Try a little color this Fall

In the Northwest, people often say we're "light deficient" in the Fall and Winter months due to our grey, rainy winters. What better way to bring a little color to those gloomy months than painting your homes' interior? Try www.devinecolor.com for these fantastic yellows; Devine Cream, Devine Butter (yummy!) and Devine Manilla. Not a yellow person? How about Devine Lil'Melon (a fun orange) or painting an accent wall or Dining room a warm red like Devine Saffron.

Color is one of the best and least expensive ways to change the look of your home.

Come on in!

What is the first impression guests get of you home? Well, of course the outside gives a first impression, but it's the front door as well as the entryway. Once inside the door, the entryway is the first glimpse of your home a visitor will see. It gives them a little insight as to what the rest of your home is like. Does it say "welcome!" or "go away!" Hopefully, it says "welcome, come in, enjoy". One way to welcome visitors is to paint your front door a wonderful, warm red. Try Benjamin Moore 'Rosy Apple' or Columbia Paint 'empower' red.

Once inside, there are many things you can do with the small entryway to make it accommodating. A bench and a shelf with hooks is a great place to take off shoes and hang coats. Not enough room? How about a small round table, console or even wall shelf hung low to drop keys and mail. If there is room, you could add a small scale chair.

Sometimes entryways are big, and can be more of a mud room. Try a stack of lockers for an urban twist. Sometimes these can be acquired through a school system that might be renovating. Also check out www.potterbarnteen.com

So, come in, and welcome!

Fall Decorating

Fall is upon us, and I know I'm always in the mood to bring some of the outdoors in while we still can during our crisp, fall weather! Decorating with pumpkins and gourds is fun because they can actually lead us into Thanksgiving as well. I love the small gourds you can pick up in a variety of shapes and sizes at markets. Stacking a bunch in a hurricane glass vase makes a great visual pop of color, and adds some interesting texture as well. It's also fun to line a table with small pumkins, or to use them as placecards at the table with you guests name on them.

Is it Fall already?

I realize it's been awhile since I've written. Now that the hustle and bustle of the summer is over, and school is back in, I am going to write much more often to keep you up to date on what's new.

There is the crisp fall air outside, and that always brings out the nesting instinct in me. It's nice to get out those warm sweaters and Fall accessories. One thing I do change with the seasons is to change my slipcover on my living room couch from a creme cotton waffle weave to a creme damask chenille. While it's still the same color, there is something about it that says "sit down, grab a magazine and settle in". I also like to change out the pillows to a persimmon red, it's very cozy and comforting.

Speaking of magazines, I always have people ask me what I like. One of my favorites is Domino. I read it cover to cover, and love how they feature different types of homes and how they are decorated. To me, it's like real life decorating. The designs look comfortable and lived in. They also feature great websites to check out like My Deco File at www.Dominomag.com. You can gather all of your finds in one spot.

Enjoy!