January « 2011 « Designing Diva Interiors

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Basement Makeover

submitted by: Jennifer 01/28/11

*Quoted sections of this article credited to “Basement Makeover” featured in Liberty Mutual’s “Liberty Lines Winter 2011″ Issue.

Some of us are lucky enough to have a little piece of added real estate on our properties called a basement. Not me- I live in Oklahoma, where attics rule (interesting, given our record for tornados). But some of you out there have the golden nugget of hidden potential in your unfinished basements. And you’re thinking of all the wonderful uses for that space: a play room, an extra guest room, a man cave. Hold your horses! Liberty Mutual says there are a few highly essential moves to make before calling in the decorator.

Photo by hometheaterdesignmag.com

1) Safeguard Furnishings. “High humidity is all it takes to ruin fabrics and corrode sensitive electronics. Fortunately, a portable or whole-house dehumidifier can dry out the air. Just be sure high humidity isn’t caused by water leaks in floors or walls or from appliances.”

2) Check appliances. “Imagine: You’re not home when a washing machine hose bursts. Unless you hear water running and shut it off immediately you face major flooding. The best prevention is to replace rubber washer hoses with stainless steel-clad hoses or install an automatic shutoff valve.”

3) Keep walls dry. “Water that collects around a home’s foundation can soak the soil and penetrate cracks. This may damage insulation and drywall. For prevention, divert water away from foundation.” Also, “make sure your sump pump us adequately sized to remove water from around the foundation. And ask a professional about using a backflow preventer, a device installed with the home’s drain system that allows water to flow only one way.”

4) Maintain fixtures. “Water heaters have life expectancies of 10 or 11 years so replace yours if its older. Also, make sure your toilet and sink supply lines have shutoff valves.”

5) Protect floors. Winter times means frozen pipes. Insulate them by wrapping in heat tape. “When choosing flooring, be sure the manufacturer recommends it for below-grade installation. Select carpet that’s made with a rubberized backing and can be easily removed.”

So now that you’re armed with the tips that professionals live by, its time to get started on those blue prints! And call in your favorite decorator for those tough decisions on flooring, paint colors, light fixtures and decor- the cherry on top!

Tags: basement, fixtures, flooring, makeover, remodel, shutoff valve, sinks, sump pump, valves, winterizing pipes
Posted in DIY, Remodeling/Renovation | No Comments »

3 Must-Have’s To Help Create The Perfect Outdoor Living Room

submitted by: Jennifer 01/24/11

If we can just hang on for a few more weeks, warmer weather is on the horizon. We’re all tired of being cooped up inside, passing our germs from one family member to the next, staring at the same walls day after day and getting stuffy noses from our heaters. May I prescribe a little something for that D.W.S. (Dreary Weather Syndrome)? The outdoor living room is completely customizable and ready to cure what ails you. Here are three items to help get the ball rolling. Let your personality take over from there and guide you in the finer details!

1) Seating. Comfort is key, otherwise your laid-back BBQ will quickly turn into a game of musical chairs as guests try to find somewhere to sit that isn’t hot to the touch or painful on the lower back like so many outdoor pieces can be. I love pieces that are versatile so naturally, I’m in love with the Play Lounge Chair by Philippe Starck for Dedon. Suspend it for a touch of ultra-chic or let it stand alone on the grass; either way, super comfy seating for everyone in the family. Plus its like art for your yard and you can’t beat that pairing!

2) Tables. Create the perfect al fresco dining experience with the perfect outdoor table. The Tuscany 29″ Dining Height Fire Pit Table by California Outdoor Concepts is again versatile. Fill the center with ice to keep the evening’s wine selection perfectly chilled or use gas logs to build the ideal fire pit. Built from sturdy copper and granite this adds as much beauty to your patio as the gorgeous sunset you’ll be enjoying while you dine.

3) Heat. Furnishings aren’t the only thing here that’s versatile. Oklahoma weather is nothing if not ever-changing. To cope, my I recommend heat that’s not only effective but attractive! Plow & Hearth offers the outdoor patio heater for just $249. To stave off those chilly evenings when you’re determined to enjoy that sunset no matter what, get one or two of these beauties to keep the guests toasty!

Now let your creative side do the rest! Fill in the blanks with your own style. Don’t forget the outdoor rugs, artwork, lighting and accessories to create the perfect outdoor living room! You’ll never want to come inside!

Tags: chair, fire pit, heating, lawn, living room, outdoor seating, patio, table, wine bucket
Posted in DIY, Design Trends, Outdoor design, new products | No Comments »

More Blogs To feed your creative side

submitted by: Jennifer 01/21/11

Check out these informative blogs- there’s something here for every style, every room, every budget!

* http://www.restyledhome.blogspot.com/

* http://www.thejewelboxhome.com/

* http://www.sohautestyle.com/

* http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

Posted in DIY, Design Trends, Fave websites/blogs, Favorite articles, Green Design/Living, Home staging, Outdoor design, Remodeling/Renovation, holiday, home improvement, new products, organizing | No Comments »

4 Ways to warm up your room in a weekend

submitted by: Jennifer 01/19/11

*Originally posted in January of 2010 by the author.

With spring just out of arm’s reach we’re all feeling the need for a little warmth. Combat the grey skies outside your window with my favorite tricks for warming up a home!

1) Add fresh flowers. Many grocery stores stock a decent variety of beautiful blooms and nothing freshens up a room quicker than a vase full of flowers! Skip the silk arrangements and opt for red, yellow or pink flowers. In more masculine rooms I choose flowering branches instead. Use a taller vase for these.

2) Paint one wall. I’ve said it a million times before because it works and its easy! Citrus colors are huge right now and would make a fabulous accent wall when paired with chocolates and beiges. Go for a satin or eggshell finish to keep the color from overwhelming the senses. Better Homes & Gardens Magazine suggests Dutch Boy’s “Iced Shrimp”, True Value’s “Juicy Nectarene” and Behr’s “Cantaloupe Slice”.

3) Replace lamp bulbs with amber-colored bulbs. The amber glass softens the room and gives a nice warm glow to everything it touches.

4) An area rug can do magical things in a “cold” room. I love the way a sisel rug adds a natural touch. Seek out an indoor/outdoor rug if you are placing it in a high-traffic area. When it gets dirty you can just take it out back and hose it down! These hold up very well and come in tons of warm colors for all kinds of rooms.

Tags: citrus, color, decorating, design, flowers, paint, RUGS, Spring
Posted in DIY, Design Trends, Favorite articles, Home staging, home improvement | No Comments »

Attention Weekend Warriors: 3 Projects You can Do By Sunday

submitted by: Jennifer 01/18/11

So you’re a fan of HGTV and you’re just dying to add a little “wow” to your home without forking over a load of cash? With the cold weather keeping many of us indoors a lot this month there are plenty of small projects to choose from while we wait for warmer temps. Pick one to start on this week and you might just be motivated enough to keep the ball rolling well past Sunday!

1) Paint one room. This is the ultimate quick facelift for any room and usually won’t set you back more than $100 if you forego the faux finishes, glazes and multiple colors on one wall. Not sure which color is right for you? Designing Diva Interiors offers a one-hour color consult for $25 and together we can find the right shade for your room so you don’t spend hours staring at paint swatches taped to the walls. If you do have a general idea of what you’re after, pick up paint samples in the shade you THINK you want along with the color one shade darker and one shade lighter. Paint samples on each wall and at various heights. Check the samples throughout the day if natural light is present to make sure you’re happy with the color at all hours of the day. Once you’ve decided, pick up your primer if required, tarp, Frog Tape to keep paint off the trim and calk to seal up those holes and gaps. Ask a Sherwin Williams employee which paint brush is right for your texture so you get the job done quicker and you’re set!

2) Update your hardware in one catagory. Are your doorknobs, light fixtures and hinges less than fetching? It can be pricey to change out all of these at once but a weekend is just perfect for updating all the doorknobs/locks in the house OR the hardware in all of the bathrooms. Pick your catagory, pick your finish and pick your budget. Its important to know how much you plan to spend ahead of time because prices range anywhere from .50 to 10.00 per piece for simple drawer pulls or hinges and things can snowball quickly once you’re looking at all the options. Be sure to save the product information if you plan to match it up at a later date in another room.

3) Give life to tired walls. With a few cans of spray paint and a weekend in a well-ventilated garage you can add a new twist to old mirrors, photo frames, wall sconces, etc. When we moved into our home a few years ago the previous homeowner left behind a large bathroom mirror that had a grungy gold frame. The ornate details of the frame itself were gorgeous, however. We spray painted it gloss black and now it looks glamourous no matter where we put it (its lived in the bathroom, living room and the guest room so far)! If the item you’re painting is metal, make sure you select a paint specifically for metal (same goes for plastic, wood, etc). Create a Pottery Barn-style family gallery by painting all of your photo frames the same color, scanning your photos in black and white and hanging them together for an updated version of the family portrait collection.

Tags: color, faucets, frames, hardware, HGTV, hinges, paint, Sherwin Williams, spray paint, wall decor
Posted in DIY, Design Trends, home improvement | No Comments »

Support Local Economy! My favorites for the best home decorating finds

submitted by: Jennifer 01/17/11

People SAY they want to help support the local business movement but let’s face it; that can be difficult. Searching out those smaller operations who have what you really want can be a chore. Designing Diva is proud to shop locally whenever possible and I have listed a few of my favorite shops within the OKC Metro that are owned and operated by people right here in your own town.

1) Cedarburg Square in Bethany, located across from Southern Nazarene University. Great home accessories, bedding and gifts!

2) Brecheen Brothers in Oklahoma City, located on W. Reno behind Mathis Brothers. Hot hot hot furniture items at amazing prices. Mind-blowing selection of rugs of all sizes and price ranges.

3) Showplace Market in Moore, located off of I-35 and 19th St. Vendor mall, over 100 booths of must-see treasures for the home.

So if you’re looking for someplace new to try out this week and you love when your money stays close to home, stop by one of these-or all of these- wonderful businesses and tell them the Designing Diva sent you! Happy hunting!

Tags: accents, accessories, bargains, Bethany, BRECHEEN BROTHERS, Cedarburg Square, furniture, home decor, HOUSE, moore, oklahoma city, RUGS, shopping, Showplace Market, trends
Posted in Design Trends, Local shopping | No Comments »

Discounted Gift Certificates Available, Limited Time

submitted by: Jennifer 01/13/11

DDI Gift Certificates make wonderful gifts for the person who doesn’t need another thing to dust, iron or hang on the walls. Now through midnight tomorrow you get as many gift certificates as you need (why not stock up for Valentine’s Day, birthdays and even next Christmas?) at a discounted, temporary price!

Through 12 am Friday only:

$150 Gift Certificates for $100

Valid for one year from date issued. May be used towards any service DDI offers. Excludes merchandise. Must contact Jennifer@decorateokc.net by midnight on Friday, Jan. 14th to purchase at discounted rate.

Tags: design, discount, gift certificate, Mother's day gift, special rate, Valentine's day gift
Posted in Monthly Specials | No Comments »

submitted by: Jennifer 01/12/11

*Originally posted on this blog in October 2009.

I’ve written countless posts and articles about what you should put in your home but today we’re covering my Top 5 list of decor trends that I just can’t stand. Didn’t like them when they came out, don’t like them now. Don’t ask me to commit one of these design crimes; I want my clients to be happy but I don’t want to have nightmares about this stuff anymore, folks. So here we go: Designing Diva’s Top 5 List of Decor Trends That Need To Go (the title is a bit long, I suppose).

#5. Accent pillows, rugs and foot stools with dogs embroidered on them. About three years ago the canine reached an all-time high in popularity in Oklahoma. The pug, boxer, Lab and other breeds could be seen on everything from throw pillows to “couture” clothing accessories and the look stuck around way too long. As in, for more than a week.

#4. Animal-print rugs. They have their place- in eclectic, carefully designed studies with masculine sitting chairs and floor to ceiling bookcases, but it seems everyone’s going zebra and it needs to stop! I don’t care how cute your baby’s nursery is, that hot pink leopard rug isn’t trendy anymore, its just plain offensive to the senses. Leave this look to the pros.

#3. Glass jars filled with oils and peppers. I blame Italian restaurant chains for this one. I love the Tuscan kitchen and have designed many Italian-fused rooms but this is one tired trend. Put this one right up there with potpourri: you can’t actually use it, it doesn’t add anything to the authenticity of your room and it collects dust.

#2. Brass. This one’s an old-timer herring back to the 90′s but many homes I visit still haven’t made the upgrade. There are a few exceptions to this rule and a professional designer can help you decide what to keep and what to donate. If it is too costly to switch out all of the hardware and fixtures at once, pick one room to start with. But please start. Today.

#1. Silk ivy in every corner. I’m not saying you should never use this handy item; I use a little greenery in nearly every project. I am saying it should be well-placed and used in moderation. While greenery does a fantastic job of filling in bare spots and adding color, be careful that you don’t create a living room that resembles the rain forest. Keep it off of unnatural places, such as above the kitchen cabinets and refrigerators. And dust it, for Pete’s sake!

Tags: bad decorating, decorating don'ts, design trends
Posted in Design Trends | No Comments »

January Favorites for the Home

submitted by: Jennifer 01/10/11

January brings all sorts of new products to homes everywhere and I’ve collected a few of my favorites in case you’re in the mood to add a little something new to yours!

* POTTERY BARN’S Milk Bottle Chandelier. 399.00 Classic farmhouse style with a bit of playful charm. Got milk? Available at www.potterybarn.com.

*WEST ELM’S Iznik Dhurrie rug. 39.00-649.00. A little touch of this geometic trend goes a long way but with a color like this Citron it’s just right. Available at www.westelm.com.

*BALLARD DESIGNS’ Mr & Mrs Burlap Pillows with inserts. 59.00. Available in stores or www.ballarddesigns.com. Not as chintzy as the typical “newlywed” decor.

*CB2′s x-ray platter. 12.95. Just the right amount of ”that’s odd”. Give dinner guests something to talk about other than your fabulous cocktails! Available at www.cb2.com

Tags: bedding, decorating, design, fabric, geometric pattern, just married, lighting, newlyweds, pillows, platter, rug, trends
Posted in Design Trends, Fave websites/blogs, new products | No Comments »

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

submitted by: Jennifer 01/07/11

According to TheNest.com some of the things you love most about your home could be making you sick over time. Read on to get the low-down on paint, carpeting, wood flooring and more.

Paint

Beware: Two things: lead and toxins. If your house was built before 1978, your walls could be full of lead — paint, that is. Chipping or peeling paint can be ingested by infants and children, which may lead to serious health problems. Also, paints and finishes release low-level toxic emissions into the air, even years after you applied it. These toxic emissions are called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. They’re so toxic you can smell them. If you’ve ever painted a room, you know what they smell like.

Take Care: Lead in paint was banned in 1978 and is no longer sold. If you’re worried about lead, have your home tested and then seal any traces of lead paint with a fresh coat of nonlead paint. Until recently, VOCs were essential to the performance of the paint. Now, low- and no-VOC paints are available from mainstream and eco-friendly companies nationwide. For cost-effective, low-VOC wall color, try a shade from Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec® and Aura® paint lines.

Carpet

Beware: Chemicals in your carpets. Carpets and carpet cushions can contain VOCs and emit formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas. According to the EPA, formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; and severe allergic reactions.

Take Care: Look for carpets made from natural fibers with little or no chemical treatment. Shaw Floors sells a variety of eco-friendly colors and styles for both wall-to-wall and area carpeting. Also, purchase carpets with natural-fiber backing that’s attached with less-toxic adhesives.

Wood Flooring

Beware: Who knew even wood was toxic? Well, it’s not the wood; it’s the stain and finish. VOCs (here we go again) from solvents, such as mineral spirits and petroleum distillates, can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and nausea.

Take Care: Why cover a beautiful wood floor with toxic chemicals? Look for a low-VOC finish, available at most home improvement stores. If you’re in the market for new flooring, consider bamboo. It costs less and is better for the environment compared to traditional wood flooring.

Mattresses

Beware: Bugs and toxic chemicals. A typical-used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million bed mites inside, feeding on your dead skin cells and causing allergic reactions in some people. Many mattresses also contain flame-retardant chemicals known as PBDEs, which have accumulated in high levels in American blood and breast milk.

Take Care: Dust mites hate hot water! By covering and protecting your mattress and washing all comforters, sheets, and pillows in hot water every week, you’ll get rid of those unwelcome visitors. Also, consider replacing your mattress with an organic cotton model or an affordable one from IKEA — they contain alternative flame-retardants that haven’t raised any significant consumer health or environmental concerns.

Detox Your Home

10 easy things you can do today for pennies or less

Clean your fabrics, drapes, and rugs to eliminate dust, molds, and pollens.
Open a window. Circulating air in the home ensures good ventilation.
Choose natural cleaning products to reduce toxins in the home.
Buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites, dust, and dirt from your floors and carpets.
Keep your house clean and remove any piles of clutter that are collecting dust.
Go green with plants. They improve air quality by adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.
Replace or cover the plywood and MDF. Glues in cheaper woods can contain volatile toxins.
Make your house a smoke-free home. Who needs to breathe in toxic fumes?
Run computers in a well-ventilated area and shut them off when not in use. They release gaseous pollutants into the air the longer they run.
Think before you buy. Make a healthy home a priority every day.

By Margaret O’Malley

Tags: carpet, lead, paint, toxic, toxins
Posted in Fave websites/blogs, Favorite articles, Green Design/Living, home improvement | No Comments »

According to TheNest.com some of the things you love most about your home could be making you sick over time. Read on to get the low-down on paint, carpeting, wood flooring and more.

Paint

Carpet

Wood Flooring

Mattresses

Detox Your Home

10 easy things you can do today for pennies or less

Clean your fabrics, drapes, and rugs to eliminate dust, molds, and pollens.
Open a window. Circulating air in the home ensures good ventilation.
Choose natural cleaning products to reduce toxins in the home.
Buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites, dust, and dirt from your floors and carpets.
Keep your house clean and remove any piles of clutter that are collecting dust.
Go green with plants. They improve air quality by adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.
Replace or cover the plywood and MDF. Glues in cheaper woods can contain volatile toxins.
Make your house a smoke-free home. Who needs to breathe in toxic fumes?
Run computers in a well-ventilated area and shut them off when not in use. They release gaseous pollutants into the air the longer they run.
Think before you buy. Make a healthy home a priority every day.

By Margaret O’Malley

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Blog

According to TheNest.com some of the things you love most about your home could be making you sick over time. Read on to get the low-down on paint, carpeting, wood flooring and more.

Paint

Carpet

Wood Flooring

Detox Your Home

According to TheNest.com some of the things you love most about your home could be making you sick over time. Read on to get the low-down on paint, carpeting, wood flooring and more.

Paint

Carpet

Wood Flooring

Detox Your Home

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