zig zag header
Spice Up Your Kitchen This Spring, March 2011 
Kitchens have become the center of activity in the modern home. New home construction continues to feature the kitchen in an area of the home that is open to other main living spaces, making it a great gathering place where people spend a lot of time. If you are feeling like your kitchen is dull or needs a "face lift," read on to learn quick and easy ways to dramatically improve your kitchen this Spring!
Feature Article
Quick Kitchen Spruce Up Tips!
kitchen area rug
Add an area rug for a cozy feel under your feet.

Since we spend so much time in our kitchens, they need to feel and look great.  Here are a few of my top tips for updating your style and adding flair to one of your home's most important hang-out spots.

 

  • Choose a bright new color.  Paint is an amazing way to make over the look of a room both quickly and inexpensively.  Reds and oranges are terrific for eating areas because the warm-hued colors fuel your appetite and enhance conversation.  Yellow is also a positive, sunny choice for kitchens.
  • Place a vase of fresh, colorful flowers on the center of your eating table or on the center island.  With the coming of Spring flowers will start blooming everywhere. Take advantage and cut a few for your home.  Nature is always refreshing and the colors will add a "pop" of vibrant color.
  • Display your collections. Take out your beautiful dishes and stemware, and use them as artwork.
  • Clear the top and front of your refrigerator.  Although this may intuitively seem like a perfect place to store books, bottles, magnets and extra knick-knacks, the clutter will affect the mood of your kitchen.  You'll be amazed at the transformation in the room simply by clearing these spaces.
  • Change out your cabinet hardware.  There are so many styles, from whimsical to sleek to elegant.  New hardware is a simple change that makes an incredible difference in the look of a kitchen.
  • Are you handy?  You can install a tile backsplash in one weekend.  A backsplash provides a stunning, complementary design statement. If installing tile is too much for you, consider using a water resistent wallpaper or use a painting technique in the backsplash area to add an extra little punch to your culinary endeavors.
  • Recover existing chairs and stools.  New fabric will re-energize your eating areas.
  • Add an area rug.  With all the new options in indoor-outdoor rugs, why not consider one for your kitchen?  You can use one under the kitchen table, near the sink, or along a walking area. And, if it gets dirty, you can often just simply take it outside and hose it down... really!
  • Hang up your pots.  Pot racks are a fashionable way to store your cooking implements.
  • Paint your cabinets.  This is a wonderful way to get a new look in the kitchen without replacing everything.

Just one of these ideas can give your kitchen or breakfast nook a whole new look.  When you are finished, be sure to invite me over for dinner!

 

Interested in creating a beautiful and functional space for 2011?  Contact Decor by Denise today at 703-714-7343 or email [email protected] to learn how we can help you transform your home or office.   

Countdown to the DC Design House Grand Opening!
D House
Our deadline for the redesign of our room in the DC Design House is fast approaching, which means that the public will soon be invited to view the 12,000 sf home! In the past few weeks, I have been in and out of the house working on our room and have seen so many great changes happening in each room!  Don't miss the opportunity to visit and tour this lovely home, from April 9th to May 8th and make a contribution to Children's National Medical Center. This is a great chance to see ours and other local designers' creative minds come to life. The Decor by Denise team will be at the house each Saturday and Sunday while the house is open, so stop by and say hi!  We are in room #20.  Hope to see you there.
 
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-5pm
Tickets: $20
More Info: www.dcdesignhouse.com

Meet Denise Willard, Owner, Decor by Denise 
Denise Willard has over a decade of experience transforming the homes of clients in the DC Metro Area. Her work has been showcased on ABC Affiliate, News Channel 8 and in Home & Design, Washington Home & Garden, The Washingtonian, Elan, The Washington Post, JavaTown and From House to Home Magazine. Denise is a regular columnist for Viva Tysons Magazine and is part of the Design Diva team for Ask Miss A, a national lifestyle eMagazine that reaches a growing subscription base of 70,000 visitors each month.

Denise and her team were selected to participate in the 2011 DC Design House Designer Showhouse and are published in Home and Design's 2011 "Top 100 Interior Designers." Denise sits on the board and is President-Elect of the DC Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), is a member of the leadership team for the McLean Business Forum, is an active member of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Denise specializes in creating simple, but elegant transitional interiors that are reflective of her clients' personalities and lifestyles. The combination of her southern roots and urban lifestyle can be seen in her personal design style, which combines the comfort and hospitality of the south with the flair of the big city. Denise's interior design philosophy is that everyone deserves a beautiful home-no matter how small the interior or how large the budget. Therefore, she welcomes projects of all sizes-from one bedroom condos to large single family homes.

To learn more about Denise and her team, check out her online portfolio at DecorbyDenise.com, visit her weekly blog posts at DreamDesignLive.com or contact her directly at 703-714-7343 or email her at [email protected].
  
Stay Connected With Us!
Facebook icon Linked In Icon Twitter Icon wordpress 
Final Logo
Join Our Mailing List
Have an idea for an upcoming newsletter?  Contact us at [email protected].
If you are a member of the trade and are interested in participating in our collaborative marketing efforts, please contact Denise at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you!