Breegan Jane, Author at Breegan Jane

Blending Masculine and Feminine Design Elements

Do you want to know what makes creating a space so much fun to me? It’s the unlimited number of options and design styles available. I get to talk to clients, hone in on their favorite styles, and bring various elements together until their vision is complete. One of the most common situations I encounter with clients is get is combining totally different styles into one space. A newlywed couple, for example, may feel that masculine and feminine design elements are on total opposite ends of the decor spectrum. However, most will find that isn’t so when they realize how well the styles complement one another. The quick takeaway: don’t automatically turn your nose up to the idea of meshing styles. There is a way to balance both within a space.

Consider color throughout

Choosing colors is an effective and easy way to mix masculine and feminine design elements. Before choosing, though, it’s important that we dispel the mindset of defining “masculine” and “feminine” by traditional gender norms. Dark colors are not automatically set for males, and pastels, are not always seen as “female” colors. In design, we use these terms to describe the personality of decor and trends, not assign them to men or women.

That being said, richer, deeper hues are on trend for next season. Ocean teal and maroon, for example, are neither dark nor pastel. Yet, they bring such life to a room! Consider using richer tones like these as a base for your space, and opt for softer colors as accents or complements. Or, switch the two! Use lighter colors as your foundation and use bold, saturated colors as accents. Either way, you’ll get the benefit of incorporating a little of each while adding dimension to the space in the process.

Balance in the bedroom

When it comes to the bedroom, incorporating masculine and feminine design elements can be done fairly easily. The key is considering how you use different materials throughout the space. Done well, you can create spatial coordination that’s aesthetically pleasing and visually harmonious.

Create strong visual impressions with dark, substantial furniture in the bedroom. Use a heavy wooden headboard, dresser or armoire, for example, to achieve this. Opt for mahogany, walnut or wenge to create depth in the room’s foundation. Depending on the type of wood you choose, the graining in the wood can further enhance the overall presentation. These boxy elements by themselves may seemingly take over the room. This is why I would work on the opposite end of the spectrum for the bedroom accents.

The feminine touches you include in your bedroom will perfectly even out the bedroom atmosphere and make a significant visual connection. Consider more ornate pieces such as lamps with white marble bases and softer-colored lamp shades to soften the room. Neutral and metallic colors work well to enhance this effect. These will offset and lighten up your furniture, and ultimately marry the different styles and blend them perfectly.

For another simple but effective pop in your bedroom, consider installing a crystal chandelier. A chandelier adds a nice touch of sparkle in a room. Plus, it won’t seem out of place with both masculine and femine design elements intertwined. Finally, balance the sturdiness of the dark furniture with colorful bedding. You cannot go wrong with bright or soft colors. Adding throw pillows in different textures and shapes can also illuminate the space in ways that balance the personality of the room well.

Love your living areas

When it comes to your living room or den, you have SO many options to bring both masculine and feminine design elements together! An easy masculine touch could be created with choosing a large couch or sectional. The streamlined design of a solid couch creates a stylish composure in a space, especially with a neutral gray, brown or other sophisticated color choice.

Take the elevated style of your couch up a notch by choosing tufted leather, which will make a very tasteful statement in your space. If you prefer this style, a chesterfield couch, with its timeless design, may be the perfect sofa for you. For a more contemporary, chic seating accent, incorporate a richly-colored barrel chair in your living area. You really can’t go wrong with any of these options. The perfect choice depends on your preferred style.

There’s nothing left to do but brighten up your gorgeous space with a few brilliant feminine touches. As mentioned before, incorporating pillows in vivid hues and finishes will add stunning accents to the darker tone set by the couch, sofa and chairs. Also, choosing a unique ottoman in an accent color would bring a polished panache perfect for entertaining or relaxing.

Because your living room and den are typically larger spaces, you should take advantage of the floor space to bring balance to the room. One way to do that is with area rugs, or my favorite, white shag rugs. Not only do they help with room acoustic buts, they also serve as an overall visual anchor for the room. Plus, the soft texture add another dimension of visual interest, which is great when mixing masculine and feminine design elements.

It’s easy!

It’s true what they say: opposites really do attract. Such is the case when you’re looking at different design styles throughout your space. Consider some of these tips to bring the best of masculine and feminine design into your home decor!

My Divorce Doesn’t Discount My Wedding Day

There are two groups of people you will encounter in your life. One group will be those who have a front seat to all the highs and lows you experience. The other will only view things from a distance. Both, however, will assume they understand the things you endure along your personal journey. Because I believe there is still a lot of good in this world, most of these individuals, from either group, will want the best for you. Yet, they will still make several mistakes in interpreting the way you view and live your life. For me, one of the ways I experience this interpersonal misstep involves my wedding day and my memories of it post-divorce.

Several years ago I married who I thought was the love of my life, and we were blessed to create two beautiful children. Spoiler alert: Life happened, and things changed. One domino tipped another, and we eventually decided it was best to get a divorce. That’s not a secret now, and in no way will I ever shrug it off as something that I intended when I said “I do.” That being said, though, thoughts of my wedding day still make me smile.

My Wedding Day: Taboo Talk

An interesting thing happens when you’re a divorced person who had the wedding of her dreams: people never want to talk about it. It’s not because they’re insensitive or disinterested. There seems to be a general presumption that mentioning my wedding day will conjure bad memories for me because my marriage ended. It’s as if people think I bear an internal heaviness around that day, and that the dissolution of my marriage meant the entire experience, from start to finish, was negative.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Humans are naturally born with the capacity to compartmentalize. I definitely can, and I did when it came to my wedding day and the end of my marriage. When I think about my wedding, I still consider it an absolutely perfect day that was beautiful in all aspects. Because I was pregnant when I got married, I felt my most beautiful. I was creating life inside of me and simultaneously creating a new life with the man I cherished and adored.

We recited heartfelt vows on the beach, which, to this day, is still my haven and happy place. Vividly I remember imprinting the sand with my feet, the waves infinitely applauding our union as we looked into each other’s eyes. I felt like a princess in the gown of my dreams. I surrounded myself with people who endlessly cared for and tended to my heart and soul, and wanted nothing but the best for me. On that day, I was completely enveloped by unconditional love.

These sights, sounds, and feelings were genuine on that day, and they are as real today as they were then. They all come cascading back when I reminisce about my wedding day. That’s why I do not for a moment regret or feel bad about it simply because life after that wonderful day didn’t go as planned.

Cherished Memories

Divorce could never put a permanent cloud on the memory of my wedding day. I don’t feel like I need to tuck it away like a traumatic experience or a bad dream. Neither do I consider it a family heirloom that needs to be stored away in a seldom-opened trunk kept in a forgotten basement corner. My wedding day was SUCH a celebratory moment in my life, and I think back on it affectionately.

My marriage ending poorly will never mean my concept and hope of love is now meaningless or hurtful for me. I don’t consider love to be this Voldemortian, “he-who-must-not-be-named” villain. I still love “love,” for myself and anyone else who genuinely feels they have found it. It is a fascinating adventure, full of warm and precious moments. The end result should never take that away from the journey.

Friends who have seen the intimate portrait of my life, with its ebbs and flows, often tiptoe around the subject of my wedding day with me. I guess they suppose it creates feelings of emotional pain and distress. I also honestly believe this is rooted in their love, concern and compassion for me. But that’s why talking about this now is so important. Whether you’re in my inner circle or a casual acquaintance, I know you’re rooting and cheerleading for me. I know you mean well. I know you don’t want to hurt me or bring up “bad memories.” As the protagonist in this story, I sincerely appreciate your consideration. But it’s not necessary.

I’m Okay – Really

My wedding day isn’t a memory that I ponder daily, weekly or even monthly. But I’m not afraid to talk about it, and I don’t attach the *negative feelings* about my divorce to such a significant and joyous day in my life. Unfortunate circumstances should never invalidate the beautiful moments in our lives. Likewise, mentioning my wedding day won’t send me spiraling into a deep rage or depression. I think too highly of it. Now, I will never sell you a story about divorce being easy; it’s not. But creating my fairytale wedding was, and I will always cherish it as such.

Back To School Essentials For A Productive New Year!

Alarms, sleepy kids, morning bathroom routines, big yellow school busses. It’s the beginning of the school year, and that means getting your kids ready for the upcoming year of learning! It also means preparing them with the necessary tools to be successful this year. So before you rush off to purchase all the school supplies off the shelves, make a plan to shop with smarts. Here are some of my tips for spending wisely (and purposefully) on back to school essentials.

Wait for the Lists!

I know many parents who, before school even starts, stock up on pens, pencils, notebooks, folders — the works! If that’s you, I commend you on your drive to be prepared. However, you may be spending unnecessarily. These days practically every teacher has specific tools they want students to use to be successful in their classes, and they present that to parents or school websites. My first suggestion is to wait until you have those lists, for they are truly the blueprints for your back to school essentials spending.

It may be tempting to give in to the advertised sales that start in June and July, I understand. No one wants to fight crowds for supplies. But no one wants to pay for things that might not be needed, either. Patience will pay off, sometimes literally, when you have a list of specific things your child will need. Don’t assume your child will need single-subject notebooks when their courses may require three- to five-subject notebooks. Younger kids may need folders with pockets or holes to insert into three-ring binders. Save yourself the frustration and unnecessary purchases and get your child’s supplies after you talk to a teacher.

Individualize Their Accessories

In a sea of kids and students, you want your child to stand out. I think about that literally as I consider my kids’ back to school essentials. When it comes to being able to identify them quickly, if not instantly, when I drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon, I want to make it easy to identify my kid. So I curate colorful accessories that cater to and complement their personalities.

When they’re together with the rest of the kids at school, the most noticeable things about my boys are their bookbags and lunch bags. Knowing that, I looked on Amazon and found some really different choices that I knew other kids wouldn’t likely have. I wanted their accessories to be cool and cute, but I also wanted them to stand out. So, I chose some adult backpacks and made some alterations. I cut off extra strap lengths and tightened the security straps to fit their little bodies. The backpacks look great, and they don’t look oversized because of the alterations.

I think it’s also important to allow your kids to help choose their school accessories. One of the things I work to instill in my kids is an awareness of their own individual preferences. My oldest loves gold colors and hues, so I spent time with him finding a gold lunch bag that he will know is his because of his style. I didn’t want him to choose a Spider-Man lunchbox his friend had. That’s something I definitely I want my boys to appreciate about themselves. I think you can easily work with your kids to do the same when it comes to their school accessories.

Invest in Quality Activewear

Our kids are really active, so make sure your back to school essentials list includes good, quality shoes at the beginning of the year. Make sure you buy them a half size bigger if you have growing kids. That will allow their shoes to grow with their feet over the school months. Also be sure to buy shoes that are comfortable from the beginning! Shoes that need to be “worn in” may hurt and cause your kids pain as they get accustomed to them. That can negatively impact your kids physically and mentally, and that may impact attention needed in the classroom.

Also consider buying good quality socks, which may not be a first thought when it comes to school essentials. Poor quality socks will affect the wear of the insoles, and that will more quickly wear out the support your kids need for that extra time on the playground. Good socks will help protect the ankles and feet during physical activities, and it will help them enjoy active lives inside and outside the classroom.

Prepare for After-school Activities

Many parents may not consider their kids’ after-school activities when buying back to school essentials, but they should. Engaging kids natural talents and abilities for things they do when they get home is as important as what they do during the day.

Your kids have been actively engaged all summer, and the new year will continue to extend their learning. When they get home (and after they finish homework), they may still want to be engaged. Younger kids may want to extend creative practice they learned in school, so it might be a good idea to invest in a small art kit. Stock up on cheap crafts and art supplies like construction paper, scissors, crayons, etc. This will allow them to create something with (or for) mom and dad, and you want to encourage that. It’s not expensive, it supports and emulates school activities, and it continues mental engagement.

For older kids, invest in their personal talents or interests. If you child is into playing the piano, pick up a new songbook for them to practice. For your sports enthusiast, support them by replacing the worn basketball or football. These simple gestures will let your child know you’re interested in their holistic growth, not just their academic growth. It can also be an incentive to work hard during the day and enjoy themselves with their passions after.

This may be a different type of back to school essentials list, but it will definitely help you help your children in personalized ways that support them and also save you money. If you have other suggestions to help our kids have successful school experiences this year, I’d love to hear them! Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Fun Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer!

The summer of 2019 has already been a scorcher in most places. Many cities are seeing record temperatures this year. In fact, you know it’s hot when Alaska hits record temperatures! Enjoying the sun is always great, but we parents must also consider heat relief so our kids aren’t miserable and suffering during their summer vacation. Lucky for us all, there are some great options to help our kids beat the heat this summer!

Water Activities

What better way for kids to cool off than to take a relaxing dip in water! Even if you don’t have a pool in your backyard, chances are there are pools available to you and your family in your local area. Many gyms and community centers have pools that can be accessed with nominal fees for membership. If the pool isn’t your thing, check to see how far the beach or a local lake are from your home. These are typically free, aside from potential parking fees and gas.

Water Parks are another great way to beat the heat this summer. No matter where you are, there’s a water park near you waiting for your kids to slide, swim and splash their way into some fun and comfort from the sun! These parks are full of crazy water activities, eateries and even games to play while resting up from swimming activities. Your kids are guaranteed to have a great time.

If your summer budget won’t allow hefty travel plans this summer, there are some great water activities you can do at home! Consider looking at sprinkler systems that are inexpensive but no less fun for kids looking to refresh themselves from the summer heat. Many sprinklers available are versatile and spray water in various patterns for kids to enjoy. Cooling off can be as easy as hooking a sprinkler up to your hose in a grassy backyard and letting your kids run, jump and play for hours! No matter which water activities you choose, though, be sure to pack all of your summer essentials and keep your kids and family safe from the sun’s rays!

Indoor Activities

If the sun isn’t your kids’ thing, why not try some indoor activities to beat the heat? While there are littles like my two boys who prefer the open summer air, other kids may prefer the breezes from an air conditioner. I can’t say I blame them! Fun away from the sun is available for them, too!

Trampoline parks are great for kids to enjoy some sun-free activity during the hot summer months. They are safe, family-friendly environments that allow kids to jump and bounce away the hottest hours of the day. Plus, they’re air-conditioned, and most provide snacks and drinks for purchase to keep kids hydrated. Just make sure you read the rules and regulations and explain them to your kids. You don’t want any physical accidents or injuries while trying to beat the heat!

Arcades are another great place for kids to let loose this summer without having to endure harsh summer temperatures. Places like Chuck E. Cheese have unlimited all-you-can-play deals for less than $10, and they offer pizza—which no child can resist. For older kids, arcades like Dave & Busters offer games galore that will keep kids captivated and cool! From skee-ball and hoops to Pac-Man and Minecraft, your family can have a blast and stay comfortable with this activity!

You can also enjoy cool temperatures and the comfort of your own home with activities like an indoor treasure hunt! Creating a treasure hunt is really simple, as it will utilize things and places in the home your kids will already recognize. With ready-made clues available on many online sites, the hardest thing you’ll have to do is determine what the ultimate treasure will be for your kids! They will have tons of fun thinking, searching and engaging. No one will be considering the hot temperatures outside at all!

Cool Off With Refreshments

Hydration is extremely important for kids during the hottest months of the year. It’s no fun simply going to the store to buy refreshments. Blah! Instead, add a bit of excitement to the kitchen by allowing your kids to make their own treats!

Frozen popsicles are super easy to make. Plus, you can determine the health aspects of the treats by deciding what kids can put in them! Simply puree or blend the fruits of your choice, adding honey, juice or your preferred sweetener as an option, and place the mixture in ice-pop molds for several hours. You can even make it more interesting by adding cut grapes or other fruits to the blended mixture as you fill the molds. Your kids will love these, especially because they made them!

Another cool treat to make is “greater-ade,” a healthier version of the popular sports drink, Gatorade. With a few simple ingredients, your kids will get a kick out of making their own versions. They will love taking these out as they go play, and you will love them because the drink is not full of unnecessary additives and preservatives! What a way to beat the heat AND stay healthy!

Summer is perhaps kids’ favorite time of year. As parents, we should definitely let them enjoy their vacation, but we might also consider some ways to help keep them cool and not so bothered by the heat. Try some of these activities with your kids. I guarantee the results will be smiles and appreciation from your little ones.

Using Natural Elements In Design

I love interior design for so many reasons. The creativity expressed is limitless, and the trends are ever-changing. While many designers will talk each season about the styles that are on the rise or on the way out (myself included), selecting one that feels good to you and suits your space will always outweigh anyone else’s opinion. One of the most popular trends we’re seeing currently involves using natural elements in design. These types of additions to your home usher in a sense of earthiness and tranquility, and I’m going to help you find interesting ways to do just that!

Don’t Discount A Classic

It’s easy to become enamored by the latest and greatest in decor and design, but there’s certainly something to be said for the pieces and styles that will always be en vogue. When you think of using natural elements in design, perhaps one of the first to come to mind would be wood. As commonplace as it may seem, many forget that incorporating beautiful wooden pieces can make quite an impact in your space.

One of my favorite ways to add wooden elements is to do it with a dining room table. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Dining room tables are one of the most overused and under-considered pieces of furniture in a home! For that reason alone it pays to select one of great quality. Wooden dining room tables are so underrated because you can make beautiful decor statements simply by choosing a specific type of wood! Whether it’s dark mahogany, maple, walnut or another type, wooden pieces come in so many different colors and undertones. A beautiful dining room table can be the perfect finishing touch to a room.

Another wooden element to consider adding would be headboards. While upholstered headboards are having a moment, wooden ones have a classic look will never look dated. Find one with minimal embellishment, clean lines and a hue that matches the tone of the space, and your guests won’t be able to tell if you bought it last year or last decade. A strong wooden headboard can be a great way to bring more of a masculine feel to a space and give the bed a commanding presence in the room.

Select Stunning Stone

One of my favorite methods of using natural elements in design is incorporating stone of all types! My job requires me to work a lot with marble, and my clients often request it for custom pieces. Marble is undoubtedly the most elegant stone, with its signature veins being a coveted feature in luxury construction. A marble tub or sink will effortlessly become the focal point of a bathroom with an extravagant feel. Marble pieces typically have a premium price tag. As such, some may opt for smaller marble pieces such as a table with a marble top, or lamps with marble bases. However you choose to include it, marble will instantly elevate your space.

Granite is another excellent choice for several features in your home. It is quite a hard stone, and it’s also heat resistant. It has a myriad of qualities that make it perfect for countertops, backsplashes and tiles. Granite has the added benefit of being great for outdoor uses, also. Builders often opt to use granite paving stones to create unique designs on driveways. The use of different colors can make for a grand entrance into a residential or commercial space. Whether you choose to use marble, granite or another natural stone, you can be sure that these materials will give your space a lush and upscale appeal unlike any other.

Plant Possibilities

Rattan is a material that gets overlooked in design, but we should change that. This fibrous plant can add so much texture and personality to a space! Rattan is both lightweight and durable, which means it can be used in a variety of ways. Make no mistake: this isn’t your grandmother’s old wicker, and it isn’t limited to just outdoor furniture either. We are seeing rattan used in everything from trendy egg chairs to wall art, and it doesn’t end there. I especially love the use of rattan in bohemian and beach-inspired designs.

Can you get more in touch with nature than literally bringing the outdoors in with beautiful vines, trees and flowers? I don’t think so. Adding greenery to a space adds a cozy and relaxed vibe that also helps create continuity and flow from inside to outside seamlessly. A room with a neutral color palette can appear dapper and clean, but if you find it begins to feel sterile, the addition of greenery will liven the space in an elegant way without detracting from its sleek presentation.

Designing a space should always involve attention to detail and consideration of the desired end result. Using natural elements in design has the ability to do something that few other materials can. They infuse a space with an opulence that still feels cozy and intimate. If you’re contemplating which route to go for your furniture, trims, accessories and surfaces in your home, don’t forget these options. You’ll thank me later!

How I Maximize Time with On-demand Services

It bothers me that there are only 24 hours in a day. I have design and construction projects, philanthropy and board commitments, and two cute little mini-me’s that need and want my attention. To get everything done, I need at least 20 more hours each day! I’m sure all working parents are singing the same song, and I totally get it. That’s why I maximize my time with several concierge and on-demand services to help me get things done. These services allow me to focus efforts on priority items and get more done with the little time I have.

Ride Share Services

Yes, I have a license. And yes, I have a car. But do I want to spend hours driving around town fighting traffic and focusing on impatient drivers and Google Maps? That answer is an emphatic NO! Ride-sharing services allow me to maximize time in the car while safely traveling to my destination.

In a city like LA, driving to and from construction projects can take 30 minutes to an hour. That’s a hefty amount of time when you do it two or three times a day! Companies like Uber and Lyft provide me a local chauffeur who takes the responsibility of driving off my plate! I can sit comfortably in the back and use that time to check things off my to-do list.

The cost of ride-sharing services is worth it to me when I consider all I get done while using them. I typically take meetings with clients or members of my team while I’m being driven to my destination. I also prepare and look over presentation notes, and research new innovations in my field. Even if I only touch up my hair and makeup, I can focus on looking and feeling my best without diverting attention to people, cars and roads around me.

This is not only beneficial for me personally and professionally. Statistics show that distracted driving is one of the primary causes of accidents today. A Bluetooth headset, while handy, doesn’t alleviate distractions behind the wheel. It’s important to me to maximize safety as well as time, and this is a great way to accomplish both.

Meal Prep Services

When the day is done, I love that I can come home and have a great meal with my boys. On days when the office gets the best of me, I maximize time in the evenings by using convenient meal prep services. These help me create good meals quickly, spend less time in the kitchen and spend more time with my family.

I love using Plated meal prep service because of the entree choices provided. My boys are not picky eaters, but they definitely like certain things. Each week we have a choice of over 20 meals and desserts, which is more than ample for our little family. Every meal provides perfectly measured amounts of ingredients needed to prepare the meal. That takes the thinking out of it for me! Time saved!

What’s more, I love that Plated uses ingredients that are either sustainable caught or raised without antibiotics or added hormones. The company chefs also provide organic when possible, which I love as a parent feeding growing boys. The meals have photos of what the final entree should look like and step-by-step instructions. With recipes that take no more than 45 minutes, my family is sitting down to eat in no time! I highly recommend using meal prep services to shave time in the evenings.

Wellness Services

After cooking and cleaning the kitchen, and once the boys are in bed, my efforts to maximize time don’t end! When work is done and the boys are settled, I cannot forget about my self-care! Instead of using precious work time during the day for that, I use on-demand wellness services to help me wind down, relax and prepare for the next day.

I’ve used services like Soothe to provide after-hours massages, which works great for my schedule. The best thing about these services is that they come to YOU! You get personal massage therapy in the privacy of your own space, and at whatever time is convenient for you! Anytime, from 8 am until midnight, you can have a vetted therapist working out the stressors of the day within an hour of setting up an appointment. Tranquility, renewal and time can be yours in abundance when you take advantage of on-demand services that bring you peace of mind.

Contrary to popular belief, the most precious commodity in life is not money. If you lose that, you can get it back. When you lose time, though, it is lost forever. As a busy parent or professional, consider these services to help you maximize time throughout your day. You will quickly see the results in your organized schedule and empty to-do list!

I’m on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!!

“MOVE THAT BUS!!” Everyone remembers that iconic phrase. We heard it yelled right before a very deserving family saw the unbelievably made-over home they would now live in. Millions of home viewers (my family included) watched these reveals every week on the Emmy-award-winning Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for nine seasons over almost 10 years. Seeing the faces of the overjoyed families never got old. For me, it renewed my faith in society. I loved that people in need were actually getting their needs met. My father and I would watch…and cry…and rejoice with the design team, the families, and the ever-excited host, Tyler “Ty” Pennington.

Well, I never thought in a million years I would make this announcement, but I am SO excited—practically over the MOON—to let you all know:

I’VE BEEN CHOSEN TO BE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER ON THE REBOOT OF EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION!

You have no idea what this opportunity means to me. Words will never be able to accurately relay my excitement, my gratitude, my SHOCK when I found out I was chosen! It’s not every day that you get to see one of your biggest dreams come to life before your eyes. Getting to be a part of a show with so much heart is something straight out of a fairy tale for a designer like me.

The Details (So Far)

What I know about the show at this point: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will air on HGTV in 2020. The new host will be none other than Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the hilarious and caring actor from Modern Family! Along with designer Carrie Locklyn, carpenter Darren Keefe and myself, Jesse will guide the redesign of homes for families across the country.

What Being on Extreme Makeover on HGTV Means to Me

There are so many reasons why this opportunity is important to me. First, I’ve always believed this world is always better when there is an abundance of love and kindness. It’s what fuels my desire to help my sisters in Kenya and local efforts to end homelessness in LA. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to use my skills to help others. This show will allow me to focus on that with other professionals who feel the same way, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. My job will be to stretch my creative muscles each week to make others happy, and that’s something I truly enjoy. I’m certainly up for the challenge!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is also dear to my heart because of my personal history with the show. When this show first aired, I remember being inspired episode after episode by the design crews. They actually changed people’s lives for the better, and I cannot wait to join their ranks! I’ll not only get an opportunity to transform spaces, but I will also get to help transform the lives of families and individuals.

Finally, I’m so happy that I will get to take you all with me as we embark on these “extreme” projects! It’s one thing to talk to you through words and photos in social media, but you’ll actually get to see what I do and how I think about design! It is my hope that you will invite me and the crew into your living rooms each week as we inspire renewed hope in the lives of really good people. I can’t wait to share this journey with you!

Stay Tuned!

This is a chance of a lifetime, and I cannot wait for you to see the new version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! Please stay tuned, as I will be updating all of my digital channels with more information as I get it. As always, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for always supporting me. I’m grateful for you, and I cannot wait to share the rest of this adventure with you!

Choosing The Right Chandelier

When I am designing, lighting is always at the top of my priority list. What use is a beautiful space if you can’t properly see it? While lighting is largely a functional aspect of designing a room, using chandeliers can add an extra layer of refinement. Along my design journey I’ve discovered that many people are unaware that the term “chandelier” encompasses so many different types and styles of lighting, each with its own unique composition. With so many different styles, special consideration should be given to choosing the right chandelier for your particular space. Let’s talk about some varieties and what makes each type so special.

Crystal Chandeliers

When the word “chandelier” is mentioned, most imagine the fixtures made of sparkly, clear materials that twinkle each time they catch the light. These are crystal chandeliers. There are cheaper versions of this type that use glass instead of real crystal, but the difference is a great one. Real crystal has a formulation (lead content) that allows light to refract in a way that causes those gorgeous colors in the light we see when the chandelier sparkles.

Crystal chandeliers are usually thought to be more formal lighting fixtures. You’ll find them everywhere from higher-end restaurants to formal living rooms. They add an air of elegance unmatched by almost any other type of fixture. This type of chandelier is widely found in more traditional areas, but it can occasionally be used in more avant-garde ways.

Maximalism is taking off as a trend, and it challenges conventional thought in design. Skilled designers are able to place a crystal chandelier in unexpected rooms to infuse glamour and visual interest. To test it out, try hanging a crystal chandelier inside a large closet space to give it a boutique feel! If you’re less daring but you adore the glamour, put a crystal chandelier in your formal living room or at the apex of your staircase. The crystal will certainly illuminate the space with shimmering light and grandeur.

Linear Chandeliers

If you’re seeking a more modern style, consider linear chandeliers. There are tons of styles to select from, and each will give a different look to your room. Linear chandeliers are sleek fixtures featuring a construction of successive bulbs. In essence, the bulbs and structure surrounding them are all in a straight line. You’ll find them made of every type of material and in various colors.

The more unique ones work well with eclectic decor while others add just the right amount of polish to a more casual space. Some present with gorgeous metals, others with ornate embellishment and others with candle holder inserts. Hang a gorgeous linear chandelier with a dimmer over your kitchen island to complete the look! This category of chandeliers is so vast, making it a great option on your journey of choosing the right chandelier.

Caged Chandeliers

Caged chandeliers are the art-deco lover’s dream. They are fixtures where the light is enveloped by a wiry structure resembling that of a cage. Caged chandeliers give a clean, contemporary feel to a space, and they emit unobstructed beams of light. These have the benefit of being as formal or relaxed as the space requires. Because this type of chandelier relies heavily on the outer framework as its decoration, picking one in the color you want to accent in a room (black, bronze, gold) will effortlessly complement your palette.

Drum Chandeliers

Drum chandeliers are exactly what they sound like. They feature lighting fixtures wrapped in a rounded structure, and they also come in many different materials. These are an excellent choice for those whose style falls between the classic and the modern. One of the only styles to often feature fabric in its design, drum chandeliers make beautiful foyer and entryway chandeliers. They can be found with candlestick lights, decorative metal detailing the outside of the drum, or even more rustic designs befitting of a farmhouse. The sky (or ceiling, in this case) is the limit with drum chandeliers.

Furnishing a space involves selecting the perfect colors, textures and furniture, but the lighting is what completes it all. Choosing the right chandelier can help you infuse your space with a dazzling light that sets the mood for entertaining, family time or even romance. Find the one that speaks to you!

Socializing As a Single Mom

Ever heard the expression, “darned if you do, darned if you don’t”? Probably so. It can be a defeating feeling, a voice whispering that you just can’t win. We’ve all experienced it at some point or another, but socializing as a single mom has taught me a few unexpected lessons on how to move past those emotions and focus on my own truth. I’m certain many of my readers will relate.

A For Effort

Life is moving incredibly fast these days. I’m always on the go. My days consist of anything from being on site during construction of one of my design projects, to conference meetings with my team, to PTA meetings at my kid’s school. Every day is different, and it’s something I’ve simply grown accustomed to. Because my agenda for each day can be tightly packed from hour to hour, I’m often dressed in a way that will carry me from a board meeting to a stone and materials vendor. I have to be prepared for everything.

Like most women, I always feel good when I look good. Life as a newly single person means I welcome the opportunity to meet new people to add to my circles, be they romantic connections or platonic ones. My business as a designer means a lot of talking to people and even more deliberate networking. I am my brand and my own best advertisement. Mingling at events is not only for enjoyment, it’s business. I never thought more of it until recently, when I began noticing that socializing as a single mom came with its own set of challenges. I would attend an event, go up to a group of people and introduce myself and attempt to politely join a conversation. It felt like getting into a pool and immediately watching everyone else get out. The first couple of times I dismissed it as just a coincidence. Maybe those couples were already in the process of ending a conversation when I walked up. Perhaps the sudden leaving of a few people had nothing to do with the fact that I just arrived. But as it started happening more frequently it got harder not to make the connection.

It’s Just Lipstick

I started questioning myself. Was it something I said? Something I wore? I scrutinized everything. I’ve definitely put more effort into my appearance as of late. My dresses, though not extremely tight and not at all revealing, skim my curves a little more closely these days. My tresses are full and bouncy, and I love the way the color red looks in both a lip color and a high heel. I never considered that taking pride in my appearance would negatively change the way people in a professional and social atmosphere interacted with me. I mean, it’s just lipstick after all. Closer observation exposed an ugly truth. I saw women start to put their wedding rings on display when I held conversations with their husbands while in a group setting. What I can only assume was insecurity reared its head as wives pulled their guys closer, or led them away as I approached. It was strange. I felt like I’d made a mistake by not dressing more casually. Their public rejection made me wonder if socializing as a single mom would mean I needed to dim my light in order to make new friends. Further introspection took me down a different path.

It’s Not Me, It’s You

My challenges and darkest days have done something amazing to my psyche, my trajectory and my overall life outlook. They’ve increased my strength one-hundred fold. I’ve never been more certain of who I am and what I’m capable of. Maybe that’s what people sense when I enter a room. Maybe it isn’t the dress or the shoes or the hair. It’s tenacity that people perceive. Walking in the fullness of who I am has had some unexpected side effects. The most interesting social difference has been that I attract strong people. Bosses want to congregate with other bosses. It’s because they aren’t intimidated by something they already possess.

I love meeting new people and conversing about my passions. If I’m in a group speaking to others about design or construction and one of the 4 people happens to be a male, it isn’t because he’s a guy, it’s because we share business prospects! I’m careful to address wives and use every bit of my etiquette. The suspicion surrounding my intentions is merely projection. I wish married women realized that single moms don’t walk around plotting on taken men. We aren’t fluttering about from guy to guy like a bumblebee in a garden. We don’t think we’re hot stuff, and we don’t view our position as an advantage over yours. We’re moms who got up before the sun to ready our kids for the day before rushing off to work. In this moment you see stilettos and mascara, but hours earlier there was baby vomit on my shirt and cheeto dust in the car seat.

Room For All

Socializing as a single mom requires a little more effort. Attending events and meetings can feel more like presenting for an interview than a lighthearted occasion. At times a little more appearance sprucing is in order, but it isn’t at all meant to be a statement about the state of affairs in your personal business. I’m learning that the insecurities of others shouldn’t demand a lessening of myself. It isn’t me. It’s them. Socializing effectively and without headache may take some work, but I’m done blaming myself for simply being single. We all have something to add to the conversation. Focusing on that leaves less time for pesky intimidation and more for healthy connections. That’s something we can all get behind.

Continuing Your Child’s Learning Over the Summer

Kids are well into their summer vacations at this point, and I’m sure their days are filled with sun, fun and smiles. A new school year will quickly be upon them, though. So they won’t lose all they acquired over the last school year, it would be an advantage to them to incorporate subtle but continuous learning over the summer. Here a few easy-to-implement ideas I’ve found helpful with my boys.

Everyday Engagement

Our kids really are like sponges. Whether we are intentionally teaching them or not, we are providing lessons with everything we do and every way we respond to the world around us. Quite frankly, you are perhaps your child’s best instruction manual. With that in mind, use activities in your day-to-day life as your new low maintenance lesson plans!

Let’s say your child got an introduction to math this year. Going to get gas can turn into an impromptu addition or subtraction activity. Talk to your child about counting the money you’ll need to give the cashier. Or, you can create a quick equation regarding how much gas to put into the tank. (“If I have a 20-gallon tank, and I want to fill it half way, how many gallons will I need right now?”) Children love being little helpers, and you’ll love knowing they are using what they learned this year!

Likewise, cooking dinner and following a recipe can turn out to be a great reading and vocabulary lesson. Introduce your child to new food items in the ingredients list and discuss the difference between “thyme,” the herb, and “time” on a clock. Homonyms at home for the win!

Don’t wait for a traditional classroom setting to incorporate learning over the summer. Seize the day wherever you are and whatever you do. The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t take a lot of thought and effort from an already busy parent. Also, most kids will assume you’re only making conversation instead of the intentional lesson you mean it to be.

Learning Through Play

Because playing is already on the agenda for most kids, why not use it to your advantage as another way to foster learning over the summer? There are a host of games kids can play that easily substitute as learning activities.

Several board games out now incorporate matching and memory strategies and skills. Lucky Ducks is a fun game that my kids love playing. Picture Bingo is another game that helps kids squeeze their memory muscles. These are just two of many options from which you can choose for your little ones. If you want to rack up on these games, keep an eye out for Amazon Prime Day to get great savings on these and other board games for kids.

For those kids who can’t bear to tear themselves away from their tablets, there are tons of apps that are reading and math based. A quick search online will bring up various enrichment games for phones and other mobile devices. Always be mindful, though, of the time they spend with their tablets. It is recommended that children spend no more than two hours a day on mobile devices.

Destination Education

Learning over the summer doesn’t take much more effort than what you typically do with your little ones. Most summers involve taking trips, and those would be great opportunities to present educational slants to your child’s summer experiences.

Does your hometown (or your vacation destination) have interesting museums or aquariums? Take advantage of them! Even if your kids have been to them before, most have summer programs that freshen the experience for visitors. My boys have a membership to the local aquarium, and they get invitations to special events frequently. From “Fish Fry” camps to “Parent and Me” events, we explore and learn together as a family, and it also serves as a bonding activity for us all.

Likewise, museums are another great way to extend learning over the summer months. Science and nature museums generally have dozens of small animal and interactive exhibits geared towards children. With features like 4D dinosaur exhibits and chemistry demonstrations, kids are sure to never be bored when they go to visit. Plus, they will leave with a ton of new knowledge they can take with them into the next school year.

Continuing your child’s learning over the summer doesn’t have to consist of more money or effort on your part. All it takes is a little creativity and a realization that virtually any experience can be a learning opportunity. A few intentional activities this summer may be the key to a more successful upcoming school year for your little genius!