January
2011
| THE DESIGN DIVA DISHES
DESIGN TRENDS AND LIFESTYLE TIPS
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Greetings!
Happy New Year Everybody!!! January 1 creeps up faster and faster each year. Don't you wish things could slow down a little bit? I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to 2011 with great expectations. I ended 2010 on a happy note, learning that my work was selected to be in a training book for interior decorators. Only 10 designers were selected nationally, and I was one of them.
This issue will offer three ways to warm up your home for the long, cold winter ahead and you'll learn three hot trends to look for in 2011. January's Color of the Month is the color that the Pantone Color Institute selected as the Color of the Year. I know it's going to be a great year because they chose PINK! If that isn't a sign, for me to have another great year, I don't know what is! The Green Report addresses ways to reduce your heat consumption and the Recipe of the Month is a great quiche for healthy eating in the new year.
As always, I encourage you to send me your questions for my design blog "Ask the Design Diva." Send me your expensive desires so I can find your "Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget" in my "Save or Splurge" blog. You can even send me video now! YouTube isn't just for teenagers anymore...
Hopefully you all have your new calendars by now. Use it as your blank slate to create the life you have always dreamed of. Remember, goals are simply dreams that you've written down. Committing your goals to your calendar and scheduling the steps you need to take to achieve them is the first step in living your dream.
Best wishes for a fabulous year ahead!
Barbara Green
PS- For those of you who remember how distraught I was when Bonnie went off to college this September, am proud to report that she is doing great, made the Dean's List her first semester and was nominated for a freshman writing award. Makes a Mama proud! (I still miss her, though...)
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 | Winter Decorating
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| Now that the holidays are over and the excitement is gone, we need to spice up our homes to get us through the long, cold winter. Here are three things you can do to warm up and breathe new life into your home:
Add Color
Color gives your rooms visual warmth to counteract the cooler temperatures. This is a great time to paint, since we are stuck inside with a lull in our social calendar. Select warm hues, such as gold, cinnamon, or chocolate to turn up the heat. The room below would be cold and uninviting if it were still white, but with the walls and ceiling painted a rich gold it welcomes you in on a cold winter's night.
Add Texture
Multiple textures add warmth to your room and serve as a pattern even though you may choose to stay monochromatic. Textures are a great compromise for couples who want more than solid colors but can't agree on a design. Textures can be layered in the form of furry pillows, shaggy rugs, knitted throws, and organic items such as tree bark, grasses, or stone. Even if all of your textures share the same color, the variety still gives visual interest.
 
Add Warmth
Not everyone has the luxury of having a fireplace, but nothing is better at warming up a room both literally and figuratively. Perhaps you do have one in your living room, but want to add warmth and ambiance to your dining room or bedroom.
Don't worry about having to do any new construction, all you have to do is make a quick trip to the local architectural salvage yard. There you'll find stacks and stacks of mantles that have been removed from older homes before they were razed. I love the curvy lines in the one I found below.
If you like the "Shabby Chic" look, all you have to do is dust it and rest it against your focal point wall. If you prefer a more traditional look, simply do a light sanding and then paint it. Once it is in the desired location, place a candelabra in the opening for the glowing flame. I love this one with its slate base and hammered copper candle holders.
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| Trend Report
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| by Article Author |  | Maison et Objet is to European design as High Point Market is to American design. I love to keep track of what they are doing, as their design trickles down to us a little slower which allows me to stay ahead of the design curve. It reminds me of the old saying "If you aren't ahead then you're falling behind." So here are three things to add to your decor:
Personalization
Whether in the form of a monogram on linens, or favorite sayings painted on the wall, expressing your individuality is important. Since trends are derived as a reaction to societal changes, it is easy to see that we are seeking ways to keep ourselves from being just a face in a crowd or a number in a database. The nursery below showcases the Color of the Year in addition to the personalized monogram wall hanging.
You can personalize your walls in an instant when you choose from thousands of different wall decal quotes. Believe it or not, I bought the decal below at the Dollar Tree and applied it to the wall above my daughter's bedroom door. It is a positive message to remind her before she walks out the door, and the best part was it was only one dollar!!!
Local Loyalty
In a backlash to our constant digital bombardment and adjustments made because of the recession, people have embraced a new frugality and are keeping their commerce local, supporting those that are in our communities. Whether you visit local artisans for design accessories
or flex your creative muscles and make something yourself, your home design becomes much more meaningful when you know it was created with love and passion.
Sensory Explosion
With the onslaught of digital media and 3-D graphics, people are becoming highly sensitized to color and pattern. With interiors, that translates into bright colors and bold, geometric patterns. this style is aimed at young, artsy homeowners living in metropolitan areas, but can work equally well in the suburbs.
Fabrics for this trend feature high energy colors and geometric or graphic designs.
These room designs combine furniture of metal, glass, and acrylic along with wood and upholstered pieces.
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| Color of the Month
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| by Article Author | | I am glad no one was around when I found out which color Pantone chose as 2011's Color of the Year. If there was, they could have witnessed me doing my happy dance, so excited that it was a shade of PINK! Officially it is called "Honeysuckle," but I just call it FABULOUS!!!
Honeysuckle was chosen because they feel it is "Courageous, Confident, and and vital; a brave new color for a brave new world." Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues. Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."
Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women, as illustrated by the gentlemen below. They are at a book release party of "In the Pink," a book about famed interior designer Dorothy Draper.
Here it is combined with last year's Color of the Year Turquoise, and one of this year's trends "Personalization" in the form of the tree graphic painted on the wall.
Take a look at this dynamic foyer. There is no doubt the family that lives here is full of energy and confidence.
If that is too much pink, you can easily incorporate it in smaller doses with the introduction of pink accessories:
If that is still too much pink, how about just adding a rug with pink accents?
I could go on and on about my obsession with pink, but I'll stop here. Remember, pink isn't just for Barbies anymore!
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| Green Report
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| by Article Author | | Reducing your energy consumption is an important part of living a green lifestyle. A good way to do this is to make sure your home isn't wasting heat. You can do this easily by walking around your home with a lighted candle. Hold it in front of closed windows, doors, vents, and even electrical outlets. If the light flickers, there is a draft; if it holds steady, the opening is well sealed. Once you find the leaks, it is easy and inexpensive to seal them up.
Outlet Insulation -- Home improvement stores carry thin sheets of foam that get sandwiched between the outlet cover and the wall, preventing drafts from blowing through.
Weatherstripping -- There are several types available, including rubber, high density foam, closed-cell PVC foam and open-cell foam. No matter which type you choose, you will install it between the sash and the frame, making sure it doesn't interfere with function of the window or door. Doors have additional options: spring tension weatherstripping (which gets adjusted with a screwdriver for maximum seal) and gasket weatherstripping, made of rubber or vinyl. The gaskets cushion as they seal and compensate for warping or irregularities in the door frame. Before going to the store, measure the perimeter of all the windows and doors needing weatherstripping in linear feet and purchase a little extra to allow for trimming. Easy installation instructions are included on all packages of weatherstripping.
Caulking -- To caulk around your windows you will need either traditional silicone caulk, applied with a caulking gun, or rope caulk, which is pressed into place with your fingers. Rope caulk is easier for beginners, but it is more noticeable when the job is finished. If air is leaking through the framework around the window or door opening, caulk can be use to seal the cracks.
Shrink Film Insulation -- This is the best option for super-drafty windows, but isn't the prettiest to look at. Each kit comes with double-stick tape which is applied around the perimeter of the window frame. Then you press a sheet of plastic film onto the double-stick tape to cover the window. Finally, you apply warm air with a blow-dryer to shrink the clear film for an airtight seal. Check the package before you buy; some are reusable and some are not.
Doorsweeps-- Door sweeps are used to provide a weatherproof seal at the bottom of the door. They can be made from aluminum, plastic, wood, vinyl or rubber. The rubber type is the most durable and effective in sealing the draft since it adjusts itself to fully seal the opening beneath the door.
Cat litter or sawdust -- It may sound weird, but for the lowest tech way to keep cold air from seeping in below your door is to fill spare tube socks with cat litter or saw dust, tie or sew it closed, and place it on the floor in front of the door once it has been closed. Use enough socks to stretch the entire width of the door. There is some inconvenience involved in having to move them every time you open the door, but it is an easy and effective way to stop drafts and also make good use of socks that have lost their mate.
Insulating Drapes -- Drapes that have a thermal lining can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30 percent over windows that have no covering at all. The more layers of fabric and lining, the greater the insulation value.
Here are some other ways to reduce your heating needs:
Electric Blankets -- Investing in an electric blanket allows you to remain comfortable and warm in bed while you turn down the thermostat for the rest of your home. Studies show that for every degree you turn down your thermostat for an eight-hour overnight period you save 1 to 2 percent on your energy bill. That doesn't sound like much, but if your turn down the thermostat 10 degrees, that suddenly turns into a 10 to 20 percent savings, and that is substantial.
Flannel sheets, blankets and faux fur bedding -- Flannel sheets and bedding are soft and warm to the touch, keeping you cozy and insulated against the cold air. Adding a throw of faux fur on top of your bedding further improves the insulation properties because cold air gets trapped between the fibers of the fur and flannel before it has a chance to get you cold.
Area Rugs -- If your home has wood floors, a fluffy area rug will warm it up in an instant. There are many styles and types of area rugs to choose from, including wool, cotton, silk, synthetics, and organics.
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| Quote of the Month
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| by Article Author | |
Article Subheading
Get busy living or get busy dying. ~ Stephen King
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| Recipe of the Month
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| by Article Author | | There are certain realities we must face when we get older, and needing to take better care of our bodies is one of them. However, with the hectic pace of life these days it is so much easier to hit the drive-through window than going home and cooking. That is why I love quiches. I can cook them in multiples, freeze the extras, and keep one in the fridge for a last minute breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you haven't had a quiche in a while, check this one out. It is a winner!
Crustless Carmelized Onion and Mushroom Quiche
4 tsp. olive oil
1 large vidalia onion, thinly sliced
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 container (16 oz.) Egg Beaters
2/3 c. shredded gruyere
Preheat oven to 400. Spray 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray.
Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large nonstick pan over a medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized. Transfer the onions to a bowl. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan and heat over a medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they have released their water and begin to brown. Transfer the mushrooms to the bowl with onions. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, then pour into prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes, then cut into 6 wedges. Refrigerate extras. Only 270 calories per serving!
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| Community Outreach
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| 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. This winter is supposed to be a cold one. I am not happy about it, but do realize that at least I am blessed with a closet full of coats and a drawer full of hats, gloves, and scarves. Homeless people feel the cold even more than we do, as they have little to no escape from it. Let's all go through our coat closets and clean out the excess so those less fortunate can have protection against the elements. Several organizations are helping: Steve's Coats for Kids - From January 6th to January 14th you can drop off new or gently used children's coats at any Charlotte Fire Department. Click here for locations.
Crisis Assistance Ministries - Supports families in need with donated clothing, household goods, furniture and appliances, along with financial assistance to prevent eviction and loss of utilities. They are in need, specifically, of large-sized coats: XL, 2X, 3X, and 4X. To see how you can help go to crisisassistance.org
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| Save 15% | Trend Sale
Save 15% on any item to warm the home
or any item that fits in with the trend report.
Mention Offer DDD111 when scheduling your consultation
Call 704-987-0277 NOW so you don't miss out!
| | Offer Expires: 1/31/11 Not good on orders placed before 1/1/11 |
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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 February 1st. Please call me at 704.987.0277 or email me at sensiblychic4u@aol.com with any questions or comments.
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