From Fussy & Frustrated to Fun & Festive!
Well, it’s true……after years of looking forward to Fall and all that comes with it (sweaters, denim, pumpkins,apples etc) I wasn’t sure it was going to happen this year. My excitement level was at maybe a 1.75 out of 10. I was literally bitter that summer was all but over and the season of Fall was upon us……I wanted to hibernate!
Until this past Saturday morning. The kids and I went down to the Farmer’s Market and something happened. Fall happened! Not sure if it was the crispness in the air in combo with the beautiful warm sun or the unlimited display and supply of squashes, but It happened……I got excited about Fall once again.
Now, I have been on a roll ever since and there is a theme here, for sure.
HEDGE APPLES…………(only perfect ones without brown spots, though)
WHITE PUMPKINS, MINI PUMPKINS ( I think I’m obsessed with these little cuties) & SUNFLOWERS (again, only a particular variety)
In the past, my Fall Decor has always been rather simplistic, basic and MUST BE fragrant, because after all isn’t one of the favorite things about Fall the smells? Think cinnamon apples baking, spiced pumpkin candles, leaves burning and the warm cozy smells of cappuccino.
Last season, I kind of had a thing for White Pumpkins. This year, let’s take it one step further and add something else. I love, love, love the addition of some bronze accents. Take a look……….
I am on the hunt now for the bronze tacks…..let you know how it turns out!
Now, the Hedge Apples, this is an addition to my Decorating Palette! I’m not sure why, but they are catching my eye everywhere I go. Was it an abundant Hedge Apple season? Wishing I had one of these trees nearby! I am picky, though. At the Farmer’s Market I found a few, but they had some brown spots. I hunted, with the help of my abiding Hedge Apple hunters until I found 9 that were to my liking.
Speaking of picky……….SUNFLOWERS. All of a sudden, I am IN LOVE with sunflowers. However, they have to be a certain variety……..
I found mine at Trader Joe’s for $4.99. Best deal in town for the PERFECT SUNFLOWER!
Oh my goodness, I almost forget. Another Fun Fall Find…….HAY BALES! For some outdoor Fall Decor. How fun! You can get them at any nursery in town (shop around though!)
You can even incorporate some Fall Football Spirit. How Festive! . (I wonder who’s Front Porch that might be?)
I love the display of multiple PUMPKINS, too! In fact, if you have a wagon, could you just make a delivery like this to my front yard????
So, I am counting the days until Saturday when I can return to the Farmer’s Market for some more Fall Fun. Can’t wait to go Hedge Apple hunting again, find more white mini pumpkins and expand my squash horizons for the recipes I’ve been bookmarking the past few days (and that’s a whole other story).
Here are a few other ideas that I will be trying out this season. So simple, yet SO Fall & Festive. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
No longer Fussy & Frustrated
Banker’s Trust “The Resident Insider”
Kallem Interior Design was asked to be a part of the Resident Insider website for Banker’s Trust. The writers for the website put together a great article that posted as an introduction.
Please visit the site and get to know some of the other resident insiders, as well.
Banker\’s Trust \’Resident Insider\’ – Kallem Interior Design
Why hire an Interior Designer for your Business?
What can an Interior Designer do for your business?
• Make use of wasted space – Real Estate square footage is at a premium price, so don’t waste it! Many businesses know they have wasted spaces, but aren’t sure what to do with them. An Interior Designer is an expert space planner. Whether your business uses cubicle type workstations or private offices with free standing furniture, a qualified Interior Designer will help you define and integrate these spaces getting you more value per square foot.
• Get Organized – with many companies “doing more with less” these days, business people are stretched thin. Being organized is key to efficient and productive workers. An Interior Designer is trained to facilitate organization in the workplace by asking pertinent questions of each worker type. This process enables the Designer to create a work area for that individual that best utilizes work surface area, storage needs and conferencing areas.
• Lighting is critical – Many people don’t realize the difference lighting can make in the workplace. Not only is the placement and type of the fixtures important, but how natural light is handled / not handled in the space is just as critical to employee productivity. By evaluating and making recommendations in regard to the lighting in your business, an Interior Designer can improve the look of the space as well as the productivity of the people working in it.
• “Where do I go to get furniture for my business?” – This is definitely a question for your Interior Designer! Interior Designers with experience in commercial design have resources which include experts in quality office furniture of all types, ergonomics (the study of how the human body interfaces with its work), and electrical and wire management needs related to the furniture.
• Aesthetics – Do you want your business reflect a particular image or attract a certain clientele? Whether you are trying to make a statement or just want a comfortable work environment, working with an Interior Designer, will help you get you the results you are looking for. Selecting appropriate finishes, such as flooring, wall coverings, window treatments and countertops for your business are all part of an Interior Designers job. Knowing where to access the best quality products for commercial use at the most affordable prices is an important service that experienced Interior Design professionals can offer to their clients.
In today’s business environment, productivity is first and foremost in the business owners mind. All of the key points above lead to better work environments, which in turn lead to worker productivity. An Interior Designer knows that by providing these well designed pieces of the workplace puzzle, whether done all at once or over a long range plan, the business will be a more efficient, productive and comfortable place for employees to be. And, that is why your business should hire an Interior Designer.
Behind the Scenes- Meet Megan
I have worked with and represented several manufacturer’s product lines over the years, giving me the experience of knowing where to obtain the highest quality products for my clients. See how Megan helps with the ordering process of custom furniture and window treatments so that I can focus on bringing style and order to my client’s homes.
What 2 Things Impact a Room the Most??
Finally! Functional and financially friendly window treatments for sliding glass doors! I demonstrate the panel track and share what 2 things impact a room the most. Click below to view this Fun Facts in Less Than Five video now.
Custom Solutions – Behind the Scenes
Kallem Interior Design offers their clients many resources and choices when it comes to choosing window treatments, custom furniture and accessories. I give a tour of how I utilize Designer’s Edge Showroom to bring my clients’ vision to reality. Learn more tips and tricks from the Kallem Interior Design blog at www.designingdesmoines.com
As we celebrate Our Country’s Independence this weekend, I think of so many things in regard to the Red, White and Blue. The July 4th Holiday is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. Not sure if it has to do with how much I love Summer……
Or, if it is the amazingly good childhood memories that I have of the 4th growing up.
Eating watermelon, making homemade ice cream (on the ice cream maker that one person had to sit on while the other turned the handle, for what seemed like hours!), badminton tournaments in our back yards with friends and neighbors, our own fireworks show.
And catching lightning bugs all night long. These are the memories that ‘Red, White and Blue’ bring to my mind.
Being an Interior Designer, I tend to think of everything in Color Shemes. And Color Schemes link to thoughts, emotions, feelings and memories. So, when I think about Red, White and Blue, I think about summer, celebration, freedom, independence, food…….
and Interiors………
Yeah, that’s right, I can’t help but think about designing rooms around these colors. At first, you might think that sounds rather unappealing, ‘Ralph Lauren’-ish or Colonial. But after I got to thinking, googling and researching a little, I have to say that the Red White and Blue can be extremely fresh, vibrant and classic design.
Even accessorizing an all white room with our country’s colors can be fun.
Take a look, enjoy and take a trip down memory lane while you think of the good ole’ Glory colors mean to you…….
Have a Fabulous 4th, be safe and be FREE!
Take a Peek at Kallem Interior Design’s Workroom!
Meet Kallem Interior Design’s team member, Susan Genz. Susan and I have worked with each other for 3 years. After selecting a special fabric, taking measurements and drawing the custom window treatment, I meet Susan at the workroom to see the pillows, valances, panels and more come to life! Click the short video below to take a peak now!
Traditional Glamour
Over the past 15 months, I have been working with a very special client. We have been creating ‘Her Style’, which I would describe as a ‘Glamorous Traditional with some Art Deco touches, incorporating family antiques dating back to the 1700′s’.
This project has been a gem, as has been my client. She knows what she wants / likes, but needed an experienced and professional Designer to understand the style she wanted to create as well as pull it together.
Some specific Design objectives were: “Living area: At a minimum, I believe I need draperies, probably 2 small scale dining table chairs, and better lamps. Needs finishing touches also.
Bedroom: Custom headboard for bed needs to be installed. Need ceiling fan. I need some shelves for a few books. Not certain about reading lamp. Room needs wall décor (I have a good quality painting that I would like to hang) and other finishing touches.
Bathroom: Nothing has been done, beyond adding linen closet where additional bathroom door removed. A very rectangular space. Needs decorative touches. Living area needs lighting.”
Some of my client’s color scheme requests were: “Colors I prefer: Beige family (ivory, sand, taupe, camel, caramel, etc.) and blue family (light grey blues, aqua, periwinkle, etc.). Also black accents and metallics. I intensely dislike rust orange color. I am rather tired of medium to darker greens. I would find living with the color red too intense for me. I do not like white walls (white trim is fine).”
So, we went to work on the Living Room, Eating area, Master Bed and Bathrooms & Guest Bed and Bathrooms, step by step…..and a little over a year we have a completed 1930′s – esque, traditional, but comfortable home for my fabulous and gracious client.
Please enjoy this Glamorous filled project!
Master Bath
Reading area in Master BDRM
Guest BDRM
Guest BDRM
Guest Bed and Window Treatment
Guest Bath
Guest Bath
Faux Ballon Shade Top Treatment
Metallic Faux Finish at bar area to add "Glamour".
It's all in the accessories!
Sitting area....perfect for tea with a friend.
Sitting area with dramatic fringe-trimmed drapes.
Black and white is so perfect for this space!
Eating area with THE perfect counter stools!
Beautiful living room, well lit and accessorized. (2 things that add SO much to a space!)
“To Sit” or “Not to Sit”…….That is the question!
(The ‘HOW’ and ‘WHY’ in purchasing custom upholstered furniture)
Many people think they could never purchase a sofa or an upholstered chair without sitting in it first. Unfortunately, this is a misconception based on fear from a past (unpleasant) purchase experience or lack of confidence in the furniture / design industry.
In our local market selection and quality are not as readily available as they once were. So, maybe it is time to consider a better option? Below are just a few reasons why buying custom from an experienced Interior Design Professional may be the best choice you have ever made………..
Manufacturers and retailers are keeping less and less inventory these days
Local “quality” furniture stores are minimal
Purchasing retail is costly (sometimes 300% mark up!) and quality can be questionable
When purchasing furniture from an experienced Interior Designer sight unseen, make sure the following things are discussed and considered:
- The users height and body size
- The users comfort preference (soft and comfy vs. firm and straight)
- The users “sitting style”……ex. do you lounge or sit up straight with feet on the floor to read?
- The dimensions of the new piece. If this information is not available, this is a huge red flag. As a designer, I show my clients the dimensions of the piece I have selected for them (based on the questions above) and even compare to what they currently have. If your designer does not know this information then how do they even know if the piece will fit in the room or how it will fit with other pieces in the arrangement?
Selection: When buying custom, your options are sure to “fit” your style. You can actually find that sofa you have been dreaming of by selecting the style you want and then the fabric or leather option that you love. You don’t have to settle on one of the 8-10 styles that you see in the store that is:
A. what everyone else has bought or B. the only option.
The reason my clients are buying custom furniture from me is much more than just the furniture. What I mean by this is my clients come to me for guidance in purchasing the appropriate style and “fit”, they recognize and respect that an experienced Interior Designer knows what he or she is talking about when it comes to providing them with Good Design. They trust that we will stand behind our product and that it is quality. The higher the quality the less important it is to “sit in it”. It’s the mediocre quality of the catalog companies that lead you to feel the necessity to sit in everything. When it comes to furniture there is definitely truth in the statement, “You get what you pay for”. And again, by this I am not referring to inflated retail prices, but manufacturers who produce quality pieces at a fair price.
I suggest you find an experienced designer in your area, keep an open mind and see what can happen. You may become so pleased to find a trustworthy design source for your home (especially if they really get to know your likes and dislikes) you may never walk into another big box furniture store again!!
