While my firm offers full service interior design projects, every once in a while I will open up a few appointments for a one-time interior design consult.
I have not offered any of these appointments the past two years as we have been busy servicing our full-time clients. I have decided to open up a couple of two-hour appointments over the next month. If you are interested, reach out soon as I am not planning on opening up any extra appointments once these are filled.
This service is designed for the client who needs direction and help making decisions for their home but wants to implement the list as their budget and time allow.
In the past, it has gone over really well not only for clients in Alabama but for clients all over the country. I have had several people fly in, drive over or even phone conference with me from across the country.
If you have been noticing all the things you want to change in your home but need some direction, this service is for you.
Dana Wolter Interiors
Here’s how the interior design consult works:
We will ask for a list from you of what you would like to discuss and accomplish during our time together. During our appointment, I will then spend the next two hours of uninterrupted time answering questions.
We can discuss design dilemmas, fabric direction, paint colors, to knock down a wall or not– you name it.
Our 2018 Southeastern Showhouse Mudroom, Dana Wolter Interiors, Emily Followill Photography
People who have invested in this consult have been surprised over the amount of detail and information that comes from it. We work hard when we are together.
Matter of fact, I recently saw a client who hired me a few years ago to help her with the finishes, colors, materials, etc.., for a family lake house under construction.
I couldn’t help but smile as she proudly showed me pictures of the finished product. They didn’t have furniture yet, but the house turned out so pretty. She did a great job implementing my suggestions for building their vacation home.
A beautiful kitchen project of Dana Wolter Interiors as seen in Traditional Home
Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography
If you think this interior design consult can help transform your home into one you love, inquire here. I would love to talk with you.
Have a great day-
-dana
P.S. To see more of what we do on a day to day basis, click to follow along…
There are few people who know color better than today’s Insider, Benjamin Moore’s Director of Color Marketing & Development, Andrea Magno.
Magno leads a team that is focused on the myriad aspects of color, and we’ve asked her to share her thoughts on everything from color trends to selecting the right finish.
Benjamin Moore’s Andrea Magno
2021 Color of the Year, Agean Teal
Tell Us more about Benjamin Moore’s 2021 color of the year.
Each year, we bring together influencers from a wide array of industries and experiences to see where there are commonalities.
We share thousands of images to see which colors stand out from the rest. After lots of editing and finessing, we establish a palette that captures the color sensibility for the coming year. The one stand-out color becomes our Color of the Year.
For 2021, the Color of the Year is Aegean Teal 2136-40, a soothing blend of blue and green with a nice touch of gray.
2021 Color of the Year, Agean Teal
What colors are people gravitating to right now?
With neutrals dominating color palettes for several years, people are now craving color. It can be a small ‘color moment’ or the main event in a room. Warmer colors that are comforting and welcoming have seen an uptick in interest.
People are using color as a means to find happiness in the home. We always encourage people to think about the colors that resonate with them to create their ideal spaces.
Which palettes are most exciting To you at the moment?
Because the colors that stood out to the team for 2021 have a rooted, organic quality, they are warmer than we’ve seen the past several years. There is a wonderful, sunbaked quality to the colors in our Color Trends 2021 palette.
For me, I was really intrigued by natural dyes and materials. There is an authenticity in appearance that is not perfect, yet we can celebrate the beauty of this imperfection. Overall, there is a lived-in softness about these colors that feels right for 2021.
What practical advice can you share with our readers when it comes to paint colors?
The most important step to build into a color selection process is sampling the color to better understand how it will look in the space.
Understanding the role of light and other elements in the room is crucial to selecting the perfect color.
The color that looks great in a friend’s home may not look the same in your own, so taking a bit of extra time for sampling is super important to make a confident color selection.
Any tips on making the right color choices?
We suggest using a piece of foam core so that a large sample can be painted out and moved around the room, as color is apt to look different in areas with bright natural light versus shadowed areas.
By painting a separate material, the sampled color won’t compete with the existing color on the wall which can alter color perceptions. The other option is to consider our 4×8” paper swatches that are available on BenjaminMoore.com.
In either case, it’s best to look at a color at different times of the day since color can look different in morning and evening light. If possible, seeing a color on a sunny versus a cloudy day can be helpful when painting exteriors.
Tell us about finish options. What should consumers think about when choosing a finish?
Generally speaking, eggshell finishes are a great choice for rooms that have a lot of use and traffic. There is a very low level of sheen and the finish is easy to clean.
Matte finishes are also very pretty for their depth of color and velvety look. This finish is formulated to withstand cleaning, and we even offer a matte finish with Aura Bath & Spa, which is designed for bathrooms and areas where humidity and moisture are a concern.
As for trim, doors and millwork/cabinetry, a higher sheen is preferable as it will wipe away fingerprints with ease. Go-to finishes for these applications are satin and semi-gloss.
Can you talk a bit about lacquered walls? When are they practical?
Walls finished with higher gloss levels such as a high-gloss can be dramatic and quite beautiful, but it is important to remember that a higher gloss will be less forgiving of imperfections so careful prep-work is paramount.
Let’s discuss white paints. What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a shade of white?
It’s funny, some people think of white as a default or unimaginative color, but the reality is that selecting the right white paint is trickier than one might assume.
Benjamin Moore’s
We have a vast array of white paint colors that vary in undertone. It is always helpful to consider the other fabrics or materials being used in a room when selecting the perfect white color.
If the general tone of the room is warmer, typically a warmer white will be a good route to take. The sample applies for a space with cooler elements. Again, sampling is a great step ensure the color meets design goals and expectations.
I hope you have enjoyed these color and paint tips from Magno. I loved that she mentions how colors can vary depending on the light so be sure to sample them in your space.
It’s important to add that how a paint color looks in a photo is not necessarily how it will look on a paint chip or in person. Many times paint colors in a photograph are altered from their original form.
Thank you, Andrea, for sharing your expertise and knowledge with all of us.
We purchased a fixer upper home with a family member during Covid when we were quarantining and had the best time renovating it.
The house has great bones and is in a great neighborhood, but it needed a little TLC. The owners had been there for many years and it was time for an update.
The kitchen was the first area we tackled. As you can see from the before pictures below, we moved a few walls and opened up the space. What once was a small, choppy and tight room is now light, open and updated.
The open shelving in the kitchen allows the space to breathe a bit and the #carraramarble countertops provide a timeless look. New fixtures, appliances and cabinets give it today’s modern conveniences.
KitchenAfter:
After the transformation of this cottage renovation, Dana Wolter Interiors
But, its always fun to see the “Before” from where it began, right?
Kitchen Before:
Before the Kitchen RenovationBefore the Kitchen Renovation
Here is view of the range wall.
Dana Wolter Interiors, Kitchen Renovation
I shared these photo on my Instagram stories here and several people asked for sources and colors.
I do not normally share the sources to our client’s homes out of respect for them for hiring us, but since this was for family, here you go.
This project was a lot of fun and I hope you enjoyed seeing the before and after photos of this home renovation. If we can help you renovate or build your next home, reach out to us here. We would love to hear from you.
If you are looking to build or renovate your home, Chris Tippett, of Tippett, Sease and Baker Architecture, and I share with you some important tips from an interior designer and architect’s standpoint.
When clients have reached out to me here, one of the first things I help them do is clearly define their needs, wants and goals if they have not done so already.
Why? Because having as much knowledge as possible early on is extremely important.
After all, your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make.
Watch and listen as Chris and I give homeowners some practical, helpful advice when building or renovating a home.
Chris Tippett and I share some advice on building or renovating a home (from an interior designer and architect’s standpoint)
As Chris and I mention in the video, there are a few key takeaways that will help you achieve a great end result.
Practical Advice When Building or Renovating A Home:
1. Hire A Team Of Professionals You Can Trust
Be sure you hire a team that can work well together. Your entire team should work cohesively to create a vision for your home with each professional giving the level of expertise needed.
This includes an architect, interior designer, builder and landscape architect so you cover all aspects of the project.
You want to hire professionals that not only will have your best interest at heart but will also allot your money wisely.
Remember, you are discussing personal aspects such as how you live and how much things cost, and you want to make sure your privacy is respected.
2. Have A Plan Before Starting The Process
The best investment you will make is to have your team create a concept with all of the details first on paper.
This way, you can see how the home will look with its furnishings and you can decide from there if it is worth the actual investment.
3. Invest In Materials And Finishes That Stand The Test Of Time
What do you touch and where do you sit every day? The plumbing, the hardware, the upholstery in the main living areas all will be used and enjoyed on a daily basis.
Choose quality that will last and classic finishes are timeless.
4. Be Realistic With What Your House Can Be In The End
Know upfront a house cannot be all things to all people. It is important to have an honest conversation with your architect and designer about your goals, wants and needs.
All houses have some limitations and it is good to know what these are at the beginning of your project.
If you are interested in talking to myself or Chris about building or renovating your home, reach out to us. We would love to hear from you.
As we start the new year, we are adding another interior designer/project manager to our team.
Known for custom, timeless and livable homes, we pride ourselves on great service, customization and experience for our interior design clients. We value the trust our clients put in us for one of the biggest investments they will make in their lifetime.
We are looking for a hardworking, detail oriented, multitasking team player to serve as an Interior Designer/Project Manager on our team.
the criteria for this position Includes:
You must have at least four years’ interior design experience and some experience in project management.
2. You must be proficient in AutoCAD and willing to travel.
3. You must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
4. You must be honest and trustworthy personally and professionally.
5. You must be a team player who can handle being in a fast-paced office environment. We have fun but we work hard.
Our interior design staff
This is a full-time position located in Birmingham, AL.
Dana Wolter Interiors in Birmingham, AL
By the way, Birmingham, AL, was just named one of the top 50 places to travel in 2021 by Travel and Leisure Magazine. It is a great place to live and raise a family.
Birmingham, AL- Affectionately known as “The Magic City”
If you are interested in joining our design team, send your resume and references to info@danawolterinteriors. We look forward to hearing from you.
