Hello Everyone,

FINALLY !!! I'm ready with the first "official" newsletter. So much has been happening, I hardly know where to begin.

Let me start by saying that Decorative Designs will be opening its First Retail Store / Faux Finishing Show Room /Faux Finishing Classroom. It has been 10 years in the making but it is finally here. I hope you will agree when you visit us at our new location that it has been well worth the wait.

Our new location will be at 1839 SW College Road - Hwy 200, Ocala, Florida 34474 (The old Lighting Unlimited Building)  (map). It is located next door to Sonny's Bar-B-Q on Highway 200. The building will be know as the Home Design Gallery. We will be sharing the building with Custom Fabric Creations & Suzanne Rice Design Consultants. Decorative Designs will have over 4500 square feet of Creative space. As soon as we have an opening date, I will send everyone an e-mail inviting you to come visit us. We will be announcing a Grand Opening as well.

We have had numerous requests for Classes on different Faux Finishes and Techniques. I am VERY excited to annouince that we will be offering Faux Finishing classes, Textural Cabinet Refinishing, Seminars, Product Demo's and much more. The classes will be fun, informative and you will leave with the confidence to tackle some of your own do-it-yourself projects for your home. All dates will be posted on our website under the NEWS / EVENT CALENDAR tab. Please keep checking back as we will be updating the calendar as dates become available.

If you would like to see the latest in Faux Finishes, New Designs and Products, please come to the Gainesville Home Show this weekend (March 13th & 14th) at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center located just off of University Avenue. (map)

We have officially launched numerous new divisions, offering services that our clients have requested.

We now offer:

Interior / Exterior Painting Services. The response that we have received has been wonderful from our clients that have used this service. We are strict on promptness and professionalism. We will help you with colors and color coordination as well when using our Painting Services.

Decorative Concrete Finishes is a new service that we now offer. We have put together a team of specialists that have years of experience in concrete work and artistic staining. Our Division Manager is Tony Mueller. Tony will be at the Gainesville Home Show this weekend, so please come and visit him, ask questions and see several samples of the work that we will have on display. Some of the services that we be able to offer through this Division are Concrete Overlayments for existing countertops, Concrete Back Splashes, Decorative Concrete Floors and Staining for Lanai Patios, Outdoor Patios, Garage Floors, Pool Decks and much more, Custom Hand Carved Brick and Stonework. Please e-mail Tony at tony@decorativedesignsocala.com

Textural Cabinet Refinishing is a great service that we offer now that will take any cabinet (s) or furniture and really give it that "WOW" factor. This is a "Must See" product to really appreciate the beauty and the creativeness that can be achieved and turn any kitchen or area into a designers dream. You really have to see this one to believe it.

Custom Hand Painted Furniture allows our clients to take any piece of furniture , new or old, and create a custom finish and design that will compliment and enhance the surroundings that the piece will be placed in. We have pick up and delivery options for this service as well. We will be announcing the opening of our retail area at our new location and will have various pieces on display for sale.

I also would like to announce that Linda Longo has been promoted to the management position of our Sales Team. Please come to the Home Show in Gainesville and meet Linda at our booths. Contact Linda for a "No Hassle / Free Estimate" at (352) 843-0541 or e mail her at linda@decorativedesignsocala.com.

I guess that's all for now. I'm still creating new finishes for the Gainesville Home Show as I write this letter. Once I get started creating, It's hard to stop!!!

I'm really looking forward to this new venture and turning point for Decorative Designs. Thank you so much for all your encouragement and continued support. Please be sure to visit our new web site at www.decorativedesignsocala.com.

Looking forward to seeing all of you,

Laura Howard

Office# (352) 624-1074 / Fax# (352) 624-1075 / e mail: laura@decorativedesignsocala.com

PO Box 1243  Silver Springs, Florida 34489