Our 2-hour Designing Solutions Sessions are a great way for you to get interior design advice without having to pay for a whole room makeover. Here’s what our clients are saying about the experience:
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“Thanks for the helpful information and the helpful visit! You shared many great designing ideas, gave good advice and even inspired my own creative juices to begin flowing!
Thanks again!
Melinda in Silver Spring”
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“I was very happy with the two hour design consultation. I felt we were able to accomplish just what I had hoped in the two our time frame. Debbie was straight forward in her recommendations and was able to tie-in existing pieces yet make recommendations on how to pull the room(s) together. She was delightful to work with and I would recommend her to anyone looking for some design help. Although we are not sure if we will be staying in the area or moving, Debbie was able to make thoughtful consideration to both scenarios for short and long-term investment.”
-Tina Y., Arlington VA
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“I found Sharon friendly and professional. She gave me some interesting ideas to consider, and I learned a couple of new things. Also, I was excited to get the paint sample cards. They’re helpful.”
-Yvette K., Adelphi MD
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“I thoroughly enjoyed my design consultation experience with Sharon. She arrived to my home on the day and time we discussed, and she was well prepared with example materials and suggestions for my project. She had fresh, stylish ideas for my window treatments as well as my paint colors. She was well-versed in different products on the market and made the experience fun for me. She provided a useful written summary of what we discussed so that I can follow-up on our ideas. I would definitely recommend a design consultation to others!”
-Jen G., Silver Spring MD
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“Sharon was very helpful in helping direct options for pieces, locations, fabrics and colors for questions I had regarding a variety of rooms. She provided encouragement regarding areas I had already addressed in order to allow me to move forward with more confidence. Her recommendations were greatly appreciated and I value the time we had together.”
-Susan A., Potomac MD
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“It was great to get ideas from a professional. I was able to bounce some of my ideas off Sharon, who was able to give me suggestions and show me samples of items that I will be using in my remodel.”
-Matt E., Berwyn Heights MD
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“My design consultation was awesome. Debbie came into the house and took over! For someone who does not have an artistic bone in her body (me!), she was amazing to watch. By the time she left, I had a new floor plan, color scheme, places to shop AND a reasonable understandable plan laid out. The plan was key. I really enjoyed my time with her and the 2 hours was packed with useful and practical information. Can you clone her please?”
-Dawn T., Potomac MD
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“Debbie arrived on time, prepared and ready to go. The first hour of our time together included a tour of my small apartment, we started talking about what I thought was a priority and then she added her own thoughts and ideas. She was a whirlwind of fabulous ideas, and when I asked about doing certain things that she didn’t agree with, she told me clearly why it wouldn’t be a good idea. 100% of the time she apprised me of things that I hadn’t thought of, i.e. unintended consequences, and after listening to her advice, 100% of the time I agreed with her. She was a wealth of knowledge and was happy to share that with me. The second hour we spent looking at specific things online. In my case that was lighting, rugs, drapes and paint colors. She had paint samples with her and was able to immediately pick out the exact right shades. Online, she knew exactly which website had what I was looking for. She left me with a ‘bookmark folder’ online full of the items we agreed were best, and a detailed list of everything we talked about, what to do and in what order. I highly recommend her services. I can’t wait to get started on room #1, and the first parts of room #2. Then I’ll be setting up another appointment to finish room #2 and start on the kitchen!”
-Gillian V., Washington DC
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“I bought a 2 hour designing consultation with Designing Solutions and in the beggining I was a little bit hesitant. I never had a designer come to give me any advice. That was until I met Debbie. She is wonderful! She made sure that in those two hours I got all the answers to my questions. She gave me great ideas with out spending a lot of money. I would definetely recommend her to my friends.”
-Yianna B., Vienna VA
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“Debbie was enthusiastic and very understanding of our needs. She cut to the chase, and helped hammer out a great plan for the room. It was an empowering experience.”
-Stephanie D., Chevy Chase MD
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“What a wonderful experience to have Debbie in our home for the consultation! I immediately appreciated her friendly energy and desire to “get started!” It was clear that Debbie has experience and expertise in her field; her suggestions were thoughtful and well-tailored to my preferred style. I hope to implement most (maybe all!) of her recommendations as soon as possible.“
-Nancy M., Falls Church VA
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“Debbie began the process by asking what our overall objectives were with the consultation. We were interested in making our home more organized and useful while being able to entertain. This seemed like a tall order, especially when you know that we have three children under 5.
Debbie provided a comprehensive room by room analysis, making recommendations for lighting, storage, and layout. Debbie noted that we did not have enough lighting in some of our rooms, and she showed us inexpensive ways to bring additional light via recessed lighting. Our kitchen layout was clearly not right for us, and upon Debbie’s recommendation, we took a trip to IKEA, and very inexpensively made our kitchen much more useful by putting in a new large cabinet. Debbie then provided us some recommendations to move our furniture in our TV room, for a much nicer presentation while enhancing the usefulness.
All told, it was money well spent. The recommendations that Debbie made were reasonable and helpful. I was very pleased with her services and would recommend her without reservation.”
-Phil G., Derwood MD
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“I had asked Debbie to help with my paint choices. I wanted my living room to be “Fresh” & my bedroom “Crisp” & she Achieved! It was great to have guidance so I could be confident. The house looks terrific.”
-Sally D., Silver Spring MD
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“Debbie was wonderful, with endless enthusiasm and great ideas for my home. She came prepared with paint colors, tape measure, and websites to complete a look for our family room. Nice to have someone understand how a real family lives and have the expertise to make my home look beautiful in spite of it!”
-Jackie C., Fairfax VA
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“It was a great consultation! I absolutely could have had more time with Debbie- reflection of the help I need, not her 
She was very efficient and helpful for someone like me who cannot make decisions. Some important decisions already made based on the consultation which was great! She was very patient with me and offered numerous suggestions for things when she sensed my hesitation or would ask “what about x.” I purchased 2 groupons so can’t wait for the 2nd consult ”
-Jackie B., Washington DC
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“The design consultation was great! I came from not having a clue of how to furnish, paint, or accessorize my room to knowing exactly what I will do. I don’t just know what I want, but I also know where to go get it, thanks to the 2 hr consult. I really got a lot out of it.”
-Jessica L., Bowie MD
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“I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 hour design consultation with Debbie. At the end of 2 hours, I was amazed at how much ground we covered and how many specific design suggestions including product names, colors and websites she gave me. Debbie was instantly at work and very efficient. She absolutely listened to my suggestions, incorporated my design preferences into her suggestions and was conscientious of my budget. I would highly recommend her to anyone for a design consultation. I look forward to using her in the future.”
-Mary Anne A., Great Falls VA
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“I had a two hour design consultation with Debbie at Designing Solutions that completely changed my attitude about home decorating. I had little confidence in my decorating abilities and didn’t think I could afford to do much anyway. Debbie worked with what I already had and suggested ways to update with affordable, kid-friendly accents and floor coverings. Debbie left me with confidence and a plan that I can easily implement. It has been 2 weeks and there are already major changes in my house. I can’t thank Designing Solutions enough.”
-London L., Falls Church VA
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“The 2 hour designing solution with Debbie was WONDERFUL! We needed help with paint colors throughout the house…I like colors and my husband is (and now was) afraid of colors! We envisioned neutral (grayish-beige) colors throughout the house but Debbie showed us how it didn’t really work with our floors and cabinetry. To my husband’s surprise, we decided to go with every color Debbie recommended! Our house is now fully painted and it looks great! Can’t wait to have Debbie come back out for furniture placement and purchase recommendations!“
-Janet W., Rockville MD
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“I had the best time during my design consultation. Debbie was a pleasure to work with and had many great ideas for my room. Most importantly, she really kept in mind what would work from a practical standpoint given our two young children and the everyday wear and tear a well-used room receives. It is wonderful to finally have a sense of clarity about the direction in which the room should go, and I am really excited to start implementing all of Debbie’s great ideas.”
-Mary B., Silver Spring MD
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“Debbie was very professional and informative, as well as pleasant and accommodating.”
-Peggy M., Bethesda MD
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“I totally enjoyed my experince. It was really refreshing to work with some one who was not snobby or pretentious. Sharon was a joy to work with. The fact that I got the paint swatches in the mail a few days later was helpful. She gave me lots of good advice.”
-Karen P., Bowie MD
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“I can’t tell you how incredibly talented and professional our design consultant was. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and can’t thank her enough for helping to make our condo feel like our home!”
-Heather S., Washington DC
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“The design consultation with Sharon was very helpful to me. My husband gave it to me as a Mother’s day gift because he knew I’ve been wanting to redo our dining room for awhile. Unfortunately we had to replace our roof in June so our design budget was pretty much decimated by that. Sharon understood and helped me with what we can do in the meantime, basically paint and window treatments. We found a terrific color that I wouldn’t have thought would work on my own and I’m following up with the window treatments when we get back from vacation. She also steered me in the right direction for furniture when we’re ready to make that purchase. All in all, I would say it was successful and I’d recommend her to my friends.”
-Liz S., Arnold MD
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“My design session with Debbie was fun and she gave a lot of good pointers. I like the fact that she told me where to put artwork and even put little stickies on the wall. She also kept my budget in mind, which I appreciated.”
-Gloria L., Bethesda MD
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“I am very pleased with my Designing Solutions consultation. My designer was enthusiastic, encouraging, and had lots of great ideas to improve my home. The ideas were practical, focused , and will make a big difference when implemented. I was very impressed with her knowledge, and liked how she showed me websites where I could buy items, and bookmarked them for me. I would definitely recommend this service to others.”
-Ruth C., Washington DC
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“Debbie was warm, easy going and professional. She gave me interesting ideas that I had not considered before. I appreciated not being pressured, and Debbie provided specific information so that I can follow up on my own. The consultation was very worthwhile.”
-Diane L., Rockville MD
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“Working with Debbie at Designing Solutions was a real joy. She worked with the pieces I already had in the house (furniture, fabrics and rugs), and came up with ideas to enhance the look of each room, and really bring it all together in a more polished look. With her paint color selections, she recommended colors I would never have thought of, but which were much better than what I was thinking. We also went through her suggestions for furniture and accessory buying resources, going through and bookmarking their websites together, and for those manufacturers that don’t list pricing on their sites as they typically deal with designers only, she has offered to track down pricing for any items I am interested in. I will definitely look to using her services again.”
-Kathy H., Washington DC
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It was fabulous! We were just looking for inspiration and instead found someone we could trust and whose ideas we want to use and work with her! So exciting!!!
-Ami L.
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“Our design consultation was everything I had hoped. Debbie and I walked through my house, and she did a great job listening to me talk about which parts of my house I already liked and which rooms I thought need work. She looked at the house holistically and we began to develop a plan to bring the house together into a coherent style. I like warm and cozy rooms and in each area of the house, she suggested ways we could morph the room into designs that fit with our life and our style. We discussed lighting, furniture placement, and even started to get into color. I loved her approach of working with the room’s furniture and rugs first and then picking a wall color. I am excited to start redesigning my family room, which is my first priority. Toward the end of our session, we looked at a few rugs and some furniture, and I can’t wait to start. Debbie’s offer to help us secure contractors and manage the projects is such a comfort to me. I have such a busy schedule and I trust her many years of experience in helping me select the right people who will do a great job.”
-Marcy S., Vienna VA
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“Debbie was wonderful. She immediately understood what we were looking for, and tailored her recommendations to what we needed and could practically accomplish. She helped us solve some design and space problems that needed immediate attention, and even included our kids in the process. We all enjoyed working with her and can’t wait to implement her really wonderful ideas!”
Aliza S., Washington DC
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“Deborah was full of energy, expertise, and enthusiasm. I already had some ideas and had already made some decisions. She easily absorbed what I was thinking and understood where I wanted guidance. She showed me many websites that will help with final choices and suggested specific items on these sites. I have already implemented three of her suggestions about paint color and fabric. Her suggestion about counters was very helpful as I hadn’t even considered what she suggested, but it was perfect! I could not be happier with this consultation.”
-Ellen G., Bethesda MD
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“We very much enjoyed Debbie’s visit. My husband and I recently moved into a blank canvas of a townhouse and have absolutely no idea how to decorate. Within 2 minutes of her visit, Debbie had a basketful of ideas for color, window treatments, furniture, etc. In the end, she determined about $1,000 worth of paint and lighting will completely transform our home and make it our own. We will definitely look to Designing Solutions for decorating assistance in the future.”
-Katie A., Washington DC
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“Debbie, you give interior designers a good name!”
Kathy H., Washington DC
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“I wanted you to know I really enjoyed working with Sharon and feel that she was very helpful in picking out the important details of our kitchen remodeling. I will be very happy to pass her name along to friends who are looking for a helping hand.”
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“I really enjoyed meeting Debbie and hearing her ideas and recommendations for making my little condo a warm, hip and less cluttered space. (Bye bye grad school apartment look.) Some of her ideas for tying and echoing colors from one room to the next were genius! I really appreciated how she listened to me and gave me a plan that works to achieve my goals without spending a crazy amount of money. I have friends who wanted to know about how this worked out (let’s just say that academics–at least the ones I know–don’t normally hire designers). I will definitely recommend they call Debbie!”
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“Debbie Wiener and Designing Solutions exceeded my already high expectations after reading Slobproof and other reviews of her work. She is both a keen observer and a great listener and her advice reflects this. She figures out your style and respects your budget while transforming your home.”
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“We were a bit surprised how quickly Debbie got down to business. She wasn’t shy about making bold suggestions after taking stock of our home. We liked that she was willing to adjust her ideas based on our feedback. We also appreciated her respect for our kids, who ended up taking a greater interest in the process than we expected. We look forward to continuing to work with her.”
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“We just have to thank you for all of your help. Don’t know if you really know how much you truly helped us — ideas, resources, energy and excitement about fixing our home!! I’ve really struggled with the fact that [the house] just doesn’t feel like ours. You helped us focus and break everything into achievable chunks that we can do as we have the resources, and I can’t tell you how excited we are to get started! Now to make my prioritized lists, do some online shopping until I can get to the stores (already started that tonight!), and get some estimates.”
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“The consultation was more than I expected. Sharon arrived exactly on time, listened to my thoughts and immediately came up with different floor plan scenarios and furniture options. What impressed me the most was she listened to what I had to say and didn’t try to tell me what I should do. In no way did I feel pressured to sign a contract. I really look forward to working with her and getting that “slob proof” but attractive living room. The two hours just flew by.”
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“I was certainly satisfied with my recent design consultation with Sharon. She gave ideas for built in shelving around our fireplace because I’d said we were considering them, though I’m not sure we will take that step. We will likely just redo our fireplace and mantle. Sharon suggested lowering the mantle and making the hearth lower which hadn’t occurred to me before. She also gave some ideas for taking some items out of the room to lighten it up a bit since it’s a bit crowded at the moment. I hadn’t realized the full range of design help your company offers before. I would definitely consider calling Sharon in the future if we need help with design or renovations.”
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“I totally enjoyed my experience with Sharon O’Brien of Designing Solutions. She was able to focus me so I was able to make a decision about colors and suggested products that will serve my needs, while completing the surrounding space. For me, it will be a step by step process; the painting is almost done and it will soon be time to consult about further thoughts and ideas.”
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“I had been in a dreaming, planning, obsessing state for months–even years–yet was unable to move ahead in any significant way. Sharon helped enormously to get me out of my “circular thinking” by bringing her creativity, knowledge and goal-oriented thinking to the process. When I think about the role that Sharon and Designing Solutions played in our redesign project, I realize that I appreciate both the comprehensive nature of her knowledge and services as well as her flexibility in adapting to client ideas, needs, and budget. The initial 2-hour session was especially productive, as I emerged with specific and practical ideas that I could begin to implement immediately that would result in substantial improvement. Then as we continued our work together, Sharon’s framework of approaching projects–and suggested sequence of decisions and actions — was just what I needed to feel comfortable in moving forward with our ideas.”
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“Debbie is very enthusiastic , energetic and able to pick up on the family’s needs and wishes very quickly. We felt that she “got us” which is critical in the relationship between the family and the designer. She conveys confidence and professionalism and this in turn made us feel very confident in what she would tell us. Our meeting was characterized by very good give and take between us and Debbie. We were also impressed that Debbie was very clear when she did not have the expertise or answer and made clear what type of information would be the domain of other professionals like the contractor, electrician, etc. When Debbie left, we continued in the thinking mode but were hopeful that we can make progress to have our home work better for us and make our lives easier and happier.”
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“I had so much fun meeting with and working with Sharon. She listened to what I needed/wanted and she explained why she suggested the items or ideas. Therefore her ideas for my space(s) were on target. I liked how she knew my style and how to find and recommend ideas to design my space. Her ideas are not cookie-cutter and I LOVE THAT. She is not afraid to take risks and in an almost spooky way knew what I wanted before I did.
I would recommend Sharon to anyone who asked and even a few who don’t! My design consultation with Sharon was motivational, inspiring, informative and uplifting.”
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“I very much enjoyed the consultation. Debbie made a lot of extremely useful and very concrete suggestions to make our home more inviting and slob-proof.”
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“We absolutely enjoyed meeting Debbie last week. I was in desperate need of a designer that understands the realities of living with kids and pets. She helped us pick colors, fabrics, and furniture that not only reflect our family’s personal style, but will also shake of all the muddy paws and juice boxes you can throw at it. She really understood our need for practical design solutions that will work with a busy family. I look forward to working more with her.”
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“We met with Debbie yesterday for 2 hours and got a lot of great, really great ideas and suggestions. Debbie is enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with”
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“We found the consultation very helpful. Not only do we have ideas for new furniture and accessories that will complement our home, Debbie also showed us how to work with items we already have. We’ve already taken advantage of some of her ideas and we are very pleased! We are also excited to explore some of the new websites she recommended, especially since we can get a discount. It’s a great benefit that she bookmarked everything for us.”
-Rend A.
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“Debbie was full of ideas the minute she walked in the door. We selected paint colors, art, and actually moved our furniture in 2 hours! She is not only full of ideas but she is full of energy and you can tell she really loves decorating! Everyone should have that much fun at work.”
-Lisa S.
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“It was a positive experience. The design consultant was very helpful in choosing paint colors, and office furniture. She also gave good suggestions in having shelving put in my bedroom closets. The design consultant listened to what I was wanting, was flexible, organized and very pleasant. She wrote up what we had discussed and left it with me, and will have the paint company mail me samples. “
-Barbara N.
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“Debbie, thanks for the pricing and for all the help. We found it very very useful. Much happier with the new living room arrangement you suggested, and you gave us great ideas on lots more to do. Not sure what we will tackle first, so we may be back in touch in the future. Many thanks!”
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“WE ARE THRILLED! I can’t believe we finally have an adult bedroom, and we are so, so happy with the downstairs. Thank you so much. We are very pleased.”
--Ann Y.
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“We are thrilled with our place, which looks great AND I have REALLY cut back my cleaning time!!!!!”
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“Thanks for helping us to pull our dining room together in time for Thanksgiving. It looks great now that the light fixture, rug, table, plate rack and mirror are in place. Once we finally get window treatments and paint, it will be spectacular.”
-Cheryl H.
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“Cannot thank you enough for coming and looking at our little house and giving us ideas. You are a God send.”
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“I had the opportunity to meet with Debbie Wiener last week through a Groupon I purchased for the 2 hour designing solution. I asked her what we could do to improve our home without making major renovations and her ideas were fabulous – swapping our dull kitchen window out for a garden window, putting a runner on the stairs, recessed lighting, better paint colors, kitchen cabinetry, and optimal furniture placement. Plus, Debbie is so down to earth and unpretentious. Very easy to work with. If you are looking for style combined with solutions that work for every day life that comes within the budget you set, you could not do better than Designing Solutions in the DC Metro area.”
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“I scheduled a Design Solutions consultation to assist me with sprucing up our bedroom, which has white walls and the curtains that were there when we moved into the house almost nine years ago! She was down to earth and really heard my concerns and needs. She very quickly and expertly created a plan that is feasible and not too expensive. I appreciated how she sought out my feedback throughout, keeping in mind that if I didn’t like it, it wouldn’t work! I am excited to embark on this renovation and believe that Debbie’s ideas will make the room exactly what we are hoping for.”
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“Debbie is very professional, easy going, has great suggestions and made the experience very worthwhile. I will recommend her to others and use her services again in the future!”
-Barbara B.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/10/25/a-nice-note/
“We thought our consultation was quite helpful, and it opened up a wealth of ideas that we had not considered regarding the look and feel of our home. At the end of the meeting, we felt confident in new room design possibilities, and we felt well equipped to implement the suggestions.”
-Tiffany S.
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“[Our consultation] went very well and I really liked the suggestions made. It was nice to see the items online.”
-Mira S.
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“This was the best Groupon I have bought!”
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/10/05/a-generous-review/
“I enjoyed the design consultation; it opened my eyes to lighting solutions I had not thought of and gave me an introduction to some great websites AND the incredible slobproof furniture.”
-Cindy L.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/30/another-review-from-our-2-hour-design-consultation/
“Last Sunday, my husband and I received an exciting soups-to-nuts tour-of our own home- from Debbie Wiener. She seemed totally tuned into our space and explored decor and renovation options with both creativity and zest, all the while making budget friendly observations about existing inventory and accessories.We really enjoyed her practical, inspiring tips about enhancing our home environment.”
-Rhonda K.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/29/another-nice-note/
“I learned a lot from Debbie Wiener. She gave me a lot great design ideas. We went over all the areas on the first floor which covered kitchen, living room and dinning room. I got the color simple Debbie ordered for me. I hope I will start the decoration from printing the wall.”
-Irene Y.
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“We were very happy with Debbie’s consultation. She gave us plenty of ideas on how to go about improving the look of our house, and we found her ideas very sensible and affordable. We took copious notes, and we’ll start working on her many suggestions soon. Debbie is very knowledgeable, and a lot of fun to deal with.”
-Luca B.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/22/a-quick-word/
“Yesterday I had a fantastic meeting with Debbie. It was such a refreshing eye opening experience. After remodeling the kitchen & family room of our home I was so overwhelmed & indecisive on what to do next. The more I thought about furniture placement & what I need to replace the more confused I got. Debbie got started immediately & made sense out of everything! Now with Debbie’s help, I have a plan that will use things I have, add some new items & tie it all together with some WOW factor! What a relief to get going in the right direction – I should have had Debbie over months ago:)”
-Joni T.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/20/gracious-words-on-our-2-hour-design-consultations/
“My consultation session was really helpful. I told Sharon I needed help with organization and storage around the house, and she had some really good insights and ideas about where I might be able to create more storage. She also suggested paint colors for our family room, living room, and kitchen. I liked that she gave ideas to incorporate now and also ideas to keep in mind for the future.”
-Selah P.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/16/hear-what-theyre-saying-about-our-2-hour-design-solutions/
“I really enjoyed my session. Debbie helped me see things in a different way, gave me some great ideas for storage and paint color and a plan for my dining room/foyer. Now it’s up to me to get started.”
-Kelly K.
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“Debbie was very helpful and recommended the most important things to focus on first. She was very patient and was very down-to-earth with her suggestions. I have a much better idea of where to begin after talking with her.”
-Cindy G.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/14/a-final-few-kind-words/
“Sharon toured our house and gave us a few ideas for our kitchen and our family room. She made some suggestions for a craft bench and tiling for the fireplace. In the kitchen, she recommended a banquette with under-seat storage and cabinets along a wall.”
-Kristina B.
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“I was thrilled with my session with Sharon O’Brien! Sharon is the first designer with whom I’ve worked who really seemed to understand that people, pets, eclecticism, happens. I loved her non-judgmental, helpful approach. Her suggestions were thoroughly grounded in reality and when I pronounced that I didn’t want any more stuff, she essentially said “not a problem at all, we can work with that.” And we did.”
-Julie S.
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“The time I spent with Debbie was informative. Debbie provided me with some great ideas on lighting, furniture placement and doors. She also showed me some great web sites that will be useful in locating the items I need to furnish the room. She also provided me some ideas for getting my needlework products in front of the public.”
-Susan H.
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“Debbie arrived early for the appointment and went through all of the questions that I had for her. Debbie offered her opinions as well as
explanation for them and examples on the computer of different carpets, tiles, and counter tops we could use. Debbie also picked
colors for the dining room and living room which we had previously struggled with.”
-Kevin B.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/10/nice-words-for-a-friday/
“I really enjoyed my consultation with Debbie. She helped me to choose drapery, accessories and lighting options that would complement my new apartment perfectly. I’ve already bought many of the items she suggested during our visit that will help give my apartment the exact contemporary look and feel that I’ve been searching for. Debbie also provided several great recommendations for contemporary design stores within the area. I hope to use Debbie again the next time I need designing solutions for my new place. Thanks again!”
-Nanayaa K.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/04/hear-what-theyre-saying/
“I did a two-hour consultation with Debbie, and she was absolutely fantastic! Her advice was EXACTLY what I needed. I have a three-level townhouse with small rooms, and we moved from room to room and she gave me great tips on paint colors, furniture placement, suggestions on furniture additions and changes, wall art, window treatments, etc. She also sat with me at my computer and showed me where to source the items she recommended. She was great!!!”
-Elizabeth H.
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“I like fixing up my home, but don’t have much decorating savvy and Debbie Wiener was a breath of fresh air. She was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and answered every question I had. Things I had agonized about for weeks — What color should I paint my bedroom? Should I have the carpeting redone in the bedrooms or pull it up and refinish the parquet underneath? – were dealt with in less than 2 minutes. ‘It’s a no-brainer on the floors, she said, ‘go with the wooden floors. And go with your favorite color for your bedroom.’ I probably won’t take all of her specific suggestions, but have a good idea of where to look to find the things I need and I certainly have a long list of projects to keep me busy – and happy – for the coming years.”
-Elizabeth F.
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“I am a single mom of two young children and moved into my rental house right as I was separating. The rental house was suppose to be temporary, but I have decided to stay put so was ready to fix it up. I want my house to be a refuge – a place I look forward to coming home to. My small kitchen was a total mess and has barely any work space. As soon as Debbie arrived she got to work immediately. We focused on the two rooms that we spend the most time in and that needed the most work. Debbie respected that I didn’t have the luxury of a lot of money to spend, so she suggested some excellent, affordable pieces to make my space more functional and pleasant. I’m really excited to begin this project which doesn’t seem so overwhelming any more thanks to Debbie’s spot-on to-do list, advice and tips!”
-Tanya S.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/02/past-clients-say-the-nicest-things/
“My husband and I truly enjoyed working with Debbie. She has great energy. She was very good at picking up on what we liked and offer excellent suggestions. We are looking forward to implementing her suggestions in the near future.”
-Fan-Li C.
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“We really enjoyed our design consultation. Debbie did a great job of explaining what we needed to do without making us feel like idiots. It was very comfortable, just like having an old friend over.”
-Jennifer F.
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“I really enjoyed my design consultation with Sharon. She helped get me “unstuck” and we picked colors for four of our rooms. We also discussed ideas for some minor remodeling and built-ins, and we talked about how to proceed with furniture, floor coverings, and window treatments. Sharon really “got” how we live, and I think we will want to retain her for additional consultations.”
-Julia G.
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“My design consultation with Debbie was wonderful. I wasn’t sure how to make the most of my living room/dining room space which is short on space and light. Debbie came in and gave me several great design solutions right away. She helped me with a little bit of everything – paint color choices, decor, furniture, lighting. Not only did she listen and suggest things that were definitely my taste but she also challenged me to think outside the box. All her suggestions were clearly written down and/or bookmarked on my computer for future reference. I can’t wait to go shopping.”
-Roslyn H.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/09/01/kind-words-from-real-customers/
“Debbie was very personable and explained her reasons for all the design decisions. We thought we had a pretty good design in our heads but Debbie’s design really has us excited.”
-Milton Y.
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“Debbie put me at ease right away, asked me what my priorities were, and started working. She had practical, workable ideas for my spaces and once she opened her computer we were able to pick out furniture, rugs and paint colors that would coordinate and complement my rooms. When I saw something that I liked, she sent me the link, which I can still refer to. Even if I don’t purchase the exact items that we looked at, her guidance in how to coordinate a room is information that I can use forever!”
-Melanie B.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/08/27/customer-reviews-hear-what-they-have-to-say/
“I like fixing up my home, but don’t have much decorating savvy and Debbie Wiener was a breath of fresh air. She was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and answered every question I had. Things I had agonized about for weeks — What color should I paint my bedroom? Should I have the carpeting redone in the bedrooms or pull it up and refinish the parquet underneath? – were dealt with in less than 2 minutes. ’It’s a no-brainer on the floors, she said, ‘go with the wooden floors. And go with your favorite color for your bedroom.’ I probably won’t take all of her specific suggestions, but have a good idea of where to look to find the things I need and I certainly have a long list of projects to keep me busy – and happy – for the coming years.”
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“I did a two-hour consultation with Debbie, and she was absolutely fantastic! Her advice was EXACTLY what I needed. I have a three-level townhouse with small rooms, and we moved from room to room and she gave me great tips on paint colors, furniture placement, suggestions on furniture additions and changes, wall art, window treatments, etc. She also sat with me at my computer and showed me where to source the items she recommended. She was great!!!”
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/08/25/more-happy-customers/
“My design consultation with Debbie was wonderful. I wasn’t sure how to make the most of my living room/dining room space which is short on space and light. Debbie came in and gave me several great design solutions right away. She helped me with a little bit of everything - paint color choices, decor, furniture, lighting. Not only did she listen and suggest things that were definitely my taste but she also challenged me to think outside the box. All her suggestions were clearly written down and/or bookmarked on my computer for future reference. I can’t wait to go shopping.”
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/08/20/client-reviews-hear-what-theyre-saying/
“I really enjoyed my design consultation with Sharon. She helped get me “unstuck” and we picked colors for four of our rooms. We also discussed ideas for some minor remodeling and built-ins, and we talked about how to proceed with furniture, floor coverings, and window treatments. Sharon really “got” how we live, and I think we will want to retain her for additional consultations.”
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/08/19/design-consultations-more-customer-testimonials/
“My husband and I truly enjoyed working with Debbie. She has great energy. She was very good at picking up on what we liked and offer excellent suggestions. We are looking forward to implementing her suggestions in the near future.”
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“We really enjoyed our design consultation. Debbie did a great job of explaining what we needed to do without making us feel like idiots. It was very comfortable, just like having an old friend over.”
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/08/16/design-consultations-what-clients-are-saying/
“Debbie was very personable and explained her reasons for all the design decisions. We thought we had a pretty good design in our heads but Debbie’s design really has us excited.”
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“Debbie put me at ease right away, asked me what my priorities were, and started working. She had practical, workable ideas for my spaces and once she opened her computer we were able to pick out furniture, rugs and paint colors that would coordinate and complement my rooms. When I saw something that I liked, she sent me the link, which I can still refer to. Even if I don’t purchase the exact items that we looked at, her guidance in how to coordinate a room is information that I can use forever!”
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/03/26/2-hour-designing-solutions-what-the-home-owners-have-to-say/
I have a dream every week about what project I could do to our house, but I get overwhelmed and don’t know what is really worthwhile.
My mom was an interior decorator in New York, so I thought I knew a few things about this stuff, but Debbie was great. First, she walked us through each room and gave us a bunch of quick tips for where to move pieces of furniture. She also had great ideas for upgrading the look around the house without spending a fortune (e.g., blinds), with specific ideas for what blinds would work and where to source it at reasonable cost. She also quickly spotted colors for our first floor out of her Benjamin Moore wheel. But the most valuable part was that she was able to quickly conclude what two construction projects were going to have a big bang for the buck with soup to nuts advice.
For our addition: add a fan, take out the gas fireplace, build a storage closet, fix the screwy recessed lighting, new blinds, and paint a specified Benjamin Moore color. Her insights motivated me to action with a clarity of purpose. My GC is coming tomorrow to size up the work and help me get to brass tacks on execution. I may need to consult her some more to close on some choices about finishing, but she’ll be worth it.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/03/03/2-hour-designing-solutions-what-its-like/
After several years of failed attempts to find the right fit with an interior designer, I hit the jackpot with Debbie Wiener. I “discovered” Debbie through the Washington Post Magazine feature last year and while I worked hard to keep my expectations in check, I emerged from the two-hour consultation with a new outlook and renewed confidence to take-on long-stalled re-design projects . Debbie’s demeanor and attitude were far different — THANKFULLY — to my previous (and failed) experiences with interior designers whom I’d contacted with the same problem-set I presented to Debbie. Her professionalism is matched by her warm personality and apparent genuine desire to help people like me find their way in designing a home that balances form and function without sacrificing the homeowner’s identity. Debbie listened to me, took on board my objectives, priorities, and constraints and she responded with ideas and options. Debbie provided workable and liveable solutions and dispeled the notion that good interior design resides only in staged magazine pictures that never reflect the presence of real people living their lives. Where I had been mired in being overwhelmed by my re-design projects, Debbie counseled a measured, step-by-step approach and identified resources, contacts, and products that fit the parameters of my lifestyle (multiple pets and long hours at work), the volume of things in my house (inherited furniture and items collected from world travels), and my budget. I appreciated very much that Debbie did not push products or try to pressure me into any purchase decision. I welcomed and appreciated her honest, forthright, realistic and pragmatic approach to the consultation. Throughout the consultation Debbie was mindful of the time in that she wanted to ensure we accomplished as much as possible. She made sure that we took action on a few of the small, quick and easy suggestions she made to address design and space-utilization deficiencies I identified as problems. Without any hesitation, I recommend Debbie Wiener and look forward to continuing my working relationship with her.
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http://www.debbiewiener.com/2010/02/17/2-hour-designing-solutions-2/
The painter just finished painting my daughters new room this morning. The color Debbie picked looks amazing on the walls. I was so worried about finding the right shade of purple but this is perfect. Incidentally, the new issue of the pottery barn kids magazine agrees with her and now recommends the same purple color Debbie picked. This is a change, previous issues featured a shade of purple I didn’t like (it was too pink). I laughed out loud last night as I was flipping through the catalog.
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I live in Alexandria, Virginia, and recently decided to do some much-needed upgrades. I wanted to make some changes to both my living room and kitchen, but my kitchen was my main focus. I had contacted a kitchen designer who came in to talk to me about replacing cabinets, countertops, flooring, etc. While it sounded great to get some much-needed upgrades to my 1959 kitchen, I felt uninspired. I would spend a lot of money for basically the same kitchen with some better materials. I felt I needed the advice of an interior designer and, after looking around, chose Debbie for her background, style and reputation. Debbie did not disappoint.
She came in, listened to my ideas and got a feel for what I was looking for. She quickly went to work, making drawings of my kitchen and shooting out ideas for a new design and materials. Some of her ideas included taking down a wall between the kitchen and dining room, installing a peninsula with a white marble top and installing a beverage refrigerator on one side of that refrigerator for quick and easy access to water, wine and other beverages (I do a lot of entertaining) and bookcases on the other side for all my many cookbooks (thereby eliminating an ugly free-standing bookcase). She spoke of using frosted glass to break up some of the wood, thought up a cream colored farmhouse sink (brilliant) and a counter-depth refrigerator to replace the one jutting out past a doorway. She put everything on paper from where the LED recessed lighting would go to how to store my many spice bottles. But she didn’t stop with the kitchen.
She knew I also wanted some changes to my living room and she went to work moving this, moving that. She used the same things I already had, but with her changes, she created a much more open living space for me, my family and our dogs. She found the perfect rug for my long entryway (matched my existing oriental rug to a T), talked of paint and color ideas and bookmarked on my laptop some great resources for lighting and furniture. She had my son drag outside a much overwatered plant and advised me on how to bring it back to life.
I am SO GLAD I called Debbie before making any changes. Now I have a redesigned living room and, most importantly, a kitchen design I am excited about. She even mapped out two phases since I told her I couldn’t afford to do everything at once. I would recommend Debbie and her 2-hour Design Solution consultation to anyone who needs some advice on anything in their home, from small projects such as new curtains to major renovations. She knows her stuff!
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Dear Ms. Wiener,
Having had “designing” disasters one after another with all of my slobs, your book has reduced the monstrous number of choices to a manageable number. Last year Ethan Allen had a sale that included, helpfully, a minimum number of fabrics that made me feel comfortable. The chosen fabric is identical to the sectional on the cover of your book. It is holding up well to a 10 year old boy, 7 year old boy, a 2 year old girl and the worst of them all the 40 year old super slob of the house. Thank you so much for giving up your designing solutions! I now have hope of designing for my slobs. By the way we live nearby in Gaithersburg. Loving the weather this Spring!
Thanks again!!