October 2020

ocToBER, BREEZE ON INTO FALL...

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Social-Distancing for Real!

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​FALL INTO DESIGN WITH nature...

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Create a lovely design with natural objects like leaves, pinecones, & acorns.  They make great additions to wreaths, table settings, & ceilings!  

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Pinecones & Nuts

Variety of Natural Materials

The materials used in your décor help set the feel of your design.  They create visual texture, as well as actual texture. As with the 2 wreaths here, the 1 on the left is more formal with it's clean lines, hard materials, & precise color placement.  The 1 on the right is more casual with the random placement of color, softer materials & textures with no hard lines to follow.

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​FALL INTO ORGANIZING...

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Invite Guests to Relax

This year we have to social distance, so staying @ home is what we're doing.  No going home for the holidays here!  We're staying home for the holidays...  That makes this the best time to organize the guest bedrooms!  
Start with the bed...Does it need new linens or pillows?  
Move on to the space planning...How do you generally use the space? Is it doing double duty? Do you need zoning?
Next, the furniture...Does it fit the space? Does it function properly?  Is it the right piece for the space & function.
Storage & Organization...How much storage will guests need? How much storage do you need to fit in the space?  How will it all be organized to accommodate these needs & be easily accessed? 
Decorating for Productivity, Aesthetics, or Both...Each of these takes into account the form & function of every piece brought into the room.  If productivity is key, then pieces need to do double duty & be accessible.  If aesthetics is the only concern & it's just a guest room, then the pieces can be simply lovely as long as the function is right for the space.  If both productivity & aesthetics are the goal, then each piece is lovely & functions like a work horse!  Everything has a reason to call this space home.  Take a look @ these solutions for guest bedrooms doing double duty as an office, too!

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Murphy Bed w/Built-In Storage & Work Station

Sleeper Sofa w/ Separate Work Desk

Murphy Beds Bunk Style w/Built-In Work Station

Trundle Beds w/Built-In Storage & Separate Work Desk

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Murphy Bed w/Built-In Storage & a Music Stand for Practicing

Day Bed w/Built-In Storage & Modular Shelving Unit w/ Desk

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​FALL INTO ART...

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Halloween Wars if one of my favorite shows because it demonstrates a variety of artists showcasing their skills under pressure in different challenges.  It's so amazing to me, being an artist & designer, how detailed each piece looks in the limited amount of time they have to complete the challenges.  The pumpkin carving is exciting to watch & fun for all ages!  From cleaning out the pumpkin & roasting the seeds, to actually sculpting the images.  

Before you even start to carve your pumpkin, here are some tips to consider:

• Pick an appropriate pumpkin to achieve success- size, weight, color, shape, & texture.
• Prep the surface by cleaning the pumpkin inside & out-wash the outside & scrape the inside.
• Gather all of your supplies-trash bags, tools, bowls for guts, etc.
• Draw the design on the outside to provide a guide to cut or carve.
• Carving is different than cutting out shapes, so if you're carving, create depth by rounding the edges & add details.
• Finish up with a sealer to make your pumpkin last the longest it can-petroleum jelly is great to smear on or acrylic spray paint is easy to spray.  

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