Glamour In A Man Cave 4th Edition: College Dorm Room

Just because your son's going off to college doesn't mean he has to have the stereo-typical dorm room. You know what I'm talking about: loud music, clothes scattered across the room and posters on every wall. You moms can make the perfect room for your son and everyone will want to hang out in his man cave!

A little creativity can go a long way in school housing. And you might as well do something that makes them feel like they are home even when they are far away.

A few suggestions:

• Keep it simple - Boys are messy. The less clutter, the cleaner the room will look.
• Design it using colors that are refreshing and clean. Dark colors can make it hard to concentrate on studying.
• Give them some comforts of home. Use some of their favorite things from home:
• High school friends framed in wooden photo frames
• A favorite chair from his old room
• A small refrigerator filled with Mom's homemade snacks and goodies
• Create a "Man Cave" for him and he and his friends will love you! I.e., coke machine, sporting decor and the cool man factor! I love the photo below...Do you think the couch could act as the bed?

Kids are usually excited about heading off to college, but once they get there, the first night or two can seem a little lonely. Providing an atmosphere they love will help take away some of that anxiety. I love the soothing blue look below.  Replace the prints on the wall in the first picture with some collegiate or sport prints and this is a great choice for a boy's room.  I especially like the baskets under the bed. They make for great space savers in such small quarters. In the second photo, I would add some sports memorabilia to the walls above the beds and the desk.

Be sure not to make it too nice. You want them to come home for a visit every now and again!

Inviting Spaces

Did you know the look of your favorite hangout spot was probably intricately pieced together by an interior designer? It is said that your economic well-being is greatly effected by the space you are surrounded by. Colors, style and atmosphere are the components that move your soul to be happy, sad or perfectly content.  This is just one of the many ways hiring an interior decorator can truly change your life.

When a space is designed specifically with you in mind, it will be a haven away from the stress and pressures of everyday life outside of the home.

Cool colors promote tranquility and peace, where rich colors like deep reds and golds can sometimes promote anticipation. However, everyone is effected by colors in various ways. If you've ever heard of Feng Shui, you may be familiar with how colors can be used to bring a spiritual peace to your being. Traditional Feng Shui is an ancient system based upon the observation of heavenly time and earthly space. Aside from finding colors that best suit your moods, Feng Shui is also used to help position furniture in a room. One of the rules of Feng Shui is to clear out the clutter and release the stress of not being able to enjoy a clean and clear space.

A decorator helps you determine what works best in your home to encourage a life of harmonious peace and everyday glamour!

Transforming Your House Into A Home

Summer's almost over, the kids are heading back to school and it's just possible you have some time on your hands. That means there could be a new decorating project in your future!

Today, I want to share some tips to prepare you that next big endeavor - transforming your house into a home of glamorous luxury. If it's a big project, creating a plan and a budget will be essential.

• Create a budget that allows for some flexibility. Unfortunately, we all end up wanting more than we originally intend. You should have two budgets (You will end up falling somewhere in between!) - 
• 1) What you intend to pay for a project 
• 2) What you have the ability to pay for a project

• Research interior designers to determine which one has expertise in your design style. Interview several prior to choosing the one who best fits your needs. It's always a good idea to ask for references not only from the designer, but also from the contractors being used for the project.
• Once you have determined your preferred consultant, set up a meeting and plan a timeline of the work to be done. This is the perfect time to decide how budget monies will be spent and when money will need to be allocated.
• Next, the fun begins! If you need to move out of your house while work is being completed, be sure to have arrangements made in advance.  Your decorator should be able to estimate how long each project will take.

• A design board and rendering will be created so you can approve the overall look and feel of the proposed outcome. If you don't like the sample, speak up. A designer is there to help you fulfill a look that connects you with the everyday glamour of a beautiful, yet comfortable, abode.

• From here, the vision begins to become reality. Furniture, paint, window treatments and artifacts begin to fill your home changing the atmosphere in the world you've become so accustomed to. Yes, your house is suddenly a home!

I'd love to be the one to transform your house into a home!

West Palm Beach

I love it here!  The sand in between my toes, the blue ocean screaming tranquility and the sun beaming down on my skin with a kiss.  What more could I ask for?  I don't ever want to return home!

Aside from the glamour of the beach, I love the West Palm Beach decor.  Palm Beach is full of seashells, bright colors and a stanch white accent similar to what is shown in the photo below.  

I have been strolling the seaside and I can't help but notice the beautiful homes that surround the area...simply glamorous, of course:

The West Palm Beach look is refreshing.  I could see adding in a little flair from one of my favorite fabric places as well - Quadrille Fabrics.  Their materials are amazing and add just the right "pop" to any modern transitional space:

I guess I will have to return home from the glitz and glam of West Palm Beach, but I sure love it here!

Something's Gotta Give 'Cause I Want That Look!

One of my favorite movies of all time, Something's Gotta Give, staring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton will keep you rolling with laughter from start to finish.  It will also stun you with things you never thought you'd say and a few tears. Whether you like the movie or not,  the English Manor styled beach house decor is one to be admired...sheer elegance, clean lines and perfection.  You can have this look too!

I love it that the main character, Erica Berry, surrounded herself with a collection of one of the things she loved most - white rocks in glass jars throughout the house mixed with a collage of books. The whole design of the home bespoke to things Erica loved and collected over time that tailored to her life as a screenwriter.  We should all surround ourselves with the things we love!

In the designer world, this home is the most loved and talked about interior in the business and one of my favorites as well.  Oftentimes, clients will come to me and request I give them a certain look.  Since this home is such a popular favorite, I want to share the secrets to getting this look.

As our leading lady would say, "Oscar, please!!!"  The blue and white rug look-alike in the family room can be found at Restoration Hardware!  The actual rug came from The Rug Loft DhurrieRug, but the look can be created with a Ben Soleimani Flatweave Pinstripe Rug.

The lounge chairs in the family room are also spectacular.  They have a clean look with a cozy feel that says, "I want to spend the rainy day - or any day for that matter - inside!"  A Pottery Barn Carlisle upholstered armchair will do the trick.

If you'll look towards the back of the family room photo, you won't be able to miss the elegant candle holders that boast from the foyer table.  You can get the look at LazySusan-Candleholder.

Erica's bedroom was also a masterpiece.  The quaint Rose Tarlow Side Table can be rediscovered with Bliss Home & Design's Italian Baroque Pedestal Table.  And I can't forget to mention the Kenton Nelson painting in this room.  Three of his paintings were featured in this film.  Kenton is known for his idealistic ordinary life style.

To complete the overall look, seashells are a must.  Visit Pottery Barn to find a variety of shells in all shapes and sizes.

Dennis Miller Stands Up for Collin County Children

It's impressive to me that two women could just decide they want to make a change and actually do something about it!  Co-Founders Linda S. Paulk and Michelle Brennan Hall began their search for people to help support their cause in 2007.  It's been a long road, but the strides Star Children's Charity has made in the community have truly impacted our Collin County children.  Because of these two women along with the support of their Executive Director Ronelle Ianace, the Star staff and the community members who have banned together to make it happen, children are safer, have a place to live, participate in after school programs and receive medical treatment.  I'm so proud to be a supporter in what they do.

November 10th marks their 5th Winter Fundraiser and the theme is "Stand Up With Dennis Miller."  Join us in this fight to make Collin County a better place for our children.  For more information, contact Caralee Gurney at caralee@starchildrens.com.

Designer Ideas on a Budget

Your home can look fabulous whether you spend an enormous amount of money or you decide to work within a minimal budget.  Sure, those with an unlimited cash flow may have really cool upgrades and expensive bling, but an elegant space can still be created without thinning your wallet to the last dollar bill.

An enriching color scheme can make all the difference.  Take a look at the room below.  I found it on HGTV.

Notice how rich the gray and the red appear.  The design is simple.  The couch and the print hanging above it are inexpensive.  Not much had to be done to create this look.  A sleek coat of paint mixed with tone on tone coloring and a splash of red will make any room pop.  Of course, the white flowers give the room just enough glamour to make the room elegantly perfect!