The DECO-Zone

Nursery Nesting

Before

Most expecting moms experience “nesting” during their last trimester.  It may be to organize the kitchen or bathroom but more than likely it is to get the nursery decorated for the precious little one that is soon to arrive.  While visiting with my brother Aaron and his wife Ginive, who is expecting their second little boy in September, I witnessed Nursery Nesting first hand.  The young couple already owned the essentials for a baby’s room…the changing table, dresser, baby bed and an upholstered rocking chair ( Thank goodness she did not have a glider like us older ladies!).  Ginive needed guidance in pulling together the furniture placement and window treatments.  She was happy to leave the existing pale yellow walls and Aaron was delighted not to be repainting.  As the nursery consultation continued, fabrics were pulled for drapes and a bed skirt, then the furniture was placed for best functionality.  But something was missing….the key factor…which was a new shade of paint.  So I pulled out the Sherwin Williams paint deck coded with my Color With No Regrets Paint System and selected the perfect shade of blue  (Tradewinds to be exact) for the nursery.

Aaron was dreading the painting job, but was willing to get it done to please his beautiful bride.  We all know, it is best for the husband to simply obey the expectant wife if he wants his life to be easier!  Time was of the essence because I wanted to oversee the installation of the window treatments, so I rolled up my sleeves and helped Aaron paint…another example of One Day Decorating.  Once the paint was dry, we successfully hung the cream panels.  Ginive and Aaron were pleased with the results for the baby’s “nest.”    Now we need to bring in more lighting, a small table beside the chair, art and accessories.

The new elements for the room only cost $100.00, which includes the paint and drapery hardware.  The panels had been purchased over a year ago by my mom because “they were on clearance and I knew I would find a room for them one day.”  Paint color, furniture placement and window treatments show how important it is to start with the “key twigs in building your nest.”  Remember to keep a baby’s room soft and calm because vibrant colors on the wall can be too stimulating for the little one.  Use bold colors sparingly in pillows and accessories instead of the paint colors.  Ginive will fill in the art and accessories and look for those photos in the future.

after

Creating One-Of-A-Kind Spaces

Creating a one-of-a-kind space for clients is exhilarating! Interior Decorating a room from the top to bottom is always a joy. In Home Staging we are always looking to entice the buyers. It has to be all about “them”, our target market.

Creating an all out design of work to be truly good needs to function and be about the client.

We have been working on this project for a few months now. There were a few things the clients want. One, they LOVE their chandelier. Two, they want to display a few prints in the room. Three, the furniture needed to stay. Four, their window’s architectural features make it challenging to change.

One- Chandelier. Patti expressed her love for it and said, “You’re going to make me get rid of it right?”  Well after a little research we found almost an exact match to a Murano Italian Glass Chandelier. It stays.

Dining room beforeInspiration prints

 These prints are fantastic. They are Cool colors and we need to incorporate them into a Warm palette.

My GREAT painter, Rikk Mayr, is doing my Faux work.

Here is a “SNEEK-PEEK” of our ceiling. This is only at the half way point of the ceilings completion.

Creative way of bringing the Cool Blues into a Warm space

I must also say that if it weren’t for my confidence with Color this would be a scary project.  I am boldly moving forward with the design as I have my DSA Color With No Regrets education.

I found the most fabulous 100 yr old shutters. We will be using them as window treatments. They are rough, chipped paint and perfect for this application. I’ll post on them next week.

Fearless…No Regrets Design.

Happy Decorating,

DesAnn Collins

DSA- Staging Director & Trainer

Never Regret a Paint Choice!

Once again I am singing the praises of the Color With No Regrets Class offered by JoAnne Lenart-Weary!  My family and I are on vacation this week and I also brought along my Sherwin Williams paint deck….I have learned to never leave home without it.   While visiting family and friends in Alabama and Florida, I have assisted many of them with paint selections for their entire home.

In as little as one hour, we selected a color palette for my sweet sister-in-love and ordered 8 x10 samples so her husband could invision the new mood that would soon be created in their home.

It is such a delight to offer this service to my clients and family members.  With the confidence I gained from the Color With No Regrets class, I can select colors quickly and never second guess the selections.  If you are in the decorating profession or just want the knowledge to choose the correct paint choices, check out the Color With No Regrets classes scheduled in your area.  BOGO specials are also being offered this summer so take a friend with you and sign up today for this amazing class and never regret your paint choice again!

Don’t forget the Windows

Windows make or break a room. In the photograph on the right the window treatments only came to the base of the window.

So often a homeowner will create a wonderful space but forget about the window. It can be the room’s crowning glory. My sister just put beautiful window treatment over plantation shutters. The shutters looked great alone but just not finished. Now it is stunning. Having trouble with your windows need some help? To find a good window fashion designer go to: 

Learning from Design Star…All about Emotion

Come on Design Star contestants, you represent the best of the best…supposedly.  I almost quit  watching this week, but I am tenacious, loyal, and was eating a bowl of Frosted Flakes and couldn’t reach the remote.  For me, watching a good episode of decorating TV is tantamount to sex, and well…you get the picture.  The learning point this week was good design is wrapped in emotion. As important as aesthetics are, the “Feeling” is even more important.   The Red Team brought negative emotion to their design.

Two new teams: Red (Nina, Stacy, Courtland, and Tom), and Blue  (Alex, Michael, Casey, Emily) took on this week’s  challenge to create functional common areas for the fireman of the “deserves to be decorated” FDNY.  The spaces needed to be

The Winning Space

 multi-functional and yet, aesthetically pleasing.  Bue Team was declared the winner with their group effort.  They demonstrated what TEAM means including covering for Michael who shot himself with a nail gun.  A number of stand outs, such as Alex’s skyline wall graphic  with lights representing 7 lost fireman from 9-11, Emily’swell-meaning but amateurish attempt at a coffee table, Michael’s  (with a bit of help) desk area and Casey’s canvas of a fireman.  My disappointments (but who I am to talk…they won) was once again the color story.  Why blue violet on the walls and fire engine red?  The competing levels of saturation hurt my eyes. 

Red Team included Cruella DeDecorator Nina, who decided to be unique and unusual with her standout feature…she created a…are you ready…wait for it…WALL ART! A bulletin board adorned with braille stating the fire companies motto.  The problem, if you have to explain it, it doesn’t work.  Nina also made the furniture decision to add leather to the space without any space planning which meant a reclining chair, couldn’t recline.  As a result Cruella DeDecorator is Cruella DeGone. 

 Although I think the Red Team are individually talented, they took a depressing approach with black ceilings, charred looking panelled wall, and an overall lack of concern for the power of emotion when designing a space.  Tom’s decision to open the original ceiling was a good one, but not the place to paint it black. I also was cheering for him when he wanted to knock down a wall but his team mates prevailed and the wall stayed intact. Darn anyway!  I think he has a sincere desire to create amazing spaces but the logistics of the team relationship tie many of their hands. 

Just when I was feeling sorry for poor mis-understood Nina, she opened her mouth.  ”I have a lot of charisma and personality, and people can’t handle that, but I am living in the Nina Show.”   At that comment, I turned to my cat and said, “Can you believe the arrogance.”  With a run to the door, I realized even he wanted to get away from last night’s episode.  I do want to say, if Nina was as talented as she claimed to be, I would have been calling her names but loving the inspiration she shared.  I never truly saw the talent she insisted was there. For more endearing Ninaisms, see her exit interview here, where she makes the loss everyone’s responsiblity…except hers. 

Next week I will tune in again to see if other personalities emerge, since Nina won’t be overshadowing the group.  I hope the rest  step up to the plate and show their decorating chops and some chutzpah.  We need true charisma and oh yes…knock my socks off!  

JoAnne Lenart-Weary

Creative Director-The Decorating and Staging Academy

Founder-One Day Decorating and JLW Interiors

Kitchen Makeover Made Easy

It is amazing how removing upper cabinets over an old counter top can open up those older Kitchens.

Design By DesAnn BEFORE Staging improvements

Whenever possible, and the budget allows, remove those upper cabinets to create a newer look of an open Kitchen.

Removing these cabinets does not usually involve any structural changes. Open the cabinet doors and look up. They are usually attached to the ceiling with screws.

When we are competing to sell and our competition is new construction with an open floor plan, we need to have our Kitchen looking updated. This is a budget friendly way of taking an old Kitchen and having it appear much larger.

You will notice that we added a new Granite counter top, new floors, lighting and hardware. We kept the rest of the cabinets but added a fresh coat of crisp White paint.

Design By DesAnn AFTER Staging Broida

The seller, Bob Broida, told me it was the best $10,000.00 investment he had ever made. The house sold in ONE DAY, to the first person who saw it. We replaced all the carpeting, put in new counter tops, Kitchen floor, added new lighting through out and we were also hired to Stage this vacant with leased furniture.

It is always enjoyable to hear “giddy” realtors or sellers calling me to say…”WOW, the house SOLD….thank you, thank you, thank you”.

I LOVE my profession!

Decorating Dos and Don’ts-Part Five

Let’s wrap up the Decorating Don’ts.  Continue adding to your outline because after receive the dos and don’ts, we will be offering a rocking webinar filled with tips how to be a successful presenter. 

Decorating Don’ts

#4.  Don’t place furniture around the perimeter of the room. Placement is the most significant element in creating a beautiful space.  Nothing can impact a room more quickly than a simple redesign of the furniture.  Bringing the furniture in from the walls will actually make the space appear larger, more interesting and create multiple areas of function.  (Prop-Show a couple of before and afters of actual spaces after a redesign or rearrangement)

#3. Don’t use area rugs smaller than 5 x 8′.  It is important that the rug is large enough to make an impact and not get lost under the coffee table or look like a flying carpet in the middle of the space.  Also, connect the rug to something in the space so it has a purpose.

#2. Don’t think you have to sacrifice beauty for comfort.  Whether it is a reclining

Lazy Boy proves a Recliner can look Great

 chair, an area rug, a sofa,  functionality is important. But today you can find comfortable, quality components of a room without sacrificing the aesthetic. 

#1.  Don’t think you can’t afford a decorating professional. Today’s decorating world offers a variety of specialities.  From a color consultation to redesigning your space using what you have, or One Day Decorating, giving you floor to ceiling decorating advice that can happen timely, to full service decorating professionals, there is a service to fit your every need.  (PROP-your company marketing materials, tips sheet and/or business card to encourage them to remember you.)

Okay, now get ready the new posts will focus on the top ten decorating dos. 

JoAnne Lenart-Weary

Creative Director-The Decorating and Staging Academy

Sew Simple Window Treatments

Would you like simple window treatments but do not want to pay the high price for custom drapes?  Why not start with panels from Bed Bath and Beyond?  They now have extended length drapes!  This is so much better than the standard 84″ length.  Start by selecting the right panels for your windows.  Many even come with thermo saving liners, which will help block out the heat and save you $$$$ on your energy bill.   To alter the length, simply measure the desired length and hem the bottom of the drapes.  Let’s say you need to take 8″ off the 108″ panel so it will fit your window.  Just fold the bottom of the drape up 4″ and press it into place.  Now fold it over once more to complete the 4″ double hem (a total of 8″)  for your new finished length and simply sew it into place.  Use a straight ruler for best measuring results.

Stubborn wrinkles usually result from pre-packaged drapes that have been folded up tightly.  To ensure proper measuring, iron out the wrinkles before altering.  A steamer works great, but many times you need extra help.  Downy Wrinkly Release works beautifully on almost all fabrics.  So spray it on and it will help the wrinkles fall out much easier.  Now you have beautiful new drapes with out the high cost or major sewing hassles!

Angie Trawick

New Construction Decorating Specialist

Trawick Transformations.com

Color with No Regrets-Summer BOGO Sale

Color with No Regrets

COLOR WITH NO REGRETS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP
SUMMER SPECIAL  
 
 FIRST TIME EVER SPECIAL-BRING A FRIEND FOR 1/2 PRICE

Each pay $822.50 instead of $1095.
SAVE $547 WTIH BOGO-BALTIMORE AND CHARLOTTE CLASS ONLY 
 
CLICK HERE FOR BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 PRICE REGISTRATION

Each individual will pay separately, please post in comments your BOGO friend.
 
 
BALTIMORE-JULY 26-27, 2010, 9-5 PM
Baltimore Holiday Inn, 890 Elkridge Landing Road, 
 Linthicum, MD 21090
Ask for Robin to save on Hotel Reservations
 
CHARLOTTE-AUGUST 9-10, 2010, 9-5 
 Class at CHF Academy 
 Hotel-Comfort Suites, Centrum Pkwy, Pineville, NC  
Ask for CHF Rate at Hotel

Register Here for Special Workshop Pricing- 
 BUY ONE, GET ONE 1/2 PRICE  which works out to 25% Each
 
Have you heard about this amazing color system?  Yes, we said SYSTEM.  This isn’t just a color class, it is a selection system that works each and every time. Invented by industry educators and innovators, JoAnne Lenart-Weary and Cyndie Stefanik, as the result of requests from decorating professionals around the country.  The demand was for an approach to color selection that truly made color easy.  JoAnne and Cyndie applied the color wheel and a unique numbering system to the three key elements of color, hue, saturation, and value, Voila’, CNR was born. The CNR System is so unique it has been granted a patent.
 
Past students have been decorators, designers, stagers, redesigners, architects, painters, and window treatment specialists, who have walked away with amazing color confidence. Learn a simple color test to eliminate 75% of a paint deck in minutes, create scientific color harmonies,  and use numbers to find perfect combinations and delight  your clients! Combine your talents with the science of color for color confidence you never thought possible!  Class is very interactive implementing fabrics, wallcoverings, special forms, and marketing tips.  This system can be adapted to any paint company. 
 
Color with No Regrets is typically $1095 but register for the Baltimore or Charlotte Class and take advantage of BOGO.  Earn certifications as a Certified Color with No Regrets Consultant.
 
 
 
   Brief Overview:
 
 Color 101
Creating Color Harmonies
Power of Color Wheel
The CNR Color Test
 
The Numerical Secret-Color by Numbers
Client Communications and Shopping with CNR

Creating Perfect Palettes and Measuring Color
Marketing your New Found Color Skills
 
Earn Certification and Color Confidence You Never Thought Possible!
 Truly the most amazing color system you have ever seen! 
 
Questions?  Call, JoAnne at 814-440-3044

Decorating Dos and Don’ts-Part Four

The tips I have been sharing are perfect for the DIY, as well as the professional who is seeking new ways to build business.  Creating a beautiful home begins with awareness of both the good and the bad. In the day to day of life, it is easy to be forgiving and not notice signs that show a room is tired.    Little changes can make a huge impact, so let me share a couple more don’ts today. 

Decorating Don’ts Continued

The Impact of Lighting

#4.  Don’t select color in a paint store.  Color and light are interdependent.  Even with the light boxes supplies at most paint stores, it is critical to bring home the swatch to observe it with lighting in a space. Determine what time of day is the room most used?  How does the room’s lighting impact the space?  Simple changes with added lighting and bulbs can make a huge impact in the space.  The impact of metamerism and simultaneous contrast can completely change a color in a space.

#3. Don‘t forget the simple ratio of 60-30-10. When selecting color in a

The 60-30-10 Ratio in Action

space, keep in mind that balance is always an important aspect of creating a beautiful room. A well done room is a mix of texture, color, visual weight, and more.  Creating balance will make the space more visually pleasing and emotionally satisfying.  A color harmony composed of 3 colors is always a great way to go. Once deciding your harmony, simply make one color the star, (60%), the second color the co-star, (30%) and the last color the unexpected pop of color that gives a room interest.  (Props-Vist sites that allow you to “paint” a room virtually and show the audience how simply changing the 60-30-10 lineup can greatly impact the space.)

Come back for more tips to implement in your home, your jobs, or to use as a presentation.

JoAnne Lenart-Weary

Creative Director, The Decorating and Staging Academy