rummage sale flyer

Don’t miss the best rummage sale of the season.  And it is a win-win since all proceeds go to a worthy cause.  See you there for the best bargains of the summer!

So click away on the upper right corner blogroll entries for past posts and past posts II.  There is a lot of useful information, photos, and decorating tips waiting for you.

Recently one of my projects was to decorate a fireplace mantel that had nothing on it nor any art hanging above it.   A fireplace is often the focal point of a room and making the most of it with good design and decorating is a must.

I made a video today showing a mantel decorating demo and am inserting it into my blog post on a first-time trial basis.  I hope it opens for you and that you enjoy it.  Please let me know what you think.

Sherwin Williams Color Visualizer

I am once again reminded of how many people consider this their number 1 decorating priority: choosing wall color.  I agree.  It is the first thing that hits you when you walk into a room, the main design element when it comes to color, because it is where the most color is used.  How to choose, especially when thousands of colors are available?

Many websites are good because they offer interactive programs to give color impressions and previews.  Sherwin-Williams‘ color visualizer and Benjamin Moore‘s virtual fan deck  are just two of the myriad choices.  Another one I like a lot is from Good Housekeeping‘s website section called Paint and Preview.

The power of the internet allows us to explore like never before, and yet the fact remains that no program or paint chip can replace the real thing.  You MUST test your paint color in the room before you go ahead with your project.  Buy the smallest quantity you can and paint a 2′x2′ square on one or two walls.  Let the light of morning, afternoon, and evening play off the color swatch and see how it looks.  Only then should you make your decision about what is best.

As ever, if you need help, feel free to contact me.  Affordable Interiors’ mission is to save you money by avoiding costly decorating mistakes.  We help you get it right the first time.

When friends enter a home, they sense its personality and character, the family’s style of living – these elements make a house come alive with a sense of identity, a sense of energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, declaring, “This is who we are; this is how we live.” – Ralph Lauren

A great quote from a quintessentially American designer.  This I found in Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, a book of daily readings that has turned into an international sensation.  Learn more about Sarah, an expert on Victoriana and an interior designer in her own right.

Sarah Breathnach

I love the sleek brushed nickel curtain rods and finials, some pictured here.

point finial rod

flute rod

Going to the mall has never been easier.   Want to go shopping?  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and steer your mouse to your favorite finds.  All in your p.j.’s – have fun!

circle rod

square rod

So how DO you feel about the picture on your dining room wall, the chair in your foyer, the table beside your sofa?  Are they making you feel something special?  Are you surrounding yourself with the things you love?   Take inventory today in just one room; you choose.  Let me know what comes up on your list.

Nadeau stock

painted writing on colorful cabinet

What a fun visit to Nadeau today – they have 3 months’ worth of furniture that has just come in and they are packed to the gills.  Oh such an array of beautiful furniture in solid wood from Indonesia and other parts East.  Two of my favorites are pictured here.  Nadeau is now open to the public all the time.  Take a trip to this wholesale furniture warehouse “with soul” for unique and affordable finds.

• before I can see what needs to be done in a room, I need to SEE the room  – this means getting the clutter removed and getting the room in order to give me an optimal view of the potential in the space
• after Amber organizes and her clients can enjoy their spaces again, they often want to take it to the next level by redesigning their rooms

I have Amber highlighted on my news page, and with this page addition on her site we are poised to bring even more services to our clients.