Category: Alexandra Stoddard

"It's not decorating.... it's CREATING"

2/13/2017

True confession.

Pinterest photo. You don't want to see my appetizer tray. Ha!

True confession: I am not the world's greatest cook. The best thing I make is reservations. Over the years dear friends have encouraged me by giving me cookbooks, sending me to cooking classes, and so forth. In fact, one year several women got together and made me a book of all their favorite recipes. They’re so thoughtful – but I still really didn’t enjoy the process of cooking. Then one year I was throwing a baby shower, and the caterer fell through at the last minute. That morning I knew enough to put together the basic food that tasted good, but I was stressing out over it. A friend helping me said, “You’re creative. Don’t think of cooking – think of creating.” In that moment a light bulb went on – suddenly I looked at this process of putting together the food with new eyes. I actually enjoyed placing the food on the platters and arranging them just ‘so’.

The very same principle applies when decorating your home.

For me, it's cooking. For you it may be decorating.

Sometimes when I go into a home for a color consultation and pull out my paint decks, I see fear in people’s eyes. Or if I’m accompanying a client when they’re choosing their sofa fabric, they have the same panicked look I used to get when thinking about cooking.

But if you think of CREATING a beautiful space – color, accessories, fabrics – then it becomes a truly enjoyable experience. Enjoy the pleasure of choosing a fabric that speaks to your heart. If your favorite place on earth is France, then choose a throw pillow that evokes those memories. If you are a sensual person, get high thread count sheets so every morning you’re greeted with the luxurious feeling that delights you. Enjoy the creative process of setting the table with colorful dishes that delight your eye, and have fun with mixing and matching the table linens. Now that's really fun.

Alexandra Stoddard is a contemporary philosopher, author and interior designer. She is the author of several of my favorite books, such as Living a Beautiful Life. She wisely said, “Don’t think of decorating. Think of Creating.” So true! Just as some of you love the creative process of cooking a fabulous meal, you can enjoy the creative process of pulling together your home's decor.

You'll have to excuse me. We have dinner reservations.

~Alana Light

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10 Tips to make your House a HOME

7/2/2016

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The best interior design is living with people you love. Curly Girl has adorable wall art says, “A good cook knows that it not what is on the table that matters. It’s what’s in the chairs.” (Which is especially true for me, since I’m no chef!) The same goes for your interior design. It’s not the décor that is most important – it’s who you live with. Without question, the best interior design is living with people you love.
“Have nothing you do not believe to be useful or beautiful.” ~William Morris. That says it all. If you have something just because so and so gave it to you but you detest the object, then say a prayer of thanks for so and so, and give the object away. If something is unattractive but you truly love it, then re-purpose, re-finish, re-paint, re-upholster, recycle, re-something it.
Live only with objects / furniture you truly love. If you heard the earlier episode of "Make your House a HOME" show, I told the story of a remarried couple who both hated a dresser in their master bedroom. Turns out the hated dresser was his ex-wife’s! If i was the new wife, I certainly would not want that piece around. And I am sure the husband did not need his ex-wife’s vibes around either. If you have an object or piece of furniture like this, donate it or sell it and give the proceeds to your favorite cause. Again, live with objects and furniture that you truly love.
Let every room spark joy within your heart. If you have a junk room, then turn it into something useful – like a women’s retreat, your creative studio (or the kiddos' creative space), or a meditation room. My appraiser friend said he is seeing a lot of meditation rooms these days. How about your laundry room? Even your laundry room can spark joy in your heart. Hang some tongue-in-cheek artwork that makes you laugh when folding laundry. Hang a piece of wood with clothespins attached – clip up singleton socks and paint across the top, “Looking for sole mates”. Let every room spark joy.
Play uplifting music to create a peaceful atmosphere. Have you noticed when you go to the spa there is soft, relaxing music playing? Why? Because it relaxes you! So why do we have televisions blaring constantly? Why do we isolate ourselves with our own playlist and a pair of earbuds? Find the music that makes you happiest, and play that music at mealtimes for all to enjoy. The right music lessons tensions at home, and helps you center in and be present after a long day at work. The transformative power of music is an essential element in your home.
“Don’t think of decorating. Think of creating.” ~Alexandra Stoddard. Don’t think of decorating your home as a chore… it’s fun! Forget the rules. Think about how you want to feel in each room. Create a space that welcomes your friends and family. Create a space where good memories will be made. Create your own heaven on earth.
Be thankful for all you have. Maybe this space isn’t your dream home. Being grateful for what you do have is the key to having more later on. Make a Gratitude Jar. Get yourself a large jar. Put small pieces of paper nearby with a small pen. Every day, write something you are grateful for. Fold up the paper and put it in the jar. When you’re having a horrible, no-good, very bad day, reach into the jar and choose a paper. Instantly the stress of the day shifts, and you’re back in a place of gratitude. This is a great hostess gift, Christmas gift, or birthday gift. According to one of the world’s most influential women, she said: “Be thankful for what you have, and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never, ever have enough.” Oprah is right. No matter the size or condition of your space, if you’re grateful it’s not just a house it’s a home.
Enjoy the creative process of getting the high end look for less. For example, there’s a beautiful tripod floor lamp only that’s $1600. You can also find one for $300 on Wayfair. I also talked about this principle on a morning talk show recently. Think of getting the look for less as a game… it is fun, and you’ll have more money towards your goals. Or vacation. Or school. Or whatever.
Fill your home with beautiful colors that uplift you. See my June 2016 blog for a discussion color-by-color to understand which color perks you up mentally, which one is soothing and healing, and which color is the best for relaxation. From mellow yellow to passionate red, surround yourself with colors that feed your soul and lift your spirits.
Finally, realize your home is your refuge from the world. Make it a sacred place. Whether you have a cozy 900 sq' or a spacious 9000 sq', your home is your sanctuary

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment here as to how you make your house a home. ~Loralana Light

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B L O G

"It's not decorating.... it's CREATING"

True confession.

For me, it's cooking. For you it may be decorating.

10 Tips to make your House a HOME

Author

Archives

Categories

B L O G

﻿"It's not decorating.... it's CREATING"

True confession.

For me, it's cooking. For you it may be decorating.

10 Tips to make your House a HOME

Author

Archives

Categories

"It's not decorating.... it's CREATING"