New Look for your Couch

I recently have had three different clients with whom we've done different things with each of their couches. The first client's couch was no longer the right color for their newly paint and accessorized room. The couch was in pretty good shape, but were just assuming that I was going to recommend we get them a new couch. The budget really would have been stretched had we chosen that option. Instead, they were delighted when I recommended that we purchase a very tailored slipcover from www.potterybarn.com. It is a neutral creme color and has crisp, tailored pleats along the bottom. This was a great fix for just over $100.00.

The second client had a pair of wonderful, traditional, high quality couches that were 20 years old. She custom selected a beautiful velvet to re-upholster both of the couches. Although the final cost was about the same or a bit more than purchasing two new high end couches, it was the right choice because these couches were made so well to begin with. And, what a beautiful result!

The third client just wanted to overhaul her living room space. She had grown tired of the floral patterned couch and was ready for something more contemporary and grown up. So, we started from scratch and shopped until we found the perfect leather couch for the space.

So, as you can see with my three clients that all had couch issues we three completely different things for each one. And, each solution was the right choice for the client.

Inspired by the Outdoors

I don't know about you, but I love the Fall. Here in the Northwest it is usually sunny and crisp and clear during the fall months. It's a time I always want to do a little something to change my decor. A lot of clients choose fall to paint the interiors of their home. Not sure where to start? Look outside for some inspiration. Bring in the colors of the outdoors right now like greens, browns, oranges, reds and yellows. Try www.devinecolor.com for wonderful palettes, with colors made especially for the Northwest. They have also newly introduced a Devine green line, which has a zero voc formula. Here's some great colors to try to try; Devine Hosta, Devine Cocoa, Devine Le Pot D'or, Devine Paprika and Devine Cream. If you're not ready to take on a paint project, you can also be inspired by those colors by bringing in accessories such as pillows, table runners, throws, and small area rugs.

Keep a House File

Are you planning on a remodel or a re-decorating project in your future? If so, you probably get a lot of inspiration from books, magazines and perhaps websites and blogs. I always encourage and appreciate when clients have pictures to show me. I did this the other day when I was working with our contractor on my home project. He appreciated that I showed him a picture of what I was envisioning. I encourage you to keep a "home file" of inspiring ideas, as well as a separate home file with colors, fabric samples, etc of items that you have selected for your home. That way, you always have it to refer to when you are adding pieces to your home.

Cabinet Re-do

Recently I wrote about a relatively easy way to update your kitchen cabinets by adding or changing out the knobs and drawer pulls, as well as updating your faucets. Many people would love new kitchen cabinets, but it may not be a priority budget wise. I'm am very much into the "green" and recycling mode and would rather find a way to enhance kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them. Painting is always an option, and I would recommend a glossy high enamel paint (used for boats and cars). This can be messy though, because it is oil based, but the outcome will last a very long time. Another option I just read about in Better Homes and Gardens is using a gel stain. Frames, doors and crown moulding can be lightly sanded and then the gel stain can be applied (try Bartley, which is ideal for vertical surfaces) with paper towels. Simply wipe off with a rag. It can change the look of your cabinets, using a realistic budget-which I am a fan of!

Custom Art

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at a custom piece of art? An idea is to purchase a canvas, for instance a large 48" * 36" or two 16" * 24". Prime the canvas with Gesso, and purchase a few tubes of acrylic paint. Flip through some art books or a magazine for inspiration. My daughter and I are inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe and her beautiful flowers. We did a project one Saturday (and we're not artists). We had a great time and we were very happy with our results. It's a fun project, and you might surprise yourself, and make it a focal point of your room!

Repositioning Antiques

I love antiques, and our home has a mix of antiques with some traditional furniture. It is possible to mix old with new, and that makes a room more personal rather than having a room that looks like a showroom. However, sometimes with antiques they just aren't as useful as more modern furniture. So, why not find another purpose, or reposition it somehow? We used to have a beautiful tall antique coat rack in the entry hall. It was beautiful, yes. But as kids grew a bit, and with lots of kids coming to the house, what we really needed was a coat rack and a place to sit down in the entry way. We moved the antique coat rack to a basement hall, which looks great there. Then, we brought in a bench as well as a coat rack/shelf to put above the bench. So, we're still using the antique rack, but in another area of our home.

Another antique item that is being used differently then it's intended purpose is a set of seven antique stained glass windows. I would love to have them as actual windows in our home, yes. But, what I did was hang each one on a wrought iron curtain rod in various places on our living room walls. They also draw your eye upward toward the vaulted ceiling. The windows really are the only piece of art we need there, as they are quite a focal point, and our butter yellow walls peak out from underneath.

Enjoy incorporating antiques into your home, they are timeless.

Great Design Reads

Friends and clients ask often what I'm reading. I am constantly flipping through design books and magazines, as well as reading some novels. Some of the magazines I just love are Western Interiors, Domino, House and Garden and Cottage Living. My weakness is design books of course. I'm intrigued with the idea of creating new from old, so a book I love is; Creating The New Old House by Russell Versaci. Building small is very interesting to me as well, and I enjoy the Cottage Home by Jim Tolpin. I recently finished reading House by Pulitzer Prize winning author Tracy Kidder. And, I just purchased The Builders Secret; Learning the Art of Living through the Art of Building by George Ehrenhaft. Enjoy some good reading!

Visual Clutter

With my home, I'm always looking at it with a designer's eye. Sometimes I wonder, "is there too much visual clutter?" With clients we are always careful as to not have too much "visual clutter", and I'm always refining that in my own home, too. What is it that you want to stand out in the room? Is it your artwork? A new rug? An eye popping new modern leather couch? Sometimes it helps to take away the items, or clear the room completely, and start from scratch. Often, I find that I love every object in the room, but sometimes they can be repositioned in another room, leaving the room cleaner in the end, so that it really shines.

Re-arrange Your Accessories

A quick way to change the look of a room is to re-arrange your accessories or your bookshelves. For instance, a client had a long and deep mantle that went the width of the family room, with book shelves on either side that flanked a fireplace. We cleared it off completely and went searching throughout the house for different accessories. Now, it has a completely different look and it was a no-cost project! We brought in an in-frequently used antique (becasue they didn't know where to put it) and made it the focal point of the room, as well as re-arranging the bookshelves.

What's fun about bookshelves is that they don't have to be just for books. Try putting some art pictures at the back of the shelves, or use baskets, glass bowls or hurricane bowls to show items collected. I also love to display pictures as well as my children's art on bookshelves.

Keep a list

Do you ever get to a store and come across something that would be perfect at your home? Here's what happens to me sometimes; I'll see that perfect rug, but I won't remember the size I need. Or, I'll see some wonderful throw pillows but I won't know if they're the right size or the perfect red I need. Of course you can always purchase it and return it, but I prefer to be more efficient, especially if you're farther away from home or on a trip. And with gas prices and time constaints, who has time to be returning things? So, I keep a small notebook in my purse, along with a small tape measure (a tape measure that attaches to a keyring are really handy). In the notebook I list everything that I might be looking for along with the sizes, colors, etc. That way, when that perfect item appears before us we can be sure to have a better fit. It still may need to be returned, but at least you're initially more likely to have it work.

Great sales right now

There are a lot of great sales right now, so it's a good time to get bargains on large ticket items like furniture and electronics. Retailers are bleak about the holiday shopping season coming up, so many of them are offering early shopping incentives. For instance some furniture stores are offering 25% and more off furniture. So, if your Christmas list includes some new furniture now might be the time to get it! Happy shopping!

Update your Kitchen on a budget

Everyone seems to have home renovation projects in mind, but we don't always have the money that allows us to do them. One room that is on many people's list for an update is the kitchen. I have big plans for our kitchen too, "someday". That someday couldn't come soon enough, but in the meantime, here are a couple of ideas that might get you started for not a lot of money.

Cabinets can be updated by replacing or adding knobs and drawer pulls. A lot of stores carry open stock so you can select the style and quantity very easily. Lowe's and Home Depot are good places, as well as Target and www.target.com. Also replacing the faucet can really update the kitchen for not a lot of money. So, until you can get to "the big project" why not start out small and have an instant update.

Elegant, Affordable Art

Want some elegant, affordable art? Here's an idea, purchase a picture book of a subject you're interested in- for example, botanical art or the Great Masters of Art. Cut the pictures out of the book at the spine, and take them into a frame shop to frame. I have done this in my office with botanical prints, and I framed them with the inexpensive glass frame less frames. This is an elegant look, and it also allows the prints to really be seen, since there is no frame around them, only glass. For inexpensive books try Half Price Books, or http://www.uppercasebooksandcollectables.com/. Uppercase Books is also having a sale the month of October-30%-70% off all books! Hey, at that price you could even pick some up for reading!

Great Lighting Sources

Changing out lights in your home can be a relatively a great way to update your home. For instance, want an upgrade your kitchen can lights? Try switching them out with old fashioned schoolhouse lights. Look for these at http://www.restorationhardware.com/. Other great sources are http://www.shadesoflight.com/ and http://www.lightinguniverse.com/. They have a wonderful selection of all kinds of lights, and a very detailed and organized websites. While you're at it, switch out your bulbs on your reading lamps for the 3-way bulbs that save energy!

Try some art!

My kids did an art project that hangs on my wall. I get a lot of compliments about it, and a friend recently said she'd like to make one. Why not, how doing a Fall art project to add to your walls, made by you. Personalized art can add a lot to a room, especially if the family can partake in it. Try a leaf rubbing by collecting leaves. We cut out 5" * 5" squares of tissue in assorted colors like red, blue, green and yellow. Then we took a black crayon and rubbed the leaves underneath it. Next, glue the tissue on in a random arrangement on white paper. We took ours into a frame shop to have it custom framed and matted. Try www.offsetcorner for your custom framing.

Try a little color this Fall

In the Northwest, people often say we're "light deficient" in the Fall and Winter months due to our grey, rainy winters. What better way to bring a little color to those gloomy months than painting your homes' interior? Try www.devinecolor.com for these fantastic yellows; Devine Cream, Devine Butter (yummy!) and Devine Manilla. Not a yellow person? How about Devine Lil'Melon (a fun orange) or painting an accent wall or Dining room a warm red like Devine Saffron.

Color is one of the best and least expensive ways to change the look of your home.

Try these places to shop

We all have our favorite places to shop. As a designer I have a lot of favorite places, and will share a couple with you. For great info on organizing tips, products and even custom organizing check out www.efficientorganization.wordpress.com and www.cleartheclutterprofessionalorganizing.blogspot.com In need of some custom framing, framing supplies or gifts? Check out www.offsetcorner.com The owner is having a fantastic sale; all pre-framed store art is 50% off. They feature floral, fishing, golf, animal and landscape framed art. Posters are $5.00-$15.00. "Oops" frames are $5.00-$35.00, most including glass and backing. They are also taking custom frame orders now through November 15th, before they close their doors for good. Please visit this fantastic store while there's till time!

Happy shopping!

Come on in!

What is the first impression guests get of you home? Well, of course the outside gives a first impression, but it's the front door as well as the entryway. Once inside the door, the entryway is the first glimpse of your home a visitor will see. It gives them a little insight as to what the rest of your home is like. Does it say "welcome!" or "go away!" Hopefully, it says "welcome, come in, enjoy". One way to welcome visitors is to paint your front door a wonderful, warm red. Try Benjamin Moore 'Rosy Apple' or Columbia Paint 'empower' red.

Once inside, there are many things you can do with the small entryway to make it accommodating. A bench and a shelf with hooks is a great place to take off shoes and hang coats. Not enough room? How about a small round table, console or even wall shelf hung low to drop keys and mail. If there is room, you could add a small scale chair.

Sometimes entryways are big, and can be more of a mud room. Try a stack of lockers for an urban twist. Sometimes these can be acquired through a school system that might be renovating. Also check out www.potterbarnteen.com

So, come in, and welcome!

Fall Decorating

Fall is upon us, and I know I'm always in the mood to bring some of the outdoors in while we still can during our crisp, fall weather! Decorating with pumpkins and gourds is fun because they can actually lead us into Thanksgiving as well. I love the small gourds you can pick up in a variety of shapes and sizes at markets. Stacking a bunch in a hurricane glass vase makes a great visual pop of color, and adds some interesting texture as well. It's also fun to line a table with small pumkins, or to use them as placecards at the table with you guests name on them.

Why should I hire a Designer?

Often people may hesitate when deciding whether or not to hire a designer. They think it will cost to much, be a hassle, etc. Actually, like a contractor can bring specialized workers to a project, designers can bring specialized products and services to you. Many times, designers can bring you products and knowledge that otherwise may not be available to the general public.

Designers may have great cost cutting ideas, and wonderful local shopping haunts as well. Now, what about the cost issue, you ask? Some designers charge an hourly rate for designing, shopping, and consulting. Also, they may mark up products or services they include in the project. Some designers only charge a mark up on products. At Distinctive Interior Designs we charge an hourly rate as well as a slight mark up on products. We feel this is the most fair, as we charge for our time, allowing for a smaller mark up on products. So, you know that the products we offer you are the best pricing possible.

What is important to us is that you love your new space! We work very hard to bring you the best products and services for the project. We also love sharing our ideas with you, often igniting an idea that you may have never considered, but ultimately love! Happy decorating!