WiseDesign by Interiors by Donna Hoffman

Reinventing and Repurposing For Great Design

2012-02-09T09:22:00.000-05:00

Sure it costs money to work with a designer. But, it no longer means that those who choose to - and can - must also own a yacht and summer in France. Here in Philadelphia, just as across the continent, "the times they are a changin..." and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Reinventing and repurposing your furnishings, done well, can lead to not just good interior design, but I'd argue excitingly excellent home design. Why the push to reinvent and repurpose in our lives and homes to create greater beauty, function and quality of life?

Topping that list of answers is that today's economy has forced our hand regarding savvy expenditures. Meanwhile, our fast-paced, info-packed and techno-piled daily living has turbo charged our need for the calmness of "home and hearth." Our deep craving for calm is equal to the stress that comes with the unending multitasking and fast-tracking life now requires. More than ever, true respite and haven on the home front is utterly necessary to our sense of well being. And so, never more than now does the skill and know-how of a savvy designer come into play in order to know how to guide clients in creating that beautiful and peaceful haven. Certainly, when I guide in the ways of re-inventing and repurposing at home, I do so in order to come up with great interior design - and all the benefits it brings.

I always like to start a project with my clients' treasured items. You'd be amazed what adding a new rug and wise new accents can do. Check out this living room I did recently for discerning clients in Princeton, NJ.

The client loved their blue Bergere chairs, but not much else in the former living room. Using those rich peacock blue chairs as my inspiration, like a jazz musician, I riffed around their color and shape by adding a grounding and muted Persian rug, new window treatments and accent pillows. We replaced the torn worn sofa with an exciting new shape, and reupholstered an exciting bench seat that had great lines. Every other piece of wood furniture not only stayed in the room, we even kept the existing furniture ground plan because it really did work. Other than a coat of paint on the walls, not much else entered the room as "new." The client owned but had kept hidden a collection of blue depression glass and English bone china which we made look fresh and new with artful placement and groupings and a hint of greenery.

After (Photo by David Van Scott)

Consumption habits have changed and I'm here to tell you that I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. With a sharp design eye and fresh perspective, clients are thrilled to see their furnishings and belongings take on new life when we respectfully and graciously reuse what they already worked hard to purchase and now own. It makes my clients so happy to see the transformative process...and to tell you the truth...it does me, too.

Yes, you can totally reinvent a room's aesthetic and overall mood without throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Repurpose, reinvent, redefine, reinvision...all to reinvigorate.

What you can dream can become a reality. You just may need a wise design coach and guide to get you there. I'd love to help you increase the joy and beauty in your home. Let's set up some time soon. You bring the home and the furniture...I'll bring, well...me.

Freeze or Pay the Price: Wise Window Treatment Design Lowers Utility Bills

2012-02-02T12:47:00.007-05:00

Windows - who doesn’t love them? All that glass, all that marvelous light and view – delish. Your windows were probably the reason you fell in love at first sight with a room or two in your home. And of course, you already know that you paid for all that glass when you purchased or built your home. However, what you may not know is that you are still paying handsomely for your windows.

To you, it’s a window. To me, it’s an energy hole. Your windows are responsible for both heat loss and heat gain in your home, every moment of every day of every year. Your windows are magnifying glasses that will fade, fry and fray your furniture, wood flooring, beautiful hand-knotted rugs, fabrics, draperies and artwork.

This thermal image is showing heat loss around the window

Now, before you start popping the antacids, please know that I can combat these phenomena by using wisely designed, energy efficient window treatments. But in case you’re not convinced yet, here are some “get me an Alka-Seltzer” facts:

Even closed windows offer little resistance to the flow of heat – in or out.

Compared to a well-insulated wall, your standard double-pane window allows 10-15 times more heat energy to flow through them.

Up to 50% of you home’s heating and cooling energy spills out through your closed windows.

UV rays – the thing we protect ourselves from with sunscreen – can and will cause furniture, fabric, draperies, wood flooring and artwork to fade, fray and wear.

UV rays can reach even more deeply into our homes during the winter months.

We can help you combat this. Window treatment design is much more complicated than people realize. I take into consideration many factors above and beyond the aesthetic we are working with. There are many ways we can put energy-efficient window design to work for you. Weigh the costs and you’ll likely find that energy efficient window treatments can be one of the most wise and cost effective investments you can make to help control your utility bill. In fact, engage us for two or more window treatments in February, and enjoy 15% off custom window fabric. Give us a call to see how we can help you and your family…and put away those antacids while you’re at it.

SAVE THE DATE

If you're in the Newtown, PA area on April 16, Donna will be co-hosting a live event with Sycamore Kitchens. Check back here for more information.

If This Chanel Outfit was a Window Treatment...High Fashion On-Trend Window Treatments

2012-01-27T15:21:00.000-05:00

The House of Chanel...those two intertwined "C"s. What fashion house better represents generations of high couture? Its namesake Coco Chanel being the ultimate Parisian knower, seer and march-to-her-own drummer. To this day, the fashion house is bold, unapologetic, and feminine without being cloying. Chanel equals style, savvy and timeless elegance. And when you see a woman wearing Chanel, she wears the dress; the dress never wears her.

The art of window fashion, like clothing fashion, is something that looks effortless, but actually, from design to fabrication, takes both skill and artistry. So I got to thinking... If these Chanel fashions were window treatments, what might they be?

This cream and black dress worn by Claudia Schiffer is quintessential Chanel. Here, the classic Chanel banding is made fresh again. The banding intentionally leads and then stops the eye, in just the right places. The color palette is controlled and classic.

Consider then this window treatment with dual banding on the drapery that works in concert with the heavier banding we did on the lead dining chairs. I purposely placed the flourishes in this dining area low to the ground to draw the eye downward toward the floor. This was to help offset the room's enormously high vaulted ceiling, because the clients needed both grandeur and intimacy. The look is at once classic, tailored, understated and fresh.

Here, I wanted to create an opposing tension to the high cathedral ceiling. The client loved it when I sketched out what we call a tuxedo pleat at the bottom third of the treatment. In the navy Chanel gown shown here, it would be called a cascade ruffle. These sorts of flourishes on window treatments are appropriately called “dress maker details.” They require sensitivity on the part of the designer to the interior and window for which it is designed, as well as to how the fabric will "take the detail and then needle." Such draperies also require enormous skill at our workroom. These window treatments are done in fine worsted wool – not often seen in home fashions. But the fabric caught my eye in a showroom in New York City with its extraordinary hand and out-of-this-world drape. Not inexpensive I might add/warn.
These cocktail dresses are stunners. The fabric has an extraordinary drape on the body, which can only be achieved with a bias cut on the fabric (That means cutting the fabric on the diagonal. While this makes more waste on the cutting floor, it creates unbelievable drape.) These remarkable hourglass dresses with fullness at top and bottom thanks to their ruffled detail, make you want to take a spin on the dance floor.

That was the idea behind this ladies study too – ball gown draperies. Our beautiful client is a busy executive and mom. She asked us for a quiet, romantic home office. I thought “romantic” was an unusual request for a home office haven, so I gave it great heed. Because the client tends to gravitate toward monochromatic interiors, in order to balance all of the heavy wood and the tight color palette, I asked her if she'd be willing to step out with these ball-gown window draperies. Lots of fabric in these, and lots of workmanship. Notice that, beyond the top flourish, they are in fact very simple silhouettes, made from a faux silk fabric that our client saw and fell in love with. Double layered, the sheer under drapery acts as an under slip so she can close these for veiled privacy or to soften the sun; and when open – they are stunners, too.

No runway here – only windows. No high heels, instead, rods and rings. Still, high fashion in on-trend window treatments is an art in itself, and oh do they make a room come alive with an electrified snap. Where are my pearls?

Are You Ready For Your Big Reveal?

2012-01-19T11:33:00.000-05:00

Taste the excitement and sneak a peak at this video of one of our wonderful clients seeing their "new" family room and dining room.

This is why I love what I do!

Are YOU ready for your own Big Reveal experience?

Engage us for a design project and simply mention the phrase "Oh Donna!" and we'll gift you with a design service or an "extra" specific to you and your project.

We'd love to hear what you thought of this video.
"Like" on Facebook and leave us a comment.

www.interiorsbydonnahoffman.com

donna@idhdesigns.com

(215) 736-8693

Ideal Home Offices For Creating Greater Work/Life Balance

2012-01-12T16:33:00.000-05:00


Interiors by Donna Hoffman/Photography by David Van Scott

Man or woman…what would you give for better Work-Life Balance? What would you give to be able to enjoy your work more, to be more focused while working, and to get your work done with greater flow? What if your home office was literally a haven? What if you functioned so optimally there that you could actually leave your home office sooner each day to do more of the other things you really love and find meaningful in your life?

This is what we do for lots of busy, successful and on-the-go people. Whether you’re a busy professional or the CEO of Home, a High Performance-High Pleasure Home Office makes life feel, flow and function more easily.

Statistics show that more than 20% of individuals work virtually nowadays, whether telecommuting full or part time. So what’s the secret to harnessing our best energy (and our best selves) to make our working from home a high-performance, high pleasure experience?

When it comes to Office Design, everybody focuses primarily on Work Function. How much file space; where does the scanner go; are you a righty or lefty; what are your lighting needs and so forth. All are important pieces in this puzzle.

Interiors by Donna Hoffman/Photography by Casual Candids

But here’s the rub. Unless you are also tightly wrapped around your Aesthetic Function needs, and we all have them, you will be in big trouble in your office. Your aesthetic functional needs are literally your aversions and cravings in an interior environment: what do you absolutely need loaded and layered into an interior in order to feel absolutely great in it.

For some clients, the mere placement of pattern on the floor would make them jittery. For one client, full folds of fabric at the window calms and soothes, but for another that same idea is nails-on-a-chalkboard bad. You are programmed with distinct aversions and cravings on everything from color to light to shape to texture to pattern and so on. Yes, even men.

Interiors by Donna Hoffman/Photography by David Van Scott

Be Wise in Design. You want to increase your work life balance, your satisfaction while tending to your work, your sense of focus and creativity and flow while working? Be very wise. We are all complex. Our functional work space needs come in two forms – the procedurally driven, PLUS the more ephemeral dynamic of how you feel in an interior due to its make-up and yours. Ignore this…and you will have an expensive mistake on your hands…not to mention a home office you’ll dread walking into and look forward to leaving. Make your office a haven. We can show you how. And, as a special gift for this month, engage us in January for a home office project and we’ll gift you with two hours with a professional organizer to help you cull down your office systems or clutter…on us. Yes, you can have an ideal home office that will enhance work life balance and we can help.

Email me at donna@idhdesigns.com.

New Year's Resolution: Green Window Treatment Design

2012-01-05T15:10:00.000-05:00

We all make New Year's resolutions - lose weight, get a new job, exercise more, but how about becoming more environmentally responsible? There are many ways to do so in interior design, especially through energy efficiency.

I learned a long time ago that my design calling is very much about creating haven in the home. I create the lifestyle people crave by showing them how to realize their interior design hopes and dreams. So why do I also worry about energy efficiently in a space - why green window treatment design, too?

Probably because underneath my creative right brain dwells a prudent and conscientious human being. And hey, I pay electric bills, too.

Not "into green" just yet? You may be surprised to learn that up to 50 percent of your home's energy is lost through your windows. Windows can allow 7-10 times more energy to pass through them than insulated walls. Weak in in the wallet yet?

Transfer of heat. Heat loss. Heat gain. Solar energy build up. These are among the chief concerns. Remember that light itself bears energy. Now add the fact that glass is the great conductor. That means that when glass is not losing heat in the cold months, it gets hot during those brutally hot days. Glass is actually a great conductor of heat. But the battle is not over.

There's also solar energy coming into a room. If you've ever gotten into a brutally hot car on a summer's day, then you, too have experienced the build up of solar energy. Your interiors can suffer the same effects.

And let us not forget that energy also comes into a room through light, which is among the reasons we want to filter it. Also, if light is not filtered properly, aside from heat gain in our interiors, we also get glare (computer or TV screens or general eye strain).

So I take window treatment design pretty seriously. It's not just a pretty art, it's a practical one, too. To design with a green eye in window design, I consider the following.

Blackout Shades

Draperies can be lined and interlined with blackout lining to control light and reduce heat loss. Layering at the window is also a savvy way to go. For example, there are double honeycomb shades with blackout lining to block light and solar energy; the honeycomb cells themselves create air pockets which trap air, and in effect, act as insulation at the glass. I like to use bottom up and top down versions if clients have double hung windows, allowing them to have privacy below, but airflow and light above.

Plantation Shades

Plantation shutters are fantastic in problem spaces as well. They throw a lot of protection across the glass, provide excellent privacy and also allow fine light control. Adjusting the louvers toward the ceiling fills the room with a soft diffused light if glare is a real issue as well. It's no wonder that shutters remain the largest growing segment of the window treatment market. They are classic, timeless and provide great architectural bang for the buck.

Wood Blinds

If shutters are too heavy for a project, I'll also consider specifying wood blinds. Like shutters, wood blinds help with insulating. And now they are available on cordless lift systems, making them far less cumbersome than they were years ago.

Window treatments are more than important eye candy in room design. They can truly help put very real energy dollars in your pocket and help to minimize the carbon footprint you leave behind. Work with a savvy designer and you can have great style AND green window design. Yes, green window treatment is the way of the day.

All interior design by Interiors by Donna Hoffman. All photos by David Van Scott.

Easy Starlight Candy Cookies - Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T15:51:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays! In this hectic season, I thought it might be nice to take a break from my interior design blog to share something different with you. Always on a quest for easy cookie recipes, my girlfriend sent this to me. The best part is that there's no baking! And her kids love to help with the candy crushing.

Let me know what you think...and please feel free to share your easy cookie recipes with me!

Ingredients

2 packages Famous chocolate wafer cookies
2 16 oz. cans vanilla frosting
1 1/2 packages Starlight peppermint candies

Directions

Remove wrappers from the candies and place in a resealable plastic bag (be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag before closing). Use a mallet to crush the candies into a powder (it's OK to leave some of the candy in small chunks).

Spoon the contents of both cans of the vanilla frosting into a mixing bowl. Pour the candy over the frosting and mix thoroughly.

Spread about one tablespoon of the candy mixture onto one chocolate wafer cookie. Cover that with another cookie to form a sandwich.

Place cookies in a plastic container and refrigerate overnight.

Makes about 24 cookies.

Design Lite: When A Room Needs Only... Refreshing

2011-12-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

$10K? $5K? $35K? How about just OK? As in...everything is OK.

That last one is the question my terrific interior design clients ask through squinted brows (as if they're poised for a punch), "What will it take and how hard will it be to spruce up this room that is driving me crazy?"

Surely a full room redo in today's interior design dollars adds up quickly. And just as certain - even a partial update in a room's decor to replace only key upholstery, rugs and window treatments can add up into the thousands of dollars pretty fast. But, to all things there is a season. While there is a time to pull the major design moves, there's also a time for fluffing, puffing and sprucing. This "FPS Process" is what I call Design Lite. In other words, artfully breathing new Life into a room that already has good design bones. In today's culture and climate - as responsible world citizens and fiscally respectful folks, Design Lite can make great sense.

Here are this Bucks County interior designer's favorites for face-lifting with Design Lite:

Paint Something

Yes. Paint something. Anything. Just not anyone (though remind me one day to tell you the story of when my Uncle Arnold was painted green head to toe by his four older sibling who evidently thought it was a good idea at the time). Paint Color remains the biggest bang for the buck change (or mistake) people can make in interiors. Design Lite trick: If I repaint a whole room, you'll see all of your furniture transform. If I paint a feature wall,or paint a ceiling (yes, ceiling), I will create a striking pop. Or, I like to paint a piece of furniture. Even better if you aren't so keen on that piece of furniture because, if painted correctly, you'll watch it transform the room and turn into something with so much eye catching pop you'll say, "Wow, that Donna Hoffman is one Savvy Interior Design Diva." Color leads the eye. It sets the tone and ambiance and mood in all ways remarkable. I always think color first when doing Design Lite.

Edit Many Things

I will brutally edit a room to the bare bones. Then I reload the furniture accessories using often less furniture (which is a blog in itself), but also loading in fewer, but more important (larger) accessories. If there are only small items, I borrow accessories and artwork from other rooms which will remarkably inform and change the space I'm working on. Design Lite Tip: Most people have too much stuff, and worse, they seem to want it all in one room. Listen up girl. Your room will thank you.

Refresh Everything...That You Can Carry

Here are things that quickly date and thus date and tire a room: Lamps, vases, non-custom trendy pillows. Here are things that get dusty and worn looking, though we barely notice: Lamp shades, towels, throws, rugs. Let us not forget dried and silk flowers...well, let's not even talk about these because I'm hoping by now you've already gotten rid of them. Design Lite Tip: We forget to notice things as they lose steam and gather dust because we get used to them. Clean the heck out of the things you can't carry (yes...even vacuum window treatments), but for the items you can carry, I look to replace them if they are looking dated or simply dusty and old. Rugs, lamps, throws, towels, pillows.

Design Lite requires savvy design, sound strategy, know how and a good eye. But as with all things that are harder than they look, let a pro do her magic, and the rewards - both in terms of re-falling in love with your space and fiscal restraint - are great. And I don't say this...Litely!

Complimentary Skype Design Session

2011-12-08T14:35:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012!

Donna Hoffman discovers Skype!

Donna is having such a great time with Skype that our team is now offering

Complimentary 30-Minute Design Sessions on Skype!

What a great way to spend time with Donna discussing your design project,
and get great answers, solutions & professional guidance.

Enjoy visiting our design studio...virtually!

Contact us to set up your Complimentary Skype Design Session and we'll
send you a link to download Skype simply & at no cost.

"See" you soon!

www.interiorsbydonnahoffman.com

donna@idhdesigns.com
(215) 736-8693

Inside A Designer’s Head

2011-12-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

Bucks County Interior Designer Donna Hoffman

Lots of you are winding down for the year and soon will be looking at 2012! No doubt, a nice break from projects and to-do lists is welcome this time of year. So rather than giving you more how-to tips, I decided to take up a pal who complimented my newsletter recently and asked me if I’d be willing to be interviewed. What a crazy idea I thought…so I took her up on it!!

MP. So be honest. When you come to my house – are you looking around and judging everything in sight?

Donna: (Laughs). Actually no. When I’m not working, baby…I’m not working! I honestly couldn’t tell you the color of your dining room chairs or the wall color in your family room. And I’ve been there how many times through the years? I just sort of turn off. I’d be very rude otherwise, don’t you think? Whether professionally or personally – I don’t think it’s ever my place to judge. I think my role is to GUIDE and educate in design – but only where invited. (That’s why when I’m off duty, I’m off duty.) I will say however, if something strikes me as particularly beautiful in a home - THAT I notice. Beauty moves me. And I am always aware of how a home feels – and that I can recall years after the fact.

So you don’t ever leave a new client’s house thinking, “Ugh…get out the vomit bag?”

Oh good grief. No. Never!

Fair enough! OK – here’s a sticky one. What is the worst client or job you ever worked on

Oooh…you are being naughty! Maybe this interview wasn’t such a good idea!! Hmmm. I never had a worst project – I really do appreciate them all. And I’ve been lucky to work with clients who, for the most part, I really do like and respect. I like to think that “like attracts like,” meaning that I attract clients who somehow reflect some good piece of my nature or character.

Well, that was a very "Miss America" answer. You’re not going to give me any dirt? C’mon..not even a pet peeve?

(Laughing). OK. I do have two pet peeves. No, three. Here they are in no particular order:

#1. It frustrates me when clients hire me to achieve a certain design goal, and then quite early in the process they make some independent buying decisions that result in odd color choices, poor proportion – and then I have to some how fix it. I understand their instinct to save a few dollars by doing their own leg work, but the time to work independently is not at the onset of your project. Once you are well on your way in your project, then tell your designer you want to go look for a few things on your own – and ask for her guidance as to where, when and how – and ask what she thinks of the idea. If she’s good, fair and ethical, she’ll give you an honest answer. If she’s not – you picked the wrong designer!

#2. My #2 peeve is this one: Time and how it is treated. This is the work that I do, which I happen to love. And – it is also my livelihood. I have had a few clients pass through who clearly very much wanted my perspective, they wanted my service, they wanted my time – but they did not want to pay for it, I observed. They’d “forget” to pay me. Or they’d sneak in lots of emails or little phone calls, saying things like “If you happen to be out and see…” or “This will only take a minute…” What those communications said to me was, “I want you to serve me in this way, and I don’t want to pay for it.” I think they either resented paying me – or they just wanted something for nothing. I’m happy to report that those clients did not stay with me long because I remained boundaried. I expected them to leave my practice and was relieved when they did.

AND Finally –

#3. I don’t understand why a client will engage me to put together something, yet I’ll meet only with, let’s say, the wife. Then after she approves it, after we’ve spent time sifting it all through - her husband, who “didn’t want to get involved in the process” initially - comes in and says he doesn’t like it. Then, we have to start from scratch. My question is, why wasn’t the other glorious half of my client team involved from the get go? All of the key decision makers should be involved from the start. I may make this a new policy now that I’m talking about it - because it wastes client dollars and my time to work in any other way.

OK! Get tough! On another note: What do clients do that you love?

Oh – there’s so much! I love when clients share their design dreams and goals with me – I see their excitement. I love when they tell me about their treasured object (an exercise I do on 1^st appointments) – I’m almost always moved by what they share with me. I looooove when clients cry because they cannot believe how beautiful their space is after we install something. I love when clients seem to be really learning about themselves in the design process as we work together. I love when I see interested clients starting to understand more about design and learn from me. I’ll start to notice that their observations become more keen and self aware and I’ll think, “Gosh, they really are listening.” Oh! And I also love it when people offer me a glass of water when I’m working for them in their homes! Design work is very focused, very tiring work. I have to be brilliant and know all of the answers on the spot…I get tired and thirsty. Some people never offer. Oh – and one client gives me chocolate now and again...don’t even get me started! Heaven….

OK…you’re easy to please! Do you have a favorite design style?

No.

Do you have a least favorite design style and what would you do if a client wanted you to do it?

Great question. You know – I can appreciate what is at work in all design styles, but there are some styles I just don’t resonate with. That doesn’t mean my perspective is correct. But, it does mean I wouldn’t be the correct designer. Should a client want me to work within a style I don’t connect with – something that has never yet happened – I’d recommend that client to another designer. Those styles would include uber-contemporary to the point of absolute minimalism, South Western design or the end of the Victorian period known as the Aesthetic Movement. Oh – and although I adore furniture history – if somebody came to me having purchased a Greek Revival home that they wanted to renovate to a historically accurate style, they’d really need a historical design specialist. That has nothing to do with my not loving those periods, but more to do with a recognition that in that case, the client really needs a historical specialist. In all these cases…I know just the colleagues I’d recommend.

OK, last question. What is the greatest misconception people have about designers or design?

That working in design is easy. This is the most challenging business I’ve ever run or worked in. The range of personalities (not just clients – but within the design community…whew!). The need to be excellent at everything – from design to running a business…one skill is so right brain (which I am), the other is so left brain. The need to juggle delivery schedules with unrealistic client expectations…manufacturers have lead times and that’s just how it is. The amount of back-room follow-up needed on the most seemingly innocuous or simple project or element. Also, I’m a little Type A. I spin my projects in my head all the time and have learned I can’t do that before I go to bed or else I won’t sleep. For example, once, the night before a big installation, I literally dreamed about the project and its installation. In the middle of the night, I actually woke myself out of a sound sleep – out of this dream, by saying aloud, “Wow…this is so beautiful!” I swear I could see it all in my dream so vividly. As an aside, I’ll add that it looked just as marvelous the next day when we really installed it…however I never quite did get back to sleep that night – so I looked like a wreck for that install. Most days I love being a designer. There are those occasional days when I wonder why in the #$#$ I ever got into it, but then something wonderful happens again - a great client, a great project, a new piece of beauty - sounds corny, but even just seeing and touching a phenomenal new fabric and once again….all is right in the world.

So design is like marriage: It’s not easy, but it’s worth the aggravation.

Perfectly said! And you have to be in it because you’re in love.

How Many Pillows to Put on a Sofa

2011-11-25T16:37:00.000-05:00

Trellis Applique Pillow

manufactured by Baker

How many pillows should one put on a sofa?

That is like asking how many pieces of chocolate should a normal person eat. It all depends on how hungry she is and what kind of day she has had at the design studio!

Answer to all of the above: it all depends.

Pillow rules - like those that govern chocolate (!) are often best broken. Here are some fun ideas that break you out of the two to four "square pillow rut" on your sofa.

One Pillow

Design by IDH/Photograph by Casual Candids

There is a trick using a single pillow and using it well. One gorgeous pillow can work powerfully on a sofa...all by itself...dead center, just like we did here in this cool ladies' office. But it has to be something striking either in color, shape or relevance to the room in total. This awning stripe plum and vanilla pillow works because the color is central to the room and the pattern is mirrored on a piece of custom painted furniture next to the sofa (but not seen in the photo). The great thing about a single pillow...it costs less than multiple pillows - and you don't have to move it to sit down on either side of the sofa.

Two Pillows on a Sofa

Design by IDH/David Van Scott Photography

Two pillows are passe UNLESS you meet the bolster. These stuffed cylindrical pillows are always chic. The idea behind the power of the bolster is that is is architectural. Its striking shape makes a confident statement in any room and can also truly transform or update an older or more dated sofa.

Three Pillows on a Sofa
What I sometimes do is a marvelous oversized oblong pillow at the back of the sofa...long and narrow...and in a favorite client fabric, and then we "frame it" by flanking it with a nice plump square pillow on either side. The shapes together are eye-catching, as is the oversized oblong - and on a deep sofa, this trio adds real comfort.

Five is Better Than Four


Design by IDH/David Van Scott Photography

For that certain client who loves fabric or craves the cozy come hither look of a sofa dripping in pillows, I'll take the arrangment noted above and simply add two pillows on either side of my center oversized oblong. By varying the size of those two sets of side pillows the look is rich, striking and inviting.

The power of the pillow cannot be overstated. Done well, it is a true gem in any interior design.

Easy and Inexpensive Centerpieces

2011-11-17T14:32:00.000-05:00

We’re reaching that time of year when you frequently find yourself saying, “Get out the crystal, honey, company is coming!” Whether that sentence puts pep in your step or has you reaching for the Pepto, here are a few quick, easy centerpiece ideas that require little time, talent, or budget.

Floral ideas:

In two separate 6-inch tall round glass containers (easily purchased at your florist), arrange a single color and type of flower. Single color will give you a higher-end, more elegant look. Put one arrangement at each end of the dining room table. Guests can speak over the arrangements and you’ll still have plenty of room for the food.
In a crystal bowl, float just few large blossoms. Flank with two pillar candles.
Place a small evergreen wreath in the center of the table and fill the center with pinecones.
Fill a soup tureen with large blooms – use florist foam if layering-in smaller favorites. Using just water works well for large blooms like hydrangeas.

Non-Floral. If you’d like a break from flowers this year, try some of these:

On a large silver tray, layer candles in a variety of heights, but vary your colors in two tones only: all white and cream, all gray and silver, all gold and cream, and so forth. Glass marbles may be scattered along the bottom.
On a large silver tray, scatter a variety of oversized pinecones and insert three pillar candles in the mix. Be careful when lighting them, please – pinecones are flammable.
On a footed cake stand in the center of the table, build a pinecone “cake.” Stack the pinecones in some easy but full fashion, just not so high that guests can’t see each other.
On a footed cake stand, do an arrangement of single-color Christmas balls, ornaments, or dreidels. Flank with pillar candles.
On a footed cake stand, do a scattered arrangement of 3-inch tassels. Set on top of a tray and scatter a few tassels on the tray as well.
Run three to five martini glasses down the center length of your table depending on your table size. Fill each glass with: a large pinecone, a Christmas ornament, a bunch of 3-inch fabric tassels, a small mound of curled ribbon, or colorful, foil-wrapped candy. Make sure you run the same theme through the glasses – don’t mix one of each of these suggestions!

If you don’t have a silver-tone tray or footed cake stand… get moving, girl! Happy (almost) holidays!

Elegant, Practical Interior Design for Boomers

2011-11-11T11:34:00.000-05:00


Design by Interiors by Donna Hoffman David Van Scott Photography

From this Philadelphia interior designer's perspective, beauty, elegance and ideal function must go hand-in-hand no matter which lovely family I'm designing for - from a Princeton family with four kids under the age of nine, to the retiring executive in Bucks County who wants a smaller but just as lovely environment, to the New Hope couple who are building their luxury dream home. I must always marry high style, with your style, with high function.

Today’s focus is the downsizing boomer...

I've been helping a fantastic couple downsize from a fairly large and elegantly appointed home to something that has about 4,500 less square feet – still large – but quite a change. My job is to make their new residence feel equally as spacious and elegant while adhering to the safety and design standards for Aging in Place. Here's what was on our to-do list before move-in day, in order to update, refresh and make the home feel larger:

Renovate the kitchen, re-stain some cabinetry, build a new island, and open up a wall
Renovate the master bath: enlarge shower and create a more spacious feeling in the room
Re-stain floors on the first floor
Reuse every piece of existing furnishing we can while adding – due to color and size – new upholstery for the family room
Face lift for the powder room
Reset and add some windows to increase light and view

On the list after moving day:

Interior design for the master bedroom
Convert the living room to a his-and-hers study that also functions as a living room

With an eye toward Aging in Place, I have:

Maintained specific widths for traffic patterns in and around furnishings.
Specified one-handle, elegant faucets for ease of use
Was careful to light all environments well, increasing lighting in virtually the whole main floor and stairwell
Focused on extra safety in the Master Bath: we did do an uber elegant tile plan in natural stone, but the master bath now boasts a larger shower which includes a seat and a discreetly-placed grab bar. All floor stone was intentionally honed for good traction when wet

Rule Breakers or Benders

In design for Aging in Place, one designs with respect toward diminishing eyesight and balance. So here I did bend some rules, but I did so with the full knowledge of the clients who had asked for these things:

For Aging in Place, pattern on the floor can be challenging to our eyes, and thus balance, as we age. However, my clients fell in love with a striking area rug for the family room. I explained that it broke convention with design for aging in place, but they loved this rug and with good reason. They decided that if they need to replace or remove the rug in 16 years, they will.

Design by Interiors by Donna Hoffman
David Van Scott Photography

For Aging in Place, one does not work in monochromatic interiors, however this client was drawn to monochromatic interiors! (The issue with a limited color palette for Aging in Place is that it is more difficult to perceive depths and distances when colors are too closely related.) So, to indulge the client's preference and "split the middle," I created striking visual contrasts with deliberately darker floor color as well as banding some chair bases, and we selected some drapery that would really pop against the wall colors.

Design for Aging in Place that is spectacular looking is a delightful challenge. As I look at this elegant, refined home all I can think is: You're not getting older – you're getting better!

Yardley Designer’s "2011 Funniest Things My Clients Said" Awards

2011-11-03T12:47:00.000-04:00

I really do like my design clients. They know that they’re important to me as people, and that I always “have their backs” in our work together. They trust that my commitment to delivering great design to their homes is unwavering, and they know that I will always work with non-negotiable excellence, service, and professionalism. That said, if we happen to enjoy a laugh or two along the way, I say bring it. So, as a tribute to my clients, I’ve created the first annual IDH 2011 Funniest Things My Clients Said Awards. I present to you my favorite client quotes for 2011:

Is ugly a color? (This is the email answer that came describing the color of the carpet in the office he needed me to redesign.)

I like the chair with the bullets. (The bullets in this case are actually nail head trim, a metal tac strip used as a flourish to accent upholstery. Thanks to that endearing client, I will never again look at nail head trim without thinking of him and his equally endearing wife.

This one’s a story: A new couple and I were at the sometimes-too-warm Philadelphia Marketplace Design Center. It was near closing time and we were at the tail end of one of those very long, very productive days that can make you both tired and a little slap happy. Both husband and wife were testing out every club chair in sight. From one end of the showroom, he sat on a chair and called over to his wife “Hey hon! How do I look in this chair?!?” She looked over at him and called back, “You look hot!” Without missing a beat, he looked at me and said, “We’ll take two.” Everyone in the showroom laughed. We realized it was the warm, stuffy showroom that inspired his wife’s answer, but this terrific guy wisely decided to take it as a compliment.

And finally, our last 2011 nominee for "Funniest Things My Clients Said" Awards…

Donna, I had no idea they made sofas with wheels - I’m all in. Castors, wheels, whatever. Give a man something with wheels on it – and maybe even bullets – and you have a winner. Note to self for the next time I need to design a custom piece of furniture.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Early Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Contract with IDH in November for a design project and

we'll make a donation to your favorite charity.

Agreements must be fully processed in November,

with a project start date not later than January 31st, 2012.

Email me now and help your favorite charity: Donna@IDHDesigns.com

IDH Field Trip to the Philadelphia Design Center

2011-10-27T13:57:00.000-04:00

I recently invited a group of clients to join me at a couple of “to-the-trade-only” design seminars at the Philadelphia Design Center. Although many could not attend because of their work schedules, a few lucky women managed to bite the bullet, pull some strings, or throw caution to the wind in order to find their way there – and what a great time we had!

In the Marc Phillips rug showroom, we oohed and aahed over some magnificently carved and woven rugs in every saturated and muted color imaginable. These are the “rugs as art” treats that fill design magazines and upper-end design show houses. Walk on them? Listen, between you, me, and the weaver, you’re more likely to want to roll naked on them.

Then we enjoyed a seminar appropriately titled, “Good Looking Is Not Necessarily Good Quality.” Grange furniture designer Valerie Moran led the audience through exactly what goes into manufacturing better furnishings from upholstery to case goods to outdoor furniture. Our group learned what gets traded at the manufacturing end in order to land furnishings at a lower price in retail chains and catalogues.

A luncheon followed at the Grange showroom, which also allowed for a yummy perusal of their fine French furnishings complete with Grange signature hidden drawers. Delish. Happy, with full bellies, I hauled the troops back upstairs to test out their newfound product knowledge by having them test the "sit" on the some of the most comfortable upholstery on the planet up in Kravet’s showroom. Following this, we bolted into the Menagerie showroom to experience the fabulous manufacturers found there in both case goods and upholstery. My client Miriam made us laugh as she inspected the back and underside of every piece of furniture she liked, even crawling on the floor to inspect a few sofas. Miriam, you made your designer proud!

Here I am with my girls relaxing on a Lee sofa at Menagerie...

I couldn’t let the group leave the building without a spin around the Joanne Hudson tile showroom. If heaven were tiled, this would be it. All jaws dropped as the ladies took in everything from porcelain tiles in the most beautifully varied and unusual color palettes, to a host of shimmering iridescent glass tiles, to striking metallic tiles in all manner of shape. And one cannot forget their unbelievable woven stone tiles. Thank you, Joanne!

The afternoon seminar was by Juan Montoya in which he shared beautiful photography and his amazing design perspectives from his newly published book, Juan Montoya. A soft-spoken and thoughtful man, Montoya’s gentle demeanor was in stark contrast to his strikingly bold and confident design work. Highly textured and nuanced, his range is enormous. No wonder he’ll soon be officially named a Parsons icon.

The day was about design as play, design as art, design for the joy of it, and design for design’s sake. So, what do you get when you mix luxury furnishings, insider views of the design world, a spirited designer, and seven fantastic women down at the Philadelphia Design Center? You get an amazingly fun field trip on design!

Come Sit at My Table (or Counter)

2011-10-20T16:59:00.001-04:00

Have you ever seen that great circus clown act, where 20 clowns emerge from a tiny Volkswagen Beetle? It’s a fun trick and a great image, but not while dining. I think we’ve all had meals where you need a shoehorn to get to the table. So, to help insure that you and your guests never have to utter those eight dreaded words, “Please get your elbow out of my ear,” here’s a basic guideline for viable, comfortable seating relative to table size.


David Van Scott Photography

What size table do I need?
For comfortable use, considering average-sized people, and using a standard dining chair, you should provide 24 inches of width per person in your table/seating calculations. If you are doing a wider upholstered chair in the dining room or even in your kitchen, work with your designer to increase this allowance relative to the chair width. You may decide to give up a seat or two in order to accommodate your wider chairs. An alternative here to achieve your design without sacrificing seating is to use the wider chairs only as the lead chairs at an oblong or rectangular table.

David Van Scott Photography

How many people fit at my kitchen island/counter/peninsula?
If you are redoing your kitchen and are considering how many seats will fit along your kitchen island or peninsula, this 24 inch rule works too. However, if you plan to do counter stools with arms, increase this allowance to 30-32 inches per chair. Please keep in mind the height of your counter – the higher the counter, the less knee room you need because the leg is straighter when sitting higher. Thus, your counter overhang can decrease. Remember when ordering your kitchen island stools to specify counter height (which is 36”) or bar height, (which is 42”). For tight spaces with minimal clearance behind them, skip the backs on the counter chairs altogether and go with a true stool that completely tucks underneath the counter overhang when not in use.

A Basic Guide to Table Measurements and Seating

Vanguard Furniture

Square tables:
 52 inch x 52 inch (seats 6 - 8)

Oblong and rectangular tables (including calculations with leaves to express maximum seating): 
52 inch x 70 inch (seats 6 - 8)
60 inch x 84 inch (seats 8 - 10) 
60 inch x 102 inch (seats 10 - 12)
60 inch x 120 inch (seats 12 - 16)
60 inch x 142 inch (seats 12 - 16)
64 inch x 70 inch (seats 10 - 12)
 70 inch x 72 inch (seats 10 - 12) 
70 inch x 96 inch (seats 10 - 12)
 70 inch x 114 inch (seats 12 - 16) 
70 inch x 126 inch (seats 12 - 16) 
70 inch x 144 inch (seats 12 - 16) 

Round tables:
 36 inch diameter (seats 4)
48 inch diameter (seats 4 - 6)
 60 inch diameter (seats 6 - 8)

Gain Balance & Peace in Your Home: Negative Space

2011-10-12T19:25:00.000-04:00

Mozart in Verona by dalla Rosa 1770

If I were to compile a top 10 list of the greatest mistakes made in interior design, by professional and DIY'ers alike, one of the list toppers would have to be the outstanding lack of negative space. I was recently at a show house in NYC and saw the problem in at least two interiors. And I see it rampantly in DIY design. The easiest way to explain the importance and impact of negative space in interior design is to turn to an old pal of mine. Mozart. Now, Mozart put rests in his symphonies. Why? Answer: Because he was a smartie pants. Rests make the things that go before and after them distinct. Rests also make the things that follow them MORE important. Negative space in design works in much the same way.

Do you see the two faces? That's the negative space.

Negative space in your home interior is the "space around" something. It is a visual rest. The word negative has a bad wrap - so let me tell you this: Negative space is such a positive thing! And such a powerful thing. If you have a room in your home designed by you or a pro that just doesn't feel right - and that feels a little heavy, see if you can find your interior in these questions and descriptions.

Something in every corner. There is a plant, a small plant stand, a small table, a piece of art, a chair in absolutely every corner of your room. Corner stuffers, listen up. Edit and distill - open up at least one corner in a room and watch an interior breathe and become more peaceful and exponentially more pleasing to be in.

Artwork hung everywhere OR Artwork hung no-place special OR (my favorite) an 8x10 or 11x14 family photo hung all by itself in the middle of nowhere. Random Artwork Splatterers, hold on now. Take the time to read my popular blog post on how to hang artwork (click here). Artwork draws and stops the eye. Proceed with caution! Hang art in relationship to the thing it is next to or near. You need large pieces hung over large furniture, or you must create strong groupings hung over larger pieces of furniture. Create more balance and peace in any interior by freeing up some wall space with a rest, a breath.

Negative space can make a corner calmer

Clutter. I have nothing further to say here...you're smart enough to know how visible clutter destroys a sense of peace and balance in a home. I had a new potential client call me in to do some work with them, but what they needed more than a great designer was a great organizer. Savers, this means you. Create breathing room in your home, create peace in your home for your children and for your marriage, create peace in your space for your own creativity and spirit and sense of well being by culling down the clutter.

Embellished painted furniture. This type of furniture, in the right environment used in the right way can be such a knock out. Truly. Cautionary tale, however: Painted furniture - like art - needs space around it. Negative space. An embellished painted chest needs to be a stand alone in a foyer or bedroom. Flank a sofa with a pair of them and unless you are a skilled pro, get ready for visual chaos on a room. Be careful how and when you use embellished painted furniture.

Speaking of negative space, I need to go see one of my clients who needs to "open up this place so it feels like something special" – his words not mine. Out of the mouths of clients… :)

Basement Design for a Growing Family

2011-10-06T13:07:00.002-04:00

The key to sound basement design – from this interior designer in the Philadelphia region – is to create a space that can easily evolve over time as the needs of a growing family change.

Now, unless money is no object (hey, who typed that?) I try to steer clear of bold, childlike colors for walls or floor. I'll specify adult colors for these areas and opt for kid colors on one accent wall or simply do brightly colored throw rugs (yes, even over wall-to-wall Berber), cozy snuggly throws, accent pillows, framed posters, or children’s art work. I love to frame children’s artwork for their playrooms.

To accommodate basement dwellers of all ages, I like to go with sectional sofas. They handle multi-age lounging, tween sleepovers, and hold lots of adult sports fans. I'll also toss in some upholstered leather cubes. They make for great coffee tables or extra seating while also indulging the love kids have for moving furniture around!

As to built-in bars, media rooms, full kitchens, partial kitchens, and full baths, these are topics in themselves and require more than just a paragraph. I coach clients to honestly estimate how much they would use these spaces over time. I have found that people over-estimated how much use these spaces would get in order to justify the expense, but it is a very individual question.

And finally, if money is an object (hey, who typed that?) I find that, in addition to the above, it’s always a great move to check with a local furniture store to see what arrangements might be made to work with their floor samples. This has been a perfect option for some of my clients.

In the end, the basement will rarely feel or function like the main parts of the home, so my first instinct is to approach with prudence and a level head.

October is National Window Covering Safety Month ...

2011-09-29T12:56:00.000-04:00

...and your child's safety is our top priority.

Blinds and shades with cords can be dangerous to children. The Window Covering Safety Council, a group of major U.S. manufacturers, importers, and retailers of window coverings, provides education about window cord safety. Check out their website for up-to-date information and advice:

www.windowcoverings.org

Because young children can become entangled in window cords that are within their reach, the Safety Council urges parents and caregivers to follow these safety rules:

Safety Checklist:

Keep cribs and beds away from windows.
Make sure all window treatment cords are short enough to be out of the reach of children.
Securely anchor all continuous loop cords to the wall or window frame.
Repair blinds and shades manufactured before 2001 with "retrofit cord repair devices," or replace them with today's safer products.
Opt for cordless treatments in children's bedrooms and play areas.

Using safety in window coverings will help protect your pets, as well. Educate yourself and protect your family.

Let me know if you need any help (donna@idhdesigns.com). Your child's safety is important to me!

Who Should Work With an Interior Designer?

2011-09-16T12:06:00.001-04:00

I love running an interior design practice. I love being a designer and working with the busy, successful and on-the-go clients who ask me to show them how to put more beauty and therefore balance in their homes. But I have never believed that hiring a professional designer is the right choice for everyone. Certainly, excellent interior designers bring great value and benefits to the clients who engage them. If I didn't believe this, I wouldn't do what I do. However, without question, designers are luxury items and the people who tend to engage interior designers are generally affluent, busy, discerning - and they want a particular quality and type of design in their homes. I am neither for nor against hiring a professional designer. But I do believe it has to be the right choice for both parties - meaning both client and designer alike. If you're on the fence as to whether you'd enjoy working with a designer, here’s a little guide to help you decide if engaging a designer would be a little slice of heaven for you, or a trip to you-know-where…and I don’t mean Hoboken.

Here’s who should NOT hire an interior designer:

1) Die-Hard Do-It-Yourselfers (DIY'ers).

Don’t do it. It will be a disaster for both client and designer. DIYers are not likely to value the experience, fresh perspectives, studied design technique, service, resources, legwork, and intellectual property a designer brings to the table. It’s much like people who don't appreciate the value of having an accountant do their tax return. There’s nothing wrong with being a design DIY'er. I have a pal who lives in a palatial home in an upscale area and she and her husband are design DIY'ers through and through. Would their home be featured in a design magazine? Not likely. But who cares? It works for them and for their lifestyle. Hiring a designer has nothing to do with how elegant or “classy” you are. Hiring a designer has to do with your goals and what is important to you.

2) The Bargain Shopper.

Don’t do it. We all want good value, but finding good value is one thing, wanting the cheapest item at the cheapest price all the time is something else. The Bargain Shopper is the person who would choose price over quality every time. This individual would never be happy working with a design professional because they will not value the service a designer provides and they will be suspicious of recommendations. Bargain shoppers probably don’t care if window treatments are in the correct proportion to the windows, if they are poorly made, incorrectly hung, unlined, undercut or out of date. Bargain Shoppers are more likely to want to work independently and will likely feel satisfied with whatever result they achieve. Good enough is good enough for them, and if that’s your MO - I say run with it and keep working on your own. That's ok too! 

Here’s who would enjoy working with a designer:

People who have a very particular aesthetic or look they want to achieve.

People who have a particular aesthetic in mind, but who are too busy with family or career – or both - to know how to begin to pull it together.

People who are very sensitive to the way their environment looks and feels.

People who view home as an extension of – and expression of – themselves and who take great pleasure in being surrounded by a brand of beauty that nurtures and supports them.

People who are about to undertake an extensive renovation and feel overwhelmed or confused by the breadth of decisions to make.

People who just moved into a new home and cannot make their old furnishings work or get them to “fit."

People who look longingly at design magazines and really want something that looks and feels “like that” but, try as they may, can’t get there themselves.

People who have a long narrow room, or an oddly shaped room that they can’t get to feel right.

People who recognize that they can’t achieve the look they want themselves.

People who struggle with odd or mismatched windows in a single space and have no idea how to handle them all.

People who expect excellent value for the dollars they spend, but who also value the service, perspectives, unique ideas, and finished result a design professional brings.

People who truly want to love and enjoy their home, but who don’t enjoy the design process.

People who are willing to pay a professional for a professional result.

In general, the individuals who are best suited to hiring interior designers recognize that working on their own, they are no more capable of achieving their home and design goals than I am of filling my own cavity – no matter how many dental shows I watch on "The Dental Channel." If you find that you are in the market for a designer – go for it! The experience should be wonderful for you, whether you want to work with a designer for the first time, or for a better experience than you had with a former designer. Take heart. The right designer for you is out there (every shoe has its match). Talk to friends, talk to designers. Look at web sites. Interview people to find a good fit. You will find your match, and you’ll be so glad you did.

Kitchen Spruce Up – No Construction Needed

2011-09-16T07:55:00.000-04:00

David Van Scott Photography

Ah the kitchen. We cook in it, clean it up; we welcome family and friends – and within its walls we plan lives, colleges, field trips, class parties, graduations, weddings – all kinds of things get planned in the kitchen! Do you love this room or what? Maybe you do – or maybe you're wishing for a change. But, since kitchen renovations require budget, here are some small budget ideas to help reinvent your kitchen without disturbing a single cabinet.

Declutter

Savers, this means you. Get all of that "stuff" off the tops of the fridge (and front of the fridge, too…magnets, photos, diet slogans…gone). Clear off the top of your cabinets, too. Declutter INSIDE your cabinets. Be brutal. How many ladles does one family need if you’re not in the soup business? Make more room inside your cabinets and you will not only feel more space – but also make room to put things so you can remove things from your counters. Let there be expanses of space on your counters.

Ditch the dust collectors

The butcher block with knives? The jar filled with utensils including the melted plastic spatulas? Retire these. Unless you are in a very large kitchen – these items eat up precious counter space and are also dust collectors. Opt for a well organized drawer instead.

New Knobs

Oh the power of that little bit of "jewelry" on a cabinet door! Mix it up. Do crystal knobs at the drawers – and oil rubbed bronze on the cabinets. This is a favorite trick – very rich looking, adds sparkle and light – and is easy on the budget. (Check out California Crystal’s products for great knobs…Google them…)

Paint!

Repaint the walls and wrap the room in an entirely new color. Paint remains the biggest bang for the buck change in any kitchen, followed by…

Invest in new custom window treatments

David Van Scott Photography

Do something marvelous to go with the new wall color. Bring that treatment right up to – or as close to - the ceiling as possible. It’ll make the windows look bigger and ceiling feel higher. If budget allows, do coordinating demi or full slip covers for all or some of the kitchen chairs.

Try even a few of these tips and before you know it, you’ll be reveling in your "new" kitchen faster than you can say, “New cabinets, new schmabinets."

Style vs. Point of View: Traditional meets Hacienda

2011-09-08T08:32:00.000-04:00

My newest clients are always a treat. And they are always so anxious to have style discussions with me. What they don't know that my older clients know and that some designers regrettably don't address is that style discussions alone are puddle deep. Style discussions are not enough. Surely, I must also take into careful account the design fingerprint of the people I'm designing for - what their cravings and aversions are in an interior. However, something else outstandingly important must also be considered by the most savvy designer and it is this: The Point of View of the Room.

For example: Country French is a style. But, I could do that style with an updated point of view - a traditional point of view, a whimsical point of view, blue and white point of view, etc. In interior design, the point of view then, is the specific flavor I load into an interior by guiding the clients to particular nuances. Whether we use what clients already own, re-purpose what they have and add very specific elements or start from scratch, I am always evaluating each element to be sure it has the correct point of view in order to add up to the marvelous desired effect a client is asking me to create.

David Van Scott Photography

Here's a a great example. This is a wonderful family room that I completed last year for a favorite client. The style is certainly pretty much traditional. However, the intentional point of view taken in the design of the room - the flavor or top notes in the room - are inspired by Spanish/ Andalusian homes.

What makes the traditional style in the room? Well, note the shapes of the upholstery, for starters. These shapes could find their way into just about any traditionally done interior. The built in bookcases that flank the fireplace (built and designed entirely by my talented client!) could find their way into many different traditional spaces. Certainly, the silhouette of the window treatments and Persian style rug are also "traditional" all the way. To be sure, if I was doing a pure Spanish style, I'd have some different furniture silhouettes, I'd have plastered walls, darker wood floor, a different rug and different architectural shapes on the built in book cases, which would likely be in a wood finish. However, my clients wanted a traditional style. Not a Spanish Style. They wanted a Spanish flavor...that's the point of view.


Before

After - David Van Scott Photography

So, look one layer farther up the ladder. Look past the bones of the room and you'll see why I try to discourage clients from shopping for accessories or furnishings without me too early in the process. That's because of this insider secret: it's in these object of interest and accessories and the accent pieces and color palette that an interior is given its point of view. This is also why heading into the furniture store and simply buying what you see on the sales floor results in a sterile room. No point of view.

David Van Scott Photography

Here are some ways that the Spanish point of view finds its way into the room. It is the specific combination of:

Lush, woven fabrics, cut velvets, plush piles abound in this room - all beautifully cut - the time-worn leather on a favorite family exposed arm chair. Perfect for our point of view.

No Andalusian interior would be complete without some heavily carved woods - and you'll get a delicious dose of that on that show stopping coffee table we found at a favorite resource, all made from architectural salvage...from Tibet, thank you. But, it works for us down to the last heavy carved leg! (Actually- those legs are reclaimed pillars.)

Notice the deliberate use of iron and metal in the room - also a flavor direct from regions of Portugal and Spain to include: iron candelabras, a copper drum table, a heavy metal urn lamp on the drum table, the wood carving with metal plaque hung over the sofa.

Note the the carefully selected Andalusian earth tone palette that draws it all together. Note too - in our earliest meetings, my client said she was trying to make the room feel warm and rich which is why you'll see in the before photo that she selected the saffron gold wall color. However, it was a hot color that did what hot colors do - it moved the walls closer together and made the room look smaller. On the other hand, our finished joint creative endeavor pictured above shows rich warmth - but still there is a warmth in the room, but also a rich openness and breadth to the room.

The result of all of these spices and flavors sprinkled about? The point of view. Here you have a traditional family room interior that sits wrapped in the subtle fragrance and whispers of a country estate in Portugal or Spain.

Point of view. This is what separates the mediocre from the great in interior design. And no - they don't teach this on HGTV.

Three Tips for Your Perfect "Interior" Design

2011-08-17T09:05:00.000-04:00

I design interiors. Home interiors. These are the reflective surfaces that mirror the inner workings of the people who live in them. They reflect how their inhabitants tick, what gives them pleasure, how these individuals want to live and feel, all according to their personal programming and constitution. I guess then, in the end, I design interiors that reflect your inner nature...your "Interior," capital "I."

However, how you design your inner life, your own "Interior"...well, that is very much where YOU are the designer. And so, having just spent a great day in NYC...in part attending an interior design event...and, in greater part enjoying the company of an old, dear friend, I've decided to pick an unexpected blog topic. Rather than blog about the Design on a Dime Show I checked out with my friend Ali, I'd rather tackle the subject of designing a great Life since it was the more interesting lunch topic as my pal and I laughed and shared as old friends so easily do.

Here are my 3 no fail tips to design a great "personal Interior."

Be Sure to Plant Yourself in the Right Spot in the Garden. In other words, lovely yarrow simply will not grow in a wet, boggy location. I know. I've tried and it's a losing battle that results in a withering, dying yarrow plant. So if you are not thriving in the life you've crafted, transplant yourself as soon as possible. Find the right career. Or hobby. Or spouse. Or friends. Or causes. Know your constitution and be smart enough to plant yourself in the right spot in The Garden Of Life. Do this and you will have more peace than most of the people around you.

Remember to Water, Feed and Fertilize Yourself. There comes a point in life when you must come to know, understand and honor your constitution. I spent the first 10 years of my marriage trying to be like my husband whom I so admire. It was a disaster because Steve and I are constitutionally so different. He needs action while I need solitude. He needs noise while I crave silence. Figure out your inner constitution and start cultivating it and catering to it. You must learn to feed, water and fertilize yourself. Nobody wants to pick the exhausted rose.

Remember to Surround Yourself with People You Love and Weed Out the Rest. Get out the spade and dig out the friendships that are less about authentic desire and true communal connection and more about duty and what once was. This was a large discussion topic for my friend and I today. We spoke of the challenges faced by women who are in mid-life, mid-career and mid- child rearing when it comes to creating and maintain meaningful friendships. This wonderful long distance friend whom I've known since our college freshman year lamented her recent loss of a friendship that probably limped on longer than it should have. I recognized the scent, for I too have clung fast to ghost friendships... shadows of things that once were and no longer are. We do it out of guilt; we do it out of obligation or sense of duty perhaps. But - here's a better idea. Bless it and then let it go. As the ancient sages warned...To everything, there is a season. It takes the wise heart to honor the cycles of life. And so, honor the friendships that come to stay for the long forever, and give equal thanks for the ones that burn bright and quick. Each brings a gift if you are smart enough to open it and look inside. Fill your life with people you love and who love you. Period.

Picking out fabric is easy compared to weaving the fabric of our Lives. But if the weaver is wise, she can pull in different threads as she chooses...all in order to skillfully design a cloth that will make for good living. Life your Best Life as Oprah always says. I say....Design It.

What Does an Interior Designer Really Do?

2011-08-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

David Van Scott Photography

If you're a Jeopardy player, the finger-on-the-buzzer answer to what an interior designer does might be, "What is: pick out fabrics & paint colors, guide materials and finish selections, design window treatments and upholstery, educate and assist in the purchase and placement of furnishings, art and accessories." You won't lose points for that answer - but, you won't get to the finals either. It's just not the full answer.

Sure, as I designer I do all of those studied and practiced things listed above - and more. But, the excellent completion of these challenges is the small picture of what a great interior designer really does. The larger arc of what I do really do is something far more. Through the sum total of my interior design work, I adjust an environment to not only make a home look most beautiful, but I also make adjustments that will make home feel like a haven. The result of my truest work is that I can make a home feel like a gift to wake up to each day and a pleasure to come home to each evening. Raise the aesthetic in a home and the people in that home will feel and function better. Period.

In experience after experience I have learned that Right Design, wisely and beautifully done, infuses a home with more peace, more grace, more enjoyment and more balance in Life (capital L). When I align an environment with who you are, how you want to live, what you value and what you love most - great things happen. Sure, I love the creative process of fabric planning and the like. But, my deepest satisfaction comes from knowing that when I do my job correctly, I can improve the quality of your Life. Through my work with a client, I can make a house a home that will provide the launching pad and lift off to more ideal living for the family that resides there.

Do you know when I first recognized this? When our then 8-year-old daughter returned home from a new friend's house and said to me, "Mom, thank you for our house."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well," Anna continued. "It always feels very peaceful here. And it's very beautiful, too. It feels happy here and that house I went to today didn't feel good inside."

Out of the mouths of babes.

After that incident, which certainly got my attention, I began to take notice of the continued stream of grateful phone calls, emails and cards from clients. I'm not talking about the quick emails that say "Hey, love that fabric," or "Nice door handles." No, I'm talking about the client communications that boasted elation and phrases like:

"Thank you! I feel so good when I open the door to come home."

"I love waking up and coming downstairs each morning and seeing my _____ room. What a lift."

"I didn't know I could live like this."

"I sneak into my office now just to relax because I love the way it looks and feels in here."

I could go on, but you get the point.

I was reading a book on Asian design the other day and in it, there was a beautiful quote that basically said there is a time in our lives when we must step away from the world and her noise and "Let Beauty Do Its Work On Us."

Yes, there is an elixir in refined function and refined aesthetic in our precious homes. It's a potent elixir and it's called: What an Interior Designer Does.

Outdoor Fabrics 101

2011-08-04T21:10:00.000-04:00

Sunbrella® Fabrics

Do you remember in days-of-old purchasing some "pretty looking" outdoor chair cushions at the store that started out looking great? But after one season of sun, rain and wind, they looked about 25 years old…tattered, faded, flat and worn? I sure do. But today that doesn’t have to be the case, if you’re willing to invest a little more $ upfront, you can enjoy the vast benefits, value and long life that come with using today's new indoor/outdoor fabrics. To understand what they are and how they work, here are two fabric and fiber facts you must have as background:

1) Natural plant fibers like cotton, or animal fibers like wool or silk and even acetate, which has a plant derivative, inherently suffer various negatives from exposure to water… from mold and mildew to insect infestations. These fibers are also susceptible to oils from humans, foods or the like. These textiles feel great and work perfectly for apparel and indoor home furnishings. However they are disasters for outdoor use for the reasons noted. In fact, some of these fibers actually break down in the presence of water. Natural fibers are given their color - (dyed) - either after they are spun into yarn, or after they have been woven into cloth. Thus – their color is topically applied.

2) Man-made fibers like acrylic fibers for indoor/outdoor use are instead made from chemical mixtures. These chemical solutions are literally pushed through an extruding machine to create the fibers that will ultimately be woven into cloth. Think pasta maker or play-dough pasta maker! Their color is also added while they are in the solution phase.

OK – now you have 2 critical pieces of background info that you’ll need to understand indoor/outdoor fabrics.

How Indoor/Outdoor Fabrics are Made:

Unlike cotton, wool, silk or even acetate and nylon textiles, in which the dye is applied after weaving, in the case of indoor/outdoor fabrics, the color is literally mixed into the chemical solution before the extruding process. That color is literally IN there baby…not laid on top. Thus – the color is highly stable and will not bleach out, fade or wear away. This revolutionary dying process is called “solution dying.”

Benefits for the end user of Solution Dyed Indoor/Outdoor fabrics:

Fade Resistant, even in sunlight, since the color is extruded in the fiber itself before the fiber is spun into yarn and woven into cloth.
Naturally Mold/Mildew Resistant
Long Lasting
Durable – ideal for heavy use and will stand up to abrasion from natural use.
Now available – thanks to manufacturers like Sunbrella and Glen Raven (who also manufacture for all design houses under various names) – now available in sophisticated designs and colors.
Now available in fabrics you’d mistake for indoor fabrics…some even with the feel & look of chenilles or soft brushed cottons. These fabrics are no longer hard coated, uncomfortable, stiff or available in limited color or design options.

And if you really want to be a smarty pants…spend even a little bit more and have your outdoor cushions made with “Flow Through” Cushions. Think swiss cheese. These cushions have very open cellulose-type structure so water literally "flows through" them. Rain storm coming? Just tip your cushions on their sides and let them be. They’ll dry out in no time and the Flow Through Cushions are also naturally mildew and mold resistant.

As ever – any questions do feel free to call me. My workroom and I can do wonderful outdoor cushions or draperies (yes…you read that right) for your outdoor room, patio or deck. And yes…before you ask: You can…and I do…use indoor/outdoor fabrics inside, too. They are a great choice for furnishings and draperies in very sunny locations, kitchens, heavily windowed locations and beach homes where sunlight/fading, moisture or wear is a concern.

For more design ideas, please go to www.interiorsbydonnahoffman.com.

Outdoor Furniture 101

2011-07-27T19:33:00.000-04:00

If you’re thinking about buying new outdoor furniture, you might be wondering which direction is best. Here’s a little handy and quick primer on the upside and the downside to the available choices, which include: Aluminium, Wicker, Wood, Plastic and Steel patio and deck furniture.

Aluminium

You should hear my British pal Zoe say "aluminium." It’s marvelous – sounds like,”AL-LOO-MIN-EE-IM.” To which I always, say dumbly in Americanese…”What?” And now back to our article:

Upside: If Aluminium patio furniture is powder coated, it won’t rust or fade. It’s also lighter weight and lower maintenance than steel. Aluminium is also easy to care for. Simply clean with soapy water as needed and if you wish – you can coat with car wax to help repel water and stains.

Downside: You get what you pay for – high end aluminium patio sets cost $1,500 and more.

Wicker

Upside: Lightweight and durable – whether in the woven wood or woven synthetic.

Downside: These pieces tend to be bulky and take up a fair amount of space. Also, quality goods can be pricey. Note: If you can, choose weather-resistant wicker which can be easily hosed off.

Wood

Upside: The nice thing about wood, other than its natural appeal, is that it won’t absorb the sun's heat the way metals and wicker might, making it a nice choice for hot, sunny decks and patios. Easy care: wash with warm soapy water and rinse.

Downside: Wood patio furniture will not last "forever" without care to include staining and storage inside during the winter months. You can keep cedar and teak outdoors year round, but expect them to fade. Best not to place wood furniture on grass since wood will absorb moisture from the ground and can rot. You can use paint or sealants to help keep water out.

Plastic

Upside: Generally, this is the least expensive outdoor furniture option. It’s generally quite portable and some is made from recycled materials. Chairs usually are able to stack, making for easy storage.

Downside: Plastic patio furniture is not as long-lasting as other choices. It also doesn’t look as great as other choices. You will spend less, yes, but it will look like you did. Please keep white plastic clean! It can look dingy and old rather quickly. You can store inside between seasons to help prevent fading and keep it in better looking condition.

Steel

Upside: Boy is this stuff strong and durable. It makes for very substantial furniture.

Downside: Steel tends to be heavy and thus harder to move. Also, unless it is specially treated, it will likely rust if left out all year round. You can apply a special protective coating or spray wax to help prevent rust. Inquire at your outdoor furniture dealer or big box home center to learn more.

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Shore up Your Home: Quick Fixes for Home Spaces

2011-07-15T10:43:00.000-04:00

Back in the New York metropolitan area where I grew up, we went to the beach. Here in the great County of Bucks in Pennsylvania, people seem to go "down the shore." Well, it's raining on this hot summer day, so there is no "shore" in my future today. Instead, let me help you finetune some of your home spaces by suggesting easy interior design tips to shore up your home that are easy enough to do yourself.

The Kitchen

Heart of your home. This is the epicenter of family life and guest visits alike. It's around this table that stories are told, Life plans are made, children are taught, prayers sometimes said and delighted laughter shared. When I align the function and beauty here, all of the activities that occur in it benefit as well. Here are some kitchen enhancements you can think about.

Shore Up: Make sure you have the right colors here - the ones you love. Be sure storage is ample AND organized so that things are stored where you need them. If not, cull down (read: throw away!) and reorganize making it so. Ensure ideal seating even if you have to consider swapping some chairs for a bench. And do your kitchen this favor: REMOVE at least two accessories and watch things open up.

The Family Room

Ah, the Play and Share Space of the home. It's here that we gather with family and friends, watch a great game with pals, snuggle up with the paper or good book or gather round for family movie or game night. And let's not forget that rejuvenative Sunday afternoon nap.

Shore Up: I always like to have a soft, fluffy throw stored here for clients, or keep one beautifully draped over the arm of a chair to make snuggling in even easier. Create storage for all of the kids' items so that when it's adult time, you can get some. Opt for a love seat and sofa rather than two club chairs with a sofa if nap time is high on your list - great for his and hers cat naps over the Sunday Times. Make fabrics on upholstery touchable and soft to the skin. Do this room a favor - update all of the lamps and remove all your accessories and then reload all but six.

The Master Bedroom

Your Inner Sanctum. This is the space that like no other in your home should still the incessant beating of the world's endless drum. Your core should open and relax here. Whether you want to get your sexy on or snuggle up with a good book, this space should feel picture perfect to you.

Shore Up: New bedding will reinvent this space. Consider either an upholstered bench at the end of the bed, or a small arm chair in the room for a convenient place to perch. Re-invent a tired bedroom set with an upholstered headboard or consider adding a demi-canopy. As ever, if budget allows, go custom on these items for the greatest pay off. I'm always in favor of a lamp update here. And do clear off those nightstands.

The Children's Room

The Image-i-narium of your home! Young minds, unfolding souls. Do you remember your childhood room? It was here that you dreamed your dreams and planned your plans. Crayon magic and make believe eventually gave way to adolescent hopes, wishes and wonderings if the world would make a place for us once we flew the nest.

Shore Up: Let the young have their spaces. For little ones, add new bedding in their favorite theme and select a fresh new wall color that can "morph" into their more grown up room. For tweens and teens, create zones for rest, for homework and for entertaining a pal or two. Give kids plenty of input into their room's design. Need an inexpensive window treatment? Purchase a ready made valence and a contrast grosgrain ribbon. Then hire your favorite tailor to attach the ribbon just above the hem of the valence. If need be, call in a pro to show you how to take their young dreams and put them into plausible and long-term-staying-power design.

Treat these spaces with the care and respect you would any sacred spot in the garden. After all, it's in your home that you "grow" your family and your Life. Design is powerful and abundant. Use her well and enjoy the fruits of her yield for many seasons. Of this I am "shore."

How to Select the Perfect Wall Color

2011-07-05T20:30:00.000-04:00

Assigning wall, ceiling and trim paint color is a fine, tricky art and regardless of the time a client perceives it takes me to do, it actually took me a decade to learn to do excellently well. Further, there is more to it than picking a swatch off a deck. One needs to anticipate what a paint color will actually DO once it's up on the wall: how it will change when up on the wall given the directional natural light in the room, the artificial light in the room, and also the other room, furniture and paint colors it sits near. Color changes in different light. Color changes due to the color it sits near or next to. Scared yet? I don't blame you!

I see no more common error in new clients homes then I do in "do it yourself" paint color selection. The results - when poor - can be anything from a glaringly bad color choice that is too hot, too sweet or too cool, to a completely missed undertone that makes what a DIY'er thought would read as neutral...but instead ends up looking too pink, too orange, too gray or too ...well, wrong. And those are the better scenarios. At worst, poor room color choice can lead to homeowners literally chopping up their home into tiny little disjointed sections, the ultimate effect of which is that this same homeowners will have shrunk by a third their square footage...they will have made their home look and thus feel smaller. All with poor paint color choice!

Before assigning room color, I need to know where the room is going, what fabrics are to come into the room? The flooring? Area rugs? These single elements all merge to do the dance of artful design. It takes a seasoned designer to know not only that color leads the eye, BUT to decide how and where one wants to lead the eye!

Given what my clients love and have shared with me as their goal for their living space, using color strategically, I must decide...

Am I trying to open up the architecture?
Am I trying to make the room feel smaller and more cozy?
Am I trying to frame a focal point or create one?
Am I trying to lift...or lower...a ceiling?
How am I trying to connect a particular room to another space so there is a sense of flow and space from room to room.

Beyond all this, I have to know where my clients like their "color." Do it yourself'ers are the first ones to slap a favorite hue on the wall, only to have me discover with them that the place they REALLY most like and crave color in their interior is NOT on the wall. (They may prefer that favorite color on the upholstery, the draperies, the horizontal plane filled by accent pillows or the floor...all these vie for my attention as a designer when I develop a color plan for a space.)

There are clients who are in a hurry to take a professional paint recommendation and immediately have their painter put it on the wall. However, for my sensitive clients, I will provide them a choice or two so they can pick up sample jars to paint test swatches on the wall in order to view the wall color in different lights at different times of the day. Doing this extra step is a smart investment of time and budget.

DIY'ers, where paint selection is concerned, proceed with caution. Working with a designer is certainly not the right slope for you. However...correct color and paint selection is a mighty slippery slope...the mistakes are far reaching and if not corrected, you will "pay" for them for a long time to come...more than you realize.

Spotlight On: Philadelphia's City Hall

2011-06-29T15:58:00.000-04:00

A very well respected Philadelphia area home inspector who I KLT (Know, Like Trust!), named Vince Tecce loves buildings and architecture...which is a good thing in a home inspector! I asked Vince if he'd be willing to guest blog for me about a favorite building and he kindly came through. Vince has offered this guest blog about my single favorite building in the City of Philadelphia...City Hall. Each time I drive by...or around our City Hall...I am transported back to the streets of Paris which are brimming with architecture of this ilk and aesthetic. (Can you smell the croissants??)

So if you are as taken by Philadelphia's City Hall as I am - here's a fun-fact blog from my buddy Vince. He credits this romp though city hall to a talk he attended by Joseph Grace, president of Franklin Engineering. Grace logged 21 years working for the City of Philadelphia. During that time, he was the project manager on the restoration efforts on this magnificent building.

Here's Vince:

"The restoration of the city hall tower and the famous William Penn statue was a unique 2 year project performed from 1988 to 1989.

Originally constructed between 1871 and 1901, Philadelphia’s City Hall, when built, was the largest non-secular occupied modern building at that time.

Today, it remains the biggest municipal office building in the world. It actually cost $24 million to build city hall...at the time it was built!

Some fun facts:

The tower clock, meant to be seen from a distance, was used by local farmers to set their clocks.

There are 250 sculptures at city hall performed by the famous Philadelphia artist Alexander Milne Calder.

The statue of William Penn at the top of the tower is an impressive 37 feet tall and weighs 27 tons. Penn was originally intended by the architect to face Southwest. But, a dispute between Calder and the architect John McArthur, Jr., had McArthur turning Penn around to face Northeast when Calder returned from a trip abroad (!).

The statue of William Penn was made from bronze using the lost wax technique.

Most people don’t realize there are several other statues on the tower.

There are 4 eagles with a wind span of 20 feet.

4 additional statues are approximately 30 feet in height.

These statues were made to be viewed from a distance, however the line of site is now blocked by the later constructed tall buildings now surrounding city hall.

The statues have suffered from corrosion damage, especially on the Westerly sides, which is the main direction of winds. Many of the finely cast statue parts were remade using the same lost wax technique originally used.

Interestingly, politics played a part in the funding of the restoration project. Somehow, funding always freed up when sections that fell off of the tower were found and publicized!

For more information on this other topics, visit Vince at www.buildinginspectorofamerica.com.

Window Treatments as Window Fashion...what's your pleasure?

2011-06-24T08:22:00.000-04:00

When it comes to great interior design, I'm a big believer in the savvy and strategic treatment of the window(s). Not because my company sells window treatments. Not at all because of this. No, rather we design and sell window treatments BECAUSE I so believe in their immense power to influence the aesthetic, mood, function and comfort of an interior. Whether woven wood blinds or plantation shutters or layered multiple treatments ending in rich full panels, consumers today need to think value and return on investment when adding window fashions. It's an investment that should net at least a 10 year return in an interior on average. And a return that should bring incalculable hours of enhanced pleasure, enjoyment and pride in that square footage you call home.

Who are YOU in window fashions? I'm not talking about the utilitarian honey comb blinds many of you grew up with. Or the vertical blinds! I'm talking about DRESSING your windows, framing your views, enhancing all that glass. I'm asking about your window fashion personality.

Are you looking for lines that are clean and concise? Something a little tailored and streamlined? Are you utilitarian and no-nonsense? Or are you craving something a little more voluptuous and lush. OR, are you dreaming of a little luxury and glamor?

The real key in designing and fabricating for my design clients' window dressings that will make an interior a real stand out space is not in the amount of layers we use, the number of treatments we use on a window, the specific type of treatment or even the cost of the treatment. No. The key to design greatness as driven by window fashions is found in using window treatments designed for the single purpose of improving a living space...whether by enhancing light, controlling light or temperature, providing privacy and the emotional comfort it brings, and of course, improving architecture and creating the ambient mood and feeling a client craves most.

Great windows fashions do drive great interior design. The longer I live in this industry, the more I believe it. But, it all must start with great design vision, a sensible head and a savvy designer. I'd love to help you with your window fashions needs...let me guide your project and get ready to love the great things that will come to you and your home!

Easy Patio & Deck Spruce Ups

2011-06-16T16:13:00.000-04:00

Outdoor living and entertaining makes quite a few things easier to be sure – from sweeping up to styling things out. The outdoors supplies heavenly blue skies, every shade of green and all that sunshine and moonlight. What else do you need? Well, if you feel like your outdoor living space is in need of a little extra refreshing, try these simple and easy-on-the budget ideas:

Stencil It

Have an old wood picnic table or Adirondack chair that is looking a little drab? Paint it! Want a conversation piece? Paint it and then add a stencil. Go for a rich gray base color and then stencil it in a graphic white design. Or go soft celery green with a butter yellow stencil. You pick the colors. Be bold and be brilliant.

Oversize and Overstuff your Patio Planters

Bigger is better when it comes to patio planters and most people mistakenly go the opposite direction. Rather than spending in small increments on lots of small planters that will ultimately create clutter not impact, spend on fewer, larger, grander pots. The return on your investment will be a million dollar look. If you want year round color, plant with a small boxwood or evergreen for 4-season color and then underplant with annual flowers. Really stuff in those blooming plants – the more the merrier. And for gracious fullness, remember to add in trailing things that spill over the sides – from ivys to new wave petunias to viberna.

Instant Patio Panache

Buy a new umbrella for the table and go for color! What a huge and instant difference you’ll see. This year, I added not only a vibrant 9’ yellow umbrella to our dining table on the deck, but I also planted the flower pots in yellow & white. The yellow color moves and repeats marvelously across the deck – what a great look.

Spray it

I loooove spray paint. Not the graffiti artist “deface something” kind. The designer “save this item” kind. Rustoleum makes some wonderful sprays that can even have texture or crackle. You can spray, update and reinvent that old outdoor dining set. From bronze to black to pewter – high gloss to matte. Go for it. You can also spray a high gloss on faux metal planters to make then look brand spanking new. No talent or skill required. Remember to remove glass or acrylic tops and do not spray fabrics or chair slings. Head to the paint section at Home Depot or Lowes and have at it.

Cut Flowers for Cottage Charm

Most people think of cutting flowers from the garden and bringing them indoors. Next time, cut a few extra bouquets and place them on the patio or deck. Imagine ceramic pitchers or metal containers – even soup tureens - exploding with hydrangeas or other cut flowers from your garden. The look is so charming and so easy. Keep well watered if in direct sun.

The 5 Biggest Misconceptions about Interior Designers

2011-06-08T21:17:00.000-04:00

When I tell people I’m an interior designer, many respond longingly, “Oh, I wish I was doing what you’re doing...it looks so fun.” Or, “I always wanted to work with a designer but I'm a little intimidated." So - I thought it’d be fun to share with you some of the most common misconceptions about being an interior designer. Enjoy!

Myth #1. It’s glamorous.

Reality: Schlepping, hauling and carting samples of fabrics, tile, granite, marble, wood, paint renderings, wallpaper books - all in large, 10-20 pound awkward shaped bundles is not so glam. Hauling around accessories, 5’ and 50 pound bolts of fabric – or just plain moving, carrying or lifting anything and everything that goes into a home – and wearing heels while doing it. Good luck.

Myth #2. Designers sit around and play with fabric all day.

Reality: I wish! Figure 2 full days a week managing all of the paperwork that drives design: managing orders (dry), purchasing finished and raw goods for my clients (mind-bogglingly detailed), fixing problems when mills or manufacturers don’t ship things properly or there is a damage (irritating). Spend another 1-1.5 days rendering designs to show to clients for their projects and dealing with my workrooms on current projects. Throw in 15 hours per week for writing newsletter articles, blog posts and press releases. That leaves 2 days for meeting with clients, doing site checks on projects I’m installing, shopping (yum)...and yes…then there’s picking out fabric. Squish in meeting with my team live, via phone or Skype on various issues. And yes, this adds up to more than a 5 day work week. :-) (Did I mention continuing professional ed time?)

Myth #3. Designers Believe in Spending Money Recklessly – High End All The Way.

Reality: They shouldn’t. I don’t. I view clients' resources as I view my own – something to be respected and for which lots of hard labor was expended to earn. There’s a time to spend, a time to save, a time to reuse, a time to splurge. Client is always the master of the budget. Period. No designer should judge the size of any budget, only serve and guide. I do beautiful design in a mixture of dollar range purchases in addition to re-purposing things already owned. Client budget and goals determine what that mix will be.

Myth #4. Designers are Elitists and Snobs.

Reality. Many are. Some aren’t. Look for the good ones – the good, the sensible, the kind and the ethical.

Myth #5. Clients must be hard to work with.

Reality. Not mine. I really like my clients. I seem to attract good, honest, kind, smart, lovable, humorous, fun people to my practice. And they stay with me for a good long while because they appreciate the results I bring, the value I bring and the ease my service creates. My clients are not hard to work with. :-)

How Much Wood Would A Woodchuck...Order For His Living Room Floors?

2011-06-01T15:21:00.000-04:00

Most people agree that wood flooring adds tremendous warmth and richness to a home. Most realtors will add that wood flooring adds far more value to your home versus laminate.

To answer a common question, wood board sizes can vary in width from 2 1/4” up to 10”! The most common sizes being sold currently are the 3” and 5”.

Another area of confusion: What’s the difference between Solid Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood flooring? Read on…

As the name implies – solid hardwood flooring is just that – solid planks of wood. What you see on the top surface runs through to the base of the entire board. Solid wood is pricier than engineered wood and is perceived by some as the higher end and better choice. Not necessarily better.

By contrast, engineered hardwood flooring only looks just like solid hardwood on the surface (the part you look at and walk on). In engineered hardwood, the upper layer of "veneer" rests on top of multiple layers of base woods that are intelligently stacked one atop the other – one against the grain of the next – layer upon layer. The logic at work: this criss-cross of the grains helps stabilize the boards against warping as the boards naturally encounter the unending temperature and humidity changes that occur in our homes. And because the “fine wood” is used only as the top layer, engineered hardwood will be less costly than solid hardwood.

To summarize, a few nice benefits of engineered wood flooring is that it:

Can be installed below grade (basements)
Most have numerous install methods (staple or nail, glue, and floating) so installing on a concrete slab is not a problem
Resists warping, bending, stretching and buckling better then a solid hardwood and better than a laminate floor
Is a much "safer" option to use when you want to go with a wider width plank since solid woods are more susceptible to warping when the planks are wider.

I hope our stroll down "Wood Lane" has helped "whittle down" and focus your thinking about wood floors for your home. Wood would be nice…”woodn’t” it?

The excitement of Ikat (Fabric, for those of you saying "what?")

2011-05-27T17:43:00.000-04:00

Ah...Ikat. Why are you so misunderstood by my amazing clients out here in the burbs of Philadelphia? As interior designer to the sophisticates in the county of Bucks, the "in-crowd" of Princeton & Hopewell NJ, not to mention "the see and be seen personalities of Upper Makefield...why, oh why, I ask...do design clients run from the room screaming if I sneak an Ikat into a presentation?

OK. So I exaggerate...slightly. My clients are beautiful, see and be seen people to ME...but they are by all happy accounts normal people just like the rest of us. And truth be told, Ikats don't make clients scream exactly...Ikats are more likely to make them cringe a little. Designer exaggeration aside (!), Ikat may be the single most voted down and misunderstood of fabrics for this Philadelphia-region interior designer.

For those of you asking what the devil I'm talking about, let me introduce you to wonderful fabric. Ikat, (pronounced "Eee-cat") is used to describe a pattern or style or method of producing a cloth all to a particular shared visual effect. Without boring you with too many gory details, here are two of the most fun facts about lovely Ikat.

Traditionally, Ikat designs carry strong symbolism, the pattern often representing (are you ready?)...wealth, power, status and social standing (want any yet?)

Traditionally, Ikat has been used in religious ceremonies in various parts of the world and was believed to have magical powers (how 'bout a pillow?)

Many parts of the world claim the invention of the Ikat, which can be found in India, Japan, Central and South America, and throughout southeast Asia. Laying claim aside, Ikats that we know today from great design houses like Kravet or Fabricut have taken the ancient and laborious tradition of weaving these rich designs and instead turned to simple screen printing to mass produce them.

Centuries old, this ethnic pattern was originally made by dying either just the horizontal (or just the vertical) thread. It was dyed PRIOR to weaving...thus you can imagine the challenge to weave in that pattern! Or, sometimes, something called resist dying was used to produce the wonderful Ikat. Here, wax or paste was applied to the blank cloth to prevent the dye from reaching all the fibers. The dye would seep under the resist, and this is what gives Ikat its characteristically blurred edges. The related flame cloth is Ikat's cousin, born in Bali.


Grinsing or "flame cloth"

With today's home owners looking for fresh, warm, stand out interiors, even a splash of Ikat in a few throw pillows lends a modernity and freshness that can't be beat. For the bold and the daring, I say hike Ikat up the walls in simple but full drapery panels and follow suit with an equally bold wall color.

So the next time somebody says "Ikat," don't say gazundtheit...instead say...wow Donna, you are one snappy, fabulous interior designer to the stars...I'll take some of that. Pass me the Ikat (God bless you!).

An Interview with a Window Workroom

2011-05-18T20:35:00.000-04:00

Custom window treatments are a bit of a mystery to most people so I thought it'd be fun for you to peek inside a custom workroom in this interview. You’ll be hearing from Peggy, who is hands down my favorite custom drapery workroom. Peg and her team are responsible for interpreting my beautiful designs and turning them into client-thrilling and beautiful reality, and I’ve been working with Peg for 15 years.

Donna: What do you think customers would be most shocked to learn regarding custom treatments and their fabrication?

Peggy: How truly hard window treatments are to do and to do well! It takes a lot of time, a lot of skill and a lot of practice – I’ve been at this for a long time. The level of detail and length of time it takes to put something together would really surprise people. Every project, every treatment is so different each and every time – and each treatment has its own idiosyncrasies. People would also be surprised to learn that there’s a lot more hand stitching than they’d expect, and how physically demanding a job it is to build a window treatment. It’s heavy work! Bolts of fabric can weigh 40-50 lbs. We just received fabric for one of your projects last week, Donna that weighed 70 lbs. That’s a lot of weight to keep moving around. Another surprise for people might be that I have a lot of power tools! There’s a lot of building involved when making custom treatments. In fact, I have to go to Home Depot soon to buy wood for one of your projects, Donna.

A view of Peg's workroom

Is there a fabric you dislike working with – if so – why?

I think the most challenging fabric to work with, and I know some workrooms won’t even work with it, is velvet. As you run it through the machine, the nap starts to shift back and forth - it has a mind of its own - very frustrating.

Is there a window treatment you’ve always wished you could do – but haven’t had the chance to do yet? (Other than any of my creative designs??!!) If yes – what and why?

(Laughing) Yes, of course we love to do your beautiful designs!! No, honestly, there’s nothing I haven’t built that I wish I could build. But, there are things I really enjoy working with – and that would include bump.(something used to line silk draperies). Bump requires a lot of hand stitching, a high level of detail – and the results are very beautiful. Bump is a very thick interlining that originated in England, I believe. It’s almost 100% cotton – not fully cotton due to the cost of cotton. To give you some perspective, bump is 3-4x thicker than flannel. It’s used as an interlining for draperies to make them look more full and lush. This is the same purpose of any other interlining of course, but bump is a far more rich product.

You and I see a lot of work custom work by other workrooms. In your judgment, what are some of the greatest mistakes, faux pas, or just pure "bad judgment calls" you see other workrooms making?

I would say the worst and most common error is in fullness. That would be #1 I think, skimping on fullness to save a dollar. Very common and very bad. Also not going the extra mile to cover a dustboard (that piece at the top of a window treatment from which a window treatment hangs if it’s not on a rod). It’s all of the little inside details that make such a big difference in the overall finished product. Customers don’t see the difference when it all works as it should. But, they really notice the problems when workrooms try to cheat, thanks to downgraded fabrication. Anyone can see the difference and they’ll be sorry. Oh – and another problem I see is when patterns don’t match as they should.

Let’s talk budget. We know that "ready made" window treatments cannot come close to the look of custom – or do for a room what custom window treatments can do. That said, if budget precludes a customer’s ability to go custom at their window, where at retail do you think she should look for the best possible ready mades? (I have my recommendations....but am curious about yours...)

For Romans – go to Smith and Noble. They turn around a decent product in short time, even though their fabrics are on the lower end. I’d also say Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and JC Penny. (That is ready-mades for JC Penny – things like sheers – not recommending their custom work per say.)

Anything else you’d like to add?

Just that building window treatments is a fun job – though always challenging. We’ve also had our share of industrial accidents – Pat has chipped her tooth and cut her wrist! And last week, I was extracting a staple and it landed IN my lip! So far, I haven’t put the machine needle through my finger yet…knock on wood!!!

And so reader...thanks for stopping in. And as ever, if you have any questions about custom window designs, do send my way and we'll be delighted to answer all for you - or help you create something wonderful in any room of your home!

Success Working with Multiple Contractors on a Design Project

2011-05-11T14:40:00.000-04:00

Too many cooks spoil the broth...boy have I tasted that soup in my career.

I happen to be working with a great client right now who has called into their renovation project (other than me), a builder to do the construction, a cabinet maker who is also a builder and a painter who also considers himself a builder. As I watched this one unfold and sat in on a meeting or two in which the cabinet maker clearly wanted to guide the design of the kitchen, or where the painter wanted to do some demolition and tile work and come to think of it the cabinet maker evidently told the client early on that he could have easily done the full renovation himself, all I could think was...here comes a train wreck.

Luckily, I'm not just a very good designer, I'm also very good business woman, project manager, diplomat and good will ambassador. And because I type fast (!) and believe in paper trails (!), lots of clear communication with all hands on deck has helped this project run more smoothly than I expected. The keys to multiple contractors on one job to insure success are the following.

Two heads are better than one when it comes to creative meetings, however there needs to be one over all design brain guiding the project in total. Once a plan is set, it needs to be set. Period.

Clarity is the key. I like to be very clear on who is doing what, what is expected, to include reasonable delivery dates so contractors don't pile up like toppled dominoes.

I find it critically important to set and manage expectations,both on the builders/contractor end and the client end. Full disclosure and managed expectations make for happy design team members.

And finally, open dialogue is key whether about job site problems, frustrations or concerns. Communicate early and communicate often. I also believe that work well done should be acknowledged. I'm the first one to compliment a builder or contractor on good work. It makes me smile inside that even the biggest and burliest of them light up like a firefly when I compliment a beautifully installed cabinet or mitered edge.

Multiple talent and specialists are necessary on most any renovation. Important then to keep in mind the idea that there's a time and place for democratic rule...and sometimes you just need a good CEO who can simply utter the words "because I said so."

Or is that a dictator? Well - if the shoe fits...

Going Green – Building Material Focus – Concrete

2011-05-04T17:52:00.000-04:00

Not too many people wake up and shout, “Concrete! I see concrete in my home environment somewhere and today’s the day to make it happen!”

Concrete has a bad rap. It’s so common we barely notice it. It has industrial connotations. It’s also the thing you skinned your knee on as a kid when you fell off your bike.

As early as 7,000 years ago, both the Egyptians and the Romans were using concrete in construction. They were no dopes. They recognized the easy accessibility of the ingredients needed to produce it which included readily available: water, aggregate (sand and gravel or crushed stone) and cement. Considering the length of time concrete has been in use, one can frame it as a somewhat inexhaustible resource that we can use in building construction with little fear of depleting our supplies. While the continued and exhaustive consumption of any natural resource is not “good” for the environment, concrete is a nearly inert material. Thus, it can be recycled in order to create more concrete for the future.

Today, concrete can be mixed with resins and colors to create truly astonishing finished effects...looking nothing like their “name” and even less like that concrete sidewalk of childhood wound-memory. Concrete applications for home design today are so varied that it has become an interesting choice for flooring in a variety of home and commercial spaces, to include those that are below grade level, (like a basement). Beautiful custom flooring applications can be applied and fashioned to a smooth, satiny sheen and in designs and patterns you cannot even fathom. It can also be made to look like stone or tile. Add a perfect area rug over the top and the look and foot feel can be terrific. Furthermore, beyond flooring, concrete can also be engineered to create stunning and spectacular counter tops as an alternate to laminate or stone.

And the even happier news on the green front is that many landfill bound materials can be used as filler in the production of concrete. What is otherwise trash or industrial byproducts - such as blast furnace slag, recycled polystyrene and even something called fly ash, which is a byproduct of coal-burning electric plants - are commonly used in the making of concrete.

Speaking in the most “concrete” terms – concrete may deserve a 2^nd look.

Spring Clean Up: How To Clean Custom Draperies & Pillows

2011-04-26T20:39:00.000-04:00

With spring in full bloom, Spring Cleaning seems to be on the brain. I get lots of questions about how to clean and take care of some of your finer custom items – particularly draperies and pillows…so here’s a little “elbow grease guidance.”

So - how DO you take care of custom items for which you spent important budget dollars? - particularly those custom drapes and pillows? Short answer: With great care and thought or you can easily ruin them.

On the whole, and unlike apparel textiles, home furnishing fabrics are not designed to withstand laundering. The issues here are shrinkage and color fastness. All cleaning solutions do contain a variety of harsh detergents. In fact, what you consider a harmless hand soap will leave a film. Furthermore, certain fibers – rayon and silk in particular– should never be exposed to water. So what do you do to care for your custom pillows or draperies?

Pillows

Always best to spot clean these with a damp white cloth as soon as a stain occurs. HOWEVER – always first test the fabric with a white rag near a corner to see if any color from the cloth comes off on your rag. If it does, STOP! You do not have a colorfast fabric on your hands and need to call in a pro. The best way to clean custom pillows is to vacuum them each week with a clean vac wand attachment. This will remove dust and debris and should greatly prolong their life.

Draperies

Under no circumstances should draperies ever, ever be dry cleaned or laundered. Remember - custom window treatments have a face fabric (the fabric you see), as well as interlining AND lining fabrics. That's 3 layers of fabric in total. So it will make sense to you when I say that if laundered, linings, interlinings and face fabrics will shrink at different rates and the result will be a disastrously ruined treatment that no workroom can repair. Recommended care for all draperies is always the same: vacuum in order to remove dust and debris. Do not touch draperies when opening and closing; instead use drapery wands which I always specify on my draperies. If you must touch your draperies to primp them, move them to vacuum, etc., do so only with well washed and very dry hands. Our skin contains natural oils – not to mention the residue that is left from hand lotions and facial moisturizers we applied earlier in the day. These can and will harm sensitive home textile fabrics.

The take away? Take care when “taking care” of your fine custom draperies and pillows and they will return to you endless hours, days, months and years of great beauty.

WiseDesign by Interiors by Donna Hoffman

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The excitement of Ikat (Fabric, for those of you saying "what?")

An Interview with a Window Workroom

Success Working with Multiple Contractors on a Design Project

Going Green – Building Material Focus – Concrete

Spring Clean Up: How To Clean Custom Draperies & Pillows

October is National Window Covering Safety Month ...