Smart Woman: Redecorating Makeover For Your Home

Friday, August 27th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Each year, Americans spend more than $100 billion dollars improving their homes. This number includes redecorating. Often people are ready to throw all their old furniture out and ask interior designers and decorators to help them establish a whole new look. But that's not what Marye Joe Hartley wants to do. Hartley is a professional home makeover specialist. She believes in shopping in your own home for a whole new look.

Common Decorating Mistakes

Lining furniture up along walls: It may free up space, but it doesn't make a statement.
Instead, try pulling furniture out into the rooms. Angles also can make a room more unique.

Ignoring architectural features: Pay attention to odd angles in walls, floors, ceiling and built-ins.

No texture: Mix textures between smooth and rough. For example, drape a soft blanket on a wood chair.

Hanging art too high: Try hanging art low. Remember - most time in rooms is spent sitting, not standing.

Low objects on a coffee table: Tall candlesticks, a floral arrangement or a sculpture can add height to a coffee table surface.

Hiring A Makeover Specialist

This person will come to your home for an initial consultation. They will take a look at your home, the furnishings and the items that you aren't using. They will ask what style you would like to follow - casual or formal. They will also usually have you point out some items that are favorites that you would like used in the redesign.

Prices vary with decorators. Hartley charges $100 an hour and rooms take an average of three hours to complete. This, of course, depends on the size of the room and the amount of furnishings that you have.

When the makeover is done, Hartley then prepares a shopping list for the client. She includes recommendations for paint colors, re-matting of pictures and furniture sizes and shapes if you want new furniture. Clients say that having a clear place saves money and time in the end.

For more information contact:
Marye Jo Hartley
Room by Room Makeovers, Inc.
10807 Main Street
Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 352-8165