Why HGTV Ruins Design and is Bullshit

Filed Under: Working with a Design Pro

Yep, that’s right. I said it. And I think I heard some of you audibly gasp! I know some of you love to binge watch all those home decorating shows featuring bantering partners, shiplap and total makeovers. It’s entertaining to be sure, but the reality is, it is all bullshit. HGTV gives a very narrow scope of what real projects are, what the real design process looks like and effectively ruin your entire perspective of what it is truly like. I want to give you an inside look into what IS real, how you can actually afford it and make it your own! Keep reading.......

 

Here are some pet peeves of mine when it comes to these shows and how to balance them with reality! Tell me if you've uttered any of these while watching one of these shows:

  

 “Oh, I could never to work with an interior designer because__________”

That Not So Jolly Feeling

Filed Under: Seasons

Not so jolly gingerbread manTrying to be festive when you feel like hiding under the covers

 

Do you have that not so jolly feeling?

 

Decorating for the holidays right after divorce is about as much fun as eating a candy apple right after a root canal. Feeling not so jolly and  all ho-ho-ho after all you’ve been through is totally normal and ok. All the first ‘everythings’ can feel like a gut punch at times but then suddenly feel like a breath of fresh air! It’s weird, conflicting and confusing all at once.

 

You might be saying to yourself “Ugh, can we just skip to January 2nd because I have zero desire to be festive much less decorate.”… continue reading

5 Ways to Cozy Up Your January: Chase Away the Darkness with Light

Filed Under: Seasons

Chase Away the Darkness with Light

 

Do you hate walking into a dark room? I know I do, especially during these long, dark and cold winter months. If you are sensitive to the seasonal shifts try to increase your light exposure as much as possible during the this cycle. If you can get outside on bright, cold days, do it! Here in the Pacific Northwest, it tends to be very London-esque with dreary, drizzly days. It can make your mood feel like you’re dragging your legs through sludge.

 

This is why light is so important in your life for so many reasons.… continue reading

5 Ways to Cozy Up Your January: Let Nature Be Your Decor

Filed Under: Seasons

Embrace the season by allowing nature in

 

January can be is a mixed bag. As you are putting away your holiday decorations, you may find yourself thinking about the last year and all good and bad that went with it. You might be looking forward to what lies ahead this year with both hope and trepidation.

 

Some of you really enjoy the holidays and all the things that go with it. The decorating, the baking, the parties, the music and spending time with loved ones. Others of you get overwhelmed or depressed by the pressure to have it all pulled together and would like to zoom right past to the new year.… continue reading

5 Ways to Cozy Up Your January

Filed Under: Seasons

When I was a kid, I remember when we put all the decorations away, the house seemed so dark, cold and colorless. Given that I grew up in the Midwest, the snow and cold didn’t help matters much. My mom felt it too and decided how she could ease that transition from the holiday back to the regular routine. After she took down all the standard Christmas decor, she replaced it with her growing collection of snowmen. The red, green and gold of Christmas gave way to many shades of blue, white and silver.  It made so much sense and such a difference. Now the dreary drag of post-holiday let-down was lessened by a wintery scene that still felt joyful and warm.

5 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Your Home

Filed Under: Seasons

Holiday Decor to Pack AwayConfession time. I finally got around to taking down my holiday decor this past weekend. We had taken some of it down but there were still bits strewn about the house patiently waiting to be tucked neatly away until next year.

 

So why is it almost the end of January and I am still dragging my feet? The weather. Don’t get me wrong…I love Oregon and the rainy season. But it’s the days when it’s so dark that takes a toll on me. It makes me want to just stay in my jimmies, tuck in with a hot cup of tea and a good book.… continue reading

Thanksgiving is not a speed bump to the ‘next’ holiday

Filed Under: Seasons

Thanksgiving was a special time for my family growing up. One of my fondest memories was watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” on TV. After watching Snoopy and Woodstock prepare their Thanksgiving meal of buttered toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn, and jelly beans, I was very grateful for what we had for our dinner! 

 

IMG_7472

Fun Thanksgiving decor on my mantle at home

On Thanksgiving morning, my brother, sister and I would wake up to the early, faint smells of the turkey roasting and hurry downstairs to watch the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”.  Mom was already knee deep preparing the endless dishes for our feast later in the day.… continue reading

It’s Dark Already?! 5 Soulful Ways to Bring Light Inside for Fall through Winter

Filed Under: Seasons

picture-5You may be clinging to those last glimmers of light. “WAIT!!!” You think…”It’s so dark already! I’m not ready for this!!” I understand your plight.

 

Some time around the end of August or beginning of September, I sense it. I notice the angle of the sun has shifted and shines differently than it did during the summer months. A smile comes across my face because I know the autumnal sun has arrived, my favorite time of year.

 

Now that October is in full force, you really start to notice that the daylight is dwindling faster and faster with each passing day and the bright, warm fall days are accompanied by much cooler nights.… continue reading

Confessions from a Laundry Room office

Filed Under: Interior Design

When people ask me what I do and I tell them I am an interior decorator, usually the first thing they say is “Oh, I bet your house is GORGEOUS!!!” Or if I visit someone’s home for the first time they say “I’m so embarrassed to have you see my house! It’s not decorated like I want it!” Or, “It’s a mess!” 

 

I think to myself, “Oh, if only you knew.” So here is my confession:

 

My house IMG_6496is not perfect, not even close. I have a small ranch style home from the 70’s. I call my style “Post-Mom & Dad” as we have lots of hand-me- down furniture.… continue reading

Interior Decorating 2.0

Filed Under: Interior Design

begin-againStarting fresh.

Starting over.

Picking up where you left off. 

Or not sure where to begin at all.

 

I literally can hear you all sigh, knowing exactly what I am talking about. 

 

It is always the first step that is hardest. Whether you are starting something new, beginning from scratch again or picking up the pieces of something that was left unfinished. You know you need to complete what you’ve started, so no matter what it is, close your eyes, take a big breath and take that first step.

 

And once you do that, you step into the unknown which can be scary…but you have something now that you didn’t have before.… continue reading

Are you ready to create the spaces that pull you forward to being your best and highest self? Now is the time to make it happen! 

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Paula Nuspl

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