There are many different shapes and sizes of windows, and some present more of a challenge than others when it comes to treating them. With any window, you first need to know what you are trying to accomplish - adding softness and pattern to a room, framing a view, providing privacy or light control or all of the above! Transom windows, arched windows, Palladian windows, dormers and cathedral ceilings and unusual rooflines all add to the conundrum.
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Decorating with Black
Black is the newest darling in decorating trends, but is it a fad or a classic? And why did it crash onto the decorating stage?
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The best way to decorate 'ON TREND' now without risking 'DATED DECOR' later
All home decor cycles through trends. Some are fun, but short-lived, some we hope will be short-lived, and some are trends that turn into new classics. Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but when you aren’t sure if a trend will be dated down the road, what should you do?
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5 Key Elements to Creating a Decorating Plan
Whenever you are designing a room, whether you are accessorizing, redecorating, remodeling a room in your house, or moving to a new home entirely, the number one route to a successful outcome is to have a well thought out PLAN.
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Matching Lampshades to Lamp Bases
Lamps. We all need them. Overhead lights, if they exist in a room, are not conducive to reading or creating a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. For spaces where the furniture arrangement may be flexible, and light is needed at eye level, lamps are the only option. And it is not that easy to find a good one!
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Mantel Styling
As promised, here are some practical tips for styling a mantel, and I’ve included inspiration boards to illustrate a few possible suggestions which can be adapted for your particular style and colors. There are an endless variety of ways to style a mantel, but they all fall into 2 main categories: symmetrical and asymmetrical, or balanced.
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Turn a fireplace into your home's best feature
Fireplaces. There is nothing more gracious or appealing than a room with a fireplace. It gives the room a focal point, a mantel to decorate, and an instant air of home…home and hearth go hand in hand, after all. In my fantasy, I have fireplaces in multiple rooms in my house. And it IS possible to have this even if your house is currently lacking the charm of a fireplace or has a fireplace that is lacking charm…whichever.
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Love it and List it - Staging Tips from a Pro
Whether you are planning to sell your home in the next few months or the next 5 years, now is the time to start getting it ready so you can enjoy it AND have it ready to list when the time comes. There are some things that can be done ahead and some that should be revisited closer to listing.
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Creating the Perfect Home Office
There are a lot of things to think through when designing a home office. Whether you use the space to work full time from home or just as an organizational hub for volunteer and household activities, it needs to be functional. BUT it also needs to be attractive - especially if it is adjacent to the public rooms in the house.
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The Best Way to Decorate Around a Television
If there is a suspiciously large, flat, rectangular TV-shaped package under your tree, you may be about to encounter a new decorating dilemma for Christmas. OR maybe you finally caved and purchased one for a family member who wants to watch the Super Bowl in gloriously large detail. You are not alone. Nearly every household these days has more televisions than occupants, and how to integrate them into the décor is always an exercise in creative problem solving.
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How to decorate for the Holidays like a pro
We did 3 commercial Christmas decorating projects this past week (I’ll share some more before and after photos in another post). We used 1200 yds of ribbon, installed over 230 ft of garland, decorated 15 wreaths, hung
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What height stool do I buy?
Vanity stools, Counter stools, bar stools…which one do I need?
Stools are a great small way to change and upgrade the look of your room. These seats can go a long ways toward furthering the design details of the room – they are an opportunity for a splash of color in a monochromatic sea of cabinetry, or a place to add some softness and texture with a fabric and upholstery details. There are many choices – fabric, leather or wicker, wood or metal, swivel or not, legs or pedestal, casters or not, backs or not and if so how tall…but by far the most important thing to get right for functionality is the seat height. Too low and your chin will be resting on the counter and too high and your legs will be wedged uncomfortably beneath it!
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