Countdown to the Design Deli #2

A question I am constantly asked is "how do I arrange my furniture"? Many people move into a new home with the furniture they already own and become overwhelmed with the layout and at times just give up. A friendly "traffic pattern" and "flow" is essential to any room and even more so for a room that is used everyday. As you can see in the 2 photos below each family has 3 large seating pieces. This is the perfect question to bring the the Design Deli!

If you are not in Boston and can not attend the event tomorrow night, leave a comment and I will pick one question to be answered on Monday. You can contact me by leaving a comment here or like others have by DMing me on Twitter or Facebook!


(images from House Beautiful)

Count Down to the Design Deli #3

The Design Deli is getting closer and I am pondering all the potential questions I might be answering, yes that is me always trying to be prepared! Today's question is a great one from a Facebook Fan. Her dining room is 15 x 12 and has fallen in love with the Asolo Pedestal table. The question is she should buy the 60" table or the 70" table? This is exactly the type of question you should bring to the Design Deli Thursday night!

***If you are not in Boston feel free to leave a question of your own in the comment section. I will randomly pick one question to be answered on Monday!!

(image from FB Fan and Arhaus)

Count Down to the Design Deli #4

As we continue with our countdown to the Design Deli event this Thursday here is another question to ponder....

You like the pattern on the wallpaper above but are just not sure you want to commit to an entire wall.

You like the look of wall decals but are not sure how to use them.

Come to the Design Deli Thursday and let's make a decision together!

(images from Ideal Home)

Count down to the Design Deli

Hi All, I am so excited to tell you about an event my design company, Jace Interiors is part of here in Boston. Along with Chroma Lab and the store Grand we are having a "Design Deli" next Thursday night. What's a "Design Deli" you ask? Well its a night where you come up to the counter, grab a deli ticket and when your number is called you will have 5 FREE minutes to ask any design question you have been dying to have answered!

Over the next few days I will go through some sample questions. With spring here I know we all look at our homes and want to make a few changes but don't necessarily know how to start. Now you have a place to get the answers. The best part? Even if you don't have a question I promise it will be a fun night of home decor shopping, sipping wine, inspiration and meeting new friends! So why not come to Union Square, you will not want to miss out and did I mention it is *FREE*?

How To Thursday - Revamping The Window Seat

Who likes Spring Cleaning? Truth be told, I like how it feels after, it's the doing part I am not a fan of. Since I had Monday off I decided to tackle the bedroom. As my reward for scrubbing wood floors, getting soaked while washing blinds and eliminating black city dirt from screens I "shopped my house" and redecorated the window seat. So here is my "How To Thursday" on "Designing with what you have" and making your own cushion for a cozy window seat!

It all started with the spring cleaning which became a little boring!

Than started the "I need to make this fun so let's revamp the window seat!
First I fished trough the closet and pulled out the tone on tone polka dot sheers I had up last summer than I layered them with Pale Turquoise Panels I "borrowed" from the guest room.

Next up the actual seat cover.
When I first moved in I measured out the window seat and divided that in half. There are 2 storage areas underneath and I didn't always want to move the entire cushion to get in. I purchased a dense foam, one that would hold up even when sitting on and enough batting to make it feel cushy! The batting clings onto itself when wrapped multiple times so there is no need for stitches.

Next up, what to use for a new cover?
I remember I had an old IKEA duvet cover I was no longer using and because it was only $19 I was not upset about cutting it up. I cut all 3 sides (top and 2 sides leaving the bottom intact which had no seam) so now I was left with one big piece of fabric. I than wrapped it around each cushion and cut to size. Next I covered it as if I was wrapping a present. Using a needle and thread I tacked it down along the middle and the sides while wrapped around the cushion.
Now I know this is not fancy and if I had more time I would have pulled out the sewing machine but for me this was good enough. Plus all seams are hidden in the back and on the sides!

Next I wanted to finish it off with some accent pillows.
A few months back I purchased this pillow from Target though not sure where I would use it and it works perfectly here. I plan to load up on the pillows as I find them. This "new look" didn't cost me anything as I had everything in the apartment and it made the spring cleaning so much more fun!

(images from Jace Interiors)

Lost in Color with Jeffers Design Group

What words are there for this Pacific Heights space from The Jeffers Design Group? Amazing, Intricate, Complicated, Moroccan Flair, Magical the list of adjectives could go on forever. This is one of those spaces where I would walk in and need at least a few hours to uncover and examine all the small details. Look up, the ceiling color creates such warmth! I love it and could see myself getting lost in all this lush color for days. What is your favorite part of this room?

(images via Colour Lovers & Jeffers Design Group)

A slight curve can make all the difference

I came across this photo over at Dress Design Decor and immediately started to daydream. How interesting are the lines on the window panes? The slight curves shake up all those rigid lines and create such interest. The chairs are the perfect understated accents to the "take center stage" of the windows. Sometimes simple and solid are the perfect contrast. Notice the gentle curve on the chair legs? A nice mimic to the window! The only thing I would change is to whip the chairs around, face the window with a cup of tea and prop my feet up on the radiators! I wonder what the view would be?

Hope you enjoy this sun filled space as much as I do!

(image from Dress Design Decor and Australian Vogue Living)

Peacocks on sale!

Whenever I am lost in what to blog about I always jump over to my Stylefeeder list and remind myself of the latest items that have caught my eye. I noticed a bit of a pattern when I saw that I had multiple items with a bit of a "peacock" feel. Better yet when Stylefeeder helped me jump back to their website pages, to my delight I was faced with SALE prices!! Fantastic. I am still quite smitten with the Lola pillow. It's azure gold, orange, plum & navy could start the color story of many many rooms!

Urban Outfitters 60" Peacock Rug sale $29.99

Peacock Alley Lola Pillow sale $56

Let's Talk - The Corner Lamp

Just sharing an interesting idea.....

What are your thoughts? Would you ever use a corner lamp in your house?
Do you like the idea?


(Image from Roberto Cárdenas for Design House Stockholm via Accessoryseen.com)

The Style of an Entrance

An entrance is one of the most important areas of a home. It sets the tone for what you will encounter on your visit. Will it be a home which is sparse and organized or one which is filled to the brim with furniture and "things"? It can say we are casual or we are formal. Below are a few examples with some observations of my own. Which style describes your entryway?

Solid door, rustic floors, 2 colors, minimal furniture and wall decor

White wood floors accented with dark woods. Art and books displayed with whimsical accents.

Tiled floor. Symmetrical furniture, very organized with understated warm coloring

Gleaming Parquet Floors, wool area rug, lots of texture, wallpaper and opulent chandelier

Which is your favorite?

(images from House Beautiful and Traditional Home)

A Political Weekend!

What a few days it has been and I sit her wondering how to pull it all together!

First we will start with the weekend, it was fantastic! My Dad topped the ticket for his planning board race in town and we were all so very proud! We had a great time holding signs at the polls (even if it was a weee bit chilly!) and catching up with people we had not seen in ages! Once again it is SO important to vote in all elections and especially for your town elections because these are the people that are making decision which will impact your daily lives.

After a day of anxious waiting for the polls to close, getting the results and than a party we were due for a little down time. We thought what better way to keep the political theme going than with a visit to the JKF Museum & Library in Boston. I am a BIG Kennedy buff and even though I have been to the museum many times it was fun to see it for the first time through MGV's eyes. Here are a few photos. If you are ever in Boston this museum is a must see.

Inside & Outside of the JFK Library in Boston

Gifts to the First Lady. Gold Filigree Necklace given by the Sudanese Prime Minister and a Diamond, Ruby and Emerald Purse given by the King of Morocco. Both pieces just gorgeous!

A recreation of a hallway in the Kennedy White House. The moldings and Chandeliers were just stunning. Also there was a peek into Jackie's closet!

I have a few other fun things stirring in the creative pot but I don't want to overwhelm you so I will save those tidbits to unveil in the next few days. Especially for those in Boston, check back in as there will be a very exciting event I would like to invite you all too!


(images from Jace Interiors handy iphone!)

Color Time - Jack Horner's Plum

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner
eating his Christmas Pie
He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum
and said "What a good boy am I!"

Not only is it a beloved nursery rhyme it is also a Pratt & Lambert paint color and a gorgeous paint color at that!

(image from House Beautiful/Pratt & Lambert)

Bring the Pantone Color for the Year Outside!

I spotted this photo in Coastal Living and immediately thought what a perfect way to use Pantone's Color of the Year outside! Doesn't it just exude a certain feel of happiness? I love the retro feel of the rattan as well!

Now who wants to have a little bloggers retreat here?

Time to get back to work!

Hi All,
Please excuse my lack of posting yesterday, it was one busy weekend and with the beautiful weather it was hard for me to sit inside yesterday!

This weekend we had some fantastic news as my brother proposed to the most fantastic girl in the world. We are all super excited to welcome her into our family. My dad is also up for re-election in our town on the planning board and this Sat is the election which is always a fun & stressful at the same time. Growing up our family was always part of town politics and I loved it. With those two events and Easter my parents house was just bursting with excitement!

On top of all that fun I had a moment to sneak away and meet the lovey Lydia of the Clueless Crafter. We have become friends via twitter and it was so nice to finally meet face to face. I think we could have talked for hours if the restaurant would have allowed us. She is incredibly creative and talented! If you are in the NYC area this Saturday you should attend the screening of "Handmade Nation" an event by the Maximalists. It is a new venture Lydia & Amy have embarked on and I hope one day to bring them to Boston for a creative event!



On top of all that fun I have also started a new client project with a wonderful couple who have just moved out of the city to their first suburban home! Could there be more fun things? Well yes! I am also finishing up my NEW logo for Jace Interiors with an amazingly creative friend. I can't even wait to share it with you later this week. I will have posts here and there so pop back in and next week I will be back to a regular schedule!

(image via dress, design, decor)

A Pastel Palette!

Easter is the only time of year I am drawn to pastels. Maybe it is the memory of sweet colored pinafore dresses as a little girl or pastel colored eggs, I am just drawn to the color palette! The combination of spring sunshine and the hope we will see beautiful blades of green grass sprouting up everywhere is just so optimistic! Here are a few pictures I have collected over the last few weeks of pretty pastels and one sweet girl! Enjoy your weekend!

(images from the Frolic Blog, Better Homes & Garden, A Creative Mint, Coastal Living/Richard Leo Johnson, House Beautiful, Boden Girls)