STYLE TIPS FOR DIY | A WELL LIVED HOUSE

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE – TEENAGE DAUGHTER’S 70’S INSPIRED BEDROOM

by studiotullia | Oct 1, 2023 | DIY, HOME IMPROVEMENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY

We are doing the ONE ROOM CHALLENGE this Fall to light a fire under our you know what. The kitchen demo has begun. I will get into the nitty gritty of this project real soon but I want to share some inspo pics brought to you straight from my daughter’s Ipad. She is deep into the 70’s era which I grew up in so it is a trip down memory lane.

Look at that color palette!

Mod Teen Bedroom

Here is the mood board we put together. This will be a challenge to pull together. Looks cluttered to me. Somehow we will make this work.

She can lean on her Dad’s old records and turntable we will dig up from out storage in the basement.

Years ago we did a One Room Challenge for her bedroom and we are going in an entirely new direction. She has been in a tiny room for several years and is now ready to move into what was our upstairs kitchen. Our house was once a duplex, where my Mother lived for ten years in the upstairs unit, but we now use it as a single family home. This kitchen has been a catchall room for crafts, spare pet cages, a slime lab, holiday cooking, etc. but has been under unitlized for many years. It will be her STUDIO BEDROOM complete with wet bar and large closet.

A comfortable, mod reading chair.

Wondering which second hand store would have a crochet blanket…

This reminds me of college. Where does one even get milk crates anymore?

QUEEN – Freddie Mercury

I blame my husband for the RUSH influence.

Be sure to check out all the other participants of THE ONE ROOM CHALLENGE!

Thanks for following along !

See you next week.

XOXO,

Suzanne

Studio Tullia’s Citrus Garden Collection, Amidst Indonesian Corpse Flowers and Covid evokes Bosch’s Garden of Delights

by studiotullia | Jul 14, 2022 | INTERIOR DESIGN, MAGICAL MOMENTS, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY

CITRUS GARDEN PRIMARY

Citrus Garden by Josef Frank in primary is a favorite of mine. Red was the only color in my garden last week that worked with this latest batch of pillows. Almost looks patriotic with the blue and white chinoiserie thrown in, which was not really my intention, but pretty nonetheless.

With peony season behind us, which is always too short lived, we are moving into dahlia season, which is a personal favorite. It is always so unpredictable what will show up every year although with the deluge of rain this past Spring I am hopeful. At least dahlia season lasts clear into Fall.

I can never bear to waste any of the scraps from this fabric so we make all kinds of accent and lumbar pillows as well as gifts bags.

This timeless pattern is popular beyond words. Always on back order, I finally received the lime colorway yesterday that I ordered back in January. The next batch is not due until September, with this batch already sold out.

My insanely talented neighbor puts us all to shame with the display of flowers in her front yard. And if you are lucky enough to get an invite to her backyard you are in for a real treat. She recently redid her backyard with amazing steel box planters (over flowing with daffodils and tulips this spring), some cement-scaping that includes a sunken fire pit and a few grassy spots for outdoor dining. The covered shelter will be great almost year round. I particularly love the fence, stained in black, which adds such a great contrast.

She chose some outdoor pillows from STUDIO TULLIA including Citrus Garden in Pool, another long standing favorite.

And Schumacher has come out with a couple more colorways this year…

CITRUS GARDEN IN GARDEN

Reminds me of a tiled mosaic walkway I came across on a recent walk in our neighborhood.

CITRUS GARDEN IN LEAF

Pretty refreshing, eh? Now I want a gin & tonic.

FERNARIUM by Schumacher

We’ve got lots of ferns in our garden in the Pacific NorthWest. Something out of character for our region that we find every year is this odd phenomenon of a flower, called the CORPSE FLOWER. It smells like rotting flesh, believe it or not. Hence the name.

Never fails that every year I catch a whiff of what smells like a rotting animal, and now I know, it’s back.

For a couple years, I tried to extract it from the garden and it has just kept coming back every year with a vengence. We were amazed to discover that it is quite a novelty, with crowds waiting in long lines at the NY Botanical Musuem to observe this annual oddity. I was shocked to discover that some variations are far taller than the human species!

We brought this flower to my brother in law for his fortieth birthday. With all windows down for the entire ride, we proudly presented it to him. We had to enjoy it from a distance, a good 20 feet from our gathering, LOL.

Not to be too morbid, but it does seem like a flower symbolic of our times, and having just gotten over Covid in the last couple weeks at our household.

All this morbidity and strangeness in the garden reminds me of my art history days and studying the famous painting by Spanish painter, BOSCH.

The Garden of Earthly Delights

“As little is known of Bosch’s life or intentions, interpretations of his intent range from an admonition of worldly fleshy indulgence, to a dire warning on the perils of life’s temptations, to an evocation of ultimate sexual joy. The intricacy of its symbolism, particularly that of the central panel, has led to a wide range of scholarly interpretations over the centuries. Twentieth-century art historians are divided as to whether the triptych’s central panel is a moral warning or a panorama of paradise lost.” – Wikipedia

ANYWAY, back to Josef Frank, so we end on a positive note…

This is the sofa of my dreams.

Josef Frank, Austrian-born architect/artist/designer, became a Swedish citizen in the latter half of his life. Together with Oskar Strnad, he created the Vienna School of Architecture, and its concept of Modern houses, housing and interiors. If you want to explore his life and work further you can go HERE, where there is a comprehensive exhibit of his work.

Or check out this book, which features interiors, furniture, design, and architecture of the mid century in Vienna:

Enjoy your Summer, the garden and the occasional cool drink out on the patio…until next time.

XOXO,

Suzanne

Handmade Pottery, Vintage furnishings and Etsy Pillow Finds from U.S. and Beyond Inspire a Mid-Century Coastal Retreat

by studiotullia | Jul 6, 2022 | DESIGN TRENDS, DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS

HAPPY SUMMER, everyone!

This is my favorite time of year in OREGON.

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for the beach.

Did you know that we offer E-Design?

E-DESIGN SERVICES BY SUZANNE/A WELL LIVED HOUSE

We had our client complete a questionnaire and then after a scheduled zoom call, with room dimensions provided, we presented a couple of floor plan options, two mood boards, and a list of items and resources.

This particular job was to help our clients spruce up their vacation home in Manzanita so it is Airbnb rental-ready, on a limited budget.

CHAIRISH is always a great place to look for designer pieces like this MILO BAUGHMAN sofa for a real statement piece. Just love the lines, length and style.

MILO BAUGHMAN SOFA, CHAIRISH

If a less expensive, new sofa is preferred, ARTICLE is having a great sale right now. Their prices include delivery, and are made in the U.S.

ABISKO QUARTZ WHITE SOFA, ARTICLE

This versatile ottoman comes in handy and is a deal for $300.

KAYRA OTTOMAN, ARTICLE

ETSY FINDS:

This company AFRIKESH ships from Morrocco and offers great rugs in custom sizes.

Loving the ceramic lighting by STUDIO HARON, out of Cornwall

The colors of this vintage pottery below inspired the mood for this home, and it would be fun to build a collection.

HAND MADE VASE, LADY BIRD VINTAGE DECOR

HAND MADE VASE, LADY BIRD VINTAGE DECOR

HANDMADE VASE, Etsy

mid century modern blue chair and ottoman

Rachael Mid Century Chair by BRICK TIMBER, Etsy

MID CENTURY LAMPS, found on CHAIRISH

One of these fun shades would add life to the vintage lamps.

Both available via CREATIVE LAMP SHADES, Etsy.

We pulled some possible pillow combos together for the sofa:

We are having a 15% OFF SALE

ALL BLUE & WHITE

running now through the end of the month.

Sailing into Summer…

XOXO,

Suzanne

STUDIO TULLIA’S Free ‘No Rules’ STYLE GUIDES for Chairs, Sofas and Sectionals…

by studiotullia | Feb 13, 2022 | DESIGN & STYLING, DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY

For over a dozen years, STUDIO TULLIA has been making and shipping pillows all over the world.

Out of gratitude to our uber-stylish customers, we thought it would be fun to create and share these three “no rules” PILLOW STYLE GUIDES!

These easy to print style guides are useful when considering what type/size/grouping to use in various home decor scenarios!

CHAIRS

SOFAS & LOVESEATS

SECTIONALS

We have quite a few ready-to-ship pillow covers on sale right now.

They are available on my Etsy store – check it out!

XOXO,
SUZANNE

The ASTORIA Collection, II. Authentic, Mid-century Textiles in Rich Colors and Patterns

by studiotullia | Feb 5, 2022 | CURRENT PROMOTIONS, DESIGN & STYLING, DESIGN TRENDS, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY

NEWS FROM THE STUDIO:

VINTAGE!

LET’S TALK PROVENANCE…

I first found the mother load of vintage textiles at an estate sale in Astoria, Oregon, a few years ago. Thank God my father-in-law was persistent in finding this place; the shop of an upholster, whose estate was being liquidated.

It was like walking back in time, to the mid century, with hand written notes pinned all over the walls, leftover fabric bolts stacked up on shelves and in metal trash cans. It was definitely a hard-working artisan’s work room. His adjoining house was also for sale, so that was super fun to see his formal 50’s-60’s era living room and his immaculately upholstered pieces.

BOLD FLORALS

I was completely blown away by the quality of the thick, cotton velvet and the richness of the patterns and colors. I wouldn’t have expected this bold palette to be so prominent on the coast of Oregon.

I was later told by the owner of local store, Vintage Hardware, that he was the only upholsterer in the Astoria region for quite some time.

The bolts were at bargain prices. The gamble was that this upholsterer smoked. A lot. The pervasive smell of stale smoke was on all of the textiles. I also wasn’t sure how they would fare after I had washed them.

Once home,I threw some samples in the washer/dryer and was elated with what I found. The quality had endured and they were just as vibrant and beautiful.

I honed my ability to clean vintage textiles, determining that 1/2 cup of vinegar mixed with detergent was the best addition to a load of laundry, to remove the smell. Sometimes even a second or third wash was required, but ultimately worth it. It was no small undertaking to wash and handle these really heavy, wet velvets.

We even had to replace the mechanism inside our washer after a couple of intense weeks of washing, so there was that…

YELLOW ROSE

The other gamble was whether or not people would even like this dated, retro collection.

As with everything online it takes a few months for your items to be found…but eventually, they became quite popular and really are a bargain for the quality.

A LITTLE INSPO

Here are a couple of pillow combinations that you could work.

A mix of the old with new, or high and low… is always nice and less predictable.

XOXO

Suzanne

Check out our Free Fall Guide: 18 Steps to a Well Dressed Bed, and News from the Studio: new Pendleton plaids & Faux Lamb’s Wool Pillows!

by studiotullia | Oct 2, 2021 | DESIGN & STYLING, DESIGN TRENDS, INTERIOR DESIGN, NEWS FROM THE STUDIO, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY

CHECK OUT OUR FALL SALE
15% OFF NOW THRU OCT 31st!

NEWS FROM THE STUDIO:

FALL woolens are back!

I source wool from the PENDLETON MILL ENDS STORE year round. I love the challenge of reworking such quality mill ends, into one of a kind pillows, that are so great for cozying up your home. This is when I start to layer in a few wool blankets and pillows around the house.

CUSTOM BEDDING

Last year I launched a custom bedding program for a local furniture store, LEGACY MODERN. The duvet cover and shams shown are made of a light weight Pendleton wool, lined with high quality Egyptian cotton sheets. The set comes with a cream, cotton queen size fitted sheet and two standard size cotton shams. The indigo cotton sheets shown below are not included in this set. I really like to beef up the bedding when it is on display. I have this for sale in my store right now.

You may also purchase the heavier weight euro shams and blanket. This creates a more layered, cozy look.

While designing the bed program,I also came up with this checklist for how to style a bed.

I wanted to share it with you all.

18 STEPS TO A WELL DRESSED BED

If you would like a copy, just click on the image above.

DECORATIVE PILLOWS!

Be sure to check out all the fun variations for decorative pillows we have come up with this season.

JACQUARDS

I also have quite a few of the jacquards, in different colorways and patterns.

Check out our FALL SALE – 15% off entire store, now through Oct.31st!

New this season:

Faux lamb’s wool!

OUT & ABOUT

Our neighbor just shared a few pics of her hike today around Blue Lake, about 20 miles from Portland. That’s looking like Fall, folks.

This past weekend, I started taking riding lessons again. We went on a wonderful trail ride through the woods. It’s been awhile, so I’m facing my fears with saddling up a horse, leading it out to the ring, etc.

How about you, what do you have planned for Fall?

Wishing you all a wonderful, enchanting autumn and as always, thanks for reading!

TEEN BEDROOM – WEEK 3 – ONE ROOM CHALLENGE

by studiotullia | May 26, 2020 | ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS

WEEK 3 has been about ordering HARDWARE for the loft bed, ART SELECTION for the GALLERY WALL and LIGHTING.

So many fun prints and posters on ETSY and AMAZON. Loads to choose from so we did a quick mock-up to get a sense of where we are headed.

And I found an enormous oval mirror a lot like this one from RESTORATION HARDWARE. 3’X4′ approx. There really was only one place that this would even work in the room, so sometimes you just have to make things work. Large scale in a small room can often work wonders.

GALLERY WALL MOCK-UP

We are still planning to paint the bed gray.

LIGHTING

We are playing around with how to use FAIRY LIGHTS, that can change color and be dimmable overhead.

So this coming week, we are prepping the room for paint, sanding and continuing work on the bed, and playing around with how much art we need, where we will hang it, and what fits within our budget.

So, here is the link below to the ORC FEATURED DESIGNERS as well as the GUEST PARTICIPANTS.

Thank you for reading along. Until next week….

#STAYSAFE, #STAYHOME , #STAYCALM&DESIGNON

XOXO,
SUZANNE

TEEN GIRL’S ROOM – SECOND WK OF THE ONE ROOM CHALLENGE

by studiotullia | May 19, 2020 | HOME IMPROVEMENT, INTERIOR DESIGN, ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS

Well, here we are at WEEK 2 of the ORC project. In case you missed the first post, we are remodeling my 13 year old teenage daughter’s tiny bedroom. We think the best use of the space should include a loft bed. My husband, with her help, is in the throes of making this custom bed.

Here are some nice ones that help us to conceptualize how to best use the space.

LOFT BEDS:

This loft bed with built-in shelves under the ladder allows room for a desk and more storage space. I love the bookshelf under the bedrail.

POTTERY BARN always has quality furnishings, and its styled beautifully with their linens. The brass touches are nice.

This is also from POTTERY BARN which I included because we are considering painting the bed gray.

A truly mid century loft look by WEST ELM/POTTERY BARN. The yellow is beautiful with the warm wood tones. Love the dresser in there, too. I love how the desk fits right behind the ladder, which is simple and elegant.

This is the Harlan loft bed with desk ($500 range). This more basic loft bed is built with comfortable sleeping space and plenty of room underneath. It is available at several online stores including Wayfair and Overstock.

FURNISHINGS

These two pieces above are both from IKEA. There are lots of nice options for storage bins, drawers, etc. They are a bargain around $100 each. And they would just fit, within an inch, below the loft bed we are making.

We already have a desk chair kind of like this that someone had just left on the street corner across from an office buiding. It looked brand new, so I grabbed it! Like I said, LAW OF ATTRACTION at work…

We are also considering a comfy chair if it will fit. This first one (above) is from URBAN OUTFITTERS and the second one (below) is from POTTERY BARN TEEN.

On sale for $199 at POTTERY BARN TEEN right now.

LIGHTING

I am loving this vintage mid century modern light fixture that extends out, with little stars. $250 at HIPPO HARDWARE in Portland, OR, a great resource for vintage lighting and hardware. The place has soul.

This one from TARGET is also nice, and we love the color. About $100.

PAINT COLOR PALETTE

We are headed in this direction with grays, blues and white direction with pops of color in the art. We also want to mix in some color with the art.

ROOM THEME: THE AVENGERS

We have been watching all of the AVENGER SUPER HERO MOVIES in order since the quarantine started. Usually one or two a week. It’s actually really fun to watch as a family. Thank goodness these Disney movies now have plenty of heroines as well as heroes. AVENGER HEROINES will be the prevailing theme in the art that she is considering for her room. I can think of worse role models, right?

1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1942-1943)
2. Captain Marvel (1995)
3. Iron Man (2010)
4. Iron Man 2 (2011)
5. The Incredible Hulk (2011)
6. Thor (2011)
7. The Avengers (2012)
8. Iron Man 3 (2012)
9. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
12. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2014)
13. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
14. Ant-Man (2015)
15. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
17. Doctor Strange (2016-2017)
18. Black Widow (2017)
19. Black Panther (2017)
20. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2017)
22. Avengers: Infinity War (2017)
23. Avengers: Endgame (2018-2023)
24. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2023)

ART

There are so many great sources on ETSY for everything from downloadable $5 pdfs you can print yourself, to pricier vintage movie posters and comic books.

This we bought.

Rosie the Riveter is not a MARVEL SUPER HERO but Charlotte is relating to this heroic image. She has even been dressing like her in a blue jumpsuit from TARGET and a bandanna around her head.

So this coming week, we are prepping the room for paint, sanding and continuing work on the bed, and playing around with how much art we need, where we will hang it, and what fits within our budget.

So, here is the link below to the ORC FEATURED DESIGNERS as well as the GUEST PARTICIPANTS if you just can’t get enough.

Thank you for reading along. Until next week….

#STAYSAFE, #STAYHOME , #STAYCALM&DESIGNON

XOXO,
SUZANNE

TEEN GIRL’S ROOM – WEEK 1 – ONE ROOM CHALLENGE 2020

by studiotullia | May 10, 2020 | ONE ROOM CHALLENGE, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, SUZANNE'S DESIGN PROJECTS

My daughter, husband, and I have decided to participate in this year’s Spring 2020 ONE ROOM CHALLENGE.

I have done several of these over the years; the last one being my son’s room last Fall.

If you are not familiar with this event, you may participate if you are an interior designer/DIYer. You must also have a blog or business instagram account and be able to report on your progress weekly. The timeline is 5 weeks with the sixth week being the FINAL REVEAL.

Several featured designers are asked to participate by the host and creator, Linda Weinstein. Many sponsors participate in this event and they offer these designers products for the rooms.

WHY DO I DO THIS?

The six-week timeline and required weekly blog posts create a structure for steady progress. Having to share your project with an audience requires accountability, which is also helpful . We all know how easy it is to leave DIY projects in limbo around the house.

One has to deliver on the FINAL REVEAL. It has to be worth the build up. Somehow it also gets others around the house on board.

My daughter is home along with her brother 24/7 so we could all use not only some structure, but a fun project. She is old enough to help Mama out and she has some strong opinions about where we are headed design wise.

Here all of the featured designers this Spring:

If you can’t get enough, you may want to follow along with the designer guest participants as well. So much inspiration can be found here and so little time (or maybe not?) with all of these designers and DIYers.

My daughter Charlotte has just turned 13 in April and is ready to change her room

HER ROOM BEFORE

Charlotte was quite a bit younger the first time we remodeled her room, but she participated in just about every aspect of the project then, too. It was 2015 and she had very different interests and color choices back then.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON CHARLOTTE

She has kept the same small room by choice over the years. She likes the coziness of it. Besides a new color palette and a refresh, she really needs adequate desk space, especially with all the online learning classes these days. Hip-hop, art and baking occupy a lot of her time. Charlotte is also into fashion and has a certain “street style” which involves distressed jeans, over-sized shirts, hoodies, hats and bandanas. She is not a follower. She usually lays out her outfits out the night before school and most of her allowance goes toward clothes.

THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT LOFT BED

We have been shopping for a while for the right loft bed that would create more space in her tiny room. Some leftover plywood shelves given to us by a dear friend, just a week ago, provided the impetus for my husband to commit to the custom bed project. Thank you, IVAN!!!

My husband and I are often challenged when collaborating together but for the most part,I let him run with the bed design. So far, he and Charlotte have been side by side on this project. The two of them have been working on the bed pretty much all last weekend. They have cut out all the pieces which now need to be sanded, painted and eventually installed into the room. In the meantime, Charlotte and I will be getting a lot of the design details and color choices finalized this coming week.

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

I am a big believer in the law of attraction when it comes to design projects. For some mysterious reason, every time I embark on one of these ORC things just start to fall into place. I will demonstrate to you how this works over the next few weeks. For starters, I found a huge oval mirror that someone had left out on the curb just the other day. It is perfect for Charlotte’s one wall, that will help to visually enlarge her space. It looks like there were once lights behind it, so we are going to reinstall some lighting as well which should create some drama.

They are cutting all the wood for the bed.

Side pieces for the bed. My husband says “I’ve got this.”

My husband is all about safety and reinforcement when it comes to DIY projects. I am not loving the “F” corner pieces, as I would go for a simpler design, but I need to let that go…he’s getting it done and my daughter is learning great wood shop and engineering skills. Until, next week…

#STAYSAFE, #STAYHOME , #STAYCALM&DESIGNON

XOXO,
SUZANNE

IDEAS for FABRIC MASKS THAT OFFER SAFETY, COMFORT & STYLE

by studiotullia | Apr 10, 2020 | DIY, STUDIO NEWS, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, THE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR

This pandemic thing is starting to get REAL.

Well folks, it’s been a crazy few weeks. How’s everyone holding up? How was your holiday weekend? My twins turned 13 on Easter Sunday so we tried to make it special for them, although the gathering was very small, family only, no hugs, etc. We were able to forget for a couple of hours that things are still really strange.

Know what I mean? Major changes are happening so quickly not only in our households, but throughout the nation, and the whole world. Every day we all wake up and can’t believe this is our new reality.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS & HOARDING

As soon as Portland Public Schools announced schools would close, everything got crazy. Sounds like that was the case pretty much everywhere.

People started stockpiling groceries and hoarding all paper and sanitizing products. I went to Trader Joe’s around that time and there was literally NOTHING left on the shelves. I was in shock. Like I couldn’t remember my pin number, shock. And all I could find was a couple of sad red peppers and a bin of cookies. Soon after, people started cooking comfort food and baking like crazy; and next thing, there’s no flour or baking supplies to be found. WHAAAAT?

MORE CLOSURES

Over the weeks, as we learn more about this disease and the daily losses gain momentum, we are all growing more and more cautious, concerned and let’s admit it, afraid. The whole social distancing thing, lines to get into stores, business closures, anxiety around those particularly vulnerable, the economic fallout of all this; it’s a lot to absorb.

ONLINE COURSES & ECOMMERCE

Thank God the schools are starting to deliver online education. The kids have one subject in the morning, and one subject in the afternoon each day, as they rotate through the days with different teachers. That’s a lot easier than trying to navigate 6 lessons a day. This new reality will require a few hours minimum on my part, to keep them on track. And then there are the additional meals, snacks, dishes.

STRUCTURE

I have been growing concerned about my kids having too much idle time. They are finding online chat groups, FaceTime and group games, but spending a lot of time in their rooms, and on their devices more than I care to admit. I overheard one of their friends saying she felt it was easier to be in school then it was to stay home, and they all agreed. When they do return, I think they will have a new appreciation for what school provides. People are having to think outside the box, adapt to the new rules. We will all be changed by this for sure.

MASK DEMAND

The craft and sewing community has been asked by many different medical entities and companies to start making fabric masks. PROVIDENCE alone is requesting 100 million homemade masks and I know Governor Andrew Cuomo of NYC is offering up all kinds of financial incentives for the fashion industry to start producing supplies for medical professionals, as they anticipate an increasing demand for quite some time.

I started to make a few masks last week and posted some images on Instagram. Since then, I have been asked to make masks by several friends, family, and neighbors.

ETSY

Last week Etsy Admin put out a request for anyone who was capable, to start making masks, due to the unprecedented demand. As soon as I started to list them on Etsy, they would sell. I couldn’t keep up. Almost overnight, I along with 20,000 other artisans, were selling masks online. ETSY CEO , Steve Silverman, told NBC,” Our sellers are able to produce hundreds of thousands of masks a day.”

And, all of a sudden there was no elastic to be found in any local stores that were open as people scrambled to make masks. So I’ve been waiting with bated breath for my mailman everyday since ordering elastic online…

I started to make ties instead of using elastic and those are selling rapidly, too. Who knew my daughter had such a knack for styling mannequins and wigs. She even talked me into ordering more!

The CDC and many states are now recommending that you wear a homemade mask as an extra precaution when you go outside in public. Every time I go to the store I see more and more people wearing masks.

OUR IN-HOUSE FACTORY

I have recruited my daughter and son to help me cut out prototypes and press them. We have turned our dining room into a temporary sewing factory.

We’ve been having fun coming up with various fabric combos. Any broadcloth, pretty tightly woven fabric works: light weight Pendleton wool, cotton, linen, and flannel fabric masks are available. Everything is pre-washed so that it can be rewashed and reused.

People are scrambling to find elastic everywhere; pulling it from their clothes, fitted sheets, dismantling bungee cords or using alternatives like hairbands, rubber bands, and cutup pieces of T-shirts, etc.

I’m trying to select broadcloth fabric for my two layered tasks. There has to be a balance between getting enough coverage to feel protected without feeling like you’re suffocating. You need enough of a gap in the mask in front of your mouth that you feel comfortable.

If you would like to try your hand at your own mask, I have several links to tutorials on my Pinterest board.

WILL MASKS BECOME JUST ANOTHER ACCESSORY LIKE A SCARF OR PIN?

According to a recent article in THE GUARDIAN:

Masks have long been a regular feature of daily life in east Asia, for fashion and for health purposes, and are sometimes considered a sign of the wearer’s social responsibility.

“Whether it will take off as a fashion trend here in the US depends on whether stigma around wearing a mask can be changed,” says Christine Wu, a fashion anthropologist and former lecturer at the Parsons School of Design.

According to a recent article in the LA TIMES:

Major fashion brands are stepping in to help gather or make these much-needed supplies. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton announced Saturday that it would obtain 40 million medical-grade face masks from a Chinese industrial supplier to distribute to French health authorities. Italian brand Prada shared Monday that it’s producing a run of 80,000 overalls and 110,000 face masks at one of its factories for Italian medical personnel.

I have to believe that some good will come out of all this. We are being catapulted into the future with all our video conferences and zoom meetings. And being forced to radically change and rethink our lifestyles. This situation has forced almost everyone to slow down, spend time with their families, plan out meals, take a look around at their homes, and contemplate what is most important. How lucky those of us are that are healthy, have a place to live and can keep food on the table.

GET OUTSIDE

Our family went to MT TABOR, a nearby city park, the previous Sunday, and it felt almost normal to have others all around, hanging out, and enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. It was so important for us to get out, throw a frisbee around, laugh, and forget about this crisis for a little while.

Wishing everyone the strength and good fortune as we navigate through this unknown, difficult time. I truly am so sorry for the people who are ill, or know someone who is suffering. Or for those who have lost their jobs or livelihood. I’m concerned for the doctors, nurses, therapists, various medical specialists, all the people sanitizing, cleaning, doing security, etc.on the front lines fighting this thing, as well as all the employees of grocery stores, pet stores, nurseries, drug stores, etc. There’s tension in the air, but there is also great compassion and kindness on display everywhere.

#BE SAFE

Hang tight everyone. Wash your hands, wear your masks, care for yourself and your loved ones. This will end, we will get through this, as other generations have gotten through various hardships: wars, famine, plagues. Who knows, this “slowing down” just might save our planet. Until then, stay home, stay safe, hold onto what’s dear, and BREATHE.

#WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER

Sending out love and warm wishes to everyone.

EASY TECHNIQUES TO GENERATE ENERGY, PROSPERITY & CALM IN YOUR OFFICE

by studiotullia | Mar 29, 2020 | DIY, INTERIOR DESIGN, STYLE TIPS FOR DIY, THE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR

YOUR HOME OFFICE SHOULD BE YOUR SANCTUARY

As many of us settle into our homes for an extended period of time over the next few months or longer, it is essential to create a work space or home office that is specifically your space alone, your sanctuary, where you can feel calm and productive.

Jeff Sheldon, Ugmonk

CHILDREN NEED A PLACE TO WORK, TOO.

I am helping my kids to create a space for themselves as well since they are home all day, and will need to have designated times throughout the day when they can get their school work done.

HOME-DESIGNING.COM

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLUTTER CLEARING

With the extra time we all have at home, it is a great time to clean up your office and your business; not just physically, but virtually and mentally. As you clear away the physical clutter, and the digital clutter in your computer, you will start to gain clarity mentally as well.

“Your environment has enormous influence over the way you think, feel, and behave. Over time, your environment — and the people in it— can make or break your success” – Marie Forleo

With tax prep on our minds, there is a lot of reflection on what works and is not working so well in one’s business, financially and otherwise. It is always helpful to review last year’s calendar and financials, and reflect on what you accomplished as well as what you want to change and improve upon as you plan for the coming year.

CALENDARS & PLANNERS

A planner can be a helpful tool.

LISA CONGDEN for Papersource

Calendars and planners are ridiculously cheap right now (75% off) at places like PAPERSOURCE where I found these fun items.

It is very easy to forget to acknowledge the triumphs of the previous year when you are always looking ahead. If you haven’t heard of MARIE FORLEO, check out her just released NY TIMES Bestseller chock full of strategies and tips for entrepreneurs.

HOME OFFICE REFRESH

So, let’s get started, shall we?

DECLUTTER YOUR FILES & YOUR COMPUTER

If you are in the throes of getting your taxes done, now is the perfect time to shred old bills and documents and create files and a system for 2020. Bills more than one year old can be tossed out but keep tax forms and receipts for seven years. Of course, remember to shred papers that contain confidential information.

This is also a great time to de-clutter all the excess documents and photos on your computer. I had a friend come over recently and he cleaned out all of the behind the scenes garbage that was slowing down my iMac. It’s also a good time to get rid of the countless emails you no longer need. You can search alphabetically and eliminate multiple emails from one entity all in one fell swoop.

Photo from MY DOMAIN

CLEAN YOUR DESK, SHELVES & DRAWERS, WITH A NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCT

Empty out all your drawers and shelves, one at at time. After you eliminate what is no longer relevant, and before you put back what is, clean all your surfaces. Vacuum and/or dust with a damp cloth your desk, shelves, and drawers. Something like this all natural multi purpose cleaner with cedarwood and sage essential oils from TRADER JOE’S is inexpensive and smells good.

ORGANIZE YOUR BOOK SHELVES

Go through each book and get rid of whatever is not relevant to your work. You can then organize by subject, color or whatever makes sense to you. I use baskets and containers to store miscellaneous items and remove visual clutter. Get rid of old catalogs, magazines, and books you don’t use.

IKEA

REFRESH YOUR WALLS WITH A FRESH COAT OF PAINT & PICK COLORS YOU LOVE!

Domino Magazine, Erika Bonnell

You can spend some time on Pinterest researching which offices speak to you color wise as it is entirely what works best for you.

Martha Stewart has a few suggestions in an article about Best Paint Colors for your Home Office.

Why WHITE or GRAY is often best for creatives.

REAL SIMPLE had a list of 21 best whites however if you live in a place like Portland, OR or Alaska, I recommend Mountain Snow by METRO Paint for $14/gallon. It is recycled, excellent quality paint and most importantly, it is the perfect white for bluish, northern light. Whites come in so many shades and it is important to pick the right one for your space.

In my case it was essential that I have white paint. If you have an old house, it also gives it a fresh and more modern look.

1. White always brightens up a room. It is so refreshing to walk into your office everyday. When the sun is shining in, it is especially lovely.

2. If you shoot products in your office, the background needs to be white. It keeps the light a pure natural light.

3. If you look at colors all day you might need a break from all the visual stimulation.

And for fun, you can always add a touch of color in your very white room; on the doors or add a mural or accent wall.

ESSENTIALS FOR THE HOME OFFICE

1. CALENDAR 2. CHANDELIER 3. PEACE SIGN 4. COLOR TRENDS 5. WALLPAPER 6. DESK 7. OFFICE CHAIR 8. JOURNAL 9. CLEANERS 10. PILLOW 11. PENCIL CUP 12. LAMP

DESK

Find a desk that works for your space and purposes. The most important thing is that you have a desk that suits your needs and that feels good to you.

Melrose Writing desk, ONE KINGS LANE.

You can also find unusual finds on CHAIRISH, 1st DIBS, or ONE KINGS LANE. IKEA has the basics as does WEST ELM, POTTERY BARN, WS HOME, WAYFAIR, etc. Or if you have a corner or special nook, sometimes a custom cabinetmaker or carpenter can help you out.

1st DIBS

You want to make sure there is adequate space on the desk, it is solid and stable, and preferably has space for storing files and drawers for miscellaneous supplies.

And make sure you have your computer at the appropriate height and your keyboard on a surface low enough to be comfortable with your sitting position. You can have major wear and tear on your wrists, forearms, back and hips if you have to stay in one place for extended periods of time.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MY DOMAINE

Find uplifting accessories like cups and trays to store your pens, pencils, papers and other miscellaneous items. A nice trash can is always necessary.

SCHOOLHOUSE ELECTRIC

OVERHEAD & TASK LIGHTING

You want an OVERHEAD LIGHT with a dimmer switch so you can adjust the amount of light throughout the day.

At night or on an overcast day, it is nice to have the warmth of a DESK LAMP.

You want to pick a lamp you won’t tire of; that you love but is perhaps not too much of a distraction.

A COMFORTABLE CHAIR

UPLIFTING, MEANINGFUL ART

You want to select art that makes you happy, or that reminds you of who you are, what your interests are, or what your mission is in life/work. This is perhaps your chance to bring in color, texture or pattern.

SCHOOLHOUSE ELECTRIC.

PHOTOGRAPHS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY

Like a picture of your beautiful children at the beach.

PLANTS

Plants bring life and fresh carbon monoxide to a space. They remind me of hikes and overnights in the woods, which are always restorative.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEROEN VAN DER SPEK FOR THE DUTCH DELICIOUS MAGAZINE

PROSPERITY CORNER

With Feng Shui in the Northern hemisphere the primary wealth corner is in the South Eastern sector and in the Southern hemisphere the wealth corner is in the North Eastern sector of your home or office. You need to keep the wealth area of your home clean and free of clutter. Place items that symbolize money, abundance and prosperity in this area: images of moving water, such as waterfalls and crashing waves, a money tree plant and plants that cleanse the air, items that are gold or purple and items and images that evoke wealth for you. To learn more, go HERE

PURIFY & REFRESH YOUR FURNITURE & SPACE WITH ESSENTIAL OILS AND SMUDGE STICKS.

CLEANSE YOUR SPACE to CREATE NEW ENERGY and clear out the old.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Figure out which essential oils you like and you can use them as a room spray or with your cleaning products that you use.

“Remember that within your soul is an innate wisdom that absolutely knows what oils are needed for a particular activity or room in your house. So take time to tune-in to the essence of your home and your intuition before you choose your oils.” – Denise Linn(Healer and Practitioner of Interior Alignment)

I hope you found some of these tips to be helpful. If you would like a PUNCH LIST of items to consider for your home office as you clutter clear your work space, enhance the space with energy and newness and set your intentions for the upcoming year, click HERE, and I will send you a copy. And always, thank you for following along!