Rhymes with Orange

2012 is a brand new year in decorating, and that brings us a brand new colour for decorating enthusiasts.  The 2012 colour of the year is Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango.  To keep in simple, I am going to refer to this colour as 'orange'.  

From www.pantone.com

Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway.

 This colour choice is quite bold for most people, and their first thought is ‘I’m certainly not going to paint my house orange’.  Well, rest assured you don’t have to.  But I will give you some tips and show you suggestions on how you can incorporate this beautiful colour, or various shades of tangerine/orange, in your current home décor.

First of all, as you may know grey is  the new neutral.  And grey and orange are complementary to each other. Brown or beige work lovely with orange as well.  Of course white is stunning with orange.  This adds a real freshness and boldness in a look.  But you may also used varying degrees of orange, to subtle peach, (if you're not up to the boldness of a deep tangerine colour).  Don't be afraid to try it in your home.  There are countless ways you can incorporate this bold new colour.  

You can update your spring look with cushions or table runners or placements, that are solid or even a pattern with a hint of orange.  You can add orange towels to your powder room or bathroom.  And you can even got as simple and ultimately fresh as bringing fresh flowers into your home.  Gerber daisies come in various shades of orange, and tulips, which will be out very soon.  So don't be afraid to bring a fresh new look to your home.  You don't have to go overboard, but just add a pop of colour here or there and you'll love the clean look and invigorating element to your home.   Have fun with it!

Pictures from The Toronto Interior Design Show 2012

This Season's Accessory...Kindness

I consider myself a very generous, kind person, and just the other day I was treated with unexpected kindness that warmed my heart (on this cold rainy day).  At this busy and hectic time of year I want to express the importance of kindness toward others…and how I see this as an important accessory.

Last week, I was parking in a lot where you are required to prepay your parking and leave the ticket face up in your vehicle.  I did so, and prepaid for and hour and a half.  As luck would have it, I was out of my appointment in 15 minutes. I didn’t want my money to go to waste, and I wanted to do something nice for someone, so the next car that pulled into the parking lot was a young woman with a baby in her carseat.  I walked up to her and handed her my prepaid parking ticket.  She was taken by surprise by this random act of kindness.  I saved her the cost of the ticket, the work of having to take her child out of the carseat to walk to purchase the ticket and to again return to put the ticket in her car. She was very happy to accept this kind gesture, and I was thrilled to ‘make someone’s day’. 

What goes around, comes around.

The other day I was at the One Of A Kind Craft show, where I parked my car, and I too walked to the booth to prepay my ticket when a young couple came up behind me and offered me their prepaid ticket  (as they were leaving the event) that still had several hours left on it.  My heart skipped a beat! I was overwhelmed by their random act of kindness and I had told them of MY story of doing the same for someone just a few days prior. 

Some people may think of this as ripping the system off, but I tend to disagree.  It’s not about ripping off the system, it’s about making the most of our dollar; it’s about being thoughtful; it’s about going out of your way to do a kind gesture; it’s about being compassionate; it’s about paying it forward.

People in general are not unkind, but not a lot of people go out of their way TO be kind to others, which is my point in this topic.  It’s about making the effort, going that extra mile, committing any random act of kindness.

The surprise of this gesture toward me is so overwhelming, because I am usually the giver.  (paying for the person behind me at Tim Horton’s drive thru, no matter the cost; donating gently used clothing and household items to various charities; supporting United Way, Salvation Army, local Scout and sports groups, through various ongoing fundraisers; donating to the local food banks; ALWAYS being there for a friend or family member in need, in any capacity; petting pets as I walk by; letting drivers yield in on the roads; smiling and always using my manners!  As I said I’m usually the giver so it was a beautiful surprise to be given to!)

I think it’s important this time of year, as we get busier, to think about others. Treat them the way YOU want to be treated.  It really does make a difference, and you can’t help feeling good about what you do.  Again, I reiterate, what goes around, comes around!!! It’ll definitely come back to you, some day, some how and that is what human nature is really about.

Enjoy this busy season. Give someone that parking space. Hold their place in line while they look at a last minute item nearby. Let them ahead of you in the checkout, if they only have one or two items. Smile at someone. Donate to a cause, or buy someone a coffee.  You’ll see why this truly IS the accessory of the season.

Fall Is Upon Us, Bring in the Warmth

Fall is definitely here, with all the leaves changing colour and falling. As messy as it is, autumn is really a beautiful season. The days and nights get much cooler, and for some, this is a great relief from the summer heat. (I’m a summer girl so I’m just fine with the heat, hence my enthusiasm to light a fire every night during the cooler months.) 

In keeping with the cooler weather we need to look at how we dress ourselves and also how we dress our homes.  In fashion we begin to layer our clothes, we bring out the sweaters and heavier fabric items.  Items that keep us warmer as the temperatures dip down.  In addition the colours deepen in our wardrobe as well. The colours become darker, which psychologically add warmth.

As interior design generally follows fashion, we must do the same for our home.

Now is the time to put away the light and airy bedding, cushions, towels and in some cases window treatments.    It’s time to layer the soft furnishings in our home. Time to bring out the throws, blankets (that you may wish to cuddle with on the sofa) and the cozy cushions.  I have a few of the lambs wool /microfiber throws (from Costco) and they are lovely to curl up with on cold evenings.  They are a great addition to a family room or a bedroom.

It is also the time to deepen the colours of your home.  Bring out the warmer tones, the browns, deeper beiges, black and darker hues of blue, green, even orange is a big colour this season.  Whatever colour of your space or main pieces, darken and warm up the space with new deeper / darker fabrics. There are beautiful tablecloths or table runners (which are my favourite) in all shades and styles.

Texture is equally as important as colour and tone.  You can add soft silky fabrics along with plush velvety or natural cotton or wool to your home.  A mixture of texture and pattern in the same tones works beautifully to create ambience, beauty and warmth.

In addition to soft furnishings, now is the time to accessorize in warmer fashion as well.  There are a lot of deeper toned accessories, like vases, candles, and just ornamental pieces.  Even picture frames or actual pictures/artwork can be updated seasonally. 

So as we begin to settle indoors more this season, we want to make our homes as cozy and warm as we can, to nurture that comfort of home.  Take a look around you. There are warmer tones and colours in nature and in stores with items for any space in your home. 

Keep warm and Happy Autumn.

Summer Lovin' - For Everyone to Enjoy!

It is now half way through summer and what a glorious summer we’ve had (here in Ontario).  I do love the sun and heat, so it is an ideal summer for me.  I also love to garden, so summer is the time when I can spend hours in the garden (when I’m not working) or just enjoy my morning coffee on the back deck, admiring the colours of nature.

Adding colour with annuals or green perennials to your garden adds so much more than just ‘a flower’.  The tranquility and beauty that nature brings is a huge reward for a little amount of work or planting.  These wonders of nature are not only admired by yourself, but also admired by others.  As I work in the den, I see neighbours walking their dogs admiring my self planted hosta garden. I too appreciate what others do in their gardens.

I personally think gardening and flowers are a natural euphoric.

Not everyone has a natural green thumb however. And I have solutions for all. I like to mix up my gardening.  For annuals, I have flower pots that I buy ready made (easy peasy) and I plant pots with whatever I desire. What works best for me is petunias (new wave, regular as well as miniature variety) and portulaca.

These both love the hot sun and humidity of our summers.  Hibiscus plants love love love the extreme heat and are a very beautiful and exotic plant with gorgeous large blooms of colour in yellows to deep tomato red.  I also plant lots of colourful impatients in the shady areas of the garden. They are a no fuss, no muss kind of flower that fill your garden with blooms all summer.  A little bit of water goes a long way with impatients. 

For very easy and beautiful perennial, a favourite of mine is hosta.  You plant them and forget them.  They return annually and grow larger year by year. You can split then each year and plant them all over. They are extremely hardy and like a mix of sun and shade.   They come in a variety of greens, yellows and almost blues as well as variegated contrasting white and green.

The insides of our homes are filled with colour and wonderful things to look at. The outside of our homes should reflect the same.  Pick up a pot….and get started…it’s never too late.  (until frost of course). 

By the end of summer, we are looking at potted mums for fall.  They come in a variety of colours and can be purchased everywhere.   They can be perennial, but I do buy them annually.  Enjoy nature, it’s ours to nurture.  

To Stage or Not to Stage…there IS no question.

Spring is in the air! People are looking ahead to what the year will bring, and for many of you, this new season may be bringing a new move.  

I would like to give you some valuable information on preparing your current home to sell, that will make the move an easy transition and will ultimately earn you top dollar for your home.  

Presentation is the #1 factor in a successful sale.  In today’s competitive market you need your home to stand out from others, you need to inspire others to want your home. You need to professionally stage your home.

 There have been countless articles in magazines and newspapers, as well as research and statistics stressing the importance and value having your home professionally staged before listing it.   Professionally staged homes;

• photograph better, resulting in more appealing listings.  (buyers look at homes online before even requesting a visit)
• sell for more money, and in less time than an unstaged home.
• having a trained unbiased person viewing your home as a buyer and preparing it accordingly.
• showcase your home highlighting features and natural flow of your home.
• walk you through the process of preparing and packing, to ensure an easy transition into the move.

Hire a Professional…a Certified Staging Professional (CSP)

With your best interest and dollar at stake, it is imperative to have your home staged with a certified home stager, a Certified Staging Professional (CSP).  Linda Swift Interiors home stagers are extensively trained and certified through Certified Staging Professionals.

When to call a Stager…aka Linda Swift Interiors?

At least 2 weeks before you actually photograph and list.  Depending on the amount of work to be done prior to the actual staging, you want to give yourself plenty of time for preparations.  

Things you can do today to begin to prepare your home for staging and ultimately the move;

•  de clutter – closets, cabinets, cupboards, storage areas. If it’s seasonal or you haven’t used it in a long time, it’s time to pack it up or give it up.
• clean – deep cleaning areas that don’t get cleaned regularly, closets, windows, walls, trim, doors. Make sure every surface is sparkling.
• minor repairs - drippy faucets, patch holes, paint (consider neutral colours to replace bold trendy colours), fix doors and cabinets that don’t work properly, replace broken light fixtures or bulbs, etc.
• curb appeal – don’t forget the out doors, your front and back yards.  Cut the grass, weed, trim or prune bushes and trees.   Remove old or broken pots, garden accessories.  Repair fencing, have the gutters cleaned, etc. It’s nice to have a visually pleasing yard with shrubbery, trees or flowers.

As you begin your quest into the excitement of looking for a new home, remember you want others to be excited about looking at your home! 

Your next step…call me, Linda, at Linda Swift Interiors.  I will be happy to help you with your next move.