Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

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Redefining Space

Here is another collection of ideas that will help you redefine spaces in your home. Sometimes it just takes a few tips to get you started and then you are set to go. There are easy and simple ways of accomplishing successful design. You just have to keep the space in mind and figure out what works best.

Have a stairwell in need of some love? Hanging photos or artwork on the walls will usually do the trick but what about the corner of the stairwell? Don’t think you can’t do anything with them just because it is a small space. Shop around for a corner piece of furniture or place a plant on a plant stand. Two ideas that will solve the problem and look beautiful. You can also dress up the stairs! Get creative and have some fun.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Corners in a room are very important. In my previous apartment I had glass bookshelves in the corner which looks great but still seemed a little empty. I happened to have a big branch that I found in my backyard that I felt would be perfect for the spot. I already had it in an oversized vase on the floor but it wasn’t doing much where I originally had it. This corner was the ideal spot. Not only does it fill up the space, it brings a natural and whimsical feel to the room.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Bringing natural elements into your home is one idea I always recommend people do. The Earth is such a beautiful place and it gives us so much to work with. This is one thing you can take for granted because most of the time it’s free and best of all, it enhances your everyday life in the process.

For natural elements, look around your local parks or even around your backyard. Remember not to settle with an item just because you want to get the project out of the way. Bringing in plants and flowers will always brighten up a room. Your home is an extension of who you are so allow it to represent your style and personality to the fullest.

Another problem I feel people have with defining space is understanding ways to open it up. If you have a small room, you shouldn’t bring heavy, dark furniture into the space. It will just make it look smaller. That doesn’t mean you can’t use browns and darker colors, it just means you should watch how you combine the elements in the room. It should always feel balanced. Knowing your measurements should help solve that problem.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

You can have a big, lofty room and still have it feel relaxing, airy and warm. If you want to fill up the space nicely and can use large furniture, then go for it. For big spaces you can choose from many colors that are warm or cool. It’s just a matter of how you want the space to feel. Color plays a big part as well. The warmer the hue (reds, oranges and browns) the space will seem cozier. The cooler the hue (whites, creams, blues and grays) the space will feel more open and airy. But as long you have a nice balance between color, furniture and texture, you can create the space of your dreams.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

For my living room, I chose a cool blue/gray palette on my walls and included a lot of white. I balanced that out with metal and dark gray furniture. Although its nice to have  a lot of light neutrals in the space, there should be some weight to help balance everything out. This is why I chose darker gray metal pieces with a mix of wood to fill in areas.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Textures also play an important role when balancing a space.  Again, if you are stuck with a small room, brighten it up with a high textured rug but don’t hide it with a heavy coffee table. To show the rug off you want to purchase a table that you can see through or has a very light feeling.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

Try to be creative when it comes to furniture. You don’t always have to buy something already made. Make it yourself! A year ago I purchased several crates from Etsy and stacked them to make shelves. Once I placed some of my vintage accessories on them, it stood out brilliantly. Keeping a collection together is more dramatic than spreading it around so try to pair up pieces by style, form or color.

Redefining Space – Design Ideas for Your Home

For vintage crates and things of that nature, stop by garage sales in your neighborhood. You never know what you will find. There are a lot of things in my home I found at yard sales and for a very good price. Don’t forget about antique shops too! Get creative and work with the space you have. It’s all up to you to make it functional and beautiful.

Hope you all have fun playing around with some of these ideas. Remember, it’s easy to design your space and balance it out. Just keep these tips in mind and DIY your way to brilliance.

Newsletter Love

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If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, what are you waiting for! Packed with updates and news as well as promotions going on in my Etsy shop, you can’t go wrong. Twice a month you will receive a little gift in your inbox with words from me and tons of inspiration from decor to gardening. Just what you needed on a Monday morning!

Newsletter Love

For all of you who haven’t signed up, here is a special viewing of the previous newsletters so you can catch up. Now, you are ready to come for the ride! Sign up now so you can get on board for the next one tomorrow.

{SIGN UP HERE}

April 23, 2012 – Spring is Here!
April 30, 2012 – Earthy Goodness
May 7, 2012 – A Little Bit of Calm
May 14, 2012 – Wedding Week

Crafty Bulletin Board

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I think bulletin boards are great items to have. Whether you use one in your office or in another room in your home, they shouldn’t dumb down the decor.  Sure, you can easily buy one at the store but usually they are simple and made out of cork. If you wanted one that has a little more style you probably have to pay over $25 for it. I have seen some for $50 and up.

I thought of a cool way to make your own bulletin board and customize it so it looks great in any room. Plus, you will love it because you made it.

Crafty Bulletin Board

{Materials}

  • stretched canvas (any size)
  • fabric
  • scissors
  • stapler

I am using a 5 x 5 inch canvas but you can use any size.  If you need a big one, then go for it. You are going to have to stop at an arts and crafts store to get it so a Michaels or A.C. Moore would be your best bet. (Especially, if you use their coupons.)

Once you have your canvas, you have to decide on what fabric you want to use. You could even use an old shirt or sheet. I used an old pair of pants that are too big. If the pattern is cool, go for it. Make sure you give about two inches more of the size you need.

Now, take the fabric and lay it down and put the canvas on top of it. Take the fabric and wrap it around the canvas and staple it to the wood frame.  Make sure its tight! For smooth corners just fold them as if you were wrapping a gift.

Crafty Bulletin Board

Now you need to figure out what this will be used for.  If it’s simply for hanging things up than you are just about done. Just add a little extra love with some trim and decoration. You can use ribbons, yarn, fabric, felt, buttons… the possibilities are endless.

If you want it to be more organized, you can add some compartments. I created a small pocket for some pens and small items with other fabric and just stapled it on. I don’t mind that they show but if you do than use thread or safety pins.  I like that this project looks hand crafted.

Crafty Bulletin Board
You can also make a space for a small pad you like to keep on hand by cutting a slit and slipping the bottom of the pad through. Have fun with it and customize as much as you need to.

Crafty Bulletin Board

I hope you liked this project as much as I do.  I think it’s such an easy way to take something that is functional and make it stylish and unique. It would make a great space to show off your button collection or even hang jewelry. Another great thing you can make is a headboard. Just use a large canvas, cover with fabric and you’re done. That would make a great addition to any room. Now get down and DIY!

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House

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Finally landmarked on June 8, 2011, the Jones-Dengler Farm House in Wantagh can be recognized for its historic beauty.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The house sits at 1051 Wantagh Avenue to the south of the Southern State Parkway and across from the early Jerusalem settlement. It adds a nostalgic and calm feel to the busy area of the the community.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The house was built in the 1700s and was the home of the Jones family during the 1800s. Later, the Dengler family purchased the residence. The original section was expanded in 1875 to the structure it is today. When brothers Fred and Peter married, it was converted into a two family house where both couples entered through individual side doors.

It is also said in 1941, comedian Lenny Bruce, 16 at the time, ran away from home and stayed with the Dengler family for two years while working on the farm.

The original elements of the home are hand-made iron hardware featured on the doors, exposed beams and pressed tin ceilings as well as a chimney built by hand. One should appreciate the true craftsmenship the farm house reflects.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

You will also find two-button light switches throughout the home along with some gas pipes that extend from the walls. The gas light fixtures were updated to electric in one section but having those antique details remain add extreme value and appeal the historic property.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

I happen to love the wrap around porch and the garden to the left of the house. What a peaceful place it must have been to sit and a read a book or simple relax and feel the breeze. Representing true Colonial design and plantation style, the home is simplistic in its color scheme as well. White clapboard on the exterior along with dark green for shutters and molding on the windows.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

In 1973, Fred Dengler passed away and his wife married Harold Sparke 10 years later. She then died in 2007 and Harold in 2009. In spring of 2011 Harold’s son Bob sold the property to the current owner who plans to renovate the home. Bob had inherited the house after his fathers death.

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Jones-Dengler Farm House - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Thanks to the Wantagh Preservation Society, we have learned the history of the home which is now an historic landmark. It surely is a sight to see and one I adore along my drives through Wantagh. Knowing the stories it holds and the people who called it home really adds a meaningful touch as well as remind us that history doesn’t fade.