Who is Raymond Waites?

Raymond Waites holds a special place in our hearts here at Dream Interiors. Raymond's first visit to Dream Interiors was back in 1997 when he helped us introduce our Raymond Waites gallery on our second level. Raymond has been a close friend ever since, and we are blessed to have him join us again for this special once in a lifetime experience.

Please enjoy this brief history of Raymond and all of his design glory.

"Modern man associates himself with the ancient world, not in order to reflect, like a mirror, but to capture its spirit and apply it in a modern way."
Palladio, 1564 A.D. Raymond Waites, 1994 A.D.

Raymond Waites has created a New Golden Age of Decoration. On November 1, 1994, the Raymond Waites Vintage Home Collection was born in New York. Raymond established a new design atelier to explore the many facets of global design. As designer, President, and CEO of Raymond Waites Design, Inc., Raymond is recognized as the pioneering force behind this New Age of Decoration.

Raymond Waites is recognized as the leader and founder of the American Country movement in home furnishings in the 1980’s. Raymond Waites acceptance of his design philosophy is represented by $4.5 billion, at retail, of branded and private label products throughout his career.

Raymond’s inspiration derives from our American and global heritage. He translates his creative spirit into innovative products for the home using the finest domestic and international manufacturing skills. Raymond’s intuitive design sense, has helped make him an authority in design in America, Europe and Japan. Raymond Waites’ coordinated collections collaborate all elements of home fashions including bedding, textiles, wall coverings, area rugs, lamps and chandeliers, ceramics, porcelain, framed art and other accessories. Raymond’s signature is mixing the opulent with the humble to create timeless and refreshing looks with casual elegance.
Introduced in 1995, the Raymond Waites designed collections from Laneventure and a harvest of licensed manufacturers, exemplifies this Vintage design philosophy. Capturing the essence of a New Vintage Home, the collection offers three distinctly different lifestyle settings of furniture, for each season, merchandised with coordinating accessories from more than 20 American furnishings categories. This collection has resulted in one of the industry’s most successful introductions. Raymond Waites Vintage designs can be seen in hundreds of shops around the world.

Raymond Waites gave birth to his New Vintage Home. Vintage is a new look. It’s about comfort. It’s relaxed and at the same time it’s Elegant- Sensuous- Tactile- Textural- and Luxurious.

For more about Raymond Waites, please visit his website at http://www.raymondwaites.com/ where you can view all of his licensees, lines, and see a photographed timeline of his life and accomplishments.

Make a Change- With Pillows!

Have you ever stepped back and really looked at your main living spaces? Do you ever feel like your living room could use a little extra something? Do you love to change your mind?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, we have something phenomenal to show you! You can change the look of your room, daily if you would like, with a couple of handy tips! Watch and learn...

We have created a rainbow of looks, literally! Start with a neutral base- in this case a gorgeous white sofa. Although this sofa is white, we were able to create a number of looks using only 2 things: a throw and some fun pillows! You can change this look per your mood, per the season, or just because!

Need a calming space? How about a beautiful spa blue throw and funky and crisp flower pillows!

Or maybe a rich chocolate throw with contrasting red pillows to add some vibrant color!

Orange can be an excellent color to pop to add energy into a room or transition into fall.

Gray has become the hottest new neutral in the design world. Splashing yellow with the contrast of black and gray is a more contemporary way to welcome summer or spring.

What other color is a huge trend right now? Purple!! Combining shades of purples is a fun way to follow this trend- also a very welcoming color for fall!

Vibrant purple can be majestic and fun. Add a touch of whimsy by memorializing your pet as a pillow- we all know they end up on the sofa one way or another!

Making these simple changes is the easiest and least expensive way to recreate your space as often as you please. Add a touch of fun to your sofa today!

Special Guest Blogger! Stephanie Koenig

Ever wonder about Blinds and Shades? As Dream Interiors Blinds Specialist, we welcome Stephanie Koenig! Our Guest blogger this week!

Hello All!

Just finishing round one of training courses in blinds, We studied shutters in-depth. Shutters are a classic look that never go out of style. Providing great sun protection, they are available in hardwood, polyvinyl, and MDF. Finish options are endless and vane size vary, giving you 5 options to choose from. Did you know that we can custom color shutters to match your trim? If you don't have trim we have a framing option that would save you TONS of money in trim costs! Dream Interiors has great pricing on shutters and depending on your room, budget, and style we can help you determine which is best for you.

Dream Interiors has special pricing on the blinds and shades right now AND rebates from Hunter Douglas on top of that. So if you have 1 window or many....Now is the time! Give me a call, I would love to help you through!

Until next time....

Stephanie Koenig

630.810.1389

stephanie@dreaminteriors.com

Historical Kick-Off

The streets of Downtown Downers Grove were buzzing on Thursday evening for the unveiling of the Historical Photo Tour.

Over 60 photos are on display provided by the Downtown Management Corporation. The photos were unveiled one by one as the first group on the Photo Tour began. Here is some more information to ensure you have a wonderful experience during the Historical Photo Tour- NOW through July 18th!

Take a walk down memory lane. Walk through the streets of downtown Downers Grove and view the historic photos. Get a glimpse of what life in Downers Grove once was as you shop and dine in the boutiques and restaurants of today. Shop and Dine your way through history! Learn fun facts such as who the first person was in Downers Grove to own a car, where the stockyard was located in Downtown Downers Grove, the first building to have electricity in Downers Grove, and discover which buildings are still standing today. (Dream Interiors is one of them!!)

Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation, The Downers Grove Visitors Bureau, The Downers Grove Park District Historical Museum, The Downers Grove Historical Society, John W. Mochel, and Montrew Dunham have come together to take an indepth look at how Downtown Downers Grove has evolved over the years.


For more information on the walking tour- please visit http://www.downtowndg.org/ and get information on how to upload the podcast to your Ipod.

Calling All Tiny Seamstresses!

Every year about this time, the kids are out of school and itching for something fun to fill their time. Every year about this time, Dream Interiors drapery workroom is a buzz preparing for a fun lesson- because every year we hold a Summer Kids Sewing Workshop!

Starting at eight years old, these girls joined us- some of them from previous years, to learn the ins and outs of sewing. No matter how much experience they came with, they were all able to accomplish one thing- the basics of sewing by hand and by machine!

This year simple hand sewing tasks such as creating a pin cushion and sewing on a button were learned. It is amazing how many people do not even possess the ability to sew on a new button!

Two new projects were also introduced: the girls had the option to make a fun purse or to make a Wacky Creature with fun arms that can be tied! By choosing their own fabrics and adding special adornments such a interesting buttons, the girls each created a one of a kind keepsake that they get to take home and remember forever!

The Dream Team Lends a Hand

"Hats for Hope" 2010 went off with a bang on Friday, June 18th. Set at the gorgeous home of Joel & Maggie Andersen in Downers Grove, guests were invited to tour the house before being escorted out to the lovely garden in the backyard. Underneath the big tent, ladies donned in hats of all shapes, sizes, and colors sipped on wine and lemonade and ate a delicious lunch from Tommy R's.

This luncheon was not just about socializing and sporting your favorite summer hat. It was filled with women who were all there for one reason- to support the Family Shelter Service, which benefits women and children who are breaking free from domestic violence. To convey that message, a couple of friends of FSS were brought in to tell us all just how great a cause we were all there to support.

Our main speaker of the day was a young man with a story that brought tears to our eyes. Surrounded by a tent full of women, Shane Hendron stood up and told his lifelong story of abuse in his childhood home. He showed us all that abuse did not get the best of him as he too had the support of an organization such as this. He and his mother and two younger brothers all live perfectly normal lives now- despite their abusive father. An amazing speech that put it all in prospective just why were all there.

Family Shelter Service is an amazing organization that can use support everyday! With budget cuts from the government left and right, it is people in the community that can really make a difference, whether it is donating your time, donating funds, or just simply donating or shopping at their resale shop Second Chance in Westmont or Naperville, you too can make a difference!

How to: Remodel with Dream Interiors

Don't wait for the kitchen sink to start leaking or the cabinets doors to fall off! It's time to REMODEL! Out with the 80's and In with the BLING of 2010! The remodeling process could never be easier. Dream Interiors works hand in hand with Greg Cutler from Americraft to ensure that any project runs smoothly and professionally.

The process begins with a simple consultation with one of our interior designers. They will come into your home and see exactly how you use your space and what feel you would like it to portray. Drawings will be tailored to your specific needs and presented to you taking all of the guess work out of your new space.

From there, Greg from Americraft will visit your space to give you a quote as to just how much this project is going to cost you. Greg brings many ideas to the table as to how to make everything flow and work the way it is intended based on his years on experience.

The fun part comes next with the selection of materials including cabinetry, tile backspashes, countertops, flooring and more! This process is where having a designer is most beneficial as mistakes in this area can be costly if not figured out properly and by a professional!

"There are so many new materials available to all of us on a budget, we can work in all price ranges. We are the Designers, so let us worry about style and what tile goes what counter top
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR!" says interior designer Janice Connolly

You can really make any project an easy one. By letting the remodeler and designer communicate between each other what your wants and needs are, you get the perfect kitchen or bath while doing half the work! Just sit back and enjoy your new space!