Decorator vs. DIY-er

Jan 26

In doing the One Room Challenge with 14 other amazing bloggers, I have begun to notice a contrast among the Decorators and the DIY-ers. I am not a decorator, and have never pretended to be one. Although, I do "play decorator" in my own home all the time. I am, however, a compulsive DIY-er. I am often called by one of my friends to fix things...case in point, my friends sofa. I don't usually blog about it. I think I will start doing more of that. I regret not blogging about how I built window boxes for another friend, it would have been great for you to see how easy it was.

Back to the Decorator vs. DIY-ers.....as you are probably aware, if you have followed and clicked around the challenge, some of the women are REAL decorators! Here are the noticeable differences

Decorator - Here is my room inspiration board

(A Lifestyle Thing)

Diy-er - I saw this picture...and I'm going for it!

decorpad via Saved by Suzy

Decorator - Here is my room process (from Refreshing Designs)

To make sure I stay on track, I am going through the proper design process for this room makeover:

1. Figure out what style and mood I want to create and find inspiration pictures I swoon over.

2. Create a design board with colours, furniture elements, lighting, etc. This will keep me on track throughout the process when I get distracted by a great pillow that really doesn't work with the design.

3. Lay out a plan. Set a budget. Make a list of things to buy or DIY.

4. Proceed with accomplishing everything on the list and see the space come together. There is room for a little tweaking along the way.

So then, here is step #2: my design board.

And step #3: my to-do list (if crossed out they are complete!)

-~~order eames plastic armchair (reproduction)~~

~~-paint room~~

-purchase file/storage unit

-DIY fabric headboard for daybed

-DIY wallpaper projects

-DIY art

-DIY pillow covers

~~-find industrial-look hanging lamp for above desk~~

~~-find vintage lamp~~

-create magazine storage solution

-style and finish room

Diy-er - Yeah, while he paints....I'm going shopping

Rue de Emily

Decorator - Here is a professional tip on how to paint samples on a wall (Nicole Scott Design)

Professional Tip: Don’t mask off squares and paint on the wall… it leaves ridges around the edge and is more difficult to sand off and prep for your painter. INSTEAD, do a freehand test, Like I have below, and be sure to feather out the edges so you don’t have to sand out any nasty ridges.