First Home

When you purchase your first home...or move into a new apartment...you will probably feel overwhelmed. Here's some good advice on where to start.
Firstly, pat yourself on the back. Congrats on finding a place you love and making the jump!
Second, decide on an over-all feel.
If you want your house to feel welcoming and personal, pick soft fabrics, put up personal photos and create a soft look with good lighting. Be aware, don't over load your house with personal photos. Putting up tons of photos may feel cluttered. A welcomng space has an open feel!
If you want your house to feel modern, then choose modern pieces of furniture, use color on the walls (or even the floor) and choose lighting that creates focal points of interest.
If you want your house to feel classic, choose pieces of furniture that you would see centuries ago (but be sure to mix with practical pieces), use soft colors and wallpaper and use lamps for your lighting.
There are many ways to 'start' the decorating process, but I think deciding on an over-all theme is a good place to start.
Thirdly, during your decorating process make sure you stop and assess your progress. Often times I start wondering away from my theme because I just like certain pieces. That's great! Just be sure it's where you want to be going.
And lastly, have fun. For me, decorating is one of my favorite hobbies. I love the thrill of the hunt. It's about finding great style, and making your own.
I find great inspiration on HGTV and Better Homes and Gardens.

Furniture Junky Annonymous

I am a furniture junkie. There. I said it. I wish I had a 3,000 sq ft house only for the sole purpose of filling it with great pieces of furniture. I love decorating books, shopping online and bargain hunting for the next best piece. I wish my living room was large enough that I could create two different sitting areas...there...again.....not because I want a bigger house, but simply so I could buy more chairs.
Since I think about furniture and often window shop for furniture, I thought I would pass along some good bargain furniture stores that I love. I have two favorites.
1. Just Like The Model in Fountain Valley. This place is like gold. I always find something in their huge warehouse. And when I say huge, I really mean it. The idea behind this great store is that model homes bring their furniture here after the model home is sold. The furniture is technically 'used' since it has been sitting in a model home for however long. The prices are good. And the selection, depending on the shipments that came in, is usually pretty good. They have everything - from couches, to fake plants, to art, to chairs, tables...even bed linens!
One thing to look out for: Really look at the furniture before you buy. The lighting sometimes isn't great and you can later find fabric that has faded or scratches on a table. So make sure you take a good look before you purchase your treasure.
2. Hotel Surplus in Van Nuys. Hotels in LA that have either gone out of business or have just remodeled take their surplus to this great place in Van Nuys. The showroom isn't as large as JLTM, but it's still good. This place is great for dressers and amoires. Unlike JLTM, Hotel Surplus doesn't get as many shipments and usually have the same pieces for longer periods of time. Good news with this, you don't have to go each week. Bad news, if you don't find anything you probably won't for awhile.
With that...happy bargain furniture shopping!

Sleepy Time Tea

It was 5:30pm when I managed to get out of work. I rushed out, only to rush over to the grocery store. I don't like going to the grocery store ever...especially around 5pm or 6pm...everyone is there rushing to get food for dinner. No one is nice. Everyone is on a mission. Including me.
As I was turning off the canned food isle to go down the isle with the pasta, a little old lady crossed my path. Our carts went smoothly passed each other and I smiled. Apparently that was a sign to her that I wanted to talk. I stood there as this little old lady proceeded to tell me all about this Night Time Tea that she bought from Trader Joe's. I literally stood there for 4-5 minutes as she explained why this tea was so great. She had never slept better. She told her entire church about it. Her friend, who has trouble sleeping, tried it and has never had a better night's sleep. And it's only $2.99 at Trader Joe's.
As I'm standing there listening to her tell me about this tea, it dawns on me.....she just wants to pass along a little nugget of wisdom. So I let her....and by the end of our one-sided conversation she was smiling ear to ear. She just wanted to tell someone.
And then I saw Newman from Seinfield on the way out.
Maybe going to the grocery store at 5:45pm isn't that bad after all.

Loading the Boat

Sometimes I feel like I'm just loading up the boat.
What I mean by that is that I'm just adding weight to my life. Stuff.
Stuff is all around us. In our houses, in our cars, at the offices and even in our heads. As I get older, and acquire more stuff, I realize how much I don't need these things.
Who's telling us that we NEED more things? Society? Maybe. But when we get right down to it, it's really us. WE are the ones buying into this theory. WE are the ones that are actually buying the stuff.
I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this. Even now, as I write my self-righteous blog about stuff, I'm waiting for deliver of my new car.
Stuff.
That's all it is.
And I'm a victim of a heavy boat.

Amazing Home

My good friend Raya Carlisle is not only an amazing photographer, but has a nack for home decorating. She can see an item at a flea market that looks so 'kitchy' that you want to throw up...and she can make it super hip in her beautiful cottage home.
I sometimes shake my head and wonder at those that just 'have it' in them. Thank God they are my friends...and Raya is one of them for sure!



Well, apparently Raya's amazing talent is being noticed by others! Check out Design*Sponge today to see all her amazing pictures of her house featured on this legendary blog. You not only will want to sign up for your local photography class, but you will get some great ideas for your own home.
Enjoy!