Landscape Design Service

Are you longing for landscaping that will compliment your home and create cohesive curb appeal, but not sure where to begin?  No matter the size of your yard, a well thought-out design will make a big impact.  Whether you need plant suggestion or a complete renovation, Designing Dreams on a Dime can help you transform your front yard or back yard into a beautiful oasis.

Unbelievable before and after.  Click here to see project details.  

Expectations

Designing Dreams will be provide clients with scaled plans, sections, perspective drawings, as well as colorful renderings and photos to communicate the design vision from designer to client and/or landscape professional.  Native plants will be chosen based on zoning and unique planting conditions for your property (sun/shade, soil conditions, etc).  The style of architecture and neighborhood restrictions will be noted to create a seamless landscape. 

Example

Client project from last year.  Flowerbeds were planned out, beautifully constructed and planted in the Fall of 2013.  Now we anxiously wait to see the beauty unfold this Spring!  After pictures will be added this Summer.

Front Yard Transformation

Backyard Flowerbed Addition

Pricing:
I charge $25.00 per hour and will be as involved as you would like me to be.  Beyond visualizing and drawing out the plans, I will see the project through from start to finish and be as hands-on as you would like.  It is my ultimate goal to offer affordable design choices without compromising style or quality.

* Color Consultation and Interior Decorating services also available.  
Contact:
Designer:  Sheri Ohly, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Illustration, LTU
Phone:  (248) 505-3673
Email:  sherilynnohly@yahoo.com
Location:  Metro Detroit, Michigan
Facebook Page:  Designing Dreams on a Dime

      

Interior Decorating Service

Designing Dreams on a Dime offers a broad spectrum of assistance in helping  to achieve the look that you desire in your home.  Each project is unique and every client has different needs and goals.  I will do my best to go above and beyond your expectations in achieving whatever design goals you may have.  Listed below are examples of my expertise: 

Experience:
Visualizing: Communicate design ideas through Sketches, Plans, Renderings, Digital Design Boards, and Photographs. 
Choosing Finishes:  Flooring, Wall Coverings, Cabinetry, Light Fixtures, etc.
Furniture:  Choosing new, Refurbishing, Refinishing, Rearranging, Custom
Window Treatments:  Hardware, Curtains, Blinds, Custom Creations
Home Staging:  Rearranging using your items, New, or a Combination
Accessorizing: Artwork, Displays, Framing & Matting
Organizing:  Everything in its place and a place for everything
Customizing:  Adding details to make your space uniquely beautiful

To see more completed interior décor projects by Designing Dreams click here

Current Project:  Before & Sketch of floating shelves for entertainment system 

Pricing:
I charge $25.00 per hour and will be as involved as you would like me to be.  Beyond visualizing and drawing out the plans, I will see the project through from start to finish and be as hands-on as you would like.  It is my ultimate goal to offer affordable design choices without compromising style or quality.

* Color Consultation and Landscape Design services also available.  
Contact:
Designer:  Sheri Ohly, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Illustration, LTU
Phone:  (248) 505-3673
Email:  sherilynnohly@yahoo.com
Location:  Metro Detroit, Michigan
Facebook Page:  Designing Dreams on a Dime

Accessorizing a Mantle with properly scaled family photos

Color Consultation Design Service

Paint is an easy and inexpensive way to transform your home.  It can personalize your space and evoke the mood and feel that you are yearning for.  Have you ever excitedly headed out to a home improvement store to pick out paint swatches?  Maybe you brought an inspiration piece (like a decorative pillow) to find colors to coordinate perfectly (or so you thought).  The excitement can quickly wane when the swatches appear to be a completely different color in your space or worse yet you have the paint mixed before seeing the color swatch in the room to be painted.  The back and forth can be exhausting.  Mistakes equal a waste of time & money and that can be very disappointing.

When you choose to hire Sheri of Designing Dreams on a Dime as a Color Consultant, you are bringing in a designer eye with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Illustration.  Her knowledge and experience with color will make choosing colors much less stressful.  The Color Consultation will take place in your home where the lighting will reflect appropriately.  The size of the room(s), orientation of the home, flow, and existing furniture and other finishes will be considered.  Thousands of colors will be narrowed down to the perfect combinations that will richly enhance your space(s). 

Color Consultations are encouraged, but not limited to those who are changing the décor of their existing home, purchasing a home in need of a transformation to suit their style, or new construction.  Experience in interior and exterior color selections.

Sherwin Williams has been wonderful in educating me about their products and have equipped me with a fabulous designer color kit.  This kit allows 4 x 6 Sherwin Williams paint swatches to be handed to you during the color consult and 8 x 10 swatches can be shipped free & quickly. Benjamin Moore, Valspar, and Behr color fans are also available.

Color Consultation Fee:  $150.00 (one consult, unlimited rooms and color combinations)

       *Interior Décor and Landscape Design available.  Inquire for more information.

Please contact Sheri Ohly, Designing Dreams on a Dime to schedule an appointment:

Phone:  (248) 505-3673     Email: sherilynnohly@yahoo.com

 Before and After

Thanksgiving Reflections

Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Thankfully my Mother-in-law is hosting Thanksgiving dinner and we are having the meal on Friday Evening for eighteen people.  I began to prepare the dining room a week early because otherwise I would not have time for that.  I will be busy cleaning, cooking and most importantly visiting so I wanted to be sure to have a nice Autumn table setting done in advance. 

 

 

The center piece extends from end to end and begins with a layer of square mirror tiles (six total) over an ivory tablecloth.  Silk leaf garland, candied fruit and pumpkins add color and texture around flickering candles.  The reflections of the chandelier and candles creates a warm and relaxing feeling. 

We're ready to light the candles, add silverware, delicious food & beverages, and chattering, smiling faces around this table scape.

 

Cheers to a bountiful, beautiful, blessed Thanksgiving!

Quick Switch - Kitchen Pantry Doors Antiqued

Pantry doors have come a long way, baby!  These doors had nothing of interest when we moved in.  They were plain, flat doors painted white with brass knobs.  Since our kitchen has 4 doors it was important to make them more exciting.  I changed the knobs to an oil rubbed bronze, painted them a creamier white color (matched to the cabinet color), and added trim to make them look like raised panel doors.  I had my dad help with this project.  My husband made a remark that still comes up regarding this project.  He cleverly dubbed this a "waste of time, waste of money".  In the end he cannot believe how much it added to the kitchen and he now agrees that it was not a waste of time or a waste of money.  The overall cost was around $150 for the knobs, wooden trim, paint, and glaze.

 

 

For a few years we had all of the doors painted the same way.  My oldest daughter, in the picture below had the idea of adding the carved wood appliques.  I found these at Home Depot for around $5.00 each.  I had one here for another project and she held it up to the pantry door and insisted that I get another one and add them.  Smart girl!  I love how it makes these two pantry doors stand out in comparison to the other 2 entry/exit doors.

 

 
The wooden appliques were first painted and then antiqued using glaze tinted with the wall paint color.  The raised panel trim was also antiqued.  I attached them using liquid nail and one small finishing nail.

 

The details are not the details. They make the design.
Charles Eames
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/charles_eames.html#SkRxCWc6BwUHOwLR.99

"The details are not the details.  They make the design." - Charles Eames

 

The details are not the details. They make the design.
Charles Eames
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/charles_eames.html#SkRxCWc6BwUHOwLR.99

Quick Switch - Family Room & Living Room

 
I am starting a new blog segment called Quick Switch:  To spice things up and create a change of scenery at home I am always making quick switches.  This can involve putting items I already have in a new space or adding something new.  I am the queen of re purposing!  It is all about keeping things fresh even if it is only for your own enjoyment. This is simple to do by changing furniture & accessories around, decorating for the seasons, or by adding a new item to add interest.  Transforming an item you already have can freshen things too.  I am constantly tinkering with things: painting, sewing, embellishing, etc.  Just when I seem content I find a fabulous furniture piece or beautiful object to re-work into our home (typically these items are free or very inexpensive).  This hobby of mine drives my husband insane, but I enjoy the hunt!  He is sick of the junk, but once I finish each project he is secretly happy that he put up with my random collections and my wet paint brushes in the fridge... at least I think he is happy?

This quick switch was inspired by a collection of Wedgwood Cathedral plates I found at an antique store.  At first I walked away  loving them, but thinking I didn't have a place for them.  I looked them up online to see if there was a better price for them and found that the $48.00 price for 6 plates was very good since they were going for $15.00 each online.  I returned and bought the plates.

 

 

Once I brought the plates home I decided to hang them in the family room in a space that had previously not had much attention.  The plates didn't pop off the walls because they blended in with the paint color.  I pulled out a gallon of leftover dining room paint and it instantly became an accent wall and warms up the space.  It is a subtle change, but just enough to make the plates pop!

 

The newly painted accent wall is now the same color as the hallway to the laundry room/garage on the right side of these photos.

 

 

The white soup bowl on the left was bought at a thrift store $3.00 (3 piece set) and all of the other objects were items I already had.  Longaberger pottery pitcher, Willow Tree family figurines and a family photo printed in sepia tones.

 

 

A leather reading chair was brought in from the front living room, which gives that room a quick switch too.  We are freshened up for Fall!   





 

Wooden rocking chair and table have a new spot in front of the windows and the leather chairs separate to make two comfy corners. 

 



 

Back to the family room quick switch:

 

 Autumn Mantle 

Peace Lily plant and metal accents are now on top of the entertainment center

Thanksgiving Mantle

 Refreshed Family room is warm and cozy for Fall and Winter.  This quick switch was done in one day while my girls were at school.  Simple, quick, affordable, and beautiful. What changes have you made to revitalize your space(s)?

 

Enjoy Today!