DECORATING BOOK Part 2

PREPLANNING:

It is important to have a good idea of what style or look you want before you go out and buy anything. There are many styles and most of us use a combination of them to express our individuality. What is your style?

Like any project… decorating takes planning. The plan will help you spend your time and money wisely. You do not want to buy a piece of furniture or paint walls a color which will look totally out of place with that you already have going or will not fit into the look you want. Even with eclectic interiors, you can ruin a look using the wrong piece or color.

As a sales person, I was always amazed how unprepared customers were to shop. They were ready to buy, but really had no idea what they wanted and could not express what look they were going for. Sales people can be a real asset if you can give them a good idea of what you want. If you can show them a few pictures, a fabric swatch etc. they can show you what will work, and give you other suggestions and ideas. Sales people are trained to question you so they can find you what you need. If you are prepared this will speed the process! They will not have to probe you with questions and take you all over the store to get the idea of what you want.

WHERE TO START:
Start by collecting pictures from decorator and women’s magazines. This link will take you to a great article about how to “read” a decorator magazine. Learn how to get the most out of using photos and articles.

The internet has a wealth of photos collections for inspiration and putting together what you love. Also the sites feature the latest decorator trends. These are a few of the ones I find very helpful.

HGTV
Better Homes & Gardens
Creative Home
Style At Home

You might also look at some of the decorator magazine sites for pictures. Here are a few to get you started:
Traditional Home
House Beautiful
Pure Contemporary

Décor & Style
Country Living

HINT: When I start a project I collect pictures from websites and put them into a file on my hard drive. Later I go thru them and create PowerPoint presentations with pictures and notes. (You could also put them in a Word document with notes.) Personally I like PowerPoint because then I can flip thru them and they are easy rearrange and share with others. Later you can print them for your decorator book and shopping. Some great sites have photo collections of rooms and are invaluable because they are very up to date.

JUST WINDOW SHOPPING:

Take notes of what you have seen where and if you pick up samples put a note on them what it is: the collection, color name or number and price…and of course where you saw it. After looking for awhile it is all going to run together in your head.

To start you might stop in the paint departments or stores for paint chips, wall paper and look over the displays of faux finishes, and the sheen of the paints. Collecting paint chips is a great way to match up more than paint. I have a very unusual finish on my bedroom set, so I have found a paint chip that matches the color, although not the exact finish. This furniture limits the colors I can use in my bedroom…but I absolutely have loved it for 35 years!

You can also find great ideas on room colors and trends on the paint manufactures sites:
Benjamin Moore
Sherwin Williams
Glidden

HINT:Most have areas you can play with rooms and change the color online, which is fun and entertaining. Also some paint manufactures have small jars of samples for you to purchase. Then you can actually paint a poster board and try it up on your walls before you paint.

Of course there is Wal Mart, which I like, but not everyone does. Then there is Sears and a multitude of local paint stores. I guess my favorite paint has been Diamond Vogel , but it is a bit spendy and not available every where.

Check out furniture stores to see what is available and what stores have the styles you like.

HINT: You might even take pictures of the furniture using your digital camera or cell phone camera. (I love technology!!!) Please keep in mind furniture changes, just like clothing, so if you think you can come back a year later to buy, you will be disappointed. In other words….go thru the stores that you think might have what you will be looking for.

Home improvement stores you can pick up samples of flooring: Carpet, tile, vinyl, laminate or wood. Say you are out looking at woodwork pick up brochures of stains, this will come in handy later when you are looking at wood furniture etc. Don’t forget to check out the lighting fixture or bathroom hardware areas if you are going to need them. This will also give you an idea of what metal finishes are popular.

HINT: While looking at flooring or counter tops etc.get a small sample of the material. Use an adhesive label on the back of it with the store name, what it is called and color number etc. Do not trust you will remember all of the info, as it is humanly impossible.

Save sale flyers from home improvement and furniture stores as a reference of what is available and the cost.

Most larger cities have home shows several times a year and hold open houses on new construction. These events can give you great ideas and a way to collect brochures, and learn about the resources available in your area.

Perhaps you have seen a sumptuous fabric in a fabric store, you might buy a swatch. Also furniture stores have fabric samples you can check out and look at them at home in your lighting. Sometimes it will be a great inspiration for the color pallet you want.

Catalogs are a wonderful place to get ideas of window treatments and other soft furnishings, as bedding, throws, pillows and rugs. Invest in a JCPenny’s catalog, as you can use the information about window treatment sizes etc. for your curtain and drapery needs.

Well this should get you started on your preplanning phase. If you have questions please email me or leave a comment.

Part 3 will be on what to do with all that STUFF you have collected and what else you might want to do to organize and prepare for your project.