Creating a Flexible & Adaptable Room Theme

10 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

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furniture, home, interior design, Lamps, Matt Chappell, OKA Direct, pillows, scatter cushions

If you spend a large amount of your free time in a particular room, there is a chance that at some point you have felt less than enthused about its décor. Becoming bored with one’s surroundings is not uncommon; in fact it is an entirely natural response. There are, however, several easy ways of ensuring your décor remains fresh, exciting and invigorating. These methods do not demand extensive redecoration nor do they possess a hefty price tag. Below is a video that outlines three ways to create different looks in the same room in an easy and affordable way.

Flexibility is about having the ability to provide change without a significant impact on the current situation. This means multiple small alterations instead of a significant reshuffle of a room.

Items such as scatter cushions and small ornaments are ideal for creating adaptability and the ability to create a multi design room. Instead of having a stockpile of different cushions that take up storage space, it pays to have a reserve of different cushion covers that can be used to create several alternative styles. When used in conjunction with similarly styled curtains or throws, one may alternate a room’s theme on a whim.

Photo Credit: West Elm

Photo Credit: Pottery Barn

Lighting is another easy way to increase the interest and function of a room. With the thoughtful implementation of task and accent lighting one can dramatically alter the usability and aesthetic impact of certain areas of a room. This can be achieved, for example, by adding a tall lamp to a dark corner of a room in order to relieve the sense of dreariness as well as provide useful illumination for activities such as reading.

Photo Credit: World Market

Photo Credit: Crate & Barrel

This is not the variety of pursuit that rewards the timid decorator in the sense that one must experiment and make mistakes in order to find what truly works in a particular room. No one room is exactly the same just as no one person’s tastes are alike. In the end, if you feel a sense of reinvigoration when you finish your decorating then you have achieved your goal.

{This article was written on behalf of OKA Direct by Matt Chappell. Matt regularly blogs about interior design and furniture, recently his main interest has been traditional furniture construction techniques.}

Bathroom Vessel Sinks

08 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

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Alex Jones, bathroom, Discount Vanities, diy, glass sinks, interior design, Remodeling, Single Sink Vanities, Sink Vanities Direct, vessel sinks, Virtu Vanities

With a proper sink the entire look of your bathroom can be transformed. Bathrooms are no longer considered to be a side part of the house. It is the first place one starts their day off and hence it should be made elegant and exquisite. An integral part of your bathroom is the latest equipments and accessories that are inside it.

Vessel sinks are one of the major accessories used in most bathrooms and they can be categorized under the category of sanitation fittings or bathroom fittings. The sinks one uses in the kitchen have different specifications and need to be very high and durable as well fitting in an area where utensils, dish ware and other items are kept for washing so the finish has to be tougher.

Photo Credit: List Vanities

When you are considering to get a vessel sink for your bathroom you need to take in consideration the way it’s going to be used. So you need to be sure that the faucet and drain are connected and they function as they should. Certain plumbing codes tell you the type of drains a particular sink should have. For a vessel sink, one is expected to use a grid drain rather than a plug drain, which means the sink can never get filled up. The faucets also should clear the rim of the sink.

Photo Credit: Treasured Old Mexico

Photo Credit: Signature Hardware

The most accessible sinks should be wall mounted, so that it can be used in all directions. If the vessel sink is shallow, the design should prevent splashing. When you consider a solid surface vessel sink vanity there will be no rim around the surface, which makes it much easier to maintain as water and debris that does come on the counter can be pushed back into the sink. Such counters will normally allow for holes to be drilled into them to accommodate the faucet in case it is not wall mounted. The sinks don’t add too much to the décor, but the counter is likely to draw all the attention.

Photo Credit: Wayfair

Over the counter sinks can be designed in glass, stone, marble and metal. Copper sinks that are hammered out by hand make for very unique choices that can rarely be repeated elsewhere. Glass sinks can be very decorative and you can get designs that are etched to really add to the décor in the bathroom.

Photo Credit: Wayfair

Redesigning or remodeling of a bathroom can greatly add to the value of a home and therefore requires a lot of care and expense. A vessel sink added to a bathroom can greatly add to its decoration and looks and should be something to consider on your next project.

{Alex Jones writes a blog on Sink Vanities Direct, about Virtu Vanities, Discount Vanities, Single Sink Vanities and more. He can be found on Facebook and microblogs.}

Pantry and Kitchen Storage Designs

08 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Jim Klossner, The Home

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cabinets, country, glass shelves, Hutches, interior design, Jim Klossner, kitchen, modern, open shelving, organization, pantry, Storage, The Spice House

If you spent a ton of time in your kitchen cooking and baking for the holidays, your pantry and kitchen may be looking as though a hurricane came through (mine is!). Whether you are like me and want to get organized after the holiday madness or you are simply hoping to spice up your space for the New Year, there are a number of great ways to create your perfect pantry or revamp your old kitchen storage. Finding the perfect traditional piece or whipping out an unexpected solution are both smart ways to solve the kitchen storage problem.

Hutches and Country Pieces
If you have some under-utilized space in your kitchen, you may want to think about purchasing a dual shelving unit. A hutch with open shelving on top and hidden storage on the bottom is the perfect solution to free up some space in a crowded kitchen. You can display china or stoneware pieces and store away your old pots and pans underneath. And it adds a warm, country touch to your kitchen.

This white hutch combines a ton of space with a design that can fit in with almost any preexisting look and feel.

Photo Credit: House Beautiful

A beautiful two toned version, based on traditional Irish Tipperary Dressers, provides a great backdrop to display antique plates, crocks, or collectibles.

Photo Credit: British Cottage

A built-in hutch stands almost flush with the wall and provides an elegant storage solution without taking up too much floor space.

Photo Credit: Daily 5 Remodel

Glass Cabinets and Other Approaches
If you don’t have the space available to add a large storage piece like a hutch, maybe it’s time to rethink how your cabinets are arranged, and check some new home designs.

Changing out the cabinets can give your kitchen a quick facelift. These glass shelves create the sense of space, and allow you to showcase your favorite pieces.

Photo Credit: House Beautiful

This extremely modern approach to cabinets combines storage space with beautiful recessed lights for a practical effect.

Photo Credit: Digs Digs

This take by Lago completely reimagines what kitchen cabinets are supposed to be, and allows you to make a really personalized statement on what kitchens can look like.

Photo Credit: Fresh Home: Design & Architecture

Open Shelving
Open shelving is another practical option for organizing your pantry or adding a new, functional design element to your kitchen. You can opt for floor to ceiling shelves to maximize your storage space, or simply hang a few open shelves above your table.

Photo Credit: House Beautiful

Partial glass covers create a shared cabinet and open shelving feel that totally functional, but with a beautiful design.

Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy

Free hanging wall shelves can be combined to create any combination of storage necessary for your particular kitchen set.

Photo Credit: Remodelista

Vertical Storage
I also stumbled across another innovative storage solution that I would never have thought of but absolutely love. This vertical storage option is a pole with a wide base that can be placed on a center island or countertop. And the best part is that it rotates, similar to a display that you’d see in your favorite store, so that you can easily access whatever you need at your convenience.

Photo Credit: House Beautiful

An interesting arrangement of wall hangings allows for vertical storage of pots and pans.

Photo Credit: Contempoo

Vertical drawers are great places to store plates, platters and other dishes, in this slide in example that you can work into existing cabinet space.

Photo Credit: Shelterness

This variation offers a vertical spice storage solutions that’s brilliant, and takes up no space at all!

Photo Credit: Home Edit

Whether you are hoping to get organized or would like to achieve a different look for your space, you can accomplish your goal with these innovative storage solutions. Your kitchen will be gorgeous and have your stuff put away in no time!

Jim Klossner is a home improvement professional and amateur chef who needs lots of storage in his kitchen! You can find Jim reviewing products online for The Spice House. Visit their site to see some of his favorites.

Designing the Perfect Study Space for Kids

05 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Jim Klossner, The Home

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baskets, ceiling light, children, coloring, craft, desk, diy, Funky Furniture, glass globe, hanging shelves, home, homework area, interior design, Jim Klossner, kids, Lego inspired, minimalist, modern, Natural Sunlight, open shelving, pegboard, polka dot chair, reading, Storage, study, Study Space, supplies

Designing the perfect study space for kids can be the key to getting them to focus and finally get good grades. It’s a bit of an art and science: striking the right balance between creating a space that’s bright enough to stimulate them without being so busy it distracts them.

Smart Storage
I loved the following idea of using a colorful pegboard to store supplies for my children. They will have everything they need right in reach and we can also hang up their artwork to inspire them during study time. This idea will help eliminate the inevitable, “Mom, can you help me find this?” question that I seem to hear all too often.

The wide, two-seat table is also a great idea that will fit into our small den space where I’m planning the new homework area. It’s a good idea to consider whether your children work better independently or as a team when designing your study space.

Photo Credit: Houzz

Free hanging shelves and boxes can also be used to create a highly personalized and practical design.

Photo Credit: Rexohome

Another great idea that I stumbled across in my search incorporated baskets and open shelving into the design. This space is much larger than ours, but I loved all of the storage space and the personalized chairs added a special touch.

Photo Credit: Linxwest

Funky Furniture
Another fun touch that gives color and energy to a space is interesting furniture. Ideally, pieces that are kid-sized!

A minimalist desk combines with an inexpensive futon for reading, coloring, and other activities.

Photo Credit: The Lux Home

Simple touches such as a polka dot chair to match a rug and artwork can give a study space an interesting visual feel.

An ultra-sleek and modern look combines chic lines with an uncluttered workspace for a lot of productivity.

Photo Credit: Home in Cast

Natural Sunlight (or the Next Best Thing)
One of the greatest benefits of our new study space is that it has two large windows that let in the afternoon sunlight. Let’s face it, we all feel a little more inspired when we’re working in a space immersed in natural light.

If you have the opportunity to take advantage of the sunlight when you are planning your design, you may find that your child is more motivated because they will be in a better mood and be able to feel the fresh air as they do their work.

Photo Credit: PB Teen

If you can’t get a lot of natural light, here are some interesting choices.

This DIY craft approach converts an old glass globe into a scholarly light.

Photo Credit: Wired

Drum shades give a distinct look and feel to any boring old ceiling light.

Photo Credit: Shades of Light

These Lego inspired LED lamps will be loved by the budding engineers and scientists in your family.

Photo Credit: Inhabitots

The first step in designing a study space for your kids is putting their needs first. Think about their work styles and what inspires them to do their best work. Whether your children would be best suited in an environment where they can work together or if they’d thrive in a space that would allow them to work independently, there are a number of functional and beautiful design options available that would meet the needs of family study space!

Jim Klossner is a home improvement professional and single father of 2. He has enjoyed putting his skills to use, crafting the ideal study environment for his sons’ success. Click here for info on the study materials he recommends!