Guest Post: Tips for Beginners on Selecting Interior Finishes for Your Home

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

Tags

bay windows, beamed, cathedral, celing, coffered, country kitchen, home, interior design, rustic, staircases, vaulted

When you had visited your friends’ homes, were you attracted to some things that you felt like having in your dream home? There are many creative ways of choosing your interior finishes.

People usually make some noticeable changes when they buy a new house, like opting for granite counter tops, choosing wooden floorings in place of carpet, or potlights to replace standard fixtures. But there are a lot of other upgrades that you can add to your dream home which you might not even be aware of.

Ceiling
A decorative ceiling treatment is a smart way to really highlight your interior spaces. High above the living spaces, they create that special finishing look that can not be left unnoticed. The average home ceiling is 8 feet high and built of materials similar to the walls. Today “popcorn” textured ceilings are gaining popularity as the finish is inexpensive and best for concealing minor imperfections. You can also choose the ceiling to be different shapes such as cathedral, vaulted, coffered, beamed and tray. These are responsible for defining and dividing a room.

Photo Credit: The Ace of Space

Photo Credit: Furnishism

Photo Credit: HGTV

Bay Windows
Would you like to add some excitement and open up the living space in your home? The perfect addition may be an eye-catching bay window. Bay windows extend outward from the wall of the home to form an indoor bay. They are gaining popularity these days as they make the living space appear larger, allow plenty of natural light to penetrate, and add a fantastic touch to the interior as well as the exterior of the home.

Photo Credit: Fresh Home

Staircases
Besides being extremely functional, a staircase can add to the beautiful architecture of the home. Staircases for homes can be designed in various shapes and sizes to fit exactly within the space provided. Before choosing one, you should first consider: how much weight will your staircase be receiving, who are the people using those staircases, and how are the rooms closer by being reached.

Photo Credit: Houzz

After finding the answers to these questions, you should choose the shape that fits into the floor plan, while complimenting your home. Some shapes are straight, return stair, “L” stair, Winder, circular and spiral.

Photo Credit: BS2H

Creating the Perfect Country Kitchen
The aroma of a sweet dish spreads from the kitchen’s oven. At the same time a large bowl of vegetable soup simmers on the stove. Dishes like this remind you of your favorite spot as a child, your granny’s kitchen. You could design your kitchen to offer just the same kind of memories all over again.

Photo Credit: Trendzona

If you love rustic country, then choose the wooden cabinets to be of brown, barn red, or cream so that it creates an ideal rustic kitchen setting. Nickel hardware is also a nice touch.

Photo Credit: Home Designing

When it comes to flooring you should choose textured tones for an inviting casual feel, and any light colored wood flooring for a formal kitchen. Next, consider the cabinet details. Add attractive crown moldings to the top of your cabinets to create a custom feel. Another interesting way to enhance your cabinets is to include glass. You can also replace some cabinet space with open shelving. These options will help make the kitchen look larger.

Photo Credit: Refacing Kitchen Cabinets Cost

When deciding on your interior finishes, try to think outside the box. Read magazines or ask professionals. This your dream home, so be as creative as you can afford to be.

{Diana is a writer/blogger who loves writing, traveling, and reading books. She contributes to Lon Gorman}

Guest Post: Color in Unexpected Places

11 Monday Mar 2013

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, color, decor, decorating, design, home, interior design

Here are some ideas on how to incorporate vibrant colors in unexpected places in your home and add some pop and spice to your décor.

Living Room
Everybody expects color on the walls and ceilings but its usually painted a boring neutral color. Do the opposite and paint your ceiling a bright metallic blue. The light reflected onto the walls will give your room an ethereal look.

Photo Credit: J Taylor Designs

For architectural interest, add a single red stripe on your wall in an otherwise neutral room. Run the stripe through the ceiling and the opposite wall. You can also paint an accent wall with chocolate brown. It will act as a perfect backdrop for your flat screen television or an art master piece.

Photo Credit: Houzz

Fire up your living room with a single red couch.

Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy

Make a statement with yellow, green or purple window blinds and paint your fireplace to match the blinds. Why not add a splash of color in an otherwise white room by displaying a piece of vibrantly colored modern art. Another quick way to add visual interest is by throwing in a couple of black or multi colored pillows on your couch.

Dining Room
Paint alternate chairs in your dining table-set bright green or purchase a green set.

Photo Credit: Trend Zona

Add some whimsy by stenciling in a couple of interesting patterns on the walls.

Photo Credit: Fresh and Fancy

For some ways to create interest on your table create a gorgeous purple centerpiece or fill a purple bowl with colorful pebbles and water. You can also try floating a few fresh or silk flowers in it. When you have guests over include an odd colored plate in your dinner set or add a lavender desert spoon to your silver ware.

Bedroom
Make your bed more luxurious and inviting or brighten up a guest room with a multi-colored festive patchwork handmade quilt.
Photo Credit: Angela Flicker

Sleep like a baby by painting a soothing blue on your walls or even just an accent wall.

Photo Credit: My So Called Home

To highlight your windows add a glowing golden valance above your blinds and complement it with a flaming yellow carpet on the floor.

Kitchen
Create a colorful herb garden on your window sill. Nature always adds a nice touch to any space. You can also try painting your sill violet and place two or three herb pots painted bold red, yellow, and green for a pop of color.

Photo Credit: Yankee Magazine

Paint two random kitchen cabinet doors fuchsia and pale green respectively. The complementary colors will add an unexpected freshness to the room. For a quick pop of color, place a turquoise blue cooking pot on your stove.

Bathroom
Liven up a boring bathroom with a free standing tub in daffodil yellow or electric blue. Pick your color and make it a DIY project.

Photo Credit: SCC Kitchen, Bath & Home

You can also try installing a Fuchsia vanity countertop or paint the frame of your vanity mirror a slate-blue. For instant pop, place a violet-red vase with white flowers on your countertop. Why not add interest to the space and stencil in bright patterns or flowers on the window frame.

Stairwell
Paint a faux salmon colored runner on your stairs. Make it pop out by stenciling in a few flowery accents.

Photo Credit: Babble

Paint each railing in different shades of blue starting with the palest blue at the bottom and moving up the color spectrum as you go up the stairs. Finally, bring in fresh flowers in a riot of colors!

Photo Credit: Decoist

{This post was written by Jason Torres brought to you by UniqueVanities.com and UniqueMirrorsOnline.com, where you can find the best modern single sink bathroom vanities}

Decorate Your Home in Pink

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

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color, decorating, design, ella andrews, interior design, pink

Written by Ella Andrews

Many people will say that using pink in your home is a bold decision and it will not make the place more comfortable or cozy. It is also believed to be a childish color that people associate with spoiled teenage girls and some consider using it in your home decor quite inappropriate. Pink may not be a very popular color when decorating your space but the truth is that when its done with style this type it can actually do a lot good to one’s place.

Photo Credit: We Heart It

The first and most important thing you need to understand is that no one is telling you to paint your walls all over in pink. What you should actually do is use the color as an accent in various combinations. There are a lot of choices you can pick from that will make your home stylish. Just be extremely careful you don’t cross that thin line between stylish and childish decoration.

Pink can bring a soft, emotional mood in your home. You can combine it with different colors such as green, light blue, yellow, white, and even gray. You will be surprised of how unconventional and yet modern these combinations look. Other interesting combinations are also dots on pink background or a blue wall with beautiful large pink flowers on it. A half painted pink wall is also worth considering. However, if you still insist on having your walls completely painted in pink then you should use paintings in black and white to decorate to break up the color. Or at least use pictures with black frames.

Photo Credit: Vertical Launch

You can also use pink in the details. Choose proper Battersea furniture, like a sofa or an arm chair, that is painted in pink but do not use this color for your other furniture. Another option is to turn your attention to tiny details such as a rug, decorative cushions, or table covers. Items in pink are easily distinguished among other things so you do not have to worry that they will remain unnoticed among all your other room furnishing and decoration.

Photo Credit: Sproost

Pink is suitable for all rooms in your home. It will look as good in the bathroom as it will in the kitchen or the bedroom. As a matter of fact, pink is extremely suitable for your working space as it brings a cheerful mood and inspiration while you are working. There is no need to mention that pink is the perfect choice for your small daughters bedroom.

Photo Credit: CDN4

And finally a bit of advice: if you are not sure how you would feel in a place totally decorated in pink you can simply check it out first. Choose a room in your home and add a few pink accents. If you do not find it too much you can go ahead with using the color for decorating the whole place.

Simple Tips for Home Makeovers

01 Friday Mar 2013

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bathroom, decorate, diy, home, interior design, living room, living room decor, Remodeling

Having the perfect home is not so much about finding the perfect property, but about creating it yourself. There are plenty of interior tricks and design improvements you can utilize to turn an ordinary house into your dream home. Both exterior and interior are important parts of the house, but the interior affects our mood, health and life the most. The more time you spend improving it, the better you will feel at home.

Some things will require major renovations and changes, but the result will be worth the time and the investment. Some improvements can be accomplished without professional assistance. All you need is a solid plan, a checklist and a clear vision of how you want your home to look like.

Determine the areas you’d like to work on. If you don’t have the sufficient budget to cover all of the places that need renovation, focus on the focal points at home – the kitchen and the living room. The bathroom usually takes a big amount to be fully renovated. If you have a kitchen and living room you are proud of, your home will look much better. Make sure the changes coordinate with the rest of the house and each room has something in common with the overall design.

Go to a furniture store and home improvement store to look for pieces which will bring something new and better to the space. You can change the fixtures in your bathroom or get a modern cabinet which can accommodate all products. This will declutter the the room considerably. When you have enough storage, the area will be a tidier and cleaner place.

Photo Credit: Bathroom Improvements

Photo Credit: Paperblog

One way to have a better looking living room is to keep the furniture to a minimum and make sure the shelves and the cabinets don’t reach up to the ceiling. Buy plants, paintings, and frames for any photos you would like to feature and add unique accessories that will brighten the room and add some pop of color. Choose a quality carpet or a rug that will bring flair and style to the space and change up the curtains. You can easily rearrange the sofa and armchairs as well. With just a few minor and affordable changes the living room can look like a completely new one.

Of course you can use the assistance of a professional interior designer, who will determine the budget you need and what can be done to freshen up the space. Interior designers know how to combine style, trends, and comfort within a certain budget. Even a friend with a good sense of design can be a great help. Don’t rush the process – it’s best to do little positive changes to your home once in a while than to renovate what you can afford all at once. You don’t want to miss the chance on any further modernization you can do in the future.

Written By Ella Andrews