The 3-Step Secret to Decorating: Easy as P-I-E

July 3, 2008 - PRLog -- In these tough economic times, we're all searching for ways to save money. Who doesn’t have a dull, tired room or space they don’t live in, are perplexed about or wonder, “What do I do with this?” Turning these uninspiring areas into dynamic living spaces doesn’t take a lot of money or time. In fact, it’s as easy as P-I-E when you use the three-step secret to decorating created by Sandy Dixon, a certified real estate staging and interior redesign trainer and owner of Evergreen, Colorado-based Interior Arrangements, Inc., one of the country’s leading redesign and real estate staging training companies.

“The P stands for purge,” says Dixon, who is also Executive Director of Interior Redesign Industry Specialists, an international organization of professional redesigners and real estate stagers, www.weredesignandstage.com.“Get rid of the extra stuff, the things you don’t like or use, and that don’t service a purpose or need to be there. Purge the stuff and see the space.”

The I stands for insert. When the excess has been removed from the room, insert or add in the key elements that most people are missing in their rooms: lighting, color and texture. Most don’t have enough indirect lighting (table or floor lamps), which creates mood and ambience. Dixon suggests a minimum of three lamps placed in a triangular arrangement to light the whole room evenly.

After lighting, insert color and texture. Area rugs solve both issues. “Most people don’t use them, or don’t use them correctly,” adds Dixon. “They are reluctant to place them over carpet, but that’s perfectly fine. They bring in interest and help define the function of the furniture – especially in a multi-purpose room. An area rug under the living room sofa, chairs and tables, and another under the dining table turn a large room into smaller sections, for example.”

Color can also come from paint, which is an inexpensive, simple way to perk up a room. Dixon encourages homeowners to experiment with wall color by finding something in the house that inspires them – a favorite painting, rug, fabric, set of dishes or piece of clothing. Choose one of the predominant colors in your inspiration piece and paint the walls to create mood, bring brightness and warmth, and tie the room elements together.

The final letter in the P-I-E formula is for embellish. Adding accessories, pictures, memorabilia and collections  that make the room a reflection of your personality. “You put your imprint on the room by bringing out anything that you want to be surrounded by, that brings you joy and you love to look at and use. Repurpose what you already have by scouring your closet, cabinets and storage spaces to find things that you’ve forgotten. “I love filling glass jars with a variety of old jewelry and watches and putting old charm bracelets around the necks of lamps and brandy decanters to catch the eye. Be creative.”

Sandy Dixon is globally recognized in the interior re-design, real estate staging and organizing industries as the only redesign and staging instructor, author and professional speaker who specializes in teaching people worldwide how to use ‘authentic’ marketing and branding to dramatically increase their sales and profits.

Dixon’s company, Interior Arrangements, Inc. offers 1, 3- and 5-day redesign and staging certification workshops, as well as tele-classes, webinars and customized products for those interested in the field of interior redesign and/or real estate staging.

For information or interviews, contact Sandy Dixon at 303-674-8667 or go to interiorarrangements.com. Visit the Interior Redesign (and Staging) Industry Specialists at www.weredesign.com.