Dana Wolter Interiors Offers A One-Time, 3.5 Hour Consult

Living Well

Dana Wolter Interiors Offers A One-Time, 3.5 Hour Consult

While my firm works on full-room or full-home interior design projects, a few times a year we offer a limited number of appointments for a one time, 3.5 hour interior design consult.

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 all over the country. While I have jumped on a plane to make this service happen, I have had several people fly in, drive over or even Facetime with me from across the country.

If you have been noticing all the things you want to change in your home but social distancing is a must due to Corona, this service is for you.

Birmingham, AL, Interior Design Firm — Dana Wolter Interiors

Here’s how the 3.5 hour 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 3.5 hours of uninterrupted time going through your list and answering questions.

We can discuss design dilemmas, furniture arrangements, fabric direction, paint colors, to knock down a wall or not– you name it.

I’ve also had clients use this service to select all of the finishes for a new build while others have brought me in to revamp their existing home.

Dana Wolter Interiors, Mudroom Interior Design — 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, furniture layout, 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.

Kitchen Design Tips, Dana Wolter Interiors — A beautiful kitchen project of Dana Wolter Interiors as seen in Traditional Home

Butler's Pantry Design, Dana Wolter Interiors — Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

If you think this interior design consult can help transform your home into one you love, inquire about it here. I would love to talk with you.

Have a great day-

-dana

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Living Well

Living Well: 4 Ways To Create A Home You Love

Potential clients will often reach out to us for different reasons.

Sometimes they can’t quite put their finger on why they aren’t happy with their home, but it is intuitive- it feels like wasted space or it’s dated or just not quite right.

Some are even embarrassed to have visitors over because of how it looks.

You can’t put a price tag on some things, and a home that offers a place to retreat is one of them.

Here are four ways to create a home you love:

Have a well-thought out design plan created for your home. After the purchase, furnishing your home is the second largest investment you will probably make.

Furnishing a home isn’t cheap, and you want to make sure you are spending your money wisely the first time….

You see- designing a home is an investment, so hire a professional to give you a detailed plan on how – and where- to invest in the furnishings of your home.

Think long term with your investment and life.

2. Include pieces that speak to you and that you love. When we begin a turnkey project, there is a lot of conversation with our client about their dreams, what’s important to them, etc… Your home needs to be a reflection of you and what makes your heart happy.

3. Give a room a purpose, and work the furniture around it. Unfortunately, you can’t have a home that feels good and works for you unless it works for your needs.

Cant figure out one? Contact us here to assess your needs and to help you invest your money wisely.

4. How can you add to the quality of your life through your home? Do you want to expand your circle of friends and want to invite more people over to dinner on a regular basis? Great- let’s make sure your home will flow like it needs to do so.

Life is too short to not love the place you spend the majority of your life. Your home should be a place that feels good, rejuvenates you and gives you a place to restore and rest.

Here’s to making your house one you love-

Dana

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Living Well

Living Well: Replacing Your Outdated Built-Ins

Many of my projects are older homes that haven’t been updated yet to best fit the needs of today’s modern family.

A lot of these homes have unused, outdated built-ins, and I thought it would be fun to look at a few ways I have recreated this type of space.

It’s amazing what a little thought and creativity can do to update and make a space work for you.

Here are a few examples:

AFTER:

Custom designed cabinetry by Dana Wolter Interiors

We thickened the wall opening into the room so the new cabinetry reads more as a true built-in. I made the depth for this custom cabinet less in the middle (the doors slide open to reveal a flat screen tv ) while the side cabinets hold 13″ deep bookcases to personalize the space.

In one of my other projects, the sitting room had a deep, built-in computer desk. The desk wasn’t being used anymore and the room was pretty much just a walk-through space.

We decided to give this room a purpose by making it the husband’s sitting room, fitted with a bar and his own personal television.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

I decided to go with a lighter wax on the bar wood to make the bar “pop” against the dark walls, and I also surrounded the space with a snakeskin wall covering. The upholstered doors are touch latch for easy opening-

What about your home? Do you have wasted, useable space hidden in your old built-ins?

If so, and you are ready to update your home, reach out to us here. We’d love to hear about your project-

Have a great day-

Dana

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Living Well

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:

Dana Wolter Interiors. Photography by Graham Yelton

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

5 Things To Keep On Hand For Last Minute Entertaining

There is nothing I love more than when friends and family stop by at a moment’s notice.

Whether it’s catching up with a neighbor or an impromptu girls’ night, I savor these moments. The key to being prepared for unexpected company is to have a few easy tricks.

It’s not about stressing over how clean your house is or the fact that you may still be in your workout clothes from the morning. It’s about enjoying friends and family and the time you spend with them.

Your guests will only be as relaxed as you are, so don’t fret over the things you can’t control.

Here are five of my tried and true tricks to keep on hand for last-minute entertaining:

1. Keep a delicious dip in your freezer and crackers in the pantry. This way, all you have to do is pull out of the freezer and heat in the oven. Not only will your home smell amazing, but you don’t have to fuss with any dishes or prep work.

Here is my family’s favorite dip recipe, courtesy of the Junior League of Birmingham’s Food For Thought cookbook. FYI- it freezes wonderfully, too.

Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, soften

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 cup grated Swiss cheese

2 tablespoons chopped green onions

8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled,

1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers

Soften cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Add mayonnaise, Swiss chases, and green onions; mix well. Transfer to a baking dish. Top with bacon and crackers. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly and serve with crackers or Fritos.

2. Have cloth napkins pressed and ready. No thought or effort required – It is as simple as pulling them out and displaying with your hors d’oeuvre of choice and wine.

Or setting a table for a more formal, sit down dinner

3. Light a nice candle – I love a good candle and am constantly changing out the one in my kitchen. Find one that speaks to you and enjoy it.

4. Keep a good supply of simple, clear vases of different sizes tucked away for entertaining. These are great for filling with grocery store flowers or branches from your yard for a last minute arrangement. Sprawling branches make such a beautiful, effortless statement, and according to my youngest, flowers make your house look cleaner. Who knew!

Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

5. Slow down and give your guests your undivided attention. Put down the cell phones, send the children off to play or to do homework, and make your guests feel like you have time for them (no matter what fire you might be in the middle of putting out). Be present and enjoy your visit!

With the holidays approaching, I hope some of these tips will help ease the stress of the season. I’d love to hear your tried and true hospitality tricks.

Cheers to living (and entertaining) well,

Dana

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Living Well

4 Ways To Make Neutral Upholstery Durable (Aka Livable)

Do you ever wonder how we use so many beautiful, neutral fabrics in our projects and question how they look after a busy family lives in the space?

Many times when we are in the furniture and fabric phase of a project, clients immediately want to steer clear of anything that remotely looks too ‘light’ in color because of children, dogs, and just life.

They have valid reasoning for being concerned; I’ve raised three daughters and know how that goes. But like everything else, technology with fabrics and their durability have come leaps and bounds from where they used to be.

Here are four ways to make neutral upholstery more durable in your home:

1. Treat the neutral fabric with a stain resistant

In this Living Room, we had all of the upholstery treated with a stain resistant formula before being upholstered. It’s important to look at each fabric’s durability when creating a room so it can work hard for your family if needed.

Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

2. Include commercial grade fabrics in strategic places

Another trick we use is to find contract-grade fabrics that do not look or feel commercial. We have found fabulous looking velvets and linens that go through rigorous testing to guarantee they are stain resistant, durable, and have a high rub count.

Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

3. Add a blanket or quilt as an extra layer of protection

Often times, we have quilted throws made to perfectly fit a piece of upholstery. This allows the throw take the brunt of the activity and it can easily be removed or dry cleaned.

This Schumacher velvet and Jerry Pair leather add to the durability in this room. Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

4. Incorporate a leather or faux leather into the room

This buttery faux leather that resembles some of the attributes of leather can look stunning and function perfectly in a kitchen or breakfast room.

The technology makes it easy to wipe down without stains or harsh chemicals, so no worries about fingerprints or stains on this custom banquette we designed, either.

Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

Next time you are faced with the fear of choosing new fabrics for your home, don’t immediately shy away from light upholstery. Remember, the key is to look at its makeup so it can stand up to everyday life.

Here’s to living well with neutral upholstery,

Dana

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Living Well

Living Well: Where To Place A TV In A Room

Not to show my age, but who remembers the bulky televisions with the rabbit ears? There was no hiding those big ‘ole things.

Thankfully, tvs have become a little more discreet over the years.

On many projects, I have clients ask where should they place the tv in a room and how it should be treated within it.

I try to tuck them away when possible or make sure they are not a big focal point. If they are placed on a main wall, it usually calls for me to try and soften around it.

TV is placed on a side wall, Dana Wolter Interiors

The picture below is from a client’s living room. Yes, I said living room, and that is a tv near the piano. This large room with incredible light was – get this- pretty much a walk-through room. They have a large family with a revolving door to family and friends, so it made sense that when we redesigned this room to incorporate a tv in here. We tucked it into a side wall where it can be pulled out if needed.

We reworked the furniture layout to add more seating. The room is casual enough to feel comfortable lounging on the sofa with your feet propped up with a bowl of popcorn, or it can be a little more formal when having a dinner party. Either way, it works, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, the space is used by their family.

Make no doubt about it, sometimes a tv needs to stand proudly in a room, ready to serve its purpose, but a little softness never hurts.

What are your thoughts concerning the tv? Are you a “let it hang on out there” and serve its purpose or do you like to tuck it away? Let me know what you think-

Have a great day,

Dana

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*Photography is by Graham Yelton

Living Well

Living Well- Tips For Making The Most Of Your Home

With the devastation we’ve had lately from floods and Hurricane Irma, I’ve been reminded of the importance of home. I’ve realized I take for granted having a roof over my head, a place to retreat from life.

None of us are promised a perfect tomorrow, so why are we waiting to create a home that makes us feel comfortable, happy, and protected?

My heart goes out to all of the people across our country having to start over and rebuild. Now more than ever, it is important to #Livewell by creating a home you love- one that makes you want to retreat to from the craziness of this world.

It’s deciding what makes you happy and taking the steps to create it. For instance, is family important to you? If so, think about creating a gallery wall of your favorite family photos.

I do this all the time- I’ll designate a specific hall, a wall, or both in a home where photos can be displayed. Here are a few from a couple of my projects:

Make a wall in your home personal to you, Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

Dana Wolter Interiors, Jean Allsopp Photography

For some, #LivingWell might be having friends over. Casual impromptu dinners are always great, but don’t be afraid to pull out your china, silver, crystal. If using these things brings you joy, pull them out-stop saving them for tomorrow. Let’s enjoy today.

I love to create a spot somewhere in the home that clients can call their own. A cozy corner that calls their name.

An extra-deep loveseat in this bay window creates an inviting spot to sit. Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

A cute couple I helped with a design/build liked to sit at their island for their meals. If you are going to sit at the counter for a few meals each day, why not make it functional and pretty and unique?

For today, I hope you are inspired to find ways to turn your home into one you love…….

Here’s to creating a home you enjoy and can #livewell in–

Dana

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Living Well

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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Living Well

The Color I Am Loving Right Now…..

There is a color out there that I am loving right now, and it isn’t one I normally use.

#Blush has caught my attention and I have found myself using it in the fabrics and art in a few of my current projects, including my office. I did a #FacebookLive video here about it the other day, and apparently, I am not the only one who is loving this color…..

Becki Owens, Bloglovin' — Becki Owens, Bloglovin’

As I shared with you here, I pulled several fabrics for a recent living room install that included this color.

The room turned out soft, chic, and beautiful. I can’t share much just yet, but here is a sneak peek…..

And while I have paired blush with silver and gray, the room below with it against taupe caught my eye.

I am betting blush paired with taupe is going to be a big design trend before too long…..

What colors are you loving right now? Has blush crossed your radar yet? Let me know – I would love to hear…

Dana

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Living Well

Simple, Elegant Ways To Decorate For Christmas

It’s hard to believe the holidays are here. With Christmas around the corner, I am looking for simple, ~~easy~~ elegant ways to decorate. Jesus didn’t mean for the season to be stressful, and I am determined I am going to stay calm and relaxed this year.

Your home should be a place you can live in comfortably and that works well for your family, even during the holidays! While shooting for the feature of my house in the December issue of Southern Living, I had the chance to stream this VIDEO live with them to discuss tips for decorating. Click on the first one listed to watch.

fullsizerender-3 — Southern Living team working their magic!

Here is a recap of the tips in the video:

Simplicity: Create spaces you can live in and that work for your family. This goes along with holiday decorating, too! Sometimes the simplest detail is the most elegant. It doesn’t need to be fussy or expensive.

Magnolia wreath sprayed with white paint and hung in my foyer

2. Texture: Mix textures to achieve a layered look. By adding simple greenery to shiny ornament balls on my mantle, I added some softness to my limestone fireplace. When decorating, think of pairing shiny with matte sheens, smooth finishes with textural, etc….

3. Repetition: Pick a couple of colors and repeat them throughout all of your decor. In this instance we chose white and gold and mixed textures through the wrapping paper, ribbons, and calling cards.

4. Surround yourself with things you love. I showcased this sweet nativity set from Amano in Mountain Brook Village. I love how it reminds me the reason for Christmas in such a subtle way.

I hope these tips make decorating for Christmas a little easier for you this year. Take care and enjoy the season-

dana

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Living Well

Stop Dreaming And Start Designing Your Home For The Holidays

Is your home holiday ready (can you believe I am even asking?!)?

If not, no worries- there is still time! You still have a few months to pull it together.

Are you stuck, knowing your home could look and feel so much better, but you aren’t sure what to do?

Let us take some stress off of you and give you a detailed plan to make dramatic changes to your home.

While we mostly work on full room or turn-key projects, this service is for the client who needs direction and help making decisions for their home, but they like to do the legwork themselves. Our one time consult service, which I have previously mentioned before, is the perfect way to devise a plan tailored specifically for your home.

It has gone over really well, and the clients who have invested in this 3.5 hour meeting with me have been surprised over the amount of detail and information that comes with it. Matter of fact, I have even gone on the road -and in the air- to offer this service.

unnamed — On my way to meet with an out of town client

With this particular client above, she needed guidance on what colors to paint throughout her home, how to use particular spaces efficiently, how to arrange furniture, selection of lighting, etc….

I met her at her home, and we came up with a plan she can implement in stages.

The house has a lot of potential, so I have no doubt the home will be beautiful. The client has great taste but needed guidance to make sure she was investing wisely in her home.

web-kampakishome.jpg4 copy — Dana Wolter Interiors

Here’s how this service works:

You send over to me a list of what you would like to accomplish with your home. This helps me know what is important to you for us to cover during our time together.

We make an appointment, and I will then spend 3.5 hours of uninterrupted time in your home, answering any question you can possible think to ask me. We can discuss design dilemmas, furniture arrangements, fabric swatches, paint colors, to knock down a wall or not– you name it!

The more legwork you do before our meeting, the more productive our time will be together. We will make a Pinterest board with specifics of what to look for when shopping for your home, and I will take detailed measurements so you won’t have to worry about coming home with the wrong size sofa, ever again.

After our meeting, you will receive a detailed synopsis of what was discussed and a list of all of the suggestions I make for the entire home. This allows you to maximize your time with me while I take notes and write down all the specifics for you to implement at a later date.

This service is a great way to invest in your home by making sure what you are changing and buying is right for the space. No more buyers remorse as it also allows you the freedom to work on your project as your time and budget allows, all while following professional advice.

If you think this service can help you make your home the place you dream, email us at info@danawolterinteriors.com. I would love to talk with you.

Here’s to making your house a home, one detail at a time-

dana

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Living Well

Progress With #ProjectExpansion

We’ve made lots of progress with #ProjectExpansion, and in more ways than one.

The babies are here, and they are gorgeous. And perfect. And big!

As you recall, I have been busy working on a home renovation/addition here in Mountain Brook, Al, for a couple that recently gave birth to two babies within five weeks of one another.

Yes, this is possible, and if you aren’t familiar with their story, it is a good one. If you are needing to smile, be sure to read the entire story here.

We began working on this project in June. The house was gutted and a master suite, laundry room, and screened-in porch have been added onto it. Pete Pritchard was the architect and we worked closely deciding the layout, details and finishes throughout the home.

I was grateful for the trust this couple put in me, as they took some risks that were hard to visualize AND added to the budget. These additions paid off, with an incredible end result.

They are moving this week, so our office has been busy ordering bathroom mirrors, marking cabinet hardware, checking on furniture shipments, etc….It has been a lot of fun working on this project, and I kind of feel like I am birthing a baby as well.

So much of myself goes into my projects, and I can’t wait to see this family of four begin to make memories in their new home.

Here is a glimpse of some of the cabinetry and hardware.

Cabinets are gorgeous and what a difference true custom cabinets make in a home. No filler pieces- they are truly made to fit the space like a glove. I love it!

Here is a sneak peek of how my cabinet guy took my vision for a few areas and turned them into reality:

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:

Family Room Before:

Family Room After:

FR Built-in. Still needing glass doors installed on the sides Dana Wolter Interiors

Stay tuned as I share more of the “after” pictures over the next few weeks. As always, if you are planning on building a new home -or doing a major renovation to your current one- email us at info@danawolterinteriors.com. We would love to discuss helping you turn your dream home into a reality.

Have a great day, everyone-

Dana

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#BootcampTransformation: Ways To Make Your House A Home- Part Two

I kicked off #BootcampTransformation last week with ways to make your house the home you wish, and today I want to pick up where we left off. If you are just now reading, you can catch up here.

Now that you have chosen a room to tackle, you came up with five words to describe how you want this room to feel, and you’ve cleaned out everything you do not want to keep, it time to move on to the harder steps. This is where it sometimes becomes too much for someone to do on their own. Try these steps first, knowing you can always turn it over to a professional if needed.

Assess the room’s features

Decide what needs to be accentuated and what needs to be hidden.

For instance, if I have a client with a not so pretty stained, wood fireplace surround that cannot be changed- and it’s a feature that doesn’t need to stand out- I would have it painted the wall color to make it disappear.

Based upon how the room needs to work for you, layout a general floor plan.

Begin by measuring out the room, wall by wall, allowing for casing, doors, openings, etc… Assess the location of the doors, how the room needs to work, and decide where you may be able to add some sort of seating.

While some rooms may only have room for a chair (foyer), others may be large enough for a couple of seating areas. Add in where a seating area makes most sense and keep a 34″-36″ walkway throughout. Include in this plan any pieces that need to be placed in here or need to be reworked (such as a console that needs to be painted, etc….).

Choose your color palette

Do you want your home to be a retreat from the crazy world we live in…

lMary McDonald — so serene from Mary McDonald

…or do you want it to reflect your bold personality?

show the world your personality! by Jan Showers

Whichever you decide, make sure each room flows from one to the next. A retreat space will have more muted colors and softer furnishings, while one that is more bold may have pops of color.

Figure out what you need when you are at home. Perhaps you need quiet time, but your home feels loud and busy. Perhaps you need a little more energy in your life, but all your furnishings are heavy and dark-colored. All of these things make a difference!

lighten up and keep it simple… by Thomas Filicia

Accessorize

Add personal items that you LOVE and want to see each day. I have a plaster hand my youngest made several years ago that sits on top of some coffee table books on an ottoman. It doesn’t have to be a fine piece if it speaks to you.

If you have lots of little things, group them together to make them more cohesive. This post here from a few weeks ago gives some good tips on placing these finishing touches.

Your home can make you feel inspired and at peace, or it could possibly be draining you. Stop waiting and start today by applying the above tips and let’s see if you can make a change for the better.

I bet you will be amazed at how cleaning out and determining how a room needs to work for you can make all the difference in your home. As always, feel free to call or email us if you would like for us to turn your house into a home you love.

Here’s to a more peaceful home for all,

dana

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Budget-Friendly Dorm Room

While a dorm room isn’t something I create every week, I have been involved in one this summer, and it’s been on a budget.

It’s different than what I normally do- the rooms I design are usually designed for a specific space- custom bedding, custom upholstery, true wood, etc…

I have been pulling together my daughter’s room for college (yikes- it is really happening), and we wanted to watch what we spent. We want it to be cute, but because she won’t use most of it for more than a year, our budget was ~~challenging~~ low.

So after hitting West Elm, Target, and a few other sources around town, this is what we created.

The quality of the pics isn’t great, but you get the idea. We mixed in a little custom with home store finds to make it as budget- friendly as we could.

Here are a few tips to follow when working on a budget-friendly room at any age…

1. According to the space, buy the best upholstery you can for what it is.

Even for a dorm room, I created a custom headboard. A nice, weighty piece of upholstery makes such a difference, the quality is much better, and I knew she would use it for three years. This leads me to my next point……

2. Mix your pricepoints based upon the piece’s use.

While we spent more on the custom upholstered headboard, we bought a Target bookcase (and the cute baskets) to go in between them. The bookcase only needs to last a year, and if we end up using it for longer than that, it is a bonus.

The euro, draperies and headboard are “to the trade fabrics” because she can use them again (and we didn’t need much yardage), but the dust ruffle- yes, please don’t tell, is a Target drapery panel reworked with a gray banding added to the bottom of it. The solid fabric and Greek key trim for the front pillow was found at a local fabric store.

3. Find your color way.

I gave my daughter and her roommate two colorway options, and they voted for the indigo blue and gray one. As you can see, I let the blue be the “pop” and repeated the soft gray throughout. You see it in the rug, the headboards,in the Target baskets, banding on the bottom of the dust ruffle,etc….

4. Mix patterns.

I love to mix patterns in a space, and the key is to use different scales. Even for a dorm room, I threw in a solid (a fabric from a local fabric store) to break up the patterns.

Everyone shows love in different ways, and I showed my love language to my little girl by leaving a little bit of me behind with her.

Cheers to showing how you care in your own special way-

Dana

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What’s Keeping You From Making Your Home A Haven?

I have been thinking a lot about simplifying lately.

I made “simplifying” my word in January for 2015. Maybe it’s my age, maybe it’s because my children are beginning to leave my nest…. I don’t know what it is, but I do know I want to take off the roller skates, relax and take time to slow down.

This certainly doesn’t mean I want to sit around all day. Not practical and certainly not my personality. It does mean, though, that I want to stay above the chaos of everyday life and say no to things that I don’t have to do or that don’t touch my heart.

I have been doing a lot of simplifying around my house this summer. If you could see the stuff- yes, all the stuff- my girls and I are taking out of my house, you would be amazed. As I have mentioned before, I do not like to let things pile up, but when I do, there is nothing better than cleaning out.

via stay positive | — Image from staypositive.me

Like my own home, I am running into a lot of homes lately where I see rooms that either serve as catch alls or rooms that are completely empty.

Sure, if you just bought a house, I can understand you having one or both of these kinds of rooms. But if you have been living in your home for a few years and you still have an unused room, ask yourself why?

What are you waiting on?

Stop a moment and take a good look as to how this room needs to function for you. Don’t wait- do it now. Life is too short and too stressful for your home to not be a place to retreat.

And while this home that a family of four recently moved into didn’t need simplifying, it needed a plan and a purpose for a few rooms, and we have been working on giving them a plan for each. I am still waiting on a few pieces to come in, but I love where it is going.

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset — Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

What do you think?

If you could use help turning your home into a haven, email me. I would love to talk to you about how we may be able to help.

Take time to simplify,

dana

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A Few Of My Finds At Market

If you follow me on social media, you saw some of the pretty pieces I found at the Atlanta market last week.

The marketing team at the Merchandise Mart asked me to be a style spotter for them, and honestly, I had the best time. It was a great way to document my finds and I loved all of the new people I met because of it.

I have been to market in Atlanta quite a bit over the years, but there was something really special about this one. As always, the existing showrooms did not disappoint. The overall energy was incredible, and I loved the addition of more boutique showrooms at the show. I picked up a few new lines, some from showrooms that had never shown at the Atlanta market before, which is always exciting to me.

I also noticed more showrooms are carrying antiques or one of a kinds, which in my opinion, makes a market feel a little more high end and custom. As a designer, this makes our job easier in creating a special room with unique finds. Sure- the staples are always needed in every project, but if you can mix in a couple of crusty, old pieces, it makes the home that much prettier.

Maybe I am a little partial because I am a southerner, but I love seeing the MerchandiseMart thrive and grow. Atlanta is easy to fly or drive into, and word on the street is they are adding a valet service, making it even easier to shop.

But…. Before I close, I have to share a picture of my assistant for my time there.

I always try to bring one of my girls along with me to summer market, and this year it was Ann’s turn. It’s good for them to be exposed to what I do, and selfishly, I treasure the one on one time with each.

Ann has a great eye, and I think I am going to hold on to this picture for the day we are headed to market as design partners versus mom and daughter.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my finds,

Dana

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Recent Magazine Feature

As I have mentioned before, I love a beautiful piece of marble.

Marble is a classic element that never goes out of style, and in my opinion, it only looks better with a little age and wear.

A few months ago, Birmingham Magazine wrote an article on Masonry Arts, a stone fabricator who just bought a marble quarry in Alabama (yes, Alabama White does come out of the ground here).

I was honored when they asked to include me in it. I am a big fan of this stone and have used Masonry for several of my installations.

As you will see by the custom marble vanity I designed, marble can be used in other ways besides countertops. Below is the pic they included in the article.

While marble is becoming more common in the home, I still run across people who are afraid to use it. Don’t be!!! Misinformation about the material is completely overstated. I have it all through my house and believe me, we live in my home. Think about the old, gorgeous buildings with marble floors, stairs, etc… They are even prettier today than when installed years ago.

If you would like to read the full article, click here.

Have a great day, everyone-

dana

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A New Service Offered- Design Online

How would you like a complete room designed by us but with the option to complete the space in a timeframe your budget and schedule allow?

If this interests you, then the new service we are offering, Design Online, is for YOU!

What is Design Online?

Design Online is a great way for us to customize a room in your home according to your timeframe and budget, without us ever stepping foot in your door. You provide us with your budget, detailed measurements, pictures of your space, inspiration photos, and answers to a questionnaire we send over to you. Within four to six weeks, we send you a pretty little package filled with a floor plan, color scheme, lighting, furniture selections, accessories, and fabric swatches with all of the design specifications and information needed for you to implement the plan.

Here is an example of a family room we created. You will receive something similar with all of the specifications mentioned above.

The great news is that no distance between us matters, as this service is all online!

Also, don’t forget we also offer a one time 3.5 hour consult. This has been a fun addition to the scope of our work as I mostly do full room or home design. I’ve been doing a lot of these recently, and the clients seem to be getting a lot out of our time together. Click here to read more.

Think either of these may be the right service for you? Send us an email at info@danawolterinteriors.com, and let’s get started!

Have a great day, everyone-

Dana

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