Decor&You

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At Decor&You, your Styleprint® Decor Designer has your best interests at heart from the very first day we meet to the day of your grand reveal.  The designs that we create for you are mix of art and science (yes, really!) that are reflective of your distinct goals, personality and design aesthetic.  We are exceptional at delivering spaces that create a WOW FACTOR.  Our clients frequently tell us that we bring ideas to the table that they never could have imagined on their own. Decor&You decorators also have the ability to bring two diverging style preferences together in a way that allows both parties to be happy with the result.

Here’s how we create your WOW FACTOR space:

·     We listen to your vision and goals, yet we go the extra mile to gain an understanding behind whyyou have chosen them in the first place.  This allows us to gain a deeper insight into how your space will function and flowfor your particular lifestyle needs both now and in the future.

·     We do a complete evaluationof your space, going beyond just the room measurements. This includes the relationship to other rooms, your home’s architectural characteristics and existing aesthetic look and feel, evaluating sun exposure and current lighting, as well as your home and community setting.

·     We discuss your personal style preferences, both likes and dislikes. If you’re not sure what they are, no problem!  We’ll discover them with you!

·     We create spaces that work within your investment parameters. However, if there are coordinating items or upgrade options, we will introduce it to you for consideration noting that it is above the identified investment range.  As always, the choice is yours.

·     We present you with three options to choose from.  Often, clients will take pieces and parts from particular options and create a fourth!

·     You make your final selections and we go to work taking measurement, placing orders, coordinating deliveries, and setting up your space to showcase your styleprint!

Ready to get started on a space of your own? Your local Styleprintdecorator would be happy to create a WOW FACTOR space for you. Simply click on the Find Your Local Decorator button below to find a pro near you.

If you’ve never worked with a decorator you may be unsure of what to expect.  You may be nervous about trusting someone to select things for your home that you will actually like. Even homeowners who have worked with a professional decorator in the past have these same concerns and it’s completely understandable.  At Decor&You we like to set things up for success at the very beginning by giving you the keys to having the best possible experience with your decorator.

1.    Be Honest!

Communication is a critical piece.  

·     Ask questions

·     Outline your expectations

·     If you don’t know, say so It is ok to say No!

·     Be sure whomever is involved is included

·     Give feedback

1. Be Realistic!

·     With timing. Things only happen overnight when you have a large

budget, a large crew, and the design plans with product procurement agreed upon prior to execution.

·     With your vision.   Does your vision for your room match up with your investment parameters?  If yes, great!

·     With your budget.

·     With your willingness to live with chaos while your project is being executed.

·     If no, can you be ok with implementing the plan in phases? Or, consider what will minimally get your vision realized.

1. Be Open!

·     To suggestions of good design from a professional that fit your preferences and your space

·     To suggestions for prioritizing implementation.

·     To sharing your concerns about any aspect of the design execution

·     Ultimately, it is your choice!

Remember, your decorator has responsibilities too, including:

·     Listening to your vision/goals

·     Understanding your space

·     Understanding your preferences

·     Understanding your investment parameters

·     Creating options for you to choose

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the fourth and final phase of our Downsizing Guide. We designed this step-by-step guide to assist in making the process both manageable and efficient. Downsizing requires careful thought and planning, but we promise the renewed joy you will experience in both your home and life will be a welcomed reward after all your hard work.

Here’s a quick look back at parts 1 through 3. Please feel free to refer to the links below to refresh your memory, if needed.

·     Part 1: Focus, Plan & Evaluate. You gained focus by visualizing your end goal, created a plan to determine how to bring your vision to life, and evaluated your existing furnishings and belongings.

·     Part 2: Tackling What’s Missing. Here you completed Your Styleprint Specifics worksheet to create three different, well-rounded decor plans from which to choose. Then, you selected one of those plans to bring to life.

·     Part 3: Your Action Plan.  In this phase you utilized the Action Plan Worksheet to compile a shopping list, order information, delivery and installation details.

Welcome to Part 4 – Make it Real, Celebrate and Review!

If you haven’t yet guessed, now it’s “go” time!  You’ve completed all the steps to ensure that you are well prepared and organized. Now the day has come to make it real!  I’m sure you are excited and possibly, a bit nervous.  Rest assured, the following checklist will assist in making it a real breeze!

1.    Gather all your worksheets from Parts 1 through 3.

2.    For anyone assisting with your move, determine the following:

•      What are their responsibilities?  

•      Are you ready to give them access to your items to be moved?

•      Do you have a plan ready to show them where in your new home they will be placed?  

•      Having items and boxes set in the right place makes unpacking so much easier!

3.    Has all pre-move work been completed? Such as:

•      Cleaning

•      Carpet cleaning

•      Replacing floors, appliances, etc.

•      Painting or wall papering

4.    Are you moving some personal items—clothing, etc.?  If so, decide when you will do it.

5.    What is scheduled for delivery or installation and when?

•       Don’t forget items like your cable and internet service!

•       Make sure that someone will be on-site for those items.

6.    Be sure to keep things that you will need immediately accessible. You may want to label a box or two with “Open Me First”. You will be glad you did when you are in the kitchen and wanting to make a cup of coffee or find a favorite snack, when you need your toiletries in your bathroom and when you are ready to make your bed for the first night.

7.    When unpacking, leave your artwork and accessories last—get the big stuff in and arranged. Unpack what’s most important to function and then tackle the other items a room at a time.

8.    Artwork should be the very last item placed. Why? Once everything else is in place it will be easier to see where you want to put it.

Once everything is in, placed, opened, and hung, it’s time to celebrate and survey your accomplishment. Even if it is not totally perfect or finished—it’s important to sit back and reflect on all that you have achieved. This may mean sitting down with a cup of coffee or glass of wine with your spouse, friend, or even by yourself.  Take a look around - WOW!

Next, if you have anything left to do—create a short list—and then you can get it scheduled.  Or, maybe nothing needs to be done!  In that case - HURRAY! Now’s a good time to simply enjoy yourself and perhaps plan your first gathering of friends and family in your new home!

If you’ve been following our series on Revitalizing Your Home, congratulations, you’ve made it to the fourth and final stage! For those of you just joining us, or if you need a quick refresher, here’s an abbreviated synopsis. We started this journey in Part 1 by guiding you to complete a quick evaluation of your space and giving you suggestions on implementing quick fixes with impact.  Part 2 focused on color schemes, flow, walls, floors and ceilings and in Part 3 we discussed floor plans and room arrangement with a focus on functionality and accessibility. In Part 4, our final stage, you will critique your wall art, accessories, and storage.

Let’s start with art.  

Throughout our lives we collect pieces of art. Some pieces you will love for a lifetime, others may capture a moment in time or place, and yet others may have been selected to complete a room and have no emotion attached to it. All of these are good! But, from time to time it makes sense to take a look at all of it to to see if changing the art might have an impact that helps us feel refreshed and excited about our home.

Sometimes, simply moving the art around your home makes it feel fresh and different—it adds a spark—almost as if it is new.  Other times, we may have lost the love for certain pieces and are now ready to bring in something new. If you designate art that you are going to retire, give away, or donate to a good cause, the next step is to investigate sources for new art.  Determine a budget for this investment.  Are you looking to invest in a piece you will keep for years or do you just need to finish off a gallery wall with a simple wall hanging. There are lots of sources from online, galleries, and stores to asking another professional for advice as to what will really spice up the space.

Next up are the accessories.

The same attachments hold true when we talk about accessories.  Perhaps you picked it up on a special vacation, maybe you had a favorite color for years and carefully selected items in that hue, or you may have even curated a very specific style of accessories to decorate a room. Sometimes we hang on to something because someone special gave it to us, which is admirable if you really love it.  But after a time, as you are looking to update or refresh your home, you need to take an inventory of these items and consider what to keep or donate.

With accessories, sometimes less is more. It is also useful to use odd numbers when placing them. This is another area where a professional can come in and help.  A professional will look at your space with a different eye than you do, and if you give them permission, they will move things around, take things out and it can almost seem like magic!  You will be amazed at the difference this can create.

Lastly, don’t forget the storage.

Approach this area with some caution—be careful not to overdo it.  Space for storage can become costly, so think carefully about what you truly need to store and why. Just because you have an item doesn’t mean that you still need or use it.  

Ask yourself these questions:

·      Will you be using it again?  If so, when?  

·      Will you be donating it in the future?  If so, when and to whom?  

·      Will you be gifting it to someone at some point in time?

·      If you are not sure, then put it in a place that you will revisit in 6 months to a year (and mark your calendar!) and make a decision about it at that time.  

This is great advice that I don’t always follow myself, but would be great if I did!  For all of those items that make the cut for storage, you then need to figure out your options, which can include closets, built-ins, open shelving and cubbies, ottomans, armoires, cabinets or dressers. Don’t hesitate to enlist a professional to help you whittle everything down and get suggestions on the best options for storing what you keep.

Whew! At this point you have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of the rooms in your home and covered all the important areas. Hopefully you feel good about what you have done. You made some changes. You have decided on some areas that need more attention and have determined when you will attack those. You are on your way to a revitalized home! Now it is time to relax, enjoy and “Love the space you are in!”

As always, your local Decor&You decorator would be happy to help you through any part (or all) of the process. Simply click on the Find Your Local Decorator button below to find a pro near you.

Welcome to Part 3 of our series on revitalizing your home. If you recall, in Part 1, you completed a quick evaluation of your space and began looking at quick fixes you could implement. Then in Part 2, we focused on color schemes, flow, walls, floors & ceilings. In this segment we will be honing in on improving the functionality and accessibility of your home through floor plans and room arrangement.

So, let’s talk a little bit about functionality and accessibility.

These two terms go hand in hand. Function = What you need to do in a space. Accessible = The ability to perform functions in a room for all that need access.

Every space in your home should accommodate specific functions or activities.  The objective is for the space to have the proper setting and furnishings that allow you to do so. Accessibility comes in to play when the individuals who need to use a space are able to do with ease.

How do you evaluate the functionality and accessibility of your floor plan or room arrangement?  Review the following list of questions and if you find you can’t answer “yes” to the question, you need to make some adjustments.

1.    Can you perform all the activities that you wish to in this space?

2.    Is there enough space for those activities?

3.    Are the walkways adequate and free of obstructions?

4.    Can everyone who needs access to this room utilize it with ease? Consider things such as walkers for adults or children learning to walk, canes, or wheelchairs.

5.    Is the existing layout balanced?

6.    Are focal points clearly identified?

7.    Are conversational groupings easily accessible and identifiable? Do they make sense for the overall use of the room?

8.    Does the room look and feel organized?

9.    Does the room appear to be finished?

10. Does the room invite you in or push you away?

After you have reviewed your space for function and accessibility, it’s time to review the furnishings within the space. Review this next list of questions and when you answer with “no” this will help you identify where you need to focus your attention.

1.    Overall, does the room feel and look cohesive? Everything does not have to “match” but there does need to be a theme either of style, finishes, or color that is unified. And look at everything, floor to ceiling, carpets to lighting.

2.    Take a look at each piece—is it in good repair? Or, are there things that need to be replaced, fixed or cleaned?  Keeping up with maintenance on your furnishings will help them last longer and assist in keeping your space looking nice.  

3.    Review your accessories - maybe there are some items that just need refreshing such as a few new pillows, changing out an area rug or moving art into different locations.

4.    Look at your personal photos—is time to add some new ones into the mix?  Save some of the older ones that are special memories, but make room for new people, events and shared times together.

Once you’ve completed your review, here’s what to do next.

With a critical eye, make 2 or 3 quick changes that will enhance your room.  Many times it is the simplest and smallest adjustments that can bring you a fresh feeling and look to your home.  Additionally, if you decide you want to change out a furnishing or accessory, if you move or remove it first, it will be easier to find something that you love and will add to your décor rather than simply adding in more “stuff.”  Keep in mind, you don’t just have to throw things away—there are consignment shops, thrift stores, church rummage sales and other opportunities to donate gently worn or used items so that someone else may benefit.

We promise, this process in the end will be invigorating for you and your home.  And remember, you don’t have to go at it alone. One of our local Decor&You decorators would be happy to help you with the process. Simply click on the Find Your Local Decorator button below to find a pro near you.

Welcome to Part 3 of our Downsizing Guide.  This easy to follow guide is designed to help you take on the task of downsizing in simple, manageable steps with a goal towards creating more joy in your life and home.

As a quick review, in Part 1 we discussed how to gain focus, evaluate your needs, and create a plan. Then in Part 2 we took a deeper dive into creating possibilities for your new spaceusing a mixture of furnishings and decor that you already have combined with new items that you need to purchase.  You were encouraged to create 3 complete plans for your new space and select the one you really like. Now we are on to the fun part - how to complete yourPossibility Creation for real!

Let’s get started!

We imagine that you have a list of items that you need to shop for to create your ideal environment, but where is one to start? That’s a very good question. There’s certainly no shortage of options for shopping online or even by catalog. We encourage you to utilize these options to find inspiration, research, and perhaps even make purchases, but there are a few important things to consider about ordering furnishings before inspecting or touching it in person.

What do I need to consider before buying online?

·     If it’s possible, go to the store or showroom and see it before buying. Take a close look at the materials, fabric and construction.  

·     Get a sample of the fabric. Is the weight, feel and color what you expected? What is the material made of? Consider how it will hold up in your household, particularly if you have children or pets.

·     View as many photos of the piece as you can. Look for details in the finishes such as texture, distressing, or polish.

·     Make sure you understand how to clean and care for the piece.

·     Never purchase a piece without knowing the full dimensions. You need to be sure that it will work and fit in your space.

·     Is it going to be delivered assembled or will you have to put it together? Are you prepared to do that on your own?

·     Are your doorways or stairways wide enough to accommodate delivery? Larger pieces sometimes will not fit and require some creative thinking.

·     Can you return it? The last thing you want is to be stuck with something that you don’t like or doesn’t fit.

·     Read the customer reviews for any item you are considering purchasing.

If online or catalog shopping isn’t for you, visit furniture show rooms or work with a decorator to order pieces for your space.  You may find that this takes some of the mystery out quality expectations, delivery and set up. Take your time to shop around and round up a few options from which to make your final selection.

With so many details, how can I stay organized?

Utilize our Action Plan worksheet to help you manage the process.  This will enable you to create a complete list of what must be done in order to have your new home ready to live in and love!  We encourage you to be extremely thorough with this list—no detail too small to be put on the list to be choreographed and checked off.  

Once you have the list, prioritize and give yourself some deadlines. Some items may need to be ordered early, but won’t be delivered and installed until later.  Take care to attend to this level of detail so you won’t have any surprises. It would also be wise to assign actions to someone so that they have the accountability for getting it done and done well.

When the list is complete, reviewed and accountability assigned—it becomes “go time!” and you work from the list to accomplish the tasks according to your timeline.

Wow!  Can you see the end insight?  You are almost there!!

Stay tuned for the final step in this series next month – Make it Real, Celebrate and Review! Need a helping hand?  Click on the Find Your Local Decorator button below and reach out to your local pro who will be happy to help you with your Downsizing Project.

We’ve helped many clients though the downsizing process and some of us have gone through it ourselves, so we know how daunting it can be.  That’s why we created the Make Room for Joy by Downsizing series, to provide you with an easy to follow, step-by-step guide.  

As a quick review, in Part 1 we discussed completing the first steps:

·      Focus:  Using our downsizing worksheet 1, consider your motivations and define your vision for the end result.

·      Plan: Review your options regarding location and types of housing available.

·      Evaluate: Plan out your room arrangements and using our downsizing worksheet 2, determine what you already have and want to bring and what needs replacing or is missing.

Welcome to Part 2: Tackling What’s Missing. 

At Decor&You, we refer to the process of addressing the needs for your new home as “Your Possibilities Creation”. This is your opportunity to create a space you will love!

You may have some ideas about how to “create” your ideal environment or you may not.  The important part here is to think outside the box.  Come up with your own ideas, but do some research for inspiration and ideas. This can come in the form of reviewing magazines or utilizing online resources such as Houzz, Pinterest, or Instagram. Additionally, ask for ideas from others. You may have a friend or family member who has a good “eye.” And of course, don’t overlook the opportunity of working with a professional who is trained to see space through your eyes and make suggestions that you may not even think about.

Our worksheet, Your Styleprint Specifics, will help you consider all the important elements of creating a well-rounded decor plan. These elements include:

·      Aesthetic & Functional Preferences

·      Lighting

·      Color Theme

·      Room Arrangement

·      Furniture

·      Walls

·      Flooring

·      Ceiling

·      Window Treatments

·      Artwork

·      Accessories

·      Storage

We suggest that you come up with three different plans for your space and select the one that appeals most to you.  Why three? Three is a powerful number and it is always good to have one option that you can say “no” to.  That will give you more confidence in your final choice. Before making your final decision, present your three options to someone.  The act of doing this enables you to take another look at your motivations behind each plan and may result in you having some “ah-ha” moments. Sometimes something you originally thought “oh no, that’s not for me” will grow on you.

One you’ve made your final selection, identify what you already have that will work within that plan and create a shopping list for the items that you will need to get. And don’t forget to congratulate yourself - you’ve completed Part 2 of the Make Room for Joy with Downsizing Series! Next month we will coach you through Part 3 – Your Action Plan

Earlier this year, we encouraged you to focus on a new kind of resolution for 2018: revitalizing your home! We understand that taking this on might sound like a major project, so we decided to create a series of blogs to guide you through the process. In Part 1, you completed a quick evaluation of your space using our handy checklist. Then we asked you to select the top three lowest ranking areas and begin making quick fixes that would have a big impact.  You may have guessed that Part 2 would involve moving on to the next three areas by lowest ranking score. If you did, you are right!

Take a look at your checklist and select items 4-6 and begin making quick fixes that will have a big impact in those areas. If you find that your Walls, Floors, or Ceilings are lacking, you’ll find the following suggestions very helpful!

So without further ado, let’s talk Walls, Floors, & Ceilings. These areas create the foundation upon which everything else is placed. But before we do that, we must discuss Color Scheme and Flow!

Color Scheme & Flow

How do you feel about the colors in your space? Do you love them? Maybe just the one shade in the bathroom…ehh…not so much. Now that you really consider them, do they all feel like they were “safe” choices? If you need a fresh perspective, look at paint websites like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. Have an open mind to colors that you may never have considered. Remember, you can always test them in small doses.

Looking at your space, consider the size and shape and how it connects to other rooms in your home. Do you want to make the room feel cozy or expansive? Think about what you will be doing in the room and how color can set that tone, whether it’s relaxing, stimulating or whimsical. How will the shades in one room transition to another?

Walls

Did you know that your walls and floors represent 60% of the color within a room? Here are a few tips for choosing color for your walls:

·      Typically, the color or colors used here will set the stage for a room and more often than not, are muted and softer tones, though not necessarily light or pale.  They will become the anchor colors and the size of the room will dictate the depth of the color.  

·      If you are using darker colors, you can lighten the look with an area rug, window treatment or art for the walls.

·      The natural light coming through windows will always play a role in your color selection and must be carefully considered.

·      As an alternative for your walls, consider wallcoverings. There are some gorgeous patterns and textures that add a dimension to the room’s ambience that you cannot achieve any other way.  And—it will last longer than paint.  Don’t be nervous—we’ve come a long way since your grandmother’s wallpaper! It will come off easily if applied correctly and the updated colors and patters can truly be what will add the “wow” to your room.

Floors

Take a good, hard look at the current condition of your floors and ask yourself these questions: 

·      If they are hardwood, are they in need of refinishing or simply a good buff and polish?  Or are they beyond repair and need to be replaced?

·      If there is carpet, have you been keeping up with annual cleaning?  If not, get them professionally cleaned or if it is close to 10 years or more in age maybe it’s time to replace it.  Carpet is a textile and as such, it was never designed to wear and last as hardwood. And, if there has been an active family in the home, 10 years or more is a good benchmark for replacement.

Ceilings

Typically, ceilings are white…but not always.  Here are a few other options to consider: 

·      If you have a tray ceiling or an unusually high ceiling, other colors are often used to accent or create warmth. You may even see some black ceilings where the room is so large that a more cozy effect is created by giving the illusion of a lower ceiling.

·      Take a look at restaurants or hotels for inspiration … you might be surprised at what you never noticed before.

·      And, then there is the use of wallcoverings on the ceiling—a great effect.  Can create an atmosphere of luxury and solitude or great drama.

In closing, we encourage you to think outrageously—at least THINK outrageously - and consider something you would normally have said no to before.  You don’t have to do it if you don’t like it—but I have found many times, given the opportunity, many people warm up to outrageous and realize that’s what’s been missing in their décor!

Stay tuned for Part 3 on Revitalizing Your Home and in the meantime, if you want to reach out to your local Decor&You decorator for a color consult or assistance with a specific project, we’d be happy to help!

When it comes to interior decorating, few decisions cause as much anxiousness and over-thinking as selecting paint colors or wallpaper.  And we understand, you are making a commitment to placing color or print on the largest surface in your home.  For many, the fear of not liking your choice results in taking the safe option or putting off the project altogether.  As interior decorators, we love color.  We like to make bold choices to enhance the mood in a space and create “WOW” focal points.  What we hope to do in this feature is provide you with some tips that will give you the confidence to bring some color into your home with paint or wallpaper.

First things first, how do you pick a color?

·         Consider the mood and atmosphere you want to create in the room.  Every color is known to evoke certain emotions. Greens and blues are relaxing and restful and both are perfect for bedrooms.  Orange promotes creativity and energy, which can be useful in a home gym, office or playroom. Yellow is warm and inviting making it a nice option for kitchens and living rooms.  To learn more about color and mood, we recommend reading A Glimpse Into the Meaning, Symbolism & Psychology of Color, by Kate Smith.

·         How is the lighting in the room? Before painting or wallpapering, you will want to make sure your lighting plan is functional. Does this room get a lot of natural light? If so, think about when that light is the strongest and which section of the room is most affected. Examine the sources of artificial light. Are there adequate overhead, task, and accent lighting? Do you have a good balance between natural and artificial light? Correct the deficiencies before you continue with your color refresh.

·         Consider the physical characteristics of the room. Is the room large or small? What shape is it? Is it open to other rooms or closed off?  Dark colors have the ability to bring a space together and conversely, lighter hues can create a sense of openness and add height.

·         Look around your home for inspiration.  Do you have a favorite chair, area rug or piece of artwork? Take note of the hues that stand out to you in these items. Another place to look for inspiration is in your closet. What colors jump out at you? These are shades that you are naturally drawn to.

Test it before you commit.

·         For paint: Paint a large section of your wall, at least 2’x2’, to get a sense of what the color will look like at different points in the day.  

·         For wallpaper: Buy one roll and pin or tape a large piece to the wall. Allow yourself a few days to live with the pattern and examine in both daylight and at night.

·         Try an online paint visualizer.  Sherwin Williams’ ColorSnap® allows you to test out paint colors by uploading photos of your room!  Benjamin Moore has the Personal Color Viewer, a similar program where you can do the same thing with their paints.

Now, where should I put it?

·         Cover all the walls. This is an obvious choice with more subtle or neutral colors or patterns, but it can also work with bold ones as well.

·         One wall. To create an accent or focal point, cover only one wall.

·         The door. Want to create a pop of unexpected color, paint a door.

·         Shelves or built-ins. This is another unexpected spot to add a pop of color.

·         The ceiling. This may sound like a bold choice, but it doesn’t have to be. You can just as easily add a little bit of glamour as you can drama by adding wallpaper or paint to the ceiling.

Ready to get started?

Have your paint and wallpaper anxieties disappeared? We hope our tips have helped you to feel more prepared to make a color change in your home.  If you have a big project in mind or would like a color expert to make recommendations for your whole home or a few rooms, please reach out to us. Paint and wallpaper selection and installation is one of our most popular services and we would love to help bring some color into your life! 

find a local Decor&You Decorator.