Maxwell House of Design

Nautical Fun for Summer - Part Two

2011-07-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you need to take a break from blogging and find your muse again. Mine is back and I have lots to share with you. My creative juices got going when Tracey Roman of the Fort Mill Magazine asked me to do an article on how to incorporate the Nautical or Coastal design trend into your home. You may read the article, and see photos of a recent beach cottage that I completed, at the link at http://www.fortmillmagazine.com/this_issue.html#26i. That article was fun to do but space in a magazine is limited and I just couldn't share all the images that I found inspirational there, so I thought I would follow up the written article with a visual one. I hope you enjoy all these wonderful designs from talented designers across the country. Enjoy!


Traditional blue and white with touches of coral gave this home a coastal presence.

This modern seaside worthy room takes on a turquoise color scheme pairing it with bright white and bold art.

The colors, simple plank floor, and chair covers with seashells are all that is needed to create a coastal cottage look.

Soft gray stripes and porthole windows dress down this more sophisticated breakfast nook.

This entry hall takes it "beachy" cue from color and texture. The sisal striped rug and the storage baskets and blue bead board, all lend to the coastal theme of the room. The organizational bulletin boards are a great idea for sorting information for each family member.

Stripes and sea glass colors help this modern design look great at the sea side.

Could this red and white striped cabana-look be any cuter for a kids room at the coast?

Blue and white is a timeless nautical classic.

A touch of driftwood and seashells and you are transported to the shore!

Simple slipcovers, a vintage table, seashell chandelier, and crisp white curtains add to the ambiance without taking away from the fabulous view


Normally less is more when it comes to theme decor, however, here is a case where more is... fabulous!

Hollywood Glam

2011-02-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

A recent request by a client for a Hollywood Glam room, for her teen, finds me having lots of fun. This dramatic, dressy look is characterized by mirrored furniture, bold colors and prints, sleek and shiny finishes, lush fabrics and, of course, some bling! Whenever I start a project like this, I am always inspired by those that have blazed the trail before me. With a big salute to the designers of the following rooms, let's look at some great ideas.

Tufted furniture works with this look because it is all about luxury.

These candle sconces from Z Gallerie are perfect for adding the "bling" factor

Crystal chandelier, fur bench, flokati rug and curving headboard make this work

Bold graphic pattern and fabulous tufted headboard scream GLAM!

Mirrored furniture like this vanity are a staple of this look.

This mirrored bed from Julian Chichester is gorgeous!

This tufted love seat would make a perfect addition to the foot of the bed.


Metallic wall paper in a bold graphic is just the thing for teen glamour.

This is going to be a fun project. I will be sure to share the results with you in a few months, when it is done.

Working with My Mother and Her Take on Green Design

2011-01-27T10:44:00.000-08:00

My mom is a 5 foot nothing powerhouse! If I have any natural design talent it comes from her and I always tell folks ~ you will like me best, until you meet my mother. It is no surprise that when she moved here 18 months ago, I was thrilled. Like anyone scaling down and moving into new digs, mom wanted help in choosing what to keep, what to let go and how to put it all together in a new, open floor plan. We began the process and I quickly realized that my mother has a very "green" approach to design. She loves natural fabrics and textiles, is a big believer in re-using, recycling and re-purposing, and wants her home to be as energy efficient as possible. And so we began. The only room that I had total control over was the dining room. Interestingly enough, it made the cover of Drapery and Design Magazine.

In the foyer, an old chair got re-born when we refinished the wood from dated pickled pine to a distressed chestnut, and, added new Robert Allen fabric. An estate sale table purchased for $25, and given a new finish, sports some high end lamps and a piece of porcelain collected on a trip to Japan. A wool rug and a recycled mirror finish the welcoming entrance.

My mom loves her 25 year old petite love seats. The bones were good, so we covered them in Sunbrella fabric. Light control was an issue so they installed top down, bottom up shades on the windows, which we softened with sheers to keep the room light and airy.

I had nothing to do with the next piece, but it is one of my favorite things in her home. My dad's mother, my grandmother, had an old pie safe that she passed down to my mom. The thing was in terrible condition but my energizer bunny of a mom got right after it! She re-painted it, added some fabric, and it now displays treasures from the past in her guest room. Talk about re-purposing!

A close up shows the wonderful patina of age and an antique ironstone jug, family photo and my grandmother's iron that you held in the fire to use.

Working with my mom was a hoot. We laughed and went down memory lane about a thousand times, but, the thing that made me proud was that, at 80 years young, my amazing mother knows how important it is to use our resources wisely and to stay as green as you can. What would happen to our planet if each of us did just that?

Beautiful Bookcases

2011-01-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

Being a bookworm, I am in love with books and bookcases. In winter, there is nothing I like better than curling up by the fireplace with a hot cup of tea, my favorite throw, and reading. The fact that my fireplace is surrounded by built-in bookcases adds to my enjoyment. Bookcases are wonderful to own, especially if you love to read. They add texture, drama, warmth and interest to a room, but, they can be tricky to decorate. Too many books, inadequately arranged, can give you a messy or cluttered look. Bookcases that are book-free, and used instead as place to hold decorative items, can look a bit odd without the item they were made to hold. Bookcases can be found in formal rooms, offices, craft rooms, and just about anywhere else in the home. Today, we are going to take a look at ways to make sure your bookcases look their best.


Here a formal piece of art dresses up the bookcase to go with the room.


In this bookcase, art is hung on the walls and the front of the bookcase. Additionally, the owners adjusted the shelves to varying heights in order to add other decorative elements. Last but not least, notice how they painted the back of the bookcases with the wall color, keeps it interesting, don't you think?

Brilliant here, is the use of color and organizing according to size.

Color on the back of the bookcases compliments the colors shown in the organizational tools and dust jackets for the books. Balancing decorative items and decreasing the visual weight as you move up the case makes this work.

This bookcase is lined with a decorative wallpaper that adds elegance to the books and glass collectibles.

In this home office, the soothing blue background of the bookcase and the white wrapped books keep the space calm. Again, the visual weight is on the bottom and it gets lighter as you move up toward the top.

Every so often, I would encourage you to take your bookcases apart and rearrange them. Move your art and accessories around, if it looks good in the living room, it might look better in the den! Playing with what you own and moving it around keeps things fresh and helps you appreciate items that you may not even notice now that you have seen them in the same place for so long. Re-doing your bookcase with color or new art, books, and accessories is a great way to refresh your room without a big commitment. So be bold, be daring and have fun!

Losing It!

2011-01-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Whether you are planning to get rid of extra weight, or the unwanted weight of items in storage, the first part of a New Year is a great time to lose it! During the Christmas season between the "big" day and New Years Eve, I find myself wanting to start fresh in the New Year. I go on a bit of a purge, clearing out closets, storage spaces, cabinets, pantry, you name it and it is not left untouched! I do this, not only because it is on the annual to-to list, but because it helps me internally. I want my hidden spaces to be as calm and pleasing as my "public" interior. The idea of losing a few pounds of storage weight also has the added benefit of making room in life for new and good things. Organizing things is work for me, not something that I adore, therefore, I keep a lookout for inspiration This year to motivate myself, I looked to one of my resources, Closet and Storage Concepts for ideas. One of their products, that I have coveted for years, is their gift wrap, mail and craft center. Imagine having it all right there at your finger tips!

Another goal of mine is to add storage gadgets to my fairly standard closet. Drawers for jewelry is big on my to-do list.

One more closet item that has my attention, is the drop down rack that allows for maximizing vertical space.

Finally, when it comes to kitchen pantries, I don't know too many people that don't struggle with keeping it all visually pleasing. In a recent issue of Good Housekeeping, Jamie Lee Curtis shared her organizing tips for her pantry. She shares "I feel like packaging is bringing somebody else's design into my house." So she stores cereals, flour, sugar, and the like in clear containers with lids. This allows her to access her pantry without all of the label clutter. Ikea has some great storage solutions that work with idea in mind.

When it comes to getting organized for the year ahead, look for ways to motivate and inspire. Create a list of storage ideas you want to add to your own home, work on areas that feel visually cluttered, create a sense of calm in your hidden space. The benefit for you is a feeling of having "your ducks in a row" or readiness to tackle the challenges and opportunities of a new year. Here's to losing it!

Have a Sentimental and Merry Christmas

2010-12-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas Decorating Perfection!

I love a beautiful interior design for Christmas, I just can't seen to quite go for the "designer" look in my own home. A friend of mine visited my home recently and commented on my Christmas decorating. She said "Jane Ann with you being in the interior design industry, I would have thought that your Christmas decor would be over the top, instead it's very homey and charming, I love it, but it is not at all what I expected." Well my friend is right. I am just too sentimental to do "formal" Christmas decore. How do I opt for a beautiful tree topper, when I have my son's paper mache sheppard with it's crooked hook and google eyes? How do I decorate my tree in a wonderful color scheme, when I have so many hand-made ornaments, done by my children, made from the bottom of paper cups, old cd-roms, coke cans, plaster of paris handprints, macrame, and colored paper?

These are the items that I use to decorate my family room tree and always will. Of course, being a lover of the eclectic, I mix in my Waterford and Oreffors crystal ornaments, and other lovely ornaments gathered over the years. I still put out the Christmas teddy bears along with the Christmas china, and mix fresh greenery with my children's gingerbread houses, made years ago and protected as if they were museum quality sculptures! The good news for all of us is that Christmas isn't dependant on perfectly turned out decor, but on the treasures in our lives the represent years of family and love. It is my ferverant wish that each of you have a Christmas that rejoices in beauty, reflects love of family and friends and touches your heart with the true meaning of this lovely holiday.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2011!

PS: Here is a photo to help you to dream White Christmas dreams...

The Thankful Season

2010-11-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving. I like the traditions, like the whole family dozing together in front of the football game after lunch, the food, especially grandma's recipe for stuffing, and the time spent with those that I love the most. I enjoy the days of preparation, the laughter and fun around the table, and the opportunity to acknowledge all of the blessings of life. It seems like today's retailers have decided that Thanksgiving is nothing more than the kick off to the Holiday shopping season! It is because I am seeing stockings and tinsel in the stores, that I am more determined than ever to celebrate this great holiday with some festive decor in my home. I have also had a couple of clients ask for my help in preparing their holiday table. It has been fun to find inspiration on the web and I thought I would share some of my favorite, easy-to-do ideas with you. Don't let the Christmas push deny you the opportunity to celebrate the decor of Autumn when these simple projects can add so much to your own Thanksgiving table.

Simple, right? A small baking pumpkin with leaves, berries and a candled added. Do a group of these in a row down the center of the table and you have a lovely centerpiece. No muss. No fuss!

This entry is so welcoming. I love the topiaries, particularly, and they aren't that hard to create. Hammer a long dowel down through the three pumpkins to hold them together. Hot glue, or wire, leaves, nuts, pine cones and berries between the pumpkins - and you're done!

Raffia wrapped Indian corn looks gorgeous around this large hurricane globe and candle.

Talk about simple... corn husks and a pumpkin! Watch that you choose a really great vase for maximum impact.

This one takes a little bit of pre-planning... but so pretty. Slice a variety of fruits very thin and allow time for them to dry. Hot glue the slices to the base of your candle and tuck bittersweet berries in and around them for extra color.

Back from the High Point Market... Trends in Textiles

2010-11-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Much of what we do at Maxwell House of Design involves textiles. We do window treatments, bedding, upholstery, slipcovers, pillows, throws, rugs, you name a textile and we have probably used it or come close! At the recent High Point Market, I noticed that the trends reported to us in March by Jackie Von Tobel, were showing up all over the fall market. Jackie shared that embellished linens, sheers, and pillows were a big trend in Paris at the Maison de Objet show held in January. Sure enough Emdee International, Lili Allesandra and others had some wonderful items in their showrooms!

This lovely orchid embellishment was on a linen window panel.

Even plain chairs can become spectacular in this slipcover!

Delicate petals add a romantic touch

In the world of upholstery, we are seeing quite a spectrum. From bold color and whimsical patters, to tartan plaids and hounds tooth, the options in upholstery have never been better. In my humble opinion, it seems like the world of home furnishing is answering the public response to the economic crisis in one of two main ways. On the one hand you have a return to very traditional rooms, think British hunt club with worn leather chairs, wool plaids, antlers and animal skins. This style evokes comfort, stability and a restful cocoon that provides a safe haven from the harsh realities of the world outside the home.

Vintage Ralph Lauren

C. R. Laine's take on traditional

On the flip side, bold clear color, riotous mixes of pattern and whimsy address the doldrums of daily life. This attitude is much like those folks that hole up in the Caribbean to have Hurricane parties, refusing to stop having fun, when Mother Nature is threatening. Bright, happy and optimistic these rooms allow the homeowner to retreat to their "happy place".

C.R. Laine does Moroccan

Century Furniture

Most of us fall into one of these two categories. Which one appeals to you? Traditionalist comfort? Bold Optimistic Bubble? Whichever category that appeals to you, the High Point Market served up plenty of both!

Use Fall Fashion Trends to Re-fresh Your Room.

2010-08-28T05:06:00.000-07:00

I must admit, I am not a big fan of most television design shows. The quality of the work is often shoddy and they don't show the months of work that it takes to produce a completed room. That being said, HGTV has lots of fans and especially popular is their reality series, Design Star. Last Sunday night HGTV crowned its newest Design Star, Emily Henderson. Emily wants to host a show that takes cues from her client’s fashion sense and turn it into a style statement for the home.

Emily Henderson, HGTV's new Design Star

Thom Filicia, formerly of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, had a show on the Style network called Dress My Nest which is also based on creating a space from a clients fashion style.

Thom Filicia

This is a timely concept, as more and more, the design industry is following the lead of the fashion industry. Each year the furniture market offers pieces in color stories, textures, embellishments that can be seen on the runways in New York, Paris and Milan.

In this blog post, I thought it would be fun to look at what is going on in the fashion industry for Autumn 2010 and talk about ways to incorporate those ideas to refresh our own homes as we anticipate cooler weather. One of the most talked about fashion must –haves for fall is a camel hair coat. This classic material never goes out of style.

Max Mara's take on the camel hair trench coat

One way to incorporate this look into your home is by adding a camel hair blanket to your bed, or

as I plan to do, add a camel hair pillow or two to my sofa.

Another fall fashion trend is embellished sheer materials. Peek-a-boo clothing has been with us for ages, but now, the more embellished the better.

True to form, the for-the-home market is offering its take on embellished sheers for your windows, a quite beautiful version, don’t you think? In the summer, I love my windows open to the sun, in the winter, layering in a sheer under window panels adds warmth, visually and literally.

The final fall fashion trend that we will explore in this post, is the ever popular animal print.

Thanks Chic Chocolate for the image.

I am of the opinion that every home should have a little animal print somewhere, even if its in a rug

Ballard Design

or a throw. (I plan to add this throw in my family room when the weather grows cooler.) How fun to snuggle under something soft and beautiful!

Williams Sonoma throw

That’s it for today. Next time, we will address metallic’s, leathers, and men’s suiting. Until then, what fall fashion trend are you going to incorporate into your home this autumn?

Thinking Outside the Box...

2010-08-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

A recent client wanted her dining room to reflect her love of bold color, tropical dreams, and flights of fancy. This is a really great kind of client for a designer to have. We had a lot of fun along the way but the room presented several challenges. The first one was the narrowness of the space. The room was 16+ feet long but only 11 feet wide. The client already owned a narrow dining table and Paris flea market chairs. The chairs are adorable but low. They needed a cushion to bring the seat up to the proper height to dine. Custom cushions in a hot pink fabric were just the thing, both functionally and in a fun decorative sense. The window provided our next issue. At the end of the room was an asymmetrical bay window with not three windows, but a fourth, on the next wall that demanded to be included in the treatment of the bay. Helser Brothers French Poles took care of that issue beautifully, thank goodness.

Helser Brothers saved the day with their French poles. Custom pink cushions bring the chairs to a proper height.

The next challenge was the area rug. The homeowner owned the area rug and liked it, but the colors were dull and muddy. This homeowner really prefers clean, clear color and yet refused to abandon the area rug. We chose a clear color pattern on the window treatment bringing in the pinks and greens that she loved while adding a gold colored linen leading edge band to the panels. These bands helped tone down the playful fabric and helped tie in the area rug to the design.

Banding on the leading edge

Finally, the client needed some way to fill the long wall behind the table. We needed an affordable solution and again, she wanted something really different. At the Spring 2010 High Point Furniture market, Holly Blaylock of C. R. Laine furniture had used birdcages on the walls in the company's showroom. When I saw this long wall in my client's home, her tropical leanings and the dining chairs, I knew what needed to be done.

Mike Barclift, master installer and "fix anything" guy.

I contacted Holly and found her source for birdcages. I had my installer, and fixer of anything, Mike, to cut down the largest birdcages for them to fit in depth. We arranged them on the wall and filled them with flameless candles to provide a soft, safe, candlelight during evening meals. The result is an out of the box dining room that embraces it's narrow proportions, offers up a tropical setting and provides whimsical flights of fancy for a delightful and happy homeowner.

The completed room

Decorating Dorm Rooms...

2010-08-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

There is a funny back to school commercial that starts with a recording of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". That ad has made parents all over the country smile in recognition of the fact that the end of summer marks a return to schedules and some semblence of order. If you have a college bound kid, you are probably singing a different tune, like how do I make a small dorm space function for my child? Dorms act as sleeping spaces, study halls, social lounges, multi- media centers, and storage facilities all in a very small space. Fortunately, many retailers are offering color co-ordinated storage solutions that work with a young adults sense of style.

In addition to co-ordinated and creative storage, don't forget to make use of vertical space. Wall hooks or tack strips provide lots of options.

One of the problems with dorm rooms are blank, boring walls. That can change now that there are wall tatoos. These stickers come in a wide variety of designs and colors and can instantly add color and personality without being permanent.

Dorm rooms can be comfortable and fun if you help your student maximize storage, go vertical with your design and add personality with color and focal points like wall stickers or your favorite art or art posters.

The Blowing Rock Tour of Homes

2010-07-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

For the past 52 years, St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Parish, in Blowing Rock, NC has hosted a tour of homes. This event has progressed from a local fund raiser to one that draws visitors from as far away as Florida. There were over 1700 folks that enjoyed the tour this past Friday, July 23, and I was one of them. There were four amazing homes on the tour and each one was either recently renovated or brand new. The 4th home, Katydid, was my favorite. The home was a study in exquisite materials. There wasn’t a polyester thread in the entire home. Each room was lovely, understated, but luxurious, just the kind of interior that I love to do. Wool carpets, Brunschwig and Fil fabrics, imported hardware, exquisite antiques and art, custom appliqué on the bedding, all done in with a sense of homey comfort. The cottage style home and interior was perched on the side of a mountain that overlooked a spectacular mountain vista with two lovely decks to enjoy the view. The master closet was an organizer’s dream and was accessorized with about two dozen pairs of drool worthy shoes, most of them Manolo Blahnik’s. Truly, every aspect of this home was fabulous!

The view from the decks of Katydid.

My favorite home, Katydid. Interior photos were not allowed.

The first home, Stonehenge, was a study in using reclaimed materials. Wormy Chestnut, Mushroom Cypress and reclaimed Hemlock were incorporated into the interior, while old stone steps and other stones found on the property were used in the landscaping.

Stonehenge

The 2nd home, Golden Hill, was the home, of Charlotte interior designers, Ed Springs and Bo Henderson. This home has the charm and warmth of an old English Manor House. The couple’s amazing and various collections took the main stage in this home, while the butterfly gardens commanded the attention outside. When we walked out onto the deck, the entire garden looked like it fluttered from all the butterflies. Each area was planted in different plants and each plant attracted a unique type of butterfly. It was just gorgeous.

Golden Hill

The 3rd home, Green Gates, was warm and inviting with a sense of history, yet all of the modern conveniences. This home had a lovely guest cottage and the most amazing floral arrangements incorporating local wildflowers like Queen Anne’s lace and hydrangeas.

Green Gates

If you have the chance to go, I highly recommend it.

Autumn Color Trends...

2010-07-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

As a parent of school-aged children, I start getting things in the mail about this time of year reminding me that summer is rapidly coming to a close. This is bittersweet because it has been such funning spending time with my kids, and yet, I must admit that I relish the idea of a predictable schedule. As I ponder the fast approaching autumn with an eye towards interior design, it is always fun check out the Pantone color trends.

Pantone's Fall Color Trends

These color trends tell us a lot about what is going to be available to us as designers. These colors were actually selected several years ago by the industry folks that forecast what will work in the coming market. Manufacturers then take these projections and incorporate them into the goods that they produce. If you have ever looked for a color that wasn’t currently popular, you will know what I mean. Two years ago, I needed a deep coral color to accent a dining room. I, literally, had to make my own fabric because we could not find coral color anywhere! Now it is all over the place, as one of Pantone’s hot colors for fall.

A lovely room in Oyster and Coral

This fall we are see an earthy side of the spectrum with oyster gray, rose dust, woodbine, endive and chocolate truffle. .

An example of Woodbine and Endive

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the jewel-like colors of golden glow, purple orchid, lipstick red, living coral and lagoon.

Martha Stewart does Lipstick Red

Lagoon is the newest variation on Pantone’s color of the year; Turquoise. This version has added a touch of grey and green to tone it down a little. It is still quite vibrant and works well with the other versions of turquoise that Pantone has offered in their spring, summer, and, no doubt, winter offering.

Lagoon mixed with Woodbine

Southern Porches...

2010-07-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Chic Home Blog for the image

What is it about porches in the South? Are porches as popular in other parts of the country, or, am I right in believing that the South without porches is like a Southern breakfast without grits! In the summers of my youth, we gathered on my grandma’s front porch whenever we visited. My aunties would shuck corn or peel apples, the men would talk sports and news, while watching all the grandkids play. We caught lightening bugs, hung from trees, had sandlot baseball games, and made mud pies… all under the vigilant watch of the porch sitters. Time seemed to slow down on the porch. Mine was the rural version, my good friend Jean grew up in town. Her family took to the front porch each evening to say hello to passing neighbors, have family jam sessions, watch the kid’s bike-ride and play hopscotch. Her porch sitting was neighborly; our visits were about family, yet, whether country or city, we all gravitated to the porch. Porches aren’t as popular now with television viewing, internet surfing, and our dependence on air conditioning. Folks rarely sit on their front porches any more. There is hope; however, more and more “village” concept sub-divisions are springing up and along with it, the return of the porch. We have one near us called Baxter Village. Then there are the decorating magazines that show us how to decorate our porches. The photographs make them look so inviting that we have to take a second look at our porches.

Thanks to Carolina Panache blog for the image.

We have a board and batten cabin, complete with a tin roof, in the mountains of West Virginia. Recently, I got to enjoy an early morning quite time on the porch swing while overlooking a gorgeous view. The ceiling fan flapped overhead to keep things pleasant and the birds were in full chorus. I felt like I had woken up in a little slice of heaven. As you enjoy these summer months, I hope that the friendly nature of the porch calls you. I hope that you slow down to the pace of a porch swing, that you listen to the chorus of the birds and that you find that Zen –like state of Southern porch.

This is the porch view from our family cabin

How to Hire an Interior Designer

2010-06-06T07:49:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend a friend visited me from out of town and asked me what she should look for in hiring design help. She recently purchased a foreclosure and it needs major renovation. She had spoken with a decorator in her new town, but was worried that this person didn't seem have all the answers to the questions she posed. Her question to me was simple, "who do I look for to help me with this renovation?" That is a question that many clients need to have answered. I began with a bit of an overview of the differences between a decorator and an interior designer. I gave her questions that she should ask the folks that she interviews and the questions that she should ask of their references.

First, the difference between a decorator and an interior designer is usually education and approach. An interior designer usually has the education in design that teaches them to look at the whole of a project. Interior Designer's consider the spaces that they will be affecting from the blueprint to the final accessory and how everything relates to the whole. An interior designer reads blueprints, understands basic electrical plans, plumbing, and kitchen and bath design. An interior designer understands space planning and traffic flow, furniture placement and the importance of layering in the rest of the details that will complete the space. A decorator will help pick colors, and help with adding decorative elements to a space. Decorator's have their place, but if you want help in managing a project, an interior designer can save you stress and money.

The following guide should help:

Simple Steps for Selecting an Interior Design Professional

1. Be sure to look for someone who is easy to talk to. Regardless of the magnitude of your project, you’ll want to know that your designer is approachable.

2. Ask prospective designers to show you samples of their work. A portfolio, a Web site, a studio and client referrals often work in concert to illustrate a designer’s personal style.

3. Ask if they are involved in a professional interior design association. Ask what appellation they carry. This will help you determine where they stand within their industry.

4. Don’t automatically assume an interior designer is out of your price range. Many industry professionals offer reasonably priced services, and their experience and knowledge can often save you money in the end.

5. Trust your designer to guide you through the design process. With numerous projects under his or her belt, it’s often in your best interest to rely on your interior designer’s firsthand experience and knowledge.

Communication Counts

Inviting someone into your home can be rather personal. To make sure the process of working with an interior design professional is a pleasant one, take the time to do a little homework beforehand.

Among the most important considerations is communication. Ideally, you will choose someone with whom you are comfortable; someone who feels like a friend. If you find you’re not on the “same page” when you first meet a prospective designer, it is unlikely things will change down the road.

To avoid communication snafus, make sure you partner with someone who understands your specific wishes and can use his or her knowledge and experience to create a space that is reflective of your interests and lifestyle.

Ask to See Samples and Credentials

Before choosing an interior design professional, ask about his or her credentials and request samples of previous work. A portfolio with photos of other projects can shed plenty of light on a designer’s particular style. In some cases, you may even be able to see a firsthand example of the designer’s work in a studio or some other public location.

It’s also a good idea to find out if the designer is a part of a design organization. Ask about their appellation, are they an associate member, allied member or professional member of their group? This will help you understand their standing within the industry.

Another way to learn more about an interior design professional is to ask for the names of some existing clients. Contact a few and see what they have to say about the process. Having the opportunity to ask questions of someone who has been down the same road with that designer can prove invaluable.

Ask for some trade references, the folks that work with designers tend to know how they work and can often provide insight client's won't have.

Focus on Long-Term Savings

A lot of people are hesitant to enlist the aid of an interior design professional because they are afraid it will cost too much. In many cases, however, that is a misconception. Many designers offer reasonable rates, and when you consider the knowledge and expertise they’re able to provide, they may even save you money in the long run.

Industry professionals are well versed in what works and what doesn’t, and they can suggest plenty of ways to be efficient and economical throughout the design process. Do-it-yourselfers, on the other hand, may choose products that are less reputable than those with a proven track record, wasting unnecessary time and money

Think Big

An interior design professional has the ability to visualize a room in its finished state more easily than an amateur decorator can. Because of this, he or she likely will have a pretty good idea of how everything will fit together before it is finished. The designer will know how big the furniture needs to be, and he or she will have a plan for where various pieces of furniture will be placed. They will have an accessory plan and they will have thought through your lighting needs. Many interior designers today will help clients visualize the room by using technology, sketches, or sample boards.

Thanks to Hotel Depot for the image of the presentation board

The process in choosing an interior designer is an important one, because you will work intimately with them. Designer's get to know your lifestyle, your marriage and family life, and to some extent your finances. Many of my designer friends and I agree that helping couples reach agreement on what they want in their homes is often like marriage counseling! Finding the right fit is important, but once you make the connection, it usually leads to long term friendship, at least that has been my experience.

DIY’ers and the Painful Truth- Anne Lubner's blog post

2010-05-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, I read a blog post that mirrors my own thinking and philosophy so well, that I just have to share it with my readers. Such is the case with the talented Anne Lubner. Her post, this week, is so spot on, I think it should be required reading for anyone considering doing their own interior design. Enjoy!

This painting is Time Saving Truth From Falsehood and Envy by Francois Lemoyne. There are many things that make it difficult to tell the truth. Who among us hasn’t been in this position: We’ve been asked for our opinion by someone who doesn’t really want the truth. The person asks for our opinion, but we know that to be 100% truthful would create hurt feelings, disappointment, and maybe even jeopardize the relationship. The problem is that when people ask us for our opinion, often what they really want is our validation. They want us to like whatever they did.

As Guylaine Rondeau, a graphic designer at Guylaine Rondeau Design wrote, “In a world becoming quickly and obsessively a do-it-yourself-everything, someone will inevitably one day come and ask you the painful question. The most difficult time for being honest is when someone designed something on their own and asks a professional designer for their opinion on the final result.”

As interior designers, we get DIY’ers who show us their do-it-yourself projects and wait expectantly for our response or ask us outright for our opinion. It’s awkward because we know what they really want to hear is that they did a good job and it looks beautiful. It’s awkward because 9 times out of 10, we see the mistakes and how we would’ve made the project better.

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody. We all hire experts all the time to get the best results. The tailor, the plumber, the caterer, to name a few. Few of us dare risk ruining our expensive suit. Hardly anybody feels competent enough to fix their hot water heater. The very idea of preparing a gourmet meal for our daughter’s engagement party has us calling our friends for help–to find a good caterer, that is. Oh and let’s not forget the hair stylist. I don’t know a single person over the age of 5 who doesn’t get their hair cut by a professional. Who’d want to risk having to wear a hat for 6 weeks?

So why do people feel they can be their own expert when it comes to interior design?

HGTV has fueled an explosion of interest in interior design and decorating. Decorating shows appeal to people who have a genuine interest in making their homes beautiful and I’m all in favor of that! Unfortunately, viewers often infer that interior design and decorating are not difficult, that anybody can do it, that it can be reduced to a formula. This can lead to the totally unrealistic expectation that everyone “should” be able to decorate their homes beautifully. People need to realize that decorating shows are entertainment, not education. Sure you can pick up tips, but don’t be surprised if your results don’t look professional, because there is a lot that goes into designing interiors. The shows do not tell the whole truth about what good interior design involves, nor can they in 30 or 60 minutes. Most of the real work is done off camera, somehow labor costs are usually not included in the budget, and beautiful furniture can be picked up for a song. Watching a design show in order to learn how to design and decorate your home is like trying to learn what giving birth is like by watching a woman having a baby on a sitcom. You can see what’s going on but still not know what the experience is really like – and the baby sure appears a lot faster than in real life. Not that there isn’t a wealth of design talent to learn from. It’s always inspiring to see good design; one show I’ve always enjoyed is Candice Olson’s “Divine Design”.

You can learn a lot about what you like and don’t like by looking at pictures in shelter magazines and reading the articles. My favorites are House Beautiful, Veranda, Elle Decor, and Traditional Home. There are always good tips and beautiful rooms you can study to help train your eye. That’s still not enough to make anybody an interior designer though.

While I believe we are all born with creativity and an appreciation for beauty, that doesn’t mean everyone has the talent to create interior beauty in their home. People can learn the elements of good design, and which steps to follow, but good interior design goes beyond following a formula. Anyone can take an art class and learn to paint a landscape, but that doesn’t make them an artist. Good design involves more than education, there’s artistic talent involved, and while appreciation can be taught, some talents are just inborn. This applies to anything creative: writing, painting, music, cooking, dancing, singing, anything design related. Expressing beauty is harder than it looks.

Interior design is a marriage of right brain and left brain, of creativity and art with analytical and project management skills. And we may have talent but not enough, like Salieri in the movie “Amadeus.” I have clients who have an eye for beautiful furniture, but not how to combine colors; who know how to arrange accessories but not pull the room together. I sing well enough to get compliments in church, but believe me, nobody would ever compare my singing with Celine Dion or Lady Gaga.

And this leads to my next theory on why people feel the desire to be their own interior designer. I suspect they think if they hire an interior designer, they can’t take any credit for how good their house looks. That can be true with some designers who are more concerned with “The Look” than with the client, but they are in the minority. That’s certainly not how I work.

What I absolutely love-love-love about interior design is the creative design process, the happy satisfaction I get from helping people discover their own style, their inner creativity. It’s the joy that springs from the synergism of collaborating together to create a space that perfectly reflects who they are and how they want to live in their home. It’s a partnership not a dictatorship.

Maybe people think hiring an interior designer is expensive. Consider that it can easily cost a few hundred dollars to have the plumber come fix your water heater, to have your carpets cleaned, your trees trimmed, etc. Anytime you have a professional come to your home to perform a service, it costs but it’s worth it because in the long run, it actually saves us money. Surely spending that much to make sure your DIY project isn’t heading for mediocrity or disaster is a worthwhile investment too. Nobody ever thinks their DIY project will come out anything but great, but there are a lot of not so great DIY projects out there. It’s a shame to spend your budget on furnishing and decorating a room, or remodeling a bathroom, only to have it turn out just okay, or worse. If you’re going to work that hard, you want it to turn out great!

Many designers, including myself, do consulting work for a reasonable fee as well as offer complete design services that are well within budgets much more modest than those seen in Architectural Digest and other shelter magazines. It doesn’t matter how big our homes are, we all deserve to feel our home is our castle!

Which means that before you buy that furniture, hire an interior designer to design a space plan for you. That way you will know before you go shopping what the focal point will be, which pieces will work best for how you’ll use the room, which pieces it’s worth spending a little extra on, and what pieces you can spend less on, and you’ll know the furnishings will be in appropriate scale to the room. You’ll know that your investment of time and money will pay off in a beautiful room that’s just right for you.

You may not be able to afford Mario Buatta’s designs, but most designers don’t charge his fees either.

And certainly before you go painting your living room, hire an interior designer to help you select the right color, one that won’t have you gasping in dismay when you see the painted room. This is a very reasonable fee, one that can save you hours of back-breaking re-painting. [Don't even think of trying to duplicate the above wall finish on your own, this is a project that needs to be specified by an expert and accomplished by an artisan!]

But what if you didn’t hire a professional and you chose to do it all by yourself, should you ask a designer their opinion? And if you’re the interior designer being asked, should you be honest?
I think if the selections haven’t been ordered yet, and there’s still time for a designer’s input to be implemented, and one makes it clear that one really is looking for guidance, then it makes sense to ask a designer for their opinion.

But if someone has just spent thousands of dollars on new furniture or a basement remodel, would that person really want to hear how the project would’ve been improved if XYZ had been done instead?

Let me put it this way: If you’re at a party where the appetizers are just okay, and the hostess who’d made them asks you what you think of the hors d’oeuvres, how would you feel? What do most people say? Right. Good manners trumps Truth.

When I’ve been put in this awkward position, I say what I like and hope that’s enough. I’ve toyed with the idea of saying what I would’ve done differently, if only to demonstrate that I really do know what I’m doing, but I don’t. I don’t want to jeopardize the relationship.

So I say that if you really want an honest opinion, ask an interior design professional, but ask them at the beginning of the project, not the end. If what you really want is validation, ask your friends. But please don’t ask an interior designer for their opinion when what you really want to hear is how good a job you did. As Guylaine says, “if you can help it, please don’t ask, we love you and we just don’t want to hurt your feelings.

Spring Cleaning, Mom's way.

2010-05-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

My Mother is force in this universe. She has always had amazing energy and still does in her 70's. She is friendly to everyone, loves to have laugh, is a mean jitter bug dancer and a fierce housekeeper. In my childhood, I knew that this time of year meant the dreaded spring cleaning. The stuff of urban legends, only in our home it was no myth. When my Mom decided that the spring cleaning should commence, no corner of our house was safe. We washed windows, cleaned carpets, and scrubbed tile with comet and elbow grease (whether it needed it or not). Non-existent cobwebs were twirled on brooms out of ceiling corners, sofas and chairs were de-cushioned and vacuumed, and dust bunnies were banished. This was a time of cleaning out drawers and closets, as well as, scrubbing baseboards and door frames. In Spring Cleaning mode, the driveway and porch were scrubbed, the beds weeded and flowers were planted. I hated this whole process! It kept me from playing with my dolls, roaming the hills and otherwise enjoying the pastimes of a young girl. But, I loved the results! At the end of this cleaning frenzy, the house sparkled. There was a fresh fragrance in the air, a sense of renewal and peace seemed to emanate from the house, as if it had appreciated the attention. I will admit, I am behind on my own spring cleaning this year. I will never hold a candle to my Mom in this department, yet, I will press on with my own version of this tradition. I know my children feel the same about this process that I did, but I know that they will enjoy the result like I did as well.

From left to right, my Mom, Jo, Catherine and Emily

As a designer and stager, I often see homes in real need of a good cleaning. It is interesting how people can live with, get used to, and ignore basic household hygiene. They spend money on beautiful furnishings then leave piles of mail, layers of dust and dirty windows to detract from space. If a beautiful home is important to you, don't forget the dreaded spring cleaning!

101 things I hate to love...

2010-05-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

My Facebook friend James Swan has a Facebook page entitled 101 Things I Hate About Your House. This is a particularly fun page because of the photos and discussions that are posted. While I am not about to list 101 things I hate to love, his site prompted me to think about the things we grew up with and thought were the bomb. Things that, as designers, we would rather not admit even liking! The thing is, there are certain home furnishings, that elicit such strong childhood memories that we can't help having a fond spot in our hearts for things that James Swan would hate! My dad, for instance, had a recliner that would've given the tv character Frazier's dad's chair a run for it's money. My mom replaced it once with a smaller, more attractive chair and his big frame tipped it backwards on the first recline! While I avoid oversized recliners now, when I see one I secretly smile.

Another thing that I hate to love is my grandmother's tatting. Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. Tatting can be used to make lace edging as well as doilies, collars, and other decorative pieces. Tatted doilies topped her tables and rested on the back of some of her chairs. While these are not used in this manner in today's interiors, I must admit that framed, they make wonderful textile art pieces. Personally, I would love to be able to go back in time and rest my head against her tatting covered chair!

The last thing on today's list is outrageous cookie jars. My best friend's mom had the most amazingly ugly cookie jars you have ever seen. The thing was; they were all filled with goodies. Some had cookies, some had marshmellows, other had candies, it was a veritable smorgasbord for kids. Knowing those cookie jars sat on that countertop waiting for us at the end of our play, was like the cherry on top of the sundae. Let's hear it for ugly cookie jars!

Favorite showrooms from the High Point Market... Yes, There is Still Much to Share!

2010-05-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

Each year I share photo's from my favorite showrooms, this year is no exception. Global Views always has inventive merchandising, gorgeous lighting, and the products are great too! This market they had several rooms that were worth sharing. In the first photo, everything is coming up roses, literally, with this lovely rose and brown color story.

In the next room, pewter and silver were mixed with green and pops of turquoise to create a contemporary bedroom. I loved the velvet headboard in charcoal

Turquoise and chocolate create a yummy bedroom space. The pattern on the wall is achieved by using fabric mounted inside of trim boxes for a stunning effect.

The High Point Market; a review

2010-04-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

Last week, vendors, from all over the world of home furnishings, put on the Spring Market tradeshow at High Point. This show covers 10 million square feet of space and offers folks in the retail and design business a chance to see the unveiling of the newest products that the industry is offering. This market is a great place to spot the coming trends in interior design. There is always a color story, an emerging trend in finishes, and the spotting of new twists on traditional products. This blogpost will tell the color story.

There are two color stories that emerged at this market. The first is a Paris Chic colorLESS pallet. Think textures like flour sack and burlap, white washed woods, neutrals in beige, white, and taupe, all given energy by copious amounts of texture, with a touch of soft color thrown in

The second color story is a 180 degree turn from the first. The return of color, bold, clear, and optimistic dominated showrooms like this one at Baker. Gone are the greyed tones of blues, greens and browns that have been so popular. Bring on Spring-like blasts of pink, green, yellow and turquoise. This was such a fresh and welcome look!

more of the Paris chic trend

love these mirrors!

Bring on the color!

Even the accessories are bright and fun!

To Market, to market...

2010-04-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

Each Spring the design industry pulls out all the stops for the High Point Furniture Market. A massive, 10 million square foot trade show that introduces designers and furniture retailers to the newest offerings for our industry. Each show, I look forward to certain showrooms that I know will go over the top in merchandising their spaces. One of my favorite stops is Global Views, they always have the most amazing wall groupings. Pictured here is a booth they did for the Diffa organization during their Dining by Design kick off tour of the country. Check out the way the company used their starburst wall hangings en masse. It is brilliant! Global Views is always right on the mark with color trends and I always enjoy seeing their approach to modern accessories.

Another favorite stop is Cyan Design. They offer lighting and accessories. Again, this store is a great one for spotting trends in color, texture and design. The company uses whimsy, lighting, and fabulous merchandising techniques to showcase their products.

There entire first floor of the International Home Furnishings Center is dedicated to designer friendly companies. Isle after isle of goodies await. For me, it is like going to the a candy store for adults! I can't wait. As soon as I return, I will share some of the fabulous things that I find... stay tuned!

Jackie Von Tobel and the WCAA Spring Event

2010-04-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

Jackie Von Tobel came to Charlotte, NC, on March 26th for the WCAA Spring Window Fashion and Interior Design Event. This event was put on by the WCAA Charlotte Chapter as a once every 18 months to 2 year event. The day also includes a table top vendor exhibit with 18 industry partners to the design trade. This year, the WCAA Charlotte chapter invited the AIDP Charlotte Chapter to come on as a marketing partner. Since I am a member of both groups, I became the co-chair of the event. My role gave me a unique opportunity to work with both teams. It was a great experience. One of my jobs was to secure our speaker. When Jackie said yes to us, we knew that we were in for a treat. In the months that followed our invitation, it seemed as though Jackie’s star was on a meteoric climb. There is a good reason for her huge success!

Jackie’s first session was all about the coming trends in design. Because this was sponsored by a window coverings organization, much of her focus was on fabrics and trims. Jackie had recently attended the Maison de Objet show in Paris and had wonderful slides illustrating her talk. The overriding theme was embellishment! From multi-level weaving to beading and ruffles, everything shown was taken to the next level by what was added to the fabrics. Neutral fabrics with over-the-top add-ons like metallic threads or ribbon trims seemed to be everywhere at the Paris show.

In the afternoon, Jackie shared how to achieve a high end look. This was my favorite session because it felt like being back at school at a great art/design lecture. The slides she shared were an assortment of different designers and what worked in the designs shown. As usual, details are the key, as is taking customization to the next level. Jackie shared that many of the companies in our industry are beginning to offer ready-made items that are setting a whole new standard. Our job, more than ever, will be to offer the unexpected and detailed customization.

As an interior designer, I tap my creative side on a daily basis. I love doing this, but whenever you pour out your energy, from time to time, you need to fill back up. This event with Jackie Von Tobel certainly did that for me. I took four pages of notes! Jackie’s ideas, her review of the Paris show, and her insights to what makes great design gave me just the boost I needed. Because of my position behind the scenes, I also got to spend a little bit of time with Jackie. She is just as warm and friendly as she looks in her photos. In addition to great information, I feel like I made a new friend. Thanks Jackie!

Decorative Screens for the Home

2010-03-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Charlotte, NC: As a child of the 60's, I grew up watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and Maverick. I was always enthralled when the lovely leading lady stepped behind a decorative screen to change into a magnificent gown! There was something so magical about the screen, watching her throw her old garmet over the top, then coming out like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Heady stuff for a little girl who dreamed of doing the same thing.

Decorative screens are a part of history. They orginiated in China and, originally, were hand carved works of art, and, very heavy. When the Japanese started using screens they were constructed from lighter material and this made them movable. There, they were used to create rooms within a room. With the advent of European travel in Asia, screens were introduced to the world.

Today, screens can offer an interior design client may different functions. In a loft-style home, or one without a defined foyer, the screen can be used to define the space

. They can also provide a backdrop for a seating area, as pictured here.

On a long wall, screens can be used as artwork and help draw the eye upward.

The use of this open screen helps define the division between the living room and dining room without losing any of the lovely natural light that streams in the window. A solid screen would have been to heavy for this light and airy space.

An awkward corner niche becomes interesting with the use of the screen.

I am a sucker for old ceiling tins, the patina on these and the texture make a stunning backdrop for this table for two. This is most likely a DIY project.

Today, we use screens in many different ways, I have used screens in the ways already mentioned, as well as, to hide workspaces, treadmills, weights, and play spaces for children. How have you used yours?

Thanks to Veranda for the images.

Inspiration from the movie, Alice in Wonderland...

2010-03-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

What a visual feast is the movie Alice In Wonderland! From the sets, which are creative, detailed, a little dark, and wonderfully imaginative to the costumes that are equally so! This movie inspired me with the use of color, texture, scale and out of the box thinking. In this post, I am going to share some screen shots that are a visual treat! Yum!

The color, scale and detail in this shot is spectacular. Tim Burton loves curly Q's and you see them here above the door.

Notice the beautiful iron gate, but it completed with the dark touch of Tim Burton by twisted gates that somehow seem sinister in the midst of the garden

I wonder if the popularity of animal topiaries will increase because of the beauty of this garden scene.

This shot has it all! Iron works, topiaries, curly Qs, a fabulous costume and a rich and lovely color pallet to boot!

You can't watch the movie without being awed by the costumes. Alice changes clothes at least six or seven times. Everything in the movie was layered, detailed and sumptuous lending to the Wonderland of it all.

The White Queen's Castle...don't you love the checkerboard yard?

The ethereal nature of the White Queen is expressed with Pantone's color of the year, turquoise, soft white and silver accents. Love the chair!

The Red Queen is surrounded by grey, gold and red. She wears her hearts like trophies from battle. The colums are quite lovely and the black and white tile floor adds a graphic element to the room.

This is a tea party that I would want to attend! Notice each chair is unique as are the different tables, table cloths, and china pieces. Notice the lace like details in the table cloths...
Brilliant!

No post on Alice in Wonderland would be complete without a shot of the beautiful Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter! How can a man sporting red fuzzy hair, a gap in his teeth, and chalk white skin be so gorgeous??? His costume is amazing as well. There are several times in the movie where the pattern on his ascot looks like skeleton heads...eerie, and, just like Tim Burton to have a costume illustrate the madness.

Design Solutions - Another High Point Visit

2010-03-13T06:21:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have been sharing visits that I enjoyed when I attended the Unity in Design event in High Point. Just before heading back to Charlotte, I went to see Design Solutions. They create dream kitchens and baths. There, I met Pamela Merritt, furniture designer and cabinetry wizard! Pamela designs kitchens and baths that are made up of individual furniture pieces, she calls them unfitted. Each piece of cabinetry is made individually, and then slides into place. Theoretically, you can re-configure your kitchen, or bath, at will, if the plumbing and electrical allows it. The design process is amazing. Pam works with clients from floor plan to completion, customizing the design every step of the way. Pamela says it best, “At Design Solutions™ we do not make cabinets; we are furniture makers." This company does not use any particleboard or fiberboard (MDF) or use any materials with formaldehyde; they use only sustainable wood resources, biodegradable and edible glues and low VOC finishes. The next time a client asks me to be involved in the building of their custom home; I will be referring back to Design Solutions. Check out these beautiful photos of their work:

Furniture pieces create a fabulous kitchen

Beautiful hutch

The details on the cabinet fronts are exquisite!

This kitchen island is a showpiece!

Versatile Garden Stools

2010-03-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

A Charlotte client of mine needs a new table to go between two chairs. The space is small and needs a pop of color. I am planning to bring in a garden stool. These small jewels offer color, texture, whimsy and are just the right size to hold a cup of tea for a visitor.

Garden stools are great, in a group of three, as a coffee table alternative. They can be used as a plant stand, in the garden as furniture, or on a sun porch as a table base for a glass top. They would even work as a bedside table for a small room with a low contemporary bed. Also, they are great to store under a console table to be pulled out and used as additional seating when needed

The price point on garden stools has a huge range. Antiques and Designer stools can start at $500 and go up from there. Today, I thought I would share some great ones at a much lower price point. Enjoy!

This one is from Gumps for $375

This fabulous zebra print stool is from Tonic Home for $280

This traditional garden stool is only $139.00 from Wisteria

French Heritage...

2010-03-01T04:06:00.000-08:00

On February 18th, the Design Center in High Point, NC put on an event called Unity in Design. This event was open to all the different design organizations as a way promote untiy, offer continuing education units, and entice designers to come shop the year round vendors the maintain showrooms in High Point. Each organization, had a part in this event. The organization with which I am affiliated, the Association of Interior Design Professionals (AIDP) put on the first breakfast/workshop. This event coincided with a need that I had, to shop for some very specific client items. As much as I would've loved to have participated in the event, I was on a mission!

This mission of mine was to find, among other things, some items that had a French flair. A client that I am working with has origins in France, and we are incorporating that heritage into the new pieces that we are adding to her home. Tops on my list of places to visit was the company, French Heritage. While I was in the store, I met Hennesy Wayser, the owner of company. She was preparing to speak to the design community during a Unity in Design lunch event. We had a lovely visit and a rather lively discussion about social media, the direction of marketing, and the future of our industry. She is a remarkable woman, a former fashion model turned astute business leader. She has brought her sense of fashion and creativity to the sometimes stodgy world of furniture. It was great fun to meet her and have a sneak peek into what she sees for the future.

The showroom offers furniture from case goods to upholstery, as well as, accessories and lighting. Here are some shots I took while visiting...enjoy!

This darling settee caught my ey. The button detail gives it such character!

Beautiful Accessories!

Fabulous Lighting

A modern take on Paris chic

Paris chic

About Connections... and six degrees of separation

2010-02-22T04:23:00.000-08:00

A post or two ago, I shared about connecting with someone that I knew of, before I had the chance to get to know personally, Jeanelle Dech. Today, I am going to share another story of connections. Several months ago Rebecca Deming Rumpf came to a WCAA meeting. Rebecca is an interior designer here in the Charlotte, NC area, and, since I had not seen her at a WCAA meeting before, I decided to introduce myself. We ended up having a wonderful conversation about blogging, and social media. Soon afterwards, she "friended" me on Facebook and we began to keep up with each other. Recently, Rebecca won a trip to Paris from Hesler Brothers, by competing in their essay contest. Helser Brothers is a high-end drapery hardware company, and they wanted someone to attend the Maison and Objet show in Paris and blog about it for them. Rebecca did a wonderful job and you can read her posts here http://www.whyhelser.com/category/helser-field-bloggers/paris-2010/. I haven't seen Rebecca since her return, but she is going to share her trip with the members of our Charlotte WCAA group at our meeting in March. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Last year, I was asked to co-chair a Spring Event for the WCAA. I thought it might be neat to include the Charlotte AIDP as a marketing partner in the event and so we did. This event, March 26th, will be an all day vendor exhibit featuring morning and afternoon workshops. I was asked to secure a speaker and I chose Jackie Von Tobel. Jackie is a seasoned designer, author, artist, illustrator, blogger and product designer with almost twenty years experience. As fate would have it, she attended the Masion and Objet show with Rebecca! I have communicated with Jackie only through emails, but I am delighted to have the opportunity to go to dinner with her twice when she comes to town, once as a member of the WCAA, and once as a member of AIDP. It will be fun to hear both, Jackie and Rebecca, share their Paris experiences. And once again, it will be neat to meet someone that I know of, but haven't yet met personally.

If you are a member of the trade, you are welcome to join us for the Spring Window Fashion and Interior Desing Event featuring Jackie Von Tobel. The morning workshop will is titled "The Latest and Greatest in Window Fashions" and the afternoon session is "How to Achieve a High End Look for Less". To register follow this link https://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e2ov0dh02e903fd3 .

For those of you not in the trade, I will share lots of goodies with you after the event. In the meanwhile, here are some of Jackie's beautiful products;

Spring Will Bloom with Color!

2010-02-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

Each season brings a new color pallet determined by industry color experts. This coming Spring brings lovely colors that show an optimism for brighter days. In the first part of the 21st century, monochromatic schemes, colorless neutrals, were the design trend of the moment. In the last couple of years, the movement toward the return of color emerged and continues into Spring. I will admit it, I am a color fan. I can do neutral pallets, but I would rather not! Fortunatley, most of my clients agree and we marched forward with color when the rest of the nation did not. As you will see, the Pantone colors for Spring offer a lovely variety of saturated and soft color.

My friend, Eleanor Wirth, is a member of the Color Marketing Group. Color Marketing is a group of international color experts that determine color for industry for up to 10 years out. By industry, I mean, fashion, furniture, automotive, packaging and so on. Eleanor spoke at the Charlotte AIDP meeting in December on color trends. In one of our pre-meeting discussions, she shared that color for the high end market is usually very saturated. It then gets "grayed down" as it moves toward the mass market. I thought this was facinating as I often see vibrant color offered by high end furniture and accessory vendors. She also shared that the "it" colors, as determined by the experts, are really just a jumping off point for designers to interpret. This is evident by Pantone's Spring Color brochure. They asked different fashion designer's to design something for each color. It is interesting to see how each one interpreted the color given.

With this in mind, I wanted to share some of the Spring colors that will be "blooming" at the upcoming High Point Furniture Market. If you are thinking about re-doing or re-freshing, these are the colors that will be most available.

Thank you Nook-Sucasa for the images

It Really Is a Small World After All!

2010-02-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

The interior design world is much smaller than it first appears! Charlotte, NC is not Atlanta, or New York, but the talent in this city is stunning. (I should do an article just on that, and maybe I will at a later date.) This is a story about connections. It's about meeting and forming relationships with folks that you have heard about and know from their national profile. Such is the case with Jeanelle Dech (pictured left). Jeanelle is the owner of Adaptive Textiles, CFO of the Custom Home Furnishings Academy, and, the National Secretary of the Window Coverings Association of America.
My introduction to Jeanelle was through her company Adaptive Textiles. Two years ago, I needed a specific fabric for some dining room chairs. My client wanted her home to look like it had been plucked right off the beach. We found some great round back chair frames and I decided to look for a coral head fabric so that I could center the image in the back of the chair. I found several fabric options, but the color was wrong or the size was off. I had just recently attended the World Wide Window Covering Expo in Atlanta where I discovered Jeanelle's company called Adaptive Textiles. This company screen prints on linen, canvas or any number of fabrics that they offer. Their work is beyond the normal screen printing that you would see at your local tee shirt store. Their stuff is gorgeous! I had a G. Richard Anderson take, and manipulate, a photo of a coral head. We then tweaked it in Photoshop and adjusted the color. Adaptive Textiles printed it according to my specifications and, lo and behold, the perfect custom fabric for our chair backs!
Chair back fabric designed by me, fabricated by Adaptive Textiles. Chair front fabric by Thibaut

Fast forward to just before Christmas, I get an email from the national office of the WCAA asking if they could use a photograph of mine for a national ad campaign. Turns out, the photo that they want to use is the dining room in which we used Jeanelle's fabric!
Jump forward, again, to January at the WCAA Charlotte Chapter meeting, who shows up as a new local member but Jeanelle Dech. She has stepped in to run the Custom Home Furnishings Academy here in Charlotte. She now splits her time between CHF and Adaptive Textiles. Over the last couple of months, Jeanelle has become an intergrel part of our local WCAA organization. It is so neat to go from knowing about someone, to getting to know them personally. Welcome to Charlotte, Jeanelle!
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This is a copy of the advertisemet that the WCAA is using in it's national campaign.

Hot Color Combo for 2010

2010-02-03T04:23:00.000-08:00

Every season there is a "hot" color combination that dominates the fashion industry and the home furnishing industry which tends to follow fashion. This Spring the combination of colors that we are going to see is Pantone color of the year, turquoise, paired with a sunny yellow. These lovely colors are paired together at Shine Home, a Californina based company that offers transitional and fashion forward design.

Shumacker is a standard in the industry for beautiful fabrics and wallcoverings, they are pairing turquoise with an organge yellow that gives this room a tropical feeling.

Turquoise can be paired with red, orange, brown, navy, and lime green but watch for yellow this Spring. You will see it everywhere!

It's Official! We are now Maxwell House of Design.

2010-01-30T06:35:00.000-08:00

After months of preparation, we are pleased to announce our new name, Maxwell House of Design. This change came as a result of series of discussions with my friend Dianne Stewart, owner of BSA Public Relations. Dianne asked me why I had named my firm By Design Interiors. The story behind the name goes back to the time when I first decided to launch a business. The initial business plan was to be a staging company for real estate, therefore, the first name of my company was Sold By Design. This decision was made because I felt like the staging business was a relatively wide open field and that it would be easier to establish than an interior design company. As more and more of the homeowners, for which I did staging work, asked me to help them in their new home, the scope of my services changed. Quickly, my business become more about what happens after the move than before it. I found myself with an developing interior design business! After about a year of the design side growing and the staging side staying static, I dropped Sold from the By Design name and became By Design. Because there is a contemporary furniture store with that name, I added a word and became By Design Interiors. Over the next several years, I began to realize that my name, the design of my logo, and my overall brand really didn't reflect where I am in business now. Enter the brilliant Dianne Stewart and Digital Trooper, web design company extraordinaire, and now we have a new name, a new website and brand that reflects our current business direction. For those of you that have followed me for years, thank you for your loyalty and friendship. To those new to the blog, I welcome you to this exciting new phase of my business life.

Doll Houses and Dreams...

2010-01-24T01:50:00.000-08:00

Most young girls enjoy playing with dollhouses. I know I sure did! Dollhouses are a charming way for little girls to set up their own household and be masters of a domain that is theirs alone. I wonder how many designers were hooked on interior design from childhood?

I am in the process of setting up a new "house" of my own, a new website that will feature a re-launch of my business under a new name, Maxwell House of Design. This process is much like furnishing your home, each catagory of information requires thought and design. The process has been seemless with the Morphogine platfrom and the tireless help of Dianne Stewart of BSA Public Relations. I look forward to having you visit the site once it goes "live" by the end of the month.
To celebrate the process of evolution, I am going to share some dollhouses that really go beyond the ordinary to the extra-ordinary. These exquisite miniatures are the adult version of our childhood dream worlds. Enjoy the pictures and for more information on these check out the website at http://www.mulvanyandrogers.com/.

Fantasy Bathtubs

2010-01-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

Winter time equals bath time at my house! Cold winter days and early darkness beg to be answered with a long soak in a warm bath. While this is more a fantasy than a reality these days, it is fun to daydream. I decided to post photos of some drool worthy bathtubs. No longer are five star hotels and spa's the only ones that can offer these magnificent fixtures, homeowner can have them too!
The first photo is from Sun Rising, a Chinese company. Duravit offers the tub turned fountain in the second picutre. Aqua Prestige is the maker of the vintage tub shown in the third image. The final bathtub is from Stone Forest. Enjoy!

Why Interior Design Associations Matter...

2010-01-07T05:01:00.000-08:00

Recently a I shared with a Charlotte client that I was a professional member of the Association of Interior Design Professionals. His response was interesting. He thought that it was no big deal and that any business association is willing to take on members that are willing to pay their dues! He didn't believe that there was any credibility added to my professional status by the fact that I was a member. This guy needed an education and I was glad to oblige.

Nationally recognized Interior Design Associations have high standards for membership. Whether it is AIDP, IDS, ASID or any of the many other professional associations, each group vets it's members as to their education, experience and business ethics. You don't just automatically receive professional status. You have to submit your resume, letters of reference, client testimonials and prove your business integrity and longevity! If you choosing an interior designer, a way to make sure you are finding a true professional is to make sure they are involved with a professional association.

Yesterday, I met with a potential out-of-town client. She told a harrowing story about a "designer/decorator" that had tried to sell her all kinds of things. This person did not measure the client's home, but, tried to sell her a sofa that was way too large for the space. She tried to pass off dated fabric as new, and, she had questionable business practices to boot. I asked this client if this "diva" was involved in any professional design organizations and it was no surprise to me that she was not. Whether this client and I will try to work long distance is still under consideration. That she will use a member of an professional design organization is no longer an issue.

If you want to learn more about the organization with which I am aligned, the Association of Interior Design Professionals, log onto the National website at http://www.aidponline.com/. Our local chapter information can be found at http://www.aidpcharlottechapter.com/ and from there you can go to our blog, Facebook page and Twitter account.

Sylish Office Organization

2010-01-04T05:14:00.000-08:00

People from all over my area, Charlotte, NC, Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Lake Wylie, SC are talking about getting the home office organized for the New Year. I am no exception. In order to get inspired for the task at hand, I went online looking for fun, stylish organizational tools. The site at See Jane Work offered just what I was looking for. So as you go through old files, start new ones and get rid of the endless supply of paper clutter, check out ways to brighten the space and add fun to the task!

Emily's Room Makeover - the real story

2009-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, for Christmas my daughter Emily wanted to give her room a makeover. This all started when she graduated from a twin bed to a double bed which happened within a few days of a visit to the new Ikea store in Charlotte, NC sometime this past summer.

Emily is 15 and is a big fan of Pottery Barn Teen. She had seen black, white and purple bedding in a catalog that came in the mail and fell in love with it. She loves purple. She loves black and white graphic images and she loves the "teen" look of this bedding. I, however, had a different idea in mind. As with any interior design job you have to meet the client's needs and I had two "clients". The first was Emily with her style and desire for a very cool room. The second client was my husband, Scott, the one paying for this makeover. He, of course, wanted to keep me on a tight leash knowing my tendancy to want high end items. This makeover was a challenge in more ways than one!

Scott and I had agreed that we didn't want to replace the flooring upstairs with more carpet. He and I both prefer fiber free options. We decided on laminate. It is a scratch resistant surface that should hold up beautifully to teens and pets. The room needed a new paint job. We asked Emily to pick a purple that she would like to use. We then chose a lighter shade of that color for the walls knowing we could bring the darker shade in with accents.

Emily had seen a desk at Ikea that was black glass with a clear floral pattern stenciled in. We used that desk as the inspiriation piece for the rest of the room. While I was at Ikea, I saw a black and white fabric that looked like it was designed by the same person that created the pattern on the desk. This became the canopy and bedskirt.

I had seen wooden wall cut-outs in an online design project and I knew that I wanted to incorporate that into the room. I drew branches loosely based on the pattern in the fabric and my dad cut them out with his jigsaw. God bless him. We then painted them the dark purple Emily had chosen. We added rope light to the branches so that they would cast a soft, moody glow on the walls. What is not shown in the pictures is a canvas of the Eifel Tower that hangs on a dark purple cut-out that highlights the art. My mom, bless her heart, sewed the bedskirt, canopy and all the pillows on the bed.

Emily didn't want any of her old furniture in her new room. As a matter of fact, she didn't want anything but a desk and a bed because she wanted her room to feel spacious. I knew she would need a night stand, so we repurposed a cube that had served elsewhere in the house for storage. We added a base and the small size, 22 inches, makes the perfect compact night stand, just enough for a new lucite lamp, a book and a place to put a glass of water at night.

Some art by a local artist and a bookshelf above the desk to house Emily's favorite books finish out the desk area. The windows were treated with a stripe on stripe sheer in white that softens the window and breaks up the light purple wall.

My two "clients" loved the result. My daughter is thrilled and already has invited friends over to "sleepover" in her new room. My husband was happy because I achieved what Emily wanted at a price he had specified.

A friend of my commented that the room was very clutter free and that Emily would likely add her own touches. It was as if she read my mind! I purposefully did not add picutres, desk accessories and decorative items because I knew that Emily would want to put her own mark on the room and that is just what I want her to do, only then will it be perfect!

Pretty boxes for favors...

2009-12-17T04:06:00.000-08:00

The favor boxes featured above were found at http://www.squidoo.com/. These little boxes are great for addding a festive touch to a dining table. They are great tucked into a table top display, nestled into greenery and ornaments. They are even terrific for wrapping small gifts. My mother has a tradition of getting special Christmas ornaments for all of the children in her life. She gives them one each year, from birth, so that when the time comes for them to leave home, they have a lovely start on their own tree.

Christmas Make Over of My Teen's Room

2009-12-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

The Ikea store in Charlotte has become my daughter's idea of heaven. When we visited there this past summer, she announced that for Christmas she wanted a room make-over! Fast forward six months later and guess what my husband and I are doing today? You guessed it! We are beginning the paint and transformation process. My daughter has asked for black and white and grape purple (!) as her color scheme. Now you know, that as a designer and homeowner, I am not going for grape walls so we are using the grape color as an accent for the room. Because my daughter might read this post, I am going to remain vague on the whole plan, but, stay tuned as I will post photo's just after the big reveal on Christmas morning. I am posting photos that will give hints as to some of the things to come...

For mothers out there that are considering re-doing your teen's room, here are some things to keep in mind. Purchase items that will work for dorm rooms or first apartments and on those items, invest in good quality. Determine one major impact element. An amazing headboard, a mural, graphic elements, or a large piece of art can add the punch that teens look for in a room. Use their favorite color in accents if it is especially strong or bright. Chose bedding that is washable and not so expensive that you mind changing it out when they grow tired of it. Duvet covers are a practical choice. Consider re-purposing furntiure you already own. A coat of paint and new pulls can transform a chest of drawers from infant to adult. Finally, lighting is a big issue for most teen rooms. Again this is a place to play and invest. I am using a very long term stradegy for a lamp on the night stand, investing in a quality piece that she can take into her first apartment. For fun, I found a paper floor lantern at Ikea that was inexpensive and adds a funky element to the room. This one, I will be happy if it lasts until college!

So have fun with your teen room make-over and stay tuned for pictures from mine!

By Design Interiors: Seasonal Decorating in Adult and Kid Zones#links

2009-12-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

By Design Interiors: Seasonal Decorating in Adult and Kid Zones#links

Seasonal Decorating in Adult and Kid Zones

2009-12-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

Those of us with children know just how easy it is for the Christmas decorating to become very child oriented. As parents, w want our children to see Christmas as a magical time and we decorate accordingly. Often after a couple of years, we Mom's look around and wonder where we are represented in the home! It's time to look at options to keep the kids happy and to recognize that adults live in the home too!

Personally, I designate zones in my Christmas decore. The kitchen and family room are the kid friendly areas. The living room, foyer and dining room - in my case, office - are designed for the adult aesthetic. Take a look at the pictures here for beautiful ideas for you to implement in your own zones. Happy Decorating!

CN2 News - VIDEOS#p_CN2NewsVideos_WAR_CN2NewsContent#p_CN2NewsVideos_WAR_CN2NewsContent#p_CN2NewsVideos_WAR_CN2NewsContent

2009-11-30T17:17:00.000-08:00

CN2 News - VIDEOS#p_CN2NewsVideos_WAR_CN2NewsContent#p_CN2NewsVideos_WAR_CN2NewsContent#p_CN2NewsVideos_WAR_CN2NewsContent

The Holiday Table...

2009-11-23T04:46:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to set the holiday table and it's always inspiring to learn what other folks are doing. My Mother-in- Love, Dorothy Maxwell, always sets the most beautiful table during any event, but, especially during the holidays. Her attention to detail is exquisite. Dot always uses placemats that underscore the season with color, uses her good china, chrystal and silver without fail and adds lots of personal touches that make it intimate and charming. You will always find napkins adorned with a napkin ring or a bookmark that she has made and personalized for each guest. There are always delightfully unique placecard holders and each person always receives a special favor. Favors have included a hand painted china ornament, a little favor box of candies, a little booklet she has found and thought was special, the list is endless. Her centerpieces include flowers, candles, and decorative items that celebrate the season. Over the years, I have never seen a tablescape duplicated! She is a marvel. I wish that I had pictures of her tables to share with you. Since I do not, I will share a few tables that I think she would find pretty. Enjoy!

Using the things we love...

2009-11-18T08:07:00.000-08:00

If we are honest, there are things in our homes that might not fit everyone’s idea of the ultimate in interior design. In Alexandra Stoddard’s book Creating a Beautiful Home, she talks about surrounding yourself with the things you love to truly create a home. She gives us “permission” to break the “rules” and include personally revealing items. Here are a few examples of the challenges we face when we do just that.

Recently, a Charlotte, NC client had a dilemma that we had to solve. Her husband collects autographed sports memorabilia and lots of it. The question that we faced was how to create a gallery style installation on the wall of her husband’s home office. The question wasn’t how to create a beautiful display, the question was how to select from such an abundance of beloved options. I recently found a photographer that photographs and compiles hard bound books for homeowners. I am going to share this with this client as a way to document this amazing collection.

My daughter recently asked me why we have a baby carriage in our foyer! The reason, I explained, is that it is from the 1800’s and has carried 5 generations of Maxwell babies. It is a lovely old piece with iron wheels and a rattan carriage. It fits perfectly in my foyer and there is no other option in my home. Is it appropriate to have an item like this in the foyer? Maybe not, but we love it and enjoy it every day.

Another client’s husband brings home treasures from his travels around the world. He is very sentimental about these items and wants them displayed. We chose two display cabinets in which to show these pieces and make them work. Do we love all the items? No. Do they make an impact as a collection in a showcase? Absolutley. Is the client enjoying the fruit of his travel? You bet, and isn’t that the point?

Keep the following in mind for the key to displaying one or more special items:

Focus - Create a prominent spot for one of a kind items. Spotlighting, framing or otherwising highlighting these items gives them importance and impact.

Balance—objects placed in relation to one another in order to create visual stability using symmetry or asymmetry. A rule of thumb; if you think that the physical weight of each side would balance on an actual scale, you have likely acheived the balance you neeed.

Proportion—objects grouped according to size and distribution of forms.

Visual focus/hierarchy—objects arranged in order to create focal points which attract the eye, utilizing shapes, sizes and colours.

Repetition—objects repeated in a grouping to create visual interest and unity by considering spatial relationships, colours, shapes or textures. Grouping like items creates impact.

Contrast & dynamics—objects placed in opposition or tension in order to create visual interest, involving elements such as colour (contrasting colours like red/green, blue/orange, yellow/purple), lightness and darkness, size or visual suggestion of movement (rhythmic, arrhythmic, random or directional).

I have always admired Alexandra Stoddard’s philosophy that your home should reflect you and the things you love, not a trend or what anyone else says. It is only by using personal items that we create the unique environment that we call home. So find a way to use those items that you are not sure you should. Display them with purpose and you will enjoy your home all the more for it!

The Government Has Mandated Residential Sprinkler Systems - We Have to Get the State to Say NO!

2009-11-12T05:01:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday evening my husband, Scott, and I attended the Rock Hill, SC, Home Builders Association meeting. Much of the evening was spent discussing the impact of the International Residential Code that was just passed in Washington. Unless state legislation is passed to opt out, every new house built in each state, after July 2011, will be mandated to have a fire sprinkler. Currently statistics show that the chances of surviving a home fire where working fire alarms are present is 99.45%. Smoke detectors save lives. The addition of sprinklers in the home is unnecessary and detrimental in two ways. First, it will add to the cost of ANY home, large or small. Secondly, most municipalities are not set up to handle the kind of water flow it would take to operate residential sprinkler systems. That means that if this regulation is passed by the states, individual water tanks would have to be buried in each yard to provide the water needed to run the system. The cost of this could run anywhere from $7 to $10 per square foot. In a 1,000 square foot starter home, the total cost of installing a sprinkler system and required water infrastructure would be $7,000+. Research shows that for every $1,000 increase in the cost of a house, 200,000+ young first time SC home buyers will be forced to give up the dream of owning a home.

Mandatory fire sprinklers will keep low income citizens at risk. In raising the cost of a house, the government is forcing the economically disadvantaged to stay in older, marginal housing, with little fire protection instead of moving into a safer modern home. Statistics show that most home fires are in older or mobile homes without hard-wired fire alarms. Mandatory sprinkler systems are no answer in this case.

My blog posts are normally about interior design and how to make your home beautiful. This subject, however, affects all of us and our children. I felt the need to post this so that we can all realize what is at stake and do something about it. Please call, write or email your state reps and let them know that mandatory sprinkler systems for private residence are just another government invasion of our homes and that this regulation MUST be thrown out! Thanks.

Prinicples of Staging for the Homeowner that is NOT Selling

2009-11-11T06:30:00.001-08:00

I am often asked to stage homes in the Charlotte NC metro area and I have been thinking about the differences between staging and design. I have decided that we all need to apply staging principles from time to time to keep our homes fresh. When I stage homes, I go in with a completely different approach to the home than I do when I am going in on a design consultation. In designing a home, it’s often about what we want to add to a space. In staging it’s all about ommiting, or taking away from the design. When a home is for sale, buyers are looking at whether or not the home feels spacious and if they can imagine themselves living there. My job is two fold. First, to make the home look as large as possible. This is accomplished through the editing process. Second, to remove enough of the homeowner’s personality that the buyer can envision themselves in the space. As homeowners not selling our homes, it is good to walk through occassionally, and look at our space through the eyes of a buyer. We will see things that we might not realize until we notice them on purpose.

When I am trying to show off a home’s floor plan, several things are taken into consideration. Often, we re-arrange the seating area to create better traffic flow and show off the space. How we live, positioning the chair to watch t.v. or pushing the couch up against the wall so the floor is open for the kids to play, doesn’t always work in selling the home. I often have to prepare clients for a few months of discomfort in order for them to get top dollar for their house. Once the furniture is placed properly, we get stuff up off the floor. Baskets, magazine holders, stereo speakers, and the like, fill up the visual square footage. The more floor you can see, the larger the space appears. We even replace solid coffee tables for glass ones from time to time, so that the visual impact is lessened. In staging a home, removing clutter is paramount to success! Often, when we live in a space, we get used to the pile of junk on the corner of the kitchen counter or the stack of magazines on the floor by the reading chair. From time to time, check you floor space and make sure that your home isn’t getting too crowded. The same holds true for kitchen counters, crowded bookcases and home office areas.

When it comes to de-personalizing a home, we take away some, not all, personal photo’s and things of a more personal nature. I have toned down collections of all kinds from NASCAR to Pez dispensers, religious icons to heavy metal posters! This principle can apply to our own homes. Are our collections tastefully displayed, with impact, but not over the top? Are we sporting so many photo’s of the kids that folks don’t know where to look first? It is smart to edit your personal items every now and again because we become comfortable with things until we don’t realize our home is under a blanket of our “stuff”!

Very few folks live in a “model” home. I, for one, would love to, but, sadly with three kids and four critters, it’s just not happening. However, from time to time, I walk through the house to really look for what could be edited. Try it, you’ll be surprised at what you see and the changes that it will cause you to make. You might not want to sell your home, but sometimes the extra breathing room we create by editing our belongings, makes all the difference.

About Paint

2009-10-27T05:05:00.000-07:00

Recently a Charlotte, NC interior design client wanted to repaint a home they had just purchased. The homeowner is a do it yourself guru and insisted on doing his own paint job. When I suggested Benjamin Moore paint for the job, this couple was agreeable until they saw the price tag on the Aura brand paint that I had specified for the job. The homeowner just didn’t believe that paying that much for paint could possibly be worth it. I encouraged him to buy one quart to use on the tray ceiling drop. You can compare high quality paint to a high thread count sheet. A cotton/poly blend gets the job done and if you don’t know better, you won’t know what you are missing. If, however, you have ever slept on 1000 count Egyptian cotton sheets, you know the difference is totally worth it! I told him that if he wasn’t convinced that the paint wasn’t significantly better than what he was used to using, I would not say a word! Needless to say, he couldn’t believe how much easier the whole process was with the Benjamin Moore Aura paint. “It went on easier, like butter, and covered in one coat!” said the homeowner. He went on to paint the rest of his home in the Aura paint. Fortunately for me, he liked the paint because, what I didn’t tell him is, that other brands of paint can rarely match the Benjamin Moore colors to their fullest depth. .
Clients often call me for color consultation when it comes to choosing paint. The process of choosing involves lots of considerations. How much light is in the room, what the homeowners want in terms of warm or cool, is there a focal wall, what other colors are at play… all of these and more help narrow the field of color choices. Once we have two or three choices, I encourage clients to buy a sample pot or color sheet so that they can see it in the room in a significant amount. I advise them to observe the color in different light at different times of the day. The way that color and light interact can make a difference in the color choice. Once a selection has been made, I encourage the painter, whether a professional or do it yourselfer, to color test the paint against the sample after it has been mixed. Once, a Benjamin Moore dealer had a problem with the calibration of their color mix and the colors that we chose came out significantly off from the samples. Fortunately, we did poster sized color boards, for one last review with the client, when we noticed the flaw. Had we not tested, the color would have gone on the walls with disastrous results!
I often tell clients that painting is the least expensive way to completely change the look of a room. If you get some color advice, choose high quality paint, look at the colors in different lights, and test the final paint mix before you begin painting, you can expect a beautiful result.

To Market, To Market...

2009-10-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

We are just back from the High Point Furniture Market in High Point, NC. This year marks the 100th anniversary of this monumental trade show. It was, as usual, spectacular! It is hard to describe to those that have never been and I always feel compelled to try. Imagine an entire downtown area, sky scrapers ( well really short ones but none the less), cubby holes, strip shopping centers and office buildings filled to the brim with the brightest and best that every vendor can offer. Ten million square feet of show with give aways, food, festivities, and transportation at your beck and call. The way the city handles the thousands upon thousands of visitors is truly remarkable!

Every season, I report on the trends that I saw at the market. This year, I actually attended a seminar that reviewed 100 years of design trends and then a 15 minute wrap up on trends that are coming. I found the presentation to be fascinating and the speaker to be right on the money with his predictions.

Every season, there are multiple trends to track and this year was no different. The two most predominate that I noticed is the story of sober versus saturated. By that, I include color, pattern, and the overall style.

On the one hand is sober. It is a trend that sort of reflects the current economy, if you will. This trend is all about a sober and serious aesthetic. Think colors called "French Rain" and "London Fog" in the gray tones. For texture; wools, slubby linen, raw silk and other natural textures. Finishes include a "french market finish" which is a light wood with sort of a greyed out whitewash that showed up at Habersham as well as smaller vendors. This look is carried off with low voltage lighting and moody wall colors and accents. This quiet and somber trend is in direct juxtaposition to the other trend that I am calling saturated.

As with current runway fashion, the home furnishing industry is inspired by the 60's and 70's and they are bringing back colors and pattern from that era in a big way. Think Kelly green and marine blue, black, white and yellow, or, pink and orange in combinations. A pop art pattern, over sized and exaggerated, finish out the look. Even some of the most traditional vendors show cased this look.

Of course there are always "sub" trends. Metallics and embellishments are still a huge presence. Think nail heads and shells, sequins, buttons and other "bling". There is still a large segment of the market dedicated to what I have come to think of as a 'green' aesthetic. Reclaimed wood and recycled materials mark this style. Natural materials, vegetable dyed or tea stained colors are shown with natural elements. For example,the use of wooden stumps turned into stools or burlap turned into drapery panels. This pared down look works when the textures are really layered into the room. This trend is kind of colorless but really soothing and appealing in its own right.

As always, there is color trends to watch. At this market besides the grey and the saturated colors of the 70's, teal was seen across the board. Teal, a purple that leans toward pink (like a wine stain on a white napkin) orange and lime green were all fighting for dominance at the show. I had a client that wanted to find some coral accents and we did not find one!

That is the wrap up on the major trends that we saw at market. In later posts, I will share some of my favorite finds!

Artwork for your walls...

2009-10-11T05:37:00.000-07:00

As a former art major in college, I am completely opinionated when it comes to the subject of art in the home. I have a real hard time purchasing artwork with the sole purpose of “matching” the room. Art should be personal and meaningful to the client. If you are not emotionally involved with a piece of art, it has no place on your walls! I don’t care where you find it or if it is considered “serious” art, it has to speak to you on some personal level.

When clients are doing a space, we look to see if what they already own will work. If something new is needed, I encourage them to think “locally” and support the artists in the community whose work interests them. There are art galleries, art and craft fairs, art leagues that have shows and events, and, even restaurants that showcase art work. It makes local work easy to find.

Today there are many options for wall décor. We have used mirrors, game boards, photographs, old signs, iron pieces, wall vases, shadowboxes, baskets, tapestries, textiles, architectural salvage, sports equipment, pressed tin, dried botanicals, children’s artwork, plates, platters, maps, and matchbooks. We have framed keys, doorknobs, letters, baby clothes, ballet shoes, spoons, antique certificates, pages from books, pages from calendars, mementos from trips, playbills from theaters, sports memorabilia, movie theater posters, and nautical items. There are so many options that the sky is the limit. I have even coached clients in creating their own art piece and have hung several pieces of art created by the client’s children. I encourage you to leave the commercial retail print off your shopping list when there are so many other options for the walls in your home. Have fun with your choices, be bold, shop original, create your own and the walls of your home will have a personality as unique as your own!

Ahhhh Autumn

2009-09-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

Crisp cool days, brilliant fall colors, football season, these are just the many signs that summer is waning and Autumn is upon us. I, for one, look forward to this season with a sense of relief as we get a break from the heat and humidity. In the coming weeks, we will want to cozy up our interior spaces. Layering the home, like we see in the world of fashion, accomplishes this task. Adding a couple of throws, one to your sofa and one to a favorite reading chair is a good place to start. Adding some extra lighting also helps as the days grow shorter. Candles, accessories, artwork and fall arrangements can all add to this "warming" up of our homes.

Autumn is great time to change things up even more than just added items. I often encourage clients to add drapery panels to their blinds, woven wood treatments or shutters in the fall and winter months. Try re-arranging your furniture to create a cozier conversation area. Bring your furniture off the wall and group them in the center of the room around the fireplace. Try changing your artwork and accessories by exchanging their places in your home. For instance, try using the artwork and accessories that you have in the dining room in the family room. Trade items in the master bedroom for ones in the living room. By playing with what you already own, you can create a whole new look. If you have trouble doing that, the services of a designer may just be what the doctor ordered. Many of us in the design industry offer room re-do's or a re-decorate in a day services. It's a small expense with a big impact for your home. Whether you make big changes or small, Autumn creates a sense in all of us that the time to cocoon is upon us.

The Association of Interior Design Professionals

2009-08-19T05:08:00.000-07:00

There is a new organization in town that is ready to take ASID and IDS by storm and it is the Association of Interior Design Professionals. The AIDP was created as to answer designers concerns about the proper use of today's online marketing and social networking. The group plans to be on the cutting edge of technology, while promoting the goals of the group. These goals are to promote, partner with, and help prosper the members of the organization while providing prospective clients with design partners of the utmost integrity and a way to find them on the world wide web.
As of now, I am serving as the new vice-president of the local chapter. We had our first board meeting last week and I was amazed at the synergy and excitement that flowed out of the members in attendance. This is really the start of something BIG!

Mixing Accessories

2009-08-02T07:33:00.001-07:00

My Mom has finally moved to the area and in doing so, we have had to place her things in the new house. Finding the right balance of accessories for this new space has been a challenge. Her old home was traditional in the layout with lots of walls on which to hang artwork and accessories. The new house has an open floor plan that has fewer walls but one or two that are gigantic in size. The challenge has been to take the older, more traditional items and make them work in the new space. Ever had that happen to you? What came to mind as we worked to dress the walls were the tried and true design principles that apply to these situations. First, remember to balance your purchases in size and scale. My mom has a ton of wonderful artwork; however, most of it is smaller in scale. She needs to purchase one or two oversized pieces to balance all of the smaller items. The same goes for tablescapes. You don’t want everything on your end tables, chests, or bookcases to be similar in size. Pair an oversized box with a small frame and a medium size candle. Choose one large decorative accessory and showcase it on its own shelf. Leaving some book shelves minimally adorned will help the eye rest from all of the visual stimulation of book covers.
For wall groupings, remember to hang like things together for impact. To further the impact, frame the items all alike. For instance, my Mom is working on a family wall grouping. She has chosen candid black and white photos of all of her grandchildren. She is going to change those photos that are in color to black and white. All of the frames are similar in finish. She has chosen different sizes for interest, but the unity of the photos and frames will make for a beautiful wall arrangement. Just so you know, we are still working on the enormous dining room wall. Together we are looking for just the right mix to keep the wall from dwarfing the room. You know what that means... SHOPPING!

A review of the High Point Spring Market

2009-05-04T03:06:00.000-07:00

There were several trends at the High Point Market last week. The most prevelant being a very organic and natural look. Think burlap, slubby linen, cotton, and raw silk. Picture reclaimed wood, accessories and lamps that incorporate branches with the bark still on, and hand waxed finishes. The color story with this trend is soft vegetable dyed colors. Color names like moss, milk paint, dove grey, wool skien, and butter cream tell the story. This style is all about texture, clean lines, and a celebration of all things "green" as in recycled and earth friendly.

The second trend that was everywhere was the color Malachite! Paired with black and white for a modern take or layered with navy and sun yellow for a retro vibe, this color was hot in accessories and upholstery.

Embellished textiles create a luxe look.

Humor with a touch of kitsch was scattered throughout the market as if to indicate that in our homes we are going to keep humor and optimism alive despite economic times!

In all, there were lots of juxtapositions in the market and something for everyone. I loved the natural look for it's very earthy and serene feeling. I always enjoy color and was taken back to my mom's bedroom in the 70's with the malachite paired with black and white. Intricate handwork on textiles is fascinating and leaves me amazed at the hours that it must take to create such art. Finally, I am glad that we have not lost our collective sense of humor in such economic times!

Lighting it up!

2009-01-05T04:58:00.000-08:00

Lighting can make or break a room, believe it or not. Your furniture could be perfectly placed, the pieces carefully chosen for the room, with accessories that are spot on, but, if the lighting is not right the room will fall flat. There are three layers of lighting important to any room.

The first layer is ambient lighting or overall lighting. This type of lighting includes chandeliers, can lights, and other ceiling fixtures. Any fixture that spreads light generally over a room is included in this category.

The next layer is accent lighting. These fixtures highlight different focal points in a room. You might use accent lighting over a fireplace to highlight artwork, or over a bookcase or china hutch. Wall sconces fall into this group as well.

The final layer of lighting in a room is task lighting. These are usually lamps that will aid you in reading a book or working at a desk. Each room should have a minimum of three lamps. One for each end of a sofa and another for an occasional chair or loveseat. Too many times, homeowners will depend on one overhead light to perform the task of both ambient and task lighting. In order to get enough light to perform tasks this way, the homeowner often uses bright bulbs that end up casting a harsh glare on the room. Well designed lamps are found at every price point. You can find good looking lamps at Wal Mart. Price should never be the cause of not providing task lighting. The biggest secret to purchasing lamps is to purchase the right size. A lamp should be tall enough on your side table to cast light down over you when you are seated. I often tell folks to purchase lamps between 28 and 32 inches. The size of the table that the lamp is on will determine the size of the base of the lamp. If you have a large side table, the base of your lamp can be nice and chunky. If your side table is tiny, the lamp base need to be skinny. If you have a short lamp but like the style for the room, place it on a stack of books to raise it to the correct height. Often lamps look dated because of the shade. The Lamp Place on South Boulevard in Charlotte is great for helping you find the right shade for your lamp. They will often change the harp and the style of the shade to provide a brand new look for a lot less than the price of a new lamp. In addition to table lamps and swing arm lamps, clients often ask where to use floor lamps. Floor lamps are great beside a chair that doesn’t have a companion table. Floor lamps also work when the side table is an unusual size or shape.

Lighting is to a room as accessories are to the completion of an outfit. Bottom line, don’t skimp on lighting!

The No Da Gallery Crawl

2008-11-15T06:22:00.000-08:00

On the first Friday of each month, the No Da (or North Davidson Street) area of Charlotte hosts a gallery crawl. If you have never been, it is something you need to put on your to do list! This area of town has been totally reclaimed from urban decay and is charming, funky and great fun. The atmosphere is festive and there are lots of people milling about. Galleries range from Art-Craft to avante garde and are mixed with wonderful cafe's and bars, lots of which offer live music. My husband and I stopped in at the Evening Muse to listened to a local singer songwriter who was terrific.
I am constantly preaching to my clients about the importance of choosing art that has a personal connection. It is a shame to buy a stock print just because it goes with your decore when you could have original art that supports a local artist, works in the room, and offers an a satisfying emotional reaction. The No Da gallery crawl is a great place to make this kind of purchase. Invite another couple and go for the evening. Enjoy the crawl, grab a bite, then go to one of the many venues offering live music to cap off your evening. It will feel like you visited a whole new world in a short drive.

Membership in IDS and in the WCAA

2008-11-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

Recently, I submitted an application to the Interior Design Society for membership. This organization is for professional interior designers and promotes excellence in residential interior design. They require school documentation and a track record of professional experience before they consider a designer for membership. I am very pleased to have been accepted to the national organization and am looking forward to joining the local Charlotte chapter soon. Many articles that you read about hiring an interior designer encourages a prospective client to make sure that the designer is affiliated with a professional design organization. It is exciting to now be listed among such a distinguished group.

Professional organizations offer ongoing education and information on the industry that they represent. The same is true with the Window Coverings Association of America. After several visits to the local WCAA chapter, I have found that the information and network of professional window specialists to be invaluable. By Design Interiors now boasts membership in this professional organization as well as the Interior Design Society. These memberships assure my clients that I am up to date on all the current and coming information in the area of windows and interior design.

Update on the High Point Furniture Market - October 2008

2008-10-24T16:55:00.000-07:00

Fall Furniture Market - October 2008.
We just back from the High Point Fall Furniture Market, and by we, I mean my darling Mother and I. She has accompanied me to the last two markets and is such fun to have along. I attribute any talent that I have to her. She is great to engage in assessing and evaluating the things that we see during our time together. We agreed that each trip expands our view of all that is available with regard to product. We also enjoyed two educational seminars offer this time and found both to be well worth the time!
Now for the fun part; let's look at the market trends and directions for Fall/Winter 2008. Black and white is still strong with bold graphics and paired with apple green or traditional red. The acid yellow popular at the Spring market has softened into a yummy butter color and when paired with pewter gray becomes one of the signature color combo's of the show. Aubergine is popular and we saw it paired with leaf green for a regal yet oddly soothing color story. Metallics are still strong in accent pieces and accessories. Sliver tones, whether weathered or polished bright, are leading the way in popularity. Gold colored metallics are making a come-back, but slowly and mostly in traditional applications. Lacquer finishes on furniture and accessories is a hot new trend that has gained momentum since the Spring market. These bright finishes were popular in the Spring in mostly black and white. This market we saw bright reds, hot pinks, purple and various other brilliant colors. This trend is hot and I predict that it is just getting started.
Layering like we see in fashion apparel is popular in home furnishings as well. Throws, pillows, layered artwork, window with multiple treatments are all part of this trend. It is particularly appropriate for the cooler seasons as it creates a cozy and warm look.
The whole movement for green design is just getting warmed up. We have a very long way to go but the fact that we are seeing the birth of a new movement toward using sustainable and renewable resources is very encouraging. Many of the companies that I shopped are participating in this move by recycling, using renewable resources, and asking their vendors to do the same. Two websites that will provide information on this subject are http://www.oecotextiles.com/ and http://www.sustainablefurnishingscouncil.org/. As you make purchases, please consider asking about whether or not the products you are considering are being manufactured with a sensitivity toward our environment. The more we request environmentally friendly products, the more options we will have.

Fall is an exciting time in the Interior Design World

2008-09-08T03:59:00.000-07:00

Each fall there are two events that provide loads of inspiration, predict trends and offer new and exciting ideas for the home. They are the Atlanta Merchandise Mart's fall Home and Gift Show, and, the High Point Furniture Market. These events are massive in scale and hard to cover in just a day or two. In High Point, there is over 10 million square feet of showrooms! This event requires careful planning. I make a list of those vendors that I don't want to miss and then I try to plan to see as many new venues as possible. Some of my favorite furniture finds have come from High Point. Atlanta is more about accessories and garden furnishings. Atlanta is great because you never have to leave the building. High Point offers music and a festival like atmosphere between buildings which is fun. The Atlanta event is the week of September 15th. The Market is in October. I will be reporting back on some of my favorite finds...

Just because it looks good...

2008-07-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

A client that I am currently helping is having a tough time with the idea of updating her space. Her children would like to see her go for a whole new look and a more updated feel to her very homey family room. They would like to see a new furniture layout, new accessories, some new lighting and even a new furniture piece or two. This would be very easy to accomplish and would really provide a big change. The client is struggling, not with the idea of something new, but with how the space works so well for her lifestyle. The chairs and ottoman are just right for tv viewing. The couch, while a bit long for the room, is perfect for napping. The current furniture arrangement accomodates the family when they visit, the homeowners when they are alone, even down to the ease of using the answering machine. My answer? Just because it looks good, you don't necessarily give up function for form. How we live in a space, how it accomodates our needs, how it assists us in our livestyle is a powerful part of good design. We could change the furniture layout, but would it work as well for the homeowners? Is new furniture needed if recovering the old would save a sofa that works for napping? My plan is to keep the room as it is. We are going to add new cushions and recover each piece in the room. We are going to update lamps by updating shades and painting some of the bases. We are going to update window treatments, flooring, and wall color. In all, the room will have a total make over, without touching the comfortable lifestyle that is this room's personality and role in the life of the client

Highlights from the High Point Spring Furniture Market

2008-04-13T05:26:00.000-07:00

Last week was the High Point Spring Furniture Market. How do you describe 12 million square feet of furniture, accessories, textiles, and gifts? The first thing that I do is look for trends. Last market, in October, showed a lot of black and white, tons of green (both environmentally and the color-wise), and metallic accents everywhere! This market was not much different. The use of acid yellow has become popular. There were still metallic accents with the predominant choice being polished chrome or nickle. Mirrored case goods are still strong as is white lacquer finishes. My favorite venue this market was Global Views ( www.globalviews.com). The lighting and creative displays took my breath as did the large selection of accessories offered. Another favorite stop is Guildmaster (www.decorize.com). This collection of weathered and aged furniture and accessories always offers a feast for the senses. Christy Proctor, a former designer on the TV show Trading Spaces, was there introducing her new line of lamps. Christy was very personable and we enjoyed both her and her new product line.

Speaking of celebrities, Candice Olsen, of HGTV's Devine Design, was there introducing her line of case goods at Revco International (www.revcointernational.com). She is just as cute in person as she is on TV and my mom, who accompanied me, was tickled to speak to her. Her line of furniture is smart, transitional and like you would expect it to be if you watch her show.

As always, my favorite upholstery line, Pearson Company (www.pearsonco.com) had a beautiful showroom and we accomplished a lot there. Design Masters, known for their beautiful dining chairs, continues to increase the number of dining tables offered. They have some really lovely tables. And finally, my favorite new discovery is Pablo Mekis Artisan Pillows. These pillows are hand embroidered pillows from Chile. They are offered in linen, wool, silk, and cotton. These pillows are one of a kind art pieces and are just fabulous! Go see them at www.pablomkis.com.

Home Staging in a Tough Real Estate Market

2008-04-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Later today I will be staging a home that is getting ready to be put on the market in Rock Hill, SC. I am finding that my staging business has increased since the slow down began in Real Estate sales. In my business, the realtor hires and pays for my fee as listing incentive. These savvy realtors realize that they need an edge to make their listings stand out among the very crowded field. National statistics show that a staged home will sell quicker and for an average of 6% more money than a non staged home.

My goal when I stage a home is three fold. First, we work on making the space look as large as possible. That means getting rid of unnecessary furniture and items that take up floor space. Storage units are often used as most people house more furniture and junk than their homes can really accomodate. The second goal is to de-personalize the home. Buyers cannot image how they would live in a home if the lifestyle of the current owner is in the way. When I stage a home we reduce the amount of family photo's, religous art and artifacts, alchohol and bar equipment and the like. Finally, we look for ways to add charm. Fresh flowers, clear kitchen counters, pretty towels in the bathrooms, well made beds are all ways to give the buyer something to remember. Of the last three homes that I have staged, two have sold within a month, the third has had an offer that was refused.

Just Back from the International Window Covering Expo

2008-03-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

This past week, I attended the International Window Covering Expo in Atlanta with Marilyn Croteau. Marilyn owns Croteau Window Coverings and her workroom does all of the window treatments that I design and specify. You can check her out at http://www.croteauwindows.com/. The IWCE offered the opportunity to see what was new in window patterns, shutters, shades, blinds, motorization, fabric, trims, and new technologies that help the design industry solve problems. One of these problem solvers was the x-10 Drop. This is a door handle extension that will work with Schlage hardware. This ingenious piece of hardware will extend the door handle to accomodate blinds and/or shutters on French doors. Until now, Schlage was the only company that did not have an extension to fit. Many of my clients have Schlage door handles and they will be thrilled to have access to this product! Another exciting technology introduced, was the motorization of Roman Shades. This gives us a whole new area to explore when we are challenged with two story windows that need light control.We even found a product that will help hold the base of a drapery panel in place and in perfect folds over a floor vent that is blowing. Small items like these can make a big impact in the overall design of a room, and these technological breakthroughs are always welcome.

The best part of the World Window Covering Expo

2008-03-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

No matter how well the products, information or displays are presented, the true success of a show is the people that are involved and the relationships that are formed. The highlight of the Atlanta trip for me was meeting Lee Ann Van Dusen and Patty Grossman owners of Oeco Textiles. http://www.oecotextiles.com/ These amazing women have launched a truly "green" and completely gorgeous line of all natural, "green" manufactured decorative fabrics. These girls offer the true American entrepreneurial story. They have a passion for the environment. They saw the need for truly "green" decorative fabrics. They have a overcome incredible obstacles to pursue their goal with integrity and a committment to not compromise the mission. They are real, down to earth, and lots of fun. It will be thrilling to watch where the journey takes them as I am confident that they will be wildly successful.