Cailen will be at the Architectural Digest Home Show March 20th & 21st offering FREE design consultations! Stop by and get inspired : )
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Sharing the nest...
My boyfriend and I recently purchased our first home. It's been a whirlwind experience filled with lots of laughs, smiles and just a few little fights : ) Below I've listed some tips for anyone who is newly sharing their nest.
1. Acceptance. If you're moving in with someone, you obviously love and care about who they are. You accept and appreciate them better or worse....and worse can sometimes mean a different design sense! Realize that their style may not be completely compatible with yours, but learn to appreciate (or look beyond) it. If they have something that you find truly unacceptable, discuss it openly and be sure to ask if you have anything they would like you to reconsider hanging on to.
2. Compromise. Realize that you both are going to have to give up some things that you've grown accustomed to. If you both have a couch and only have room for one, you're going to have to decide whose to keep. Remember that your love and relationship are more important than furniture!
3. Bring in some new. Another fun, exciting and sometimes stressful part of moving in is purchasing new items together. Be sure to remain open minded and don't get offended if your partner isn't drawn to what you were hoping for. Finding a solution that meets both of your needs is much more important for the long run.
Hope these tips are helpful! Have fun decorating : ).
3 Living Room Must-Haves
1. Great couch. A great couch anchors the seating arrangement in any living room. Opt for a piece that is streamlined and relatively neutral in color so that it can transition with the space over time. Add pops of color with accessories like pillows and lamp shades.
2. Eye-catching art. A statement art piece is a wonderful way to express your signature style. Hang an over sized work (or a collection of smaller "related" pieces) above the couch or fireplace as a focal piece. With art, always go with what you like - you're the one who has to live with it!
3. Functional tables. As for coffee/cocktail tables, I always recommend really thinking about how you use your space before you purchase. Do you want a comfortable foot rest? Perhaps go with a leather bench or ottoman. Do you need extra storage? Go with a table that has shelves or hidden interior storage. Need flexibility? A collection of small stools or cubes can be bunched together to work as a table or separated to use as extra seating.
UPDATES!
January 7th (today!!!) - Cailen will be speaking at the Flemington Shop Rite on Rte 31 at 7pm in the upstairs mezzanine about the important link between a healthy, happy life and a beautiful, organized home. The presentation is free and open to all. Shop Rite's registered dietitian will provide healthy, delicious snacks and information about nutrition.
January 12th - February 23rd - Cailen will be hosting lifestyle classes at her home studio in Stockton, NJ. Class topics will include healthy eating & recipes, vision board creation, goal setting, the importance of exercise and much, much more! Classes are held weekly on Tuesdays from 10am-11am. Visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com/lifestyle.html for details.
Keep a look out!
March 2010 - Cailen will be at the Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC! She'll be giving free design consultations all weekend long. If you're in need of some design inspiration or curious about the latest trends, stop by the show!
May 2010 - Cailen Ascher Design's work will again be featured in the Bucks County Designer House. Cailen will be designing a large studio space and will be showcasing furniture from Orchard Hill Company in Lambertville, NJ where she is working as their in-house designer.
For more information, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com, email CailenAscher@gmail.com or call 908.581.8191.