Change = Learning = Adapting = Acceptance  

We experience change everyday, some days we just don’t realize it.  And some days we don’t want to accept it.

I’ve always loved change.  On “moving day” in grade school we got to pick a new place to sit and sometimes we actually rearranged the furniture.  My favorite day!  This is when my love of moving and placing furniture began. 

When I was old enough to help my older sister push our bedroom furniture around we started rearranging our room.  That was heaven!  Less compromising (no teacher telling us how it was going to be arranged) and mom usually let us have at it!

Sometimes after school mom I would find my mom rearranging the livingroom furniture and I’d jump right in to help and decorate.  What a “placement” junkie I was… and am!

Change is stimulating so push that furniture into a new arrangement!  Remember that it takes at least three days to accept change so let it be for a while.  Call me if you need help I still love pushing furniture around! 206-719-1011

“:O)  Ruth

I am so grateful for the people in my life that have given me so much this past year… support, encouragement and unconditional love.  The best presents EVER!

Have a VERY Merry Christmas with your families and the ones you love.

Hugs!  “:O)

 http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com

 Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy a relaxing rainy day!  “:O)

            I was lamenting to a friend recently that I hadn’t

Ha!  So here I am! 

During my non-blogging period, I’ve been involved in working for an interior designer, but now I am on my own again.  Well, almost. 

I’m having the delightful experience of assisting and being mentored by a wonderful friend, Pamela Robinson.  She is the owner and creator of Red Ticking.  It’s been so wonderful to be with a person that has such a positive outlook; not only in the design business, but life in general.  She is thoughtful, generous, so much fun and SO encouraging in every way.  Thank YOU Pam for caring so much!

Her store, Red Ticking, reflects her delightfulness.  Please go for a visit.  It’s located at  2802 east madison  seattle washington  98112  The store is open tuesday-friday 11-6  and saturday 11-5  or visit her website at www.redticking.com

By the way, the photo today is mine, but the flowers and shells on the dinner table are Pam’s thoughtfulness!  “:O)

It feels good to be back!

All the best,  Ruth  “:O)

One of my loves is color - as you know.  I recently discovered that, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, often has great articles or columns about color for your home.  In the February issue, I found a great tip that I thought I’d share, “Pick colors using objects as your guide - an old celadon teapot, the burnt sienna on a paisley fabric, a blade of grass.  It’s so much more lively than chips.  I always, always, always start with a ‘thing’.” - Sasha Emerson, Los Angeles Designer

I couldn’t agree with Sasha more and recommend her advice!

Have a great day and start with a little color - a crispy green vegetable, a lovely pink camelia (ours are in bloom already in the Nortwest!) or the soft brown found on a pair of trousers on the little Hummel figure that you got from Aunt Mildred over the holidays.      “:O)

Here are some unique gifting ideas that your recipient may enjoy - no matter what age!  

1.  100% Cotton pillows made from colorful fabrics from West Africa - they are designed by the students of the Here Je Training Center in Mali - Sales of the pillows support the school and the students that would otherwise be on the streets begging to support their families and themselves.  Check my website www.yourhomeinc.com for pictures of the pillows or go to the Fabric of Life Boutique in Edmonds on Main Street.  Pillows $45

2.  2-Hours of Closet Organization - Holiday Special at $95  This is a great gift for anyone for any closet in their home or office.  This works for the kitchen cupboards as well! 

3.  3-Hours of Redesign - let us give your friend or relative a fresh new look in their living space by moving furniture, art and lighting - amazing how rejuvenating this can be!  Or give it to yourself!  3 hours at a Special Rate of $225

4.  How about a Color Consultation?  Give yourself the gift of a Color Consultation for $75 and Professional Painter recommendations come free! 

This is a photo from last years first snow fall.  The pavers in the backyard created this fabulous pattern.  I hope you’re enjoying the Holiday Season and staying warm!  There aren’t too many areas of the country that are above freezing right now.  It’s chilly out there - please keep your pets indoors!  “:O)

Give me a call 206-719-1011 or drop me an email ruth@yourhomeinc.com to purchase a Gift Certificate - PayPal is available.  Look forward to hearing from you!  “:O)

And here’s my little Dumplin’ again helping me decorate the tree - So lovable and SO much fun! 

Yep, that’s me alright!!  Here I am on my birthday recently with my dog, Chance.

This blog is just for fun.  I like reading zodiac descriptions and this one tends to describe me and my friends to a tee!  

CAPRICORN The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

Patient and wise. Practical and rigid.. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny.. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition.. Get what they want.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality… Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

PISCES - The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20)  Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive.. Don’t like details. Dreamy and unrealistic.. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19) Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous…. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

TAURUS - The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20)

Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard — passionate. Expresses themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined.. Indulges themselves often. Very generous.

GEMINI - The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20)

Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express them selves. Argumentative and outspoken.. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.

CANCER - The Protector (June 21 - July 22)

Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome Excellent partners for life. Protective.. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

LEO - The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22)

Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos . Attractive..

VIRGO - The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22)

Dominant In relationships. Conservative.. Always wants the last word…. Argumentative… Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager.. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic..

LIBRA - The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22)

Nice to everyone they meet. Can’t make up their mind. Have own unique appeal.. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.

SCORPIO - The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive… Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Good-natured optimist. Doesn’t want to grow up ( Peter Pan Syndrome ). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing.. Doesn’t like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn’t like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes.. Doesn’t like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.  

Have a wonderful Autumn day!  “:O)

Mike and I were in Yakima and Walla Walla over the past weekend for a joint Birthday get-away.  Yep, we’re both Libras and love art and nature, as well as good food and wine, as we did on this trip. 

Wineries were in abundance, as well as fabulous restaurants and fall color everywhere.  Here I am with color once again.  I’d like to share a few of my favorite photos from our trip -  The one above is a favorite - as I’m a huge fan of blue and green together.

This is the Palouse.  My favorite corner of Washington state - the southeast.  Rolling fields of harvested wheat, against the rich, fertile soil of the Palouse and the most amazing blue sky of Eastern Washington.  This is a color palate that would work in any home - beautifully!

This lavender was exquisite.  As it sat in the sun the scent was heavenly.  Again, I was intrigued by the colors - greens, blues, browns and purples.  This is a wonderful photo as a close-up.  If you would like me to send it to you please send me “comment”.

We took Chance along for the adventure.  He was so much fun to have with us - I know he had a great time, but was happy to return home to his buddies, Maddie and Zoe.  We all missed the girls!  “:O)

Here are a few guidelines that Redesigners use when working on a project:

*  Declutter - Most people don’t have the wrong items, they just have too many.  Remember the saying, “Less is more.”  It’s very calming to have less “stuff” around.  Do a careful job of “editing” the items and bring out different ones seasonally.

* Picture hanging - Your artwork should be incorporated with the furniture it is near, usually creating a “vignette”.  Hang your artwork about 6-8″ above the back of the sofa, or chair or buffet.  It should be at eye level in an area where you’ll be seated.  In a hallway, hang it at eye level - with consideration for who will be viewing it.  When you have large walls or high ceilings don’t feel like you need to fill them with art.  Leave some space blank - again, it is calming to have less.

*  Create a triangle of lighting - Three lights in a room are best, but if you can only have two then make sure that they are in opposite corners of the room, not both on the same wall.

These are just a few tips that may inspire you to freshen up the look in your living spaces.  And remember the Redesigners rule: Form Follows Function - keep the activity in mind that was intended for the space.   And have Fun!  “:O)

PS:  I’m having a FALL REDESIGN SPECIAL - Living Room Makeover $225 - Redesign your living space! 

Ruth @ 206-719-1011

          For some, even though the real estate market has slumped, there is a need to sell their homes. 

1. Your house is no longer your home.  End the emotional relationship with your home.  The day you decide to put your house on the market, end the relationship.  It will make the whole prep, selling and moving process easier.

2.  DOWN DOWn DOwn Down downsize.  Can’t say it enough.  Stash the stuff - but, don’t clutter the closets at the same time.  The prospective buyers will be viewing the inside of the closets and you want them to look large, so pull 3/4 of the contents out of the closets and store it elsewhere.  You can always pack it away in professional moving boxes and neatly stack them in the garage.  For assistance with this project contact Christy Urdal owner of Next Step Transitions.  They do downsizing, packing and coordinate moves:   www.nextsteptransitions.com

3.  Clean! Clean! Clean!  Can’t say this enough also.  Why do you think new homes are so appealing?  Nobodys fingerprints reside in those new homes.  Clean it like you’ve never cleaned it before.

4.  Fix it - all of those little repairs will be noticed.  If the buyers don’t notice the flaws their inspector will.  Best idea here is to have a friend do a “walk through” and list all the items that they would feel are unacceptable as a buyer.  Remember that they are on your side and only being honest.

5.  Repainting will pay huge dividends.  Sure, we can all justify not repainting… “the new homeowners will want to choose their own colors.”  But do they want to move into a house that has scuffed walls from toys, dogs, etc?  Or a red dining room and a peach bathroom?  NO.  Neutral colors are NOT boring, they make great backdrops for your art.  Try one or more of my favorites:  Sherwin Williams Grassland SW 6163; Ralph Lauren (at Home Depot) Rhode’s Point NA51; Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan HC-81  Well worth the time and expense.

6.  Sell your home, not the contents.  Remember that selling your home is about selling your HOME, not selling your contents or your decorating.  In furnishing each room, keep the furniture to a minimum so the room has a purpose but is as spacious as possible.  Remove all the small items such as magazine racks, unnecessary end tables or chairs and all the clutter that makes a house a home.  If you hire a professional home stager (and I think you should) DON’T take anything they do or say personally.  They are looking at your home with a critical eye - the way a prospective buyer would - and are there to make that sale happen, no matter what it takes.

7.  Go Away.  When you think you’re finished prepping go away, even for a day, and come back with an eye as a prospective buyer.  How do you feel when you drive up to the home?  How about walking up to the front door?  What’s your overall impression when you step inside?  (By the way, how does it smell? - It should be fresh as opposed to “fresh baked” anything.)  

There’s no second chance to make a good first impression.  Good luck!  “:O)