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Cathy Hobbs Blog: Design Recipes (Do-It-Yourself Interior Design Solutions, Approachable Design and Home Staging Techniques) www.design-recipes.com

~ Hi there! On HGTV's Hit Reality TV Show DESIGN STAR, I sewed, painted & sawed my way through some pretty tough challenges, but design doesn't have to be hard! I believe in combining simple, timeless design ingredients to create what I call "Design Recipes". I hope you find this to be a truly awesome resource. www.design-recipes.com contains design tips, articles, podcasts, how-to videos and of course design recipes galore! I invented Design Recipes simply because I love sharing my ideas! For years I collected design magazines, tagged and clipped pages with inspirational images & did nothing! That's because I didn't have the resource information so I could purchase the beautiful furniture I was seeing on the pages of the magazines! With Design Recipes, I SHARE how the room was executed, giving you the basic design tools needed for you to recreate the same look on your own and best of all I give you all of the resource information! Enjoy!

Cathy Hobbs Blog: Design Recipes  (Do-It-Yourself Interior Design Solutions, Approachable Design and Home Staging Techniques) www.design-recipes.com

Monthly Archives: October 2013

DESIGN RECIPES VIDEO: Decorating A Woman’s Apartment

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by cathyhobbs in Affordable Design Ideas, Affordable Holiday Ideas, Cathy Hobbs, Interior Design

≈ Comments Off on DESIGN RECIPES VIDEO: Decorating A Woman’s Apartment

Tags

Cathy Hobbs, design ideas, Design Recipes, Interior Design


When it comes to decorating a woman’s apartment, I believe there should be some clear touches of softness, texture and color.  Texture and Color often help to provide interest while also making a creative statement.  In the apartment featured in this video, we actually worked off of a base palette of black and white and then added color.

The dark floors and white walls served as the perfect blank palette.  So what are some of the female touches in the space? First of all the contrast of soft against the hard concrete floors, with the area rug and upholstered sofa finished in a soft fabric as opposed to something harder like leather.  Then we continued with soft elements such as toss pillows and a textured throw.

For color, elements such as artwork and decorative accents can help tell a story.  Look at these beautiful, colorful ceramic pieces, these type of accents can really add a sense of style and elegance to a woman’s apartment.  And don’t forget artwork, so often in male apartment you see framed artwork relating to sports or music, in a woman’s apartment I believe this is the time to incorporate the colorful abstracts.  Don’t think you can afford expensive artwork?  I have purchased some of my favorite pieces from art students graduating from local colleges.

Softness, texture and color, just some of the key elements for decorating a woman’s apartment!!

Be sure to check out and subscribe to TheCathyHobbsChannel on YouTube for more videos!

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PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Creating a Modern Studio From An Amish Shed UPDATE! Barn doors installed!

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by cathyhobbs in Affordable Design Ideas, affordable interior design, Cathy Hobbs

≈ Comments Off on PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Creating a Modern Studio From An Amish Shed UPDATE! Barn doors installed!

Tags

Amish Shed, Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, free standing office space, mythic paint, pre-built studio, Pre-fab house

After several weeks, I am back with an EXCITING update on the creation of my studio project (created from an authentic Amish shed).

The UPDATE: The installation of custom barn doors! In creating my design, I created two closets for storage.  While the studio is new and modern, I wanted it to have an elegant, country feel.  Last blog post, hand scraped hardwood flooring was installed.  Now, the installation of authentic looking barn doors! Instead of traditional closet doors, I felt barn doors would add charm and create interest.  I have to say I LOVE, LOVE the look.

Huge kudos to Scott Yoder of Yoder Precision Carpentry (Freehold, NY) who created the doors from scratch with just my vision and a couple of inspirational images to guide him.

The barn door hardware is heavy, thick, sturdy and absolutely gorgeous! I am typically not a fan of purchasing items without seeing them first..but this was a leap of faith and it paid off!

SOURCE: Barn Door Hardware (www.barndoorhardware.com)IMG_0965 LOVE THE DETAIL! The exposed bolts add so much charm.

The perfect barn hardware deserves the perfect door pulls. I snagged these incredible, authentic J. G. Wilson Elevator pulls (stamped with their 1889 manufacture date) on EBAY. I am so crazy for these pulls!

IMG_0980 IMG_0982The barn doors are so heavy.. two people were needed!!

IMG_0996 IMG_0991 IMG_0989 The barn doors installed!!! FABULOUS! And for anyone who knows me .. they look simply smashing in my signature color ORANGE LOL!!

Love the color? It is Cathy’s Optimistic from my signature paint collection at Mythic Paint http://www.mythicpaint.com.  Use the code “CATHY” to get 10-percent off!

Be sure to also LIKE Design Recipes on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Design Recipes on Instagram, Pinterest andTwitter!

Also to personally follow me, you can become a FAN of Cathy Hobbs Interior Designer on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Cathy Hobbs on Instagram and Twitter!

Thursday Travel to Design: TANZANIA, AFRICA!

03 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by cathyhobbs in Cathy Hobbs, Hotel Design, Tanzania, Travel

≈ Comments Off on Thursday Travel to Design: TANZANIA, AFRICA!

Tags

Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, Hotel Design, luxury hotel, luxury safari vacation, safari, tanzania, travel to design

When a group of friends and I decided to go on safari in Africa we were told, “go to Kenya if you want to say you’ve been on a safari, go to Tanzania if you want to see animals”.  We booked a trip to Tanzania.

If you pack your bags and head to Tanzania expect to have your choice of pampering.  In general a safari vacation is not an inexpensive proposition, but there are certainly different levels of luxury from basic luxury to the truly opulent.

Regardless of where you safari, you will most likely fly into Nairobi, Kenya and drive to the Tanzanian city of Arusha where you will spend the night before heading to some of the most breathtaking national parks in the world.

Arusha is close to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and others.  At Lake Manyara I was treated to an extra special treat. My group participated in a boating safari.  From boats we were in the water with the hippos, a bit scary, and were able to view wild game roaming along the shore.

As far as accommodations, don’t turn your nose at tented camps, tented camps on the luxury level are near the top of the heap as far as luxury.  Meals are sumptuous., the linens are Frette and trust me you will be traveling in style as you head out each day on safari.  I did not stay in a luxury tented camp, instead my girlfriends and I stayed in Serena lodges, respectable mid-level luxury hotels, that I would certainly recommend.  We did have the opportunity to visit a tented camp, so I viewed what they have to offer first hand.

I have visited several places in Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa, Tanzania was absolutely near the top of my list of recommendations.. so pack your bags and go!

TRAVEL TIP:

if you have the time, try to spend a couple of days relaxing on the beaches of zanzibar.  just off the coast of tanzania, it is the perfect place to unwind.  not going is one of the few regrets i have from an otherwise unforgettable experience.

INTERIOR DESIGNER IN TANZANIA, AFRICA (LAKE MANYARA)INTERIOR DESIGNER CATHY HOBBS IN TANZANIA, AFRICA

Kirawira Camp - Western Serengeti

Kirawira Camp – Western Serengeti

10046_2_kirawiracamp_fsa-g

 Zanzibar Serena Inn Zanzibar, Tanzania


Zanzibar Serena Inn
Zanzibar, Tanzania

1504_3_zanzibar_fsa-g 1504_4_zanzibar_fsa-g

Be sure to also LIKE Design Recipes on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Design Recipes on Instagram, Pinterest andTwitter!

Also to personally follow me, you can become a FAN of Cathy Hobbs Interior Designer on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Cathy Hobbs on Instagram and Twitter!

Wednesday Home Staging Ideas!

02 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by cathyhobbs in affordable interior design, budget interior design, color ideas, color tips, Home Staging, Home Staging Before And After, New York City Home Stager

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Tags

Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, Home Staging, home staging before and after, new york city home stager

While Home Staging isn’t a guarantee. I can tell you from experience and what I teach through my Certified Staging Professionals home staging course, that nothing sells real estate like home staging.

I believe that there is nothing like home staging to sell a property for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.

Not sure you are a believer? Consider this two bedroom New York City residence below. Before the staging, by all accounts the apartment was dark, dingy and absolutely cluttered, literally within 48 hours of the staging there were multiple offers for this staged palace in the sky.

TOP 5 HOME STAGING TIPS

1. paint walls a neutral color. when in doubt paint the walls white.

2. be sure to clear out all of the clutter.

3. have the property professionally cleaned. few properties don’t need to be professionally cleaned.

4. select neutral color furniture and add color through artwork and accessories.

5. don’t show a property until it is professionally staged, remember you will never get a second chance to make a first impression

Master Bedroom BEFORE

Master Bedroom BEFORE

Master Bedroom AFTER

Master Bedroom AFTER

Second Bedroom AFTER

Second Bedroom BEFORE

Second Bedroom AFTER

Second Bedroom AFTER

Living Room BEFORE

Living Room BEFORE

Living Room AFTER

Living Room AFTER

Be sure to also LIKE Design Recipes on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Design Recipes on Instagram, Pinterest andTwitter!

Also to personally follow me, you can become a FAN of Cathy Hobbs Interior Designer on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Cathy Hobbs on Instagram and Twitter!

Cathy’s Tuesday Tip: Decorating with Citrus

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by cathyhobbs in affordable interior design, budget interior design, citrus colors, color ideas, paint colors

≈ Comments Off on Cathy’s Tuesday Tip: Decorating with Citrus

Tags

Cathy Hobbs, citrus colors, citrus ideas, decorating with lime, Design Recipes, interior decorating ideas, new york city home stager, orange, yellow

Citrus is not just for the Spring and the Summer. I love citrus colors because they can not only brighten up any decor, but they also blend flawlessly with deep neutrals such as chocolate, charcoal gray and black.  When using citrus colors, think bright and bold.  From lime to lemon and orange, consider using citrus everywhere from your artwork, wall color to accessories.

Citrus

Be sure to also LIKE Design Recipes on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Design Recipes on Instagram, Pinterest andTwitter!

Also to personally follow me, you can become a FAN of Cathy Hobbs Interior Designer on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Cathy Hobbs on Instagram and Twitter!

Project of the Week: Transforming an Amish Shed into a Modern Studio UPDATE: HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLED!

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by cathyhobbs in Affordable Design Ideas, affordable interior design, budget interior design, Do-It-Yourself, Pre-Fab Structure

≈ Comments Off on Project of the Week: Transforming an Amish Shed into a Modern Studio UPDATE: HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLED!

Tags

Amish Shed, Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, free standing office, free standing studio, Pre-fab house, Pre-fab studio

Happy Monday everyone! It has been a couple of weeks, and that is because sooo much work has been done on the Amish shed that I am transforming into a modern studio. It looks absolutely amazing!! Did I mention this is going to be a woman cave? LOL! The biggest development has been the installation of hardwood flooring. This is truly transforming this “shed”.  For those of you who have been following this blog, the inspiration for this studio began with an authentic Amish shed.

As far as hard wood flooring, I specifically selected engineered hardwood flooring in which actual hardwood is on a plywood substrate, this makes the wood more stable especially since the structure is free standing and will undergo fluctuations in weather.  I also selected hardwood flooring that was “hand scraped” which ties into the country theme I am looking to achieve.

One note, in a case like this in which weather could affect hardwood flooring, it was critical to have both heating and cooling installed in the studio, specifically heating controlled on a thermostat.

Take a look at this amazing transformation!!

Engineered hardwood flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring

A staple gun is all you need!!

A staple gun is all you need!!

Install plank by plank stapling as you go!

Install plank by plank stapling as you go!

LOVE the hand scraped hardwood!

LOVE the hand scraped hardwood!

Finished Perfection!

Finished Perfection!

Be sure to also LIKE Design Recipes on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Design Recipes on Instagram, Pinterest andTwitter!

Also to personally follow me, you can become a FAN of Cathy Hobbs Interior Designer on FACEBOOK and FOLLOW Cathy Hobbs on Instagram and Twitter!

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