It’s all about the perfect pattern. Patterned prints are on their way in this season, lending a little bit of spunk to the most traditional of pieces. And whether it’s a classic upholstered Victorian couch or a simpler, more subdued area rug, the pattern packs the punch.

Amelie Sofa (Blazing Poppies), Anthropologie, $3,298

This gorgeous sofa, inspired by vintage French wallpaper swatches, certainly commands attention with its bold print. But its structural elegance and hardwood detail gives it just the right touch of classic to stay away from tacky. It’s a centerpiece to the pattern craze in its unique balance of timeless and trendy.

Turquoise Nomad Accent Lamp Shade, World Market, $13

Pink & Orange Flocked Accent Lamp Shade, World Market, $15

These two patterned lamp shades act as the perfect accent to simpler bases, with the light adding styled ambiance to any room.

Isis Chenille Tapestry Rug, Pottery Barn, $119-$499

It’s not bold, bright or show-stealing, but this beige tapestry rug couples well with bolder colors and balances any traditional set-up. The tapestry pattern strays from the bland, but still stays simple for the more understated approach.

Pinwale Alphabet, Anthropologie, $14 (per letter)

These corduroy letters are perfect for any room from the bedroom to the bathroom to right above the mantle. Spell out your initials, a fun label or any of the accent favorites: home, love or family!

Kantha Quilted Throw, West Elm, $90

Hand-stitched by female artisans in Calcutta, these individually unique throws each offer a different pattern and color combo to the mix. Drape one over a solid, or patterned, couch or upholstered chair for a little printed texture.

Slipper Chair (Rainbow Ikat), Urban Outfitters, $379

This vintage-inspired armless chair works rich colors into a traditional pattern for a surprisingly classic, but hip, family room fashion.

Photo Courtesy of Decorium

Lines of vine-covered brick buildings and riverside boutiques are broken up by one King Street stop of whimsy and eccentric. Chandeliers hang low, dripping with crystals and beaded garland, and sprigs of the classiest of crazy stand out on every armoire and table top display.

Decorium, Old Town’s dose of wonderfully whimsical home décor and interior design, has set out to bring modern, creative and edgy design to Northern Virginia. And store owner and interior design extraordinaire, David Chenault, has broken down his signature tips and tricks to the lavish fantasy of home décor for the everyday designer.

“A room should talk before you enter it,” Chenault says. “It should be speaking to you.”

With a design portfolio that houses everything from Bass Pro Shops to the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton to Alexandria’s first LEED-certified green home, Chenault has one mission—make your home your own.

“Go with your gut,” Chenault says. “If you really like something, start there and then work outside of that. Mix it in and it will work; everything will come together to make its own personality.”

Touting a style built around the infusion of classic and modern, the design guru is a firm believer that even the most traditional of homeowners can create a chic and style-conscious space. And it’s all about reusing and reinventing the pieces that mean the most.

“You’ve inherited a table from your grandmother ; let that be the traditional piece and then marry it with something a little more modern, a little more current,” Chenault says. “Take that traditional side—a Cogswell chair or a prim and proper Chippendale sofa—and throw in a silver leaf table or tree stump, something that’s a little bit funky that takes down the seriousness that the room is trying to be.”

And don’t shy away from the daring. Chenault’s Decorium is frosted with the most gaudy and flashy accessories and tie-ins, but they’re what give the store its signature flair. The crazy lends itself to comfort—it’s warmer, broken-in and fits the owner’s personality.

“Pull a hot pink fabric and some funky floral pillows. Go crazy,” Chenault says. “I think it’s more sophisticated that way. A guy who’s wearing a suit takes off the tie and it just makes the look a little more comfortable.”

Photo Courtesy of Decorium

But high-styled comfort can be hard to achieve. So what’s the quick trick to a current, classic and cool space? Accessorize. Chenault says purples have been hot this fall and winter, and true reds are showing up in summer collections.

Modern-shaped vases and glass are reflectants in a room, adding to the overall feel, while nothing beats a nailhead ottoman and a good piece of artwork, Chenault says.
And above every design trick and room-changing accessory, stay true to your personality.

“I think it’s great to not be taken so seriously and just be fun and funky with your own space,” Chenault says. “Most people are taught to be traditional, but when you’re home, just let your home be you—or who you want to be.”

Chandeliers are the timeless centerpiece—the focal point of any dining room, foyer or long hallway. The elaborate, or quite simple, crystal creations continue to add a little bit of old elegance to the most modern of designs.

And with any great vintage find, it’s easy to make your own chandelier fit for any décor, design or season. David Chenault, owner of Decorium in Old Town, starts any do-it-yourself chandelier with an elegant, but inexpensive fixer-upper and adds on for the occasion.

Here are his steps to an eye-catching, but on-budget, chandelier:

Photo Courtesy of Decorium

1. Go to a vintage store and buy an inexpensive chandelier—either something you really love or something you see the basic structure in. (Try: The Brass Knob, D.C.; Pear Tree Cottage, Vienna; or The Old Lucketts Store, Leesburg)

2. Buy hanging magnetic crystals (like these from Ballard Designs) or lighting magnets to add to the chandelier arms.

3. Add colored crystals to match the room or the season. Switch them out for holidays or to match the latest trend!

4. Bobeches make all the difference. Go for crystals, or play up the winter theme with these Martha Stewart evergreen creations.

From gaudy, multi-colored beads and bobeches to simple, clear hanging crystals, the power is yours. And the creation is never complete—go crazy with crystal colors and make an ever-changing centerpiece.

And for those really working on a budget—and just looking for an accent piece for a bedroom corner or special event—check out 100 Layer Cake’s do-it-yourself fabric chandelier. With just a sheet of fabric, embroidery circle and thread, this adorable project adds a little flavor to any drab design.

With over 40 years of woodworking business to his name, Larry Northrop, Hardwood Artisan’s Shirlington showroom manager, advises us all on what to consider when purchasing built-ins for the home.

1. Assess your needs.

shutterstock.com/Vadym Andrushchenko

This may sound like a simple, obvious step, but many homeowners and renters don’t fully take into consideration exactly what use they’re hoping to get out of a built-in. “Give a lot of deep thought to what you’re actually wanting,” says Northrop. “People think just about TV or stereo, but don’t take books, statues, etc., into mind.” Do you have a large DVD collection? Are you interested in glass doors and LED lights? Built-ins aren’t one size fits all. “It’s a broad spectrum,” says Northrop. Do you want to start with a standard piece and customize onto it?

2. Determine the amount of space you have.
“People with spare bedrooms often have a double-wide closet with double-wide doors,” says Northrop. “We’ve designed a bed to fit that closet space.” How much of the room can be taken up by the built-in? Is there a certain space that needs to be filled? Northrop’s philosophy is to take a room and utilize what is available. “How can I design something that will maximize space?” is the question Northrop asks when sketching out plans for his clients. Does the guest room also function as a home office? If so, then built-ins that hold anything a guest could need during their stay while leaving an open area for the room to maintain its office-like qualities would be the perfect solution.

3. Think about the future.
How long do you plan to live in your current residence? Do you think it’s likely, or reasonably possible at least, to move sometime within the next few years? If so, then built-ins may not be the route to take for additional storage. “They get so hung up on the built-in look that they don’t think into the future,” says Northrop of many in the storage-seeking set. He suggests considering built-ons if a client’s future plans involve reserving a moving van. “It gives customers the option to be removable if they love the piece of furniture and want to take it with them.”

(January 2012)

By Lorin Drinkard

Check out the size of your rugs.
“Almost every time I walk into new project, there’s a room that has a rug that is too small for the space,” says Munn. “It makes the space seem small and choppy.” What should be done about an undersized rug? “My recommendation is to simply get rid of the rug and use bare wood floors. Or get a bigger rug.” Check out retailers like Timothy Paul, Marie Hill Oriental and Target for good selections.

Adjust the height of Your artwork.
Don’t base where art should hang upon where your eye height is. “People hang artwork at wrong height all the time,” says Munn. What are the downsides of too high or too low frames? “It can take a room that would otherwise be well-designed and ruin it.” Both Munn and Welch swear by this rule of thumb when taking a nail to the wall: In general, for an eight-foot wall, hang on center at five feet.

photobank.ch/shutterstock.com

Leave organizing to the professionals.
With the start of a new year, it’s easy to make resolutions like, “I’m going to keep my house tidy and organized all the time.” What’s not easy is actually making that a reality. “We hire professionals to do our taxes, clean our teeth, so why wouldn’t we hire them to organize our homes?” asks Munn. With the assistance of a trained professional, it’s possible to finally get your house in order and get rid of unnecessary items (an organizer has no emotional attachment to them). “They’ll help you sort through and donate—they don’t just throw things away,” says Welch.”

Switch out the shower curtain and towels.
For an inexpensive way to add new life to your bathroom or guest bathroom, change the current pattern, be it floral, striped or otherwise, for a fun, different style. “It will feel like a total different room,” says Munn. “If you had white, add a pattern. It’s a small room so it doesn’t take much money to update it.”

Go green.
When you add plants, flowers or ferns to any room in the home, it gives an instant boost. “Plants make a room feel vibrant and alive,” says Munn. Whether they’re roses bought from the farmers market or leafy greenery picked up from a home decorating store such as Home Goods or Michael’s Crafts, your home will become a bit more cheery and renewed with the latest addition

Recover older, worn-out furniture.
Although reupholstering furniture can be pricey, the investment to your home is worth the money. “Most upholstery shops have fabric books, and the labor for a dining chair is usually less than $100,” says Munn. Take a stained ottoman or tired office chair from drab to fab with a furniture facelift.

(January 2012)

Yes, it’s winter, but that doesn’t mean it has to be cold inside your home, too! Chris Conway, president of Conway Energy, a company that has specialized in energy auditing and Energy Star certifications for the past four years in Northern Virginia, explains that there are a few simple tricks to home energy efficiency that people often overlook.

Shutterstock.com/Lee Prince

Seal up the Attic
“The most detrimental [cause of energy loss is] attic holes. There are a lot of holes we can’t see behind the drywall; you have to go into the attic space where pipes and electrical come through. Over time, the drywall and the studs get wet. Then when the drywall dries, it shrinks and starts to come apart. Now there is a gap and it leaks. Don’t just insulate; air seal as well. The air seal completes that barrier.”

Plug the Leaky Duct System
“You’ve got all these pathways for air traveling all throughout your house. That air that you’ve just paid to be heated—you’ve lost about 20 percent of it due to leaky ducts. Tape satisfies code, but it’s not efficient. Do better than code. If duct work is accessible, [seal it up with] Mastic. It’s goopy but it lasts a really long time.”

Stop Drywall Penetration
“Many people think they live in a thermos bottle. You don’t. You need to keep the air in the walls. Look for anything that comes out of the drywall, like your pipes or electrical sockets. Seal up those holes at the drywall level. Even with an electrical socket plate, take it off and seal it up. It’s pretty much that easy.”

Spray Foam the Garage
“People need to learn how to air seal and properly insulate the garage. The garage is the upside-down version of the attic. We have the products and the knowledge to fix it. It’s a complicated process but easy to explain. You have to expose the drywall and seal it, then spray foam it. This actually stops the air from leaking through. A lot of people are afraid to do this but you have to expose the drywall and hire a competent insulator that has the proper certifications to install spray foam. That way the carbon dioxide from cars doesn’t get stuck in your garage. This makes garages warmer and safer.”

Don’t Pay a Hefty Price for New Windows
“Windows suck in general. You can have your best cost-effective windows, but [they will still] be horrible for insulation. The air that is coming in from around the window is the problem—not always the window itself. Glass itself is a very poor insulator because of its properties. The installation of the actual window can leave a gap around [it] so air will wash through. Windows typically have a very poor payback. There are two types of windows: windows that leak and windows that are going to leak.”

Size Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
“It is essential when getting new heating and cooling equipment to make sure it is the right size for your house. Bigger isn’t always better. You don’t want too much or too little. A Manual J or Heat Load calculation needs to be done in order to determine how much heating and cooling your house needs. This is often overlooked.

Pac-Man ‘Game Over’ Fleece Blanket: Although the Pac-Man design might not be for everyone, this fleece blanket keeps you warm and pop-culture relevant. Spencer’s; www.spencersonline.com;  was $22.99, now $17.99.

www.spencersonline.com

Perhaps one of the softest blankets out there, the n-a-p® Lite All Season Bed Blanket is so cozy you won’t want to get out of bed. Brookstone; www.brookstone.com;  was $69.95, now $49.99.

www.brookstone.com

Surround yourself in luxurious cashmere with the Ralph Lauren Cashmere Fringe Throw. It’s a bit expensive, but totally worth it. Ralph Lauren Home; www.ralphlauren.com;  $495.

www.ralphlauren.com

Enjoy this soft yet fluffy throw and donate to a cause. Proceeds from Pottery Barn’s Faux-Sheepskin Throw go to the Give a Little Hope campaign, a foundation that benefits organizations that work toward providing temporary and long-term housing for youths and families. Pottery Barn; www.potterybarn.com;  was $99, now $79.

www.potterybarn.com

Add a little bit of Old Hollywood luxury to your house with the incredibly soft and super luxurious Pottery Barn Ribbed Faux-Fur Throw. Pottery Barn; www.potterybarn.com;  was $149, now $99.

www.potterybarn.com

Stephen Cockerham, president and general manager of Betty’s Azalea Ranch in Fairfax, offers some quick tips to help your garden stay healthy through the winter so it will be beautiful during the spring and summer.

Shutterstock.com/GSphotography

• Lime your yard and garden. Lime changes the acidity of the soil and controls fungus and pests. Don’t use fertilizer the same year that you lime. The combination disrupts the pH balance of the soil and depletes the nutrients.

• Mulching helps plants to survive the winter, and it’s a great insulator. It’s better to mulch in the winter, and it looks nicer because it doesn’t bleach out from the sun.

• Replant bulbs and other perennials like tulips and daffodils.

•Don’t trim plants because they’re not in the growing season. You’re actually trimming off the buds.

• Water when the temperature is rising, not falling.

• Remove debris from your yard. If left alone, debris can promote fungus spore growth in cool or wet weather.

• When it snows, use a broom in an upward motion to remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.

• Let ice melt. If necessary, use sand or kitty litter instead of salt.

Want more tips? Check out Betty’s Garden & Plant Calendar

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and put on your painting clothes because this month’s DIY project will help you completely transform the look of a room with a little help from black paint and some chalk. Not chalkboard paint, but chalk and paint. To help us pull off this weekend project, we asked artist and lifestyle consultant Oni “Bella” Kitchens, owner of Joie de Vivre Lifestyles, LLC, to walk us through the steps needed to make it a success.

Before (Courtesy of Oni “Bella” Kitchens"

1. Locate your target.
“Taking a wall in a room, and adding a decorative accent can completely change the look of the room for very little money,” says Kitchens, who created a completely different feel in her bedroom with this very project. “I was reading a blog post one day and I saw a post on chalkboard paint and I thought I would try something similar.”

2. Gather your supplies.
“Just normal painting supplies – drop cloths, painter’s tape, rollers, primer and brushes,” says Kitchens. “The only thing that would be out of the ordinary from a regular painting project would be the chalk.”

3. Sand, tape, prime and paint.
“Whenever you paint a wall, you want to sand away any uneven spots and make sure the surface is smooth and clean,” says Kitchens. “Tape off any areas that you don’t wish to have painted, prime (if necessary) and paint.”

4. Grab the chalk and write away.
“After the paint is completely dry, embellish with the chalk,” says Kitchens. Whether it’s a beloved poem or one of your favorite quotes, use the text to add a whimsical touch to your bedroom, living room or other walls throughout your home.

After (Courtesy of Oni “Bella” Kitchens)

For more about Joie de Vivre Lifestyles, LLC, visit Kitchens’ website at www.myjoyfulllife.com.

Celebrate the holidays like the days of old with additions of blue into your seasonal décor. It’s the underused color in Christmas decorating that’s sure to add some sparkle and twinkle into your home this winter.

Turquoise Tree Topper $5, Target

Brazilian Orchid Mottled Candles $7.98 to $19.99, World Market

Partridge 12” Decorative Pillow $26.95, Crate & Barrel

Kaleidoscope Cheer Baker $4.99, World Market

Blue Bird Spoon Rest $38, Jonathan Adler

Raffia Blue Confetti Garland $68, AnthropologieBrazilian Orchid Mottled Candles $7.98 to $19.99, World Market

Egg Press Canape Plates $6, West Elm