Page 2 of At Home With A Designer An Interview with Mary Baltz

Mary Baltz's tips on budget decorating, personal style, and seasonal changes...

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Q. What advice do you have for someone with a new house to decorate and perhaps a limited budget?

Mary Baltz: "Live in the space to get a real feel for important things like light, how a house is being used, where you spend most of your time, what rooms need a more practical approach, room setups, and so on.

"Remember the house is yours, inside and out, and should reflect your personal style alone. Sometimes it helps to look at new trends, but don't forget tag sales or flea markets. Also, so much can be done with paint and fabrics. "

Q. How would you define your personal style?

Mary Baltz: "I've always been very independent in furnishing my own homes. I've always started with a white canvas and built upon that over time. In many cases, dut to budget or time constraints, I've found that one nice advantage is knowing what you like and also knowing what you are looking for."

Q. Many people like the idea of updating their interiors for the seasons. What techniques do you use to transition your home from winter into spring/summer?

Mary Baltz: "I do switch slipcovers and accessory items for the seasons. Most times I keep the base of things the same. Adding wicker, shell, boating pictures can add life to a summer room.

"My personal palette has always been whites and neutrals because when you add color of any kind (even a bright bouquet of flowers, the change is dramatic. Temporary changes are nice because they can happen quickly. Sometimes moving a piece of furniture or using a piece differently can stimulate a whole seasonal room change."

Q. What decorating techniques/ideas/projects would you recommend to a homeowner who wants to rev up the look of a bedroom or living room for Spring, without spending a fortune?

Mary Baltz: "Color, color, color and paint, paint, paint -- on walls, furniture, or trim. I like a neutral canvas, but bringing in some of the pale aqua blues and spring greens are great this year. With these outdoor colors coming in try bringing a piece of garden furniture indoors. The added texture can be wonderful in a spring room. "

Continue to Page 3 --
Trends, adding color to a white palette, and seasonal looks..