Are you entertaining guests this Easter Sunday? If you are stumped for tablescape ideas, here is some inspiration for you. You may not be able to incorporate all these ideas, but look how just adding a few natural elements, a pop of color, and a few candles really makes the table the focal point of the room. And who can resist that gorgeous bouquet of tulips?
I just saw this blog post on Colour Me Happy (one of my favorite design blogs out there) about basement design and thought I would share some of my own thoughts about decorating the basement with you:
When doing a lower level, darker is definitely better! Remember that you generally have to turn on the lights anyway, so why not be a little more adventurous with your color scheme? Just go for it. Why not try something that may be out of your comfort zone? One step darker then you might usually go for, or even darker, makes the space seem cozy will be more like an extension of the upstairs vs. a regular ol’ basement.
Keep in mind that the basement is one area you can bring out your inner “designer” and go for it!! You will be glad you did. Here are a few tips to get you started:
You want your guest to walk in and say WOW, right? So, think a little “out of the box.” Remember, comfort, warmth and function are your goals here, so have fun with it!
Janine
I just got back from Norwalk, OH from the Norwalk furniture factory and wow, was I impressed. Norwalk has been transformed, cleaned up, and streamlined into a #1 US custom-made furniture option. Under new ownership and new vision, this company is another one of my favorites. The employees just gleamed with pride as we toured the factory, where we witnessed fine upholsterers and seamstresses putting the final touches on their product. It was such an honor to see each phase of the upholstery process.
After 25 years selling fine furniture, I have an even greater appreciation for what goes into the final product. I have just gotten a new chair in my studio, the Quincy chair, and would love to share more about Norwalk with you. If you aren’t able to stop by, be sure to check out the Norwalk Web site. It is well worth your time. I especially love the Copley Square collection as it fits almost everyone, but the new Elise Chair is a beauty. And if comfort with a flair is for you, take a peak at the Milford.
When thinking about your new dining room, consider a special chair for your host and hostess or maybe even the whole group. I love these ideas from two of our favorite furniture companies called CR Laine and Jessica Charles, don’t you? Wouldn’t it be nice to step out of the box and sit a little more comfortably? These beautiful chairs add a zip of color and set the stage for a beautiful new dining room.
Your friends will be talking about the new trend setter in the group and you will start using that room that has been sitting vacant and boring for way too long! These chairs add a little fun and flair to that once stuffy room and transform it into a modern social gathering space that’s long been forgotten. Why not have a little fun with your dining room?
I saw the movie a long time ago, but to all my movie going friends out there, another great designer-friendly movie that I will never forget is Something’s Gotta Give. How wonderful was this family room? Doesn’t it just make you want to sit down and relax? Oh, how and I could go on about how fantastic the kitchen was with all that great white cabinetry. The overall theme screamed vacation. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a beach home that felt this rejuvenating? It was a beach home that we all long for—I can almost smell the ocean air and not to mention the views! And Dianne Keaton and Jack Nicholson were quite a pair. It just feels good to see love can happen at any age.
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures
I just spent the weekend taking part in the Kansas City Home and Garden Show at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. It’s quite an event and many re-modelers, home improvement suppliers, lawn and garden suppliers bring out their newest and best displays for spring inspiration.
While at the show, the questions I was asked most was “When do I get you involved in my project?” Let me just say, it’s never too early to consult with your designer. I spoke with over a thousand folks this weekend who thought that they might not talk to a designer or decorator until they needed the furniture or paint for the project. Please let me warn you to look at the bigger picture.
If you are thinking about any remodel, building, or updating project in your home or office, you really should consult a designer first. Designers add so much to the process–we actually help you see the project as a larger picture before you start looking at the smaller pieces. What you choose for tile, carpet, paint etc., can only be made by knowing which direction to take and the overall goal of the project. Unfortunately, many people think about one small part of the project, such as “I want to retile my bath” and forget how the tile will affect the walls, window treatments, bedroom off the bath, and so much more. So, before you select the first item in your “remodel,” think BIGGER. A designer can help guide you on the whole picture. There is more than one item in any give remodel and certainly more in every new construction opportunity and every selection fits and connects with the next. It’s like a giant puzzle. Does yours connect?
Janine Terstriep
Well, it kinda just happened! I was one of those crazy kids that when my mom would leave the house, as young as I can remember, I would start moving the furniture around, so that by the time she got home…ta da…everything was different! Before long, she put me in charge of all the holiday decorating and whenever company was coming, I was her right hand girl at preparing the tablescapes and getting things shaped up!
I have had the “knack” my whole life and when I go to the movie theater and the rest of you actually watch the movie, I am focused on the layout of the room: the wallpaper, the light fixtures and the entire scene of the home or restaurant, not so much the actors. A sickness you say, a passion I say.
I am incredibly blessed to truly “love” what I do for a living and I get as much of a “thrill” completing a clients dream as they do. There is nothing I would rather do for work. In fact, most the time it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like I am helping someone complete something they could never do without me. It’s pretty awesome. The ultimate reward is seeing that smile on their face and satisfaction and 5 or 10 years later having them call for the next project. That says I am doing my job.
The Blind Side, IMDB
Have you ever been watching a movie and have fallen in love with the décor? If you are anything like me, you notice the set design before anything else. So, speaking of a great movie, I would highly recommend The Blind Side. Not only is it a wonderful story, but if you are a crazy designer like me, you will love seeing the scenes in Sandra Bullock’s home.
It is a lovely home from the outside, but the decor inside is very well done, too. Sandra Bullock plays an interior designer in the movie and some of her scenes are easy for me to relate to–especially how much I talk on my cell phone…it is constantly connected to my ear! But seriously, don’t you just love the living room and that gorgeous sofa that Big Mike sleeps on? The movie is not only a good one for those who are design obsessed like me, but husbands will enjoy the show, too. On a side note, I do wish there were more good people in the world like the folks in this show. You just walk away feeling better.
By Janine Terstriep
I often get asked: Where do I begin in my furniture selection for this room?
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
