Going Green in 2017

Your Color of the Year for 2017:
Pantone 15-0343 'Greenery', 

described as a “yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring"

by Pantone Color Institute Director Leatrice Eiseman.

Pantone calls Greenery “Nature’s neutral”—

a hue more prominently worn during spring and summer, 

but one they encourage people to wear and use in decor as a statement color year round.

Greenery calls to mind the ‘re-’ words: 

refresh, revive, restore, renew, replenish, regenerate, rejuvenate, reinvigorate. 

It's reflective of nature, the environment, and living healthy lives.

It's fresh and crisp, denoting cleanliness and energy.

And it's a color that pairs well with almost every other shade on the color spectrum.

I've often created displays around a green palette in the past...

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As shown in these photos,
I find that green can range from a neutral to a vibrant POP of color

dependent upon the way you use it in displays.

To draw in customers who have a yen for the newest trend,

create at least one window display in green hues.

To feature new merchandise inside your store, 

create a backdrop / 'set' in green tones that will draw the eye - 

and simply rotate new stock into that 'set' to make new displays simple.

find inspiration for window displays using the color green here

Sharyn's Artful Makeover

Over the summer I worked with professional artist Sharyn Sowell

to completely re-design her art studio.

It was a fun (and exhausting!) whirlwind week of work,

where I was able to teach Sharyn some tricks of space design

and organizational concepts that really freed up her space and time in the long run.

we started by emptying her studio and leaving only furniture & fixtures...

 we evaluated what worked, what didn't, and what was needed
for her studio to express her brand image and work more efficiently for her.
then we painted the walls new vibrant colors to warm up the space.

and then we went SHOPPING!

 we hit the local thrift shops, a friend's house, a local salvage yard, 
and even found a pile of old drawers on the side of the road! 

we went to a local vintage market and found the red paper rack, 
and found a galvanized metal cart at a local shop.

 after some painting and cleaning, the new furniture went into the studio
- along with some of the old furniture in new locations! -
and we created 'zones' for the different activities that Sharyn undertakes in her studio.

supplies were loaded into each zone -
some stored in an old locker, some in the drawers we found, some in crates, 
and then there's that killer stack of suitcases hiding all kinds of creative goodies!

THEN the really fun part started: the decorating!

my goal for Sharyn was to get her art OUT of those flat files and onto the walls!
she had years and years worth of beautiful work hidden away, 
so I pulled it out and put it all over the studio...

from little vignettes on windowsills and shelves

  to small wall collages above the flat files (featuring her art plus 3-D objects)

 to the HUGE collage mural that I created near her beloved printing press:

the background is made up of huge posters of Sharyn's art,
formerly used at gift & stationery trade shows.
over that, I layered some original pieces from her files,
along with cutouts and 3-D objects  like tissue paper flowers, vintage millinery & jewelry.

it's a visual reference of all of the many styles that Sharyn loves
and has brought to life over the many years of her professional career.

{ i did the large collage while she was in the house, and when she came back out, 
she literally gasped. i've never been so thrilled by a client's reaction! }

this 'phase one' of the project set into motion a creative flood of ideas

and Sharyn continued refining the space more and more after I left.
she's happy with the changes and the way her creative space functions now,

and I'm thrilled that I was able to help her see the possibilities!

Sharyn is sharing the process and her own photos over on her studio blog:
artful makeover part 1 and artful makeover part 2

photos by Debi Ward Kennedy + Sharyn Sowell

UPDATE:
Sharyn's studio makeover appeared in a story in the Winter issue of Where Women Create Magazine, in November, 2017!

click on this sentence to learn more about how I can help YOU re-create your space - 

from retail stores and show booths to art studios and classrooms! 

Artful Studio/Office Design Project

I'm getting a GREAT response to my new offering of 'Artful Makeover' services!

 

As I tell each of the clients that I work with:

You really don’t have to spend money to create an efficient, inspiring office or studio - 

start with what you have!

When designing an office space, think about the function needed for your specific work processes. 

Move around as if you were working, and decide what storage & work surfaces are necessary - and where.  

Remember that the ‘work triangle’ concept of kitchen design applies to offices & studios, too!

* Starting with the largest furnishings, assign each a place and use - considering light sources, access, and traffic flow. 

* 'Shop your house' and garage for pieces that can be used in fresh new ways to add style - think outside the box!
* Get creative with the colors, furnishings and details you select to express YOUR style and brand with every choice. 

You can have an inspiring work space that works almost as hard as you do ;)

_________________________________________
 Want more Top Tips for your home office/studio space?  
FitSmallBusiness.com asked me to contribute to a new blog post about office setup,
and it's FILLED with pro tips to consider when setting up your home office -
great advice from small business owners and design professionals!

Whether you work in a home office, art studio, craft room, or classroom,
my new 'Artful Makeover' services will help you to work happily, efficiently, and creatively.

I design beautiful, efficient, inspiring spaces where your creativity will thrive!
Read about my Artful Makeover Services

Keep reading to see how I approach the design process...

Deb's Top 10 Ornament DisPLAY Ideas

My TOP TEN Ornament DisPLAYtm Tips:
1. Turn a fan trellis (wood or wire) upside down – voila! A Christmas tree!
Hang ornaments in between the supports.
2. Use wire wreath forms horizontally in graduated sizes to create a hanging ‘tree’ shape.
Dangle ornaments and ribbons from both the outside and inside edges – even lights!
3. Fill tall glass vases and wide bowls with unbreakable ornaments (fabric, wood, resin) for a contemporary look.
4. Bring nature in: Big bare branches can sweep down from the ceiling to hold an array of twirling items.
Paint black for Halloween, then flock white for Christmas and winter seasons!
5. Hang wire wreath forms on the wall in a line, then display ornaments of one color on each –
create a rainbow! Great way to top a wall of hooks with ornaments on it.
6. Get Sweet! Pop pastel or bright ornaments into cupcake tins with paper liners, sundae and candy dishes,
and even into real ice cream cones propped up in a juice glass!
Try ice cream tubs, egg cartons, jewelry boxes…think outside the proverbial ornament box.
7. Fill up a real sink – or bathtub! – with white poly batting, then nestle clear, white, and iridescent balls on top like bubbles!
‘Float’ a few above using fishing line. (Great way to highlight bath gift items)
8. Old windows and French doors, sans glass panes,
can be hinged together to form a freestanding screen.
Hang ornaments in each pane with ribbon. This forms a great backdrop for a vignette.
9. Don’t forget to use NON-ornaments on your trees, wreaths, tabletops, and mantel displays:
teacups, plates, purses, books, toys, garden supplies, sachets, art, lamps, etc.
Inspire your customers to use their personality to decorate!
10. Tree toppers are best displayed on mantels or in centerpieces –
slip them into tall glass cylinder vases or slide them over a taper candle in a candlestick for stability.
And on trees, use unique things like chandeliers, angel wings, giant snowflakes, etc. as toppers!

Clever Display Prop: Vintage Sink

Today on my seasonal home decorating blog HOMEWARDfoundDecor.com,

I shared one of my fave tips for creating a versatile decor item.

Since it also works like a charm as a display fixture in a store or show booth, 

I thought you might like to see it as well.

Yeah, it's a vintage sink. But it has a SECRET...

Now THAT is 'Fast, Cheap & EASY'TM!

For more ideas using vintage sinks as display props,
and the fun story of how I came up with this prop idea, visit the post here.

Winter Displays on the Cheap

What are you featuring in your windows and front zone displays right now?  

Have you restyled them to reflect the season and provide fresh inspiration - or are you waiting for new merchandise to arrive? It's very simple to refresh existing merchandise to look new and appealing to customers. 

It's important to get a fresh start after the holidays! 

Your customers will be coming in with gift cards, gift certs, and money they received, and they deserve to see fresh new ideas. Inspiring them to buy what you offer can be as simple as taking what you already have and combining it in a new way to reflect the season.

The tableware display shown in the photo above features white Vietri pottery, along with gorgeous brown linens, whimsical dotted glassware, and since this was during my stint creating displays at Columbia Winery, of course a lovely wine is included. This look is a perfect mix for this 'bridge' season of late winter to early spring. Simple, contemporary, classic, and warmth of color & textures draw the customer in. Huge bare branches bring nature inside - you could even hang crystals (or leftover snowflake holiday ornaments) from the branches to add movement and sparkle to the display. 

Most of the products shown here were in displays in the store during the Holidays: the white Vietri was paired with red linens and snowflakes. The brown linens were displayed with brown pottery and pinecones. Combining them with new elements and a few fresh props creates a fabulous new look, inspires your customers, AND saves you money. 

Go out on your sales floor and look at the components you already have - 

what possibilities exist to rethink, restyle, and sell them at full price right now?
Use leftover Christmas merch for Valentine's Day? Yep! Look HERE

Image Credit: Taken by DWK 2007; courtesy of Columbia Winery

A Day In the Life of a Decorator.....

YouTube clip from the 1941 RKO film 'Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House'

Flea With Me!

I asked fans on my Facebook Page to tell me what kinds of subjects they'd like to see me discuss here on my blog... and several cited Decorating. Happy to oblige!

Check out the brand new blog for soon-to-be-released Flea Market Style magazine. The blog just launched, the mag is on its way. Headed by Ki Nassauer (formerly of JunkMarket and now of Junk Bonanza & Junk Revolution) and Matthew Mead (formerly of Country Home magazine and author), this new publication will provide a plethora of tips, tricks, and inspiration for using secondhand items and bonafide JUNK to create stunning decor. The very talented staff is a virtual who's who of decor & blogging pros with a penchant for vintage style. I'm meeting my friend Heather Bullard, contributing editor, this weekend in Portland. I can't wait to hear more about what she's working on for upcoming issues!

You can see why I am on the bandwagon here, right? I've been preachin' this gospel to retailers for years now, and decorating myown home this way all my life. And it's ever so hip: When it comes to display & merchandising, as well as home decor, this is a whole new way to Go Green!

Five Star Design

Designer and HGTV show (Rate My Space) host Angelo Surmelis has designed a new line of affordable furniture. Not only is it great style, but it's available at Costco! The classic transitional shapes, friendly patterns and vibrant color combinations all speak to easy living and comfort - as well as reasonable price points. I love to see this kind of common sense used by designers and manufacturers alike. Go Here to ShelterPop to read more.

I love this promo shot because it shows the wide range of furnishings and fabrics available. Good move. But I love it mostly because the wonky angles and haphazard positioning of pieces conveys the energy and playfulness that are hallmarks of Angelo's style - it's a statement of brand image, even though there is no signage or designer name anywhere in it. His smiling face and trademark jaunty straw hat are all he needs to stand out. It's perfect. Angelo has a blog, too!

(And if I were rating the furnishings in that space, it would get five stars*****)
Photo Credit: ShelterPop