My Decorating Passion...a how-to

Decorating...it's what I do....it's who I am!

I have always liked to decorate, it really is one of my favorite hobbies.  I love the process of gathering ideas, searching Pinterest (one of the best sites ever invented), looking at magazines, and dreaming up themes...you get the point.

I first became a Decorating Diva at a really young age.  I actually did some work for a girl you might know...I hate to name drop....but have you heard of Barbie?!! Well, she actually had me do some work on her "Dream House".  This is where my love for fabrics and nick~nicks first emerged! 

Later in life I turned my skills to my own "Dream House".  Over the years I have had many different styles of deco...country, shabby chic, to traditional.  I think my style could be best described in recent Facebook comment from a friend, "elegant-eccentric-shabby chic class"! Now that is a comment!!! LOL!! I don't claim to know everything about decorating or to even be the best at it.  What I do know is that I have a passion for it.  I love going the extra mile to make a look all come together.  

It is true, I walk my own road in decorating.  I do what I want to do and really don't care about any "rules" of decorating.  If I like it, then it must be right....for me anyway!  

I have had the privilege to decorate on a larger scale the past few years.  I actually fell into this job really by accident or maybe by being overly "helpful."  I never really dreamed I would be decorating for conferences and large gatherings.  However, someone had faith in me and took a chance.  I reluctantly branched out into new and uncharted waters.   Honestly after I agreed to my first event I would wake up at night in a panic....so worried about how I would actually pull off such a big event.   I now have many events under my belt and I am happy to report I sleep very soundly...no more panic attacks for me.

Here are a few things I have learned about event decorating:

1: Pick a theme!  This is really the first place to start. 

      Once you have a theme start exploring the internet for ideas that go with your theme.

      I like to look at these sites for inspiring ideas.  Some are party sites and some are decorating sites.

Hostess with the Mostess  
Save on Crafts
Or of course I always check....Pinterest
When all else fails I simply google!

2.  Next figure out your budget!  This should be the first thing....but it is a really close 2nd!

            Listen and repeat after me.....DECORATING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE!

I not only use Save on Crafts for ideas, but they are pretty inexpensive on their products.

I like to check out my local thrift stores for unique decorating finds.

I have made friends with two different florist shops, Rosemary Duff Florist  & Chris Flowers 

Rosemary rents (dirt cheap) props~vases~materials

Chris ALWAYS has the best prices on flowers

One on my favorite places to shop for discount decorations is Hobby Lobby

3.  The gathering process. 

This is the part that takes time.  Shop everywhere! I begin collecting my materials months in advance.  If you really want your event to shine...don't wait until the last minute!  Decorating for an huge event is a process!  It is a huge time investment!  But if you can dream it you can do it.

4.  Have a plan!  

When I am doing an event I keep pictures of what I am trying to accomplish on my phone.  I do this mainly so I am not tempted to add pieces I simply don't need, also to keep my theme fresh in my mind.

When I have gathered everything I usually find a place in my house to "set-up".  It is kind of like a dress rehearsal for decorating.  When I am satisfied with the look of things, I take more pictures for reference.  Then I pack everything up and label all the boxes for travel and easy access on the day of the event.

5. Let the party begin!

On the day of set up I make sure I have a team to help me.  It really helps if you have like minded people who share your vision.  It also helps if you don't doubt yourself.  Remember if you can be proud of the outcome then trust your instincts.  Don't be afraid to change things up.  Make sure you plan extra time if you run into decorating difficulties.  Now pull out those pictures from "set-up" day and your work will be much faster and easier. 

6. Tools of the trade.

Here are a few "tools" I have learned I simply can't live with out!

Hot glue gun, extra glue sticks, staple gun, extra staples, a GOOD pair of fabric scissors, 

a pair of paper scissors, wire cutters, zip ties (can't live without these), safety pins, straight pins,

duct tape, electrical tape, a step ladder (not necessary but helpful)

I hope this how-to has helped you!  Please feel free to comment or ask any questions!  I would love to hear your input!