tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12441261278485169372024-02-06T23:39:23.647-05:00design for livingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-35364421615504863512011-08-08T20:10:00.010-04:002011-08-09T09:32:05.478-04:00Client wall design installationTomorrow photographer Mary Gardella and I are installing the winning design plan (plan #1!) into our client's living room. I can't wait to show you the "after" pictures. Here's the plan, the wall and sneak peek at the room's new design. Check back later this week for "after" pictures!
{Winning design plan, #2, to be installed tomorrow}
{This is the wall now, waiting for its new, wonderful Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-77954860798238132572011-07-27T10:57:00.005-04:002011-07-27T11:19:55.883-04:00As the TV pilot turns, more from behind the cameraI enjoyed another day on the TV set yesterday. I love that this "set" is a house that is under renovation (click here to read about my TV pilot gig) because I get to participate in a transformation and be on film. Very cool.Yesterday I was filmed working on a top-secret project for the show (don't worry, when the show is wrapped I'll share details). The project was an idea I presented during my Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-91228926674951562632011-07-25T15:35:00.003-04:002011-07-25T16:01:18.133-04:00My first tv moment!Where has the month gone? As July comes to an end, I have exciting news to share with you. Last week I began working on a home renovation TV pilot!I'm used to my design work being on the other side of the camera, but not me. One cool thing about running your own business is you experience a lot of "firsts." First client, first big job, first referral, first moment in print...but I never really Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-16052745020148975652011-07-06T14:32:00.008-04:002011-07-06T15:01:05.825-04:00And the winner is...Thank you to everyone who voted in our second wall design challenge. The client thought about this one for a while, but finally selected plan #1. Judy is the lucky winner of the blog contest (congratulations, Judy!), now I just need your contact information. Please email me with your mailing address so I can send you your stationary pack. {Winning plan!}We are ordering these box frames for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-28790312087414109272011-06-23T20:28:00.044-04:002011-06-28T12:19:37.609-04:00Design challenge #2 - vote to win!I'm excited to share my second "design challenge" collaboration with photographer Mary Gardella of Love Life Images. I'll explain the project, show you the design plans and then you can comment and vote on your favorite plan. Everyone who votes for the client's selected plan will be entered into a drawing to win a beautiful stationary set!Mary came up with the idea for the design challenge when Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-16999156527545135482011-06-06T20:11:00.011-04:002011-06-06T20:46:31.994-04:00Design challenge #1 - completed!Did you know that there are people out there who don't hang photos or art on their walls because they are afraid to do it wrong, or they just don't know where to begin? You know someone like that, right? Maybe you are one of those people and if so, you'll love this post!I recently completed the first design challenge with Mary Gardella, photographer with Love Life Images. What is the design Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-37415407688576398032011-05-23T14:52:00.010-04:002011-05-23T15:25:04.684-04:00A great mix of fabrics & styleI am working with a client in Catonsville, MD to redecorate her family room. She's artistic, has a great eye and has many treasures she wants to better display. This family of 5 wants to make over their family room for optimal chill time. It's a lovely, light-filled room and is painted a burnt sienna color. They have a red television cabinet that is staying and everything else is being updated.{Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-49334199128141971512011-05-11T09:22:00.009-04:002011-05-11T09:54:25.492-04:006 outdoor pillows I love!It's finally happening here in Maryland — the warm, hang-out-on-the-deck weather is here!I'm always impressed with how far outdoor fabrics have come. We are no longer stuck with just solids and stripes to pick from and the color options are broad too! Both high and low end retailers are offering a variety that can fit any decor.Here are a few faves I found online. Enjoy!{Fun, traditional and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-4077077080450827252011-04-28T20:05:00.003-04:002011-04-28T20:17:11.802-04:00What's it like to work with me?It's been a busy month! I'm sorry I haven't been sharing design wisdom with you this last month. Between many wonderful clients and spring break, I've been enjoying life.I have something fun to share though, to make up for my absence — a video!A fabulous client of mine did a video testimonial for me after we wrapped up her design projects. I added some before and after pictures of her family and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-29548901161810127392011-03-11T09:05:00.000-05:002011-03-11T09:10:09.319-05:00Drumroll please...Thank you to everyone who voted for our first design challenge wall design. We have a winning plan and a winning commenter!The client selected plan two as her favorite. {The client selected plan two}The lucky winning commenter, randomly picked from everyone who voted for number two, is Phyllis.Phyllis, if you are reading this please email me your address so I can send you your stationery gift! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-3284632370870110992011-03-08T11:20:00.025-05:002011-03-09T11:27:26.502-05:00Design challenge ~ vote to win!I'm excited to share my latest project with you, a "design challenge" collaboration with photographer Mary Gardella of Love Life Images. I'm going to explain the project, show you the design plans and then you can comment and vote on your favorite plan. Everyone who votes for the client's selected plan will be entered into a drawing to win a beautiful stationery set!Mary found that many of her Unknownnoreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-18430138568429776592011-02-24T19:30:00.000-05:002011-02-24T19:30:00.350-05:00A reader's window - redesigned!I'm so happy today because a blog reader (and under full disclosure, a friend and past Butchers Hill neighbor) sent me an email about a decorating challenge she is having in her bedroom. I'm happy because I always ask for photos of your challenges, but I don't often get any. Now it's time to help solve her problem. My recent newsletter (click here to sign up to receive my free monthly newsletter)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-56111502557764612212011-02-21T10:17:00.008-05:002011-02-21T10:32:17.328-05:00Biggest mistake in designing a room@font-face { font-family: "Arial"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }h3 { margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt; page-break-after: avoid; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: rgb(79, 129, 189); }span.Heading3Char { font-family: Calibri; color: rgb(79, 129, 189); Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-1405144846935601832011-02-18T14:18:00.004-05:002011-02-18T17:15:49.774-05:00New adventure, "your life: designed"I am excited to announce that I am now working with Mary Gardella, photographer with Love, Life Images, as a guest blogger on a series we're calling "your life: designed." You can see her blog, and my first post, here. Visit her site to see her beautiful photography and stay tuned for some on-the-job projects we'll be working on with her clients, beginning next week in Federal Hill. If you like Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-17141140952537342722011-02-17T19:00:00.000-05:002011-02-17T19:00:01.822-05:00fabric inspiration - practicing what I preachHi design lovers. It's a sunny and warm day here in MD so I thought it was a perfect day to share the sunny new fabric roman shades in my home office.I've been working on redesigning my office for a few months, starting with a paint job in November (Benjamin Moore's Nimbus, 1465, Classic Color). But, before the paint went on the wall I fell in love with this Thomas Paul fabric, which inspired Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-73191409414048143332011-01-27T19:44:00.000-05:002011-01-27T19:44:00.669-05:00How fashionable is your art?I have been redecorating my home office (when I get the final window treatments I'll post pictures!) and that included adding art. To me, an office is just like any other room in your home—it's should be filled with things you love to see every day. I like it to feel less like an office and more like a welcoming room with pretty things!I enjoy fashion and when I found these 3 ladies I was Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-22738606188612885862011-01-25T19:09:00.001-05:002011-01-25T19:09:00.707-05:00Color or neutral decor—which do you prefer?Every year Pantone, "the world-renowned authority on color," declares a color of the year. You may have already seen this year's color, Honeysuckle, on TV, blogs and in home and fashion items.Pink was a big color at this year's Golden Globes and since fashion often leads home decor, you can now find a pink food processor for your kitchen!{Pantone's "it" color of 2011, Honeysuckle}{Using Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-48835780251153572462011-01-23T19:09:00.000-05:002011-01-23T19:09:00.811-05:00Rustic kitchen tile ~ final detailLast May I posted about a kitchen back splash I was creating with a Columbia, MD, client (creating finishing details). She and her husband are creating colorful kitchen, living and dining room spaces.We completed the tile installation at the end of last year, so I am finally sharing the final results with you. {Kitchen & back splash before tile...the orange walls are crying out for color on Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-4916997731912497392011-01-12T19:10:00.000-05:002011-01-12T19:10:00.857-05:00Mixing fabric patternsMixing fabric patterns in your home is a great way to add interest, texture and life to your decor. Many people shy away from it though because while it looks great when done well, it seems difficult to actually pull off. I'll share a few tips to make it easier on you, with some pretty examples from a recently completed design project.{This family room uses 5 different fabrics, not counting the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-59718248462758901552011-01-03T19:41:00.000-05:002011-01-03T19:41:00.684-05:00First thing?Happy New Year!What is the first thing you plan to update in your home's decor in 2011?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-44162675694351413582010-12-22T19:30:00.000-05:002010-12-22T19:30:00.526-05:00family art - making your rooms happy!I firmly believe you should surround yourself with things you love —and that includes art. Art doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to make you smile or remember a special time in your life.If you have kids what could be more special than showcasing their art? They are so proud when they bring home a new piece from school so show it off! Kitchens and family rooms are great locations for Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-12432730565965952232010-12-20T19:30:00.002-05:002010-12-20T19:30:00.627-05:00my home for the holidaysOne of the first things that gets me in the Christmas spirit is decorating my home. Here are a few pictures of what I surround myself with this time of year! Fresh greens, pine cones, home made stockings, ornaments, ribbon and garland and I'm set for a festive feeling!{Our fireplace isn't currently functioning, so I fill it with fresh greens}{Our mantle holds are home made stockings and some Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-78771788212190491262010-12-06T16:04:00.003-05:002010-12-06T16:21:46.247-05:00holiday decor pictures I loveJust seemed like a good day to post some pretty and inspiring pictures! Enjoy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-6168134617068407462010-10-12T08:00:00.001-04:002010-10-12T08:00:13.320-04:00huemor me: decorating with purple, plum & lavendarPurples and plums have been on my mind lately as I spend time in my decorator show house room, accented with pops of plum. As people tour my room they often ask about "hot" colors and wonder if purple is a hot color now. I think purple (and the various shades of purple, like lavender & plum) are always hot! If you like those colors, there's a shade out there for you. {My room in the Historic Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244126127848516937.post-43254402667797727942010-10-07T15:28:00.005-04:002010-10-07T15:44:21.847-04:00Pretty, pretty fabric!Today I found a new online decorating magazine, Rue. I was going to finish reading it and then share it with you, but on page 19 I found an ad with a familiar site -- the fabrics I used in my decorator show house room!So now I can share the zine link AND pictures of the ad and my fabric. It's nice to share, right?Here's the ad, for Duralee's Thomas Paul fabrics...And here's a picture of my room -Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0