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We can be thankful to the current economic downturn for igniting one of the hottest new interior design approaches for this summer!  

People’s attitudes towards spending have drastically shifted due to the global financial crisis.  They are no longer interested in purchasing new homes or undertaking huge renovations.  Instead, the economic fears are influencing people to achieve what they want in the most innovative ways.  Individual creativity is at its high point and we are seeing unusual design elements being combined to develop brand new design schemes. 

HOW IT’S DONE

This trend refreshes a space by mixing and matching furniture pieces in unheard of ways.  Don’t be surprised to see a contemporary theme with a few pieces from great-grand-mama’s French Rococo antique collection.  Such a unique blend of furniture has never been done before, but it works.

This design approach uses color with brave fervor as if it is a weapon of creativity and style.   Five years ago, as a designer I quickly became known for my enigmatic use of color combinations.  I was choosing bold, vibrant colors when neutrals were perceived to be the “it” colors of bathrooms.  This current movement is looking at the entire color palette with fresh eyes.  Color has now become a sophisticated trend in itself and it’s about time.  A pure wine or tropical turquoise would never have been applied to bathroom design, but now people are more adventurous and free.  Any room in the house can be any color you desire. 

HOW IT’S DONE: EXTERIOR

A lush, healthy, green lawn used to be the goal, but now people want floral gardens and exotic plants to add color, texture and enhance the appeal of their homes.   People are choosing to devote their leisure, free time to beautifying their gardens.  The treatment and approach to flowers and botanicals in garden design can be elaborate or simple depending on how much time you want to spend maintaining it.  

The norm is that design magazines release the new flower and plant trends for each season.  Now, people are focusing more on creating their own personalized combination of flowers and plants.  Green thumbs are using their gardens to decorate their interiors.  Why spend money in a flower shop when you can grow gorgeous flowers yourself?

The current interior design styles and trends are inspired from a need to save money.  The process is challenging existing design rules and principles.  It’s this creative evolution for the individual that is making the movement as exhilarating as it is.

The design magazines are promoting a clean slate of white for this spring, but is white really making such a prominent comeback?  And if it is, will you throw out your design scheme for basic shades of white?

White provides a blank neutral backdrop, but so do hues of yellow, grey or robin’s egg blue!  Trends come and go, but you don’t have to feel enslaved to them.  Unless you’re living in a 1930’s or 1960’s time warp with orange tiles, shag carpets or avocado appliances, you could probably forego a complete renovation if your wallet won’t allow it.  If you are working with a limited budget; release yourself from the notion that you have to do it all or it’s incomplete!

It’s possible to build a new space without committing to a complete new design scheme.  It’s not about chasing every design trend that’s published each season; instead try incorporating small design elements with big impact to rejuvenate your space.  A lick of paint is time consuming if you plan on doing it yourself, but it’s a bargain!  It’s one of the cheapest ways to create a very different mood and revivify your space.  And “no,” it doesn’t have to be white because everyone else is doing it!  Only use a color palette that truly appeals to you.

After you’ve transformed your walls with your favorite color, select timeless pieces of furniture that will last you a couple of years.  If there are no boundaries to your budget and this is your splurge of a lifetime, go for gold!  Pick the best quality furniture and accessories that money can buy in the design style of your dreams.  Luckily, we live in an age that allows for countless styles of furniture and home decor that can keep just about any budget on track.  No matter which way your pocket book may lead, you will be creating a space to kick back in and entertain in for years to come. 

Every home my parents bought got a fresh coat of paint before our scheduled moved in.  Finding the perfect home usually took several months, but decorating decisions took a swift 2 minutes.  Décor was easy because the color palette never deviated from one color, “egg shell white!” 

Early on, my mom developed a fixation for white with the assistance of a twenty year old Italian painter.  He told my impressionable mom that egg shell white was the hottest color, so forget trying to explain a full color palette exists!

My mom seems to be happy with her monogamous color affair.  I am sure we all know of someone stuck in a similar lifelong color relationship.  Supreme devotion to one color works for a select few, but the sheer number of design styles and colors available make playful exploring very tempting.  So why not consider an extraordinary color palette?

If designer runways of Paris appeal to you immerse yourself in the palest, richest hues of butter cream yellows for this spring.  Shades of turquoise and metallic colors come in a close second.  The third alternative would be the timeless neutral palette.  These are just a few helpful sources to jump start your color stimulation, but the color palette is full of hundreds of colors.  So, choose a color that makes you feel good and happy.  It doesn’t have to be a color from the top 10 hits of color palettes. 

Sometimes, the best color revelation comes from your natural surroundings.

A gorgeous cushion, silky organza yellow-orange fabric with embroidered trim, or a walk through a neighbourhood park can bring a burst of color motivation.  Life inspiration can come at anytime from anywhere, you just have to be open to it. 

Then all you have to do is apply it!

WHO BENEFITS?

Catching an end of season sale may be one way to replenish a haggard wardrobe on a spartan budget, but it won’t work for a diva or anyone shopping for those odd XXS to XXL sizes!  The odd sized shoppers would do better by sleeping in rather than rushing out for sales.  The truth is that most stores don’t carry super small or super large sizes and when they do, it’s in very short supply.  Only the average sized shoppers are likely to have more luck bargain hunting, but they still need to be smart about it.  Unless it’s a one day event, never buy anything on the first day of a sale no matter how enticing the deal! 

Keep in mind sales are designed to benefit retailers and not your wallet.  Most merchandise usually starts off over priced, which can often drop considerably incrementally as the sale continues. 

SHIFTING ATTITUDES

T.V. shows like Sex in the City has been inspiring a whole new generation of young diva want-to-bee’s who want to emulate the four main characters and their spending habits.  This materialistic circle has a completely unique set of priorities.  A Sex in the City fan may gleefully choose to forego that vacation to the South of France for a Hermes crocodile Kelly handbag.  Let’s be honest, you’re not going to find a handbag like that or even remotely resembling it on sale anywhere, not ever!  

It is intriguing finding tips on creating that wealthy Neiman Marcus look with accessories and discounts.  Often the advice is to take that ensemble to the next level by splurging on just one basic black handbag, necklace or classic black shoes.  Granted a quality handbag or shoes will carry you through many seasons, any diva will tell you they are not cheap!  Better quality accessories are scarcely ever found on sale and above most people’s frugal budgets. 

HOW TO REALLY CATCH THE DEALS

There must be a smarter way to achieve that polished vogue look with limited funds. Once again I turned my research to Alibaba, the “go to” place for manufacturing companies to advertise their merchandise.  There were cashmere coats, silk blouses, jewelry, suits, silk ties, and crocodile handbags.  A genuine crocodile handbag with an enormous price tag of a couple thousand in the U.S. could be purchased for $200 USD directly from China.  Why pay USD?  Why not cut out all the middle men and buy directly from China yourself?  This diva is definitely not stupid.  This way, the cost of one accessory splurge could cover the entire cost of a whole new wardrobe.  Forget the hours of basement bargain shopping and still having to choose from trampled on leftovers!      

IT’S ALL DO-ABLE FOR A DIVA

An email purchase discussion does not happen quickly with a salesperson in China.  Most manufacturers want you to purchase a certain number of goods to meet their “minimum order quantity.”  However, there are plenty of suppliers who will sell you just one item as a “sample” if that is all you require.  They like to be paid through Western Union, which is immediate cash straight into their pockets, but zero protection or recourse for you.  If using Western Union really makes you uncomfortable, ask if they will accept paypal.  Be wary that not all companies advertising the use of paypal will actually accept paypal.  If this is the case, it is blatantly false advertising and I wouldn’t touch such a supplier.  Nevertheless, the more established companies will accept paypal as a form of payment, but they will often charge you an additional fee for using it. 

Direct global shopping requires some patience!  If you are an impetuous diva who thrives on immediate gratification this won’t work for you.  It can take up to 3 weeks for you to get your packages in the mail.  I ordered a gem encrusted crocodile belt, leather gloves, crocodile handbag, sun glasses, silk scarf, cashmere winter coat and a black woolen power suit.  It is a complete new winter outfit suitable for any meeting that cost me $380.00 USD!  Hardly, an achievable quest on discounts in the western world!

IT IS WHAT IT IS

Global shopping is not the answer for everyone either, but I have saved enough money to be seriously developing a passion for this style of shopping!  I purchased quality items that I would never have been able to justify acquiring locally.  This may be the perfect way to shop for a single parent, a new graduate, or a brand name enthusiast with minimal funds.  Regardless of the reason or economic restraints; if department store prices are beyond rationalization, direct shopping is one other alternative. 

No matter how you dress it up, cheap is cheap and scavenger hunting does not appeal to all.  If you are a diva like me, you will understand this.  This is just one option of many available.  To me; this is working smarter, not harder!

BLESSED STYLE DNA?

Ever notice how some people can thrown on anything and look absolutely fabulous.  I bet you don’t have to think long to name someone you know who is like this.  There are people out there with blessed pores who exude this classic “it” factor.  It might be the way they do their hair, keep their shiny nails immaculately manicured or accessorize to perfection.  Is this a learned talent or lucky DNA?    

It could be a unique combination of exquisite DNA and learned classic elegance.  Even stunning classic beauty has its limitations.  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jane Birkin and Grace Kelly were refined women who still inspire style and fashion.  Yet, it would be a feat if one of these women managed to wear a $100.00 suit and make it look truly incredible!  They understood their bodies and which styles flattered them.  They were brilliant at accentuating their attractive features and diverting attention away from their flaws.

HARNESS YOUR BEST FEATURES

No doubt some human beings are born with more positive attributes than others, but with a little effort, thought and practice, anyone can learn to work on their assets to bring out their inherent classic elegance.  In the same way, everyone has the potential to design their personal space to reflect their particular desire and taste for beauty and comfort.  We constantly continue to strive for sumptuousness and abundance in our interiors because it makes us feel good about ourselves and our accomplishments.  Our homes are an extension of us and how we function in them can be directly connected to our health, happiness and wealth.  Simply put; dress your best, live your best and work your best to be prosperous in the world!   

Some people have mastered the technique to look fresh and dazzling once they set foot out the door, but there is a sub category of amazing fashionistas who come home to chaotic, unorganized and uninspiring homes.  Their homes don’t come close to reflecting how well they put themselves together.  How does such a massive disconnect happen?  Most of us want to look attractive and we want our homes to be divine design too. 

A lack of awareness or attention to one area of life can explain the strange disconnect, but it’s clear a conscious effort can help improve deficiencies.  Whether the stylishly skilled were born with all those gifts or not, there isn’t anything we can’t all aspire to enhance.  Sure, it helps to have the genes of envy and every advantage, but it’s really about how you utilize what you have to create what you want.   

Successful interior design and fashion design can be achieved by interpreting specific personal attributes, characteristics, and lifestyle needs and then conveying those requirements in ways that highlight distinct individuality.  

Make it fit the person, will make it all work!

Visiting my girlfriend is never dull.  We always congregate in her family room, which is far from museum perfect.  It’s cluttered with toys, art supplies, books, DVD’s, stacks of magazines, and newspapers.  One wall is completely camouflaged with ABC’s and number exercises. 

Last weekend was especially humorous because she threatened to get a family room makeover or a divorce.  Her frustrations are understandable; it’s quite obvious the room is taken over by her children.  An accidental step on a toy car could be cataclysmic! 

To say she needed a wee makeover would have been a major understatement.  It’s the one gathering place in the house that ends up an abused mess although in this case it was complete chaos.  With it being a family room design project, we decided to include her children by asking for their input.  It was a ploy in encouraging their enthusiasm and sense of responsibility to clean up after themselves in the newly designed space. 

Family rooms have an uncanny ability to attract litter and this room was no different. Extreme editing of dishevelled piles of papers and debris was step one.  There were mischievous scribbles all over the walls, so they got two coats of paint!  A luminous silver sage instantly freshened up the room.  The DIY paint project was smart leaving the bulk of the decorating budget in tact. 

As soon as the paint went up, it looked like a room in another house.  A wall unit was paramount; one side was designated to the kid’s toys and activities while the opposite displayed books and magazines.  A modern, deep violet leather sofa injected a special flare back in an unloved room.  Leather is very child friendly and a cinch to clean inevitable accidents.  An oversized coffee table with a shelf provided more easy to reach storage for toys.

The exhausted old family room was long overdue a shot of fun and design sense.  What elevated this room from dreary to absolutely fabulous was the attention given to everyone’s needs and addressing insufficient storage.  Now, it’s a unanimous sensation that everyone proudly uses.  Best of all, this design concept was accomplished without robbing a bank!

YOU’RE HIRED!

There is a self professing, rapidly growing apparel company in town recruiting staff at every turn.  They boast gym memberships, potluck lunches, birthday clubs and social nights.  It sounds too good to be true and it is. 

It promotes itself as the hottest place to work.  They like you to believe they are doing you a huge personal favor by hiring you to work for their eminent company!  The truth is they will destroy any sense of joie de vie you may have left.  Anybody with energy, passion or a creative edgy streak would be signing a suicide note in this environment.  Huge staff turnover is an inevitable outcome when you are pressured to overproduce and lunch or coffee breaks are an alien concept. 

NIGHTMARE JOB

It’s a significant warning sign when employers have a constant merry-go-round of interviews and job postings are never allowed to expire.  Believe it or not, some companies are growing despite the current recession, but most are not.  Many employers see the present economic meltdown as an opportunity of a lifetime to get cheap expertise.  When the media reports huge job losses and experienced professionals lower their employment and salary expectations; terrible job loss paranoia spreads like fire.  This clothing company is not perpetually interviewing to keep up with the demands of growth.  They are draining their staff faster than they can replace them.

The crippled staff is working with vacant joker’s smiles on their faces, but those are grimaces.  They are scared out of their minds of employment termination.  They are depleted of any raw creativity while the media continues to report company bankruptcies, which only serves to feed into this job loss delusion.

It’s not the pitiful wage in peanuts that keeps staff returning to work everyday.  It’s the fear there won’t be any peanuts at all.  You might be curious to learn just how shameful the salaries are in this company.  Senior search engine optimization (SEO) veterans, gifted textile designers, and niche bloggers are getting a meager $38,000 a year in Vancouver, BC!    

DREAM ON OR MOVE ON

Not all companies are this starved of human flesh, but it’s a personal choice to be manipulated, exploited and completely bled of any inventiveness.  Once upon a time, I had also believed in the “incentives package” of a similarly horrendous company, but eventually I took my valuable skills set to a more deserving operation.  I secured an incredible position in the midst of a global depression.  How about that for making your own luck?

DIVA INDOORS

Most people would kill for private outdoor space in a downtown apartment and I hadn’t even noticed my bare balcony for four years!  The entire design budget and all my attention went into designing, decorating and making the most of my tiny 635 square feet apartment.  It was energy and resources well spent, but how could I, an extraordinary diva, have completely missed the balcony for all those years?

DIVA DESIGNS BALCONY

Once I had re-discovered this lost space, I moved quickly to design it since spring was on the way.  I had always wanted a rose garden, so why not on my balcony?  I selected red, pink, yellow, wine and white colored roses with fragrant lavender and purple crocuses.  Living in small spaces can be fascinating and sometimes challenging, but when you find more space that you never realized you had; it’s like being in a brand new home all over again!

You don’t have to be an incredible green thumb to maintain a gorgeous flower garden.  If you’re a diva like me, you won’t be in the habit of getting dirt under your nails.  So be smart and pick “low maintenance” botanicals.  Certain plants and flowers will not survive on a balcony, but roses thrive fairly easily and only require pruning once each winter.  They demand water everyday throughout hot summer months, but overall it’s little effort considering how much fragrance, texture, and color they provide!

DIVA DESIGN WITH A FOCUS

As a diva, I can never seem to surround myself with enough flowers, so it was all about color and natural fragrance in this balcony design.  Therefore, not leaving space for permanent outdoor furniture was not at all problematic as it was never the focus.  The whole plan was to create a balcony design that I could enjoy while sitting in my living room, but at the same time feel as if I was sitting outside. 

With the balcony being off the living room, it was important to create an outdoor space that worked harmoniously in unifying the entire outdoor and indoor space as one.  The whole living room feels larger than ever before with hits of color and texture outside.  This was achieved by specifically making the decision to keep permanent outdoor furniture out of the overall scheme.  Now the living room and balcony garden read as one without furniture adding clutter or competing for attention and purpose.  What was an empty dead space for years is now full of life, color and charm just waiting to burst for spring. 

DIVA DESIGN FOR FUNCTION AND VERSATILITY

If I really want to sit outside, this is how I had planned to do it all along.  I have a Danish dining table with an unusual and very deliberate choice of mismatched chairs.  I really enjoy my contemporary loft with this unexpected bohemian accent, which I now look forward to utilizing in my outdoor balcony space too.  I can take out a different chair everyday and enjoy my new tranquil garden.  This way the garden plants and flowers always remain as the center piece without furniture disrupting the flow of the space.  What simple pleasure could be more exalting in the life of a busy diva? 

Being the diva that I am, I chose lifestyle function, versatility and an abundance of easy to care for plants and flowers for this successful balcony design project.  Now I can watch TV, work at my computer, or cook a meal, but feel as if there is total integration between my indoor space and outdoor balcony garden.  Discovering this overlooked neglected space has been a surprise and accidental treat.  The process has been an important reminder in looking at your surroundings with a fresh perspective.  It’s hard to imagine a stark balcony now that it’s clear how much natural beauty and gratification it can bring. 

It’s not Jane Marple’s English rose garden in quaint Saint Mary Mead, but it is close enough for me! 

You never hear much about dads getting into spring cleaning.  That’s probably because they disappear for the big day or they pretend to be completely incapable of such monstrous clean up jobs.  Either way, it’s really unfair for super busy moms to have to do this job alone.  If you’re an overbooked mom like me, you might be interested in learning how I switched this year’s spring clean up from a dreaded job to a fun activity for the whole family.

RECRUIT YOUR FAMILY

There is a master plan here and it starts with recruiting the help of your husband first.  He has to be fully involved to make the plan a success.  If the kids see their dad pitching in, they’ll be more likely to participate too.  This way, dad can take over cleaning up of the yard or garden, laundry room, bar-b-que and garage while the kids can be responsible for cleaning up their own rooms.  Dads usually hate finding their stuff moved around and kids can’t stand having their privacy invaded.  A little group effort can make all the difference and who wouldn’t want to cut a full day of cleaning in half on a weekend?

DELEGATE DUTIES

Make a detailed clean up list for each individual.  Be sure to instruct the kids with precisely what you want done in their rooms and the same goes for dad.  If your garage has turned into a messy, chaotic dumping ground like mine, make sure dad understands what has to go in the rubbish bin.  Clearing out junk is a big part of spring clean up.      

I drop off all the down duvets at the neighbourhood laundry matt first thing in the morning.  I would prefer to wash them myself, but my laundry machine isn’t big enough.  The next trip is to the dry cleaners with all my drapery.  My furniture is all slip-covered, so those tend to get washed regularly anyway.  I like to clean the two bathrooms and every drawer and cabinet space from top to bottom in the kitchen myself.

By the time everyone has completed their lists, it will be time to collect the duvets.  The dry cleaners may need more than a day or two to clean drapes, so if privacy really matters to you; make sure you have a temporary drapery solution.  We managed to finish our spring clean up by mid afternoon this year.

HOURS SAVED ARE HOURS ENJOYED

The trick to this year’s annual spring clean up was to get everyone involved and excited, which left more time for family fun and who wouldn’t want that?  We finished with time to spare and enjoy pepperoni pizza and a movie of the kid’s choice.

Everyone is thrilled about spring, but what about summer?  Spring arrives and departs faster than anyone can finish their ritualistic “spring cleaning.” Thankfully, summer lasts a little longer and that’s why summer is my true hero.

As anxious as I am to shed my heavy, warm coat for summer, spring has its place too.  I don’t want my impetuousness to leap me so far ahead that I miss out on spring.  My garden is coming back to life with violet crocuses already blooming.  Soon there will be an abundance of colourful and fragrant roses, thyme and lavender.   

The whole flower and herb garden is threatening to burst open any day, so there really isn’t any time to waste.  What I want more than anything this spring is a new home.  I want a bigger two or three bedroom house to accommodate my growing children.  However, that’s a wish, which realistically isn’t going to happen this spring.

A new house is improbable, but a new wardrobe and new furniture is very possible. My current interior design resembles an incredible French villa, so it would be a lie to say I need new furniture.  Sometimes, we just need a change.  There isn’t always a rational, obvious reason for feeling the way we do.  I doubt I am the only overwhelmed mom looking for an uplifting change this spring. 

I don’t believe I have to justify my needs and wants, but if justification was required, working two jobs and raising two kids without any assistance does it for me.  I deserve new furniture, so I will give it to myself.  At times, not knowing what to give or do for yourself is the biggest hurdle.  The only obstacle I want to face is trying to determine which new pieces to buy.   

Normally, a major spring clean wouldn’t be my first choice for a weekend activity, but a pending furniture shopping spree is a prospect that will make this year’s cleaning especially enjoyable. 

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