It’s not often that life gives us a crystal ball for peering into the future, but one thing we know for certain, each one of us is inching towards a stage in life that will be our future.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a baby boomer or a Gen Y or X; if lucky, the aging process will be a part of living and many are seeking to enjoy this stage of life to the fullest!

Read on to find great tips on creating a “grand” retreat for family members.

There are new senior living communities popping up across our nation, and yet, there are trends developing in expanding or planning for additional quarters for different generations under the same roof.  According to an article from “Housing Zone”:

“Multi-generational housing is an old concept that is [...]

More >
Leave a comment
Tags: decorating, home office desk, mother-in-law quarters, multi-generational furniture, multi-generational living, remodeling for multi-generations, sleigh bed, writing desk

I’ll admit it, I am a decorating fanatic. I love to talk decorating—anytime with most anyone. But most especially, I love browsing for inspiration in magazines and on websites. There’s just a special thrill I get when I see a look I want to recreate or a piece of furniture or fabric I need. (Yes, I said “need,” not “want,” that just illustrates my obsession!) My current fave? The Antonella floor mirror. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Antonella floor mirror

What’s not to love about the classically inspired Antonella mirror? Its shapely form is reminiscent of palace doors and windows, while its rubbed finish appears time-worn.

Over the years as I work with friends, family, and clients on their homes, I find myself sharing one important insight about these fabulous inspiration photos we all covet: they’re [...]

More >
1 Comment
Tags: adding light to a room, decorating, floor mirror, floor mirrors, furniture, Hooker Furniture, mirror, mirrors, wall mirror, wall mirrors

If you have a room that needs decorating help and you’ve already covered the basics, try looking up. That’s right, look at the ceiling. While how-to articles and decorating TV shows offer great advice for addressing floors and walls, ceilings are often overlooked. And yet a beautiful ceiling can upgrade an average space to an amazing one.

I chose this pale blue shade to accentuate the cathedral ceiling in the master bedroom of the Parade Home for the Home Builder Association in Winston Salem, N.C. this year.

Blue ceiling gives light & airy feeling

The pale blue ceiling gives the room a light, airy feeling while allowing the wall color to remain neutral—which makes it easier to select and update bed linens and drapery fabrics.

While there are a number of creative ceiling solutions, paint is often the easiest and least expensive. A soothing, [...]

More >
1 Comment
Tags: bedroom, Ceiling, ceiling borders, ceiling décor, ceiling paint, color, decorating, glamour, how-to, interior design, paint, painted finishes, painting, porch

Furniture. It’s true. Moms really want furniture.

Sure, we appreciate the time and thought behind the slippers, bathrobes, bubble bath and candy—but what we really want is something we need. Something we can enjoy every day. Something that adds beauty and function to our home. Something exactly like furniture.

Personally, the Mother’s Day gift I’d most like to receive is the Flowered Drum Table from Hooker Furniture’s Mélange accents.

Mélange Flowered Drum Table

It has the look of popular garden stools, only better. It’s more refined and substantial. I love the way the flowers look carved and dimensional. The neutral, creamy finish on this pedestal ensures it will fit in just about anywhere. I can use it in my den, bedroom, or even a pair of them in my entry hall.

Another great gift idea? The Encircle Floor Mirror. I can picture [...]

More >
Leave a comment
Tags: accent table, accents, decorating, gift, gift ideas, mélange, mirror, Mother’s Day

When I hear ‘Spring Cleaning’ here is what comes to mind: washing windows, organizing closets, and clearing out the garage. No fun, and definitely not exciting. But maybe, just maybe, there’s a better way. Maybe this year ‘Spring Cleaning’ should mean cleaning up our decorating act. And for this, I am excited.

It’s easy to get a little complacent with home decor. We get busy with life’s demands and suddenly watching HGTV is as close to actual home improvement as we get. Just as the areas of our homes that need cleaning are the ones that have been neglected—the spaces most in need of decorating help are the ones that have been ignored.

The Classique Scroll Chest from Melange

So let’s toss out the idea that you have to redo an entire room to be happy. Over the years [...]

More >
Leave a comment
Tags: accent furniture, accents, chest, decorating, furniture, hall furniture, Hooker Furniture, living room tables, painted furniture