I Have A Colorful Personality!

But who didn't know that, right?!

I guess Better Homes and Gardens knows me well because when I ran accross this Color Personality Quiz, I just had to try it out.


The quiz was only 7 questions long. So, it took all of about 2 minutes to take the quiz. I love seeing the answers and information provided around my color. Some of the questions were amusing and some were hard to answer. I could have picked multiple answers on some of them.

Question #2 asked what kitchen tablecloth I would pick out on a whim. This was probably my most surprising answer as I would probably grab whatever catches my eye (assuming it fits in with my color scheme). I normally like to plan out most of the decor in my house, but accessories is the one area I tend to be spontaneous about. You can switch out accessories from room to room so easily that it's easy go with your gut on items.


Question #3 amused me as I just got into couponing about a month ago. Previously, I would have skipped that day as it was waaaay to busy for my liking. But I'm a changed woman (sorta), and I'm trying to get all the deals I can find. So, double days are great!


Question #5 was the easiest question to answer as I LOVE blue hydrageas. It's one of my favorite flowers, and will be planted in my yard... eventually.


Now for the results ....

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EARTHY GREEN!


In case you can't read the tiny print in the box above, it says...

"Methodical in nature, you like to have all the facts before taking action: Life should be about balance. Green is a reassuring color with connections to nature, growth, and sustainability."

I do like the color green. It's the primary wall color in our living room and den, and I use it as an accent in quite a few other rooms of the house. So, I thought this was a pretty accurate color choice for me.

BHG's website also broke down some green categories and explained how the different types of greens can be used throughout the home. I definitely love the grayish-green as a primary green-color for walls and big furniture pieces. Yellow-green is fun for accents and accessories.





And here's a purdy little green room the site showcased for me. I could live with this in my house! So cute and relaxing and inviting.




So, what do you think about my color. Is it totally me? Or did you picture something else?

Want to take the fun little quiz yourself? Check it out Here!


Note: The site may ask you to enter an email address before giving results, but you can decline emails/newsletters so that you don't get unwanted goods delivered.

Pop Quiz: What Is Your DESIGN Style?

Back in January, I showed you a little quiz on the Better Homes & Gardens website that revolved around your Organizational Style (click HERE if you missed that one). Well, BHG has a 2nd quiz on their website that asks the question, What is your DESIGN style?! And I just had to take this quiz also!

Here are a few examples of the types of questions the quiz asks....

Question #1. Which flower arrangement would look best on your coffee table?


I chose the middle option - Hydrangea. I love that flower. The more muted colors would look nice against the green walls of our living room. And it has a cottage vibe that I like.

Question #4: Which of these chairs would you like to sink into at the end of the day?


When it comes to "sinking" into a chair, I'd probably choose the Slipcovered chair, but I kind of ignored the question and chose the Red and Paisley chair instead. I like the traditional wing-back look. I LOVE paisley patterns. I thought the pop of red color was fun!

Question #8: Which of these is your dream home?


This was a REALLY hard question for me.

A Cape Cod would be my dream vacation home, especially one overlooking the ocean, but it's probably not my "everyday" look.

Colonial homes are just beautiful (I have a family full of Colonial-decorators), but it's a bit too formal for my lifestyle.

So, ultimately I chose the Craftsman, which is actually the style I'm most drawn to 99% of the time. Whenever Joey and drive past a craftsman style home, I have to mention how I would love to build a house just like that! I love the architecture, the natural elements and "craftsmanship" (duh) of these homes.

The Final Results? POLISHED CASUAL



Key elements?

• Love to mix and match your favorites from several styles. (Yup!)
• Crisp, fresh, and always comfortable, this approach anchors itself in neutral hues and furniture that isn't fussy but isn't slouchy either. (Yup!)
• Anything goes, but simplicity is key. (Yup!)

This quiz pretty much nailed me.

At the end of the quiz, you can link over to homes that match your decorating style and get decorating ideas tailored to your style

Here are a few examples from a House Tour that fits my Polished-Casual-style...

Sweet Escape: The master bedroom is full of grown-up glamour. A hint of sparkle on the throw pillows takes the robin's egg blue and mocha brown palette from pretty to spectacular.

Touch of Bling: A mirrored top and shelves add an unexpected touch of glamour to the otherwise plain wooden nightstand. Get this look by dressing up ho-hum furniture with mirrors. The only prerequisite is that the edges are square and the surfaces flat. For a DIY project, use mirrored tiles from a home store. Otherwise, have a professional fit mirrored glass panels to your plain piece of furniture.


Space for All: In the family room, mix formal and casual pieces for a collected look. A traditional skirted sofa is paired with bright prints. At the center of the room, an antique Chinese elm coffee table with a woven top can withstand bumps and spills.


A Perfect Match: Modern meets traditional head-on in the family room. Vintage-inspired lamps, baskets, and plenty of down pillows cozy up boxy upholstery and modern art.



And just for fun, here are a few pictures from a real home near Savannah, Georgia that embraces my polished casual style (I love the look)...








Click HERE to get started on your quiz! And don't forget to share your results in the comments section below!



Note: BHG's website may make you "log in" to get quiz results, but you can elect for them not to mail/email/send junk to you... I haven't received anything from them after adding my name and email.

Pop Quiz: Your Organization Personality!

I LOVE to organize. And January is the perfect time of year to kick your organizational booty into high gear! And while searching around on the Better Homes and Gardens website the other day, I stumbled across this Organization Personality Quiz, and of course, I just had to take it!

Here are a few examples of the types of questions the quiz asks. I found that I checked circle #3 on most of the questions...

Question #1: When I return from vacation and am faced with a week's worth of mail, I...

As you can see, I selected the 3rd option: Take a day to unpack and settle in before sorting through it.

I'm definitely more concerned about getting my clothing/toiletries put back in place and laundry started before sorting through bills/mail. The home is my priority.

Question #6: When it comes to e-mail in my in-box, I...

I chose the 4th option on this question: Try to make sure my in-box is nearly empty when I leave on Fridays so I can relax over the weekend.

I am a "thrower away-er" when it comes to stuff around the house (just ask Joey). The same holds true for my email inbox. I "trash" most of my emails unless I really need to keep them around.

Question #7: When my friends are asked to describe me, they would probably use words such as...

I selected the answer "Detail-oriented and organized", but I was totally stumped on this question. I have NO idea how my friends would describe me... how would you answer this question about me?


And finally, the Result: SCHOOLTEACHER



I'm not surprised by this answer. I've been told multiple times "you should have been a teacher".

The results indicated that I am "orderly but not rigid". And my key traits are as follows:

• Predictable and Reliable (predictable sounds so boring, but reliable is good)
• Structured, but not afraid of spontaneity (definitely true)
• A Rule-follower (also pretty true - although I can be a rebel every now and then)

After the quiz results were revealed, there was additional information you could read through that offered some practical strategies for organizing your home. Here are a few of the solutions I appreciated.

#1. Command Central
Avoid a jumbled mess of mail and school papers by setting up a message center and inbox for each family member. Use the area to corral artwork, homework assignments, forms, and magazines as soon as they enter the house. At each week's end, go through the contents of each box; discard old material and file away things you want to keep.

#2. Think Thin
Avoid deep drawers in favor of shallow ones. Deep drawers can quickly turn into dumping grounds but shallow drawers are super efficient, making it a cinch to store -- and find! -- board games, kids' art supplies, or reading materials.




#3. Junk Drawer Strategy
Set aside one drawer in your kitchen or office area as a junk drawer. Yes, that's right: Organization experts agree that you should have a dedicated place for all those odds and ends that otherwise wouldn't have a home. The only caveat: Make sure you go through the drawer (at least) once a year to clean out items you no longer need or that belong elsewhere.




#4. Smart Closet
Ditch the single-bar setup common in most closets for a configuration that fits your wardrobe. Carve out a slender hanging space for long clothing, add drawers for delicate items and jewelry, install shelves to corral shoes down low, and cap the whole system off with a single shelf to hold out-of-season or special-occasion gear. Still need more storage? Try lining bare walls with a slat-board system. Use the grooves to support hangers for purses or other accessories.




So, what do you think? Helpful? Or not so much?

Click HERE to get started on your quiz!

Note: BHG's website may make you "log in" to get quiz results, but you can elect for them not to mail/email/send junk to you... I haven't received anything from them after adding my name and email.

Pop Quiz: Discover the Style That Makes You Smile!

One of my favorite places to shop and find great deals is Home Goods stores (often in/part of Marshalls). You can often find some inexpensive accessories that brighten your home and add a great eclectic touch so that everything isn't so matchy-matchy.

Well, I found out today that they have a great online quiz aimed at breaking down your design style. And being the quiz-guru that I am, I had to try it! Here are some of the questions I answered and then my results...


Question 2: If the sofa is the centerpiece of your home, choose which best represents your style?

I selected the sectional sofa since this is what we want to buy for our family room anyway. It provides the most seating for the space at hand.

Question 7: Choose the room that would make you happiest!

I selected a fairly casual room with neutral colors. Looks inviting and comfy, but not sloppy.

Question 8: Now it’s time to dress it up! Choose the group of furnishings you favor.

Again, I chose fairly casual, earth-toned furnishings. The little chair especially drew me in.


My Smile-y Style-y Results: EARTHY CASUAL! (go figure)
According to the site... You're interested in creating a welcoming home where people feel comfortable and happiness flourishes. You appreciate the warmth and individuality of natural materials and handcrafted things and are inspired by colors and forms from nature. You love mixing up different textures and are sensitive to the tactile qualities of objects. Your style is grounded and solid, not flighty or frilly. And you are never taken in by the trend of the moment.

You value serenity. While there are probably a lot of interesting things in your home, they are joined by your taste or a certain palette that keeps them in harmony. You appreciate the beauty in simple forms. Whether fancy or plain, you appreciate things that are well made and function as well as they look. You also have a strong respect for the environment and craftsmanship. You care about how things are made, and how they are used.

I don't know about you guys, but this description hit me spot on!!!

The only think I was surprised by was the color pallet the site gave me. It selected colors in the blue-range. And while I do decorate with blues in several rooms of my house, I don't picture it as being "earthy" the way I do greens and browns.


The site also gave me a few tips to enhance my earthy style...

1. Your Design Challenge: UNIFY
The good news is, you probably have many things you love and have collected, and no one would ever say your home is boring! You've done the hard part; now you just need to pull it all together. If your furniture seems like a mish-mash, unify it through similar upholsters or slipcovers. When grouping objects, try to find something they have in common. If they share a shape, color or material, they will look like a collection. A tray is every decorator's secret weapon for making groups of small objects look purposeful and sculptural. If your accessories are all over the map, try subduing the upholstery or wall color, so your small items are the stars.

2. Your Happy Place
Make this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!
Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.



So, what do you think? Did the quiz nail me? I was very pleased with the results!


Want to find out the style that makes you smile? Click Here! And don't forget to share the results!

Color Personality Quiz

I love taking quizzes! Especially personality-type quizzes. Anyone else with me on that? Maybe not... But I came across a website that offers not one, but two quizzes! 2-for-1 is always a bonus in my book!

And what are these quizzes all about, you ask? Well, the first quiz is a color personality quiz (I love color, of course). The quiz focuses on the interior of the home and explains what color combination's are best suited for your needs and personality.

The second quiz is an exterior personality quiz. It explains what exterior style of house best matches your likes and personality.

So, let's take a look together to see how accurately this website defines style-personality (for me).

Quiz #1: Color Personality
I found this quiz especially difficult because the questions they asked had multiple answers to them, yet I could only pick 1 answer. So, my guess is that I could potentially get a lot of different results by tweaking my answers slightly.

For example, here is question #3:

How am I supposed to answer THAT? I want my home to feel Happy. And Welcoming. And Tranquil. And.... These were the types of questions I hated on Tests in school - multiple correct answers but you have to pick the one that's MOST correct (ugh!). I never got those right. So, I went with my gut on this one and picked "welcoming" as the mood I MOST wanted. Several of the other questions were similar to this.

Only the first 2 questions asked about your actual color preferences...


...and honestly, I think the end results were based solely on these 2 questions and had nothing to do with any of the other answers.

So, after answering all the questions, the quiz concluded that my interior color personality is....

RAFFIA! (who comes up with these names?)

Raffia is a collection of neutrals and interesting greens that signify a timeless appreciation of diversity. A person drawn to this palette appreciates texture and the importance of tactility in all surfaces. They wish for a sophisticated environment that is also casual. They seek a balance with nature and time.

I guess "raffia" is supposed to look something like this...


Is that really me??? I do like neutral and green colors. But I'm not sure the picture really demonstrates my overall color style. So, I'll give this quiz like a 3.5 out of 10 for accuracy. Not so good.

Quiz #2: Exterior Personality
I enjoyed this quiz much more than the first quiz. I thought the questions were easier to answer and it did a better job pin-pointing my true design style.

An example of one of the questions is...
2. Pick the neighborhood that best describes where you live:

• A suburban community where the homes in each development are similar in style, with a limited array of colors. Most colors are in keeping with the classic look, and the neighborhood has a cohesive appearance.
• A community of homes that are somewhat unique in their color schemes. Often there is a variety of styles and they provide an opportunity to create your own palette. While there are no restrictions on colors, homeowners tend to reflect the influence of their neighbors and environment.
• A neighborhood where homes tend to be on large parcels of land. Homes are designed and built to the homeowner's taste. Colors and styles are varied and limitless.
• A neighborhood where homes are a mix of styles, sizes and ages. Neighbors are well acquainted and there is a strong sense of community. Colors are chosen that reflect the friendliness of long-time neighbors.

I picked the last option, which fit the description of my neighbor hood very well.

In the end, the quiz determined that my exterior design style is....

COTTAGE! (a normal name)

Cottage is a welcoming palette that truly makes a house a home (that seems to fit one of the answers I put in the first quiz!). These colors bring out the charm of your neighborhood gem. A casual architectural style is best suited for this palette. Bright trim and accent colors bring out the interesting features such as shutters, porch railings and window boxes. Coordinating the colors with the flowers and shrubs increases your home's curb appeal.


I thought this conclusion fit me (and my house) much better than the first quiz. I'd give it a 7 out of 10.

So, what do you think? Did either quiz define your color or exterior personality accurately? Or was it waaaay off? Please share!

What's Your (decorating) Style?

Anyone ever wonder what your "true" decorating style is? Or what style you would like your current decor to resemble? For me, I like so many different deco-styles, it's hard to boil down what "Katie-style" is!

Well, I came across this quick little quiz that helps pin-point your true style, and as it turns out, it was quite accurate for me. It just happens to be on Ethan Allen's website, (Anyone else swoon over E.A.'s furniture? Anyone? Anyone?) and it is great for us visual learners.

There are just 2 Rules:
1. Go with your instincts.
2. Choose fast.

And think about this:
What do you like?
How does it make you feel?
Think about the vibe. Shape. Mood. Inspiration. The overall look.

Click here to check it out and see what you think!

As for my quiz results, the true Katie-style is....

LOFT...
Energetic. Fashion-driven. Practical. Materials borrowed from industry, architecture, and nature. Clean shapes. Punches of color. Spontaneous and fresh. Kids and pets? Bring them on.

The site then goes on to further break down the different varieties of LOFT style, and includes some pictures to help visualize what it's describing. LOFT-style-decorating includes the following options (the majority of which I love)...

1. Marzipan: A bright confection with a fashion edge. Defined by graphic shapes and a playful yet well-edited use of apple green, watermelon pink, and liberal helpings of black. Modern. Feminine. Refreshing.

2. Dusk: Enter serenity. A brilliant mix of modern and soft creates balanced tranquility – a look of elegance energized by nurturing textures, crisp linens, bold patterns, and cool art. In sum, sophisticated simplicity.

3. Serape: Where every seat in the house is the best one. Life is collected. Inspired by nature. Never cluttered – rather perfectly placed.

4. Earth: Warm honey-toned woods set the tone for a life worth living organically. Where nature and nurture coexist in unexpected ways. Modern. Reflective. Earth easy.

5. Hayloft: Modern country. Down-to-earth. But smart and stylish. Practical yet chic. Black and white. Balanced by earth tones. For a rustic space or a city apartment. Fabulous without pretense.

6. West Side: A hip urban style that’s livable, relaxed, and remarkably affordable.

7. Meadow: The modern cottage: a beachside garden vibe that goes with casual living.

So, this break-down definition was actually full of good things that I (would) like to incorporate into my decor. I like that it keeps it eclectic - you can do a lot of different things throughout the home, but still give the same "vibe" everywhere.

What do you think of the quiz? Good description of your style? Or not so helpful? Do tell!

Raise The Roof

While talking about the roof isn't my favorite thing in the world, we are eventually (like in the next 10 years) going to need a complete roof redo - including tearing off 3 layers of shingles to lay down a nice new layer and hopefully not uncover any other must-fix-this problems along the way.

So, although that project is (hopefully) years away, and the roof topic itself may not be my cup o' tea, I do love taking random quizzes! What does that have to do with anything, you ask? Well, today I came across this little personality quiz that will help match your house and your personality and come up with a custom roof color for you!

Here are a few examples of the questions I answered...

Question 1: You've got 2 weeks of vacation and a big bonus check. Where are you headed?

Visiting family/friends is almost always my first choice for a vacation!

Question 2: How would you like your friends to describe you?

Notice the question asked "how would you like..." and not "how would they..." - gotta keep people in dream world and not reality.

Question 4: Sort these crayons from most favorite to least favorite.

Of course, Yellow and Blue go first!

Question 6: If you could splurge on one thing, what would it be?

Being first-time-homeowners means needing lots of new furniture. The hand-me-downs don't cut it anymore!

After answering the 9 questions, I got my results. And the best-roof-color-for-me quiz results are (drum roll please)...

My first thought: Huh? They make purple and brown roofs?

But here's the breakdown for some clarification...

Purple says:
Purple is a combination of opposites—a blend of the excitement of red with the serenity of blue. So there is a creative tension that will always draw a second look. The bluer purples are more sedate and contemplative, the redder purples are high energy, while the deeper aubergine shades speak of a certain elegance. Purple announces that there are very creative or artistic people that dwell within. Unique, cutting-edge, intriguing, unusual, even a bit mystical are words to describe the reactions that might come from using purple on the exterior. This is an unexpected and unconventional choice that will definitely draw attention and interest.

Brown says:
The color of earth itself, brown is the shade that is most connected to substance, stability and a real sense of worth. There is a steady, wholesome, no-nonsense, organic quality that expresses comfort, harmony and a steadfast connection to quality. Brown is authentic and real, developing a sense of “belonging.” But it is not all about rustic and country—just like the earth from which it comes there is a richness connected to brown as well. Think coffee and chocolate browns, variations on a theme that brings a new perspective to the potential of brown as literally being in “good taste”.

Combine Purple and Brown and you get Summer Harvest!

So, what do you think? Are purple and brown accurate descriptions of me (and my roof style)? Or way off?

Take the quiz yourself to find out how spot on it is!