Julie Dana is an Accredited Staging Professional and interior decorator who has been styling homes for almost 10 years. She is a contributor and co-author to several publications including, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Staging Your Home to Sell . In her downtime, Ms. Dana enjoys mentoring new professionals and being a wife and mother to her two wonderful sons.
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I have been helping a lot of people shop for furniture lately. Maybe the economy is really turning around? – no – it is just people spending their tax refunds
There are a lot of great furnture stores out there but just be cautious when working with a salesperson who works on commission; many sales people do – and there is nothing wrong with that – just as a shopper you need be careful of being talked into too much furniture. I have found many salepeople over sell the amount of furniture you really need.
One recent example: a great couple was re-doing their formal living room. It really only needed a sofa and two great chairs but the couple called me in to see the plans. Yes – this plan had waaaay too much furniture.
You can always go back and add another chair if you feel you need to but it is difficult and maybe impossible to return the extra piece.
The Home Stylist doesn’t work for a particular store. I can honest tell you what you need. Call me so I can help you make wise purchases. (716) 912-1581
I was recently at a home in which the lovely lady of the house wanted advice on decorating.
In the family room, right off the kitchen, was more appropriately called “the trophy room”.
On the wall was over 30 creatures that have been mounted. Thus 60 eyeballs looking at anyone who came into the house.
This was not in a gentleman’s den or even in a finished basement but one of the main public entertaining rooms on the main floor. This house is also not a lodge or hunting cabin but a regular suburban house in a regular average subdivision/development.
I just had to take photos because it is a classic example of inappropriate decorating. If you want neighbors, friends and family to feel welcomed in your home – do not display a collection such as this.
I am not against hunting – I am against having an uneasy, non-welcoming feeling for those who visit.
Here is what I mean: (and I didn’t even photograph them all)
Do you ever feel like Goldilocks when you retail shop for armoires, desks, or bookcases – some are too small and some too big? Custom built furnishings can be the answer.
Recently I turned to a New York company, Aurora Custom Cabinets, to custom build an armoire and folding station for my room in a Decorator’s Show House. They turned out simply beautiful and not too big, not too small but “just right”
Now don’t jump to the conclusion that it is too expensive. That is not always the case. Aurora Custom Cabinets are about the same price as a higher-end kitchen cabinet at Lowes or Home Depot but the craftsmanship and quality is so much better.
In your area, look for a woodworker to make a perfect “just right’ piece for you. Or Aurora Custom Cabinets can even ship some items to you.
Here are some photos of other work that Aurora Custom Cabinets has done:
Look into custom built pieces, it may not be as expensive as you may think. visit Aurora Custom Cabinets
On Friday February 9 The Home Stylist was included in a very nice article on decorating fireplace mantels.There are a lot of great tips and ideas in this article.
I was recently working on a client’s home where we needed to fill in a big empty corner. I simply took the ottoman and added a pillow – viola – an extra chair. With a magazine rack beside it, you have a nice spot for reading. The best aspect was no money was spent.
If you have no-cost “fill-in-an-empty-spot” ideas, please send them to me. I would love to share them with others.
