Spring is Here!

Really, it is; don’t let the cold wind fool you into thinking it’s not. The proof is that Grande Trunke Home had their Spring Mantel Decoration Show giving us lots of ideas for accessorizing our homes for the season!
I am so honored to be welcomed time and time again to present ideas to guests wanting to make some changes in their homes.
Here are pictures of the 3 mantel themes I designed for this show: “A Day at the Beach” “A Colorful Spring” and of course “Easter”. I hope they inspire you to try something different or help you complete the display you were “just stuck” on.
Enjoy!

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“Thing-y” is a technical interior design term.

And MORE mantle decorations from Grande Trunke Home!

My focus during the shows is to have fun! Along with giving interior design tips you can use that night in your home.

My main tip for your Christmas Decorating…

One dramatic Angle down!

Positioning your treasures at different levels will add energy to your display. The variety of heights will create an  imaginary line and encourage your eyes to follow it.

 Can the line created from the picture, the wreath and the lantern in the above picture? Are your eyes drawn to the lit tree?

Can you see the line in other pictures? Could you see using it in your home?

Click here for more pictures from the Mantle shows.

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It’s that time of year again! Here are some pictures of the Tuesday “Mantle Show” at South Lyon’s very own Grande Trunke Home.

Three times a year Sue Stowe hosts a fun evening with wine and cheese and showcases new ways to inspire you about your home… With, of course, her beautiful pieces!

Look around here. Check out the next blog with pictures from Thursday’s “Mantle Show” Then visit her store for more options.

And…  if you become stuck or overwhelmed — I can help you with that!!!

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I am lucky enough to be remodeling the house I “inherited” from my parents so they could follow their dreams and move across the country to Seattle.

The most recent event was refinishing the floors. One of the hidden treasures in houses built before the 1960′s is the hardwood subflooring. To my joy the cheap carpeting was pulled out revealing a worn, dirty and, in some places, damaged red oak floor throughout the entire first floor!

This is when the learning process began:

• Who does flooring in the area?
• What does it entail?
• How long does it take?
• How do I select a color?
• Can they get repair the damaged parts?
• Where will I live while it’s being done!

After three interviews I learned:

• That price isn’t a factor (they were all the same).
• That water damage can mostly be repaired (depending on how severely warped), but that pet urine cannot be repaired (seeps into the wood and turns it black).
• That the first coat seeps into the wood, so 3 coats will give you a longer wear because there are 2 coats above the wood protecting the surface.
• That  the different slats of wood take the finish differently so have them stain a large swatch for you verify the selected color (make sure you like it, to avoid having to redo in the future).
• You need 24 hours between coats, 48 hours before placing furniture on it, 30 days for the stain to completely cure.

My “new” floors are amazing and I love them! I admit, I did go with the “safer” color instead of the trendy new color. Check out the pictures and let me know what you think of the floors…

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Metal Artwork

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If you are looking for an amazing local designer who can help you be happier in your home with a few simple changes, you need to call Betsy!

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We all have memories of the places we have been. We all have collections of items that are beautiful to us. Here are some tips to honor our “stuff”…

• Little is More – having a couple of nice and quality items are more impactful than a bunch of different items.
• Groups are Dramatic – Gather all the one here and one there and make a collection of them in one spot.
• Odd Number Magic –3,5,7,and 9 are more peaceful arrangements (this one is more a suggestion.
• Pyramids –When setting up a display think vertically to o. Place some items on pillars or candle holders in a tallest, medium and shortest fashion. It moves your eye around so you can take it all in.
• Memory Wall – They make you smile.  A creative idea is to use all exactly the same frame, or to use all different frames in the same color, or to use all completely different frames in size, shape, and color.

Take pride in your past and your loves.

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