Portfolio

Parties

Lisa

Enchanted Sweet Sixteen

Two best friends joined forces for this momentous birthday.  The atmosphere was meant to evoke an enchanted forest, with trees and twinkle lights, butterflies and bunnies, and a hidden fairy or two.

Twigs and branches decked the halls, and guests snacked on woodland inspired snacks the girls made themselves:  Grape Caterpillars, Chocolate Acorns, a Hedgehog Cheese Ball, and Lady Bug Cheese Bites.  A photo trivia contest helped guests mingle and fishing for floating flowers (with truth or dare questions underneath) tested their bravery. As a thank you for attending, each person took home a jar of “Smores-To-Go” to enjoy later.

 

 

 Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party

Glowing balloons, a black light, and a disco ball = a party!  Guests were asked to wear neon or white for maximum glow.  Once they arrived, they added glowing jewelry and glittery make-up.  A hula hoop chandelier of ribbons hung above the table, which was lit from underneath (not pictured) to make it glow.  Everyone signed a t-shirt with highlighters for the birthday girl and declared birthday greetings on an audio recording picture frame that would later hold a group candid from the happy night.  Dancers challenged each other with the gaming system’s dance program (Just Dance!) and learned new moves from favorite YouTubers.  Each guest left with a bag of neon nail polish, Pop Rocks,  and glow-in-the-dark goodies.

 

Minion Mania

Several years ago, Minion Mania struck this gaggle of seven-year-olds.  As attendees arrived, they created their own  minion on a yellow gift bag to gather treats during the scavenger hunt.  After vanquishing the evil minions with Nerf guns, the little heroes teamed up to hunt for costume pieces and treats hidden all over the house.  It was pure mayhem as they used their “treasures” to dress-up a three-foot tall air-filled minion. (Made from an inflatable free-standing punching bag.)  Then the hungry minions enjoyed “”anti-gravity juice” (juice boxes), apples, cheese and crackers, minion cupcakes, and, of course, bananas!  After some jump time outside, guests left with minion wrapped Twinkies and their collected scavenger hunt treats.

 

 

 

Little Lady Luau

This Little Lady Luau was created for an 8-year-old and her friends.  Each guest was provided with a grass skirt, a lei, and a flower for her hair.  We had a hula hoop competition, choreographed a hula dance, and enjoyed snacks and candy kabobs.  The birthday cake resembled a lei made of ice cream sandwiches and topped with white chocolate orchids.  Aloha!

 

Fun at the Gym

This 6-year-old and his friends enjoyed an afternoon at the local gym releasing lots of energy in fun and creative ways.

 

An All About (Me) Mall Challenge

This 13-year-old’s birthday party centered around a scavenger hunt at the mall.  Guests had a pizza dinner at the food court and designed a playlist that described the guest of honor.  Afterwards, they were divided into groups and asked to complete three challenges centered around the birthday girl and fashion–her favorite hobby.  After the challenges, guests shopped at an accessories store with gift cards given as party favors.

 

 

Let's Be Honest

Just an Update, Please

Lisa

Itching for a change but not up for a complete overhaul?

We can do that!

Pillow Talk:

These pillows and coordinating blanket lived a good life.  However, they were fraying, lumpy, and starting to show it.  A quick visit to Homegoods, and I found some cheerful, but inexpensive, new friends.  For bedrooms and living rooms that need something fresh, consider pillows or a new throw.

Add Color:

I love the blues in my family room but wanted an update that didn’t require a paintbrush, ladder, moving furniture . . . basic upheaval, so I looked across the color wheel.  All colors have a natural complementary color that you can determine by looking at the color opposite your existing color on a color wheel.

If you’re alarmed by what you find, remember the plethora of shades that color represents.  For example, I do NOT have fond feelings toward crayon orange (the color opposite blue on the color wheel), but I wouldn’t mind a cheerful coral coming to visit.  A few inexpensive accessories in this new color give the room a little more punch.

Shade It:

Consider a new lamp shade.  Rarely touched, a lamp shade can function for a long time and go unnoticed.  Consequently, these are often the accessories that most “age” a room.  A new lamp is a great option too, but if it’s in good shape, just change the shade.  [Note:  Know which kind of shade your lamp accepts BEFORE you go shopping.  (ie. a harp, spider, clip-on, etc.) It will save you lots of frustration.]

Let There Be Light:

While we’re on the subject, adjusting the lighting can have an enormous impact on a room.  Is there a spot that always feels dark or, on the other end, too garish?  Change out the light bulb for something crisper or softer than what you currently have.  There are even light bulbs that have a dimmer switch (right on the bulb, so nothing to install!) for rooms that require task and mood lighting.

Bring In Nature:

Have you read the studies that suggest people who consistently spend 30 minutes outside live happier lives?  I think nature speaks to a primal need for beauty etched on our souls.  A simple bouquet of flowers–real or quality artificials–have a surprising capacity to evoke happiness.  If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, they usually have beautiful flowers and plants at very reasonable prices.

Need Something Free?

Try editing.  I’m AMAZED at how subtly but surely, stuff begets stuff!  You were just going to leave it there until you found a better place . . ..  Soon, the pieces and views we do enjoy are lost in the clutter.  So, clear out that pile that gathered in the corner.  Put away that off-season item you don’t need for the next several months.  Consider what accessories or pieces of furniture you’re just tired of or that always seems in the way.  Pass them on to another happy home or put it away for a bit.  (If you’re not sure if you can part with something, put it out of sight and set a reminder on your phone for 6 months later.  Did you miss it?)  Removing visual clutter gives your eye and your mind “breathing room.”

Take a cue from Fixer Upper and put simple stems from the yard in a collection of glass bottles or in one large vessel.  I live in the desert and can still find something that works.

When we make wise and considered design choices, we will love our surroundings for a long time.  However, a few small adjustments now and then keep a space feeling fresh and current and bring new life to the features that have been around a while and need to stay a while ;-).

 

 

Photo Credits: Construction (top)–Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash;  Color Wheel–Public Domain Stock Photo; Lamp–Samule Sun on Unsplash; Pink Flowers–Magdalena Raczka on Unsplash; Leaf–Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash

Design 101

Where in the World Do I Begin?

Lisa

Designing can be overwhelming:  so many choices, styles, and input, and the only certainty is that your space isn’t “there” yet.

Add to this, most aren’t starting with a clean slate or an unlimited budget.  We still need to “play nice” with our current motley collection.  So, where in the world do we start?

Brainstorming.

How do you want to feel in your home?   What do you want to think when you open the door?

Grab a sheet of paper (or device, whatever), and note anything that comes to mind as you ponder these two questions.

Clean, warm, modern, vintage, traveled, studied, nature, architectural, cottage, the beach, history, family, mountain retreat, relaxation, poetic, industrial, witty, layered, textured, soft, fun, glamorous . . . ?  What concepts or images come to mind?

What is it about a friend’s house, favorite decor shop, or restaurant that makes you feel as if you could spend hours there? Can you pull out an adjective or characteristic? Do this all at once or add to it over time.  When your ideas seem complete, review your list and circle the three or four that stand out to you. Which concepts best capture the look and feel you’d like to experience in your home?

These are your guiding themes.

When you make a purchase or when you de-clutter, use these themes to filter your decisions.  For example, “Is this lamp colorful, simple, or does it add whimsy to the room?”  If you like a variety of styles, it might be helpful to limit your description pool to one room at a time.  (ie.  I want my family room to have a more casual farmhouse style compared to my dining room, where I’d like some touches of glamour.)

 One Step Further . . .

Can you sum up your style with a phrase?   A memorable phrase allows you to carry the concept with you at all times, guiding as you go.

For example, my cousin decided the phrase that captures her style best is “Elegant Nature.”  Throughout her home, rich colors and regal finishes combine with organic beauty:  deep reds and greens clothe walls, brightened by gilded chandeliers.  The natural stone fireplace, wood floors, and animal-inspired accessories bring the loveliness of nature inside.  It’s beautiful, and, most importantly, it’s her.

What words best reflect what you want to experience in your home?

 

Photo Credits:  All but noted photos are from Unsplash.com; (from Left to Right & Top to Bottom) Hello I’m Nick, Averie Woodard, (mine), Jilbert Ebrahimi, Erol Ahmed, Dino Reichmuth, Chris Lawton, Jason Briscoe, Freddie Martyn, Brandon Mowink, Landon Martin, Davide Cantelli, Tom Podmore, Aaron Burden, James Pond, Jachan DeVol