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| Autumn Abundance - Decorate For the SeasonsThe children are back in school and the leaves are changing colors- it must be autumn. This is the perfect time to welcome the season with some new decor ideas. Enjoy the crisp air and take a cue in your decorating from nature and the outdoors. Bring in the fall leaves, gourds, and pumpkins with these decorating ideas! read more | | |
| Spruce Up your Home with New Floors Windows may be the jewelry of a house, but the floors are the workhorse of a home. No other surface sees as much wear and tear, and still must be so becoming that people want to walk barefoot on you. This is a tall order, and one that I address often as an interior decorator and licensed realtor. Flooring, along with color selection, are the most frequently asked topics, especially in staging a home for sale. By improving the floors in your home, you will increase the monetary value as well as the aesthetic appeal of your décor. The most common forms of flooring are carpeting, tile and linoleum, and hardwood. Each type brings its own beauty and versatility to a room- what type works the best in each situation? Remember, staging a home for sale is much different than living in a house- clutter needs to be banished, that includes your floors. Too many different types of flooring will make any floor plan look choppy and appear smaller than it actually is. Carpeting will be the least costly flooring that you have. By recarpeting a house before the sale, the buyer’s are getting a clean slate and new look. Keep carpet in the same type throughout the home for a good walk through flow. When carpeting for resale, pick very neutral, medium-toned beige; skip the baby pink in your daughter’s room. You want to make the house appear as large as possible and as neutral as possible for your potential buyer or for future decorating plans that you may have. Do not carpet bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. These are rooms that receive a lot of traffic and moisture and a hard surface is much better. Tile is a great solid surface that will last for years. Many options are available such as ceramic tile, natural stone, marble, man made stone, and linoleum. These surfaces are very durable and can take a beating. Use them in kitchens, bathrooms, and other heavy traffic areas. When using tile, make sure that you seal the grout in between, or it will stain. Tile and stone’s one drawback is that it is extremely hard (a dish will break if dropped), and somewhat cold underfoot. Soften the look of tile in living areas by using decorative rugs to define your conversation areas. Hardwood is right now the trend to follow in flooring, whether you are selling or staying and decorating. If you have existing hardwood, make sure it is in good shape and has been recently sealed. If not, have it professionally sanded and resealed before you start the selling process. This is a messy and dusty job, but worth the effort. Hardwood flooring is very popular right now for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it’s attractive, maintainable, and easy on the feet. Secondly, there are “green, eco-friendly” options available like bamboo, a sustainable wood product. And finally, hardwood flooring is recommended for anyone with allergies, for its clean look and lack of dust. Flooring is very important in the look of your house. Choose flooring that works with your lifestyle, budget, and décor- you may fall in love with your house again, and not want to move! If selling, how you showcase your floor, tells many people how you have lived in the house. Potential buyers want a house that is move in ready and was lovingly cared for. Take the time to pick out the floor that is right for you, and your bare feet will thank you! | | |
| Tablescape - Coffee Break In the GardenA tablescape is a decorative landscape for your table. Decorate an outdoor table for your next impromptu break from gardening and work. Invite a friend for the coffee break, or indulge in the peace and quiet of your garden setting. read more | | |
| Spring And Summer Decor - Lighten Up and Brighten UpBring the feel of spring and summer into your home with some creative ideas and accessorizing. Open the windows and welcome the fresh air into your decor! read more | | |
| Fresh Flower Secrets  Interior decorators know the secret to making a big impact in a room. Large, unique accessories make a statement and bring in that “wow” factor. The most used accessory is, of course, fresh flowers. The pages of a glossy magazine have gorgeous arrangements and stylish settings, which you can also do! Here are some easy tips for arranging flowers from your garden, a florist, a home store, even your supermarket!
TIP: Remember- fresh, warm water and your flowers will last much longer. Flowers from your garden will be the freshest, most fragrant options that you will be able to find. But, I know, it’s hard to cut down that clump of tulips in your front flowerbed. So plan ahead a bit and work a flower cutting bed into your landscape. Fill it with bulbs like Tulips and Daffodils, annuals like Zinnias, Cleome, and Cosmos, and perennials such as Autumn Joy Sedum. Don’t forget the greenery- Hosta leaves and Ivy are workhorses in arrangements! When working with garden flowers, clean any stray dirt and always cut on a diagonal to ensure that the flower will draw up the most water. Place like type flowers in vases and enjoy! Be abundant and group the vases together for major impact on your dining table or foyer. TIP: Daffodils have a substance that is poisonous to other flowers, so never mix them with others. Flowers from a florist are luxurious and can either be arranged by them or by you. The florist will be able to broaden your flower choices by having things flown in from Europe, South America, and other parts of the United States. This is great for special occasions and events, but will be a bit pricier for the unique flowers that they carry. When ordering flowers, be specific about where they will go and what the event is. TIP: Let your florist know that you are flexible with certain things like shape or color and they will hunt down the best seasonal flowers to fit your needs. Flowers from a big box home store- what would you do with that? Flowering plants like hydrangea and lilies are a gorgeous centerpiece or on a foyer table. Usually they will carry flowering plants on a seasonal basis- so check out their offerings now and again. When you get the plant home, take the foil wrapper off and put it in a decorative container. Cover the soil with a top dressing of seashells, marbles, even aquarium gravel, and enjoy the instant impact of the blooms! TIP: Poinsettias at Christmastime are best on a lower level, like a hearth, since they are rather branchy and their blooms are prettiest viewed downward. The supermarket is one of my favorite places to buy flowers- convenient and relatively inexpensive if you are not too concerned with the choices. If you are lucky enough to have a place that offers a mixed bunch special or 3 bunches/ »$12, grab it up! The 3 bunch special you can buy all the same and have that glorious large bouquet sitting on your table. The mixed bunch requires a bit more work: we want to break it apart to make more of a statement. Generally there is a focal flower like a rose, filler flowers like baby’s breath, and some type of greenery in this bunch. Use three different vases-small, medium, and large, and divide the flowers up. In the smallest, lowest vase, put all of your greenery. In the medium one-use the filler flower to enhance this size vase. The focal flower goes in the most dramatic vase- that’s what you really paid for, so show it off. Group the three vases together and “wow” everyone with your flower arranging! TIP: Do use the flower food packets that generally come with these bunches. Flower arranging can be a lot of fun and need not take too much time and money. Be creative and mix and match your containers- I love to use canning jars in the summer with a single posy in each. Fresh flowers are all about immediate impact and putting a smile on your face. Life is too short, so go ahead indulge today! | | |
| Decorating Tips From A-ZFrom accessories to zebra area rugs, these tips and trends will enliven your decor. Make your house a home through color selection, seasonal accessories and great artwork. Share your personality through your space! read more | | |
| Outdoor Room DecoratingDecorate your outdoor living space with these easy ideas and tips. Make your patio the perfect retreat or place to entertain this summer. By adding color, texture, and accessories, you can attractively decorate your patio or deck without breaking your budget or back! read more | | |
| Color Trends For Your DecorDecorating your home does not need to be trendy, but it should be current, comfortable, and totally you! Color is the perfect answer when you want to update your decor. Color creates a mood, changes the look, and adds spark to what you already own. Use some of these ideas to bring new life to your existing space! read more | | |
| Style Secrets for Your HouseWe all want our houses to look like they just stepped out of a magazine page, perfectly accessorized and photo-ready. You can have this, and still actually live in your home! Here are some style secrets that will make your home the envy of the neighborhood. read more | | |
| Color Selection - Choosing Colors For Your HomeColor selection is the single most requested concern in interior design. Color evokes emotion, and therefore people do not want to choose a color for their home incorrectly. With the help of some tips and guidelines, you too can select gorgeous colors for your home. read more | | |
| Design a Spa In Your Own BathNeed relaxation? Change your everyday bathroom into a spa-like resort! Through color, accessories, and ambiance, you too can create the soothing atmosphere of a spa. read more | | |
| Clocks - Traditional or Trendy Home AccessoryWhether you are a collector, or use clocks simply for telling time, they are one of the hottest home trends around. Timeless and versatile, clocks can anchor a wall grouping or be an eye-catching accessory on their own. Group them, collect them, or showcase a single timepiece, but definitely use clocks in your decor! read more | | |
| Setting PrettyIt’s fun to decorate for the holidays, especially when you’re creating a gorgeous tablescape for a party. “Tablescape” is a relatively new term in interior decorating, and it’s just what it sounds like—a landscape for your table. read more | | |
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