Casual or Casual Elegance?

How can you create a casual, comfortable space that is family friendly on an everyday basis, while ensuring that the look and feel is still elegant enough for entertaining? It may seem difficult, but it is actually fairly simple. It’s similar to buying a great black sheath that you can dress up with heels and pearls for a cocktail party or dress down for a more casual dinner. For example, you can stash a few of your everyday accessories and replace them with tall taper candles or a vase of fresh flowers when company is coming. Simple furniture also helps. … Continue reading →

Effective Use of Area Lights

If you are thinking about installing some area lights around your home, please read the following advice for ideas and safety tips. Where to install: It is important that your home be properly lit, both when you are home and when you are away. It is commonly advised that you install lights first in the areas where you may walk in the dark. For example, if you come home from work late at night after dark, it is important that you are able to see a clear path from your car or bus stop all the way to your front … Continue reading →

Decorate Your Candles

Embellished candles can be very attractive, but they can also be quite pricey, depending on the name brand. You can however decorate your own candles to make them more interesting, and it’s a simple enough project that anyone can do it. Start by looking in a fabric shop or the notions section of your favorite store for straight pins with decorative heads. You can find them with colored heads, beaded heads, and even tiny pearls. Even plain straight pins will work, depending on the design you want to create. Next, look in the office supply store or section for thumbtacks … Continue reading →

How to Make Your Own Accent Pillows

Accent pillows are the perfect accessories to any room. They are comfortable, inviting and can be as dressy or basic as you desire. To buy them can be expensive; however, if you want to save a couple of bucks and get a pillow that truly fits your decorating scheme, consider making your own. First, start by choosing a color scheme and pattern that fits your lifestyle and desires. If you are making pillows for your living room, you will probably benefit the most from showing off your style. Choose bright colors that match the furniture in your room. You will … Continue reading →

A More Romantic Master Bedroom

Is your master bedroom the last space in the home that gets attention? Every couple needs a comfortable retreat. Adding some romance is a bonus, and softness, luxury, and comfort are the keys to creating a more sensual, more romantic space. Begin with Bedding Start with luxurious sheets and then add other rich fabrics to the bed. Select a beautiful duvet, quilt, or comforter that is the epitome of softness, or purchase some lush fabric and make your own. Add lavish accent pillows and plenty of them. Also, add additional bed pillows and cover them with rich looking shams. Go … Continue reading →

Top Ten Simple Ways to Add Interest to Décor

You don’t have to become an interior decorator, or hire one, to add some interest to your home décor. The following are ten simple ways to add a little drama, with little effort: 10. Inject splashes of color. You don’t have to repaint or install new carpeting to add color. Try changing window treatments, adding a throw rug, or recovering accent pillows. Add a piece of artwork or some colorful new accessories. 9. Add some great texture. Using suede, leather, wicker, bamboo, and other textures makes a space more interesting, even in a monochromatic design plan. 8. Add layers. Layers … Continue reading →

Your Memories Make Great Décor Elements

Making accessories from your memories is one of the best ways to truly add a personal touch to your home décor. There are several different ways in which you can incorporate memories into your designs. Make a quilt using fabric cut from old favorite clothing pieces, kids’ clothes, baby blankets or sleepers, or fabrics from years ago. Stuff an old shirt and make it into a pillow. If that tablecloth that belonged to your grandmother is looking worse for wear, salvage what you can from it and use those pieces to create a table runner or a window valance. Another … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Tiles

This might sound like a wild idea, but making your own tiles is a great way to add a personal touch and to save some money. You can create your own ceramic tiles at a studio, which can be simple or uniquely decorative, or you can build your own molds and make concrete tiles. Make them thin enough that they won’t be too heavy, and you’ll have a new floor that should hold up and look great for many years to come. Make tile molds by nailing together heavy wood trim with mitered corners, or find a pre-made rubber or … Continue reading →

Bringing the Outdoors In

There are simple ways to bring the outdoors in and give any space in your home some natural charm. The best part is using natural elements can also be a cost effective way to add some interesting effects to your home. I’m not talking about “naturals” that you find in home interior shops; I’m talking about literally bringing the outdoors in with stuff you find outside. Why pay for a bunch of twigs when you can gather your own? Gather them, clean them up, and bundle them together with a pretty ribbon or place them in a firewood basket. Use … Continue reading →

Other Summer Parties

Fourth of July is over, and there aren’t any other holidays until Labor Day. Between now and September, you are likely to decide that it’s time for a party, picnic, or barbeque. Holidays lend themselves to simple, instant themes, but how do you come up with a theme for a “just because” party or a birthday party for someone who is a bit mature for Spiderman or Sponge Bob? Summer parties bring all sorts of things to mind. Tropical fruits and colorful flowers can be the start of a great Luau, with just a few simple additions. A grass tablecloth … Continue reading →