Decorating Decoded
Latest Episodes
Universal Design
Universal design, also called inclusive design, is a way of approaching design that incorporates all the principles that make a space aesthetically pleasing and functional, but it takes the functionality and usability up a notch.
Your Best Bathroom
Today’s topic is one that I’m hoping will help a lot of you out there as it is a challenge that many face, particularly if you have a period home. We will be tackling the problem of storage in a small bathroom.
Now, if not having enough storage is driving you up the wall, guess what, that is the solution to your problem. When you can’t spread out, you have no choice but to go up. So today I’m going to share some creative, but still attractive, ways to get more storage space out of your walls and other nooks and crannies in your bathroom.
Rock The Metal
It’s a new year and time to try new ideas. Today, we are going to tackle a topic that I’ve found frequently challenges my clients, especially when they are building a new home. The question that always seems to come up, particularly when doing a kitchen or bathroom, is “Can I mix metallic finishes?” The answer is an emphatic, YES. In fact, I actually encourage it!
The Curated Look
Today we are going to talk about the latest “IT” trend in decorating – The Curated Look. Now as fancy and complicated as that sounds, it simply describes a space that is filled with unique items that have been acquired, or collected, over time.
The Perfect Paint
As a decorator, I am frequently asked all kinds of questions concerning paint. For instance, “Should I use latex or oil based paint?”, “Flat or gloss finish?” and the list goes on and on. So, I thought we should visit Arnot Building Supply in Mansfield to get answers to these questions and learn about some of the new advances that have been made concerning paint.
3 Methods to Improve Your Decor
Creating continuity, or rhythm, is one of the basic principles of design and is essential to achieving a visually pleasant decorating scheme. This rhythm allows one design element to flow to the next and assists the eye to move freely throughout an interior space. Without this flow, a room can actually feel awkward.
Fresh Year, Fresh Design
The holidays are over and we are officially in the heart of winter. The Christmas tree has been taken down, all the decorations are packed away and suddenly the house looks a little bare and sparse, much like the outside. I find that a bit depressing, since we will be tucked inside for a few months yet.
Going Green
As consumers are becoming more aware of environmental issues and how they affect their homes and lifestyles, green or sustainable design is becoming more popular. It has the same emphasis on aesthetics and functionality as traditional design, but it also focuses on the impact that design has on the health and welfare of the environment.
Staging Your Home
It’s spring and the “For Sale” signs in neighborhoods are popping up like daffodils, so I thought we should talk about the importance of home staging, because how you live in your home and how you sell your house are two completely different things.
The Clue to Window Coverings
Today’s topic is about how to select the right window treatment for your home. There are so many options available: drapes, blinds, shades, valances, and swags; many of which you can combine to customize your look. But before you can even consider the style of treatment you want, you need to decide whether you want a treatment that is purely for aesthetics or for utility as well.
Eastern Designs
I believe your home should be a sanctuary that relaxes and rejuvenates you at the same time. In many ways, our environments are a reflection of what we are personally and emotionally experiencing in our lives. For example, I find that when I’m feeling overwhelmed and everything is out of control, I can look around my house and see that it’s cluttered and disorganized.
Pet-Friendly Home
It’s February, the month that hosts Valentine’s Day, and our thoughts are all about doing things to show those we love how much we care and that should include the wonderful pets that share our lives and our homes. Julia Szabo is a pet columnist with the NY Post that says “if a house doesn’t work with dogs, then it won’t work with children or guests either”. So with all of that in mind this feature is all about “pet friendly” interior design.
Organize Your Home
Getting organized is a frequent New Year’s resolution and certainly an admirable goal as it truly does make life easier when you know what you have and where to find it. The problem that many run into when trying to keep this resolution is where to get started. How many of you have walked from room to room inventorying the problem areas of each only to find yourself overwhelmed and accomplishing nothing?
Deck the Halls!
Decorating for Christmas is a time of year we all look forward to but also dread a tiny bit because of the work involved. How you decorate and how much is dependent on two things – personal preference and budget. I tend to go a bit overboard, occupational hazard. It is also a result of things I have accumulated for over two decades.
Thanksgiving Prep
Frequently, many of us eat dinner in front of the television or quickly grab a bite to eat due to hectic schedules. It seems to be a rare occasion that the whole family gets to gather around the table and enjoys each other’s company over a good meal.
Top 10 Myths
Over the years I’ve come across objections to decorating suggestions I have made to clients because they thought it was against the rules of decorating. Below are my Top 10 Myths that people have bought into and my reasons for de-bunking them. Are you guilty of believing any of these?
The Color Black
While black is a staple in the fashion industry, it’s not as popular, with the general public, in home interiors. People react negatively, saying it will make things dark and depressing. The opposite is true. It is one of the most important and powerful colors you can use in a room. The reality is a little bit of black is essential in every room because it has a grounding effect that is necessary in every interior.
What’s Your Style?
There are literally hundreds of “styles” in which to decorate your home. Here are some examples: Arts & Crafts, Cottage, Rustic, Coastal, Baroque, Victorian, Mediterranean and the list goes on and on. No wonder people are confused. I even took some online quizzes to see what they determined my style to be and I got traditional, polished casual, mountain lodge and French country. While I like elements from all of these particular styles, I also like abstract paintings and modern glass sculpture, so how do they fit in?
The Perfect Floor
It doesn’t matter if you’re building a new house or replacing the floor in one or all of the rooms in your home, there are multiple factors that you need to consider other than just how it looks when it comes to choosing flooring. Flooring plays a major role in the look, feel and ambience of a room because it provides its foundation. Since it tends to be a costly investment and you want it to last a long time, it is important to make the right choice from the start.
Landscaping
Today, Decorating Decoded goes to Martin’s Garden Center located in Middlebury Center to talk about the importance of landscaping. Good landscape design is more than just planting some flowers along the front of the house. It actually accounts for up to 20% of your home’s value and done right….your garden will even have visual interest in the dead of winter.
Flower Arranging
Creating beautiful, silk floral arrangements is easier than many of you may think. They are a great way to add color and texture to your home décor and while not always inexpensive, they will last forever and can be used over and over again.
The Perfect Porch
The front porch is iconic to American culture. It can be on a Victorian mansion, a Texas ranch or a country cottage. It can make or break your home’s curb appeal. Whether you have multiple porches or a small portico, you can create an inviting entry using 3 basic decorating principles that anyone can do. Think of your porch as an extension of your living space and decorate it as you would any other room inside your home. You need to define its purpose, pick a theme and then a focal point.
Accessories
Accessories are the small touches and decorative accents that bring a room together and set it apart from the ordinary. They can include wall art, throw pillows, antiques, sculptures, keepsakes and collectibles. They add color, texture and detail to a space and they make it user friendly and visually complete. While they should reflect your individual personality and taste, they also need to compliment the design and add to the aesthetic value of the room.
Effective Lighting
Good lighting design involves more than just how decorative the fixtures you choose are. Even a room that has been completely remodeled can fall flat without the right lighting. Lighting is divided into different functional categories: ambient, task and accent. By using all 3 types of lighting in a room, you create layers of light.
Decorating Decoded Debuts!
Putting together a color palette for a room is easier than you think once you understand some basic principles of color. In today’s video, several color terms are defined and explained. Remember, colors are either warm or cool and an easy recipe to follow is to keep warm with warm and cool with cool. It is also important to maintain consistent color saturation between the colors you use for the palette of your room.
Have you ever needed to brighten up your home but had no idea where to start? Has the outside of your home always needed something extra, but you never knew what it needed? Interior designer Tabitha Dietrich has everything you need to make your dream home come to life.
In “Decorating Decoded,” Tabitha helps you unlock the mysteries of interior and exterior design so that your home can reach its full potential. Join her on her program as she discusses topics like paint, colors, and decor.
Hosts
Tabitha Dietrich
Home Page Extras Social Media
Home Page Links
The Home Page Network is owned and operated by Vogt Media a division of John Vogt Productions, LLC. © 2014-2020. All Rights Reserved.
You can not rebroadcast, copy or distribute Home Page produced material on this site without expressed permission from The Home Page Network. Advertisers who have permission to publish or distribute Home Page produced material can do so only as an active Home Page advertiser. If you are not currently advertising with us, then please cease from using Home Page produced material.