Interior Redesign and Home Staging Blog

Child Safety in Households and How It Relates to Roller Blinds

A popular choice in households, roller blinds have become the prevalent window dressing type due to their multiple advantages: light filtering window coverings which can be found in a variety of designs and which can be easily positioned with a simple pull of the control system for full privacy or an unobstructed view of the outside.

However, reports analyzing the frequency of accidental injuries inflicted on children that have been related to manually operated window coverings have drawn attention to the fact that however appealing roller blinds might be in design, they might also be a dangerous choice for households with small children since it is a well known fact that constant parent or adult supervision is impossible to ensure. That is why the blinds industry has put serious effort and resources into coming up with viable solutions to this conundrum.

Guidelines as to the most straightforward actions house owners can take to increase the security of each room have been issued by the British Blinds and Shutters Association and they relate to furniture positioning in relation to manually controlled window coverings: set furniture away from window coverings and seek proactive solutions that would make dangerous controls hard to reach by toddlers.

What makes roller blinds a dangerous choice for homes with children is the control chain which forms a loop at the end where children can get caught and end up seriously injured. For chain controlled roller blinds various child safety mechanisms have been devised. That is why when purchasing roller blinds the control chain will be equipped with an easy break chain connector which joins the ends of the chain after it has been shortened to be hard to reach by children and which splits when pressure is applied. Where possible, especially for blinds which are installed close to the wall, the chain can also be stretched and fitted alongside the blind with the aid of a tie down clip.

However, a new generation of roller blinds has also been devised. The new spring operated roller blinds are 100% child safe and recommended for use in nurseries and other rooms where children spend time unsupervised since they have a new and improved design. A more compact structure incorporates the control mechanism inside the headrail of the blind and a simple tugging action on the bottom part of the fabric section activates the spring operated system used to raise or lower the blind. With no external controls, these blinds no longer pose a threat to the physical integrity of
children.

Since window blinds have become a household item present in every room of the house, when making a choice between various solutions customers must bare in mind that design and overall costs are not the only criteria to be taken into account. For residential areas where children spend time unattended child safety is also a major factor. It is always advisable to go for the products which pose as little risk as possible and, when possible, as in the case of roller blinds go for the type that eliminates risks all together as is the case with spring operated roller blinds.

Blinds UK
http://www.blindsuk.net/
customerservice@blindsuk.net

Maureen Reddy of DaVinci Designer Gallery decorates the White House for the Holidays

After Thanksgiving, the White House will make way for a team of nearly 100 designers, florists, and artisans from across the country, who will create their magic. This year’s design efforts will transform the “Executive Residence” into a wonderland with over 25 trees, 60 wreaths, and 3,000 yards of ribbon. By the end of the holiday season, some 100,000 guests will visit the White House to enjoy the elaborate decorations.

Reddy is no stranger to “decking the halls”. She started her career in the early ‘90’s at Jordan Marsh, fluffing Christmas trees, tying bulbs, and hanging garland throughout Boston’s beloved department store. Her career path widened as she continued as a visual merchandiser, regional designer for a national furniture chain, manager of an event planning company, and ultimately, the owner of DaVinci Designer Gallery, a full service interior design firm.

Her trip to the White House is an adventure that Reddy adds to her ever-expanding design experience. “I am thrilled and honored to be a small part of creating a vision that brings much joy to many”

DaVinci Designer Gallery

56 Willow Ave.
Winthrop, MA 02152
617-319-2837
www.davincidesigner.com

Staging a Home considerably reduces the Days on Market.

Homes that were staged by DaVinci Designer Gallery sell up to 4 times faster when compared to the average days on market.

It is a known fact that home staging increases the value of a property, in some cases up to 20%, but an additional perk of home staging is the speed in which these home sell.

Realtor Bill Skerry, of RE/MAX Leading Edge, Newton, MA couldn’t agree more. “I’ve been using  DaVinci Designer Gallery’s staging services  for 7+ years. I feel like it is Christmas every time I walk into a home staged by DDG. The transformations are astounding, it’s like magic. And the biggest present is a quick sale for the best price!”

Maureen Reddy, owner of DaVinci Designer Gallery has been providing staging services for over 15 years. She explains “Time is money and home staging produces speedy sales. In a market where we are seeing many “necessity sales”, elderly parents needing to sell, relocation, and families downsizing, time is of the essence and a quick turn around is essential. Home staging ensures that the property will not languish on the market, but will present itself well and sell fast.”

In locations around Boston, MA,  properties recently staged by DaVinci Designer Gallery enjoyed profitable sales in record time:

Location             Average D.O.M.       Staged D.O.M.

Brookline                  145                            45

Newton                       67                               1

Roslindale                 57                               27

Brighton                   112                             21

“Home staging is a win, win, win situation”, concludes Skerry “ the properties look their very best for buyers, and the sale is quick and lucrative for Realtors and homeowners. The time that is saved by staging, allows me to focus on my next sale.”

Maureen Reddy
DaVinci Designer Gallery
56 Willow Ave.
Winthrop, MA 02152
617-319-2837
www.ddg-re.com

Chocolate Brown Tones in Home Decorating

The rich luxury of chocolate is more then just a taste sensation. It is also a visual feast for the eyes that can create spaces that are stylish, sophisticated, and even a little regal. These dark brown hues are becoming more popular these days, and their ability to match up with a variety of contrasting tones is causing many designers to call chocolate the new black in interiors.

The first thing you have to know about darker brown tones is that they need to be paired with contrasting neutral or light colors in order to keep a room from getting too dark. However if you can find the right balance, you can create a palette within the space which is richly contrasting with a depth and energy that is hard to equal.

These colors can then be accented with a variety of more vibrant colors to stand out and create focal points within the space. Hues such as bright barn red, straw yellow, fern green, and crisp bright whites can all serve to create visual interest within the room. These will act against the backdrop of darker and lighter colors, uniting the dichotomy of the two in an attractive way.

One of the best ways to make sure that your colors are all matched and balanced is to use a guide. If you can find a pattern that features the hues you are looking to use, you can follow the proportions in that pattern, matching the amount of color in the space to that found on the cloth. In this way you have a built in plan to follow as you design the room. If possible, that same cloth pattern can then be used in an accent piece within the space to really draw things together.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to rich chocolate hues in furnishings for the space. Consider various leather chairs, couches, and decorative pieces as a way of bringing these colors into the room. Leather is one of the most luxurious materials around and is available in a wide variety of shades to match any décor.

Hardwood furniture is another option. In light colored rooms, you can place furnishings stained in deep rich tones which will stick out, popping against the lighter backdrop. If the space has dark chocolate walls and interior features, then consider lighter gold stained or painted pieces.

Fabrics look especially lustrous in chocolate tones, and you should consider rich brown colors for curtains and window treatments. Linens are also very attractive in these darker tones and can stand out against lighter colored rooms as impermanent accessories within the space.

Using chocolate tones in the home is a matter of finding the right contrast balance within your spaces. You want to feature the deep colors of the darker tones, but you don’t want them to overwhelm a room and plunge it into darkness. Use brighter colors such as reds as greens as focal points throughout, and use a pattern to check the level of your colors within the space.

This article is brought to you courtesy of PebbleZ’s line of natural, absorbent stone coasters, which are hand crafted from a variety of sandstone, slate, and mosaic pieces. The article itself was written by artist and designer Joey Pebble.

Creating Casual Spaces

Casual decorating is about arranging the elements of your home in such a way that they create spaces that are relaxed and inviting. These are rooms that you can get comfortable in, unwinding with friends, or lounging after a hard days work. They consist of soft lines, gentle colors, natural materials, and comfortable surfaces. They are marked by a lack of pretension, with a sense of unique personality that should instantly set people at ease.

Generally the pieces used in a casual décor are simple and unassuming. Often intricate visual decorations are foregone in favor of more subdued textural patterns. This style also tends to prefer simple geometric shapes, boxes, rectangles, and rounded squares.

A casual style tends to stay away from sharply dramatic colors such as black, white or crimson. Rather it should highlight reserved colors such as grays, beiges, and tan tones as the major hues through the space. These can be accented by vibrant, natural colors such as navy blues, forest greens, rust, and olive tones. Those colors will add contrast and interest to the space without giving it an unnecessary sense of drama.

Many times whimsical objects of home décor can be used to break the spell of formality in a room. Novelty lamps, coffee tables made from antique ironing boards or old barrels, and wall decorations depicting strange but lovable characters can all add a sense of personality to the space which will draw people in. Laughter is one of the best ways to break tension so adding a bit of humor to your rooms can go a long way towards making them feel more relaxed and comfortable.

There are many different decorating styles that use casual principles as part of their basic philosophy. Rustic, French country, shabby chic, American country, and cottage styles all have a  relaxed elements that combine with distinctive stylistic choices to create comforting spaces with a unique flavor.

Furniture in a casual space should generally be soft and comfortable. Seats should be oversized, with matched ottomans allowing you and your guests to throw your feet up. Furnishings within the space should tend to be horizontal and low, rather than vertical and thin looming over you. Wider pieces give you more room to stretch out and decorate in a lounged and relaxed manner.

Personal items, sentimental pieces, and family portraits can all add personality to a casual space, making people feel more familiar with you and the room around them. Collections of tiny decorative pieces can also add details to the space giving it character and whimsy. Items do not necessarily have to be matched up perfectly as the style of the space should be inherently relaxed.

Furnishings will often be arranged in such a way that they cut off sharp corners within a room. Couches or cocktail tables will often either be built to slide into these corners, or can be arranged diagonally across them to make the space feel rounder and softer.

The most important thing about a casual decorating style is that is feels comfortable and relaxed to you. It is important to add personality to the space, while leaving it relatively devoid of an abundance of details. Contrast subdued colors with bright unassuming tones and make sure that all of your surfaces are soft and inviting.

This article is brought to you courtesy of the natural mosaic stone cocktail tables which can be found at MosaicStoneTables.com – The article itself was written by stone artist and designer Joey Pebble.

How to Create a Rustic Room

There are a variety of elements that you will find in a room decorated with a rustic style. This will often include pieces built from natural materials, hand crafted items that are designed to be sturdy and durable. Spurning machine crafted copies; rustic styles will embrace the random features of nature, uniting your space with the primal energies of the living world.

The colors in a rustic style typically mirror those found in nature. Earth tones are generally the predominant colors, along with grays, rusts, and a variety of green hues used for contrasting colors. In some cases bright bursts of red can be used randomly in accents throughout the space to draw the eye and focus the attention of the space.

There are a variety of rustic furnishings that can be used to create an environment in a room. Hardwood pieces can give the space a great living quality, while natural stone tables and accent pieces can help to add color and interest to the room. Whicker and bent willow can also be prominent materials.

Antique or aged items are great in a rustic setting because they can add a sense of age and antiquity to the room. Old timepieces, antique rifles, rocking chairs, and other items available at both your local antique shop and at yard sales around the neighborhood can give the space a feeling of antiquity that can’t be found in new store bought items. Even pieces purposely distressed will lack the feel of real age that true artifacts will have.

You don’t necessarily have to fill a room with rustic pieces to achieve the desired effects. In most cases choosing a single large focal point, crafted in the rustic style using natural materials should be enough to affect the entire room. In a bedroom, a large hardwood bed can be used, in a living room a wrought iron coffee table can act as a focal point. As long as it is prominent it will create a sense of atmosphere that will flow throughout the entire room.

With seating, hardwood and whicker may be a little rough, so use cushions and covers to soften the look and feel. In some cases patterned or colored cloth can be used to draw the entire space together. Match this to curtains and rugs in order to add splashes of contrasting color throughout the space.

In some cases you may want to undertake renovations to make a space feel more rustic. In many rooms the addition of hardwood paneling can give a space a warm cozy feel. In spaces such as the kitchen or bathroom, slate backsplashes can provide the atmosphere of a towering mountain range.

Rustic flooring is most often going to be hardwood planks although here you can also choose tile or flagstone. Match this with throw rugs, or faux skin carpets to create spaces of warmth between the chilly natural materials.

Rustic decorating is a symphony of textures mixed with natural colors and materials to create sturdy simple pieces which are functional and refreshing. These spaces connect us to an ancient world, one far beyond the complex press of the modern day. They allow us to slip from our plastic molded lives and revel in the simplicity of nature.

This article is provided courtesy of the rustic home décor products which are available at PebbleZ including a wide variety of natural slate and mountain born stone furnishings. The article itself was written by designer and artist Joey Pebble.