Launching my new product, how to properly hang pictures in your home, and, be creative! Plus my recipe of the week.

 

The launch of my new product:

After a few weeks of playing with aromas, and creating my own scents, I have launched my new product. I am making candles and linen sprays! I am so very excited as this is a product that appeals to anyone, unlike my plush throws, and, baby heirlooms. Those are truly wonderful products that I take so much pride in, but not realistic purchases for some. So I wanted to add a more broad range of people.

When I was brainstorming new products to launch, I really wanted something that was more affordable, yet high quality. I was super excited when I came up with Aisling Designs concept of linen sprays. It’s a great ancillary product that compliments my existing products. I have always loved linen spray, and have for years purchased them. They are great for many uses: bedding, blankets, pillows, and, personally I like to use them on my dogs bed! As we love our pet family members, they can also have some not so pleasant smells. Many people have though of these purchases to be of luxury. They really are no different than a glade spray, minus the nasty chemicals and short lived aroma. The costly is slightly more, but, your paying for quality products.

The science behind my new line ” Petal Alchemy” a name that suits playing with different oils, volumes, and ingredients. It would seem as though it’s easy to produce. Let me tell you, one wrong measurement will throw your whole batch off. Or create a not so pleasant aroma as you were planning to have. I used to think the numbering system on candles was hoaky. Now I know why why manufacturers do this. I have a log book that tracks the aromas, milliliters, and fluids used. So far I only have two scents and a third I am fine tuning, yet still haven’t achieved the desired outcome. My first scent #1 is more of a fresh floral smell, it’s still a light aroma thats not to overpowering. For all of those who love floral smells; this one is for you! My second aroma #2 is mostly natural elements of cedar, birch, and, peach. It’s by far my favorite of the two. But, I think they are both wonderful!

 I have already sold out of the linen spray batch I had for the #1 formula (yay)! I will have more soon and they will be available for purchase at the Boise Farmer market.

(I will be there every week for the winter market with all my products).You can also purchase them on  my website.

The #2 fragrance I have left in the 8oz bottles that are glass, as glass actually helps to preserve the aromas in the formulation of your scents. Below is a picture of the linen spray and my branding thus far, which I will be tweaking here over the next few weeks. I should have them all on my website, I am so excited about this! As it has taken so much time and genuine effort to concept, brand, and, create.  Did I mention that these are excellent gifts too?

 

 

 

How to properly hang pictures, and, be creative with  mounting them:

This is always my favorite portion of all the content I do in my excerpts. In fact, I start mustering up ideas for the next weeks blog a week prior. I have always considered myself to be not just an artist, as I usually cannot and don’t focus on just one medium of crafting. I love it all; truly.

When I first realized that not only did I wand out of corporate and I was ready to take the leap into launching my own business. I thought that it was critical to have mentors. No matter how good you are something, you can always find people who are better, or can teach you more. So you become an expert. I had always loved decorating, remodeling, laying floors, and connecting new light fixtures, you name it; I’ve tried it. I am pretty handy in that way as I don’t want to pay someone to do it for me, I am a designer too, not just a decorator. The one thing I realized I need to learn, and, learn well was staging homes. I mentored with the lead stager of Hunter Homes. One of the largest residential builders in the Treasure Valley. It was intimating, hard work, and rewarding. When I met with their stager, she had already checked out my website and Instagram portfolio. I was nervous to hear her critique as I was warned that she is very direct, and, if she doesn’t think you have the talent she doesn’t bother training you. The first day I showed up she told me that my work was good and my brand; unique. But my picture quality sucked, and, I needed to fine tune one area of staging; wall photos. All in all I was just happy she allowed me to stay and work with her staging several massive, beautiful, homes. And in the end, I was asked to critique her work. I loved this because it taught me how to take feedback and how to grow from it. Also, that even she, a master in her trade, valued other people with talents options too. She was humble in her work. I appreciated that and the fact that she wasn’t uppity, like many professional decorators and stagers here in Boise Idaho. I like genuine, real, authentic people. I have the utmost respect for those types of personalities. Now, Onto the good stuff!

The first rule: I will state about hanging wall photos: They should never be higher than 5′ 1/2 feet off of the floor. Seriously! I cannot tell you how many homes I have walked into and the pictures are so high hung on the walls that it not only looks awkward, but you have to look up to view them. Ideally, the height of 5 1/2 feet is because most people do not exceed 6′ tall. Your eyes should be level with the picture, or, slightly below eye level. Not staring up! If you take a look at your pictures they most likely are to high up on the walls. I never knew this rule until I mentored in staging; but its a good one to follow.

The second rule: hanging wall pictures above mantels, furniture, or, even couches. You should never exceed more than 4″to 6″ inches from the top surface. I know that seems awkward. Especially if you want to decorate end tables or hutches for storage and entry way tables. I use this rule everytime I hang any wall photo. Whether it be on an empty wall space with no furniture (the 5 1/2 feet) or the no more than 4″ -6″rule with furniture. It does really make a huge difference. And, you want people to notice your wall decor. Not have to intentionally find it by staring upward. It just isn’t aesthetically appeasing at all and awkward looking.

If I have a large photo I want to mount over an entry way table I offset bigger decor pieces so that the photo is still no more than 4″-6″ from the surface and my decor isn’t obstructing the view of the picture mounted. It’s purposeful staging. I want my decor to be flowing, and, my picture noticeable too. This is one of the most paramount parts of decorating and home or commercial staging. Even most professional stagers do it wrong! I have walked into listed homes and noticed this. An eye for detail is critical for an interior designer. And me teaching you the tricks of the trade will make you an expert too!

 

 

 

 

Third rule: not all pictures need to be hung. I actually enjoy propping mirrors or ornamental wall hanging decor against the wall rather than mounting them. surprisingly, it ends up always being no more than 5′ tall.  Most tables, entry way, end tables, buffet cabinets, and, even desks are no more than four feet tall, or 36″. The standard height 3′ to 3′ 1/2 feet. Ever thought of why or noticed that? It adheres to people, roughly all furniture for the most part is at waist height. Also making the rules of photos and how they should be displayed properly at eye level, not above. Take a look around your home, start measuring and adjust! You’ll be happy with how they look; promise! if proper on a surface, it already places a center piece on your table, so you don’t have to worry about adding to many additional pieces. Instead just be careful to not over do it. In the photo here I use fairly practical items: a basket for mail, a lamp,candle, and there are select decor pieces but not many. Another rule decorators and home owners alike should abide by is this: not every wall needs a damn picture! Another thing that drives me crazy when I walk into someones home. It looks cluttered and isn’t easy flowing to the eye. Ideally, you need only one focal point on a wall of a room; not several! I also take note of what the floor plan is like in each home, is it modern (open), colonial (more separated rooms with detailed molding). My personal favorite. If your home has an open floor plan, sadly you get less space to play with. In older style homes: colonial, tutor, or victorian. They are distinguishable, not only by the architecture but the ornate detail of the interiors. More closed off rooms, crown molding, wainscoting, just more character in general than the newer homes. This gives us creative types many more options to play with.

Okay. Now we are done with the basic rules. I am going to jump into the creative, innovating aspect of how to mount a picture, and, ideas of with what. The typical is to get your level out, a nail or several, and, the hammer. I like to try new things, make my mountings art work too. Using satin is one of my signature touches in a home. Measure out your desired length using the 4″-6″ rule if over a table, or the 5′ 1/2 rule if on a barren wall space from the top of the picture down. I loop the ribbon through the picture mount on the back and then hammer the satin into the wall. To add my finishing touch, I use cabinet knobs. it looks very elegant and unique. I have even used decorative clips to place over nail heads. And ornate ends of curtain rods, an example in the picture below:

I have even used old window frames mounted with heavy duty ribbon and curtain knobs for larger frames. I like to gently hammer a nail in between the molding of each pane and place a wreath or something season on the centered nail. when being creative just remember that the size of ribbon and finish piece you choose to use needs to scaled appropriately. The picture should be what draws in the eye. But let the eye flow toward the unique detail you add.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe of the week: Homemade chili:

This is the perfect time to cozy up in a bulky sweater, and enjoy a hot bowl of chili. If you like football, this is a perfect hosting dish too! And, served best during the fall season.

The ingredients:

in a slow cooker add:

1 chopped yellow onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 green bell pepper

1 can cannellini beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 pound of ground beef (cooked) no need to season

1 can chopped tomatoes canned (drain water)

1 1/2 cans of tomato paste

1 cup of water

3 table spoons chilli powder

2 table spoons of cumin

my signature is adding bay leaves. I add at least five in my slow cooker. thoroughly stir all ingredients, making sure the onions, pepper and garlic aren’t at the bottom. Allow the mixture to cook for a minimum of three hours; four is optimal. Add salt and pepper at the end to desired level. Do not add salt first as the sodium from the already added ingredients will be noticeable, so wait until about an hour before serving. I like to add sour cream,cilantro, fresh thinly sliced jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and, of course use tortilla chips for dipping! I hope you enjoy.

~Aisling Designs~