Decorating for Busy People

Welcome Spring! One of the best things about springtime is the abundance of fresh flowers at local markets and grocery stores. Why not treat yourself to some fresh bursts of color (and fragrance, depending on the bloom) the next time you’re out shopping. Here are 4 tips to make the most of any fresh cut flowers.

1. Buy in bulk. Look for spring blooms such as daffodils and tulips sold in bunches without the frills of filler such as baby’s breath or ferns. Many times, these “grower’s bunches” are lower in price since there’s less processing involved. Buy as many as your spending plan allows and, if possible, display the bulk of the flowers together. One of the prettiest, and easiest, Easter centerpieces I ever had was 3 dozen yellow tulips in a glazed Wedgewood reverse Jasperware vase. It was simple, yet breathtaking.

2. Keep it clean. No matter how many stems you’re displaying, the container in which they’re kept must be scrupulously clean to help keep bacteria at bay, which in turns keeps the flowers fresher longer. I keep a small bottle of bleach under the kitchen sink and wash each vase after use, so it’s ready for the next bunch of flowers.  Fill the vase with a hot water and add a couple tablespoons of bleach. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it with a paper towel (or a washcloth that is bleach-resistant). Use a small bottle brush to get any grunge out of corners or crevices and rinse with hot water. If it’s a clear vase, check for any ring of crusty residue where the water line was; if so, a cloth moistened with white vinegar will clean it right off. Then, dry crystal or clear glass vases with a linen cloth to ensure a lint-free sparkle.

3. Cut them fresh. Fresh flowers must be re-cut when you get them home. This helps the stem take in water, keeping the bloom fresher longer. Cut the stem at an angle with scissors, or, if it’s a woody stem like lilac, smash the end of the stem with a small hammer (on a protected, suitable surface, of course).

4. Spread the love. Because you bought in bulk, there’s plenty of flowers to go around! Add a couple of stems to a bud vase on a night table or bathroom vanity for a pop of color. (You’ll still have plenty to display together for that “wow” factor in #1.) I have a small green vase of on my desk, so every time I bring home a bouquet it gets a new resident for a few days. It makes me happy to see flowers while I work.

Where could you use a little pick-me-up in your home? Add some flowers and see what it does for your mood.

One of the places I find inspiration for my home decorating projects is a hotel or other public place that has been designed by a pro.  This weekend I attended a conference at the Sheraton Gateway in Los Angeles.

The lobby is a striking blend of black, white and gray with pops of red and modern chrome chandeliers. But my biggest takeaway from this lobby is the wall behind the check in desk where two long picture rails hold a variety of photos, drawings and prints. How versatile is that? The images are all different but it works. The frames are all different but they coordinate.

Here’s what makes this display work for me, and how to translate it for your home.

Quantity. There are a lot of images here which makes the display interesting without being distracting. Take it home: choose a long

The left end ...

wall and use plenty of pictures! Find picture ledges that can be butted up against each other to create one long ledge (West Elm and Crate and Barrel both have a couple of styles that could work) or have a handyman install a custom ledge.

Relative uniformity of size and shape. Notice that it’s not a jumble of large and small but most of the images are roughly the same size. To keep it interesting there are still some landscape and portrait orientations.

A strong background. The back wall is a solid dark color to make the art pop. Take it home: paint your wall or a large rectangle behind your ledges to make the wall even more of a feature in the room.

Harmonious color story. Most of the images are black and white with a few colorful images mixed in for interest. But even the color images are a limited mix of blues and reds to coordinate with the overall design of the space. Take it home: pick your palette carefully; convert color images to black and white and courageously mix family photos with pop art prints, maps and commercial photos.

... the right end (in all, it's about 30 feet long!)

Simple framing. Although the frames vary in style – some are plain, modern profiles and others are slightly ornate – again the palette is simple. Most are black, a few are cream, and washes of silver and a few touches of gold keep the look from being a jumbled mess. Also note the frequent use of wide white mats or images with a white background. Take it home: look at the frames you already have, and perhaps some you aren’t using right now. If they vary too widely in color, consider re-purposing them with a good spray paint to achieve a more coordinated look.

This is a great solution for creating a family gallery, collecting years of vacation photos, or simply displaying a variety of images that you love and find inspiring.  For the holidays or special occasions, change out a few of the images to keep the look fresh and new.

Last week I went shopping at my local home improvement center to replace one of the light bulbs in my kitchen. Wow was I surprised! Not only could I not find the same bulb that I’ve been buying for about 10 years, I didn’t recognize some of the more alien-looking bulbs, and the labels were in another language completely. All I wanted was a 75W floodlight!

I was dazed, confused and utterly frustrated by the new world of light bulbs and determined to figure out what the heck is going on, not only to help myself, but to help other consumers from needlessly going crazy in the light bulb aisle.

Here’s what I found: in 2007, Congress passed a law that created new standards for light bulbs based on the amount of light produced for energy consumed—standards which traditional incandescent bulbs are unable to meet. The law requires all light bulbs to use 30 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The phase-out started with 100-watt bulbs beginning in January 2012 and will end with 40-watt bulbs sold starting in January 2014. In conjunction with the new law, the Federal Trade Commission issued a new rule for the labeling of light bulbs, which resulted in a new look beginning in January 2012.

In short, the light bulbs you’ve been buying for decades will no longer be manufactured or sold. In their place are newer, more efficient light bulbs that generally fall into three categories:

Energy Saving Incandescents — about 25% energy savings

These look the most like “old fashioned” light bulbs. Energy-saving, or halogen, incandescents have a capsule inside that holds gas around a filament to increase bulb efficiency. This type of incandescent bulb is about 25 precent more efficient and can last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They are available in a wide range of shapes and colors, and can be used with dimmers.

CFLs — about 75% energy savings

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are simply curly versions of the long tube fluorescent lights you may already have in a kitchen or garage. New CFL bulbs are available in a range of light colors, including warm (white to yellow) tones that were not as available when first introduced. Some are encased in a cover to further diffuse the light and provide a similar shape to the bulbs you are replacing. If you are looking for a dimmable bulb, check the package to make sure you purchase a CFL with that feature. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, and they should always be recycled at the end of their lifespan. Many retailers recycle CFLs for free. See www.epa.gov/cfl for more information.

LEDs — about 75% – 80% energy savings

The light emitting diode (LED) is one of today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly developing technologies. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only 20% – 25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace. LED bulbs are currently available in many products such as replacements for 40W, 60W, and 75W traditional incandescents, reflector bulbs often used in recessed fixtures, and small track lights.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, while the initial price of the newer light bulbs is typically higher than the inefficient incandescent bulbs you are replacing, you’ll spend less each year to operate them. Most CFLs pay for themselves with the energy they save in less than nine months.

Average consumers will spend about $4.80 to operate a traditional incandescent bulb for a year (electricity cost). By comparison, average consumers will spend about $1.00 to operate an ENERGY STAR LED bulb, about $3.50 on a halogen incandescent bulb, and about $1.20 on an ENERGY STAR CFL bulb — each that produces about the same amount of light. (Costs based on 60W replacement, 2 hours/day usage; local utility rates and charges vary.)

Note: There are many types of incandescent bulbs that are exempt from this law, such as specialty bulbs for appliances, candelabras, globes and 3-way bulbs. Those will still be available as traditional incandescents.

Reading the New Labels

The first thing you may notice when shopping for bulbs is that the terms “watts” is gone. In its place, we are shopping based on “lumens.” Lumens measure how much light the bulb produces, how bright it is. More lumens means it’s a brighter light; fewer lumens means it’s a dimmer light. What you will not see is any kind of conversion from traditional incandescent watts to lumens, so here is a reference guide to convert what you’re replacing to the new lingo:

100W incandescent bulb = about 1600 lumens
75Wincandescent bulb = about 1100 lumens
60W incandescent bulb = about 800 lumens
40W incandescent bulb = about 450 lumens

The label on the front of the package emphasizes the bulb’s brightness as measured in lumens, rather than a measurement of watts. The new front-of-package labels also include the estimated yearly energy cost for the particular type of bulb.

At first I was confused by the new measurements, but with all the different technologies now available, using “lumens” creates a standard that is technology-neutral. See, “watts” measured the amount of energy a bulb used, not the strength of the light it produced. So a consumer looking at a CFL with a “12W” label might think the bulb would be dim, when really it just uses much less energy.

The back of each package of light bulbs now have a “Lighting Facts” label modeled after the “Nutrition Facts” label that is currently on food packages. The Lighting Facts label provides information about:

• brightness;
• energy cost;
• the bulb’s life expectancy;
• light appearance (for example, if the bulb provides “warm” or “cool” light);
• wattage (the amount of energy the bulb uses); and
• whether the bulb contains mercury.

The other thing that has changed is the description of the color of light, which can be important in a room’s design and use. One of the biggest complaints about CFL bulbs has been the color or quality of the light begin too harsh and blinding. If you were used to buying “soft white” incandescent bulbs, you will no longer find that term on the new packaging. In its place is an indication of the temperature of the light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K) (which sounds vaguely familiar from a high school science class).

While most energy efficient bulbs now come in “warm” colors to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, you can also choose “cooler” colors with whiter and bluish hues for reading and task lighting.

For warmer color (formerly soft white) look for 2700–3000K, 3500–4100K gives a bright white light and 5000–6500K is bluer and most like daylight.

For more information, go to www.energysavers.gov/lighting. The site includes  Frequently Asked Questions addressing topics such as lighting choices, the new law standards, lumens and mercury.

As Nature wakes up from her winter slumber, little signs of spring are all around: tiny buds dotting the trees, early spring flowers already blooming, and birds are singing again. It feels like we start to wake up a bit, too, doesn’t it? That’s why I love adding some green touches to my home this time of year. A sage tablecloth on the kitchen table, a green runner on a cabinet and spring green hand towels are just a few ways to bring the color of nature – the color of renewal – inside. Here are a few more:

• Add a pop of green to your sofa with a textured linen pillow cover in Sprout. (Pottery Barn, $25)

• Fill a clear candle holder with an inch or two of green split peas and nestle in a white or ivory candle.

• Layer river rock and reindeer moss in a clear vase; top with a candle or leave as is.

• Place dried or artificial artichokes, or lifelike pears or apples, in a wire basket on the coffee table.

It’s official: My powder room is tired. It needs help! So, armed with a chunk of the balance from my “house account” and lots of ideas from magazines and catalogs, I’m embarking on a decorating project that I’ll share with the world. All of my decisions, from paint color to hand towels, will be opened up. Along the way, I’ll bring you how-to’s (like how to remove wallpaper border) and share the ups and downs of the process. It should be fun!

My goal is to have the room completed by the end of the month, February 29. My decorating process follows my POPS system:

Plan

Organize

Prioritize

Schedule.

The first piece is planning and tomorrow I’ll post my decorating plan, including tips on figuring out what I call the 4 F’s: function, flow, feel and finances.  For now, here are some “before” photos. Hopefully in exactly 28 days I’ll be posting some smokin’ “after” shots!

One of the best ways to get inspired to decorate for the holidays is by visiting high-end hotels. These hotels have professional decorators — sometimes even a staff of decorators in-house — that come up with exquisite decorations all year ’round, but especially at the holidays. You can just stop by to see the decorations, or treat yourself to lunch or cup of coffee or a cocktail while you’re there.

Recently I visited the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn just outside of San Diego, California. I was particularly inspired by a sideboard in an outdoor loggia as well as a mantle tucked away off the lobby.

There are three basic elements to this sideboard arrangement: a simple lighted garland, candle lanterns and icicle trees. The composition is very symmetrical, which is calming to the eye. The garland is composed of fresh cutting from various evergreens, and it’s fairly loose. Note that individual cuttings are tucked between the lanterns to tie in the tabletop surface with the garland framing the mirror.

Next, three identical lanterns are placed on the sideboard. (Note: When shopping for accessories, buy in multiples if the price is right.) Flanking the lanterns are two small artificial trees made of icy-looking branches. It’s a little hard to see in the photo, but individual branches in the same icy motif were tucked here and there in the garland, again to reinforce the theme and take it all the way around the mirror. This is a great tip: take one element and repeat it around the vignette (or the room).

One of the most challenging places to decorate for the holidays is the mantle. This simple arrangement is again quite symmetrical and demonstrates a strong decorating theme: using a pyramid shape.

In the center of the arrangement is the star, the pinnacle of the pyramid. (Hint: Use a removable Command® brand hook to hang a temporary decorative element over your fireplace.) Next, a garland (fuller than the one in the last photo) is laid on the mantle surface, wrapped in miniature lights.  This mantle shows a good use for a small collection of nutcrackers. Bringing a collection to one place helps give it more presence, rather than scattering them around the room. Notice how the nutcrackers are arranged with the two smaller ones on the inside and larger on the ends. This helps create height and completes the pyramid effect. A few large gold ball ornaments bring some sparkle to the arrangement.

Adjacent to the fireplace are two L-shaped banquettes. For the holidays, the hotel changed out a few toss pillows to a holiday motif. A few solid red and green pillows mix with lively prints. To save storage space, look for pillow covers that can go over your everyday pillows.

If you incorporate any of these professional secrets — symmetry, repetition, natural elements, light and a little sparkle — into your holiday decorating, you’ll be on your way to a spectacular holiday home!

The holidays are here! Do you have a home project list that you haven’t quite had the time to tackle this year? Never fear; there is still time to spruce up your home with small changes that have a big impact before you welcome holiday guests. Here are eight home improvement and decorating projects that nearly anyone can do with as little as $20 and some time – and many of these projects take less than an hour!

1. Paint the trim. Crisp white trim can make old dingy walls look like new. Paint the baseboards, door casings and doors in a room or two to start. I like bright, pure white in a semigloss finish. Apply with an angled trim brush for easy perfection. (Cost: about $20-25 for a gallon of paint.)

2. Paint a feature wall. If you don’t have time to paint an entire room, choose a feature wall and paint it a contrasting color. Be sure to tape off the adjacent walls with blue painter’s tape. If you have touch-up paint in the matching color of the adjacent walls, paint along the edge of the tape with the matching color first. This will fill in any places where paint can seep in along the tape. Allow that to dry and then paint the chosen wall with the feature color. When you pull back the tape, the edge between the new color and the adjacent walls will be nice and crisp. (Cost: about $15 for a quart of paint.)

3. Change the lighting. Lighting can make or break a room. Is there an outdated fixture you’ve been itching to change? Now is a great time to make that happen; be sure to check out energy efficient halogen and LED fixtures, or use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of standard “A” type bulbs. (Cost: depends on the fixture; $40 and up.)

4. Tweak the lighting. Don’t have the skills to change a ceiling fixture? How about changing a lamp shade in the living room or guest room? Be sure to take measurements of the existing shade and note how the shade is attached to the lamp (i.e., does the shade attach to a harp or does it fit over the socket?) or bring the shade with you to the lighting store or home improvement store. (Cost: $10 and up depending on size and material.)

Before

5.  Recover your chairs. Chairs with padded seats are usually pretty easy to change. Turn over the chair and look for 2 to 4 screws holding the seat onto the frame.  If that’s the case for your chairs, updating the fabric is a snap and the holiday look can be removed by simply removing a few staples. In the picture, I used scraps and fabric samples to create a patchwork effect, but it’s easy to use fabric straight off the bolt. See below for step-by-step instructions.

After

6.  Change the shower head. Whether it’s a stress-reliever for you or a bit of luxury for your guests, a new shower head can do wonders! And it’s easier than you think! Look for new water-efficient models with multiple spray effects that install without any special tools or supplies needed. (Cost: $20 and up)

7. Paint the front door. Your front entry way sets the tone for your entire home. If the front door is cracked, peeling or just plain faded, it may be time to repaint. While you’re at it, consider changing up the color (be sure to check with any HOA rules beforehand). I recently changed my front door from a faded gray-green to a deep, luscious chocolate brown and it really revved up the look of the entire house! Tell the sales staff at your local paint store or hardware store that you’re painting the front door and ask for a high-grade exterior-rated paint that won’t fade. (Cost: $25 to $30 for a gallon of paint.)

8. Replace (or add) cabinet door knobs and drawer pulls. Never underestimate the power of small changes. When I was staging my mom’s home for sale, I traded out antique brass door pulls in the kitchen with simple brushed nickel knobs to coordinate with an inexpensive brushed nickel chandelier that I had installed in lieu of a brass one over the kitchen table. I didn’t change the hinges or the pantry door knobs. In other words, all the metals in the room didn’t match – and it didn’t matter! The buyer loved the updated look of the kitchen, and I think it’s because the door knobs and light fixture had such a big impact. When replacing existing knobs and pulls, be sure to measure between the holes (or take a pull with you) and find replacements of the same size. (Cost: depends on the number of cabinet and cost of the pulls.)

How to recover a padded chair seat

Supplies:

• Fabric of your choice
• Screwdriver or Allen wrench
• Staple gun with 1/2 inch staples

1. Turn the chair over and if possible, place it on a table or work bench. Locate the screws on the underside of the chair that hold the

Look under your chair for screws holding the seat in place.

seat in place. In the photo, my chairs have 2 screws; many chairs use 4 screws in the corners. (Hint: Make sure not to remove the bolts that hold the frame together!) Remove the screws and remove the seat from the frame.

2. Measure the seat, both length and width. Add at least 5 inches to each measurement. This gives you enough materials to wrap around the bottom of the seat. If the seat is more than 1 to 2 inches high, add a couple more inches. This is your finished size. In the example, my seats were almost 16 inches square, so my finished size was about 21 inches.

3. Cut the fabric to size. When shopping for fabric, look for upholstery-grade fabrics, and if you’re covering a seat with a dark fabric or obvious print, be sure to pick an opaque fabric that will hide what’s underneath.

4. Place the fabric on a flat, sturdy surface with the “right” side down. Place the padded side of the seat on top of the fabric. Starting with the center of one side, pull the fabric taut over the edge of the seat and secure with a staple. Now do the same for the opposite side. Continue wrapping and stapling the fabric, making sure to pull it nice and tight (without ripping it). Complete one side, then work on the opposite side. On the third side, place one staple in the center, pulling the fabric taut. Then repeat on the opposite side again the center. Now continue wrapping and stapling these remaining two sides. Wrap the corners just like you would a gift package.

5. When the fabric is securely attached, replace the seat onto the frame and replace the screws to attach the seat firmly back into place. If you want to return to your everyday fabric after the holidays, simply remove the seat and take out the staples. (Tip: A flat head screwdriver makes it easier to lift the staples enough to pull them out with a pair of pliers.)

It’s March and in some parts of the country Spring is being to spring up around us with bits of green beginning to reach up through the cold earth. March also brings the greenest holiday of the year with St. Patrick’s Day on the 17^th. Although the color green is associated with St. Patrick’s Day, it can be a wonderful addition to your home all year long.

Green is known for a calming effect, reminding us of nature and the joy of being outside on a beautiful day. It represents tranquility, good luck, wealth, health and jealousy. And if you’ve ever wondered why we get “green with envy” it’s because Shakespeare called Jealousy the “green eyed monster” in Othello. He no doubt borrowed from the ancient Greeks who believed that jealousy brought on an overproduction of bile which caused a green pallor in the skin.

In Medieval times, green represented fertility: the popular choice for wedding gowns was reportedly green. Green can improve reading ability and eyesight, so try it in a library or child’s room. It can relieve stress and promote tranquility, which sounds like a perfect solution for a master bathroom. Ever wonder why spas are so often decorated in shades of green?

From a full room re-do to an inexpensive plant, bringing more green into your life is a breeze. If the emerald or Kelly green of St. Pat’s is too bold for you, try a more soothing shade such as sage or jade. Since green lies between yellow and blue on the color wheel, a variety of shades are available from warmer yellow-greens to deep, rich blue-green. It’s always a popular decorating color so if you find yourself wanting to “spruce” up a room this spring, think green!

Here are some easy and economical ways to do it:

• Go through your Christmas accessories and see if anything can be repurposed. Table runners, votive cups, vases, glassware … instead of packing it all away, keep out a few pieces for the spring and summer. You might be amazed that mixing a “Christmas” green votive cup with yellows and blues instead of red will look totally different. Avoid items with obvious Christmas decorations.
  

  Green tealight holders, normally used at Christmas, complement Irish porcelain vases.

• Mix in a few fluffy pale green towels in the bathroom.
• Add a fresh plant to any room. Be sure to read the sun preferences on the information spike in the plant. If, like me, you have trouble keeping houseplants alive, invest in an Aquaglobe. I’ve had much success with these marvelous inventions. In a pinch, use a good quality silk plant.
• Pop a couple of green pillows on a neutral sofa or bed to liven it up for spring. Add a coordinating lightweight throw to keep you warm all year long.
  

  A green pillow cover adds just the right accent for spring.

• Wash and save green jars and bottles. Display them in a window and fill with Gerber daisies.
• Paint a feature wall. Green goes so well with many colors, so why not add it to any room of the house? Be sure to get swatches from the paint store and tape those up; look at them in a variety of light. In my experience, green has the most tendency to change dramatically from the paint chip in the store to the wall in the house, so when you’ve narrowed your choices to two or three, buy a small sample pot and paint a test swatch.
• Create an art display. Purchase four 8×10 canvases and four coordinating shades of green craft paint. Paint each canvas a different color with two good coats and allow to dry thoroughly. Then paint an image or geometric shape in one of the other colors, so each canvas uses two colors. Try a fern stencil and repeat the image on each canvas using a different color on each one. Each will be unique yet coordinate well together. Hang in a row on a long wall or two by two in a smaller space.

With one or more of these easy fixes, your neighbors and friends will no doubt be green with envy!

Welcome to the Decorating for Busy People blog! So, exactly who am I and why do I think I can advise busy people on decorating their homes?

Let’s start with who I am not. I am NOT a professional decorator or an interior designer. The advice offered on this blog is based solely on my personal experience and is offered as a source of entertainment and inspiration. I’ll share what’s worked for me over the years in making my house a home, and if the same ideas and techniques work for you, great. If not … well, like I said, I’m not a pro. (Please see the Terms of Use on the main page, www.smartsolutionsforbusypeople.com for more of the legal disclaimer-y stuff.)

I am, however, a very busy person. I’m an attorney, speaker, author, blogger, friend, relative, coworker, volunteer and general citizen of the world. I’ve owned three homes and lived in two apartments, and in each place I created a personal, unique space to call home.  Over the years, I’ve developed a personal system for decorating success that I will share with you as the blog progresses. Basically, I break down the sometimes daunting task of tackling an entire room into smaller, more manageable projects that fit easily into a busy schedule and a tight budget. The results usually bring the response, “You did this?” from my family and friends.

I currently live in a 2,600 square foot home where I’ve been for more than 8 years. Honestly, I just unpacked the last box a few weeks ago. My house is definitely a work in progress, and on this blog I’ll share with you my efforts to transform the last few rooms that need some attention: the guest bath, the guest room and the dining room. Along the way, I’ll pepper in some everyday advice for seasonal decorating, let you in on a few designer secrets, show you how to your own home accessories and more.

So please join me and find out how busy people can make their homes the warm, inviting places they’ve always wanted. If you ever have any questions about a project or decorating in general, please feel free to ask them in the commentary section!