Check out today's issue of SuzySaid.com for my answers to local reader's decorating dilemmas. http://ping.fm/Vy9uP

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table," Ronald Reagan. Now's the season to spruce up your eating area - what does your home say about you? http://ping.fm/XOh2T

Just sold some beautiful grasscloth wallpaper to a client with great taste. Another savvy homeowner making small changes for big impact!

Yeah! Today kicks off my "Ask a Decorator" column in the weekly emagazine SuzySaid.com. Subscribe, it's free! http://ping.fm/sn2g1

Just unloading new fabrics - yellow & gray is the HOT color combo for home decor this season.

Just added photos from yesterday's guest room makeover to my FB One Day Makeover album. Another happy client! Now, out for Mexican.

New blog posting features article written by my friend & realtor Kate Thomas of New Albany Realty. http://ping.fm/tfu5b

Shopping for client who needs guest room redesign by OSU/USC game & just found the perfect chair! She will love it!

Your Home is in a Beauty Contest When It's For Sale!

This article has been contributed by my friend Kate Thomas of New Albany Realty.


I was so pleased when Colleen asked me to contribute an article from a Realtor's perspective to her blog. In a recent eNewsletter, I wrote about the importance of staging when you want to sell your home. Homes that are selling in today's market not only have to be perceived as the best value in the market, but also one of the "prettiest" (hence the beauty contest analogy.) The idea is to take a home from "so-so" to "WOW"! The best way to do this is to work closely with a professional decorator and home stager to prepare your home for sale. And who better to do this for you than one of New Albany's premier decorators, Colleen Lora.

When a decorator is wearing their "staging" hat, they will approach your home from a marketability point of view. A good stager works to make sure that a potential buyer's eye is drawn to the most attractive parts of the home. Remember that today's real estate market is a "beauty" contest and to gen an offer, you need to win the contest. Effective staging will not only showcase your home to its best advantage but will help your home sell for top dollar and reduce the marketing time.

For more information on selling your home in today's market, contact Kate & Tony Thomas at New Albany Realty 614-939-8945 (http://www.newalbanyohio.com/) or email katet@newalbanyrealty.com With Colleen's staging expertise and Kate & Tony's marketing expertise your home will be positioned for a quick sale. We look forward to speaking with you!

Best to you!

I'm finishing my decorating seminar, "One Day Decorating 101." Interested groups/org? Email me at clora@decorandyou.com, the calendar will fill up soon!

My blog is www.decorandyoucolleen.blogspot.com

The Sofa in its Rightful Place

For those of you emailing and requesting to see what the sofa actually looked like when we got it in the room - here you go! The room isn't quite complete as I'm waiting on the beautiful Hunter Douglas Luminettes, my draperies and some artwork.

A Couch, A Condo & A Crane Makes for an Exciting Day!

Ask anyone in my profession what skills they find are crucial to being a good interior designer and I promise you that problem-solving and the ability to think on one's feet will be at the top of the list. I wanted to share this recent exercise in problem management with you and can do so because thankfully, it's about my own personal project and NOT one of my clients.

We recently decided that it was time to say goodbye to the Miami Vice decade and update our condo in Florida. So, like every good designer, I set about measuring the space, selecting the furnishings and plotting out my floor plan. The big day arrived and as I went down to the lobby to meet my delivery guys I was mortified to learn that my sofa would NOT fit in the elevator. The dimensions I received were off just a hair - but enough to guarantee it was not going up sixteen floors in that elevator.

"OK," I said to my guys, "If I tip you big are you willing to take it up sixteen flights of stairs in 94 degree heat?" They told me they were game and set off to begin their ascent. Well, as they approached the third floor stairwell the ceiling lost three feet of height and it was evident that my sofa would be damaged if they had to squeeze and scrape it over the railing thirteen times. I had to come up with another option.

It was presented to me that on such occasions the movers can - with assistance from the elevator operating company - put furniture on top of an elevator and ride it up slowly, getting out between floors. Well, that's against the law so we would take no such a risk.

What about creating a pully system over our balcony and bringing it up that way? Condo manager said "Nope - may damage the balcony." Everyone said I would have to send the sofa back - well, since I was the decorator and there was nothing wrong with the sofa I knew that was not an option.

I thought to myself, how do they get shingles up on these high rises? Then it hit me, I needed a crane. So, I asked the condo manager, "Can I get a crane in here?" He said, "Yes, but you need to have a certificate of insurance, workers comp, board approval etc...." Then I knew I needed to find a crane but time was of the essence because we were leaving for Ohio the next day and I have a sofa sitting in the parking lot. .

So, thanks to my trusty I -Phone, I googled, 'Crane Naples, Florida' and two numbers appeared. I called the first, who were quite affordable but could only go up about thirteen floors. So, I called the next company and they did in fact have a crane that could make the sixteen floors and they could do it that day. Once we had all the legal paperwork in hand and the crane was set up we were ready to go.

One small hitch was that due to a balcony overhang one floor above our's that the crane could hit, they would only be able to take the sofa to the fifteenth floor and the movers would then need to take it up one flight of stairs. I asked the movers if they wrapped the sofa in a blanket then shrink-wrapped it super tight could they squeeze it up one flight? They assured me they could so we were in business.

Though this whole drama drug on from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the actual lifting of the sofa took a mere ten minutes. I'm happy to report that the sofa is now resting comfortably - with the matching loveseat, in our living room where it will stay happily ever after. So, when and if we sell the condo, the sofa will be part of the deal!

I'd like to thank my movers from Warehouse Services and the very skilled crane operators from Allied Crane -- these guys are all true professionals and were just as determined as I was to get that sofa in our condo.

Working on next month's decorating e-newsletter. If you want to receive it, just send me your email address. Of course it's free!

Common Decorating Mistakes

Clients and friends ask me all the time what are the most common decorating mistakes people make, so I've compiled a list. Now some of these are simply my pet peeves, while others are based on sound elements of design like scale and balance. Good news is, most of these cost little to nothing to fix.

• Wimpy table lamps beside beds and sofas. If you are sitting in bed the light should flow from the shade to the top of your shoulder. In the above photo, the lamps are too small in scale to shed light properly and seems out of balance with the very large headboard.



• Lining your rooms walls with furniture. Furniture is best in conversational groupings that float in front of your focal point. Unless you plan on having a dance in the middle of your floor!



• Not enough, or too much light. Every room should have three types of light: overhead, task and accent. If all you have is an overhead light you are in essence, lighting nothing when you light everything. Get some table lamps, a floor lamp, and uplight for a tree, etc.



• Art hung too high... Take a cue from the art galleries where the center of the art is hung at or just above eye level. For above a sofa, art should be hung 4-8 inches above depending on your ceiling height.



• No window treatments or just blinds -- enough said, it's like getting all dressed up and forgetting your earrings -- it looks unfinished.



• Mirrors hung over beds or fireplaces. Mirrors should be placed where they reflect something worth seeing. If there is a pretty chandelier sometimes a mirror hung over a fireplace does work. But as seen in the photo above, the mirrors hung over the bed do not reflect anything pretty and should be replaced with some artwork.



• Improper color transtions from room to room. Color should flow, it doesn't have to be the same but it shouldn't shock one when they walk from one room to another. My exception to this is children's rooms, they love those hot colors and deserve a room that reflects their personality.



• Little knick knacks. Choose fewer accessories that are larger in scale and group together in odd numbers. It looks less like clutter and is easier for you come dusting time.



• White ceilings -- especially if you have beautiful crown molding. If you are color shy, paint your ceiling a lighter version of your wall color. If you are bold, look at the color wheel and choose a complementary color for impact - your moldings will POP!



• Going overboard with the faux painting treatments. As with everything, moderation is key.



• Forgetting the floor. Area rugs are art for your floors and anchor your seating arrangement that is now away from the wall. Just make sure the rug is large enough - at least the length of your sofa. You never want your walls, ceiling and floor to be all the same color = boring.



• Ignoring a room's character or focal points. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone place a sofa or a television in FRONT of their fireplace, how sad. Same with having a beautiful picture window with no soft window treatments.



• Overstuffed bookshelves. Unless you are loaning out books, your shelves should be 2/3rds full and have things on them other than books to add interest. A few framed photos, some greenery or accessories and some books placed on the horizontal will liven up your shelves.



• Buying matching suites of furniture, whether it be a bedroom or living room. That is so 1960's. Furnishing your space should not look as though it was done in a day. Matchy-matchy lacks originality and does little to reflect your personality.



• Buying without planning. By taking the time to measure and do a floor plan you will save yourself time and often thousands of dollars. I've seen a ton of folks with furniture that is too large for their space and they always say, "It didn't look so big in the store."



• Sloppy slipcovers. There are good slipcover companies out there and you can always have an upholsterer make one just for your furniture. Yes it costs more, but it is still less than replacing the sofa and it won't look like you are trying to hide something.



• Not painting the angled parts of dormer walls. When the angles are the same color as the ceiling and not the walls your eye travels the room going up and down in a choppy manner. When the walls match the angles your eye flows more smoothly and you are not distracted by the angles.

That's my list for now - please let me know of your design pet peeves, I look forward to your comments. If you found these tips helpful, I now have a FREE monthly e-newsletter full of such design tips and inspiration. If you wish to receive my newsletter, simply email me at clora@decorandyou.com and type "newsletter" in the subject line. You should receive your newsletter the first Tuesday of each month.

Buying Upholstered Furniture? Do Your Homework:

Today, more than ever, buying quality furniture is so important. By purchasing a high quality piece of furniture you will enjoy it for many years and be contributing to a greener environment by not adding inferior goods to our landfills.

Determining high quality in upholstery can be difficult because you can’t see what’s inside. Like with most things in life, the old saying, “You get what you pay for,” holds true. Many times I’ve heard people say, “I saw the exact same sofa at XYZ store for less money.” I explain that they did not see the same sofa, just one wrapped in similar looking fabric. And, what’s on the inside is critical to the life of the piece. Think of blue jeans – you can buy a pair for $20 or $200. And, anyone who has had both will tell you there is a huge difference – and they likely still have the $200 pair many years later.

The inner components of upholstered furniture include the frame, support foundation, padding and cushioning materials. The last piece of the puzzle is the outer fabric.

The frame is the basic unit of all upholstery – and it’s where the type of materials used and skilled workmanship will contribute to the price you pay. You want a kiln-dried hardwood frame because they do not warp. A soft wood frame – like pine – will lack strength and likely break down. Also, stay clear of laminate boards or MDF – after all, it is just sawdust mixed with glue. Do not fall for a sales person saying, “This frame is solid wood.” That’s a trick of the trade – paper and toilet paper are also solid wood but you wouldn’t want your sofa made out of it. Some better furniture manufacturers will show you a cutaway of their furniture, if one is not available ask the sales person specifically what type of wood is used for the frame. Also, there should be corner blocks underneath for corner frame reinforcement.

The next layer is the support foundation. This will be fabric webbing, steel springs, sinuous coils or wood slats. The springs are connected with twine, wire or clips. In high quality furniture, you will not be able to feel the metal supports through the cushioning fabric. Eight way hand tied and bench made are two terms associated with excellent quality.

Padding and cushioning materials can include a layer of cotton or polyester batting, springs, down and urethane foam (polyurethane). Urethane is the most common because it is durable, non-allergenic, comes in various densities and resists moths. High density foams with a high percentage of urethane are best. Light weight cushions will “hollow out” in a short period of time and is a sign of inferior goods.

For those seeking a luxurious seat and willing to absorb the higher price tag, feather and down or a combination can be found through higher end manufacturers. A good ratio is 80% feathers to 20% down as all down would be too soft to provide any support. Whatever the cushioning materials used, all should be wrapped in a case of muslin.

Lastly, the outermost layer of decorative fabric needs to be durable. Many materials are used today, from natural to manmade fibers, leather and vinyl. Ask your decorator or salesperson what it’s made out of and how best to care for it. All fabrics are graded and have been tested for durability. With many fabrics, a “double rub” number will have been assigned to it. Anything under 5,000 should not be used for upholstery. (I would not use under 15,000.) There are great velvets, microsuedes and chenilles out there today that have double rubs over 100,000. Keep in mind that a printed design will hide some minor soiling and a tightly woven fabric like polyester will wear better than a loosely woven one like some cottons. To further guard against stains, you can purchase additional fabric protection or a sealant plan. If you have little ones, it’s worth it. They will wear off over time and with cleanings so you will need to keep up with them for optimal results.

Decorating Your Home - When Doing It Yourself Doesn't Make "Cents"

Perhaps you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve recently downsized. Or maybe the 80’s have called and want their furniture back! Whatever the situation is, you realize it is time to “redecorate.” So, where to begin? And, should you do it yourself? To avoid costly mistakes, such as buying furniture that is too large for your home, take some extra time to analyze your space like a professional designer.

The first thing I tell my clients seeking that “magazine” look for their home is, “Do your homework; start clipping magazine photos of rooms, color schemes and furniture styles that you like.” Then, ask yourself some basic questions:

FUNCTION
* Who uses the room?
* Do you have young children, teenagers or pets?
* What is your lifestyle? Are you homebodies? Do you want to entertain?

In a house full of kids and pets, one should look for more durable, pet-friendly fabrics so that everyone can enjoy the room. I particularly love the new outdoor fabrics that have the look and feel of fine indoor fabrics – only they hold up like Teflon in such high traffic areas as the eating area.

FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT
If you are using existing furniture, determine what items to keep by asking yourself:
* What items are needed for the intended function of the room?
* Where is the best placement of each item?
* Is the piece a quality-made item that will stand up to use for years to come?
* Does the entire arrangement work well?

Once, you’ve determined what stays, take precise width and depth measurements of each piece and create a floor plan (there are some great free floor planning sites on line) considering the following items.

SPACE
* Will there be enough room to walk around the furniture? Do we need to consider ADA guidelines for someone using a walker or wheelchair?
* Does the scale of the furniture work well in the room?

I’ve seen people move into a large home yet still try to utilize the under-scaled furniture from their previous, smaller home. No matter how much they like it, it just never looks good in the large space nor does it feel warm or welcoming to their guests.

TRAFFIC PLANNING GUIDELINES
* Establish patterns through furniture arrangement – always keep ease of movement in mind.
* Establish a focal point – whether it’s a TV or fireplace – and arrange furniture groupings around this.
* Furniture arrangement must be convenient for activities, whether it’s watching TV or entertaining; eating a meal or sleeping.

STYLE
* What mood are you trying to convey? What image do you want to project?
* How does the lighting contribute to the style and function of the space?

These are just some basics to keep in mind – for a well-thought out room design tailored to the needs and lifestyle of your family, it may be in your best interest to consider working with a professional decorator. If you found these tips helpful and would like to subscribe to my decorating E-Newsletter, simply email me at clora@decorandyou.com and type "newsletter" in the subject line.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Decorator

I have discovered that a cloud of mystery seems to surround the interior design business and often deters people from seeking professional help. So, rather than staying stuck in a space that you're not quite happy with - here's a few insider tips I recommend you ask when searching for an interior designer or decorator.

What types of projects do you specialize in or prefer to work? A good designer will use the elements of design and therefore will be able to create beautiful designs in contemporary, traditional, transitional or ecclectic styles. Many times, geographic region will dictate the prevalent design style in a decorator's portfolio. However, some decorators prefer to only do a certain style for various reasons, so let them tell you what they like to do. What is more important is the chemistry between you and the designer plus the quality of work and experience in the field. A good designer will listen to your needs and translate that into YOUR custom design, not their style.

How many clients do you have right now and do you have time for another project of the scope that we are considering? You may like a designer's work but if they are too busy, they may not have time to devote to your project. If you are willing to wait, then it is less important.

What is a reasonable time-frame for completion for a project such as mine? Expectation setting is critical. Custom design takes a long time - anyone that tells you differently is misrepresenting the industry and is likely just telling you what you want to hear. When working with a designer it is most likely that the products are being made just for you based on your specifications. So, unlike walking into a big store that has 10,000 sofas sitting in a warehouse, you will have to wait 8-16 weeks for custom pieces. However, it is well worth it as the quality is inherently better and you will have a one-of-a kind piece. So, plan ahead - if you want a job done by the holidays, you need to have your custom pieces ordered by the end of July.

How much should I budget for my project? This is a critical question and will depend on the scope of work and your selections. Fabric price is a huge influencer on overall cost of goods. You can cover a sofa or do a window treatment in $30 a yard fabric or $300 a yard fabric. It is your choice and a good designer will tell you what you get for the money. A good rule of thumb for window treatments is 10% of the home's value. A quality custom sofa will range anywhere from $2,0000 on up depending on the fabric you choose. The decorator should walk you through your space, discuss priorities and give you good, better, best price options to meet your budget requirements.

How do you work? Another great question. All designers charge differently. Most charge by the hour and a mark-up from wholesale on the furnishings. I do not charge by the hour when clients purchase products from me and product pricing is all inclusive. Meaning, if I quote you $1000 for your window treatments, that will cover the design, fabric, labor, delivery, hardware and installation of your draperies. I find that it's much easier on me and the client than tracking hours. If someone only wants to "pick my brain", say a color consult or floor plan assistance that is when I do charge by the hour. Typical hourly rates in the midwest are $75 - $200 per hour.

Do you carry professional lilability and Business Owner's Policy insurance? Are you certified in the profession? This is very important. You want a professional designer that carries these insurances for your protection. If they do not carry this insurance, proceed at your own risk.

How large is your portfolio of vendors? This is the available furniture, flooring, fabric, and other trade items that are available for your optimal selection. This will insure that you will have a unique end result and not one just like your neighbor down the street.

Do you come to my home, do I come to your studio and/or do we go shopping elsewhere? If you are strapped for time, you will want a decorator that always comes to you - even if that means evenings and weekends. Most of my clients are busy professionals and their time is valuable. So they appreciate that I will meet with them outside of business hours and that we won't be wasting their valuable free time shopping from store-to-store.

May I speak to a past client or two? Qualified decorators will have loads of happy clients - just ask them for references and testimonials. Also, ask your friends, neighbors, professionals such as Realtors, and other specialists that you trust for recommendations. If you visit someone's home and see work that you admire, ask for a referral.

Will you personally be on site for all deliveries and installations? If anything happens on the job this is important. You want them present and they should want to be on hand to see the fruits of their labor come to life.

What form of payment do you accept and what are the payment terms required to place an order? If you know you want to use your American Express card to earn those bonus points you had better ask rather than assume that the designer accepts it. Some only work with cash or checks. I accept everything but Discover. Also, expect a deposit of 50-75% to place a custom order - some may require the full 100% at time of your order. That is because the designer is paying for your items up front. And, custom goods are of course non-returnable. However, a good designer will stand behind the quality of the items they sell.

I hope this list has provided some guidance as you consider your home decorating projects. If you have additional questions, please feel free to post them. Happy Decorating! Décor & You was voted “Best Interior Design Firm” by Columbus CEO Magazine for 2008-2009. An award winning decorator, Colleen's studio is located in New Albany, Ohio.

The Art of Good Bed-Making

The bedroom is the site of what mental health professionals call “regression,” a normal falling away of the more rational and controlled parts of our personalities – which is necessary to falling asleep. It’s where we unwind, release the day’s tension and share the most intimate part of our lives. For such reasons, it is recommended that one make the bedroom their first priority when tackling home decorating projects.

Obviously, the most important aspect of the bedroom is the bed. However, so little instruction has been given as to what goes into making the perfect bed, one that’s conducive to good health and a good night’s sleep. For centuries great thought and care went into dressing the bed. I remember once being told by an elderly Italian grandmother that even if I found myself in poverty or sickness I should always make a good bed for myself. That tidbit of advice stuck with me. To make the recipe for a perfect bed you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Undercovers: A mattress pad and pillow covers to provide an added barrier of protection against soiling. Waterproof or allergen-impermeable ones are available if needed and are good bets for children.


• Additional padding: Some prefer extra softness from the use of a feather bed, lambs wool pad or a man-made alternative. I’ve had a lambs wool pad for years and swear by their insulating properties. To clean it I run a vacuum attachment over it weekly when I change the sheets and launder every other month. If you are using a feather bed you’ll want to encase it in a cover to help keep in the feathers and prevent any poking.


• Skin contact linens – the bottom sheet (may be fitted), top sheet and pillowcases.


• Insulators – blankets, quilts, comforter or duvet


• Day cover to protect against dust – These are often your decorative bedspreads, coverlets or blanket cover.

HOW TO MAKE THE BED:

Sheets: Once you’ve placed the fitted bottom sheet on the bed place the top sheet wrong side up so that when the top hem is folded down over the blanket the detailed edging shows its right side. Fold under and miter the two corners at the foot of the bed. Mitered – or hospital corners – look neater and stay securely in place while you sleep. (If you’re not familiar with how to make hospital corners email me at clora@decorandyou.com or Google them).

Blankets, quilts, or duvets: Put on the blanket, right side up, over the top sheet so that the top of the blanket comes to a point about six to ten inches from the head of the bed. Tuck the blanket in at the foot and make corners at the bottom, same as the sheets. Then fold down the top sheet over the blanket. There should be a generous portion of the sheet turned down to protect the blanket from body oils. If you wish, add a second top sheet or some other thin, light spread over the blanket. You see that a lot these days in fine hotels. This adds a modest degree of weight and warmth and helps keep the blanket clean. Or in summer you can use a second sheet in place of a blanket.

Comforters/Duvets: Usually left untucked because of their thickness. These can add the decorative element to your bed. If you are not using the duvet for warmth it should be folded down at night before you sleep. Same for the comforter as these are items that typically require dry cleaning and are often expensive to replace.

Day Cover: The outermost layer of the bed can be a coverlet or tailored bedspread and is used to protect the bedclothes from soil and can provide another decorative element. Thanks again to fine hotels, day covers are finding their way back into many households. If you have a dust ruffle, the bedspread should not reach the floor.

Pillows: Once your day cover is spread you can place the pillows in any style you like. A contemporary style is to fold the top sheet over the comforter of blanket cover, leaving two, four or more pillows showing at the top of the bed. Pillows that are covered in decorative cases – or shams – are not for sleeping and should be removed from the bed each night.

Dust Ruffles/ Bed skirts: Ruffled or pleated decorative fabric placed between the mattress and box springs hang to the floor. They are totally optional and their only purpose is to make the bed look attractive – though they do come in handy for hiding things stored underneath. Simply vacuum dust ruffles regularly with an attachment.

Yes, making a proper bed may take more time than simply throwing over a sheet – but there are concrete and luxurious reasons to do the extra effort. So, take a cue from those high end hotel chains and turn your bed into a sleeping sanctuary – you’ll thank yourself in the morning, I promise.

A Word about Decorating Trends

This time of year we are overwhelmed with predictions for the New Year. Whether it's on TV or in the magazines, experts are telling us what we should buy in 2009 to look or be "hip". Our homes are no different. Most of us want our home decor to reflect current trends and to not look "dated". However, just as with fashion home decor trends run the risk of being 'in' one day and 'out' the next. So, what's a savvy homeowner to do?

As a professional decorator, I have found that the number one thing to keep in mind when decorating your space it to do what makes YOU feel comfortable, happy and functional - no matter what may be the newest fad. That's why I often ask to see a clients closet or visit a room that they absolutely love - even if it's in a hotel or out of a magazine. More than likely those are the colors they can live with comfortably for years to come. I've seen more people fall for a current color scheme - say the recent trend in pale blue and chocolate brown - and then spend a lot of money furnishing an entire room in that scheme. Though they may not ever wear blue or have any brown in their home they still want what's "in". Sadly, after just a few short months many have grown tired of the scheme or find they aren't as comfortable in the space as they had hoped -- they have fallen victim to fads...

Luckily, there are many ways to keep up with the latest trends while still maintaining your personal sense of style - and save you valuable dollars in the long run.

Accessories: An inexpensive way to introduce a trend into your decor is to use accessories while keeping the same pieces of furniture you already have in a room. Another trend we're seeing is bringing funky, vintage items into otherwise modern rooms. It's the juxtaposition of old/new that makes it current. Other trends in accessories include silver, mercury glass finials, large glass apothecary jars filled with items that complement your color scheme and groupings of large, white porcelain vases or bowls really add visual impact.

Color: Painting always breathes new life into a space and costs next to nothing. Color trends we see that can be used for years to come include combing raw neutrals like grays and beiges with more organic pops of color, like terra cotta, lavender or green. Another theme recycled over the years is picking two main colors for a room, including the walls, furnishings, and flooring then adding a splash of a third color through the use of accessories, art and florals. Black and white is still a classic scheme for creating drama but we are seeing the addition of a third bright color like turquoise or hot pink to update the scheme. Color experts predict that current economic conditions will attract us to bring shades of yellow into our home as it brings thoughts of joy and happiness to our psyche. For that same reason we are seeing less shades of blue - unless used in combination with yellow.

Fabrics: Bold fabrics certainly make a statement about your style. One fabric trend that has withstood the test of time is animal prints. They are viewed as modern, but take on a neutral effect because they are so classic. Even the most traditional room can look current by adding a little animal print on an accent chair, ottoman or toss pillows. Another pattern trend is large scaled damask prints - and I mean large, often the motif can be over 20" in scale. They can turn those old wing back chairs into real conversation pieces.

Dimension. This is the area of design most overlooked by do-it-yourselfers and not an expensive or complicated one. Dimension is the overall feeling of a room more than a certain item. It is the easiest way to give your space new life while keeping your existing furniture and making minimal investment. Dimension is achieved through the proper use of lighting, flooring and wallcoverings.

Make sure you have more than just an overhead light in a room. I once heard that by lighting everything you are lighting nothing - it is so true. Be sure your bedside or endtable lamps are of proper scale, the bigger the better. Go glam and add a chandelier to your bedroom or bath. Pick up inexpensive can lights at your local hardware store to uplight your trees or light up a dark corner, turn a piece of art into a focal point by accenting it with light, you get the jist...

Wallpaper Rocks! I know, I know - you think of your grandmother's cabbage roses when you think of wallpaper - or you think you are married to it for life. Not the case. Today's wallpapers imitate the best textures, add art to your walls and can be removed in minutes. I think wallpaper is an absolute must in windowless powder rooms. Acoustics improve immensely with the use of wallpaper so it's great in media rooms and rooms with vast, cathedral ceilings.

Dont' forget what's under foot. Flooring is key in keeping up with trends. Hardwood floors have been in demand for years. So, if you're lucky enough to have them, don't cover them up with wall-to-wall carpet. Bring in the drama and artistic flair with a new area rug -weavers keep up with color trends and you'll find one to fit your taste and achieve the trend you desire. Bring the color up to mid and eye level with toss pillows and artwork for a complete designer look.

I hope you've learned to enjoy the trends but proceed with caution. Know your true likes and dislikes before you splurge on some new trend - and when in doubt, contact a professional or send me an email - I'd love to help.