Designer Secrets

I swear it takes me the whole month to read a magazine.  I love shelter mags because they can be a source of inspiration and entertainment.  Tonight I'm reading the latest issue of House Beautiful. "101 Designer Secrets" by Lisa Cregan caught my eye.  I'm often asked what the "rules" of home decoration are and people seem happiest with answers involving numbers.  I'm not saying whether I agree or disagree with any of the following, but the article was full of such answers, so I'll share some with you:

Hang artwork 63" on center above the floor for perfect viewing height.


When framing artwork, specify a mat with 8-ply thickness to create an impressive bevel.


A bed should be no higher than 23" off the floor.


A bench at the foot of a bed should be at least 2" shorter than the width of the mattress.


No more than 6 pillows on the bed.


Mount 5 robe hooks 68" high instead of a towel bar.


Dining room chandeliers should hang 60"-66" above the floor.


End tables should be no less than 30" high.


Bedside tables should be 36-38" high


A rectangular table should be 36" wide.


Give yourself at least 36" of space between the dining table and wall to pull out chairs comfortably.


Wall sconces in a bathroom should be installed 66" above the floor to the center of the fixture.


Drapery panels should have a 1/2" break at the floor.


Put light switches 36" off the floor and 1 1/2" - 2" off the door trim.


When ordering fabric, add 2 yards so that you never run out and you can replace a ruined cushion.


15 watt bulbs simulate candlelight.


Sofas should be 6.5'-7' long.


Install an outlet 28" high behind a console table to allow a lamp to be plugged in with no unsightly cords dripping off the top.

Hope you enjoyed those numbers.  Read the whole article in the May 2012 issue of House Beautiful;

Ciao,
Anne

Find of the week

Wow, it's already Friday!  That was a fast week.  Grandboy was sick for much of it, but now is well, albeit with a very froggy voice.  My find this week is another one from Once and Again, that great consignment shop in Durham.  But I've thought about this sofa the whole week.  It's a beauty:

Oh gosh, it just makes my heart beat so fast!  It's $450, "as is." I didn't look carefully to see if there's a big problem, but I can see it needs to be recushioned and upholstered.  But it's a stunner and a bargain, no matter what.  Folks, this is the sort of thing that designers snap right up, recondition and sell in the big city for thousands of dollars.  Look at the legs!  The wood frame!  The tight back and cushy pillow seat!  I think I'm getting the vapors over this one, although I saw it a week ago, so am sure it's long gone.  But keep your eyes peeled for pieces like this and snap them up for yourself!

Ciao,
Anne

Fall is SO GOOD!

photo from Houzz.com

Ahhhhh.  Fall is really here.  We earned it this year, that's for sure.  Now everywhere I look I see rich, gorgeous colors.  Like the room above.  How great is that wall and the colors in the rug?  Notice the color of the two sofas though.  Nice, neutral beige.  They make the room work, giving the eye a place to rest.  I think the accent wall is kind of a pumpkin color.  If I see one more recipe for pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread or pumpkin casserole, I'm going to--nevermind, but the color of pumpkin is delish.  It's a great color, and hard to find a really good one.

photo from houzz.com

Look at this ceiling!  Now that's a delishy color!  Makes total sense in the space.  Why do so many of us settle for plain old flat white ceilings?  What are we thinking?

Ok, back to my neutral sofa thoughts (man, I need to focus).  Here's a new one by F. Schumacher.  Love it.  Really, I'm speechless.  This is such a beauty.

photo from houzz.com

  Sorry for the lack of a cohesive theme tonight.  I just felt like putting some pleasant thoughts out there to end my day.  The above picture is so pretty.  Crystal chandelier, a shimmery wall treatment and an embossed paper on the ceiling.  All set off with clean white trim. A soft look.  Makes me feel like all is right with the world.

Ciao,

Anne