Living Space

Like you Debbie I have much experience in the interior design/decorating world. I was diagnosed with melanoma in 2002. I had started a design business in 1979 and was very busy in it by 2002. The cancer diagnosis changed my life and my perceptions of life. I closed the business in 2004 and started another in 2005. Along with my 2 sisters I started Spirited Sisters Inc.. We design modest and dignified clothing to wear while being treated medically; whether a simple yearly visit to the doc or a daily treatment of chemotherapy, our Healing Threads help the patient maintain their dignity and modesty while empowering them to take ownership of their disease or illness and become part of the treatment, not just a passive bystander to it. As my journey as a Recovery Wear clothing designer evolved, I found that my interior design background was an asset and that many design concepts are shared by both: 1.) soft shades of blue and green are the most peaceful colors, but soft is the operative word. Use it as a color of a room or on one wall of a room, or as an accent color in a pillow or throw. 2.) speaking of color, if you are not sure which colors you lean to, and you have lots of photos from magazines collected, try looking in your closet. Usually the colors you wear are colors that look good on you and that you like. 3.) try to keep art work that is calming and peaceful, no need to stress yourself out after a bad cancer day with a disturbing or jarring piece in the room! 4.) think soft, soft, soft. Your definition of soft may be different from someone else's, so sit on that sofa or chair for more than a second at the store. And sit in lots of them until you discover what it is that you like about the "sit"; is it the soft chenille fabric or the polyester fill or combo of poly and down on the inside? Is it the depth of the chair/sofa, the height of the arm a/o seat? Is it large enough to sit with your feet curled up under you? With that info you can then look for the perfect piece that will envelop you as you sit. 5.) don't forget what music can do for your space. Try to include it so that it is easy and accessible to you in your comfy spot. 6.) Pay attention to the light in the room. Natural light is wonderful, but not if it is streaming in onto your face while you try to rest! Or coming in so strong that it heats up the room to an uncomfortable degree! There are all sorts of window treatments that soften the light coming in. Visit a blind store or big box store that have displays of various treatments. 7.) Hire an interior decorator/designer! "Bing" decorators in your area; ask people who have used a decorator to recommend one; view her/his portfolio and/or website, speak with them on phone or in person, ask for references and call them, discuss your budget and what you want. Many will quote you an hourly fee to come to your home, make suggestions, and consult while you do the running around and the purchasing. They will also accompany you to stores or design centers. 8.) Good Luck, a well designed room can do wonders for your mood and your attitude and will help with your recovery! Good for you for thinking that way! I started The Survivor’s Nest series at WhereWeGoNow because, although many people think they can’t decorate, we all deserve a soft place to land at the end of the day. With just a few simple steps, you can make your home a comforting and nurturing nest:


1. The first place to start is not your home. It’s the magazine rack. Pore over the pictures in shelter magazines and notice what you respond to – positively as well as negatively. By noticing what you like and dislike, you’re learning what kind of space you want to create in your own home. If you find pictures you really like, buy the magazine. Those pictures can become guides for creating a look in your home that speaks to you.


2. Go home and look around. If all you see is clutter, you need to work on that first. By paring down and keeping only what is functional, sentimental and/or beautiful, you’re on your way to creating a space that is personal and comforting.


3. If you need to buy furniture, think in terms of classic shapes and neutral colors. You may love chartreuse as a color (I certainly do), but use it as an accent. There’s nothing worse than trying to force the rest of the room to coexist with a busy, large patterned upholstered sofa. It makes all of your other decisions extremely difficult. I’ve also seen too many people fall out of love with a sofa they thought they loved because it was just too hard to live with in their home.


4. Paint gives you amazing bang for the buck. It brings warmth and cohesiveness to the entire space. Again, choose neutral colors for most rooms, especially larger, public spaces. You can go a bit crazier in a small powder room, if you like. Remember your paint color should complement, not overpower, your rooms.


5. Pull together your collections, art, souvenirs, photographs, books and other objects to make your space personal. We all have stories and your home is the place to tell them.


Hope that helps you get started. Remember your nest should be a refuge and a place to heal your spirit. For more tips, visit http://www.wherewegonow.com and search The Survivor’s Nest.