Greetings,
Welcome back to Matters of Style, a periodic newsletter from To a T Interiors. In this issue are project ideas to keep you occupied this winter. Read below for tips on taming clutter behind drawers and doors plus more on the transformative power of painting furniture. Happy Decorating! |
Declutter Behind the Scenes
| If you've got the itch to organize, I've found some nifty ways to tame clutter from the many electronic gadgets and everyday appliances that are essential components of most homes. Following are three that I particularly like in case you are searching for similar solutions.
Taming wires in the office:
This is the state of a home office immediately after moving.  See the mass of wires in the lower right hand corner? That represents internet, wifi, TV and computer hookups.
The solution for taming wires? Install a self-contained unit in a closet that provides a place for each of the above plus room for expansion (installed by Port City AV).
Below is the office after getting rid of wires and finding a new desk for the space (in case you were wondering how well the card table worked as a desk:)
Hidden charging station for electronics:
Tired of looking at charging cords and their devices around the house? Configure a drawer as a charging station Here is an example with an outlet that is USB compatible:
Hideaway for iron and board:
If you are an on-demand ironer, it's great to have an iron/board set up near your dressing area. However, it's a bit of an eye-sore if you have to look at it every day. The solution: install an ironing center in a closet.
 | NuTone Ironing Center
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At left is the view when doors and board are open (the board drops down with the flick of a tab and there is a timer and safety switch for ensuring the iron is off when the board is closed). Below is the view of the hall when the board is up and doors closed:
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Using Chalk Paint: A Personal Testimonial
| In past newsletters, I've mentioned how super easy it is to transform tired/dated furniture with paint, specifically using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (aka, ASCP, click here for more info). There is virtually no prep needed, the paint comes in great colors, goes a long way and cleans up with soap and water. I've helped achieve a client's vision by painting several pieces in a guest bedroom, updated bath vanities in a home staging project and have now used it in my own home on multiple projects. As a believer in the adage "a picture is worth a thousand words", following is a sampling of the results achieved using ASCP:
Project 1: For practice in getting started, I decided to transform a vanity stool that was sitting unused. After the transformation, it sold in our moving sale.
 | | Vanity Stool Before |
Here it is after its transformation using ASCP's color Old Ochre:
 | | Stool After |
Project 2:
  | | Plant Stand After |
Next up this old plant stand that had such clean lines I thought it was worth updating (color is Graphite).
Project 3: After gaining confidence via the above projects, I used Graphite to update this powder room vanity while staging a home for sale. The paint plus new hardware gave new life to the dated original.
 | | Vanity Before |
 | | Vanity After |
Project 4: Before painting this glass front hutch using ASCP's Coco, I was planning to sell it in the moving sale. After seeing the transformation (I took the before picture after taping the glass and starting to paint the inside but it gives you an idea of the before condition), I decided it needed a spot in our NC home.
 | Hutch Before
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Hopefully you were lucky enough see Terry Eldridge's ASCP presentation at the January PN Home and Garden Club meeting. Terry is the local stockist for ASCP (link to her blog with contact info here). If you are inspired to transform something that is looking a bit tired but want more instruction, we are looking to fill out a class of 8 with Terry in late March or early April. Let me know if you are interested in reserving a spot in the class.
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As always, if you need help making your home the inviting, comfortable space you envision, call To a T Interiors. We can help you select the perfect paint color, find solutions to corral the clutter that accumulates for busy families or redesign your living spaces to enhance the beauty and function for the entire family.
Susan
To a T Interiors 301-467-3563
www.toatinteriors.com
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Mention this ad when you schedule an appointment (or virtual consultation for long-distance clients) and get a 20% reduction for up to two hours. Feel free to share this offer with any of your friends and family who might appreciate To a T's help too.
Offer Expires: Appointment must be booked by February 28, 2014. |
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Q & A Corner
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Q. What do you do if you've made a mistake in purchasing an item for your home's decor?
A. We routinely spend money on items that don't last (e.g., fancy dinners and vacations), but why is it in decorating, we assume we have to live with our mistakes and look at them forever? Mistakes are a part of life so don't let something you don't love hold your decor hostage. First consider if there is another spot in your home for the item in question. If it does not fit elsewhere, sell it on Craig's List, consign at Ivy Cottage, or donate to the Assistance League. Learn from the mistake and then go find the perfect "one" that you will love to have in your home.
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We promise you won't have to wait for next month's newsletter; we'll get back to you right away but may use your Q&A in a future newsletter. |
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Technical Note
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