By Tamela Bowie

Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Mother Nature puts on an awesome display of colorful beauty that can provide inspiration for decorating your home for the Fall. Brightly colored leaves, pumpkins and cornucopias are the staples for Fall decorating. By using nature as your guide along with these decorating tips, you can make a showy statement this Fall.

The changing color of the leaves are a signal that Fall has arrived. Fall leaves come in various colors ranging from the crimson reds to the golden yellows. They can be used to make great garlands, swags, and wreaths for your home.

Pumpkins are not only great for making pumpkin pies but they are also great to use for decorating. You can group them together as a collection or you can stack the pumpkins on top of each other to make a pumpkin topiary.

By Tamela Bowie
If you were to ask me what spaces do I like to decorate the most, I would have to say it is decorating spaces for kids. I am at my “creative best” when I am designing kid spaces because it allows my creative and imagination juices to run wild. Decorating kid spaces still require the same elements of design, however, I can create spaces that can be a “little over the top” or a little bit “out of the box”. Whether you decide to decorate the space DIY or hire the services of an interior designer, these decorating tips can help to create a fun and exciting space for your child.

First, choose an inspiration piece for the space. It can be a picture, a pillow or a child’s favorite toy or tv character. In this space, the comforter was the inspiration piece.


Second, invigorate the space with color. Color will play a very important part in setting the mood and feeling of the space. Be sure to allow the child to participate in this part of the decorating process because they are the ones who has to sleep or play in the space. The color in this space was chosen because the teenage client wanted a more calm and sophiscated feeling.

Decorating with color can be a fun and exciting way to express your personality, style and creativity. The right color can transform a boring, non-descript room into a welcoming and livable space. Fear of color and the lack of color knowledge prevent many homeowners from incorporating color into their home’s décor.

Choosing a paint color for a space is not as daunting as it sounds. The room’s size, its’ purpose and the atmosphere you are trying to create should be taken into consideration when choosing a paint color. For example, the color red is perfect for formal dining spaces. It is a color that stimulates the appetite and encourages warm conversations.

By Tamela Bowie

Summer is the season for outdoor entertaining. Pool parties, back-yard barbeques and evening soirees are just some of the events that come to mind. Many homeowners today have created an outdoor oasis right in their backyard complete with outdoor kitchens, dining and living spaces perfect for outdoor entertaining. Want to create a fun and exciting outdoor entertaining space…then follow these simple design tips:

Spring is one of my favorite seasons because it is the season of awakening, renewal, and rejuvenation. Homeowners are spring-cleaning, manicuring their lawns, planting spring flowers, and working on home decorating/improvement projects.

With the spring season just right around the corner, here are some designer tips on how to get your home ready for the spring:

1. Clean, De-clutter, Organize: As with any project, always start with a clean and organized space. Dust ceiling fans, furniture, blinds and window treatments. De-clutter and organize closets, pantries and garages. This is a great time to donate your unwanted items to your favorite local charity.

2. Re-Arrange Furniture: A new furniture arrangement can create a change of scenery in a space. Borrowing furniture pieces from other rooms can create a sense of newness and rejuvenation.

Here is your January Dallas Market preview of new products, decorating/design trends and fashion styles for the year 2012.

Being an interior designer and a self-proclaimed “fashionista” has its privileges and rewards. The greatest reward is being able to visit and shop at the Dallas Market and World Trade Center. It gives me the opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and styles and provide a sneak preview of what’s “Haute” in 2012.

Interior Design & Decorating Trends

As always, traditional, contemporary and Old World design styles remain the forerunners of interior design/decorating but emerging are some new design styles:

1. Shabby Chic is making a huge comeback but with more of a streamline and smoother look…not quite so shabby and frilly.
2. Vintage Revival is “Haute” in 2012 because of its usage of reclaimed accessories and furniture pieces from the past.
3. Victorian Gothic has been around for centuries but now has more of a chic and dark edge to its design style.

The New Year seems to always ignite a change…. So why not let the 2012 New Year ignite a change in how you decorate your home? Creating a change in your home can be done in several ways by updating, re-designing, re-purposing or even a complete remodel. I know those words may sound expensive or even foreign to some ears, but change is a good thing and it’s even better when it’s done on a budget. Hi, my name is Tamela D. Bowie and my monthly decorating column, “Haute On Design” is going to provide decorating tips, how-to-videos, decorating trends, “before and after” pictures and designer tricks of the trade so that you can create a “haute change” in your home while on a “haute budget”.

So in keeping with the spirit of change for the New Year, here are some tips on how to store away your Christmas decorations until the next year: