Artwork from summer vacation spots

Even if you have not started your next interior design project, summer is the perfect time to search for decorative items to display in your home.  While on vacation you may come across unique artwork and furnishings from special shops or festivals.  This is a great way to add individuality and personal touches to any room. 

There are many places to find these items such as, antique shops, open markets, seaside shops and summer festivals.  I was out with a friend in Sandwich, MA last week and we visited The Sandwich Antiques Center http://www.sandwichantiquescenter.com/.  These shops included large furniture pieces, paintings and smaller decorative items.  It is lots of fun looking for that diamond in the rough.  Yesterday, my daughter and I visited a small art show in Onset.  They had some beautiful seashore paintings by local artists for sale.  Even walking along the beach or in the woods you can find organic items to enhance your room's comfortable feeling. 

If you have used an interior designer it is still important to use decorative items that mean something to you.  It is what makes your home welcoming.  The paintings, sculptures or keepsakes you find do not need to perfectly match you room's decor.  Also, remember wall art can be anything you would like to display.  For example, old signs, clocks or game boards.  It is always interesting to use a common item in a new and different way.

Putting together your custom designed space includes items you have collected from traveling or favorite summer hangouts.  It is important to have your personality included in your beautifully decorated home, and artwork is a great way to accomplish that individuality.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

New Designer Software Tools

Designers have many more tools available to provide visual aides to our clients than ever before. Previously only architects and large design firms had access to powerful design software. There is software to create floor plans, elevations and renderings as well as window treatments and furniture. We can create 3 dimensional views of chairs or sofas with the client’s selected fabric, draw out a floor plan and produce renderings of a space that include wall colors, carpet and furniture. These tools allow our clients to see more clearly the design ideas (vision) for your space.

In addition, to seeing 3 D design renderings and floor plans the designer can more easily make changes requested by the client, hopefully identifying issues prior to construction and purchasing materials.

Creating these drawings takes time and expertise from the designer, but similar to an architect it makes sense to design your space on paper prior to implementing it in real life. These design tools are beneficial for any project, but are recommended for larger scale projects.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Window Treatment Project

I am starting a new project for a recently renovated home. We are adding the final accents to a beautiful new kitchen and living room. Both rooms are open to each other, so we needed to coordinate the fabrics. In the living room we selected a warm and richly colored stripe in earth tones. The large kitchen window over the sink will have a Bordeaux valance using a floral pattern and pin dot accent fabric. The valance keeps the window open to allow maximum light to filter into the room. The kitchen fabrics add a little brightness and softness to the hard edges in this kitchen and work well with the subtle moss green walls, rich wood cabinetry and tile floor.

The client initially contacted me about window treatments for these two rooms. I went to her home to look at the rooms and to determine specifically what she wanted to accomplish. Once the clients goals were identified we discussed which parts of the project she wanted me to take on. It was decided that I would design the window treatments and select all of the fabrics and drapery hardware. We reviewed the designs and fabrics together and I helped guide her to the best options for her space.



Bordeaux valance sketch

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Welcome to Design Notes

We would like to welcome you to Dotty Wyman Designs' newest blog DESIGN NOTES. Here you will find interior design tips and ideas, projects in progress and the newest trends in interior design. Please follow us on our mission to create your custom created space.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.