I'd rather have roses on my table, than diamonds on my neck.
-Emma Goldman
The two hallmarks of the Jewel Box Home are its size - under 2000 square feet - and its beauty. One of the easiest ways to bring beauty into the home is an arrangement of fresh flowers. These are living works of art that automatically add color to any room. Find at least one place in your home for fresh flowers. The best spot is near the entryway where they can be enjoyed by anyone who visits. I buy my flowers once a week when I go to the grocery store. One or two dried arrangements are also nice. Don't pay any attention to design divas who turn down their noses at dried arrangements. I love Oprah's pet interior decorator, Nate Berkus, but his strict rule against dried flowers is ridiculous. Not only can dried arrangements look gorgeous, they save money! To the left are examples of arrangements I have used in my home. The lilies are at the front entrance and the dried pomegranates and artichokes are in the living room.
Cheers,
Genevieve
Well, I'm very happy to be the first person to leave a comment on your blog! What a lovely website you have. I found you through the Small House Society yahoo group. I live in a 1500 square foot cape in CT. I share it with my husband and 5-year-old son. We, too, are dedicated to living small in a suburban town with plenty of oversized homes. I certainly could have used your great advice and insight 12 years ago when we bought this house. I have made a lot of decorating blunders along the way. With your help I'm sure I will be able to improve things. Congratulations on your new blog and website. I look forward to reading.
ReplyDeleteKaren
I just (serendipitously) came across an article in my local paper about the Jewel Box home, only days after I had personally decided that this is what I want to do. I live with my husband and two young children in a small house (with no yard space for expansion) in a great neighborhood. I had always assumed we would eventually need a bigger house, and felt sad at the idea of leaving this location. Finally I realized --maybe we don't need a bigger house --we could just gut the interior of this one and redesign it for better flow and function. If we did this, we could add "green" features, too. My neighborhood is FULL of teardowns and McMansions --it would be great to "make a statement" the opposite way!
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