How to Pick a Paint Color for Your Home

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Try this Technique to change your ‘Fear of Color’

You probably have a favorite color, one of those colors that you are drawn to for your clothes or your home. You use it often because it makes you feel good and look good.

But there’s a world of color out there and maybe it’s time to try or add a new hue to your repertoire.

For instance, never in my wildest dreams, would I have thought of using gray in my home. I’m a lover of warm colors and even my home office/studio has red walls. Our Foyer and halls had a shade of beige that works well and is timeless.

So, when shades of gray became popular for paint and furnishings, it first seemed to go against my love of warm colors. But since I’ve used gray for a number of my clients, I was open to the idea of using gray tiles in our Master Bath renovation.

It’s been months now since our former tub area became one of my favorite places to start the day. The gray tiles and mosaics in our new shower have that ‘spa’ look that suggests a feeling of tranquility.

Besides tranquility, I’ve found I love gray because it has that fresh, clean and updated look.

Afraid of color? Try a touch of gray or a touch of another color that attracts, yet scares you. Add a touch of color with accessories, lamps, bedding, etc. It doesn't always mean painting walls a new color. Try a new color idea on for size first.

By the way, what paint color have you been thinking of forever for your home?

Photo courtesy of Country Living Magazine 

Call for professional help, for a nudge to get started, for the best year ever:

732 690-2030
M. A. Smith LLC. Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID

http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com
Serving New Jersey, Connecticut and Metropolitan New York City

Important Steps To A Successful Renovation

After Construction The Fun Begins!

A story about a successful Home Design

I will always remember the first day I stepped into my client's newly purchased home. It was very different from her home up north. This house was empty and visibly in need of renovation. The kitchen was dark and separated from the living room's view of the water's edge. The question was how could we change the dark rooms, the tattered walls and bring them into the light of day.

To begin the process of renovation, we discussed the what-ifs to get a vision of where to go. After many discussions with the team made up of the client, myself, the contractor  - the project started to come to life.

But like many journeys, there were surprises and disappointments along the way during construction. Yes, the wall could be opened up, but the dining room had no place for a china cabinet. Luckily, we found space behind a wall in the dining room to build a built-in china cabinet.

It took a few months to complete the project. The contractor had other commitments, things slowed down a bit, but all through the days, my client moved through the inevitable upheaval with a 'let's forge ahead' attitude.

Change is hard for some. But, it's those who forge ahead every day and understand that it's a process when you are working on a renovation project. Many steps are needed to go from a dark and dated room to a bright and welcoming home. It's about saying 'yes' to change and yes to better days ahead.

(Give yourself a break! Consider hiring a designer to help you move things along and pull together a look for your home that will leave them speechless.)

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

To schedule an appointment call: 732 690-2030

M. A. Smith Interior Design
732 690-2030
masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden and Best Design Coach
Serving New Jersey, CT and Metropolitan New York

Do You Need Help With Choosing Paint Colors For Your Home?

How do you know if you need help with choosing paint colors for your home? If any of the situations below resonate with your present dilemma, maybe it's time for a little help from the experts.

• You have a bulging file of paint chips from your neighborhood paint stores that are now weeks, months or even years old.
• The topic of most of your conversations with friends or family about your home revolves around paint colors.
• There are enumerable samples painted on your walls and none seem to work just right.

If you nodded your head to any of the above, take heart there is hope! Many of my clients were exactly where you are now. They want so badly to pick just the right color, but cannot find the answer and it's driving them crazy.

So, if you know it's time to call 'in the troops' to win the war on paint color selection, here is what to expect when the designer arrives to help you find the perfect color:

1. Upon arriving at your home (during daylight is best), the designer will want to see your home to get a feel for the style of décor that you presently have.
2. The designer will ask you questions and listen to what you have to say about your color preferences or dislikes.
3. (She will not start suggesting colors yet!)
4. There will be a discussion about how you want to 'feel' in the space (For instance, relaxed or energized) with the new color.
5. Concepts about color and the effects of color in a room will be discussed.
6. The designer will take note of the present furnishings, flooring, lighting, etc. because they all affect how a color will look in a space.
7. Armed with paint chips and sometimes paint sample boards, the designer will start to show you some sample colors, tints or shades to see your reaction (good or bad) for reference.
8. After ruling out certain colors, you and the designer will begin to fine tune the selection.
9. A selection may be made at that point, and the designer will record your selection with suggested finishes (flat, flat matte, satin, etc.) and leave you sample color chips.
10. If you're still not sure - Your next step is to return to your paint store and order (yes, one more time) a quart or two of sample paint. With paint in hand, you should test the paint either on the wall, or my favorite - on a 20 x 30 piece of foam-core from Michaels, A. C. Moore or other art supply store.

Of course, the designer may do the legwork on #10 and return with the painted sample boards in hand, if that works for you and your busy schedule. The beauty of the sample boards is that you can move them around the room and keep your walls neat and tidy till painting day.

The whole point of working with a designer is to lay your fears, anxiety and worries to rest so you can enjoy your home as soon as possible.

Still on the fence about what all this will cost in time or money? Look for my next blog post where we'll talk about how long it takes to get to the right color and how much it will cost to hire a designer.

In the meantime, if you have a question about paint colors - please leave a comment and I will get back to you before you can say 'paint'!

Analysis Paralysis - Why Your Home Decorating Is Going Nowhere

This could be your bathroom!
(Photo courtesy of
Avalon Flooring )

How to Finally Get Your Home Decorating Done

First of all, the good news is that you are reading this post. You're reading it probably because you have all the intentions of giving your home a new look, but somehow nothing gets done.

Life, home, family - everything is calling for your immediate attention. Plans to paint the rooms, find new sofas, rugs or revamp the 90's kitchen and baths are on hold. Days, weeks and months (maybe years) go by and nothing gets done.

Even though I am an interior designer, I am faced with the same dilemma. Truly my clients projects are my first priority during the workweek. There's little time to spend on the updates that are calling for attention in my own home. 

So, you're wondering, how does this designer get out of the Analysis Paralysis roadblock?

Simple - just start with small decisions then action. For instance, here is a portion of the list I used to get our Master Bath renovation started and done:

1. Create a floor plan to show if the shower area could replace the tub. 
2. Determine an approximate budget for the project. 
3. Go to resources like Artistic Tile or Waterworks or Avalon Tile and review tile selections. Select the tile and furnishings for the floor and walls.  (Ok - I'm used to doing this for my clients, so it's easier for me. But I still had to do this).
4. Go to my local cabinet shop with the tile sample and select the vanity.
5. Return to the tile or fixture store and place the order the tile, grout, etc. 

What you may notice above is that I use steps to follow that make sense. First, I had to know that a shower could actually fit in the old tub space, before I got too excited about having a zen-like shower to enjoy at the start of my busy days. 

At some point, things will get done when you start the journey. I worked on the floor plan on one day. Another day, I visited the tile store. The point is that it takes action. Thinking about what you want to do is great, but nothing gets done unless you do something, anything!

So, leave Analysis Paralysis behind - start today with just one small thing. Call a friend, call your Mom or call a designer to get the home you've always wanted, the home you deserve to enjoy. 

Call for professional help, for a nudge to get started, for the best year ever:

732 690-2030

M. A. Smith LLC Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail:  masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID

http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York City

Photo courtesy of the Reading Mama 

The Holidays are coming - it's time to get your decorating done!

It's a puzzle. You've gone through this season for a number of years. You'd think by now you've got a system to keep it all in check - the shopping, the decorating. 

But, here you are again with a to-do list as long as a trip to the moon!

I'm with you on that. But, lately I've found that if you just allow yourself to take a moment to think what your really have to do vs. what you think you are expected to do, your list will shrink immensely. 

It' all about mindset. I've discovered this recently when my son suggested a book to read called "A Happy Pocketful of Money" Yes, the book discusses money, but most important it reminds you to keep in mind the following life changing concepts:

• Stay in the moment -  it will keep you from thinking about the holiday rush. Just concentrate on what's in front of you today. Do what you can do today. 

• Believe you already have what you want. For instance - you want a new paint color. So, instead of seeing yourself not there, see your room with the color you love.

All in all, sometimes you just need a little help, encouragement and a coach. The favorite part of my job is helping my clients move their project along, giving them the support and encouragement they need. 

Call for professional help, for a nudge to get started, for the best year ever:

732 690-2030

M. A. Smith LLC. Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID

http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York City

Three ways to Get Inspired for your Home

Where do designers go to get inspired for their interior design projects?

Even the most acclaimed designers have days when they feel uninspired or can't find the answer to a design problem. Sometimes it seems that there is no answer. You mull over ideas, talk to friends and still you're not sure what to do.

Today I'll offer one of the easiest ways I unlock my creative juices to get back on track. It's so easy, you'll wonder why you didn't do it yourself!

Grab a shelter magazine such as House Beautiful or Coastal Living. Or, go to your favorite website such as One Kings Lane, for ideas. (Today they have Bunny Williams Home as a feature design resource.) Also revisit your file of magazine tearsheets that you've been accumulating for your home design project. Chances are you already earmarked a page or photo of a room, or a garden project that called to you and will unlock the idea to solve your design challenge.

Look for my next tip to get you inspired. What's your design challenge today?

Call for professional help, for a nudge to get started, for the best year ever:
732 690-2030

M. A. Smith LLC. Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID

http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com

Word of the Day - Transformation

                                                                                   As the saying goes...

 

Anita and Bob's new runners - a perfect pattern
to dress up their new home

 

“A journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step…"

                                                                         Lao-tzu

Most days I help my clients transform their homes with new floorplans, colors and beautiful furniture. But yesterday, I decided that it was time to reclaim my best weight and focus on my fitness goals at the end of this summer (while helping my clients at the same time).

Of course, it's not surprising that I started this new plan at the end of August. There's something about this time of year that brings me back to the start of a new semester at school. I look forward to clear, crisp days of September and the colors of Fall.


So maybe this Fall, I'll finally fit into the size 8 clothes that are still in my closet. Actually, most likely I will fit into the jackets and skirts that I haven't worn in ages -  as long as I stay focused on my transformation goals with the 30 Day Isagenix plan. I know from creating plans for my clients, that plans do work. I also know that coaching and open communication with others plays a big part in success. Isagenix is committed to keeping in touch and asking how they can help you.

It's a great start to a new season. Today, I actually feel more energetic and that is good not only for me but my clients as well. We'll take a step every day and focus on our goals - what more could we want?

(Give yourself a break! Consider hiring a designer to help you move things along and pull together a look for your home that will leave them speechless.)

To schedule an appointment call: 732 690-2030

M. A. Smith, LLC
Interior Design
732 690-2030
masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden and Best Design Coach
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York

Arranging Furniture Around A Fireplace Made Easy

Armchairs instead of Sofas or Loveseats

How Successful Rooms Are Created

This photo reminds me of a successful outcome for a client who had a space problem in an open floorplan room.

On one end of the room we chose a large sectional for watching their TV. At the other end of the room we decided to place a lovely bleached oak dining table with French blue dining chairs.

The problem was what to do with an off-center fireplace wall that was somewhere in between the seating and dining areas of the room.

Since there was ample space in front of the fireplace, we decided to create a special and intimate seating area - Four upholstered chairs with swivels surrounding a round table for drinks or coffee.

However, early in the design phase it looked like only a loveseat or two armchairs facing the fireplace would work. Yet once I had the floorplan drawn to scale, I determined that the fireplace 'nook' had the capacity to become a very special space for entertaining friends by using four armchairs instead of the usual loveseat.

Answering this challenge reminds me of Steve Jobs who once said "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

For my clients, this was a solution that looked great and worked for years to come.


Lesson: Never underestimate the power of taking the time to draw a floorplan to scale and to open your mind to more than either or solutions.

Problem Solved: A Great Window Treatment For A Bathroom

Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas

One thing I love about design for the home is that there is always a challenge (some people call them 'problems') to solve.

One of my clients is looking for a solution for their bathroom window. The window faces a boardwalk, so the window treatment needs to provide for privacy.

But, since the window doesn't need to be closed to views from outside all the time, it needs to have a quick and easy way to adjust light coming into the room.

Lastly,  because the bathroom has various degrees of humidity during the seasons, it should be a window treatment that can hold up to the wettest of conditions.

Problem solved: Since I recently attended a seminar featuring Hunter Douglas products I recalled that their Palm Beach Shutters might answer all the challenges on our list.

With a guarantee to "never warp, crackle, fade, chip, peel or discolor" I think we may have an answer that not only works well, but looks great for years to come!

Discover a Designer's Secret to Creating the Best Dining Room

William Sonoma Heritage Dining Room Table - large but 'airy'

What are the Biggest Mistakes in Selecting Dining Room Tables?

Make no mistake, you have company coming to your home soon! You have visions of friends and family gathered around the holiday, birthday, anniversary, or graduation themed table. But the vision quickly turns into a nightmare! Once again you are faced with one or all of the three biggest problems most have with dining rooms.

• You realize your room size was designed for tiny people - not for seating eight to ten comfortably. Or, it's so large you feel like your in an airplane hanger. 
• Your chandelier never was in style. (By the way, it's probably installed either too high or too low and doesn't go with anything else in the room.)
• Your chairs all match (boring).They may be uncomfortable and the fabric was out of style twenty years ago.

Dining Table Ideas 101

Many of the dining rooms I see are often too small or too large for typical family gatherings. Maybe the room can only handle a 36" deep table and no sideboard or buffet. Or the room is too large, so the space makes dining for four look like the rest of the company never showed up.

Wherever you are in your dilemma, keep these basic rules in mind when buying a new dining table so you actually will enjoy and want to use this room for upcoming festivities.

1. Allow at least 24" of table space for each diner's place setting and room for candles, centerpieces or if you still use them - a salt and pepper set.
2. Make sure people can get to their seats! Around a table there should be a minimum of 36" from edge of the table to the wall - so you and others can get to their chairs before the food gets cold.
3. Whenever possible, look for tables that have pedestals so that you and your guests have ample leg room. This way they won't damage the table legs that you won't notice till they have left the scene! 
4. Be realistic in choosing the finish of the table. If your entertaining is casual, look for a distressed finish that will hold up to all those people (small and large, young and old) who will accidentally find some way to scratch the table top, legs or the table apron.
5. If your dining preferences lean toward the aristocratic vibe - make sure your cleaning staff use the correct furniture polish on your table and chairs.

For professional help, for a nudge to get started, for the best year ever,

 call Mary Alice at:

                            732 690-2030

M. A. Smith Interior Design

1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753

E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com

Allied Member ASID

Member of Kiwanis of Greater Toms River 

BIO

http://masmithinteriordesign.com

Blog: Coastal Confidante Blog 

Blog: BestDesignCoach.com

The Best Way To Light Up Your Rooms

Add Texture and Sparkle with a Lamp

Last week, when I entered the room, I noticed not only that it was so dark (even during the day) but that there were no lamps to be seen. Are they just moving into this home or are they getting ready to move out of the house?

Where were the lamps? Were they on order, stolen from the house, in a repair shop?

No, the homeowner never thought that they were needed since there were numerous recessed lights in the ceiling.

Hmmm ... I thought. But what about task lighting when you're reading? What about creating mood from the glow of a lampshade. Or, adding a neat little accent light on the mantel?

As Clodagh says "In a bedroom, you need what I call a 'love light' - a lamp you can dim..." Or perhaps you might agree with James Huniford and I - "A room should have multiple kinds of light to balance it and give it interest."

Every evening after a full day of work, I love to turn on the 'black frog' lamps on our sideboard and light the alabaster lamp on our foyer cabinet. Truly, the chandelier in the Foyer's ceiling does not warm up the space quite like that alabaster lamp.

If you want to make your home dazzle, sparkle or just look great, make sure you include lamps, chandeliers, candles or floor lamps to your design repertoire.

Here are some Lighting 101 suggestions to get you 'lit' :

• Dimmer switches - no dimmer switches?  Use low watt (15 watt) bulbs instead
• In a lamp with 2 sockets - use one pink bulb and one white bulb
• Leave the Swiss cheese look on your sandwich, less is more with recessed lights in a ceiling
• Go BIG in size with at least one lamp on a table - go ahead, make a statement!

A Designer's Review of Three of HGTV's Top Kitchen Design Trends

Is Gray really the new 'White'?

Photo courtesy of  HGTV

While I have to admit, the color gray has taken front row in paint colors for rooms, I'm not so sure about kitchen cabinets in gray for traditional kitchens. However, for a more contemporary kitchen design, I believe it would look smart, fresh and clean-lined.

Some other ideas to consider with gray cabinets:

• Gray cabinets would flow beautifully alongside stainless steel appliances.
• Looks great with brushed nickel and especially chrome faucets, cabinet hardware.
• It's a nice departure from the ever popular white, without going to an extreme color choice (that will go out of style before you can say 'gray'!)

Up, up and away Upper Cabinet doors - yay or nay?

Blum hardware for upper cabinets

Again, I see a neat, crisp contemporary kitchen making great use of the Blum lift system for kitchen cabinets. For traditional kitchens, I have to say, I love the trend of incorporating open shelves vs. walls and walls of cabinets with doors.

I still love Kermit the frog, but I can't jump on the color 'green' for a Kitchen Sink

Photo courtesy of HGTV and Kohler



For any of you who grew up in my era, we have a distinct memory of a certain shade of avocado green, that we swear we never want to see again. Surely, the sink above is not that shade of green, but I suggest only the most daring should choose the Jonathan Adler sink from Kohler. It's not for everybody, but if you must have it, by all means - go for it!

I was wondering.... what trends are you thinking of and what are your thoughts about trying something you've never tried before?

Today, call for professional help, for a nudge to get started and for the best year ever:
732 690-2030

M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York City

A Little Known Way To Re-Vamp Your Home

What grounds you,
or inspires you?
Is it a view of the water or garden,
is it symmetry or
the color blue?

If today you feel overwhelmed by the process of decorating, planning a renovation or new construction project and you hear yourself saying -

• I'm not creative
• I can't make decisions easily
• I'm afraid to make the wrong choices
• I don't know where to start
• I just need someone to bounce off ideas, but I don't know where to turn

If that sounds like you, you are actually going in the right direction. Any change starts with understanding where you are now. Once you know you need help, the next step is easy.

One of my client's problems was selecting a lighting fixture that would give her home (that hadn't seen good light or a change in years) a new look, a look that said she was ready for change, ready for a new beginning.

We started with sizing up the correct size of the chandelier for the table and then determined what finish would work (based on finishes used elsewhere in her home). 

We talked about what she doesn't like and what she'd seen that captured her interest. Before long, she had her new chandelier and a new attitude that she could have what she desired and deserved.

Today is a great day to get going in the direction you want. Whether it's lighting, room layout, or color - you've got what it takes to make the difference. It doesn't matter if you need another 'eye' to help you decide. What matters is that you are saying yes to a better home, a happier life and a new you.

Today, call for professional help, for a nudge to get started and for the best year ever:
732 690-2030

M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
E-mail: masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York City

Great DecoratingTrends to Change the way You Feel in a Room

The best Trends for a New Look in Your Home this Spring
 
Yes, the wind may be howling outside, the temperature's not a perfect 70 degrees but it's for sure that Spring is heading your way. You may be like my clients who suddenly have the desire to change things up a bit at home. Let me open the door to a new look with a few ideas to get you going today.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Change can be big or little. It can be a change in color for a space, or texture for a sofa, or new window treatments that are on your to-do list. Whatever the case, think about what you can do this month, to add that pizazz you've been needing and wanting for awhile.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

 Color can be a simple quick change that you can do with flowers. Or maybe it's change in wall color like the one above from Benjamin Moore. Doesn't it look like a soft blue? Well, it's actually Wickham Gray HC171. Look again at this photo. See the chandelier, maybe all you need is a new chandelier to add a sparkle to your room. Or...
 

 Texture! Yes, texture can add so much to a room. Truly wallcovering is totally in style for today's homes. With all the interest in more linear sofas, wood and iron cocktail tables and more, you want to keep your home from looking sterile and blah.
 
The way to do that, to make your rooms stand out can be adding textural wallcovering like the one shown in the photo.
 
In other words, if the walls were only painted it would look 'nice'. Who wants just 'nice'?
 
And by the way, you may have noticed that the vase contrasts so well with the wallcovering.
 
(Don't tell anyone, but that's a designer's best kept secret - using contrast, as shown in this photos by Hartmann & Forbes Inc. )
 
But wait, there's more...

Photo courtesy of Garnet Hill

 

 

 

Pattern. Yes, adding pattern to a room of solids will most definitely change the look of a room.

Now don't get too crazy with this, just a little goes a long way.

 

 





 Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

 

 









 Ok, so you have my best advice for today, for this season. Mix things up a bit. Try color, texture or pattern and put that pizazz back into your life!

 

Your updated Design Awards Announcement

My A-list 'Design Stars' Receive a Blue Ribbon For Their Sandy Recovery Efforts

Congratulations to the 'Design Star' winners!

The morning after Sandy hit was an end and a beginning for many of my clients or friends in New Jersey. It was an end to the homes they knew, but it was the beginning of their courage to make repairs, rebuild and to say yes to a better day.

These are the real 'Design Stars'. These are people you and I know, neighbors, sisters, friends and clients. 'Design Stars' like Joe and Dee, Joyce and John, Steven and Christine, Jim and Kathy, Michael and Deb, Terry and Billy, Stan and Debbie, Barbara and Mike, Herbie and Linda, Michelle and Gary - all forged ahead and brought back or are presently working on rebuilding their homes.

Let's all congratulate these 'Design Stars' and all who have the courage to take one day at a time and succeed through their own efforts to rebuild the most important place for their families - their home. 

Let's also not forget to remember that while they restore their homes, they are the ones who are restoring our shore, your shore, the Jersey shore that we know and love.

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

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

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

Wouldn't It Be Great To Have The Perfect Home?

Wouldn't it be great to live in a Perfect Home like this one below?



Beach House Living

What's your idea of the perfect home? When my husband sent me a link to view the house above I expected the home of my dreams to appear before my very eyes. In some ways it did, but on second thought - it was not what I expected.

True, the house above has a lot of what I love - porches, peaks, a Nantucket location and lots of great views. But inside the floorplan was different than what I expected to see.

What one person sees as perfect may be seen by others as problematic. That's why when I meet with clients and ask a lot of questions (before I start designing) it's the most important part of my service as an interior designer. To get the best value from your investment with an interior designer, it's so important to share everything you like, need and just as important - what you don't like in home design, furniture and décor.

Excellent interior design can make the difference in how you feel when you are in your home, or in a particular room. It should reflect your unique lifestyle and create the home that is everything you expected it could be.

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

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

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