Holiday colours

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOxJMWhmmG1cVFlqkk_EFqSsKpPyWEAkG0Z3FNF5luC-lQXQLNlYkpP3xJmr01BAFIvqsUy6Q5EKxBy-sbVtLIqs4dxfs8g1kAHZXyJWwtnwltY7k-0-89jPfYlw8W6fWf0gXqsu_ivE_/s1600/DSCN729966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOxJMWhmmG1cVFlqkk_EFqSsKpPyWEAkG0Z3FNF5luC-lQXQLNlYkpP3xJmr01BAFIvqsUy6Q5EKxBy-sbVtLIqs4dxfs8g1kAHZXyJWwtnwltY7k-0-89jPfYlw8W6fWf0gXqsu_ivE_/s320/DSCN729966.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-1l5_PaUhKDIQpSssEt_r2Za5AVLJ_ALvWo2sZSt1u7sIFfHl4_gsFsvuKvNfoUuRG6sLjBTG1VMWjHvh71WcKJ-Xyi146kCU3_v2lV21MFmmwdboRQPSj6xCjm5-s3Lss4nBERNKSbK/s1600/DSCN7300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Are you a person who sees certain colour combinations which  immediately evoke holiday connections, e.g.,red and green, orange and black, yellow and purple?  I am, and as a result there are colour schemes I find difficult to live with because the cultural connections override the beauty of the combination.  But sometimes a combination sneaks by me.<br /><br />I took this photo in the main area of a small London hotel.  I loved the modern flavour and the strong vertical stripes. My immediate reaction was not Halloween, it was great impact.  Later I realized they were symbolic colours. <br /><br />What's your reaction? <br /> <br /> <br /><br />

Holiday colours

Are you a person who sees certain colour combinations which  immediately evoke holiday connections, e.g.,red and green, orange and black, ye...

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Mirror, mirror

I keep a list of ideas for possible post topics and near the top is an exploration of mirrors in home decor.  Well, that's one post I won't be writing because one of my favourite decorating sites, <a href="http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/">Your Decorating Hotline,</a> has an excellent post on this topic.  It covers the gamut from why use mirrors to the creative ways they can be used. I highly recommend reading it.  There's something for every style of decor.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tzlz1p-uc4Vf1wHIA1a0YeY3TcwB9G4ZjmD1a2W6-dYFYEhAYXjCV0ririScWGY223wwQCP-8gaqA-7RmYxByCYVRHuWbM9-8irmL1jR3UcfJqgbdUr_nkyvFQbvC_N-KhTKxHJzhIng/s1600/porthole-mirror-graham-green-uk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tzlz1p-uc4Vf1wHIA1a0YeY3TcwB9G4ZjmD1a2W6-dYFYEhAYXjCV0ririScWGY223wwQCP-8gaqA-7RmYxByCYVRHuWbM9-8irmL1jR3UcfJqgbdUr_nkyvFQbvC_N-KhTKxHJzhIng/s400/porthole-mirror-graham-green-uk.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the topics explored is the use of mirrors in multiple groupings.  This is an application that I'm particularly fond of and I've added several from my file below. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhZlXBvgQC9p7UbBzjFjW2ddztU1Exm39BMP3-YSeprScEPf2FvYHpp1dKkbEVewravQo4OjPwe_QABj95NmrwAi3BX3KegLNQ5utY5ewZ-uDwjOH6waneqvq7I4_8mPFrt_7AB7KE5Cv/s1600/Interior-decorating-ideas-mirrors-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhZlXBvgQC9p7UbBzjFjW2ddztU1Exm39BMP3-YSeprScEPf2FvYHpp1dKkbEVewravQo4OjPwe_QABj95NmrwAi3BX3KegLNQ5utY5ewZ-uDwjOH6waneqvq7I4_8mPFrt_7AB7KE5Cv/s400/Interior-decorating-ideas-mirrors-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD12pbrJDEIANDNJc48G9IY-yDl3oEnmsNlbtq3JDkTtkKPIP55DNcKXxc2y8plHHTlm6eiFYTgRCQ1kn8ZGdUV_zG8w7EjCTAjoyS9P9Ds2B5TeM3GeeAp5BbZnfy5leC1_VBhQmAh5DM/s1600/Interior-decorating-ideas-mirrors-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD12pbrJDEIANDNJc48G9IY-yDl3oEnmsNlbtq3JDkTtkKPIP55DNcKXxc2y8plHHTlm6eiFYTgRCQ1kn8ZGdUV_zG8w7EjCTAjoyS9P9Ds2B5TeM3GeeAp5BbZnfy5leC1_VBhQmAh5DM/s400/Interior-decorating-ideas-mirrors-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5525?page=4">Elle Decor</a> has an excellent slide show on  using mirrors and </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oaZ6JkE_k7Hf6stSsWBUnzhJpNMAh9vaLnDVi3MixYY99cd-4BK77cos4WXSlIp40V4FcNalVNeTtEyCgyrqUt0Gjdi_UyJ9QQXvCY9DwMewxjt1H79S0rjl-qz6ybzO3dMJpLNL0tuF/s1600/at_la_jen_malm_mirors_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oaZ6JkE_k7Hf6stSsWBUnzhJpNMAh9vaLnDVi3MixYY99cd-4BK77cos4WXSlIp40V4FcNalVNeTtEyCgyrqUt0Gjdi_UyJ9QQXvCY9DwMewxjt1H79S0rjl-qz6ybzO3dMJpLNL0tuF/s400/at_la_jen_malm_mirors_rect540.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbxSNa_Gan4VxECjFjH5O7fbx8EPsaofXK1sqnvCp_isjpV4Jwsd2ByFuldR0Pc4ojAsrRpOeZ-eYsRA8SfOpKhh-qkeArOIDMwYs7ochTNIwYcVB1S0T50LOwqGvEzJOl_vOin8ZB_nM/s1600/at_la_jen_malm_mirors_square72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/high-impact-decorating-with-multiple-matching-mirrors-inspiration-gallery--140771">Apartment Therapy  </a> brings  multiple mirrors  to the limit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you find something you liked?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAW3GbuRNLY8nkBzLzfhUmGCp1SxuWdi_LAMMDLJhI_v4FZfAKZEDORIPBHVCdjlae3bVcNAKGdGjELHBU1LX9fLrhX0KQNkB8u_SPcg9iXg28PO86rvJhXrY23rU-gupGV7oBKnLB2Nw/s1600/serenity+in+design+3+mirrors_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>

Mirror, mirror

I keep a list of ideas for possible post topics and near the top is an exploration of mirrors in home decor.  Well, that's one post I wo...

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Thursday Tip #6- simple centerpieces

Keep it simple...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQib9KVElu2DJMbqL1U95ZjJRyKaYRw450qcCFWBlbfdoimZOCO4CTJGI_J4AsS72KM83qgKyvq07Z8bb97LqJn7U5HetylKpMdRlHPCwZCS8THzC9bCAueV9fbBEFcMFPF9y0w5Euuah/s1600/p_101577063+Better+hg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQib9KVElu2DJMbqL1U95ZjJRyKaYRw450qcCFWBlbfdoimZOCO4CTJGI_J4AsS72KM83qgKyvq07Z8bb97LqJn7U5HetylKpMdRlHPCwZCS8THzC9bCAueV9fbBEFcMFPF9y0w5Euuah/s320/p_101577063+Better+hg.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjjmLpb3uiiGPObaWF7baWIv38RbJ_bPvhsJTCSzLyvbSOa3u1afu-mEt5nmQ32G8LQ4exhz3xFE4uXjY9IgYnRRWN878boM1nHguaR3LmZKxrKZzxU0JS7F2BKo9MMTujvZGoBCJQRmM/s1600/p_BHG152397bhg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjjmLpb3uiiGPObaWF7baWIv38RbJ_bPvhsJTCSzLyvbSOa3u1afu-mEt5nmQ32G8LQ4exhz3xFE4uXjY9IgYnRRWN878boM1nHguaR3LmZKxrKZzxU0JS7F2BKo9MMTujvZGoBCJQRmM/s320/p_BHG152397bhg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Dinner parties can stress the budget.  I like to have simple arrangements for the table and that usually involves fresh flowers .  Rather than large bouquets which are tall and obstruct views, think about simple ways to use flowers or leaves in a repetition.<br /><br />Hosta leaves are one of my favourites and I have lots to choose from in my garden.  I love the idea of massing different sizes and shapes of glasses/vases and submerging separate leaves in each one.  <br />The sunflower is a great choice for fall entertaining. If you don't have access to fresh sunflowers, there are realistic looking  artificial ones. The arrangement above works because of the meandering wave and colour variety.

Thursday Tip #6- simple centerpieces

Keep it simple... Dinner parties can stress the budget.  I like to have simple arrangements for the table and that usually involves fresh fl...

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