Master Bathroom Renovation & Large Master Bedroom Ideas From A Recent Dallas, TX Home Renovation

Before Large Master Bedroom Remodel

1980’s WARNING: this home was custom built in the 1980s. This happy couple was ready to remodel their master bedroom and bring it up to date. They love the color but wanted the room to be serene and calm at the same time. The after photos at the bottom of this post were featured in Luxe magazine, Dallas TX edition.

Loving, clean, modern lines, even though their home was traditional in style, they wanted to ensure that the updates wouldn’t look too modern for the rest of their house.

The large master bedroom ideas began to flow as we walked into the room. The light-flooded into the bay windows and their backyard garden is gorgeous. You all know how much I love gardens.

Large Master Bedroom Ideas & Challenges

The original ceiling lines were a challenge; the multiple angles dictate the room. The other major challenge was reconfiguring the plan to give additional space to the small master bathroom. They had enough space to “steal” from the master bedroom ideas to give the master bathroom a nice size tub, shower, water closet, and double vanity.

Master Bedroom Master Bath Remodel Ideas & Takeaways

1. Rethink your floor plan.

The first part of the design was the new layout for the master bedroom and master bathroom. We needed to take space from the master bedroom and give it to the master bathroom. We reconfigured the plan to take 3-feet off the master bedroom.

2. Change or add a structure such as a master bedroom fireplace.

We also changed the corner fireplace that jetted into the bedroom and made this wall an angle. This allowed more space to move the bed over toward the windows. This allowed us the room to give to the master bath. Plus, this helped light flood the room.

3. Rethink moulding, soffits, and drywall.

The second area that we addressed was the ceiling and its odd angles. To address this, we built in a soffit to create a cove ceiling. This allowed us to hide the angles in the soffits.

4. Use multiple forms of lighting.

Our next step was to add additional lighting by layering the room with recessed lighting in the cove surround, reading lights above the bed, spotlights by the new fireplace, and recessed rope lighting in the crown area of the crown moulding.

5. Use sliding barn doors or pocket doors to save space.

It takes 32″ for the average door to open. A sliding door takes up about 3-4 inches max. A pocket door actually goes inside the wall and takes up no additional space.

6. Use pendant chandeliers instead of bedside lamps to eliminate nightstand clutter.

When planning your large master bedroom remodel, you’ll want to make sure lamps or lighting comfortable for reading or visuals. I prefer pendant lights and individual reading lights for most clients, but this a big consideration when determining the type of desired reading lights.

7. Use mirrors and mirrored nightstands to maximize space visually.

Even though this master bedroom was large, we wanted to ensure the nightstands didn’t appear too close to the fireplace.

By adding the mirrored nightstands and mirrors above them with pendant fixtures in the same chrome finishes, we made the bedside feel spacious. If we had used multiple finishes and solid wood looks here, the space could have looked congested.

8. Modern fireplace with remote flames.

As great as the aroma of wood-burning fireplaces may seem, they are messy and produce not such healthy toxins in a master bedroom. We recommend more modern remote fireplaces with automatic flames.

9. Add benches or stools at the foot of the bed.

If space allows, we find benches and stools are among our client’s favorite things on a large master bedroom remodeling project. If you are pet owner, and your pets sleep with you, stools and benches can be a step ladder into the bed 🙂 My little Leo, our D’KOR HOME Chief of Security is a BIG fan of stools and benches.

10. Wall mount a plasma and soundbar.

Come on, ladies, make your hubby happy! Haha. I love my bedroom televisions. I realize some couples don’t, so it is preferable to put a television in your bedroom. My hubby, Bob, normally travels throughout the week, so I’m home alone most of the time. Needless to say, the television is my personal movie theater.Hanging the television is normally the best solution for height, plus it keeps the dresser top clear. Mounting a soundbar instead of leaving it on the dresser is a nice solution too.

More 3-D Design Renderings | The Master Bedroom Design Ideas

Master Suite Remodel Ideas | Master Bedroom Ideas | Master Suite Renovation Ideas | Dallas Designers | D’KOR HOME by Dee Frazier Interiors, Interior Designers In Dallas TX

Master Suite Remodel Ideas | Master Suite Renovation Ideas | Dallas Designers | D’KOR HOME by Dee Frazier Interiors, Interior Designers In Dallas TX | Master Bedroom Renovation Ideas

I hope you’ve gotten a few Large Master Bedroom Ideas from this Dallas, TX interior design project. If you need a Dallas interior designer, drop me a line or give us a ring. We’d love to be considered for your home renovation projects.

Thanks in advance for your comments -they let me know you’re reading 🙂

You’re going to love seeing the coordinating Master Bathroom Remodel!

Click here to see this same home’s Spa Like Bathroom & Master Bathroom Remodel Ideas. It is one of my favorite interior design projects of all time.

X-

Dee

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

Dallas Interior Design Firms & How We’re Helping Boutique Firms Through COVID-19 Shutdowns

Dallas Designers & Dallas Interior Design Firms, We’re Here For You…

Dear Dallas Designers, Interior Designers From Afar or Stranded Home Remodeling Home Owners:

There are a lot of great interior designers throughout the United States and globally. We realize how hard it is for you to catch a flight, find childcare for your children, and to make it to your interior design projects on time. As award-winning Dallas designers, we want to help you.

When my Dallas interior design studio receives a call from someone let down my other Dallas Interior Design Firms, I’m saddened. Some Dallas designers would be happy to have the business. I am. I’m grateful, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Others are stranded and not able to fulfill business and family obligations.

Many Dallas Interior Design Firms are going out of business. Some are leaving customers hanging. All while customers are hanging in limbo wondering whether or not they will receive their home furnishings or services or if their home remodeling project will be finished. Will their dream bathroom remodel or kitchen remodel be completed this year?

With my years as a trained graphic designer and with over 20 years helping others excel at Target, I am looking forward to using both my design & project management business knowledge to help other designers and interior design firms in America keep moving. Yes, even my competition, even my fellow Dallas Interior Design Firms.

What We Are Doing To Help Other Dallas Interior Design Firms

I am fortunate to have a Senior Interior Designer, Lori Yusten and a remarkable staff who are all working from home at the moment. In the process, we are preparing installations for designers nationally and globally who can’t fly to Dallas. While times are tough for everyone, we see this as.a little way we can help fellow interior designers.

Here’s how we are working during COV-19 and moving forward:

1. Sign an NDA & Non-Compete.

If you’re a homeowner who’s been stranded by a contractor, don’t worry…this Step 1, does not really apply to you.

Together with other national interior design firms, our Dallas Interior Design Firms sign an NDA with other design firms. The NDA is a non-disclosure agreement that ensures we will not speak of this arrangement with the homeowners. Technically we are white labeling ourselves to help fellow designers. The non-compete affiliation clause is added for two purposes.

First, so that other design firms understand that we are not trying to steal their clients. As designers we work really hard for clients so taking them from each other is simply not cool.

Secondly, we have an affiliation clause which states if a client asks for more work, we get to fulfill that project too; this is only fair because our project management and seamless installation services are often the reason clients move forward with more work.

After reading this post, other Dallas interior design firms will most likely follow suit, however, we are confident that our services excel far above those of others. Our team is large and our contractors are simply the best. Hence the reason, our Dallas Interior Design Firm Dee Frazier Interiors is consistently Voted Best of Houzz for Design & Service.

2. Conduct Skype Meetings With Our Dallas Interior Design Firms.

Via a Skype or Hangouts call, we meet with other design teams to obtain the full scope of their projects and where they are in the process. We determine how to best help them fulfill orders and project manage the entire interior design installation.Some designers have not been able to start on projects they’ve committed to, it’s okay. We’ll work with you to “white label” aka. be your “Dallas Interior Design Firms”. Designers, you are still in the driver’s seat. We are temporarily lending our well bodies and design expertise if needed for your projects.Just for the fun of it, here are a few photos of our Dallas designers & residential interior designers ‘social distancing’ and working remotely…

Dallas Designers On Calls With Clients & Other Interior Designers Across The United States

3. Fulfill the Interior Design Project Scope.

Without hesitation, we have begun doing everything necessary to help other interior designers get their jobs completed on time. Here are just a few of the ways we’ve helped other boutique interior design firms:

4. Site Visits & Meetings.

We have made numerous site visits to take measurements and either Messenger, FaceTime or WhatsApp, designers while we’re there.

5. Create White Label Interior Design Plans.

For designers taking care of sick family members or with children at home, we’ve drafted house plans in CAD and other formats with their emailed changes.

6. Home Decor & Window Treatment Installations

From Home Furnishings and accessories to Home Remodeling, we’ve installed custom cabinets and accessories down to the last detail – all via FaceTime or other video conferencing so the designer is involved in the entire process. Check out Home Design Trends 2020

7. Home Remodeling Project Management Services.

A couple of interior designers have contractors that are not able to complete a home remodeling project. Our contractors are lending a helping hand.

How can our Dallas Interior Design Firms and Dallas Designers in four Dallas Metro locations help you during these trying times? Click. here.

Drop us a line to let us know. We are here for you.

Thanks so much for reading! Are you on social media? If so, follow me and my interior designers and interior decorators on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or Linkedin. You won’t believe some of the fun stuff that goes behind the scenes of our residential interior design projects.

X-

Dee & your Dallas Designers

P.S. Click here to tour 20+ Amazing Plano, Frisco, Allen & Dallas, TX Interior Design Projects

P.S.S. View our latest issue of D’KOR HOME design magazine.

P.S.S.S. In case you’re wondering….the feature image of the bedroom project used on this post is from a recent master bedroom & master bathroom remodel that was featured in Luxe Magazine, Dallas, TX issue.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

24 Super Colorful Home Office Ideas That Make Working At Home Easier

Quarantine Yourself In My Colorful Home Office Ideas

Going through this worldwide pandemic is not fun for so many of my friends on social media. Fortunately, a lot of my design business involves digital meetings so we are still doing business as normal. Only one of us works in our design resource center where we make all of our selections. Typically, I am the only one working all day in the office. Lori and our other designers are working from home. To help us all get through the next few weeks and “shelter in place”, scroll through my collection of the “most colorful home office ideas“! Ready? Let’s scroll…

24 Most Colorful Home Office Ideas Thanks to Pinterest

1. Add a focal rug & focal wall. Black & White Office With Color | Bellagio by Kelly Wearstler

If Kelly Wearstler isn’t amazing, I don’t know what interior designer is! A huge shout out to her black, white and hot pink alligator skin chair Bellagio home office. I love to stark contrast of the black and white rug and the black and white photography mixed with a pop of pink, red, purple and really whatever color you want to mix in.

The cool thing is…the one thing that pulls the room together is the oversized purple abstract painting with the purple flowers. Simply gorgeous which is why the Bellagio is number one even though the remainder of my most colorful home office ideas are in no order whatsoever. Okay, let’s scroll…

Credits: 1stdibs
Designer: Kelly Wearstler
Photographer: Grey Crawford

2. Add printed drapes with a black and white rug. | Play on Pattern | Colorful Home Office Ideas

Here we go again…that black and white rug mixed with a beautiful red desk is like the cherry on top of this vibrant home office. Featured in the 2014 Hamptons Traditional Home Designer Showhouse was on a summer porch. (All credits on my Pinterest board – click here), this amazing fun colorful office is perfect for the casual work at homer. No Grammarly I don’t mean “Homer”. Yes, quarantine may be getting to all of us.

Yellow walls are among my favorite color stories to use in projects. When balancing his ideas with hers in my project with a giant fish tank, the yellow walls were our big compromise.

Check out my Design Therapy post and learn How To Incorporate a 150 Gallon Aquarium & Save Your Marriage. Seriously, if you’re feeling down and out during these desolate times, I think you should head on over to your local Sherwin Williams and paint the world. Maybe then we can rid Coronavirus too! I mean what if designers solved that dilemma too. As a lover of monochromatic, yellow and the mix of the abstract flower-filled vases, this colorful home office idea screamed HAPPY~

3. Paint the interior of bookshelves & repurpose an old dresser. | Elegant British Style Home In a New York Apartment from Traditional Home

We’ve all got a little extra time now, right? Why repurpose that old dresser and build some bookshelves on top? Take a close look – it’s an older dresser built into a bookcase unit. Another idea: Paint the backs and sides of existing shelves to add more color to your home office.

Credits: Traditional Home

4. Repurpose a dining table for your desk, order your favorite wallcovering and paint your ceiling a coordinating color.

This is probably one of the easiest yet most difficult design strategies to pull off. I love this vibrant blue wallcovering with a complimentary Kelly Green ceiling from the 2015 Atlanta Symphony Showhouse. If you’re going to paint your ceiling color, be sure that you consider the horizontal surface. Most people look at color vertically instead of horizontally. Needless to say, we don’t want you to have a color pandemic during a worldwide pandemic. One of my other clients has already had a kitchen pandemic. If you missed that post, you’ll want to read How To Avoid a Kitchen Pandemic.

Credits: Traditional Home

5. Paint your entire home office with lacquer.

Lacquering spaces and furnishings make them look larger! Lacquer takes on the natural effect of glass. This is another of my favorites from Traditional Home showcase homes. “Designer Summer Thornton lacquered the study walls cobalt blue and incorporated coral accents and furnishings.”

Credits: Traditional Home
Designer: Summer Thornton
Photographer: Werner Straube

6. Play with basics and patterns to convert your home office into a vibrant work oasis.

Incorporating wallpapers is a fast fun way to get color on your walls. Wall paper hangers work solo and don’t come in contact with too many people so they are pretty safe to allow in your home, even during the quarantine. That is not saying that it’s legal everywhere. You should consult your local government daily to see what local restrictions are mandated.

Credits: Traditional Home | Colorful Home Office Ideas

7. Decorate for you, not your area.

When it comes to colorful home office ideas, now is not the time to think about resale. Now is the time to think about YOU and your productivity while you’re forced to work from home. Designer Melanie Turner decorated this home office, “As relaxed as the lazy tides at its doorstep, a Carolina home designed by Melanie Turner cocoons a family with memories, mementos, and meaning.” wrote Traditional Home. Make your office a space that makes you happy and one that you can be productive in.

Credits: Traditional Home
Designer: Melanie Turner

8. Use dramatic color breaks.

Yes, it’s perfectly okay to be bold. Isn’t that what America is all about. As I see all of the newscasters and journalists working from home, I don’t see anything memorable about their home offices. I love the striking red and blue walls in the 2016 Hampton Designer Showhouse by Traditional Home magazine.

Credits: Traditional Home | Colorful Home Office Ideas

9. Paint cabinets dual tones.

It’s okay to mix colors on your upper and lower cabinets. It’s also okay to paint the molding details as interior designer Toby Fairly did in this crafts room featured in where else? Traditional Home.

Credits: Traditional Home
Designer: Tobi Fairley
Photographer: Nancy Nolan

10. Paint your walls yellow to welcome the sunshine!

In the 2016 Hampton Designer Showhouse, 22+ designers showcase effortless seaside style. I can’t remember who this interior designer was, but I loved the room because it was simple, elegant and understated. Plus it goes back to my yellow paint theory of “yellow brings in the rays of sunshine!”

Credits: Traditional Home | Colorful Home Office Ideas

11. Afraid to commit to color? Paint pegboard instead of your walls.

Okay, so we’re all in this home office working environment and so what if you’re not going to be working at home forever? Or what if you don’t want to commit to painting your entire room? Paint some pegboard! Thank me later! Don’t thank me…thank HowJoyful 🌺 Calligraphy & Lettering for Beginners + DIY Tutorials. She’s created a great idea to help you get everything organized with no commitments.

12. Go bright & white with understated geometrics In your home office.

Such a great inspiring photo for storage and craft ideas, Heart Handmade UK. She’s used bins for her papers, boxes to store things that would otherwise need drawers or appear messy. Her blog contains a lot more great ideas if you’re into crafting organizational tips.

Credits: Heart Handmade UK | Craft Room Ideas, Craft Ideas For Adults

13. Use lattice & mirror to expand your space.

In an 1850s Greek Revival house in the Garden District of New Orleans, designer Grace Kaynor and her husband, Sandy worked with architect Davis Jahncke, Jr., the Kaynors. As Southern Living magazine states, they “spent four years righting over 150 years of wrongs”. I love the beautiful use of lattice with the mirror which completely opens up the room visually.

Credits: Southern Living
Designer: Grace Kaynor and her husband, Sandy
Photographer: Laurey W. Glenn

14. Be brave! Be energetic! Paint your walls red.

There was a great little nook office in the 2017 Southern Style Now Showhouse sponsored by Traditional Home magazine. The designer did an amazing job of refining such as small space. Instead of choosing to paint the window trim a contrasting color, they painted it the same colors as the walls which made the tiny space feel larger and less confining.

Credits: Traditional Home | Colorful Home Office Ideas

15. Drop-down desk & bar bureau.

When Bob saw me curating this most colorful home office ideas post, he said, honey, I want that desk for my home office! Of course, great inspirational ideas come out of showcase homes. This image was from one of the 24 designers who collaborated to create cohesive yet daring retreats in the 2017 Hampton Designer Showhouse. I follow Krissa Rossbund on Instagram. I’m pretty sure she will be able to tell us which designer made my husband’s day! haha.

16. Create a statement wall.

Small spaces love pattern. Honestly, small spaces are the best for big bold patterns. With this colorful Osborne & Little wallpaper creates a library feel, perfect for a cheery home office.

Credits: Ideal Home
Photographer: Lizzie Orme

17. Upholstered statement walls help to reduce noise.

There’s no better noise control than upholstering a wall. Recently we had a client call and move his home office project to prioritize it before another room that we were working on. He needed a place to think, record podcasts, and not hear every word bouncing around his busy house.

Credits: Architectural Digest
Photographer: Durston Saylor

18. Add lighting where you need it and color where it feels good.

This is an easy color change out when and if the homeowners get tired of the teal. Our Texas interior design firm‘s client’s love love love love love teal! I love the pop of depth of this teal in combination with a limited green leather chair and the colored books. Oh! And look at those sconces! Don’t be afraid to attach sconces where lighting is required! Really….it’s just cabinets.

Make use of what you have! For goodness sake, bring light to your situation when you can. I had to shout out to New York designer Steven Gambrel with this Bridgehampton project – he did a great job convincing his interior design clients to trust him! I bet they love it.

Credits: Architectural Digest
Designer: Steven Gambrel
Photographer: Eric Piasecki

19. Gallery wall ideas with colorfully painted backdrops.

Into the gallery wall trend? Consider painting your wall a soft pale color to give your gallery wall a focal point.

Credits: Etsy

20. Alexandra von Furstenberg’s Sunny Italian Work Space

Possibly one of my favorite offices of all is this Alexandra von Furstenberg’s sunny workspace. It looks like she’s outside.

I found this image on AD and their article stated, “This cheerful space is full of sharp angles while also maintaining a lot of fun. Alexandra von Furstenberg created the acrylic desk, side table, and (in collaboration with Dax Design) shelving for her Los Angeles home office, which is also outfitted with two Milo Baughman lounge chairs, an Eames desk chair by Herman Miller, a Dax Design cabinet, and a Philippe Starck floor lamp by Flos; the large photograph is by Kim Keever, and the easel displays an issue of Interview magazine signed by Andy Warhol to Von Furstenberg.” It’s simply gorgeous.

Do you like it as much as I do? I mean I know Dallas isn’t into this, it’s more LA and Miami but I LOVE IT!

Credits: Architectural Digest
Photographer: Douglas Friedman

21. Convert your guest room to your child’s next bedroom. | Pretty in Pink Home Office Ideas.

At our interior design firm, we recommend clients think ahead versus making irrational decisions during situations like we’re all in.

Recently we had a client that was going to convert another room into her daughter’s grown-up room. While they didn’t need to move forward with the project for a few months, instead of renovating another room in their house that they had slated for something else, we recommended they consider completing their daughter’s grown-up room which would contain a study space.

This beautiful pink little girl’s bedroom is in a “Manhattan townhouse by decorators Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper. The room is dressed in Osborne & Little and Designers Guild fabrics, the chair is from Profiles, and the carpeting is by Stark.” says Architectural Digest.

Credits: Architectural Digest
Photographer: Nikolas Koenig

22. Magnify the color.

AD says, “One way to ensure your office isn’t a total snooze? Paint on a few coats of high-gloss paint in a bright shade.” New York interior designer, Katie Ridder designed this beautiful red-lacquered study for a Manhattan client. She says, “The raspberry shade is exciting but not overwhelming—it’s the perfect hue for a creative space.” I agree, Katie. Beautiful work!

Credits: House Beautiful
Designer: Katie Ridder
Photographer: Eric Piasecki

23. Go big and bold! Remove a closet to make space for your home office.

In stylist Carlos Mota’s Dominican Republic beach house, he incorporated a Picasso-inspired mural decorates a wall near the office, where an Indian chair is pulled up to a desk designed by Mota.There are lots of ways to repurpose the footprint of your home. When we go to our home renovation interior design meetings, it’s shocking how much space most Texas homes have. One of my favorite things is reconfiguring homes and repurposing existing space. I love how this home office appears to be in the place of a closet that could have been at the end of a hallway.

Credits: Architectural Digest
Designer: Carlos Mota
Photographer: Douglas Friedman

24. Use wallcoverings or fabrics in small doses to create a big impact.

Don’t let the blues settle in! Get a calming effect. In this Connecticut study, interior designer Brooke Crew fused Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray (which, despite its name, is, in fact, blue) as a focal point for the office. Then she added a small dose of beautiful fabric.

Colorful Home Office Ideas | Credits: House Beautiful
Designer: Brooke Crew
Photographer: Beatriz da Costa

I hope you all are inspired to go and decorate your own home offices. If you are anywhere in Dallas metro or Houston, Texas and you need some inspiration. We can be there for you. If you’re anywhere else nationwide or in other parts of the world, we do designs and present them via Skype with a shopping list or we can even install your goods anywhere.

Thank you all for reading! Please comment below with the number or number of your favorite most colorful home office ideas.

Be colorful in dark times!

Dee

P.S. Be sure to share, pin, or bookmark this page for later.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

10 Step Water Damage Restoration Guide To Avoid a Kitchen Pandemic | Waking Up To A Flooded Kitchen

It’s hard to imagine that in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, that your home could experience a disaster too. I received a referral call from a client’s neighbor. Both are in the medical services field. One is an office manager, the other a doctor. They experienced a pandemic in the midst of a health pandemic. What happened? Their kitchen flooded!!! The worst part is….it was the second time their kitchen flooded in the last year. And…the kitchen is not the old room affected.

In this post, you’ll find a complete checklist on what to do when disaster strikes your house. Really…do you know:

What to do after a flood in your home or office?
Waking up to a flooded kitchen?
How do you deal with your insurance company after a flood?
Who do you call first after a flood?

Knowing invaluable flood precautions and water damage repair solutions will make your life easier. It will save your belongings. Below I’ve compiled a complete Water Damage Restoration Guide for my clients and I wanted to share it with you, my readers. I’m also sharing the kitchen design plans and story of a kitchen renovation project I’m working on because of a flood that just happened last week.

The Kitchen Design Plans

First, before going into what to do to prevent a flood in your home or sharing my water restoration guide with you, I want to share the good parts of the kitchen renovation – the design & behind the scenes of what’s occurring now! Then you’ll see the processes and checklist that I recommend to all of my clients when we’re forced to make lemontinis out of lemons thrown our way. If you’re not interested in the fun part = the kitchen design, keep scrolling until you see “Water Damage Restoration Guide”. Or scroll to the bottom if you want to see the old kitchen before looking at the new kitchen design plans.

Fortunately, to prevent hiring yet another contractor that would not thoroughly complete the job, their neighbor stepped in and recommended my Dallas interior design firm, Dee Frazier Interiors. We had originally delayed their project because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Needless to say, nature had other plans. First, I want to go in reverse and show you the beautiful kitchen design plan, then I will share a complete checklist of how to avoid major catastrophe in your home. Watch my very first Facebook live to see the plans for the kitchen renovation project…

MY FIRST FACEBOOK LIVE – watch to see this amazing DALLAS INTERIOR DESIGN & KITCHEN RENOVATION PROJECT! #HibernationNation duty calls…emergencies happen in homes too…watch to see my solution…

Posted by Dee Frazier Interiors – #1 Plano & Frisco Interior Designer, Decorating Den on Saturday, March 28, 2020

Site Tour of The Current State of The Kitchen Renovation

Yesterday, I had to make a site visit to resolve some construction issues for my contractors. Before I share the processes of how to handle a flood in your home and my water restoration guide, here is the state of the kitchen remodel at the moment:

Yesterday's site visit to the flooded kitchen. I'm writing a blog post all about this project now. If you have not…

Posted by Dee Frazier Interiors – #1 Plano & Frisco Interior Designer, Decorating Den on Saturday, March 28, 2020

Now, onto what has gone on behind the scenes before all of this…water damage restoration guide.

Water Damage Restoration Guide

1. Know how to turn off your water, especially the kitchen sink.

Always know where your water supply is located and how to turn it off. Ladies, ask your husband to show you how to turn off the water at the sinks, toilets, and at the road or wherever your main water shut off is located. They may not be available on FaceTime while there’s a catastrophe going on. I also advise that you show your maid or any other workers that frequent your home. Water doesn’t judge and the sooner the water is off the less damage there will be.

2. Call your public adjuster and file a homeowner’s insurance to report a claim.

Depending on what state you live in or the type of dwelling, calling a public adjuster is highly recommended for my clients that have homes in cities such as Miami or for clients that live in condominiums. When in residential single-family homes in Dallas metro, calling the insurance company directly can be the best way to resolve an insurance claim. When calling the insurance company or public adjuster have your policy number handy.

I advise putting policy numbers in your phone notes or make them easily searchable in your email. In the midst of water damage, home repairs solutions should be at your fingertips.

Warning: Do not undermind the water damage situation with the insurance company. My clients in Florida tell me horror stories of dealing with insurance companies. Water seeps into walls, under floors, and through rooms. Keep reading, you won’t even believe how far my recent kitchen renovation water seeped. It’s really unreal. In short, the damage may not be visible at the time you report to the insurance company so simply let them know you are not an expert and you do not know the extent of the damage.

Sometimes calling the public adjuster can be your lifesaver as they are able to attest the damage in case the insurance company has a payout issue.

3. Take photos and videos of the visible water damages before moving anything.

If your kitchen floods, be sure to take photos and videos of everything that you see. Don’t undermind the importance of your documentation of the process. For everything that you see, there will be lots of issues that will most likely reveal themselves later. The more photos and videos you have the better.

4. Unplug all large & small appliances.

Wet electrical can cause a fire. Unplug all appliances of all sizes, both large and small.

5. Remove all furniture and any objects.

Only after you have taken photos and videos for your insurance company, remove all items from the area.

How To Dry Out A Flooded Home | Water Damage Restoration Guide

6. Get rid of the water.

Mop or soak up the water with towels. If your lawn or plants need watering, please consider letting nature have a drink instead of pouring the water down the drain. If the local sewer system is backed up, DO NOT pour water down the drain.

7. Dry out the area.

Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the area. If it’s not raining outside, open windows and let the wind and breezes help out.

8. Spray on a mold remediation product or call a mold & mildew remediation specialist.

Mold and mildew can grow quickly and expand over time. Do not take the situation lightly! Mold and mildew affect your family’s health and you must check everywhere for it!

I have not personally used, Concroblium Mold Control, but I hear it’s fantastic. Conrobrobium’s website states, “After you’ve disinfected and let the area thoroughly dry out, apply Concrobium Mold Control throughout the affected area according to directions.” Their product is non-toxic, made with distilled water and inorganic salts.

Concroblium goes on to say, “You can use it on furniture, walls, floors, basically anything that is susceptible to mold growth. Once a thin layer of Concrobium Mold Control is applied, let it dry overnight. As Concrobium dries, it forms a thin layer over any mold that may be growing and actually crushes the roots of the spores. Wherever it’s sprayed will prevent any mold from growing, providing continued resistance. If you’re spraying an entire room, you might want to consider renting a mister from a hardware store such as Home Depot. It’s easy to use and very fast.”

Call in a mold & mildew and remediation specialist if you are not able to perform this work yourself. If you’re working with a public adjuster they will do all of this for you.

9. Dispose of destroyed products and furnishings responsibly.

Visit the Dallas, TX City Hall site to see a list of recommended landfills. Here are a few other cities you may be in and the links that may help: Plano, TX City Hall, Frisco, TX City Hall, or Allen, TX City Hall please click on your city links to see the legal landfills with proper disposal instructions. If I didn’t list your city, simply do a google or bing search for “City, State City Hall Landfill” and you should find your cities instructions.

10. Call your home remodeling contractor or interior designer to receive renovation quotes & replacement solutions.

Life without a kitchen can be downright DIFFICULT, to say the least! When choosing a home renovation contractor or interior designer, make sure whoever you choose is knowledgeable and reliable. Seriously, you would not believe the horror story my clients have endured.

Now, we’re in the planning stages and drying out stages of my client’s home. Scroll up to watch the video if you missed it. Their kitchen went from this…

Before Water Damage Restoration Plan | Stained Cabinets & Dark Floors

No thanks to a flooded kitchen, our client was forced to rip out everything from floors, all lower cabinets, and furniture. The flood ruined almost everything sitting on the floor. The floor squished when walking on it.

Look close. You’ll see the floors were buckling. The island is saturated with water. If you look below you’ll see the finish is coming off of the island. As you can see, photos don’t really do this situation justice. You may look at the photos and think, “well that is a pretty kitchen”. Unfortunately, I did not take a video during our first consultation. The homeowner’s insurance company issued their payout so I did not need to serve a witness to the situation. For the purposes of this blog post i do wish I had taken the video or gone live so that you could get the real assessment of how sneaky water damage can be.

dark black kitchen island with bar stools

Water Damage Restoration Guide Needed For This Kitchen With Buckling Floors

The damage affected their appliances and all lower cabinets.Instead of replacing only the lower cabinets, the homeowners are putting their own cash into a full new kitchen.

The New All-White Kitchen Design | Water Damage Restoration Plan

Going from dark to bright white as I did in my own personal kitchen is sure to be the “bright light at the end of the wet tunnel”. Stay posted to my social media for updates and happening. Subscribe here on D’KOR HOME if you haven’t already. I’ll be sure to reveal the final kitchen design project here first.

Thank you all for reading. I hope this Water Damage Restoration Guide post has been helpful to you. Please be so kind as to leave me a comment below to say “hi” and let me know you’ve read. Sometimes I do feel like I’m talking to Google vs. people 🙂 haha.

XO~

Dee

P.S. Right now during times of Coronavirus quarantine, my Game Room Idea post or my 7 Awesome Family Room Idea post could be super beneficial for your family.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

Impress Your Guest! 53 Super Easter Home Decor & Easter Brunch Ideas

While in the midst of a worldwide pandemic because of Coronavirus, let’s make the best of the situation. Easter is around the corner! In case you’re already losing track of time, Easter 2020 is Sunday, April 12th. Last night, I was gathering Easter home decor & decorating ideas including Easter brunch or lunch table centerpiece ideas for my family.

Pinterest came to the rescue so I’ve rounded up all of the best and most beautiful ideas I found. I hope they come in handy for you too!

You are going to LOVE #47! See if you agree that it’s one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen!

Scroll through this blog post to find my favor

1. Super Creative DIY Easter Foods

2. Phenomenal Easter Home Decor Ideas

3. Easter Centerpiece Ideas

4. Spring & Easter Wreath Ideas For Your Front Door

To make your life easier, as you scroll through, please click each image to be taken directly to the recipe or how-to.

1. Super Simple Easter Vegetable Trays

Sorella Collective on Instagram created this beautiful simplistic vegetable tray. Selecting fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, cauliflower, radishes, orange tomatoes, and snap peas along with keeping some leafy greens give the tray a sense of Easter.

2. Make Bunny Rolls With Your Kids

Skip to my Lou made me smile when I saw her creative idea to make your Easter brunch, lunch or dinner extra special. Plus the kids will smile. I have not tried them yet, but she says, “they are great with just a pat of melted butter, yum! Or if you’re looking for more casual Easter dinner ideas, slice these little bunny bread rolls open for the cutest sandwiches ever!”

3. Decorate a Spring Butterfly & Rose Cake

There’s no way I can replicate this beautiful cake by Julia Kedyarvara. I thought it might inspire you to put your artistic skills to use in painting fondant icing to create an Easter cake masterpiece. After all, most of us have nothing but time in our homes so why not order in or try making fondant icing and having a little fun.

4. Use Cookie Cutters To Be Creative. | Alice In Wonderland Easter Card Cookies.

With almost any kind of sugar cookie or butter cookie dough, go on Amazon and order some cookie cutters and food die. Have a blast making Easter cookies with the kiddos.

5. Easter Chicks Deviled Eggs

Cincy Shopper created these super cute Easter Chicks Deviled Eggs. Cincy says, “they are so simple to make and look so darn cute! Whip them up quite quickly for your Easter dinner side dish or appetizer.” Click the image to see how she made these.

6. Peep Fruit Sticks | Easter Snack Ideas

Sometimes it’s hard to slow kids down long enough to eat between Easter games and activities. Here is a cool way to create a healthy, easy to grab Easter snack. Thank you Amee’s Savory Dish for the beautiful idea.

7. Add Easter Eggs & Decor With Everyday Table Linens & Dinnerware

If you read my Christmas table centerpiece and Christmas decor blog posts, you know how much I love incorporating holiday decor

8. Make Easter Bunny Napkin Rings.

home, interior, design, dallas, designers, home, interior, design, dallas, designers, view

10. Use Real Carrots With Yellow & White Daisies In A Plain Glass Vase For a Conversational Easter Brunch Centerpiece.

11. Write a name on an egg at each place setting.

12. Top off cupcakes to decorate Easter cupcakes.

Prima Co. in the UK says these cute Easter bunny cupcakes in decorative paper cupcake holders take approximately 65 minutes to bake and decorate twelve. “As far as Easter cupcake ideas go, these adorable lemon cakes topped with delicious buttercream, chocolate bunnies, and mini eggs are perfect,” says Prima Co. Click the link for her recipe but please keep in mind that UK ingredients are different that ingredients in Europe so please use a US recipe for your cake, otherwise it could go flat!

13. Add basket textures & beautiful Easter brunch dessert plates. |

Using these awesome basketweave chargers mixed with solid dinnerware with inexpensive dessert plates say “Easter”. Yet…there is very little “Easter” decor on the table. The basic potted white tulips mixed with textures and bunnies make a BIG statement for such easy changes. Thank you for the lovely suggestions Home With Holliday.

14. Italian style Easter egg rolls – make the perfect asset to Easter Brunch.

Pennies on a Platter says, “Italian Easter Bread is a soft sweet bread with an Easter egg baked in the middle and topped with sprinkles. This simple braided bread recipe includes easy step-by-step photos and a video. Your guests will be impressed and enjoy having their own edible Easter nests!” Click on the photo to get her recipe.

15. Make an eggstra cool fruit pizza. | Easter Egg Shaped Pizza

Sugar Hero is helping us all add an eggstra dose of healthy sugar combined with a little sugar cookie crust with her Easter Egg Fruit Pizza. Perfect to serve it for breakfast, brunch, or as a light dessert. The combination of fresh fruit, strawberry cream cheese frosting, and sugar cookie crust is refreshing and delicious!

16. The grown-up Easter egg hunt party tray.

Add anything your heart desires with a tray like this. From pretzels, cheeses, olives, nuts and fruits. Just don’t forget the leafy green carrots and easter egg chocolates surrounded with rosemary – those make the entire tray “Eastery”.

17. Create a tulip carrot door wreath.

Thanks to The Cottage Market, I bring you one of the most creative Easter decorating ideas wreath ideas I’ve seen to date. Click on the photo to learn how to make your own.

18. Highlight your everyday decor that could be “Eastery”.

Thank you for the beautiful cloche suggestion Agils Home!

19. Use colorful fruits or Easter eggs as bases in clear vases with fresh flowers.

Thank you for the beautiful hydrangea arrangement Southern State of Mind Blog.

20. Easter Bunny Pancakes

With a little luck on the right size pancake circles and a few cutting techniques, DIY Candy’s super cool Easter Bunny Pancakes can put a smile on your kid’s faces. Click here to learn How To Make Easter Bunny Pancakes.

21. Use cookie cutters & candy to create beautiful Easter platters.

Sugar & Charm’s beautiful cookie & candy tray could be a fun project with the kiddos. Grab a couple of Easter shaped cookie cutters and have a little fun decorating cookies with the kids.

22. Organic Tulip Arrangement.

Take a pot of tulips, and put them in a large glass vase. Surround the tulip’s pot with organic white and brown eggs.

23. Bird’s Nest Inspired Easter Brunch Table.

24. Easter Candy Centerpiece Idea.

Like the tulip idea above, surround a second glass vase with candy or eggs.

25. Use colorful table linens.

26. Colorful Easter Egg Floral Centerpiece Idea.

27. Gardening Easter Brunch Ideas.

28. Blue & White Gardening Easter Home Decor Ideas.

If you saw my personal kitchen interior design, you’ll know why I love this table so much.

29. Gardening Easter Brunch Ideas Using Milk Glass.

31. Cabbage Gardening Easter Brunch Ideas With Yellow Accents.

32. One Hour Easter Dinner Idea.

Chelsea Messy Apron says, “An ENTIRE Easter Dinner made in under an hour! Two sheet pans hold all the food that is baked at the same time!! This Sheet Pan Easter Dinner consists of: roasted Parmesan asparagus, honey-butter roasted carrots, pineapple brown sugar ham, cheesy au gratin potatoes, and a toasted baguette.” I can’t wait to try this Chelsea!

33. Shabby Chic Easter Centerpiece & Easter Brunch Ideas.

34. Shabby Chic Easter Home Decor & Table Centerpiece Ideas.

This Bunny Cut-Up Cake idea by Homan at Home is such a great idea. It takes one cake mix, two round cake pans, a little cutting, and the result is an adorable bunny!

35. Green & Pink Easter Centerpiece & Easter Brunch Ideas.

36. Artificial Grass Green & Pink Easter Centerpiece & Easter Brunch Ideas.

Natalie from Notey says, “Thanksgiving may be all about the turkey, but when it comes to Easter brunch we must admit that is not all about the food. It is more about the colorful and festive.” I agree with you Natalie! Beautiful idea! Thank you for sharing.

37. Little Chic Easter Bunny Rolls.

Click here to learn how this German blogger made these adorable Easter chic rolls.

38. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes into fruit.

Click here to see how German blogger Archzine cuts Easter fruit trays.

40. Decorated Cinnamon Bunny Bread.

I found these cute cinnamon bunny bread rolls on Parents. They take 45 minutes and are even Vegetarian.

41. Easter Robin’s Egg Blue Cake.

Complete with speckles, click here to learn how to make this cute robin’s egg blue Easter cake.

42. Easter Egg Salad Makes The Perfect Easter Brunch Table Centerpiece Presentation.

43. Easter Egg Hidden Candy Cake.

Taming Twins outdid themselves with this adorable Easter pinata cake idea.

44. Milk Glass & Garden Easter Home Decor Ideas.

45. Easter Carrot Cake Cupcakes.

Complete with cream cheese frosting. Click the image to grab the recipe to these amazing Easter carrot cake cupcakes.

46. Red, Pink & Teal Easter Table Centerpiece & Easter Home Decor Ideas.

47. Decorate Plastic Utinels. | Easter Table Centerpiece & Easter Decor Ideas.

48. Rabbit Hole Petit Cakes.

A special shout out to Hike and Dip for the cutest Easter cakes I’ve ever seen. Be sure to check out their blog for their recipe ideas.

49. Spring Umbrella Front Door Wreath Replacements.

Do you know that umbrella that you may not use for a while? Hang it on your front door and drop some artificial flowers inside. GREAT IDEA Ideas for Flowers! That is a brilliant creative idea for Easter.

50. Tulip Easter Door Wreath.| Easter home decor ideas

What did you think about these Easter home decor ideas and Easter brunch ideas?

Please let me know…which idea was your favorite. Leave me a comment below.

Happy Easter everyone! Stay safe and protect yourself and your family. I realize we are in weird times, but don’t let the news get you down. Take advantage of any free time you may have. My team and I are blessed with tons of residential interior design projects. Click here to see my Dallas interior design firm’s most recent home design projects.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

7 Awesome Family Room Ideas That Every Homeowner Should Consider, Especially During Coronavirus Quarantine

7 Family Room Ideas That Are Perfect For Real Life Living | Living Room Ideas

While we all face the Coronavirus pandemic, I encourage all of you to make the best of it. Considering a mandatory quarantine appears to be in our future for the next month or so – enjoy your home and family room while you’re there! Why not?!?

To inspire all of my readers and Texas interior design clients, I will try my best to impart at least one post per day to help you decorate or organize a room in your house. Today, it’s the pure heart of the home, the family room. Despite kitchens being called the “heart of the home,” studies show we spend much more time in the family room than any other house.

Our homes should make us feel good and be the most relaxing place on Earth, whether we are quarantined in them or pursue everyday life. Being isolated in them should not be a fear, but a pleasure.

Throughout this post, I will give you tips and family room ideas to decorate a living room to provide you with a complete sense of peace & serenity during the quarantine process.

When reading to the end and implementing my suggestions, you’ll be surprised how much these tips will help you turn your house into a home. I look forward to hearing your stories over the next couple of months.

Before we begin with the family room Ideas & decorating tips, ask your self these critical questions:

1. Does my family room function for my family’s lifestyle?
2. Do my home decor and furnishings make us feel good? Or are there things we always have to move around to utilize the room for our lifestyle?
3. Can everyone in the family comfortably have a seat?
4. Are you able to relax? Play games? Watch the television from all the seats?

Before Decorating Your Family Room For Peace & Function

1. Declutter your family room or living room.

Fortunately, this Frisco retirement home was a resale in the Frisco Lakes Dell Webb community. When homes that we’re working in are not brand new, decluttering is the first step to success. Purge what you can. For a more in-depth article on how we purge and declutter for our clients, click here to read my article – How To Declutter Your Home.

2. Add an area rug that fits the space nicely, this will help to eliminate echos. | Living Room Ideas

While wood floors are beautiful and we don’t want to “hide the wood,” they can feel hard and cold. To make the entire house a peaceful place to live, rugs and textiles are a must. Rugs or carpets provide a gathering center point. Rugs feel good on our feet, plus they absorb sounds and prevent echos.

Have you ever been to a house where a kid dropped a toy in the family room, and the sound echoed all over the house and almost woke the neighbors? It’s most likely because a rug or fabric window treatments were not present to absorb the sound. Then echos ring in the air forever.

Get a rug to fit your family room or living room. Family Room Ideas | Living Room Ideas

3. Add privacy window treatments or automated smart home window treatments.

Window treatments are for more than looks. They are for function. I chose to show you this project because it’s one of the interior design projects where we’ve layered window treatments for gathering and privacy and decorative purposes.

While the panels are for decorative purposes or they could have been used for both decorative and privacy. We gave the client individual sun & privacy control by using Hunter Douglas pleated Solera Soft Shades in the beautiful Riley Rivera color. For easy function, the Solera Soft Shades raise and lower at the click of a button. Now they could even be raised or dropped on Alexa or Google’s new smart home voice command system.

Custom Round Cocktail & Custom Sofas In Navy Blue Paired With Custom Furniture | Family Room Ideas | Living Room Ideas by DKOR HOME by Dee Frazier Voted “Best Interior Design Firms” of Dallas TX

4. Make room for coffee on the coffee table. | Family Room Ideas With Custom Furniture Ideas

You’d be surprised how many people load up their coffee tables with useless decorative accessories. A coffee table should leave plenty of space for you to set down your morning coffee or wine glass. For coffee table decorations, stacks of cocktail or reading books are useful if you read or enjoy flipping through art.

If you have children, take a look at this awesome playroom we designed for two tween girls that love Stranger Things and games – click here to see the useful and stranger things that we used for their cocktail table accessories.

Custom Cocktail Table, Custom Sofas, Custom Chairs | Family Room Ideas | Living Room Ideas | DKOR HOME by Dee Frazier Voted “Best Interior Design Firms” of Dallas TX

Custom Carved Cocktail Table | Family Room Ideas | Living Room Ideas | DKOR HOME by Dee Frazier Voted “Best Interior Design Firms” of Dallas TX

5. Use large-scaledTrompe-l’œil style art to make the room feel larger. | Family Room Ideas

Small under scaled art can make spaces feel, well, short. To make your family room look BIGGER than it may be, buy art that fits the wall without hanging over. OR create a gallery wall. (I’ve got some gallery wall ideas to share with you later in the week. Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already.)

The subject is the other major factor to consider when purchasing art. Trompe-l’œil (a big French word for objects that appear they are there, aka three-dimensional art) will give a sense of depth, making a room feel larger than it is. We worked on our client’s budget and sourced beautiful, soft, almost navy, neutral contemporary giclee landscape in this room.

Custom Cocktail Table, Custom Sofas, Custom Chairs | Family Room Ideas | Living Room Ideas | DKOR HOME by Dee Frazier Voted “Best Interior Design Firms” of Dallas TX

6. Add decorative toss pillows & throw blankets that match your decor. | Living Room Ideas

Often, when we help clients decide what to keep for their homes and what needs to be replaced, their toss pillows and throws don’t coordinate with their decor. When selecting things you need for a room, search for items that blend in and work nicely without looking displaced even if they are.

Yes, I’m referring to the pillows your kid’s drag in from the bedrooms and blankets from their rooms. Perhaps you consider a storage ottoman to house some new throws, blankets, and pillows that look like they belong in the family room even when they are out of place. Storage baskets are also a great solution to hide extra blankets and pillows.

Custom Credenza for Storage | Family Room Ideas | Living Room Ideas | DKOR HOME by Dee Frazier Voted “Best Interior Design Firms” of Dallas TX

7. Use closed cabinets, built-in bookshelves and drawers to conceal items. | Family Room Ideas

Last but certainly not least, most families need some form of storage in the family room. Take note of the items in your family room that may be sitting out in plain sight. Could those items be stored behind doors? Drawers, or would they look best on shelves? If so, this will help you determine what types of end tables, credenza, or entertainment center your family room needs.

The whitewashed oak contemporary family room credenza above stores everything from family photo albums, DVD movies, and other family memorabilia.

8. Add the right lighting & reading lamps. | Living Room Ideas

Because reading and stories are always important, be sure to add great reading lights.

That’s 8 Family Room Ideas Folks! The List Could Be Endless As Living Room Ideas Are For Families That Live In Their Homes!

I hope these seven tips with my family room ideas and living room ideas have your wheels turning. Feel free to drop any comments or questions you have below. Yes, I answer all of the comments myself.

Is anybody out there? If you’re reading, would you please leave me a comment of some sort. Are these types of interior design ideas post important to you? What are you most curious about? I’ll write about any questions you may have next.

Dee

P.S. Click here to tour 20+ Amazing Plano, Frisco, Allen & Dallas, TX Interior Design Projects

P.S.S. View our latest issue of D’KOR HOME design magazine.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

15 Common Kitchen Design Renovation Mistakes Most Homeowners Make

Yes…that’s me, friends! Daily, I see massive and costly mistakes homeowners make when designing their homes. None are more heartbreaking than when I see kitchen renovations and kitchen designs have gone wrong. Throughout this post, I’ll share my personal kitchen design ideas journey, which will help you understand the critical steps to getting your dream kitchen the first time.

For clients all over Austin TX and the surrounding areas, I design interior rooms and outdoor spaces of all kinds. No matter how many kitchens, baths, living spaces, foyers, kid’s rooms, bonus rooms, craft rooms, offices, and any other room I design, my own house is the hardest. My designer friends on Facebook groups often have the same problem.

Our choices are so broad, and we know way too much out there to settle on second best. When it came time to design my kitchen, I was on a mission to treat my kitchen as if it were a client’s and get it done right the first time. I created a plan and quickly made choices so that I didn’t linger in everlasting endless decisions of having too many options.

Ask yourself these questions before designing your dream kitchen

Before I began planning my kitchen design, I asked myself the same questions I do when designing kitchens for clients…

How can it function better to fit my family’s lifestyle?
What is my budget, aka investment?
Will my investment improve my house value?
What colors make us feel good?
Is the natural and fixture light balance good?
Which furniture and seating are most comfortable for daily use?
Do I want appliances exposed or integrated?

Kitchen Before | The Posterchild For 1990’s Builder Selections in Southwest Kitchens

My Dallas kitchen was one of the darkest and drabbiest kitchens I had worked on. Kind of like a Debbie-downer, the dark golden and rust Southwest-colored paints were sure to ruin anyone’s good mood. The countertops were a super busy granite that was thick with an awful two-inch overhang and rounded profile. Really? Who helped this builder select products for his homes? NOT me!

The glass top range knobs were always getting knocked off or in the way of pots. The lighting was terrible and spotty, especially at night. The backsplash was a super popular 1999 tumbled marble. The tile floor was cold, and its accompanying gray grout was a dirt-trap. It’s like NO one, I mean NO one thought this thing all the way through. Mr. Builder, you need my number.

BEFORE – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation by Austin Interior Designer & Kitchen Designer Dee Frazier

My Ugly Plano, Texas Builder Kitchen Dining Area – Before My New Kitchen Design

I mean…the light was not even centered between the two windows. Need I say more?

BEFORE - My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Dallas Interior Designer & Dallas Kitchen Designer

BEFORE – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation by Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

After | The Kitchen of My Dreams

Playing both the designer and the client. I went to work for my own family. First, I thought about how we would use the kitchen. My awesome hubby Bob travels all week for his job. At the time of the design, it was just me and sometimes my beautiful daughter and owner of D’KOR, Danielle. She lives in St. Louis full time now. Bob loves to cook on the weekends. Any other time, it’s just me…here home alone. Here are my tips and what I did to design and build the kitchen of my dreams.

navy blue kitchen island with yellow walls surrounded by white shaker cabinets by dallas kitchen designer dee frazier interiors

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation by Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

1. Select a timeless cabinetry style.

I am sort of like the cobbler, and I never know when I’m going to have time to redesign my kitchen, so I wanted the design to be bright and timeless. Choosing simple white shaker style custom kitchen cabinets was a natural choice. Boxed cabinet sizes did not limit me and custom cabinets are most often better quality, which lasts longer.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer Dee Frazier

2. Add cabinets in place of furniture or dining room cabinets.

Look around your kitchen. Are there places you currently have furniture? If so, don’t be afraid to add more kitchen cabinets and get rid of the furniture pieces. Adding cabinets will give you more height, which equals more storage space. Plus, you’ll be able to design and get what you want.

3. Select function drawer glides, cabinet hinges, and decorative cabinet hardware.

Remember, you’ll always be trying to grab your cabinet handles, or if you like push-pull mechanisms, make sure they function for your cooking style. One of the new things I’ve noticed is the kitchen cabinet forgetting to put the same mechanisms on cabinet doors and drawers. My team and I have been forced to do lots of replacing, which can be costly. Be sure to ask your interior designer or cabinet fabricator exactly what type of hinges, drawer glides, and decorative hardware. My kitchen cabinet hardware is by Swiss Kelly.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

4. Mix your cabinet doors fronts.

Consider using glass in place of solid panels to give your cabinet dimension and style. In my kitchen design, I added clear glass cabinets to the left to extend the kitchen’s wrap. Believe it or not, even though they took up floor space, this makes the kitchen look bigger.

5. Choose a functional sink & faucet.

A sink and faucet are imperative to a well-designed and functioning kitchen. While I love sticking with one brand, in my kitchen, I paired the all-white cast iron KOHLER under-mount sink with a Gaggenau pull-down faucet. Cleaning up is a cinch. Undermount sinks allow you to easily wipe crumbs from the counter into the sink. Plus, overmount sinks tend to catch the edge of dishrags and allow crumbs to collect around the edge.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

6. Test drive appliances and read appliance reviews.

I loved the all-new Kitchenaid stainless steel appliances. I am a massive fan of KitchenAid!!! I love all of KitchenAid’s handheld appliances, as well as KitchenAid’s large appliances. I must admit I just bought a yellow Cuisinart hand mixer last Christmas so that I may be a partial trader. I’ll keep you posted with my thoughts on both if you care to know. At the moment, all of my large appliances are KitchenAid.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & AustinKitchen Designer

7. Backsplash should be easy to clean.

Before, I had a natural tumbled stone backsplash. Not only was it dark, but it was also hard to clean. I know they were super popular back in the late 90s and 2000s. But I did not care for the tumbled stone for sanitary reasons or appearance. My new white ceramic arabesque backsplash from Tile Bar is fantastic. It’s super easy to keep clean and doesn’t absorb food splashes, nor does it require sealing.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

8. Select a stone or counter surface and edge that lasts and withstands the test of time. | Dallas Kitchen Designer

There are lots of myths out there about countertops, so let’s get those out of the way….you can’t get any harder than natural stone unless you’re selecting a product such as a quartz-like product such as Dekton by Cosentino’s hard surfaces. I still prefer natural granite and marbles. Yes, with white marble, it can stain, so I opted for white granite.

Another thing to be cautious of is the profile or edge you select with a kitchen counter. Notice I used an Ogee profile edge on my island white on the wall cabinets I used a straight edge. The Ogee looks more furniture like which provides a subtle variance to the overall kitchen design.

While Ogee is a little more expensive because the bits are harder to work with and more costly, you don’t need an Ogee edge everywhere. Our phenomenal team or another great Dallas interior designer or decorator can help you make important decisions such as this and decide what your counter overhang should be to accommodate cabinet handles and appliances.

navy blue kitchen island with yellow walls with quadrefoil tile surrounded by white shaker cabinets by dallas kitchen designer dee frazier interiors

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

9. Balance the lighting in your workspaces and over your eating areas.

Adding all-new lighting was a must in my kitchen redesign. Did you see how dark and drab my old kitchen was? It was deep, dark, and depressing.

My fixtures are understated chrome by New York, Hampton’s interior designer Libby Langdon. They are available in her Crystorama collection, or I can order them and ship them anywhere for you. I balanced the lighting by using Kichler LED recessed fixtures. The tone of Kichler’s recessed fixtures is soft and natural, unlike some of the bright LEDs. AND…the best part is Kichler’s LEDs are dimmable.

Be careful: Some light fixtures don’t work and won’t function well. Trust me…your electrician will charge the same no matter if the fixtures work or not. If you get the fixtures wrong the first time, your electrician will most likely charge you double. You’ll pay to put it in and take it out then pay to put another in!

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

10. Select the correct table shape, size, and top that functions for your daily lifestyle.

My design team and I see a lot of Dallas homeowners buying furnishings that don’t fit their lifestyle, nor do they fit the function of the room. Have you been to a friend’s house that has a table that’s too big for a family of three? Or maybe they have a table too small for the space. Or what about the round table that needs at least double the number of chairs? Or what about the wood table with a ton of scratches on it?

There are hundreds of table options. If you need a custom dining table, they are not so expensive, and we offer lots of choices. In the case of my kitchen renovation and furniture layout, I chose a hearty, gray-washed 50″ table with four chairs. Remember, there are only four of us, including our security guard, Leo, our family dog.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

11. Choose comfortable kitchen furniture dining seating with durable, easy-to-clean fabrics.

No matter what size or shape of the table you like, your dining chairs need to have durable fabrics. Even with adults, chairs will endure spills and splatters. Heck! Some of my older retired clients are planning to make bigger red wine spill messes than 8-month old learning to use a spoon. Either way, no matter what season your family members are in, no one wants to damage new kitchen furniture. Designers like us can order some of the most durable fabrics on the market. Unlike yesteryear, when the fabrics felt like plastic, our fabrics are soft, supple, comfortable, and will endure your red wine spills. Comment below in the comment section below this post if you need suggestions.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation | Austin Interior Designer & Austin Kitchen Designer

12. Choose a soothing paint color for your kitchen redesign.

While starting with a paint color is typically the most common approach to kitchen design or renovation, it shouldn’t be. Paint colors should be complementary to fabrics, art, and surroundings. It will only serve as a backdrop, not a focal point.

AFTER – My Dallas Kitchen Design Renovation by Austin Interior Designer & Dallas Kitchen Designer

I hope you have enjoyed learning about kitchen designs and how to design the kitchen of your dreams. If you’re in Austin, or anywhere else near, feel free to drop me an email or call us. We love designing kitchens and have all of the renovation contractors here to make your life easy.

Cheers to your kitchen renovation success!

Love your Austin Kitchen Designer,

Dee

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Austin Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

2020 Wallcovering Trends | Monochrome Wallpaper Is Back! Houzz Says So!

Hello Monochrome Wallpaper | 2020 Wallcovering Trends

I’m ecstatic today! Why? Because I received an email saying, “You’ve been featured on Houzz in Russia!” I think it should have said, “You’ve been featured on Houzz again,” but who’s counting?! Not only were featured, but I love the topic of the Russian Houzz editor’s story titled, “Reception: Monochrome Wallpaper – When to use them, when not, explains the practicing designer.” Thanks for including my work in your article Tatyana Artemyeva. Throughout this article, I’ll explain what monochrome wallcovering (aka. wallpaper) is and why it can make such a statement in your home.

ALERT: Everyone in the USA, don’t be alarmed – the link is in Russian, but you can easily translate the article to English by clicking the translate option when it populates.

What is Monochrome Wallpaper? |2020 Wallcovering Trends

According to the good ole Oxford dictionary, Monochrome means “a photograph or picture developed or executed in black and white or in varying tones of only one color.” In the case of 2020 Wallcovering Trends, designers like myself love using monochrome wallpaper to give rooms a sense of depth and expansion.

Why I Used Monochrome Wallpaper in My Powder Room

When designing the powder room (aka. half bath) in my Texas home, I used a beautiful blue palm leaf monochrome pattern with a white background. My bathroom begged for a paper that could easily flow from the walls to the ceiling. If you look closely, you’ll notice lots of strange angles that can either be hidden or quickly become eye soarers. Not every paper is good for hiding weirdly angled ceilings, such as monochrome papers.

The blue palm leaves created an instant artistic organic feel too. Because monochromes are typically no more than two tones, it made it easy to incorporate other pops . of color. Inspired by nature and my love of coastal, I knew the blue palm leaves would be fabulous.

Modern Monochrome Paper Pattern Installations That I Love | 2020 Wallcovering Trends

Modern monochrome papers are super cool to use and can be used in spaces like my bathroom to disguise weird angles and ceilings. A design similar to this could be used as a wallpaper or it could also be handpainted such as the mural I commissioned in the Scuba Diver’s Foyer – have you seen that work of art? If not- click here.

Traditional or Transitional Monochrome Wallpaper Mural Installations

Monochrome wallpaper was super popular back in the day and was often called “toiles”. Isn’t it funny how things sometimes come back around? I love this monochrome wallpaper used in the Doisy Etoile Paris Hotel. How cool that “toile” is even in their name, and they used toile wallpaper on the walls. The entire interior design of the Doisy Etoile is so chic and sophisticated. Designed by notable Parisian designers Bénédicte Pierens and Raphaëlle Levet, the duo met while working for Elle Decoration magazine. Elle Decoration is the European version of our ELLE DECOR.

Pen & Ink Monochrome Wallpaper | 2020 Wallcovering Trends

Using monochrome papers easily allows almost any pops of color! I love the mix of the hot pink with this treescape landscape. It adds such dimension to an otherwise flat wall. Now that you’ve seen this, imagine this wall being plain white or builder beige. How boring?!?

Stark Monochrome Wallpaper In A Bedroom | 2020 Wallcovering Trends

Check out this awesome leopard monochrome mural wallpaper. I love the starkness with so much interest yet to be explored.

Add Interest In A Home Office or Laundry Room | 2020 Wallcovering Trends

Adding an interesting monochrome paper in your home can be added anywhere to create visual interest. In the case of this home office, notice that the paper is a distraction for the otherwise ugly pipes in the corner. Without the paper, radiator pipes would be the first thing you see when entering the room. Really who wants to go to work and stare at a blank wall? At my firm, we enjoy creating spaces that our homeowners want to live and work in.

Monochrome Papers Can Be Used With Antiques Too | 2020 Wallcovering Trends

I added this image because I wanted you to see that monochrome papers have been around for centuries. In today’s home and office environments, they should be fun, interesting, conversational and set the tone of your family or office staff. As you can see, there are lots of options to work with when choosing the monochromatic route.

Looking for Awesome Monochrome Wallcoverings, Wallpapers or Art For Your Texas Home?

Look no further. We are here to help. Whether you’re looking for a specific subject, mood, designer wallpaper, or someone to come into your home to create a custom monochromatic statement piece, give us a call or drop us a line. We’ll be in touch to see how we can assist you.

Thanks for taking the time to read and subscribe to our blog. I hope you enjoy reading and seeing our interior design projects and photos as much as I love writing these posts for you. Leave a comment below to let us know what you like and what you don’t like. Like most blogs, mine is a work in progress, and it’s always nice to know someone is reading 🙂 Are you there? Comment below. 🙂

Happy 2020!

Dee

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

Best Ever 5-Minute Orange Spiced Holiday Tea (With Option to Spike)

The Backstory of My Recipe For Holiday Orange Spiced Tea

Most of you know…I am an interior designer. I am not exactly a chef, yet I do like to cook. More importantly, I want to eat, drink and sip. I began loving orange spiced tea when I found a recipe by Food Network and restaurant icon Paula Deen. She’s pretty awesome! Thank you for getting me started, Paula! Now here’s my perfected Holiday Orange Spiced Tea recipe. click here!

Holiday Orange Spiced Tea Ingredient List

4 cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
Peels from half of an orange – you can use a vegetable peeler to create the peels
Juice from half of an orange
4 black tea bags (Note to my Dallas or my Southern friends: We typically only drink black tea so you’re set)
Approx 1/4 cup honey. I recommend you sweeten to taste upon pour versus sweetening the entire pot; this allows everyone to sweeten to taste.
Top with Star anise for decor – be careful with this flavor as it can be spicy hot if accidentally boiled or cooked.

5-Minute Holiday Orange Spiced Tea Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 4 cups water.
Add the cloves and cinnamon sticks.
Bring to a boil, and then remove from the heat.
Add the orange peels, orange juice, and tea bags, then cover.
Allow the tea to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour into mugs and serve and sweeten with honey or as desired.

Spiked Holiday Orange Spiced Tea

I love to spike teas and create custom cocktails. One of my favorite things to do with my Holiday Orange Spiced Tea on Christmas Eve or for holiday decorating ideas parties is to add a shot or half shot of Cointreau orange liquor. If you don’t have Cointreau liquor, try traditional Italian Aperol, the French orange liquor Grand Marnier, or Patron’s Citronage. If you try one of these alternative orange liquors, please let me know if it’s not great or if the flavors are off. I recommend you add a little liquor before going all in 🙂

Please use the hashtag #DKORHOME and mention @DKORHOMEblog @DeeFrazierInteriors when you make your spiked holiday orange spiced tea.

Cling! Cling! Cheers everyone! Enjoy!

Dee

P.S. Creative Gift Wrap Ideas await.

P.S.S. Click here to see: Awesome Christmas Table Centerpiece Ideas & How To Create Beautiful Christmas Place Setting Ideas Using Your Everyday Dinnerware posts.

P.S.S. More of my favorite posts that I recommend for you…

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6 Fabulous DIY Christmas Centerpiece Ideas For Your Holiday Dining Table

Interesting & Inspiring Christmas Centerpiece Ideas

What type of Christmas centerpiece does your table accommodate?

When decorating your table for any dinner, there are several considerations. First, you must think about food placement.

Will the food be placed on the table to be passed and served family-style? Or will the food be served on a buffet or kitchen island to be served buffet style?

Either is a preference and often depends on the table’s size, family, and how many place settings you’re trying to achieve. For instance, if your table setting barely accommodates each person, you may not have room for both the plates and the food. Therefore buffet style may be more comfortable. Enjoy my 5 inspiring Christmas centerpiece DIY ideas. I hope these help make your Christmas color even brighter. Check out for Christmas Decorating Ideas

Easy DIY Christmas Centerpiece Ideas For Your Dining Room Table

1. Start With a Protective Table Runner.

Using a center table runner is a nice focal point and provides protection for your holiday table centerpiece. Many of our interior design clients request custom table runners to coordinate with their dining room draperies or chair bottoms upholstery. If you have table runners that are not long enough, you can fold or slightly gather the runner to go on top of the table vs. having the end drops for the host and hostess.

2. Use Fresh Fruit as a Christmas Dining Table Centerpiece.

Try to get fruits such as oranges with the leaves attached. Yes, I realize this is not super easy unless you’re in Italy, California or Florida. Our interior design clients in or visiting those regions are blessed with leaves 🙂

3. Lighting Your Christmas Dining Table Centerpiece.

When considering any dining table centerpiece, lighting is a must during Christmas or another time of the year. So….you didn’t get your chandelier ordered or installed on time? Don’t fret. Lanterns and oil lamps are your friends. They provide a beautiful ambiance, plus they are clear so guests can easily converse during Christmas dinner.

4. Have a Candlelight Christmas Dinner.

Use a nice long candleholder or a collection of candle holders. Often taper candles work best for dining table conversation. If you’ve only got pillar candles, elevate them and place them, so they don’t impede the conversation. After all, a conversation is what we should be trying to create at the dining table, right? Be sure to check out my tips and photos on the over 22 Inspiring Christmas Placesettings Using Everyday Dishes Ideas – many of these spark good memories and conversation.

5. Underlight a Glass Dish or Cake Plate for the Christmas Dining Table Centerpiece.

Battery operated lights are available at most big box stores, home improvement stores or hobby craft stores. A pack of battery operated lights are like magic on the table. They illuminate perfectly and provide interest.

6. Incorporate Fresh Flowers or Live Plants.

Amaryllis exudes an amazing aroma and provides a clean, modern Christmas centerpiece. Elevating them on a rustic or black cutting board helps to provide central visual focus. Without the cutting board, the christmas table decor would look quite messy. You can also use amaryllis planted in a soup tureen. Top the surface with bright green sheet moss to continue the modern look. Or check out one of these fresh flower ideas…click here!

Did these dining table Christmas centerpiece decor ideas help? Comment below to let me know or find me on social media @DeeFrazierInteriors. I’m on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and even getting on Twitter. Be sure to check out my Tips For Amazing Christmas Gift Wrap Using Things Around Your Home and How To Decorate Everyday Dishes For Christmas Place Settings.

Wishing you a very Merry & Bright Christmas!

Dee

P.S. Here is my Orange Rosemary Spiced Tea Recipe

P.S.S. More of my favorite posts that I recommend for you…

22 Awesome Christmas Place Setting & Dinnerware Ideas Using Everyday Dishes

Don’t want to dive in the attic or go to the storage to find your Christmas dinnerware?

Memorable Christmas Dinnerware Ideas Await

Enjoy browsing through my interior designer lens for using everyday dinnerware for Christmas this holiday season, and if you’re like me, getting out Christmas dinnerware can be a chore. While I love Christmas dinnerware, sometimes it’s easier to convert everyday dinnerware already in your kitchen to create a memorable holiday table. Here are 22 inspiring ways to make your table look festive this holiday season.click here!

22 Christmas Dinnerware Ideas Without Having To Buy Christmas Dishes

1. Incorporate pine cones and Christmas greenery by hot-gluing items together or buying a wired assortment typically meant as a present topper. Use any red and white napkins. You can even mix and match the napkins.

2. Remember the candy-striped twine I showed you on my gift-wrapping post? Get the twine back out! Wrap a spruce or fir twig clipped from the backside of the Christmas tree. Trust me- no one will miss it, yet they will miss an undecorated table during Christmas dinner. Adding a little greenery and the candy stripe twine against cream or white dishes with gold ornaments is classic and festive. Sprinkle the table with a few stars or confetti to add dimension.

3. The kid’s favorite – add a gingerbread man or woman to the kid’s place settings. Again tie the napkin and silverware with twine or ribbon. Notice how I used a mesh lace table cloth for texture and allowed the organic table to reveal itself.

4. Use festive printed Christmas ribbons to tell your story. I love pairing the ribbons with everyday polka dots. Again on white dinnerware that we all have 🙂

5. Go for color! Most of my clients love teals and hues of blue. I love mixing teals with reds during the holiday season. The traditional white everyday dinnerware for this client mixed with colorful teal everyday glasses made this place setting super easy for her. I didn’t photograph it, but each ornament also serves as the place setting name tag or name marker.

6. Dusting stems of evergreen with powdered sugar give the effect of snow. Using wood chips or even clothes pins can make this an easy assembly. Depending on your style and home decor, you could also add ribbon or twine in place of the clothespin.

7. Simplify and add a petite wreath on each plate and use festive red flatware. In this case, my client happened to have the red flatware already.

8. Look in the craft or scrapbooking section of your favorite hobby store such as Hobby Lobby, About Home, Michaels, JoAnn’s, or others for tiny details such as mittens, Christmas trees, stars, or anything else festive that you like.

9. Don’t have nice linen napkins? Okay! I’ll give you a break this year but we need to order you some soon 🙂 For now, wrap the napkins in ribbons, raffia or twine with an ornament.

9. Or simply place the paper napkin as an understatement. See below.

10. Use flat snowflake ornaments laid on top of solid color dinnerware to create the illusion of “Christmas” dinnerware.

11. Go for the Coco Chanel or Kate Spade look by using polka dots and stripes. Adding a flair of whimsy and fun is a perfect asset to any holiday table. Kids will love it!

12. Red satin ribbon (and wine) is our best friend while decorating for Christmas. Setting the Christmas table is no different, have red ribbon on hand at all times.

13. Wrap tiny gift boxes filled with heartwarming messages or memories for each guest. You’ll be surprised at the conversations this will start.

More Christmas Dinnerware & Place Settings Ideas For Your Holiday Table

14. Cookie cutters are a fun and creative last-minute way to decorate plates.

15. Want the candy cane striped ribbon look but can’t find the striped ribbon? Use a red ribbon stacked with a white ribbon to achieve a similar look. Add an ornament at each place setting.

16. Sprinkle confetti on the table before the food goes down. Just remember to put the majority of the confetti where it will be shown when the food is placed on the table.

christmas decor ideas, plaid christmas, christmas place setting ideas, how to use everyday dinnerware for christmas

17. Use dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Trader Joes has beautiful orange slices, or you can make your own if you have a dehydrator.

18. Use gift tags as name/place markers.

19. Wrap ribbon around the silverware without tying it.

20. Use Santa hats as placemats.

Christmas Dinnerware Ideas

21. Use printed Christmas or snowflake burlap ribbon with linen napkins. Combine berries and evergreens. Again, red ribbons are your friend.

22. A Christmas table can be any color or any style. Don’t be afraid to make your Christmas table match your style.

23. Fold a basic linen napkin to look like a Christmas decorating tree. Of course, I first learned this from the Queen of Domestication, Martha Stewart. Click here to see Martha’s step by step instructions on MarthaStewart.com. I do think my linen napkin looks better. For the bark, use a log roll. For the star, use a star-shaped ginger cookie or a star-shaped sugar cookie. Check out for Christmas Decorating Ideas

Christmas Dinnerware Ideas

No matter how you decide to decorate your Christmas or holiday table, remember: ENJOY THE PROCESS! Use the Christmas dinnerware ideas and inspiration and make the best of what you have to work with. Don’t feel like you’ve got to make your table look exactly like one of mine or Martha’s, for that matter. Please share your Christmas dinnerware and tables with me on social media @DeeFrazierInteriors. I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest all the time! I would love to see your creations.

Cheers & Merry Christmas friends!

X~your favorite interior design blogger , interior designer blogs and Dallas interior designer ~

Dee

P.S. Grab my recipe for the #DKORHOME #OrangeSpiceTea – click here for the recipe.

P.S.S. Click here to be inspired by my Christmas Giftwrapping Ideas.

P.S.S.S. View photos of complete Christmas table settings or creative Christmas Food Porn aka. Food Decorating Ideas.

21 Easy DIY Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas To Make Your Holiday Bright

21 Creative Designer Hacks To Inspire Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Decorating for Christmas is by far my pastime during the holiday season. If you’re like me, your online shopping gifts are laying in your foyer, mudroom, or guest bedroom waiting to be wrapped. Tomorrow is my day for brewing myself a cup of orange spiced holiday tea and wrapping ’til Danielle comes home! If you haven’t already, click here to get my orange rosemary tea spice tea recipe. Now, are you ready to start wrapping some of the most beautiful gifts you’ve ever given? As you browse my 21 Creative Holiday decorating ideas & Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas, I hope these tips and package design ideas make your Christmas even brighter.Click here!

Traditional Style Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

1. As it gets closer to Christmas is my favorite time to add live evergreens such as a little live greenery fir or spruce from the tree.

2. Go for a stroll in your own garden (a fancy word for the yard) to clip greenery from boxwoods or other plants.

3. If you have no garden, it’s okay to resort to good-quality silk holly or spruce. You may have an older Christmas wreath or tree that may be in less than perfect shape for full use. Cut it with wire cutters and use the best parts to top off gifts.

4. Mixing and matching papers or using craft papers and burlap is a great way to avoid wasting paper.

5. Add cinnamon sticks, leaves, dried flowers from the garden or acorns hot glued or tied onto packages in place of a traditional bow.

6. Use stamps to decorate Christmas wrapping paper.

7. Use twine instead of ribbon or basic bows. A little twine (and wine) go a long way.

8. Don’t be afraid to use leftover objects and one-of-kind cut-outs as gift tags.

9. Spray paint ornaments or leaves.

10. Mix and match ribbons.

Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas (Cont.)

11. Stick with a silver and gold theme.

12. Tie ornaments onto the tops of packages by using small ribbons around the larger bow ribbon bow.

13. Spray paint pinecones.

Modern Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

14. Black-striped kraft paper is super inexpensive and looks awesome with modern Christmas trees and can easily match most home decor. Add red ribbon and a little greenery to finish the top of the Christmas present. Check out for Christmas Decorating Ideas

15. Plain black boxes with black ribbon and faux cherries look amazing for more modern Christmas gift wrap. If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again…I love it when my client’s Christmas and holiday decor match their home’s interior designer blogs. Modern gift wrap like this makes or breaks the way our modern client’s homes look at Christmas.

Black & White Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

16. Out of boxes? Don’t stress. Go with the flow! Use twine instead of ribbon to gift your Christmas package more of an old school postal look. Copper kraft wrapping paper also makes a beautiful classy understatement.

17. Mix satin ribbons with twines for a sophisticated look.

18. Copper paper is among my favorite transitional and modern Christmas gift wrapping for Texas.

19. Add feathers and mesh ribbons to add more texture to gifts.

20. Don’t have “Christmas gift wrapping paper”? Candy canes are always a beautiful way to add a nice red and white stripe to give almost any color or style of paper a Christmas flare – click here!

21. Give your gift with the pretty part forward. 🙂

Has this post inspired you to be more creative with your Christmas or holiday gift wrap? I would love to see your gifts. Comment below or find me on your favorite social media channel by mentioning @DeeFrazierInteriors or @DKORhome.

Cheers & Merry Christmas everyone!

X~your favorite interior design blogger and Austin interior designer ~

Dee

P.S. Grab my recipe for the #DKORHOME #OrangeSpiceTea – click here for the recipe.

P.S.S. Click here to be inspired by my Awesome Christmas Dinnerware Ideas Using Your Everyday Dishes.

P.S.S.S. View photos of complete Christmas table settings or creative Christmas Food Porn aka. Food Decorating Ideas.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Austin Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

How To Incorporate a 150-Gallon Saltwater Aquarium & Save Your Marriage | Couples Design Therapy

Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs

The Story of How I Designed a Family Room With A 150-Gallon Saltwater Aquarium

“Color balance is much like balancing a relationship. The only difference is one must replace a therapist with a designer.”

Welcome to D’KOR Home! Our little dose of Texas D’korating combined with a bit of design therapy! Ready to grab a couple of marriage & aquarium room design ideas at the same time?

After over 20 years in my first career in management all over the United States for the department store, Target, or Targët as some call it, there are not too many problems I can’t solve. Add 30 years of happy marriage to the ONE man in my life, and yes, I consider relationships more important than a single room design or an entire home design.

The story of our Collin County, Texas couple Shabab, and Baber is much in the same. He’s an excellent MD! Without his daily expertise in pain management, the Frisco, Plano, and Dallas communities would not be the same. Focusing on pain management for our community is his business. Interior designer blogs and decorating are ours.

Fortunately, Baber and his lovely wife, Shabab, along with their two high schoolers and one college-aged child, moved into Chapel Creek, a subdivision near Frisco. They lived in their home for about a year and a half before calling on us D’KORators. She likes to color. He was all about the aquarium. You can imagine after hearing everyone gripe about their pains all day. Baber just wanted a peaceful oasis. Baber is a lover of color. Here’s what we didn’t do…

First Lesson In Couples Design Therapy Thanks to The Family Room With an Aquarium

The first lesson when battling out a design dilemma with your spouse is…”Don’t throw the fish out with the furniture!” Really! Like a marriage, balancing colors and untypical tones isn’t always natural, but it can be accomplished with a little give and take in most cases. Sometimes that means calling in “me,” a “DEE,” a “Lori,” a “D’KORator” instead of a therapist. Trust me…we are much less costly than a therapist, plus – we transform daily lives for the better.

Not in Plano? Frisco? Dallas? McKinney? Colleyville? Southlake? Highland Park? Don’t worry! We are Texas-based yet located less than 15 minutes from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. 🙂 We all have passports and love to travel. We’ll come to you. Now onto a little design therapy to help save your marriage with design and compromise.

How To Save Your Marriage & Design a Room With An Aquarium

Please allow me to take you on a tour of the beautiful Chapel Creek, Frisco home of my clients, the couple – Shabab and Baber. To give you the full picture and complete view of the impressive architectural and space details that we had to work with, see the photos below.

The opposites are attracted, but sometimes they can clash too. We are grateful to these who chose to call us to help balance their decorating dilemmas & space to solve their furniture layout dilemma in their oversized family living room. For us, the solutions were rather simple. Unlike some of our renovation projects, in this case, the architecture was impressive!

Before We Designed The Room | Aquarium Living Room Designs

Here is the family room on our first visit. It’s not terrible in the least. The architectural bones and scale of the space can feel overwhelming, but at least it’s all good stuff. Maybe not exactly what we would have chosen in terms of size and color, but let me show you how we made it work.

Our team was fortunate because there was a vast amount of floor space; however, this can also be challenging. The windows are open to the outdoor area when left with no aesthetic division. Shabab and Baber had purchased a couple under scaled neutral and yellow upholstered chairs and a sofa that were simply too small for the family room.

1. Create an appropriately sized focal point.

Removing the understated projection from the fireplace was also a must. The before photos above show what I mean. Our trusted mason would need to come to the rescue. On the rendering, we specified a local natural stone that would be stacked. Giving the family room a deep-rooted, traditional Texas feel and nicely balances the scale of the fish tank. Plus, selecting local materials allowed us to do our part to save the environment by reducing green gases was too.

2. Don’t ignore the necessary components that should be a significant part of the design.

Instead of ignoring the 150-gallon saltwater aquarium, the most significant focal point in the room Baber’s pride & joy, we embraced it. With the saltwater fish serving as live art, and gunmetal and gold sculptured wall art from a local artist, the wall is perfectly accented. Notice the sculptures fill the void without taking away from the “live art.”

Aquarium Room Design Ideas – 3D Rendering | Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs | Interior Designers Dallas TX | DKOR HOME by Award-Winning Dallas Interior Designers of Dee Frazier Interiors | Dallas TX

3. Select furnishings that fill voids and fit the space. | Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs

To fill the space, additional furnishings and a beautiful, new square, silver leaf cocktail table, and small clover style ottomans for extra seating completed both the room’s look and function.

4. Balance colors and tones. | Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs

Teal and blue accent vases and accessories gave her more of the color she wanted and balanced the aquarium’s tones.

5. Use window treatments to gain height and separate spaces.

Notice in the before photos all you may have noticed was the window frames, honeycomb shades, and outdoor furniture. Now, with a window treatment installation. The window treatments serve as the focal point on this wall. Your attention probably went to the window treatments vs. the fact that the windows had two feet of wall above them.

Custom Furniture & Custom Window Treatments Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs | Interior Designers Dallas TX | DKOR HOME by Award-Winning Dallas Interior Designers of Dee Frazier Interiors | Dallas TX
Custom Window Treatments Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs | Interior Designers Dallas TX | DKOR HOME by Award-Winning Dallas Interior Designers of Dee Frazier Interiors | Dallas TX

6. Draw attention to architectural details & coffered ceilings.

To further balance the furniture color tones, we painted the coffered ceiling squares a beautiful golden honey color; this was absolutely perfect with the yellow-toned Texas stone.

Awesome Aquarium Living Room Designs | Interior Designers Dallas TX | DKOR HOME by Award-Winning Dallas Interior Designers of Dee Frazier Interiors | Dallas TX

7. What To Do When You Can’t Afford Design Therapy.

Working on a project with a spouse or loved one can be a detriment to some. No matter what – ALWAYS listen. Learn about your partner’s functions, needs, and expectations. List these expectations. Try to accommodate both of your needs first. At a minimum, even if you don’t think you can afford a designer, keep in mind we are a lot cheaper than an attorney, a divorce, or purchasing mistakes. Many of us will complete an e-design for you. Save your marriage at all costs. Don’t lose your cool over a room, a house, a condo, a penthouse, mansion, yacht, or anything else for that matter!

I hope you enjoyed my aquarium living room designs, ideas, and interior design advice. Let me know if you need help solving a design dilemma.

X~Dee

P.S. If you’re not already following us on social media, find us @DKORHOMEinteriors or follow my personal Austin Interior Design Studio @DeeFrazierInteriors or click the link to your favorite social media sites by scrolling down.

P.S.S. Here are a little Dallas, Plano, Frisco, and other home interior design inspiration that you must SEE…ENJOY!

Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

7 Finished Basement Ideas & Bonus Room Ideas For Home Renovations & Build Outs

Why Parents Are Considering Finished Basement Ideas or Bonus Rooms Ideas?

Sadly in today’s environment, families are faced with tragic situations and mass shootings at schools, the movies, in restaurants, at concerts, and other public places. Believe it or not, this affects the type of calls and rooms that we’re working too. Times are changing and so are parent’s take on designing for youth. Many parents are considered finish your basement bar ideas and bonus room ideas.

Lately, we have received numerous daily calls for building out rooms, finishing basements and bonus rooms for teens, tweens, and kids of all ages, especially older kids. Parents want their teens to stay home vs. out & about in public spaces. Helping facilitate a beautiful design for kids of any age is a ton of fun to my entire team. Remember when your parents allowed you to assist in designing your room? We love to get the whole family involved.

A few months ago, I was co-hosting the Property Brothers on a DecorBoss episode at High Point Market. Jonathan & Drew recommended including the kids by narrowing down choices so that no matter what the kids choose, it works. Continue reading my tips and recommendations for creating the perfect basement build-out whether you want to create a game room, library, theatre, wine room, or whatever best suits your lifestyle.

Before Our Recent Texas Bonus Room Ideas For This Dallas TX Game Room Home Renovation

The main objective of the renovation was to transform a bonus room into a design a family-oriented game room is where the Milan daughters could hang out with their friends. Our procedures and solutions could easily inspire a basement remodel or any extra room in your home.

Window Seat Area Before | Finished Basement Ideas or Bonus Rooms Ideas

Basement before, Plano – Texas took over | Finished Basements Ideas or Bonus Rooms Ideas

Our Bonus Room Ideas & Finished Basement Ideas For This Teen’s Game Room

First and foremost, we met with the Malan family to understand their lifestyle. Then we began making furnishings and placement choices based on the way they plan to use each space. The Milan girls love Stranger Things, so we started with a more 1970’s color scheme with an alternative color package of blues and coral crush.

We incorporated repurposed hardwood for both visual aesthetic and sound to absorb noise and audio from the television.

7 Design Ideas To Build a Safe Haven aka Game Room or Home Renovation

1. Measure your furnishings and plan around the largest or most important pieces.

The only limitation we had to work around was the shuffleboard. There was only one wall that could accommodate the length of the shuffleboard, so we started there.

2. Enlarge door openings to incorporate barn doors to provide a more open feel.

Using reclaimed wood to build the barn door killed two birds with one stone. The wood helps absorb sound. As you can imagine, teens, tweens, and kiddos are not always quiet nor is the television.

3. Incorporate functional, stain repellent upholstery, and textiles.

Plan ahead. Kids will spill. If you’re creating an area where food and beverages are allowed, go for

4. Install a beverage fridge & snack bar in the movie or hangout area.

After all, who wants to run upstairs to grab a bag of popcorn or cola for a movie. Candy and snacks can be stowed away in the drawers or could have also been available in bins on the shelves.visit smoothdecorator!

5. Keep board games insight to reduce phone screentime.

Make it easy for your kiddos to grab a game to play vs. grabbing their phones.

6. Build a window seat on encouraging reading.

Window seats are cozy, comfortable, and an economical way to gain a lot of both storage and seating. With awkward spaces in rooms, they are often one of the best solutions to furnish a space too.rda.net

7. Add functional window treatments in television viewing areas.

With daylight basements, light can pour in. Ideally, this is great and not your typical 1960’s grandparent’s dark dungeon of a basement. At the same time, window treatments need to be included and look good visually. Most importantly, the window treatments need to function. Some of our clients prefer voice command functions using Siri, Alexa, or Google voice; others prefer a simple closure. Most basement designs need some form for privacy and light control. If you haven’t read my blog post called “7 Things To Encourage Family Time Instead of Screen Time,” click here!

Need help with your interior design ideas for home renovation? We are based in the Dallas metro area. We serve Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Flower Mound, Highland Park, Dallas, & more. Give us a call and we may be able to help.

Dee

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

Dive Into a Scuba Diver’s Dream Home | 5 Organic Foyer & Dining Room Design Ideas

Quick Back Story | The Day I Took Scuba Diving Widow’s Daughters’ Design Call

One day, I received a call from a young lady named Marilyn. Her mom, Pam was recently widowed and had just moved into a new house here in Texas. She wanted to see her mom start her life over in a house that was indeed her. During our first meeting, I rang the doorbell and was greeted into a freshly painted vanilla-colored foyer.

Marilyn gave me a tour of her mom’s current furnishings. We discussed her love for scuba diving, the beach, and all things aqua and gray. Expanding her love of red too, our biggest challenge was incorporating her likes into a home that was all about her. It would be all about what most of us can’t see. Mrs. Newton’s home design would showcase her love for the ocean.opensourcearchitect.co

Whether you’re trying to find your personal style or looking for DIY solutions for your home, you’ll love the thought process of our aquatic ocean dream home. Located right here in Texas, the design ideas we present in the post are now for Mrs. Newton’s daily enjoyment. With this interior design project under our belts, here are the twelve valuable tips that may help you design your home. Decorated for a scuba diver, oceanographer, or anyone who loves life and the deep sea – ENJOY!

Our Design & Planning Phase | Scuba Diver’s Home Design

First, let’s give you the walkthrough of the BEFORE photo and show you the 3-D renderings and floor plans to help envision a small fraction of the process to get to the awesome organic ocean dream room Ms. Pam lives in today.

After our meeting, we began brainstorming, pulling furnishings, fabrics, and calling our trades and putting everything into a 3-D rendering so that Ms. Pam could get the full picture of our recommendations. I won’t bore you with everything but it was something like this:

texas, interior designer, 3D rendering, Dee Frazier

3-D renderings help us show clients the overview of our furnishing recommendations in their homes.

Organic, Faux Finish Ideas, Wall Mural Ideas

The beginnings of an awesome organic ocean faux finish technique.

5 Organic Design Ideas & Concepts

1. Use murals or wallpaper on curved walls.

After touring Mrs. Newton’s home and learning all about her need for serenity, calm, and peacefulness, I contacted one of my favorite artisans. Together we began collaborating on an aquatic mural painting to replace traditional art.

Ocean, Scuba Diving, Foyer Design Idea, Home Design Idea

Scuba Diving Foyer Design Idea | Texas Interior Designer’s Inspiration by Dee Frazier, Plano, Texas Designer

2. How to balance colors from the foyer, dining rooms, or open areas.

Balancing color in open spaces is critical! Can I say it’s the most vital? Balancing color in spacious rooms like the one below is can dangerous when left in the wrong hands! Notice we use the same gray tones in both places. Next, we pulled the dark blue and teal tones in the chair backs and the modern abstract artwork.

Aqua, Teal, dining room chairs, dining room design idea

Scuba Diving Dining Design Idea | Texas Interior Designer’s Inspiration | Organic Design Ideas

3. Keep the drapery tones similar to the wall color.

Don’t be afraid of a little texture or pattern. The rug balances the white textured wall hanging baskets going up the staircase. For metals, we chose silver tones to keep the feel of white and neutrality.

4. Accent coffered rolled edge, barrelled or other decorative ceilings.

When you’re blessed with nice curves – show them off! Add a decorative paint finish, wall covering, or anything but leave it plain Jane! Decorative ceilings are not a place to leave the “Texas plains”. In this case, we added a metallic organic pearl finish to resemble coral and organic ocean textures.

Scuba Diving Dining Design Idea | Texas Interior Designer’s Inspiration | Organic Design Ideas

5. Eliminate gold metals.

As much as I love gold, there’s a time and place for it. Yes, we pulled a pop of yellow gold for the glass vase for the dining room ideas centerpiece. However, when it comes to metal finishes, we opted for silver-toned finishes to blend with the natural ocean surroundings. Think about it….if there’s gold in the ocean, everyone will be diving for it because it’s REAL gold! The only other oceanic gold tones are fish, such as yellow tangs.

Scuba Diving Dining Design Idea | Texas Interior Designer’s Inspiration | Organic Design Ideas

Marilyn and Pam liked our creative visions and project managing services so much that we designed her bedroom. I had the opportunity to design one of my favorite consoles ever! Ready to see it?

Click here to see the Scuba Diving Inspired Master Bedroom Suite or the Scuba Diver’s Family Room or even the Scuba Diver’s Kitchen.

P.S. Ready for a home renovation or home remodel? Book a complimentary appointment with our Luxury Dallas Interior Designers or Kitchen Contractors.

How to Modernize a Dark Drab Dining Room | Top Art Deco Design Dining Ideas 2020

7 Dining Room Interior Design Ideas & Interior Design Trends 2020

Turn Traditional Furnishings Into A Modern Art Deco Dream Room | Dining Room Design Ideas

For many people, sitting down for a nice meal can be highlighted at the end of a busy day. The idea isn’t quite appealing when your dining space room decor trends is dark, drab, and uninspiring. That was the case with one of our Dee Frazier Interiors (DFI) clients. Here is the photo of this dining room design ideas of two recent retirees Louise and Frank, before adding a few modern, Art Deco furnishings and updated design details. To fully appreciate the finished space, please allow me to show you the room when our client called:

The Dark Drabby Dining Room Set

As retirement approached, Louise knew she’d be spending more time at home, including entertaining her dining room. She looked forward to extended, leisurely gatherings, but knew the dining room needed to be updated. She and Frank believed that our team would have excellent dining room walls decor ideas that could breathe new life into a tired room. Modern art decor elements were top of mind to freshen up a once tired, dated room.

7 Modern Dining Room Decor Ideas

1. Mix old dining room furniture with new, light fixture modern Art Decor style furniture.

Turning a dated space into a new, modern dining area room can be a challenge in some cases. Not so with this, Louise. She was open to a unique designer dining room, decorating ideas, and eager to get insights from our team. The only thing she felt strongly about was incorporating some existing family heirlooms in the original design – a request we were happy to accommodate.

The dining room table, grandfather clock, chandelier, and a large piece of art had to stay. Beyond that, DFI could consider the room a blank canvas. With that in mind, we went to work crafting a modern dining room design that would please the owner and create a fresh, welcoming environment for her guests.

transitional dining room ideas, modern dinnerware, dining room design ideas, dining room trends 2020

Replace dark matching chairs with new more modern, light-colored upholstered chairs to balance dark tables & furnishings. | Dining Room Design Ideas | Dining Room Interior Design Ideas

2. Mix in colorful, modern art w/ traditional dining room decor. | Dining Room Ideas & Trends 2020

I felt that a large piece of framed art should be the foundation for the room. Because its base color is a warm yellow or color palette, I wanted to keep the other colors and patterns soft and cool to contrast with it. I also wanted to add touches of gold metal to create a formal feel for the room and make a visual connection with the chandelier. For that, we brought in a mirror, lamps, and gold paint wall sconces.Freehostia

Modern Dining Room Wall Decor Ideas

3. Mix in circular mirrors with more modern brushed brass finishes balancing yellows and golds.

Notice the rectangular mirror alone feels very traditional. By adding the gold circular mirrors, we expanded the space and introduced a more modern feel on the focal point wall. Plus, the hues of metal balance the yellow in abstract art.

4. Add lighter toned colors, abstract wall coverings, & paint wall with dark dining room furniture. | Dining Room Design Ideas & Trends 2020

The actual ivory wall color schemes was beautiful, so we decided to keep it and used a similar cream hue on the designed dining room side chairs, window treatments, and a stunning console.

To give the room a more modern, beautiful soft gold metallic wallpaper in an Art Deco square design behind the buffet and the foyer, creating dimension with the contrasting gold sconces.

5. Mix in a modern, straight-line dining room buffet.

The buffet elevated the room’s elegance, with its Capiz Shell door contrasting nicely with its deep stain finish and antique gold finish legs. Yet, the lines of the buffet are straight and modern. Between the finish of the meal and the wallpaper design, we could get the client away from more traditional lines into a fresher, updated space. And when the work was complete, she was thrilled with her bright, inviting new space.

6. Use fun modern dinnerware & napkins.| Dining Room Design Ideas & Trends 2020

When considering dinnerware, we decided to mix the client’s vintage cream and gold dinnerware with new modern polka dot napkins. We added new glass-cut art deco bowls and modern striped champagne flutes for a touch of glass. Be ready for guests at all times. Set the table using your dinnerware, flatware, and glassware. If your crystal doesn’t match, replace it with something that does.

7. Be creative with your centerpiece. | Dining Room Design Ideas & Trends 2020

In most dining table rooms, human nature is a floral arrangement or vases for fresh flowers. Flowers, we added. Only these flowers were metal sculptures that also serve as candle holders. One thing to keep in mind with any dining room centerpiece: allowing humans to have a conversation across the table is as important as the centerpiece.

Dining Room Decor Ideas | Dining Room Ideas | Dining Room Wall Decor Ideas | Interior Decor Ideas 2020 | Dining Room Ideas

We also worked on the adjacent family room and decided that a soft blue/sage green would make for a perfect transition between them. The color blue and white we chose was also in the artwork. It worked on multiple levels as we incorporated it in the upholstery, area rug, dining room wall decor, and accessories.

Dining Room Decor Ideas | Dining Room Ideas | Dining Room Wall Decor Ideas | Interior Decor Ideas 2020 | Dining Room Idea

I sincerely hope you enjoyed my recommendations for updating your dining rooms for 2020. If you want my in-person dining room design ideas, please give me a ring or contact us.

For more of our behind-the-scenes projects or home decor ideas. Please give us a follow on social media. Pin this image to remember to return to DKORHOME.com

Dee

P.S. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube.

P.S.S. 5 Easy Ways To Create a Modern Kitchen Design | Luxury Interior Designer Dallas TX

Dining Room Interior Design Ideas

P.S. Book an appointment with me or my Dallas Interior Designers or Dallas Interior Decorators.

Ocean Dreaming Of Deep Sea Diving

When receiving a daughter’s request to help her recently widowed mother, Dee Frazier and the designers she mentors quickly discovered some mom’s passion for scuba diving. The curved stairwell wall had once been blank and considered a challenge until presented an idea inspired by the client’s art collection. Incorporating the homeowner’s love of blue hues and scuba diving, the team came up with a design that is a hit with DKOR’s online followers and favorite of the client. Check out other interior designer blogs.

“Inspiration comes from doing a deep dive into our customer’s lifestyles.”
– Dee Frazier

Award Winning Dream Rooms

Replicating & Relocating from California to Texas

Whether it’s a move across town or across the country, relocating can be stressful. Austin interior designer, Dee Frazier of Dee Frazier Interiors helps alleviate that stress by communicating with clients via live video conferences, giving detailed presentations, and expediting the mailing of samples to ensure the cherished lifestyle a family is leaving is replicated or even improved upon in their current dream rooms.

While the phrase “man’s best friend” is often applied to dogs, it’s safe to say that furnishings, fabrics, and rugs don’t have the same opinion of them. When a client with dogs and kids recently moved from California to Texas, Dee and the team included performance fabrics and highly durable surfaces in the design to ensure mom’s stress was reduced. Knowing that materials from the Decorating Den Interiors LIVV Collection would be her ally in the neverending battle against table rings and pet paw scratches gave her tremendous peace of mind. So did her confidence that DFI would oversee the smallest of details like the alignment of granite and countertop seams. Check out my interior designer blogs.

“Consciously selecting textiles and surfaces to fit one’s lifestyle is essential.”
Lori Yusten, Senior Designer, Dee Frazier from Dee Frazier Interiors, Austin Interior Design Stud.

Calm Serenity

His Way or Hers.

To further balance the homeowner’s opposite tastes in color, Calm Serenity Dee Frazier and her design team omitted the honeysuckle hues used in the family room in other areas of the home, replacing them with deep, neutral grays and of pale blue hues. The water theme continues, however, in a glass sculpture on the round foyer table flanked by two slate gray chairs.

The stairwell wall that once begged for art now makes a strong visual statement. Panel moulding and lily pad sculptures continue the discrete nature theme loved by the homeowners.

<<Foyer

Multiple lily pad sculptures overlay silver leaf walls are flanked by custom hand stenciled filigree.

<< Bedroom
The romantic bedroom ceiling was designed to incorporate a large-scale chandelier and hand-stenciled ceiling medallion.

“Thinking outside the box, we create designs that are beautiful in your box.” Check out my interior designer blogs.
– Dee Frazier

Natural Hues & Blues

Opposite may attract, but sometimes they clash. It’s not uncommon for Dee Frazier Interiors (DFI) designers to be asked to provide “design therapy”. In a room with a built-in 150-gallon aquarium, complete with alternating teal and blue lights, as a focal point, a husband and wife had very different preferences in terms of color palette.Before consulting with Dee and her team, they purchased a couple of neutral and yellow upholstered chairs and furniture that was under-scaled for the room. To solve their color differences, DFI designers added a splash of golden honeysuckle paint inside the coffered ceiling squares and on the silk draperies to provide balance and give her a dose of color.

Removing the understated lap siding from the fireplace was also a must. DFI’s trusted mason came to the rescue. Stacking local natural stone gave the family room a deep-rooted, traditional Texas feel. With the salt water fish serving as live art, and gunmetal and gold sculptured wall art from a local artist, the wall is perfectly accented. To fill out the space, additional furnishing and a beautiful, new square, silver leaf cocktail table and small clover style ottomans for additional seating were added, to completing both theé room’s look and function. Teal and blue accent vases and accessories gave her more of the color she wanted and balanced the aquarium’s tones. Check out my interior designer blogs.

“ Color balance is much like balancing a relationship. The only difference is one must replace a therapist with a designer.”
– Dee Frazier

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