About me
Ginger Rodriguez “ I love helping my client’s find more beauty, harmony …. and happiness in their home.”My Favorite Stops
Monthly Archives: March 2011
Me and MiMi!
or, is it MiMi and Me?,,, hhmmm… not sure.
- 18 Karat
But, whichever way it is… “WE” ( that is, Mimi and Me) are getting ready for the Decorator’s Pilgrimage:
HSTUDIO
ROAD TRIP ! to the Furniture Market at High Point, North Carolina. The High Point Market is the largest furnishings trade show in the world. 10 million square feet of show space with 106 Countries represented.
I know we’re going to have a great time. Hoping to see these folks!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MKet7AWKkw&feature=player_embedded
MiMi is my “Right-Hand Woman” and is critical to keeping me on track. A recent graduate (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design) she is full of enthusiasm and outside-the-box ideas.
It’s funny how the simplest occurrence can give new direction to your whole life. MiMi once helped friends design their new home and that was when she realized she had both a tallent – and a passion – for interior design.
Later, this passion became focused, specifically, on hospitality design: residential, retail stores, hotels, etc. So, that really rounds-out the WBI team and we love that she is part of it.
“An unadorned interior space is my canvas. Furniture and finishes are my media, and my mind composes the image of a balanced and harmonious composition.”
She’s SUCH a great inspiration !
AFD
The Bramble Co.
The Bramble Co.
Elizabeth Marshall
Elizabeth Marshall
Hebi Arts
We’ll keep you posted on our adventures in NC and bring back loads of great new ideas.
Posted in Interior Design
Leave a comment
When the Going Gets Tough…. RUN AWAY!
Giati
Please tell me that someone printed my calendar wrong – this can’t already be the end of Spring!
And now I go back to performing the impossible, week after week, like wedging son Cash’s summer schedule into my already packed schedule. I even have to think so far in advance that I have to be worrying about decorating clients’ homes for the holidays! 
They tell you to “be in the now”.. assuming that your “now” is a nice place to be. Who are these people? My “now” consists of 20 things happening at once – all the time. Family, kids, school, work, designs, assignments, meetings, responsibilities, discipline, pets, cars, bills…. Decision: I’m going to run away from home Yes. I’m going to run away from home and go to a cool, calm, quiet, wave-lapped cottage by some sea somewhere. 
My agenda for the trip will include: Eating, drinking ( whatever I want – calories won’t exist), collecting seashells, burying my feet in the soft, warm sand, and napping. period ! That’s it. 
Fat chance, huh! But, if I can’t have all of my daydream come true, I can have some of it; Gunny and I are going to run away this weekend- not to the Private Isle of Perfection, but to Lake Anna, which will have to do for now. 
And if you can’t manage even a weekend retreat – try this: Create a little get-away corner someplace in your own home. A window seat, breakfast nook, bathroom, or corner of your bedroom. 
RECIPE FOR PRIVATE GETAWAY
Ingredients:
One Parlor Palm from local nursery
Pile of mushy, floppy pillows
A decadently soft throw rug; Flokoti, or fur
CD or Ipod player with “sounds of the sea” music
Comforter or throw made of the new fleece that is so soft you can hardly even feel it
New velvety soft slippers and a stockpile of all your favorite things to eat and drink
Combine all above ingredients. Lock the door. Insert ear plugs.
AND ENJOY YOUR GETAWAY !
Posted in FAM, Interior Design
Leave a comment
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Y DIY ?
Y DIY ?
Why DIY?
Why not !
Painted Headboard/ Deep Thought By Cynthia
Do you cruise right over the DIY shows on TV? Slow-down and watch a few. If you are not a DIYer, then you’re missing out on a lot.
First of all – yes, you CAN do almost any and every project that needs doing in your home.
And, yes, you DO want to ! Because of the bucket-loads of money it will save you. ( not to mention the sense of self-satisfaction)
gaucherschat
When you hire a “pro” you are often paying for a lot more than you think. Frankly, the more of a “pro” they are, usually, the more expensive equipment they have. And many times, they have purchased it on credit or with a loan. So, when they price a job, often they are also pricing in their payments and interest. Also their licensing and insurance and sometimes also the cost of being “bonded”. But you are not going to sue yourself or rob yourself – so these can be eliminated.
Even if you have “the pro” submit a job bid showing separate prices for labor and materials – Don’t trust it. Take the materials list into the store and price it yourself. I did this recently and found they were charging three times what the materials actually cost.
DYI Chatroom
More great info:
Here’s a news-flash…. (in most cases) the folks you would hire to do your projects are NOT Rocket Scientists! Nope! It may seem that they perform magic and have skills way over your head but, very often, what they REALLY have… is THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB! You wouldn’t believe how much difference it makes. Common tools, power tools, saws, etc. are worth your money to purchase. Avoid the temptation to get the latest/greatest/most expensive. In addition, the tools that are more specialized, or that you are not likely to need very often can be rented (or borrowed?).
You’ll be amazed at how much is offered for rent by your local Home improvement Store – just ask them ! And what they don’t have, a good Rental establishment will ! And both of these sources consider showing you how to use the items as part of the deal - just ask ! For outside jobs, requiring really big equipment, many rental places will bring it to you.
casasugar.com
Any task that you decide to tackle yourself – remember – not only are you saving money over hiring “the expensive pro”, but you are adding a new skill to your own abilities. And you’ll be able to put this to use repeatedly in the future.
CAN U DIY ? YES U CAN !
Posted in DIY, Interior Design
Leave a comment
