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"Green" thoughts...
(August 2010) - More great greens: Dunn-Edwards Bamboo Mat DE5457, March Filed DE5458, and Floating Lily PAd DE5493.
(March 7, 2009) I've said it many times before - recycle that "old chair... or sofa". If a piece is really old (30+ years) - it's prabably much better quality that you would buy today (at least in mid-range priced furniture) or maybe it has sentimental value to you. Recycle it by reupholstering it with new fabric. You can really give piece a whole new look! -Lisa
(May 9, 2008) More "green" products:
(May 5, 2008) I recently had a client's home painted with Sherwin-Willaim's "Harmony" paint. This is their Zero-VOC paint. It REALLY didn't smell or cause typical paint smell symptoms to the home-owner (sneezing, burning eyes, light-headedness). This was my first experience with Harmony - and a pleasant one! - Lisa
(March 12, 2008) I have now read several articles that note the delemma when disposing the fore-mentioned floresent bulbs. They contain small amount of mercury (a know human neurological poison). If one should break, take great precautions cleaning up. They even recommend leaving the room with opened windows for 15 minutes before returning to clean up a broken bulb. Yikes.
Since they last so long (several years) and many people have just recently begun using them, it may be a while before you replace one (they also recommend finding a recyling site (IKEA is one) or double plastic bagging the used bulb and then disposing of it in your trash. - Lisa
(Jan 6, 2008) I hope I didn't sound like I'm anti-green (see above). I would just pick other areas in my home to "be green" before creating an uncomfortable atmosphere with florescent lightbulbs. Check out our utility company SRP's website for a checklist of things you can do you make your home more energy effiecient.
www.srpnet.com/energy/pdfx/checklist.pdf
Another lightbulb related thought... add timers and motion sensors to specific fixtures . It helps with security and it assures the light gets turned off when it might otherwise be forgotten. -Lisa
(Jan 7, 2008) Looking for "green" interior products? (also see May 9th entry)
Here's one. Mohawk Industries makes a carpeting out of recyled water bottles. Their fun fact: On average it takes 30 plastic bottles to make 1 square yard of broadloom carpet. Learn more at
www.mohawk-flooring.com
(Jan 3, 2008) Light bulbs:
If you have worked with me, you know lighting a room is a passion of mine. The media and manufacturers are really pushing the florescent compact bulb, and yes I agree it is more cost and energy efficient on an hourly basis. But, I am patiently waiting a bulb that gives the same warm glow of the incandescent light bulb. A friend said to me “Oh Lisa, your home always feels so warm, I just love it” in an almost longing voice. I thought to myself; your home is warm too. I wondered why she said that. The next time I was at her home, it was late afternoon in the winter and becoming dark so I turned on the table lamps, and as I did, I realized they were all, including the kitchen recessed can-lights in the ceiling, outfitted with compact florescent bulbs. The “white light” screamed “work atmosphere”, fabric and paint colors went cool and textures washed away. Light really has a psychological effect on us - beware of the influences. The rooms in my home with (warm) florescent bulbs: the garage. I’m still waiting… -Lisa
(Jan 1, 2008) In paint:
A refreshing moss green: Dunn Edwards DE5500 Olive Hint
Another good mossy green: Sherwin Williams SW 6417 Tupelo Tree
A fun turquoise: Dunn Edwards DE 5723 Fountain City
A great classic hunter: Dunn Edwards DE5615 Climbing Ivy
A playful chartreuse: Dunn Edwards DE5556 Mint Julep
Look them up at
www.dunnedwards.com under the section on the far right side of the home page "Architect/Design Center". Check out their green friendly paint;
Ecoshield for low odor/zero-VOC and
General decorating and design
(August 2010) - Color trends contiue to be "green" related. Earthy colors of browns, red dust, greens and blues. It's fun to watch the trends but be sure to select colors YOU love. We can always incorporate some trends in the pillows on the sofa.
(July 2010) - If you are getting ready to sell, curb appeal is a must! Clean up that front door (maybe it needs a new coat of paint), a fresh doormat and live flowers or plants spruce up the approach to your home. New light fixtures and house numbers can do wonders.
(March 7, 2009) Here's a great way to use us: When taking everything down for painting, have us come and put everything back - in new places! You'll have a whole new look! We've had several clients do this recently and really enjoyed the transformation. Besides, they didn't have to dread the idea of putting everything back!
(March 2009) - more color trends for this year - which could work well with yellow... Grays. They are calming which everyone seems to need right now with the current stories in the media... I don't get many requests for grays though - remember I mention "trend". -Lisa
(Feb. 2009) Everyone asks "what the new hot colors this year.. or season?" I have to say Yellow for 2009. Be careful with that info though - there isn't a lot in home furnishings that are comfortable in yellow. Use it sparingly and in fun places: throw pillows, flowers on the table, in napkins.... -Lisa
(March 12, 2008) Need to add some zip to that life-less bookcase. If it's solid books, remove some and add some fun statues, photos in frames, mis-matched bookends, that rock you weren't supposed to pick up on your hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon... -Lisa
(Feb 16, 2008) Do you have a collection? Get it out and enjoy it. It could be several things of one color or theme. Find a spot to display it. Make the focal point of a room. -Lisa
(Dec 28, 2007) Using all the same color frames on pictures grouped on a wall is a way to give a pulled together look. - Lisa
Painting
(March 7, 2009) Paint can be great for changing a space on a budget. Find a main furniture piecesor art to guide you in your color choice. It's also important to think about the color of adjoining rooms and how it flows from one to the next. There was a good article in The Arizona Republic (Home section) on Feb. 7, 2009, (sorry it sat on my desk for amonth) on selecting a paint color around your art "Cool Home" article. -Lisa
(May 5, 2008) What paint finish do I use? The finish is created by the chemicals in the paint. It will make the paint be reflective, non-reflective, washable etc... Here's a quick guide.
Flat: Does not reflect light, not usually washable. Good for ceilings, imperfect walls, and dark colors. Matte: Lowest sheen that is washable. Okay for any room but the kitchen and bath. Eggshell: It's washable and resists stains and moisture. A good quality satin is good for homes that accumulate handprints. Satin: Can be washed more often (again good for homes with handprints) Good for kitchens and bathrooms. A good quality satin can be used on trim and doors. Semi-gloss: Highly reflective and very washable. Good for trim and doors. High-gloss: Highly reflective. Good for trim and doors. Shows all imperfections. Paint your heart out.
- Lisa
(March 12, 2008) You can always adjust down your ceiling in color. Instead of white, ask your paint manufacturer to mix your wall color at 50%. -Lisa
(Jan 11, 2008) Don’t think you have to paint a room white — just because it’s small. A rich color will add interest. Paint it on all four walls and even the ceiling. You may need to increase your lighting. -Lisa
Space Planning
(March 7, 2009) Don't get stuck thinking you have to use a room just because of it's original purpose. Rarely used formal dining rooms can make great home offices! -Lisa
(Sept. 28, 2008) That room off the formal living room... the one with a chandelier in the middle that doesn't get used but for Thanksgiving dinner. Think outside the box. What other needs does your family have. Does this space need to be a play room (maybe for jsut a few years)? Can you layout projects on the big table from time to time? Can it hold a large amoire that could house your computer and home office and close up for company? People ask me can we remove the chandelier. I say sure, the junction box can easily be covered with a decorative cap. I suggest to consider this so in the event you wish to sell the house, you can return the candelier to create the room's original purpose. -Lisa
(Feb. 15, 2008) Most rooms have a focal point when you enter for example a fireplace, a piece of art, or a window with a view in a family room. Start with this when you are arranging a room. This seems simple, but many forgoet to start with "something". -Lisa
(Jan 18, 2008) When arranging a family room or living room—remember to create a seating “group”. We calls these “conversation areas” - and when you are using them people don’t like to be interrupted by though traffic. So don’t spread your seating apart and up against walls (we call that "wall flowers" —push them closer together and create a traffic lane along a wall or around the group. - Lisa
Organizing
(May 5, 2008) Quality over quantity. The more things you have the easier it is for clutter to form and grow. We think it's better to have fewer things - all of which you enjoy. We'd love to come arrange it for you.
View - Change Your Space - we use all your things for a whole new look.
(Jan 18, 2008) Are you working on those closets or cupboards? Arrange the contents so that things you use frequently are front and foremost. Store less frequently used items on the very high or very low shelves - or in the back. -Becky
(Jan 1, 2008) Happy New Year, Happy Organizing! Use those tips we see on HGTV: When organizing a cluttered room or closet, take everything out (into an adjacent room or space) and separate your things into Keep, Throw Away, and Give Away piles. Before you put anything back in to the room or closet from that Keep Pile, evaluate it one more time. -Becky