Alpha Prosperity Events: November 2011

We are so excited to have a wonderful design expert as our guest blogger this week. Yes, I said, guest blogger. This is one of those ideas we learned at the Wedding MBA recently and I was so happy when Shandra Ward of Signature Design Studio agreed to be our first guest blogger. Check out her posting as she enlightens us with her overall design experience.

Now that the Wedding is Over…it’s time to Merge!

Creating a home you both will love

By Shandra Ward

You have planned your wedding down to the finest detail and it was a dream come true. The wedding is over and now your journey as husband and wife begins. You are ready to begin creating a home you both will love and enjoy. A home should be comfortable, cozy and inviting. How are you going to merge your two very different styles without breaking the bank or contacting a marriage counselor? Here are a few tips and suggestions to help both of you find your signature style.

Communicate - Communication is the key to any successful relationship, so talk about what your needs are before you begin shopping and tossing things out. Having conversation will keep you from becoming an impulsive buyer and making hasty decisions. Making rushed decisions will leave you spending too much money only to become frustrated with purchasing something that does not work well with your design. Then you have to deal with the unpleasant task of returning or exchanging. So make sure you thoroughly discuss what you plan to buy and what you plan to keep just as you would before making any other major purchase. Get to know your home before you start furnishing.

Design a Plan - It is much easier to design your home when you have a plan. After you have agreed on a budget, begin prioritizing your needs. Don’t buy what you do not need. Decide where you want to shop and maybe divide the responsibilities, such as, who does the research, legwork, or who gets the place ready for the furniture. You may both want to work together to decide on the final concept.

Create your Signature Style - What is your style preference? Traditional, contemporary, mid-century modern, classic, ethnic, country, shabby chic, eclectic, global and the list goes on. A simple way to find out what’s your style is to inventory what you already have. Discovering your design preference can be found anywhere and a great place to explore is your wardrobe.

Mix it up - It is important for both of you to feel equally happy in your own home. Use furniture and accessories that reflect your new life together, and dispose of what no longer fits your lifestyle. If you know the basic elements of interior design, you will be able to create a space that looks fabulously stylish and functional. Line, space, color, shape, texture, form, and value are the basic units of a visual image. By using each element carefully to pull together the design of a room, you can create a beautiful and inspired space. It is important to understand these elements and how they work together to create the right style and design for your home. Combine this knowledge with practice and experimentation and you are well on your way to designing a beautiful home.

Create the Home You Want - Don't be afraid to dream big even if your budget is small. Find ways of creating the home you want. You can explore department stores when they are having a sale, discount stores, flea markets, and consignment shops. Think about refurbishing and re-purposing items you already own. These are elements of green design. This suggestion allows you to rethink how you can save money and the planet. Designing your home can be a fun experience. Your design choices create a backdrop of your lifestyle, make it work for you.

Download a complimentary guidebook to learn more about the basic elements of design.

Elementals: The Smart Guide to Creating Your Signature Style

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