design snitch

at last! our HGTV air date has been announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:50:00 +0000

Wow. Talk about surprised! :) After three and a half years of waiting, we are finally going to see our house on HGTV's "What You Get For The Money"!

HGTV's website lists our episode (episode 710) to be aired on July 5th at 12:30pm Central Time and again on August 24th at 6pm Central Time.

I admit to a little anxiety about all of this... as you all know, that house was our former home and there's quite a "story" there. (See this) Also, I don't think I'll even recognize myself or my husband anymore- along with our residence, we've changed after three and a half years, too! :)

On another more somber note, one of our neighbors (and beloved friend) that joined us with his family that day for the "lifestyle shoot" in our episode tragically passed away last year from an accidental fall from a ladder. He was only 45 years old, and he was the visible heart of our neighborhood. I'm not sure if his part of the film will make the edit for the show or not, but if it does it will be very difficult to see. :( We miss him so much...

So along with the excitement of this announcement, there's also some bittersweet memories involved. However, I know there is a "time to every purpose" and I also know the long delay in airing this show was certainly a Divine arrangement. I really look forward to sharing our former home with everyone through such a great venue. Wow. HGTV!! :)

I'll send another blasty-blast out again here when the date gets closer. I might regret these announcements after I actually see the episode, as it may be super goofy or something... but if that happens--- you don't know me. ;)

Happy Decorating!

home exterior color recipes - "as the wheel turns"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:13:00 +0000

I have to admit, I'm obsessed with color. I know this isn't much of a shocker- it's a huge part of what I do, after all. But I worry about myself sometimes...

You see, I'm never without my Sherwin-Williams fan deck. EVER. It's with me at the doctor's office, it's with me in the back yard, it's with me in the shower, and it's with me on vacation. It's with me because it's in my HEAD, and let me tell 'ya- it never stops spinning!

I find that every space I enter is instantly processed and translated into the corresponding Sherwin-Williams color. I can walk into a home and spout off colors as we walk through the rooms, no fan deck required. I do it in the bank, I do it in hotel rooms, I do it when I'm sitting in the dentist's office. "Oh- there's restrained gold with Ivoire. And there's Sawdust... and Fireweed!"

Sooooo.... I was gathering photos to show an internet client some examples of exterior color combinations, and then it hit me- I could use these to let everyone in on my color wheel game- woohoo! Let's spin that wheel!

The photos below are not houses that I chose colors for, they are just a random sampling from around my neighborhood. I call these "color recipes" because they are just that: recipes. Just like in cooking- you can't go messing with the recipe and expect it to come out right. (This includes the roof color, which I didn't dare attempt- too many variables!) Every color has to be used with the others for the overall "look" to be achieved here. You can't go painting the brick the color of the recipe and then painting the trim a color that's not in the recipe. You know what that's a recipe for? DISASTER. ;)

All of the color recipes are really "educated guesses", but I stand behind them in case you're itching to get a paint gun out this weekend. :)

So let's break down this beauty up there... This has always been one of my favorite makeovers in my neighborhood- this house just oozes "bold and confident". Here's the recipe:

Body- Cast Iron SW6202
Shutters- Minwax stain Cherry
Trim/Window Frames (and gutters!)- Tricorn Black SW6258
Door- Minwax stain Cherry

This is another great little renovation, with the front porch as the star! Here's the mix:

Body: Totally Tan SW6116
Shutters: Coastal Plain SW6192, whitewashed
Trim: Biscuit Sw6112
Door: Rock Garden SW6195

I really like the drama in this one- all that gorgeous contrast really makes this little house "pop". The window frames painted black are a standout feature, also- very modern! Recipe:

Body: Rare Gray SW6199
Shutters/Window Frames: Tricorn Black SW6258
Trim: Extra White SW7006
Door: Heartthrob SW6866

Another "red door" beauty, with a lighter mix:

Body: Spalding Gray SW6074
Shutters: Tricorn Black SW6258
Trim: Extra White SW7006
Door: Stop SW6869

This is a very classic color combination, and it always works!

Body: Compatible Cream SW6387
Shutters: Rare Gray SW6199
Trim: Dover White SW6385
Door: Andiron SW6174

Here we have a very warm, welcoming color combo- a little rustic mixed in with the cottage style... Recipe:

Body: Restrained Gold SW6129
Shutters: Stained Minwax Golden Pecan
Trim: Divine White SW6105
Door: Stained Minwax Early American

This is a nice sleek, modern exterior combination. Kinda makes me think I'm going to walk into something really cool past the front door!

Body: Anonymous SW7046
Shutters: Iron Ore SW7069
Trim: Interactive Cream SW6113
Door: Fired Brick SW6335

I just LOVE this house... I stalk it regularly! ;) It reminds me of the houses in Sweden, which are so full of charm and personality! Here's the recipe:

Body: Extra White SW7006
Trim: Silver Strand SW7057
Shutters: Composed SW6472
Door: Silver Strand SW7057

There are many, many houses in the Memphis area that are done in this style- what sets this one apart and makes me head over heels for it is that wonderful rust wash on the door and shutters! (It's there year-round, not just for Halloween. I just happened to take the photo around that time...)

You rarely see this kind of creativity on a 1.5 million dollar house- most of the time these bold strokes are found on the smaller homes in Midtown, which is our more "artsy" area. I give mad kudos to the owner for showing some individuality- so refreshing and very unexpected!

Body: Proper Gray SW6003
Shutters: I'm guessing that this is a Modern Masters faux finish treatment- possibly using metal effects and a patina aging solution?
Trim: Snowfall SW6000
Door: Same treatment as shutters

Well, that's it for today's color recipes! Don't worry- I'm not done yet....there are more exteriors to post tomorrow on the next episode of "As The Wheel Turns".... ;)

P.S. If one of these photos is your home, please shoot me an email- I'd love to give credit where credit is due for these great color examples!

eyed at etsy: baby butterflies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:09:00 +0000

Look closely at these little 3D hand-cut butterflies from AlmondTreeFrames on Etsy... they are actually cut from your own photos of your little one! I'm overdosing on preciousness here...

Since we're short on babies in the Champagne family, but COVERED in pets- I ordered one of these beautiful creations for my Mom-in-law as a Christmas gift, using photos of her beloved boxer dogs. It came out beautifully, and she was so thrilled with it that she cried- which made me very happy. This is my goal in all gift-giving efforts: CRY! Cry me a river! ;)

If you're not into the butterfly theme, you can also have these photo cut-outs created in shapes of airplanes, frogs, hearts, and dinosaurs.

The artist is in Australia, so there's a little bit of a lead time after you order- but it's sooooo worth it. As a bonus, you'll also be the hit of any birthday, housewarming, or gift-giving occasion by being able to say- "Oh, I got this for you from Australia". :)

Here are some other great designs from AlmondTreeFrames on Etsy:

got grout?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Grout, grout, grout. Who would have thought that such a thin little line could completely change the look of a whole design? (I'm rhymin' and stealin' today, huh?!)

Choosing the right grout color can drastically affect the outcome of your tile project, yet it's often a decision that is overlooked. So many people I have talked to have left this decision up to the tile supplier or their tile installer- and this can be a recipe for "not cute"! Most of the time, that means you will end up with gray grout- and that's not usually going to complement the tile or the overall project.

So why does it really matter? Check out these installations, using the same tile- but different grout colors:

Tile with black grout

Same tile with almond grout (laid on the horizontal, though)

See what I mean? This same tile takes on a whole new look with a different grout color! Here's another example using red glass tiles:

Red glass tile with red grout

Red glass tile with white grout

This is a more dramatic example, showing how a contrasting grout (the white) can really make a statement in the design. Contrasting grout color always brings out the geometry of the tile, and this is a strong statement in a room. That can be a good thing, but it's not always the desired result.

Unlike the other photos, the red glass tile with the white grout is not one of my own installations. I don't use white grout, even on wall projects. It is such a high maintenance choice, and rarely stays white- even with sealer or frequent bleach pen treatments. It's evil. Just don't do it. If you do anyway, come back after three months so I can say "I told you so." ;)

Grout in the same color family as the tile (the red on red example) can make the overall installation appear larger and more uniform. It also gives a sleeker, more contemporary look.

You may have chosen to use a multi-colored tile (as shown in the hexagonal mosaic above) so you'll have to make a choice from several grout color options. In that situation, go with the most predominant neutral color in the tile or choose a grout color that is the same as the paint or countertop in the area.

Not everyone gets to start from scratch, of course. If you've "inherited" a place with some grout that you hate, never fear... there are options!

You can scrape out the existing grout and re-grout. Good luck with that, it's NOT a fun project.
If you are wanting darker grout, you can stain it yourself. Here's an option. Some products say they can take grout from dark to light, but I haven't seen this with my own two eyes. If anyone has done this successfully, please let me know!
You can actually hand paint your grout with flat paint. Here's instructions for that.

If anyone has any other option or method that worked well, please chime in and tell us what you did!

Happy Grouting-

a house sinks, a heart rises.........my journey to: “ I AM”

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:31:00 +0000

It’s been exactly a year since I’ve been “here” on my blog… a maddening, saddening, gladdening year. So- what of my unexplained absence, you ask?

To begin, this won’t be one of those short, sweet, twitter-type entries… this is a manifesto, a dissertation, a “take-your-adderall–and-concentrate” kinda saga. This is a true story- a (formerly) painful story I know I’m supposed to share. This is the tale of losing a house and finding a home...

A year ago today I realized we were going to be moving, whether I liked it or not. Moving from the custom house that we had just built less than three years before. Moving from the house that I just felt like we had settled into…. the house that was published in magazines, filmed for HGTV, and was the closest manifestation of who I was.

You see, the house was sinking. Sinking like a rock. Sinking like the sunset. Sinking like the friggin’ Titanic, people.

We noticed the cracks in the bricks first. Soon to follow was doors not opening and closing, cracks throughout the floors, sinks dropping away from the granite tops, and doors finally getting to the point where they had to have paper towels wedged in them to stay closed. We couldn’t have locked the house if we wanted to! (Thank goodness we lived where we didn’t really need to lock the doors.)

The nightmare really kicked in turbo when the builder’s insurance adjustor visited and later deemed the house “the builder’s art”, which excluded it from coverage. Don’t laugh. (I did.) I wasn’t laughing in the end when it actually held up after lawyer review.

We held on and kept fighting for the house throughout the next months- it was an exhausting cycle of lawyers, paperwork, money, lawyers, crying, stress, money, lawyers, paperwork, stress, crying, lawyers, money. Yeah, fun for the whole family...

Oddly enough, I didn’t realize how truly awful everything was during that whole time until much later. (Don't think the cruel irony of this happening to an interior designer passed by me, either...) But now, with my new-found perspective, I realize it was literally like living inside a horror movie. Due to the cracks in the foundation, walls, floor, and doorways, the house was overrun with spiders. It was uncontrollable.

Over three months’ time, I got three brown recluse bites and my husband was bitten by a black widow. Random factoid of the day: brown recluses and black widows don’t respond well to pesticides, especially after they have established themselves in abundance around your home. They need to be totally saturated in the stuff, but they hide during the daylight hours. They will, however, find the time in their busy breeding schedule to come out at night and bite you while you sleep. If you didn’t already have arachnophobia, I apologize if you do now!

But- that wasn’t the only type of critter that got through the cracks everywhere… let’s just say thank God I have four cats. I remember the first time I caught them all staring at the bottom of the refrigerator. They were all fascinated, and I couldn’t figure out what in the world they were doing! I posted a photo of the cats staring in a semi-circle on a decorating forum I’m a member of, and the girls on there told me exactly why they were staring at the bottom of the fridge. I thought I was going to pass out…

In recalling all of this, spiders and all, I’m just laughing now- but it wasn’t funny back then. I mean, my pest control guy came out so often and we got so close that I didn’t even bother to be home when he sprayed every 10 days or so!

Despite anything regarding the legalities and where all that stood, there came a time when the house was uninhabitable. A contractor friend of mine had to break the news to me that the next episode of the “sinking house show” would feature the plumbing bursting under the concrete slab. Since it didn't (and never would) make sense to attempt to invest the almost 200K it would take to repair the house, it was time to go. I just didn’t know how I was going to do it. My heart, soul, and life savings was in that house. Or so I thought.

The life savings part unfortunately still rings true, but a funny thing happened on the way to the moving date… I found my heart again, and my soul started to sing the sweetest, most authentic and joyful song. It was the song of “I AM”.

“I AM” really began early in the year, before the major drama. I started realizing that the house was big, and I had a lot of “things”. It also dawned upon me that there had been times when I didn’t even go upstairs for two months. TWO months. I had no reason to! My husband and I truly lived in about one-quarter of a 3500 square foot house. That’s crazy. Crazy, I tell you! I AM crazy.

Upon realizing that this move was really going to happen, I decided to have an estate sale. After I actually had to go upstairs to prepare for the sale, I soon realized that I had more “stuff” than anyone in the free world. Stuff I didn’t care about. Stuff that had no emotional pedigree. Stuff that was pretty, stuff that was nice, stuff that filled a space. Yet that stuff that was filling a space was emptying my spirit. I AM drowning in banality.

A house is a kind of living, breathing thing to me. This means that if I’m inhabiting a house, I feel I should have a relationship with it- a true connection. The house should hug me when I get home, comfort me when I’m sad, and welcome my friends when it’s time to celebrate. It should be a reflection of me, and I should be a reflection of it.

The only way this synergy and reciprocity is going to happen is if I share my true self with the house. If I fill my house with random stuff that looks great, but has no story and no resonance with me, how can I call that house mine? It could just as well be a builder’s model home or a staged house for sale. I looked around and the fact became clear: I AM not reflected in the space I’m living in.

The journey to “I AM” continued with the unavoidable repetition of this whole story to friends and neighbors. I began to realize that every time I told the story of the situation, people would either get really mad that the whole ordeal happened to me, or they would give me that look you get when you tell someone your pet passed away. I also realized that I didn’t feel either way about the whole thing. I didn’t want to kill the builder and get revenge, and I didn’t want to sit around crying and eating cheetos every night. I wasn’t angry, and I wasn’t sad anymore. It dawned on me: I AM just not feeling “loss” in this situation.

Actually, I was happy and “light”, for lack of a better word to describe the feeling. You see, the big houses come with big responsibilities... they can be quite a time-suck. There’s so much upkeep to be done all the time, it’s just non-stop. Added to that, there’s the neighborhood pressure that’s constantly there. It was a very nice neighborhood- and you know, you don’t want to be referred to as “THAT yard”! So- every time a single weed would pop up in between yard-cutting days, I felt the pressure to immediately go out and whack it. I became the Tony Soprano of the yard. I dared a weed to pop up! Yet, as Tony discovered also, it’s quite stressful having so many to kill and so little time. I realized I AM not a large house person, and I AM not a yard work person.

When the search finally began for another house, it was pretty overwhelming. The whole reason we ended up building before is that we couldn’t find the perfect fit in a house that was already on the market. I realized things hadn’t changed on the real estate front. But I had.

Several entries back on this blog, I posted a whole plethora of cottage photos. I’ve always loved the look and feel of cottages, and I intended to do a whole little series on here about “the cottage”. Little did I know, my heart had its own intentions regarding cottages. It was going to live in one, and it knew it a LONG time ago.

I’m gonna break left on you for a minute and tell you about my heart’s intentions. I have to watch what my attention is given to, because attention seems to turn into intention, and then things tend to just “happen”! I don’t mean that it’s just me going all "law of attraction" and manifesting all kinds of stuff out of the blue- I think it’s a result of praying, God’s will, and my desires all merging together somehow…? I’ve found if my heart is set on something- is truly adamant about it- and is unafraid- it happens.

All of this is important you see, because my heart wanted a cottage. It was no coincidence that I blogged about them, or that I kept reading about them and thinking about them. My heart was really, REALLY set on one, and I’m thrilled to say- my heart now lives in one! We moved into a precious 1941 post-war cottage in an awesome neighborhood that is full of activity and optimism. People are always out walking or chatting, the trees are tall and beautiful, and birds and squirrels are everywhere… bliss!

Our cottage is around 2000 square feet, which is just right for us. It also needed lots of updating, which I was all too happy to begin! (Still in process...) This house is perfectly imperfect, which I have found to be sooooo liberating. The beauty of an old house is that it has this laid back character, which shows itself in a slightly slanting floor here, an uneven countertop there, and some chipped cobblestones on the pathway out there. These are things that I'm normally asked to correct as a designer, but for me, right now- I love the irregularities! These badges of time help to relieve the pressure of maintaining a state of constant perfection.

When a house is new, your goal is to keep it looking- well, new. I’m here to tell ya- that ain’t easy, unless you’re willing and able to hire everything out. The cottage doesn’t demand all of that, it just exudes comfort and ease. I'm working towards mine also exuding "modern" and "bright", but that's another post. ;)

I only wish other people understood all these positive things. I wish they understood how much the whole situation has transformed our lives. After moving in and running into people who inevitably ask about what happened and where we’re living now, I realize I’m getting that “your pet has passed away” look again. People seem to automatically view any version of scaling back as negative. It wouldn’t matter if I told them the house was made of platinum and gold and has bonafide angels protecting it… I still get “the look”- because this house is smaller than the other one, it’s in the city (its own stigma to some), it’s not custom built or brand new, and it’s not the house that was in all the magazines and filmed by HGTV.

But I can tell you what this house IS. This house is who I AM.

The other house was who I thought I was supposed to be. And I've finally found the beautiful joy that comes from knowing the difference. :)

doing what you're meant to do

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:35:00 +0000

Illuminating life's path

Holly over at the superb Decor8 blog had a reader who inquired about "...how to find your calling in the design world." Holly put it out to the blog readers to offer suggestions, which got my mind turning! I wanted to share my response here, as well... Here are my thoughts:

Other than design, there isn't a subject I'm more passionate about than finding your "calling", "life's path", or "destiny". I've been fortunate enough to find mine, but it was a curvy road- not a straight path!

At the risk of sounding WAY "out there" (I'm not, I promise!), I have to say: I'm someone who believes in connection. I think there's a reason for what happens in every single moment of every day. (I think there’s a reason you’re reading this right now.) I also think if you stripped down the diversions in your life, you would discover that every person was born with specific talents to contribute to the world. I feel these talents are what connect us together to create an interdependent society that can sustain itself. The problem with this potential for utopia seems to be the "distractions" we encounter along the way...

What are the distractions that prevent us from finding our true calling? They are varied and numerous!

Money is a huge distraction. It's a necessity, of course, but it can also be a destiny-blocker.

I had a cushy corporate job, but I was using about 5% of my true talent and I was successfully "faking" the other 95%. After a few years of this, I hit the proverbial rock-bottom. There came a day when I said (out loud): "I would rather sell our house and everything I have than do this another day."

I quit my job the next day and began designing full-time... I didn't have to sell off everything in the end- but I was willing.

Are you there yet? Are you willing to sacrifice some things of comfort to do what you love? Will you put your life in a state of upheaval to fight for this dream? If you can answer "yes" to these, then you've already found your true calling. That dream that you'd fight for is your gift and your calling- do it!

Another distraction on your road to "you" could be your parents and friends' thoughts about who you should be. Although other people's input can open your eyes to facets of yourself that you may never have considered, their input could also be leading you down THEIR path- not yours.

If you take nothing else away from what I'm writing here, take this: Stop asking for permission to be who you are! Do not allow others to tell you that you can't do something or can't succeed. Also, do not allow yourSELF to tell you this, either!

See, my big barrier was myself. I thought I had to go back to college to get a design degree to do what I loved. I was SO wrong.

The truth is, if your dream is to be a decorator you don't need a degree or certification for this career. You do need innate talent and business skills... both of which came from my parents, not the university. If I would have waited for the university to tell me that I was an "official" decorator, I'd still be there now! (Don't confuse interior decorating with interior design, which does require a degree for certification.) Stop waiting for outside verification of your abilities and start refining them and sharing them now!

Another way to remove the barriers to finding your path is to erase the outside influences for a while and be QUIET with yourself. Turn off the TV and computer for a week and sit. Your mind will eventually lead you to what you are most interested in when it is stripped of superficial guidance.

Write down what you start thinking about or what you start doing during this time... you will be able to make the connections when you re-visit this journal later. This is a wonderful exercise to find your natural interests and talents!

On the opposite end of the exercise above is the distraction of looking too hard. This one is easy. It's the same story you hear about people who are looking for their soulmate: The minute they stop trying so hard, it happens!

If you are frustrating yourself in your quest for your destiny, you won't be in the right state of mind to see your little opportunities and "signs" along the way. Look for your calling, but don't obsess over it.

Along those lines, don't dismiss the people and things you are experiencing before your big "life epiphany". Everyone you are coming in contact with now is a piece of your puzzle. I can't count how many people that were put in my path before my career change that were somehow a part of my success afterwards. Remember... a completed puzzle is made up of many tiny pieces. Your "pieces" are the moments you are living right NOW.

Speaking of life's "moments"... I mentioned above that I never had to sell off things to sustain myself after I began designing full-time. How did I do that? I didn't plan it on a spreadsheet, create a sales forecast, or do a powerpoint. So why was I able to be successful on my own, without the corporate check?

The answer is: I have no idea! What I DO know is that after I began practicing my true talents and sharing the gift of decorating with others through my business, my life took on an inertia that wasn't there before.

I became opportunistic of every moment and recognized there were chances for success in each one. I treated each moment and each person as if they would make or break me. That's when the business grew FAST- like "magic".

This is described by athletes as "flow" or "being in the zone". I believe it to be God's affirmation that you are doing what you were born to do. Doors will open for you, "coincidences" will occur frequently, opportunities will come your way, and authentic success is yours.

Authentic success should always be your goal in finding your calling. This isn't necessarily monetary success. It's REAL satisfaction with your work, your contribution to others, and your "self". It makes you feel like the best version of who you are- right now, in THIS moment.

You only have THIS moment, so authentic success is never absolute. There are other moments to come, and more ways to learn, grow and give along the way.

That's the beauty of finding your life's path- it's a PATH, not a destination. The creation of yourself never ends, so get yourself on your path and begin enjoying the magic along the way! :)

get thyself to ebay expeditiously

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:05:00 +0000

Of ALL the designer secrets in the world, Ebay has to be the biggest and best. If you take nothing else with you from reading this blog, take this: Get thyself to Ebay for the best deals on everything design, decor and renovation related! There is no substitute.

This tip was inspired by my recent trip to a local retail showroom. I was minding my own business, casually viewing a collection of faucets... when BAM- I literally backed into this sink:

I almost spit up my Diet Coke when I saw the price tag... Surely they jest. This is just crazy talk.

I say that because of this:

In case that's too small, the total price of this sink (with shipping) is $124.95.

Yes, it's the same sink. The same gauge, the same size, the same everything.

I rest my case. :)

put that room on a spreadsheet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:12:00 +0000

photo by aliceson on flickr

You've all read them online or seen them on television. There are annotated versions of them splashed on the cover of every design magazine on the rack. They are always there, preaching to us and preying upon us as we eagerly explore the realm of decorating and home styling.

They are: the "rules".

Ugh. I can't control the natural response I have to that word. Just hearing it makes me cringe a little. It's not so much about me and my thoughts on "rules", but it's more about what my friends and clients have gone through in trying to obey them.

The world of decorating seems to love rules. There are so many of them out there, cleverly disguising themselves as harmless- even helpful. Yet many of these rules are haunting people as they attempt to apply them to their homes for a "successful" and measurable result. People are out there (right now!) gathering lists of "do's and dont's", analyzing countless interior photos, and crunching decor data at high rates of speed.

Here's the problem: Great rooms don't belong on a spreadsheet.

"ACK!"

There are no absolutes in design. The formulas you find will always be contradicted, and the rules will always be challenged and proven incorrect. There is no final answer, no "right way". The story of a successfully-decorated home will never be short and simple, and it might also never end. Every corner of every room is punctuated with commas, dashes and semicolons- there are no periods.

A good room can be created by obeying a few rules and following some guidelines. A great room, though? A GREAT room will not have a formula. A great room is as complicated, contradictory, and curious as the person who lives there. After all, isn't that the point?

Can YOU be put on a spreadsheet?

playing in the mud

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:22:00 +0000

Artist Tom Moberg has patience. Lots of it.

Just check out the incredible works of art he carves from joint compound. Yeah, joint compound. The detail in his intricate creations are simply astounding.

I would love to have the amount of skill and patience required to create wall masterpieces like these. However, since I have an entire section of my garage filled with abandoned furniture "assemblage", I'm pretty sure my patience threshold would be breached and my walls would end up looking like plaster vomit.

It's safe to say I won't be attempting to master this form of art anytime soon, but you can! I am intrigued by the fact that Tom is self-taught in this medium, and his process in forming these relief murals is seemingly simplistic. (Check out his steps in this article on DIY Network) The process may appear uncomplicated, but the results are clearly the culmination of creativity and mastery.

Take a look at what happens when Tom Moberg plays with mud!

pink dreams and chocolate skies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:09:00 +0000

Of all the rooms I've designed, I think I love this one the most! (I wonder how many times in my life I will say that?)

This room is for an amazing little girl who loves to sing, cheer, and paint... She is such a little entertainer- she talks and talks and she is just so creative. I used a lot of her very own artwork in the room, and I couldn't have commissioned anyone to do anything more perfect for this space!

I started with pink- that was a very clear directive. I was really happy when Mom was willing to do a chocolate color as the background, so it was Sherwin Williams' Terra Brun for the walls. Then we started with a few ideas from the "inspiration files" and once I got to work pulling everything together, the room took on a life of its own... I love it when that happens!

Here's a look at the finished product: (More photos are here on my Flickr site)

When I saw this adorable dress in her closet, I knew exactly where it was going!

This is a floor-length mirror with the mirror removed and a pink magnetic chalkboard inserted. This displays her "art of the moment"...

I found the feather boa in the Valentine's section while doing some last-minute shopping for the room. I didn't know what I was going to do with it, I just liked it. While I was in the checkout line, this idea came to me... Yay!

The velvet panels needed a little "spicing up", so I went antiquing and got some vintage accents and used ribbons to tie them to the drapery rings.

We won't discuss how difficult it was to get the pink paint to stick to the NON-stick baking sheets here... ha!

I used scrapbook papers as a background and framed little aprons and one of her art creations to hang above the "kitchen sink"...

store scope out: room service home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:49:00 +0000

Faux Bois Ceramic Stoneware Dessert Plates

I've loved Room Service Home since they first came on the scene. A few years ago, they were the only place I could find my beloved sunburst mirror (now a somewhat ubiquitous decorator piece) for a decent price- I'll love 'em forever for that one!

I stopped by and checked out their site today and found some things I adore. Most of these items aren't going to be budget-friendly finds, but they are unusual pieces that really make a statement. Sometimes you need that "extra something", you know? Here are my fave finds:

USA Map on Canvas $158

Hand Tooled Turquoise Ottoman $624

Spool Stool $199

Aquamarine Lamp $398

Indio Mirror $499

Wild Rose Pillow $68

Indoor/Outdoor Diamond Porch Mat $24

Sailor's Knot Door Stop $39

urban bachelor's loft

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:44:00 +0000

Just finished this loft Friday (well, almost)...I've still got a few tweaks and changes to make!

I designed this for a young chiropractor who wanted a sleek, modern space. He started "from scratch" with no furniture and the whole space was pulled together without an outrageous budget. I'm really lovin' it- I hope you do, too!

I created a "gallery wall" out of a narrow hallway that leads from the door to the main living area. Black paint and halogen track lighting made all the difference!

This area is a "place holder"... It wasn't planned into the decor, but I am awaiting a counter height bar/table set to create a dining area in this spot. In the meantime, I created this little sitting area to fill in...

I added the chocolate flokati rug to designate the conversation area and let the couch "pop" off the honey wood floors...

Not to discredit myself, but this room could have been left empty and that incredible view of the tree and the city could stand alone as fabulous! :)

I added red pendant lights to carry the color around the room and had the slate blue painted to contrast the bar stools and black cabinetry beyond...

This is a great spot by the window to read, lounge, or just chill. The view of the city and a large oak tree beyond the glass is phenomenal!

I used Ikea self-adhesive mirrors to create a little random wall art in the bedroom area...

Here's the view of the media wall... men and their electronics- whew! :)

Hope you enjoyed our loft tour today! I thought I would be done with the little girl's room I'm working on- but I ended up finishing something totally opposite! I should have photos of the girl's room this week, though... So there's more to come-

local focal: sheffield's antique mall

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:26:00 +0000

One of my favorite Memphis-area shopping sources is having a party! Sheffield's Antique Mall in Collierville is having their annual Mardi Gras Celebration Friday evening... They will be serving refreshments and the whole mall will be having a 10% off sale while music and merriment ensues.

Stop by and get your antiquing fix Friday from 6:30pm to 9:00pm and have some Mardi Gras fun while you browse their 72,000 square feet of wonderment.

Here are my favorite picks from my visit to Sheffield's today:

This amazing desk is such a conversation piece- it won my "favorite" vote for today's outing...

This large and bold butterfly display in lucite completely mesmerized me. I can't stop thinking about it- and that's BAD. It's pretty spendy or it would have been in my cart in a red hot second...

This vintage plate actually DID make it into my cart! This is so whimsical and graphic- I immediately knew I had to have it...

This sheet music gave me a great idea! My Mom was so gifted with music- she played the organ "by ear" and she could sing harmony effortlessly. Our house was always filled with music, and there are so many songs that remind me of her. When I hear "The Rose", "Send In The Clowns", "If", "Rose Colored Glasses", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" or anything by Anne Murray or Dr. Hook I can almost hear her singing right along...

I want to find the vintage sheet music to all of the songs that remind me of my Mom the most, then I'll frame them up and do something collage-ish with them. I'm still working out the possibilities with this- If you've got any ideas, I'd love to hear them- please comment! :)

I absolutely adore milk glass. I can't resist touching a piece any time I see it- I have no idea what this is about?! That compote down there was almost in my cart- but I properly restrained myself...

I can see these chairs all lacquered up in the "it" color right now- bold yellow... or possibly a classic Chinese red or yummy coral... And then there's my favorites: turquoise or magenta! Sooooo many options with these...

All in all, it was a really fun day of shopping! Don't forget to check out Sheffield's big Mardi Gras Celebration if you're out and about...

peeking: what's in process?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:13:00 +0000

One of the most common questions I'm asked is: "How involved are you in the design process and installation?"...

The process and installation is the real reward of being a designer! The best part of any project is always the "reveal" after everything is installed and arranged. I try to make this a really dramatic moment (like on TV!), but sometimes the project is really large and takes quite a while to complete- so all the steps you don't see on TV are actually revealed in phases in your home. This makes the "surprise moment" a little diluted, but still always a joy!

The "process" is where the creativity, and sometimes craftiness and/or labor is involved. I operate differently than most traditional interior designers or decorators because I work on a freelance, "a la carte" basis. I don't have a large staff, and I like to install everything I possibly can myself- so I'm likely to be the one hammering, hanging and assembling in your home. I also don't sell furnishings, and I work all across the board- from million dollar plus projects to projects that might have much smaller budgets than the typical client of a designer.

I've found that budget limitations can really push my creativity to new heights. Anyone who knows me knows I cannot stand being told "no". When I get a vision for a room or project in my mind, that's IT. This means when the budget says "no" to me, I do anything and everything to circumvent, adapt, or overcome! (For some reason, this usually means a lot of spray painting will be involved.)

I think this stems from when I was in college and I wasn't able to afford some of the furnishings that I really wanted. (Champagne taste, Coors budget) I would end up mocking, making, replicating or creating what I wanted. Sometimes I ended up with something neater than the "real" version- sometimes I ended up with a bad, bad replica. Either way, the process was always fun and I loved figuring it all out and just making it happen!

Below is an example of a "make it happen" project that's in process. This client didn't really have super-tight budget constraints, but she didn't want to go custom and high end on everything, either. I got really involved in personalizing this room and making it "just so". (More spray painting!)

This is for a little girl's room that I am hoping to complete this week. It's a rich chocolate brown room accented with many shades of pink and some fresh vintage touches. This room is above the garage and is very large, so I created a few different "areas" within it... I'll be sure to post the finished space for you to see- I'm very excited about it!

Below is a hint of a great project I've got in the works for a couple who loves warm colors, masculine decor and softball! These are the custom fabric/rug/upholstery sets I chose for two of the rooms. In the first set, I picked the thin pinstriped fabric for the sofa because I thought it looked like a vintage softball uniform... I'm subliminal like that. (ha!)

The other set has some retro style mixed with warm accents to create a nice, unexpected mix. This is all going into a really neat little house that is getting a complete makeover. The carpet has been ripped up and the floors have been stained and scored, and all of the rooms have been repainted in rich new colors. Everything else is on order for this project- so it's in the "infant phase" right now.

I'll bring yall along with photos as everything progresses!

Tagged: Trinity Speaks!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:36:00 +0000

I have been "tagged"! Maison 21's beautiful pupster "Mona" has tagged my kitty cat (Trinity) and requested that she list "7 unknown things" about herself. Trinity gladly accepted, and here is her response:

"7 Unknown Facts About “Trinity”- My Top Secret Cat Thoughts..."

I am Tambra's Russian Blue kitty and I have now taken on the position as co-blogger! (Air kisses to Mona!) I share the house with three other illustrious kitties, one comical English Bulldog, and a spirited Pomeranian. I enjoy long walks on the countertops at sunset and a fine glass of milk before bedtime.

Below you will find my closely-guarded, innermost thoughts:

- Eat, play, sleep. Eat, play, sleep. This is not a hard concept. I always wonder what this “work” thing is that my Momma keeps putting in the middle…?

- I really do love the dogs. Everyone should have such a good staff.

- My Momma vs. Whisker Lickins Crunchy Tuna Treats… don’t ever make me choose.

- I see all those birds outside. That feather dangling on a stick isn’t cutting it.

- Tomorrow I’m going to eat some more of that plastic plant and throw it up again.

- I understand every single word you’re saying- I just like to take my time in deciding if I care.

- I always wonder: When do these people bathe? I have never seen them licking themselves- not once.

Thanks for sliding me into my new blogging career, Mona! Since I'm such a newbie, it's gonna take some time for me to find seven other blogging pets to tag, but I'll get right on it! :)

store scope out: sweet sofas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:51:00 +0000

I've always loved cars. I think it was hotwired into my brain from an early age because my Dad was in the automotive aftermarket industry, and my brother was (is) a major car enthusiast. (The faster the better for him!)

I can easily imagine my brother having one of these intriguing pieces from Sweet Sofas. This company has created quite a niche market with their inventive "car hacks". They have done incredible things with their automobile art- even the headlights and tailights are in working order on these creations! I can definitely envision these items in funky lofts, bar areas, game rooms, and of course- the "man room".

Check out their creations below:

There's even a hide-a-bed version!

This desk is incredibly creative:

There's tables, too!

What I love about this is that you just know the idea for this company started by someone sitting around talking with their friends and saying "What if....?"

six ways to update your kitchen on a budget

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:14:00 +0000

Design by Champagne Chic Interiors

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most expensive rooms to renovate in any home. So what do you do if you don't have a lot to spend, but still want a new look?

No worries- there are several ways to refresh your look on a budget! Here are my "Top Six Ideas" to help you begin some budget friendly redesigning in your kitchen...

1. Fast, cheap and easy- update your cabinets with paint. This is the most cost-effective and impactful change you can make in your kitchen! My favorite paint colors for cabinets are black (as seen in the update above), chocolate brown, cream, or mushroom. (From Sherwin Williams', check out: "Black Magic", "Turkish Coffee", "Biscuit" and "Portabello".) These colors can dramatically transform your kitchen!

The key is choosing a cabinet color that contrasts with your wall color- if your walls are dark, choose a lighter color- if your walls are light, choose a darker color. I know what some of you might be thinking- "It will make the kitchen too dark". Not true! No color is too dark in any room if the space is properly lit.

2. Why don't you change out some of your cabinet doors and add glass fronts? On many cabinet styles, you can do this by simply popping out the center panel and taking it to a glass company to have glass inserted. After the glass fronts are in place, add some low voltage lighting and put your best dishes inside to show them off!

3. Take the doors off the cabinets completely and create "open shelving". This is a clean, modern look that can make a smaller kitchen feel really spacious. Yes- you might need to be a neat freak to keep things arranged nicely on those open shelves, but it's worth it when you see the fresh look this will give to your kitchen! (Bonus points: Go the extra mile and paint the inside of the cabinets a different color...)

4. Look up! If you have that fluorescent box in the center of the ceiling in your kitchen (you know the one) call an electrician NOW to tear it down! It's design blasphemy in its most blatant form! Add some recessed lighting, pendant lights, a trestle light or a chandelier to replace that eyesore. The point is: nothing looks good under fluorescent lighting. It's bad enough to be slaving away in the kitchen, don't look ugly doing it, too!

5. Look down. Does your kitchen flooring look like 1982 threw up in your home? If you have bad tile or vinyl flooring, there's a great way to update that floor.... cork! Cork flooring is incredible. Now I'm not just talking about the cork in the wine bottle stopper- cork comes in some gorgeous colors and patterns, ranging from the standard light cork (as seen in the kitchen update above) to rich browns and sienna colors.

Here's the best thing about this flooring choice: It's affordable- and it can also be laid over tile, vinyl, and wood! (Several brands of cork are "floating" pieces that click together, with no glue. This means you will save substantially by not having to pay to remove your existing flooring.)

Other cork benefits include: it's a very resilient and flexible floor (good for the joints), it's a natural insect repellent, and it's a renewable resource and environmentally friendly. In case you haven't noticed, I love this stuff!

6. Another inexpensive way to update your kitchen- replace those outdated cabinet knobs and pulls! Satin nickel, stainless, oil-rubbed bronze, or iron hardware will instantly bring new life to your old cabinetry. Check Ebay and Ikea for some real deals on knobs, pulls, and handles.

See... it doesn't always have to cost a fortune to get great results- you can update your kitchen on almost any budget, you just have to know the "tricks of the trade"!

inspirational photo pause: kitty wigs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:20:00 +0000

Needless to say, this photo REALLY caught my eye! My little Trinity
would look really sharp in the pink wig. (I find myself completely amused while simultaneously questioning my own sanity after typing that out loud...)

If you have a kitty that is in dire need of a funky wig, here's where to score one.

(photo collage created by billy palooza on flickr, original photos by jill johnson)

eyed at etsy: the mincing mockingbird

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:23:00 +0000

I ran across this incredibly clever and comical Etsy artist last night while I was mindlessly surfing 300 cable channels and finding NOTHING of interest whatsoever. (Maybe less people would be depressed on the 3rd Monday in January if there were better distractions to be found on television?)

However, I don't think it is possible to be depressed after seeing these hilarious and wickedly sarcastic magnets at The Mincing Mockingbird store. In addition to being wonderfully hysterical, the artwork is really outstanding, too! At only 4.00 each, I might just have to have all of them...

They have prints, too! Right now, they are on sale for only 10.00 each- here's a tiny sampling:

art print- buy it right here

art print- buy it right here

Happy Shopping!

the power of the cottage

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:49:00 +0000

(photo by michael tinkler via flickr)

Merriam-Webster's definition of "cottage" is:

1 : the dwelling of a farm laborer or small farmer
2 : a usually small frame one-family house

Considering its humble origins, it probably seems odd that I would refer to a cottage as powerful. When you think of powerful houses, the White House might come to mind - or maybe a cathedral or a royal palace. You're probably not going to envision a little charmer with a front porch and adirondack chairs.

Yet within those walls lies a power that far exceeds the square footage. Cottages seem to embody a certain modesty and eloquent informality that transforms people as they walk through the door. By it's very nature, a cottage encourages intimacy and communication- experiences that are cherished in our fast-paced, technological world.

The confines of a smaller home can't help but reinforce "togetherness", but the challenges of a smaller home also foster creativity. When there's less to work with, much more imagination and clever planning is required to contain your life's amenities. In a cottage, you'll often notice the "decorative" items surrounding you are exceptional and personal... edited down by necessity, but often reflecting the true soul of its owner.

I think most people strive for their home to be welcoming and for their interior surroundings to tell their "story". It just seems like a cottage home allows you to get it right a little easier, a little quicker, and with an added dose of authentic charm.

Isn't that pretty powerful?

“I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.”
-Thomas Jefferson

(photo by jdww via flickr)

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how to choose paint colors without crying

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:28:00 +0000

I'm no innovator in telling you that paint is the least expensive way to drastically change a space. However, it can also be quite an intimidating decorating decision. If it has been a month already and you still have multiple colors on your wall from paint samples, you know what I'm talking about. If you are frustrated to the point of tears, you REALLY know what I'm talking about!

Color can be tricky, this is true. No worries, though- there are safe and tear-free ways to choose paint colors and schemes! Check out some tips on how to cheat a little when choosing a palette...

1. The best way to begin to choose a new color scheme is to choose an "inspiration piece". You may already have something in your existing decor that can serve this purpose, or you can find something that you really love and build a scheme around it. Just keep in mind the pieces in the rooms that you want to keep, and make sure they coordinate with your new color choices.

2. Don't go to the paint store with the idea of choosing the color THAT day. Go first to get inspiration and ideas, this will take the pressure off you to choose so quickly. Gather a lot of paint strips and take them home, be impulsive! Then review your choices, narrow the colors down and check out the colors at many times of the day. When you get to two or three finalists, paint these colors on the wall in 3x3 sections and live with them for a few days. When you have a winner, take another trip to the paint store for your final purchase. This is a lot of steps, but well worth the effort to find the perfect shade for you!

3. When you find some colors that you think will work, don't cut them out of the paint strip! You need to look at the complete "family" of color that the chip is from to make sure that is the direction you want to go. Also look at each color you choose next to the trim color you are using. The trim can greatly affect how the eye reads the intensity of the paint on the walls.

4. Keep in mind that the main wall color usually looks best if it's a neutral color. I do NOT mean beige! On a color strip (of any color family), the middle color is the most neutral color of the shades, because it is a "middle combination" of all the others. This shade is a safe choice for almost any scheme.

(photo by ajkandy on Flickr)

5. Do NOT leave your ceiling white! The ceiling is your fifth wall, and it has the power to affect your environment immensely. If you have low ceilings, use a shade lighter on the paint strip for the ceiling. If you have high ceilings, you can go darker to "bring the ceiling down" and create coziness. (Don't do this with reds or oranges- just use the same color on the ceiling.)

6. Most paint companies have made color choices pretty easy for you. What do I mean by that? A no- fail way to choose a scheme is to use the middle color on a strip for your walls, the color above it for your ceiling, and the second lightest color for your trim. Voila! You're done.

7. Your last decision is what paint finish to use. I very rarely ever use a flat finish because of the difficulty in cleaning it. Be warned: If you're hiring your work out, most painters will try to talk you into a flat finish, because this sheen hides any errors in your wall OR in their painting skills. Don't fall for it. It's best to use an eggshell or satin finish for your paint. If your walls are in excellent condition, use semi-gloss or high- gloss for lots of drama! I also always use high-gloss for trim.

I hope these tips will help solve many of the riddles in choosing paint colors for your next project. Now get to the paint store and be bold, fearless and courageous!

"consumered"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:20:00 +0000

"God is the best decorator I've ever had..." Dennis Hopper, "Entourage"

Designers always talk about the importance of taking vacations, traveling and "getting away" to recharge and keep their creativity sharp. I completely agree, but I'm here to tell 'ya there's a little more to it than that...

Sometimes projects can completely consume you, and sometimes projects completely "consumer" you. When I get "consumered", this means I have shopped and shopped myself to death in the usual retail stores and online. I have seen everything in every store. I can watch HGTV and completely dissect every room and list where every item was purchased. I can quote all the cutesy product names, too. I don't even require catalogs or websites anymore- I AM a catalog and website!

I can also spot any of Sherwin-Williams' top 100 colors and spit that right out for 'ya... (No paint fan deck needed.) "Your dining room is Tatami Tan, right?" I will say that rather random ability does surprise and impress clients- if I haven't won their trust by then, that trick closes the deal. :)

I usually get "consumered" when I'm working on Design on Demand projects, or when I'm working with a client that has any kind of deadline or shorter time frame for completion. This situation means I have to whip rooms out really fast, so custom items aren't an option. Hello Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Overstock, West Elm, ZGallerie and Ballard Designs... (I'm not putting links here because Lord knows you know them, too!)

This barrage of retail makes me long for all things authentic and "real". Enter the vacation.

My idea of a vacation is NOT Las Vegas or Orlando... I'm gonna need the ocean, the country or the red rocks of Arizona. And while I'm there, I'm also going to be surfing Etsy to get my fix of handmade and one-of-a-kind. I certainly won't be near a mall or shopping center, unless it's an antique mall or crafts village. I'll be "anti" everything while I'm on vacation. Heck, I might even consider going out in public without any makeup on... (not)

It always feels great to claim a little authenticity in our big box world of retail and mass merchandising. My way is getting back to nature and simplicity on vacation- but I'm about to do it full-time... (More about that soon!)

Do you ever start feeling "consumered"? Am I the only one?

store scope out: Zara Home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:32:00 +0000

You just never know what you'll find across the way in Europe, especially in home decor. I stumbled onto Zara Home the other day and fell in love with their "virtual" store... I can only imagine what it would be like to visit the real thing! Zara has some incredible photo stylists who really know how to create astounding visual displays... if only the merchandise could be shipped to the US! ::sigh::

Since we can't buy their products, let's check out their looks and steal a little inspiration!

on the market: top five ways to guarantee buyers hate your home!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Hot on the heels of my earlier post about finding hidden square footage- let's talk about what happens if you've already maximized your home's square footage and now you've decided it's just not workin' for 'ya. It's time to move on! If you own your home, this means it will be time to get the house ready to view and out on the real estate market.

photo by bcostin (bryan costin) on Flickr

Well, it might not be that easy...

When I was 15, we moved from a tee-tiny town in Western Kentucky to the city of Memphis, TN. I was totally devastated. Here I was in the middle of my sophomore year in high school surrounded by the friends I had all my life- and now I was being abruptly uprooted to this (seemingly) HUGE city where I knew no one.

I was in total denial about this actually happening. Operating in complete defiance of this "show of power" from my parents, I wouldn't pack a single thing in preparation of the move. I would not go. They couldn't make me go!! (Oh... yes they could.)

I basically set out to sabotage the move. I carved my name into the wood sills and sashes of my windows, thinking that was my "claim" on the house. (Please keep in mind, I was a 15 year old in complete turmoil, okay? That's a pretty potent recipe for psycho behavior.) I also tried to make my room as messy as possible when the house was being shown by the Realtor. I tried it all, people. My butt still got shipped out with the family to Memphis. (Of course, this ended up being a really great thing in the "big picture"!)

My little story is a demonstration of deliberate sabotage on the real estate process. However, there are many more subtle (and effective!) ways to sabotage the sale of a home that you might not even be aware of- so let's review the list of things that could keep your house on the market forever...

Top five ways to guarantee a buyer HATES your home:
(Warning: Keep this article away from anyone wishing to interrupt your moving plans!)

1. Make sure to have your dog wandering the property outside or roaming free inside the home. Even better- make that a large JUMPING dog! Hey, I absolutely ADORE pets- (I've got six!)but no one knows what your potential homebuyer will feel about Fido or Fluffy. Many people are scared of pets, so make sure you crate your animals when your house is being shown, or even better- take them off the property. Besides, it's stressful for your pets to have strange people cruising through "their" home, too... they would rather be with you, anyway!

2. Wallpaper- anywhere, any style. Wallpaper is the "meatloaf" of design... the chances that a buyer is going to like the kind you like is slim to none. Wall coverings are commitments, also...like a marriage. They are very tailored to the individual and very difficult to remove without spending time and money (think: divorce). Remove the wallpaper now to ensure a buyer tomorrow! (By the way, Holly over at Decor8 has a great wallpaper discussion going on today!)

3. Use lots of air/carpet scents to create that luxurious smell of Poison perfume mixed with wet dog! Okay, so I'm being extreme here... but really- if the house smells perfume-y, then you MUST be hiding something. That's what the buyer will think, anyway. The only thing worse than pet odors, cigarette odors, or mildew odors is perfume mixed with any of the above. Remove any bad smell by removing the source. If you have carpet- clean it or replace it. Ditto for rugs, drapes, and large upholstered items.

4. Stuff your closets and cabinets with tons of crap. Most people know that decluttering is a must... but this doesn't mean that the excess needs to be crammed into your storage areas! If you cut a corner on decluttering, then the buyer will wonder what other corners you cut or what other "smoke and mirrors" tricks you have in store. A good rule for closets is to make sure that the floors and top shelves are empty. For cabinets, remove approximately 50% of what is there usually. For the rest: rent a storage unit and totally remove the clutter from the property. Remember: Clutter Kills Equity!

5. Leave minor repairs to be "negotiated" in the deal. Many people see this as an option when selling, but it can be the kiss of death for the sale. Minor repairs become overwhelming to a buyer. A typical buyer will already have a list of things that he/she will want to change in ANY home they are purchasing, such as paint colors, flooring, hardware, etc... When your list of "minor repairs" is added to the buyer's personal list of changes, the buyer ends up with a whopper of a "honey do". And that "honey do" will become "Honey, let's don't." And this means no sale for you!

Most of these real estate deal-killers are easily remedied, but there are many more that might require attention. I'll share more real estate dilemmas and solutions in the future, so you can make sure you can bust a move when you're good and ready and not be waiting impatiently on your home to sell... After all, when it's time to go, it's time to GO! :)

my story is my power- or so i'm told...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:04:00 +0000

When I decided to throw myself into the blogging world and add to the ever-increasing selection of design and decorating blogs out there, I kept asking myself that one (important) question: "What do I have to offer that is a unique perspective?"

Photograph by marwei (Vanlal Tockhawng)

It was then that I remembered something that happened to me months ago. One morning when I was about to wake up and I was in that hazy, half-asleep/half-awake, subconscious fog (you know, that time when you're almost dreaming but you're not) I heard this voice very adamantly say: "Your story is your power."

What?

Of course, I immediately snap-to and look around for that guy from all the movie trailer voiceovers (and recently a funny Geico commercial). Well, the TV isn't on, and that guy isn't standing at the end of my bed, either. (Thank goodness.) But then I was left REALLY wondering what that little message was all about...?

Now I'm not much of a power-seeker (or Lord knows I would have stayed in the corporate world) but I think I've figured out what to do with my "power" as it was interpreted to me on that day. So here's my attempt at parlaying that weird experience into a relevant and beneficial blog for all of yall...

I'm sharing my "story" about starting and building my decorating business... how I did it, what worked, what didn't, what it takes, and why. Since I get a lot of calls and emails for advice along these lines- now I'll be able to direct everyone somewhere if I'm not able to talk with them right away. :)

Plus, I believe in reciprocity, karma, paying it forward, abundance, and all those other similar things that equal "what goes around comes around". (We'll just call it the Justin Timberlake effect.) If I can help anyone follow their bliss and do what they love, I'm all for it!

Now I want to be clear about what I'm doing here with all this free and fantastic advice. :) I'm not going to be concentrating much on HOW to decorate or design... I believe you can learn principles, but I honestly feel the talent or "knack" for this work is either slapped on your bottom when you're born, or... not.

I certainly am not one to give out legal and accounting advice, so we won't be going there. (I hire that stuff out- like all smart, right-brained businesspeople that know their own limitations!) There are ten zillion books and websites devoted to these aspects- and God love 'em, but that's not my strength.

What I'd like to do with the advice is concentrate on the more dynamic aspects of being a freelancer: the startup challenges, the psychology of being an independent business owner, attracting and working with customers, and marketing and miscellaneous strategies. I strongly believe these areas are what make or break you. For better or worse- talent is secondary.

My info will obviously be from the vantage point of being an independent designer/decorator, but a lot of it will cross over for anyone who is thinking of taking that leap into the world of self-employment. I hope to help or inspire anyone to turn their little "pipedream" into a Kohler Sok infinity tub of happiness! (I couldn't resist- I just really adore that tub.)

So the new section will be called "Peeping the Business Mind of Design". Why? Because "peeping" stays in line with my "design snitch" concept, and search engines rank the words "design business" highest in searches done on the subject.

See! That's already a mini-lesson right there. ;)