My Design Secrets

Potential clients often ask what my “Style” is.  While I am happy to share how my home is furnished, the important thing is how I will use my expertise to express their style.  After all, this is about my client, not me.

There are some designers and decorators who have a “look” and they use it over and over again.  That works for people who are unsure of what they want and feel more secure in just pointing to a photo.  Personally, I think the real value of hiring a designer is allowing them to use their talent to translate your style into a wonderful new design.  As a designer, my job is to help you identify a style that you find beautiful and comfortable for you and your family; and then, bring it to life!

When I was still in design school, I started working as a decorator.  Fortunately, I have some very trusting friends and family members who allowed me to test my talents in their homes.  For the most part (barring a few mistakes that were promptly fixed) the designs came out very well.  Over the years, it’s been my ability to translate the tastes of my clients that has brought me much success.

Today I am sharing some photos with you of my mom’s home.  I am very thankful to her for allowing me to renovate (once) and decorate (multiple times) her home.  I have noticed that when it comes to family and friends it’s tempting to make assumptions about their personal taste.  But beware, this can put you in dangerous territory.  To make sure my mom got the home she wanted, I asked a lot of questions (What did she want to keep? What colors did she love?  Which ones had she grown tired of?) and gave her many different options. 

The result: a home that possessed sentimental elements of her personal history but at the same time expressed the wonderful person she has become over the years.

So whether you hire a designer or decorate your own home, give it the time and attention it deserves.  My designs take time, patience, and careful consideration.  Tastes change over the years, so let your home be a reflection of where you have come from as well as where you are going.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

I started My Design Secrets more than a year ago with one goal in mind:  Help people who love home decorating by giving them professional advice and easy access to the best online interior decorating sources.  After receiving a lot of wonderful feedback and learning that close to 100,000 people visted the database last year, I realized that My Secret Database was the answer to many of your decorating prayers!  So, I  was determined to continue sharing my interior design advice and resources.

A couple of months ago, I announced that we would be making some upgrades to the website.  Now, the time has come!  We wanted to make My Design Secrets even more useful, interesting, and fun for all of you decorating enthusiasts. (And for those of you who don’t know, my husband, Tim,  is the what turns “me” into “we”.)

So, here is what’s in store…

Improvements to My Secret Database *

The new database is PHENOMENAL.  When it comes to home decorating, My Secret Database blows any search engine out of the water.  Take that Google!  Here’s why: 

• Search through hundreds of online retailers for the product(s) you need and in the specific style you want.
• View a wide assortment of photos of specific products from the vendors in My Secrets Database. 
• Check out the the handy $-$$-$$$!  These icons will help you stay within your home decorating budget.

*While we wanted to keep doing all this for free, a girl has got to make a living!   With all these great new features, we are confident that you will recognize what a great value it is.  So starting this Wednesday at noon, My Secret Database is going to become a membership only site.  We are sure you will agree that the nominal charge of $9.95 per month is a fair price for access to this incredibly valuable, time-saving database.

Hot New Topics and Inside Tips in the Blog (Free)

The blog will continue to be free of charge and will offer my professional design tips as well as introductions to some of the hottest new decorating sources on the web.  I have lots of great ideas for new topics and, as always, you are welcome to make suggestions.  Feel free to search my existing blog entries covering over 350 decorating topics!

Great New Giveaways

We know you all love a Great Giveaway, so those are definitely going to continue.  We have some great ones lined up for high quality paint, gorgeous home furnishings, and fabulous interior decorating/design books.  And remember, your paid membership will automatically enter you into the giveaways.

Thank You…Thank You…Thank You

I have appreciated your support over the last year and sincerely hope that you will find these upgrades very helpful as you continue to put your personal decorating stamp on your home.

~ Lorrie

With the holidays just around the corner, now is a popular time to purchase a new dining table.  Before you fall in love with that modern mahogany number on sale at West Elm, it makes sense to assess your wants AND your needs.  Many people shop for a style and then make due with the size which is not a good idea.  A “too large” table has guests plastered against the wall trying to make a discreet exit to the ladies room and a “too small” table has one of the kids sitting in the extra chair at the corner.  So let’s go by the Goldilocks rule and find one that’s just right!

The guidelines:

• Each person requires about 24″ of width so they can comfortably eat and avoid bumping elbows.
• Allow 32″ between the table and wall to allow people to get up and sit down easily.
• Allow 38″ if people are also going to be walking back and forth behind the table.
• Allow 42″ if you are going to serve people from behind their chairs.
• If you have a china cabinet or buffet table, take your measurement from there, not the wall.

The Fredericksburg Oval Dining Table from Thomasville is a great classic style. I love the contrast of the darker chairs.

Here is a rundown on popular table sizes, the number of people accommodated and the recommended minimum room size for round and rectangular tables. I would advise against square tables unless you have a very large room because you need a little more space in the corners to make it comfortable.

Base your decision on the number of people you usually have at dinner and then add two.  It’s nice to have the extra room for impromptu guests.  Of course, things change when the holidays come and there is always room for everyone.   The rules are easy, your dining area will look welcoming and your guests will be comfortable.

Shop for the perfect Dining Table in My Secret Database!

Click to Win Great Prizes!

Ask A Design Question!

Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach

1. Good looks – These chairs only make a few appearances a year but it’s most often on holidays.
2. Comfort – I want every guest to stay seated as long as they please, not getting up because their bottom is numb.
3. Easy to store – Stackable is my preference. The folding chairs seem to get creaky and easily scratched when they are leaning up against one another.
4. Low maintenance – Something that will not stain and can be wiped clean easily.

My favorite is the one shown above. It is the Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach. They say it’s suitable for commercial use which means it’s super tough and easy to clean. The design has such clean lines that it would work with anything from traditional to modern. White, charcoal, dove grey and black. $110 each.

Another great option is the Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn. These are also stackable and are reminiscent of a great post-modern design. It comes in black, mahogany and white. One chair for $79 and there are volume discounts for sets of 6 and 8.

Plan ahead for your next large gathering!

Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn