One Of The Toughest Decorating Problem and The Solution



Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office

Part V - Of The "Five Most Common Decorating Problems that People Have in Decorating their Homes"

Wherever you go - Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, parties, meetings, family dinners, everyone is talking about their goals and changes they want in their home. 

We all may be different, but then we all have so much in common. One of those items we have in common is that we all have distinct ways we process change.

Change is a funny thing. It can be good or bad. It means different things to different people. Some people thrive on change. Others sense change as scary or intimidating - so much so that it stops them in their path of doing something new.

All of my successful decorating clients want change. Some need encouragement to go forward. Others need a second opinion in their decisions. 

But most of all, they realize that doing nothing means things stay the same. The living room will look the same, the kitchen will stay cramped and dated, etc.

The biggest problem in decorating to me is the decision to make a commitment to schedule a date when the home makeover will begin. 

You can talk about it, spend hours on Pinterest, read every decorating magazine on the newsstand. But, nothing will happen till you pull out your calendar, call your contractor, call your interior designer, or visit the kitchen showroom.

Lesson #5: Change is good!

Mary Alice Smith - 732 608-7583

M. A. Smith Interior Design 
Residential and Commercial Interior Design

E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com 

Allied Member ASID

Member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Toms River 
Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce

Website:  http://masmithinteriordesign.com


Serving Coastal New Jersey homeowners and businesses for twenty years

Maybe I Shouldn't Share This Story But...

Pillow courtesy of Thomas Baker

How To Keep Problems From Spiraling Out Of Control - The Easy Way

Round and round the discussion went. Should my client change the location of the chandelier in the Dining Room? Or, should she do without the chandelier and forget about the goal to have the chandelier centered over the table?

Would a smaller table help? Can you use two chandeliers instead of one? Obviously this was one of those problems where we needed to not be 'narrow minded' but instead, use one of my favorite concepts - narrow framing.

Narrow framing is a term I was reminded about as I read my newest favorite book, "Decisive" by Chip and Dan Heath.  In their book they talk about situations where you may look at a problem as a "Yes" or "No" scenario.

But the truth is as a designer, I often work on problems of this type. I actually enjoy situations like this because it challenges my love of "expanding opportunities". I take a step back from the problem then delve into alternate solutions, rather than limiting choices to 'this or that' decision making.

So, the answer to the problem was to move a large china cabinet to another room, so the table could be centered in the room where it looked best. Another plus was that the china cabinet enjoys a more focal point view in its new location than it ever had in the dining room.

For professional interior design for your home, office or commercial project call:

Mary Alice Smith of M. A. Smith, Ltd. - an interior designer serving New Jersey, including Ocean and Monmouth County, the Jersey Shore and metropolitan New York areas.

To schedule an appointment call: 732 690-2030 or email me at masmith729@comcast.net.

M. A. Smith, Ltd., Interior Design
Allied Member ASID

One of the Top 5 Decorating Problems most People Struggle with in Decorating their Homes?

Part III - The Problem of Choosing the Right Color

Last weekend I was at a local paint store picking up paint color samples for a client. A woman next to me asked my opinion on her choice of color for her walls. She had no time to test out samples. This was the moment she had to decide on the color for her Living Room walls.

So, because of my experience with paint colors, I sliced through a decision quickly for her. I picked out a color that I knew would work with her trim color. It was a neutral warm beige that will never go out of style, one that would work with any other accent color in her furnishings.

I could see the struggle and frustration on her face change to relief once she had her choice in hand. But for many, selecting colors for their home can be overwhelming. Color speaks volumes to us, reveals who we are and affects us more than we know. 

My red 'Mary Hartline' dress

Everyone has 'color stories' that show up when they have to make a 'color decision.' Sometimes a person's happy experience with a certain color in childhood, becomes a favorite color thread that repeatedly shows up in their life.

My love of red goes back to my 'Mary Hartline' twirling outfit I wore as a 5 year old or the red roses my Dad planted along our fence. My friend Mary-Jo loves blue because it reminds her of her childhood on the Jersey Shore.

 

Reflect on the colors that appeal to you or that you remark on often. They are a clue on which direction to pursue for colors in your home. The color doesn't have to cover the all walls, it can be an accent color threaded throughout your home.

 

A great solution for choosing colors is to visit a paint store and purchase their large sample sheets. Or, purchase small sample jars of paint and paint two coats on a large 20" x 30" foamcore board. This way you can move the board or sample sheet around the room without messing up your walls.

 

The process above takes the guesswork out of problems with color. Then, you'll be confident to choose the color that will make you smile. 

After all, it's your life and it's a chance to live the kind of 'colorful life' you were meant to live.  

Lesson 3 - Don't worry, be happy by choosing a color that calls to you!

Check back tomorrow for Part IV in the Series on the 5 Top Decorating Problems and their Solutions

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030
masmith729@comcast.net
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New

Five of the Most Common Decorating Problems



Photo of Lily Tomlin courtesy of Biography.com

Part II of Five Part Series:

What are the Top 5 Decorating Problems most people struggle with in decorating their homes?

You've talked about it to friends, families and co-workers. You know their eyes glaze over when you bring up the subject of decorating your home. Day after day they've heard your struggles, issues and problems in starting your home renovation. But I would say it's not that the time isn't right or you have too much to do. It's often more about your -

Fear

As told in the book "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz, the only way to "cure fear and gain confidence" is to "use action." Fear keeps you from making the phone call to the architect, the contractor or the interior designer. It keeps things as you know them, with no change and only dreams of what could be.

But, if it helps, I too have to deal with fear. Fear that the floorplan I spent hours on won't be acceptable for the client. Fear that the color we chose for the wall will be too light or too bright, even though in my heart I know it will be wonderful.

The good news is that you can overcome your fear. You have the power to change today. If there is one thing you could do today to move forward and it's only making a phone call - that's great! You don't have to manage it all today. But give yourself a break and overcome your fear of change.

 In another story about fear, Schwartz's book talks about Edward R. Murrow (famous newscaster) who was always in a great sweat and "on the edge" before going on-air. But the minute the camera settled on him, his fear magically disappeared.

So pick up the phone, call the number, take a deep breath and you're well on your way to transforming your world as Lily Tomlin says -"One ringy dingy" at a time!

Lesson 2 - Destroy your fear through action!

Look for Part III in the Series on the 5 Top Decorating Problems and their Solutions

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030
masmith729@comcast.net
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York

Five of the Top Home Decorating Problems and Solutions

Five Part Series 

"What are the Top 5 Decorating Problems and Solutions most people struggle

with in decorating their homes"?

Part I
It's not unusual when I meet someone for the first time (and they hear that I am a designer), that the subject of conversation concerns problems in decorating their home. Besides being one of the most important parts of life, decorating a home can also be a source of great frustration and anxiety. The first problem is one of the easiest problems to solve.

1. Lack of money to decorate.

It seems we never have enough money to do what we would like to do in decorating our homes. But, as a designer, I know that there is always a solution. You see, even if it is not exactly what you desire, it can come pretty close, or actually end up a better solution.  
 
For instance, in researching for a kitchen light fixture for a client, the fixture initially chosen exceeded the budget after other factors were added to the mix. But, within a week, I found a fixture that not only was less in price, it actually was prettier than the original fixture we had chosen.
 
Lesson 1 - there is always an answer, you just have to keep looking!
 

Check back tomorrow for Part II in the Series on the 5 Top Decorating Problems and Solutions

Click here to email your request for a complementary meeting or
additional information

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030
masmith729@comcast.net
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York