sasha's living with style newsletter september, 2016 · sasha's living with style...
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www.SashaWitteDesign.com
3237 East Broadway, LB 90803562.434.8824
Sasha's Living With Style NewsletterDesign Advice & Special EventsSeptember, 2016
Dear Kellie,
I Love Fall! It has been my favorite season since I can remember. Asa kid, it brought fresh beginnings with a new school year. It alsolaunched a cuddly season for sweaters and fire hearths and changingcolors in nature.
I still get excited this time of year, and since opening the store I'vealso been able to wrap our work environs in the seasonal colors andthemes in as big and bold of a way as we feel so inspired.
And this year, we were inspired!!!! Come on by and check out all thefun and beautiful Day of the Dead, Halloween and Autumn itemswe've brought in. So much more than I can possibly show below!!!
We are also featuring two amazing local artists this month I hopeyou can join us as we celebrate the beautiful works of Nairong Zongand Bethan Clayton!!
Cheers!!!
Sasha
We've Been Having Too Much Fun
Getting Set Up For Fall!!
In This IssueBethan Clayton Third Thursday
Nairong Zong Art Reception
Featured Article
Common DesignMistakes And How to
Avoid Them! Over the past couple ofdecades working as adesigner, I have observedthere are a few commonmistakes that are oftenmade that cause an interiorspace to not have as muchharmony and balance aswould be possible.
Here are a few that I've seenalong with some tips on howto avoid them.
Scale & Proportion: Orrather, the lack of good scaleand proportion!
This element of designapplies to all aspects of aproject, whether it is withscale and proportions offurnishings fitting together,kitchen details or evenaccessories.
Without considering humanscale, our daily activitieswould be more difficult.
There is a reason there arestandardized heights that
Lighting Event On Now!
New Items Just In
As Seen Around Town!
Third Thursday with Bethan Clayton!
Nairong Zong Artist Reception
have been created forcounter tops, chair seats,etc. It's so that they will bescaled well to fit our bodies.
So, it's important to considerscale, but also consider yourpersonal experience. Forinstance over the past fewyears we've begun raisingcounter heights in bothkitchens and baths by a fewinches due to it beingpreferred by our customers. Even when you are ashorty, like me, sometimesthat slightly higher countertop takes pressure off yourback as you avoid needingto lean over as much towash your face, etc.
Proportion has more to dowith "an eye for design" thescale of objects placed nearone another that looks best.
You can use proportion todraw attention to an area for instance a bold andlarger pendant hangingabove a table that you wantto be a focal point in a room.
There are fewer "rules"about proportion justanalyze the way objects fittogether in a space until itfeels "right" to you! :D
Having Plain White Wallsunless you are creating awhite backgroundpurposefully as abackground to a certain typeof architecture or to show offa certain collection of art.
Otherwise, white walls makeeverything against the wallvisually float and often lackthe visual interest that colorwould create as a backdrop.
Furniture and art is oftenbetter unified by using amidtone wall color or aneutral.
Consider using color, evenbold color, as a way ofcreating a focal point in aroom. Our eyes arenaturally drawn to thebrightest or darkest colors ina space.
To create a colorful focalpoint, keep the general color
Lighting Event Going On Now!!!
scheme of the room in aneutral palette.
Use soft brown or gray onthe walls, sofa and rugs. Then use a bold pop ofcolor like tangerine orturquoise on your focal point whether it is a chair, wall orpiece of art.
Tie the color into the rest ofthe room by using smallaccents of your chosen colorin throw pillows or smallaccessories.
Being Afraid to ask for help Whetherit's with color, room use,scale or placement offurnishings and fixtures. Getting another opinion cangive you peace of mind andhelp you avoid costlypurchases or the repaintingof rooms.
Whether it's the help of adesigner, architect, builderor talented friend, anotherperson with experience inremodeling and design willbring another perspective toassist you with seeing youropportunities morecompletely.
Working Without A Budget One of the biggest designmistakes home enthusiastsmake, at times, is workingwithout a budget, or withouta realistic idea of what ittakes to create a goodlooking interior.
It's important to educateyourself about costs and theinternet can help to makethat a little easier.
Make sure, as you create abudget to consider all thelayers that go into a space what will be inside the walls(plumbing, electrical,insulation...), what will be onthe walls, ceilings and floors(tile, wood...) and then thefurniture and lighting andfixtures that will layer insidethe space. And, of course,the labor to do the work!
Remember that oftenredoing your interiors won'talways happen in one fellswoop. Many of us have tobreak the process down into
New Items Just In!
Treat one of your favorite teachers to our new TeacherMugs Just $14.50 each in gift packaging!
chapters both for financialreasons and also just forsanity sake.
Not Carefully PrePlanningBefore Making Purchases this is probably the mistakeI've seen made the mostover the past two decades. And sometimes I've beenable to get involved and finda way to make thepurchased items work, butother times clients decide tojust sell off or return the itemand start fresh.
It's quite common for peopleto purchase furnishingsbecause they love it likesofas, tables and wall units but then realize once thepiece gets home that it' toolarge and overly dominatesthe space.
It's not always a problem tobe impulsive and bring homeone of a kind items that singto us but do it with smalleritems you can layer in, orhave a plan with preferreddimensions for the piecesyou are looking for in yourwallet so you can doublecheck the item to the realityof what will work in theroom!
Another helpful thing is tocarry swatches of the paintcolors and fabrics youalready have in the room so you can see if that chairyou fall in love with evenworks with the existingmaterials!
Not Adding Character It is uninspiring to walk into aspace where everything isso new that it lacks thewarmth of a room that hasbeen thoughtfully composedwith a vintage treasure,prized antique or uniquework of art.
Adding just one preciousheirloom or funky playfulpainting or lamp can help aroom transcend from theordinary into greatness while making it feel morelived in and unique to you!
Artwork Being HungImproperlycan throw a space! A piecetoo high or too low can be
New Pillows have arrived, including this beautifully
embroidered Fair Isle Pillow $84.50.
These Lodi Vessel Lanterns are just fabulous!! A greatautumn accent to hold your favorite scented candle
$45 to $135.
distracting.
A rule of thumb is to havethe center of the art piece beat eye height of course, likeall rules this one doesn'twork in every situation.
Proportion and scale areimportant to consider for artto work well in a space abig wall calls for a biggerpiece of art, or a collection ofmany smaller pieces placedclosely together creating onebeautiful artful conversation.
Not Having Flow Always use a cohesivedesign thread through yourhome or office space.
You can use color, pattern orother design elements thisthread creates an instantsense of flow, peacefulnessand comfort.
Sometimes I'll use a client'sfavorite piece of art that weare placing in a prominentlocation to decide on accentcolors to pull throughout thehome. One room may focusmore on the reds, forinstance in drapery and anarea rug while in anotherroom a similar red is pickedup in a lamp and a chairsupholstery fabric. Butrepeating colors in differentways thru out a space willhelp to link the roomstogether in a harmoniousway.
Not Managing The Projector assuming yourcontractors are 'on the samepage'. It's always best tohave really clear plans laidout ahead of time withdrawings and materialselections all personallyapproved and signed off on.
Always check twice andkeep uptodate documentsand drawings in everyone'shand.
Information is power and thekey to success inremodeling, like most things!
Keeping An Item For theWrong Reason Don't livewith anything you hate justbecause someone gave it toyou or you inherited it.
I rarely bring something in twice, but last year theSkull Scarves sold out so fast, I didn't get one!!!
So here they are again But probably not for long!!
Always smiling, these Decorative Skulls on Stand add a
fun ghoulish touch for $18.75.
Remove it from your homeor make it your own!
A few years ago I had aclient with a stained 1970'sbuffet that she'd inheritedthat she just hated. Butonce we hadit lacquered into a brightcolor that fit her personality,it became her own!!
I hope these ideas will behelpful as you make yourown home the space youmost want it to be!!
Cheers!!
Sasha
***
"The details are not thedetails. They make the
design."
Charles Eames
"Only those who attemptthe absurd will achieve
the impossible."
M.C. Escher
"Great design is a multilayered relationship
between human life andits environment."
Naoto Fukasawa
"Get in over your head asoften and as joyfully as
possible."
Alexander Isley
"Autumn is a second
These are some of my favorite autumn pumpkins I'veever found!!! Made from woven jute ribbon, they price
out from $34.25 to $68.50.
This Lucky Elephant Opener comes in a velvet gift bag
and prices out at $18.50. A great host gift!
The Emily Young bowl they are showed in is availablefor $80.
spring when every leafis a flower."
Albert Camus
"Summer ends, andAutumn comes, andhe who would have itotherwise would havehigh tide always and a
full moon everynight."
Hal Borland
"By all these lovelytokens Septemberdays are here, Withsummer's best of
weather And Autumn'sbest of cheer."
Helen Hunt Jackson
"Autumn's the mellowtime."
William Allingham
"Now Autumn's fireburns slowly along thewoods and day by daythe dead leaves fall
and melt."
William Allingham
"Autumn arrives inearly morning, but
spring at the close of awinter day."
Elizabeth Bowen
"What is done in love isdone well."
Vincent Van Gogh
And these Mosaic Candle Holders will work easily intodecor from now thru the holidays! $12.50 to $24.50.
Lighting Event Almost Gone...It's time for our Annual Lighting Event Going on Now
thru the 24th!
This Antique Brass Pharmacy Lamp offers versatility. It was$162, but as part of our event is marked down to just $89!
***
*NEW* Shop Hours
Monday By Appointment
Tuesday11 6
Wednesday11 6
Thursday11 6
Friday11 6
Saturday11 6
***
The hand painted details on this lamp are justlovely! It was a great deal at $242.50, but is stilllooking for its perfect home now just $181!
And this beautiful traditional stained glass lamp was$315. But as part of our Lighting Event, it has been
marked down to just $236.25.
As Seen Around Town...Bonny was looking to update her small bath.
Before
Not only is it now updated! It's also more functionaland a lot more Zen!
After
You can see lots of new before and after photos byvisiting our website:
www.SashaWitteDesign.com
35 TO75% Off
As a NewsletterSubscriber, Take anAdditional 10% offLighting Prices!! Simply Mention that you are a Sasha'sNewsletter Subscriber and take another10% off our already awesome Light Eventprices! Take home something fabulousand help us make space for all the newAutumn fixtures!!!
Bring in or reference coupon to getdiscount.
Offer Ends: September 24th
Sashas Living With Style, 3237 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803