• If you don’t have a room exclusively for your television, a concealed TV may be the answer for you. Whether it is at the foot of the bed or in a dual-purpose room, the plasma lift unit can solve a multitude of decorating dilemmas. With custom Shoppe, you get to pick the kind of wood, the size, the style, the finish, the hardware and you furniture will be made in Wisconsin. Take pride in buying American made products.
• Enjoy this video as Custom Shoppe manufactures a Plasma Lift Unit.

• Do you sometimes suffer from Goldie Locks and the Three Little Bear’s syndrome while shopping for a comfortable lounge chair?  You tried Papa bear’s chair, only to find it too hard for you. Mama bear’s chair is too soft and you can’t even get out of it! Then there’s Little bear’s chair…well you know the story.

• You see the Three Little Bear’s had an interior designer who found a chair with the comfort, seating style and body size that was just right. Their designer also found out that the best way to find a comfortable lounge chair is to shop locally, so you can sit in the chair.

• It is easy to assume that one chair fits all, but that’s not the case. For example:

• People with long legs want a deep seat that is high off the floor; people with short legs want a shallow seat depth that is lower to the floor. A deep pitch of the back of the chair allows lounging, while a narrow pitch makes you sit straight up. The width of the seat should fit your “bear” bottom. A lot of us spend a great deal of time sitting so our chair should be comfortable. That is why you need to call on the bear’s interior designer.

by Sharon Novak, Allied Member ASID

Contents Interiors

1. Think about your comfort.  How will you use the space?  Is the space for kids and  fun, for grown-up entertaining, a place to relax, or all of the above?
2. Consider the views from the house and toward the house.  Your outdoor space has to relate to your interior but also be a place that draws you outside.
3. Create a focal point by paying attention to the details.  Are there comfortable chairs and a place to set a glass?  Good lighting is key for afternoon parties that extend into the evening.
4. Pots should vary in height and be filled with plants that are fragrant as well as colorful.  Select an evergreen  plant that can be there year-round, and then add  flowers and a trailing vine to keep the pot looking current.
5. Keep herb gardens close to the house and kitchen.  They are beautiful as well as handy when you need them  They also are a fragrant foundation for a fresh arrangement.

Carol Bell

• In many of today’s homes, the Dining Room is an extension of the living space forming the popular Great Room. When choosing a table for your dining area, check the available space and how you use the space. Do you entertain often, how many people do you need to seat, will you be serving in the traditional manner or in a buffet style, are all questions that you should ask in selecting your table

• In this example, an uninspiring dining room is given a new look with an ‘Earthy meets Modern’ dining table made of recycled Peroba wood and certified harvested mahogany. The big artwork doesn’t overshadow the beauty of the table, yet gives the dining area a distinctive personality of it’s own. Don’t be afraid to let your dining area become a focal point in your home.

Carol Bell

• In the current trend of lounging and cocooning at home, the fusion table has exactly what it takes to create unique memorable moments to share with friends and family. Whether it’s dinner for 10, pool for 4, or poker for 5, the fusion table allows your space to become multi-functional.
• Made by Aramith, a 75 year old Belgium company specializing in the production and distribution of billiard equipment, this table will add a new dimension to the dining room and make entertaining at home a unique and memorable experienc
• www.FUSIONTABLES.com

Cindi Schaefer

• Wall treatments are a great idea to use in your home to make it more creative. This bold and beautiful statement of walnut wood doesn’t fade into the background, but gives the room a touch of elegance and warmth. Use your creativity to make a work of art in your room.

Tamara Scott-Anderson, ASID and Sara Smith, Allied Member ASID

Photograph by Robin Stancliff
Categories: Problem Area solutions

• For this newly-constructed bungalow style home, the builder used bead board, large-scale door trim and a reclaimed decorative lambrequin over the transom window to create architectural interest for the front door and entry hall. To enhance architectural details, the walls were painted a bright, cheerful yellow in contrast to the white, painted bead board and trim.
• To create privacy from the front street while still allowing for daylight, a translucent roller shade was used on the front door. The decorative style hem of the shade was chosen to emulate the design of the door lambrequin. In addition, custom stained glass panels were designed for the side lights. The colors were taken from the color scheme of the home’s furniture palette, and the design motif was repetitive of custom wall stenciling used in the living area.

• The hall light fixture was chosen for its colors and to further enhance the Arts & Crafts bungalow style of the home.

Design Idea from
Tamara Scott-Anderson, ASID

Photographs by Robin Stancliff June 2008
Categories: Coordinating a Room, Problem area solutions

The 20-foot height of the ceiling gives an overpowering feel of spaciousness in this two-story townhouse. The designer used a stenciled border in an Arts & Crafts motif to bring proportion, color and historical reference to the expansive wall.