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6 tips to maximize small spaces

I chose to live in a small house because it is easier to keep clean. Space and storage is always an issue and a compromise has to be made whenever something new comes in. It means something old has to move around or OUT.

Here are some tips to maximize your space and minimize compromises, at least to some degree:

1. Mount your flat screen TV on the wall. Above a credenza, or a fireplace or on the stairway wall are some options. Be sure that it is not in a traffic area, or you will be watching your kids pass by more than the program on TV.

2. Built-in shelves and storage on walls save a lot of space. Elevate the storage to maximize floor space below for tables and movables storage.




3. If you are building new or remodeling, choose wide/large flooring planks that cover vertically from the entrance and continue to adjoining rooms. Visually this creates a sense of continuation and spaciousness.

4. Pocket doors are great for small spaces, they can be retrofitted in existing walls as long as there are no electrical plugs, outlets, thermostats boxes already in the wall cavity.

5. Multifunctional furnishings not only save space but also money. Look for trunks that can double up as coffee tables or additional seating, or ottoman with storage that can serve as a coffee table.

6. Potted plants are wonderful to have, but make it an herb near your kitchen. Most herbs can be grown indoors all year long and they smell wonderful too.

A clutter-free bedroom is a healthy bedroom

 

This bedroom was designed to eliminate dust and allergens, but to create the comfort you experience at a resort hotel room.

Floating bedside tables, allow for easy vacuuming and wood headboard is easily dusted.
Intentionally minimized table top surfaces to avoid clutter of un-necessary objects. 
The custom wood trunk not only hides extra pillows and blankets, it keeps them dust-free for when they are needed. 

Custom carpentry by Mike Fair.

Refresh an old dining set by swapping seat upholstery

When you have quality furnishings, you don't necessarily need to buy new furniture to create a fresh look.
This old glass and metal dining set looked tired because of the dark vinyl seats, all scratched up by the household cats. It got a new fresh look by re-upholstering the seats in cheerful fabric with a tight and smoothe weave that cats hate to scratch.

Makeover cost: $200, Save the labor cost by doing it yourself. Learn how to match the repeat on the pattern and use a staple gun.

Before photo

I NEED TO ORGANIZE! I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF.

 We all have things that we hold dear and can't let go of. When we accumulate too much they won't let go of us!
Yes, clutter can hold you back, pull you down, and sometimes make you sick.
If you are sick of your clutter it is time to get hold of reality.

I get called to organize peoples homes, garages, kids rooms, living rooms, you name it.
But when it comes to compromise, I get this: " but I love that" so I give them this: "take a picture of it, file it on your computer under -stuff i love- and let them go to a good home where they may even be used some day.

Here are some tips on how to organize your room:
1. start in small manageable areas. Feeling good about an accomplishment will make you want to do more.

Attack a closet or small room in the house where things are to be used regularly. Take everything out and pile them in 3 categories:

a. " I will use four times a year or less" --- move these out of here to a garage or storage. But keep them in a box labeled and easy to find again: " Christmas", "picnic", etc.

" I will use this at least once a month": Keep these in your closet. Create or invest in some shelving system and boxes to keep these organized. (confession: I am a big fan of IKEA! affordable and good looking storage solutions and available online.)

"I will never use this": if the item is useful, donate it. If the item is broken, can it be recycled?
If the item truly belongs to the garbage, then that is where it will go.
The goal is to end up with 2/3 of what you started.

A clutter free area means less dust and prettier to look at. But more importantly it saves time, it is easier to find things.
Pick an area today and plan your attack!

LED lighting breaking through the residential market

In 2007, we thought LEDs, or light emitting diodes, were going to be mainstream REALLY soon, and it didn't happen.
Most recently, however, we have seen significant progress addressing issues such as cost, light intensity, and bulb diversification as well as replacement lights for existing fixtures.

Thanks to the semiconductor industry the LEDs advanced rapidly. The timing is more than ever right for these bulbs: Consumers are demanding more effiecient and environmntally safer products due to concerns with rising energy costs and global warming.
Governments are imposing higher energy standards and more money is invested in reseach.

LEDs are superior due to several reasons:

1. They generate more light far more efficiently than incandescent ones, because they do not generate any heat.
2. They are as efficient as CFLs, but unlike CFLs, they can typically be used with a dimmer, and they do not contain mercury, a hazardous substance.
3. Lately LED lights are closer to providing light with a warm glow.
4. They are more reliable and durable than CFLs or incandescent bulbs.

LEDs are now available for recessed down lights, task lighting, such as under cabinet lights and desk lamps and many other types of fixture.

Major corporations are entering LEDs into the consumer market:
Philips EnduraLED is designed to last 15000hours, with a 3-year life wrranty.

i-saveenergy.com has many diffrent fixtures and replacement bulbs . I have seen the recessed lights first hand and they are beautiful and have a wonderful glow similar to sunlight.





Lighting Science Group introduced the new ultra-effiecient LED replacement bulbs in May 2010.

Prices could run $20-$60 per bulb, but they make up by lasting longer than other types of bulbs in energy usage.
Consider LEDs for your next lighting application or replacement bulbs, they pay off in the long run.

Makeover on a budget: Mix of Modern and Traditional

How do you mix your prize modern furniture in a traditional home without spending a bundle?

1. Spend your money where it makes a difference.
2. Carpenters and good handymen can work miracles. Consultation is often free.
3. Your local hardware stores and your own home is full of ideas.

Our friendly carpenter, simply built a chunky sleeve, a simple box made of reclaimed wood, stained it very dark for contrast (low VOC stain of course). This box slides on to the existing mantel.
The carpenter also refinished an old vintage side table that almost headed out to the sidewalk to match the stain on the mantel.
We purchased a simple fireplace screen from the local hardware store.
A few different pieces of exisitng accessories from other rooms help create a cozy space next to the prized Le Corbusier chaise lounge near the fireplace. A perfect place to relax in after a hard day at work.

GREEN alternatives to granite countertops

 Granite is a completely NON-renewable resource. It takes a lot of energy to mine and transport and manufacture it from all over the world and the miners may not be provided with proper protection or given fair wages or treatment.
It is time to consider the environmentally friendly alternatives. 
Please don't rip out a perfectly good granite to replace it with a green alternative!
If you must replace a countertop or building a new kitchen, there are several green alternatives to granite and I have my favorites listed below.

IceStone^® surfaces are the ideal choice if you are searching for an eco-friendly, green countertop,  backsplashes, bathroom vanities, table tops, bar tops, interior walls, and commercial flooring applications.  IceStone surfaces can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Beautiful shower and bathtub surrounds and kitchen sinks can be made with IceStone.

You choose from 29 available colors. At this time custom color options are available for commercial projects only.

100% Recycled glass makes up 75% of the product. Cement bonds the glass together, and requires sealing annually (similar to granite counter tops) 

Just like granite, prolonged excessive heat can break the seal, but it will not crack like granite. The product is plastic free and VOC-free, Petrochemical free. The company constantly is improving their green attributes. 

 

 

 Images from Icestone official website.

As far as green certifications and processes, IceStone has received MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification* for the IceStone durable surface, and the production processes used to produce it. IceStone compares their pricing to mid-to-high end granite, and notes that fabrication and installation very depending on your local contractor rates.

Vetrazzo^® is 85% glass, and all the glass they use is recycled - so it really is good for the environment and has been certified by NSF International

Images from vetrazzo official website.  

Vetrazzo is comparable to granite in strength, scratch resistance, heat resistance, durability, and care & maintenance. Acidic subtances such as lemon juice, vinegar, red wine will leave a stain in the concrete areas if not cleaned up right away. However like aged marble or wood, signs of living can enhance the look. Resealing is recommended every year. Just like granite, prolonged excessive heat can break the seal, but it will not crack like granite.It is already broken glass afterall.

I have visited the plant in Richmond California and it is surprisingly clean! The product color pallette is gorgeous and the employees look happy.
Their view on sustainability is posted http://vetrazzo.com/sustain.asp.

Stainless Steel is seen in many contemporary residential or commercial applications. You can have a seamless countertop. It is durable, easy to clean and looks great for a long time. However, it is a bit on the pricey side and you could cause a dent, but cannot be cut or cracked due to heat.
Steel is the most recycled material, so look for recycled steel, because mining and refining it uses a large amount of energy and pollutes the environment.

You should look for a reputable local manufacturer/installer to reduce your cost.

 Concrete is one of the most customizable choice.
It is often cast right in your kitchen or bath. Good option for fireplaces also. It also may have a higher price tag.
Resistant to heat and scratches, it can be color-tinted. It is very important to have it sealed and seal annually. There are new treatments that eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative and you can have it tinted or have anything embeded to create a unique and exotic look for you.
Mid to high range on cost due to custom work. For a green concrete, ask for fly ash which is a byproduct of the coal industry and the aggregate should be of recycled variety to be counted as green.

 photos from Cheng Concrete design gallery

You should also ask for low-VOC sealers. Again a reputable manuafcturer should be able to provide you with a beautiful green alternative. So do some reasesach before commiting yourself to one.

Healthy Home: Why Green Design makes sense

Green or Sustainable Building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource and energy efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition.

According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), as of January 2006, the annual market for Green Building in products and services was $7 billion, a 37% growth over 2004 Over 531 million square feet of commercial building space has been registered or certified under LEED.
Green Design has significant benefits:

Contributes to better health
EPA studies indicate indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher – and occasionally more than 100 times higher – than outdoor levels. Studies with 30,000 subjects showed that  there are significant relationship between low ventilation levels and higher carbon dioxide concentrations – a common symptom in facilities with sick building syndrome. Green buildings instead use alternative building materials that do not emit toxins, like formaldehyde or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Saves you money in the long run 
A Well-designed green buildings will be more energy efficient and have lower utility costs. Recent studies indicate that with an upfront investment of 2% in green building design, can result on average in savings of 20% of the total construction costs in lifecycles– This is more than ten times your initial investment.

Increases your productivity
Factors considered in Green design include abundant daylighting, individual climate controls, and outdoor views increase employee and tenant satisfaction, which improves productivity. A study by Carnegie Mellon University measuring the relationship between increased lighting control and productivity showed an average increase of 7.1% in productivity.

LED: COOL task lighting that is not hot.

LED produces more light, much less heat and uses a lot less energy and lasts a lot longer. The LED technology has come a long way ans is becoming more affordable in residential applications.

Normally task lighting produces a lot of heat. Not the case with these colorful, bright, and good looking LED lamps by Pablo Designs (www.pablodesigns.com).

I especially love the variety of styles, sizes, and attachment capabilities of Pablo task lighting.

LED under cabinet lighting is also becoming mainstream as more designers are incorporating them due to the new energy saving requirements in the building codes. Next time you are looking for lighting, check for LED options. You may be surprised at what you find.

Creating storage where there is none: think vertical

When short of storage, take advantage of your vertical space.

This bedroom was in desperate need of storage. It was very tight and had a small closet. There was really no place to put a dresser.

Instead of using side tables, I opted for creating vertical storage on both sides of the bed and a headboard to fill the space in between. Custom built-in cabinets were not in the budget. Fortunately, I found two units with perfect width and height at Ikea! at a fraction of the cost of custom cabinetry. The clients are pretty handy with a staple gun, she and her husband built the headboard for the cost of materials below $100.

All the drawers in the cabinets serve as two HIS and HERS dressers, there is room for bedside necessities, the closed storage at the bottom make the space look uncluttered and open shelves provide some display space to add interest. A perfect solution within their budget.

Want color in your living room? Tips to add color in any room.

An inexpensive way to freshen up a room is to add some color. Here are some ways you can do that with little or no money:

1. Paint a wall
A splash of color on a wall can immediately transform any room. Find a color you like (see previous blogs on painting tips) paint one wall and make it a focal point.

2. Paint the back of the bookshelf.
This is probably one of my favorite tricks. It is so easy and so uncomplicated. But has a huge impact.
Paint a bookcase or shelving system in two colors.

3. Colorful pillows
Pillows are so versatile. They add comfort to a chair or bed and can easily be covered in a different color or texture. Pillow covers can be made of almost any fabric. A pair of jeans, bed sheets, an old skirt, mens suiting, a patchwork of men's ties, etc. the sky is the limit. You can even show your artwork on a pillow. Pick a plain fabric and paint your own artwork! Fabulous and unique.

4. Add an area rug 
Don't forget about floor, the largest surface after your walls. An area rug under the coffee table or dining area, at the bottom of your bed, or between two rooms ground the space and make everything look better.
You can move a rug in from another room. If you are purchasing a new one, be sure to take measurements before heading to a store. Take your tape measure with you!


5. Plants and flowers
Potted plants or flowers in a vase instantly add life to your room. For the short of time, (or those with pets) invest in good quality silk plants and flowers. But be aware of scale or your room. In a small room chose a taller plant. In a large room chose one with height and volume.

6. Colorful throw
A colorful soft throw on a beige sofa or a white bed instantly transforms your room. Try it!

7. Add a colorful lamp
Lamps provide light, but also can bring in whimsy and color into a room. If you have an outdated floor or table lamp, you can paint the base and buy a contemporary shade.



8. Fresh upholstery
Chairs can be upholstered with new fabrics. A slipcover is another option to get a fresh look.



9. Colorful accessories
Artwork and vases, candles, coasters, place mats, and runners can also be used to bring in seasonal colors. Accessories can be moved from room to room and freshen up the look on a regular basis. But be sure not to go overboard with too many of these items in one area to avoid a cluttered look.

You probably already own many things you can move about your home to creat a new look. So go one and explore and see what you can come up with.

Working with an interior designer- 7 steps to a successful relationship

Do you fear you may lose control of your project or your budget if you hire an interior designer? Do you fear that you may not like the results?

Here are few things to consider when working with a designer to assure you stay within your budget, and get what you want and need in your project:

1. Prepare yourself. Know your project. Are you looking to remodel, or change colors and finishes, or buy new furniture? Collect some photos of interiors you like and note what you like about them, color, texture, furniture layout, lighting, etc.

2. Know your budget. No one likes having a budget, but everyone has one. A designer can even save you money by allocating resources wisely. For example invest more in a substantial purchase such as a sofa or bed, but spend less on accessories when there are budget concerns. There are many ways to use a designer on a very tight budget.

Good designers also will do their best to work with what you own. If you own a good quality sofa it can be reupholstered or the cushions can be replaced to be firmer. Even the arms can be altered by a good upholsterer. A good designer will have good crafts persons for variety of needs.

 3. Find your designer. Now that your know what your project and your budget are, you can look for a suitable designer. You can ask a friend for a recommendation, or you can find them in a local home design publication where you can see photos of their work. Designers often have web sites or blogs that can give you an idea of your local designer's philosophy or previous projects.
You should know that an educated and experienced interior designer may do many different things. They could simply provide color suggestions or design an entire building from ground up including where to put the sprinkler heads or manage a construction project from start to finish. Make sure you hire a designer with a formal education if you are looking for more that a decorating project. A designer with a formal education will be concerned with local codes, health and safety issues as well as the aesthetics and quality of products. Describe your vision. It is important to make sure your designer is comfortable with the simplicity or complexity of your particular projects.

You can start small using a designer for a short time on an hourly basis for a specific project. This helps you get to know each other and you can decide to pursue more projects with this designer.

4. Ask about the fee schedule. Make sure you're very clear on exactly how you'll be charged, if a deposit is required and when the work will be completed. Designers charge different fees and have different way of charging clients. Some charge hourly, some charge a flat fee, plus percentage of product purchases, or a combination of both. Ask if you will be charged for phone calls or emails.

 5. Be prepared for a contract. You should always work with a designer with a contract. A contract will protect both sides. It should include the fee schedule, the scope of services, and a time frame. It should also include how the contract can terminate and method of arbitration should there be a dispute. Take time to read the contract on your own time and do not feel rushed to sign. Be sure to point out what the terms of the contract you disagree with and work out terms agreeable to both sides. A contract can be amended in writing at any time if both parties agree.

6. Communicate your thoughts. The more information you can give to your designer the better. Let the designer know what your budget and your vision are. Your needs, your preferences, and your hopes can be conveyed in both words and pictures that you collected.
Once you are presented with a proposal, study it. You don't need to love everything. Let your designer know what you like and dislike about the proposal.

7. Listen and be open to suggestions.  Good designers educate their clients about their choices. There are many reasons why a designer may not completely agree with you. For example, polished tiles and stones look fabulous on the floor of foyer, but not a safe choice. So your designer may suggest a honed stone instead.

Finally enjoy the process. A designer is there to help you realize your vision.  You can get what you want and even better.

Painting tips: Achieving a flawless RED wall in 6 easy steps

A friend called with frustration, "I got that sudden urge to paint a wall red! I have put on seven coats and I still see white coming through," she continued, " what do I do?"

This is a typical expensive experience many of friends go through after seeing my red wall.

Here are some tips when you get that "sudden urge" to paint Red, on a white wall. But it applies to any time the new paint has a high contrast (or saturation) to your existing paint. For example white to a saturated blue or dark blue to light cream.
Also it is important to find a paint retailer with knowledgeable staff who can set you up with appropriate tools and help with amount of paint and primer required.

1. To find the best shade of color refer to my previous post,  Painting tips: 7 designer tips for choosing the perfect paint color

2. Buy tinted primer. This is where you save big on time and money. Going to a contrast color, you must prime before you paint. Priming also covers dirty walls and spots.  Also if you are painting flat, satin or eggshell over a glossy paint, you need to prime.
The store attendant should be able to help you with the amount of paint and the primer. If you are painting with a contrasting paint color, you should have the primer tinted. All good brands will have a primer tint guide. The attendant should be able to look that up (no guesses here)
Unlike popular belief, you don't use pink primer under red, but a shade of gray.

3. Make sure that you have separate paint rollers and brushes to cut in for primer and paint
You should never use the same brush and roller for priming and painting. Label your brushes with a magic marker, paint and primer. Choose the right roller for the paint.
If you have hairline cracks or small holes or chips on the wall you should repair them before priming.

4. Tape your trims or wall corner that will not receive the new paint. Run your finger along the edge to seal. Paint will seep under the tape if not sealed well and will create

5. Use one roller to roll the primer on. Roll up, down and diagonal. Note that primer just needs to cover the surface, but will not be completely opaque. Wait till completely dry.

6. Repeat the process of cutting and rolling with your paint. Two coats should be sufficient, but wait in between coats till completely dry.

If you cannot finish the job in one day, you may cover your paint tray and wrap your brushes and roller with saran wrap and store in a cool place until you have time to continue.
To save leftover paint, label the lid with a dab of color and a sharpy : for example “living room walls” and store in a dry and cool space.

Well-done! Sit back and enjoy your work.

Healthy Home: 6 tips to reduce allergens in your bedroom

We spend close to 8 hours in our bedrooms. It is supposed to be a soothing and rejuvenating place for our hardworking minds and bodies. Yet many bedrooms are the causes of our allergies and some serious health problems. Here are 6 ways to minimize the causes of allergies in your bedroom:

1. Reduce dust: One of the easiest and least expensive way you can minimize allergies is by de-cluttering. Clutter traps dust and makes cleaning an unpleasant chore.
Get rid of piles of paper (they are also a fire hazard!), reduce the number of furnishings and accessories  in your bedroom. Make sure your vacuum can reach under all furniture.
Hard flooring surfaces are ideal. Good bamboo or linoleum (not vinyl) are easily mopped.
Cotton washable rugs are preferred to other rugs. But if you must have carpet, pick one with tightly woven pile and vacuum often. Avoid detailed architectural moulding and wall art that can trap dust.
(if removing architectural moulding is not an option you can build a box around them. Otherwise, make sure your weekly cleaning includes these.)
Clean air and ventilation filters or replace them frequently. Opt for higher quality filters.

2. Reduce chemical off-gasing: VOCs (Volatie Organic Compunds) are found in many home improvement products including paint and stains. Manufacturers have recently produced great quality paints and stains with zero or low VOC. You could paint your walls using 0 or low VOC paint to seal the old paint. Minimize items with stain or make sure the stain is zero VOC with new furniture or hard wood flooring.

3. Avoid synthetic fibers on your bed: Use cotton sheets. If natural latex mattress is not an option, get dust-mite covers for all your bedding.

4. Increase Ventilation:  It is very important to have fresh air in any room.  If you are not allergic to pollen open your windows early in the morning and early evening. Otherwise, mechanical ventilation should be utilized daily to prevent moisture buildup. Moisture buildup will cause mold.

5. Black mold hunt: If you get condensation on your windows, you may be at risk for having mold.  Look for black mold behind drapes, closet interior walls, and around the window sills. It may look like round penny size spots or black dust. If you find mold do not blow it in the air. Do not use a spary cleaner as it will blow the mold in the air. Make a simple solution of water, vinegar and a drop of soap. Protect your nose and mouth. Wear rubber gloves. Wipe the mold clean with a sponge soaked in the solution.

6. Cleaning agents: Most household cleaners contain irritants and chemicals. Use natural cleaning products free of chemicals. There are many safe and multi-purpose cleaners on the market. Remember to read the label. Just because it says "Green" or "Natural" it may not be safe.

DYI home staging: 8 quick tips for staging your home for a quicker sale

Do you have to spend a lot of money on professional staging? If you have some decent furnishings, you may only need to follow these 8 quick tips to achieve the same results:
A house should look like it is in moving condition when potential buyers arrive.

1. Curb appeal- Remember that the home buyer should feel at home as soon as they arrive at your drive way. A curb appeal is very important in selling your home.
So consult with your agent about the exterior of the house before it is on the market.

2. Paint- Many home buyers will not get passed that bright yellow wall you love so much. A fresh coat of neutral paint will make your home look more comfortable and relaxing.  Also no one likes to see dirty walls.

3. De-clutter- Store away all your excess accessories, furniture, artwork, blankets and family photos. A cluttered room looks smaller and distracting from all the nice features your home offers. Concentrate on one or two neutral colors with one splash of non-neutral in each room. To many colors are seen as clutter.

4.  Focal point- Look for the most pleasing about your living room area. It may be the view of the garden or the fireplace. Avoid creating a focal point around a non-pleasant view or the TV.
Make sure your focal point is dressed properly. Window coverings should be pulled back to show off the view. Fireplace mantel should have three nice accessories: a small bouquets of flowers and two candles. A row of three identical vases. Do not clutter your mantel. Fireplace screen is also helpful. but you could place candles in the fire box.

5.  Furniture arrangement- Arrange your furniture such that they do not block the natural flow of traffic. Upon arriving into the room, the most off-putting sight is the back of the sofa. It tells the buyer “do not come in.” Consider a diagonal arrangement of furniture. In a large room a sofa can be a divider between two rooms but in a smaller room, it cuts off the diners from the rest of the room.

6.  Lighting- Make sure there is plenty of light in your main living areas. If your agent is showing your home after dark, place floor  and table lamps if there are no ceiling lights.

7.  Function- Focus each room on its main function. If you have a home office, move away the workout equipment. If your have an office in the bedroom, move your office equipment temporarily out of the bedroom. Perhaps into a closet area in a guest room.

8.  Clean and repair- This seems like a no brainier, but I am obligated to mention it. If you have pets, you must make sure your buyers cannot smell it! Buyers open your closets to see the storage space. Make sure stored items do not avalanche on their heads. Clean dirty carpets, drapery, and shelves. If you smoke, clean and deodorize and do not smoke in the house till you move out. Repair broken door handles, railings, lights, etc. When one thing is not working it may signal the buyer that the house has not been maintained well.
Again, ask your agent for feedback. They are the experts.
...and good luck...

Painting Tips: Proper disposal of paint and primer

Paint, primer and stains contain chemicals and compounds that should be properly disposed of. Never wash brushes and supplies or dump paint down to storm water drain or in your kitchen sink.
You may call your local paint disposal or recycle center if you have leftover paint you don't need.

When you are done painting, squeeze all paint from your brushes in a tray or bucket. Rinse your brushes in warm water in the utility sink or your bathroom sink.
Leave paint cans in the sun to completely dry and then dispose of the cans.

Let disposable rollers and brushes dry completely before disposing.

Painting tips: 7 designer tips for choosing the perfect paint color

Do you get those tiny paint chips from the store and try to choose a color only to get frustrated and put off painting indefinitely?

I am going to share with you my secret to choosing a paint color.

But before rushing to the store, consider your lighting, the color of your furniture and accessories. Then settle on one or two color families. Beige, taupe, gray, blues, greens, etc.

1. Choose a brand with sample size jars (2 or 3 oz) for testing. Recently many paint brands including the ones at your local hardware stores offer sample sizes. I like Benjamin Moore because they have a large selection of samples. Pratt and Lambert also has a large variety of samples. Call your reputable retailer and find out what they sell and how knowledgeable they are.

2. At the store, find the color chips that match the jars before you buy the jars. Get as many different shades of the color family you picked and bring them home and stick them to your walls with removable tape. Look at those colors at different time of day and night. Color changes drastically with light. Do you have the proper lighting to make that color look good at night?

3. Narrow your options to maximum 3 possibilities and buy the small jars and disposable paint brushes, and paint two or three 6"x6" or larger cardboard sheets and label each on the back so you can keep track.

5. Remove the little chips and stick the larger sheets on the target walls.

6. Now you really can see the paint color. Live with these at least for 24 hours and pay attention to how they look through out the light changes and at NIGHT.

7. Choose the winner. Measure the area of your wall in square foot before you head out to buy paint. You may need only one or two quarts or you may need a gallon or two. Consult your retailer. They should be able to tell you what the coverage of the paint is and how much you need.

If you are painting dark over light or vice versa, you need priming. See my post: Painting tips: Achieving flawless RED wall in 6 easy steps.

Planning for a successful makover!

If you are going to make over a room, think about what you would use it for first.

This unattractive breakfast/family room was right next to the kitchen. The client never really ate breakfast here. But when she entertained the guest chose to linger about this room.

So the logical choice was to make a comfortable seating area near the window. The room was cleared, painted in a soft butter cream.

Old items: Worn out, broken, and unusable furniture pieces were recycled at the local recycle station. Usable items were donated.

New items: Two identical small convertible day sofas, two drapery panels, drapery rod, and a small coffee table purchased at the the local discount stores cost under $1000. The Sofa arms unfold to create more seating (or serve as extra beds) if needed.

Client's existing lamp was placed here for additional lighting in the evening. Her Moroccan brass tray was placed on top of the small coffee table to make a larger table space. Her textile art previously folded in a drawer was framed prominently to create visual interest and speak to her personality and style.  The kitchen peninsula counter is used as serving station for parties.

A wool rug from another room grounds the space. Wool rugs are inherently stain resistant. Perfect for an accidental party spill. Every guest loves to spend time in this room!

Need a zen space, convert an underutilized space

If you own a lot of "things" chances are some land in one room with the door closed.

A friend of mine also a designer wanted to create a meditation space in the "catchall" room upstairs. We took everything out. Painted walls in a beautiful color, used a few existing objects, rug, pillows, and lighting to create the ultimate meditation space.

What happened to all other stuff? The craft and jewelry tables were de-cluttered and found a new home in the office area. Many storage boxes were labeled and stacked in the garage, in the office or other appropriate rooms. Old papers and magazines were recycled. Unwanted, usable items were donated, and some craft items were given to kids to get creative.

Everyone is happy!

Before and after photos show how much space you can gain by spending a couple of days repurposing a catch-all area.