Here’s a photo of Patricia with me in my office.

Until next time,

Pamela

Most of the homes are stucco-covered brick, painted in neutral colors.  But on one street in downtown Charleston is a group of historic townhouses that are among the most famous and recognizable images of the city.  They are known as “Rainbow “Row”.

Everything was in bloom while we were there.  We were really lucky, since normally the azaleas bloom in April, but due to the unseasonably warm weather on the east coast, everything bloomed early – just in time for our arrival! I’ve never seen such beautiful azaleas in every possible color. Wisteria grows wild there and it was also in bloom.  Also gorgeous dogwoods, cherry trees, camellias, and forsythia – all in glorious bloom!  And Spanish moss hangs from many trees which adds to the uniquely beautiful scenery.

We visited the Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, just outside of Charleston, on our last day there.  They have the oldest estate garden in the western hemisphere, begun in 1680.  It’s still owned by descendants of the original family and open to the public for tours.  The gardens contain beautiful reflecting ponds that enhance the natural beauty of Magnolia Gardens, as well as footpaths, wooden bridges and banks of flowers whose dimensions are doubled in the  glassy surface of the water.  We also saw quite a few alligators who live peacefully in the swamps on the property.  Cabins that were used to house slaves in pre-Civil War times have been restored and are also still on the property.

I had read that you shouldn’t leave Charleston without trying their famous dish of shrimp and grits.  I had it twice in two days, and it was delicious. In fact all of the food there was amazingly good.  We enjoyed all of the fresh seafood and the interesting dishes that make up “Lowcountry/Southern” cuisine.  Our favorite restaurant was Poogan’s Porch, which is located in a spacious home that was built in 1888.

If you ever get the chance, do visit Charleston.  There’s so much history to learn about, and it’s such a beautiful city.  And, of course, amazing  flowers and gardens.

Next time I’ll write about our visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  It’s kind of like the east coast’s Hearst Castle.

Pamela

While at the Las Vegas Home Furnishings World Market recently, I was excited to see that on the scene for spring 2012 will be tropical and beach inspired colors that are seemingly saturated by the sun. Luscious reds, oranges, yellows, aquas, and teals will be extremely popular. Bright and happy is a good way to describe the new spring colors. Look for blue-greens in every possible shade. Think ocean colors – rich and luscious. Apple green will also be popular this spring.

Pink and orange will be a popular color combination. Not normally seen together, the combination of these two colors creates a playful feeling. Another popular color combination for spring will be gray and yellow. These two colors, like pink and orange, aren’t normally used together. The combination is quite pleasing, and adds warmth to cool gray.

Pantone’s color of the year, tangerine tango, an energetic reddish-orange, will be seen in fashion as well as home decor. This lively hue will brighten up the darkest room. Just a splash of this color is enough to create energy in an otherwise subdued interior. Try it on throw pillows, throws, lamps, accessories, and artwork.

Also look for these bright colors in garden accessories and outdoor decor. Indoor-outdoor fabrics have come a long way and are now available in a multitude of patterns and colors. Always look for 100% solution-dyed acrylic for outdoor use. These fabrics won’t fade and will last for years in the sun. These indoor-outdoor fabrics are also wonderful for heavy indoor use like breakfast nook chairs and kitchen bar stools.

Neutrals are always in style. It’s always a good idea to keep large upholstered pieces neutral. Warm beiges, taupes, and grays all pair well with the tropical and beach inspired hues. Create a whole new look by just changing out art and accessories.

A variety of patterns are being seen in interior fabrics. Evident at the recent Las Vegas Market were graphic patterns that invoke indigenous cultures. A sign of our global economy, these patterns are becoming very popular. Also fashionable are designs inspired by lattice work, iron gates, and Turkish architecture, as well as syncopated patterns, abstracts, and geometrics.

I saw lots of artwork and wall decor in these luscious shades of red, orange, yellow, and blue-greens. Abstract paintings full of life, as well as beautiful florals of poppies, calla lilies, and other appealing flowers were prominent. Lamps in rich shades of red, orange, and teal will add a pop as well as functionality. Accessory pieces like clocks, decorative boxes, vases, and candleholders will also be stylish in these new colors.

So add some pizzazz to your interior with some of these ideas for adding splashes of color to your home. You will be energized and will want to spend more time in your newly stylish and charming home.

This beautiful upholstered bed is striking with the contrast of the darker wood finish and the light-colored fabric.  Nailheads complete the look.

This dining table is rich and beautiful with its cocoa finish.  I love the contrast with the light-colored dining chairs.

Please let me know how you like the new darker finishes.

Until next time,

Pamela

Lighting was one area that really stood out at the recent Market.  I consider lamps to be the jewelry in a room.  They are not only functional, but they add personality and style.  Here are some photos I took of some of my favorites.  Let me know if you see something you have to have.  We’ll be adding lots of new lamps to our Innovations Online Boutique for Home Accessories very soon.

I fell in love with these unique and beautiful lamps that are all made of natural materials.  They’re great for adding mood lighting and personality to a room.  There are many different sizes and styles to choose from.  We’ll be adding them to our Online Boutique for Home Accessories in the near future.

These beautiful lamps unite sophisticated shapes and silhouettes with distressed finishes of gold and silver to create 21st Century antiques, New Orleans style. These fun, whimsical lamps are special favorites of mine.  They’re extremely well made including beautiful metallic and painted finishes, creative and unusual shades, and some even contain beautiful crystals.  Just one of these gorgeous lamps will add pizzazz to your entry or living room.  Let me know  if you’re interested in seeing more of these lamps.

Another one of my favorite lines, these lamps are handmade from real leaves.  The manufacturer is dedicated to the value of sustainable and fair trade practices.  Their lamps are both eco-friendly and fair trade.  They use natural materials such as cocoa leaves, bamboo, banyan leaf, abaca, nito vine, and durian fruit to create striking but sustainable pieces.  They use non-toxic dyes and adhesives. These lamps are made by local families in the Philippines.  Through unannounced visits, the manufacturer ensures that no child labor is used, that employees work in a good environment, and that they are paid living wages.  It’s very important to me that the people hand making these incredible lamps are treated fairly and humanely.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite new products from the Las Vegas Home Furnishings Market.  Lots more to come . . .

Until next time,

Pamela

We’ll get to the bedroom, but first let’s take a look at the rest of your home.  Harsh lighting isn’t attractive or relaxing.  Install some dimmers so that you can dim the lights to create different moods. Make sure that your rooms aren’t lit solely by overhead lights.  Add some soft lighting through the use of table lamps, floor lamps and wall sconces.

Keep some fresh flowers in your home.  They’ll smell wonderful and add color and beauty.  If fresh flowers aren’t possible all the time, supplement with some green plants and silk florals.  Place them in your entry, your living room, dining room, and kitchen.  Make sure that your home has a pleasant and welcoming scent. Use flowers, candles, potpourri, or essential oil warmers to add wonderful scents like vanilla, sandalwood, or citrus.

Now that your home is welcoming and comfortable, let’s concentrate on the master bedroom.  This is your private sanctuary – the place you go to escape from the stresses of the outside world.  Create the place you love coming home to – the place you’d rather be than anywhere else.

View at Picasa Beautiful lamps with hand-painted shades cast soft lighting in this romantic bedroom.

Your bedroom should have soft, beautiful lighting.  Bedside lamps should have 3-way switches, allowing you to read in bed, but also to create a romantic mood.  I have a salt lamp in my bedroom that creates a soft, warm glow while also releasing negative ions which are known to be relaxing and healthful.  Candles also provide beautiful lighting.  Everyone looks better in candlelight.  Have candles on decorative plates on both nightstands, and on dressers or tables in other areas of your bedroom.  Light them all when you want to create a lovely, soft glow.  Choose a relaxing scent like lavender to melt your stresses away. If real candles make you nervous, there are some wonderful battery-operated candles that create a soft glow very close to real candlelight. Add a touch of an essential oil to create a relaxing scent. Place mirrors in such a way that they reflect the softened light. Mirrors also reflect life energy and are a great way to create a warm, inviting feeling in your room.

Your bed should be extremely restful and comfortable.  Don’t skimp on your mattress. After all, you spend one-third of your life in bed.  Your bed should have luxurious linens.  I love down comforters and pillows.  There’s nothing like the feel of down.  For those who are allergic, there are now wonderful synthetic downs.  But don’t overdo the pillows on the bed.  Keep it simple and inviting.

In the bathroom, have some soft, plush towels, and maybe even his and hers robes.  You’ll feel like you’re at a luxurious resort.  Dim the lighting or add some candles around the tub.

View at Picasa Pramik Master Bath - This romantic bathroom contains a new larger window. The shower, tub, vanity, mirror, lighting, flooring, and paint are new.

Window treatments should be soft but functional. Have the ability to draw the draperies or close the shades to darken the room from street lights or harsh sunlight.  Flowing fabrics on your windows create a soft, romantic feeling.

In keeping with a romantic feeling, if possible, hide the TV or remove it entirely from the bedroom.  An attractive armoire can be closed when the TV is not in use.  Keep a small music system in the bedroom, even if it’s just an iPod and some speakers.  Playing some beautiful, romantic music will be very relaxing.

Colors are important to consider because they affect us physically and emotionally. For the bedroom choose soft, relaxing colors. Soft blues and aquas are especially soothing. Try to avoid harsh, bright colors or reds, which are more energizing than relaxing. To create an overall soft glow in your room be sure to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. You’ll be amazed how relaxing it feels.

Last, but not least, remove work materials from your bedroom.  If at all possible do not put a desk in your bedroom.  Use an extra bedroom as an office or have a small work area in your kitchen or den.  Bringing work into the bedroom will change the energy from relaxing to stressful.  Try to leave the stresses of the day outside of your bedroom.

Try some of these tips and see how much better you’ll feel.  You can create a private, romantic sanctuary in your own home.  And for Valentine’s Day, add some champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.  Perfection!

Until next time,

Pamela

I just got back from the Las Vegas Home Furnishings Market on Wednesday.  It was great to see all of the new styles and colors.  We saw lots of orange – in shades ranging from orange sherbet  to burnt orange and everything in between.  We also saw lots of blue-greens – everything from aqua to deep teal.  These are my favorite colors, and I’ve waited years for them to come back.  I’m so glad that they’re finally here.  Not that you have to use these colors, because we saw lots of red, blues, yellows, greens, and purples.  And of course neutrals – every shade of beige and tan, and more greyed down neutrals, especially in woods.  Here’s a sampling of what we saw.

Much more to come . . .

Until next time,

Pamela

Here’s a sampling of some of my favorites.  Click on any photo to see the beautiful, intricate detail.

These beautiful hand-painted wall plaques will look great hung horizontally, vertically, or as shown. The rich colors and textures make them especially nice.

The burnt sienna color and textures in the glass on this lamp are just gorgeous.

I love the clean lines and striking design of this beautiful mirror.  It’s perfect for over an entry console table or in a powder room or master bath.

Our home accessories shopping site now features the most competitive pricing and free shipping on all orders.  Do some exploring . . .hope you find something special.

Until next time,

Pamela

Learning to dance without a good teacher is a little like trying to design the interior of your home without a good designer.  Sure you can look around at different stores, watch shows on HGTV, and look through lots of home magazines, but figuring out what your personal style looks like and trying to create it in your home is not easy.  As an interior designer, I really listen to my clients, ask them lots of questions, and look at lots of photos together so that I have a very good idea of their needs and desires.  I also find out how their family functions and what their passions and lifestyle are like. Then I take measurements and start creating a master plan for them.  Because of my education and 25 years of experience, not to mention some intuition and talent, I am able to create a design that they love.  Sometimes it requires a few tweaks, but in the end my clients have been astonished at how well I know what they’re going to like, and am able to find just the right pieces, fabrics, and colors.  When I create a design I start with layout and elevation drawings.  Then I select the basic pieces and build on the design, layering in accent pieces, lighting, area rugs, window treatments, artwork, plants, and accessories.  By the time I present the design to my clients, it’s usually almost exactly what they we’re hoping for.  Then we fine tune it and get everything ordered, delivered, and installed.  It’s a fun and fairly stress-free process for my clients, and the best part for me is seeing their smiles when they see their transformed home.

If you think you might like some assistance designing your home interior, please call or email me. I’d love to help you.  If you’re outside the greater Los Angeles area, I can still give you some guidance.  Just go to “Personalized Design Advice” and tell me about your design dilemma. You can come home every night to a place you love.  After all, home is not just where you live – it’s where you come alive.

Add mirrors to any room you want to visually expand. To make a room feel larger, place a mirror opposite a window wall. The mirror will multiply the view, creating the effect of another window. Be sure that the view the mirror is reflecting is a pleasant one that you want to see more of. For example, a colorful view from your yard will add color, beauty and light when reflected in a mirror.

Entries and foyers are a great place to add a mirror. This is the first place that guests see when they enter your home, so it’s a great place to set a warm and inviting tone. Adding a mirror above a console table or chest will brighten your entry by reflecting light. A beautifully framed mirror will create a focal point in your entry, as well as a welcoming feeling. Add a buffet lamp for additional light, a vase of flowers for color, and a candle for atmosphere, and your guests will feel welcome the minute they enter your home. It’s also a great place to give yourself a final check just before leaving home.

Bathrooms are another great place to use mirrors. A beautifully framed mirror will add personality and drama to your powder room. The powder room is often used by guests, and they will surely notice a mirror with a unique and stylish frame. You can use a bold and gorgeous mirror to create a focal point in your powder room or guest bath. Other bathrooms in the house will also benefit from the use of framed mirrors. The function of a mirror in a bathroom is to accurately show your reflection. Why not use that mirror to create a statement at the same time? And don’t limit your thinking to rectangular shaped mirrors. Mirrors are available in many beautiful shapes including round, square, oval, hexagonal, and arched, to name a few. Just make sure that the mirrors you select complement your decor and are proportional to the space.

Hallways can definitely benefit from the addition of mirrors. Long hallways are often dark and visually boring. Groupings of mirrors help to distract the eye and brighten the darkness. Since these mirrors aren’t needed to functionally show your reflection, think of them as art, and use smaller mirrors in groupings that have unique and unusual frames.

Another method of using mirrors is called fragmentation. You can place several long, narrow mirrors side by side, each separated by a couple of inches. This comforting repetition is pleasing to the eye and adds interest. Reflections in the mirrors won’t capture a continuous view of an interior, but rather fragments of it, creating a unique effect. By using different shapes of mirrors dramatic effects can be accomplished.

Start by adding mirrors to one area of your home and continue from there. You’ll be thrilled to see how much a few mirrors can do to add to the warmth and brightness in your home.

If you’re looking for unique and beautiful mirrors that will add beauty to your home, take a look at the large selection of mirrors on our Innovations Home Decor website. I’ve personally selected each and every one. There are traditional, contemporary, rustic, and whimsical pieces to choose from – something for everyone.