Chateaux Interiors

2010-06-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Nate Day!

Thanks to the gals at The Mogg Blog for creating this event for such a great designer. Being a guy who designs I have had the up most respect and admiration for Nate's work for a long time. I am so excited about his show and the platform he will have for design as a whole.

I'm new to what the gals at the Mogg Blog are doing but from what I can gather it is a grassroots movement to have an audience of bloggers for one of Nate's first episodes....how awesome would that be!! I found out via Small and Chic in Cville...a great blog...check it out!

So here's to Nate and all he has accomplished and best of luck with the show!

*photos from decor8

2010-05-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

~I absolutely love looking at old letters especially the handwriting...do people even write like that anymore? It's beautiful and I wish I wrote so perfectly...you know the right slant and all of the loops and swirls.....I digress.

Just wanted to leave you with these shots...I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend. I will be leaving tomorrow heading to Virginia for the holiday weekend with camera in hand and will share pictures next week....what are your plans?

Here's to the long weekend!~

2010-05-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

~Here is a shot of the new bedding in our showroom....B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!

2010-05-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

~So here I am...long overdue....I know.....but here is a recap of market. We had an amazing time and saw so many beautiful things and met some amazing people along the way. Below are some shots we took and there will be more in the days to come but for now here we go....

~Dana & I with Rachel Ashwell....who is so gracious and nice~

~ Me with Candice Olsen...seriously had to fight off an army of crazed women... no lie~

~Eddie Ross - blogger extraordinaire-....randomly bumped into him and he couldn't have been more nice and welcoming....love his blog~

~Dana & Candice.....again this was taken in the midst of the crazed hysteria~

~Ok so this is Urial and she is a buyer for a department store in Michigan and I absolutely feel in love with her the minute I saw those glasses... so chic and classy...so I asked to take a picture with her and she couldn't have been nicer...classy lady~

Below are some great shots from BOBO...love everything they do....here are some highlights

~These are simply epic....enough said~

~LOVE this sofa and to sit in it makes you want it even more.....a must!

~This reclaimed wood table is a great piece...very green... reclaimed wood pieces had a huge presence at market~

~Friends we met at market...Beverly on the left and Marcia in the middle....they were a breath of fresh air...two fun gals~

~Love these lights....what statement pieces~

~Dana doing the "signature" pose....inside joke....HA!

~Below are shots of the Barclay Butera showroom....which was a knock out of the park~

~So there is a recap...like I said I have more shots to share...so stay tuned~

2010-04-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

~Packing up and shipping out! We are leaving for Highpoint Market tomorrow and will be there until next week. So, I will be sure to document our trip and all of the great things we see....this is sure to be epic...very excited!

~Have a great weekend & see you next week~

2010-04-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

~Sarah Jessica Parker( the epitome of style ) graces the cover of the upcoming May Vogue... here are some excerpts from the press release:

On having children with a surrogate mother: "Meeting your children rather than giving birth to them, it's as if, um, it's--suspended animation. The gestational experience is gone. It's as if everything else disappears for a moment, and the world goes silent and--I can't explain it except to say that nothing else existed. I don't remember anything but the blanket on the bed that they were lying on and my husband's face and their faces and my son's. It's literally as if sound is sucked from the room. Time stands still. It's so different, and equally extraordinary."

On the importance of keeping perspective: "We painted our patio furniture ourselves.... I make my children's food myself. We put together their high chairs ourselves; we do a lot ourselves! We do our own grocery shopping, we go to the market ourselves, you know? I do my laundry."

The upcoming Sex and the City sequel: "We four women, despite I guess what a lot of people hope, have never been better. This movie--and maybe it's because we actually lived together--it was the best! We were together all day long, at night, in the restaurants, in our hotels. It was wonderful!"

Her introduction to New York and Halston: "I came to New York originally in 1976, and then I got this part in Annie around the corner from Studio 54. I was a little girl, and for some reason they always invited the cast of Annie to Studio 54, so there I was at thirteen and fourteen, and the doorman would usher us in, literally underneath his arms. And it was 1977 in New York City, and you couldn't be alive and not know the name Halston."

Her new position with Halston: "There was every reason to say no, and there were very compelling reasons to say yes.... It's an exciting time at that company. It has had some false starts that are well documented and it is relaunching itself. It has a wonderful legacy, and I couldn't say no."

*Photo:Vogue

2010-04-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

2010-04-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

~Just ordered this book and I am very excited to read it. I saw a post done by Style Court on this book and it instantly grabbed my attention. The book is written by a daughter about her mother and her love of fashion. She compiled the book as a scrapbook for her mother who was battling Alzheimer's disease as a means to jog her memory and bring her joy. The pictures instantly transported her back and allowed them both to connect once again.....

Click here to watch the book trailer~

2010-04-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

~I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend...it was a beautiful weekend here! Back at it today....last week I promised new pictures from my latest installment, so with out further ado here they are! This was a wonderful project to work on and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. Hope you enjoy....

~Before~

~After~

~Before~

~After~

~Before~

~After~

2010-04-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

~I found this book at a thrift store a while back for a quarter....yes $0.25....hard to believe I know. I had never heard of it but the title intrigued me.....hands down one of the best books I have read! Even though the copyright says 1970 this book is so relevant to life and has invaluable wisdom to be shared....do your self a favor and check it out!

2010-04-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

~Things have been extremely busy the past few weeks thus neglecting the blog....Next week I will be posting pictures from our latest installation ....great before and afters! The weather is absolutely gorgeous, things are busy, business is great... so no room for complaints!

~Have a great weekend and I promise more posts next week!

Shots of Chateaux

2010-03-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

~Have a great weekend....

Chic Inspiration

2010-03-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

2010-03-10T05:54:00.000-08:00

~ Loving this!

2010-03-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

~Yesterday I was searching the blogs and came across a wonderful blog "A Lifes's Design" and saw some of these shots and instantly fell in love! I have always been a sucker for houses and this was a great fix...

2010-03-02T06:20:00.000-08:00

~This room featured in the March issue of Traditional Home is stunning and I love everything about it... so much that this was the inspiration for our window treatments in the showroom.

The showroom and conference area are looking awesome. Things have progressed a bit slower due to the weather we have been experiencing but the end is in sight. I can't wait to reveal the final pictures in the coming weeks...

2010-03-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

High Profile: Dana Blankenship

~This article ran in the Register-Herald as a Sunday feature on Dana. It was a great article and will give you some insight as to who she is and the story of her business~

~By Bev Davis Register-Herald Senior Editor

BECKLEY — Dana Blankenship’s philosophy of life is simple: “Do what you love, and the rest falls into place.”“I really believe that. I love what I do, so it doesn’t seem like work to me, even though it requires a lot of hours and a lot of thought, but when you enjoy doing something, the time flies by. Loving what you do also helps you have a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in what you do,” Blankenship said.Born and reared in Paris, Ill., the owner and principal designer of Chateaux Interiors in Beckley once thought she would like to be a teacher.

During her high school and college years, however, Blankenship developed an interest in design.While earning her degree in journalism at Indiana State University, Blankenship’s flair for design started in her dorm room. “People loved what I did with my room, and friends started asking me to help them design theirs. Then friends with apartments and homes starting asking me for help. The more I did, the more interested I became in design. I read and studied everything I could find about design, and still do.

I’m just fascinated with the whole field,” she said.She met Chuck Blankenship in Indiana and moved to West Virginia following their marriage. Soon, family members and friends here were asking for her help in making their homes more attractive.“I think you either have an eye for design or not. Although it’s important to study elements of design, you have to be able to see each opportunity to create a design that’s unique for that situation,” she said.Blankenship began doing design work out of her home and was later part of Sarah Jessica Interiors.

In April 2002, she opened First Impressions in Beckley.“Over time, that business evolved into Chateaux Interiors, a southern West Virginia premier interior design firm,” Blankenship said.“Chateaux” is the French word for castle. Blankenship believes in the old saying, “One’s home should be one’s castle.”“Home is more than a house or a place to live. It’s your sanctuary away from the outside world where you and your family can be together in a comfortable, attractive environment.

It’s far more than furnishings and art on the wall, and yet those things make a home uniquely yours,” she said.Time and experience have taught her to think “outside the box” when she approaches a new design challenge.“You have to know some rules of design, but you have to know how to work around those rules and not allow them to inhibit the design process,” she said. “They provide a framework that can help you avoid making some huge mistakes, but you have to learn how to take some leeway in order to get a design that works best for your client.”When it’s all said and done, Blankenship’s design career is an extension of her initial interest in teaching.“In a way, what I do involves teaching. I’m helping clients to understand design terms and concepts and helping them to make the most of what they have.

Teaching is a lot about learning, and one of the things I love most about design is that I’m learning all the time. There’s always something new and different, and that keeps me interested and growing personally and professionally.”A people person by nature, Blankenship loves the one-on-one relationships she develops with clients. “In order to do a job for someone, I have to spend some time getting to know them and learning what their tastes and color preferences and design needs are. It’s important, especially with families, that redoing a room or an area of a home be something that makes everyone feel at home and enjoy that space more,” she said.Understanding a client’s personality, career, hobbies and interests all comes into play when helping them with a design project, Blankenship said.“My goal when I’m finished with a design is that it will reflect the people who live there. Knowing more about who they are and how they live helps me do that. In the process of finding all that out, I really get to know clients, and I love that about this job. When I’m finished with a project, I’ve made new friends.”The whole creative process that goes into a design project frames the heart of how this designer spends her days.“I love the way a client and I can start with some simple ideas and how the project just takes on a life of its own.

I may look at a space and have a vague idea of what would make it more attractive or more functional — depending on what the client wants — and, as I began to sketch ideas and look at fabrics and colors, it’s like a whole new set of ideas open up. One leads to another, and before we know it, the whole space has taken on a life of its own.”The most fulfilling part of Blankenship’s job comes with that moment when a client sees the finished job — and loves it.“When they see the transformation with their own eyes and I can see the joy in their face, there’s just no high like that,” she said. “I can tell by the look on someone’s face if I have done what they wanted and that they are happy with the results.

That’s the energy that fuels what I do, pleasing the client and seeing that joy they have and knowing they will enjoy that space for a long time to come.”Because her work requires so much time and thought, Blankenship often finds herself walking a tightrope, trying to balance home, family and a career that involves clients locally and throughout the state.“Running a business has a practical side to it that’s also time-consuming, and I have to be careful that I don’t become so involved in the business that I lose track of other priorities, like spending time with my family. I’m very blessed to have friends who help me out and to have a family that’s very supportive,” she said.

Last year, she hired marketing director and assistant designer David Trump III, which has made things a bit easier.“David has a good eye for design, and he loves learning about the business. He’s been a great help in getting the word out about what we do, and it’s really helpful to be able to bounce ideas off one another and to get his perspective about a job we’re working on.”

The flexibility of her career helps, but Blankenship still has to make a conscious effort to keep her priorities in line.“The business has now tapped into the Greenbrier market. The West Virginia Living show house was an exciting project, but as the business grows, I have to consistently learn to pace myself so everything gets done, but without sacrificing time with my family and doing other things that are important to me.

Less is more...

2010-02-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

~Great feature in The New York Times today about shopping for color with Ghislaine Vinas....here are a couple highlights:

"It’s not necessary to go overboard with multiple turquoise accessories. One piece: that’s all you really need."

~~~

“Just pop one thing somewhere in a room,” Ms. Viñas said, and it “can give you an amazing contrast.”

~Oh so very true.....

Isn't She Lovely?

2010-02-22T08:16:00.001-08:00

~Happy Monday everyone! We had a beautiful weekend here and are gearing up for a big week, but it looks like we will be having another round of snow.....not looking forward to it at all! I wanted to show you one of our new pieces that is so unique.

I don't think Dana has ever been more excited than when she set her eyes on this piece. It is a rare work that we had framed and really turned out to be stunning! There are great ideas for Ingres being thrown around right now so stay tuned to see where she lands...

Sweet Sunshine...

2010-02-19T07:44:00.000-08:00

Today the sun is shining and it seems like it has been weeks since we have seen it...on second thought it has been weeks! Today is the kind of day that makes you long for spring and want to put this weather that old man winter has all to graciously given long behind us.

Its Friday and the weekend is upon us and I have nothing planned but to catch up on some reading and enjoy this weather even if it is just for a couple of days! Hope you all do the same...

~Have a great weekend!

On Trend...

2010-02-18T07:37:00.000-08:00

~As you know we are in the middle of remodeling the store with a complete new look. Well, this week just happens to be Fashion Week in New York and I was kind of in shock when I saw Carolina Herrera's new line for Fall '10. Talk about being right on point, the fabrics and colors we are using so resemble her new line and I think that is pretty exciting!

Below I have posted some shots of her pieces as well as fabrics and colors we are using in the store. Her designs are gorgeous, so is her style....and if you ask me I think the same can be said about Chateaux!

~Ralph Lauren Zebra~

~Anna French flocked fabric for chair~

~Shots of turquoise~

~Fredrick Cooper Lamp~

~Cowtan & Tout fabric ~

*Photos by Getty Images

AD Proof

2010-02-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

AD Proof for WV Living

2010-02-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

...........

"Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk."

~J.C. Penny~

......................

Anatomy of a Chair...

2010-02-16T07:07:00.000-08:00

~This chair is a result of two fabrics that Dana fell in love with. The first being a Ralph Lauren Serengeti zebra stripe and the second a Pindler & Pindler Peacock print. This chair was featured in our WV Living Designer showcase home and now resides in a clients house and looks perfect~

Ralph Lauren Serengeti Zebra Stripe

Pindler & Pindler Peacock

Cowtan & Tout Custom Window Treatment paired with the Serengeti chair is stunning...

Fresh & New...

2010-02-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

Finally received some new items and was able to get half of the show room in some order after all of the construction that has been going on. There is still more to be done but I wanted to at least post some pictures of a few of our new things. The process has taken a bit longer than expected due to the crazy weather we have been experiencing the past month....definitely ready for spring!

I'll most more pictures of how the progress is coming....stay tuned!

And the winner is...

2010-02-10T06:16:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please......Piper Jacquelyn !! Congrats! Piper has a wonderful candle being sent her way. Thanks to everyone for supporting the giveaway and stay tuned for more to come!

Blog Giveaway

2010-02-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

Spread the word, the giveaway ends tonight at 12:00 am....be sure to do the following so you have a chance to win:

1 entry: Become a follower
2 entries: Leave a comment describing your home decor
3 entries: Post a blog entry about this giveaway
4 entries: Follow us on twitter

Winners will be announced tomorrow Feb. 9th.....good luck!

WV Living Spring Ad Shots

2010-02-04T10:31:00.001-08:00

Lunch @ Draper's

2010-02-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Last week, after we finished up the commercial shoot, we made our way over to Draper's Cafe located at The Greenbrier for lunch. As soon as you hit the door you feel like you are being transported into the world of Dorthy Draper....from the black & white tiles to the purple wallpaper with shots of pink and black popping up everywhere....very nostalgic and the food was excellent! All in all a wonderful lunch filled with lots of laughs and great food....

Construction - Day 3

2010-02-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

A Giveaway by Chateaux Interiors

2010-02-02T09:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Chateaux Interiors. I am thrilled that you have stopped by. To celebrate our new blog opening, I am hosting a giveaway for a Jimmy Belasco candle in Thai Ginger Citrus. These soy candles are a novelty that we carry at our design boutique, Chateaux. These candles retail at our store for $35, but will be free to the giveaway winner!

Winners will be announced next Tuesday, February 9. You may have up to four entries.

1 entry: Become a follower

2 entries: Leave a comment describing your home decor

3 entries: Post a blog entry about this giveaway

4 entries: Follow us on twitter

Thank you for stopping by West Virginia's premier design firm. We look forward to providing you with updates about our firm as well as design inspiration.

Commercial

2010-02-01T07:43:00.001-08:00

We began shooting our commercial on Thursday and I think that it is really going to turn out nice. We went to The Summit and shot the house we just completed at the end of last year. We added some spring touches like the table setting pictured above.

The day was a ton of fun and there were plenty of good laughs. Above Ann Bell of Ann Bell & Company is trying to decide which scarf to wear....she decided to go with the one pictured and it looked lovely.

Here is Ann getting ready for her close up...

Above is a picture of the hallway. I don't think there has been a good picture of the hallway posted and I wanted to show the awesome wallpaper we did going horizontally down the hall....stunning.

Here is some of the crew getting ready to shoot....and below is a picture of the spring table scape that will be featured. All in all it was a great day and I think the commercial is going to turn out well....I should see the first proof this week....fingers crossed!

Construction - Day 2

2010-01-29T05:39:00.000-08:00

Works of Art...

2010-01-27T05:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday one of our art dealers stopped by and we were able to get some amazing pieces. The first one above is an original work done by a South American artist entitled "Noche de Pasion"...This is one that Dana picked out and I fell in love with!

This is another one of my personal favorites... I love the way this looks classic but with a modern twist.....very cool and unexpected.

This is another one of the paintings we picked out. In the end, we wound up with around 10 beautiful pieces. There are a couple that have to be gallery wrapped....they are incredible as well and I can't wait to post them!

Construction - Day 1

2010-01-27T05:34:00.001-08:00

Great finds...

2010-01-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

Well, the weekend got off to a great start...on Friday we went to a vintage shop and found some awesome things! Look at these columns....they are unreal and we found two of them....the detail is exquisite!

Then we found two awesome sets of doors for our new addition...they are scheduled to start on the addition Monday so this made for perfect timing. The doors have great detail and tons of character...not to mention the charm they will add to the new conference room...

We also managed to come back with a set of chairs that are going to be re-upholstered in a great Cowtan & Tout turquoise polka-dot fabric....can't wait to post them! If everything goes to plan the construction on the new addition will start tomorrow and I will post pictures of the process so you can see it all come together...very exciting!

Lovin these lamps...

2010-01-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had to place an order for a client and it sent me on a search for lamps. These are some awesome lamps! The first I ordered just to place in the store because I love it, especially that black shade and base.

This one I ordered for the client to go in her master suite. Her suite is done in black and white - very streamlined with a black and white toile. So, this was the perfect lamp to add that pop of color.....can't wait to place them on her night stands!

This is another one that I think is great! I'm a huge fan of turquoise so this is right up my alley. Now, I just have to wait for them to ship.....so all in all I had a wonderful online adventure in pursuit of the perfect lamp - mission accomplished!

Oh yea, it's Cowtan & Tout...

2010-01-18T11:05:00.000-08:00

Just got the new issue of Traditional Home and I am really loving this issue. It is packed full of some great ideas. One in particular is the Cowtan & Tout fabric showcased on pg. 36. It is an awesome Savoy animal print that we actually used on a wing back chair for the show house we did this past October.

Here is the chair below with the featured fabric...its such a wonderful fun print and really turned out well....you gotta love Cowtan & Tout!

A Little Light....

2010-01-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

I am really loving vintage lighting these days....I have to say that it really gives a room so much character and provides a home with instant age. You can have a new home and use vintage lighting and its as if the house has been there for years....The picture above is from Martha Stewart...I have to say that is my favorite vintage light....I'm using this light in a current project I'm working on.

The picture above is the home of Kirby Ellis...I love this room for many reasons! The light plays a huge role in the way it reflects in that stunning mirror which is being used as a headboard....love that idea!

This is a beautiful room I saw in Country Living. Love this room for many reasons, but the light really catches the eye and pulls the whole room together. Bottom line is no one should not take lighting for granted. It really can make all the difference in the world .

A Little Grey...

2010-01-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

This color is my new favorite! This is Sherman Williams Classic French Grey....its the bomb .com! Just got finished using this on dining room for a client I am working with. Can't wait to show you pictures of the completed room....it looks awesome! This is the most true grey I have used...no purple...no blue...just a classic french grey.

Something New...

2010-01-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

Just received a new chair! I love this chair mostly because of the amazing fabric we had it covered in. The fabric is a great Cowtan & Tout stripe that looks so sharp. Paired it with a custom Kenneth oil painting that pulls in the red along with the red tulip arrangement. Placed the porcelain monkey lamp on the black wine table and the whole look really came together.

A Little Inspiration...

2010-01-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

This is the Villa of Kriselea located on Rivermont Ave. in downtown Lynchburg, VA. I absolutely love this house! I had the opportunity to take some shots of the house and I am dying to see the inside. I lived in Lynchburg when I was in college and I have never forgot this house, anytime I am back in Virginia I go by and look at it. Its very inspiring...look at all the detail!

This is back of the house - that my friends Britt and Jen who went on this adventure with me.

The home is massive - this is the south entrance.

Can you imagine being able to call this home?......One can dream!

Simply the best....

2010-01-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

If your looking for a new fresh scent for the new year this is your candle. It is delicious! Thai Ginger Citrus from Jimmy Belasco is the best! We can't keep them on the shelves, it is the most pure,clean, fresh scent I have ever burnt. 100% soy....simply the best!

{Chateaux}

Been a while....

2010-01-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

Well, the title says it all! Things have been very busy for Chateaux over the past few months many different projects have taken our attention. That's a good thing! Now we are back and ready to focus on an amazing 2010!

There are going to be a lot of things happening this year and we couldn't be more excited. For now, we are going to focus on updating the blog and taking everyone on the journey with us.

Now for a recap.....

Back in August, we started a great project at The Greenbrier for a holiday showcase house. We worked with WVLiving magazine ,as well as, Ann Bell of Ann Bell & Company.The house had to be completed by the first of October. This was an enormous undertaking but proved to be very rewarding. The house was a plain vanilla spec home and we went in and completely designed the first floor. The home is for sell and we thought this would be a great opputunity to showcase this beautiful property.....for more info on the house contact listing broker Ann Bell 304-645-5000.

A large event was held to showcase the house at the end of October. The event was a tremendous success with over 100 people showing up to view our work and the house.

We managed to get a lot of great press during this time. WVLiving did a great 8 page spread on the house which is on stands now - so check it out! We also got some great mentions from the Register-Herald, Charleston Gazette and Fox 59 News.

While doing all of this we managed to keep up with our other projects and managed to tackle all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Well, that's a little recap of everything that has gone on over the past few months. For more pictures check out our website.

Jimmy Belasco Candles are Here!!

2009-07-22T08:02:00.001-07:00

Jimmy Belasco candles are the best candles out there - hands down! They are 100% soy and made in the USA with soybeans produced by American farmers. Chateaux Interiors is proud to say that we are the only store in the state to carry Jimmy Belasco candles. Jimmy candles are all the rage in New York and Chicago and have even been featured on Oprah as one of here favorite things! Come in and check them out you won't be disappointed - we promise!

Fragrances:
Thai Ginger Citrus - notes of pink grapefruit, lime & ginger
Love - notes of white chocolate, vanilla & nutmeg
Happy Chic - notes of lavender, lilly, sandalwood & patchouli
Sexe - notes of amber, plumeria, cocoa, myrrh, yiang & lime
Absinthe - notes of lime peel, amber & patchouli
Green Green Grass - notes of lemongrass, vetiver & cedarwood

interior ReDesign

2009-07-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Just received some press coverage.....check it out!

Today’s economy has more of Dana Blankenship’s clients looking for ways to change the decor of their homes.“People are cocooning, and I think they are enjoying their homes more, but there comes a time they want to update the decor a little bit and add new interest to their rooms,” said Blankenship, an interior designer and owner of Chateaux Interiors and Fine Gifts in Beckley.

Calling in a designer to look at a room or a home through new eyes can be a wise investment, she said.“People get stagnant. They may realize they need to make some changes, but they can’t really visualize what they want. A designer can come in and see things they don’t see and envision other ways to freshen the look of the room,” Blankenship said.

Cost shouldn’t be a prohibitive factor, said Dave Trump, assistant marketing director. “One of the misconceptions people have is that hiring a designer will be too expensive. Actually, a designer can save you money in the long run. They know the market and the design trends, and they know how to do a lot with a little.”The store has added a Web site to keep customers abreast of new trends, upcoming sales, the designer’s philosophy and a variety of helpful information. “We also plan to add a newsletter soon, and we believe that will be helpful to our customers,” Trump said.

Redecorating doesn’t have to be such a daunting endeavor if you begin wisely, Blankenship said. “Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire someone to guide you through the maze of paint, tile and fabric, you first need to organize your ideas.”She recommends using a scrapbook, notebook or file folder to hold pictures, notes about design items you like and ideas about changes you would like to make.“Work one room at a time and begin making a list of the things you love and the things you don’t love about that room, the things you need to change and the things you would like to change if your budget allows. Is the couch too big, the wall color too beige or the carpet too ’70s? Write it down” she said.By this process you can ensure the changes you make reflect your personal tastes and preferences, Blankenship said.

“I want to be able to offer advice and help, but when I’m finished, I want that room or that home to reflect the things the owner likes. They have to live there. It needs to be an environment in which they feel comfortable and where they truly feel at home,” Blankenship said.

In your file, you will want to collect the following, she said.- Paint colors — Paint swatches are free, so take as many as you like while you are at the paint store. Then, narrow down those choices in the comfort of your own home.- Magazine clippings of rooms you like — Clip notes to them to remind you not only what you love about them — the wall color, sofa style, furniture placement, etc. — but also what you don’t like — the mix of patterns for example. Sometimes you may not be able to pinpoint any certain thing that attracted you to the picture. It may have been the overall feel of the room that grabbed your attention.- Fabric swatches — Collect samples of the fabrics you love.

Consider textures as well as colors. Attach these to a sheet of paper with explanations of how you would like to use them in your room.- Measurements of the room — Make a sketch of the room, including location of doors and windows. This will help you in your choice of furniture size and placement. Also, keep in mind the sizes of door openings and ceiling heights. Even a quarter-inch of space can make a difference as to whether that beautiful new armoire is going to sit in your bedroom or in the hallway just outside your bedroom.“Once you begin putting these things together, you will begin to see a pattern evolve and have a much clearer picture of what you want your home to become,” Blankenship said. “If you choose to hire the help of an interior designer, you will already have saved valuable time and money by providing insight into where you’re headed.”------

Little changes can make a big difference, these experts say.“People don’t realize how adding a nice oil painting can make such a huge impact on a room,” Blankenship said. “I’ve begun carrying a much larger selection, because my customers have seen how an oil painting can add elegance to a room and pull other elements together.”A new floral arrangement or window treatments can work wonders.“Most people have good bones to their interior design. One mistake a lot of people make is that everything has to match perfectly. Sometimes it’s more interesting when they don’t,” Blankenship said.“It gives a room character and makes the space take on an atmosphere you find more appealing,” Trump said. “It’s about finding those key elements and pulling them together in a uniform way.”

For more information and design tips, visit www.chateauxinteriors .com.

finding inspiration

2009-07-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Finding inspiration is the key ingredient in designing a space that reflects who you are. Things that inspire you are the things that will make your space feel like it truly exhibits you. One can find inspiration from a host of different sources:

magazines,Books

movies, ART, FASHION,

and travel

Out of this list you should be able to find things that bring inspiration. Pick out the things you like, even if you know that there is no way you could afford it, pick it out anyways! Its all about picking the things that inspire you and achieving a look that represents what you like and who you are.