Colors are so radically changed by differences in texture and pattern that a monochromatic or one-color room can be as lively and memorable through its subtlety as a more vividly contrasting space. Therefore, textures and pattern need to be considered as seriously and, at least in the case of textures, as evocatively, as the process of color-building.

Take textures first. The name of a known texture immediately conjures up an almost tangible surface. Just as thinking about one color in depth can evoke many images and variations, so too, different textures engender their own imagery. Consider for example the following:

Brick, Burlap, Basketwork, Cane, Cashmere, Ceramic, Coir,

Denim, Felt, Glass, Lace, Lacquer, Leather, Limestone,

Linen, Louvers, Matchboard, Plaster, Plexiglass, Quilting, Rope,

Satin, Silk, Steel, Stone, Tapestry, Tweed, Velvet

Pick out some of them and imagine how they would look distributed among floors, walls ceiling, soft furnishings, and furniture. Obviously some textures are more in keeping with each other than others. Rough contrasts with smooth and matte with gloss. But brick or stone or rough plaster walls look generally better contrasted with natural linen or burlap or cotton than with silk or satin. But there are no real rules, only sensibilities.

As for patterns, it used to be a convention never to mix them, as much to create harmony as to make things easier. One good way to become more confident about mixing pattern and texture with ease is to realize the pattern in a room is formed as much by possessions as by fabrics and floor coverings. Books with their various jacket designs; the way art is arranged on walls; the placement of objects; the slats of shutters; the play of light and shade; the shapes of different pieces of furniture; the leaves and flowers of plants… All these disparate things from patterns in their own right. When this fact is considered, one fabric, carpet or rug pattern more or less can hardly make much difference as the scale, tone and proportion are right. These last are obviously important. Large patterns that look interesting and diverting in fabric stores or furnishing departments are often more sensible for public rather than private settings, or at least large spaces unless one possesses a sure sense of scale, although it is a fact that large scale patterns and furniture used with confidence can generally make a small space seem much bigger. Similarly, one should remember that many small patterns often meld into one color when actually used for window treatments as opposed to hanging up show lengths.

A play of pattern however, can be very effective, varying as it does the whole balance of color.

The same design in two different colors can look interesting. So can the same design reversed – say blue on white predominating with white on blue predominating.

Very similar patterns in the same colors can be used together with effect, as in window treatments and carpet, with plain painted or plain textured walls.

Patterns with the same feeling if not design can also be used together effectively. Vivid striped North African or other ethnic fabrics with heavily patterned oriental rugs. Florals of all sorts with stripes or checks.

Use a large pattern with a smaller pattern in the same color way.

Do not forget the subtle effect of sheers printed with the same pattern as the curtains, or used with an allied or more simplified design, or in toned-down versions of the same main colors.

Lastly to mix patterns and textures together successfully, assemble as many samples of each as you can. Juggle them around. Think of them, as I said, in the context of existing surfaces, furniture, window treatments, upholstery, accents. Look at them in different lights. Then pick out two or three schemes for a final choice. This is the most effective way to learn.

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Color is generally the most exciting, the most immediately noticeable and the least expensive element in decoration.

It also arouses the strongest emotional responses, can affect the apparent proportions and light in a room and can make the same space seem cool or warm, restful or stimulating, depending upon color choice. Alighting on the right harmony and contrasts is therefore important. But getting to know how to alight on such choices is not necessarily so easy.

Some people are born with a good, sometimes inspired, sense of color. They can carry a color around in their head and match it absolutely, contrast it subtly and use it as fluidly as a good artist uses paint. Most of us, however, have to develop such a sense through trial and error. Though the good news is that this is quite possible.

The French Impressionist painters in the 19th century were much inspired by a writer called Chevreuil who wrote “The Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Color”. Chevreuil noted proudly that, once certain rules had been absorbed, painters invariably used color to better effect. The same must be true in decoration. He pointed out that colors will change radically according to the circumstances under which they are viewed. For example, if red is put near blue, the red appears more yellow. Near yellow, the same red appears bluer. Next to green, it appears purer and brighter. Next to black, it seems duller. Next to white, it seems lighter and brighter. And next to grey, it seems brighter, if not much lighter. If a dark color is placed beside a different but lighter color, the dark color appears deeper and the light color appears lighter. This is the result of contrast of tone. A color is also intensified by gloss. Look at butterflies’ wings, the feathers of some birds, leaves after rain, the different textures of flower petals.

Of course, ‘rules’, when applied to such an ostensibly light-hearted a subject as color, immediately begin to sound weighty and boring, especially when what people are the most anxious to know is how to actually form a color scheme. I always say that when the mind seems blank about a scheme, try emotional response. Take a color, any favorite color – yellow, for example – and think of it in depth. Think of everything floral and yellow, from the palest creamy yellow of honeysuckle or freesias to velvety yellow roses, and all the various yellow shades of narcissi, daffodils and crocuses. Or try straw and hay and contrasting sand; lemons and melons and bananas, butter and honey and olive oil, bright yellow peppers and pumpkins…

It is all very evocative and should help to build up a good monochromatic scheme, especially when the colors are translated into the look of the various textures that go in a room: wool and cotton and silk; paint and paper and plaster, all of which have differing depths and surfaces. If one color or colors in depth do not work for you, think of country landscapes or forest or sea colors. Study paintings and oriental rugs in detail and see how color is laid against color, tone against tone. Thinking up color combinations to suit a room is one thing. Finding the right balance is another. And preparing harmonizing schemes for a whole home is the most difficult thing of all.

There are several permutations for achieving an interesting balance. One way is to keep most of the room in shades and variations of one color – say white, or off-white – for walls, window coverings or shades, floor, the major seating and one or two chairs if the room is big. Use one accent color for another occasional chair, or a pair of chairs, and a third color for pillows or throws or flowers or other accessories. Another permutation would be to keep walls, window coverings and most upholstered furniture in one color, to use another color for the floor and to add a third color in accessories which can be juxtaposed with variations of both the other colors. Or, use the major color for walls and smaller pieces of furniture and add the accent colors in larger furniture, pillows, flowers and art. Try to vary surfaces and textures in these colors as much as possible to make a play to light and shade and pattern. In a small apartment or house, the space will seem much larger if more or less of the same colors are used in different juxtapositions throughout, especially if they are rooted on the same general floor covering. Strong or warm colors, like red or deep apricot, will make walls appear too closed in and the space seem smaller. Cool colors will push the walls out. A long corridor will appear less long if the end wall is painted or covered in a warm color and a high ceiling can be brought down by painting it darker. Rooms facing north in the Northern hemisphere will look more cheerful if warm, luminous colors are used. Rooms that are mainly filled with sunlight will do better with cool colors or a non-color, like white or ivory.

Do you have questions concerning the use of color for your upcoming  interior decorating project? We’ll be glad to schedule an appointment at your home or office. Also, you can meet with us at our Regional Design Studio located at 1039 Sterling Road, Suite 104, Herndon, VA 20170. We serve the Northern Virgina, Baltimore and DC Metro area. Contact Sandra Hambley at Decor & You DC:
Phone: 888-969-3326 or feel free to contact us via email here.

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And, Decor and You has been recognized as #47 on the Top 100 Red Hot Franchise List! There are compelling reasons to take a serious look at Decor and You DC if you would enjoy working in the $100 billion furnishing and interior decorating industry. What are the advantages?

For one, Decor and You DC offers a prove business model. We operate a refined, proven system, which allows our interior decorators to focus on the “big picture” of building your business by providing quality and value to our clients – versus the day-by-day efforts other interior decorators spend trying to grind out an entirely new business model on their own.

Another key benefit to both our clients and our team is our buying power. An established vendor network with product resources, negotiating power and a competitive pricing edge in the interior decorating marketplace allows us to serve our clients efficiently and cost-effectively.

The sample interior decorating photographs below provide a small sample of the products our decorators and designers are using for client projects in Virginia, Maryland and the Metro DC area:

In addition, our access to proven marketing techniques, superior training and business coaching reduces the cost of overhead and investment necessary to run a successful business. Plus, we all benefit from our network of peers whether we are sharing creative design ideas or solving business challenges. Pooled resources enable us to evolve and mature your business at a much faster rate. 

The DecorDesigner Franchise
Virginia, Maryland and the Metro DC Area

Profile
Those eligible to become a DecorDesigner are those who love people, color and enjoy being on the move, out in their communities. DecorDesigners find fulfillment in building relationships and personal networks and are driven toward a higher goal for their personal and professional success. No direct job experience in interior decorating is required, though appreciation for design is essential.

Opportunity Overview
Operate a single unit franchise, a low-cost, low-overhead decorating business that offers flexibility and the freedom to pursue financial goals. Most prefer a home-based operation to give them the opportunity to meet clients in their homes or offices. Specialize in full-service residential and/or commercial decorating for a portfolio of local clients. Services include planning, buying and decorating. Distinctions of service include abundant client choice (style and products), outstanding customer service, individualized DecorPlans, and comprehensive project management that eliminate the mistakes and money wasted when people try to decorate without professional guidance.

Support
Decor&You provides at least 200 hours of professional training through our nationally certified program. Curriculum focuses on design principles, small business management, and sales and marketing.

For additional details, contact Sandra Hambley with Decor and You DC:

Red Hot Franchise list: Read full article here

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• Our Team
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• Contact Us
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Are you preparing a home for sale? Our interior designers and DC real estate brokers agree on one thing; sprucing up window treatments is a fail-safe way to create a look that sells. But what sells? Instilling emotion with the potential buyer, and doing so quickly, is vastly important. People congregate in the kitchen – filtered natural light, comfort, conversation. In the bathroom, consider a smooth, soft-touch that reflects privacy without darkening the space.

And of course, cost. Given window treatments are most often attached to the wall, it is expected that they’ll come with the home (although this can be negotiated in some cases). Value is the word of the day. Consult with an experienced interior decorator that can readily access a large selection of window treatment options as well as manage and install the final product if you’re a busy professional.

For those staying home, entertaining and looking for comfort with style, custom-designed window treatments are a popular option. We’ll touch on the trends in our next post. But until then, here’s a few window treatment photos for you.

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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.

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An Indonesian hardwood creating excitement in design is called Mindi.  It has a straight grain, is lustrous, coarse in texture but sands to a smooth finish.   It accepts light through dark stain colors nicely.  Mindi dries easily with little shrinking or warping resulting from the process, making it easy to mill and create furniture.

From a design perspective Indonesian hardwood is used for all types of furniture styles whether country, transitional or contemporary.  Priced a bit more attractively than American Oak or Mahogany, it’s filling a gap for consumers who want elegant, attractively-priced solid wood furniture that is still good for the environment.

Decor&You DC is pleased to work with a wide range of furniture makers who are leading the industry in both fashion and quality.

Photos are compliments of Palu, Ltd. For more information on the Mindi furniture styles and other interior decorating solutions, please contact Sandra Hambley.

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As an official sponsor of the event, the Decor&You DC Team looks forward to transforming properties into beautiful homes for thousands of local residents selling and buying distressed properties,” Sandra Hambley, Decor&You DC (Herndon, VA).

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Marina De Leon
Center for Foreclosure Alternatives
Phone: 703-574-6206
E-Mail: info@ctrforeclosurealt.org

Fairfax, VA/Sept. 17, 2009: COMPLIANCE COUNSEL has partnered with The Virginia Realty Group, RE/MAX Gateway, Chantilly, VA, to form the Center for Foreclosure Alternatives®
Firms create not-for-profit center to assist homeowners in avoiding foreclosure.

Due to the lagging economy and record number of foreclosures, two locally based organizations have formed a not-for-profit organization to reach out to homeowners who are experiencing problems paying their mortgage. The Center for Foreclosure Alternatives, based in Fairfax, VA was created by Dena Roudybush of Compliance Counsel and Bryan Felder, of The Virginia Realty Group, RE/MAX Gateway to explain options and assist homeowners in distress.

The Center is a resource outlet for consumers to help educate them on the options available to avoid foreclosure and to obtain detailed information on each option. The guidance is available at no cost to homeowners from the certified specialists associated with the Center. The goal of the organization is to provide real and truthful options to homeowners specific to each homeowner’s unique situation. The Center provides mortgage counseling and advice, advice on loan modification and short sale options, foreclosure avoidance, and bankruptcy.

With the support of CBS Radio, the Center is currently planning Community Outreach programs and clinics to assist the Latino community as well. The Center does not charge a fee to homeowners to meet with a housing counselor or bankruptcy attorney, when necessary, to discuss options specific to the homeowner.

Bryan Felder, of The Virginia Realty Group, RE/MAX Gateway and his team discuss and assist homeowners with short sales and rental options available. Dena Roudybush of Compliance Counsel focuses on assisting clients with loan modifications and bankruptcy options. Based on the clients they serve, it’s clearly evident that there is a great deal of confusion as to what alternatives a distressed homeowner has at their disposal.

“The Center for Foreclosure Alternatives is the hope the American people have been looking for!  So many Americans are lost and struggling with how to handle any and all of their housing issues.  The Center for Foreclosure Alternatives offers truthful and knowledgeable answers.  The Center for Foreclosure Alternatives is HOPE for a better future.”  - Faith Poe, CBS Radio

“Forming the Center for Foreclosure Alternatives has been the best thing for consumers since they can get free information on the options they have and what to do with their home or investment property,” Charlene Jones, Branch Manager of Wells Fargo Mortgage.

“What a good way for the average person who hit a bad spot in their life because of a job loss or a divorce to find some options to get back on their feet,” Freeman Klopott, reporter for the Washington Inquirer.

For more information:

Contact Decor&You DC, Sandra Hambley

or visit the Center for Foreclosure Alternatives® at: www.ctrforeclosurealt.org

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We regularly receive emails with various decorating questions and dilemmas. I’ve selected three interior decorating questions to answer this month, and hope my suggestions help you love the space you’re in!

1.  What do I do with my two story family room or foyer looks sterile? It looked so beautiful in the model home.

A beautiful way to turn any large space into a beautiful welcoming area for your guests and family is to use wallpaper.  Before you cringe at the thought of wallpaper from decades ago, please know that those who swore they would never use wallpaper have turned the corner and have become addicts.

First, the infinite possibilities of gorgeous wallpaper to fit your personal style will instantly add warmth, texture and interest in a way that straight paint and faux finishes do not.  Wallpaper instantly easily adds personality and “WOW” to a sterile foyer.  A qualified wallpaper installer who uses the correct adhesive and knows how to properly hang and pattern match the paper guarantees that it will look perfect when up, and be easily removed when you are ready for a change.

Once your wallpaper is in place, add accessories such as artwork or a tapestry on a rod with beautiful tassels, an area rug, and lighting!

2.  I have really small windows in my basement – What do I do with them?

Treat basement windows just like normal-sized windows.  First, start with 2-layer window treatments by hanging beautiful draperies on top while having a privacy layer underneath.  Put a light, transparent fabric as the first layer and have them drawn all the time. Now, add stationary side panels or a top treatment in the fabric of your choice.  This stunning treatment technique will fool everyone, who will be convinced you are fortunate to have regular-sized windows in your basement.

3. What are the “in” –but still neutral—colors? How should I use these colors to update my home for selling purposes?”

Use warm colors to invite potential buyers into your home: think of the color of buttered toast, toffee or caramel, and light, but bright browns with some gold undertones. Make sure that transition rooms are warmly painted in creamy beige with buttery undertones, for example. Never use bright white as it is cold and harsh, and will show every defect in your walls!

Subscribe here for updates.

Let us know if you any questions – you can comment below or contact us here.

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As printing and other techniques improve, there are correspondingly more innovations. There are huge choices in printed and jacquard weave velvets. Many fabrics have their own matching or coordinating sheers, or smaller-scaled and co-coordinating-related fabrics, so that you can hardly make a mistake in mixing patterns and designs. Many are available with coordinating borders and trims, or even fringes.

Fabrics for Windows Treatments
On the whole, almost any fabric can be used at a window, though clearly some fabrics are more appropriate for particular rooms and climates than others. But just because chintzes, glazed chintzes, light cottons, and silk taffetas, moirés are conventionally suited to bedrooms, there is no reason why flannels, wools, or weaves of one sort or another should not be used. Heavy textures such as wools, tweeds and velvets, as well as chintzes, silks, moirés, damasks, and brocades (depending on formality) are thought good for living-rooms – but these spaces could just as well be a riot of airy textures, if it seems appropriate for the situation, the climate, and the client. As I mentioned in my previews articles, function, mood, and style are what should dictate a room (as well, of course, as budget). Besides, successful and interesting decoration is rarely achieved by sticking to rigid rules, but rather by using firm preferences with assurance.

There is, however, one very practical rule for draperies and that is, that it is far better to use a very great deal of cheaper material, smartened up with a border or trimming like cord or braid, if need be, than a skimped quantity of more expensive fabric.

Most fabrics also look, hang, and last better if they are both lined and interlined (depends of the fabric). If the ‘floaty’ look of unlined curtains or draperies is specifically wanted in a delicate room scheme, or in conjunction with contrasting shades, use an interesting texture such as filmy silk, raw or watered silk, or silk taffeta, softly printed voile, or embroidered muslin, or light linen. Try to ensure that any such light curtains are three times the width of the window, with deep hems – say, ten inches deep, both to help the fabric hang better and to allow for shrinkage.

Roller shades need a rather light, easily rolled fabric, though it is possible to get a variety of fabrics specially laminated. Roman shades, which are raised and lowered by strings, can be made in literally any material, even velvet, as long as it is not too thick to roll up and pleat evenly. Balloon shades need very light, soft fabrics to be as successful and look as soft as they should.

Upholstery Fabrics
There are rather more rules to be observed in the choice of upholstery fabrics, all of them based on common sense. Primarily, the use to which they will be put should be determined from the beginning. As well as the extent to which they will come into contact with those destroyers of any pretension to elegance – namely, small children, dogs, cats, sun, grease (from food eaten before the television, for example).
Living rooms obviously take greater wear and tear than bedrooms; people who entertain a lot, or who have young children, are likely to need much tougher fabrics than childless, less sociable people; and dining chairs take more of a beating than occasional chairs. This all sounds elementary, but the simplest rules are forgotten time and time again in the first rush of enthusiasm for a design or a finish.

The toughest wearing upholstery fabrics are densely-woven cotton, sailcloth, denim, twill, brocade, and corduroy, which are all cotton-based; linen union, which is linen mixed with cotton and the most traditional slip-cover material; velvet, which can be either cotton or linen-based; woven, textured, or plain damask; and even satins. Wool is an excellent, but softer, upholstery fabric, and is the basis for tweeds, wool reps, jacquards, and some tough, shaggy textures. Never buy loosely woven wool, or a loosely woven texture of any sort, for upholstery.

Acrylic has made a tremendous difference to pile fabrics and velvets, since it makes them washable (though it is always preferable to have covers dry cleaned). Nylon mixed with wool gives greater toughness, and nylon on its own has been especially useful for stretch covers needed for some occasional chairs.

Leather and suede, while a bit expensive, always look luxurious and are extremely long lasting, so remain popular. Ultra-suede can be easily spot cleaned so it is a good substitute.

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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.

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