Slipcovers for Your Walls

Every now and then you’ll run across a periodical with all kinds of useful information.  Such was the case with Country Collectibles’ 2011 Decorating Shortcuts.

Some suggestions appeared in a December blog post, What Are You Doing for the Holidays?  Here are a few more.

1)  Designer John Loecke-“Use wallpaper in an unexpected way.  Paper ceilings.  Your eye travels upward and it’s a nice surprise.  Pick a pattern that coordinates with the rest of the decor in the room-both in theme and in color.”  John doesn’t just suggest it.  He does it!  See Escape Via a Labor of Love.  We later did a wonderful large custom mural of an Indian print John and Jason Oliver Nixon had purchased on a trip.  They didn’t put that on the ceiling but did install it in their kitchen at their weekend cottage.  You can read all about it on their blog, Demystifying Design.

2)  Personalize a room by making your own mapped wallpaper as a thrifty alternative to the pre-printed kind.  New or old maps will work just as well.

Photo- Mark Lohman, styled by Sunday Hendrickson

Here is Casart’s answer to both of the above suggestions.

Casart World Map

Here it is installed on the ceiling.

Casart custom world ceiling map

3)  Wallpaper-Looking for a wall-to-wall change but don’t feel like painting?  Wallpaper is the solution for switching style in a room.  There are so many options.

Thibaut Design-pink and white floral wallpaper

Casart makes it easy-no paste, no glue, DIY, remove and reuse.

Casart Flower Power

4)  Nothing makes a stronger impression than color.  A bold shade makes for a punchy entry.

Mary Douglas Drysdale’s Lipstick Plus Signature Color is surely that!

Mary Douglas Drysdale Signature Colors for Casart-Lipstick Plus

5)  Details-Architectural details finish a home with flair.  You don’t have to live in a historic house to have craftsmanship on your walls.  Adding final touches has become a simple option for everyone.

We agree and have tried to make it as easy to do as possible.  No more measuring.  No more cutting molding.  No more painting.  No more aligning molding.  No more nailing or gluing.  Here’s some of our architectural offerings and you can see more on our website.  http://www.casartcoverings.com/architectural.html

Casart Faux Blue Linen and Casart Faux Paneled Door

Casart Shell Faux Paneled Door

Casart Faux Panel

-  Lorre Lei

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We all make New Year’s resolutions, even if they are sometimes only internalized; but do we complete them? They are often too lofty or the goal posts are set too high to achieve. Often, we just give up after trying a short time once we realize that we have 46 more weeks to go an it seems too daunting to continue. Knowing this, I was struck when I read the title, “Resolved: Small changes can produce big rewards, ” in the health section of my local newspaper. I was encouraged to see that these small changes could be applied to resolutions that could be achievable and they all would be good for personal as well as business improvements. These may all be simple but they require thought and some effort to maintain. I had time to reflect on this after a recent trip to Panama. I’ve already broken a few but I’m trying to keep up with the rest.

1) Work on your focus. Evidently, multitasking isn’t so good for your brain because it can really only juggle one thing well at a time. It is suggested to limit your distraction time with electronic media and put brain power toward focusing on one thing, which improves memory and efficiency. I have limited my email responses to certain times a day, which allows me to focus on more important and enjoyable things, like new designs (that I’m working on) and sketching. Plus, I get more accomplished in the process.

Sketching in Panama

2) Eat more fiber which is linked in studies showing a lower death rate from cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious diseases, not to mention a good flushing system for your body. The tropical fruit in Panama is so colorful and abundant. Banana and mango trees are in back yards with ripe fruit for picking.

3)  Sleep more which gives your body a chance to repair itself from daily stresses. It helps with concentration, memory and creativity to have a regular set schedule with enough sleep so you don’t feel tired the next day. I can operate on five hours of sleep a night, sometimes four,  but then I tend to make up for it on the weekend. Since I realize some people need less sleep than others, I’m reluctant to suggest how much is best.

Siesta

Panamanian moon

4) Improve important relationships. Spending more meaningful time with friends and family can be beneficial in enhancing mood and well-being as well as reducing risk of stroke and mental illness.

5) Eat dark chocolate daily.  It satisfies a sweet tooth to have just two squares of  pure 50 – 70 cocoa, which delivers antioxidants in decreasing blood pressure by protecting the lining of blood vessels and therein, lowering the risk for diabetes that can lead to and prevent a possible heart attack and/ or stroke. What’s not to love about this one, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner?

Panamanian cocoa pods

For business, I thought I’d relate how all the above can lead to more productivity, projects going smoothly, less exhaustion, more stability with team members and adding a little fun in the mix creates a perfect balance.

I stumbled upon these worker ants recently while on a hike in the Panamanian jungle. It was one of the most awesome things I’ve seen in Nature.  While putting together this video, I realized what a perfect balance they had struck — all working together as a team for one accomplished goal. Even though it first appeared a moving mass of mayhem, I noticed that there was a synergized rhythm because they all were performing to the best of their ability going in two delegated directions for one goal. This reminds me of Casart coverings and how everyone on our team is focused, works well and strives for success.

– Ashley

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Ahoy, Mates!  Grab a knot, net or nautical stripe!

When-January 28th-February 1st at the New York International Gift Fair, Pier 94, New York City which draws 35,000 attendees from 50 states and 85 countries.

Where-Karen Robertson Designs-Booth 41006

Karen will introduce Casart’s Karen Robertson Collection in vignettes displaying her wonderful marine designs.

Casart's Karen Robertson Collection Orange Monkey Knot

The strips, available in various widths, can be installed vertically or horizontally to form stripes.

Casart's Karen Robertson Collection Ocean Aqua Stripe

The resulting stripes can include two or more color combinations-bound only by the limit of your design creativity.

Casart's Karen Robertson Collection Oyster Stripe

This could be a life saver for design dilemmas.

Bon voyage!

-  Lorre Lei

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