Perennial HOUSE-Pitality
As a true Minnesotan, my spirit keeps rhythm with winter, spring, summer and fall —and now it’s summer! I love the carpe diem of summer. The graduations, weddings, outdoor concerts. The fresh produce and flowers. Long, sunny days that stretch into starry nights —just being able to be outside again!
So, forgive me for mentioning it, but the shorter dog days of August are only weeks away. I know, you’re already thinking of that indoor holiday season, right? You know, the season with all the sparkles and lights? Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years...
You may be thinking… Are you kidding?! I’ve just hit my stride with summer and the last thing I want to be doing is planning for the holidays!
Don’t fret just yet. An abundance of interior design and decorating projects are inspired by life’s special events and holidays. We look forward to opening our homes and inviting people over to help us celebrate. As we all know, there’s a lot that goes into preparation, and having help is often key. I help many clients get their homes ready for holidays and celebrations.
My advice —give yourself time, plan out a year in advance. Having that much time is a luxury, but it's an affordable luxury that pays big dividends. For any kind of renovation or remodeling, you simply have to start a year ahead of that special event. If you’re dreaming of a beautiful room with furnishings and décor, plan out at least 6-9 months. Avoiding the stress of a not-quite-finished kitchen when it’s time to stuff the Thanksgiving turkey is always the point. My job is to clear your design plate so you can focus on the true joys of hosting!
There are many reasons not to rush design. . .
Instead of yielding to the pressure of a deadline a few months away, you have time to really think through what you need and how you want a space to function. Time is what allows the best design ideas to germinate. When you have enough time to wait for special orders, it often means higher quality. Time allows for custom furnishings to be incorporated into a design to make it more you. Time also enables you to secure the best (aka —busiest) tradespeople for projects like painting and wallpaper. Giving design time to develop and cure ensures the most beautiful and satisfying results in your investment.
Designing your home for hospitality can actually begin long before you order food and start setting the table. Your home sets an important stage for people to get to know you. Having a home that’s reflective of who you are is better than the picture-perfect image of someone else’s. Never let the thought that you don’t have the “perfect home” get in the way of hosting!
Imagine an everyday dining room that can accommodate a holiday crowd.
A home office that can turn into a guest room on a moment’s notice.
A comfortable chair for the 98 year old or the young one who just tore out his knee.
Even a spare water dish for the visiting dog is a beautiful gesture.
As an interior designer in Minnesota, I’m acutely aware of how seasonal rhythms influence home design. We throw our doors open to summer with decks, pools and outdoor spaces in mind. Three months later, we retreat, daylight wanes, we put the gardens to bed. In sync with the seasons, we turn our minds indoors.
Regardless of the season or where you are in life, your home can always be ready for the holidays and welcoming friends and family. Perennial housepitality, as I like to call it, can always be part of design.
How can I help you start preparing your home for your special event? Remember, it’s always the season to start. We’ll create a plan to get your home ready for that special day, or any other day you want to have others over!