Thanks for the Article, Birmingham Home and Garden

Living Well

Thanks for the Article, Birmingham Home and Garden

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are having a great week.

I was excited to receive the January/February issue of Birmingham Home and Garden as there is a nice article on Jeff Dungan and me from the Antiques at The Gardens show.

They asked the Tastemakers a few personal and professional questions, and I enjoyed reading everyone’s answers. You can check out the entire edition here.

I hope the interview left you wanting to know more about how I approach each project. If so, here are few more of the questions with my answers that didn’t make it into the article.

BHG: Your work reflects casual, livable, elegance. First and foremost, your work leans towards the way your client’s live, but you do have some signature “Dana” pieces. What are some of your favorite pieces to use and why? Are they custom or purchased?

DW: I incorporate many custom-designed upholstered pieces such as banquettes, sofas, screens, dining tables, and ottomans into my interiors. My interiors are not shiny or trendy, and these type of pieces add uniqueness and subtle detail to a room.

Many designers can create a pretty home. I try to take my work a step further and create a pretty home that can change how a family lives.

BHG: When taking on a new client, what are some clues you look for to help determine their hopes for the project?

DW: A home is most likely the largest investment made in a lifetime, and any improvements should only increase its value.

Communication Is Key.

When taking on a new client, it is important they are as comfortable with me as I am with them. There has to be open dialogue and trust for the end result to be the desired outcome.

Have a Budget in Mind.

I won’t take on a project without knowing a budget. It is extremely important from day one for all to have an understanding of what the budget can buy so the design process can evolve accordingly.

Show Me Anything You Can to Convey Your Taste.

Communication is key, and as they say, pictures are worth a thousand words. I love walking into a client meeting and being handed a notebook full of pictures that inspire them. Pictures, whether of certain rooms or landscapes or colors or artwork, give me great insight into what can sometimes be difficult to communicate.

BHG: You work on a lot of family homes. What are your five family-friendly go-to fabrics/ finishes / furniture?

DW: Leather, velvets, waxed woods, natural stones, and crusty antiques only look better with age and a little wear and tear. When choosing fabrics for upholstery, I emphasize to my clients it isn’t just the color of the fabric that matters, but more importantly, its content.

BHG: What are your favorite two coffee table books and or design books in your collection?

DW: I am constantly reading personally and professionally, so it is hard to say my favorites. I love Kelly Hoppen’s Interiors, Axel Vervoordt’s Timeless Interiors, and John Saladino’s Style by Saladino.

Thanks again, BHG!

dana

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Living Well

Thanks, Schumacher!

Hi Everyone,

With the Antiques at The Gardens show this week, I want to give a BIG shout out and thank you to my friends at F. Schumacher and Co. for making it possible for us to use several of their exquisite fabrics in our vignette, “Fireside Chat”.

As if their fabrics don’t say enough, it is obvious teamwork and an encouraging environment in the workplace have contributed to the success of this company. I have yet to meet a person associated with Schumacher that I didn’t like, and I have met those working from customer service to the owner of the company. Schumacher is reliable, they stand by their products and they are customer-friendly. Perhaps this is why they have been in business for over 100 years…..

You won’t believe some of the beautiful pieces we created using Schumacher’s textured linens, quilted fabrics and soft velvets. Hopefully you will see them in person at the show, but in case you can’t make it, I will be sure to post a few on my social media as the week goes by.

Have I peaked your interest yet???

If you aren’t familiar with their wall coverings, floor coverings, furnishings, and fabrics, you need to check it out here. If you look closely through their line, you will notice I have used several of their fabrics in many of my interiors. Why? Schumacher has a classic, fresh look, exactly how I want my interiors to read. In my opinion, they have some of the prettiest linens around.

images-1 — Mary McDonald’s line for Schumacher

java — A Schumacher fabric recently ordered for an upholstered table I am designing for a client.

As timing would have it, Schumacher announced Monday that Dara Caponigro, former Editor- In- Chief of Veranda magazine, is the new Creative Director for the company.

01_r4_c1 — Photo courtesy of F. Schumacher and Co.

Dara has an extensive background in the design world with her experience not only working at Veranda, but also at Domino, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful. There’s lots of talent and experience being added to this incredible company. To read more on this announcement, click on Schumacher’s blog here.

Thanks again Schumacher; We couldn’t have done it without you!

Have a great day, everyone!

Dana

Living Well

Memorable Monday

Hi Everyone,

Is it me or are there other people out there who have files and files of beautiful rooms torn out of magazines to be referred to at a latter date?

For today’s Memorable Monday, I wanted to share a photo of an incredible kitchen that was featured in Veranda several years ago. Bobby McAlpine was the architect of this home, and in my opinion, everything he creates is perfection. I have always admired Bobby’s work, and I am looking forward to meeting him in person as he is the featured lecturer at Antiques at The Gardens show I have been blogging about lately. He is creating a vignette (like Jeff and I are for the show) with Cindy Smith (Of Circa- I blogged about her amazing book several months back) for it as well.

Bobby is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling book, The Home Within Us, and will be available to sign copies of his book during the show. If you don’t have a copy of his book, grab one as it will not disappoint. FYI…. He has a second book coming out soon, too.

bobby

Hope you have a memorable Monday!

Dana