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Janine’s Tip of the Week #4: Look at the Big Picture

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decorativetouch3I 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

More About Me: How Did I Decide to Become a Designer?

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0_0_0_0_250_373_csupload_15892677Well, 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.

Janine’s Tip of the Week #3: Creating a Retreat

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The Decorative Touch

The Decorative Touch

I get asked: I want to begin a new Master Bedroom, but how do I create that retreat?

Master Bedrooms are truly the sanctuary of your home. It’s the one place I find that my clients want to shut out the rest of the world. And yet, I think it’s almost the most ignored space in the home. How sad is that! You deserve to spoil yourself in the master suite. I suggest that you start with deciding how you want the space to feel. This should be a true reflection of your “couple” personality, which means choosing options that are not strictly feminine or masculine.

The great news is bedroom furniture is not like our parents furniture! There are amazing leather headboards, upholstered headboards, and beautiful over-sized iron beds. And our nightstands can be totally different than our beds.  The days of everything being the same wood are over. Great design allows you to be a little playful with your furnishings.  Now if that is not in your comfort zone, no problem.  Instead, be more creative with your fabrics.

First, find fabrics that just feel good to you and you can’t wait to sink yourself into. Something that really just says “comfort.” Remember, this is your place of rest, relaxation, and tranquility. With all the beautifully bedding choices out there, something should grab you and just say ahh… I would suggest looking at Eastern Accents.com or Legacy Linens.com, both lines are great and a good starting point.

Next, paint color comes from your bedding choice, and don’t be afraid to consider an accent wall behind the bed for wallpaper, faux paint, or another great texture. Maybe try a drapery treatment. Bedrooms are all about textures. Drapery, privacy treatments like woven shades, or room darkening roman shades are going to be important as well. This is your cacoon so to speak, so don’t let mother nature in too early!

Again,  look to the experts, there are loads of great master bedrooms in magazines, so do your homework. Don’t settle for ordinary in this room,  it’s the one space in your home that you spend a great deal of time in.  It should reflect your personality; however, I would suggest you hire an interior designer before starting your project.

Janine Terstriep

Spring Palettes: Turquoise and White

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With spring fast approaching, it is hard not to notice all the spring decor that is popping up in the stores. What is really hitting the scene now is turquoise and white. Together, these two colors are bright and fresh, just perfect for spring. Check out this great image from the Color me Happy blog. What a lovely guest room this would make, don’t you think?

Click here to check out more spring palettes on the Color me Happy blog.

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Colour me Happy blog

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

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.

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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

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