All posts tagged interior design

September Designer of the Month: Interiors by Mary Susan – LaGrange, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge & More!

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!

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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!

  1. 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.
  2. There can be only so many divas in a room. Everything cannot be the star!
  3. Choose colors YOU love and not necessarily what is trending. I promise you it is all a cycle.
  4. 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.
  5. Stick with live or simple faux plants. Orchid’s rock.
  6. Drapery mounted near a ceiling, when applicable, looks opulent and adds height to any room.
  7. Remember rooms need to breathe. Just like you! Do not feel you have to fill every corner.
  8. Bookcases and mantels need special attention. To me, there is nothing like thoughtfully placed books.
  9. Spend money on good lamps and fine art and less on upholstery to elevate the look of a room.
  10. 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.

 

 

Using colors to enhance a particular mood…LaGrange, Western Springs, Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn, Winfield, Wheaton & MORE!

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We learn very early on what the colors are of the world. We, of course, first learn the very basics: the rainbow, primary and secondary colors. For those of us that may have forgotten: The rainbow consists of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet (ROY G BIV is a great way to remember!) The primary colors are Red, Yellow and Blue. The secondary colors are Green, Orange and Purple. Depending on who you ask, White and Black may or may not be described as colors. In this case, we are going to say that they are.

Even as we are younger, we associate certain colors with certain objects, feelings or moods. For example, I’ll describe a few of the things my six year old daughter does when coloring. Red, yellow and orange are always used for suns or fire. She associates these colors with heat. The grass and trees are always green. Any sort of ocean, water, etc are different shades of blue and she also uses blues when she’s making a “sad” picture. Pink and red is used for when she’s drawing hearts or making pictures that are filled with happiness and love. She makes smiley faces yellow because they are cheery and happy. These color associations with moods often get carried with us through to our adult years in life as well.

Those same associations can really help when you are designing your interior spaces. You’ll have to consider what type of mood or feeling you want your style to give off in that room and choose your paint and accessory colors based off that. Below are a few moods or feelings that will be enhanced by certain colors.

Blues – Blue is a calming and soothing color. It evokes a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. Be careful though because the darker the shade, the more feeling of loneliness and sadness. Blue is also associated with cleanliness. These characteristics help make a perfect choice for bathrooms, laundry areas and especially bedrooms!

Reds – Red gives off a feeling of passion and is very stimulating. It helps raise energy levels but sometimes can be too strong of a color. If you decide to use red, it’s often great for an accent wall or for accent accessory pieces. If you paint a room completely red, try and choose a muted shade.

Yellow – Yellow is often bright and considered happy and cheery! Some bright yellows are simply too much though and hard on the eyes. Softer, more muted tones are best and are great for dark rooms, ceilings, kitchens and patio rooms.

Neutral colors, such as beige, tan, and gray are great choices when you plan on switching up the decor or accessories in a room more often than not. It allows you to have many more options of other colors to use and still has a calming mood to them. They allow for your choice of pictures, accessories, decor items to really enhance the mood, rather than it being the sole job of the paint color.

Just remember, whatever color(s) you choose, make sure YOU are happy with them! Paint colors are easily changed if you decide you need to switch something out. But, don’t dwell on how others may view your style or design taste because at the end of the day, it’s your home and how it feels to you! 🙂

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The Beauty of Area Rugs – Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, LaGrange, Western Springs & More!

There are many reasons why Area Rugs are recommended for homes. Some of the reasons being for design and decor purposes while others are for safety or convenience.

Area Rugs are often used over different surfaces, such as hardwood, tile, lvt, laminate, etc. In these cases, Area Rugs may be used to pull a room together in a design sense or accent other parts of the decor. It can also be used as a bit of a safety precaution, such as for slipping on the hard surfaces. Area Rugs are also used to protect the hard surfaces underneath, especially hardwood flooring. Often, people like to include Area Rugs on their floors because it helps the floor not look so bare and it can become a focal point for the room.

Area Rugs can also be used over wall to wall carpeting. In that case, it’s purpose is usually more for design and to accent the interior’s decor.

Area Rugs look great in all different design settings. Because there are so many different design styles, there are a ton of different Area Rug styles. They range from traditional to contemporary to kids to solids and much, much more! To keep up with today’s changing design preferences, Area Rugs also come in many different shapes and sizes. The average “accent” rug size is a 2′ X 3′ and the sizes then increase to as large as 10′ X 14′, with oversized rugs even larger at 12′ X 15′, 12′ X 18′ and larger!

No matter what your design tastes are, you are sure to be able to find an Area Rug that would be perfect for you!

July’s Designer of the Month – Stephanie Donnelly from Studio IX Design

Each month, we look forward to sharing with our customers one of our favorite designers to work with and help showcase their work so that you can see how they can help you with your design projects.

For July, we’ve chosen Stephanie Donnelly from Studio IX Design!

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Hi, I’m Stephanie, founder of Studio IX. My design philosophy begins with the idea that your home should be relaxing and inviting, a place you enjoy spending time after a hectic day. To achieve a room’s true potential, I begin by analyzing the space and understanding your functional requirements, budget, and aesthetic preferences, even if you’re not sure what they are! After gaining this insight, I form a concept, make preliminary selections and create a drawing. This is the most important step throughout the process; it is the visual representation that gives a base to work from and ensures the space comes together cohesively and with purpose. A renovation that includes tearing down walls, replacing cabinets, and changing flooring may seem daunting but with a design in place, the project stays on budget and on track.

Hopefully, I’ve told you enough that you believe I can help you build an awesome living room, kitchen, man cave, etc., but if you need some credentials, I received my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and have worked with a high-end designer as well as in the construction industry. What I really want to leave you with more than anything is that you will have a great experience using Studio IX for your home design services.

 

Insights from a Designer
#1 – Unity
By repeating elements in color palette, style of furniture and flooring throughout the home, a cohesive feeling is created. Your home will feel more spacious too.

#2 – Functionality
It’s not just about looking good. Furniture and surfaces needs to fit the room’s function. For example, you also wouldn’t place a white sofa in a child’s play area.

#3 – Timeless
Beyond functional requirements, another consideration may be resale value. If you sell the house, design choices that appeal to a wide arrange of tastes will bring the most value. Something neutral but aesthetically pleasing will do the trick.

#4 – Durability
Invest in quality materials and well constructed pieces that you’ll keep for at least a decade. Higher quality items cost more up front but have better resale value and longevity. Selecting lower grade finishes usually results in visible wear in a year or two and requires early replacement. Flooring is an especially bad place to skimp due the the labor involved in changing it out later.

 

Glen Ellyn Hardwood Flooring – Carol Stream, Wheaton & MORE!

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Enrich the appearance and functionality of your kitchen with flooring from our Glen Ellyn hardwood flooring selection. Our design experts will meet with you to discuss your home’s decor, layout, and your preferences.

We guarantee you’ll find flooring you’ll love because we have it all! Carpeting, Area Rugs, Hardwood, LVT, Tile & More!

DeSitter Flooring is dedicated to our customer satisfaction and providing the best flooring available. Get started today by calling (630) 771-1420 or contacting us for a free estimate on your Glen Ellyn Hardwood flooring.

DeSitter is celebrating 96 wonderful years of business and as a thank you to our amazing customers, we are having a huge sale! Hurry in!

Summer is almost here! – Glen Ellyn, LaGrange, Carol Stream, Hindale, & More!

Summer is right around the corner and you’re going to bounce right into it! If you’re planning on hosting bbq’s, parties, get togethers and more….you’re going to want to be sure your home is up for the challenge!

It’s the perfect time to switch up your interior design and add some color and freshness to your decor. This can be achieved by doing a huge project or by simply adding some accent pieces here and there – it’s all up to you!

Looking for carpeting, hardwood, or lvt? Great! We have two conveniently located showrooms for you to visit and a very friendly staff to help!

Interested in a tile project but need some help? Awesome! We now have two locations that house all of our tile products AND we offer a FREE design consultation!

Let us help you transform your home into a perfect place to meet with family and friends and enjoy your summer!

June’s Designer of the Month: Vanessa Nunley Designs – Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Carol Stream, LaGrange, Hinsdale, Western Springs & More!

Each month, we like to recognize one of the designers that we partner with and feature them on our site to showcase some of their work. We also ask them to provide a few design tips, words of advice or an article focusing on something that they are passionate about. This not only helps us continue to build up our relationships with the designer but also to offer their services and expertise to more of our clients.

For the month of June, we have decided to feature Vanessa Nunley from Vanessa Nunley Designs! Read the article below and take a look at some pictures of her work. Please feel free to contact Vanessa directly about any services that she may provide for you and to assist with any of your current or upcoming projects!

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Vanessa Nunley Designs – 630-8716119 – vanessa@vanessanunleydesigns.com – www.vanessanunleydesigns.com

April Designer of the Month – Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Geneva, St. Charles & More

It’s that time of the month again! Time to feature a fabulous designer partnered with DeSitter Flooring!

It’s no April Fool’s joke that PB Kitchen Design has some spectacular designers and we’d love to introduce you to Debbie Larson, a design specialist.

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“Kitchen design is a natural fit for someone as detail-oriented as Debbie Larsen of PB Kitchen Design in Geneva, Illinois.  Debbie is vigilant in her effort to get kitchen design right for each of her clients, and while she acknowledges that PB Kitchen’s projects are complex, she sees more and more homeowners making a concerted effort to research and be more purposeful in their planning to create simple, timeless spaces. Debbie is a multiple award winning designer and was recently featured in Kitchen & Bath Business magazine for her collaboration in a Sugar Grove, Illinois project with her colleague, Dave McFadden.”

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“When Debbie first entered the old kitchen of this Chicagoland home, she saw the opportunity to open up the kitchen to a lake view. “They wanted an organic feel, to bring the outdoors in,” explains Debbie. “The client has a large family that often had extended family and friends over, so they wanted an inviting space where everyone could gather and be a part of the food prep process. We took down the dining room wall so that space now reveals views of the lake through the kitchen as well.” 

to-do-listCheck out some helpful ‘Pro’ suggestions from Debbie!

 

#1 – Do your homework before your initial sit down meeting with a designer. Look at photos of kitchens online and make an idea book of what you like, but also, what you don’t want in your new kitchen. Houzz and Pinterest are fantastic resources for variety and inspiration. 

#2 – Make sure you and the designer have good chemistry at that first meeting. For the most part, the cost of quality customcabinetry is not going to vary too much from showroom to showroom. Look for a design team that asks you questions and listens to your likes and dislikes rather than one that acts as though they have all the answers before they get to know you. When there’s good communication you increase the chances the designer can pull valuable content from your conversation and create a space that defines your unique personality. It’s all about connection

#3 – Get inspired. I went to school for interior design, but I get my inspiration from my clients, previous projects, other designers in the industry, architects, and furniture design. Again, online kitchen portfolios and sites like Houzz make for a great starting point in deciding what kind of kitchen you want to create. 

#4 – Let your designer conquer the beast! A good designer is a fantastic listener. I love the depth of finding out about my how my clients use their kitchens in their daily lives and what defines them as a working family. It’s my job to draw those practical needs out of them, be precise in solving their spatial concerns, and ultimately creating a beautiful space they never want to leave. 

#5 – If being innovative and unconventional excites you, tell your designer. I do enjoy a client who will break out of the proverbial kitchen design box. Currently, we are working on an “Organic Industrial” type of kitchen remodel which combines distressed finishes and clean lines. Woven into this design is a contemporary vibe with a sprinkling of natural stone, iron and steel elements. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and let your designer “see” your personality and quirks – the outcome can be marvelously you! 

 

Designer of the Month – KJR Interiors – LaGrange, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Lisle & More!

Each month, DeSitter recognizes one of our partnered designers for their beautiful work and talent in design.

This March, we have chosen to feature Karen Renzi from KJR Interiors in Hinsdale.

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Below, you will find some pictures of her work and words of advice from Karen Renzi herself.

“Think Spring. The promise of spring brings thoughts of sunshine, warmth and everything new.  Spring is the perfect time to renew and refresh your home.  Maybe it’s just a couple of new throw pillows, a lighting update, area rug, a fresh coat of paint…or perhaps spring will inspire you to tackle the redecorating or remodeling project you’ve been dreaming about.

Karen Renzi, of KJR Interiors can take your vision, infuse it with design creativity, and turn it into a beautiful reality.  Karen has a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She has expertise and extensive experience in residential, commercial and retail design. No matter what your budget or size of your project, KJR Interiors will work with you to come up with innovative design solutions that express your lifestyle and evoke your personality.”

 

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Spring Sales – LaGrange, Hinsdale, Western Springs, Lisle, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wheaton & More!

Hip Hip Hooray! SPRING is Here!

We want to help you with all of your Spring projects to help you design the home of your dreams.
How can we do that, you may ask…? Easily! We have GREAT Sales going on now AND…
EXTRA BONUS OFFERS!!

 

Any Carpet Purchase:

  • Free Take Up
  • Free Haul Away
  • Free $50 gift card towards carpet or tile cleaning
  • 50% Off Pad Upgrade & Furniture Moved
  • NO Interest Financing (ask for details)

Any Wood (with labor) purchase $2,500 or more:

  • Free Bona Wood Cleaning Kit.($80 Value)
  • Free $50 gift card towards carpet or tile cleaning
  • Free Digital Hygrometer ($30.00 Value)
  • Extra 10% Off any area rug purchase
  • NO Interest Financing (ask for details)

Any Tile Purchase $1,500 or more:

  • Free home delivery
  • Free $50 gift card towards any tile, stone or carpet cleaning
  • Extra 10% off any area rug purchase
  • NO Interest Financing (ask for details)

​Any Vinyl / Laminate (with labor) purchase $2,500 or more:

  • Free Delivery to Home
  • Free $50 gift card towards carpet or tile cleaning
  • Extra 10% off any area rug purchase
  • NO Interest Financing (ask for details)
Need professional design advice? No problem there either! Our staff is very knowledgeable, design savvy and eager to help!
Call or Visit Us today to get started on your flooring project, we’d love to hear from you.

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