New program for me! Picture this-

 Just a quick note today-

 I have installed a computer program that will allow me to design a room over a photograph.

I simply take a shot of your room and over lay designs-

 In the photo above- I designed a window treatment right on the window. I have a lot more to learn but I think its going to be a really great design tool-

Have a great day!

My Dad always looked like a movie star !

                                                My Dad Charlie in 1955 - He was 13

When I was a child, I remember looking at my Dad and thinking he looks like a movie star. My dad is celebrating his 70th birthday this week. My Dad may be 70 but he lives his life ageless. If I called him right now and asked him to help me move a sofa, he would be right over. Well, if they lived locally anyway. My parents are now enjoying retirement in sunny Florida and  loving every minute!

                                          Left to right- My Grandpa, My Dad and his Brother Ron


I felt compelled to pull out some of the photos of my Dad from his childhood. As I pulled them out I thought ,yup there he is all dashing, dressed for a photo shoot, even though its really just Christmas with the family. I see my grandfather dressed in his finery as well. I remember grandpa was always dressed. He would say,    " I'm styling Lori," and boy was he, in his  hat and ever present cigar. I remember how different it was to take photos then. Having to buy film and then having the photos developed. You would take photo after photo and hope for the best. Inevitably some photos would have eyes closed and  interesting expressions. The look on their faces were like,  "NO I'm not ready yet!" These silly photos from the past would be deleted now, as we seem to keep only  the " facebook" worthy photos.

                     Left to right- My Dad, my Brother Chuck, Me, Uncle Ron and Grandpa

                                          My Dad, Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Ron

I for one, am glad these silly photo rejects made their way down to me. I love getting a glimpse of the cars behind them, recognizing where the photos were taken and remembering all of the holiday dinners shared.

 My Dad and his Brother Ron

I love to help clients through the process of displaying family photos and memorabilia . The best family displays include not only formal portraits but the humorous candid shots as well. I ask a lot of questions during the process which often sends people on hunts through old boxes in the attic, or calling Mom to see if someone might have a photo of grandma in the christening gown all of the family members wore. Its nice to group subjects if you can. Let the display tell a story and include photos that will encourage family and friends to ask you questions about where you came from.


I am a lucky girl to have these photos, encouraging me to remember the sights and smells of my child hood. I grew up in a family of bakers. My Dad was always a vision, whether dressed in bakery whites and smelling like crumb cake or  dressed for a holiday. Yes, in the photos no one else wanted , the "silly" rejects if you will, my Dad was and still is a movie star to me!       
                                                             
Happy Birthday Dad!

Room With A View

I loved the view from our tent window. We hiked into the woods enduring a rocky, hilly, hot  and buggy hike, just before dark. Even still we took the time, about twenty minutes, to make sure we woke up to the best view possible. The time and effort was worth it the next morning. It was a beautiful view.

Great rooms take the same time and effort. When I work with my clients it can take up to a year or more to finish a room. Making sure every detail is right and if it isn't, waiting until a better opportunity comes along.

You have to live with these decisions a long time ... so don't rush .... Good design takes time. A design project can take on a life of its own. You may make several decisions fast and feel really confident about them. Or on the flip side, it could take a year to find the perfect piece of art work for above the sofa.

So, take your time - Great rooms unfold.... Its part of the journey!

Accent Furniture....Every room should have a piece!

I mean every room! :)

Every room needs at least one piece of furniture that is like a work of art. A piece of furniture that makes a statement. I call them memory pieces.... The kind of furniture that sticks in your mind like a piece of art you can't forget.The first piece is kind of a teaser- Its a table Jared made on a five mile hike we took last summer.  It was functional and memorable... I loved it- !

Accent furniture is like art and a very personal choice. Kind of like the saying- one mans trash is another mans treasure.
I hope you think about adding a accent piece of furniture to your decor...It will make your room uniquely yours!

My Mother in Law was right?.....!

Way back in the beginning of my design career, while married to my first husband, my mother in law was seeking my design advice. She had been wanting to change the color scheme in her home to a more popular palette. At that time, rose and blue interiors were the hottest home fashion colors. She expressed her feelings about not buying a new rug for her new palette. Her existing rug was wall to wall bright green! I was speechless, how was I going to be diplomatic with her? How was I going to break the news? Then... She blurted out," After all GREEN goes with everything, just look out side! " I stopped for a minute trying to get my had around what she had just said, and I just couldn't come up with an answer. My Mother in law was right!


 I chuckle about that conversation quite a bit when trying to pull together presentations for clients. My Mother in law is one of the most positive people I have ever met. Shes see the world through her own pair of rose colored glasses. She sees the world with amazement and vitality because she appreciates what god has given us, especially nature.


Since that conversation over 20 years ago, I have more fun with the idea that god has created a palette for me. I just have to look around. When in the woods hunting, a few weeks back with my fiance Jared, I found it hard not to take stock in her philosophy. The trees were all beautiful and the textures were amazing. Every green you can imagine was represented. The wind changed them with every gust as the evergreen bows flipped front to back. The water and rocks in their cool grays with plenty of  pine needles to warm up the color scheme of the day. 

I have seen my mother in laws palette quite often over the years. A pink sunset on a blue sky backdrop over a field of green. With St, Patricks day approaching this weekend with all of its green glory, I hope you take a minute  to take a look all of the colors god has provided for our enjoyment, and bring them into your everyday lives. Go to the beach , take a walk in the woods and bring that feeling back home in some way, Maybe its time for a new paint color,or to rearrange the furniture, either way open the windows up and enjoy!

Passions and Struggles-

I have had my share of struggles over the years. I have had many challenges both personally and professionally. We all have our personal demons, mine being depression. When you suffer from such a disorder you have to keep reaching inside yourself to find strength and ambition to get you through the tough days. You have to keep your passions alive. I have been fortunate enough to have found my true passions. One is my profession, Interior Design, the other a pastime, Boxing. I found both passions later in life. I was 25 years old when I knew I wanted to be an Interior Designer. My career started with a job interview with the owner of The Concord House, an Ethan Allen furniture dealer. I went on the interview eagerly and confident, where Mr. Kaplan asked- "What do you know about furniture?" I said nothing, but I am wiling to learn. He handed me a catalog featuring the furniture Ethan Allen sold and said, "Come back when you know about furniture". I left very excited and spent the next week at the library learning furniture styles. I called Mr. Kaplan back and said I'm ready!  He said, "I'm sorry, who did you say you were?" I am amused now, he had no idea who I was, and the effect he would have on my life and career. I found my passion that day we met. I did get the job at Ethan Allen and eventually earned my degree at Sage for Interior Design. My other passion- Boxing! I started boxing for fitness about 4 yeras ago. I entered Sweeney's Boxing, a middle aged woman with no idea why I was interested in this form of fitness. I had never played any sports, None! I was looking for something in my life to make me feel strong and alive. I was met at the counter by Javy Martinez, who made me feel at ease immediately. I made an appointment for my first boxing session. The first time in the gym with Javy and his encouragement made me a believer. I was hooked! After that I had many trainers....  Zach Smith, Charlie Roohan and the owner of Sweeney's, Rick Sweeney. Everyone of them made me feel like I was a winner. I eventually narrowed my training down to one personal trainer, Zach Smith. Every time I have worked out with Zach, I leave the gym saying the same thing... "I love boxing!" I have not seen Zach in about a year.... we have an appointment to start boxing again next week... I timidly sent him a text a few weeks back and said to Zach, "I am in rough shape....I am wiling to work hard- will you work with me ?" He was enthusiastically supportive and  I cant wait to start again. I may have found both of my passions later than most, but it just goes to show you, you can find them with a little guts and encouragement ... Many thanks to Howard Kaplan and Javy Martinez for believing in me! Many of the boxing professionals I mentioned are in the boxing documentary Passions and Struggles.... Watch the trailer, its going to be a great inspiring movie. Most of all remember, its never to late to find your passions!


http://youtu.be/bbzcJWJyRoI

Nice desk for a small space-

I was shopping for a client a few weeks back and came across this desk. A great desk for a small space. In this age of laptops and tablets, a small desk is all that's necessary for a home office. The size and shape of this desk lends itself for use in a Living Room or Bedroom. You can carve out a home office with very little space needed. The matching chair is comfortable enough for you to stay awhile but also works well with a more formal room design- Technology is changing our furniture needs... no more wires, stacks of paper and desks the size of an old Buick.... !

Mans need for shelter

 While hunting in the snowy woods yesterday- we came across two structures. I found it interesting- Mans need to create comfort. Truthfully, It was probably my frame of mind. I have been reading a book with my daughter called The Hunger Games. Its a book about a young girls survival - its a great read and also a movie coming out this month- you should check out the trailer - With that said, we have had a lot of conversation about how comfortable our lives are. For me as a designer, I am always looking to make life easier and more comfortable through my designs. I was tickled to see these attempts at comfort in the middle of the woods yesterday- Check it out-

 This Tee- Pee was never finished and was really on its way to being quite nice.......

Tables  chairs even a wood stove all brought in to the woods for the creature comforts of home- I was amused - I hope you are too!