Favorite updates for winter.

These are some of my favorite design elements to warm up rooms during the winter months. They are also great year-round when the proper materials, textures and colors are used.

1) Panel Draperies.  The addition of panels drapes to large windows creates a wonderful ambiance. Whether you use them to frame, for softness, or for full function, fabric panels dress a window like no other treatment.They can add opulence to a casual room and warm a minimalist space. Fabric options are nearly endless and the header style - pleats, grommets, tabs, etc. - can easily accent your style.

2) Plants:  Even if you don't have a green thumb you can bring greenery into your spaces. My favorite plants are flowering orchids whose care is as simple as a placing in bright light and monthly watering. They are inexpensive but elegant and gorgeous. Philodendrons are a very easy care plant; check with your local big box store or nursery for a variety that suits your home. Dried arrangements work well, and some faux plants ARE beautiful. 

3) Hurricanes. One of the most versatile accessories is a glass hurricane lamp. They have so many uses; they're not just for candles and not only for traditional spaces...although that is their most oft-used style. Despite the cold weather, a shell-filled hurricane on the table is refreshing.  I often add gold and silver balls to mine and use them in the bathroom, porch and kitchen for a wonderful ambiance. Coastal and cottage style homes can use this idea year-round.

4) Books: While I love open space on tables, books add a lived in feel, an architectural element, and sophistication to consoles, end tables and coffee tables.  Placing them underneath the tops is both practical and attractive; they can be read but don't clutter the surface. For a clean look, cover unattractive but often read books with decorative wrapping paper, interesting wallpaper, or simple brown or white papers; use what suits your style!  

5) Rugs: Area rugs instantly warm up a room define the space.  They add visual interest, scale, pattern and texture to any room. There are a variety of materials, but get the BEST you can afford since you want durability as well as aesthetics.  For neutral style add a solid color rug with texture.

Need a great plant as an interior element? Use orchids.

Orchids are one of the most architectural plants that look fabulous as an interior element.  With a cascade of flowers on each stem and deep green leaves, they are pure in form and light in appearance. Whether you have a traditional home and plant one in blue and white porcelain or a minimalist space and use a low slung matte black planter, orchids will add to your decor.  Even if you opt for only a flowering stem in a vase, the bloom can last for months.  

 
1) Use.  For elegance, I love to place orchids on a stack of books on a coffee table. I prefer that they 'float' in main rooms so they enhance the furnishings from every angle.  For dining rooms, I use them on sideboards and consoles where they are often reflected in mirrors and flanked by wall lighting; I frequently use them to enhance focal points. In a bathroom, they dress up the empty space in tub surrounds and love the humidity. Placed in front of a mirror, they 'double' in size and add drama to your counter. A potted orchid by the bedside is elegant and sensual. Placing an orchid on a kitchen island or peninsula provides a fabulous visual barrier, often between entertaining and dining spaces. On large bookshelves, small orchids nicely soften the linearity. Needless to say, they are wonderful as centerpieces, particularly large or grouped orchids. 

2) Care. Orchids require a special potting mix and not soil; the mix will differ with the type of orchid you select (dendrobium, phalaenopsis, cymbidium, etc...). Roots do not need to be covered fully by the mix and actually love extending out from the pot. An orchid will grow only a few leaves per year, but can bloom multiple times if cared for. Orchids don't like wet feet but love moderate humidity. Generally, they should be watered every 5-8 days, or when the mix is completely dry. Water from the top, allowing the water to flow through the pot. Do not leave soil saturated and never leave standing water at the bottom. When in doubt, it's best not to water. The best light is generally indirect and bright; even a low light orchid needs a period of bright West light and won't thrive in the center of a room. I re-pot my orchids once each year, and only increase the size of the pot - generally one with holes on the sides for best aeration - by one inch. Orchids allowed to acclimate to their pots will do better than those 'swimming' in mix in a too-large pot. With just a bit of attention, your orchid plant will bloom regularly for year-round enjoyment in many spaces in your home.

Favorite decor ideas for summer.

When it's hot an oppressive, it's often hard to remember why you like summer months.  Making your home and yard inviting and beautiful helps you enjoy your surroundings and feel refreshed. A cool glass of iced-tea - with ice  - in hand, a Japanese fan, a wide brimmed hat, and off you go to see if these ideas can work in your yard or house!

1 Spruce up the path or steps to your home by adding potted flowers. Bold color and soft leaves will be inviting and soft. It's easy, when you water the cooling spray will feel great!

2 Keep the entryway as open as you can.  Take the mail, shoes, dog leashes and packages out.  Add a great sisal mat for a summer feel. Hang a mirror to catch light.

3. For just a few moments before guests arrive for lunch or you serve dinner, heat a summery fragrance in a pan on the stove to infuse the whole house with a pleasant smell. We make our own with essential oils. Search our blog for instructions!

4 Fill apothecary jars on kitchen counters and a large bowl on the dining-room table with lemons, limes and oranges for a refreshing spot of color. Use them in vases instead of marbles. We have a fabulous collection of shapes and sizes in the shop. All hand-blown in the US. 

5. Use seashells or other to hold cut flowers.

6. Dress up your table. Take out the white table cloth or add a colorful runner on top.  Add a fresh look with votive candles, sparkling clear marbles in small glasses with a cut stem at each place setting, and raffia or wicker place mats. 

7  In the spring and summer, display books that picture great gardens and greenery or decor books with serene or seasonal colors.












8. To add light and a bit of sparkle to a coffee table or dining table borrow a small mirror from a wall and use in lieu of a wooden tray. On the mirror, arrange seashells, light driftwood, a few decorative balls and a candle to lighten the whole look of the room.




9 Lighten your bedding. Swap your dark comforter for a light color and soft pattern. Use whites and ivories for sheets, shams and a throw for the foot of the bed if you don't want to change your comforter. Check out the throws, pillows and comforters we stock. Come by to select the fabrics for yours!
10. Swap winter accessories with lighter, brighter ones. Replace  stones in hurricane candle holders with green moss or seashells. Use lighter spring colored pillow covers on your sofa and bed. Use the same pillow form, simply cover the darker toned fabrics.