You Said It: ‘Do What Feels Natural to You’ and Other Houzz Quotables

Phew, the year is almost over, and it’s been an exciting and exhausting one for sure. I love this time of year, because while I do tend to get a little blue after the holidays, I know that each day is just a little longer than the last, and that the new year gives me fresh motivation (it’s often short-lived, which is why I try to exploit it). Here are some of the highlights from this week to give you some guidance and inspiration in the coming days. Act quickly before your motivation evaporates!

“There’s never a good time to go through a loss, but Christmas can be especially tough.” — Shelly Leer

If you have experienced a loss around the holidays, or have previously lost a loved one you would usually spend the holidays with, you know this can be the worst time of year. If you are in this group, please accept my deepest sympathies, and I hope Leer’s honest and thoughtful suggestions can be of some comfort and help to you.

Full story: 10 Ways to Cope With Grief During the Holidays


“Do what feels natural to you. What makes this centerpiece shine is its organic, unfussy look.” — Nanette Wong

Wong nailed my favorite philosophy when it comes to flower and plant arrangements, whether for a small project (like a garland) or a much larger project (like designing a garden): Let your instincts guide you and don’t worry about making it looking perfect. Also, this garland is a great way to celebrate 2015. For those of you with holiday trees and bushes and wreaths and garlands, taking down the holiday decorating can make your house feel downright denuded. This will fill your garland craving for a little while longer, helping you transition out of the holidays with fresh eucalyptus replacing spruce and fir.

Full story: DIY: Freshen Up for the New Year With a Eucalyptus Table Garland


“These eight ideas may just motivate you to put down the Christmas cookies.” — Laura Gaskill

If you’re like me, New Year’s Day is the day when you feel the most motivated and ready to conquer the world. You’re ready to tackle all sorts of projects and become superorganized. This energy and motivation will fade exponentially each day for the next 364 days, so take advantage of it while you can.

Gaskill gives us a great range of projects to choose from. I recommend beginning with putting the holiday decorations away the right way first, then taking a look at the rest of her suggestions, which include organizing your wardrobe and digital photos, and creating a healthy pantry.

Full story: 8 Home Projects Perfect for Holiday Downtime


“Because bathroom surfaces typically don’t face the same abuse as those in the kitchen (think hot frying pans, sharp carving knives and spilled Bordeaux), the decisions most buyers wrestle with are usually more about style and cost than Herculean strength.” — Lisa Kahn

With a new year come new home renovation plans (or at least renovation daydreams). If redoing a dated or dysfunctional bathroom is on your list, be sure to check out the pros and cons of granite, quartz, marble, solid surface, concrete, laminate and tile. And as Kahn mentions, the pros and cons you may have heard regarding kitchen surfaces may not be applicable to bathroom ones, so keep an open mind.

Full story: Bathroom Countertops 101: The Top Surface Materials


“I try to let my kids collaborate on their spaces. … My 8-year-old was looking through one of my design books for ideas. She decided she wanted a Moroccan wedding blanket for her bed covering. She found a beautiful vintage one on our trip there this summer. I’m thankful for her great taste!” — homeowner Kristen Peña, as told to Le Michelle Nguyen

To bring my 2015 design dreams to fruition, I think I need this kiddo. Perhaps we have discovered a budding Betsy Burnham here. I am wondering if she’d consider coming to my house for a consultation while I can still afford her.

Full story: My Houzz: 1896 Victorian Home Gets a Contemporary Lift


“Their father was often at a loss when it came to putting outfits together, so I came up with these drawers.” — designer Joanna Glick, as told to Mary Jo Bowling

This is such a great idea — on laundry day, Glick puts together outfits to throw into labeled day-of-the-week drawers she designed for her daughters, similar to the ones seen here that she made for a client. At Glick’s own house, the drawers also house any special items the child might need that day, like dance shoes or a uniform for sports practice.

Full story: Room of the Day: Creativity Takes Flight in a Girls’ Bedroom


“If I were a cat, this is where I would want to live.” — Houzz user aprilnovember811

Me too! We’d explored this place on Houzz before but had never seen the cats in action. Check out the video to see 15 cats scale stairways, run across catwalks and get their backs scratched by shark-tooth-surrounded cat doorways. It’s really fun — unless you hate cats, in which case I would not recommend it.

Full story: Houzz TV: Watch These Rescued Cats Make a House Their Playland


“Vinyl or leather seat coverings mean pets and children are always welcome, and that means more stress-free time for you.” — Joanna Tovia

I don’t know when vinyl started to get a bad rap, but it’s undeserved. Today so many vinyls look just like leather or come embossed with cool patterns — and, best of all, vinyl is easy to clean whether mud, grape jelly or wine gets on it. If you need something reupholstered because it couldn’t stand up to your active family, pets or both, consider vinyl.

Full story: Cure Your Addiction to ‘Busy’ With a Dreamy Daybed


“Once solely an art studio, the location has kept its gallery spirit. The owner even found a place for her trapeze swing.” — Aurélie Roman

Do you ever just sort of skim through the photos of a Houzz story, wanting to see it all before reading, and then think, “Hey, wait, is that a trapeze swing? Wait, what?” and then read the caption, and then have to go back and cling to every word of the story? That’s what I did here. It’s a fascinating and lovely space in Paris.

Do you remember a particular story that made you say, “Wait, what?” Please share it with us in the Comments section; I’m very curious. Also, please share any other tidbits you picked up on Houzz this week that struck a chord with you.

Full story: Houzz Tour: A Light-Filled Paris Studio Redesigned for Living

URL: You Said It: ‘Do What Feels Natural to You’ and Other Houzz Quotables http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25300.html