Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour

This year is the 26th Annual Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour and we at Donna DuFresne Design are excited to be a part of this special event.  One of our clients has a stunning Colonial Revival in the Heights and just happens to be one of the stops on the tour.  So, Donna DuFresne Design and Bloke teamed up to give this lovely home a festive make over!  To learn more about the Ainsworth Holiday Home Tour and how it benefits the children and their school, follow this link.

"The oldest home on the tour, this 1911 Colonial Revival is also one of the most historically intact. Walking through the house, you will get a true sense of the features found in finer residences of the era: the original (still operable) intercom system, dust chutes on every floor, servants' staircase, original light fixtures, steam radiators, a laundry chute, secret panels, sinks and fireplaces in the bedrooms, custom shaped windows and screens, and plentiful built-ins. While retaining all of these elements, the home has been decorated with tasteful elegance that honors tradition, yet infuses it with 21st century style."

Photo courtesy of Ainsworth Holiday of Homes Tour

We wanted to share some photos showing how all the hard work paid off.  Although, we would strongly recommend taking a look in person because the photos just don't do it justice!

What is your favorite part about decorating for the holidays?  We'd love to hear your stories!

Moving On Up

Moving is something everyone has to do and most don't enjoy.  Here are some tips from an interior design perspective that can help make getting into the new space more of a pleasure than a pain.  We at Donna DuFresne Design, along with Bernadette Breu Experience, just found out that we will be moving come February 2014.  This is a daunting and exciting task, so we figured we would share some insight into the process.  Make sure to keep connected to find out where the move takes us!

Scout Out Your New Space

Make sure that the area that your are moving to is a good one for all of the right reasons.  Is there access to all of the places you will frequent the most?  Or from a business perspective, will your clientele be able to frequent your space?  This can be a very frustrating time because finding the right space in the right place isn't easy.  Once you find the perfect spot look it over it thoroughly.  This is a great time to make a list of ideas, problems, needs, etc.  Request a floor plan, or if you're able to, sketch one yourself.  This is also actually a perfect chance to get your interior designer involved or hire one to help.  They can assist you with finding solutions to problems that you might not have thought of.  An interior designer can suggest which things to keep and what new things may possibly work in the space.  It's nice to get them involved early so the road ahead can be mapped out more easily.

Go Through Things & Decide What To Keep

Either with the help of your interior designer or on your own, try to brainstorm possibilities of where current things will go.  If you can, make space plans so that you can have an idea of where things will be placed as they are being moved in.  It makes the move much less work and way less stressful.  If there are possessions that you can't part with, but may not work in the new space, make arrangements for where they will be kept.  Having items in the way that aren't being used makes moving much more difficult.  This is a great time to get rid of things that aren't necessary; purging unused things can feel really good.

Decide If There Are Improvements/Changes To Be Made

If you haven't already contacted an interior designer this is where it really counts.  It's harder to make improvements or changes once everything is in place.  An interior designer can come up with solutions for remodeling and/or make suggestions for additions, like paint, wallpaper, flooring, fixtures etc.  Find some inspiration images of spaces that really speak to you.  Think about ways that these inspirations can be worked into the new place and try to utilize pieces you already own.  Refinishing or recovering existing pieces can help them fit into the new design.

Moving In

Please don't force things to fit where they don't belong.  Usually, this just ends up as a disappointment and necessitates being reworked later.  Also, don't be afraid to leave spaces unfinished until you can do it in the right way.  Take time in the space and don't rush finding new things all at once, it's tempting, but slow down and think about it.  Going shopping with an interior designer can really help you find creative solutions!

Reflect

Once some time has passed look back at how the whole process turned out and think about what went right and wrong.  Are there things that could have been done better to keep stress levels down?  Since most people will have to move more than once it's good to be able to have a better game plan for next time.  Move smarter and not harder!  (P.S. Some of these tips can also be useful if you're remodeling the space you already have.)

We would love to hear any tips or tricks that you have found especially helpful while moving.  Please share!

The Beauty of Aging in Place

What is Aging in Place you might ask?  The CDC defines it as, "the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level."  So this topic is not limited to your great great grandmother, but rather anyone who wants the house they live in now to be their lifetime home.  From an Interior Designer's standpoint, it is making sure that the design being implemented right now will still be functional and beautiful 20 or 30 years from now.  Not to say that things cannot be switched up, but the real bones of the structure should be able to carry your home into the next decade and the next.  If you are going to go to all the trouble of a house remodel, then why not make sure that this is a design that can stand the test of time.


Some structural things to think about are putting in reinforcements where future grab bars can be installed, for example around toilets and showers/baths.  Making doorways wide enough to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs will not impact the look of your current design, but may allow you to enjoy it much longer.  Creating custom counter heights is another great idea to get the most out of your home.  An Interior Designer or CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) can offer many suggestions about a specific space and can come up with a plan to design with aging in place goals in mind.

It is never too early to think about aging in place, in fact the earlier the better.  This week is National Aging in Place week and we at Donna DuFresne Design felt like this would be the perfect time to introduce a project that was recently completed where aging in place played a big factor.


This recent project was for a client in their 50's who is over 6' tall and looking for this house to be their home for as long as possible.  Here are some of the things that were carried out during the design process that addressed aging in place:

• Reinforcements in the walls for the placement of future grab bars
• Seats in the shower for comfort and usability
• An infinity drain so that the shower required no barrier
• Wider doorways for the possibility of future mobility issues
• Slip-resistant flooring in the bathroom
• Increased lighting put on dimmers to account for a decrease in eyesight
• Custom counter heights for ease of current and future use

You would never guess from the pictures that this project was designed with an aging in place mindset.

Do you have a remodel planned that includes aging in place?  We'd love to hear about it.

Inside Out: Outdoor Living Spaces

Here in the Pacific NW, where it seems to rain more often than not, sunshine is a hot commodity.  This fuels the need to get outside and celebrate when that nice weather hits and there is no better way to do this than to make an outdoor space that you really enjoy!

Of course, a little rain shouldn't keep you from making the most of what lies right out your back door.  Here are a few tips on how to create a comfortable and inviting space outside that you can make use of, rain or shine!

• Think about what's over your head.  Covering your patio or deck can extend it's use, that way you can still use your outdoor space when the weather is wet or the sun is blazing. Plus, it can help protect any pieces you decide to put outside.
• Choose things that are designed to live outside.  Make sure any cushions are upholstered with weather resistant materials and that you regularly maintain them to keep any mildew at bay. It's always helpful if the cushions can be removed and placed in a safe, dry place when not in regular use.  Just because it is meant for the outdoors does not mean it won't still need some TLC.
• Fire!  Some type of contained fire, such as a fire pit, can make your space much more cozy and allow you extend the time you spend out there.  Rainy days and cool nights are always better next to a fire, especially with a great blanket or throw.
• Let there be light.  Over head lighting will make it much easier to utilize outdoor space.  Something as simple as a couple of strings of cafe lights can really change the ambiance and make you more likely to stay out after the sun goes down.

This article from Better Homes & Gardens on Functional Outdoor Spaces is a great read too!

Here are a few of our favorite outdoor spaces that we at Donna DuFresne Design have had the pleasure to create:

Hiring an interior designer does not mean that only the inside spaces are fair game.  So speak to a local designer to have them help you transform your outdoor space into something you truly love!

Do you have any plans to design or redesign your outdoor space?  We'd love to hear about it or see the finished product!

Fabulous Design without Breaking the Bank

Many people see designing a new or existing space as a daunting task. It can seem overwhelming, and even deciding on a budget can stop a project in its tracks.  This is where an Interior Designer can come in to really get things on track.  And just because you might have a smaller budget in mind doesn't mean that most designers won't be willing to work with that.  Many designers see working within a budget a great challenge that leads to even greater outcomes.  When there is a tight budget, designers are tasked with looking outside the box and coming up with creative ways to make the space pop!

Here at Donna DuFresne Design, we recently finished a project for a client who didn't want to spend a lot, but needed to update their new home.  This 1950s ranch style home in SW Portland included a makeover for two bathrooms and a living/dining room for around $10,000.

Here is a look at the space before all the magic...

Guest Bath

Master Bath

Living Room

Dining Area

Some of the ways to stay on budget that were used for this project include:

• Utilizing existing furniture that the client already owned and giving it a makeover.  For example, this can be done by recovering existing furniture that has great bones or painting/refinishing a piece that has been sitting around and needs some tlc.
• Craigslist!  If you have some patience and a little bit of luck, shopping on your local craigslist can be a great source for budget pieces that might be worth a lot more than what someone is asking.  The gorgeous and unique coffee table now residing in the living room area was a craigslist steal.
• Retail stores such as Target or Ikea can be a good source for finding some fun pieces to fill out the space that won't cost you an arm or a leg.  The 'bug' pillow on the couch, found at Target, adds some interest to the space without overspending.
• Online shopping is another way to get more bang for your buck.  Try out Lex Mod, Overstock, or One Kings Lane for some budget friendly finds.  The dining set was a great addition from Lex Mod.  Be sure to read all the fine print when purchasing online though so you are not surprised at what shows up at your door.
• Finally, a new paint color is a great way to change the look and feel of a space without spending a lot.  Talk with your designer to find the perfect color.

So without further ado, here are the finished spaces!

Guest Bath

Master Bath

Dining Area

Living Room

What a difference!

So the next time you are stressing over changing your space without breaking the bank, think about talking to some local design professionals to utilize their expertise!

Do you have any tips for great design while staying within a budget? Or did you do a recent remodel that turned out amazing without spending all your savings?  Please share!

Shagreen in the 21st Century

Shagreen is not a new material but it has taken up a new fascination in the interior design world, yet again.

West Dean

Shagreen Finishes from John Lyle Design

Shagreen is the hide of stingrays or dogfish that is treated and used like a leather to cover many different things.  The hide is salvaged from fishing companies, mostly in South East Asia, that catch the stingrays for food.  It can be seen in cultures as far back as the pharos and has come back into fashion time and time again, most notably in the Art Deco era.  For more information about shagreen you can visit Apartment Therapy's blog post on the topic.

While this material may be controversial, there is no denying that it is once again a popular look.  For a more Sha-'Green' feel there are many choices out there for faux shagreen as well.

Faux Shagreen Boxes from Maze Home

Here at Donna DuFresne Design we recently finished covering a table in shagreen and couldn't be happier with how it turned out.  We worked closely with Evyn Design to make this beautiful piece come to life.

Shagreen can be seen in many other applications in both interiors and in fashion.  Here are a few of our favorite finds!

Manchester Waste Basket from Pigeon & Poodle

Shagreen Field Tile with Bone Border from Ann Sacks

Faux Shagreen Bookends from Mecox Gardens

Shagreen Clutch from Celestina

Shagreen iPhone Case from Treillage Ltd.

To Shagreen or not to Shagreen, we'll leave that up to you.