Tag: design

Living Well

6 Bedroom Design Ideas To Create A Room You Love

I have been talking a lot lately about the importance of making your home one you love, and your bedroom is the perfect spot to begin.

Your bedroom should be a room that allows you to #livewell by surrounding yourself with things that help you relax and rejuvenate.

Here are six must-follow bedroom design ideas for creating a room you love  

1. Use colors that SPEAK to you

I normally keep colors in the bedroom soft because I need tranquility in my life (Ha!), but if a bright color speaks to you, then certainly use it.

 

Bedroom Decorating Tips
Bedroom created a few years back for a favorite client; Dana Wolter Interiors, Jean Allsopp Photography

 

2. Mix your Furniture Pieces for a Collected Look  

Gone are the days of matching bedroom sets, so mix your finishes. This means strategically including stained woods, painted finishes, iron and metals that blend with your color palette.

Vicente Wolf

 

 3. Layer

Bedrooms can have quite a few hard surfaces, so it is important to add softness through a rug, window treatments, pillows, bedding, etc…

I love this upholstered niche by Circa Interiors

 

4. Add in the personal

Incorporate touches that are personal to you, such as your favorite photographs and artwork.

     

 5. Keep it simple…

Don’t clutter or overcrowd your bedroom with too much stuff.  Make sure the room can breathe, so you can as well.  

Pinterest

 

6.  Incorporate seating  

While you don’t want to overcrowd, I always try to add some sort of seating in a bedroom.  A place to lounge is ideal if you aren’t quite ready to curl up in bed.

A leather or upholstered chair are pieces that can enhance a bedroom space and make it feel like your very own private suite.  #Livewell in your home by making it your own.

 

My daughter’s bedroom, Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

 

Bedrooms should have all of the things in it that you love. It should be the place you cannot wait to get to at the end of your day or sneak off to when you just need a moment to yourself.  

If you want help or need guidance on how to make your bedroom feel like its very own getaway, call us at 205-938-4848 or email us here.

 

Here’s to creating a bedroom you love and #livingwell in your home.

xo- Dana 

 

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Living Well

Swimsuits for the 30+ Lady

 Are there other ladies out there who despise bathing suit shopping as much as me?

 

 

I was in St. Thomas last week, and as I wore my old bathing suits,  I decided to make it a priority to find a few I felt comfortable in for the next beach trip.

 

 

 I thought I would share a few that stood out to me.  Hopefully, you too will see something that you like and makes you feel good.  Prices range from $39 to $225. 

 

 

Image by Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

1 Ted Baker Plunge One Piece Swimsuit $139  This plunging neckline, one-piece swimsuit is a classic that is also daring. Available in three colors, though you can never go wrong with black. Buy here.

 

2.  Robin Piccone Harper Cover-Up Tunic $98 Airy and easy for the beach is this semi-sheer cover up. I love that it has the open shoulder, which is a popular look this season.  Buy here.

 

3.  Ted Baker Ruffle One-Piece $169 This asymmetrical ruffle suit is unique yet classic.  To me, it looks more expensive than it is.  Buy here.

 

4. L Space Ridin’ High Serina Rib Bikini Top and Bottoms $183  Still rockin’ the bikini?  Sleek and simple with a stylish high neck top, this is a good one. With people mixing bikinis these days, you can always put the top with bottoms that offer more coverage if needed.  Buy the pieces here and here. 

 

5. Elan V-Back Cover-Up Maxi Dress $58 I love the versatility of this dress.  It’s light weight and easy to throw on for the beach or for lunch.  Buy here.

 

6. Halogen Straw Panama Hat $39 The older I become, the more important I realize it is to cover my face while in the sun.  I am not a sun goddess-my white skin gives me away.  A hat has become a must have for me while at the beach or the pool, and  I love how the versatility (and price) of this one.  Buy here.

 

7.  Robin Piccone Side Split Cover-Up Pants $78 These chic pants can take you from the beach to lunch in no time.  Buy here.

 

8. Linum Herringbone Striped Turkish Towel $34 You can’t go wrong with a Turkish towel, and this one can be worn as a sorong or used as a towel. It comes in seven different colors. Buy here.

 

9. Ted Baker Halter One-Piece $149 This bathing suit comes in two colors and has a gold embellishment at the top to give a more dressy feel.   Buy here.

 

10. Halogen Floppy Hat $39 This wide-brimmed, floppy sun hat is a staple for any summer wardrobe-and at a great price point.  Buy here.

 

11. Vix Swimwear Cover-Up Caftan $163 Instantly get into beach mode with this light weight cover-up that goes with anything.  Buy here.

 

12. Tory Burch ‘Lipsi’ Underwire One-Piece $225 This color-blocked swimsuit is classic in style and has a fun pattern. Buy here.

 

13. Robin Piccone Ava Bikini Top $110 This fun, flirty bikini top with cut outs is cute and fresh.  Buy here.

 

14. Hinge ZigZag Woven Sun Hat $49 Like a subtle pattern?  This hat is for you with its black and white zigzag pattern. Buy here.

 

15. MiracleSuit Jena One-Shoulder One-Piece $162 This is my favorite bathing suit in this post, and I plan on ordering it myself.  I love how it isn’t a full one piece, but it gives more coverage than a bikini.  It also looks more expensive than its price point.  Buy here.

 

 

Let me know what you think of these options and if any appeal to you.  Hopefully, the next time you see me at the beach, I will look a little more stylish than my past trip.

 

 

Dana

 

 

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Living Well

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.

 

TradHome_Final_Pinterest

 

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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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.

.

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!

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.

from dana wolter interiors

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

http://blog.lonnymag.com/

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

New Home, New Look

I thought I would share with you a project we began a few months ago.

 

It is for a cute, fun family of four who purchased a new home earlier this year.   Like many who recently move, they had several empty rooms where their existing furniture did not fit nor fill.

 

I have known them for several years, and they are the best.  Their two children are teenagers (one is in college), so they wanted a rooms with edge but that could stand lots of fun and casual entertaining among all ages.

 

Below is the furniture layout for the family room.  It is a large room, and our goal was to make good use of the space while giving lots of seating for football games and movies around the television.

 

Bullock-- family room

 

The homeowners love blue and wanted bright colors so we kept these things in mind when selecting fabrics for the room. I love all the textures in these fabrics as they will help create depth and dimension in the room. These colors scream cozy and inviting to me. What about you?

 

Bullock-- FR fabrics

 

We also created a layout for their dining room.

 

Bullock2_ForAllyson-2

 
We pulled darker browns and gray tones for the fabrics in their dining room. The richness in these fabrics will create a more dramatic feel that isn’t too overpowering, with sheers lining two of the walls.  Again, lots of edge (an upholstered table ) but a casual, functional space to create memories with friends.

 

Bullock-- living room fabrics

 

I am excited to see these rooms come to fruition. Stay tuned for more pictures of the finished product as we will be installing next month.

 

Have a great day-
Dana
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Living Well

Need A Plan For Your Home?

Are you the type of person who likes to work on your home, but you don’t trust yourself to always make the best selections when it comes to the interiors?

 

As I mentioned a few months back, I have begun offering a one time 3.5 hour consult package.   It’s perfect for those who want to do the legwork on their own but need a detailed plan to follow.

 

After all, your home is one of the biggest investments you will make, and you want to make sure you spend your investment wisely.

 

How this consult works is simple.   Before we meet, I have you send over a detailed list of what you would like to cover in our time together so I have an idea of what YOU want to accomplish.    When I am there, we go over your questions as well as any other suggestion I would make if it was my own home.  We can discuss design dilemmas, furniture arrangements, fabric swatches, paint colors, to knock down a wall or not– you name it!

 

After our meeting, you will receive a detailed synopsis from me of what was discussed and a list of all we discussed for your 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 has gone over really well and the feedback I have received is amazing.  Here is what a few people have had to say:

 

“I thoroughly enjoyed our hours together and felt that our time was very productive.”

 

“I love your style and believe you have a real gift for scale, color, layout and practicality.  I have been checking out your website pics, FB, and Pinterest sites for more ideas.  Love!  Love!”

 

 

Another super organized client found the overall plan helpful:

 

“The plan you created has been incredibly helpful.  The biggest benefit was paint colors! The palette you helped us choose for the entire home has proven to be beautiful and very versatile as we continue to buy furniture and get ‘settled’.”

 

 

beautiful property
This picture was taken at a consult visit. Isn’t this a gorgeous piece of property?

 

If you think this is something that might be helpful to you, email us at info@danawolterinteriors.com for more information.  I look forward to helping you come up with a plan for your home-

 

Have a great day-
Dana

 

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Living Well

Friday Favorite

Good Morning and Happy Friday,

 

I came upon this outfit as I was doing a little online shopping and while I love the outfit, I love the colors for an interior even more.

 

enno-top-cameo-pink
Image from Piperlime

 

Lilac, pink, and gray are big colors right now and I think this color palette would be beautiful in a bedroom. I love how peaceful and serene these colors read together, but the pop of color can really make a room come alive.

 

What colors are you into these days? I would love to hear from you.

 

Have a good one,

dana

 

Living Well

Five Pieces of Design Advice To Ignore

When it comes to designing and decorating your home, you want to do it right the first time, and there is some advice given out often that, in my opinion, needs to be ignored.
It usually comes from a builder, a worker on your home,  or a well-intentioned friend.  Trust your gut, or better yet, hire a designer you can trust with one of the largest investments (your home) you will ever make.
So here goes….  A few pieces of friendly advice you should ignore:
1.  Don’t paint your brick –   If you have a new or cookie cutter brick home and you used the standard brick you see everywhere, painting your brick can be one of the best things you can do to make it look a little more custom.  Yes, you cannot go back, but who would want to when it’s the mass produced brick you see so much of these days?    Painted brick is so pretty to me and it is a great way to give your home a new, cohesive look.  See how gorgeous this home is below?
It is the home of Milieu editor, Pamela Pierce, as seen in Veranda magazine.    If you have not checked out Milieu, you must do so as it does not disappoint.
This Houston house was designed by Pamela Pierce. It was featured in Veranda magazine in the March 2013 issue, pages 122-132.
Pamela Pierce’s home as seen in Veranda. Image from decorator.com
2.  Using 6″ recess cans throughout a space–  Heard of a swiss cheese ceiling?  Yep, this is exactly what I mean.
If you must incorporate recess, use the smaller ones that provide lots of light from a small bulb.   Yes, the smaller recess cost more than the typical 5″-6″ builder cans often speced, but the look far outweighs the cost. Use dimmers to soften the lighting, and use a variety of different types of lighting to create warmth and layering. Table and floor lamps that direct light in the living areas is best. It allows you to see things better, puts a nicer light on your face, and illuminates the colors and textures in your furnishings better.
Barry Dixon
Image from Barry Dixon
3. Selecting granite over marble because you do not think marble is durable-  This one is a BIG one and I am constantly having to educate my clients about this stone.  
I can only hope I am aging as well as marble does, because to me, there is nothing prettier than a well worn piece of marble after several years have passed.  I have had it in my house for almost eight years, and trust me, we live hard in  use my kitchen and bathrooms.   And guess what?  Do not tell my dirty little secret, but we are not the neatest group either.
The key is to choose a honed marble so etching wont take place if something hot is placed on it, and if you like red wine, don’t leave it spilled on the counter for days on end.   If something does happen and the stain bothers you (which it shouldn’t- it’s called patina), the material can always be resurfaced.
4. Hanging  artwork too high– Keep the center of your artwork at eye level or a little lower to create intimacy in a space.  In a room where people will mostly be sitting, artwork should be hung a little lower.
artwork
Image from Dana Wolter Interiors
5. Arranging all of your furniture against the walls– You never want to create a furniture arrangement that makes conversation difficult.  If you have a room that is big enough, be creative and float your sofa and add a couple of sitting ares to the space.   A sofa can look great off of the wall, so use open spaces to be creative and create intimacy.
(2) Tumblr
Image from Georgiana Design

 

What advice have you been given when it comes to your house that you wish you’d ignored? I’d love to hear from you so please share!

 

Take care,

dana

 

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Living Well

Exciting Things Are Happening For DWI

I am thrilled to share with you that DWI has received some great coverage in several publications over the past month.

 

I am excited to have been selected as a member of Coastal Living and Southern Living‘s Designer Network. The design network is made up of a group of editorially recommended designers for readers of these publications. I am thankful to be one of three designers from Alabama to be selected in this group, and I look forward to the opportunity to connect with readers of these magazines.

 

Design Network

 

Hunter Douglas asked Traditional Home readers to chose from the 10 up- and- coming New Trad designers whose work they most admire.  As I’ve shared with you, I am honored to have been selected, and appreciate all of the support.

 

Trad Home- contest winner

 

Traditional Home also shared the results from the Ethan Allen virtual mood board contest based on a local landmark. If you’ll remember, I created a family room inspired by Vulcan Park and Museum. Thanks to nearly 7,000 votes from you, I won. Thank you!

 

Ethan Allen- contest winner

 

 

 

If you haven’t already seen these publications, check them out.

 

Dana

 

 

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Living Well

Five Tips For Prepping Your Garden For Spring

With spring right around the corner, I am ready for my garden to be filled with color and fragrance.

 

Before I go any further, let me assure you that I am no expert when it comes to gardening. I have been doing my homework, though, as I am trying to learn more about what I can do now to make it as pretty as it can be.

 

Below is a picture of my garden last spring.   It’s this time of year mine looks the best, and while I love it, life gets in the way so I do not always nurture it as I should.

 

Dana Wolter Interiors Blog | Thoughts, Tips, and Trends for Today's Design Dana Wolter Interiors
My garden last year. Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

 

I am trying to do better, hence the reading and researching.   Here are a few tips that stood out to me that I thought might be helpful to you as well:

 

1. Create a composting area

This is something I really want to begin doing.    The compost can be a ready-made compost bin or we can build a compost bin using spare bits of wood. Not only will we have somewhere to put  garden waste, but the plants will benefit from the rich compost created when it all breaks down! Make sure you have a good mixture of grass clippings, vegetable peelings, paper and woody prunings. To help the process along, we will have to turn the compost with a garden fork each month to keep it aerated.

 

How To Start a Compost Heap ~ it's really easy, affordable, useful, and sustainable. Composting recycles kitchen and yard waste, diverting up to 30% from the trash and consequently reducing landfill waste. Compost adds nutrients and introduces beneficial organisms to the soil, and helps promote plant growth.
Image from apartmenttherapy.com

 

2. Prep the beds.
Remove winter mulch, leaves and any other debris from your beds. Cut back the old dead growth of deciduous grasses and perennials to make room for the new growth. Any weeds that appear in your garden will be easiest to pull now, as the roots are shallow.  I have done this and am making one more go around this weekend.

 

Gardening Tips for beginners
Image from grit.com

 

3. Fertilize the soil

Now’s the time to make sure your soil is properly balanced and ready for new plants. Once the beds are all cleaned out, it’s time to till the ground. This will help aerate and loosen up soil that has compacted over the winter, which will encourage the soil to absorb nutrients better. It will also make it easier to plant.

 

4. Prune

It’s time to prune back tree or shrub branches have been damaged by the cold, snow, and wind. Make sure to do so before buds begin to break into bloom or you’ll stress the tree and get a tiny crop, if any. Use a handsaw for any tree or hedge larger than ½ inch in diameter. Shaping hedges with hand pruners, rather than electric shears, prevents a thick outer layer of growth that keeps sunlight and air from reaching the shrub’s center.

 

veggie garden with formal hedge edges
Image from paradiseexpress.blogspot.com

 

5. Order bulbs and seeds

Decide now what flowers and plants you want in your summer garden. Order the seeds or the bulbs from a local plant shop like my local favorite Leaf and Petal or online. Hold onto the seeds and bulbs until the warmer weather arrives, but make sure that the seeds and bulbs will not deteriorate or lose quality if they sit for some time.

 

flower garden
Image from howardrice.co.uk

 

 

Let me know how it goes for you, and if my efforts pay off, I will share my progress as well.

 

Happy Gardening,

dana

 

PS If anyone feels extra inspired and wants to come to use these tips on my garden, I will happily welcome you, and I know my garden will too.

 

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Living Well

Five Ways To Make An Impact in A Powder Room

Maybe you like to play it safe with the interiors of your home, because, after all, your home is an investment and it’s expensive to make changes.

 

But if you are looking for a place to go bold and daring, the powder room is the perfect spot.

 

It’s all about the details in the powder room, and just because its the smallest room in your house, doesn’t mean it can’t have the most impact.

 

Below are five ways to make your powder a really special room:

 

1. Add a dramatic color or a unique wallpaper.

 

wallpaper
Image from The Enchanted Home

 

 

2. Make the powder room as cozy as possible. In my book, the smaller the better, as long as everything is to scale and can fit nicely into the space.

 

tiny bathroom in white, black, and gold.
Image from Apartment Therapy

 

3. Select unique lighting.  Incorporate a sconce or two, and if overhead lighting is a must, select a unique chandelier that fits the space.

 

Powder room
Image from Segret To Secrets

 

4. Make the sink as special as you can. I love using marble to create a vessel, and it also adds some texture to the space.

 

Image from Splendid Sass

 

5. Accessorize.  Pull in pretty linens such as a hand towel and use special soaps.  Fresh flowers instantly brighten the space, and cost very little to do so.

 

DanaW_Tuscaloosa_165-L
Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

Make the smallest room in your house have the most impactful. Because powder rooms are used only briefly, they are the ideal place for drama and beautiful style. Their small scale allows you to indulge in lavish materials and bold effects that you might not dare otherwise.

 

Go ahead– take the risk, and be sure to let me know how it turns out.

 

dana

 

 

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Living Well

Choosing The Perfect Headboard

When decorating a bedroom, choosing the type of bed can be one of the hardest things to do.  It is usually the focal point of the room, so it is essential to get it right.

 

Today, I am sharing a few tips that will help you pick one that anchors your room in a perfect way.

 

White house V 039
Image from NestEgg

 

One of the most important factors to consider is the size of the bedroom. How much space do you have for the bed?

 

Keep the size of your headboard in proportion to the bedroom space and ceiling height.  While I don’t mind bigger scale pieces in a bedroom to create a cozy space, you do want to make sure there is room for bedside tables and perhaps a place to sit in there as well.  The larger the room, the larger the headboard can be without swallowing up the room visually.

 

headboard1
Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

Consider the look you are going for in your bedroom. To work well as a visual focus, a headboard must not only look good, it must also fit within the context of the room.

 

If you prefer a more elegant, sophisticated style, a complementary upholstered headboard that’s covered in a rich textile, such as velvet or suede would compliment the room best.

 

satinheadboard
Image from House Beautiful

 

Bold, patterned fabrics add a splash of color and create a focal point for the room.

 

preppy-tropical-guesthouse-palmp.jpg
Image from Style At Home

 

For a more airy and light feeling to your bedroom, a minimally detailed headboard with soft curves and caning may be for you.

 

Image from Little Green Notebook

 

Headboards with straight lines in wood or sleek leather tend to have a more masculine feel.

 

masculine headboard
Image from Tidbits and Twine

 

Regardless the style of your bedroom, keep in mind the scale of your room, ceiling height and decor style and you are on your way to a gorgeous headboard.

 

 

Enjoy your day,

 

dana

 

 

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Living Well

Five Things To Avoid When Working On Your Home

There are a few things when building, renovating, or just plain working on your home that, in my book, you want to avoid.

 

Here is my top five list of things NOT to do to your home:

 

1.  Do not plant landscaping that is too small.

There is nothing worse than driving by a beautiful home where it’s obvious they have invested wisely in the materials chosen, only to see a bunch of dinky plants surrounding the beautiful structure.  Yes, plants grow, but by the time some plants are finally a decent size, five years have passed.   Buy larger when it comes to plants that are slow growing.  I promise, this makes such a difference.   See below how landscaping that is invested in can add to your home’s aesthetic.

 

 

Newman & Cebulak
Image from Architectural Digest via Pinterest

 

 

2.  Never buy a piece only because it is on sale.

Do you love the piece or did you buy it because it is a good deal?  If it is the latter, you bought the sofa, bookcase, bed, or whatever it is for the wrong reason.  Never, I repeat, never, buy a piece just because the price is good or because you need something to fill a space.  If it is for one of these two reasons, you will eventually tire of it and you won’t enjoy it in your home for very long.

 

 

3.   Don’t buy an entire room off of a showroom floor and never match all your furniture.

Regardless of your taste- modern, traditional, or transitional- you always want your home to look like it has been collected over time, even if it was installed in the same day.   This leads me to the next point of making sure you don’t match your furniture. There can be an overlap of the same material for continuity, but make sure you have a mixture of elements in the room to cause a little tension in the space.   Use a mix of upholstery, stained wood, painted wood, glass, iron , etc….

 

foyer by mcalpine booth & ferrier
Image from McAlpine Tankersley

 

 

4.   Do not have a room that doesn’t serve a purpose.

Do you walk through a room, only to have it be a “catch all” or a place to host guests once a year?  If so, you are missing out on a room you could be enjoying, and you need to rework this space.   Gone are the days where rooms sit unused or are “saved” for special occasions.  Repurpose a room and ENJOY it.

 

5.   Don’t wait for tomorrow to pull your home together and make it a place for you and your family to make memories.

Money does not necessarily guarantee good design, so don’t wait until tomorrow to make your home something you can be proud of and enjoy.  Stop comparing your house to your neighbors’.  Instead, focus on making your home a cohesive safe haven to build memories for you and your family.

 

 

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Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

Are there others you would add to the list?   If so, let me know. We love hearing from you.

 

Have a great day, everyone-

 

Dana

 

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Living Well

Lake House Retreat

With the weather turning colder, we are excited to be working on a renovation/addition to a condo at Lake Martin.  Yes, it’s still cold there, but at least it allows us an opportunity to think of summertime fun.

 

lake1

 

This retreat will have a new kitchen, bathrooms and outdoor living spaces. We are designing a custom banquette for the kitchen and the side porch to allow for lots of seating for family and friends.

 

Our client’s focus is all about making memories instead of being worried about making a mess, and we couldn’t agree more. The lake is supposed to be a place for less stress and more fun.

 

With a house full of children and grandchildren, we plan to use a lot of outdoor and durable fabrics.

 

As you can see below, our color inspirations are gray, plum, taupe and cream.

 

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Stay tuned for more updates on this project.  Have a great day!

 

dana

 

Please don’t forget to vote for the Traditional Home/ Ethan Allen Pinterest Sweepstakes at http://newtradsweeps.com/. Check out the last blog post if you missed the information about this contest.

 

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Living Well

Giving Thanks

 With my favorite holiday a few days away, it always makes me reflect- as it should- on the many blessings I have.

Sure, my life is not perfect.   I have trials and tribulations that come up like all of us do. Lately, I have been dealing with a labral tear in my hip, but aside from day to day stresses, I have so much to be thankful for in my life.

And while I have so many blessings, there are many wonderful people out there that I am grateful for- family,  friends, clients, and people I work with on a regular basis.

I am also grateful for my children’s teachers, coaches,  and friends, as they play such a large part in influencing my girls.

Image from Gimme Some Oven via Pinterest

 

Thank you, thank you to all my clients and readers. Your support and encouragement mean so much.

 

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and meaningful Thanksgiving,

dana

Thankful Chalkboard Art Art Print
Image from Society6 via Pinterest
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Living Well

Wednesday Wisdom- Classic Materials Are The Way To Go

Happy Wednesday!

 

I came across this quote from Billy Baldwin and I love it.

 

honest room quote

 

 

I have always been a believer in using classic materials and finishes throughout a home.  Mother Nature knows best, as a room filled with classic materials is always up to date.

 

 

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Image from nicety.livejournal.com

 

 

The finishes you choose for your next project can make or break certain design elements. Floor and wall coverings can greatly influence the style of a room.

 

Nothing is prettier to me than an old piece of marble. Marble is wonderfully rich and can turn any room into a dramatic showcase. The more it is used, the prettier it becomes.

 

 

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The old marble brought this fireplace back to life while creating a timeless look. Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

Wood is also a classic material that I love. I have been embracing it in an even bigger way this year with it appearing in all forms of interior objects from furniture to lighting to flooring.

 

 

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I love the classic look of the dark wooden staircase against the white walls. The wood is original to the house. Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

Natural stones and materials are the way to go. By investing is these practical and gorgeous elements, you are sure to have a timeless room that you love!

 

 

Enjoy your day,

Dana

 

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Living Well

Friday Favorite- Birmingham Style Giveaway

Happy Friday!

 

For today’s Friday Favorite, I am sharing the must-have coffee table book, Birmingham Style, produced by Birmingham Home and Garden .

 

Birmingham Style

 

As mentioned in a previous post, this book highlights the best design in Birmingham, Alabama.  There is a lot of talent in the city I call home, and I am honored to be included in this publication.

 

It is a collection of projects offering inspiration, ideas, and resources for readers who want to find their own style through images of beautiful homes and gardens.

 

Because I love this first-of-its-kind book for my city, and I know you will too, I am giving away two copies.

 

To enter into the drawing,  you must first subscribe to my blog (if you have not already) and share this post on Instagram and/or Facebook.   I will give a book away to one new subscriber and one to another person who shares this post.

 

Note, if you share this post and one of your friends shares it from you, not only will they be entered into the drawing, you will be entered two times.    Make sure to tag me so I know the post has been shared by you.   The winners will be announced next Wednesday.

 

Good Luck,

dana

 

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Living Well

How To Find The PERFECT Paint Color

Have you ever chosen a paint color, knowing it is the “perfect” one, only to have it painted to discover it looks completely different than what you imagined ?!

 

If so, you are not alone!

 

Take the guesswork out of choosing a  color by following this process.  It will ensure the color you achieve on your walls is what you are hoping for.

 

The important first step in choosing a paint color is getting it out of the store.  Choose a handful of hues, or borrow the entire fan deck of colors, and bring the chips back home.

 

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We like to make our own swatches so we can be sure the color is what we think.
Nothing will help you choose a color better than seeing the hue applied to the wall.
Take the samples home and brush them on the walls of your room.  If your walls are dark, paint the samples on a white piece of poster board so the current color doesnt interfere with the new ones.
Look at the colors at all times of day, from bright morning light to golden afternoon light to lamp-lit darkness. Sun, or lack thereof, can make a huge difference in how a color reads.
Always paint two very good coats to get a good idea of what the color is going to look like on the wall. Once the test sections are dry, hang artwork over them, push furniture in front of them, and stand back in the room to see how they look.
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This image shows your the difference in one and two coats.
When choosing a sheen, remember that flat paint gives you color closest to the original cardboard paint chip, where semi gloss paint will have a moderate reflective quality.
Remember  with so many color choices available, it is necessary to take your color for a test drive before you buy.
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These are some Sherman Williams and Benjamin Moore colors we tested for a current project we are working on.
Happy painting,
dana
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