STACEY'S TIPS

October 2009

For as long as I can remember there was always a craft project going on in my house. Growing up in a house where my mom and my aunt were always helping us with a school project, making decorations for a school event or dance or long before Martha Stewart was a household name, our family always made holiday decorations.We would be making crepe paper flowers or beading Christmas ornaments. I think my mom still has the construction paper looped Christmas tree garland and tuna can ornament.So funny!

I have to say shopping for House to Home and finding all the wonderful things to fill our shoppe is truly a stroll down memory lane. We always find things that remind us of our childhood. Things that have alot of charm and a real vintage flair. Especially our Halloween and Christmas decor. Personally I buy a holiday piece to decorate my home every year. I love my collection and each season my home changes and makes me happy and as I look around I hope everyone has a home that is filled with love and memories of their childhood.

Please come in, enjoy our shoppe and start or add to your holiday decor and enjoy your trip down memory lane.

 

June 2009

So while we are all enjoying our stacations, now is the time to invite friends and family to come and stay in that greatly under used guest room. It sure is cute but here are some tips to truly make it more comfortable for your loved ones.

• Provide empty hangers and drawer space for your guests clothing.
• Maybe you don't like alot of pillows but stacks of fluffy pillows make for a more inviting space.
  
• Magazines, books and of course fresh cut flowers always make guests feel more welcome.
• A television or radio will entertain your guests in the wee hours before bed or in the morning as they prepare for the day.
• Keep extra blankets in the room for warmth if needed.
• Putting extra amenities such as towels, soap, shampoo, bottled water and aspirin is a lovely gesture to let them know you're happy they're there.

As in the decorating of the room, if you give thoughtful attention to your guests needs, you will be sure to have wonderful stories and alot of laughs from the weekend your friends came to town.

Happy entertaining!

 

April 2009

So here is another topic that suprisingly not too many people know about, chandeliers. Not light fixtures, chandeliers. The difference is that a light fixture is something you run out and buy at your local home improvement center to just get some light. A chandelier is one of those beautiful finishing touches that requires a little thought and perhaps going outside your comfort zone a bit. This is the time to be alittle daring, get some bling in your room for goodness sake. A seashell chandelier over your kitchen table - who cares that you don't live near the water. Or a beautiful heavily distressed farm table with a crazy crystal chandelier. Go for it! If you love it it will work.

Here are some tips to help you make your purchase. To figure out the size you need take the width of the room and add it to the length. That number is the approximate size diameter you should be looking to purchase. For example, a room that is 14 feet by 17 feet should have a chandelier that is atleast 31 inches in diameter, give or take an inch. Most importantly, a light should be hung 30 inches from the top of the table!!!! Thats it, 30 inches. Your light should "live" with the table NOT on the ceiling.

Happy Shopping and good luck!

 

March 2009

Everyone loves color - especially after a long winter. Being a professional painter for over twenty years, I have found spring is the perfect time of year to get some color on your walls. (And linen white is NOT a color!) Painting is the biggest bang for your buck. You can hang art or mirrors till the cows come home but you will still be standing there wondering what else you need. Paint! A beautifully painted room is the perfect start to any well designed room.

So here are a few tips. If you can afford it, hire a professional. Nothing cheapens a room quicker than a bad paint job. Call your local paint store and ask them who they trust. The next most important thing is color. Always go lighter than you were thinking and be sure it has a gray or brown undertone. It will tone the color, be richer and warmer and in the end be the color you really wanted. If you are doing it yourself, go to the paint store in town and get a quality paint, such as Benjamin Moore. Its more money for a reason, unless you want to do six coats.

Now here is my biggest secret. Invest in a quality brush and rinse it often. You will thank me. Here are a few color suggestions to get you started.

Bleeker Beige HC-80 or Powell Buff HC-35 - Center Hall or main living area.
Cashmere 931 - Lovely neutral babies nursery, the perfect yellow.
Rose Rococo 1275 - Your little girls princess room.
Kennebunkport Green - HC-123 Great dramatic green that looks great with cherry cabinets.
Palladium Blue HC-144 - Unbelievable smokey pale blue that works with everything.
Current Red 1323 - Drop dead red for a dining room.
Sweet Dreams 847 - The aqua you want but nothing is right.
Antique Jade 465 - Very rich elegant sage but not everyone’s sage.

These are all Ben Moore. FYI, HC stands for Historical Color.

Happy Painting!