Meet Our Bloggers
Cathy
An interior decorator in Southern California, Cathy believes that good design "is how 'you' want to live, artistically edited," and says her style is "transitional… not too contemporary or too traditional." Many of her clients like mixing their own personal styles with those found in popular home stores and catalogs. Her other interests include, personal fitness, gardening, church activities, and going to the beach (she enjoyed surfing as a teen.)
Recent posts by Cathy:
The bewitching hour is near (and maybe past where you live). But, better late than never.
I wanted to post my pumpkin earlier, but he was feeling a bit under-the-weather. It seems he caught the dreaded Swine Flu and the stomach flu as well (poor thing), but he still wanted to greet all those little goblins [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/31/09 at 6:37 pm
I’m back with part 2 of my previous post “No Sew Drapes On A Dime”. In that post I showed how I used sheets to make inexpensive drapery for my big window. I also had a smaller window that needed some attention, but the same long drapery would not have worked well because of lack of wall [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/25/09 at 12:14 am
Well, I think I’ve sunk to a new low on penny-pinching decorating. My sister is visiting next month and I always like to freshen things up a little. I’ve been wanting to add some drapery panels to my living room window, but put it off because of expense and indecision. But, motivation and impulsivity got the best [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/18/09 at 1:29 am
What’s Halloween without the gross, gory and grotesque? Yes, that applies to food as well. I was asked to bring some “finger food” to a haunting later this month so I thought I’d experiment in the la-bor-a-tory. But, I need your help. Can you improve on, or give me a few more icky ideas to really gross out my friends [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/11/09 at 1:27 am
I’ve been working with a lady who wanted some decorating help and one of her requests was to address a large wall in her open stairway. She and her husband have 4 beautiful girls and lots of family picutres. So, instead of hanging a grouping of family pictures there, I thought I’d make it into a functional [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/4/09 at 12:02 am
This is where I usually end up after a day of work, and keeping family and home up and running. It doesn’t take much to make me happy I guess. Give me my old slipcovered sofa, a few decorating magazines, my TV remote, a little snack, an afghan, and I’m a happy camper. I don’t consider [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/26/09 at 11:33 pm
Here it comes, the first day of fall is in a few days. I’m not sure where the year has gone. Vacations are over and glued up in scrapbooks, kids are off to school, my plethora of summer petunias have been eaten up by the pervasive petunia plague. So I guess that’s it. We can put our feet up and relax [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/20/09 at 1:42 am
I guess I can’t fight it, fall is on its way. I was running through HomeGoods looking for a lamp and was stopped in my tracks by the fall dishware displays. I don’t know, maybe I’m just biased, but HomeGoods has the cutest seasonal dishware ever (agree ?). It’s eye candy for the dish loving soul. I ooh’d and [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/13/09 at 12:39 am
What’s the most challenging part of decorating for you? There always seems to be a few areas that aren’t as comfortable as others. Many of these challenges are voiced when I visit people’s homes to help them with their decorating. Some people seem to know exactly what their issues are, but some aren’t so sure. A great way to [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/6/09 at 12:32 am
We all love the extra storage and display space that decorative shelving provides, but the hardest part is resisting the urge to fill every nook and cranny with “stuff”. I know. I’m always editing and rearranging my own in persuit of shelf- restraint. Knowing when enough is enough is the challenge.
(click on pictures to enlarge)
I think of [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/29/09 at 9:25 pm
Ummmm, I can smell those burgers now! Fire up that grill a few more times! Nothing like casual outdoor get- togethers to summarize summer. Yes, Labor Day has a wacky way of announcing “that’s it, summer’s over!”. Well, not for this summer loving soul. I stretch it out as long as possible. Luckily warm weather will [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/23/09 at 1:25 am
A nice lady named Mary wrote to me on my last post, ( Start with an Area Rug) wanting to know what size and shape of rug to buy for her dining room in relation to her table. So, I thought I’d answer her here and post some guidelines for sizing up area rugs in [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/16/09 at 12:05 am
If you’re stuck for a place to start when decorating a room, start with the area rug. One with more than one color will provide a complete palette to inspire the look of the whole room. Area rugs are a great addition to any room. Whether they adorn hardwood floors or layered over carpet, the impact of [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/8/09 at 8:36 pm
Summer is sizzling, but also fading faster than footprints in wet sand. So, I took an afternoon off last week and headed for the beach( in Orange County, Ca). The waves were breaking big and I wanted to watch some “knarly” surfing. I enjoyed surfing, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and I still get that “surfer high” just watching ( I guess you can [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/2/09 at 12:59 am
I hope you were able to take the “Stylescope” quiz on the HG Stylescope link above. Wasn’t it fun! Were you surprised at the results? Did it fit you to a “T”, or were you a little surprised? I guess I was a little of both. I tested out at “Earthy Casual”. Hmmm, let me [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/26/09 at 12:11 am
Me again. Well, I just got through taking the ” Stylescope” quiz on the home page of HomeGoods (click on “Home” above and then click on “Stylescope” on the home page). I’m “Earthy Casual”! Who knew? It sure sounds like me, and it’s nice to have a descriptive name to relate to. I always enjoy taking [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/20/09 at 4:13 pm
I thought I’d add an update to my previous post, 3 posts back, (”Keep What You Have and Add Some Accents”). I’ve been out to my friends house this week (my house looks empty) to add a little more decor to her already great start. We didn’t get all we wanted to do, done, (window treatments, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/18/09 at 11:16 pm
What is this…
An estate sale?
A more-is-more decorating attempt?
Clutter gone wild?
An out of control HomeGoods fanatic?
My house before a decorating job?
Yes, it’s my house. I’ve been collecting items to accessorize a friends home. Her daughters getting married in a few weeks, so we are under-the-gun. We need to dress-up 4 rooms quickly and inexpensively in her home…
Posted by: Cathy 7/12/09 at 10:05 am
I enjoy adding a little bit of summer around the house. One place that gets neglected is the fireplace. Who wants to think about the fireplace in the summer? Well, it’s still a focal point in the room, and attention is drawn to that ugly black box and hearth. I was looking around the house to find [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/4/09 at 11:34 pm
Ahhh, summer at the beach. It can’t be beat. Especially around the 4th of July. I enjoy cruising around to see how people have decorated for the holiday. They seem to never disappoint… billowing bunting bedecked the bungalows (there I go again) and patriotic pagentry punctuated porches (I just can’t help it). Red, white and blue everywhere. It was a joy [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/27/09 at 11:29 pm
My nice niece sent me an e-mail last week looking for some ideas on decorating her yummy chocolate brown accent wall around a new TV, and a one year old baby (he’s adorable). The TV was already mounted on the wall (see before picture below), but it needed some additional elements to function, accent and contrast the wall. I [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/20/09 at 10:16 pm
I have a piece of furniture that was shipped to me by my father when my grandmother passed away many years ago. It’s a beautiful antique William and Mary style walnut sideboard. I remember it as a child visiting them. It always captured my attention as it sat in their immaculate modest dining room. I loved opening it with the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/13/09 at 6:10 pm
As we all know, June is a popular wedding month. The weather’s nice, flowers are in bloom and romance is in the air. What’s not to love for a wedding? Besides the happy couple, I love to look at the flowers and decorations. A weddings not a wedding without them. But flowers are more than pretty [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/7/09 at 12:07 am
So, how long has that dusty faded old silk flower arrangement been sitting on your dining table ( I saw you cringe)? Time for a change? Many of us have formal dining tables that don’t see much action except on holidays. Don’t let that valuable piece of decorating, and impact-making, real estate go to waste. If the table [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/31/09 at 12:36 am
Let’s face it, sometime in your life, it’s nice to have a little change and, maybe get a little “work” done. Nothing major, just a little freshening up. A snip here and a tuck there. Just a little tightening and firming around the edges does wonders for your “assets”. Age just seems to sneak up on you, and you start [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/22/09 at 12:23 pm
With warm weather holidays and summer entertaining on the horizon, there’s no better time to perk up the patio, dress up the deck, or punch up the porch. Hmmm, sounds expensive. It doesn’t have to be! Think of “repurposing” items to add some cheap chic to outdoor rooms. Repurposing means to take a thing or material [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/17/09 at 12:05 am
What is it about outdoor spaces that are so enticing? Relaxing in outdoor spaces have a way of making time seem timeless, stress seem stressless, and moods are magically mellowed. Luckily, we don’t have to travel far to experience this relaxing and refreshing environment. Our own outdoor spaces, be it a balcony in a high [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/10/09 at 12:07 am
All right, admit it all you moms, we love being spoiled on Mothers Day. Whether it’s breakfast in bed ( YOU get to clean up the kitchen), or receiving those sweet little plaster hand prints of our kids to treasure forever (I love my 2), we all like to be remembered. When asked what we want for Mothers Day, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/3/09 at 12:36 am
Geraniums (pelargoniums) are a favorite potting and bedding plant of mine. My Grandmother grew them in her sunny windows and I’ve loved them ever since. Geraniums have sprung up all over my yard and in pots. Where there’s a space that needs some color I just cut cuttings from some plants and poke them in the dirt. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/26/09 at 1:28 am
Dining room a little dull (yawn)? Want a little change, but the money is tight? What to do? Make some easy tie-on slipcovers.
I was showing a client what she could do to dress up her dining room inexpensively, I thought you might be interested as well. We are using the apple green in her house, but [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/20/09 at 7:55 pm
I love decorating with framed mirrors. I like to think of them as functional wall sculpture as well as mirrors. They always make a large, interesting, artistic statement and are sometimes easier to mesh into the interior, than having to commit to, and find a specific piece of painted art. Mirrors work in any room because they [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/11/09 at 6:54 pm
When my sister and I get together, we have a great time. She was visiting for a few days from Missouri, I live in southern California. We had a chance to escape our busy lives for a few days and soak in the local color, and color there was!
We love to visit places that elicit [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/4/09 at 11:55 am
Spring is in the air and Easter is right around the corner. I’ve been seeing the most adorable things for spring. There’s nothing like natural elements to look fresh and springy. I saw these adorable live grass Easter baskets and had to share them.
These baskets are easy to make, but you have to start them [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/29/09 at 1:29 am
Wow! how fun, a blog party! Should I B.Y.O.B. (bring your own blog)? Well, here it is. Welcome to HG Openhouse (for those that haven’t visited before…where ya been?). For those of you who haven’t seen the blog party, you should check out The Ultimate Blog Party 2009 at, 5 minutes for mom.
Let me introduce myself. I’m [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/22/09 at 1:08 am
I’ve had a few people ask me, what are some really good, rich looking beige wall colors, some that are clear and clean with neutral undertones that don’t turn pink or look too green or too yellow? Just a true beautiful beige. I tell them my favorites.
Beige has borne a bad rap over the years… too “safe”, no color, or just plain “blah”. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/15/09 at 12:44 am
I love all those beautiful bathrooms in magazines. Everything is calm, clean and decorated beautifully, not a glob of toothpaste stuck to the sink, anywhere in sight. Those visions of chic spa hotel bathrooms soon dance in your head. As you snap back to reality, you wonder how your bath got so out of control. It’s called, the reality [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/8/09 at 1:42 am
Living in southern California, our seasons are less pronounced than in some other areas around the country. But, even though our weather is mild most of the year, our spring explodes with color. By the end of February early bloomers and budders are tempting the taste buds with exuberant eye candy, as nature continues it’s jaw-dropping drama [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/1/09 at 2:00 am
Do you want a fun little project? I ran across a bunch of placemats on sale for $2-$3. each. So I picked up a few, thinking I could use them for something ( I do this a lot…buy first, think later). I thought I might make some pillows out of the them since they were [...]
Posted by: Cathy 2/22/09 at 1:18 am
What’s better than capturing a space in your home for your passions, hobbies, or just relaxing in? Some people devote a whole room to their interests. Others will carve a space out of a basement, attic, porch, or closet, to lose themselves in their creative compulsions. Whatever niche you need for nirvana, find a space and make [...]
Posted by: Cathy 2/15/09 at 1:07 am
I try to go walking in my neighborhood almost every day (trying to make good on a new years resolution, so far, so good, but it’s only been a month so…). It’s great to get outside for a while, no matter how busy you are. It seems to relax and energize all at the same time. So today, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 2/8/09 at 2:09 am
Valentines Day is on its way. Instead of going out to celebrate, why not save a few bucks and dine in. Send the kids to a friends house for the evening and enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner at your “Chez Maison”.
Set a pretty table with things you have, or go buy just two inexpensive pretty plates [...]
Posted by: Cathy 2/1/09 at 1:03 am
So, your walls are looking a little bare and uninteresting. But, the decorating budget is low-to-no. What can you do to add a little pizzazz to the place? For that, perfect penny pinching powerful punch, pick…PAINT! Nothing makes more of an impact, and shakes up a room better than paint.
Paint’s great, but it still can be a [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/25/09 at 1:07 am
I was just watching the news (something you shouldn’t do if you want to sleep at night). I thought, with all the turmoil going on in the world, where does one go to find some peace and serenity. Besides turning to our faiths and families, our homes are our sanctuaries as well. Be it, a one room [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/18/09 at 1:12 am
If you’re looking for great looking, classic, clean-lined dining or occasional chairs, consider Parsons chairs, they can’t be beat. This transitional chair can transform from totally traditional to completely contemporary with just a simple change of wardrobe. It’s versatility and adaptability is what makes this chair a timeless classic.
At first glance these chairs might seem simple [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/11/09 at 9:53 pm
Susan hit on some great ideas in a previous post about making over your rooms. One of them was to rearrange furniture for a fresh new perspective and updated look in the New Year. I thought I’d elaborate and discuss space planning.
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Before you lift a finger or throw your back out, design your room on [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/3/09 at 1:32 am
It’s over for another year. The gifts have all been torn open with a variety of sentiment… “Ohhh, nice”, “Cool”, or, “do you still have the receipt?” It seems all the packaging made up the majority of bulk and glitz under the tree. The actual gifts account for a small portion of what was [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/27/08 at 2:27 am
I’m back by the coast in so. Cal., sending warm Christmas greetings your way. I hope you’re enjoying all the festive and beautiful holiday decorations where you live. I am here. People around here seem to really get in the Holiday mood. They decorate their homes, cars, boat docks, boats, you name it. In fact, every Christmas for a [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/22/08 at 11:33 pm
I was down by the beach in Orange County, Ca. today and thought I’d swing by one of my favorite areas to see how people had decked-the- halls for Christmas. Even though we live in a warmer climate, Christmas is alive and well here. No snow, so sand will have to do. It was a beautiful day and the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/20/08 at 8:19 pm
Welcome to my kitchen. It’s small and cozy like the rest of my house. If you’ve followed Openhouse, I’ve posted a few posts from my kitchen. It hasn’t changed much since we remodeled it a few years ago, but I do like to add in seasonal touches during the year. Anything seems to go with black and white…
Posted by: Cathy 12/17/08 at 8:12 pm
On to the dining room. My dining room is small and cozy. I’ve added lots of color in here. Small spaces seem to come alive with color, more intimate, dramatic and fun. Great for conversation.
My tomato cage topiaries have found a permanent home for the holidays (finally). They seem to work well on my rustic Mexican [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/12/08 at 1:44 am
I’m moving ahead slowly. My old Charlie Brown Christmas tree is up. I’ve had it for years and it’s seen better days, but I can’t seem to get rid of it. Once all the BLING is on, it takes on new life. We’ll enjoy it for a few more years because it’s like a dear old [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/8/08 at 2:37 am
I’m working my way through the house, adding a bit of “Christmas Cheer” here and there ( it will more “cheery” when everything is done).
I have a very small multi level landing on my stairs (3 1/2 ‘ by 7 1/2 ‘). It can be seen from my entry and living room. I thought I’d add some interest to this transitional [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/3/08 at 7:54 pm
I’m back, trying to get more Christmas decorating done. I try to do a little each day, then it’s not so overwelming and rushed, if I leave it all to do in a day or two. Also I have time to think about where things go, enjoy each project, and get in a holiday mood…yes, it’s coming.
As I [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/29/08 at 1:04 am
Tomato Cage Topiaries
I thought I’d get a jump on Christmas decorating. Thanksgiving is late this year, and we will be “giving thanks” elsewhere. So, I wanted to start on some projects. My inspiration for decorating this year, are the sea-life prints I hung over my fireplace this summer and a shell collection. Yes, these might sound [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/22/08 at 7:13 pm
I’m back in the cupboard again, rummaging around for some candlesticks, or something that can pass for candlesticks and still look nice to decorate the holiday table. I pulled out some stemware and crystal glasses and played around with them until some fairly fancy faux candlesticks took shape.
You easily could do this with the many different types of [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/19/08 at 1:14 am
Creating a holiday centerpiece may be a little intimidating for some. So, I was trying to think of some easy, elegant but inexpensive holiday centerpieces that anyone could assemble. I also wanted to incorporate things that most everyone has some, or alot of. So I opened my cupboard door, looking for ideas, and in front of me were [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/13/08 at 1:19 am
Say it isn’t so! But, I guess it’s not too early to be shopping for holiday gifts for friends and family.
I’m not that organized but, I do try to pick up a gift for someone, each time, I go out to shop. This seems to save gas, time, and overspending, easily done in a rush. I add a name or two to my “to do” list [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/7/08 at 1:57 am
A great place to ignite inspiration for table decorating is to look to the things you’ve collected from your travels. Look in your home at the many beautiful pieces you’ve acquired. Things you never thought would go together could actually create a beautiful and unique table arrangement.
My sister-in-law always sets a beautiful table. She’s collected many nice [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/3/08 at 12:22 pm
I have a friend that always decorates so cute for all the Holidays. She made these darling pumpkin, chair back covers. They are simply made from felt and tie on the back and front of the chairs. You can sew them together, fuse or glue them to make these adorable cheery chair covers. You also could [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/27/08 at 7:08 pm
Few pieces of furniture have the versatility of the ottoman.
Whether made out of leather, fabric, wood, plastic, rattan, glass, metal, or foam, the ottoman is much more than a functional footrest these days.
Styles range from sleek contemporary to tasseled traditional, and have transitioned from the easy chair to a statement piece, sitting front and center in a room.
With a [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/22/08 at 12:53 am
I’ve seen the cutest holiday dishware in the stores. I wasn’t going to get anything, just look, but these pumkin plates caught my eye. The problem was, I didn’t want to spend alot or have too many to store. So, I thought I’d buy just 4 of them and mix them with dishware I already had, for [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/13/08 at 12:37 am
Have you ever noticed how simple projects can quickly mushroom out of control? Especially home improvement projects.
It all started, earlier this summer, when my husband decided we would not go on a vacation, but, do a few things around the house that needed to be done. The biggest one was, to install a new energy efficient heating /air conditioning system. Our [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/5/08 at 3:00 pm
I try to take a break from an increasingly busy schedule and get out and walk everyday. It seems to relax, revive and refocus, as work demands, arise during this time of year.
Walking through my area, the summer is giving way to fall. I walk around this lake and fall is painting a beautiful picture.
Posted by: Cathy 9/29/08 at 1:41 pm
I’ve been working on a project for a lady who wants to combine her European traditional/Asian style, with a bit of high-tech. Meaning, installing a flat screen TV on a focal wall. She has a collection of blue and white porcelain she would like to include in the design. So, I needed to find [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/18/08 at 12:41 am
I may be rushing Autumn a bit, but I’ve seen some cute signs and sayings that I wanted to share, to welcome our new bloggers and friends, Heather, Jen, Tracey and Penny. I’m so excited to have them join us. I’ve read their blogs and visited their sites and I’m so impressed with their “blogmanship”. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/12/08 at 12:08 am
A nice lady named Lindsey, wrote to me a few months ago for some decorating ideas for her 17 year old daughter’s bedroom. I’ve just heard from her again, and she sent some great pictures of what they have done so far. The daughter had a picture of an inspiration room she wanted her [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/5/08 at 12:55 am
Even though Labor Day is upon us, I’m not ready to let summer slip away yet. I love summer. The sun sits high in the sky, the days seems endless, and life seems more laid back. Sadly, summer seems to dissolve faster than wet footprints in the sand. So, I’ve tried to capture many of [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/31/08 at 12:57 pm
Hmmm, what exactly are the “dog days of summer”? I had to Google it to find out more.
It seems the “dog days of summer” are the most hot and sultry period of summer, usually from mid July to early September. It has something to do with the Greek and Romans thinking that the “dog star” Sirius, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/26/08 at 12:54 am
Window treatment toppers (valances, cornices, romans etc.) are great, especially on windows that are hard to hang draperies on, like…
Windows above a sink.
Windows in or near a corner.
Windows with little wall space next to them
Windows above night stands or chests.
Windows in bathrooms, above tubs.
Windows in kids rooms.
Posted by: Cathy 8/20/08 at 2:48 pm
My husband, daughter and I decided we needed to getaway for a few days.
I’ve always wanted to stay in a bed and breakfast inn, and I remembered hearing about an old historic mining town, named Julian, in the mountains east of San Diego, Ca. There is a grand old historic hotel there, called the Julian Hotel. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/15/08 at 2:16 am
I was looking through some pictures of home exteriors I took recently, and I was noticing a thread of elements that ran through many of the enticing entries on these homes. They were so inviting that I wanted to break down and list what stood out.
For me, sometimes a list of things makes me more aware of the improvements [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/8/08 at 1:30 pm
What shakes-up and wakes -up a room?
Is it an element of surprise, or contrasting elements, or exciting color, or trendy fabrics, or dramatic lighting? Any of these things, and many others could send a room from dull to delightful.
It could be just a small detail that elevates the room, or a large statement piece that is attention [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/1/08 at 1:27 pm
It’s hard to think about “interior”decorating when “exterior” decorating is in full bloom. So, I’m back at the beach again. There’s always so much to see and do, it’s hard to stay away. Also it’s such a “feel good” place, it seems to always revive, refresh and inspire me. The inside will have to take a [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/26/08 at 11:54 am
I just returned from a business trip to Boston and thought I’d post some thoughts I had on discovering design inspiration as you travel on business, or pleasure this summer.
Many times when we travel, we get so rushed and distracted, we miss the beautiful ambiance around us that makes a trip so pleasurable. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/20/08 at 2:14 am
I thought I’d post a few more ideas on dressing up ready-made drapery. I wrote about borders in my previous post. This application is called, banding. Thin contrasting bands of fabric or ribbon that give the drapery its graphic custom appeal, and ties in the fabrics or feel of the room to the drapery.
Posted by: Cathy 7/13/08 at 12:28 am
A blogger by the name of Debi commented in a previous post about an idea she had, adding a border to ready-made drapery to customize them. This reminded me of some I’ve seen before. So, I thought I’d pass along this idea that Debi and I think is great. Hope you agree.
Posted by: Cathy 7/8/08 at 12:48 pm
I’m always looking for easy and inexpensive ways to dress-up things I already have for holidays.
It seems we all have a bunch of these white plastic stacking chairs we use for extra seating for casual get togethers. I have at least 6 of these. I wanted to add some temporary color to them for a [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/30/08 at 8:42 pm
I was down by the beach in Orange County, Ca., and I thought I’d drive through my favorite beach house areas to see if anyone had decorated for the 4th of July. Lots of American flags were out (usually year round), and quite a few houses were displaying their patriotic pageantry. As I was gazing [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/25/08 at 2:27 pm
I thought I’d show you a few more details in this room.
In my space plans (Feb. 08) for this room, I drew a chair to place in this corner of the room. Thinking, if we found something similar, that would be fine. The Mom was able to find the same Louis XVI oval back [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/20/08 at 12:03 pm
Here are a few more pictures of the rest of the suite.
The bedroom is nice by itself, but it’s a whole suite. A full bathroom and large closet are off a hallway in the space. The entry to the suite is on the right. Across from that is the large walk-in closet on the left. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/13/08 at 9:54 am
We finally finished this young ladies bedroom suite. I posted the space plans back in Feb. 08. I thought you might like to see how it all came together.
Our inspiration for the room, was the black and white damask and dotted fabric. We added the hot pink for a punch of color. We wanted [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/7/08 at 12:00 pm
A friend of mine called and said she found an old French chair and ottoman that a neighbor had put out by the trash. She thought it had “possibilities” and asked the neighbor if she could have it. She needed a reading chair to use in her childrens room, and was hoping it could be [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/1/08 at 6:49 pm
Few color combinations have stood the test of time longer than blue and white. This duo is a classic, and has been paired together for many centuries and in many cultures. Why so captivating? It’s the color of sky, sea, clouds and sand. Universally, inspiring artisans to capture these colors for their decorative pieces, down [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/27/08 at 12:05 am
After all these wonderful European travels Mitch has taken us on, It’s hard to look at our own backyards with such adventure. But, our own yards can provide wonderful mini vacations until we can dip our toes into that blue Mediterranean.
With Memorial Day fast approaching, backyards will be heating up…in more ways than one. The [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/20/08 at 2:20 pm
If you’ve read this post previously. Please do not use the laundry containers for storing drinking water. Many of the containers state on them…”Do not reuse this package for dispensing beverages and other liquids.” So better to be safe than sorry.
I’ll stick to decorating…
Posted by: Cathy 5/17/08 at 11:31 am
As the weather gets nicer, we tend to gravitate to the outdoors. Although, sometimes the outdoors, around our homes, may feel uninviting and underutlized because it’s been overlooked and ignored as comfortable living space. It’s good to rethink how you want these spaces to work. They can be turned into wonderful outdoor rooms, and, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/11/08 at 12:05 am
No, I’m not talking Clint Eastwood movies… I’m talking drapery!
Where, on the wall, do you hang the drapes? A dilemma for many!
I get many questions on placement of drapery. So, I thought you might be interested in how I like to hang them.
Posted by: Cathy 5/4/08 at 10:28 pm
Give me a cottage over a castle any day. I guess I’m at that stage in life where less is more. Cozy comfort is far more appealing than vast expanses of volume and space. There’s something so warm and inviting about cottages. They seem to have a soul and spirit that lacks in grander houses. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/28/08 at 12:29 pm
What’s Spring and Summer without fresh strawberries. Alone, they are yummy enough, but sometimes you have to “gild the lily”.
Where I live in Orange County California, we seem to have “Strawberry Fields Forever”. They are grown year round here but the best ones are in the spring. Our bounty is well loved and enjoyed abundantly.
Posted by: Cathy 4/22/08 at 11:41 am
I’m at it again. First the outside, now the inside needed a little seasonal update.
With the weather warming up and the summer coming, It’s nice to add a little feel of summer to a room. I ran across a calendar in a store that got me going. The calendar was called Natural Wonders 2008. It [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/16/08 at 2:43 pm
I’ve been enjoying the springtime weather, which has motivated me to fix up the yard and patio areas. I was noticing my old cushions on my wicker chairs were looking worn. The inside foam was in good shape, so I thought I’d recycle and slipcover the old cushions. I had a couple yards of white [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/9/08 at 5:32 pm
WOW! It’s amazing what these digital cameras can do, (because I’m not great at anything technical. I just point and shoot and hope it comes out). I thought I’d go out in my yard and take a few shots of some flowers in bloom. Since I had to get close ups, I thought [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/4/08 at 12:14 am
Many times when you shop for a dining room set, you find a dining table you like, but you don’t like the chairs that go with it, or vice versa. Or, a buffet or sideboard you like but not the table or chairs. I run across this alot. I tell my clients, “you [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/29/08 at 1:42 pm
Is your bathroom a little boring? Try some super stripes.
Bathrooms are great places to try different wall painting ideas. The room is small and doesn’t take a lot of time or money to make a BIG statement. These horizontal paint stripes caught my attention.
The striped wall below, looks great with the different stripe widths around [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/23/08 at 12:04 am
Wow! One day you are a blogger, and the next day you are not…..I had spoken with the folks at HomeGoods and we decided that between 2 homes and a new job, I could not commit to posting on a weekly basis, therefore I would “step down” and make way for fresh faces and new [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/17/08 at 8:16 pm
There are some absolutely beautiful floral designs I’ve seen lately. The elegant simplicity and line of many of these pieces have been elevated to living sculpture status. It’s the unpretentious, unarranged, uncomplicated simplicity that is so compelling in these designs.
Posted by: Cathy at 12:43 pm
It’s hard to believe we’re closing in on Easter. (Seems like we just had Christmas). I think Easter is early this year, and I’m behind schedule. I keep seeing the cutest Easter and Spring decorations in all the stores, so I thought I’d pull out a few things to get in the mood.
Posted by: Cathy 3/10/08 at 12:16 am
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A FLORAL DESIGN EXTRAVAGANZA.
“THE RENAISSANCE OF SPRING”
Showcasing the consumate work of the world renowned designer:
MOTHER NATURE
WHEN : Now through June 20, 2008.
WHERE: In your own backyard.
TIME: [...]
Posted by: Cathy 3/5/08 at 1:04 am
My client and I were working on her upstairs loft/bonus room. She had two blue sofas and wanted to keep them in the room. We needed a large area rug and came across this one, online. It had the colors and pattern we liked and would hold up well with her 3 kids. We [...]
Posted by: Cathy 2/28/08 at 10:12 pm
I’m always on the lookout for great ideas. I came across this great lamp in a model home and I thought how chic, simple and easy this would be to make.
Posted by: Cathy 2/21/08 at 1:43 pm
I thought you might want to see another room design I’m working on for a darling 9 year old. I decorated her room about 5 years ago and her mother called and said…the bunnies have to go! She wanted a room that could go into her teen years. So, here’s the plan of her [...]
Posted by: Cathy 2/15/08 at 10:04 pm
Do you need a fancy but easy idea for breakfast on Valentines Day? Try Valentine Strawberry Pancakes. You will need…
Posted by: Cathy 2/11/08 at 8:02 pm
While working on children’s rooms for a client, I was asked to also fix up the laundry room easily and inexpensively. We wanted it to be simple and fun.
Posted by: Cathy 2/8/08 at 8:21 pm
A traditional feel. Notice brass and wood lamp, tassel fringed needlepoint pillow, floral English plate, and topiary.
I had fun in HomeGoods the other day, (although, I think THEY were happy to see me go…). I thought it would be fun to pick a couple of neutral classic pieces of furniture and just by changing the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/28/08 at 12:55 am
I haven’t posted for a while because I’ve been busy working on some designs for some clients of mine. I was trying to think of something to write about and decided to write about what I’ve been doing. I don’t know if you’d be interested in seeing some plans for an upstairs Bonus [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/19/08 at 1:39 am
When I’m in someone’s house discussing decorating changes, we discuss the lamps they have. Many times I find they are undersized in size and scale for the setting. Table lamps provide the ambient light in a room. They don’t just provide a function though, but are a mood setter when lit at night, as [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/9/08 at 3:44 pm
Many of us have large wall areas in our homes that we don’t know what to do with… one big piece of art isn’t quite enough to fill the scale of the wall and a grouping of mismatched art and wall decor may look too cluttered. A great way to make a big design statement [...]
Posted by: Cathy 1/5/08 at 2:02 pm
The New Year is a time for making positive changes for yourself and your environment. After all those Holiday decorations are put away, its a great time to update, rearrange and declutter your rooms.
Work on one room at a time so the job doesn’t seem so daunting. Start with the living room, its usually [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/30/07 at 2:03 am
Twas a night before Christmas
and all through the home.
Not a creature was stirring
cuz the baking was done.
The apron and mitts
were hung on the hook.
In hope no more cookies
needed to cook.
The sweet treats were placed
on Holiday dishes.
To be given to friends
to wish them good wishes.
Some cookies were different
and some were the same.
So I whistled and shouted
and [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/21/07 at 1:13 am
Whats Christmas without the cards? The problem is…how to display all those “comforting Christmas connections” of family and friends. I like to display mine in my family room around a mirror. I’ve found that slipping them into the slats of some old black shutters flanking a mirror seemed to work for me. I can see [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/18/07 at 1:15 pm
A Yule Log is a wonderful natural decoration or gift to make to give to someone. Leave a Yule Log by someones door, ring the doorbell and run… a fun little surprise, and kids love to do this with you! Or, make one for yourself to set by the fireplace. Its best when [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/14/07 at 1:18 pm
What’s more fun than getting the kids together and baking homemade treats for friends and neighbors. When my kids were young, we would bake and deliver many platefuls of cookies, breads and candies to friends a few nights before Christmas. I had to BRIBE them to sing “We wish you a Merry Christmas…(way off key)” [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/11/07 at 1:00 pm
I didn’t put up a lot of outdoor decorations and lights this year… (too busy stenciling I guess),. But I did, at least, light up the entry.
If, some years, you can’t do as much outdoor decorating as you want, concentrate all your efforts on the entry. Its the main area guests will see as they [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/7/07 at 1:14 am
With all those guests coming to your house, don’t forget to dress up the Powder Room. This small space doesn’t need much to convey a Holiday feel.
In mine, I just set some pine garland around the sink and over the mirror,( looks like a big ornament), a few ornaments, bow, monogram hand towel, small candles, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/4/07 at 1:27 am
Are you bored to death of my posts yet? If not, there’s more…(lucky you). We can’t forget the kitchen. I can’t think of one thing I’ve stenciled in here, ( whats wrong with me!). but, I did paint black and white stripes on the topiary pots in the window. They [...]
Posted by: Cathy 12/1/07 at 1:38 pm
This is my little dining room. I’ve used the black and white Damask pattern in here as well.
Fortunately, I was able to find some plates that had the Damask pattern on them. They were reasonably priced, ($4.99 ea.) so I picked up a few. Guess where? I did stencil a few things…napkin rings, [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/29/07 at 12:52 pm
(click on photos to enlarge)
I decided to put up my old tree again this year. Its an artificial tree I purchased for $10. at an after Christmas sale many years ago, (love those bargains). Its held up well, so I continue to use it year after year. Its kinda like a pair of [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/27/07 at 1:50 am
For the Holidays I wanted to change the floral artwork above my fireplace, but I didn’t want to take all the pictures apart to change them. I decided to “slipcover” them with the Damask stencil theme I’m using for Christmas. I used regular poster board and cut 6 pieces to fit on top of the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/21/07 at 8:56 pm
A few samples of what I’ll be using this year.
As I showed in my previous post, ” Christmas Decorating, Now?”, I’ve been adding some black and white Damask style stencil patterns to my existing decorations this year. I decided to stencil as much as I could because its easy and inexpensive to do. It makes [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/19/07 at 3:29 pm
(click on pictures to enlarge details)
Yes, I know its early to be decorating for Christmas (my husband thinks I’m nuts) when Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived yet, but I wanted to post some pictures and show some easy ideas that you might want to try before you get into Holiday decorating.
This year, I wanted to update [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/16/07 at 12:00 pm
I guess its not too early to agonize over gift giving. I used to dread shopping for holiday gifts for friends and family… what do they want, what size, what color, will they like it, can they return it??? In addition, all the crowded stores and TIME it takes to look for things [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/7/07 at 8:00 pm
Its hard to believe in a few weeks, Thanksgiving will be upon us, (early this year, the 22nd.) There are so many traditions and ways of celebrating this wonderful holiday. I thought it might be great if you would share a few of your ideas, traditions or fun things you do …(I’m tired of doing [...]
Posted by: Cathy 11/2/07 at 4:14 pm
Alli, in her previous post, gave me an idea on lighting a pumpkin without using candles. I used a small strand of clear Christmas lights to light mine. My husband thought it would be a good idea to drill some holes in the eyes, teeth, and head and stick the little lights in them, the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/28/07 at 10:11 pm
Instead of “frost on the pumpkin” we have “ash” from the fires here in Southern California. As I write this, a constant layer of dust keeps returning to my keyboard, (and its not from poor housekeeping). Also, every other surface. A small price to pay considering the loss to so many. We all hope the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/26/07 at 11:52 am
This is an easy way to make seasonal dishes without having to buy dishes for each season. Use a set of red or white plates and top them with clear glass plates. Arrange different seasonal items between the two plates. The red plates seem to go with many holidays. The white ones will go [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/22/07 at 12:30 am
As the days cool off, out come the throws and afghans. Throws are a great addition of color and texture to a room, as well as being very functional. We all love to wrap up in them and read a book or watch TV. The throw got its name from being thrown over a chair [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/15/07 at 12:29 pm
Welcome Fall!
(Before)
What can you do with some branches, fall leaves, fruit, existing green plants and other stuff you have around the house? Quite a bit… I often embellish the potted plants I normally have, to fit the seasons.
(After)
All together.
I just inserted (or you can lay) the branches into the dirt [...]
Posted by: Cathy 10/5/07 at 1:39 am
I thought I’d add another idea to Mitch’s last post on making your own art. His was so inventive and original using the beautiful handmade papers. A wonderful artistic statement in a room for next to nothing in cost. Its amazing what can be “art” if you can just look beyond the obvious.
I also [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/28/07 at 12:45 am
Ingredients…
1- Interesting console table
1- Unique large mirror
1 or 2 - Lamps or sconces
Mix with some greens or floral
Garnish with a few tasteful accessories
Combine all of the above and serve as an “Appetizer” to the main [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/22/07 at 4:15 pm
The Holidays are coming… you want to get the house looking better… but the budget won’t allow for any major decorating changes. You want things to look nice… but how do you freshen old furnishings, mismatched pieces and plain walls without spending a fortune?
Heres a few ideas …
Before
The best way to dress up a tired [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/14/07 at 2:24 pm
…Is Nothing More Than A Summers Wave Goodbye.
I’m always a little sad to see summer go, even though our seasonal changes are minimal here in southern California. The days will get shorter and a little cooler, instead of 80s and 90s, it will be in the 70s…It seems the only thing that fades and changes [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/8/07 at 10:42 pm
One of the most challenging parts about decorating is finding interesting art at reasonable prices. I needed a large piece of contemporary art for a wall in a dining room. The client requested the art have an “ocean feel” but not the typical “seascape”. The budget did not allow for an artist to be [...]
Posted by: Cathy 9/1/07 at 1:11 pm
A client wanted me to help her redecorate her small living room in her condo. She had a budget of $2000. Not alot to work with, but doable. To stay within her budget, we had to use as many pieces of her existing furniture as we could, and add some new pieces as [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/26/07 at 8:32 pm
I love the natural accents, accessories and art I’ve seen in many stores and catalogs lately. There’s something about a bit of nature in any interior that brings life to the space. Its the warmth, texture, serenity, uniqueness and beauty thats so compelling. These beautiful large, heavy pieces of functional art got my attention.
These are [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/18/07 at 11:36 am
A good friend of mine is having her birthday tomorrow (Happy Birthday Mary), so I thought I’d make her an easy lemon Bundt cake. Anything with lemon is always so refreshing, cool and summery. It looked pretty tasty so I thought I’d show and tell the recipe… This is an easy and delicious dessert…( I’m [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/11/07 at 3:47 pm
(click on the picture to see details)
An easy and inexpensive way to find a paint color for your walls is to mix up a few colors with acrylic craft paint. This saves you time and money having quarts made up at the paint store. Here’s what you do…
1. Decide what range of color you [...]
Posted by: Cathy 8/6/07 at 12:16 am
(click on picture to enlarge for details)
Betty got me excited about shells, so I found a great idea to pass along. I keep files on decorating ideas and came across this one. It was in the Fall/Winter 2004 issue of Better Homes and Gardens “100 Decorating Ideas Under $100.” My first impression was the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/31/07 at 12:55 pm
I’ve had “house organizing” on the brain for some time now, (too bad it just sits there and doesn’t sink into the ACTION area of the brain). I needed some motivation to get going. Where does one go to relieve the anxiety of procrastination….SHOPPING!! Off to HomeGoods. I was surprised [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/20/07 at 5:37 pm
This is an office in a model home. I love the layout! It’s functional and very decorative as well. Stylish design and use of space. One whole wall in the room has built-in shelves and closed cabinets on the bottom. The desk area is extended out into the center of the room creating a two [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/13/07 at 4:35 pm
My husband and I needed working office space in our house (and the kids aren’t moving out soon…). So we decided to divide our long family room. We divided it by adding an entertainment unit between the two spaces. One side is the T.V. and display shelves facing the family room (see top photo). The [...]
Posted by: Cathy 7/5/07 at 12:14 pm
The 4th of July is almost here. I love seeing all the flags and decorations on peoples homes and in the stores. Red, white and blue everywhere. It makes me feel proud and grateful for our country. Heres wishing all of you a wonderful Independence Day. Its great to live in “The land of the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/29/07 at 12:53 pm
To see details, click on the picture to enlarge.
A client was happy with the playful colors and furnishings she had in her small family room. But, she said, “it just doesn’t look finished”.(top photo, before). She wanted to paint all the walls yellow. I told her to try red. She wasn’t sure about all [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/25/07 at 12:02 am
…DO YOU KNOW HOW LOVED YOU ARE”, was a saying on a little sign in the kids section of HomeGoods. I had to stop and look at all the adorable things on display. I always need a baby shower gift and saw these gingham lined baskets (see pictures). What a cute gift… add some tissue [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/18/07 at 2:49 pm
Click on the picture to enlarge it
Someone requested to see other rooms in the “Staged to sell” blog I wrote previously. This is the before and after of the master bedroom, (she was packing, thus the mess). To get this ready to sell, I purchased 2 bedside chests. All the bedding came from a model [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/13/07 at 11:31 am
I, and I’m sure the others, Alli, Betty, Deb and Janice, would like to tell you how much we’ve enjoyed seeing and reading about all of your wonderful “finds” you’ve posted under “Customer Finds”. Just to mention a few….Mytien in Fl… posted many beautiful floral arrangements displayed in her lovely home. Freida in Mi… posted [...]
Posted by: Cathy 6/8/07 at 2:58 pm
I was asked to stage a large 15 room home about 10 days before they wanted it to go on the market. Needless to say, I didn’t know if I could do it that quickly. I had to assess, design, shop and install the job. The house needed quite a few furnishings and accessories fast [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/31/07 at 12:31 am
On walks around my neighborhood, I look at what people have done to beautify their homes. Some are “fantastically formal.” Others are “picket fence perfect”. Flowers everywhere!!! It makes a walk a joyful adventure……
Posted by: Cathy 5/25/07 at 2:17 pm
I thought I would show you some more of the beautiful furniture that the new HomeGoods in my area has. Look closely or click on the picture to see the prices…Great style, from very traditional to contemporary. I hope your stores get these nice pieces in.
Posted by: Cathy 5/24/07 at 1:34 am
I’m so excited!! A new HomeGoods just opened near me and I ran over to OOHH and AAHH!!! (and buy a few things). What a BEAUTIFUL store! I took a few pictures to show you so you can OOHH and AAHH too!
Posted by: Cathy 5/18/07 at 10:57 pm
I saw these beautiful live orchids displayed in tall clear vases and thought how gorgeous they were. These were at least 2 feet tall. You could use artificial ones (with plastic stems) as well, with water and couple drops of bleach to keep the water clear and clean. Any other tall flowers would look [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/16/07 at 6:55 pm
As Summer approches, I like to change a few accessories to celebrate the season.
Look around your house or purchase a few things that look good together and design a display. Nothing says “summer” better than shells! HomeGoods has some beautiful tall clear vases to fill with shells, sand, beach grass, reeds, bamboo, you name it… [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/10/07 at 1:43 pm
Heres an idea to get rid of some of the paper clutter that ends up on the refrigerator or counter tops.
Use the INSIDE of your kitchen cabinet doors for message centers for each member of your family.
You can use a metal paint on the inside and use magnets, or cork boards or just tape up [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/9/07 at 3:49 pm
My client asked me to design a room around her piano (she plays beautifully). She wanted clean lines and surfaces, serene colors, simplicity with sophistication. She wanted Transitional Style.
Not too contemporary or too traditional. If you like this style, many home stores, like HomeGoods, have furnishings and accessories to design your own Transitional rooms AND [...]
Posted by: Cathy 5/3/07 at 11:47 am
I’ve been doing some Spring cleaning and needed to clean some windows. I ran out of the “blue spray” I usually used. While looking in the garage for anything that might do the job, I ran across a bottle of “De-icer Automobile Windshield Washer Fluid.” (Why we have De-icer when we live in Southern Cal. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/23/07 at 3:07 pm
We all love to display family pictures. This one hangs in a stairway. A good way to display them is to group them together instead of a few here and there. It makes a beautiful display and fills a large wall area as well. The frames don’t have to match, just relate to each other. [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/19/07 at 5:57 pm
Some of the best buys I’ve found on lamps have been at HomeGoods. Its the first place I go to when a client needs quality lighting at a GREAT price. The lamps usually fall between $39.and $79. I’ve seen the exact same lamps online for 2-3 times as much. Theres a wide variety of styles [...]
Posted by: Cathy at 1:03 pm
Here’s an idea for more dramatic interior wall color. Instead of picking 1 color to paint your walls, try 3 on the same chip. They will ALL blend but will be much more exciting than just 1. Find a paint chip in the paint store of the colors you want. Pick 3 colors on the [...]
Posted by: Cathy 4/14/07 at 7:38 am