Girl’s Night Out Countdown!

May 17, 2013 in Promotions, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

Experience and Creative Design’s “Kick Your Heels Up! – Girl’s Night Out” Event, is coming up! Leading up to the event we will be introducing you to all of the vendors that will be set up in our store Thursday, June 6th. Three new vendors will be revealed three times a week! The staff at Experience and Creative Design has worked hard to invite vendors from all different categories, so there is sure to be something for everyone!

Marigold’s Accessories:

Marigold’s Accessories is a company that strives on their slogan “Luxury Accessories/Irresistible Prices”. They were founded over seven years ago on two key principles: meeting the needs of its customers and ensuring their satisfaction. They do many fundraisers, such as fashion shows and luncheons and specialty sales at hospitals, schools and churches. Marigold’s Accessories sells a variety of fashionable, fun and affordable women’s accessories. Some of the items they offer are handbags, jewelry, scarves, watches, leather goods, purse hangers and much more! Be sure to stop by their table to see all they have to offer!

RM Irish Jewels:

Ronnie McCluskey, owner and founder of RM Irish Jewels, started her company back in the early 2000’s. Ronnie and her mother Veronica, had been traveling back and forth to Ireland since Ronnie was 14. On one of their visits they came across a small shop in Dublin that sold unique Irish Jewelry. Eventually Ronnie began exporting the unique jewelry from Dublin to Saratoga Springs. What is different about RM Irish Jewels is that the jewelry is from a few different artists in Ireland, that Ronnie has met personally who create these pieces. They are not pieces that have the typical claddagh, but instead they are different silver jewelry statements! These art statements are sure to be a conversation starter!

Altamont Vineyard and Winery:

Owner and founder Louis DiCrescenzo, started his winemaking at the young age of 5, at his grandfather’s vineyard in Monte San Biagio, south of Rome. Louis, along with his son Michael and Deborah Crawford grow and harvest more than 20 varieties of grapes at the Altamont Vineyard and Winery in the Helderberg Mountains in Upstate New York. The winery is great not only for tastings and tours but is the perfect destination for events and private parties! Be sure to stop by their table to sample their wine selections!

Be sure to RSVP at Experience and Creative Design’s website by June 4th, to automatically be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate to Experience and Creative Design!

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New Beatriz Ball!

May 3, 2013 in New Product!, Weddings and Parties by admin | No comments

Wedding season is upon us! What do you get the bride and groom? A perfect gift is a product from the Beatriz Ball Collection! Never tarnishes, you dont have to polish it and you can cook, freeze and serve in every piece. Each piece is handmade by sand casting. Stop by Experience and Creative Design to check them out!

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – Opens Tomorrow, April 30th!

April 29, 2013 in Interior Design, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

The 2013 Vanguard Show House opens tomorrow, April 30th! Tickets are available at Experience and Creative Design for $18 each, today only! After today they go up to $20. Be sure to see the two rooms Experience and Creative Design created. You don’t want to miss out!

Here is a sneak peak of one of the rooms designed by the Experience and Creative Design Team!

The Show House is open April 30th – May19th (Closed Mondays)
Hours:
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 10:30-5:00
Wednesday, Thursday 10:30-7:00
Sunday 12:00-5:00

If you buy tickets after today (April 29th) they are $20, so buy them today, here at Experience and Creative Design!

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – “Successfully Accessorizing”

April 23, 2013 in Interior Design, Q&A: Ask The Experts, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

Accessorizing is the icing on the cake and if done correctly can make a great impact on any space. Ever walk into a space and feel overwhelmed by too many “knickknacks”? Most people don’t know what to do with all of their “stuff” and tend to put it all out at once; creating an uncomfortable and crowded space.

Below are some key aspects to keep in mind when accessorizing to help achieve successful accessorizing.

First things first, four steps to sort out all of your items:
1- Take down all of your items from your common rooms (Living room, kitchen, dining room, and foyer). This includes all of your artwork and items on all surfaces.
2- Put all of your items out so you can see them all together.
3- Look at what you have. Don’t be afraid to be critical and ask yourself what you really love and need and what you can give away.
4- Group what you have left in similar groups. For example put all your photographs together, all your candlesticks together and so on.

Now that you have weeded out your pieces, you have to figure out where the items you are left with will go. Try doing less, at first, “less is more”. You need to have breathing room between groupings. This allows your eyes to rest before going onto the next collection. Also, keep groupings tight. You don’t want your vases and photographs all lined up spaced out. You want them to look like they are together, part of one grouping. Below are some secrets to keep in mind when placing your pieces:

Three of a Kind- Placing three similar items together creates a collection. You can do a grouping of two, but to really make a statement, you should do three items.

Similar Pieces- Keep like pieces together. Maybe they didn’t necessarily come together, but as long as they are similar, you can put them together in a grouping.

Rotate- Usually you have more things than you do space, so instead of trying to put all of your collections out at once, rotate them. Maybe do it seasonal, that way you can display all of your items to their fullest potential without overcrowding the room.

Tallest in the Back- You want to place the tallest items in the back, logically so you can see the other items in front. For example, on a sideboard, place a large plate or tray on a stand at the back of the surface. Then place your shorter items in front, such as a vase, teapot, or arrangement. The tray or plate acts as a backdrop for this particular grouping.
- You want various levels in a grouping. It adds interested and creates a finished look.
- If an item is larger then the other pieces in the grouping but is not tall enough, place some hardcover books beneath it to raise it up. It adds height and character. Try taking the book jacket off to keep a cohesive look that doesn’t distract from the other pieces.

Some other ways to accent your space:- Add accent pillows to your couch and chairs. It adds color and texture and can easily be switched out seasonally or when your mood strikes.


- Candles are a good way to add color into any room. Use neutral candle holders and change the color of the candles seasonally.
- Have a great bowl you want to display? Put some fruit in it for the kitchen or dining room or place orbs in it for the living room. It’s a great way to add something low to a coffee table.

As always, if you need any assistance be sure to contact the designers at Experience and Creative Design. They are always available to help!

The Vanguard Show House opens next week so be sure to stop by Experience and Creative Design today to purchase your tickets! They are $18.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door.

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – “Hanging Artwork Effectively”

April 22, 2013 in Interior Design, Q&A: Ask The Experts, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

Many people have difficulty hanging artwork to really showcase it. The artwork is usually hung too high, groupings are too spaced out or there are just too many pieces to even enjoy them. Below are steps to correctly and effectively hang artwork.

De-clutter:
Before you start hanging your artwork, take all of the pieces down. Starting with a clean slate helps your eye see the space it has to work with.
- Go through your pieces and chose the ones you really love. Store the rest for next season or next year, when you can switch them out. Or donate/sell the ones you will not use.
- Try and chose pieces that work together thematically or stylistically.

“Art-Free Zone”:
- Your eyes need a place to rest, so chose a wall or large space to designate as an “Art-Free Zone”. Remember you do not need to cover every wall with artwork.
- A large window or sliding glass door counts as “Living Art” so it is not necessary to hang artwork on these walls. You do not want the artwork to compete.

Groupings:
There are many ways to hang artwork in groupings, here are a few suggestions:
- One large proportional piece centered over the couch, fireplace or credenza.

- A grouping of three medium sized pieces that are the same size with the same frame.

- One large vertical piece in the center and two medium sized horizontal pieces on either side. This version is very symmetrical and balanced.

- A variation of the grouping above, one large horizontal piece in the center with two or four smaller vertical pieces on either side.

- You can do a variety of pieces in one grouping and by doing either even or odd numbered pieces, you will create a different look. When doing large groupings with as many pieces as 11, chose pieces with different sizes and shapes but make sure the pieces correspond with each other in some way.

- Many people think all of the frames need to be exactly the same when creating a grouping. Not the case. Sometimes, frames that are not a like at all can create a very artistic piece. You can also add in mirrors intermixed with prints to really create a unique look.

- Before hanging your grouping, lay it out on the floor and see how it looks. Or create templates of your pieces out of paper and tape them up on the walls to see exactly how it will look.

- To create a tight, well thought out grouping, place only 2-3 inches in between each piece. Anymore and the grouping loses its impact.

Rule of thumb: Artwork is to be enjoyed at “eye level” but to everyone that is a different height so put the artwork at the height you think it should be at and then lower it three inches.

Remember: The designers are Experience and Creative Design are always available to assist with which pieces to hang, where to hang them and actually hanging them for you. Do not hesitate to call or stop by the store with questions!

Stop by Experience and Creative Design today to purchase your 2013 Vanguard Show House tickets! Show House opens April 30th!

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – “All About Lighting”

April 15, 2013 in Interior Design, Q&A: Ask The Experts, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

Lighting is a crucial element in home décor. To enhance you space there are three essential components to consider:

General Lighting is that which creates an atmosphere of relaxation in your space. Proper lighting, with the addition of dimmer switches, can transform a room in to a cozy, warm and welcoming space with ambiance.

Task Lighting is needed throughout your space wherever you may wish to read, work at a computer station, perform kitchen duties or simply accomplish any task requiring high intensity light.

Accent Lighting puts the finishing touches on your space. This element is intended to highlight artwork, sculptures, plants or simply splash up lighting on an accent wall. This may be accomplished using portrait lighting above artwork or “spotters” radiating from the floor.

Remember when considering your design features, to emphasize the above three elements to achieve your perfect dream space!

Reminder: If any of this sounds confusing or nerve wrecking, the designers at Experience and Creative Design are always available to assist you!

Stay tuned for the next tip! The Vanguard Show House tickets will be going on sale soon!

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – “Defining a Space/Furniture Placement”

April 8, 2013 in Interior Design, Q&A: Ask The Experts, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

In order to figure out the correct furniture placement in a room you must first determine a room’s purpose. Below are some important questions to think about:
- How many people use the space?
- How often do you entertain?
- What do you like or dislike about the room?
- What would you like to showcase in the room?

Once you have answered those questions, you must then look at aspects of your space and furniture in order to create the best traffic pattern possible. “Creating a good traffic pattern is the key to furniture placement.” You want a traffic pattern that flows in and out of the room with ease. Below are key points to address:
- The location of the doorways. If you have two doorways, try placing the furniture towards the middle of the room, allowing the traffic pattern to flow behind it, from one doorway to the other without traveling through the furniture.
(2 Doorway Plan)
- Consider using round or oval coffee/side tables. Sharp edges force you to slow down or swerve around to avoid hitting them. Smooth, rounded corners create a more comfortable flow.
- Be sure to allow 2 ½’ – 3’ of walking space behind any furniture that is not against a wall.
- A “U-Shaped” furniture layout is a pleasant way to place your furniture. It helps with conversation and traffic pattern.
- Most people automatically place their furniture against all of the walls in the space, lining them all up, no matter how far away the furniture is from one another. This does not help with conversation or traffic patterns. Bring the pieces in, closer and tighter together.

Another key idea when placing furniture is choosing a focal point. Fireplaces or entertainment centers are the typical focal points. If you work your furniture around the focal point, a comfortable conversation area is created and it helps with traffic flow. Don’t have a fireplace or entertainment center? Use an architectural feature such as a large window.
(Fireplace Focal Point)

Do you have a large, long room and have no idea how to arrange the furniture? Make smaller seating areas within it. Place two chairs and a side table together on one side of the space. Then place a larger seating area in the middle of the space, such as a couch and two side chairs.
(Spaces Within a Space)
Try defining the spaces with area rugs. They must be large enough that a portion of each piece of furniture is on it to ground the space.
(Area Rug Placement)

Speaking from experience, furniture arrangement is also trial and error. Move your furniture arrange, keeping in mind the keys points mentioned above, until you have it right. You never know what kind of arrangement you may find works best with you space until you try. If all of this is still confusing and stressful, contact the designers Experience and Creative Design for assistance!

Stay tuned for our next tip and be sure to check back, we will be selling tickets to the 2013 Vanguard Show House soon!

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – “Choosing a Paint Color”

March 29, 2013 in Interior Design, Q&A: Ask The Experts, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

Most people want a new look in their home and the quick and easiest way to do that is by changing the paint colors, but to some people this is a very tricky and nerve wrecking decision. The designers at Experience and Creative Design are here to help!

There are a few key factors that can assist in choosing a new paint color:
1- Does the room get a lot of natural light? If so, you may want to keep it light and chose a light or pale color.
2- How big is the room? This one gets a little tricky. The lighter a paint color the larger a room feels, however, it is ok to paint a dark color in a small bathroom, as long as there are lighter features, such as the flooring and fixtures.
3- When is the room used most? If you are using it mostly at night, with artificial light, you can go darker and create a more cozy space. If it is used mostly during the day, you may want to stick with a lighter shade to help bring in the natural light.

Once you have figured out the use of the space, to help with how dark or light the color should be, you can now figure out what colors you like:
1- Look around the house; is there a rug or fabric with certain colors you love?
2- Look in the mirror; what colors do you tend to wear most often? Neutrals or bright, bold colors?
3- Are there other color schemes in surrounding rooms that you can carry into the one you are painting?
4- Do you already have furniture for the room you are painting that will be staying? It is important to pull out colors that coordinate with your existing fabrics and rugs.

The next step is to figure out what to paint in the room. Do you paint all of the walls and the moldings? The ceiling? The windows and doors? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1- Is your room completely open to other spaces in the house? If so, you should paint all of the walls the same. Do not stop in the middle of a wall just because the living room ends and the kitchen begins.
2- To create a less “choppy” look, paint the trim the same color as the walls. (Trim Same Color)
3- If you have moldings and trim that has a lot of architectural feature to them, you may want to paint them a different color than the walls to stand out. (Trim contrasting Color)
4- A lot of people are afraid of painting their doors. Unless they are a stained wood, you should paint them. If all of your doors are the same style and size, you can paint them to match each other, otherwise paint them the color of the walls. They will seem less obtrusive.

Remember, you can always chose a lighter, more safe, color for all of the walls in the room except one; the focal wall. That one wall you can go as bold as you wish. It will create a more finished and fun look, while still allowing you to feel comfortable.
(Focal Wall)

The last step is to figure out what finish the paint should have:
- Flat Paint: It has no shine, and does not accentuate any surface flaws, however, it is not good for small children or high traffic because flat painted walls can not be cleaned easily. Flat paint is perfect for ceilings.
- Eggshell: Has a slight sheen, and is ok for frequent wipe-ups. The downfall, any surface imperfections will be seen, so you just need to make sure the wall is in good condition.
- Semi-gloss: It is a good choice finish for any trim, baseboards and window frames. Kitchens and bathrooms should have semi-gloss paint because of the moisture.
- High-gloss: It is rarely used for walls because any surface imperfection will be seen. Mostly used for trim.

If all of this still seems very difficult, you can always sign up for a in store complimentary color consultation. The designers here at Experience and Creative Design will be happy to help you!

Stay tuned, we will be selling tickets to the 2013 Vanguard Show House soon!

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Countdown to the 2013 Vanguard Show House Reveal! – “Background Information”

March 25, 2013 in In The News, Interior Design, Q&A: Ask The Experts, Upcoming Events by admin | No comments

Experience and Creative Design is proud to announce we are once again participating in the 2013 Vanguard Show House! After taking last year off we are back and ready to design!

For those unfamiliar with the Vanguard Show House, it is an event that benefits the Albany Symphony Orchestra and showcases designers around the Capital Region. In 1980, the first Vanguard Show House was created, to fundraise for the orchestra. It consisted of a series of room vignettes at the Albany Institute of History and Art. Finally in 1982, the first actual house was used for the site and brought in the most revenue yet. Thus, every year a new location (house) is chosen as the Vanguard Show House.

Experience and Creative Design has participated in the Vanguard Show House for a few years. Previously, we have designed a foyer(Images Below) for the 2005 Vanguard Show House and were lucky enough to be on the cover of a book called “Show House Review”. The book is by Tina Skinner and is a collaboration of all different designers and their designs for show houses around the country.
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In the 2011 Show House, Experience and Creative Design created a library in the Bette house; a mansion in Loudonville. (Image Below)

This year’s show house is once again in Loudonville, at the Stedman House. (Image Below) “A Classic, with A Twist!” The house is a large Queen Anne Victorian, just under 5000 square feet. It embraces the classic elements of both the Victorian and Queen Anne eras, while welcoming the comforts of today. The house was built in the late 1800’s for the man who would become known as the founder of Colonie, George Stedman. Large multi-pane windows, solid rosewood woodwork and paneled doors throughout, along with seven working fireplaces, are among some of the architectural features still in place. As you enter the home, on your left, is a cozy sitting room with a connecting library. Experience and Creative Design will be designing both of the rooms.

We are ecstatic to be involved with the Vanguard again and are really excited to finish the process and reveal our design! We will be updating you with a countdown to the reveal so stay tuned!

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Mazel Tov! – NEFE 2013

March 12, 2013 in Class/Demonstrations, Weddings and Parties by admin | No comments

This past weekend, Rudy Grant and David Siders (along with a few other staff members from Experience and Creative Design) drove down to Mystic, Connecticut for the North East Floral Expo! This year’s theme was called “Flora Couture” – Where Floral and Fashion Collide!

Rudy and David presented a demonstration on Sunday called “Mazel Tov!” It followed the life of Sarah, a young Jewish girl, through her monumental chapters in her life, such as her Bat Mitzvah and wedding. Grant and Siders created floral arrangements for each event starting with her birth.

The Jewish tradition of planting a tree at birth started in ancient Israel. A cedar was planted for a boy and a cypress for a girl. As the children grew, they cared for their trees and when married, the Chuppa, or canopy, was made of the branches from their tree. They believed in a strong bond between birth and marriage.

Bat Mitzvahs, for girls and Bar Mitzvahs, for boys, are also a traditional ceremony marking adulthood. Once a girl turns 12, she is recognized by Jewish Tradition to have the same rights as an adult. Following the ceremonial Bat Mitzvah, a tradition of a ceremony or party to celebrate occurs. Rudy and David created an arrangement for a Bat Mitzvah from a tennis racket. How creative!

At the end of the demonstration, Rudy and David revealed a life size Chuppa they had designed along with an aisle runner and petals. The idea was to show a modern day Chuppa, instead of a more traditional one, so brides can see what options they have. What a way to end the show!

The proceeds from tickets purchased to this years NEFE 2013, went to the Pediatric Oncology Program at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. The turn out was great this year and the responses were amazing! Many people were saying our own Rudy Grant and David Siders’ demonstration was second to the main Flora Couture. What an honor to have so many people appreciate all of the hard work and time put into this demonstration! Everyone’s hard work paid off!

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