It’s that time of year again! The holidays are finally upon us. The season where we are joined by our loved ones to break bread and escape the chaos and stress that daily life may bring. The moments we have with friends and family are precious and irreplaceable. The word community and fellowship come to mind when I think of this busy season. It is the time of year that symbolizes coming together and opening our hearts and homes. The table represents and embodies the sense of togetherness and welcoming our differences. In the spirit of communion, my design tips this month focus on tablescape inspiration for the holidays.
With the end of summer, I am reminded of all the opportunity that fall brings. We have a chance to re-think and refresh all areas in our lives that have taken a back seat during the relaxed summer months. This could be a desk space, a cluttered chest of drawers or a whole room.
Welcome to January 2015! As I put away holiday decorations, purge files and flip my calendar to the New Year, I can’t help but think about the symbolism in “January”—the month we look backward and forward at once.
January takes its name from the Roman God Janus. Janus was known as “the custodian of the universe”. In mythology, he was the god of beginnings who represented the transition between primitive life and civilization. In many domestic undertakings, his help was sought. This makes perfect sense when you look at the Janus icon (and our logo!). It has two faces, one looking back and one forward.
It is said that “a well-ordered home can bring a sense of peace”. I know from experience the wisdom in those words. When the world seems MAD with stress and demands, a little “makeover madness” can put your life, home, office and mind back in order.
I love, love, great combos of color and was delighted to snap this featured photo of this dynamic room when I ran across it at High Point Market in the Century Furniture showroom. It is no surprise that this is a very well thought out space…because Century has produce quality in craftsmanship and design for many, many years.
As a designer, people constantly ask me what the best color combinations are. The million dollar answer is really a matter of what you like. Some of us like soft tone-on-tone pairings and others like bold strong colors.
After my return from a trip overseas, I realized that one of the most enjoyable things we did was to dine alfresco. Many of our best meals were eaten outside on a patio, in a garden or in the courtyard of a small cafe. Why don’t we do this more in the States? I know my Houston friends will tell me “it’s too hot”, but is it really? Spring and fall in most areas in the U.S. are perfect for outside dining.
I love the first of the year. I am always excited to start fresh. We all want that newer, better version of our lives to start now. Unfortunately, good intentions too easily get overwhelmed. I can just imagine sitting on the custom banquette pictured. We created it for the small West U Bungalow…a nice place to dream and make a plan for the new year. I have listed 4 steps I take each year to reach new goals that easily apply as “resolutions for your home”.