Celebrating My 26 Years in the United States

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's difficult to believe that I've been in the United States, from my native South Africa, for 26 years now. I think the coming year will be when I finally become a U.S. citizen (well, to be precise, I'll be claiming dual citizenship). To celebrate, I'd like to do some typical, All-American type experiences - and I just heard about the Hiltons of Branson and their special package deals. Lots of music, good food, family activities, and beautiful scenery. Just the ticket.

Here's a scoop for all Design2Share readers: you and your family can make it a long summer weekend at Branson with the Branson Best Value Vacation Package, which gives you the third night free. This package includes deluxe accommodations at Hiltons of Branson Convention Center. 

Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing Deal includes

• Deluxe accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center
• Two adult and two children’s tickets to the Legends of Kung Fu show at the White House Theater
• Two adult and two children’s two-day passes to Silver Dollar City
• $25 gift card for shopping
• $25 food credit for Level 2 Steakhouse 
• On top of all that your third night is FREE

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Update on August 2, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

This Nice Interior Designer Always Finishes First

Architectural Digest

 Irwin Weiner ASID - Truly one of the nicest big-name interior designers in the industry - and a shining light in the New York City design scene - is Samuel Botero. Besides a wonderful temperament, he has true skill with color, getting the bones of a space right, and moving clients into good purchases. As you'll see in this Architectural Digest video interview, Mr. Botero's humility and sincerity is evident. I second his advice for clients to buy at least one really good piece per room - something you're really pushing hard to afford, but will later never regret purchasing - and to support young artists' work that really resonate with you.

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Williams-Sonoma Founder - Kitchen Icon

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - You know you've really made it big when you've been on the Oprah Winfrey Show, but for food icon Chuck Williams, the founder of the Williams-Sonoma empire, I'm sure he probably had a clue that he'd arrived a long time before he landed on her show. The 94-year-old bachelor is literally married to his business, and it was a long and trail-blazing ride, bringing French cookware and high-end appliances into American kitchens. Remember: at one time, you bought old beat-up cookware from stacks on the shelves of hardware stores! Those times have changed forever, thanks to Mr. Williams and his Sonoma, California breakthrough store. Enjoy this video survey of his life and career.  

DESIGN2SHARE RESOURCES: Design2Share is proud to be a part of the Designer Marketplace blog on the Williams-Sonoma website. Click here to read our exclusive W-S reports:

• Why Complete Renovations Add Value to High-End Interiors
• 10 Tip for Working with Painters

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Antique Style Bathroom Mural in Dutch Villa

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - I admire interiors that boast hand-made features. Crafts, carvings, artwork, sculpture, hand-woven rugs, hand-forged decorative hardware, and murals add the human element to machine-made furnishings and fixtures, and give a room charm and provenance. In this video, Dutch muralist and artist Daan van Loenhout shows off his work in an 18th century Netherlands villa.

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