Friday, September 30, 2011

the {Preston} petite dresser



The {Barstow} Buffet



We'll Pick it Up AND Pay YOU Cash!



Thursday, September 15, 2011

*Bright Idea*

I love vintage garish things.  In fact I love them so much that I really have to limit the amount of them I purchase and put in my home.  There seems to be no end of finding these cool chotckie kinds of things when on the hunt for furniture pieces!  They often cause a major shopping dstracion, complete lack of focus, and huge waste of time...but who's to say that you are wasting time if you are doing something you love right?!  It drives the hubs nuts..actually beyond crazy!  Well, I'm not sure that this current obsession of mine i'm about to introduce to you would classify as 'garish' decor, but to some I believe it would (especially certain styles of it)!  But I LOVE the idea of marquee lights as another kind of function and FUN art piece in your home.  On 'American Pickers" (History Channel), they went picking at the Las Vegas 'Neon Boneyard', which is a 'graveyard' of sorts for all these vintage marquee lights...Ummm GOLDMINE! 

Vegas' Neon Boneyard
Unfortunately, a lot of these were far too large to really display in a regular home here in the burbs, but a girl can dream!  I would love to have this....





Okay, so all of the above would definitely be classified as garish...but I LOVE it {especially 'Glitter Gulch'}..sooo need this is an oversized incredible closet/changing room!!  However, to tone it down a bit and still have the fun and {sparkle} in your house, there are a few more appropritate (and attainable) options to go with. A single monogram is super chic, or short word, amperstand, etc.  Here are some examples I really like of this:



If you're not going to the Vegas and ready to drop some major benjamins on both the gambling and the neon boneyard signs, i've got some sensible options for you.  Urban Outfitters sells the super cute red monogram letters (Each letter in the alphabet is available) as showbn above for $179 a piece.  Definitely not a bad option!  However, if you are wanting to save a lot more money on it and have the creative freedom to make the marquee light of your choice, i've got a DIY instruction for you from Design Sponge!  This tutorial is easy to follow with clear directions and PICTURES (yay!), which is defintely helpful since making one of these beauties is a little more technical (literally) than other projects I typically delve into.  But in my opinion, it's totally worith it :)


DIY Marquee Light
Design Sponge

Such a fun idea for a playroom, kid's room, or anywhere!  I personally would love a letter in the kitchen, entry, or living room :)  Anywhere you put it you are sure to make a stylish statement.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I am Floored!

There is a new trend in design right now that is directing our attention down.  It used to be all about the walls, now the focus is on floors.  The overactive left side of my brain is in creative over drive with the endless possibilities that can happen right under our feet! 
It's not just about new types of flooring products, although that is a part of it, it's more about taking what you have and having fun with it.  Specifically when it comes to patterns.  What makes this so great is that it's totally economical, so if you have a wood floor which has lost it's luster and is looking a bit tired these days..turn that frown upside down and do this:
nymag.com
2bp.blogspot.com


Nordicrooms.net



DesignspongeOnline.com

So Fun!  I just love all these and think the style looks better the more rough the floor is to begin with!  With a painted pattern or design, you will just need to re-seal the floor with a wood floor top coat to protect it.  If the painted portions wear a little over time, no worries, it adds instant character.  Don't you just love stress free floors?!  Can't go wrong here, unless of course you a more conservative type person who dosn't want anything bold ..in which case you will not be as impressed with these next ideas as I am :) 
If you don't have any wood flooring in your home, but you do have tragic looking carpet that needs to be replaced, but the budget dosn't allow it for the next year or ten, then consider tearing it up anyway!  No, i'm not telling you to throw all caution (and carpet) to the wind and spend money you shouldn't, but you should rip it out along with the pad and reveal either the concrete that's underneath, or pour concrete over the exposed sub floor.  Concrete is cheap and better yet it's chic!  I know this sounds like crazy talk, I mean concrete is so not the luxe look you dreamt about as a little girl imagining her future home.  However, I was at a super high end home reveal (which was for sale for as little as 3mil. ..chump chang ;) ..kidding), a couple years back and saw that a large majority of this 7,000 square foot home was stained concrete!  It wasn't a super contemporary or industrial-chic home, it was actually an amazing, very warm, mountain home.  There was a scattering of very thick wooly rugs scattered about in seating areas, I love the contrast of them against the concrete floor.  Anyway, this is to say that it's a fab way to go which happens to the super inexpensive.  I'm so on that bandwagon!  Here are some fave floors of mine of the concrete variety:





A wood floor can also be made to look a little more like concrete (the gray/white link pattern above is on a wood floor).  These are all very super durable, achieved with very specific and strong paints, primers, and protectants.  Cleanability is easier than ever before also.  But in my case the pattern would hide the dirt for longer, so I wouldn't have to clean it as much, first thing for me about being easy, second think is that it dosn't require any special process or products.  You can even use the all purpose cleaner sold at the dollar store!

You don't have to be a daring decorator to go with this cheap and chic look. There are plenty of muted and conservative pattern options and finishes out there that you can go with instead of the rainbow bright striped floor i've shown above (although.. think how cute would that be for a playroom)!  If pattern isn't meant for you or your place, then a solid color with a high gloss/laquered look or one with more of a matte finish, my be the fit for you. 

If the process makes you nervous that you might forget a step, not do it right, or even if it's just that you don't want to break a nail (we totally understand), then La Dolce Villa can do it for you!  Flooring is a fave of ours and has been something we've worked at for a while now in perfecting the process of and finding the most suitable products to do so.  Of course a great staff helps to get the job done and as the design professional, I would love to talk about the colors, patterns, and finish options to fit your taste and home aesthtic.  Give us a call/text/e-mail/or facebook note!


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

La Dolce Villa is a full service Design Team, with trained and talented professionals on hand to get the job done well and at an extremely affordable cost (lowest rates in the state)!  With our own staff of Carpenters, painters, and other laborers, we don't have to contract each of these jobs out and pay the premium to do so.  We're a packaged deal, with reliable, trustworthy, and friendly employees.  We have specifically structured our business so that we are able to oppoerate very economically, for the sole purpose of saving our clients money.  There is no need to spend too much for a job that can be done for far less.  In this regard, you get much more than you pay for!
As the owner and lead designer, I work with each client individually to solve their design dilemmas and fully understand the aesthtic you love, so that I can create options for you to pick from that are hand selected especially for you.  I even take your personal style, hobbies, and interest in to account when choosing looks and finishing touches, so that the room, or your entire home, is a true reflection of who you are.

In today's market, homeowners are either looking to upgrade their homes to enjoy and stay in them longer, or to sell their home with the added apeal of a new look that the competetors don't have.  We work with both types of clients and have a wealth of knowledge in current trends as well as looks that appeal to the general public best, and are not too taste specific.  We are well connected in the real estate world, which keeps us in the know of what buyers are specifically looking for in home aesthetics, as well as what cosmetic changes sellers benefit most from. 

You can now have the home you've wanted and waited for, or one buyers are lookign for, with designer touches you never thought were possible! 
La Dolce Villa is Innovative Interior Design   

We're visual people, so you can expect visual tools from us to help you decide what options for change in your home you like best.  Among these are:

-Large Variety of Wood Finishes in Natural tones as well as Contemporary Colors


-Detailed floor plan layouts in the exact layout of the room(s) in your home , with furniture layout opitions


 
-'Vision Boards' made just for you to get a feel for a room's overall look and feel

-