Creating Autumn

This easy-to-make arrangement is the center of attraction in this traditional dining room. Here's all you need: 3 hurricanes with candles, set of three plates to set candles on, stems of fall foliage and berries, small pumpkins and gourds, and large pine cones (from the yard). First, I lined up the hurricanes down the center of the table. Then place the stems of leaves and berries all around. Finally, I tucked in the pine cones and gourds. It was that easy!

Fall colored pottery made a perfect back drop for these stems of berries and leaves. I simply arranged the pottery in a triangle-like pattern, then filled one of the jars with fall berries. I used ready-made fall picks and tucked them in between the pottery. Be sure to use natural-looking picks that are full and colorful for a realistic look.

Coffee tables are the center of attention in the family room and a great place to add a touch of fall. By simply changing the candles to a burnt orange and popping in some fall blooms in the arrangement, I created a beautiful burst of autumn! I love that the birds look like they are nesting in a a bunch of fall leaves: it's a fun touch!

Welcome to Autumn!

How to Avoid Painting Disasters!

Yes, even design professionals don't get it right all the time!

First color was pretty, but way to Palm Beachy!

Okay, yes I admit, I don't always get it right! Decorators even struggle sometimes with the right tone of a color. Sometimes you think you are getting one thing and then you put it in the room and YUK! It turns out all wrong! Here's my advice to you, keep the tones shaded with gray and you are more likely to love it in the long term. Sometimes a truer  brighter hue works, but for me a grayer version of the teal was a much more sophisticated way to go. My big mistake was not getting the sample and I wasted $40! So the next tip is alllwayyys get the samples and test it out, then you know how to tone the color down once you get in the room. Maybe you'll get lucky and strike gold the first time!

SW6214 Under Seas, Perfect!

One more bit of advice. I ended up taking my spa blue pillow back to the paint store this time and was able to get a better match. So when in doubt always take a color inspiration with you. I went for a deeper value than the pillow or darker version to give some contrast, but it was still the same tone.

So for color success: 

• Go for grayer or shaded versions of a color, it's more livable in the long term  (mainly in blues and greens).
• Take something with you to the store for color matching or inspiration.
• Always get a sample to test in the room.

Three Ways to Style a Mantel

Most of us have them, yet are perplexed at how to make this focal point shine!

Let the Fireplace be the star of the room!

Of all the design issues I see when I first walk into a clients home, its how they have styled their mantels! I see the same thing over and over and I want to help! Most of you take this ledge and make it your gallery of keepsakes . Pictures of the family, the ubiquitous figurine, and a clutter of other small objects. The problem is where's the focal point? I am not saying you have to get rid of all the sentimental items, just let me show you how to display them.

Use one key piece of art in your arrangement

This is your basic mantel. By using the hanging art and the 2 sconces you have created a focal point that is in scale with the fire place itself. So now the whole fireplace is one cohesive unit. As you can see the other things are displayed with purpose and in an asymmetrical way. This gives it more interest. But at the same time they match in scale. You could put the 2 planters on either side and make a more symmetrical arrangement as well.

Don't fight the stone with busy art!

For those of you who are lucky enough to have the natural stone as your fireplace, this one is my favorite! Because quite simply the art is in the stone, so the use of simple art, like this one, doesn't compete with the stone. I will typically use an antique mirror to contrast with the muted stone. Candle sticks are always a go to accessory for any mantel, just make sure the size matches the scale of the mantel.

Of course, now a days we have big black boxes, aka the flat screen TV, above the fireplace. One cool way to make it less visible is to paint a darker color on that wall to lower the contrast. See in this picture you notice the fireplace and not the TV! Then keep the accessories simple, to keep it from being too distracting.

Hope this helps!