Collections

I love to collect...Asian hats, seashells, books, old boxes and pictures.... things take on new impact when they are displayed in groups or repeated systematically in a space.  Collections can be displayed with a clean modern aesthetic that doesn't smack in the least of Granny's curio cabinet....its all about form.  Quite often I'm asked about how best to frame and display family photos. I  love to take my favorite photos, enlarge/copy them in black and white, then display them in large collections in strategic areas...along a staircase, down a hallway, banking a fireplace.   Below are some examples from my own circa 1880 home.  Enjoy and be inspired to display those things you love to collect!

Inside Out

These early days of Fall are so lovely...here, in NC, the air is beginning to turn crisp and the leaves are starting to trickle down.  It is the perfect time of year to create outdoor living spaces for reading, relaxing and entertaining.  Taking the "inside out" doesn't require an elaborate location or an expansive piece of property.  It simply requires imagination!  Do you have a favorite tree?  Create an area beneath its branches for reading, writing or snoozing.  Do you have a private corner in the back yard with a view of the sunset or a starry sky?  Arrange an old table and chairs for dining alfresco.  Think in terms of furniture and accessories that you might ordinarily think of as "inside" pieces....let you imagination run wild and make the most of these beautiful Fall days.

Small Space, Big Impact

These days, smaller spaces are becoming more and more appealing to those of us who are downsizing, or just plain simplifying.  With so many options for small-scale living, you don’t have to sacrifice style for space.  An economy of space simply requires using every square inch to its best purpose.  Smaller scale furnishings, cleaner surfaces, smart storage solutions…all add up to living efficiently and creatively.

Recently WhiteHouse & Co. redesigned the interior of an old condo at Wafco Mills in Greensboro.  The living room felt cramped with its angled fireplace and odd shape.  But with a bit of ingenuity, an apartment sized sofa and just the right furnishings and accessories, the space was transformed into something charming, comfortable and very livable.  Hooray for small spaces that free us up to live big lives!

Before....

                                                                                                  and After!

Light up your life!

There is nothing more important to a room than wonderful lighting.  When I begin the process of designing a space, I always give serious consideration to the lighting needs...not only as function, but as an essential element of style. There is no better way to set the mood and tone of a room than with lighting  and I love using a fabulous chandelier as a statement piece.  But whether big and bold, or sleek and restrained, creative lighting can transform any space into something extraordinary.  The variety of fixtures on the market is endlessly exciting.  Here are just a few examples that have recently caught my eye,  From top to bottom:
Deanna Wish Designs http://www.deannawish.com/

Shine Labs http://shinelabs.com/SHINE_LABS/SHINE_LABS_Home.html

West Elm http://www.westelm.com/products/industrial-pendant-glass-w682/?pkey=clighting-under-100

Restoration Hardware http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod690951&categoryId=cat1701013

Bathing under the Sky

From simple to sublime, outdoor bathrooms are a lovely addition to a home.  There is nothing like a showering under a blue sky or bathing under the stars. Here are some wonderful examples for inspiration.  Think about the endless possibilities for creating your own private oasis....bath time will never be the same!

Small is BIG

Amazing things are going on in the world of home construction and the biggest movement is towards SMALL structures.  The days of the McMansion are looking like a thing of the past, as we look to greener, more cost-effective ways of living.  Pre-fab houses are being made out of all kinds of recycled material and their transportability allows for freedom to live just about anywhere.  Imagine helicoptering in a small container house...dropping it onto a ready-made foundation perched high above an amazing view. Or planting a glass house in the middle of a wheatfield.  Sounds like living large to me.

Makeover on a Dime

This little kitchen was in dire need of a serious update, but my client's budget was seriously minimal!  So with nothing more than a change of paint, cabinet hardware and a very inexpensive pendant light and accessories from Ikea, presto-chango - a kitchen to love!

Is Your Home STILL on the Market?

It can be a daunting feat to sell a house these days.  And we all know that, historically, Spring is the optimal time to list and sell a house.  But take heart....did you know that the fall season can be a very busy time as well?  The dogs days of Summer are over, school is back in session, and another surge of prospective buyers are coming your way.  The trick is to take advantage of this buying season...give your house the opportunity to really shine and catch a buyer's attention.

So here are some tips that really work...honest!

• Look at your property with fresh eyes.  How have things changed over the summer?  If your flower beds are looking bedraggled, spruce them up with some new plants.  Garden centers often offer discounts on end of the season flowers....take advantage!  Put down fresh mulch...make sure everything is trimmed, edged and clipped.  Check the trim on your house...does it need touching up?  How about the shutters and the front door?  Remember that the exterior of your home is the first thing people will see....it must entice them enough to want to come inside.
• Walk in your front door as though you are seeing your home for the first time.  What is the first thing you see?  Is there good flow from the entrance hall into your living room?  Does each room flow seamlessly into the next?  If your home is over-loaded with furniture, put a few pieces in storage so that rooms feel open and large.
• De-clutter.  I can't say it enough.  Put away the kids' toys, the dog's toys and any of your own.  Do you have family photos all over the house?  Tuck them into drawers and de-personalize.  Buyers want to imagine their own personal items in the house and it is easier to do so if yours aren't a distraction.  Look at your kitchen counter tops...what can you put away to allow for optimal counter space?  Same with bathrooms....put away the personal items each and every time you have a showing.  And ALWAYS have fresh, clean towels folded neatly on the racks, fresh soap in the soap dish, and all clothes tucked neatly away.  Closets should be organized and tidy.
• Clean, clean and clean.  Check the inside of your oven and the burners on your stove and make them shine.  Same goes for your refrigerator, inside and out.  People look everywhere and you want them to know that you keep a clean house....it will say volumes to them about how well you have taken care of the home in general.  How about those bathrooms?  Clean!  Windows? Clean, clean!  Carpeting?  Clean, clean clean!  You get the picture....your house has to sparkle.
• Before a scheduled appointment, do a few things to make the showing special: turn on strategic lights; damp mop hardwoods with oil soap (makes them gleam and the house smell great); wipe off counter tops (keep a pop-up container of wipes handy for quick work); plump your pillows and bedding; open the blinds; sweep off porches and walkways; you might even leave some soft music playing inside.  

Take advantage of the next 2-3 month buying season and get that place sold.   Here's to fresh starts!