After a Hellish year of construction, I finally just moved back into my house. Ellen Newman of EDN Designs, was recommended to me by my contractor. Ellen studied Interior design at the Parson’s School of Design, and specializes in color consultancy. She helped me pick all the colors for my home, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I asked Ellen, if she would share some design tips with all of you, and she was kind enough to do so. Happy decorating!

Bargain Jewess: How did you get into interior design?

Ellen Newman: I have always been drawn to the arts. When I was younger, I studied ballet for many years and, in fact, wanted to be a dancer. That was not to be but I later I studied interior design at Parsons School of Design and that was truly my passion. My friends told me I always looked at things visually; even in describing a restaurant, I would talk about the décor before
I mentioned the food. Also, I am not the type to sit still. I enjoy working with different types of people: clients, painters,electricians, salespeople, etc. Every day is different and another chance to improve the world in a small way.

BJ: What is your design aesthetic?

EN: I don’t have one particular aesthetic. I try to listen to the design style my clients want and honor it, since they need to be comfortable with the end product. I am, however, fascinated by a variety of international design motifs, be it a Middle East decor, with the beautiful rich tile work and cushions on the floor; or an American southwest palette, with the earthy hues of the desert and sky, wood beams and Indian textiles. There is a whole world of design ideas that should inspire designers and their clients. One shouldn’t be afraid to explore other cultures and styles for inspiration.

BJ: What are some simple and budget ways to update your
home decor?

EN: I feel color is the most immediate way to add panache and punch to any decor. This can be achieved by painting your entire room or an accent wall with a dramatic color. Even if the furniture and fabrics in a room are neutral, a dramatic royal blue or pumpkin color on the walls will give the room drama.

Strong accent pieces can also give a room visual focus. For instance, a large, colorful, and tasteful floral arrangement on a dining room table will immediately give a room focus and enhance the rest of the décor. Accent pieces act like the jewelry that enhance the little black dress and give you an individual look. Don’t be afraid to go bold!

BJ: I know floral arts are a specialty of yours. Do you have any interesting ideas for Fall table scapes/
centerpieces?

EN: During this season we have a wonderful opportunity to decorate and enhance our tables, by adding a floral arrangement or a fruit/vegetable arrangement to our table. Arts and crafts stores, like Michaels, have many silk stems of leaves and flowers, as well as containers, often on sale, to make a wonderful arrangement. Putting a handful of sunflower stems, tied with a large bow, in a vase or basket will bring smiles to the faces of your guests. Alternatively, in a large shallow bowl, you can put together a collection of artificial fruits of various colors and shapes, e.g., oranges, bananas, pineapple, apples. This will bring color to your table and is in keeping with the outdoor motif. Buy only realistic looking materials: leaves/flowers/fruits/vegetables, otherwise they may look cheap. Keep in mind that you can reuse them in the future, so it is worth spending the extra money to buy the best quality you can find.

BJ: Are there any rules when using color in your home?

EN: My inclination is always to go bold in order to give a room punch. However, when I do paint color consultations with my clients, I tell them my goal is to bring them to their colors, not mine since they will be living in the space. They should look at design magazines to ascertain whether they are drawn to warm or cool colors. Having said that, one can never go wrong when using the colors of nature: blues and greens. They are soothing and timeless.

As a color specialist, I often look to pick up an accent color from the carpet or a piece of artwork to help pull the room together. So if the carpet has a floral motif, I may look at the greens or pinks of the flowers as a starting point. In a bedroom, I may look at the comforter or duvet cover as a starting point. Keep in mind that lighter colors tend to expand a room while darker shades may make a room smaller or cozier. The type and direction of light also factor into what a color will look like on your walls. Don’t be afraid to paint color swatches on your walls before the painter comes in and then live with your selections for a few days. You want to see how they work in both sunny and cloudy lighting conditions.

I could write a book on color use but if I were to give any one piece of advice, it is that we are blessed to have so many choices in paint color today, so don’t be timid using beige or white. At the risk of sounding self-serving, if you are overwhelmed, you should hire a color specialist. Since you are spending thousands of dollars on painting your home, youwant to get the colors right. Joe, your painter or Sam in the paint store, did not go to design school and should not be the last word on what colors to use.

BJ: How can you maximize on style in designing the interior
of your home without breaking the bank?

EN: It is best to invest in one or two good pieces, be it a well-constructed sofa or a serious rug, and build on them over the years. Quality merchandise will hold up well and last you a long time. You can then accessorize inexpensively with wonderful pillows, throws, decals or framed artwork. In a bedroom, a vibrant comforter and beautiful sheets may be just the thing to give your bedrooms a design statement. I love HomeGoods, a wonderful source for inexpensive bedding and accent pieces.

When I was redoing my son’s bedroom before his bar mitzvah,I was on a tight budget. I bought his furniture at a Goodwill type of store. I chose a wonderful set of drawers, both in terms of style and construction, for less than any piece from Ikea. It needed a little TLC, but it looks fantastic in his room and will  last forever. Think out of the box!

Ellen D. Newman has been involved in the design field for more than 25 years.  As a graduate from the prestigious Parsons School of Design, with a BFA in interior design, she has worked in world-renowned architectural firms as well as small boutique interior design offices.  Her clients have included Fortune 500 companies, Jaguar Cars, UPS, Nabisco Brands, as well as banks and law partner offices.  Currently, she does private color consultation for individual clients who want to work with strong colors in their home or office but need a helping hand with the paint selection.

In the mid 1990’s, Ellen started working with silk flowers to create individual arrangements that would complement her interior projects.Each creation has a unique container and flower selection in order to enhance the specific setting.

Ellen has branched out and is now designing custom jewelry. What started as a hobby has turned into a business as more and more people have asked for her unusual necklaces and earrings. Ellen works out of Great Neck, New York and looks forward to each new project, be it interior, floral or jewelry design.  Give her a call.

You can check out Ellen and contact her through her Website Http://www.EDNDesigns.com