Do you Flickr? More than being one of the top online photo management and sharing applications with users worldwide, Flickr is where I go to find inspiration on a daily basis. It's a fantastic place to roam about and see the world without leaving your desk. You're often stepping into someone else's home, seeing their freshly baked batch of cookies, watching their progress as they stitch a quilt or decorate their living room -- and I find this all extremely exciting and motivating.

A few of my favorite photos found on Flickr. Click on this link and then click on the image you like for photo details and the photographer name.

If you don't know much about Flickr I encourage you to simply open a basic account at no charge and start navigating the site to get a feel for how it works. Create a profile and upload a few photos*. Read as much as you can here, you should find the answers to most questions that you'll have as you dip your toe in. 

Along with uploading photos, Flickr offers way more features that include organizing your photos into sets and, along with their growing number of amazing partners, you have the option of altering images or even transforming them into posters, books, cards, frames, photo shirts and more.

If you aren't interested in all that razzle dazzle and you just want to look at and/or share photos, you can upload your pics, join groups, and comment on the photos of others because it's the quickest way to get out there and network. You can even take it a step further and reach out to someone by adding them as a friend (found on their profile page top right) or you can contact them privately via Flickrmail, this option is also under the user profile, click on Send Flickrmail below their user name. I've made lots of new friends this way -- I currently have 760 contacts from as far away as Australia!

I tend to gravitate towards other members like me, creative types, design addicts, animal lovers, and travel nuts and find refreshment watching what they're up to. So many love to share their process or final results through images. I also love a gorgeous photo, especially fashion photography, exotic locales, animals, and urban landscapes. The more I see, the more I'm inspired and motivated to take on new and exciting projects, sew, travel, paint, play around with photo editing software, become a better photographer... You name it. It's an extremely positive experience for me.

Photo from Nina van de Goor of her living room.

Once you learn the basics and get going on Flickr, you may enjoy a few of my personal contacts listed below. You can even add me as a friend.

• Maria (known as Mav) lives in Portland, Maine and photographs her life in a way that feels so intimate and calming, I love her work.


• Lori is an Interior Designer in Canada known as the 10 Cent Designer and she shares her home and recent design projects (tour her home here).


• Jonathan Lo (Happy Mundane) shows of his shiny happy life in sunny southern California, his photos make me want to pack my bags and leave New England far behind. This guy has an amazing eye for style and design. Tour his home here.


• Nina van de Goor shows beautiful images of her home in the Netherlands, bravo Nina!


• Jen Altman is Fieryeyed and a master at capturing light and the beauty of  the everyday' in ways that will amaze you and make you look at your own life with more of a creative eye.
  


• Jen, aka Simply Photo, is a Brooklyn-based photographer that I've been following for awhile now, another great photographer.


• Stephanie Barnes is Little Birds, a creative lady living in Portland, OR with photos that teach you to appreciate the beauty behind some of the most normal routines we follow in a single day -- sipping tea, enjoying the sun, enjoying a warm bowl of oatmeal.


• And talent runs in the family as Barnes' sister is San Francisco-based artist Lisa Congdon known as Bird in the Hand and photographs pieces of her life from being an artist and shop owner to new dog mommy. I enjoy her journey, she's such a positive force.


• Creature Comforts is Ez from southern California who trained as a fashion designer and has a thing for Photoshop and faded photography. Another one with an amazing eye for style.


• Australian photographer Natalie Jeffcott goes under the name Arthur's Circus and she adores vintage finds and lots of primary colors in her home.


• Chrissie White may be young (14!), but as a photographer her photos exhibit maturity way beyond her years.


• ...And finally (for now) another fabulous Californian, Danske. Her work is laid back and dreamy.

Also, I should mention a few groups that I belong to where many come together to share photos according to theme: Corners of My Home, Mid Century Modern Interiors, Creative Collections (a group I formed out of my love of collections last year), and Organization is for Squares.

Do you have a Flickr favorites view to share? Any groups or people that you really love there that you'd like to share? Don't be shy - post your suggestions in the comments space below.

*With anything that you post online, it's important to note a rule of thumb I stand firmly behind: Make sure that what you share isn't anything that you wouldn't mind seeing on a billboard alongside the highway. My professor drilled this simple but often overlooked truth into us once in a communications class and I never ever forgot it. In other words, if you question sharing something (from how you look in a bikini to photos of your children) then simply don't share it! Only post photos that you want others, potentially thousands of strangers included, to view that won't come back to haunt you later.

To continue our series What Inspires Designers, let's chat today with Vanessa De Vargas who is both an Interior Designer and store owner, the energetic and talented force behind Turquoise Interior Design and Showroom in Los Angeles. This go-to girl is known for her modern interpretation on the classic Hollywood Regency style that was popular in the 60's and has since experienced a major revival over the past several years and continues to thrive in America.

The look is clean and clutter-free with neo-classical lines coupled with bold pattern and though it can go a bit flashy, Vanessa's interpretation is modern and even a bit minimalistic. Known for carefully mixing old and new, Vanessa softens what could easily become overly glam or cold by layering in texture and geometric prints but with restraint -- the room feels welcoming and warm without too much fuss. Her take on this style embodies and exudes 'class' in a way that feels elegant but also very attainable as her rates and the furniture she refinishes and sells is affordable, another reason why she's in high demand. In her rooms expect to see bold walls either through color or wallpaper, pairs of large colorful lamps, chinoseirie, a single mirror displayed above an entry table as a focal point, foo dogs or other ceramic animals painted in a solid color, bamboo fretwork chairs, lacquered furniture, a few Asian touches, and lucite. (More on Hollywood Regency Style here   from my friend Becky who writes the design blog Hatch.)

Vanessa is on the go and living her dreams in a profession that she not only is good at, but one that she loves waking up to each day. For this reason and so many more, I am inspired by this lovely lady. Now let's talk to Vanessa, shall we?

1. Why did you become a designer? I was always interested in design as a little girl. My mom would be constantly be finding new vintage pieces for our home in Hollywood (were I grew up) that she would have redone with new upholstery and/or a new finish. I guess it became inherit to me that I would follow in her footsteps.

2. What did you do before design? I was a talent agent at a very high profile agency in Los Angeles. I represented cameramen, production designers, costume designers for commercials and music videos. I had been working in the entertainment industry for a little over 10 years and then left it to pursue my love of interior design.

3. What challenges do you face? There are always challenges that pop up when you work with any client. Number one - always communicate. Remain calm, find options if something is not available or explain the situation and have a plan in place before you speak to them.

4. What is an average day like for you? Checking emails and coffee in the morning. Running errands for clients, checking on installs and checking in with vendors and contractors. Lunch with friends or grabbing food while having a client meeting at the store. If I have time left I will do some last minute vintage shopping and or do some research for clients. It there is a designer event, I will grab my dear friend Jordan (who is a Lucite designer) and check out at a fab opening or designer product launch event in town.

5. What do you do to recharge? I live just blocks from the ocean in Venice, CA so I try to spend as much time as I can going for walks on the beach, putting on my IPod and just watching the waves is my way to recharge my batteries.

6. How do you market your business and what seems to work? I email out updates and new pieces from my website and I always keep in touch with editors of magazines. It amazing how many press and media opportunities have come by way through just keeping in touch and following up.

7. Define your style. My style is so eclectic is so hard to process into words. The best way to articulate my style is that I bring all eras and styles together with a twist of modern, its been quoted eclectic minimalism.

8. How important do you feel your personal appearance is in relation to your brand? It's funny because my personal appearance is almost identical to my brand of design. I love mixing vintage and new items and that is exactly what I wear day to day. For example, I would match a black pair of slacks with a vintage red and white geometric coat with some vintage turquoise necklaces and new slingback black heels.

9. What trends do you love and what can you do without? I am a freak for anything (vintage) bamboo and cane. I just can’t get enough it! I also love tufting tufting tufting, I think it’s a classic trend that never goes out of style. I also believe in comfortable design. I’m not saying the overstuffed sofas are going to make a comeback but realistic design is important. Comfortable modern sofas, large oversized chairs in fun and geometric patterns with minimal pillows. Who needs all those pillows! I also think that durable fabrics weather they be sustainable or stain resistant is the best way to reupholster. It lasts especially with kids and pets. And who wants to spend all that money reupholstering items all over again?

 
10. What's next for you, future goals? Continuing with my high-end vintage store and business, maybe having two locations, creating larger scale interior design projects and working more on commercial projects. I am also working on some great projects that I can't discuss right now, but am very excited about them! More on that later...

11. What is your ultimate dream for yourself and your career? To be able to work for six months and travel for 6 months, but that is just pure fantasy to me at this time so perhaps in the future. I would love to be able to do more projects outside of CA and possibly go international with my designs.

12. Now let's have some fun! What perfume do you wear? I sometimes wear White Linen, which is what my grandmother wore - such a classic. I am big fan of Clinique Happy and Estee Lauder Sunflowers.

13. Favorite designers? Michael Berman, Betsy Burnham, HP&G  Molly Luetkemeyer and the unknown designers that are featured in many of my vintage design books from the 1960’s and 1970’s, wish I knew who they were.

14. ...And finally, describe your perfect getaway: The perfect getaway would be going to the Parker Palm Springs Hotel with my boyfriend. Sipping on non-stop frutie drinks being served poolside, a great lunch, massages followed by a wonderful sushi dinner. And repeated the next day!

 
Thank you Vanessa for visiting with us today on Simply Stated!

IF YOU ARE IN LA THIS WEEKEND... Please join Vanessa as she hosts a cocktail party with ferm LIVING to celebrate their 1st year anniversary on March 29th from 6-9 p.m. at 1409 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA. Please RSVP to turquoise.la AT gmail.com.

Readers: Get involved! If you have any questions that you'd like to know about Vanessa or Interior Design in general, please ask her by commenting below.

Living in Washington, D.C., I always know that spring has officially arrived when the cherry blossom trees on the Tidal Basin bloom their delicate pink and white petals. They signal the coming of warmer weather and the start of my annual spring cleaning project.

To me, spring cleaning is more than dusting off a bookshelf and wiping down the baseboards -- it's also about inspecting mechanical systems and preparing my home for the changing seasons. Taking the time to complete a thorough spring cleaning is a way to value your home and properly care for your financial investment. I'm not going to lie to you and say that spring cleaning is the most fun activity I've encountered in my lifetime, but it's not awful, it feels amazing when it's completed, and it will ultimately save you money.

I've broken the spring cleaning projects into two categories -- systems and rooms. Today's entry will cover house systems and next Tuesday will delve into a room-by-room guide. These lists are long, but don't let them overwhelm you. Pick and choose as you feel comfortable. Even if you just do one activity on these lists, it's still one chore that hadn't been done previously. Think of this as a guide, not a rule book.

Twenty-five Systems:

1. Have your furnace professionally inspected. This is probably the most expensive item on the list of spring cleaning activities, but definitely worth the investment. If you have a central air and heating unit, be sure that the inspector also checks your drains, lines, and reservoirs. If you like the person who came to do the work, go ahead and make an appointment now for next year.
2. Change your furnace filters.
3. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them once the new batteries are in place.
4. Change filter in range hood.
5. Check dates and charge on fire extinguishers and replace if necessary.
6. Have a professional sweep your fireplace chimney, inspect your flue, and test vents.
7. Flush your water heater tank by carefully following these instructions.
8. Vacuum out your dryer's vent hose and scrub the lint filter with soapy water and a bristle brush.
9. Clean out the lint trap on your washing machine if applicable.
10. Clean leaves and debris out of gutters and downspouts.
11. Remove, clean, and store storm windows and replace with screens.
12. While storm windows and screens are off the windows, wash their exteriors and interiors. You may want to hire a professional window washer for this task if you live in a multiple-level home. Don't wash them with a power washer or hose because you may damage the seals on the window, instead follow instructions based on your window type.
13. Wash window blinds and curtains per manufacturer's instructions.
14. Have lawn mower serviced and prepared for summer use.
15. Replace battery on garage door opener and check belts/chain on drive opening mechanisms.
16. Schedule and run a test with your home security system provider.
17. Send area rugs and hall runners out to be cleaned, and have wall-to-wall carpets professionally cleaned throughout your home.
18. Inspect wood floors for damage, scratches, and wear patterns. Have floors waxed or refinished if necessary.
19. Check walls for paint touch up, cleaning, or repairing needs. Fix accordingly.
20. Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans, and replace light bulbs and blades as necessary throughout your home. If the fixture has a ceramic or glass component prone to collecting dust or dead bugs, you will want to remove these and clean them with a mild detergent. Be sure to dry fully before replacing. Don't forget to check exterior lights, too.
21. Clean dishwasher drain if do not have a self-cleaning model.
22. Take interior and exterior trash cans and litter boxes to a self-service car wash and power wash these items.
23. Review paper filing system. For more help on this subject, see this Unclutterer article.
24. Polish door handles throughout your home and oil any squeaky hinges.
25. Remove air vents and clean off dust and debris.

Paint, wallpaper, window decals, do you like to mark your territory? We've covered wallpaper and window decals over the past few weeks here in Home & Organizing so why not consider wall decals now, also known as giant stickers for adults. You can use them on walls, ceilings, tiles, appliances, windows, shower doors, and even some floors. Best part, they're easy on - easy off, affordable (unless you go custom), and they're very landlord-friendly for those stuck in rentals who have to live with the current wall color - even icky avocado can be perked up with a bold graphic! Wall stickers can be removed without a trace + no harm is done to the walls = you'll get your security deposit back. Liking how that sounds.

With so many perks, let's look at a few of my favorite resources for finding wall decals. If you locate something you like, just click, buy, and stick it!

Form and Function based just outside of Stockholm, Sweden carries wall and floor vinyl decals that I find quite interesting -- not something you'd see in the homes of all of your friends so they make for an ultra stylish statement and a cool conversation piece. They have lots of stickers from French decal giant Domestic.

Stick Meon is a small atelier in Australia that I really like because I think the animals Deanna designs are really sweet.

Les Louisettes is a French company that is quite popular in France and parts of Europe. In the US, you can order them from Mortimer Snodgrass based in Montreal who ships all over and are such a pleasure to deal with. I like the idea of putting some on a mirror or on kitchen appliances, don't you?

Pop Cling is super unique, their range is incredible. They are a lot like art for the walls, very modern, urban and fresh. I ordered from them about a year ago and was so pleased with my transaction, they were a delight to work with and shipping was an absolute breeze. Excellent prices and quality, too.

Dvider is another company to look at. They stock wall stickers but there's a twist because they also carry free standing dividers for rooms that you can adhere decals to if you want to dress them up. Dividers are useful for loft spaces and offices so this is actually a clever product.

Not everything is vinyl, Beearo makes decals out of wood. Unfortunately they've closed up shop until April since they're currently relocating to Seattle and need to get settled in first, but bookmark them for future reference because once they're up and running you'll love their selection. Don't these look stunning on glass tiles?

Design 3000 in Germany stocks a lot of decals and wall woods in German. I keep staring at this bed, this flower-as-headboard thing is unexpected and fun. I see lots of DIY ideas for faux headboard using paint, stencils, and wallpaper but a decal like this would be the easiest of the bunch to apply and remove.

Think wall graphics are created equal -- whimsical, colorful, and modern? Harmonie Intérieure owned by graphic designer Fabien Barral and his wife Frédérique transform their designs and photographs into some amazing results, some with a slightly vintage look to them.

I love tile tattoos from Mibo, they're a great way to dress up a blah bath or kitchen. Just over 4 square inches, they are available in a set of six for $16/pack in several colors at 2Jane.

These are a break from the norm, a smart collection of transferable drawings by contemporary artists David Shrigley, Kate MacLeod, and Edwina White from Australian company Third Drawer Down. At $15 a sheet you can't go wrong. Available at 2Jane to pre-order for a May '08 delivery.

Blik is pretty huge, they have just about everything so spend some time on their website and see what you can find. They recently collaborated with graphic designer Mel Lim, whom I'm a fan of, to pull together some decals that I think would be beautiful in a kids' room or craft studio. I also love Anise by Ilan Dei for Blik, especially in white against a solid colored wall. Would look super pretty against silver-gray. Click here to see Anise.

I can't get enough of Ferm Living lately. Gosh I love what they're doing with vinyl!

Mother and daughter team Elaine & Nell Oliver design wall stickers and sell them on Etsy in their store Elly Nelly. 

Additional wall decal companies to visit:

Saint Honore - Funky, urban, edgy. I love their Munchhausen collection.

Target - Yup, Target. They carry a ton of options from kiddie stickers to grown up florals.

Paris-based Les Invasions Ephémères.

Aren't wall decals a-peeling? ;)

(images above linked to source)

When you hire a vendor or service provider, the first conversation you have with this person is about the scope of the project. You discuss what you want, when you want it completed, how much it's going to cost, and what steps will be taken to get the results you desire.

These standard practices, however, rarely get applied to our personal lives. We make general statements about things we want (Travel more! Clear out the garage! Stop showing up late to work!) and then stop short of doing any actual planning or taking steps to achieve our goals. The worst part is then we feel guilty about not living up to our potential.

Stop feeling guilty and simply apply skills you already use in your business relationships to your personal life. Take on your next organization goal as if it were a project you were hiring out to a service provider or vendor. Here's how to do it:

1. Set aside the necessary time and envision your entire project. Decide exactly what you want and your motivation for change. Maybe you want a garage clear enough that you can park your car inside of it, and you want it so that your children can play basketball in the driveway. Be sure that your goals are specific and that your reasons are sincere. If your project scope is too broad, you'll lose direction, and if your reasons are insincere, you'll lose motivation. Draw diagrams if you need to, just be sure that you can see the final product.

2. Identify barriers to success and how you will overcome these barriers. Are you dependent on good weather to complete your task? Are there emotional issues that should be discussed first with other members of your house about the stuff? Are you lacking motivation to actually complete the project? Every project has potential pitfalls -- what are yours?

3. Identify resources you will need to complete your project. Will you need boxes for items to take to a local charity? Will you need a trash dumpster brought on site? Will you need to rent a truck? Will you need subcontractors (your spouse and children) to help you? Will you need shelving units to store what you choose to keep or new paint for the walls once the stuff is removed?

4. List every step and its next action for the full project. If you don't know how you will accomplish your goal, you won't achieve it. It will be tempting to jump head first into the work, but you need to avoid that temptation and make a solid plan. Constantly keep your vision for the project in mind as you're working.

5. Set a realistic timeline for all of the work involved in the project. If you know that you can't focus for more than an hour, keep that in mind as you're setting your timeline. Three weeks or even three months isn't too long if it means that your goal will be achieved when you're finished.

Once your project planning is complete, hire yourself to do the work! You're the best one for the job.

Have you tried visioning in other areas of your life, or with organization? I'd love to hear about your successful efforts in the comments!

Photo by James Baigrie.

Spring is here! The snow is starting to melt and birds are merrily singing as they collect shiny things for their nests. What about the rest of us? We're preparing to collect a few shiny things of our own at indie craft fairs and flea markets! Yay! Want to know where I turn to find the best flea markets and indie craft fairs? C'mon let's go...

A display of fiestaware at the Brimfield Show held in Massachusetts 3x per year and one of my favorites in the country.

I've been a fair and flea market shopper since I was a kid because my mother and grandparents were BIG into it. I love the thrill of the hunt so I continue this family tradition with my husband Thorsten. He usually doesn't scout for the same things as I do so we bring our cellphones and stay in touch as we both venture off to booths we enjoy meeting up later to lay out our loot and play a little show 'n tell. This year, we're preparing to hit a few events and here's where I go to find the best of the best. 

FLEA MARKETS: Recycling is a good thing, especially coupled with fresh air, friendly vendors, and rare finds.One site I refer to often is The Flea Market Guide, a website that lists all shows held throughout the year in the USA organized by state. It's very helpful, especially when you travel and want to hit a few fleas you've never shopped before. Another site I like is Craigslist because you can find some flea markets listed there. Under Search I usually type Flea and in the drop down menu below that I select Community.   Country Living magazine is another terrific resource for finding all the good fleas. They list them in their magazine and on their website monthly as they refresh their calendar of events -- here's their guide for March. In addition, they have a listing of antiques shows here. My final tip is the obvious though some forget that they're advertised here -- check your local newspaper under Yard Sales.

A pair of vintage Heywood Wakefield chairs that I snapped up at Brimfield in May 2007.

INDIE CRAFT FAIRS: Ah, the joy of handmade. These craft fairs are not only a lot of fun, but a great way to find new and interesting things that are often one-of-a-kind and priced right. Plus you can usually meet the maker at these shows, a huge perk for me because I love to see the face behind the product. I enjoy making meaningful connections with others so when I take my treasure home, I enjoy it even more because often I had a conversation with the maker so there's a special memory attached to it. My home is filled with things that tell a little story which is why Indie Craft Fairs are a big hit with me. I visit the South End Open Market in Boston (especially on opening weekend, this year it is May 17-18) and the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. For a list of indie craft fairs held in the USA, visit the Indie Craft Fair Guide. I think that may be one of the best guides on the web, there's even a separate zine fair listing here, but there are others like Indie Craft Shows, Festival Network Online, Where It's At, and Fairs and Festivals.

What events are you attending this year in your local area? Any tips you'd like to share on how you find your local shows?

(photographs taken by Holly Becker)

It's Friday, who wants to read with a holiday weekend here? So I'll make this post image heavy and text light, how's that sound? Eye candy here we come! But of course, I have to give you a little intro so here goes...

Littlest Flower: King of Castle $10

I could go on and on about affordable art (mostly prints) maybe even devote an entire blog to it (or book) because I'd never run out of content. It's a sickness, my design crack. If I showed you the plastic bin in my work studio filled with prints I've purchased over the years from artists I follow, you'd call me a total junkie. I need prints because I have to live around things that visually stimulate me. And when I have children, I will follow my own advice here and decorate their rooms with lovely art prints at least until they are old enough to tell me that the giraffes have to go because the Transformers or babes in bikinis are going up. While I can control what's on the walls, I'll no doubt be shopping at some of these fine stores below. Then again, I've already shopped at many of these stores so I'm living proof that some of these aren't just for the tots. If you click around the links below, you will no doubt find more grown up friendly designs by the many artists featured here.

So enough talking, let's look at some art!

Binth: Numbers Poster, $55.

Full views of work not shown above, you'll need to click on these links to see entire images. GUIDE: 1. Tootsweet Shop: Barometz print $50,  2.Sarah Jane Studios: Summer Tea Party $24, 3. Shirae: Hoola $18, 4. MikieP: Girl Power $20, 5. Lab Partners: Birds and Squirrel Field trip $20,  6. Blanca Helga: Animal Tower $3, 7 & 8.Kiki and Polly: Hippity Hop to Bed $20 and Pink Fabric Eared Bunny $20.

Paul Chung: 123 Bird Series $15 (each print shown grouped in 3 framed above), and A Sitting Boy $18, also by Paul Chung. He's pretty amazing, by the way.

San Fran 67: Freddy $70. This artist makes the most intricate paper cutouts and frames them, what gorgeous displays for any kids' room.

Molly Jey is another great artist doing work that is very beautiful by cutting paper to form beautiful storybook-like three dimensional scenes. Shown here is Mystical Forest, $120.

GUIDE: 1.Sasha Loots: Meg and Pelly $40, 2. Axel Honey: The Trip $20, 3. Sammy Dog Productions: Fish $15, 4.  Bumble Belly Designs: Trains and Planes $56, 5. Joseph Blake: I'll Be $26, 6. Paula Birdy: Alpha-birdy $35, 7. Aja Vu: Monsieur Poo Arctic Explorer $20, 8. JMC Designs: The Dance $50, 9. Tamba Toys: Can You See Me $14, and 10. Nuria73: My Secret Garden Rouge $40. 

e.soule: The Little Zoo series, $70 each.

GUIDE: Charlie Motel: Somebody Loves You $20,  Creative Thursday: Peep Peep $35, Seaspray Blue: The CountUp $17, Margin: Laurence $20, JRitter Designs: ABC Illustration Girls $20, Wren and Chickadee: Paper Doll $18, Fox in the Woods: Forest and Fields $20, Corid: Miss Britta and Her Goose Goes to Market $18, Geninne's Art Store: Craft Bird $30, Calobee Doodles: Alphabet Soup $32.

Sandy Mac and her PEZ dispensers are fun, especially if you love a little retro!

GUIDE: 1.Witty Workshop: Alice's Flower $25, 2. Monster Gallery: Godzilla $4.50, 3. Goobeetsa: Ice Cream Monster $15, 4. Paint and Ink: Kingdom of Imagination $7, 5.Ubiki: Forest $25, 6. Cathy Nichols: Santuary $28, 7. Ink and Wit: Sour Grapes $35,8. Plants and Animals: Owl Tree $12, 9. Yumi Yumi: These Are For You $20, and 10. Belle and Boo: Freedom $30

Stephanie DosReis: 178 Ochre Street, $28.

GUIDE: Jenn Ski Art: Bird $25, Anne's Illustration: Mustang $20, Bee's Knees Industries: Robot Love $20, Marmee Craft: Monsieur Hedgehog $16, Shelby Healey: Bathtime $18, Carla Sonheim: Tire Swing Play $18, Claudine Hellmuth: Out Shopping $255 (cute for pregnant mom),  Pequenio Craft: Paper Doll $16, Terese Bast: Swing $25, The Black Apple: Wolfbaby Vs Foxbaby $18, Michelle Caplan: Coney Island $25, Matte Art: Weather Vivienne $60.

And of course, you can always frame cards that you like. Sweet Beets has some of the best I've seen for framing for only $5.50.

What about displaying a few of these pretty masks on the wall from Abigail Brown? $9 each.

Happy clicking and have a wonderful weekend everyone! Erin the Queen of Organization and I, Holly the Decorating Diva, will see you bright and early on Monday morning! :)

(images are all linked to sources above.)

My husband is currently hooked up to a portable heart monitor. He's not attached to the monitoring system for a life-or-death reason, so I'll shamelessly admit to being fascinated by the device. He is intrigued, too, and has been fighting a desire to break it open with a screwdriver all afternoon:

Me: Do you think all those cords are necessary?
Him: They do seem excessive.
Me: Would you like me to wrap up some of the drooping ones with cable ties for you?
Him: No. I think I need the slack in the line so I don't accidentally rip one off.
Me: Right. Yeah. I hadn't thought of that.
Him: I have, and I would prefer not to have one ripped off.
Me: [taking another look at the monitor] It's obvious this device was created by someone who thought about an organized design, but just didn't get it right.
Him: Maybe you could draw up a diagram of a more uncluttered version and send it to the manufacturer?
Me: I can't tell if you're making fun of me or being serious?
Him: I was making fun of you, but now that I'm thinking about it, this really could be improved.
Me: I knew I married you for a reason.

This specific tangled web of wires is a temporary annoyance for my husband, but it's indicative of larger irritations caused by cables, wires, and cords. A peek under a desk or behind an entertainment center is the most obvious proof. Cables are too long, often not labeled, and look like squids. They're piled on the ground or suspended in mid-air, threatening almost certain disaster.

For cables that are too long, consider ordering custom length cords for your more-permanent electronics. There are dozens of places online that supply custom cables. I've had positive experiences working with MarkerTek for our sound system and Cables To Go for other electronics.

A label maker or a strip of masking tape make identifying cables an easy task. When you're uncomfortably crouched beneath your desk staring at a full surge protector, it's nice to immediately know which plug you're seeking.

In my home, we've also made charging stations for our portable devices. If you don't have a one-stop location for all of your devices, check out all of these links for inspiration: Charging stations on Unclutterer, on Lifehacker, and on Real Simple.

Additionally, I wrap large extension cords for lawn work with these grip twists (same with our garden hose), and I have two six-foot extension cords in the house I store in toilet paper tubes.

The list is seemingly endless for ways to handle cable clutter in your home and office. It is certainly a topic I will continue to discuss here and on Unclutterer in the future. Check out this article from the September 2005 issue of Real Simple magazine for terrific advice, too. Please feel welcome to share ideas in the comments, and good luck with your personal cable organization pursuits!

Lots of parents write in via my design blog decor8 for help in decorating the modern nursery, playroom, or toddler bedroom. One hot topic that keeps coming up is their need to display art that goes beyond the mainstream selection that's out there -- works that are special, affordable, and will spark their child's imagination. They are also concerned that the room, art included, will work with the design scheme of the entire home. That's where I step in and suggest framing prints of original works from independent artists. It's easy, affordable, and thousands of beautiful prints are only a click away. Here are some notes from email consultations recently held with readers on this topic, I hope these tips can be of benefit to you, too!

Top row: Whimsy Press, Bottom row: Margot Curran via Babygeared.

Dwell Studio Wall Art available a Design Public.

A collection of prints shown here framed from ISAK.

Art Tips For Kids' Rooms

1. Avoid installing expensive originals or prized family pieces unless they're framed or higher than little fingers can reach. I do not suggest valuable art in a kid's space ever for obvious reasons -- that expensive painting may end up altered by magic markers, crayons, or darts. I suggest reproduction pieces either on canvas or as prints, digital prints, letterpress prints, photography, etc. I'm more concerned with originals on canvas since imaginations can run wild leading to your little one painting red horns or a mustache on a very prized portrait.

2. Most parents want the kid's room/nursery to blend with the rest of the house. That's a smart choice. When I was growing up all the kids in my neighborhood had Transformers or My Little Pony themed rooms before they even knew who these popular characters were. Nurseries were usually pink (girl) or blue (boy) and themed around some Disney film, polka dots, stripes, or Noah's Ark. Parents today are taking design up a few notches and seeing beyond popular characters or 'theme-y' designs and creating a space that is in harmony with the rest of the home. Parents: Seize the only years you have to control design in your kids' space while you can because once they get older, they'll alter that room in crazy ways you'd never imagined. Decorate using colors, patterns, materials, and art that you enjoy. More on why below in tip #4.

3. Look for art that reflects the joy and whimsy of being a kid without it becoming overly theme-y because diversity is nice. Exposing children to a variety of images at an early age can build in them a desire to learn about culture and the arts, too. Lots of artists who concentrate of work for kids usually show identifiable things in their art like giraffes, birds, bicycles, balloons, trees, things that children can point to and identify by name. Ultimately it's up to the parents, I've seen some babies with more abstract watercolor prints in their nursery and it was beautiful as the colors were very calm and warm. As your children grow, you'll start to see what images they are responding to the most which gives you a better sense of what they enjoy. It's also nice if art doubles as a tool for teaching. Try framing alphabet cards or purchasing a print like the Binth Alphabet poster shown below.

4. You should love the colors and the art you've selected for the room. If mother is happy, everyone is happy, right? Of course, dad needs to like it too. Babies and children pick up on their parents emotions, that is a scientific fact. If you love the nursery and everything about it impacts you in a positive way then your baby will sense that and all will be feeling good about your design choices. Select images that you like bearing in mind the importance they likely will have on your little one, and don't overlook the role that color plays. More on color here: Color Schemes for Your Babies Room and the Nursery Art.

5. For the sake of safety, make sure whatever you hang on the wall is secure. Children like to pound on things, walls included. You wouldn't want little miss or junior to pound a toy against the wall and something comes crashing down. I always suggest framing prints behind plexiglass but you can make your own decision regarding this. I do not suggest installing work over a bed or crib. Try vinyl wall decals or wallpaper near beds and cribs, ideally things that cannot fall onto them while they're napping.

6. Change the artwork often to reflect (and develop) the child's interest. Once they are toddlers you will start to notice what prints they seem to enjoy and the others that aren't really 'clicking'. Rotate them out from time to time to keep things fresh. You can always add them back in later. And as they begin to create their own artwork, you can easily do this without a large investment and little damage to the walls by purchasing a variety of frames and a few picture ledges and simply rotate the displays. Mingle in some of their finger paintings or potato prints with some of the art you see in this post, for instance. Also don't forget to include something in the room that was handmade by you or someone in the family that can be enjoyed in this collection.

Binth Alphabet Poster.

Alphabet of Endangered Species in the British Isles by Present and Correct.

Now that I've given you some art tips for kids' rooms, would you like to see some of the places I click for prints? You'll have to wait until Friday... I'll post a round-up of some of my favorite prints for kids that even non-parents will fall in love with, so stay tuned!

(images linked above to source)

Have you ever considered hiring a professional organizer? The reasons for hiring one are seemingly endless. They can help you find order in a specific area of your home or office (a bedroom closet or managing e-mails at work) or they can come for many sessions and help you with your entire space.

At a recent conference for professional organizers, I met with some of the most respected professionals in the industry and asked them the following question: "What would you like potential clients to know before hiring an organizer for the first time?" Their responses were refreshingly candid and insightful. Here are some of their answers:

• Before you ever pick up the phone, "consider your goals and motivation for hiring outside help. Have a rough idea of what you'd like to accomplish by working with an organizer, even if you don't know how it will happen. Ask yourself why you've not been able to do it alone, and communicate the answer to the organizers you contact. It will be helpful for them to know what your roadblocks are." -- Monica Ricci, owner of Atlanta-based Catalyst Organizing Solutions


• "Personal organizers are not mental health professionals, but they still want to get to know you well so that they can help you solve your organization problems. Don't be surprised by the personal nature of questions on new client forms. An organizer may ask you if you've been diagnosed with ADHD or if you have a reading disorder. Clients obviously don't have to answer these questions, but the best solution for a person's needs may stem from truthful answers to these inquiries." -- Geralin Thomas, owner of Cary, North Carolina-based Metropolitan Organizing


• A good organizer may meet with you for the first time and realize that there is another professional organizer out there who is more qualified for your specific needs. A great organizer will take the steps to get you in touch with that person. -- Annie Rohrbach, owner of San Francisco-based Letting Go and Lightening Up


• If you're someone who is only looking for a little motivation or a new perspective to get started with an organization project, it may be worthwhile for you to hire a professional organizer just for an assessment. -- Kathy Waddill, owner of Orinda, California-based The Untangled Web

Other valuable points that arose in conversation:

• Some organizers run basic background checks on potential clients, especially in large cities, before going into someone's home. This is done purely for personal safety concerns.


• Don't let price be your sole reason for choosing one organizer over another. It's important that you can work it into your budget, but there are other factors to consider such as the person's people skills and experience. You're hiring a person who will be delving into the personal and business areas of your life, so it's important you trust them and feel that they have your best interests at heart.


• If you're a business professional who is nervous about competitors or clients learning about your need to seek outside organizing help, you can ask your professional organizer to sign a non-disclosure agreement and arrive at sessions without company branding on his or her clothes and car.


• If you're choosing to work with a professional organizer for multiple sessions, you should expect to have homework between the sessions.


• The most common question asked of a professional organizer is if your space is the worst the organizer has ever seen. Even if your space is the worst, they probably won't admit it. In most cases, though, your space is not the worst.

Have you used a professional organizer? Any tips or stories to share? To find a professional organizer in your community, check out the National Association of Professional Organizer's online referral system.

When you think of window decals, I bet images of 1960s contact paper stuck on windows everywhere comes to mind. Yuck! Time to erase those memories because companies are now producing window decals that are as beautiful as they are useful. 1960s be gone!

Top : Strössel Design at Rare Device, Bottom: Light Effects.

Window decals are brilliant, whether you want to hide from a peeping Tom or you have a horrible view of a brick wall. They're a quick affordable solution (affordable unless you go custom) for maintaining your privacy and showing off your amazing sense of style while still allowing the sunshine in. And decals aren't only for privacy, here are a few additional reasons why you may want to look into them as an alternate window treatment:

1. Easy on:  They cling to the window's interior allowing natural light in while obscuring the view. Windex glass, wet it with water, remove film from the roll and position it on your window. Use a squeegee to remove air bubbles and water. Allow for it to dry. Trim edges if needed. Viola!

2. Easy off. Well sorta, depending on the film you use. There are two standard options, adhesive-free static vinyl film (my preference) and adhesive-based polyester film (not my choice). For the adhesive-free vinyls, you simply locate the corner and peel. No major removal nightmares involving stinky chemicals and razor blades. If you go with the adhesive-based films, well buyer beware. They're a pain to remove. Make sure you read the item description before you purchase so you know which type of film you are buying. Examples shown in the photos you see are of the adhesive-based polyester films - the easy breezy ones.

3. Pattern choices: Abundant! Companies manufacturer some pretty amazing patterns and since most come on a roll with designs that are multi-directional, so you can install them vertically or horizontally according to your liking.

4. Fade protection: Some can also be placed on windows to shield your furnishings from UV radiation to avoid your furnishings from fading in the sun, including artwork. If this is a concern, ask the company if the film you are interested in offers UV light protection.

5. Custom patterns available: Some companies customize film to suit your needs. You may have frosted numbers created to install on a transom window over your front door or even your family name. You can also send in your artwork and have it transformed into window film.

6. Application Options: Glass windows, shelves, interior doors, shower doors, and tables. Get creative!

Designs by Emma Jeffs.

For these reasons alone, it's obvious that this product is a terrific window treatment for the modern home. Would you like to learn more and view full-color examples of how and where to install them? Interested in purchasing? Here are a few of my favorites resources:

Tord White Floral window film - This is such a beautiful pattern, it's also available in red... And there are more where this came from over at Design Your Wall.

Emma Jeffs: I've been a long time fan of her highly decorative window film available here and here. The white Moroccan tile pattern in white is my favorite.

Strössel Design: Fabulously modern patterns from Sweden, available at Rare Device.

Brume: Their window film not only allows light in your space and gives you privacy, but because it laminates the glass it's nearly impossible to smash. You can also apply it to any glass surface.

Purlfrost: Plain or patterned prints are available as well as custom works available -- just send over your artwork!

Light Effects: Very unique film that looks like stained glass along with everything else from plain to fancy.

Additional companies specializing in decorating window film:

Decorative Film and Artscape.

Patterns from Brume.

Do you use window film? What has been your personal experience? If you're new to seeing it, what are your thoughts?

(images top: bottom:)

Where do designers find their inspiration? I thought it would be fun to start introducing you to some of my favorite designers, from those who create lovely textiles to interior spaces and beyond. I'll feature a few designer spotlights here on a monthly basis in Simply Stated Home & Organizing, so keep on the watch! Please comment below if there are any names you can think of that you'd love to read about here. They'll be quicker than a traditional Q & A interview but I'm sure that the fast bites of information will inspire you and these days, that's what we're all looking for, inspiration. Why? Because it often leads us to feeling motivated to do actual work and as we accomplish tasks we make progress and progress leads to greater happiness and increased self esteem, right? Not to mention how it impacts those around us.

Fabric by Virginia Johnson

My formula for success goes something like this: Inspiration = Motivation = Doing Actual Work = Completion of Task = Progress = Increased Self-Esteem = Joy = Inspiring Others Through Your Good Example.

Let's look today at Canadian Textile Designer Virginia Johnson, a lady who inspires me because she once designed for Helmut Lang and has even illustrated books for one of my favorite ladies in design today, Kate Spade. Eventually, Virginia moved on to successfully launch her own textile line, storefront in Toronto, and an online shop. Wow! Her large-scale prints are inspired by her travels and her juicy modern palette is both eye-catching and fresh. She not only offers her textiles off the bolt (love this!), but she carries fashion and accessories for the home for those not interested in stitching up their own creation.

Virginia's storefront in Toronto, Canada

Inside of her studio

Her light, airy fabrics can be used for a wide range of projects.

Here are a few things I recently discovered about the talented Virgina:

1. Favorite textile from the collection? VJ: 'Green Leaf' from three years ago. It always has a calming effect.
2. Three top travel destinations? VJ: India, New Zealand, California.
3. Perfume you wear? VJ: Jo Malone lotion: French Lime Blossom.
4. Describe a great evening at home. VJ: Making dinner, reading a good book, going to bed early.
5. How would you spend the perfect Saturday in Toronto? VJ: Eating decadent French Toast, walking through the park, some time by myself in my studio, and dinner with my boyfriend at a local restaurant.
6. What keeps you energized and focused so that you can continue to create? VJ: I really love clothes and pattern and colour, so it stimulates me without me having to make an effort at it. Also I structure my life in a way that allows the creativity to happen. I sleep 8-9 hours a night and most weeknights are pretty quiet. This allows me a lot of thinking and creative time for my work. Every so often I need to go somewhere stimulating, so I'll take a trip and explore. When my life feels happy and balanced my work is better.
7. What's next for your collection? VJ: We have just produced our first Fall line, which will debut in August.
8. Your favorite designers are... VJ: Issey Miyake and Dries van Noten. I think they're great artists and explorers.
9. Three people you'd love to have lunch with and why? VJ: Eileen Fisher – I'd love to know how she built her business while making her social conscience a priority. Dries van Noten – I've always admired him as a designer and how he takes craft techniques from all over the world and unites them in his own vision.  I also admire that his work is a personal exploration and he is not focused on trends. Muhammad Yunus – I'm interested in his new model for business: combining the 'risk-taking approach of business combined with the social objectives of a charity'.
10. How do you get through a creative rut? VJ: Usually I have to escape somewhere, either away from everything or somewhere exciting with a lot going on.
11. Favorite stores to shop for clothing and interiors? VJ: Auto in New York. Renata Bokalo has a great eye, and you can find everything from great homewares to children’s costumes. I recently spent some time in Brooklyn and fell in love with Layla and Bark.
12. Your favorite blog is... VJ: The Sartorialist.
13. You're currently reading... VJ: The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
14. Ultimately, what really matters in life to you? VJ: Spending time with my family, having a calm life, feeling inspired, creating.

Virginia also stocks totes and a collection of clothing for women.

Thank you Virginia for visiting us today at Real Simple and sharing a bit of your world with us. Much success to you and your fabulous collection!

(images from virginia johnson)

When you take on an organization project, do you sometimes find that you lose focus? Will you be clearing out a kitchen drawer one minute and then find yourself in the basement searching for a screwdriver the next? Here are some suggestions to help keep you on track:

• Before starting your project, imagine all of the tools you could possibly need and gather them ahead of time. If you're filing, make sure you have pens, sticky notes, file folders, labels, a filing cabinet, shredder, trash can, and the stack of papers you hope to file. Also, don't forget to put these items back after you're finished.


• Create a "pause" barrier to help keep you in the work space. If you're organizing your closet, close the door to your bedroom and hang a sticky note on it that reads, "Where are you going?" If you find yourself wandering, the door and note will cause you to pause and get you back on track. If you're working in the kitchen, move your trash can so that it's in an awkward location near the exit. Don't block the pathway entirely, just put it in an unusual place that makes you pause to wonder why it's there.


• Take on small projects—one shelf of a closet or one drawer in a cabinet—that can be completed in a shorter period of time. If you can imagine the whole project from start to finish, you're more likely to make it to the finish line.


• Grab an organizing buddy and have him or her sit with you while you work. If your buddy wants to help you organize, that's terrific, but unnecessary. Just having someone sit with you and keep you company while you work can produce wonderful results.


• Move your alarm clock to where you're doing work and set it to go off 10 minutes after you start a project. When it beeps, assess what you've done and then hit the snooze button. When it goes off again, see if you've accomplished more in the next chunk of time. Keep hitting the snooze button until you're finished with your project. People who can hyper-focus will find this method really annoying and won't want to use it. But, if your mind frequently wanders, this could be a great tool for you.

Photo by Grant Cornett

Lonely walls no more! I promised last week that I'd pull together a few of my favorite wallpaper resources so please click on the links below to view their entire collections. Along with a few great wallpaper resources, I've decided to weave in a little story as a reminder that the modern woman is a lucky girl when it comes to wallpaper selection. Remember the patterns mom had to choose from?

Nama Rococo is haute! Every sheet is painted by hand. This is couture paper at it's finest produced not in Paris, but in Massachusetts by an amazingly talented team.

When I was 4 years old, my parents custom built a home and I can still recall the process in great detail because it was a really big deal to them because everything had to be perfect. It was a big deal to me as well because It took precious time away from my little art projects and the one house I really cared about -- the Barbie dream house -- to tag along with mom to home stores. Together we viewed tile, carpet, paint, appliances, garden supplies, I was constantly by her side as she managed the interior and gardening part of the project while my father was off dealing with the contractors. The home was 4 levels and had about 11 rooms, several acres of land, a huge finished lab space for my father, and a large brick patio. Perhaps this is where the whole design bug really sunk its teeth into my tender young skin; looking back I see that exposure to decorating came long before even I appreciated it or knew that someday my life would be dedicated to obsessing over interiors.

Ferm Living is ultra desirable, so many ladies I know want to own something from Ferm, it's brilliantly bold.

At one point in the decorating process, I recall my mother complaining about having such a limited wallpaper selection. Today's American consumer has a new problem -- a plethora of papers! We are exposed to a superabundance of patterns, textures, and colors when it comes to nearly everything. For a new homeowner like my twenty-something mom back in the '70s, things were different. This was long before the bevy of magazines, the internet, and all of the amazing design blogs we can access 24/7. See what I mean about being lucky? When I think of American design in the '70s (cough, cough) and what people had access to  here I tend to think that good design options were slim. Sears was all the rage and when you needed paint, you headed to Sherwin-Williams or checked out those massive wallpaper binders from the local hardware store with some pretty dreadful patterns inside.

Walls Like Pictures in Germany has a huge collection of modern graphical prints in excellent color-ways.

The beautiful Familjen wallpaper by Swedish designer Lisa Bengtsson available at Le Souk. It's a hard pattern to find in the states, but Le Souk ships all over the world.

Canadian designer Judit Gueth creates digital wallpaper that enchants. The Koi paper in silver is my favorite.

And for a terrific on-stop-shop on the web (also there's a LA showroom) that carries lots of different lines, try Walnut Wallpaper. Don't miss their line up of Cole & Son, Osborne & Little, Flavor Paper, and Twenty2. Delish!

Frustrated over her limited wallpaper selection, I vividly recall the day mom stood in Sherwin-Williams looking through samples in large dog-eared books, eyes glazed over and thoroughly unmotivated. Eventually, she hired a designer to help her because she fell into such a design rut and couldn't see her way out of the tunnels of ugly orange and brown paper. The designer had a fresh perspective and a few books my mother hadn't seen before, so within a few months wallpaper was installed and the home was complete. Just in time for the relatives to fly out and inspect things.

In the end, our home was beautiful and thoughtfully pulled together, but I'll never forget the frustration mom felt due to lack of a good selection. I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief that vast improvements have been made in the world of design and thanks to the web we have products and services available today that our parents could only dream of. So the next time you fret over selecting wallpaper, think about  how lucky we modern ladies are that such an abundance even exists.

Looking for additional wallpaper patterns and a few tips too? Click on over to my design blog decor8, I have lots of great papers and ideas for them in my archives right here and here.

(images linked beneath photos to source)

Does your office look like a cave filled with stalagmites? If you find yourself surrounded by paper stacks of doom, here are some suggestions for unearthing your office:

1. Start by identifying why you have so many piles of paper. Are you someone who has to see what you're working on to keep it at the front of your mind? If this is you, then find an alternative object to make this association—stick a bandage on your bulletin board representing your Johnson and Johnson account or change your desktop image to include your client's logo. Maybe you don't have a filing cabinet large enough to hold the papers you need? Only you know why you have so many piles, and identifying their cause will help you find a solution.

2. Block off a Saturday morning(s) to come into your office when no one is around and dedicate yourself to solving the problem. Taking care of the stacks is a good use of your time, but doing it while everyone else is in the office will just hamper your productivity. Trust me, they'll notice and want to stop by to see what you're doing.

3. Invest in a bulk document scanner. Use it in your office, and then take it home to tackle your papers there. My favorite, above and beyond all the others, is the Fujitsu ScanSnap (they have PC and Mac models).

4. Know your filing style. I file based on the system David Allen outlines in his book Getting Things Done, which is a single, alphabetically organized filing system. Others file by client code numbers used in their billing systems. Whatever system you end up choosing needs to be one that makes sense to you, allows you to quickly retrieve documents, and focuses on topics related to your job. You should have a solid understanding of the system you want to use before you begin sorting through your papers.

5. Ask yourself the following question about every paper in your office: Do I need to keep this paper in its physical form? If your answer is:
a) No. Then shred it or recycle it.
b) No, but I need a digital copy of it. Then scan it, file the scan appropriately on your computer, and shred or recycle the physical copy.
c) Yes. Then file the paper in your filing cabinet.
d) Oh no! I have to take care of this right now or I will be fired. Then, by all means, save your job.

6. For papers that move on and off of your desk on a regular basis like invoices or circulated memos, consider labeling a binder clip for this purpose and hanging it from a bulletin board. If you don't have a lablemaker, silver sharpies write well on black binder clips. See this post on Unclutterer for more information.

7. Stockholm Project Cases, which are available online through the Container Store, are perfect for current projects. You can put all of your files, research, and notepads for a single project in one box that can be closed up at the end of the work day. They also look nice if you're walking into a meeting with a client.

8. Be sure to utilize services like del.icio.us when you're doing research or looking for inspiration online. If you tag a file through del.icio.us, you don't have to print anything because you'll be able to easily retrieve the webpage again. The less you print, the less you have to file.

Good luck on your paper project, and enjoy the benefits of your organized space!

What's the perfect way to spruce up cabinetry and furniture? Knobs and pulls, baby! Terrific hardware is where it's at, especially if you're in the mood for a fast, inexpensive way to breathe new life into a tired piece. Would you like to know where I shop for hardware? I'm so glad you've asked! Come on, let's go shopping.

Okay, I hope I'm not insulting you by saying this, but you know to check stock over at your local hardware mega stores, like Lowes, Home Depot, and the Expo Design Center, right? If styles seem a bit generic for your taste then give Anthropologie, Target, or Restoration Hardware a try both online and in-store. Make sure to visit their retail stores if you happen to have one nearby as they tend to carry a more extensive selection, especially when it comes to Anthropologie. Their inventory greatly varies by store. Our Burlington, MA Anthro carries way more hardware than the one in downtown Boston. And yes I admit, someone who knows things like this is a bit of a design geek -- I stalk stores pretty regularly to ensure that I don't miss a trick.

Additional Resources for New Hardware:

• Carol Beach Knobs -- See their matte silver kitchen knobs, very cute.

• eBay - Search: hardware, then narrow results from there.

• Cool Knobs + Pulls

• Knob Gallery

• Knobs and Pulls

• Bauerware either online or if visiting San Francisco, hit up their storefront located at 3886 17th Street in San Francisco (415-864-3886) . In addition to contemporary knobs, they stock lots for children as well as some great vintage ones from the 1930's.

• The Paris Apartment - Love their selection of lucite!

In addition to new hardware, hit up your local architectural salvage stores, too. I call these places the real gems, they're where you get the good stuff. Architectural Salvage in San Diego, Pinch of the Past in Savannah, Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Rejuvenation Hardware both online and in Seattle and Portland and for my New England-based friends, Architectural Salvage in Burlington, Vermont -- it's a personal favorite of mine. You can also find vintage hardware online, most also carry a good selection of reproduction pieces too. Here's a few good finds for...

Vintage and Reproduction Hardware:

• Again, Bauerware

• Crown City Hardware

• House of Antique Hardware

• Olde Good Things

• Van Dyke's Restorers

One dresser, two ways!

Do you have a few places to suggest for locating a few good knobs? Please comment below, this is not just a blog, but a chance to communicate one-to-one with us, your friendly Real Simple editors. I don't bite!

(images from anthropologie)

The idea of wallpaper excites, but the reality of it often overwhelms. Most resort to the safe option: paint. Why does wallpaper intrigue but rarely ends up on the wall? Is our childhood to blame?

My mother selected lots of gold foils and dramatic florals that w