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

My Life on the D-List: A Kathy Griffin Decorating Tale

I just happened upon an episode of the Kathy Griffin Show on Bravo… she’s redecorating her home. Hearing those words while cruising with the remote stopped me dead in my tv tracks.  I’m not a regular viewer (actually not a viewer at all), so I don’t know if this was a re-run or a current episode.  Whether I’m in the “know” or out of touch with “reality” (shows that is), I just couldn’t resist adding this to the Deco-Zone Blog! Kathy Griffin said that she started her kitchen re-do without having a plan.  Now, while it might not be a major deal for someone with money to make-up for mistakes due to mismanagement (way too many m’s in that sentence, sorry), for those on a budget, not having a plan is totally insane.   Whether it’s a tear down for renovation or a one day decorating makeover, don’t ever proceed without knowing where you’re going.  Now, with that said, let’s explore life on the D-List.  Of course “D” is for decorating!  I’d love to know how you would decorate a room for this d-list star. If you’re familiar with Kathy Griffin, take this Decorating and Staging Academy “challenge”.  Could you design a room that would measure up to her personality?

What would be the highlight(s) of your plan?  Colors, fabrics, style – let your creativity soar… roar!  The room that I’d do for her would aptly showcase a few select “Wall Words” in a font that would shout out loud.  Paired with a bold analogous color scheme… it would be unapologetically over the top.  What do you think?