Hunter Douglas Interview - The Voice of the Dealer

The Voice of the Dealer (Hunter Douglas Interview)

Spring Decorating with Hunter Douglas

Can It Be Spring? Well, it seems that spring has just turned the corner with all the beautiful weather we are having. I have even seen daffodils popping up around town. Let’s hope that old man winter does not stick his head around the corner again. So, let’s start thinking spring and all the beautiful colors that it brings inside our homes as well as in our gardens. My friend Sally Morse from Hunter Douglas has the opportunity each year to go to the textile markets in Paris and Germany. She always takes such wonderful pictures. From the pictures see has sent me, this spring will bring very bright and exciting colors. WOW! It’s like flowers popping out all over the place. Pink, orange, teal, green and yellow are showing up in pillows, lamps, bedding, candles, artwork and in decorative pieces for your tables, bookshelves, sofa’s, chairs and mantles. As this picture shows, the colors are also showing up in table settings for your kitchen and dining room. Sally also says that we will still see last year’s neutral color greige ( a mix of taupe and gray), blacks, browns, as well as true gray tints. Mixing these neutral colors with some of the bolder statement colors will create an exciting new look for this season. These new colors will also be seen in fashions too. Next time you are in your favorite dress shop look for these beautiful colors not only in dresses, tops and pants but in shoes, handbags and accessories. I recently shopped a Chico’s in Florida and the most popular color I saw was a beautiful teal blue. Yes, visions of spring are in the air. Start planning for Spring right now. As a matter of fact, use some of these colors for your garden. Oh, spring come quickly. I’m excited. Do you need inspiration for bringing Spring into your home? Why not give us a call at Carol’s. Our staff is trained and ready to assist you. Our number is 940-565-8337. We look forward to your call. And, as always - Happy Decorating.

Could It Be? Fall Decorating Ideas with Hunter Douglas

Do I see signs of Fall in the air? It seems that cooler weather is on its way, and before you know it the leaves will be turning to display the beautiful colors of the season. It is also a sign for us to think about readying our homes for the soon to be Holiday Season.

The colors of the season can be brought into the décor of our homes in so many different ways. From the beautiful reds, oranges, greens and plums of the fruit on the table to the deep rust, pumpkin and cranberry in the pillows and throws on the sofa and beds – we can pull the colors of fall into any room.

As the days grow shorter we can bring light into rooms by strategically placing lamps on tables and shelves. A little candlelight here and there will add ambiance to the room as well.

A welcoming wreath on the front door is a must. Fill it with beautifully colored leaves, acorns and gourds. And, don’t stop at the front door with these colorful bounties. They can be displayed on the fireplace mantel, bookcases and tables.
As Thanksgiving approaches think about displaying pumpkins on the front porch or beautifully arranged on the dining room table. Add the smell of the season with candles in scents of Pumpkin Pie Spice, Vanilla, Cinnamon Spice,
Walnut, Banana Nut Bread and Cranberry Spice to name a few.
The cooler weather draws us to our patios also. Why not adorn the tables with trays of fall foliage and color.

Candles are also nice to add just a hint of romance. By displaying these items on a tray they can easily be moved inside in case of inclement weather. Then they can be moved back outside as soon as the weather clears.

Don’t be in a hurry to bring out the Christmas tree just yet. We will talk about that next month. Enjoy the beauty of nature and all that she has to offer in the colorful autumn of the year.

Not quite sure how to pull your fall décor together. We are here to help you!

Give us a call at 940-565-8337 to schedule your appointment or visit our showroom on the historic downtown Denton Square. We are here to help you with all of your decorating needs. We are a full line Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer as well as interior decorators. We have all you need in window fashions and decorating ideas of your home.

And as always - Happy Decorating!!


Photo courtesy of Polished * Plum

Decorating Is NOT A Mystery

There are only subjective rules when it comes to decorating. Many confuse this fact by believing that there is a “right way” to decorating a space. What is light and open to one may feel hollow and empty to another. What seems cozy and “lived in” to another might seem cluttered and unsafe to you. Wherever you see yourself, what matters is the courage to work those realities into your design plans.

Creating a room that looks and feels good is not a mysterious process. The point is not to adhere to rules or follow fashion, but rather to find what you like and incorporate it.

When putting together a room, start by understanding a few principles of composition: space - defining space and using it; color - determining mood and function; pattern - for character, depth and visual interest; texture - to give the space its “feel.”

Space is the essential defining consideration of a room. How much is there? How little? What is the quality of the space? What is the function of the space. Mirrors are magic when it comes to changing perception’s about a rooms space. Placed strategically, mirrors create the illusion of a larger space.

Color/Pattern: Color is one of the most emotional subjects in decorating and is very personal. Tradition has taught us that only certain colors are appropriate for certain spaces. But when coloring your world, have no fear; The rules are few and the rewards are many. When deciding a color scheme, consider what furnishings and art pieces will be used. Use your fabrics, china and art to help you. Pattern, with color, is one of the most basic design tools. No matter how subtle, patterns can bring a room to life adding character, depth and visual interest.

Texture gives the space its “feel.” All of our decorative treatments and objects in a room - even the amount of stuffing in the upholstery - add to the atmosphere of the room. Fabrics add softness; stone and marble convey a sense of weight and permanence and improves over time; Brass, steel and wrought iron supply hardness and edge.

Great rooms begin with how you feel about being in them. Successful decorating involves making rooms feel as good as they look.

A home is really an attitude and a mind-set that is created physically by the choices you make. Your home should provide a sense of belonging and be a refuge that calms you, pleases you and makes of you no demands.

Tip: Patience - The challenge in decorating your new home is likely to be both emotional and physical. Take your time in making your choices and selecting your new possessions. Do not feel pressured to buy impulsively just “to fill in a space.” It’s your home you’re building, not a showroom.

Not sure how to pull your thoughts and decorating desires together? Give Carol’s a call and we can help you. Ask for me, Carol, or one of my designers to help you. Our telephone number is 940-565-8337. I also invite you to visit my website at carolscustomdraperies.hdwfg.com.

And as always – Happy Decorating!

A Green Night's Sleep

Bella Notte Linens

When we talk about green we think in terms of sustainable products, improved air quality and increased energy efficiency. But, how much do we really think about green in relationship to our sleep environment?

The average person spends at least one-third of their life sleeping on a mattress. Many mattresses are made with flame-retardant chemicals and petroleum-based, pesticide-filled materials. As we toss and turn during the course of our night’s sleep harmful dust, toxins and allergens can be released into the bedroom air.

How does one go about choosing a “green” mattress? There are top-of-the line companies who offer eco-friendly mattresses made of 100% bio-degradable, natural tree-rubber latex, organic essentials oils and plant extracts, pure wool as well as wool and cotton blends. However, these can cost thousands of dollars.

Conventional manufacturers such as Sealy, Simmons and Serta, are jumping on the green bandwagon using recycled steel coils and organic cotton materials. For healthy basics, look for soy based mattresses and organic cotton, wool or kapok pillow inserts and ask for 100% fibers as well as verifying that your purchase has not been treated with chemical fire retardants.

But, there are other ways to go organic in the bedroom without changing your mattress. Simply modify your sleeping accessories – sheets, mattress covers, pillows – in environmentally friendly ways. Sheet sets by Sferra Brothers offers Egyptian Cotton Percale sheets made in Italy are a luxurious choice but can be a bit pricy. Pottery Barn and Land’s End offer a somewhat more reasonably priced product. And what about Bamboo? Bamboo sheets are fantastic for a variety of reasons. While their pure cleanliness makes them ideal for use with people with allergies, their soft elegance offers only the greatest of sleeping comfort.

Now, let’s take this “green” initiative a step further and consider the pajama’s we wear as well as the carpet, window coverings and accessories that we use to decorate the bedroom. Again, we should try to use low-impact fabrics (textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their entire life cycle), non-toxic dyes as well as manufacturers in the USA.

A completely natural bedroom can offer a marked improvement for chemically sensitive people. Relief from symptoms such as headaches, stiffness and allergies have been reported by many who have made their bedrooms more eco-friendly.

Want to know how you can create an eco-friendly bedroom for yourself? We have many “green” fabrics in our offerings and have partnered with Hunter Douglas Window Coverings to give you a better choice.

Give me a call at 940-565-8337 to schedule your appointment or visit my showroom on the historic downtown Denton Square. We are here to help you with all of your decorating needs. We are a full line Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer as well as interior decorators. We have all you need in window fashions and decorating ideas of your home.

And as always - Happy Decorating!!

Hunter Douglas is pleased to announce the new Gallery Dealer Advisory Council members. As a new member of this Council I look forward to interacting with Gallery Dealers with their suggestions.

Follow this link to read the profiles of the new members.

http://alliance.hunterdouglas.com/SiteBuilder/sites/e0dce448-8655-4f40-9037-5d6c446ed959/images/GAC_may11.pdf

Outdoor Living

Yes, I know it is hot and your thoughts are probably far from lounging in an outdoor living space. But, let’s face it, we all love to entertain with a bar-b-que. And, if you have a pool – that makes it even more inviting. So, let’s talk “dress up” for your outdoor living space.

The first thing you should do is to create a visual centerpiece. That can be done with anything from a strategically placed furniture arrangement, a fireplace, a water feature, or a combination. Spa and pool designer Skip Howard suggests that your outdoor living space might include all the basic elements of nature: fire, water, sky and earth. In his designs, Howard uses “complementary contrasts of the soothing sound of water with the comforts of fire and light, flavoring them with natural elements in the surface of the different elements.”

Now, let’s take it a step further and bring in some interests with brightly colored fabrics. Sunbrella Fabrics has many beautiful fabrics available for cushions and draperies that makes it difficult to keep them outside. You might think about bringing them inside to spruce up a playroom. But, that’s another article.

Yes, I said draperies – Outside! How fun is that! I would suggest Grommet-top drapery panels to drape the columns of your patio. Grommet panels are easy to pull and less likely to be damaged by the wind. Drapery hardware companies are including outdoor rods for your space in their offerings. You don’t have to worry about damages from the extreme heat or cold. Included in their selections are the same beautiful finishes and finials as you choose for your inside windows.

Your furniture can be of rustic wooden design or you can select the more sleek design of iron. Add another element to the design to include glass. All are beautiful!

Showcase your furniture on a rug specifically designed for the patio.

Do I have you excited yet? Want to know how you can create your outdoor living space? We are full of great ideas to make your outdoor living space a place to be no matter what time of year it is.

Give me a call to schedule your appointment or visit my showroom on the historic downtown Denton Square. We are here to help you with all of your decorating needs. We are a full line Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer as well as interior decorators. We have all you need in window fashions and decorating ideas of your home.

And as always - Happy Decorating!!



Patio Pizazz – Sandee Champ, owner of Unique Outdoor Exteriors