JOURNAL

Styling is the very last thing that I focus on in my interior design projects and unless it’s a full service interior design project that includes all the furnishings and accessories, I don’t even do it. But when I do, usually before a photo shoot, styling the coffee table or the book shelves is a really fun part of the job. Many people ask how I do it, so here are some of my tips.

Fun memory - I used to design prints for Barbie clothes.

With all this new “Barbie Dreamhouse” and Barbie Pink talk, it brings back memories of my last career, when I ran my own textile design studio and I not only designed prints for home furnishing fabrics, wallpapers, and apparel fabrics, but Mattel was also a huge client. I worked on dozens of prints for Barbie clothes. Here’s one that became a sundress. That was another lifetime.

Arroyo Monthly magazine has featured Décor Revolution in their design issue, in an article called “ADU Revolution” by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski. It focuses on our specialty in designing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

I recently did a project for some alumni clients of mine where we replaced all the window treatments in their home with new ones. They had purchased window treatments from me about 15 years ago and now it was time to do a refresh. We put Hunter Douglas shades throughout their home and all motorized. They love the convenience that the motorization provides them with raising and lowering their shades, but most important is the energy efficiency that these new window treatments provide for my clients.

So, let us talk about how some window treatments can make your home more energy efficient.

There are many things that can go wrong on any build or remodel project and especially an ADU, but the first, and most important, mistake people make is hiring the wrong people for the architectural/design process.

There is so much work that goes into this process that the average lay person does not appreciate. Simply having a clear understanding of the building codes which are so complex and constantly changing is vital to being able to professionally design your ADU.

Repurposing Project Using Some Bold Color

One of my favorite client’s is crazy for color and pattern, which I love about her. She is so much fun to work with. So, the project was to give her small dining area a refresh and we started by refinishing the table with two different finishes. We used a beautiful oyster finish on the legs and apron of the table and kept the existing cherry finish on the table top. The top was damaged though, so it needed to be repaired. Then we matched the finish on the dining chairs to the legs on the table.

After that came the selection of the really fun fabrics for the chairs…