I love ottomans! I would have them in every room if I could. They are one of my favorite pieces of furniture, mostly because you don’t have to take them seriously and they come in so many varieties. Ottomans can really add flair, sophistication and style to your room. Below are a few of my favorite ottomans out now.
Cowboy Ottoman/Arhaus Furniture
Ettiene Ottoman/Hickory Furniture
Tufted Ottoman/Lucketts Design House
Filed under The Ottoman Empire
Launching a design business in 2010 is completely different from starting one up ten years ago. The world we live in has gotten smaller people are blogging, tweeting, Linking In and Facebooking at record pace. I believe Facebook is one of the best free business marketing tools of our time. It is a great way for you to get the word out about your biz. I also think starting a design blog is important. Not only do potential customers get to see your taste, they also learn a bit about your personality, which is almost as important as your designs.
Another great resource when launching your business is to join interior design associations. I am currently a student member at IIDA. I can go on their website and get the latest trends, happenings in my area and a forum where other designers share their successes and deterrents. Because I am a member and I also have a business license I can also get To the Trade discounts on furniture, flooring and textiles.
One more bit of advice: READ, READ, READ! Read everything you can about design. Read design blogs, design magazines, design books from your favorite designers. If you want to read some great design blogs, check out my blogroll. You can really learn a lot from others.
Since I started my business I try to do something every day that pertains to my future success. Whether it is setting up my Resale Tax ID (that was a real pain in my butt) or clipping out articles and pictures for my lookbook. It might not sound like much but when you have two young children every little step counts!
I guess you can apply these tips to launching most businesses. So no matter what your passion is remember not to get overwhelmed, just breathe and do it one step at a time.
Cheers,
Heather
H Interiors LLC
Filed under One Step at at Time
Most of what I have learned when launching a design business is that you need a portfolio of your designs. I am working on my portfolio starting rooms, finishing rooms, gathering and taking photos. If you are like me and not a professional photographer (and don’t have the funds to invest in one) I found some useful information on how to take interior photos.
Here are some great tips from a great blog by Maria Killam, Colour Me Happy.
Below is one of my photos of my upcoming portfolio:
I cannot wait till the finish product. Looking forward to sharing the rest!
Cheers!
Heather
H Interiors, LLC
“Home Design One Neighbor at a Time”
Filed under My Portfolio
Now that we are in 2011 I am going to make a conscious effort to update my blog more often. I am also going to change the focus of my blog. I decided to focus on the challenges I have faced since I started H Interiors, LLC while being a SAHM. I will be going through the steps it takes to start a design business-what works, what is a waste of time, etc. I am most likely going to be learning along the way.
Please join me in this new year! Hopefully I will inspire some other SAHM that would like to turn their passion into a business, but mostly this will be good therapy for me on days when I think I am crazy and want to give up.
Cheers!
Heather
H Interiors, LLC
Owner/Design Stylist
Filed under New Blog
The I Am Modern magazine /Posh Tots Dream Bedroom Giveaway article has hit stands!! Here is the link to the article.
Don’t forget pick up your issue in many doctors offices, fine stores and now Borders stores in the metro DC area!
I have also included some before pictures of Hunter’s Bedroom below:
The Audlins were a great family to work with. I wish Hunter and his family all the best and best wishes with future fundraising endeavors!
Thank you to all the sponsors who were amazing!
Filed under Dream Room Giveaway
Almost a year ago my mother in law, Judy moved to Warrenton, VA. A small town in the Piedmont area of Virginia mainly known for their horses with a quaint downtown area of historic shops, boutiques and restaurants.
Her new home was built in the 1990s with one level living and a full unfinished basement. Besides the basement and an outdated kitchen the house just needed some new paint colors (the whole house was painted in a powdery baby blue shade) so that was the first thing on her agenda.
Before:
Judy started with the dining room. Judy chose a dark brown color for the walls and to contrast this dark pigment she went to On a Whim Home Boutique in Lucketts, VA for the white antique table, chairs and buffet. Judy also had the curtains custom made adding a dramatic touch to her huge picture window.
After:
The piece de resistance was the applying of the wall stencils which added sophistication and femininity to the dining room. Judy commissioned her friend/artist, Lausanne Davis Carpenter to create this look. Lausanne had worked with Judy in her old home on many beautiful projects from custom paint colors to original murals. Lausaanne created these large stencils and laid them on top of the brown paint. Then she applied a clear glaze. It took several days but the end product was spectacular-my photo does not do it justice!
Filed under Before/After
Almost 4 years ago my stepmother’s brother, Richard Dean was at the top of his career with a new show on TLC called Cover Shot when cancer tragically took his life. Rick was not only a talented model but an incredible fashion/advertising photographer who really knew how to capture his subjects, whether they were people, places or things.
I was recently at my father’s house when I noticed the most amazing piece of art. My stepmother told me that it was taken by her brother and it was one of his prized photos. It was a picture of the New York City skyline which Rick photographed by hanging out of a helicopter at night. My stepmother had kept it for the past 4 years and did not know exactly what she was going to do with it, until she started talking with her neighbor who is in charge of all the gallery lighting at the Museum of Natural History. He suggested a light box that he would create and they could display the photo in their house. It was definitely a big undertaking but the finished project was well worth the wait. One of my favorite features is the dimmer switch on the side. My pictures below do not do it justice. I could have stared at it all night. It was truly mesmerizing. A fitting tribute to a life that was taken way too soon.
Please send me an e-mail if you would like more information on this light box.
Heather
Filed under Art in a Box
