feng shui

I believe in the power of feng shui. In our last apartment, our home office seemed stagnant, full of bad energy. We rearranged things, according to my crash course from library books on basic feng shui principles, and immediately noticed a difference. Interestingly, I have yet to apply the ideals to our current home, and I am starting to notice that attention needs to be paid. Its not that there is a bad vibe in our house, it just seems cluttered. I feel the need to open things up.

I was looking online for some inspiration, and came across a couple of resources. The first, from domino magazine, gives you a visual picture of the simplicity that is feng shui. Here is a before and after of a feng shui makeover to an entry way.



The makeover included removing clutter, placing a visually pleasing rug to ground the entry, and using flowers in the next room on a round table to welcome good energy and keep it moving throughout the house. Simple steps that anyone could apply to their own space. Check the article for more ideas.

Feng shui practitioner Suzan Hilton has a very intriguing site. I could not help but set up the proper station in my home office for performing the "money dance". Its a simple act of gratitude whereby each day you place a coin into a pretty vessel located in a wealth area of your home. Suzan Hilton has written The Feng Shui of Abundance, which I just might have to pick up and dissect. She explains the action steps you can take to positively affect your environment, in a way that makes it seem easy and natural.

Feng shui has many intricacies, but mainly, its principles are based off of the Chinese template called the Bagua. The Bagua is divided into eight equal sections, each one representing a different sphere of your life: Family, knowledge, career, helpful people, children and creativity, marriage and commitment, fame, and wealth. When this template is placed properly over the footprint of your house, you can determine which ares of your home represent which realm of your life. Then you can organize those spaces in order to maximize the benefits of feng shui.
The Baugua


One of my favorite books on Feng Shui is Feng Shui Revealed by Ron Chin. The photos are gorgeous, and the advice is easy to understand and put into practice. Check it out on amazon, where you can search inside and see what I mean. This is the book I used to reorganize my office when we lived on Bainbridge. I've got to buy a copy so that I can use it again to get the good energy flowing in my current abode!

creature comforts

I discovered a fantastic new blog yesterday. Creature Comforts, written by a gal named Ez, is visually very pleasing to look at, and she also features the art and handiwork of some really talented designers and artists. Her focus is not only on interior decor, but hand made items of all kinds: clothing, paper goods, photography. She seems to have simply impeccable taste, and I was very inspired while taking it all in.

If you have a chance to check her blog out, you can also enter to win her birthday giveaway. In celebrating one year blogging, she and lots of incredible artists have put together an amazing array of prizes! All you have to do is visit the blog, and scroll down to the June 11th post entitled "In It To Win It". You can read the whole post but in a nutshell, here's how to enter: In a comment window, type your favorite quote and be sure to leave your first name, last initial and email address. She will choose the winner at random and announce it on June 30th.

I can't think of a better incentive to get to her site and check out all she has to offer. Trust me, it is really beautiful, totally worth your time,and I promise you will be inspired!

small space living

Sharilyn Wright's studio on apartment therapy.

Apartment living can be a drag in more ways than one. If you can't paint, you are stuck with white walls. Sometimes, the kitchen is smaller than the bathroom. If you are lucky, you have an extra bedroom to create a home office, if not, those ugly file cabinets may have to become part of your decor. And the most common problem in rentals,(heck, even in the house I own), is convenient and plentiful storage.

But hey, no need to fret. Turn that frown upside down and click on your creativity. Challenge yourself to think outside the box you live in and come up with inventive solutions to your rental woes. To help spur that inner designer, here are a few images I found in a great collection of apartment decorating tricks from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.

For the issue of tiny kitchens with little storage, maximize your walls. Hang racks for pots and utensil cups. Maybe you even want to try the Julia Child-esque treatment of a white peg board with painted silhouettes and hooks for each pan.


If an extra bedroom is not in your rental budget, devote a corner or wall in your living space to home office needs. Using a slender card table, sew a fabric skirt to hide file cabinets and computer cords and top the table with a piece of coordinating fabric under custom cut glass. Go vertical with shelves, and hide office necessities in decorative boxes or baskets.


Create different zones in rooms where there are none, by floating your furniture instead of pushing it up against the walls. Place a console table behind the sofa to double as a bill paying center or stick to storage ottomans underneath and some pretty vases on top.


Convert a bookshelf into convenient entry storage by labeling bins or baskets and filling them with scarves, gloves, shoes, office supplies, coats, heck even canned goods, if you don't have ample storage in the kitchen.


Just because you can't paint the walls, does not mean you can't decorate with color! Bring in color on your furniture, throw pillows, curtains and art work. Cover plywood panels with batting and fabric to lean against the walls for visual interest.


To see more inspiring uses of small spaces, visit bhg.com.

To see ideas used by real people in their own apartments, check out apartment therapy.com.

upcoming markets!

Don't forget that this Saturday (June 14th) is the first round of Simply Renewed's "4th Street Market" in Bremerton, WA. There should be lots of vendors and artists to see and deals to be had. Get there early (starts at 9am runs till 4pm) so you have first pick!

On June 28th, do NOT miss Bainbridge Island's Rotary Auction and rummage sale. It is legendary. Last year I got a remnant slab of white carreras marble for $20. The rummage sale starts at 8am and goes until 2pm at Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge. Again, get there early to get a decent parking spot and the best selection. Be warned, this sale can cause a mob mentality, so keep your wits about you and your needs in perspective. There is also a silent auction portion that begins on the 27th. You can even place your bids online through their website: bainbridgeislandrotary.org.

For both of these events, I highly recommend that you properly prepare yourself. One of my favorite bloggers, Holly Becker of Decor8 has written a couple fabulous articles on what to bring with you when you go to flea markets. Most of these tips can also be applied to a day spent going to local garage sales. I recommend you read her expert tips by clicking on the above link. However, a few basic items you will want to bring, or think about are as follows:
1. Measurements of specific spaces that need certain furniture pieces.
2. A tape measure and a pencil.
3. Paint chips from each room in the house taped into a small spiral notebook.
4. Bottled water.
5. A few reusable shopping bags, or even a cart if you are an ambitious shopper.
6. Fabric samples from home, when looking for vintage fabrics and linens.

When are properly armed, and have thought about what you are looking for, prior to embarking on your marketing adventures, you will probably be less likely to end up with useless pieces. Of course, its always more fun to be a little spontaneous! Happy hunting!
A couple of great tools to get you ready for flea market season:
Find this nice tape measure with a handy clip at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts:

Bainbridge Island's Port Madison Home carries this super sturdy market basket from Reisenthel.

nori wins

Well, the votes are in for the end table redesign:

Fetish pink/Bone 23%
Kelly green/ Shiny gold 7%
Killala green/ Nickel 23%
Malachite/ Acrylic 23%
Nori brown/ Bone 30%
Jet black/ Nickel 7%




I could not agree with the winning combination more! I love that dark black brown and think that it will look sooooo good when it is done. It should provide a dramatic contrast to the off white sofa. I already have one table primed and ready for color. I'll have to go to Seattle's Anthropologie to get the bone handles (and scope out the clearance area while I'm at it). Can't wait to show you all the final result! Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll. It was fun to create, and I intend on doing them every so often so I can hear your good ideas.

slipcover style

Of course, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic comes to mind when the word slipcover pops up. If you can't spend a few thousand dollars on one of her beautiful pieces, but want the tailored, slipcovered look, Susan Burns can help. Susan makes slipcovers to order at her home-based workshop Custom Cottage Slipcovers in Poulsbo, WA. She can quickly turn a faded, jaded piece of upholsterty into something totally new.

Susan Burns' handiwork:


Susan can also coordinate your new slipcover with hand-made custom draperies, roman shades, throw pillows, or even a duvet cover. She has been sewing since she was a young girl, but also has formal training and certification in upholstery and window coverings. Her pricing is very reasonable for such wonderful quality. She does not supply fabric however, so be prepared to get it on your own. There are some great resources online, and of course JoAnn's is convenient or you can special order through an interior design store or specialty fabric house. Also, Susan turns around orders really quickly, so you won't have to sit on the floor to watch TV for more than a week!

Susan's superb attention to detail:

Of course, ever the budget decorator that I am, I wanted to scout out a possible scenario for slipcovering. I already have a wing chair (which would take about 6 yards of a patterned fabric) that needs a new slipcover, thanks to my kitties. For you though, I wanted to do some detective work, starting from scratch. Here is what I came up with, including pricing for Susan's work. Read further and you'll discover a little price comparison.

THE CHAIR:
This chair and ottoman, found on Craig's List, is only $50 for the set. Although faded, the pieces appear to be in very solid condtion. If you can pick it up in Bremerton, it can be yours.




THE FABRIC:
A great site for discounted fabrics is buyfabrics.com. This one is a classic 100% cotton duck fabric (which Susan highly recommends for its durable and washable nature), at only $6.95 per yard. To cover both pieces, you'll need about 8 yards. Total including shipping: $65.60.



THE SLIPCOVER:
For Susan's hard work, for both pieces, you will pay about $325. The slipcovers, as they are cotton, will be washable, contain zippers for a snug fit and easy removal, and are sewn together on industrial machines, using monofilament to strengthen the seams.


THE TOTAL:
Chair and Ottoman: $50.00
Fabric: $65.60
Two Custom Slipcovers: $325
Grand total: $430.60

THE COMPETITION:
Here is a comparable chair and ottoman, from renowned furniture maker Maine Cottage:
The Monty Chair available slipcovered for $1550.00 before shippping.

The Monty Ottoman available slipcovered for $690.00 before shipping.


Another, similar duo from Pottery Barn:
The Griffin Chair and Ottoman from $1229 and $529 respectively before shipping.


Even IKEA can't quite beat Susan's pricing:
Ektorp Chair, slipcovered: $349

Ektorp Ottoman, slipcovered: $99


THE RUNDOWN
Going the custom slipcover route has four major advantages:
1. Price. (Especially if you already own the furniture piece.)
2. Endless choices to truly customize with fabric and trim to suit your taste.
3. You are supporting a small local business!
4. You are saving your existing piece from the dumpster or rescuing another from a second-hand store.

If you've got a piece of furniture that needs a fresh outfit, contact Susan Burns, at Custom Cottage Slipcovers, she'll even give you a free consultation!

become your own boss

This book: The Boss of You, by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears, has absolutely positively affected my outlook on entrepreneurship. This is the business guide I wish I had three years ago when I first started thinking about doing my own thing. The two creative and professional women have an incredibly accessible writing style. I feel as if I am in the presence of a friend who really knows what she is talking about- doling out the perfect combination of sound advice, humor, and reality. This is not to say that things are dumbed-down. Quite the contrary. All of the information you need is there, but put into a really relevant, totally relate-able context.


The strengths of the book lie in the outside of the box brainstorming exercises the women implore you consider. I have to admit, that I rebuffed when they directed me to come up with several "customer" profiles, including names, occupations, style of dress etc. Later on though, I understood why this was such an important thing to ponder in such detail, as I attempted to pinpoint who would want to use my services.

I have read my share of the predictable business books. How dry, boring and discouraging they all seem now! Honestly, I could never quite make it past the financing chapters. That was usually the point at which all my hopes were dashed. I even wrote a business plan, and the end result was a pile of words that neither reflected nor resembled my ideals, values, and business goals at the core. On the contrary, in The Boss of You, Bacon and Mears taught me that I really don't need a formal business plan, especially since I am a sole proprietorship who is not looking for funding. I just need to have an intimate and well thought out sense of what I want my business to be. Now I do.

Lucky for me, I will get to meet these gals! Velocity Art and Design's Lab series is hosting them on July 23rd from 6-8pm at their South Lake Union showroom. I am really excited to hear them talk about the book and their own experiences with becoming successful business owners. If you have ever even thought for one second you might want to be your own boss, then you have got to pick up this book! On their blog, you can read a sample chapter, hear more practical advice, and get a sneak peek into other women business owner's success stories.

The best part is that the book makes me feel like I can actually do it. So here I go!