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Terry Womelsdorf, President, Englewood Interiors, Englewood, NJ

by Barbara J. August

With the change of season and knowing more time will be spent indoors, many consumers look for ways to renew or spice up their homes, according to Terry Womelsdorf, president of Englewood Interiors and 25-year veteran interior designer. Whether designing a new home, decorating a newly remodeled home or looking to rejuvenate an existing space, Womelsdorf and Englewood Interiors points clients toward window treatments and accessories as two ways to reflect unique tastes and personality without spending a lot of time in the process. "Window treatments are so important to the overall look of a room," says Womelsdorf. "A new window treatment can give a room a fresh new look and uplift the space. Just the colors alone can heat or cool a room." Terry Womelsdorf lists two common mistakes people make in selecting a treatment as choosing one that is too heavy, which darkens a room by blocking light and becomes overbearing to other things in the room. Second, she explains, is to do nothing at all. "Windows are not unlike paintings. If you have a beautiful painting, I doubt you would just hang the canvas on a nail. You would want to select the best frame to enhance the art. That's not so different from draping a beautiful view that constantly changes with the time of day and season," believes Womelsdorf. Accessories are an important finishing touch that she uses to dress a room, "Just as a black dress is just a black dress until you add the pearls," claims Womelsdorf, "rugs, plants, floral arrangements, comforters, pillows, lamps, artwork and vases are necessary to make a well-appointed room." She also notes, "Accessories should include things that make you feel good and the season may determine that." For example, a plain rocking chair in the summer, she said, can change a whole room in the winter if you throw a deep-colored quilt over its back. Womelsdorf suggests changing the color of the pillows in a room to reflect the season. "This can give off a seasonal glow and be relatively inexpensive." Before opening Englewood Interiors, a full-service interior design and accessory store, in 1994, Womelsdorf spent many years in Florida designing fine homes and executive offices. Her work premiered in the first showcase home ever in Gainesville, FL. She is a former board member of the Interior Design Society, New York Chapter and an allied member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID). Womelsdorf also attended the Parsons School of Design in New York City. She returned to New Jersey in 1984 to become a designer and manager for W.L. Landau Carriage House, where she was twice selected for the National Circle of Excellence Award. This fall, Terry Womelsdorf will be traveling around the state speaking to groups about window treatments and seasonal accessorizing. Photography by Margaret Kois, Westfield, NJ. Terry Womelsdorf, president, Englewood Interiors, 71 N. Dean St., Englewood, NJ 07631; (201) 568-8440; fax: (201) 568-3611.

This elegant bedroom suite design features an Ethan Allen quilt, custom pillows by Englewood Interiors and drapery fabric from Duralee.   To enhance this corner window with privacy and comfort, Womelsdorf designed a custom balloon shade made from Wamsutta sheets. Again, bird cage accessories, from Englewood Interiors, add personality to the room.   The extra-full ruffled balloon shade and cushion in this inviting window seat design and the matching bed quilt were crafted in Waverly fabric. A bird cage from Englewood Interiors was used to make a design statement.