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Janine’s Tip of the Week #2: Furniture Selection

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decorativetouch4I often get asked: Where do I begin in my furniture selection for this room?

Well, again each case is different, but most of the time the largest piece dictates the space.  I often start with either the area rug or the sofa. Which piece is going to have more pattern?  If the area rug is the busiest and has a large-scale pattern, I start with that first. Then the sofa will be smaller or medium pattern. For instance, a tweed or texture looks great with larger patterned pillows. Additionally, I might choose leather or plaid/paisley patterned chairs  to complement the rug colors.  As a general rule of thumb, I like to work from that one large pattern; it makes it easier to find the perfect “go with” items.
Janine Terstriep

Spruce up a Room with a New Coat of Paint

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Sherwin Williams Color Picker

Sherwin Williams Color Picker

Paint is one of the easiest ways to change the look of a room, but figuring out how to start can be intimidating. Fear not, here are few tips to get you headed in the right direction and paint-ready in no time:

1. Choose a color: Color sets the tone of the entire home. Try selecting a color that not only makes you feel good, but also compliments the rest of your decor. A good way to test a color is to use Sherwin William’s color picker. That way, you can get an idea of how the color will look in your own room.

2. Plan: Planning to paint might seem like a hassle, but missing this crucial step could lead to poor results. Selecting the right finish and tools will not only make the painting much easier, but also less time consuming.

3. Prepare: Some walls may require priming and others might need some minor repairs before paint can be applied. Preparing the surface first can reduce the amount of coats needed for the project.

4. Clean up: Don’t forget to clean as you go. Once paint has dried, stains are much harder to eliminate. Also, pouring paint down the drain is not recommended. Instead, check with your local waste collector to ask how to dispose of paint properly.

Want to learn more? More tips and tricks can be found on the Sherwin Williams Web site.

Jessica Scheufler

Janine’s Tip of the Week #1: Design Homework

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KitchenAre you considering redecorating or remodeling, and yet have no idea how you want the space to look? Are you completely unsure of your own style?

Before calling your interior designer, start by doing a little homework.  I always give my clients a little research project: Go to your favorite bookstore and invest in 3-5 design magazines in your project category. Are you interested in kitchen remodel? Are you interested in a fabulous new great room or are you focused on your master bedroom?

By diving into a few magazines and creating a scrapbook of your favorites, you are sure to tell your favorite designer a lot about the look you have in your heart. Just by looking at someone’s favorite tear outs, it’s easy for me to see what is consistent.

And remember, decorating is a FUN and exciting process. Enjoy the peace of mind a professional can bring to the process of successful interior design.

Janine Terstriep

Fun with Faux: A New Kind of Area Rug

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A faux rug is cheaper and easier to clean than a real rug and you can customize the pattern and color to match your room Courtesy of HGTV.com

A faux rug is cheaper and easier to clean than a real rug and you can customize the pattern and color to match your room. Courtesy of HGTV.com

Ever feel like there’s just something missing from a room despite your best decorative efforts? The space is furnished beautifully, some of your favorite contemporary art work is peppered throughout and you’ve even recently put that fresh coat of Lemon Meringue paint on the walls.

Yet, still, the place craves something fixed, something permanent that surpasses the mobile ornaments. If this sounds like you, check out one of the newest home décor trends that’s sure to solve the problem of filling that empty space: painted faux area rugs. These splendid little creations bring depth and character to any area imaginable, be it a front porch stoop, a pool patio deck or a game room. Using a variety of different techniques, the patterns are usually created by an artist or designer on paper, scaled to fit the desired floor space and then, using a number of materials including tape, stencils, fabric, wood or even string, are painted on virtually any flat surface to create an impressive “rug.” And the best part is that it’s permanent, and customizable to fit your taste! Click here for more information on painted faux area rugs.

By Natasha Khairullah

2010 nursery style alert: birds, owls, giraffes oh my

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Expectant parents have so many decisions to make when designing their little bundle’s nursery. One of the first decisions that parents must make is choosing a theme. While themes can range from the ultra modern to the understated traditional, some of the trends hitting the scene have included nature-inspired themes such as birds, owls, and the newest addition: giraffes.

giraffe_nursery_theme_B_large

Jennifer Sbranti's giraffe-inspired inspiration board

Though giraffes might be all the rage now, Jennifer Sbranti, Founder + Editor-in-Chief, Hostess with the Mostess blog, suggests making the nursery personal  by incorporating those special pieces, like a piece of art or mural, alongside the more trendy decorations to avoid that “matchy-matchy” look of the past. She also advises that those little touches such as  unique throw pillows or adding colorful trim to a lamp shade can help personalize the room and make the nursery a comfortable haven for mom and baby.

Interested in learning more? Click here to read more from Jennifer Sbranti’s post featured on the Stroller Traffic blog.

By Jessica Scheufler

Material Possessions

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With the arrival of the New Year, you may well be thinking about how to freshen up your interiors. One of the best ways is with today’s wealth of fabrics. But it’s important to know which one is best-suited to what use.

Silks, chintzes and lightweight cottons work well in formal environments, where there’s less risk of stains or everyday wear and tear. They’re especially desirable for window treatments, due to their hand and drapability. But these fine fabrics aren’t limited to public areas; they can also be good choices in the bedroom for linens and decorative pillows.

When it comes to upholstery, synthetic blends incorporate the best attributes of several fibers, resulting in materials that are all but indestructible—a real advantage in homes with children and pets. (To take it to the next level, look for fabrics with stain-resistant finishes, too.) Other options include leather and microfibers. They’re not only good-looking but also easy to clean; a damp sponge and soapy water is often all you need.

Given the vast array of fabric types today—not to mention the wide variety of patterns and colors—making a decision can be daunting. And that’s why we’re here. Let us help you with the editing process; we’ll find something that works for your home and your budget.

By Louise Lange

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine


Tips from Janine: Kitchen Remodeling

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ciacco kitchen

Decorative Touch, Leawood kitchen remodel

Are you considering a kitchen remodel?
Kitchen remodeling can be one of the most rewarding renovations a homeowner can do! Not only does it add the most value to your home, but it is the most used space in the home and you see immediate personal results to your renovation. The experts tell us the return on investment is highest on a kitchen remodel. However, if you live in the home during your renovation, be prepared for some challenges. It can be very difficult to “give up” your kitchen for 2–­3 months during your remodeling process. And no matter what your best plans are, there are always one or two small challenges along the way and being without your kitchen does seem to be the hardest on all homeowners.

What to expect
That being said, we suggest that you find the right contractor. Someone you are completely comfortable with and discuss all your expectations and deadlines upfront. Also, be sure to have an interior designer involved so that all your beautiful finishes compliment each other and your kitchen functions exactly the way you are hoping it will. Designers make the process much less stressful and help guide you along the way.

As a rule of thumb, it’s reasonable to spend about 10%–15% of your home value on your kitchen renovation. If done well, you can expect to get 75–80% of that investment back when you go to resell your home.

It’s a big step to remodel a kitchen, but also a BIG reward! Have you got the courage?

Call your designer today!

Janine

Featured project: Leawood Kitchen Remodel

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The 14’x16′ kitchen was the weakest part of this beautiful Leawood home. But the homeowners had dreams of gathering around a large center island and entertaining friends and family in a more open and welcoming space. Our main challenge was to keep the roof line the same and work within the existing foundation. We removed one of the two 1/2 baths and expanded the opening between the kitchen and hearth rooms. Our feature of the stone opening and large center island gave the owners the open, functional space they were hoping for. The high-end Wolf stove and steamer are fabulous appliances and the Sub-Zero refrigerator is secretly hidden behind the beautiful new cabinetry.

Check back on Thursday for some useful tips on kitchen remodeling.

By Janine

Designer Secrets for Help in Selecting the Perfect Paint Color!

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1.)  Select your fabrics for the living room or great room first, the rug, drapery, and sofa are often the more expensive items and will generate the color scheme…and the $300-$500 of paint will create the backdrop for these items.  So selecting the perfect shade of “mocha” will often be found in your sofa and help ground the other items in the room.
2.)  Select your tile and granite first if you are working on a kitchen or bathroom, as they are the materials that will remain the longest and again are the most costly.  Its easy to get more excited about your paint color when you can see how well it relates to the materials already selected in the room!
3.)  If you are working on a bedroom, buy your bedding first!  There are so many beautiful bed collections that the paint color can accent so deliciously once your bedding is selected, and your job is so much easier.
4.)  If a bath renovation is on your list, start with wonderful new tile or simply a new shower curtain and your paint or possibly wallpaper can fit in nicely.
5.)  And if you must choose your color palette that flows throughout your home with out all of your furniture selections complete, I do suggest hiring a professional interior designer to help make selections as perfect as possible.  There are many things to be considered when building or renovating…designers do make the processes much easier.

Recycling Tips

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We all agree that recycling is good for the environment, but what about good for your interior design? Kansas City Homes & Gardens featured an article recently covering “new” building materials that you may want to consider for your next renovation. Recycled glass in your countertops, reclaimed into tiles for your backsplash, and even paper and metals can find a second life in your home.

Image Courtesy of Kansas City Homes & Gardens

By Jaime Tamsin