Right-Brain Rescues

Hello and happy Monday! Ugh - actually, I've had a crummy Monday which is why I'm posting kind of late today. A traffic ticket, a major computer error (that messed up my daughter's research paper) and a financial mistake that came with a nice, hefty penalty. Just a bad day. There are worse things.

Much of my chaos is probably self-imposed by my over-developed right brain. Also known as ADD.  So, let's look at some organizational items that might (maybe) help the situation.  First of all, to avoid more traffic tickets:

On-Time Clock Diamatini & Domeniconi

And, maybe this idea would help me keep important paperwork in front of my face:

Maybe I should make a GIANT weekly calendar out of an old door:

via Apartment Therapy

And this idea could help me grab my sunglasses faster:

via Flickr

Finally, I got one of these for Christmas and it has helped A LOT (yes- I was worse before):

Pursfection Purse Organizer QVC $20

What about you? I have a feeling there are lots of other right-brainers out there. How do you cope? Is there anything that has really helped?

Have a great day evening!

And the Winner IS....

The winner of the Alexa Hampton The Language of Interiors giveaway is....

Linda of Seaside Style!!! Congratulations Linda! And, if you haven't checked out Linda's blog, have a look! It's like... well, like a breath of fresh, seaside air! 


True Random Number Generator
Min:
Max:
Result: 6
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

(For some weird reason the min and max numbers disappeared when I pasted - they were 1 and 16.)

Linda, just e-mail me your address and I'll send it right off! Thanks so much to all who participated!

Alexa Hampton Book Giveaway! Last Day to Enter!

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway to win Alexa Hampton's The Language of Interior Design! Entering is easy. All you need to do is:

 1) Sign up as a "follower" by clicking on the "Follow" button at right. If you have already signed up as a follower, no worries, you're in!
2) Look through past posts, chose your favorite and leave a comment.

I'll be using Random.org to find the winner tonight (Sunday) at 10pm central. I'll post the winner tomorrow (Monday) morning at 10am. Good luck!!!

DesignPop Decorating Services!

Did you know I am available to help you create your dream space?

I would love to talk to you! Here's some information about my services:

DESIGNPOP

INTERIORS

email: ssstukel@hotmail.com

Why Hire Me?
I can help keep you from making costly mistakes by:

-Giving you a "grand plan" to work from, so you don't buy something that ends up not working with your direction.

-Giving you a plan that works within your budget.

-Giving you a To-Do List that you can follow as time and budget allow.

-Helping you to invest the larger part of your budget in the important pieces that will be used the most and spend less in the trendier, less used items.

-Using my resources to give you the best choices and prices available.

-Giving you a Layout that works so you can be sure your furniture will fit.

I can help you create the space of your dreams by:

-Making sure the room functions well for your particular lifestyle.

-Using my knowledge of space, balance, color and texture to make your room as beautiful as possible.

-Giving you ideas you would not have thought of on your own.

-Helping you to find your style and preferences.

We have two different plans available:

BASIC DESIGN PLAN $325

E-mail me with photos of your space, measurements and what you would like to have done and what your budget for the room is. I will then e-mail you a questionnaire to fill out so that I can learn your preferences and style. You will then receive the following within two weeks:

1) A Design Board especially created for your space which will include suggested fabrics, rugs, lighting, furniture, paint colors, window treatments, art and accessories. For more Design Board examples, see here.

2) A To Do List will accompany the Design Board. This list will include specific stores either in your area or on the Internet where you can buy each of the things on the board. I will research the best prices to make sure you get the best possible deal on each item. For example:

DESIGNPOP

INTERIORS

To Do and Shopping List for Melissa and Trey Jeffreys

(Items are listed in order of suggested purchase)

1) "Bubbles" Abstract Original Oil Painting, Large Nature and Art $400

            I’m suggesting you order this first, since it is the piece the rest of the room is built around. Install this after painting  (Step 4). Install the rest of this list in order of purchase.

2) Crystorama Lighting Luxo 3-Light Semi-Flush Ceiling Lamp LightingUniverse.com $245

3) Benjamin Moore Aura Paint ePaintstore.com 

     4 Gallons Monroe Bisque in Matte (walls) $224

     2 Gallons mixed equal parts Monroe Bisque and Monterrey White both in Matte (ceiling) $102

     1 Gallon Monterery White in Satin (trim) $56

     1 Gallon Quincy Tan in Satin (fireplace) $56

4) 88" Dean Sofa in Liche Room and Board $1699

5) 2 Bennu Armchairs  Pier One Imports $260

6) 2 Deluxe Calliope Ivory Chair Cushions Pier One Imports $80

7) Tyler Leather Off-White Bench Overstock.com $199

8) Seafoam Green Round Garden Stool Overstock.com $117

9) 4 96" Ready Made White Cloud Linen Curtain Panels Halfpriceddrapes.com  $316

10) 2 54"-144" Extendable Antique Bronze Bell Curtain Rod Sets Halfpriceddrapes.com  $98

11) 4X 6 Safavieh Durrie Light Blue/Ivory Rug CSN Stores $153

12) Grey Weathered Farmhouse Console Cost Plus World Market $249.99

12) 2 Nate Burkus Handcrafted Orbit Table Lamps HSN.com $230

13) 14" Brass Round Bamboo Serving Tray South Rose Window $29

 14) 5' Areca Palm Tree Realpalmtrees.com $159.95
15) San Miguel Apothecary Jars Sears.com $29.99
16)Succulent Terrarium Globe Succulents Galore $28
17) Bamboo and Cotton Throw Burke Decor $90
18) Vintage Brass Magazine Rack Aunt Sister's Picks $12
19) Robert Allen Print Throw Pillow Cover Elegant Touch $35
20) Chocolate Brown Faux Suede Throw Pillow Blue Warehouse 75 $14.99
21) Blue Urchin Bowl Element Clay Studio $72

3)  I will also include a 3-D Layout of your space so you can be sure each of the items will fit perfectly.

These tools will give you an incredibly useful visual reference which you can then finish out yourself according you your time and budget or you can continue to work with me at
 Classic Plan rates:

CLASSIC DESIGN PLAN $50 hourly

If you would like further help or just some quick advice, my rates are:

$50 per hour for shopping, advice, resourcing or overseeing of projects.

$250 per day for 5-7 hours of shopping together.

Interested? E-mail me at:
ssstukel@hotmail

Roasted Cauliflower with Gremolata Bread Crumbs

Have you been over to Food 52? Every week they have a contest for cooks, such as "Your Best Pudding" or "Your Best Chilled Soup". The editors (Amanda Hessler and Merrill Stubbs of the New York Times) test them , choose their 2 favorites and then the community chimes in by voting. The resulting winning recipe is then added to the Food 52 Cookbook. Here's the winner for the "Your Best Cauliflower" contest:

Serves 6

• 2 large heads cauliflower
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 
2. Trim tough stem and core from cauliflower and discard. Using a paring knife, cut cauliflower into smaller spears. Place in a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; toss to combine. 
3. Spread cauliflower out on 2 large, rimmed baking sheets. Roast until edges start to brown, about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add panko and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir to coat in oil. Cook, stirring constantly, until bread crumbs are golden. Add lemon zest and garlic and toss until mixture is very fragrant and bread crumbs are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Place in a medium bowl and add parsley, stirring to combine. Set aside.
5. Remove cauliflower from oven and place on serving platter. Top with bread crumbs and serve immediately.

They also have an area where they answer reader cooking questions in "real time" called FoodPickle, a Blog, and an amazing Shop where you can find wonderful hand-picked items like this:

Dorset Cheese from Vermont

 $15.48 for 1/2 pound

and this:

Almond Extract

$7.95

Have fun checking it out!



 A Design Story Sunday Blog Parade 

(My) Designer Hall of Fame - Mary McDonald

Mary McDonald

Los Angeles-based designer Mary McDonald's website describes her style as "fearless and joyful" and, I think you'll agree when you look through her interiors. She doesn't shy away from color, pattern or whimsy and her rooms stand out because of it. You will often see recurring touches of  Chinoiserie, shots of black and bold graphics. But, she does it in such and original way. Who else could do bright yellow and black and make it look so sophisticated?

Have a great day!

(My) Designer Hall of Fame - Jeffers Design Group

Note: This is the fourth post in a week-long series of (My) Designer Hall of Fame. This week started with the chance to win a copy of Alexa Hampton's The Language of Interiors. The contest ends on Sunday, February 27th.  Details are here. Good Luck!

Kelly Hohla and Jay Jeffers

Named one of House Beautiful's Top 100 Interior Designers twice, Jeffers Design Group brings a wonderful mix of style and fun into their spaces. Jeffers is one of those designers whose rooms you can stare at for the longest time - asking yourself questions like "Where did he find that?" and "Is that headboard glass?" His brilliant rooms are great examples of what can happen when a designer has totally gained a client's trust (oh, and is as good as Jay Jeffers).

Thanks for looking! Don't forget to enter the contest!

Have a great day!

Creative Jump-Start

via

(My) Designer Hall of Fame - Massucco Warner Miller

Melissa Warner, Julie Massucco Kleiner and Carrie Miller

The lovely ladies at Massucco Warner Miller got together to decorate a room for the 2008 San Francisco Decorator Showcase and have been making a design splash together ever since. Their rooms are easy, fresh and clean with pops of color and graphics throughout. They know how to do wallpaper right and often throw a vintage element into a modern mix.

What do you see that catches your eye?

Have a great day!