Picking the Right White

It's time to pick your trim color and you know you want to go white, but you get to the paint store and what was suppose to be a quick trip to the paint store becomes an overwhelming decision as you wonder.... WHICH WHITE do I choose?

The following 6 examples are just one of many to choose from at Benjamin Moore and then you have just as many at Sherwin Williams to name 2 of my favorite paints.   See the colors below?  ALL of them are classified as white, so it's important to choose carefully by the color - not the name!

Tip #1 - pick your white with the other colors you are painting because it will influence the color of white.

Tip #2 - If white is your main color, keep your inspiration close at hand to get your pallet started.

Tip #3 - ALWAYS get a small sample and try it out in the room before committing to any color.



Do you have a favorite white?  How did you pick just the right shade?

A Vacation View

It is Monday morning and I am sitting in a most peaceful place preparing to head home from a wonderful weekend get away with my niece.  She will be headed for college in a few short months and I am thankful for the time to spend with her before the craziness of preparation starts.

So what does this have to do with interior design?  Maybe nothing, but in a way everything... having a sense of place that we can relax and do nothing but enjoy being together - that's what home (or home away from home) should be.  And that's exactly what this weekend has been.

This morning's view of the lake (I've taken this picture the last 4 days and yes, today's does look different!) - it was calm and peaceful when I took this but I'm expecting a ski boat to rush in at any minute.  Guess it's time to pack up and head back to work.

What is it that makes your house more than a structure but a home?  Does it give you a sense of belonging and being?

A Southern Porch in the Pacific Northwest!

There is nothing better than a summer evening on the porch or as we're experiencing today, a summer thunderstorm!  This southern inspired porch here in the Pacific Northwest got a little facelift just in time to enjoy it all summer long - rain or shine!

It started with a little sanding and stain... a new darker color!

A little paint to give this old oak rocker a fun new life...

 

 

A new porch swing and some new cushions...

Now all it needs is a group of friends to fill the seats!

What would be included in your dream porch?

5 do's and don't's for displaying collections

At a loss for how to display your small collectibles?  Here are a few tips to make sure that they are cared for and don't get lost among your other décor.

1) Do group them together so that they are seen as a group.  This allows for several things to be seen together as one accessory making more of a visual impact.  This also encourages someone to come closer and see each individual item in the collection.

2) Don't be afraid to put out only a few and rotate them - especially if it's a lifelong collection.  It will be like seeing them new all over again when you make the switch.

3) Do allow for a little space around your grouping so that each piece is easy to see, and clean.  Think about how much space is in the spot you are using and put out only the number that will easily fit.

4) Don't allow the items to "spill over" into other areas - keep them confined to a display cabinet, shelf or table.

5) Do feel free to purge your collection from time to time.... is something broken?  Be ok with tossing that piece to make room for a new collectible.

There are some exceptions - large items or books that have been collected over time, may require a few different rules.  We'll tackle those on another day!

Me... a country girl??

There's just something about summer that makes me want to forget interiors and head outside - ya I know how can that be!?!

I grew up in the country... sort of.  It's a community about 25 miles east of Seattle and back then it really was "out there".  Today it's grown into more of a suburb, but that doesn't keep many from trying to make it the country again.   I love being back here, backyard chickens and vegetable gardens abound.

While I love the fresh eggs, I'm not quite sure I'm ready for raising chickens, but I have tried to get back into the gardening I remember from my childhood.  I took a class, I bought some plants and now....

I have tomatoes - and they are starting to get ripe!

Six plants have tomatoes and we've had 2 ripe from our sweet 100's plant.  I'm feeling like pioneer woman these days... Here are a few pictures I captured of my crops!

 

Roma tomatoes

Sweet 100's

it's an heirloom, can't remember the name

These are not tomatoes, they are blueberry bushes that are ready for pancakes, pies and who knows what else... that is IF I  can get them picked before the birds get them all.  Those birds have figured out how to get under the net and are loving it!

Also in my small offering are peas (only one plant and not enough for more than a few at a time - oops!), squash, cucumbers, beets and chard.  Between mom and I, we are trying to keep it all watered and anxiously await a meal where we can both partake of some of our crops at one time.

Oh well, there's always next year!

Neighborhood Highlight...

I love running through my small town... seeing the same old couple on their morning walk, the smell of bacon on Saturday mornings and watching many of the small houses being renovated or restored to be even better than what they once were.

This week's neighborhood highlight is the view of one of my very favorites not too far from me.  They started their first project a couple of years ago - the garden.  I love this well organized small garden and adjoining chicken coop - it's very eclectic and full of whimsy and color.  The building to the side is the addition to the house that is a garage below and living space above that was completed last year.  So full of character.

This year they updated the fence in the back to include corrugated and galvanized tin in the frame and it brings a bit of an urban feel to our little town.  The original part of the house is starting to get it's update and I can't wait to see how the finished project will turn out!

Shades of the Sea

The Coastal style can be soft and full of muted colors or clean, crisp with lot's of white and nautical brights, such as navy or red.  Either way you go, it's a happy, relaxing feel that can give you the feeling that you are on vacation in your own home!

To get started just get your inspiration and have fun with color and relaxed style.  This photo was shared (and used by permission) by a client who is hoping to bring the coast she loves into her inland home.  This is a pretty good inspiration - huh?

From this one photo, there are different colors you can draw from... pink and blue not your thing?  Go for the deep sea green/blue or the soft greys.  Once you have that bit of inspiration you can start pulling in pieces of furniture that take you back to your happy place.



Bramble Display Hutch



 

Slipcovered sofa

And a pop of wonderful color....

What takes you to your happy place?