Happy Easter!

I love spring, when all the flowers burst with such beautiful colors.  The outdoors just feel so fresh and full of renewal......

I took these pictures of the botanical gardens near our house and had to share.

Staying In!

I think "staying in" has become the new "going out", and I don't think that is a bad thing at all.

A lot of us work away from the house so when you come home from a long day at the office, it is or definitely should be your sanctuary.  It doesn't take much to spruce it up for spring and create a fabulous scene to share with friends and family and the best part of said scene is that at the end of the night you don't get a bill.

Now I love my vacations don't get me wrong but I heard a new word the other day that I wanted to share with you along this same line...."staycation".  Maybe this spring you could have one of those and enjoy your friends and family, while saving some coin.

Get Me An Umbrella Drink!

Woke up, got out of bed....Saw my mail with lots of catalogs strewn in the pile.  Normally I toss them, BUT it's a beautiful spring day and guess what's on the front of every one of them?  Outdoor settings!  How inspiring is that to start planning for your outdoor spaces?  

If you haven't started thinking about your outdoor living spaces yet for this upcoming summer now is the time to start.  Some places in the country are still getting snow, so even though you probably can't physically start planning outside you can dream from the indoors. :)

I love the look and low maintenance of the outdoor resin furniture.  Sooo many choices with color and style now, I want a couple of backyards.

Every year I am shocked at the selection of outdoor fabrics that keep getting better. Sunbrella fabrics are a must for outdoor use.  They are weather resistant, less fading issues and very durable.   They have come such a long way that I have on occasion actually used them inside for the fade resistant, durability on indoor furniture.  My clients couldn't tell the difference.  

I love spring!

Go Crazy!

I love that washer/dryer companies are embracing color!  The color choices to choose from are sooo yummy, from "Turquoise Sky", "Aspen", "Champagne", "Wild Cherry" and "Ocean Blue" to just name a few....The names alone set the mood to wash.

Yes you can still have white, but I think you should push the envelope with some color. The great thing about choosing a color that you wouldn't normally choose because you were afraid of it trending out in a bigger/important room such as a kitchen, a laundry room usually isn't seen but by the family most of the time and why not have a "wow factor" to enjoy each time you go in to use them.  This is a low risk/high reward room.

Why not set your mood to vacation mode with a washer and dryer that are in"Turquoise Sky" so when you sorting clothes you feel a little like you have "escaped".  

There are some other real benefits to updating your washer if you haven't in a long time....

*Front loaders are easier on backs than top loaders 

*ENERGY STAR:  Very energy and water efficient

*Larger capacity  

You know, the laundry room is one of the one rooms I rarely get to design unless it's a for a new home, so I am soo excited about all the fun, new choices out there, that for the next "Decorator On Demand" client who wants a room done if you mention this blog I will include the laundry room design for free.  Contact me at decoratorondemand@me.com.

So go crazy and get that new washer and start that vacation today!

Ethan Allen Undergoes a Modern Makeover

More and more Americans are embracing a contemporary furniture style.  To appeal to this new swing, Ethan Allen just launched their "New Modern Living" marketing campaign based on 9 distinct buzzwords, which are my favorite buzzwords too:  Modern, Chic, Fresh, Elegant, Sexy, Cool, Pretty, Hip and Now.

Personally, I am thrilled about the reinvention of their brand because I think it's high time furniture stores that usually have more of a traditional/older feel come around to how most Americans are living now.  They still have the classics but their new furniture looks exciting and fresh most definitely.

My parents bought a lot of Ethan Allen when I was a kid so as an adult I never felt like they were "talking" to me with my style, but I think they are moving in the right direction to capture my attention and others like my generation.  Let me know what you think of their "new" look.  It's not your parents Ethan Allen anymore.  

Decorating with the "Magic" 3's!

Not only is 3 one of my favorite numbers it is also a good number to know when decorating your home.  3 is the number that creates pleasing proportions in your home.  

1)  Accessories should always be placed in 3's.  2's just never look right.

2)  Chair rails should be placed a 1/3 of the way up a wall.

3)  Tie your draperies a third of the way up.

These probably are already instinctual to you but now that you know the rule it'll hopefully make you feel more confident that you are making the right decisions.

Getting Started On Your Home Design Project

The best way to begin the process of remodeling/designing your home is to dream!  I recommend that you start reading shelter magazines.  Rip out magazine pictures you are moved by, whether you like a particular rug, furniture layout or just the feeling the room represents.

Start to save them in a folder marked "home design ideas".  This helps narrow down what you like and don't like so whether you hire a professional to help you or you are going to do it yourself it's a good place to start your plan with images to guide you.

I have noticed that sometimes my clients rip out pictures and after a few weeks they revisit them and edit by simply tossing the page(s).  That's a lot easier than redecorating all the time or losing focus midway through a remodel.

For more DIY design tips, check out my "lens" at this link.

Happy Dreaming.

Marie

The Decorator On Demand site is almost updated....

I am soooo excited, the final touches are almost done to Decorator On Demand's updated website. I have been soooo busy with my normal/local design business that I have not had time to focus on this but with the recession and all things "negative" lately I thought it was a perfect time to get my butt in gear and get this site running more smoothly.

This is a site for do it yourselfers who need some specific design help and guidance on a per room basis. This replaces the traditional local interior designer and is much more cost effective if you are willing to do the work or manage the work of others in your home.

I am wrapping up a new report that is almost done that you can download for free on my site. Stay tuned to the actual "launch" of that.

There are some exciting new things that are happening in 2009 despite the bad news.

Let's Get Started

Welcome to the Decorator On Demand blog.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and observations with you on what's cool and interesting in home interior design and decorating.

I'd love to hear from you so don't be shy.

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