Making selections within your home can be challenging. Selecting comes naturally to me as a professional decorator and stager, working with clients and their personal taste and style. When it comes to my own home, however, I have commitment issues. It really is tough to be objective in your own space. Sometimes what you think you want you really don't want, so it is best to have a clear vision.
A few years ago I worked with a couple moving into the area. I met with them in the home … (7 comments)
December always seems as though it's spinning out of control. It also has a way of sneaking up on you, and the reality of the pending schedule vortex does not hit until you are fully caught up in it.
But we survived.
There was such a deep sense of relief once the holidays were over. Seems as if my stress level plummeted, and a sensation came over me I have not felt in a very long time. It may be called relaxation. Since it doesn't happen too often, I … (5 comments)
It seems the older I get, the more time has a way of zooming by. Feels like only yesterday I was so excited to announce that my favorite color turquoise was the color of the year for 2010. Now, I don't live in a turquoise house, but that color does have a way of showing up in my life. From my Fiesta plates to my Roseville pottery to my Thunderbird to fashion and jewelry, turquoise pops into my life and probably always will.
There once was a wooden sign in my home that read, "I'm not Martha Stewart, get over it!" Such pressure for perfection! With impeccable attention to detail, whether it was gardening, cooking, baking, crafting or decorating, Martha made many women feel inadequate. Everything was homemade! Who had time for this without a full staff? But I digress.
"The Martha Stewart Show" airs on the Hallmark Channel. And earlier this month, there we were, a group of four women making the early-morning trek to the city to stand on … (4 comments)
By Claudia Jacobs (this is my weekly newspaper column written by me) For the Times Herald-Record Published: 2:00 AM - 12/12/10
Nothing is written in stone. When my column started up this season I wrote about life transitions. Life is constantly changing, and it's up to us to adapt and change with it.
Just because our situation has changed does not mean we should just ignore the changes and try to keep things status quo. We can learn and grow by adapting tradition to meet our ever-changing lives instead of feeling bad about how things are not the … (4 comments)
decorating: Making a list
- 11/29/10 01:31 AM
By Claudia Jacobs this is my weekly column written by me for the Times Herald-Record Published: 2:00 AM - 11/28/10
Shhhh. I'm going to let you in on a secret. If I could get away with it, I would not decorate my house for the holidays. I know what you're thinking: "But, Claudia, you are a decorator!"
Here's the thing: Over the years — with live trees toppling over, gigantically tall pre-lighted trees that never fit back in the box, and me nearly falling off ladders — I lost that warm and fuzzy Christmas decoration feeling.
It's Halloween, that holiday you either love or hate depending on where you live and how many little goblins show up at your door for candy. We don't get trick-or-treating activity here at my house. Of course, that doesn't stop me from buying candy just in case someone shows up.
Halloween is a favorite time for people who love to be scared. But fear is no fun if it keeps you from breaking out and trying something different. Many people have a fear of color and end … (1 comments)
By Claudia Jacobs For the Times Herald-Record Published: 2:00 AM - 10/24/10
What is hiding in your closet? I recently made some interesting discoveries when cleaning out mine.
While emptying a big Longaberger basket, I came across a few brand new, still-wrapped-in-plastic Barbie Happy Meal toys. My daughter is 18 and in her freshman year of college. You do the math. Not to mention how that expensive basket is just sitting in my closet when it could be on display in my house.
As thrilled as I am to say I still have a waist, I … (2 comments)
decorating: Live Radio Show on Green Talk Radio
- 04/19/10 11:45 AM
Tues, April 20, 10am EST LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW: REJUVENATE YOUR HOME Dr. Lisa Wipplinger of Savvy Structures & Sustainable Living will be interviewing me on her live radio show on Tuesday, April 20 @ 10am EST http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=45763 Our homes provide the basic need of shelter. They also have the potential to nurture our spirits for our optimal health and happiness. Now that the weather is warm and the days are longer, it is a great time to give our living spaces some attention. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers traditionally called this clearing and airing out process “spring cleaning.” We can take … (0 comments)
decorating: Live Radio Show on Green Talk Radio
- 04/19/10 11:33 AM
Tues, April 20, 10am EST LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW: REJUVENATE YOUR HOME Dr. Lisa Wipplinger of Savvy Structures & Sustainable Living will be interviewing me on her live radio show on Tuesday, April 20 @ 10am EST http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=45763 Our homes provide the basic need of shelter. They also have the potential to nurture our spirits for our optimal health and happiness. Now that the weather is warm and the days are longer, it is a great time to give our living spaces some attention. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers traditionally called this clearing and airing out process “spring cleaning.” We can take … (3 comments)
By Claudia Jacobs For the Times Herald-Record Published: 2:00 AM - 01/16/11
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