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My Blog
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 3:45 PM
Recycled Glass  Recycled Glass invites a tremendous number of uses in design. Bits of broken glass bottles and porcelain transform
floors, furniture and counter tops into beautiful works of art. Utilizing this
sustainable component in design means that instead of mounting in a landfill for
thousands of years, post-consumer glass and porcelain are turned into gorgeous
fixtures by mixing crushed, recycled
glass with an epoxy resin thereby creating an endless number of sparkling terrazzo
designs! If you can’t find one that matches your home or office,
you can design your own, based on color, size and finish.
 The best part, terrazzo is virtually maintenance free, and lasts as long as your
building or home stands.
Unlike marble, which has to be removed from the earth, recycled glass is made from some of the 30 billion bottles
that would otherwise end up in landfills.
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:39 PM
As a professional, I thought it to be important that I define who I am and what I do! Here is a sample of my business philosophy I use to be the best Designer I can be for my clients...
1.
I am an artist! What I do is creative work;
designers need talent, skills and experience! Design is not easy; I am paid to
make it look that way.
2. I am the expert!As
the expert, I only want to give you the best
outcome for your project. I will explain
the reasons behind major decisions. The
way I do things is based upon my education and training!
3. Your Feedback is important!With all the information available on the web, your feedback might just
reveal a better idea that will improve the final results! However; not everyone is a designer because
they can identify colors or new products!
Be careful not to spew guidelines; after all, I am the expert and I am
the one with the education and experience!
4. Communication is crucial
Your input is very important so that I have a clear understanding of your
wants and needs; if you have invited me into your home, be prepared to answer
my questions and most importantly to discuss money! Without a clear understanding of what you
want and what your budget is to accomplish that, our relationship is doomed
right from the start! For me, including
my clients usually means they have a great appreciation for the work I do as they
see it develop from a basic idea to the completed project.
5.
Deadlines We know all want what we want as
fast as possible; understand that it takes time for even the simplest project
to be completed. While I work with
timelines, I do not directly manufacture the product that goes into a project. The materials that are available today may
not be available tomorrow; especially when it comes to fabric. For example, the availability of a fabric
being used on your project, could easily become unavailable if the manufacturer
sells the bolt to another vendor!
6.
Respect the contract The contract is important; this is
serious business and the contract we sign needs to be respected by both you and
me. I am a serious professional and I want to be able to provide you what you
want and to be paid at the appropriate times.
I want to adhere to work schedules and timelines; but I can only do that
if you respect the contract by making yourself available when needed, and honor
the payment schedule.
Bottom
line Being a designer is not easy and I
am not saying this only because of the amount of skills you need, but because I
work with all types of clients with all types of expectations; trust me I’ve never had two clients or two projects that were
the same. Challenges and difficulties arise all the time; I like to err on the
side of resolution; you are a happy client and I am able to show off another distinctive design! (It is a win- win situation!) |
Design Connections, TradeShows, Community, Cooking, Dining Rooms, Wall Art, Tile Surfaces, Color Conversations, Living Rooms, Entertaining, Floors, Accents, Holiday Decor, Outdoor Entertaining
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Pam DiTomaso: Posted on Friday, January 13, 2012 4:18 PM
If you are anything
like me, the hustle and bustle of the holidays leave you spent. I have been
over-stimulated for months — too much food, too much drink, too many do-dads
all around the house, just too much of everything. January has become one of my
three "clean up my life" times of year. Second to April's spring
cleaning, but somehow a little more involved than September's back-to-school
organizing. January is my new
"get-it-done" month. What needs to get done is for me to create a calm and serene
surrounding in which I can relax and undo my Christmas season extravaganza!
Being immersed in the home fashion and interior decorating industry, naturally I look to Design for inspiration; a well put together room, an outrageous piece of furniture, or an utterly new and awe inspiring color! Here are some of my favorites…
I love that this room
is city stylish, & sexy contemporary with the zealous artwork of Romero
Britto and luxurious purple velvet club chairs that play off the ruffled sofa
pillows!
 Or this unique custom
one of a kind corner chair; covered in a lively pattern that obscures the harsh triangular shape. Yet the soft and loud orange pillows offer a tantalizing embrace!
 Or, perhaps your
inspiration comes from a particular flower or landscape! This pretty pink rose warms my inner core and sends BLASTS of color images to my right brain!
Use images that speak to your right brain to jump start your creativity and “clean
up your life”! It could be just what you needed
to put the NEW back into the year!
Happy 2012!
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Friday, October 14, 2011 11:04 AM
I don't normally pass emails along to people en masse...but really this is just too true to pass up! For anyone who has ever owned property, take note:
YOUR HOUSE AS SEEN BY
YOURSELF...
YOUR BUYER...
YOUR LENDER...
YOUR APPRAISER...
YOUR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR...
True? Would love to hear your comments!
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:12 PM
Welcome the arrival of fall and Thanksgiving guests with gorgeous
decorations both indoors and out.
Create a Warm Welcome
 Welcome guests to holiday gatherings with a beautifully decorated entry
table. Create this autumnal display by placing golden gingko and bittersweet
branches in a large sculptural vase. Pears piled in a rustic stoneware bowl, a
ready bottle of wine and low dish of nuts are all reminders of the harvest. Don’t
have the DIY savvy?
 Then brighten up
your home for the season like vases filled with fall flowers. Sunflowers and Alstromeria
are great choices because they'll remain beautiful for up to a week. The trick
to keeping blooms fresh is to remove all leaves below the water line and change
out the water every few days.
Brighten Up Your Entry  Variegated croton in saturated shades of green, gold and red surrounded by
vibrant mums and pumpkins give the front entry a colorful fall pick-me-up. Both
plants are perennials and can either be brought indoors to weather the winter
or, if you live in a warm climate, planted to add color to your landscape.
Or
gather dried grass bunches in planters to flank the front door; use a painted basket filled with feathers and silk
greenery as a stylish stand-in for the traditional wreath. Stack foam pumpkins to
create an easy-to-assemble decoration that can be used year after year.
Earthy Elegance You can create this chic table setting using all organic elements for a look
that is both sophisticated and simple. A linen tablecloth and napkins, tied with
humble garden string, paired beautifully with weathered terra cotta urns topped
with moss and tiny ghost pumpkins. A single artichoke at each place setting is
a charming addition and lets your guest know that they are free to enjoy time
together by lingering over this well set table.
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 11:55 AM
Flooring installation by Miller Flooring, Inc .and painting by JY International Painting.
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Posted on Friday, September 09, 2011 2:39 PM
You know what they say about opinions; everybody has one. So lets take a gander at Sherwin Williams predictions for
2012. Sherwin-Williams' colormix 2012 forecast highlights 40 hues,
in four earth-inspired, color-family groups: reds, blues, greens and neutrals.
Colors that are analogous, or adjacent on the color wheel, are a dominant
trend," said Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for
Sherwin-Williams. "We discover a fresh array of combinations within
color families be it fiery reds, watery blues, grassy greens or organic
neutrals."
The company says reds will be seen in many shades,
specifically flowery tones like fuchsias, red-oranges, violets and
delicate pinks. Two shades of blue that are expected to be popular
are denim and water.
"As
we seek economic blue skies, we're rediscovering denim, the rugged fabric of
the American worker," Jordan said. "Clean water is another
essential commodity, from oceans to tap. Our serene blue palette pays homage
to both of these treasured resources."
Greens with a more yellow-tint will be seen less, in 2012 than
previous years, as lush shades of green are paired with rustic
tones and organic elements like algae, moss and seaweed. Raw materials
continue to influence color trends, which will be seen in golden tones and
subtle neutral shades inspired by linens, wood and unfired porcelain.
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Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 3:37 PM
The South East's largest home improvement event returns
to the Miami Beach Convention Center Labor Day weekend.
The Home Design & Remodeling Show is a unique marketplace that
enables homeowners to experience the products and services first hand,
talk one-on-one with the experts and get personalized advice to plan
individual home improvement and design projects.
Pam won't answer any requests for the room design she will unveil; but, we did manage to find out that a world
famous artist is working with Pam and will incorporate his artwork in her
Room Vignette.
...The Miami Home Design & Remodeling Show opens
Friday, September 2, 2011 and ends on Tuesday September 6, 2011 at the
Miami Beach Convention Center 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach,
FL 33139.
Stop by Booth C to be delighted by Pam's design. Click on Home Design to see show hours and ticket information. |
Design Connections, TradeShows, Community, Dining Rooms, Wall Art, Bedrooms, Living Rooms, Kitchen & Bath, Floors, Accents, Outdoor Entertaining
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:43 PM
You can take the ease of having an indoor party
outside by having your ingredients and tools in order at your outdoor bar.
You
might even want to consider stocking your bar with its own outdoor glassware
for cocktails, wine and beer. Keep a separate set of bar tools outside to avoid
multiple trips indoors. Be sure to utilize plastics whenever possible...Have you ever had to empty the pool to search for glass pieces? Or had to pull glass shards from the feet of little children?
You'll need the basics in this outdoor setup –
bottle openers, napkins and stirrers. And be sure to place pouring spouts on
all liquor and mixer bottles to keep spills to a minimum.
Choose a bar console that's big on storage
below with plenty of prepping space above. If you wish, add an outdoor fridge
or wine chiller nearby.
If that's not an option, try a galvanized metal tub or
a new wheelbarrow filled with ice to keep beverages cool. A coordinating
ottoman doubles as a casual coffee table for trays of drinks.
Need help setting up your outdoor space? Call us at RyanAlexander Interiors and our design consultant will create an entertaining experience for you and your guests!
786.704.9370
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 12:30 PM
June 1 through November 30th is the Hurricane season here in the Southeastern part of the country...are you prepared? Here are some common sense rules to continue your preparations: Prepare Your
Home/Property
• Secure/store items from yard
• Trim loose/dead branches from trees
• Secure windows with hurricane storm shutters
• Remove satellite dishes/antennae/roof turbines
• Clean out gutters
• Stack sandbags around exterior doorframes
• Securely moor or move your watercraft to a safe location Have On Hand
• Tools (hammer, screwdriver, chainsaw, etc.)
• Plastic tarp (roof/window repair)
• Clean up supplies (for yard and home)
• Camera to document before/after
 Always keep your vehicle filled with gas. In case of
evacuation, you will not be waiting in long lines at the gas station only to
get to your turn to find out that the Gas station ran out!
 Make sure everyone in
your home knows how to turn off your home’s gas, electricity and water. Floods and fires can be eliminated just by
shutting valves off beforehand!
 Prep generator to
assure that it operates properly. If it
has been sitting in the garage for a year or two, don’t expect it to work when
you need it!
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