Designing Diva Interiors

Today I wish I had a jet pack. Or a personal assistant who could read my mind. Or a clone. Today is one of those days when I have to be in two places at once and then in at least four places after that before the shops close this evening. I’m not complaining, don’t get me wrong! I love to stay busy but days like today leave me yearning for a foot massage and fluffy bed.

All this huffing and puffing about a packed schedule and I have to admit: at least I’m busy doing one of the funnest jobs in the world. In about an hour I get to brighten a client’s day by delivering a long-awaited custom chaise lounge for their 100 year-old master bedroom. After that I’m headed out to shop for the perfect hardware for my bathroom at this year’s Symphony Orchestra Show House and gather up a few other items that need to be installed this week. Then its back to the home office to work on a custom Design Binder for a repeat client who needs a long term design plan for her home. The day is far from over but there are few ways I would rather spend the hours. If you have blessed with a job you adore, tell us what it is (even if you sometimes need a clone to get it done)!

One of my favorite rooms of the home to decorate is the bedroom. You can go for optimum luxury to playfully casual and everything in between and I love it all! Because you can’t keep using your college twin bed forever, send your bedroom decorating questions here or to Jennifer@decorateokc.net and they could be answered on this blog this week!

Examples:

~ “Does my master bathroom hardware have to match what’s in the bedroom?”

~ “Does the furniture have to be the same finish?”        

~”We don’t know what kind of flooring we want in the bedroom.”

~ “How do we make the bedroom part masculine and part feminine for us both?”

I can’t wait to see what kinds of queries you come up with!

I like to think of myself as a fairly organized girl. I can tell you at any given moment where a client file is, where my next appointment will be or how many days are left until a deadline. HOWEVER. I work from home when I’m not in yours. This means the paper fairies frequent my desk and occassionally (okay, often) invade my car when they get bored with that room. In an effort to maintain my sanity and get prepared for the busy spring ahead, Designing Diva Interiors will be closed tomorrow, Friday March 5th for a little spring cleaning. To view some of the organizing tips I will be implementing in my own home please check out “Organizing 4 Important spaces for Spring” in the HOME section of www.EdmondActive.com!

If you wish to schedule a consultation for March please contact me at Jennifer@decorateokc.net.

Designing Diva Interiors is excited to participate in this year’s Symphony Orchestra Show House and equally excited about the room assigned to me: The Guest Powder Bath in the front of the home. One of eleven bathrooms in the sprawling 17,000 square foot home, this room has been transformed from a traditionally formal, seldom-used space to a 1920’s-inspired cacoon, topped off with luxurius and sassy finishing touches. It is by far my most favorite bath project to date and it got me to thinking about the endless possibilities. When it comes to these necessary rooms you see it all from timeless tiles to trendy prints and everything in between. So DDI wants to see what you’re working with!

Leave a photo of your fun, funky, classic or streamlined bathroom in the comment section below or E-mail them to Jennifer@decorateokc.net! They could be featured on tomorrow’s blog!

With our completion deadline of March 25 looming near, designers from across the state rush to pull together their rooms at this year’s Symphony Designer Show House (http://www.symphonyshowhouse.com/). As for Designing Diva Interiors’ room… well, let’s just say I feel like a proud parent! Having gone through the planning, the preparation, even some criticism (”Black walls? Oh my….”)  the overall vision of the Guest Powder Bath is coming into clear focus this week. Specialty painter Lezley Lynch (Edmond, OK) removed the last bits of tape yesterday to reveal one of her favorite hand-painted designs to date!

I went to purchase the new cabinet knobs yesterday but they were not on sale and this Diva doesn’t pay retail! I’ll try again next week. Instead I’ll spend the next 48 hours locating and installing the mirrors and anxiously awaiting the delivery of the custom draperies by the very talented Patti Wommer (Edmond, OK).

Unfortunately, designers are not permitted to post photographs due to Symphony Orchestra Committee policies, but you can get a first-hand look at this very unique space in all its 1920’s glory starting May 1st!

This week’s favorite space comes from http://schappacherwhite.com and is a dining room designed for a man if ever there was one. Its a new favorite of mine because I can see myself living here, too. It contains a personal element that reflects the personality of one, if not both, of the residents. I can definitely see this in one of OKC’s newest downtown lofts.

Motorcycles in the dining room not for you? The point here is to make it meaningful. If you’re a musician you could position a cello on a stand in the corner. For one current client in Heritage Hills we put the family’s heirloom piano in their oversized dining room, keeping it away from windows and direct sunlight. Get creative- get reflective!

Click http://www.houzz.com/photos/20858/SchappacherWhite-Ltd–modern-dining-room-new-york for amazing photo of this room.

You may have already heard the turquoise has won the title of Color of the Year. What’s not to love? A timeless classic that goes with everything and has evolved with the ages  kind of like Madonna. Still not convinced that its for you? Fear not! House Beautiful has composed a list of a few favorites that can make almost any naysayer swoon for blue. From the Tiffany Blue’s to the grey-green hues you’re sure to find the right color for your project. Remember, you don’t have to go big with blue! Skip the walls and use one of these gems as your accent color on backsplashes, bedding, pillows or seat cushions! Most paint suppliers will be able to color match your item with the cooresponding paint color and samples are usually available for around $5.

1) Benjamin Moore’s “Dolphin’s Cove” 722

2) Farrow & Ball’s “Blue Ground” 210

3) Benjamin Moore’s “Blue Toile” 746

4) Ralph Lauren’s “Mystic River” SS21

5) Benjamin Moore’s “Stunning” 826

Don’t want to make a trip to the store just to check out these paint swatches? Go online to these manufacturers’ sites, type the color name into their search engine and see for yourself if these colors are worth your while!

I can’t get enough of these sites and the decorator in you will get hooked for sure!

TheNest.com for real-life decorating photos from real-life couples and money-saving tips.

DesignMilk on Facebook for all things trendy and off-the-wall genius in the design world.

SherwinWilliams.com for interactive tools that help you choose the perfect shade for your abode before you spend big $$ on endless paint samples.

HouseBeautiful.com for everything design, from what your favorite big names are up to to new products hitting the market.

Need window treatments but don’t know where to start? Read on as I break down the  basics of some of the most in-demand window covering options from off-the-shelf to custom.

1. Flowing draperies. These tend to look more formal and graze if not puddle on the floor. Leave parted to one side, both sides or tie back. May be hung on a rod with rings, a rod pocket top or grommets for more casual styles. Expect to pay $135 or more per panel. Available in many fabrics. May be lined or unlined. Usually not energy efficient unless lined.

2. Panels. Similar to draperies but typically more casual. Also hung on a drapery rod with rings, rod pocket top, grommet  or clips. May be found on store shelves starting at $25 and 85″ long (standard). Available in many fabrics, most unlined. Not energy efficient unless specified. Available in limited room-darkening fabrics.

3). Valance. Valances can be very formal, playfully trendy or uber casual depending upon the design. Custom valances can be mounted on a board or drapery rod. You can find ready-made valances at stores like JC Penney starting at 12.00 each for sheers, more for solids. May be combined with panels, shutters or shades.

4. Shutters. A more clean-cut look in my opinion and more masculine when shown in wood stains. Also available in whites/creams. Expect to pay upwards of $400 per window for this custom window covering. Perfect for allowing natural sunlight to filter in. Cheaper versions may bow with temperature changes over time. Usually left alone (i.e. not paired with another window treatment).

5.  Sheers. May be layered with other sheer or solid panels. Hung on drapery rod with rod pocket top. Available in stores starting at $10 and 85″ long. Available in custom colors/patterns/sizes as well. Not ideal for privacy unless paired with solid panels. Not energy efficient.

6.  Honeycomb shades. Usually a custom design. Many colors available. Various levels of energy efficiency available. Ideal for protecting wood flooring and furniture from sun exposure. Ideal for privacy.

7. Sihlouette by Hunter Douglas. The best of both draperies and shades. Can be paired with another window treatment or left alone. Available in various colors and vein sizes. www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=33 A high-end treatment with unlimited possibilities. May be installed with remote control. Allows for privacy and natural sunlight filtering. Ideal for maintaining exterior view.

8. Roman Shades. Available in a flat fold or more full shape. Available in nearly any fabric/pattern. Ideal for privacy.  May be raised for full sun exposure. Not typically energy efficient.

Ready to see some samples?

For custom orders contact Patti Wommer of Edmond, OK at 405.615.3086.

For shutters and Sihlouettes, contact David of Blind Alley, Oklahoma City, OK at 405.848.0099.

For all other window needs please contact Jennifer Hicks, C.I.D. of Designing Diva Interiors, LLC at 405.816.9716!

Planning  to reduce clutter this spring? Why wait? Get your favorite designer’s tips in this month’s Edmond Active Magazine!