Serving Up Style With Denise Sabia At The Philadelphia Home Show

Denise Sabia, Philly 'burbs-based interior designer extraordinaire and creator of The Painted Home, is back at the Philadelphia Home Show again this year. Known for her exceptional eye, Denise takes everyday items found in flea markets, thrift shops, or simply along the roadside and turns them into unique pieces that freshen and warm your home...without breaking your budget.

This year, Denise will be one of five local designers participating in the Design Room feature. The theme for this year's Design Room is Serving Up Style. The spaces will showcase quite a variety of unique and creative dining rooms.

Because Denise lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her three kids, a dog, rabbits, and the 'oldest living hermit crab known to man', her room this year is aptly titled: Rustic Outdoor Charm. It will feature some natural elements as well as some industrial textures and more importantly, be super fun and casual, which fits her lifestyle perfectly.

We recently caught up with Denise, who shared some of the inspiration behind her designs. Enjoy our interview below!

Marketplace Events (MPE): Where do you start when decorating?

• Denise Sabia (Denise): "Anything can spark an idea. I once created an entire kitchen around a potholder I found at HomeGoods and fell in LOVE with the pattern and colors. When I see a room for the first time - I can usually see what it is going to look like when I am done with it right away. I'm like a fortune teller of rooms. I envision it finished within minutes of seeing it."

MPE: Where do you gather most of your inspiration for new projects?

• Denise: "Everywhere and anywhere. I am a fan of the quote 'necessity is the mother of invention.' That (and being poor) you don't have as many options so you have to make it work. For projects I see what is needed, then I figure out how to make an items work for a specific purpose. I love a challenge, so I am always taking the hard way. Rather than go to a furniture store to shop for a specific item, I'll hit the thrift store or flea market. That way, I have to change things around to make them work...but they always turn out so much better than if I took the easy way out."

MPE: What is your favorite room to decorate and why?

• Denise: "My own, 'cause I can do whatever I want! And I'm rather bossy and like to get my way."

MPE: Give us a little sneak peak at this year's Design Room - anything exciting you'd like to share about it?

• Denise: "My room this year is Rustic Outdoor Charm. I love the mix of old and new. There's some natural elements as well as some industrial textures. It's a room I'd like to pack up and put in my own backyard...and when no one is looking I might."

To see Denise's dining room masterpiece visit the Design Room feature at the Philadelphia Home Show. While at the show, also look out for Denise's Favorite Finds in corners throughout the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The local designer and creator of The Painted Home has gathered her favorite finds from the Philadelphia Home Show and other local Philly stores to create themed vignettes. Watch for them - if you see one, snap a photo and share with #DenisesFavs for a chance to win one of her favorite finds. They include a $600 wall-mounted fireplace and loads of awesome items for your home!

The Philadelphia Home Show takes over the Pennsylvania Convention Center January 17 - 19 and 23 - 25, 2015. Don't have tickets yet? Get 2-for-1 on our Facebook Ticket Deals.

JANUARY 17 - 19, 23 - 25, 2015.
PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER