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What a Difference a Gallon Makes

Posted on May 7, 2011 at 12:27 am.

Written by Alba

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard it said that…the best, fastest and cheapest way to change your decor is with PAINT.

Recently, this very true statement was again proven by my client’s kitchen makeover. You should know, as you look at the before and after pictures, is that the ONLY difference is PAINT!

Before, the kitchen looked outdated with the existing wallpaper and white-washed cabinets. Without changing the cabinets or counter-tops, it underwent an enormous transformation with just a brand new paint job.

The wallpaper and border were removed and the walls were textured.
Two colors were used on the walls to create interest and depth.

Sherwin Williams SW6255 - Morning Fog

Sherwin Williams SW6257 - Gibraltar

The cabinets were painted in a dark brown color.
The island was painted in the same “Gibraltar” blue as the accent walls.

Sherwin Williams SW7027 - Well-Bred Brown

I LOVE doing color consultations…choosing just the right combination of colors that will transform the feeling and energy of any room. This kitchen was no exception!

Till next time,

Alba

A Model Home

Posted on April 16, 2011 at 10:34 pm.

Written by Alba

Last week I got to decorate 3 models in 3 states for Resource Design’s Model Mania. The models were all located in Assisted Living communities. I had such a great time and met so many great people. Here are a few pictures to share with you…

Decorating for Assisted Living require some unique considerations. For example, area rugs are not typically used because of the high use of wheelchairs and walkers. And trafficways need to be ample. But, like all homes, it needs to feel comfortable. This model is in Decatur, Alabama.

The model below is a very small, one-room studio in Leawood, Kansas. The goal for this model was to help prospective tenants to “visualize” how they can live in the space. This was accomplished through furniture placement…separating the space into 3 distinct areas: living, dining and bedroom.

Below is a one-bedroom model in Boise, Idaho. Traditional furnishings look beautiful with the updated color scheme of black, browns and blues.

It was an AMAZING week…AND a big bonus was getting to fly out of Los Angeles towards the west and over the Pacific Ocean. I LOVE seeing the world from above.

Thanks for visiting. Till next time,

Alba

Furniture for Outdoor Living

Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:53 pm.

Written by Alba

I’ve been a member of the Interior Design Society for 10 years, and currently serving as treasure of the IDS Dallas/Ft Worthchapter. Most months, our chapter…an amazing group of women in the design field, visit with new resources and are introduced to the latest products, styles and trends.

This month, we visited Janus et Cie, a supplier and manufacturer of casual furniture, primarily for the outdoors. But this is not your run-of-the-mill outdoor furniture. It is quality and style at it’s best.

I was most impressed with the uniqueness of the many styles. All of them stylish enough to be used outside AND inside.

I was also impressed with the quality. While they carry some brands, most peices are proprietary and the craftsmanship and materials are top notch.

This table below and dining chairs also come in a few other color options. It is one of their best sellers. The surprising part is that most buyers are using them inside the house.

Umbrellas are a big part of outdoor living. The base on this one rotates 350 degrees.

This chair is part of their teak collection. Although it LOOKS like teak, it’s made from recycled plastic. All the beauty of teak, without the maintenance.

Outdoor spaces are extensions of our indoor living areas. So it makes sense that we make them as beautiful and comfortable as your interiors. And with so many new and fun styles out there, it’s never been easier.

For more styles and outdoor ideas, go to the Janus et Cie Website.

A big thank you fo Jennifer Janian, manager of the Janus et Cie Dallas Showroom, for a very informative presentation and the awesome hospitality.

Till Next time,

Alba

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Trend Alert: The writing is on the wall…

Posted on March 20, 2011 at 10:48 pm.

Written by Alba

…and on the chair, and on the lamp, and on the sofa…..

Script is everywhere.

I love the vintage look of script, and today, this vintage design is popping up in everything that is contemporary.

Mixing old and new is always tricky, but much like paisley and animal prints, script is timeless. The cript uphoulstry “softens” the hard lines of this contemporary armless chair….

…and yet, it’s also right at home on the more traditional frame of this dining room chair.

A unique and fabulous alternative! Forget stained wood…forget painted pieces, this cript chest is sure to spark interest in any space.

Of couse, accessories are the perfect way to bring a little script to your home decor, and throw pillows top the list.

Remember that lamp shades can be purchased seperately and are priceless for updating your existing lamps. Try a script lampshade for a bit of fun. Small storage ottomans are also fun and practical.

You can even find script on trashcan liners! 🙂

Till next time,

Alba

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A Bedroom: Before & After

Posted on March 4, 2011 at 12:04 am.

Written by Alba

I have found that, for one reason or another, a LOT of you possess “aged” bedroom furniture that…you simply can’t get rid of. Usually antiques, outdated or just plain old, this furniture dates the room. And most of us are NOT inspired to decorate using “old” furniture.…so the room is often neglected!

But even though the furniture is antiques, outdated or just plain old, there ARE ways to totally update the room…and still keep the “old” furniture. So no more excuses…

This room I just completed for a dear client. They were NOT interested in getting rid of their existing furniture, but they STILL wanted to update their bedroom. They wanted the room to be “calming” and blue….(it seems many clients are wanting shades of blue these days)…anyway, they are very pleased with the end results…

Here are the key items on which to focus:

First, we rearranged the furniture. Primarily to give the room new energy. Don’t be afraid to try different configurations. You won’t know what works until you see it arranged.
Next we chose new bedding. The bedding is an important decor element. The client purchased this bedding because she loved it. It became our inspiration piece and the basis for our color scheme.
Then we chose the wall color to compliment the bedding.
Now the window treatments…to compliment the edding and the wall color.
Finally the art and accessories …everything working in harmony within the color scheme.

By staying within the color scheme, we are able to mix contemporary fabrics and art along with the more traditional patterns of the bedding and furniture. Incorporating contemporary items is what helps update the room.

My client’s wedding dress. Her daughter wore it on HER wedding day too. Isn’t that a wonderful story? That’s the best part of my job…getting to meet great people with wonderful stories like that.

Hope I’ve inspired you.

Till next time,

Alba

My Favorite Picks at the Home & Garden Show

Posted on February 24, 2011 at 12:23 am.

Written by Alba

This past weekend I attended the 2nd Annual Home & Garden Show in Allen. There were lots of great vendors showcasing their products. Everything from landscape materials to cleaning supplies.

I stopped to chat with these 4 vendors that I thought were just a little different than the rest…

Phantom Screens What I loved about these screens is that, when retracted, there is NO evidence of it. It takes up virtually no space, unlike traditional screen doors that swing open. They can be mount to the frame of any swing door. It works just like a rolling shade, only vertical.

Phantom Screens are sold by Next Century Screens in Garland Texas.

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I’ve always been fascinated by Murphy beds. They’re ideal for multifunctional rooms. You know, like the home office/guestroom/exercise room. I’m surprised more people don’t take advantage of this space-saving solution.

Rick’s Custom Woodworks specialize in Murphy beds. They had this beautiful one at the show. It looked just like a bookshelf when closed and the craftsmanship was very good. Check them out at RicksCustomWoodwork.com

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Art Floors Here’s a unique product for walls, floors, and countertops. The amazing thing is that its made of paper! Each application is hand laid, so it’s a one-of-a-kind. The product is said to be easy to clean, green and comes with a 5 year warranty. This is definitely thinking outside the box!

Isn’t it wonderful that entrepreneurs continue to imagine and develop new products and services in the home improvement arena? Let’s patronize their businesses when possible…ingenuity should be encouraged.

Till next time,

Alba

Mirrored Furniture

Posted on February 21, 2011 at 10:39 pm.

Written by Alba

I LOVE mirrored furniture!

I can’t understand why no body else does!

After all the years I’ve been a designer, I have yet to decorate for a client that appreciates mirrored furniture as much as I do. But I’m SURE you’re out there. So to fuel your interest, and to satisfy my need to talk about them, here are some of my favorites.

This dining room is a perfect combination of modern design with classical elements. The mirrored buffet is the showstopper.

Few things can bring glamour to a room more than mirrored furniture. Imagine this bedroom without the mirrored nightstands….nice, but certainly less exciting!

The chest of drawers. A superbly versatile piece of furniture. This one graces a foyer, a great space to showcase a mirrored piece. It sets the tone immediately when entering the home.

Like all mirrors, mirrored furniture reflects light…making dark rooms brighter…

…and small spaces look larger.

…and talk about making a room look larger! I LOVE this screen! It brings glamour and drama, AND its functional…who knows what mess might hide behind it.

You don’t need to go big and bold…a few key mirrored pieces can go a long way in changing the energy of the room.

But if you want to go all out…I will not discourage you. 🙂

Of course I realize that mirrored furniture is not for everyone. If you have small children, for instance, they can be difficult to maintain fingerprint-free. But there are MANY ways to incorporate a piece into your home. So think outside the box…open your mind to the possibilities…and then, CALL ME…because I’d love to help you select the perfect piece.

Till next time,

Alba

Decorating With Wall Decals

Posted on February 13, 2011 at 3:49 pm.

Written by Alba

Decals are a fun wall treatment that you may not have considered. They’re fun, unexpected and definitely out of the box. I think you’ll be surprised at the selection that is available. They’re not just for nurseries anymore…

A welcoming decal for the foyer. How fun is that!! The simple graphic style is perfect for this contemporary decor.

Here’s another foyer with a white tree decal. A light from above shines directly on the tree, giving it drama.

Decals are easy to install, removable, and inexpensive. They make a great focal point in rooms that don’t have one, adding instant interest and pizazz.

Bedrooms are great for decals. ANY bedroom…

…the Master or the kid’s room.

And don’t forget the laundry room. Typically, most people don’t think about decorating the laundry room, but decals are a great way to add interest and even motivation!

Decals are easy to install. Here’s a video that shows step-by-step. There are others online that you can look at. Simply Google “installing wall decals”

Installing Wall Decals

Here’s an idea that I thought was brilliant. This is NOT a decal…it’s a painted shadow! Arrange some of your favorite items, shine a light on them, trace the outline on the wall an fill it in with a darker tone.

So, if you decide to try your hand at decorating with decals, I WANT PICTURES!! Email me pictures of your project and I’ll post them on my blog. Gave fun with it!

Till next time,

Alba

Visit our website: Dorsch Interior, LLC

Updating a Master Bath

Posted on February 1, 2011 at 12:12 pm.

Written by Alba

Even without replacing the cabinets OR the counter-tops, this master bathroom got a major face-lift.

This master bathroom belongs to one of my favorite clients. I’ll call them “The Hues” because this couple is NOT afraid of color! They LOVE color AND contemporary design. So it was only a matter of time before they tackled their outdated and traditional master bathroom.

Here’s what we did that made such a difference?

We removed the furdowns and re-wired for wall light fixtures. Furdowns, often, don’t serve any purpose. Unless they hide duct work or wiring, they should be removed to open up the space.
We removed the wallpaper and painted. Two wall colors were used. This provided dimension and highlighted the architecture.

The cabinets were painted in the same “Gauntlet Gray” as the accent wall.
Bar handles replaced the knobs and all fixtures were changed to more contemporary styles in a brushed nickle finish.

The shower surround was re-tiled with black granite and a glass tile detail.
The carpet was removed and replaced with white tile in a 24″ X 24″ size.

In true Hues family fashion, we completed the look with a colorful area rug.

Yes, I DO love the Hues! A couple of years ago my first project for them was their formal living room…I told you they aren’t afraid of color! How FUN is that!

Remodeling can be chaotic, stressful and unpredictale. But the end result is worth it…

…to enjoy the environment you live in is ALWAYS worth it.

Till Next time,

Alba

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Trend Alert: Silver

Posted on January 31, 2011 at 8:45 pm.

Written by Alba

Silver has been around for centuries.

And lately, this classic metallic finish is showing up in everything that is home decor!

No other metal brings glitz, glamore and sophistication to a room better than silver. Check out some of the latest silver trends in home accessories.

Mirrors: This cyclone mirror from Uttermosthas a silver champagne finish with a light gray glaze.

Furniture: The Morocco Hexagonal Side Table from Worlds Away. It’s silver leaf finish and antique mirrored top create a decidedly upscale accessory.

Lighting: Silver finishes on lamps and chandeliers continue to dominate the world of home decor.

Tip: Gray and silver are a perfect pair for a monochromatic color scheme. Incorporate a third color to boost the energy level. In the above picture they have used black, but any color will do.

Bar Accessories: Set your drink down on a Biscayne Coaster from Z Gallerie. A rich brown crocodile pattern adorned with polished silver studs.

Area Rugs: The Yasmine Rug, also from Z Gallerie. An exotic design in silver and charcoal raised viscose.

Tip: As with most things, moderation is key! Don’t go overboard incorporating silver in your home decor. A few key items go a long way.

Candleholders: I LOVE this stunning candle holder from Uttermost.

Tip: Combining different metal finishes (i.e. silver and brass) in the same space is perfectly acceptable. However, it DOES required a little planning so that both finishes work in unison and don’t compete with each other. If in doubt, its a good idea to get a non-bias opinion from a friend or professional.

Vases: When it comes to accessorizing, vases are a main staple. And today, you can find them in all shapes, colors and styles. These beauties are Rumba vases from CB2.

Remember, changing your accessories is one of the simplest and most economical ways to change the look of your rooms. If you’re looking to make that change, give me a call or Send Me an Email…I’d love to help.

Till next time,

Alba

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