Seasonal

Making Your Porch Scream Autumn

December 21, 2017

Decorating the porch is a great way to welcome any seasonal change. Autumn is a favorite season for many here in the Bay Area since we get to enjoy the best of both worlds – warm, sunny days and crisp, cool nights. Adorning the porch with fall decor is a nice way to get inspired.

7 Ways to Make Your Porch Scream Autumn

Find or make a fall harvest wreath. Wreaths are relatively simple to make. You can Click Here for directions on how to make a simple, fall harvest wreath or Here if you prefer something a little more Spook-tacular. If crafting isn’t your thing or you simply don’t have the time, look online or at your local home furnishings shops for high-quality, seasonal wreaths that can be packed away in between seasons. Do pay more for a better-quality wreath so it can withstand weather fluctuations as well as multiple years’-worth of storage.
Use pumpkins and gourds. If you have smaller children, take the time to purchase and carve pumpkins, and then set them on the porch or line them up along the walkway to show off your family’s talents. Yes, pumpkin carving is a messy business but the fun memories and photo ops are worth it. If you don’t have kids, or prefer a more “upscale” look, select pumpkins in various shades and sizes and arrange them to taste.
Twig pumpkins with LED lights. For a natural twist on the pumpkin theme, check out these Pre-Lit Twig Pumpkins from Balsalm Hill. They’re reusable and enhance your curb appeal by day and by night.
Drape your door with an Autumn Splendor Garland. In truth, and with a little effort, an autumn garland is easy to make on your own using colorful autumn leaves (real or fabric) that you collect on your own. Otherwise, this reasonably-priced version from Plow & Hearth will do the trick – and can be used around your front door, across the top of an entrance gate or along the top of your fireplace mantel.
Update your landscaping. Odds are your summer blooms have long since faded. Deadhead as advised per species to keep perennials in good shape for next season. Remove dead foliage and then plant a few fall annuals that will add autumn color and interest to post and planter beds. Examples that do well in our climate (mostly Zones 14, 15,16, & 17 depending on where you’re at) are mums, asters, violas, and pansies. As long as you’re out there, plant spring-blooming bulbs while you’re at it to proactively plan for next year’s post-winter blooms.
Tuck-away ghosts. If you like to decorate for Halloween, try making a few sweet-faced ghosts using an old sheet or white fabric, newspaper to stuff the head, and twine to tie it off with. A black sharpie or black fabric paint can be used to add black ovals or circles for the eyes and mouth. Suspend tuck-away ghosts from eaves or nearby trees using invisible fishing line. If you feel particularly adventurous, use a pulley system you can activate from inside the front door when it’s time for trick-or-treaters – simply release it to send the ghost swooping across the walkway or porch, then pulling it back up between visitors.
Re-paint your front door. Some of my favorite front door colors – red, burgundy, hunter green and blue – not to mention vibrant yellow or orange – all work well with autumn decor. If your front door needs a pick-me-up, this is a great time to do it. In addition to adding fall interest, it will also help to weather-proof the door for the upcoming winter.

Does Your Porch Need A Summertime Spruce?

December 20, 2017

The summertime is in full swing here in the Bay Area and as I drive over the Golden Gate bridge – watching all the out-of-town tourists shivering in shorts, flip flops and hoodies – I’m reminded that summer comes later – and stays longer – here in this nook of the state.

By the end of July, and into September and October, we finally get to enjoy warmer afternoons and evenings. That means porches and patios should be whipped into shape. If your household doesn’t take advantage of serious porch sittin’ time, you’re missing out.

9 Ideas for Sprucing up Your Front Porch for Summertime

Once you start spending more time on the porch, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve missed. From friendly chats with neighbors and passersby to wildlife observations, there’s a whole world going on out there and it’s easy to miss it when you hole up inside, riveted to screens and gadgets.

Make this the summer you and your partner and/or family commit to spending more time outdoors, being social the old-fashioned way.

Repaint the exterior and/or trim

Once you really spend time on your porch, you may notice the trim and railings are a bit worse for wear. In addition to making a porch look shabby, peeling or chipped paint leaves structural supports more susceptible to moisture damage. Maybe it’s time to branch out and try that exterior paint color you’ve dreamed about.

Hang some bloomin’ pots or baskets

Every year, our neighbor’s son makes her hanging baskets of impatiens for her birthday – and he hangs them on hooks that are pre-tubed with drip irrigation. These vibrant and colorful baskets of bloom thrive from late spring, all the way through to the first frost – and they love a shady environment. The whole neighborhood now looks forward to their annual arrival, and we’ve all copied her style in our own way – using flowers that complement our exterior colors and style. Whether you’re a fan of impatiens, or opt for other floral combinations, hanging baskets of flowers add color, life and a huge dose of cheer to a porch facade. People will stop to ooh and aah.

Throw down a throw rug

The interior of your home isn’t the only place that benefits from throw rugs. An area rug anchors the furniture and adds a homey touch. You’ll appreciate the rug, even more, when you start to use the front porch more often. It’s softer and warmer on your feet on a chillier evening, kids are happier to play on it and your dog and/or cat will enjoy a softer space to lay down.

Add some “real” furniture

I’ll admit that patio, porch and outdoor furniture has come a long way in recent years, but I’m still not completely sold. When it gets down to it, it’s rarely all that comfy. Instead, embrace summertime and scour flea markets, garage sales, craigslist and other used furniture havens and finding high-quality, indoor furniture with good bones. Have the pieces refinished with an outdoor-grade finish and upholstered with stylish, outdoor fabric. Now you have furniture that can weather the outdoor climate and is truly comfortable to sit or lay on.

Hang some art

I love when homeowners hang art on the exterior walls. Both porches and patios benefit from this idea, which can range from canvases to sculpture. You can always bring them in when severe weather commences, but until then you gain a more creative and interesting space in which to relax and socialize.

Install ambient lighting

If you’ve never thought of your porch as an outdoor living space, odds are your porch has standard porch lights, safety illumination for the stairs and flood lights. This is great for safety and they serve as general, nighttime beacons – but they don’t offer much in the way of ambiance after the sun sets. Instead, think about adding sconces with decorative shades or find some table and floor lamps that add style to the mix – dimmers are always a bonus. Now you have light guests will want to talk, hold hands, smooch or read by after the sunlight fades.

Install a ceiling fan or have upright fans at the ready

On a warm summertime day – or when the mosquitoes come out to play – a little air circulation goes a long way. If you have the space and height for it, install a ceiling fan. Otherwise, an upright fan will do the trick.

Add the extra accessories that make all the difference

Accessories make the home, so why wouldn’t the porch be included in that idea? Add accessories for color, a little pizzazz and to continue that “outdoor living room” feel. Accent pillows are a comfortable and colorful addition for furniture as well as to accommodate overflow if someone’s sitting on the floor. Additional priorities would be potted plants, candles (or mock candles for safety’s sake), tchotchkes for end tables and coffee tables and some throw blankets in case you need to take the edge off the chill.

Create an outdoor bar

Here’s a great place to use that tea or serving cart that has been stuffed in a random corner. Wheel it out, dust it off, polish or refinish if necessary and then create a portable porch bar. Since the bar’s on wheels, it can be moved out or in as desired and after-hours porch sitting will be even more lively.

May these tips inspire you to take your porch to a whole new level of existence during the summertime. Inspire the neighbors and make porch sitting the desired evening activity.

It’s Time To Get Cozy

December 14, 2017

Transitioning the home from summer to fall is more about aesthetic color, mood and theme. Between fall and winter, climate comes more noticeably into play – grayer skies, rainy (or snowy) weather, truly c-o-l-d temperatures that make you shiver – – those require more than just visual changes.

True winter weather requires extra steps to make the home – and its occupants – warm, welcome and cozy

9 Cozy Steps For a Winter-Ready Interior

Yes, I’m an interior designer – but home design is not just about looks. It’s very much about structure- so you’ll notice that some of the tips below have to do with weather-prepping the home, as much as they are about deco or cozy textiles.

Seal the envelope. This step always tops the charts for home improvement websites and now you’re going to read it on this interior design site. If your home leaks, it’s impossible to stay warm. There will always be a draft and we won’t even talk about the cost of heating a home with air leaks. If you’re a DIYer – a little caulking and weather stripping is all you need. Read 8 Easy Ways to Seal Your Home… from houselogic.com. Otherwise, contact your HVAC contractor to ask if they perform the service, or request a recommendation for a licensed professional who does.
Invest in throws. In a perfect world, throw blankets would adorn every chair, sofa and bed in your home. Once you’ve gotten into the habit of reading, watching TV, napping or curling up under a throw, you always feel a bit chilly without one. They are also a wonderful way to warm up a leather couch, which can feel cold to the touch on a cold winter’s morning.
Install heated floors in the bathroom. If you feel up to it, add heated flooring throughout your home. It’s an energy-efficient way to maintain a constant, interior temperature – although it’s best left for when you’re ready to commence a larger home renovation project. In the meantime, installing heated floors in the bathroom(s) is a fairly straightforward task (not to mention a good excuse to install new flooring…) and you will be amazed at how warm and cozy it keeps your bathroom spaces – no more cold, hard-surface flooring on warm bare feet in the morning, middle of the night or after a steamy, shower or bath.
Use essential oils and a diffuser. There are a myriad of diffusers on the market. A simple Amazon.com search turns up hundreds of results with a seemingly infinite array of styles. In the wintertime, the added humidity is a welcome change to dry air, especially for those who use their wood burning stove or fireplace as a heat source. Blending cinnamon, clove and a little vanilla or putting together a wintergreen mix will infuse traditional seasonal spices and scents into your living spaces whether something’s cooking or not. Make sure to use 100% pure essential oils to keep your home free of unwanted chemicals and overpowering scents.
Set up a winter tea station. High-quality carafes are sold at virtually any restaurant supply and high-end kitchen store. Purchase one and keep it filled with steaming hot water. If you’re a coffee drinker, fill one with coffee. Set it up on a serving cart and put out a basket filled with a variety of teas, cider and hot chocolate. It’s fun to have easy access to some of your favorite winter beverages while working from home, online holiday shopping or enjoying a rainy weekend movie (or reading) day. Do it up coffee shop style and you’ll wow guests when they realize this is how you cozy up every winter day.
Think about color. For those with homes that have stunning exterior views, monochromatic color palettes work well because the landscape outside is so vibrant. However, at this time of year, Mother Nature herself decorates with a more monochromatic palette so you might find bringing a little color indoors helps to lift your mood a bit. Rich reds and chocolatey browns are always a good choice. Or, if you’re someone who craves the sun, try using vibrant yellows and oranges. An energetic color boost inside can make up for the lower-energy hibernation that occurs naturally this time of year.
Add a terrarium or nature-inspired art. Speaking of things we miss from nature, adding indoor plants, a terrarium or nature-inspired art can be another way to soothe the soul when everything outdoors look lifeless. Terrariums are a fabulous rainy day project to do with your kids or you can have a terrarium tea party with a group of friends. All you need is a clear vessel of your choice, a little potting soil/moss and either small terrarium-friendly plants or succulents. An occasional mist will keep your mini-ecosystem thriving through the winter and beyond. Of course, nature-inspired art is another way to bring life into your home on a more permanent basis, and it’s always nice to support your local artists.
Eliminate the clutter. Part of what makes for a cozy home has nothing to do with a specific style or the interior temperature – it has to do with the energy of a space. Cozy homes make us take a deep breath and sigh, “aaaaah” when we walk in the door, even if we don’t exactly know why. Clutter is one of the most prohibitive factors to coziness. It is cramped, busy and stressful – rather than open, clear and spacious. Do what you can to eliminate clutter…especially before you add holiday décor to the mix. I remember one busy year when I waited longer than normal to replace the items I put away to make room for traditional holiday décor. By the time I got them out again, I realized how much I didn’t “need” most of them after all. That year, I donated a rash of items that no longer served my living spaces the way the spaciousness created by their absence did.
Shag up those area rugs. Often, homeowners choose low-profile area rugs for a more sleek and modern look. This time a year, I say add a shaggy and textured area rug or two into the mix. It will literally provide more insulation between the floor and your air space, and will feel great on your feet to boot. Plus, the aesthetics are warm and comfie, which is the current goal after all.

Need a little help cozying up your Bay Area home this winter? Schedule a consultation with the nearest interiort designer and work with what you have or come up with something new, depending on what your goals and budget call for.