openDesign

Hello. I am sorry to say, this event has been canceled. I have not taken the time to design something worth taking your money for. I am sorry for the short notice, but I am thinking of you as my reasons for this decision. Thank you for your interest and enjoy your Saturday.

Line – Shape – Space – Texture – Value – Color vs. Repetition – Variety – Rhythm – Balance – Emphasis – Economy

color, repetition, and variety

What do these words mean to you? To an interior designer they are how they see the world. A well designed and accented room incorporates most of these elements in them.

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Come – Learn – Create beautiful homes!

texture, shape, and balance

• Learn how to use line in a rhythm to draw your eye to the art work you want to highlight.
• Learn how to use variety of shape, color and texture to create a dynamic grouping.
• Learn the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical balance and the importance of space and economy.
• Learn how to re-use what you have to make statements, and how to buy accessories to work for your home.

In Principle of Good Design – Interior Design 101 we will explore the principle and elements of design. We will figure out why we like being in some rooms, while others make us uncomfortable. We will learn to “read” a catalog photo, explain what is happening in it to potential customers and how to recreate it. As a side effect you will also learn some professional tips to try in your home.

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Check out the event website to register and other information:

principlesofgooddesign.eventbrite.com

Check out my website for more information about me and openDesign

http://designbybetsy.com

Or please give me a call or email if you have any questions. I am happy to talk to you.

248.854.2729 — betsy@designbybetsy.com

line, color, and emphasis

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So what makes me qualified to teach you about the principles and elements? Let me tell ya a little about me… I am a professional interior design with nearly 20 years of experience. I have worked a variety of different kinds of design including high-end residential design, office design, kitchen design, retail design and sales and floral design. I have my bachelor of Interior Design and Architecture from Lawrence Tech. I do the grunt work of implementing my designs as well as the elegant job of creating them. And the most able reason is, I am passionate about design. I take pride in my talent and never stop exploring all the beautiful parts of it.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting you!

go barefoot and build your dreams,

betsy Rackliffe

the smiling eclectic designer



Architectural Wonders A Pop-up Gallery of the World's Most Amazing Marvels

I love children books. They have artistic illustrations on nearly every page and usually tell a moral. One of my favorite kinds of kid’s books is a pop-up. It combines my love of design with my love of art. I smile every time when I turn the page and have the story come to life in 3d. Even better is when I get the chance to share them with a child and watch their amazement.

While I was at the book store a couple of months ago I came across one of the perfect books for me! “Architectural Wonders – A Pop-up Gallery of the World’s Most Amazing Marvels” What could be better?  There are five buildings that the book talks about, has beautiful pictures and, of course, has fascinating detailed engineered pop-ups.

I have studied these creations, and even been to two of them, so I thought I knew everything. After reading Kathleen Murphy Colan’s descriptions and introductions I was wrong. Her writing made we want to read more and discover more fun facts about the buildings and areas.  Like Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany has 360 rooms, or that measurements all across France are taken from “Point Zero” in Notre Dame.

The pop-ups of each building are creative. Bruce Foster has some talent! I checked out his website, it is very fun.  Having the 3d in the book also took me back to my memories of being there.  A walk down memory lane.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in architecture, history or paper-engineering.  An interesting read and a fun page flipper.

Architectural Wonders - Neuschwanstein Castle

Architectural Wonders - Sydney Opera House

Chearful, Airy and Flowing

I have been sharing my ideas and how-to about design with a couple of pictures. Today I’m going to share pictures from my latest installation with you: Mystic Lotus Belly Dancing Studio in Pinckney. I spent 3 weeks painting, designing and implementing –  I have been waiting to share my creation with you! Enjoy!

If you would like to see this in person –check out Mystic Lotus.

Lotus petals anchor the corner of the room

Different painted details pull the room together

Fewer petals archor the corner, but show it isn't the most important in the room

Scarf frames the light and the statue without being distracting

Painting a simple square will act just like a frame for a wall hanging

Kitchen Remodel After

A kitchen remodels is something you only want to do once every 15 years. Let’s make sure your space is one you are going to love! I gave you some pointers previously about what do before you meet with designers. Here are some tips for when you get together.

• Work with a designer who will come to your home. It makes the process a lot easier. Being in your space, seeing how you function, will give the designer get a better understand at your style and your needs to make your kitchen flow smoother.
• Have the cabinet company do a final professional measurement of your space. When they measure, if for some crazy reason the cabinets don’t fit, they will make the proper adjustments.
• Work with a general contractor who oversees each step. Let her worry about when the tile should be going in, when the cabinets will be delivered to your house. Making sure the installation goes smoothly is like conducting an orchestra. It is a talent and a full-time job!

Congratulations on this wonderful undertaking called a kitchen remodel. Remember, it will be over soon. As you go through this, take time to breathe, to have fun, and to remind yourself over and over how amazing it will be when it is finished!

New kitchen anyone

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and remodel the kitchen. We have all heard the tales about how awful it was before. How long the construction took. And the worst, how much over budget it went.  Don’t fret; there is good news! Not everyone’s remodel went like that. Here are some tips that might make it easier for you when you do yours.

• Before you start, cut out pictures in magazines of kitchens you like. Cut out pictures of everything you like. You will find similarities among the pictures, and those will lead you to a kitchen you like.
• Think about how you are going to use the cabinets. What are you going to put in each cabinet? There are many storage gizmos now to utilize the entire cabinet where on space is wasted. There are features that are make specific tasks easier, like a build in mixer stand, a cabinet designed for your can goods, or a place to put the recycling.  Most companies offer them at the time of manufacturing. There are also companies that sell after-market units for ease modification later.
• Finish off your cabinets with the extra details. They are the kitchen’s version of dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s.  Get the crown molding for the tops of your cabinets, even if they go all the way to the ceiling. Install the light rail along the bottom of the upper cabinets; this will also hide the under-cabinet lighting. Finish the exposed sides of the cabinets including the side of your refrigerator. Make sure you even select the perfect knobs.

These are some ideas to get your juices flowing. Don’t rush into this project until you spend some time thinking about your space. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. Make yours memorable and functional.

Meet the people who will help you in my next posting… to be continued…

Escape to your dream vacation when you do laundry

Have fun with life! Enjoy where you have to be! Make the most of any situation!

The chores you have to do every day can be more enjoyable by incorporating things you like in the space. If you like being outside, bring some live plants into the room. If you like to hang out with your girlfriends, hang pictures of them and things you have done together. If you dream about fancy jewelry, replace your plain cabinet knobs with glamorous ones.

The options are endless, and the rewards are plentiful!

Make every day things more colorful

Make sure you have the storage and tools to do the job

Sometimes you just have to get dirty

Photograph by Norm Ryder

“Informal conversation is probably the oldest mechanism by which opinions on products and brands are developed, expressed, and spread.” – Johan Arndt

So, join us for some “informal conversation” at

Art Community Open House and Mixer for the Gallery of Sights

Where different types of artists showcase their work and groups different people get to know each other better.

Celebrate the Opening Night of “Art in Your Work” featuring different professions and the art they create everyday for people.

Also displaying their work to the community — Abstract Photography, Nature Photography, Watercolor Photography, Weaving, Jewelry, and Acrylic Paintings

Open to the public with snacks and refreshments available.

When: Thursday February 4, 2010 6:oopm – 9:oopm
Location: 7187 Grand River Road; Brighton, MI
Questions: Call Betsy @ 248.854.2729

There is always room for more artists. Please call for more information

Giggle Room – Amazing what paint can do to a room!

The Giggle Room, the Gallery of Sights, the Round Table Room, the Le Chic Boutique, the Member Center all inside the InSights Group in Brighton Michigan. I am lucky enough to have nearly 6000 square feet of space to play with. It is my living portfolio. From the holiday decorations, to complete room remodels to buffet set ups I am behind the scenes making sure everything looks good!

My goal is to make the space function for meetings, for videotaping, for parties, for day to day office time, and for everything else members might need.

I invite everyone to come in and check it out. See what you can do with paint or see the beautiful art displayed in Gallery of Sights, or purchase something at Le Chic Boutique… Or just curl up in The Village with a book and a cup of coffee.

Gallery of Sights – A “coffee-house” style art gallery for local artist to exhibit and share their amazing creations.

Do you love your office? Or, do you dread going to work in it? I want to know all about it.

To celebrate the New Year, openDesign interior design studio is introducing “The First Annual Best and Worst Office Contest!”

Send over pictures of your office and I will post the top 5 best and worst offices on my blog. The winner of each category wins a Comprehensive Design Consultation where I will help you with your office or any other room you want to address!

• Contest Dates: January 11, 2010 thru January 31, 2010. The winners will be selected and notified February 8, 2010.
• Entries must include: Name, e-mail information and phone number.
• Mailing Address: openDesign; c/o InSights Group; 7817 Grand River Road; Brighton, MI 48178.
• E-mail Address: betsy@designbybetsy.com.
• For questions please call: Betsy at 248.854.2729.
• Winner must live in Southeastern Michigan.

Painting! Have you thought about it for your floor? Yes, you could go the route of carpeting, tiling, or installing wood, but you could also paint your floor. It doesn’t matter if it is concrete, tile, hardwood, or subfloor; with proper prepping you can create a custom floor finish that reflects your style and complements your home.

Options are limitless for what you can create! Some ideas so draw inspiration from could be: a faux-finished tile floor or an area rug surrounded by a solid color floor, or make it personal by having all your friends write words of wisdom on it. Here is a website with some more how-to information to get you started: http://budgetdecorating.about.com/od/budgetdesignbasics/a/Painting-Floor.htm

This is a great solution for laundry rooms, basements, stairs, or your kitchen floor. There are many products available to add durability, texture, and non-skid.  Check with your local paint store or home improvement store for the right paints and finishes.

Remember, life is too dramatic for white walls – and plain floor!