Decorating Dos and Don’ts-Part Five

Let’s wrap up the Decorating Don’ts.  Continue adding to your outline because after receive the dos and don’ts, we will be offering a rocking webinar filled with tips how to be a successful presenter. 

Decorating Don’ts

#4.  Don’t place furniture around the perimeter of the room. Placement is the most significant element in creating a beautiful space.  Nothing can impact a room more quickly than a simple redesign of the furniture.  Bringing the furniture in from the walls will actually make the space appear larger, more interesting and create multiple areas of function.  (Prop-Show a couple of before and afters of actual spaces after a redesign or rearrangement)

#3. Don’t use area rugs smaller than 5 x 8′.  It is important that the rug is large enough to make an impact and not get lost under the coffee table or look like a flying carpet in the middle of the space.  Also, connect the rug to something in the space so it has a purpose.

#2. Don’t think you have to sacrifice beauty for comfort.  Whether it is a reclining

Lazy Boy proves a Recliner can look Great

 chair, an area rug, a sofa,  functionality is important. But today you can find comfortable, quality components of a room without sacrificing the aesthetic. 

#1.  Don’t think you can’t afford a decorating professional. Today’s decorating world offers a variety of specialities.  From a color consultation to redesigning your space using what you have, or One Day Decorating, giving you floor to ceiling decorating advice that can happen timely, to full service decorating professionals, there is a service to fit your every need.  (PROP-your company marketing materials, tips sheet and/or business card to encourage them to remember you.)

Okay, now get ready the new posts will focus on the top ten decorating dos. 

JoAnne Lenart-Weary

Creative Director-The Decorating and Staging Academy

Decorating Dos and Don’ts-Part Four

The tips I have been sharing are perfect for the DIY, as well as the professional who is seeking new ways to build business.  Creating a beautiful home begins with awareness of both the good and the bad. In the day to day of life, it is easy to be forgiving and not notice signs that show a room is tired.    Little changes can make a huge impact, so let me share a couple more don’ts today. 

Decorating Don’ts Continued

The Impact of Lighting

#4.  Don’t select color in a paint store.  Color and light are interdependent.  Even with the light boxes supplies at most paint stores, it is critical to bring home the swatch to observe it with lighting in a space. Determine what time of day is the room most used?  How does the room’s lighting impact the space?  Simple changes with added lighting and bulbs can make a huge impact in the space.  The impact of metamerism and simultaneous contrast can completely change a color in a space.

#3. Don‘t forget the simple ratio of 60-30-10. When selecting color in a

The 60-30-10 Ratio in Action

space, keep in mind that balance is always an important aspect of creating a beautiful room. A well done room is a mix of texture, color, visual weight, and more.  Creating balance will make the space more visually pleasing and emotionally satisfying.  A color harmony composed of 3 colors is always a great way to go. Once deciding your harmony, simply make one color the star, (60%), the second color the co-star, (30%) and the last color the unexpected pop of color that gives a room interest.  (Props-Vist sites that allow you to “paint” a room virtually and show the audience how simply changing the 60-30-10 lineup can greatly impact the space.)

Come back for more tips to implement in your home, your jobs, or to use as a presentation.

JoAnne Lenart-Weary

Creative Director, The Decorating and Staging Academy

Decorating Dos and Don’ts-Part Three

Presentations are a great way to build your business credibility.  Many of you have heard me promote FaceTime over FaceBook.  In other words, get in front of the people who may be interested in your services.  To help you do that, I am creating a series of blog posts that you can use as an outline for building a 20-45 minute presentation.  Let’s continue with the Decorating Don’ts and then I will share the Top Ten Decorating Dos!

Tacky Theme Space

6. Don’t be the Theme Queen-Creating a beautiful room inspired by travels, culture, or a hobby is a common fallback for the non-professional decorator.  There is a huge difference between being inspired and redundancy.  A little goes a long way when creating a theme space. Think of unique ways to showcase the theme instead of the predictable.  i.e. instead of a series of golf pictures on the wall, use golf clubs as the rods for a window treatment. 

5. Don’t let someone else tell you what you like. The sign of a true decorating professional is one who doesn’t tell you what you need but helps you discover what style best fits your personality.  A common problem for the DIY, is the well meaning opinion of friends, which are skewed by their likes and dislikes.  Soon, you have a hundred opinions and you don’t know what to do.  Take time and create a style file, filling a folder with pictures that appeal to you.  Once you have filled your folder with a variety of pictures, go back and analyze what appealed to you in each picture.  i.e. painted ceiling, nickel hardward, wood floors, etc.  If you have enough pictures, you should be able to see a trend.  (PROP NOTE:  Give each participant a decorative file folder labeled with your contact info.  Share magazines with group and allow them a few minutes to tear out photos.  Give them 2-3 minutes, then trade magazines.  After a few minutes, gather magazines and tell them they have started their own style file.  Your label is key to remind them of you whenever they pull it out and hopefully call you when ready for their next decorating project.)

Hope you are enjoying my tips. 

 JoAnne Lenart-Weary

One Day Decorating and The Decorating and Staging Academy

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