Done in a Day Design

Simple Steps: Selecting The Right Size & Shape Lampshade

May 3rd, 2011

After struggling recently to find a couple of lampshade options for the cute little pair of milk glass lamps my mom had scored for me at a thrift sale, I decided to write a quick post to provide some guidance on size and shape for your next lampshade hunt.

1. Shape of the shade. When possible, the shape of a fabric shade should be similar to the base shape. You’ll also want to consider where the lamp will be placed. Will it be placed in a tight corner or grouped with other items where it’s likely to hit something?

Most lamp shades and bases generally fall into one of these shapes:

Round – ball or cylinder
Square
Oval
Rectanglular
Hexagon

2. Shade bottom diameter. The best way to determine the bottom diameter of the shade for your table lamp is to measure the lamp height from the bottom edge of the table lamp base to the top of the lamp stem, (just below the socket cap).

Measuring your lamp base

The shade you choose for your lamp should have a bottom diameter that is within 2”, plus or minus, the measured height of your lamp. For example, if your lamp height (measured by the method noted above) is 14” tall, the shade you select (depending on your preference for a small, medium, or larger looking shade) should have a bottom diameter of 12”, 13”, 14”, 15” or 16”.

Measuring your lampshade

3. Selecting the shades overall height. The overall height of the shade is directly related to the height of the harp. As a general rule, the overall height of the shade should not exceed the the height of the harp plus 1/ 2”.

Measuring the harp height

For example, if your harp is 7” tall, the shade you select should have an overall height in the range of 7 1/ 2” to 6 1/ 2”.

The shade height is important because you want adequate coverage of the bulb without covering the lamp base.

Note: Fringe and tassel should not be included in the measurement of the overall height of the shade.

Some table lamps, like my little milk glass duo, have multiple sockets or “clusters.” not a harp. In this case determining the proper height of a shade is similar to a lamp with a harp. The height of the shade should not exceed the the height of the cluster stem plus 1/ 2”, and should not be smaller than the height of the cluster stem minus 1/ 2”. To select the bottom diameter of the shade for your lamp, see step 2 above.

Because I like some of my lamps to have a small “wardrobe” of two shades, one for spring and summer and one for fall and winter, I selected a black linen bell shape for fall/winter and a burlap drum shade for spring/summer.

Feel free to drop back in and let me know what you scored for your lamps.

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A Bedroom Gets a Glamorous New Design

December 2nd, 2010

I was contacted by a beautiful, hip, very busy young woman about a makeover for her bedroom. She had been in her new home a couple of years, but to date had only finished the lower level of the house (pretty common for most of us).

She was ready to give her bedroom the same polished look the downstairs rooms had achieved (with the help of a designer friend who had since moved to Chicago – fortunately for me).

Here is a BEFORE view of the room from the bedroom door:

The bedroom prior to our makeover.

And the AFTER:

The AFTER: A glamorous new bedroom for a young career woman.

The homeowner had few requirements for the makeover except that she wanted to keep the vintage case goods that had belonged to her grandmother because they held great sentimental value for her. She had also fallen in love with the idea of an upholstered bed.

While the bedroom was spacious, the existing furniture arrangement could definitely be improved upon to open up the space.

BEFORE: The corner opposite the bed.

The homeowner also wanted me to use these mirrors that went with the case goods.

Mirrors belonging to her Grandmother that she wanted used in the room.

This tall dresser is directly to your right as you walk into the bedroom. My initial impression was that it was too high for this location and visually cut off the room.

Tall dresser against wall next to bathroom.

This tall dresser is positioned between the bathroom and second closet.

This chest of drawers was located between the walk in closet and the large window next to the bed. Check out the picture of her nephew – is he cute or what?

BEFORE: Chest of drawers on window wall.

BEFORE: This chest of drawers was along the same wall as the window.

AFTER: Chest of drawers and large window next to the bed.

The AFTER is a bedroom that perfectly reflects the owner’s style. It pays homage to her grandmother’s furniture, but with a modern twist that makes it fit a young woman’s style.

AFTER: A beautiful bedroom that perfectly reflects its' owner's style.

The first step in my plan was to move the desk next to the bed to provide the homeowner with a larger space to place her phone, ipod dock and a reading lamp.

AFTER: The desk has been moved to do duty as a bedside table.

We now have room for a desktop vignette.

Next order of business was to relocate the tall bureau to the wall next to the door where it would not be instantly visible when entering the room. This immediately made the room seem more spacious – something the homeowner commented on when she walked into the room after the move.

I also repurposed her old lamp as the room really needed more light and the iron scrolls in the lamp echo the scrolls in the chandelier. The only change that needs to be made is a switch to a white silk lampshade.

Tall bureau is moved to the wall next to the entrance

Gone are the skimpy window treatments to be replaced by thick, lush white silk curtains lined with blackout liners so the homeowner can get rid of the blinds if she chooses to do so.

Skimpy drapes are replaced with thick white silk lined with blackout liners.

Skimpy drapes are replaced with thick white silk curtains lined with blackout

The smaller chest of drawers was moved just a little closer to the walk in closet to center it on the wall (after the new window hardware was raised and moved out further from the window edges to make the window seem larger and the ceilings higher).

Again, the second iron lamp was repurposed to give the room more light and just needs to be given a white silk shade to complete the look.

Smaller chest of drawers gets moved slightly and a mirror is added.

Because the homeowner had beautiful original works of art throughout the rest of her home and our budget did not allow for anything other than mass produced artwork, I elected to utilize her grandmother’s mirrors in place of art. One wall was left blank to allow the later addition of a custom piece she’ll no doubt find one day soon.

The highest praise we can get is always a happy homeowner and she definitely was. My favorite of her comments was that I took her grandmother’s furniture and made it fit her style.

Sweet dreams.

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Clutter Control: A Bookcase Makeover

August 23rd, 2010

Bookcases can be a huge asset in decorating, but if we aren’t careful, they can quickly get over run with clutter.

This bookcase belongs to a young newlywed couple (he moved into her condo after they married) and was crammed with her Oprah book club reads, pictures of friends and family and a hodgepodge of decorative items. The husband commented that he couldn’t stand the bookcase because, “It stresses me out every time I look it.”

BEFORE: Bookcase

We quickly pared back the large collection of books to just hardcover (much more attractive than paperbacks) and soft covers that were a little more structured and attractive. Then we attacked the pictures, keeping only a handful that had similar frames (the rest were disbursed throughout the rest of the condo) as well as just a few decorative items for color and interest.

AFTER: Bookcase Made Over

The husband declared the made over bookcase his favorite part of the makeover. Never underestimate the power of a little bit of clutter control in your decor.

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Laura’s Guest Room / Home Office

July 21st, 2010

My lovely client Laura (I tried to take a picture of her, but she refused insisting she looked a mess. She didn’t) called me to give a spare room in her house a makeover.

The room in question had become “a dumping ground” to quote Laura and she wanted to convert it to a guest room for her son’s serious girlfriend who was coming to visit for a long weekend before he shipped off to medical school. She also wanted a little spot where she could use her laptop and get some work done.

The room she choose is ideal for a guest room. The entrance to the room is steps away from the garage entrance/exit and has it’s own private bathroom. It was also right off the kitchen (no disturbing anyone when you sneak a midnight snack) and on the first floor – away from all the other bedrooms in the house.

The giant black breakfront cabinet pictured below was not going anywhere. It was purchased by the homeowner to house her ever growing china, glass and pottery collection.

View of the room from the entryway

A few other items she wanted incorporated into the room included an beautiful antique mirror inherited from her mother, a clock from her sister-in-law, some pictures of Western Reserve Academy (attended by her sons) and the small table and pottery bowl against the wall.

The view of the entryway into the room.

One of our goals was to make the contents of the breakfront look a little less cluttered and chaotic and try to get it to look more like a deliberate part of the design.

The curio cabinet before we began was a little cluttered

Job one was to set up the sleeping area and fortunately, the new sleeper chair and a half the homeowner purchased fit snugly into the nook right next to the door. This location also worked perfectly as there was plenty of room to pull it out for sleeping and for TV viewing as the TV was located diagonally across the room (they plan to mount it onto the wall eventually).

Next, I wanted to create a little work space for the homeowner that would double as a comfortable spot for her guest to sit to do her hair or makeup (near the natural light of the window).

As always, we shopped the house and swiped that buffet lamp from the master bathroom, the mirror in front of it and the other mirror on the wall to the right were borrowed from a display the homeowner had on top of a chest of drawers in the upstairs hall. They were unnecessary extras there, but here they perfectly complete one of our display walls (things always look better grouped in odd numbers).

The breakfront got a makeover too as we swapped out all the glass dishes and replaced with the greens and reds formerly hidden inside. A few of the white dishes were added to allow for some neutral touches and the breakfront is now a part of the design.

The breakfront is now part of the design.

The whole process took about three and a half hours. I followed up with a list of additional items the homeowner could purchase if and when she had time, but the important thing was having one less thing off her to do list, allowing her to focus on enjoying her guest and the holiday.

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Don’t love it? Paint it!

July 12th, 2010

If you have a piece of furniture you just don’t love anymore, consider painting it before you decide to trash it or post it on craigslist. If you’ve decided you don’t like it anymore anyway, what do you have to lose? Chances are you won’t get much for it on craigslist so it may be worth the time to try giving it a makeover.

I tried this recently with two pieces in my living room that I had grown very very tired of long ago.

The first was this very early 90s curio cabinet:

The list of things I hated about it was long, but it provided needed storage for my Waterford crystal and a few other things.

So one jar of Caromal Colours in Peppercorn and some light distressing later, I had a new look for my curio:

I was so happy with that project, that I decided to tackle the big pine monster that hides the big ugly TV (no sleek and sexy flat screen for me. I want to make sure anyone who tries to break in and steal it ruptures their spleen in the process):

This one was super easy to paint. The curio cabinet was a little painful because I had to paint the inside and maneuver around a lot of glass. With this piece it was one jar of Caromal Colours in Parchment (this paint does not require you to prep by sanding – yay!), then a coat of my favorite white from Behr, Cotton Whisper. I then distressed it with a sander, applied toner and finished with a wash of one part latex paint to three parts water (applied with a chipping brush).

I absolutely love the results:

So, before you trash the old piece, consider giving it a little DIY makeover and you might just fall in love all over again.

Posted in DIY Makeover | 4 Comments »

Home Staging Statistics for Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP)

May 17th, 2010

“The Investment IN ASP Staging Your Home will Always be Less than a Price Reduction ON Your Home!”
- Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging

Return on Staging Investment
The following is a summary of the results of HomeGain’s national survey, based on the ten areas of home improvement identified by real estate agents in HomeGain’s survey. They are listed from the highest to lowest returns on investment:

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The Power of Color

May 10th, 2010

We know you’ve heard it a million times, so instead of just talking about it, we’ll show you the powerful change color can make in a room.

This dining room had burnt orange walls and khaki green trim (both old Martha Stewart colors). The color gave the room a warm glow, but definitely made the space feel smaller and cozier.

After applying a horizontal stripe alternating two soft neutrals (Sherwin Williams Buff and Behr Cotton Whisper) and leaving the trim unchanged, the same dining room has a larger, more open feel.

Dining Room with horizontal stripe wall treatment

What was changed other than the walls?

The artwork is the same with some pieces rearranged on different walls within the room. A seagrass rug and round black mirror were added. Floral curtains were replaced with plain ivory silk. A tray table (not visible in this picture) was painted a glossy black and given new hardware. We also swapped out the yellow parsons chair slipcovers with inexpensive off white cotton duck.

So, if you’re tired of a room in your home and don’t want to invest in new furniture or accessories, consider starting with the walls where you can make a huge impact with a small investment.

Done in a Day Design is certified in the patented Color With No Regrets system of color consulting. If you need a little assistance selecting the colors that will make the biggest impact and give your space the look and feel you’re after, give us a call at (216) 297-9211 or drop us a line at Christine@doneinadaydesign.com.

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Lessons in Speed Decorating

April 23rd, 2010

Pro Stager, Jill Vegas, released a book last year called Speed Decorating in which she gave away some of our industry secrets. Here are a few fun tips from her book.

1. Make instant furniture. Stack hardback books on the floor, or prop on a low stool or dining chair. Top with a lamp, vase or bowl to create a quick side table or nightstand. Place it where it won’t get bumped, such as close to a wall.

I’ve actually used this trick for years. Currently, I have a bunch of books stacked on an inexpensive little footstool I picked up many years ago at World Market. It’s squeezed between the sofa and my favorite upholstered rocker. It provides a nice spot for my beverage in the evenings when I watch TV or read. The rest of the time it’s where I keep a box of tissues for my never ending allergy induced sneeze fests (just keeping it real, here’s a photo complete with my tissue supply prominently featured).

2. Switch out art. Perk up walls by putting new artwork in frames you already own. “You can change your room so quickly with art,” Jill says. “Go on an adventure and find some local artists that you like.” For low-cost art, use the old standbys: pages from photography books or arty wall calendars. Even pro designers do it.

Yep, it’s true! When I first purchased and moved into my home I was too poor to afford artwork after shelling out a few thousand for appliances. So, off I went to the frame sale at Michael’s where I picked up some inexpensive frames and chopped up a pretty calendar I already had and voila, instant artwork (and very pretty I might add).

I also love to buy at least one photograph or print from artists when I travel as a way to remember the trip and add to my collection. You’ll pass them on nearly any downtown main street in a large city and they’ll always give you a good deal, particularly if you buy more than one piece.

Both of the pieces in the photo below were purchased on my travels by street artists:

3. Refresh seats. A vibrant textile quickly transforms a worn sofa or chair. No sewing required! Tuck fabric between the chair and cushion, Jill says, and bring in coordinating pillows.

Okay, no more excuses! Go make a speedy, inexpensive update to your favorite room.

Tags: decorating with books, inexpensive artwork, instant sidetable, Speed decorating, using fabrics to update your decor
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The Agony of the Artwork

April 19th, 2010

So you have a plethora of photos, paintings, works of genius from your little ones and you’re completely flummoxed as to how to how to introduce them to all of that available wall space staring back at you?

Flommox no more my little decorating divas and daves (many men care about these things too ladies). I am here to take the mystery out of picture hanging – at least to the extent possible in this limited space.

I can’t speak to every situation in a blog post, of course, but here are some tried and true basics to get you started:

If the room is one where your posterior sees more action than your feet (think dining room, family room, living room), then you will want the center of the piece of art to be roughly 54″ from the ground.

If your feet are seeing all or most of the action in a space (think kitchen, mudroom, laundry room, foyer, bathroom (well, that one is probably debatable), then you will want the center of the art to reach about 60″ from the ground.

One thing that frequently paralyzes normally confident individuals is the dilemma of what can be hung with what? Are there rules about such things? Will my peers laugh uncontrollably behind my back if I dare to hang seemingly unrelated items together? Fear not, this too is easily resolved.

To unify a group of items so they don’t appear to have been arranged by someone who is both drunk and wearing a blindfold, keep these tips in mind:

Match all subject matter (hopefully self explanatory). In case it’s not self explanatory, that means all landscapes or all botanicals.
Match frames (all gold, all silver, all black, all light/dark wood – you get the idea right?)…OR…
Use the same matting for the entire collection. This and/or the same framing material means you can go ahead and put that work of genius your son made at pre-school right next to that pretty little landscape you picked up at the flea market or the photo of you and your friends in college.

If artwork is to be hung above a piece of furniture, say a console or sofa, it should occupy 2/3 of the space and be placed about a palm’s width above the piece (unless you have taller objects that will fill the space between the furniture and artwork).

Another common error I see is “floating” artwork so far above the furniture that it appears about to merge with the ceiling (see picture below):

Okay, now that you are filled with tips and tricks to showcase your works of art fabulously, you can go forth and hang…or rehang if necessary.

Check back for more gems of wisdom in future posts.

Tags: grouping artwork, Hanging artwork, hanging photos, how high do i hang picture, what size artwork for space
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Bringing in Spring – Decorating Tips

March 18th, 2010

Here in Cleveland, we’re finally getting a glimpse of Spring with temps in the high 50s (although word on the street is it will dive back into the 30s on Monday). Daylight savings and warmer temps always make me want to lighten up the decor a little to make way for Spring and Summer.

Here are some quick tips for decor changes to lift your spirits a little until we can count on that warm weather to stick around for a while.

1. Roll up the rugs. Roll them up and put them away (or send them off to be cleaned) for a while and just enjoy the feel of hardwood or tile floors against bare feet.

2. Paint terra-cotta pots. For a rich, expensive look, spray paint them with deep umber varnish. Or go with a fun, colorful feel by painting them in bright colors. They can be used for planters decorating your porch, filled with soaps in the bathroom or filled with fruit in the kitchen (have to line first if using with food).

3. Paint furniture. Tired of that old, ugly table or chest of drawers you’ve had forever? Before tossing or selling it, try giving it a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to transform a tired piece of furniture into something beautiful. If you don’t already have some left over paint you like, don’t forget to check the hardware stores for oops paint before you buy a new can of paint.

4. Dress your table. Buy a couple yards of fun fabric and use no sew iron on hem tape to finish the edges. Use vibrant colors and try mixing and matching solids with prints. Finish it off by filling a pretty bowl with fruit or veggies.

5. Undress your windows. Let the sun flood in with sheers made of crisp, white organdy or linen, instantly giving a breezy Summer feel to windows. Both fabrics are inexpensive and can be used in place of existing draperies or added to the window with the standard drapes pulled back to the sides of the window.

6. Change out throw pillows. Put away the velvets and chenille and try some cotton and linen pillows. Even if you elect to go with dark colors, the lighter fabrics will give the pillows a crisp Summer feel.

7. Lighten up on the accessories. Put away the dark, heavy pottery and wood pieces and replace them with glass bowls and translucent candlesticks.

8. Give an upholstered piece a new outfit. I recently bought new off white cotton duck slipcovers for my dining room chairs from Ballard Designs and had our local Eastern Slipcovers make a slip for my favorite cushy rocker in the same fabric. I love the results and best of all, they’re machine washable (yay!).

9. Cut back on the clutter. In colder months we tend to hibernate and the books, magazines and other clutter tends to pile up around our favorite chairs or sofa. One of the quickest and easiest ways to lighten up a room is to put all the “stuff” that’s accumulated back where it belongs.

10. Bring in live plants. Nothing adds life to rooms as quickly as live plants. Sometimes it’s hard to keep them alive in Winter with the overcast sky. But the sunshine in Spring and Summer means they have a chance of survival – assuming you don’t forget to water them.

Happy Spring!

Tags: freshen your home for Spring, seasonal decorating, Spring Decorating Tips
Posted in Spring Decorating Tips | No Comments »