From the Designer's Toolbox...

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino
Associate ASID

Interior Design 101: Quick and Easy Updates

"Great Room" Edition

1.  Add updated accessories.

Tired of your old furniture, but can't justify or afford to get new?  Revive it with new throw pillows, lampshades, art, well-edited home accessories, rug.  Stay neutral on big-ticket items.  Add pops of color and pattern with accessories.  Shop in your own home.  What looks tired in one room could look ah-mazing in another!

2.  Paint something.

Give the room a new color on the walls, trim, ceiling -- or all three.

Not up to painting a room?  Paint a piece of furniture.

Or glaze a piece of painted furniture to add instant character and age.

3.  Add an accent wall with paint or wallpaper.

Like a graphic patterned wallpaper, but don't feel brave enough to cover every wall?  Try it on an accent wall.  The same goes for bolder or brighter colors.  Don't shy away from it, just take it in smaller doses.

4.  Window treatments -- add or take away.

Window treatments are the finishing touch to every room.  When I say "window treatments," the definition can vary from a simple wood blind to a more elaborate silk panel with tassels and embellishments du jour.  Whatever your style or mood, window treatments add warmth, texture and color to any room.

5.  Turn everyday objects into objects' d' art.

Have a collection of glass ducks?  I don't, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind.  Ha!  That's not to say that I don't have other collections.  Regardless, rather than spreading them out all around the house -- group them together.  Showing a collection en masse makes a bigger design statement.  Group those glass ducks on a silver tray and display them on your coffee table or bookshelf.  What are you waiting for?

6.  Rearrange the furniture in the room.  

Tired of the way your room looks?  Move furniture around.  It seems that whenever my sister (also an interior designer) comes to visit, we are moving furniture from one room to the next.  It's what we do and it's fun.  I may be tired of a chair in one room, but it looks totally different in another.  Best of all?  It didn't cost a thing.  Oh, except maybe a sore back.

Do you call the room where your family gathers most comfortably and casually a "great room" or a "family room" or something else?  Just wondering….

Let me know!

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID

Note:  Interior shots courtesy of Houzz.

Back to School

8 Essentials for (Model) Mom On-Duty Style

It's that time of the year again…The leaves are starting to turn brilliant jewel-tone shades, the morning air is crisp, and pumpkins are popping up everywhere in the decor.  KIDS are back to school.  That means YOU are back in the school pick-up line.

Here's what you need now...

Take notes… the 8 essential wardrobe pieces to keep you looking effortlessly chic when life doesn't feel so effortless.

1.  Great fitting jeans.

One of the easiest ways to update your wardrobe is to get a current pair of jeans.  What's the current silhouette?  Current wash?  Being on trend helps you look current.

With that said, if the current silhouette isn't flattering on you, does that mean you should go for it anyway?  Absolutely not.  Stick with what works for you, but update them in a new color wash.

2.  Classic white button down shirt.  

My favorite:
Brooks Brothers non-iron tailored fit dress shirt.

3.  Basic sweater in a lightweight fabric and complimentary dark color.  

Why lightweight?  Get one that's too bulky and suddenly you look bulky.  Now who wants that?  Gasp.  As far as style, try a round collar or a turtleneck.  Think "Audrey Hepburn" and pair it with slim capri jeans or chinos (J Crew, anyone) and a pair of flats.

4.  Fitted blazer.

A fitted blazer instantly upgrades a basic pair of jeans, slacks, skirt or dress.

Schoolboy Blazer by JCrew

5.  Memorable outerwear.  

I adore coats:  wool, cotton, fur…I don't discriminate.  It doesn't matter what you have on underneath the coat, when all anyone sees is the coat.

You should have three types of outerwear in your fall/winter closet:  trench, short coat and long coat.

JCrew Collection

Zara Soft Trench

Burberry Brit at Saks

Nordstrom

6.  Sunglasses.  

No makeup?  No problem.  Swipe some lipgloss across your lips and throw on a pair of great fitting sunnies.  Instant style.

Are you wearing the right sunglasses for your face shape?

7.  Accessories 

I've said it before:  Accessories make an outfit.

Try a cross-body bag to amp up your school style.  Cool leather belt?  Check.

Rebecca Minkoff Love Quilted Cross Body Bag

8.  Shoes that are ready for action.  

Trade in those basic running shoes or Ugg (ughhhh!) boots/slippers for something just as comfortable and much chicer.

Try a classic riding boot,  slip on sneakers (all the rage right now) and/or wedges.

Check out DSW.

Test time:  Do you make the grade?

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino
Associate ASID

Everyday Elegance

A Thought for the Day

You don't have to be heading to a black tie, red carpet, hoity toitty event to be elegant.  Some of the most fabulous, stylish, yes, positively chic women I know exude elegance every day.

It's not what they wear, or their hair color, physical condition or age.  It's the confidence they emanate.  
Confidence comes from within, bolstered by how we look and how we feel.


Of course, Audrey Hepburn also said "Happy girls are the prettiest girls."  I couldn't agree more!

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID

Door Couture

Making a Grand Entrance

If the saying "first impressions are everything" is true, what is your front door saying about you?  A door draws you in.  It sets the tone for what's inside.

Before

In the Club Road Project, the architectural details of the home were lost with the front door and trim painted to match the stone exterior.

After

 To create curb appeal, we not only changed 
 the actual front door, but also changed the
 trim color.  The darker trim color sets off the 
 amazing wood pediment (original to the 
 home) that surrounds the front door.  In the 
 "before" color, this detail simply blended into 
 the stone.  

 Next step:  Creating a new front porch to 
 enjoy the beautiful view of #2 green.









You don't have to change the actual front door to make an update.  Paint your door a signature color.

Is your door exposed to the abusive afternoon sun?  If so, use marine-grade stain/varnish for durability.

Remember to always keep your threshold clean.  Wipe your door down on a regular basis.  

Last, but certainly not least, is what I like to call "door couture."  Unleash your creativity on the wreaths and decorations for your door.   Celebrate each season with something new for your front door.  


Don't forget about rugs too!

Top and Middle Rugs:  Pottery Barn; Bottom Rug:  Frontgate

By the Numbers:  Is ROI possible?

According to the "2013-2014 Cost vs. Value" analysis by the National Association of Realtors, an average door update cost of $1,162 will recoup 96.6% of the remodeling cost at resale.  Money well spent, I'd say.

Why Stop at the Front Door?

Garage doors don't have to be boring.  There are so many different styles of garage doors to choose from today.  Which style complements your home?

With the Club Road Project, we converted two single car garage doors to one large garage door.  Let's just say it had to do with a certain someone (I'm not mentioning any names) backing out and leaving a rear view mirror behind.  So, one door is easier to navigate.  Yes, I'm speaking from personal experience.  

The fiberglass door was painted and hardware was added to transform the basic fiberglass garage door into, what looks like, carriage doors.  A wrought iron detail was also added to the window above the garage for added architectural interest.

Now, what are you waiting for?  Dress your door!

Positively yours,



Paula Chamblin Aulino
Associate ASID

The Do's and Don'ts of Shopping a Sale

It's Sale Time!

If you're like me, your email is getting absolutely hammered with sale notices.  Summer is out and fall is in! That said, I thought it might be helpful to remind you of the "Do's and Dont's of Shopping a Sale."

One of my favorite blogs, WhoWhatWear, put together these helpful tips.

Have a great weekend!

WhoWhatWear

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino
Associate ASID

Words of (Wearable) Wisdom

Remembering the Chief

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my mom (a.k.a. Chief).  She lost her battle to breast cancer eleven years ago today.  Some days it feels like yesterday that she left us; other days it feels like decades.

My mother taught me so many valuable lessons in life.  The grace and elegance she showed in everything she did resonates with me today.

I think about the little moments we had together, sharing laughs and knowing looks.  It makes me smile.

I am so thankful for my mother and proud of the true lady she was in our lives.

In one of our last conversations, she said “I so wanted to see how your life turned out.”  In my heart, I think she can.

If your mother is still with you, call her now and tell her how much you cherish her and all the things she has done, and continues to do, for you today.

XXO P

Fashion Advice from Mom:

It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
If you've ever entered a room and immediately felt underdressed, chances are you don't want to repeat that feeling…ever…ever again.  

Never buy anything on sale that you wouldn’t buy at full price.
If you didn't like it at full price, why is it so appealing on sale?  I think it's just the desire to "find a deal."   If you don't really like it…will you wear it?  It doesn't matter that it originally cost $498 and you can score it for $14.99!  It's still $14.99 wasted if you're not going to wear it.  I always think of three things I already own that I can wear with a new piece.  If I can't think of three ways to style the new piece, I don't buy it (usually).  

You always feel better in something new.  

Note:  This piece of advice probably led to my shopaholic tendencies.

You know what I mean.  Enough said.

Always dress like a lady.

You can never go wrong dressing like a lady.  This doesn't mean you have to be prim and proper (i.e., stiff).  It just means, look elegant and leave a little to the imagination.  You can even incorporate "edgier" elements into your look and still look classic.  

Olivia Palermo, one of my current day fashion icons, is a role model for lady-like dressing.  She still looks elegant, even when rocking a biker jacket, jean cut-offs, or leather shorts.  Look how she puts with these edgier, more casual pieces with dressier ones (e.g., maxi skirt, longer length car coat, fitted blazer, etc.).  They totally elevate the more casual pieces to a new (higher) level.

Study your fashion icon and see the different ways she incorporates different looks into her style.

Invest in a few quality pieces rather than many lesser quality pieces.
My mother built her entire wardrobe on this premise.  She always invested in a few quality pieces each season instead of cramming her closet with many lesser quality, less expensive pieces.  I try to do the same thing.  I have pieces in my closet that I've had for years.  Why?  Because they are a classic style and a higher quality to stand the test of time and wear.  

Timeless pieces are just that:  Pieces that you should be able to wear for years with proper care.  Think classic camel colored coat, fitted black  jacket…you get the idea.  Those trendier pieces (and you know what I'm talking about) come and go each season.  Don't watch them leave with all your money.

Fashion Advice from Someone Else I Admire:   

My Husband

Avoid the "Clark Griswald" syndrome.  My husband, who loves to vacation, constantly reminds me that it's not always good to "do as the Romans do" -- even when in Rome!  He has a point.

I guess I won't pack the beret for Paris...

Thanks, Mom (and Mike)!

Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino

Associate ASID