Reuse and recycle everybody gets. Reuse the grocery bags. Put the plastic bottles in the bin for recycling where they are reinvented in a multitude of ways. Re-purpose can get lost. What if all of a sudden, everyone realized they have 15 percent of their money they aren't using? Woo hoo, a spending spree would be on the horizon! (Yes, husband, a savings spree would be a better answer - don't make me bring up the shorts - previous blog). But the average home has a formal Living Room is never or rarely used. If your home is, (for simplicity's sake), $1 million, and you simplify the square footage of space the LR is to 15 percent - that's $150,000, you are wasting! (not to mention the heating/cooling, furnishings, etc. . . .)
The builder knew everyone expected a formal Living Room, so they built you one. He/she will not stop by and check to see you are using it as they intended. What could you do with the space? That depends somewhat on your floorplan and that's what I do - help you discover what would work best for you. I can think outside the box, because I haven't seen Hanukkah in that room for 10 years. . . . Not in order of choice here . . . a pool table; home theater; swap the DR and the LR; expand the kitchen; a music room; a formal office; a guest room; swap the FR and LR; etc. It's your home, do what makes you happy!
AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Vision
As I was walking out to work out with my husband this am, he ventured an opinion more strongly put than the twenty subtle hints he's given me previously on the subject. 'Your shorts are neither attractive or flattering in any way'. (I really don't suggest any other man try this, unless they feel extremely confident in their spouse's/significant other's self-confidence/expectation of continued good mood.) My reaction was 'ok, I'll go shopping'. Mind you, the comment was not about me - but my Favorite roomy work-out shorts.
It's the same way with furniture and items in your home. Your choice of furniture or colors is about you, my role is to edit what you like to spaces you will love. My job is to help you keep Aunt Tilly's chair, because you love it, but change it/place it so it works with the overall scheme. I once put a wildly organic-looking slab of marble on an old buffet and placed it in a foyer next to the door in a mid-century modern themed home. Even the old buffet-hating husband really liked it after the transformation.
Having said that, sometimes even your favorite shorts have to go to Goodwill, for the happiness of the home. AC Gunther Design, where it's your style, by Design.
It's the same way with furniture and items in your home. Your choice of furniture or colors is about you, my role is to edit what you like to spaces you will love. My job is to help you keep Aunt Tilly's chair, because you love it, but change it/place it so it works with the overall scheme. I once put a wildly organic-looking slab of marble on an old buffet and placed it in a foyer next to the door in a mid-century modern themed home. Even the old buffet-hating husband really liked it after the transformation.
Having said that, sometimes even your favorite shorts have to go to Goodwill, for the happiness of the home. AC Gunther Design, where it's your style, by Design.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
celebrating San Clemente style
What did you do for the 4th of July? That wasn't one of my first questions for people I ran into just after our nation's holiday, until I moved to San Clemente. Now I can't wait to see if they loved the fireworks where they were? Did they think Dana Point did a better job or Laguna Beach? And did they spend it with friends and family? A renewed focus on getting together with those you love - or at least like to have a glass of wine with - is yet another reason to love it here.
Do you share with your decorator or designer how many you plan to entertain? The key is to create reasons for guests to want to be in multiple places. How did I re-purpose spaces for 20+ people in 1700 square feet? I hid all the home computer stuff from the office table; opened the double doors to the outdoor patio; set up a 'temporary' table outside on the patio for wine and cold drinks (leaving room for walking and fireworks viewing); draped both tables in white, then red, white & blue novelty fabric and used red, white and blue flowers throughout. Little white lights on the railings gave ambient light, without distracting from the fireworks.
Desserts went upstairs where even better views of the fireworks could be seen (the carpet is now verified easily cleaned nylon - get that chocolate up soon though). It never felt crowded and no one just hung out in the kitchen! BTW, the crock-pot jerk chicken thighs were the hit; took no time for prep and didn't heat up the house.
AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'
Do you share with your decorator or designer how many you plan to entertain? The key is to create reasons for guests to want to be in multiple places. How did I re-purpose spaces for 20+ people in 1700 square feet? I hid all the home computer stuff from the office table; opened the double doors to the outdoor patio; set up a 'temporary' table outside on the patio for wine and cold drinks (leaving room for walking and fireworks viewing); draped both tables in white, then red, white & blue novelty fabric and used red, white and blue flowers throughout. Little white lights on the railings gave ambient light, without distracting from the fireworks.
Desserts went upstairs where even better views of the fireworks could be seen (the carpet is now verified easily cleaned nylon - get that chocolate up soon though). It never felt crowded and no one just hung out in the kitchen! BTW, the crock-pot jerk chicken thighs were the hit; took no time for prep and didn't heat up the house.
AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'
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