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Interior stager Jill Vegas' new book will help revamp your home in a flash. Photos: Michael Grimm
Jill Vegas's new book can help you makeover your home in a matter of minutes.
As you're reading this, you likely have a laundry list of things to do. We live in a world of over-tasking. So, when it comes to decorating, your to-do projects often fall to the wayside.
That's where Jill Vegas comes in. An interior stager, Vegas has mastered the art of decorating in a cinch and decided to share her wisdom in her new book, Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager's Tips and Trade Secrets For A Fabulous Home In A Week or Less.
"Speed Decorating is about loving the home that you have right now," Vegas says. "Frequently clients tell me how they're waiting to do this or that because 'someday' they'll have a better or different apartment – forget about 'someday,' it's time to live in the home you have right now."
Ready to decorate? Here are some thoughts from the queen of speed style:
Change the look of your interior in seconds with simple touches like pretty floral arrangements. Photo: Michael Grimm
Q: Some people love to look at beautiful interiors but have no idea how to achieve their own -- what are some tips that can help them through the process?
A: Inspiration is where it all begins; get inspired and then take action. The introduction to my book has some great tools to help people get in touch with their inner decorator and tackle a project with confidence.
The first step is to pick a room where you want to see a difference. Step two: Make a plan. Set a date of when you want to complete the project and just do it!
Q: In your book you discuss speed-shopping tips – can you give us some of your favorite highlights?
A: Be prepared! Shop with a digital camera loaded with pictures of the room you're decorating. Bring a notebook with vital stats, such as room measurements. If you're buying something big like a sofa make sure to bring the measurements of your front door. I had a client who had to quickly sell a sofa on eBay because it wouldn't fit in the front door.
Q: What are some common decorating mistakes you see people make – and how can they be fixed?
A: They push all their furniture against the walls so there's a big hole in the center of the room. It's better to create seating areas -- group furniture together so that you can easily have conversations or set your glass on the coffee table.
Also, when there's no color; it's a mistake to decorate with just blah browns and beige. This is such a fun and easy solution: Bring on the color! You can add a burst of red tulips or buy throw pillows or splash the walls with a bold paint color!
Q: If you only have an afternoon to update your home, where should you focus your energy?
A: Focus on one place. The key is to focus on one room and get moving. If you have an afternoon, you could make a dramatic difference in the living room, for example. You could start by getting rid of any clutter that's accumulated, old magazines or things you just don't like.
From there you could make a big difference by buying a new rug or head to an art crawl and buy an amazing painting for over the sofa. If you want a new sofa, shop online to get an idea of styles (there are a lot of resources for this listed in "Places I Love" section of my book to help get you started) or go to vintage stores or the flea market and find a mid-century modern sofa and then reupholster it.
Q: You just got a call that your mother-in-law is on her way over. She'll be there in an hour – what are some quick tips to get the place in order?
A: Pick up the mess! If your place is already impeccable, run out and buy flowers. Flowers are a speed decorator's best friend -- they're fast, gorgeous and bursting with color, and they make any room feel vibrant and fresh.
Q: On a similar note: You have 30 minutes and zero budget – is it still possible to style things up?
A: I know this sounds simple, but here's the deal: Clean up! No matter how clean you are, there are scuffs all over the foyer and layers of dust lurking under the sofa. For dramatic improvement in 30 minutes, brighten up your home by taking all your light fixtures down and washing the globes, Windex the chandelier so it sparkles and replace burned out bulbs -- your place will gleam!
For a full course in quick decor, pick up a copy of Speed Decorating, which is available now at bookstores and Amazon.com.
Want to read more about Jill's Speed Decorating? Check out these posts and articles:
- A book review of Speed Decorating - Apartment Therapy (Chicago)
- Our pals at CasaSugar tell us what they thought of Jill's book - CasaSugar
- Decorology shares tips for speed decorating an entryway - Decorology
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
The woodwork in my house is painted, baseboards, doors etc. When its freshly painted it looks super, but later on down the line it lookd dull and gringy from cleaning so much. Is there a product to put on as a last coat to protect the paint? My doors are white,,does the baseboard and door trim have to be white??
ReplyMarian,
You should use semi gloss paint on your woodwork and then you can use soapy water to clean it when it gets dirty.
You can paint base boards any color! The trim as well! You must use a satin finish. That makes cleaning easier. And have fun painting. from a viewer.
Not too long ago I got one of those "We are on our way" phone calls. I had a few dishes in the sink, an empty fish tank, and waiting for recycle day I had a pile of newspapers.
ReplyI put the dishes in the oven, I put a throw over the fish tank and the newspapers went into the dryer. Easy and quick
I work for a furniture company called Lovesac. Awesome couches and the ultimate comfy accessories. If you really want to deck out your house or apartment with some amazing furniture, go to lovesac.com and check it out. :)
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