Whether you’ve lived in a home that needs updating or just have a specific room or corner that begs for some help, Dann Boyles, owner of Rebel.Reclaimed, feels your décor pain. Boyles has a background in design with fourteen years of experience, and through his design-driven boutique on East Fulton Street he offers in-home consulting services sure to give your surroundings the creative boost they’re missing.
“It seems to me that we are going through a transition where instead of using wall color as the main statement piece, we’re seeing a lot more neutral walls and upholstery with accent colors in accessories and accent furniture that's a noncommittal way to play with color,” says Boyles. “It’s easy to change out a tablescape than to have your entire room repainted.” Traveling with that mindset to your home, Boyles talks with clients beforehand, swings by for a walk-through visit, or could look through images of the home. Once he has an idea of what he’s working with, he’ll come out with pillows and various home accessories to charm the place up.
“I had a client that said they hated their mantel, so I brought out stuff and made a custom piece of artwork with their family motto that completed the space she looks at every day,” said Boyles, who actually used an existing frame found at the home, switching out the undesirable artwork.
“At times people are bored with pieces they have or decorate with things they already own that they aren’t crazy about,” said Boyles, who recommends simple updates such as a fun colored candlestick for $24 that’s an easy investment. He’s passionate about living life beautifully and not sacrificing when it comes to your home.
“I love the idea of making an investment on things that make you happy,” said Boyles. His clients are often surprised at how minimal the cost can be to make such a big difference in their surroundings. “People will tell me that they can’t believe that they lived with something that long.”
If you’ve stopped into the store and like what you see, the in-home consulting work can be a great opportunity to reclaim your space, “rebel-ize” a bit, and change the mood altogether from tolerating and living with a space to loving where you stay.
As long as people purchase from the store, the service is free. Boyles has other clients requesting help with paint color choices or with design/décor advice with a new build, and for those needs he charges $75 an hour. For additional information call the store at 218-9257 or e-mail Dann at [email protected]
Read more about low cost, high impact ways to freshen up your home in the August issue of West Michigan Woman!
Written by: Missy Black is a freelance writer specializing in fashion. One of her favorite fashion interviews was Nigel Barker from America's Next Top Model. Her love of fashion keeps her awake at night, dreaming of cheetah-print flats paired with red skinny jeans and anything lace. Missy lives in the Grand Rapids area and has written horoscopes and restaurant reviews, and enjoys another title as shoe copywriter. When her nose isn’t stuck in a book, you’ll find her in an antique store or flea market. Photo: Dann Boyles
