Dare To Be Domestic

Apartment Holiday Decorating Made Simple

 

So you have no space for a big ol' tree.  No mantel to hang those stockings.  I'm with you.  Here are some small space decorating ideas I applied to my apartment that have made a big impact on my getting in the holiday spirit. 

This year I wanted to go back to my childhood.  I wanted color.  I wanted fun.  I wanted SNOW!  Here's what I did:

1. Spray Snow - I know it's country and some consider it tacky.  But for $2.99, you can add instant holiday cheer to all the windows and mirrors in your home.  Here are some tricks --
   a. Shake the can weeeelllllll. 
   b. Do a few test sprays in your sink to get the spray bottle ready-it's all about even strokes. 
   c. Don't spray with full force.  Try holding the nozzle halfway down.        
   d. Don't re-spray areas that are dry, you will get a crackling effect that is really not cute. 
   (Thanks Ben for suggesting I share these tips with my readers.)
2. A Table Top Tree - You can buy these at most stores, real or fake.  Add some lights and a few decorations.  Big impact!
3. Figurines - Small figurines on your windowsill or coffee table will make you smile.  
4. Garland - Try draping garland around your TV, bookshelf, window and mirrors.  Garlands add a classy, festive look to any holiday decorating scheme.  And they are available in many materials.  This year I went with garland made from bulbs.
5. Lights - YOU MUST HAVE LIGHTS.  Drape them around windows, doorways and walkways.  3M makes amazing hooks for decorating that I highly recommend.

This year Target provided the color inspiration for my decorating.

 

Bulb garland with bright colors and lots of shine.

 

I draped all my TVs with a bulb garland.

 

Old candles and candle holders make for festive decor when decked out with a few accoutrements.

 

More garland on the mirrors with a simple bow.

 

Snow in Los Angeles - love it!  There's that spray snow at its best.  I also strung up pre-fab snowflakes in the window with fishing line.

 

A mini tree sets the mood.  It's so easy to maintain and low in cost.  Mine looks amazing at night!  I treated this television set as a mantel.  Why not, it's the focal point of most small spaces.

 

A few childhood friends make you feel like a kid again. 
 

Be creative.  Do you and have fun.  I Dare You To Be Domestic!

  
 
 
 

 

Privacy and Style: Windows on a Budget.

The most expensive decorating elements, next to your furniture, can be window treatments.  Why in the heck do curtains cost so much?  I was so fed up with my last window project I hit the AS-IS section at IKEA and dug and dug until I found four matching panels.  It took a little time but it saved me almost 80 bucks.

Keep in mind fine linens of any kind will always cost an arm and a leg, but if you’re just simply trying to get the job done there are some creative, low-cost treatments that bring privacy and style.

Try:

Paper or Grass Panels - They come in a roll and are great for a space where you want diffuse light.

Window Film - If you want privacy while maintaining the natural light of the room, try using a stick-on window film.  They come in many tints, shades, even colors.  This type of treatment will give you a minimal, modern look and feel.

Roman Shades - Roman shades are inexpensive and great for privacy.

Shower Curtains - Don't get it twisted!  A shower curtain can be a great fake-me-out.  Fabric shower curtains (even plastic) are cheaper than traditional curtains and can look high-end.

Sheets - Take your favorite sheet or find an old vintage one and with a simple hem you have an instant panel curtain.

image from Everyday Crafty Goodness

Here are some other alternative ideas that speak for themselves:

 

 

image from veryirie eHow Community Member

There you have it.  I Dare You To Be Domestic!

Michael’s Home & Homecoming – A Memorial I’ll never forget.

Last Tuesday I was fortunate enough to get a ticket to attend Michael Jackson’s memorial service at the Staples Center here in LA.  A friend of mine won the raffle but had to work and graciously gave me his ticket.  During the entire memorial I was overcome with tears and smiles.

It had always been one of my dreams to visit Neverland Ranch.  Hopefully, his estate will become something of a theme park like Graceland so we all can see how the Greatest Entertainer in the World lived.  We know good ol’ Mike was a bit over-the-top and regal in his décor and fashions.  Below are some pics of the home were he lived in LA before he passed and some shots from his memorial service. R.I.P. Mr. Jackson.  We miss you and you will live through your music forever.

Before his death Michael Jackson leased this sprawling mansion in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles for $100,000 a month.  Now that’s RENT!

The home is 17,171 square feet.  It is a three story French Chateau style estate.  It sits on 1.26 acres, and includes 7 bedrooms, 12 fireplaces, entrance hall with curving staircase, formal living and dining rooms, a den with adjoining library, theater room, family room, gourmet kitchen with eating area, wine cellar and heated swimming pool.  This is one home where you might need a little help Daring To Be Domestic.

My Balcony Oasis: How To Spruce Up Your Stoop

Last weekend I decided to buy some patio chairs for my VERY small apartment balcony.  It was hard finding chairs that were stylish, comfy and affordable, but once I finally found them, I got inspired to go even further and plan an all-out Summer Balcony Makeover!  My new mission is to find the perfect complementary accessories to create my very own oasis.  Until my SBM is completed, here are some easy and low-cost ways to transform your rarely used balcony into your new summer hot spot:

Furniture

With some things you have to spend a little cash to get quality that will last – enter buying balcony furniture.  I found a great deal at Target on some red mesh chairs that I really like.  When shopping look for comfort first, then style.

You’ll need a small end table or two so why not make your own like the one pictured above with an old TV tray?  If you're not so crafty, I found this great simple and stylish blue side table from CB2.

1. IKEA | BROMMÖ, Deck Chair

2. (photo credit) www.bekkis-eco-boutique.com 

3. CB2 | Pisces side table 

Décor

The key is for your balcony to feel like you are stepping into another, even more relaxing environment.  The bigger the transformation the better!  Start at the bottom and find a unique way to transform the floor.  Hardware stores like Home Depot sell fake grass by the yard, or you can find grass panels like the one pictured above at CB2 for all you city dwellers - yeah not so easy to grow a full yard of grass on the 15th floor!  And trust me this look is in!  You can catch it at some of the finest hotels in major cities.  I've even seen it in black - yep, black grass.  HELLO!

4. CB2 | FLOR ™ Green Acres ™

Or, you could grow some real grass in pots or trays.  Grass grows super fast and makes for great conversation.  Here’s all you have to do:

1. Fill your pot or tray with potting soil.  Add water absorption crystals to help maintain moisture, if desired. 
2. Sprinkle grass seeds on top of soil and cover lightly with potting soil — just enough to cover the seeds.
3. Using a spray bottle, sprinkle a light mist of water on the seeds, and place the pot in a sunny window.  In a couple of days, your grass will start to grow.  
4. Continue watering as needed.  When the blades of grass start to grow beyond 2," trim the grass using sharp scissors.  The grass will thicken as it grows.  EASY!  

Small planted trees in a large pot proportional to your space always makes for good decor.

5.  (photo credit) http://smoyle.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_archive.html

Decorative Pillows

Buy new pillows for the outside?  Nah, recycle your old ones.  If you have pillows that you plan to get rid of anyway, turn them into your new exterior pillows.  Apply some fabric protector (found at most outdoor and fabric stores) to waterproof them.  But, If you prefer to buy pillows, go crazy with color!  I like these from 2modern.com.

6. 2modern | notNeutral - Season Pillow  

7. Kiwi | Camp Dry Fabric Protector

Lighting

Try adding some Christmas lights to brighten those summer nights up a bit.  Place them overhead sorta like stars in the sky.  Don’t use bulbs that are too bright, just something to give off a little glow.  It’s a way better solution than having a bright porch light blaring off the reflection of your wine glass!

Paper lanterns also give off a nice soft glow that doesn’t detract from the mood.  Battery-operated light sources are a good alternative to plugs and cords, and even candles.

8. Party Lights.com | Paper Lantern – Chartreuse

9. Walmart | Home and Beyond Outdoor String Lantern Lights, 2-pack

DISHES & GLASSES

Treat yourself and buy that matching set of bar-b-que drinking glasses and plates.  But you don’t have to spend lots of money.  Stalk discount stores—many of your favorite items will eventually find themselves in the clearance aisle by the end of the season.  To be truly domestic you gotta plan ahead.

Theme it up.  Maybe you love flowers or maybe the beach.  Add a little splash of personality with a cohesive theme throughout your amazing new balcony!

 


I found these cool floral plates for really cheap at Kohl's online.




10. Kohls | Summer Living® Floral Dinnerware

Happy Summer Balcony Makeover!

If You Really Wanna Save Money Buy The Floor Model!

Furnishing a home while fun can also be a big numbers game.  We all get to the stage where we want to venture into the world of "designer" pieces.  And once you cross over, it's really hard to go back!  Don't get me wrong, my number one philosophy is to do things at low cost while at the same time making it easy and super creative.  So this brings me to my money-saving entry on furniture buying.

Last Wednesday, I set out to find the perfect bedroom suite.  The look I wanted was something kinda mid-century modern and very clean.  I had done the whole bohemian rustic thing and was due for a change.  I also knew If I could find a semi-great bedroom suite I could always upgrade it and accessorize everything around it to make it exactly what I wanted.  I began my search on the Web to get an idea of what prices would be like.  The average bed frame price was around $1200—yeah, that's a lot for me.  I admit I got a little discouraged.  But I just knew I could get what I wanted at the price that was good for me.  POSITIVE THINKING!  I set off for the stores.

Enter EQ3, Canada-based with a few stores in the US.  I'd best describe them as a more quality version of IKEA—modern and very stylish, almost sexy-like.  In the actual store, I noticed that in this economy, EVERYTHING IS ON SALE!  Now is the time to make major purchases for your pad in this buyer's market.  I saw my bed peacefully glistening under the showroom's halogen lights.  The sales woman asked if she could help, and I started up small conversation about what I was looking for (this conversation is key).  I asked her the price (I already knew the price; I saw it online).  She replied that it normally sells for $849, but if I were to buy the floor model I could have the entire floor display for $799.  WHAT?  I can get an end table, a console table and the beautiful bed-frame, all for $799.00?  WOW!

In my head I did the numbers and remembered that it's a platform bed and platform beds require slats.  (It's very important to keep your composure and think about the extras.  Always ask yourself, "What can I get for free on this deal?")  So I asked about the slats needed to support the bed.  She said they cost an extra $100.  Then like a scene in a movie, I told her if she can throw in the slats for free I would buy the bed on the spot!  A manager overheard and said he would throw in free slats!  That's like $100 free dollars.  HELLO!  I said "Sold!" and everyone in the store laughed.

Here are a few furniture shopping rules to keep in mind:

• Don't always let your online experience determine if you can afford something.  In-store specials can be great.  They might be having floor model clearances and product closeout savings.
• While shopping always be super nice to the sales people.  Make sure they are on your side.
• Don't feel pressured to make decisions and ask a lot of questions.  The more you talk, the more information on deals and bargains you can get out of your sales guy or gal.
• Always meet the manager before you close the deal and ask about any add-ons.  Sometimes just by paying in cash you can get big discounts.
• Arrange for your own truck.  Pay a friend who has a truck to help you out.  I'd rather pay a friend some cash than an over-priced truck delivery company.
• Make sure you know the return policy if you are buying a floor model or sale item.  And get it in writing.
• Ask the manager if any items you like will go on clearance anytime soon. 

  Take a look at my new bedroom suite!

ABOVE:  MILO Queen Platform Bed With Upholstered Headboard 

ABOVE:  MILO Storage Sofa Table

ABOVE:  MILO Storage End Table

I Dare You To Be Domestic!

The "New" White House - What is Obama Style?

Modern Traditional.  A style combination rarely discussed but always at the forefront of great interior design.  A few days ago I was watching a documentary on the interiors of the White House.  It featured an in-depth interview with First Lady Laura Bush.  First Lady Bush told of the tradition and history that lay within the interiors of the White House.  I learned that all Presidents and their First Ladies leave their mark on the White House, be it in the form of a room makeover, a new furniture addition, or something as small as a reupholstering a sofa.  Then I thought to myself, “What will it be like when the Obamas apply their personal style to the interiors of the White House?"  Hmmmm.  Well, I think it might look something like the images found below.  Not to say the Obamas even like Modern Traditional or that they would like anything I suggest as far as interior design — but a boy can dream can't he?

The following rooms are the work of designers Susan Bednar Long and Christina Sullivan of Tocar Designs, a high-end design facility based in both New York and Connecticut.  Needless to say, I’m a big fan.  Get inspired because Modern Traditional never looked so good.  I Dare You To Be Domestic!

All images from Tocar Designs.

Your Coffee Table Has Nothing Good To Say About You!

Whenever I visit someone’s home there are a few key items I always notice:  the art on their walls, the smell of their house, and the items they keep on their coffee table.  Now you might wonder why I’d take notice of things on the coffee table, and I’ll tell you.  Coffee tables are the ultimate personality trait revealer.  A lot of subconscious thought and energy are put into the items that people place on their coffee tables.  I’m not so much talking about the dirty dishes and junk mail, although those items say a lot too.

I’ll use my own coffee table as an example.  I keep a wooden sculpture (more like a piece of drift wood I found at the beach), two design magazines and a book of fine art nude photography.  OK, get your mind out of the gutter.  What does this say about me?  Well, I’m a fan of good design and more specifically, design inspired by nature.  I enjoy reading magazines related to art and the home.  And, I adore photography—my prior career was in that industry. 

Coffee table accessories, and more specifically coffee table books, can be the item that is the most revealing about a homeowner.  Think about it.  When you leave your guests to go finish preparing dinner or to make a cocktail, who is left?  It’s only your guests and your coffee table!  So, what does your coffee table say about you?  Well, if it says nothing, an easy fix is to find a coffee table book that suits both you and your home.  They are great conversation starters, they will entertain your guests when you step out of the room, and they can be the perfect accessories or accent pieces for any design.  If you need a bit of red to make your room complete, a unique book with a great red cover could be your answer.

So let your personality shine by sprucing up your coffee table with a book that shows your style, interests, and flare.  The bigger the better.  Mind you some books can cost upwards of $200 but many  cost around $50.  I suggest visiting your local bookstore, then do some comparison shopping online.

If you are a design junkie like me you might appreciate this blog, “The Designer's Review of Books.”

Also, Taschen is a German company that has great books on all topics – here are some inside spreads that might pique your interest:

1. 1000 Lights. 1000 Leuchten. 1000 Luminaires
2. Jazz Covers
3. New New York Interiors
4. Valentino Garavani. Una grande storia italiana.
5. Basquiat 
6. Logo Design

Lastly,  here are my rules for a well-rounded coffee table:

1. Maintain a neat, organized and clean coffee table.
2. If your coffee table has a dull finish I recommend adding some type of accessory with shine.
3. Don't be afraid of adding over-sized decorative pieces.
4. Your coffee table accessories should not cover more than 30% of your table surface.
5. Magazines should be current.
6. Don't place generic candles in plain sight of your guests.  Keep in mind you want conversational pieces on display - Glade candles, not so conversational.  LOL.
7. Don't place mail or other personal items on your coffee table.
8. And... I bet you thought I forgot about coasters.  I'm not a fan of the "on-display" coaster set.  In my apartment they are stored nearby and brought out when needed. 

There you have it.  I must be the world's biggest dork with my coffee table rules.  But trust me, everyone can appreciate a cool coffee table.  Until next time, I Dare You To Be Domestic.

Simple Tree Solutions For the Holidays

OK, we all know the pros and cons for buying a real tree for the holidays.  Pros:  smells great, reminds you of your childhood, casts beautiful shadows on the walls from all the colorful lights.  Cons:  It’s stressful to pick out the perfect tree and cart it home, pine needles get everywhere, you worry about unplugging the lights before bed and watering it sufficiently, and of course, there’s the discarding process after New Year’s Day.  And for all of us apartment renting, small habitat dwelling, I-might-be-out-of-the-town-most-of-the-holiday-anyway tree lovers, our biggest obstacle is space—the lack thereof.

Here are some modern solutions I think can also give you that Christmas feeling:

1. The Cardboard Christmas Tree is a really cool idea.  It uses recycled corrugated cardboard as both the tree and its packaging. Imagine getting a box in the mail that becomes your tree. HOT!  The tree was designed for the environmentally conscious.  A portion of all proceeds benefits the Arbor Day Foundation’s Trees For America program.


2. Kill two birds with one stone with the Potted Christmas Rosemary Tree from ProFlowers.  You’ll get a small tabletop tree and a garden of fresh rosemary at the same time.  I think it makes a great gift, brings life into your home and smells amazing. You'll have rosemary potatoes for months to come.

3. Talk about sleek.  If you are a K.I.S.S. kind of person (Keep It Simple Stupid) then you will appreciate the simplicity of the Estilo Stainless Steel Tree Tealight Holder.  It’s a modern holiday in its purist form. I really like this one.

4. “Twenty-five years ago, architect Richard Babcock had an idea:  Rather than buying, hauling and disposing of a Christmas tree every year, why not create a tree his family could use year after year?”  This is the tabletop version called the PossibiliTree.  It’s such a great design I’d leave it on display year around – great design.

5.  It never crossed my mind to hang a poster to represent your Christmas tree, but if you are really tight with space this could be your saving grace.  The Maison Tree from Atypyk might be the easiest Christmas tree solution ever.  Talk about no mess and easy clean up.

Remember, just because I feature products you can buy doesn’t mean you should be scared to put your inner designer to the test.  Create your own way to celebrate the holidays.  Maybe you can gather branches and hot glue them together to make your own tree.  Or use a phone book and fold back the pages to create a masterpiece.

In the end we all still love a good old-fashioned tree, big or small.  So find a tree that makes you smile and you can't go wrong.  Let us know how your tree's gonna look this year.  I'm very curious...

Here’s a little something to get you in the holiday spirit.  You have to watch the whole video.  Who has the time?  Let the Holidays begin!

Until next time I Dare You To Be Domestic.

Frugal Table Decorations - and They Look Cheap Too!

Oh Jo-Ann Fabrics, what were you thinking?  Sometimes the best way to teach how to do something is to show what NOT to do, chechecehcehche (that's me laughing, thinking about what you are about to see). 

As millions of Americans get ready to set their festive Thanksgiving tables, they will look to the Internet for inspiration.  Hopefully they won't catch this video on YouTube.  I know I've been posting lots of videos lately, but I just have to show you this stuff.

Here's what not to do when setting a table for Thanksgiving.  Am I the only one who thinks this is funny and oh-so-bad?

Now in STEEP contrast to the block-o-hay and overdone leaf-filled hurricane center pieces, I found a super cool modern table approach on Hatch: The Design Blog.  Take a look.

ABOVE: Taking a minimalist approach designer Christiane Lemieux used white spray paint on an array of gourds to create a monochromatic centerpiece.  It's understated, yet catches the eye and allows for a clean palette so your food takes center stage.

ABOVE:  Brass silverware and black and white place settings (napkins,  place mats and runner) make for the perfect accents for this modern table creation.  I hope this sparked some cutting edge ideas for your Thanksgiving table.  Orange and brown is so 2001.  I Dare You To Be Domestic!

Enjoy and Happy Turkey Day!

Studio Chic: Part Two - THE REVEAL

If you remember from last week, my good friend and DTBD reader Kristi wanted to makeover her LA studio apartment to celebrate her 30th birthday.  We completed the project over the course of a weekend and had a blast doing it.   Our journey started when Kristi spotted a piece of art she wanted to make the center of our design.  It was from Z Gallery and cost $349.00 - HELLS NO!  That was way out of budget. Soooo, I suggested we do our own knockoff version – and we did.  Take a look:

By creating our own artwork, we saved $284.00.  HELLO!  It looks great, serves as a great talking piece, and could even lead to a new hobby.

Next, we took on the redesign.  Keep in mind the goal was to work with what we had and spend as little as possible.  If you didn't see the before take a look.  The grand total we spent was $296.89.  Here's the breakdown:

BEHR Paint | color: Asparagus | $22.00

New Area Rug | Crate And Barrel | ON SALE $150.00

Silver Bamboo chair | ROSS | $29.99

Gold Trunk | ROSS | $19.99

Zebra Painting Supplies | Blick Art Supply |$65.00

Indian Wall Hangers | Thrift Store | $10.00

BELOW: Rule #1.  When you wanna make dramatic change in a room don't be afraid of color.  If you can't envision how a color will look check out design magazines to find inspiration and confidence.

BELOW:  The biggest change we made, the furniture layout, didn't cost a thing.  Always remember to incorporate your furniture in to the room as opposed to just placing key pieces against a wall.

BELOW: We used pictures from Kristi's vacation and frames she already had to jazz up an empty corner.  And we found this amazing (some consider tacky) chair at a discount store.  It all just works.  I call a chair like this functional art.

BELOW: A while back, Kristi had painted her shabby chic style dresser, an easy solution for dramatic change.

BELOW: Glass coke bottles, found in a recycling bin, make for a cheap vase solution.

BELOW: We found this small golden mirror Kristi already owned and placed it on her door with quote decals she already owned.

The key to any budget concsious makeover is to be resourceful.   Take a step back and think how you can update or reuse the hidden treasures you already have.  Get inspired and start your own room makeover project.  Until next time, I Dare You To Be Domestic!