Interior Inspirations

Some LOVE for Sarah Breedlove: My Moment with Madam CJ Walker

2011-02-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

I would've loved to have been a decorator in NY in the summer 1918. I’m sure that I could have convinced Sarah Breedlove aka Madam CJ Walker to let me in – into the grand Villa Lewaro. I imagine I would have arrived at her lovely new estate bringing my A-Game; heart pounding, eyes dancing and palms sweating – excited and eager to make it beautifully hers.

A national historic site and a short 30 minute drive from my home town; Villa Lewaro is still a grand and lovely estate in Irvington-on-Hudson. This past summer, I took my feisty 95 year old grandmother, sisters Karen and Nicole and my niece Briana to visit. We were only able to see it from afar, but I’ve since discovered that it has now been opened to tour – I’m thrilled and can’t wait to go back and get inside…it’s once again on my summer to-do list.

An amazing entrepreneur and millionaire, Madam CJ Walker inspires me in so many ways. I marvel at what she was able to accomplish and wonder if her decorators were careful to capture and showcase her authenticity. She was an incredible woman.

Are you in the midst of an interior transformation? Remember, your home is the canvas of your life’s story. Be sure to make it your masterpiece. Your guests should be able to say, “It’s so YOU”. Oh, and while you’re decorating it – consider giving your home a name. In honor of Sarah Breedlove, I’ve named my home Chatelet de Cousins aka Cheryl’s Chatelet - yes, that’s kind of fabulous.

What decorating project are you working on?
Share your story with me; I’d love to hear about it!

Happy Decorating!

Make the Green Shift...Think Thrift!

2009-04-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

As a knobby-kneed, wide-eyed explorer of gently used merchandise, I thoroughly enjoyed searching for diamonds in the rough as a young girl. Second hand was my Mom’s first choice and I was always a willing shopping partner. Who knew all those years ago that Mom was teaching me how to live green and live smart? These days, I’m still amazed at the wonderful things given away by generous souls who’d rather donate than discard; offering new life to their old things in new spaces. I am a frequent donor and visitor to my local thrift stores and consignment shops. I’ve often found treasures that have made my thrifty, green heart go pitter patter. Shopping in my neighborhood for items that can be reused, repurposed, restored and revived is my way of helping the environment. By second hand shopping in Stone Mountain GA, I’m eliminating environmental waste, reducing my carbon footprint and saving money; going green and saving green - now that’s something to celebrate. Your carbon footprint is a measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide produced from your daily activities. When you consider the amount of energy required to make and transport goods, especially home furnishings, you begin to see how much of a difference our combined efforts can make if we each make the shift toward green thinking. Shopping today? Think thrift! it’s a great way to extend yesterday’s earth day celebration. If you find something spectacular, do share! Be Inspired.

One Day?

2009-04-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ever get stuck waiting on “one day”? If there was a day of the week called “Oneday” we would be able to accomplish so much, don’t you agree?

It is human nature to dream and hope and plan and dream and hope and plan some more. Repeating this “one day” cycle keeps many of us on the proverbial “hamster wheel” just rolling along using all of our energy and getting absolutely nowhere. As an Interior Decorator, I have found that there are many people who desire to have a beautiful home, but for any number of reasons are not ready to start their redecorating projects. If you are one of these wonderful people, you’re in good company. You’re not a procrastinator; you’re what I call a “OneDayer”. Being a “OneDayer” puts you a step closer to the goal, but you need a little push in the right direction. Here is a plan that I’ve developed to help you turn that optional one day into terrific today! I’m giving you a High Five: 5 Simple Steps to get you closer to the home of your dreams;

Step One – List the top 5 things that you want to do with your home and number the items on your list in order of importance and based upon your preferences. You can also go from smaller to larger projects as it’s sometimes easier to get started with the one that will be easiest to do.

Step Two – For your first item, determine if you can do it alone or if help is required. If you can manage it alone, set a date to do it, and be sure to do it on the date that you’ve specified. If you need help, arrange a time to meet with your assistants and set your date based on the schedules of everyone involved.

Step Three - Gather any materials needed and have them ready for the start date of your project. If you need to have someone hold you accountable for staying on track – find someone to keep your feet to the fire!

Step Four – Just Do it! No excuses. Don’t let anything interfere with your plan.

Step Five – Celebrate the success of your project and set the date for the 2nd item on your list. Keep this process going with each item listed. Before you know it you’ll be living beautifully, and getting High-Fives for your accomplishments.

Be Inspired.

Just My Imagination

2009-04-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever met someone in person that you’d previously only had an opportunity to communicate with via phone or letters, who says to you “you look just like I’d imagined you”? With today’s technology, digital photos and email, that probably doesn’t happen as much anymore, but the imagination is still a wonderfully powerful tool. How do you imagine or define beauty? Have you begun the process of creating a beautiful home based upon your imagination? If you can determine the basics of what you love and put those components together cohesively, it will result in a home that reflects your personal preferences, and it will be beautifully “you”. The Temptations were onto something wonderful with these lyrics:
In a cozy little home out in the country
With two children, maybe three,
I tell you, I can visualize it all.
This couldn’t be a dream for too real it seems.

Hear the movie version. Enjoy.
Be Inspired.

Temptations Singing - Just My Imagination

Every Home Tells a Story

2009-04-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

Have you ever taken a tour of a historic home and felt as though you were walking through time? I find them simply fascinating! I always want to venture beyond the velvet rope to touch and hold the accessories that are thoughtfully displayed. Hearing about how the family lived in and the details of their lives is so interesting to me. Hearing stories of where they received their guests, ate their meals, gathered for relaxation and slept, stimulates all of my senses and I can almost see the family in action! A few summers ago, my family and I had the privilege of touring the homes of Harriet Tubman (Mastermind of the Underground Railroad) and William Seward (Secretary of State under President Lincoln) in Auburn NY. That was an amazing trip and a treasured family memory. Why am I talking about homes with history; the past? Simply because the stories that I hear during those tours were at one time, someone’s present and I want you to consider your present. Let’s fast forward and talk about “now”.

In this profession, I get the opportunity to see many homes and of course, I’m equally fascinated by them as well. We all live such colorful lives. We travel nationally and internationally, we entertain family and friends, we live life fully. Imagine your home on a historic tour 100 years from now! What would a tour guide say of your home? Will they be able to tell stories of your life’s adventure by the treasured items that you’ve kept from your travels? Will there be a story surrounding the master bedroom suite that graces your private space and will visitors sense the impassioned love that sustained your home? What will they say about the colors that you’ve chosen for your kitchen and the kind of entertaining that took place in the heart of your home? Will they know that you had a precocious son who loved to draw or a daring daughter who dreamed of becoming a world renowned concert pianist? Will they see cherished photos of your loved ones and mementos of your exciting experiences? What stories could be told of your present? Could you craft a tour guide script based on your home? Try it. Go into each room and see what story you can tell about the things that are there. Get your family involved in the process. It’s a fun exercise and it will give you an intriguing snapshot of your life and family. If you love everything that you see and have stories that would keep visitors enthralled with your history, that’s a beautiful thing! If during this process you find that you’re seeing things that you don’t particularly like, which consequently have negative memories attached to them, consider removing those things from your home and replacing them with something new. Be Inspired.

Go Global

2009-03-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

I grew up along the banks of the Hudson River in NY. Our little neighborhood was a true melting pot, and my childhood a joy. I have fond memories of playing with my sisters and friends in the backyard, making mud pies and playing hopscotch on the walkway which was decoratively numbered with colored chalk; a walkway that led to the cherry tree that gave us sweet red cherries, brilliant red fingers and hours of tree climbing fun. Our neighbors it seemed were from the four corners of the earth. Italy, Ireland, Panama, Spain, West Africa and the West Indies; northerners and southerners – neighbors all. The sights and sounds of this culturally integrated neighborhood was exciting, especially to a curious little girl who was totally enamored with interior decorating; thanks to a mom who could magically make something out of nothing.

The world seemed so much bigger then, but global travel has made it a “small world after all”. For many people, there is a desire to decorate their homes in a way that reflects their native countries and cultural heritage. Whether it’s French Country, Asian, Tuscan or Moroccan, or one of the many styles that connect us to our ancestors, if you have a desire to make this connection apparent in your home’s interior, I encourage you to go for it. This applies to you even if a particular influence is not part of your cultural heritage, but simply a style that you fell in love with while vacationing. And for those of you who have not had the opportunity to travel, but still find yourself drawn to other exotic and unusual styles perhaps from movies, books or magazine, you can do it too. Make your home beautiful. Be Inspired.

Change!

2009-03-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of talk these days about change. Times have changed and we are changing the definition of how we live and how use our homes. In many markets, the formal living and dining rooms are disappearing, replaced with wide open spaces that can be used for just about anything that the family desires. I have an exercise that I’ve shared with clients that you might find helpful. Take a tour of your home. Try describing each room in your home and how that room is used. If you find that there is any room in your house that isn’t being used, note the reasons why and begin to think about ways to better utilize that space. You should enjoy every square foot of your home and fill it with joy! If you have a dining room that is under used and unappreciated, why not make it the game room? Plan Friday evening “game nights” . Get your younger children away from the television and teenagers away from Nintendo game controllers. If you have a guest bedroom that hasn’t been used for guests in a gazillion years, turn it into your hobby room. Create the space that you've always wished you had. Focus on something that excites you. It’s your home, you can do anything that you want. Embrace change… beautiful change. Be Inspired.

A Day in the Life of a Decorator

2009-03-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

I have fabrics to find and colors to coordinate; clients to meet and vendors to greet. I need that cornice board hung this high and the installer will be here at noon. The furniture is being delivered tomorrow, so the hardwoods need to be finished today. If there was ever a job that was pure joy, this is it. I’ve said countless times and many of my colleagues agree and share the same sentiment “this is what I was born to do”! There is such power in purpose. We are created to fulfill a purpose and I’m grateful for the talents that I’ve been given. One of my redesign and staging students gave me a plaque recently that said “at the end of my life, when I stand before God, I want to be able to say that I used everything that he gave me”. How true that is! I was thinking recently about my middle school days and Home Economics class. I remember Mrs. Brennan; she was such a kindhearted woman. She labored to teach us girls (the guys always opted for shop) the beauty of making a house a home. There are some who would say that making a house a home is no big deal and that the Interior Design, Decorating and Staging professions do not make much of an impact in the world that we live in, but I beg to differ. For all of the great minds that make amazing medical discoveries, unearth philosophical truths, manage major corporations, judge supremely by the laws of the land or put space shuttles into flight, there is a common factor; at some point, they all go HOME. I don’t know if they still teach home economics in school, if not, it might not be a bad idea to bring it back. Now, I’m not advocating that we revoke women’s rights or that women should resign themselves to being stay at home moms, ironing laundry and cooking homemade meals from scratch. If that is not what they aspire to, then so be it. However, I do think that it is a good idea to teach (and not in a gender specific way) the skills that go into making a house a home.

I remember fondly my childhood home. My mom was very creative. She worked joyfully to make our New York apartment the best that it could be and she accomplished it with every makeover. Way before television brought us HGTV’s Decorating Cents; she was doing interior redesign – creating a beautiful home using the things that we already owned. She could truly transform trash to treasure and I’m sure that I am who I am, and that I do what I do fully because it’s my purpose and partly because of her influence. I learned the ways of womenfolk by watching her and the sheer joy that I get from transforming the homes of others is soulfully rewarding. Some days are long and some jobs exhausting but as one of today’s leading public speakers once shared; “you know that you’re doing what you are destined to do when you lose all track of time while you’re doing it. Creating beauty – it’s my thing! I’m honored that my clients appreciate what I do for them and I’m happy to be able to give an interior transformation to anyone who desires it. If you feel the pull in the direction of decorating, follow your passion. It’s there for a reason. Looking for a trainer? Call me. Be Inspired.

Addicted to Decorating

2009-01-15T13:40:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of spending a little time with Mr. Television Personality himself; Christopher Lowell. If you’ve been addicted to decorating for more than 10 years, you will certainly remember him as the theatrically entertaining guy who brought us the 7 layers of design. His easy to understand approach to decorating helped many women do it for themselves; find their style and transform their homes. Interior design trends of course have changed over the years and we are now seeing the trend toward “Hotel at Home”. Many of my clients have expressed a desire to have their homes, particularly their master bedrooms and baths, look and feel like the luxury suites at their favorite hotels. There is no reason why you can’t enjoy the pleasure of similar spaces all the time! Additionally, if you’re in the process of selling your home, here’s a tip for you; one way to make sure that your home makes a great first impression is to make the master bedroom look and feel fabulous.
If you know what you like, you have the inspiration already to get started. If you don’t quite know what turns you on, visit a few 5-Star hotels in your neck of the woods. Take a few pictures of the lobby, pick up their brochures and be inspired to recreate it. If you need a little help, don't hesitate to get professional assistance. I happen to know a fabulous decorator! Think about it… Be inspired!

Think Pink?

2008-02-20T13:28:00.000-08:00

I’m talking about color clues. I love pink, it's part of my brand. It’s on my website, my marketing materials, in my office and in my wardrobe. Thanks to one of my fabulous students, I now do many of my interior transformations in a pretty pair of pink crocs! In large doses I prefer a very soft palette, but in small doses, hot pink packs a pretty punch. For some people, pink is the color of bubblegum and Pepto Bismol and not very attractive. That doesn’t offend me at all. For me, pink is the blending of the power of red and the wisdom of white. It strikes a perfect balance. Pink defines the ability to be powerful enough to push forward and wise enough to know when to relax. It’s the blending of these colors that speak to me. That’s the truth of color; it’s purely and totally unambiguous. We all respond to color differently and it’s our response to it that makes it good or not so good.

I believe that if there is a color that makes your heart sing, it should absolutely be invited into your décor. If you aren’t sure of a color that strikes a chord with you, take a look at the clothes in your closet. You’ll be surprised at what that will reveal. If there is a color that you simply cannot stand, there is a wonderful color system that says you should even bring something of that color into your space, in order to improve an area of yourself or your life that has been somewhat neglected. I had the pleasure of meeting and learning about color from Dewey Sadka, the creator of that ground breaking system; the Dewey Color System. I’ve learned the skill of color analysis and the myriad ways to incorporate color into the decoration of homes. I love the premise behind his thought provoking program; he truly made color easy. Although I love the color pink, I’m not just “a pink” according to his program, as the color selection is much more advanced. The definition attached to the colors that I chose truly describes my personality. The science of color is fascinating and worth exploring. Be inspired.

Bringing the Heat to the Master Suite

2008-02-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

It's February and time to turn up the flames in the master suite. What will you give your beloved? Jewelry? Dinner and a Movie? Concert Tickets? A trip to the Spa? That’s it! Well... almost. A spa, but no trip. Stop tripping, and trust me on this, that detail won’t be necessary. Consider a bedroom makeover and an in home spa treatment. New bedding in the color of love. What IS the color of love? Well, for some it might be red – all fired up. For another, it might be white – pure unadulterated sensuality. For yet another it might be black – beautiful and sultry and mysterious and did I say beautiful? Yes, beautiful. Whatever the color, work it with reckless abandon. New sheets and pillow cases, plush bath towels and spa gloves. If you haven’t tried spa gloves, you don’t know what you’re missing. Bubble bath, body soufflé and more… need I say more? Okay a little more… soft music, a foot massage and aromatherapy candles. There’s nothing that says “I love you” more than attention to detail. Too much work? Aw c’mon – try something a little different this year. Change is good and sometimes the least expensive gifts are the most treasured and the most memorable. Remember that my funny valentine. Be Inspired.

To Market to Market...

2008-02-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again. Atlanta’s AmericasMart is a hub of activity; merchandisers are searching for items that will appeal to the people who visit their stores and designers and decorators are carefully considering items that will inspire their next incredible interior. I too was in search of a treasure of sorts for a client relocating from the beautiful Virgin Islands to ATL. I found the most wonderful colorful rug collection and I just want to share it with you, because beauty is meant to be shared. I suspect that this collection would even transform the most careful lover of muted shades into one who would welcome the embrace of the power and energy of hue. So vibrant and pure, to simply say that these rugs are diverse and appealing is an understatement. If you love color and are looking to update a room for yourself or for a client, take a look at Company C. Their spring line for 08 will make you believe that is in indeed possible to walk on the strokes in the shadow of Picasso’s paint brush! Check out www.companyc.com and Be Inspired.

Thou shalt not steal...

2008-01-31T12:50:00.000-08:00

Somebody didn't learn that lesson in Sunday School! Unlike the television shows of today, no one came to my home to perform a “dust and lift” for fingerprints of the perpetrator. Talk about a reality check! There was no dragnet plan to catch a thief. Just a police report and a home bereft of peace. This was my reality in November 2007. Unfortunately someone (or possibly misguided teenagers) decided that they would take what they didn’t deserve to have and sell what they did not labor to obtain. In the days and weeks that followed our home invasion, I was haunted; not by the fact that things were taken, but that someone with whom we had no connection had come into our sanctuary, uninvited, and had plundered through our most intimate spaces, bringing negative energy into the place that we call home. That incident confirmed for me just how powerful the connection between the home and the soul. It’s not the price or location of the home that makes it such. It’s the understanding that within its walls, we exist. It’s the place where we’re loved the most and laugh the best. Home; where we express our personalities in the things that we do and in the décor that we choose. I will admit that it took us a little while to get back that loving feeling. As a family, we’re doing better these days and have adjusted to our new normal. We decided that we would finally use the previously unused security system, but would not be prisoners in our own home. As the holidays approached, we made our plans. With our “Thanksgiving” travelling shoes on, over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we drove; hundreds of miles away. For Christmas we decorated the Christmas tree with perfect peacock feathers, and sparkling teal butterflies, accented with chocolate and teal ribbon and a touch of gold. We laughed and ate and sang and danced, played and prayed and enjoyed our home just as we’d one in years past. We were together, filled with life and love.

Despite the fact that my laptop was stolen with every bit of my business information and all of the photos which chronicled my livelihood (no backup – I know, painful lesson learned), including my treasured pictures of myself with Tavis Smiley and literary genius’ Ernest Gaines and Pearl Cleage, I was able to regroup and keep my business going. With a class scheduled for the following week, I learned quickly that my business truly flows from the inside out and is not limited by the use of technology or the lack thereof. I believe that all things work together for our good. Whether the experience is of joy or pain there is a lesson to be learned and a story to share that might be of benefit to another. The world has indeed changed but as the words of the soulful gospel artist Pastor Marvin L. Winans so aptly proclaim… Hope springs eternal in those who believe, that’s why no matter what I’m facing I still believe. I believe in the good of all mankind, I believe behind the clouds the sun still shines, I believe there’s coming a brighter day, I believe that our children will lead the way… I believe! This is one of my favorite songs… I’ve included the lyrics just in case you want to sing along. Go ahead, click on the link and listen in. I believe that you’ll Be inspired. Enjoy.

Marvin Winans Singing - I Believe

Out with the Old, In with the New!

2008-01-15T12:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it’s still January, and I’m taking the liberty of the continued use of New Year slogans! Feng Shui enthusiasts declare that clutter creates a state of confusion and interferes with the flow of good energy – Chi. It’s certainly not hard to understand how that happens. In America we have become so accustomed to accumulating things that we now buy bigger houses to accommodate all of the extra stuff that we really don’t need (that is if we’re brutally honest with ourselves). How can we need it if we’re storing it away? The use of off- site storage centers, pods and the like are widely used and are paid for with regularity and carefree ease. If you’ve unconsciously allowed your home to become a catch all, why not begin this year with a mission? This is your mission if you choose to accept it… (the mission impossible theme music is playing). If you find that you have things just lying around; things that you really don’t need and are serving no purpose or things that you no longer enjoy looking at, begin the process of letting it go. So as not to be overwhelmed, take a few minutes each day to begin the purging process. If you can spare one hour a day, start there. You will begin to feel the difference in your home and in your soul. I, along with some of my girlfriends decided in 2007 that we would feng shui a few things. Our offices, bedrooms, pantries (yes, that’s a strange one I know, but what would the world be like if we were all the same?) What began as a simple purge, declutter, organizing venture ended up as a maze of bagua map drawing and quadrant color coding. I’m not saying that you should go all Feng Shui, but getting organized and clearing away clutter really does make you feel better. One of my girlfriends recommends a book by Julie Morgenstern “Organizing From the Inside Out”. Sanaa Lathan starred in a movie a few years ago entitled “Something New”. In it, her girlfriends convinced her to “Let Go and Let Flow” in search of love. I’m going to take another liberty and encourage you to do likewise. Let go of the clutter that has been weighing you down – purge, sort, file, organize and then let your creative juices flow as you make it pretty! Take it in measurable doses and don’t stop until you’ve completed your mission. It’s not impossible. One of my clients shared a story with me recently about overhearing a receptionist at her doctor’s office tell a patient that had arrived that morning that she could not be seen as she didn’t have an appointment. Her name was not written in the appointment book so obviously she was mistaken. Fortunately, this woman had her appointment card to show as proof and they could not deny that the mistake was their own. How many of us can say that we are so organized that we can reach into our purses to find an appointment card given to us 4 weeks ago? Not many, myself included. Another lesson learned. Ahh, life; it is filled with so many lessons! Get organized. Let’s let go and let flow! If it’s any consolation, I’m still working on it too, so we’ll be doing it together. Be Inspired.

Your Home, Your Soul, Your Style!

2008-01-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Welcome to my blog; Interior Inspirations. I’m thrilled to be able to use this forum to share a little of my soul and style with you and I hope that you will be inspired in more ways than I could ever imagine. Speaking of which, let me begin this new year / new blog on that note. Everyone needs to be inspired from time to time. Typically at the start of a new year we outline our action plan for the next 365 days and tell ourselves that this year, we’ll stick to our resolve. This is true for so many of us and every once in a while we run into a situation where we get a little sidetracked and need to be inspired to get back to the plan with enthusiasm and determination. I met a woman once who gave away most of her belongings, intent to live life a little less encumbered with “things”. She travelled lightly and as often as she wished. Only keeping a few select items of sentimental value, she gave away much and set out to abide on her own terms. She travelled when she felt the urge and wherever she went, she stayed happily until she felt the need to pick up stakes and move again. How freeing it seemed to me at the time. When we met, I was much younger, unmarried and childless. I’d just gotten my first apartment and hadn’t yet burdened myself with things, but I distinctly remember feeling as though I wanted to be like her when I grew up.

When I think about the decoration of spaces, particularly the art of redesign, I’m reminded of the beauty of living with the things that bring joy. The woman that I met all those years ago showed me some of the things that she kept, and I remember that when she shared them with me, also sharing a few of the stories that made them special to her, I was moved by the joy that those travelling companions brought to her and could see that anywhere that she went would be home, because any place becomes home when it contains the things that evoke memories of loved ones and happy times.

As you get your new year started, wherever you live and for however long you plan to live there – do yourself a favor and surround yourself with the things that bring you joy and pleasure. I am passionate about creating spaces that speak to the soul. I chose my business name and tag line with as much careful consideration as I chose the names of my children. Interior Transformations – Creating Interiors that Reflect your Soul and Style! Your home is about you. It is your sanctuary, your sacred space and refuge from the busy world. It should be a reflection of who you are and what you love. That woman whom I had just started to know all those years ago became a very dear friend of mine, a soulful mentor and confidante; my mother-sister-friend. She still inspires me. She’s living in Europe now, happy, free and on her own terms. I don’t know when she’ll make her way back to the US, but of this one thing I am sure; whenever she looks around at the place in which she now resides, she speaks these words that soothe her soul “There’s no place like home”. Be Inspired!