DESIGN NOTES

Shopping at the Artiste Gallery in Mansfield

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Finish up your holiday shopping at the Artiste Gallery in Mansfield. It is an eclectic shop with merchandise crafted by local artists.

Recently, I was at the Artiste Gallery for an event. What a great shop, featuring local artists and crafts people. The items range form paintings to jewelry to homemade bath products and wood carvings. The intimate shop is located on 263 North Main Street in downtown Mansfield. What a great place to find something unique for the person who has everything.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like me at www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Decorating with Paint - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:32:00 +0000

The Sherwin William's website takes a different approach to showing us the new color trends for 2013. They provide an inspiration and then colors that project that feeling. I have copied some of their insights to this page for you to see. I like having two different approaches available. Each time I start with a space I will use alternate ways to get started. In this case I want to start with the color palette first.

The caption from Sherwin William's color trend page says, "Today's dynamic palettes reflect our diverse mindsets, lifestyles and design philosophies." Below are the pictures and inspiration for their color trends.

Midnight Mystery

The colors are moody, the vibe is masculine and the aesthetic is both Victorian and futuristic.

There are many deep rich colors in this color grouping. The 3 I like most are;

SW 7593

SW 6131

SW 6004

The colors are chalky and earthy, the materials raw and organic, the finishes matte.

These colors are cool neutrals. My top 3 are;

SW 7612

Mountain Stream

SW 7739

Herbal Wash

SW 7057

Silver Strand

Vintage Moxie

The pastels are a bit bolder, including semi-precious gem tones like citrine, peridot and amethyst, set off by crisp neutrals.

SW 0074

Radiant Lilac

SW 0025

Rosedust

SW 6401

Independent Gold

Electronics, alternative rock and digital technology — plug those influences into one socket and you get a blast of high-voltage look-at-me colors.

Pops of color can be very exciting in a room's decor. My favorites;

SW 6859

Feverish Pink

SW 6967

Frank Blue

SW 6921

Electric Lime

Some of these new colors are extremely bold and dark. There are options available in the same color family that are softer and or lighter. You can get more colors and details about Sherwin Williams trends for next year on their website www.sherwin-williams.com.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like me at www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Decorating with Paint - 1

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Do you want to freshen up a room with a new paint color? Add new color accents to a neutral room with pillows, window treatments or upholstery fabric? I am selecting some colors for a room I am designing and I needed some inspiration. Currently, the room is a blank slate, so I have the opportunity to add color with paint, fabric and artwork. The first place I checked out was the Benjamin Moore website to see their forecast of colors and was pleasantly surprised with all the color options and interesting color combinations they provided.

The trend colors for the 2012 section gave me ideas of new colors to mix together. I noticed that gray, teal and burgundy/purple colors are very current. Neutrals are always needed and Benjamin Moore helps you use them in different ways.

The two rooms above us the same color pallet, but in completely different approaches. I like the dark trim in the first photo. It is a unique twist from the traditional white or off white trim color. The second picture has a sky blue ceiling with the dark walls. This adds an extra dash of color and life to the dark green room. The same colors were used in both rooms, but they have been used in varying locations.

The two views of this mirrored chest and artwork look completely different, even though the grouping of colors is the same. The difference is the dominant color on the wall. The first photo has a blue wall with red and dark taupe accent colors in the twigs. The second photo uses the dark taupe on the wall and blue and red accents in the artwork and accessories. I like that the same chest can have a traditional look and a more contemporary look just by changing a few accessories.

The Benjamin Moore website was fun to use for new ideas. The 2012 trend colors can be viewed using the link provided. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-trends-2012;jsessionid=HvJ1QpnBPNplk1xSzrKhQdKvz4W6H32J3bCNdDLDpJ3Qgvs8nJ3S!1556887689!NONE.

I also viewed the Sherwin Williams website. I will let you know what I found on this site next.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like me at www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Many seats for a small space

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:53:00 +0000

These days we tend to have informal gatherings of friends and family hanging out in the family room. Many times they are standing or sitting on the floor, because there isn't enough seating. It is so nice to create places to sit in the family room to accommodate as many people as possible. Even if it is just for friends to come over and watch television. This family room is beautiful with it's beachy white walls, sofa and rug, but it also has seating for 8 people. Everyone will be engaged in this close conversation area. The smaller scaled chairs and ottomans allow for a lot of seating without crowding this small area. Function and beauty will keep friends and family coming back to hang out in this home.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Contemporary Farmhouse Style Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:02:00 +0000

This is a kitchen remodel I worked on last spring with a client. She had lots of exciting ideas and was willing to expand the existing footprint of the kitchen. The most challenging part of this project was fitting together cohesively all of the elements she wanted to include. We successfully collaborated to create a new welcoming, more efficient kitchen the whole family likes to use.

The group of before pictures, shows a kitchen footprint that a family of four used every morning and evening together. The table in the center was added for additional counter space, but took up valuable square footage and created a narrow passage through the kitchen in front of the refrigerator.

The client wanted a new larger kitchen with a contemporary farm house style. First, the kitchen was bumped out 6 feet and a large new window was added over the sink. The desired design was achieved by adding painted cabinetry, exposed beams, a large rustic black hammered metal hood and soapstone counter tops. The cabinetry has inset doors which is a classic style for older built-in cabinets. The rustic hood is the center of attention and is enhanced by the tiled wall behind it. The open shelving on either side keeps your focus on the beautiful hood. We opted to use recessed lighting, so the look of the beams would not be interrupted. Finally, a long center table was added for more work space. The base is made of reclaimed wood and the top is covered in stainless steel. This kitchen now has the style the client envisioned and it is functional for her family.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. Also, like www.facebook.com/dottywymandesigns.

Decorating Dining Room - Accessorizing (8)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:23:00 +0000

Finally, I have accessorized my new dining room. I am happy to say, the last couple of months have been busy, so I haven't had much time to work on my own space.

The accessorizing step of a design project is extremely important for providing the room a finished and pulled together feeling. Since the walls in my dining room are chocolate brown and the furniture is mahogany, I wanted to bring in some bright pops of color. I am able to do this with brightly colored glass bowls and vases. Some of the artwork on the walls has white matting to add lightness too. Without these accessories the room would look dull and uninteresting.

Accessorizing a room is time consuming. Many times items that look great in the store, don't work as well in your home. The goal is to have accessories that fit the room's new design and that you like them. Also, in my project I wanted to reuse some of the items in the room, because these pieces had special meaning to me and my family. Items that appeared dated were stored away.

My dining room isn't 100% complete. I plan to add the mirror, pictured below, to the wall above the chest of draws and some type of throw on the dining table. Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Accessories Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Lately, I have done some accessories shopping for clients as well as myself (blogged dining room project). It can be a challenge to find just the right items to complete a room's design and add some of your own personality. Rules I try to follow are; if you have many accessories in a room they should look like you have collected them over time, and a more modern or contemporary room may only have a few accessories and each single item should add significant impact.

Shopping this trip has taken me to Wellesley, Newton and Natick. One client was looking for kitchen and family room accessories. We had luck finding a large cutting board and cheese dome to sit on her large island at Pottery Barn. We also found, at Pottery Barn, some great glass candle holders with moss for her family room coffee table. The pillar candles are wrapped in birch bark which add an organic element to the room. This is a large space with a vaulted ceiling and required a substantial grouping of items. Some other places we visited were Crate and Barrel and Bloomingdales. No purchases at either, but they have some great items. I was surprised that the prices at both are fairly reasonable.

Decorative cutting board on kitchen island

Grouping of birch bark wrapped candles and moss in
large hurricane holder

Artwork is another way to add layers and presonnality to a room. Oil paintings and orignal art can be expensive, but add a tremendous amount of uniqueness and interest to a room. Paintings help to fill in the open spaces of large walls. They add height and color and keep your eyes moving around the room. Below is a painting we selected from the Renjeau Gallery www.renjeau.com in Natick.

Oil painting above fireplace mantel

Once you have your most important accessories in place, you can find additional items at discount stores. It takes a little extra time to poke around and uncover the choice items, but you can save some money. Accessorizing can be hard work, but it is worth the effort. A room will not look complete until those last few items are in place. Good luck accessorizing the next room in your home.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Window treatments (7)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0000

The window treatments have been added to my newly redesigned dining room. I chose to do long drapes hung just below the crown moulding. Hanging the drapes close the the ceiling helps to create height and draw your eye to the ceiling. This is important, since the ceiling is painted a unique yellow color and I want to bring attention to it. The bone colored velvet fabric is a nice contrast to the chocolate brown walls and helps to lighten up the room. The raspberry trim is a fun color and adds a little detail. The decorative wood rods have an intricately designed finials and rings. This design works well with the solid fabric drapes.

The velvet window treatments are interlined which gives them incredible weight and helps them to look full and luxurious.

The long drapes make a grand statement in this chocolate colored dining room.

The drapes go almost to the ceiling and bring your eye up to see the yellow paint color.

Close up of the burnished gold rods

The drapes grazing the floor.

The room is really coming together. All that it needs now are some colorful accessories. Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Paint and more (6)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:59:00 +0000

The dining room project is once again moving along. When the rain came, so did the painter for some interior work. He called me on Tuesday last week and was there on Thursday to start the job. Since I had already selected the colors for the room and ordered the wallpaper, he could come even on such short notice. The work to replace the baseboard moulding, wallpaper and paint was completed in two days. They accomplished everything I requested. There were only 2 small changes to the original estimate, which the painter confirmed with me prior to starting.

A view of the overall look of the walls

The picture above shows the rich brown paint on the upper portion of the walls which is balanced with the bold striped wallpaper below the chair rail. The 2 3/4" baseboard moulding has been replaced with 7 3/4" moulding (the same height as the heat registers) and all the trim has been painted with a fresh coat of white paint. I decided to paint the ceiling a golden yellow color (pictured below). I thought the color on the ceiling would give the room a more contemporary feeling and it was an opportunity for me to introduce the yellow color from my design inspiration photos into the room.

Below are a few more detailed pictures of the walls and ceiling.

The 7 3/4" baseboard adds a strong architectural detail

The baseboard heat has also been painted white to blend
with the baseboard moulding

The yellow painted ceiling is unexpected and helps to
accentuate the crown moulding

The dining room redesign is almost complete. The window treatments are the next step in my project plan. I am in the process of making the drapes and I have ordered the decorative drapery rods.

Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Upholstry (5)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:31:00 +0000

I am back from summer vacation and ready to complete my dining room redesign. Plans for the dining room remain in place and I have made only a few minor alterations. I have experienced a couple of delays, but nothing serious. One of the chair fabrics was on back order for a few weeks, but has since been delivered. Also, the painter I have hired has been doing a lot of outside work and asked if he could do the painting in a few weeks. Since I am not in a rush for this project I agreed to the extended delay.

My dining table chairs and large upholstered chair went out to the upholsterer the first week in August. All seven chairs returned a week later finished. They look great. The seat cushions were done with a self welt around the bottom of the cushion and the fabric is tightly stretched without any puckering. The unique shape of the arm chair really shows off the print fabric and the multiple colors bring everything in the room together. I will make a pillow for the large chair as an accent as well.

Hint: the chairs were upholstered so quickly, because summer is usually a slower time for the upholsterer. As we approach the fall they will get busier, so if you have a piece to be reupholstered before the holidays get it there soon.

Reupholstering is a wonderful way to update an existing piece of furniture and make it work with your new interior design. Below I have included a few pictures of the reupholstered chairs.

Large upholstered chair

The large scale pattern and bold colors add
interest to the room's overall design

Dining table chair

The traditional chair has a little more of a pop with this fun dot fabric

The cushion welt adds an additional layer of detail and finishes the
edge of the chair cushion

Things are really starting to come together. Please share any comments with me and I will write again about the next stage of design the project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Hiring Trades People (4)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

The next step in the design process is to hire the trades people for the project. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I need to hire an upholsterer, painter, finish wood worker and possibly an electrician. I am making the window treatments, so I will not need to hire a window treatment service. Hiring trade professionals can be an overwhelming task, because you need to trust that they can do the work needed for your design project.

I'm sure you have heard it before, but a great way to hire someone is through word of mouth. You have the opportunity to look at their previous work and get the real scoop from someone who has already worked with that trades person. Don't worry, if you need to hire unrecommended trades people, just make sure you get a few different estimates and check their references. Quality of work is important, but so is showing up on time, cleanliness, accurate cost estimates, time needed to complete the work and trustworthiness. The other important factor is to communicate your expectations clearly. The trades person needs to know specifically what you want and your time constraints. The more details you provide about the project and the more questions you ask, leaves less of a chance for problems due to miscommunication.

I have hired the upholsterer and as soon as all of my fabrics have been delivered I will have him pick up the chairs. The painter I contacted is willing to do the small amount of finish carpentry. This will eliminate the extra work for me of trying to find a finish carpenter to do such a small job. I am still on the fence about adding additional lighting at this point in time. I will let you know what I decide.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Select Finishes (3)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:05:00 +0000

This is my third blog about redesigning my dining room. I initially identified the Wynn Hotel lobby as the inspiration for my room. Next I made a plan of all the tasks I need to accomplish prior to starting work or making purchases for this redecorating project. I have determined the scope, budget and date I would like to have the room completed. Now I am able to do more of the fun and creative parts of decorating, selecting the finishes to be used in the room.

The walls will be painted and wallpapered in a dark brown tone, similar to some of the Wynn lobby walls. Since the furniture in the room is also dark I have selected a striped wallpaper with a lighter brown color as well. The wallpaper will be hung below the chair rail and paint above it. All the moulding in the room will remain white. This will help to keep the room from getting too dark. The fabric choices will also need to be light in color to keep the room lively and inviting.

Wallpaper to be used below chair rail

Four fabrics have been chosen for the room. The window treatments will be made from a bone colored velvet and rasberry/green tassel trim . The dining chair seats will use a raised velvet rasberry colored dot pattern along with a green fabric used for piping around the edge. Finally, the upholstered chair in the corner will use an intricate and colorful floral fabric. The floral fabric helps to tie all the other fabrics together. Usually, I will find the fabric with the large print and multiple colors first and select the solid, stripe and/or small patterned fabrics after, but this time the floral was the last fabric selected.

Overview of fabrics and wall coverings

Dining chair seat fabric

Dining chair welt around edge of seat

Upholstered chair fabric

Drapery trim

Now that I have made all of my selections I need to verify everything is available. Once this is accomplished I will order the fabrics, trim and wallpaper. I will also start the process of hiring the trades people.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Planning (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:10:00 +0000

The planning portion of any design project is the most important. Start by identifying the scope of the project and your budget. These two steps are critical whether you use an interior designer or do the project yourself. The scope of my design project includes painting and papering the walls, replacing the window treatments and reupholstering the chairs. Things I also am considering to replace are the base moulding and adding recessed lighting. My budget is $4,000.

Below I have outlined my project plan. These are all the things I want to have accomplished before I have any tradespeople come to my home or order anything. Remember this is a design plan and may change as the project evolves.

Project Plan for Dining Room

Identify scope and budget - above
Identify date needed - If you want a project completed prior to a special event try to start it early, 2 to 3 months prior. Design projects always seem to incur delays. Lately, many fabrics are not carried in stock and the waiting time to get them can be 8 weeks. I would like to have my project completed over the summer. I am in no rush, but want to set a deadline for myself.
Select finishes - I like to have most or all new finishes and fabrics selected prior to purchasing anything. This allows me to coordinate and see how everything works together. Also, if a finish is no longer available you have the opportunity to change several of your choices if needed. For example, if the paint color is based on the fabric that is now out of stock, you can get a new fabric and adjust the paint color to match. Your choices can't always occur in advance for large projects, but for my dining room project I believe it is the best approach.
Hire trades people for each job - I will need to hire a carpenter/painter, electrician (if needed) and an upholsterer. I am hoping the same person can do the painting, wallpapering and moulding replacement, since it is a smaller job. I will use the same upholsterer and electrician I have used in the past. As a designer, I have contact with trades people that I trust and have seen their work. Make sure you hire reliable people with references. I will make the window treatments myself, but have factored their cost into the estimated budget.
Timeline for project task completion - Most design projects need tasks to occur in some type of order, because they are contingent on the prior task. The painter/carpenter need to come first, then I can install the window treatments. The upholstery can be done any time (no contingency). If I decide to add recessed lighting, the electrician will need to come first. They will make the biggest mess and the painter can repair any damage.
Execute the plan - Purchase fabrics, paint, wallpaper. Have your room ready for the trades people to do their work. Communicate with tradespeople what you want. It's hard to fix something that is already completed.

I am starting to get a good sense of where my interior design project is going. I now have my inspiration, my project scope and the design plan in place to get started. My next step is to start moving on the to do's created in my design plan. I look forward to sharing my fabric, paint and wallpapber choices.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Inspiration (1)

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:13:00 +0000

I am going to give my dining room a little bit of a face lift and wanted to give you some insight about the process from beginning to end. The plan is to give the dining space a bold new look without replacing everything in the room. The big ticket items such as the dining room set and oriental are staying put. I will work with these pieces, because I like them and they have classic designs. I will accomplish this new look by changing the walls, the fabrics, drapery hardware and a few different accessories.

I have not done anything to the dining room in over ten years and it is due for a change. The draperies have faded, the curtain rods are dated and so are the fabrics. The positives about the room are the hardwood floors, the detailed crown moulding and the 8' ceiling height. The space is good size for a dining room 13.5' x 14.5', so there is plenty of room for the large scale furniture.

My first step is to find an inspiration for the room. This could be anything from a piece of artwork you want to build the room around or a room you saw and want to recreate it in your home. I was inspired by the lobby of the Winn Hotel in Las Vegas for my dining room. The lobby has a sophisticated harlequin theme with dark walls, luxurious fabrics and playful colorful accents sprinkled around. I want to incorporate some of the same rich fabrics, dark walls and colorful accents they used, but tailor it for my home. Included are a few pictures of the Wynn Hotel lobby.

Now that I have my inspiration I can pull together a plan for the redesign of my dining room. I will go over planning in my next blog.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

California Closets - My experience

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:38:00 +0000

Recently, I attended a charity auction and bid on (and won) a $500 gift certificate for California Closets. I wanted to learn more about their closet systems and the company. The closets always look so organized and perfect in the brochures, but I wanted to know if it was really worth it.

Below are a couple of pictures of what the closet looks like now. The wire rack system works and makes pretty good use of the closet space compared to a single wood pole. I don't like the wire shelves. Items don't seem to sit well on them, especially shoes. Clothing is hung up in 12" section, so you can't slide you clothes to see what you want to pull out. Many items need to be stacked on top of each other which makes it difficult to get at them.

A week after the auction I called the California Closets sales person about my closet project. I explained, the need to redo my daughter's closet to accommodate her hanging clothing, shoes, her fathers off season shirts and piles of stuff on the closet floor. I met with Nancy a few days later to discuss my options. She put together a computer drawing for me to see during our meeting. She easily made adjustments to shelf heights and widths. When she left I had the closet layout and the price.

Once I confirmed the closet layout I scheduled an installation a week later. Prior to the installer arriving I had to empty the closet and take down the wire rack system. Removing the racks and screws from the wall only took me about 1 hour. I have yet to Spackle the holes left, so I still have to do a little more work. They would have done it for me for an additional cost. California Closets called to confirm the appointment the previous day. The installer arrived on time and completed installing the closet system in a little more than an hour (I thought it was very quick). The closet system seems very sturdy, strong and used every inch of space.

My overall assessment of Tori's new closet is positive. I really like the solid lament shelves. It allows more items to be up off the floor and at eye level. Most of the hanging clothing is easily accessible on aluminum poles. The upper right bar for clothing is a challenge to reach, but this area is great for items you don't need to get to everyday. The new closet system does not allow us to put more stuff in the closet (same amount went back in), but the items there are more organized and can be accessed more easily. This is a pricey investment. It cost $1,030 to do the entire closet, including installation. After saying that, I received excellent customer service and the closet is guaranteed for life. They made it so easy from my initial call until installation. If you want that extra attention, convenience and quality then this could be a good option for you.

Closet is filled and every shelf is used

Not as perfect as the brochure, but
everything fits and I can close the doors

http://www.californiaclosets.com/

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Add some Spring indoors

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:02:00 +0000

Spring is here...sort of. I know it isn't that warm out, but we are all itching to do a little something with our homes to spruce them up from the long cold winter. Outside you can see the plants sprouting and the trees budding. There are lots of ways you can bring this new growth into your homes and make it feel refreshed.

One option is to bring budding branches into your home. Branches have a much different look than a vase of flowers and they will usually last longer. Branches have a variety of shapes. They can be long and straight or others are crooked with lots of little branches attached. Long branches can be arranged in floor vases to make a dramatic impact in your foyer. Or a large arrangement can be placed on a dining room table to add a more organic look. These branches work well in any home, but they are especially suited for contemporary and transitional interior designs that are currently so popular.

Branches are available to everyone. Your local florist can provide them or you can cut them yourself. For example, Forsythia is a bush or hedge and is native to New England. Most of the year it is green, but in the spring it produces thousands of small yellow flowers. They grow very quickly, so there is no worry of cutting off to many branches. When I was a kid, every spring my mother would bring in large bunches of Forsythia, Pussy Willows, apple blossoms and some times Dogwood branches throughout the season. She would cut them prior to the buds opening, put them in water and wait. Once the branches were warm inside the house, the buds would start to bloom. She called it forcing the blooms. The florist has access to more specific looks that may not be available in your yard.

The wall sconces pictured are a great option if you want to change their look every few months.

Natural elements are easy ways to enhance the look of your home. I don't have much of a green thumb, so these types of arrangements are right up my alley.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Consignment Shopping follow-up

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:39:00 +0000

I got some terrific feedback regarding my blog on consignment shopping. People really like getting unique quality furnishing for their home without going over their budget. Several friends have mentioned that they have found things recently or in the past, at consignment shops.

Consignment shopping does require some patience. You will need to review online websites with pictures or stop by the shop periodically to find what you are looking for. Some enjoy the hunt for that perfect item. It is not for everyone, but it allows many of us to keep things fresh and interesting.

I have taken additional clients to consignment shops to search for unique things that we just couldn't find at Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel or other home furnishing stores. Many times a newly decorated interior can look too perfect if the client doesn't have aged items of their own. Used accessories add a little personality and depth to the space. I find when I go to the Boston Design Center many of the shops sell antiques or used items as well. Designers look at the shape and scale of an item. They can update it with paint and/or fabric for today's use. It's all about blocking out the ugly and finding the perfect item. Just because it isn't an antique doesn't mean it won't look great in your home.

A few popular consignment shops in Southeastern, MA are listed below.

Go Simple (within Floral Scents Florist)
515 Washington Street
Canton, MA
(781) 821-5500 ‎
http://www.gosimple.info/

Boston Consignment
238 Needham Street
Needham, MA
(781) 449-0900
http://www.bostonconsigns.com/

Furniture Consignment Gallery
756 Washington Street
Hanover, MA
(781) 826-5114
http://furnitureconsignment.com/

Remember consignment shops are a great option if you want sell quality furniture or accessories.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Shag carpeting is back

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Shag carpeting is back and of course with a new twist. It's not the same shag I grew up with in the 70's, with all the bright colors and long strands. Today's shags have lots of lush texture, a thicker pile and the strands are a little shorter. The colors are more neutral and multi-colored for today's homes. I was surprised to see how many options and price points that were available as well.

Shag carpeting has a cut pile, the yarns are slightly twisted, with a much less twist than the frieze. The individual yarn strands are longer and spaced further apart. The shag gives a "grass type look" because the strands lay in a different directions.

A client of mine is redecorating her family room. We are changing the paint color, selecting fabrics for window treatments and pillows, and purchasing a new carpet. This large family room has beautiful oak hardwood floors, but we wanted to create a fun casual and comfortable feeling. The shag rug is a great solution. We plan to treat the shag carpet as an area rug. It will be cut to size and bound around the edges. The thick plush shag will stand out against the hardwood creating tremendous impact for the room. I really like using the shag carpet as an area rug. It keeps the rug from overwhelming the room and it keeps things looking fresh.

A few tidbits I learned at the carpet store; Shag carpeting is easily seamed without needing to match a pattern. This allows for very little waste and a cost savings to the consumer. The seams are undectible creating an even more beautiful rug.

Please send along any comments I would like to hear from you.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Consignment Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:13:00 +0000

Have you ever considered shopping at a consignment shop for interior design items for your home?

Recently, I went into the Canton consignment shop "Go Simple" and was pleasantly surprised with the selection they had to offer. The owner, Janet Conroy, had many decorative items, as well as, serving pieces for your kitchen or dining room. You do have to hunt for the right pieces, but the rewards are big and the price tag is small. This is a place where it is easy to take a risk, since items are usually sold at a fraction of their original cost. She has lamps, clocks, glassware, prints and furniture pieces. I liked this shop, because it wasn't all furniture or large items. I was able to purchase a working marble lamp base for $20 that just needed a little cleaning up and a shade. I think the lamp will work well with the new lamps my client has purchased over the past several months. Another item I saw was a grandmother clock. This is a beautiful decorative piece that will add tremendous interest to a room. This is something no one else will have and looks like an heirloom that has been passed down. Consignment shopping can be a great way to find unique items that add character and age to any newly decorated space.

I plan to go to some other consignment shops in Needham and Hanover. These shops focus more on furniture. I will let you know if there are any interesting decorative pieces to be found.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Kitchen remodel completed

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:33:00 +0000

The kitchen remodel project is nearly complete and I wanted to share some before and after photos with you. As mentioned in previous blogs, this kitchen remodel consisted of replacing the gray tile floor with oak hardwood, adding molding and painting the existing oak cabinetry, replacing the white tile backsplash with marble subway tile, painting the walls and ceiling and upgrading the stove and sink.

The first pictures are views of the refrigerator and small counter area. The microwave was relocated to this seldom used counter space and was given a built in appearance with side brackets. Notice the large moldings that were added to the tops of the upper cabinets and the molding on the sides of the cabinet boxes (upper and lower). These additions make these cabinets look more custom. Feet have been added to the toekick as well. The black granite and the tile add to the traditional and timeless feeling of the new kitchen.

The next two views are of the kitchen sink and cabinetry around it. The crown molding and molding along the bottom of the upper cabinets add detail and they become a focal point for the kitchen. These pictures show more of the movement and color changes in the marble tile. Marble is beautiful, but it can stain. Using it as the backsplash allows you to add it to a new kitchen without the worry of damage.

The black stove has been replaced with a white one that blends in seamlessly with the painted cabinets and now matches the other appliances. We moved the microwave next to the refrigerator, opening up additional counter space in the important work area of the kitchen.

The desk was transformed as well. The crown molding adds architectural detail and interest to the upper portion of the desk. The glaze settles into the ridges and makes them more defined. The feet at the bottom make it look more like a piece of furniture. The final change was replacing the formica counter top with a white marble that coordinates with the marble backsplash. Since this is the desk area there is less chance for it to be stained. You can see the oak flooring and taupe walls in these pictures which makes the desk look great and warms up the kitchen.

Finally, I have included a few close up pictures that show some of the detail added to the kitchen. The corbels under the extended island top adds the appearance of support for the granite overhang. We added molding to the top of the cabinets, but also added 7 1/2" baseboard molding to the floor. This a great detail and helps to disguise the radiators.

I hope these before and after pictures of this kitchen remodel have inspired some ideas for your kitchen. Please send me any comments you may have.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Christmas Decorating - Throw pillows

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:52:00 +0000

My final Christmas decorating idea is to add festive throw pillows to your family room or living room. This is an easy way to add holiday spirit in unexpected places. Decorating for the holidays can be done in layers taking advantage of all the surfaces in your home.

The family room shown in these pictures, I have added green and red pillows on a neutral sofa. The pillows have a satin sheen to them which gives the room a subtle festive look. The colors coordinate with the room's color scheme which makes it possible to put the pillows out early in the holiday season and you don't need to put them away until well after the new year.

The leather sofa in this picture has a hint of the holidays with a brown and green pillow and a red throw behind it. The petals on this pillow has a lot of texture and adds interest to this dark sofa. All the pillows above were purchased at TJ Maxx in the pillow section not the holiday section. I searched for the colors I wanted to use, not what the store deemed holiday decor.

I have included some other pillow designs to help you choose the right pillows for your holiday design. The beaded white pillow adds sparkle and shine. The red, green and brown pillows are a more contemporary options. Have a great holiday season.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Christmas Decorating - playful window

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:31:00 +0000

When decorating for the holidays you want everything to look perfect, but don't forget to have a little fun. I have created a simple treatment for this kitchen's box window that everyone will enjoy, especially the kids.

These handmade inspired plush decorations look great grouped off to one side of the window looking at a simple pine tree. Each of the three characters I put together has similar colors, but they are not exactly the same. The reindeer came from a different collection and it adds some interest and keeps the grouping from looking like it is a matched set. Also, notice each of the characters is a different height. Grouped decorations always seem to work better when each has a different height. The little Christmas tree off to the left fills the remaining space of the large window sill.

Another idea for this group of characters is to put them on your fireplace. You could put the trio on either end of the mantel and hang your stocking in the center. Adding some burlap fabric, gathered up in places would add to the rustic feel of this decoration as well.

Keeping things simple keeps the stress away. These whimsical decorations make me smile every time I look at them. I guess that's why I put them on my kitchen window. They were not expensive and very accessible. The characters are at T.J. Maxx and I got the tree at Target.

Have fun.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Christmas Decorating - Table Center Piece

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:15:00 +0000

The holiday season is here and we are all pulling out our decorations from last year. Some things we like and other items we vowed not to use again. I thought I would give you a few of my ideas for holiday decorating over the next week.

One of the easiest ways to decorate the kitchen or dining room is to add a center piece to your table. Actually, you cold do it on a large coffee table too. This provides a lot of holiday impact for the room without lots of little things that clutter. Everyone's eye is drawn to your center piece. In the picture above, I have arranged 3 large, but varied sizes of urns on a velvet throw for a dining room table. The urns have the look of mercury glass that is chipping away from the sides to give them an aged look and a little sparkle. The velvet throw has beads sewn to the edges, also giving them a little glitter. I have gathered up the throw to create a circle of fabric around the urns in the center. This creates some movement and places for the light to reflect and it also allows you to see your table

Once you have found one or three objects (always good to work in odd numbers) and some type of fabric, throw, table cloth, etc... you can create your center piece in a few minutes. Place the throw on the table and center it flat. Now arrange the objects in the center of the table, most likely in a triangular shape (if using three things). Finally, push the sides of the throw/fabric toward the center without covering the bases of the decorative pieces. This creates the crinkles and folds of the fabric and your center piece is complete.

Finding items to create the center piece can be a challenge, but just keep your eyes open. The objects you select do not need to be in the Christmas section of the store. They just need to have a little shimmer or shine and be large. The throw or fabric could be what makes the center piece more appropriate for the holidays. Also, try using items you already own and mix them with velvet or silk. The urns I selected are from Christmas Tree Shop and the velvet throw is from Pier 1. Try to experiment and have a good time. Remember it is only temporary.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Student Art Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:35:00 +0000

This weekend I went to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts sale with a couple of friends. The first floor gallery featured student paintings and other artwork that were for sale to the public. Large framed canvas painting, as well as, practice sketches were displayed on every wall. In addition, many items were unframed and in stacks to be viewed by patrons. The artwork was unique and original and that was reflected in the price. Most of the framed artwork pieces were $1,000 or more. The other unframed sketches, watercolors and other medium pieces were under $900 and many ranging between $250 to $550.

Going to art galleries can be intimidating and I thought this was an opportunity to checkout many new artists at one time. There was a lot of artwork to choose from and there were many people milling around to keep you company. I'm not sure you if you would be choosing artwork from the next famous painter, but this art show provided an opportunity to see what the future artists are doing and thinking right now.

The artwork pieces in your home should reflect your interests and what is appealing to your sense of style. Not all of it needs to be expensive. Events like a student art sale are great opportunities to find original pieces to display and add uniqueness to your home's decor.

The School of the MFA art sale is over for this year, but there are others at the RISD alumni sale (12/4) and Massart Holiday Sale (12/6 - 11). Consider checking out a student art sale for a one of a kind art piece for yourself or as a gift.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Mixing patterns for a sophiticated room design

noreply@blogger.com (Dotty Wyman) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:39:00 +0000

I love walking into a space that has an interesting mix of patterns. If done well, the room will feel cohesive and everything will blend together. This doesn't mean everything is an exact match. Surfaces with pattern could include the furniture, walls, floors, window treatments, pillows and table cloths. Mixing patterns within one room can be intimidating, but worth the risk.

There are 5 different patterns in this living room

The key to mixing patterns is to make sure the scale or size of each pattern is varied. It is easier to mix different types of patterns, so they are not competing with each other. For example, a very common mix of patterned fabrics is the large scale floral, the stripe (or plaid) and a small repeating pattern, such as a pin dot or diamond pattern. By using three patterned fabrics you are able to introduce additional colors in either a bold or minimal way. One way to make this combination even more interesting is the select fabrics made of different fibers. Mix flat fabrics like cotton and linen with those that have a sheen such as silk or polyester silk and if you are feeling daring throw in a chenille for texture.

Bold pattern to be
combined with
complimentary patterns
to the right

Another important aspect of mixing pattern is determining how much of a pattern is actually appearing in the room. A wildly bold fabric is not going to over take a room if it is only on one or two pillows. On the other hand, a very small scale print used for draperies may disappear if you step away from it. Putting the right pattern in the right place works to create the desired design effect. When fabric samples are all the same size it can be difficult to see that a bold print will not take over a space used sparingly. Using each chosen pattern in varying amount throughout your room creates interest and balance, giving your room appeal.

The neutral backdrop of the rug, sofa and the sheer panels allows the
pillows and small chair to be dramatic focal points

I have focused on fabrics, but I don't want to forget patterned rugs and wallpaper. Both add beauty and warmth to a room and need to mix cohesively with the fabrics too. The same rules apply, mix patterns of different scales. An oriental rugs can have an intricate pattern that blends well with a large scale print for drapery panels. On the other hand, a large patterned oriental rug would work better with a large or small scale repeating pattern, such as a Greek key or lattice pattern.

Red and white in varied patterns around the room.

Try mixing some patterns for your next interior design project. You will be able to exceed your original expectations for the room. Remember you can start out with a couple of patterns and layer on more later on as you figure things out and become more confident.

A more subtle mix of fabrics

Again 5 different patterns in one room and it looks

well designed.

Please let me know what other interior design areas you would like to learn about.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.