As the New Year approaches let's review the top design trends that are out for 2022!

1. Cool Color Schemes

 In 2022 you will notice a shift away from cool color schemes to warmer color schemes or a blending of the two. As people stayed home more due to pandemic restrictions there became a need for environments that create comfort, warmth, and security. Below are examples of how color is currently being used in interiors to address this shift. 

Photo Credit: West Elm

​2. The All White Kitchen

White kitchens will always be on trend, but you will notice that it has received a gorgeous upgrade with the mixing of different materials in 2022! We are seeing a return to wood toned cabinets but they are now being paired with white or cabinetry in gorgeous colors to create a beautiful contrast. Below you will see examples of this timeless kitchen trend and I'm truly loving it!!

Photo Credit: Studio McGee

Photo Credit : Rejuvenation

3. Kitschy Decor

​The last trend we can say goodbye to is kitschy decor. Some examples of this decor include pillows or decor with sayings often seen in farmhouse themed settings. We are moving toward more sophisticated decor choices that don't scream farmhouse but a nod to them instead. Below is an excellent example of the curation of decor sourced with restraint to avoid the unwanted kitschy vibes!

Photo Credit: Houzz

As we move into the New Year keep these design evolutions in mind and you'll be sure to create a space that is on trend but timeless as well!

As a designer, there are two important questions that I ask my clients during the design consultation. The first one is how do you want your room to feel and the second one is what is  your color inspiration for the space. Why these two questions you might ask. Well these questions are directly related. For example, if a client wants their space to feel calm and relaxing then we certainly wouldn't paint it red but would opt more for a blue or green. The color you choose will directly effect the overall feeling of the space. 

So let's dive a little deeper into the colors and the feeling each one evokes. Take look at the graph below. 

Once the client decides on the feeling of the space I present color options that will achieve the desired goal. Then onto the fun part! Developing a color scheme! I really love this step because it's where creativity begins and marks the beginning of the design process. I determine if the client wants a monochromatic, analogous, complementary, triadic, tetradic, or split-complementary scheme. Take a look at the chart below to see how a color scheme is created through the combination of specific colors. 

​Once the color scheme has been decided it's time to create a floor plan, source furniture/accessories and lastly select a paint color that supports the chosen color scheme. Now that you know a little bit more about the color inspiration for your project let me know below which colors inspire you most and what space you would like to use them in. 

Shop Outdoor for Summer on Wayfair: String Lights | Patio Furniture Sets | Patio Furniture Cushions | Propane Fire Pit Tables | Outdoor Fireplaces | Wine Refrigerators | Metal Patio Furniture | Outdoor Games | Swing Sets


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Wayfair Professional recently launched a Dream Classroom Giveaway contest (entries were accepted March 30, 2021 – April 13, 2021) to show appreciation for educators everywhere who have done so much for students during this year of uncertainty.
One lucky educator will win a fully furnished, expertly curated classroom their students will be excited to return to. The winner will be announced in August, so stay tuned to see the lucky educator’s dream classroom transformation. Read about last year's winners and see their exciting new classrooms here.

Check out classroom furniture and equipment from Wayfair: 
Classroom Chair/Desk Combos | Whiteboards | Bulletin Boards | Early Education Kids Sofas and Group Seating | Chalkboards | Podiums & Lecterns | Cubbies | Lockers | Folding Tables | Folding Chairs

Disclosure: “This is a sponsored post by Wayfair. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.”

It's been a long six weeks but my eclectic glam guest bedroom is now complete and I can say I'm truly in love with the finished space. The guest bedroom It's intended for guests but I'm pretty sure we will find an excuse to migrate to this newly designed space in our home. 

My husband was very impressed with the design process and how the finished space matched so closely to the design concept and moodboard. I've never gotten him so involved before but since Covid is in full force he became my contractor and design assistant! Thanks Honey!!

So lets get into the final design and journey! 

First things first!! Stick to the design plan.....

Even as an interior designer,  I can get tempted to add a little this or that to the design plan. But as we all know this can cause all kinds of problems especially if you aren't carrying your room measurements and swatches with you when shopping. Inevitably, you will end up wasting time returning items that don't quite work in your space. Therefore, I believe its best to follow the design plan and stick to that plan. You can always add decor at the end if the space needs something a little extra to take it to the next level.

So lets start our journey with the gorgeous juju hat!  I'll be the first to admit that I can be a do- it- yourself type of person.  It's that nature to get into creating new things that lured me into the idea of making the juju hat myself. Well after researching the process on making the juju hat and sourcing the materials I thought about it for a day or two and finally decided to leave it to the professionals. And let me tell you that was definitely the right decision for me. I am very picky about many things and one is the decor pieces I select for my home and my clients homes. I believe you can't do a mediocre job and think you will get the desired effect so I placed my order with a company called My Accent Touch. It is owned by Isabelle Domkam of Atlanta, GA. When I received the Juju hat I couldn't  help but notice how it was so perfectly shipped in a cylindrical shipping box. It was also tied with string for extra safe shipping. It was really cool how you pull it out of the box and it unfolds to a huge 32 inch round juju hat! The juju hat also came with a sweet thank you card and care instructions as well.  The craftsmanship was beyond excellent and it made me especially happy to support the artisans of West Cameroon and in my opinion made the piece even more special! I will definitely order all my juju hats for decor projects in the future from My Accent Touch. It was truly a great experience. Check out the photos below! 

Ok the next stop on the design journey was the wall art over the tv and the accent comforter at the end of the bed. 

I really wanted to continue the theme of supporting the independent artists so I ordered these items from Society6. com. If you don't know much about them I can tell you that they feature the work of a global community of 300,000 plus independent artists. You can select a design and create an array of products from that design, like art prints, comforters, t shirts, mugs, etc. I purchased the black galley frames from Tj Maxx and what I loved most about them is that they were sturdy and included a template in the package. And yes designers use those templates too! The templates make hanging your gallery wall a breeze!

Ok now onto the decor for the room.....

I got this gorgeous wood garland from Target's Threshold Collection designed by Studio Mc Gee to add some texture to the smooth console table. What I love most about them is that they are large scale, offer lots of texture and have cute tassels! 

I got all the nightstand decor from my local Tj Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls. Gotta support the local stores to keep them open and prosperous! The black and white polka dot candle is from the Pink Cookie Candle Company  and was made custom just for my project!

The nightstands from Riverside furniture are truly gorgeous and substantial at 30 inches wide!  The hardware on the nightstands match the nail head trim on the Montclair headboard from Joss&Main perfectly! 

Next up..... custom pillows for the room! I ordered all the custom pillows from retailers on Etsy and I'm so glad I did because I was able to customize the exact pattern ,color , style and size I needed. The leopard pillows came from the Nelle Company and the copper pillows came from the Nunudesignstore. The copper and black dot pillow came from Kauwa in Spain. Yep,  I said Spain. Sometimes you have to go that far to get just the right piece for your room. I can't praise them all enough for the excellent materials and craftsmanship of all the pillows! Truly gorgeous!!

I can't forget to mention the faux fur accent chair was from Overstock.com, the pom pom window treatments and the gold morrocan accent table were from Amazon.com and the black and white hotel bedding was from Walmart.com of all places at an insanely excellent price for the quality. 

Next Up....... Lighting and Wall Mirrors!
I chose these cute table lamps from Style Craft. l love how they echo the gold in the gorgeous Juju wall mirrors from Zuo Mod .  I intentionally chose lamps that had a 3 way bulbs so you can select from 50 watts all the way up to 150 watts per lamp. No feeling too dark in this room when you want the extra light. I also placed a floor lamp on the other side of the room to create some balance in lighting as well as serve as a task light when reading in the accent chair. 

Lastly, I have to mention that painting the window trim and all the doors in the room to create continuity with the black accent wall was essential and I'm so glad I convinced my husband that it had to be done. He agreed after it was all done and was very happy with the result. 

To close.... I want to thank Linda and all the sponsors of the Fall 2020 One Room Challenge. This was a wonderful experience and I look forward to participating in more challenges in the future!
To view all the other One Room Challenge entries click here and here.

Until next time!!

Well... didn't get the painting done this week primarily due to Election Day and completing design projects and honestly wasn't quite much in the mood.  But this week its a top priority to get it done!! I did however, receive the task lighting. As you can see above I assembled it and was very happy with the outcome! It looked exactly like the pictures on the website and will serve as a great task light for reading while sitting in the accent chair. I also got a notification that the rust pillow covers have shipped!! Hooray!!! Now just waiting on the leopard accent pillows to ship as well and  then I can breathe a sigh of relief. Wish me luck on the painting this week! I need a flawless job done!

To see the other One Room Challenge updates click HERE!

Until next week!!

This week was all about receiving orders and trouble shooting. The gorgeous Juju hat arrived from Accent Touch in perfect condition and more beautiful than expected!! This is my first time using a juju hat in a design project and it won't be my last. The texture and color  I selected is breathtakingly beautiful! I also received the gold nesting tables from Amazon.  They are just the perfect bit of sparkle for the space and provide functional table space to hold a drink or book in the sitting area. Lastly, I received the custom made accent pillow from Spain for the accent chair. I must say its just perfect and I'm in love with the bold pattern and craftsmanship. Now onto the troubleshooting.... I ordered accent pillows to bring in pattern and color for the bed from TJMaxx.com and they cancelled both of my orders!! Probably Covid delay related.  So,  I had to shop for alternatives and get custom pillows made by artisans on Etsy.  Hoping to get those pillows in on time before the challenge deadline!! Fingers crossed!!

On the To Do List for next week: 
Paint the walls, closet, entry door, and window trim.  Wish me all kinds of luck!!

To check out all the other amazing designers participating in the One Room Challenge click HERE.

Until Next week!!

This week was all about placing more orders, purchasing, and assembling. 
I ordered the floor lamp, purchased the tv from my favorite wholesale store BJ's, assembled the tv console table with hubby and created the artwork. Yep, it was a busy week!! See all the updates below! Check out all the other One Room Challenge updates here!

For those working on home renovations this fall, you know how important it is to find the right appliances to go with your design scheme. 

Donlena Design’s Advice on Selecting Appliances:

1. Measure, measure, and measure again. This is especially important when purchasing new appliances for cabinet built-ins. Remember not to measure your old appliance but instead measure the actual space where the appliance is going. 
2. Always read the reviews for your appliances. This is especially important if you are unable to go to the appliance store or showroom to see the appliance in person.
3. When selecting new appliances it's best to keep all of them in the same finish and if you want to mix it up then you can use mixed metals in the finishes in the kitchen like light fixtures, cabinet hardware or kitchen fixtures.  Use no more than two different metals though.
   
   
   Wayfair is having a special appliance event from October 5-21. Scout out dream kitchen and laundry room updates including ranges, range hoods, refrigerators, beverage refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and more. 
   
   
   Wayfair Cozy Fall Category Staff Picks:

1. Bulletin Boards - For creating mood boards + showing off your kids’ artwork!
2. Blankets and Throws - Cozy time!
3. Wine Racks - To hold all of those fall reds!
4. Oversized Wall Mirrors - Add depth to a room - and check out your WFH outfit game!
5.  Picture Frames - To put your favorite memories and artwork on display!

A Home full of Character: It’s All in the Details
Small home improvement changes can make a big impact. Try character-building home improvement updates like striking chandeliers, vintage-inspired ceiling medallions, upgraded lightswitch plates, ornate vent covers, and wallpaper.



Donlena Design’s Chandelier Picks for Different Styles:
 
​My top picks for chandeliers:

1. For my farmhouse clients I’m truly obsessed with the Tyshawn Chandelier. The contrast of the oil rubbed bronze paired with the gorgeous crystals creates the perfect amount of drama for over a rectangular dining room table or a kitchen island. 

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/kelly-clarkson-home-tyshawn-6-light-unique-tiered-chandelier-with-crystal-accents-w003380094.html?&experiencetype=1


2.For my mid century modern clients I love the Offut Chandelier. I love to use it as a statement piece in a space where all the other elements remain in the background and it proudly stands out. 
https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/corrigan-studio-offutt-8-light-statement-wagon-wheel-chandelier-w003227206.html?piid=&experiencetype=1

3. For my glam clients I love the Birchley chandelier. It's reasonably priced and adds glitz and glam to any space. It is extremely versatile and can be used in foyers, dining rooms, master bedroom closets,offices and more. 
https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/willa-arlo-interiors-birchley-2-light-crystal-chandelier-wrlo5911.html?piid=&experiencetype=1

Thinking Ahead: Holiday Decor

While you may be finishing up your indoor or outdoor halloween decorating game, if you’re hosting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah this year, you'll probably want to start checking all the boxes on your holiday prep checklist before friends and family arrive.

Donlena Design’s Tips for On-Point Holiday Decor: 

1. Choose a color scheme or theme for your holiday decor to create continuity within your decor.
2. Create small vignettes with decor to tell a story.
3. Choose decor that inspires you and your family to create memories during the holiday season.

Some top holiday decorating categories to check out on Wayfair (it’s never too early to be prepared!):

1. String Lights
2. Outdoor Christmas Decorations
3. Christmas Lights
4. Christmas Stockings
   
   
5. Holiday Wreaths, Garlands, and Flowers
6. Outdoor Christmas Decorations
7. Snow Globes
8. Table Runners
9. Christmas Dishes and Dinnerware
10. Christmas Bedding

 

1. Holiday Gift Ideas:
   For the Chef: Toasters, Coffee Makers, and Cookware Sets
   For the Entertainer: Holiday Dinnerware Sets
   For the Kids: Kids Decor by Disney (and more) Characters
   For the Dog Parent: Dog Ramps & Stairs
   For the ice cream lover: Ice cream makers
   For the coffee lover : espresso machines
   For the _wine lover:personalized wine glasses

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This week was all about decluttering the room, finalizing paint selections and ordering the furniture and decor. So here is a snapshot of my progress!

I finalized the paint colors for the guest bedroom. You would think it would've been very easy to select a black and white paint color but they are not all created equal. The two black paint colors I was deciding between were Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black SW 6258 and Sherwin Williams Caviar SW 6990. Let me tell you it was not easy! I loved them both , but the Tricorn Black won because it faired the best in every lighting condition and at all different times of the day. I will insert another photo so you can see the difference. The Caviar is on the left and the Tricorn Black is on the right. What you may be able to see is that in my room the Caviar paint color has a blue undertone that showed up that I didn't care for. The Tricorn Black stayed very close to true black without any noticeable undertones in my room thus it became the winner. 

The White paint choices were Sherwin Williams High Reflective White SW 7757 and Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005. I loved both but due to this room not having overhead lighting I decided to go with the High Reflective White. The Pure White was a close second but it looked more creamy instead of the crisp bright white I envision for the space to contrast the black accent wall, entry door, and closet door. The High Reflective White is great for a space that doesn't receive bright light at all times of the day. Especially if you want that crisp white look. At night the soft white table lamp bulbs will give the High Reflective White a soft warm inviting glow. ​I will insert a photo below so you can see the difference between the two white paint colors. The top is Pure White and the bottom is High Reflective White. They are very close but at night is where you notice a significant difference. 

Now onto the all the furniture and decor updates! Here's a list of all the furniture and decor that has been purchased , ordered , and delivered. Links included!
1. The Dilbeck Nightstands

2. The Kardos Console Table 

3. The Silver Orchid Faux fur accent chair

4. ZuoModern Mirror

​Check out all the One Room Challenge updates! Until next week!

I'm so excited to start week one of the One Room Challenge. My goal for this project is to  transform my guest room from storage area to a comfortable inviting guest bedroom.  Here are a few details on the room itself. The design theme is Global Glam,  African influences with gold glam touches! This room doesn't get used very much but is really needed for the occasional sleepover that my teenagers have from time to time as well as for family who may need to stay for a night or two. I want the overall feel of the space to be comfortable but also have an upscale hotel feel as well. The room is square shaped and has one closet for storage and a small window. This room is southern facing, so early in the day it gets a moderate amount of natural light  but by about 4 pm the light diminishes quite a bit.  Therefore, I have chosen to have one moody accent wall for drama and keep the other walls a fresh clean bright white to keep the space open and airy.  There was much to do this week and here's the run down of some of the accomplishments so far....

 To Do List for week 1 : 

• Finalize space planning- designate sleeping and reading areas
• Create a mood board for design inspiration
• Create 2D Design Boards to visualize the design
• Test paint samples on the wall and finalize selections
• Declutter the room- wish me luck! LOL!

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Today is the launch of the Fall 2020 One Room Challenge and I'm honored to be a guest participant!!!

For those of you who don't know, the One Room Challenge was created by Linda Weinstein and features 20 designers with the goal of transforming a room in 6 weeks and sharing all the juicy design details along the way.

So now onto the big announcement! What room have I chosen to transform? It took me a while to decide which space to select, but as I peered into my guest bedroom and realized it had become a storage unit of sorts I knew it was time for it to return to its proper use.  So with a design style and color scheme in mind, I'm ready to get this design transformation started! Follow me here each week on Thursdays to get all the updates and see the room's progress. 

A little about me. I'm Dana Dyson, principal designer of Donlena Design. I started my interior design firm in order to bring luxury interior design virtually to busy professionals and families giving them a convenient and time saving solution to design their homes. My personal design aesthetic leans toward transitional glam but I appreciate the beauty of many design styles. 

Looking forward to showing you all the updates in the coming weeks!!