Category Archives for "Interior Decorating and E-Design"
Cathy Di Leo Interior Decorating Trends, Tips and Advice. Certified in online E-Design and Interior Decorating
Cathy Di Leo Interior Decorating Trends, Tips and Advice. Certified in online E-Design and Interior Decorating
Are you dreaming of a warm and inviting living room that combines timeless rustic charm with modern functionality? Look no further! Our latest Rustic Living Room design captures the essence of comfort, style, and practicality, making it the perfect space to unwind and gather with loved ones. Whether you’re looking to refresh your current living room or start from scratch, this design will inspire you to create a cozy retreat with a touch of sophistication.
One of the key elements of this design is the use of natural, high-performance fabrics. These materials are perfect for busy households—they’re durable, easy to clean, and maintain their beauty over time. Think soft, neutral-toned sofas and chairs in shades of ivory or beige, upholstered with performance fabric that resists stains and wear. These pieces create a timeless base that’s both stylish and practical, making your rustic living room as functional as it is beautiful.
Nothing says “rustic charm” like the warmth and character of reclaimed wood. From the coffee table to accent pieces, reclaimed wood brings an earthy, organic feel to the space. Console tables are a standout feature in this design—whether flanking a fireplace to add symmetry and storage or creating visual boundaries in an open floor plan, they provide both style and function.
The textures and natural imperfections of reclaimed wood add depth and authenticity to the room, grounding the design in rustic elegance. Pair these wooden pieces with other organic materials, like woven baskets or stone accents, to enhance the layered, cozy vibe.
To prevent the space from feeling too neutral, we’ve introduced a pop of color in blushes, terracottas, and stone tones. These hues bring warmth and energy to the design, balancing the earthy tones of the wood and natural fabrics. Picture soft blush throw pillows, terracotta vases, or stone-colored accent rugs that tie the room together.
These subtle pops of color create a harmonious balance, adding vibrancy without overwhelming the space. They also offer versatility, allowing you to refresh the look seasonally by swapping out smaller decor pieces.
For homes with open floor plans, it’s essential to create visual boundaries while maintaining a sense of flow. This is where the console tables come in handy! Placed behind a sofa or alongside a fireplace, they help define the living room area without closing off the space. Decorate these tables with greenery, books, and candles to add layers of texture and personality.
By using versatile furniture and thoughtful placement, you can transform an open-concept room into a cozy, inviting living area that still feels connected to the rest of the home.
Layering is key to achieving a rustic look that feels luxurious and inviting. Combine materials like chunky knit throws, woven area rugs, and textured cushions to add depth and dimension. For additional coziness, incorporate natural greenery—like potted plants or eucalyptus branches—for a fresh, organic touch.
These layered textures soften the space and make it feel like a lived-in sanctuary where you can relax and recharge.
No rustic living room is complete without ambient lighting. Add warmth and coziness to your space with table lamps, floor lamps, or wall sconces in natural or matte finishes. These lighting elements not only enhance the atmosphere but also highlight the room’s stunning details, from the reclaimed wood to the carefully curated accents.
Rustic design continues to be a favorite because it’s timeless, approachable, and versatile. With a focus on natural materials, neutral tones, and thoughtful pops of color, this style creates a space that feels both classic and fresh. By incorporating high-performance fabrics, reclaimed wood, and layered textures, you can design a living room that’s as functional as it is beautiful—perfect for relaxing, entertaining, and making memories.
Ready to bring this Rustic Living Room design into your home? Visit our shoppable design board to recreate this look and make it your own. From natural fabrics to reclaimed wood furniture and terracotta accents, every piece has been handpicked to help you achieve the perfect rustic aesthetic.
Transform your living room into a cozy retreat that reflects your style and meets your needs. Let this design inspire you to create a space where you’ll love spending time with family and friends.
The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and festive decor to our homes, but once it’s over, many of us are left wondering how to transition our spaces back to a fresh, everyday look. If you’re ready to refresh your home and start the new year with a clean, vibrant space, we’ve got you covered! Here are 10 easy and affordable ways to breathe new life into your home post-holidays.
A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and most impactful ways to update your home. Consider swapping dark, heavy holiday colors for lighter and brighter tones that reflect Tampa’s sunny climate. Popular Florida-friendly hues include seafoam green, light blue, sandy beige, or crisp white. These shades pair beautifully with natural light, instantly transforming your space into an airy, tranquil retreat.
Pro Tip: Paint swatches are a great way to test colors before committing. Look for trending shades that align with coastal and tropical aesthetics to give your space a modern, local vibe.
Heavy holiday fabrics, like velvet throws and dark tablecloths, can make your home feel weighed down. Replace them with lightweight materials such as linen, cotton, or breezy prints in natural tones. Update your pillows, bedding, and curtains with neutral, airy fabrics to create a fresh and inviting atmosphere that aligns with Tampa’s warm weather.
In Tampa, outdoor living is a year-round perk. Take this opportunity to refresh your patio or deck with new cushions, outdoor rugs, and string lights. A few simple updates, like colorful outdoor pillows or a potted plant, can make your outdoor area feel inviting and ready for casual entertaining.
Swap out heavy holiday decor for lighter, natural accents. Woven textures, neutral colors, and earthy materials like jute, bamboo, and sea glass create a harmonious look that complements Tampa’s tropical atmosphere. Think woven baskets, bamboo trays, and decorative items in soft blues and whites.
Why It Works: Natural textures are timeless and versatile, bringing an organic, elevated feel to any room.
Your entryway is the first impression of your home. Declutter the space and add functional yet stylish pieces like a decorative bowl for keys or a coastal-inspired mirror. Simple updates, such as a fresh console table setup or before-and-after entryway photos, show how small changes can make a big impact.
Post-holidays, it’s time to simplify. Declutter and restyle your shelves by removing holiday-themed items and keeping only a few meaningful pieces. Add coastal-inspired accents like coral, driftwood, or sea glass vases to bring a touch of Florida’s charm to your space.
Your dining room deserves a refresh too! Replace holiday centerpieces with a fresh tablescape that features coastal blues, crisp whites, and natural textures. Incorporate a woven table runner, faux greenery, and simple dishware for a light and breezy dining setup.
Transform the sensory experience of your home by switching out holiday scents for fresh, uplifting options like citrus or lavender. Diffusers, scented candles, or room sprays are simple and effective ways to create a revitalized atmosphere.
Greenery is a simple and effective way to bring life into your space after the holidays. Swap out holiday greenery for plants like eucalyptus, succulents, or other fresh or faux greenery. A vase with eucalyptus branches or a small potted plant adds vibrancy and freshness to any room.
After the holidays, decluttering is a must. Remove excess decor to create a clean, streamlined space that allows you to breathe and reset. Whether it’s a shelf, mantle, or entire room, simplifying your space will make it feel calm, polished, and ready for the new year.
Pro Tip: Use before-and-after photos to track your progress and highlight the impact of decluttering.
These 10 tips are the perfect starting point to refresh your home and embrace the new year. From a fresh coat of paint to natural textures and updated outdoor spaces, each idea is tailored to Tampa’s sunny, coastal vibe.
Start small or tackle your whole home—either way, you’ll love how these changes create a clean, inviting space that feels renewed and revitalized.
Need professional help? Di Leo Design & Staging specializes in transforming homes with tailored interior decorating and staging services. Let us bring your vision to life!
Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Creating Depth and Comfort: Shop Our Monochromatic Bedroom Design Board
When it comes to bedroom design, many homeowners are drawn to the calming simplicity of a monochromatic color palette. But creating a bedroom that feels both cozy and visually interesting with a single color scheme requires a bit of extra care. How do you ensure your space is sophisticated and inviting, rather than flat and one-dimensional? The secret is texture.
Our Monochromatic Bedroom Design Board has been carefully curated to show you how to elevate a neutral palette by playing with textures in furniture, textiles, and accessories. With a focus on luxurious materials and unique finishes, this board will help you create a serene yet layered space where texture takes center stage.
When working with a single color or shades within the same color family, texture becomes essential. It adds depth and interest to the room without introducing new colors, allowing the monochromatic palette to shine while keeping the space dynamic. The interplay of different materials, finishes, and textiles creates a feeling of warmth and dimension, making the room feel complete.
In our Monochromatic Bedroom Design Board, we’ve chosen pieces that incorporate a variety of textures—from smooth, polished finishes to plush fabrics—to create a balanced and inviting environment.
To successfully design a monochromatic bedroom, focus on layering different textures rather than relying on multiple colors to add interest. Here are a few tips on how to make it work:
This Monochromatic Bedroom Design Board is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to create a bedroom that feels serene yet sophisticated. The carefully selected pieces are designed to work together, offering texture and depth without straying from a unified color palette. With the added bonus of a shoppable format, transforming your space into a peaceful, textured retreat has never been easier.
Elevate your bedroom with our Monochromatic Bedroom Design Board today. With luxurious textures and timeless pieces, this collection will help you create a serene, stylish sanctuary. Shop the entire look or pick your favorite pieces before they’re gone!
Explore our Monochromatic Bedroom Design Board now and discover the power of texture in design. Shop the collection before it’s too late!
Elevate Your Outdoor Living: Shop Our Curated Modern Outdoor Space Design Board
Transform your backyard into a luxurious retreat with our latest Modern Outdoor Space Design Board. Whether you’re hosting friends, enjoying family time, or simply relaxing under the stars, this curated collection of outdoor furniture and décor brings comfort, style, and functionality to your outdoor living area. With a focus on clean lines, durable materials, and a sleek modern aesthetic, these pieces will turn your outdoor space into an extension of your home. But hurry—these items are only available for a limited time, so shop now before they’re gone!
Our Modern Outdoor Space Design Board features a carefully selected assortment of furniture and accessories that reflect the best in outdoor living. Think of this as your blueprint for creating a luxurious yet comfortable space where you can unwind or entertain in style.
Ready to upgrade your outdoor living? Our Modern Outdoor Space Design Board has everything you need to create a stylish, functional, and welcoming environment. From lounging by the fire pit to dining under the stars, this collection will help you make the most of your outdoor space. Don’t wait—shop now and bring this curated look to your home before it’s too late!
Visit our Modern Outdoor Space Design Board page now and shop your favorite pieces before they’re sold out! Transform your outdoor area into the sleek, stylish retreat you’ve always wanted.
Transform Your Space with Our Shoppable Transitional Living Room Design Board
If you’ve been dreaming of a living room that blends timeless elegance with modern comfort, then our Shoppable Transitional Living Room Design Board is just for you! We’ve curated this collection to offer the perfect balance between classic and contemporary styles—creating a versatile, sophisticated space that feels both fresh and welcoming.
Transitional design is a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary elements. It takes the best of both worlds—classic furniture lines with modern updates, neutral color palettes with pops of texture, and clean silhouettes paired with warm, inviting accents. The result? A timeless space that feels cozy, but never dated, and chic, but never cold.
If you’re looking to update your living room with a style that transcends fleeting trends while still feeling current and inviting, transitional design is the answer. And with our Shoppable Design Board, we’ve done all the hard work for you, curating pieces that blend these elements beautifully.
Our Transitional Living Room Design Board is now available with limited-time products that are perfect for refreshing your space. Each piece has been hand-selected by professional interior designers to ensure that your living room looks pulled together and cohesive. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s included:
Ready to refresh your living room? Our Transitional Living Room Design Board offers everything you need to create a stylish, welcoming space. With its timeless appeal and modern functionality, it’s the perfect solution for anyone looking to elevate their home décor without the stress of piecing it together on their own.
Shop the Look today and transform your living room into a space you’ll love to spend time in.
Head to our Curated Design Board page now and start shopping! These items are only available for a limited time, so don’t wait to create the living room of your dreams!
Transform Your Space with Our Curated, Shoppable Design Boards
If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed with decorating your home, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve just purchased a home or you’re looking to refresh your space, creating a beautifully designed room can seem like a daunting task. But we’ve got the perfect solution for you—our Shoppable Design Boards, starting with our Modern Living Room board.
We understand that not everyone has the time or resources to go through a full-scale interior design project. Sometimes, all you need is a little inspiration and a few key pieces to transform your space. That’s where our design boards come in. Our curated, shoppable design boards offer a collection of perfectly coordinated furniture and decor that make it easy for you to recreate a designer room in your home, without the stress of decision overload.
Key Benefits:
What’s in Our Modern Living Room Design Board?
Our Modern Living Room design board is ideal for anyone seeking a chic, minimalistic space with a touch of warmth. Here’s a sneak peek at the pieces included:
Perfect for Quick Room Makeovers
If you’re someone who just needs a few ideas or products to freshen up your space, these boards are ideal. You don’t need to reimagine your whole home; sometimes all it takes are a few well-chosen pieces to make your living room feel brand new again.
Why Choose Us?
Shop While You Can!
Remember, the products featured in each design board have limited availability. Once they’re sold out, they’re gone! Don’t miss out on the chance to bring this Modern Living Room design into your home.
Ready to transform your space? Check out the Modern Living Room Design Board today and start shopping! 🛒
Stay tuned for more design boards coming soon, each offering unique styles from Monochromatic bedrooms, Transitional Living Rooms and even Outdoor Spaces! We can’t wait to help you create a home that’s as stylish as it is functional.
As the leaves start to turn and the air gets a bit crisper, it’s the perfect time to update your home for Fall. Embrace the cozy charm of the season by incorporating some simple yet impactful changes into your living space. From warm color palettes to textured decor, here are some Fall home updates to help you create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
Fall is all about warm and earthy tones. Consider updating your home with shades of deep red, burnt orange, golden yellows, and rich browns. These hues can be introduced through wall paint, accent pillows, throws, and even area rugs. A well-chosen color palette instantly imparts a cozy ambiance.
Add layers of texture to your decor for a tactile and inviting feel. Incorporate plush velvet cushions, faux fur throws, and soft area rugs. These elements not only provide physical warmth but also enhance the visual and sensory experience of your space.
Swap out your summer decor for Fall-themed accents. Pumpkins, gourds, and decorative foliage are classic choices. Consider a Fall wreath for your front door and tabletop arrangements with cinnamon-scented candles for a delightful fragrance.
Adjust your lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Opt for soft, warm-white bulbs in your lamps and fixtures. The addition of candlelight or fairy lights can also infuse a sense of coziness into any room.
Update your wall art with pieces that reflect the season. Autumn landscapes, nature-inspired prints, or artwork featuring warm Fall colors can be excellent choices to tie your decor together.
Swap out lightweight summer curtains for heavier drapes or curtains in Fall-appropriate colors. These not only provide insulation but also contribute to the overall Fall aesthetic.
Incorporate functional Fall accessories, such as a boot tray by the door for muddy footwear or a cozy throw blanket on the sofa for chilly evenings. These additions are both practical and stylish.
Choose candles with scents like apple cider, cinnamon, or pumpkin spice to fill your home with the delightful fragrances of Fall. Place them strategically throughout your space for an inviting aroma.
Don’t forget your outdoor space. Decorate your porch or patio with Fall-themed wreaths, potted mums, and cozy outdoor cushions. It’s an extension of your home that can also embrace the season.
By incorporating these Fall home updates, you can transform your space into a cozy retreat that welcomes the season with open arms. Whether you prefer subtle touches or a full-on Fall makeover, these ideas will help you create a home that’s perfect for savoring the beauty and comfort of Autumn.
Are you looking to create a stunning great room that seamlessly blends functionality and style? As an Interior Decorator near you, I’m here to tell you that it’s all about having a design direction. In this post, we’ll explore how to create a design direction for your great room and provide styling tips to help bring your vision to life.
Before you start styling your great room, you’ll need to establish a design direction. This will serve as the foundation for your entire project and guide your decision-making process. When creating a design direction, consider the following:
Once you have established your design direction, you can start selecting furniture, textiles, and accessories that align with your vision. As an Interior Decorator in Tampa FL, I recommend creating a mood board to help visualize your design direction and ensure that all elements work harmoniously together.
It’s time to start styling your great room. Here are some tips to help bring your space to life:
Styling a great room can be a daunting task, but working with an Interior Decorator can make the process easier and more enjoyable. As an Interior Decorator, I offer a range of services to help bring your design vision to life. From creating a design direction to selecting furniture and accessories, I am here to guide you every step of the way.
In conclusion, creating a stunning great room is all about having a design direction and incorporating key styling tips. Whether you’re searching for an Interior Decorator in Tampa FL or searching for an Interior Decorator near you, I hope this post has provided valuable insights to help you create your dream space.
As a Tampa and Wesley Chapel interior decorator I was so honored to be named the one of the “Best of the Best Home Interior” decorators for the month of February 2021 by Home Staging Resources.
The HSR Best of the Best awards showcase the decorators and stagers that are among those certified by Home Staging Resource under the guidance of Audra Slinkey. Winners are hand-picked by four judges out of hundreds of photos every month!
The winning photo (featured above) has a really funny backstory you can read all about by clicking here. I’ve been so fortunate over the last year to have the opportunity to decorate and stage some amazing homes. Even with the pandemic, my clients have been amazing and business has been fantastic!
What an honor it is to be on this list and to have the opportunity to create beautiful homes!
When I tell my clients that I offer E-Design services, the first thing they ask is… “What is E-Design?”. Think of this as the most convenient, collaborative way for you to redecorate your space! Many people have heard it called Virtual Decorating or Online Interior Decorating. E-Design is convenient, affordable, and faster than traditional design services because there is a true partnership and collaboration between the client and designer. Most of the work is done virtually through email, video calls, text, pinterest and the Design Files program so the benefits to the client are flexibility, faster turn arounds and affordability.
A questionnaire is filled out online which covers everything from timeline, budget, color, style, who will use the space and why you’re wanting to decorate. From there, I schedule a video call with you so that I can see your space and go more in depth about the goals for your project.
I give you directions to measure your space and take plenty of good photos and make note of any existing pieces you want to work into the new design.
I create a secret Pinterest board that only you and I can see. This is a GREAT resource for us to share inspirational ideas for your room, and to make sure we’re traveling down the right path to creating the perfect design. The more information we share, the better your design will be! (This is particularly important if you purchase my Basic Eye for E-Design package because you only receive one board with NO revisions).
Based on the package purchased, you’ll receive a set number of mood boards. A mood board is created in my Design Files program virtually and will be the core to turning inspiration and ideas into your room design. Boards are created based on answers in your questionnaire, your Pinterest saves and inspiration photos. My signature Lay It Out For Me E-Design package is the best value and allows for 1 revision. I like to make sure we are vibing with the color, pattern and general direction of the space before delivering your final board. Have fun with this and take the time to provide feedback! This is as much your design as it is mine so the more feedback the better!
I have several package options that will fit the needs of a variety of clients. I also offer a-la-carte services such as shopping, lighting mood board, rug mood boards etc. If you have a room that is in need of a little extra help, just let me know and I can better customize your package to your specific needs
All my packages include shopping lists and links to purchase product. After receiving the final mood board, you’re responsible for purchasing the recommended items at your leisure and decorating the room once product is received. I offer an optional Post-Design virtual call with my signature packages that allows you go call me for decorating advice if needed. This call is for me to advise you on hanging artwork, styling your accessories or to address any remaining questions you have about finishing your space.
Even if you are just now hearing about virtual interior design it is already causing a stir in the design community and beyond. I think it’s important to address some of the impressions that are currently out there and provide a bit more background about E-Designers in general.
If you’re new to E-Design, it doesn’t necessarily mean that E-Design is a new concept. Online decorating sites have been around for a few years and are increasing in popularity; giving more credibility to E-Design as a decorating option. With the recent COVID epidemic, virtual/ online decorating has exploded and gained even more popularity since it’s business model supports social distancing and online collaboration.
E-design and Traditional Interior Decorating appeal to different types of clients. E-Design clients are typically very savvy decorators that just need some professional pointers or the confidence in knowing their ideas will come together with a beautiful result. Because online design boards are very fluid, results are immediate. Clients have full visibility to budget, sourcing, and design elements and when completed, the decision to purchase everything at once, or in stages based on their timeline.
My path to interior decorating has not been a straight line and it’s not something I keep secret. I was an art major in college for 2 years studying design, painting, drawing and architecture prior to earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Marketing. After college I was fortunate enough to follow my dream of being a retail buyer and working for some of the top fashion retailers in New York and San Francisco in their corporate buying offices. My responsibilities ranged from product development, sourcing, buying, strategic planning, and merchandise planning, to store management. From this experience I was able to create products and dictate fashion trends that translated nationwide. If any of you purchased polar fleece from Old Navy in the 90s as an “Item of the Week”… you’re welcome!
At this point you’re probably wondering how this is all related to E-Design… WELL… After 15 years in fashion I found myself in Tampa Florida, which is not exactly known as the fashion hub of the US. I went to work in the corporate buying office for a large local furniture and décor company, that I realized much of my fashion industry experience translated to home décor. I immediately started to get my education and certifications in Interior Decorating, Home staging, Interior Color Application and E-Design. I built my business because, like my clients I wanted flexibility in location and hours. I love that I can work conveniently and affordably with clients and still create the perfect space for them!
False. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to create design boards. I customize each board based on my client’s vision. Just because I’m not coming to your home with samples doesn’t mean the boards are easy. The design process of getting room inspiration, shopping, and working with clients is still the same and takes hours behind the scenes to complete. The method of procurement and way we interact are the only things that change E-Design vs traditional decorating.
I pride myself on working within my clients’ specific budget requirements and curating product from multiple sources. However, I cannot realistically furnish an entire living room from scratch for $1000. Technically I could, but in the end the quality of the furniture would suffer, and your design would look like a college dorm room. Because of this, I provide a budget calculator so we can level-set the budget expectations together and create a result everyone is happy with.
I’ve work with many products and have a list of preferred, trusted vendors that I trust. Have I seen and touched all the items on your boards? NO. If I have any questions about quality, texture, or colors I’ll sometimes order swatches or do more research, YES. But this is an exception and not the rule. At the end of the day, I cannot personally guarantee the color/texture/quality of every item. Nor can I guarantee the availability or the shipping times for products. I seek out companies that offer preferred terms for designers, reliable delivery and returns but have no -authority over the third-party companies.
I ask a lot of questions of my clients and have both written questionnaires and Facetime meetings to understand the specifics of each project. I even take it a step further in setting up a collaborative Pinterest board for each client to pin inspiration or specific elements they want included into their design. These tools are used for me to deliver the perfect design for my client, not for my clients to do my job. I’m very upfront that E-Design involves more client collaboration than traditional decorating since we work virtually. If you desire direct communication with me, I offer packages that address this need. My goal with all clients is to deliver the perfect design and I’m unable to do that if I don’t know what the client wants the end result to look like.
E-Design is not for everyone, but it’s a GREAT option for the right client. If you want design direction and expertise but don’t mind being involved in the process to prepare, manage and execute the project, then E-Design is the perfect service for you!