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S M O K E S I G N A L S A D V E R T I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T


OCTOBER 2010 Offering clever solutions to decorating dilemmas I N T E R I O R D E S I G N D


iane Cowart of Chocolate Moose Interiors in Dawsonville didn’t travel the path of a traditional home furnishings buyer. Instead, she started her career as an


investor relations specialist for a publicly traded corporation. Like many Americans, her position was eliminated when the company began to falter, and Diane turned a difficult circumstance into an opportunity to pursue her dream of developing gorgeous interiors for client’s homes. Her entrepreneurial venture, Chocolate Moose, celebrates its seventh anniversary this year, and recently Diane brought on board Beth Speckels, an award-winning designer from the lone star state of Texas. “What I like about Diane is she finds quality pieces that help our customers navigate these economically challenging times,” says Beth. Together, Diane and Beth have assembled a


talented team of designers to make every inch of your home beautiful. They are known for their habitually chic, refined casual interiors, and their accessories set them apart from the masses. Their faux finisher just completed a specialized


Along with their design services, the Chocolate Moose showroom in Dawsonville features a large array of furniture, accessories and tabletop items ideal for the traditional mountain home.


training course on chalk decorative painting from England, and she can paint your furniture, your walls, or both. Recently a client who is an avid collector of Native American paintings came to Diane and Beth. Their creative team went to work in the homeowner’s powder room, doing a faux primitive finish on the walls, and drilling into the plaster to make the walls look as if they had cave paintings on them. Their floral designer has 30 years of experience


and is known for mastering the unusual and helping clients bring their own ideas to life. He can also


decorate your home with fresh greenery for the holidays, and has developed innovative solutions such as faux shutters made out of natural materials for the outside of a log home. The Chocolate Moose team works diligently


on details most homeowners never think of: seat height, arm length, and are your pieces well proportioned for your room? Many clients come to Diane with a photo cut out of a magazine for inspiration, and she can find just the right piece you’re searching for. She also has a generous return policy. “Above all, I want my clients to be happy. Our best advertising is word-of-mouth, and I want happy repeat customers.” They also offer decorating seminars throughout


the seasons on topics such as “Summer to Fall Porches,” “Making Your Bedroom Look Romantic,” “Turning Your Home into a Retreat.” The best way to find out about their next seminar is to join their email list: send them an email to chocolatemoose@ windstream.net. Their best advice for Big Canoe homeowners?


Interior lighting can be a challenge for clients whose homes are in such wooded environments. They can create a lighter, casual feel inside with lighting, accessories, and fabrics. Chocolate Moose also can integrate your traditional furnishings into a mountain casual look many clients want.


CHOCOLATE MOOSE 4055 Hwy 53 East, Dawsonville, GA 30534 706-265-1990 E-mail: chocolatemoose@windstream.net Web site: www.chocolate-moose.biz


Give your home a luxury look for less


for in their upscale consignment home décor showroom. Betty, an interior designer, has a talent for finding undiscovered treasures and helping shoppers find that perfect piece for their home. Betty and Terry opened their


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store in 2009. Betty had always shopped upscale consignment in her design business, and when the economy took a downturn she saw an opportunity to give homeowners a luxury look for less. According to Betty, “The days of lavish spending on furnishings are over,” and she shows how to achieve an expensive look for pennies on the dollar. Her husband Terry handles the day-to- day operations, and together they are growing a thriving business. Fun Finds has already expanded once since opening and are looking to add space in the near future. Fun Finds & Designs is both


he first impression clients have at Fun Finds & Designs in Canton is, “This is consignment?” That’s exactly what owners Betty & Terry Anderson strive


F U R N I S H I N G S / A C C E S S O R I E S FUN FINDS & DESIGNS 2765 Marietta Hwy, Canton GA • 770-704-0448 E-mail: info@funfindsanddesigns.com • Web site: www.funfindsanddesigns.com


hooked rugs to gorgeous needlepoint and aubussons, all at consignment prices. Fun Finds carries a mix of 90 percent consigned furniture and 10 percent new, and is quite selective about what they offer for resale: furniture must be in good condition, in current fabrics, and from a non- smoking environment. Betty knows her clients and


Fun Finds and Designs upscale consignment home decor shop is a bargain hunters paradise.


a community resource and a destination: The entire staff enjoys building relationships with buyers and consignors, many who are repeat customers that stop in often to chat and see what’s new in the store, since the inventory changes weekly. You’ll hear laughter and conversation throughout the showroom, while shoppers get their frequent shopper cards stamped, no purchase necessary. Fill up the card and it’s good for an extra 10% discount. The stores email list has grown to an amazing 2,500 names and over 600 consignors, giving the store a rich variety of furnishings. Fun Finds has 5,000 square feet of furniture, lamps, art, accessories and plenty of unique


finds. Popular pieces are dining tables, rustic farm tables, sofas and chairs, and beautiful accessories under $50. Betty is also proud of the beautiful rugs ranging from whimsical


what they want from their shopping experience. “Women like to come in with friends to shop and enjoy a girls’ day out, whereas men arrive with a purpose,” she says. Either way, Fun Finds doesn’t disappoint, offering a friendly welcome, knowledgeable staff and free in-store decorating advice. She enjoys guiding her customers through the decorating process: 1) Inspiration, where they’ come into the store for ideas; 2) Exploration, where they ask questions, take measurements, and get a visual picture of their decorating dilemma; 3) Action- Where questions are answered and they can visualize their plan, which is when it all falls into place. In-home design services are also available to select new paint colors,


redesign current furnishings for a fresh look, or a complete new design plan. In addition to their everyday customer service, Fun Finds also offers many special events,


including a free design seminar every other month, sharing advice and a social evening out with wine, cheese & handmade chocolates. It’s always a big hit. Mark your calendars for October 15th & 16th when they hold their semi-annual outdoor tent sale, with discounts up to 70 percent off their own low prices. Check the website, www.funfindsanddesigns.com, for other events planned for the fall, including the Woodstock Service League Christmas Tour of Homes, as well as the store’s Christmas Gift Show, and sign up for their monthly newsletter highlighting decorating tips, new store arrivals, and all special events.


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