Photo: Chairish

Here at Reinventing Space our philosophy is simple - Make the most of what your have, create a home with soul, a layered space with a mix of old and new, rich with poor and an infusion of color, style and a bit of the unexpected.

If you are ready to rev up your home environment, especially with the entertaining season just around the corner - color is a great launching point to inspire you to swap out, up-style and redesign your space - A simple style recipe to add a whole lot of WOW.

Advice and suggestions flourish this time of year, but here is one that offers sound advise to those of us that are all about the 'art of the mix.'

If you haven't already checked them out, discover the uber cool on-line resale shopping hub for home furnishings/decor called Chairish. A marketplace to buy, sell or be inspired.  Their tastemaker team are pros at forecasting on-trend and super chic ideas to re-style your abode.

I love how they research, then curate their current product line.

Be inspired and check out their latest BLOG post "5-Colorful Couples to Invite into Your Home".

• Start with color. Whether a new palette or a twist from your interior hues – a designated set of colors will help you set a direction for your space, and make gathering your goods a breeze.
• Anchor the space with a great outdoor rug. Create “walls” by using footed lanterns, screens, large potted plants, or benches. The walls will further help you define your space.
• Set-up your outdoor room much like you would inside your home, using the same guidelines for flow, function and focal points.  Include all the comforts of home, such as throw pillows, ottomans, candles, art, and of course accessories.
• Hang a mirror on one of your walls to reflect the beauty of your garden, fountain or focal point. Or use the mirror to mimic a doorway to another space.

• Introduce a water feature.  The fountain will add an element of calm with its sound, refresh the senses with its movement, and mask unwanted noise from nearby traffic or neighbors.
• If your city code allows, add the element of fire with a chimenea, fire pit or fireplace. A fire element can be a hypnotic focal point to a patio space.
• Add an array of exterior lighting.  From accent, chandeliers or floor lamps to strings of clear outdoor lights – lighting creates mood, and adds a festive feeling.

See what Julea does for an empty space, for new homeowners on My First Place.

Re-Air Times December 8th and December 22nd. 7:00 pm CST! http://www.hgtv.com/my-first-place/picky-and-plugging-away/index.html

The 2nd home in a series of 4 - From furniture selection to finishing touches, see how Julea takes a space from plain and empty to elegant & entertainment ready!

1st recommended by her Realtor when she 1st arrived in the Chicago land area from Louisville in 2007, my new client wanted to put her stamp on her new home. We used what she already owned, and made her new home hers with a new wall color paint palette and interior redesign.
Three years later, relocated again - I'm at it again with her new home in Indiana.

If you're read to make a change, or have just moved into a new home, Room Makeovers are great way to revitalizing a home. Also know as interior arrangement, or redesign, this decorating technique celebrates the homeowner's existing things. By using the client's own pieces, it validates past purchases, embraces family treasures and readies a space for new decorating ideas or purchases.

1. Color Consultation - Often times a new homeowner wants to start decorating their new home from the get-go. Gone with the old homeowners, in with color choices in-tune to her belongings and personal style.



2. Interior Redesign- We take what you have and make it all work within your new home. In a few hours, your blank space becomes your space. Your room becomes balanced, functional and unified. Best of all, you get instant gratification, validate your existing pieces, and readies the space for family and friends. If added items are desired, I'll create a "wish list" of things that will enhance the room further.



3. Shopping & Traditional Design Services- If you'd like to refresh and add to your collections, I can make suggestion or shop for those new pieces. I too offer more traditional design service such as window treatments and one-of-kind accents such as custom floral arrangements to add those finishing touches to your space.

End Result: A home you can call you own, without the stress of thinking you have to buy ALL NEW. A space you can entertain and live-in within a few weeks of moving in.

"The thing I love about you Julea is that I would of thought to put everything back just the way you had it in my old home, instead your found a whole different way of arranging and displaying my things to fit into my new home - creating something fresh and new." - Angela