4 Ways To Refresh Your Interiors Without Leaving Home

Living Well

4 Ways To Refresh Your Interiors Without Leaving Home

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

As I’ve spent more time at home the past few days, I wanted to share some of the easy ways I’m breathing new life in some of our rooms- all without leaving the house.

4 Ways To Refresh Your Interiors Without Leaving Home

As a homebody, the thought of needing to stay home as much as possible isn’t hard for me. With all of the uncertainty going on in this world, home is exactly where I want to be-regardless of my nature.

I’m taking this time to work from home on some wonderful client projects we have going on, soak up some unexpected family time while my girls are here, and to spiff up my own home.

Our homes are refuge from so much and keeping it light and fresh during these heavier times is more important than ever before.

#1 – Bring The Outside In

Thank goodness its officially spring and flowers are blooming (and birds are singing. They seem so much louder and happier this year…they must know we need it!).

Snip some flowers or beautiful budding branches to make a simple, effortless arrangement. Flowers always give me a little more pep in my step – and according to my youngest, they make our house look cleaner.

#2 – Go Shopping In Your House

This is such a fun exercise to give your home new life. Pull all your accessories in a central location (like on your Dining Room table) to create an ‘accessories shop’. Live with everything bare for a day or two…this is also a great time to do some spring cleaning :).

As you begin to see your spaces empty, go ‘shopping’ and replace the empty spots with new pieces. As you continue this practice, start a donate pile of things you just don’t love anymore.

Once complete, your interiors will feel fresh AND you will have purged a few things in the process. I’d love to see some of your before and after pictures so do share.

Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

#3 – Spring Cleaning

Speaking of spring cleaning and purging, now is a better time than any to really tackle the clutter.

Don’t let this stress you out – start small. For example, what is actually hiding in your kitchen junk drawer? If it’s anything like mine, I found everything from random batteries and pens to gift cards and notepads.

The pantry is another great space to organize (and it helps us see what we have in hopes of limiting trips to the grocery).

Starting small encourages us to tackle other organizational projects that are looming (but we haven’t had time to do anything about them).

#4 – Switch Out Framed Photographs

One thing that I forget to do is switch out photos in my picture frames. There are certainly ones that hold my favorite pictures that won’t ever change but others I like to keep current.

How to frame family photos — Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

Find the frames that you wish to replace the pictures and then go through you camera roll to send to your local printer. Before going through this practice, I couldn’t remember the last time I had personal pictures printed. It was also such fun to go through and reminisce on all the travels and fun our family has had over the past year.

Above all else during this strange time, just enjoy the time you have with your loved ones. From longer family dinners around the table to slower mornings, soak in what really matters.

Stay Well,
Dana

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Tips For Designing A Home On A Budget

Whether you are moving into your first home or you have an existing space that needs attention, I’m sharing today some tips on designing a home on a budget.

As I have written about here and here, I recently installed my daughter’s first post-college apartment in Manhattan. There was a distinct thought process I applied on where to invest and where to save as we pulled together her first home.

Tips To Follow When Designing A Home On A Budget:

1. Buy the best upholstery you can afford

We started with a Fabricut headboard for her bedroom and sofa and chair in some of their wool fabrics for the sitting area as these are all great pieces that can grow with her over time.

A nice, weighty piece of upholstery makes such a difference – the quality is much better and I knew she would use it for years to come. This leads me to my next point……

Upholstered Headboard Designed For A Small Bedroom — Dana Wolter Interiors and John Bessler Photography

Fabricut Uphlolstery For Designed For Small Space Living — Dana Wolter Interiors + John Bessler Photography

Upholstery Details — Dana Wolter Interiors + John Bessler Photography

2. Determine your price points based upon the piece’s purpose and longevity

My daughter’s bedroom is a decent size for Manhattan standards, but it lacked a closet. I took 2′ of the room and created a makeshift one with Fabricut’s quick ship draperies.(the roman shades are part of their quick ship program as well).

Their window treatment program is new to me and I was extremely impressed with the options. They shipped within 10 days of placing the order, too!

We incorporated an IKEA closet system behind the draperies because it only needs to last a year or two.

If she ends up using it longer than that, it’s an added bonus. To my point, this wasn’t an area that needed much financial investment but did need a functional system that worked for the space. IKEA was the solution for designing this small space within our budget and it turned out perfectly.

Small Space Organization On a Budget — Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography

There’s no doubt she will enjoy this Gabby marble lamp for years to come.

3. Find your color palette – Think Neutral For Small Spaces

Knowing this was my daughter’s first home after college, I wanted to make it warm, functional, and inviting. The function of these new pieces can serve her in other living spaces in the future.

Therefore, selecting a color palette that she enjoys that will also stand the test of time was important. We went with mostly neutral tones but added pops of gray and pattern in the custom Fabricut pillows to add a little flare.

Neutral Color Palette Is Best When Designing A Small Space — Dana Wolter Interiors – John Bessler Photography

Fabricut Pillows — Dana Wolter Interiors – John Bessler Photography

4. Buy the Best Art Your Budget Allows

Regarding art, my suggestion is simple; buy pieces you love and spend as much as you can afford. It’s something that lasts a lifetime and can move with you from home to home.

My daughter started collecting art her senior year of high school and as a result, she’s curated a nice collection of custom pieces for her age.

Framed Art For Small Space Design — The watercolors on vellum were created by one of her friends from college, Dana Wolter Interiors and John Bessler Photography

Whether you are just starting out or looking for budget- friendly design options for your current home, I hope you find this post helpful. Let me know what you think-

Have a great day,

Dana

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Before and After: Small Space Living Ideas

If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or read this post, you know I recently collaborated with Gabby and Fabricut to share some small space living ideas using their product lines for my daughter’s New York City apartment.

It’s she and her roommates’ first apartment after college and like most Manhattan spaces, it is tiny.

Trying to make a small space fit all of your needs can have its challenges. My goal was to create a warm, functional Family Room for them and Bedroom for her while investing in pieces that will act as staples in the years to come.

Their apartment has great light that I wanted to accentuate. I could not help but think about the cold, dreary winter months ahead in the city and decided to create a cozy feel through lighting, fabrics, rugs, and furnishings.

(Note: Like something that you see? Concluding this post, I’m sharing all of the links to the Gabby lighting and bedside tables and to Fabricut’s upholstery, fabrics, and trims used in these two rooms).

Small Space Living Ideas: Bedroom Design

What’s behind the draperies, you ask?

Small space bedroom storage — The bed frame is on risers (hidden behind the dust ruffle made from a Fabricut linen and tape) for extra storage. The Fabricut ottoman in one of their custom fabrics is perfect for sitting while putting on her makeup. Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography

My daughter’s bedroom is a decent size for Manhattan standards, but it lacked a closet. I took 2′ of the room and created a makeshift one with Fabricut’s quick ship draperies. The Roman Shades are part of their quick ship program as well.

We incorporated a vanity and an IKEA closet system behind the draperies. It only needs to last a year or two, and if she ends up using the closet system for longer than that, it’s a bonus.

Here’s a drawing of the closet wall:

Small space living — Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography

I love that she can close the draperies to hide the mess, though not sure she would want to because it’s quite pretty with the Gabby lamp.

Gabby table lamp, Dana Wolter Interiors — Gabby *Margaret* lamp, Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography

I knew I wanted to use one on Fabricut’s upholstered headboards for her because an upholstered headboard instantly softens a room. With this versatile style in one of their exclusive neutral velvets, I personalized her bed with custom pillows made out of Fabricut fabrics.

The chic Gabby “May” nightstand adds a little more storage, blends beautifully with the bed, and it fits like a glove in the space.

Beautifully styled apartment bedroom — I love this Gabby bedside table paired with the Fabricut headboard and pillow fabrics. Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography

Smart Bedroom Design — Small Space Living Ideas, Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography. The lantern shown is the Gabby “Carly”.

Small Space Living Ideas: Intimately Fabulous Family Room

Their Family Room is tiny – approximately 6 x 9 (plus the niche) and with its odd shape, there isn’t room for wasted space.

Before:

After:

We started with a Fabricut loveseat and chair from their upholstery line as these are perfect pieces that can grow with my daughter. They give as much seating as the space allows and I envision them moving from home to home with her over the next several years.

Fabricut upholstery — Fabricut’s *Draper* loveseat and *Helga* lounge chair nestled in perfectly in the family room. Dana Wolter Interiors, John Bessler Photography

It’s amazing the transformation this apartment made and I love how it came together. They have a nice start to some classic pieces that can move with them in the upcoming years.

I have listed below the furnishings, fabrics, and lighting by Gabby and Fabricut. Let me know if you implement any of my small space living ideas into your space as I enjoying hearing how my tips inspire you. And, as always, if we can help you turn your home into one you dream, please reach out here. We would love to discuss your project.

Have a great day,

Dana

Want to recreate this look? Click below on the direct links:

Queen Headboard:

Fabricut Stanley Headboard in Fabricut Fabric

Queen Bedskirt:

Fabricut Linen with Fabricut Decorative Tape

Custom Bed Pillows:

Bedroom Ottoman:

Fabricut Clarence Poof in Fabricut Fabric

Lighting:

Custom Family Room Pillows:

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Living Well: 4 Tips For Your Home That Add To The Quality Of Your Life

With the start of a new year (and being home for three weeks after my surgery), I found myself looking for ways to improve how my home works for my busy family. Ways to accentuate living well in my home.

And while my to-do list grew quite long (turning my old office into a lounge space for me is near the top), I thought I would share a few easy ways to improve a home and hopefully your quality of life.

1. Paint a room – Nothing reinvigorates a space more than a fresh coat of paint. Paint fades and dulls slowly over time, requiring some TLC after numerous years of no attention. I suggest repainting the ceiling and trim at the same time because once the walls are repainted, the ceiling and trim will be noticeably dull.

2. Bring the outdoors in – With all of this cold weather we’ve had lately, cut a few branches from your yard to add some greenery and life into your home.

Winding branches make such a dramatic yet effortless statement that don’t need to be maintained like orchids or other flowers. The texture and scale that branches contribute to a space will add a beautiful layer to your existing design, AND it doesn’t cost a dime. It may not be summer, yet, but we can pretend it is almost here.

Dana Wolter Interiors. Photography by Graham Yelton

3. Closet consistency – How often do you stand in your closet thinking you have nothing to wear? The problem may lie in the fact that you can’t see half of what you own.

I recently tossed every single hanger in the house and switched to clear plastic hangers for me and color coordinated ones for my girls (and when they go back to school, the specific hanger goes with them). They come in several colors and the key is to buy each person their own color. Not only do these slim hangers take up less space in your closet, but they look nice and clean.

I pulled out a few things to give away, but the consistency in the hangers and hanging clothes by color and type made all the difference in the world. I’ve found myself spending less time figuring out what to wear because of this simple, esthetically-pleasing change.

4. Make a list of projects you want to accomplish – January is a great time to make a punch list of things you’ve been wanting to do around your home. I try to group alike tasks together and make a goal to complete a few each month.

For example, a client just contacted me about designing her Screened-In Porch so it would be completely ready for entertaining in the summer. We’ve done almost all of the other rooms in the house and this room was always put on the back burner.

On a smaller scale, maybe you have been wanting to switch out some of your light fixtures that are beginning to look dated or replace a Living Room sofa that has seen better days – add these to your master punch list and begin putting effort in getting them accomplished.

What will it take for you to live well, or should I say, live better, in your own home? Take a few minutes and think about it. I bet the answer is not far away.

Dana

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Living Well: 4 Problems With Your Home And How To Solve Them

With as many homes I am in and out of, I see recurring problems that come from everyday life and living.

I love seeing a home transform from one that’s cluttered, dark, and doesn’t work for a family to one that allows them to Live Well in their home.

And while your definition of Living Well may be different than mine or your neighbors’, I’m giving a few tips to solve some common problem areas.

Clutter: Organize your home so everything has a place. Incorporate hidden storage where you can create a visual calm and remember to store alike things together.

If organizing overwhelms you, start by cleaning out a small space, such as the towel drawer in your kitchen.

wolterhome_2016_gyc_367-2484x3726 — The hidden door under my stairs allows for all kinds of hidden storage for my family, Dana Wolter Interiors

2. A room that is a catch-all for stuff because it isn’t being used

Find a Purpose for every room in your home. No room should serve as a “walk-through” or a one that is used once or twice a year. Once you give the room a function, take a step back and assess the items in it. Do they bring you joy or are they useful? If neither, it is time to give them away or throw them out.

This may also mean switching rooms around, or changing how the furniture is arranged in a room.

Take this home below that we worked on recently. The living room was never used, the family room wasn’t working for the family, so we flipped the two.

Dana Wolter Interiors | Luxury Interior Design — Looking Into The New Family Room, Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

Because of where these two rooms are placed in the house, the family now finds themselves using both spaces on a regular basis.

3. Dark, cramped spaces that don’t function well.

Find a Balance with how your home flows and functions. To Live Well in your home, it should work hard for everyday living while easily transitioning to host a party when needed.

Does the kitchen allow for quality work space? Is there a place for guests to sit and linger? If not, it may be time to renovate your kitchen.

We took this outdated, dark, cramped kitchen and made it accommodate today’s living. By raising the ceiling, taking the sunroom into the kitchen space and adding a wall of hidden storage, we created a kitchen that is functional, bright and works hard for this family.

AFTER:

I also love adding a banquette when I can in a kitchen. It allows for more seating AND it adds a layer of softness to a room filled with many hard surfaces.

Recent Breakfast Room completed, Dana Wolter Interiors. Graham Yelton Photography

4. Spaces in your house that don’t feel like home

What makes you smile and brings you joy? Whether it is a sparse room, layered objects, bright colors, or a wall filled with books, use discernment in adding these touches to your space. Find ways to add what makes you smile to bring you Warmth and Joy in your house.

Sentimental family photos are added into this new, casual space, Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

I hope these tips help you make an honest assessment about your home so you can find ways to add to your quality of life.

If you need help turning your house into one you love, reach out to us here. We would love to hear from you!

Here’s to Living Well in your home, whatever your definition may be.

Dana

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Living Well- Tips For Making The Most Of Your Space In A Smaller Home

A few recent projects have been for families downsizing to smaller homes. And while moving to a home you are excited about can be a blessing, it can sometimes be difficult to lose square footage.

It’s amazing all of the stuff we accumulate over the years. I feel like I am constantly cleaning out my house and I try to watch what comes in.

How to make the most of small spaces can sometimes be overwhelming , so I thought I would give six helpful tips to #LivingWell in a smaller home.

1. Clean Out and Keep Only What You Love Or Will Use. Simple enough- Do you love it or use it? If not, get rid of it. No more storing things you “might” need in the future or because you feel guilty getting rid of them.

2. Are There Pieces That Can Be Repurposed? If there is a piece you LOVE but don’t have a place for it, can it be reworked for extra storage?

3. Look Above And Below. Look for ways to hide storage, such as using ottomans that open up, raising a bed a few inches to create more space underneath, or adding built-in seating with drawers underneath. I also love adding ottomans under an open console or coffee table- not only to work as a layering piece but as an extra seat that can be pulled out if needed.

An ottoman slides under a coffee table in a client’s Family Room- Dana Wolter Interiors

Drawers pull out for extra storage in this window seat, Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

4. Simplify- When Looking At Your Stuff, Give Away The Extras Of The Same Items. After all, you might need a few extra sets of sheets, but do you need five sets for the same bed? No- so give away to someone who can use them.

5. Think Long And Hard How Your Home Needs To Work For You and Delegate A Function For Every Room Or Unused Corner. There is something refreshing about simplifying your life and surroundings. But with smaller homes, you need to think long and hard ahead of time to make sure the new home functions like it needs to for you. If you see an extra corner, could you add a chair and floor lamp for an extra place to sit?

Or a custom banquette to create more seating around a breakfast table?

Photography by Jean Allsopp, Dana Wolter Interiors

If working on a new build or renovation, hire a designer before the plans are drawn. An extra set of eyes for how your family will live in the house is invaluable. Every square inch needs to work hard so you can have the pretty with a purpose.

6. Let Go Of The Guilt. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is hard to get your money out of furniture and rugs (and even some antiques) when selling. Just know this is the case and let go of the pieces…. Do not hold onto stuff for any reason other than you love it.

#LivingWell isn’t necessarily about having the best of everything- It’s about surrounding yourself with a home that brings you joy. A place you love to make memories with family and friends.

Downsizing can be a blessing if you allow it, as it is a way to lighten your connection to material “stuff” and create spaces that are customized and truly special to you.

Hope you find these six tips helpful to #LivingWell in a smaller home. Let me know what you think-

Dana

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Living Well: A Way of Life

Remember me?!

I am the one who used to blog, but then suddenly disappeared for a few weeks….

It’s never intentional. Life gets busy- my mother has been sick again, I’ve been trying to spend more time with my family, and we’ve started a few new projects.

When I haven’t been with my family or working, I have been traveling quite a bit. One of the places I visited last month was New York City.

As I made a stop into the Saks on Fifth Avenue, a transformation on their second floor ~~knocked my socks off~~ caught my attention.

Gone are the racks and racks of clothes on this floor- though they still have some active wear and accessories for sale.

It has become a Wellness Floor called The Wellery, and I loved what Saks has done with it.

In a world where I feel like I am trying to find a balance because I am being pulled in 10 different directions, I actually felt my blood pressure drop as I walked around.

If it wasn’t for my girls urging me onto the escalator, I probably would have circled the space a few more times.

I don’t claim to be the most healthy, but I do love the thought of trying.

With the exception of a juice bar, this floor has Everything. From a nail salon, to bikes, to exercise classes, to salt rooms, to dermatology services, to gym bags and activewear, it’s all there.

And it SPOKE to me.

I’ll take a green bike, please…. The Wellery, Saks Fifth Avenue, NY

JUST BREATHE……..

The Wellery offers Salt Rooms. Has anyone tried this before?

It is such a new, innovative way to position a clothing store, but it got me thinking…..

Health and wellness are not just what you eat and if you exercise. Living Well is a way of life-

I have talked here how a healthy lifestyle is one that encompasses all facets of your life, not just a few areas.

It carries over to how your home makes you feel when you walk through the door. Does your home stress you out or make you feel at peace when you walk through the door?

Living well is taking all of the chaos life throws at us and keeping it all in perspective.

Keeping perspective when life doesn’t give much of one.

I understand- with a sick mom, children, and quite frankly, hip and female issues, life is not always rosy…

But I am going to continue working hard to be the best version of myself that I can be. Warts and all.

So how can you live well? Does it involve tweaking your home so it works and functions better for you and your family?

If you need help creating a customized space, email us at info@danawolterinteriors.com. We would love to hear from you.

Here’s to a well-lived life, despite all the chaos life may bring-

Dana

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If you’d like to read more about The Wellery, read this Domino article here.

Living Well

Cocoon

A client reached out to us about helping them with a few rooms in their newly purchased home. One of the rooms they commissioned with us was the Dining Room.

The house is a typical 80s style house on a stately lot, and I wanted to add a little edge and detail through the interiors. A Dining Room is often nondescript, making it important to layer so it feels soft- and special.

Here are a few of the “Before” pictures:

We kept the wall color and her buffet, but everything else was a clean slate.

The goal was to make it feel warm, casual, and dramatic. Maybe it was the mood I was in, but Cocoon was the word that kept coming to mind.

We decided to drape two of the walls in the room with a sheer that blended into her newly painted walls. I wanted this room to draw you in, just as a Dining Room should.

I went with an upholstered table to add a little more drama and softness in the space. I also love the touches of black and gold throughout.

Upholstered Table Detail, Dana Wolter Interiors. Photography by Graham Yelton

After adding a table as big as the room could hold for maximum seating, there was room for a piece of furniture between the windows, but we had to watch its depth.

I decided to go with an Etagere to give her a place to stack her china, crystal, and serving pieces. Who says these type of pieces have to stay hidden in a cabinet or drawer?

The Etagere added a little more of a casual feel to a typically formal space, and it will look better and better the more pieces are added to it.

This piece will only look better with time as items are added. Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

So here’s to making your home feel like a cocoon; warm, inviting, and a reflection of you. If we can help you turn your house into a home you love, email us here. We would love to hear from you.

Dana

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Downsizing Your Home? Six Tips For A Smooth Transition

A few recent projects have been for families moving to smaller, yet more custom homes. And while moving to a more refined home can be a huge blessing, it can be hard when you are used to more square footage.

It’s amazing all of the stuff we accumulate over the years. I feel like I am constantly cleaning out my house and I try to watch what I bring into it.

It can sometimes be overwhelming in deciding what furnishings to take and what to replace or give away when moving, so I thought I would give six helpful tips to streamline the process. Here goes:

1. Go Through Each Item and Decide What You Love Or Will Use. Simple enough- Do you love it or use it? If not, get rid of it. Life is too short to have pieces you don’t love taking up space in your home. No more storing things you “might” need in the future or because you feel guilty getting rid of them.

2. Are There Pieces That Can Be Repurposed? If there is a piece you LOVE but don’t have a place for it, can it be reworked? For instance, can the doors to the large, deep French armoires that were popular in the 90s be taken off, stripped and reworked to go somewhere else? Reworking pieces can be a tedious process, so make sure you LOVE the piece to make it worthwhile.

3. Unsure What To Keep And What To Give Away? Hire A Professional. A designer can curate through your things to decide what can be used in the new home. We have gone through storage units to measure and photograph existing pieces to see what can be included in the furniture plans of the client’s new home we are furnishing. An objective eye may be just what you need.

4. Simplify- When Looking At Your Pieces, Give Away The Extras Of The Same Items. After all, you might need a few extra sets of sheets, but do you need five sets for the same bed? No- so give away to someone who can use them.

5. Think Long And Hard How The New Home Will Work For You. There is something refreshing about simplifying your life and surroundings. But with less space, you need to think long and hard ahead of time to make sure the new home functions like it needs to for you.

If working with an architect, hire a designer before the plans are drawn. An extra set of eyes for how your family will live in the house is invaluable. Every square inch needs to work hard so you can have the pretty with a purpose.

All aspects of downsizing can be a blessing if you allow it. Look at it as a way to lighten your connection to material “stuff” and create spaces that are customized and truly special to you.

Hope you find these six tips helpful. Let me know what you think-

Dana

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Five Design Ideas To Create A Healthy Home, Happy Life

I sense a change is taking place… People are tired, tired of feeling exhausted and stressed.

It is time to slow down and enjoy life more. Find a balance.

Because life is short, embracing the good and surrounding yourself with positive, healthy ways of living are more important than ever.

Don’t get me wrong. I am the first to get caught up in everyday life. Little things, that in the big scheme, don’t mean much.

But if we can make healthy changes in our home that have a positive impact on our quality of life, isnt this a good thing?

Here are five, easy, design ideas to create a healthy home, and therefore, a happy life. Here goes:

1. If you don’t love something in your home or aren’t using it, get rid of it. Clean out, pair down, and keep only what speaks to you and brings you joy.

End of sentence. Period.

2. Assign a purpose for every room in your home. Every single room, even the little “catch-all” closet. What exactly is the closet going to store?

3. LIVE in your home and ENJOY. No more off-limit rooms or saving your china just for special occasions… Use the dishes one night for dinner, just because…..

4. Make your home a reflection of you. Do you like a little edge but your home doesnt quite capture who you are or how you want to reflect your style? Reach out to a designer and hire someone who can turn your vision into reality. Ask around and check with their references to make sure their style, type of budget they work with, and their personality are a good fit for you.

5. Create a space somewhere in your home that makes you feel calm and relaxed. It doesn’t have to be big space- maybe it is a corner in a room with a chair, a blanket, and a table to place your morning coffee. Do a little self care and create a spot to call your own.

Hope these five design ideas help you create a healthy home, and therefore bring a little happiness into your life. Let me know what you think-

dana

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Healthy Home, Happy Life

Are you ready to leave behind the stress you find in your surroundings and create a healthy, happy life that begins before you walk out your front door?

Your environment is one of the seven top causes of stress, and your surroundings attribute to your health just as much as what you eat, who you surround yourself with, how much you exercise, etc…

Think about it… If you try to eat healthy, exercise, get good sleep, does it make sense to spend the majority of your time in a a space that is cluttered, dark and disorganized?

A healthy lifestyle is one that encompasses all facets of your life, not just a few areas.

Don’t get me wrong…..There are days when your house is going to be a mess. I have had people in and out of my home quite a bit lately, and with the holidays, mine is now. Too many children pulling things out and not putting them up.

But the difference is that when you have a mess in a healthy home, it is because things are out of their specific place versus having things randomly lying around and piling up.

Take a step back from your home and make an honest assessment about how your home makes you feel. Does it bring your joy and peace?

If you find your house a place of uneasiness, apply these few tips to your home and see if you can figure out why :

Organize your home so everything has a place. Incorporate hidden storage where you can create a visual calm and store alike things together.

You would never know it, but the hidden door under my stairs allows for all kinds of storage for my family.

2. Find a Purpose for every room in your home as no room should serve as a “walk-through” or a room used once or twice a year. Then take a step back and assess the items in each room. Do they bring your joy or are they useful? If neither, it is time to give them away or throw them out.

This may also mean switching rooms around, or changing how the furniture is arranged in a room.

Take this room in this cottage below that we worked on a few years back. It was a walk-through room, a catch-all, and the it was the largest room in the house.

By changing the type of furniture placed in this room, we were able to create a place to sit and relax, play on your phone, read a good book, etc… The chaises draw you in to sit and stay for awhile.

You can see more Before and After of this house from this previous post here.

We did the same thing with this home. The biggest room in their house was the “walk-through’ room. It was rarely used while this family of seven used a small sitting room off the kitchen to watch tv.

What you can’t see in this picture is that we tucked a television on a side wall that can be pulled out when needed. Our goal was to create a family-friendly space for this family to enjoy while keeping it formal enough to serve as a living room if needed. Mission accomplished!

3. Find a Balance with how your home flows and functions. Your home should work well for everyday living and be able to transition to host a party when needed.

4. What makes you smile and bring your joy? Whether it is a sparse room, layered objects, bright colors, or a wall filled with books, use discernment in adding these touches to your space. Find ways to add what makes you smile to bring you Warmth and Joy in your house.

Chad James Interior Design, Elle Decor, Photography by Alyssa Rosenheck

If you need help into turning your house into one you love, reach out to us here. We would love to hear from you.

Here’s to a healthy, happy life-

Dana

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Living Well

#BootcampHomeTransformation: How To Make A House Your Home

Lately, it seems as if I am being reminded that every day is truly a gift.

While I have one friend celebrating a new life (her new baby is beautiful-and big!!), a sweet teenage boy in our community has osteosarcoma and is fighting for his.

Life is about enjoying the present with family and friends, and your surroundings play a huge part in it. Your house is where you LIVE– it’s where you create memories, nurse people back to health, celebrate milestones, and even mourn disappointments behind closed doors.

I am not saying you have to go out and spend hundreds and thousands of dollars to create memories. What I am suggesting is if your home doesn’t make you happy or if you don’t find it a restful retreat, why you waiting to do something about it?

I love my job because I see over and over again what a changed environment can do for a family. I have seen how making sure every square inch of a home is functional and cohesive can improve the quality of life for a family. Yes, better for all of you.

Your house does not have to be perfect because we aren’t. Let it have its little quirks- keep it real.

I want this post to be an action post to turning your home into a space you love. Let’s call it #BootcampHomeTransformation.

It won’t be easy, but I promise if you will follow the steps, you will see some change for the better. Follow along this week and next and let me know how it is going for you.

So…. Let’s get started.

Step One: Decide on your room and come up with five words to describe it for when you are done.

Pull out a piece of paper and write down the room you want to begin. Choose one room and one room only to focus in on today. I want this to be doable, so if you are overwhelmed right now with your home, select a small space such as a foyer versus a large living space.

Come up with five words you want to use to describe this room and write them down.

Step Two: Assess the function of each room. It does not matter whether you have a 1,500 or a 15,000 sq ft home, every room should have a purpose. The goal is to utilize every square inch in your home, and love it!

Write down the function of this room. For instance, it may be as simple as a place to greet my guests, a place to read, a room to lay my keys, a place to put my shoes on before heading out the door, etc…. Is that extra bedroom a study, a guest bedroom, or a workout room? Or is it just pretending to be all of those things when it’s really just storage? Give the room an identity so you can organize and decorate accordingly.

I want you to wait a day or two before tackling the next step. I want you to process how this room is to work for you.

Step Three: Clean Out

Take everything- yes, everything- out the room.

Ask your self about every piece your fingers touch- Do you use it? Do you love it? If no is your answer, give it or throw it away. Yes, it is okay to part ways with a family piece you do not love. I give you permission, so get rid of the guilt, and let it go.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The rocking chair from my daughter’s room was her great-great aunt’s, but because she has outgrown the need of one, I gave it back to my parent’s.

Just because it is a family heirloom or your aunt gave it to you for your wedding doesn’t mean it belongs in your home. So many tastes are out there, and I bet you can find a home for it (your sister? your niece? your neighbor?). So do it. Pronto. De-clutter.

Keep only what you love and use…and you will definitely see and feel a difference in your home immediately!

don’t the objects here just FEEL loved? by Nate Berkus

This is it until next Monday. The only thing I ask in return is to follow each step and give me feedback. Let me know how it is going, and please share with others.

Here’s to living today at its fullest,

Dana

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Living Well

Five Ways To Create A Healthy, Happy Home (and Life)

Wellness is a lifestyle that begins at home. With so many outside stressors these days, your home needs to be a place you love and can relax.

If you are trying to eat healthy (well, most of the time), exercise, it doesn’t make sense to come home to a cluttered, dark, depressing house.

Environmental stress is one of the seven biggest causes of stress, and your surroundings attribute to your health just as much as what you eat, how much you exercise, etc…

Here are five ways to create a healthy, happy home and life:

1. Clean Out.

Say NO to pieces in your home you do not love nor use.

I talk about this one a lot because I see it way too often. Homes filled to the brim with stuff. Stuff clients don’t necessary like, but they feel guilty getting rid of it.

Let go of the guilt and take action. If you don’t love something, aren’t using, it, then bid it goodbye. Dispose of it or give it away to someone who can-and will-enjoy it.

If you have two, or three, or more of one particular item, give the extras away.

2. Assign A Place For Everything.

Even if things don’t stay where they belong (like my house right now), every single item in your house should have a designated spot.

Store alike items together, and things least used go in higher and harder to reach storage. If you are not good at this sort of thing, hire a professional organizer or ask a good friend to help you.

3. Assign a purpose for every room in your house.

Wonder how this will simplify your life? It helps keep a room from becoming a “catch-all”.

By utilizing every square inch of your room, it makes your home work for you, which in turn simplifies your home and your life.

Here’s a good example:

The room below was the largest room in a client’s home, was a “catch-all’ for them, but the only purpose for the room was to walk from the foyer to the rest of the house.

After discussing with our client what needs were missing from their current home, we decided to add two chaise loungers for the kids to read, listen to music, etc…. We added more casual, comfortable pieces, too.

We kept it formal enough to function as a living room, but see how much more inviting it is once we finished our magic?

GYC_BMetro_Dec095 — AFTER- Dana Wolter Interiors

GYC_BMetro_Dec060 — Dana Wolter Interiors

GYC_BMetro_Dec057 — Dana Wolter Interiors

GYC_BMetro_Dec080 copy — Dana Wolter Interiors

4. Create A Balance In Your Home.

What type of space energizes you? If it is a room with more of a calm, relaxed feel, make sure you have several of these type of spaces throughout your home. If it is a space with a vibrant edge, that is fine too. Regardless of the type of room that energizes you, all rooms should have some sort of comfy seating that draws you in to relax.

5. Hire a designer to make your home a place you LOVE.

Why wait to turn your home into a place you love? Life is too short to waste time living in haphazard spaces or spaces that make you cringe.

You should look forward to spending time in your home. There are designers for all budgets and all price points, so find one you are comfortable with that suits your needs and your budget.

While the bulk of our firm’s work is full service interior design, we do offer two different packages for the person who wants our guidance and style but wants to implement a plan as their budget and timeframe allow.

We offer a one time 3.5 hour consult with me where we can discuss all of your design dilemmas, and we also offer a design online service for any type of room.

You can read about the 3.5 hour consult here and the design online service we offer here.

As always, email us at info@danawolterinteriors.com for more information and inquire how we can help you fill your needs.

Hope you find this post on creating a healthy, happy home and life helpful. Here’s to simplifying and creating a happy home, one step at a time.

Dana

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Living Well

Give Away What You Don’t Love Or Use, But If We MUST Keep, How To Display Your Clutter

Summer is here and I find myself cleaning. Cleaning out drawers, wiping down drawers, etc… Makes me happy!

And while I preach to throw away or give away things that you don’t love or are not using, I know there are times when you want to keep certain things just to keep.

I thought I would rerun this post from a few years ago on how to display your ~~clutter~~ stuff ……. Here goes….

Dana

The holidays are over, and who isn’t looking for a few ways to declutter their home? It’s easy to discard the items you don’t use, but what about the knick knacks you love and want to display?

Do your “special” items look like a pile of mess to others? If so, what should you do?

Create a few vignettes in your home.

Start with your big items, such as the painting, sconces, lamps, and urn in this picture. Next, stagger your accessories throughout, making sure you balance out each side. Notice how they did not forget the space under the console.

vignette katiedid — http://katie-d-i-d.blogspot.com/

What a great job they did of taking family keepsakes, which, after all, make a house a home, and displaying them in a beautiful way.

How about adding in a few of your personal items when entertaining? At this client’s home, instead of just setting out her china and everyday, we decided to mix it up a bit.

Speaking of entertaining……

What do you do for all of the silver and crystal you have crammed into your cabinets?

Display it as we did in this client’s home. Here, we mixed in some of her silver pieces with her crystal and pottery. Everything has its place, and it is beautiful!

jean allsopp kinnet kitchen 017 — photo courtesy of jean allsopp

When creating a focal point, whether it is a vignette or glass cabinet, don’t forget to layer and add different textures.

MonicaStewart24 — from dana wolter interiors

So, the key is to make the space your own by displaying your items in a neat, organized way.

Even when there is a family pet involved- such as the frog for this family- can you display it in a clever way.

Living Well

What A Difference A Plan Makes- Part One

I thought it might be fun to look at a few BEFORE and AFTER pictures of the home featured in TradHome (click here to see the full article) to see why I took the design approach I did for this project. This is going to be in two posts, so here goes part one….

When the homeowner first contacted me, she was frustrated. She had purchased a few pieces that did not fit in her home and she wanted to unify her choppy, cluttered, mismatched home. She wanted it to reflect their fun personality, but she also wanted it to feel calm, cohesive, and be a place to retreat from their hectic lifestyle.

Below is the foyer, which sets the tone for the home. As you can see, there wasn’t much to the existing space, other than a rug too big for the space.

BEFORE

AFTER

The space is tiny, but you can see we added quite a bit of warmth without overcrowding the area.

We painted her existing console table because the size was good for the space. Everything else was added. What was once a cold, mismatched space now feels warm and pulled together.

Know what my favorite thing is in there? The cast baby foot of one of her now teenage girls… How sweet is that touch?!

The foyer opens up into the living room, which was a walk-through space for the family. Imagine an 18 x 24 room of basically wasted space they never used.

Here is the BEFORE of the living room:

AFTER

GYC_BMetro_Dec094 — AFTER- the living room

I wish I had a picture to the right of the sofa in the bay window. Not only did we create a great place to lounge, we also included a second seating area with the sofa and two chairs.

GYC_BMetro_Dec086 — AFTER- the living room

The homeowners have several collections- from crosses from oncology patients, to tons of family photos, to baseballs from their favorite major league teams. They had them spread throughout several rooms with no order to them at all.

I incorporated their momentos in a way that is cohesive and tidy.

BEFORE

AFTER

GYC_BMetro_Dec010 copy — AFTER-the study

AFTER- the study

GYC_BMetro_Dec098 — After- gallery of family pictures

Notice the grouping of family photos and the shadow box of the baseballs? Now they hold special meaning and are focal points in this home.

Stay tuned for part two as I will talk about the master, family room, and kitchen. This transformation is amazing- not only aesthetically, but how this home functions for this busy family of five.

Also, please remember to take a second and vote here for the NewTrad designer’s style you like best. It is quick and easy, only takes a second, and I hope you will vote for us. Every time you cast a vote, you enter a chance to win $1,000 from Hunter Douglas.

Have a great day everyone-

Dana

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Living Well

Quick Tips for a Beautiful Home

This past week I had the pleasure of co-hosting NBC-13 Daytime AL with David Lamb while Wendy Garner was on jury duty. I had so much fun as the Daytime crew consists of just a really great group of people.

Here are a couple of snapshots from a segment I did on Quick Tips for a Beautiful Home. Yes, a home can be beautiful and practical too. A few tips I shared and live by…

– Buy only what you love, not just what’s on sale. It’s not a deal if you do not truly love it.

– Every item should have a place.

– Keep colors cohesive throughout the home (children’s rooms are the exception). What may be a dominant color in one room may be used as an accent in another.

You can watch an elaboration on each topic and learn more tips here if you like. Thanks again to Wendy, David, and the Daytime Al crew for this incredible experience, as well as those of you who tuned in to watch!

Have a great day-

Dana

* More importantly, my thoughts and prayers go out to those affected in this week’s tornadoes here and in surrounding cities and towns. So hard to believe it happened once again within such a short period of time. My heart goes out to all of you.

Living Well

Five Ways to Make an Impact in a Room In An Hour

Are you looking to update a particular room, but you (like the rest of us) are short on time? Good news! You can make some major improvements in as little as an hour! Try one or all of the following tips and poof! that room that was bothering you may just become one of your favorites.

1. Accessorize: Is the top of your coffee table cluttered? Do the tops of your end tables look messy? Tired of seeing the same accessories?

Begin by clearing off the tops of furniture. You’ll get a fresh look this way, and it’s easier to add to than take away! Remove the lamps, the books, the candles, the ceramic pears, everything. Now that you have a clean surface, ask yourself: what kind of furniture is it? Is it a wooden chest with a marble top? If so, begin with a wooden lamp and go from there. Mix up the textures, materials, and styles to see what suits you best. Be a little daring! Playing with the hard and soft surfaces creates tension that works.

In this client’s home, I played with shiny and rough textures; metal, wood, and ceramic; and curves and lines to create the perfect combination. Even the stick in the corner adds dimension!

MonicaStewart19 — notice the juxtaposition of materials in this one small corner!

2. Create a Vignette: By definition, a vignette is a “small picture.” In decorating, it’s a part of your home — say, a nook, a window, an entry way — that, after your creative touch, will tell a story and shed some personality. Do you have a corner in your home that is empty and boring? If so, find a purpose for it, and make every inch of your home count! For instance, I took this bare hall in a client’s home and made it warm and inviting:

3. Paint: I’ve said it before, but it’s a must for instant impact. Paint! Even painting one wall can create dimension in a space. Paint also makes the space look fresh and can give a light fixture an entire new look.

4. Clean out: Sometimes we just have to get rid of it. Bookshelves that are overcrowded, china cabinets with plates that haven’t been used since 1977, bedrooms with stuffed animals that haven’t been played with since 1987 — you get the idea. Even spaces guests don’t see count! Is your make-up drawer out of control? Has the storage closet collected so much that you have forgotten what was in there? When you hold onto items you aren’t loving and using, you — and your home — are being weighed down. Say ba-bye, and feel lighter!

5. Reframe Your Art for a New Look: While you are cleaning out that storage closet, you may come across some treasures as well. If you’ve been meaning to hang some forgotten pics, do it! Whether it’s artwork that suddenly appeals to you again, or photographs that bring back fond memories, walls welcome anything that warms the heart. It’s good to change these things out from time to time too, perhaps using different frames or switching the bedroom art with the living room’s.

This is a room I designed for a client’s daughter. See how the child’s owl art is taken to a new level when mounted on black?

Customizing a room doesn’t have to be over the top. It just has to be creative and well-thought-out! With a clean slate and a few good ideas, your home can go from ho-hum to custom in no time at all.

All photos by Jean Allsopp Photography. Thanks, Jean!

4 Ways To Refresh Your Interiors Without Leaving Home

#1 – Bring The Outside In

#2 – Go Shopping In Your House

#3 – Spring Cleaning

#4 – Switch Out Framed Photographs

Tips To Follow When Designing A Home On A Budget:

1. Buy the best upholstery you can afford

2. Determine your price points based upon the piece’s purpose and longevity

3. Find your color palette – Think Neutral For Small Spaces

4. Buy the Best Art Your Budget Allows

Small Space Living Ideas: Bedroom Design

Small Space Living Ideas: Intimately Fabulous Family Room

Before:

After:

Want to recreate this look? Click below on the direct links:

Queen Headboard:

Queen Bedskirt:

Custom Bed Pillows:

Bedroom Ottoman:

Lighting:

Fabricut’s Quick Ship Draperies + Roman Shades:

Loveseat:

Chair:

Custom Family Room Pillows:

Dana

If you’d like to read more about The Wellery, read this Domino article here.