Instant Pendant!

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Sallie Hershkowitz

Do you have lots of recessed lighting in your home? Would you like to change things up a bit? Why not try an “Instant Pendant” lighting solution. These great little adapter kits turn a “ho-hum” recessed can light into a beautiful hanging pendant light and transform the look of a room in minutes! Simply install the adapter in place of the bulb. The decorative ceiling plate covers the recessed can. There are a variety of styles to choose from. Use wherever you currently have recessed lighting–over a kitchen island, a bathroom countertop, nightstands, a desk, even a bathtub…so many possibilities!

Available at Ballard Designs (www.ballarddesigns.com) and Home Decorators Collection (homedecorators.com).

From This…

…To This!

Radiant Orchid: The 2014 Pantone Color of the Year

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Sallie Hershkowitz

Since 2000, the Pantone Color Institute has been designating a color of the year. A color that will “resonate around the world.” This is not necessarily the hot fashion color trending at the moment, but rather a color that crosses all areas of design. The Institute looks at everything from emerging artists to emerging trends in technology, travel, films, etc. The 2014 color of the year is Radiant Orchid–fuchsia with purple and pink undertones. According to PCI, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and its rosy undertones emanate great joy, love, and health.

This gorgeous color will be finding its way into home and fashion design, fabrics, weddings, artwork, jewelry, food–you name it, everything will be coming up “Radiant Orchid.” Whether you use a touch here and there or go all out, this color certainly makes a statement!

Thinking Clearly: Acrylic Trend

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Sallie Hershkowitz

Acrylic brings a light, bright, “airiness” to a room. By using either an accent piece like a lamp or a larger piece like a table or chair, touches of acrylic can beautify and freshen any space. The setting does not need to be modern, just use acrylic pieces sparingly. I’ve added a couple of touches to my design studio and I love the look (photos of the studio are coming soon!) Here are a few examples of some gorgeous acrylic designs:

Beautiful works of art: Sander Mulder Clear Acrylic Lamps ($500-$5000)

Acrylic Desk Set from Horchow ($28-$68)

Add a ghost chair to a desk or vanity ($110 at Amazon.com). Lowe’s and IKEA both have a version of the stacked acrylic ball lamp at a very reasonable price.

Glass top acrylic coffee table from Wisteria ($899)

The contrasting design elements in this kitchen create interesting detail. Casper Barstools available at Amazon. ($205 for set of 2)

Acrylic is right at home in this kitchen. The contrasting design elements create interesting detail taking “eclectic” to a new level! Casper Bar stools available at Amazon. ($205 for a set of 2)

Acrylic Tobias Chairs from IKEA ($79) echo the airy outdoor feel of this windowed dining space

Just a touch of acrylic on the bench legs lightens up this beautiful sheepskin bench from Horchow ($1889)

Painting Pointers

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Sallie Hershkowitz

As winter days move into the freshness of spring, a new coat of paint is sometimes in order. Whether you choose from a palette of soft colors, found in the 2014 Sherwin Williams “Reasoned” or “Diaphanous” collections, or something more vibrant as featured in their “Curiosity” and “Intrinsic” lines, a new color on the walls can dramatically change your outlook!

Sherwin Williams carries both the West Elm and Pottery Barn paint collections and their website has a variety of color selection tools to help you choose one that is just right for you (http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/color-selection-tools/).

West Elm Paint Palette

Pick up some Frog Tape before you begin painting–the only painter’s tape treated with a special micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape to prevent bleeding. Their website contains tutorials on applying and removing the tape as well as techniques for painting walls and other special projects using various Frog Tape products. Three special “Shape- Tapes” (wave, chevron, and scallop) can be used to create designs on anything from a wall to a waste can!

www.FrogTape.com

Visit the Benjamin Moore website for some insight into “Your Shades of Life” (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/shades-of-life). The website also includes a handy paint calculator to help determine how much paint will be needed for a project (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/paint-calculator).

Keep in mind that as the day progresses and natural light shifts in a room, the paint color can alter dramatically. Check your room throughout the day and in the evening under artificial light. Morning sunlight gives off a yellowish cast in a room and midday sunlight develops a cool, bluish cast. Also be sure that the lighting in the room is finalized–don’t choose a paint color before changing light fixtures.

Sample Size Paints

It is definitely worth the investment to paint several colors on the wall before you make a final decision. Small sample sizes can be purchased that will allow you to test various colors. Try to live with the test colors on the walls for a few days to give yourself time to reflect on the various factors that change the shade and tone of the colors. Ask a friend or two over to give their input–it never hurts to have a second or third opinion!

Once the painting project is finished, consider investing in some paint pens to keep your design fresh by touching up dings, dents, and scratches. Try these 5″ paint pens from Slob Proof (http://www.slobproof.com/). They come in sets of two.

An Extraordinary Artist!

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Sallie Hershkowitz

Artist Patti Georgas

As we look around our homes, many of us would have to admit that much of our artwork is (1) sorely lacking, (2) uninspiring, or (3) both (1) and (2). It may be that you’ve never considered the idea of having an original painting or portrait commissioned by an artist. While working on a decorating project a couple of years ago, I found that I was unable to locate artwork that was within the homeowners budget and that she really loved. So we decided to explore the idea of having some paintings commissioned. Enter Patti Georgas–an accomplished and extremely talented artist.

Patti Georgas studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and learned early on that she loved drawing and painting people. Her studies continued as she relocated to Arizona and she began adding a Southwest focus to many of her paintings. A juried member of the Arizona Artist’s Guild, Patti has won several awards for her paintings, including a Merit Award at the Arizona Portrait Artists’ Fine Art Show.

Patti’s talents are quite varied–from illustrating a children’s book to residential and commercial murals to painting a commissioned 30″x 40″ portrait for Curt Schilling after the Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001! (See her website link below to check out the D-Backs painting).

With our projects, Patti was an absolute pleasure to work with, dedicating time to research subjects thoroughly to ensure accuracy of the detail in each painting, submitting initial drafts of her drawings for approval, and checking in frequently to let the homeowner know the status of the work. The whole process was really very inspiring and a lot of fun!

See http://pattigeorgas.yolasite.com/ to learn more about Patti and her wonderful work. And definitely consider having a family or child portrait commissioned or even a scene painted of a place that’s special to you or your loved ones. There are endless possibilities with a commissioned piece of art and it will certainly be something that you will treasure for many years to come.

Positively Illuminating!

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Sallie Hershkowitz

The myriad of lighting
choices can be somewhat
overwhelming!

The simple task of purchasing a light bulb these days can be daunting. Light bulb packaging now indicates “lumens” in addition to the age-old standard of “wattage” which we’ve always used to determine our choice. This actually turns out to be helpful because wattage only determines the bulb’s use of energy, not how bright it is–the lumen measurement. And, of course, there are different types of bulbs for recessed lighting, chandeliers, lamps, wall sconces, overhead and outdoor lighting, etc.,depending upon what the light will be used for.

There are three basic types of lighting: ambient, which is considered “general” lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Choosing the right type of light for each area of your home, indoors and out, is the first step–before you even try to navigate through the light bulb section! Never fear, help is near!

When I require assistance with choosing the right lighting for a project, I turn to the lighting specialists at Lamps Plus in Scottsdale. They have a wealth of experience and are able to recommend the correct type of lighting for every area of your home, as well as step you through all the light bulb choices available on the market today. Sign up on-line at http://www.lampsplus.com/ to attend one of their free lighting seminars, and you will receive a $10 coupon toward in-store merchandise. I attended a seminar and was amazed at how much there is to know about getting the right light in the right area with the right bulb! Eliminating glare, heat, eye strain, and even improving the overall color in the room are just a few of the factors in properly lighting a home. There are dramatic differences which can be demonstrated in their lighting studio.

Check out the link “Coupons for free bulbs and more” to find some great deals! It’s a great place to shop for all your lighting needs. Lamps Plus also offers a wide array of gorgeous lamp shades, unique home accents, and even some home furnishing items.

If you are interested in learning more about lighting trends and resources, Lamps Plus offers a free copy of the 2013 Lighting magazine, presented by the American Lighting Association (ALA) and Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications (a $6.99 value). You can also request a free copy of this publication at the ALA website, http://www.americanlightingassoc.com/Free-Magazine.aspx (where the magazine is available to read on-line as well).

Thanks to the specialists at Lamps Plus, lighting is no longer confusing–it’s “positively illuminating”!

Around the Casa

Casa Serafina Blog

Category Archives: Decorating