Reduce, Reuse, Re-Purpose!

For those of you who know me, you know that I love to entertain! I have been looking at dessert serving trays for about a year now. Although there are some really cute ones out there that you just can't re-create, they are expensive and most of them are not that good lookin'! So I decided to take matters into my own hands, and make my own! I took a trip to the Antique store to find unique pieces to create my dessert serving trays. I used to go the the Antique stores with my mother when I was younger, and frankly I hated it. But as I have grown older, I have grown to love the sentiment and beauty in old things! I fell in love! I have offically become what I said I never would...My mother! I was so amazed at the things I used to be disgusted by because they were 'used'. We are always exposed to the saying Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Most of us don't think that Antiquing qualify's under the guidlines for Reducing, Reusing or Recycling! It absouletly does! But I am going to re-phrase it to Re-Purpose! Here is one of my new creations surely to be the topic of conversation at my next get-to-together. By just adding a simple piece of history with a Re-purpose, you can transform your table into a Vintage feast! Enjoy!

Indoor/Outdoor Rugs (Feat. Liora Manne)

Liora Manne area rugs are absolutely beautiful! They add just the right amount of color to livin' up any outdoor space. Liora Manne uses a technique called Lamontage. Lamontage is a process that uses acrylic fibers that are intricately structured by hand and then mechanically interlocked by needle-punching to create non woven textiles that resemble felt. If you have not experienced a Liora Manne area rug, contact me and I will show you first hand the beauty of these amazing pieces of art!

photo courtesy of: lioramanne.com

Accessorizing...

When Accessorizing, you want to pair objects in 3, 5, 7, or 9's. Use different size objects paired together. Using different shades of the same color can be appealing to the eye! The finalization of a space is created by Accessorizing. Don't over crowd bookcases with accessories. Just a few pieces here and there can really make a space in your home complete. Using colored glass in front of a window can add a pop of color to an other wise colorless room. Remember, when in doubt, Accessorize!

Color

Psychology of COLOR...

Color affects an individuals moods or feelings. Light and Cool colors expand a space where as Dark and warm colors enclose a space. Color affects the eye's perception of weight and size. It also affects a person's perception of temperature. Colors have the ability to cause the nervous system to become agitated, or creat a feeling of calmness. The body's reactions to sounds, taste, odors and time perception are also affected by color.

Fun Facts about COLOR...

* Drivers of brightly painted sports cars have higher insurance premiums and receive more traffic tickets than those of light colored cars.

* Most people prefer to eat from a white dinner plate rather than a colored plate.

* Most flags of the world use one or more of only seven traditional colors: red, white, blue, green, yellow, oragne, and black

* Fast food restaurants used bright warm colors for interior surfaces in order to stimulate the appetite and hurry partrons through their meals. Until the 21st century, when restaurants started using 'cafe' colors to relax their patrons, inviting them to stay longer and enjoy their meals.

Warm COLORS vs. Cool COLORS...

Warm colors: red, red orange, orange, yellow, yellow orange, yellow green
These colors are considered engaging, active, positive, cheery, stimulating, and somewhat informal. Warm colors may cause pshychological irritation.

Cool colors: blue, blue-green, green, violet, blue-violet
These colors are felt to be relaxing restful, soothing, and somewhat formal. A room done in all cool colors may seem too cool, unfriendly and lack unity.

COLORS are a part of our everyday lives. It is in essence the beginning of the design process. Specific colors tend to have different effects on different people. So I ask, What is your Favorite Color?