My Design Secrets

I sit down to write and the guilt immediately creeps in…

I usually post once a week (maybe twice) but I was aiming for so much higher this year.  I love interior design, I love writing, and I love my readers… So what’s the problem? I am sure you can relate.  Some days I feel so efficient that I can do the work of 3 women and other days it’s a flurry of stop, start, stop, start ….Ugh!  Between work, family, the website and trying to squeeze in a little fun it doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day.

Every day ideas for posts are running through my head and across my desk.  The transfer speed with which this huge pile of torn-out magazine pages turns into posts has slowed way down and I would like your help.  Here is a (partial) list of topics I am considering, now please tell me what to do!

THE LIST

1. Pillow arrangements for different size beds
2. Affordable Custom Mural Art
3. Sumptuous Area Rug Designs
4. Appliances Finishes – Modern & Retro
5. A Wonderful Selection of Wooden Chandeliers & Lamps
6. Selecting the Right Mosaic for your Kitchen Back-splash
7. Color Palettes for Kids’ Rooms
8. Decorating Do’s & Don’ts
9. Countertop Materials Roundup
10. Selecting New Fabric that Works with your Existing Design

So please post a comment below selecting one of the topics above and I will start in order of popularity.  Or you can  help me out by sharing some ideas or questions of your own.  I am happy help, just let me know where to go!

Grateful for some guidance. 

~Lorrie

Even thought One Kings Lane only exists on the Web, this is its virtual home.

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70% off on gorgeous high-end furnishings for your home….now I have your attention!

One Kings Lane is an wonderful  site that offers a limted number of designer deals each and every day.  Furniture, art, accessories, it’s all there.  Today there are 10 vendors listed with everything from high-end bean bag chairs to hand-crafted candle flowers that could pass for the real deal.  The sales start at 8AM Pacific Time every day (the founders are Manhattanites turned West Coasters) and feature at least 3 brand new vendors.  There’s a schedule listed for easy reference plus you’ll receive an email each day announcing the sales.

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An adult sized bean bag chair is relaxation and luxury rolled in one. This shade of orange is the perfect accent for any room. (Retails for $250, their price $149)

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If you recommend a friend who makes a purchase they give you a $25 credit which is a nice little perk.  On Saturday’s they have the Tastemaker Tag Sales that feature “curated selections from leading interior designers.” This weekend they are featuring Vintage Print Gallery and I am excited to see what they offer since some of their artwork hangs in my clients’ homes.  Check it out and see what you think!

If you have not entered our Rejuvenation Giveaway, make sure you take a look.

You could win a $300 light just for stopping by!

Enter Here!

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This cute little desk lamp is so charming that it was recently reproduced by a major lighting company, but the new ones don't capture the authentic character of the originals. $300

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Whether your taste is traditional or modern, you just can’t knock a good antique.  Most designs you see today take their cues from days past and lighting is no exception.  And that, my friends, is a big fat hint at the fantastic giveaway we have for you today!

Rejuvenation (my favorite source for classic lighting) has expanded its online antique lighting assortment with a collection of vintage industrial lights spanning the 1890s through the 1940s.  It’s called Antique Industrial.  They have also added a few new collections with antique style where you can customize ’till your heart’s content!  So let me tell you a little bit about them…

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The Ford's Mill makes an excellent bathroom or hallway light.

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Rejuvenation’s current offering consists of lights that originally illuminated movie theaters, garment factories, machine shops, schools, warehouses store display windows and New York City Subways. Minimal refinishing work has been done to these lights to maintain their rustic beauty and original patinas. When more extensive restoration was necessary, original period appropriate parts were used whenever possible.

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The McCoy is from around 1900 and you can customize it with blue, green & red shades as well as some metal options.

In addition to these wonderful originals, they have also added some classic fixtures where you get classic style and your choice of finishes, shades and light bulbs.  The Ford’s Mill makes an excellent bathroom or hallway light.  The Menlo, McCoy and Wiley are fantastic pendant lights for any space.  Think hallways, dining areas or kitchens. (That’s where I  have mine!)  So jump out of the box (or the Big Box Store) and select a unique light with lots of charm.  You will be amazed at how many people will notice. .

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This is how to enter:

Step 1:  Visit Rejuvenation and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which item would be on the Top of Your Wish List and Why. If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, July 7th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

This giveaway has ended!

For those of you receiving this entry by email, please visit our website for the full story and photos.  There were so many lovely shots that I have posted 2 slideshows for your viewing pleasure!

Wild Birds is just one series of pieces you can choose from!

Lonesomeville -A curious name that sounds sweet and melancholy at the same time.  Here’s the story… It all started with a farm house built in the late 19th century and a group of people who could not bear to see it torn down.  So what did they do?  They bought it!  And over the last 20 years the owners have brought the house and the lovely grounds it is nestled on back to life!   From the cabinetry, furniture and tableware to the railings and gingerbread, no detail is overlooked by their artisans. And so, Lonesomeville was born.

But that’s just the beginning of the story.  Danny, one of the homeowners, happened to be an accomplished potter.  Soon thereafter, the home and grounds became the birthplace of Lonesomeville Pottery Company.  Really, it’s a campus of sorts with a lovely home, garden, and studio that all provide endless inspiration and comfort for those that reside there.

As you browse through the website you will see that each piece is inspired by nature.  Leaves, insects, flowers and birds are lovingly integrated into the designs.  As you click on each motif, there is a wide offering of shapes and sizes. Maybe something for your end table or mantel… dining room or kitchen?  It’s all there and it’s beautiful.

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Would YOU like to Win your choice of

Beautiful Lonesomeville Pottery worth $150.00?

This is how to enter:

Step 1:  Visit Lonesomeville Pottery and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which piece would be on the Top of Your Wish List and Why. You can choose any piece up to a value of $150!  If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted.

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, May 26th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

P.S.   And remember, you can be the first to hear about Lonesomville news and the latest designs by signing up to receive their Newsletter or becoming a fan on Facebook!

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I get email updates from Mountain Living Magazine.  I don’t quite know how they started but I love them!  Western or Mountain design has such a nice warm feel to it.  You know where it belongs and it seems to easily bridge the gap between indoors and out.  Mountain Living just did a feature called “Women In Design” and it’s fabulous.  It features designer and architects in the western part of our country who each have a style all their own but yet they all celebrate the unique style of the West.  Their designs are anything but typical.  They honor the past  but feel wonderfully comfortable right now. 

Enjoy and click on each photo to go directly to the designer’s website!

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A room from the the famous Kips Bay Showhouse in years past designed by LL Designs.

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Spring is a wonderful time to take a peak at some of the loveliesthomes in your area on a house tour or in a showhouse.  My mom took me to a few as a kid and as I wandered from one colorful room to the next I wondered who would let all these people in their house!  I highly recommend that you look for one in your area. It’s like like taking a grown-up field trip! 

Showhouses are a good way to raise money for a charitable cause while also quenching the public thirst for great design.  They are usually held in a home that is on the market.  A different designer is usually assigned to each room.  Sometimes the entire home has a theme and other times it’s a surprise in every room.  Either way,  you are seeing designers at their best.  They are donating their time and talent for a good cause and may gain some new fans along the way. 

Home Tours, on the other hand, are private homes that are opened up to show wonderful architecture and design from historical homes to the super modern.  Imagine giving up your home to let a few hundred people wander through next weekend.  It’s a serious commitment.

Take a look at these upcoming events and maybe there’s one right in your backyard!

A Listing of Home Tours – The New York Times

Home Tours – Some modern stunners sponsored by the San Francisco American Institute of Architects

Check your local chapter of the Amercian Institute of Architects for more listing.

The  Top 9 Annual Designer Showhouses – From About.com

So grab a friend and make a day of it.  A little lunch, a little touring.  Step in, take a peak but you’ll have to file all the good stuff away in your head.  Sneaking photos is a no-no.

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Last week, our friend, Richard Sexton, at Carolina Rustica was nice enough to give us some tips for selecting a chandelier.  This week he’s giving one away!

Last year, Sheila Hickman was extremely happy when she wone a $440 Emerson Ceiling Fan.  This time, you can win the gorgeous Hawthorn Collection Chandelier shown above (Retail Value – $244.80).  I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Carolina Rustica is one of the most diverse vendors in My Secret Database.  And besides that, their one of my favorites too!  Keep reading! 

Carolina Rustica has one of the most extensive collections of chandeliers, sconces, and other fixtures available online. From the very highest-end lighting manufacturers like Fine Art Lamps, Currey & Company, and Hinkley Lighting to hand-forged lighting like Northeast Lanterns, Arroyo, and Hubbardton Forge, you can find something for every room, style and budget.  And right now… All Lighting and Ceiling Fans Ship Free!

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Look stylish and be good to the planet with this Energy Star wall sconce! Hubbardton Forge has created an iron and glass sconce that is striking in its simplicity, with flowing forged reeds originating on the lower left of the light fixture.

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Would you like to find a great deal on furniture, lighting, or home accents and save Big Money $$$?  Then you have to visit Carolina Rustica’s Clearance section.  This is a great opportunity to pick up brand-name lighting or furniture items at a huge percentage off list retail.  Look what I found below!

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This Liz Claiborne Arbor Hill Rectangular Cocktail Table is on clearance right now. Was $899.00 NOW $475.00

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Do YOU want to Win this Beautiful Hawthorn Collection Chandelier – $244.80?

This is how to enter:

Step 1:  Visit Carolina Rustica and shop around.

Step 2:  Leave me a comment below telling me which 2 products would be on the Top of Your Wish List and Why.  If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, April 14th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Good Luck!

~Lorrie

P.S.   And remember, you can be the first to hear about Carolina Rustica’s new arrivals, exclusive promotions and decorating trends by signing up to receive their Newsletter Specials.  Just by signing up, you’ll receive $10 off your first purchase!

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I was just leafing through the GORGEOUS book “Inspired Interiors” and I bet it’s one you’d love to have on your coffee table.  It was created by Designer Suzanne Kasler and it showcases a range of Kasler’s projects; from a luxurious Georgian mansion in Atlanta’s Buckhead to a sophisticated farmhouse in Tennessee and a beach house in Watersound, Florida.

Well, I know you all love a great giveaway but this one has a little hitch.

I need a little help from my friends…

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I think it’s time to add Online Design Consultations to My Design Secrets.  I want to make it easy, fast and fun for you to get help with your design projects. So I have put together a very short (4 question) survey and it will only take 30 seconds to respond.  If you would like to be entered in the Book Giveaway, just answer the 4 questions and submit your email address at the end. That’s all it takes!  (You must click on the survey below to be entered, comments posted below do not qualify.)

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Thank you for your help and Good Luck!

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Amy, from Chicago, is the lucky Winner of Cottages in the Sun!  This great giveaway was a Members Only event and we are going to offer more members only giveaways in the future.  So, make sure you sign up today! 

Member Benefits Include:

1. 24/7 access to My Secret Database of 400+ exclusive home decor vendors for online shopping.  Search by product, price range, and style to find the perfect furnishings for your home!
2. Your FREE 9 page guide of my Tips & Tricks on How to Stretch YOUR Home Decorating Budget! 
3. Win Fabulous Prizes in our “Members Only” Contests!

Here’s a sneak peek of the Free Decorating Guide that comes with your Membership!

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Click Here to Become a Member Today!

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Are you tired of the cold, snowy winter?  Looking for a little sunshine in your life? 

Well, I have a nice little treat that you can enjoy cuddled up in you favorite chair.  My good friends at Rizzoli, who publish some of the most beautifully photographed books you can get your hands on, have given us a copy of  “Cottages in the Sun: Bungalows of Venice, California” and I have decided to pass it on to you.  So this copy is going to sit on my desk until Friday night when I pick one lucky member of My Secret Database as the winner of this book. 

Venice is a beautiful little town in Southern California, and yes, it was named after Venice, Italy!  It was built more than a century ago by a millionaire with great affection for the city of romantic canals, quaint cottages and beautiful streetscapes.  After going through a period of disrepair in the 50′s and 60′s the city then emerged into the eclectic, charming town it is now.  The imaginative interiors and abundant gardens are infused with the bright light of the California sun.

*Just to be clear, this is not like some of our other contests in the past where we ask you to share your comments in order to enter. To automatically be entered, this one requires that you are/become a member of My Secret Database.  And at the low price of $9.95 a year, it’s really a no-brainer. 

Member Benefits Include:

1. 24/7 access to My Secret Database of 400+ exclusive home decor vendors for online shopping.  Search by product, price range, and style to find the perfect furnishings for your home!
2. Your FREE 9 page guide of my Tips & Tricks on How to Stretch YOUR Home Decorating Budget!
3. A chance to win a beautiful book worth $45 that you will thoroughly enjoy reading.  Plus, it makes a great accessory for your coffee table.

We will continue to offer several more “Members Only” giveaways in the future!

You have until Thursday night, February 18th, at 11:59PM to sign up and be entered into this giveaway.  

For a chance to Win this Beautiful Book and some other great prizes down the line…

Click Here to Become a Member Today!