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Use Bright and Bold Colors This Summer for a Fresh Look

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Summer is here and a perfect time for a new and fresh look. Nature is resplendent in fresh new colors and provides great inspiration for homeowners interested in a new look. Bright colors and bold patterns feature prominently in popular home decor magazines this year.

However, it can be intimidating to bring patterns and colors like these into your home without risking a garish look. So, keep it simple and use inexpensive accents to achieve the look of the season this year.

Living with Color

In the living room, try using bright solid colored throw pillows paired with a couple of patterned pillows. This will give your living room a pop of color without overtaking the entire room. Replace old, outdated lampshades with a patterned shade that complements your new colors. Updating doesn’t always require spending a lot of money, and sometimes the simple, inexpensive ideas are just what your home needs.

Often times, small tweaks in home decor can make a big impact. New slipcovers, lampshades or pillows might have the desired effect. New wall hangings or pieces of art can introduce bold themes without the expense of purchasing new furniture. A fresh coat of paint in a room can instantly transform a space at a low cost. Rearranging the room is another easy (and free) way to gain a new view.

Color Your Kitchen

Antique shops are great places to find items with which to redecorate, especially if you are redecorating your kitchen. A quick look at chain stores and catalogs reveals that the retro look is very popular right now. Shopping at an antique store for the real thing might save you some money and give you an even more unique look. Once again, don’t overdo it, just a few key pieces will completely change your home. New canisters or a new table cloth can bring fresh color to your kitchen, and are an easy way to update your look.

Bold Beds & Baths

Bedrooms and bathrooms can easily receive the same treatment. Add a few brightly colored items or a vase of fresh flowers in the room. New towels in the bathroom or a new duvet cover and pillow shams in the bedroom may be all you need. These items are fairly inexpensive, but will brighten your space for the spring season.

Outdoor Color

If you are looking to update the outside of your home, you’ll find a huge selection of outdoor home decor items in the market. If you’d like a small change, try planting a few new flowers and plants. Update or re-cover your patio chair cushions. A birdbath will bring new life to your yard, and complement the new statuary you’ve chosen for spring. If yard gnomes aren’t your favorite thing, there are many contemporary yard decorations that are unique and different. Artists are creating interesting outdoor accents all the time that may be more to your taste.

Get Organized

Do some research to discover what suits you best and of course to find the best deal. Create an idea book or use Pinterest to keep track of what you would like most for your home. You’ll be more prepared while shopping, making it easier to compare prices. Take a photo of each room that you want to redecorate and take pictures of the different items you would like to replace. Staying focused on what you are searching for is sometimes difficult, so when you find something you like, take a picture and then go home and compare choices.

A bit of color can make all the difference!

Kiersten Gurry is an expert on home decor and works for FirstImpressionSecurityDoors.com

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Posted in Home Improvement, Interior Design, Remodeling

Do It Yourself Interior Design Trends for 2012

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

New Year’s may have come and gone, but there’s still plenty of time to turn over a new leaf and spruce up your space in 2012. You can use these innovative DIY design tips to get the ball rolling and makeover your home, even on a limited budget.

Reinvent old furniture.

Instead of splurging to buy a new couch, buy a stylish couch cover or consider making your own. This is one of the quickest, smartest ways to turn something old into something new that will better match the existing decor of your living room.

Or, if you want a DIY project that you can sink your teeth into, why not try reupholstering your couch yourself? Reupholstering furniture is one excellent way to save money and can be mastered by anyone who has basic sewing skills. You will only need a hammer, screwdriver, pliers, and a staple gun to get the job done – with the guidance from a helpful online tutorial.

Make trash into treasure.

The next time that you’re at a thrift store or yard sale, lower your standards just a little. If you see an interesting coffee table, wall hanging, or cake stand that has seen better days, consider taking it home with you at an unbeatably low price.

You can use wood varnish or paint to makeover old furniture, turning someone’s trash into an interesting piece that will balance the decor of a room. As an example, why not paint old wooden candlesticks a bright shade, like pink or sky blue? If you’re looking for an interesting way to spice up the color scheme in a room, adding an item in a bold hue will immediately liven up a space and draw attention to your revamped treasure.

Add hanging planters.

Installing hanging planters in any room in the house is an easy DIY project that almost anyone can do. The benefit of hanging plants in a room is that they will immediately create a serene environment that promotes relaxation. On top of that, you can add your own creative touch to a hanging pot by painting it or using decoupage to decorate it in a unique style.

This is a quick, clever way to fill up empty airspace in a room and to draw attention upward so that a room naturally appears larger. As an added bonus, you get the opportunity to cultivate beautiful plants as a natural, botanical decoration to liven up even the drabbest room.

 

Bethany Ramos is a full-time freelance writer that co-owns her own e-commerce website , The Coffee Bump.

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The Art of Feng Shui: Can It Work for Your Home?

Friday, April 20th, 2012

If you’re new to the world of decorating, you may have heard quite a few buzzwords thrown around such as “feng shui”. Feng shui has become increasingly popular in the decorating world, although its roots trace back to ancient China more than 3000 years ago.

Feng Shui

What Is Feng Shui?

Feng shui is more than just a clever catchphrase thrown around by interior designers; it is an art and science deeply rooted in ancient Chinese principles. Feng shui focuses on the process of balancing energies within a space to ensure that any inhabitants of the room have both health and good fortune. What’s not to love?

When translated, feng means wind, and shui means water. Both elements in ancient Chinese culture are associated with health, so using feng shui to properly balance energies within your home can lead to good fortune or good luck.

Feng Shui 101: Where to Begin

If you’re passionate about the use of feng shui when decorating and arranging your home – or even if you figure “why not?” – it helps to start with the basics of this ancient Chinese art the next time you decorate a room:

Remove all clutter from your environment. This is the time to go through all of your belongings to get rid of anything that you don’t legitimately need. Make no mistake that it is a time-consuming process to clear all of the clutter out of your home, but it is symbolic at the same time.

You will be lightening and alleviating stress in your everyday environment, which will be reflected in a stress-free life. This is the first and most important step to take to bring harmony to your home.

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Change out traditional lighting. In your most used living spaces, especially your bedroom, it helps to have several lighting levels or consider installing a dimmer switch. Good lighting is important since light is necessary to supply our bodies with nutrients and energy. For a calming, quiet environment, use candles instead of electrical light sources.

Purify your air. Adding plants to your living environment is one of the best ways to purify your air; this is also an excellent idea to use to balance your office space, especially if you work in a cramped cubicle. The solution to neutralizing indoor air pollution is to add as many indoor plants as possible to a room. These plants will naturally help to neutralize toxins to fill the air with oxygen, which will provide a source of energy all day long.

One of the best indoor plants to use for this purpose is bamboo, traditional to the ancient Chinese principle of feng shui. Bamboo can be used to neutralize such harmful chemicals in the environment as formaldehyde and benzene and will help to create an environment of peace in any room.

small room

Check out more Feng Shui ideas at HGTV!

Bethany Ramos is an expert in Internet marketing and social media marketing, and she also co-owns her own e-commerce website, The Coffee Bump.

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Posted in Home Improvement, Interior Design

Interior Design Tips for Smaller Homes

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Although living in the centre of a city has its advantages, space usually isn’t one of them. Decorating a smaller flat can be a challenge, but sacrificing floor space for location doesn’t necessarily have to end your dreams of house beautiful.

First of all, de-clutter, recycle, throw out and give away anything you are unlikely to use ever again. It’s amazing how much we hold onto without thinking about it and if space is at a premium there’s no sense wasting it on things you don’t use. Consider renting a storage unit for larger items that don’t fit into your life right now, and look for bed units and wardrobe tidies to make better use of the storage space you already have.

small granite kitchen

Think about your colour scheme before you buy anything. For smaller spaces simple themes are best, as mixing lots of colours together can make your home look mismatched and messy. Light shades and neutral tones will give more of a sense of space and make the best of natural light, and colour and detail can be added with smaller pieces that won’t overpower a cosy room. Consider using a single, light colour for walls throughout the properly to give it a continuous feel.

Once you have decided on your theme, it’s time to see where space can be saved. Replacing bulky curtains with patterned roman blinds can save you space around windows and let in more light. Blinds also detract less from the view, making it more a part of the room. These come in all sorts of colours and patterns and can look great as a feature against a blank wall. You can reflect your choice of design with cushions, rugs and bedcovers to add a bit of colour to your flat.

Avoid large pieces of furniture and look for simple, clean items that go well together. You can save a lot of space by using a drop leaf table that can be folded away with a set of matching folded chairs. Choose a light framed sofa with a pull out base – ideal for putting guests up with minimum fuss. If you are short on bedroom space consider a queen sized double bed rather than a standard double or king-size so that it doesn’t overpower the room and take up all the space.

Every item or furniture in your flat, needs to be chosen for utility as well as aesthetics. Steer clear of large, towering bookcases and instead opt for simple wall shelves. You can fit these into unused spaces to add colour and interest to a room or put low shelves behind your sofa for extra storage. Choose a coffee table with a low shelf under it that fits your space and is smaller than your sofa.

Once you have decided on your furniture and colour scheme it’s time to pick out all the other items that make a flat into a home. It helps to make everything fit in unobtrusively enough not to look cluttered, so pick towels, wastepaper baskets, bedspreads, tablecloths and kitchen items that go with the theme you have chosen.

Turning a small flat into a comfortable, beautiful living space is no easy job, but with a bit of planning and creativity you can have a perfect little city flat.

Check out more great suggestions on how to make the most of a small space at Apartment Therapy.

This is an article written by Michael Turner, a home improvement, design and technology enthusiast on behalf of Roman Blinds Direct.

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Posted in Home Improvement, Interior Design

Combine the Best of Both Worlds When Nature Provides Interior Design Inspiration

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

The newest trend in interior design uses elements of nature as its theme to create an indoor space reminiscent of the great outdoors.

chimney

Through using all natural materials with an outdoorsy, woodsy vibe, many people are finding that the inside of their home is the perfect setting for a display of nature that can be enjoyed no matter what the temperature is outside.

If you are thinking about designing the inside of your home to reflect the natural beauty of the outdoors, here are some of the more popular ways people are using nature as the inspiration behind their interior design ideas.

Rustic Theme

One of the most popular nature inspired interior design themes is a theme that exudes rustic charm. For a rustic interior design theme, focus on furniture made from oak, or decorate your environment with items made from all natural materials like cotton, hemp, stone or rock and you can be certain your decor will reflect an inviting outdoor feeling charm.

Always remember when choosing a rustic theme for your interior design project, less is more. Many rustic pieces speak a bold statement on their own, so it is best to choose one signature piece to accent a room.

Find more rustic design ideas at HGTV.

Southwestern Theme

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Even if you don’t live in New Mexico, you can bring that southwestern charm to your home when you let the outdoors of the Southwest provide inspiration for your interior decorating theme. Think bright, bold colors and ceramic or clay items, or woven rugs and painted clay tile flooring.

Let the rich colors of the desert be the color palate from which to choose the colors to adorn your home with when you become inspired by a southwestern theme for your interior design project.

Organic Theme

Organic is the most popular type of interior design theme amongst anyone who wants to let nature be their decorating inspiration. An organic theme can go one of either ways, but they both focus on providing an indoor living space that doesn’t damage the environment.

For an organic theme, look for items that are made of 100 percent all natural materials like bamboo. Or, reuse items. Often times, old furniture can easily be obtained and fixed up or simply added to a room as is to add character in a earth conscious way. Think organic if you want your interior design theme to be a reflection of your commitment to the earth.

These are just 3 of the more popular nature inspired interior design themes. Bringing the outdoors inside is very popular amongst people deciding upon their interior design plans, and either of these 3 themes would add that perfect outdoor feeling to any indoor space.

If you truly want to get inspired by nature to create the indoor space of your dreams, walk around nature. Look at beautiful pictures of nature. Once you open your eyes to the ways you can truly bring the great outdoors into the comfort of your home, you will truly be combining the best of both worlds.

Sharon Hunter blogs on home improvement and interior design. You can find more of her work at Room Design Ideas.

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Posted in Interior Design

When Your Bedroom’s Interior Mismatches

Friday, March 9th, 2012

When your bedroom looks mismatched it gives a feeling of clutter, poverty, and carelessness, and worst of all disturbs your serenity every time you walk in the room.   There are a few key tricks you can use to fix bedroom style mismatches without having to shell out the big bucks of buying five to six pieces of furniture.

The first key is to design your bedroom around the look of your bed frame.  Remember that your bed is the biggest piece of furniture in your room and is always the focal center piece.

The magic solution for changing mismatches in the bedroom into an interior decorator’s dream comes from visual repetition.

Repeat the bed frame theme:

bedroom1

If you have a wood bed frame, ask yourself if you can paint or stain anything else in the room to match.  If it is too big a job to paint or stain a dresser or side table, consider getting a framed mirror with the same wood look as your headboard and also one or two picture frames made of the same color wood.   Also hanging photographs of trees that match the color wood in your bedframe will add a sense of continuity.

If you have a metal bedframe use metal picture frames, small metallic sculptures and wall hangings, and metal-colored vases.  If your headboard is fabric, drape swatches of fabric over the dressers and end tables.

Maintain color continuity:

bedroom2

The second quick and easy way to solve your bedroom’s mismatches is by providing repeated matching color points of interest.  Again, start with the bed as focal point.  First choose bed furnishings, including throw pillows in a color scheme you love.   It is important that you really love the color you choose for your bedspread because in order to correct bedroom mismatches you are going to want to place this color in at least five separate places throughout your bedroom.

You spend one third of your life sleeping.  But you also spend a lot of time sitting on your bed looking at other parts of your bedroom.  You want to make your room match and you want to make sure that it doesn’t get boring.  The answer is to put at least five splashes of any hue in your chosen color theme that matches your bed furnishings.

Place pillows that match the bedspread on any chairs in the bedroom.  Hang a throw blanket in a matching color over the back of the chair nearest the bed.  Place at least one item with your chosen color on each flat surface.  Place an afghan blanket at the foot of the bed or the extra blanket chest. Consider bed skirts, lamp shades, and coordinating curtains.

Add a spark of personality:

bedroom3

Once you have repeated the bed frame theme and repeated a color scheme it is time to add at least one item that is distinctly you.  This is your space so remember that your investment in a good bed and making the bedroom reflect your best self are what’s important.

Check out some more bedroom design tips here!

Author bio:

Sunny Popali is the Marketing lead at CoolFlex. CoolFlex are online retailers of memory foam mattresses. They offer a wide range of memory foam mattresses with wide range of double memory foam mattress, single memory foam mattress or a kingsize memory foam mattress.

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Posted in Interior Design

Simple Decorating Secrets from Top Interior Designers

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to decorate your home just like the pros at a fraction of the price? For most of us, that involves poring over interior design magazines or even creating an elaborate pin board on Pinterest to try to come up with unique ideas for home décor.

If you want your home to look sleek, sophisticated, and professionally decorated, it’s important to take tips from the pros. The helpful hints listed below are inspired by top interior designers and will help you to make simple, affordable upgrades to your home – without having to hire a professional:

  • Start with the right lighting. According to a Meg Ryan interview in Elle Decor, the actress credits beautiful lighting for her ability to create a breathtaking space in her home. Ryan prefers to leave her walls blank so that splashes of colorful light from the sunrise and sunset can provide natural decoration.

As a tip, if you have large windows that overlook a beautiful landscape with lots of natural light, consider leaving most or all of the walls blank to use natural lighting as a centerpiece. The upside to this decorating method is that natural lighting is absolutely free, and blank walls will make a room look spacious and comfortable.

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  • Mix without matching. Who says that everything in your home has to be matchy-matchy? If you want to decorate a room outside of your comfort zone, pair similar color schemes with dramatically different patterns, such as plaid and stripes or houndstooth and polka dots.

This type of interior design mishmash is entirely user-friendly since it is up to you which patterns you decide will look best in your room. It’s also not necessary to match all of your colors completely. If you have a basic color scheme in a room, it helps to add a pop of a bold color like red or even an animal print in one signature piece.

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  • Do it yourself when you can. According to HGTV Design Star winner Emily Henderson, one of the best ways to save money when decorating a room is to sew stylish pillowcases yourself.

This way, you won’t have to pay full price for decorative pillows for a couch or bed; you will only have to buy upholstery weight fabric to make the pillowcases yourself. This do-it-yourself spirit can also apply to other simple items that you can make yourself to decorate a room, like a hand sewn table runner or a stylish homemade dust ruffle for your bed.

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If you do decide to work with a pro interior designer, don’t forget this crucial advice from celebrity interior designer Kenneth Brown. Make sure to tell your designer everything on your mind before commissioning a project. If there is anything that you hate or love about a room, your designer will want to know so that they can think of a creative way to improve the space within the budget of your project.

Like Brown says, “You have to tell your designer everything, even if it’s the way you brush your teeth. Everything can be worked into the design plan to make you happy or overcome any obstacle.”

Bethany Ramos is an expert in Internet marketing and social media marketing, and she also co-owns her own e-commerce website, The Coffee Bump.

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Color- The Greatest accessory

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Interior designers often talk about accessorizing a home with different features, such as wall art, window treatments, furniture, cushions and accent pillows, and all sorts of other little touches you can add that turn a good room into a great room. There is, however, one accessory which is the most important of them all and often not given enough credit and that is color. The wrong color or too much of a color can completely destroy the carefully created atmosphere and design of a room.

Choosing a color as your theme of the room is a great way to make the most of the space you have and gives you a guide to follow. You can paint the walls of a room in different shades of the same color to add depth to the room and to highlight certain areas. These areas can be used for features such as wall art grids. If you want a calm and relaxing room, consider blue walls, with one wall in a very bold blue and the rest in paler shades. The bold wall can be where you put your sofa or desk, depending on the function of the room. It is also a good color for bedrooms.

blue walls

Alternatively, you can use color for your accessories only. The room can be a crisp white with your accessories in one bright and bold color. This way the color and the accessories really stand out creating a fascinating room. As spring is on the way, yellow is a highly popular color for a design, but fuchsia is another top color this spring. Beware not to combine the two. You can have other colors to support these colors, but they are too strong to support each other and will end up clashing. Fuchsia can be supported by a pale lilac as well as silver, as silver really illuminates this color, while yellow can be supported by a paler version of itself or by a bright shade of green.

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Another great way to use color is by combining complementary colors with each other. A Complementary color is always one prime color with one secondary color of which it isn’t a component. For example, blue’s complementary color is orange as you don’t use blue to mix orange, red’s complementary color is green, and yellow’s is purple. As Tango Orange is this year’s most trending color there are several designs out there that use blue walls or sofas with orange accessories such as cushions, seats, or wall art.

tangerine orange

Copyright: Vanessa Robinson

It’s good to be aware of the moods that colors create in all of us. Red, for example, energises us and stimulates appetite, which is why it is often used in interiors of restaurants, but too much red angers us and destroys the atmosphere of the room. As mentioned above, blue has a calming effect on people, while green is the color of harmony and balance. It’s suitable for a hobby room or even a yoga room. Gold along with purple are colors of luxury and royalty. These colors are great for some accents in a home, but unsuitable to be used in large amounts, especially gold.

So, when you’re designing a room remember that color is the most powerful accessory of them all, and never underestimate the effect of a badly chosen color. For a free design consultation, contact Granite Transformations here.

Author Bio: This article was written by Sarah Oxley, interior design specialist and color analyser, on behalf of Custom Curtains, whose site can be found at http://www.custom-curtains.co.uk.

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