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Ritual: Summer Camping, the Stylish Way

Jun 09, 2010

About this time of year my husband starts carefully planning his pitch to get me interested in camping, just a few times. It's not that I'm not interested in the outdoors— quite the opposite, actually. I love hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, and pretty much any summer outdoor activity. On a nice day, I'd rather be outside than anywhere else. But at the end of such a perfect day in the fresh air, I like to climb into a nice, cushy bed under an actual roof. Waking up with damp hair and a freezing nose on a flattened air mattress that smells like tires isn't really my idea of fun. Neither is a power bar for breakfast.

So I propose that we kick our gear up a notch and get one of these vintage teardrop camper trailers:

PHOTOS: E.Spencer Toy for Sunset Magazine

It's a model of efficiency and style, with a comfy bed in the main compartment and a kitchen under the back hatch. The whole thing is so small you can haul it with a compact car. Wilds of Michigan, you've never looked so good.

See more stylish camping options at the Sunset Magazine slideshow.

The good news is, I'm busy! The bad news is, I'm busy! As in, too busy to blog regularly. I'll still throw you guys a design bone when I can, but for the next couple of weeks I'll be busy churning out ideas and plans for budget-minded clients near and far. In the meantime, consider how I might tack your project onto my list. I'll be taking on new work in a couple of weeks. Just email me! —Diane

TAGS: stylish camping campers retro vintage airstream teardrop camper trailers sunset magazine

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eDecorating on the Today Show this morning!

Jun 02, 2010

Thanks to my eagle-eye friend Bethany, here's a segment from this morning's Today Show about eDecorating featuring Betsy Burnham of Instant Space. Her approach is a little different than mine, with drawings on paper and samples shipped to your home. But you'll see that I can save you quite a bit of money with my digital approach.

My eDecor Plans start at $75 for a color consultation and run up to $800 for a combo room plan, with 10% discounts offered for ordering more than one plan at a time. A typical room costs $500, and that includes:

space plan
color plan
3D renderings that show the finished room from several angles
shopping spread that shows all the furniture and accessories you'll need with live links to buy everything with a click (Can't get that on paper!)
To-Do List to help you get it all done in the right order, including tips for simple DIY projects
14 days of unlimited email consultation after delivery

Want to see a sample? Download five real eDecor Plan PDF files here.

It's a lot of detail for the price. Shop around and you'll see what I mean. Interested in finally getting a room done right? Just email me. —Diane

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

TAGS: edecorating e-decorating edecor online decorator interior designer today show nbc june 2 2010 betsy burnham instant space design video segment

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Inspired Idea: Wallpaper in Unexpected Places

Jun 01, 2010

With wallpaper making a comeback, you might be tempted to dip your toe into the trend but a little wary of covering an entire room. (Especially if you have ever had to remove the stuff!) Like many good things, a little goes a long way. So here are some fun, simple, and minimal ways to enjoy a little pattern punch without the commitment.

Wallpaper the back of a bookshelf for a refreshing hit of color and pattern. Photo: Ideal Home Magazine.

A couple of sheets create a panel effect, and a focal point, in a room that lacks architectural interest. Photo: Ideal Home Magazine.

Smile when you open a drawer! Just be sure to keep it relatively uncluttered. Photo: anh-minh.com.

Can't decide? Frame the top contenders.

Stairs can be expressive, too.

Add interest to an armoire or a closet.

Petrified by pattern? Confused by color? Just email me. I can help. And rather affordably. —Diane

TAGS: wallpaper in unexpected places drawers stairs armoire closet panel bookcase bookshelf shelf pattern wall paper ideas

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New Favorite: Shades of Light

May 28, 2010

I discovered this site while searching for a light fixture for a new client, and it's now one of my favorites! A lot of lighting sites sell the same stuff from the same major manufacturers, but Shades of Light sells some unusual styles as well as a large selection of rewired antique fixtures. They also feature a well edited collection of furniture, mirrors, and rugs (including antique rugs with an heirloom patina). You can subscribe their free print catalog if, like me, one of your favorite hobbies is kicking back with ink on paper.

Pricewise, this site runs the gamut, with the antiques at the high end but a lot of really stylish pieces at bargain prices. Here are some of my favorites with ideas on how to use them. Have a Happy Memorial Day weekend, and take time to honor those who've served. —Diane

This antique urn fixture would look stately in the foyer of an old house or unexpected as a bedside lamp.

This delicate antique balloon fixture could be the centerpiece of a chic nursery.

It's hard to find a unique swing-arm lamp. Enter the arc wall lamp with convertible wiring and simple style for only $188.

Take a guess, I dare you. $1,000? $2,000? Nope, this 26"-wide retro-modern beauty is just $350. Perfect for a sleek space that needs a dramatic statement. (I'll go so far as to label it a Dwelement Style Steal!)

This star chandelier conjures images of casual feasts outdoors. I can see this hanging over a rustic table on a porch or in a farmhouse kitchen. It's discounted from $399 to $139! Grab it before I do.

This bubble sphere table lamp (vaguely Jonathan Adleresque, no?) can be found under the category "Dorm Decor." I don't know where they went to college, but this is seriously more stylish than anything I had in my dorm room. The price, however? Perhaps within the reach of even a student: $99.

The perfectly faded colors in this antique hand-knotted Turkish Oushak rug could inspire an entire room design.

This repro ice box–turned-island is right at home in a rustic modern kitchen.

Lean this lovely hint of architecture in a room that lacks it. The arched window mirror could transform a room.

Like all posts on Dwelement's Room for Inspiration, this post is not sponsored You get the real editorial deal here!

See, just like that, I found the good stuff. I can do it for you, too, with an eye for your specific taste. Whether you need a single piece or a roomful, I've got the eye and the sources to find exactly what you love. Just email me.

TAGS: shades of light favorite online sources designer antique reproduction lighting furniture mirrors rugs vintage light fixtures rewired refurbished

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Color Love: 100 New Complex Neutrals from Pittsburgh Paint

May 26, 2010

If I could give out one piece of color advice for the walls of your home, it would be this: Choose the color you think you want, then pick a grayer version of it. Colors that appear to have more gray in them are less saturated. They can still have plenty of mood-changing power, but they're much easier to decorate with and generally more flattering and appealing in a room. And by the time Foggy Day is covering four walls, you'll be glad you didn't choose Blue Sky.

I've always loved the setup of the Sherwin-Williams palette for this reason. It's easy to slide up or down the saturation scale standing in front of the display or using the fandeck. Now Pittsburgh Paints has added a scrumptious new line of complex neutrals called Atmospheric Colors. The palette comprises 100 new colors that run the gamut of hues, but keep the saturation at a pleasantly low level.

“Sometimes you are looking for a soft, ambiguous color— like a veil across a fresh green or a mist filling in a lilac hue to give it that smoky appearance, or a gray to soften,” said Dee Schlotter, Brand Manager for The Voice of Color. “Atmospheric offers homeowners and designers a full range of veiled tones and misty shades that bring that elusive, refined elegance to a space.”

It's true. Desaturated colors tend to change more throughout the day to reveal interesting undertones. That makes them more flexible in a space, requiring less fuss when it comes to coordinating fabrics and finishes throughout the room. Take a look at a few rooms that showcase the new palette, or see it firsthand by finding your nearest dealer here.

Amethyst

Stormy

Thicket

Winter's Breath

Still stuck when it comes to color? Hit me up for a Color Consultation, in your home or online. $75 for the first room, $30 per additional room in the same house. It'll save you time, frustration, and that extra couple of gallons of paint! Just email me or order the Focus on Color eDecor Plan. —Diane

TAGS: pittsburgh porter paints ppg atmospheric color neutrals how to choose paint for walls neutral shades room photos

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