moms extraordinaire
"Every working mom needs a little me time!"
Leave Space for Summer As I pack up seasonal clothes in storage bins and put together The Bed After a ten-year career in the music industry, this mother of three decided to take her design education and start her own business. She and her husband inquired about a turn-of-the-century property in the shopping district of this As an African American interior designer with over a decade of experience, Harmon Myers says that she has seen many African American clients who have an amazing sense of personal style--typically expressed through fashion and hair—that is often not carried through to the home. “The interior and the person often don’t match,” says Harmon Myers. “Historically, we (black people) have lived with color, but decorate in beige. I look to find who a client is, where they’ve been, what they dream about. I try to introduce people to themselves via the home.” Harmon Myers hopes the resurgence of color in home décor will encourage more people of color to embrace this aspect of their culture. In her shop, Harmon Myers has created a warm, elegant and accessible mood. There are subtle cultural references, but no animal prints or Kente cloth can be found here. Harmon Myers believes that culture doesn’t have to be expressed literally. “Color and texture are the main things indicative of culture,” she says. Her classically eclectic style and use of color to set a mood is evident in the well-edited selection of offerings in her shop. My purchase, these lotus votive holders, are a good example of Harmon Myers’ approach to accessorizing the home. She stresses a balance between various textures and colors, and uses shine and reflective surfaces to add sparkle. Original art, candles, tableware, furniture and accessories are displayed against a backdrop of deep, rich wall colors and substantial furniture pieces. Harmon Myers believes in keeping major pieces classic and simple, and allow yourself to have fun with accessories. After all “it’s the little things in life that make us happy,” says Harmon Myers. Currently, my favorite example of independent design is interior designer Sheila Bridges’ Harlem Toile de Jouy wallpaper. Toile is a light and graceful pastoral scene, printed on cotton fabric usually featuring European or Asian men and women. Though lovely, they are not reflective of the African experience. The tongue-in-cheek Harlem Toile features Black men, women and children dressed in classic 18th century clothing doing decidedly un-18th century things, like dancing under the Arc de Triomphe to music from a boom box, jumping double-dutch, and playing basketball. Whatever type of fete you’re hosting, your dressed table sets the tone. Whether it’s a rustic, from–the-earth celebration, a whimsical tribute to fun and snow, or a grown-up ode to holiday tradition, your china, serving pieces and accessories will create a memorable mood (and maybe even make your food taste better!). Rustic Whimsical Twinkling lights dancing off new-fallen snow, silver bells, and candy canes are my inspiration for this fun table. I began with silver snowflake-shaped placemats by Kim Seybert ($125.00 for a set of 4, www.saksfifthavenue.com) on the table. Chargers made of clear-glass and edged with rows of small glass beads sit on the placemats My place cards at this table are silver and gold twisted metal trees. The meal will be presented in the fairytale chariot-like serve ware from International Silver ($70.00 for a round covered-casserole with chrome rack, www.macys.com). Traditional When I think of traditional holiday table décor, china with tree motifs and matching red and green tree-shaped salt and pepper shakers come to mind. But because new If any of these themes inspire your holiday table Happy Entertaining! Resources
the summer vacation album, I can’t help but think how nice it
would be to capture a bit of that carefree summer spirit to tap
into all year long. It can’t be argued that the feel of soft, light fabrics against the skin, lying on the beach with a good book, and warm sunlight melt away tension and reduce stress. Short of booking a flight to Cabo, you can carve out a small space at 
home that allows you to escape when you have a free moment. It should be an extremely “edited” space—one that is free of everything—except whatever makes you smile. I’ve put together some pieces that I think accomplish this, so whether that “summer space” you find is your bed or the corner of a room, you can have a bit of summer bottled when winter comes knocking at your door.
After a long day, nothing is as rewarding as retiring to a bed dressed with soft and comfortable linens. Summer is all about cool, loose fabrics in light 
colors, and that’s
how I like my bedding, even as the weather
changes. Gaiam Living’s Organic Cotton Leaf
Print Bedding (king-size sheet set, $219.,
http://www.gaiam.com/) has an unfussy, light leaf print
in organic cotton that feels and looks good. Also,
turn off overhead lights and switch on a bedside
lamp for soothing light. The top half of the
Bacchus Bedside Lamp can be opened and filled
with anything, from autumn leaves to a few
clippings from a front porch fern (Bacchus
Bedside Light, $169., www.potterybarn.com). 
A Corner
If you have more space, a lounge chair is the perfect spot to light a candle and curl up with a book or a magazine. The Canoodle Lounge Chair has a unique curved shape yet traditionally classic styling that allows it 
to fit into most existing decor (Canoodle Lounge in natural
linen, as shown, $1398., www.softsurroundings.com). At 18”
high, the Sutter Ottoman from Pottery Barn is an ideal height
to place in front of a lounge chair for a tray and candle
($399. in a print similar to shown, www.potterybarn.com).
To cast a peaceful glow while scenting the air with the smell
of the ocean, try a combination like Williams Sonoma Home’s
All-Over Mother of Pearl Tray (8” x 10,” $125.) with the Bone
China 
Maple Leaf Hurricane Votive ($35., set of two, both at
www.wshome.com). Ocean Water votive candle ($1.99, www.yankeecandle.com). To top it off, a big and cozy pashmina throw (60 x 80, $199., www.thepashminastore.com) in camel is perfect for keeping the chill away…because as much as we wish, the warm breezes of summer are nine months away.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Pride by Design II
I recently had the pleasure of meeting another dynamic African
American designer, Robin Harmon Myers, owner of
Vernon retail shop and design firm, Harmony Designs Furniture & Interiors. Her approach to the design process, whether working with an individual client or a corporation, is the same: connect with yourself, your space, and the world, and everything will come together beautifully.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pride by Design I
Interior design and products for the home have a more global spin than ever before.
Products are being imported from every corner of the globe, and are now more likely to reflect the cultures of the places they come from. This bodes well for people of African descent, especially, as the colors, textures and images of that experience are being expressed by major retailers and independent designers alike.
Whenever possible, I try to seek out products from small manufacturers, online and in my travels. Not only do such pieces have a unique, authentic look, but they are helping to support independent businesses.
In writing about her own reason for designing the paper, Bridges noted that while she enjoyed using toile in decorating for her clients, she wasn’t able to connect with the images enough to use it in her own home. Says Bridges, “... I designed it to remind people of many of the stereotypes that have historically been and continue to be associated with African-
Americans living in rural parts of the country as well as urban areas like
--------------------------------------
HOLIDAY TABLE DECOR
Celebration. Joy. Family.
Nothing exemplifies these things more than a table of food full with the wonderful flavors and smells of the holiday season. And with busy schedules and rushed mealtimes, it is likely one of the only times of year when we set the table and gather loved ones to savor our blessings.
A rustic-themed table signifies the bounty of nature and the celebration of life’s simple pleasures. I think of roaring fires, warm bread and winter activities that make us want to come in from the cold and sit down to a hearty meal. Warm reds and browns 
showcase baked foods and complement glasses of red wine.
For my rustic table, I’ve used a Paisley Jacquard tablecloth in
Terra Cotta and Red from Williams-Sonoma Home ($135.00 for
size 70” x 90”, www.wshome.com) and Hammered Copper
Chargers from Crate and Barrel ($34.95 each,
www.crateandbarrel.com) to add a subtle glow. To keep the look crisp and clean, I will set simple white plates atop the chargers, but turn up the rustic theme with my accessories. Crate and Barrel’s Birch Bark candles and Pinecone candles nestled between bowls and platters will cast a lovely glow over the conversation ($7.95 to $21.95, assorted sizes, www.crateandbarrel.com). And, to carry on your theme without breaking your budget, place cards are a wise choice. 
Instead of names, the bronze-finished Reindeer Stick Place Card Holders from Pottery Barn can be used to hold handwritten lyrics to your favorite holiday song ($29.00 for a set of 4, www.potterybarn.com). To complete this warm and inviting look, I’ve used mocha-colored Ricco Casserole bakers from NapaStyle ($48.99 for a set of 2 casserole and 2 medium bakers, www.napastyle.com).
(“Colette” chargers, $9.95 each, www.crateandbarrel.com).
Platinum-rimmed “Federal Platinum”
($516.00 for a 20-piece set, www.macys.com) keeps the
table sparkling. Two mirrored trays from Williams-Sonoma
Home used as a table runner will give the effect of twinkling
lights when candles are placed on top (“Dots” Mirrored
Entertaining placemats, $48.00 each, www.wshome.com).
Though small, striped tapered candles in holiday colors
bring a touch of magic to the table. Unique and
sophisticated, the candles are from Ana Design and are the
prettiest I’ve seen. Frank Weeden, founder and owner of
Ana Design says, “We create for the candle connoisseur.” He stresses the importance of quality when selecting candles, which can affect burn time, smoke production and melting pattern. Their tapers have an average burn time of 14 hours, while other, less expensive candles may burn for 2 hours at most. Weeden came up with the stripe design over ten years ago, and it was an instant hit. He says he is inspired by fashion and color trends and comes up with a new array of color combinations each year. Earthy or ethereal, bright or subdued, each style has a different effect. “Its amazing the different aesthetics that can be created by blending colors,” says Weeden. “Our candles make a strong statement, and are designed to enhance the space they’re placed in.” To help create my “winter wonderland” table, I am placing ivory and red tapers in mercury candleholders of varying heights amidst a “forest” of white tree candles (mercury candleholders and pearlized “tree” candles, www.potterybarn.com). 
traditions can be created at any time, I’ve taken some of those same ideas and modernized the theme a bit. A traditional, quality hemstitched tablecloth in white is a nice backdrop for the metallic red leaf chargers (Sferra hemstitched tablecloth, 66 x 106 size, $117.00 at www.horchow.com; “Marrakech” chargers, $18.95 each at www.crateandbarrel.com). My dinnerware is a bone china edged in polished gold, and I am placing silver and gold tone present ornaments at each place setting (dinnerware: Lenox “Eternal” 5-piece place setting, $129.00, at www.macys.com; ornaments: $11.95 for 4, www.crateandbarrel.com). The light from 
a scattering of gold pillar candles will flicker off the
chargers and plates, and varying sized tree candles
complete the traditional holiday color scheme (Gold
Pillar candles, $6.95 to 11.95 in 3 sizes and Tree
Candles, $8.95 and $11.95,
www.crateandbarrel.com).
settings, we’d love to hear from you. Send us an e-mail, or better yet, a picture. 
Ana Design candles can be purchased through Candles Off Main (www.candlesoffmain.com).
--------------------------------------------------- Denise Caron Quinn, professional organizer and president of New York-based In Order to Succeed, says, “Over the course of life, you will collect things, people will give you gifts, etc. and there may be many things you own, but not necessarily like. It’s important to realize the value of your home so that all the things in it are worthy of a place. Functional items that serve a purpose should have a place where they are returned to, and non-functional items should have meaning and enhance your life in some way.” No matter the piece or the purpose, there are countless ways to store it. For the traditional home, mirrored and lacquered boxes can add shine or color on shelves or sit stacked next to a sofa. Containers made of natural materials like rattan, paper or bamboo can enhance a streamlined, modern theme. For the more functional items in the home, Caron-Quinn suggests labeling, as there is nothing more disheartening to a burgeoning organizing project than lifting dozens of lids in search of the label maker. Boxes with a sleeve to insert labels are best, and they can also be stacked to maximize space. The Jute and Canvas boxes from The Container Store are fabric-lined and designed to fit standard shelf depths, perfect to sort linens by size or room, store lingerie or other delicate clothing ($17.99 to $21.99, www.containerstore.com). Finally, my favorite is The Kingsley horn box from The Junk Stops Here… In my own home, I find that my children are the biggest clutter culprits. Investing in bins for their toys and encouraging them to use them has proven to be a big help in controlling the toy clutter in our family room. The Play Kit by P’kolino comes in fruity colors and the top is sturdy enough to be used as a writing surface ($39.00 each, www.geniusjones.com). In my daughter’s room, a custom wooden under bed drawer on casters slides out so she can get to her dress-up clothes, and my son has several bins for sports accessories and a myriad of action figures, cars and Lego’s that fit in his cubby shelves. For homework and extra-curricular activities, Caron-Quinn suggests a color-coded family calendar that’s updated on a daily basis. Decisions, Decisions… “Have a holding bin for those pieces you receive in the mail that you need to come back to, whether it’s an invitation you must check your calendar for, or a form that needs to be filled out. Once every few days, come back to this bin to take care of these to-dos,” says Caron-Quinn. A stylish piece to corral this personal paperwork is the Vintage Wire Desk Tray from see Jane Work, ($58., www.seejanework.com). Caron-Quinn also encourages her clients to utilize the National Do Not Call Registry, which will stop most unwanted telemarketing calls for five years. In addition, taking a few extra minutes to remove your name from catalog mailing lists and installing quality anti-spam and pop-up blocking software to your PC will go a long way towards making time at home less interrupted. Working Overtime… Visually de-cluttering a space begins with furniture that is properly scaled to the room and using just enough pieces to accommodate your family’s needs. Pieces that do double-duty will let the space breathe, allowing people to move freely around the room and energy to flow. I found the Leeds File Box on Stand by Ballard Designs ($229.00, www.ballardesigns.com), which is pretty enough to use as a side table or in a corner to hold a vase. From Crate and Barrel, the Oxford Storage Ottoman can be used in a main living space to hide board games, throws and reading material. With a tray on top, it has obvious use as a coffee table, and can also function as extra seating ($579.00, www.crateandbarrel.com). The organization of my home is a work in progress. Tackling one room, or even one drawer, at a time gives me a sense of accomplishment and the will to continue this pursuit. I’ve even discovered a hidden benefit of buying great-looking containers…needing to find more things to put in them. Denise Caron-Quinn can be reached at dc@inordertosucceed.com National Do Not Call Registry: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall/
STYLISH SOLUTIONS FOR CONTROLLING CLUTTER
Of all of the tasks I have, staying on top (but rarely ahead) of clutter is one of the most difficult.
It’s a never-ending assault, coming in to my home through the mail slot, phone line, Internet, and my children’s book bags. I have come to accept most of it as a fact of modern life, but staying positive can be difficult. For me and most people, making a task more enjoyable decreases my chances of putting it off. Luckily, attractive products promising to make our lives more organized abound, so sorting in style has never been easier to incorporate into both our daily routine and home design.
Resources:
