2014, Thanks For The Memories

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015! Do you have plans for the new year? http://mydoubleliving.blogspot.com/2015/01/goodbye-2014-hello-2015.html — Image via mydoubleliving.blogspot.com

It’s hard to believe that 2014 has come and gone. As I reflect on the past 12 months, there are so many moments to celebrate.

First and foremost, THANK YOU for being a part of such an amazing year. Thank you for sharing my work, encouraging my work, keeping up with my work, and more importantly, trusting me to come into your homes and change how your home functions for your family. I love what I do, and am blessed by your encouragement.

At the start of the 2014, my goal was to simplify. For me, that meant eliminating distractions for the essential, trading chaos for peace, and spending time doing what’s important. My favorite moments this year were spent with my family. I simplified best during our vacations together to Mexico, to the beach, and to New York. There is nothing that makes me feel better than when we are all together and away from everyday distractions.

One of my biggest accomplishments this year was being named one of Traditional Home’s Designer’s to Watch in 2014. It was a huge honor and one I am very proud to be included.

NewTradgroupshot — New Trad’s Designers To Watch in 2014

That honor led to me being a part of the Hunter Douglas/ Trad Home contest to vote for the New Trad Designer that best matched their reader’s style.

By creating “real homes for real life”, my goal has always been to blend comfort and elegance through layering textures, making the most of light, and combining modern, antique, and classic elements.

Thank you for choosing my style as the one you liked the best.

Dana_Joelle_04 — The project that won me this incredible honor- Dana Wolter Interiors

Dana_Joelle_06 — Another glimpse into it- Dana Wolter Interiors

In August, I updated my website and that was a huge feat, to say the least. We took my old one, added to it, changed it around, and uploaded a lot of new projects. It was quite a process and if you’ll remember, I compared it to birthing a baby.

Another exciting opportunity I had this fall was serving on a panel at Traditional Home’s “What’s New, What’s Now” event at the New York Design Center. Over 70 showrooms participated in the event that featured product introductions, informative lectures, and book signings. I had the privilege of joining Traditional Home Senior Design and Market Editor Tori Mellot in a panel on mixing traditional and modern design.

panel

There is a lot of talent in the city I call home, and I was honored to be featured in Birmingham Home And Garden’s, Birmingham Style, that was published in October. If you haven’t already purchased this book, do yourself a favor and buy it.

blog pic — Dana Wolter Interiors Photography by Jean Allsopp

The year ended in a wonderful way by me winning the “New Trads at Home” Pinterest Sweepstakes. Inspired by The Vulcan, I used pieces from Alabama artists and Ethan Allen to recreate a recent install.

DanaW_Monica_Oct2014_06-M — Dana Wolter Interiors

As I say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015, I am grateful for all the memories, and I am looking forward to what’s to come.

designer bags and dirty diapers: Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015 — Image via Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers

Please let us know if there is anything in particular you would like for us feature on the blog. After all, you are who we write for, and who we hope to inspire.

Have a great day,

Dana

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Living Well

Inspiring Tablescapes for Thanksgiving Entertaining

Are you ready?

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and there’s no time like now to start hammering out the details.

If you are like me, you ~~haven’t done the first thing to prepare~~ are determined to make the festive day smooth and stress-free. After all, the holiday is about coming together and giving thanks for all we are grateful.

BUT…….. Long before the food is served, your table will make a first impression.

Some of the loveliest tables aren’t necessarily about the china or silver, but rather the natural elements that suggest the occasion. I love fine china and silver as much as the next person, but what really makes the table for me is a thoughtful arrangement, place cards, or special linens.

As mentioned in a previous post, unique napkin folds are an simple way to add elegance to your table. If you haven’t already, watch this video as I show how easily napkin folding can be done in a unique way.

Below we are sharing some of our favorite tablescapes from Pinterest.

Green and white plethora of pumpkins — Take advantage of what nature provides. The varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and garden plants lend themselves to beautiful arrangements. Image from The Daily Basics.

I love the mixture of colors, tones and textures at this table. Image from Martha Moments.

Handmade place cards are such a nice, detailed touch. Image by Cottage and Vine

Instead of place cards, why not use words that are reminiscent of Thanksgiving such as thankful, grateful, appreciative and fortunate. A wonderful way to bring the Thanksgiving spirit to your table. | The Glamorous Housewife — Instead of place cards, use words that remind you of giving thanks. Image from The Glamorous Housewife.

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to break the bank to create a memorable setting. Image from Griffanie.

Beautiful and simple are the words for the day. Here’s to getting your table ready to give thanks,

dana

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Living Well

Two Quick (And Pretty) Ways To Fold The Holiday Napkin

It’s that time already! Can you believe the holidays are here?!

Radio stations are playing Christmas music, and lights and greenery are hung.

We thought it might be nice over the next few weeks to offer a few quick tips on how to simplify this crazy time of year.

Homes will soon be filled with festive décor, food, friends and family, and hopefully our tips will help you ~~not stress~~ enjoy this season.

Today, I am sharing a TV segment I taped a few years back for NBC-13 Birmingham with David Lamb on a few easy ways to fold napkins. David and I had a lot of fun perfecting the art, and I promise, if we can do it, so can you. Take a look:

Little tricks – from hand-written place cards and unique napkin folds – can help make for memorable meals during the holidays.

Watch this video to see how easily you can add elegance to your table and set the scene for a delicious feast.

DSC_0913_2 — This is my Thanksgiving table from last year. Notice how the folded napkin is a small detail that makes a beautiful statement. Image from Dana Wolter Interiors.

I hope you found this post helpful. Stay tuned for more holiday entertaining ideas.

Ready or not….. Tis the season,

dana

We will be announcing the winners of the “Birmingham Style” book giveaway Friday so stayed tuned for that as well. In case you missed the giveaway details, check out my blog post from last Friday. It’s not too late to enter!

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Here’s to getting through this joyous (and certainly hectic at moments) time of the year,

Living Well

Wednesday Wisdom

Happy Hump Day!

Do you share your home with those you love? Or, do you rarely invite guests over because your house isn’t perfect?

The more happiness and laughter that enters your house, the more it will feel like a home.

While interiors make your home pretty, the people inside are your best accessories.

Recently, I had a friend make a comment about my home always having fresh flowers and looking “magazine ready”. While I wish that was the case, it is far from the truth.

Most days, my foyer is filled with the clutter of clothes, shoes, bags and books, much like the picture below.

Yes, that is only one of two different pairs of shoes. Who knows where the matches are?!

I’ll take the disorder, though.

The mess we make living our lives fills our home with memories and turns it into much more than a mere dwelling place.

Homes are meant to be lived in, and I hope my friends and family always feel “at home” when they are in mine.

Have a good one,

dana

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Living Well

A Busy Time of Year and A New Service Is Offered

With school back in and the holidays around the corner, my little design world has gotten pushed into high gear. My team and I have put our roller skates on and we have hit the ground rolling.

We have been fortunate to begin some projects that have gotten us really excited about what we are working on around here. I am always amazed how a well-designed home can truly change how a family lives, and am always grateful for those who ask me to help with something so personal.

And while we work on mostly full room or turn-key projects, I have realized we have missed out on a need that is out there, simply because it did not fit into our little box of what we do.

That being said, I want to share a new service that we are offering……

Drumroll please…..

We have begun thinking out of the box to see how we can service the clients who need direction and decisions but do not need full interior design services.

SO…….

If your home is almost complete, but you cannot quite pull it together, this service is for you.

If you are you tired of your interior colors and want a new color palette, this service is for you.

If you like to do the running around to look for pieces, but aren’t sure of the size or scale to buy, this service is for you.

If you are a take it and run with it kind of person, this service is for you.

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, this service is screaming your name!

This service works by you sending over to me a list of what you would like to accomplish with your home. 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 that what you are changing and buying is right for the space. It also allows you the freedom to work on your project as your time and budget allow, all while following professional advice.

I have provided this service to a few people, and it has gone really well. One client emailed me a few months later to say she was following the suggestions and was loving the progression. Even her husband, who wasnt excited about changing up the home, had jumped on board. They were moving onto the kitchen renovation she and I had discussed in length during our session.

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.

Have a great day, everyone,

Dana

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Living Well

Happy Birthday, America!

It’s time to light up the grill, hit the beach or pool, and buy some fireworks because it is the week of the Fourth of July!

I’m celebrating the holiday at the beach with my family and am looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Lots of family, friends, and making some good memories.

Happy Fourth of July,

Dana

Please take a second and vote here for the New Trad designer’s style you like best. It is quick and easy, only takes a second, and I hope you will vote for us. Every time you cast a vote, you enter a chance to win $1,000 from Hunter Douglas. Voting ends July 17th.

If you would like to see more on a day to day basis of what we do at DWI, join us! We would love to meet you!!

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Living Well

Memorable Monday

With the beginning of another school year, I’m feeling a little nostalgic. It is hard to believe Ann is a seventh grader, Ellie a freshman, and Lucy a junior. Where has time gone? That being said, the first day of school brings about somewhat of a rebirth. It offers an opportunity for new experiences, new relationships, new knowledge and new skills. Here’s to wishing my girls a memorable Monday.

Hope your Monday is memorable too!