February 2011

Redesign Right

Welcome to the latest issue of our online digital magazine, “From Our House to Yours” filled with decorating ideas and inspiration to help you create the room of your dreams.

Coming home at the end of the day to a well decorated home is a joy but many of us are so intimidated by the process, we deny our-selves this joy. Instead day in and day out, we are surrounded by the original builder white walls and non-descript furniture. Or maybe you are the opposite and love to decorate your space, but are always search-ing for new inspiration. No matter what your decorating personality, you will find ideas to inspire you.

If we can be of any help with your decorating challenges, feel free to give us a call and schedule your decorating consultation. No matter your needs, large or small, we are here to help you. Now, pour yourself a great beverage, curl up in a comfy chair and enjoy this issue.

* 1/4 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt

* 1/8 tsp. lime zest

* 1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice

* 1/8 tsp. Caribbean seasoning

* 36 RITZ crackers

* 1/2 avocado, cut into 36 thin slices, then cut in half

* 1/2 lb. cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced, cut into 36 pieces

* 2 Tbsp. BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, toasted

* 1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

Yield - 18

Directions MIX �rst 4 ingredients. Refrigerate 20 min. or until ready to serve.

TOP crackers with 2 avocado pieces, chicken, yogurt mixture, coconut and

cilantro.

Caribbean Coconut-Chicken Bites

I can’t tell you how many homes I have decorated or staged that

had no books. No, not one! Not even a magazine! Can you believe

it? Books are a valuable decorating tool…plus they may even help

you to be more intelligent…if you take time to read them. Let’s

look at 10 ways books add interest to your project. Used books can

be purchased at tag sales, library sales, and discount book stores. A

few online resources are Box Props, Books by the foot, and Wonder

Books.

First, the simple rules:

* Use hard covered books

* Remove book jackets to show off the beauty of the book (Cau"on: Never discard)

* Do not use an"que or collector books in any way that may cause them damage.

* Place paper backs behind the hard backs. Func"onal, and s"ll allows you to create a

great visual effect.

* Face books to the front of shelves for a more visually pleasing arrangement.

Mul"ple ways to use books when decora"ng or staging:

1. Color -The bindings of hard cover books can be beau"ful and a simple way to add color to book cases, a

wallunit, or below built in sea"ng like a window seat.

2. Eleva!ons - Use books to create highs and lows on table and mantel-scapes. This will eliminate the look

of accessories on parade. Lamps too short, no problem, li# with a book. Add dimension by stacking three

books on a table and elevate an urn, plant or even a photo to create more interest than each item would

have alone.

3. Ambiance -“Look what a cozy area, I want to live here.” Place a book on the table, next to a chair with a

glass of wine or cup of coffee and you create instant ambiance.

4. Interest - Have a shelf placed high in the room? Book it. It is great place to store books and it gives the

whole area more interest with the added texture and color.

5. Purpose - Add books to an unused nook and create a cozy reading nook. Place on the floor, with big

comfy floor pillows.

6. Filler - Have a long wall? Give it purpose by adding book shelves and create a wall of func"on and

visual interest. Great look for a long hall or an empty room. Group books by color to create a dynamic

ar"s"c effect.

7. Furniture - Create a chair side table with over size books stacked to chair arm height. Add a piece of glass

to protect the books. Create an interes"ng coffee table, by stacking smaller books into four “legs” and

top them with piece of glass.

8. Statement - Place great books on a coffee table open to beau"ful images. Roll 6-8 pages and tuck into

the spine. It will create rounded cones of color.

9. Story teller - People are known by the people they meet and the books they have read. A book shelf tells

a lot about the people who live there.

10. Pleasure - Be sure as you build your book inventory to add plenty of books that you love. Books for

pleasure, educa"on, kids, cooking, and color should fill the shelves.

If you sit down with a group of people

who are discussing interior decorating,

color is always the �rst topic that will

pop up. One of the most impactful

parts of the decorating process, it is also

the element that strikes the most fear.

People will spend less time purchasing

a $2000 sofa then selecting a $25

gallon of paint. Here are a few tips that

may make you a bit more comfortable

about using color.

Color FactsUnderstand Color 101- Use tried and true tools

like the color wheel and an understanding of

color harmonies to start the process. The best

color combinations are the ones that combine

warm and cool colors such as a split comple-

mentary, triad or tetrad. The energy of cool

colors such as blue, green or violet, with an

accent of warm colors such as red, orange,

yellow will give a room energy and polish.

Connect and Unify - Expand the perceived size

of a home by creating a color !ow as you walk

through the space. Each room should have a

connection from the room next to it by carrying

over one of the colors used in adjoining rooms.

Understand the di�erence between Saturation

and Value – Probably the easiest way to create

a cohesive and visually pleasing color palette is

to use the same color intensity or saturation

throughout the public spaces. Complete the

polished look by keeping values within 3 to

make a space feel larger. Want drama? Then

use contrasting values for dramatic changes.

Think of value changes by picturing a cup of

strong dark co�ee, and then visualize the

addition of cream. Each time you add more

cream, the value of the co�ee color changes.

Color Ratio is Critical - Do not every evenly

divide colors in a space. A good guideline for a

3 color harmony is the tried and true 60-30-10

ratio. The main color takes up about 60%,

secondary color is 30% and the accent color

rounds it out with the remaining 10%.

Color FallaciesDark Color makes a Space Smaller - Dark colors

don’t make a room appear smaller but the

contrast of light against dark does. Dark walls

beg for darker furniture if the intent is to make

the space feel larger.

Color is Di!cult - It really isn’t, refer back to

color facts. But if you are unsure, contact a

Color Expert. Our team o�ers color consulta-

tions that will have you con"dent in no time.

Trends Matter - Okay, they do a bit, after all, the

color story in a space is a quick indicator of the

last time the space was probably decorated.

But most important is that you surround your-

self with colors you love even if the style gurus

say the color is out.

Increase your chances of

selling your house for

maximum dollars in the

shortest time frame, by

applying the principles

of staging.

Is your house sporting any

of these top ten curb

appeal faux pas?

Debbie Correale, IRIS, IDSCertified Redesigner, Home Stager

and IRIS Approved Trainer

West Chester, PA

610.955.8202

Redesign Right...

"The Right Redesign & Training Choice"

Interior Redesign - One Day Decorating…

The Right Decorating Choice

Home Staging - "Setting up your home for

sale"...The Right Staging Choice

Your Color Possibilities are Endless...

Interior Redesign & Home Staging

Training...The Right Training Choice

www.RedesignRight.com