Spark

Bookshelves from Lonnymag.com

There’s a Texas Tornado’s song that goes, “A little bit is better than nada, sometimes you want the whole enchilada”. Maybe it’s my craving for TexMex or maybe I’m just consoling myself, but these lyrics keep popping up in my head. When I think of all the decorating projects I want to do, the mundane tasks I need to do, and all the stuff that falls in between, I realize that I’m not getting the whole enchilada on my proverbial plate. Rather than be put out by the work I’m not getting done (hello, blog posts) or the items still on my “to do” list,  I’m going to settle for little “bites” of success. After all, a little bit is better than nothing at all.

If you feel like you aren’t making much progress in your home, I encourage you to find quick and easy ways to instantly gratify your home maintenance cravings. Those tiny triumphs add up to big changes and fuel your appetite for bigger projects. In fact, if you find that you just don’t have the time to do things yourself, and there’s a pretty big to do list piling up, then why not get some help? You can hire home maintenance services, and every few months they will stop by and take a go at that to do list we mentioned! They’re very professional, work fast, and I think they’re well worth it. It’s better than knowing you have so much to do, and so little time to do it in. Having a nice garden is a must, you can get some complete grow tent kits.

Just for now, try one of these simple ideas and then bask in your glory:

1. Rearrange your bookshelves. Turn books sideways, group books by colors, or add found objects to the mix.

2. Never underestimate the impact of fresh flowers (from your garden or grocery store). Arrange similar color flowers in tight bunches in small vases, old pitchers or vintage glasses. Place single buds in glass votives or teacups sprinkled around the house.

3. Change out your accent pillows on your sofa or bed. Buy inexpensive pillows at discount stores or make your own from leftover fabric.

Pillow Assortment from Lonnymag.com

For a “little bit” more inspiration for little updates . . .

1. Simple Updates for Old Furnishings

2. 100 Quick and Easy Ways to Freshen Home

3. 99 Cheap Decorating Tips

4. Fun and Easy Decorating Ideas

5. 8 Quick Decorating Changes

6. Quick and Easy Updates for Your Kitchen

Okay, now don’t just sit there and do nada. Make something happen . . . then sit back and celebrate with a margarita.

If Kathryn Ireland has color, Jeffrey Alan Marks has flair. Another designer featured on Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators, Marks says that he tries to add an element of surprise to every room. After seeing his master bedroom with the vintage Abercrombie & Fitch rowboat suspended from the ceiling, I was hooked. Expecting more “unexpected” details, [...]

The premiere of Million Dollar Decorators would get me blogging again after my mid-May hiatus (busy month,eh?) Really, there’s so much to say but it all comes out sounding rather catty. The decorators of the rich do not live in the same world as I do. I’d be much more concerned about my client’s well [...]

Ready to refresh your room but aren’t sure where to begin? I always love to start with fabrics from bedding, curtains, or upholstery as inspiration. The fabric is a ready made palette for choosing wall color and accent pieces. Pottery Barn has a new tool that makes the selection process even easier when it comes to bedroom fabrics and paint. [...]

So I was reading the April issue of House Beautiful and I came across a new nugget of design information that piqued my interest as the other half of a couple. According to designer Tom Sheerer, the hottest new trend is to have a snoratorium built connecting to the master bedroom.  The purpose of this [...]

There is something wonderful about wallpaper like this. It doesn’t rely on pattern or gorgeous repeat.  It tells a little story in a big way.  It makes me feel like I’ve stepped into one of the luscious images by one of my favorite illustrators.  I’m a character in my own room where a lifesize tale [...]

28 12 17.  Those are the lottery numbers I would pick today.  The numbers that would win me a giant jackpot.  A jackpot I would use to dial up  Leroy Street Studio (an architecture firm based in nyc) and say, “Get out your drafting boards kids!  Mama wants a new pad.” Enough words.  Pictures say [...]

While scouting shops last week, we discovered this gorgeous felted wool rug at the Great Rug Company. And it is ON SALE. The colors palette is even better in person and the texture is divine, like intricate crewel work. We were instantly taken with this rug and decided that it is way too lovely to [...]