A Room Divided

I've always loved this room divider by Oscar De La Renta. A mirrored room divider is a brilliant idea to seperate spaces and still keep them open and light.

Chalkboard Paint

When chalkboard paint came out a few years ago, Martha Stewart was putting it on clay pots for her herbs, people were creating their own custom sized chalkboards with it, and so on and on. My opinion on chalkboard paint is to 'use it boldly'! As you can see in these photos chalkboard paint can work in traditional or contemporary spaces. I love the 'blank canvas' feeling of the entire wall painted above. I would love to see this unexpected element done in a coastal environment, surrounded by white furnishings. There are few design tools that will give you such an impact, at such a low cost. Use this product with confidence!

Dishing Out Design

I've always had a weakness for tableware, and not nearly enough houses to accomodate my addiction. It is a curse of Decorator's, to be able to love so many different styles, as to delve into and love our client's desires and wishes as we would our own, and yet to never have enough spaces to see them into fruition. This green and blue coastal design concept wouldn't be as fresh without these perfect jadite dishes to live with! I rarely get asked to stock a client's kitchen with appropriate tableware, and I often wonder what happens to this final detail, after I leave the scene.

And why do we display china that we are afraid to touch and will never use? Use it, I say, if you love it. If you hate it, don't get caught in 'Hand-Me-Down Hell'. I've always said, "just because it's free, doesn't mean it's right". The dishes that you purchase can greatly enhance your home's decor. They won't be in the cabinets all the time...

Ode to the old-fashioned pantry.

Ah, to have a walk-in pantry. I get asked for them all the time from clients who are renovating their kitchens. In my latest project for a family of five, I am putting a chalkboard door on it, similar to the one pictured here, with a space for three little girls to draw while their mother cooks.

Notice how the dishes, which are obviously functional, are also a part of the overall design concept here. Think about this when buying your dishes and flatware. How will they compliment the overall look of your home when you are entertaining? When all of these pieces are coordinated with the color palette of your home, the dishes are not an eye-sore when left out anymore. You are free to enjoy your own party now!

Store Bought Curtains 101

Here's the scoop:

• Don't buy tab-top curtains. They are less full looking than the others.
• Buy curtains with a white lining or backing. This will help them keep an even looking color when the sunlight shines through the window, and also look much better from the outside of your house.
• If you are actually using the curtains for light control, try to layer them if budget allows. Meaning, buy hardware with double rods, and put sheers behind the decorative panels. This will give you the ability to use the sheers for soft light during the day and privacy with the thicker panels at night.
• Unless you are going modern, buy the thickest rods available. This will give your window a more professionally done apprearance and they will become a great design feature in the room. Make sure that the panels that you buy will slide over the rod, unless you are using sliding drapery rings.
• If you are still unsure of what colors and types of panels to buy, call a Decorator for a consultation to direct you of what to purchase. It will save you time and money!