About Face

by Lauri on January 28, 2010

in Interior Decorating and Redesign

Use What You Have will be unveiling a new website shortly and the pressure is on for me to “get with the program” and sign up for Facebook in order for the new link to work (our redesigned site has actually been ready and waiting for a while). Although I’ve received email invitations from people who want to be my ‘friend,’  I feel awkward about the whole process (obviously, they haven’t realized I’ve been a holdout).images-1

Perhaps it’s because I am a fairly private person it seems strange to me that anyone would care to read about what I, and others, might be doing or thinking at a particular moment. But I felt the same way when I started writing this blog and have really enjoyed connecting with you.

images-2I guess the time has come to join the thousands (millions?) who are already sharing their musings on this enormous social network. Have you? If so, give me a couple of weeks and let’s become Facebook friends, too.

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Designs They Are A-Changin’

by Lauri on January 19, 2010

in Interior Decorating and Redesign, Trends

Everything changes, doesn’t it? Here are 10 ways the interior design industry has shifted over the past decade:

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1. There are more home design-related retail stores than ever before.
2. Many trade-only showrooms have opened their doors to the public.
3. The Internet has provided endless resources for purchasing furnishings online.
4. There are more TV programs and catalogs focusing on home design than ever.
5. More interior design books have been published over the last decade.
6. The interest in DIY decorating has grown.
7. Decorating webinars and seminars have gained popularity.
8. Home electronics use has greatly affected the look and function of many rooms.

And, my favorites, saved for last:images-1

9. Decorating help is no longer restricted to only the very wealthy.
10. The affordable services of interior redecorators (vs high priced interior designers) have become accessible so that almost anyone who wants to have a prettier and more comfortable home – albeit on a budget – can do so.

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Nancy Knows

January 11, 2010 Interior Decorating and Redesign

Have you seen It’s Complicated, the new film from Nancy Meyers?  She’s the writer/director who gave us Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday and (with her ex-husband), Father of The Bride.
In a recent New York Times cover story, Meyers quoted French filmmaker, Francois Truffaut as saying: “Making movies is an accumulation of details.” Anyone who loves [...]

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Another 365 Chances

December 29, 2009 Going Green

It’s hard to believe that 2009 is almost over and the second decade of the millennium will begin in a couple of days.  It has been a memorable year, in many ways, and I am counting all of the blessings and lessons that have made it significant.
Aside from evaluating the past, have you also started [...]

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A Use What You Have Christmas at the White House

December 23, 2009 Accessories

This year the Obamas did things a bit differently than past occupants to decorate “the people’s house:” they decided to reuse approximately 800 ornaments that were left over from previous administrations and sent them to 60 local community groups around the country for redecoration. Simon Doonan, who is well known for his original displays in [...]

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L-Shape Bad, U-Shape Good!

December 14, 2009 Downsizing

If you are downsizing to a smaller home and own a sectional sofa, consider removing one or two armless seats to create a better-fitting unit.
A couple I consulted with last week had an L-shaped sectional that was not working in their new living room. While the sofa was attractive and fit the space, the [...]

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What Trash!

December 8, 2009 Accessories

At this time of year, with holiday decorations taking up lots of space, it’s especially important that we rid our homes of junk mail and catalogs.
There are a couple of steps we can take to proactively prevent pile-ups and save more trees: calling or emailing the senders; asking to opt out of future mailings, and [...]

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Recycling Down Under And Up Above

November 30, 2009 Going Green

When the Union Square subway station in New York was renovated a few years ago, the original 14th Street tile-work was salvaged and turned into beautiful stone-backed columns; each a tribute to old-world craftsmanship. The redesign used what was there to transform the former markers into modern works of art.
Right now, above the station on [...]

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Hungry Yet?

November 27, 2009 Places & Things To See

If you live in the New York area and you’re not too stuffed to think about food, I’d like to share the names of a couple of casual restaurants where my decorator trainees and I enjoyed lunch last week.
The first, Le Petite Cafe on Court Street in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn, has a magical enclosed garden [...]

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Bits And Pieces

November 9, 2009 Interior Decorating and Redesign

If you would like to freshen up your home for fall and the coming holidays, you don’t have to spend a lot of money.
Consider buying a pair of pretty sofa pillows or have some new covers made for your existing cushions. That’s what I did last week: I had some pale banana-colored pillow covers made [...]

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LOVE Before And After Makeovers

November 2, 2009 Living Up To Full Potential

I just returned from the home of a client I’d worked with previously. When I first met the woman, who is in her late 40s, she’d hired me to redecorate four rooms. At the end of her consultation she asked if I had ever helped clients with personal styling, too. I explained that I have [...]

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Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2009 Holiday Decorating

My grand-dogter, Bailey, hopes you have a lot of fun today, too.
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Walking The Line – Straight Traffic Patterns

October 27, 2009 Furniture & Arrangement

Have you noticed how in some homes the furniture is arranged so that the traffic pattern is around the seating area in the living room, family room, bedroom or even dining room?
One easy way to avoid creating an obstacle path or detour is to check where the doorway or entrance to the room is located [...]

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Thank You, Dear James Deering

October 21, 2009 Places & Things To See

Joe and I toured Vizcaya last week. It is the former winter home of James Deering, the industrialist whose family owned International Harvester Company which produced agricultural equipment worldwide. Today, the Coral Gables, Florida estate is a public museum with 34 rooms which are decorated with 15th through 19th century furnishings and artwork.
Here are a [...]

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Does It Make You Smile?

October 16, 2009 Accessories

A client who lives on Central Park West recently mentioned that she’d seen a couple of very cute accessories at Target but didn’t buy them because she would have felt uncomfortable if someone asked her where she’d found them. Tar-jay, a problem? I guess she needs to read Metropolitan Home magazine and check out their [...]

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The New Old South

October 14, 2009 Places & Things To See

Did you know that there’s a shift towards doing a lot in less space? That as a society we are finding we are happier with fewer possessions? That more and more people are cooking and growing their own food, and wellness is more important to most Americans? These are just a few of the topics [...]

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Georgia On My Mind

October 2, 2009 The Interior Redecorators Network

I’m off to Atlanta to attend the annual Interior Refiners Network Conference and I’m excited that I’ll be seeing lots of friends and colleagues from across the country.
Every conference the IRN has ever had has been truly unforgettable, thanks in large part to our Conference Coordinator extraordinaire, Kathleen Dutka – she rocks.
As always, there [...]

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No, Really. Where Is Your Desk?

September 28, 2009 Home Office

When I was a little girl I had a walnut desk in my bedroom where I did my homework every night. It held an old-fashioned metal pencil sharpener, which was screwed into the desktop, and it had a great leather blotter and matching pencil cup. If I close my eyes right now, I can [...]

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Choosing To Do

September 25, 2009 Organization

I don’t know about you, but I can’t be productive without keeping a daily list. Every night, before bed, I write out my “To Do” list for the next day, which also helps me sleep better. A Post-It note works well for me because it can be slapped on the dashboard of my car or [...]

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Artwork With No Hang-Ups

September 21, 2009 Art

Whether you rent or own your home an easy way to display your artwork and collectibles and also avoid making holes in many of your walls is to install an art ledge where you can simply prop up one or more pieces against the wall.
One or two simple wooden shelves, painted or stained to match [...]

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