Summer is coming to a close. Extend your time outdoors!

To extend your living spaces through an Indian Summer - warm enough to use through October - be sure to incorporate some of these ideas!  At Touch of Tradition - Home we stock throws, lanterns and outdoor fabrics for every style.

1) Lighting  As the days shorten, you'll need to add light to work or entertain by. With a simple outdoor extension cord, hanging string lights over trees, under the eaves of the house, wound onto a trellis or fence, and draped under an umbrella, will add enough light and are easy to do. Many big box store sell lighting for outdoors so don't hesitate to use a table or floor lamp. It will make the room feel more like indoors!


2) Lanterns There is nothing like candle-light to create a relaxing mood for a balmy outdoor evening.  An enclosed lantern with regular or flame less candles, adds an element of safety to a great architectural detail. Stand them on tables, next to chairs, hang 

them from shepherd hooks in your garden. Instant ambiance! 


3) Pillows  When the hot weather abates, you can get a cozy feel by adding pillows to your outdoor spaces.  From accent pillows on chairs to floor pillows for seating, they create a softness and invite you to spend time.

4) Area rug  Using an outdoor area rug can make an outdoor space more welcoming.  End of season sales are abundant, so take advantage and get a great rug that suits your style.

5) Throws  To ward off the chill of a late fall, drape throws over your benches and chairs so guests (and you) can keep warm while you enjoy another outdoor evening.  

Mirror mirror on the wall...

Using mirrors is one of the easiest ways to change a space. From simple reflectance,  to the  accentuation of light,  to changing the apparent space of a room, mirrors can make or break a space... no pun intended. They can serve as a wall treatment, a decorative accent, and even the cladding for furniture.   One of the newest configurations are modular mirrors.  Whether you fit them together or space them apart for  interest, you can use them as art or a space enhancer.  Framed or unframed, mirrors can visually expand  or reduce the space in a room.   Consider a small dark room. Hanging a wall mirror to capture light from a  window, doorway or floor lamp can  visually increase the space. On the other hand, when used in a small  bathroom reflecting a unattractive wall filled with towels and shelving, the space can seem cluttered and small.   Here are five tips for mirror placement that you can try to accentuate your decor.

Along the walls of a narrow hallway to make it seem wider and brighter.

As a centerpiece, placing candles to reflect light for dining. 

As a backsplash in a small kitchen to expand the space.

Behind a bed to open a small room, serve as a headboard and dressing mirror.

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An over-sized mirror on the floor or walls to fill an empty corner or reflect a beautiful furniture vignette

Tips for pet friendly design.

When you have a pet, you want your home to be easy for them to live in, easy for you to care for, and to coordinate with the style you love.  Here are some tips for products and styles that can help you accomplish that!

Wood floors are OK for small pets!

Floors: Wall to wall carpeting makes it tough to stay on top of cleanliness. Fur, pet oils and body fluids, get trapped within the carpet creating a breeding ground for odors and bacteria. Consider using area rugs that compliment your decor. You can easily clean under them, so nothing gets trapped below the carpet; a pattern might help hide stains. It’s less expensive to clean or replace an area rug than to replace a room full of carpet. Since pets track in muck after being outside, installing tile in entries, rooms where litter boxes reside, and areas where your pet loves to sleep is ideal for durability and maintenance. Keeping a door mat outside the door will also help trap debris before entering. Utilizing a small cupboard, closet, bench or other piece of furniture to hide pet leashes, pet wipes, doggy treats and other pet essentials, keeps your home clean and organized. Wood floors are OK if you use the proper species...hardwoods are rated on a scale. Know the coating or finish and select a floor that will look better as it ages!

Pet center!

Walls: Consider the texture of your walls if you have pets that roam freely. A highly textured wall will act as a magnet for pet fur when your cat or dog rubs against it. Choose a scrubbable matte finish - like those from Benjamin Moore - which are easier to clean and less likely for fun to stick to. While sheen paints, satin, eggshell and semi-gloss, seem like good choices, if you have to touch up anywhere, it will be more obvious than a flat or matte finish paint.

Fabrics: You may be in love with gorgeous silk bedspreads or drapes, but  cats will think nothing of shredding the fabric to pieces. Mine are attracted to the scent and lick it.  Select pet-friendly colors - the same as your pet - and fibers like cotton/polyester blends and Crypton, that fur won't stick to and won’t attract your pet to use it as a scratch post or a chew toy. Tapestry and other heavy woven fabrics can work well but beware of too much texture since they can be claw 'magnets' and will pull. If you just can’t part with a favorite piece of furniture – think slip covers.

Crypton makes dog friendly fabrics & patterns.

Furniture:  Wood, wicker, rattan and sisal might serve as a teething toy for your new puppy, whereas metal or chrome will keep them searching for another source. When you need a quick solution, cover pieces with fleece throws that are generally inexpensive and easy to wash.

A wide window sill without coverings.

Window treatments: Cats love to sun themselves on the window sill and dogs want to know who just drove up in the driveway. Although there are some fabulous window treatments for all styles, consider using blinds that you can raise and lower so they stay out of the way; be sure to use safety cords for pets too.  Roman shades, wood and woven blinds, and roller shades are all good choices. If you must cover a window, use sheer fabrics since they allow dogs to look out while enabling access to the window sill for cats.

Toy baskets are neat and
attractive. Better than
scattered toys!

Conceal that litter box for best aesthetics.

Toys and Dishes:  For pet dishes, try utilizing the toe kick under your cabinetry to store them. Food bowls simply slide out when it’s time for dinner, and slide back under to be concealed when not in use. Keeping fresh water available for your pets is important so select an attractive water dish that remains out all the time. . Baskets, cabinetry, covered benches and decorative boxes are just a few ideas to store cat and dogs toys so you keep your living spaces neat while having them ready at a moment's notice. Even litter boxes can be concealed nicely. 

How to design your powder room.

Powder rooms are a unique space in the home. While they're a bathroom, they are typically off the main hallway or rooms of a home, so you have an opportunity to be expressive and dramatic.  Despite the small space, using intense colors, themes and lighting is fabulous rather than restrictive, since the room is meant to be used for brief periods and not to get dressed or apply makeup.  Bold, dramatic light fixtures are OK as are going 'over the top' with deep tones and large scale lighting.  

Wall treatments: If you love the glamour of metallics and your home is traditional, don't be afraid to use a striking wall covering. If your living room is too small for a richly textured old world finish, it's OK to do it in the powder room.  Do the ceiling too.

Lighting: Bold, sparkly, over-sized and deeply shaded fixtures. Under counter lighting sets a wonderful tone, and if you use the right material (glass, onyx, acrylics) you can even light the counter.

Cabinetry: Unusual pieces, re-purposed furnishings, exotic materials and woods. I love using re-claimed logs as counters, and even scoop out the center of large pieces of lumber to create the sink.

Tile: For me, this is not a room that needs a backsplash. You're not washing up in that room. GO ahead and tile the whole back wall. Make it a textured, iridescent or unusual material.

Plumbing:  A hands-free faucet is ideal. Go for the bold and artistic. Use a great wall hung toilet, a no-tank model, or a unique color toilet.

 Mirrors: Use one or not.  Bold frames, large scale, interesting glass. All work well.

 

Cottage organizing idea.

For a cottage or casual style home, storing incoming and outgoing mail, magazines, photos, postcards and children's drawings is a snap with old or distressed shutters. For about $2 this wooden shutter was purchased at a tag sale, painted with indoor craft paint, slightly distressed, and hung in a kitchen to collect postcards.  Easy, inexpensive and an elegant solution!

White is always right.

We love white rooms. Do you? Whether you love cottage style, modern design, or a traditional home, white is always a great color. From the walls, fabrics and accents, to large scale seating and furnishings, a white home can be elegant or casual. With just a few added elements, your personal style can shine with art, collectibles, accent pieces and accessories. Take a look at these very differently styled rooms and note what you like or dislike about them.















White is easy-care if you use slipcovers on furnishings and sheers that can be laundered. You can even mix whites and ivories, just be sure that the undertone of the colors you select are the same.....for example don't use green-hued white sofa in a room that has orange-hued walls.  You'll see the clash and it will feel 'off' forever.




Popular for kitchens and baths, white cabinets are an enduring and all-time favored color. Customizing white spaces is easy and you don't have to add color if you love monochrome!

For bedrooms and living rooms, using white as the backdrop and on fabrics looks spectacular when contrasted with deep wood furnishings.

5 Outdoor living ideas for the fall..

To extend your living spaces through an Indian Summer - warm enough to use through October - be sure to incorporate some of these ideas!  At Touch of Tradition - Home we stock throws, lanterns and outdoor fabrics for every style.

1) Lighting  As the days shorten, you'll need to add light to work or entertain by. With a simple outdoor extension cord, hanging string lights over trees, under the eaves of the house, wound onto a trellis or fence, and draped under an umbrella, will add enough light and are easy to do. Many big box store sell lighting for outdoors so don't hesitate to use a table or floor lamp. It will make the room feel more like indoors!


2) Lanterns There is nothing like candle-light to create a relaxing mood for a balmy outdoor evening.  An enclosed lantern with regular or flame less candles, adds an element of safety to a great architectural detail. Stand them on tables, next to chairs, hang 

them from shepherd hooks in your garden. Instant ambiance! 


3) Pillows  When the hot weather abates, you can get a cozy feel by adding pillows to your outdoor spaces.  From accent pillows on chairs to floor pillows for seating, they create a softness and invite you to spend time.

4) Area rug  Using an outdoor area rug can make an outdoor space more welcoming.  End of season sales are abundant, so take advantage and get a great rug that suits your style.

5) Throws  To ward off the chill of a late fall, drape throws over your benches and chairs so guests (and you) can keep warm while you enjoy another outdoor evening.  

DIY project for your tabletop

Napkin rings are easy to make and you can customize them for your decor, dishes and seasonally. here, snap together shower rings (set of 12 about $4) and embroidery thread, make a perfect color scheme for a cottage table setting.  Using a hot glue gun to anchor the threads at their start and end, simply wind threads tightly around the shower ring and voila!

Favorites for Fall

We scout the retail shops - today we were at Pottery Barn - to find items that look as though they are rich in history, character and  interest. These are our 5 favorites for fall decor. A wrought iron and wooden table for an entry, behind a sofa, or in the dining room that has the look of a hand-crafted piece. Table runners and linens that are embroidered as this one, add lots of style to a casual kitchen. Since we love to have people purchase items that add to the style of their spaces, the light fixture is ideal for a country home and patio, or as a striking accent in an ultra-modern kitchen. For a touch of antiquity, the bowling pins are perfect and we love asymmetric groupings.  Lanterns are great for outdoor spaces, and these looked steeped in tradition.

How to select exterior paint colors.

1. Keep History in Mind. If you own a home with a definable architectural style like Victorian, Cape Cod, Craftsman, etc., pay attention to colors in that genre.  Using a designer helps to identify the period and how to select colors to treat each element on the house. At Touch of Tradition, we specialize in period color selections so don't hesitate to contact us with questions.

   

   Sea Pine & Antique White - Trim Horizon Gray - Body of houseAutumn Brown - Accent Trim Benjamin Moore

   2. Consider the neighbors.  What works in your neighborhood?  Think of your neighborhood as fabric, and your house as one thread in that fabric.  Will the colors you are leaning towards fit with the overall feel of the neighborhood? Can you be unique without being an eyesore?

   3. Structural Harmony with Rest of the House  Consider your house's whole. What color is your roof? Is it slate, aluminum, copper, cedar shakes? You don't need to match your paint to your shingles but all colors should fit together. Consider the landscaping and natural elements around the house to suggest color families that will guide your exterior paint choices.

   4. The Inside Affects the Outside  Don't be afraid to pull the colors for your home from an inspiration piece or those colors used inside your home. It adds a sense of harmony and integrity in design. When you enter the home, the exterior serves to guide you as to the style and the feel.

   5. White is The Color of Tradition  White is classic and traditional with stately appeal. With the right complementary touches--eaves, window casing, door trim, etc.--white can be a fantastic exterior paint color option.  Here, this contemporary interpretation of a Mission style home is set off from the greenery and expansive skyline with an all-white stucco finish.

   6. Details Should be Darker.   Darker colors are great for drawing the eye to architectural details you don't want to be missed. If you have an archway or trim, or any particular feature you want highlighted, draw attention with darker colors. They're a great choice for recessed panels. If you have features that protrude from the wall surface, highlight those with lighter colors as they will stand out more against the darker shade. The bold colors in the stucco below, required deep trim and door colors to have their details stand out.

   

   
   

   7. Consider the Number of Colors  On some style homes you will see as many as 8-10 different colors but requires the keen eye of a professional designer to make this work. The number of colors used depends on the simplicity or complexity of your home and the scale, architecture and elements. Adding too many colors to a home can make the home look garish. Look for homes with similar architecture and see what others have successfully done.

   8. Take Advantage of Color Tools  Pick up a color wheel or fan deck. Most paint stores have samples that you can bring home to make decisions. Most professional shops have pint-size samplers available that you can take home and test on your exterior.  Exterior paint colors do look different in person than they do printed on samples and the paint will take on a different hue depending upon the time of day.

Color it Yours

When you're looking for a splash of color in your home, try a neutral palette with a yellow accent.  These colors are by Farrow & Ball.  Paint the ceiling and trim in All White and three walls in Cornforth White to create a beautiful neutral backdrop.  Add an accent wall and accessories in Babouche. Using the neutrals of Manor Hour Gray in accessories (mirrors and photos) and Down Pipe on fabrics, accessories and furniture, you'll have a soft yet warm space that is contemporary and relaxing.  To add a bit more drama, use Babouche on your largest seating pieces! Touch of Tradition has the right color choices for your space, and carries unique furnishings, lighting and artwork to complete the space.

5 window covering ideas

When you have an unusual window, need privacy and don't want to cover the light, or just want something interesting, maybe these ideas will inspire you.

Etching glass, installing a window film, and painting on a 

design can be both casual and elegant. Privacy is afforded without covering the window fully. At Touch of Tradition, we create custom stencils for etching, and guide you a Do-it-yourself journey!

A great way to handle an arched window is to use rods meant for the curve. 

It's not expensive and fits the scale and architecture well. We use wood, iron and other materials to create custom yet affordable rods.  Using interesting objects to hang your drapes is our specialty.

Dual treatments work well together. A Roman Shade gives privacy 

and softness and the side panels add elegance and drama.

Panels are extremely useful whether they slide on a traverse rod like these, or are pulled across on rings.

Functional drapes and a beautiful valence create a focal point and work for a traditional style.

From Country Living, a sweet burlap treatment that fits the style of the home and is DIY!

Maximize your small kitchen!

You have a small kitchen. What are the design elements that you can use to maximize the space?   Try one of these 5 for a big impact.

1) Light. If you have windows, then don't dress them up!  Keep window coverings simple so there is no blocking of light.  Without windows, you'll need to rely on fixtures. Choose LED under and in-cabinet lighting for clean, white light. Be sure that your fixture globes and shades are clean, light in color, and the bulb wattage is correct. Switching to compact florescent bulbs, which are lower wattage use, often means a brighter light.

2) Color. When there's little difference between the colors of the walls, the counters, the cabinetry, and the woodwork, your eye glides over the surfaces looking for a place to rest, and that movement tricks you into thinking the space is larger than it really is. Light colors are great in a small kitchen. They reflects light, which enhances the sense of space and makes the walls seem to recede. White is the most popular color and is traditional and right for many design styles.

3) Organize. Small kitchens can have storage challenges. Counters often become storage areas, but eliminating clutter can help any space feel larger. Clear off the counters, the windowsill, and the cabinet tops, and stash as much as you can behind closed doors.

4) Use Glass.  Making a small kitchen feel larger is a matter of fooling the eye and tricking the brain into thinking the space is bigger. One way to do that is to remove some cabinet doors or replace the solid fronts with glass.  Adding in-cabinet lighting showcases the depth and also adds a sense of space.

5) Carve Out Storage Space.  Shelves flush with the walls and recessed into space between the studs add storage without consuming valuable space in a small kitchen.  If you don't have space within your kitchen, instead look for a spot near your kitchen, such as a breakfast nook or passageway, to implement recessed shelves.

Tips for outdoor living.

When you have an outdoor space that's comfortable, you are more likely to use it. Extend your living spaces by moving your indoor style outside. Here are my favorite ideas from the shop.

1) Get comfortable seating.  If you don't dine outside, don't get a dining set. Make the chair or sofa comfortable so you WILL use it. 

2) Add lighting. To extend the space and the time you will enjoy it, be sure to add portable or permanent lighting. Solar fixture and low voltage fixtures can be installed. String lights can be temporary and easy or made permanent.

3) Dress up the table. A set table is inviting. Use a tablecloth than can be washed. Set out dishes and silverware...mismatched sets work well for many styles.  Add flowers or a plant.  Place candles for ambiance.

4) Use color. Have your dishes stand out from the table.  With a redwood table, add some bright yellow flowers to your white dishes. Use a red and white classic table cloth and add blue dishes. With our selection of dinnerware and unique serving pieces that work as well outdoors as indoors, you can create the ideal look.

5) Surround yourself with interior items.  Don't overlook pillows, accessories and art. An outdoor area rug can make a space feel more inviting.  Some colorful or comfy pillows or cushions will dress up a picnic table. Iron and resin pieces work well outdoors in nearly any climate, and add a finishing touch to an outdoor room.