Shop Smart

Looking to spruce up your space but afraid you can't afford those new pillows or drapes.

You don't have to be a fashionista to know that all retailers have heavy markdowns on last season's fashions. Well…home décor retailers follow in this same phenomenon!

As a design consultant I make it my business to follow these said phenomenons as well as follow current trends. I spend endless hours surfing home furnishing sites and traveling around both Chicago and Indianapolis shopping various stores searching for bargains and trends to pass onto our clients. Yes folks, it's a tough job!

I can tell you, now is the time to shop smart. With the uncertain economy, change of season and holidays fast approaching retailers are now offering better bargains than ever before.

So if you have recently moved into a new space, or simply bored with your décor get out there and take advantages of these bargains. Oh, did I mention if you shop online most retailers are also offering free shipping! And if those are not reasons enough…you can also spend a little time searching out online coupons.

One last note…be sure to read the fine print! That amazing bargain you just found will more than likely be final sale.

-Jason, Interior Design

You've graduated...shouldn't your furniture?

I find myself at an age where the majority of my friends are similar to me in having graduated from college some years ago. Whether these friends rent or are buying their first homes or condos, we are at the age where we prefer entertaining at home versus another endless bar crawl. While I agree with the dinner/cocktail party, I do not agree with having to sit once again on the same beer stained futon from 1997! You've graduated...shouldn't your furniture!

I apologize if my futon comment offended any readers. I do understand that as we grow into our adult lives the tasks of decorating our first “grown up” spaces can be overwhelming, if given any thoughts at all.

No matter what budget you have to work with, there is no reason not to have “grown up” furniture. Today, options are practically being handed to you. Here are just a few of the choices...

1. Hire a non-traditional design company such as c&d designs, ltd. We are here for you to alleviate stress while providing and teaching you to achieve a high quality of design within a tight budget.

2. Shop the various classified websites. You might not find the exact piece you are searching for but one close enough that you could re-finish or re-upholster to achieve the look you want. Better yet...you can haggle over the price. I never pay the asking price!

3. We are all familiar with the Swedish furniture company where you can furnish an entire room for under $500. Though they originally received a bad wrap for cheap quality they have come along way and I would suggest anyone give them a second chance. I am proud to say I have purchased several pieces for my home and on more than one occasion they have received compliments over the few pricey collectibles I own.

4. Lets not forget the network that cranks out nothing but “how to” home and garden programs. Spend on full day viewing the networks never ending thirty minute programs and you should be equipped with the knowledge to add a designer touch to any room.

If you want to achieve a designer look and feel to any room in your house, never walk out of a furniture showroom having bought the display vignette. Remember, decorating your home is half the fun. There is no rush so take you time, keep your eyes open and shop for bargains.

-Jason, Interior Design

Espresso...great in a cup, but not always on the floor.

Recently, I took a long overdue vacation to spend the July 4th weekend with my family. This trip came after months of endless phone calls and emails with my parents, who were asking me for design advice as they remodeled their home. I was very anxious to visit and see what finishes they chose. I have to admit that I was very impressed with their selections and think the new house looks great. I was most impressed that after living with a mostly carpeted home for 30+ years they decided to go with hardwood floors this time around.

Although the hardwood floors are a beautiful wide plank in an espresso finish…they have become my mother's nemesis.

Building a new home or undergoing a remodel can be both exciting and overwhelming. With the internet at your fingertips, information about the wear and tear of materials and products is readily available. As a buyer, you are smart to do your research, but don't stop here. Do yourself a favor and speak to friends and family who have used the particular products you are looking for and be sure to ask for vendor and installer references.

Particularly, when shopping for wood flooring you will find the obvious tips such as: due to moisture do not put wood flooring in a bathroom, or consider floor finish based on traffic flow. You may even find information on the cost of installing yourself versus having it installed for you. While these are basic and very helpful tips, the information you will rarely find are things such as: walking barefoot on a darker stained floor will leave foot prints due to the natural oils of the skin. Have pets? This is a huge consideration as they will not only leave behind a trail of foot prints, but their fur is almost impossible to sweep up and a wood floor becomes an ice skating rink for pets. Remember sitting a glass on your moms coffee table and leaving behind a white ring? Hardwood floors are no different, especially darker stained floors.

When selecting your floor, pick a few different shades and find a supplier that has large samples you can check out. This will allow you to view the different stains in different lighting throughout the day giving you an idea of how much dust and smudges your floors are going to show. The best way to know which style and color is best for you is to live with the samples for a few days.

If you are like me and love a dark stained wood floor, grab your broom and mop and be ready for the maintenance. So the lesson learned here is…when selecting a finish, don't forget the suggestions above and never be afraid to ask too many questions.

-Jason - Interior Design