Interior Consulting Group, LLC

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Seasonal Decor

Fall...Already? It's that time of year again! Longer nights and shorter days lend their way to old man winter. Pack away your purple plastic picnic plates (say that three times fast) and dig out the Snuggies.

As a huge advocate of "neutral basics", I welcome seasonal changes as an opportunity to shop for new colorful accessories to switch up the vibe in my house. And it's so cheap!

Here are a few tips to aid in the transformation:

- Swap your curtains for a new festive fall hue.
- Coordinate your look with some fresh toss pillows.
- Light a few spicy scented candles.
- Retire your summer bed linens and opt for a heavier quilt.
- Dress the table with seasonal foliage.
- Mix in some new area rugs.
- Welcome your guests with a fall door wreath.

And viola! Say to goodbye to summer. Hellllloooo Fall.

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Thursday, July 14, 2011

More area rug advice...

In a previous post, I gave you my blessing to use area rugs on top of carpet. Today, I'm lending some general area rug advice.


Let's start with the one pictured here. It is absolutely my all-time favorite rug in life. Designed by Vivienne Westwood and sold by The Rug Company, this beauty is out-of-this-world...and out of my price range. Not to mention, SOLD OUT.

In fact, most of what you'll find in a retail store is inspired by pieces you'll find at The Rug Company (www.therugcompany.info). All designer and all handmade, you'll have a hard time covering these works of art with furniture. But you don't have to break the bank to stay ahead of the rug trend. Find replicas in your price range. They're everywhere.

I won't advise you on the style of rug to chose because that's a personal choice. I will, however, offer your you these few tips:

1) Choose the right size. 5x8 should suit your standard living room furniture arrangement. 8x10 should do it for your dining room.

2) Whatever the size, your furniture should be either all on or all off. (Your sofa best not be propped up on its two front legs.)

3) Like window treatments, rugs are items that you shouldn't cheap out on. This is especially important in high traffic areas.

4) If the rug is a focal point of the room, select one with an ornate pattern or print. Otherwise, opt for a simpler design.

That's all folks!

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Home Staging in Alexandria VA

 


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How to decorate a small space...

Location! Location! Location! This post is a shout out to all my city dwellers who'd rather rent/own a studio apartment in the city than a single family home in the 'burbs. I feel you.

1) When you're working with a small space, the key to good design is choosing furniture that is multifunctional. Coffee tables can double as seating. Dining surfaces can be supported by storage shelves. Sofas can be sleepers.

2) Don't forget to build UP, not just OUT. A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf can house your tchotchkes, baubles, and books. Not mention, it just looks awesome. Paint the backside (inside) of the unit a darker color to complement the recessed look.

3) Just because your space is small doesn't mean you need to decorate with doll-sized furniture. It's better to anchor your space with a few large pieces than lots of tiny little ones.

4) Maximize lighting of all kinds. It goes without saying that natural sunlight should gloriously shine through your place as much as possible. In addition to that you'll need to address the issue of ambient, accent, and task lighting. Get creative (and heavy-handed) in this department. It's makes a difference.

5) My last tip may seem counter-intuitive, but trust me... Dark colors are OK. [Say it with me] Dark colors are OK... when used in the right way. For instance, a dark accent wall can trick the eye in a long narrow room by making the wall appear to be farther away.

Follow these simple rules and you've got a great foundation for a small, yet snazzy pad.

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Monday, June 6, 2011

The truth about Makeover shows....

I love HGTV & DIY Network just as much as the next person. But be warned. Most of the time, while the programs may be entertaining and enlightening, it's not real life. Oftentimes the cost of labor is not included in the project budget. A team of people aren't going to come to your house and refinish your kitchen cabinets, build you a custom built-in bookshelf AND replace your leaky faucet for $999. The actual cost of the materials may be cheap, but the labor is not. In real life, it's cheaper for you to buy a new dining room table than it is for a carpenter to build you one (a good one, that is).

These shows are super fun to watch. Who doesn't love a good "before & after"? Just keep in mind... it takes longer than 30 minutes to landscape a backyard and it costs more than $500 to stage a house for sale.



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Thursday, June 2, 2011

The red accent wall...

Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a fan of "the red accent wall". This is mostly due to the fact that it's been done (wrong) so much, that now it's just one big unoriginal joke to me. But, if you insist on taking on this project...here are a few tips to make it not suck (as much)...

- DON'T just paint that one wall and leave everything else untouched.
- DON'T choose a huge wall.
- DON'T be sloppy (crisp lines are essential to a good paint job).
- DON'T have that be the only red element in the room.

- DO choose a tone of red that makes sense for your room.
- DO hire a professional if you're unsure of any of the above.

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Matching wood finishes...

In my days as a furniture sales associate, I would often meet customers who were dead set against buying, for instance, a wood dining table that didn't perfectly match the finish of their hardwood floors. I probably came across as a pushy salesman when I insisted that contrasting wood finishes are not only OK, but ideal. Who wants to live in a matchy-matchy matchbox? Interior design is not a science, it's an art. When shopping for furniture, choose items that COMPLEMENT existing decor... and erase MATCH from your design vocabulary.

SN: It's okay to trust (most) furniture salesmen...Really.

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Friday, May 27, 2011

How much should I spend on a quality sofa?

If you are looking to buy a sofa from any of the leading local retailers, expect to spend at least $600. Don't fall for the "liquidation" company's ad for a $299 sofa. When it comes to furniture, the old adage still applies...You get what you pay for.When shopping around, compare these 6 criterion:

- Quality of the upholstery
- Seating system
- Frame construction
- Warranty
- Foam density
- Cleaning specs


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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Can I put an area rug on top of carpet?

The answer is an emphatic YES!! If you're stuck with a shade of that off-white builder's grade carpet...throw a patterned rug on top of it to 1) define the space and 2) give the room some flavor. Layering (in any context)  adds dimension and texture. If you want to create a space that looks "designer", you can't think in 2D.

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Friday, February 25, 2011

Website info!!!

The brand new Interior Consulting Group website is live!
www.interiorcg.com

Well helllllloooo...

Hey guys. I'm new to this blogging thing, so expect to see frequent changes on my page until I work out the deets. I've been getting paid to design & decorate since 2006  and now I'm looking to take things to the next level. So come on...follow me on the journey..one outdated basement at a time.