Susan
Susan
Blogger & Interior Redesigner

Susan J. Smith is the founder and editor of the "your home, only better" blog. The name reflects her belief that every home has potential to be the best it can be. Susan is a big believer that a fresh perspective can bring big improvements to any home and she prides herself on her ability to create big impacts with small budgets. And yes, she's a bit of a digital geek! ;)
Her HomeGoods: Newton, New Jersey
HomeGoods Shopper Since: I have no memories of not being a HG shopper.
HG Openhouse Blogger Since: December 2007
Personal Blog: www.yourhomeonlybetter.com
What room is your favorite room in the house?
My office. I redesigned it to be a family office, so I can hang out with my kids while I work.
What's your favorite part about planning a dinner party?
Brainstorming ways to make it unique. I love surprising guests!
If your decorating style were a song, what genre would it be?
Classic, vocal jazz with a little swing and blues thrown in for measure.
Top 3 most important pieces of furniture.
  • Bed—sleep rules! Mattress must be sufficiently fluffy.
  • Kitchen Table—it's where our lives really happen, where the big decisions are made.
  • Family Room Sofa—it's where we relax as a family.
What's your favorite fallback for organizing a cluttered counter or closet?
Stack it, and hide it. If you need to find something, you know where to start looking.
You are Dr. Design. What is your best quick fix for a home emergency?
De-clutter and add fresh flowers.
What piece or room do you update every season?
My bedding, the family room, dining room, and kitchen.

Susan
February 10, 2012

How I found Romance at HomeGoods

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Posted in Accent Furniture, Bedding, Decorative Accessories, Lighting, Rugs

I’m a practical girl. I avoid clutter and believe that the marriage of form and function can and should live happily ever after. So when it comes to mushy holidays, I prefer something useful rather than…



Susan
January 20, 2012

Creating Your Personal Yoga Space {Namaste}

yoga in basement
Posted in Decorative Accessories, Wall Decor

Let me preface by stating that I’m not a bonifide Yogi. I’m a newbie. But one thing I know is that if you don’t have a happy place to do your yoga (or other exercise)…



Susan
December 30, 2011

Happy Happy New Year!

lionnewyears
Posted in Seasonal Decor

I’m poised to rummage through closets, nooks and crannies to organize for 2012, but first, I would like to wish everyone a wonderfully happy 2012!



Susan
December 16, 2011

Pssst…Can You Keep a Secret?

hgssblogger
Posted in Gifts, Lighting, Seasonal Decor

I love shopping for that perfect gift for someone special! And I love a good challenge too! So when challenged to find the perfect gift for a special HG blogger for $25, I was off…



Susan
December 10, 2011

Happy Holiday Lions

lionxmas2011
Posted in Seasonal Decor

While most (normal) people are trimming the tree and decking the halls, I braved today’s cold and wind to bling out the stone lions out front. Just wait till you see what we have in store for the lions…



Susan
December 2, 2011

The Little Red Lantern That Could

red lanterns by fireplace
Posted in Seasonal Decor

I confess, I’m not quite done decking the halls. Because this is our first Christmas in this home, I have to think it all through a bit more. But I’m very excited about an idea…



Susan
November 18, 2011

10 Fabulous Hostess Gift Ideas

giftideas
Posted in Gifts

It’s less than one week way from the biggest dinner party season there is! Flocks of friends and family will descend upon the lucky and/or designated hostess and share in the Thanksgiving feast. Which means…



Susan
November 7, 2011

Personal Gifting: 5 Ideas

personalgifting
Posted in Gifts

Do you ever find it challenging to continually come up with new gift ideas each year? This year, why not create a personal gift by pairing a thoughtful collection of items with something personal. Create…



Susan
November 4, 2011

Who cares what time it is when your clock looks cool

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Posted in Decorative Accessories

My favorite date and time of the year is finally upon us. Sunday, November 6th, 2:00am. We will reclaim that hour stolen from us in the spring. I’m practically giddy with excitement. But in today’s…



Susan
October 28, 2011

Halloween Costumes for Lion Statues

lionhalloween
Posted in Seasonal Decor

When we bought our home earlier this year, it came with these rather large stone lions (roar!). They’re too heavy to move, so why not have fun with them! (If you recall, an anonymous crafter…



Susan
October 14, 2011

Accessorize Your Happy Place

readingcorner
Posted in Decorative Accessories

As the weather cools, its time to get ready for some quality “inside” time with your home! Yes, it’s time to find that special corner of your world where you feel happy. A mini Mom…



Susan
September 23, 2011

What does your color choice say about you?

what colors mean
Posted in All, Decorative Accessories

I love reading about the psychology of color (self-professed color geek here!). Anyway, with the change of the season, it’s fun to pull new colors into your home through beautiful accessories. But how do you go about…



Susan
September 16, 2011

A New Season For a Birch Tree Inspired Family Room

inspiration2
Posted in Seasonal Decor

My family room design was inspired by the birch tree. Creamy white with a slight gray undertone, dark bronze contrast, and colorful accents that change like leaves with the seasons. So I bid farewell to…



Susan
September 9, 2011

Warm up to Fall with Five Easy Tips

fall hues
Posted in Seasonal Decor

My chipping pedicure is a sure sign that it’s time to temporarily retire the flip flops and consider which color mums to plant in my front door urns. As much as I prefer warmer weather,…



Susan
September 2, 2011

Comfort Food: Roasted Red Pepper and Cheese

roasted red pepper sauce
Posted in Kitchen

Greetings from soggy New Jersey! I was hoping to share my waiting-for-Irene project with you (painting my ugly kitchen), but got sidetracked with a foot of water in a finished basement. Ugh! So instead, I’d…



Susan
August 19, 2011

Back To School Solutions for Homes without Mud Rooms

backtoschoolmudroom
Posted in Decorative Accessories, Storage, Wall Decor

Got more mud than room? I can relate. {sigh} Kids are heading back to school and like it or not, those oversized backpacks, bulky coats, irresponsible mittens and scarves, and dirty boots are about to…



Susan
August 5, 2011

Why I love outdoor lighting more than flowers

homegoods630
Posted in Garden, Lighting

My thumb has never been accused of being green. But I love to sit outdoors and look at beautiful things. So why not plant lights instead of flowers? First, I addressed our side porch. Rather…



Susan
July 22, 2011

Fans are Cool!

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Posted in Decorative Accessories

I’m a big fan (pun intended) of functional accessories. It’s the ultimate win-win for the home. In fact, I blogged about how a vintage fan at a junk shop inspired my last home office awhile…