Try a Little Sunshine

I would never say my favorite color is yellow, but for some reason I am ready to welcome in the spring and yellow seems to be the best way to do it.

I would never wear yellow clothes or paint my nails yellow... or drive a yellow car, but a big glass vase filled with yellow daffodils screams Spring to me.  You just can't be sad when you walk into a room and see a bunch of bright yellow flowers.  It instantly cheers you up.

Some other ways to use yellow:

1. Try lemony yellow towels in your guest bathroom.

2. Fill a bowl with lemons to brighten up your kitchen counter.

3. Depending on your decor, add some yellow pillows to your sofa or bedroom.

Go ahead... give yellow a try.

Where to Begin

One of the questions I hear most often is, "Where do I begin?"

I usually follow that question with "What do you like?"

Sounds simple, right?  Not always.  It's really hard when you are put on the spot to think of what style, color, fabric, or furniture you like.  But... it's usually pretty easy when you are out shopping to point to things that you do like... a particular chair or pattern or accessory. 

My best advice?  Take a camera along in your purse... or use the camera on your cell phone.  Take pictures of the things that strike you... it can be a room in a furniture store or a pattern of a dress.  Print up your pictures to get a collection of colors and items that you like... it will lead you in the right direction.

Things I Hate

1. Fake Plants - they do nothing but gather dust.

2. Artwork hung too high - nobody wants to strain their neck looking at your art.

3. White walls - you don't live in a hospital and white walls show all the dirt.

4. Clutter - it just makes your house look messy no matter how "clean" it really is.

5. Dirty dishes in the sink - doesn't take more than a few minutes to stick dishes in the dishwasher.

6. Broken furniture - fix or replace!

Getting Ideas

I just got home from attending the Los Angeles Gift Show at the Convention Center.  I've been going to this particular show for years, mostly to purchase products for my retail boutique, but since I don't do much retail anymore I went to get ideas.

I love getting new decorating ideas and those ideas always pop into my head from all different types of sources.  For instance, there was a company that sold reclaimed wood message boards.  Love them!  They are way too expensive to purchase retail, but it's a simple idea that I know I can make myself.  A few old boards and some wire and cork and you've got yourself a unique, handcrafted message board.

I also saw some really beautiful fabric overnight bags... hand sewn and very expensive.  The fabrics, however, were different and eclectic and they gave me some great ideas for putting together different types of patterns and fabrics.

You never know where your next big idea will come from.