangers. Costco has black and burgundy hangers – 50 to a box – that are felt; they are great for clothes that fall off the hanger and they help keep your closet looking neat. For suits you can buy at Target, or similar store, hangers that have a skirt/pant hanger that attaches to the Jacket hanger.
I bought two boxes of black hangers from Costco, which is plenty for one person, and I love clothes, and I have a big closet. Now that you have all your clothes stacked in piles on the bed and have put them together by style, pick up each article of clothing and determine if you have worn it out, or worn it recently, or did you out grow it. Anything in these categories should go to the homeless. Have 33 gallon baggies handy for giveaways.
There is no point in over stashing your closet with clothes that don’t fit. If you are fat, you should still want to look your best, so purchase new clothes that fit you and feel good about yourself. There are a lot of overweight women who are well groomed and look very nice, despite their heaviness. So do it. I know it hurts, but trust me, you will feel beautiful, especially if you have only clothes that fit, a new hairdo and good makeup. FYI, anyone who sells makeup will give you a free makeover.
Side note – confession…..Not too long ago when I helped out Rose, see my blog entitled Charity Affair, I found myself intrigued by the clothing at the Salvation Army. One day I went in there looking for something for her apartment and all the store’s clothes were on sale for $1.00 each. Believe it or not, I purchased 5 jackets – a red wool, a brown velvet, a red velvet, and a turquoise linen and a red linen jacket. Wow, my friends who sometimes look through thrift stores were so jealous. These jackets look great, so don’t be proud. I took the jackets home and ran them through the self dry cleaning, Dryel, that you put in the dryer. It was cheaper than taking them to the cleaners. So don’t have to worry about the money to replace some of your things.
Now, back to the bed, by going through your clothes, you will be amazed at how many things you forgot you had and how many things will go together that you never dreamed of. Believe it or not, you may find that you don’t need to buy any new clothes because you have been able to match up a number of items.
Go through your casual and dress slacks, skirts, suits, dresses, and blouses. Give away what doesn’t fit, what is old and more importantly, WHAT YOU HAVEN’T WORN IN OVER A YEAR.
Watch for colors also. If the color doesn’t make you happy, even though you like the outfit, give it away. Colors are important and you will naturally feel and look good in what is best for you. People will often compliment you when you have on a color that is good for you. So loose that ugly outfit, sweater, dress, blouse or suit, that whenever you wear it, you wish you had stayed home. You will find the color that is best for you is the color of the majority of your clothes. Good Luck, have a friend help you if you can't do this alone.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Cleaning out clutter and unread papers
Are you a saver? Is your dining room table stacked with papers and books you want to be sure you can find, or read, in the next century? Are the corners of your rooms piled high with newspapers, boxes and miscellaneous stuff you swore in OTT ONE that you were going to give away, clean out, or burn. Heavens no – never burn, never toss, and always keep. If you ran out of corners, did you use your chairs, sofas and the bare floor on which to put things?
Are you so lost that you have no way to figure out how or where to start? Well the best place to start is 1 pile at a time. Set a goal and a time line. Here is a little story that might give you a picture of what I am talking about. Once, thinking I had enough decorating and retail experience, I accepted a job as a manager of a small home furnishings store. It was only one story and not really large at all, but it had isle after of isle of nick-knacks on shelves stacked close to the ceiling. The open floor space had furniture and other large accessories that would not fit on the shelves.
My second day on the job, we received a shipment of goods – 3 pallets of boxed goodies. I am talking small goodies; most of the boxes were packed with smaller boxes. I had never seen anything like it. And we had to put it all away before the weekend, the busy time when we had lots of customers and could not have them tripping over pallets. My big question to my assistant and other staff was, “How do we do this?” The answer, “ONE BOX AT A TIME.” It worked much to my surprise and after two days the boxes were empties and removed.
Are you overwhelmed? Are you having company? What will you do with all the STUFF? Or are you of the mind set that you just won’t have any company, and then you won’t have to think about getting rid of your “Corner-Treasures”, your “Cherished-Paper-Piles”, and we won’t even discuss yet your closets. NO, NO, don’t shove your STUFF into any closet.
The best way to start is to find or buy a year supply of size 33 or larger garbage bags with ties, but any bag will do. Call a friend with a big car, load it up and take loads to the Good Will, the dump, the trash, recycle. Find someone or some place – there are too many needy people in this world who would love some of your STUFF, but not your papers – toss them.
One important thing to remember, is that your things, especially papers, articles, books etc, can be replaced, and then if you haven’t read them, are you going too? Very doubtful. Start in the corner, and if you don’t get rid of something, sit in the corner and think about how to do it. Pray for help!! Ask yourself why you keep things – who made you do it?
Are you so lost that you have no way to figure out how or where to start? Well the best place to start is 1 pile at a time. Set a goal and a time line. Here is a little story that might give you a picture of what I am talking about. Once, thinking I had enough decorating and retail experience, I accepted a job as a manager of a small home furnishings store. It was only one story and not really large at all, but it had isle after of isle of nick-knacks on shelves stacked close to the ceiling. The open floor space had furniture and other large accessories that would not fit on the shelves.
My second day on the job, we received a shipment of goods – 3 pallets of boxed goodies. I am talking small goodies; most of the boxes were packed with smaller boxes. I had never seen anything like it. And we had to put it all away before the weekend, the busy time when we had lots of customers and could not have them tripping over pallets. My big question to my assistant and other staff was, “How do we do this?” The answer, “ONE BOX AT A TIME.” It worked much to my surprise and after two days the boxes were empties and removed.
Are you overwhelmed? Are you having company? What will you do with all the STUFF? Or are you of the mind set that you just won’t have any company, and then you won’t have to think about getting rid of your “Corner-Treasures”, your “Cherished-Paper-Piles”, and we won’t even discuss yet your closets. NO, NO, don’t shove your STUFF into any closet.
The best way to start is to find or buy a year supply of size 33 or larger garbage bags with ties, but any bag will do. Call a friend with a big car, load it up and take loads to the Good Will, the dump, the trash, recycle. Find someone or some place – there are too many needy people in this world who would love some of your STUFF, but not your papers – toss them.
One important thing to remember, is that your things, especially papers, articles, books etc, can be replaced, and then if you haven’t read them, are you going too? Very doubtful. Start in the corner, and if you don’t get rid of something, sit in the corner and think about how to do it. Pray for help!! Ask yourself why you keep things – who made you do it?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Throw away, clean out, read or don't read
Getting rid of - Stuff, papers, cluttered closets, old make-up and anything else you haven't read or used in a year or a week.
I have a dear sister who is a saver and that is putting it nicely. She loves to save baggies, empty jars papers she swears she needs to read (even if they are a year old), food from her last dining out experience be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clothes even a destitute person wouldn’t wear. I love my sister dearly and I have tried to reform her, but it is a fruitless task.
So what is my point? How did I get to be so perfect? I am not, but I have moved many, many times in my long life. I learned early on that it is silly to hang on to things and pay to move them when you can always replace an item if need be. In fact, I have moved so many times I will try and list them for you, but let me preface this list with the particulars; keep in mind that I am the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I was the wife of a Shell Oil Company executive, and my 2nd husband of 30 years and I have moved more than too many times. In addition to moving from one state to another, we more often than not moved from one house to another in the same vicinity. My my father liked real estate, he bought and sold and sometimes rented out the houses he owned.
So here are the places: born in 1-Spokane WA, moved to 2-Colorado Springs, CO, then went to 3-Biloxi Mississippi, then 4-Montgomery Alabama, then to 5-Clinton, Maryland, and then to 6-Alexandria, VA, where Daddy was stationed at the Pentagon. From there we moved to 7-Denver, CO, 8-Aurora Colorado, then to 9-Oakland, CA and 10-Hayward, CA. In 4th grade we sailed to 11-Tokyo, Japan (Washington Heights) and remained there for almost 3 years. We returned to 12-Aurora, CO for 4 years and lived in 3 different houses (that makes 15 moves).
From Aurora we moved to 16-Madison, Wisconsin to finish my junior and senior high-school years and two years of college. (Lived in 2 different homes) (that makes 17 moves) Then Daddy retired and returned to 18-Fremont, California; my mother was born in Santa Barbara, CA and Daddy was raised in Berkley, CA.
I married 1st my husband from Southern California and we moved to an apartment and then into a house in 20-Hemet, CA (that’s 2 moves). Our daughter was born there, and then we moved to 21-Redlands, CA where our son was born. When he was 18 months old we moved to 22-Fremont, CA and from there my husband was transferred with Shell Oil Company to 23-Chicago, (Long Grove), Illinois and then transferred to 24-Houston, Texas. He left Shell Oil Company after 4 years and we moved to 25-Memphis, Tennessee where he went to work for Federal Express – they were only 10 years old at the time.
He left FedX after 2 years and went into business for himself and we moved to -South Pasadena, CA 2 houses that makes 27-moves). He not only found a new occupation but a new wife. I bought myself a 28-a home and remained in So. Pasadena for a total of twelve years and met my current husband, Ed. A dear man, indeed. We bought a new 29-condo and a moving company and when that went sour, we moved 30 into an apartment. From the apartment we moved to 31-Glendale, CA, stayed for 3 months and Ed got transferred to Santa Barbara, we moved to Ventura and lived in 3 different homes there (that makes 34 moves), and then we bought a condo in 35-Oxnard, CA, and after 18 months we moved into a 36-rental home. After being in Ventura County for 12 years, we moved to 37-Sacramento, CA (Orangevale) to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Then we purchased our own beautiful home in 39-Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento) and have lived here for 8 years. Very happy.
Sub-total? moves 39 – I might have missed a move. At any rate, I have always wanted to total that information up and there you have it. That is one reason I hate clutter. Not only that, most of it is useless. If I don’t clean off my desk at least once a week, it becomes a paper factory. I always have a waste can next to me to get rid of things. I figure if it is that important, I can always get my hands on what I need, somewhere-somehow.
I clean out my cupboards at least once a year, and I do my closet in the spring and the winter. If I haven’t worn it in one or two years it goes to the Good Will, there are always people who need what I am not using.
I have a dear sister who is a saver and that is putting it nicely. She loves to save baggies, empty jars papers she swears she needs to read (even if they are a year old), food from her last dining out experience be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clothes even a destitute person wouldn’t wear. I love my sister dearly and I have tried to reform her, but it is a fruitless task.
So what is my point? How did I get to be so perfect? I am not, but I have moved many, many times in my long life. I learned early on that it is silly to hang on to things and pay to move them when you can always replace an item if need be. In fact, I have moved so many times I will try and list them for you, but let me preface this list with the particulars; keep in mind that I am the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I was the wife of a Shell Oil Company executive, and my 2nd husband of 30 years and I have moved more than too many times. In addition to moving from one state to another, we more often than not moved from one house to another in the same vicinity. My my father liked real estate, he bought and sold and sometimes rented out the houses he owned.
So here are the places: born in 1-Spokane WA, moved to 2-Colorado Springs, CO, then went to 3-Biloxi Mississippi, then 4-Montgomery Alabama, then to 5-Clinton, Maryland, and then to 6-Alexandria, VA, where Daddy was stationed at the Pentagon. From there we moved to 7-Denver, CO, 8-Aurora Colorado, then to 9-Oakland, CA and 10-Hayward, CA. In 4th grade we sailed to 11-Tokyo, Japan (Washington Heights) and remained there for almost 3 years. We returned to 12-Aurora, CO for 4 years and lived in 3 different houses (that makes 15 moves).
From Aurora we moved to 16-Madison, Wisconsin to finish my junior and senior high-school years and two years of college. (Lived in 2 different homes) (that makes 17 moves) Then Daddy retired and returned to 18-Fremont, California; my mother was born in Santa Barbara, CA and Daddy was raised in Berkley, CA.
I married 1st my husband from Southern California and we moved to an apartment and then into a house in 20-Hemet, CA (that’s 2 moves). Our daughter was born there, and then we moved to 21-Redlands, CA where our son was born. When he was 18 months old we moved to 22-Fremont, CA and from there my husband was transferred with Shell Oil Company to 23-Chicago, (Long Grove), Illinois and then transferred to 24-Houston, Texas. He left Shell Oil Company after 4 years and we moved to 25-Memphis, Tennessee where he went to work for Federal Express – they were only 10 years old at the time.
He left FedX after 2 years and went into business for himself and we moved to -South Pasadena, CA 2 houses that makes 27-moves). He not only found a new occupation but a new wife. I bought myself a 28-a home and remained in So. Pasadena for a total of twelve years and met my current husband, Ed. A dear man, indeed. We bought a new 29-condo and a moving company and when that went sour, we moved 30 into an apartment. From the apartment we moved to 31-Glendale, CA, stayed for 3 months and Ed got transferred to Santa Barbara, we moved to Ventura and lived in 3 different homes there (that makes 34 moves), and then we bought a condo in 35-Oxnard, CA, and after 18 months we moved into a 36-rental home. After being in Ventura County for 12 years, we moved to 37-Sacramento, CA (Orangevale) to be near our daughter and grandchildren. Then we purchased our own beautiful home in 39-Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento) and have lived here for 8 years. Very happy.
Sub-total? moves 39 – I might have missed a move. At any rate, I have always wanted to total that information up and there you have it. That is one reason I hate clutter. Not only that, most of it is useless. If I don’t clean off my desk at least once a week, it becomes a paper factory. I always have a waste can next to me to get rid of things. I figure if it is that important, I can always get my hands on what I need, somewhere-somehow.
I clean out my cupboards at least once a year, and I do my closet in the spring and the winter. If I haven’t worn it in one or two years it goes to the Good Will, there are always people who need what I am not using.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Been on a little mini trip
We had a really nice time in Ashland, Oregon for 3 days for the Shakespeare Festival. It was 100 degrees every day, so quite hot. We brought warm clothes to wear to the outdoor evening performances, but never even needed a sweater. The plays were great, though King Henry IV was a bit bawdy. That and Merchant of Venice were both almost 3 hours long and did not start until 8:30. It was hard to keep awake on Friday, since we drove that day, and especially since I am used to getting into bed by 9 or 10. Found a really neat store called Paddington's and frittered away a $100. I love to fritter, i can do it with $10 or a $100,but don't usually do more than that. I did buy a couple of gifts with that money.
On Monday we left for Redding CA about 2 1/2 hours south, heading home. We stayed at a really cute B&B across from the Sacramento River, and then went to a Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you. It was fun and actually the best dinner we had the whole trip.
Tuesday we went to the car to drive home and it wouldn't start. Fortunately we have USAA Road Assist, and within 15 minutes we got a jump start. With all the electronics we did not know what the problem was. We drove for about a 100 miles to get the battery warmed up and then stopped at a service station to fill up and the HHR wouldn't start again. Got another jump start within 15 minutes of calling and drove home, calling the chevy dealer on the way.
When we arrived home, we left the car running and emptied everything into the garage, and then Ed drove to the dealer.
The next morning they said it was ready,,,it was simply a bad battery. For all this we paid $00.00. That was the first time we ever used roadside assistance and we were quite pleased - not bad for only a small inconvenience.
On Monday we left for Redding CA about 2 1/2 hours south, heading home. We stayed at a really cute B&B across from the Sacramento River, and then went to a Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you. It was fun and actually the best dinner we had the whole trip.
Tuesday we went to the car to drive home and it wouldn't start. Fortunately we have USAA Road Assist, and within 15 minutes we got a jump start. With all the electronics we did not know what the problem was. We drove for about a 100 miles to get the battery warmed up and then stopped at a service station to fill up and the HHR wouldn't start again. Got another jump start within 15 minutes of calling and drove home, calling the chevy dealer on the way.
When we arrived home, we left the car running and emptied everything into the garage, and then Ed drove to the dealer.
The next morning they said it was ready,,,it was simply a bad battery. For all this we paid $00.00. That was the first time we ever used roadside assistance and we were quite pleased - not bad for only a small inconvenience.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Real and artificial, cheap and expensive, Part 1
Today I want to talk about real and artificial PLANTS. I love it when the snob says, “I could not live with artificial plants or flowers; I have to have the real thing or nothing.” In our home we have both, and I have fooled many a snob who can not tell the difference. Of course, you don't want to buy cheesy, really cheap plastic flowers, why, because there are beautiful silk and fabric flowers available. The craft stores like Michael's and such have a fabulous array.
On our bathroom counter we have a tall white vase (very large) filled with even taller artificial greens and silk flowers and they look great. I did it myself, it wasn't cheap, but it was worth it, because we have very little light in that bath. My husband's comment when he saw the arrangement said, "It looks like a model home in here." He loved it.
Artificial plants can be very pricey, but if you have a dark house or corner then it is a good place for an artificial tree or plant. To clean it, take it out in the sun on a hot day and hose it off occasionally, that will make it look new. I don't like paying over $50 for an artificial plant and have picked a few good ones up at thrift stores and also the grocery store will occasionally have a bargain.
Remember, plants and flowers can make a dull house look elegant and can bring out a subtle color you have somewhere in the room. Plants also add filler for spaces that appear bare.
In part 2 we will have a talk on cheap and expensive artifacts.
On our bathroom counter we have a tall white vase (very large) filled with even taller artificial greens and silk flowers and they look great. I did it myself, it wasn't cheap, but it was worth it, because we have very little light in that bath. My husband's comment when he saw the arrangement said, "It looks like a model home in here." He loved it.
Artificial plants can be very pricey, but if you have a dark house or corner then it is a good place for an artificial tree or plant. To clean it, take it out in the sun on a hot day and hose it off occasionally, that will make it look new. I don't like paying over $50 for an artificial plant and have picked a few good ones up at thrift stores and also the grocery store will occasionally have a bargain.
Remember, plants and flowers can make a dull house look elegant and can bring out a subtle color you have somewhere in the room. Plants also add filler for spaces that appear bare.
In part 2 we will have a talk on cheap and expensive artifacts.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Leather furniture and real wood
Have you ever heard someone say their animals would ruin a leather sofa? This, and when a person says, "I want my table to be real wood, good hard wood."
I have owned leather furniture (not vinyl), and I know something about real wood.
Let's talk about leather first. I have two dogs that run around our family room, chasing each other, jumping on and off the leather sofa and wrestling on it. They are like children on a playground. Our leather sofa is still as good as new. Granted it is a dark burgundy so it does not show much, neither do they dig their claws into it.
Good leather is very sturdy and difficult to puncture a hole into. We once had a creamy white leather sofa and a crazy cat. The cat never came near the sofa, but our daughter has had her cats tear up her leather love seat (perhaps, cats and leather might not go together).
Fabric furniture can be ruined much quicker than any leather piece, so if you are wondering, I say give it a try. And of course, don't buy off white, unless only adults are going to sit on your furniture. That goes the same for off white or beige carpeting. We will talk about that later.
Let's talk now about real wood. I can begin with what I instantly know about people who say they want real wood. They haven't got a clue, and they probably grew up around solid oak furniture (maybe even cheap laminated coffee tables - remember those?). As for solid wood, I wonder what 'they' thought when they saw a crack go down the middle or the side of a table.
The fact is this. Really fine furniture is never solid wood, the reason - wood is a very unstable element. That is why bad laminating jobs came into practice in the 1950's. The laminate peeled away and gave the process a bad name. Expensive furniture has layer upon layer of thin sheets of shaved wood, glued together in a process that is exquisite, that is how and why the grain is so beautiful on these pieces of fine furniture.
Pick up a magazine that advertises fine furniture, i.e. Baker furniture. It is extremely expensive and very beautiful. So when you walk into a furniture store, don't say to the salesman, "I want solid wood for my table." You will be sorry, and you'll know what he knows about you.
I have owned leather furniture (not vinyl), and I know something about real wood.
Let's talk about leather first. I have two dogs that run around our family room, chasing each other, jumping on and off the leather sofa and wrestling on it. They are like children on a playground. Our leather sofa is still as good as new. Granted it is a dark burgundy so it does not show much, neither do they dig their claws into it.
Good leather is very sturdy and difficult to puncture a hole into. We once had a creamy white leather sofa and a crazy cat. The cat never came near the sofa, but our daughter has had her cats tear up her leather love seat (perhaps, cats and leather might not go together).
Fabric furniture can be ruined much quicker than any leather piece, so if you are wondering, I say give it a try. And of course, don't buy off white, unless only adults are going to sit on your furniture. That goes the same for off white or beige carpeting. We will talk about that later.
Let's talk now about real wood. I can begin with what I instantly know about people who say they want real wood. They haven't got a clue, and they probably grew up around solid oak furniture (maybe even cheap laminated coffee tables - remember those?). As for solid wood, I wonder what 'they' thought when they saw a crack go down the middle or the side of a table.
The fact is this. Really fine furniture is never solid wood, the reason - wood is a very unstable element. That is why bad laminating jobs came into practice in the 1950's. The laminate peeled away and gave the process a bad name. Expensive furniture has layer upon layer of thin sheets of shaved wood, glued together in a process that is exquisite, that is how and why the grain is so beautiful on these pieces of fine furniture.
Pick up a magazine that advertises fine furniture, i.e. Baker furniture. It is extremely expensive and very beautiful. So when you walk into a furniture store, don't say to the salesman, "I want solid wood for my table." You will be sorry, and you'll know what he knows about you.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Writing and other sports
Today, rather than decorating, I am going to touch on a couple of books I have written. First, I mentioned it in another post, I wanted to update to anyone who cares the progress on the screen play for my novel, Crystal Pines. The good news is that the producer liked the dialogue and said it was appropriate for the era, 1839New York City.
The sad news is that the play needs to be reformatted, all 120 pages of it (that is equal to a two hour movie). He gave me a copy of his CASABLANCE screen play from 1942 - how exciting to look at that, for the proper formatting style. I took it to Kinks and made a copy. My screen play writer, Victoria and I will reformat together and also make clearer some of the scenes.
The other news I wanted to share, though I don't mean for this to be thought of as a serious decorating session; I am about to wallpaper my office with my rejection slips for my completed novel. It is Christian fiction about the trip that Jesus, Joseph, and Mary took to Egypt, according to the book of Matthew, Chapter 2. There is nothing said about the trip except that The Holy Family went and came back. I have created a fictional account of what their journey might have been like. I loved making up the story and feel that eventually someone will appreciate it, love it, publish it - God Willing.
I had a literary agency, Writers Literary Agency; they seemed only to want to get money from me for things. In the end, after 6 months, I let them go. I felt that they would never get the job done of submitting my work to a publisher, though it was critiqued and deemed commercially viable. I am not sorry that Writers Literary no longer represents me.
Nevertheless, I will continue to search for the right agent. For those of you who believe in prayer please pray for success. It is a great story; others who helped me edit and proof it have told me so.
The sad news is that the play needs to be reformatted, all 120 pages of it (that is equal to a two hour movie). He gave me a copy of his CASABLANCE screen play from 1942 - how exciting to look at that, for the proper formatting style. I took it to Kinks and made a copy. My screen play writer, Victoria and I will reformat together and also make clearer some of the scenes.
The other news I wanted to share, though I don't mean for this to be thought of as a serious decorating session; I am about to wallpaper my office with my rejection slips for my completed novel. It is Christian fiction about the trip that Jesus, Joseph, and Mary took to Egypt, according to the book of Matthew, Chapter 2. There is nothing said about the trip except that The Holy Family went and came back. I have created a fictional account of what their journey might have been like. I loved making up the story and feel that eventually someone will appreciate it, love it, publish it - God Willing.
I had a literary agency, Writers Literary Agency; they seemed only to want to get money from me for things. In the end, after 6 months, I let them go. I felt that they would never get the job done of submitting my work to a publisher, though it was critiqued and deemed commercially viable. I am not sorry that Writers Literary no longer represents me.
Nevertheless, I will continue to search for the right agent. For those of you who believe in prayer please pray for success. It is a great story; others who helped me edit and proof it have told me so.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
This and That with Balance
Many thanks to you who have looked at this blog and sent me an email telling me about your homes, it would be greatly appreciated if you could comment here on the blog. If not, than you can send a response, or question if you have one, to my email at priscillasflair@gmail.com.
Someone asked me the other day about what height the pictures should be. This woman was short and she wondered if she should hang the pictures at her eye level. I suggested that she put them above her eye level, but in such a way that she could still see and enjoy them. Most people have a tendency to hang pictures too high.
If you put one behind a seating area you want to be sure that when an average height person sits down their head does not hit the bottom of the picture. In a formal room, pictures can be higher than say in a bathroom or bedroom, where depending on your personal height you can hang them high or low.
Hanging multiple pictures can be particularly difficult unless they can be staggered in a grouping. Someone suggested today to me that you can make a pattern on the floor arranging the pictures as you would like them. She read somewhere that you could trace the patterned onto a sheet or large piece of paper and hold it up to the wall.
For 'have hammer, will travel' that is far too much work. If it looks good on the floor it will most likely look good on the wall. Either way, you will probably have a few extra nail holes behind the pictures. Oh Well, at they will be hung.
I wanted to mention a few words about balancing a room.
Don't put all the heavy pieces of furniture, i.e. the sofa, buffet, china cabinet, dining table or credenza, to the same side of the room. Pieces should be staggered, meaning across from the sofa (on the longest wall, remember) should be a large piece like an entry hall or table. Balance is very important, your eye will tell you if something isn't right, and that you need to move furniture around until it feels right.
Balance out your room with pictures, end tables, plants, lighting, pictures and accessories. Don't be afraid to mix and match and join colors. In most things, rather than the object itself, the key to balance and harmony is color and size. When you put things together such as flowers, or accessories on table tops, never use an even number. The numbers should be 3, 5, 7 etc. You can see the balance in these numbers and the room should be the same.
Someone asked me the other day about what height the pictures should be. This woman was short and she wondered if she should hang the pictures at her eye level. I suggested that she put them above her eye level, but in such a way that she could still see and enjoy them. Most people have a tendency to hang pictures too high.
If you put one behind a seating area you want to be sure that when an average height person sits down their head does not hit the bottom of the picture. In a formal room, pictures can be higher than say in a bathroom or bedroom, where depending on your personal height you can hang them high or low.
Hanging multiple pictures can be particularly difficult unless they can be staggered in a grouping. Someone suggested today to me that you can make a pattern on the floor arranging the pictures as you would like them. She read somewhere that you could trace the patterned onto a sheet or large piece of paper and hold it up to the wall.
For 'have hammer, will travel' that is far too much work. If it looks good on the floor it will most likely look good on the wall. Either way, you will probably have a few extra nail holes behind the pictures. Oh Well, at they will be hung.
I wanted to mention a few words about balancing a room.
Don't put all the heavy pieces of furniture, i.e. the sofa, buffet, china cabinet, dining table or credenza, to the same side of the room. Pieces should be staggered, meaning across from the sofa (on the longest wall, remember) should be a large piece like an entry hall or table. Balance is very important, your eye will tell you if something isn't right, and that you need to move furniture around until it feels right.
Balance out your room with pictures, end tables, plants, lighting, pictures and accessories. Don't be afraid to mix and match and join colors. In most things, rather than the object itself, the key to balance and harmony is color and size. When you put things together such as flowers, or accessories on table tops, never use an even number. The numbers should be 3, 5, 7 etc. You can see the balance in these numbers and the room should be the same.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Computer Spaces
Today I want to address those of you who have your computer, i.e. office so to speak, in the kitchen, out in the open, in a corner, or on the kitchen/dining room table. Maybe you just stuck it somewhere that is totally unappealing, but convenient. Read on only if you care about how it looks.
Perhaps, you have looked around and decided that you can not fine, or do not have a spot for your work space - that would be a place where you can keep the papers and books needed to do your work - neatly stacked. I say neatly, but more importantly, CLEAN OUT THOSE STACKS, toss unread papers.
In a really tiny place, there is usually a corner somewhere that can be cleaned out (AGAIN, THE KEY TERM IS CLEANED OUT) and space made for a table and good support chair. The space you create should be appealing to the eye if it has to be seen when someone comes into the room. A nice tall plant, artificial if there is no lighting, will take the eye off an eyesore...FYI - to keep your artificial plant clean take it outside and hose it down on a hot sunny day.
A tall lamp or, with limited space, a swaged lamp with at least a 100 watt bulb, to turn on over the computer will make your work space attractive and well lighted.
If you have room and want to hide the space, you can purchase a tall screen at World Markets, formerly Cost Plus. The cost can run from $70 to 150. These screens make a nice decorative accent.
If you have a question, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.com
Perhaps, you have looked around and decided that you can not fine, or do not have a spot for your work space - that would be a place where you can keep the papers and books needed to do your work - neatly stacked. I say neatly, but more importantly, CLEAN OUT THOSE STACKS, toss unread papers.
In a really tiny place, there is usually a corner somewhere that can be cleaned out (AGAIN, THE KEY TERM IS CLEANED OUT) and space made for a table and good support chair. The space you create should be appealing to the eye if it has to be seen when someone comes into the room. A nice tall plant, artificial if there is no lighting, will take the eye off an eyesore...FYI - to keep your artificial plant clean take it outside and hose it down on a hot sunny day.
A tall lamp or, with limited space, a swaged lamp with at least a 100 watt bulb, to turn on over the computer will make your work space attractive and well lighted.
If you have room and want to hide the space, you can purchase a tall screen at World Markets, formerly Cost Plus. The cost can run from $70 to 150. These screens make a nice decorative accent.
If you have a question, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.com
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Lighting 101
Let's talk about lighting. If you want ambiance, you can use 3 way light bulbs, or small lamps that take a minimal size bulb, and of course, you can use candles. However, if you have people over to entertain for other than a candlelight supper, having good light available is always welcome. One of the best sources of great lighting is the halogen floor lamp; it can light an entire room. You can purchase them quite inexpensively, or you can pay a few dollars, and there are many places to shop for them.
You can purchase an inexpensive contemporary floor lamp - they are usually black and will go in any corner, or you can buy the ones with more of a decorative glass for the light to shine through. Sometimes these are not halogen, but they still give light. Then there are table lamps, or if you have a lamp with no shade, there are many choices for shades. Wal-mart and Target have a wonderful selection. Be sure to measure the height of your lamp and get a shade that is big enough, if the shade is too short or too small it will not look good (the normal tendency is to buy too small).
For the best light, get the light colored shades, off white, beige, or white. If you buy a dark shade, it should be for look and ambiance only, clearly not for reading under.
If you are short on space, a table lamp serves two purposes. I bought one recently at Wal-mart for a client (they have the best prices and their quality is the same as other place that sell the same sort of things). The table lamp was under $50.00.
Hanging lamps are not always efficient as far as lighting goes, but they can add mood and fill a purpose if you don't have table or floor space.
A chandelier is always special, and they vary in cost, shape/style and size. If you can afford one and have someone to help you hang it, it can add a great look to a room.
You can purchase an inexpensive contemporary floor lamp - they are usually black and will go in any corner, or you can buy the ones with more of a decorative glass for the light to shine through. Sometimes these are not halogen, but they still give light. Then there are table lamps, or if you have a lamp with no shade, there are many choices for shades. Wal-mart and Target have a wonderful selection. Be sure to measure the height of your lamp and get a shade that is big enough, if the shade is too short or too small it will not look good (the normal tendency is to buy too small).
For the best light, get the light colored shades, off white, beige, or white. If you buy a dark shade, it should be for look and ambiance only, clearly not for reading under.
If you are short on space, a table lamp serves two purposes. I bought one recently at Wal-mart for a client (they have the best prices and their quality is the same as other place that sell the same sort of things). The table lamp was under $50.00.
Hanging lamps are not always efficient as far as lighting goes, but they can add mood and fill a purpose if you don't have table or floor space.
A chandelier is always special, and they vary in cost, shape/style and size. If you can afford one and have someone to help you hang it, it can add a great look to a room.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Screen Play update for Crystal Pines
Just wanted you to know that the screen play for my book, Crystal Pines, has been submitted to the producer who has been waiting for it. Will not know what he has to say until he finishes reading it, but I am certain it will need work. The young girl who wrote the play did an excellent job, so kudos to Victoria for all her work.
You can buy Crystal Pines from the publisher, PublishAmerica.com, Amazon.com, or Boarders and Barnes & Noble.
Crystal Pines is about 4 cousins who come to New York City in 1839 to run the subsidiary company of their father's firm in London. See my website; www.priscillamcdaniel.com to read more about it.
Yesterday, I did not write, and today I am learning how to connect to other blogs so I can comment and get them to follow me.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/177-5750492-3919265?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Crystal+Pines&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ACrystal+Pines&ajr=1
You can buy Crystal Pines from the publisher, PublishAmerica.com, Amazon.com, or Boarders and Barnes & Noble.
Crystal Pines is about 4 cousins who come to New York City in 1839 to run the subsidiary company of their father's firm in London. See my website; www.priscillamcdaniel.com to read more about it.
Yesterday, I did not write, and today I am learning how to connect to other blogs so I can comment and get them to follow me.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/177-5750492-3919265?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Crystal+Pines&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ACrystal+Pines&ajr=1
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Using what you have, Part 2
The first thing I did at the house with the blue carpeting was to rearrange the rattan sofa and love seat with the palm leaf pattern fabric on it. The short sofa should always go on the shortest wall; I put the longer sofa under the living room window, which was also the longest wall. I moved the largest end table in the corner between the sofa and love seat. The smaller one went on the other side of the love seat.
An interesting exercise that is good to take when consulting about what to put where, is to do a walk through. The lady of the house and I went into every room, especially the 4 bedrooms and their closets upstairs. I found at least a dozen accessories, including a couple of lamps and pictures that would enhance the living/dining area. Some things came out of the closets and random pictures, hung without thought, came off the walls. Everything I wanted was carted downstairs to show off properly.
The family had a very nice piano, again on the wrong wall, so we moved it to the inside wall next to the entry and put a wonderful lamp on it that I found in one of the closets upstairs. An extra chair that did not match the rattan furniture went near the piano and we made a small sitting area next to a small table.
Next to the end table by the love seat before entering the dining room, we purchased a tall plant that gave the room a focal point rather than focusing on the junked up china cabinet.
Because there were curtains behind the long sofa, we used the wall over the love seat and hung a large picture of a water lily, framed nicely in wood that looked like rattan.
On the coffee table in front of the sofa, we placed a low, round, white bowl filled with blue and green glass balls.
As for the china cabinet, I helped the lady of the house go through her 'treasures' and convinced her to store in the attic those things she couldn't bear to part with. Then we arranged the inside of the cabinet so that the best of her mother's collections showed off to their advantage, and voila, the clutter disappeared. Her husband was thrilled.
When the family first walked into their beautiful re-decorated living area, they could not believe how great it looked and marveled at how the blue carpeting seemed to disappear. Thank you Flair and Dare they said.
An interesting exercise that is good to take when consulting about what to put where, is to do a walk through. The lady of the house and I went into every room, especially the 4 bedrooms and their closets upstairs. I found at least a dozen accessories, including a couple of lamps and pictures that would enhance the living/dining area. Some things came out of the closets and random pictures, hung without thought, came off the walls. Everything I wanted was carted downstairs to show off properly.
The family had a very nice piano, again on the wrong wall, so we moved it to the inside wall next to the entry and put a wonderful lamp on it that I found in one of the closets upstairs. An extra chair that did not match the rattan furniture went near the piano and we made a small sitting area next to a small table.
Next to the end table by the love seat before entering the dining room, we purchased a tall plant that gave the room a focal point rather than focusing on the junked up china cabinet.
Because there were curtains behind the long sofa, we used the wall over the love seat and hung a large picture of a water lily, framed nicely in wood that looked like rattan.
On the coffee table in front of the sofa, we placed a low, round, white bowl filled with blue and green glass balls.
As for the china cabinet, I helped the lady of the house go through her 'treasures' and convinced her to store in the attic those things she couldn't bear to part with. Then we arranged the inside of the cabinet so that the best of her mother's collections showed off to their advantage, and voila, the clutter disappeared. Her husband was thrilled.
When the family first walked into their beautiful re-decorated living area, they could not believe how great it looked and marveled at how the blue carpeting seemed to disappear. Thank you Flair and Dare they said.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Using what you have, Part 1
It is Flair and Dare's philosophy to help you incorporate what you already have without having to make purchases. That does not mean that you may not have to pick up a few things, such as a plant, or a pillow, or perhaps you need a lot of things. Generally, if this is the case with your home, you can make your place look wonderful without spending a lot of money; you can learn balance and color and where to buy things on the cheap.
One of my first consulting jobs was for a home that had an ugly blue wall to wall carpet. The house had the typical L shaped living room/dining room combination and when you walked in it was the first thing you saw, that and the atrocious blue carpet.
The lady of the house complained that she and her husband could not afford to replace the blue carpeting and she hoped I could help them work around it. I have to say that the woman had a genuine complaint because her rattan furniture had large green palm leaves on it, as if from the tropics, though not nearly as elegant.
In addition the room had no style at all and the furniture arrangements made no sense. The piano and the sofa and love seat were on the wrong walls; her accessories were poorly chosen, as well as, like the furniture, placed helter-skelter.
Her dining room china cabinet, which you could see from the entry was packed, more like over stuffed with 'treasures' from her mother that she could not bear to part with. The cabinet looked like a junk store window that had not been cleaned out in years.
The lighting in the living room was dim at best, and the lamps that did not do the job were boring and old fashioned. Lighting is a very important aspect for a room.
We all know what it is like to walk into a house that has never been thought out as far as decorating is concerned. Nevertheless, we accept our friends as they are, and usually when someone lives in a cluttered home, they are oblivious to it, or at least they do little about it because they say they don't care, but it may be more like they don't try or want to know how to have lovely surroundings.
One of my first consulting jobs was for a home that had an ugly blue wall to wall carpet. The house had the typical L shaped living room/dining room combination and when you walked in it was the first thing you saw, that and the atrocious blue carpet.
The lady of the house complained that she and her husband could not afford to replace the blue carpeting and she hoped I could help them work around it. I have to say that the woman had a genuine complaint because her rattan furniture had large green palm leaves on it, as if from the tropics, though not nearly as elegant.
In addition the room had no style at all and the furniture arrangements made no sense. The piano and the sofa and love seat were on the wrong walls; her accessories were poorly chosen, as well as, like the furniture, placed helter-skelter.
Her dining room china cabinet, which you could see from the entry was packed, more like over stuffed with 'treasures' from her mother that she could not bear to part with. The cabinet looked like a junk store window that had not been cleaned out in years.
The lighting in the living room was dim at best, and the lamps that did not do the job were boring and old fashioned. Lighting is a very important aspect for a room.
We all know what it is like to walk into a house that has never been thought out as far as decorating is concerned. Nevertheless, we accept our friends as they are, and usually when someone lives in a cluttered home, they are oblivious to it, or at least they do little about it because they say they don't care, but it may be more like they don't try or want to know how to have lovely surroundings.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Back to Picture Hanging
Hanging small pictures; you can do a grouping for several hangings of two or more. One thing to look for when you wonder if something works is to bring out a color say from a certain color in a throw pillow, or other accessory; the color can be in the picture, even if it is only a small splash. Subject matter doesn't always matter as much as does the color, of course discretion in subject and objects may be needed to some degree.
Once again, I will emphasize that trying to hang pictures that are directly lined up with each other is much harder than staggering them. Evenly lined can be done, especially if you don't mind extra nail holes.
Pictures should face each other, if you have two pictures each with a person in them, the people should be hung so they face one another. Balance is important, if you hang a picture of a person near the corner of the wall, you don't want the person in the painting to face the corner, put it on a wall where they are looking into the room. Any painting or picture will have a scene or object on one part that is off center; that object, the tallest one, should go toward the corner so that the room is kept in balance.
Once again, I will emphasize that trying to hang pictures that are directly lined up with each other is much harder than staggering them. Evenly lined can be done, especially if you don't mind extra nail holes.
Pictures should face each other, if you have two pictures each with a person in them, the people should be hung so they face one another. Balance is important, if you hang a picture of a person near the corner of the wall, you don't want the person in the painting to face the corner, put it on a wall where they are looking into the room. Any painting or picture will have a scene or object on one part that is off center; that object, the tallest one, should go toward the corner so that the room is kept in balance.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Charity Affair, Part 2
The bags came in; the overflow went out, bag after bag: some to the Goodwill, some to our church’s homeless dinner, and some to Teen Challenge. We went through her closet several times, over the videos and books more the 3 or 4 times, each time convincing Rose that she could not possibly need what she hadn’t worn, watched, or read in years.
On Rose’s behalf, she did a good job, and after much agonizing she parted with what she did not need. When I felt the apartment was probably in the best condition that it could be, we began to look at furniture. The large wheelchair is still in the living room, but it is not obtrusive, it is just another place to sit.
We bought a wonderful, perfect sized loveseat to place in front of 3 book cases, the cabinets had been removed. The off-white loveseat came with 3 throw-type back pillows in reddish/burgundy and black and white plaid. Burgundy is her main color with accents of black and off whites. We purchased, along with the sofa from Salvation Army, a small size wing back chair, just right, for her tiny living room, With that and the sofa we bought one black and one burgundy throw blanked - black for the chair and the other for the loveseat.
For the windows, accessories and a nifty table-lamp (two purposes in one for the small room) we found great deals at Wal-Mart. The windows we covered with burgundy side panels, sheers in the middle and a burgundy sway valance. I gave her two brass, with sunflower design, tie backs that attach to the wall. Along with the table lamp, we purchased a beautiful floor lamp, as lighting was a problem, she didn’t have enough, For the cleaned up desk area, we bought an inexpensive floor lamp and picked up a new bookcase from a garage sale.
We moved the rickety TV case with the wobbly rabbit ears up against the wall near the desk, visible from the sofa, of course. We cleaned off the kitchen counter that faced the front door and put a small artificial plant there, with a couple of candles.
Several small bouquets of red, as well as white, roses went on the counter and the lamp table. Rose had a few nice pictures, but nothing large enough for the wall opposite the bookcases. I surprised her with a 3 x 5’ picture of an Italian street scene to hang on the empty wall, and the colorful image brought the room together and made it look stunning.
This project took from July to December, and when finished it looked beautiful. Rose cried when she told someone about how perfectly it turned out. Her mother loved it, her friends envied her, and Rose, herself, confessed that she never believed her home could be so lovely. One of her friends told me that she had tried to get Rose to clean the clutter out her house many times, but she never did. Rose needed some like me, who she calls her ‘Warring Angel’, to coax her into giving things away. Working with Rose and becoming her friend has been a unique experience, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity.
On Rose’s behalf, she did a good job, and after much agonizing she parted with what she did not need. When I felt the apartment was probably in the best condition that it could be, we began to look at furniture. The large wheelchair is still in the living room, but it is not obtrusive, it is just another place to sit.
We bought a wonderful, perfect sized loveseat to place in front of 3 book cases, the cabinets had been removed. The off-white loveseat came with 3 throw-type back pillows in reddish/burgundy and black and white plaid. Burgundy is her main color with accents of black and off whites. We purchased, along with the sofa from Salvation Army, a small size wing back chair, just right, for her tiny living room, With that and the sofa we bought one black and one burgundy throw blanked - black for the chair and the other for the loveseat.
For the windows, accessories and a nifty table-lamp (two purposes in one for the small room) we found great deals at Wal-Mart. The windows we covered with burgundy side panels, sheers in the middle and a burgundy sway valance. I gave her two brass, with sunflower design, tie backs that attach to the wall. Along with the table lamp, we purchased a beautiful floor lamp, as lighting was a problem, she didn’t have enough, For the cleaned up desk area, we bought an inexpensive floor lamp and picked up a new bookcase from a garage sale.
We moved the rickety TV case with the wobbly rabbit ears up against the wall near the desk, visible from the sofa, of course. We cleaned off the kitchen counter that faced the front door and put a small artificial plant there, with a couple of candles.
Several small bouquets of red, as well as white, roses went on the counter and the lamp table. Rose had a few nice pictures, but nothing large enough for the wall opposite the bookcases. I surprised her with a 3 x 5’ picture of an Italian street scene to hang on the empty wall, and the colorful image brought the room together and made it look stunning.
This project took from July to December, and when finished it looked beautiful. Rose cried when she told someone about how perfectly it turned out. Her mother loved it, her friends envied her, and Rose, herself, confessed that she never believed her home could be so lovely. One of her friends told me that she had tried to get Rose to clean the clutter out her house many times, but she never did. Rose needed some like me, who she calls her ‘Warring Angel’, to coax her into giving things away. Working with Rose and becoming her friend has been a unique experience, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Charity Affair, Part 1
A Flair and Dare to remember
I thought I would change the pace here and write a two-part Flair and Dare decorating job I did for a young woman from my Bible Study group. I helped her tidy up her 1 bedroom apartment where she has lived for the past 8 years. First, a little about this person, I will call her Rose, because she is like a Rose in a garden of thorns. Rose, has an atrocious background, which she has overcome beautifully. I won’t dwell on things but feel it is important to let you know a little about her.
As a child, abused and used by her father, Rose became a homeless drug addict. Despite such a horrid upbringing, after some time, she overcame her difficulties and eventually found a home in Section 8 housing. She is also slightly disabled, but does not always need her wheel chair. The good news is that Rose, is a licensed beautician, sells Avon, writes music and love to read, particularly the Bible.
Now let’s talk about her home. When I first walked in, I could see that Rose liked to have STUFF around her. Her apartment could have passed the test for the Messiest House award found on the MyStyle TV Channel. Her place appeared to be the biggest confusion of clutter and jumble I had ever walked into.
Upon entering the living room, one can see ahead a cubicle for a kitchen and a counter full of plants, candles, and almost anything you can name. Near the ceiling, you see paper bags overflowing from the corner between a small cupboard and the refrigerator. Beneath the kitchen counter facing the living room sat a homemade desk, stacked with papers and books; next to this stood a bookcase with a piece of gold lame fabric tacked to a shelf hung to hide the things behind it.
In front of this bookcase and desk was a gigantic wheel chair. That is where I sat for my first consultation with Rose. She sat across from me in the only piece of furniture, besides a large dining table – a huge, ugly, brown, broken recliner; Rose is a big girl. In front of her in the middle of the room was a rickety TV Cabinet with a computer and other paraphernalia crammed into it and on it a pair of wobbly rabbit ears. Behind the rickety, rackety recliner you could see an old china cabinet whose glass door windows had Christmas stickers on it. Next to the cabinet were two more bookcases, packed full of everything. On the floor sat a box for another bookcase, where Rose intended to put more stuff.
Next to the bookcases, sat the oversized table with a sewing machine on top, next came stacking baskets and another non-descript cabinet full of hair care, manicure, and other instruments and bottles needed for her profession. Imagine if you will a space of perhaps 300 sq ft encompassing all this. We won’t even mention the carpeting or the cat – oh yes – a cat.
At the end of the crowded hall was a bedroom full of containers that held Rose’s workout -clothes, pants, shirts, etc, all gathered from friends, thrift stores, and anyplace she could find to collect her things. Rose clearly represented what a once homeless person-- fearful of never having anything and going without-- looked like.
I had to twist Rose’s arm to get her to agree to give away lots of her stuff, such as clothes, books, more books, videos, clothes, stuff and more stuff. I reminded her that she need not fear being without and that there were plenty of people who could benefit from her generosity. I also I reminded her that Neatness and Orderliness (Cleanliness) is next to Godliness. I have to say that her home, chaotic as it was, was clean
Enter – Flair and Dare with a Costco box of 33 gallon bags. This box contained 2 rolls with 44 bags in each roll.
.
I thought I would change the pace here and write a two-part Flair and Dare decorating job I did for a young woman from my Bible Study group. I helped her tidy up her 1 bedroom apartment where she has lived for the past 8 years. First, a little about this person, I will call her Rose, because she is like a Rose in a garden of thorns. Rose, has an atrocious background, which she has overcome beautifully. I won’t dwell on things but feel it is important to let you know a little about her.
As a child, abused and used by her father, Rose became a homeless drug addict. Despite such a horrid upbringing, after some time, she overcame her difficulties and eventually found a home in Section 8 housing. She is also slightly disabled, but does not always need her wheel chair. The good news is that Rose, is a licensed beautician, sells Avon, writes music and love to read, particularly the Bible.
Now let’s talk about her home. When I first walked in, I could see that Rose liked to have STUFF around her. Her apartment could have passed the test for the Messiest House award found on the MyStyle TV Channel. Her place appeared to be the biggest confusion of clutter and jumble I had ever walked into.
Upon entering the living room, one can see ahead a cubicle for a kitchen and a counter full of plants, candles, and almost anything you can name. Near the ceiling, you see paper bags overflowing from the corner between a small cupboard and the refrigerator. Beneath the kitchen counter facing the living room sat a homemade desk, stacked with papers and books; next to this stood a bookcase with a piece of gold lame fabric tacked to a shelf hung to hide the things behind it.
In front of this bookcase and desk was a gigantic wheel chair. That is where I sat for my first consultation with Rose. She sat across from me in the only piece of furniture, besides a large dining table – a huge, ugly, brown, broken recliner; Rose is a big girl. In front of her in the middle of the room was a rickety TV Cabinet with a computer and other paraphernalia crammed into it and on it a pair of wobbly rabbit ears. Behind the rickety, rackety recliner you could see an old china cabinet whose glass door windows had Christmas stickers on it. Next to the cabinet were two more bookcases, packed full of everything. On the floor sat a box for another bookcase, where Rose intended to put more stuff.
Next to the bookcases, sat the oversized table with a sewing machine on top, next came stacking baskets and another non-descript cabinet full of hair care, manicure, and other instruments and bottles needed for her profession. Imagine if you will a space of perhaps 300 sq ft encompassing all this. We won’t even mention the carpeting or the cat – oh yes – a cat.
At the end of the crowded hall was a bedroom full of containers that held Rose’s workout -clothes, pants, shirts, etc, all gathered from friends, thrift stores, and anyplace she could find to collect her things. Rose clearly represented what a once homeless person-- fearful of never having anything and going without-- looked like.
I had to twist Rose’s arm to get her to agree to give away lots of her stuff, such as clothes, books, more books, videos, clothes, stuff and more stuff. I reminded her that she need not fear being without and that there were plenty of people who could benefit from her generosity. I also I reminded her that Neatness and Orderliness (Cleanliness) is next to Godliness. I have to say that her home, chaotic as it was, was clean
Enter – Flair and Dare with a Costco box of 33 gallon bags. This box contained 2 rolls with 44 bags in each roll.
.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Hanging pictures perfectly
Hanging pictures can be hard work, my husband used to say whenever we moved, which was often, that he didn't want me to hang any pictures until he could help. Well, that was all well and good, but his sense of of timing did not coincide with mine; invariable I hung them myself long before he thought of his plan to help. He was only worried about holes in the wall. He is a perfectionist and always wants the fewest holes possible.
So here is a little story that illustrates why pictures may never get hung in a home. On our last move, the focal point in our living room was over the sofa - which by the way should always go on the longest wall, not the shortest. Anyway, these two large pictures needed to be hung, not staggered as I suggested earlier, but right at the same level next to each other.
So my husband gets to it right away, knowing if he doesn't I will. He pulls out the leveler, the long tape measure, hammer and nails, and a pencil to mark the wall!!#$% no holes mind you, but lots of pencil marks. At any rate, he seems unable to measure it correctly, has several holes and a half hour later, the pictures are still on the floor.
I finally told him to move over and took two nails, hammered them into the wall where I thought they should go and hung the pictures. OK, they were not perfect, but only off a very slight bit. I took one down, moved the nail and voila - they were hung.
Needless to say, my husband put his hands up in the air, trying to hide his surprise and admiration that I accomplished the task efficiently and perfectly, put his tools back and never asked to help again. So hang those pictures at all costs, if you need to move them, you can always make another hole.
So here is a little story that illustrates why pictures may never get hung in a home. On our last move, the focal point in our living room was over the sofa - which by the way should always go on the longest wall, not the shortest. Anyway, these two large pictures needed to be hung, not staggered as I suggested earlier, but right at the same level next to each other.
So my husband gets to it right away, knowing if he doesn't I will. He pulls out the leveler, the long tape measure, hammer and nails, and a pencil to mark the wall!!#$% no holes mind you, but lots of pencil marks. At any rate, he seems unable to measure it correctly, has several holes and a half hour later, the pictures are still on the floor.
I finally told him to move over and took two nails, hammered them into the wall where I thought they should go and hung the pictures. OK, they were not perfect, but only off a very slight bit. I took one down, moved the nail and voila - they were hung.
Needless to say, my husband put his hands up in the air, trying to hide his surprise and admiration that I accomplished the task efficiently and perfectly, put his tools back and never asked to help again. So hang those pictures at all costs, if you need to move them, you can always make another hole.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Picture Hanging
Good morning - I want to start off by saying that I do not profess to be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to decorating, but I happen to be very good with color and balance. 2 very important things when it comes to putting things in order.
As for picture hanging, it is a good idea to frame pictures before hanging them on the wall - and as I said before, don't worry about nail holes, you can usually cover them up with the picture. When it is time to take the pictures down, put a little putty over the hole - I have even heard people say toothpaste works, of course that depends on the color of your wall.
You can buy frames cheap, small ones at the $1.00 store, or at Wal-mart, K-Mart, Target or a Michaels or some other craft store...Frames can be pricey and if you have the money, a valuable picture can be worth the effort, otherwise buy a ready made frame.
When you want to hang two pictures together, try staggering them, it is easier than lining them up. Take your biggest picture and hang it on a large wall, but remember it does not have to always be in the center of the wall. It should be centered over the piece of furniture.
You might ask should I hang pictures before the room is complete.
Generally we assume that you have furniture (I will talk about placing furniture soon) and things, and if not, take every picture you want to hang (give away the ones you don't like) and stack them on the floor according to size so that when you are ready to hang them, you know what you want and pretty much know where you want them.
If you are not sure where to hang them, have someone help you by holding up the pictures with you standing back and telling them where to place it.
Often, though not if you are a minimalist - one picture, unless it is very large, should have another to go with it, or some object that enhances it (color wise or subject wise). There is more to say about pictures, but for now that is enough. Thanks for visiting this blog. If you have a question, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.com
As for picture hanging, it is a good idea to frame pictures before hanging them on the wall - and as I said before, don't worry about nail holes, you can usually cover them up with the picture. When it is time to take the pictures down, put a little putty over the hole - I have even heard people say toothpaste works, of course that depends on the color of your wall.
You can buy frames cheap, small ones at the $1.00 store, or at Wal-mart, K-Mart, Target or a Michaels or some other craft store...Frames can be pricey and if you have the money, a valuable picture can be worth the effort, otherwise buy a ready made frame.
When you want to hang two pictures together, try staggering them, it is easier than lining them up. Take your biggest picture and hang it on a large wall, but remember it does not have to always be in the center of the wall. It should be centered over the piece of furniture.
You might ask should I hang pictures before the room is complete.
Generally we assume that you have furniture (I will talk about placing furniture soon) and things, and if not, take every picture you want to hang (give away the ones you don't like) and stack them on the floor according to size so that when you are ready to hang them, you know what you want and pretty much know where you want them.
If you are not sure where to hang them, have someone help you by holding up the pictures with you standing back and telling them where to place it.
Often, though not if you are a minimalist - one picture, unless it is very large, should have another to go with it, or some object that enhances it (color wise or subject wise). There is more to say about pictures, but for now that is enough. Thanks for visiting this blog. If you have a question, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
On first sight -
SOME DECORATING ADVICE - Are you pleased with your surroundings, do you walk into your living room and declare how much you like where everything is. If you answer yes then you may not care about this blog. I hope to offer advice on how to decorate your home using what you already have.
Today I want to talk about pictures - are yours framed? Are they tacked on the wall with nails or are they sitting on the floor waiting to be placed on the wall. Believe it or not, lots of people are afraid of nail holes and never hang a picture. How silly is that? .A nail hole can be patched and pictures, if they are not right can be re-hung. My motto is "Have Hammer, Will Travel".
However, since this is a blog, I will have to have discussions, not travel. If anyone reads this, and has a question, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.com.
Today I want to talk about pictures - are yours framed? Are they tacked on the wall with nails or are they sitting on the floor waiting to be placed on the wall. Believe it or not, lots of people are afraid of nail holes and never hang a picture. How silly is that? .A nail hole can be patched and pictures, if they are not right can be re-hung. My motto is "Have Hammer, Will Travel".
However, since this is a blog, I will have to have discussions, not travel. If anyone reads this, and has a question, please email me at priscillasflair@gmail.com.
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