I'm A Big Fan...

I'm a big fan of the outdoor living room. I feel like I have been really negative this week, maybe because I didn't feel good. Plus I was bummed that I had too much work to do and couldn't spend all week with my nephews in Beaufort as I had hoped. Regardless, I wanted to end the week on a good note! I love the idea of a decorated and lived-in outdoor room that you can actually enjoy! God bless you outdoor fabrics and polypropylene rugs. Here are some prime examples...

Gettin' Lucky In The Bedroom?

My brother and his lovely wife are vacationing in Ireland. Jealous much? So what, I watched the movie Leap Year last night. Yeah, somehow it did not compare. Anyhoo, I was thinking Irish which lead to "green" and "lucky"...so why not put pics of green bedrooms on my blog. Get it? Yeah, it's a stretch but you try to come up with a new post every day!

Decorganizing Wednesday: I Need Your Help!

I need help coming up with topics for Decorganizing Wednesday so I am starting a little contest. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or send me an email at sidney@eclectic-idg.com with a topic you would like me to cover and you will be entered into the random drawing to win this book...

Home Organizing Workbook: Clearing Your Clutter, Step-By-Step

by Meryl Starr

And if you are feeling really industrious, send me a picture of your unorganized space and I will provide you with some organizing tips, free of charge, in exchange for allowing me to feature your organizing dilemma on my blog. I promise to keep it anonymous!!!

So get going. Contest deadline is Wednesday, July 21st!

Pro or Con: Floating Shelves

I am veheminatly against floating wall shelves (and brackets for that matter) that serve no purpose. And I see it SO often! I know they sell them everywhere and people buy them to fill up space on a wall but they have no idea how to a) hang them and b) accessorize them.

Please don't ever do this!!!

(I am so sorry to you, whoever you are!!! But I had to prove my point.)

You will see that I only have a certain style of floating shelves represented here and that is because I am biased, this is the only kind I like. Why? They are designed to be installed into studs so that they can actually hold weight and not pull out of the wall. And they hold more than a single candle.

I think they are great to add architectural detail to a niche like this...

Or in a child's room to keep precious toys out of reach!

(LOVE how Lee K. added the rod underneath to hang clothes!)

They are also great in a kitchen to break up all the heavy cabinetry...

And who says they have to be wood? LOVING the marble!

And when done right, I like them to display art or photos...

And look at this clever minx, great idea when you are short on space!

Stupid Design Star...

So I am home sick today and getting caught up on the show Design Star. Ugh. Pardon me as I step onto my soapbox....

First of all, why can't they have individual challenges? Most designers do not work with a team of five other designers (some might, but most don't). Granted you might have an assistant or two and yes you do have a "team" of various subs-carpenter, painter, electrician, seamstress, etc. But there is just no way that five different designers will EVER agree on the same design. So it will NEVER be cohesive. I guess they do this for the drama of the show but it urks me to no end! And yes, you do have to work well with others in order for your design to be implemented but that is something you work out as a designer, on your own, over time and through trial and error of testing various subs through different projects.

Secondly, I am pissed they sent Dan home based solely on his hosting ability. I get that the winner of this competition will have their own show but isn't it a DESIGN show? And surely they will school the winner in some way on hosting before they start filming their show, right? Alex was in the bottom two EVERY week...shouldn't that tell you something about his design capabilities? I mean why not just hire someone from broadcasting school if you don't care about these people's design skills? Didn't HGTV learn their lesson last time when they picked Kim (a hairstylist with a "flair" for design) because of her on camera gold? That show was a real hit.

Thirdly, what is with all these lame challenges? I get that design can be influenced by many different things-music and flowers for example but why not let an individual pick one of these things and then design a room around it. Then judge the room on its overall design and perhaps the use of design principles. I am sorry but I don't think you can judge a designer based on their interpretations of an object...interpretation is subjective. It is like critiquing someone on what they see in an abstract painting. Every person that looks at that abstract painting is going to see it differently and feel differently when they view it.

Fourthly, why are Vern's panties all in a wad? Geez! Chillax my friend, design should be fun!

That is all, stepping down now...

If you can't stand this show either then head over to My Favorite and My Best and check out her witty commentary.

The Magic of Re-Decorating

Katie Joel's Home

This is a great example of re-decorating! Same space, completely different look. You can do this seasonally or every couple of years. If your home needs a "facelift" give me a call! I LOVE how you can give your home a totally new look with just a few simple changes. For information on my re-decorating services, click here.

Some other examples of re-decorating...

(granted these were for photo shoots but you get the idea!)

Jenna Lyon's Closet

Rita Konig's Apartment

And on an unrelated note...did anyone see this shot that hit the news yesterday? Cameron Diaz spotted in Brazil with a mystery man...

Isn't this Brad, Rachel Zoe's assistant? I should probably add...her flamboyant and openly gay assistant!

I could be wrong but if not either the people at E! are falling asleep on the job or it was a REALLLY slow news day.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I'm Blushing!

Designer Windsor Smith

Designer Gary McBournie

Designer Amanda Nisbet

Designer Jonathan Adler

Blush is not good when in comes to wine but it is very good when it comes to these smokin' rooms!