Interior Design...Making A Career From What You Love

Interior Design & Staging students at Debbe Daley Designs

Last week's interior design and home staging course was one of the best I've had the pleasure of teaching. Realizing my hobby as a little girl has not only turned into a business but also a passionate career of helping others.  I especially enjoy watching women achieve their dreams working in a field they would learn to love.

The course was packed with many field trips and hands-on training experiences jammed into a 5 day extravaganza.  From playing with fabrics and furnishings in our own classroom studio to learning all about rugs from our friends at Persian Rug Gallery.  A trip to Harmon's Paint and Wallpaper in our own lovely historic city of downtown Lowell, MA was such a treat.  With the trending return of wallpaper and with my background in the field, it was fun and exciting to share with the students the different styles and patterns available for residential as well as commercial applications.  We also staged a home in Lowell for the Sears family which goes on the market today.  What a pleasure!  It was the perfect house to stage.

Manual & Classroom Time 

Learning about rugs from Sy Mahfuz at Persian Rug Nashua, NH

Learning about rental furniture for the home staging industry was also an experience with Jessica Miller of Churchill Furniture.  Jessica is most knowledgeable about the process of renting furnishings for vacant homes.  She is always so gracious in taking the time to spend with our students walking them through the process.

Jessica Miller of Churchill Furniture with Students

Churchill Furniture Showroom

Churchill Furniture Showroom

Our grand hurrah was when the students were involved in an all day custom client installation in Andover, MA.  One of my most pleasant clients allowed us to spend the day from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.  Students experienced the process of a custom furniture installation, custom window treatment installation and physically assisting our installers through the completion of the design.

Furniture Installation

Window Treatment Installation

Students Take a Break in Client's Media Room

Thank you to all our business associates, vendors and colleagues for participating and sharing your invaluable knowledge. All in all it was one of the best design courses of the year thus far offering hands-on design and staging experience to the max!

What To Do About Father's Day

Lets face it, it's much easier to figure out moms than dads.  What do you do for Father's Day?  Yes, the Mother's Day Picnic was a big smash! How do you top that for dad?  Well my dad loves to have his family all around and he loves to stay at home and appreciate what he has in a family.  Yes, we are doing the Father's Day Cookout at mom and dad's.

Just like the Mother's Day Picnic, dad will have his day in his back yard with the family cookout.  However, the plan will be to build him an outdoor shower where he can refresh after a long day of working in his garden and cutting the grass.  This is an easy project that takes only a garden hose.  Adding hot water is easy with a propane outdoor water heater.  The outdoor shower is not just for the oceanside beach house.  This is my and my siblings personal plan for dad.  In turn, here are some other easy Father's Day gifts and DIY ideas that you can create on your own.

Dad's Cookout Bucket

If dad loves the grill, create a bucket with all his favorite grilling utensils and accessories.  Don't forget to fill it with spicy marinades and rubs for his grilling pleasure.

Photo in a Bottle

Family photo in a bottle. This is a fun DIY project for children as well as adults.  Create a theme oriented bottle.  Beach, golf or fishing.  Capture the moment in a bottle filled with sand, shells, fishing lures or golf tees.  Add a photo that captures dads favorite pastime moment.  He'll treasure this one forever.

Generation Photo

This is one of my favorites.  If you're lucky enough to have four generations around to grace you with their presence or not, create a generational photo.  This gift will be an heirloom creation to be passed on.

I find Father's Day to become harder every year when it comes to gift giving, especially for the dad who needs nothing.  Going back to your roots and giving a gift from the heart is what really matters.  Happy Father's Day to all fathers, dads, step-dads and every man who sincerely plays the part from their heart.