Recent Kitchen Redesign

Housing Slump Has More People Turning to Interior Redesign Professionals to Improve Home Values and Appearance

Chicago, IL October 2010. With the credit crunch and falling home values nationwide - the housing investment times are definitely changing. A new trend emerging in home investing is an increase in homeowners seeking to reinvest in their homes using interior redesign and staging instead of seeking to flip them for a quick profit.

IRIS (Interior Redesign Industry Specialists), an international, non-profit organization of professional redesigners and stagers announces IRIS Get Redesigned Month® in October. This is a national industry-wide event dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits of redesign and of hiring a professional redesigner.

IRIS members are professional interior redesigners trained in the practice of using what people already own to create a new warm and inviting environment. Whether it is a home or office, a professional redesigner can achieve the results of creating the space people have always wanted using the things they already own.IRIS’s chapters and members will hold public events throughout the country during October.

Adorn Design Gorup, a full service interior redesign and staging company based in Naperville, IL. "Fall is the perfect time to have your home redesigned and is the perfect start to the holiday season when people entertain and have out of town guests,” says Shelley Amato, Midwest Chapter President of IRIS. "In most cases it is done within a day using your own furnishings so there’s often no need to buy anything new.”

"With IRIS members living in almost every state, a nearby professional is ready to transform your home and bring tranquility to your life,” said Shelley Amato. "Redesigning your space makes it feel more relaxing, inviting, beautiful and functional.”

About Interior Redesign and Staging Industry Specialists

IRIS® (Interior Redesign and Staging Industry Specialists) is the international authority on redesign and staging. Formed in 1999, IRIS® set the industry standards with regards to the highest standards of certification training and specific criteria for memberships.

For questions or to schedule an appointment with Shelley Amato; President of Adorn Design Group, a Naperville based Interior Design company contact; (630) 800-5720 or email Shelley at adorndesign@comcsat.net.

Adorn is now in the HOUZZ !!!

http://www.houzz.com/photos/professionals/9566/

Decorating Fireplace Mantels

Decorating Fireplace mantels The fireplace is often the focal point of a room. But what about the empty mantel? What do you put there? How do you arrange it? Keep the following ideas in mind, and your mantel will be the perfect finishing touch! Color: It is important to keep in mind when decorating your mantel. Keep darker colors lower on the mantel to help the room feel anchored. If your mantel is high above eye level, lighter colors will feel more pleasing. Scale: The proportion and scale of the items you place on the mantel is crucial. Consider the width of the fireplace and the height to the ceiling above. Your display will look most pleasing if the items you choose are proportionate to the space in which you are using them.On a large, wide mantel, one large item is often more appropriate than many smaller ones. Balance: Once you feel that you have the perfect items picked out for the mantel, you need to arrange them so that the mantel feels balanced. There are three options for creating balance: symmetrical displays, asymmetrical arrangements, and radial composition. For formal rooms, most people chose a symmetricaldisplay. This arrangement creates perfect, equal balance. Place one item in the center of the mantel, and flank it with identical items on each side. For a more casual approach, asymmetrical displays are popular. These arrangements have good balance, but the sides are not perfect mirror images of each other. The balance is created by tall, lighter-colored items on the opposite side of the mantel. A radial arrangements creates movement and excitement, and is a nice combination of formal and informal moods. The center item acts as the anchor, and all other items circle out from it in a balanced way. The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your fireplace mantel. And if you remember these simple tips, you can create an eye-catching display! Go have fun with it. For an in-house consultation on decorating your fireplace and more, call 630-800-5720 or visit us on the web at:www.adorndesigngroup.com Email Shelley Amato at: adorndesign@comcast.net Feel Free to Follow AdornDesign on any of the sites blow:

Accessorize Like a Pro!

Everyone likes being surrounded by things that they love. The accessories you choose to complement your home furnishings can personalize your space and bring it to life and you don't need an interior design degree to get great-looking results! Check out these tips for adding color, texture and dimension to your favorite room.

Like getting dressed in the morning ... Think of accessorizing a room like accessorizing an outfit. You would never wear all of your jewelry at once! Displaying too many items in a room creates a cluttered look and will take away from the effect you are trying to create.

Liven it up with color and texture! Accessories are a great way to introduce bold colors that you love, but might not want to feature, or commit to long-term, in your room. Also, bring together items of different textures, combining shiny surfaces with flat ones or hard objects with softer ones.

Arranging your accessories. Arrange your accessories in groups, rather than spreading them around the room evenly. Arrangements of 3 or 5 work best. Consider the visual weight and height of an object when determining its placement. A balanced variety of height and weight in a grouping adds visual interest.

Conquer that blank wall! Combine pictures and objects of assorted sizes, balancing the visual weight of your arrangement. Before hammering nails in the wall, arrange the pieces on the floor and find your favorite combination. Let the shape of your walls influence the arrangement. Also, make sure that you do not hang your pictures or artwork too high, or they may appear disconnected from the rest of the room.

Add Dimension. A framed mirror is a great alternative to artwork and can add dimension and space to your room. Place mirrors so that they reflect something beautiful.

Don't forget the floor. Turn an ordinary space from dull to "designer" with a rug that features an unexpected motif, pattern or splash of color. Area rugs can define a seating arrangement in a large room by creating an intimate and inviting space.

Mix it Up! Consider seasonal accessories to keep your look updated and fresh. Change your floral arrangements to reflect the season, or lighten up your accessories as the weather gets warmer. But most importantly … have fun!

For more information about accents and accessories,

The first priority of an interior designer is to simplify your involvement in the process. He or she will consult with you, devise a plan and manage the entire process (should you choose to engage them on this level), which includes purchasing, ordering, supervising contractors and overseeing your budget in a way that can save you valuable dollars. Many consumers are intimidated at the prospect of hiring a designer. Please remember that most people hire designers because they actually save money in the long run. Using a design professional can, and should, be a good experience. Your designer will bring your home continuity, function and beauty. And it doesn't have to go over your budget. Your choice of a talented professional can shed light on your project and make the experience less stressful by allowing the designer to approach it skillfully with a plan in mind, helping you balance your aspirations, functional needs and budget. If you are about to embark on a project and do not want to hire a pro to work with you throughout the extent of your endeavor, a valuable investment would be to engage a professional for a simple consult. A consult is valuable because a well seasoned professional can point out issues that you may be overlooking and even uncover simple design or decorating solutions that can have high impact for low cost. An initial consultation with a professional can get you on track and provide you with the guidelines for success – a minimal investment for results that will last a lifetime. Finding the Right Design Professional for You Do Your Homework - Communicate just what you want Your designer’s goals are to please you. He or she won't be able to create the perfect room for you unless you're able to communicate your likes and dislikes. Before meeting with a prospective designer, collect photos from magazines of rooms and furniture you like (and those you dislike, as the "dislike" is as valuable as the "like") to give your designer a place to start in creating a design specifically for you. Share Your Vision. Be able to explain to your designer the style you want, the colors you like and the activities that will take place in the room. Make a list of furniture you own that you want to keep. Think about your preferences for furniture, fabrics, materials and patterns. Be Prepared - Decide on a budget Be realistic about what you are willing to spend on your project. Be conservative. Plan a project with goals and phase in purchases over a few months or years if necessary. Listen to all ideas, but never go against your heart. Now What? Communicate with your Designer Listen. Talk. Listen. That's it in a nutshell. The designer will discuss the concept of your project and be frank about your budget limitations. Finances No one likes sticking to a budget, but everyone has one. Make sure you're very clear on exactly how you'll be charged, when your designer needs deposits, how you'll be billed, what you will get for your money and when the work will be completed. Will you be charged for phone calls, shopping trips or in-home consultations? Are purchases marked up or discounted? A FEW KEY QUESTIONS: Do you feel a connection with this person and trust them enough to make the right choices for the outcome of the project at hand? Do you feel that this person is honest and will look after your best interests and not make biased decisions concerning your project? Are their designs similar in all the projects that they do? Ask for references. And call them. The worse that can happen is you end up with a name of who not to use. Ask to see a portfolio. However, this should not be the only criteria on which you base your decision. If using a decorator/designer service from a retail store be sure they are not committed only to the variety of products being offered in that store. In other words, can they use outside sources and spend time out of the office working on your project? A savvy pro will want to be out in the field, unlocking great possibilities for your project that may not seem conventional but are very creative. If consulting with too many decorators/designers that offer free advice, BEWARE! Too many chefs spoil the soup. This may become a cause for confusion. FEES: The range of fees for interior design services varies depending on the type of services and primary focus of the designer’s practice. Examples are residential, high-end, commercial and nautical. Some pros may base their fee on the total square footage of the project, ranging between $1.50 and $30.50 per square foot. Get a clear idea about fees up front by asking how the decorator or designer charges for their services: These are the most common methods: Hourly Can vary from $35-$350 per hour. This rate may be used for consultations, rearranging furniture, placing accessories, etc. This is largely determined by years of experience, availability and geographic area Fixed Also known as “flat fee,” fixed fees may include a cap on hours and sometimes encompass a fixed figure so that you know up front and without a doubt what you are committed to paying for the design services. Percentage Above Cost Also referred to as “cost plus,” this fee schedule is calculated at 15 to 35 percent above cost, usually not including delivery and sales tax. Retail List price or price presented, which means the pro is presenting selections to you and calculating their mark-up on an individual basis, while often saving you from the industry average markup formula of 2.2 times. Retail Less Percentage List price minus 10-20 percent Combination Your design pro may have a creative method of enhancing their income, depending on whether or not they are avid shoppers. Clients should realize that in addition to the design fee, some designers also ask to be compensated for time spent shopping and selecting items for the client to consider for their project. Get your designer’s fee schedule clear from the beginning. Always have a letter of agreement. www.adorndesigngroup.com Call For Your Design Consultation Today ! 630-800-5720 or email me at: adorndesign@comcast.net Join us on Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naperville-IL/Adorn-Design-Group/141160140480?ref=mf Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/shelleyamato Follow us on Adorns Blog: http://adorndesign.blogspot.com/

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-interior-redesign-industry-specialists-announces-new-president-of-their-midwest-chapter-1264126220.html

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-interior-redesign-industry-specialists-announces-new-president-of-their-midwest-chapter-1264126220.html

Interior Redesign Industry Specialists announced recently that Shelley Amato of Adorn Design Group, Naperville has been appointed President of their Midwest Chapter including 13 states. Among other accomplishments, Shelley Amato is a graduate of the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute, a certified member of IRIS, a professional member of ADE; Association of Design Education and holds a current partnership with the NOCC; National Ovarian Cancer Coalitions.