Downsizing Your Home? Six Tips For A Smooth Transition

Living Well

Downsizing Your Home? Six Tips For A Smooth Transition

A few recent projects have been for families moving to smaller, yet more custom homes. And while moving to a more refined home can be a huge blessing, it can be hard when you are used to more square footage.

It’s amazing all of the stuff we accumulate over the years. I feel like I am constantly cleaning out my house and I try to watch what I bring into it.

It can sometimes be overwhelming in deciding what furnishings to take and what to replace or give away when moving, so I thought I would give six helpful tips to streamline the process. Here goes:

1. Go Through Each Item and Decide What You Love Or Will Use. Simple enough- Do you love it or use it? If not, get rid of it. Life is too short to have pieces you don’t love taking up space in your home. No more storing things you “might” need in the future or because you feel guilty getting rid of them.

2. Are There Pieces That Can Be Repurposed? If there is a piece you LOVE but don’t have a place for it, can it be reworked? For instance, can the doors to the large, deep French armoires that were popular in the 90s be taken off, stripped and reworked to go somewhere else? Reworking pieces can be a tedious process, so make sure you LOVE the piece to make it worthwhile.

3. Unsure What To Keep And What To Give Away? Hire A Professional. A designer can curate through your things to decide what can be used in the new home. We have gone through storage units to measure and photograph existing pieces to see what can be included in the furniture plans of the client’s new home we are furnishing. An objective eye may be just what you need.

4. Simplify- When Looking At Your Pieces, Give Away The Extras Of The Same Items. After all, you might need a few extra sets of sheets, but do you need five sets for the same bed? No- so give away to someone who can use them.

5. Think Long And Hard How The New Home Will Work For You. There is something refreshing about simplifying your life and surroundings. But with less space, you need to think long and hard ahead of time to make sure the new home functions like it needs to for you.

If working with an architect, hire a designer before the plans are drawn. An extra set of eyes for how your family will live in the house is invaluable. Every square inch needs to work hard so you can have the pretty with a purpose.

6. Let Go Of The Guilt. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is hard to get your money out of furniture and rugs (and even some antiques) when selling. Just know this is the case and let go of the pieces…. Do not hold onto stuff for any reason other than you love it.

All aspects of downsizing can be a blessing if you allow it. Look at it as a way to lighten your connection to material “stuff” and create spaces that are customized and truly special to you.

Hope you find these six tips helpful. Let me know what you think-

Dana

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Living Well

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles-Southeastern Showhouse

Fridays are always fun days to share exciting news- and I am thrilled to announce we are part of the design team selected for the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle’s Southeastern Showhouse in Atlanta, GA.

Designers from across the Southeast have been asked to participate in this showhouse, and we are honored to be included. The house is a James Means’ creation where his designs were based upon Classicism and craftsmanship. The renovation/addition is by Yong Pak of Pak Hyde & Associates.

This incredible home is located in Buckhead’s Kingswood neighborhood and will run from April 14th- May 20th. You will not believe the gorgeous piece of property the home sits on- the view is incredible.

We are working on the Mudroom, Mudroom Powder, and the Butler’s Pantry. The proceeds benefit the Atlanta History Center.

Other designers involved include:

Jackye Lanham, JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS (Atlanta)
Stan Topol, STAN TOPOL & ASSOCIATES (Atlanta)
Tammy Connor, TAMMY CONNOR INTERIOR DESIGN (Charleston, SC, and Birmingham, AL)
Matthew Quinn, Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio (Atlanta)
PHOEBE HOWARD (Jacksonville, FL)
William Peace, PEACE DESIGN (Atlanta)
Will Huff and Heather Dewberry, HUFF-DEWBERRY (Atlanta)
Tristan Harstan, TRISTAN HARSTAN INTERIOR DESIGN (Palm Beach, FL)
Lauren DeLoach, LAUREN DELOACH INTERIORS (Atlanta)
Chad James, CHAD JAMES GROUP (Nashville, TN)
Mark Simmons, MARK SIMMONS INTERIORS (Nashville)
Paige Schnell, TRACERY INTERIORS (Rosemary Beach, FL)
Sarah Bartholomew, SARAH BARTHOLEMEW DESIGNS (Nashville)
ANNA BRAUND (Atlanta)
Lisa Palmer, SUMMERHOUSE (Jackson, MS)
B.D. JEFFRIES (Atlanta)
Susan Jamieson, BRIDGET BEARI DESIGNS (Richmond, VA)
GORDON DUNNING (Atlanta)
MINHNUYET HARDY (Atlanta)
HUFF HARRINGTON HOME (Atlanta)
Cindy Ingram for ETHAN ALLEN (Atlanta)
Dan Belman and Randy Korando, Boxwoods Garden & Gifts (Atlanta)
Margaret Kirkland of MARGARET KIRKLAND INTERIORS (Atlanta)

Stay tuned as we share over the next few weeks what we have planned. It is going to be a lot of fun to watch this house transform.

Have a great day, everyone-

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

Five Design Ideas To Create A Healthy Home, Happy Life

I sense a change is taking place… People are tired, tired of feeling exhausted and stressed.

It is time to slow down and enjoy life more. Find a balance.

Because life is short, embracing the good and surrounding yourself with positive, healthy ways of living are more important than ever.

Don’t get me wrong. I am the first to get caught up in everyday life. Little things, that in the big scheme, don’t mean much.

But if we can make healthy changes in our home that have a positive impact on our quality of life, isnt this a good thing?

Here are five, easy, design ideas to create a healthy home, and therefore, a happy life. Here goes:

1. If you don’t love something in your home or aren’t using it, get rid of it. Clean out, pair down, and keep only what speaks to you and brings you joy.

End of sentence. Period.

2. Assign a purpose for every room in your home. Every single room, even the little “catch-all” closet. What exactly is the closet going to store?

3. LIVE in your home and ENJOY. No more off-limit rooms or saving your china just for special occasions… Use the dishes one night for dinner, just because…..

4. Make your home a reflection of you. Do you like a little edge but your home doesnt quite capture who you are or how you want to reflect your style? Reach out to a designer and hire someone who can turn your vision into reality. Ask around and check with their references to make sure their style, type of budget they work with, and their personality are a good fit for you.

5. Create a space somewhere in your home that makes you feel calm and relaxed. It doesn’t have to be big space- maybe it is a corner in a room with a chair, a blanket, and a table to place your morning coffee. Do a little self care and create a spot to call your own.

Hope these five design ideas help you create a healthy home, and therefore bring a little happiness into your life. Let me know what you think-

dana

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Healthy Home, Happy Life

Are you ready to leave behind the stress you find in your surroundings and create a healthy, happy life that begins before you walk out your front door?

Your environment is one of the seven top causes of stress, and your surroundings attribute to your health just as much as what you eat, who you surround yourself with, how much you exercise, etc…

Think about it… If you try to eat healthy, exercise, get good sleep, does it make sense to spend the majority of your time in a a space that is cluttered, dark and disorganized?

A healthy lifestyle is one that encompasses all facets of your life, not just a few areas.

Don’t get me wrong…..There are days when your house is going to be a mess. I have had people in and out of my home quite a bit lately, and with the holidays, mine is now. Too many children pulling things out and not putting them up.

But the difference is that when you have a mess in a healthy home, it is because things are out of their specific place versus having things randomly lying around and piling up.

Take a step back from your home and make an honest assessment about how your home makes you feel. Does it bring your joy and peace?

If you find your house a place of uneasiness, apply these few tips to your home and see if you can figure out why :

Organize your home so everything has a place. Incorporate hidden storage where you can create a visual calm and store alike things together.

You would never know it, but the hidden door under my stairs allows for all kinds of storage for my family.

wolterhome_2016_gyc_367-2484x3726 — Dana Wolter Interiors

2. Find a Purpose for every room in your home as no room should serve as a “walk-through” or a room used once or twice a year. Then take a step back and assess the items in each room. Do they bring your 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 room in this cottage below that we worked on a few years back. It was a walk-through room, a catch-all, and the it was the largest room in the house.

By changing the type of furniture placed in this room, we were able to create a place to sit and relax, play on your phone, read a good book, etc… The chaises draw you in to sit and stay for awhile.

You can see more Before and After of this house from this previous post here.

We did the same thing with this home. The biggest room in their house was the “walk-through’ room. It was rarely used while this family of seven used a small sitting room off the kitchen to watch tv.

What you can’t see in this picture is that we tucked a television on a side wall that can be pulled out when needed. Our goal was to create a family-friendly space for this family to enjoy while keeping it formal enough to serve as a living room if needed. Mission accomplished!

3. Find a Balance with how your home flows and functions. Your home should work well for everyday living and be able to transition to host a party when needed.

4. What makes you smile and bring your 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.

Chad James Interior Design, Elle Decor, Photography by Alyssa Rosenheck

If you need help into turning your house into one you love, reach out to us here. We would love to hear from you.

Here’s to a healthy, happy life-

Dana

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A Look Back at 2016

With the new year just a couple of days away, I thought it would be fun to look back at 2016. This year has been a good one for us in so many ways, and here is a recap of a few things that took place:

We started the new year finishing up #ProjectExpansion for some favorite clients. They have a cute story as to why they needed more space. You can read about it here and here.

mouron-foyer-watermark — FOYER-AFTER Dana Wolter Interiors, Graham Yelton Photography

Dana Wolter Interiors Photography by Graham Yelton — FOYER-AFTER

FR Built-in. Still needing glass doors installed — FR Built-in before the glass doors were installed

The kitchen in this home has been shared so many times on the web, yet very few people have seen the “before” pictures. It was quite the transformation.

This is the photo that has been shared numberous times on social media. It's even been referred to as the "poltergist" picture with stylist Monica Stewart making an appearance. Dana Wolter Interiors — This is the photo that has been shared numberous times on social media. It’s even been referred to as the “poltergist” picture with stylist Monica Stewart making an appearance. Dana Wolter Interiors

January began with a feature in Birmingham Home and Garden magazine. This home was approximately 12 years old and it needed an update. We took several of the rooms and dramatically changed them. Here are a few of the before and after pictures:

danaw_tuscaloosa_042 — AFTER- MASTER BEDROOM Dana Wolter Interiors

watermark link — AFTER- LIVING ROOM, Dana Wolter Interiors

You can read more on the transformation of a few of the rooms here, here, and here.

In February, I hosted a party for Southern Living‘s Design Conference that took place in Birmingham, AL. There’s nothing like a party to make you do a few things around your own house, and it was just the kick in the pants that I needed.

It was a lot of fun as designers across the country came together for a few days, and I was glad they were able to see all that Birmingham, Al, has to offer.

Southern Living also included me in their April issue with a feature on using lavender in your home.

In October, Flower Magazine used my home as a backdrop for a Fall feature.

I was also asked by Coastal Living‘s Ellen McGauley and Southern Living’s Zoe Gowen to take part in a panel for ADAC on how to use social media and technology to grow a design business. Designer Cortney Bishop from Charleston, SC, joined in on the fun with us.

While there, the Editor-At-Large followed up by asking my thoughts on how ADAC is a great resource for designers.

Editor At Large Interview with Arianne Nardo

The last quarter of 2016 did not disappoint, either. We announced we are moving our office into the heart of Mountain Brook Village in Birmingham, AL. We are finishing up a few details now and will be in by the first of the year.

I was THRILLED to have one of our favorite kitchens for amazing clients in the Holiday Issue of Traditional Home. This was such a fun project for clients who trusted my vision, and the detail and customization in this home truly paid off.

dana wolter interior photography by Graham Yelton — Dana Wolter Interiors, Photography by Graham Yelton

You can read my blog post here to learn more about this project or click here to see the actual feature in Traditional Home.

The feature of my house in the November/December issue of Southern Living was a ton of fun. We photographed my home for Christmas in the summer and with the Southern Living elves setting everything up, it was as easy as it could be.

They spoiled me and I was missing their help when December rolled around and it was time to decorate again. You can read the 10 page feature here.

fullsizerender — Stylist Buffy Hargett did an amazing job on the flowers and decoration

fullsizerender-3 — The Southern Living team

As I look back at 2016, I cannot forget the online mentions and other amazing projects we have been part of this year that I did not highlight. I am having several projects photographed in a few weeks we have designed this year, and I cannot wait to share.

Thanks to all of you for following along on this journey. I have met some amazing people because of my job and am grateful to those who have trusted us with the investment of their home.

But more importantly, watching how an organized, functional, healthy home changes how a family lives is truly the best part of my job.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, blessed 2017 for all-

Dana

If you are looking to transform your home or looking to start anew, reach out to us here. I would love to discuss your project and see how we can help you.

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Transformation Of A Living Room

We have been working on a beautiful house in Mountain Brook, AL, that we blogged about here and are installing the Living Room after the first of the year.

I thought I would give a little insight into the transformation that is going to take place with this space. It is going to be pretty and chic and filled with a mix of velvets, wools, leathers, linens, and silks. Charcoal gray, tan, cream and blush colors will be mixed in with iron, mixed metals, and different wood finishes.

fullsizerender-6 — Look how gorgeous this silk is going to be as drapery on the floor-to-ceiling windows

We are mixing furnishings from two homes, and while the room was a blank canvas and several new pieces have been ordered, we have tried to incorporate as many of their existing things as we possible could. It’s going to be a good blend of new pieces and antiques.

Because of the size of this room, I want the space to feel like it has been collected over time. Pieces that will blend but nothing that feels too matched or contrived. While it will have more of a dressy feel than some of other parts of the house, I am big on designing this space so this large family will USE it. The room is going to be too pretty and take up too much space in the house for people to walk past it. A large sofa in the main seating area and a second seating area with two custom loveseats will provide comfortable seating for many.

The room has recently been painted from the pictures above and the rug is now installed. It already feels better with a few coats of paint and a floor covering that fits the space. Stay tuned as we install the furnishings and accessories in 2017.

Dana

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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.

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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Brass Is Back, So Mix Your Metals

In several client appointments lately, I have been asked about what to do when their home is filled with silver finishes, but they are wanting to incorporate the gorgeous brass patina that is so popular right now.

My answer is easy and simple…. Mix the two!

I love a space with mixed metals as it instantly makes the room look like it has evolved over time, rather than everything so matchy matchy like it was bought on the same day in the same showroom.

I am not only talking about a finish here and a different finish there, as I have been doing this all along. I am talking about a bold metal finish that grounds the room, with perhaps another type of finish thrown in.

gallery-1435010626-calyssarosenheck2015-121 — Elle Decor

gallery-1435009553-calyssarosenheck2015-14-1 — Polished nickel, brass and antique bronze finished mixed together- Elle Decor

Below is a picture of a home we worked on several months back. As you can see below, there are brass finishes throughout……..

Client's foyer- Dana Wolter Interiors — Client’s foyer- Dana Wolter Interiors

DanaWolter_Gibbons_001 — Leading into the kitchen- Dana Wolter Interiors

But notice how we mixed the two by adding in polish nickel fixtures in the kitchen:

DanaWolter_Gibbons_035 — Dana Wolter Interiors

DanaWolter_Gibbons_045 — Dana Wolter Interiors

If you like this look of mixing metals and want to see more images, check out my Pinterest account, DWolterinterior. I am also adding info on these other social media sites as well, so be sure to follow along!

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Take care and have a great day,

Dana

Also, if you are needing a design plan for your home that you can implement on your timeframe and budget, check out our new service here. Lots of information in a detailed plan!

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.

vignette katiedid — 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!

jean allsopp kinnet kitchen 017 — 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.

MonicaStewart24 — from dana wolter interiors

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

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

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.

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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Paint Color Complete!

If you recall, I mentioned a few weeks ago I was painting the exterior of my home.

I finally slowed down a bit this summer and worked a little on my own house. I had been wanting to paint my exterior, and this seemed like the perfect time to do it.

I wanted it to read as a warm white. Not cream but more of a bone color.

Clean and crisp is the direction I was headed. Something completely different than the taupe colors it has been the past seven years.

A friend rode past my house the other day and asked me what color I chose. You know who you are, so this post is for you!

The color is Benjamin Mooore OC-21, cut to half formula.

What do you think? Leave me a message and let me know.

Have a great day, everyone-

Dana

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What Does Your Home Say About You?

If someone were to walk into your home, what would they say about it?

Would they know your home is yours, filled with your likes and your personality?

I hope so because it is important to make your home is a snap shot of who you are.

When it comes to designing your living space, it is imperative for your architect and/or designer to understand your needs and your wants. Your living space represents you and should be in sync with your particular lifestyle.

Throughout my home, I have incorporated mostly neutrals. I tend to naturally be drawn to more greige colors. For me and where I am in my hectic life, I want my surroundings to be peaceful and calm.

Yet, I am finding myself using more and more color as an accessory. Color is hot right now, so I am incorporating it in not such permanent ways.

Who says I don’t use color?! This is a snapshot of my hallway.

You will also notice in this picture there are many layers in the space. A grass rug, topped by an oushak rug. Chairs and love seats filled with throws and pillows to soften the space. A small occasional table placed in front of a larger one.

Though you may buy everything in a room at one time, you want your home to “look” like you have collected pieces over time.

Does this mean a room has to be complete in one day? Absolutely not. Some of my favorite pieces are those I have waited for and slowly collected.

You know the saying, “the best things are worth waiting for”. This is true for your home as well, because it means your home will be a better reflection of you.

Remember, every home should tell a story, so make yours one you are proud to share.

Have a great day, everyone-

Dana

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