Making home your happy place

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • June 6, 2020

We’ve spent a lot of time at home for the past three months.

Mostly waiting. Waiting for things to get back to “normal.” The only problem is that we don’t know what that will mean. So we just wait. And try to figure out what home means now. What do we want and need? What changes will give us the most comfort?

Is your home your happy place? We may want completely different things as we move forward with our new “normal.”

It’s a fact: our lives have changed since the COVID-19 stay-at-home began. We (most of us) are social distancing, wearing a mask to protect others and being kind and patient as we venture out.

But it’s a bit frightening and we all have anxiety about our reentry. My take on it is that we will be spending more time at home for a while. As we ease out a little at a time.

As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I’m passionate about making homes pretty, functional and comfortable. And I like to start with what my clients have and work from there. It’s always a privilege to come into someone’s space to help make it suit their lifestyle and provide a sense of calm. It’s what we are all seeking. In that regard, we are all in this together.

After being at home for the past three months, we are trying to decide what we want our homes to be as we go forward. What works? What doesn’t? How can we be more comfortable? One thing for sure, color plays a huge part in how we feel. From Benjamin Moore, the facade of this home is in Flawless AF 320, Aura Exterior, satin. Shutters: Shorehouse Green 2047-50, Aura Exterior, semi-gloss. Photo: Benjamin Moore

Since we have all had plenty of time to look around our homes, if you are like me, you have made a list of what you want to change. Maybe a paint color or a piece of furniture. Something that may be fine if home is where you just eat and sleep before starting a new workday. But if we are spending more time in our space, it takes on a different tone as we try to create a calmer environment. We’ve had some time to decide what we really need and what we can do without.

Rethink color

You may be surprised at how your tastes have changed. More muted tones of bold colors. Go with what you love. No rules.

A word about clutter

For some, a life without clutter just does not work. My suggestion: make it work for you. Organize it and control it. Make it part of your eclectic environment. Your signature look. If that’s what you want.

Make things convenient

Rearrange items that you use every day so you can reach them without climbing on a ladder or crawling on the floor to reach the back of a cabinet. Shift things around until they work for you on a daily basis.

Create a gallery wall.

During our time at home, a client asked me what she should do with a stack of favorite photos that she had ripped out of magazines. I told her to hang them on a wall in her office from ceiling to floor. I mean, why not? It looks great, adds visual interest and she loves the photos.

Display photos of people you love

For a couple of years, there was this thing about not having too many personal photos around the house. Now that we are missing family and friends, they have made a reappearance. My suggestion is to put them all together. On a table, a piano or a bookcase. People love to look at them and usually will move their photo to the front row when no one is looking!

Rearrange the furniture

Okay, maybe you are limited here but try it. You can always move it back. Split the two chairs apart. Move the sofa. Try a different view. It might work.

As you think about making some changes, take a breath and come up with a list and a plan. And consider a few things that we all hope to never see again:

Word art

Go for a pretty piece of art instead.

Bedroom “sets”

Matchy matchy. You can do better. Purchase a great bed and repurpose or purchase nightstands that don’t match. Flea markets, antique shops, online sales.

Barn doors

These, along with shiplap had their day and it is done. Unless you really can’t live without either or have a farmhouse theme. Barn doors have become an accent piece but on a practical level, are exhausting. If you have space for a big, bulky, heavy barn door, you have room to install a pocket door.

Chevron.

Did anyone ever really think chevron was pretty? Okay. It was “different.” But now it’s just plain tired. There is so much that is gorgeous. Don’t waste your money.

Terrazzo.

Every few years this makes a return appearance. But as we seem to be moving away from mid-century modern, it’s time to say goodbye to this and look at other options.

Huge entertainment centers

They take over the entire room and most are just plain unattractive. Instead, go for a streamlined TV stand and arrange some art around it.

Loveseats

They have no real place in a home. Only one person can sit in one so why not purchase a sofa and a chair or two? Don’t let a anyone talk you into one.

Formal living rooms

If you have been at home for a while, you know how useless and uncomfortable they are. Most of my clients have turned them into bar/entertainment rooms.

It will be a while before we figure out what our home means now. Meanwhile, take breaks from social media. Avoid non-stop news. Stay safe. And take a nap.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail .For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Refresh and renew your home for spring

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • May 2, 2020

While we were busy figuring out how to save ourselves from a pandemic, spring quietly arrived without any fanfare. It was lost between the stay-at-home directive, self-quarantining and worrying about where we were headed.

Usually a time of refreshing and renewal for ourselves and our homes, this annual ritual was a big blur this year. The good news: it’s not too late. And we need it. More than ever.

Thibaut’s Russell Square wallpaper brings a fresh, new look to a room with a pretty green tone. Trending now, green is a color of harmony and health. Photo Credit: Thibaut Design. Details: www.thibautdesign.com

We’ve spent more time at home than we ever dreamed possible. We’re tired of nonstop bad news and we’re just plan tired. We have worried about friends, family, ourselves, the economy, our jobs, our savings and the future. Zoom meetings have become a way of life and they are exhausting. We even decorate the Zoom backgrounds with pretty pictures to cheer ourselves up.

We could use a haircut. We wonder if the shelves at Publix will ever be fully stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. It’s hard to focus and tough to even make it all the way through a book. What we always wanted, more time at home, isn’t so great when you’re wondering about what our future holds.

And we’ve cleaned and cleaned. It gives us some control. We’ve decluttered every drawer and closet. Planted flowers in our yards. Repaired everything that was on our to-do list. Mostly.

And now that we’re seeing parks and beaches reopen, we have a glimmer of hope that things are ever-so-slowly and cautiously starting to ease us into something that will become our new normal. What that will be, we have no idea right now. And we still have to be careful.

But it’s still spring. And spring brings hope. Because we have been spending so much time at home, let’s rethink what our homes need to give us in terms of comfort, privacy, hygiene and safety. Something to nourish our spirit.

Find an outdoor space

More than ever, we need the outdoors. Whether you have a huge lanai or a tiny apartment patio or balcony, create a space for yourself. Before we began staying at home, a friend called me about her tiny patio in a small condo. We were able to make it look great by using: a bench, a chair, small round table, a basket of flowers, a rug and a lantern. All purchased from Home Goods in an hour. She has coffee, reads, works on her laptop and rests in this happy space.

Color changes everything

Beautiful shades of green are a huge trend right now. No surprise. It’s the color of harmony and health that has long been thought to revitalize our body and mind. It balances our emotions and leaves us feeling safe and secure. It also gives us hope, with promises of growth and prosperity, and it provides a little bit of luck to help us along the way. We could all use that.

Some of my clients tell me they only want calm, muted colors now. Others are asking for color palettes that are bold. We know that you get the most decorating value for your money by changing the paint color so think about what you are craving. You may be surprised at how your color preferences have changed.

Time to switch things out

Spring is always a great time to replace a few things. But how do you know when it’s time? Some general guidelines:

• Kitchen sponges (yikes): every 2-4 weeks.

• Bathroom towels: Every two years. Repurpose them by donating to an animal shelter.

• Bathmats: Wash weekly. Replace every year or two.

• Pillows: Replace after two years (or sooner).

• Sheets: Replace every two years. Wash frequently in cold water.

• Mattresses: 8-10 years. You know when it’s time.

• Smoke alarm batteries: twice a year. Now is a good time.

Plants: bring some fresh air into your home

These are inexpensive, easy to find (grocery store or home improvement stores) and will make you feel better. They purify the air and don’t need a lot of light: snake plant, heartleaf philodendron (I like these in a shower if there is a window), golden pothos, ferns.

Also, for healing, energy and maybe even good luck, try a bamboo plant.

Lavender in a clay pot will help you sleep at night. I found these at potterybarn.com

Welcome spring. Will life ever be the same? Not likely. Everything is still a bit upside down and will be for a while. For now, just hold on as things unfold. Stay safe. Wash your hands. And take a nap.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail . For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Staying home: survival tips

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • April 4, 2020

It’s not business as usual.

Since my last column a month ago, our lives have been turned upside down. We’re all at home. Social distancing. Self-quarantining when necessary to protect ourselves and our families. We’re stressed out. On information overload. Worried about the future. Concerned about our friends and family. And we are exhausted.

Home sweet home has become our refuge and hopefully, it’s what will keep us safe and able to come out on the other side of this crisis called coronavirus.

One of my favorite places in Key West: the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens is a step back in time to the world of a maritime pilot in mid-19th century Key West. The grand home that is now known as the Audubon House was built by Captain John Huling Geiger in the 1840s as a residence for his family, who lived there for more than a century. Peaceful and restful. Photo: Wrenda Goodwyn.

It’s not the time to talk about tips on redoing your home, affordable decorating or the latest trends. That will resume at another time and hopefully, soon.

But this is a fact: we’re all at home and we have to find ways to make the best of it and get through each day. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. And because I have a home office and spend a lot of time at home when I am not meeting with clients in their homes, I have a few suggestions that may help.

Make a list. Every morning. Instead of just falling into the day and spinning around, spiraling into exhaustion, make a list of some things that you want to accomplish that day. Like: Make your bed. Call or text a few people. Order some necessities online. Walk the dog. Read a book. Trust me: a list helps.

Do something for someone. A note to see how they’re doing. A gift card for a favorite restaurant. A promise to meet up in a couple of months for breakfast. Or it can be as simple as not buying too much of scarce products so others can get what they need. Order something for someone who needs a little help. Donate to a charity to help our medical workers.

Start a vision board. Go through that stack of magazines or do it on Pinterest. I like clipping pretty photos out of magazines. Pick a topic. It can be your dream house. A vacation. Beaches that you want to visit. Soothing images.

Keep a journal. Not to record every frightening part of this situation but to keep you on track. Five things to be thankful for each day. A list of what you want to do when this passes (and it will). It can be very simple but writing it down helps.

Mental escape. Go someplace. Take a tour of Buckingham Palace or the Frida Kahlo Museum. You will find some great choices here.

Organize your closet. Take everything out. Everything. Give the space a deep cleaning. Walls, floor, shelving. Then piece by piece, put back what you want to keep. Don’t stress out about this. Just do your best and you will feel a little more in control.

Clean something every day. It’s important to keep surfaces really clean. Give your kitchen a wipe down every day, several times a day. Countertops, sink, refrigerator, drawer pulls, switch plates. One day a week, clean bathrooms. Another day, vacuum and mop floors. Pick a day to do the bedrooms from top to bottom. I find that this works much better than cleaning everything on one day. And it’s less exhausting. Make your list.

Sort all those photos. This is a really good time to go through the piles of photos from before everything was done digitally. Sort them out into piles and send them to friends or family members who will appreciate receiving them. A thoughtful gesture for this time.

Read a book. If you don’t have a library card, you can get a temporary one that is available to help us all through this situation. You can do it online here. This great resource allows access to newspapers, magazines, videos, music, audio and downloadable books and more. Check it out. I find audio books to be really helpful before going to sleep.

Mental health. We are all glued to the news and social media for the latest updates. But too much information nonstop is not healthy. Find a source you trust and limit updates.

Take care of the basics. Sleep. Nutrition. Exercise. Fresh air. Sunshine. Try to practice these each day. Do the best you can. Stay safe.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Selecting a backsplash

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • March 5, 2020

This bright kitchen showcases Cambria's Oakmoor design on a dramatic waterfall island paired with a white backsplash. www.cambriausa.com Photo: Michael Sage

Selecting a backsplash. It’s complicated.

I’ve wanted to write about this for a long time. There’s a lot to coordinate: the countertops, the floor, paint color, cabinets. The end result is usually disastrous. And the reason is immediately clear when I walk into a home.

As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I see them every day. The homeowner tried to pull it all together and ended up with backsplash that is a mish mash of colors that they tried to match to the countertops. And it just doesn’t work. Busy, dated and just plain ugly.

The answer is simple: keep it simple.

The kitchen is the most expensive room in the home to renovate or to start from scratch in a new build. It’s important to focus on putting your money where you will get the best return on your investment. And even if you are on a budget, this means selecting finishes that will be timeless and will look fresh and new for years to come. I mean, seriously, who wants to replace a backsplash or countertops again in a couple of years?

A popular trend uses the same material on the kitchen's island, perimeter, and backsplash. Shown: Cambria’s new Clovelly design with copper and brown swirling veins. www.cambriausa.com Photo: Cambria.

So, back to keeping it simple.

Whether you have existing countertops that you are wrestling with as far as selecting a backsplash, OR if you are selecting all new finishes for your kitchen, these tips will keep you from a backsplash that will have you saying, “What was I thinking?”

What comes first? If selecting both new countertops and backsplash, always start with the countertops.

Continue up the wall. A big trend now with marble or quartz countertops: continue the same material up the wall as your backsplash. It creates a timeless, classic look that is always in style.

Go for a clean look. You can’t beat subway tiles. The price is right. There are lots of choices. You will never regret sticking with a solid color. I recommend this option for homeowners who have granite countertops that they wish to keep. You can give your kitchen a whole new look with a solid backsplash that coordinates with the granite rather than trying to come up with something that includes all o0f the colors in the granite.

Stick with a solid. We see lots of patterns in magazines and in showrooms. My recommendation is to fight the temptation and stick with a solid. A pattern will go out of style and date your kitchen.

Run the backsplash all the way up the wall to the ceiling or molding. There is nothing pretty about that little space between the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling. Continue a beautiful solid color all the way up and it becomes the focal part of the kitchen and draws the eye up. I did this in my own home with blue/green subway tiles and love the look.

Gather some samples. Place your solid color samples at the back of your counter behind the stove. Line them up together to determine which works best with your countertops. You will need to consider undertones, paint color, cabinet color, etc.

This bold, asymmetric island and backsplash in Cambria's design Golden Dragon showcases sparkling golden currents that flow through the midnight black surface. www.cambriausa.com Photo: Cambria

You can’t go wrong with white. Rather than trying to “match” a color, white is my go-to backsplash. And don’t think it has to be boring. Scalloped, herringbone, arabesque and subway are just a few and there are many with sparkle and bling.

Go big. This is important. Select the largest version of your favorite tile. Remember: this is going in the kitchen and you want to make cleaning as easy as possible. The tiny, patterned tiles can make cleaning the grout a lot more work than you need.

Remember this. You can still have great taste on a small budget. If you are having trouble visualizing what might work for your next backsplash, it may be time to call a professional. We can help you make a decision that works for your kitchen and will be timeless.

More tips. Too many to mention here. To see more photos and tips for selecting a backsplash, visit my blog at www.spectacularspaces.com/blog

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Laundry room refresh

My "new" house has been a bit of a downsize and every inch of storage has to count. And that includes the laundry room.

First of all, the walls were beige and that just will not do for someone who lives for color!

It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't "me." Even the laundry room can be pretty and make the tasks a little more pleasurable.

Before Estero laundry room makeover, the ordinary beige walls were the backdrop for a row of white metal wire shelves.

Like most of us, I had a budget for refreshing this year-old home. And let’s face it, the laundry room is not the priority when there is a lot to do. But it was time.

Most of my budget went to cabinets to replace the wire shelving. And now I have room for all of my storage and a little space on the counter for flowers and a shell. I also repainted and hung a few fun pieces.

After this Estero laundry room makeover, the walls have been painted with Benjamin Moore Galt Blue. The wire shelves have been replaced by bright white cabinets for additional hidden storage. Whimsical, brightly-colored painting features a quirky sea turtle, shells and bits of coral. The subtle counter tops have been accented with huge sea shells, cut tulips in a vase, and beach-themed sign.

“Gone to Beach” sign adds whimsy, it’s hard to do wrong with fresh-cut tulips, and the extra large conch shell continues the beachy vibe.

Benjamin Moore Galt Blue.

Finding design inspiration in a decorator show house

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • February 22, 2020

Decorator show houses always leave me with new inspiration. They show us tricks for creatively providing solutions to problems that we all face in our homes. And they are just plain fun!

That’s why I made the trip to Palm Beach this past week to preview what I knew would be a worthwhile experience at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach and the same organization in New York. It’s a win-win for everyone.

When you take a group of 19 top designers and give them each a room in a fabulous home, the result is bound to be spectacular. It can be a room, entry, hallway, closet or outdoor space. Or cottage in the backyard. So to speak. They are hardly cottages and this is no ordinary backyard.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House. Photo: Sargent Architectural Photography.

What you can expect

• A home that does not flow. Each room is done by a different designer so they bring their own creativity to the space. Enjoy each individual space.

• The latest colors, fabric, furnishings, window treatments, wall coverings, paint colors, patterns, textures, accessories and trends.

• Ideas and solutions for your own space. As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I always look for tips to pass on to my clients and this home did not disappoint. Tips are below.

• These rooms each had their set of “challenges” and it’s interesting to see how designers overcame them. Much as we do when we work with clients on a daily basis. No home or room is perfect.

The show house

The 8,751-square-foot home inspired by South African and Dutch architecture is located at 260 Palmetto Lane in West Palm Beach. It features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a great room with vaulted ceilings and French doors that open up to an expansive loggia, and a spacious kitchen with an adjacent outdoor dining terrace. The home includes two guest houses, a pool house, and an expansive private garden with lush tropical flora.

Design challenges

The home is lacking in architectural features for most rooms and in some spaces, the walls do not go all the way to the high ceilings.

Tips you can use

Use paint in a voluminous room with no focal point. In Southwest Florida, we know something about this challenge! With our open concept and lack of walls, we understand the dilemma. But one of my favorite designers, Suzanne Kasler cleverly dealt with this in the huge living room with high, high ceilings and no architectural details to speak of. And she also had to overcome walls that did not reach the ceiling.

Great Room “Edited Style” ​was designed by ​Suzanne Kasler. Built on a quintessential Palm Beach color palette of pink and white and featuring rattan, linen, and natural materials, the Great Room boasts stunning views of the outdoor garden and swimming pool. High-gloss, built-in bookcases in ​Benjamin Moore’s​ Custis Salmon stretch across an entire wall, housing a number of books and white sculptural pieces, while a stunning wall covering sets the scene for the room. Photo: Sargent Architectural Photography.

Solution: Paint. She made you forget the shortcomings with built-in bookshelves in Benjamin Moore’s Curtis Salmon and trim and walls in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, both in high gloss. For the main walls, she designed a beautiful floral wall covering framed in white millwork. This all helps draw the eye away from the irregular ceilings. She also uses moldings to bring the volume down to eye level.

Paint the outdoor ceiling. This has been a trend for a while, although I find many homeowners are a little reticent to make the commitment. Another of my favorite designers, Sherrill Canet created a fabulous palette of black, white, and jewel tones on the shaded terrace. She uses Benjamin Moore‘s Fantasy Blue to create the effect of an open air space on a covered porch. It’s a great trick that can be used on any outdoor space. As for furnishings, embracing its role as the heart of the plantation-style home, the Loggia blends modern touches with antique pieces for a tailored look for comfortable outdoor living. Gorgeous.

Sherrill Canet created a fabulous palette of black, white, and jewel tones on the shaded terrace. She uses Benjamin Moore‘s Fantasy Blue to create the effect of an open air space on a covered porch. It’s a great trick that can be used on any outdoor space. Photo: Sargent Architectural Photography.

Fake it with a beautiful wall covering. At first glance, the master bedroom by designer Alessandra Branca, is like waking up in a tiled bedroom in a villa in Portugal. In reality, the hand-painted wallpaper that Branca designed for DeGournay, gives the look of traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles. The furniture is a mix of Dutch and French pieces with 18th-century painted chairs mixed with modern pieces. On the terrace, floor-to-ceiling custom window treatments by The Shade Store lead to sweeping views of the garden and pool. It’s a room you never want to leave.

The master bedroom by designer Alessandra Branca, is like waking up in a tiled bedroom in a villa in Portugal. In reality, the hand-painted wallpaper that Branca designed for DeGournay, gives the look of traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles. The furniture is a mix of Dutch and French pieces with 18th-century painted chairs mixed with modern pieces. Photo: Sargent Architectural Photography.

Colorful kitchen with an antique. There is no dining room in the home so the spacious kitchen could easily handle that function. Designer Sarah Blank created a timeless space that offers a relaxing and refreshing gathering place. Benjamin Moore's brilliant Swiss Blue adds dimension, while artwork depicting birds and coral pays homage to the home’s South Florida location. The island, an antique tailor’s table anchors the room and is the focal point.

Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Blue and an antique tailor’s table are the stars of this kitchen by Sarah Blank. Photo: Sargent Architectural Photography.

If you go

Dates: the show runs through March 1.

Admission: $35 per person. Proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach and New York.

Details: www.kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org/palmbeach

Home and location: Home of interior designer Lars Bolander, it’s known as Bambo Hill and is located at 260 Palmetto Lane, Palm Beach.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog