Martyn Lawrence-Bullard left his home in England for Los Angeles 20 years ago, determined to be a movie star.

The acting thing didn't exactly work out. But in one of those delightful turnabouts in life, he is now the interior designer to the stars. Ed Norton, the Osbournes, Cher and Kid Rock top an eclectic list of clients.

Lawrence-Bullard has made the Architectural Digest and Elle Decor lists of top designers. He is a principal on Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Decorators." He has a new book, "Live, Love & Decorate," with a foreword by client Elton John. And he has just produced his first line of decorator fabrics.

Not bad for a kid whose only movie credit is a bit part in a film written by Ed Wood and produced two decades after his death — as Eartha Kitt's love interest. He stumbled into interior design when the movie's producer liked what he'd done with his West Hollywood house, which he had decorated with flea market finds.

Lawrence-Bullard will take a break from preparations for the second season of "Million Dollar Decorators" to appear Tuesday at the Washington Design Center, where he will speak to members of the trade about the launch of his new fabric collection.

We asked the designer who helped Cher realize her fantasy of rooms decorated to fit the first wife of a maharajah to talk about his inspiration, how he splurges and whether you really need a million dollars to have a beautiful home.

You came to the United States to be an actor and instead became a world-famous designer. Did you see that coming?

I really didn't expect to become this famous designer. Interior design has been in my genes all my life, but I just didn't realize I could manifest it into a career — certainly without training. It has been not only a surprise to me, but it's the absolute joy of my life. To be able to be creative every day of my life — and get paid for it — is my ultimate dream come true.

You are poised for a second season of "Million Dollar Decorators" on Bravo. What did you learn in the first season that might influence the way the team approaches this season?

Season One taught me not only the power of television, but it has shown me the true passion the world has for interior design, and how wonderful and supportive all the fans have been. What I want to show in Season Two is more of the process. I want to let the fans into my life a bit more and open up the understanding that this business is a hardworking, high-stress job that is not all glamorous.

The "drama" on the show might scare away homeowners who are thinking of taking on a major redecorating project. Is this kind of work always that fraught?

When you're dealing with a client's home, it's a very personal space to be in. And when you're spending their hard-earned money, that's even more of a touchy situation. The show has portrayed some of this, but truly, there is nothing more rewarding than creating a special, individual space for a client: a place for them to call their own and be proud of. This is my goal, and hopefully the show lets people see the joy that's at the end of the process. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Does anyone really need a million dollars to decorate a house? What would I get for say, $10,000, versus $1 million?

You don't need a million dollars these days. You can find amazing things that are very reasonable from stores such as Restoration Hardware, which copies and reproduces amazing European antiques and decorative items at very competitive prices. Also Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and West Elm are amazing with their decorative trends at a fraction of designer prices. The main difference is, with a large budget you can incorporate great works of art and, of course, totally customize the interior by making one of the pieces scaled especially for the space and scheme. With a good sense of personal style, however, you can achieve a fine, fun and individual space for yourself on a very small budget.

The focus of the show is, of course, on the design work your group does for celebrities. Are they easier or more difficult than "regular" clients?

Celebrities live their lives in the spotlight. As such, it's vital for their homes to be sanctuaries — places for complete relaxation and privacy. My one great joy with my celebrity clients over the years has been their passion to live out their fantasies, be it an Indian palace in Hollywood, a Tuscan villa in Malibu or an English country cottage in New York City. I'm here to be their enabler and make these fantasies into decorative reality.

If I wanted to give my house the "celebrity" treatment, what decorating items are must-haves?

Star style at home must-haves, of course, include a spacious walk-in closet with a shoe wall — and beautifully furnished to resemble a complete room. Comfort is modern luxury, so every star pad must be ultimately comfortable. Deep, loungy sofas and chaises. Of course, vital for all homes is lighting. The dimmer switch is the most important part of every room. Good lighting is the key to beauty and youthful appearance.

How should I prepare for my first meeting with you as my designer? What do you need to know from me, and how can I find a way to describe what I want?

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Bravo's 'Million Dollar Decorator' dishes out inspiration, advice

By Rachel Quigley

Last updated at 4:41 PM on 16th February 2012

An international murder investigation has been launched after an American socialite and interior designer was murdered in her luxury Bangkok hotel room.

Wendy Albano, from Florida, who is known to have decorated Derek Jeter's $20 million Manhattan home, was found stabbed to death by a maid on Monday morning.

The U.S. Embassy in Thailand broke the news to Ms Albano's family earlier this week.

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Police believe Wendy Albano, left, was strangled and stabbed to death in her Bangkok hotel room by her Indian boyfriend and business associate, right, who is still at large

Police believe the 52-year-old was murdered by her Indian boyfriend, who she was seen checking into the hotel with on February 9.

According to News 13, the pair met through business and were working on a fashion import project together.

But they are also believed to have been dating each other since meeting through work.

He is 26-years-old.

The socialite checked into the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit on February 9 and was last seen on the hotel's surveillance camera on Sunday evening with the Indian man.

Police say he has since fled the country and is still at large.

Decorator to the stars: Wendy is known to have decorated Derek Jeter's $20 million Manhattan home

Family: Wendy leaves behind two daughters, Lauren and Jenny, who are trying to cope with their devastating loss

Detectives said surveillance video caught the suspect leaving Albano's room with luggage an hour after he entered.

Police believe the couple got into an argument and he killed her.

No one else was captured entering or leaving her room until the maid discovered the body the next morning.

She was choked and stabbed multiple times in the chest. Immigration said he left the country three hours after he was captured leaving her hotel room.

Her friends have said she may have had the intention of breaking up with the Indian man.

Hotel: The socialite checked into the Fraser Suites Sukhumvit on February 9 and was last seen on the hotel's surveillance camera on Sunday evening

Luxury suite: A maid at the hotel found Wendy in her hotel room (not pictured) on Monday morning where she had been stabbed multiple times in the chest

Ms Albano's family said she first met him when she did some business with him in India.

One of the designer's daughter told the Tampa Bay Times: 'I loved my mother dearly. Obviously, we're just trying to work through this the best we can.'

Twice married and divorced, Ms Albano leaves behind two daughters Jenny and Lauren. Her interior design business Wendy Albano Interiors was used by many high-profile celebrities.

Friends say Albano was 'talented and had an 'artistic flair'. She had been in the interior design business for 20 years.

Famous clients: Wendy is said to have decorated Derek Jeter's $20 million apartment in Trump World Tower, New York

Wendy and daughter: Police believe the socialite, right, was arguing with her Indian boyfriend when he killed her

Remembered: The 52-year-old was called a great mother and 'fantastic soul' by her friends

Close friend Maxine Stull told the Tampa Bay Times she was considering moving in with her friend. she has known her since college.

She said the last time they spoke, it was on the phone shortly before she left for Thailand.

Ms Stull recalls how happy her friend was and chatting about the man she was dating.

'She was always so positive,' she said. 'What happened, that's the kind of thing that didn't happen in her world.'

Another friend Denise Brown told Fox: 'She was the type of person that would give her love to anybody. She was a loving mother and a fantastic soul.'

Indian boyfriend a suspect in murder of Tampa woman in Thailand: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

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Florida socialite and celebrity decorator, 52, murdered in Bangkok hotel room by 'Indian boyfriend, 26'

Last Updated: 12:07 AM, February 16, 2012

Posted: 11:49 PM, February 15, 2012

Stunning Heidi Klum spent Valentine’s Day with her decorator. The “Project Runway” host was spotted walking in alone at Hollywood’s Soho House, but her rep said she was there for interior designer Michael Ostrow’s 50th birthday. Klum partied with her three children, who surprised Ostrow with a birthday song and dance they planned for him. Klum announced she was splitting from husband Seal last month after seven years of marriage and three children. Klum was in New York for an annual amfAR gala to kick off Fashion Week, but she then headed back to LA to film “Germany’s Next Top Model.” Seal is in Australia appearing as a judge on Down Under’s version of singing competition “The Voice.”

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Model Heidi Klum

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Heidi Klum spends Valentine’s Day with decorator Michael Ostrow at Soho House LA

Katarina and Tom love the character and charm of their 100-year-old house, but they admit that adapting the century home to modern-day living was a bit of a challenge. Back when the house was built, one common living room was all anyone ever needed.

Fast forward to 2012, and it's a totally different story. Katarina, Tom and their two rambunctious boys have just one space in which to live, play, work and entertain. The family's attempt to introduce the trappings of modern living into this stately old space resulted in a jumble of multipurpose furniture and a mishmash of electronic equipment, with wires and cables snaking everywhere across the floor.

There's no doubt this room presented several design challenges — among them, a lack of usable wall space, which was broken up by windows, doors, radiators and a nonfunctioning fireplace. I definitely had my work cut out for me, but I do enjoy a challenge. So I devised a plan that merges old with new, and tradition with technology.

First, we tackled the fireplace. It hadn't been used in 50 years, so we expected it would need work — we just didn't realize how much. We had to call in a chimney expert to repair and insulate the exterior brickwork and insert a stainless-steel liner down the entire length of the chimney. Just when we thought we were done, we discovered that the hearth was not structurally sound. In fact, it was ready to fall into the basement. Major repairs were needed before we could even contemplate bringing in the new gas-log set I had ordered.

As you would expect, Katarina and Tom's living room featured a plaster ceiling and walls. The room had only one dim ceiling light, and I wanted to brighten things up by installing recessed lights and a couple of elegant wall sconces, along with state-of-the-art, ceiling-mounted speakers. We replaced the old ceiling with a more modern equivalent, but applied molding to give it a traditional look. The walls were covered in elegant, glass-beaded striped wallpaper, which is the perfect backdrop to this multitasking space.

One of the things that Katarina and Tom love about their century home is the radiator heating system, but the heating elements took up quite a bit of space. The solution was to construct customized covers, which conceal the heating elements behind a stylish screen while creating much-needed display surfaces.

Throughout this project, the emphasis was on using each and every square inch of space, and the custom cabinetry I designed for the perimeter of the room is no exception. The cabinets house the family's audio and video equipment and provide a surface to display lamps, pictures and accessories. Katarina's desk is flanked by lots of shelving, providing plenty of storage for files and books. Best of all, the cabinets hide the unsightly wires and cables from all the modern gizmos and gadgets.

I positioned a rich brown sectional sofa directly across from the now-functional fireplace and added a couple of comfortable yet classy chairs and an ottoman to round out the room's seating. The thin legs and open bottoms of the antique-mirror coffee table and side tables help create a feeling of spaciousness. The traditional shape of the mirror over the mantle evokes the room's historical roots, while the woven wooden window shades work to transition the eye from the beautiful gardens outside to the elegance inside.

Katarina and Tom had become bogged down by the challenge of introducing modern technology into the living room of their stately old home. The space was full of promise, but also full of problems. A multitasking theme was central to this design. Space-saving solutions and cutting-edge equipment, combined with just the right emphasis on tradition, brought this living room into the modern age without sacrificing any of its classic style.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV's "Candice Tells All." For more ideas, information and show times visit http://www.hgtv.com/candice-tells-all/show/index.html.

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Design: Century-old living room gets a modern twist

22-04-2010 14:35 http://www.spencerinstitute.com The latest interior design career path is to become a Certified Design Psychology Coach. Move beyond the typical interior designer or decorator. Design Psychology is part design, part environmental psychology and part life coaching.

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Interior Design Careers - Video

04-02-2012 23:33 renovationtv.com.au is an exciting website that will save you time and money and avoid risk. Go to this website to educate yourself on all the pitfalls that you need to avoid before you start renovating. Cheers, Meryl Carter - The Renovation Guru

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Home Renovations, Kitchens, Bathrooms and Interior Design - Video

Online retailer for drapery hardware and decorative curtain rods offers window fashions in time for winter.

Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) February 07, 2012

Continental Window Fashions, the online authority in interior window décor and hardware retail, announces their catalog of curtain rods and drapery hardware. The online collection includes products from designer manufacturers such as Paris Texas Drapery Hardware, ONA, the Finial Company, Graber Curtain Rods, and a premium collection from Kirsch Drapery Hardware.

With six more weeks of winter dialed in, the chillier season means entertaining season. But with the chaos this time of year can bring, few can afford quality interior decorators and products. Affordable and fashionable designs from Continental allow the everyday customer be their own interior decorator.

Continental CEO David Wright brings over 17 years of experience in the industry and drives his business’s online catalog not only to deliver the highest quality window fashions, but educate his customers on the latest products and designs.

Continental Window Fashions’ online catalog offers thousands of decorative drapery rods, finials, curtain rod brackets, curtain rings, curtain holdbacks and specialty window curtain drapery hardware for any application or decor taste.

For warmer, more welcoming interior feels this winter, Continental offers a range of premium and budget wooden window treatments. Also, for the families who do not favor wooden hardware, the Florida-based retailer offers metal curtain rods with steel, brass and wrought iron curtain rod and final solutions to better accommodate the more modern home decors.

About Continental Window Fashions:

Continental Window Fashions is an on-line retailer offering drapery hardware, window treatments and premium bedding from popular companies like Kirsch, Graber, Robert Allen, Ona, Croscill and Veratex. Located just outside Orlando, FL Continental Window Fashions ships thousands of items throughout the United States and the world every year.

CEO David Wright boasts with over 17 years experience in the industry. David was born and raised in Winter Park, FL where he now resides. Wright’s passion is to assist every customer who visits his web site become just a little more curtain rod savvy, by offering expert advice for free.

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Katie Riesenfeld
Continental Window Fashions
800.564.9826 724
Email Information

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Drapery Hardware Catalog Offered Online by Continental Window Fashions

21-07-2009 16:12 ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) Interior Design bedroom decorating ideas BEDROOM DESIGN DECOR Bedroom Designing (¸.•´ (¸WANNA MAKE MY DAY? SUBSCRIBE! (¸.•´ (¸ (¸.•´ (¸ (¸.•´ (¸ http://www.robesondesign.com Click on the "show more" arrows (to bottom right) 4 info Bedroom Decorating made easy. Rebecca Robeson of San Diego Interior Design Firm shares bedroom remodel using Ikea and Target at its best. Good design doesnt take money as much as it takes talent. Americas Got Talent and it resides in San Diego Ca. Rebecca Robeson shows you How To create the Best Modern Bedroom design ever. ***********Remember to******************* VOTE! (in box below "respond to this video") LIKE! (thumbs up) And most important... ***********SUBSCRIBE to our channel. ******************* ("subscribe" button top left of this video) Big prizes are about to be offered to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY! Don't miss out on a chance of a lifetime!!! All of the rooms shown here are exclusive Robeson Designs and are not "borrowed" from other sources! Please watch MORE Robeson Design original Interior Design videos to see more fantastic transformations of real homes for real people! (click on "robesondesign" link ... top left of screen) My personal favorite is "Interior Design... Now THAT'S What I'm Talking About!" Thanks for Watching!! Rebecca Robeson Wall color: Glidden... Drum Beat 00YR 08/409 ????????????????????????? LINK TO ROBESON DESIGN WEBSITE: http://www.robesondesign.com For Serious Design inquires ...

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Ikea Bedroom Makeover by Interior Designer 4 Joeys room - Video

Custom Craft Contractors was recently honored with both local and regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards for a bathroom renovation in the Under $30,000 category. The local awards were presented by the Bucks-Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) at a ceremony held at the Joseph Ambler Inn in Montgomery Township, PA on Friday, January 27, 2012.

The award for bathroom renovation in the Under $30,000 category was received for a project in which Custom Craft Contractors teamed with Interior Decorator, Pat Nunan, owner of Lifestyles Design to create a barrier free, wheelchair-accessible bathroom for a homeowner with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

In addition to the Contractor of the Year Awards, Custom Craft received a Meritorious Award for a kitchen renovation in the $80,000 to $120,000 category. Michael Foering, Vice President of Custom Craft Contractors was also recognized as Committee Chairman of the Year for his role as the Chairman of the Education Committee for the Bucks-Mont NARI chapter.

A photo of the award winning project is attached. For complete details, contact Mike Foering at: (610) 584-0665.

Lansdale,PA (PRWEB) February 05, 2012

Custom Craft Contractors was recently honored with both local and regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards for a bathroom renovation in the Under $30,000 category. The local awards were presented by the Bucks-Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) at a ceremony held at the Joseph Ambler Inn in Montgomery Township, PA on Friday, January 27, 2012.

CotY Award winners were selected in a blind judging process by an impartial panel of industry experts. Judging focused on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, degree of difficulty and entry presentation. As a regional winner for this project, Custom Craft is in the running for the National Contractor of the Year Award. The National CotY award winners will be announced in April at the NARI Evening of Excellence.

The CotY Award winning bathroom was a collaborative effort between Custom Craft Contractors and Interior Decorator, Pat Nunan, owner of Lifestyles Design. For this project, the two companies teamed to create a barrier free, wheelchair-accessible bathroom for a homeowner diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” By designing and building a beautiful, yet accessible bathroom, they enabled this husband and father of two young sons to live independently and comfortably in his own home for as long as possible.

In addition to the Contractor of the Year Awards, Custom Craft received a Meritorious Award for a kitchen renovation in the $80,000 to $120,000 category. Michael Foering, Vice President of Custom Craft Contractors was also recognized as Committee Chairman of the Year for his role as the Chairman of the Education Committee for the Bucks-Mont NARI chapter.

NARI Chapters are not-for-profit trade associations committed exclusively to the service of the professional remodeling industry. The NARI remodeling contractor is pledged to uphold the Association's Code of Ethics and is dedicated to the professionalism and integrity of the remodeling industry.

For more information on Custom Craft Contractors, visit http://www.customcraftcontractors.com or contact Mike Foering at (610) 584-0665.

# # #

Mike Foering
Custom Craft Contractors
(610) 584-0665
Email Information

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Custom Craft Contractors Honored with Local and Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards

10-12-2011 19:26 Interior design tips. This video was made for designers and decorators who are looking for options in clean edge wall upholstery. There are many different wall upholstery systems and types of wall upholstery. There are also many different variations to every system and application. We are a New York City based company and our work shop is located in Long Island City Queens. We are a team of highly experienced drapery installers, seamstresses and upholsterers. Other services include, custom drapery, shades. Motorized systems. Installation services. Upholstery and wall upholstery. Measurement service, drapery cleaning and repair.

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Wall Upholstery, Blind Tacking, Clean edge wall upholstery: DIY - Video