I am mixing it up this month with a short story about Sara. Follow her as she navigates her way to the realization that she can relax everyday!
I love to hear your ideas so feel free to comment!!! You may click on the article to enlarge.
Photo Albums
Recent Posts
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 13 - Office Supplies
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 14 - The Theater of Shopping
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 12 - Laughter
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 11 - Hip Hip Hooray!
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 10 - Mackintosh
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 9 - White Space
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 8 - Temple of Love
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 7 - Suspender Anyone?
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 6 - A Place to Plop and Read
- Fifty Favorite Designs - Day 5 - Cheers!
July 31, 2009
May 29, 2009
Lake Norman Woman Article - June 2009 Summer Guests Are Coming, Are You Ready?
In this article I write about the perfect Guest Room. But more importantly, I introduce you to my Dad! He is one of a kind and he influences everything I do. Here is the article...but keep scrolling down. You will see pictures of my Dad, but for those who are looking for Design Tips I have included my complete "Guests are Coming" checklist. The Lake Norman area is a perfect place to get away from it all. Now they may never want to leave! Be careful!
I would love to hear your ideas so feel free to comment!!! You may click on the article to enlarge.
Here are my Dad and my brother Jonathan visiting us in Fort Lauderdale.
And here Daddy is at Cabin Bluff. Looking good and feeling the salt air he loves so much.
My expanded checklist for getting ready for guests is below:
Bedding
« Lush and lovely bed with soft pressed sheets
« Extra blankets in the closet
« A throw at the foot of the bed for my feet when sitting on bed reading
« An assortment of pillow types from hard to soft, synthetic and down, at least 2 per person total.
« Night shades or black out drapery
Closet /Clothing Storage
« Rack for my suitcase
« An empty drawer for my clothes
« A laundry basket for my cleaning
« A plastic bag to put my dirty clothes in to take home in my suitcase.
« Extra hangers in the closet so I can hang up my clothes
« A soft terry robe for each guest (2) One XL one Med
« Flip flops or Slippers just in case
Bathroom – I might forget something!
« Extra toilet paper
« Kleenex
« Air Freshener
« Fresh bar of soap
« Shampoo and Conditioner
« Hand Soap
« Hand Cream
« Packaged toothbrush
« Toothpaste
« Mouthwash
« Cotton balls
« Q-tips
« Soap Dish at Sink
« Hair Dryer
« Plastic Cup or Glass for each guest.
« A dark wash cloth meant for taking off makeup
« At least bath 2 towels per guest
« An Aquis Waffle Hair towel
« Trash can in bath and closet
« Shower Cap – large sized
« Shower Caddy in Shower if no ledge to hold everything
« Hook for Night Gown and or Robe
Food
« If there is a microwave – Popcorn!
« If there is a coffee maker – instructions
o Sweet and Low, Sugar, Equal, Splenda
o Coffee
o Creamer
o Spoons
o Coffee Cups
o Napkins
« If remote guesthouse…wine and cork screw
« Assorted Treats in a basket
o Nuts, Peanut butter crackers, Small Chocolates
o Bowl of Fruit with Knife!
« Bottled Water, other soft drinks if your guests prefer.
Welcome Details – Keep these in a binder in the room
« Local Map
« List of Local restaurants with a quick blurb about food, pricing and attire
« List of Local Shopping Areas and Stores
« List of Local Attractions, Include Season and Kid Friendly
Desk Area for Computer
« Internet Access
« Note paper, Envelopes, Stamps, Memo Pad, Pen
Other
« TV with Remote and Instructions – Write instructions in large print if elderly visitors expected.
« Telephone
« One or Two Family Pictures – always special if you rotate to include guest and family member in photo!
« Clock Radio
« A Few Magazines – One Gossip, One Sports, One Local and One Home Oriented
« A good book and or crossword puzzle book
« Reading light
« Chair for reading or sitting at desk
« A guest book
« A key to the house or guesthouse
Finally, Fresh Flowers and a welcome note make things perfect!
May 19, 2009
May 05, 2009
May 04, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 21, 2009
DESIGN TIP of the WEEK - 4 Ways to Freshen up your Bookcases
Take your plain ol' bookcase
and give it some pop, depth and importance!
1. Paint the inside sides, backs and shelves a complimentary color to highlight the books and other collectibles. You may choose to leave the edge of the shelves the color of the outer side of the bookcase, the same as the new inside of the bookcase or another color entirely. Have fun. It is an easy change so mistakes are easily corrected.
2. Wallpaper the inside of the bookcase to add dimension and interest.
3. Or you may choose to wallpaper only the back of the bookcase.
Or why not each shelf done a bit differently!
I love the way texture can make a boring bookcase feel important. Try grasscloth or maps or newspaper or book pages......
4. Take out the shelves, cut foam board the size of the entire back panel of the bookcase, cover in a fab fabric and place in back of bookcase. Replace the shelves and see how the bookcases now pop! This can also be used behind a computer area to make it a tack board. Here you can see my office where I did just that!
I don't usually wear shawls in the office - but we were playing dress up for a photo shoot.
Well that's this week's tip...go and make your bookshelves POP!
April 11, 2009
April 06, 2009
Expanded Article - Business Today - Office Design for Optimal Digs
This is my expanded article from the excerpt found in Cornelius Monthly Newspaper "Business Today", published April 6, 2009.
Office design and décor is one area where business owners have multiple alternatives and flexibility that can fit almost any budget. They key is to focus on your brand, the specifics of your type business and how you interact with clients – then use select trends to your advantage.
BRANDING
The office must be a reflection/extension of the overall branding of your business. Too many times a business owner spends hours of time and invests hard earned dollars developing a business plan, marketing strategy, and customer service models only to negate the entire plan by failing to incorporate their actual office design and décor into the overall scheme. Failure to carry a branding message all the way through to the physical location can confuse clients and employees
During my first meeting with a client I take them on a walk around their property. We scrutinize the street signage. We check that all light bulbs, inside and out are in working order. We look to see that the landscaping is maintained and not obscuring the signage or street number. Does the hallway need painting? Is the carpeting clean. In business we are so focused on the task that we sometimes lose sight of our clients’ perspective.
Once you open your door, what do you see? If you see the branding of your logo, clean uncluttered spaces and what looks to you like a successful business you are on your way. If you see boxes of ad specialty, stacks of paper, trash cans overflowing and every single space filled with clutter , then your clients may feel lost in the confusion.
Office floor plans, floor coverings, color scheme, lighting design, artwork and furniture need to be coordinated together along with the overall branding of your business to present a cohesive and consistent message.
« Floor plans are particularly important. Clients and employees want to be able to move easily from place to place. As a business owner you want to present a nice entry area for clients, while keeping the “back office” operations out of sight. Floor plans can be as simple as moving furniture and fixtures or as complex as altering the interior architecture of the space.
« Changing your wall to wall carpet to Modular floor tiles can help freshen up a drab space with pattern and interest, while saving money in the long run. The tiles can be replaced individually allowing stains and significant wear areas to be changed while not investing in a whole new rug or carpet. They also work great for modular floor outlet access.
« An office should be painted as often as the proprietor notices smudging or any dirt. It is inexpensive and quick color schemes can set the mood and enhance the brand. Want a client to feel warm and cozy? Then use the colors of fall. Want those same clients to be excited and energized? Then use bright red, orange and yellow. How about comforted like they are in a spa? Then use blues and greens. If you want them to feel secure and safe, think like a bank and go navy and grey. You probably went through the color exercise when creating your brand for your logo. Put as much thought into your office! Paint is an interior designer’s best tool to create a mood at a reasonable price.
« Lighting is similar to paint in that it can set a mood or tell a story and can be done to accommodate any budget. One thing is for certain…if at all possible, remove the old fashioned florescent lighting and replace it with new technology and style.
« Take a moment and think about how you would like your business to be perceived. Abstract thinker, formal, or relaxed? Try large graphics made from some of your own photography or work product. But try and look uniquely branded and well thought out.
« Furniture selection is as important, if not more so, to the office environment as it is to the home. Clients and employees want to be comfortable and as ergonomically correct as possible. Seating is vitally important to everyone in the office and is a design concept that should be a priority. Desks need to accommodate the computer and other electronic tools of our modern era. The biggest trend is in electronics. Desks need grommets, docking stations and above all wire management. If you need a new wiring plan – make it happen. It will increase productivity and pay back quickly. High traffic offices should look toward commercial grade furniture for long wearing cost effectiveness. However, for a small business on a budget today there are many options that can help an office feel important, but not cost an arm and a leg. Humble can be stylish!
« Materials – Try and stay away from the melamine. Think wood, wood mixed with metal, glass (Although it is hard to keep clean) or reclaimed vintage finds. Hotel Liquidators are a great place to pick up pieces from hotel companies that are redecorating, renovating, relocating or closing down. Another great source is an Architectural Salvage company. Here you can find beautiful old doors, ironwork, and structural pieces that can add a bit of interest to any space. The wood trends are moving towards warm browns and walnut after 20+ years of cherry. The dark chocolate or espresso stains remain and they are fun and functional. Just be careful though, as they can look a bit generic and catalog.
« Home office. There is nothing worse than a home office that appears to be an after thought of mish mashed furniture and boxes found in the basement. Take a moment and step back, does this make you feel good about your day? Does it make you productive and give you a sense of well-being. If not, it is reflected in your work.
« Small office – no client interaction. Remember that not all design is meant for clients, some is meant for you and your employees’ morale and productivity. If you have limited resources as we all do today, clean it up and think of productivity. One good way is to have a central filing area to avoid everyone duplicating files in their space. Another is to have a central area for supplies and printing. Less duplication saves money and keeps storage at a minimum.
« Small office – client interaction. Modular furniture on casters remains strong for small businesses with more than one worker. The best aspect is that you can rearrange the furniture for collaboration, individual work spaces, or push out of the way for networking events in the office. Many firms will work with a number of contractors who need “hoteling” space when they are in the office. This is a space where they can hook up their laptop and charge their phone while working in the office periodically.
With some careful thought, coordination and knowledge regarding resources you can make your office work more than just a place where you work, but rather a place that works for you.
March 30, 2009
Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where the flowers iz?
Well this weather is so confusing! Sunday night 3 weeks ago we had a 'thunder snow' which left us with 6 inches of snow.
By the next weekend it was 80 degrees and time for the Southern Spring Home and Garden Show in Charlotte!
I took pictures of the IDS spaces at the show....all done by different Charlotte area designers.
Which do you like? Vote in the Comments Section!!
A) Love the nail head detail!
B) Wonderful whimsy and notice the wall pocket for magazines!
C) Soft and Serene - nice tile work.
D) Lemonade anyone?
E) Modern AND Warm!!
F) Can you believe she coffered the ceiling? Nice touch!
G) Vibrant Color Contrast.
March 28, 2009
March 01, 2009
They get it!
I promise not to beat the fractal thing over your head too much, but I ran across this blog and thought I would share!
The Modern and Contemporary Design Blog http://mocoloco.com/archives/cat_furniture.php?page=10
The Fractal Table is a table developed by Platform Wertel Oberfell and Matthias Bär for Materialise.MGX. It's based on fractal growth patterns - their studies on these patterns show treelike stems growing into smaller branches and getting increasingly dense at the top. Translating this fractal growth into furniture can only be done by way of rapid prototyping.
February 04, 2009
The Gracious Georgia Coast
I grew up in Georgia and over the years have come to love the Georgia Coast. I am not sure if it is the Spanish moss, the marshlands or just that fact that my father lives there, but to me it is a relaxing, lovely place to just exhale.
Great place for a ghost story. This is on Saint Simons Island. A laid back Island with golf courses, bikers, ice cream shops and cute places to eat like Barbara Jean's for great crab cakes and the most scrumptious pumpkin bread. Daddy calls it perfection.
Since this is a blog about design, I thought I would show some photos from the Sea Island Cloister Resort. It is across the marsh from Saint Simons. This is one of the loveliest spots in the United States and has recently been renovated to a level that has earned the Mobile 5 Stars and AAA Five Diamond nods. Sea Island is a tiny exclusive enclave that was first developed in the early 1900's and the Cloister hotel was first built in 1928. The remainder of the island is all privately owned by some of the wealthiest people in the United States. The hotel has hosted presidents and in 2004 the G8 conference. (Sounds like a linkedin resume, doesn't it?)
The renovation tried to take its cues from the original Mizner design, however it is more like Mizner on steriods.
This is lovely, however it is a bit grand compared to the original. I am more partial to the smaller spaces that are finely detailed and warm and inviting.
A charming spot for afternoon tea; don't you think?
Manly yes, but I like it too!
This is one of 3 Parts of the Sea Island company Resorts....
The second is a fine example of Ralph Lauren and is aptly named "The Lodge"
The bagpiper at dusk on the golf course by the sea is only one of the many reasons my husband insists on making this his final resting place. Actually, it is the men's locker room that he loves the most. Do you think I can coax them into that someday? Hope I don't get the chance!
See why he likes it? I much prefer the public spaces. A glass of wine in the lobby or in the Oak Room and I am set.
Okay, I'll admit it, I am a sucker for manly spaces, with beautiful paneling, a warm fire and gracious Southerners.
February 01, 2009
January 31, 2009
Don’t you just love a party?
Last night I had the honor of designing the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Masked Ball.
Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration
Since everything around our community centers on the lake and the chamber just changed their logo to reflect the blue of the water, the first element was chosen; the color blue. I chose the fabulous peacock feather to add the layered punch of cobalt to the blue pallet. The second element was Venetian gold. The third element was intrigue and mystery. Here are the elements I chose:
When setting a room for an event I highly recommend the following things: « Keep the centerpieces tall in a room with high ceilings. In a room with low ceilings a tall arrangement can make the room seem a bit claustrophobic. « Keep the tall centerpieces skinny, skinny, skinny up to at least 20” high; 22” high is even better. Your guests must not feel blocked from their dinner companions. « It is also a great idea to have only 60-70% of the centerpieces tall and the others low. This gives your room some variation and texture. It also allows you to move things about on the set up day to move about the room, sit in various locations and insure the view is not spoiled by decoration. Decoration is good, obstruction is just plain mean. « Please, please, please cover the chairs with chair covers if they are anything but lovely. Stay away from the shiny slinky covers, as they are not a crisp look and the ties will tend to slip. Sloppy is not a good look. « Coordinate the chair ties with the centerpieces. It is not necessary to adorn every chair. You may chose to just wrap every other chair with ties and decoration to hold down costs, but to also allow your guests a bit of breathing room between punches of color and impact.
At our event the room had 30 foot high ceilings; therefore I needed a centerpiece that was quite high and would fill the space, but still allow the guests to see the podium and the speaker Dan Jansen (Olympic speed skating Gold Medalist). And may I say what a wonderful speech! Not a dry eye in the house. We had the added pleasure of having his parents and 2 daughters join us as well. Kudos Dan and thanks for adding your inspiration to our lives! Dan has a foundation to honor his sister. To see how to help go to:
The chairs we adorned with a black tie enhanced with a beautiful teal, cobalt and gold ribbon and one lovely peacock feather.
Here are some of the lovely attendees.
Thank you Carissa and Jamie of the PRStore and Damselfly Marketing and for getting me involved!
Tom, Dawn, Deb & Denise - what a team effort! You guys are the best!
Finally, if you haven’t tried Farrar’s Fine cheesecake, may I just say their tagline, You’ll always remember your first bite is right on the mark! Pina Colada Cheesecake, need I say more?
http://farrarsfinecheesecake.com
A good time was had by all!
January 21, 2009
January 06, 2009
Bursting into the cyberworld.......
Welcome to my blog! It is named StarrBurst due to the fact that that is what my sister-in-law Carol calls me and I think it is appropriate to the nature of a blog. This is where I will burst forth with my musings and thoughts on interior design, inspiration, color, style and whatever else grabs me.
Now the design of this blog page is important to me as I have loaded a photo of a storm fractal as the header for this blog. For those of you who do not know what fractals are.....
A fractal is generally "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole,"[1] a property called self-similarity. The term was coined by Benoît Mandelbrot in 1975 and was derived from the Latin fractus meaning "broken" or "fractured." Wikipedia
Why do I love these things? Well, I think that it is important to study nature and the fact that when you break many natural things down to the smallest cells they still have similarity to the whole is a perfect perspective for design. When you break down a space to it's smallest element it should still reflect the owner or the one that inhabits the space.
Below is another one of my favorites...Fire....
No this whole blog will not be on fractals...just wanted you to see some things that intrigue me!
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