Why these three 'R's work for Everyone

Reclaim.Re-use.Re-furbish.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, top remodelers have noticed a nationwide trend in reclaiming, re-using and re-furbishing elements of their clients residential projects.

This is good news for a variety of reasons:

• When reclaimed wood is used for flooring, etc., it is readily available and ready for re-finishing. Also, the use of reclaimed wood products lends a sense of historical interest to the residence (ie. reclaimed barn planks used for flooring or table tops).
• It decreases the amount to products sent to our landfills (ie. old kitchen cabinetry and furniture).
• It reduces dependency on products manufactured overseas and gives local tradespeople the opportunity to work with local clients.

Reclaim.Re-use. Re-furbish - it's the American way!


M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
Allied Member ASID
732 690-2030
Create.Coach.Collaborate.

Confused over what Furniture to Buy for your Home?

Is the act of buying furniture for your home like looking the perfect shoe at your favorite store?
So many choices, so little time...

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

It's so exciting at first. You have a goal to make your home beautiful. You start looking in magazines, websites and books. But, at some point you may get a sinking feeling that you are stuck, unable to make a decision and going nowhere fast with your dream home.

Just as in the photo of the shoes above, there are so many styles to choose from in home and fashion these days. How can you decide which is right for you? When you talk about your dilemma to friends and family it may only confuse the issue.

The good news though, is that you are not alone! Most of my clients start out this way with great dreams followed by apprehension. But what always solves their stalemate is actually simple - it's action! As Zig Ziglar once said: "...action follows goals".

When I work with clients, the first thing I do is ask them the questions that reveal what furnishings they need and then we determine what styles they love. Once I understand my client's goals, I can create a plan of action and before long, we are on the way to creating the home that will make them happy and glad they solved their dilemma!

How to decide What to buy for your Home when your Choices are Limitless!

Red or Green, Traditional or Transitional - the choices are limitless. What will you do?

Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office

Recently, I visited the Marketplace Design Center in Philadelphia to choose upholstery fabrics for a client. With ideas in my mind, I pointed myself in the direction of my favorite showrooms for home fabrics, wall coverings and furniture.

Simple, you might say. But, I have seen clients freeze at the sight of hundreds of fabric samples on the showroom racks. However, after years of working for clients, when I see those fabrics I approach with a sense of calm and anticipation, rather than fright.

There is a problem for some people when they have too many items from which to choose. In his book the The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains that "...as the number of choices grows further the negatives escalate until we become overloaded. At this point, choice no longer liberates but instead debilitates. It might even be said to tyrannize".

So, the next time someone near and dear says to you - "Why use an interior designer?", point them to the prologue of The Paradox of Choice. Then and only then will they understand the complexity of choice in decorating a home, amidst as Schwartz calls it "an overload of choice".

With that in mind, here is an idea to get you going on your project today:

Call an interior designer today, to keep your project manageable and organized.


Have a great day!

Mary Alice Smith
M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
732 690-2030