DANNions + DANNisms: Lifestyle Tips You Shouldn't Live Without

Bagging a Gift Is Like Wearing MOM Jeans

2011-12-14T07:40:00.001-08:00

Wrapping…It is as important as the gift itself!
I am a serious believer in presentation.

Duh, I'm Designer Dann! Presentation is everything! I am fond of saying I can serve s#@* on a shingle but, my guest will eat it up because I serve it to them with Flair!

Gift giving is nodifferent folks. Sometimes it doesn't even matter what you are giving, if the presentation has panache! I have a few rules-of-thumb, when it comes to my own gift wrap that I am happy to share with you. First of all, I keep a large selection of Holiday wrapping paper around, every style, color, theme. You don't have to keep as much wrap as I do but, you should be selective. don't settle for the first roll you set your eyes on, buy something you like. I buy most of my paper at discount stores like, Target, Tuesday Morning and Homegoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx. (Some would say I'm a Maxxanisto!) Regarless of the store...the price is always right!

Second, you MUST learn to make a bow! Nothing says, "I could care less" than a stick on bow! I wish I could have you all here in my studio and show you how easy it is to make a brilliant bow but, since that isn't feasible, let me say you can make a beautiful presentation by simply tying a sweet bow like a shoelace.

And then the easier flourish of all, pick up a small ornament to tie into your ribbon. It's like jewelry for your gift box! Is love it when they are glittery too, they add shine and sparkle! You don't want to spend more money you say, how about clipping a fresh sprig of holly or rosemary and tie it with your bow! These are small efforts that make a huge impact on those you think enough of to give a gift. Remember, chances are the gift will be under the tree or on the hall table for hours or days before it is opened, let your gift wrap be the one everyone is talking about, I know mine will be! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Notice: There is absolutely no way, no how a BAG would be on me or handed to ANYONE I'd consider giving a gift to! It's a sign of dispicable laziness that you should be ashamed of! Bags and mom jeans are for poorly dressed people...I can only hope I've saved you from being one!

Happy Holidays,
xo,
DANN

Designer Tricks To Gift Giving

2011-12-13T14:41:00.001-08:00

Holiday gift giving can be as stressful and dental surgery for some… do what I do????

Keep a stock pile of small hostess gifts in a drawer or in a box in your closet. That way you always have a go-to spot when you need a quick gift. Ok, so you are saying to yourself, "It's so easy for Designer Dann to say but, a little late for my party tonite." Well, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve for you....

Frames! One of the most given gifts EVER! An easy choice but, there are a few rules to live by. First of all, be sure that the style of the frame actually works with the décor of the house it is intended. Frames may be the easiest gift to give but, they are also the most re-gifted item we receive! LOL To assure your gift frame is received with joy and gratitude, put a photo of yourself with that person in the frame! Don't have a photo handy? Print a favorite quote or poem or even a picture of your favorite still or landscape. The truth is, it is the picture and the message, not the frame that will be cherished.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
xo,
DANN

P.S. Yes, the frame featured is a Missoni.

Cheap & Cheerful Holiday Make Up Tips: There's NO EXCUSE For you to LOOK LIKE A CLOWN!

2011-12-12T15:48:00.001-08:00

Ladies, when it comes to your makeup, you want it festive, NOT clown-like!

A smoky eye is sexy. Ruby red lips are sexy. Together they just make you look like hooker! LOL Example below.The trick here is to choose ONE. It's either the eyes or the lips. Which ever you choose will be fabulous but, the other should be neutral.

Today's look is more sophisticated than theatrical. Though we all want a little extra "sparkle" for that Holiday party, what you don't want is to look like a cartoon. And, when in doubt, have a professional apply your makeup. It's easy and doesn't have to cost a fortune. Plan ahead, call your salon and make the appointment for the afternoon of your party. Here's a little secret…go to your favorite department store makeup counter and have them apply it for FREE! Just don’t go too soon before your big party!

One last thing ladies, remember, there is nothing more beautiful than confidence! Stand tall, put on a smile and own the room when you walk in! ENJOY & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

xo,
DANN

Themed Trees Are Tacky!

2011-12-06T09:45:00.001-08:00

Ask anyone, Designer Dann is THE ULTIMATE XMAS fanatic! Seriously, I start planning my decorations, cards, gifts, food and even my wrapping in July! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

The first question I am always asked is, "What theme is your tree?" I have to be honest, this is not a question I like. My answer is always the same, I don't believe in "themed" trees. My Xmas tree is the story of my life. In my family, we have always collected ornaments. We gather them from every place we have ever visited. My parents would travel all over the world when I was growing up and my favorites gifts were always the ornaments. I continue that tradition and buy ornaments as memento's of my own travels. My friends and family buy me ornaments as gifts and I have ornaments fr

om my parents, grand parents and even my great grandparents. My tree is truly the history of my life and my family. I put over 600 ornaments of my tree every year! It takes me about 6 hours to decorate it and I unwrap each little item with great reverence and wonder every year…and yes, I even have a good cry over some along the way. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
My advice for creating a beautiful Christmas tree is the same for creating a beautiful room, only use the things you love. Things with meaning, history, desire and deep emotion are the things that last. They are the things with the most meaning. During the Season, I take a few minutes every evening and sit in my living room with only a fire and my tree to illuminate the room. I wonder at the beauty of my tree and reminisce oner the history of each ornament. I revel, even wallow in the good spirit and joy of the Season. I wish each of you the same wonder and delight in your own tree!

Feel free to share your tree pictures on my Facebook wall (www.Facebook.com/DesignerDANN) or Tweet them to me (@DesignerDANN).

Merry Xmas,
xo,
DANN

2011-11-10T12:34:00.001-08:00

Do YOU have an ugly door? Get the 411 on how to create Door Envy! Designer Dann shares NO CO$T ideas that will leave your guests impressed! Watch this.......

2011-11-05T11:13:00.001-07:00

A man MURDERED in his OWN HOUSE? YES! World famous architect, Francis Rattenbury WAS! And NOW my current project is the VERY house where the CRIME took place! Take a look. Who's the PRIME suspect? In our ongoing game of "Clue", who would be YOUR guess? Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet, with a rope in the Dining Room? No! What professor do you know that wears purple? And Miss Scarlet? With that HIDEOUS red gown, she's TRYING to ATTRACT widowers, NOT KILL THEM! Stay posted--we'll solve the MYSTERY together!

Most Women Have NO CLUE: How To Dress A Man

2011-09-22T12:29:00.001-07:00

As many of you know Dann Inc is a full service Lifestyle Design Company. I dress as many people as I do rooms!

This past week while I was working in Las Vegas I had a chance to spend some time with a prominent manufacturer, who recognizes the importance of personal style as an extension of who is as a person, as well as, a design professional. No! He's not gay! Don't even go there, just because a man doesn't want to look like he rolled out of bed with a 10-year old suit on! He's my favorite kind of client! Someone who already has great taste and a defined sense of style but, wants to be exposed to fresh ideas and new looks with someone can lend an eye to what they are seeing in the mirror.

So, the issue at hand was....this gentleman and his wife are going to Scotland for a very high brow, luxuriously styled wedding. Since it is going to be a destination wedding, there would be several days of events and parties that would require some great outfits. Most importantly, the wedding suit… it had to be stylish and hip, yet age appropriate and work with his wife’s hat!

Where did we enter to begin a fabulous shopping trip? Ted Baker!!!! (http://www.tedbaker.com/) One of my favorite Men’s designers! So, take some advice from me, I don’t believe in wasting money. This suit had to be worn to a formal, daytime wedding but I had no intention of letting my client buy a one-time-wear outfit.

The first thing to remember is, it takes time….you have no choice but, to try on a bunch of clothes! Those people who run out and think I will just buy whatever is in my size without trying it on, end up looking like… that is exactly what they did! After several tries, we settled on an amazingly cut deep charcoal silk suit. The color and style lends itself to the daytime event and silk gives the suit enough shine to appear formal. Instead of a traditional formal shirt, we chose an amazing floral design of purple and lavender and black on a cream background….really HOT looking!

Then, the task of accessorizing a man without making him too much of a “dandy”, if you know what I mean. I added a multi-colored pocket square in every shade of purple and berry and a solid black silk satin tie from Etro. We debated on using a bow tie...I was appalled to find that even in a store like Ted Baker, all of the men’s bow ties were clip-ons! It is time to stop and give one my very few NEVER rules….no one over the age of 12 should EVER wear a clip on bowtie! There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule!

Another tip, this season, as in the past several, men’s suits are being cut slimmer with shorter jackets. For many men this means you have to go up a size, at least. I have to laugh because; men and women are so much alike when it comes to their sizes in clothing. I have seen just as many men panic over and increase in size as women. My rule is, size doesn’t matter, fit DOES! The complete outfit is high style, appropriate for both the occasion and the gentleman’s age AND it can be broken up into its pieces and worn any number of times afterward!

Style & Value….they always go hand in hand! Oh, and did I mention that we purchase all of the items at the Ted Baker and Etro Factory Stores (http://www.etro.it/) at significant savings?? Well we did! Which left plenty left over for an amazing touring coat that he will surely need on some off the day expeditions they are taking while in Scotland!

xo~ DANN

P.S. Post your style dilemma on my http://www.Facebook.com/DesignerDANN page. I'll answer you back ASAP with advice you shouldn't live without!

What's Hot This Summer For Fall: FACE IT...BIGGER IS BETTER!

2011-08-25T07:17:00.001-07:00

Well, well, well everyone! Yes, I know a well is a whole in the ground!

Beau and I found bottomless wells at the markets filled with fashions for your home. World Market Las Vegas was the BIGGie on the west coast and we just returned from a VERY busy week shopping for clients. As if I'm the Designer of the Americas, Canada and the world for that matter, I've prepared some tips that will open your home horizons as you “feather your own nests" for fall....

First, linen is still HUGE in everything for your home! What I am seeing is, the trend is now morphing by using color, metallics and stenciling on natural linen to give it a fresh PUNCH! Upholstery, draperies, pillows.. you name it and it will be covered in every form of linen imaginable.

Accessories still run the gambit from formal to casual, big to small. Ceramics and porcelains continue to be the strongest purchases for us at Dann Inc. Every size, every shape, every style. I have been buying large scale porcelains, think 24” round bowls and 30” vases in solid colors. What I love most about them is, you don’t have to fill them with anything! They look great just because they are BIG! Sometimes they're bigger than I am! These babies make a statement.

Think, fewer pieces, better pieces and scale. Value and style always go hand-in-hand at Dann Inc. We worked every possible avenue and dealer at all the markets to ensure our clients the best merchandise at the best price. This is still the most important piece of the buying puzzle these days. I know you will see value in the coming season as these beautiful new products make their way to your favorite stores and boutiques.

Remember, this isn’t brain surgery, it’s just decorating! You can’t get it wrong, so relax and enjoy the process!

~DANN

P.S. Follow this blog for future updates or find my daily tips on www.Facebook.com/DesignerDANN

Going Green!

2011-03-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

It's almost St. Patty's Day and green is everywhere! Spring is alive and blooming here in Southern California and it has me thinking about anything green. Not just eco-friendly green but, literally the color green!

Green is one of the most asked for and beloved shades in the rainbow. It can almost be called universally appealing and flattering. There are as many shades of green in a palette are there are in nature and I cannot think of a one that I don't like! From deep forest green to the ever popular, sage to the palest shade of celadon, green is fabulous!!

The newest shades of green for the season are being called "Pear" and "lemongrass". Both are truly gorgeous colors. Pear is really a softer version of chartreuse, less acid and more warmth. While lemongrass is a beautiful yellow/green. Think of the coat and dress Mrs. Obama wore for the inauguration.... sophisticated and warm, like the woman herself.

The latest shade of green making a BIG comeback is, avocado green! Remember all those avacado green and harvest gold appliances of the seventies!? I think both the Brady and Partidge families may have had them! LOL. In this reincarnation, avacado green is richer, more akin to the flesh of a kiwi, if you ask me. The latest products being shown at many of the industry shows I attend around the U.S. include a great deal of avacado leather... and it is glorious!

While the old Forest Green has gone deeper and richer and I am calling it Versaille. It's that green that is so deep it can be mistaken for black. Use this green on window frames and mullions to create a gorgeous European appearance to your windows. Or, paint that tired outdoor furniture in this deep color and give it new life! Keep a lookout, if I am seeing these shades of green at the buyers shows now, you will be seeing them on the shelves of your favorite design stores and showrooms very soon!

Pear is the new Chartreuse

Kelly is the new Avacado

Lemongrass is the new Sage

Versailles is the new Forest

Live Well!

Dann

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I recall St. Patty's Day being such fun! My brother's and sister and I would come home from school and our mother would have Irish soda bread and scones fresh from the oven and shamrock sugar cookies waiting for our after school snack... YUM! The fact that those scones were served with homemade preserves was a cause of great envy in our neighborhood! LOL. We would sit down to a family dinner of cornbeef and cabbage with boiled potatoes. My father would come in from work just in time for dinner with presents for all fo us, as his way of celebrating our Irish Heritage Day. It was a grand holiday in our household!

The truth is...I love any excuse to celebrate, share, cook, invite friends & family over. "Living Well", shouldn't be relagated to holidays and special occasions. Spring has sprung in Southern California and is on it's way to your town too! I cannot think of a better reason to celebrate. Don't wait until Easter or the end of Passover to celebrate. Celebrations don't have to be huge, overblown extravangzas. Baking a tray of cookies or scones can be a celebration... one meant to share with your loved ones... and it doesn't matter if you don't have homemade preserves to go with them! LOL.

Live Well!

Dann

Dann's Vendor Secrets Revealed

2010-09-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a little over a month since my appearance on the Real L Word....and there are so many people I want to thank for helping to make the dining room transformation happen.

When I got the call to appear on the show there was one issue, the deadline! I somehow had to pull off a drop-dead gorgeous dining room (no problem for me!)... in 6 weeks (are you kidding me!?). I took a great big gulp and said, "Sure, no problem." The only way to do custom furniture, draperies, fabric, lighting, etc. in that amount of time is with incredible vendors and suppliers. These sources are the lifeblood of any great designer. I have always been very fortunate, I have the best clients and the best vendors. It makes my job and life infinitely more enjoyable!

below are a list of the vendors/suppliers who helped me to look good on tv, while making my clients so very happy. Nikki & Jill were thrilled and I am so very proud and grateful.

J. Alexander (Dining Room Table)

http://www.jalexanderfurniture.com/

Draperies by Design (Window Treatments)

mmhdrapes@comcast.net

Winfield Design (Custom Wallpaper)

http://www.windfieldthybony.com/

Kasmir Fabrics (This one should be pretty self-evident,huh?)

http://www.kasmirfabrics.com/

Stout Brothers Fabrics (Ditto)

http://www.estout.com/

Gali Art (Custom Window Hardware)

http://www.galiart.com/

Global Views (Accessories)

http://www.globalviews.com/

Designmaster (Hostess Chairs)

http://www.designmasterfurniture.com/

Cyan Design (Living Room Chandelier)

http://www.cyandesign.biz/

Tozai (Accessories)

http://www.tozai.com/

Draperies by Walter (Drapery Installation)

http://www.draperiesbywalter.com/

Jesse Hernandez Wallcoverings (Wallpaper Installation)

www.jhwp1@sbcglobal.net

The Padded Wagon (Storage & Delivery)

http://www.paddedwagon.com/

Be sure to check back with me over the next week or so as I blog about each vendor individually. Since most of the companies listed only sell to the design trade, I want to show you what they did for Nikki & Jill and then, help you to find retailers that carry their merchandise!

Have a great weekend!

Live Well!

Dann

Color Trends

2010-08-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Lavender is the new Aqua!

Chocolate is the new Black!

Orange is the new Neutral!

Pear is the new Chartreuse!

Try some color on for size!!

It's just paint, it doesn't hurt!

Try on a color before you paint:

Click here to use Sherwin Williams ColorSnap, the color-matching app that captures colors from your surroundings and matches them to Sherwin-Williams paint colors, is now a FREE download on iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices.

2010-08-20T16:54:00.001-07:00

Hey there everybody....it has been two weeks of constant travel and work and speaking engagements for me but, I am finally home!! For the moment. I had a ball with everyone at the World Furniture Market in Las Vegas and a sweltering good time in Chicago, with clients and friends while working and celebrating my Birthday on the 11th!

This weekend I am going to be spending a few days at the "Happiest Place On Earth"... Disneyland! Those of you who know me, know what a Disneyland/World NUT I am, so I am really looking forward to it! Esspecially, since I will be spending it with my oldest friend Michelle (a fellow designer, we met the first day of college!) and her fab husband and two terrific boys (one of which is my God-son). What a great example of living well! Sharing one of my favorite places with some of closest family of friends.

Go out this weekend and do something you love, something just for YOU! Be good to yourself! As my Lady, RuPaul likes to say, "If you can't love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love anyone else." Can I get an Amen in here!?

And.... if you're looking for something good to read, why not pick up the latest issue of The Bottomline Magazine...guess who is on the cover!?!?! If you don't have it where you live, you can check it out online.

Live Well!

Dann

The Strap-on Episode!

2010-07-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

It's Friday.... and this Sunday is the much anticipated, much talked about "Stap-On" episode!! AND, it just so happens that I am featured in this same episode working with Nikki & Jill. I am so excited and really looking forward to this Sunday night at 10pm on Showtime!

The girls are calling the episode, "epic", "ground breaking", "sexy" and "all the drama you didn't see in episodes 1 thru 6". You don't want to miss this one!

The Weekend!

2010-07-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

TGIF! It has been a busy week around the DANN INC offices, so we are all looking forward to the weekend. I love when I get to spend mine at home. You all know that I travel a great deal for my clients so, many weeks the days just run together without any time off. I cherish and selfishly guard my private time and spending that time at home is my favorite!

So, how do you live well simply by staying home you ask? That's an easy one! For me, on this particular weekend I will of course, workout. I will get on my bike as I do most mornings and I will go to Pilates classes. Nothing makes me feel better than to exercise! Nothing says, living well, like taking care of yourself!!

Beyond that, I am going to enjoy my yard and desert garden. Yes, I have a gardener. But, part of the pleasure of having a yard is getting out in it. I am very grateful that I don't have to mow the lawn or do the weeding and trimming myself. If I were going to be totally passive about my yard, I wouldn't have one. Why bother and why spend the money, right!?

Here in the desert at this time of year everything can get very dusty. Without occasional rain to clean things off my beautiful desert plantings of agave, succlents, yucca's, cactus and the like, can look kind of "beige" from the desert winds. I take a hose and simply wash everything off by spraying it... the plants, shrubs, furniture, umbrella... everything gets a bath! Even the hedge around my yard is sprayed to freshen the color. It's a total facelift for my yard and I get to appreciate it from inside as well. Everything looks bright and fresh and it cost me nothing!

This doesn't just relate to desert dwellers. Everyone can use this little tip. Here it is, late July and by now most of our yards have lost that sparkle they had when we first planted and placed our patio furniture. Get the hose out and clean off your deck, hose down your furniture and don't forget to do the umbrella! Take a look at your annuals, clear the beds of weeds and dead flowers. Do the same for your potted flowers and plants. If need be, you can still get a few fresh flowers to add in to keep your "outdoor living room" looking its best...even if you are just looking at it from inside your house because it's too damned HOT to sit outside! LOL

While you are at it, clean your front door! Hose it down, touch up the paint and make sure you don't have any dead plants around your entry. Hose down the pots and door mat and SWEEP! I am always amazed... and disappointed, when I visit someone's home and after ringing the bell I stand there and look at dirty worn mats, dirty doors & peeling paint and pots of dead or dying plants... or worse, fake plants!!

I hate to be the one to break to you all but, living well does take an effort. It doesn't have to consume you but, it does require you to actually do something. The suggestions I have given you require almost nothing in terms of money and very little effort. There is so much you can do to live well....heck, if it's raining where you are this weekend, clean a closet that is in need. You have no idea how good that will make you feel to know you are organized and baby, that is living well!!

Enjoy your weekend! I want you all to do something for yourself that does not require you spending money or leaving home.... the list is endless! Then drop me a note and let me know what you did for yourself!

Live Well,

Dann

What Do I Do First!?

2010-07-20T10:09:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I will be appearing on Showtime's, The Real L Word, doing what I do best, Designing! Needless to say I have been watching the season progress and getting to know the other girls and their stories just as I have been watching my friends and clients Nikki & Jill.

What has been so interesting to me is seeing how some of the other ladies live. I am going to admit here and now... I have a total crush on Rose! She is a total package of beauty and brains... and even brawn! Damn, that is one sexy woman! I mention Rose as my example because, like other ladies on the show she has no headboard on her bed! And this sensual Latino Lady needs a boudoir to match he sultry looks and nature! It's as if these girls are living like college students... though I have to tell you I had a headboard on my bed in college!

When I am doing one of my speaking engagements to the general public, one question I constantly hear is, "What should I do first?" What will make the biggest change to my home?" "Where do I begin?" I have several suggestions in response to those questions. Today, I am going to talk about your bedroom.

There is no space in your home more important then your bedroom. It is supposed to be your sanctuary! I have designed bedrooms and bedroom suites that would blow your mind! But, I don't want anyone to think that their bedroom is not grand enough, big enough or important enough to warrant special attention. Of course, the most important element in any bedroom is....THE BED! The mattress should be of the best quality you can afford. The sheets should always be all natural fiber and of the best quality you can afford. The bed covers and pillows and throw pillows are all just as important to the overall look and feel and ambiance of your room. SO... why would you NOT have a headboard!?

No one knows better than me how expensive beds are. But, that is still no excuse for living like a squatter! A bed without a headboard is not only unattractive, it suggests that you are not worthy of living well. I have seen headboards in retail stores for as little as $99.00. That's right, $99.00 can change your life!! It doesn't matter the style, size or color.... I want you to have a bed that you LOVE, that you never want to get out of, that makes you smile when you walk in your room and yes, makes you feel sexy too! You deserve it! We ALL deserve it! So why not make the effort?

Now, don't even get me started on bad bed skirts.... made from cheap unlined fabric that don't even reach the floor!!! LOL That subject we will save for later in the BLOG....

Live Well!

Dann

PS- Rose give me a call and we can talk about your bed. I owe you one after calling you out here!

Summer Style

2010-07-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

It is going to hit 112 degrees here in Palm Springs today. Before you all drop over, keep in mind that this is normal mid-July temperature for us. While the entire East Coast and Midwest is suffering under high heat and humidity, we desert dwellers are used to the heat this time of year... in fact, some of us even enjoy it! This kind of heat last right through October for us. By the time Halloween rolls around if it's still HOT I will be complaining too, don't worry!

These long hot days got me thinking about beating the summer heat and living well. Many of you may have had mothers or grand-mothers who "summerized" your houses when you were growing up. I have many fond memories watching and helping, as the winter draperies and rugs were exchanged for lighter summer styles and colorful slip-covers softening and brightening our rooms. I will always remember coming home at the end of the school year to find my mother had filled our house with bouquets of fresh Lilacs from the yard. The scent was overwhelming and filled the entire house. To this day that scent reminds me of my boyhood and I still buy bunches of cut lilacs as soon as they come available for my home!

I know that kind of effort and expense is pretty much a thing of the past. Not to mention the time and storage that kind of lifestyle entails! The great news is.... you can still change over your house from warm, cozy winter, to sunny, cooler summer living! It's really simple.... you can make a few changes and get BIG RESULTS!

In my own home I actually have a linen covered sofa but, the bench seat cushion has a winter cover of rich jewel tones paisley and summer cover of bleached canvas... Allot less expensive than full slip covers and only one piece to store!

I am a LOVER of throw pillows and there is no easier way to change the look of a chair, sofa or bed than changing the pillows, AND it doesn't have to cost a fortune! Yes, I have been known to give my clients throw pillows that cost in excess of $2,000.00 a piece but, I can also assure you that they are layered with pillows from stores like Homegoods, Marshall's and Target!

Here is my trick to buying GREAT pillows at LOW prices.... look for the details! All of the stores I mentioned have some really terrific quality throw pillows if you know what to look for. First thing I do when a style catches my eye is touch it.... how does the fabric feel? Is the fill down and/or feather? If the pillow doesn't have a feather fill but, I still love the style and fabric I check to see if the pillow has a zipper. Better pillows are made with zippers to clean the cover and change the fill. It's a quick and easy job to change out foam inserts for down ones! I never use foam filled pillows.... EVER. You can buy feather filled inserts at craft and fabric stores and at stores like Pottery Barn, because they sell their throw pillow covers separately from the insert.

When looking for new pillows to brighten your room make sure you introduce some new colors and shapes. If your winter look is darker with velvets and suedes, why not go for linens and cottons with embroidery as a fresh change from fringe or heavy trims. Throw pillows are one of those great accessories that can change the tone of the entire room! It is how I layer color and pattern and give rooms personal style, whimsy and character. Simply stated....Have Fun With Them!

A few other simple tricks are... roll up your rugs! Bare wood, tile or stone floors can be very handsome, not to mention cool and sleek for a summer style and can brighten the entire room. Simple rag rugs or sisal can not only brighten a room but make it quite sophisticated and still casual. In summer I take up my winter rug and expose more of the stone floors and only use a lioness hide trimmed in leather under the coffee table!

Scent is very important to me, especially in my home. I can tell you that I have never had a visitor to my home that has not commented on how great it always smells. I use my own signature brand of candles (sold thru my studio) as well as diffusers, plug-ins and fresh flowers. I always save that cork that comes with the diffuser bottle.... so that I can change the scent without wasting what is left. I use rich, complex scents in my home in winter and lighter, natural scents for summer. And, I layer more than one scent in all of my rooms, never do I use the same scent in multiples in the same room. It is important to speak to all of the senses!

There is still plenty of summer left to use some of these tips! Get out there today and make it happen for yourselves! I've given you ideas and resources, now go make your life more beautiful!

Live Well!!

Dann

2010-07-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Green is one of my favorite colors! It really doesn't matter the shade, it is just one of those colors that is universally appealing. I know, I know, I know....I am going to get a bunch of emails telling me how some of you can't stand green! I always tell my clients, "Don't tell me what you hate because I will end up giving it to you, just to prove you wrong!" LOL

To illustrate my point, I have attached this photo of a dining room I just installed in Savannah, GA. The room is not painted green, It is painted a mushroom color. The pair of square custom tables are chestnut with a natural finish. The pair of chandeliers are handblown glass bubbles suspended on wire from their low-voltage canopies. A trio of large mirrors hang along one wall reflecting the Miro and Chagall on the opposite side. The mirrors are separated by two tall mahogany pedestals topped with large yellow, double gourd porcelins. All of this gorgeous-ness sits atop a custom designed rug of lavendar, plum and pear. The french doors are framed by draperies of irridescent silk taffeta in teal with an embroidered Greek key border. The overall effect is pure drama and sophistication! Exactly what a dining room should be!

The green comes in on the 16 custom dining chairs! Their upholstery is avacado green trimmed in chocolate suede....WOWIE, WOW, WOW!! It may not be painted green but, you definitely leave with a sense of the color for sure! Needless to say, the client flipped! I actually had to coax the wife into the room. She stood outside the entry looking in shouting through tears,"This isn't my dining room, this can't be my dining room!" By the way, they didn't like green when we started this process and initially asked for chair fabric to be replaced! I knew better.

My point is, open yourselves up! Don't limit yourself by those things you think you love or hate. I want my clients to see the bigger picture. I want to take what they tell me they want and then remove their blinders to show them a bigger vision. I always say, "I will give you exactly what you ask for but, in a way you never dreamed possible!"

Think BIG! Stay OPEN! Live LARGE! Create the Life you want to live, not the life you think you should be living, or think you deserve!

Live Well,

Dann

2010-07-12T12:10:00.001-07:00

It's Monday morning, July 12th... today is my sister's birthday, so a Very Happy Birthday to her first and foremost.

Wrapping gifts for her got me thinking about different ways of Living Well. All too often, we think Living Well has to do with spending money and going out to celebrate. Truth be told, Living Well has less to do with the amount of money spent, and more to do with the joy we put into our lives and the joy that we share with one another.

I take great pride in wrapping gifts! Anyone who knows me knows that the presentation is as important to me as the content! I constantly hear, " It's too pretty to unwrap!" and for me that is part of the joy of giving. It's not just about what's inside the box! I love the thinking about, what to get! I love finding the perfect gift! I love finding beautiful wrapping and ribbon! I love making the handmade bow! It's all part of the process, part of the presentation, part of the JOY that goes into Living Well. The joy i get from the thrill I give my family& freinds when I make an effort is, actually a selfish pleasure, because that good feeling comes back to me but, it is also shared with those around me.

The gift doesn't have to be expensive. The wrappings don't have to be pricey. Heck, I recycle great paper and ribbon and bows! What it comes down to is this..... Did you make an effort? Did you find the joy in the process? Did you have fun? If you answer yes to these questions then chances are you also brought joy to someone else's life!

Make a difference today in someone's life and it will make a difference in yours! Living Well can be that easy!!

Happy Birthday Mary!

Live Well.

Dann

2010-07-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

THIS IS IT FOLKS! DAY 1.

I hope that this blog will become a "go to" spot, not only for info about where I am and what I am doing but, a source for great design and tips for living well!
Let's get it started by inviting you all to explore my brand new website!

WWW.DANNINC.COM

One of my favorite parts is the Porfolio page. You can check out my portfolio by clicking different sections of the map of U.S. There gorgeous and exciting jobs in so many different cities that I decided this was the best way for you to enjoy them! Also, toward the top of the page is the "Before & After" section, click on that! You will find brand new software which has been developed esspecially for my site.

Just use your cursor to slide the small green box in the center of the picture back and forth...that will allow you, the viewer to decide how to reveal the room in its original state to the finished product! It's great fun!

I am also going to use this blog to keep you updated on Showtimes, The Real L Word. As many of you already know, I am appearing on the show this season... beginning in episode 7! The show is great fun and I had a terrific time filming with Nikki & Jill! Check it out and see the incredible dining room I designed for them!! You will also get to see Beau and Josh in the installation episode.... I couldn't have done it without them!

Talk to you all soon!

Live Well!
Dann

The Big Shake!

2010-07-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Well, that was quite a jolt we had from beneath the ground here in Palm Springs and Southern CA yesterday! Last I heard, it was a 5.9! Centered about 50 miles outside of Palm Springs, it made the house shake and moan and creak, the living room chandelier sway and the pool water slosh back and forth right up and out the sides! I thought it best to get up and go outside until it subsided. It lasted for about a minute, quite long for a quake here.

Amazingly nothing even fell at home! A few things in the office but, all is well! The ground has been very active in the last six months around here, most esspecially the last few weeks. I am grateful that mother nature has seen fit to release the pressure gradually instead of in one great rumble.

So, that is my point for today.... FIND YOUR GRATITUDE! Take on AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE and you will be surprised how terrific every day becomes and how insignificant problems really are when you are healthy and safe! There is no better or easier way of living well.

Live Well!