How lucky can you get.....I work in a wonderful profession where you can live vicariously through others. Designing different lifestyles for my clients is as fulfilling as painting on a canvas is to the artist. The key I find that makes a room a "WOW" room versus a mediocre room is viewing the room as a canvas.....taking in consideration all four corners as you are going through the creative processes How is each additional piece going to relate to the others, how will the negative space be enhanced by an additional piece, and so on and so on, until the masterpiece is complete.
On Friday, I finished accessorizing the first floor of a project I have been working on for a delightful couple out in Virginia. How wonderful it is to see the expressions on the clients' faces when a room comes together, as if by magic! (although the preparation for the finished room has been ongoing for quite a bit of time, the clients just think we pull it together so easily and that is exactly how it is supposed to appear.) I was so happy to see so many blooming flowers in their yard and as they went off to attend errands they needed to do, I raced around and cut fresh flowers from their garden and added the final touches. When they returned they could not believe their eyes and actually the wife said to me, when she first saw the custom throw pillows on the sofas, she just wasn't quite in love with them, as she thought she might be from the small samples I had shown her, but then once I added the other accessories, the room came together just like the final brush strokes finalize a painting!
I left feeling so good and thought how lucky I am to be in such a wonderful field and the pleasure I get by seeing the reaction the clients have.....hopefully, always positive!
IT TRULY IS MAGIC!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Went to the Design House today and it is a "MUST SEE". I was very impressed with how many designers were hosting their rooms! It is always good to hear the spin on the room straight from the horse's mouth. My friend Karen and I went together and had lunch afterwards and talked about our favorites........they were all very nice in their own right and the entire house seemed to flow extremely well. Honestly, in my opinion, there usually are a few rooms who are noticeably not as pulled together as others, but my hat goes off to this year's chosen designers; although the style may not have been to my taste, there was not one space that didn't look good and professionally executed. My biggest piece of advice is to be extremely careful when parking and walking to the house! Unfortunately drivers are still using their cell phones and not paying much attention to pedestrians and tend to drive extremely fast in such a residential neighborhood. Support a wonderful cause! ENJOY!
The DC Design House is Washington's premier design house showcasing the talents of the area's finest designers – to benefit Children's National Medical Center. This year's event will be held at the Beaux Arts home of Rob and Robin Wilder, which was the site of the inauguration party for Harry S. Truman and a residence for the ambassadors of Mauritius and Uruguay.
For $20.00, you can view the house, and all proceeds go to Children's National Medical Center.
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday: noon to 5:00 pm
Purchase tickets online at http://dcdesignhouse.com
The DC Design House is Washington's premier design house showcasing the talents of the area's finest designers – to benefit Children's National Medical Center. This year's event will be held at the Beaux Arts home of Rob and Robin Wilder, which was the site of the inauguration party for Harry S. Truman and a residence for the ambassadors of Mauritius and Uruguay.
For $20.00, you can view the house, and all proceeds go to Children's National Medical Center.
Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday: noon to 5:00 pm
Purchase tickets online at http://dcdesignhouse.com
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter = Interior Resurrection
It is Easter Sunday and as I lazily get started today, I am contemplating a bit more purging in my own condo. First thing this morning I called my mother to wish her a Happy Easter and she brought up, for the 2nd time in less than a week, the timing might be right for her to move to a nursing home. Those are words I didn't really want to hear, but once she brought up the subject, I have to admit it was a lot less painful than I thought it would be. How lucky am I that she is in such a positive state of mind about eliminating everything in her apt. and making the move and looking at the entire experience as a positive and a new adventure. For those of you who might not know, she has been on oxygen full-time for the past few months and she cannot do any of her own household chores, which she really loved doing.
When we moved her to this apartment I pulled together a whole new look for her, using some of Kravet's Mark Hampton fabrics, etc., as well as new upholstery from Kravet and the infamous Motioncraft small scaled remote control recliner. I use the word infamous, because just after I gifted this chair to my mother for Mother's Day a few years ago, the wiring had gotten caught between the metal frame work within the reclining mechanism and as the plastic coating was worn away and live wires were exposed the chair actually began smoking one day with my mother sitting in it. Fortunately, she thought quickly and unplugged the chair, so no major damage was caused, but I am sure it was a bit scary for her, even though she jokes about it still! What a trooper my mother has always been and now it is my responsibility to see her wishes are granted once again. Life's evolution is something none of us can do anything about, so let's face it in a positive light, like my mother, Charlotte does! Now if I can just get my own house in order....... and what a better day to do it! For those of you who celebrate Easter..... Happy Easter and maybe toss or recycle something on this day of Resurrection!
When we moved her to this apartment I pulled together a whole new look for her, using some of Kravet's Mark Hampton fabrics, etc., as well as new upholstery from Kravet and the infamous Motioncraft small scaled remote control recliner. I use the word infamous, because just after I gifted this chair to my mother for Mother's Day a few years ago, the wiring had gotten caught between the metal frame work within the reclining mechanism and as the plastic coating was worn away and live wires were exposed the chair actually began smoking one day with my mother sitting in it. Fortunately, she thought quickly and unplugged the chair, so no major damage was caused, but I am sure it was a bit scary for her, even though she jokes about it still! What a trooper my mother has always been and now it is my responsibility to see her wishes are granted once again. Life's evolution is something none of us can do anything about, so let's face it in a positive light, like my mother, Charlotte does! Now if I can just get my own house in order....... and what a better day to do it! For those of you who celebrate Easter..... Happy Easter and maybe toss or recycle something on this day of Resurrection!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
How Lucky am I?
Each day I wake up and one of my first thoughts is how lucky I am to be in an industry that is creative and allows me to assist others to create or to design living environments for those who may not be as creative.
This past week was a good one at the Washington DC Design Center. I manage the Kravet/Lee Jofa showroom and we were fortunate to have Beth Greene, VP of Marketing and Communication for Kravet and Lee Jofa, conduct a panel discussion on Social Media and How It Works for Interior Designers. I was aksed by Beth to be one of the panelist along with Blogger Jennifer Sergent (DC by Design) and Interior Designer and Blogger, Liz Levin (Nesting). The turnout was wonderful, standing room only and what wonderful questions and feedback. It is such an exciting time for designers and the wonderful world of Interior Design has become truly "global" via the internet and blogging, tweeting and of course, facebook! Now a designer can get their websites and their personalities out there for all the world to see and as we all know, the concept of 6 degrees of separation is so evident and so easy in the fabulous cyber world!
So if you have not jumped on board, do it now or become history!!!
Enjoy the rain and remember, in a month or so, it will bring us glorious bouquets of spring flowers!
This past week was a good one at the Washington DC Design Center. I manage the Kravet/Lee Jofa showroom and we were fortunate to have Beth Greene, VP of Marketing and Communication for Kravet and Lee Jofa, conduct a panel discussion on Social Media and How It Works for Interior Designers. I was aksed by Beth to be one of the panelist along with Blogger Jennifer Sergent (DC by Design) and Interior Designer and Blogger, Liz Levin (Nesting). The turnout was wonderful, standing room only and what wonderful questions and feedback. It is such an exciting time for designers and the wonderful world of Interior Design has become truly "global" via the internet and blogging, tweeting and of course, facebook! Now a designer can get their websites and their personalities out there for all the world to see and as we all know, the concept of 6 degrees of separation is so evident and so easy in the fabulous cyber world!
So if you have not jumped on board, do it now or become history!!!
Enjoy the rain and remember, in a month or so, it will bring us glorious bouquets of spring flowers!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
New Attitude for a New Decade - "Your Own Interior Designer"
Finally, my mother is out of the hospital and pretty comfortable and happy back in her own apartment and I am finally getting over something I came down with while visiting her in the hospital. ( an incubation tube for illnesses) While ill, I began cleaning closets, when I had some energy, and I have to admit it is freeing, even though I must admit I have trouble letting go of some custom tailored jackets that, let's face it, just do not fit properly anymore. I'm sure they must have been shrunk by the dry cleaners, it is amazing how that happens, huh?
I also have decided to begin promoting my business idea of becoming "Your Own Interior Designer" and assisting you on making the purchases you see in design magazines or while visiting a show house, etc. Yes, I will still have my full service interior design business, but this satellite business will enable those of us on smaller budgets who would like to purchase a piece or two at a time; or just want to have new window treatments or new paint colors the ability to acquire these at a minimal mark-up because basically the research part of the purchase will be your responsibility. I will act as a Purchasing Agent for you and guide you toward the proper drapery and upholstery workrooms and not let you make a mistake. For instance, if you email digitally a photo of your room with the items you are working around and if possible, can either identify or send a swatch of the fabrics used in the room, we will be happy to pull fabric selections for upholstery and drapery treatments and also, suggest the type of window treatment you should use, etc. I know there are a lot of us out there who would love to have the beautiful things we see in magazines, but just do not how to acquire them if you are not working with a designer or architect on the entire project.
"Your Own Interior Designer" now offers consumers, not currently using an interior design professional, an exclusive insider purchasing opportunity. Through this new buying service, you can now access a unique courtesy purchasing service that allows you to procure a limited number of to-the-trade items from our unlimited resources.
With "Your Own Interior Designer", you will receive a free, one-hour, no-obligation designer consultation with one of us. You can use this one hour in any way you choose: review floor plans, ask color questions, discuss solutions for your design problems and make your purchases. It will benefit you to have as much of your homework done, as possible.
If you are looking for an exact to-the-trade item to purchase at a nominal mark-up (designer net + 25%), and not a room renovation or home redesign, then "Your Own Interior Designer" service is just what you need.
To schedule an appointment, please complete the following questions.
What space are you purchasing for?
What type of product are you looking for?
Which best describes your decorating style?
Item Number or Pattern Name or Number, if you know it:
Name :
Phone:
Email:
You can email the above informtion to wayne@yourowninteriordesigner.com
Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions on how you would like this type of business to work for you.
Until next time, surround yourself with people and things you love and SMILE!
Hope 2010 is the best year ever for all of us!
I also have decided to begin promoting my business idea of becoming "Your Own Interior Designer" and assisting you on making the purchases you see in design magazines or while visiting a show house, etc. Yes, I will still have my full service interior design business, but this satellite business will enable those of us on smaller budgets who would like to purchase a piece or two at a time; or just want to have new window treatments or new paint colors the ability to acquire these at a minimal mark-up because basically the research part of the purchase will be your responsibility. I will act as a Purchasing Agent for you and guide you toward the proper drapery and upholstery workrooms and not let you make a mistake. For instance, if you email digitally a photo of your room with the items you are working around and if possible, can either identify or send a swatch of the fabrics used in the room, we will be happy to pull fabric selections for upholstery and drapery treatments and also, suggest the type of window treatment you should use, etc. I know there are a lot of us out there who would love to have the beautiful things we see in magazines, but just do not how to acquire them if you are not working with a designer or architect on the entire project.
"Your Own Interior Designer" now offers consumers, not currently using an interior design professional, an exclusive insider purchasing opportunity. Through this new buying service, you can now access a unique courtesy purchasing service that allows you to procure a limited number of to-the-trade items from our unlimited resources.
With "Your Own Interior Designer", you will receive a free, one-hour, no-obligation designer consultation with one of us. You can use this one hour in any way you choose: review floor plans, ask color questions, discuss solutions for your design problems and make your purchases. It will benefit you to have as much of your homework done, as possible.
If you are looking for an exact to-the-trade item to purchase at a nominal mark-up (designer net + 25%), and not a room renovation or home redesign, then "Your Own Interior Designer" service is just what you need.
To schedule an appointment, please complete the following questions.
What space are you purchasing for?
What type of product are you looking for?
Which best describes your decorating style?
Item Number or Pattern Name or Number, if you know it:
Name :
Phone:
Email:
You can email the above informtion to wayne@yourowninteriordesigner.com
Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions on how you would like this type of business to work for you.
Until next time, surround yourself with people and things you love and SMILE!
Hope 2010 is the best year ever for all of us!
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