"Love Is All Around Us"

February is the month of Love! So, let’s talk about what we can do to make our homes a place we love to live in.

Your home should be a reflection of you. If you love beautiful artwork then display it prominently throughout your home. I know people who change their artwork from time to time. Not that they purchase new artwork to replace old. They simply store their artwork and bring it out when they want to enjoy other pieces that they have.

Do you have a favorite color? Why not use it throughout in your accessories. Decorative accent pillows and throws are a great way to bring your favorite color into your decor. And flowers! Not only can you display color in your floral arrangements but you can enthusiastically display the flowers that you love! Change your arrangements seasonally – you may have a favorite spring flower that is different from your favorite autumn flower.

Bring in the scents that you love also. This can be done with candles or scented oils. Place them strategically throughout your home to enjoy the smells from room to room.

Paint is another easy way to bring in color that you love. No need to paint every wall. Paint an accent wall that will create a warm and cozy feeling for you in the winter and a fresh enlightening atmosphere in the spring. Make sure when choosing a color you purchase a tester sample to verify the color is what you are looking for.

Windows are another area to display our love for color and art. Choose a printed fabric that brings fond memories and color to your thoughts. Accent with luscious trims and tassels. The sky is the limit. Let your imagination be your guide.

Have you explored any model homes lately? There are so many ideas that you can draw from the designers of these homes. Check them out!

When we choose furnishings and fabrics, wallpaper and paint, functional objects and decorative accessories to use and enjoy, we give life to our surroundings and so bring greater meaning to our lives. It is then that our home becomes a vital extension of who we are and what we love.

Denton Texas 2010 Auction For The Arts

Each year the Arts Guild of Denton, TX (TAG) presents their "Auction For The Arts" fundraising event. What a wonderful event! I have been involved with this event for a number of years. Money from the event is used to fund grants for applicants throughout the city. If you are in the vicinity of Denton, TX on November 13th please join us at 6 pm for wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Consider this your invitation.

August in Florida

I have finally found a week to relax, enjoy family and absorb the beauty of Destin Florida. What a beautiful place! The surf - the sand between the toes - the luscious green grass (far cry from the heat-stressed grasses and flowers of Texas) and even the refreshing rains we have had. My goal is to be able to take home my experiences from this week and draw on them as I slide back into my daily routine. Wish me luck.

Now, what can I see in this beautiful place to share with you?! Nature is always an inspiring palette. Every color we see and use in our surroundings are taken from the colors we see around us. From light green to forest dark greens and khaki, all shades look fabulous and add a lovely touch of color to any decor.

Sometimes we feel that brown is a bit depressing - dull and drab! But wait!! Browns look fabulous in any decor - from caramel to dark brown and bronze. So inspire yourself by using these wonderful earthtones.

According to fashion critics it seems that "red has a great influence in fashion especially this 2010 fall/winter season as it has been present on almost every fashion presentation. The vivid red coloration helps create a joyful and warm feel which paired with the seasonal cool colors, creates a perfect balance which enchants the eyes." Why not translate this into our home fashions? Add a touch of red in pillows, throws, florals and decorative accessories.

Other colors such as yellow, gray, dark blue, beige are also popular so make sure to incorporate these colors into your home decor.

Yes, I have found all of these colors and more in looking around me this week in Florida. And, yes, I will take them home with me to share with my clients. I hope that you will be inspired by my suggestions of color. Have fun - afterall - Life is like a day at the beach!!

It is summer in Texas!!

If you aren't from Texas and haven't been here in the last couple of weeks, we have finally reached our summer! The temps are over 100. Can it be July already! I have been so busy trying to keep up with myself that I have neglected my business Social Networking. Since I last posted I have been to Spain, France and Italy. After missing our boat in Barcelona we finally caught up with it in Naples. On the way we had the privelege of meeting 14 other people in the same "boat." They, too, missed the ship. But the trip was great and the sights were spectacular!

One day after arriving back in Texas I traveled to South Carolina for my brother-in-laws funeral. I'm glad I was able to spend some time with my sister Beth and family during this time.

The summer is fast fleeting! Business is great! We continue to grow in our offerings. I am also pleased to announce the addition of Samatha Anderson to our staff. I invite you to visit my website at carolscustomdraperies.hdwfg.com. There you will find pictures of our offerings. If you would like to receive our eNewsletter please email me at carcollins@msn.com and request that you be put on the email list.

Fresh Look for Office Serving Veterans

I was recently honored by the City of Denton and the Denton County Veterans Association for work I did in their Service office. Below is the article that appeared in the Denton Record Chronicle. I am deeply touched by the appreciation I received from the City and the Veterans Association as well as individuals who came by or called to thank me.

Article as written by Bj Lewis (Staff Writer for the DRC)
"With the addition of some new furniture and decor, the Denton County Veterans Service Office is a warmer place, officials say.

Roger Cortez, the county's veterans service director, said donations from local businesses have improved the atmosphere in the office and allowed more work with veterans to be done.

Before, the office had a large open window and steel chairs that dated from the 1970s, Cortez said.

It made it so sterile, like being in a hospital or the emergency room, he said.

To fix that, Cortez called around town to find someone to put drapes over the window, but was discouraged a little when job estimates came in at $2000. Then he spoke to Carol Collins of Carol's Custom Draperies and Interiors, and she donated her time and resources to make the drapes for the office.

"It was my pleasure to give back to those who have so courageously served our country," Collins said. "God has so blessed me and my family. It is my privilege to share."

The new drapes made an impact on veterans, many of whom did not care for the open look the office had before.

We deal with a lot of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Cortez said. It's already hard enough, to come in here and not feel invited...Some people walked right back out. The ones that walked out are the ones who need help the most.

Cortez said he noticed veterans have been a lot less tense when visiting the center since it was redecorated.

Another donation came from Walmart in the form of $1000 that Cortez used to purchase a flat-screen television now hung on a wall.

In addition, a veteran donated a stereo speaker system to make it easier to hear the TV during the busier times in the office.

Cortez said he was moved by the donations, especially in light of the financial hardships being faced by individuals and businesses right now.

It's a sacrifice these days because people don't have the money, he said. I thought it was special.

Denton County commissioners will recognize the contributions of Collins and Walmart at their meeting on Tuesday.

Vision 10

The design industry is an ever changing industry. What was exquisite 10 years ago will most likely be obselete in another 10 years. Why, because our likes and dislikes change just as rapidly. That is one reason that I attend design trade shows and read design magazines and books. I am attending the "window covering industry's annual exposition and educational conference - Vision 10 where the industry comes together to share information about new products, business opportunities and success strategies." There are designers from all over the country here to understand where design is headed and how we, as designers, can best meet our cliets needs. Wednesday was filled with seminars from Color Associations and Psycholoogy to Future Vision. The seminar speakers were excellent and very well informed about their topics.

Now it is Thursday morning. I look forward to the opening of the Exhibit Hall where hundreds of companies will have their latest inovations for the deisgn industry.

Watch for more as I assemilate new ideas to share with each of you.

Spring and Design

Wow, have you looked out the window the last few days? What beautiful sights there are in nature. What a Creator we have! From the beautiful pink Cherry Blossoms in Central Park to the Killdeer sitting on her nest with four eggs out my back door - life is new and refreshing.

Take a look around the inside of your home. We've had a long, cold winter. Has your interior suffered from the bleakness of outside? Ok, now is the time to take inspiration from the beauty of spring! Spruce up a coffee table with fresh spring flowers - pick a couple of brightly colored throw pillow to go on your sofa. You can also add the fragrance of spring by purchasing candles in scents of the season. A bright, new coat of paint or wallpaper in the kitchen, family room or any room that needs sprucing up will bring a refreshing atmosphere to enjoy.

There are so many exciting ways to make your interiors freshing and exciting for spring. I have many wonderful and exciting ideas to share with you. Please give me a call at 940-565-8337. And as always! Happy Decorating.