UK Interior Designer Kelly Hoppen at the Top of Her Game

Kelly Hoppen

Irwin Weiner ASID - London interior designer and trendsetter Kelly Hoppen is a professional I truly admire. Her books are top drawer, her designs are elegant and sublime, and - from this side of the Atlantic - she looks like she's really having a good time. We know how much hard work and mental perspiration goes into crafting ahead-of-their-times interiors, but Kelly seems to pull it all off with ease. Truly admirable.

I enjoyed this video because it shows a relaxed sense of style, attention to her clients' needs, an appreciation for a large scale project, and her sense of humor - witness her cheeky comment about having a place to go on holiday. Attagirl! 

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Update on April 13, 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.

Designers Guild Collections - Good Design Makes You Happy

Designers Guild

Irwin Weiner ASID - Home design should be fun. Today's featured video is from the TED Conference (Technology Entertainment Design) a few years ago; Don Norman talks to us about the three ways that good design makes you happy.

I'm hooked. Yes, good design for the home can make me quake with delight, anticipation, and excitement - and when I saw the new 2011 Spring Collections from Designers Guild, I was in rapture.

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Do-It-Yourself Home Decorating Glamour

J. F. Chen / 1st Dibs

Irwin Weiner ASID - Expressing your creativity with interior design - well, isn't that what home decorating should be all about? So many homeowners are trained not to do anything unless they first see it in a shelter magazine or a home improvement show - or on Design2Share. <wink> I'm here to tell you to cut loose, be yourself, and let your wild home decorating side show. 

ONE: Look into the life and work of artist-designer Tony Duquette for inspiration on using do-it-yourself bravura to add Old Hollywood glamour and exotic touches to your interiors. Look at the beautiful chandelier he designed (one of many specialty lighting items he produced) - see top photo, and click here for the 1st Dibs listing from dealer J. F. Chen.

TWO: For last summer's Hampton Designer Show House, I designed and made my room's centerpiece lighting. It was fun and liberating to take a Home Depot chandelier ($80) and some craft paper from Michael's (about $15) and come up with something creative and unusual. Read my DIY Chandelier Project. Takeaway learning: Every room of your house should have an interesting focal point or two, some real theatrical show-stopping piece - and YOU can make it!

THREE: Take the advice of Westport, CT interior designer Katy Cleare of Catherine Cleare Interiors, and let loose with your inner Tony Duquette, glam-it-up, do-it-yourself decorating impulses! We shot this video of Katy showing us her fabulous homemade creations using seashells and found items (and shades of Martha Stewart, another DIY home diva we love to emulate). Note how her handmade treasures range from decor items and accessories to tabletop. Way to go, Katy.

 Click here to subscribe to our daily design videos.

Update on April 5, 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.

Everything You Need for Home Decorating on a Budget

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - Decorating your home on a tight budget - where to begin? If you're not blessed with a budget to hire a professional interior designer and shop your way to a perfect home, you're not alone. A small percentage of homeowners can go the route of luxury decorating, and TV makeover shows make remodeling look deceptively easy and inexpensive. We're here to help stretch your dollars.

ONE: Download our free thrifty decorating guide (just click on this link): Home Decorating/Redecorating on a Budget. The guide was made in collaboration with Toronto-based kitchen contractors we highly recommend.

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