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LATEST ARTICLES

Stairs: Friend or Foe

16
May
posted by                filed under General Decorating Tips, Hallways, Entries & More, Organizing/Storage

Lack of storage = foe.  Finding storage in an unlikely place = friend.

Lack of storage is almost always an issue.  I rarely hear anyone say, “I have tons of space and more storage than I need.”  Right?  We’ve talked before of places to “find” space like over a doorway or on the back of a closet door, etc.  If your home has stairs, you’ve no doubt considered how to maximize that space for storage.  Here are some clever, dare I say inspirational, ways to utilize that unusual space.

More Storage Please

Drawers always offer a great storage solution because when closed, the clutter is hidden.  How about making the stair risers into drawers?  What to store there?  Maybe off season clothing, holiday supplies, crafting or gift wrapping supplies, anything flat would fit here beautifully.

Photo via Freshome.com

 

Photo via dornob.com

Need deeper drawer storage? How about these pull out units – almost like an oversized pantry.  I love the seamless look the closed drawers have – the drawers just look like a wall. …click here to read more

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Gift Ideas for Mom

9
May
posted by                filed under Miscellaneous, Shopping

Mother’s Day is only four days away.  Do you still need a gift for your mom or want to drop a few hints to your family about something you’d love to receive?  There’s still time!  Here are a few of my suggested favorite gifts for mom (or me!).  I like them because they are lovely, considerate, and practical gifts that enhance a home – and isn’t that what mothers are all about?

For Mom

Flower arrangements are popular gifts and loved by many.  Personally, however, for Mother’s Day I’d rather give and receive a container, hanging basket or terrarium filled with live plants and flowers.  Cut flowers die within days but garden plants grow and thrive – and nurseries and garden centers are simply brimming with choices this time of year .  Pick your favorite plants and create a container for mom or simply select an already planted display.

Photo whiteflowerfarm.com

 

Photo westelm.com

 

Photo potterybarn.com

 

A monogrammed throw and pillow serve as the perfect invitation for mom to curl up with a good book when she needs a quiet moment.  They’re also great for cuddling up with a little one for a bedtime story.  Plus, they are a great decorative item to casually toss across a chair or sofa for an added touch of color and texture.

Photo potterybarn.com

 

Photo potterybarn.com

 

A family photo makes a lovely gift anytime – and a special keepsake!  Load a digital frame with some of mom’s favorites or have a new family photo taken on Mother’s Day and load it for her.  I have one on a kitchen counter and never tire of seeing my family’s faces smiling at me – it’s a great distraction when doing dishes !

Photo amazon.com

 

If mom is more traditionally oriented, give her a stack of printed photos along  with a new frame or perhaps this charming wall art frame that displays the photos perfectly (as well as holding tickets, reminders and mementos!).

Photo worldmarket.com

 

I love giving and receiving candles and I love burning them!  A jar candle is personal and perfect for enjoying while soaking in a bath or reading in bed.  With the tremendous variety of candles and scents, you’ll be able to find one that is perfect for mom.

Photo amazon.com

 

How about a little personalized wall art?  The colored canvas comes in a DIY kit for capturing handprints of little ones or the entire family.  Decorative, memorable and meaningful!

Photo redenvelope.com

And what mom wouldn’t love a little help decorating her home?  Consider a color update for your mom’s home or your home.  Just $14.95 (less than a gallon of quality paint!) buys you Your Decorating Hotline’s 100 page e-book, How to Successfully Use Color in Home Decorating. Read all about it at  http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/color-ebook/.  Give mom the ebook with a promise to help her spruce up a room with the perfect new paint color or shop with her for the perfect color accessories.  You’ll both enjoy the gift!

 

A personal consultation from Your Decorating Hotline is another gift you or your mom will enjoy.  Three different consultations offer you options to suit your personal needs and your budget:

                  • Color Consultation – $30

                  • Choose Your Dilemma Consultation – $60

                  • Complete Consultation Package – $150 

 

Learn about the specifics of each of the three consultations at http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/consultation-sales/.

Besides being personalized and welcomed gifts, the ebook and consultations can be purchased last minute!  No need to drive, shop or worry about finding something special!

What’s Your Plan?

I hope these suggestions have sparked some gift ideas for your mother or you – or both of you!  Leave a comment below and tell me which is your favorite gift idea.  Also share what you have planned for Mother’s Day -  do you already have a special gift or tradition in mind?  Will you be with your mom or separated by many miles, as are my mother and I?  How do you hope to spend the day?

No matter what, make it merry!

 

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The Real Truth About Choosing Art

2
May
posted by                filed under Accessorize / Art, Designer Tips / Techniques

Choosing and displaying art is one of our frequent topics because it’s such an important topic in home decor.  And, there are lots of myths and supposed rules for art that can be ignored or adapted to your taste and space.

Let me get on my soapbox for just a moment.  Art exists to give you pleasure; you should enjoy it at some level every time you look at it.  You should enjoy it – it’s not for your guests, your parents, your neighbors; it’s for you.  Whether you can get lost in a jungle photograph or a Pollack-like dotty abstraction, art speaks to each of us differently.  The hardest part is when you share your home with some that has different art preferences.  Then it’s time to practice good compromise skills!

4 Biggest Art Myths

Art Has to Match Your Color Scheme.   FALSE  Let me say it again, choose what you like.  You do NOT have to match the room color scheme or the color of the sofa or anything else.  The most interesting rooms contain art that offers contrasting or opposing colors to those used elsewhere in the room/home.  Art that doesn’t ‘match’ a room brings layers and sophistication to a space.

Photo via BHG.com

…click here to read more

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Kitchens of the Future

25
Apr
posted by                filed under Kitchen / Bath

You’ve probably heard the adage “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” Today we welcome a guest post from Second Nature, an English company that’s all about kitchens.  They offer a little food for thought today about kitchens of the future.

Technology will be Hot in Kitchens

Photo sncollection.co.uk

Decorating trends for kitchens are subject to the same cycles as interior styling elsewhere in the home and while some people prefer a more modern or minimal look, there are equally those who like to take inspiration from days gone by when it comes to their fixtures and fittings.

Other than decorating trends, one thing that has the power to significantly change kitchen design is technology. The introduction of the fridge and freezer into homes signalled modification to kitchen layouts, which no longer needed the pantry areas that had previously been vital to keep goods fresh. Technology changed the style of modern kitchens; designs like these modern fitted kitchens would have not even existed. With this in mind, it could be that the kitchens of the future look distinctly different than those of today.

…click here to read more

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