AT HOME St. Louis Magazine -- Love the House You're In

Let's face it, now may not be the best time to sell your home. But if you are or if you want to stay in your home, you may want to give it a lift. AT HOME St. Louis Magazine outlines how to decorate your home on any budget.

I am mentioned in the article for my love of "poufing".

What is poufing?

Also known as redesign, staging or one-day design, "poufing" is the art of "rearranging furniture, reworking shelves, moving art pieces around"...etc. Much of it involves using existing furnishings and mixing in a few new pieces. It is the most budget-friendly way to give your space a new look.

Read the entire article at this link: Love the House You're In

Or read the excerpt below:

Go Pro
Hire a designer to do a "pouf"

Remodeling's fine, you say, for those who know the art of rearranging furniture or how to judge the way that sage green paint chip will translate to an entire wall. But what about the rest of us? No problem: You can hire a professional interior designer for an hour or two. Small suggestions like paint colors or furniture placement can rejuvenate a space, and designers can point out where fabrics are clashing, color's not serving you well, furniture is badly arranged or you just need a slipcover for that formal sofa (at least till the kids are grown).

"A lot of times, it's the common-sense things," says Tim Rohan of T. Rohan Designs. "They just need a fresh pair of eyes — from a seasoned person who knows how to fix it."

Consultation costs range from $50 to $200 an hour for "poufing," (rearranging furniture, reworking shelves, moving art pieces around) planning or putting it all into motion. Dana King of Dana's Design Studio has been "poufing" houses for the past six years. "Poufing houses is the most fun and rewarding work," she says. "I would never give it up." She charges $50 an hour with no minimum or a predetermined flat rate for the job.

"The least expensive thing, I suggest, is to move the furniture around in the room, or mix up the furniture from one room to the next," Caryn Burstein, Allied ASID, president of CLB Interiors, says. "This immediately moves the energy around and spiritually gives them a lift about their space. It actually makes the old furniture look new when it's moved from room to room."

If you want the designer to take the reins on the redecoration, costs go up, but even at Mr. Rohan's $145 per hour, two-hour minimum, you'll save in the long run with the designer discounts. Plus, the designer will oversee it all, protecting you from the stress and strain of the project.

"Many people can do it on their own and spend less money if they have the resources," Mr. Rohan says. "You're as good as your resources whether you're doing it professionally or not, but it's even more crucial for the novice."

And you don't have to do the whole shebang at once. According to Ms. King, Carol Bridges of Kirkwood hires her when "she has the budget and time to tackle a new project. We are on our fifth room!"