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Green Idea: It's the simple things.

Oct 15, 2009

Change.org has declared today Blog Action Day. According to their site, it's an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Their aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion. Past years have been dedicated to themes of environment and poverty. This year, it's climate change. And I officially signed on with around 7,000 other bloggers in 135 countries to devote today's post to the topic.

I'm not about to throw down a list of dos and don'ts here. You've probably heard them all. But whatever you think about the causes and effects of climate change, it's easy to agree that limiting consumption is a good thing. It does us and the world good to be more conscious about our lifestyle and buying decisions. So here's a list—not of dos and don'ts—but of small ideas that can benefit the earth and enrich your life. Try one idea today. If you like it, turn it into a habit.

• Turn out the lights and rediscover the beauty of candlelight.
• Make dinner from scratch with ingredients from the farm market.
• Borrow a good book from the library for each member of the family and declare a no-TV night.
• Plant a tree native to your area. (search for: native trees [your state])
• Hang the laundry to dry and savor the simplicity.
• Make your own music.
• Simplify. Make a big donation to the thrift store, re-evaluate what you need.
• Appreciate what's outside your front door: a forest or a single tree. Appreciate what's already in your home.

Yeah, but this blog is all about interior design...
doesn't that mean buying stuff?

All the new furniture in the world won't improve your space if you don't know what to do with it. "Work with me here" is a unique interior decorating service. I'll show up and we'll spend a couple of hours together rearranging, repurposing, and recycling to give your room new life without spending a dime on stuff! You'll be surprised what a difference it can make, and you'll learn techniques that you can apply to other rooms in your house.  Email me for more details. —Diane

TAGS: blog action day 2009 climate change consumption simplification use what you have room redesign redecorating with what you own

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Color Love: What's your color personality?

Oct 14, 2009

There are a lot of color-preference quizzes online, but this one is actually pretty good! It's a fun starting point if you're ready to redo a room or your whole house. Your result will point you toward one of nine color palette series in Pittsburgh Paints' Harmony Collection. Each series contains several 5-color palettes you can apply to walls, flooring, fabrics, finishes, and accessories in your room.

Despite being "canned palettes," these color schemes are good. Each one seems to contain one surprising shade, something you wouldn't expect to see in a paint-store display. And each palette has a corresponding room photo to give you a sense of how it all works together. Take the quiz yourself and discover your color personality:

Color Sense from Voice of Color

My color personality is Tapestry & Mosaic. Here's one of the palettes from that collection, Euro Jade.

Need help applying your palette to your space? Email me.

TAGS: pittsburgh paints voice of color sense quiz game personality palette scheme

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Easy DIY: Quick-change Art Display

Oct 13, 2009

New blog category: Easy DIY! Projects under this heading must be inexpensive, must be do-able without special skills or tools, and should create a big impact in a room. First up, Bonnie's dining room art display. Bonnie and her husband, Shawn, installed this display to showcase their kids' artwork for $16 in an afternoon. Here's how!

1. Draw a level guideline and nail molding into place with finishing nails. Fill holes with wood putty. Stain or paint. Bonnie and Shawn used leftover stain, and molding that had been given to them but never used.
2. Mark positions for clips about every 8" using a pencil or easy-release masking tape. Attach alligator clips from an office-supply store with small screws.
3. "Install" the art. Couldn't be easier! The kids will have a great time curating their own gallery.

This concept would be effective for other uses throughout the house:

• In a home office, use it as a bulletin-board alternative.
• In the kitchen, recipes and shopping lists can stay out of the way on the backsplash.
• Fill a wall in a sewing or craft room with clips to keep supplies visible.
• Make a casual photo display in an entryway or stairwell.
• Use it for tricky-to-display collectibles like tea towels, aprons, or scarves.
• Make a vertical version where wall space is tight.

Thanks for the creative inspiration, Bonnie and Shawn! —Diane

I design rooms with your style and budget in mind. Check out my eDecor Plans. It's a new way to decorate!

TAGS: budget thrifty ideas solutions easy diy kids artwork display home office craft room

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Design Is Fun: Piano Steps in Stockholm

Oct 13, 2009

Couldn't resist sharing this clip that demonstrates how design influences human behavior and choices. —Diane

TAGS: piano steps stockholm design influences human behavior

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Inspired Question: How can I update my traditional kitchen?

Oct 12, 2009

I love questions! Send your small design dilemmas my way. I'll answer them (free!) here on the blog. Shana writes:

"My kitchen needs some updating, but I can't spend a lot. The present hardware is mid-80's "ugly", which is like an antiqued bronze look. I am trying to work with what I have so I am keeping the traditional elements and trying to stay away from anything too country-ish. I already painted the walls, put up new window treatments and wooden blinds (they weren't installed when I took this picture) and I am looking to install a new floor eventually. I might want to make new valances that have a more contemporary pattern. The ones I made are okay but I just found that fabric on sale and went with it for the sake of being thrifty. What inexpensive updates can you suggest to give my kitchen an updated traditional look?"

Shana, you're off to a good start! Updating kitchens on a budget isn't as hard as it sounds. It's often the little details that date a space, so changing them and adding some updated accessories can go a long way. Here's what I would do with your kitchen.

1.  Add a backsplash. Try the new plastic tin-look backsplash tiles for a dramatic focal point. For your kitchen I suggest this bronze-look backsplash tile from Lowe's. It's a very easy DIY project. See this video for step-by-step instructions.
2. Change the hardware. These pulls from Liberty at Home Depot have simple lines but keep the warm finish that looks best with your golden color scheme. Don't forget to change the hinges, too.
3. Change the flooring. Stick-on vinyl tiles have come a long way! They're an inexpensive transitional solution. Shown here is Armstrong Makalu Verde 16" self-stick tiles.
4. Change the valance. Here's a DesignTex fabric that's seriously discounted at New Toto Stores. The leaf motif is traditional, but its graphic treatment looks up to date. The scalloped wood apron above your sink is contributing to that country look you want to avoid. Make a simple valance (no gathering) and mount it over the apron with a cafe rod. 3-yard remnant for $15!
5. Update accessories. This exposed-gear clock injects a little industrial style for only $29. An oil-rubbed bronze paper-towel holder is $18. The 27"x41" rug adds a touch of contemporary style and enhances the color scheme for $39.
6. Consider a more stylish faucet. Hard to believe this oil-rubbed bronze beauty is only $110.

So there you go— a quick plan for updating your kitchen without a big budget. Good luck, Shana, and be sure to send me the after photos! —Diane

Need help spicing up you kitchen? Email me.

TAGS: kitchen traditional update golden bronze armstrong backsplash tile new toto stores fabric armstrong vinyl flooring lowes home depot cabinet hardware

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