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My Blog
Community
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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, 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 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, 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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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Wednesday, June 01, 2011 6:17 PM
June 1 is the official start date of Hurricane Season. As a homeowner in the state of Florida this
is an anxiety filled season. The best way to minimize your stress is to be
prepared! Hurricane Andrew destroyed
South Florida in 2002; and more recently Hurricane Katrina 2005 wreaked havoc
on New Orleans. So here are some basic
common sense rules to start your preparations for the upcoming season ( Part 1
Start Gathering):
Assemble Important
Documents (waterproof container)
• Insurance documents
• Medical records
• Bank account numbers
• Social security card/I.D.
• Proper identification/immunization records for pet
Pack
Personal Essentials
• Cash, credit cards
• Spare keys/local road map
• Cell phone/auto charger
• Clothing/rain gear/sturdy shoes/utility gloves
• Blankets/pillows
• Toiletries/medications
• Eyeglasses
• Valuables (jewelry, family pictures)
• Pet essentials (muzzle, leash, carrier)
• Toys/games/books
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 11:50 AM
If you’re like me, I enjoy anything that supports my notion
about who I am; in my professional life as an interior designer and in personal
life as wife and mother. So every now
and then I take pleasure in reading my horoscope…I found this one to be short
and to the point so I have included it for you to get a kick out of! Be honest and this will tell you the truth. Write
your answers on paper.
1.
Which is your favorite color: Red, Black,
Blue, Green or Yellow? 2. Your first initial? 3. Your month of birth? 4. Which
color do you like more, Black or White? 5. The name
of a person that is the same sex as
you? 6. Your
favorite number? 7. Do you
like California or Florida more? 8. Do you
like a Lake or the Ocean more? 9. Write
down a Wish (a realistic one)
To find your Feng
Shui horoscope scroll down!
1. If
you choose: Red: You are alert and your life is full of love. Black: You are conservative and aggressive. Green: Your soul is relaxed and you are laid back. Blue: You are spontaneous and love affection. Yellow: You are a very happy person & give good advice to
those who are down. 2. If
your initial is between: A-K: You have a lot of love and friendships in your life. L-R: You try to live your life to the max & your love life is
soon to bloom. S-Z: You like to help others and your future looks very bright. 3. If
you were born in: Jan-Mar: The year will go very well for you and you will discover
that you fall in love with someone totally unexpected. Apr-Jun: You will have a strong love relationship that will last
forever. Jul-Sep: You will have a great year and will experience a major life
changing experience for the good. Oct-Dec: Your life will be great; you will find your soul mate.
4. If
you choose: Black: Your life is about to get better. You are more than ready
for the change. White:
You have a friend who completely confides in you and would do anything for you,
but you may not realize it.
5. This
person should be your Best Friend. 6. This
is how many close friends you will have in your life time. 7. If
you choose: California : You like adventure. Florida : You are a laid back person. 8. If
you choose: Lake : You are loyal to your friends and your lover. You are very
reserved. Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people. 9. This
wish will come true! |
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Friday, December 24, 2010 8:53 AM
Well, the day is finally here…and
the magic is still alive for my 10 year old son. Happy and filled with anticipation; this day has
finally arrived, tonight Santa will
make good on his promise. He has been a
good boy all year and tomorrow morning his efforts will have all paid off! Thank God for children! His excitement is
contagious!
Looking at this holiday
through his eyes invokes memories of my Christmas’s past where the excitement of
Santa’s arrival would make my younger sister and I dance on our beds; and in the
morning, swear to our parents that we caught a glimpse of his sleigh and eight tiny reindeer in the sky! Now, 30 years later, I am amazed at how my
own child who will profusely claim that he too has seen the great “Claus” zipping
past our house and up into the stars!
 Naturally, we will track the
route on the internet and as the big guy approaches Miami; my son will run to
his bed and declare that sleep is imminent!
Of course it will be a while for his eyes to shut; and his Dad and I
will sit restless as we nibble at the cookies and milk! We’ll wait an extra 15 minutes to ensure that
deep sleep mode is in effect; Dad will scour the hiding places and stuff the
tree with all the neatly wrapped gifts while I keep a look out! Once the “dirty deed” has been completed, we’ll
step back and glance from the overstuffed tree to our child and wonder if over
indulgence has prevailed again. Yes it has; but, the money has been spent; and, with conviction
my husband will state that “Christmas comes but once a year!”
While many Christmas’s have
come and gone, I can’t remember at what age I was when I figured out who Santa really was! And while some of my sons’ friends have already
unraveled the mystery, my son still believes! And we encourage it; it does something for
all of us! My son looks forward to Christmas
all year long; but for us, we get to see innocence
in its purest and simplest form! And who
doesn’t want to hold onto that for as long as possible! After all, one day when he has children of
his own, it will be he who is awed by their innocence and at how quickly it
disappears!
So Hold on to the MAGIC and have a Merry Christmas! |
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Pam DiTomaso, Allied ASID: Posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 3:41 PM
This segment is one of many that host Emily Zubizarreta, (better known around town as Emily Zubi) conducts to
celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of women in business! I am thrilled that Emily has invited me to
share my story; (you have to listen to hear it, though!) as a South Florida
business owner. Women in business have
to overcome household demands, parental demands, marriage/relationship demands;
and, family and friend demands. So I
invite you to join us; sit with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate (it’s freezing
in South Florida right now!) and relax for a ½ hour as we discuss challenges
and triumphs in today’s market!
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