When To Invest and When To Skimp

When decorating your home, you will always have a multitude of options no matter what it is you’re needing.  Most products come in a variety of styles, colors, sizes, and price.  So which one do you get?

I have heard it said in the design industry that, “You never want to skimp on what you sit on, what you walk on or what you sleep on.”  A general statement, but certainly an accurate one.  Here’s a list of my recommendations for when to invest , and when to skimp.

Invest In:

Seating Furniture That Is Used Daily

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When it comes to seating furniture, especially those you use daily, quality does make a difference.  So do invest in the best quality your budget will allow.  If you can wait the 6 to 12 weeks, custom ordering upholstered furniture will allow you to choose more durable fabrics, which will hold up longer and are easier to clean.  For daily used furniture, investing in more durable pieces is well worth it in the long run.

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Sherwin Williams Colormix 2015 at Dallas Market Center

On September 23, Sherwin Williams and 10 Sponsors presented the design community with a special color forecast event: Colormix 2015

Hundreds of designers showed up for the event at Dallas Market Center.  The speaker was Jackie L Jordan, Director of Color Marketing for Sherwin Williams.  Wine was served as the guests mingled and viewed several stunning vignettes from select showrooms, then a sit-down lunch followed by the presentation. 3 (Copy)

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Accesorizing a Master Bedroom

A room is not complete without the final touches, because it’s those final details, the accessorizing, that give character and life to the room.  It’s also what makes a room feel “complete”, as was the case with this McKinney master bedroom.

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Everything was there for a functional bedroom, what took it over the top was the accessorizing.  A few specifically chosen, strategically placed accessories that made a big difference. Continue reading…


A Home Office for the Sports Fan

Today, a home office is practically a necessity in most homes.  Even if you don’t work from home, you’ll probably spend many hours a week in that room.  As such, this room provides a unique opportunity to decorate with things that you love and that inspire your creativity.

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That’s exactly what this home owner had in mind when she asked me to design a home office for her husband; a man who loves everything sports, and has accumulated a variety of sports art and memorabilia.  This was the room before we started, a basic 11′ X 12′ room. Continue reading…


The Onyx Bar

I recently visited a long-time client and took this picture.  A gorgeous slab of white onyx that we installed a couple of years ago. The back-lights give the onyx a soft, golden glow, the perfect mood lighting for their frequent entertaining.

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Onyx is a gemstone found in various regions of the world, particularly Brazil. It can also be found in Uruguay, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Hawaii and Madagascar. Continue reading…


McKinney Airport Decorating Project

Earlier this year, I was offered the opportunity to decorate the lobby area at the McKinney National Airport.  As a pilot, you can only imagine my joy and excitement at the chance to decorate an airport…but especially the airport I fly out of!

In November 2013, the Collin County Regional Airport was bought by the City of McKinney and the name changed to McKinney National Airport.  The City also took over the FBO operations.  An FBO (fixed-base operator) is a commercial business granted the right by an airport to operate on the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangars, tie-downs, etc.  To run the FBO the City also hired a new General Manager.

Under this new leadership, plans began taking shape for the renovation of the entire space.  This is what we started with..

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A Light & Airy Apartment

We recently completed this 2-bedroom Carrollton apartment for a spunky Houston grandmother, whose grandchildren live here in Dallas.  With weekend trips becoming more the norm than the exception, Mrs. B  decided it was time for a “home-away-from-home apartment”.

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Back in Houston, Mrs B lives in a home that is decorated in an ultra traditional style…with large leather sofas and wrought iron accents.  In contrast, she wanted her Carrollton apartment to be light, airy and subtly feminine.  It also needed to be durable and practical for entertaining her many kids and grand-kids. Continue reading…


A Visit To Lake Texoma

If you live here in north Texas, you know all about how low our lakes have been.  Usually, I get to see the receding shorelines from the air, this weekend however, I got to see them close up and personal.

I always enjoy spending time with friends near Kingston, Oklahoma on Lake Texoma.  Strategically placed, the back of their home sits on a cove overlooking the lake.

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Trend Alert: Gold Rush

The gold rush is on!   But don’t worry,  this is not that old gold of the 80’s that immediately pops to mind.  Today, brushed gold and matte finishes create a softer look.  And it’s showing up everywhere, specially home decor.  So if you prefer gold to silver you’ll love the images to follow…

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