6 outdoor pillows I love!

It's finally happening here in Maryland — the warm, hang-out-on-the-deck weather is here!

I'm always impressed with how far outdoor fabrics have come. We are no longer stuck with just solids and stripes to pick from and the color options are broad too! Both high and low end retailers are offering a variety that can fit any decor.

Here are a few faves I found online. Enjoy!

{Fun, traditional and modern outdoor pillows -- something for everyone!}

1. Red Ruffled outdoor throw pillow from Frontgate. Love, love, love. Add one to a sofa and create a focal point! Carry the look into the garden with red flowers.

2. Pool-themed embroidered throw pillows from Frontgate. These are happy pillows for fun in the sun, perfect for a pool deck or a beach house.

3. Marona Latte outdoor throw pillow from Home Decorators Collection. This traditional pattern is updated with its large scale. Mix and match patterns and colors from this collection to create a cohesive look on your patio.

4. Backyard floral outdoor pillow, yellow, from Pottery Barn. I can picture this in an English garden, full of blooms, metal furniture and comfortable chaises. Mix it with stripes and plaids or more florals!

5. Thomas Paul Starfish Outdoor Pillow from Velocity. It's no secret that I love Thomas Paul fabrics. This bold pattern doesn't disappoint. Use it with other neutrals or add pops of primary colors for a warm, modern look.

6. Venetian Artisan Throw Pillow in Gingko from Frontgate (again, I know, but they have lovely options!). This is so clean and simple and lovely. Pair it with solids and let is shine, or mix in other pillows with blue patterns for a monochromatic look. Refreshingly refined!

What is your favorite? How would you use it? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Happy decorating.

What's it like to work with me?

It's been a busy month! I'm sorry I haven't been sharing design wisdom with you this last month. Between many wonderful clients and spring break, I've been enjoying life.

I have something fun to share though, to make up for my absence — a video!

A fabulous client of mine did a video testimonial for me after we wrapped up her design projects. I added some before and after pictures of her family and living rooms so you can see the work we did together.

Enjoy and let me know your favorite part of the design! (You Tube has a funny way of freezing the videos, catching people in awkward positions...sorry Cassie!)

Drumroll please...

Thank you to everyone who voted for our first design challenge wall design. We have a winning plan and a winning commenter!

The client selected plan two as her favorite.

{The client selected plan two}

The lucky winning commenter, randomly picked from everyone who voted for number two, is Phyllis.

Phyllis, if you are reading this please email me your address so I can send you your stationery gift! Thanks again to everyone. Stay tuned for "after" photos of the wall display.

Design challenge ~ vote to win!

I'm excited to share my latest project with you, a "design challenge" collaboration with photographer Mary Gardella of Love Life Images. I'm going to explain the project, show you the design plans and then you can comment and vote on your favorite plan. Everyone who votes for the client's selected plan will be entered into a drawing to win a beautiful stationery set!

Mary found that many of her clients were stumped after their photo shoots—they didn't know what photos to select or how to best display them in their homes, so they sometimes did nothing. Gasp! All of that great photography just sitting there!

So Mary and I brainstormed how we could add value to her clients by offering a design consult in their homes to help them decide where to hang their pictures. It helps clients decide what size pictures to order and ultimately gives them a detailed plan for displaying them.

Our first design challenge took place in the lovely Federal Hill home of Michele Riley. She's had several family photo shoots with Mary, but hasn't figured out the best way to display the pictures in her living room. She bought a tape measure and that's about as far as she got! Here's her living room. The wall on the left is where we're placing the selected photo display.

{Living room now. We're planning a photo display for the left wall. Some plans include one of the large Baltimore images shown. Photo by Mary Gardella, Love Life Images}

To begin the consultation, I talked to Michele about what type of display she'd like, symmetrical or asymmetrical. She wanted to try asymmetrical because she said she loves that look, but doesn't know how to do it on her own. Next we looked through the photos Mary took and picked Michele's favorites. We decided to do a black and white display expect for the color shot of her boys on the water. That pop of blue will really stand out among the black and white art.

{Me chatting with the client, Michele, about options and ideas. Photo by Mary Gardella, Love Life Images}

Next I measured the wall we're using and the sizes of the current art. Exciting, I know. Mary makes even the most mundane task look good though!

{Me, working the tape measure. Photo by Mary Gardella, Love Life Images}

Once home, I began creating plans to fit the wall using the photos Michele loved, all while sticking within her project budget. Below are the 4 plans we presented to Michele today. Please leave a comment with your vote for your favorite. Voting ends Wed., 3/9 at midnight. The winning plan will be announced here and I will select a name at random from those of you who picked the same plan as Michele.

In addition to using one of her Baltimore art pieces in some plans, I've also included a piece of metal art Michele owns (shown below plans) and suggest, since her family loves the beach, that she add a clear glass wall vase and fill it with sand and shells from their favorite beach (an example is shown below).

{Plan 1, photo sizes (l to r) - 8x8, 11x14, 8x10, 16x20, 11x14, 8x10}

{Plan 2, photo sizes (l to r) - 16x20, 8x8, 11x14, (2) 8x10s}


{Plan 3, photo sizes (l to r) - 11x14, 8x10, 16x20, (metal art), 8x8, 8x10}

{Plan 4, photo sizes (l to r) - 11x14, (metal art) (2) 8x10s, 16x20, 8x10, 8x8}


{Metal art suggested for wall plans}


{Example of wall vase for sand and shells}

To be entered to win a lovely set of stationery, please comment and include the plan # you are voting for. Come on, I know you like to share your opinion so please let me know what you think! Voting ends at midnight on 3/9. I'll announce the winning plan, select a winner & contact that winner over the next few days!

Spread the word about this fun project via email and facebook!

Happy decorating!

A reader's window - redesigned!

I'm so happy today because a blog reader (and under full disclosure, a friend and past Butchers Hill neighbor) sent me an email about a decorating challenge she is having in her bedroom. I'm happy because I always ask for photos of your challenges, but I don't often get any. Now it's time to help solve her problem.

My recent newsletter (click here to sign up to receive my free monthly newsletter) focused on selecting window treatments so my friend Deb sent me this challenge after reading that. She lives in a rowhouse in Canton in Baltimore City and these are common windows in the front bedrooms of those houses.

Here's the picture of her bedroom windows.

{City windows that want a facelift!}

Here's her email:

"OK so here is my bedroom. Windows are a complete mystery to me. I had cordless cellular shade but they got so dusty I just threw them away. Anywho, right now I have those temporary shades you buy for 7 $ @ Home Depot. I made the valances — I could do better next time. I like color and have several simple handmade quilts but would like to turn it up a notch. I tell you all of this because maybe if you have an idea that can send me in that direction, then I can follow through with other changes as well. Also, the look of the room is shabby chic with white distressed furniture. I have an old window hanging over the bed and empty, old, white picture frames on various walls. I like the light coming in but since I live in a rowhouse, I need privacy too. What do you think?"

Well Deb, you've come to the right place because I have a few thoughts! I would like to see you hang a fabric roman shade over each window. If you have enough depth in the windows, you can mount the shades inside the windows (to show off the molding).

This "relaxed" roman shade style would go nicely with your shabby chic look.

{Relaxed roman shades mounted inside of windows}

If you can't do an inside mount, hang them outside, up to the ceiling. Outside mount will allow you to see more of the window (and let more light in) when they are raised. Size them so they hit the window sill when lowered.

{Flat roman shade, outside mount}

Roman shades come in various styles. Select one that goes best with your style. Fabric will have a lot to do with setting that feeling too. This "tulip" style shade would look great in your room too.

{Tulip style roman shade}

You could also add a cornice board valance over the shades to add another layer to the look.

{Valance over relaxed roman shade}

If you can't find ready-made shades to fit your windows are you handy enough to make your own? If not you'll want to find a workroom or a friend who sews well!

Let me know what you think and how it all works out. What are your window or decorating challenges? Please send pictures and I'll help you sort it out.

Happy decorating!

Biggest mistake in designing a room

I just spent this morning preparing for a client meeting. We'll be reviewing floor plan options for her living room before making furniture selections. When new furniture is being purchased I think a floor plan is the very best way to begin your design project.

This can be something you do yourself (the tools required are a tape measure, graph paper and a pencil) or with a designer, but it's something you should do to ensure all of your furnishings will fit in the room in a pleasing and functional way. Bonus, it's a fun and easy way to play with placement options without hard labor!

{Floor plan I created for the 2010 Historic Ellicott City decorator show house}

As usual, most really good ideas are shared by many. I found this "Q & A" from the Feb. 3 Washington Post’s online Home Front Discussion with House Beautiful editor in chief Newell Turner.

Q. Mistakes/trends
Hi Newell, I'm a big fan of yours! Wondering what decorating mistake you see most often that we should avoid and what trends you have seen enough of?

A. Newell Turner:
Great question! I think the biggest mistake people make is not starting with a floor plan—even something very basic and simple. Knowing size and space needs and limitations takes a lot of guess-work (and potential mistakes) out of the decorating equation.

Happy decorating!

New adventure, "your life: designed"

I am excited to announce that I am now working with Mary Gardella, photographer with Love, Life Images, as a guest blogger on a series we're calling "your life: designed."

You can see her blog, and my first post, here.

Visit her site to see her beautiful photography and stay tuned for some on-the-job projects we'll be working on with her clients, beginning next week in Federal Hill.

If you like the blog please share it with your friends on facebook, twitter or via your own blog!

Happy decorating!