Plum, Chocolate, and Technology?????

"But up in that tree sits a chocolate cat,
And a ginger bread dog prowls below-

And this is the way you contrive to get at

Those sugar-plums tempting you so...."

THE SUGAR-PLUM TREE

By Eugene Field

Now that September has arrived, we all know what follows next.....and quickly. Yes, the HOLIDAYS! I find myself mentioning that often to my clients, and not as subtly as I probably should..... but I do not feel like encountering the last minute, need-it-next-week deadlines this season. Therefore, I am preparing my clients ahead of time that decorating "times-a-currently-wasting!"

One of the more popular color trend we've been seeing this year in our drapery projects is the varying degrees of purple and its deeper "plum" cousin. I do believe this wonderful plum delight will follow us right into the holiday season of Christmas with it's also popular companions of chocolate brown, warm grays, and red-cast blues. (photo to the left courtesy trenddirector.net)

I see pink/plum and gray/silver sparkles adorning ornaments, smell plum puddings being baked, hear the lilting music of the "Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy", and have "visions of sugar plums dancing in my head"! Well, at least at my house that is what will be happening! My granddaughters will see to that!!

Another very popular trend we've been encountering in 2010 is the demand for motorization options in window treatments. This is an issue we find that people tend to shy away from due to the technical knowledge that is required. After all, who keeps abreast of which intelligent motor control will be needed for remote, keypad, or automated operations???? Well....we do! From the simplest of Hunter Douglas PowerRise battery operated shades to the more intricate control options of sun sensor controls that integrate with your home's automation system , we will assist you with educating your client and acquaint them with the working displays in our showroom for better visualization. Technology need not be avoided! "Technology is everywhere!" says Jamie Robinson, The Chic Geek. "It's in your garden. It's in your home. It's in your kitchen. It's in your car. There really isn't anywhere that technology isn't!" We heartily agree with Jamie and join with her in making technology approachable, fashionable, and fun. Fully automated homes and businesses are on the rise, even in the tight economy of the West Michigan area. Leed-certified homes & businesses are demanding integration of all systems; lighting, air conditioning, heating, audio-visual, windows, and security. Please don't hesitate to contact us and allow us to help you use this new technology to your benefit.

And before you know it, we will be plunging into 2011 with coral, turquoise, fushsia and orange, with royal purples and yellow greens and, yes.......with technology.

It is all around us... just as color is and is becoming as important in our projects. We will incorporate this new aspect of design into our presentation boards along with the texture, color, floor plans, and sketches....with our usual flair and confidence!

"Some people worry that artificial intelligence will make us feel inferior, but then, anybody in his right mind should have an inferiority complex every time he looks at a flower!" Alan C. Kay

Beach, Babies & Summer Sunsets!

"Beach sand, perfect tans. Day walks, night talks. Sleepless nights, pillow fights & spending every day with those who matter most!"

I am positive that I will not be alone when I say, "Where has this summer gone?" Next week will hail in the beginning of August and mark the close of our Michigan summer season. I've been immersed in slow, lazy summer living and haven't even bothered blogging (as I have noticed has been the case with many of my blogger friends). It is break time, after all.....vacations, change in the usual routines, time to enjoy the opportunity of Michigan's out-of -doors in warmth and sunshine and we sure have had plenty of that, haven't we?

Hopefully, you have had a chance to view at least one or two of the gorgeous northern Michigan sunsets this season or at least stayed at the Lake Michigan shoreline until the day's end to drink in the beauty of the magnificent and dramatic display the sun provides as it disappears below the horizon.

Frankly, I haven't had the chance to do many of the pastimes I treasure most as business has claimed much of my attention. I have seen many of you in my store and have heard similar comments, yet we are all grateful for the business our clients bring us during these tight times. Cottages, vacations, grandchildren, parades, fireworks, ice cream and watermelon still have managed to squeeze themselves in thankfully and there is still some time left for those of us who haven't quite had our fill.

So, forgive me if I don't have anything design-worthy to say at this time as the summer has claimed my brain and pulled my attentions else-where and this wonderful dilema will continue at least for a month more...as I hope it will for you! See you in September!

"Summer love - midnight kisses - shooting stars - secret wishes! The tans will fade, but the memories will last forever!"

"IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN", or is it?

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The other day as my husband and I were out driving through our fair city, we saw the car in front of us throw some form of litter out their car window. Disgust was my immediate reaction! As we pulled into our store's parking lot, we noticed some adults lingering outside the back entry of a neighboring business smoking and flicking their butts to the ground. Are they mindless? Who in our society these days, with the knowledge of our human impact on earth, can do such a thing?

Well, fortunately, once into work, my first opened e-mail was Rapid Growth Media (an e-publication that keeps me up to date on current Grand Rapids' events) and there, countering the ugliness of the human spirit I had just seen, was a wonderful and inspiring article on Eden Environments. For those of you who don't know yet (and I can hardly believe there are many) Denise Hopkins, founder of this sustainable building design center, cares! From what she does, what she sells, who she is....this woman cares about making our environments healthy and our earth whole! I have been impressed with her genuine quest for the best sustainable solutions for her clients and have enjoyed thoroughly working with her on various projects. Denise also had an article in May's Women's Lifestyle (another media piece I love to read cover to cover) and I hope she continues her focus on educating each one of us on the alternatives in design that are at our fingertips.

She has recently moved her business to a renovated warehouse on Grand Rapids' south side which, as author Deb Johnson Wood of Rapid Growth stated perfectly, "exemplifies the eco-friendly mindset that she and her business are all about". "Hats off, Denise! Well done!" say I.

You can find her link to the right under My Favorite Things and I dare you to peek. Her enthusiam is contagious...so beware! You might find yourself unable to settle for anything less than green.

Before I knew it, I began searching our window covering products for Green stylish solutions. They were there all the time but just not in the fore front of my mind! Hunter Douglas has an alternative wood blind called First Edition which is PVC free, certified Greenguard (indoor air quality safe) and stills performs well in heat and sun with quality construction and all backed by Hunter Douglas' Lifetime Guarantee! Who knew?

We are all aware as well (if not, please call me!) that the Duette Architella cellular shade does qualify for a possible $1500 tax credit for 2010. These shades are well known for being top of the line in energy efficiency and void of off-gassing (for you air quality control green police out there). The patented honeycomb within a honeycomb construction form three air pockets for superior insulation between the window and the room.

This season, Hunter Douglas, has also produced a new cellular shade in their Applause line (in their spectacular new sample book) called Vintage. This fabric is 40% post-consumer recycled materials! I love it! You can have fashion choices, pricing options and be earth friendly!

Opportunities are there for us to present more earth friendly and people friendly products to our clients. It doesn't take much effort these days as these products are making such a loud impact in our marketplace. Consumers are becoming more educated and are demanding smarter products as well. Don't hesitate to stop by our Hunter Douglas Gallery showroom or Eden Environments' new showroom to learn more. We're all in this (and on this earth) together!

CHARMING YELLOW

"For oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood, they flash upon that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude; and then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils"
Williams Wordsworth (1770-1850)

We surely didn't need to conjure the sight of daffodils in our mind's eye this month, did we? Everywhere I looked, yellow was blooming; from daffodils to forsythia - another "happy" flower of spring! Even tulips were on the verge of popping their petals open!

Yellow is also my four year old granddaughter's favorite color - at least this month it is. Favorites can change on a whim at four years old. However, yellow does seem to be a favorite in this year's color scheme, and all shades of yellow as well. "Yellow is the color of flowers, lemons, and sunshine. Envision also, ears of corn and vanilla pudding hues offering fresh appeal in each of its many variations," states a Martha Stewart columnist. According to Benjamin Moore experts, depending on the amount of red or blue it contains, yellow can have different personalities. Yellow with a red undertone are warm and welcoming, so they're great on large pieces of furniture and walls - "especially in north-facing rooms that might otherwise feel stark," says New York City decorator Thomas Jayne. Yellows with a hint of blue can come off as cold, so they're best used sparingly, on accessories or small furnishings. Jayne suggests keeping bright yellows out of bedrooms and offices, because they can disrupt sleep and concentration. But pale, buttery yellows "function as neutrals," he explains and can work just about anywhere.

Photo courtesy of Interiors by Thomas Jayne Studio, Inc. http://www.thomasjaynestudio.com/.
In this space, golden yellow wallpaper, hand painted with botanical motifs that evoke this house's Low country setting, envelops the entry. The color immediately sets a genial welcoming tone for the rest of the house.

"I think yellow is a fundamental color to decoration because it's the basis of a warm palette," says designer Thomas Jayne. "Most people respond to rooms painted in warm colors."

Jayne feels that with yellow's versatile nature and sunny-side-up appeal, it is little wonder that yellow is a perennially popular choice for interiors.

"I like a buoyant, light-filled house, so I usually use all warm or yellow-based colors. This ocher is really a contemporary yellow shade with an antique resonance. It doesn't draw attention to itself as, say, bold yellow or even white would. The ocher walls provide support for the exceptional paintings and furniture. Bright-colored walls would visually compete. This shade flatters everyone -- it complements every skin tone." designer Thomas Jayne


Hunter Douglas has introduced some gorgeous yellows into their window covering line. The Silhouette line carries fabrics with luscious names as Vanilla Blossom, Champagne, and Buttercup. The Duette and Applause cellular shades tempt us with Iced Lemon, Honey Maple, and Lemon Meringue. You must stop by to see these gorgeous shades!

I must admit that yellow has never been a color that I have been drawn to except as its use in accents, however, this year I seem more attracted to its sunny personalities and softer sides........or maybe it's because it is my granddaughter's favorite color this month and I find myself loving anything she does.

Vincent van Gogh himself termed yellow "a color capable of charming God." That's exactly what my granddaughter does to me!!

Le mois gelé de février !

"Away in a meadow all covered with snow the little groundhog looks for his shadow. The clouds in the sky determine our fate if winter will leave us all early or late." Roy R. Gibson

So the "little groundhog" has determined six more weeks of winter , eh! That's not the determination I was hoping for! February is notoriously referred to as "frozen", "dreary", or "bleak". (However, notice that in french the title "The frozen month of February" sounds absolutely delicious!)

I guess that is why in February I begin to look for the new colors that have been predicted to appear in 2010. I look forward to the new fabric sample books that will be arriving in my showroom with the latest textures and color combination. Greenhouse Fabrics books should be arriving any day with this year's latest and greatest colors and Carole Fabrics (a Hunter Douglas company) has just posted their gorgeous new web site, carolenet.com, which is definitely worth a look.

Color predictions for textiles in 2010, I am happy to say, are bold and bright, and will incorporate the use of environmentally friendly, organic fabrics. Geometric prints in bold patterns - herringbone, ikats and bargello - will take the spotlight according to Robyn Griggs Lawrence, editor-in-chief, of Natural Home. Bargello, you say? I had to look that unfamiliar one up. Bargello is a needlepoint embroidery stitch that produces zigzag lines.

Purple is remaining in the palette and gray will also continue to figure largely. Color authority Pantone has named turquoise its color of the year for 2010. "Turquoise combines blue's serenity with green's invigoration, soothing us and restoring our sense of well-being." Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute says it this way:
"In many cultures, turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color. It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that turquoise represents an escape to many - taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even it only a fantasy."

Makes me want to head straight for Mexico! Si?

Even Hunter Douglas window fashions have introduced rich and unexpected color combinations in their product lineups. Names like, rich mocha, shiraz, spice, and cumin describe the Duette palette, while parisian summer, french roast, and fired clay draw our attention to the Silhouette line.

One trend that has fluctuated over the years but is back in 2010 are antiques. Old is new again! "Antiques and vintage pieces add soul to any space, " explains interior designer Jay Jeffers. I love that description! It's like another whole spiritual dimension comes with an antique piece!

So February is beginning to hold some promise - color is on our horizon - even for the landscape and definitely for interior design! Roy R. Gibson says it best: "Keep your faith in beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone."

"May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility." --Mary Anne Radmacher

As tacky as this might seem, I am going to repeat my Christmas greeting from last year. No, not because I am lazy nor cheap! I have one very good reason. It means more to me this year than it did the past year when I originally sent it. I have read and reread it through this past year and let it sink deep into my heart. I have tried walk out each phrase and be true to its message, often times failing. However, I believe with all my heart it bears repeating, bears sharing, bears encouraging all to make it part of the road they travel.

"The Greatest Gifts
May we break boundaries, tear down walls, and build on the foundation of goodness inside each of us.

May we look past differences, gain understanding, and embrace acceptance. May we reach out to each other, rather than resist.

May we be better stewards of the earth, protecting, nurturing and replenishing the beauties of nature.

May we practice gratitude for all we have, rather than complain about our needs.

May we seek cures for the sick, help for the hungry, and love for the lonely.

May we share our talents, give our time, and teach our children.

May we hold hope for the future very tenderly in our hearts and do all we can to build for bright tomorrows.

And may we love with our whole hearts, for that's the only way to love."
(Kathy Davis Studios for Portfolio)

From the heart, I wish you all much peace, overflowing joy, and a very blessed Christmas!

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant

There is something hauntingly beautiful and peaceful about November's bare trees. They stand against the cold and driving, late autumnal winds while stripped bare of their leafy attire and they dare winter's sleet and snow to dislodge the life that remains dormant and unseen within... That is pretty much like the retailer facing the economic crisis of the upcoming Christmas season, don't you think? Don't misunderstand, I am hopeful - even determined to survive and prosper. Never say DIE!!! But...I am also a realist and realize that this upcoming Christmas season is the largest mountain to climb I've seen yet!

That is precisely why when Denise Hopkins of Eden Environments hosted a Elements of Harmony workshop presented by Jenna Boyd, a Feng Shui Consultant, I leaped at the opportunity to gain understanding of creating a more balanced environment - and I dragged my husband with me! We, personally and work-wise, were definitely going to need all the help we could get!

Now you might be surprised to find that I really knew very, very, very little about Feng Shui, even though I am in the interior design field. I do feel that I loosely practice a version of balance based on design principals, but the actual understanding of Feng Shui eluded me. Jenna calmly and clearly explained Chi, Yin and Yang, the concept of the Five Principals of Water, Earth, Metal, Wood and Fire, and helping clients find harmonious solutions of design within their living environment - all while I sipped on the most exquisite water mixture of .....yes, water, with cucumber, mint and a hint of rosemary!!! (Denise, that was definitely better than lemon!!!)

By the end of the workshop, after viewing some of the incredible sustainable design materials that Eden Environments carries and how they perfectly partner with Feng Shui principals that Elements of Harmony promote, I was on the road to a more balanced and equipped ability to assist my clients in design decisions. I also knew that I had just acquired "something" that I, personally, could utilize in my own world. In other words, I GOT IT!

I understand that I still have a lot to learn of the Eastern school of thought; after all, I am a Westerner, but I will try my best to empty my mind of preconceived assumptions and embrace a practice that has enabled an ancient culture to continue to survive thousands of years on this earth. Perhaps, just perhaps, it might allow me to survive one more Christmas retail season!