submitted by: Jennifer
02/25/11
Showplace Market has a lot going for it these days. Locally owned/operated, great location (about 2 blocks east of I-35/19th St exit), over 100 unique vendors and an expansion coming April 1st. As you all know Designing Diva loves to decorate clients’ homes with products found right here in our own backyard and lucky me, there are plenty of new treasures blooming all over the 9,000 sf meca! Below are some of my favorites for the home.
Gorgeous buffet stores your serving pieces in style. Booth 1010
These ceramic egg cartons are adorable and perfect for showing off Easter egg creations! Booth 3232
Metal wall shelves and garden decor work in any home!
Handcrafted wood pieces likes these coat racks and buffet are all made from scratch in Moore, OK!
The wheelbarrow, bunny and adorable oversized carrots add springtime charm to your (covered) outdoor living space in a snap!
Tags: Caught In The Brambles, Easter, eggs, furniture, garden, handmade, home decor, Rod's Creations, Showplace Market, wall shelf
Posted in Local shopping, holiday, new products | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/22/11
Now that I have your attention, you really will want to read the articles below. I love writing about design almost as much as I love creating rooms with my clients but there are plenty of articles out there that say it better than yours truly and this week there’s no shortage! Snag a few minutes on your lunch break or while you’re waiting for the kids to come out of practice and read up for some fabulous decorating ideas! All three cover very different styles of decorating but there’s so much learning to be had from the perspectives of other designers.
Think Pink! http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/colors/pink-decorating-ideas-vgp-0311?click=pp
Get Out! New Baroque Becomes Mainstream http://design-milk.com/get-out-new-baroque-becomes-mainstream/
A Flair For Vintage Decor http://aflairforvintagedecor.blogspot.com/
Tags: decorating tips, modern design, pink, vintage decor
Posted in Fave websites/blogs, Favorite articles, new products | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/21/11
Update: the weekend yielded zero positive results in the way of finding the right shade for the living room. My second attempt, Arizona Tan, turned out to be so yellow it was retina-damaging when the sun poured in at high noon (did I mention that I’ve ditched the Persimmon altogether?). My design A.D.D. is kicking in and much like the struggle I’ve dealt with ever since my first apartment when I was 18, I’m dealing with high distraction levels. I walk through a park and say, “a nice olive, like the color of the leaves before they turn for fall, that’s what I want on my living room walls.” And then I go into a friend’s boutique and fall in love with a vibrant red and think “now that’s a color that makes a statement!” Now that I am actively pursuing this painting project I am increasingly frustrated at my ability to expertly select paint colors for my clients but not myself. When a third of your week is spent trend-hunting it tends to mess with your sense of personal style- or maybe that’s just me….? One day I want something warm and cozy, a country cottage color that makes everyone who enters feel like they could sit and visit for hours. Then its Tuesday and I want bold, spicy, elegant colors that evoke a whole different kind of atmosphere. So the hunt continues and I pray that by the weekend I have narrowed down my options at least by 75%. I’m hosting a baby shower in April and I’m willing to bet that my numerous paint samples on the walls will not count as decoration. Although maybe I could convince guests that its a new trend I’m starting… like a Picasso effect using my very own walls as the canvas. *sigh*
Attempt #2: Behr’s “Arizona Tan”
Tags: Arizona Tan, Behr, color, Home Depot, paint, Persimmon, shades, tan, tone
Posted in Design Trends, Eye on Color, home improvement | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/14/11
My plight could be compared to that of a mechanic who’s car is always making a clanking sound or the nutritionist who’s a bit keen on the brownies. I’m a professional decorator and I can’t find the perfect color for my own living room. I choose paint colors for other homes every week, pairing wild metallics with subtle monochromatic color schemes to create the perfect ambiance for rooms all over the country. But its time I ‘fess up: my husband and I have lived in our current home for three years and those walls are still white. It isn’t that I’m afraid of color- at age 13 I painted one wall of my bedroom electric blue with a silver metallic glaze and in our first home the dining room walls were fuschia. I think its a combination of two things. One, the space is large- vaulted ceiling, long walls- and that’s a lot of work to paint once, twice, three times, so I want to make sure I have it right the first time. The second obstacle is that unlike many of my clients I married a highly opinionated man when it comes to the way our home looks. Sometimes I will be walking the isle of my favorite home decor shops and hear a man say “Honey, I don’t care, whatever you like”, and I get a teensy jealous. Of course I want my spouse to love our space and feel like he had a hand in it too. I just wish he didn’t know the difference between Persimmon and Salmon.
I was aiming for something bold and warm at the same time- a color that enveloped you as you walked in. I had grand visions of brushing a Pearl Metallic glaze over it so that it put off the most subtle glimmer when the sunlight hit it. Sounds romantic, right….?
So we began our first attempt to actually put our ideas into action this week and I now have a collage of “red dirt” shades all over the living room. My first two picks were too pink so I’m heading back to Sherwin Williams this evening to give it another go, this time adding more brown to my sample of “Persimmon”. Maybe by this time tomorrow my walls won’t look like a Picasso piece gone bad. Stay tuned!
Attempt #1: Benjamin Moore’s “Persimmon”. 
Tags: decorating, interior design, living room, paint
Posted in DIY, Design Trends, Eye on Color, Fave websites/blogs, home improvement | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/12/11
Mirrors are a staple in every decorator’s ”tool box”. From over the top to strictly utilitarian, mirrors aren’t just for checking your lipstick before you waltz out the door (we don’t “waltz” enough anymore, by the way). Bigger mirrors are often assigned the task of making a room look bigger. A grouping of smaller mirrors can easily take the place of artwork and add a punch of texture or depth to an otherwise ordinary hole on the wall. Below are a few of my favorites, all at reasonable prices.
Sunburst Mirror, 79.98. Pier 1 Imports.
Knot Mirror, 79.97. Kirklands.
Becca Mirror, 79.97. Kirklands.
Berlevog Mirrors, set of 3, 14.99. Ikea.
Tags: IKEA, KIRKLANDS, mirrors, PIER 1
Posted in Design Trends, Home staging, home improvement, new products | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/08/11
Designing Diva Interiors LLC specializes in beautiful rooms and making people happy! Buying the perfect Valentine’s Day gift can
be stressful, especially for the person who has everything. The gift of great design (or organization or the perfect paint color) is always in style which is why Designing Diva Interiors is offering blog readers a special for your special day!
$160 gift certificate for only $100!
Includes Initial Consultation plus one hour of any service offered. Gift certificate expires five years from date issued. Call 405.816.9716 or email Jennifer@decorateokc.net to get yours! Offer expires 2.14.11
Tags: gift certificates, Valentine's Day
Posted in Monthly Specials | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/07/11
The 3/50 Project has been quite successful in its mission: to raise awareness of supporting local business. We’ve come a long way, baby. But with big box stores popping up in more and more small towns across the country our fight is far from over. Below are a few of my favorites for you Okies. Pop in, say hello and spend a few bucks to help keep an honest-to-goodness small operation thriving during the month of February (one of the slowest months of the year for retailers)!
Brecheen Brothers Area Rugs & Furniture: Various styles of furniture, home decor and rugs at very reasonable price points.
Wood Creations, Moore: Custom wood furniture and home decor, hand crafted and painted.
Showplace Market, Moore: 9000 sf vendor mall with home decor, jewelry, gourmet food items, Cafe, Book Nook, Free WiFi, hand-crafted items.
Cedarburg Square, Bethany: Home Decor, Boutique items, gourmet foods.
Tags: accents, accessories, BRECHEEN BROTHERS, custom, flooring, furniture, home decor, RUGS, trends, wood creations
Posted in Design Trends, General, Local shopping, home improvement | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/05/11
This is the Must sofa by Longhi
…in some homes, at least! Big, chunky furniture is making a comeback as homeowners cut down on clutter and non-essential items in favor of practical pieces of furniture that really DO something for their families, whether it be storage, comfy seating etc. So here’s a salute to big, bold, beautiful home decor that works with you as well as for you!
How could you not be inspired to sit down with that stack of bills and get to work with a lamp like this?
Lamp by Max Inc
Mezzo Modern Home Patio Dining Set
Seat plenty of guests at the table with this awesome outdoor set!
Classic Oversized Mirrror by Philippe Starck
Add instant drama (and the illusion of more space) with an oversized mirror leaned against a lonely wall.
Tags: chair, mirror, OUTDOOR, OVERSIZED FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES, patio, sofa
Posted in Design Trends, Fave websites/blogs, home improvement, new products | No Comments »
submitted by: Jennifer
02/04/11
Over the years I’ve realized that making a room look attractive requires much more than just knowing which chair to put where. There is a significant amount of psychology that goes into great design and any decorator worth her fee knows how to combat her clients’ fears and misconceptions, helping them overcome whatever is holding them back so that they get the room they really want. Today I would like to cover a few of the most popular fears or misconceptions that may be keeping you from hiring a professional decorator to finally achieve the design you deserve.
These items may be found at Cedarburg Square, Bethany OK
1. Decorators are too expensive. I can do what they do for a lot less.
As gently as I can may I ask “and how’s that working for you”? While to some it may appear that a decorator is nothing more than a paid professional shopper, there are many aspects that require professional education and training- knowing building codes is a requirement for those who call themselves designers, for example. Knowing which fabrics are suitable for certain items and environments is a big one. Having great taste simply doesn’t cut it. As harsh as it sounds, if you could do what we do on your own, it would be done. Professional decorators know of the resources available to the trade that it will take to get your job done right-the first time- while many homeowners wing it by searching online and hoping for the best. They are also aware of sale prices that could be of benefit to you- prices that retailers won’t tell you about. Additionally, the fees a reasonable decorator charges pale in comparison to the thousands of dollars one can spend trying to DIY without a clear plan of action.
2. I have no idea what my style is. Why hire someone until I know what I like?
While it can certainly speed up the process to know what you love and hate, part of my job is to work with you to help determine your true style. You may have gone the last ten years assuming your style was French Country but a series of questioning and some quality shopping time may reveal you’re really more modern. Just because you’ve been living with aunt Edith’s antique heirlooms all this time doesn’t mean you have to let them dictate your personal style!
3. What if the decorator tells me to get rid of everything? Won’t she just do what she wants in my house?
A true professional won’t. Of course there are cases where the client dictates that everything goes and the decorator is given carte blanche to start fresh. But for the most part, I (and my thousands of colleagues across the country) am very good at due diligence- that is, discovering exactly what you will go for and what you won’t before any walls are painted or any furniture purchased. I tell all of my clients that I can think a room is amazing but once I leave, if the clients hate it everything was a waste. You have to live there, you should like it! I have a home that I get to decorate for me; a real pro will not force his or her personal taste on you but rather, will work closely with you to achieve the factors you want with ideas of her own that will complete the space.
4. My life is too hectic, there’s no way I have time to work with a decorator.
While every decorator works a little differently, most of them will gladly take the wheel for a busy client and do the legwork without them. If you would prefer not to go shopping with your decorator, he or she will gather up the pieces they want you to see and deliver them to your home. I personally love to utilize email, getting clients’ approval on work orders or items to save us both time. If you let your decorator know ahead of time what your schedule is like, he or she will work with you to keep your end of load nice and light. Most decorators will even show up on the job site to let contractors in if you have somewhere to be. Of course, details like how much access the decorator has to your job site should be outlined in the contract.
So if any of these sound like you, I’ve got your number! No more hiding behind that 70′s wallpaper, its time to get moving on the house you’ve hoped for but never got! It isn’t as scary as it may seem and once the ball gets rolling most people find its quite a fun process! Designing Diva Interiors LLC would be glad to answer your questions or schedule an Initial Consultation to help you define your needs. 405.816.9716
Tags: ASID, CID, commercial design, decorator, design, home, home office, questions, residence, shopping
Posted in General, Home staging, Outdoor design, Q & A, Remodeling/Renovation, home improvement, new products, organizing | No Comments »
Over the years I’ve realized that making a room look attractive requires much more than just knowing which chair to put where. There is a significant amount of psychology that goes into great design and any decorator worth her fee knows how to combat her clients’ fears and misconceptions, helping them overcome whatever is holding them back so that they get the room they really want. Today I would like to cover a few of the most popular fears or misconceptions that may be keeping you from hiring a professional decorator to finally achieve the design you deserve.
These items may be found at Cedarburg Square, Bethany OK
1. Decorators are too expensive. I can do what they do for a lot less.
As gently as I can may I ask “and how’s that working for you”? While to some it may appear that a decorator is nothing more than a paid professional shopper, there are many aspects that require professional education and training- knowing building codes is a requirement for those who call themselves designers, for example. Knowing which fabrics are suitable for certain items and environments is a big one. Having great taste simply doesn’t cut it. As harsh as it sounds, if you could do what we do on your own, it would be done. Professional decorators know of the resources available to the trade that it will take to get your job done right-the first time- while many homeowners wing it by searching online and hoping for the best. They are also aware of sale prices that could be of benefit to you- prices that retailers won’t tell you about. Additionally, the fees a reasonable decorator charges pale in comparison to the thousands of dollars one can spend trying to DIY without a clear plan of action.
2. I have no idea what my style is. Why hire someone until I know what I like?
While it can certainly speed up the process to know what you love and hate, part of my job is to work with you to help determine your true style. You may have gone the last ten years assuming your style was French Country but a series of questioning and some quality shopping time may reveal you’re really more modern. Just because you’ve been living with aunt Edith’s antique heirlooms all this time doesn’t mean you have to let them dictate your personal style!
3. What if the decorator tells me to get rid of everything? Won’t she just do what she wants in my house?
A true professional won’t. Of course there are cases where the client dictates that everything goes and the decorator is given carte blanche to start fresh. But for the most part, I (and my thousands of colleagues across the country) am very good at due diligence- that is, discovering exactly what you will go for and what you won’t before any walls are painted or any furniture purchased. I tell all of my clients that I can think a room is amazing but once I leave, if the clients hate it everything was a waste. You have to live there, you should like it! I have a home that I get to decorate for me; a real pro will not force his or her personal taste on you but rather, will work closely with you to achieve the factors you want with ideas of her own that will complete the space.
4. My life is too hectic, there’s no way I have time to work with a decorator.
While every decorator works a little differently, most of them will gladly take the wheel for a busy client and do the legwork without them. If you would prefer not to go shopping with your decorator, he or she will gather up the pieces they want you to see and deliver them to your home. I personally love to utilize email, getting clients’ approval on work orders or items to save us both time. If you let your decorator know ahead of time what your schedule is like, he or she will work with you to keep your end of load nice and light. Most decorators will even show up on the job site to let contractors in if you have somewhere to be. Of course, details like how much access the decorator has to your job site should be outlined in the contract.
So if any of these sound like you, I’ve got your number! No more hiding behind that 70′s wallpaper, its time to get moving on the house you’ve hoped for but never got! It isn’t as scary as it may seem and once the ball gets rolling most people find its quite a fun process! Designing Diva Interiors LLC would be glad to answer your questions or schedule an Initial Consultation to help you define your needs. 405.816.9716
