This week, we welcome seasoned interior designer Jillian O’Neill. She talks about her innovative Design Retreat, an interior design weekend that empowers homeowners to tackle their home projects with confidence and to connect with industry professionals.
Jillian discusses the importance of assembling the right design team, maintaining open communication, and embracing flexibility in home renovation projects. Jillian also gives a sneak peek at the upcoming San Antonio event and what attendees can expect!
Learn more about Design Retreat and how you can participate by visiting www.design-retreat.com
What You’ll Hear This Episode:
- The Design Retreat’s purpose is to bridge the gap between homeowners working on a project and professionals.
- How the Design Retreat can help homeowners gain confidence in their home design projects and empower them to actively participate in the process.
- A mix of attendees at the retreat, including those building homes, real estate agents, and design enthusiasts.
- The importance of assembling the right design team and having good communication.
- Transparency in the design process, including budgets and expectations.
- What should homeowners know about budgets and allowances in their projects?
- Thoughtful questions that people can ask their builder, designer, and architect.
- How homeowners and professionals can be excited and confident about projects from beginning to end.
- What should attendees of the Designer Retreat bring to the table?
Decorating Dilemma:
Dear How to Decorate,First of all, thank you so much for the podcast! It is fun and informative.
I am attaching photos of my sunroom, which could use a little glow-up. We’ve lived in this 1927 tutor for 27 years and hope to be here for another 10.
This sunroom is adjacent to our dining table, which kind of flows from the kitchen. It’s all one big space and the place where we spend most of the time. I have questions about lighting, accessorizing, and the end tables.
We use the season all throughout the year: In the summer and during the daytime, there’s plenty of sunlight. Otherwise, the lighting needs a major revamp. I had a pair of lamps on the antique tables that came from my great grandmother, but one broke. I wonder if any of the Ballard lighting would be appropriate for the two hutches and the end tables. This room does not have an overhead light and as I write it is quite dark.
I also wonder about replacing the light over the dining table or doing something else to lighten that space. The finish is an aged bronze that matches the ceiling fan. You’ll see that I tried to give it a little bit of new life with some Ballard Designs shades.
At some point, we will need a new rug due to extreme wear and tear, and the fabric on the floral chairs is starting to wear a bit. I’m so curious what you notice about the space! I’ve taken photos facing south out the window to the yard, facing north toward the dining table and kitchen, facing east we’ll see a mahogany door that leaves to the patio, and facing west.
Thanks so much for your advice you can offer!
– Mary in Ohio
Hello Mary!
First, you did a great job and everything is so pretty and inviting!
We understand what you mean about needing a lighting revamp, and we have a few suggestions. Consider adding two new lamps on either side of your loveseat with lighter shades to allow more light. Move your grandmother’s lamp to the console with the plant for a nice accent.
In the dining room, try an unexpected chandelier that contrasts with the heavier furniture style. For the sunroom, add a task lamp near one of the chairs for better lighting when you’re working. Finally, consider a larger sofa to better fit the scale of the room, and maybe add a rug in the dining area to soften the space and differentiate it from the wood floor and table.
– How to Decorate
Also Mentioned in This Episode
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Happy Decorating!
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