The Design Goodness of 2016

2016 ..Hard to believe.  

Trends of the future Timelessness in lifestyle and decor are on the rise.

While the world, is somewhat in a broken state, from Terroism to animal abuse and fanatical political views, it appears those who are grounded or seeking to be, are on the path to the following:

.Eating Closer to the Vine..focusing on physical & emotional health

Chalkboard labels on Mason jars, will hold all the goodness of that to feed your soul

.The LESS is actually MORE  Movement

Shelving is a great consideration for where there is a lack of cabinet storage space.  By keeping your wares in full view, one is forced to keep it clean, organized & Minimal.

http://smallspaces.about.com

.Focusing more on gathering with friends & family and creating a home that warrants the capacity to do just that, and setting the stage with some pretty amazing looks

  

Two-tone Cabinetry with an offset look ofreclaimed wood floor..will be sure to set the stage for a unique home environment, feeding your senses and those to whom you open the doors to.

http://domino.com/two-tone-kitchen-cabinets

Consumer savvy, worthy websites & money saving apps can save you money for your bigger demands of your project.  One can decorate like a million bucks, but you don't have to spend same to do just that.

https://www.facebook.com/Placement-Purpose-Design-172234059480710/

http://www.retailmenot.com/?c=7729149

There are reality shows, and then there are reality shows.  Scrap the Kardashians 

and tune into your creativity & talent, whether you tune into the Cooking Channel or that of HGTV or any other "worthy" network that can start you to become the best you!

Life is only but once, so set the stage for a clean, functional & warm home environment!!

Working At It For 2015

Placement & Purpose Design has fallen off the radar for a while because of matters such as:

.Ill Parents

.Downsizing & Building a New Home

.Designing a Yard, from none and so much more

In 2015, Our services will remain as dedicated and more expanded to you, the client, willing to be empowered by our services.  Please stay tuned and be patient for such to unfold.

I will be busy with updating listings, and our Facebook page with postings.

Services added to the already existing are that of

.New Construction Assistance & Finish Selection

A great service for those building and preventing overload from builders input, and saving you monies in the long run.  But the most valued part of this service, is creating g a home for you and your families lifestyle vs. a home with wasted space and materials that will date themselves.

Here is a peek of Placement & Purposes' New Logo and a sample of a new project, created for myself and family.  Enjoy.

Best

Susan

Simplify and it's Perspective(s)

The one thing I wanted to do before I die is that of simplify and learn to breathe.  

Thankfully, I am NOT dying, but realize that I have sort of lived a death of sorts, by the things I owned and life I lived.

I like many other Americans, had a big house with a lot of stuff.  Meaningless stuff, really.  Antiques, lots of bric a brac, rooms filled of furniture, some lovely, some not so. Closets filled with clothes, some current, most old and worn.

While thankful for these things, the one thing they all created was work, bog down.  Big time.

After putting my home suburban McMansion like home on a pond, on the market, which sold very quickly, I endured as a result 4 solid months of purging, packing and the like, resulting in missing some of the most beautiful days of summer passing me right by.

At the moment am renting a small cottage in another town nearby, whilst building a smaller home. Here the square footage and charming simplistic possessions allow for a walk with my dog..something not done in the 2 years I have owned her.  Here the people have less, here the people smile, here they say hello.   Moral of the story, MORE IS NOT BETTER.  

When the home is finished, all the boxes of my stuff will arrive for an unpack. I have already made the commitment, before unpacking one box, that half of those will be tossed..to someone who needs them more or wants them more.

Life can suck the air right out of your lungs, with the busyness of a career, raising your family,  maintaining your too large of a home and managing all of your stuff.  

Living a simpler life, although temporary due to circumstances,  puts perspective on how to really live.

The Wonder of Monochromatic Spaces of Beige and Gray

Fifty Shades of Grey....that is where the industry is at the moment. Although, easy on the eye, and expansive in its feel, and hot in its trend, keep in mind that it is a Trend at the moment, and will most likely remain strong for sometime..however, one must keep in mind that depending on the region of where you live, gray or grey needs to be used in small doses. http://www.greyorgray.com/

For instance, here farthest North where our skies are dotted in the palette of, gray, so of you are revamping your interior gray as predominant needs to be strongly considered.

The wonder of a monochromatic space containing beige and of gray is that these two mixed are not only soothing to the eye, transitional in style, clean it its appearance, but lend to a feel of a larger space, even in those of the smallest.

When using any of these together or alone, remember to ALWAYS incorporate a punch of color, a Titan of black and/or cream or white. These infused combinations, can make a world of difference to your space and lend to that other than that of muted or boring.

So get your Fifty Shades of Grey on and while some may view your space as safe, if is actually anything but!

Best.

Why Not Get Moving & Shaking...Spring's Coming!

Spring brings with it renewed energy physically & spiritually.  Perhaps it is the BEST time to assess how you feel physically, fashionista-wise & how your home's environment appears.

If you feel physically sluggish and blah-then react on that with some lifestyle changes in the form of nutrition and exercise.

If your home's environment is outdated or even for that matter your wardrobe - then get out the 3 bin system- KEEP/DONATE/TOSS! 

Looks for Spring 2013 are, in the industry, anything from what I coin as Jean Harlow meets industrial..with creamy neutrals..nailhead embellishments...whitewash wood frames & burlap..jute..texture with a splash of stainless steel! Check this tidbit out from 2013 Highpoint .... http://irisinteriors.wordpress.com/tag/2013-interior-design-trends/

Like that of Nate Berkus..featured recently past in House Beautiful in action doing a redesign...Why not become your Own House Whisperer or if you can't handle it - hire one.  Whether it is a professional organizer, decorator or interior designer.  Your home should NOT read "A Home's Appearance speaks of its character - and you should see those that LIVE here" - but rather, be a nurturing, updated, streamlined and timeless space.  Now those ARE characters you should want to flaunt!

A Gem to Posses In 2013 - Emerald Green

                        

Pantone has made the official announcement and has hit the airways ..runways and newsstands and for fans of this color way the possibilities will be endless.  

Let us embrace the fab Emerald Green with additional compliments of trendy popular colors of this exciting year..possessing that of my lucky number.

The properties of emerald green are those depicted in Pantone's caption of their selected color for this year.  So why wouldn't one want to embrace a color possessing a mark of luxury; harmony; sophistication; powerful and universally appealing.  What could be a better manifestation for a New Year..to be universally appealing!  And remember ..however or wherever you choose to use it in your space, use it with my mantra...that of none other than adherence to timelessnessnaturally!

Cheers!

Victoria Mansion-Portland, Maine Christmas Gala The Gilded Age & My Part

Christmas in The Gilded Age 

circa 1875-1914

I am so pleased to be a part of this special event, at one of the most interesting historical landmarks here in Maine -The Victoria Mansion located in Portland, which will  reflect a unique lifestyle & era in American History.

Timeline of Events:

• November 19, 2012 - Meet the Designers Nite 5:30-7:00 pm
• November 23, 2012 - Victoria Mansion opens for Christmas Tours 
• December 7, 2012 Five after Five First Friday / ALL admissions only $5.00 from 5pm-8pm

Address:   

109 Danforth Street, Portland ME  04101

Phone:

207 772 4841

A little history on this period of time is the period in America where it boomed socially & economically -benefitting the "Upper Class"; however, Mark Twain felt there was little to be had for some and that the American Government was corrupt.

Christmas was approached by the women of the household, with the utmost of expended energies with everything but the "kitchen sink" embellished from mantle piece to tree tops.  With that said, hours of energy were expended in the physical sense with decorations made from scraps, made additionally by the family members.  The approach to Christmas decorating was also taken VERY seriously, as it set the rank of where the women & men in society fell.

Materials used were that of chromolithograph papers     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromolithography

Some of the MANY items/motifs embellishing the homes and trees were that of gilt peapods, butterflies, lanterns, birdcages/nests, gilded & jeweled fruits.  

Flowers in this region of New England and during this era were Red Roses, White Lilies, Purple Passion flowers & Violets.

Colors & Fabrics - Not all Red & Green or Gold for that matter!  Colors encouraged were whites/browns/pinks & blues.  Lending to expressed light & radiance - of which I hope, together with Home Accents, to captivate.  

Please mark it on your calendar and enjoy the splendor of modern-day Christmas with a flair from Yesteryear!