| August
2010 | The Design Diva Dishes!
Design Trends and Lifestyle Tips |
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Dear ,
Well, the dreaded time is upon me. For those who have been reading my E-zines for years, you know how enamored and devoted I am to my two daughters, Shannon and Bonnie. If you've been with me for a while you also know Shannon moved to Charleston three years ago (boohoo) leaving Bonnie and I alone in Cornelius. August 20th I will be moving Bonnie into the dorms at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and I will embark on a new chapter in my life. There were many times in Bonnie's teen years when I couldn't wait for this day to come. Anyone with teenage daughters knows what I am talking about! But now it is here, and I am going to miss her so much. Please keep us both in your prayers, that she will make the most of this opportunity, and that I won't drown in my tears.
August is my annual window treatment issue where I try to inspire you all to think ahead about what you would like to do to make your home the best it can be for the upcoming holiday season. Please don't yell at me for bringing it up so early, but you know how busy your schedules get once Labor Day passes, and so do all the fabric suppliers and drapery workrooms. How disappointed would you be if we found the perfect treatment for your windows, but either the fabric was back-ordered or the workroom was booked?
This issue will also share some technological advancements for window treatments. The Color of the Month is Purple and the Trend Report will present three ways to make your window treatments eco-friendly. Finally, my recipe of the month, Pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil will take advantage of your bountiful backyard garden or the local farmer's market.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com or call me at 704.987.0277.
Barbara Green |
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 | Window Treatments |
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It is unbelievable, but in a few short weeks the kids will head back to school. Following quickly behind will be Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, and New Year's. Whew! I am getting exhausted just thinking about it! My point is, don't procrastinate in making your home perfect for the upcoming holiday season. You want it to look it's best, and beautiful window treatments play an integral part.
Your home should be as unique as you, including your window treatments. That is why Sensibly Chic always promises one-of-a-kind designs, so that you know there will be no one else in the world with the same style as you. After all, isn't that what you hire a designer for? The drapes below are a favorite of mine, from a showhouse in New York. Without that bright yellow on the edge of the drape the room would have looked rather sleepy, but that pop of color really wakes it up.
An interesting look can be created simply by combining two colors of the same fabric on the same window treatment. Instead of a narrow border on the edge like the previous drapes, these drapes have a very deep border on the top. Very chic!
A client of mine was frustrated that her master bedroom had a window on only one side of the bed. No matter what she did she felt it always looked unbalanced. My solution was to drape the walls in a sheer fabric to hide the fact there was no window on one side but still allow the light to come in through the other windows. Do you have any problem windows you don't know what to do with?
Some people avoid window treatments because they think they are too fussy or block too much of their view. Roman shades are a great solution to both of those objections. They are very simple and tailored, and when mounted above the window, can pull up high enough to only look like a narrow valance across the top, keeping the view open. These work well in any room where you might want some privacy but are especially effective for home theater rooms, particularly when backed with blackout lining.
It was Gustav Flaubert who is first credited with saying "God is in the details." Well, I believe that beauty is in the details, too. If you are going to invest in custom window treatments make sure they have custom details such as borders and trims, or unique mounting techniques, as illustrated below:
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Trend Report |
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Those of you who know me well know that I love technology. I can't imagine my life without a computer, and if I ever leave home without my "crackberry" I go crazy from withdrawal. So I am very exited to tell you that this month's trend report is about technological advancements for window treatments.
Are you old enough to remember the days when you used to have to get off the sofa to change the TV channel? Remote controls were such a novelty back then, but now who out there doesn't have a coffee table, basket, or drawer full of remote controls? Improvements in technology now allow us to have one unit (the size of an iPad) which can be programmed to control your TV, DVR, DVD, blue-ray, home theater, stereo, speakers, lights, security system, thermostat, and even open and close your window treatments. How awesome is that?
Another technological advance is being able to control your window treatments from your computer, whether you are in the next room or another country. If you are going to be out of town for a while and want to make it look like someone is home, you can simply tell your computer to open or close your previously motorized window treatments and the job is done. One client even had their pool components motorized so that the cover will be rolled back and the water will be at the perfect temperature for a swim as soon as he arrives home from work!
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Color of the Month | | |
Purple is the color of royalty, spirituality, and creativity. It is also a great color for decorating. Why? Because whether you choose to create an entire room of purple or simply use it as an accent, the results are spectacular. I wouldn't typically recommend this, but one woman loved purple so much, she chose to have every room in her home painted purple. Below you can see her kitchen, powder room, and bedroom. Trust me, every other room was purple too!
 
Purple looks magnificent with metallics, either silver or gold:
If surrounding yourself in purple seems a little over the top, you always have the option to use it sparingly, without skimping on style. Whether you choose to paint an accent wall or a ceiling, you'll make a definitive statement.
If even that is too daring for you, how about simply adding some purple sheets and pillows to your bedroom or purple fabric as a border on your drapes and on the seat cushions of your chairs? The purple hydrangeas (a favorite of mine) add the perfect touch.
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Green Design | | by Article Author | |
Having beautiful window treatments does not preclude you from being environmentally conscious. There are three different categories that can classify your window treatments as green.
Energy Efficiency
This is the easiest way for a window treatment to be green as the simple act of covering the window immediately increases energy efficiency. The more layers the treatment has, the higher its efficiency. Cellular (also called honeycomb) shades utilize an energy saving combination of trapping the air between the window and the shade and then trapping the air between the layers of the shade to effectively reduce heat loss as much as 50%. The shade below is the most energy efficient available as the honeycombs are lined in mylar to make an even more effective air barrier. It is also great for home theaters, as it gives complete darkness for your movie viewing pleasure.
Natural or Renewable Materials
Another way to make window treatments green is to use renewable, organic materials such as cotton, silk, linen, wool, bamboo, or grass. Manufacturers have really heeded the call for eco-friendly materials, and the selection of beautiful choices grows every month. Organic fabrics have historically been rather pricey, but now that the demand has increased, the prices are beginning to fall.
No VOC's
VOC's (volatile organic compounds) are being cited as potential causes for a myriad of health issues, such as allergies, asthma, autism, and cancer. It makes sense to avoid products that contain them. While paint is the most widely publicized bearer of VOC's, they can also be released from your window treatments. Of course, this is only if your window treatments are made of petroleum-based products, but that can encompass a wide range: nylon, rayon, polyester, and PVC. The first three are obviously fabrics, and the PVC is found in plastic blinds and also faux wood blinds. |
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Quote of the Month | | by Article Author | |
Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure, there is your heart; where your heart, there is your happiness. ~ St. Augustine |
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Recipe of the Month | | |
Now is a great time to take advantage of the abundance of fresh tomatoes and basil and create a quick and tasty summer meal. You don't even cook the sauce, so aside from the short time to boil the pasta, your kitchen stays cool.
Pasta with Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil
4 large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/4 C fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
salt to taste
1 lb. cooked pasta (penne or rotelle)
1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella, cubed
In a large serving bowl, stir together the first 6 ingredients. Salt to taste. Add the pasta and mozzarella, toss and serve. |
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Community Outreach | | by Article Author | |
Most people say there are only two things guaranteed in life: death and taxes. Well I would like to submit to you a third guarantee: No matter how bad your life is, there is always someone worse off than you. I believe that it is more important to give than to receive. Additionally, it has been my personal experience that when I give generously, whether it be of time or money, the rewards I get are exponentially greater than anything I might have given. In this spirit, I am going to share with you each month opportunities available for us all to give back, for we are all greatly blessed, even in these times of struggle.
School Supply Drive
I was amazed to find out there were over two thousand homeless children in the Charlotte-Mecklenberg school system last year. School can be challenging under the best of circumstances. Can you imagine how much more difficult it is when a child is homeless? We all know that without success in school these children will never find success in life. You can make a difference by hosting a school supply drive. Inspire your team at work, or your church/synagogue, or your neighborhood to band together and make a difference. A Child's Place will make sure what you collect gets into the hands of children that need it.
CommunityQUEST In my personal quest to share the needs of local charities I was lucky enough to find out about CommunityQUEST.org . This website was designed to help charitable organizations collect donation items and increase their visibility in the community. Charities are able to post their needs and volunteers are able to offer their services. The website also has a calendar listing upcoming charitable events. Be sure to check out the website and find someone to serve. Life is so much more rewarding when you are helping others. |
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| by Article Author | |
Thank you for reading "The Design Diva Dishes." I hope you enjoyed this issue and will forward it to your family, friends, and co-workers using the link below. Have a great month, and I'll see you again September 1st.
Please call me at 704.987.0277 or email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com with any questions or comments. |
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