Over my 24 years as a career butler, I have been very fortunate to have seen some of the most fabulous residences in the world, and worked on behalf of my employers with exceptional decorators, interior designers, luxury builders and architects.

These great homes include, but are not limited to, the former New York residence of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the Park Avenue apartment belonging to J.D. Rockefeller and a castle in the United Kingdom that is still owned and lived in by an actual duke and duchess. As well, I have worked with numerous industrialists and television personalities and have been privy to their private homes, secluded islands and ski chalets, ranging in size from a 2,500-square-foot pied--terre to an 80,000-sq.-ft. private residence.

As a butler, I get to go into every nook and cranny of a residence to make them as comfortable and enjoyable for the owners as possible. But remember, as a professional butler, I always keep their private-life secrets private.

Why is a butler writing a column in a homes section? Given my experience working in these most magnificent homes, I have learned what works and what doesnt. By this, I am referring to both the space and the function of a room. For example, will it work based on both the physical space and furniture layouts? Will it work for cocktail parties, intimate dinners and/or large-scale fundraisers? It is all about form vs. function. This introductory column is all about what you need to consider before moving into a luxury condominium, where you will perhaps for the first time live in close proximity to your neighbours, and how to make that transition successful.

Each and every one of the professionals that I have worked with have taught me something unique, but I still think after all of these years the most important lesson I have learned is that no matter what you are designing whether a single room, an exquisite apartment or an entire household the most important element is scale. If you have that down, the space looks normal and feels comfortable. However, when the scale of a room or the furniture is off, the space just doesnt feel right and, in fact, it just never works. When you successfully achieve the right scale of any room, it then becomes a matter of personal taste when you begin to consider the furniture style, colours, textures, etc.

Whether you are moving to a new home or remodelling a luxury condominium, you need to think about how you are going to entertain. Are you going to invite your family, friends and/or business colleagues? Do you entertain in a formal fashion thus a formal living and dining room are needed or is your personal style casual, and is a casual environment appropriate for your needs? Do you need a butlers pantry, and if so how should it be organized? (A butlers pantry, incidentally, is a service and storage room traditionally located between the kitchen and the dining room.)

How many sets of dishes, china and stemware do you have and should they be stored in the butlers pantry or the kitchen? What is your closet/storage space going to be like? How much storage do you need, and how much stuff should you be getting rid of? Do you need a large linen cupboard? What are you doing with your luggage, golf clubs, hunting equipment and off-season clothing?

Often when we are moving into a new residence, we are overwhelmed by the builder asking us to make a plethora of decisions with many options, and yet if we could only have the luxury of living in the space for a year to see how it really feels, it would then be easier to decide how to ideally finish the space. However, this is often not a luxury we have and decisions have to be made prior to the move-in date in order to finish the space on budget and on time.

An architect might be needed to help review space and scale and this architect is a great liaison with the builder about what can and cannot be done, but then a decorator and designer should be consulted to assist in the completion of your new space.

While recommendations from colleagues and friends are important, it is ultimately your decision who to chose and this matter should not be taken lightly. Just like any trade, a minimum of three decorators/designers should be interviewed and the choice should be given to the individual who understands your requirements regarding scale, style, colour, lighting and budget. You should always feel comfortable being able to question and veto any suggestions that you do not feel comfortable with.

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What the butler saw: Discerning household tips

As press accolades grow for San Francisco based interior design firm Jonathan Rachman Designs highly personal interiors, Rachmans private collection of curiosities expands to Marin, now exclusively available at Mill Valley Interior furnishings boutique, Revelation.

Mill Valley, CA (PRWEB) October 08, 2012

Jonathan Rachman burst onto the San Francisco Bay Area interior design scene with his Collectors Library at the 2012 San Francisco Decorator Showcase winning him much press attention and praise. Featuring an elegant European sensibility meets a touch of industrial design that was classic but current, timeless but also contemporary, his distinctive choice of objects evoked curiosity and conversation. Jonathan believes in preserving artifacts and found objects from the past for the enjoyment of the future generation. His design style is a harmonious collection of artifacts from Asia, Europe and America, be it antique, vintage or industrial. As Jonathan says, I believe in telling a story with every room I design.

A few examples of pieces available at Revelation include:

Jonathan and his work have recently been featured in the highly regarded interior design blog The Style Saloniste by Diane Dorrans Saeks and in the San Francisco Chronicles Stylemaker Spotlight. His interior design portfolio can be viewed on his website at http://www.jonathanrachman.com.

About Jonathan Rachman

Jonathan Rachman brings an international story to his firm. Born in Sumatra, educated in Switzerland and having lived in Europe, he now makes his home in San Francisco.

He has developed an appreciation for Indonesia's beauty and craftsmanship in its furniture and textiles. While living in Paris and Switzerland, Jonathon traveled Europe, becoming enamored with its antiques and architecture. His travel influences infuse his interiors, reflecting a thoughtfully elegant, global style. The collection and furnishing in this showcase collectors library tell the story of his journey.

Jonathan Rachman Design creates timeless, artful, interiors: interpretations of clients' personal styles and collections. Seamlessly blending the past and the present with thoughtful elegance, his designs are individually curated spaces with a bespoke point of view.

About Revelation:

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Globetrotting Interior Designer Jonathan Rachman Private Collection of Global Artifacts is Now Available in Marin at ...

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Interior design bloggers, hopeful design stars and amateur decorators have long wondered: "What really happens on the reality TV decorating shows?"

Philadelphia interior decorator Susan Hopkins ASID, CID spills the beans in a new Kindle e-book, called "An Interior Designer Behind The Scenes On A Reality TV Show" which shared her exploits on the popular NBC home-makeover show, "George to the Rescue".

On the show, she did a home makeover for breast-cancer survivor Brenda Jones, who creates "Hug Wraps" to help comfort cancer patients from children to adults. She donates the wraps to entire wards of children with cancer. Her house grew into a veritable factory for making the comfy clothes with matching stuffed animals and blankets.

The custom chair and desk she designed for the show is part of her new line of furniture Susan Hopkins Lifestyle http://www.susan-hopkins.com/lifestyle

"Brenda actually reminds me a little bit of my grandmother who died of cancer. And October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The story made me feel like that sixteen-year-old hopeless girl who wanted to help. I knew at that time that I wanted to do something for cancer and to just help people in the future. And this was my way of helping, while doing something that I am passionate about," said Hopkins, who likes to work on home decorating ideas with affluent clients in Philadelphia and California.

"The show is so different than how people expect it to be. They were so supportive of me and they respected my expertise. I was able to take on a lot of responsibility," said Hopkins, who describes her vision as clean and elegant. "I don't like clutter at all. My style is aesthetically pleasing with an edge."

She said the show was a great experience.

"I absolutely loved it! I've done theater before a lot of it - and this is totally different because you're walking around with cameras following you. It was so natural without scripts. It's all organic," she said.

Getting on the show was a bit of mystery.

"The producer called and left a voice mail for me while I was in a client meeting late one evening. The voice mail said, "Hi, Susan. This is Andy S. at 30 Rock..." I couldn't believe it was real. I believe that they found me just from searching through Google.I have a photo on my website. The producer told me that he felt that I had the right look for the show," she said.

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Philadelphia Interior Designer Susan Hopkins Reveals Secrets of Reality TV Shows in Kindle e-Book

A wrong set of keys unintentionally led Greg and Mary Berzinsky to their beloved home.

Transplants from Johnstown, Pa. (him), and Leonia, N.J. (her), Greg and Mary found their way to Philadelphia separately and adopted the city as their own. They met at a party and decided to buy a house after getting engaged in February 1992.

But costs at the time kept them from buying in the heart of the city. A friend mentioned that the eclectic neighborhood of Spruce Hill, a pocket within University City and at the time a more affordable option, might interest them. Two months later, the couple went to see a graceful home shaded by century-old trees.

"But when the Realtor went to open the doors, she realized she had the wrong keys. They were for the house across the street, which was also for sale," recalls Greg, 49. The Realtor suggested they take a look.

Only two other families had owned the house with the wide porch, built in 1900 by William S. Kimball, a developer who designed many of the houses in Spruce Hill. The semidetached dwelling was outdated and needed work, but details such as pine and oak flooring and thick, wide chestnut moldings captivated the couple, who share a passion for period architecture.

Adds Mary, 46, chuckling: "And then there were some things we didn't expect" - such as the cracked plumbing stack missed during a home inspection.

Even so, Greg and Mary, an architect and interior decorator, respectively, easily imagined this grande dame being restored to its original splendor, but with features for their modern family, which includes Victor, 15, and Ava, 13, as well as Streak, a rescued greyhound, and a languid kitty named Tim.

After purchasing the 3,700-square-foot Colonial Revival house, the Berzinskys, with the help of experts, started the task of installing new electrical, plumbing, heating, and central air conditioning systems. Then the kitchen and adjacent sunroom got an extensive overhaul.

Greg and Mary rolled up their sleeves and did a lot of the dirty work: framing, flooring, siding, and installing doors and windows.

"As the renovations were winding down, we had my sister's wedding in the house," says Greg, whose firm, Berzinsky Architects, is within walking distance. "It all worked out . . . although we did make everyone promise to stay only on the first floor."

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Glitch led to dream house

Argington comments on a recent ChicagoTribune.com article about the changing trends in decorating rooms for babies and children and the challenge of gender-neutral nurseries for interior decorator Marika Meyer.

Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) October 03, 2012

According to the ChicagoTribune.com article, Meyer says, These days, neutrals are the new pink and blue. Parents don't want to compromise the home's sophistication just because there are children in it. Keeping the walls neutral allows them to have both."

ChicagoTribune.com also interviewed Sonu Mathew, designer for Benjamin Moore Paints, who believes that gender-neutral paint choices are part of a larger cultural movement that allows children more creative freedom. Mathew adds, Before World War II, trends in fashion and design pointed to boys wearing pink just as quickly as girls would wear blue. So today, we're going back into that space where things are more level." Mathew goes on to describe yellow as optimistic, energetic and confident, which are all very important words for children.

Newell Turner, editor-in-chief for House Beautiful Magazine, suggested during the interview that there is a subtle psychological tie-in to color selection, reports ChicagoTribune.com. Turner responds to Mathews statement describing yellow as the most versatile gender-neutral color there is."

Argington spokesman Clay Darrohn comments, No matter what the trends in decorating for baby bedrooms happens to be, Argington furniture is suitable for just about every dcor. We pride ourselves on creating pieces that can fit in any room and that will be an attractive option for any designer or expectant parent. Trends will change, color choices will come and go, but our furniture is designed to withstand those trends and the test of time.

Argington is a New York based manufacturer of fine baby furniture and nursery bedding. Proudly offering sustainable products that are organic or eco-friendly, Argingtons products are also designed with mobility and multiple uses in mind to make the lives of parents easier.

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Scott Darrohn Argington 855-347-4228 Email Information

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Argington, Maker of Fine Nursery Furniture Sets, Comments on New Trends in Children’s Nursery Décor

Just as we change our wardrobes from season to season, we should also change our homes. Watch as videographer Leeanna McLean and interior decorator Tracey McDonell Reid help you transition your home from summer to fall with five helpful tips. Not to worry, these tips are hassle free and cost-effective.

First up, we have accessories on Monday. Tuesday is favourite fall colours. Wednesday Tracey and Leeanna discuss fabrics. Thursday is bathroom renovation day with a special look at tiles. Last but not least, we explore wallpaper on Saturday.

We all lead busy lives and we at Metroland Media Group's Durham Region Division want to help make yours a little more enjoyable. Your Life will present a daily one-minute quick tip to make the day a little easier.

You'll find nutrition and fitness ideas, cooking tips, wine selections, finance tips and more. Make Your Life your first stop every morning.

We have gathered several experts from across Durham Region to help make your life a little bit easier.

Our experts are :

- Bill Bath -- golf instructor, http://www.golfyoda.com

- Melissa Boyd -- owner/fitness instructor of Mindful Balance, http://www.mindful-balance.com

- Cathy Brown -- chef, http://www.heritagehousecatering.ca

- Chuck Byers -- wine consultant, http://www.chuckbyers.com

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Decorating Week: Five helpful videos on home decorating

Enter a world of possibilities with a visit to The Blue Door Interiors in Ladner Village.

Proprietor Jana Walker offers an eclectic mix of antiques, "refurbished, repurposed, reinvented furniture" and more at the new store.

"It's all about the art of mixing. It's out with the boring and in with something that gives you a little bit of feeling to it," she says.

Walker is an interior designer/decorator with over 30 years of experience, including working abroad in places like England, the Bahamas and Florida.

"Interior dcor is about providing options," she says.

She brings in items from countries like India and Australia.

"I have wonderful consigners who are great pickers," she says. "They find me great pieces."

Walker has lived in Ladner for 25 years.

"It's about bringing something different, and exciting, and wonderful to Ladner. I love this village."

She also offers in-home consulting services.

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Walk through 'Blue Door' to improve your decor

The Ellis Boston Antiques Show is a mainstay of Bostons cultural offerings. Now in its 49th year, the charismatic show features over 40 of the finest antiques exhibitors from across the country and around the world. As part of the shows distinctive offerings, award winning interior designer Sally Wilson, ASID of Wilson Kelsey Design will be sharing her ideas on how to incorporate antiques into both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) September 30, 2012

As part of this years event, New England Home magazine will sponsor a lively visual feast and panel discussion Designing With Antiques. Editor-in-Chief, Kyle Hoepner will moderate the discussion as prominent Boston designers share their expertise and ideas on how to incorporate antiques into traditional and contemporary interiors. Sally Wilson, ASID, an interior designer and antique maven from the award winning firm Wilson Kelsey Design, will be a featured panelist along with interior designers Jude Miller from American Dural and Charles Spada from Charles Spada Interiors.

A longtime aficionado of antiques, combined with the design talent to blend them within a variety of settings, Sally Wilson, ASID will offer tips on what to look for, how to get it, and pitfalls to avoid. Wilson Kelsey Designs expertise with a sophisticated and eclectic mix of antiques and contemporary furniture was previously showcased on the cover of New England Home magazine with a French-style salon. The room was furnished with a mix of periods, adeptly combining Louis XV, Louis XVI, Dutch pieces, gilded mirrors, Italian crystal and iron chandeliers, and architectural millwork. The harmonious mingling of these elements created the elegant tone of the salon. Using antiques instantly gives a room a certain weight and sense of history. I particularly love mixing periods, so that a room looks as if it were put together naturally, over time, says Wilson.

The Ellis Boston Antique Show runs October 18th 21st, 2012. A Gala Preview will be held Thursday, October 18th to benefit Ellis Memorial and Eldredge House, Bostons first settlement house for the care of children and their families. The panel discussion will be held on Friday October 19th at 1:30 p.m. The show is held at the Cyclorama, The Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street in Boston. The Ellis Antiques Show is a Boston mainstay produced by Fusco & Four/Ventures, LLC. http://www.ellisboston.com

About Wilson Kelsey Design

Praised for creating elegant, yet genuinely livable homes, the husband/wife team of Sally Wilson, ASID and John Kelsey, CAPS continues to garner acclamations for their design talents. Their firm has been published both locally and nationally and has received numerous regional and national awards including The Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America New Englands 2011 award for Best Residential Interior Design and Interior Renovation; American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) New England Design Excellence First Place Awards for a Residential Bath and a Residential Space, Dream Home Awards inclusive of a Gold Award for Best Kitchen Remodel, a Silver Award for Best Design of a Condo/Townhouse/Loft, and a Silver Award for Best Bathroom Remodel; a COTY Award for Best Kitchen over $150,000 presented by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and Silver Prism Awards for Best Kitchen Remodel over $150,000 and Best Interior Design of a Living Area sponsored by the Builders Association of Greater Boston.

Based outside of Boston, Massachusetts, the duo is unique in that they bridge the gap between architect and decorator. They share a strong technical background, including the ability to read and prepare architectural drawings. The former producer of This Old House referred to their work as heavy-duty interior design. In organizing their firm, they have divided the labor between them into the hard and the soft. John designs and details the hard interior architectural detailing, cabinet design, lighting, interior construction drawings, construction field supervision, and consultant coordination. Sally initiates and implements project concepts inclusive of interior design, furniture, decorative lighting, antiques, fabrics, and color and finish selections. The homes they design are elegant and sophisticated but always with a sense of comfort and livability. With backgrounds in commercial and corporate design as well as private residences the team specializes in a variety of project types.

WILSON KELSEY DESIGN

Phone: (617) 292-3380

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2012 Ellis Boston Antiques Show Features Guest Speaker Sally Wilson, ASID of the Award Winning Boston Interior Design ...

Georgella Rothacker Ray (nee Deck), 93, of Elyria, formerly of Cincinnati, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 19, 2012, in her home. She was born March 23, 1919 in Cincinnati, and has been a resident of Elyria since 2000.

She was formerly employed as an interior decorator with Callico Corners in Cincinnati. She enjoyed playing bridge, golf and painting with watercolors and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Georgella is survived by a daughter, Ruth L. (Larry) Russ of Elyria; grandchildren, Scott (Shelly) Russ, Jason (Ginger) Russ, April (Stephan) Schlegelmilch, Rob (Deanne) and Mike (Marcie) Fitzpatrick; and 15 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ralph Rothacker in 1996; second husband, James Ray; brother, William B. (Sylvia) Deck in 1991; and parents, William H. and Eva May (nee Fisher) Deck.

A funeral service will be 11:30 A.M., Friday, September 21, 2012 at Epiphany United Methodist Church, 6635 Loveland-Miamiville Rd., Loveland, with Pastors Scott and Jason Russ officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Cincinnati.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, P.O. Box 10086, Toledo, OH 43699-0086. Dicken Funeral Home, Elyria, handled arrangements.

For online condolences, visit http://www.dickenfuneralhome.com.

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Georgella Rothacker Ray

Carmi Martin on her search for a partner: Pinagdaanan ko na yung gumulung-gulong ako, umiyak ako, and everything just to find the right guy.

Papasok na si Carmi Martin bilang kontrabidang si Divine sa 3rd generation ng Luna Blanca.

Makakasama ni Carmi sa third book ng Luna Blanca sina Heart Evangelista at Bianca King na gaganap sa twin title roles.

Kasama rin sa cast sina Christopher de Leon, Mark Herras, at Lani Mercado.

Sa presscon ng Luna Blanca noong Martes ng hapon sa mezzanine ng Imperial Palace Suites, nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Carmi.

Ikinagulat daw ni Carmi ang pagpasok sa teleserye dahil wala nang pasakalye pa ang pagiging kontrabida niya.

Sabi niya, Actually, noong binasa ko yung script, sabi ko, Aba! Okey 'to! Hindi man lamang unti-unti? Bad kaagad!

Hindi man lamang nag-isip-isip. Talaga namang doon sa sukdulan kaagad.

Ang ibig sabihin, hindi na kailangang i-workshop pa ang character niya dahil bihasa na siya ganitong mga role.

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Carmi Martin on her search for a partner: “Pinagdaanan ko na yung gumulung-gulong ako, umiyak ako, and everything just ...