Marilyn’s Tips
Check regularly for upcoming tips…….see current tips below!
January 2012
EASING THE REMODEL PROCESS
Are you thinking of remodeling? Does it seem like a daunting task? Have you been told of nightmare remodels gone wrong? It can be a dilemma. On one hand is the inconvenience and cost, however, as the Omaha World Herald recently reported, 68% of the cost can be expected to be recouped when you sell your home.
We love remodels and have won design awards for our projects. Most recently, two more in 2011. Planning ahead can make a huge difference, but remodeling is never a breeze. We actually have had great results with completing projects while clients are on vacation. It is exciting to welcome them home after it is finished, when we can surprise them with the finished interior design remodel.
January and February are quiet months for most contractors so this is the perfect time to plan and get your bids. You can benefit from the improved interest rates as well. Call us to schedule a 1-hour design consultation and let us make your remodel a great experience!
Happy New Years!
Marilyn
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December 2011
QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE ARE KEY
We are not the cheapest furniture store in town. That is because we want to be the BEST store with the most satisfied clients. Is it not great when a product exceeds your expectations? That is our goal! We want our furniture to be the best quality for the money that we can find. In particular, we look at companies that use quality hardwoods, top of the line fabrics and leathers, premier luxury cushions and top grade hardware. We love American made furniture.
That is why people rely upon us to search the market for quality and performance. Our resources have been refined over 30 years of working with manufacturers and experiencing their warranties and follow through. We act as your agents. The companies we invest in are reputable and trustworthy. They produce their products exactly as advertized and as we are able to see, feel and test them out in the showrooms at The International Home Furnishings Market. It is a great feeling that we can be confident about the products we carry. They represent some of the best home furnishings in the industry.
Remember to watch for our 30% off sale coming soon on showroom items and custom orders. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this special holiday time with your family and friends.
Blessings to All!
Marilyn
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October 2011
MADE IN AMERICA
It is time again for the International Home Furnishings Market’s Fall Show. Recently, I have been surprised by the number of clients that are aware of the plight of American manufacturers and their competitors overseas. The challenge has been going on over twenty years, but the true test has come in the last decade. Most people are unaware that the furniture industry has been suffering in the same way.
I’ve spoken in the past of the recycling and earth friendly movement. That poor quality furniture fills our landfills quickly. On the contrary, most American made furniture is well built with quality materials. It is essentially furniture that the manufacturers can be proud of. Now as I head to market, I look forward to the exciting new introductions these companies will unveil. But even more exciting, it will be great to share with them the comments I’m hearing from The Designer’s clients in my territory that are asking for “Made in America”.
Perhaps we’ve weathered the storm and the American public will support these fine quality craftsmen in the future. In the meantime, don’t forget to visit The Designers soon while the Fall Home Furnishings Sale is on. I’m going to need room to keep the trend moving….
Next time I write, I will fill you in on my Market trip!
Marilyn
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September 2011
HOW MANY PLASTIC BOTTLES EQUAL 1 YARD OF FABRIC?
Everyone is promoting recycling and living green. Don’t we all want to save the Earth?
Many people gather their recyclables. I’m so pleased that the interior furnishings industry has pushed themselves to go
green too! They have developed incredible materials by simply recycling used fabric. Other fabric companies have turned to sources such as the reuse of plastic bottles. Recently we sold a sofa that was entirely upholstered in fabric from recycled bottles. It actually takes about 80% less energy to make polyester out of recycled plastic bottles than from extruded oil. This also limits the amount of plastic that goes into a landfill.
We also sell carpet made from recycled plastic bottles. Many carpet dealers are recycling used carpet and pad. This eliminates a huge amount of landfill waste.
The furniture companies we sell go a step further through their commitment by using energy efficient plants and superior products that are environmentally sound. Harden Furniture, one of our favorite lines, is situated deep in the cherry forest country of New York State. Harden Furniture has become the first major furniture manufacturer to obtain both Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certification and Silver Exemplary Status form the Sustainable Furniture Council. They have made drastic efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. They harvest the cherry and operate all of the furniture making process using the bark and log refuse to heat the plant and cure the wood. Using this method as well as their construction process, they have reduced their carbon emissions by as much as 10% annually while limiting the amount of natural gas they consume.
We are committed to promoting earth friendly programs. We would like to encourage our clients and friends to do the same. Please consider reupholstering good furniture items. Many of these pieces can be rebuilt to look completely new and fresh simply by being recovered. We change legs, skirts and arms to update them when necessary. We can also raise the height of the back and rebuild the cushions.
Our landfills can be filled with composting garbage but sofas and chairs take years to decompose. Some furniture components may never leave our earth.
Thanks for giving this a little thought. Perhaps we will value quality furniture a little more these days. Please weight your decision when purchasing your furnishings if for no other reason than to reduce your own carbon footprint and eliminate one more sofa in the landfill.
By the way, 25 recycled plastic bottles can create 1 yard of fabric and with the average sofa requiring 22 yards we can eliminate 550 plastic bottles from reaching the landfill.
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August 2011
SELECTING PAINT COLORS
A popular idea in decorating today is accenting with strong paint colors; we have seen a lot of red, green and gold rooms. One problem with this solution is that painting all of the walls the strong color results in making the room feel smaller. Strong colors advance toward us, while softer more subdued colors recede. So take a moment to think about how much of the room to paint the strong color of choice. Sometimes painting two adjacent walls the same color is a better solution because the room will feel bigger as the color flows around the space. Also, the focal point of the room, which is usually opposite the entrance, is the best place to paint a strong color. Walls beside you as you enter a room will recede when painted lighter and more neutral color.
Now for the COLOR…
Have the paint store paint you a card called a “draw down”. Professional designers request these to test the color more accurately. The cards are easier to move around the room than splotches of paint dabbed all over and help to recognize how the color changes with different light sources. It is also easier to see how two colors relate to one another. Many people fail to check the color in the room’s light. I find rooms in wooded areas experience a slightly greenish glow in the summer months. Have you noticed paint colors appear darker on the window wall of a room? It is because they are actually silhouetted against the brightness of the windows light during day light. Light is huge. The more light, the more our eyes see color. The light can turn a color more pink, more blue or more yellow, so always turn on the light and stand back to check the effect.
Lastly, colors you are using outside must be selected outside. Take into consideration all of the elements around you. Always include the roof, gutters, brick or stone, or any other permanents materials in your analysis. Don’t forget your location or the color of your neighbors’ homes. No need to match your home to the neighbors, but you should still blend with them. This improves the appearance of the whole neighborhood. Greyed, slightly muddy colors look more sophisticated. They don’t show fading as quickly either. Leave the bright colors for interior accents.
HAPPY COLORING!
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July 2011
ALLURING SCONCES
A design idea that is gaining great popularity is electrical sconces, which are versatile and practical. Sometimes I find them helpful in lighting an area when I have a dark corner or above bathroom vanities. They shine light exactly where it needs to be. Sconces are particularly effective in stairwells where it’s impossible to change light bulbs on overhead fixtures because they are too high. Sconces spaced strategically on a stairway can be reached from the next higher step with ease. They add warmth and interest to the usually forgotten and lifeless spaces.
When a room seems flat, consider adding sconces to add ambiance and drama. Sconces can compliment any interior because they come in so many styles. Sconces with shades eliminate hot spots and diffuse light, while reducing glare in mirrors and on artwork. Their finishes can vary from silver and brushed nickel to antique bronze, brass and even gold leaf. We use them all over the house to solve lighting problems. Other styles are offered without shades, providing a more transitional look while adding unique details and interest to a space.
One caution, remember that bare bulbs can cause glare and even “blind” you on the stairs. It’s not comfortable to look at a bare, bright bulb. The solution is to cover those glaring lights with lampshades. You will love the softness you achieve yet the effect of the light will still be evident. This also acts to camouflage the looks of today’s energy saving bulbs many clients dislike. Try adding sconces just above an electrical outlet where your electrician will find it easier to accomplish the installation. Now, dream a little and solve the lack of light in your life.
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April 2011
INTERNATIONAL HOME FURNISHINGS MARKET
During May I will be installing updates from my visit to the International Home Furnishings Market that I attended in April. Highpoint, North Carolina has been hosting the show since the 50’s. It truly has become international over the years with buyers and manufacturers attending from around the world. Top home furnishings manufacturers introduce new products and the 10.5 million square feet of showrooms is buzzing with excitement for 6 days in the Spring and Fall with over 80,000 people. This year was the second year for a major building to dedicate two entire floors to antiques.
Everything that I purchase for homes and offices can be found at this market. We visit our major furniture lines and purchase the most exciting pieces. Then we move on to the finishing touches of lamps, art, accessories and rugs. My first “Market” was in April of 1973. Every year since, it has been a wonderful source of renewed energy and inspiration.
Wait until you see!
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March 2011
A BRIGHT IDEA
As a designer, I hear a lot of grumbling about ways of reducing energy costs in our homes. People hate the color rendition of the fluorescent bulbs and what it does to their rooms. I have a new solution for you that solves both problems…
Look for halogen light bulbs with the typical Edison base. Their crystal light quality is spectacular and it is required that they reduce the wattage on these new bulbs! How exciting that we have invented a beautiful solution to the mandate on reducing energy.
Now we can stop hoarding all of those old light bulbs!
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July 2010
This has been a truly busy spring! In addition to our typical design projects, we completed work on two hotels! One was situated in Pella, Iowa and the other was a newly built Holiday Inn Express in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was really a special treat to see these projects finally come together.
We loved the color schemes, especially the blue, bronze and gold tones of the Grand Island property as shown above. Working with the competant contractors of Chief Construction and partnering with the owners, we created a spectacular hotel that fits right in with Grand Island.
We were also pleased to photograph a beautiful residence we completed in the Fall of 2009 on a lake in the middle of Hastings, Nebraska. We recently submitted it for a design award with the American Society of Interior Designers! Please view other photos of this magnificent property in our online portfolio.
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June 2010
SUMMER INTERNS
[Left: Lisa Collingsworth - UNL, Corrina Wright - UNK, and Cheri Malone - ISU]
Each summer we welcome interior design students from the universities near us! This year has been a fun and educational year for our students. We even had the chance to show them many of our projects, including a tour of the Holiday Inn Express in Grand Island and a photo shoot of a beautiful home in Hastings. Usually the program lasts six forty-hour weeks and offers a wonderful time for learning with a little fun on the side.
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May 2010
This was probably one of the most exciting home furnishings markets I’ve EVER attended! The past ten years have been marred by 9/11, low attendance, decreased home sales and then the recession. This market was like a whole new world, where activity and new designs abounded.
Manufacturers have regrouped and assessed their situations, redesigning exciting and beautiful products with wonderful new materials. Many of their products have begun to take on an environmentally conscious approach, utilizing earth friendly materials and manufacturing processes.
The USA manufacturers that survived have listened to what we are asking for in home furnishing. Meanwhile, international sources from England, Italy, Brazil and Scandinavia are back in a big way. The creative mix was exhilarating.
Stay tuned! There was so much to comment on, I’ll be updating you often as the new products’ pictures are sent to us. This will be a wonderful time to furnish your home or freshen-up. Call or email us and we’d be glad to fill you in!
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April 2010
Can’t wait to bring the latest back for The Designers Furniture Gallery and our displays! The International Furniture Market in Highpoint, NC starts April 17th. This marks the 37th year of shopping the spectacular market and seeing the latest in home furnishings and design introductions. More to come when I return…
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January 2010
If I have learned one thing this year, it’s how important our showroom is to our customers. We feature over 30 major companies. We display sofas, chairs, beds and dining room furniture. We try to keep samples of our favorite sofas and chairs in the showroom. It works much like a tailor fitting a piece of furniture to our customers. Once you sit in the piece we can determine the proper depth and cushion support. You’ll be amazed at how we can select the right “fit” for you.
When you plan to purchase that good chair or sofa come see us. We’ll help you with beautiful yet durable fabrics, stylish yet comfortable pieces and reasonable prices for superior products. The showroom is magic…come see.
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November 2009
“We can always make functional beautiful, but we can’t always make beautiful functional.”
What’s new in the world of Interior Design?
Amazingly, people are caring more about their homes. The economic times have brought us together for more visiting family, entertaining and enjoying the haven we call home. Just check out the shelter magazines as we turn our focus toward the holidays and welcome in 2010. I’ve just returned from the largest home furnishings market /conference in the world. In Hampton, North Carolina, 85,000 people came together over five days in the fall, and again in the spring, to share products, trends, and exciting concepts for today’s lifestyles.
Here are a few observations I’d like to share with you.
1) Color is still huge. It’s a great way to express your personality. It doesn’t matter if it’s painting your walls, changing your art, or accessorizing as easy as pillows. You can change a mood or refresh you interior and reflect your individualism quickly and inexpensively.
2) Refurnishing your complete home has evolved into choosing one or two important purchases. Classic, well designed, better quality that will be good investments are more in vogue. Redoing your living room for the sake of change is outdated as we reconsider filling the landfills with outdated, less durable home-furnishings, and changing our buying habits to respect the environment. One great piece that lasts—saves money in the end.
3) Using every inch of your home means a more efficient lifestyle. Less clutter, more organized, multi-functional space is more serene and a better value for time and money. Perhaps with the right pieces, a dining room can double as the home office, using the truly durable fabrics we research for our clients beautiful living rooms. It’s time to stretch your imagination and create a more functional home.
We’re just touching the surface, but what a stimulating time to rethink your home and office, and put to use these practical new trends.
Live it up!
Marilyn Schooley Hansen, FASID
