CHESAPEAKE BEACH, MD - “For as long as I can remember, I've been told I had a knack for decorating�, says Karen Kretzer, owner of Tassels in Chesapeake Beach. “I was always the one that got called to help when a friend of family member wanted to redecorate. I can't count how many times I was told that I should open my own business.� So, in 2005, Karen finally decided to take that advice and opened Tassels, primarily to sell window treatments. Now, three years later, Tassels and has blossomed into a full scale decorating company.

 

“My goal is to help remove the intimidation and fear from decorating by guiding people through choices that work for their budget and lifestyle,â€� says Karen. “Your home is your ‘safe haven’ from the outside world. I want people to be happy when they walk in their front door!"

 

As a dealer for Hunter Douglas and Kasmir Fabrics brands, Tassels still offers custom window treatments, but now also provides a complete range of decorating services such as bathroom and kitchen remodels, carpet, tile, painting, lighting and specialized carpentry. Tassels is able to offer substantial discounts on blinds, shades, shutters as well as fabrics, custom draperies, valances and cornices.

 

Karen has adapted her services to meet the needs of her customers. For instance, she found there was a real demand for choosing paint colors.

 

“It is so difficult to choose colors while standing in a fluorescent-lit store looking at all those paint chips,� relates Karen. And when you finally choose a color and put it on your walls, the color can look very different. Tassels takes care of the frustration by doing a complete color workup for your entire home. Even if you are not painting all of the rooms at once, you will have a plan in place so that all the colors will flow from room to room.

 

Another Tassels’ specialty is shopping and accessorizing. Sometimes all a room needs is a fresh coat of paint and a few accessories to bring it to life and give it an updated look! Karen has a talent for working with items already found in your home.

 

“I don’t want people to be afraid that I will suggest they throw out everything and start over, especially family pieces� says Karen. “Sometime you can get ‘stuck’ on keeping things the way they have always been. But I do a full analysis and make suggestions for changes that you might not have considered. Sometimes a very simple change like an alternate furniture arrangement can make a huge difference! I then shop for accessories and specialty items and stage the room for you. It is like 'Reveal Day' on TV’s Clean House. Take off your blindfolds and open your eyes!�

 

“My job", says Karen, “is to guide you and help you make choices that will reflect your tastes and your lifestyle. I won’t be living in that room--you will! Even if I am completely redoing a room, I always like to include some of your personal items. I don’t want it to look like a decorator did your living room--I want it to look like you did it. I think this makes me unique as a decorator--it is not about me! My pleasure comes from seeing that each customer is happy with the result."

 

Tassels offers that personal touch that can make your job easier. “What I hear most from my customers is that they get confused and frustrated! They try to shop but just get overwhelmed with all of the choices available to them,� says Karen. But instead of running around from store to store, Karen will come to your home. She brings samples to your home and does all of the running for you! This can be especially useful when choosing carpet or tile samples which just like paint colors, need to be seen in your home and in your light.

 

Commercial projects are also a favorite of  Karen's who has decorated business offices, models and residential houses on the market.

 

“Staging is so important these days, and homeowners who recognize this have reaped the profits of a faster sale,� says Karen. “I can make recommendations for updating and organizing your home to present it in the best possible light for showing.�

 

So whether you need extensive remodeling, help with paint colors or want to try one room makeover, Tassels can help. Karen will come to your home at a time that suits your busy schedule and all initial consultations and estimates are free. You can call her at 410-474-3379, or send an e-mail to her at tasselsdecor@msn.com. Let Tassels help make your house the home you have always wanted!