Over 100 Women came to the Fall Fashionista on Nov 20th--Hood River reDesign's bi-annual fashion event!

Vendors from Salon Solle, Flow Day Spa, and B. Beautiful along with accessorie vendors Lena Lief and laurel and louise and style consultations by yours truly served the feverish crowd.

Nearly $200 worth of door prizes were given away, and 15 tables filled with free clothes and accessories ensured a great time was had by all! Don't miss our Spring Fashionista - May 2010!

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Frugal Fashionista Nov 2009

Yes ladies it is time once again...
Frugal Fashionista - Style on a Budget is back (!) and calling all women and teen girls to clean out their closets and bring their no longer needed gently used clothing & accessories (jewelry, purses, scarves, shoes, hats, and belts too)!

All clothing seasons, styles & sizes welcome. We will set up all our goods "store style" and shop for FREE. All left over goods will go to charity. Ladies Only Event. Clothing Exchange - Style Lesson - Spa Vendors - Cost $5

Friday, November 20th, 7-9pm, Alliance Church Youth Center 2650 Montello Hood River What not to bring: Ripped, dirty, stained, dated, or broken items. Presented by hoodriverredesign.com. Clothing may be dropped off as early as Noon on November 20th!

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How to Choose the Perfect Window Treatments

An often overlooked design layer is window treatments - yet they can radically effect the look of a room - for good or bad. I think we avoid dealing with them because we feel they are expensive and a pain to install. Well, that is simply not the case! Beautiful solutions start at $10 and can take as little as 15 minutes to install. No more excuses? Well then, lets look at our options!

First things first: you need to decide on what you want the treatment to do. Provide privacy, light control, energy efficiency, or strictly look good? Once you determine what your focus will be, you can move onto style.

A) Sheers: Soften the look of the window and filter sunlight.

B) Drapes or Curtains: Fabric that flows from a track or rod.

C) Roman Shades: These shades are made of woven fabric and feature folded, horizontal pleats usually 4 to 6 inches deep. They can be raised or lowered over the window. Provide energy efficiency, privacy and sun protection.

D) Roller Shades: This inexpensive option is chic and simple.

E) Shutter-Blinds: Superior sun control, light and privacy.

F) Matchstick Blinds: This textured and inexpensive option are great on there own or paired with drapes.

G) Tailored Valance: These decorative treatments cover the top of your window or patio door.

H) Cafe curtains: Cover the bottom half of the window - often put in the kitchen or laundry room.

I) Horizontal Blinds: Maximum view through, optimal privacy.

Sidenote: A great investment in rooms where you want to let the view and light in through the top of the window but want to cover the bottom portion is top-down/bottom-up window shades. They offer the ability to operate window treatments (including Roman Shades, cellular shades, pleated shades, woven wood shades and honeycomb shades) from the top down or the bottom up to meet all your privacy needs while still giving you access to natural light.

STYLE TIP! Window treatments that are out of style, ugly and will date your house! Beware, keep away from: Thin metal horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, drapery that is either too light or heavy for the formality of the room, swags in dated fabric. Any treatment that doesn't fit the style of your house or furnishings. Your window treatments should be a great support to your overall design and not compete with it.

MEASURE: Don't simply measure your window - but the area you want your treatments to cover. This is key: Placing your drapery rod, for example between the windowsill and the ceiling (versus at the top of the sill) will make your windows look taller. As far as length have your drapes grace the floor like well tailored pants, not high-waters. If you want the puddled look make sure you account for that in your measurements. As far as width- or the number of panels, if you are simply going for aesthetics or "dummy panels" you have no intention of ever pulling closed - you will only need two panels - if you want a very gathered feel you may need to buy more then that to ensure coverage. Also - you may want to start your panels covering wall space to give the illusion that your window is much larger then it is - another great design trick.

WHERE TO BUY: My favs are Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart. But if you can afford it, go with Hunter Douglas for investment treatments that will take wear and tear and look great BUT go with neutral colors and lines (see style tip above) to ensure your investment will stay with the times!

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Double Duty Decorating

I don't know about you but I am a better imitator then an original artist. And with such inspiration around us like the Oak Street Hotel you do not have to look far for fall decor!

And the best part of these decorations - they serve both Halloween and Thanksgiving!!

Ideas I love:

Integrating dollar tree pumpkin patch signs into outside foliage

Covering two stacked pots with burlap, tie with twine, top with pumpkins and dollar tree faux leaves

Simply adding a swag of walmart faux pumpkins to existing iron work

Filling an urn with pumpkins (faux pumpkins from Joanns will last many years!)

Tying tiny gourds to ribbon and dangling from hand rails

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Fall Front Door Decor

The Gorge's Fruit Loop is a scenic drive that takes takes you to orchards, farm lands, and family friendly communities. If you live in Hood River, or anywhere else nearby, you've probably been down it before.

But there are so many stops its hard to know which ones are THE BEST for the kiddos! I've done the homework for you:

The Top Family-Friendly Fruitloop Stops:

• Rasmussen Farms - for it's maze, pumpkins, and "haunted hay bales"
• The Cookie Stop for cookies the size of your head! The kids can even watch the bakers in action!
• Draper Farms for the cute animals, affordable antiques and the great photo opts on the big swing and tractor!
• Then its off to Kiyokawa to run crazy in the cool fort out back.

All locations have amazing fruit to eat and decor items to fit your fall decor!

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Halloween Tablescape

This adorable table is possible to create with supplies from DollarTree right here in the Hood.

Shopping List: Black Table Cloth, Orange Tablecloth folded like a Runner, Halloween buckets for Centerpiece (these will be the guests parting gifts) Halloween mugs, saucers, and charger plates, Orange Napkins, Black Birds, Candy, Cellophane, Construction Paper, Ribbon

Home To-Do's: Make Pumpkin or Bat Name Tags for each guest and tie with ribbon around cellophane candy filled goodness, Make Co-Co, and you will be the hit in the neighborhood with all the ghosts and goblins!

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How to Organize Your Bookshelves

When organizing your bookshelf, there are easy ways to make it look nice. First, arrange books vertically to save space, but put some horizontally to create interest. Add decorative items, like knick knacks or other small items to break the line of books with something pretty but don't overdo it. At least one quarter of each shelf should just be free space. For added punch - paint the back of your bookshelf two shades darker then your room color!

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DIY Children's Playroom

When designing a children's playroom, be sure to keep these tips in mind. Make the room accessible, convenient, and organized. Use bright colors and interesting shapes. Use a combination of open and closed shelves for a cleaner look. Maximize limited space and resources. Go with a theme. Keep it looking open and uncluttered. Get input from your kids. Create little "nooks" (storybook nook, dress up nook, toys nook, etc). And above all, make sure that the area is safe.

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Green Room Divider

If the client opts for a store bought version I will suggest this green alternative that will keep the space feeling airy and light!

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DIY Room Divider

Hi, I'm Maddie, Hood River's reDesign fall intern. One of my current projects is reDesigning a bonus room.

One badly needed item is a room divider to block out the sound of the tv to the rest of the house. I found this online, and it's very easy to make too!

You will need to construct a wood frame to hold the three plastic panels. The panels help to divide the two areas & block the sound while still allowing the natural light in!

Fail-Safe & Fabulous Exterior House Paint Color

When changing your homes exterior paint you have the power to make the home look RADICALLY DIFFERENT. You can take 40 years off the look of your home. This can be a huge in terms of resale value, not to mention personal enjoyment. Be sure to follow these steps and you will be in the clear!

1. Take pictures of your house as is, AND several homes that are have comparable exterior features (ie brick facade, porch, two stories). Choose homes with paint colors you absolutely love. Homes that are in nicer neighborhoods then yours. Houses that are, frankly, better then yours or at least look better.

2. Now print your pictures and choose your absolute favorite.

3. Go back to that house and either A) knock on their door, explain you love their paint color and ask for the name of it and/or if you can get an exact match it with your color deck (what is a color deck? it is that thick stack of attached paint chips you can receive complimentary, or at least borrow, from your local paint store) or B) If your too shy and a bit more mischievous, visit said dwelling when the occupants appear not to be home and quickly match it. Don't forget to match the trim color(s) too.

4. (Don't even think of skipping this step) Have the paint store give you a gallon or less of each color - and test paint large sections on your home, let it dry, and paint another coat. Take a day or two to make sure you LOVE IT. Lighting, and your home's unique setting effects the color. If need be, make slight changes in the paint color and sample it again. *You need to own the decision on this, but it can build your confidence to get the approval of a friend with GREAT DESIGN TASTE.

5. Paint your home with confidence - it is going to be fabulous!

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Frugal Fashionista

Over 60 women came to Hood River reDesign's Frugal Fashionista in May at the Hood River Alliance church. Happy to have purged thier closets of their gently used clothing & accessories the women perused the "Spa" while the "Boutique" was being set up with all of their discarded treasures. The "Spa" was filled with massage therapists and facial experts who allowed the ladies to sample their wonderful services. And once the "Boutique" opened up the women really cut loose - trying on all the clothes and having a great time. Don't fear, the Frugal Fashionista will be back - by heavy demand - in November. Stay tuned for details!
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ReDesign your Home...

You do not have to “suffer through it” for years on end. Hood River reDesign can cut through the clutterand leave you with a beautifully designed home that allows you to live a more productive and happier life. (Staging To Sell is also available if your house is currently, or soon to be, on the market!) Have a wonderful summer and don’t hesitate to email any questions or request a complimentary quote!
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ReDesign Your Image...

That’s where Hood River reDesign can step in and reDesign...
your image... Most of us are living far below our beautiful potential. All we really need is a simple plan to guide us to the right hair style, fresh make-up and clothing that makes our bodies look their best! And I am here to help!
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Mini Makeovers

There are many quick fixes you can do on your own that can make a huge dierence! BEAUTY: Give yourself a full service pedicure in a bright color. Try something new with your hair: straighten, curl, highlight! Ask a stylish friend to apply your make-up for a new look. Add color with a new scarf, belt, bag or jewelry (Twiggs & Payless Shoes have fun accessories!) BIZ: Receive free business advice from the Columbia Gorge Community College’s Small Business Development Center. Order stylish new business cards from Vista print. HOME: Spruce up your entrance with a new mat, front door paint color or owers.
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