Blogging

Hi,
So I have come to find out that a lot of people are having a tough time logging in to comment on the blogs. I'm looking into it as we speak and will hopefully have it resolved soon. I love hearing your feedback! So please check back in and hopefully it will be a lot easier to send me a comment or a question.
Thanks!!
Taniya

Fireplace

I was just asked about the linear fireplace that I wanted to put in my place. He couldn't picture a 72" fireplace. I guess I can understand why. :)
It's not your everyday fireplace.
Here is a photo just in case anyone is interested. It is sleek, modern, and such a focal point to the room! I found this one at www.sparkfires.com
For now, I will have to keep dreaming!

Beds

Beds. Why do so many people leave the bedroom as an afterthought? Think about it. It is the last place you see when you go to sleep, the first place you see when you wake up and there are other things that happen in there which warrant a nice, relaxing set up. Wouldn't you agree? It is a place that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Organization, color, layout. It is all so very important as to how you start and end your day. SO- take some time to make it your sanctuary. Let it be the place in your home that you retreat to and unwind in. If you wake up in a place that is chaotic, chances are, your day will be too!

Construction time

A friend of mine once said that doing renovation to the home is a lot like plastic surgery. It usually has to get worse before it gets better. The house actually goes through a healing process. I am feeling it right about now! We are down to bare concrete and a lot of dust! I just can't wait for it to be done. It is different from what I do on the show in that everything I purchase for the show is readily available from Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I do that to show people that it can be done on a budget and in a fast turn around time. Most of the things I have selected for my home are things that were ordered and took a few weeks for delivery. What a drag. I am used to making renovations happen in just a few days.

I hit a major speed bump with the fireplace. My original plan was to add a linear gas fireplace that was about 72" long and 18" high BUT, to my dismay, gas fireplaces are a funny thing. Most need to use their own venting system. Since I am in a condo, I didn't want to mess with it- so I had to revamp my entire design trying to make the one we already have work. I have come up with something very cool and am actually just as excited about this as I was for the long narrow one. Keep checking in for more pics as it starts to come together.

Photos before the demo

For some reason my video didn't work on the previous blog so I am posting some still photos of the place.

Here is where we are at:
1. The wall to the right of the fireplace is down in the living room, now the place feels open and lofty.
2. The floors are ripped up
3. The tile has started to go down in the bathrooms and up on the kitchen backsplash.
4. We took down the cabinets in the kitchen opening so that it feels more open to the dining room (I always say that open floor plans are the way to go these days!)

The search is on...

I have spent the last several days researching furniture online for our new place and alas, I came across 2 really amazing sites and have managed to order just about all of my furniture from them. These pieces are tremendously less then the prices I have been finding at retail stores. I promised to let you in on my renovation process from demo to design and I have to say, buying online is one of my best kept secrets. I tend to do quite a bit of online ordering for the show because it is so much easier and the deals are great! Usually there are little to no shipping costs and it gets delivered right to your door which is the best part. The only parts that requires some patience are the lead times and delivery times. Because of the size of some items, it has to be delivered by freight which takes a little longer. But it's all good! It will be worth the wait! I am close to finished with my bathroom fixtures selections as well- but for those items, I chose to go visit the stores instead of ordering online. The plumbing gets a little confusing so I wanted to be sure to get some personal assistance with that. Okay, I know you are dying to find out what the sites are already! :) Here they are: www.kmpfurniture.com and www.exoticaunique.com. I will share photos of some of the furniture pieces that I chose in my next blog. In the meantime, here is my home video tour of the place before we knocked down the wall and took out the floors. ps The floors look pretty good on camera, but in reality, they are laminate floors that have been dinged up pretty bad.

I'm back and have lots to tell!

What a whirlwind! First, I apologize for the lack of blogging. So much has been going on and I can't wait to tell you about it!
My hubby and I just bought a new condo. It is gorgeous! The river wraps around the front and side of the building. I just can't wait to move in! Naturally, as a designer, I have pretty much gutted the entire place. My husband thinks I am insane! At the moment, my Mohawk floors, carpet, and tile are on order. I am loving the look. Very organic and natural. In fact, I want to take you on the journey with me. It'll be fun to go through this process together. The big question is, "What does a designer do to their own home!!??". It really is different when it comes to designing my own space. It is so much easier designing for others! Here is what I do know about how I want my new home to look. I am going for a very modern look yet very comfy, y'know- clean lines, crisp light tones, lots of texture, and a few pops of color. I want an open floorplan and tons of light.
I am going to start researching furniture because that part takes a long time! A lot of sofas can take up to 12 weeks to get so I better get a move on it or else we'll be watching tv while sitting on milk crates. That is definitely not the look I'm going for.

More good news! I just got back from Chicago. I was a guest on.......OPRAH!!! It was a dream come true (well, it's pretty much everyone's dream come true!). The show is going to air in early March, but I promise to keep you posted on the exact date as soon as I know. I won't give away the show, but I will tell you that there was a makeover involved. I was sitting on stage next to her and it was a surreal moment. Completely amazing!

That's all for now. I will post some pictures of my new place so you can see it from start to finish.
Thanks for checking back in!!
Hugs! Taniya

Buzz in Atlanta

Why Atlanta?!? Well, a couple of reasons...
#1)
I will be making an appearance at the Sam's Club in Alpharetta, Atlanta on Saturday April 5th from 10am-2pm. Come by and visit if you are in the area!

#2)
Our family (Designed To Sell) is expanding! Add Atlanta to the line-up! DTS is adding a new team in Atlanta and they are shaking things up! Instead of the usual, they will have a male designer (and a very hot and talented one at that!)named John Gidding and a funny and beautiful host named Rachel. I haven't met the rest of the gang, but from what I hear, they don't call it "Hot"lanta for nothin'! ;)John Gidding and I are friends from years ago. We started out on the same design show together on ABC Family called Knock First. I am so happy that we are a part of the same family once again. You will not be disappointed in this man's designer style.

So you gonna come and visit me this weekend in Atlanta or what!!??? :)

March Madness :)

HI!
Wow- its been a busy month so far. I started the month out by going to the Bahamas for a Home Show. I gave a couple of seminars on value adding tips for the home. It was awesome! Everyone was wonderful and warm. I was thrilled to find out how many people watch HGTV in the Bahamas! I don't know why, but it surprised me a little. :)
I came back to DC and back to work, which never really feels like "work". We made over a bachelor pad when I returned and it was a total turn around. It will not air for at least 6 mos., but I can't wait for it! We have completed 2 more houses since then.

I have found that many people have ideas and creativity but just need a little kick in rear to make things happen. I suppose that is why we (DTS) are here. I always hear, "we have been planning to that for a long time but never got around to it." My feeling is this- try to do as little or as much as you can within your means. When you make upgrades just to sell the place, then you never really get a chance to enjoy it for yourself. Really, think about it. Why are you going to make upgrades just in time to sell them? Yes- you should do it no matter what to add value to the house, but at least try to get some enjoyment from it too! You will be happy that you did it.

Next up, I am heading to Reno, Nevada this weekend (March 29th & 30th). There is going to be a Spring Total Reno Home Show. If you are in town, stop by. I will be presenting on stage followed by a meet and greet. Yes, I will answer all of your design dilemmas! :)
On Sat. I will be on at 2pm and 5pm. On Sun. I will be on at 1pm and 3pm.
That's is the latest!
Best!
Taniya

My favorite new source- Marimekko

Y'know all those gorgeous fabrics that hang in the Crate-n-Barrel stores that separate the displays? I always notice them when I am shopping because they are so cool! They are contemporary colorful printed fabric that looks like art. Well- they use Marimekko fabrics. I stumbled upon the actual store in Silver Springs, MD. I am hooked! You will probably see a lot of it in my up coming shows. They make awesome art! I have been stretching them on a basic wooden frame that the guys built. I am loving the fact that I can make it as large as I want, I splice them up so the pattern continues from frame to frame. I also used another print for some pillows and it added the perfect punch of color. I just ordered a print for my own home (abstract pears)and they have an actual upholsterer in-store that will stretch it or upholster for you. So cool!
My only reason to share this info is that I LOVE Love Love it! My other favorite thing about the store is that they have one super talented manager/designer that is the bomb at giving advice and being very patient (I had about 20 bolts of fabric on the table)! Michael- you rock!
T

Webisode

Some new info on what's happenin' lately!
I just finished shooting "webisodes" in Asheville, NC. What a beautiful place! The webisode will be up and running soon on HGTV.com (I will let you know for sure when I find out). They are short online videos on 'Designing for the Senses'. It has a bit of a YouTube feel to it. Very cool for those of you into video photography. It was interesting to shoot. I used a hand held cam for a lot of it! Each webisode gives pointers on designing for each specific sense (scent, touch, sound, etc). Very cool!

I will be in Baltimore, MD in April for the winning community organization that was picked for the "Change the World, Start at Home" event. I'm honored to be a part of such a great cause!

I will be speaking at a the Home Show in Bahamas on March 1-2
I will also be speaking at the Spring Show in Reno, NV on March 29-30

Hope to see you there!
Taniya

Hi!
Its been a long time! So sorry. I have been getting lots of emails and can't tell you how great it is to get your comments and feedback. Things have been awesome! We are working harder than ever! So many houses- so little time. Many of you have been asking about availabilty for a consultation. I am limited to the DC area at the time and the big bummer on consults is that our shoot schedule is very ambitious so it leaves little time to offer at the moment. BUT send in questions and I promise to try to answer as many as possible. If many of you have the same question, just check the blog.
The other email I have gotten a few times is in regards to some of the goofiness on the show. I have a little bit of insight on this for those interested. First, we really are having a blast and genuinly have such a family environment. I think that comes across clearly. Next, something to keep in mind is that we shoot all week and have countless hours of footage that gets sorted through and made into a 22 minute episode. Depending on what the writers, producers, and editors want you to see is what you'll end up seeing. So yes- there is a lot of goofing around, but we always get the job done. I just want to show you all how much fun it can be to design and that it doesn't need to be intense all the time. So there ya have it. Check back in soon!
All the Best! T

Thanks for the notes!

Hey,
Just wanted to say thanks to those of you that have written in and sent me your questions, feedback, and comments. Keep on writing and letting me know what you are thinking. Just go to the contact section of the site and drop me a note.
Thanks!
T

Radiator Covers

Hi,
So many of you have emailed me wondering where I got those awesome radiator covers that were featured on a recent show. I got them from:www.colorsfurniture.com

Keep in mind, that prices may vary based on the overall size and finish that you select. Great company and awesome quality workmanship!

Hugs!T

Welcome to my new site!

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for checking in. My new site is up and running. Still a lot of great stuff coming. Before and after photos, staging tips, and some video clips. Check back in soon!

Hugs!
Taniya

Had one hot makeover this week. Literally! It was close to 110 degrees these last few days. Still had lots of fun and a cool re-do! :)