Feb 12
1

Looking back to move forward…

January 2012 began with making important choices and decisions.  

After completing a very full 2011 filled with many good & not so good events, it was time to take stock and determine the direction this year was going to go…

First < Looking back…
In February 2011 our elderly family member’s partner had a Stroke.  This event set up a totally new course for the year which now involved looking after our aging remaining parent.

In March the most horrifying Tsunami struck Japan – we had family living there – thank goodness they were safe!

In May I worked tirelessly to help our local CDECA Chapter become stronger and more unified – creating a local blog site to keep everyone in the know and holding our annual AGM at the beautiful University Golf Course – Vancouver.

Summer was a none event weather wise (rain, rain and more rain).

Autumn brought about weddings to attend and ended with a wonderful 2 week trip to Paris in September.  When we returned new challenges for family members, myself included awaited us.  There never seems to be enough time to do everything.

By the beginning of Winter I had to make some serious personal, family, business and financial decisions.  It was with sad heart that I had to walk away from my volunteer President’s position of our local BC CDECA Chapter and put my focus back on myself, family and the wonderful clients whom I gratefully serve.


Now > Looking forward…

My company IMAGE To INTERIOR Inc. (Formerly Jan Addams Design Dimension Inc.)  has gone thru many morphings since 2006.  After reading the E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber,  I changed and trademarked my company’s name.  I wanted it to line up with its main direction helping people understand, embrace and enhance their authentic style and stop trying to copy others in their wardrobe, home or business. 

After 20 years incubating, I finally published my Style and Design philosophy in Discovering Your Inner Style – 8 Steps to G.U.R.U.  (available now at Chapters, Indigo and Amazon as well as at Image to Interior Inc.)

In 2012 I bring together a compilation of ideas, products and services that I will use to benefit my clients. 

I serve both Interior Consumers and Interior Consultants that are renovating or building a new space or their interior business.  If you would like to profit from my education, 25 years of experience and expertise, email me and lets see what we can accomplish together.

Let’s make 2012 a passionate, profitable and peaceful year from beginning to end…

Jan Addams - Actually I’m just ‘DAT’ girl next door…
Designer, Author, Trainer

Posted in Ask Addams by admin. No Comments

Nov 11
26

Join our Virtual Makeover Day!

Renewed You – from Bedroom to Boardroom

DATE:      Sat. November 26th, 2011
TIME:       9:00am – 5:30 pm  PDT
WHERE:  In the comfort of your home

CLICK Here to REGISTER for this FREE Event

EVENT TIME LINE & GOALS:

9:00 – 9:30: Jan Addams – President of IMAGE TO INTERIOR® opens the Virtual Event Conference Call

The Purpose of the NEW YOU from BEDROOM to BOARDROOM event & time lines
*Once registered you can download the PDF of the event’s objectives and time lines


9:30 – 10:15:     Monika Majnik on Start the New Year off with a “Life Resolution“, rather than a “New Year Diet Resolution!”
Learn how to start your day off right, what foods trigger cravings, how to keep yourself feeling full with lots of energy, how to avoid the bad party foods and still feel like  partying!, and what foods are “muffin-top removing“!

 

10:15 – 11:00:    Personal Workshop - A plan of action in your kitchen – clean out your Fridge

 

11:00 – 11:30:    Discovering Your Image Style- Personality, body shape & colouring  - Jan Addams IIID Style Strategist from IMAGE TO INTERIOR®

 

11:30 – 12:30pm:   Personal Workshop - Clean out your Closet – get ready for the new you in 2012

 

Lunch                       – Open line to call in with questions from 12:30 to 1:00pm

 

1:00 – 1:30pm: Discover your Interior Style - Planned; Casual; Tailored; Theatrical; Synchronistic –
*Download PDF of The 5 Interior Styles Sheet - Jan Addams IIID Style Strategist from IMAGE TO INTERIOR®

1:30 – 2:30pm         Personal Workshop - Reorganize your Bedroom to be ‘Fengtionally Harmonious’

2:30 – 3:00pm Discover your Industry Style – Precise; Simple; Timeless; Expressive or Global –
Download PDF of 4 Home Office Styles with Space Plans - Jan Addams IIID Style Strategist from IMAGE TO INTERIOR®

3:00 – 3:30pm Control the Clutter and Organize your office life – Sherry Borsheim – Organizing Guru from Simply Productive She can help you with your office set-up, space planning, paper filing systems, email management, computer filing systems, time management and so much more.  Sherry gives the top 10 home organizing tips to say goodbye to clutter – and say hello to an organized, highly functional, simply productive home.  *Download PDF of 10 home organizing tips

Break                       – Open line to call in with questions from 3:30 to 3:45pm

3:45 – 4:45pm         Personal Workshop - Reorganize your Home Office on paper and then clear the top of your desk

 

5:00 – 5:30pm              Recap and Open Call - Now you are on the road to being Simply You by Design – Jan Addams

 

Posted in IMAGE Style TIPS INTERIOR Design TIPS NEWS & EVENTS by admin. No Comments

Nov 11
4

Organized for better efficiency

Watch  the amazing Sherry Borsheim our Organizing GURU…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2IaSoMnlKI

Posted in INTERIOR Design TIPS by admin. 1 Comment

Sep 11
26

Jan & Glen do PARIS

Jan & Glen do Paris – 08, 31, 2011  by Jan Addams CDECA™, CIIID, MIRM

My husband Glen and I got up at around 5:30AM as we are still adjusting to the time change – we made Petite Cafe’ in our little one cup Cubana coffee maker.  The coffee though small was surprisingly good – so after about three (equivalent to one of our normal grande cups at home) we felt we could start to lay out a plan to see this amazing city. 

It was a beautiful sunny September morning of 18 Degrees Celsius.  Armed with a convenient city and transit map we decided to start exploring the 3rd Arrondissment – our Marais neighbourhood.  We walked down Rue de Bretagne which translates in English to ‘Brittany’.  There we found little wine and cheese shops, bakeries. We found Franprix the grocery store that Carlos called ‘Frumpies’ and indicated was ‘la bas’ or just down the street and close enough to purchase any necessary épiceries.  Turning on Rue de Temple the main intersection we went all the way down to the Seine River making a few road adjustments along the way.  

Every direction we looked down we saw timeworn neighbourhoods that branched out like spokes in a wheel. Colourful Parisian store facades which previously we had only seen in photos and/or paintings greeted us.  They all were located on the main floors of residential 6 story walk up buildings aged somewhere between 1765 to the early 1900’s.  These had every variety of designer shops many wholesale only.  So this is where many of the beautiful fabrics, accessories, clothes, linens and bath products came from.  I wanted to explore further but my Glen was hungry for photo ops not window shopping. 

Suffice to say I made a mental note to come back to this district and do a little more research.  The products and colours displayed were too vibrant to be ignored.

Here is a taste of our TRIP to PARIS through the eyes of http://glenatkinson.com/Paris/index.html

Posted in TRAVEL for IMAGE to INTERIOR STYLE by admin. 5 Comments

Sep 11
26

How to Improve Your Dental Office – Curb Appeal

How to Improve your Dental Office Curb Appeal
by Kandys Merola CDECA™, CIIID

 Here’s some advice to help attract and keep potential patients.

A large percentage of patients decide whether or not to come inside your office or take you seriously based on your office curb appeal.  The view they see when they drive by or arrive for an appointment is crucial to them choosing you for their dentist for life.

It’s difficult to look at your own office in the same way the potential patient does. When you become accustomed to the way something looks and functions, you can’t see the faults.  Decide right now to stop thinking of your office as good enough and start thinking of it as a commodity you want to sell to the best patients possible.

Curb appeal Exercise:

The next time you arrive at your office, stop across the street or down the hall and get a good view at the entry and its surroundings.

Look around as if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy?  What could you do to make it more attractive?

What is your first impression of your office?

What are the best exterior and interior features of your office? How can you enhance them?

What are the worst exterior and interior features of your office?  How can you enhance them?

Sit in the reception room.  Take a good look around. 

Is your colour scheme updated?

Are you reading materials current?

Are the chairs comfortable, clean and how old are they?

Has your artwork been updated in the last 5 years?

Is the floor clean and updated within the last 10 years?

When was the last time the lighting was changed? Is there enough or too much light?

Could the window coverings use an update?

Are your plants in need of care or replacing?

Do the same for the Operatories.

Sit in the dental chair and take a good look at what the patient sees.

Is the chair comfprtable?

Is it time for a new chair or could reupholstery work to update the look?

Are the dental literature, posters and aids current?

Is the operatory clean and clutter free?

Would a remodel be in order for more space for new equipment?

Do you have enough room to operate comfortably?

Take photos of your office exterior and interior.  If you have a digital camera, view the colour versions first, then remove the colour and look at it in black and white, because it’s easier to see problems when colour isn’t around to affect our senses.

Make a list of problem areas you discovered.

Ready for some changes?

KISS Design Services

www.kissdesignservices.com

info@kissdesignservices.com

Kandys Merola:  778-855-5571

Our team specialize in Dental and Medical office design.

Posted in INTERIOR Design TIPS by admin. 2 Comments

Mar 11
23

Are Interior Decorators & Designers unnecessary ‘Fluffers’?

Are Interior Decorators just fluffers?     By Jan Addams CDECA, LIIID, MIRM

Being the Vice President of the BC Chapter of CDECA (The Canadian Decorators Association), I have had the pleasure of being in the company of some amazingly talented interior professionals.     

Accredited Interior Professionals are worth their weight in GOLD! (*Note: the price of Gold today )

Nothing on this earth is designed and produced by only one person.  Whether creating a hotel, retail space, office or home it takes many people with years of combined education and experience to put together each structure.  It starts by a Vision that moves to the Interior Design Concept that is translated onto a Blueprint that is sent off to the multiple components of Construction for review and budgeting before going to the Product provider to order & the Service supplier to deliver and install the end product.

Unfortunately, many Consumers believe that hiring an Interior Professional is just for the rich & famous.  Architects, Interior Designers and Decorators are just a bunch of overpaid, egocentric fluffers that only reproduce their own style in your space! Ok, maybe there are a few of those types – but believe me they are not the majority.

They think, ‘How tough can designing or decorating a space really be?’  They’ve watched the popular Decorating Shows, read some Decor’ Magazines, talked to their family and friends about their ideas and have come to the conclusion that this interior decorating stuff is just a simple game of selecting some furniture & colourful products.  Plus, if everything goes as planned their room transformation can usually be accomplished in under one hour…  These poor misdirected Consumers now armed with what they feel is adequate information purchase possible mistakes on sale.   The VALUE of hiring the appropriate Interior Professional only comes to the fore after a large enough mistake has presented itself.  It now becomes imperative to find someone to fix it quick.

Clients, Consultants & Construction have very specific and different requirements but all must be communicated to each other with honesty & in a timely matter to create a space Interior Designed with Integrity, Value & Accuracy. 

Here is an optimum list for each with their different needs:

The Interior Client Wants 4 things:

  1. Something created to solve a challenge within their space
  2. The best quality for the least amount of money
  3. Finished ASAP with minimum disruption to their life or the quality of the end product
  4. References & Referrals of the Interior Consultant & Construction

The Interior Consultant Needs 4 things from the Client:

  1. Clear idea of the Client’s challenge and wishes by completing a ‘Style Options Survey’ with timely interactive communication to all Concepts presented by Consultant
  2. Accurate Project Budget including Design Fee Payments
  3. Accepted & Signed Design Concept Plans & Product Orders with no changes to ensure timely project completion
  4. References & Referrals of Client & Construction

The General Contractor Requires 4 things from the Client & Consultant:

  1. Clear idea of what needs to be done with photos, drawings & detailed plans for budgeting
  2. Accurate Budget allowance to create a price range for interior products.
  3. Budget to also include Products & Project Management Fee with Payment scheduleSigned off plans and/or Change Orders by Client / Interior Consultant for Project Schedule adherence so Construction can stay on time and within budget.
  4. References & Referrals of Client & Interior Consultant

If a Client, Consultant and/or Construction don’t want to sign an agreement – check their references. Remember at the beginning of a project we all start out as friends solving each others’ problems.  In the event that one of the players do not follow through on their agreed terms, legal solutions may be required. 

[*NOTE:  Professional & Accredited Interior Consultants ie: Architects; Interior Designers;  Interior Decorators; Re-designers and Stagers all have varying degrees of education & expertise. If you would like to find out more about the various descriptions & degrees of expertise check out 'FAQ'.]

Posted in BUSINESS Behind DESIGN FAQ of INTERIOR CONSULTANTS by admin. No Comments

Feb 11
27

8 Steps to choosing the best table lamp

8 Steps to choosing the best table lamp… by Jan Addams MIRM, LIIID

 Step 1
Take measurements to be sure the lamp will be tall enough to cast its light over your shoulder, especially from a chair-side table. The bottom of the shade should be about even with your cheekbone when you’re sitting on the chair, and the light’s beam should fall on the page – if you are reading.

Step 2
Find out what the lamp’s maximum wattage is. A reading lamp should offer 150 or more watts. To make it even more versatile a tri-light lamp that offers 50, 100 & 150 watts is ideal.

Step 3
Check that the bottom edge of the shade hides the lamp’s bulb socket when the lamp is viewed from a few feet away. This will make the lamp more attractive as well as reduce the potential for glare.

Step 4
Examine the shade to see whether it suits your needs. To get the highest light output use a white or off-white fabric shade. A darker or opaque shade will limit the light output, which is suitable in entryways. A Tiffany glass shade will cast a ‘colour light show’.

Step 5
Ask the lighting store manager whether you can swap or purchase a different shade to satisfy your functional needs.

 Step 6
Make sure you are able to bring the lamp back for a full refund, especially if you find that it’s too tall, too chunky, too bright or too dark.

 Step 7
Take the lamp home and test it at various times of the day – morning, noon and evening as natural light conditions may affect how it looks.

 Step 8
Grab a book, a cup a Java and relax by the glowing light of your new table lamp!

Posted in INTERIOR Design TIPS by admin. No Comments

Feb 11
14

The Triple ID Style Classification System ©

The Triple ID Style Classification System ©  

Welcome everyone, this is Jan Addams President & founder Image to Interior® The company that demystifies the Interior Style & Design Communication Process with 8 step systems to promote Design Integrity Value and Accuracy in the Interior Industry.  We provide i2i TIPS: Training, Information, Products and Services to save both Consultants and Consumers money & time when creating spaces that are Simply you by Design…

The Founding belief structure of Image to Interior® is:

The Triple ID Style Classification System ©  believes our personality, body shape and colouring affects not only the cut, colour and style of our wardrobe (image) but, also influences our interior design (interior) and business marketing expression (industry). If you are a small business owner you no doubt have, or should, express yourself in your company’s colours and branding style. ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ and knowing your style and communicating authentically & accurately will lead you to find your best mate, friend, client and/or consultant.

The BIG Picture = Yin and Yang in balance creates YING

As with anything in life, some things are set or Finite – the sun rising, gravity, seasons, etc. Other things are flexible or Infinite - weather conditions, population growth, change, etc. It is the same with us. Some parts of our makeup are inherent and others are evolutionary. Our personal colouring and body shape is constant and therefore finite – changing as a unit. Our ‘Inner-traits’ and ‘Interior Design style’ – are ever changing or evolutionary which equals infinite.

1. OUR INNER-TRAITS are infinitely evolving, even though there are the common denominators that stay with us throughout our life with aspects of our personality changing with experience and maturity. Knowing how you yourself react and respond will then create a basis for understanding and getting along with others. ‘Do unto others what they want done to them’, ‘the Platinum Rule’ can then come into force.

There are the basic 4+ INNERTRAITS:

PLANNER – organizer
DOER – action oriented
MEDIATOR – relates more to people
COMMUNICATOR - initiates ideas
DIAMOND – equal combination of all above

2. OUR PERSONAL COLOURING is finite or constant, regardless of age, sex, race, or tanning. Learn to enhance your natural assets instead of masking them. Either we are WARM (yellow) undertoned or COOL (blue) undertoned. We are either of high contrast colouring, or of blended colouring. There are four rulers in the Color Harmonics® system to create Balance or YING. The 4+ RULERS are BRIGHT Yang and DEEP Yang; SUBTLE Yin and STRONG Yin each with their own set of power neutrals. There is also a YING colour palette can be used by all colour groups.

3. OUR PHYSICAL BODY SHAPE or structure is also finite and remains the same, regardless of weight gain or loss, age or exercise; there are 4 BASIC SHAPES with variations within each.

STRAIGHT = ‘A’ – Straight Narrow
SUBSTANTIAL =  ‘T’ – Straight Broad
SYMMETRICAL = ‘H’ –  Slight Curve
SPHERICAL = ’8′ – Curved 
SPRITE = ‘Petite’ – ‘i’ – version is usually a combination of any above shapes

4. OUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE is considered infinite within a finite shape preference. It is totally interconnected with the other three areas and again is changeable with age and circumstance. Style terms have been replaced with 4 + INTERIOR DESIGN SHAPES that correspond to the above. The shape and style of furniture chosen within your space directly relates to your own body shape. Your inner traits select your accessories and create the uniqueness in your space. Your personal Color Harmonics© ruler creates the base colour tones for your space. Add your opposite colour tones in small touches to create balance – Yin + Yang = YING. By understanding how to coordinate the shapes you love you, surrounded by your colours you will be able to create a ‘Synchronized’ sanctuary.

Following are the 4 + basic Interior Design Style Shapes:

STRAIGHT – Clean lined furniture; poised = PLANNED and PICTURE PERFECT
SUBSTANTIAL – Blunt edged large scale furniture = NATURAL or CASUAL CHIC
SYMMETRICAL- Scround shapes with detail; evenly balanced = TAILORED
SPHERICAL – Curved free form furniture; artistically placed = THEATRICAL
SYNCHRONISTIC – Evolution of a space; by mood + scale + colour = Your Gee U.R.U. Style

If you would like to learn more visit http://www.discoveringyourstyle.com/ or http://www.imagetointerior.com/ and take the FREE mini Style Assessment…

Till next month…

Posted in IIID STYLE & DESIGN Theory by admin. Comments Off