Month: May 2015

People often ask me the question: what is the difference between a decorator and an interior designer? The two are not interchangeable although they might have some similarities. An interior designer has the appropriate schooling from an accredited institution and is knowledgeable in color and fabric design, space planning, furniture design, architecture and more. Interior decorators do not need any formal training. Interior Designers are credentialed and must pass an exam such as The NCIDQ. Interior Designers work closely with architects and contractors and are comfortable with drawing floor plans. Most decorators are brought in after the floor plan is finalized and mainly spruce up the space. Read more

I have had the pleasure of working with many contractors big or small whether they are kitchen, basement, bath or just plain painting contractors. It is my job to work closely with the contractor to make sure they give you the best possible outcome. Each contractor is different and can bring to the table many different aspects of the job. The following are some tips to consider in your choice. Read more

I HATE MY KITCHEN! How many of you have looked at your kitchen and said the same thing? Before you commit to a total kitchen replacement consider the less costly options. The first option is to repaint or re stain the existing cabinets and swap out the hardware with new updated pulls, hinges and knobs. There are several do it yourself videos on line which help you along. Any good painter can also handle the job for you. Read more

How many of you have painted a wall or even the entire room only to find that when it is finished it is not even close to the color you imagined? This happens more times than you can imagine so don’t be so hard on yourself. If you have a happy husband or a friendly painter this would not be devastating. However, if you are paying a painter by the hour or job, you just might want to spend a little time before you apply the paint. Here are a few tips I use when choosing paint colors for my clients: Read more

Basements do not have to be scary. Bougie men are finding other places to hang out, especially now that basements are becoming part of the living space. Years ago basements were only for storage, some such as a Michigan basement only had a ceiling height of 6-7 feet and a dirt floor. Today’s builders are including basements or lower levels as selling tools. However, keep in mind that the only square footage that can be counted in the total square footage must be above grade. A quick call to your zoning office can explain which rooms count. Read more

Pillows are the ultimate accessory. If your room is looking tired and you are contemplating a complete redo which would mean tossing out the furniture, don’t rush into anything. There are many ways you can refresh your space for a fraction of the cost. Pillows, throws, candles and new accessories are the easiest way to get more bang for the buck. Read more

Now that summer is over it is time to think about how to decorate your home for the Fall Holidays. Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves are turning their fabulous hues of orange, red, brown and magenta. One of the blessings we have living in Reston is the abundance of trees, so let’s see how to bring the outdoors into your home. Read more

Happy Holidays to all. By now we are well into the holiday decorating season and after decorating three trees, I thought I’d pass on to you some tips on tree trimming from a designer’s point of view. Read more

With the New Year approaching it is time to think about your home projects for upcoming year. Even I have a list of design improvements to make in my house. Let me share some ideas with you. Read more

Now that we are heading into the coldest months of the year it is time to take precautions to make your home warm and toasty. By now, most of us have heard about the benefits of keeping our home energy efficient. There are some simple things you can do including sealing gaps in windows and doors or installing door sweeps on the bottom of exterior doors. You can also seal the gaps in your attic and basements to make a difference in heat loss. Don’t forget to check your kitchen vent fan for this is also a source of energy leaks. Read more