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Decorate / Re-Decorate on Any Budget©
Welcome to a real-life and condensed version of Basic Decorating 101. As with
all of my books, I will legitimize who I am and what gives me credibility when
helping others. I grew up with this stuff, no kidding. My father was a general
contractor and back then, they drew house plans...by hand. Every summer I
apprenticed with him on the jobs and learned every square foot of the building
industry from digging foundations, pouring footers, placing joists, trusses,
insulation (yuck), driving nails into 2x4's and 2x6's, laying hardwood floors, nailing
shingles, painting, masonry, etc., etc. Also, there wasn't a year that went by when
our family home wasn't missing a wall. Instead, we had polyethylene stapled to
corners of what was a room where all the world could see us and vice versa. While
other homes smelled like Tide and fresh-baked cookies, ours smelled like fresh
sawdust. I quickly understood symmetry of space, craftsmanship from prefab and
that I shouldn't get attached to the look of a room for very long!
I spent my teenage years continually surprising my parents upon their return
from an evening out by presenting them a 'new look' to the living room, dining
room or their bedroom. Needless-to-say, this caused some tension. I designed my
own dream bedroom, from ceiling to floor, as dad customized it for me when I was
14 years of age. Once in college I would volunteer to decorate for everyone. Every
apartment I had, I spent joyous hours placing everything and adding just the right
touches. At 25, I bought my first home, a small A-frame and made it so uniquely
mine. At 29, I added on to my home and quadrupled the square footage because we
were about to start our family and needed the space. I spent 25 years there and did
the same thing there that I did to my parents home. I was constantly changing the
look of the place. Even today, old friends, neighbors and even some strangers
remark about the castle on the cliff in the woods. It was a magical place but I
decided I wanted to see a sunset and be on the water where I am today.
I worked with Ethan Allen and that escalated me into the design business. To-date, I have rearranged and redecorated more homes than I can count. I stage them
for sale, refresh out-dated interiors and have rehabbed some exteriors, as well. My
latest endeavor has been redecorating yachts since living on the water. My own
home is never the same, month-to-month. So come with me and let me help you re-do your spaces in the easiest and least expensive ways I know.
"The use of Maven EBooks, 'Decorate/Re-Decorate on Any Budget', transformed my drab, out-dated house and yacht into show places. With very little expense using Mary Anne's guidance, I was able to create a beautiful home. I was so impressed with how Mary Anne's book and her personal consultation that helped me tackle my budget, giving practical tips for dramatic makeovers. I received such great results that surround me now, that I decided to have her consult and help me re-do my boat, as well. I am now proud and eager to have friends visit my home and while they are here, we also go on the boat. Everyone is transfixed by the eye-catching transformations around me. I have learned a thing or two about decorating too, by listening to Mary Anne's explanations of why she does what she does. I feel like a amateur designer!"
- Habern F. Baltimore, Maryland
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1. A Blank Palette
2. Where Is Your Natural Light
3. Wall Space vs Floor Space
4. Balance, Interest & Understanding Color
5. Timeless = Practical Combined With Beautiful
6. Less Is More
7. Is Everyone Happy
8. Utilizing What You Already Have
9. Window Tricks
10. Storing & Rotating Pieces
11. Boredom & the Fickle Creator
12. Areas to Save Money
13. Old Habits Die Hard
Pamphlet of 'Rapid Results' for Decorating / Re-Decorating on Any Budget
Before
After
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"Mary Anne came to us when we first were setting up our shop. We had loads of antiques from every period and from all over the world but needed some help organizing and displaying it all. Mary Anne came to the rescue offering advise for background wall colors, directions things should face, the lighting, etc., staging and placing out eclectic pieces into vignettes. Each helped the customer to be able to picture a certain look to a room or a corner in their own homes. We did so well by implementing Mary Anne's advice that we out grew our original space. We have since moved to a huge warehouse and Mary Anne even helped us select our business name. Is there anything she can't do?"
- Pat and Susan P. A Real Find Antiques. |
