“No one should believe they can't have a well-designed home because they can't afford an interior designer” - Over the years I'd like to think I've picked up a thing or to about interior design. It's something I've been interested in since my teenage years and don't ask me why I didn't make it my profession because I don't have an answer. Let's just say, in those days I had no idea how to actually make something like that happen and like so many others before me, I headed down a more traditional and 'safe' route into the legal world.
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Why Designer in a Binder?
Maybe that's the reason why I felt an affinity towards Tasha, the creator of Designer in a Binder, the amazing product I'm about to tell you all about. At the very least, I can say the similarities I saw were enough to make me take a closer look and boy, I'm so glad I did – everything happens for a reason right? Tasha was a civil trial lawyer for thirteen years before she decided to leave the stress and burnout behind and start her design blog which has since become a major success!
That's not the only reason why I decided to take up the opportunity to become an affiliate for Designer in a Binder though. I learned that like me, Tasha shares the philosophy that no one should settle for rooms they don't love because they are on a tight budget and that we all deserve the right to love the place we spend most of our time in – this lady talks my language!
Designer in a Binder = No more expensive mistakes!
You know, even though I love interior design and all that goes with it, it doesn't stop me making mistakes every now and again. I can't tell you how many times I've brought home purchases for my home which, in the shop, I'm convinced are the perfect match only to find the opposite is true when I get them home. Maybe the colour is slightly off or the pattern is not quite right. Whatever the reason, I'm always mad at myself afterwards for making impulsive purchases and wasting so much time. That only ends up with me pushing that purchase to the end of the list for fear of making another mistake.
Designer in a Binder - Put to the test
That's why I was so excited to become an affiliate for Designer in a Binder and I was able to put it to the test recently when a major purchase was on the cards for us.
We have four floor to ceiling windows in our lounge which open up onto the garden on the south side. As the sun is so strong on this side, we need blinds on the windows but the ones we have right now are old and worn and desperately need replacing. We ordered samples from a blind company and although when they arrived they were only two inches long, we were all able to agree that sample #1 was the perfect match. Because we were still getting the money together for the blinds, the samples got put to one side ready for when we were able to make the purchase in a few months time.
Mood Board Magic
By the time we were ready to buy, I had received and devoured Designer in a Binder and even though I was still sure we had made the right choice with sample #1, I took the time to follow Tasha's advice and create a mood board with samples of the things we already had in the room. We also wrote to the company who would be supplying the blinds asking if they had larger samples of not only the blinds but also the bindings that would cover the cords.
Once we received the larger samples, I arranged them all on the table and asked my family again to choose which colour they thought worked best in the room. Everyone, including me, still chose sample number #1. Then, I took out the mood board I had made and placed the samples on it.
I could not believe my eyes! Looking at everything together like this, it was so glaringly obvious that sample #2 was a perfect match for our room! Now the blinds are ordered and I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders because I know that we made the right choice.
Designer in a Binder - Another problem solved?
That's not all though. I've been having problems trying to find the right look for our master bedroom and after reading through the information in Designer in a Binder, I now know exactly why. Oh, how I wish I had read it before I started that project. I'm hoping to find a workaround so as not to have to spend more time and money on it but I'm not sure that's going to work out. Anyway I'll tell you all about that when the room is finally completed.
Designer in a Binder - Conclusion
You know, when I think about this now, I realise that this is exactly the type of thing that holds many of us back from making major decisions like this for our home. It's the fear of buying things that aren't right and of making expensive mistakes. Going back to the scenario with the blinds, if we had gone with our first choice, we would have been stuck with blinds which look at odds with our room. Blinds are made to measure, you can't return them to the shop! We would have 'put up' with them but they would always have been the elephant in the room!
From this lesson, I also realised that this, of course, was exactly Tasha's vision for Designer in a Binder. To help people like you and I avoid making expensive mistakes which in turn will save us time and money.
By now I'm sure you just want me to stop rambling and get on with telling you more about what Designer in a Binder includes. Yup, I'm sorry about that but the thing is, I'm promoting this product to you, my friends and I think it's important to explain why.
I only want to promote products which I feel I can stand behind and which I think will be of advantage to you and I. Tasha obviously understands this too because she allowed prospective affiliates to review Designer in a Binder Designer in a Binder first, before deciding whether it was something they thought their readers could benefit from or not. That's why, because of my experiences mentioned above, my answer was of course, YES PLEASE!
So without further ado (yes, I hear you sigh!), here we go!
Designer in a Binder - What's included?
Designer in a Binder is a complete system which will help you create the home you love. If you are overwhelmed by decorating and have no clue where to start, Tasha will take you by the hand and walk you through the process step by step.
Designer in a Binder will help you come up with a cohesive plan so that you stop wasting loads of time returning purchases that do not work in your space.
Whether you're renting, buying your first home or have been in your current home for years, Tasha shows you how to get the best out of your home in every situation. In fact, she gives you all the tools you need to design spaces that you will love.
In the first section of Designer in a Binder, you will learn:
1. How to budget for the items you need.
Ideas for financing your next project and budget planning worksheets to keep you on track.
2. How to design a room from start to finish.
Step by step space planning and choosing colours with lots of visual examples. As Tasha explains, “colours have a huge impact on your mood and the type of energy you have when you are in the space”. Have you ever walked into a house and felt immediately comfortable and at home? Or maybe the opposite has happened and a space feels unwelcoming or cold? Colours can change the mood of a space for better or for worse. With Designer in a Binder, Tasha aims at helping you get that right BEFORE making any major purchases for paint and décor items.
3. How to mix patterns and textures.
This is where I usually have the most trouble but the way Tasha guides you through this process makes total sense. Again, she gives you visual examples from her own home design so you can see exactly what she means.
4.The importance of scale.
Simple tips to follow for choosing furniture and décor with the proper scale for your room. When the scale of furniture and/or décor in a room is off, it messes up the entire flow of the room. Four simple steps (again with visual examples) will guarantee that you won't be making any mistakes in this department in future. Instead, you'll have a welcoming home which flows comfortably – yay!
The second section compiles a workbook and your assignments eg. Everything you need to accomplish your room design. Including a room audit and a Space Planning Kit (this is the coolest thing ever – see below for more info).
Designer in a Binder - Video included
You can print out your binder at home or give it to a print shop and have them do it for you.
Tasha gives you a list of the items you will need to set up your binder efficiently and even includes a video that walks you through exactly how to do it. Once it's set up, you can take it with you every time you decide to shop for new items for your home.
No more making mistakes with colour or size choices. No more impulsive purchases that have to be returned to the shop!
Designer in a Binder - Space Planning Kit
One of my favourite elements of Designer in a Binder is the space planning kit. I had so much fun moving 'my' furniture around 'my' rooms without actually having to move any furniture at all!
The men in my family are also relieved not to have to shift furniture around every time I decide I need to change something or add a new piece of furniture only to have to change it back when it doesn't look quite right or doesn't quite fit!
With the space planning kit, I can get it right the first time so the furniture only needs to be moved once and I know it will look great. The backache and curses saved are worth the price of Designer in a Binder right there;)
There are two options of Designer in a Binder available but this post is long enough as it is so if you're interested in purchasing a copy for yourself, just click the link below to read more about it.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DESIGNER IN A BINDER HERE
Last but not least, the photos for this post were graciously provided by Tasha Agruso.
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