13 Reasons Why I Love Transitional Decor Style – Part I

I know exactly when it happened: a hot summer day in August 1998. That particular day I had experienced a three-hour long hot commute from DC to my town home in Northern Virginia. A car and truck accident had occurred on Interstate 95.

When I finally walked in the door to my home, my eyes fell on a jewel-toned burgundy and royal blue flowery sofa and two low-sitting burgundy slipper chairs. In the adjoining dinning room, a highly polished dark cherry Queene Anne dining table with shapely cabriole legs and matching chairs shinned back at me.

The misery of that long hot commute intensified in my blood and I felt old and tired. Thus, began a five-year road-winding decorating project. It covered browsing and reading countless magazines and books on decorating filled with glossy-page examples of decor styles written in adjective laden language; and even more countless hours of online searches. I had made frequent and periodic trips to one furniture store after another; and fabric and home decor stores.

Have you been on that road? I had a huge yard sale, moved to a single family home and simply started over. Okay, that was a bit extreme! But haven’t you ever felt that way: get rid of your furniture and start over? I later retired and have now downsized–yep, downsized–to an apartment with plans to push my transitional style even more. That’s why I’m here to tell you the reason I love transitional decor style.

Traditional + Contemporary = Transitional

In the transitional style, you get the best of both design worlds.

Did you think transitional style was boring? Did you read the article on (it will remain nameless) that stated twice, transitional style is a lack of color!

1. COLOR

Regardless of what style you love, I suggest when you see the style, color is the first thing that strikes you–even if experienced subconsciously.

Warm neutral colors (and these are legitimate colors) are used abundantly in the transitional style; that is, primarily creme, taupe, khaki and grey. Black and dark brown, such as espresso are fabulous for punching in a contrasting accent color. And this is true if you want to add some other color, such as the yellow found in that stylish bedroom above. Contrary to what was stated in that nameless article, neutral colors are not entirely without “color” but carry an undertone or hue of another color. Creme has a yellow hue. Taupe has a brown or gray shade, depending upon the amount of black pigmentation.

A traditional palette includes those colors, as well as beige and tan. Deeper colors of red, green and blue are also found in the traditional. While, contemporary includes an abundance of white and a more monochromatic scheme.

Neutral colors make us feel relaxed. Need I say more.

Transitional Dining Room by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Terrat Elms Interior Design

2. STRONG LINES AND SOFT CURVES

Lines are cleanly defined but where curved, the shape is soft and rounded like “simple silhouettes.”

Transitional Harrison Loveseat from Williams-Sonoma

Dear heaven, I do so love the cool, sophisticated grey and blue in this next room. Can you just see yourself sinking into that velvet sofa and forgetting about the world? I can. Just give me a book too. Warmth in the room is captured in the red of the carpet and draperies. Yellow is a happy color and its rich hue stands out in the lamps. There’s lots of interest to capture your attention in the wall gallery and the tulips(?) simply seals the deal for making this a stylish and comforting setting.

Transitional Living Room by London Interior Designers & Decorators Turner Pocock

From Williams-Sonoma, a traditional sofa called Bedford.

The image above shows an updated traditional sofa. Note how the curved lines are more defined and the more plumpness of the seat cushions.

3. FURNITURE DESIGNS HAVE CLEAN LINES

With the exception of the last photo, as you can see from the examples above, transitional style incorporates “strong furniture; clean-lined pieces that have a sculptural air.” You see that particularly in the example seatings and in the shapes of the cocktail and side tables below. Both are contemporary pieces.

Note the mix of materials (wood and metal) found in the cocktail table. The side table is a beautifully hammered brass. Remember, transitional combines traditional and contemporary. So please don’t confuse contemporary with transitional. They are different although you will almost certainly read about them as being synonymous. They’re not.

4. VARIETY OF MATERIAL FINISHES

Again, as shown above, transitional brings together various types of materials found in both traditional and contemporary designs. This would include an array of woods, such as walnut, cherry, mahogany and oak from the traditional style to chrome, steel, lacquer, glass, plastic and tile found in the contemporary style. When combined, the warmth of the woods juxtaposes with the sleek, elegant appeal of glass and metal.

The excitement now found in plastic or rather polyurethane is fabulously interpreted in translucent furniture pieces. See my post on Designs That Fascinate: Translucent Furniture.

5. CLEAN WALLS BUT NOT NECESSARILY BORING WALLS

It’s been suggested that a bank of art on a wall does not fall within the transitional style. The image below contradicts that rule. Tastefully done, and rules are often bent in such designs, a bank of art on the wall is stunning–and quite acceptable.

Transitional Living Room by Brentwood Interior Designers & Decorators Maven + Maison Interiors

I love the presentation of one dramatic, stunning work of art on a wall. It certainly meets the overall principle in transitional style that less is more.

Transitional Spaces by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators Amy Guess, Allied ASID

6. SIMPLE FLOORING

Transitional flooring follows the general color scheme of the room in selections of “natural woods, stone, tile, carpeting and more.” Warmth and textural, however, adds additional interest.

As for me, I go straight to the hardwood and sisal department!! While I do love oriental rugs, especially the antique ones or even a carpet piece, I’m happier with the layered look of medium to dark hardwood floor, a neutral taupe or beige sisal area rug, topped with a smaller white flokati rug. Attention to this color palette and texture combination gives an air of elegance, glamour and softness.

There are seven more reasons why I love the transitional style and I will share them with you in Part 2.

In the meantime, I would love to hear what is your style. Oh, please do share!! Even if you are shy, you can let me know if you found the post useful and informational with a like right here.

Sources for this post came from my 14 years of experience on the path to a transitional decor style and several articles and references:

Three excellent articles written by Lisa Federick: So Your Style is Traditional ; So Your Style is Contemporary ; and So Your Style is Transitional
Wikipedia: Modern Furniture
HGTV Transitional Style 101
Home Decorators What’s Your Style?

To discover the remaining reasons, see my post Part II 13 Reasons Why I Love Transitional Style.

17 Christmas Wishes For You

(Lyrics are from A Celebration of Christmas, track #15)

May each day

May each day in the week be a good day
May the Lord always watch over you
and may all of your hopes turn to wishes
and may all of your wishes come true.
May each day in the month be a good day
May you make friends with each one you meet
and may all of your day dreams be mem’ries
and may all of your mem’ries be sweet.

The weeks turn to months
and the months into years.
There’ll be sadness and joy.
There’ll be laughter and tears.
But one thing I pray to heaven above:

may each of your days be a day full of love.

May each day in the year be a good day.
May each dawn find you happy and gay
and may all of your days be as lovely
as the one[s] you[‘ve] shared with me . . .

May each day in your life be a good day and good night.

I never tire of this CD. Every song is beautiful, filling my heart with

peace and
love

I wish you a Very Merry, Merry Christmas – and Do Be safe!

my last four wishes for you

Thank you so very much for visiting me here and reading my blog.

11 Make Happy Memories For Your Stay Over Guests

Guests are coming to stay overnight, maybe several nights, for this holiday season. As you create lots of happy memories during their visit, add something a little extra special they can take away for the trip home and always.

Add a surprise in the guest bedroom

Set a bouquet of flowers, large or small, on the bed stand. Be sure to place their name on a card in front of the bouquet letting them the bouquet is theirs.
Add a word or monogram pillow personal to your guest. Make it the accent throw pillow right on the bed.

Word pillow: Annsliee
Bouquet: FTD

Up the hotel style mint on the pillow with a box of peppermint bark. It’s really popular this time of year. I strongly recommend the delicious thin layered William-Sonoma Original Pepperminy Bark. It’s stupendous!

Give something for their home but discovered in yours

A special Christmas CD or some other CD you both love together.
Coffee table book. These can be terribly expensive. However, you can often find them on sale in places such as Amazon.com; Borders; Books-A-Million. Most important here is to find one that would be of special interest to your guest. Place it on your coffee table with a ribbon and a gift tag. Let them find it as a surprise!

Yes . . . there is a coffee table book titled If…, Volume 1 Questions For The Game Of Life, particularly fun for those who have every asked the question “if only.” You can find it on Amazon.com from it’s list of best coffee table books. I had searched on “best” but you may also want to check out “most popular coffee table books.” I’m not more partial to Amazon versus Borders or BAM. I love ’em all, love browsing the shelves, picking a book and having a coffee while I scan the book and decide if I want to purchase it. But for online shopping, I found Amazon had the most extensive list.

Give A Delight From The Kitchen

Love to bake or make your own personal sweet bottle of relishes, jams and marmalade? Be sure to have one to share and one to give to your guest for their return trip home.
Serve your guest’s favorite coffee or tea (or try a new one) during their visit and then give them a gift of that same beverage to take away.
Put together a collection of recipes in a lovely little book from meals you will serve. Make it a gift, ribbons and all.
Send them on their way with their small favorite kitchen gadget, one or more in a collection. Sur La Table, a favorite place of mine, has lots of fun stocking stuffers, such as the Moose Ugly Sweater bottle cover. Get One for yourself and one for your guest.

Extend happy memories of places you visited During Their Stay

Save one of your best group photos, frame it lovely and present it to them as they go out the door or some other appropriate time. Note your frame doesn’t have to be brand new, just beautiful. How about a frame from a consignment or thrift shop, beautifully painted and ready for that special photo.
Create an itinerary of the places you will visit all nicely printed and on the cover of a fun photo album. (Staples, Office Depot, FedEx Office or even a print shop are great places for getting a good print.)

Better yet, for your jet setting visitor, give a gift card from Meshu. What is it? A site where you create an itinerary that corresponds to a geometric form that is then made into jewelry: a pair of earrings, necklace pendant, a ring, even cuff links.

And what’s your favorite surprise gift for overnight guest? Please do tell!

To Inspire: 11 Thanksgiving Centerpieces For Small Dining Tables

What could be more beautiful than a holiday centerpiece on a well dressed table! Did you just say the food, of course? Okay, I’ll give you that one.

But I’m here to inspire you with gorgeous centerpieces that fit on a small dining table. For those of you who will be enjoying a more intimate Thanksgiving meal of two to four people, you will more likely do so on a small table. I love such dining where the food is on a sideboard, a server, an island or even a kitchen counter. These are great areas for displaying larger centerpieces surrounded by fabulous dishes for the different courses. For the small table, many of the larger centerpieces can be created and scaled to fit your table. Or you can opt for smaller centerpieces such as these below.

Ocean Front Shack blog, $5 Centerpiece (see blog for DIY info)

From Better Homes And Garden, comes an excellent DIY on how to create this gorgeous Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece. It makes a fabulous centerpiece. Just be sure to purchase a pumpkin scaled for the size of your small table. One other caution, be careful that it doesn’t upstage your outstanding Thanksgiving menu!

From my small table to yours,

Wishing You A Very Happy Thanksgiving!!

(P.S. My inspired centerpiece turned out to look more like a centerpiece for Christmas! Well, sometimes that’s what happens when walking through the neighborhood and seeing a beautiful weeping holly, called Ilex verticillata Winterberry, show casing its berries! I assure you, by Thanksgiving day I’ll probably replace it with a bouquet of yellow and orange.)

5 Tips I Learned When Decorating A Combined Living And Dining Room

Floor space in many apartments combines living and dining rooms. You also see this layout in homes, especially small homes. I’ve certainly had my share of living in such spaces. The challenge is how to keep these rooms decoratively cohesive. How do you create a decor that is inviting while making the rooms truly functional? Here are 5 tips that I had discovered.

1. Color

Unless you’re inspired to design your space like a Picasso or Jackson Pollock painting, keep your color choices to a minimum. (Guess what? By the end of this post, you’ll see this rule broken–but in good taste.) Select a dominant color and play off that with varying shades, complementary or even contrasting colors.

For example, here the light gray rug and sofa color are dominant. The wall color is the same but in a lighter shade. Warm wood tones in both spaces are like support players in making the rooms visually cohesive.

Pinterest BHG article on how to build a wall divider

Space permitted, as you see above, a wall divider will certainly mark your space. But note too the color of the wall and the flooring gives this divided room color cohesion. Other color elements are also at play here, such as the values of the colors (from contrasting to same intensity). The orange her is a perfect example that you can use strongly contrasting colors.

Let’s look at a couple more:

2. Group Furniture To Define The Space

The images above certainly illustrate this tip. No brainer, right? So group your furniture together but you can break this rule and still create gorgeous rooms–when done with other rules in mind.

The designer for this living and dining room combination maintained the rule to group furniture but placed a sideboard (or server) in the living room sitting area. It’s placed close to the dining room and functionally serves both areas. But note too, it’s wood coloring is the same as the dining table and bare legs for the dining chairs and living room side chairs. Again, the rule for coloring is repeated in the gold light fixtures, drapery rod, and the brass cocktail table.

Modern Living Room by Mississauga Interior Designers & Decorators Jacqueline Glass and Associates

Eclectic Living Room by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Nichole Loiacono Design

3. Carry The Same Style Throughout The Spaces

In the two images above, the rooms are created in the contemporary style, while the room above mixes a bit of glamour and traditional. Still, it maintains a cohesive style by iterating curvy, wavy lines in the white furnishings, wall shelves, and mirror while softening the curves to an oval shape in the cocktail table and sofa. What you don’t want clearly is a kitchen table sharing the same space as your sofa.

4. Clear Space For Good Traffic Flow

You don’t want your guests or even yourself bumping into furniture that blocks traffic, especially when that trip is to the restroom. Nor do you want guests bumping into or stepping on each other. (Okay, so its allowed in college dorms.) Here are some excellent examples of small spaces but with good traffic flow in small spaces:

Houzz.com from Nicole Lanteri, Interior Designer & Decorator (loft living) Houzz.com from Nicole Lanteri, Interior Designer & Decorator (loft living) HGTV vis Fieldstone Hill Design Apartment Therapy Jackie Clair’s Home Tour Houzz via Miller & Wright Architects

5. Light’N Up And Have Fun!!

Even the most serious decor could use a little levity. Life is short. You don’t even have to go crazy about it. A happy paint color, a fun piece of furniture, accessories and paintings will all do the job.

Pinterest Pinterest Pinterest Pinterest via Houzz House Beautiful Pinterest

It’s so exciting to decorate a small space. I’ve often thought it is easier than decorating a large one. These 5 tips are really from my own experiences. And I have had examples of both the not so successful rooms and the successful ones.

What’s been your experience? You can share the faux pas too!! I promise not to laugh:) But please do share. BTW, let me know if you like this post or share with your decorating buddies.

And The Contest Winner Is . . .

“Eyes On Design,” a self described Polyvore Addict. She won first place in the Pillow Talk With Annsliee contest on Polyvore. Her design sets without doubt show an excellent eye for creating beautiful design sets right down to the smallest detail. For the Pillow Talk With Annsliee contest, she entered two sets, the first one listed here is the winning set. Check out the reflection in the mirror!

Polyvore set by Eyes On Design, The Parisian

Eyes On Design Polyvore set called “Southern Charm”

Her selected prize is this soft gray ikat throw pillow:

Eyes On Design has already won 18 trophies for her great design sets. Here are just a few of her fun, gorgeous designs:

The design set above is a first place win. What a lucky dog and kitten. Can’t you just feel the warmth of the blazing fire and orange colors. The snacks are certainly an inviting touch.

How many of us work so hard for an “uncomplicated living”? And finally, the design set below is a fun, sassy submission for a WOW contest. It’s called “A Bizarre, Colorful & Tragic Life.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO EYES ON DESIGN!!

There were many, many more fabulous submissions resulting in 12 winners and 69 design sets from 55 members, making the contest a Polyvore trophy level. I’m just happy I didn’t have to do the judging. That was the daunting task of the two lovely moderators, DebraElizabeth and TruthJC, and creators of the Polyvore group Decor Du Jour . It’s a fairly new group but has already attracted many very talented designers. If you love to design and decorate, love a good challenge this is the group to join. I encourage you to share your creative juices with Decor Du Jour. Love to have you!

Have an interest or question? Talk to me!

And don’t be afraid to show me that you liked this post. Don’t you see the “like” button below!

3 Design Dilemmas You Can Avoid

Yes, there are 3 design dilemmas you CAN avoid:

Style
Color scheme
Space

Know your style

I can’t state this enough, so I’ll state it again. Know your style. On a very popular design site, I recently read through several threads where home owners and apartment renters were asking for suggestions or HELP, PLEASE as one writer had put it. Requesters added multiple photos of their furniture and rooms. Other people chimed in with suggestions. The suggestions were all over the place, from short practical responses to buy new furniture. Some comments were so critical as to border on just bad manners. What struck me was that no one addressed the real issue of style.

If you have a room (home or apartment) that shares two different activities, you don’t mix the styles. Would you eat string beans cooked in ham hocks and a German chocolate cake served to you on one plate? One such example was a gray monstrous sized sectional and a kitchen table both of which shared the same room. Another example was a dining room with dark wood traditional furnishings, a shining industrial style chandelier, a mirror set in a shiny chrome-like frame. These designs were not eclectic, just pieces of furniture and accessories thrown together without benefit of a style to pull them together cohesively. Consequently, the home owners had painted themselves into a corner.

Take the time to know your style. How do you do that? Books, magazines, T.V. shows on home decor and the internet. A lot of information on style is confusing, some inadequate and others outright wrong.

An easy tip:

Select one piece of furniture that you love and just can’t forget. Learn what style it is, read and research all you can about that style. Then proceed to shop “around” for other pieces that fit into that style, including fabrics, colors and accessories. You may find other styles attractive. This doesn’t mean you can’t mix the styles. But do so armed with a knowledge of what distinguishes one style from another. First, however, know your style. Focus on it.

Houzz.com has a great series on several styles. Here are the major ones. If you think your style, “Transitional,” click here:

Know your desired color scheme

That’s a no brainer. Right? So why do people ask what color should I paint the wall, after having bought the furniture. That’s like walking into a grocery store, hungry and wondering what to have for dinner. So you walk out with all sorts of food stuff and you spent more than you had intended. Did you ever get frustrated, walk out of the grocery store, and go to a restaurant where the food is colorfully served, smells great and is nicely organized on the plate?

So what’s your favorite color–and why? What colors do you buy the most? Check your closet, lately? Do the colors of nature turn you on? Or do you prefer the glitter of a disco ball? When you walk into a room, how do you want to feel? Now that you know your style, what colors best represent that style?

Did you know that there are shades and tones in the same color. Even white paint is not white with an under tone. Types of lighting from ceiling to task to natural all influence the colors on your walls and furniture.

Okay, you found a drop dead gorgeous sofa that you don’t want to live without. It is to become your focal point. This may seem unorthodox to you but I suggest, you take a look in your closet for similar colors and what other colors do you pair it with. Too crazy of an idea? Well hop over to Design Seeds.com for color inspirations. You can even build your own color palate. Here are just a couple of examples of how the author presents color schemes:

Other resources would include paint companies, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherman-Williams. Of course, you may have figured out that you could hop over to my page on Inspirations and my category on Decorate With Color.

The point is it just doesn’t make real sense (at least not to me) to ask total strangers for color suggestions over the internet for whom each monitor will inaccurately show the color of your photo–and not consider style.

Know your space

I saw photos of small dining rooms with very dark wood dining tables that could seat six, a sideboard and a curio. One person even said she was going to paint the sideboard a metallic silver. I didn’t but I sure wanted to scream “get rid of the sideboard and the curio.” If your space is that small, better to clear an area on the kitchen counter and set up a gorgeous space where family and guest can serve themselves buffet style. Or roll in a lovely serving tray into the dining room.

Another problem with those rooms was that each piece of furniture crammed into the small space also represented a different style. It’s not easy, especially when you are downsizing, to edit out furniture pieces you love. If you must have it, do so with caution.

Tips for cramming in furniture, if you must:

Consider traffic flow. Can you and your visitors easily move about the room.
Use a minimum of colors. Neutrals but no more than a dash of color will sooth the feeling of claustrophobia
Lay off the shiny stuff. Nothing like a deer in the headlights to make you slam on the brakes.
Introduce texture, 3-4 to give interest and the feeling of comfort
You may not believe this, but even a dramatic dark wall with light colored furniture makes a stunning room
And yes, you can even add large pieces. Here’s one of my favorite:

Calvin's apartment from Apartment Therapy (see my post on Decorate With Neutrals) — Calvin’s apartment from Apartment Therapy (see my post on Decorate With Neutrals)

Why do I like this apartment living room? There’s a lot in it, without a doubt. And there are big pieces too. But notice traffic is clearly defined. You can even get to the window. Strong contrasting colors offer drama but it is balanced with the soft neutral color of gray and grayish blue. Warm colors are added in the rug which plays on the strong dark brown and off white of the zebra picture. Collections are organized.

Wondering why these are my three key tips for avoiding decorating dilemmas? Been there, done that!!! Even if you follow these tips, it doesn’t mean you won’t run into a few bumps. It does mean, your decorating project will have less bumps and you will be able to get back on track more easily.

I could have added a fourth which is to take your time. The last major decorating project I went through lasted for nearly 5 years, with that final year being the most intense. My style taste was changing along with my priorities in what I wanted out of my home and my life–and so it took me longer. Hopefully, that is not the case for you. Just knowing your style will save you time and money–and not find yourself painted in a corner.

Can you add another suggestion on how to avoid a design dilemma? Would love to hear from you! And please do let me know if you like this post!

The Thanksgiving Tablecloth Tradition

The daughter of my most dearest friend has a Thanksgiving tradition: Family members and guests each write on a tablecloth for what they are thankful. They then sign their names and date it. Each year, while diner preparations are being made and folks wander in and out of the kitchen, previous notes are reread. New thankful notes are written.

Children and adults join in on this festive tradition. Of course there is always someone who loves to read the notes out loud–or at least the funniest or tearfully happy giving of thanks. Dinner is served in the formal dining room where the chatter of being thankful continues.

Her Thanksgiving tablecloth, always spread on a kitchen table, is made of cotton and linen and the marker used is waterproof, made for writing on cloth. After the holiday, this tablecloth heirloom is gently washed, pressed and folded, and stored for the next year–and the next generation.

Persia Lou blog for her DIY Thanksgiving tablecloth

Notes: The Thanksgiving tablecloth is sometimes called the gratitude tablecloth. You can use a canvas drop cloth to which you or children can also add paintings. See my post on Inspirations, Tips And Resources For Floor Length Tablecloths. The project can be done with very neat handwriting or stenciled by one person. But I think the best and most personal are those written by individuals.

Each year, millions of people across the United States will make the annual pilgrimage to gather with family and friends; share a meal; share stories and aspirations; share their love and appreciation for one another. There are lot’s of other traditions shared on Thanksgiving, such as working at a food bank or church to feed those less fortunate and the homeless.

Do you have a family tradition? Oh please, do share!

Novice To Novice: Create Your Own Fresh Flower Arrangement!

Fresh flowers on the dining table, a kitchen island, a buffet, a night stand–you name it–is always cheerfully welcoming. If you don’t have a flower garden, it’s still very easy to pick up a lovely bouquet at a good supermarket. There are times, however, when you want that bouquet to have a little more pizzazz. I had often relied on florist for such a display. But frankly, that option has lost its appeal. Too often the results look cookie cutter. So I’ve decided to take on the art of fresh flower arrangement. You can too!

Here’s how I started. But beware, you’ll find some flaws and I’ll point them out to you:

If you're wondering about the table, take a deep breath. I moved everything over to the kitchen counter!! — If you’re wondering about the table, take a deep breath. I moved everything over to the kitchen counter!!

Select a beautiful container. You may think this is a given but those nondescript, mass produced containers bought at floral shops boring. Check your shelves and just look around the house for a classy or fun container. I’m getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, so I’ve decided on a gorgeous glass bowl from Mikasa.
Gather the tools you’ll need. Hand held rose shear; green or white foam for fresh flowers; wire and tape. I had to include a glass ‘liner’ bowl because I don’t want to ruin my Mikasa bowl with water deposit.
Optional: I’m adding gold glass beads to put between the inner and outer bowls. I had some insane idea for the gold to sparkle through the Mikasa bowl when light hits it.

Purchase flowers and greens that fit your design color idea and scheme. I cheated. My first bouquet I bought at Costco. You’ll see the boo boo I made with that bunch later. It nagged at my artistic sensibility, so I bought another bouquet from Harris Teeter. As I said earlier, many good grocery stores will carry fresh flower bouquets. You can also go to a florist. Note you will probably need to add extra greens such as ferns or filler flowers, such as baby’s breath or heathers.
Tip: “Food” for the bouquets will come with your purchase. Often you can even get extra packets. Some mixes will cloud the water which you will see when using a glass vase. In these cases, instead, just add a little 7-UP or Sprite soft drink.

After gathering everything on my kitchen counter, I took a deep breath and jumped into the arrangement–and without more detailed instructions! Here’s my boo boo:

It came no where near the fabulous vision that was floating in my head! It was too tall, too busy–and missing something. And so the reason for my trip to Harris-Teeter and a chat with the florist on duty. “Add you greens first,” she said, with lots of responses that ended with “that depends” and “I would have to see your bowl.” All this was preferenced with “Google fresh flower arranging.” What a novel idea! Get instructions before proceeding.

I confess, I sometimes get great ideas and jump right into the project. After making mistakes or find the cart is in front of the horse, so to say, I then get instructions. If you suffer from this disease too, console yourself with “experimentation” is the best teacher!

Here’s a good video on fresh flower arrangement. My take away from it is to 1) add your greens FIRST; 2) work in odd numbers, generally three; using wire and tape is very, very handy.

And here’s my novice masterpiece fresh flower arrangement!

Top view of annsliee novice floral arrangement. Cocoa and pussy willow pillow by annsliee.

annsliee novice floral arrangement side view with glass bowl

Okay, your turn. I know there is lot of room for improvement. I see at least two. Can you point out more? If there is a professional florist who was curious enough to read this post, thank you. But PLEASE be gentle and DO share your secrets to creating a dramatic fresh flower arrangement.

P.S. Just picked up my news flyer from Trader Joe’s is offering 8-stem rose bouquet for $4.99. Don’t stop there, other great supermarkets may also be offer good deals too. Novice to novice — go for it!

5 Decor Elements That Give Your Hallway Character

After being greeted by the outside of your home or apartment, your entryway is the second most important impression you can give. It tells your guests that you’re a warm and fuzzy kind of person; happy or depressed; neat freak or that you’re just smart and got it together. It tells them to relax, you’re in safe, friendly territory here.

What do you think these entryways say about who lives there?

Against The Grain Blogspot via Holly Mathis Interior

Here’s 4 ways to make your entryway inviting:

1. Add dramatic wall colors or patterns or wainscot

2. Add a surprise with the unexpected

Contemporary Hall by Bonita Springs Interior Designers & Decorators K2 Design

3. Add a striking area rug or floor runner (Even a plain one can be painted or stenciled.)

Transitional Entry by Boston Architects & Building Designers Meyer & Meyer, Inc.

House & Garden via South Shore Decorating

4. Warm up the ambiance with lighting that makes everyone look beautiful when they face the mirror.

Discovered on Places In The Home via Traditional Home

Is it Christmas yet!! Well, this lighting would be cool anytime of the year:

Pinterest via the Red Head Can Decorate.com

Did you notice the many types of accessories and practical furnishings you can put in your entryway? Yes, some of the examples certainly have the space. Don’t let that deter you, just scale down (or upscale) to space you do have.

5. Here’s a short list of functional accessories that can give your hallway more character:

A single picture or gallery of pictures or family portraits
Mirrors, plats and wall writings
Tables, chests, benches and chairs
keys in an attractive box

When your entryway says “Hello Honey, You’re Home,” it’s a warm greeting and you get that feel good feeling all over your body!

Wondering about my entryway? It says, Shirley, please unpack that large mirror, change out the lighting and get a new rug or paint the old one! Gotta’ go folks, my entryway is calling to me!