#AboutYourHouse News: Lake House by Max Strang. But do u Love or Hate It? Mod all looks alike 2 me. #interiordesign http://t.co/bg4WhWeG

This image was twitted on Thursday, January 1st, 1970 @ 00:00

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101 Things I Hate About Your House™

The world of fashion has always intrigued me. The immediacy, urgency and bold statements seen in the haute couture collections fuels an industry and drives sales. It is pure theatre. What’s not to love? But theatre isn’t real life and I don’t want to live on a stage set. Turns out I’m just as captivated by the gracious nuances of lime-washed wood floor as I am by the grand sweep of a raspberry silk toile ball gown.

“I hate walking into a home that feels like a theatre set; all bold flashes of color and exaggerated decorative gestures.”

I received a startling picture of a pink kitchen recently and have stared at that image all week. While beautifully executed, I’m left with the impression of having walked into a carnival booth. Fashion (those season winds which change direction with a fickle vengeance) is best left to the runways. In the home these changing winds find numerous avenues for expression in decorative pillows, porcelains, linens and seasonal slipcovers. Remember, less really is more!

Always looking for Smart-Design-Daily

#AboutYourHouse News: Lake House by Max Strang. But do u Love or Hate It? Mod all looks alike 2 me. #interiordesign http://t.co/bg4WhWeG

This image was twitted on Thursday, January 1st, 1970 @ 00:00

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From “101 Things I Hate About Your House™”:

Since we’re speaking of kitchens…..

“When Too Much is Too Much

There may be a segment of those reading this book, Dear Readers of Ribaldry, for whom my next statement will be scandalous.  Humor me and resist the temptation of chucking the text into the nearest open fire.  Together we can get through this; I promise.  There are times when it’s just too big.

If you are still reading these words it means you have not sent this tome into the flames and I’m free to illustrate my point by sharing a few salient observations:

-consider most anything on the menu at our nations fast food establishments.  When did we decide that a 1500 calorie hamburger was something anyone actually needs to consume?  Ditto for those 32 oz. sugar laden sodas?  I like a good hamburger from time to time but 1500 calories?  Absolutely not.

-we all know someone whose svelte frame elicits expletives from friends and strangers alike.  We also know those who weigh in at the opposite end of the scale and maintain proprietary control of those same expletives for their personal use.  As one born, so it seems, naturally braced for the struggle over my middle I know the pain.  I also understand roll of the dice played daily with the lives of our young women and men when we overly aggrandize the inhumane wasting that, from time to time, ensnares our young celebri-tants.  Far too high a price to pay, in my opinion, just to be photographed in a size “less-than-zero”!  And getting back to my point;  the other end of the scale, whether viewed on a celebrity, our neighbor or someone even closer is an equally dangerous proposition.

-when considering things that have become too large it would be foolish to ignore the current financial meltdown. Interwoven with the unraveling of major corporations we find a phrase used to describing the behemoths we’ve put so much stock into suddenly finding we’ve grown bloated in our own belief that they are “too big to fail”.  Wrong.  Bigger doesn’t seem like such a great idea any more. Which also applies to kitchens that require guide maps, direction signs and landing lights…well you get the point.”

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#AboutYourHouse News: Lake House by Max Strang. But do u Love or Hate It? Mod all looks alike 2 me. #interiordesign http://t.co/bg4WhWeG

This image was twitted on Thursday, January 1st, 1970 @ 00:00

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Daily, on the DesignQuotient™ blog, DesignCoach™ Designer James Swan expands your knowledge about the worlds of decorating and design.

We’re always looking for Smart-Design-Daily

Today on the DesignCoach: Viva la France Part Eight

Everything about the Napoleonic period was new. New social order as well as new economic realities presented themselves to those who had survived the Revolution. The royal aristocracy was gone; its members either murdered or immigrated to foreign countries. In their place new nobility was established. This ruling class was established by Napoleons favoritism and by the obligations, socially and politically, which had supported his rapid rise to power. The nouveau riches lacked sophistication and culture of the ancien regime their clumsy attempts at the latter’s refinement did nothing to deter their pursuit of luxury and all the evidence of wealth proper to their new position. They did, however, strive to distance themselves from too vivid a resemblance to the prerevolutionary social norms. And from these efforts was born the art period know as “Empire”. This, like other periods of French decoration, spread throughout Europe influencing established local styles until around 1830.

Etui- Container or box

Eventail- Fan

Faience- Terra cotta

Fauteuil- Upholstered armchair with open arms

Garde-robe- Wardrobe

Garniture- Any motif used for enrichment

Girandole-Wall sconce for candles, often mirrored

Always look for Smart-Design-Daily

Each Monday, DesignCoach™ Beverly Hills Interior Designer James Swan answers readers’ questions. Post your design dilemma. DesignCoach ™ can help you find the solution.

This week the DesignCoach™ discusses the perfect height to hang your chandelier.

Q: We’ve redone our dining room and have picked out a new chandelier. You’d think this would be an easy thing to finish since we’ve done most of the heavy lifting, but we can’t decide how far above the table the chandelier should be. Our electrician says there are some codes, but since it’s not a walking or contact area we can make it lower than in other places. Others have told us there are rules about such things. Guidance?

A: While the rule fluctuates a bit based on ceiling height and the scale of furniture typically a chandelier hangs 32” to 36” off the top of the dining table.

Let us know if we can help with your design dilemma. Send us your questions.

Make sure to enter to win the James Swan DesignCoach™ American Express $500 Gift Card Contest today!

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Happy Holidays from a Top Los Angeles Interior Designer

Giving Thanks

May your holiday week be filled with the blessings of friends and family.

From everyone at James Swan & Co., Inc.

Dear Readers,

I owe you a tremendous apology for not responding to your comments sooner. As we have developed our blog, we have had to overcome some technical difficulties. We have the wrinkles nearly ironed out and look forward to responding to your comments shortly. I would like to encourage you to please continue to share your thoughts and questions.

Kindly,
Jim Swan

Starting in August 2007 you will find daily postings which explore the worlds of design, entertaining and making your home a more beautiful place. I invite you to stop by our site to participate in this dialogue. You will find ideas to help you create a more beautiful life.

MONDAYS
The A,B,C’s: Suggested reading for your library on design, architecture, gardening and entertaining.

TUESDAYS
“101 Things I Hate About Your House”: Every home has challenging corners. I will share with you little disasters you can avoid by taking simple, effective steps toward a more beautiful home.

WEDNESDAYS
Stocking Up: Products, recipes and entertaining ideas.

THURSDAYS
Beauty Treatments: Tips for the care and cleaning of your home.

FRIDAYS
As I See It: My random thoughts on design and living a more beautiful life.

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