Passion

Although we have a deep-rooted passion for couture elements throughout our designs, ultimately interior decorating and design should be beautiful, affordable and unique! Hopefully we will inspire you through our blog and website to create a beautiful space that you will love for years to come. Please visit our website for more inspiration!


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Spring Cleaning

Now that Spring has officially arrived you may look around your house and see many things that may need sprucing up. Here is a quick list of things to do now to make the months ahead less stressful:

When you are out in the yard playing with your kids, grab a bag from the garage and take the dead perennial growth from last year and help spruce up your yard a little at a time. Be careful, wear gloves and do not forget the sunscreen. Need help? Call a professional! I use Four Seasons Outdoor Services out of Cottage Grove, MN

Use a solution of vinegar and water and clean your windows from the inside, along with a wide squeegie. I always take off my screens in the fall and clean them and store them for the winter. That way I only have to clean them once per year.

Start your seeds NOW. This will save you a great deal of money on your vegetable garden and flower pots/boxes. I started growing seeds for the first time this year and I was surprised at how easy it was. I planted on Saturday and some are aleady 5 inches high! I just put them in a sunny location inside our patio door on the floor.

This is a great time to check/change the batteries in your smoke detectors. You can never be too safety conscious.

On another safety note, be sure to replenish the items in the roadside emergency kit that you keep in your car. Even though it is summer, you still should have a kit in your car. Also be sure that your first aid kit is replenished and ready to go.

Happy Spring!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

LIVE life

I have been blessed by numerous happenings lately that have got me viewing life from a beautiful new and different perspective! I have never been a negative Nellie or a Debbie downer, but from time to time I find myself not appreciating life as much as I should be. I know we all get into a rut every once in awhile and I am giving you permission to GET OUT OF THAT RUT!

Surround yourself by people that inspire you and those that you can inspire back.

I believe that everyone is capable of great things, the journey for some is longer than others.

Don't waste your energy on conflict; life is too short. Agree to disagree and move on!

When you find yourself feeling down...stop and appreciate the things you are grateful for, I'll bet you will find that there is a lot!

Be positive, it's contagious!

In my little world of decorative creativity, the most beautiful inspiration comes from the times that I have cleared my head and start to appreciate the small things. So...clear your head and believe in yourself! You are capable of great things, I promise!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Annual open house

Please join us for Impressive Windows & Interiors annual Spring Open House!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 from 6:30-8:30pm
3588 Greten Lane in Hastings, MN
Complimentary hors d' oeuvres, wine and more!



Hightlights include:
TJ McGillis from Hunter Douglas, the leader in hard window coverings
Home Staging Expert Tricia Sibley
DVD viewing of the Extreme Makeover project in St. Paul, MN
Our 2010 entry into the Window Fashions Magazine-VISION- National Ingenuity Workroom Competition

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I can't decorate! Please help!

From time to time I receive a call from a very frustrated client that says "I just can't decorate". While listening to them on the phone or in person, voicing their decorating dilemma...I genuinely sympathize with them. Although most want me to immediately come and rescue them, I don't and here's why.

The first step in deciding what you like it is to find it, and find it for yourself. You need to scour the books at your local library, home improvement stores, magazines or brochures to find "the look" that suits you and your family. Take lots of notes and start a decorating journal or 3-ring binder with inspiration pictures in it. True, I ask many questions during consultations to narrow down the style that they may have mind, but the truth is every ones perception of a particular style is different, and when you can visualize it and show that vision to another person that is the best way to receive the style that you like.

In addition to this journal I suggest that you also work with a designer that will provide you with virtual renderings of your room so that you with have a pretty good idea as to what the ideas that you came up with will look like in your room. If you would like a FREE sample of what we can do for you send us a photo of your room via email at Jill@ImpressiveWindowsandInteriors.com and put BLOG OFFER in the subject line (one virtual picture rendering per email address, and offer only valid for the first 15 people that respond via email). We will email you back with 3 new decorating ideas for your room within 2 business days. This offer is only good until March 31, 2010.