San Francisco Womens Journal » Home

Furniture for Small Spaces: Storage Magic!

SFWJ — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:29:47 +0000

Beryn Hammil

In my last article Secret’s to Decorating Small Spaces, I shared some tips on how to look at the floor plan of the smaller space you’re considering. It’s important to give some thought to how the space will support your lifestyle. Another significant aspect for you to consider is…storage.

by Beryn Hammil
SF Bay Area Interior Designer

As you can imagine, condo or apartment living presents a storage challenge. Fortunately, furniture manufacturers have considered this lifestyle change as they design new lines. People, who are downsizing, as well as young apartment dwellers, are the beneficiary of this change in design direction

Furniture that Works Magic as Storage

Almost every piece of furniture has the potential to give you a place in which to store stuff. Ottomans have tops that lift off to provide storage inside the cube. Some even have tops that become serving trays! Beds have drawers built into the framing underneath the mattress as a place to store either clothing or seldom used items. Media cabinets have lifts built into them so the flat screen TV doesn’t have to be visible if you don’t want it to be seen 24/7.

Remember the piano bench whose seat lifts up to store sheet music? Well, now there’s even a chaise whose seat lifts up to provide storage underneath it too!

Small dwelling denizens have much to choose from when it comes to practical furniture.

Sleep options are endless: we’re all familiar with sofas that convert to beds and wall units that tilt down to become beds (the Murphy bed). Both have been around for decades. Now there are club chairs that convert to single beds, sofas that convert to bunk beds, and narrow window seats that pull out to become full size beds.

Furniture too can be as flexible as kids’ Transformer toys: console tables expand into dining tables, coffee tables lift to become dining tables, small cabinets open to reveal beds, and mirrors magically become wall-mounted flat screen TVs.

If it can be imagined, it probably exists. And if it doesn’t already exist, there’s someone out there who can make it for you.

This variety of options makes a smaller home seem as if it has more space in which to live, and without all the hassle of a larger house.

To downsize one’s living space is now the “cool” thing to do, no matter what your age. And with all these clever ways to make a smaller space more practical, even people who don’t need to downsize are choosing to live smaller. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, but whatever your motivation, it’s something you can embrace with both arms.

Beryn Hammil is the owner of Beryn Hammil Designs, a San Francisco Bay Area Interior Design and Decorating Firm. She is known for “creating spaces people love coming home to every day.” As a designer, Beryn listens carefully to her clients’ needs, and then expands on them to create the homes that people enjoy living in for years after the work is complete.

Beryn is a member of ASID and is known throughout the Bay Area for the “Design Dilemma” columns she writes for the San Francisco Chronicle’s Home & Garden section. Her interior design and remodel projects are as compelling as her written ideas. To learn more please visit her website BerynHammil.com, connect with her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Decorative Painting: The Fine Art of Client Collaboration

SFWJ — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:20:33 +0000

Deborah Disman

In my world of site specific Decorative Painting, every project is a collaborative effort that is designed to translate the Client’s inner vision into concrete visual form.

by Debra Disman, Decorative Painter

I am not alone in this effort. When I look around on a job site, interact with designers, architects, contractors and craftspeople, and observe real estate agents and property specialists, I can see that everyone working with Clients has this goal in mind.

Clients are Our Key Collaborators!

When I worked with a delightful couple poised for retirement from distinguished academic careers, I observed the collaborative nature of their relationship with their realtor Robin Miller, “Realtor Robin, The Nest Finder” who referred me to them.

A True Collaboration

Clients Debra and Gil embraced the magic of decorative painting as one means to create the unique wine country home they had in mind. I listened carefully to what they said, and then offered ideas and suggestions on how to use my work to achieve their vision.

At its best, the creative process with Clients is give and take, a true collaboration. Debra and Gil named their new home “Windstone”, and commissioned signage above their front door. They researched fonts, and I chose metallic hues that I felt would pull out the lettering, and integrate with the colors, treatments and design of the adjoining room.

Together we worked on color choices and custom treatments designed to marry the existing architecture with the sense of clarity, warmth and elegance they desired in their new “dream” home. During the process, I helped them hone and clarify their vision, and offered feedback and support on their choices.

Said Gil, “We feel so reassured about the direction of our decisions….it helped us so much that you liked the choices we had made…– you give us confidence!”

Capturing a Unique Vision

A botanist by training, Gil not only designed an actual vineyard for their backyard, he and Debra also presented me with an original quote to be lettered over their wine bar niche, in which a vineyard mural was painted. As with all projects, I showed Samples of styles, scale and colors for them to choose from.

The Sampling process is crucial to enable Clients to get a sense of what the finished application will actually look like in their environment. It is this attention to detail that will produce the desired effect. As a site specific Decorative Painter, this is the Client response I seek:

“You …captured our vision….But even more so, you added so much “texture and depth” to our concept by providing insights and ideas that will truly transform our home into a special wine country manor.”

Have FUN, while Exceeding Expectations

Gil and Debra are accomplished cooks, and their kitchen tray ceiling cried out for a treatment that would enhance it as an architectural detail, add warmth, depth and interest, and reflect the copper accents throughout the room. The warm coppery orange colors also stimulate the appetite!

When Debra and Gil affirmed that I was “able to artfully capture our vision for Windstone and make it even better than we could imagine.” I knew that the goal of translating their inner vision into concrete visual form had been realized.

However, when they declared, “THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!”

I knew we had transcended the goal of our work, and had met one of the needs of our soul: to share our skills, talents, and creativity, and have a blast in the process!

Long after our work was complete, Gil and Deb confided, “We tell everyone what an enjoyable experience it was…” Clients should look back upon our collaboration as a wonderful experience! This spells success, as much as their appreciation and enjoyment of the colors, finishes and treatments now gracing their home.

May you always meet the goals of your work while satisfying the needs of your soul, and enJOY every moment of the process!

Debra Disman’s passion is to translate her Client’s inner vision into concrete visual form. She can help you use the magic of decorative painting to transform your home, place of business, even your community!

She is principal of ArtiFactory Studio, a decorative painting company based in San Francisco, CA which provides custom decorative painting, murals, and color consultation to customers from all backgrounds and walks of life. Debra holds a degree in painting from the University of Iowa and has studied in France, San Francisco, and San Diego. She is a provisional member of the International Association for Colour Consultants/Designers and serves as the Color Muze for blog talk radio’s Artistically Speaking Radio. To learn more please visit ArtiFactoryStudio, or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Divorce and Money: Splitting the Assets

SFWJ — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:52:07 +0000

Allison Gervais

If money is a problem in your relationship, it’s probably going to become an even bigger problem with divorce. What if more money is owed on the house than it is worth? What about retirment accounts?

by Allison Gervais
Sr. Mortgage Loan Consultant

Your Home Value is Upside Down and You’re Divorcing…Now What?

You’re in the midst of a divorce and the value of your home is less than your mortgage. How do you navigate thru these troubled financial waters?

One of You Keeps the House

If one of you wants to keep the house, remember banks rarely allow a person to take his/her name off the loan, thus relieving them of any financial responsibility. The standard way this is completed is through a refinance.

Sell the House

If you both decide to sell, the only option available (in this case) is if the bank is willing to participate in a short sale. A short sale means the bank will accept less money than the balance of the mortgage due to a decline in value. This option leaves both owners without any cash from the sale and also having to find a new place to live.

If you’re the one who wants to move out, consider the risk of leaving your name on the mortgage. If your ex misses even one payment, it will ruin your credit. You will also have a harder time obtaining other credit if you have the mortgage responsibility PLUS your new living expenses since the mortgage will remain on your credit as an obligation.

Wait for the Value to Increase before Selling

Another option is waiting until the value increases before selling. This gives you the possibility of higher proceeds to share upon a later sale date. The two of you would need to decide who lives there (you could even rent it out) and how the mortgage gets paid. It’s a matter of deciding if you want to cut your losses now or stick it out for the market to turn around. There is also a moral decision as short selling or foreclosure allows you to walk away from an obligation you originally agreed to pay.

What about our Retirement?

Divide Retirement Assets without Liquidating

Another point to consider is that retirement accounts like 401(k)’s and pensions do not have to be liquidated to be split. In fact, closing or pulling money out of these accounts early will almost always land you with administrative charges, penalties and a load of deferred taxes.

A much smarter option is to divide the accounts via a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). This order will segregate the funds in the account between you and your ex, while leaving the money where it is. Once the QDRO is entered and approved by the pension company, you will each own a separate part of the account.

You can each independently withdraw money if you have to (but will have to pay penalties just as if you were not getting divorced). Or just leave the account intact in the expectation that the value will increase when the economy improves. Some people make the mistake of just keeping their individual accounts and the person with more transferring over the difference. All accounts are not the same and you could end up with a lesser performing fund.

Talk to a CDFA (certified divorce financial analyst) or Financial Advisor for advice, not just your attorney. If you were not in control of your financial situation during your marriage or feel lost with getting back on your feet, a Divorce Coach can help you budget and map out a plan through the process, saving you money on attorney fees. You don’t have to do it alone!

Allison Gervais is a Senior Mortgage Loan Consultant with First Capital Group – a mortgage company in San Francisco, CA. She offers residential and commercial financing. Allison is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and uses her expertise to assist clients with the equitable division of assets. Please e-mail Allison for more information.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Secrets to Decorating Small Spaces!

SFWJ — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:35:12 +0000

Beryn Hammil

Now that the children are grown and are out on their own, many people are considering moving to smaller living spaces.

Moving to a smaller home may initially be challenging for a variety of reasons, including emotional, but smaller spaces can be better. For most people it offers a more practical lifestyle; there’s less to manage, clean, and maintain. Of course, there’s also less space and accompanying expenses to pay for too.

by Beryn Hammil
SF Bay Area Interior Designer

Consider this When Planning Your Move to a Smaller Home

Before you commit to a smaller space, look at the floor plan of your potential new home and make sure there’s enough space in it for you to create an inviting home. Ask yourself a few key questions:

Does the kitchen afford you all the amenities you need to function effectively in it?
Is the living room large enough to have a separate dining area?
Does the house or apartment have enough closets?
Do you really need a guest room that’s not used most of the time? Or can a guest room be a library, study, or media room whose sofa opens to a bed on those rare occasions when you have overnight guests?

Answers to these questions will help you make a wise decision about your new home.

CREATE THE ILLUSION OF SPACE

Rooms within Rooms

One of the best ways to make a smaller home seem larger is to arrange your furniture to create “rooms within rooms.”

For example, did you know that a sofa can also be a room divider? Instead of putting it against a wall facing into the room, put it in the room perpendicular to the wall so that its back is facing towards part of the open space of the room. This visual separation can effectively make a living room and dining room out of one space. Two rooms for the price of one!

To help reinforce this divided room concept, place a console table (with ottomans under it for extra seating when you need it) or a credenza (it can provide storage space) at the back of the sofa. Add a pair of console-height table lamps on top of it and put some of your favorite accessories in between. This provides lighting for the sofa area as well as ambient light for the new dining room.

The newly created dining area is perfect for socializing when friends join you for a lovely dinner. Additionally, your dining table also gives you and your guests a place to sit and play cards or board games.

Furniture that Serves Multiple Purposes

Back to the living room area; be sure you have enough seating for guests and to give yourself a change of place in which to sit. Swivel chairs, comfortable in and of themselves, also give you the opportunity to face in a different direction without having to rearrange furniture. Very practical for a small home!

A coffee table is a necessity, but can occupy lots of visual space. A glass table on the other hand, is still a functional surface but without taking up so much “eye” space. Alternatively, consider a coffee table that has ottomans stored under it as part of its design. When you have guests, the ottomans are wonderful for quick seating, and grandchildren love to make secret forts out of them!

Mirrors Create the Illusion of More Space

Mirrors are another wonderful way to make a small space appear larger. Instead of mirroring an entire wall, think about a large, framed mirror as a major element on a wall in the room. It can literally create the illusion of twice the space, and with its frame, it seems like a work of art in and of itself.

Close the Door and Away You Go…NO Worries!

Downsizing to a smaller space used to be a word that struck terror in the hearts of homeowners. Not so much any more. It’s now an opportunity to live a freer lifestyle. More people are looking forward to being able to just lock the door and go on a trip without a worry about who will water the garden and watch the old homestead. That’s reason enough to give up the large house in exchange for a smaller space in which to live a more carefree life.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Ups and Downs of the Stock Market: What’s the Impact on Your Investments?

SFWJ — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:24:08 +0000

Tuesday, May 25: Just another day in the stock market: The DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average) was down over 200 points mid-day but finished down only 22.82. It bounced around a lot all day. This kind of volatility has gone on for a long time now.

by Cathy Curtis, Certified Financial Planner

The Dow started out on January l, 2010 at 10,428 went as high as 11,205 on April 26, 2010. The low point so far this year was reached on February 8^th when the Dow ended at 9908. The 52 week range of the DJIA (May 2009 to May 2010) was 8057 to 11,309. Before that, the recession low was hit on March 9, 2009 at 6547 – level not seen since 1996. Are you dizzy yet?

The point of citing all these statistics is to illustrate that volatility isn’t unusual and isn’t going away.

The Dow…is made up of only 30 stocks and is not the perfect proxy for the stock market! But it’s the most widely recognized and you can be sure that the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were jumping around too.

Simply Put…Stocks are Volatile

Volatility is a characteristic of stocks. (The volatitality of stocks is #9 on my list of 10 Simple Truths about Money!) Just like you have a gregarious personality or are shy, stocks have volatility.

Volatility measures the relative rate at which the price of a stock moves up or down. Usually the riskier the stock is perceived to be, the more volatile it is. However, this doesn’t imply that the riskier stock will end up losing value over time. This is where most investors get confused.

Volatility Does Not Imply Direction of a Stock or the Stock Market

The long term trend of the market is up. Compare investing in the stock market to raising a child. There can be emotional ups and downs over the years as the child grows up and matures.

Would you abandon your child because he throws a huge temper tantrum in the cereal aisle at Safeway? No. You will patiently get through that episode and many others like it because you know in the end you will have raised a loving child who will take care of you in your golden years.

The stock market behaves the same. It can drive you crazy with worry as it goes up one year 20% and down the next 10% and then back up 30%. But, if you hold on you will be rewarded by better returns on your money than you can get in less volatile assets such as bonds or CD’s.

Stock Volatility and the Impact on Retirement

But, you ask: What about people who are nearing retirement or who are in retirement and the stock market drops like it did in 2008?

Good question. Short-run volatility in the stock market can be a big problem for retirees and for other people who have near-term needs for their money. No one wants to sell a stock when it is down 30% (if it is a perfectly good stock). This problem is easily resolved: a good rule of thumb is that any money that you will need to spend within 3-5 years should probably not be invested in the stock market – especially if you are not earning any money.

Most experts don’t agree on what causes volatility to fluctuate or what causes it in the first place. When unexpected things happen, volatility seems to increase. Which doesn’t help us much because nobody can predict the unexpected. A quote from the book Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk, sums up the risk of volatility nicely:

“The real risk in holding a portfolio is that it might not provide its owner, either during the interim or at some terminal date or both, with the cash he requires for essential outlays” Robery Jeffery, investor.

Here are a few tips to help to increase your comfort level with volatility:

1. If you are retired or not earning income keep 3-5 years of cash needs in money market funds, Treasury Bills, CD’s or other short-term money market instruments.

2. If you are working, maintain an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses.

3. If you are worried about losing your job, increase your cash nest-egg to at least one year of living expenses.

4. Maintain a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and cash depending on your risk tolerance and time horizon. (Not all asset classes go up and down at the same time, reducing volatility.)

5. Don’t just sit on your assets. Rebalance your portfolio occasionally to take advantage of volatility in an asset class: buy low, sell high.

Cathy Curtis is an independent fee-only Certified Financial Planner and CA Registered Investment Advisor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her firm, Curtis Financial Planning (since 2001) specializes in the finances of women, their families and their businesses.

Cathy passionately believes in Financial Literacy and educates consumers through her website CurtisFinancialPlanning, her blog: Of Independent Means, and her facebook business page Women and Money. She speaks frequently about personal finance issues – most recently at the Financial Women’s Association in San Francisco, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Norcal Group, and the Commonwealth Club.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Divorce and Your Home: How to Split your Most Important Asset

SFWJ — Mon, 24 May 2010 11:11:00 +0000

The declining real estate market has added another headache to couples who are divorcing… “What should we do with our home?”

by Allison Gervais
Sr. Mortgage Loan Consultant

Many couples are forced to come up with creative ways to deal with this dilemma. With the popularity of do- it-yourself mediation and collaborative divorce, couples are able to find solutions that are helpful while the economy is less than favorable.

Divorce and Creative Solutions to Settling the Home Dilemma

I’ve spoken with many clients who own a home together, married or not, and have decided to end their relationship. In the past many couples simply opted to sell their house and split the remaining proceeds from the sale.

But with the decline in the housing market this is currently not the most favorable option. Adding to the complexity, quite often one partner wants to keep the house, especially if there are children involved.

Couples are negotiating more creatively with the help of professionals to find solutions to this issue when a full cash buyout is not an option or not the best solution. (For example a person may not want to cash out a retirement account that has hefty fines and tax penalties to buyout an ex.)

What Steps Need to be Taken to Protect the Divorcing Parties

It’s in the best interest of the person moving out to remove their responsibility to the mortgage. If their ex makes even one late payment, it will ruin his/her credit. The obligation could also prohibit future loans.

Taking one’s name off the mortgage is historically done through a refinance since the banks don’t usually allow one person to simply remove their name from the mortgage obligation. Fortunately the rates are still extremely low so it makes qualifying a little easier. Adjustable rate loans are a great option when qualifying is an issue.

What if there is not enough equity to completely buyout the other person?

This is where couples can get creative.

Example: Kate and Mark are getting divorced. Mark is moving out of the family house and Kate owes Mark $50,000 for his share of the equity. Kate is only able to obtain a rate and term loan, meaning she cannot receive any cash out to pay Mark off.

What are her options? She has money in retirement but does not want to cash it out and pay penalties.

1. One answer is for Mark to be taken off the loan through the refinance, but remain on the title to the property.

This takes away the mortgage responsibility but keeps his interest in the property. They can decide to sell at a later date, when the real estate market increases, and Mark will receive more equity at a later date.

2. Another popular option is for Mark to secure a note on the property and Kate pays him monthly payments at a certain interest rate.

Kate would want to consider what the market rate is and if it is feasible to make an additional payment each month. Mark would want to consider the consequences of tying up his equity in exchange for earning interest on his money. The interest rate is negotiable between the couple; however, most consider the current market rate and the length of time the loan is paid back.

Be Open to Compromise

There is not a perfect standard solution as each situation differs and tax consequences vary. Both parties need to be open to compromise.

If couples are able to think clearly, logically and have good communication, they will save money in the long run and have a less stressful separation. Creating short term and long term solutions and goals helps keep both parties protected.

Contacting your mortgage broker is the first step to find out if refinancing is an option.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Take Control of the Juggling Act: Work versus Home

SFWJ — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:56:32 +0000

Many of my clients tell me that keeping perspective day to day is challenging when you’re managing many different roles. Being a wife, a mother, a friend, as well as managing a career, and finding the time to also honor and take care of your own needs is a massive juggling act for every woman.

by Kristin Southwick
CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

How do you balance these competing roles and keep your head above water without feeling depleted at the end of the day?

This article is part 1 of a 4 part series that will help you learn ways to create structure and balance in your life. Today we’ll focus on the workplace. Future articles will discuss finding time to nurture and care for yourself, ways to balance relationships, and family life.

Career Demands versus Home Demands

A common issue that I often hear is the high-stress conflict of dealing with career demands and expectations while balancing that with home demands and expectations. One of the best ways to help yourself navigate these two key issues is to set boundaries. Start by developing clear boundaries around your work life. Whether in a corporate setting, your own home, or anywhere in between you should be realistic and clear with yourself about what you can feasibly accomplish.

5 Tips to Help You Balance Your Work Life

1. Listen to your body. Your body will give you some great clues into how you are affected by external factors. For example does your stomach turn or do you clench your teeth when you think about the conflict of going home at a reasonable hour versus staying to finish a high priority assignment? Let your body guide you to set limits where you can. If that means leaving at a certain time of day, then prioritize your tasks and focus on what needs to be completed before the end of the day.

2. Create boundaries that will help you manage others who are pressuring you into taking on more than you feel comfortable doing.

For example, if something is asked of you that goes beyond your job role and duties, a clear limit will help you be prepared with an appropriate response. Tell the person you will get back to them with an answer. This allows you to walk away from the situation, take a moment to consider what is being asked, and how long it will take to complete the task. It also provides an opportunity to consider if the time investment is one that will have a positive career impact.

3. Offering to do more than expected at your job can cause you to end up feeling overwhelmed and resentful. But it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and “accidentally” put yourself into that situation. Work at implementing helpful strategies that support you on these kinds of occasions. Try counting to 10 before you jump in or perhaps you need to take 5 minutes to step away, catch your breathe and then decide the next steps.

4. Ask for others to help if too much responsibility is being put on you and be open with what you need to successfully complete your job.

5. Lastly, it is essential to remember that when you have multiple assignments being given to you in a day or even an hour, it’s important to create a structure that will help you manage your workflow. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or that you just need a break then allow yourself to take 5 minutes to just breathe and catch-up. The key is to not procrastinate and to help yourself stay focused and organized.

Renewed Energy

You’ll find an abundance of renewed energy when you take more control of your work life. I would like to encourage you to start by considering these suggestions. Just choose one idea that resonates with you and add it into your day to day responsibilities. You’ll be amazed at how much that one little action will help you to feel more in control of your life and feeling renewed energy for yourself, your family, and your relationships!

If you enjoyed this article, you can find Part 2 of this series on Work Life Balance…Making Time for You here!

Kristin Southwick is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the CA Board of Behavioral Science and received her Master’s from John F. Kennedy University. She has a private practice in San Francisco and Burlingame.

Kristin believes therapy is a meaningful experience that offers a supportive and confidential space to explore aspects of one’s life and relationships. She provides brief and long term counseling services to children, adolescent, adults, couples, and families. For more information regarding Kristin’s practice, please visit her website, KristinSouthwick.com.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

April Showers bring May Flowers!

SFWJ — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:34:41 +0000

We’ve certainly had our share of April showers this year, which means that May flowers are sure to bloom! The San Francisco Flower Market is ablaze with color and the selection of beautiful blooms makes it hard to choose!

by Laurel Winzler
Floral and Event Designer

Here’s my list of personal favorites for wonderful spring arrangements:

RANUNCULUS – These multi-petaled beauties are wonderful for their range of colors and fullness. Unlike many spring flowers which tend to be in the cooler pastels, they come in the “warm” tones: peach, apricot, coral, yellow, pale to hot pink, and red. Massed together they make charming flower girl bouquets, and in a mixed bouquet add fullness and delicacy.

PEONY - Peonies are a cold-weather flower that won’t grow along the California coast, so the majority of the product we receive comes from Oregon and Washington. White, coral, pink and deep red are the most available colors, and some tree peonies in peach and creamy yellow are available for a short part of the season.

As you can see from the photo, they arrive at the Flower Market as tight buds, but open to dramatic single or double blooms that can stand alone in an arrangement.

LILAC – Lilac is a woody shrub and the cut blooms can be very temperamental! Getting freshly-cut stems is very important, and it helps to pound them with a hammer before placing them in a vase, so that they can draw water more efficiently. Keeping the water very fresh and clean also helps the blossoms last longer. The beautiful blooms in white, lavender and deeper purple are worth the effort – and the scent is heavenly !

TULIP – Coming in the widest range of colors and shapes, these are the go-to spring flowers for arrangements. Beyond the standard varieties there are long-stemmed French tulips, double-petaled tulips that mimic peonies, and ruffled parrot tulips – my personal favorites !!!

The drawback to working with tulips is that they continue to grow after being cut, so that the stems can lengthen an inch or more overnight, and they move and rearrange themselves in response to temperature and light conditions. This means that a tulip bouquet is constantly changing and sometimes needs to be re-worked if you want to keep a particular shape or size arrangement.

The old method of putting a penny in the water to keep the stems upright no longer works because modern pennies have almost no copper in them – but a sip of inexpensive vodka will accomplish the same thing !!!!

Laurel Winzler left a career in the legal world to establish her successful floral and event design business, Laurel Designs. She has built a reputation for innovative and exciting designs, serving clients from Bay Area brides to the San Francisco Symphony. Drawing on years of experience as a performer and artist, she specializes in working with each client to enhance the beauty of their homes, offices and special events.

Laurel is a preferred vendor at many exclusive Bay Area event venues, and donates her time and talents to many organizations, including San Francisco Opera, Special Olympics, Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Community Music Center, Project Inform and the Junior League of San Francisco. In addition, she is a sought-after speaker at hospitality industry events. Please visit her website, flaurel.com, to learn more.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

Living in Earthquake Country – Are You Ready?

SFWJ — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:57:44 +0000

Deborah Lopez

Having lived through the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake as a homeowner in San Francisco, I often find it helpful to review with my family not only the steps to take to make sure our homes are safe, but what to do in case there is a quake.

by Deborah Lopez, SF Realtor

Resources for complete and detailed information about how to prepare your home for an earthquake and what to do in an earthquake can be found at various web sites. The best ones I’ve found are EarthQuakeCountry.info, EarthQuake.ugs.gov, and RedCross.org.

7 Tips to Help Prepare You and Your Home for Earthquakes

The seven key recommendations below are from EarthQuakeCountry.info and are easy to remember. If you want more information, you’ll find a detailed fact sheet on each recommendation on the website.

1. Secure it Now – Eliminate hazards by securing heavy objects such as bookshelves, televisions, computers and especially water heaters. California law requires the seller of any home to strap and brace the water heaters before they transfer the home to the next buyer – be sure this is done properly. But if you’ve been in your home a long time, do it now yourself.

2. Make a Plan – Have evacuation and reunion plans, an out-of-state contact person and a location for your emergency supplies. Make sure everyone in your household knows what they are. Make sure you know the plan at your child or children’s schools so you can find them fast!

3. Make Disaster Kits – for home, car and work. These should include water, food, flashlights, portable radios, batteries, first aid kits, cash, extra medications, a whistle and fire extinguishers.

4. Is Your Place Safe? - Consult a contractor or engineer knowledgeable in seismic safety to make sure you have done all the upgrades you can to strengthen your home in case of a quake. Some of these are minor and inexpensive, others may require more extensive projects, but do whatever you can.

5. DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON! – Doorways are NOT the safest place in a quake – this is old information. You are safer dropping to the floor, taking cover under a sturdy desk or table and holding on to it firmly. Be prepared to move with the furniture until the shaking stops. If outside, drop to the ground; if in your car, pull over and stay in your car.

6. Check It Out – After the shaking stops, check for injuries, administer first aid, and identify safety hazards such as damaged gas, water, sewage and electrical lines. Know how to report damage to the proper agencies and have those numbers in your disaster kit.

7. Communicate and Recover – Listen to the most accessible radio, contact your insurance agent if your home is damaged and check for resources that will be made available from government agencies. To locate separated family members, register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Web Site or call 1-866-GET-INFO. Make sure everyone in your family has that phone number.

We’ve only had small earthquakes since 1989 but being prepared will give you and your family the peace of mind to enjoy your home and know that you are ready if necessary. If you would like laminated copies of the Red Cross Earthquake Safety Checklist or a printed copy of the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety for your home, please e-mail me and I will send you either or both immediately.

Be Safe!

Deborah Lopez (DLo) is a licensed broker and Certified International Property Specialist with Paragon Real Estate Group. She is an expert on the pockets within and between San Francisco neighborhoods and she knows how to negotiate to protect your interest and get you your desired outcome!

Whether you’re selling, buying or building your real estate investment portfolio, DLo will give you a head start. To lean more visit DeborahLopezSF.com.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!

What is the best place, space, surface or location for Decorative Painting?

SFWJ — Fri, 07 May 2010 18:59:44 +0000

The answer is… EVERYWHERE! Have you ever wanted to create your own paradise by bringing home a piece of that special vacation or experience that inspired you?

by Debra Disman
Decorative Painter and Principal, ArtiFactory Studio

Do you dream of creating an environment that inspires others because they more clearly understand your message? Do you have an interior wall, an exterior wall, a nook, fireplace, a piece of furniture, even a ceiling that could be transformed by the right combination of skill and imagination?

The World is Your Canvass!

For Decorative Painters, the world is our canvass and thus…it is YOUR canvass! In the process of creating, our goal is to support the human beings that live, play, dream and work within the existing space and architecture, both interior and exterior. Inevitably, the creative work commissioned for walls, furniture, floors and ceilings reflects the spirit, goals, desires, needs and intentions of our Clients. They hire us to translate their inner vision into concrete visual form, and create something magical and unique for their particular environment.

Residential Wall Magic Enhances Life Transition

A chosen vase becomes the inspiration for a unique wall treatment on a relief area over the fireplace mantle in a new home purchased by the Clients in anticipation of their retirement. Part design, part mural, all decorative treatment, this application seems an extension of the luminescent vase- or is it the other way around?

Here’s what the Client had to say about the magic:

“I knew that the mantle treatment would be a very special part of our new home, but to see how you had taken digital photos and transformed them into art was amazing to me!”

Commercial Branding Opportunity through Striping

Martinkovic Milford Architects suggested decorative painting to their Client, the owner of On the Fly, a specialty men’s store in San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center, to add an extra dimension to its display window. The broken stripe suggests stitching as well as the classic men’s pin-striped suit, and reflects the visual branding image used in the store’s marketing materials.

The hands-on stripe application both communicates and enhances an established visual message, while adding that extra bit of bling to the store and its display. You might say this treatment is “tailor made” for the venue!

Non Profit’s Mural Project Builds Community

Staff, managers, clients, friends and artists all contributed to The Land of Oshun, an 8×40’ mural painted on the exterior of The Oshun Center, a program of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics. The Center provides a safe place and services to women and their families. “Oshun” is a deity figure in the Yoruba religious pantheon, and represents all that makes life worth living.

In addition to identifying the Center and brightening up a challenged neighborhood, this collaborative mural “will inspire everyone who sees it to be aware of the great contribution that women and families make to our communities.” Darryl Inaba, Founder, Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, San Francisco, CA.

Enhance, Beautify and Expand the Vision

In all of these cases, decorative painting is used to express and expand upon the vision of the homeowner, the business, and the organization, adding depth and dimension to each space. The new home, the retail space, the women’s center, are enhanced and beautified through the magic of decorative painting. The purpose, function, and intention of each is more effectively communicated through the application of its special treatment.

The results are…transformative!

Debra Disman’s passion is to translate her Client’s inner vision into concrete visual form. She can help you use the magic of decorative painting to transform your home, place of business, even your community!

She is principal of ArtiFactory Studio, a decorative painting company based in San Francisco, CA which provides custom decorative painting, murals, and color consultation to customers from all backgrounds and walks of life. Debra holds a degree in painting from the University of Iowa and has studied in France, San Francisco, and San Diego. She is a provisional member of the International Association for Colour Consultants/Designers. To learn more please visit ArtiFactoryStudio, or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with a friend or the world:) …it’s easy. Click on the Share/Save button and you can e-mail, Tweet or Bookmark it!