1. Add a light, fresh scent to the outdoor air while cooking by throwing in some rosemary or other herbs into the charcoal grill.

2. Set up a lemonade station to quench everyone's thirst at your party.  Try including lemonade, fresh fruit and skews for ease stacking fruit to eat or to add an extra twist to your lemonade.  For adults add 1 part sparkling wine to 2 parts lemonade for an extra kick.

3. Take your holiday lights out of storage and brighten up your patio or deck.  This will also give you great ambiance at night!  Even try hanging the lights in trees, around tree trunks or add paper (battery operated) lanterns.

4. Get creative with displaying your food...plates and glasses can be placed on a tiered plant stand, and flower pots for utensils.

All of these tips and more can be found on the Better, Home and Garden Website

5. If bugs are a problem and even if they aren't try using mason jars for glasses...it can be a fun way to use them.  Plus there is always the bonus of screwing the lid on if bugs are a problem.

6. Have you ever given a kid a Popsicle and before you know it, it is melted all over their hands and running down their arms...well try add a cupcake liner (with a small slit for the stick) to the bottom of Popsicle to catch drip and save a mess.

7. For easy set up and clean up load all your favorite hot dog/hamburger toppings into a tote that can go from the frig to table and back to the frig. 

8. If you not sure what kind of music to play at parties ask each guest to tell you their favorite song beforehand...you can make a party mix with the music and be set for the night.

All of these tips and more can be found on the Better, Homes and Garden website.

To solve the safety issue and add a little personality, I painted the raisers black with a gold stencil.  The photo on the left shows the front staircase and the photo on the right is the back staircase.  I created the same effect on both staircase with a different stencil pattern.

This could be a great weekend project that would have high impact in your house!

Stay tuned for the upcoming launch of the professional photos for this house!  Can't wait to share them!

Neutral doesn't have to be boring.  Elegant cream cabinetry mixed with a metallic subway backslash, dark granite counter tops and a gorgeous faux painted vent hood come together to create a place where family can gather for years to come!

For more design ideas please check me out on Houzz.

SW Gladiola 6875

SW Feverish Pink 6859
SW Black Magic 6991
SW Exuberant Pink 6840

SW Extra White 7066
SW Dovetail 7018
SW Electric Lime

SW Eye Catching 6914
SW Calypso 6950
SW Frank Blue 6967

SW Unusual Gray 7059

SW PoolHouse 7603

SW Herbal Wash 7739

SW Smokey Topaz 6117

Sherwin Williams' color palette, Honed Vitality, has some great colors that would work well in a variety of places and homes.  More colors in the palette include:

SW Silver Strand 7057
SW Mountain Stream 7612
SW Roycroft Suede
SW Safari 7697
SW Wickerwork 0010
SW Spiced Cider 7702

SM Rose Outlook 6316
SW Rosedust 0025
SW Bathe Blue 6771
SW Gauzy White 6035
SW Aloe 6464
SW Darkroom 7083
SW Awesome Violet 6815

SW Independent Gold 6401

Asian Bedroom by San Francisco Interior Designer ADEENI DESIGN GROUP

SW Radiant Lilac 0074
SW OBI Lilac 6556

SW 6199 Rary Gray

SW Rookwood Dark Red 2801

SW Plum Brown 6272

Also in the Sherwin Williams Midnight Mystery color palette is...

 Roycroft Bottle Green
Outerspace
Loyal Blue
Rustic Red
Chamois
Olde World Gold
and Mink

Check them all out at Sherwin Williams.com

For more great sink colors check out the Kohler website.

This isn't as dramatic as a colored kitchen sink, but a fun way to add color to your kitchen is to paint the inside of your glass front cabinets.

Contemporary Kitchen by New York Media And Blogs Vendome Press

For a fun twist paint your walls a great neutral and your window frames a bright vibrant color!

New ceiling treatment, black trim to update the existing window treatments and newly upholstered dining room chairs give this room a whole new look.  For this room, there was no need to start over, just fresh up.

Sometimes my clients have really great stuff, it just takes a designer with an outside perspective to be able to rearrange their things to create the most impact.

Other times it is using ordinary times in unique ways!

Spring 2013 Houston Design Resource magazine describes one of my newest design projects as, "Dramatic Details, Beautiful Results!"

Gracefully aligned with its golf course views and located in northwest Houston, this grand home is owned by an empty nest couple. Over the years, they had collected many unique treasures and antiques that had taken over the home. At our first meeting, I could see that they both had a fun, vibrant personality that wasn't being showcased well in their home. The key to this design was pairing down my clients' great collections and the addition of pattern and color to bring out their character.

When we started the kitchen design, I knew that we needed to better connect the kitchen and breakfast room spaces, as they were being separated by a full length television unit and storage cabinet. By removing these items I was able to give them a custom built in breakfast table and still leave enough room for comfortable lounge seating with their morning coffee. As for the television, I designed a custom built in entertainment center to hold the television and some of their unique treasures.

I was happy to hear my client say, “We now sit in our redesigned rooms and never fail to state how awesome the room is, as do our family and friends.” Without a complete kitchen redo (paint, space planning, new furniture and window treatments) I was able to give new life to this room and increase the functionality and flow throughout the home.

Click here to check out more

Designing a home is challenging enough. There are millions of decisions and minute details that go into the building process, but designing and building a home from across an ocean offers additional challenges beyond differing time zones...

To keep reading check out the article in Houston Design Resources (issue Spring 2013) or my portfolio page!

Traditional Kitchen by Newport Beach Home Builders Spinnaker Development

A lot of replicas look like a replica and not the real thing, but this porcelain is beautiful and low maintenance!  Great way to get the same sophisticated look without the worry of ruining it! 

To see more great porcelains check out Casalinea.

Contemporary Living Room by New York Interior Designer Drew McGukin Interiors

Modern Living Room by Boston Interior Designer Rachel Reider Interiors

I love the idea of having a completely neutral room except for accent pillows,accessories and flowers which can be changed out every season (or whenever you feel the need for change)!

Modern Living Room by Vancouver Photographer Heather Merenda

Whether it be fresh or great artificial flowers, they can really have a big impact on any room!

It's the smallest room in your house, but it should not be forgotten.  

Source: paloma81.blogspot.com via House of Lovelock on Pinterest

Think outside the box...your powder bath does not have to match the rest of your house.

Source: Uploaded by user via Brenna on Pinterest

Have fun with the design!

Eclectic Powder Room by Greenville Interior Designer Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

1. Your deserve the finest so start with high thread count sheets and luxurious pillow cases and duvet covers.  A good thread count will make you want to curl up in your sheets.

2. "Use four superking pillows rather than the standard ones to avoid an unsightly gap in the middle," says Luxdeco Magazine.

3. Adding texture with throws and pillows will add interest to your bedroom!

4. Don't forget about color and pattern!

For more tips check out LuxDeco Magazine.

I'd love to here what else makes your bedroom feel special?

I could agree more or said it better myself.  Every room needs a statement piece!

Eclectic Living Room by Miami Interior Designer DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers Miami, FL

Eclectic Living Room by Richmond Tile Stone And Countertop Charles Luck Stone Center

Your "statement piece" doesn't have to be a chair...let's not forget about your sofa.  The rule of thumb is that every room can only hold one fabulous statement piece though.

Eclectic Media Room by New York Interior Designer Willey Design LLC

Traditional Living Room by Portland Interior Designer Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

This office desk is definitely the 'statement' in this room!

Contemporary Bedroom by Brooklyn Photographer Alexander Johnson Photography

Metallic is the 'in' thing right now!  Every room can benefit from a little shimmer whether it be gold, silver or copper.  

Source: delightbydesign.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Source: brides.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Source: hearty-home.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Copper appliances...wow I kind of like it!  

This tip seems simple, but make sure you house and yard are clean.  Power washing your home as well as mow the grass and sweeping the side walk/porch to make an impact.  

Brighten up your front facade by painting your front door a bold new color.

Add even more life to your house with a "container garden".

A nice seating area on your porch will add curb appeal and another room to your house.  Enjoy a cup of morning coffee or entertain friends and family here.

Add Architectural Accents!!!  This is a big one!  Trying adding trim around the windows, a new mailbox or address numbers, new light fixture or even a new garage door if the budget allows. 

To get more ideas on updating your house check out the blog from Centsational Girl

If you have a mosquitoes problem, try planting lemon grass...it even has the added benefit of privacy. 

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The booth gives an intimate place to sit, and also creates a partition that hides clutter.

I can imagine myself sitting here in the morning while morning sun warms me, Perfect!

Even the tightest of spaces have enough room for a small seating/breakfast area.

I love the character of this nook.

For more great dining ideas check out the blog on Houzz by Becky Harris

Contemporary Living Room design by Hawaii Architect Lapis Design Partners

Contemporary Family Room design by San Francisco Interior Designer InHouse Design Studio

Contemporary Dining Room design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Urban Colony

Contemporary Media Room design by Minneapolis Architect Level Design Studios

Modern Pool design by Los Angeles Architect Abramson Teiger Architects

Aquariums can add a unique touch to any room.  Do you have an awesome fish tank?  Please share.

For more ideas on this topic check out Michell Parker's blog on Houzz.

Before buying artwork, decide what kind of artwork "speaks to you".

Original artwork, which may be a fabulous one-of-a-kind piece costs more because the artist only sells one of them.  It is not being mass produced.

If your after unique artwork without the large price tag, you may want to look a prints.  This is where the artist has created a piece of art then creates a print on paper.  Other kinds of artwork to consider at reproductions, and photography.

I always like to support locally if possible, so when buying artwork try art shows, auctions, antique fairs, local galleries, or internet sites like Etsy or Houzz.

1. You've heard me say this more than once, but painting or replacing your front door can make a huge difference.

2. Containers are a great way to grow plants.  Cluster a few colorful potted containers on your porch to brighten it up!

3. Create you own little get away on your porch...some comfortable, stylish seating, pillows, rug, etc.  It will be a great place to sit and enjoy the sunset, read a book, or even to entertain family and friends.

4. Sometimes it is the little things that make a difference so power wash you house, clean the windows, and add special accents like a new mailbox (if yours is rusted and bent), new lighting or house numbers.

5. Garage doors may be a bit expensive but they really set the tone for the rest of the house.

6. Good landscaping is worth the investment.  If the idea is overwhelming to you than consult a professional.

All this information and more can be found on great blog from Centsational Girl.

Emerald

Eclectic Family Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe

"Green is the most abundant hue in nature - the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum, said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute."Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation and easily translates to fashion and home interiors," as quoted by Resource Partners.

Eclectic Family Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe