Realistic Renovations

Style Mix

2015-10-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

Do you struggle to explain your design style? Do you struggle to make your house feel like "you?"

You may need to figure out your style mix.

There are basically three style umbrellas that most styles fall under, Rustic, Traditional and Modern.

Let's start with Rustic. Rustic can mean a few different things. To some people they think of a lot of wood tones, reclaimed wood, barn doors. Other people think simplicity, and a tiny beach cottage with weathered wood flooring. To others a farmhouse with lots of white walls, beams and original flooring. Still others may think lots of natural elements, with a hunting lodge feel.

Rustic basics: weathered woods, simplicity, informal, vintage, tapestries, quilts, textures, rough or distressed surfaces, painted surfaces.

Farmhouse Kitchen by Austin Architects & Building Designers Rauser Design

Example: HGTV's Fixer Upper

Traditional style often gets a bad rap because people think traditional means old and antique. While that is true of the more Victorian style, there are lots of expressions of traditional that have a less formal feel. You may not like claw foot bath tubs but you may love crown molding. Typically traditional will have more curves and shapely furnishings. and you'll see more details in the molding, cabinetry and millwork. In Texas or the southwest, traditional can also mean a lot of mean a lot of large pieces, leather and lots of woodwork. And maybe an animal head or two.

Traditional Basics: Ornamentation, Heavier textures, patterns, curved edges, architectural details, crown molding, antique pieces, larger scale furnishings, archways, Wainscoting, tufting, period details.

Traditional Kitchen by Alpharetta Interior Designers & Decorators Great Spaces!

Example of Traditional: Sarah Richardson, Rehab Addict, Downton Abbey

Modern tends to be the opposite of traditional. It was a cultural response to the fussiness of the traditional period. Less details, more simple and sleek, can feel more formal. Modern architecture and design tends to have a linear feel to it. Midcentury Modern, Danish modern and Scandinavian are variations.

Modern basics: Pointy legs (midcentury) clean lines, sleek, minimalist, minimal visual clutter

Modern Living Room by Los Angeles Architects & Building Designers Griffin Enright Architects

Example: Madmen, IKEA

There are some other styles as well like Global, Industrial, French Country, etc. but we'll stick with the big categories for now.

See if you can narrow down your top three styles. The difference between a designed room and a furniture store is the mixing of different elements to create a cohesive look. If you like many different styles you may like a more eclectic style, which skillfully incorporates many styles together without looking like a yard sale.

My personal style mix tends to be transitional (blend of traditional and modern), coastal and cottage. A tiny ounce of global thrown in here and there, for the patterns and colors.

When you can articulate your style you can be more intentional and focused in your shopping which will keep you from getting things that aren't right for you.

For some style inspiration check out my Houzz ideabooks on my website www.kbythewooddesign.com

Have fun!

Building Considerations

2015-09-25T17:52:00.002-05:00

On TV, it seems like fixer uppers are all the rage.

But where I live in Austin right now, it's all about the new.

Traditional Living Room by Roswell Home Builders Ashton Woods

In the five minute drive to my son's preschool, we pass by three major construction sites where new subdivisions are popping up faster than you can say "excavator". Thanks to him and the crazy amount of construction here in town, I know the names of every vehicle under the sun that digs up and/or moves dirt.

Here in the suburbs, the master planned community is where it's at.

Having been through the mass building process myself, and having worked with a lot of folks who are doing the same-I thought I would share some of my experience in this area for any of you who are considering the pros and cons of building new through a large builder. All the following photos are of our home.

our house, during construction

Let's talk about pros:

Let's face it, new is new.

Even the most basic new construction can feel great if you are used to living in an old house that needs a lot of work. Not everyone is a weekend warrior, and there is a peace that comes from knowing that there isn't asbestos or some shady exposed wire waiting to catch fire inside your wall. If you are working with a reputable builder, you at least can know that everything is done to code and has city approval. Most builders will cover any issues that do come up for the first year. Everything is new and nothing needs to be fixed.

First Floor Living/Dining

Customization.

If you get in early enough, you can with a small deposit, select the home, select the lot, and sometimes aspects of the floor plan, within certain limits. In addition to the the core features like fireplaces, porch size, appliances, and exterior finishes you get to determine which tile/carpet/wood/counter/doors/cabinets you want, and that is very appealing to many people.

Time

When you build, you have a lot more control over timelines. You can focus on getting your home ready to sell, and don't need to be out house hunting. You have some more control over the closing. You can know your floorplan ahead of time, and determine what furnishings will work in the new home. If you are local, you can go monitor the progress of the home as it's being built, and get a feel for how it is going to look ahead of time, which you can't do in an owner occupied home.

Master Bedroom-my favorite view

Landscape

When you do move in, you not only get a new house, but new trees, a basic landscape design, and fully functional porches, driveway, sidewalk, etc. Everything, though basic, is in great shape, and all you need to do is maintain it, and slowly improve and add, as opposed to have to remove or undo what a previous owner did. I can't tell you how many hours and dollars we spent on our previous home just dealing with the out of control yard.

But it's not for everyone.

Let's talk about some cons:

Upgrade Costs

All the homes start with a base price, but that price quickly changes as you start to add on "upgrades". Typically the standard features aren't the most interesting, and after seeing the beautiful model home, it can be tempting to adding on bells and whistles. If you want wood floors or certain types of tiles, you pay more depending on the "level" of the item. and like a car, any upgrade you add before financing costs you even more over the long term. If you can go with more standard features at first and upgrade on your own later, you will no doubt save money.

Limited Finishes

I was excited to be able to customize my home, only to find a pretty limited selection. The options you have will depend on the builder and the price point. In our case, some of the "standard" options were downright ugly. And because I do not like waste, I didn't want to have a tile or flooring material installed that I planned to remove, so I ended up compromising on those and spending a bit more than planned.

Many Decisions

The process of building and deciding everything can be overwhelming for some people. Many of the decisions are made in a design center before your the house is even started. Though a designer is often provided, they don't function the same way as someone you hire personally. You typically get one very long meeting and have to choose everything at once.

Entryway

Quality

Rome wasn't built in a day, but these homes go up quick. There is an expression called "builder grade" for a reason. Even at higher price points, you are going to see some things before or after you move in that may drive you nuts if you are a detail person. In our home, our kitchen faucet has already leaked twice and flooded my cabinet. This happened to my neighbors also. We both had to order replacement parts within the first two years. The windows don't come with casings. The garages are unfinished and needs painting. You often need to seal the grout. There's no such thing as maintenance free even in a new home.

Having gone through the process, there are definitely things that I would do a bit differently, but overall it was a great experience. Yes, I do miss my old quirky home with it's unique character, but now I have a blank slate and can put some money into the decor, instead of into replacing electrical sockets and paying for septic tank inspections.

If you want to get some more helpful tips about production building or designing a spec home, go to my website, www.kbythewooddesign.com

If you are thinking of building, or have done it yourself feel free to comment about your experience!

The Corner Office Update

2015-09-11T14:51:00.004-05:00

Remember my corner office? It's not finished yet, but it's making progress so I thought I'd give you an update of where it is at!

In life, some rooms evolve as your needs change at home.

This loft space has definitely changed its purpose since we moved in two years ago. It started as a sort of guest living room/TV/piano room, and is now being transformed into my office/studio. The TV went to the man cave (it was too close to the other one anyway). The piano is now in the guest room. There is a long chaise sofa that has to stay, because people sleep on it when they visit. It has to go where it is because it literally does not fit anywhere else. Believe me I have tried.

Before

Desk area now (in progress)

I have since upgraded the small white desk to a larger IKEA Malm desk with a the pullout. I wanted to do a sort of corner desk to utilize the space, but this allows me to sit on the corner when I work, but still utilize the one significant wall I have in this room. I'm hoping to make a large linen pin board to go over the desk, and add some fun desktop accessories.

The other half before

the other half after

Here's kind of the long view:

Not very exciting but the former clutter is gone and at least it's clean. I'd like to add a glass coffee table, and an accent chair to make more of a seating area and conversation zone. I'm hoping to replace the basic builder mushroom light with something like this:

Contemporary Pendant Lighting by Campbellford Furniture & Accessories Edgewood Ave

or maybe a cool vintage chandelier... not sure yet. I am also looking to brighten things up with a lighter paint color, and maybe add some chair rail to section off the corner and paint an accent color below. I'm a big fan of chair rail because to install it you only need to be able to draw a

big straight line.

So a work in progress, but it now at least it feels like an intentional work space. I even have my own bathroom!

Do you have any rooms that have "evolved?" Feel free to share some photos and ideas!

Realistic Kitchens

2015-09-02T16:18:00.000-05:00

What's in your kitchen?

I recently spent a night in at a friend's family home: a custom, high-end luxury home on a lake. In addition to the amazing lake views, three car garage and amazing outdoor living room, this place had a kitchen with all the luxury elements. The giant exotic granite island was double thick, with a huge 6 burner commercial cook top, two refrigerators, two wine fridges, a built in ice maker that is actual appliance, a huge commercial fridge, a coffee station with two machines, a second bar sink and bar, and the list goes on.

My friend explained that her dad's company held corporate events there for 50 people and often hired a chef to cook there. All those bells and whistles are things you would likely find in a dream home, which was what this home was built for, for retirement and for family to visit for years to come.

Most of us ordinary suburbanites get by just fine with the basic appliance set, a boring 4, maybe 5 burner stove, one sink, one dishwasher, and maybe a blender or two. Most of our dream kitchens have a large island and maybe a Vitamix.

So I thought I'd talk about how to upgrade or update a kitchens on a slightly smaller scale. Whether you have a big boring builder grade, a small vintage home, or just need a refresh, here are some tips:

Paint your cabinets.

If you like the layout of your kitchen, and the cabinet frames and boxes are sturdy and aren't damaged, they can be painted or stained. If your home is newer and you just want to change the color, I strongly recommend hiring a professional to spray them so you know they will last. If you have more of a smaller vintage home or fixer upper you may just want to paint them yourself until you are in a position to replace them. Painting your cabinets white or linen white is always a classic choice and will make your space look bigger.

Farmhouse Kitchen by Ottawa Interior Designers & Decorators From a Seed Interiors

Reconfigure your existing cabinets.

If you plan on making a major footprint change, and need to pay for labor, you may be able to save by using your existing cabinets. As long as you have a fairly standard layout and standard sizes, this could work out. You could always add a few cabinets here or there if you can find matches through the cabinet company. You can also replace just the doors and leave the boxes.

Use stock cabinetry.

If you can create a kitchen design using stock cabinets, you can save a fair amount of money. You can buy unfinished ones to be painted or stained, or use a prefabricated system like IKEA has. If you design it well it can look great. If you don't it can look cheap. If working with a contractor make sure they are familiar with the IKEA cabinets, you may want IKEA to do the assembly and install and have the contractor oversee it.

Contemporary Kitchen by Eugene Design-Build Firms John Webb Construction and Design

Add open shelving.

If you are able to keep your stuff neat, this could be a good option for you. If you like to display cute plates or dishes, or even cookbooks, this can make great use of wall space that doesn't have cabinets, or need a cabinet alternative. It can make it feel more open and add some character. In a more modern home it can look great if you keep it uncluttered.

Eclectic Kitchen by Reseda General Contractors Noah Construction & Design

Replace hardware.

Even a standard knob or pull in brushed nickel tone can be an upgrade in some spaces if that's all you can afford. I love pulls, but they tend to cost more, so if you have a lot of doors, consider using a pull for your drawers and knobs for your cabinets to keep costs down. You can often find cheaper brand name hardware on certain e-bay sites on the internet if you buy in bulk.

Upgrade lighting.

Good lighting goes a long way. Recessed lighting is always ideal in a kitchen, but if you can't do can lights, consider changing out the overhead fixtures you do have. Consider semi-flush mount fixtures instead of flush mount that can fit at least three bulbs instead of one or two. Add under cabinet lighting for more task light along counters. I personally love to have a dimmer in the kitchen if possible for the evening to soften things a bit after a long day.

Paint your appliances.

Say what? If you have older appliances that are dingy and yellowed, consider painting them. There are appliance spray paints out there that can really help. I had white appliances in my former home and used the white on the refrigerator, stove handle and vent hood. People couldn't believe the transformation. I do not recommend painting a white or black fridge with stainless paint-it won't be the right texture and will look fake.

Contemporary Kitchen by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Lana Lounsbury Interiors

Upgrade flooring. This really makes a difference in the way your kitchen looks. If your flooring is old and dingy, some new tile can really make things look cleaner and fresher. Especially in smaller kitchens, this can be very affordable if you know what your are doing. If you need help, you can save some money by picking up the materials yourself and working with an installer who just does flooring or tile installation. If you have to keep the floor tile, consider cleaning and staining the grout a lighter color. It is kind of tedious, but can really freshen it up.

Kitchen by South East Kitchen Designers & Remodelers J M Interiors

For major renovations, the kitchen is one place you don't want to mess around, but you'd be surprised what you can do to jazz it up a bit for a lot less!

What is Your Style?

2015-08-06T16:18:00.001-05:00

What is your style? Do you know? Could you describe it?

Some sites have a "design quiz" that you can take to figure this out. But none of the questions ask you about actual furniture, color, or decor. Instead they ask, if you could be an animal what would it be, or what type of beverage do you like to drink? What country would you live in if you had the chance? In my opinion, your answers to those things really don't have anything to do with your home.

Each time I take one just for fun I end up a style like bohemian mid-century minimalist or something not even close to what I would say my style is.

Some people say you should look in your closet for inspiration. I wear many colors, styles and patterns, but that doesn't mean I want them on my wall or my bed. I love to wear black but you will find very small amounts of black in my home-it's just not something I like to decorate with. unless it appears that way naturally, like on my piano.

Farmhouse Living Room by Santa Ynez Media & Bloggers Going Home To Roost

When it comes to style, I have found most people have either no style (think bachelor pad) too many styles (think flea market) or only one style ("matchy matchy")

I love to help people figure out what their design style is because it helps them enjoy their home more and spend money wisely. Some people need some guidelines so they don't buy just anything that catches their eye. Some people need tools so that they can confidently buy things they want and know it will work with the rest of their home. Some people need more help than others. That is why designers exist.

Midcentury Living Room by South Dartmouth Architects & Building Designers Ikaria Living

When I work with clients the first thing I try to do is help them figure out what styles they naturally gravitate towards. Most people have a few they like, they just don't know what it is, or how to describe them. There are a lot of styles out there, like country, farmhouse, traditional, mid-century modern, and there are different character traits of each style. Most of us like more than one. It is also possible to like some aspects of more modern styles but also like some aspects of more Rustic or Traditional Styles. You don't have to be "just modern" or "just rustic."

A good designer can blend together elements of different styles and make them work together in a cohesive way. Some styles mix better than others. A true "eclectic" design style, where several styles are mixed, is harder to put together than you would think. And there is a fine line between true eclectic and flea-market ish cluster.

Eclectic Kitchen by Bend Interior Designers & Decorators Sarah Phipps Design

Here are some things to think about when determining your style preferences:

Take an objective look at your decor and furniture. If find you have too many styles, try to narrow down the things you really like versus something that you got only because it was on sale, or because your mom gave it to you. Play the "which one doesn't belong" game. If something looks really out of place or doesn't really work, consider moving it to another room where it is a better fit. Many times what is needed is not a complete overhaul or replacement, but some careful and good editing.

If you find yourself with a lot of older pieces you don't like anymore, consider changing out the hardware to something sleeker or more modern. Paint an older dark piece of furniture a gray or a white to fit into a more contemporary scheme.

Contemporary Bedroom by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Nest Designs

If you don't have enough style, or are working with a blank slate, browse photos of rooms in various styles and save the ones you like to a Pinterest or Houzz page or a file on your desktop. See what draws your attention and if you see any common elements in each. For example, I like the sleek shiny white cabinets, or, I love the rough texture of the table, etc.

Finally, think about how you live. If you aren't very formal, you probably aren't going to like the real heavy ornate side of the traditional spectrum, or anything that will read fancy and flashy. On the other hand, if you like to dress up and don't have a big family or small children, you may prefer some more sleekness or some bling and sparkle.

Transitional Family Room by Kirkland Interior Designers & Decorators Design Harmony

Style is personal, but it also takes a bit of work and thought about who you are, what you like and how you live. If you aren't happy with your home, and you want to change it, spend some time figuring out your style situation first, you'll be much happier with the end result!

Design TV

2015-07-17T13:07:00.000-05:00

Do TV design shows help you or hinder you?

With all the television programs out there, Interior Design is all the rage these days.

While I love the decorating shows as much as the next guy, they can sometimes be a little misleading.

Eclectic Living Room by Austin Interior Designers & Decorators Design Studio2010, LLC

For example, if you have ever watched HGTV's Property Brothers, you would be led to believe that Jonathan does all the designing of the decor and furnishings. He is the host of the show, and obviously can do grout and do construction, but have you noticed that his clothing never gets dirty? His job is to look good on camera and host the show while a team of many skilled folks you never see do a lot of the work in the background.

If one man could look that good, renovate an entire house and do all the interior design that quick, well, he would be downright superhuman. The truth is that many of the design shows are hosted by the celebrity who has skills for sure, but they often have a local design firm behind the scenes actually doing the project that you wouldn't necessarily know about. All the photos in this post are from projects done on various HGTV shows. You can look them up on Houzz.com.

Transitional Dining Room by Woodstock Design-Build Firms John Rogers Renovations, Inc.

Sometimes design shows give credit to these firms, sometimes they don't. Some shows use homeowner contributions to pay for things, some don't. I'm sure there are agreements and contracts involved that I know nothing about, and certainly the level of involvement of the host varies from show to show depending on what they do and what the network wants to portray.

Design shows can certainly inspire us to make our own plans and dream about what we want our homes to be like. On the other hand, you the viewer don't always see the hard work and time that it takes many people behind the scenes who are making those designs a reality. You also don't see the costs that a real life project might incur because on rooms are often staged to promote a certain vendor or product, like Wayfair or Lumber Liquidators, etc.

Traditional Living Room by Manchester Interior Designers & Decorators Coleen Mann for Ethan Allen Manchester, CT

Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper even says in the Q and A on her blog that the homes seen in the shows are staged for the reveal and it's up to the homeowner whether or not to buy the furnishings.

Let's face it: TV Shows are ultimately about making good television. If you want to watch actual real life on TV at a real pace you might want to stick to Championship Golf or The Joy of Painting.

Shabby Chic Living Room by Waco Design-Build Firms Magnolia Homes

Contemporary Living Room by Toronto Artists & Artisans W STUDIO ltd.

Even though I know it's not totally realistic, I still love to watch the shows and be inspired. I often put design shows on in the background to motivate me get my bum off the couch and start doing something.

Rustic Kitchen by Detroit Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Cabinets To Go

My favorite design shows highlight the actual design process start to finish. I love to watch a project come together step by step, but they must not have mass appeal because they all get the 5:30 am spots right after the all night infomercials. No problem for me thanks to DVR.

What do you think about design shows? Are they motivating or discouraging?

Discuss!

Where to Begin

2015-06-24T21:29:00.001-05:00

Is your ideal home new construction or a fixer upper?

I assumed that moving into a new construction house would be less work. The truth is that new homes have their own set of to-do's that take time, money and physical exertion. And in our case, very long ladders.

The challenge of a new home is that it looks pretty nice as is. Just like a new car, it has that new smell you know? You don't want to put any nails in the walls. They just look so new and unblemished. You're afraid to really move in and mess it up.

When I moved into my former home it was so old and ugly. I was motivated the second I got the keys to fumigate the kitchen, paint all the trim white, and undo all the icky things that were "left" by the previous owner.

New or old, when you get into a new home, how do you decide what to do and when? You can't just go out and buy everything, and you can't instantly change everything, so you have to prioritize.

How do you do that when the to do list seems endless?

First of all, I suggest you focus on function before decor. Don't tell my husband I said that.

If you have an attached garage, set this room up as soon as possible. This is the space you go in an out of every day and it's also where you will need to access the tools and equipment you will need to decorate your home. Once that is done, you will find it speeds up everything else.

On the inside of the home, identify the missing or broken things that interfere with everyday tasks and living.

When we moved into our current home, we didn't have a window covering for our large bathroom window. After one week of showering at night in the dark so no one would see us, we made that a priority. We also installed some large towel hooks to hang a towel on next to the shower. Those small things made a big improvement in our level of comfort in our bathroom, and made it look a little more finished.

You may need to get ceiling fans put up, or you may need to change an old appliance. Whatever it is even if it is not glamorous or exciting, if it will make a difference in your quality of life, do that thing first. It also can add long term value to your home.

Second, focus on the spaces you use and see the most.

For us, we started with my husband's office, because he started working from home as soon as we got here. It is the first room you see when you come in the front door. The next room was my son's room- since he was a baby we needed things more or less in order in there.

Save the lesser used rooms or upstairs spaces for later, so you can use them as temporary holding areas for things you aren't sure about or for sorting or storing things you may not keep. Shut the door when you have company. If you have a guest room, make sure you have a decent bed for them to sleep in, but other than that don't worry about making it perfect right away.

Third, try to decorate one area at a time.

This is so hard, but it will keep you from buying things haphazardly. Figure out your overall furniture layout and placement, then decorate. I decorated my son's room because it was the smallest and already had everything I needed to complete the room in terms of furniture. I only needed a few new decorative things to make it feel finished. Once it was done, I didn't have to think about it anymore.

Finally, enjoy the things your home has that made you choose it in the first place.

Our back porch is our favorite spot. In the evenings there is a nice breeze and my husband and I often sit out there after my son goes to bed. If your neighbor has palm trees like mine, you can pretend it's near the ocean-even if it's Central Texas.

Maybe your home has a great yard for the kids to run in. Maybe you have a great front porch. Maybe your neighborhood is great for an evening walk. Is there a window with a view of the woods? The sunset? Whatever it is, find something you like about your home and be thankful for that and enjoy it while you are settling in.

Don't be discouraged when you see the perfectly decorated houses on TV after a major renovation. Most of the time they are staged, and a lot of that furniture goes right back on the truck
when it's all done.

Enjoy the process of moving in to your home one area at a time.

Realistic Home Office

2015-06-18T15:17:00.004-05:00

In my home, I have the corner office. In that it is in a corner. And it is being used as an office.

I have great aspirations for it, but it is a bit sad and sparse right now as you can see. But I am excited about the potential now that this corner has a purpose. My plan includes a larger desk with a pull out (I'm looking at the IKEA Malm desk), some open shelving above, a soothing paint color, and some window treatments.

This is the other half of the loft. I'll add an accent chair in the corner to define a seating area, a coffee table for books and whatnot, and an arc lamp. I'll eventually upgrade the basic builder light fixtures for better lighting at night, but I actually get decent natural light now that it's summer.

Since my husband works one of those day jobs that requires a desktop computer, conference calls and such, he gets the main office, which was one of the first rooms I did in our house. The cat loves it.

Transitional Home Office by Kristin Bythewood Interiors

I believe that the environment we work in can really impact our productivity, energy, and our attitude about our work, especially at home, where there can be distractions. Here are some things to think about when setting up and decorating a home office.

Identify the function of the space before you choose the furniture.

Decide if you need space to spread out or just enough room for a laptop. Think about paperwork and filing needs. Do you have office or school supplies to store? Determine what kids or other family members may need if they use it. You also need to consider the location of the outlets and how you will plug everything in in such a way that it isn't a cord disaster. Those things are not very exciting to think about but they will help you make smarter decisions when looking for furniture.

Prioritize your desk and chair first.

If all you need to work is a laptop and a cup of coffee, you can get away with a small parsons desk with a few small drawers. But if you have paperwork, various office supplies, files, inventory, gadgets, etc., you will need something with more substance.

Contemporary Home Office by Yorkshire And The Humber Interior Designers & Decorators Making Spaces

You also need to consider ergonomic factors. If you will be sitting all day, get a decent chair that is the correct height from the desk and is comfortable and supports your back. A home office gets more use than work because it is used for both work and other things. If you use a laptop you might consider raising it up or attaching a keyboard.

Make it look like home, not a corporate office.

You can take a home office deduction whether you buy an ugly desk or a nice one, so why not make your office comfortable? .

Check out office liquidation center near you for a great variety of "executive style" desks that actually look like furniture. Change the hardware for a quick update.

Traditional Home Office by Portland Design-Build Firms Mosaik Design & Remodeling

Ikea has some affordable options with table tops and leg combinations in glass and wood that are easy to put together and can be combined with other storage tucked underneath.

For a more modern minimal look you can go with a parsons desk or even a small dining table.

Transitional Home Office by Denver Interior Designers & Decorators Iba Design Associates

Simple touches like curtains, paint, and a seating area can make an office feel much more comfortable to be in. It also gives you opportunities to take a break from the computer and sit and read.

At night our office doubles as a place to watch TV. The windowsill acts as a great drink holder and remote control spot. Now THAT's practical.

Incorporate things that reflect you and what you enjoy.

My husband was in the military and is a home brewer so I incorporated his beer glass collection and his coin collection into the design, For you it could be fresh flowers, photos of your family, books and magazine, collectibles. anything you enjoy that reminds you of why you work so hard.

Yes, that is a toilet trophy that says "unflushable".

A home office can be functional, comfortable, and look great.

I believe it can inspire you, and, hopefully, your work as well!

Design and Marriage

2015-06-03T15:47:00.004-05:00

Who calls the decorating shots in your house?

I came to my marriage with the notion that my video gaming cerebral husband would be happy to fix broken things and revel in home improvement. It would be so blissful to work hand in hand, side by side, tiling and grouting as we looked lovingly at each other, teaming up all weekend long to increase the value of our home.

After an entire day of tension, bloody knuckles, and a muddy bathtub filled with debris and a tile saw, it was all I could do to get the heck out of there, pick up some take-out and pray that he would be able to finish by the time I got home so we could end our misery.

Contemporary Cocktail Glasses by Denver Furniture & Accessories Custom Copper Mugs, LLC

The reason that people don't fight much on decorating shows on TV is because someone else is doing the work and the network is paying for it. Did I mention skilled teams of laborers and an artisan craftsman at the ready? The really good ones send them to a hotel.

In real life renovation requires hard manual labor, causes unexpected problems, and takes longer than you think it will. Husbands and wives have to hash out what to do and how to do it while trying to stay nice to each other. If you really do work well together in this way you should count your blessings!

Here are my tips for finding the middle ground at home when it comes to design.

Learn the non negotiable needs your spouse has and learn to work with them.

My husband insists on the television being exactly across from the sofa. When considering the furniture layout in the living area, I let him choose the TV spot, and then work around it to make it look nice, conceal wires and soften the harsh look of our large TV.

You can do a lot to soften a TV with nice baskets, lamps on either side, or a nice piece of furniture to use as a media unit.

Rustic Family Room by Scottsdale Interior Designers & Decorators J & J Design Group, LLC.

Don't fall into typical gender roles.

Each spouse should do what they are good at. Since my husband has an electronics background I make him do minor electrical things like outlets and ceiling fans. I do pretty much everything else.

If possible, try to find designated areas for each person to have ownership of.

This could be a small corner for hobbies or sewing, or maybe a large shelf or cabinet to display a large collection. Tuck a small desk and chair into a guest room closet for a hideaway office. Then each person has an area to retreat to right at home. This is especially important when you have small children.

Shabby Chic Home Office by Other Metro Media & Bloggers Jeanette Lunde

Find out what your spouse actually cares about the most.

My husband will give an opinion if I ask, but the truth is, he really is not that concerned about 95 percent of our decor at the end of the day. I have learned to only ask his opinion if it is something he will actually use a lot, or a major piece of furniture. Generally he likes what I pick because he knows I know him and what he likes.

If you have a spouse who likes to be more involved in the decor, make sure you consider what they like and need and try to compromise. The best designs blend more than one style together into one cohesive look.

Beach Style Dining Room by Walpole Design-Build Firms Bensonwood

Narrow down your options when it's time to make purchases.

Instead of dragging your entire family to the IKEA, figure out what you are looking for, and pick a few things that will work. Only bring your spouse to a store if they are required to see it or sit on it to make the final decision (unless you really enjoy family outings to very crowded stores)

Hire someone to help you.

A designer can help save you a lot of stress because they can act as a mediator and make suggestions from an objective point of view. I try to get to know my clients specific taste and find things they will both like according to what is important to them.

Transitional Family Room by Owensboro Home Builders Jagoe Homes Inc

My marriage survived the tiling project, and it also taught me a lot about who I am and am not and who my husband is and isn't. Don't let unrealistic expectations cause problems in your relationship. Compromise, know your strengths, hire some outside help.

Or apply for an HGTV show.

Organizing with Kids: Papers

2015-05-27T19:54:00.003-05:00

Are you inundated with paper? Despite all of our technological advances, phones, watches, tablets, and the like, I have yet to meet someone who does not struggle with this at home.

When you add children to the mix, paper becomes an even bigger issue. It's one thing to throw away junk mail, it's quite another when your sweet child comes home with his latest drawing or craft.

We can't hug all the cats, and we can't save all the papers. But, we can get a better system in place for handling it all and figuring out where it goes.

The challenge with paper is that it comes in daily and doesn't take a break. If you are getting massive pileups, you may not have a problem with getting rid of papers, you might just be backlogged because you don't have a good system in place to deal with the daily influx.

Here are some ideas that can help you get a handle on all those papers.

Reduce your mail.

Set up online accounts and e-billing whenever you can to reduce paper clutter. Sort mail as soon as you get in. Just tossing all the junk mail and excess envelopes and pages will reduce your visual clutter and burden by half and keep important and time sensitive items from getting lost.

Identify a sorting spot.

Typically the best spot is where you and your family go in and out daily. This could be in the kitchen, a hallway, a mudroom, a corner, a place near where you naturally tend to take off shoes, coats, put down keys, etc. This is the first line of defense, where your papers should go to be dealt with.

Traditional Kitchen by Minneapolis Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Sicora Design/Build

Keep a clipboard for any and all time sensitive material.

It's a fact that when you have kids your brain changes and you aren't able to focus. A clipboard is my solution to this problem. Anything that requires a response, like a kids party invitation, a bill, or a health form, should go here. This way you don't have to worry about losing it, and you have everything in one place when it comes time to sit down and pay bills. One clipboard in a designated place is a lot better than an unidentifiable pile.

Creatively display worthy kids art and projects in a designated area other than your sorting zone.

Consider displaying your kids favorite projects or artwork someplace else. This will make your more likely to put it up right away and get it out of the pile. You can get really creative with this, just make sure it will be something you will actually do in real life.

Contemporary Hall by Gastonia Interior Designers & Decorators Emily A. Clark

Hang a length of twine and clip papers with clothespins. Make a magnet board or a custom fabric board. Frame the standout pieces that you will want to keep for the longer term. Do something fun to recognize and celebrate creativity, that can be incorporated into your kids rooms or play areas.

Traditional Kids by Fairfax Interior Designers & Decorators Etch Design Lab

Get one or two attractive organizers to act as a holding area.

A holding area is the purgatory between the clipboard (immediate) and the unattractive office file box. It's for things that have already been opened and dealt with: paid bills, voided checks, whatever you need to hang on to and file eventually, but don't have time to do today or this week.

Contemporary Home Office

When the holding area gets full, and you have a little time, then you take the whole thing and file and organize it. I recommend something with a few compartments, but not too many. The idea is this is a temporary zone. Like the laundry bin, when it gets full, you need to address it.

Traditional Desk Accessories by New York Lighting Lightaccents

The key to staying on top of papers, whether you have one child or eight, is to have a realistic system that works for you, your personality, and your home.

Make sure your system is simple enough for everyone to do, so everyone in the family can participate and keep the paper at bay.

Modern Entry by Sandy Media & Bloggers Michelle Hinckley

Organizing with Kids: Toys

2015-05-19T16:22:00.003-05:00

It's time to open up Pandora's Box! Well her Toy Box anyway.

This week I am continuing on in my mini series about organizing with kids. Today we're going to talk about toys.

Toys are a lot like clothes. They take up space. People like to give them to you as gifts. Kids outgrow toys. Kids throw toys ALL OVER the place. Toys pile up.

Having kids means having toys.

Don't worry, I love toys. My rule is that if I don't think it is fun to play with myself, I don't buy it. I enjoy my son's toys, I enjoy buying him toys, and I enjoy organizing them. I am not a toy hater. It keeps me in touch with my inner child.

You will need to decide how many and what type of toys are appropriate for your lifestyle and your kids' interests and stages. That being said, some of you are drowning in excess toys, they are taking over your life, and it's exhausting you.

Remember, you set the tone for how your house runs, and where things belong. If you don't set it, it will be set by your kids and they are not naturally known to be orderly and clean. But you would be surprised what they can do if you give them the proper environment.

I think it is possible to have a realistic amount of toys in any type or size of home and still have order and sanity.

Transitional Living Room by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators Enviable Designs Inc.

Here are some tips for keeping your kids toys organized.

Designate specific areas for play, reading, and crafts.

For play, I recommend an enclosed playroom if you can. If you don't have that option, use any zone that has some type of defined boundaries. This could be a formal living or dining room you don't use, an office, a nook, a corner, etc Any place you can make a "home base" for the toys that has enough space to play in safely and in sight of or in earshot of an adult. It doesn't have to be huge.
You can always take some toys out from there and bring them somewhere else if you need to.

Contemporary Kids by London Interior Designers & Decorators Amory Brown

For reading, create a cozy corner in your child's bedroom. My son calls his the "quiet corner." All his books are on a shelf next to it where he can reach them. (make sure your bookshelves are attached to the wall). This is where we read at night, and he goes there to "read" every morning when he wakes up. It can be as simple as a big pillow and a blanket.

Eclectic Kids by London Artists & Artisans Tracey English/One Apple Designs

For crafts, I think the best and easiest place is the kitchen or dining table. There is room to spread out, durable flooring underneath, and you can do some dishes or clean while your kids are coloring if you need to. Store things in designated containers, like "play dough" and "art supplies" and put them in an out of reach closet or cabinet nearby when not being used. If you are short on space, stick to the basic crayons, markers, paper and play dough. You can always go out and buy a few things for a specific craft every once in awhile.

Contemporary Kids by St. John's Photographers Becki Peckham

Keep like things together.

If you have a play kitchen, keep the food and cart next to it. Put all the trucks in a "truck box". Put the train and tracks in a basket. Keep the puzzles in one basket. This makes it makes it easier for kids to find toys to play with, but also to help clean up. Store items in baskets with open tops or in clear boxes so it isn't a mystery what is inside.

Rotate toys.

Keeping a smaller amount of toys out not only keeps your play area cleaner, it keeps toys feeling new. Do this every few weeks. I even change the location of some of the toys that I keep out, just to keep it feeling different. When you do get a new toy, make it a point to put up a few that aren't getting as much use. Then when the new one gets boring, you can swap. Keep out two puzzles if you have five, one train set if you have more than one, etc.

Traditional Kids by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Keep only age appropriate and relevant toys in the play area.

In the same way you swap out clothes that don't fit, do the same with toys. If you want to hang on to them for future kids, put them in a storage area until you need them again. I like to go to places where I can let my son play with things to see how interested he really is before I commit to buying.

Make the most of your existing storage.

Most people have sufficient storage space, they just aren't using it to its full potential. Most closets can be customized using various built in or freestanding options. Consider hiring someone to come in and measure your storage and design your closets in a way that will work for you.

Eclectic Kids by Cambridge Architects & Building Designers LDa Architecture & Interiors

Use toys and toy containers as decor

Toys come in all different colors and shapes. Choose a few toys that have visual appeal and leave them out on a shelf or on a table. This makes them fun to play with and look good too!

Contemporary Kids by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jodie Rosen Design

If you stop by my home during the day you will see toys. Toys being used, dumped, brought outside, driving around, or stuck under the couch someplace with the motor still running.

When the day ends, toys go back to the playroom. Before dinner, art boxes return to the closet. At bedtime, books go back on the shelf. This allows a fresh start tomorrow and mental space for you at the end of a long day.

Love your kids, get messy, take stuff out.

Love toys, and love your home-by keeping toys organized and manageable.

Organizing With Kids: Clothing

2015-05-12T17:54:00.000-05:00

Kids may not come with instruction manuals, but you can count on kids coming with stuff.

Organizing this stuff takes some work, but I believe when we keep our kids' environments organized, it benefits them and makes life easier in the day to day.

Today I'd like to talk about clothes.

This problem starts as soon as soon as you have that baby shower. Who can resist the tiny little socks, slippers, bonnets, pjs, pantsuits and bibs? If you are fortunate enough to have a traditional baby shower or any friend who has older kids you will end up with probably more clothes than you actually need just because they are so darn cute. If it's your first child, you don't really know what you need so you always have more.

I can safely say you only need one "baby's first" bib for each major holiday.

Contemporary Kids by Scottsdale Interior Designers & Decorators
J & J Design Group, LLC.

This keeps on going even when you have them and they have a billion things already. Who can resist a miniature size shirt that says Chick Magnet with a big yellow chick on it?

How many times have you gone to Target just to buy toilet paper and you just had to buy that shirt/bib/onesie/hat?

Kids clothes, though they are small, can pile up before you know it. Add in gifts from family and friends and donations from friends, and the fact that they keep growing, and things can get unmanageable pretty quick.

Custom Nursery Closet by Kristin Bythewood Interiors

Here are some ideas for getting your kids clothing in order:

Keep a realistic quantity of clothing for each season.

The clothes that are in your kids dressers or hanging up in the closet should only be the things they are wearing and using right now. I generally keep seven days worth of clothing as a baseline. This is supplemented by extra socks, underwear, pjs, a few nicer outfits for special occasions or church, a swim outfit, and maybe a few extra shirts or onesies for littler ones that throw up or make a mess daily. This gives you enough stuff for your kids to wear for a week.

Keeping a smaller amount of clothing overall makes you actually use and wear everything they have that actually fits. This is true for adults too!

Contemporary Closet by New Rochelle Closet & Home Storage

Designers transFORM | The Art of Custom Storage

Only keep clothes that actually fit in the bedroom.

Anything hanging in that closet is fair game to be worn if your house is like mine. If I don't take things out, without fail, my son ends up wearing the one thing that doesn't fit.

Gradually put too small clothes into a bag until you are ready to do a total swap out. Then take all of them out and replace them with the things you have stored in that next size up bin. Then you'll be able to see how much you already have, and if you need to get more, you'll know what you still need and can go to the store with a plan. Just like the grocery store it is all too easy to get enticed by additional items you don't really need.

Keep kids laundry separate.

Consider doing laundry by room, not by color or type of thing. You may do more loads per week but you will stay on op of it and not get to that point where someone "has nothing clean to wear". One kid can generate a significant load of laundry as you know. Avoid heaping overwhelming piles in you laundry room by keeping kids laundry in their own basket in their room until you are ready to throw it in the wash. If kids share a room, put two baskets in there, or combine if it's easier.

My son has his own little laundry basket in his closet. When the basket is full, he helps me put it in the wash, then I add in some bibs, the highchair cover, anything else that belongs to him that needs washing and do it all in one load. It gets dried, tossed back in the basket, and is put away before he goes to bed.

Contemporary Kids by Calgary Interior Designers & Decorators elle design

This keeps laundry in my house manageable and saves time since I am not sorting out adult underwear from baby socks. This also allows my son to take some ownership and help me with his stuff as he is able. It keeps things from piling up in my laundry room and spilling over. Who wants to look at a pile of laundry in a mountain? Not me. Hide it in the closet and shut the door. All of my closet designs typically include a location for a hamper or laundry basket of some sort. There are so many cute ones these days in fun colors and sizes.

Contemporary Hampers by Woodbridge Closet & Home Storage
Designers Modern Littles

Having a system for your kids clothes can help you maintain a reasonable amount of clothing, keep life manageable, rooms cleaner, and laundry loads lighter. Who doesn't want that?

Decorating with Kids

2015-05-06T17:38:00.000-05:00

I had a great time designing my son's room. My room growing up was very pink and flowery, perhaps that's why I was drawn to a more nontraditional color scheme with neutral walls that could work for a boy or a girl.

Rather than use the smaller bedroom as most people tend to do, I chose to use my larger guest room, which proved to work out really well as I had room for a comfy reclining chair, a place for the baby to play and do tummy time, and a bed in the room so we could swap off sleeping in the baby's room the first month, Nurseries really don't require much more than a changing table, crib, a closet and a chair, so we could fit it all in there and use our smaller room for other things.

Back when I made my nice sweet nursery I was not aware of the fact that when babies start moving, everything changes.

Once my son started crawling and walking, he required the maximum security level of childproofing. If you can think it, my son could wreck it. If you had a lamp cord showing, he would unplug it. Floor lamps became giant swords to be pulled down and swung around. Heaven forbid it it if you have a GLASS coffee table, a plasma television or a pool.

Lawn ornaments, beware of my son-he is coming down the street to pull you all out of the ground and break you.

Where is my garbage can you ask? It's in the pantry behind the childproof lock. Cat food? behind closed doors. I can't tell you how many things have been thrown into the toilet at random.

We have an oven lock, stove knob covers, we deadbolt the doors, gate the entire upstairs, and keep very few lamps and accessories on display.

Needless to say, decorating with active little ones can be a little daunting, so here are some things to keep in mind:

For lighting, stick with ceiling fixtures and consider installing a dimmer if you want to have some variation once your child is old enough to get in and out of bed.

Eclectic Nursery by Provo Interior Designers & Decorators Design Loves Detail

Make sure any heavy furniture is attached to the wall if it can tip over.

I highly recommend using older dressers with drawers and a changing pad on top instead of open changing tables. If the drawers are hard to open, this is a good thing, because it means your child can't easily open it. If you do have open storage, try to keep items in baskets.

If you have a cute mobile that attaches to your crib, consider trying to re-purpose it by hanging it from the ceiling from a hook where your child can't reach it once he or she starts standing up in the crib. The one in the photo above is now hanging on a ribbon over the changing table in my new house.

Use age appropriate toys as decor in kids rooms. Try to get vintage or used toys in certain colors and use them as accessories.

Use soft cubes for storage of small children's books, toys, stuffed animals, and other items. Your kids can easily slide them off a shelf and put them back, and it's a great way to add color and keep books orderly.

Traditional Kids by Dallas Media & Bloggers Sarah Greenman

Consider using shelves and wall ledges to display breakable or delicate items instead of on side tables. Remember, in the early days, anything you place on your dining room table can and will be used against you.

Keep designated areas for playing and projects. Keep spaces simple and orderly so kids don't get overwhelmed by too much stuff. Change up the toys and swap items out for variety. If you are able, I am a big fan of designating a small room with a closed door as a playroom in order to keep clutter out of the main spaces.

Contemporary Kids by Santa Monica Interior Designers & Decorators Fundi Interiors

While the early stages have pretty strict safety requirements, don't despair. Sooner or later you can put those lamps and accessories back to comfort you when your kids are older and think you are no longer cool.

Realistic Spending

2015-04-29T16:59:00.000-05:00

Did you know that we all have a specific money personality? I recently took a money personality quiz. These are the types:

Spender Saver Investor Giver Avoidant

A spender of course, tends to spend as soon as they get money. A saver doesn't. An investor always wants to make more money, the giver wants to give away money freely, and the avoidant doesn't want to deal with money.

I assumed everyone could be grouped into two categories: spender (bad) and saver (good) . I am a saver in case you were wondering. However, the money personality quiz results point out that each type of money personality has both positives and negatives. Boo.

Regardless of your money personality, if you are homeowner, in your lifetime you will be spending significant amounts of money on your home.

A reality of life and home ownership is that you will spend money. After you spend money on the actual house, the property taxes, insurance, the utilities, the appliances, and the maintenance, you have to spend money on the furnishings, the fittings, the lighting, the beds, the storage, the towels, the decor, the plates, the electronics, the television, the other television, another television...and on and on.....

Some days this reality is almost enough to tempt me to go off the grid!

Rustic Exterior by Other Metro Architects & Building Designers Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

While I am all about figuring out affordable and creative ways to my home and yours look and feel better, I am not a supporter of getting a bunch of cheap stuff or skimping on quality. I think careful planning and saving for improvements ultimately leads to better spending when it comes to all the permanent and non permanent fixtures in your home, large or small.

I think many of us don't consider working with a designer because we think it's too expensive. Often that's not the case. Many designers (like myself) are willing to work with you even if your budget for furnishings is small or nonexistent. If you are ready to spend on paint or tile or flooring, it's worth the fee to pay for a brief consultation to help you make sure you are choosing the right materials that will look good and hold up in the long run.

For larger projects, a designer can help you find savings on decor when things like plumbing and electrical are eating big parts of your budget. Often they have discounts on merchandise that they will pass along to you.

Designers have vision and expertise. They help you see things you can't see and advise you on things you aren't savvy with. You pay them for this expertise, and it saves you in the long run. They shouldn't push you to spend money you don't have on things you don't need, but encourage you to spend in the right places, and save in others.

Quality people will respect you and your wishes and help you spend on what counts and make smart decisions that will make sense in the long run.

Regardless of your money personality, you are going to spend money on your home. How will you spend?

Creating Comfortable Corners

2015-04-22T12:50:00.002-05:00

Do you ever get in a decorating or organizing slump at home? Even though I help others with their homes, I can get in ruts on my own. First of all, I'm there all the time and look at it all day long. Add a busy and active toddler and a work at home husband, and there isn't always creative space to just....think. Can I get an Amen?

I'm halfway through Reading Love the Home You Have by Melissa Michaels and it was just what I needed to get out of my slump and jump start some new ideas!

I love my new open concept home, but it is harder to design because there are less walls to work with. We also have a longer narrow design to our main living space, so there is the added challenge of trying to avoid the "bowling alley" effect. Add living with a toddler who likes to touch everything and a husband more concerned about function than form, and it's daunting to decorate. So I just don't and get in a slump. And it bugs me.

Chapter 9 is entitled Adding Charm and Character. Melissa writes:

The charming ambiance you crave is possible, regardless of what you have to work with, when you create a comfortable place to be. Each corner and main space can be a welcoming area for you to connect with your family, rest awhile, and breathe a sigh of relief.

From Love the Home You Have

She tells us to focus on the corners of our houses-making them comfortable and purposeful. She says to tackle one corner at a time and determine the function and the feel you want first.

I have to say it was a bit of a light bulb moment. I was stressing out trying to focus on the look of the entire room, which was overwhelming me in our super open house where you can see everything. I am now creating corners, and it's much easier!

My home goal for this year was to make my house feel more comfortable. This chapter was what I needed to get back on track with that goal. I've already tackled two corners and it's inspiring more ideas.

Thanks Melissa!

Check out Love the Home You Have on Amazon!

That One Thing

2015-04-14T14:59:00.000-05:00

Everyone has a"one thing" they collect. I'm not talking about spoons or stamps here. After ten years of helping people get organized, I have found that everyone, regardless of how organized they are, has one thing that multiplies in their home over time.

For my mom it was baskets. When she entertained she would put out these baskets for chips and snacks when family or friends came to visit. I don't recall her ever buying the baskets, we just always had them. When we had to clean out the dining room, we found an entire piece of furniture dedicated to containing all these baskets.

For my dad, it was magazines. Years and years of magazines.

For my friend, it was boxes of herbal tea. Things got a little tense when I suggested she consolidate her twenty half empty boxes of herbal tea into a smaller container.

For another friend, it was armchairs. If someone offered her a chair, she couldn't refuse.

My neighbor was just over the other day describing all her "card making" supplies stashed in the depths of a closet.

And let's not even talk about tupperware.

Many "one things" really don't have any personal or sentimental value, they just accumulate.

My one thing is "stuff I plan to paint or repaint someday". You won't see it if you come over, but up in my little attic corner is a stash of frames, lamps and mirrors that have cracks or scratches, dents, or are otherwise not able to be used in their current condition.

From time to time I take one out, put it in a spot in the house to "look at" for several days in various spots. Eventually it goes back up in the attic because it's an unfinished project staring me in the face. I forget about it for a bit, until I go up to put something else in storage, only to see it again. Then I start the cycle again, taking something out, putting it somewhere, and eventually putting it back up in the same place!

It's been a year and a half since I moved from a small single story ranch house in New England to a bigger, taller home in Texas and I still haven't used or painted any of those things.

So that should tell me something about those things. That I really can't use them, I am not going to paint them, and they need to find another home.

Sometimes the clutter you can't see is just as bad as clutter you can. It represents extra work, time, and effort you may not have or want to put in. These "one things" start to take up a lot of mental and physical space and if left ignored, continue to multiply at a rapid pace if you aren't aware.

So, I challenge you today to identify your "one thing". What are you going to with it?

Announcing "Love the Home You Have" by Melissa Michaels!

2015-04-08T15:01:00.000-05:00

Five years ago I opened my laptop and stared at it. My good friends had suggested earlier in the day that I start a blog. Since I didn't really know what to write about I started searching for other blogs about things I was interested in.

One of the first blogs I read was The Inspired Room by Melissa Michaels. At that time I was trying to figure out where my creative self and reality intersected with a tiny house budget and a lot of ugly. I had a lot of determination, an eye for design, but I got a B+ in elementary art class and always felt a little uncomfortable at those women's events where you have to do a "craft".

50's Kitchen BEFORE

We had just put most of the money we had into our first house, and I had tons of ideas and not much to spend. I was finding myself frustrated by the shows I loved on TV, because they gave me all these creative ideas and I realized that what they were doing was never going to happen in my home, in which every room was painted the color of the pants your grandpa used to wear.

As I read the Inspired Room, I heard Melissa validating those feelings, but also encouraging and inspiring with a different message than TV: That our homes should be places we enjoy, that we want to improve and should work on, but we can't be perfectionists. That we miss out when we only think of what can be instead of appreciating where we are at right now. She also challenged me to do what I could do, instead of feel stressed out and sad about what I couldn't .

With a lot of inspiration from Melissa and others, I slowly transformed my little 50's home the next few years with a lot of my own sweat equity and creativity. Maybe it wasn't magazine worthy, but it was Real Life worthy. Paint cans and brushes, hammer and nails, plastic mitre box and mdf. And it's funny, even though I live in a new home now where nothing is old, smelly, ugly or quirky, I still won't forget the journey that began there.

50's Kitchen AFTER

Now five years later, I have the privilege of promoting Melissa's first book Love the Home You Have in the same week as launching Kristin Bythewood Interiors! I am so glad I let Melissa inspire me and teach me in those humble brown beginnings to make the most of the gifts I have in whatever home I am in. I encourage you to get this amazing book, and to check out her blog The Inspired Room!I can't wait to finish the book and get even more ideas and inspiration!

Do's and Don'ts of DIY

2015-03-30T09:59:00.001-05:00

Remember This Old House? It was a show my dad watched when I was young and in no way whatsoever contributed to our home improvement. It was on somewhere between The Victory Garden and The Joy of Painting. Though no one in my family gardened, renovated or painted, these shows often were on on the weekend. In my kid mind they about as exciting as their sports counterpart, golf.

Funny now that ENTIRE channels are devoted to making what used to be everyday boring homeowner stuff glamorous, high drama and heroic, including amazing feats of demolition, drywall. design and....DIY. Average looking tradespeople need not apply.

DIY, for those of you who haven't heard, stands for Do-It-Yourself. Traditionally, it means to tile your bathroom without paying someone, repair a broken door, or install your kitchen without a contractor to help. Entire home manuals have been written to teach you poor willing souls to do these types of things yourself to save money. In the early days of our marriage I thought my husband would find these manuals very helpful and want to follow them when it came time to owning a home.

More recently, DIY has taken more of a creative spin. On a typical home improvement show, the average and ordinary homeowners let the contractor and team of at least 20 free laborers do most of the work. Then the extraordinary designer/host works with the homeowners to make some kind of customized plant holder for their kitchen made out of reclaimed ship rope or some old broken pottery.

DIY is something I have a bit of a knack for, particularly when I am trying to get a certain look but I either can't afford what I want, or what I want simply doesn't exist. Some of my recent undertakings include spraypainted PVC curtain rods, painted striped curtains, and chalkboard tap handles for my husband's homebrew operation. While these were my more successful projects, there have been others that were not so successful.

So here is some realistic DIY advice to inspire those of you who have never tried anything yourself but want to, and to warn those of you who "think you can do it" but may be in a little bit over your heads.

I planned to spray paint this ceiling fan white. After starting to take it apart and tiny pieces kept falling on the floor, I realized it would be much easier to just donate it and buy a new white ceiling fan for my son's room.

DO Consider trying something small and inexpensive first. If it looks awful, you can mark it on the "hobbies" line of your family budget spreadsheet. If it looks good, you can put it on the wall and tell all the neighbors. You will probably have some fails before getting something good.

DO Research what other people have done before determining if you can do it. Many people share their projects online just like recipes and other things. I tend to look at three or four, and combine them to create my own version.

DON'T underestimate the amount of work and time it will take. Just like trying a new recipe, or cooking technique, you will encounter some pitfalls that will may set you back or take time.

DO Realize your own limitations. You may conceptually be able to do something in your mind, but just may not be a in a place in life where you have the time or effort to spend on a DIY project.

DON'T Underestimate yourself. If you like the challenge of trying something new, try it, as long as you won't totally ruin your home in the process. If you're willing to see it through do it.

DO one project at a time. It's so easy to start something, and never finish because you moved on to something else. When I am feeling the urge to do a project or redo something, I always ask myself, what outstanding project is sitting around somewhere. Getting that done will not only save money, but will give you a sense of accomplishment, and clear out some clutter.

DON'T skimp on materials. Buy extra in case. Most things can be returned if they are unopened. It is always better to have too much than to have to interrupt your groove 'cus you ran out of something and have to go to the store and get more _______.

DO Be patient with yourself. If you aren't under pressure to get it done, try to enjoy the process and learn as you go. Just like cooking, you perfect a recipe the more you do it.

DON'T Be afraid to ask for help from the right people. If you don't have a handy spouse or family member, go to a local hardware store if you can where people know what they are talking about. Or call a friend who has some skills. It's always good to bounce ideas off of someone out loud.

DO Know when to give up. Some projects simply aren't worth it when you calculate the cost of time or strain on your family. Know when to buy something or leave something to a professional. People who do this everyday know what they are doing. Think of it as treating yourself just like you would a massage, dinner out or a good housecleaning.

DIY can be really rewarding and enjoyable. The most important thing is that you enjoy the process!

Baby Steps

2014-11-04T22:21:00.002-06:00

It's been a year and two months since my husband, my son and I made the cross country trip to Austin Tx. A lot has happened. My baby became a toddler. My in laws moved closer. I turned 35. My husband started home brewing his own beer. We signed on to be partners in a brewery start up. We made new friends. We joined a great church. We didn't miss our snow blower. At all.

On the home front? I painted and set up the garage.

And I am almost done with the office that I started a year ago.

My last home was fixed up, decorated and staged to sell in two and half years. My one bedroom condo before that was renovated, decorated, painted and staged to sell in two years.

Our current home, which was built brand new with nothing to fix, seems to have a task list a mile long, lots of empty walls, and an endless shopping list.

Yes, I do have a destructive toddler and a husband who says things like 'why do we need more than one dresser?' but that's a separate conversation.

Maybe some of you are in the same boat. Whether you've been in your house for years or are the first owners, I'm sure you can probably relate to feeling like there is so much to do and you aren't making any progress.

I've seen different approaches to home improvement and decorating. Some people just want to get it done. They just put stuff up and get a bunch of stuff quickly so they can be done and feel like it's their place. And there is nothing wrong with that. Others don't ever do anything because they wait a long time, and then lose the motivation. When they have to sell the house they need the Property Brothers to intervene. Some people are those annoying weekend warrior types who just love home improvement and do it as a big family bonding event every week. They are not reading this blog because they don't need to.

My challenge is that I'm trying to balance my designer mind with what is practical for a growing family and a modest budget. And if you are like me and most of my neighbors, you simply can't spend 400 dollars on a lamp or spend your whole weekend constructing shelving from reclaimed barnwood, no matter how super simple the DIY network tells you it is.

Even when I have some money to spend, or a little time to myself, sometimes I need some motivation to move forward and just do something already.

So here are some ideas to motivate those of us who feel stuck in a rut:

First, recognize the small steps you are taking. Instead of thinking about what you didn't do yet, try to enjoy the things you have done.

Second, try to do on one room at a time. Set a budget, then make a list of items you need, and action steps like painting, fixing, etc. That can keep you focused, especially if you moved into a larger home and you are starting more or less from scratch. We focused on the office since my husband works from home and needed that up and running pretty quickly. When he traveled, I would plan to try to get some stuff done in there while he was out of town.

Third, be realistic about what you need vs. what you want. Decorative open shelving may be cool, but what are you going to put on them? Maybe you can do better with a framed picture or something you already have in that space.

Fourth, try to focus on the functional items first before you decorate. These are practical things that you use all the time like cabinet hardware, towel bars or hooks, storage, shelving, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Determine what rooms should get priority based on how often they are used. these items typically are easier to pick out since there are only so many options. I hung a few towel hooks in my bathroom, and not only was it nice to have a place to put my towels, but it was a short quick project I could do in under an hour.

Finally, try to enjoy the process. If you look at your house as one big to do list you'll never be able to relax. Enjoy looking at pictures of things you enjoy in magazines or online, and then pin them to Pinterest or cut out a picture and put it in a folder as you collect ideas you may use at a later date. When I pressure myself to finish a room I never like the result as much as when I take my time. I will often make shopping lists at stores I like online, and delete items when I decide I don't want them or track them to see when they go on sale. If you are out shopping, take a photo and save it. That way you won't purchase things out of emotion or pressure. Don't feel pressure to buy just because the store has a sale. They will have one again. Even if you have a coupon. Even if it's your birthday.

So take a deep breath, enjoy the process and take it one step at a time.

Embracing Parameters

2014-08-11T20:47:00.000-05:00

Every so often I can get my husband to watch HGTV with me. It has to be a show that is fast paced, competitive, high stakes, has lots of demolition, and only lasts for 4 weeks. Typically I have to put in some time watching one of his wilderness faves like Mountain Men in exchange.

I often criticize all the fast paced competition shows that are on these days but I have to say I am enjoying the one we are currently into, called Flipping the Block. Four teams (one of which hails from the fabulous ATex) have to live in a condo while renovating it. It's a bit nostalgic really-Ben and I did something similar with our first place, except we had electricity, running water and finished walls. But we did most of the work ourselves while living in it, with one toilet I might add. For more photos of our condo, click here.

Each team is a couple or sibling pair, so you can imagine the craziness of the show, but also the fun. Whoever adds the most value and is able to sell the condo for the most money at the end of the game wins the 50,000 prize, possible fame and glory, and a big bear hug from David Bromstad.

Each episode begins with the challenge to renovate one of the rooms. Then the teams are given the parameters: A set budget, not much time, one contractor to share named Joe who charges LA prices by the hour. Oh, and free floors from Lumber Liquidators, and a Joss and Main truck parked outside full of home furnishings. The parameters cause a lot of frustration to some, while the successful ones embrace the parameters, plan accordingly and don't over complicate things.

The truth in decorating for most of us watching at home is that we want nice homes but we all have major parameters. For many of us they feel like limitations. And I don't know about you, but the only truck full of furnishings I've ever seen parked in my driveway was a POD.

Most of us have financial parameters. Some of us have spouses that have financial parameters. Some of us have spouses who have parameters around doing manual labor.... some of us.

Any house will have space parameters. If you have an old house you will have quirky weird electrical parameters. Apartments and condos will have storage parameters. If you have children you will not be able to place floor lamps in your living room for at least 6 years.

I think most of us get frustrated by our parameters, and so we haphazardly accumulate things or we just give up and don't do anything.

I want to suggest that when we embrace our parameters, we can make better decisions about what we do and don't do to our homes and better prioritize our projects and purchases.

Here is an example of how this works in when it comes to selecting couches for your living room.

The location of solid walls and outlets will typically determine where your TV should go. You don't want your TV blocking a window. (Space) Once you know where it's going, you know where your couches will go. (Function) If you measure, (Size) you will know exactly the size couches you can fit. Once you agree on an amount you are willing to spend on the couches (financial), you will go to the store that is appropriate for your budget. You and your partner will have to agree on the look of the couch (style). You will then be able to narrow down a few options based on your parameters of size, space, style, and budget.

If you ignored these parameters and just went to the store, or online, you would likely end up with something too big, too small, too expensive, too cheap, because the options would be numerous and you would probably be pressured to get something not quite what you had in mind because-your-husband-is-in-a-hurry-to-get-home-to-watch-football-so-just-pick- something-already. You end up with a bunch of stuff that doesn't go, fit or that you just don't really like all that much.

So, consider your parameters as you think about your home. Consider your space. Do you measure before you buy things? Do you know what your budget is before you get to the store? Do you prioritize purchases or do it randomly? Do you rush into decisions about renovating or decorating?

I was thinking back to my own home and realized that the rooms I loved the most in the end were the ones I planned for.

So don't make another decorating move till you consider the parameters. The grand prize?

A smarter, happier and better looking home.

Realistic Garage

2014-07-06T14:35:00.000-05:00

So for the first time in my life since living with my parents, I have a garage. Like, a two car one. (Technically a car and a half). With a garage. door. opener.

On a global scale, you are considered wealthy if you own one vehicle. If you own two vehicles, even more so and if you own a HOUSE for your vehicle (aka garage) you are in the top percentage of like, everyone.

Sadly, many garages look more like a curse than a blessing, as they are filled to the brim with stuff stuff and more stuff. I'm hoping this post can help you get your garage to be a place you use and enjoy instead of "the place where everything is hidden."

Here is my recently complete garage. It took me one weekend (not counting the painting) to put it all together.

left side

right side

rear wall

The total cost of this project not counting paint was about $200. Not bad considering your average workbench alone costs that much. What I love about it is that it represents my vision for this blog. All the materials came from IKEA, Target, and the Hardware Store. Even the beer brewing stuff was acquired secondhand on Craigslist by my super awesome and crafty husband. (craft beer that is)

Here are some ideas to help you design your Realistic Garage:

Take an inventory before you do anything.

Sort through your stuff and consolidate. Put things in the attic that you rarely access. Then write down or draw a picture of what you need to have in order to store and fit all those things. This will help guide your purchases and keep you from spending too much. You don't have to buy elaborate garage systems or workbenches. My workbench is simply a piece of cheap plywood on top of two sawhorses we already had. It serves double duty as a workbench and a platform when my husband brews. I chose one large shelving unit to put all of our supplies on, because I had gone through everything and knew it would be able to fit everything we had.

Figure out what you need to do in your garage, then measure and designate appropriate zones.

This is a great tip I got from a fellow garage loving organizer. It will keep you focused.

Here is what ours were:

Storage for painting/tools/hardware/automotive

Ladder/hose/garden storage

Workbench area

Beer brewing equipment

Trash and Recycling

Small bar/seating area

Get as many things off the floor as possible.

This is safer, and frees up space on the floor to clean and sweep, which will make it less attractive to bugs, snakes, and rodents who may want to hide out in there. Check out the garage storage aisle for individual hangers and hooks designated for ladders, rakes, bikes, etc. Tall metal shelving racks allow you to stack smaller bins and tubs and easily without drilling, and can be moved should you need to rearrange.

Leave room to grow.

If this is a new or larger home and you plan to acquire more things over time, make sure you plan that in. Keep some empty tubs or shelves or leave some wall space for more shelving or hooks down the road.

Have some fun.

Just because it's a garage doesn't mean it can't have a little personality or color. I took cues from the tools and used some pops of bright orange and blue to make it feel less drab. I got a vintage "tools" sign from Home Goods to hang by the entryway.

Once the garage got put in order, it made it a lot easier to do things inside the house because we had a designated place to assemble furniture, paint, and keep supplies. My husband has brewed way more beer now that he has a legit space to do it in.

So make a plan, pick a weekend, and knock it out!

Instant Creativity

2014-05-03T17:37:00.003-05:00

Traditional Living Room by Thousand Oaks Interior Designers & Decorators The Old Painted Cottage

Have you noticed most of the popular design and food shows have become high stakes competitions? My husband and I have been watching Bravo's Top Chef recently, which is fascinating and frustrating at the same time. The show, and all the others like it, definitely says something about what we value in terms of artistry. If you can come up with something amazing really quickly under extreme pressure, you win. If you take your time, sorry-you lose. Please pack your knives and go. Take off your jacket, your show is cancelled. You will not be the next Master Chef, Design Star, American Idol, Food Network Star, Chopped Champion.

God took seven days to create the world, but you better make an award winning plate of veal cheeks and sweetbreads in seven minutes. On an open campfire in the middle of the desert.

Now don't get me wrong, I like those shows for entertainment purposes, and the people who win typically are very talented. But they lead us to believe that creativity and art are only good if they are produced instantly, or under pressure in high stakes situations. It's no wonder so many people end up emotional wrecks on those shows as they make it farther and farther into the competition. It's just not natural.

The reality is that even good chefs, painters, designers, architects, and musicians have to try, fail, edit, redo. They have to futz and mess until they get it the way they want. A potter making a pot on a wheel goes through a process of pounding, molding, shaping, cutting, removing, adding, smoothing, and refining. On TV, those "edits" will cost you the competition.

Sometimes the creative process is easy, sometimes hard, and sometimes you just get stuck and need to take a break and come back to it later. Sometimes you try something, fail, and have to start again.

To my husband's dismay, my creative process involves moving furniture (and other things) around until I get it just the way I want. I plan my rooms on Pinterest and on the furniture store room planner. Then I set it up in real life and I hate it. So I change it. Then I move it again. Eventually though I get it the way I want. Sometimes I take a risk and it pays off, like the curtains I painted in my guest room. Sometimes I pick a paint color and put it on the wall only to realize it looks like the color of poop. When we move, I have to to try new combinations, sell some stuff, buy some new stuff. Put some stuff away till I figure out where to put it. Wait to save some money.

TV shows give the impression that art should be instant. For most of us, we have to take risks, make some mistakes, and take our time. We may not be the next Design Star or Top Chef, but we'll eventually create something great!

Design for Normal People

2014-02-09T14:21:00.000-06:00

Hey ya'll!

Did you hear my new fake Texas accent? As of Labor Day of 2013 we are residents of the weird and wonderful city of Austin. The historic and quaint homes and streets of New England have been replaced with stucco, limestone and master planned communities.

Yeah we live in the burbs, but I still have an Austin zipcode so yay me.

Anyways, Austin is just ripe with e-clec-ticity or eclectic-ness...not so much in said burbs, but we don't have to drive far to find hipsters, food trucks and cool art galleries.

When I got here I was ready to hit the streets for some thrifty finds that would sling me into designer's paradise. What I discovered is while design is definitely appreciated here, it still has a hefty pricetag. So while I found lots of cool designer places to visit, it seems that my stay at home mom salary isn't going to support the glamour and glam of Louis Shanks and Z-Gallery.

Not to mention my toddler will DESTROY. IT. ALL.

So, it's back to the blog, or as my neighbor eloquently put it, Design for Normal People. As much as I'd love to show you step by step photos of our happy weekend warrior projects or the amazing skills I have with my Oz- like great and powerful glue gun-this blog is a bit more rough around the edges than that. Which to me, is totally Austin.

So on to the new chapter of Realistic Renovations- a little messy, a little unpolished, a little slow, but eventually gits 'er done.

Go Gadget Go!

2013-08-01T16:12:00.002-05:00

Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, I have updated my blog page with a new gadget.

I embedded an article from my super fave website Houzz.com. How did I do this? I just followed the directions on it. What did the directions say? I don't remember. Just like my high school science tests, when I just memorized what the book said and wrote it down and got a good grade, I just did it. Don't ask me to explain photosynthesis- I'd have to go back and check my notes. Isn't that what happens in "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" on the leaf? Wait, that's a chrysalis. Whatever.

Anyways, if, like me you enjoy sitting in the local coffee shop/kitchen breakfast bar/park bench perusing Pinterest and online decorating photos galore, this is the site for you. It's like window shopping. You don't spend money, just time. Which some of us have more of than money.

Speaking of Pinterest, check out my board entitled Realistic Renovations. Unlike most of the fancy photos on there which are meant to be inspirational, mine are actual photos from my own projects, many of them taken with my iphone.

No fancy edited photos with views of the ocean/golfcourse/mountainside/vineyard. Just pure unadorned reality.

Ok, Back to Houzz.com.

Here are some key features:

1) Ideabooks: These are like folders online you keep of all the photos you save. When you see something you like, you add it to your ideabook. You can add more than photos, but articles as well. You can name all of your ideabooks. That way, when you want to waste valuable time perusing photos, you have them all categorized. You can view the same photos multiple times. This can be very helpful when you are looking for inspiration for a project for yourself or someone else. You can have an ideabook called Dave's Basement, etc. You can put all kinds of stuff in there from products to articles to photos.

2) Articles: Houzz.com not only has a photo gallery, but has groups of photos with articles featuring a certain topic, like, "Eclectic Design in a California Ranch", or "Creating a Craft room in your Closet". Each week they send a newsletter via email with a variety of such articles. So something for everyone. I tend to skip over the architecture and gardening ones, but that's just me.

3) Links to products and blogs:

I find a lot of links on here to cool products that I wouldn't think to look for otherwise. Cool tea towels, art prints, boutique-y things, or just links to other design professionals. A lot of the products are fun and out of the box. They are typically not cheap, mind you, but sometimes you find some great things or ideas.

So, if you are into design in any of its forms, I highly recommend this great website. I have it on the laptop and also on my phone as a mobile app, though my favorite place is on the laptop so the pics are nice and big.

I also have decided to feature one article per week on my gadget-y thing on my blog, relevant to my topic. So you probably won't see any ocean view photos, but definitely ones that encourage budget decor and DIY stuff. I am all for looking at cool crazy design photos, but let's face it, no one would ever put half that stuff in their house.

So check out my cool gadget! I just like saying the word gadget. Go gadget go!

Picking Paint

2013-07-11T14:37:00.001-05:00

On TV they make it sound like paint is a very inexpensive update. But you can easily run up a big tab or end up frustrated with the results if you haphazardly go to the store without a plan. With some thought and patience, you can get a color you really love.

And only have to paint once!

Instead of randomly choosing a paint color, consider what is already in the room that isn't going to change. This gives you some context to help guide your color decision. Consider wood tones, carpet colors, furniture, curtains, etc. Instead of trying to match everything else to your paint, choose paint that will go with what you already have. Look for colors in existing patterns in rugs, bedding, or fabric you have and pull one out for the paint. Go online or on Pinterest and see if you can find some rooms similar to yours with similar fixtures or furniture.

Determine the feeling you want in the room. Warm and cozy or cool and calming? Light and spacious or dark and rich? What colors do you love? Hate? Then try to narrow it down to one or two color families. Warm and cozy will be earthy-browns, golds, oranges, reds, brownish or golden beiges. Cool will be blues, pale greens, stone, gray beiges.

Consider the lighting. Is the room naturally bright? Also consider what time of day you will be in the room. If there is little natural light, colors will look darker. If there is lots of light, colors will look lighter in the room.

Determine the shade of the color you want. This isn’t just about light or dark-more often it is about green blue or grey blue, olive green or mint green. If you go with a neutral beige, those have varying tones. Some are more yellow, some gray, some taupe (which can look purple). All the different colors we have are mixes of the primary colors in varying ratios. It’s usually the shade of the color people mess up on, not the color itself.

By now you should have a color in mind, and you can go to the store and start gathering swatches that look like that color.

Tip: Hold every color swatch you select up to a bright white swatch to help clarify the color. If your store has special lights for florescent, incandescent and natural, use those!!! If you use compact fluorescents at home, your paint will be affected and you should know how it will look at night with your lights on it. Some colors look horrible under those lights. Or more greenish.

Take the swatches home and start looking at them in the light of that room. Narrow them down to one or two. Head back the store and buy that in a sample color. If you are between two get two samples to help break the tie.

Paint a very large square of the sample paint (2 coats!) in various spots in the room and live with them a few days. Make sure you see it at different times of day. This will give you the clearest indication of what it will look like. At this point you should feel pretty confident that you have the color you want.

If you want to get it right you can't rush it.