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Susan Semmelmann Interiors:
Interior Design: WWSD — What Would Susan Do?
Truitt Rodgers
Can multiple design styles be used in one home?
Absolutely! Individual style and taste dictate the beautifully unique outcome of any home design project. Much like a personal library of music can include many genres to create a rich listening experience, a palate for varied design styles can be harmoniously implemented under one roof with the help of an expert eye. It is best to use one foundational style as a guidepost for the overall look and feel of a home. Still, variety can be introduced through the application of art, furniture pieces, and other statement décor.
A professional designer can step into the process and create a cohesive aesthetic, so everything flows and makes sense in the finished picture. As a designer, I love bringing every part of a creative story to life within the walls of a home.
How is texture used as a design element?
Texture adds depth and dimension to a room, creating visual interest that invites the eye to explore. Utilizing a wide variety of textural components in design is most successful in a monochromatic color scheme; it lends itself beautifully to a natural, organic application of muted tones and textiles. Layering a neutral palette of design elements such as fabric, floral, tile, stone, plaster, and wood creates a gorgeous space. While neutrals are lovely, texture can be used in any color scheme to play with light, shadow, shade, and design. Don’t be afraid to play with texture and experiment with material and placement. The end result may be surprisingly delightful!
What is the best use of pattern in interior design?
Pattern is considered visual texture and can be found in almost every aspect of interior design. For example, the veining of marble and the directional grain of wood are excellent sources of pattern, as are prints on textiles, rug designs, and geometric tiles, to name just a few. The scale of pattern determines the most effective application. Bolder, statement patterns are best utilized as focal features like a decorative wall covering or a fabulous upholstery on a piece of furniture. It is best to pair these large-scale patterns with complementary colors and décor elements rather than attempt to add more pattern and movement. Smaller, more subtle patterns can exist harmoniously in the same space, like layering fabric patterns in the same color family on a custom sofa or bedding set or creating a gorgeous kitchen design with various types of subtly patterned materials. Mastering pattern in design creates a marvelous outcome.
How is artwork chosen for interior design?
Choosing artwork is an entirely subjective process; it is something very personal for every individual. While there is no right or wrong when it comes to art preferences, there are guidelines to consider when deciding on pieces and placement. When selecting works of art, not only are proper scale and symmetry essential to balancing the overall aesthetic, but also determining whether all art forms in a space are telling a cohesive story. The starring role of artwork is to enhance and bring life to a home, not detract from the intended design. As a designer, I guide my clients through the selection of artwork for their homes, as well as design spaces around works of art they already own. Art should be a lifelong adventure in creativity and discovery.
How does lighting factor into interior design plans?
Lighting is everything. Without proper lighting, even the most gorgeous interior can seem off balance. Lighting brings the essence of mood, ambiance, and atmosphere to a room, and quite often, the design revolves around the quality and availability of natural light and the strategic placement of hard-wired lighting, such as chandeliers, sconces, and pendants. There are so many stunning lighting options that fall into the category of art and sculpture; they create a narrative within a room by highlighting feature elements and directing attention to areas of interest. The proper installation of these features is critical to the overall home design, which makes the process of construction detailing a crucial one. Once the placement of stationary fixtures is established, it is often difficult to edit in the future. Lighting is the pathway to warmth and invitation within every room of a home; its importance as a design element should not be overlooked.
Susan Semmelmann
Owner, Susan Semmelmann Interiors
4372 West Vickery Blvd.
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
940-577-1000
REAL ESTATE
Alexander Chandler Realty: There Is No Substitute for Experience
Alexander Chandler
Alexander Chandler Realty brings an unparalleled depth of experience and knowledge to help guide its clients through the most significant transaction of their lives. It is our goal to bring certainty in an uncertain time by enveloping our clients with knowledge, care, diligence, and expertise.
ACR and its agents know the difference between knowledge and information, especially when it comes to markets. Knowing a neighborhood is one thing; understanding how the larger market works is another. Alexander Chandler, a Harvard Business School alumnus with 24 years broker experience, was the No. 3 ranked agent in the U.S. The expert leadership team and agents have a combined experience of over 500 years, $1 billion in sales, and over 5,000 closed transactions. We bring solid counsel for long-term success to our clients. During the crisis, we did not just pivot, we used our vast experience to shift our resources and knowledge to better serve the community.
Another differentiation point is with a new website where we embrace the most advanced technology available. We focus on the person and not just the technology. Technology is how we communicate. The person is the purpose! ACR offers full virtual online services and an astounding social media campaign. Through training, diligence, knowledge, and care, we bring the highest level of service to our clientele. Now is the time to choose an expert. Choose ACR.
Alexander Chandler
Alexander Chandler Realty
6336 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, Texas 76116
817.806.4100
MONEY
Argent Trust: Earning More Royalty Income from Oil and Gas Assets
The extreme swings in oil prices during the past few months serve as a perfect reminder that it is best not to “go it alone” when investing in oil and gas properties. Partnering with a proven mineral management company can pay dividends down the road because you will be
represented by experts who have extensive experience working for oil and gas companies. Here are two ways a proven mineral management team can add value to your oil and gas assets:
Negotiate lease agreements: The lease agreement is the most important document for a mineral owner. A poorly negotiated agreement could cost oil and gas property owners dearly in lost revenue and burden them with costly deductions and potential liabilities.
Review monthly financial reports: Mistakes in monthly financial reports are commonplace and often go unnoticed for years. In our work with clients, we have found that seven out of 10 mineral rights owners were being underpaid based on the terms of their lease.
Managing oil and gas properties isn’t a skill that most people can quickly learn. It involves juggling multiple moving parts in an industry that is marked by boom-and-bust cycles. By partnering with an expert mineral management firm, you can sleep well at night knowing you have someone on your team who is always working for your best interests.
Buffie Drennan-Campbell and Kathy Christoffel
Argent Trust
4200 South Hulen St., Ste. 217
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817.502.2931
BEAUTY
Birdie Bridal: Dreamed-Of Dresses and Difficult Decisions
Q: I’ve dreamed of my dress for years. Why has this become such a stressful decision?
A: So often, brides begin the shopping experience feeling the pressure of their own expectations. Additionally, they enter appointments flooded with options and the opinions of friends, family, and salespeople. However, with a little information, an expert stylist, and a supportive shopping party, the dress search can become magical again.
Q: There are so many beautiful dresses! How will I narrow down so many options?
A: One of the most overwhelming moments in the dress search is walking into a store full of dresses. However, with an expert stylist, you can find the perfect gown in under 90 minutes. By evaluating body type, favorite clothing styles, and the wedding theme, an expert stylist will help take a bride from a store full of options to a few selections to try on and choose from.
Q: How will I know when I’ve found “The Dress”?
A: No two brides respond the same way when they’ve found their wedding dress. It’s important to release any expectations about how you will react when you put on “The Dress” for the first time. It’s the feeling that counts. In “The One,” you will feel like yourself, you will feel beautiful, and you will feel anticipation for the approaching wedding day.
Nikki Owings & Syble Owings
Birdie Bridal
682.288.6693
@birdiebridalfw
REAL ESTATE
Christies International Real Estate | Ulterre: Real Estate Industry Adapting to Changes in the Midst of COVID-19
The last few months have resulted in changes in market conditions but also in the way most of us have had to conduct business. Open houses, showings, and client meetings were done via FaceTime, Zoom, and Teams; closings were held in title company parking lots; and we all realized the value of the place we call home. In addition to the way the business of real estate has been conducted, we are seeing a change in what buyers are looking for in a home. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have all had an abundance of time to evaluate what is important in a home and what we need. Increased functionality in our homes has suddenly become critical, and home buyers’ wants are reflecting this shift. Rooms and features that may have been considered a nice amenity are now being recategorized as a “must-have.” Features such as home offices, media rooms, pools, built-in desks for homework, and proximity to a park or a green space — all of which were once thought of as additional amenities — are now being considered by some with the same gravity as kitchens and master baths. Over the years, we have seen a decreased demand for dining rooms, but since the quarantine, the request for a home with one or a space for family dining has increased. Perhaps families dining together with more regularity has rekindled this tradition, reminding us of what is most important in a home, the ones we love.
Rick Wegman
Christies International Real Estate | Ulterre
817.584.7033
REAL ESTATE
Insight Realty Network: Tips for a Successful VA Home Purchase
As a military spouse, I appreciate and understand the sacrifice our service members have made. Utilizing the benefits of your VA loan for a home purchase doesn’t need to be a challenge. Working with a qualified and knowledgeable Realtor and lender is the key to a successful home-buying experience.
Check into your COE (Certificate of Eligibility) with the VA to ensure you are in good standing and verify your amount of eligibility. This can also be done easily by your trusted lender.
Find out your timeline if you are active duty and have orders for a permanent change of station. Virtual technology is our friend, which allows us to video and FaceTime homes as well as
surrounding areas. Virtual technology allows you to feel like you are here even when you can’t be.
Did you know that a VA loan does not require a down payment? This means that you can utilize $0 down for your home purchase!
If you have a VA service-connected rating, let’s talk about how this may impact the costs of your loan as well as on the amount you pay for property taxes.
Did you know that most VA loans can close in 30 days, which means more power to our offer. Getting your loan squared away before we start house hunting is the key to success.
Let’s connect and get started on the path to your home purchase!
Julie Harper
Military Relocation Professional
Insight Realty Network
817.881.3931, [email protected]
BEAUTY
Just Wright Dental: Is It Possible to Get a New Smile in Just One Day?
At Just Wright Dental, the answer to that is absolutely. Patients walk into our office every day, fed up with ill-fitting dentures or embarrassed by missing or broken teeth, and walk out with a beautiful, new smile, thanks to our highly trained staff and state-of-the-art dental implant technology.
Our team has simplified the process of helping patients understand how the procedure works, what to expect, and how they can make their treatment a financial reality, all before they ever walk in the door. Because of that, we spend that time getting to know each patient and their unique dental goals. We take a 3D X-ray of their mouth, complete a full assessment, provide them with options for treatment, and explain the healing timeline. At the end of this appointment, most patients are ready to commit to a new smile and confidently set a surgery date.
On that day, the patient arrives with someone who can drive them home. The IV sedation we administer means patients won’t remember the procedure and simply wake up a few hours later with the smile they’ve always wanted fixed in place by dental implants. Most patients are surprised to realize they experienced only mild swelling and minimal soreness afterward, and almost every patient says their only regret is not moving forward with treatment sooner.
Dr. Justin Wright
Just Wright Dental
817.893.2986
REAL ESTATE
Mary Margaret Davis Real Estate Team
Representing current and future homeowners in Fort Worth and beyond, Mary Margaret listens with empathy and negotiates with skill to ensure successful outcomes. Born and raised in Snyder, Texas, Mary Margaret began selling real estate when she was 20 years of age and earned her broker’s license two years later. She moved to Fort Worth in 1988 and worked for developers and builders until 2011, when she opened her real estate company. Mary Margaret is an esteemed sales manager, educator, Realtor, and animal activist, well-known as a foster-fail queen. She is respected by her clients, colleagues, and community for active involvement in and support of local organizations. During her 32 years of residency in Fort Worth, Mary Margaret has developed important contacts, expertise, and admiration for the North Texas area, all of which she leverages for the success of her clients. She uses her websites along with other tools to showcase the homes she represents and, when requested, calls on her team of professional stagers, painters, designers, handymen, and inspectors to assist with her clients’ buying and selling needs. When you choose Mary Margaret, you choose an expert communicator, researcher, and analyst who will be by your side every step of the way. Mary Margaret’s slogan, “We Make IT Happen,” holds true in every way!
Mary Margaret Davis
Mary Margaret Davis Real Estate Team
817.925.1740
LEGAL
The Law Office Of Gary L. Nickelson: Tips for Sanity as You Shelter in Place
As we all “shelter in place,” these are unprecedented times in our history. There are many stressors that come with the constant togetherness that is now present.
Here are a few tips from people who have dealt with family law issues for over 45+ years:
1) Structure the family’s daily routine. Make time for meals together. Assign chores and have a definite bedtime.
2) Assign “duties “ at home — who is to do what and when can bring great relief to tension in the family unit.
3) Be patient. This is a hard thing to do when you are stressed to begin with. Counting to 10 will work in most cases; in extreme cases, go for a walk.
4) Exercise. It’s a great de-stressor.
5) Make yourself a gratitude list and continue to add to it. Be grateful for your health, shelter, spouse, children, and pets.
6) Don’t assume anything. Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings, which can lead to arguments over nothing.
Family Law has been our business for over 45 years. We’ve helped many people through tough times in their relationships, and we are available to help with your family law issues. We hope that if you practice these tips, we will see you in the grocery store instead of our office. Stay Safe!
Gary L. Nickelson
The Law Office Of Gary L. Nickelson
5201 West Freeway, Ste. 100
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817.735.4000
HOME
Oliver Dyer Appliance: Creating Satisfied Customers
Growing up in a family business performing service in customers’ homes, I always considered my customers to be my best source of new customers. Whether it’s service or delivering new appliances into thousands of homes, I’ve seen how my customers react when a worker respects their home. Everyone at Oliver Dyer Appliance knows his or her customer will refer friends, neighbors, and family members, so they go out of their way to create a satisfied customer.
We only sell appliance brands where the manufacturer backs our efforts to do whatever necessary to satisfy every customer. If it’s not good enough to be in our homes, it isn’t good enough to be in yours. My name, email address, and personal cell phone number are on every invoice. In 16 years, I’ve only had a handful of calls with a problem, but I’ve received thousands of calls complimenting my employees.
Oliver Dyer
Oliver Dyer Appliance
8320 Camp Bowie W.
Fort Worth, Texas 76116
817.312.1856
TRANSPORTATION
Trinity Metro: Providing Innovative Transit Solutions
Trinity Metro prides itself on offering innovative solutions to meet the public transportation needs of a growing population. From frequent bus and commuter rail service to on-demand options, Trinity Metro offers an array of choices to help customers get where they need to go.
The most recent is the Near Southside ZIPZONE, an on-demand service that includes the Fort Worth Medical District. Operations will begin on Sunday, July 19. Trinity Metro partnered with the City of Fort Worth to provide an option for employees, patients, and visitors to travel to this mixed-use community that has several hospitals and medical facilities. The ZIPZONE always offers the opportunity for passengers to run errands, go to lunch, or visit the many popular destinations on Magnolia Avenue. It’s the perfect solution for no-hassle parking — no need to search for a spot if your ride can drop you off directly at your choice of locations!
To help riders utilize public transportation for commuting or other day trips, the Near Southside ZIPZONE connects to several bus routes and to Trinity Metro TEXRail and the Fort Worth T&P
Station. Hours of operation are 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Through a contract with Via, service is provided in black Toyota Siennas.
With more than 40,000 medical professionals in the Near Southside area, Trinity Metro expects the new ZIPZONE to be a popular way to travel.
Wayne Gensler
VP/COO of Bus and Paratransit, Trinity Metro
801 Cherry St., Ste. 850
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
817.215.8600
TRANSPORTATION
Trinity Metro: Committed to Community
Throughout the year, and especially during challenging times, Trinity Metro is committed to serving customers in Fort Worth and across Tarrant County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Trinity Metro stayed open to make sure essential workers had a way to get to work. Passengers could reach important medical appointments and visit grocery stores and pharmacies for critical supplies.
To help protect customers and employees, Trinity Metro enhanced its cleaning protocol to more frequently disinfect high-touch areas such as door handles, railing, and seats. Buses and ACCESS paratransit vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after being in service. In addition, transparent barriers were installed between bus operators and the fare box.
Trinity Metro offers a variety of services to meet the needs of passengers in Tarrant County. A network of buses, including several express routes, help people make their move around Fort Worth. TEXRail provides an easy and elegant option for traveling to DFW Airport. ACCESS paratransit is an important option to provide transportation to medical treatments and trips to shopping and other destinations.
This summer, the agency is adding two on-demand services: Crowley ZIPZONE and Near Southside ZIPZONE. Planning is underway for two future transit options: extending TEXRail to the Fort Worth Medical District and developing the East Lancaster Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Features for BRT are similar to light rail and will provide a faster and more convenient bus service.
Bob Baulsir
CEO and President Trinity Metro
801 Cherry St., Ste. 850
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
817.215.8600
HEALTH
True Change Fitness
How do you enjoy health and fitness without hating the commitment to your lifestyle? Remember those times as a child when the most impossible goals were possible? Coming from a so-called “fitness enthusiast,” you are probably expecting some secret. Well, I’m here to change your life, not tell you “secrets” with big words and biceps. True Change didn’t exist nine months ago. While growing up, “existing” was all I knew with many problems, like a stutter, ADHD, and was told I couldn’t graduate, while always being picked on and laughed at. Later, I became drug addicted and nearly ended my life, even after four attempts in rehab. My actions defined my living up to the expectations of who everyone thought I should be. I just wanted to be that fearless child before I knew what fear was. After my sobriety date in 2014, health and fitness became the “new normal.” I then understood the gift I get to share with everyone. Helping create the normal you desire. Thanks to countless failures, True Change became “normal” to our locals.
Inside every story is the key to someone’s jail cell, which becomes passion, enjoyment to love yourself again, and to create your story. “Why” you decide to start is essential to living fit, healthy, and happy! True Change’s fun result-driven atmosphere is the byproduct to creating your “new normal” that nobody else defines but you. Starting today is the best choice. Call today and start for free!
Jake Akins
Owner, True Change Fitness
682.667.9945
