Welcome to the first issue of our monthly online magazine.
The purpose in creating this magazine is to bring you a wide variety of ideas and information for decorating your home. Each month we will cover topics such as lighting, accessories, color, furniture styles and much, much more. On occasion we will feature an interior redesign complete with before and after photos.
Each month there will be a “Q & A” column where you can submit your decorating questions. There will also be some unexpected tidbits, all of which will hopefully make for enjoyable and informative reading. Your suggestions are always welcome as what is of interest to youis of interest to me.
The ABC’s of Decorating
“S” stands for style.
Many of you feel that your decor doesn’t have a style because you “don’t know what to call it”. Please do not be worried that you are unable to assign a name to your particular design. This is not important. I suggest you place more emphasis on developing a look that reflects your personality and supports how you and your family live in each room of the house. (Then you can name it yourself!) Aim for creating an environment based on what appeals to you and not just by what is currently on the market.
The truth is style takes time and patience to develop. Indeed, a person’s style will most likely change over the years as we mature and have more disposable income to purchase furniture and art. If you have had your furnishings for many years your style can be refreshed by selectively “retiring” some items and replacing them with a few fresh pieces. If you are just beginning to build your décor, I suggest you let your fingers do the walking through decorating magazines and catalogs to see what appeals or “speaks” to you. Make notes and clip photos as reminders of what you are attracted to. This way when you go shopping your heart and your head will be better prepared to make decisions. Successful decorating is a building process, so don’t rush it.
Last, enlisting the help of a professional is well worth the cost to get your decorating plans off to a good start. Making a critical mistake will cost you more money in the long run. I would be happy to visit you in your home and help you get started in the right direction. Happy decorating!
Your Q & A’s
Dear Deborah,
My husband and I are ready to update the look of our home. We want to install new carpeting and I really want to repaint the main rooms. I believe our home can use an interior redesign too. Should we do the redesign before or after we carpet and paint? I am not sure I can do this on my own. Can you help me? Thanks, Susan (PV)
Susan, glad you asked! Updating your home can be a fun and exciting adventure. However, it can be a bit scary if you don’t have a plan. The color of your carpet and paint should be based on the colors in the room, for example, from the fabrics on the main seating pieces. Do you plan on keeping your current furniture or will you be replacing any of the items? You may want to consider making changes to your color scheme before forging ahead with new carpet and paint. Updating your room’s color palette can be as easy as buying new throw pillows or a new area rug.
Certainly can help you with your color choices. Also, I can outline a step-by-step plan for decorating your rooms in the proper order. This way you won’t get ahead of yourself and make a mistake.
As seen on: HGTV’s
Decorating Cents
Interior redesign:
practical, efficient and smart!
Many of you readers are already familiar with the concept of interior redesign. For others this may be your first exposure to this approach to decorating. So just in case, allow me to briefly introduce you to the wonderful world of interior redesign.
IInterior redesign is based on the philosophy that you can use what you already own to successfully decorate your home. Regardless of the age or style of the furnishings, the principles of interior redesign can be successfully applied to create beauty and balance in any home decor. For the most part, we love the items we own whether inherited or newly acquired. Yet we often express doubt about certain pieces and wonder if we should keep them at all. The problem is not what you own; the problem is how it is arranged.
Many of you tell me there is something wrong with the look or feel of your rooms but you don’t know what the problem is. When I suggest the room may lack a sense of balance, warmth, flow or “not be inviting” you reply with a resounding, “Yes, that’s the problem!” Interior redesign addresses these issues and will resolve the cause of your decorating dilemmas. As many of you know, the results are remarkable and can easily take your breath away! Interior redesign will make a beautiful and lasting impression on your home and the way you live in it.
Please feel free to call me with your questions and concerns. Interior redesign is my passion and it gives me great pleasure to redesign your homes.
