It may involve drafting and a lot of manual labor, but good decorating is nothing if not creative. To create something beautiful and livable is an art that requires imagination and inspiration. Unfortunately, the artistry of the whole endeavor can be lost in the budget and planning stages. Below are a few simple ideas on how to clear your mind and unleash your inner designer: • Find one wonderful piece. Every room should contain at least one item that you have fallen in love with. Once... Read Full Story

There is much more to furniture design than matching color, pattern, and form. The size and placement of large pieces is likely to affect the feel of the room more than any accessory. Think of their layout as the foundation on which all of the flashy finishing elements will be laid. Without a good foundation, your whole room can turn into a disaster, so pay close attention to what you are doing with furniture. Start with a Plan It may be tempting to run off the the furniture store, but... Read Full Story

Furniture is a tricky thing. It can fade into the background, create an exciting focal point or absolutely ruin an otherwise acceptable layout. As much as I love home decor, I hate picking out furniture. Finding something with charm that also fits and complements a room is a difficult task. Oftentimes, those of us without the means to redesign spaces from top to bottom have to make concessions as far as furnishings are concerned. Having to make old furniture work or picking out an new suite... Read Full Story

Ah, painting. It may be one of the most hated aspects of home renovations, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important. There are few things that can create a feel for a room as effectively (and as cheaply) as a can of paint. For this reason, choosing a wall color is one of the major aspects of a design plan. Choosing a Color Palette Just as choosing the right color can tie everything together, the wrong choice can make things look out of whack. Unfortunately, these hue snafus usually... Read Full Story

It’s no secret that I hold a firm belief that good decor can dramatically improve one’s mood and general outlook. Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it. There are several mental health studies that link depression with cluttered surroundings . Personally, one of my favorite ways to bust a bad mood is to do some straightening up. There’s no doubt that proper organization is a large part of any design plan. There are many steps you can take to transform your unkempt abode into a... Read Full Story

There are many reasons I love interior design, but I have to say that the best thing about it is its accessibility. A destitute college student can have a room just as fabulous as that of a billionaire with just a little bit of know-how. One of the most effective tools in the designer’s arsenal, a can of paint, only costs $25. Money can’t buy taste, and great decor can be had on a tiny budget. With this in mind, I bring you a few cheap ideas that can transform any room: 1. Funky Frames. Well... Read Full Story

We’ve already discussed how to turn your home into a tasteful rustic getaway . In doing so, we saw lots of fabulous accessories that would arouse anyone’s interest. There are many ways to decorate a cabin home with these natural accessories and wildlife decor, but they can also soften up a more modern space. Here are a few tips on how to give your room natural influences without switching styles: • Think simple. The quickest way to keep things from feeling artificial is to add a live plant... Read Full Story

Home renovation projects are a good way to update your home and maximize it’s value. Smart upgrades and additions can help boost future resale value, but aesthetics aren’t the only thing to consider when you’re looking to do an overhaul. Environmentally friendly and low-impact products often look just as good as more expensive and more wasteful materials. With concerns about the future of the planet mounting, the demand for more green homes here to stay, and many of these smart choices will... Read Full Story

Keeping things in their place is an essential part of maintaining an attractive home, but straightening up is harder than it sounds. Honestly, clutter is the bane of my existence. I tend to prefer a sparse design aesthetic, but I also have a penchant for collecting shoes, books, coats, and tchotchkes. I have so little “out of the way” storage that it’s hard to keep things looking crisp. So, what’s a girl to do? Store things with style, of course. Losing the Bulk The first step in... Read Full Story

Most people find themselves looking up from their work during a long day and dreaming of an extended vacation to some secluded place. In truth, travel is rarely relaxing. Airplane travel and crowded destinations are likely to turn the trip into an ordeal long before you get to bury your toes in the sand. Are we meant to use a few measly days a year getting a grip before going back to the stresses of everyday life? Why does restoration have to happen in far-off foreign lands? Noted... Read Full Story