We'd like to wish everyone out there a happy and healthy 2015!
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Makeover Your Bedroom
Posted by Larimer Associates on 8:17 AM
If you're like us, your bedroom is the one place in your home where you feel like you can be completely unique with your design. Unlike the living room, bathroom and kitchen there's not nearly as much traffic that comes through - leaving the space almost completely to you.
If you're getting bored with your personal space, don't panic. There are plenty of ways to update your look without completely overhauling your decor. Just follow a few of these simple tips courtesy of Apartment Therapy and you'll be on your way to a revamped bedroom.
(Image courtesy of Emily May)
1. Paint the walls — or just one wall — in a really bold (but still soothing) color.
2. Add a colorful coverlet to your bed.
3. Layer rugs on rugs for an eclectic look.
4. DIY a big, puffy headboard for a super cozy look.
5. Hang an oversized piece of art above your bed.
6. Or hang a small piece off center, for a touch of the unexpected.
7. Or go one further and add a gallery wall behind the bed.
8. Choose traditional nightstands to add a little texture to a modern space.
9. Add an oversized plant.
10. If your bedroom is big enough, pull your bed away from the wall and let it be the center of attention.
11. Paint a smaller piece (like your nightstand) in an eye-popping color.
12. Hang a mobile above your bed, because why should babies have all the fun?
13. Pair two mismatched nightstands for a little contrast.\
14. Hang a rug (or a funky textile) over the head of your bed.
15. Use one or more low tables as a nightstand...
16. And lean art on top of them.
17. A simple bulb, with the cord looped a few times around a hook hanging from the wall, makes for a funky bedside light.
18. Hang a picture ledge over the top of your bed and use it to display a rotating selection of artwork.
19. Create an accent wall behind the bed with some funky wallpaper. (This one is 'Genuine Fake Books' by Deborah Bowness.)
20. Take the 'rug as headboard' look to a whole new level with an oversized sisal rug. (This one is from Eco Chic.)
21. Lean an antique ladder against the wall and cover it with string lights for some unusual atmospheric lighting.
22. Hang a metal wall sculpture above the bed. (Find one at an antique shop or on Ebay.)
23. Wrap a gallery wall around a corner.
24. Hang a curtain behind the head of the bed — it's easier than a canopy, but still gives a soft, classic feel.
25. Hang a mirror on the curtain for a little sparkle.
26. An Otomi quilt will bright up your room on even the darkest of days.
If you're getting bored with your personal space, don't panic. There are plenty of ways to update your look without completely overhauling your decor. Just follow a few of these simple tips courtesy of Apartment Therapy and you'll be on your way to a revamped bedroom.
(Image courtesy of Emily May)
1. Paint the walls — or just one wall — in a really bold (but still soothing) color.
2. Add a colorful coverlet to your bed.
3. Layer rugs on rugs for an eclectic look.
4. DIY a big, puffy headboard for a super cozy look.
5. Hang an oversized piece of art above your bed.
6. Or hang a small piece off center, for a touch of the unexpected.
7. Or go one further and add a gallery wall behind the bed.
8. Choose traditional nightstands to add a little texture to a modern space.
9. Add an oversized plant.
10. If your bedroom is big enough, pull your bed away from the wall and let it be the center of attention.
11. Paint a smaller piece (like your nightstand) in an eye-popping color.
12. Hang a mobile above your bed, because why should babies have all the fun?
13. Pair two mismatched nightstands for a little contrast.\
14. Hang a rug (or a funky textile) over the head of your bed.
15. Use one or more low tables as a nightstand...
16. And lean art on top of them.
17. A simple bulb, with the cord looped a few times around a hook hanging from the wall, makes for a funky bedside light.
18. Hang a picture ledge over the top of your bed and use it to display a rotating selection of artwork.
19. Create an accent wall behind the bed with some funky wallpaper. (This one is 'Genuine Fake Books' by Deborah Bowness.)
20. Take the 'rug as headboard' look to a whole new level with an oversized sisal rug. (This one is from Eco Chic.)
21. Lean an antique ladder against the wall and cover it with string lights for some unusual atmospheric lighting.
22. Hang a metal wall sculpture above the bed. (Find one at an antique shop or on Ebay.)
23. Wrap a gallery wall around a corner.
24. Hang a curtain behind the head of the bed — it's easier than a canopy, but still gives a soft, classic feel.
25. Hang a mirror on the curtain for a little sparkle.
26. An Otomi quilt will bright up your room on even the darkest of days.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Holiday Party Tips and Tricks
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:58 AM
Are you hosting a holiday get together this year? You may be stressed, but there are a few things that are not worth stressing over. Your guests want to have a good time, but they do not need everything to be perfect. Here are three focus points for your dinner party, and a few things you should not worry about. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.
What to not focus on:
Having a picture-perfect setting. We all want to put our best foot forward, but holding your home to shelter mag standards is hardly necessary. So there are some half-built shelves in the living room; string some fairy lights on them and call in a feature! Putting off a party because your house isn't up to par only results in missed opportunities. Same goes for cleanliness. While I'd never advise having guests over without at least a quick clean, focus on the things that matter: a sparkling bathroom, relatively dust-free surfaces, a clutter-free living room. No one will care if your medicine cabinet or fridge are organized, and no one will notice if the walls in the entryway need a scrub. Low lighting and the distraction of good conversation can work wonders.
Whether all the food is homemade. As someone who loves to cook and entertain, I've fallen into this trap more than once. Serving an array of finger food while guests arrive? Better make three kinds of flatbreads and homemade hummus, then. Store-bought ice cream with that pie? Not at my dinner party! This, quite frankly, is exhausting and ridiculous. If you can swing a 100% homemade meal, by all means go for it, but otherwise, cut yourself some slack. Good breads, cheeses and olives always go down a treat as pre-dinner nibbles, as does a bakery-bought dessert if you're not a natural baker. Even consider ordering in the main if that's your thing: as long as it's tasty and abundant, no one will care where it came from.
The group dynamic. When mixing friend groups, it's easy to worry about whether everybody will hit it off. Equal numbers of guys and girls, whether every guest has a "buddy" other than you: my advice is not to worry about these things, and choose your guests based on their fab and mesh-able personalities. Think about it like this: you're an awesome person with awesome taste in friends. All yours friends are thus, similarly awesome. Everyone will be friends by the time dessert rolls around, anyway.
Instead, focus your energy here:
Presentation. While I'm not suggesting Martha levels of prep are always necessary, I do think that presentation is the best way to make your guests think they're getting a Michelin-star meal (even if you did buy half of it at the deli around the corner). Toss a simple salad on a beautiful platter, arrange the cheeseboard with care. Don't ignore the table either: flowers, candles, place cards if you're so inclined— all will create the sense of a considered, yet effortless, occasion.
Abundance. It's always better to have too much food and drink than too little. Offer more dessert, even if everyone is stuffed. Bring out tea and coffee. Heck, send guests home with leftovers for their lunch the next day! I keep cheap plastic take-out containers around for this purpose, and it's a huge compliment when someone eagerly takes me up on the offer.
Enjoyment. If you're enjoying yourself, so will your guests. Answer the door with a drink in your hand and a smile on your face. If you're stuck in the kitchen for a bit, take up an offer to join you and help. They came to see you, after all.
What to not focus on:
Having a picture-perfect setting. We all want to put our best foot forward, but holding your home to shelter mag standards is hardly necessary. So there are some half-built shelves in the living room; string some fairy lights on them and call in a feature! Putting off a party because your house isn't up to par only results in missed opportunities. Same goes for cleanliness. While I'd never advise having guests over without at least a quick clean, focus on the things that matter: a sparkling bathroom, relatively dust-free surfaces, a clutter-free living room. No one will care if your medicine cabinet or fridge are organized, and no one will notice if the walls in the entryway need a scrub. Low lighting and the distraction of good conversation can work wonders.
Whether all the food is homemade. As someone who loves to cook and entertain, I've fallen into this trap more than once. Serving an array of finger food while guests arrive? Better make three kinds of flatbreads and homemade hummus, then. Store-bought ice cream with that pie? Not at my dinner party! This, quite frankly, is exhausting and ridiculous. If you can swing a 100% homemade meal, by all means go for it, but otherwise, cut yourself some slack. Good breads, cheeses and olives always go down a treat as pre-dinner nibbles, as does a bakery-bought dessert if you're not a natural baker. Even consider ordering in the main if that's your thing: as long as it's tasty and abundant, no one will care where it came from.
The group dynamic. When mixing friend groups, it's easy to worry about whether everybody will hit it off. Equal numbers of guys and girls, whether every guest has a "buddy" other than you: my advice is not to worry about these things, and choose your guests based on their fab and mesh-able personalities. Think about it like this: you're an awesome person with awesome taste in friends. All yours friends are thus, similarly awesome. Everyone will be friends by the time dessert rolls around, anyway.
Instead, focus your energy here:
Presentation. While I'm not suggesting Martha levels of prep are always necessary, I do think that presentation is the best way to make your guests think they're getting a Michelin-star meal (even if you did buy half of it at the deli around the corner). Toss a simple salad on a beautiful platter, arrange the cheeseboard with care. Don't ignore the table either: flowers, candles, place cards if you're so inclined— all will create the sense of a considered, yet effortless, occasion.
Abundance. It's always better to have too much food and drink than too little. Offer more dessert, even if everyone is stuffed. Bring out tea and coffee. Heck, send guests home with leftovers for their lunch the next day! I keep cheap plastic take-out containers around for this purpose, and it's a huge compliment when someone eagerly takes me up on the offer.
Enjoyment. If you're enjoying yourself, so will your guests. Answer the door with a drink in your hand and a smile on your face. If you're stuck in the kitchen for a bit, take up an offer to join you and help. They came to see you, after all.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Houseguest for the Holidays
Posted by Larimer Associates on 11:44 AM
Are you traveling for the holidays? If you are staying with a friend or family member, it is very important to be a respectful houseguest. Hosting guests is very stressful, but you can help make it easier for your loved one. Read over these tips, and you can comment below with some tips of your own. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.
Keep your belongings, neatly, in your room.
As someone who aspires, at least, to keep her house in order, I really appreciate it when my guests do their best to keep their suitcases and extra belongings in their designated areas. Of course, items like coats and shoes (which we don't wear in the house), are left out, and I am happy when guests take it upon themselves to notice where they belong and put them there.
Take care of your own special needs.
If your hostess asks about things you can't (or prefer not to) eat, it's okay to be honest— to a point. But if you have specific dietary or health needs, it's nice to take care of them yourself rather than expecting your hostess to learn about and provide for your needs. For instance, before I was more familiar with gluten-free diets and before gluten-free alternatives were ubiquitous, a houseguest of mine brought her own gluten-free pasta. I appreciated her foresight and consideration — and that, for the sake of my preparations, she told me she would do this beforehand.
Fit in.
Try to notice the rhythms and rituals of your hosts. If their habit is to sit and eat around the table together, join them rather than grazing, even if that's what you're used to. If your hosts enjoy conversation once all the kids are down, spend some time with them even if all you want to do is go to bed yourself! On the other hand, if you know your hosts go to bed earlier than you do, assure them that you're fine up on your own or even retreat to your space so your hosts feel comfortable leaving the common area as well.
Strip the sheets.
This could depend on how well you know your hosts, but this act, to me, shows a thoughtfulness about the practical side of having houseguests and a willingness to help however possible — and this means a lot. If you're not on a do-my-laundry-in-your-washer level of familiarity, leave the bed linens and towels in a tidy pile. Otherwise, if you can swing it, do the sheets and put them back on the bed. My mother always does this, and recent houseguests did this for me and what a relief! How nice to leave your host's place even better than when you got there.
Keep your belongings, neatly, in your room.
As someone who aspires, at least, to keep her house in order, I really appreciate it when my guests do their best to keep their suitcases and extra belongings in their designated areas. Of course, items like coats and shoes (which we don't wear in the house), are left out, and I am happy when guests take it upon themselves to notice where they belong and put them there.
Take care of your own special needs.
If your hostess asks about things you can't (or prefer not to) eat, it's okay to be honest— to a point. But if you have specific dietary or health needs, it's nice to take care of them yourself rather than expecting your hostess to learn about and provide for your needs. For instance, before I was more familiar with gluten-free diets and before gluten-free alternatives were ubiquitous, a houseguest of mine brought her own gluten-free pasta. I appreciated her foresight and consideration — and that, for the sake of my preparations, she told me she would do this beforehand.
Fit in.
Try to notice the rhythms and rituals of your hosts. If their habit is to sit and eat around the table together, join them rather than grazing, even if that's what you're used to. If your hosts enjoy conversation once all the kids are down, spend some time with them even if all you want to do is go to bed yourself! On the other hand, if you know your hosts go to bed earlier than you do, assure them that you're fine up on your own or even retreat to your space so your hosts feel comfortable leaving the common area as well.
Strip the sheets.
This could depend on how well you know your hosts, but this act, to me, shows a thoughtfulness about the practical side of having houseguests and a willingness to help however possible — and this means a lot. If you're not on a do-my-laundry-in-your-washer level of familiarity, leave the bed linens and towels in a tidy pile. Otherwise, if you can swing it, do the sheets and put them back on the bed. My mother always does this, and recent houseguests did this for me and what a relief! How nice to leave your host's place even better than when you got there.
