Get A Goode Start Decorating

Color Me Happy Flipping through design magazines, it is hard not to get inspired.  I love to see fresh ideas and colors and then use them in my home and my client homes.  I always love when they post color palates. Often colors are strong on their own, but when paired, they can take on a whole new feel. Better Homes and Gardens has announced its Color Palette of the Year and it is an upbeat mix of the season’s best colors. Personally, I am really loving this mix of colors.  The combo of blue and green are a traditional mix, but the addition of the pale pink and vibrant orange will really liven up any room!  The addition of gray as the neutral really rounds out the palate. Blue (Smoke Blue PPG451-5): This blue is a midtone and it works well with a lot of different colors.  It is not too dark and so it has a slightly playful vibe. This blue is in the same family as Pantone’s Snorkel Blue, chosen for the Spring 2016 colors. Green (Smoke ...

Celebrate Spring I don’t know about you but by the time March rolls around, I am ready to celebrate. Even though as I write this and look out my window at the snowflakes descending from the sky, I am inspired to start decorating for Spring. Officially Spring doesn’t start until the 21 st of March, but here are some ways to get a “hop” on the season and decorate your table for Spring. Put all your eggs in one basket This centerpiece is beautiful in its simplicity.  A beautiful rustic wire basket filled with pastel eggs. It is a perfect centerpiece for Spring and can be used specifically for Easter. The colors would complement almost any décor. In this example, baby’s breath was used as an accent, but really any spring flower would work well. You could mix in some colorful crocus’ to add a bit more interest. Birds Nest This is an interesting take on centerpiece.  It is more for a casual setting, perhaps a breakfast bar.  I really like the shad...

For the Love of Design Do you love to decorate your home for different occasions or seasons? I do and I always feel like after Christmas there is such a long space before I can decorate for spring and Easter.  I think I end up keeping my Christmas decorations up a little too long to fill the void.  But this year I decided to decorate for Valentine’s Day; it isn’t a typical holiday to decorate for, but I think that with a couple simple touches you can bring the warmth of Valentine’s Day into your home.  Here are couple of examples of simple, chic Valentine's-inspired designs for your home. Punch it up with pillows: These two pictures show pillows that you can use throughout your home to give a Valentines vibe.  You can use pillows in your living room, bedroom or really anywhere. And the beauty of these pillows is that they don’t scream Valentine’s Day, and therefore, you can use them year round if you choose.  If the traditional reds and p...

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2016 Surprise! This year Pantone has chosen two colors to represent the Color of the Year.   The colors are a complete opposite of last year’s rich, bold color Marsala.   This year, Pantone chose two colors on the other end of the color wheel, Rose Quartz and Serenity are soft and subtle. "Joined together Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace,” (Leatrice Eiseman- Pantone Color Institute) I actually love the choice of two softer colors for this year. I think both colors are really versatile and can be used in a variety of color schemes.   Rose Quartz is subtle tone that can really be used as a neutral and compliment a variety of colors.   Both colors would pair well with darker, bold blues and purples, but could also work well paired with whites and creams to c...

By Stephanie Platt, Interior Designer and Staging Assistant, A Goode Start My husband and I are in the middle of remodeling our kitchen, and I can tell you that deciding on which countertop to go with kept me up a couple of nights.   In the end, we went with a classic oak butcher block.   When it is installed and oiled it will really pop against our white cabinets and dark floors.   We had debated whether to splurge on granite, but in the end we chose the more budget friendly option.   Our house sits in a neighborhood of first time houses; in fact, our house is our starter house. When shopping for finishes for your house, you really want to take the neighborhood into consideration.   You don’t want to add something to your house that will raise the price too much for the target buyer.   Kitchens are an eye-catcher when you are selling your house.   It is the kitchens and bathrooms that will set your house apart from all the others on the market...

Five Common Decorating Mistakes By Stephanie Platt, Interior Designer and Staging Assistant for A Goode Start Are you decorating a space in your house or do you have a space that just doesn't;t work and you can't figure out what the problem is? Below is a list of some common mistakes that when addressed can make a big impact on your space. 1. Not Enough Light - The key to creating an effective lighting plan in your space is to use layers.  There are three categories of lighting and all three need to be used to create a well lit space. General- General lighting, also known as ambient light, provides your room with overall light.  The most common types of general lighting is chandeliers, ceiling or wall mounted fixtures, recessed lights and floor/table lamps.  The overall light in a space should be comfortable and allow you to perform tasks and move around safely. Task- Think of task light as light for your work space. It is lighting that helps you pe...

Neutral Colors Rock! By Stephanie Platt,  Interior Designer and Staging Assistant with A Goode Start My husband and I recently purchased new living room furniture.   I have always had a hand-me-down couch, something that went perfectly with someone else’s style.   This was a big purchase for me and one I took very seriously. I drug my husband to the furniture store on a Saturday morning where we proceeded to sit on what seemed like a never ending array of couches.   I fell head over heels in love with this trendy couch in a soft teal.   It was comfortable and gorgeous. I was ready to redo my entire living room in order for this couch to fit. And that is when my husband burst my bubble.   He wanted something that worked with the aesthetic that we already had and I had to agree. In the end we went with a nice neutral soft brown couch with clean sophisticated lines. When making big furniture purchases it is best to go with something neutral that will ...