The DECO-Zone

Inspired At County Fair For Decorating

Inspiration is everywhere. As an avid photographer from early on, I always carry my camera.

This past week we went to the Lorain County Fair. This is still a rural county fair. So many amazingly talented folks.

It was hard not to be inspired by everything we saw.

The colors are so vivid & fun.

Looking at these wagons filled with flowers had me thinking as a Stager. Given the right property, these wagons filled with flowers would be awesome Curb Appeal.

These colorful baskets are a great way to see color, scale & texture used in a unique yet creative decorating display.

Inspiration and creative ways to express ourselves is all around us.

Okay, where can i and my camera go today to find inspiration?

Till next Monday,

DesAnn Collins

DSA Trainer & Staging Director

www.DesignByDesAnn.com

Interior Decorating Journey

When you are shopping for a clients decorating project do you ever feel a little like Indiana Jones?

You search and search for just the right treasure. I’m certain the other shoppers around me think I’m a little off. Well they are half right. I am known to scream like a little girl when I find treasure.  So excited, and like a child it is hard for me not to run immediately to my clients homes to show them my treasures.

Perfect Shutter Treasure

The Dining room project, “El Fresco”, is truly a labor of love.

We are using these 100 yr old shutters instead of fabric for our window treatments. These shutters are perfect. remember to always measure, measure, measure. 

Not only are these terrific in color and wear but they fit perfectly.

Color check at the half way point

Here is a sneak peek of the Color washing, half-way through.

We are now looking for the perfect Slate tile for the floor.

Watch as our journey to “Fearless Design” land continues.

Next week we hope to reveal the new floor.

Be fearless,

DesAnn Collins

DSA-Staging Director & Trainer

www.DesignByDesAnn.com

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

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

Color with No Regrets-Summer BOGO Sale

Color with No Regrets

COLOR WITH NO REGRETS PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP
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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

Design Star-Danny, we hardly knew ye

Week 4 of Design Star, and a bit of dullsville. We watch HGTV because we are voyeurs. I have been a professional designer for 35 years and still look for eye candy. Come on, “stars,” take my breath away, pu-leez. 

This week was  inspired by flowers, and the group was cautioned to not take the “theme”  too literally. The women and Dan (the Rodney Dangerfield of design-he don’t get no respect) set out to create a more feminine space.  The men’s take focused on the flower form as opposed to colors, although the completed project was similar. 

Design Star-Women (and Dan) Room

Each space had equal hits and misses according to the judges, so they declared a draw.  I must say when I looked at the girls (plus Dan) project, I wondered where they learned to combine colors, because it was a disjointed miss.  The common design mistake of not honoring the color intensity/saturation was everywhere.  If any of you have taken Color with No Regrets Class, you will see it immediately.  Nina Ferrer continues to show her idea of “unique” is not so unique.  The combination of color and lack of flow to her artwork made it jarring in a space.  Perhaps she is inspired by David Bromstad’s signature of creating OOAK art for his clients, if so Nina, pull a new trick out of your hat.

The men’s apartment was stylish.  The color scheme worked because it was very safe but should potential Design Stars…play safe?   If you go down, go in a blaze of glory, not a whimper. The one potential spin-off is the dapper Tom Vecchione’s new workout show, Decorating Aerobics,as he huffed and puffed  though the process.  If I am breathing that hard, I hope there is a bit of passion involved. (I know, too much information, but I’m old, not dead)

Bottom line, Dan Faires was last night’s whipping post.  Nina arrogantly stated Dan was her assitant. Another reason I wouldn’t watch Cruella DeDecorator, even if she wins.  However, what truly killed Dan’s chances for Design Star fame was his gentlemen’s approach, which pushed him into the background.  Dan, those aren’t soft, helpless women, they are your competitors.  We never really had a chance to see if he had talent or not. But Dan, clusters, come on, was that the best you can do?

Design Star has been a bit disappointing.  I have yet to see an idea that made me sit up and take notice. But I will tune in next week as I hope there truly is a Star in their midst. Hey HGTV, how about a show that showcases the oldies but goodies, not a competition, just a great instructional design show. Just call and the old broads will be there!

Still Learning from Design Star

I missed the Sunday evening viewing of Design Star as I was being a Mom and Grandma.  But thank goodness for technology as my recording waited for me.  Week Three was a redo of a New York City rooftop patio.  The inspiration was musical instruments.  Well, decorating a space is about creating a harmony, a cacaphony of texture, color, and creativity, and…alright, I will stop there.  The key was to create a great composition blending your personal best while performing as a team.

Let’s talk about the personal side of Design Star. Many of you know my main business is gathering together talented people and encouraging them to create a beautiful space.  Trust me, sometimes it is difficult to blend  creative egos and allow them to blossom without causing harm to one another. When you are creative, you LOVE your

Hey, they can smile on Design Star!

 ideas and think they are the best. In class, I encourage my students to learn, not only from me, but from one another.  In a reality show like Design Star, we have WAR!  After all, there is only one winner.  Some are able to juggle civility and even kindness while showcasing their talents.  Others may be more demanding with a look at me attitude.  Hey, that’s reality TV, after all, have you seen Danielle on Real Housewives…wait a minute, that is another blog.

So what did I learn this week? 

1. I learned people and talent can easily get swallowed up in the din.  Just like business, you need to find a way to make yourself unique, distinctive and honorable.  Trent Hultgren was one of those people, I am sorry he was dismissed this week as I felt like we never had a chance to see his true potential.  His online portoflio shows a totally different person.  But hey Trent, burn the hat! 

2.  I learned I am very tired Venetian Plaster Walls  that look like what I have been seeing for the last 5 years.  Come on this is Design STAR, gimme some star stuff.

3.  I learned that just because you get on D.S. you may not remember the Golden Rule of Decorating, measure, measure, measure.

4. I learned Tom Vecchione decorates the way he dresses, don’t get me wrong, I like what I have seen, but I hope he stretches beyond his comfort zone.  A designer/decorator shouldn’t have a signature look.  That isn’t decorating for the client but creating mini-me spaces.

5.  I learned so far, no one has earned my vote, but I am hopeful.

6.  The women won this week, their space was more harmonious than the men’s but can’t say I was shaking my pom-poms (that too is another blog) watching the Design Star Game. 

Sh-h-h, don’t tell anyone, here is a sneak peek at next week.  It was made available just to me (okay, and anyone else who visted the site) See you next week!

New Issue of The DECOpolitan FREE Online Magazine is Here!

The DECOpolitan July 2010 Issue is Here!

Hungry for Decorating Ideas, then don’t miss The DECOpolitan. It just keeps getting better and better.  If you haven’t read our online magazine, The DECOpolitan, you don’t know what you have been missing.  Oh, come to think of it, you don’t have to miss a thing, here is the link to our archives.

But if you want to start with the newest issue, then visit our hot off the presses July Issue of The DECOpolitan.  If you want to receive it every month, then visit our home page and sign up there. 

Trust us, you don’t want to miss a single issue and if you have a great product or service you want to promote, The DECOpolitan will be accepting ads for the September Issue.