Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Everyone usually have Thanksgiving Dinner (US- Nov. 24) with families and friends.  As part of my interior design services,  I have also done centerpieces and table/hall decor for non-profit organizations and families using different theme- luau, cultural, birthday and using summer, spring and now autumn colors. If you want a table setting and decor makeover for this coming holiday- Thanksgiving such as napkins, table runner, china, wine glasses and centerpieces all coordinated and prepared for you, I am just a phone call away or respond to this post and I will contact you.  I will use your existing supplies and purchase inexpensive add ons but give you beautiful results. I charge by the hour. I have been exposed to this type of work by attending events at Laguna Design Center where designers showcase their skills in making different holiday settings.

Autumn colors (color consultation is also one of my expertise) are fun and using materials that are easily available to you is one way to decorate.  But we can also infuse other colors to our decor.  On Oct. 31, we went to a neighborhood in Fountain Valley, CA  where they went all out and we did enjoy the unique exterior Halloween decor of the different houses. I found this tree in front of a house and I really loved it! 

Beautiful maple tree -Autumn, Oct. 2011, So. CA

Natural Colors of a Maple Tree

Trees with natural autumn/fall colors (photo courtesy of my HR-XML Consortium friend- Paul Kiel, North Carolina)

Trees with natural autumn/fall colors (photo courtesy of my HR-XML Consortium friend - Paul Kiel, North Carolina)

Just to give you complimentary selected ideas and places to go on how you can turn your table with knock out centerpieces and awe your friends and families, please continue to read on. 

Big Pumpkin with a boquet of flowers(marthastewart.com)

You can use a pumpkin as container for these flowers-tulips, roses, berries, pomegrante and magnolia leaves that are autumn colors but then again you can always use other colors that will match the table settings. Again, if you need an interior designer's eye, let me know.

Or this arrangement below.....

Using Pumpkin as a vase and different types of flowers  (marthastewart.com)

Actual pumpkins arranged on beautiful plates (marthastewart.com)

The above is simple enough and you can go to the  groceries for supplies and materials- I prefer Sprouts where they sell pumpkins and nuts and flowers and prices are reasonable and use the different autumn colors to make your centerpieces attractive.

Using Autumn Leaves and gourds and pumpkins (marthastewart.com)

HurricaneLampwithCandleand mapleleaves (countryliving.com)

If you have some maple tree like the picture I took, with leaves of these colors, you have a very beautiful and inexpensive centerpiece. 

Using corn husks and inexpensive candles and flowers (countryliving.com)

Have you guys ever been in a Mexican grocery or a grocery that caters most to Mexicans?  Corn husks that are used for tamales are so inexpensive and hopefully you can find this color hue that matches the roses.  It's gorgeous arrangement!

Using Candles with Autumn Leaf (countryliving.com)

How about making a trip to Pier Imports or similar stores where you can get get these candles in different scent, color and shape and arranging them in a nice holder or plate ?  You will have the comfort- food (Turkey or Ham and all the trimmings) scent, and sight to awe your families and friends during your Thanksgiving dinner.  Want to makeover your whole house or rooms for your company coming?  Call or email me! I am here to serve and help you. 

Follow me on my blog and hope you enjoy them! 
Please call or email me or post a comment on this blog if you need my services.

Should You Hire An Interior Designer?

I found this article very informative to the public including my clients and potential clients. 


It always pays and refreshing to know what you should expect for the service you are paying for. It's always been my business policy to meet set expectations of clients and have a fluid communication during the project. 


Should You Hire an Interior Designer?

By: Gail Doby, Chief Vision Officer | Design Success University, LLC  |  Posted: Oct. 26th, 2011

Photos Courtesy of ASID

Excerpts from an interview with Autumn Conrad, Public Relations Manager at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). 

What is the value of hiring an interior designer? 

Autumn Conrad: From working in the field you probably understand that there is a perception in the community at large that interior design is about creativity and coming up with a fabulous design concept, which is what designers ultimately do in the end. Interior design really involves a lot of technical problem solving skills so really it’s finding a blend between that and creativity to achieve a successful design solution that’s going to have long-term value for the client.  

Interior designers have training, expertise and experience about building codes, construction, plumbing, electrical, lighting, materials and products. They are continuously researching materials and finishes, and they create new and innovative ways to create amazing spaces.  

It all seems so easy and fun from the outside, doesn’t it? 

AC: That’s true. When someone sees the finished product, they are seeing the result of a lot of planning that isn’t always obvious. Interior designers must have extensive technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, psychology, resources, people and project management skills. It’s a complex job with many moving parts, and it is a time-consuming process. 

Consumers don’t necessarily know how to hire an interior designer. What questions would you suggest they ask? 

AC: We actually have some resources on ourASID.org website for consumers. We give a check list of questions that consumers should ask of a designer. The top level questions that should really come first are obviously: "Is the designer accredited? Does the designer have experience in the type of project you’re planning to do? Does their portfolio demonstrate that?" When you check their references, find out if they are reliable, and ask if they were mindful of the budget. You absolutely must talk about budget. Maybe you don’t know how much things cost, but you do know how much you’re willing to invest. Don’t withhold this information because you don’t want your designer creating great work that you can’t afford. Checking references is extremely important. 

What are the questions that consumers might not ask, but should? 

AC: Interview your designer as if you were hiring them to work at your company. Scenario-based examples can help filter some of those issues that might come up. For instance, "Tell me about a time that you designed X project, or describe the type of projects or client relationships you enjoy." Ask about the challenges and solutions that were a part of that project. You’ll get a better sense of how they work and how they approach each problem and also how they apply creative solutions to address those problems as they come up on the project. 

How do you recommend that consumers ask about fees? 

AC: That’s an interesting question. A lot of designers don’t like to talk about fees initially while others do. First figure out if you’re interested in working with this designer. Then ask them how their fees are structured after you’ve determined they are a good fit with experience, personality and their body of work. Some work by the hour with a mark-up, some offer a fixed or Value Based Fee, cost per room, cost per square foot, so it varies by each designer. 

How do you determine the differences between one designer and another? 

AC: Well I think you know that you’d want to start with this designer’s area of specialization or expertise. Some designers do residential only, and some do commercial. From there you may need someone who specializes in areas like sustainability, historic restoration, ergonomics, lighting, window treatments, construction, kitchens or baths, etc. It’s probably best to go with someone who specializes in what you want to achieve. 

What are the differences between the designers who have professional designations versus those who practice without an affiliation? 

AC: If a designer has an affiliation, whether it is with ASID or another organization, they have demonstrated that they have a certain amount of professional experience combined with educational experience. 


What does the ASID credential tell consumers? 

AC: It shows that the interior designer has completed a minimum of professional and educational experience. They can be assured that the person is qualified based on their testing and experience. However, they should still select based on the personality fit, portfolio and the skill and experience with the specialty of design for which they are hiring. 

What are the differences between designers who have the professional designations versus those who practice without? Many of the top decorators and designers that are featured in shelter magazines aren’t members of ASID or other professional organizations. Should consumers be concerned? 

AC: Magazines may not always indicate if a designer is a member of a professional organization, so the consumers should ask. 

Who should a consumer hire: a decorator, a designer, or an architect? 

AC: It depends on the type of project. If you don’t need to have any sort of major structural changes, or your project doesn’t require building permits, an architect isn’t required. Some states allow accredited designers to pull permits, but they cannot submit drawings that require moving load-bearing walls. They can have an architect or engineer review their plans and stamp them, though.  

If you’re doing a basic refresh of your materials and furnishings and accessories for your home then possibly a decorator or someone who hasn’t completed a degree and taken the NCIDQ exam might be appropriate if you like their work. If your project is more involved and it might involve building permits and opening up or demolishing, a designer with more technical expertise and training is appropriate.  

What information does ASID offer to consumers? 

AC: Our website has a plethora of resources for consumers; everything about learning about interior design to checklists to ask a designer when you’re interviewing them. We also have our designer referral service and there is no charge. 

What would you say to consumers that love HGTV and want to do it themselves? 

AC: Everyone is qualified to purchase products, but are they the right scale, proportion, and quality? If they are remodeling, the structural integrity of a project should be considered. Are they selecting the right materials for the uses they are considering? What resources are available to do the project? Designers spend years developing their resources and team. They develop a long-term relationship and process that saves the consumers time and money if the consumer is interested in a high-quality solution that will last... 

...Working with a designer should be collaborative. Working with a designer doesn’t mean you have to give up control, nor does it mean you have to do everything the designer suggests. Most designers love working with their client to achieving the clients’ vision. 

I have one last question. What do you think about consumers hiring designers online to do projects? 

AC: I think it’s good for the design industry. I think that people are going online more and more to get things accomplished. So it’s not surprising that this would be something that is taking off a little bit. Ultimately, it gives more exposure to the designers, and more access for consumers to find designers, I think it’s great.


Hope you find this information useful about my profession- interior designer. As an additional note, I am in the process of reviewing for my NCIDQ exam and will be part of ASID in 2012.


Reference: http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/home-decor/feature-166

Rome- It's Art, Design and Architecture

I have always wanted to see Rome.  Rome is so rich in history and famous for its art, sculpture and architecture.  This is the place where talented architects, engineers, sculptors, artists did their masterpieces.  

But before we go to historic places for art and architecture, we had to enjoy Italian food- pizza and found this place through the kindness of our host, Sister Pia, Assistant to the Mother General of the Dominican Order whose general house, where we were guests,  is based in Rome.  This Pizza place, where locals and tourists congregate, is a great place to sample the different types of pizza that are sold by the pound.  I wish our pizza restaurants/take out places here in the US offer the same way they do.  They had unusual items included in the pizza such as squash flowers and artichokes.  And you can have 8-10 varieties in one plate if you can handle them. I have never tasted pizza with these toppings and they were really good!

Little Place known for its best Pizza, Rome, Italy

Another area that I am amazed to see are the different fountains inside the Vatican City, Rome where tourists and locals can drink clean water that flows endlessly.  Aqueducts from mountains and lakes were built by ancient Romans to provide water and baths for Rome.  Rome has approximately 2,500 drinking fountains apart from those famous fountains like Fontana de Trevi, Fontana dell'Acqua Paola -Gianicolo (Via Garibaldi), Fontana delle Tartarughe and Fontana di Piazza San Pietro. I love fountains and love to incorporate them on my exterior and interior design. 

Clean, ever flowing delicious, cool drinking water, Rome, Italy

Fontana de Trevi (panoramio.com)

Fontana dell'Acqua Paola -Gianicolo (Via Garibaldi) -(aboutroma.com)

Fontana delle Tartarughe (aboutroma.com)

Fontana di Piazza San Pietro (aboutroma.com)

You need to stay more days in Rome to be able to enjoy St. Peters Basilica, the different museums and Sistine Chapel alone which we didn't have.  We combined touring St. Peters Basilica and the different museums and Sistine Chapel in a day and was really exhausted with art, architecture and sculpture information overload. I was so impressed by the famous colonnade of Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, an architect, a sculptor, a painter and even a poet. The colonnade proves the truth of his axiom "An architect proves his skill by turning the defects of a site into advantages". 

Very talented architects can do that like Frank Lloyd Wright with his "Fallingwater" home, a house build on rocks above a stream in Pennsylvania.

Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright, Pennyslvania, USA (wright-house.com)

The curving colonnade, which gives a nurturing feeling, is composed of 300 Doric columns, the oldest and simplest columns, and there are four rows on each side. Columns were made of travertine. Bernini used the concept of the "motherly arms of the church" for the colonnade which is so fitting for a place where the Pope bless and speak to all the faithful who traveled to see the Pope and St. Peters Basilica from far away lands. The Piazza of St. Peters was built from1656 to 1667 and the style is Baroque Neoclassical .  You can see the elliptical plan with the Eygptian obelisk in the center that served as a turning point in chariot races during the ancient Circus of Nero.

Aireal view of St. Peter's Square  with the curving colonnade and Egyptian obelisk in the center by Wikepedia

Close-up of the Doric Column by Bernini

Sister Pia, our jovial host, was kind enough to point to me the focal point wherein you only see one row of column instead of all the four rows of the colonnade. 

Centro del Colonnato (Center of the Colonnade)

Colonnade from the Centro Del Colonnato and you can only see one row- the front columns

Colonnade taken outside the Centro Del Colonnato and now you can see four rows of columns

Bernini's approach for the Piazza of St. Peter is to have a place for the biggest audience in order for the Pope to bless the faithful either in the Papal Canopy  or a balcony and big TV screens located in strategic places and a special section designated for visiting and local bishops and priests. 

Papal Canopy where Pope have an audience with the people

Balcony where the Pope Bless the People

Section where bishops and priests sit 

More to come and hope you enjoyed reading my blog!  Next Rome, Italy blog would be St. Peter's Basilica and the different Vatican museums including the Sistine Chapel.

Vienna (Wein)- It's Art, Design and Architecture (Last)

Beautiful Dresser

Items to be Auctioned

More Items to be Auctioned

Palais Dorotheum Exterior and Interior

Dorotheum Catalogue  showing Palais Dorotheum Interiors

 Frans Franken's Masterpiece "Man Choosing between Virtue and Vice"
auctioned for world record 7,022,300 British Pounds

Gustav Klimdt Memorabilia

Gustav Klimdt's The Kiss by Wikepedia

Gustav Klimdt's Judith and the Holofernas by Wikepidia

Interior Designers should have very good "resources".  Resources could be allies like engineers, architects, handyman, contractors, project managers and gardeners who could help you deliver the best results.  Resources also means sellers that could be auctioneer like Dorotheum, specialized places with different sellers that only cater to design professionals like Laguna Design Center, Pacific Design Center and  individuals like a friend of mine who accumulated great Lladro pieces, antiques, art and sculptures that she has acquired through the years.  I plan to help her dispose some of one of a kind pieces so her home will not look like a store and be elegant and classy.  It is very important to know what and where to place in your home to make your home classy, elegant and your very own that suits the function and your style Watching shows and reading books can be very limited knowledge and not exactly attain what you want and hope for!  


My goal as an interior designer is to find resources that will match your budget.  Inexpensive Ikea products can be used and will make your home or office stand out from the rest if proper placement and selection are made.  And that is where a good Interior Designer can help you!  To set definition right, an Interior Designer can be likened to a "baker" who knows the ingredients of a cake and what makes the cake desirable while an Interior Decorator is the person who put the "icing" on the cake to make it palatable and beautiful. 


Traveling is a good exposure to see beautiful items and resources whether in an exhibit, eating places like we met a Marketing Manager from Milan, Italy at Greenwich, England, who goes to Las Vegas Market, another good resource to find beautiful items. In the past, when the real estate market is booming, I have seen lots of model homes in Las Vegas, Nevada and vicinity.  


Artwork and Decor items can also be found at places like Laguna Beach where good and upcoming artists display their beautiful work and I have also found "Luna" a small place at Belmont Shores that carries unique items that you can not usually find in other places.  Luna sells home decor, gift and jewelry items you normally won't find in department stores.  I have also gotten items from craft shows and of course the internet where I found and bought items online for some clients.


I have always enjoyed looking at beautiful things, not only on art, furniture, sculptures but jewelry that Palais Dorotheum offers. Dorotheum is like Christies which has an office in New York.  


One of Vienna's famous painter is Gustav Klimdt. The dominant figure in his paintings is that of a woman, the female fatale and used "gold leaf " in most of his paintings.  Vienna is currently celebrating his 150th birthday - 1862 to 2012.  Gustav Klimdt is very well respected and celebrated by Viennese people as one of their own and his paintings can be seen in different landmarks like the Bugtheather and University of Vienna. But even the memorabilia, like a scarf with Judith and Holofernas print, that I bought do not come cheap.  His paintings (reproductions) would look great though in a home for an owner who loves the gold color and a figure of a woman and yes,  who wouldn't!


Knowledge and constant exposure is a "must" to be a good Interior Designer is what I learned and try to practice.


Next post will be historic and beautiful Rome and Perugia, Italy! 

Vienna (Wein)- It's Art, Design and Architecture Continued

Vienna International Center- UN Office, Vienna, Austria before construction of M Building by Wikepedia

Facts and Figures of UN Building, Vienna, Austria
Built 1973 to 1979

Close up view of Vienna International Center after M Building - United Nations Office, Vienna, Austria

UN Architectural Model -Architect was Johann Staber

Countries represented in the UN (5000 employees work in UN Buildings

Thanksgiving by Manuel Baldermor given during the term of
 Fidel Ramos,President of the Philippines

La Piogga-Stadt Unter Dem Regen
Freidenshreich Hundertwasser

Aktionsmalerie 1962 (Medium used to paint was pig's blood)
Hermann Nitsch

Vulkanische Landschaft
Peter Pongratz

Children's Artwork Displayed in the UN Building

Our visit to Vienna will not be complete without visiting the UN Building in Vienna, Austria.  We were lucky enough that our hosts- Himmet and Mayenne Cayir both work for the UN for so many years and we had the privilege to tour the facility as their guests.   I was amazed to see how modern the buildings were and even more impressed with the design of the buildings that gives everyone working in those facilities an awesome view. There are six Y shaped office towers which give everyone a nice view including the beautiful Danube River.  Had the chance to shop in their shopping facilities, ate at one of their catering facilities and saw their post office and banks and credit union offices. It is indeed a "city" on its own complete with their own security check up like an airport.  The "M" Building was the most impressive, interiors-wise, and how the facility including their bathrooms were always clean and shiny.  The room where the UN delegates meet is like being in the movie where languages are translated using high tech equipment. Also, being an architecture and art enthusiast, I was able to see on a close up range the details of walls using wood and steel very aesthetically.  There were some art donated by different countries that can only evoke emotions and at the same time make you think profoundly on the meaning the artists want to convey.  For us, there is no better place to spend our day to be educated and at the same time enjoy the day... it can only be at Vienna International Center!

Vienna (Wein) - It's Art, Design and Architecture Continued

Hotel Sacher

Vienna's Famous Sacher Torte from Wikipedia

Rotary and Lions Clubs meet at Hotel Sacher

As a traveler, you also want to taste the best food a city/country can offer.  Not only did my eyes feast on the architecture of Hotel Sacher but also on their famous Sacher Torte, a chocolate cake that consists of two layers of dense but not too sweet chocolate cake with a hint of apricot jam in the middle of the dark chocolate and icing and whipped cream, no sugar, on the side. Hotel Sacher was established by Eduard Sacher, son of the creator of Sacher Torte.  Artists, Aristocrats like Queen Elizabeth II and Politicians like John F. Kennedy stayed to wine and dine in this 5 star modern hotel yet boasts of its historical roots. Businessmen and non profit organizations like the Rotary, where members like my Rotarian husband, also meet in this hotel. Hotel Sacher is strategically located opposite the Opera House, the Hopburg Imperial Palace and other Vienna's major sites, thanks to Himmet and Mayenne Banda Cayir and family who enjoyed taking us around Vienna. I was attracted to the exterior and the timeless balusters, dentil mouldings, the type of mouldings I personally used in my living room and took the picture not realizing it was Hotel Sacher which was built in 1876 and renovated in 2005-2006 by Sepp Frank. This building is dated, yet elegant and classy and updated with modern luxurious amenities.

Vienna (Wein) - It's Art, Design and Architecture (Selected Few)

Details of the Flying Buttresses

Cathedral of St. Stephens-Note Flying Buttresses

Interiors of Cathedral of St. Stephens

Floor plan per Wikipedia

Cathedral of St. Stephens, Vienna, Austria

People travel for specific reasons.  I am one of those travelers who want to see, touch and feel what I have studied and learned,  thanks to my very talented director, Al and professors- Medi, Blake, Jorge, Vicky, Carol and Bob from Westwood College who opened my eyes to appreciate art, design and architecture. Barbara Gordon, a CID, was also a very good mentor and certainly miss her.  The Cathedral of St. Stephen in Vienna, Austria consecrated in 1147,  is one of the finest Gothic architecture, which I have always admired. This Roman Catholic Church has multicolored very steep tile roof and built with limestone that required special restoration process. The interiors revealed the beauty and intricacies of work done like the pulpit which is a masterwork of Gothic sculpture. The distant focal point, the High Altar represents the Stoning of St. Stephen, which was the first painting of Rembrandt, who had produced 600 paintings, nearly 400 etchings and 2000 drawings. Engineering skills were already developed  and used at that period.  Lighter walls, larger windows and high pointed arched vaults  were typical of Gothic Architecture. The  distinct flying buttresses was necessary and developed as a means of support.  During our European trip, I have seen these flying buttresses at another famous Gothic Architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The Cathedral of St. Stephen was Mozart's parish and a memorial tablet is shown near the SJC per above floor plan.  Beethoven discovered the totality of his deafness when he did not hear the bells but noticed the birds flying out as a result of the ringing of the bells of the Cathedral.


More to come...