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Tricks to Getting Your Clutter to Look Good
by Jane-Marie Bloomberg
As you clean up your clutter and organize your home, you may end up editing a lot. BUT if the "keep" stuff doesn't find an aesthetically pleasing home, it will still feel like clutter. Here are some quick tricks to getting more out of organizing:
- Contain It: Use containers for everything that can't be put in closed storage - a decorative basket for keys or decorative bowls for miscellaneous pill jars, lotions and other bathroom counter clutter.
- Balance It: Symmetry is used frequently in designing - apply it to organizing as well. For example, flank an entertainment unit on BOTH sides with IDENTICAL lidded storage chests or baskets to hold blankets, toys, pillows. Add custom decorative liners in a coordinating pattern and one basket won't seem so out of place.
- Work It In: Pick containers that go with your decor - dark wicker baskets to match wood tones in your living room, acrylic boxes in mod colors for kids' rooms.
- Move It Up, Not Out: Take advantage of walls and work them into your storage system. Above a desk mount shelving from floor to ceiling, or build shadow boxes over the toilet to store necessities.
- Build It: If you are truly overwhelmed with clutter, take a look at your existing space - do you have built-in storage? You may have to just bite the bullet and add some - it will help increase your home value too.
- Repurpose It: Use straw dispensers to house food items, cotton balls, art supplies, etc. (commercial supply stores are great places to check out).
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Jane-Marie Bloomberg
Embellishments DESIGN STUDIO
ph: 612-251-6512
fx: 952-937-6954
Sign up for my FREE Email Newsletter at www.embellishmentsdesign.com!
by Margarett DeGange, M.Ed.
Question: I use my formal dining room for casual meals with my family and for entertaining major clients. How do I create a look that works for both dining scenarios?
Answer: Go for Casual Elegance—Low maintenance everyday with glamorous accents you can easily incorporate when entertaining. Create a FOCAL POINT using a buffet cabinet. Hang an ornate mirror above it, as wide as the buffet. Store beautiful linens and trays in the cabinet. Top it with an EXQUISITE centerpiece that stays out everyday, flanked by a pair of tall candleholders. Your table may be wood or a surface that can be quickly wiped down after daily meals, but when entertaining, add a GORGEOUS layered table presentation: a custom-fitted table skirt topped with a stunning runner, then transfer the buffet’s centerpiece to the table, leaving the cabinet free for platters of food. Keep the candle holders on the buffet. For parties, add damask or silk “Chair Slips”. For walls, try a metallic faux finish above a chair rail. Pair casual woven-wood Roman shades with lush, interlined silk side panels at the windows, for a burst of textures and glamour fit for easy days and more formal evenings.
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Margarett (Margo) DeGange, M.Ed. is a Success Coach who has helped thousands of design professionals make higher profits, have more free time by working smarter, and create multiple streams of income.
Her business-building products include both onsight and on-line courses in decorating and business, ready-made curriculum for speakers and teachers in decorating, ready-made articles, newsletters, and seminars, trunk show and home show success systems, training kits for creating digital products, and more.
Margo is the Director of The DeGangi School of Interior Decoration and the Executive Director of the Decorators’ Alliance of North America.
Tap into Margo’s resources for design and decorating professionals and speakers who want to build wild success.
Visit www.DeGangiGroup.com , www.DecoratingForProfits.com and www.DecoratingSchool.com for easy to use tools to increase profits quickly.
Visit www.LetsTalkAboutDecorating.com for ready-made seminar kits to make you the local decorating expert. E-Mail her at Margarett@DeGangiGroup.com .
by Margarett DeGange
Question: I’m ready to redecorate my two full baths. What are the guidelines when decorating bathrooms? Does the master bath wall color have to match the master bedroom?
Answer: First, determine the mood and style you want, and then select paint and accessories. Do you want a spa-retreat or a space to get you going? Cool colors relax, and warm colors energize. Do you want the space to be open and airy or nestled and cozy? Paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color to open it up, a darker shade to make it cozy. Wall color from the bedroom to the bath can blend or match. For good aesthetics, utilitarian and personal hygiene items should be stored away in attractive case pieces, decorative boxes, and baskets that establish or strengthen your style or theme (never leave a toilet brush or container of deodorant in view). Lighting is a key element in a bathroom. Establish both ambient and task lighting. Use dimmer switches where possible. Accent with greenery and fragrance to finish the look. Think of the bathroom as another room and an important space to design and decorate.
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Margarett (Margo) DeGange, M.Ed. is a Success Coach who has helped thousands of design professionals make higher profits, have more free time by working smarter, and create multiple streams of income.
Her business-building products include both onsight and on-line courses in decorating and business, ready-made curriculum for speakers and teachers in decorating, ready-made articles, newsletters, and seminars, trunk show and home show success systems, training kits for creating digital products, and more.
Margo is the Director of The DeGangi School of Interior Decoration and the Executive Director of the Decorators’ Alliance of North America.
Tap into Margo’s resources for design and decorating professionals and speakers who want to build wild success.
Visit www.DeGangiGroup.com , www.DecoratingForProfits.com and www.DecoratingSchool.com for easy to use tools to increase profits quickly.
Visit www.LetsTalkAboutDecorating.com for ready-made seminar kits to make you the local decorating expert. E-Mail her at Margarett@DeGangiGroup.com .
Part II - Furniture and Flooring
by Pam Milam
For 2007, furniture designers are putting the spotlight on the rebirth of “new classic” styling after several years of touting contemporary looks. Contemporary is still a force to be reckoned with in home interiors, but the transitional classic looks add a dash of detail and glamour to the picture. Wood furniture finishes will be either deep dark brown tones or au naturel. Gentle curves will be seen on chair backs, table bases, headboards. Upholstered furnishings follow one of two paths – either contemporary streamlined shapes, or the softer, rounder lines of the classics. Nailhead trim and piping are making a comeback.
Leather upholstery continues to be very important for 2007. Leather looks great in a wide variety of furniture styles, from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. It works beautifully in every variation of earth tone colors as well as neutral shades and - a point not to be dismissed- is extremely hard wearing and easy to care for!
Because flooring is such a substantial feature in a house, the type you choose will go a long way in defining the style of your space. And, here as well, the choices and trends for 2007 will give you room for thought….
Wall-to wall carpet seems to be waning in popularity these days, but today’s carpeting is coming in subtle tone-on-tone patterns, in “shaggier” surface types and in deeper neutral colors than before. Sage greens, bronze and khaki tones are most popular today, and show less dirt than our mothers’ very light colors did.
As we use less carpet in our homes, hardwood is fast becoming the flooring surface of choice for many of us. Wood floors are beautiful, easy to clean, will last more than a century and can be refinished when necessary. Most exciting are the wide plank looks in distressed finishes. Laminate flooring is an alternative to hardwood. It is less expensive and is easy to install, but cannot be refinished and sometimes has a hollow sound to it.
Stone flooring surfaces are very popular today. Natural slate tile is especially interesting, both for its texture and its interplay of warm colors. Limestone and tumbled marble are options for a slightly more formal look. One of this year’s newest and most unique flooring choices, and a growing favorite of designers and homeowners alike, is stained, or patinated, concrete. Using an array of acids and chemicals, concrete floors can be colored in a variety of earthy tones. It can be a very artistic process, with swirls and splatters incorporated into the design and scoring and saw cutting can be used for decorative effect.
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Pam Milam is the Owner of Reinvented Rooms, an interior design firm located in Fresno, CA. Reinvented Rooms is California’s only nationally certified interior arrangement and design firm. She can be reached by telephone at 559.435.0850 or by email at pam@reinventedrooms.com. Be sure to sign up to receive her FREE design newsletter, "Rethink.Renew.Reinvent!", filled with decorating tips and expert “tricks of the trade”. You can subscribe via email at pam@reinventedrooms.com or by visiting her firm’s website at http://www.reinventedrooms.com.
by Marie Mouradian
Color has the power to change our mood. It energizes, it calms, it soothes, it provokes, it stabilizes, it softens, and it creates chaos. Playing with color is playing with your emotions. We use color to lift our spirits, to inspire us and to make our homes feel safe and warm. Color associations are defined by the culture we live in and our personal past.
Red is the color we pay the most attention to. It is the most energetic color, it's hot and dramatic. Red is the color of love, passion and desire; red hearts, red roses. A "red letter day" is terrific; wearing a "scarlet letter" marks you as untouchable. On the flip side, red is for danger, speed, and anger; think of stop signs. It increases the heart rate; you won't find it in the emergency room. It stimulates the appetite; you will find it in most food establishments. Have you ever gone into a pizza place or Chinese restaurant that wasn't red?
Pink is soft, sweet and secure. Hot pink is playful and assertive.
Orange has become a lot more acceptable in the past few years. Bright orange is loud and flamboyant. Orange is the color of affordability; think Home Depot and ING, it appeals to the masses. Warm terra cotta, apricots and peach tones are more sophisticated. Fall leaves, pumpkins and Halloween come to mind when you think of orange.
Yellow is warm and friendly. It inspires. Energy, joy, happiness and hope are all associated with yellow. Yellow creates a glow even in the darkest rooms. Like the sunshine, yellow is warming but too much of it can be burning. Bright yellow causes tension and stress.
Green is the color most often cited as a favorite. It represents nature, health, money and prosperity. Green is cool, calm and healing; think of a spa. Hospital scrubs are usually green. A negative affect is jealousy; being "green with envy". It's good to be "seeing green" (money); and bad to be "turning green" (sick).
Blue is tranquil, calm, stable and secure. Blue is the color most used in business to reflect reliability, integrity and trust. Navy blue demands respect. Blue slows the pulse, lowers the body temperature and reduces the appetite. A great color for a weight loss clinic.
Purple represents royalty, dignity and spirituality. Purple is an exotic color. There is a fine line between spiritual ceremony and magical mystery. Purple is imaginative and creative.
Brown is down to earth, warm and secure. Lighter shades of beige and taupe are classic neutrals. Deep browns add richness and depth. Browns are generally appealing to everyone.
Black is another mysterious color. In the spectrum it is the absence of light, therefore, no color. Formal, elegant, sophisticated and sexy black is in contrast to the black of death, mourning and witchcraft. Black is a great accent color.
Gray is the most neutral. Gray has quiet strength and longevity; think granite and metal. Gray is timeless. It is best used as an accent.
White is what we see when all the colors come together in perfect balance. White is pure, simple and clean. Reverence, peace and joy are seen in white Easter lilies. Every color goes with white. Too much white can be uncomfortable and hard on the eyes.
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Marie Mouradian
WFCP Master
Window Designs Etc.
508-829-5503
25 years of creating beautiful interiors for you to love.
Sign up for my Ezine, Beautiful Home and Life Design.
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www.Window-Designs-Etc.com
Part IV - Baths
by Pam Milam
The bathroom is undergoing its own modern design renaissance these days. According to industry experts, consumers are demanding the same ambiance and features in our baths at home as we are experiencing and enjoying at luxurious spas and resorts. Creating that spa-like space at home is becoming more and more important to many of us, so we are installing whirlpools and jetted tubs with air-bubble massage functions, chromatherapy (at the touch of a button, a sequence of rays of color, which practitioners believe can have a holistic healing effect on the body, are shone through the water) and other indulgent options. Tub styles are diversifying as well, from the of-the-moment infinity edge look to the classically sophisticated claw foot and pedestal versions.
Those of us who prefer to shower instead of soak have plenty of high-end choices to ponder as well. Luxury shower systems with overhead rain-forest-style shower heads, steam generators, saunas and multiple body-jets create an oasis-like atmosphere. Add in a wall-recessed gas-fired fireplace, heated towel bars, radiant heat flooring, whisper-quiet ventilation, a flat-screen hi-definition TV and decorative lighting and you’ve got your very own five star spa resort right in the comfort of your home.
This pampering spa experience calls for updated design and upscale style in the other elements of the room as well. In 2007, the bathroom vanity is morphing from the utilitarian cabinet of yesterday into a stylish piece of real furniture, with a decorative sink set into its surface or an above counter “vessel” sink - often a piece of art itself in glass or stone – mounted on top. And his-and-hers separate vanity areas are a conveniently functional feature on those busy mornings when two people are rushing to get ready at the same time. Instead of a single piece of plate glass mirror mounted on the wall above the vanity area, a decoratively framed mirror adds a warm touch. Wall sconces provide task lighting with an upscale feeling, while a chandelier or pendant fixture overhead supplies ambiance and style.
Glass tile is emerging this year as a favorite material for the bath. It shimmers, it shines and it can be used on walls, counter surfaces and floors. Homeowners are designing showers with glass tile in ocean colors and mosaic patterns to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere.
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Pam Milam is the Owner of Reinvented Rooms, an interior design firm located in Fresno, CA. Reinvented Rooms is California’s only nationally certified interior arrangement and design firm. She can be reached by telephone at 559.435.0850 or by email at pam@reinventedrooms.com. Be sure to sign up to receive her FREE design newsletter, "Rethink.Renew.Reinvent!", filled with decorating tips and expert “tricks of the trade”. You can subscribe via email at pam@reinventedrooms.com or by visiting her firm’s website at http://www.reinventedrooms.com./
by Michele Kiefert
Thinking of Hiring a Decorator? Here are some things to keep in mind when considering using professional decorating services:
I have found, in my experience with starting my own decorating and Staging business, that more times than not, the general public is unaware of what to expect when considering to use a professional decorator or Stager, (not to mention a licensed designer.) I’ve written this article to give people a better idea of that expectation when hiring someone to help with a decorating dilemma.
First of all, I want to point out that a decorator, designer, Stager, or whatever professional you choose, is not just someone with artistic abilities, that person is also a problem solver. When you choose the right person, you are choosing someone who will be using experience, talent, and hopefully education, to help you get exactly the result you want, whether you know what you want or will be figuring it out as you go. That professional’s job is also one of a psychologist, someone who will have to help you sort through all your indecisiveness and eccentricity to steer you in the direction in which you want to be.
To begin with, it will help to know what kind of budget you are willing to spend on professional services. Someone put it to me in this perspective: Unless you are hiring a Stager, you are hiring a decorating professional as a personal luxury. You do not need a professional decorator to help you live your life. This is not a service you can’t live without. You should expect to pay accordingly. Not all decorators charge outrageous fees, but don’t expect to pay someone minimum wage for the services they will be providing. Most decorators probably start their hourly fees at $75.00, and some may not charge hourly at all. Some decorators may charge per job, square footage, or another method they’ve found works for them. You’ll want to keep this in mind when figuring out an initial budget. If you don’t know where to begin when creating a budget, think of a figure you definitely would not want to spend, and then you can work backwards with the help of your designer. That also works well for those of you who think money is no object… When it comes down to it, everyone has a limit.
When you make the decision to start interviewing decorators, Stagers, etc., you want to find out certain things over the phone or through email before taking the next step towards meeting in person. This will save both your time as well as the designer’s. First, you want to make sure that the person you hire has both talent and education. Find out what kinds of jobs they have worked on, where they may have received education, and if they are members of any professional organizations. Do they have any certifications or specialties? You want to be sure that this person keeps up to date on all building codes (if working with a designer) and is up to speed on all the latest trends. This will help when deciding if you want to go with the what’s-in-now or tried-and-true classic style of décor. Being a member of at least one organization (such as DANA) can help a decorator stay informed. Check to be sure the professional is licensed to do business and also has insurance. Don’t feel shy about asking for proof. You can even ask for personal and professional references. You may want to make a list of questions to ask before you place the first call.
The decorator will have questions for you as well, so be prepared to answer questions about the job you’ll be hiring them to do, as well as what your budget may be (yes, they will ask this). They will probably ask you a few personal questions, too, such as: are you married, who will be the final decision makers, do you have kids, pets, etc. (Some of these questions may not come up until a face-to-face interview.)
Also, it never hurts to let someone know if you decide to go with another designer or firm, or if you just decide not to use a professional at all. This is more for someone who comes out for a face-to-face interview as opposed to a telephone interview. If a designer takes the time to come meet with you and you decide not to hire them, a simple phone call or email letting them know is appreciated. You don’t have to go into detail as to your reasons, unless you are comfortable doing so.
And finally, you want to feel comfortable with the person you decide to hire. After all, many friendships are formed between a decorator and a client. You tend to learn a lot about each other throughout the whole design process so you want to be able to trust this person. But you also need to realize that this is a professional relationship first. Don’t take advantage of your decorator just because you’ve become friends. This person has worked very hard for the knowledge and experience they’ve gained, so try not to ask for free favors or opinions.
Good luck in your search for the perfect decorator. I hope this article has helped shed some light on the process!
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Michele Kiefert, ASP
Welcome Home Interiors, LLC
Professional Decor and Home Staging Services
email: michele@welcomehomeinteriors.net
phone: (678) 895-8099
http://www.welcomehomeinteriors.net
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