Here’s the deal. My husband and I have been living in our house for 4 years and I’ve barely done anything, except make a mess. I leave walls blank because I don’t know what should go on them. I let my husbands lame attempt to hang art go because I don’t know what to replace it with. I’m even famous for displaying empty picture frames because I can commit to which picture should go in it. Basically my house is a mishmosh of unfinished this and that.
Earlier this fall I finally decided on a theme for our living room. I love the nautical look. Navy’s, whites, and light greens mixed with dark furniture. My problem was, I had no idea where to began. I threw up a few sea shells, a new rug and then I was stuck again. That is when Tom from TWF Designs swooped in to save me.
From the moment he walked into my messy house I knew this was the guy who was going to help make my house feel like “my home”. Over the next few weeks (or months) I’m going to take you through my house “redesign”. Hopefully it will help inspire you and give you a few decorating tips.
So first we should cover a few misconceptions about hiring a designer.
1. I could never afford to hirer a designer. False! Most designers are pretty responsibly priced. TWF Designs normally runs around $75 an hour. When Tom first visited my house he was there for about an hour. He walked around moved a few items with me and repurposed items I already had. He then sat down with me to make a list of things I can work on when he wan’t there. He also gave me a few things to look for when I was out and about.
A fresh set of eyes are always helps. Know what you want before you meet with your designer and if you have a budget, let them know. Just having Tom move a couple things in my house completely changed the look and it would have hardly cost me anything.
2. Designers make money off items you purchase. False! Most designers will pass on their discount to you. Tom actually went with me to a green house to buy my new trees because he gets a discount there and he passed it on to me! Most of the items we’re using I already owned. He also will tell me where I should shop to get the best price. He has already saved me time and money!
3. The Designer is going to show up to my house wave a magic wand and my house will be perfect. False! It’s a process people! With the tools that Tom has given me, I’m going to be able to do a lot of it on my own. Ok, fine, so maybe I’ll need a little bit of hand holding, but not much. I actually shop with confidence now. I know what I’m looking for.
So you want to see pictures of what Tom did? Did I mention it was a process? Next week I’m going to show a few before and afters, including my new trees! I’m also going to share a few tips, like less is sometimes more, you don’t have to always decorate in a square and don’t be afraid to decorate above your eye level.
For a more decorating tips and trends follow TWF Designs on Twitter and Facebook.
Disclaimer – Tom has been kind enough to wave his fee in exchanged for a few shout outs. So please make sure you go follow him Twitter and Facebook.
Can’t wait to see the changes! I SO need a decorator!
Mama Mary recently posted..my daring vacation to disneyland resort