Deborah's Design Blog

Deborah — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:34:17 +0000

One of our city jewels is the famous Merchandise Mart downtown Chicago. It is so huge that after walking several showrooms yesterday I actually woke up with a blister on my foot this morning, and I was wearing sensible shoes! Some stats:

The Merchandise Mart is the world’s largest commercial building, largest wholesale design center and one of Chicago’s premier international business locations. Encompassing 4.2 million gross square feet, The Mart spans two city blocks and rises 25 stories.

And best of all, I have access to the trade-only floors.

The Merchandise Mart Design Center™ showroom floors can be accessed by interior designers, architects, wholesale buyers and escorted visitors. Floors 3, 10 and 11 are devoted to contract furnishings showrooms. Residential and casual furnishings showrooms are located on 6, 16, 17 and 18. Gifts and home accessories wholesale showrooms are located on floors 12, 13, 14 and 15. Consumers are allowed access to these floors if accompanied by a designer.

So if you want to buy something that is one-of-a-kind, beautiful, and designed with style, come with me to the Mart!

RL wisdom

Deborah — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:45:11 +0000

When friends enter a home, they sense its personality and character, the family’s style of living – these elements make a house come alive with a sense of identity, a sense of energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, declaring, “This is who we are; this is how we live.” – Ralph Lauren

A great quote from a quintessentially American designer. This I found in Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach, a book of daily readings that has turned into an international sensation. Learn more about Sarah, an expert on Victoriana and an interior designer in her own right.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Pictures from deborah

Deborah — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:57:45 +0000

13 pictures
Click here to view these pictures larger

The Great Design Race

Deborah — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:06:41 +0000

The February Kidwinks Prize, a new child’s bedroom design, was awarded to Sarah T. in Des Plaines. Her 4-year-old son, Matthew, needed a bedroom makeover and their wishes had come true – they won, but what would it be like? Would Matthew think his new room looked cool, or would he want his old one back?

Affordable Interiors owner Deborah Oberschelp arrived at the home and told Matthew he was in for a big treat, but he would have to stay busy in another room for most of the day until his big surprise. He was a willing participant and played happily with his mom all the long hours of waiting.

Finally Deborah was ready to reveal the finished room. All eyes were on Matthew as Deborah led him down the hallway to his new digs, his hands over his eyes. At the count of 3, Deborah asked him to look, and Matthew began to jump up and down, and around in circles, shouting “I love it, I love it!” What a great day for the family.

Deborah chose a racecar theme. She transformed the room by
• Moving furniture to the right spot
• Removing clutter
• Replacing old strawberry curtains with a custom car & checkered-flag valance
• Adding a custom checkered-flag pillow to the bed
• Painting a racetrack around the perimeter of the room
• Painting a red rectangle frame on the wall to showcase 3 hubcabs hung as wall art
• Arranging Matthew’s car-&-truck collection on shelves to complete the theme

What a difference a great design makes! These photos show Matthew’s room before and after the makeover, and Matthew and mom’s happy faces. Congratulations Matthew, and to Deborah on a job well done!

For children’s rooms and more designs that reflect your style and respect your budget, see http://www.selectredesign.com and contact Deborah for information.

before: bed and strawberry curtain

[caption id="attachment_109" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="after: checkered flag & cars valance"][/caption]

before

[caption id="attachment_111" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="after"][/caption]

Pillow talk!

Deborah — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:12:11 +0000

Have you noticed how lovely the new toss pillows in stores are these days? Furniture showrooms and bedding stores have beautiful displays featuring creatively designed accent pillows. And have you looked at the price? If you’re like me, there’s a little sticker shock going on. So you walk away and say “not for me” – and I say “not so fast” – I have a solution!
Look at these beauties that took less than an hour to make. The cost: around $3.00 each! Here’s how to toss some affordable pillows into your life:
1. cut out two equal squares or rectangles of fabric, place wrong sides together
2. sew around edge, leaving a 5-inch opening
3. turn right side out, stuff with polyfill
4. slip-stitch 5-inch opening
5. attach trim w/fabric glue, sew on a jeweled button, or create a look in whatever way you wish – have fun!

Decoratively yours,
Deborah Oberschelp, C.I.D.

Affordable Interiors

Owner, Certified Interior Decorator
Deborah@affordableint.com
http://www.selectredesign.com

Spring Break

Deborah — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:44:50 +0000

It’s good to be back at the blog after a nice break. There is hope in the air when I see the first yellow crocus blooms – they are determined!

I can’t imagine a better way to bring spring into our lives than to design and decorate a room in my house. There is much waiting to be updated. How about you? Can your home or office use a facelift? Drawing up a new furniture arrangement and changing out the artwork is a quick and easy way to make your day.

: crocuses

Organize for Spring

Deborah — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:51:51 +0000

Today I met with a colleague who is a professional organizer. Guess what? This profession is organized to the hilt, with chapters across the nation and strict standards for membership. No wonder it is a successful field if you are good at it. Want to get organized and need help? Go to my colleague’s site to learn more.

Tips on all types of spring tidying up are abundant online. One of my favorites is Martha Stewart‘s because there is such a wide range of suggestions. This photo from her site is a fun example: using shutters to organize notes and stuff in your entry. Try some new ideas and have fun!

4 Seasons

Deborah — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:10:42 +0000

I am ready for spring. Chicago has had an extra-long winter this year and I am reveling in any warmth and sunshine we have. On Sunday I was the guest commentator for the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra Concert that featured Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Here I am at the historic Pickwick Theater on stage delivering my pre-concert program notes.

Decorating our homes reflects the changing seasons. We want to bring the outdoors in with us when it is warm and flowers are in bloom.

Enjoy this article on decorating for the 4 seasons.

Shades of Rome

Deborah — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:10:09 +0000

In a few hours it will be March 15, the Ides as we know from history. I was smiling to myself that today I bought a Roman shade, I really did! All this got me to thinking about Roman architecture and design, and I found a nifty article on Roman interior decoration. How remarkable that all these centuries later we still use many of their designs. I can’t vouch for the shades being one of them, but if any of you bloggers out there know the history of Roman shades, let me know. Meanwhile, I’m content to enjoy their being a really cool and attractive invention no matter if from the Romans or whoever. Beware the Ides of March!

roman shades

thinking about the Ides of March – et tu …

Deborah — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:49:02 +0000

thinking about the Ides of March – et tu?