Your guide to the region's top events, mixed with some commentary about life, media, gossip and politics in Washington, DC.
|
The Blogger Beat: My Notting Hill
This week, we get handy home-design tips from My Notting Hill blogger Michele Ginnerty.
By
Emily Leaman
Blogger Michele Ginnerty in her Arlington home. Photograph by Chris Leaman
Michele Ginnerty’s blog, My Notting Hill, started in January 2008 as part of a New Year’s resolution. She was looking for an outlet for her thoughts and insights on interior design, and a blog seemed to make sense. “I think my family and friends were secretly hoping I’d buy less design magazines, but it didn’t have that effect,” she says.
For the past 14 years, Ginnerty has run a management-consulting firm, so blogging is a new hobby. It’s also a way, she says, to exercise her creative side. On her blog, which is named for her favorite London neighborhood, Ginnerty posts photos of patterns, designs, and rooms that inspire her. When traveling for business, she tries to make time to visit local home-decor shops and eclectic neighborhoods. She’s even been known to enlist family members to do scouting for her.
We caught up with this wife and mother of two—“My family has put up with a lot of design projects and changes over the years,” she says—to pick her mind about design challenges. How to make a small room look bigger? Tips for landlord-friendly apartment decor? Where to find good secondhand home items? Read on for her answers.
Favorite decor style:
“Transitional—a mix of contemporary and traditional.”
Magazine with the best design ideas:
“House Beautiful for its consistent quality and fresh content. The editor, Stephen Drucker, has transformed that magazine in the last few years.”
Favorite home-design TV show:
“Sarah Richardson’s Design Inc. on HGTV. I love the fact that they show you the backstory of the design process along with the finished product.”
Best place to glean design inspiration in Washington:
“I know I should probably choose a museum, but I’d say take a walk though a neighborhood in Georgetown and pop into the many design stores on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. You’ll head home with at least one new idea.”
Three tips for making a small space look bigger:
“First, flowing color. For a small house with rooms in sightline of each other, choose a color palette that flows. Avoid chopping up your spaces with jarring or abrupt color changes. That goes for trim, too: A trim color that’s a sharp contrast to the wall color will also break up the space. In small bedrooms, I like to paint the trim, doors, and closets the same color to help them blend and keep your eye moving.
“Second, mirrors, glass, and Lucite are your friends. A well-placed mirror can reflect light and add depth to a room—just be sure you like what the mirror is reflecting. Consider glass or Lucite coffee or side tables, as they won’t take up a lot of visual space. Even a mirrored tray on wood furniture or a mirror placed at the back of your fireplace in spring and summer can have a space-enlarging effect.
“Finally, edit your space. Less is more. Avoid filling a small room with a lot of small pieces of furniture. Ask, ‘What is the focal point of this room?’ If you have a lot of things competing for your attention, it can make the room feel crowded.”
Three landlord-friendly ways to decorate an apartment:
“Usually landlords don’t want you to paint. If that’s the case, use large pieces of art to combat the typical beige walls. An inexpensive solution is to buy very large canvases and paint them the color you love. You might even be able to get by with the $5 sample pots sold at paint stores. A second option is to attach fabric to the walls with double-sided sticky tape or run your curtain rods the length of the wall so the fabric can bring in the color you want. Sheets in a color or pattern you like are an inexpensive way to do this. Add detail with trim or a contrasting strip of fabric. To change the look of the floors, consider modular floor tiles. What’s great about them is that when you move to a new place you can make the rug smaller by removing tiles, or if your new place is larger you can just purchase more.”
Best and worst design trends right now:
“The best trend is painted floors—solid colors or with pattern. Floors can be painted to look modern or traditional and are an economical way to transform a room. The worst new trend is needlepoint accent pillows in retro ’70s colors. During this recession, anything reminiscent of the ’70s—colors such as avocado and harvest gold and motifs with mushrooms and frogs—should be avoided!”
Last home item you splurged on:
“An energy-efficient, counter-depth Blomberg refrigerator. It was $2,400. I love that it’s flush with my countertops. Plus, I don’t have food going bad because it got lost in the back of the fridge.”
Where to splurge on home decor:
“For a small splurge, I’d recommend any of the Random Harvest stores. You’ll find a mix of upholstered furniture and case pieces along with an affordable range of accent pieces. Their inventory turns over frequently, too, so within a few months you should find something that catches your eye and meets your functional needs.”
Best place to score secondhand home goods:
“This can be hit or miss. For the largest selection, I’d say Upscale Resale in Falls Church; for unique, high-quality pieces, go to Gallery St. Elmo in Bethesda. I’ve found six pieces from these two stores in the last few years. Both reduce the price the longer an item stays. My other recommendation is estate sales, especially on the last day. Last month, I found a steel-and-brass neoclassical coffee table for $5. The glass is gone, and it’s going to need some clean up, but brand-new it would cost $400 to $1,500.”
Simplest way to green a home:
“After changing your light bulbs, buy only organic cleaning products. I’m a big fan of using baking soda and water as a scrubbing agent. I love the fact that while you’re cleaning, you’re not breathing in all those fumes.”
Best investment to make in a home:
“This is a boring answer, but a new roof (when it’s needed) and good landscaping can really boost curb appeal.”
Favorite accent color:
“For me, it’s blue. It’s so versatile. From a pale sea-glass blue to a deep, rich indigo, it can create a lot of different effects. I find blue to be both relaxing and inspiring.”
Favorite local designer:
“Sally Steponkus. I loved her upstairs den at the DC Design House and her dining room at last year’s National Symphony Orchestra design event. Sally’s eye for color is wonderful, and her designs are fresh but classic enough to stand the test of time.”
Favorite local design blog besides your own:
“Two are better than one, so let me recommend Architect Design and Bossy Color. The latter offers valuable and practical advice on color and overcoming challenges to room layouts.”
Next week we chat with food blogger and freelance writer Melissa McCart of Counter Intelligence. We find out her favorite cookbook and ingredients plus the craziest thing she’s ever done in the name of reporting. Check back on Wednesday for the interview!
Earlier:
District, Schmistrict
Amalah
All Blogger Beat interviews
Have a local blogger you’d like to hear from? Send suggestions to eleaman@washingtonian.com. More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
|
Category Tags: Blogger Beat
Comments
check this link, <a href=http://imtoo-dvd-to-iphone-converter.weebly.com/>imtoo dvd to iphone converter</a> , just clicks away , just clicks away
Posted by: wasseallene, Feb 03, 2012 04:26:53 AM
7 At the end of the air filled with the desire to shop, windows everywhere Sale, the people involved in purchasing again and again the tide. As long as you look accurate, it is cheaper to buy a variety of favorite long can the good goods. can be concentrated in such raids without reckoning wanton procurement, but also easy to lose, so their reduced to "junk woman".
shopping, celebrities have always charge the former, experience is particularly rich . The stars of the shopping in Hong Kong after discount on large numbers of summer vacation in Hong Kong were more strongly into China. But the star, after all, not a fashion designer, was at a higher level, the reason gold, this issue also invite more place the most active designers and fashion people, personally surgeon, to help you sort out the change of the fashion pulse of new and old, peeling silkworm spinning, out of season rush to buy discount focus and dedication from their losses and gains experience.
Cecilia
raids Location: Times Square, Causeway Bay shopping
focus: the rebate, is cost-effective to buy cosmetics. In addition, Times Square, selling all kinds of girls clothing all year round, it is suitable for Cecilia’s style.
link Beijing: China Friendship Department Store < br> bag bargains key: even if a discount, the top big things, or very expensive. Therefore, learning to Cecilia, a down to meet their own tastes, purchasing power of local girls shopping for their installed it.
Vision Xuan
1. Fast shipping ,Best quaity products,
2. Payment Method : Accept Paypal,Western Union ,Money Gram,
3. and give free shipping, Accept the smallest order,
4. EMS,DHL,TNT,FEDEX etc.
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
or http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com
raids Location: Pacific Place shopping
focus: Jessica, said: "buying things, the mood is most important, a discount is still followed. discount when the mind to keep the wrong reason will not buy a shirt. "seasonal, the Pacific Place and other brands such as D & G will hit 5 discount, shoppers are crazy. Jessica shopping frenzy does not belong to the girl, she likes to enjoy a leisurely way to try on clothes in the environment.
Link Beijing: Palace Hotel
bag bargains focus: a world-class brand of seasonal goods, but also enjoy five-star shopping environment. discount store dressing room to be some period of long lines, very annoying.
Carina Lau
mop Location: Central, The Landmark
shopping points: famous discount, the Carina is often the first time in the Landmark in Central to buy some clothes. waiting there almost every day, paparazzi photographed celebrities visiting the shop shapes and sizes. If there were paparazzi be exposed Shu Qi in the Landmark bought the former boyfriend Dawn LV purse.
link Beijing: International Trade
bag bargains focus: mature women have the economic strength of the F1 layer of the LV,cheap jordan shoes, Max & Mara and other big discount, absolutely immense interest.
Shirley
1. Fast shipping ,Best quaity products,
2. Payment Method : Accept Paypal,Western Union ,Money Gram,
3. and give free shipping, Accept the smallest order,
4. EMS,DHL,TNT,FEDEX etc.
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
or http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com
raids Location: City Plaza shopping
points: Shirley admitted that discount when buying more for the family, prefer the design of flu in some famous small jewelry, see the chic, will be more to buy some souvenirs. Shirley that time to the mid-range priced discount shopping, more affordable, cost-effective.
link Beijing: Oriental Plaza
bag bargains focus :louis vuitton handbags There are many new jewelry store in particular is worth watching.nike shoes
Tsang
raids Location: Causeway Bay shopping Crawford
key: Do not look to see Eric Tsang, in fact, but his authentic "human fashion . "discount in August each year seven seasons, Crawford boutique often as low as 6 fold, Eric Tsang usually discounted selection of men’s time,replica IWC, including attending events to wear suits, usually wear casual clothes when shopping and so on.
Link Beijing: Lufthansa
bag bargains focus: Lufthansa Men do not fancy, but definitely has the quality of content, clothing brands such as BOSS, Xenia class brand, should be the successful man not to be missed Taobao focus.
Anthony Wong
raids Location: Causeway Bay SOGO SOGO shopping
focus: shopping is clearly not just a small girl’s patent, even if it rough as Anthony Wong’s "character man" is also keen to Shopping, I once SOGO SOGO Department Store in Causeway Bay and saw Anthony Wong, accompanied by the Assistant buy clothes. He admitted that from time to time the discount SOGO activities is to attract one of the reasons he went. Anthony Wong preference with punk-style clothing, hand-painted T-shirts and with nail jeans will let Anthony Wong put it down.
link Beijing: SOGO, Parkson
bag bargains key: do not discount timing activities,mbt shoes give you a lot of value for money windfall.
Ekin Cheng
mop Location: Sai Yee Street, (Shoes Street)
shopping focus: not so in love with actress and cosmetics to buy pretty dresses everywhere, like the movement of Ekin Cheng usually buy more emphasis on sports and leisure shoes, so Sneaker Street in Mong Kok he must be free to visit the place. Shoes Street stores selling NIKE, ADIDAS and so on of the newest sports and leisure shoes are usually sold at prices of seven Bazhe it off for the birth does not know how frugal is Ekin Cheng It is a very economical choice, so he does not shoot as long as it will go to buy a few pairs of sneakers Street favorite shoes home.
link Beijing: SOGO Oriental Plaza Sports 100
bag bargains Focus: Sports class clothing. Movement like you, discount,mbt shoes be sure to buy some more.
She Poetry Man
raids Location: Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui shopping
points: Poetry Man She always busy filming, not so ordinary girl visit this store a lot of time, so she likes to Harbour City, you can also see the works of famous fashion designers and international famous brand stores, discount focus when, against a lot of things to be able to Amoy.
Link Beijing: World all Stores
bag bargains focus: people who do not have much time, the best brands on all of this high place,replica Rolex, one will be able to scrape together almost.
1. Fast shipping ,Best quaity products,
2. Payment Method : Accept Paypal,Western Union ,Money Gram,
3. and give free shipping, Accept the smallest order,
4. EMS,DHL,TNT,FEDEX etc.
Welcome into our WEB: http://www.cheapsneakercn.com
or http://www.newsneakerswholesale.com
Posted by: sneakercn, Jun 29, 2011 04:35:42 AM
Check out new blog....Innerpeach. Enjoy
Posted by: C. Mullen, May 27, 2011 08:59:19 PM
Simply want to say your article is astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this field. Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the delightful work.
<a href="http://www.roofer.org ">roofer</a>
Posted by: Roofer , Dec 03, 2010 02:39:02 AM
Does anyone know I can contact Michele Ginnerty?
Posted by: Janine, Oct 16, 2009 09:23:54 AM
My Notting Hill is one of the best blogs out there; I particularly love her Washington designer series. I lived in DC as a child, and still have family there, so her perspective on the DC design scene is of great interest to me!
Posted by: Things That Inspire, May 04, 2009 03:45:38 PM
Thanks for the design tips.
Michele’s blog site never lacks inspiration. Every entry shows Michele’s natural ability to find beautiful things. You’re a natural talent!
Posted by: Gretchen, Apr 30, 2009 05:59:28 PM
Great interview with Michelle! Her blog is wonderful and she’s got a brilliant eye for interesting things.
Posted by: Pigtown Design, Apr 29, 2009 08:01:59 PM
|
Post a comment
Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.
|
|
|
