Where’s Your Road Map?
With anything, there must be purpose. Without purpose, there is no direction and end up where you didn’t want them to. It applies to design as well. You must know what you want to space to look like when you are done, if you don’t I’m afraid you won’t be happy with the result. You may have a space that looks like the people from that stupid show, “Crap on a Dime” er, I meant “Design on a Dime”.
1. What is the style of your home? (You must take this in account to avoid having your home looking like it’s have an identity crisis. A modern exterior with a country interior will really not look good.)
2. Look through design magazines and online interior design blogs for inspiration and tear out or print those photos. (This is one of the best ways to find out what you really respond to and what you’d hope for your space to emulate.)
3. Create a binder and write notes for each photo of what you really liked. You can also store brochures, sales ads and other items in this binder to remind you of what you like. Folks, I’m serious. Make notes on these pictures of what you liked and why. You will forget.
4. Carry a notebook and a camera with you. (When you are out shopping and find a piece or furniture arrangement that really inspires you, take a picture or sketch it up. You don’t have to be an artist; it is to jog your memory later.)
5. Use artwork as the inspiration. (You can take cues from the artwork in terms of style, composition or simply colors.)
Finding design inspiration is critical to the success of any space. Without it, you may end up with a room that isn’t about you at all. That would be ten shades of suckage.
Posted in Interior Design | 
Tags: architectural style, artwork, camera, design binder, design blogs, design inspiration, design magazines, design style, notebook, shelter blogs | 
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Tag Sale… Woohoo!!
The new thing in online home decor is the tag sale. I checked out three of the newest and best known sites and here’s the 411.
#1 Decorator Tag Sale: Pretty site to look at. The products are from designers who are looking to offload their unwanted inventory. I checked out the site and the inventory. If you have money to blow, have at it. The prices the designers are charging are high. They are basically looking to get retail. You aren’t getting a bargain in most instances.
#2 Off The Floor Now: Clean site to look at. You must be a member to browse, it’s free, but a pain. Supposedly they are selling items off the showroom floor directly to you and donates 5% of every sale to charitable organizations. Some of these items are damaged, so you need to read the details. For me, too rich for my blood, but again, if you have money to blow… wait, if you have money to blow, let’s talk!
#3 One Kings Lane: Nice looking site. You also must be a member to browse it, again, free to do. This site seem to have more affordable things… including a recent sale on luggage (4 pcs. for $129). You can browse what sales are coming up next and you’ll want to be first to the site to be able to snag the stuff. Their stock fluctuates with what manufacturers they are working with, so depending when you check out their site the majority of the stock could be accessories, so not well balanced, but some good deals are to be had.
Just remember… you may not be getting the best deal just because they use the term “tag sale”. I can call myself a super model and it doesn’t mean I am. Just beware, shop around. I know I saw things on the #1 and #2 site that I can offer to my clients at a way better price than theirs. Granted, my item may not be the same brand, but it is still a great quality for less $$$.