Usher in the Holidays with Red Flowers...

There is no better way to usher in the holiday than with Red....Use the hue strategically and sparingly through out the entire house.....Some of these suggestions below can be found in your own backyard, or at your local supermarket....Have fun with decorating with flowers...experiment with different vessels, such as a bowl, a bucket, a vase, crystal ice bucket whatever can hold water and some flowers....add some greens...and you have created a beautiful seasonal look..  The photo to the left is Cestrum Elegans which is a subtropic scrub....a flower shop would carry these... 

Gloriosa Lilly add to every day evergreens..

Red Holly Berries - found in your backyard or florist this time of year 

Hypericum usually they can be found at the grocery srote

Ranunculus a tight petal adds a touch of formality....found  at some grocery stores...or florist

Cala Lilly  usually found is white...

Primrose easily found great in a basket with moss  and greens

Skimmia which is actually an every green which you may have in your back yard

Red Amaryllis easily fund this time of year.. I also like the red and white stripe ones

Red French Tulips one of my favorites.. 

Red stem dog woods...found in your back yard or florist.

                                                   

During this Holiday Season we all get a bit overwhelmed.. We can help with some of your preparations... 

Visit us at Harmonizing Homes, LLC 

or 

                                                          Shore Chicy Designs  

                                                      call  us today  917-699-1262..

                                                    

                                                     

Christmas into your homes the Feng Shui way!

Who would have thought??? Feng Shui Christmas....I will do anything to bring a bit of luck for the end of the year.....

The Christmas tree actually attract the most CHI of the season.  It should be the focal point of your interior decor and it is best placed in the entrance area or in your front living room area....  The Triangular shape of the tree symbolizes the Trinity sending energy upward to God.  The lights, gifts and decorations on the Christmas Tree means heaven, love and charity.  The Star at the top of the tree stands for hope!


Your front door is considered as the mouth of your home.  The health of your home depends on what kind of energy you receive through your main entrance door.      A Wreath on the door represents a beautiful crown of glory and is complete in every way as it has no beginning or end.

If your front door is facing south, east or southeast then hang green garland with red decorations.  If your door is facing north, northwest hand Garland that is mainly silver, metallic blue or gold in color.  Doors facing southwest or northeast should use silver garland and red decorations or use flickering lights.

Hang Christmas bells on the outside of your door handle which invites good luck and happiness for the coming year. Keep your driveway and hallways clean and free of clutter and place candles or burning lights along the side of he pathway....directing Chi inside your house.

Should you need some help in decorating this holiday season...Harmonizing Homes would be happy to help... Visit our website at www.harmonizehomes.com  or our sister website www.shorechicydesigns.com  or you can reach us at 917-99-1262 - Happy Decorating!!!

Folding Sheets - For a neat look in the linen closet

One thing that I tell my clients is that the linen closet must be neat and organized with your home is being shown to sell.    One thing that has always been a mystery to many of us is how to properly fold sheets so they lay nicely in the closet instead of in a crinkly balled up mess.

Spread the sheet on a flat surface, fitted corners up

Fold sheet in half horizontally, tucking the fitted top corners into the fitted bottom corners. If your sheet has gathered sides, tuck them into each other, too. Smooth the edges flat.

Fold the sheet lengthwise so that all four fitted corners are on top of one another. Again, slide the top set of corners into the bottom set.

Fold the sheet in half again, and fold over the smooth end to finish. For a smaller bundle, fold again.

The Trick is to do this when the sheets first come out of the dryer....

During this Holiday Season we all get a bit overwhelmed.. We can help with some of your preparations... Visit us at Harmonizing Homes, LLC or 

Shore Chicy Designs  or call  917-699-1262..

Make Your Bed

 Its time to think about sprucing up the guest bedroom for the up coming holidays....There are so many ways to make up a bed ....by mixing an matching sheets, blankets and pillows...the combo's are endless...and so much fun...

Match your blanket to the sham

Fold the flat sheet over the duvet to show of the pattern

Pull all the colors together with throw pillows

layers of prints

folding down the blanket to show off the sheet pattern

drape a matching blanket to cuddle up with

 A single colored pillow can be dramatic

Follow Harmonizing Homes tips through our web site at www.harmonizehomes.com or our sister company www.shorechicydesigns.com

You can also reach us at 917-699-1262 we are located in New Jersey....

How to sample paint swatches

 For many of us on the East Coast are in a state of sock from the SUPER STORM SANDY (SSS)... Mother Nature has forced us into fixing our homes....and we area all having difficulties make choices... It is so easy to drive yourself crazy picking a color.  I've know people to have squares up on the walls for more than a year.  To avoid color paralysis test no more that five finalist is a room.

 I suggest getting the large swatches at least 9"x 12" sold by some paint companies or.... you can make your own with sample-size paints and large pieces of white cardboard, or foam board.  Move the swatches around the room from wall to wall and note how the colors look different times of the day before choosing the winner.  Its only paint....don't stress over it...have fun.


I would love to help you make a choice....Harmonize Homes, LLC is a local company located in Toms River, New Jersey.....visit our web site at www.harmonizehomes.com  or visit our sister company www.shorechicy.com http://www.shorechicydesigns.com/  or call us at 917-699-1262

Painting - The right tool for the job

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.....and then the race begins....the shopping, the baking, the parties...oh wait you need to get the house ready first!!!  Here are some tips on what brushes and/or rollers you should use to get the job done right the first time around....and remember its just paint...so relax... My recommended brush choice is Purdy.

Brushes
For filling cracks on trim or touch ups use a 1" inch sponge brush
For painting narrow trim like window sashes and chair rails - use a 1" angle brush
For cutting along trim and ceiling use a 2 1/2 " Angled brush

Rollers
For Narrow paths, like between tow window frames use mini sponge roller
For covering drywall and smooth plaster walls use 3/8" nap roller
For brick, highly textured plaster or cinder block use 1"-1 1/2" nap roller

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Painting.

As always Harmonizing Homes is here to help if you would like assistance
Harmonizing Homes
www.harmonizehomes.comwww.harmonizehomes.com
917-699-1262 located in New Jersey

The Best Tape Techiques

Before you grab your Purdy paint brush and you red solo cup....

Painting tape is required!  Unless, you have a steady hand and lots of painting experience...you can save time by free handing your straight lines...for the rest of us...there is the magic of painters' tape..

• Tape is great for making crisp clean edges along molding, doors and windows and for painting stripes.
• To make sure paint doesn't bleed press tape on the wall really firmly - scrape along the edge with your thumbnail or an old credit card after you press it down with your finger.
• Also use tape to cover hardware such as door hinges or lock plates.  Remove switch plates complete but tape over switches
• Wait for paint to dry all the way, then remove tape very slowly.

Its only paint

So the holidays are once again upon us....its not a surprise...but many of us procrastinate about getting our home in order.....This year especially for New Jersey and New York....many of us have a lot of prepping after the horrific storm known as Sandy!   

For many this may be the first time you have attempted to paint...please remember it is only paint......

First, One gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet...

Second, even if you have just come home from the paint store, you should shake the can of paint, before using.

I recommend using a paint conditioner which slows down the drying time, but the results are less brush strokes and a smoother finish.

Paint a room in this order:

1. Paint your room in the following order:
2. Ceiling
3. Molding, Trim, Baseboards,
4. Cut in around the trim
5. Walls
6. Second coat on walls
7. Clean up