A bright idea sent in by a reader makes use of those attractive holiday cards that you just can't throw away- turn them into holiday recipe cards! What a great way to repurpose! It's also a good way to reuse any cards you've made mistakes on or that have lost their special envelopes.

My thanks to Kelley for her suggestion. As always, keep those great ideas coming!

Want to make filing and organizing less of a chore? Try adding a few pops of color in strategic places. These may not make you love paperwork but the cheerful colors may brighten your mood while doing it.

Even if you prefer your organizers to be out of sight to cut down on clutter, having a few of these for your "Must Do" or "Pending" files will make them difficult to ignore.

Click on the link below for more information or look for similar styles in your favorite stationary or office supply store.

Plastic storage containers can make holiday pack up a quick and easy. Before you buy, take stock of what you have and how much protection the pieces need. For ornament storage, particularly if you have glass or delicate pieces, cloth or cardboard storage cases won't give you the protection that more rigid plastic and vinyl boxes offer. Red and green colored boxes can help color code your storage, but check to see if the same size and type are less expensive in other colors. (You may need to look in another part of the store for these-and it will no doubt be less crowded.) If you have several to buy the savings can add up fast! Make your own color code with stickers, labels, even stripes of colored duct tape.

Round wreath boxes may be worth it for that specially decorated artificial wreath over the fireplace mantel. You really don't need one for all of your outdoor wreaths. Buy a plastic bin that is tall enough to store your wreaths upright and gently "file" your wreaths back to back without crushing. When you take them out next year you may only need to straighten out the lower branches a bit. You can leave the bows and any unbreakable decorations on. With gentle packing each wreath cushions the others. It's a great time saver for the following year.

If you like to duplicate your decoration placement each year, take pictures of your rooms and make notes of where and how each item was placed, including where cords were plugged in and any timers that may have been used. You'll know what additional supplies, lights, hangers and more you will need next time. Make a copy of this list to keep with you as you shop now and the rest of the year to take advantage of any sales or to see what alternatives may be better.

One of the easiest ways to pack up is by room. Several medium sized boxes may be easier to carry and store than one large box and will put less weight on each stored decoration. Storing by room allows you to decorate/un-decorate one room at a time, making it easier to fit into your busy schedule. Be sure to keep a copy of each room's photos in an envelope inside one of the storage boxes and mark that box to be opened first. That way, if you are lucky enough to have helpers (it helps to think positively!) they will be able to see where things should be placed.

Play holiday music or play a favorite holiday movie while you put away your holiday things. Instead of work, look at it as a way to enjoy each piece once more until the holidays come around again.

One of the versatile supplies your holiday and regular toolbox should have is a supply of Command hangers. Great for hanging temporary decorations, they have even more applications throughout the year. Click on the link below to find out more about them and to download a $1 off coupon.

Are you thinking about redecorating, remodeling, or just freshening the look of your home inside or out? Wintery days are perfect for compiling a project notebook. Using tabbed dividers and clear page protectors, keep track of ideas clipped from magazines and notes about rooms you have seen that have inspired you.

Include swatches of fabrics you have in your home and of those you might like to use. Add color samples of paints used in the home. Include swatches of your color palette. (Don't have a perfect color palette fan? See the next article.) Take photos of each room from several different angles-from each corner and each wall. Add these to your notebook for reference. Take measurements of each piece of furniture, area rugs, accessories larger than 10" and any wall decorations.

Makes notes of how you use the room(s) and how you would like to use them. Note any problems like lack of space, lack of storage, poor lighting, and more.

Now you have a place to store all of your ideas. No more loose clippings or wondering where you put your notes. You now have a place to keep them until you are ready to act on them.

Too often I find that people give up on trying to make their current furnishings work because the colors seem "all wrong". They feel it is easier to start all over with new things, and because that is often out of the question because of cost, they do nothing and are uncomfortable with their rooms or even their home.

That's where redesign comes in-using what you have in combinations that work not only for the way you live but that are also pleasing to the eye. I can create color palettes based on the furnishings you own that will be harmonious when applied to curtains, floor coverings, upholstered pieces, accessories and wall colors.

The perfect palette isn't just a suggestion of colors, but an actual fan deck that is created just for your rooms and your home, based on the science of the color wheel and on combining different levels of color intensity. Easily portable, you can use it whenever you shop to be sure that the colors you are considering are the colors that will blend well with your furnishings. Click below to request more information and to schedule your Color Consultation, or call 703-689-9886.

Do you have a blank wall that is begging for decoration yet you haven't found the right artwork? Maybe what you need to find is the right words.

I have mentioned using products from Wonderful Graffiti before but it is still a new concept to many people. It's lettering and graphic designs printed on very thin vinyl that you smooth onto a wall for instant design impact. The lettering and designs look just like they have been hand painted.

You can choose from their library of words, phrases, quotes and more or create your own from a favorite expression, movie or book passage-maybe even a favorite recipe. They also have 3D selections and graphics printed on canvas.

The graffiti may be used alone for wall decoration or in combination with artwork, clocks and collectibles. In fact, the possibilities go beyond the walls and can be used on other areas as the examples on the web site show. I've used the products for redesigns and have been very happy with the results-as have my clients. For the month of January, all selections, even custom designs, are on sale. Click on the link below for more information and to see the gallery of ideas.

Redesign frequently repurposes or reworks furnishings in completing a room makeover. If you find that you have perfectly good furnishings that don't seem to work anywhere in your home, take a second look. You may be surprised at what a few changes to a basic piece can do.

A small chest of drawers may not fit in with your current style. Its drawers can be removed and exposed surfaces sanded, stained or repainted to create a towel or wine rack, for example.

Save your decorating budget and exercise your creativity this year by repurposing furnishings. For more ideas for your hidden treasures, call me and learn how redesign works on furnishings too!

New Redesign Parties are planned for this year and will be starting up this month. Because of the great response to the last parties, each theme party will be offered twice within a week to allow more opportunities to attend-and to be seated! Space will be limited so be sure to watch for your invitations-and RSVP early!

Have you included taking better care of yourself in your New Year's resolutions?

If you are in need of a break from your every day routines, you want to pamper yourself, or you are looking for a different salon and day spa experience, think Pink Karma. Located in the Cascades Marketplace, the former Salon Noor was purchased by new owners with a vision of bringing a totally different and exotic spa experience to Northern Virginia.

An Aveda Salon & Day Spa, Pink Karma blends elements of India, with its rich colorful culture which welcomes you to relax and stay awhile, with all of the modern conveniences one would expect in a contemporary salon and spa. Pink Karma incorporates ancient Ayurvedic practices based on over six thousand years of healing wisdom. It is one of the few Ayurvedic spas in the Northern Virginia area offering a full menu of relaxing and rejuvenating services.

I had the opportunity to work with the owners to complete the first phase of remodeling and redecorating the salon. The transformation will be ongoing and you can see some of the early before and after makeovers in a video by clicking here.

The Redesigner's Notebook is devoted to tips and articles relating to interior redesign, decorating, entertaining, organizing and related subjects.

If you have an interest or question that you would like to see addressed, or a community event that you would like to see included that relates to these subjects please contact me. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!
~ Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Interior Redesign