Have Fun with Color!

Today’s home furnishings, fabrics and designs are often color coordinated to help you take the guesswork out of your next decorating project. Fabrics, wall coverings, area rugs, bed linens, accessories, and yes, even lampshades feature a wide variety of motifs and patterns….all designed to work in harmony as you create a new “look” in your room.

No matter the design, motif or pattern, the common denominator in successfully creating the look you want to achieve is COLOR! 

So how do you begin selecting color for your next project? Why not start by playing favorites – and selecting colors you already find comfortable. Even if your favorite colors might not work as a major player in your new room, you could consider using that favorite color as an important accent shade.

Here are some tips for helping you “hone in” on your perfect color selection:

1.  Take a look in your closet! What colors do you see in your wardrobe that you particularly enjoy? Pastels? Dark jewel tones? Neutrals? Bright, lively shades?

Doesn’t it stand to reason that the very colors you’re attracted to in your wardrobe, might be the perfect shades to consider in a room?

2.  Take a look around your room. Is there an accessory, piece of art, even an area rug that “speaks” to you? Entire room designs have been beautifully accomplished by focusing on one simple multi-colored vase.

3.  What’s your personal style? Do you enjoy a more casual lifestyle? Perhaps the contemporary style is more “you”. Knowing your style will give you an important clue as to the color options you might want to consider!

Once you’ve done your homework and decided on your perfect color palette, be sure to select one dominate color, a maximum of three adjacent hues, and a dramatic accent color to complete your overall color scheme.

If you find that color selection boggles your mind, feel free to give me a call!  Doing it right the first time can save you money in the long run!

Lights! Camera! Action!

When the sun sets and the lights are turned on in your rooms, do you see dark corners, or too much brightness? Lighting is a functional yet wonderful way to accessorize your room. But the amount of light needed to make the room useable – by day or night, is often a homeowner’s greatest dilemma.

Interior lighting falls into three basic categories. Mixing these types of lighting into your room’s overall design plan will definitely add drama and ambiance.

General lighting: This type of lighting is considered “indirect”. Lighting such as track lighting, or chandeliers would fall into this overall category. This type of lighting bounces off walls and ceilings and provides an overall, general illumination to your rooms.

Task Lighting: This type of lighting does exactly what it says – provides the necessary illumination for specific tasks or jobs you enjoy doing in your rooms, such as reading, cooking, hobbies, or computer work. Pendant lamps over a kitchen countertop would be a definite asset if cooking is your passion. An attractive table lamp would be the perfect choice for the avid reader. 

Accent Lighting: This type of lighting is purely decorative. Perhaps a uniquely designed torchiere lamp would provide the perfect “up” light for a dark corner. Accent lighting is generally placed in a room to call attention to the room’s appealing aspects.

With the myriad of lighting choice available today, there is simply no need to be in the dark about lighting. With the right lighting plan you can make even an average room look spectacular, disguise flaws, and emphasize assets.

Why Work with an Interior Decorator?

At Decorating Den Interiors, we enjoy helping our clients create the perfect look for their lifestyle. Whether your decorating project includes one room or one window, we’d like to help you do it right the first time!

If you’re like most clients we work with, you want a beautifully custom designed look, but truly don’t know how to make that vision a reality. You might not be sure of “what” goes “where” – or with “what.” Rather than throwing everything out and starting from scratch, you can usually begin your new design project by building on what you already have. You may fear that if you call a professional decorator, your home will end up featuring that decorator’s taste – not yours. And last, but certainly not least, you might not think you can afford the services of a professional decorator.   

Well, fear not! Let the professional, knowledgeable and friendly decorators at Decorating Den Interiors put your decorating concerns to rest! From design concept to completion, we’ll help save you valuable time and money by guiding your decision-making process through a myriad of functional and decorative ideas. We stand behind our commitment to YOU that we will be with you every step of the way. The best news is we are right here in your neighborhood!

The list of benefits available to you when you choose to work with a professional decorator goes on and on. The bottom line, however, is that a professionally trained interior decorator can not only make your ideas work better, but they know how to make your decorating dreams a reality! Maybe it’s time for you to consider calling in the professionals!  I am ready to help with any size project.

The Powder Room

Called all kinds of things – Hall Bathroom, Powder Room, Guest Bath, Half Bath, Little’s Girl’s or Boy’s Room, it’s probably the smallest room, and all too often the most blandly decorated room, in our home.  Worse still, it’s probably the room most often frequented by your guests!

So, why not let your imagination and creativity flow.  Make a bold statement in the room!  Work on creating a focal point.  It’s not uncommon for these small room to have no window, and let’s face it, there’s not much beautiful about a toilet and vanity.

Here are a few ideas you might want  to incorporate, when considering giving this room a complete makeover!

1.  Start with the vanity.  Replacing a plain laminate top with a beautiful granite surface might be just ticket!  Perhaps one of the handsome furniture pieces that you see everywhere, that are not only graciously designed but fully functional as well, would give a small powder room a fabulous focal point.

2.  Dramatic wallpaper or paint technique could certainly reduce the boxy feeling these small rooms are typically known for.  Think about selecting something exciting and spectacular!!  Today’s faux finish wall coverings come complete with embedded jewels and crystals!  Just think of the drama you can create.

3.  Your flooring!  Consider  replacing that vinyl with a new laminate or tile floor. A multi-patterned area rug can add just the right touch to this often used space.

So how about it!  Get up right now and take an objective look at your powder room.  Could it use a little makeover – or a large redo?  If so, give us a call, and let us help you create a room that your guests won’t stop raving about!

Outdoor Decorating made Beautiful with Sunbrella Fabrics!

Designed to meet the needs of today’s homeowners who want to expand their living

spaces outdoors, Sunbrella fabrics are among today’s most important fabric choices.

Take advantage of the “great outdoors” in your own backyard, utilizing Sunbrella fabrics.

Originally designed and used in awnings, and then boating, Sunbrella fabrics have been

in existence since 1961. And as today’s homeowners began creating additional living

spaces outdoors, Sunbrella fabrics began taking on a whole new look. Featuring many

fabulous designs, colors, and patterns, you’re sure to find a fabric that will fit your new

décor beautifully.

Even before “green” became a prominent element in home decorating products, the

manufacturers of Sunbrella fabrics were committed to exceeding industry standards

for environmental stewardship. Here are a few ways that Sunbrella fabrics protect air,

earth and water, while producing beautiful, high performing textiles.

1. Sunbrella creates no wastewater from dyeing. Their unique coloring process

avoids harmful effluents associated with conventional dyeing processes.

2. Sunbrella fabrics are extremely durable. Believe it or not, their lifespan is two to

ten times longer than conventional fabrics.

3. Sunbrella fabrics offer significant sun protection. Umbrellas, awnings and

shades made from Sunbrella fabrics actually aid in the prevention of sun-induced

damage to the skin. Not only do you receive a bit of personal protection, but

these fabrics will not fade or rot from the harsh rays of the sun.

4. Sunbrella features a soil and stain-resistant finish, so it’s very easy to clean. You

can spot wash your fabrics by sponging briskly with a soapy solution of natural

soap in lukewarm water. Then, simply rinse thoroughly with clean water to

remove the soap and let the fabric air dry.

5. These solution-dyed yarns do not promote mildew growth. However, mildew

may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the

fabric. To remove mildew stains, prepare a mild solution of one cup bleach plus

two caps full of a natural soap per gallon of water. Spray on entire area, and

allow it to soak in. Sponge thoroughly with clean water, and let air dry.

You’ll find this fabulous fabric available for use throughout your home. From decks,

patios and poolside to dining rooms, family rooms, and even the kitchen and bath. So, if

refreshing your outdoor décor is in your future, why not give this fabulous fabric a look!

You won’t be disappointed.

Creative Combinations

Want to spark up a humdrum room in your home? Then, I suggest you consider

adding a lively and vibrant print fabric to your room’s overall design.

Focusing on your window treatments is a wonderful way to add a bit of drama

and pizzazz into your decorating plan. Use a beautiful print fabric to create a

visual impact to your windows. Prints can be used in a variety of creative ways.

If your home is a contemporary style, incorporating an impressionist print in a

cornice, or a Roman Shade would definitely revitalize your room’s atmosphere.

If your style is more traditional, side panels, a traversing drapery, billowing

balloon shade, or swag and jabot treatment in an updated, oversized print might

be your perfect choice.

Mixing and matching prints and colors can bring even more vitality to any room.

Multiple combinations used in harmony can add that polished finish to your

decorating plan. Such combinations are often tricky for the untrained eye to

visualize, so a professional decorator can help you make wise and long lasting

design decisions.

At Decorating Den, we have a wide variety of products and services available to

make your house a home to be proud of! And we bring it all to YOU!

Peaceful Outdoor Sanctuaries

As our patios and porches are becoming more sophisticated and refined, today’s

homeowners are driven to find peaceful sanctuaries as a prescription for their stressful

lives.

Creating your perfect outdoor space will be the result of the successful combination

of many design elements – landscaping, stonework, carpentry, furnishings, lighting

and accessories. Careful pre-planning will be the key to the creation of your personal

sanctuary, so begin with creating your personal “wish list”. You may be amazed at how

long this list might become!

Think about incorporating your year round needs. Do you frequently entertain

outdoors? Do you spend time outdoors in the evenings simply relaxing? Is an outdoor

grilling season a year round requirement for you? Do you enjoy planning simple family

meals outdoors?

Once you’ve assessed your needs, planning your outdoor space becomes much easier.

Think about incorporating these simple ideas:

1. Comfortable Furniture! This should be most important element in your design.

Today’s outdoor furnishings have been manufactured to withstand all that Mother

Nature can bestow. The age of folding, vinyl strapped furniture is definitely obsolete.

Many furniture pieces of today look identical to indoor furniture, but have been

constructed and designed to stand up to all the outdoor elements.

2. Fabulous Fabrics! The biggest name in outdoor fabrics today is Sunbrella. This

company’s collection of fabrics is colorful, design oriented, and totally durable.

Sunbrella features gorgeous fabrics manufactured to resist fading from ultraviolet rays,

mildewing from damp conditions, and odor absorption. It is just the ultimate outdoor

upholstery or drapery fabric that will be used and enjoyed by your family for years. And

of course, Sunbrella Fabrics are carried by Decorating Den Interiors.

3. Let there be Light! Be sure to consider incorporating various types of lighting in

your outdoor space design, just as you would inside your home. Landscape lighting,

overhead lighting, ceiling fans, sconces and decorative side table lighting are all GREAT

ideas. Develop a creative lighting plan to help you create a space with increased

ambiance and functionality.

Remember to create a space that is perfect for you and your needs. This is a space

where memories will be made – so please consider it an important investment…both

financially and emotionally.

UNCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES!

If your bedroom doesn’t offer you a respite from the hustle and bustle of the day, then now’s the time to transform it.  It’s a new year, filled with wonderfully exciting and new possibilities.  The time and money you consider investing now will definitely pay off in big dividends in your future.  Especially, because your bedroom redecorating project might just mean that you’ll find yourself being just a little happier, a bit more joyful and most importantly at peace with yourself and your surroundings.  And, as with every decorating project, it’s important to develop a decorating plan that fits your needs, your lifestyle and most importantly your pocketbook.  Consider these three simple steps:

VISUALIZE YOUR PROJECT

Begin by visualizing your entire project, and then list all the types of activities you’ll want to conduct in your get away haven.  Perhaps it’s writing thought-provoking entries in you daily journal; reading your favorite books; knitting, needlework; watching old romantic movies; meditating; contemplating your plans for the next day –whatever your activity think through what types of things will make you the happiest.

ASSESS YOUR SPACE

Look at your bedroom with a critical eye.  Given the amount of space available and your list of activities, will the space available be adequate?  If not, you may need to reassess your activity list.

COLOR YOUR WORLD

Next, lock in a color scheme.  Color sets the stage and provides harmony to everything else that will eventually find its way into your new bedroom.  It’s the backdrop that surrounds all of your furnishings, fabrics, accessories and lighting.

Remember any decorating project that involves the world of color, the fabulous furnishings and accessories that are now available and the marvelous material for floors, walls, windows and beds are an exciting undertaking.  If you find you need help working your way through the choices, please contact me!  

Brand New Year – A brand New Look for your Home!

No matter how long you’ve lived in your home, it’s always fun to shake things up a little bit  - and what better time to think about giving one – two or even three rooms in your home a brand new makeover!   A fresh new look will definitely have a positive impact on every single person who lives in your home.  Just think about the enjoyment you would derive by sharing something new for your friends, family and guests to admire!  Here are just a few ideas to help you get started on your makeover!

COLOR YOUR WORLD!  If you’re living in an all white or beige world, than nothing will spark your room’s makeover faster than color!  Perhaps it’s just one simple accent wall painted a dramatic and exciting color.  Maybe a new piece of art will find a new home over your fireplace mantle – adding color and spice to your family room.  Replacing a worn area rug that’s seen better days with a new textured multi-colored area rug might “fit the bill” perfectly.  Nothing adds more instantaneous drama and pizzazz to your room’s entire décor more than color! 

REARRANGE!  Although new furniture definitely gives any home an instant face lift, often times, it’s not something new you crave – but perhaps simply a new furniture arrangement.  Have you considered transferring pieces from one room to another?  Have you tried angling your larger furniture pieces?  Have you considered adding a new accent table or two?  Maybe reupholstering that chair or sofa will do the trick.  Often time, small changes can make the biggest impact.

LIGHTING!  Unfortunately, improper and inadequate room lighting is very common.  Few things can rekindle our spirits on a gray, rainy or snowy day like a home’s interior bathed in warm light.  In fact, good artificial lighting is known to have such a positive effect on one’s moods, that some consider it preventive medicine.  When developing a lighting plan, you first need to take stock of what types of activities you enjoy in each of the rooms that you’re consider making over.  Then call in a professional decorator to help determine the best lighting plan to accommodate your activities. 

So, if a few rooms in your home are crying for a facelift, then there’s no better time than NOW to begin the process.  You, your family and your home will definitely benefit from a brand new look!