What was once my grandmother's "sewing" room is now becoming my ultimate organizing dream-come-true: a Gift Wrapping Room (pictures forthcoming.) And, in the nick of time for the Old Saint Nick and my 2-year old's first memorable Christmas. A little 50 square foot room with a window is now filled with shelves and a desk...one 3'6" section of shelving is just for gifts (wrapped and unwrapped, hostess gifts, baby gifts, specific items bought on sale for someone's birthday, or items I buy in bulk because I get enthusiastic and "know" that everyone should have one) and a 2' section of shelves for gift wrapping supplies. Plus an array of baskets and containers, and of course, lots of labels so that everything has it's place. Besides looking all over www.pinterest.com, here is one website that was an inspiration: http://www.organizingla.com/organizingla_blog/giftwrapping_room/ All this to say, I feel very strongly that you can't be too organized, and that every woman deserves a little haven just her own. And, with all the multi-tasking I (we) do, it's nice to have a little room with the single purpose of expressing my gratitude to the people in my life.

Love this ottoman from Duralee Fine Furniture! It is an upholstered cocktail ottoman, and it opens into a twin bed. I discovered this while sourcing furniture for a beach house that will need to sleep as many people as possible. I can put literally any fabric in the world on it, and the nailheads give it such tailoring. It is perfect for that extra room (study, playroom, or den) that needs style and practicality!

Well, I am quite the optimist, as I started this blog over a year ago, and thought: "Blogging is easy, right? Everyone is doing it, and I can too." Never mind that I am running two businesses and parenting a toddler, so no wonder my blog entries are still in single digits. Ahem, well, it's never too late to start again... I am sad Oprah is ending. I mean, like, really sad. I tried to get tickets to her last show taping, and couldn't, and so despite my aforementioned full plate, I am taking the afternoon off next Wednesday to go home, open champagne, and watch the very last Oprah. And, so, as I was thinking this morning of creative content for a presentation I have to give today, I thought of all the Oprah-isms that kept coming to mind: "Live your best life" (redesign your house), or "An A-Ha Moment" (when you realized your house needs a makeover), or... you get the picture. I have grown up on The Oprah Show, and what I have learned from her shows over the years has really permeated into my life. Even though I work full-time and don't often watch the show anymore, it's been comforting knowing its recorded content has been there waiting on me when I wanted or needed it. And so as I (and the rest of the world) say goodbye to the show and adjust to life without it, I acknowledge the bigger lesson (a la Oprah) of how difficult change truly is. And I think the best way to deal with that is to embrace it, celebrate it, honor it and keep moving forward. I am ready to change from having a blog to actually doing a blog; I hope my clients are ready to change their environment to something they're really inspired by; I hope we are all thankful for all the positive change Oprah has brought to the world. ~jf

This Neela insulated tote is a must-have! It is perfect for storing cold groceries while you're running other errands, or it makes the perfect beach and pool easy-to-tote cooler. Like all Neela products, it is eco-friendly and washable. We have 4 in stock in the charcoal diamondweave pattern. {$14 each. Call 843-377-2600 to purchase.}

The best reusable bags on the market! This "Market Pack" includes 5 fold-up bags inside yet another bag. The pack is easy to keep in the car for shopping trips, and these bags are way more stylish, manageable, and eco-conscious than paper or plastic. These also make a great gift. We have 3 available in the raspberry diamond pattern and 3 in the green circles pattern. {$28 each. Call 843-377-2600 to purchase.} More details: http://www.neelabags.com/products/pack

We're excited to announce that we're adding an online "Boutique" category to our blog! We'll be posting pictures, prices, and descriptions of accessories, furnishings, etc. for sale...if we can bear to part with them, that is. As much as we love all the pretty things we come across, we love finding them the perfect home more! So, if you're looking for designer goods at great prices, we hope to be your newest favorite shopping spot. And if you're looking for something in particular, shoot us a quick email and we'll source it for you. Stay tuned for more...

Do you know what color you wear most? Do you wear colors that you know are flattering on you, or simply those that you like? And how does that translate into your home? I recently had this discussion with a client, and realized that there is a discrepancy in my own answer. I have blue eyes and so I have always worn blue, or variations thereof, and usually the more vibrant hues. However, visit my home and you will see green in some form or another in virtually every room. Not vibrant green, but subdued green, which is soothing, organic, and feels luxurious to me. So, it turns out that what looks good on me is not the same as what I look good in. They are not polar opposites, mind you, but different nonetheless. So, when planning your home decor, think of those colors that invoke a soothing luxurious environment for you. Just because red looks terrific on you doesn't mean that is what you should surround yourself with at home.

As a designer, I've had a love affair with color all my life. I'm surrounded by color, and spend my career interpreting, choosing, and pairing colors from one end of the spectrum to the other. My relationship with color is a fickle thing, though. Some (okay most) days I'm absolutely mad about non-color colors...true neutrals (whites, grays, browns) and semi-neutrals (soft greens and blues that really act as neutral.) Other days I am itching to use an impact color...kelly green, punchy orange, bright citron. There are many days that I absolutely will not do another version of the same color combination for a client, like the turquoise and chocolate brown of yore. I also have been know to wish for more colors in the universe, as I flip through a paint chart of fabric book, and can't land on the perfect color. But when I do rediscover the perfect color I am fixated and can't get enough. Right now that color is "mineral". Washed out lavender with lots of gray thrown in. A color that seems to be warm and cool all at the same time. The perfect foil for cream, graphite, soft fern green, or citron. (picture courtesy of www.galbraithandpaul.com)