Always let the activity of the room dictate the furniture arrangement.  In a space where you entertain, create conversation areas where the guests can chat.  People often just want to plunk down a big sofa, be we find it unusual for three people to sit side by side on a sofa together and turn their heads to talk.  Chairs are better, if you love to entertain!

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN in Annapolis, MD
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]
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HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING

A gift certificate from FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN is the perfect gift for the holidays.
It is also a welcome gift for an anniversary, graduation, wedding, birthday to anyone who enjoys good design.  It is especially usefully as a housewarming present.

QUICK AND EASY

Giving and receiving a gift of Interior Design is quick and easy.  We can either email the gift certificate or we can send it through regular mail.  It can be tailored to your needs and the recipient's or available in a pre-set amount.

                                                   OUR SERVICES AND FEES

On site design consultation and any other design service is $75 an hour.

Our services include general Interior Design plus:

MAKEOVERS - great for showers and wedding gifts

MOVE-IN SERVICES - a terrific house warming gift

COLOR AND PAINT CONSULTATION, ART AND ACCESSORIES STYLING - a great way to refresh and rejuvenate a space

STAGING - for that person who is getting ready to sell and wants to sell their home for more money

Please let us know what we can do for you.

                                     HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jean & Tatiana

FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]
or "like" us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj

One pair of pillows always looks skimpy.
Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors and textures!

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]
 or "like" us on Facebook 
facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj
THANKS! 

Have a touch of black in every room.  Use at least one antique to give a room soul.

Go to the newsstand and by a bunch of decorating magazines.  Put post-its on the things you like.  You might even discover items and looks you didn't even know you liked.  If you use an Interior Designer, this will be a great help.  As you know....pictures speak louder than words!

We hope today's "tips" will be of help as you are planning your beautiful rooms!

If you liked our blog, please "Like" us on Facebook.  Our address is www.facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected] 

The key is to start with a neutral and pick accents that pop.  For example, you could start with white, then add "color accessories" by layering using a throw, pillows, flowers and art.  Paint and accessories are the best go-to suggestions for adding color.

LUNDBERG BUILDERS, INC. are located in Stevensville, MD and serve Kent County, Anne Arundel County and other surrounding counties.  They are a Design and Build firm that has been in operation for over 30 years.  This is a picture of one of their homes. They build CUSTOM HOMES with their award-winning in home architectural designers.

They also do REMODELING AND RENOVATIONS.  Their residential services extend beyond new home construction to serve the needs of clients wishing to improve their existing homes.  They offer services in exterior and interior additions and renovations.

DECKS, PORCHES, outdoor kitchens, gazebos, garages, saunas and Jacuzzi rooms are also part of their work.  In the HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS area, they are ready to assist you with small repairs and everyday carpentry needs.  Their HANDYMAN DIVISION will help you keep your home in pristine condition.  They also do KITCHENS and have a complete assortment of beautiful kitchen materials to select from at their offices. 

LUNDBERG BUILDERS are Certified Green Professionals and Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists.  These services include bathtubs, shower grab bars, private elevators and multifunctional First Floor master suites.

We met with them the other day and were so impresses with their President Brad Lundburg and his staff, the exhibits of their work and their offices.  Check them out on their website http://www.lundbergbuilders.com to see their work, read about them and their services.

PAINTED STAIR RUNNERS

For a more informal look, consider trying painted stair runners.  They create the illusion of a runner, but are a lot more casual.  And, the design options are unlimited.

They are perfect for the traditional house, a country-style home or a vacation retreat. They're cheaper than carpet and can be done yourself.  You need a little time, patience and attention to detail.

Before painting, fill in the cracks with wood filler, sand the surface smooth and apply primer if the surface has not been painted before.

Allow about 4 inches between edge of the runner and the wall.  Increase this amount if the staircase is wider than normal.

To assure clean edges, apply blue painter's tape to the staircase before painting.  To keep the paint from seeping under the tape, brush some base color along the edge to "seal" it.  Then allow it to dry before applying the accent color.

We hope you enjoy your creative stair runner painting!

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj - Please "like" us here if you enjoyed the article.  Thanks!

Use Bigger - But Fewer Furnishings:  Outfitting a small space with just a few large-scale pieces can actually make the room feel grander.  That said, don't be afraid of filling up the space.  When a room is populated with furniture, it actually feels larger.

Visual Continuity Creates Calm:  Soothing, even-toned rooms fool the eye into thinking they're more spacious than they are.

Make Every Piece Count:  Choose furnishings and decorative elements that offer maximum functionality and minimal square footage.  For example, use two small round tables instead of one big coffee table.  They're better for traffic flow and easier to move.

Customize:  Built-ins, storage nooks, and furniture tailored to exact needs can utilize every available sliver of space.

Think Vertically:  Take bookcases and cabinets all the way up to the ceiling.

Edit:  You don't have to display everything.  Keep things uncluttered.  Don't fill every inch when accessorizing shelves.  Group your collections to give them room to "breathe".

If you liked our blog, please "like" us on Facebook.  Our address is: www.facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj     Thanks!

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]

So many of our homes have not only a Living Room, but also a Great Room or a Family room where we "live" most of the time.  That Living Room is standing there not being used when it could be repurposed for a new activity.

Maybe it could become a Music Room with a piano and/or other musical instruments filling the space, if you have a musician or some budding musicians in your family.  Or, maybe Dad really likes to play pool.  Believe it or not, lots of Living Rooms and even Dining Rooms have been repurposed so that the family can enjoy a game of pool!

Or, perhaps you are now an "Empty Nester", as your children are away at college or beyond.  An unused children's bedroom could be repurposed to become a Dressing Room with racks for shoes and hanging space for cloths.  Other possibilities are a Hobby Room, Home Office (as shown in the picture), or possibly harried Moms could carve out a reading nook in an unused bedroom.

Speaking of repurposing, that's exactly what resale shops do with household items, including furniture, that is not needed anymore.  These shops not only take your unused items, but you might find something perfect for the room that you just "repurposed"!

Good luck and have fun being creative with repurposing your space and your things!

If you liked our article, we'd be most appreciative if you would "like" us on Facebook.  Our address is www.facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN 
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]
"A Flair For Living"

Bring new energy to your home and create a welcoming and appealing environment.  If you are selling your home, you will be making your home a "better candidate" right away.  You can improve your "curb appeal" by changing the landscaping at the front of your home for a fresh look, or even just adding some good-looking large pots on either side of your door filled with colorful flowers will look great!

Painting your front door an appealing color is also an option. Always a fresh color helps, not only for your door but possibly for your entire house as well. Don't forget the lighting.  Lantern-lit walkways, under-shrub lighting, as well as good-looking main lighting fixtures will provide a welcoming atmosphere.  

Don't forget your driveway.  Maybe it needs resurfacing.  Make the area around your mailbox appealing.  Flower beds along the way to the front door provide a wonderful look, and you can change the plantings as the seasons change.

Good luck with improving your home's "curb appeal".

Jean & Tatiana
FLAIR INTERIOR DESIGN
www.flairinteriordesign.com
[email protected]
Or "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flairinteriordesigntj