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Oct
no more bleh.
So because you didn’t ask…Ha!…I thought it would be groovy to share some basic living quality ideas that have helped this sista gurl go from bleh to yowsa! Nothing expensive, nothing fussy, nothing complicated, and nothing rare or antique. Just pared down common sense. Living quality is ultimately about ruthless editing and choosing to surround yourself with the things you love. Here goes…
1. White Server Ware.
Plates can come in a dizzying array of fussy styles and shapes; so when in doubt stick with white. White makes your meals look appetizing; even when they’re not.
2. A Great Mirror.
There was a time in my life when the only mirror that I possessed was my rusty medicine cabinet. I, like many people, grew up with the standard $3.99 door mirror that your mama would by from WoolWorth. You know…that place that existed before the dollar store? But we’re all grown right? A great mirror injects tons of personality and drama into your space.
3. The Occasional Chair.
If you have a foyer; use an occasional chair. Occasional chairs break up the matchy matchy dining room table syndrome. If you don’t have a foyer; have the chair in the corner of your bedroom and stop getting dressed on your bed.
4. Cutlery.
Now it makes no sense to GT why people would eat with cutlery that their Great Aunt used ten thousand Thanksgivings ago when they can walk/drive/run down to their nearest Target and buy a matching set for twenty dollars. Old cutlery is just nast.
5. Lamp Lighting.
Two things. Halogen lamps will set your house on fire and overhead lighting makes everyone look God awful; even Boris Kodjoe. Get a couple of floor and table lamps and your living space will become intimate, cozy and inviting.
6. Gallery Framing.
Frame B&W images, calendar pics, or your own art. The trick to gallery framing is to purchase a minimum of three and group them together. And for the love of all things holy GT can’t stand seeing one pathetic and lonely 4×6 frame on an even bigger and pathetic wall. Just stop. GT just recently bought a 2009 Romare Bearden Wall Calendar. I’m going to shamelessly cut out those art images and frame them.
7. ChalkBoard Paint.
Great for one wall in your kitch or a kid’s wall in their bedroom. When you were wittle you couldn’t wait to write on your teacher’s chalk board. So Trust. You will have a field day with using colored chalk and your kid will think you’re a rock star.
8. Light Switch Plates.
One or two tops. Do not. I repeat. Do not go overboard with this.
9. Stainless Steel Trash Can.
If you have a Rubber Maid trash can; I’m sending you to prison. I kidd. These cans used to cost you your first born but now they come in every price point and every color. Simply Chic.
10. Pillows.
Have lots of them. I like Cherry Blossoms, birds, and my favorite color is green. A match made in heaven.
Any ideas you love? Chime in. Any Ideas of your own. Chime in.
on October 30th, 2008 at 9:45 am
GT,
Awesome post! I am currently in that stage of making my house (well tiny one bdrm apt) a home… Also, in response to your response yesterday…. can you do a post called “Get off the Bus!”????? But then you wonder, will it even help? It’s so easy to say I am, I will, I’m going to, then SPLAT! You run smack dead into another NON MOVING BUS! : \
I give you great kudos for starting your blog. You got off the bus. Keep up the Fab!
Ms. Carter
on October 30th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Yowsa!
I love the idea about the occasional chair. BTW the chair…I love it!
Where can I find it?
on October 30th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Ms. Carter. I thank you.
This is more than a blog; I’ve always had a drive and passion about home and spirit and looking good while doing it! But it took me a while to have the confidence in myself to actually take that leap of faith.
We all have had moments of procrastination, sticking our heads in the sand, doubt, stalling, waiting for the right moment, and essentially waiting for opportunities to fall in our lap. And it never happens; cause life is not designed that way.
I will gladly write a post on taking risks.
on October 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Great suggestions as always. I’m becoming a linen freak. Nothing like good linens to wrap me in a cocoon of happy. I also am into book cases. I know we’re all digital now, but I’ve always loved the English Drawing room complete with gorgeous book case.
on October 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
ITA with the white servewear and cutlery. It really does make the food look better!
on October 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I am sooo just listening today. I am working on style, and I am being patient. I need somebody to roll up in here and help me.
I know what I like, but it does not always translate to what is around me; for instance, I recently bought a chair (from a “friend”); when I saw it up in her house, I was over it. Well, recently, she had to downsize, and she was selling the chair. Naturally, I jumped all on it. Now, I hate the damn chair. The wood is too dark, the ottoman is in the way… ok, you get where I am going with this. I want this chair OUT OF MY HOUSE–or at least in a different room.
So, I can identify beautiful things; however, I can’t seem to make my home a comfortable haven for ME! Like I said, I am just listening today. Perhaps I will learn something.
~Ramona
p.s. I did do one thing of which I am EXTREMELY proud: I bought some lamps!!! Real lamps, y’all. That one purchase has totally made a difference.
on October 31st, 2008 at 12:53 am
A stainless steel trash can was one of the first gifts my mom gave me when I moved out. I have polished that thing and moved it into every home I’ve even been in.
I need to step my white serverware game up though.
on October 31st, 2008 at 8:05 am
lol @ the stainless steel trash cans!!! My mom and I went to Linen & Things and she made me buy one of those lol
PS: Linens & Things filed for bankruptcy and a lot of their stores are having going out of business sales. So sad cos that was such a great store, so if you have one in your area you could pick up a few things to help with the mission of ‘no more bleh’
on October 31st, 2008 at 8:08 am
@ ramona you should visit apartment therapy for inspiration and imnotreallyadiva.blogspot.com she’s always doing d.i.y things. She recently re-painted and reupholstered a chair
http://imnotreallyadiva.blogspot.com/search/label/diy
on October 31st, 2008 at 8:40 am
Thanks, ceecee!
I am about to get on that right now.
~Ramona
on October 31st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Ramona.
No need to fret or worr. We all have suffered the blues in a classic case of buyers remorse. Not to fret. Try to sell the chair through Craig’s list, Ebay, or donate to Good Will for the Karma.
GT
on October 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Linen’s and Things manufactured a line of housewares designed by Nate Berkus. And that man knows how to dress a room. Sad, Sad..maybe he should head over to the designer for less beacon on the hill Tarjay.
on October 31st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Thanks, GT.
Have a great weekend.
~Ramona
on October 31st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
ITA w/ the mirror and stainless steel trash can. I’m still ISO the perfect mirror.