Inside-Out Designs

Window Treatments ~ It's a Love-Hate Relationship

2010-02-09T09:22:00.000-08:00

Do you love them because they’re functional, but hate them because they’re unattractive or outdated? Or perhaps they’re dysfunctional … you’ve been tempted to tear them down time and again, yet don’t know what to put in their place. There are a myriad of choices available, though many factors to consider when selecting the right treatments for your home, and most likely the treatment you select will vary from room to room.

Picture a window in your home that you want to improve. Here are just a few of the factors you need to consider before making your final decision:

Do you need your treatment to provide privacy?

Does heat from the afternoon sun need to be insulated?

Are there children or pets in the home? Consider how the treatments will stand up to their not-so-gentle touch.

Is the room formal or informal? This will greatly influence the style of treatment you select, as well as any fabrics you may choose.

Do you want the window to be a focal point in the room, or would you prefer a simple treatment?

Is your desire purely for cosmetics, and function isn’t an issue? Perhaps you just want to add a decorative element to the room, and that is their primary function. In the room pictured here, the blinds provide the function, and the drapery panels add a soft, decorative touch.

Window treatments can also be used to adjust the imbalance in a room, such as an oddly placed corner window.

Window treatments range from ready-made draperies and blinds available at your local retailers, to highly customized treatments for the most unique situations. If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

New House; Same Furniture ~ How to Make it Work!

2010-02-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

It’s always exciting to get a new place to live! You can own it or rent it, but the feeling is still the same ~ you want to make it your own, and have it reflect who you are and what’s comfortable and inviting to you. Even if you’ve been fully furnished and accessorized in a previous home, there are inevitable changes that will occur because of the new space. I’ve worked with a few clients already this year that have purchased new homes, and here’s some of the suggestions I’ve given them.

Furniture Placement ~ You have a completely new floor plan to work with, and some furnishings may need to be removed because they don’t work well in the new layout, or additional pieces may need to be purchased. A piece that was previously in your living room, may now find its way to the dining room instead. Try and keep an open mind about where you place your furniture, and don’t get locked into fixed ideas about a particular piece needing to be in a particular room. This beautiful chest from Horchow.com can work equally as well in a dining room, living room, bedroom, or even a foyer. This is really an area where you can think outside the box.

Play With Color ~ The best way to add character and warmth to your rooms is with color on the walls, yet this is an area that I see many clients struggle with. It doesn’t have to be dramatic to produce a big impact, so even soft tones will have a wonderful effect. If you know your color scheme and are ready to paint, get it done before you move in, if at all possible. If you’ve hired professional painters, they’ll love you for this!

Take Your Time ~ It’s only natural to want to have your home fully furnished and accessorized, post-haste! That said, if you truly want your home to reflect you, then try and let it evolve over time. It’s tempting to run out to your favorite retailer and create the room you love straight from the catalog, but does that really express your unique character? Go ahead and get the basics, but save some room for art, accessories, or furniture pieces that you’ll find along the way in life’s journey. The end result will be one-of-a-kind! If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Maximize Your Kitchen for Less!

2010-01-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

How many hours do you spend in the kitchen each day? If you’re like me, the answer is a lot! In many homes the kitchen is the hub, and everything from daily life to entertaining guests stems from this room. Did you know that a kitchen upgrade or remodel is one of the best places to put your home improvement dollars? Though there are plenty of men doing the cooking these days, women are usually the ones who fall in love with beautiful kitchens when searching for a new home.

Since not everyone can afford to completely demo their kitchen and rebuild from scratch, here’s some ideas of how you can freshen up your kitchen for less! When making your choices, think about beauty AND function.

Refresh the Cabinets ~ There are a few ways of doing this, and it all depends on what you’ve got to start with. If you have older cabinets with doors that aren’t very decorative, my favorite advice is to replace the doors and drawer fronts. This is easily done, and provides an instant upgrade. If you can’t match the existing finish on the cabinets (which is likely), then refinish or paint everything to match. Replace the hinges, door and drawer hardware, and you’re done!

I recently finished a renovation on this kitchen, and we kept the existing cabinets in tact. They were very dated (as you can see from the before photo), but in great shape, so repainting them and adding some new hardware gave them a fresh and updated look! We also added a raised bar, to maximize functionality. It cost $3,300 to have the cabinets professionally prepped and painted, and I estimate new cabinets would have been $18,000 and up. What a savings!

Replace the Countertops ~ No surprise here! Though granite has been the desired surface for many years, there’s a myriad of choices for countertops, and it’s an instant upgrade to your kitchen. And, don’t stop there! While you’re at it, replace the sink too. Most kitchen sinks are under-mount (meaning the edge of the sink is underneath the countertop), so now is the time to put in a fresh one.

Upgrade the Appliances ~ We don’t change our appliances like we change cell phones, but if you have appliances that are 20 years old, the money to replace them are dollars well spent, not to mention the new pleasure you’ll find in cooking! Gas cook tops and ranges are usually preferred over electric by avid cooks, and stainless steel has been the favorite finish for several years running. I love it because the color goes with everything, and find that it works well with any design style as well. Look at what a beautiful difference it made in this kitchen! The impact of other upgrades would have been much less, had we kept the old appliances.

Want to maximize YOUR kitchen for less? I’m just a phone call or email away! If I can give you assistance with your other design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Earthquake Preparedness ~ Two Simple Things You Can Do TODAY

2010-01-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

Did you feel the earthquake this morning? Each time we have one, most people can’t help but wonder “Is this the big one?”, and if it is, how bad will it be? Though earthquakes are not the only disaster that can strike, there are several things we can do to prepare for the complete loss of resources we may encounter. There are the obvious, such as food and water supplies for you and your family, but also other ways to prepare which you may not have considered.

When disaster strikes, it’s likely you’ll be in one of two places; asleep during the night or away from home during the day. Implementing these two ideas can make a large difference in how well you’re able to survive the situation.

Under-the-Bed Bag ~ If it’s a major earthquake, there will be debris and broken glass to contend with, and being caught in your PJs and bare feet is going to make it tough to get safely through the house. Fill a duffel bag, backpack, etc. with the following items: sturdy shoes that are easily put on, heavy pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a flashlight. These are the minimum items you should have, but you could also add items such as a dust mask, or a whistle for locating each other in the dark. Prepare a bag for every member of your household and tie the bag to a leg of the bed frame with a length of rope or cord. You will easily be able to retrieve the bag and pull it up onto the bed without letting your feet touch the floor.

Car Kit ~ If you’re away from home, chances are you may not be able to get back for a while, so consider what items you may need to keep you sustained. Have both a plastic storage bin and an empty backpack in your car. The bin should contain: sturdy clothes, a sweatshirt or jacket, a light-weight waterproof poncho, comfortable walking shoes, several bottled waters, energy bars, a flashlight, gloves, a first aid kit, and a few hundred dollars in cash (most bills smaller than $20). You could also consider adding other personal needs, such as feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, and a supply of any necessary medications. A battery-powered radio would also be beneficial for news updates. The backpack is on hand in case the car needs to be vacated and you’re forced to pack up some supplies and walk to your destination.

My husband and I have many other ways in which we’ve implemented disaster preparedness in our home, and I’d be happy to share them if you’re interested in learning more. Just send me an email, because you can never be too prepared!

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Deck the Halls, AND the Front Porch

2009-12-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

This is it! One of the first impressions you give your guests when they approach your home is the front porch. A festive and inviting porch will make them want to come in for more! If you’re a regular reader of my blogs, you know I’m big on maximizing impact with simple ideas that don’t break the bank.

Invest & Reuse ~ Of course, we all have our holiday décor that we store and bring out from year to year, but if storage space is at a premium in your house, try and have just one focal piece, then use fresh floral and other accessories to compliment them. I just loved these bronze, sparkly trees for my own front porch, but that’s the only accessory I reuse from year to year. They nest inside each other, so I (actually, my husband), only needs to find a spot in the attic for the largest one. I buy the fresh poinsettias and cedar garland every year, throw in a few candles, and I’m set!

Or, Don’t Reuse! ~ Don’t want to store anything besides a few strings of lights? Then visit your local garden center for fresh greens and plants. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with the beauty of nature, and when you add in some lighting, you have a beautiful display. Cyclamen plants are readily available this time of year, and the contrast of blending red and white plants creates simple elegance. Or, blend white cyclamen with red poinsettias for a truly holiday look!

Less is More ~ I’ve said this many times, but simplicity goes a long way toward elegance. Too many accessories on the porch (or anywhere for that matter), can give a cluttered, overdone appearance. A few well-chosen decorations, simply displayed is all you need. This photo is a good example of what not to do. The more you display, the busier it gets, and then it becomes just a bunch of clutter. Check back weekly for more decorating and home improvement tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design, decorating or party needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Weatherproof Your Home for Winter!

2009-12-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

Baby, it’s COLD outside! This week we’ve jumped from fall straight into winter, and though I do love the colder weather, I want to keep it OUTside. If you feel the effects of Jack Frost creeping into your home, try these tips for keeping him out!

Glass is a Conductor ~ If you live in a home that doesn’t have dual-paned windows, the glass in your windows is offering you little protection from the cold. In fact, it’s actually bringing the cold into your home! Though PG&E no longer offers rebates for replacing your windows with energy efficient models, here's an informational link from their website (http://www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/rebates/remodeling/windows/index.shtml). If window replacement isn’t in your budget, window coverings are your next best bet. There are a myriad of options for window blinds that have insulating properties, as well as lined drapery panels. If you need assistance in this area, I’d be happy to share ideas!

And, so is the floor! ~ If you have hard surface flooring, such as hardwood, stone or tile, your floors are also conducting cold air into your home. Homes with a crawl space beneath them often have no insulation between you and the cold, damp ground beneath your home. Most likely, you have some type of underlayment (such as plywood) under your interior flooring, and that’s attached to a sub-floor, which are the structural beams of your home’s flooring. That’s all you’ve got, and it offers little insulation properties, so adding fiberglass insulation to the underside of your sub-floor will greatly aid in warming things up. Wall-to-wall carpeting is another obvious option, but even large area rugs will help to cut the cold.

Seal it Up ~ One of the most common ways that outside air enters your home is around your exterior doors. If your doors don’t close tightly, add foam or rubber weather stripping around the inside of the door jamb to get an air tight closure. Another area to check on doors is at the bottom. If it doesn’t close tightly against the threshold, install a door sweep such as the one shown here.

Check back weekly for more decorating and home improvement tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Simple Ideas to Bring the Holidays to Your Home!

2009-12-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

‘Tis the season for holiday decorating! I love this time of year, when we have full license to transform our homes for the ordinary to the extraordinary, and it’s amazing how even the simplest touches can have big impact!

Lighten Up! ~ Nothing says “holidays” like lights. We all have our favorites, but my preference is all clear lighting, and plenty of it! Though lighting can definitely be over-done (especially on the exterior), there’s an elegance to a landscape of all clear lights. Wrap them around the trunk and branches of trees, weave them through a garland around your front door, or wrap the topiary on your front porch. Even if this is the only decoration you use, it will give a festive welcome to you and your guests, so be creative, and have fun with it!

Play With Color ~ Though rich reds and greens are the traditional colors for Christmas decorating, it can be fun to break away from the expected a bit! Think of brighter greens for a little more glitz, or softer shades for elegance. I love this all white tree from Better Homes & Gardens, and the soft sage green and butter yellows compliment it perfectly.

It’s Not Just Gift Wrap! ~ You put time and thought into choosing your gifts, so why not let the presentation show it? Beautiful gift wrap is a simple way to make the season even more festive and special. Even dime store paper can take on a whole new look by using fabric ribbon to tie it up!

Use Fresh Floral ~ I too have storage bins full of holiday décor, but I always make a point of bringing fresh floral into my designs. I love mixing the beauty of nature with a little holiday bling! I like how this display from used fresh greens with the lighted sphere ball. I have these same copper planters on my front porch, and pop a poinsettia in each one, then drape fresh cedar garland wrapped with lights around my doorway. Quick, simple, and beautiful!

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!
Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Children’s Toys Taking Over Your House? Storage Solutions to Clear the Clutter

2009-11-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

It’s a common dilemma among parents. They want their children to have the freedom to play with their toys in the common areas of the home, such as the living or family rooms, yet they are driven half-crazy by the constant clutter! I was recently hired by a young mother to work on several areas of her home, and this is one of them. She’s frustrated that her living room doesn’t look enough like an adult space, yet still wants to have her son’s toys accessible for him. Here are a couple of ideas I’ll be giving her …

Attractive, Accessible & Affordable ~ My client has a nice sized corner window, so I’m going to suggest these great cases from West Elm. These are assemble-yourself units, so the rolling casters can be omitted if desired, and the smaller unit will fit perfectly under the windows. We’ll add attractive square baskets in the openings, and because these are tucked in the corner, we can arrange other furnishings to obscure them a bit from open view. Using baskets in open shelving makes it very easy for her son to access his toys, but also very easy for him to put them away!

Just Make it Go Away! ~ If you’re not big on the idea of open shelving, try using a sideboard for storage, such as this one from Crate & Barrel. My client’s decorating theme is an Asian/Hawaiian/Zen feeling, so this sideboard would fit beautifully. Its combination of shelving and drawers makes it very useful for toy storage, yet easy access for her son. Baskets can still be used on the interior shelves, making clean-up time a snap!

Check back weekly for more decorating and home improvement tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

How to Be a Smart Shopper For Upholstered Furniture!

2009-10-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

We’re all there at some point ~ it’s time for out with the old, and in with the new! Buying furniture is an investment, and it’s so unfortunate if we’re disappointed with our decision once we’ve got it home. Whether it’s a sofa, club chair or dining chairs, there are several things to consider when narrowing down your options.

Test Drive ~ You wouldn’t buy a car without driving it first, and I don’t recommend buying a piece of furniture that you’ll be sitting on without actually sitting on it first! Though style, color and fabric are all very important, you want the piece to be comfortable as well, and people have different ideas of what’s comfortable to them. When thinking about dining chairs, consider how you entertain. Do you tend to linger at the table for 3 hours over several courses? A chair that’s comfortable for 2 minutes in the showroom, may not be for longer lengths of time.

Quality Check ~ There are a few ways to recognize quality vs. poorly constructed upholstered pieces. As with all things, you usually get what you pay for, and I recommend buying the best you can afford for the core pieces in your home.

Check for quality construction by looking under cushions and in the crevices (for example, where the arm meets the back of a sofa). Look for full coverage with the fabric and a tightly sewn construction.

Look for pattern matching on the fabrics as one clue to a better quality construction. When fabrics are a print (vs. solid), it takes more yardage of fabric to get the pattern to match up, so a company that’s less concerned about quality and details won’t invest in that extra fabric, or the time to carefully cut pieces so they’ll align correctly. For example, if you chose a vertically striped fabric on a chair, the pattern should be lined up from the top, down and across the seat, and down to the floor. The chairs shown here are from Ballard Designs, and they obviously care about pattern matching.

These are just a few things to consider when looking for upholstered furniture, but there are more! Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Seasonal Room Refreshers!

2009-10-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Is it a girl thing? No matter how much we love our home decor, we can become a bit bored from time to time. I love to swap around my accessories, often moving them to different rooms, or tapping into my hidden stash in the closet to bring out favorites that I haven’t see in a while. It’s like seeing old friends! There’s no better time than the change of seasons to bring a change of scene to your rooms!

Relieve Bedroom Boredom ~ One of my favorite seasonal swaps is with bedding. Duvet covers and shams can be very affordable, and since the bed is the focal point of most bedrooms, this will have major impact in your room. Try changing out your light summer cover for a fall inspired print. Or how about a richly colored velvet? That sounds cozy for winter! Or, if you have all white bedding, like I do, you can simply add a fall-inspired throw or coverlet, as shown here.

The Pop of Pillows ~ Another easy seasonal swap is with throw pillows. Your sofa can go from summer to fall in an instant! Though there are several sources to choose from, my favorite store is Pier 1. They have a vast selection of seasonal options, and the merchandise is constantly changing. Make an impact, and go for something bold for the fall, then bring in some glitz in December!

Accessorize, Accessorize ~ There are so many simple little changes you can make that will bring in the colors of the season. I love orchids, and normally buy white or brightly colored varieties in the warmer months. Those have recently been replaced by varieties in rich, fall colors, and it instantly gave a different feeling to my rooms. The same goes for changing out white candles with the colors and scents of fall, and take it one step further by changing the candle holders too. My clear glass votives and pillar holders have moved aside for pewter, bronze, and colored glasses in fall colors.

Check out last week’s blog for more ideas about bringing seasonal decorating into your home, on a dime! If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Seasonal Decorating ~ On a Dime!

2009-10-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

I’m so happy fall is here! It’s the beginning of my favorite seasons, and I love the cool weather, fires in the fireplace, cooking soups and stews, and of course, decorating for the holidays. What other time of year gives us so many holidays to decorate for, in a span of just 3 months?! That said, I don’t want to spend a lot of money for each individual holiday, but I DO want to see changes in my decor. Here’s a few tips to get you on your way to decorating for every season, on a dime!

Reuse & Repurpose ~ Save money AND be green by using what you already have. For example, I love to display pillar candles in clear glass vases. For everyday use, I might have colored sand in the bottom, or some decorative stones. How about swapping that out with this fun little mix of glass gems and acorns from Pier 1? That will get you through November, then you can swap out again for Christmas with fresh cranberries, small ornaments, or baby pine cones for a country look.

These little rattan trees from Pier 1 can be used for multiple seasons as well. For fall you might cluster a few of them with some tiny pumpkins and colorful berry sprigs arranged at the bottom, and maybe tuck in a few votive holders. When Christmas comes along, change out the berry sprigs with some holly, the pumpkins with pine cones or colored ball ornaments, and you’re set!

Think Outside the Box ~ Is an apple just for eating? No, it’s a tealight holder! How about a pear placed on its side? It’s so simple to carve out a little pocket in a variety of fruits or vegetables and place a little tealight in the top. Mixed in among your other accessories, it can make a stunning display on your dining table.

Scour Your Landscape ~ I love doing displays on the fireplace mantle, down the center of a dining table, and on my front porch. Sometimes I don’t need to go much farther than my yard (or my neighbors!) for inspiration. My old neighbor had a fabulous magnolia tree in his front yard, and every Christmas I would (with his permission, of course), cut several stems to use in my displays. Magnolia branches are wonderful because they can look very casual with pine cones, or very elegant with sparkly beads and ornaments.

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Boring Landscape? Simple Ideas to Make it Shine!

2009-09-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

Can an interior designer give you advice for the exterior of your home? You bet they can! Many of the same principles apply, and it’s all about creating an environment of balance, scale, proportion and harmony. Everything from choosing the paint color, to adding decorative elements to your landscape ~ these are the details that will set your home apart!

Develop a Theme ~ Would you have a French baroque style in one room of your home, and modern in another? Probably not. The same theory applies when designing your landscape. Consider the style of your home, whether it be cape cod, contemporary or old world, and select plants and accessories that compliment that style.

Vary The Height ~ Just as you might do in a grouping of accessories on a fireplace mantle, vary the height of plantings in your landscape. If you’re planting in a bed against a fence, put the taller plants in the back, and terrace down to shorter plants in the front, as shown in this example from Sunset magazine.

Add Some Weight ~ Adding “weight” is a common design term to signify the balance of scale and proportion in a room. If everything is the same size, it doesn’t look quite right! Something needs to stand out among the rest, so when working with your landscape, be sure and have a dominant focal point in each planting area, and vary the diameter of the plants, as well as the height.

Do The Unexpected ~ I love that the fountain in this photo is actually placed in the planting area. It softens the rough concrete edges by having rocks and plants tucked around it. I’ve done the same thing in my yard with potted plants! It adds an element of interest, but also adds height by elevating the greenery off the ground.

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Fall is Coming! Is Your Home Ready?

2009-09-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

That crispness in the morning air and dew on the lawn tells me that fall is on the way! We all know that once it’s cold and rainy outside, we tend to huddle indoors and pay less attention to the maintenance of our homes. With that in mind, now is the time to get your home ready!

Furnace Filters ~ Though filters should be checked more than once per year, it helps to use fall as a reminder for this basic maintenance. Your furnace is the blower unit for both your heating AND air conditioning, so it’s been working all summer long! Change the filter often for maximum performance and energy efficiency.

Standing Water ~ The rainy season is coming, so if you have open containers on your property such as flower pots or bird baths, they’re going to fill up. This is the perfect breeding ground for algae, so turn them upside down or store them out of the weather.

Sprinkler Check ~ Save water and money by adjusting your sprinkler settings. Either reduce the number of days you’re watering, or the amount of time set for each station. By the time winter comes, you should be able to turn them off completely!

Clear the Debris ~ I’m very certain that no one wants unwelcomed guests, meaning pests and rodents. Extra clutter around the perimeter of your home is the perfect hiding place to escape the colder weather, so get these areas cleaned up. This will strongly discourage rodents from making a home on your property!

Seal the Gaps ~ Another place rodents like to hide out is in the attic. Walk the perimeter of your home and look for openings that would allow them access into your home, and get them sealed. Even a quarter-sized opening is large enough for a rat to squeeze through! Believe me, I’m speaking from experience when I tell you that if you get one, you’ll have a whole family in no time.

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Make Decorating Fun, Not Stressful!

2009-09-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed about decorating, especially when you want to work on every room in your house! After a consultation with a recent client, she wrote me, “ … I no longer feel paralyzed with inaction on what to do next to get the right look and feel.” This was a wonderful compliment to me, but also made me realize that I sometimes take for granted that decorating decisions aren’t stressful for me. No matter how small they are, making changes in your home is exciting, so my mission is to take the stress out and bring the fun in!

Set Your Priorities ~ If you want to make changes in several rooms in your home, step back and make a decision. Trying to tackle them all at once has your mind running in too many directions, so decide which rooms are most important (but no more than two!), and focus on those first.

Get a Plan ~ Before you dive in and start buying furniture and accessories, make a plan for your room. Ask yourself some questions: How do I need this room to function? What pieces of furniture do I need to accomplish that? Where do they need to be positioned in the room? Draw a layout of your room and play around with furniture placement. If you do it to scale, this will also determine the SIZE of furniture that will fit in your room.

Listen to Yourself ~ While function is very important in your spaces, so are aesthetics! We are most happy and productive in spaces that make us feel good, whether it be a bedroom or home office. So, listen to your heart when it comes to the cosmetics of decorating your rooms, and create spaces that will make you smile every time you walk in!

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Upgrading Your Kitchen ~ Where To Put The $$

2009-09-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Did you know that a kitchen upgrade or remodel is one of the best places to put your home improvement dollars? Not only is the kitchen the hub of the home, but an upgrade will also reward you when it comes time for resale. Though there are plenty of men doing the cooking these days, women are the ones who fall in love with beautiful kitchens!

In a perfect world, we could all afford to completely demo our kitchen and rebuild from scratch. That not always being an option, here’s some ideas of how you can freshen up your kitchen for less! When making your choices, think about beauty AND function.

Refresh the Cabinets ~ Depending on what you have to work with, there are a few ways of doing this. If you have older cabinets with plain doors, my favorite advice is to replace the doors and drawer fronts. This is easily done, and provides an instant upgrade. If you can’t match the existing finish on the cabinet bases (which is likely), then refinish or paint everything to match. Replace the hinges and door/drawer hardware, and you’re done!

In the kitchen shown here, the existing cabinets were saved, yet completely repainted for a fresh Country look. Beaded board panels were added to the island cabinet, and new pendant lights installed. A very inexpensive upgrade!

Replace the Countertops ~ No surprise here! Though granite has been the desired surface for many years, there’s a myriad of choices for countertops, and it’s an instant upgrade to your kitchen. And, don’t stop there! While you’re at it, replace the sink too. Most kitchen sinks are under-mount (meaning the edge of the sink is underneath the countertop), so now is the time to put in a fresh one.

Upgrade the Appliances ~ One can rarely afford to keep up with the constant changes in technology, but if you have appliances that are 20 years old, the money to replace them are dollars well spent. Gas cook tops and ranges are usually preferred over electric by avid cooks, and stainless steel has been the favorite finish for several years running.

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Is Your Bedroom Less Than Inspiring?

2009-08-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it. Life is busy! By the time many people finally end up in the bedroom after a long day, they may not find the inspiration they need for the activities that usually take place there ~ sleep and intimacy. Here are a few ideas to get you moving in the right direction towards correcting that!

Lose the Office ~ Many people have desks or workstations in their bedroom. How are you going to forget your worries about work or bills, when it’s staring you right in the face? Make every effort you can to get the desk into another room. If that’s not at all possible (and I want you to really try!), then how about concealing the area behind a decorative screen? Another alternative is installing a curtain rod that suspends from the ceiling and hanging some drapery panels. Both of these options will achieve the goal, and also add decorative appeal to your room. It’s a win-win!

Rethink the TV ~ This one can be a case for argument, but most designers (as well as many health professionals) are not supporters of televisions in the bedroom. Not only are they a distraction, but depending on what you’re watching, they can keep you from getting a restful night’s sleep. Is watching the negativity on the late night news going to relax you into blissful slumber?

Family Photos Too ~ This is another one to rethink, yet is not always agreed upon. As much as you may like your mother-in-law, do you really want her smiling at you in your bedroom? I don’t! Keep the photos in your bedroom limited to just those of you and your mate, and yes, this means no photos of the children either. Surround yourself with photos that will make you feel connected as a couple ~ you as a couple, not as parents. Worries and discussions about the kids (and we all have them!) can steer you in the wrong direction.

Find Inspiration! ~ Lastly, bring elements into your bedroom that make you feel good … bedding that you love, soft lighting from lamps, candles and accessories that you enjoy, and my favorite indulgence, fresh flowers.

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Room Refreshers ~ Fast and Affordable!

2009-08-19T16:58:00.001-07:00

Do you have a room that you’d love to give a lift, if only you had the time or money? Well, it CAN be done! Many times, a few simple changes is all that’s needed to give a room a completely new look, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Just let your imagination run, and have fun with it!

Paint, paint, paint ~ I cannot emphasize enough what a fabulous material paint is. There isn’t one other material that can give the most dramatic impact for the most economical price. As you can see in the “before” photo, the previous owners of this home tried this theory with the blue vanity cabinet, yet in this case, I think they missed the mark. The whole feeling of this room was changed when I repainted it a soft black. Add some new cabinet hardware, and you’re set!

Accessorize ~ Your next best bet for sprucing things up is with accessories. I’ve talked about this before, but there are lots of great retail stores with wonderful selections of stylish accessories at affordable prices (see my blog post “Great Design Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive!”). I purchased all of the accessories for this bathroom from Target, Pier 1 and Michael’s Crafts, and all for about $100! Woo hoo! Instant make-over!

Check back weekly for more decorating and home improvement ideas. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that's needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home ~ Inside and Out!

Lighten Up Your Landscape

2009-08-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

Is your front or back yard in the dark? Landscape lighting is not only functional, but can make a dramatic difference in the visual appeal of your home. That said, try and consider both of these elements when designing your lighting plan.

Miss the Runway ~ If you’re lighting a walkway or driveway, try and add some uniqueness to the layout. Though lights perfectly lined up along your walkway seem like the natural thing to do, it can appear more like an airport runway than an entrance into your home. Stagger the lights for a more natural effect.

Give the Light Some Shade ~ Think about positioning the lights in such a way that plants will be gently tucked around them. This will soften the glare, but still expose enough light for function. As you see in this photo, there’s plenty of light to illuminate the space, but several fixtures are hidden to where you don’t even see them.

Reduce the Glare ~ Though bright lighting is functional for guiding the way and security purposes, it can be offensive if it’s glaring at your guests upon arrival. The purpose of landscape lighting is to add beauty to your home, and create enough lighting for you and your guests to safely move throughout the space. Of course, there are exceptional times when you may need brighter light for tasks, or if you have people with special needs. For these instances, you can still have the light available, but installed on a switch that’s separate from your main landscape lighting.

Check back every Friday for more decorating and home improvement tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Beauty Without Color ~ Designing with Neutrals

2009-08-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

Don’t like lots of color? There are other options! Rooms with a neutral color scheme can be just as appealing as rooms vibrant with color. I find neutral palettes very inviting, and notice that I really focus on the individual details of the room because my attention is not immediately pulled to pops of color.

Neutrals are all shades of whites, beiges, browns, grays and blacks. Neutrals aren’t technically colors, so the theory is that they harmonize with all colors. If you think about it, there is at least one neutral that will coordinate beautifully with any color. Hardwood floors range from very light bamboo to dark walnut, and there is something to complement every color scheme! Here are some guidelines to follow when designing a room with a neutral palette:

Vary the Saturation ~ Saturation of color refers to the value of light-to-medium-to-dark in the colors you choose. Even in rooms where color is present, you need to have a balance of saturation. Notice the variety of shades in the room pictured here. It ranges from dark brown on the windows, wood furniture and picture frames, to medium brown on the chairs and sofa, to dark beige on the window treatments. Soft white walls complete the formula.

Vary the Textures ~ The secret to a successful palette of neutrals is to combine a variety of textures. Because you aren’t using color, the result can be a bit dull and lifeless if you have a room with entirely smooth surfaces. The woven chair and sofa are a beautiful example of this theory, and the linen roman shades add texture to the windows. Even though they’re a relatively smooth fabric, they hang with a billowy softness that brings texture. Live greenery and floral are added for interest, and the little pops of green in the accessories are a perfect complement to the brown/beige palette. Though green isn’t a neutral, it’s prevalent in nature, so goes with just about any color you can imagine. Have you ever seen a leaf that wasn’t in perfect harmony with its companion flowers?

Check back every Friday for more decorating and home improvement tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Staging Your Home for Everyday Living

2009-07-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Have you been on open house tours and seen beautifully decorated homes? Many of these homes are staged with furniture and accessories brought in by professional stagers or designers, but some are not. What they all have in common though, is changes have been made to maximize their appeal, and not with the furnishings alone. You can have your home looking beautiful too, and on a daily basis!

Clear the Clutter ~ This is the easiest thing you can do! Have you ever done the run-through before having a party? Look at your home with that mind-set. See what functional items need to be put away, and display only the decorative ones. Keep countertops free of the week’s mail, bedroom floors void of dirty clothes, and bathroom counters clear of toothpaste tubes and hair products.

Reduce the Furnishings ~ I see so many homes that simply have too much furniture! Overstuffing a house with furniture can greatly reduce the flow of your rooms, meaning there’s not a natural, easy progression as you move through the house. Many of us have pieces we’ve acquired here and there over the years, and it’s tough to part with them. Well, maybe it’s time! Walk through each room in your home and make an honest assessment of every piece of furniture, no matter how small it is. Are you using it? Perhaps you are, but is it really necessary? If you removed it, would the room be more spacious and inviting?

Reduce the Accessories ~ What applies to furniture, also applies to accessories, and then some! Less is more ~ so reduce the number of accessories that clutter countertops, dressers and hutches. If you’re a collector, keep your displays concentrated in one area and make them a focal point. Remember the rule of odd numbers when putting your displays together, and err on the side of conservative. Displays of more than 5 items can get too busy and appears too cluttered.

Check back often for more decorating and home improvement tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design and decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your project together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Flat or Gloss? Choosing a Paint Sheen

2009-05-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

Spring has arrived, and along with it, home improvement time! Nature has refreshed itself with bright leaves and blooms, and many of us find ourselves wanting to refresh our homes as well. The most dramatic change you can make to your home, for the least amount of money, is with paint, and it's also a project that many homeowners can tackle themselves. That said, choosing paint can be a daunting task for some, and one of the questions I’m frequently asked is, “Which sheen should I use, and for which areas?”.

Flat ~ Commonly used on walls and ceilings, this paint has no sheen. Though it is washable, scuffs and smudges don’t remove as easily as they do from paints with sheen, and you might even take some of the paint along with the smudges. I rarely recommend flat paint for walls.

Gloss and Semi-Gloss ~ This is a matter of personal preference, but either of these two sheens are typically used on trim (baseboards, doors, crown molding, etc.), though semi-gloss is the most commonly used. These paints are highly washable, and very easy to maintain.

Pearl, Eggshell, etc. ~ These paints have a lower sheen than gloss and semi-gloss, and each paint company has different names for them, as well as several levels of sheen which vary only slightly from one to another. Because any paint with sheen is more washable, I always recommend a low-sheen paint on walls. Not only does it make them easier to keep clean, but they produce a “richer” appearance and have a better saturation of color. Some painters are even recommending low-sheen paints for the exterior of homes too! Though dust and cobwebs remove more easily, be careful about using a sheen on the body of your house. It can be tricky, depending on the color you choose.

Next week's blog will talk about Alkyd vs. Laytex. I'll tell you the difference between oil-based and water-based paints, and where to use them.

Remember, great design doesn't have to be expensive; it's how you put it together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!