Style Cues: From The Closet To The Office

If you have a work environment that allows you to decorate it however you like, is it a reflection of you, what you do, and your attitude?  Does your wardrobe give insight into who you really are?  If not, then maybe you just need to re-style both to convey the message that you'd like them to.  Not a complete overhaul, but a few tweaks here and there.

There is no denying my love for both fashion and interiors!  I think they both speak volumes about who we are, our experiences, our attitudes, and personalities.  I realize that we sometimes don't feel as pulled together and as stylish as we'd like to be, for whatever the reason(s); and well, wish we had this or that, and if we did, we would have that magical formula for success with both.  Well, I'm here to tell you, if this is how you feel, fret no more! 

..and that's that!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*All images via my Pinterest boards

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Olio Board...Have You Tried It?

I had something else in mind for a posting today, but I couldn't pull myself away from my musings on Olio Board long enough to complete it!  So I'm saving it for another day!  Have you guys experimented with Olio Board yet?  It's a pretty cool way to create, design, and curate rooms for inspiration and fun!  If you're a design professional, it is a great way to pull together rooms for your clients, that catalogues all of the elements that are used for reference, in the event you decide to purchase!  You can choose from an extensive library of sets, backgrounds, decor, rooms, etc. or add the "add to Olioboard" button to your favorites bar, so that when you visit your favorite websites, you can simply click on the picture and then the button, to add the desired item to your library!  You can also upload any images that you may have saved in files on your computer!  There are tools available to crop and edit the images as needed, and of course there is also a You Tube video tutorial that shows you step by step how to use all of the tools available on Olio Board.

I completed this board just using items from the Olio Board library.  The paneled wall and hardwood floor is one the many, many sets!  The wallpaper panels are actually rugs from West Elm and all of the other furnishings and accessories can be found in the library as well!  Although I just started, I would love for you to follow me on Olio Board as I create, curate, and design!

Olio Board is also a social media platform where you can view and follow those individuals who create boards that inspire you!  I have to admit, it was a tad bit time consuming; but isn't everything that you're trying to get a handle on in the beginning!  Olio Board also has contests that anyone signed up can enter to create specifically themed boards.  Let me tell ya, there are some people out there creating amazing boards!  Many of them make me want to move right on in!  Even if you don't sign up, it is an incredible place to get inspired!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*via

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Social Media: The Conversation Continues...

Okay, so again, I attended another event where I was surrounded by interior design professionals that either (A) are in denial or (B) are overwhelmed by social media!  The ones that are in denial are running, hiding, or avoiding it all together, saying "Oh, I'm old school!  I like to get out and see and talk to people!"  The ones that are overwhelmed are saying "It's just too much!  Does it really take all of that?  I just don't have time to do it!"  To the ones that are in denial, I say STOP!  Please!  Enough with the 'old school'!  People typically react this way to things they don't understand and are intimidated by!  This is the 21st century!  Get it together!  If you are happy with where you are in your business, great!  Keep doing what you've been doing and I hope it continues to work for you!  Really, I do!  For those who are overwhelmed and frustrated by it, I get it!  I totally understand!  I feel the same way as you from time to time, and I have a pretty good handle on it!  Here's the thing, social media is here to stay!  It is apart of our culture and it can and will benefit you in ways you never imagined!  It goes hand in hand with getting out there and networking in person!  Find a seat on the train now, or find yourself hanging on for dear life later!  And with technology being what it is and changing as rapidly as it does, trust and believe, if you go any slower you will get run over!

We're all really busy, literally, just living!  We have careers, families, friends, commitments, so on and so on!  My advice is to take some time to learn about the social media platforms that are out there.  The most popular are Facebook, of course, Twitter, Linked In, and here in the last few months, Pinterest.  Are there more?  Absolutely!  But start with these.  I gave some insight on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest in an earlier posting Social Media: A Conversation Between Friends, that you can take a look at if you like.  I want to elaborate on Pinterest a bit more because in that posting I only gave a basic overview of what it is and a smidget on how to use it.  I want to share why I think you should use it as a design professional.

Think of Pinterest as a place where you can digitally "curate" collections.  You are able to compose boards of different interests, ie. "Living Rooms", "Bedrooms", "Kitchens", etc.  On these boards you can pin images of rooms, furniture, and other elements that you find inspiring, want to use for current or upcoming projects, or simply captured your attention and piqued your interest.  Over time, the images that you have pinned will reflect your design aesthetic, interests, personality, and attitude; giving those who follow you insight into who you are as an individual and the type of design professional you are without ever having to say a word!  Remember, a picture is worth a thousand of these powerful things!  Will you gain clients while using Pinterest?  Hmm, I haven't!  But of course that doesn't mean you won't!  But that's kind of not the point!  It's another way to express yourself and gain a following of people of like interests and sensibilities.  There are people that I follow on Pinterest, where I see things that they pin and think, I could totally be friends with them, or I could so work with them!  Pinterest may not be for you and that's okay!  I will say, once you start it, it is addictive!  At the end of the day, it is a vehicle to gain exposure, enhance credibility, and honestly, believe it or not, create your own celebrity among your followers and theirs! 

Linked In is a platform that I am on, but don't utilize.  Am I missing out on the benefits of it?  Possibly!  I am a member of quite a few groups and get emails from some of them daily!  Have I ever interacted in the discussions?  Never!  I used to feel bad about this and stress out because I felt since I am on Linked In, I should be doing something with it.  But, you know what, I had to pick my battles!  I want to do all of them, but I just can't; at least not well anyway!  I think it is a fantastic platform to network with professionals in your industry, as well as others, because this is where you find out what's the latest and what's going on!  I do suggest signing up on Linked In, joining as many groups that interests you, and taking the time to become familiar with all that it has to offer.  This could be the place where you flourish!  The design community is very supportive and are very forthcoming with information that will assist in anyway that is needed. 

Again, take the time to learn about these social media platforms so that you are able to make a quality decision on which is most fitting for your personality and business objectives.  I understand being "old school" (at heart), and being overwhelmed; but please don't let that be your excuse for not trying to become familiar!  As I said earlier, I get so frustrated with social media, because I feel that I am not getting the results that I want; but then I have to back the train up, and really consider am I affectively using my knowledge of the platforms that I use!  I can tell you right now, sometimes yes.  Sometimes, no!  But guess what?  I am using it!

I have a passion for what I do as it relates to design and social media!  However, sometimes I'm just plain old tired and don't want to do another thing!  Discipline kicks in when passion has taken a break! 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

via Pinterest

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A Little Weekend Reading That Is Sure To Inspire!

I am so happy that for every week, there is a weekend!  Do you guys have any big plans?  This is a working weekend for me.  It's not so bad, though!  It's market time at the Atlanta Americas Mart, so along with that comes many events to attend.  I'm only doing a few because I've got to get a little rest in as well.  July is proving to be a pretty busy month!  There are a few online mags that released new issues this week, so if you have time and find yourself reading this, pop on over to check them out!

Click here

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You may also want to check out...

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Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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The Essential Home Bar

Truth be told, I'm really not a big "drinker".  Well, of alcohol that is but I do enjoy an ice cold Dr. Pepper more than I should!  Anyhoo!  I love to entertain!  Whether it's one of my friends or several, I love being able to offer them a drink and a little something delicious to nosh on!  I have many, many, many different kinds of glasses, stemware, and tidbit plates and bowls!  I would say I am a collector.  I see pretty glassware, dinnerware, cookware, clothing, shoes, accessories... Okay, okay, so I enjoy shopping! 

A few tools that makes mixing drinks easier are (1) container for ice (2) bar spoon (3) muddler

(4) jigger (5) cocktail shaker, and (6) strainer.  How you set it up is totally up to you!  I have all of my tools in a mini champagne cooler (I bought six of these that I use at individual place settings).  It holds all of the tools I mentioned above, in addition to a hand citrus juicer, bottle opener, wine pull, and cute little garnish picks.  I also have a couple of bowls for nuts and such, all of which I keep handy on a bar tray in the event I need to move those items to another area. 

Right now, everything is silver, but during the holidays I'll switch to glass, both colored and clear, as well as mix in some of the silver to keep it interesting.  I don't know, silver barware says, hey I know what I'm doing!  This is another area where you can get creative and let your imagination have a field day!

In my opinion there are four basic glasses that are essential:  (1) double old fashion (2) high ball

(3) martini or champagne coupe (4) wine.  Oh, you had better believe that when it comes to glassware, there is a glass for every kind of drink!  It is mind boggling to me!  Being a Frasier sitcom fan, I still watch reruns of daily; I love a great sherry and so a good friend of mine gifted me with some of the loveliest glasses for sipping!  The specific glasses are to enhance the flavor of the drink!  Well, I really don't know about that, but it definitely enhances the experience!  And at the end of the day, that is what is all about!

I love this bar book!  It has hundreds of recipes for every kind of drink you can imagine!  Drinks I've not ever heard of and quite frankly if I didn't see it in print, would think was just made up!  It is also a comprehensive resource of the types of barware, glasses, alcohol, and liquers that are best for certain recipes!  It has truly been a great go to for me!

I've only used my wine decanter a few times.  I honestly never really remember it!  My little tidbit bowls and plates are always in heavy rotation!  My cabinet isn't large enough to store all that I have, so I like to keep a few sizes, shapes, and patterns to make the table look nice when I pull them out!  Also, I am a big cocktail napkin person!  I love my basic white cloth ones, but this is another way to liven things up and make the occassion fun!

Inside I try to keep a variety of glasses for different drinks.  This is also where I keep napkins, coasters, and of course, a little more alcohol.  I will sometimes have a tray set with glasses, mixers, and such for ease of use.  I can then just grab it, set it out, and I'm ready.  When you're entertaining the last thing you want to do is go looking for what you need!

I remember when I bought a couple of these trays thinking where on earth was I going to use them!  This one holds additional bar items inside, while the other is used for the tea service that Gillian, Noah, and I enjoy every morning!  My kids love this and I do as well!  Again, it really is more about the experience!  Well, that and does it taste good!

I wish this was my bar cabinet!  I love it!  I would have a little more room to keep many of my things in one place!  This armoire is so handsome, but I can totally see using it as my own!

Another wonderful way to set your home bar!  It doesn't have to be in a cabinet or on a cart!  I love how this bar is set amid everyday functional items!  It is as much apart of the decor as all of the other furnishings in the room!

This has always been one of my favorites since I first pinned it to my Entertaining board on Pinterest!  I love the chest being flanked by ghost chairs and that lovely mirror above! 

Totally glamorous!  The diamond etched glass inside of this cabinet is beautiful! 

Again, the bar is just apart of the decor!  It doesn't take a lot of space to make it special and since it's all on a tray it can easily be moved to another location when needed!

How lovely and feminine!  I'm so wanting this python tray!

Just lovely!

Very pretty and very girly!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images via Pinterest and my bar cabinet

Barware via Crate and Barrel

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My Decorating Madness!

I decided today's posting would be about my decorating anxiety when it comes to my own home!  I'll admit that when it comes to decorating my home, I am soooo indecisive, to the point of paralysis!  But when I'm working with a client, oh my gosh, are you kidding me!  I can zone in on a design plan with very little hesitation and get that monster knocked out (Not really a monster.  Only used that word for emphasis!  Did it work?)  Well, there was that one time... Anyhoo, as I was saying!  I could use the excuse that since this is what I do for a living, by the time I get to my house, I just don't have any creative juices left!  Not!  I get inspired while working with clients!  I could even argue that trying to nurture a business and a young, energetic family zapps me of all of my energy!  Well, I mean, couldn't everyone argue that in some way or another? 

Okay, so thus far I've shopped my home!  Meaning, I have gone into every room and swiped things off the walls.  Yeah, it's looking a little like a hot mess right now, but that's okay!  I'm too neurotic to let it stay that way, so this will definitely light a fire under my butt to get going on this and get it completed!  Dang it!  I forgot to go out into my garage!  I'll do that over the weekend!  Seriously, your home is the best place to begin when looking to freshen up.  Things always look different in a different space amongst different furnishings!  And if you still need to shop for items, your list may have shrunk a bit and you'll need to purchase less!

My familly room is open, so it has walls for days!  I'm not trying to fill up the entire wallspace!  That's just ludicrous to me anyway!  I'm only concerned with what I deem as liveable space which is about twelve feet or so.  I really don't care what the birds sitting outside of the those two highest windows are able to see!  Besides, who's going to be dusting up there?  If you were thinking moi...wrong answer!  Next!

I have quite a few framed vintage images from Z. Gallerie that I bought several years ago (they really are vintage because they don't sell them anymore!) that are literally just leaning against walls, that may now have a place to call home!  Oh, I do love the randomness of framed photos, canvases, and mirrors, especially oversized, leaning against walls!  It's just they've been leaning for so long and not really intentionally!

Yes, I will be re-styling this cube as well!  You know how you just kinda grab stuff to "temporarily" store things in (like wii games and accessories, dvd's, crap you just don't want seen), until you come across that "something" that is going to make it all work!  Yeah, I thought you would be familiar with that!  Hey! Just because I make things pretty for others doesn't mean I'm immune to the same challenges!  Shh, please don't tell my clients, they happen to think I'm pretty fabulous!!!

So, I am going to make a conscious effort, to at least once a week, tackle my family room and do what I need to do, to get it to the point where I will be happy hanging out and spending time with my family.  Oh, here is my inspiration photo below!  Ya gotta start somewhere, my friends!

*via

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

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Delights In White

I love the classic, clean, crisp purity of white!  Whether it is in interiors, fashion, art, or accessories, it is the one color along with red and black that packs a serious wallop!  My favorite blouse is white!  My favorite dishes~ white!  My bedding~duvet, shams, sheets/pillowcases; white, white, white/white!  Here's the thing about white, as much as I love it, I will only use it as a wall finish in a room if the elements of that space are truly wonderful!  Oh, but how do I love it on trim and molding!  White is great for highlighting, but horrible at disguising!  If you're confident that you have a keen eye for detail and a knack for layering textures, patterns, and finishes~by all means, go for it!  Not so sure you can do an all white interior, take some cues the images below and introduce bits here and bits there!  Have fun with it and remember there is nothing you can do that can't be undone!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images

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