#olioboard

What Moms Need!

What do woman want? We want to feel beautiful, loved, cherished, strong and confident. We want to surround ourselves with positive people and things. We love beautiful things and enjoy conversations about the things we love in life. We all strive to meet that person we can share these things with. We strive to find a career where we feel successful, passionate, help others and have a sense of pride and accomplishment.

In that journey to find the things we love and to do what we truly love, we need time to reflect. We need a space to find solace, peace, and serenity. A place that envelopes us, has elements of our favorite things, colors and includes the beauty we seek in life.

To me, life is about these things. Making sure I have the right support system of people that I love and love me back. Also, it’s important for me to learn every day. Learn something new about the world, my children, my career or how to help others. In order to do these things, I’ve learned that I have to look inward and find my inner peace. All mothers have the toughest job, raising children who are good people. The pressure is overwhelming at times. It’s stressful and hectic as we try to juggle taking care of them, our significant others, our career and the few minutes we have to take of ourselves. We all need a Mom Retreat within our homes. A space we can run away too or a place to reflect, to read, to learn and be the best person we can be.

How do we become that best person? We take care of ourselves so we can be the strongest person; so our children can learn that mommy is someone I look up too. When we have time to rest, we can re-energize. We all need an allotted time each day to re-energize! We’ve all been at a point of being completely burnt out. We all have certain weaknesses that we spend our money on….shoes, purses, jewelry, pretty nails, books, clothing, etc. Well, it’s time to spend money on a place that looks and feels like our personal getaway. A vacation is a temporary retreat that lasts for a week and then you are back to the grind. How many times have we spent a month preparing for a week vacation? Then we come back to the same grind of laundry, a thousand emails, phone calls, correspondence- all the things that overwhelm us and we wonder, was is worth it for that week off?!

If we create a space for us in our homes, we have a personal vacation every day!!! There is no price tag on that!! Whether it’s taking your walk in closet and putting in a vanity in it to do your makeup in peace. When I built my house, I was planning on doing this so I had a place to hide, I called it my “Mom Cave” like Batman’s “Bat Cave.” Unfortunately, we ended up putting more storage in that space and my dream has not been met. How many of us hide in the bathroom? Even that’s hard to do. I get the knocking of the door, the kids trying to come in, the spouse asking if everything is ok… Geez people, let me have 15 minutes of PEACE!!! PLEASE!!!

A great read is Le Chic Cocoon by designer Jennifer Duchene. In this book, she talks about understanding how much we give to everyone else and how we build our own prison until “we weep with exhaustion and emptiness.” I agree with this, how many times have you heard from other people, “I don’t know how you do it all?” You are “Super Woman.” Most of the time, I don’t think about it and automatically go through the motions. I am a robot. I’m slowly destroying myself as I’m building everyone else up!! How often do we take a bath? I have this amazing Jacuzzi tub in my bathroom and I take a bath maybe 4 times a year! I walk by it numerous times a day. It doesn’t register that maybe instead of taking a 5 minute shower, I should soak in that tub for 20 minutes and be re-energized for the whole week!!

As I’m writing this blog post, my 6 year old daughter gave me a note, “Witis it take so loan? (What’s taking so long?)” She drew a stick figure girl with a grim face, big bulging eyes and she is wearing high heels…that’s my girl. This just an example of a day in the life!

I have created an Olioboard (online moodboard) at olioboard.com, an amazing, free online design resource. I love to create these boards for my clients and sometimes just to get my inspiration flowing. My space is an indoor/outdoor space (sun porch) that has a beautiful view with lots of cushions, pillows and the colors I love. It’s relaxing, yet represents me with the bold bright colors and my love of nature. There are fun, intricate patterned pillows mixed in with the solid bold bright colors. The fabric is “Sunbrella like” in the fact they are indoor/outdoor use. If I spill wine on them, it won’t absorb into the fabric! This fabric is very easy to care for. Notice I have the table set for a special lunch or dinner with a close friend. I enjoy spending time with my friends and sharing stories of our lives and how we can grow and learn from our situations. I have a woman’s best friend hanging out to great me with undivided attention and someone to cuddle with! We all need that cuddle buddy!

My retreat space has my favorite things from the feel of exotic locations. Moroccan inspired lanterns with a touch of glam (love the metal). Also, the Mediterranean feel of the terracotta and natural stone floor tiles. The deep teal colors of a tropical sea. There are textural elements that add visual interest and warmth such as the woven baskets filled with colorful flowers. Also, the woven intricate patterns of the plates on the wall remind me of my Central Asian culture. The geometric patterns in the space represent the symmetry and balance that I like to achieve in my life.

One of my biggest loves in life is FABRIC! I grew up in the textile industry and can hoard tons of beautiful fabrics. I love the texture, warmth and feel of flowing fabric. The fabric shown in this olioboard is from Softline Home Fashions, www.softlineonline.com. It is the indoor/outdoor use fabric. It’s not that fabric you think of when you think of outdoor fabric; it isn’t hard, crunchy and forest green! The colors and weight of outdoor fabric has come a long way with new dying and weaving technologies. I use it a lot in my clients’ homes where they have children and pets. Their concern is having the look and feel of beautiful fabric but they need a material that holds up. My favorite application for Sunbrella like fabric is for cushions- bench, ottomans or dining chairs. I like using it in areas like mudrooms, foyers, kitchens and dining rooms where there is a lot of use and potential for staining and beverage spillage.

For those of us lucky enough to visit Las Vegas Gift+Home Market this week, please visit Softline Home Fashions at booth C-424. Tell them hello and that I sent you over. They have many gorgeous fabrics that are not only pretty but washable. They pride themselves on “Affordable Elegance,” which many of us that are budget conscious love to hear! For my clients, I sell their drapes and fabrics. For those of you who enjoy shopping online, you can find their products at Nordstrom, JCPenny, Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond and many other retailers.

Please feel free to tweet me @DesignerSelma or send me a facebook message at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Selma-Hammer-Designs/167088703347770 with any comments and questions regarding this post.

Please check out the other really amazing Mom Spaces designed by the following designers and bloggers, we are all participating in the 3rd month of #OlioHop, which is typically launches the 1st Monday of the month. Look out for our monthly themes and contests at Olioboard.com.

Lesley of http://chaoticallycreative.com

Kate of http://dabbleinchic.blogspot.com

Marilyn of http://design-magnifique.com/blog-news/

Julie of http://gosimplysavvy.com/blog/

Colette of http://www.frugal-finds.net/

Joanne of http://homestyling101.blogspot.ca/

Antoinette of http://pushinteriors.blogspot.ca/

Katrina of http://seasideinteriors.ca/

Stacy of http://stacynaquininteriors.com/blog/

Michelle of http://www.fashionhouseinteriors.net/blog/

Jennifer of http://jenniferreynoldsinteriors.com/blog/

Whether it's Pinterest, Project Decor, Homemint, Olioboard, or Houzz, social networks are becoming a great place to get inspiration for home decorating!  

In Need of Creating the Ideal Home Office?

For details on Olioboard shown here: http://olioboard.com/boards/116216-office-organizing-gone-chic

Here are some steps to consider when you are converting that guest room or basement into that much needed home office.

The trend in homes is having a home office. Whether you are an executive that needs to check emails and send correspondence in the evening or just can’t ever take a full day off or a stay at home mom looking for some extra income, you need a space that you can call your own and is organized.

STEP 1: CHUCK THE CHAOS: Make sure everything in your Office is relevant.

I’m sure there are random trophies, old textbooks from college, unfinished projects and old product samples; you think you’ll one day need. NEWS FLASH: chuck it!! It’s liberating and just cluttering up your life. Move on and make space for more relevant and new fresh décor items or the latest Apple gadget!

STEP 2: ADD COLOR: Pick your favorite color.

Surround yourself in your favorite color or pick a color that really appeals to you. That doesn’t mean you should go neon, all you stuck in the 80’s lovers!!! Pick a color that helps your focus and makes you feel at ease. Pick a color depending on how much natural light you receive in the room. Don’t pick the darkest color on your paint swatches if you don’t have a nice big window. Remember you need to have task lighting, whether it’s natural or some great bright accurate overhead or lamp lighting, especially if you are working with the accuracy of colors and measurements in your job. Eye strain is not something you want to complain about.

STEP 3: DON’T HURT YOURSELF: Indulge in ergonomics!

Photo Source: http://ergonomicsimportance87.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/what-makes-ergonomics-so-important/

Make sure the placement of your computer is appropriate. Don’t constantly work with your laptop on your lap or lying on the floor late night as you pass out on your computer! Invest in a great office chair. Style is important but should be secondary to comfort and function. Check this out for info on setting up your office workstation and make sure you consider proper posture, http://ergonomics.about.com/od/office/ss/computer_setup.htm

STEP 4: KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE: All your neighbors are doing it.

Ask your friends, family and colleagues. Most people have a home office these days. With the amount of aging baby boomers, the ease of technology at our finger tips, the cost of retirement increasing and the economy, many people are retiring later in life or looking for some side income. Also, the cost of gas prices, if your employer allows you to work from home a day or two a week, it's smart and eco-friendly. Check out this article on the facts of increase in demographics with home offices: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/25/working-from-home-demographics-economy-telecommuting/

According to dailyfinance.com, the “number of home-based U.S. businesses will increase by more than 10% over the next four years to about 21 million.” Ask around and do your research. Don’t just haphazardly set up a folding chair and a cardboard box to work from home. Take the time to set up an appropriate space to make sure you are comfortable and safe. You will save a lot of headaches and frustration, if you take the time, do the research and be a savvy shopper. Consult an interior designer, whether if it’s a design in a box or you have a full on series of consultations. They will help you consider things you have not. Plan and sketch up a layout. Use olioboard.com, an online moodboard site that is free to the public! The moodboard in this blog has been created there. It will help you pull colors, textures and materials together to give you a great idea of the final look. If you don't have time or are not creative, contact me to create one for you, http://www.selmahammer.com/

Photo source:http://teachingliteracy.tumblr.com/post/19658819798

STEP 5: STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!

Whether you have a professional woodworker make you custom built-ins designed by an interior designer or you buy some shelves from Target, make sure you have ample storage. You will want hidden storage and multi-functioning pieces. Make sure you mix in some of your favorite objects, whether it's your travel finds, favorite vases or picture frames. Mix these in with your books, manuals and binders. Make pretty book covers! Take old wallpaper samples and cover your binders and books to add a personalized, pretty touch.

Consider buying mullion door cabinets, you can then store items while showcasing them through glass. You can highlight and arrange your items in a decorative manner, especially if your office is a space in your home that is not hidden. My office is right off the foyer so I have to make sure it’s presentable at all times. If you buy large storage pieces, you can also move them around your home or take them with you when you move, which you could not do with custom built-ins. You can also rearrange your space as your needs change and your business flourishes.

Photo source: http://www.houseofturquoise.com/2012/04/home-office-for-everyone.html

STEP 6: REUSE & RENEW: Look around your house.

Whether you can recover an old dining room chair and use it as your office chair or you find some unique storage items, be smart with what you have!

Photo Source: http://ilovemyapartment.tumblr.com/

Please check out all these other awesome bloggers participating in OlioHop #2 Today on many more great organizing tips and great OLIOBOARDS!! 

http://chaoticallycreative.com

http://dabbleinchic.blogspot.com

http://design-magnifique.com/blog-news/

http://gosimplysavvy.com/blog/

http://nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.ca/

http://www.frugal-finds.net/

http://homestyling101.blogspot.ca/

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.ca/

http://myurbaneclectic.com/

http://pinkletandc.blogspot.ca/

http://pushinteriors.blogspot.ca/

http://seasideinteriors.ca/

http://stacynaquininteriors.com/blog/

http://whitelineninteriors.net/blog/

http://wisteriahome.blogspot.ca/