What exactly is Twine?

Not quite sure what exactly it is that we do over here at Twine?

Well, with our launch date quickly arriving, I decided it was time to show you this little video we put together with the awesome help of Vanessa McKellar . Hopefully it will answer any questions you might have!




How it Works from Twine Interiors on Vimeo.

Excessive

Sorry, it's been so long since we've blogged. It's been a busy week with it being the last week of school.  This blog post by Jen Hatmaker sums it up nicely.

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

A King's Life (great blog post)

ok now back on topic...
Wealth is relative.  It can mean different things to different people.  You may consider yourself wealthy if you don't have bills to pay but you live modestly.  Or you have alot of bills to pay and you live beyond your means.  Excess is also subjective and can be defined differently.  One person may consider having a collection not excessive but it may be to someone else.  It's truly about balance, self awareness, and not comparing yourself to anyone else.

There are a few books on my summer reading list that deal with the topic of excess.

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, 

by

 

Jen Hatmaker

More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, 

by

 

Jeff Shinabarger

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion 

by

 

Elizabeth L Cline

Even though I love design and a well styled home, it doesn't mean it has to cost a fortune nor have an abundance of stuff.  I believe an experiment or study of where I am being wasteful or excessive will be a good way to keep myself in check.  I am a big believer in getting rid of stuff and using my best stuff so I enjoy it.  I don't like having my expensive china or crystal locked away, never to be used.  I like watching "Hoarding" shows because I am completely perplexed at how someone could live that way.  It makes me go throw something away too!  My wealthiest clients, in terms of their bank account, are the ones that live in smaller more modest home, nice and quality but not a mcmansion.  

I would challenge you to do some reading too and see if you are living excessively.  Also, here are some previous blog posts that might help! ~Brandy

Living in a Small Space

Simple Living

How to achieve a timeless design

Simple Living

We live in a time of consumption, brand, status, etc.  We want more and more that we really can't afford.  There are many people who live beyond their means.  You don't have to spend a fortune on your home. It can still be beautiful even if it's not stuffed to the brim.  It can be very freeing and calming to living minimally.  It's not everyone's taste but it maybe worth considering.

Here's some ideas of how to live simply...

soothing bedroom

 Sometimes having the absence of art or things makes a space beautiful.

Few accessories and the large field of color in the art makes this space simple

The neutral color palette and few accessories & furniture makes this space simple

Light walls & small furniture makes this room simple

The lack of art on all the walls helps to bring focus to the Fireplace

Again neutral color palette and a few textural items makes this space simple

 So you can see that not filling every space, wall and shelf, you can still have a warm, comfy home.  Minimal doesn't have to just be modern.

Below is a great example of a beautiful room that can be edited to be more simple.  Just taking things out of your space, things you have had a long time, bored with or cheap can give you a new fresh look.  You can sell those items and re-invest in your home or put in the bank!

BEFORE -Timothy Whealon's Living Room via House Beautiful

AFTER editing

What was changed?

These are the items that were removed...
1 - Lamp
2 - Centerpiece (it gives focus to the art and chandelier)
3 - wall sconce
4 - Art
5 - Move this table in front of banquette
6 - Ottoman
7 - Chair
8 - Flower arrangement (removing this gives focus to the other arrangement)
9 - 2 stools

So let's say you sold these items - you can bank $1,200+  and still have a beautiful room!

What are your thoughts?  Do you like the edited room better? ~Brandy

Repurposing an Open Dining Room

Recently, a friend of mine asked me how to plan furniture for an dining area that is open to her living room.  She isn't going to use it as a formal dining, which is typical to have only 1 dining and it's usually next to the kitchen (what used to be called the breakfast room).  So what do you do with this awkward space.  It's usually a small room open on 2 sides adjacent to the living room.  

My friend's Dining Room

View from entry - Dining on the right and Living on the left

I see so many houses where this is set up as a dining room but it is rarely used.  Why waste space on a room you only may use 3 times a year?  My advice to my friend and you is to use this space as an office, library, game room, music room, sitting room or a combination of these.

Here's some ideas...

Office

A simple desk, chair and picture can fill the space nicely

Office and seating mixed

Great office idea that looks good enough to be in your living room

a floating desk

Library

Build-in shelves and add seating

shelves and lounge chairs are a great look

library table

The perfect reading area

Love how light and airy this feels

You don't have to have a lot of books or built-in shelves to call it a library.

Gaming

Love this small game table (add a bar too!)

You can take advantage of the chandelier that is wired in the room for your game table.

Love the leaning art!

Large art can help fill the space too!

 Music Room

Re-purposed Formal Living Room

This is a formal living room we designed to be the music room for our clients boys.

Love the hanging guitars

All you need is a piano!

Instruments and add some seating

 This is a bit too sparse for me, I would have added a rug but you get the point!

 Sitting Room

4 Chairs and a table or ottoman (notice the piano)

Love this !!!

Make sure you use a small settee or chairs so this area doesn't compete with the living room

A cozy chair, lamp, art and table is all need

I would avoid a playroom, craft room or any room that will get junked up.  You want your living room to be comfortable and presentable to guests without too much effort.  ~Brandy

Spontaneous Designing

Being spontaneous is a good thing.  It means you don't take things so seriously and you go with the flow.  Or you could be like me, being spontaneous is only under the influence of too many margaritas or being an emotional basket case (once a month).  I have made many not-so-good decisions in this state.  It's that feeling you get when you are in desperate need of a change, any change and you focus on something like...oh let's just say.... it's time for a new hair style.  BANGS!  Yes, what a great idea!  Who needs a hair stylist, I can do it myself!  Snip...Viola!

Then come the tears, sobbing...what have I done?!?!  Yes, this has happened way too many times in my life.  You'd think I would have learned the first time but that crazed state I am in is so powerful that all reason goes out the window.  So, it's the same as "let's paint the living room purple"... tomorrow.  I just have to say Noooooo....Don't do it.

Here's some advice to stop or rather curb, the spontaneous desires to redecorate (or cut your hair):

Scenario:
It's Friday night and you are exhausted from work, you think to yourself as you watch the movie "Father of the Bride" for the 90th time, I sure would love a yellow living room like that.  Let's paint the living room yellow.

Father of the Bride Living Room- soft yellow

You get up early, head to Starbucks, then to the paint store.  That yellow looks good, I'll take a gallon.  At this point you have no idea how many gallons you need, there has been no measuring, no thought nor research.  You get home, move the furniture and start painting.   Lunch time and then the second coat.  All done by dinner!  You breathe deep and bask in the fruits of your labor.  Sunday morning you wake up and realize you painted your living room Spongebob yellow.

While this isn't really permanent, it can be painted over, however, who has time to do that (again) and now you have to live with the Spongebob yellow until the next spontaneous desire to paint happens or until you actually plan it.  It's like waiting for your bangs to grow out.

Step 1 -Once the thought comes into your head to do something permanent or semi-permanent to your home or your body- question that thought.  Do I really want a yellow living room?  Do I really want a change?  Maybe count the days of the month.  Have I been watching too much HGTV? Have I been on pinterest too much? Then sleep on it.  If you still want to do it in the morning then start planning (DO NOT START DOING).  In the hair scenario: Put down the scissors, instead make a hair appointment, research what styles will look good on you, ask friends for advice.  This will give you plenty of time to avoid a hasty decision or to be committed.  The same goes for painting or buying a large piece of furniture.  Plan, research and get advice before doing.

Take this weekend of spontaneity and desire to change and use it to your advantage.
•Measure your room so you know the amount of paint you will need
•Go to the paint store and get some paint swatches

•Google those colors you picked up- many times people will name the paint color in the photos so you can really see what the color will look like.  Try Houzz and Pinterest for ideas.
•Email your friend or ask your family what they think
•Go back to the paint store for small samples or quarts
•Paint 2'x2' section on the wall (remember now you are committed unless you want a square painted on your walls)


•Sleep on it
•Sunday- go shopping and buy the supplies so that next weekend you start painting

Step 2 - Let's say this is your only weekend and you really, really want a change and Step 1 isn't working for you.  Do something less permanent....
•Go buy some pillows, accessories, art (less expensive items that can be returned or lived with for a while)
•Rearrange the furniture you have
•Rethink how you are using the rooms in your house- maybe you want the dining room you never use to be the library
•Paint a canvas instead- make your own art.

Paint Sample Art

•buy flowers and do your own arrangement

Try a terrarium!  Planter by Score + Solder

•Bake or try a new recipe- make sure you have a plan to give what you bake away or you might eat it yourself

Sweetapolita Swirl Cake

Sweetapolita has great baking recipes and how-to's

Step 3 - Sometimes these moments of spontaneity are really meant to avoid something you don't want to deal with.  The very thing we don't want to do is the very thing we should do.  Are you avoiding something?  Maybe you should have that conversation with someone, clean your house, pull weeds, or exercise instead of avoiding it.

I'm trying to save you from making a huge mistake like this.

~ Brandy

Hallway Design Ideas

Great place to display kid's art, the mirror is a great focal point and the horizontal stripes in the rug make the space not seem as long

Hallways are sometimes put on the bottom of the list to decorate.  I know it's on the bottom of my list.  They are a means to an end and not usually a place where you spend time but that doesn't mean you should neglect your hallway.  Make your hallway an uplifting space instead of a bore.  

There are 3 things to consider when designing your hallway besides walls and floors;

1 - Lighting - You need enough light so that it doesn't feel dark and scary.  Add wall sconces, they really add character to a space.

2 - Art - This is the perfect space for a gallery!  It can be family photos, paintings, kid's art, storage, mirrors, etc.  And adding 3-Dimension objects will create a dynamic space instead of just a hall.

3 -  Focal Point - You need a focal point at the end of the hall, something to catch your eye!

Here's some great ideas to dress up your hall...

Bright fun wallpaper and Sconces

 Notice the mirror and console are the focal point of this room.

Love the surf board hanging from the ceiling

 This is a great example of all 3 - lighting, art and focal point.

Sculptures displayed on pedestals

So glamorous!

 The mirrors really make this space seem large.

The mirrors help expand the hall's width

Love the red frames!

Simple art display

Make your storage more like art

This is a fabulous focal point

Add book shelves to your hall

Love the hangers!

A collage of hooks makes a great display

Fun wall designs

Paint your doors a color instead!

Below is my back hall to my garage.  My family is the only ones that use this hall.  It's depressing to walk through.  So, it's time to make this ugly, boring space beautiful!  Here's my plan...

Before Hallway

Stay tuned for the after....

~Brandy