What Top Designers Have to Say...

If you could sit down with the top local and national interior designers and talk, what would you want to know?

At Hester Painting & Decorating, we are fortunate to work with some of the very best talent in the design world.  They hire us to help create their vision on the walls, cabinets and furniture of their client's homes.

This page is designed to give you access to their insights, tips and advice.  Come back and visit often as we will keep this page updated with new items from designers.  Please note, we are not recommending these designers over any others.  We work with many highly qualified designers.  The following is just a small sampling, and we plan to include many more in the future.

We want you, our customers, to find this section interesting and informative so please email us at info@hesterdecorating.com and let us know your feedback and any questions you'd like to ask the designers.

Question:  Recently wall covering has become very popular again.  Do you have a favorite or have you noticed a pattern that your clients especially like? 


"Metallics have gotten very popular.  They are a very pretty way to add interest.  Bronzes, golds, pewters -- they bring a bit of glamour into the home."

          - Jennifer Greer Hartmann, Gary Lee Partners

"This is not your grandmother's wall covering.  There are so many great new patterns and color combinations that are refreshing and modern, with plenty of fresh color combinations like citrine and purple."

          - Jessica Lagrange, Jessica Lagrange Interiors

"Walter Knabe Wallcovering - represented by Summer Hill.  They are a small company in Indiana that will custom color their patterns from a paint chip.  Very unique selection of prints, sometimes used commerially so they are very durable."

          - Liz McEnaney, E. Claire Design

"I love using the natural woven wallcoverings that are available in a large variety of styles and patterns.  A particular favorite is an oversize paper basketweave pattern available through Philip Jeffries at Summer Hill.  In addition, I still like backing beautiful linens, velvets, and raw silks and having them hung as wallcovering or used to upholster walls.  A simple embellishment with a plain trim or nailhead for the perimeter finishes a wall beautifully."

          - Nora Marra, Nora C. Marra Interiors

"Grass Cloth by Philip Jeffries Ltd.. I think the earth tones will soon step away for the blue tones and cool colors."

          - Alan Portnoy, ASID

"I think people are currently into wallcovering because bold damasks and floral prints have been revitalized with a more modern sensibility.  People want to see texture, pattern and depth within a space.  My favorite wallcovering lines are Osbourne and Little or Designers Guild because of the bold and unique colors available.  The motifs on the papers within their collections are always unique and interesting."         

          - Mia Rao, Mia Rao Design

Advice on other various topics:

"Don’t forget the entrance of your home.  A front door in an accent color is a welcoming sight.  If room allows plant a pair of pots on each side of the door.  Use a blooming plant of the same color as the door, but only in the smallest amount of color for the pots.  Inside the front door in the foyer repeat the color also, in a minimal way, such as an accent or decorative piece or have the color repeated in a painting.  Dramatic but in a subtle, understated way."

        - James Meiss, A.S.I.D.

"To borrow a quote from dealer, Doug Van Tress, there is a difference between designing a home and simply furnishing a home.  Good design should be thoughtful, timeless and unconcerned with the latest trends.  Wise clients make selections that will become cherished possessions, part of their family's history and help create their own unique and personal spaces."

          - Arlene Semel and Brian Snow, SemelSnow Interior Design, Inc.

"Clean' and 'simple' seems to be the words clients use most when describing the 'look' they want for their home today.  This also seems to be the latest trend in windows and walls.  Window treatments are very simple but fabricated in luxurious materials embellished with beautiful trim.  Walls are treated in a similar fashion with subtle texture and pattern, either hand applied or with wall covering.  In both cases an understand yet elegant look is desired as a backdrop for furniture, art, and accessories."

          - Ron Gershman, Ronald Gershman Interiors

"Timeless style is our most durable and optimistic trend.  Furnishings properly laid out -- from antique to uniquely contemporary and in almost any color or personality -- can integrate into a well-designed, balanced backdrop of subtle lighting, priestly painted or covered walls and classically finished materials.  Then the possibilities for details and flourishes are endless."

          - Claire Golan, Claire Golan & Assoc.

"Art and decorative objects are the jewlery of a space.  They give a room its character.  Art for one's home should go along with one's interest and decor.  It is helpful to visit art museums, galleries and local art shows.  Your eye learns very quickly what is pleasing to you.  I find it great fun to place natural objects, architectural elements, ancient objects in a space.  A series of black and white photography framed in a simple black or white lacquer wide frame -- always interesting.  Look for the one larger object, piece of sculpture or painting -- more impact!"

          - Laurel Feldman, Laurel Feldman Interiors

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