MY SHOPPING LIST
It’s that time of the year again!!! Time for the bi-annual High Point Furniture Market! The market every interior designer needs to attend. The High Point Market is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world, with 11.5 million square feet of show space! This means, I need to pull out my comfy shoes… Continue reading
Window Treatments – Do’s and Don’ts
Window treatments not only complete the room, but they are a great way to add glamour and personality. They are a wonderful opportunity to introduce a beautiful fabric and a unique design that frames the windows. It is important to remember they are one of the main things you’ll see within the space, so… Continue reading
My Fabric Crush – Fortuny
A few years ago I purchased my first Fortuny fabric, and I have been in love and obsessed with them since. I frequently scour Ebay and other online sites to try to find pieces to add to my stash. (I know it’s an addiction – I’ll be the first to admit I’m a FABRIC-HOLIC… Continue reading
Ask Barb: Headboard Alternatives
Question– Hi Barb, do you have any suggestions for creating an inexpensive and creative alternative to hang above my bed, instead of a traditional headboard? I am on a limited budget, but would like it to look unique and beautiful. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. Cheryl from Fairfield, Connecticut
Hi Cheryl… Continue reading
Shopping for a New Sofa?
Back again!!!!! Sorry for ignoring you all for the past couple weeks, I wish I could say I was on a fabulous trip to a tropical island, but not the case. Just really busy with new customers!
In October our showroom was transformed with the arrival of our beautiful furniture from CR Laine, you can… Continue reading
It’s Market Time!!!
Me again (in case you forgot)!!! And it’s time for my bi-annual trip to High Point, NC!! The High Point Market is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world. There are over 2000 exhibitors of furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories, and 11.5 million square feet of show space – I’m sure to find everything on my shopping list… Continue reading
Should I Reupholster or buy New?
We’ve all asked this question when we’re looking at tired, well used and/or outdated pieces of furniture? My customers actually ask me this every week. In my own home I have recovered two of our sofas twice over the last 25 years. Every now and then I like to change the color of my formal… Continue reading
Can't get enough of Blue
It is no secret to anyone my all-time favorite color is BLUE! My first car was blue, my first sofa was blue, first suit in the corporate world was blue. I love it so much my bedroom and dining room ceilings are cobalt blue!
Blue is a very easy color to live with,… Continue reading
Choosing the Right Paint Color
All of us at one time or another have made color mistakes on our walls. Back in the 90’s when faux painting was gaining popularity, and everyone was ragging and sponging their walls, I got caught up in the momentum and ragged my formal living room walls in my home in Georgia.
Not the brightest idea for a couple of reasons. Number one – I used red paint, and number two, I had no experience with ragging. I read some books and ran with the idea. The result – the walls appeared as if there was a mass homicide in the room and blood splattered all over the walls. Bob and the girls still will not let me forget this one.
Over the years I have learned a thing or two about choosing the right application and paint color. Here are some important tips to follow when you are choosing paint color for your home.
Tip number 1
Hire a professional for faux painting. Unless you have amazing artistic talent leave the faux painting to a professional. A good faux faux finish usually involves several layers of paint and glaze for the desired look. Not something you can learn overnight from a book!
Tip number 2
Start with an inspiration piece. Inspiration pieces can be anything that you love and want to incorporate into the room. Many times the inspiration piece is a fabric, rug, or a piece of artwork. Or maybe it is an image you found on Pinterest. This image inspired me to use red accents in my bedroom, and create a wall of photos in red frames. Click here to read more ideas on inspiration pieces.
Tip number 3
Do not choose your color from a paint chip. Paint chips are too small to accurately gauge whether the color has the right tone or hue for the room and its furnishings. And the paint chip decks are mass produced, so they are only copies of the color!!!
Tip number 4
Purchase paint samples of the colors you think will work in the room. All the paint companies and big box stores sell small containers of the actual paint colors at a minimal cost. Purchase the paint samples and paint a sample board. I have 100+ sample boards I use when I am specifying paint colors for my customers. The boards can be moved around the room easily to determine if the color, tone and hue are correct.
Tip number 5
Don’t paint splotches on the wall of your room with your sample paint colors. This will just confuse you and make it harder for you to determine if the color is right one.
Lining Window Treatments – What Everyone Needs to Know
I am a huge proponent of lining window treatments, especially draperies. The truth is lining adds a tiny bit of additional cost but it provides visual benefit and can make or break the way your window treatments hang and look.
Lining adds weight and stability to both draperies and other treatments. It helps the treatment hold its… Continue reading