Design 2B Happy

How to fix damaged wallpaper the easy way. Don't be scared of wallpaper. It is such an amazing design tool. It instantly adds texture and conveys a mood of a room. Here are three methods to make repairs even if you don't have any extra wallpaper.

Wallpaper adds interest and texture.

Any designer will tell you nothing can add interest and texture or convey a mood of a room like wallpaper. It is a bit harder to patch and repair damaged wallpapered walls than plain painted walls, but in my book, it is worth the little extra effort. I will share three methods to repair wallpaper quickly. The best part is you probably already have the…

Virtual Design Consultations: This is so exciting!

Virtual Design Consultations have been amazing and have allowed my clients and me to stay safe, which is the absolute most crucial thing now. In a few short months, many things have changed. Business is different, but that doesn’t mean bad, quite the contrary.

Virtual design and technology

I once used technology to make things easier. Facetime allowed me to meet with a client when…

Hello all,

I hope everyone is doing well despite that life is very different these days. This week I am re-posting one of the very first blogs I wrote. I decided to share it again because It is much more meaningful today than it was six months ago when I first posted it. I hope you can find some ideas that will put a smile on your face, even if it is just a temporary distraction. Stay home and…

I hope everyone is well and staying safe. It’s week three of staying at home, and I am wondering how you all are doing. I am hoping you all are using “Design to be Happy” ideas as a coping strategy because it has never been more timely and appropriate than right now. Design to be happy” is all about creating a home that is your sanctuary. A place that is a safe-haven and helps to counterbalance…

A gallery wall using family photos is just what the doctor ordered to bring a smile to your face during this time of uncertainty. It is also a fantastic project that the whole family can work on together while “staying home.” So pull out the bin of pictures or USB drive of digital pictures and start going through them. After all, aren’t you getting bored at staring at the same four walls?

You…

With spending so much time at home, what are you doing to pass the time?

My home has always been my safe-haven, but now the Corononavirus Pandemic and flattening the curve, gives that a whole new meaning. I have been staying at home as much as possible. Like most people, I have been listening to the news way too much, with the need to be informed. I have found it interesting to hear how others are coping. Mostly the tone is dismal. But yesterday a man interviewed said…

Spring is coming but I like to jump-start it because March is always a blah month. Usually, there is no snow, no signs of life in the garden, and more than usual rainy, gray days. Like I said, “blah.”

March following a snowy winter is not as bad as March following a winter that has not brought a lot of snow. No snow plus a gray March is way too much icky blah-ness for me to handle. It creates…

Five Super Ways to Improve Your Foyer

Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash

Foyers can be large, small, or even part of another room. Whatever the scenario, it’s design should be carefully thought out just like all of the other rooms in your home. Your Foyer should welcome you home after a hard day’s work. What I mean is, you should walk in and say, ‘ahhh’ I am home. Also, your Foyer is the first place guests see. We have all…

NY NOW: Home and Lifestyle Trade Show

Last week I attended the NY NOW trade-show, which is held twice a year at the Jacob Javit’s Convention Center. I enjoy going and seeing what is new and exciting, as well as making connections with new suppliers. Here are what some of the highlights were for me.

Wall Decor (NY NOW)

Joe Medina Sculpture

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Medinaand seeing his wall sculptures. I am…

Pillow Talk: What you need to know to get a good night sleep.

Why am I writing about pillows? Well, I am all about “designing to be happy,” and you can’t be happy if you are cranky from not sleeping well. Pillows can be the culprit of a stiff neck or restless night of tossing and turning. Often people who can’t get comfortable when they sleep blame their mattress when the problem is their pillow.

Photo by Burst on Pexels.com

Selecting the perfect pillow…

Five Essential Design Tips For Creating Amazing Spaces

Below are six design tips that are essential to creating a warm and welcoming home. Keep them in mind as you decorate and plan your next project.

Design Tips #1 of 5: Focal Points

The over-sized headboard grabs your attention and acts as a focal point

Make sure you have a focal point. All rooms should have a focal point to grab your attention when you first enter. For a bedroom,…

Renovations And Remodeling: What You Should Know Beforehand

I love renovations and remodeling projects. The smell of the lumber and the noise of the power tools invigorate me. I find the whole “reno” scene, at every stage exciting and a bit addicting. Ok I confess, extremely addicting. I always want more. That is because I know it means something is about to get a whole new fabulous look. Something old is about to be new again. Now, doesn’t that sound…

Just about every interior decorating project involves picking a paint color. Recently I received a new color specification kit from Sherwin Williams, and I am loving using it. Finding the perfect color is easy because of the way they have grouped the colors along with the kit’s large 4 x 4 swatches.

Color specification kit

But selecting the perfect color is only part of finding the perfect…

Headache Saving Advice For Anyone Starting An Interior Design Project

Whether you are planning on a renovating, remodeling or just tackling a small Interior Design project, it can be overwhelming. Interior design projects require a ton of footwork. It is easy to forget where you saw what after you have been to a million stores or on a zillion websites. Also, throughout all of the design stages, planning, selecting, and scheduling, there is an enormous amount of…

Headache Saving Advice For Anyone Starting An Interior Design Project

Whether you are planning on a renovating, remodeling or just tackling a small Interior Design project, it can be overwhelming. Interior design projects require a ton of footwork. It is easy to forget where you saw what after you have been to a million stores or on a zillion websites. Also, throughout all of the design stages, planning, selecting, and scheduling, there is an enormous amount of…

Photo by VisionPic .net on Pexels.com

Just a quick post to say Happy New Year. Wishing you and your family beautiful moments, memories to treasure, and blessings that fill your heart.

A big THANK YOU to my subscribers. I hope you are enjoying what I write about and share. As you know by now, I am all about helping others create a look good, FEEL GOOD home because I truly believe our home…

Summary of Design Trends for 2020

Design trends for 2020 have excited and inspired me for the upcoming year’s design possibilities. I see paint, fabrics, and furniture trends coming together and creating beautiful rooms. Muted paint colors are setting the stage and background for whatever makes you happy. If you’re into neutrals, your fabric choices are still in abundance, and you will be excited about by all the options of…