Have You Thought Of Consignment?

You are planning a whole or partial makeover to your home furnishings or you need to raise some money in this economy, you might consider a consignment shop. Cameron Huddleston at Kiplinger shares what's hot and what's not.

What Sells Best:

• Upholstered items
• Leather furniture
• Wooden furniture
• Dining sets  
• Buffet tables
• Midcentury modern furniture
• Inexpensive, unframed modern art
• Contemporary lamps
• Unique items
• Accessories      

What Not To Sell:

• TV armoires
• China and china cabinets
• Rugs
• Brass items
• Figurines   

Huddleston continues with tips to improve your chances for a sale.

Bridget A Otto points us to Ikat in Tile at Griege.

Ideas for an Inviting Guest Bedroom

 

Photo via Tracery Interiors.

With summer’s arrival, we’re excited about the outdoor and sun-filled activities that await.  Perhaps you have family returning from college, or maybe your mother-in-law will be popping by for her "surprise" annual visit.  Regardless of who will be visiting, you'll want to prepare a comfortable space for them that’s welcoming. 

If you don’t know where to start, we've compiled a few ideas:

Photo via HGTV.

A Comfortable Bed

A double bed with at least 4 supportive sleeping pillows would be ideal.  Provide cotton linens to maximize sleep comfort, freshly laundered and pressed for a welcoming arrival.  You may also provide your guests with a supply of extra light or heavy blankets if needed.

Photo via DIY Network.

Simple Decor

Clutter is the nemesis of rest.  Keep your guests relaxed with simple décor such as a small floral arrangement on a dresser or night stand.  You may also choose to leave a few books or magazines, a notepad, stationary and pens for your guests.  Provide a lamp or two for reading bedside.  A phone and alarm clock with radio within the room are nice touches, although not necessary.

Photo via Zillow.

Closet Space

Set aside some space in the closet or provide a suitable storage area such as an armoire for your guests' clothes and belongings.  Furnish several hangers for hanging jackets and sweaters, and perhaps reserve a few dresser drawers for smaller articles.

Design by Tracery Interiors. Photo via Sweet Chaos Home. 

Guest Bath

Freshen up the bathroom and leave thoughtful touches such as potpourri, scented candles or a vase of fresh flowers. Whether your guests will have their own bathroom or will share one, it's important to leave space for their personal items.  It’s common to forget to pack certain items when travelling, so you may wish to provide a supply of soap, shampoo, and various toiletries such as cotton balls, Q-tips, toothpaste and a razor.  Don’t forget to leave a few washcloths and face and bath towels just for your guests.  Consider setting up a laundry hamper for used towels and linens, especially if they will be staying for an extended period of time.

Thoughtful Gestures

Summer and warmer weather go hand-in-hand, so leaving a pitcher of cold water and drinking glasses for your guests will be an appreciated gesture.  Think ahead about things your guests may need while staying with you - perhaps house slippers, a bath robe, a vanity mirror or a cozy chair will make them feel right at home.  Your guests will love staying with you, and thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Luxury Furniture

High End Furniture

Henredon

Flowers!

Bridget Otto writes How to refresh your interiors for the summer season and calls on Kathia Emery/Emery & Associates Interior Design, Deb Seeley/Deb Seeley Designs and Celeste LeDuke/Designing Women of Oregon for their advice.

What Does Your Front Door Say About You?

I love driving through Forest Heights up above NW Cornell. Beautiful homes built along winding streets with beautiful doors. Bridget A Otto writes that the front door color reveals character traits of the owner. 

• Red: Tells the world to "look at me!" This bright color says you're not afraid of standing out or saying what's on your mind.

• White: Says you prefer things that are organized, neat and clean. Even if your home isn't always this way, you wish it were.

• Green: Tells the world that you have traditional values and enjoy being a member of the community.

• Black: Says you're consistent, conservative and reserved in your manner as well as your approach to color. With a black door you're saying your design style is timeless rather than trendy.

• Blue: Tells people you are naturally at ease in most situations and people are attracted to your easygoing personality.

• Yellow: Says you have a personality similar to green, but a bit less traditional. You're most likely a leader or organizer of a group.

• Purple: Reveals a "free-spirited" person who is comfortable taking risks, thinking differently and dreaming big.

We have a black door greeting visitors and I would say that's pretty accurate. I wonder if Bridget Otto has a purple door.

Book Review: Blind Curves By Linda Crill

·  266 pages

·  Publisher: Opus International (January 22, 2013)

I’ve been reading about strong women lately. Linda Crill is definitely one of those, but maybe she had to be reminded. “Blind Curves” is a wonderful book detailing how Crill learned to ride a Harley and ride 2,500 miles from Victoria, B.C. to Mendocino, California as a novice. Blind Curves is a metaphor to the fear that bubbles up inside every one of us when we approach a blind curve in our life and what it feels like to reach the other side. Blind curves for Crill didn’t just happen on a Harley. She faced them prior to turning 57, when her husband got cancer and died.

Crill writes, “One of the problems for many people my age is how to keep the passion in their lives. After decades of following the pack, raising children, volunteering, doing community service, and pouring hearts and minds into jobs, satisfying clients, colleagues and bosses, we suddenly find ourselves needing new mountains to climb with fresh challenges and surprising vistas. Many of our old behaviors, which served us so well, no longer make sense.”

Yes, some of her friends questioned her decision to ride along with a negative voice from inside of her, but she triumphed. She tells us that the joy we feel when we round the blind curve “radiates inside our bodies” and we experience “…an inner feeling of connectedness.”

I loved the book, which was provided to me free. There’s an added bonus. If you’ve ever thought about riding a motorcycle, Crill writes very well about her lessons and experience

Interior Design Ideas: Blending Vintage with Modern Decor

Design by Portland interior designer SBaird Design. Photo via houzz.

We find nothing more charming than a creative marriage of old and new pieces in interior design.  The mixture of modern and vintage high end furniture makes for remarkable and memorable decor.  For instance, we found this alluring Modern Danish dining set carries with it a hint of European nostalgia with its clean, slim profile, and refined curves. 

Photo via Homedit.

The vintage accent chairs in this living area imparts a warmth to the room with its natural wooden tones among the predominately black and white scheme.  This understated color contrast cleverly fuses together the past and present.

Photo via Etsy.

These vintage accent chairs have all the charm of contemporary style with a glint of fondness for eras past.  The bright orange chairs complement the modern artwork, and at the same time provides a playful contrast to the natural wooden floors and stone mantle.

Photo via Yossawat.

Sultry curves, button-tufted cushions and golden accents make this vintage-inspired modern chair a striking piece.  It reflects a romantic elegance of a bygone era - an exquisite design that demands a quiet admiration.

Photo via Shagreene.

Vintage pieces can definitely make an extraordinary impression.  As shown above within the dining area, the stunning modern-style, vintage sideboard gives the space a warmth that's as inviting as is elegant.

Mid-Century Sideboard by Heritage Henredon.

This beautiful vintage Mid-Century Sideboard by Henredon fulfills a modernist's dream.  Gold-accented fixtures and a natural wood-grain finish make for a stylish, handsome piece.

With infinite possibilities to mixing and matching vintage with modern designs into your home, you may be pleasantly surprised at how wonderfully old and new can coexist.  We admire the concept of melding the past together with the present, the unexpected visual combinations, and the graceful design choices in this approach, as it will certainly bring a distinguished charm to any home.