Decorating Princess

Yes, Matt won the final "Top Design".  I was ecstatic, even though Carisa did the better room.  His room was just way too closed off, but that’s because he had to make a room for his daughter. I think he’s been the more consistent designer overall.  I was shocked that Carisa had such class & said this was the best possible outcome.  Maybe she really did grow up like the judges told her too.  I don’t know why I like Matt, he’s actually quite pompous & says horrible things & seems to be quite prideful, but at least he smiles while he is doing it.

In the end, I think they should’ve got to keep the apartments they designed for themselves, so that had me yelling at the TV until the very end.  It’s just cruel to go through all that work & even ask your daughter what color she wants her bedroom to be, & then not get it as an extra prize.  I felt like both the designers were expecting it.  Well at least I am now out of the vicious circle that is my "Top design" addiction, & I am now safely addicted to "Shear Genius".

Tags: top-design, bravo, reality-tv, tv, decorating, design, home

One of the easiest ways to make your home feel welcoming is to be a good cook. This will always have people gravitating towards the kitchen & staying for hours. I’m not a good cook, but I do know what I like to eat. Hopefully, I will be able to translate this into becoming a better cook.

Whenever I go out to eat, I seem to order shrimp. This can be an expensive habit so I was looking at Shrimp Recipes that I can make at home. I love shrimp so much that I feel like doing a little cheer for it, “Gooooo shrimp”. I’m not usually that peppy, but I am a huge fan of seafood. I may even wax poetic about it & say:

• S=Savory
  H=Healthy
  R=Regal
  I=Insanely low in calores
  M=MMMM MMM good
  P=Protein.

I think one of the big reasons that I love shrimp so much is that I’m not usually a big meat eater. However, I still have to get my protein somehow. Plus, it’s just very, very tasty.

On decorating shows, they always say something like "just frame any photos that you see around the house".  I really like this idea, it personalizes artwork & tells a story & keeps the space from looking like a dentist’s office. This can be anything from candid shots of your friends, to a close up shot of your favorite flower. I am by no means a photographer, but here is how I (occasionally) get good shots to use in my decorating.

1.  The inclination is to take the picture straight on. However, the picture is much more interesting when taken from an angle.  I once read an article about how to get great travel photos & it suggested not even looking through the viewfinder, this will make for much more relaxed photos.

2.  Take several dozen photos, don’t worry about getting the perfect shot, if you just take enough pictures, one of them will work.

3.  Find interesting subjects when you go for walks or take pictures of a favorite building. Think of everything as art, even if it’s just a lamp post.

4.  Zoom is your friend.  Zoom will help you pick up details & turn it into real art because the subject won’t be framed, it will just be the best part of the subject & there won’t be another picture like it.

5.  Don’t underestimate lighting.  It is probably the biggest factor. Try taking photos in all different kinds of light to find out what you prefer.

6. Photoshop can fix a lot of things.  Pretty much everything looks better & more professional when it is put in a sepia or black & white tone.

7.  Put the picture in a nice frame, this will hide a world of evil.  Try a very large mat & crop the photo down very small for an interesting, modern look.

Tags: art, crafts, diy, decorating, photos, photography

Blinds have become a huge trend in decorating, especially Roman Blinds or Roman Shades. I think this is because blinds give privacy, without being overwhelming. Blinds have a clean, modern look. For this reason, they will last for years & years without becoming outdated like some window treatments. Another reason for their popularity is because there are so many cute sheer curtains out there that are so inexpensive. They make a window look light & airy, however people still want privacy, so it’s natural to still use blinds under these sheer curtains.

Blinds are also a great option if your house has really great moldings around the window & you don’t want to cover them up. Terrys Fabrics has a great selection at affordable prices. I was shocked at how stylish & inexpensive their roller blinds are. Blinds sure have come a long way in the past few years. Blinds are the new must have window treatment, so whether you go for wooden blinds, bamboo blinds, or a fabric roman blind you will be able to find something that suits your style.