ACTIVE ADULTS

My parents thought it would be a wonderful idea to retire to their lake house on Lake Wedowee in Alabama [yes that’s right Wedowee and no you have never heard of it, it’s a really NICE lake, but there is nothing to do there b/c it’s Wedowee] Of course that didn’t last long for Mom, she needed to see people, shop and of course play with the dream daughter two or three times a week. So they looked and found this ‘active adult’ community. One of those places where they don’t let anyone my age in, where apparently by active they mean ready to party like a rock star.
[I am not kidding about that, all they do is eat, sleep, drink and play!]

But they have let me in just enough to teach a few classes,

make a few new friends and even a few clients.

 I really enjoy teaching these ladies and crafting with them. They are hilarious and make anything a really good time.

The best part about acquiring clients in a community like this is the eclectic personalities and the different taste of each and every one.

These people are not trying to be trendy [they ARE trendy] they know what they like and they know what they want!

The challenging part here is how to;

1-DOWNSIZE from what was likely a MUCH larger home 

2-Know when to LET GO of certain pieces and 

3-Know how to bring their OLD favorite painting that has been in the family for 75+ years together with their NEW red sofa we just purchased! 

I could go on forever about each of these topics but I think I will just let this be an introduction to my life as an ‘active adult’ interior designer. I figured since many of our readers currently reside in this community that I could try and touch on each of the topics we try to cover in our design classes. So make sure to come back [with your glass of wine, ladies] and I will share a few more secrets of the trade.

A C C E S S O R I Z E

As I finish up painting my dining room table and buffet (pic coming Friday), I've started to wonder what accessories can be shifted around to add the finishing touches my new space.  As a side note: I'm trying to work with what I have until I find that I absolutely need something new and I have vowed not to buy that new item until I figure out exactly what it is that I want, I find it, and I love it.  Mama's on a budget! 

In trying to get together some general rules for decorating the Downs Abode, I decided that I definitely need a few on accessorizing.  Adding those finishing touches/pieces to a space is where you make or break the design.  They can act as the jewelry to your room enhancing your other furnishings or they can make your perfectly good base look like a hot mess. 

Here's what I came up with...

O D D N U M B E R S : work.  Unless you're going for symmetry (which I do love), go odd, especially on table decor.  It is visually more pleasing to have one or three than four and so on. 

S T A R T T A L L: This rule is, again, more for table top decor.  Most decoraters will start with tall pieces like lamps, candle sticks, vases, etc and either group them on one side or flank a matching pair on either side of the piece, then add one or two medium scale pieces and a few smaller lovelies as a finishing touch. Don't have anything tall enough?  Add a few books underneath.  Books are a great way to add a splash of color and height to your accessories.  Don't be afraid to stack!

G R O U P : collections, pictures, smaller objects all look better as a grouping.  If you have a collection of something (tea pots, plates, thimbles, seashells) try grouping every item in your collection together in one place.  It makes a bigger statement as a focal point than if you were to scatter your collection throughout your house.

M I X M E T A L S :  I think the thought is still out there that you shouldn't mix metals.  Not the case.  You're house is not a showroom where everything is from the same store that offers the same finish, right?  Not if you follow  the rules it's not!  It's OK to mix stainless, bronze, pewter, etc.  It gives your space interest and depth. 

N A T U R E : is a great subject for accessories and can be very inexpensive.  Fresh flowers from your garden or even limbs, moss, fruit and vegetables, stone-- these can all make great accessories and the best thing about not spending too much money on them is that you can

S W I T C H I T U P : Just because you have certain things on your dresser one day, doesn't mean you can't move them to an entry table in a month.  I would actually encourage that you do so.  Add more colorful items during summer, take some away in winter, play!  I'm sticking to my guns in telling you to invest in pieces you love, but mix it up with some cheap or even free stuff.

E X P E R I M E N T : Did you find a piece at a flea market for $1?  Then it won't hurt you to spray paint it yellow...just try it?  Take something you wouldn't typically put on the wall and hang it (baskets, plates, fabrics)  You will be amazed what you can come up with when you think outside of the box!

A D D P H O T O S : stuck on what to put on your table?  dresser? wall?  Add Photographs--whether they are of people you know, places you've been or something you picked up on etsy, a photo with an interesting composition and fab frame can be a great start. 

M I R R O R : You can get mirrors inexpensively at places like Homegoods, Lowes, or even your local junk store.  Mirrors add sparkle and make your room look bigger, but be careful what is on the other side.  You don't want to reflect your broke down window unit so it is in two places, get my drift?  Try and put mirrors across from great views to the outdoors, pretty art, or an angle of your room that you love.

D I Y : I find that with creativity, motivation, a plan, and the right tools, you can pretty much make everything you need to accessorize a great space.  If you see something you love, before you buy it, think about how you would make it--you might surprise yourself and save a little money.  There are tons of websites out there that provide great tutorials for DIY project--GOOGLE!

L A Y E R : To really create depth in your room, layer.  Layer art, accessories, furniture.  Just because you have a table against a wall, doesn't mean you can't put chairs in front or benches underneath.  Hang a picture on the wall, lean a few more up on a table below and then add more accessories in front of the leaning pictures.  Layering adds a certain look, so you will be able to tell if you like it right away.  If it's not for you, it's OK, but it's a tool you can use if you need to.

Here is an example of using books to add color and layering accessories to create depth. 

The great thing about 'leaning' is that those items can easily be switched around without leaving holes in your pretty walls. Notice the different heights and how your eye can move up or down from the furniture and still have something pretty to look at. 

I absolutely love this image.   Notice that these benches don't "fit" under the table, but they still work. 

My project this weekend is to make a huge coffee table and then rip this idea with the trays and books.  I'm obsessed with trays--a great way to contain smaller accessories, make them appear as one and add weight.

Stainless, gold, bronze--Oh my!  It works, right?  The different styles of furniture and awesome textures and are perfect.

Here is a collection of vintage toys?  Not really my style, but I just wanted to show you that, if done right, any sort of collection displayed together can be cute.  I'm thinking those display boxes would make a quick DIY project as well.

Still have a delimma that I haven't addressed?  Send me your questions!

-jd

T H E R U L E S

I just bought my first house (tons of photos soon to come) and as a professional Interior Designer, I thought I would know exactly what and how I wanted our first house. N O T.  I feel clueless. Inexperienced.  No confidence in anything I do. So, I thought if I could write myself some rules to go by, it might help.  I feel a pressure for the casa to be uuber cute (of course), but I still want it to reflect who we care--you know-- stylish yet casual; a glamorous casually perfect abode.  So, here are my rules:

S C A L E : I think people have this weird misconception that if you put large scale items in a small space, it makes it look smaller.  I don't know who came up with this, but it is not true.  Dark paint and/or large scale furniture does NOT make your small space look smaller.  Think about the scale of your furniture, artwork, accessories, pattern prints.  Be cautious of using smaller accessories and study them in relation to the piece they're next to and in the overall room and don't be afraid to GO BIG!

I N S P I R A T I O N : Find a photo, a paint chip, fabric swatch, piece of jewelry--anything to inspire how you want your space to look and feel.  Dissect it and figure our why you like your inspiration item: Is it the color, the furniture styles, fabric styles?  Make sure if you're using a photo as your inspiration, it relates to your space.  Don't pic a photo of an urban modern loft with exposed brick walls when you live in a traditional bungalow home where your inspiration look can never be pulled off.  Often, I take a magazine photo with a color I like to Lowe's and have them match that exact color for a paint.  Paint is one of the hardest things for me to pick out.  I have a zillion paint samples taped up all over the house as we speak.  I like to leave them out for about a week before committing to a color to see them at all hours of the day in all types of light....but I digress...

I N V E S T :  in pieces you love.  Don't buy something to "fill a space" in your house.  Buy something because you love it; because it speaks to you and because you can see it in your home for many years to come.  I have purchased a few things since getting the keys to my home because "we needed a table and this one was cheap" or "this was on sale and it matched" and you know what? Every time I look at those pieces, I regret buying them.  Yet, the pieces that I walked past in a store and thought "I have to have that.  I don't know where it will go, but I love it".  They always seem to work.  I make a spot. 

K E E P I T N E U T R A L: "Big Money" pieces that is.  I would recommend keeping any big ticket items like sofas, rugs, and anything that cannot be easily changed, neutral.  If you're digging on a orange sofa, you might want to consider getting a more neutral color and throwing orange pillows on it.  Throw pillows and art are a great way to add accent colors to your space and most times are pretty inexpensive.

D I Y :  I am all about doing it yourself!  There are tons of ways to recreate looks for waaay less with a little research and elbow grease.  Stay tuned for more blogs on how our DIY projects.

R E U S E : I'm a hater when it comes to new anything.  I love the feeling of a house filled with old pieces that have a history and charm.  There's something more interesting to me knowing they had a life (or two) before coming into your life.  BUT, if you don't buy that, buy this: old stuff is generally cheaper, has more character, made better, and you are doing your part to recycle when you buy used.  I know it's not practical to get everything second hand, but just try it for a couple of pieces--I promise it will add so much personality to your space.  Go to a yard sale, find a cute junk store, or visit craigslist or ebay and definitely stay tuned for our "around the town" section where I will be writing about my favorite spots to shop in Tampa.

D E T A I L S : I'm a firm believer in details.  Don't forget about the little things like light fixtures, cabinet hardware, welting, etc.  You wouldn't get all dressed up and forget your jewelry would you?  Details are like jewelry for the home--and don't be afraid to switch it up!

P E R S O N A L I Z E : Always a feign for personalization, I suggest a good monogram, photos, and anything that lets people know you live there.  You're personality should peep it's head the second people walk in the door (or even before).  What does your house say about you?  Are you bold?  Paint your front door a bold color to reflect that.  More causal--use slipcoveres.

And now for you followers that just like to look at the pretty pictures--here are a few of my favorite inspiration rooms:

I like this for several reasons.  My floors are similar in color so it is a good inspiration photo for me, I'm obsessed with gray at the moment, I like that this space is neutral yet still interesting, the mix of styles works for me and every piece has style.  I'm all about bribing  the hubs make furniture for me and that desk looks preeeeT easy to whip up! 

 

I LOVE this kitchen!  I'm crazy about painted anything...mainly because I can recreate that look pretty inexpensively. I can see this photo as an inspiration for an older kitchen that could just use a little paint on the cabinets and barstools.  White/Neutral countertops are always a plus especially because you can change out whatever pop of color you want and the counters will always "go".

This picture, again, is good for me because I was lost at what colors to put on top of my dark laminate floors.  I was hesitant to put any more dark or black, but come to find out, it actually looks good as long as the piece isn't too heavy and is paired with something lighter.  Again, I love the personality of this room.  It has a history and looks like the pieces were found over time. I try to stay away from "Catalog Design" where your space looks like it all came from page 6 of "insert your favorite store here".  What's the fun in that?  It can't possibly reflect your story, your lifestyle and your style.  Right?

I think this illustrates how pieces don't have to "match" to "go".  I love the color combo with the taupe, teal, and orange. 

I hope this helps you...hell, I hope it helps me! lol.  I'd love to hear about your decorating rules and the story behind how you came up with them.

JD