Roots

It's been one year and 7 months since a vulture swooped down and virtually stole my house for $1.500,000 less than my purchase price. So much has happened since then. It's been a real whirlwind. I've moved twice already which has been hard for my daughter but she is doing extremely well right now. She has lots of friends and she has a smile on her face every day.

I made a conscious decision to slow down with work because although money is great it means nothing when compred to the delicious and endless amounts of  hugs and kisses I get when I spend quality time with my little angel.
My life is in flux, my stuff is in storage, I am somehow simultaneously running two businesses and keeping it together as best I can.  

If you kow me a little bit or even if you don't, you should know that I have a soft spot for living things. I dont kill insects and although I don't have the greenest thumb, when I buy a houseplant I really try to keep it alive. I consider it a lifelong comitment just like my cats who are now 15 and my dogs who range in age from 4-8. When I moved, I took very few belongings beside my clothing and among them were my straggly houseplants. One by one, they seem to be leaving me. I bet they are as sad as I am not having the beautiful home we once had. The light is different here. I had the most gorgeous Mexican Fan Palm. It's leaves spread out like a peacock when they mature. That was the first to go. A few other more non-descript plants that I had purchased for my most gorgeous and fallen home have since bitten the dust and just now at this moment I lost the last one. 

That one was special. It was the first day in the house in June of 2007. I was walking around the acre and a half that was mine for what I didn't know wold be a short time. It was a magical property. Everything was bigger there; greener, more lush than seemingly anywhere else. The previous owner was a gardner and soon I would become inspired to be the same. On that first day while touring the landscape, I came across this broken, twisted piece of bamboo that was lying on the ground. It still had roots attached and looked fairly alive but it was just lying there sideways on top of the earth, looking so helpless. I thought it was a goner but I brought it in the house and gently placed it in a glass of 
water. 

As the subsequent days passed, the bamboo began to perk up and sprout a new leaf. The stem grew strong and hard and the color morphed into a brilliant Preying Mantis shade of green. It was happy there. I went out and purchased a glass container and took some rocks from the garden to fill this vessel which helped to stabilize the fledgling plant. The bamboo grew in my powder room for 3 years. It became more twisted, more interesting and was beginning to become the skinny tree-like specimen it was meant to be. As it flourished I gave it a larger container and added more rocks. Just then it was time to move. The new home was much darker in more ways than one and my bamboo beauty lost some leaves. Then the main branch rotted from the inside out and broke off on moving day to place #2. With this second move, all that was left was the tiniest piece but it was still hanging on. Today I went to care for it and noticed it was hanging over the side of its container, droopy in expression. I gingerly lifted it up to shift the rocks around in an effort to steady it once more and when I did, the plant was in my hand and the roots were stuck in the rocks.

It's so telling of my life right now. No roots are planted. No home to speak of. Perhaps the plant is trying to tell me that I can finally move on from that house; that it is time to find a new home and start fresh. Baggage. I don't like that word except at the airport becuase I adore traveling. But that is what comes to mind now. Baggage. One less thing to move when the time comes. Farewell, my little bamboo friend. 

Lifestyle Tip: Dating After Divorce; Ask, Don’t Talk

Lifestyle Tip: Dating After Divorce; Ask, Don’t Talk

Tired of being alone? Feeling like life is stagnant? Divorce got you down? Get a lot of first dates but no repeat customers? Read on and you might discover why.

Hey, I’m an open kind of a gal and I don’t harbor any secrets so I don’t mind talking about well, just about anything with someone I am meeting for the first time. However, there is one sure-fire way to kill a first date and pretty much guarantee that you will not be seeing that person ever again and that is by talking about past relationships.

Everyone seems to know this so I am not, by any means, saying something new, however few people seem to be able to help themselves. I’ve heard it over and over again. ‘He/She wouldn’t stop talking about the ex and the kids, the money, the house, oh my God. I wanted to hang myself.’

Sometimes the conversation takes a turn in the past love direction because of talks about children or a current living situation but that’s when the conversation should immediately be redirected. Because going down the verbal path of the dreaded “Ex” is like saying, “I never want to see this person sitting across from me ever again.” What happens when one person gets on a roll talking about their broken heart is that the date becomes a therapy session. That person begins talking and talking (and talking) about their marriage, what went wrong, why they hate their ex, how they’ve been wronged and then sometimes even foul language follows. The anger, frustration and years of pent up hostility spew and gush like a broken dam that started with just a crack and within minutes becomes a raging river decimating everything in its path, including your date.

The one who did most of the talking feels relieved and pretty great, so that person thinks the date went well and wants to get together again. The person on the receiving end just gave some free therapy, so why not do it again? Why not?!?!  There is a reason people get paid for therapeutic work and that’s because it is work. No one wants to voluntarily sit there for hours being talked at. I don’t care how good the short ribs and margaritas are.

A first date should be about getting to know the other person. It is healthy to have an innocent curiosity about you when you arrive. Being inquisitive without being interrogative is the best approach. Ask a question then shut up and listen. Don’t comment too much. Ask more questions. Show a genuine interest in wanting to get to know the other person. If the person asks you something like, “So, why did you get a divorce?” I have one word of advice. Avoidance. Say, “Let’s save that for another time. I want to know more about you.”

If you are ready for a new relationship you will be in a healthy place about your past. If you have anger or harbor feelings of persecution then you are not ready, so take down your online profile pronto and go speak to a professional. Take that money you would have spent on your date's martinis and have a sit-down with a recommended therapist. Think only crazy people go to therapy? Think again. Ask your friends. I’m sure at least one of them can give you a good recommendation.

In order for a new relationship to be successful, you should have done the internal work needed to discover what went wrong in your previous relationship(s). You should enter something new with preparedness. You should possess the tools and knowledge which would give you the ability to avoid those mistakes you have made. So, someone’s past should be just that and it doesn’t need to be discussed….at least not until date 10.

In an effort to help men and women who are dating after divorce, I am going to make a list of words and topics that I consider taboo on a first date. These are words that should not be spoken and if you catch yourself or your date uttering any of these words or topics, redirect the path of conversation immediately, if not sooner:

Ex

Wife

Husband

Court

Custody

Maintenance (unless your own a condo or you are speaking of your grooming habits)

Alimony (they call this maintenance now so you’d be dating yourself)

Support (unless you are a supportive individual and you are speaking of the future)

Any foul language

God

Religion

Politics

Money

Work

Here are things that should be discussed:

Food

Hobbies

Interests

Goals

Dreams

Plans for the future

Vacations

Movies

Inspirations and Aspirations

Work

Now, I put work in both categories and I’ll tell you why. If you are an accountant, your date probably won’t want to hear the gory details about what you do. I have much respect for accountants because numbers elude me but adding and subtracting numbers is not all that interesting a topic of conversation so stick to more fun stuff.  If you are J Lo’s accountant, please don’t mention that. Name-dropping on a first date is pretty tacky. Alternatively, if you are a helicopter pilot and work on missions rescuing polar bears or if you parachute out of planes bringing medicine and supplies to the people of the rainforest who are now homeless due to deforestation, then please, let’s talk about work. If your work is also your passion and you have a lot to say about that with interesting stories, yes, your date will be fascinated by you.

But as I previously stated, your date will go much more smoothly if you “Ask, Don’t Talk.” If you truly enjoy the company of the person you are with and they feel that you are interested in them, you just may have a lifetime to get to know them and they you. 

Wishing much success to you all and happy dating. 

A Single Woman in Business

Boy, am I glad I got rid of all the blonde in my hair. Whew! Sure, blondes have more fun but I don't have time for fun much these days. I am all business and the need to be taken seriously in an almost completely male-dominated business is of the utmost importance to me. 

Men design furniture. Men sell furniture. Men own the furniture companies and factories. They supervise, paint, upholster and slipcover. And fugghetabout when I am involved in a construction project. I'm surrounded. It's an ambush! Cover me! I'm goin' in. I love and absolutely adore men so I really don't mind, however, men don't design with women in mind. They can't. How could they? How many successful women are out there with lines of tidy whities or suit jackets? Razors or nose hair trimmers? We would never try to perfect those items. So why is it that men design things like stoves, cars, sofas and kitchen tables that can't be properly cleaned? WHYYYYYYYYY?!?!

In an attempt to remedy this situation on my end, I am taking this furniture business by the reigns and I plan on eventually developing my own line of furniture but for now, my main source of income comes from selling other people's gorgeous designs (I only sell things that I 1,000,000% have seen, touched, felt and believe in, by the way). My furniture website, www.discountdesignerfurnishings.com has been doing amazingly well and I am very blessed; so well, in fact that I am selling furniture nationwide to the masses and I need to expand into a showroom with office space. And the place I am opening up in Cold Spring Harbor, NY will be AWESOME!

75 Main St in Cold Spring Harbor is called The 1790 House. It is apparently one of the most haunted buildings on Long Island, so ghost hunters come on over!

I just opened my fourth singularly owned and operated business and I am a single mom. My accountant says in the extremely near future I will be the highest grossing sole proprietorship/client he has (with no employees and almost no overhead). This is what he says and knock on...I'm surrounded by fluffy pillows right now so there is no wood to knock on but I've never been the superstitious type. I have opened umbrellas inside the house hundreds of times. I live on the edge that way. Oh, yeah! My accountant is right. First of all I am equally talented a designer as my fancy dancy North Shore competition but secondly I am less expensive. I mean really, really less expensive. Designers typically charge retail for furniture and some even add an additional 20% on top as a finder's fee. Me? Never. I give 20%-70% off on my furniture. How do I do it? Volume!! I have been selling out of my house for 2 years now and I sell more furniture than the local stores. Word of mouth is just starting to work and my phone number is becoming a coveted secret. Some of my clients won't give my name out because they don't want their friends to know they can afford to hire an interior designer. I'm serious. This has happened to me many times. 

Anywho, it's hard to be a single mom and it's hard to be a creative person and a business person all at once. I very often feel like I am 3 or 4 people throughout the day when I have to switch hats. And no, I'm not clinically insane, this is all figurative, of course. My only enemy is time. Unless Prince Charming hires me to design his living room I just may be able to dance with him at the ball. I've had to do a lot of Home Depot runs lately for clients and I do apply a fresh layer of lip gloss before entering The Big H, but everyone shopping there always seems to be married and most have very large bellies. Sorry, guys. :-)

Despite the singleness, everything else is going extremely well. My daughter is happy! She actually had me buy her a t-shirt that says, "Happy Camper" in big letters. It was a long haul after her dad and I ended our relationship but she finally understands that she has two parents who love her deeply and we work together to raise the most amazing child we can. She is turning out to be a truly wonderful person and I couldn't be more proud. 

My life is incredible at times and this time, shortly before my 40th birthday, is no exception. So many exciting things are happening. My website, my showroom, my numerous offers to be on TV. It's wild! I have been approached three times in a year to have the opportunity to have my own design show. With my acting and performing experience I would be perfect for that! I don't have my own show yet but something is in the cards for me. The universe is giving me many gifts and I am graciously accepting them. The Universe is bountiful and abundant. 

Speaking of bountiful, I am always working with multiple clients at one time and I am so grateful for every client that comes into my life. I cherish every project and give it my all. Some projects, as you may imagine, involve designing one room and some a whole house. I have three dogs and two cats. How do I get it all done? That's the question I am asked most often. My days are measured in seconds. I don't ever do one thing at a time. I am one of the best multi-taskers one could meet. I apply makeup in the car. I enjoy "fine dining" at local gas stations; thank goodness they now sell things like apples and hard-boiled eggs. I pay extra for full-serve so while my gas is pumping I can run in and grab something healthy to eat. I live in my car. I run places. I wear flip-flops as much as possible (not the toxic kind). I study traffic patterns and know short-cuts. I always keep floss in my purse. Haven't watched TV in 3 years. Pop culture and current events elude me but I do know where to get the coolest coffee tables! I rush through every part of my day except when it comes to my family and my clients, though things like laundry and cooking have been completely removed from the back burner. That pan was about to burst into flames. Had to be done. 

I go, I do, I run. I am a woman of action. If there is something not working, I change it. I can't stand when people complain about something when there is a solution. I'm much more of a guy in that way. You have a problem? Stop yer whining already. Let's fix it!

Anyway, with all the running and doing, I started having heart palpitations. Then I woke up one morning three weeks ago and couldn't move my left arm. I had excruciating pain and thought I was having a heart attack. Very long story and a few specialists later, I was diagnosed with stress. My wonderful doctor told me to get a babysitter and sip some gin and tonics. What a prescription! I much prefer dirty martinis but the point was well taken. It is now day two of the new, more relaxed me and I feel so much better. I've never been much of a drinker but yesterday I enjoyed a margarita and today a glass of red wine. I breathed more and took my time with daily activities when feasible. Life should have a balance and I am seeking that right now. It is a process, for sure. Writing has always been something I really enjoy, so here I am. I am putting it out there into the universe that I will work smarter, not harder and I will find time and money to do things I enjoy. I am also tossing it out there that I will meet a wonderful person who cares for me as much as I do him. 

And I will dream about that tonight. Oh, it's 3:36 AM already so tonight has passed. Client meeting at 10:30. Family party at 1. Have to get a card, pick up cat food, research furniture, optimize the new site, create two purchase orders, attend a mini-golf event. Ok, okaaaay. Got that all out. Exhale. So now I can rest peacefully and it will all get done in due time. And maybe Monday will be a manicure day. 

My mind wanders...There are so many things I want to do in this life; most of which involve money, hence the working-my-butt-off (though I wish I could do that literally). I want to build a house. I want to live in California. I want to see Africa, Asia and all of the parts of Europe I have never explored. I want to see where my family is from in Scilla, Italy. I want to go to St. Barth's and sprinkle my Uncle David's ashes in the ocean there, as was his request when he passed suddenly and too soon at age 40. I want to go to Brazil, see the rainforest and then help save it. I want to swim with dolphins; rent a helicopter and rescue drowning polar bears. And my daughter should accompany me on every trip. Take it from someone who has seen a lot of the world; it's amazing, eye-opening, thrilling and everyone should have the opportunity to do it. It breeds tolerance, increases awareness, grows knowledge, wisdom and a greater sense of humanity. So important!

I just opened my fourth singularly owned and operated business and I am a single mom. My accountant says in the extremely near future I will be the highest grossing sole proprietorship/client he has (with no employees and almost no overhead). I will soon be a millionaire, says he and knock on...I'm surrounded by fluffy pillows right now so there is no wood to knock on but I've never been the superstitious type. I have opened umbrellas inside the house hundreds of times. I live on the edge that way. Oh, yeah! 

It's hard to be single but it's even more frustrating to not have the time to leave the house, office or client meeting to be able to meet someone. Unless Prince Charming hires me to design his living room I just may be alone forever. I've had to do a lot of Home Depot runs lately for clients and I do apply a fresh layer of lip gloss before entering The Big H, but everyone shopping there always seems to be married and most have very large bellies. Sorry, guys. :-)

Despite the singleness, everything else is going extremely well. My daughter is happy! She actually had me buy her a t-shirt that says, "Happy Camper" in big letters. It was a long haul after her dad and I ended our relationship but she finally understands that she has two parents who love her deeply and we work together to raise the most amazing child we can. She is turning out to be a truly wonderful person and I couldn't be more proud. 

My life is incredible at times and this time, shortly before my 40th birthday, is no exception. So many exciting things are happening. I have been approached three times in a year to have the opportunity to have my own design show on TV. With my acting and performing training and experience I would be perfect for that! I don't have my own show yet but something is in the cards for me. The universe is giving me many gifts and I am graciously accepting them.

In addition to my interior design business, I also have a furniture website, an Amazon store and I will have a beautiful showroom opening in July of 2012. I am always working with multiple clients at one time, some projects involve designing one room and some a whole house. I have three dogs and two cats. How do I get it all done? That's the question I am asked most often. My days are measured in seconds. I don't ever do one thing at a time. I am one of the best multi-taskers one could meet. I apply makeup in the car. I enjoy "fine dining" at local gas stations; thank goodness they now sell things like apples and hard-boiled eggs. I pay extra for full-serve so while my gas is pumping I can run in and grab something healthy to eat. I live in my car. I run places. I wear flip-flops as much as possible (not the toxic kind). I study traffic patterns and know short-cuts. I always keep floss in my purse. Haven't watched TV in 3 years. Pop culture and current events elude me but I do know where to get the coolest coffee tables! I rush through every part of my day except when it comes to my family and my clients, though things like laundry and cooking have been completely removed from the back burner. That pan was about to burst into flames. Had to be done. 

I go, I do, I run. I am a woman of action. If there is something not working, I change it. I can't stand when people complain about something when there is a solution. I'm much more of a guy in that way. You have a problem? Stop yer whining already. Let's fix it!

Anyway, with all the running and doing, I started having heart palpitations. Then I woke up one morning three weeks ago and couldn't move my left arm. I had excruciating pain and thought I was having a heart attack. Very long story and a few specialists later, I was diagnosed with stress. My wonderful doctor told me to get a babysitter and sip some gin and tonics. What a prescription! I much prefer dirty martinis but the point was well taken. It is now day two of the new, more relaxed me and I feel so much better. I've never been much of a drinker but yesterday I enjoyed a margarita and today a glass of red wine. I breathed more and took my time with daily activities when feasible. Life should have a balance and I am seeking that right now. It is a process, for sure. Writing has always been something I really enjoy, so here I am. I am putting it out there into the universe that I will work smarter, not harder and I will find time and money to do things I enjoy. I am also tossing it out there that I will meet a wonderful person who cares for me as much as I do him. 

And I will dream about that tonight. Oh, it's 3:36 AM already so tonight has passed. Client meeting at 10:30. Family party at 1. Have to get a card, pick up cat food, research furniture, optimize the new site, create two purchase orders, attend a mini-golf event. Ok, okaaaay. Got that all out. Exhale. So now I can rest peacefully and it will all get done in due time. And maybe Monday will be a manicure day. 

Refinish Your Furniture!

Repurpose, Reuse, Repaint

Whenever I buy furniture, I buy real wood; I mean the real deal. Wood.Very sturdy and manly. Say it like a caveman would say it. Wood. Haha! No made in China stuff for me over here. Why? Well, because it looks better, feels better and lasts longer, yes. But there is another reason...a much more girly reason. And I am sooo girly. Because YOU CAN CHANGE THE COLOR OF IT WHENEVER YOU WANT! New furniture for a few dollars' worth of paint. 

Can't beat that!

Don't throw away good quality furniture. There is nothing wrong with his dresser below. It just looked a little tired.

BEFORE

A little paint and some new knobs and you are good to go...

AFTER

 ,,,and this tired old dresser is beautiful again!

Love picking out the color and hardware but don't want to do the work? Me neither. Who needs work?

This makeover was designed by me and refinished by the hands of Bob Schendorf of Huntington, NY.

www.bobschendorfwoodworking.com

This makeover is wonderful also. 

Before we had a piece that is very important to the homeowner because it is a family treasure yet it didn't quite fit in with the more contemporary decor in the rest of her home. 

After, we have a fresh and contemporary piece, blending in perfectly with the rest of the home. 

And if you need to buy something new, check out my furniture store, www.discountdesignerfurnishings.com where you can peruse manufacturer's sites, choose what you like, 

request a price quote and save hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Letter To A Landlord

         This content has been removed.

Harlem Dowling Letters To Santa

Two women.
400 letters to Santa 
Can we do it? 
(scroll down)

YES WE DID!!!!!!!

      

On behalf of my cousin Perryn and myself, it is with great humility and even greater gratitude  that we reach out to everyone who helped us perform this Christmas miracle. Each one of you who contributed has made this possible. Together, we have answered ALL of the children of Harlem Dowling's letters to Santa and made their wishes come true. Can one person can make a difference? Yes! Without each and every single one of you this would not have been possible. If one person hadn't donated, one child's wish would be left unfulfilled. The importance of knowing that everyone counts cannot be stressed enough.

More tears could not be shed, more hugs and kisses could not be given. For those of you who came here in person and saw for yourself what a few thousand toys look like in a small house, for those of you who helped us wrap, those who picked up gifts all over the place and delivered them to us, those who never met us and took a chance, those who took great care in purchasing the exact thing a child requested, those who donated their own possessions to make this happen, those who enlisted the help of friends, family and co-workers and helped us spread the word of our fledgling charity, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The children have received their gifts and we are as excited as they are.
Blessings to you all. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and may the most wonderful things happen to you because of your generosity. Please feel free to visit this page throughout the year and post your stories in the comment section of how your random act of kindness was 
returned to you. 
Please email me (Jenn) with your mailing addresses so Harlem Dowling can send each one of you a thank you and a tax deductible form for your kind donations.
jenn@redesignforadime.com
Thank you again. 
With love and gratitude,
Jenn and Perryn
(close relatives of Mrs. Claus)

HOW WE GOT INVOLVED

Last year I was made aware of a charitable organization called Harlem Dowling, New York's

oldest orphanage located right here in Harlem, NY. Harlem Dowling services orphans, foster children, helps children be placed back in their homes with their parents, handles adoptions, helps at-risk youth , teens, young adults with after-school programs and so much more. I called over to Harlem last year and asked if any of the children had written letters to Santa, by chance. I had answered random letters written to Santa in the past from the NYC Post Office and doing that always brought me joy. The Post Office used to send letters in the mail upon request.  Now, since 9/11, you have to go in person and pick up the letters and present ID. Last year at this time, I was working like a dog, 16 hours a day, trying to make deadlines, trying to make ends meet so I didn't have the time to go in person and the answer to my question about HD having letters was a resounding, "Yes! And they won't get answered. They are sitting on my desk in a big pile," said the director. I asked to be read one letter over the phone that I could answer. And the first letter read:

"Dear Santa,

I would like a Barbie.

Love,

D 

6 years old"

I gasped- oh my. My daughter asks for 900 things every year for Christmas but this little girl only wants one simple Barbie. I was already at Toys R Us in my head. I asked for another letter:

"Dear Santa,

Please bring me a toy car and maybe a puzzle.

Love, B 

5 years old"

My heart was breaking. I asked for another letter and another and yet another and soon I had agreed to answer every letter on that desk, 19 letters in total. I had agreed to purchase and deliver 19 Christmas gifts for these children. 

But how would I answer all of the letters myself? Last year I hadn't enough money to buy my own child presents for Christmas. I couldn't let these children down so I called every friend, posted on facebook and some incredible angels came to help me perform this Christmas miracle. Not only was I able to answer the 19 letters but with support from my amazing friends and generous clients, last year I was able to buy 100 extra Christmas gifts for the Harlem children. 

Nineteen letters. It felt great but then it sunk in. Harlem Dowling services over 1,100 children. I began to feel sad. I didn't do enough. So many children who had not thought to write perhaps didn't receive anything for Christmas. 

This year, my cousin teamed up with me. She created a wonderful letter for the social workers to help the kids fill out so they can jot down their wishes from Santa. 

I am so excited to announce that we have about 400 letters to Santa this year. I am grateful, overwhelmed and all that. So, if you want to make a child's wish come true this year, please look through the list below, contact me ASAP and let me know which gift you would like to take care of. You can choose a child in need, (just let me know so we don't have dupes!) purchase the gift yourself and ship it to me (try Amazon- FREE shipping) so I can deliver it, if you live locally (Long Island) I can pick it up or you can send me a donation and I will purchase the gift or if you would like to give a general donation I always welcome that. I will pick up as much as I can but not much time left. I just got the letters yesterday and this will take a small miracle to pull off. If you can neither give a gift nor money, please consider taking something from your wardrobe closet, pantry, attic or basement. Harlem Dowling needs clothing, winter coats (for babies through adult sizes), and FOOD! I will pick up any donations of gifts, food, winter coats or clothing that is gently used (please- I mean gently) if I can but the clock is ticking. Please respond ASAP!!!!!! And please help me perform an even greater miracle this year. Please pass this around. If you are unable to help, perhaps someone you know can. Anyone who donates will receive a letter for tax purposes. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. Please visit www.harlemdowling.org to learn more about this wonderful charity for which I am volunteering.

With much love, gratitude and joyful wishes for this coming new year.

Jennifer Scully

jenn@redesignforadime.com

516-695-9921

Hide Your TV!

The last thing I want to look at in a formal living room is a television. To create a clean, calm and serene atmosphere, choose a "diversion" such as a beautiful flat screen cabinet like this one below. Or...if you have a larger budget, scroll down for something super-cool!

 

This TV below is a mirror when you turn it off! Watch the video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_ozZaJV24

I love these new mirrored TVs. I always recommend this if it's in the budget: http://www.hiddentelevision.com/discodecor.htm

Stanley Furniture

Oh, how I love me some Stanley Furniture. The Avalon Collection, the newest addition, is my favorite of all. Very classic, glamorous and oh so chic. Yummy eye candy! Contact me for amazing discounts. Shipping available anywhere in the contiguous United States. 

For pricing:

sales@discountdesignerfurnishings.com

For professional measuring or design services within two hours of NYC:

jenn@redesignforadime.com

. 

Staging a Living Room

This living room is cozy, contemporary, clean and appeals to the masses. It is market-ready. 

Here is what it looked like before. Still a nice room but the lived-in look doesn't get top dollar. 

Here's what we did to achieve the look: First off, we cleared away everything and started from scratch. We reused the sofa, chair, end table, one large artwork and lamp. We switched pillows from a den sofa to add warm color. Purchased was a cocktail table, area rug, bowl with twig balls, artificial flowers and vase. Approximately $300 was spent and we got a new room!

Letters To Santa

This was written in December of 2010...

As a child, I dreamed of a room full of toys and goodies and looking back, I can say that I was always pleasantly surprised by what my mom was able to do for me even, at times, on less than a shoestring budget.

Now I have my own child and I am on a tight budget myself and yet I still managed to get what my daughter really wants; a Barbie (among some other cool toys). Don't tell her. Let's give Santa the credit this year. ;)

In the past I have been more than fortunate to have had plenty; even excess, and I have often answered letters written to Santa by under-privileged children. This year I didn't even entertain the thought because I am struggling myself but I had an emptiness in my heart, knowing that I have a roof over my head, food on the table and I am still able to find the money for some gifts for my family while there are those without who will not receive any gifts or even a proper Christmas dinner this year. I decided that while I couldn't do much, I would find a way to do something.

I couldn't make it to the post office on 33rd and 8th in Manhattan to pick up a letter to Santa so I looked to do something else. On Thursday I made a call to Harlem Dowling, a center that services over 1,000 needy children right here in NYC. I asked if any of the children had written letters to Santa and I got a resounding, "Yes." I asked how I could help and was told that I could have the letters sent to me. Well, I couldn't blindly promise to answer more than one or two letters and there wasn't enough time to wait for the mail so I asked to have a letter read to me over the phone.

It went like this, "Dear Santa, I would like a book and a puzzle. Love, Aiden, 6 years old." Well, I had to make sure that Aiden got such a simple wish fulfilled. I asked for another letter. "Dear Santa, I would like a Barbie doll. Love, Desteny." A Barbie is $5.99. I got that. I asked for more and more letters and suddenly I was taking on more than I could afford. I reached out to some friends and family who agreed to chip in with me and I was able to get 8 letters answered within an hour. I called back and asked for more letters. More volunteers asked if they could help and all specific Christmas wishes were fulfilled within 24 hours. I called back and asked what else the children needed. Clothes for the teenagers. Ah, a little difficult but Old Navy has a store near the facility in Harlem and the children would be able to use gift certificates to buy some things and after-Christmas sales are so good that $20 gift certificates would be able to be used for 2-3 items of clothing for each child. I put out the word via facebook and three more friends offered to help. We were able to purchase 25 Old Navy gift certificates. Some more donations came in and items like pajamas and robes, skateboards and games, some more Barbies and toy cars would be added to the list. 140 gifts were purchased in total and I delivered them (thank goodness for the SUV) just two days before Christmas. Phew!

The outpouring of help I received in 2010, a year when most people were struggling, was nothing short of amazing. I am going to bring Christmas gifts to Harlem Dowling again in 2011, so if anyone would like to help out and be a Santa's Helper, please contact me ASAP. Last year we were able to give 140 presents. This year I am shooting for 1,000!

Dating Horror Story #8 Chicken Soup: Good For The Soul?

I was living in NYC and newly divorced. I had rented an oh-so-fabulous apartment on the East Side of Manhattan in a quiet neighborhood across from Beth Israel Hospital in the Gramercy area. I didn't have a key to Gramercy park, but it was a swanky joint, nonetheless. I still have a crush on my doorman, Herbie. He's like Derek Jeeter...if Jeeter were a doorman. He looks a lot like Derek and he's very smooth. He's got an Edge. Ha! Oh, and an aside- that time that Derek jumped into the stands to catch the ball and got hurt- he jumped into my seat, only I had left about 3 minutes before that happened. If only I had stayed, Derek would have jumped right into my lap. How things might have been different. ;)

My first night in that NY apartment, after a long, arduous move and after unpacking and setting up all of my furniture (I'm a freak like that- give me one day and I'm settled in), I laid there in bed huddled under my blanket with my two cats. We were all nervous and shaking. The sounds of the nearby ambulances blared and pierced through the thick summer-in-the-city air. The street noise from Second Avenue was absolutely unbearable, even though I had double-paned noise-reduction windows. It was a far cry from the tranquil 1.6 wooded acre property on Long Island from which I had just moved. I kept thinking my parents might have been right and I just might have made a mistake moving to the city. Maybe I'm not a city girl at all, I thought. I love nature; the quiet atmosphere and the sheer joy and harmony felt being surrounded by plant and animal life.

I felt so lonely that night I actually thanked my cats for sticking by me. Well, they didn't really have a choice but nevertheless, they were there when no one else was. My poor kitties have moved with me 7 times in the last 14 years.

In a way, I was excited to start my life over but at the same time I was desperately trying to figure out where it went wrong. My marriage had ended, my singing career was at a standstill...It was a pity party, for sure, though I was the only (human) guest in attendance.

I began dating a bit as any newly divorced woman living in The City of Eternal Bachelors would. I used to go out to restaurants by myself where I would sit at the bar and have dinner. Pathetic, you say? I say not so much. I met some really great people that way. It forces you to talk and meet people if you go out alone. It's actually fun if you allow yourself to be open. And if there's no one interesting, the bartender is always open for a good discussion.

I went on a bunch of dates and mostly (in my own predictable fashion) went out with men whom I already knew; high school friends, co-workers and colleagues. I had met this one guy through a mutual friend. He was a musician like myself and he was also really, really cute. He was actually impossibly sexy. We had made plans to have lunch though we never made it out of the apartment because after about an hour of talking we began making out and the kissing quickly became much more important than a turkey sandwich. We had a great time and had a couple more dates. I called him to confirm a date once and said, "Hi, it's Jenn." He proceeded to have a conversation with me that didn't make sense until I realized that he had mistaken me for another "Jenn" or "Jen" he must have been dating. That was the red flag. I didn't run because why, do you ask? He was one of the sexiest men I had ever met. And that's enough of a reason, okay? Good. I'm so glad we have this understanding.

He had asked me to have dinner on a Sunday night and though it was possible he thought he was asking  one of the other Jenns or Jens, I accepted. A few hours before the date he called to tell me that he had come down with the flu and had to cancel and I could tell he was being sincere.  I felt so bad because I knew what it was like to be in NY alone and to be so sick, so I offered to bring him some supplies to help him feel better. He was brutally sick so he quite happily accepted my generous gesture. I (gulp) offered to come over and make him homemade chicken soup from scratch. The recipe is that of my great-grandmother's and it takes 4 hours to make. I have since learned the fast 20 minute version, but I digress...I was out of my mind. I hardly knew this man! That's me, though. I always make a big effort when I can.

I really went overboard that day. I went to the best butcher and the best fruit and vegetable store in NY to obtain my ingredients. I dressed in a tight white minidress and wore white shoes to play the part of a sexy nurse. I toted a gigundo soup pot and bags full of groceries from NYC to Brooklyn...in heels. I enjoy helping people which is occasionally a problem because I tend to go above and beyond the call of duty and when you don't know me and know that I behave like this all the time, (Im a giver) you just might get scared off.

So, I went over and I made the soup. It took such a long time that he pretended to be asleep. I think he was hoping I would get the hint (I did) and leave to end this torture but I felt bad leaving him with a giant pot of half-cooked chicken wings on the stove so I saw it through to the end. When the soup was finally ready, we sat down together and ate it in an uncomfortable silence. I didn't finish mine and I abruptly got up and washed the dishes before I left. I told him I hoped he would feel better soon and I went home feeling sick, like I had done something wrong. He didn't call me the next day. I probably should have called to see how he was feeling but I thought I would leave it to him to contact me because I felt I may have blown it. A day turned to a week and I didn't hear from him so I broke down and emailed him. I asked how he was feeling and also asked when I could come and pick up my soup pot. That thing was over 200 bucks! I also mentioned that he had hurt my feelings by not calling for a week. I mean, he could have said thank you or...something. No, instead he thought I was a nut and aside from a couple of emails back and forth over the subsequent week, we never spoke again and I never got my pot back.

Looking back, I can see so many mistakes here. First of all, guys like women who play hard to get. He wasn't feeling well and cancelled. I should have left it at that. Secondly, my Florence Nightingale routine can be overwhelming even for someone who knows me well. Thirdly, I was an idiot. This guy was so ill and I intruded on his personal space for 4 hours because that's how long it took for the soup to cook. I should have dropped some Theraflu by his door and left at the most. Seven years later, (a few weeks ago) my mother gave me one of my grandmother's special soup pots. My soup is delicious and my daughter appreciates it when I make it, so I guess all is well.

Paint!

We all know that paint or any wall treatment for that matter is a crucial part of the overall look of your room. One question my clients have on a consistent basis is, "When do I pick my paint color?"

I am often brought in after my clients encountered a design disaster and I'm asked to "fix it" or "make it work somehow." And very often my clients have made a mess of the walls by either choosing the wrong color or having painted themselves. There is a reason to hire a professional and I always recommend doing so. Save time, money and aggravation by selecting your color at just the right time and by hiring a pro painter who has the skill and knowledge necessary to give your home that polished look.

So, when do you choose your paint? It's simple. Paint can be any color in the entire world. Paint can be custom-matched to a fabric, a piece of fruit or anything you can think of. So, always choose your paint LAST. After your furniture, fabrics and accessories, after your area rug or flooring, after your throw pillows, cabinetry, backsplash, after everything is chosen, then take one of the colors you are working with; your favorite one, and paint your walls that color.

For discounts on Sherwin Williams www.sherwin-williams.com or Anna Sova www.annasova.com paint and supplies please contact me through my website, www.redesignforadime.com

Updated Designer Discount Furniture Resources

As a designer, I receive discounts from many manufacturers and I am able to save my clients tons of money. Some of my clients join Direct Buy before hiring me and then kick themselves afterward because paying me for a few hours entitles them to the discounts they receive through Direct Buy without the $5,000 membership fee and without being limited to Direct Buy's manufacturers. Many of my clients see something they want online and then ask me to shop it out and I do!!

I encourage my clients to spend on certain items and save on others. For pieces like a family room sofa, a bed or a kitchen table, I think it's important to spend a little more so the quality is there. You will be spending so much time using those pieces every day. Other pieces like side tables or occasional furniture, accessories and throw pillows- those things won't get used as often or can be less expensive and can be easily replaced to create a new look.

There are a few companies I order from over and over again. The quality is great, the designs are fresh and the prices are fantastic with my insider discounts. For information about how to receive a designer discount, please send me an email:sales@discountdesignerfurnishings.com

For a great look at furniture and all the wonderful manufacturers I represent, please visit www.discountdesignerfurnishings.com where you can look at any item from any of the manufacturers sites listed on my website, request a quote and save a ton of money. 

For interior design help contact: jenn@redesignforadime.com and feel free to visit my design website: jenniferscullydesigns.com

Sex and an Incorporated Village on Long Island (Ha!)

So, I sit here on my laptop on a cool April evening out on my little back patio, my dogs softly snorting in the background. I just got back from a business trip. Since I own my own business and for now it's just me running the show, I went on this jaunt alone. I spent four days alone. Alone is a word that keeps echoing in my head. For how long will I be by myself? While in my hotel room, alone, I watched an old episode of Sex and The City during which Charlotte uttered that great quote, "I've been dating since I'm 14. I'm exhausted. Where is he?" I giggled but then I came to a realization. I, too, have been dating since I'm 14. I, too, am exhausted and I often ponder the whereabouts of Prince Charming. Sigh...Oh, Charlotte. I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

Like I said, my dating life began at the tender age of 14 and from then until the age of 37, I was not without a boyfriend for more than a week or two. Crazy? Perhaps. I have no problems meeting men. The problem was me. I needed to be with someone because without someone in my life telling me how great I was, I felt worthless. Thank goodness I saw the light and realized that there is no worth greater than self-worth.You have to feel good about yourself and not rely on others to give that to you. Emotional freedom. How profound.

Spending these past few days completely alone; driving to the airport, flying, staying in my hotel room, eating by myself at the bar at the Greensboro Airport Holiday Inn (I recommend the ribeye, by the way), etc., really gave me time to think, which sometimes, for me, can be dangerous.  This time? Not dangerous as much as ponderous. I was thinking about the fact that I am a late bloomer, thinking of how far I have come in the past year in terms of my business and financial goals, how much of a better mom I have become and then I started thinking about the future, hoping that it will get even better than it's been because while everything seems to be going my way there are some things missing and I am trying to visualize (visualization totally works!) a future for myself and my daughter that is as beautiful as possible in every way.

The future...something I have always had a hard time with. I don't plan so this visualization stuff does not come easily for me. Maybe I don't make plans because my father passed away when I was 4 and my life was always seeming to be a little chaotic and unpredictable? I don't know. I can always seem to navigate little twists and turns, bumps in the road and find (or create) a new path without much todo and without looking back. I actually crave change and look forward to things turning out completely differently than expected or maybe I don't even expect anything at all and am constantly surprised. Don't get me wrong. Even though I can be easy-going and go-with-the-flow, I have the ability to take the bull by the horns and make things happen, though I do need a fire lit under my big ole butt.

Losing my house and most of my belongings really did light that fire and looking into my daughter's eyes and seeing how precious and impressionable she is fanned that flame. I knew I needed to do something for her, to provide for her, to show her how powerful a woman can be. I need to be a good role model for her; have to be. Starting my own business was the best thing I have ever done. I have such a feeling of accomplishment. At the end of the day, I don't have a ton of money but I do have a ton of pride. My daughter said when she grows up she wants to be just like me and that is the highest compliment I have ever received.

I have an amazing child. She won an award at school for being a good person. I love her school but especially for things like that. Her principal told me she is his favorite student. Keep that on the down-low, huh? She is always kind, helpful and open to others and always has a smile on her face is what her teachers say. I also have an amazing job. I meet so many wonderful people and I get to help them with their design dilemmas (the "fixer" in me thrives on that) while using my creativity. Though I miss singing for my supper, my current job provides me with the opportunity to be home for my daughter which is something that is very important to me. I feel happy with everything in my life except that I want (see? I said "want" not need) a great love and that part; well, that's not coming so easily.

I have dabbled in online dating but with no success. What is the statistic? 60% of men on online dating sites are married? I don't know. I just heard something like that. I met a few of those, for sure. I also met some really great men but they were just not right for me. I am picky. But am I so picky that I will end up alone?

This is a Carrie Bradshaw moment, for sure.

Save Over $1,000 Per Year While Getting Thinner and Healthier!

Here is something I learned very recently. This tip will help keep you healthier, will help keep your weight down and can also save you tons of money! The best part is, it's so easy:

Every time you leave the house, take a bottle of water, an energy bar  and a piece of fruit with you.


                                               Why?


For Your Health
Make sure you eat a little something every few hours. This will help keep your blood sugar stable, will help you curb your appetite at mealtime and will most likely prevent you from being so starving that you veer into a fast food drive-thru or deli at 40 miles per hour only to regret it about an hour later.

If you already have a healthy and convenient snack right next to you in the car, you will be satisfied for a few hours until you have time to make healthy choice while you're out or until you get home.

For Your Wallet
If you buy your water and energy bars in bulk you could save between $1,500-$2400 dollars over the course of the year versus a trip to a fast food establishment, deli, etc. Your metabolism will improve and your waistline will be slimmer. Also, less stops at the store will save you money on other things. How many times do you walk into a store for one thing and come out with 3 or  more?

To Aid in Digestion
Buy bars that are high in fiber because these will fill you up more and they will help your body digest and eliminate. A healthy digestive tract helps to prevent disease! Make sure what you are eating has at least 6 grams of fiber per serving. Read the back of every box before you buy. I like Gnu Bars because they have 12 grams of fiber per serving. They really fill you up! I buy them in bulk. I keep a big bowl of them in my kitchen so they're always in plain sight and I bring one with me every time I leave for work. Orange Cranberry and Peanut Butter are the best flavors but try one until you find what you like or try other brands- just make sure the fiber content is there.

If you follow this tip, your body will thank you and so will your wallet.

Me and Diddy

Some of you may know I was a professional singer for most of my adult life. Most people ask me, "Where did you sing?" not knowing that if you are making music for a living you work, well, where the work is. I sang in a wedding band for 11 years, recorded a little, sang at clubs, bars, restaurants, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel (which was a wonderful job- hi, Darin) and my most prominent gig, in the Enrique Iglesias band. I will tell grittier stories from the road in other posts. Here is one that is quite fabulous and sophisticated.

The year was 2002. I was working with Enrique and we got a call to perform at the MTV Music Awards which was being held in Barcelona, so beautiful, by the way. I hope to go back one day for pleasure. I was really nervous. I hadn't been in the band very long and we never rehearsed much for TV shows. There were always surprises thrown in like, "Let's do this song in Spanish tonight" when we never even heard the song in Spanish and the show was starting in 5 minutes. That really happened...at The Latin Grammys...I think I burned that tape.

We got to the MTV Award Show really early for a run-through and we had a lot of down time. It's the old 'hurry-up-and-wait' thing people hear about in show business. I put on 7 layers of makeup, paced around the venue, ate something, drank tons of water, peed 900 times and then decided to go for a walk. Security was too tight. I couldn't really go anywhere so I stepped outside in the back of the building. I was by myself out there. It was really peaceful. I was trying to calm myself down and collect my thoughts. I began staring into space, getting lost in my own head. Just when I felt completely serene I heard a noise. The back door opened and a handsome man wearing a suit stepped out. He was holding a parasol. I think I've seen him before is what I said to myself. Oh, yeah. He's P. Diddy's (he still had the "P." then- this was shortly after the Sean Combs, Puff Daddy and Puffy were all dropped. Maybe I should consider a name change...) yes, it's P. Diddy's butler, Fonzworth Bentley! Sure enough, Bentley held the door and out walked Diddy. He looked very dapper, as always. He was on his phone on a seemingly important call. It was only the three of us in this small alleyway so it was a bit uncomfortable. I felt strange just walking inside as soon as they came out so I instead turned my body away to give him privacy and awkwardly...just stood there, trying not to eavesdrop.

Diddy and J. Lo had just broken up. It had been all over the news. I knew he was single and not only could I feel his energy focusing toward me I could see him looking at me using my peripheral vision. He was fighting with someone on the phone but at the same time he was checking me out. Multi-tasking at its best. And all the while he was being shielded from the sun by his butler holding a parasol over his head. This was surreal. Diddy gave his butler some hand signals while he continued his phone conversation and Bentley nodded his head in acknowledgement. Then Bentley approached me with his parasol and said, "Mr. Diddy requests your presence this evening. Surely you will attend." as he handed me a very fancy invitation (with a white-gloved hand) to Diddy's private party in Barcelona that night. OMG! Things like this just don't happen every day to poor girls from Long Island. What an opportunity! Diddy thought I was pretty/hot/sexy/famous enough to go to his party! What do I wear? What do I say? Whom will I meet? I wasn't even nervous about the show anymore. I was nervous about this party.

I told my bandmates about what had happened and they all told me that Diddy's parties were a dangerous place for a girl like me. I'm too naive and innocent and I could be hurt is what they said. There could be drugs, guns or some kind of violence. The men Diddy hung out with didn't respect women. I didn't care. I wanted to go anyway. After the show I cleaned up and got dressed for the party and as I was walking out the door...I changed my mind. I was in love with someone who wouldn't have appreciated me going and besides, my mom would have killed me if I went. The guilt. I always wonder what would have happened had I gone. Would I have been one of The Pussy Cat Dolls? Who knows? I never got an opportunity like that again. But anyway, Diddy asked me out, or so the story goes. :-)

Let's Get Organized in 2011!

Let's Get Organized in 2011!

It's a new year and it's chilly out there. Most of us are spending more time indoors in these cold, winter months. Right now is a great time to do some "spring cleaning." A great place to start is right at the entrance to your home. Many people don't think of the entranceway or front hall as a room but it truly is and should be furnished that way to maximize your space and keep you organized as you enter and leave your home.

Here are two great tips to help you get that entranceway organized and under control:

Where Are My Keys?

Oh, they're on a hook right next to my front door!

Mirrors with hooks on them are a great space-saving way to organize your keys and sunglasses. My keys go right on the hook as soon as I walk in and guess what? They're right there when I need to leave in a hurry. And while my table has a surface, I make sure I can't pile things up on it. I don't want to see a pile of clutter when I first walk in. There is a shelf on the bottom of the table that holds mail, magazines and catalogs that I want to reference later.

If you have the space, tables like these are great. A bowl on top to drop your keys in, a shelf on the bottom for frequently worn shoes or baskets for accessories or magazines. These tables are all courtesy of Stanley Furniture. 

Where is My Hat?

Hall stands are great also. They work great in the entrance or in the mudroom. Mine has hooks for hanging otherwise "lost" items such as hats and gloves and I also use the hooks for guests' coats so they are never uncomfortable asking for their coats when it is time to leave. This hall stand has a seat for putting on your shoes and the seat lid flips up and for storage underneath. A great place to look for something like this is your local antique store- it's totally green and always costs less! Mine is from 1880 and it's still in wonderful condition.

Keeping your area near the front door organized helps keep clutter from building up in other areas of your home. And a beautiful display as soon as you walk in makes your home more inviting to you as well as your guests. 

Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Contact me through my website  www.redesignforadime.com for deep discounts on Stanley Furniture shipped all over the U.S. www.stanleyfurniture.com

Consultations available anywhere in the world through Skype!