Set includes 4 pcs. stone drink coasters & 1 pc. wood holder Large surface area to catch more drips No assembly required 4.5 in. L x 4.5 in. W x 4.75 in. H (2 lbs.)

Design It Yourself Clock. Personalize your own one-of-a-kind wall clock that will make a great addition to any room.

You should not wallpaper but paint all of your walls, applying paint from the colors of grass, the seaside and also sunshine. To carry out your design, should you have a hearth it ought to be rock. Should you have a big room or living area, then large furnishings are definitely a typical element of this design.

French Country Decor Derives Its Colors From Nature

As I have said, generally colors used for French country decor are mainly the ones that are derived from the outdoors and in addition to the standard lavenders together with gold, some actually choose to use diluted blue and dark green along with a deep red knowing that each one definitely helps to give you a fashionable and also an informal appearance. Choosing reds as well as greens will help to perk up the room, though for a neutral outcome you could choose gray or perhaps black.

Viewed as a romantic interior decorating style and design, French Country decor also has been showcased in all of the very popular decorating magazines during the last several years. Although French Country interior decor came from very humble origins, a number of trendy interior designers have fallen deeply in love with it and even insist upon including French Country in their own homes.

As part of your product selection, you’ll discover basic French Country decor for your kitchen, your dining room, your bedroom and even your bathroom. Discover French country design iron accent furnishings, typical French Country design metal and iron wall decorations as well as beautiful French country pottery decorative accents for old world, Mediterranean French Country style decor.

French Country home decorating is normally rustic, but still having a subtle style. Color strategies will usually compliment and bring to mind home gardens and landscapes, and even space must be used very carefully so as to keep things comfortable, yet organized. There is absolutely no one correct way to implement French Country decor, however there are tips and hints to keep you on track.

In picking French Country designs and styles, attempt to find dull colors. The actual color palette in French Country interior decorating and French Country furnishings are usually different hues of weak reds, greens, along with rustic, flat golden yellows. Typically there are also pastels normally present in French Country decor for example pinks, lavenders, blues, and even pale yellows. Very soft pastels are ideal for walls facing a dark colored background.

The advantage of French Country furniture pieces is that it really is difficult to make a mistake with just about anything no matter if it is mismatched styles or simply colors. You can get done exactly what you really feel like accomplishing and yet flow in the style of French Country decorating provided you are displaying a casual environment.

French Country decor is really favored by decorators simply because it mixes old world, traditional materials together with comfortable furniture pieces that really work with nearly any home design.

Some kind of aged overall look is extremely important to French home decor, however even newer items will provide the look of very old, family antique furnishings when they’re painted using the appropriate process. Real antiques succeed beautifully combined with French country decor simply because you work with such a wide variety of colors and materials together with typical accessories that even by simply using a few select components will give your home the polished appearance you have been seeking.

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Title	French Country Style at Home	Charles Faudree's Country French Living
Author	Sebastien Siraudeau	M.J. Van Deventer
Price	$23.07	$26.37
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Get Paid to Decorate

Imagine having a rewarding high paying job that lets you use your creativity to make homes and businesses more beautiful and comfortable. In the FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator you will discover how to:

• Teach yourself interior decorating (includes step-by-step decorating instructions)
• Get up to 50% discounts on furniture and materials
• Create an impressive portfolio even if you have no previous paid decorating experience
• Get a job with a retailer, home builder or other interior design industry employer
• Start an interior decorating business, price your services, and find clients

The print book includes a bonus CD-ROM with forms and samples you can use in starting your own business.

Order the FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator

If you are looking to make your home look a little more homey yet you are unsure how to do it, why not think about flower arrangements? They add color, vibrance and they can really help to make a house feel more like a home. There are plenty of different arrangements to choose from or you could even try and create one yourself. Either way, you should find that flower arrangements really help to add that little finishing touch that you have been looking for!

Where to Find Flower Arrangements

The most common place that springs to mind when thinking of buying flower arrangements is a florist. A florist has specialist knowledge of all plants and flowers and they will be able to create some beautiful arrangements for the home. Visiting a florist is by far the easiest way of creating a flower arrangement for the home, but it is not really the cheapest.

If you are on a budget then a florist may be off limits to you and in that case you could try and create one yourself. All you need to do is visit your local supermarket where you should find quite a few bunches of different flowers. Now unless you want to go on an actual course to learn how to properly arrange flowers, it is all going to be a case of experimentation. Try pinks and whites and whites and yellows together as they seem to compliment each other quite well.

So, now you know where to find flowers how can you tell which flowers will go best in your home?

Finding Flowers to Match Your Interior Decorating

Finding the right flowers could take some time if you are not going to get a florists opinion. You need to figure out exactly which colors will go with what and which colors will best suit the color of your room.

It is important to match the flowers with the theme of the room. For example, a living room could give a cozy feel to it and flowers such as carnations could go well. However, a kitchen gives a brighter, morning feel to it and for that kind of theme tulips might go nicely. Finally for a bedroom as it is more intimate, a vase full of roses may go best.

There are literally hundreds of different types of flowers which you can use in an arrangement to suit your needs. The problem is finding them! Experimenting yourself will take a lot of time and money so in fact it could actually be cheaper to get an expert opinion and pay the higher price to get it right, rather than spending a fortune on getting it wrong!

About The Author: Andrew Caxton contributes adding content to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on furniture have a look at his web http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/styles-guide.html

A career field that is becoming increasingly popular is the field of interior design. Many busy people realize how important it is to have a home or office that is professionally decorated, and therefore many new jobs in interior design are being created.

Another important aspect of the field is that interior designers are located in every city, all over the world, so jobs are available just about everywhere. If a young person is creative and has an artistic flair, a career in interior design may be perfect and will provide a long lasting and satisfying job choice.

The first thing one has to know in order to obtain a job in interior design is what kind of education is required. Different areas may require different levels of education, and a job in a design house in a major firm in Manhattan, for instance, may require a four year degree, while working for a small company in the Midwest may only require two years college. Many schools offer degrees in interior design as part of their fine arts department, and a specialized degree such as this would definitely be an advantage.

Starting out, a new graduate would normally work for another person or for an interior design company. A great deal of experience and contacts can be gained in this kind of environment. Working for an experienced interior designer can give a young person invaluable experience in every aspect of this business, and he can learn many things it took the seasoned professional years to learn. Working side by side with an experienced interior designer, the novice will handle mundane tasks such as ordering swatches and following up delivery schedules, but these are important skills to develop.

After working hand in hand with a senior professional, a new interior designer will then be handed an assignment of his own. Having a a company behind him while he hones his own design skills on a customer is a major advantage to a designer just starting out.

The main (and some say only) focus of interior design is customer satisfaction. The client is the be-all and end-all of the field, so the ability to work with people, who sometimes can be very testy, is crucial.

Once a designer has paid his dues, so to speak, at a company or two, he will want to branch out on his own. Besides being more profitable, owning his own interior design firm allows a decorator to put his own creative stamp on the work he is commissioned to do.

If decorating a room or a home is something you have enjoyed doing, consider a career in interior design. It is very rewarding to be able to bring an artistic vision to fruition, and it can be a very financially successful career as well.

About The Author: Andrew Caxton writes for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Find more publications about interior decorating at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/styles-guide.html

1. Eco-friendly design – The focus this year is on organic and the natural artifacts. In the past, eco-friendly or what is now termed Green Design could be summed up in one word: ugly. That isn’t necessarily the case anymore. Eco-friendly design has met a stylish interpretation proving that earth friendly decor can at the same time be elegant, beautiful and exciting as well as Green.

2. High contrast color combinations – Contrasting colors and textures like smooth against rough add a touch of the unexpected to your décor. Pair up accessories or furnishings for that special feeling and spark to lighten up your décor.

3. The “X’ is everywhere – Find it in furniture and accessory design. It was first spotted at the Highpoint European Show and has since been making its way down the trend ladder to almost every trend seeking home in America.

4. Beautiful Design is simply not enough – For today’s multi-tasking, on the go lifestyle, home décor needs to be multi-functional as well. Home Décor shoppers want utility as well as sheik in their furniture and accessories. Look for furniture and decorative accessories that will make your everyday life easier and more organized. It’s time we demanded more from our décor!

5. Expect to see the softer side of leather – Earth tones on smaller pieces of furniture with contrasting more feminine like colors.

6. Art that Inspires Luxury – 2008 is all about the Classics of luxury. Add elegance via home decor, and specifically wall decor. Shop for hand painted art reproductions of famous works of art. Hang a hand painted Impressionist masterpiece like aMonet or a Van Gogh. Like David Sasson, President of OverstockArt.com says: “It is sure to bring many admirers…”

7. Whites – From pearl white to ivory, the white color family will be on display in 2008. From your furniture to your wooden frames. Adorn your home in soft whites.

8. Make a dramatic Impact – Oversized décor for a dramatic look. Shock your friends and add one focal point piece as a jaw dropper. Imagine one huge work of art in your living room that would leave everyone in awe.

9. Gray tones and Metals – Add a touch of steel to your design with elements such as Silver, brushed nickel and aluminum. Recycled would be a preference (remember to think green!).

10. Feng Shui – In this hectic and fast pace world we all want a bit of piece and tranquility in our home. Let your design and furnishing make you feel at ease. Add the Feng Shui elements and embrace piece on earth.

Hopefully we can all create the right environment for growth and exploration in our homes in 2008. I wish you all a fabulous and enjoyable year full of joy and successful decorating endeavors.

About The Author: Amitai Sasson, of http://Overstockart.com is a renowned world traveler on a mission to seek out the beauty and passion of the art world. As an avid enthusiast of art and oil paintings , he contributes greatly to the industry with his writing. Read more on art and wall décor today!

• Decide ahead of time on a budget or payment plan, pace your decorating. Include money for accessories.
• Decide on one room at a time and designate a priority within your room. That’s where you should begin.
• Have a plan, color scheme, style, & atmosphere. Have a target date for completion.
• Your confidence level in tackling your decorating project makes a big difference. If you are the least bit unsure, contact a professional designer. He or she will save you time, energy, money, and frustration. Select a designer that you are comfortable with and trust. He/she should know your likes and dislikes. Whatever is done needs to suit you and your family.
• Measure your room to scale. Show windows and doors. Decide on a focal point. Measure furniture, rugs, etc. before purchase. Draw your furniture to scale and cut out the drawings. Place these on your floor plan, moving them around until you get an arrangement that you like. This is very easy on your back. This procedure will also help you decide if the items are proportionately correct for your room. Think too about ceiling height and traffic flow.
• Repeat each color in your scheme at eye level, mid level, and floor level to achieve good visual balance. Repeat any pattern and/or textures at least twice in the room.
• Paint and wallpaper/borders go a long way in updating and freshening a room and usually cost very little.
• View colors and patterns in your home during daylight hours before making a purchase.
• If you do not plan to be in your home for a long time, invest in accessories (artwork, area rugs, decorator pillows) that could easily be used in another home.

Balance
There are two types of balance – symmetrical and asymmetrical.  Perfect symmetry is like the human body – two eyes, two arms etc.  Symmetrical balance is typically very formal.  Asymmetry, on the other hand, refers to an imbalance, perhaps two candlesticks of slightly different sizes placed next to each other.  Asymmetry is used to add visual motion and excitement to a space, and therefore it is considered a more informal way of decorating.  

Balance also refers to the weight of different objects in a room.  This can be the actual weight and size of furniture – such as a large entertainment centre; or it can be visual weight – a patterned or very bold color upholstered piece appears to take up more space than a solid or neutral colored one.  If there is too much weight on one side of a room, the arrangement will feel awkward and uninviting.

Color
The human eye can see more than 16 million colors.  To simplify your paint choices look at your favorite piece of art, a rug or the upholstery fabric.  Choose your colors based on that item using the “60-30-10 rule”.

For example – your favorite painting contains blue, yellow and cream.  You might then choose yellow walls (60%), a blue sofa (30%) and a cream accent cushion (10%).

Focal Point
A focal point is the centre of interest – usually the part of the room that our eye is naturally drawn to when we first enter.  If you don’t have an existing architectural detail – such as a fireplace or large bay window – you can create a focal point by strategically hanging your art or by creatively displaying some accessories on a bookshelf.  Once you have determined or created a focal point in your room, simply arrange your conversation area around it. 

Harmony
This does NOT mean that everything should match.  It simply means that the furniture, art and accessories compliment each other in some way.

Scale and Proportion
The size of pieces relative to one another and the size of the space is their SCALE.  Large, ornate pieces will not look right in a very small room, just as small contemporary pieces will be lost in an oversized space with vaulted ceilings.  And more importantly, the size variance of different pieces within a room should be somewhat related. 

Texture
Texture is the one element that can instantly add interest to a monochromatic color scheme.  Should you choose to decorate an entire room in one color – mocha perhaps – it will be easy to add some visually interesting texture.  Linen window shades and leather pillows can be found in the same color range but each has a very different look and feel.

You may have never put a lot of thought into these elements, but when they are put together in a room, they will enhance the room ad make it beautiful!

Taking on an interior design project can be a huge undertaking.  Don’t let your vision become compromised.  Start by getting organized.

Beige, putty, cream, and parchment all make perfect background settings, so the range of paints and papers that falls into this category is enormous. If you choose to paint rather than wallpaper, a number of translucent washes of different colors from this range will give a more natural finish than a flat latex; in earlier times these colors were full of natural impurities and so had interesting variations of shade and depth. You can either continue the same tones throughout the room, or use the walls as a canvas against which to set a richer series of colors.

If you’re using this palette alone in your interior decorating, it’s important to avoid bland, featureless expanses. Texture, pattern, and detail are vital factors and occur naturally in many of the items that you may choose to include in this type of scheme. For rustic earthy textures, use greeny gold rush matting, jute webbing, rough sandstone, and textured weave linens and cottons. Stone busts and urns, limed wood, or reclaimed bleached pine furniture all give character and interest to your decor.

You can also add interest with strong patterns which don’t tend to dominate because the colors are so muted. Look for bold ethnic designs for fabrics and wall hangings, or densely patterned floral or leafy wallpapers in pale olive, straw and mushroom tones. Important details will count for more in this subtle setting – bone buttons, steely gray upholstery studs, a rough twist of raffia around a recycled glass jar all reinforce the picture but break up the sheer planes of color.

Also, start collecting samples of existing fabrics or colors that are going to stay in the room. For instance, say you’re not changing the carpeting and you want to keep your grandmother’s side chair. See if you can clip a little bit of extra fabric off the chair where you won’t see it. Clip a small square of the carpeting out of a closet. If it’s a painted piece, you can use paint chips from your local paint store to match it as closely as possible and have those with you.

You will also want to take measurements of the room and any furniture that is staying. If you can, make a simple floor plan to scale for reference. And finally, take photos of the room and any of the pieces you will be keeping.

Now as you collect all these samples and notes you will need to organize them in a way that makes sense for you; either by room, or by idea such as furniture ideas, lighting, colors, fabrics, or window treatments. Then keep them in your car so when you are out shopping you won’t have to make another trip back home to see if it’s the right color, size, or if it will “go”. Interior Decorators always have samples with them when they shop.

As you start to collect a fair amount of items you will start to see a pattern or similarity in what you like. And a style, that you didn’t think you had, will soon emerge.

Maybe you want to look through an interior decorating magazine to find a style that appeals to you.  That’s fine if you want to copy that style, just be sure that it will work in your house.

• Don’t paint your walls then go out looking for fabrics to match. Paint can be mixed in any of a thousand colors, so select the final shades after upholstery, carpeting, and curtain fabrics are chosen.
• Don’t paint a room without trying a sample of the color in the room. Tiny paint chips can be deceiving as to tone and depth of color, so always paint a test board to confirm your choices.
• Don’t line up the furniture around the walls except in the smallest of rooms. Pulling furniture into attractive groupings in the center of the room will add warmth and be inviting to guests as well.
• Don’t turn your back on the focal point of the room by arranging furniture away from this important feature.
• Don’t place furniture where it will interfere with doorways, cabinet doors, natural traffic patterns, or other everyday activities.
• Don’t clutter up a room with a million little collectibles unless you’re in love with that look. Most of us will feel it is too crowded.
• Don’t try to construct a color scheme from wildly disparate objects. First find a print fabric or rug with all of the colors you want to use, then edit out, repaint, or recover items that don’t fit with the plan.
• Don’t keep something you hate. Do you have a hideous orange sofa from Aunt Zelda? Either slipcover it, recover, or remove it. You’ll be happier.
• Don’t decorate around an item that just isn’t “you”. If your new home came with gold shag carpeting when you love roses and lace, believe me, you’ll never love that carpet. Get rid of it.
• Don’t forget the details. If your theme is Mediterranean, look for iron lamp bases, weathered iron drawer pulls, and tile tables. If you love Cottage then use painted white accessories, floral accents, and lace.
• Don’t fall in love with cheap furniture just because it has an appealing color or exciting fabric. Look for good lines, quality construction, and elegant details first. Then have those pieces covered in a fabric or finish that you love.
• Don’t choose colors standing in a store. Try to take samples (of paint, fabrics, and floor coverings) back to your home and look at them in daylight and at night.
• Don’t spend a lot of money on expensive items that are “trendy”. Try out trends that truly appeal to you by experimenting first with inexpensive accessories.
• Don’t live with a lot of mismatched furniture orphans. Unite pieces with color — either by painting everything one color (white, pale gold, or black for example) or by recovering everything using identical or a mix of coordinating fabrics.
• Don’t always choose backgrounds in your favorite color. Sometimes providing a softer background will make your favorite color stand out as the brightest accent color in the room.
• Don’t choose everything beige if you really love color. Remember, color doesn’t cost more than white. Wouldn’t a pretty mango, soft coral, or lovely green wall make a terrific backdrop for your white sofa?
• Don’t ignore the mood effects of color — red is exciting, pale blue soothing, green calming, and yellow is happy — so choose color schemes that underscore the feeling you want to create in your home.
• Don’t disregard the undertones of a color. Every color can be either light or dark, cool or warm, clear or muddy. Look for these color cues when choosing color.
• Don’t blow your entire budget on something that isn’t functional, classic, or long-lasting, unless you’re completely smitten and can’t live without it. In general it’s best to start with the basics and build from there.

• Do sketch your floor plan and record the room dimensions, window sizes and placement, and the location of special features, electrical outlets, and so on. Take your floor plan with you when you shop.
• Do take the time to discover your personal style by reading interior design magazines, attending show houses, and browsing online and in stores to learn what styles and colors really appeal to you.
• Do identify the focal point of the room (a fireplace, a view, a bed, an armoire).
• Do define a room’s style in writing , being specific. (Not just “country French”, but “French Country with a rooster motif, chicken wire cupboard fronts, and a color scheme that includes black and gold.”)
• Do pick a signature piece to focus your decorating decisions. It could be a beautiful fabric, an area rug, a picture, a piece of pottery, dishes, or a postcard. The item should embody both the color scheme of the room as well as the style and mood you hope to create.
• Do coordinate fabric and flooring choices before making any major purchases, and before choosing exact paint colors.
• Do purchase large elements first (rugs, draperies, upholstered furniture) whenever possible, and use the exact colors and style of those major pieces to coordinate all other choices.
• Do use a mix of patterns — large-scale, small-scale, checks, stripes, geometrics, plain — when coordinating a room.
• Do allow for natural pathways in a room (such as from the door to the closet) and try to arrange furniture with those walkways in mind.
• Do consider the uses and function of a room before deciding on furnishings and arrangements. For example, if your dining room will also be your study, then you’ll need room for a desk, books, lighting, and files as well as the dining room table and chairs.
• Do consider using unifying elements such as trim color, wood tone, flooring, motifs, fabrics, or materials.
• Do use the principle of repetition when planning shapes, colors, fabrics, and patterns. One red accent in a room may look like an afterthought whereas several red accents here and there will contribute to the color scheme.
• Do plan ahead for appropriate task, general, and dramatic lighting by using a mix of light fixtures on dimmers for maximum control.
• Do purchase the best quality furniture you can afford. Learn more about quality construction and materials that can prolong the life of furniture and make it a better buy in the long run.
• Do use contrast to add interest to a space. Placing furniture and accessories against a contrasting background will highlight each piece.
• Do crosslink your rooms by repeating colors, fabrics, and themes in varying combinations.
• Do balance a room’s furnishings by paying attention to scale and visual weight. Balance a large stone fireplace with a large sofa or armoire placed opposite.
• Do arrange conversational areas to be within an 8 to 14 feet square area.
• Do anchor spaces in open floor plans with area rugs and furniture groupings to define each space.
• Do pair seating in conversation areas with side tables and lamps so that there is a place to set drinks, books, etc. as well as adequate light for reading.
• Do choose accessories that reinforce the color and style theme of a room.
• Do use scale and pattern to create interesting focal points.
• Do use pairs of items to underscore symmetry and balance.
• Do use odd numbers of items (3, 5, 7) when grouping accents for table-scapes. Do place items (high, medium, and low) within an imaginary triangle to add interest.
• Do use symmetrical arrangements in formal rooms. In more casual rooms go for asymmetrical arrangements of furniture and accessories.
• Do emphasize the important elements of the room and play down the unattractive or unimportant elements.
• Do use a variety of textures (smooth, rough, shiny, dull) when you want to add interest to a room.
• Do use line to underscore a room’s style. Horizontal lines emphasize length and underscore a calm mood. Vertical lines will emphasize height, and diagonal lines emphasize space and provide a dynamic and exciting feel.
• Do reinforce the style and theme of a room with appropriate details and accessories.
• Do install more details in a plain boxy room. Consider crown molding, wainscoting, and other applications to add interest and character.
• Do consider the location of your home and the architectural style when planning interiors.

Professional interior decorators are individuals who are good at decorating.  They typically know ways to bring out the best in a room, even bathrooms.  What is nice about them is that they often undergo a fairly large amount of training. Most legitimate, professional decorators will take a number of courses.  These courses are often a part of career training or college courses.  In addition to training, most have some sort of hands on experience, whether it be hands on classroom training or previous work experience.  

If you are only looking for decorating tips, you may want to acquire the services of a professional interior decorator. In addition to home decor, most also specialize in the overall design of a room. They could suggest new paint for your bathroom walls, a new type of sink that would great in the room, or offer suggestions on what types of bathtubs you should look into buying. 

10 Steps to a Fab Job as an Interior Decorator

Imagine having a career that lets you use your creativity to make homes and businesses more beautiful and comfortable. Welcome to the world of interior decorating!

There are few careers that offer so many benefits. As an interior decorator you will have the satisfaction of making your vision a reality. You will meet interesting people, and because many people who hire interior decorators are wealthy, you will likely spend time in many beautiful homes and businesses. If you start your own decorating business you can enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. And perhaps most importantly, your “work” will be fun, interesting, and rewarding.

As long as you have the desire, you can become an interior decorator. No special education or experience is necessary to break into this career and succeed. (Unlike becoming a certified interior designer which has strict requirements including two to five years of post-secondary education in interior design.) You can become an interior decorator immediately.

If interior decorating sounds like the career of your dreams, here are 10 steps to breaking into this fabulous job, based on the FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator:

1. Train your eye
Since you are interested in a career as a interior decorator, chances are you already have a “good eye” for design. In other words, when you look at a room you can see what looks good, and what could be improved. But no matter how naturally talented you are, you can continually “train your eye” by studying what people consider to be good design.

Seek out beautifully decorated interiors to look at. You can find numerous examples of beautiful interiors in design magazines or in your own community by visiting show homes, open houses for sale in wealthy neighborhoods, furniture showrooms, historic homes, art galleries, and offices of professionals such as interior decorators and corporate lawyers.

2. Educate yourself
Interior decorators are expected to know about the various elements involved in decorating such as: space planning (how to arrange furniture and other items within a particular space), use of color and light, furniture and decorating styles (for example, Colonial or Southwestern), floorings, wall coverings, window treatments, and use of accessories such as pillows and art. You can learn decorating basics through courses, books, web sites, and even by speaking with retailers of products used in home decorating (paint, carpet, lighting, hardware stores, etc.)

3. Practice at home
Most interior decorators get their first decorating experience working on their own homes. Even if you have just one small room to experiment with, you can get “hands-on” experience with a variety of decorating techniques. For example, you can make a dramatic change to any room, quickly and inexpensively, simply by rearranging the furniture or painting the walls a new color. Give it a try! Experiment with techniques you wouldn’t ordinarily use. Consider this room your “research lab” where you can try things out before recommending them to a client.

4. Volunteer your services
Your friends and family members may already have asked for your advice about decorating, but if they haven’t yet asked you to actually decorate their homes or businesses, why not offer?

Some occasions your family or friends may want to redecorate are when they experiencing transitions in life, such as: marriage or co-habitation (help them merge two households into one), moving into a new home, childbirth (offer to decorate the baby’s room), hosting a special event such as a wedding or dinner party, starting a home business (you could decorate their new office), and selling a home (explain how a well decorated home can attract buyers).

5. Prepare a portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of samples of your work, plus any other documents that can help show why someone should hire you. The most important part of an interior decorator’s portfolio is photographs of interiors you have decorated, so make sure you take “before” and “after” photos of every space you decorate. Choose 15-20 photographs of work you are proud of, and arrange them in a photo album or portfolio case.

Your portfolio can also include letters of recommendation and “design boards” (poster boards onto which you have pasted pictures and samples of materials such as fabrics, flooring, wallpaper, etc.) to show clients what you recommend to decorate a particular room.

6. Get a job
Even if you plan to start your own interior decorating business, you can learn about the business and meet potential clients by starting with a job in the industry. Companies that hire people with decorating talent include home builders, manufacturers of furniture and housewares, hotel and restaurant chains, retailers (furniture stores, home improvement stores, antiques dealers, housewares stores, etc.), plus interior design and decorating firms.

To get a job, you will need to prepare a resume that emphasizes your experience with decorating plus any other skills the employer is looking for, such as customer service or organizational ability.

7. Start your own business
Many interior decorators dream of being their own boss. If that’s your goal, you’ll need to decide on business matters such as your company’s name and whether to incorporate or not. Free basic business advice is available from organizations such as SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Many interior decorators choose to work from home when they start their businesses because it saves on the cost of an office and, unlike many other types of businesses, you won’t be expecting clients to come to you – you will usually be going to their homes or offices.

8. Establish relationships with suppliers
Suppliers are companies that supply the products and services you need to decorate. They include manufacturers of furniture, wall coverings, flooring, fabrics, etc. as well as contractors who do painting, carpentry, installation, etc. When you go shopping as a professional interior decorator, you are entitled to “designer discounts” of up to 50% off the regular retail price which you can pass on to clients.

While some decorators charge an hourly rate or a flat fee, others charge “cost-plus.” For example, if your cost for a product is 40% percent below the regular retail price, you could charge the client your cost plus 20%, thereby saving the client the other 20% they would pay to buy the same item at a retail store. This opportunity to save money on decorating may convince clients to hire you.

9. Get clients
Your potential clients could include home builders, new home buyers, wealthy home owners, professional couples, advertising agencies, art galleries, bed and breakfasts, boutique stores, corporate head offices, hotels, law firms, restaurants, spas, and many other types of businesses.

One way to market your services is by networking with professionals who can refer business to you, such as real estate agents, architects, antiques dealers, art dealers, home renovators, and owners of businesses that sell home furnishings. Other marketing techniques include putting up a web page with photos of interiors you have decorated and getting publicity in the homes section of your local newspaper.

10. Grow as a professional
Successful interior decorators continue to learn new decorating techniques. Once you have started a business you can continue to develop your skills by attending trade shows, reading decorating magazines and books, and joining professional associations. You can also impress clients and have an advantage over your competition by becoming certified as a professional interior decorator.

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Based on the FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator by Tag Goulet. The
complete guide gives detailed advice on how you can get paid to decorate
homes and businesses, be hired for a job in the decorating industry, or
start your own interior decorating business. Visit www.FabJob.com/decorator.asp
for information.