Living Well

#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…

 

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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Living Well

Southern Living Designer Network is LIVE!

I am excited to share that the Coastal Living Southern Living Designer Network website has launched.

 

If you remember, I shared a couple of months ago that I was selected by the editors as a member of this designer network for their readers.

 

designernetwork
Image from Southern Living Designer Network

 

 

I am honored to be one of the few from Alabama, and as you can see, I am in great company.     Check out the live site at http://sldesignernetwork.com/ and let me know what you think.

 

Have a great day,

dana

 

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Living Well

Easy Ways To Create An Inviting, Outdoor Living Space

With summer in full swing and warm weather here to stay, I find myself wanting to spend a little more time outdoors.

 

Maybe it’s the Southerner in me, but I love the idea of grilling, sharing a meal, or even drinking my morning coffee outside.

 

Every home should have an outdoor area.  It doesnt have to be large, just big in style to invite you to sit down and relax.

 

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset
Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

 

 

I always try to soften an outdoor area so it feels like an extension of a client’s home.  Don’t be afraid to add accents and traditional indoor furnishings to your outdoor room. Outdoor upholstery, throw pillows for furniture, rugs, and other design touches will create a welcoming feel.
Below is a picture of my own outdoor space.  As you can see, I have kept a similar color palate to the inside of my house and just added some greenery and pops of color in my throw pillows.

 

With all of the hard surfaces you find on a terrace, greenery is always a nice way to soften the space as well.  I am a big fan of succulents because they are EASY to maintain and a great way to add texture to a table.

 

outdoor space
Image from Dana Wolter Interiors

 

I would love to hear how you’ve brought the indoors out at your home.

 

Happy outdoor living,

 

dana

 

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Living Well

To Hide or Not to Hide- That is the TV Question

Is your television in plain view or hidden out of site?
Many times I have clients ask not only where should they place their tv in a room, but how it should be treated within it.
 Not to show my age, but who remembers the bulky TVs with the rabbit ears? There was no hiding those big ‘ole things.  Thankfully, televisions have become much more discreet.
Don’t get me wrong…..   I do not mind a tv in plain sight,  but I do try to tuck them away when possible or make sure they are not a big focal point.  If they are placed as a major focal point wall, it usually calls for me to hide or dramatically soften it.
MonicaStewart13
The picture below is from a client’s living room.  Yes, I said living room, and that is a tv near the piano.   They had this large room with incredible light that 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.
I can’t show you too much of the room right now, but I can say it’s pretty incredible.   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 stand formal enough to serve as a living room when having a dinner party.  Either way, it works, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, the space is used by their family.
hidden tvs
Notice how the tv is tucked away into a side wall but is on a bracket to make it easy for viewing?
The picture below shows how I will sometimes try and soften the space around a television.   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.
hidden tv2
Put careful consideration into whether or not putting the TV about the fireplace is the best option. Most of the time, the TV ends up above eye level, and it is too high for comfortable viewing.
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? I am interested in your thoughts.
Have a great day,
Dana
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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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We’ve Grown, And In The Best Way

I am overdue in sharing some exciting news with you.

 

Abbey proudly welcomed William “Jackson” Dunn on January 14, weighing seven pounds.

 

Emma Lake and Jackson
Proud sister, Emma Lake, loves her brother.

 

Mom and Jackson are doing well.  I, on the other hand, am missing Abbey.  Hurry back Enjoy this precious time with him, Abbey.

 

 

Around the time Abbey left to go on her maternity leave, I hired Tyler Hergert as a Junior Designer, and she’s been a wonderful addition to the firm.  Tyler is organized, laid back, and easy going, and she has a great eye for design. Tyler went to The University of Alabama, and graduated with a degree in interior design.

 

tyler

 

 

We thought it would be fun to ask Tyler a few questions, so you could get to know her better.

 

Favorite store to window shop…. Anthropologie and Elle
Movie I’d watch over and over again…. Now and Then! 
My guilty pleasure is…. Candy! I love all types of sour candy.
My hero is…. My mother. She is the strongest and kindest person I know! 
If I could trade places with anyone, it would be…. Kate Hudson. She is so chic and seems down to earth. 
I can’t live without… My cell phone or my planner.
My go-to for inspiration….My Pinterest boards. That is where I store all of my favorite designs and ideas! I also have a large collection of interior design coffee table books that I browse through often for ideas.
Quick design tip….Your home should reflect your personality, so pick items you really love rather than following a trend. Surround yourself with pieces that make you happy!
I am thankful for the growth in DWI, and look forward to sharing with you what’s ahead for us in 2015.
Have a good one,
dana

 

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Like A Good Coffee Table Book? If So, Put This One On Your List

If you are like me, you enjoy reading and being inspired by books.

 

I love to curl up to the latest coffee table book and there are some really good ones out there.   They are also  a great way to inject personality into a space by stacking and displaying them.

 

Thanks to Birmingham Home and Garden, Birmingham Style, will soon be at the top of my reading list.  It is going to be a must-read for anyone interested in stylish living.

 

Birmingham Style

 

This hardcover coffee table book, which is due out November 1st,  highlights the best designs in Birmingham with more than 200 images of architecture, interior design and gardens.  Over 30 homes from the area are featured,  mine being one of them.

The editors of Birmingham Home and Garden have done a great job of showcasing some really pretty spaces throughout our city, and I love they have decided to cultivate some of their favorites into this book.    Below is an image I snapped of my bedroom while they were taking pictures.   I cannot wait to see what made the final cut.

 

blog pic

 

The living spaces in this publication range from classical architecture to cozy cottages to lofts with exquisite city views. I feel so lucky to live in a place that has such an array of beautiful homes, along with so many incredible tastemakers and trendsetters!

 

With all the beautiful images, you are sure to find inspiration, ideas and resources that will  have your wheels turning and creative juices flowing.

 

Be sure to preorder yours here today, and what better way to get your holiday shopping started than by buying a few extras for all the interior stylists on your list.

 

 

Happy reading,

 

Dana

 

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Living Well

Memorable Monday

Hi Everyone,

For today’s Memorable Monday, I decided to share several pictures from a photo shoot taken a few years ago for Birmingham Home and Garden. If you aren’t familar with this publication, check it out as it is a good one!

These pictures were taken at a home that was featured in the ten year anniversary issue. It graced the cover of the very first issue and they decided to visit it again for this milestone. Thanks to the talented Chris Carter of Christopher Glenn for helping us with the styling of the flowers.

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Hope you have a Memorable Monday!