Photos courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Driving through an ancient, yet well-preserved neighborhood in any city can really give you a glimpse of history.  The trees are older and taller as they leave vast shadows on the house. So now that that first glance caught your eye, does the entry way beckon you in with a warm welcome.

The entryway to your home is what stirs the passion of onlookers. The path to the door sets the stage. A freshly painted door, shutters, and surrounding trim and clean windows and screens can make a big difference. Consider cleaning or changing out the light fixtures, adding a wreath, plants, and a new welcome mat to draw attention to the space.  The lock, doorknob, and doorbell should glimmer like new. That first walk up to the front door needs to grab the attention of visitors. It’s all about the little details and the big impact those little details will make. 

Staging your entryway to your front door is a must in today’s market. Give your home an added advantage by adding professional staging touches by our expert Barbara Heil-Sonneck. Contact Design2Sell for more details on how to stage your entire home.

What is European design? Many designers have pondered this question and have come up with a multitude of answers. At Design2Sell, we believe that there are sever correct answers to this question. This style could include incorporating elegant, well worn pieces with a sense of history into a room *or* employing modern, space saving pieces that do double duty by combining beauty and function. 

This distinctive type of styling an interior space is exhibited in the classic movie, "The Sound of Music". The Design2Sell creative team will fashion an exhibit based on the film and reveal their interpretation of European design at The Next Cool Event. An old world architectural feature of a staircase, reminiscent of the one featured in the movie, will be paired with modern touches and original artwork to create this unique interpretation of the retro film.

"The Sound of Music" set at The Next Cool Event will be unveiled on Friday, February 17, 2012. There is still time to purchase your ticket to tour our version of European design. Tickets to this event are limited, but you have a chance to win your way in to this event. "Like" us on Facebook and be one of ten that will win a ticket.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.thenextcoolevent.com.

Design2Sell’s “The Sound of Music” set at The Next Cool Event will not only transport guests to a fantasy world of art and design, it will help to transform the lives of those in need.

This year The Next Cool Event will benefit What A Life Foundation through the daytime ticket sales on Saturday, February 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Founded by Barnett + Co. What a Life provides creative design and construction solutions to existing living situations for people who may be unable to live in their current environment due to a handicap or life-altering situation. What A Life‘s services allow people to return to their existing residences and work-spaces without barriers or dangerous conditions. 

Every day hospitals send patients, who are adjusting to their new physical abilities, back home to living conditions that need modifications to accommodate an adjusted way of life.  What A Life strives to quickly and easily renovate homes so that the residents can enjoy the greatest possible comfort and function.  In addition to furnishings, What A Life’s professional and caring team will design and build ramps, railings, and entries and will alter baths and kitchens or any living space for access and ADA compliance but most of all, for independence and safety. Design decisions focus on the well-being of the individual and the family as a whole.

Join Design2Sell and “The Sound of Music” creative team at The Next Cool Event during the day on Saturday, February 18, and support this worthy organization.

For more information about this design extravaganza or to purchase tickets visit www.thenextcoolevent.com.

A team of talented and artistically gifted professionals will work with Design2Sell to bring  “The Sound of Music” exhibit to life at The Next Cool Event.

Renee Lesselroth Robertss, a decorative fine artist and member of “The Sound of Music” team, will produce the painted scenes of the mountain side and landscape within the exhibit. Renee is an Atlanta based artist specializing in original fine art. She is a master of personally designed murals, faux finishes, hand-painted furniture, wall textures, over-sized paintings and portraits.

This well established, awarded artist attended The American Intercontinental University and Kennesaw State University. She is a successful business owner of a decorative art business Rene’e Art  for over 17 years.  Renee has worked with some of the top designers in Atlanta is presently working on the Vampire Diaries, another exhibit that will appear at The Next Cool Event, as a scenery artist.

For more information about Rene’e Art, or to view her online portfolio, visit www.reneeart.webs.com.   

Join us at “The Sound of Music” exhibit at The Next Cool Event and see the phenomenal artistic abilities of Renee Roberts. To learn more about this event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.thenextcoolevent.com

Design2Sell will utilize the talents of fabric designer, Goldie Dicks of Southern Interiors, to provide the soft, lush fabric backdrop for "The Sound of Music" exhibit at The Next Cool Event.

The fabric designer began her love of sewing and design as a small child. She attended Spellman College where she began her academic career as a biology major, but her love of performance, literature and art lured her to the theater instead. Her creative talents, combined with penchant for scientific precision birthed a romance with scenery and costuming. Goldie spent her initial post-college years as a highly sought dressmaker for individual clients. Her unique ability to create dramatic new aspects of color, proportion and atmospheric in addition to her training in theatrical art direction and sewing made her a perfect fit for "The Sound of Music" team.

This accomplished professional and founder of Southern Interiors Academy, will demonstrate to guests of The Next Cool Event the power of fabric design. Design2Sell is anxious to unveil the creative work of this designer at The Next Cool Event's red carpet cocktails on Feb. 17, 2012.

Don't miss your opportunity to see the design collaboration of the "The Sound of Music" team and their interpretations of the unforgettable movie. For more information about this event or to purchase tickets visit www.thenextcoolevent.com. 

... Tangerine Tango, a bright reddish orange! Pantone annouced it lats year and so farso it looks like orange remains in place to be a happy color to add to your interiors. Design2Sell Interiors and Homestaging  have gathered together some inspiration for you, your 2012 color kickoff starter kit...

http://trendirs.com/bedroom/color-ideas-for-your-bedroom/

 orange for the bedroom!

http://leslieinspired.com/

Tangerine Tango for the living room!

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/135516978.html

Bright reddish orange for the game room!

Design2Sell has assembled a team of top Atlanta talent and visual pros to produce "The Sound of Music" set at The Next Cool Event. Team member and artist, Tamara McElhannon, is an integral part of the group that will re-define and put a new spin on the exhibit that is inspired by the popular film.

Tamara McElhannon is a graphic designer, fine-art painter, and art instructor who divides her time between her professional design career in Atlanta and her art studio in Winder, Georgia. She has been painting since she was a young child and has worked in commercial art and illustration for over 20 years.

Design2Sell is excited to show off Tamara's artistic contribution to the environment. Purchase your tickets today for The Next Cool Event and secure your spot to witness the creative work of Tamara McElhannon.

For more information about The Next Cool Event visit www.nextcoolevent.com or check them out on Facebook.

The popular film, "The Sound of Music", inspired the Design2Sell exhibit for The Next Cool Event, a showcase of local designers and creative vendors. The design company will work with a team of artistic professionals to create a unique interpretation of the grand entry way and natural surroundings of the Von Trapp family home. Guests of the industry event will experience an environment  that features alpine decor and beautifully painted scenes of the natural landscape.

Salzburg, Austria became famous when movie-goers saw footage of its towering alps, crystal lakes and endearing towns that were featured in the 1965 movie. Viewers fell in love with the Von Trapp family home and its grand entryway. Even today, movie enthusiasts love the film and Design2Sell President and Creative Director, Barbara Hei-Sonneck, is one of those people. Originally from Bavaria, the creative professional looks forward to including some of her “favorite things” in the space and "re-designing" it to make it her own.

"The Sound of Music" set will be produced by Barbara Heil-Sonneck of Design2Sell and Carol Powell of the Riverpark Inn in Helen, Ga. Design and artistic contributors include Tamara McElhannon, a graphic designer and illustrator; Renee Roberts, a decorative fine artist; and Goldie Dicks, a fabric designer.

Join Design2Sell at The Next Cool Event and check out "The Sound of Music" exhibit. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.nextcoolevent.com.

Minimalist design is a trend that is growing in 2012. The less you have the better! This look is design to use the simplest things to create a beautiful master piece.

Design2sell can stage your home to have a modern look that can save time and money.

Here are some amazing minimalist designs ideas that looks great in any room.

http://zeospot.com/villas-with-pools-greece-the-wide-open-villa-by-klab-architects/

Neon green and white minimalist designed bathroom

http://www.homecreat.com/2011/04/22/14-minimalist-and-fresh-bedroom-interior-design-ideas/

Brown and white minimalist designed bedroom

http://www.juvandesign.com/design/best-minimalist-dazzling-living-room-layouts-by-hulsta/

brown and white minimalist designed living room

Design2Sell will reveal the exhibit inspired by the movie "The Sound of Music" at The Next Cool Event, an entertainment and creative industry event. The staging and design company based the styling of the space on the classic movie, but also found inspiration in a location a little closer to home--in Helen, Georgia.

This lovely town, nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains, is home to the Best Western Riverpark Inn and Conference Center. Carol Powell of the Riverpark Inn will partner with Design2Sell President and Creative Director, Barbara Heil-Sonneck, to produce the exhibit

The Bavarian-style lodge hotel, cobblestone streets of Helen, and old world architecture are reminiscent of the setting of the popular film. This setting provided real world scenery to motivate the design of the event environment.

A modern day re-make could be easily take place in the setting. In fact, the movie and television industry frequently takes advantage of this perfect backdrop for filming. The beautiful northeast mountain region of Helen is a popular spot for filmmakers and Powell is excited to incorporate Helen style into the exhibit. 

“Many film makers and television companies utilize our mountain backdrop and quaint Bavarian style buildings to produce major motion pictures and stage events. We are inspired by The Next Cool Event to showcase our little village of Helen, Ga.,” Powell said.

For more information about The Best Western Riverpark Inn or to book your next weekend getaway, visit  www.helen-georgia-hotels.com.

Witness the exhibit “The Sound of Music” at the NEXT COOL EVENT. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.thenextcoolevent.com.