vision comes to life

when i graduated college, i started an interior design company, cailen ascher design.  since its inception my focus has migrated more towards living fabulously in every aspect of one's life, rather than just creating fabulous interiors.  that said, it's so much fun to see your vision come to life!  jillian from cornflake dreams is having a "decorate this space" blog crawl, so i thought it would be fun to share one of my decorated spaces : )

this is a bedroom i created for a designer show house.  each year the show house committee selects a handful of designers to overhaul spaces, and then they open the house to the public to raise money for a local hospital.  for this room i went for a 1940s hollywood glam look.

the rough space.  yikes!

my vision for the bedroom

and the room after the makeover. much better, right?

can you sense the grace kelly-esque nature of the space?  it's feminine and glamorous and a lovely place to repose.  it wasn't easy but with the help of my family (and especially my mom), we pulled it off, and i must say, i was really pleased with the final result. 

nooks & books

i love nooks & books.  whenever i see a cozy space to curl up and indulge in my favorite read, i can't help but wish it were mine : )  below are just a few of the nooks with books that i love.

picture credit {here}



picture credit {here}



cozy bedroom

picture credit {here}

so cozy.  so charming.  so homey.  i would just love to settle in with a cup of tea and a great novel.  peyton place, anyone?  the only thing that would make these nooks even better (in my opinion) would be if they each had a blazing fire and it was snowing outside : )

so, what would be your read of choice, if you had a lovely nook to enjoy?



perks of the job

back of lodge

today i went with one of my writing clients, denise from nelson bridge, to view a house that she and her design partner have been working on.  i ghostwrite their blog and do some email marketing for them, so they wanted me to see the house, so i can brainstorm some ideas about how to publicize the project.

front door - welcome to the lodge!

the place was unreal. it sits on the top of a hill in the middle of 1000 acres of land. yes, that's right...i said 1000. there are amazing views in every direction. it's done in the style of a rustic hunting lodge, but believe me, there are very, very few "rustic" qualities about the place. everything is so lavish and impressive - i felt like i was on a movie set!

great room

view down the stairs

the floor plan radiates out from the central great room.  this massive space has two huge fireplaces, four seating areas, a gigantic bar with seating for 8 people and a floor-to-ceiling window (or rather window wall) with gorgeous views.  flanking the great room are the billiard room and master bedroom on one side and the dining room and kitchen on the other.  upstairs there are four more bedrooms, all with private baths (and amazing views, of course), and the basement contains two "media zones" - one for tv viewing and the other for gaming.  like i said before...unreal.


view of great room from upstairs

notice the bar to the left???



view from widow's walk



another view of back



another great vista

 

what a fun day at work! 

oh, and if you're interested in checking out the blog i ghostwrite for them click {here}.





Inexpensive Decorating Ideas!!!

1. Lighten up! Remove "heavy" pieces such as blankets, dark wool rugs and wintery drapes. Use a light sisal rug to lighten up the space and if you need some window adornment look for simple shades to block light or panel sheers to add visual interest.

2. Add color! If you're feeling adventurous, consider painting an accent wall a bright or vibrant color. For color inspiration look to your favorite accessory pieces - a lamp, beautiful bowl or painting. If you're not ready to commit to a new wall color, bring in fresh colors throughout the space in small doses - switch out a lamp shade or add a few new throw pillows.

3. Bring the outdoors in! When the weather begins to warm up, it's a great time to think about bringing new life into your home. Fresh flowers and beautiful potted plants are a wonderful way to add a spring touch to your home. Also, plants can be functional - think about a small pot of your favorite herbs in the kitchen to inspire healthy recipes!

4. New bedding! Switching out your winter quilt for a light, comfy bedspread is an easy (and affordable) way to transform your bedroom instantly. Be sure to choose a bedspread that still compliments the colors and furniture in your room but brings in a fun new color or pattern. Want an easy solution - go for a white down comforter - you can't go wrong with white!

Hope these tips inspire beautiful living!

Home Trends for Spring 2010!

With Spring fast-approaching, many people are starting to think about revamping their home. Below are a few trends I've been noticing in today's homes. Perhaps they'll inspire you as well!

"Green" decor. Eco-friendly is in! People are more and more interested in filling their home with not only beautiful pieces, but items that are earth-friendly as well. Check out www.VivaTerra.com for stylish "green" furniture. One of my favorites? The railroad tie coffee table for $598.

Beautiful and Functional. People are discovering that more stuff does not equate to more happiness. Therefore, many people are aiming to simplify their lives and homes and turning to pieces that are simultaneously beautiful and useful. Check out Ballard Designs castered tufted storage ottoman. It's attractive and functional and comes in countless fabric options to meet everyone's taste!

Happy (almost) Spring : )

FREE tickets to the Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC!

Want FREE tickets to this year's Architectural Digest Home Design Show on Pier 94 in NYC compliments of Cailen Ascher Design?!

Visit https://www.microspec.com/tix123/etic.cfm?code=ARCH2010&disc=EXHIBITOR and enter the code "EXHIBITOR".

For general home show information, visit http://www.archdigesthomeshow.com. Also, I'll be offering FREE design consultations at the show all weekend long.

Hope to see you there!

Principles of Well-Designed Living

It's so easy to get caught up in our fast-paced lives and lose touch with what's truly important. When this happens (and it happens to ALL of us sometimes), it's really crucial to "get back to basics" and tune into your true self and what you really need and want from life. To do this, you have to hone in on the pillars of Well-Designed Living: health, happiness and home.

Health - your nutrition, exercise and fitness routines, how you feel physically, personal hygiene

Happiness - your true self, your hobbies, passions, career, social life, family, faith

Home - your immediate environment (i.e. your house) and also your global home and your impact on the earth

At Cailen Ascher Design, we feel these three broad areas comprise our lives. If these areas are in sync and work together, we have a zest for life and smiles on our faces. Yet, if they're imbalanced we can feel sluggish, unhappy, sad, tired or even become ill. That's why it's so important to routinely evaluate your lifestyle with these three components in mind. If you find you're spending so much time at work that your exercise routine is non-existent and your house rarely gets straightened, you're bound to feel depleted and frustrated. The first step is acknowledging the imbalance and then the next step is to proactively address it. Take a yoga class with a friend or your spouse, before dinner one night, ask your family to spend 15 minutes straightening, take a few deep breaths. Small changes = big results!

Happy, healthy living : )

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Sharing the nest...

My boyfriend and I recently purchased our first home. It's been a whirlwind experience filled with lots of laughs, smiles and just a few little fights : ) Below I've listed some tips for anyone who is newly sharing their nest.

1. Acceptance. If you're moving in with someone, you obviously love and care about who they are. You accept and appreciate them better or worse....and worse can sometimes mean a different design sense! Realize that their style may not be completely compatible with yours, but learn to appreciate (or look beyond) it. If they have something that you find truly unacceptable, discuss it openly and be sure to ask if you have anything they would like you to reconsider hanging on to.

2. Compromise. Realize that you both are going to have to give up some things that you've grown accustomed to. If you both have a couch and only have room for one, you're going to have to decide whose to keep. Remember that your love and relationship are more important than furniture!

3. Bring in some new. Another fun, exciting and sometimes stressful part of moving in is purchasing new items together. Be sure to remain open minded and don't get offended if your partner isn't drawn to what you were hoping for. Finding a solution that meets both of your needs is much more important for the long run.

Hope these tips are helpful! Have fun decorating : )

3 Living Room Must-Haves

1. Great couch. A great couch anchors the seating arrangement in any living room. Opt for a piece that is streamlined and relatively neutral in color so that it can transition with the space over time. Add pops of color with accessories like pillows and lamp shades.

2. Eye-catching art. A statement art piece is a wonderful way to express your signature style. Hang an over sized work (or a collection of smaller "related" pieces) above the couch or fireplace as a focal piece. With art, always go with what you like - you're the one who has to live with it!

3. Functional tables. As for coffee/cocktail tables, I always recommend really thinking about how you use your space before you purchase. Do you want a comfortable foot rest? Perhaps go with a leather bench or ottoman. Do you need extra storage? Go with a table that has shelves or hidden interior storage. Need flexibility? A collection of small stools or cubes can be bunched together to work as a table or separated to use as extra seating.

UPDATES!

January 7th (today!!!) - Cailen will be speaking at the Flemington Shop Rite on Rte 31 at 7pm in the upstairs mezzanine about the important link between a healthy, happy life and a beautiful, organized home. The presentation is free and open to all. Shop Rite's registered dietitian will provide healthy, delicious snacks and information about nutrition.

January 12th - February 23rd - Cailen will be hosting lifestyle classes at her home studio in Stockton, NJ. Class topics will include healthy eating & recipes, vision board creation, goal setting, the importance of exercise and much, much more! Classes are held weekly on Tuesdays from 10am-11am. Visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com/lifestyle.html for details.

Keep a look out!

March 2010 - Cailen will be at the Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC! She'll be giving free design consultations all weekend long. If you're in need of some design inspiration or curious about the latest trends, stop by the show!

May 2010 - Cailen Ascher Design's work will again be featured in the Bucks County Designer House. Cailen will be designing a large studio space and will be showcasing furniture from Orchard Hill Company in Lambertville, NJ where she is working as their in-house designer.

For more information, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com, email CailenAscher@gmail.com or call 908.581.8191.

Online Interior Design Consulting

Online Design Consulting - Step 1
Cailen Ascher Design now offers Online Design Consulting - the next best thing to having a professional designer in your home. Now you can get Cailen's design advice for whatever space you're ready to remake.

If you are interested in Cailen Ascher Design's Online Design Consulting, please send us an email about your project. Be sure to include which room(s) you're interested in reworking and your general expectations for the design. Cailen's design team will follow-up shortly with a design questionnaire and pricing via email.
CailenAscher@gmail.com

Step 2
If you decide to move forward with the service, fill out the questionnaire, take room photos and mail a check for the full amount due to the provided address.
Once Cailen Ascher Design receives it, you’ll receive an action plan for the room(s) in approximately two weeks. The action plan will include a detailed list of what can be done with the space, a floorplan to outline how Cailen's team thinks you should arrange the room and even some resources that we think might help you with your design project - all the tools necessary to inspire and motivate you to create a beautiful, functional environment!
It is truly the next best thing to having Cailen come to your home and create a space of well-designed living.

Preview of Questionnaire
1. Do you have a "style" for your home?
2. How do you use the room?
3. What is something you love about the space?
4. What is something you wish to change?
5. If you had to sum up your final design goal in one word, what would it be? Comfortable? Classic? Luxurious?

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Make the Most of Fall

Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves, the crisp breezes and fires in the fireplace. Fall signals the end of summer - and outdoor living. That is why it's always a good idea to do a bit of fall freshening inside your home so that you truly enjoy your time indoors this season.

Bring the outdoors in. Add fresh fall-colored flowers, branches of autumn leaves or even small pumpkins or gourds to your indoor space to brighten it up. Natural elements bring life into rooms.

Add lighting. With the daylight hours diminishing, be certain that you have adequate lighting for all your daily activities. Relying too much on overhead lighting can make a room cold and impersonal. To really cozy-up your space, bring in lamps with 40-60 watt bulbs - perfect for fireside reading...

Dress your windows. With the weather turning colder, think about bringing in some longer, heavier drapes to replace summery curtains or to cover "naked" windows. Not only will drapes add drama and personality to your space, they also serve to insulate and keep cold drafts at bay.

Organize and de-clutter. In fall and winter we spend much more time indoors so it's really important to keep your home organized and running smoothly to prevent unnecessary stress on you and your loved ones. Take a weekend to tackle some small organizational projects (the junk drawer, closet or desk). I guarantee you'll feel much more relaxed afterwards!

Add new accessories. Try switching around some of your artwork, buy new throw pillows or put a favorite collection on display in a new location. Small changes can make a space feel new again, so you won't mind spending more time indoors!

I hope these suggestions have inspired you to look at your home and make some fun changes this season!

Happy Fall : )

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my book, Well-Designed Living, visit http://www.cailenascher.bravehost.com/ or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Well-Designed ...

By Cailen Ascher Poles

Book Preview

Order your copy of Well-Designed Living today!!!

My Book!!!

Well-Designed ...

By Cailen Ascher Poles

Book Preview

Get your copy today!!!

Before & Afters

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Home Staging Advice

To get your home sold faster, you have to see your home through the eyes of the buyer. Be objective and really try to see how potential buyers view your space. Your ultimate goal should be to "neutralize" your home, so that anyone who walks through the door can picture themselves living there.

-De-clutter and organize. Remove personal collections, photos and knick-knacks. Clean out drawers and closets. Remember, buyers will look behind closed doors and if closets are messy, they'll assume there's not enough storage in the house!

-Replace & Update. If you have outdated lighting, stained carpets or old bathroom fixtures - switch it out for something new and sleek. These small updates will give your home the edge over the competition.

-Neutralize. If you have bright or dark paint colors or dated wallpaper on your walls, replace it with a neutral, calm color like a soft tan or light gray. This will give buyers a blank canvas to work from and give them a sense that the home is "move-in ready".

-Make it welcoming. Make sure your front entrance is welcoming. Repaint the door if it's scratched, replace the light fixture if it's old or dirty and buy a new welcome mat. Remember, you can only make ONE first impression!!!

-Finishing touches. Add arrangements of fresh flowers, light a softly-scented candle or bake cookies to make your home smell inviting. These small gestures speak volumes to the buyers.

If you take the time to really ready your home before you list it, you're setting yourself up for success. Think like a buyer, and you'll do great! If you're having trouble having an objective eye, ask your Realtor or hire a professional home stager to provide you with a "to-do" list.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Design Your Lifestyle

So many of us put thought and time into designing our home, our wardrobe and special occasions but often give no thought whatsoever to designing our lifestyle. You may wonder...what does she mean, "design your lifestyle", but it's really an integral part in any happy, healthy life.

If you don't take the time to reflect, review, define and even design your lifestyle, your happiness and potential success are stifled. The key is to make certain that your home environment and your lifestyle (your thoughts, feelings, actions, desires, etc.) are in sync. This means that your home should complement your lifestyle and feed your energy, not inhibit it or deplete it.

Oftentimes, we progress through our day with a sense of complacency. We travel from task to task without giving it much thought. But, if you take the time to really prioritize and figure out what you truly need and want to be happy, you'll set yourself up for success. Just the act of reflecting upon your goals makes it that much more likely that you'll achieve them!

For example, if one of your goals is to live a healthier life (eat better and workout more), but your home does not complement this new lifestyle change, the change won't stick for very long. It's so important to align your home and lifestyle so that you can begin to live your best life. Set up a workout space. Buy healthier food. Cook more of your meals instead of getting take out.

Take some time to think about your lifestyle and to go through your home and identify areas that you wish to change for the better. I guarantee that once you better align your lifestyle and environment, your goals will be much easier to attain.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, email CailenAscher@gmail.com or visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com.

Excerpt from "Well-Designed Living"

I've been diligently working on my book and am hoping to start distributing it by August 2009. Below is an excerpt to give you an idea of what "Well-Designed Living" is all about...

Introduction

Design is not an exact science. In order for a design to be truly successful, you have to listen to your gut, trust your instincts, and accentuate the best features.

This holds true whether you are designing your home, your wardrobe, or your lifestyle. It may seem like a strange concept to “design” your lifestyle, but it’s vital in creating the life you want and deserve.

Some people constantly feel that they are the victim of circumstances and that their life is out of their control. They feel trapped by their current reality, but our current reality is just that, current; it can start to change next month, next week, tomorrow, or even now as you read this book.

We are the primary players in the creation of our lifestyles. We sculpt and mold every element of our lives with both attention and neglect. The goal of this book is to help you create harmony in your life so that you feel fulfilled. Our bodies and our homes showcase what we hold dear, our priorities, and what we like and dislike. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these two pillars of our lives, for without stability and confidence in these areas, our lives feel imbalanced and stressful.

The act of design may come naturally to some, but is often daunting, and it is often helpful to turn to a professional, a designer, for guidance. Let this book be your lifestyle designer to help you create your best life…starting now. I strongly recommend keeping a journal throughout this process. It’s a great way to record your feelings, goals, motivations and improvements.

With the help of this book, you will learn the art of
Well-Designed Living:

The Self
How to love and listen to your body.
How to let your authentic inner voice be your guide and live intuitively.

The Home
How to make your home a reflection of the
life you want.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Pictures of Finished Designer Room

A few weeks back, I had a photographer come in and take pictures of the final room. I've posted them below - I'm really pleased with how the room came together!

Hope you've enjoyed your look at "The High Society Bedchamber". To see the room in person, visit the Bucks County Designer House before May 31st. For details, ticket information and directions visit www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Mark Your Calendars...

April 25th & 26th
Stop by Cailen Ascher Design's booth at the annual Shad Fest in Lambertville, NJ. Enjoy live entertainment, great food and family fun!

May 3rd-31st
Visit the Bucks County Designer House to see Cailen Ascher Design's bedroom! For more information visit http://www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org/.

May 20th
Come to the Hunterdon County Library at 7pm to hear Cailen give a talk about "Well-Designed Living". Seats are limited. Visit http://www.hclibrary.us/ for details.

May-June
Pick up a copy of BUCKS Life magazine to see Cailen and Cailen Ascher Design featured in an article about "Young Entrepreneurs".

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.