decorating

decorating

General

Outdoor Space Décor

By Gina G.

          Whether a screened in porch, a condo balcony, or small patio deck, outdoor spaces can provide a relaxing space to unwind and enjoy the weather.  However, because these spaces require considerations that inside the home do not, decorating them can seem overwhelming.  Here are some tips that will have your outdoor space looking top notch in no time:

Furniture is an essential element to creating an enjoyable outdoor space.  Before purchasing any seating or tables, take measurements of your space.  This will provide tremendous assistance in choosing what type of furniture.  For instance, if you have a condo balcony, you may not have the space for a full loveseat or table.  Instead, a café style table and chairs may be more appropriate.  Conversely, if you have a sizeable screened in porch, a full patio set complete with side tables, love seats and oversized chairs may fill in the space nicely.  And, for a small patio deck, you may consider more creative furnishings such as a hammock.  Be sure to find furniture made from materials (like wicker and vinyl) that will hold up in various weather and that can be easily cleaned if need be.

Another consideration is how to manage your exposure to the elements when enjoying your outdoor space.  Whether you are reading or enjoying a cold beverage, the sun can impact your comfort level.  If you have windows with glass in your space, consider tinting the windows.  More commonly though, these outdoor spaces are just screened in without any glass or actual windows.  If this is your situation, consider sunweaves or solar shades for your porch.  They will reduce sunlight without blocking your view.  They also come on simple roller shades and can easily fit under roofing structure.  Although some of them may require you to roll them up when it is raining or extremely windy, most are made of materials that can withstand exposure to moisture.  Basic awnings that can easily be affixed (and removed from) a wall are another option for small patios or balconies.  Finally, beware of wooden or metallic materials to help reduce the sunlight; these materials do not hold up well outside the home.

Other décor ideas for outdoor spaces include adding plants, lights, wind chimes and bird boxes.  Adding plants can really spruce up an outdoor space.  If you have a smaller space like a balcony or deck, consider hanging plants over potted ones in order to best utilize your limited space.  However, if you have a larger room, than potted plants can be beautiful additions.  Hanging lights, whether on vines or independent bulbs, can be away to brighten up your space for those lovely summer and fall evenings.

Continue Reading
0
Inspiration Tips and Advice

Get the Right Look!

Window treatments are a big thing to consider when designing a space. There are tons of options to choose from that have different purposes and functions. When selecting window treatments, you must consider several questions to make sure you get it right. Do you need to block the light, create privacy, or just look pretty? Do you need the same throughout the house, or can you switch them up? Today we are answering all those questions about how to choose the right window treatments for your home. First things first: do you need to choose the same window coverings throughout your home? The answer is no! Each space has different functions, and different needs when it comes to privacy, light, and aesthetic.

Choosing the right window treatments for your home or business can be tricky. With many options, styles, patterns and colors to choose from, it can be difficult to make the right decisions; especially if your buying for a lot of windows. The process can be a little more complicated when you’re in the market for window treatments for unusual or unique windows and window arrangements; particularly rooms with multiple small windows that are very close together. When mounting inside mount is a great solution for close together windows that have their own separate frames. It helps maintain a sleek, uniform appearance without potential for overlapping that can occur with outside mount. If you are thinking of mounting your window treatments inside the frames of your close together windows, you can’t go wrong with micro aluminum blinds, 1” faux wood blinds, cellular shades, sheer shades, or bamboo shades. For one large window single frame an extra large or over sized window treatment can create the illusion that the room has one giant and luxurious picture window. Having a single shade can also make it easy to control light and privacy in the room. I would recommend roman shades, roller shades, or vertical blinds.

The whole idea of decorating is to make your home more beautiful, inviting, and comfortable with minimal expense and maximum effect. The thing is, no one else must live in your home but you. You have nothing to prove. Imagine you are making this change for you and you only. Stop thinking or worrying about the outside influencers. Good luck!

Continue Reading
0
DIY General Tips and Advice

Instant Room Changers

At this point, we have been stuck inside for months now!! I can’t be the only one getting a bit sick of these walls and am aching to get back out side, but for now still too cold and the sun just isn’t out as late as it needs to be. So what can we do? Well, if you are getting sick of your current rooms (as I am) here are a few ways to really make a difference and help you out:

  1. Accent wall: if you want to make a bold change to a room adding a new color or texture is a great way to really get a new feel on your living space. Be careful when choosing colors though; going to dark (especially in a low light room) will make the space feel even smaller and eat the light that comes into it. Textures or wall papers have really come back in style and some of the new patterns are a lot of fun and sure to make a statement in any space.
  2. Window treatments: We know window treatments and we know that they can affect the whole style of the room, you could instantly change any room with a new window treatment. You can add some roman shades, cellular, wood blinds, drapes, or curtains. Each of these will change the feel of the room and a lot of them come in modern colors and patterns.
  3. Furniture: a bit of flare you could choose a bold accent chair that really makes you feel better – something bright and airy; or you could just want to change up your sofa and go with a new color for the room all together.
  4. Re-arrange: one of the biggest changes that you can make (and it won’t cost you anything!) is to re-arrange and flip around your furniture. The room will feel new and different and you really just need to invest in a few man hours and time to rethink the layout.
  5. Throws and pillows: simple but effective; just changing the throw blankets and pillows you have on your chairs and sofa or cushions on your kitchen chairs can make a huge difference and be the thing that ties a whole room together.
Continue Reading
0
General Inspiration Tips and Advice

Effectively Decorating Your Studio Apartment

You just got that new place; a place to call your own. A nice, little studio apartment with a quaint view of the park across the street; then you walk in and realize you have no idea how to create an effective space which include both a kitchen and a bedroom. Well, that’s why we’re here to help!

Studio apartments are infamous for being “impossible” to make feel like a home. I strongly disagree. There are hundreds of ways to make a small space feel like a few different spaces while still maintaining an open living concept. The first of these being dividers. One of the most effective ways to divide or separate a space now-a-days is the cubed-shelving. These shelves literally just look like hollow squares stacked on top of one another and/or next to each other. This allows for space to be separated (say from a kitchen to where the bed will be) yet still have the voided space which is great for maintaining that open feeling and also great for storage and decor! Another great way to both decorate and “section-off” your studio apartment, is to use area rugs. Something we have found works really well is solid colored area rugs what blend well together but are a different color for different space. It ends up creating a very elegant and modern look in the space.

Greenery and plant life are also a great thing to add to any studio apartment. This creates an organic and calming sensation in a space and almost guarantees a sense of comfort in any space, large or small. There is something about plants that just make people happy. And the best part is, you don’t have to have a real plant! It can be a fake one too, so no excuses with the “i don’t have a green thumb” thing. You can find great fake trees or ferns that look 100% real for a relatively low cost as well.

The last part of decorating a studio apartment that we would like to talk about are the window treatments. In most studio apartments, you typically have 1 or maybe 2 windows TOTAL since it is such a small space. In this case you don’t have a lot of natural light so you need to make sure you have a blinds or shade that will let in natural light even if closed. There are a lot of options now for shades that act as blinds too so they will give you privacy when needed but also allow for the natural like to come in as well.

When decorating small spaces, always remember that less is more. Organization is key as well. Happy decorating!!

Continue Reading
0
General Inspiration Tips and Advice

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

The holiday season, in my opinion, is literally the best time of year. Friends, family, parties, and warm fuzzy sweaters. Make sure that decorating the house is always a part of the fun – and not a chore! We’ve put together a list of fun ideas for you and your family to make sure to keep things simple and fun!

  • The tree. Although this may seem to be the most obvious, often the tree can become more of a part of the “process” than fun. Make sure you go together to pick out a tree. Make ornaments together – make it a fun arts and crafts project. Enjoy each aspect (even hanging the lights!!) and make some memories doing it!
  • Dress up your doors. Literally, let everyone decorate a door in the house, and dress it up like a package. From wrapping paper, to bows, to labels, let everyone get creative – you can even vote on your favorite if your family likes a friendly competition!!
  • Decorate your own stockings. Start with a basic red and white stocking, and gather all of your art supplies. Ribbons, bows, paints, sequins, glitter – whatever you can find! When you are done, you can hang them up and add to the holiday décor!!
  • Create artwork. Depending on how ambitious you are feeling – gather canvases, paints, and brushes for everyone in the family. Set up an area (probably a good idea to lay some plastic on the floor) and let everyone create their own artwork. Make sure everyone signs and dates their canvas so you can hang them for years to come.
  • Make fun centerpieces. Gather any vases you have around the house, and any leftover decorations from the tree. Ornaments, garland, even a string of lights. Arrange them in a fun design in the vase, and you suddenly have a decorative centerpiece!!

Remember, the best thing about the holidays is having fun with family and friends. Decorations are supposed to be “fun” and colorful. It’s the time of year that being “perfect” isn’t important, but having warmth and love in your decorations is. Happy Holidays!!

Continue Reading
0
General Inspiration Tips and Advice

Bring the Warmth of Fall Indoors

Autumn Decor for Living Room – Bring in the warmth of Fall Indoors!

Summer has sadly come to an end, and while we may not be hitting the beaches and going to the cottage, we can instead embrace the cozy  warmth of a crisp fall day. Autumn is a time for nesting – for cozying up on the couch with a cup of tea and beloved book or enjoying the great outdoors and hiking the trails, taking in the changing fall foliage.

A great start  to getting your room fall-friendly without spending a dime is to update the floor plan. Rearranging existing furniture breathes new life into rooms, and makes great use of existing  peices. An easy way to do this is to use graph paper to rougly sketch out your room’s size and figure out how the pieces will work best before you put the effort into moving them. Once you are happy with your new layout, you can move on to updating  your decor for fall time. A great and easy way to do this is to incorperate luxe, rich textures in throw pillows, blankets and a new area rug. Round rugs provide a nice feel to any room and help soften up hard lines. Think plush fabrics in faux fur, natural fleece, and shag rugs.

Scents are also very important to setting a room’s mood. Diffusers are a great way to add scent and moister to the dryer fall air. Try an essential oil blend of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, orange, and nutmeg. Candles also do double-duty by introducing soft, warm light to contrast the impending chill outside.

Lastly, as pet owners we cannot leave our furry friends out! Get your cat or dog a new bed so they have a spot to sit in your new cozy living room and enjoy the company. Or if you do not have a furry friend, visit your local shelter and change a cat or dog’s life by giving them a forever home! They will instantly make your home feel more cozy and inviting.

Continue Reading
0
General Inspiration Tips and Advice

Dining Room Decorating

Out of all of the rooms in the house, the dining room often poses the biggest dilemma in decorating. Being that it is usually a very functional room, with not a lot of furniture – other than the obvious table and chairs, it makes it harder to decorate. One of the major problems is the fear of overdoing an otherwise simple space, and another major concern is over decorating a room that you are using on a regular basis – for example table decorations may look great but if you have to move them every night when you serve dinner it is not very practical. To help, we’ve come up with a few simple things you can use in a dining room to make it your own.

  • Create an accent wall. Take this concept further than just the paint color. Bring in some bold decorative pieces that define your style. Whether it’s a piece of artwork that you love, an oversized clock, a big mirror, or wooden lettering, go with something bold. You can also make an accent by adding some floating shelfs – display some plates or glasses, small plants, or even something as simple as candles.
  • Add a decorative sideboard. A sideboard is a small piece of furniture that is put against the wall and generally used to store plates and glasses. It is reminiscent of the hutches that a lot people use to have in their dining rooms, but a much simpler, smaller piece. The great part of adding a sideboard is that you can use the top of it to decorate the same as you would your table – but without having to clear it off in time for dinner! Adding seasonal décor, plants, and colorful accents will instantly dress up the space.
  • Use an area rug. Using an area rug in the dining room in an easy way to bring a softer element into the room. You can go as bold or subtle as you like, but keep in mind that it is one of the few fabrics you have in the room, so you can allow yourself to go with more pattern than you might in another room.
  • Window treatments. Again, this is a great room to go bold with fabrics. You can bring in patterns that are easy to change out with panels, or you can find something you love to commit to in more permanent window treatments like roman or pleated shades.

Happy decorating!

Continue Reading
0
General Inspiration Interior Designers Tips and Advice

Half Bath Dilemma

When purchasing a new home, the number of bathrooms is generally key. Depending on the size of your family, any additional bathroom space can be a deal maker or breaker. Even a small half bathroom can make a difference for a family home. But, when it comes time to decorating, or renovating this space, you run into some challenges you may not consider in a full bathroom. Overall, you want to make what is generally the smallest room in the house, feel as big as possible.

  • Go with a bright, light paint is a great way to open the space. Sticking with a white or slightly off-white color palette – with either a grey or blue tone is a great place to start.
  • Add wainscoting. The small accent at the bottom of the wall – in white – makes the room appear larger. It also will lend itself to adding some décor to the space, which is not easy to do in such a small space.
  • Make sure the vanity is proportionate to the space. Although you may be able to fit a larger vanity in the room, keep in mind what you need in there. Being that it is a second or third bathroom, chances are you won’t need many bathroom supplies, so won’t actually need that much space. And the smaller vanity you go with the larger it will make the room feel.
  • Get fun light fixtures. Lights are another way to make a statement, as well as brighten up the room (again making it feel bigger). There are a variety of different light fixtures available now in a lot of different colors and sizes so you can find one to fit your space!
  • Use bright window treatments. Sticking with something light filtering – that will give you privacy but let the light filter through is a great idea in a bathroom. Cellular shades or roller shades are good options because they give you a very clean finished look.

Overall, just make sure to keep it simple. If you go bold with your light fixtures, keep your vanity neutral. If you go with a bold color on your vanity, make sure to stay light on the walls. In this room, less is more, but as always make it your own!

Continue Reading
0
DIY Interior Designers Tips and Advice

Spring on a Budget

SPRING ON A BUDGET

What better reason to change the interior decor of your home than the ever changing season that we have in our country, instead of despising it, we all just have to spring forward and shake off those winter blues. There are surefire ways to refurbish our homes in a very minimal way so that we can keep up and be in the mood to welcome spring. Here are a few items you can definitely change or add without having the need to break the bank.
ADD SOMETHING OF “NATURE” IN YOUR INTERIOR
Putting houseplants are not just adding greenery in your living space but also increase oxygen level, purifies the air, and improve your health and focus. Adding the plants can give you a fresh spring feel.
FRESH WINDOW TREATMENT
Floral-patterns, colorful, and bright window treatments are also an update that can definitely change the way you look into your home. There are plenty of pretty Roman and Roller soft shades that can give you the vibrant spring-look. Try the paisley and chevron patterns, for a very minute but colorful details.
FLORAL ART DISPLAYS
If you are not as bold yet as holding the brush and painting an entire wall or even just an accent wall, why not decorate by hanging some floral paintings? You can experiment on size and colors, and you can definitely change up these items for every season.
The right accessories are equally important as all the elements in any home. Small things matter.
Continue Reading
0
Inspiration Interior Designers Tips and Advice

Spring Updating

Spring Updating

As soon as the days begin to get warmer, you realize it is time to spruce up the house for spring! One of the most popular trends for 2016 is – nautical.  The great thing about this style is you can take it as simple or as over the top as your decorating style may be, and it can be used in pretty much any room in the house.

The basic premise of a nautical style is simple.  Clean colors – white, beiges, and navy are the three predominant colors that are often used. Luckily, most people have a room in their home that has either white, or beige walls – so an easy template to start working with.

In pretty much any room you can add the pop of color with curtains or other soft treatments in the room (blankets, pillows, rugs). Generally you want to add a pattern or a pop of navy blue.  There are a ton of different materials in the store this year with prints ranging from anchors, to starfish, to simple sailing stripes.

If you are dealing with a bedroom, change out the comforter set to bring in the patterns and designs.  If a bathroom, switch out the shower curtain.  It’s even a simple update in a bathroom – changing out the counter accessories (there are a ton of shell themed bathroom accessories).

But remember, the basis of the style is to keep it simple and clean.  Add one piece, or multiple pieces, but just make sure to make it fun!

 

Continue Reading
0
Older Posts