Designing Diva Interiors

As much as I am a proponant of custom window coverings that fulfill your every whim, let’s be honest: not everyone has the budget for them. At times it isn’t necessarily the issue of money that holds you back, but if you’re anything like me, your tastes simply change too often to commit to custom draperies. Whatever your reason, inexpensive store-bought window panels or drapes may be the answer to your decorating dilemma. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few pointers to get you on your way along with some of my top picks right now:

1) Start with your measurements. Store-bought draperies come in limited standard sizes so those of you with odd-shaped windows or exceptionally large windows will be out of luck. 84″  or 94″ is what you will likely find on store shelves and this is the typical window length.  However, I always hang the curtain rod closer to the ceiling than to the top of the window itself which makes a room appear taller. This means you will need to 94″ panels for an 84″ window, or 104″ panels for a 94″ window.

2) Pick your color palette. While its true that custom-designed draperies offer infinite color and pattern choices, there are plenty of options for the person buying off-the-shelf these days. So that you don’t get overwhelmed when shopping,  take a look around the house and pick one to three colors that you want to bring out in your window treatments.  Using decorating blogs like this one, magazine photos or search engines online can be a useful tool here; simply type in your color palette to see what’s out there (for example, “Red and white 94″ window panels”).

3) Know what you need them to do. If you’re buying for a bedroom and prefer complete darkness you will want to look for black-out panels which are lined with an opaque fabric on the backside to keep sun out. If natural sunlight and privacy isn’t an issue, you may be shopping for sheer panels.

Ready to start shopping? Here are some of my favorites of the season; maybe one of these will be the the perfect fit for your naked window!

"Amelia", Pier1, $24.88

"Woven Floral", Pier1, $45

"Smocked Drape", Pottery Barn, $50

"Velvet Drape", Pottery Barn, $89

"Textured Belgian Linen", Restoration Hardware, $129

                                                           

Never heard of it? Don’t beat yourself up, you decorating maven! Its not exactly covered on the front pages of  Better Homes & Garden Magazine (don’t I wish). Susan Rapp of Urban Style Decor Blog writes “Mystery + Beauty surround the Bohemian Chic Lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to express your soft romantic side and create beauty in home decor. Whether it be a city loft by the river or a downtown brownstone, we all need a little { pretty } in our hectic urban lives. So, if you love culture + fashion + design, come embrace a little bit of the sweet “Vanity Fair Vintage” lifestyle.”

When someone asks me to define my style I never have a clear cut answer. Mostly because it changes every three days. I help other people mold their style. But when I saw Rapp’s blog on the Bohemian Chic Lifestyle I knew she’d struck a nerve in this decorator. The photos she used are every single thing I wish I had in my haven, from the 19th century Rococo-style sette to the rustic iron lantern ~ I had finally come home. And there was a name for the beautiful (sometimes beat up) pieces I was always being drawn to!!

Not sure where to begin? First I recommend soaking up the charm that vintage pieces possess. Rid yourself of the idea that everything has to be “perfect”. There is infinite beauty in the most imperfect things on this earth. Then I suggest you forget all those “rules” little miss Martha Stewart has taught you. This is perhaps one of the most liberating decorating styles out there simply because there are no rules. You decorate with what feels good to you, whether that’s a 50 year old tea pot you found at an estate sale or a wooden bench you brought back from a trip in the Poconos. So let your inner Collector go wild and uncover the Bohemian Chic in you that’s been dying for you to drop the IKEA catalog!

Let me be honest; most of my blog posts are probably written mostly for women and read by mostly women. So today I would like to offer for your consideration a little something for the fellas. The single ones who think hanging a beach towel on the wall with a hula dancer on it constitutes art (it doesn’t, Ryan).

ApartmentTherapy.com has this awesome section on the ultimate bachelor pad. Check it out here: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/jeremy-ralphs-bachelor-pad-house-call-124725! Need to get your bachelor pad in shape (come on, that sofa you found on the side of the road isn’t exactly wooing the ladies)? Call Jennifer Hicks, C.I.D., at Designing Diva Interiors LLC!

Designing Diva Interiors LLC wouldn’t be what it is today if not for the clients and social media fans. To reward your gracious referrals and loyalty DDI is offering freebies to the 600th Facebook Fan AND the person who invited them! What’s in it for you? You will win a Designing Diva Interiors gift certificate plus a gift certificate for Showplace Market (www.showplacemarket.com). Moore, Oklahoma’s newest shopping experience has over 100 local vendors offering everything from baby fashion to unique home decor. Our two lucky duckies will win gift certificates to this bargain mecca, or, if you live outside of the OKC Metro, a gift certificate to Starbucks or Target, winner’s choice. So check us out on Facebook today under “Designing Diva Interiors” and tell your friends! Each day you will find the link to my daily blog, Back Talk, as well as useful design tips, heads-up on sales, both online and local, and so much more!

Designers have been decorating with bamboo for years and with good reason. It looks great, lasts forever and is an eco-friendly material. Below are some of my favorite ways of incorporating this hard-working friend of nature into my clients’ homes:

1) Curtain Rods. Ditch the metal rods and hang your window panels on rings and a bamoo rod. Because this isn’t commonly found in stores you will have to locate and cut your desired length on your own. The result is an unexpected focal point and where better to put a natural beauty like bamboo than in a place where it can frame the beauty outside?

2) Flooring. Bamboo flooring is catching on and your options aren’t as limited as you might think. Designing Diva Interiors has access to every style of bamboo available in today’s market and the looks are as varied as the clients’ personalities. Its soft on the feet and looks amazing, not to mention that it cuts down on household allergens.  **DDI also offers discounts up to 40% off on flooring for clients.

3) Tables. Bamboo tables rock my world and I can’t give you a better reason than this: they last forever and stand up to daily wear-and-tear like no other. Plus, the pricing is usually pretty fabulous. Not sure what your style is? Bamboo fits in wherever its needed!

If you would like to work bamboo into your decor but need a little nudge, allow Designing Diva Interiors LLC to show you the way! Contact DDI today to book your initial consultation.

Photo frames found at Paper Lion

As previously mentioned here DDI will be decorating a room in Edmond using only local businesses and products. Helping to contribute to this exciting concept are the Paper Lion of Edmond, Jeff Click Homes of Oklahoma, Cedarburg Square of Bethany and Mark Yearwood of Weatherford. 

Today was a fun day of product research as I hit up Cedarburg Square and Paper Lion to get an idea of the great inventory we could utilize. I have included a few photos from my treasure hunt. Want to see the final product? You’ll have to pick up the September issue of Edmond Active Magazine (www.edmondactive.com)! We will reveal the secret to decorating on a local level, where these items can be purchased and for how much. Supporting your local economy has never been so fun!

Mom Agenda planners/organizers found at Paper Lion

June 15-July 15, 2010

Stop by Cedarburg Square in Bethany, OK for your home decor shopping needs, spend $100 or more and enter to win FREE interior design service from Designing Diva Interiors, LLC!

Drawing Rules:

Winner to be announced no later than July 17 th, 2010. Free design service will expire six months from drawing date. Free design service is transferable but may not be turned in for cash. Designing Diva Interiors, LLC is not owned, operated or employed by Cedarburg Square. Free design/decorating service may be applied toward any service DDI offers including Custom Holiday Decorating Service and Home Staging.

So you’ve worked hard all spring preparing your yard for the BBQ’s, lazy evenings by the fire pit or hot afternoons by the pool. But once the sun sets will your efforts be missed by guests? Don’t let the sun go down on your new outdoor living space! Light it up with the Soji Modern Solar Lantern, $40, from www.allsopgarden.com!

Some of you may have hired a professional designer or decorator in the past. Some of you are considering it for the first time and many of you have upcoming initial consultations with one. In an effort to minimize any confusion and to make the most out of your time with your home’s new best friend, I would like to take a moment to list a few common things you should know before diving into your next project.

1) Is he/she currently certified, liscensed, insured and/or registered with the state? Many people find that they have a knack for decorating and begin offering their services to others. While you may save money going this route, be aware that this is definitely one of those cases where you get what you pay for. He/she may not have the experience and education required to provide you with the results you want in a timely and desirably manner. Additionally, hiring someone who is not insured is a huge risk to you. If that person is injured while in your home they could sue and win.

2) Talk about fees. At or before your initial consultation your designer should discuss her fees. If she doesn’t, bring this topic up before she leaves that first appointment. You don’t want any surprises later. Make sure you are clear on the following: Is the rate hourly or by the job? When it payment due? Which forms of payment are accepted? Is there a late fee for past due payments?

3) What are your goals for this project? Over the years I have gotten much better at reading clients’ body language to help me understand what they want when they cannot verbalize it. However, this should not be the standard method of communication between designer and client. Before meeting with your designer for the first time make a list, no matter how long or short, of your goals concerning this project. This can include a desired budget, timeline and overall look. I encourage clients to tear pages out of magazines that show colors, styles or items they are inspired by. This will help to make the very most out of your time together.

4) Are you and your spouse on the same page? Again, this is something that should be determined before the designer arrives on the scene but if your wants differ from those of your spouse, a good designer can help bring the two of you together. But know this: we are not marriage counselors. We are here to create a look that compliments your style, needs and budget. If she wants a coastal vibe for the family home and he demands Old World traditional decor, there is only so much I can do. It is awkward to watch a couple bicker in front of me so please discuss your wishes with one another before bringing me in. This is will save everyone time and money and believe it or not, a designer WILL “fire” the client if the job is going nowhere because of this issue.

5) Does my designer have a niche or specific style?  Many designers across the globe establish themselves in one niche over the course of their career. This may mean that, while they can do all styles, they are particularly skilled at bringing French Country to life or really prefer doing childrens’ rooms. So why is this important for you to inquire about? If you hire a designer who’s portfolio shines with photos of rustic cabins and outdoor living spaces, you may not be getting someone who ”gets” your style which could be more modern.

6) How many clients does he/she work with at one time? No one ever asks me this and I am surprised by it. I have recently made it common practice to tell each person who inquires about my services that I only work with five clients at any given time. This ensures that each project gets my utmost attention and that I won’t be too busy to assist them with a last-minute or emergency need. With a designer-or any contractor- who overbooks himself the client comes up short changed. Make sure your designer will have the time to deal with any and all needs you require- whether you know about them yet or not.