Winter White

Why white?  White allows you to concentrate and focus not only on what it surrounds, but what is likely within you as well.  Using various shades of white and concentrations (flats and shines) will add dimension.

The Warmth Of A Cold December Day!

During this holiday season, it seems that the little things bring warmth to our hearts and soul.  Last evening I had a great dinner with my husband, sister and brother in law in front of a fire lite living room.  We enjoyed Beef Bourguigon and Riccioli Pasta with Truffles (click on link for recipe).  Some great wine from Tuscany and a French Tart...in the middle of the week....I love that my work now allows me to enjoy my family.

This week, I am finishing up with a wonderful client that I have been working with for over a year.  Check out the pieces in our Shore Chicy Blog.  

I received this lovely card from another dear client that I worked with this past year.....which meant so much to me...

Finally this week, I was able to put some Christmas Decorations around the house....here is a sneak preview..

A paper wreath from Crate and Barrel found down in SoHo last week...Dresses up the cocktail bell on the porch

This wreath came while we were eating dinner as a gift...love it!

My favorite Santa

Love my cranberry candle from my sister and brother in law.  Found in LBI

Mirror from Target

Have a wonderful holiday!  Enjoy each other and have fun decorating.....its such a beautiful time of year!

Corinne

Jeremiah Goodman "The Magic Maker"

In this months Veranda Magazine there is a feature of Jeremiah Goodman "Artist of Ethereal" .  His water colors capture all of the romance of a room. Jeremiah has been illustrating for 60 years and is still working at the age of 90 in his upper east side apartment in New York City.

This was the feature in Veranda Magazine  ~The bedroom of Madam X~

The following are some photo's that I had taken at a lecture that I attended back in 2010 at New York School of Interior Design.... I was amazed  as you will be also with his work.  I have captured the process picture by picture which took about 1/2 hour.  He asked us what the backdrop scene should be first...We picked the Brooklyn Bridge.  The interior was a living area.....the rest was up to him.. 

The following pictures are some that were displayed in the gallery for viewing....totally amazing. 

Artist Jeremiah Goodman/ Jeremiah Goodman

Photo's/ Corinne Kaas

Location/New York School of Interior Design

October is almost over, its time to get organized for the holidays!

~Its important to create the conditions for success not mater where you live or how much you've got, you can make your home a haven that supports your quest for a balance life, a place where you can rest and recharge , a sacred space to reflect and heal.  Doing this not only brings harmony to your own existence, it also promotes harmonies interaction with family and friends~.  Mariel Hemingway 

October is almost over, its time to get ready for the holidays!

FIRST STEP IN PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS: Every year at this time I go through my pantry and cabinets, checking dates, putting like things together in clear plastic shoe containers, checking if I have the cooking basics I need for the upcoming festivities, spices, broths etc.. Take half an hour and tackle yours!

KITCHEN UTENSIL DRAWER - spend just fifteen minutes today dragging everything out of your utensil drawer. Donate any spatulas, ladles or gizmos that you seldom use. 

 POTS & PANS - this is a hard one but it'll make you feel so great! Right now, dig out any pots & pans that you no longer use . Be brutal!! I love to cook and have lots of pots but still managed to find quite a few to donate. 

These are just simple tasks that you can do today......to make November more organized.

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Are you thinking about downsizing?

For many "Empty- Nester's" the discussion on moving and downsizing has come up in the conversation.  The children are out of the house, the housing market is finally seeing some action, the interest rates are still low and it would be nice to get rid of some of the debt that has accumulated.

The question is how and where to start in the process of getting rid of years of STUFF~  here are some guidelines that may help you in preparation for a Spring Time listing!  Check out Martha Stewart's 100 reasons to get rid of stuff.

1. Eliminating Clutter reduces Stress
   
    A great first step is to take out those family pictures during the upcoming Thanksgiving Celebration ~  Ask your self ~do you really need pictures of the butterflies that visited your garden 7 years ago?   Go through the pictures and eliminate all of the non descriptive pictures.  Then make piles of all the pictures according to family members - Scan them for distribution later in time -
2.   Closets -
   
   One at a time - Do Not Buy Bins and Hangers to get organize - The opportune word is PURGE ~While placing your fall clothes in your closet - hang the hanger's backwards, if they are still backwards come spring time - Donate, Consignment, throw out.
3. One Room at a Time -
   
   during the months of November - April ~ Schedule time one room a week  ~ This will force you to look at your own spending habits, ( you will find items with tags on for sure) this small task is a eye opener on things we bought and never used - Note:  If you are storing items for an Adult Child, set a dead-line for them to pick up/donate or throw out. Do not keep things that you are not using or are no longer meaningful,
4. Invite a Friend -
   
   If you are having a hard time getting rid of the Tonka Trucks, or Digger the Dog ~ ask a friend to help you make sense of what to keep and what to get rid of.
5. Now you are ready to organize -
   
    If you have eliminated all non descriptive, non sentimental, never used/worn items .  You should now have what you need to bring with you to your new location - sorted and organize according to items.
6. De-Cluttered your computer and email -
   
   This may take a few days depending on how organized your files are in your computer - It is important to have all of your items saved to a exterior hard drive.  Unsubscribe to emails that you never read.  Delete files that you haven't used in six months.  You know the files that you took along with you at your last job, just in case!!  Get rid of it....
7. Once your home is De-cluttered and organized it will be easier to keep it this way.
   
     You will have a clean slate - you will feel like you can move forward on to the next chapter of your life..

I hope you found this helpful - I have moved several times and it is a huge undertaking.  Just follow my instructions and make a time line - breaking down a huge task into smaller chunks makes the transition so much easier.

   Corinne ~by Harmonizing Homes

   917.699.1262  

Layering cuts the sterility out of a home

'Layering cuts the sterility you can find in someone's home when they haven't lived there very long.' - Ralph Lauren

PATTERN RECOGNITION | Ralph Lauren Home is known for its unfettered approach to bedding, as seen in this maximalist medley of prints, shot in 1983. Jacques Dirand/Ralph Lauren Corporation

Mary McDonald's collection of pink Murano ashtrays  which are perfect filled with one of the things that she
loves most... jewelry!

My clients home for which I am not responsible for the design, but
I wanted to show you how layering works 

Layering is truly an Art

Bold move is fabric choices

her display of Jewelry 

Even her clothing line is layered 

Website/Simple Business Solutions

Ralph Lauren/Wall Street Journal

Mary McDonald/Mary McDonlad

Connie Baldino/Queeen B

Corinne Kaas/Harmonizing Homes