Janelle is Off to Chicago!

Janelle is off to Chicago for the holidays!
Normal blogging will resume in 2009.
Be sure to sign up for the first ever JSD E-zine, going out January 2, 2009.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2009!

Weekly Retail Pick: House Numbers

Weekly Retail Pick:
Architectural House Numbers
by WestOn Letters

How to use them:
For your exterior address, these architectural house numbers can be installed horizontally or vertically. Choose from one of 41 styles , 12 finishes and 12 sizes to compliment the exterior style of your home. They come with spacers and an installation template.
How to get them:
Order online [...]

Designer Q+A: What is the Symbolism Behind a Red Front Door?

The symbolism surrounding a red front door is not exactly clear. In China, red means luck. In Feng Shui, a red door is usually a recipe for prosperity. In Colonial times, it symbolized that the home and its owners were welcoming. I have also heard that a red front door means the mortgage is paid [...]

Weekly Trade Pick: Natural Stone Fireplace

Weekly Trade Pick:
“Notre Dame” Fireplace
by Francois & Co.

How to use it:
This fireplace would fit nicely in just about any room. I can see it in the library, the morning room, a formal front entry hall, a sitting room….it’ll work just about anywhere.
This particular style is most suitable for a Gothic Revival, Tudor or Tudor Revival [...]

Weekly Trade Pick: Transitional Camelback Sofa

Weekly Trade Pick:
“Cambridge” Camelback Sofa
by Hayes De Fer

How to use it: Any space where you would normally use a sofa- it can be dressed up or dressed down according to intended placement. Since this particular style has no arms, it would be especially suitable for use as a banquette in a morning room or [...]

Weekly Retail Pick: Iron Savonarola Chairs

Weekly Retail Pick:
Antique Iron Savonarola Chairs
from Brookleberry’s Antiques

How to use them:
This pair of 1920’s French chairs would be great in the foyer or at a smaller bistro style breakfast table for two. They would be a handsome compliment to a traditional furniture arrangement, perhaps in a formal Living Room. The pair would also look [...]

Local Resource: Muff’s Antique Hardware

I would like to present the glory that is Muff’s Antique Hardware. (Contrary to the exterior signage, its known to locals and listed on the internet as Muff’s Hardware.)  This little gem of a shoppe is located on Glassell Street in Old Town Orange, California, just south of the traffic circle.
Muff’s primarily offers hardware such [...]

Bi-Monthly Editorial: Classic Exterior Christmas Decorations

I’m going to outline this editorial in list form- because, really, all you need is the information! (And fast, its already December 9th!). Basic guidelines for classic Christmas decorating for the exterior of your house:
-Use classic white lights.  If you feel white is a little tired for your taste, use a single color (red, green) [...]

Project Board: Fresh Federalist

Fresh Federalist by Janelle Steinberg
My basic guidelines for executing contemporary American Federalist Style:
-Correct use of period colors, with a few liberties
-Updated furniture with classic lines and proportion. For a truly fresh and contemporary take, few antique furnishings should be used (rather than all the furnishings being antiques- which puts the room on track for being [...]

Trend Alert: More on Popular Colors for 2009

I just read this article from the Associated Press on Yahoo News regarding a big color prediction for 2009….Yellow!
If you missed my previous post about popular colors for next year, click here.