Designing Diva Interiors

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.

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.

If I had assistant, today SHE would need an assistant. With the opening of the Symphony Orchestra Show House and the evening events that precede the days are even shorter (if not more fun) than they have been. Couple that with the fact that Designing Diva is at its max for client intake, this is certainly the wrong day for high heels.

I think that some people have this preconceived notion about I do, and I consider that a good thing. If my clients don’t realize how many hours go into the phone calls, shopping, sketching, driving to meet contractors, returning and picking up samples etc that go into making their home gorgeous… well then, I’d say I’ve saved them more than a few bottles of Tylenol. The downside is that some people might think that I wake up when I choose, spend the day shopping with other peoples’ money and doing fun things like designing rooms in show houses. My job is highly enjoyable– it is truly my passion– but it is not as laid back as one might think. Today, like all other week days, I was up and dressed by 6:30 am and returning clients’ e-mails by 6:45. Before the afternoon is over I will locate hardware for a clients’ kitchen sink, have glass cut for a custom desk I’m building (okay, I’m building it with the supervision of my husband), shop for window shades for a home staging client, shop for fabric for seat cushions and meet with a new client to help her find the perfect paint colors for her home. Tired feet? Yeah, I’m wishing I were in my Nike’s right about now.

Before 6:00 I have to get my room at the Show House cleaned and ready to go for this evening’s Media Party as well as get myself presentable because by that time you’re dealing with flat hair (helllooooooo headband) and makeup that isn’t doing such a great job anymore of hiding the last 48 hours.

By the time my clients have gone to bed I will have followed up with more e-mails and phone calls and completed any prep work required for tomorrow’s appointments. If I could fit some laundry into that mix somewhere, that would be awesome; my wardrobe is getting down to the wire. If I don’t intervene by Friday I could be down to a red swimsuit cover-up and my dresses that I only wear to funerals.

Oh boy. This is definitely a double-shot espresso day.

This week I’ll be doing a series of posts called “If I Could Add 3 Things To My…” where I will feature the top 3 new products that I would buy TODAY if I could. Each day will center around a specific room, such as the master, the guest room, the powder bath, etc. Today is “If I Could Add 3 Things To My Kitchen”!

I’m kind of in love with kitchens. Tuscan kitchens, modern, minimalist kitchens, country kitchens- all of them. I love looking at the countless lighting options, the dining room tables a family will soon be gathering around, the flooring they will walk on a thousand times a day. And yet my own 1985 version lacks a great deal and I can’t seem to make a move in any one direction. Call it the Designer’s Curse– we know what’s out there so its harder for us to make a decision for our own home. So while I continue to thumb through magazine pages and send numerous e-mails to my husband asking “Do you like this? Please say yes!!” I can at the very least share with you my short list of things I would go out right this minute and buy to make my kitchen more desirable. I would love to be able to tell you that everything is extremely affordable but in all honesty this IS a dream list so while some items are easily obtained, others you see this week may require some old fashioned saving.

1) GelPro’s shock-absorbing mats are a life saver for cooks everywhere. Restaurants keep them in front of their sinks, cooktops, grills, etc to lesson the aches and strains on employees’ feet. Available in over 200 colors, patterns and sizes, I highly recommend these for every home- even if all you tend to make are reservations. www.gelpro.com or 1-866-GELMATS.

2) La Cornue France has long been known for their handcrafted stoves and this year’s latest model, the CornuFé, is no exception.  Likely one of those products that fall under the catagory of “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it” but its on my list anyway simply for its quality and beauty. The website does state that it is more affordable than its predacessor, the Château. With a stove like this you could very well skip the artwork.
http://www.purcellmurray.com/product_lacornue.cfm or 800-892-4040

3) More likely to end up in my kitchen in the near future is our #3 item of the day, Dyson’s Air Multiplier. Every kitchen needs proper air circulation and this most recent addition to the company offers both highly effective cooling with the sleekest design yet. Amplifies air by fifteen times? Its the perfect solution to our humid Oklahoma spring evenings. Sign. Me. Up.  http://www.dyson.com/fans/default.asp, online only.

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

If you follow “divainteriors” on Twitter there are savings in store for you! Between now and December 24, 2009, you can purchase design service gift certificates in one hour increments and receive $15 off each hour!

Example: Standard design fee is $75. For the next eight days ONLY you can purchase two hours of design service for $120 instead of $150.

Gift certificates set to expire one year from date purchased and make great gifts! May be applied towards any design service DDI offers. Minimum of one hour ($60) required.

“Jennifer helped me transform my home into a cozy, warm home that I enjoy every minute.  She is an expert in using what you have, adding her ideas and carefully chosen additions and creating a beautifully crafted look in the style you want.  I look forward to working with her for many years.”

-Liz Lundin

Receive your $20 OFF coupon for booking your holiday decorating service by November 15th! Remember, you do not have to have your home decorated by the 15th, you simply must schedule your desired appointment by the 15th.  

Who is DDI’s Holiday Decorating Service for, anyway? You don’t need a huge home or an overflowing bank account to get a professionally designed room for the holidays! We do it all, large or small: tree decorating, fireplace/mantle decor, decorating for dinner parties and more.

Use your current decor or allow Jennifer Hicks to design a new look from the ground up and at an affordable cost to you! Take it easy this year and let us do the hard part for you.

*DDI and temporary holiday assistants are insured.

* Includes interior design only, exterior decorating jobs accepted at designer’s discretion.

                                              See “Contact Us” link on homepage.

…to receive your $20 OFF coupon for booking your holiday decorating service by November 15th! Remember, you do not have to have your home decorated by the 15th, you simply must schedule your desired appointment by the 15th.  

Who is DDI’s Holiday Decorating Service for, anyway? You don’t need a huge home or an overflowing bank account to get a professionally designed room for the holidays! We do it all, large or small: tree decorating, fireplace/mantle decor, decorating for dinner parties and more.

Use your current decor or allow Jennifer Hicks to design a new look from the ground up and at an affordable cost to you! Take it easy this year and let us do the hard part for you.

*DDI and temporary holiday assistants are insured.

* Includes interior design only, exterior decorating jobs accepted at designer’s discretion.

If you have a question, Designing Diva Interiors has the answer! In the comment box below, leave your home improvement/design question and get it answered by your favorite interior decorator or one of her expert panelists in fields such as carpentry, interior painting, landscaping, and others!