Debbie Wiener's Blog » Interior Design Tips from Debbie Wiener

What do you do for a guy in a rental?

dwblog — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:54:38 +0000

The Problem: We wanted to give our client the look of wallcovering without damaging his walls.

Our Solution: Order wallcovering and have it applied to wood panels that can be mounted to the wall! We painted the edges of the panels to give it a finished look and then mounted them behind our client’s bed. Now he has three pieces that look like high end art work and can travel with him to his next home!

What do you do for a guy in a rental? is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

Does this carpet make me look fat?

dwblog — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:22:08 +0000

You know how stripes can make you look fat- if running across your middle, or tall if running head to toe? Well, that’s the kind of logic I used when carpeting a small basement. Striped carpet not only looks cool- especially in lively colors- but makes the tiny footprint look fat and tall as well! Better on my client’s floor than across my tummy!

Does this carpet make me look fat? is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

The His and Her Guide to Bathroom Bliss

dwblog — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:51:32 +0000

Ugh! Sharing a bathroom can be a sticky situation, overflowing with controversies, like “who’s toothbrush is this?!” Need help clearing the air? We found simple solutions, all at O.co!

1. Reverse it! You can’t always tell which towel is his and which is hers, but with this patterned, reversible bath set, you can keep the white side up for you and the dark side up for him.

2. Divide and Hide! Keep it closed when it comes to storing bathroom essentials. This cabinet duo takes up little wall space over the toilet and has two separate compartments for his and her toiletries, holding all those hair gels, razors and essentials. It’s stylish, separate and concealed.

3. Step on it! Small wool rugs are soft, absorbent and colorful in a bathroom and cost effective too, keeping floors dry and warm underfoot- any foot!

4. Separate but equal! Nothing looks better in the shower than a wire basket attached conveniently to the wall, keeping his and her razors, shampoos, and soaps within easy reach. You’ll need two!

The His and Her Guide to Bathroom Bliss is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

Designing with Sticks and Stones

dwblog — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:00:32 +0000

I’ve noticed that we have been doing a lot of decorating with sticks and stones recently…

Each of these pictures are from clients who were looking to bring the outdoors inside, and since each home is on a beautiful piece of land, it wasn’t hard to get inspired! I chose these items as a way to incorporate natural textures and themes into the design of the home.

The stone veneer we added in the middle photograph really brought this room to life. The original neutral wall coloring and tall ceiling height of this family room made the space feel very impersonal. The new stone texture not only gives the room some serious “wow” factor, it manages to make this large space feel cozy! The wall color I chose to compliment it also brought out the warmth of the stone, making it a great place to just sit and relax!

Stone veneer not your thing? Natural textures can be incorporated into almost any part of your home, like floor coverings, baskets, window treatments, lampshades, and even in sculptures! I love the twig sculpture on the left because it’s a great conversation piece!

Natural textures aren’t the only way to go…items like this iron side table are a fun, whimsical way to add a little touch of the outdoors to your home!

Designing with Sticks and Stones is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

Recipe for a Family Friendly Room

dwblog — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:11:47 +0000

Take one bare, empty room. Spread a soft wool rug. Mix in Slobproof! Seating for extra durability. Dot with colorful tile to add pop to the fireplace. Season with striped roman shades and sprinkle with wall color. Bake and serve to your family and friends.

Recipe for a Family Friendly Room is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

Camouflage for your carpet!

dwblog — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:41:48 +0000

I’m not necessarily an “out of Africa” kind of girl, but when it came time to re-carpet my twenty year old’s bedroom and hall, I chose this! Worth every penny I might add. It’s not just soft and rich looking- it’s performs magic! You see, my dog Daisy loves to poop and pee in this hallway and it’s been tough to find anything that could provide camouflage for all the spot scrubbing I needed to do. This is it! Within days of installing my Karastan carpet, Daisy did her business on it and I’m so happy to report…no spots, no stains, no marks…other than those that come naturally with a crocodile carpet!

You go Daisy! Now I’ve got you covered.

Camouflage for your carpet! is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

New outdoor furniture for an early spring

dwblog — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:01:31 +0000

Who cares if the surf’s up! I love Kinglsey Bate’s new wicker collection with its unique rounded curves that give a more organic shape to wicker seating. Best of all, it’s much less expensive than other outdoor lines!

New outdoor furniture for an early spring is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

How to Create a Sophisticated Sports-Themed Room

dwblog — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:28:59 +0000

The Super Bowl may be over but that doesn’t mean you should give up on creating that great sports-themed room that you have always wanted!

Take a look at some of my tips for creating a sophisticated sports room in The Examiner.

How to Create a Sophisticated Sports-Themed Room is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog

A cozy design tip

dwblog — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:09:45 +0000

Here is a winter design tip for all of you who may have been snowed in recently:

It is easy to create an elegant (and soot-free) fireplace setting by replacing the firewood in a traditional log-burning fireplace with candles. Adding a candelabra with votives or even some large pillar candles to your fireplace can really make a room feel cozy during the winter! If you have kids or pets, it’s a good idea to get a fireplace screen before lighting any candles.

A cozy design tip is a post from: Debbie Wiener's Blog