Seven Decorating Secret Weapons For Your Interiors

Here are some decorating secret weapons that I use and you can, too. There is a way to help you digitally visualize updates to your space, an inexpensive (but doesn’t look it) woven grass shade source, how to display art on your backsplash, getting inspiration from Pinterest and more tips.

And as it’s Sunday Faves time with Annie and Cindy I’m also sharing a healthy bean salad to keep as a staple and a funny television series that Howard and I just finished.

1. Mock-up Designs Digitally To Get A Good Visual

I’ve made hundreds of digital mood boards for clients and myself over the years. Its a great way to see how elements will come together. Below I have a shot of our Persian rug with the arm chair and sofa fabric to visualize how the patterns, colors and textures work together.

More about our Spring/Summer look here. I used Powerpoint for the collage but you could also use Canva or Google Sheets…or even just drag screenshots to a folder on your desktop. It really helps!

Shop the Pillows

You may also like My Favorite Pillow Sources.

2. To Get A Plump Designer Look For Your Throw Pillows

For 22″ square pillow covers: use a 24 X 24 Decorative Throw Pillow Insert. From Amazon: Down and Feathers Fill, 100% Cotton Cover 233 Thread Count, Square Pillow Insert – Made in USA

You can find other insert sizes here but be sure to get the inserts two inches larger than the covers.

3. Budget Woven Grass Shades From Blinds.com

We have had pretty good luck with the quality of the woven grass and wood Roman shades from Blinds.com (owned by Home Depot). I tried them in our San Francisco apartment. Since we were renting, I didn’t want to spend a lot.

There is always some sort of deal $$ going on at Blinds.com and the samples change (the above matchstick look is no longer on their site but the Aruba Balsa looks similar).

Make sure you measure the window three times across on the width (top, middle and bottom) and length. You might hang them yourself but we usually have our handyman do it.

The Blinds.com shade above in Leo’s room has a blackout liner.

We needed a shade above the kitchen sink as Howard was complaining about the afternoon glare when he was getting dinner ready. I ordered an unlined grass shade called “Dallas Snow” just three weeks ago. I don’t see it on the website now. But you can order other samples.

4. Command Strips

I showed the above photo on Instagram and someone asked how I hung the art on the backsplash. It’s simple with Command Strips.

5. Pinterest For Inspiration

When I see something I like, I usually pin it to my Pinterest boards (below is the header on my Pinterest page).

You can check your boards and if you click on something you are interested in and scroll down, it will give you more examples. Lately, I have been searching stone garden benches to create a focal point in our back yard.

The faux bois look is expensive and I think I should keep checking Facebook Marketplace or Craig’s List.

6. Plants Add Life To Any Interiors

If you don’t want your home to look like a museum, add fresh greenery. I noticed on our Tour Of The Biltmore in Asheville, NC that they added plants to the interiors making them feel more lived in.

7. Use Things From Other Rooms: Mix It Up

The old saying “buy what you love and you will always have a place for it” is true. And it feels like you are redecorating just by moving things around. I used to ask clients to compile all their art and accessories in one place and then we could shop from it.

And you can move furniture around too. Recently we moved a Chinese altar table from the dining room to the living room to serve as a sofa back table.

Outfit Of The Week

Quince Polarized Sunglasses • Embroidered Cotton Blouse (I ordered this) • Sezane Straw Bag (would love to have) • Cotton Poplin Midi Skirt• Tortoise Apple Watch Band • Woven Leather Sandals or Gazelle Indoor Sneakers

A Healthy Lunch To Have On Hand

I like to have a batch of White Bean Salad to have for a quick lunch to serve over a small avocado or lettuce leaves. You can add whatever vegetables you have.

The salad lasts four or five days in the refrigerator.

What To Watch On Television: The Residence on Netflix

My sister recommended this to us. She loved Clue: The Movie. And this is a similar comedy/mystery. We thought it was a little slow in places but it is easy to watch…and of course we had to find out who the killer was. The interior White House scenes are fun to see…they did a nice reproduction.

If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.

Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:

Cindy Hattersley Design

Most Lovely Things