Interior Design Saratoga Springs | Adventures In Styleland!

Posts Tagged ‘Interior Design Saratoga Springs’

Garage Sale Friday’s

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, tagged Ballard Designs, Beautiful homes bedding bedrooms Bellini candice olson Certapro Painters curtain panels Curtains decks decorating decorative painting design Dining Rooms family fashion Faux Effects grey colors grey t, Chip and Joanna, Cycle up, design, Fixer upper, Garage Sale, Garage sale finds, GoodWill, Inspiration, Interior Design East Greenbush Ny, Interior Design East Greenbush NY Home Decorating, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Saratoga Springs NY, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service, Interior Designer Albany NY, Michele Conti, Recycle furniture, style, Thrift Store finds, traditional homes on March 23, 2017| 3 Comments »

Oh, Goodwill! Just when I’m ready to break up with you , you surprise me with something cool.. head board bench 5

Throw out the notion that good design is expensive, or must be carried out by a head board bench professional and can only be bought in a fancy store. I live in a real home on a thrift store budget. A great look is affordable and attainable to anyone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and dive in. So, get ready to go junking, tune up the sewing machine, and buy a good paint brush. Your home’s potential is waiting to be realized and you’re the one who’s going to discover it.

Remember these two gems for $5 each!!

I transformed these thrift store chairs into Ballard Design Chairs… see the ad from Ballard Designs below. I used a canvas drop cloth for the upholstery, $9

Total $14.00

How about some art for your walls? My favorite Garage Sale find was this landscape piece of art for $5 the solid wood frame is Stunning! (See it hung on my wall in the picture above the Recycled Chairs!)

Best Yard Sale find $5.00

A clock style top gives this table an original look while a distressed finish keeps the design country. This would fit in a Joanna and Chip’s Fixer Upper design!!! Learn more at scavengerchic.com on this transformation.

Garage-Sale

When spring time comes around, homeowners across the country take the opportunity to make a big push towards organization and cleanliness. One of the best ways to get rid of all that clutter after the big cleaning is to host a garage sale, which is why spring is the best time of the year for avid bargain hunters, too. If you’re looking for the bargain of a lifetime or that rare find, goodwill, garage sales and thrift stores are full of great bargains!

XOXO

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2017 What’s Trending???

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, tagged Adventures in Styleland, architecture, Beautiful homes, Beautiful homes bedding bedrooms Bellini candice olson Certapro Painters curtain panels Curtains decks decorating decorative painting design Dining Rooms family fashion Faux Effects grey colors grey t, Interior Design and Decorating Services Albany NY, Interior Design East Greenbush Ny, Interior Design East Greenbush NY Home Decorating, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Saratoga Springs NY, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service, Interior Designer Albany NY, Kravet Fabrics, Michele Conti, Relaxed Roman Shade, Roman Shades, Sherwin Williams, Showhouse, style, traditional homes, Window Treatments on October 29, 2016| Leave a Comment »

As a designer I must admit I am addicted to design trends and 2017 is quickly approaching.. I think now is a great time to start exploring what trends are already shining through:

Organic color pallets – Muted, blues and greys still shining, with more organic and natural influences this years pallet will have deep greens, deeper greys and steel blues. There Back…..Deeper Jewel Tones! Deep colors are the best way to kick up a traditional space.

Cork – As a designer I am very attracted to natural texture. Cork does double duty. It creates warmth in rooms while adding texture. To add another excellent element to this already shinning star, cork absorbs noise in our increasingly open and larger homes. In a home office or luxurious bedroom this trend is often a overlooked design element. Cork brings a unique story to any part of your home. The natural but soft texture of cork complements every style.

Home Bars – This latest home trend raises the bar on what was once considered only for the uber wealthy. Home bars are now becoming the norm. At the end of a tough day at work, coming home and popping open a beer or decanting a glass of wine is a great way to unwind, but there’s just something special about making a cocktail at the bar.

Vintage goes Modern – In design, what goes around comes around. … start heading on over to your local vintage furniture store now to grab some great finds. Burled wood of the art deco period, classic campaign furniture and other vintage looks were front and center at High Point again this fall. Historic pieces and mid century modern are still going strong.

Upholstered headboards – Expect more of this glamorous look, with luxurious fabrics and tufted bed heads. This trend is very versatile, and fits into any room. Nail head’s to tufted buttons, upholstered headboards are an instant way to update your boudoir. Tailored lovely and very desirable!

Terracotta – The color is already prominent in fashion trend this fall, but this is not your mamas tile! Tiles with a matte finish are used on feature walls and fireplaces. The tiles are bordered and in uniquely warmer hues with added texture.

With only a few months left in 2016, trends in 2017 for your home are already arising! Forecasters and designers are rolling in with the newest and hottest trends for your luxury home. So if you’re thinking about or already renovating or building your own luxury home, these are some trends to look out for. Come visit me at the Home Expo for your renovation projects, let the pro’s help you, stop in and see me for some inspiration! in booth 328. We have a variety of experts on hand to talk to, so bring your ideas and let them help you complete your list.

Stay tuned as always for more Adventures in Styleland…

XOXO

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Are You “Dish”gruntled??

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, tagged Adventures in Styleland, Beautiful homes, Bosch, dishwasher, Interior Design and Decorating Services Albany NY, Interior Design East Greenbush Ny, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Designer Albany NY, Michele Conti, Roman Shades, Sherwin Williams, traditional homes on October 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »

In 1886, Josephine Cochran invented the first dishwasher, effectively bringing peace to a country torn by Civil War. Unfortunately Josephine would never see how innovative her dishwasher was because it wasn’t until the 1950″s that dishwashers became a standard kitchen appliance to the delight of housewives everywhere.

Loading to Liftoff…

To achieve a cleaner outcome, start with how you pack the dishwasher. Dishes should face toward the middle of the unit, and bowls and cups should face down to make the most efficient use of the sprayer. Your glasses should go between the tines, not over, otherwise they could break. Pre-sort your silverware to make unloading that much easier.

Lastly, scrape plates before loading, and don’t bother rinsing detergents are designed to attack stuck-on grime, and will make your glasses cloudy if there is no food to attack. Dishwashers are designed to catch food, most models have their own food dispenser. Rinsing can waste both water and time. DO NOT over pack the dishwasher otherwise you might have to re-run the cycle!

Blast Off To The Stars!

Investing in an Energy Star certified dishwashers can save water, energy, and ease your utility bills. Energy Star dishwashers cap out at 5.8 gallons per cycle and only use half the electricity of the older models. As a comparison, running your faucet for one minute uses about 1 gallon of water along with the electricity to heat it.

Bells and Whistles!

minion

There are a few tips and tricks that can make your dishwasher habits even easier. For instance, use a magnet to mark whether the dishwasher’s contents are dirty or clean, so your minions know when its time to unload. Unload the bottom rack first otherwise the water from the top rack could splash on your sparkly clean bottom dishes as you unload.

Do you know all the items that you can clean in your dishwasher, click on this link for POP SUGAR to see 30 everyday things from your greasy range fan filter to contact cases. Keep your dishwasher fresh by tossing a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the empty unit and run a normal cycle. Lastly, don’t forget to clean the dishwasher seals and trap every once in a while.

With these tips and tricks, you can speed up the time you spend doing dishes, and save money in the process!

Stay Tuned for more Adventures in Styleland..

XOXO

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Master Bath Glamour..

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, Uncategorized, tagged Adventures in Styleland, architecture, arts, Beautiful homes, Beautiful homes bedding bedrooms Bellini candice olson Certapro Painters curtain panels Curtains decks decorating decorative painting design Dining Rooms family fashion Faux Effects grey colors grey t, bedding, bedrooms, Cambria Berwyn, Curtains, Custom Interiors Albany NY, Custom Window Treatments Albany NY, Dal Tile, Delta Chrome Vero, Delta Faucet, Designs by Michele Schenectady NY, family, home decor, Home Decorating, home design, Home Interior Design Albany NY, housewares, Interior Decorator Albany NY, Interior Design, Interior Design and Decorating Services Albany NY, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service, Interior Designer Albany NY, Kravet Fabrics, Master Bath, Master suite, Michele Conti, Sherwin Williams, traditional homes, Window Treatments on July 9, 2016| 3 Comments »

This recently completed master bath renovation was in a newly built home. The owners were happy with the layout of the bathroom but, wanted to punch it up a bit! The master bathroom should be your sanctuary, as stylish as it is soothing. We wanted to turn the existing bath into something unique.

I’ve rounded up a stunning way to create the dream bath that they would love being in. This bathroom was to be transformed into a peaceful escape reserved for the masters of the house. With stunning tile work, soft fabrics and a calming color palette blend to form a decadent space designed for relaxation.

I started wall a gorgeous tile, the moment I saw this glass tile I knew.. this was perfect. And I was right, the owners squealed with excitement when I presented my ideas and finishes.

We chose a white glass tile, Jeweled j-603 in diamond white: The combination of finishes on the sheet of tile are clear glass, wavy glass, frosted glass and marble, it is exquisite. Jewel tile

The countertop, I used is Cambria: Berwyn, this silver flecked stone adds a soft yet glamorous touch to this master bath.

Cambria-Berwyn

The Delta Vero Lavatory Faucets with waterfall spout, gives the right touch of sophistication to this charming master bath without breaking the budget.

I took the bathroom mirror and lighting under the microscope to show how this bath accessory can change the ambience of your bathroom. Remember the main task of lighting in the bath, both direct and indirect is to caress and compliment you.

What do you think about illuminated mirrors? I used the LED Strip lights to back light the mirrors in this design, providing illumination as well as visual style above the vanity’s white under-mount sinks and quartz countertops.

Two glass jeweled pendants hang above the double vanity adding a bit more interest and an elegant look. Its tailored, not to girly for a man, and has a upscale feel in a restrained way.

The lighted mirrors are remote controlled to fade to different colors and also soften or brighten with a touch. The darker wood cabinets provide a subtle contrast with the lighter tiled floor.

“It is a very luxurious spa like experience in this bathroom” the homeowners said when the project was completed.

It’s the details that give this Master suite a luxurious touch. I was hoping to create the sense of a 5 star hotel, it’s very important I think, that is the experience you have when you walk into this space. This space is serene and peaceful, you have the same experience in the master bedroom.

To visually connect the master suite each room plays off the colors and fabrics of the last space. Though they’re usually hidden behind closed doors, master bathrooms deserve to be as thoughtfully decorated as your home’s living spaces.

As always, stay tuned for more Adventures in Styleland!

XOXO

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Mothers Day.. Moms really do know best..

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Adventures in Styleland, architecture, arts, Beautiful homes, Beautiful homes bedding bedrooms Bellini candice olson Certapro Painters curtain panels Curtains decks decorating decorative painting design Dining Rooms family fashion Faux Effects grey colors grey t, bedding, bedrooms, Custom Interiors Albany NY, Custom Window Treatments Albany NY, decorating, decorative painting, Designs By Michele, Designs by Michele Schenectady NY, Dining Rooms, family, fashion, faux painting, home decor, home design, Home Interior Design Albany NY, interior decorating, Interior Decorating Albany NY, Interior Decorator Albany NY, Interior Decorator Niskayuna NY, Interior Design, Interior Design and Decorating Services Albany NY, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Designer Albany NY, Italian heritage, Michele Conti, Paint Colors, Relaxed Roman Shade, Roman Shades, Showhouse, style, traditional homes, Window Treatments on May 4, 2016| 1 Comment »

In honour of mothers on their special day, I asked myself what decorating secrets did I learn from my Mom…

mom carol and I

She made our home beautiful, chic and inspiring while juggling both a full-time job and being a mother. I learned about fabrics and sewing from my mom. She was an extraordinary seamstress. When I was little, I loved going to the fabric store with her — it was a world of imagination and creativity. She taught me to appreciate quality, natural fibers like wools, silks and fine cotton. Now working with fabrics is one of my favorite parts of decorating.

Another important lesson she taught me, never to buy what I don’t need: a bargain is only a bargain if it’s something important. I also learned all about color selection and furniture arranging from her. We lived in Brooklyn NY in a 6 room apartment, she always kept it fresh, ever changing.. and I firmly believe that had this wonderful woman been any less interested in our family home as I grew up, I might not be where I am today.

My mother taught me that it’s important to develop personal style, buy the best quality you can afford and mix family pieces, antiques and comfortable upholstered furniture– eat in the dining room, use your china or better dishes on Sundays.. I learned to respect our home and everything within it, including my mother.

My mom used to rearrange the furniture a lot — it’s surprising how furnishings can look completely new when viewed from a different angle or in a different room. She also taught me that every window looks empty and cold unless softened by a window treatment, she changed hers often.

She was never afraid of bold patterns, I remember her sewing room or the SPARE ROOM, we had large orange and yellow wall paper, and smaller floral wall paper on the ceiling.. It was cutting edge at the time..

When I was little, my mother always dressed — she was glammed up even when cleaning the house. From her, I learned to dress and decorate with the intent to be gorgeous, having no fear of color.

I will end here with a couple of ideas for what to do for your mom..

Source and pay for a house cleaning service for a few months. A house cleaning every two weeks, I’m sure all moms would appreciate the break. That being said, do not buy her a vacuum, cleaning supplies, or tools unless she specifically asks for them. I’m looking at you Dad.

Brunch was always a favorite of mine.. I loved to go to a special Italian place locally that served cured meats..fresh fruits..baked delights and my family would all laugh and enjoy the meal together…

table scape

Spend time, yes…time… take the day and pull out pictures, family vacations reminisce with her, make cookies sit and have a cup of coffee.. Love her and let her know that she is the most important women in your life.

Mom and Dad

Miss you Mother Theresa…All my love

XOXO

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Holiday Ready Home

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, Uncategorized, tagged Beautiful homes, bedrooms, Christmas Decor, Christmas Mantel, decorative painting, Designs by Michele Schenectady NY, Home Interior Design Albany NY, Interior Design, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Designer Albany NY, Roman Shades, Window Treatments on December 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

From our home to yours… Have yourself a Merry Christmas.. See The article on our home in 518LIFE

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Layering Patterns: Lessons from DMI

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, tagged Adventures in Styleland, coordinating Fabric Patterns, Designs By Michele, Designs by Michele Schenectady NY, Fabric Patterns, home decor, Home Decorating, Home Expo 2015, housewares, Interior Design East Greenbush Ny, Interior Design East Greenbush NY Home Decorating, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Saratoga Springs NY, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service, Interior Designer Albany NY, Kravet Fabrics, Kravet Furnishings, Layering Patterns, Michele Conti, Relaxed Roman Shade, Showhouse, Window Treatments on May 17, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Layering patterns involves four main elements: color, scale, shape and texture. If you’re like me and you fall in love with four times the amount of fabric you need at a showroom, you’ll need to go through some major editing. First up is color. Lay all your possible choices out on the floor and if certain ones look a hot mess and just don’t play well with others, remove them from the mix right away. It’s kinda like kicking an obnoxious reality cast member off the island after an elimination challenge but with fibers and weaves versus emotions and bad behavior.

Here’s an example of a great color edit. Notice how each of the fabrics sports different shades of a common color, blue? This is what you ultimately want; the varying intensities lead to an evolved, effortless look. Something else that’s happening here is a great mix of shapes going in different directions.

I borrowed this picture below from Ballard Designs.

Traditional

A traditional rug doesn’t have to define your space. Add in updated prints and colors pulled from the rug for a wonderful eclectic look.

1.) Carlson Rug
2.) Claire Gray
3.) Felicity Spa
4.) Lorenzo Charcoal
5.) Bark Twill
6.) Danish Linen Oatmeal
7.) Natural Microfiber, Bark Twill, Indochine Stone

8.) Kravet Indochine Ikat Stone

Traditional Layering

Contemporary

Keep a monochromatic color scheme interesting with great patterns that play well together and fabrics with tonal texture, like Kravet’s Scandicci Gray.

1.)Kravet Indochine Ikat Stone
2.) Kravet Toscana Ikat Slate
3.) Lorenzo Charcoal
4.) Asha Pewter
5.) Danish Linen Tea
6.) Scandicci Gray (Kravet)
7.) Panthea Rug (Gray)

Contemporary Layering

Add contrast. Once you have your main color selection down, in this case its Grey, add a bit of contrast. See the Suzanni fabric #4 with the gold and pewter.

Vary the scale. While color and shape are easier to get a grasp on, scale is a bit more complicated. There are three different sizes of scale: small, medium and large. When mixing prints, try not to choose more than one of the same scale size; multiple patterns of the same scale often result in a heap of Hodgepodge. The person who does this best is Betsy Burnham, if we were all as talented as this women the world would be pattern of loveliness!

The perfect mix. We’ve got a large-scale pattern sporting an orange suzanni pattern, a medium-scale blue plaid which is traditional, and the small scale cheater global animal print. The trio is also different directionally; the rug runs horizontally, in this ethnic/global zigzag like pattern. But all of these prints work well together!! Hopefully you can use some of these tips when putting together patterns in your home…

As Always stayed tuned for more Adventures in Styleland….

XOXO

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Stay Warm In Style..

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, tagged Beautiful homes, bedrooms, decorating, decorative painting, Designs by Michele Schenectady NY, Home Interior Design Albany NY, Interior Decorating Saratoga Springs NY, Interior Design, Interior Design East Greenbush NY Home Decorating, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service, Interior Designer Albany NY, Kravet Fabrics, Michele Conti on February 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »

On Merlin Drive today my yard looks pretty but very cold brrrr…..

As temperatures drop outside stay warm inside with some cozy fireplace inspiration. From traditional to modern, gas to wood-burning, a fireplace can add a serious cozy factor to your room. Just imagine snuggling up to a warm fire on these frigid nights.

If you’ve already got a fireplace, there are many ways you can give it an update to change your look. Repainting the mantle or changing out the accessories and art above it can update your space with little effort. This neutral fireplace mantel is dressed with a bright, colorful painting!

This modern fireplace adds warmth you can enjoy from every angle.

You won’t have to worry about tripping on this fireplace that fits seamlessly in the wall.

Grab a good book, settle in and Stay Warm… Stay tuned for more wintery days and Adventures in Styleland..

XOXO

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The Times Union Home Expo 2015

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, Uncategorized, tagged Adventures in Styleland, Beautiful homes, bedrooms, decorating, decorative painting, design, DIY Network, DIY projects, Home Expo 2015, Home Show, Home Show 2015, Interior Design East Greenbush Ny, Interior Design East Greenbush NY Home Decorating, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Saratoga Springs NY, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service, Interior Designer Albany NY, Jason Cameron, Michele Conti, Roman Shades, Sherwin Williams, Showhouse, style, Times Union, traditional homes, Window Treatments on January 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Home Expo 2015

Building a new home? Remodeling a room in your home? Well this year we have so much in store for you. Meet Jason Cameron February 8th, from the DIY Network. Watch our website for additional information on shows and events. My name is Michele Conti I am a local Designer/Blogger in the Albany Area! I will be here for the next few weeks, sharing information about the home expo, giving you DIY ideas and little blurbs about some of the Vendors and shows that the exhibitors will schedule during the expo. Check out our link on Times Union Home Expo. Below is a quick and easy DIY project for you… With a little help from Behr Paints available at Lowes located in the Times Union Center booth 284-285 this crafty idea was a breeze!!

Check out the Times Union Home Expo 2015 Web site and read my blog everyday now thru February 6th for great info and DIY projects!!

Chat with you soon!!!! Stay Tuned for more project information!

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It’s Never Simply Art…

Posted in Designs From Merlin Drive, Uncategorized, tagged Art.com, Beautiful homes, decorating, decorative painting, Denise Maurer Interiors, design, Designs by Michele Schenectady NY, home decor, Interior Decorating Albany NY, Interior Design East Greenbush NY Home Decorating, Interior Design Saratoga Springs, Interior Design Saratoga Springs NY, Interior Design Schenectady NY, Interior Design Service on October 8, 2014| Leave a Comment »

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Adventures In Styleland!

Design, Fashion and Food!

Posts Tagged ‘Interior Design Saratoga Springs’

Garage Sale Friday’s

2017 What’s Trending???

Are You “Dish”gruntled??

Master Bath Glamour..

Mothers Day.. Moms really do know best..

Holiday Ready Home

Layering Patterns: Lessons from DMI

Stay Warm In Style..

The Times Union Home Expo 2015

It’s Never Simply Art…

Houzz Home Design

What’s Happening in Styleland!

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