Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 3: Small and Simple Halloween Porch

Some of us are not blessed with gorgeous wrap around porches that go on for miles and have porch swings and bay windows. Some of us have front stoops instead...Some of us don't have pillars, and grand front doors 14 feet high, or glamorous chandeliers on our front porch. Some of us just have cement...BUT I say we can all have a warm and inviting space to welcome guest! And Halloween brings many-a-guest to ones abode... So here is a way to create a space leaving people saying "who wouldn't want to trick or treat here?!"

Some tips if your porch falls closer to a stoop side:

1. Don't think symmetry, think balance. Create one vignette on one side opposite an architectural aspect of your porch. It could be a window, a ledge, an off center door or in this case a support pole. Take a step back, assess and then create. 

2. Work vertical. Stacking items in a triangle allows you to work up and not out and is a very pleasing shape for the eye. In this vignette, simply turning a crate vertical allowed us to create that triangle affect.

3. Color. Make that porch POP! Color, color,color. Rich colors via flowers, plants, decorations will make everyone driving by, walking by or biking by want to stop and take a second glance.

Days of Halloween Giveaway Day 2: Halloween Mantle

 Trick or treat, smell my feet you guys...  In a good way!  Welcome to “Transitioning you Mantle For Fall/Halloween.” I may or may not be a little obsessed with my mantle.  Because of my hoarding potential, I may or may not quite know when to quit...  You decide.  You may remember my mantle from a previous post in the easy living section. Feel free to check it out if you're just dying for a full fledged before; otherwise, bare with me. 

 

Step 1: Begin with a blank canvas.  This allows you to work without distraction.  Unless you have ADHD, then who the heck cares.

Step 2: Start adding larger element. Doing so gives a jumping off point and they will be beneficial during step 3.

Step 3: Dangle...  I hate that word...  Dangle lights and leaf garland. I wrap the lights and garland around the larger objects, as well as tuck them under.Doing this holds lights and garland in     place and prevents them from pulling everything down.

Step 4: Fill in with smaller elements; creating vignettes.

Step 5: To soften the harshness of the cords and wire from the lights and garland, tuck ribbon into the display. I used burlap ribbon because of it's “earthen” quality.  It also adds a vintage hue to ground the flashiness of the orange twinkle lights and glitter...  Yes, straight men are allowed to like glitter, don't over generalize.

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 1: Trends we Love: Halloween Party Decor

Halloween is such a fun holiday to decorate for. There are so many ways to be creative and really there are no boundaries. Plus, October is full of Halloween parties and get-to-gethers. If you are planning a party this season, before you go out and buy tons of new merchandise, take a look around your home. Many heirlooms, antiques, glass, frames and nick-nacks you already have can create that spooky and eery feel you are going for. Vintage is in and this is a great way to incorporate that trend in your decorating this Halloween. Top it off with some spider webbing, candles and pumpkins and you will have created a great ambiance to party in, just need to add the treats!

1st Annual Days of Halloween Giveaway!

EEEEKKKK!!!!! Starting tomorrow, The Grande Design will begin our 13 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN giveaway! Every time you share that days post on Facebook you will be entered to win a mason jar lamp (customizable in color)! Share them all on one day, share one each day, we don't care just share before midnight on day 13! Easy Peasy!

INFORMATION GOOD TO KNOW:
1. The Grande Design will post a fun and exciting blog with great ideas for this Halloween season each day from Monday Oct. 7,2013- Saturday Oct 19,2013.
2. "Share" that post on your Facebook page.
3. Email us your contact information (just once) so we have a means to contact you if you win! Name, Email and Phone.
4. 13 days, means 13 posts, which means 13 chances to enter. it does not matter when you "share" as long as they are done before midnight on Oct 19, 2013.
5. Only one "share" for each post will count towards an entry ...though we are not opposed if you share the same post more than once...maybe it will put luck in your favor!
Good luck and thanks for supporting us here at The Grande Design!

Here's a Little Treasure From Our Friend Scott!

Here is what Scott has to say about this great piece:

"Bought at a thrift store for 40. Went from 40 to Fabulous! Look for detail in original design."

Coming This October with The Grande Design!

Design Spotlight: Exterior Design for Fall with Angie Sullivan!

Angie Sullivan recently vamped up the curb appeal of her 70's rambler.  She added a front porch, a garage addition, and beautiful curved sidewalk and curbing.  These areas have become a hot bed for seasonal design.  Angie accessorized her planter boxes with Autumn leave foliage and pumpkins.  Planter boxes are a simple element that can add sack loads of appeal and provide endless seasonal décor possibilities; not to mention, they add bulk to windows and make them appear larger.  A welcoming new door is flanked and swagged with pumpkins and netting.  Hanging on a stylish ribbon, Angie suspended berry wreaths in the middle of each of her windows. 

 Tip: If you can't find the quantity and quality of wreath that you desire...  Take your cue from Angie.  She found white berry wreaths and spray painted them her desired color.  This allows Angie to refresh them with a dusting of paint at the beginning of each fall season. 

Angie's playful designs fueled the spirit of competition in her brother and neighbor, Scotty.  He styled his front stoop by adding warm tones in the way of a pillow and throw to his wicker rocker.  A simple arrangement of sunflowers in a vintage green glass canister polish off the wicker table.  

Design Psychie: Feelings of Fall

The leaves start falling, the temperature is changing, you can definitely tell, Fall is in the air. It just so happens this is one of my favorite seasons! I can't help but get a little excited to carve pumpkins, wear sweaters and enjoy some cooler weather.  But also with Fall comes a change in the colors that surround us. Take a look at these two panels of colors. Which one "feels" more like fall to you?

The second one, right?! Its because during the cooler months or as temperatures become cooler we tend to gravitate towards colors with a warmer undertone. It has a opposites attract method.

Red, yellow and orange tend to be the most common "warm tones" and any other color that has red or yellow as its undertone makes it a warm tone. For example look at that shade of green in the center of the second panel. It was far more yellow in it than blue, making it a warm green and not a cool green.

So why warm colors? Here are some of the emotional affects warm colors have on us:

Red:

• gentle
• warmth
• comfort
• life

Yellow:

• happiness
• laughter
• cheery
• warmth
• optimism

 Orange:

• warmth
• wealth prosperity
• sophistication
• change

So I say thank you to warm tones, for creating such positive feelings.  No wonder I like Fall so much!

Living Easy: Transitioning Your Porch For The Season.

Happy Fall...  In a good way!  Welcome to my porch.  This is one of my favorite places to relax, especially during the Autumn months.  I veg out on this pillow-stuffed bench and watch my kids play in the yard, all while enjoying the crisp fall air.  Front porches should offer an extension of your living space no matter the size.  My porch is only 12 feet by 4 and a half feet, small yet functional; and it all started with removing the railing from the front of the porch.  Think outside of the box when you're styling your porch.  I chose thrift store finds for majority of the furniture and accessories.  Thrift shops are perfect for outfitting out door spaces because the price is right and you don't need to stress over wear and tear.  The bench is the only piece that was purchased new, hundred buckaroos at Lowe's.  Otherwise, everything else was less than a fifty dollar investment from local second hand stores.  This principle applies to Holiday décor as well.  I added Autumn hues in the form of pillows, wreath, etc.; additionally, thrift store finds.  This will transition throughout the season.  I will add Halloween elements in October and replace them with Harvest elements in November.  If you start with a grounding base, it makes the change simple, especially as we enter the business of the holidays.

Before: Summer

After: Fall

Here's a helpful tip for hanging wreaths during the holiday season: Install an adhesive hook upside down on the inside of your door, near the top.  This allows you to use a variety of ribbon to transition with the holidays.  Simply make a basic knot and slip it over the hook.  Drape the ribbon over the top of your door and tie your wreath on the outside.  This is stylish and allows you to avoid nailing into your door or sustaining damage from wreath hooks scrapping on you door.  Ta-duh!!!

Chandelier Update

Many of you may recognize this chandelier from a previous post.  It has become one of my favorite elements in my house for accessorizing.  As you can tell, the blue burlap ribbon that I had been using as a shade, had become tired.  I wanted some refreshment without a lot of fuss.  I happened upon these mini clothes pins at a local grocery store and my idea was born!  Book pages have become a hot accoutrement in DIY projects recently, so why not.  A thrift store book with interesting pictures and quotes...  Voila!  A whole new look for 5 dollars; perfect for ushering in Autumn.

Trends We Love: D.I.Y. Fall Decor

Here are 5 easy projects you can easily do yourself!

1. A Knob Coat Rack

2. A Fall Wreath

3. Leaf Candles

4. Lace Table Runner

5. Burlap Bed Skirt

1. A Knob Coat Rack:

 Simply choose some drawer knobs, I found some great antique ones and some from a local craft store to get my combination. I then measured and drilled holes in a wood plaque. Screw in the knobs and TADA! 15 min later and you have a great piece that can hold; mittens, hats or scarves and the weather cools.

2. Fall Wreath:

Pre-made wreaths can be anywhere from $40 or more, however most craft stores will carry the items you need to make your own amazing wreath for under $20. First choose a base for your wreath, in this case I chose a twig circular bundle. Then choose your fall foliage. A mixture of flowers, berries and leaves will created a beautiful arrangement. Just take a walk outside for some inspiration. The pine cones, flowers and foliage could be great additions to your wreath. Then decide what saying you want on your pumpkins. I chose the word "welcome" and then used a paint pen to write it across the pumpkins. The best part about this project is you can move pieces around until you get the look you want. Chose some great coordinating ribbon and attach it to your door.

3. Leaf Candles

All you need is some foliage, basic candles and some mod podge. Score up the area on the candle you will be attaching the leaves too. That way they will adhere better. Apply the leaves with some mod podge. And there you are! A little something extra for your home.

4.Drop Cloth Table Runner

Cut a strip for a table cloth about 18" x 65". Hem the sides and then apply some lace to the edges. Fold in the ends and sew a 1/2" hem on the ends. Now you have a table runner that is easy to clean and looks great too.

5. Burlap Bed Skirt

Burlap is a great organic material, perfect for fall. Measure the diameter of you your bed and and the height from the top of the box spring down. Cut your burlap accordingly. Sew a line across the bottom to prevent fraying. apply Velcro to the top and to the box spring ( this allows you to easily change your bed skirt without having to lift a heavy mattress.) Adhere your bed skirt and now you have a new look for the new season!

There you go! Now you get D.I.Y-ing with some new looks for this Fall!

Check Out Whats Coming This September!

Design Psychie: Back to School Organizing Tips!

Its time for the Back To School hustle and bustle and with that means, clutter, excitement and never ending scheduling. Eek! It can all be so over whelming. So here are some tips to help you take control and have a more stress free school year.

Time Management: One of the most common stress contributes is not planning enough time for events and tasks in our schedule. BUT here is a wise old trick, set all the clocks in your house 10 min ahead and next thing you know appointments are kept and dinner is on time. It really works.

Command Center: Creating a space that everyone in the family has access too can help communication and reduce conflict. Hang a calendar that allows everyone to put events up and be aware of what other members of the family are doing. A chalkboard in this area will is a great way to pass on messages or ideas. Also find a way to organize all those papers that come in via mail, school announcements or fliers. Whether it be file folders, or baskets, each paper should have its place, bills, permission slips etc. Try to live by the rule that once you open it, only touch it once. So if it is an event announcement, write it on your calendar and then through it away. This will help reduce clutter everywhere.

Drop Off Point: It's 3pm and next thing you know, kids are running through the door all excited about their day and while you want to hear all their stories, you are busy picking up shoes, jackets, and backpacks that have been strung through the house. Creating a drop off point near the entrance the kids use the most, will help them keep all their belongings neat and organized. Assign hooks and baskets for each individual and next thing you know you are enjoying the company of your children rather than cleaning up after them.

Design Spotlight: Getting to Know Brooks!

As always, it's a pleasure to be invited into your home each time that you visit our blog.  After all, home is what we're all about.  With that being said, I'd like to introduce myself to you.  My name is Brooks Ballard.  I hail from the delightful little town of Smithfield, Utah.  While growing up I was consumed with art of all kinds and a love for architecture.  A week was fruitless if it passed without me drawing blue prints and rearranging my bedroom.  I relocated to Utah County in 2004 to attend Utah Valley University.  I began studying behavioral science and got a job working as a counselor in a residential treatment center for at risk teens.  I was introduced to Deanna Yocum by a mutual friend shortly after moving to Provo.  It took me nearly 4 years to convince her that I was the guy for her.  We married in 2008.  After 5 years of marriage and several hundred bottles of crazy pills, we have 3 beautiful children and a dog; Macie, Jonah, Rhodes, and puppy Bernie.  

I have learned that environment plays a large role in the health of the human psyche.  Throughout my time as a counselor and interior decorator I have witnessed first hand the change that washes over clients who cleanse and beautify their environment.  Overwhelmingly, my students who return to a home that is in order have a greater margin of success.  I want everyone to have a house in order.  Like many of you, I need my home to be a sanctuary for my children.  I need to create an environment conducive to their success.  I believe that the greatest teaching takes place within the walls of our homes.  My children will learn that their home is a place of refuge from the storms of life.  I hope that they can extend a hand to others and pull them to safety.  I know all of you share this same desire for your homes and family.  My vision for the The Grande Design is to offer everyone the opportunity to have interior design services in their price range; whether it's taking what is already yours and giving it new life or a fresh start entirely.  Let us help you get your house in order.

End of Summer Sale!