Updating Home with Replacement Windows

My home is 87 years old and the 21 lead glass with rope pulley system windows have never been repaired but instead sealed so that they cannot open. We have storm windows however the home is still drafty.

Husband and I decided it would be in our best interest to replace 9 of the windows because it would be better insulation and also allow us to have cross ventilation. I love the historic windows due to their charm but they are cosmetic only as they do not function and they are not insulated.

Pella replacement windows found on lowes.com

Finding Replacement Windows

The first thing that we did was take the measurements for the windows we were replacing and then we shopped online to get an idea as to what was available and the costs.

Where to Shop for Replacement Windows Online

homedepot.com

searshomeservice.com

lowes.com

homeadvisor.com (reviews and ratings for window contractors)

Our online search provided us with an estimate for the costs, and we were able to look at a variety of window brands and styles.  We picked out what we liked online and then went to our local Lowe's store.

We ended up buying Pella vinyl windows because we liked that they were

quality made and there is a guarantee that they will reduce our heating and air conditioning energy costs and also keep us warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

In comparison to the other windows that we looked at, both my husband and I liked Pella window designs and think that they will improve our comfort by putting a stop to drafts and will make our kitchen, dining room and bedroom plus make our historic home look beautiful.

Add Ambiance with Dale Tiffany Lamp

Recently one of my clients asked me how she could add ambiance to her living room,    My reply was to buy a Dale Tiffany stained glass table lamp, ceiling mounted light and floor lamp.

Here is a Dale Tiffany Stained Glass Buffet Lamp you can see that it is timeless elegance.

Know that a stained glass lamp shade is made up of hundreds of multiple colors and cut glass pieces that are welded together. Tiffany lamp shades are elaborate works of art that will accent a formal living room beautifully.

Of course, the benefit from this multiple pieced glass shade is when you turn the light on. The entire room comes to life as it is filled with a cozy glow that is projected from the shade. Dale Tiffany table lamps will provide the ambiance that is eye appealing, colorful and inviting.

Buying Tips:

1. Choose a lampshade that will complement the color theme of your room.
2. There are many color themes available and I recommend buying seasonal lamps.
3. Coordinate your seasonal decorations with the stained glass table lamp.
4. Dale Tiffany is renowned for quality heirloom stained glass lamps that are handmade.

Where to buy a Dale Tiffany Lamp:

If you are interested in learning more or buying a table lamp then I recommend these online shops for the best selection and prices.

Wayfair.com

Jcpenny.com

Thelightingshop.com

Lampsplus.com

Learn more about Dale Tiffany and how to make these stained glass lamps at YouTube.com video

Decorating with Color: Blue and White

When it comes to decorating for the warm season I like to create a space that both my husband and I will enjoy.  The interior space should be eye-appealing and also have a cool feeling as well as inviting to family and guests.  Blue is a cool color and white is crisp clean and refreshing thus complimenting the blue.  Whenever I am working in the garden and then come indoors to a blue room that is accented with white I naturally feel cooler.

The home sets that are viewed below were created to show my customers how to decorate with the color blue.  View my blue home decor designs here 

Many people like the color blue but I find that men really like this color. Maybe it is due to the baby boys nursery being decorated with the color blue? Not certain but when it comes to decorating a masculine home I have found that most men like the color blue.

Another color that coordinates well with blue is yellow. Yellow is a cheerful color and is a nice accent. When it comes to decorating a blue and white room I will add splashes of yellow color, enough to be eye-appealing but this color should not overtake the blue or white colors.

Fresh Herb Wreath How to and Decor Ideas

It is really cold out today and I am missing my herb garden. I have a few herb plants on a southern windowsill but my indoor garden does not compare to my outdoor garden in the summer. So today I thought if I cannot work outdoors in the garden I am going to make a fresh herb wreath for my kitchen and the aroma from the leaves will be nice.

For this wreath I needed to buy bunches of herbs from the farmers market. I was able to find and buy rosemary, thyme, and sage. These herbs bunches were not inexpensive so I used a bent twig wreath that I had instead of buying one from hobby lobby.

I used 6 eight inch herb stems that were gathered together, I worked the bunch of herbs in-between the bent twig wreath and found I did not need any craft wire to hold them in place.

When all the herbs were attached to the wreath I sprayed then with water to help the herbs to stay fresh. Going forward I will mist the herbs on the wreath daily and they should keep for several weeks. Know that this is an easy craft with big results because the fragrance of the herbs really makes the kitchen have a nice scent. 

Here is a video that will show you how to make a fresh lavender wreath.  Wonderfully fragrant for kitchen, bedroom, or entrance to your home.

Blue Christmas Decor Ideas for Living Room

One of my clients loves the color blue and wanted to update his Christmas room by utilizing shades of blue with contrasting white and silver. He told me to keep the walls a white, but was open for discussion for a blue feature wall with blue snowflake or winter wonderland canvas print or poster.

But other than that he asked me to use accessories; throw pillows, winter blue, white and silver accessories including crystal sculpture to pop up his room decor color and to add visual interest.   My client said he liked the art deco style with tufted sofa, high back chairs but was open to new modern ideas. I jotted down his wants for the Christmas room makeover and then went to work.

 I searched online for products that would work with his Christmas room. I found some interesting home décor accessories at Joss & Main.com, zazzle.com and polyvore. I prefer to gather Christmas product ideas from online rather than running around town search of this and that. Online is so much easier to shop for home décor ideas because everything is a click away.

I searched online for products that  and  colors that were appealing. My client liked Ethan Allan furniture, and Baccarat crystal.  He was a man who liked finer things and I knew I could present a visually appealing Christmas room that he would love.

Here is the Christmas home decor set I created at Polyvore for my client. My service is to inspire and to show the client  visually appealing rooms based on what they tell me, and what I interpret when talking to them. After I present then a visual presentation then they can then hire me to decorate their home or they can do it themselves or hire whoever they want.  On average it take me a day to prepare a product design for my client. 

The products listed bellow this set are my designs from my Susang6 shop at zazzle.com.  All other items can be found at Polyvore.com.

Blue Christmas by sgolis featuring throw pillows

When all was said and done the blue Christmas décor that I found online turned and ordinary room into an extraordinary room.

Here is a youtube video that features 25 living rooms that are decorated for Christmas.  All are good ideas, you can use the design ideas and change the color to blue.  

I hope this article and video inspires you to decorate for a blue Christmas. 

Decorating Ideas for Cottage Style Bedroom

When it comes to decorating a  cottage style bedroom with accessories I always think botanical prints with greenery. I like the floral prints with green color because it represents nature and harmony. 

Decorating with flowers and the color green creates a cozy and calm ambiance, thus green is a good color and floral print accessories in bedroom works well for because it is a room where one goes to rest.

Here are some ideas for decorating a cottage style bedroom 

Decorate a  cottage bedroom by adding white wainscoting on the lower half of your wall and then paint the top wall green.  Choose a green paint shade that will match your accessories.

Then decide on the focal area of your room. Generally your bed is the feature in your bedroom and thus you will use your primary colors on the bed.  Use floral print throw pillows, pillow shams and other floral print accessories then I would comforter or quilt set that is a neutral color  or has a dainty floral print.

Then accessorize  bed ensemble with coordinating throw pillows.  

Hydrangea "Blue Wave" Throw Pillow by Artellus

Rose (4) Lumbar 13" x 21" Pillow by StVenus

Botanical Gardens Decorative Pillow by MysGardenSanctuary

Continue decorating this country cottage bedroom  by adding coordinating bedside table lamps or a pendant lamp.

beautiful vintage floral flowers polka-dot pattern table lamp by TiagoMiguel

beautiful vintage floral flowers polka-dot pattern table lamp by TiagoMiguel

Decorate the walls with botanical canvas prints and add interest and warmth to your country cottage bedroom.

Plant Vintage Botany Drawing Wrapped Canvas Canvas Prints by RastaDread

Goulds' Hummingbirds Stretched Print Stretched Canvas Prints by farmer77

girly french botanical bird rose paris fashion gallery wrapped canvas by vintagefashionstore

Continue to accessorize the green theme bedroom with hat boxes, set of 3 would be best.  These boxes would add a touch of greener and would look nice on top of your dresser or stacked on top of each other next to a accent chair.

Accessorize country cottage bedroom with a botanical 

Rose (4) Gift Box by StVenus

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Let’s Decorate Kitchen with Spring Flower Accessories

I am in the mood for decorating for spring how about you?  The winter has been long, dark, and extremely cold which makes me ready for some cheerful daffodils and irises flower prints.  These spring floral patterned accessories will chase the winter blues away and make your kitchen décor feel cheerful and welcoming to your family and friends.

I don’t know about you but everyone hangs out in the kitchen at my house, so it makes perfect sense that this room should be decorated with spring focal points that are eye-appealing. Add a touch of spring by accenting your china cabinet, baker's rack, or hutch with pretty spring-themed plates, mugs, and other kitchen accessories.  Another way to make this room more festive is to add hand or kitchen towels and aprons as accents

Here are a few of my favorite kitchen home decorations; daffodils and irises that will make your kitchen come alive.   I found all of these products at Zazzle and if you like what you see but want to view a large photo then click on the image and it will take you to the shop.

Happy spring everyone.

Susan

Decorate for spring with daffodil flowers

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Party Plates

Beautiful Daffodils Plate by VenisM
Browse more Daffodil Plates at Zazzle

Hanashobu ~ Irises ~ Vintage Japanese Ukiyo e Art Party Plates by TheVintageVamp

Coffee Mugs

Yellow Spring Daffodils Jumbo Mug by NancyTrippPhotoGifts

Vintage Flowers, Floral Botany, Garden Irises Mugs by Tchotchke

Apron

Yellow daffodils aprons by Ceyzpurplestang

Daffodil Hand or Kitchen Towel

Yellow Spring Daffodils - Daffodil Template Kitchen Towels by SilverSpiral

Daffodil Spring Flower Botanical Drawing Towel by CountryGarden
Browse Zazzle for a different hand towel.

Irises Kitchen Towels by watercoloring

Other Daffodil and Irises Kitchen Accents

0455 Purple Irises Napkin by RuthGarrison

Beautiful Daffodils Pitcher by VenisM

Daffodils spring Lamp by Fiery_Fire
Check out Shades Lamp-In-A-Box Lamp online at zazzle

Purple Bearded Iris Garden Flowers Lamp by twopurringcats

Accent your Walls for Spring

Daffodil Hill Barn Posters by b_adams_studio
Look at other Flowers Posters at zazzle.com

Decorating Living Room with Throw Pillows

Decorating your living room does not need to be expensive you can add a fresh look easily with a set of coordinating throw pillows.  When it comes to decorating with the pillow it is best to coordinate the pillows with your furniture.

This picture shows various blue pillow sizes as well as texture, fabric, color, and style.  All of the pillows have a unique look however they coordinate well with each other.  A set of pillows such as this one will complement a blue theme home as they are eye appealing. 
 

Before you shop for living room throw pillows determine the style of your room.  There are a variety of pillow styles; floral, girly, vintage, country, modern, seasonal, and more.  The style that you choose should complement your décor.

Interior Decorating Tips

1. When you determine the style you will then decide on the colors that will work with your living room décor.  
2. Pick out three primary colors.  As an example a pink, green and beige patterned or floral pillow will accent a green-themed room nicely
3. Coordinate this green pattern pillow with a solid primary color and you will have a set of the throw pillow accents for your sofa or your chair. 
4. Buy throw pillows as a set; choose 4 to 6 for a sofa, one for an accent chair.  An interesting pillow arrangement would feature several sizes.

Here are throw pillows that I designed and some pillow finds from zazzle.com.  Click onto the photo to view in the store and to check for current prices.

Floral Throw Pillow

Pink Painted Lily Throw Pillow by Susang6

Girly Throw Pillow

Paris Vintage Throw Pillows by GirlyTemplate

Vintage Throw Pillow

Paris Vintage Blue Hydrangea Pillow by 13MoonshineDesigns 

.

Modern Throw Pillow

Linen Beige & Aqua Modern Moroccan Custom Monogram Pillow by jenniferstuartdesign

Seasonal throw pillows Summer Autumn and Winter

Oriental Orange Tiger Lily Pillows by Susang6
Check out more Orange Pillows at Zazzle

Autumn Leaves Landscape Pillows by Susang6

Central Park Winter Path - New York City Pillows by NYThroughTheLens

View this YouTube video to learn more about choosing throw pillows for your home decor.