Do you know what Search Engine Optimization is?

Well don’t feel bad, we didn’t either until a few months ago.  So let me give you a brief introduction of what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is.  Basically, SEO means that a website or pages on a website are created and optimized so that search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo can find them when someone is doing a search for a specific keyword.  Proper search engine optimization of your website over time will generate more potential clients and leads to your business by reaching a higher placement in the search engines when a keyword is searched. For example, since I am an interior designer in Orange County California, we had our site optimized using specific keywords like “Orange County interior designer” and incorporated these words into the content and tags of the pages on our website.  Not only did this help the search engines find our pages easier, but the pages were “optimized” so that our page lists at the top of Google for a particular “keyword”.  Here’s a video that explains a bit more about search engine optimization (SEO)…

It is important that you focus on a list of keywords that are relevant to your business and to the market you wish to attract. There is a science to this that continues to change and evolve based on the search engines algorithms and formulas. There is a lot to learn about all the different strategies used to get you listed on page one of the search engines for a specific keyword.  That is why our design firm turned to SEO for Interior Designers for some help.  After doing a bit of research, what we realized is how important it is to keep a website constantly changing and evolving with new content.   This will keep our customers coming back to our site to find fresh and new things.  We selected SEO for Interior Designers over many other companies doing SEO simply because they tailor and customize websites and SEO campaigns especially for the interior design trade and architects.  Click on their logo below to learn more about the company we can’t stop raving about.

Here’s what they do:

They research relevant keywords for our design firm and create “Search Engine Optimized” pages using those keywords.  These keyword optimized pages have driven more traffic to our website and business as they are designed to rank in the top 10 spots on Google searches.

They also trained us to manage our own website.  We used to have to call our web designer to update everything.  We couldn’t add or delete a product or even a photo to our portfolio.  Because of the difficulty in making these changes, our website became stagnant and outdated.  For many years our website was simply lost in cyberspace and really only visited if we handed out a business card with our web address on it.  Now after a few training courses from SEO for Interior Designers we can blog, add and delete content and keep things new and exciting for our customers.  In just a few months you can see the amount of traffic that we have generated.  As a matter of fact our visitors have doubled every month since we began 3 months ago and leads and phone calls have followed.  From nothing 3 months ago to now 3,039 Pageviews!

3 Month Traffic to our Website

SEO for Interior Designers offers affordable internet marketing services and web design for interior designers nationwide.  So contact them today and they’ll get your website generating leads for you!  It worked for us and it will work for you.

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As an interior designer in Orange County, California,  I have worked on several beach homes along the coast.  During this time, I’ve grown to love many of the materials and colors used in coastal interiors.  One of my favorites uses of sea life is the giant clam shell.  I’ve been collecting and clipping photos of these and today decided to share some of my findings.   I have always loved some of the applications for their use in interior decorating and last year when I started a project in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico overlooking the ocean, it only made sense to bring some of the vibrant blues and varieties of  sea life into the home.  I really wanted to incorporate one of these giant clam shells into the interior of the home.  As I began my search I found the price of these giant clams to be quite costly…up to as much as $900 for half of the shell!  I used the giant clam shell on the side of a large spa like bath tub and put sponges and towels in it.  In my search I came across several different uses for these beautiful giant clams from sink vessels to planters.  Below are some of my favorite photos that I collected during my search.  Have you used a giant clam in your interior design project?  I’d love to hear what you think and would love to see some of the different applications you’ve used!

Giant Clam Shell in Shower

This is a bathroom by Barry Dixon.  I love the neutral colors, zebra ottoman and giant clam shell in the shower.

Giant Clam with Succulents

A beautiful clam planter filled with an array of succulents.  This would make a great center piece on top of a buffet or dining table.

Giant Clam Shell on Dining Room Table

Speaking of center pieces, this giant clam serves as a planter with greenery in this black and white dining room.

Cast Stone Giant Clam Shell Filled with Succulents

Beautiful outdoor vignette showcasing a giant clam with succulents and surrounded by an array of  stone accessories and accents.

Giant Clam in Front of Fireplace

(Elle Decor)

Giant Clam Sink in Powder Bathroom

In this powder bathroom the clam is used as a vessel sink on top of a mirrored vanity.  The backsplash is mother of pearl tile and the mirror is framed using small shells and starfish attached to the frame.

Giant Clam on Rustic Buffet

Giant Clam on Mirrored Credenza

Giant Clam with Sea Sponges

Giant Clam Shell Vessel Sink

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Interior Design Showroom Bliss Linens

One of my favorite places for home furnishings, bedding and home accessories in Orange County, Calfornia is Bliss Home located on Pacific Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar.  The owner and interior designer behind it all is Ohara Davies-Gaetano.  If you’re an interior designer or just someone looking for inspiration, there is always something new, fresh and exciting at this store.  It’s easily seen from the street with its bright orange painted storefront.  All of the pieces there seem to have a story behind them.  The finishes are impeccable and only achieved by time and weathering.  From old stone pots to coral and sea life, one is bound to be overstimulated visually by all there is to see.  And not only are the pieces beautiful they are arranged and set up in wonderful displays and vignettes.  Some of the other highlights of the store are the luxurious bed linens and pillows.  The way they’re made up makes you want to jump right in.  Many of the walls have bright beautiful colors of Venetian plaster and the entry wood floor looks like an old distressed, hand painted fresco.

This is one example of the many beautiful vignettes you will see.  Here a large rustic clock in white and aqua blue backdrop this vignette flanked by old rustic candle sticks and coral.

Using the same color palette as the photos above, neutrals with an accent of aqua blue give this coastal living room design a pop of color.  If you’ve got a beach cottage you’ll love this place for all of the sea and ocean artifacts they offer.

Nature is brought into this vignette with butterfly artwork and a zebra ottoman

In this dining room design, rust colored leather chairs surround a large, dark wood table.  The modern, abstract art mixes nicely with the juxtaposition of the old distressed columns.

Love the scale of this armoire with the detailed front doors and the large wooden spheres.

Another beautiful example of one of the many displays…love all the neutral colors, finishes and the large giant clam.

An iron shelving unit shows off more sea inspired accessories.

A colorful bedroom design using blue and green bed linens and pillows.

A rust sofa is backed by an antique mirror displayed in the Orange County interior design showroom

Now that I’ve given you a little taste of this Orange County interior design showroom, do yourself a favor and go check out what interior designer Ohara Davies-Gaetano is up to.  Trust me you won’t be disappointed and more than likely you’ll leave inspired with new ideas.

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Add Depth to Walls using Venetian Plaster

One of the most popular finishes used in Mediterranean interior design and Tuscan interior design is Venetian plaster.  If you are designing a home and want that old fresco look, you should really consider incorporating this into the interior design of your home.  Venetian plaster is a wall and ceiling finish using thin layers of plaster applied with a trowel or spatula.  It is then burnished to create a smooth surface that adds a lot of depth and texture to the areas treated. There are many variations of sheen depending on the amount of burnishing that is done or the amount of wax that is used.  From a matte, chalky fresco look to a very shiny and glossy appearance, you can incorporate it into old world interior design or modern interior design.  There are also several different types of Venetian plaster techniques including marmorino, scagliola, and sgraffito.

The Different Types of Venetian Plaster

Marmorino Veneziano is a plaster or stucco decoration used on walls. It was used as far back as Roman times, but was made popular once more during the Renaissance 500 years ago in Venice.

It is made from crushed marble and lime putty, which can be tinted to give a wide range of colours. This can then be applied to make many textures, from polished marble to natural stone effects. Widely used in Italy, its appeal has spread through North America especially, but now worldwide. Because of the hours of workmanship, the pricing places it in the high-end market. However, many examples can be seen in public buildings, bars, restaurants, etc.

Its waterproofing and anti-bacterial qualities as well as visual effects have also made it very desirable for luxury bathrooms and other wet areas. Not confined to interior use, it can be seen on the exterior of many buildings to great effect.

You can see from the photos above the depth and character that Venetian plaster gives to walls.  Instead of being flat, Venetian plaster creates a mottled appearance giving your walls more depth and variation in color. 

Scagliola (from the Italian scaglia, meaning “chips”), is a technique for producing stucco columns, sculptures, and other architectural elements that resemble inlays in marble and semi-precious stones. The Scagliola technique came into fashion in 17th-century Tuscany as an effective substitute for costly marble inlays, the pietra dura works created for the Medici family in Florence.

Scagliola is a composite substance made from selenite, glue and natural pigments, imitating marble and other hard stones. The material may be veined with colors and applied to a core, or desired pattern may be carved into a previously prepared scagliola matrix. The pattern’s indentations are then filled with the colored, plaster-like scagliola composite, and then polished with flax oil for brightness, and wax for protection. The combination of materials and technique provides a complex texture, and richness of color not available in natural veined marbles.

Installing Venetian Plaster

Below is a video that shows the techniques and different steps involved in applying Venetian plaster to your walls.

Sgraffito (plural: sgraffiti; sometimes spelt scraffito) is a technique produced by applying layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colors to a moistened surface by applying two successive layers of contrasting slip, and then in either case scratching so as to produce an outline drawing.

Venetian Plaster Installation

Italian Country Home is a subdivision of Orange County interior design firm Christopher James Interiors.  We are licensed and trained professionals in the installation of Venetian plaster.  If you are interested in using Venetian plaster in your home, please contact us for a free in home consultation.

Online Interior Design Consultation

Are you looking for an interior designer but on a limited budget?  Well, look no further!   With our Online Interior Design Services you don’t have to worry about going over budget.  Christopher James Interiors offers Online Interior Design Consulting  that provides customized design plans for your home.  We have over 15 years of experience in the interior design and decorating business, and our priority is  generating creative solutions for every interior design dilemma.  Our mission is to see that great design is accessible to all.  Our online interior design services will guide you every step of the way.  Whether you’re simply choosing the perfect paint colors, need decorating tips for Bedroom Design, or tackling a complete room makeover.   Christopher James Interiors will be there for you.

Sample of Design Board Provided

What is Provided in our Online Interior Design Package?

We provide you with a design board that includes a detailed floor plan, color scheme plan including paint and fabric samples and pictures of furnishings, art, window treatments etc.  We also provide a list of where the proposed items can be purchased and the cost.  So if your space needs a new look and you need home decorating ideas, there is no need to put it off any longer.  Our Online Interior Design Consultation is affordable and convenient.  Get started right now and in less than a month, you will have everything you need to transform your home and realize your vision.

Getting Started with E-Design is Easy

Step 1
Choose the room(s) you are designing.

Step 2
Contact us via email or phone and we will send you a questionnaire.  This enables us to cater to your individual needs and tastes.  The questionnaire will direct you to upload pictures of your existing room(s), fabrics, and furnishings.

Step 3
Measure your room(s) and existing furniture (if including in the new design).  Once you have completed the questionnaire and forwarded your room details and measured furniture items to us, our part of the design process begins.  Payment is due at this time.

Step 4
You will receive the design plan within 2-3 weeks after receipt of the completed questionnaire, measurements of room(s) and furniture.

Step 5
Transforming your room is that simple!

Contact Us today to get started on your Online Interior Design Project!

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With the hectic and stressful lives that many of us lead today, the bedroom is a good place to escape, unwind and recharge.  So many times a bedroom ends up being a place of clutter and disarray instead of a haven that it should be. If you dream of turning your bedroom in to a world of tranquility, then why not start today. As one of the top interior designers in Orange County we can assist you with the bedroom design of your dreams.

Modern Bedroom Design in Black and White

Very little is often put into making the bedroom as aesthetically pleasing as other areas of the house. For many, interior design stops in the main living areas of the home..

Whether you prefer a modern or more traditional style, luxury furnishings can be created to suit your taste so that you never have to compromise on what you really want. From wardrobes to dressing tables,  a perfectly designed bedroom can be crafted to reflect your personality and lifestyle.

The importance of a child’s bedroom should never be underestimated either. It needs to be comfortable and practical with a little bit of magic to spark their imagination and create a safe and happy atmosphere for play and sleep. You may wish to update the bedroom of an older child for a more sophisticated environment or create an enchanted land for your little prince or princess. Using a colorful palette, interesting materials and finishes, a bedroom designer can create a stunning room full of wonder for your child.

Girl's Bedroom Design in Pink and Green

Our interior designers will come to your home to discuss what you want from your bedroom.  With your ideas and guidance from our professional design consultants, you can turn your ideas into a reality.

Transtional Bedroom Design

Working together with a team of experts in bedroom design means you are involved at every step of the way so you can rest assured your ideas are being understood and brought to life.

Master Bedroom Design

Whether it’s adding window treatments and drapery, new custom bedding or a complete bedroom redesign, our Orange County interior design staff can help you achieve the bedroom you’ve been dreaming of.  Contact us today to set up your free design consultation.

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There are many advantages of working with a professional kitchen designer…

Designing your ultimate kitchen should be well thought out and planned. Before you begin your project, spend some time looking through interior design magazines and books to gather all of the ideas you’d like to see incorporated into your kitchen design. Once you have a clear understanding of what it is you’re trying to accomplish, look into consulting with a kitchen design specialist. They will be able to help you work through the interior design process, bring ideas to the table that you hadn’t thought of and in the long run prevent you from making costly mistakes.

Hamptons Style Kitchen

Space Planning & Layout

When you begin designing your dream kitchen, it is good to start with a floor plan of your kitchen space. On a large piece of graph paper, draw the outline of the kitchen space, including any doors or windows that you will have to work around while you design your kitchen. Accurately mark where the plumbing and electrical supplies are located. You can move plumbing and electrical supply points, but this involves more time and money, and it is always easier to accommodate existing service supplies into your design if possible.

The placement of your work triangle should be the next step in designing your kitchen. The sink, cooking surface, and refrigerator need to be situated within easy reach of each other to allow your kitchen to work smoothly. Here, again is where an experienced kitchen designer can be a valuable partner in the design of your kitchen. They have the experience to know what will and won’t work efficiently, and could keep you from ending up with a kitchen that does not meet your needs. A good kitchen designer will know if your kitchen is more practical with an island, peninsula, movable cart or nothing at all. These are design items that need to be addressed early in the process. Discovering these details at the beginning of a project will make for a more functional and well thought out kitchen in the end. The last thing you want to happen is completing your kitchen design and realizing that things are not working how you expected.

Traditional Kitchen in White and Dark Walnut

Kitchen Design Details

Once the basic kitchen layout is complete, the designer can assist you with incorporating details that really make a kitchen a showpiece such as a plate rails, door styles, functional accessories and much more. Maybe a wine rack is appropriate in your kitchen design? It is the little details, which you may not have even thought about, that make any kitchen really special.

Two major factors of good kitchen design are countertops and backsplashes. You have many options of materials, colors, and textures to choose from. Sometimes the number of options can be overwhelming. The designer will be able to sort through all of the available options, and help you pull the design into a cohesive and functional space.

Visualizing your space before making decisions is also a helpful tool. Computer generated diagrams and elevations should be provided to give you confidence in your selections and design.

The design stages of your new kitchen should be fun and rewarding for you. Take a positive attitude and a sense of adventure into the process, be open to suggestions, and together, you and your kitchen designer will be able to design a kitchen that you will truly be proud of.

Country Kitchen Design

Christopher James Interiors is one of the leading Orange County kitchen designers. If you need some help with your kitchen design please give us a call to set up a free in home consultation.

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Today I had to go to Ikea because a client of mine wants rugs for his home but doesn’t want to spend much money. If you know anything about rugs, they can range from $50 up to $100,000! I know, as an interior designer, you hope your client wants the latter option and the last thing you want to hear is they want one from Ikea! if you’re working on a commission based structure, 30% of a rug at Ikea doesn’t even pay for the gas to get there! Luckily, I’m getting my hourly rate and sometimes you just have to do things to make the client happy so they end up coming back for more.

I always dread going to Ikea because without fail I can’t find my way around…even with the arrows marked on the floor, I still get lost. At least I’m going on a weekday afternoon when the crowds are a little easier to deal with…whatever you do, don’t go on the weekend unless you absolutely have to get something and have the entire day to spend.

The black & white throw pillow I love and it cost’s only $12.99…can’t beat that! (above left) I used this pillow in my loft and mixed with the other furnishings, you’d never know I got it from Ikea. (above right)

I went to the Ikea in Costa Mesa, CA and as usual I was actually inspired by some of the products and furnishings they offer. There are many things you can get there and if you choose your items selectively, you can incorporate them into your interiors where they don’t look cheap. I’ve purchased several items for my own place and below are a few pictures showing how I mixed them into my décor without looking like I went to Ikea.

Things I would recommend purchasing from Ikea are lighting, closet & organizational systems, office, kitchens, appliances, cabinet hardware, sinks & faucets and throw pillows. Things I wouldn’t recommend buying at Ikea are upholstered goods like chairs and sofas, most case goods and furniture. If you mix the recommended items with better quality furniture and upholstered goods, you’re going to get an overall better look and most likely no one will ever know you even have anything from Ikea.  Check out some of my favorite Ikea finds below….

I’ve also found a blog and website called Ikea Hackers that I love and have used on a couple of occasions to turn some Ikea items into something better or more functional by painting, cutting & “hacking” the original item. This site gives a lot of great ideas on otherwise boring pieces, that with a little bit of time and effort will give you a more designer look in your home. It’s also a great source for all of you who are just getting into your first apartment and budget is key.

Christopher James Interiors is always ready to help you out with your interiors, even if you are on a limited budget. Our designers have answers and ideas that will give you the look you want in your home without breaking the bank. We have programs and design solutions for everyone, so please contact us.

Let us know of your Ikea finds and recommendations and if you have any good tips or items you’ve used in the interior design of yours or your clients’ homes. We’d love to hear from you!

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When should you start staging your home?

The process of getting a home ready to sell should begin before the realtor is brought in.  Too often the home seller waits until the last minute to seek advice about the staging of the home.

Show-ability = Profitability

You live in your home but you are selling a house.  The first step is to remove the personality of the current owner so that potential buyers do not feel they are just “visiting” someone’s house, but that they are looking at their new “Home”.

Home Staging is marketing in the same way that retailers use displays to showcase their products, gain attention and make them appealing to a larger market.

You are marketing your home to the realtor first.  There is a perceived value to consider in addition to the comparable pricing in the area.

If the realtor feels the home will be a hard sell, they may suggest listing at a lower price.  Why let that happen, when so much of home sale preparation can be done for no or very little money?

A little time invested can add a lot to the selling cost.  How much do cleaning products cost?  How inexpensive are boxes to start the packing, sorting and donating?  You won’t feel that you are under the gun if you start the process as soon as you decide to move.

Eliminate some of the stress by putting together a plan.  This may start with the sorting, pre-packing, donating and cleaning.  Then call in the advice of a professional interior designer  to help you further “market” your home by:

Staging the furnishings to create great traffic flow, and highlighting the best parts of the house.

A Home Staging Professional is the expert in this part of the plan.  Many times it begins with an assessment of what a buyer is looking for, eliminating all the negatives that may potentially keep them from putting an offer on your home.

The staging pro’s assessment should begin with the street view of the house or curb appeal as it’s referred to in the industry.  It will not matter how much you work on the inside if the buyer is turned off when they pull up in front of your home.  If the buyer doesn’t like what they’re driving up to then what’s behind the front door won’t matter at all!

You and your team need to ready your home for some great photos.  Take a look at some of the listing on the MLS or the newspaper. There is nothing worse or more detrimental to the sale of a property than BAD photos.  80% of buyers look on the internet before even calling a realtor to show them the property. What is your property saying? “A photo is worth a thousand words” or thousands of dollars could not be truer in this situation.

So when getting ready to sell a home, remember you are first marketing and showcasing your property to the realtor, and then making it easy for them to market it to potential buyers.
Make sure your house is photo ready and has great show-ability by calling in the professionals early.

If you need help with home staging and are having a hard time moving forward, contact us and we’ll help you get top dollar for your home!

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A $100 value – Call us today and set up an appointment at 714.542.5213

Christopher James Interiors (CJ-interiors)is one of the premier interior design firms in Southern California.  The firm has been helping homeowners turn their dreams for a beautifully designed home into reality since 1994.  Whether it’s new construction or a remodel, we will design your home to match your taste and lifestyle.  Our team is devoted to understanding your individual needs and ideas to ensure that your vision is realized from the design conceptualization stage to the final installation and construction of the project.

Services Offered:

• Interior Design/Decorating (all rooms)
• Exterior Design
• Remodel Design
• Home Staging to help sell your home
• Custom Furniture Services (placement and selection)
• Custom window treatments/drapery
• Commercial Design
• Space planning (perfect for small business)
• Hospitality Design (hotel and restaurants)
• Paint Services (selection of colors, faux finishes, murals, venetian plasters)
• Flooring – wood and tile (selection and installation)
• Electrical/Lighting Services
• Art/Floral Arrangements (selection and placement)
• Wall units/Cabinetry/Built-ins

Our team is made up of licensed professionals who provide top-of-the line, reliable, and guaranteed services while offering competitive bidding. Please Visit our showroom or Contact us:

Take advantage of our complimentary ($100 value) and see how easy it can be to turn your design dreams into reality.

A taste of our work:

BEFORE AND AFTER:

“We love our home and could not have done it without you! You truly understood our lifestyle and taste and turned it into more than we could have imagined.”    Kris J., Villa Park, CA

Chris Givan, Owner and Head Interior Designer of Christopher James Interiors.  “Customer satisfaction is not only our priority, but what we thrive on.  I will make sure that this is accomplished in your project by maintaining a high level of communication with you through every step of the Interior Design Process.  I welcome you to visit our showroom or browse our website to to learn more about our firm and the services we offer.  Our design styles include contemporary, transitional, Cape Cod, traditional, French country, Tuscan, California Ranch, Montecito and the currently popular Tommy Bahama look.  But it’s always a style interpretation that’s unique to each homeowner.  Please visit our Portfolio to view more examples of our work and our Products section for specific items for your home.”

Thanks for stopping by and we hope to be working with you very soon!

Additional services we offer: Interior design, interior decorating, new construction or remodels, room design, furniture selection and placement, custom furniture, wall units, built-ins, accessory and art selection and placement, floral arrangements, silk plants and florals, custom bedspreads, children’s rooms, home staging, kitchen design, offices, libraries, conference rooms, paint selection and color consulting, painting, faux painting, murals, wall paper, floor coverings, tile, marble, travertine, wood floors, carpet, custom area rugs, lighting, window coverings, window treatments, shades, blinds, shutters, custom draperies and valances, verticals, kitchen remodels, bath remodels, granite selection, stone and ceramic tile, exterior design, environmental design, landscape design, retail, restaurant design, commercial design and small business design, Venetian plaster, Venetian plasters, home staging to sell home, drapery, interior decoration

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