Vintage Treasures

This is the best time of the year to start shopping for great vintage furniture. With springtime comes spring cleaning and homes for sale so many people are looking to weed out their furniture and clear out their basements. If you are looking for something in particular find a local resale or antique shop and check it regularly. Many of them will put you on a list to call when they get something you might be interested in.

When you go through these shops at first glance it might not look very appealing....in fact many of these shop owners are just not very good at displaying. You have to go in there like you do if you shop at Home Goods or TJ Max...you have to filter out the ugly stuff and find the gem. You usually have to walk through the shop at least twice before you start finding some great pieces. Often times the pieces will need some work but usually a good upholsterer can also reglue and restain pieces along with recovering. If you have any skills in painting you can reinvent a piece by sanding and painting a stained buffet or table.

Shopping for vintage furniture can be a fun and economical hobby but before you head out have an idea what you are looking for so you're not tempted to buy something that will end up in your garage or basement.

"Furniture takes on a new life when you give it a good home." Celeste Jackson

Cultivate Individuality,

Celeste Jackson

Brighten Up Your Home With Pretty Potted Plants

With the holiday decorations down, our dormant yards and the the dreary winter skies seem to be more pronounced. Our homes need a burst of color to help brighten our days. A fresh bouquet of flowers will do but flowering potted plants will give us weeks or possibly months of vibrant color. Some of my favorite winter flowering plants are the ones pictured...Kalanchoe, Cyclamen and Begonia. All of them come in a variety of colors to punch up the palette. Try clustering 3 different colors in an oblong basket for a kitchen table. Place them where they can add an element of surprise like the bathroom vanity or an entrance table in the foyer. It's best to place them in places you will see the most throughout the day so you can get the biggest impact plus you won't forget to water them. Flowering plants need a little more attention....lightly water them a couple times during the week so they won't dry out but won't be drowned either. When the leaves turn pinch them off to keep the plants looking fresh and encourage new growth. Fertilize them with houseplant food like Miracle Grow. When the weather warms up they will do well outdoors to extend the life even more. Enjoy your burst of color.

"Where flowers bloom so does hope." Lady Bird Johnson

Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home.
Celeste Jackson

Taking Down The Christmas Decorations

For many people taking down the Christmas decorations can be a dreaded project. When you think about it the holidays are over, no more presents and celebrations and now it's time to take down the decorations that make the home so festive...what could possibly be fun about that. With a fresh point of view and applying a few tips this seemingly overwhelming task can be transformed into a refreshing project. Here are some ideas to help with the transformation.

• Break it down into managable steps. For instance: Remove ornaments tonight, remove lights tomorrow night, etc. It just doesn't have to be all or nothing to move forward.
• Play music during the process...just like putting up the decorations to Christmas music playing your favorite music while you take down the decorations will make it enjoyable.
• Use boxes with dividers to safely store your ornaments. These can be purchased from The Container Store or BB and Beyond or I use boxes from gifts I have received from Harry and Davids that held fruit....be resourceful. Reflect on the wonderful people in your life that gave some of these ornaments to you as gifts.
• Don't try to do other things that will distract you...this is how ornaments get broken.
• When removing lights either create a bouquet with the lights themselves and use rubber bands to hold them together or wrap them around your hand and elbow then rubber band them...both ways will safely store your lights for next year without causing them to tangle.
• If you have decorations that you have not used in years this is a great time to put them aside to donate to a charity that can sell them. Since most charities have limited space to store out of season items it is best to hang on to them until the fall when they will be ready to put them out in the resale shop.

If anyone has additional tips for taking down Christmas decorations I welcome your comments.

"With the right attitude taking down the holiday decorations can be a cleansing process." Celeste Jackson

Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home

Celeste Jackson

Investing In Your Home

In uncertain times like these your home is still a good place to invest your money. There are many projects that you can take on that will increase the value of your home and allow you to enjoy your life more fully.

These are my suggestions.

Bathrooms- Changing fixtures, tile, lighting, faucets and color can give you a totally new bathroom without major remodeling. A fresh look gives you something to look forward to in the morning and a better start to the day.

Kitchens- Although this is one of the most costly projects to invest in it gets the most in return. If your cabinets are in good shape and you still like the layout consider having them professionally painted. You can also change the look by adding a wooden cornice over the sink to connect the other cabinets. Adding large crown molding or decorative appliques will also enhance the look. Changing the cabinet hardware, sink and faucet as well as counter tops will greatly enhance the look and add value. Do lots of research before you dig in even if you are using a professional designer. This is a big undertaking but worth it.

Wood Floors- There are so many options for flooring these days but nothing seems to stand the test of time and add as much value as wood floors. There are a lot of prefinished options now that are absolutely beautiful and a lot less mess. Wooden floors that are finished on site are still great and can save you money. Weigh out the pros and cons and move forward. Remember to consider your family lifestyle especially if you have pets. Medium color floors are usually the most forgiving.

Enjoy your investment!

"Design can have such a positive impact on the way people live and their relationships and moods." Genevieve Gorder

Cultivate Your Individuality!

Celeste Jackson

Is Wallpaper In or Out?

I often have clients' ask "Is wallpaper in or out?" I believe that wallpaper is always in when it is used appropriately. I do think it has been overdone in the past especially during the Waverly era of the late 80's, too many mini prints and large florals gave wallpaper a bad rap. Foil and flocked wallpapers also stir up awful memories as well. The key is to carefully consider your selection and the application.

Bathrooms and powder rooms are usually a great place to hang wallpaper for a couple of reasons. There usually isn't a lot of wall space in these rooms so you don't overdue a good thing yet it's an opportunity to add something decorative without having to force artwork that could feel overbearing in the space. Foyers are also a good place for wallpaper; consider something tone on tone and classic like a damask pattern. By using wallpaper kids rooms can be playful and fun and a laundry room can look more inviting.

The key is to break it up by interspersing it with solid walls. If your home is very large adding faux finishes into the mix is a great way to keep it interesting. I think the most beautiful homes are a mix of all three.

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.”
Cecil Beaton quotes (English Photographer and Fashion designer, 1904-1980)

Cultivate Individuality,

Celeste Jackson

Somethings Old Can Be New Again

Many times my clients' have artwork that was purchased when they were younger and stored away in their basement. They will ask me to look at it and decide whether it can be incorporated in one of their rooms. I think the most important thing to consider with these types of pieces is "Do you still like it?" Regardless if it looks dated to someone else if it makes you feel good when you see it and it stirs up good memories then it is worth working into a room or sometimes building a room around it.

In the projects shown in the photo's my client wanted to create a space that would be multi-functional. She wanted it to be her knitting room, home office and a place where guests could sleep. She also asked if we could incorporate her 70's/80's pictures by Patrick Nagel. It was a bit of a challenge since she wanted a "Zen" feeling in this room, Asian art could have worked better. Nagels' work is Art Deco with a modern flair but in the end all that mattered was that she felt good spending time in the room.

She was thrilled with the end result and spends more time in there than she imagined.

"Art gives voice to that which has not been spoken." Unknown

Celeste Jackson

Cultivating Individuality

Working With An Interior Designer

Working with an Interior Designer need not be intimidating or costly. In fact, working with an Interior Designer is a great cost-effective way to transform your home into the living space you have always wanted. No project is too big or too small when it comes to building trust. That is, trust that you will obtain the end results you desire within a realistic budget for your needs.


If you have fears about working with an Interior Designer try a consultation first. Small changes may reveal big impacts in ambience or functionality. Here are some ideas:

Changing paint, lighting, or furniture layout can drastically transform a space.
Adding accessories or accent pieces, such as pillows, candles, mirrors, artwork, vases or floral arrangements also create impact.
Window treatments can drastically change a room as can decorative molding.
De-cluttering or organize.

If you are ready for something more try phasing projects or start one room at a time. An Interior Designer has the knowledge to efficiently handle small consultations, run large scale renovations or anything in between.

A good Interior Designer will help you discover or refine your particular tastes and lifestyle preferences. In addition, Interior Designers can save you from costly mistakes often made from inexperienced choices and selections. An Interior Designer can also save you time, point you in the direction of reputable contractors, manufacturers, and crafts people as well as furniture, accessories and materials from hardware to flooring not generally available to the public.

"Invest in your home by making it your own." Lisa Christians

Celeste Jackson