Have you recently visited a beautiful home and realized it’s time to seek the assistance of professional decorators? Interior design specialists can help you get the most from your home investment in several ways.

Maybe it’s time to update your 1980s or 1990s kitchen decor with a fresh, new design that uniquely fits your personality and lifestyle. Kitchen and bathroom make overs are popular due to the high returns on investment but we’re also seeing home owners interested in bedroom and living room updates here in Northern Virginia and DC.

One of the benefits of hiring a professional is the incredible selection of custom furniture and window treatments, carpeting, and accessories you just can’t find in local stores. Having multiple options is key to creating a unique look of your own. Working with experienced interior decorators assures the biggest “WOW” for your investment.  Carefully selected merchandise that fits you as well as your budget – as much or as little as you need — allows you to live in the space of your dreams.

When you work with a design professional from Decor and You DC you have access to an exclusive selection of products from over 300 quality manufacturers. You won’t find “your” unique look in someone else’s home or at a store. Plus, our professional decorators handle everything for you – from ordering and deliveries to the flawless, final installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your credentials?

We train with the best.  We have studied under Mary Gilliatt, internationally acclaimed designer and author of 40 design books.  We have studied with her in the US and France, and are committed to continuous education – formal and field experience.

We offer full service interior decorating services which include color schemes, floor/space plans, selection of custom window treatments, furniture and accessories as well as the full execution of spaces and projects. In addition to our local team in Maryland and Virginia, Mary is an associate and assists with design on select projects.

How do you work?  How do you charge for your services?

We offer full-service interior decorating by the project, and also offer design consultation by the hour.

For partial or full projects, we offer multiple designs to enhance or completely update existing spaces.  We can work with clients in stages to assure that the items selected and purchased complement the desired look and style of the client.  Full project design is an excellent option for someone who wants someone to design, manage and install the entire project.

We also offer design consultations by the hour.  The sampling of services we offer include color scheme/paint consultation, new home selection and design consultation to builders and their clients, room redesign, preparing the home for sale, and shopping.

Do you provide references and referrals?

You bet! We can provide a list of client referrals as part of our mutual interviewing process. Additionally, we offer our clients contractor referrals for handyman services, painting, electrical and carpentry.

Do you specialize in residential or commercial work?

We work on both residential and commercial projects.

Do I have to buy everything from you?

Absolutely not.  It is not going to cost a client more money to order furniture from us. We work with over 300 manufacturers that are priced similarly with the prices of retail stores that carry merchandise of comparable quality.  We also work with manufacturers that are exclusive and only work with the trade.

Our job is to provide guidance so a client does not make costly choices they regret.  We want clients to love their new space and feel good about their investment. And, in this case, we prefer to let our clients tell you how it went (testimonials here).

Do you design in a particular style?

Like anything that has to do with fashion, what’s old is new – yet nothing is the same. We pride ourselves on appreciating and studying all styles from history through current trends.  We work with our clients to assure a look that is comfortable and unique to them.  Our commitment is to use excellent design principles, guidance and execution so clients have the space of their dreams.

Contact us if you would like to discuss your interior decorating project.

Related Interior Decorating Articles:

• Interior Decorating Project Overview
• Interior Design – Where to Begin
• Decor and You Recognized Top 100 Red Hot Franchise List
• Decor and You DC Named Exclusive Provider – Center for Foreclosure Alternatives

PRIOR PURCHASES
Your last home décor purchase can be a great indicator of your style.  Certain qualities about that piece attracted you to it so step back and really take a thorough look at it.  Think about what really stands out about that piece that led you to purchase it.

Where you shop for home décor also lends to your personal style.  Stores tend to cater to certain looks.  Think about what stores draw you in, even if just to browse.  A client in Fairfax frequented the same shop to browse but was never comfortable buying on her own instinct.  After talking more about that store, we were able to determine the contemporary style with clean, uninterrupted lines really attracted her but their fabric choices were not her style.  She loved the look but wanted to make it her own with bolder, more exotic prints.  Being able to pinpoint exactly what she was attracted to allowed us to move forward and decorate her home in a way that truly reflected her personal style.

WHERE YOU TRAVEL
Some designers suggest you look at your closet for a clue when establishing your color palette.  I suggest you also think or dream about your favorite vacation city or resort.  What stands out in your mind most about that location?  When we think about our favorite vacation spot, a strong image typically comes to mind that is rich in color, texture and feel.  Where you stay can also say a lot.  Do you prefer luxury hotels or cozy bed and breakfasts?   Resorts and hotels cater to establishing a certain image so think back to your favorite resort or hotel and the furnishings and accessories that made that space “feel like home” for you.

YOUR CURRENT HOME
Take an inventory of your favorite pieces in your home already.  Does a piece stand out more than others for you?  This my be a sign that you’re interested in incorporating that look into your home but may not be ready to fully commit to it or have over committed.

A client in Great Falls loves mirrored chests.  She wanted to incorporate a chest into her bedroom to create a chic look reflecting old Hollywood Glamor.  Unfortunately, when 2-3 mirrored pieces were purchase for the same space, it looked more like a furniture showroom than her intimate, sophisticated bedroom.  Less is more when integrating certain pieces.

I often hear that people feel their place does not look “pulled together.”  This is usually a sign that they have not committed to a single style, and are challenged with using color, lines of the pieces and varying forms to create a cohesive look.  Not to worry, sometimes a few new pieces can pull everything together perfectly.

That thread bare, lumpy sofa probably holds many insights into your design style and you’re afraid to give it up for fear you won’t be able to replace it.  The art on walls can be one of the best indicators of your personal style.  Art is very personal and the images and colors say a lot about your style preferences.  It clearly indicates what look you feel drawn to.

Defining your personal style can seem overwhelming at first but apply some of these basic guidelines.  I guarantee you will be inspired to decorate.

Related Interior Decorating Articles:

• Interior Decorating – Make Overs
• Decor and You DC Named Exclusive Provider – Center for Foreclosure Alternatives
• Interior Decorating: Color Trend 2009
• Decorating Corner

For immediate assistance with your interior decorating project, please call Sandra Hambley at 703-599-0648.

We serve the Greater Washington (DC) area, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Virginia
We serve the following areas of Virginia:  Aldie, Alexandria, Amissville, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Bowling Green, Bristow, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Dahlgren, Dale City, Dulles, Dumfries, Dunnloring, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Fredericksburg, Fort Myer, Gainesville, Garrisonville, Great Falls, Haymarket, Herndon, Leesburg, Loudoun, Lorton, Lovettsville, Manassas, McLean, Merrifield, Middleburg, Mount Vernon, Nokesville, Oakton, Occoquan, Prince William, Purcellville, Quantico, Reston, Roundhill, Spotsylvania, Springfield, Stafford, Sterling, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Warrenton, Waynesboro, Winchester, and Woodbridge.

Maryland
We serve the following areas of Maryland:  Aberdeen, Abingdon, Annapolis Junction, Baltimore, Barstow, Bel Air, Bel Alton, Beltsville, Bethesda, Bladensburg, Bowie, Brandywine, Brentwood, Callaway, Capitol Heights, Chase, Cheltenham, Chesapeake Beach, Chevy Chase, Churchton, Churchville, Clarksburg, Clarksville, College Park, Columbia, District Heights, Dunkirk, Edgewater, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Galesville, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Glen Echo, Glenn Dale, Hagerstown, Hanover, Kensington, Laurel, Montgomery, Potomac, Prince Frederick, Prince Georges, Riverdale, Rock Point, Rockville, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Upper Marlboro, Valley Lee, Waldorf, Washington Grove, West River,and White Plains.

Washington DC
We serve the Greater Washington DC area, including:  Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Downtown D.C., Dupont Circle, and Georgetown.

Related Interior Decorating Articles:

• Interior Decorating: An Eye for Finishing Touches
• Interior Decorating: Window Treatment Tips
• Decor and You DC Named Exclusive Provider – Center for Foreclosure Alternatives
• Interior Decorating: Color Trend 2009