inspired DECOR

Design Software For Home Use

If you're getting ready to start a major redesign project at home, you may be making a lot of trips to stores like Home Depot and Lowes. However, you may also want to visit their websites for some great design tools. For example, I found this design software at Home Depot's website. At Lowes website, there is a huge list of helpful online tools, including a whole page of project calculators. Just remember, you can't complete a new look without new furniture & accessories, so stop by and browse our selection. If you don't see what you're looking for, just ask - many items can be custom-ordered to fit your needs.

New Photo Album!

We've just added a new photo album containing pictures of some of our work. These are just the "afters" of completed rooms. Looking at these pictures, you can see how a designer will work with your individual style -- these are not cookie-cutter rooms! If you don't want a room that looks like everyone else's, then stop in our design showroom and ask for me - Don.

Interior Lighting Tips

You may ask yourself, why would I need to worry about the interior lighting in my space? This is a question that is not addressed enough! There are so many spaces that lack proper lighting and it can really affect the overall look and feel of a space. So, what should interior lighting be used to accomplish? Lighting can be used for the following purposes:

1. Lighting is used to accentuate a specific item or a portion of a space.
2. Lighting is used to around a perimeter to make the space look larger.
3. Lighting is used as a task light for up-close work such as reading, sewing, etc.
4. Lighting is used to set and/or enhance a specific atmosphere which can be anywhere from a romantic low light to a bright light for a party!

Ceiling fans are popular here in Florida, but light from a ceiling fan kit only accomplishes illumination of the space -- it does not enhance the space at all. Generally, ceiling fan lights just use standard bulbs that generate "cold," as opposed to "warm" light . The use of uplights and enhanced lighting is essential to enhancing a space. The use of uplights can enhance the space by illuminating artwork, illuminating a specific item or architectural feature, and they are used create drama.  Recessed lighting can ehance a space by making it look bigger, changing the mood by use of a dimmer, and they make the space warmer.

Some people are generally more concerned with the color of light in the space, such as the color generated from a shade of a lamp. That is why it is critical that all lamps have a similar color, not one beige lamp and one white. The reason why the shade color is so important is that it affects the color in the space when used (meaning it can affect the color of your upholstery, the color of wood, the paint on the walls, the accessories, etc.) It is important to strive to have all colors be as consistent as possible. Most lamps should have a three-way socket for the flexibility of controlling the amount and intensity of light.

Lighting is considered a part of the feeling of a space, and it can make or break the mood, so it is important to select lamps and other interior lighting that enhances the theme of the room. If you have concerns or needs, consult one of our designers, and we will be happy to assist you!

Design Your Own Rug!

Did you know you can design your own custom rug online? At the Signature Rugs website, there is a page where you can build & design your own custom rug! To begin, you will first need to install Adobe's Shockwave software, which is a free download and only takes a minute. Then, head back to the Signature Rugs website and start your creation! There are several different styles to choose from (click the arrow underneath the rug to see the list). To see rugs from a different design group, click on the links underneath the title "Signature Rugs" at the top of the page; the links all start with the letters "QS" and are made to look like books on a bookshelf. You'll see them! Using the paintbrush, fill in the rug design with the colors of your choosing. Bring your creation in to our designers and we'll place the order for you. Have fun!

Before & Afters

We've just added a new photo album called "Before & Afters." It's in on the left side of this page in the list with the other photo albums (they are in alphabetical order). We will add more photos to this album in time. Right now, you can see pictures of a recent redesigned living room. There are two living room "before" pictures and two pictures taken "after." What a change! By the way, we can do the drapes, too. The new draperies are beautiful, aren't they?

Great Online Design Tools

If you love online design tools, you will love the La-Z-Boy, Inc. website. In their online design center, there is a great room planner tool from Icovia (click on the link "Plan Your Room") that lets you design a room. You can  enter the dimensions of your current room into the planner and add furniture, structural features, tables, accessories, rugs, lamps, etc. to the room. You can even save, print, and email your plans once they are complete! Believe me, you will enjoy using this tool! Get your ideas on paper and you can bring them in to one of our designers in the store to discuss your ideas!

The online design center also has some great articles on design as well as "Design Studio" tool that can help you imagine what your current wall & floor coverings would look like with different colors of fabric and leather furniture.

Todd Oldham

One of the vendors we sell at Inspired Decor is La-Z-Boy, and if you think La-Z-Boy is just bulky, uninspired recliners, think again! The La-Z-Boy line offers all sorts of stylish, modern furniture, beyond just recliners. In fact, this modern look was recently the topic of a recent article at the St. Pete Times website!

Specifically, the Times article mentions the Todd Oldham collection from La-Z-Boy. You can read more about this hip, young designer in this news story here or visit Todd's website for more examples of his work.

We've just added a photo album of Todd Oldham collections to our website, too! Visit our "Todd Oldham album" and see if this is your kind of look!

Design Blogs & Websites Help Get You Inspired!

In addition to looking through magazines, as mentioned in a previous post, you can also surf the internet to find inspiration. There are many websites on art and design available online. Some of our recent favorites are:

• The House & Garden Designers Blogs - this page has a list of blogs from the H&G designers; top picks from this list are Design*Sponge and Design Journal
• HGTV's website offers tips from their top designers
• My Color Central - helps you identify your true colors
• Design Observer - writings on design & culture
• Design Public - a blog on new design and culture featuring guest bloggers, designer interviews and humor
• Interior Design - the website of the magazine

What Is A Theme?

Most people don't understand what it means when you say a "theme" for a room. The reason for this is because that, when people are purchasing an item for their room, they aren't usually asked about their room's theme, so consequently, their thought process is not connected to a theme. A theme can be created from any source such as a favorite picture, a collection, the architecture of the room itself, an outside view, or many other things. The purpose of a theme is to reflect your personality. This is a way a viewer can digest who you are and appreciate the thoroughness and execution of your thought when they see your room. A theme will also give you a sense of relaxation, security, and will give you that sense of being "home." Some examples of popular themes are "Old World", "Tommy Bahama," "Tuscany," and "Urban Contemporary." Of course, there can be many, many more!

If this concept still confuses you, our designers are here to assist you by evaluating your space and by talking with you. This process will enable us to create a theme which, in turn, makes the buying process easier. The world is open to you and the fun is just beginning!

An Exercise To Help You Make Your Furniture Purchasing Decision

If you have made the decision to purchase furniture, sometimes you don't know how to begin. The following is just one way to assist you in the purchasing experience:

Start by looking through some trade magazines such as Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Metropolitan Home Magazine, Martha Stewart, or any other magazines you find. By yourself, start looking at the pictures in the magazines to see what catches your eye, such as a chair, a lamp, wall color, floor coverings, accessories, etc., and make a note by the picture of what it was you noticed and what you liked about it. The quantity of photos you find is not important, but the quality is, so make sure you have made some good selections. When you've finished with what you have found that you like, go back through the magazines and look for similar items that you don't like. Also, if you have a spouse, have that person do the same thing by himself or herself, marking items they both like & don't like.

This exercise should illustrate styles, colors, and textures that you like & dislike. This exercise also helps an individual to "focus" on the total picture of their space, and the effect their decisions would have on the space once a purchase is made.

When you're ready to purchase, bring this information into the showroom, and one of our designers will analyze the information and show you what we have that compliments your needs. This way, the experience will be fun and rewarding for you!