FROM DRAB TO FAB – An Interview with Kate Dreyer

Written by Kirstin Hawthorne

Kate Dreyer, of Kate Decorates, is a home décor and DIY blogger who shares practical, creative and budget-friendly ideas for decorating and organizing homes.  She is a cyber security consultant by day that attacks home projects and incorporates a playful yet sophisticated color palette.  She focuses on unique designs that combine pattern, texture and bold colors that put the fun in functional.

Via Instagram, Kate offers advice on everything from furniture placement, to decluttering, to creating a cozy home that works for your lifestyle (she is a wife and a mom to two active kids and an internet-famous dog, Buckley). Over coffee, she shared her personal experiences and challenges as a homeowner and offered these fun (but practical) solutions to designing on a budget.

Here are some design tips that can take your home from drab to fab:

• Start with an inspiration piece and build around it.
• Treat your space as one space without doors to keep a cohesive look.
• Add neutrals to make your colorful pieces pop.
• Don’t be afraid to mix colors and textures – it’s what will ultimately make your room reflect your personality and provide visual interest.
• A cohesive palate makes it easy to move pieces from one room to the next and create a fresh look by “shopping your home.”
• Invest in a good rug – it cleans easier and lasts longer.
• Be okay with spending on bigger pieces that will last – get that performance fabric if you have kids or pets in your life, it will pay for itself in the long run.
• Frame wallpaper as art – a similar look without the price tag.
• Layer colorful books – this inexpensive trend allows you to layer accent pieces, create visual interest, and easily incorporate color.

Five money saving design trends Kate swears by:

• Upgrade basic lighting – swap your shade or add a trim to it.
• Change out your builder-basic hardware – new switch plates, door knobs, and air vent covers make a huge difference.
• Layer your windows – use both drapes and shades. Layering different textures gives a high-end look.
• Add vintage pieces – incorporate thrift finds or nostalgic pieces that are uniquely yours.
• Invest in good quality frames – affordable high-end looking frames are very reasonable on Amazon and make a HUGE difference.

Okay, I couldn’t stick with just 5 since she has so many to share:

• Paint it! – that outdated piece can take on a whole new feel with paint and updated hardware. A bold wall in a room will create a whole new dimension to your space.
• Stick it! – peel back your inhibitions and create a fun accent wall or update a small space such as a powder room or mudroom without any long-term commitment
• Accent It! – fall in love with an expensive tile and can’t justify the price tag – use it as an accent row or wall rather than tiling your whole shower, room, etc.

Visit her Instagram page @kate_decorates to get a more ideas, a home tour, and a sneak peek at her new projects (you heard it here first, it’s the family room bookshelves and the kids’ bathroom).  I can’t wait to join her on this journey!