Keeping your Sanity during the Holidays

The Pros and Cons of Holiday Decorating from a Former Florist and a Busy Interior Designer

It's that time of year again when we are busy sprucing up our lives and homes with touches of holiday decor.

However, one of the past holiday decorating trends is the blanket of lights that some place over their bushes. Whenever I see one of those lighted bushes, I know someone wanted to take the quick route to holiday decorating and that's what it looks like! But, if they are busy and that works for them, it's okay. But, maybe next year...

Then, there are homes that just make me marvel at the beautiful simplicity of their holiday decorating within the home. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the room has a great fireplace or high ceilings or great furniture. But the real beauty of that style of holiday decorating is to keep things simple.

Whether you live in the northeast, the south or here at the Jersey Shore, the holidays can bring back that childhood wonder you so long to enjoy. So, go have some fun with it!



It was Confucius that remarked "Life is actually really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” So true with holiday decorating. Every inch of space does not need to be covered.

See the beauty in simplicity and you'll enjoy the season, and your holiday decorating more than ever before.


Happy Decorating!

M. A. Smith LLC Interior Design

732 690-2030
masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com

masmithinteriordesign.com

bestdesigncoach.com

Start With a Dream And Get Your Spirit Back

NYC's Incredible High Line - it began as a dream!

How You Can Get Your Spirit Back By Starting With a Dream

No matter where you are today, you may feel a lack of enthusiasm, or feel doubtful or anxious about the future. Maybe you are still a victim of the hurricane Sandy or out of a job, a home or a relationship or all the above. 

But at some point you will be anxious to get your life back. Where do you start?  You start with a dream.

Dream of a home that is warm, dry and full of family and friends. Picture yourself in a place that makes you smile. Go through old magazines and tear out pages with photos of that living room or open kitchen that calls to you.

Pin those pictures onto a bulletin board, your refrigerator or place them in front of you at your desk.

When I am working on ideas for clients and I need some inspiration, I have always researched using magazines or the Internet. You have to start somewhere!

Start today! Check out the links below. See if they can provide ideas to give you a glimpse of your new wonderful life and home. 

 

• Pinterest.com - a storyboard experience, create your own or get inspired by others
• HouseBeautiful.com - scores of photos, stories and links to furnishings resources
• CoastalLiving.com - the source for coastal colors, homes and places
• ArchitecturalDigest.com - see what the 'Who's Who' are doing
• BestDesignCoach.com - my other blog to help you with your design challenges

My bulletin board is crammed full of tear sheets that feature rooms, fashion and inspirational quotes. But the one thing that hangs on my bulletin board, that is the most inspiration to me, is a note from my mother. She wrote this message to me and I am now passing the message along to you:

I am proud of you today, 

 I am sure that the future will be great. 

You deserve the best!