Austin Toaf Rica

Archive for January, 2010

Smart. Understated. Forgiving. These are words some designers
use to describe interiors that maximize livability. How can you
create rituals at home that invite you and your family to rejuvenate
a holy sense of place? Here are some experts’ ideas to build on.
• Seek serendipity. Welcome unexpected experiences as Sarah welcomed strangers to her home.
• Attend to details that amplify ambiance. Spend time setting the scene to get people in the mood.
• Play down unnecessary drama, Ignore unwelcome intruders such as grumpy moods or overindulgent expectations.
• Define the cathedral quotient. What helps your family members feel loved by the others? Brainstorm ways to make those connections.
• Get the most bang from your “construction” buck Invest in rituals that improve with age. Go for what’s interesting over what’s traditional or trendy. Find out what your kids love and do it!
• Create a lavish focal point for limited time together Play it up with things you know will generate pleasure in the experience: games, food, physical interaction, ambiance.

Guest room decor is about expressing yourself in a context that exceeds your guests’ expectations. I want my guests to be blown away with attention and to know that I’m delighted they’ve arrived. Simplicity is essential, along with a few radical surprises.
You can nix the chocolates on the pillow and come up with a whole new way to say “sweet dreams.” A guest’s primary needs are a place for belongings and a feeling of belonging in your place. Allow spacious open tabletops. Leave empty hangers in the closet, and why not tag them with pretty quotes on satin ribbons? To display fresh flowers, use wall vases that don’t take up room on a bureau and aren’t easily tipped over. Mix and match hand-milled soaps, lotions, and towels, the essential comforts of a stay away from home. You may want to throw a plushy robe over a chair and tuck a pair of fleece socks into the pocket. A tray with bottled water, a pretty glass, and fruit and crackers or mixed nuts is always appreciated. Leave an inspirational quote on the pillow in a pretty card.