Citizen journalism sites such as those you can find at Examiner.com can prove to be powerful partners in sharing your event news with well targeted communities. You can search the categories to find the perfect avenue to share just about any message with the right people. Then, you simply connect with the blogger by email to suggest a winning story idea that is on target to serve the readers. You have to read the blog first to know that it is a fit. When you do, good results await for your message.
Case in point. Here are two blog interviews with HGTV Designer Vern Yip that offer useful tips to organize your home office and create an eco-friendly space from an expert who is coming to Seattle this Saturday, April 25 for Eye on Design 2009 at Seattle Design Center.
Thank you Seattle Women and Business Examiner Karen Rosenzweig and Eco-Friendly Design Examiner Amy Woidke for sharing useful tips to inspire others to life their most organized and eco-friendly lives through the power of interior design tips from Vern Yip.
And, here are even more tips from Vern to inspire your interior design efforts:
How can I get organized and still be stylish?
Organization can seamlessly go hand-in-hand with being stylish. Look for pieces that offer you storage opportunities such as end tables that have drawers and doors, large ottomans that have storage inside in lieu of coffee tables, and bookcases and cabinets that have doors that allow for useful closed storage instead of open storage solely for display. Culling through your things to determine what you really love and need versus what has outlasted its purpose or usefulness can also reduce clutter and get you organized. Having fewer things…that have meaning, impact and style…will take you farther than having lots of things that lack meaning and purpose in your life.
Small spaces can be made to seem larger through monochromatic color schemes that reduce the amount of contrast in a space. By staying within a defined color palette, you can expand the visual plan by creating less visual breaks. Additionally, buying fewer but larger pieces instead of many smaller items will create a sense of more space. Painting your ceiling a slightly lighter version of your wall color will help diminish the separation between your wall and ceiling planes…and hanging curtains all the way up to the ceiling line will create a greater sense of height in the room.
What is the best way to decorate an open, multifunctional space? For instance, a great room that is used as both a dining room and living room.
The best way to decorate an open, multifunctional space is to stick to some defined consistencies that still allow you freedom to express personality. For example, picking a common wood tone for furniture…whether it be maple, cherry, wenge, walnut or some other color… allows you to have flow from one space to the next. Individual pieces do not need to be exact matches, but if they are at least tonally similar, it will create a visual link that will visually unite the separate functions. Sticking to one paint color and drapery material for the entire space creates a consistent envelope that then allows differentiation with accents such as throw pillows and decorative accessories. The key with an open, multifunctional space is to have common visual threads that will also allow for areas of experimentation, differentiation and lots of personality.
A common color palette in the Northwest is “subdued neutrals.” How can we infuse our homes with some color without going overboard?
Subdued neutrals are great for people who like a lot of change because color can always be infused through easily changeable items such as art, drapery, throw pillows and decorative accents. All of these elements are opportunities to inject color in concentrated amounts. The key to doing it successfully is to limit the infused color to one or two…allowing that color to have powerful impact and punch.
In Seattle, we really appreciate green products and green design. What are some of your favorite environmentally friendly pieces?
Being environmentally friendly and stylish is easier than it’s ever been. Of course low VOC or no VOC paints are becoming widely available through many paint manufacturers. Additionally, Crate & Barrel has the majority of their upholstered pieces now manufactured from hardwood frames certified as coming from sustainable forests and cushion filler made from a soy-based product. I also am a big fan of incorporating antiques into a home…even a modern one. Design these days is not limited to one style in a house…or even in a room…and antiques are a wonderful way to employ an existing resource instead of buying a new one.
Thanks Vern for these timely and helpful design tips. Even more tips await, thanks to the panel of Seattle-area interior design experts who will be contributing to the panel discussion.
By the way, did you buy your Eye on Design 2009 tickets yet? Here is the link to make it easy. See you there.
