Each month, DeSitter chooses one of our very special designers to be our designer of the month. We introduce them to our customers with a little background information about them, some design tips/advice directly from the designer and some images that showcase their work. For the month of September, we are proud to honor Mary Susan from Interiors by Mary Susan!
Interiors by Mary Susan began twenty five years ago this month. It has been quite a journey. I have designed homes from coast to coast including three in Hawaii and two in France. I was involved with the Ronald McDonald home at Loyola as well as the Constance Morris Home in LaGrange. In addition, I have designed candy and card shops, restaurants and private businesses. My design journey has been an honor and a privilege. I still get excited over remaking just one room. Designing hundreds of kitchens and bathrooms has often brought me to a DeSitter showroom.
My relationship with DeSitter began over 15 years ago. I was having carpet installed in a 10,000 sq ft home when, for personal reasons, the installer decided to quit that day. The carpet was all cut up and my client’s home was in complete disarray. I reached out to Steve DeSitter, one of the owners of DeSitter Flooring, located in the same town as my business. DeSitter saved the day and that was the beginning of what has now become a long-term, professional relationship.
Steve and Tom have a reliable professional business that is supportive of both the community and designers.
Below you will see some examples of DeSitter flooring that I have incorporated in my design work over the years.
Mary Susan’s Top 10 Design Tips!
- Go big or go home. Always error on a larger size with chandeliers, artwork and tile! Also, fewer larger accessories that look important are better than a lot of clutter.
- There can be only so many divas in a room. Everything cannot be the star!
- Choose colors YOU love and not necessarily what is trending. I promise you it is all a cycle.
- Remember scale! Scale is so important when selecting furnishings for a space. Two 84” sofas can be completely different in scale because of style, yet the exact same size.
- Stick with live or simple faux plants. Orchid’s rock.
- Drapery mounted near a ceiling, when applicable, looks opulent and adds height to any room.
- Remember rooms need to breathe. Just like you! Do not feel you have to fill every corner.
- Bookcases and mantels need special attention. To me, there is nothing like thoughtfully placed books.
- Spend money on good lamps and fine art and less on upholstery to elevate the look of a room.
- The result of beautiful spaces that spill into one another is because they have just enough continuity to pull them together and just enough contrast to make them independently interesting.
