Decorating Inside & Out
New Jersey Experts Reveal Tips & Trends for 2008
The Holidays are over and your guests have gone home. Now would be a good time to relax, have a cup of java and make an assessment of your home. Does it really reflect your personality and meet the needs of your family’s lifestyle, or is it in dire need of a good makeover?
Whether the diagnosis calls for a major overhaul in multiple areas or you are just yearning for a new look for your den or living room – it can be a breeze. We’ve consulted with some of the area’s top decorating gurus, and gotten a few creative ideas on how to freshen up your home, without filling a dumpster or putting any major dents in your bank account!
“You can change a lot by just changing the color of a room,” says Amy Wax, owner of Your Color Source Studios Inc., a professional color consulting company based in Montclair, NJ. According to Amy, a fresh coat of colorful paint can liven up any space, giving it a more carefree or soothing atmosphere depending on the color choice. “Paint gives you the most bang for your buck!” points out Amy, who, in addition to personally serving local residential and commercial clients, regularly offers expert color counseling to long distance customers via the phone and internet.
I know first hand how much color can change an environment. A few years ago I had had it with playing in the neutral zone, and decided to redo my kitchen walls with a bright sunshine yellow, using a soft seafoam green for the trim and mushroom for the ceiling. It was (and still is) an exhilarating experience. While I am really pleased with this big change, Amy says you should only do as much as you feel comfortable with. And remember, it’s only a coat of paint. It can be updated anytime.
Marcia Bograd and her team of talented designers agree color is the easiest and most dramatic way to affect a fresh new look. Marcia, of Bograds in Riverdale, (a family owned decorating center operating since 1930), says, “If you’re happy with your wall colors, change the color of your accessories – pillows, throws, floral arrangements – and achieve a perky new look.”
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“Analyze the room to see if it all comes together. Move furniture around; regroup artwork and eliminate lots of small decorative objects, concentrating on a few more dramatic ones,” Marcia says. “An easy, budget-friendly way to inject new life into any room is to change your lampshades, and add plants and flowers.”
According to Sue Greenbaum, of Greenbaum Interiors in Paterson (a one-stop design center serving New Jerseyans and other discriminating clients throughout the country for over 55 years), lots of people are leaning towards ‘classic contemporary’. She says, “Many people are seeking to simplify their lives, while creating comfortable, personal spaces.” Sue’s cost-conscious redecorating tip: move some pieces from one room to another, and freshen up both rooms with a couple of new pillows, and different lighting.
For the more adventurous set, with a tad more cash to invest, look into the exciting options in new flooring. According to Meg Lesnick, Marketing Director for Nationwide Floors and Window Coverings (a company that brings their showroom to you through free, in-home consultations), exotic wood species – like teak and tigerwood – are a huge hit. For more historically authentic features, consider purchasing distressed or handscraped floors. Environmentally conscious and durable choices include bamboo and cork flooring, which are available in many colors and styles.
Meg says, “The natural look is in; so switch your dated aluminum miniblinds for bamboo, reed or grass woven shades. In carpets, the hottest trend right now is a frieze. The yarns are tightly twisted in a frieze, which creates a curly textured look.” Perks include minimized footprints and vacuum marks, with a high level of durability.
 IKEA has lots of choices for the budget conscious shopper. Opt for a fresh area rug, or fun and chic accessories from IKEA.
Re-feathering an Empty Nest
Your flock has flown the coop, and suddenly your house seems desolate. Don’t despair, redecorate! Redecorating can be a therapeutic way to help you ease into your new life.
“A spare bedroom can easily become a home office, or a personal library, with a big overstuffed easy chair you can curl up in with a book,” says Amy Wax.
Marcia Bograd says there are unlimited possibilities. “Bedrooms and playrooms can become hobby rooms, new guest rooms or even a wonderful walk-in closet.”
“While more empty-nesters are simplifying, many are also seeking to create fabulous spaces,” reveals Sue Greenbaum.
So whether you are already thinking ahead to spring, dealing with newfound spaces or just bored with the same old-same old, envision the kind of amazing living environment that you’ve always dreamed of, and make it happen!SPW
Pattie Simone is a freelance writer from Pomona, NY. |
