Jeanine Matlow believes that decorating is in the details. And she's made a business out of sharing that concept with others.

A naturally creative person, Matlow began drawing fantasy rooms as a child. "I was always fascinated with arranging things," she says. She never formally studied interior design, but always had an inclination towards what makes a room work. She first realized her "knack" was more of a talent when she threw a dinner party at her new home, and friends were most taken with the individual details of her décor.

"It's all about the art of placing things together and figuring out how the objects relate," she says.
Matlow's business, Conversation Pieces, began as a part-time effort while she continued to work in the corporate world. But in 2000, she decided to devote herself to the business full-time.

There's a residential and commercial side to Conversation Pieces. When Matlow enters a client's
home, it's to advise on how to improve the overall look and functionality of a room. "My first goal is to
listen to the needs of my clients," says Matlow. She offers tips on such things as how to reduce clutter, bring focus to a room and mix personal collections.

Decorating commercially takes a slightly different approach, but with the same attention to detail.
Matlow has worked on restaurants as well as office spaces.

Matlow describes her own taste as eclectic, which allows her to enter any project with an open mind. "I can work with any budget and any style," she says. Working from her home helps to keep the cost
of her services reasonable. And her realistic approach to decorating is refreshing to
those who are intimidated by the thought of working with a decorator.

And for those who would like a few decorating tips to try on their own, Matlow teaches classes in the area on topics such as decorating on a budget, organizing and entertaining with style.

"I love what I do, and people say that shows," she says.