Project Tour: Outdoor Retreat

THAT'S ME ADDING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THIS STYLISH TABLE SETTING. Photography: Simone Merrique

Recently, I had the joy of capturing an outdoor project I decorated through my Votre Chambre design service. This busy family of four lives a very social life and wanted to use their large backyard to fit their needs. They called on a professional landscaper to design and create an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pavilion, hardscape, landscaping, and outdoor lighting.  Once the hardscape and landscape were complete it was time to design and furnish this multi layered area. 

Dilemma: How to create multi sitting areas while maximizing the seating and making it feel warm, inviting, and comfortable. 

Solution: Since my client wanted an overall comfortable and stylish look I designed a lounge sitting area under the pavilion to seat 6-7 people. In order to accomplish that I used an L-shape sectional with a matching chair and ottoman complimented by a swing chair for an accent. The base was a white outdoor fabric accented by bold colored pillows filled with detailed patterns.

Photography by Simone Merrique

This family loves to entertain intimate dinner parties as well as large gatherings. In order to create a space great for everyday use and large dinner parties I furnished the space near the outdoor kitchen with a bar height bistro table with a stone top and 4 contrasting wicker stools for everyday dining. For a more formal setting I selected a durable rectangular wood-like farm table made of environmentally-friendly Resysta® contrasted by wicker dining chairs.

The color palette was inspired by the bold colors from the pavilion area and colors from the interior of my client's home, also designed by me. Design Tip: Be sure to carry the same style and some colors from the interior of your home. This will help create a smooth transition from the inside to the outside of your home.  

Relaxing fire pit. Photography by Simone Merrique.

With a mood board for inspiration, a complete shopping list for convenience, and a floor plan drawn to scale my client was equip to shop and arrange the furnishings with ease due to the Votre Chambre by Georgette Marise package. So are you ready to start your design project? Let me do the hard part of producing a personalized space for you that is stylish and functional. Click here to get started!

Here's to the final days of summer!

Color. How to Use it Properly when decorating your home.

Color! Some people are terrified of it and others LOVE it! Where do you fall? As an interior designer my clients require guidance on how to apply the appropriate color palette for their home. In most cases, it is common for people to feel overwhelmed when selecting colors on their own to decorate a space.  Color affects your mood and your perception of a space or object.

"Let's embrace your comfort level with color and learn how to incorporate it into your home." 

using color correctly.  PAINT: SW 6379 JERSEY CREAM

Develop a Palette. Every space needs a color palette. A color palette is an index of all the main colors that are selected for the room.  When developing a color palette first decide on which color will be the primary color in the space. I suggest compiling three to five different colors for your space. Let’s create a scenario using a color palette that consist of teal and rust. A great color to add to the palette would be a neutral color, a latte or a butter yellow to balance the two main colors. 

Choosing your Colors.  Ever go to a paint store to find a color to paint your room and feel lost? The good news is that you will only need 3 or 5 colors for your palette. A good exercise when deciding on colors is to find out what colors inspire you and use them in layers. A trade secret that professionals use often is selecting a primary color for the main walls, a secondary color for an accent wall, and a third color for details such as ceiling paint options.

If you are having a hard time finding inspiration flip through some decorating magazines, browse online or take a trip to a furniture showroom to get some ideas on color combinations that they use and make sure to talk to your interior designer to get a professional opinion on colors you selected for your space. If your inspiration piece has more than 5 colors, choose 3 to 5 of those colors to incorporate in your room.

Using Layers of Color. Once you have determined your color palette, you need to make sure that you have light, medium, and dark colors throughout your palette. Your colors can come from your paint, flooring, furniture, or accessories. You might have a color palette that has 5 different colors that compliment each other and has a hint of warm or cool, but if all 5 colors are the same tone or shade this creates a flat, uninteresting color palette. Even if your room were to consist of one color in order for everything in the room to not camouflage you will need to create a palette with light, medium, and dark tones.

"Making sure your palette has light, medium, and dark tones creates dimension and interest to any room."

I used a mixture of light, medium and dark colors to create a well balanced color palette. Paint: SW 6379 Jersey Cream

In this townhouse living room, I used the lighter tones on the walls, ceiling, ottoman and the area rug.  The medium color tones were used in the sofa, pillows and window treatments, and I used the darkest tones in the leather recliner and the wood floors.

Color is an essential piece to decorating and designing any room. It will affect how you see and feel in a room. Using the proper amount of colors creates layers of interest in a space.

USE YOUR COLOR PALETTE.

Are you still feeling stuck with what colors to use on your walls? Are you worried about making a mistake? Choose my Paint Color Suggestions service today and get hand picked color options perfect for your space. Don't forget to leave your comments below.

Here's to decorating with color!

Create a Bedroom Your Kids Will LOVE

Kids bring so much energy, joy and love into a household. It's important that they have a bedroom as a space that reflects their personality. The key word is...THEIR. Yes... your little prince or princess have their own style and personality. It starts at an early age and will change or expand as they get older. When your kids have a space, like their bedroom, that reflects their personality it makes it easy for them to be completely themselves.  Here are some tips to creating a bedroom that your kids will want to grow, learn and have fun in!

Develop a Layout

Have a plan to determine which area in the room is the sleeping area, play area, and homework/reading area. Once you have measured and developed a plan it will make it easier to know where you will place your furniture.

Use Kid Friendly Items

Make sure your kid’s room is an area that your child can be creative and a space that represents their personality. For example, if your son loves outdoors use accessories and earth tone colors like natural browns, sun yellows, or ocean blues that you would find outside. Find ways of bringing the “outdoors in”.

Ask your kids

Since your child is going to be the one using this room the most, it should be a room that reflects him or her. It’s a good idea to ask your kids about what they would like to have in their room before making the final decision. Most kids are visual so one way of finding out what they like is to take them to their favorite store like, a kids clothing store, a kid’s furniture store, a candy store or a toy store. Use some of the elements from their toys, favorite candy, or an outfit they love to come up with a color palette or a theme.

If you need more ideas or assistance for your little one's room? No worries, I 'm here to help. Email your dilemma to me at sabine@georgettemarise.com and I will do my best to assist you in transforming your kid's room into the best space they've ever seen!

Until next time!

How to Decorate a Stunning Small Space

Designing and decorating a space is all about perception, functionality and aesthetics. As I've mentioned in previous posts I believe a space should tell a story by it's design. The best designed spaces are not determined by the square footage but by its success in achieving functionality and style.

If you have a small space like an extra room, a loft area, an office OR maybe you just have a small space like an apartment in the city. You too can have a stunning space! Here are 3 things you should consider when designing a small space.

1. Find the Purpose. I know, I know...I've said this before but it's key to successfully designing a small space. Before you get into a car you have to know your destination, right? It's the same thing here. Ask yourself these questions and be as descriptive as possible. "How do I want to use this space?" Who is this space for?" "How do I want to feel in the space". This is the first step to solving your design needs.

2. Use Multifunctional Pieces. Since you don't have a lot of square footage to work with you should be creative with your furnishings. Use stylish pieces that have more than one function. For example, an ottoman can serve as A) a coffee table by putting a tray on top B) additional seating and C) a footrest. Another example is a console. It can be used as A) a stylish TV stand B) a low bookcase and C) storage.

ideas for decorating a small apartment

3. Scale. Scale. Scale. One of the elements of design is scale. Proper scale is key to creating a well balanced space. Have you ever walked into a room and the sofa was too big that it made the room feel even smaller or have you seen an area rug that looked tiny in comparison to the dining table and chairs? This is because the components were not scaled to each other or to the space as a whole. When you are decorating a small space like a studio or apartment, use pieces like an apartment size sofa accompanied by one or two small yet comfortable accent chairs. Make sure your furnishings highlight the qualities of your space instead of pointing out the negatives.

I personally love the coziness and intimacy that comes from a small space. If designed properly, a small space can be very functional and stylish. Don't get discouraged about the lack of square footage but instead make the most of what you have. 

If you are frustrated and overwhelmed by your space and need assistance picking the right scale furnishings start with my Furniture Layout service. It will make shopping for furniture so much easier. Don't forget to leave your comments below. 

Here's to Stunning Small Spaces!

Relaxing Staycation Ideas

Summer is in full swing and before you know it autumn will be here. If you haven't had the opportunity to squeeze in a weekend getaway or an adventurous vacation staying in is always an option. Consider a staycation by taking some time out for yourself in your own home. Yes...vacation in your own home! Here are some ideas to make your time relaxing.

Start planning your relaxing staycation.

Turn all phones and email off. Okay...maybe keep your phone on in case of an emergency or to take pictures. But after all you are on vacation, not working from home or catching up on the latest current events. Remove yourself from the outside world for just a small period of time. Remember to take care of any unresolved business before your staycation. 

Make babysitting arrangements with relatives or friends if you have children. Even if it's for 2 or 3 days, a few uninterrupted days will help you recharge. 

Have everything done for you. This includes ordering take out from your favorite restaurant and hiring a cleaning service for a couple of hours. 

Surround yourself with your favorite things. When you're caught up in the busyness of work and home life you seldom get the chance to take time to do what you love to do even in your own home. So this is your time to stream your favorite shows, finish reading that book you started, take a moment to sit outside with a cocktail or soak in your tub with some candles. 

Treat yourself to something that you typically would not do. For example, go to a local spa and get a relaxing massage or take a hiking trip on a nearby trail. However you decide to treat yourself it's important to be in the moment and enjoy the small, simple things. 

Life is so short, so make sure you enjoy every moment. In order to BE the best version of YOU, YOU must take care of YOU. Get ready to relax, recharge and regroup. Leave a comment below to share your favorite staycation items.

Here's to a relaxing staycation!

How To Make a Large Impact with a Small Room

Do you have a small room in your home that currently is getting no use like a bonus room, a tiny attic, a spare bedroom, or maybe a room off your basement? Those tiny spaces can sometimes be a challenge to find purpose for. Then when you do find a purpose for them you have no idea where to start decorating. How do you maximize the space AND still make it look beautiful?!!

My hope is that you are able to find use for your space despite the square footage. You can still have a functional AND stylish room even if it's the smallest area in your home. 

1. Find a Purpose. Before you do anything, you must first figure out what you want to use the space for. Is this a room for your kids to play and do homework? Is this an extra bedroom for when guests come to visit? Is this a casual space for the family to watch TV together? Is this an office space for you to pursue your new business venture or for when you have to take work home? Is it all of the above? That's okay too.

Get great use out of your small space.

2. Who is it For? After your determine what the space will be used for, you need to decide who will be using the space. This will determine how the space is designed. Remember that the space should reflect it's occupants. For example, if it will be used as a play room and an area for you to work it would make sense to incorporate multifunctional pieces that are kid friendly and can be used by your kids and yourself.

3. Determine Your Must Haves. Based on what the space will be used for and who will be using it, write down a few must haves that are needed to get the most function out of the space. For example, if you have an extra bedroom that you use as a home office but need to also use it as a guest room some of your must haves might be a bed, a desk or laptop table, and some form of storage. 

4. Layout the Space. Once you've determined your purpose, your occupants, and your must haves it's time to put it all on paper. This is where working with a designer can save you a lot of time, energy and headache. Poor planning leads to mistakes, returns and frustration so make sure you take the time to layout the space properly. Take a basic measurement (width, length, ceiling height) of your space or room then draw it on paper (use graph paper to make it easier). Be sure to note all doors, openings, windows, outlets, and vents. Start with your largest piece of furniture needed (e.i. a bed, a desk, a sofa, etc.) and draw it in. After you have drawn your largest furnishings, continue adding your remaining must haves. Need help? Add my online Furniture Layout service from my À La Carte menu.

rough sketch of a multifunctional space

5. Think Multifunctional. If you are decorating a small space and want to maximize every square footage you have, you must think of every furnishing as dual use. Back to the home office and guest room example, instead of getting a large full or queen size bed that will only be used occasionally think about getting a sofa bed or a day bed. This will allow you to have a sitting area if you have work guests (without it feeling like a bedroom) while providing a comfortable resting area for when you do host guests.

Don't allow the size of your space make you feel as though you can not achieve a functional & stylish design. With these 5 suggestions you will be on your way to making your smallest space in your home feel like the most functional. Comment below on what you would like to use your smallest room for. Can't wait read them! I am here to help, so if you need assistance with determining what type of furnishing will work best in your space start with my online Furniture Layout service today!

Here's to amazing small spaces!

3 Reasons Why You Need a Beverage Station At Your Next BBQ

As you can already tell, I am a big fan of entertaining outdoors. With summer here and BBQ full in gear, this is the perfect opportunity to share about why you should have a beverage station at your next BBQ. A beverage station is a self-serve bar that offers your guests an assortment of drinks beautifully presented. You may be thinking...why do I need a beverage station?

1. Less Work For You. When you are hosting a party, there are a handful of things you are worrying about. Answering questions like "Do you have anything to drink?" or "Can I have some water?" doesn't have to be one of them. Every beverage (both spiked and non-alcoholic) offered are beautifully displayed for your guests to choose. Tip: Be sure to label all your beverages (especially the spiked ones) so you don't have to answer the question, "What is this?". Also, be sure to provide adhesive labels and markers for your guests to write their names on their glasses.

2. Adds Another Level of Aesthetics. A beautifully arranged beverage station can make the simplest item seem luxurious--even bottled water! Tip: Instead of throwing water bottles in the cooler at your next party, try removing the bottle labels and line them up in rows next to a bucket of ice for an elevated look. To take it even further, don't forget to add fresh fruits like apples, lemons, or strawberries as decor by simply propping them to your drink dispensers (make sure to choose fruits that are incorporated in the beverages).

Line up bottles of water on your serving table for an elevated look.

3. Makes Your Guests Happy. A beverage station allows your guests to easily select a refreshing drink of their choice instead of searching through multiple coolers for the last bottle of sparkling juice. Tip: Encourage your guests to customize their drinks by combining multiple beverages to their liking (e.i. ginger ale, juice, and a little rum are my favorite combination!).

With just a few key pieces and a little arranging, your next outdoor party can be the event your guests will be talking about for months and years to come! Don't forget to share your comments below and subscribe to my mailing list so you don't miss out on any more blog postings!

Here's to great outdoor parties...Cheers!

Sabine's Favorite Pins of Relaxing Patios

Summer is the season where everyone is a little more laid back, the kids are off from school, the weather is warm, people are enjoying vacations, the pool is open and the grill is fired up! It's a season that allows us to enjoy time outdoors (especially if you live in the northeast section of the States where we have cold winters). 

It's always nice to be able to extend your living spaces outdoors. As a designer, I always tell my clients that it's not about the square footage of your space but what you do with the square footage you have. You can have a large backyard but if it's not functional or aesthetically pleasing what's the point of having it. Your space should be BOTH functional and stylish according to your needs.

the perfect patio in my opinion

Some of my favorite patios are spaces that are personal, private, relaxing & comfortable. The perfect patio to me is an outdoor space that allows me to unwind on a comfortable chair with a glass of wine after a long day AND one that serves as entertaining space for dining and socializing with guests. So here are my top favorite Pins of relaxing patios this summer!

What I love about this patio are the string lights that are dripping from the tree branches. The setting is intimate with individual chairs yet festive enough to host an outdoor party.

This patio is simple yet stylish! The raw wood benches are accented by striped cushions and large chocolate pillows. The seating area is nicely anchored by a substantial size concrete table complimented by lanterns and a potted plant for greenery. 

This patio is a great example of a multi functional space. The swings steal the design for me! This is a fun idea for kids but can be enjoyed by adults as well. The space is broken up well into a seating area with sofas, swings and ottomans covered by draped fabric on a pergola. On the other side it also hosts a long dining table for a relaxing dinner party. How lovely!

This patio/backyard space is a unique approach to movie night. The soft, outdoor chaises under the string lights and lanterns make this space cozy and relaxing! Plus, how can you beat movie night outside!

The hammock creates the focal point for this small and intimate patio. The dark, modern fence give this patio much needed privacy in an urban setting.

This backyard has it all! The beautiful landscape is designed around the center pool. The pool is the focal point but the other areas in this patio add additional function. In case you aren't swimming in the pool you have the option of reading a book by the fireplace or having a bite to eat at the bistro table by the pool. 

This last patio truly feels like the extension of a living room. The window is highlighted as an architectural feature with the image of the panel draped to the side on the interior. The wicker and distressed wood furniture creates a warm and welcoming ambiance on a sunny day.

No matter if you have a small balcony outside your condo, a small block of pavement outside your row home in the city or a large yard over looking a private forest in the suburbs you can create a relaxing, private patio that works for YOUR needs.

Don't know where to start or how to create a relaxing patio space? Choose a votre chambre by GEORGETTE MARISE package and everything you need including a complete layout drawn to scale, a shopping list and key steps to create your own relaxing space outdoors. Hurry, before summer passes by!!!

For more relaxing patio ideas follow me on Pinterest! 

Here's to a relaxing summer!

How to Decorate a Beach Themed Room

So summer is almost here! June 20th marks the first day of summer. If you're like me you look forward to putting your feet up, enjoying the warm weather, entertaining outdoors and taking occasional trips to the beach this time of year. Bring beach inspired ideas into your space to reflect a more relaxed, calm, and casual mood during this summer season. 

Decorate a beach themed room

If you love the beach like I do and want to create a calm space inspired by the beach start with an inspiration piece. In this mood board the inspiration was the serene artwork. I pulled the entire color palette from the artwork and built a design for a living space.  

Beach themed mood board

Paint. I selected a soft mint green color for the walls as a base. This color was pulled from the multiple tones in the sky illustrated in the artwork. 

Sofa. I selected a golden tan colored sofa from the colors of the sun kissed sand. 

Accent Chair. The armless chair adds a pop of color to this design. I pulled the teal color from the darker shades of the water. 

Chandelier. The shell chandelier adds a touch of sheen and elegance to this casual space. The sun settling down behind the clouds in the artwork was the inspiration to selecting this beautiful light fixture.

Accessories. The mixture of a sisal rug and contrasting accent pillows bring interest and texture. The accessories were inspired by the many natural elements found on the beach.

You can create your own unique beach themed space based on your inspiration. The key is not to go over the top "beachy", but to add elements that remind you of the beach. Finding your inspiration is half the battle, but once you've found it you are well on your way. 

Want your own mood board but have no idea where to start? Select my Inspiration Board and get customized paint color suggestions, furniture style ideas with fabric and finish suggestions to get you started on your way. Not ready to take on a design project? No problem, the Inspiration Board is meant just to give you ideas that reflect your style so when you are ready to begin your project you have a head start.

Share some of your favorite beach inspirations with me below in the comments! Can't wait to hear what you're inspired by.

Here's to a relaxing summer!

Top 7 Responses from Dads About Their Dream Man Cave

So last month was Mother's Day and I had the pleasure of writing about how grateful I am for having a mother that made me into the woman I am today. This month however, is Father's Day and instead of suggesting cool gift ideas I wanted to ask a group of some of the best dads I know what they would want in their dream man cave. This group of dads range from all backgrounds, ages and occupations. Some of them are brand new dads entering the new world of parenting and some are empty nesters who have become grandfathers.

"Anyone can be a FATHER, but it takes someone special to be a DAD..." - Wade Boggs

Dads are awesome and need an area in the home where they can pause and relax a.k.a the Man Cave. I asked these group of dads to dream a little and share what their top must haves would include if they had their dream man cave (just in case you wanted to add any to your gift list for Father's Day). Moms-here are their top responses starting from the most popular. Of course I added my design tips to their responses. So Enjoy!

What is a Man Cave?

1. Big Flat Screen TV/Projector. I would usually not recommend the tv as the focal point but in the case of a man cave this can be an attractive focal point if displayed properly. Tip: Try mounting your flat screen on the wall with a mural wallpaper of your favorite theme as the background (e.i. a sport's field, outdoor landscape, etc.). This is one way to make your tv part of the design and it adds visual interest when the tv isn't on. 

2. Bar with Beer Taps. This was a popular answer. One dad even included a root beer tap for the kids-I thought was awesome! The perfect bar is always stocked with dad's favorite adult drinks, a small sink, mini fridge and a microwave. Tip: If you are handy, build your own bar and add a couple leather or metal stools for an inviting, unique look. Please avoid purchasing a bar set with matching stools-this is the chance to be eclectic and different.

What's a bar without a beer tap?

3. Pool Table/Game Area/Card Table. Depending on dad's preferred hobbies he might want a specific area in the man cave for a pool table, a card/poker table or an area for video games. It's all based on the preferences of the dad since it's his space.

4. Jersey Display/Sports Memorabilia. This is the area that is the most personal. If dad is a big sports fan or was an athlete in his younger days than this is an important component to his cave. The best way to showcase his favorite team or to cherish his old sports jersey is to have them framed. The frames don't have to match but should be similar in style if you have more than one. Tip: To display any personal awards or autographed items use 2 or 3 floating shelves hung at eye level for a modern and sleek look.  

5. Leather Recliner. You can't have a great man cave without a comfortable seat for the man of the house, right? What is more comfortable than a soft, leather recliner? This can range from an individual reclining chair, a sectional with connected recliners or reclining theater seating. From someone who has worked in the furniture industry, I can personally tell you that when it comes to recliners buy quality if you want it to last. Tip: There are so many options with recliners (e.i. power reclining, massage options, etc) so be sure to ask your sales associate for details. 

6. Workout Equipment. If staying fit is important and part of dad's lifestyle than this is absolutely a must. The equipment doesn't have to take a large portion space but can be easily incorporated into a corner OR it can be the dominant factor of the man cave whichever dad prefers. Tip: If you want to add a workout area and have an open floor plan, paint an accent wall to visually separate this area from the rest of the cave.

7. Studio Space. Is dad an artist, musician or any other form of creator? Being a creative person myself I understand loving your craft. Having a separate area to create or be inspired (outside of work and home life) can be the perfect excuse for a man cave. Dad can combine his studio space with a recliner, large tv and surround sound...what more can you ask for! Tip: Storage and organization will be key here. Add freestanding cabinets, shelving units, a large work table and tool chests to maximize the use of the space. 

creating a studio space as part of your man cave is a great option for musicians, artists, designers, etc. 

Overall, I was really impressed by how detailed these responses were. That made me realize how most dads CRAVE a space of their own. Let's appreciate the dad's in our lives not only this Father's Day but everyday because of the important role they play in our children's lives, the role they've played in our lives and others around them. 

If you want to SURPRISE dad this Father's Day by creating his dream man cave or even add to his existing man cave email me TODAY at sabine@georgettemarise.com or call me at 610.924.2780 to get started! Disclaimer: If you are planning to "surprise" dad with a man cave, it's wise to consult a professional for assistance. 

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads out there!

P.S. For more Man Cave ideas check out my favorite designs and room concepts on Pinterest.