To help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day I wanted to give you some history behind the day and a few of my ideas for dad. No matter what you do this year, at least pick-up the phone and call your dad.  Trust me, time is too short. 

A bit of history from Wikipedia, Father’s Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. It is also celebrated to honor and commemorate our fathers and forefathers. Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners to fathers, and family-oriented activities. The first observance of Father’s Day is believed to have been held on June 19, 1910 through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After listening to a church sermon at Spokane’s Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt strongly that fatherhood needed recognition, as well.  She wanted a celebration that honored fathers like her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.

Here are a few gift ideas-

1.  Trunkit Golf Gear Case will allow dad to store golf gear neatly and conveniently in the trunk of his car. This way he is always ready to play a few rounds.

2.  This sleek iPad leather case helps protect is from bumps and scratches.  Neiman Marcus will even personalize it with a monogram.

3.  Update dad’s old recliner with Flight from DWR. It is a recliner that doesn’t look like one.

4.  Give dad a terrific one-of-a-kind handmade basketweave pillow from Tie 2 Pillow.

5.  From the backyard to the lake, this is portable relaxation in bright-stripes from Crate and Barrel.

6.  The Sanctuary Charging Station from Blue Lounge is a beautiful, simple solution to a real everyday problem. A place to put the multitude of personal items dad’s all carry around so they are easily located again when later needed and, always fully charged.

7.  For the Iron Chef dad this Barbecue Boss Grillin giftbaskets transforms any grilling session into a gourmet affair!

8.  Help dad tame his wallet, watch, keys and other everyday essentials with a beautifully styled Deluxe Valet. This one is from Red Envelope.

9.  Cooler,cocktail table and coffee table all in one! Available from Keter.

Lighting can determine the mood and feel of a room.  A great place to start is with a floor lamp.  Here are a few to get you started.

1. I love the natural flow of the lines.  These would be great for use with a sectional or over a bed. For more info. check out Cattelan Italia

2.  This faux bois (“false or fake wood”) brings a bit or nature in the room.  The silver makes it chic.  This lamp can be found out at Neiman Marcus

3. It might be hard to tell, but this is mother of pearl.  It is timeless and will go with almost any interior. Available from Horchow

4. I like lamps that allow you to adjust them for use.  This one has a clean lines and an easy adjustment. Can be purchased through Restoration Hardware

5. Simply Glamorous! Check out Artemide

6. Recycle. This was made from a radiator. Fun stuff from Bobo

7. Faux bamboo is a classic.  I love the way they changed the shade to match the chair!  How fun. Good site- Shades of Light

8. Great used of wood and metal. Innovative design from Y lighting

9. Over-sized and dramatic. Modern looks can be seen on Frandsen Projekt

10. Classic tripod base with a colorful shade.  This makes it easy to update the look- just add a new shade to freshen up the look.  For more cool stuff- Y lighting

As you all know, Mother’s Day is just around the corner. This is the day to honor the woman that brought you into this world.  This year, give the mom in your life a gift that show you care and love her with all your heart. Here are 7 potentially awesome gifts.

1. Each of these ceramic cups displays multiple layers of glazing-in one of four unique patterns. The have a slim design that fits perfectly into mom hands.

2. Displayed in three chic white pots and a matching water tray.  Mom can grow chamomile, lavender and lemon balm, their aromas combine into a natural mood lifter.

3. These unique bookends will help mom keep her favorite book collections perfectly upright between these two clear vases. She can even fill them with flowers, marbles, seashells and more.

4. As warm as they are comfortable, these soft felted slippers bring on the bling too-or at least add a touch of it in the form of sparkles that refuse to toe the line of boring bedroom footwear.

5. This votive samplers are a great way to experience the diversity of the Timothy Jay fragrance range.  Mom will think of you ever time she lights one.

6. Any bag can accommodate Mom’s favorite things; this one makes room for her favorite people, too.

7. Let mom get some shut-eye in this uproarious sleep mask reminiscent of Miss Holly Golightly herself!

If during these times you can’t afford to buy mom in your life anything, give her a call and tell her you love her.  That is priceless!

The fashion industries influence on home décor has always been present.  But it seems to be hand-in-hand these days.  Perhaps it is because more fashion designers are venturing into the home décor arena.  Hmmm..maybe it’s time to start exploring a fashion line.  Here are few examples of how fashions translate into home décor.  Enjoy!

I LOVE design books.  I believe you can never have too many…okay maybe that is an overstatement. The larger books look great displayed on a coffee table (and so do the small ones and the medium).  Let’s agree, we all have them on our bedside tables—not to mention all over our office, on our desk, shelves and the list goes on and on.  No wonder there are tons of different bookend designs.  Here are just a few, some just for fun and others that would be great in any space.  Enjoy!!

Here is where they came from:

1. Fine Home Products
2. Design Within Reach
3. Velocity Art and Design
4. Etsy
5. Restoration Hardware
6. Etsy
7. West Elm
8. Chiasso
9. Jonathan Adler
10. Restoration Hardware

Have you noticed that the color turquoise (and many closely related) is everywhere right now? It has been named the color of 2010 by Pantone’s executive director. It was the obvious choice because it’s soothing and makes people think of being on vacation. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your home.

PAINT- it is the easiest and most cost effective way to transform any room.  You can even create a great focal wall by just painting it and leaving the rest alone.

Give your home some Spring curb appeal by painting the front door and maybe even the shutters. 

Here are all kind of things.  One or two will give your home an updated look.

Sources:
1. Christina Table Lamp by Bungalow 5 from Clayton Gray Home
2. Blue Beaded Globe from Pieces
3. Vintage French Glass chandelier from Revival Home & Garden
4. Mira sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
5. Vince and Vincent Lamp from Stray Dog Designs
6. Zebra Waste Basket and Tissue Set from Clayton Gray Home
7. Lacquer Umbrella Stand from Jonathan Adler
8. iittala mug from AllModern
9. Turquoise Glass Jars from Grace Home Furnishings

Sources:
1. Lush square pillow by Unison from AllModern.com
2. Turquoise Vases from Jayson Home & Garden
3. Large lucite frame from Dabney Lee at Home
4. Azure pillow from John Robshaw
5. Writing Desk from Russell and McKenna
6. Amanda Blue quilt by Roberta Roller Rabbit
7. Turquoise Pill Carafe from Jonathan Adler
8. Cyan pillow from John Robshaw
9. Ginny Shower Curtain from India Rose
10. Turquoise Moroccan pouf from John Derian
11. Turquoise Art Deco lamp from Target

If you are worried about being too trendy rest assured that this color has been around as long as this door.

Just a few tried and true design tips.  Enjoy!

Each room should have at least one unique piece that has a special meaning to you (even if it doesn’t match the decor of the room).

If the pillows made for your sofa look better on your bed, switch them.

When you can’t find the right coffee table, switch your search to dining tables and cut the legs.

Wallpaper the ceiling – it’s the largest visible surface in the room.

Buying green is great, but working with what you already have is even better.

Setting the table with mis-matched vintage china patterns is more glamorous than a table that looks like a store display.

I keep seeing peacocks…everywhere… they even inspired my Fall color palette for QVC.
Part of being a designer is being out and about and I always carry my camera with me.  It helps me remember certain items, details…
I just downloaded the images and realized many were peacock inspired. So, I hope you enjoy them.  I also pulled a few fun facts too.

 
Did you know that the peacock became the official national bird of India in 1963 and is protected by law in its native habitat?

   
   
     
 
In folk art, peacocks are often painted looking backwards at their tails. Because these feathers are renewed each year, this is considered a symbol for renewal.
Cultures around the world often pair parrots, peacocks, and doves as focal points in Tree of Life designs.

 

Although I feel that peafowl in general are often overlooked and under appreciate, especially in design, you can find them in modern to ancient cultures. 
They have even made to network TV, NBC-the “peacock network”.

Its time to start adding punches of color to your interior. Invite Spring in!

1. Switch out dark pillows with lighter softer colors.

2. Replace heavy window treatments with a lighter linen fabric or natural woven bamboo shade.  It is about using natural, lighter, outdoor materials and getting rid of those heavy fabrics.

3. Rethink your heavy wool rugs and replace with them with seagrass ones.

4. Change out heavy winter bedding with lighter bedding. Linen, gingham, toile and seersucker fabrics evoke the Spring mood in the bedroom.

5. Switch out the heavy lamp shades to lighter, linen shades.

6. Introduce wicker or rattan occasional furniture pieces.  A room with all heavy bulky furniture does not really allow for a room to breathe. 

Here are couple of great Valentines ideas. 

Candy and Flowers
Ever wonder what to do with the candy box after all the chocolate magically disappears?  Just add some floral foam and flowers.

Food and Flowers To Go
Stop by and pick-up some of your favorite take-out, make sure to ask for an empty container.  Grab some flowers and floral foam from the super market.  Place the foam in the extra container and insert the flowers.