Welcome Home No. 2 - The Mudroom

There is a saying that back door friends are the best kind. The welcome to your home, whether your friends enter your home through the front door or back door, should be a warm one. So I'm loving the designation of a mudroom in today's home. It doesn't have to take up a lot of space if organization is given the keenest of attention when planning this space.

Take a look at these well-equipped mudrooms.

Image Sources: Veranda, Build Direct, Ballard Design, Pottery Barn

Gotta Love No. 16 - Anthropologie Windows Spring 2012

I love the tradition of retail establishments to introduce their Spring collections during our winter season. The colors are so uplifting and promising of warmer weather coming.

Image Sources: Anthropologie

Paper Obsessed No. 6 - Library Shelf Enrichment III

As mentioned earlier this week, we are in are winter season. Perfect time to add to the library shelves. Because if there must be cold and snow - let it be the kind of snow that prevents travel, keeps you inside in your comfy clothes, indulging in reading and catching up on favorite television series.

Rooms I Love No. 3

I'm calling these rooms eye candy. And since we are in our winter season, I'm including some outdoor rooms to inspire warmer weather soon.

Image Sources: Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Tartanscot, Paris Through My Lens, Peak Construction and Design

At The Window No. 4 - More Then a Shade

There's a certain time of day when the darkness outside creates an chilled feeling inside. That's why I love shades for the window. Window shades create a cocoon atmosphere with ease.

But, you know me..does it just have to be a shade? Why not more?

What a difference a fabric choice can make for a shade!

When just a bit of print is all you need in a room.

How special will you feel every time you pull that tassel to shade this room?

Fun stuff.

Image Sources: The Shade Store, Elle Decor

Gift Giving No. 3 - More Wrapping Ideas

I consider the December holidays a cheater's wrapping card. After all, the wrapping is practically done for you. Wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and tags are sold in a combo package so you don't even have to give a thought to the gift wrapping design.  We'll talk about thinking outside the combo packages next season.

For now let's consider some creativity for wrapping those gifts for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day, weddings,  graduations, and all those other upcoming celebrations we will be giving gifts for.

Here are some great gift wrapping ideas. 

Love this chair pin used as a package embellishment!

See what you can do with a simple box, some ribbon, a brooch, and a historical etching?

Loving these shaped initials for a bridal shower gift. During a past project, a client purchased a chandelier but didn't like the wired crystals on it, so we took them off. I couldn't bring myself to discard them. Guess what I'm going to do with them now?

Here is a fantastic idea to enhance your monetary gift envelope for the bride and groom.

Loving these feathers!

Image Sources: A Gift Wrapped Life, Euro Antique Market

Gotta Love No. 15 - Door Knockers

Who needs a door chime when a door knocker is what lets the person asking entrance into our homes that they are about to visit some amazing people? Here are some seriously cool door knockers.

Door knockers have a long history -- they have probably existed as long as houses have had doors -- but it wasn't until the Middle Ages that door knockers became a fanciful house accessory.

1. • The Renaissance awakened an interest in art and design, and door knockers grew more ornate. Once constructed of pounded iron, knockers were cast in delicate shapes and figures in iron and brass for the doors of the wealthier members of society.

     

     
     

     Obviously, the purpose of a door knocker is to allow a guest the opportunity to announce his presence. During the superstitious Middle Ages, door knockers took on gruesome faces, such as gargoyles, dogs, and lions, to ward off evil spirits from entering the home.

     

     
     

     

     
     

     

     
     

     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     
     

     Image Sources: Euro Antique Market, Paris Through My Lens, Chic Provence, Shutter Stock, EHow