Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches. - Logan Pearsall Smith-
This week we are concentrating on communicating style into your home, "your style". Some of us like to think we have style in our genes; perhaps we acquired it as children when our parents taught us to appreciate the beauty surrounding us. We hope this is something that is passed down from generation to generation. But alas, this is not always the case. There are some of us that couldn't carry style if we had it in a bucket. I sometimes think I was one of these. There was always that person whose hair was always perfect even when it rained, who wore linen shirts that never wrinkled and whose home always looked like a magazine cover and I didn't fall into any of those categories. The point of the matter is, if I can develop style, believe me, anyone can. My home, as a child, always touted "the newest trend". I remember the orange contemporary living room with the orange Christmas tree ornaments. My mom was raised with antiques and to this day doesn't care for them. She sold them as soon as she could and replaced them with 'Blonde Furniture' or what ever was 'in style' at that time. Our home was always changing and although Mom's decorating taste was great; I think it set the stage for my desire to invest in something permanent and to keep it for a lifetime. I always remember 'living in our house', but we were taught to appreciate and to respect what we had. I still carry this with me today. I love the beauty in my home, but my homes most important function is to be a nesting place, a place to nourish my family and my friends.
Style is defined in the dictionary as a distinctive manner of expression; a custom of behaving or conducting oneself; a particular mode of living; a particular manner or technique by which something is done or created; beauty, grace or ease of manner'. Style is easy to recognize but much more challenging to define. It is an expression of knowledge, sophistication and culture with a hint of imagination. It gives life to our lives, in the way we live, decorate our homes and entertain our friends. We all have our own 'Sense of Style' that is as unique as each of us. It may be undeveloped, waiting to be discovered or constantly changing. Style develops in our exposure to different places and things, our openness to new and exciting ideas and the willingness to explore possibilities that may not be in our comfort zone. So how do we discover our style? Let's begin by looking around and taking notes on the things that we really love to surround ourselves with, particular styles of furniture, fabrics and colors. I become quite amused when one asks about Tuscan style, the latest buzz word in design. To me it is a combination of all of the beautiful European styles. It is rare to find a home in Europe that is completely decorated in French or English furnishings. When I think of the beautiful old homes of France and England, they are full of collections from the travels of the owners. We often forget the far east and its impact on these well seasoned travelers. Now for a little test, should our homes reflect their owners? Well...yes.
Neither social standing nor money offers any guarantee of style. We cannot procure it on the internet, nor can it be found in success or fame. That is why so many of us turn to the French and the English for their wonderful time tested interiors as our passports to good taste. We admire the subtle way they present themselves to the world. Within these wonderful aristocrats, with an air of superiority, reserve and integrity, we find treasures in their styles that we want to adapt as our own. Perhaps it beckons to a simpler life, where home was the central part of a family, an existence so many of us long for. Then too, there is the classical manner in which they cherished the past and we can since the countless layers of history. Whatever the case may be for you, we can use these beautiful homes as building blocks for our own homes. We can use their passion for beauty, their sense of scale, their symphony of colors and their incredible ability for living in harmony, as our own. As we begin to integrate into our lives and homes some of their styles, let us discuss several different ways to achieve these goals. We will compare the antiques of yesterday with the reproductions of today. I hear so many people say they only buy the real antiques and would never own a reproduction. It might be interesting to know that every antique is a reproduction except the first one made. Unfortunately, wonderful antiques are so expensive that they are out of our price range. Good reproductions are also expensive but still cost about half as much as the antiques. Perhaps that is why I became so involved with creating custom furnishings that reflect the wonderful old interiors. I feel as if I have a part in creating tomorrow's antiques.
Leave nothing to chance. The smallest elements can make a striking difference, the placement of your furniture, the quality and selection of fabrics, lighting fixtures that are proportionate to the size of the room, or pictures and draperies that are hung at the appropriate height. Beautiful rooms don't just happen, they are carefully planned. Define the use of each space. While considering the function of the room, try to rethink your basic floor plan and see if the space is better suited to another need. I had a sitting room next to my kitchen and a very small dining room. I started defining my needs and decided to move my dining room into my kitchen sitting room. It has made all the difference in the way my home functions. One of my biggest pleasures is family dinners and entertaining friends, I now have the space to do both. My small dining room has now been converted to a music room with my baby grand piano and a small sitting space to enjoy the music. I now have two special places that I didn't even know I had. Reevaluate your needs and the way your family lives and be open to change. You might be pleasantly surprised at what your existing space might have in store for you. A carefully chosen plan can help ease the stresses of the day as well as give a small room the feeling of space and a large room a feeling that is less imposing. I 'always define the family's needs and the use of the space before any money is ever spent on purchases for the room. This is Rule # 6.
Remember, whether you are young or old, don't skimp on quality. It is far better to prioritize your desires and needs, believing always that some things are better left undone than done poorly. Insist on quality, and always remember 'you do get what you pay for'. This applies to everything especially products and contractors. The saddest stories I have heard is about people getting burned because they thought they were saving money. In the long run it cost them much more. Rule #7 "Always expect a level of workmanship that more than often, only money can buy". Before beginning any project, set a realistic budget. This will require getting estimates from contractors, selecting items to purchase and a realistic approach to the project. Create a floor plan and use it as a guide for your entire project. You can identify your existing furniture as well as the new ones you want to purchase. Add paint colors, rugs and drapery ideas along with fabric cuttings and always keep it with you. If you find something wonderful, review your plan, place it in your room, check your budget and if it meets all the criteria, BUY IT. I know this will take extra work and time, but if you want to be a designer, you need to think like one. Although it is every woman's desire to have a beautiful home, have the desire to make your home comfortable and livable for all who reside there. Create an appetite for ease and the appreciation for your home as it is the setting for the emerging life of your family.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Plan
To Better All Around Us: By building a network of women to unleash a strategic marketing mix, to better the businesses revenue. And to offer a successful business model, which will allow the women in the organization to earn great incomes.
The business model is built around a web based advertising platform with many incentive programs. To achieve a better business model then all the directories on the web, we are proactive in the communities with grassroots, social networking, marketing promotions and incentive concepts. The organization of a network of women across the nation will give us campaigns on driving adoption, creating an image, inspiring our imagination and moving people to identify, evangelize and -- ultimately -- choose their product.
Web Site
SheSaidPics.com is a catalog of retail, restaurants and all aspects of home. The web site’s functionality is structured as a flow chart starting with the states, cities, suburbs, and districts. The links categorize the home décor, fashion and restaurants offering a glimpse of in store products. The glimpses consist of twenty pictures of the products with pricing and brand recognition. A twitter message board is posted per page allowing the merchant to change as often as desired. The goal for the actions of the web site is to market the businesses inventory, sales and promotions.
Grassroots
The grassroots has the ability to capture the ladies attention in a group effort. Marketing of SheSaidPics.com will begin with organized events, such as running/biking events. Tents will be setup at the events with promotional giveaways and t-shirt sales. The Susan G Komen Foundation is built their fund raising efforts focused around races; our desire to be involved with their events and to raise money for this charity.
Additionally we will also train and assist the women in the organization with organizing events, which will market merchants on the site with Women Bazaars, cooking classes, wine tasting, home décor lessons and fashion shows.
Interactive Concepts: Crossword Puzzle & Fix-it
The crossword puzzle is an interactive game between the consumer, website and merchant. SheSaidPics.com will be posting puzzles from the archives of the New York Times for each largely populated area. The questions will not be posted on the web site, instead listed information of locations to visit to receive the questions. The distribution of the questions will be handled with two different functions. One being the questions printed on a card and passed out by the merchant. The second function is after the consumer makes a purchase at a designated merchant, the receipt total is posted on the site and the question is emailed.
Across Questions: Restaurants
Down Questions: Retail/Home Decor
Prizes: 1st place Cash; 2nd & 3rd will be gift certificates; trade from the merchants
The puzzle can start over immediately after 1st thru 3rd places has been confirmed. The time frame needs to run between 14-30 days.
SheSaid Fix-It is a free service for women to get assistance with the issues involved in home repair and remodeling projects. We will be educating the ladies in every aspect of home construction, giving her the skills of a project manager. We will break down the pros and cons of brand and type of tile, carpet, paint, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures windows and doors. Using the consumer report guide we will be talking about appliances and where to find the bargains in your city. Women in the SheSaid organization will be discussing locations in their community to find the best deals on the brands we discuss.
The goal of SheSaid Fix-it is to pin-point the consumers in the market for Home Décor.
Debit Visa Card
SheSaidPics.com and a Debit Card on the Visa platform will combine for a unique marketing platform. The web site will market promotion only to be obtained by using the SheSaid Visa Card. The data migration from Visa will produce analysis from the promotion. The promotions will be credited to the consumer’s bank account as funds from a cash back incentive program.
The merchants will offer a discounted promotion of a percentage of gross sales. SheSaidPics.com will be responsible for marketing these promotions by new and traditional media. The promotions must be obtained by being a card holder and using the card for the purchase. Sixty-five percent of the promotion is paid as a cash back incentive to the card holder.
To answer the why will businesses want to offer this promotion? The first is the amount of savings is great, compared to direct mail, radio, print and television. The second is the effectiveness of having an organized group of women in the community marketed to your establishment. The third is being to have a complete analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of each campaign.
Systems Program:
#: Card Holder
#: Merchant
#: Promotion
Visa’s data migration will handle all electronic funds debited from the card holder and credited to the merchant. SheSaid’s bank will handle all electronic funds debited from the merchant’s bank account for the promotions and credit the card holder’s bank account. The System Program will receive the transaction data from Visa and the input of the #: promotion running calculation to generate the debit transaction from the merchant’s bank account. The promotion dollars will be deposited once a month into the #: Card Holders bank account. This will physiologically feel like a bonus/cash incentive, which will generate excessive spending with the businesses offering promotions.
When the Debit Visa card is used at a merchant’s without an ongoing promotion, it operates as a basic Debit card. And the System Program will record the data in the #: Card Holders file. This will give us analysis of expenditures of our #: Card Holders.
Marketing Promotions
These promotions main function is to build brand recognition by combining personal items with advertising. The first being a personal photo calendar, which the consumer builds on the Apple or Shutterfly web site. Each page will have a collection of frames to upload personal photos and one frame per page will be advertising. The back pages of the calendar will have printed coupons. The consumer will be given a promo code by the merchants for a free calendar.
SheSaidPics.com will use t-shirt sales marketing the web site as a brand building tool.
Social Network
Social Networks will be used at the corporate level of SheSaidPics.com and at local level by the sales staff in their community. A Twitter frame box will be placed on each SheSaid page as a message board. These boxes will function as each individual business’s Twitter account. This will also allow cell phone apps to be used for marketing at the same time.
Facebook is key component at the local level with women in the organization to communicate with the women in the community.
Traditional Media
Traditional Media will be used to market SheSaidPics.com. HGTV, DIY and FOOD Network will be the national platform used to advertise on television. At the local level, corporate will budget funds by calculating an equation of revenue generated in a territory. Local territories will market the site by local networks, radio and print.
CRM
Customer Relation Management program will be used as a multi task system. The normal sales tracking tools will assist all the sales staff in the organization with follow up and marketing to the merchants. The system will also categorize all the consumers data obtained from the crossword puzzle game, marketing promotions, fix-it Q&A and Debit Card promotion. The capacity to integrate customer information not only into the database but also into relevant communications delivered to the customer in both the digital and the print media world.
A Customer Relation Management program that results in:
Reduced operating costs
Increased propensity to buy
Enhanced image of the customer and the company
Enhanced ability to target
Greater ability to add value to the customer relationship
Managing customer behavior to achieve profitable results
Identifying actionable customer segments
Reduction of marketing expenses by concentrating on a limited group of customers
The business model is built around a web based advertising platform with many incentive programs. To achieve a better business model then all the directories on the web, we are proactive in the communities with grassroots, social networking, marketing promotions and incentive concepts. The organization of a network of women across the nation will give us campaigns on driving adoption, creating an image, inspiring our imagination and moving people to identify, evangelize and -- ultimately -- choose their product.
Web Site
SheSaidPics.com is a catalog of retail, restaurants and all aspects of home. The web site’s functionality is structured as a flow chart starting with the states, cities, suburbs, and districts. The links categorize the home décor, fashion and restaurants offering a glimpse of in store products. The glimpses consist of twenty pictures of the products with pricing and brand recognition. A twitter message board is posted per page allowing the merchant to change as often as desired. The goal for the actions of the web site is to market the businesses inventory, sales and promotions.
Grassroots
The grassroots has the ability to capture the ladies attention in a group effort. Marketing of SheSaidPics.com will begin with organized events, such as running/biking events. Tents will be setup at the events with promotional giveaways and t-shirt sales. The Susan G Komen Foundation is built their fund raising efforts focused around races; our desire to be involved with their events and to raise money for this charity.
Additionally we will also train and assist the women in the organization with organizing events, which will market merchants on the site with Women Bazaars, cooking classes, wine tasting, home décor lessons and fashion shows.
Interactive Concepts: Crossword Puzzle & Fix-it
The crossword puzzle is an interactive game between the consumer, website and merchant. SheSaidPics.com will be posting puzzles from the archives of the New York Times for each largely populated area. The questions will not be posted on the web site, instead listed information of locations to visit to receive the questions. The distribution of the questions will be handled with two different functions. One being the questions printed on a card and passed out by the merchant. The second function is after the consumer makes a purchase at a designated merchant, the receipt total is posted on the site and the question is emailed.
Across Questions: Restaurants
Down Questions: Retail/Home Decor
Prizes: 1st place Cash; 2nd & 3rd will be gift certificates; trade from the merchants
The puzzle can start over immediately after 1st thru 3rd places has been confirmed. The time frame needs to run between 14-30 days.
SheSaid Fix-It is a free service for women to get assistance with the issues involved in home repair and remodeling projects. We will be educating the ladies in every aspect of home construction, giving her the skills of a project manager. We will break down the pros and cons of brand and type of tile, carpet, paint, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures windows and doors. Using the consumer report guide we will be talking about appliances and where to find the bargains in your city. Women in the SheSaid organization will be discussing locations in their community to find the best deals on the brands we discuss.
The goal of SheSaid Fix-it is to pin-point the consumers in the market for Home Décor.
Debit Visa Card
SheSaidPics.com and a Debit Card on the Visa platform will combine for a unique marketing platform. The web site will market promotion only to be obtained by using the SheSaid Visa Card. The data migration from Visa will produce analysis from the promotion. The promotions will be credited to the consumer’s bank account as funds from a cash back incentive program.
The merchants will offer a discounted promotion of a percentage of gross sales. SheSaidPics.com will be responsible for marketing these promotions by new and traditional media. The promotions must be obtained by being a card holder and using the card for the purchase. Sixty-five percent of the promotion is paid as a cash back incentive to the card holder.
To answer the why will businesses want to offer this promotion? The first is the amount of savings is great, compared to direct mail, radio, print and television. The second is the effectiveness of having an organized group of women in the community marketed to your establishment. The third is being to have a complete analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of each campaign.
Systems Program:
#: Card Holder
#: Merchant
#: Promotion
Visa’s data migration will handle all electronic funds debited from the card holder and credited to the merchant. SheSaid’s bank will handle all electronic funds debited from the merchant’s bank account for the promotions and credit the card holder’s bank account. The System Program will receive the transaction data from Visa and the input of the #: promotion running calculation to generate the debit transaction from the merchant’s bank account. The promotion dollars will be deposited once a month into the #: Card Holders bank account. This will physiologically feel like a bonus/cash incentive, which will generate excessive spending with the businesses offering promotions.
When the Debit Visa card is used at a merchant’s without an ongoing promotion, it operates as a basic Debit card. And the System Program will record the data in the #: Card Holders file. This will give us analysis of expenditures of our #: Card Holders.
Marketing Promotions
These promotions main function is to build brand recognition by combining personal items with advertising. The first being a personal photo calendar, which the consumer builds on the Apple or Shutterfly web site. Each page will have a collection of frames to upload personal photos and one frame per page will be advertising. The back pages of the calendar will have printed coupons. The consumer will be given a promo code by the merchants for a free calendar.
SheSaidPics.com will use t-shirt sales marketing the web site as a brand building tool.
Social Network
Social Networks will be used at the corporate level of SheSaidPics.com and at local level by the sales staff in their community. A Twitter frame box will be placed on each SheSaid page as a message board. These boxes will function as each individual business’s Twitter account. This will also allow cell phone apps to be used for marketing at the same time.
Facebook is key component at the local level with women in the organization to communicate with the women in the community.
Traditional Media
Traditional Media will be used to market SheSaidPics.com. HGTV, DIY and FOOD Network will be the national platform used to advertise on television. At the local level, corporate will budget funds by calculating an equation of revenue generated in a territory. Local territories will market the site by local networks, radio and print.
CRM
Customer Relation Management program will be used as a multi task system. The normal sales tracking tools will assist all the sales staff in the organization with follow up and marketing to the merchants. The system will also categorize all the consumers data obtained from the crossword puzzle game, marketing promotions, fix-it Q&A and Debit Card promotion. The capacity to integrate customer information not only into the database but also into relevant communications delivered to the customer in both the digital and the print media world.
A Customer Relation Management program that results in:
Reduced operating costs
Increased propensity to buy
Enhanced image of the customer and the company
Enhanced ability to target
Greater ability to add value to the customer relationship
Managing customer behavior to achieve profitable results
Identifying actionable customer segments
Reduction of marketing expenses by concentrating on a limited group of customers
Sunday, September 20, 2009
SheSaid B-Plan
Mission Statement
To Better All Around Us
By building a network of women to unleash a strategic marketing mix, to better the businesses involved and earning great income for the women in the organization.
Description
SheSaidPics.com is the platform in which we are organizing categories of businesses to market our promotions. The web site is a catalog of retail, restaurants and all aspects of home. The grouping is structured by the states and flowing to the cities. Cities are categorized by links directed towards the local retail, restaurants, home and entertainment. Additional links offer categorizing of suburbs, districts and shopping areas. This grouping offers the structure to release the marketing mix and promotions.
Products and Services
1. The web site is a glimpse of home décor, fashion and restaurants with marketing strategies to drive traffic to the physical store. The glimpse shows twenty pictures of the products and pricing. This platform allows merchants to market their products, sales and promotions.
2. Crossword puzzle game is a fun interactive game for women giving them a chance to win cash and prizes. The kicker is to retrieve the questions you must visit some of the businesses on the web site.
3. The marketing promotions are placing the brands of our merchants on personal objects, which the consumer looks at daily. The first being a personal photo calendar, which the consumer builds with their photos. The calendars will be free to the consumer with some added advertisements and coupons viewed beside the personal photos.
4. The Debit Card on the Visa platform that pays the card holder 65% cash back on the merchant promotions. The Debit card will function by debiting your personal checking account with funds from the purchase. And when the card is used at a merchant with a promotion, your checking account will be credited funds from the promotions.
5. SheSaid Fix-It is a free service for women to get assistance with the issues involved in home repair and remodeling projects. We will be educating the ladies in every aspect of home construction, giving her the skills of a project manager. We will break down the pros and cons of brand and type of tile, carpet, paint, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures, windows and doors. Using the consumer report guide we will be talking about appliances and where to find the bargains in your city. There is a Q&A form for the ladies to ask questions.
Marketing Mix
Grass Root Marketing will begin with organized events with the focus being the running organizations. We will also build business models to train the ladies to be event planners. These events will be held at businesses on the site with the involvement of multiple businesses at the event. (Women Bazaar’s - Fashions Shows - Cooking Classes)
Social Site Marketing is a must in each city with the ladies conversing with the other women in the community using Facebook & Twitter
Traditional Media – Local networks: morning shows appearances – cable TV: home garden HGTV, food network, DIY - Print Media: Newspaper and Magazines
Operation Plan and Commission Structure
SheSaidPics business model is organization of a mass group of women. These women will be the driving force to generate traffic for the businesses involved with SheSaidPics. Our company offers the tools and training for success. Our belief is to spread the wealth with in the organization and we will grow to be a national brand. The sales personnel will be hired on straight commission structure. The corporate office will hire regional managers to train, hire, Media buyer/ planner and implement the grass root marketing.
City Coordinators is a salesperson with the ability to hire sales staff. Their duties are to locate and approve photographers, implement grass root campaigns and research the advertising potential in that area. Requirements for the position consist of Media experience, advertising sales or extensive corporate training in sales.
Salesperson duties are to close the sale and maintain a working relation with the customer. The salesperson will receive commission for the lifecycle of the account. Lifecycle is terminated after a two years of being deactivated from any transactions with SheSaidPics. No requirements necessary, but desire an experience trained salesperson.
Photographers are an hourly position, some props needed for the settings.
We are raising private equity capital as limited partnerships set-up. Contact John Calkins john@shesaidpics.com
To Better All Around Us
By building a network of women to unleash a strategic marketing mix, to better the businesses involved and earning great income for the women in the organization.
Description
SheSaidPics.com is the platform in which we are organizing categories of businesses to market our promotions. The web site is a catalog of retail, restaurants and all aspects of home. The grouping is structured by the states and flowing to the cities. Cities are categorized by links directed towards the local retail, restaurants, home and entertainment. Additional links offer categorizing of suburbs, districts and shopping areas. This grouping offers the structure to release the marketing mix and promotions.
Products and Services
1. The web site is a glimpse of home décor, fashion and restaurants with marketing strategies to drive traffic to the physical store. The glimpse shows twenty pictures of the products and pricing. This platform allows merchants to market their products, sales and promotions.
2. Crossword puzzle game is a fun interactive game for women giving them a chance to win cash and prizes. The kicker is to retrieve the questions you must visit some of the businesses on the web site.
3. The marketing promotions are placing the brands of our merchants on personal objects, which the consumer looks at daily. The first being a personal photo calendar, which the consumer builds with their photos. The calendars will be free to the consumer with some added advertisements and coupons viewed beside the personal photos.
4. The Debit Card on the Visa platform that pays the card holder 65% cash back on the merchant promotions. The Debit card will function by debiting your personal checking account with funds from the purchase. And when the card is used at a merchant with a promotion, your checking account will be credited funds from the promotions.
5. SheSaid Fix-It is a free service for women to get assistance with the issues involved in home repair and remodeling projects. We will be educating the ladies in every aspect of home construction, giving her the skills of a project manager. We will break down the pros and cons of brand and type of tile, carpet, paint, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures, windows and doors. Using the consumer report guide we will be talking about appliances and where to find the bargains in your city. There is a Q&A form for the ladies to ask questions.
Marketing Mix
Grass Root Marketing will begin with organized events with the focus being the running organizations. We will also build business models to train the ladies to be event planners. These events will be held at businesses on the site with the involvement of multiple businesses at the event. (Women Bazaar’s - Fashions Shows - Cooking Classes)
Social Site Marketing is a must in each city with the ladies conversing with the other women in the community using Facebook & Twitter
Traditional Media – Local networks: morning shows appearances – cable TV: home garden HGTV, food network, DIY - Print Media: Newspaper and Magazines
Operation Plan and Commission Structure
SheSaidPics business model is organization of a mass group of women. These women will be the driving force to generate traffic for the businesses involved with SheSaidPics. Our company offers the tools and training for success. Our belief is to spread the wealth with in the organization and we will grow to be a national brand. The sales personnel will be hired on straight commission structure. The corporate office will hire regional managers to train, hire, Media buyer/ planner and implement the grass root marketing.
City Coordinators is a salesperson with the ability to hire sales staff. Their duties are to locate and approve photographers, implement grass root campaigns and research the advertising potential in that area. Requirements for the position consist of Media experience, advertising sales or extensive corporate training in sales.
Salesperson duties are to close the sale and maintain a working relation with the customer. The salesperson will receive commission for the lifecycle of the account. Lifecycle is terminated after a two years of being deactivated from any transactions with SheSaidPics. No requirements necessary, but desire an experience trained salesperson.
Photographers are an hourly position, some props needed for the settings.
We are raising private equity capital as limited partnerships set-up. Contact John Calkins john@shesaidpics.com
Monday, September 14, 2009
Lynn Knight Jessee Design
“That which we elect to surround ourselves with becomes the museum of our soul and the archive of our experiences.” Thomas Jefferson-
What statement better describes our homes. When we first start out our homes are generally decorated with the hand me downs from our parents and relatives. As we grow we begin to accumulate things that are important to us, a family heirloom, a painting from a recent trip, or pictures of our children. Our homes begin to reflect who we are as we begin to surround ourselves with our experiences. One of the things I started collecting when I was very young was art. Not all of it is considered good art but it is special to me. A wonderful find at a garage sale, treasures from the flea and street markets of Paris, a wonderful one of a kind painting created by my children, books found in an old warehouse and a chair my aunt was throwing away. All of these items hold a prominent place in my heart and have become the archives of my experiences. Amongst these collectibles lies my greatest treasure, “my home”.
Priding ourselves on our creative differences, all of our interiors should take on our unique style, embodying all that we are, where we have been and the treasures we hold dear. We can combine the old and the new together by embracing the past and welcoming our new ideas and passions. This matchless mix can hold the secret to a unique and wonderful home that is full of interest, elegance and grace. Classic interiors to me are a freedom of expression, embracing who and why we are. One can find wonderful flea market finds, especially chairs, and use a great fabric to upholster them and create your own family heirlooms. I personally love eclectic interiors that combine the old and the new. After all, doesn’t that accurately describe our lives?
One of the biggest mistakes I think we make is settling on things because we can’t afford to do everything. In our fast paced society, we are used to” instant gratification”. I try and encourage my clients to buy things they will want to keep forever. Investing in a wonderful sofa or chairs that one can continue to reupholster is a sound investment. I have chairs that I bought over 30 years ago and I can’t begin to tell you how many personalities these chairs have adapted to in my home. I have dressed them in many different fabrics and used them in various rooms. Inexpensive furniture, just to get by is like throwing money away. It has no chance of survival. It also allows us to let our children destroy it, which gives them no opportunity to learn how to appreciate their homes. I try to encourage purchasing one great item and saving until they can afford the next great item. We can fill in with family heirlooms and antique finds. Amongst my greatest treasures is an old hand carved chair, $44.oo, I found hidden in a junk store. It now commands a special place in my living room and is dressed in a rich woven damask of soft coral. Don’t be in a rush, make your home an adventure, let it mature just as you do.
Believe it or not, your accessories can be almost anything. I once did a guest bedroom and I needed art work to decorate it. I had nothing and didn’t want to invest in anything for this particular space. I collected antique white handkerchiefs, framed each one in small antique gold frames, and hung them on the walls. I couldn’t believe the compliments I received. Of course framing them was a little expensive, but as my life moved in a different direction so did my little pictures, the little handkerchiefs became gifts and the frames now house new art treasures. “Waste not, want not”. Rule #5 “Recycle everything you can when ever possible.” “Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style”. –Billy Baldwin- I hope this week we have given you “carte blanche” {a French phrase used by English speakers to refer to full powers, delegation or blank cheque} on decorating your home. Just remember old furnishings can share space with your newest things. You can also mix the expensive with the less expensive in a subtle and quiet way. Most of all, don’t take your self too seriously. In most of the old European homes, there is nothing that was purchased at the same time. The interiors have evolved from years of living. I pride myself on never doing the same interiors for different people. We are all unique and different and our homes are but a mere reflection of who we are now and who we are becoming.
What statement better describes our homes. When we first start out our homes are generally decorated with the hand me downs from our parents and relatives. As we grow we begin to accumulate things that are important to us, a family heirloom, a painting from a recent trip, or pictures of our children. Our homes begin to reflect who we are as we begin to surround ourselves with our experiences. One of the things I started collecting when I was very young was art. Not all of it is considered good art but it is special to me. A wonderful find at a garage sale, treasures from the flea and street markets of Paris, a wonderful one of a kind painting created by my children, books found in an old warehouse and a chair my aunt was throwing away. All of these items hold a prominent place in my heart and have become the archives of my experiences. Amongst these collectibles lies my greatest treasure, “my home”.
Priding ourselves on our creative differences, all of our interiors should take on our unique style, embodying all that we are, where we have been and the treasures we hold dear. We can combine the old and the new together by embracing the past and welcoming our new ideas and passions. This matchless mix can hold the secret to a unique and wonderful home that is full of interest, elegance and grace. Classic interiors to me are a freedom of expression, embracing who and why we are. One can find wonderful flea market finds, especially chairs, and use a great fabric to upholster them and create your own family heirlooms. I personally love eclectic interiors that combine the old and the new. After all, doesn’t that accurately describe our lives?
One of the biggest mistakes I think we make is settling on things because we can’t afford to do everything. In our fast paced society, we are used to” instant gratification”. I try and encourage my clients to buy things they will want to keep forever. Investing in a wonderful sofa or chairs that one can continue to reupholster is a sound investment. I have chairs that I bought over 30 years ago and I can’t begin to tell you how many personalities these chairs have adapted to in my home. I have dressed them in many different fabrics and used them in various rooms. Inexpensive furniture, just to get by is like throwing money away. It has no chance of survival. It also allows us to let our children destroy it, which gives them no opportunity to learn how to appreciate their homes. I try to encourage purchasing one great item and saving until they can afford the next great item. We can fill in with family heirlooms and antique finds. Amongst my greatest treasures is an old hand carved chair, $44.oo, I found hidden in a junk store. It now commands a special place in my living room and is dressed in a rich woven damask of soft coral. Don’t be in a rush, make your home an adventure, let it mature just as you do.
Believe it or not, your accessories can be almost anything. I once did a guest bedroom and I needed art work to decorate it. I had nothing and didn’t want to invest in anything for this particular space. I collected antique white handkerchiefs, framed each one in small antique gold frames, and hung them on the walls. I couldn’t believe the compliments I received. Of course framing them was a little expensive, but as my life moved in a different direction so did my little pictures, the little handkerchiefs became gifts and the frames now house new art treasures. “Waste not, want not”. Rule #5 “Recycle everything you can when ever possible.” “Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style”. –Billy Baldwin- I hope this week we have given you “carte blanche” {a French phrase used by English speakers to refer to full powers, delegation or blank cheque} on decorating your home. Just remember old furnishings can share space with your newest things. You can also mix the expensive with the less expensive in a subtle and quiet way. Most of all, don’t take your self too seriously. In most of the old European homes, there is nothing that was purchased at the same time. The interiors have evolved from years of living. I pride myself on never doing the same interiors for different people. We are all unique and different and our homes are but a mere reflection of who we are now and who we are becoming.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Lynn Kight Jessee Design
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined”. – Henry David Thoreau-
What a way to start off your week. If you could live the life you wanted, how would you live? Look at your home, does it reflect the life you want to live. What are the things that make you feel special? We talked about colors last week, now how about things. Do you enjoy soft music, flowers, aromas, candles, paintings and pictures of the ones you love, or lace? Close your eyes and use your five senses to explore you.
This week we are talking about decorating with things that make you feel special. Remember Rule #1 “There are no so-called rules”. There is however a way of decorating – with intelligence, awareness and panache { a grand manner, flair, or style} . Pride yourself on your own creative differences. Find your own definition of style. Remember rooms in your home have a reason for being, so consider the function as you explore the possibilities. So to recap today, decorate with intelligence, think about your families needs for the room, be aware of placement of furniture and accessories for everyone’s comfort and last but by no means least, introduce your grand manner and style.
One of the greatest compliments I receive when guests visit my home is “This feels so comfortable”. Rule #3 is ‘’Make your home inviting to all that enter.” Sometimes we get so caught up in our rooms looking like magazine covers that we forget that our home is where we live, where we share memories with family and friends. Make it comfortable and uniquely you. Take the things that mean the most to you and use them in your accessorizing, wonderful collections reflect your taste and interest. Just remember, group your collections together on a shelf, a silver tray or some prominent display area. Do not scatter them around your room as if they are invading from every direction.
So just how do we make our rooms more inviting, You can hire a professional, like me! Just kidding, I have enough confidence in you that you can do this. One of the quickest ways to revamp a room is the placement of furniture. Don’t place a sofa with its back to the door, open up the room with a small grouping or conversation area. It is always more inviting to enter a room that is open to receive you than one you have to weave your way into. So….. Whenever possible, Rule #4 “KISS”. I use this one every day and think that it is so funny and yet to the point “Keep it simple, stupid.” Don’t try to over think your space or your ideas.
Most of us look at magazines of beautiful homes and think we could never have rooms like this. But you can….just by adding your personal touch. Nothing makes a room special more than adding fresh flowers. It means you’re taking the time to care about your environment. Now I know what you are thinking, “ I don’t have time”. In almost all of the grocery stores, flowers are available and they are inexpensive. Just try it and see how good it really makes you feel. It is so sad that when we have guests coming, we do all the special things to impress them. This week it’s about impressing you and your family and spreading the warmth and joy of living together.
What a way to start off your week. If you could live the life you wanted, how would you live? Look at your home, does it reflect the life you want to live. What are the things that make you feel special? We talked about colors last week, now how about things. Do you enjoy soft music, flowers, aromas, candles, paintings and pictures of the ones you love, or lace? Close your eyes and use your five senses to explore you.
This week we are talking about decorating with things that make you feel special. Remember Rule #1 “There are no so-called rules”. There is however a way of decorating – with intelligence, awareness and panache { a grand manner, flair, or style} . Pride yourself on your own creative differences. Find your own definition of style. Remember rooms in your home have a reason for being, so consider the function as you explore the possibilities. So to recap today, decorate with intelligence, think about your families needs for the room, be aware of placement of furniture and accessories for everyone’s comfort and last but by no means least, introduce your grand manner and style.
One of the greatest compliments I receive when guests visit my home is “This feels so comfortable”. Rule #3 is ‘’Make your home inviting to all that enter.” Sometimes we get so caught up in our rooms looking like magazine covers that we forget that our home is where we live, where we share memories with family and friends. Make it comfortable and uniquely you. Take the things that mean the most to you and use them in your accessorizing, wonderful collections reflect your taste and interest. Just remember, group your collections together on a shelf, a silver tray or some prominent display area. Do not scatter them around your room as if they are invading from every direction.
So just how do we make our rooms more inviting, You can hire a professional, like me! Just kidding, I have enough confidence in you that you can do this. One of the quickest ways to revamp a room is the placement of furniture. Don’t place a sofa with its back to the door, open up the room with a small grouping or conversation area. It is always more inviting to enter a room that is open to receive you than one you have to weave your way into. So….. Whenever possible, Rule #4 “KISS”. I use this one every day and think that it is so funny and yet to the point “Keep it simple, stupid.” Don’t try to over think your space or your ideas.
Most of us look at magazines of beautiful homes and think we could never have rooms like this. But you can….just by adding your personal touch. Nothing makes a room special more than adding fresh flowers. It means you’re taking the time to care about your environment. Now I know what you are thinking, “ I don’t have time”. In almost all of the grocery stores, flowers are available and they are inexpensive. Just try it and see how good it really makes you feel. It is so sad that when we have guests coming, we do all the special things to impress them. This week it’s about impressing you and your family and spreading the warmth and joy of living together.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Lynn Knight Jessee Design
Now that you know the mood that you’re trying to portray and the color tones that reflect that mood, Rule #2 is “Don’t be afraid of color”. Remember that painting your walls is an inexpensive way to achieve a dramatic transformation and if you get tired of it, just repaint! When picking colors for walls always hold them in the vertical position, in the room, to see how the light will actually affect the color. I choose colors that “lay down” on the wall, not colors that jump off the wall. After all, our objective is to make it look as it has a designer touch.
You have the weekend ahead of you and plenty of time to get to work changing your house into your “Maison” (home). It is always smart to invest in a quart of paint and try it in different areas of the room. Don’t try to take on a project with multiple rooms as you will easily get overwhelmed. Just start with a small space first and complete it before moving on to your next project. And remember to have fun and make it your “own”.
You have the weekend ahead of you and plenty of time to get to work changing your house into your “Maison” (home). It is always smart to invest in a quart of paint and try it in different areas of the room. Don’t try to take on a project with multiple rooms as you will easily get overwhelmed. Just start with a small space first and complete it before moving on to your next project. And remember to have fun and make it your “own”.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Lynn Knight Jessee Design
Let’s get back to colors. The warm colors are considered to be the reds, yellows and oranges. The cool colors are the blues, greens and purples and everything else is considered neutrals. The greens are healing colors and are great for many areas. The blues are seldom used in certain shades because they can make you feel just that way “BLUE”. Now how do “YOU” want to feel…
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