How to Design a Gorgeous Guest Room

19 Wednesday Jun 2013

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

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casters, cleaning, decorating, design, furniture, guest room, home, interior design, Storage, vacation retreat

Despite the countless decisions that must be made, most people greatly enjoy decorating their own homes. Its the opportunity to truly express one’s tastes in terms of colors, arrangement, texture, lighting, and much more. Its a chance to create spaces of relaxation and comfort that are truly unique. Unfortunately, one room that often gets overlooked when it comes to decorating is the guest room. Too often guest rooms are either completely bland and reminiscent of economy hotel rooms {see below} or a collection of mismatched furniture that feels more like a storage facility than anything else. However, it isn’t all that difficult to create a gorgeous guest room. Here are some decorating tips.

How to Design a Gorgeous Guest Room

Create a vacation retreat.
Whether a relative is coming to town for a wedding or your best friend is spending his or her actual vacation with you, make your guest room feel like a luxurious hotel room. To do so break out the “good” linens. Since your guest probably won’t be staying more than a week, don’t be afraid to use fabrics that you would typically avoid because they may stain or are fragile. For instance, a thick white down comforter will create a crisp, clean, and comfortable sleeping space.

Photo Credit: Avondale Custom Homes

Anticipate the guest’s needs
Decorating isn’t all about appearance. Its also about creating a comfortable, welcoming space. In order to make your guests feel comfortable, anticipate their needs. For instance, someone traveling may be experiencing jet lag or simply want to sleep in, so make sure your guest room has drapes that are up to the task of fully blocking out the sun. In addition, remember that your guest probably won’t need a ton of storage space (since they probably won’t be there long) but they will need surfaces on which to set toiletries (if there isn’t a dedicated bathroom), a cell phone, reading material, laptop, etc. Consider getting nested bedside tables with casters on them. That way, if your guest needs extra space he or she can pull out another table. When no one is staying with you, the tables with neatly stack up. If you can’t find tables with casters already on them, adding casters is a super simple task. Here’s a guide to picking casters based on needs and floor type.

Photo Credit: Stage Tecture

Photo Credit: Svajoniu

Don’t be afraid of expressing yourself
The truth is, this is a guest room – not a bedroom. Meaning, that the person using the room is simply visiting and not living there. The room is still a part of your house. That means that you should not be afraid to use colors and textures you find pleasing. If you want the space to be neutral, you can still use throw pillows, accessories such as vases or books, or a chair to add pops of color and texture.

Photo Credit: About.com

Remember, less is more
Don’t over decorate or clutter up your guest room. Your guest will need a minimal amount of furniture during their stay and will not want to feel overwhelmed with trinkets or bric-a-brac. Go for a bed with a light and heavy blanket (to meet your guest’s temperature needs), nesting tables, a small dresser, hangers in the closet, a lamp, a chair, and a few accessories. Always keep in mind that this is not a storage space! The goal here is to make the room feel clean and simple – not barren. As mentioned above, use color, different textures, and luxurious items to make the space feel welcoming rather than cold.

Photo Credit: MSN Living

Keep it clean
Often times, guest rooms sit forgotten and closed up until the days right before a guest arrives. Things will be much easier on you if you keep the room aired out and clean it regularly. If you keep the room sparsely decorated (as mentioned above) cleaning will take no time at all.

Photo Credit: Babycenter.com

Make the clearance bin you friend
If you’re on a tight budget, remember that there’s nothing wrong with scoring a deal. Shop seasonal sales or browse the clearance bin for sheet sets, accessories, and even furniture for the space.

Don’t forget your guest room
Whether you have guests regularly or infrequently, put some thought into how the room is decorated. Its your home so always bow to your preferences and taste. Don’t create a space that feels more like an airport hotel room than a welcoming oasis.

Photo Credit: Decorator Showcase

Written by Janet Majors

Guest Post: A Sofa Story

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Janet Majors, Shopping, The Home

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fabric, furniture, interior design, long term investment, second hand furniture, shopping, sofa

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a brave band of heroes set out on a grand quest. They were searching for a fabled treasure. They knew the journey would be wrought with peril but they also knew it was essential. What were they looking for? The perfect sofa.

Okay, you may think that the above paragraph is a little silly, but if you’ve ever hunted for a sofa, you know it can feel like something out of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel. The search is difficult, time consuming, and may take you far from home. Furthermore, sometimes, the ending isn’t entirely happy. All of this is especially true if you’re on a tight budget.

When you’re sofa shopping, it doesn’t take long to realize that something is amiss. More specifically, the price tag. Sofas seem to be expensive. There isn’t a great answer to this dilemma other than supply and demand (nearly everyone wants a sofa) and the fact that it’s supposed to be a long term investment (lasting anywhere from 6 to 10 years). Here are some things to consider when shopping for a sofa to ensure you get a quality product.

Beware the cheap!
In many, many cases bargains should be your BFF; however, on the sofa search, keep deals at arm’s length. You really want to consider quality when shopping for a sofa because you’re probably going to be spending a lot of time there. Think of everything you do on the sofa – you want to be comfortable right? A cheap sofa may start to break down in a short amount of time sending you on sofa search round 2.

On that same note, be leery of second hand sofas. Like bargains, typically, second hand furniture is a huge pro. It can allow you to get something high end for a low price. Unfortunately, the U.S. has seen a resurgence of bed bugs in the past few years, and sofas can become infested. If you really want a second hand sofa or if that is your only choice do some online research on to how to inspect a sofa for bed bugs.

Take it for a test drive.
A lot of people are nervous when in a furniture showroom. They’re afraid of sales people descending on them, of going over budget, of getting the wrong item, or of wasting a salespersons’ time. Don’t be. Know what your budget is before hand. Know what style and/or color you’re looking for. When you find a sofa that fits those two categories, park yourself there for a while. Sit on that sofa for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t let the salespeople pressure you. Be honest with yourself about how comfortable (or uncomfortable) the sofa is.

Photo Credit: Atlanta Home Improvement

While you’re sitting there, listen to the sofa – do you hear any squeaking? The sofa should be quiet. Also, take a good look at the sofa. What do the legs look like? Are they attached, screwed in, have casters, etc.? Casters are becoming more common as people live in smaller spaces. This doesn’t necessarily mean the sofa is of low quality (answers to the questions in the next section will help you determine quality). However, if a sofa is on casters, make sure they are compatible with your floor. Check out this brief article on choosing the right casters for furniture and floor types.

Photo Credit: Afro Chic – sofa with casters

If you find a sofa you feel comfortable with make sure to measure it. Showrooms are often HUGE and can make a couch feel much smaller than it really is.

Play 20 questions.
Once you’ve narrowed down your selection, ask the salesperson a bunch of questions such as:

What is the frame made out?
How is the frame held together?
What spring system is used? The eight way hand tying spring system is best because each spring is tied to the surrounding springs and the couch’s frame.
What are the cushions filled with? The most common filling is polyurethane – make sure you’re getting a high density as it will be firmer and should hold up longer.
Is there a warranty?
What brand of sofa is it?

Make an appearance.
While the inside of a sofa is obviously very important, the fabric is also critical. When selecting a fabric/upholstery, you’ll want to think about who will be using the sofa and how often. If you have pets or children and the sofa will be in a high traffic area you’ll want to avoid delicate fabrics and colors (ex. white) because they’ll be stained or snagged before the delivery guy even leaves. For high traffic sofas used by children and/or pets, consider something like microfiber.

Photo Credit: Furniture Visit – microfiber sofa

When it comes to looks, remember that a sofa is meant to be a long term investment. You don’t want to pick a color or style that will be outdated before the next year rolls around. With that in mind, avoid prints and patterns (check Club Furniture for more tips). These tend to go out of style fast. It’s generally a good idea to stick to neutral colors like beige, almond, and tan.

Photo Credit: Houzz

If you’re groaning at the thought of “bland” furniture, don’t worry. You can always dress it up with pops of color. Use throw pillows, a throw over the back of the sofa, or a slip cover to alter the color. Depending on your style, you can pick up cheap and colorful ottomans, end tables, and coffee tables at places like Ikea and Target. The great thing about using accessories to bring fun shades to your sofa is that they can easily be swapped out as your taste and style changes. Orange today, green tomorrow.

Photo Credit: A Lifestyle Thing

As you embark on your quest for that simply stunning sofa, be brave. Know that cheap isn’t always best. Look for quality. In addition, don’t go for that “now” style and color. You’ll probably be living with this sofa for the next decade – make sure its at least bearable. Follow these tips and you and your sofa will live happily ever after.

Written by Janet Majors

Inspiration Photo Friday: Renovation Dedication

26 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Inspiration Photo Friday, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

antique, art, diy, Ikea, interior design, kitchen, natural, nature, renovation, rustic kitchen, vintage, wood

My husband and I are finally fully renovating our kitchen. It has been a little over a year we are in the house and feel its time to take on the project. What was done before was only temporary until we had the funds and the time to get it done so you can imagine how excited I am to see my dream kitchen alive.

This is the first space I’ve designed from scratch and have really enjoyed the process. I want an authentic vintage kitchen so collecting items for the space has taken some time. We started a few months ago, visiting antique shops every weekend until we collected everything we were looking for. The whole room will be free standing pieces, nothing is installed or connected to the walls like cabinetry would be. So finding exactly what we wanted and making sure we had enough storage space was a task all in itself.

We were lucky to have found the perfect pieces at great prices, which helped out a lot considering our budget wasn’t big. Everything has been painted the same color to bring cohesion to the space. Whites and creams will grace the room beautifully. Thanks to Ikea, we were able to get a butcher block countertop at an affordable price and the sink cabinet is being built from scratch, another design I am excited about. When you can’t find what you want, build it!

We purchased wood planks for the ceiling and painted them white as well. And because of our budget, we chose laminate planks for the floor in a nice neutral, honey tone. The new schoolhouse lighting I chose will truly bring the vintage charm to the space and the large piece of art we had custom framed will look gorgeous. Every detail was thought of when it came to this renovation. Floor plans were drawn, measurements were taken, and I considered every inch of the room so we can really maximize the space. I’d have to say, its the most dedication I’ve had for a project in a long time and I know it will all pay off.

So for this inspiration photo friday, I wanted to share my inspirations for our kitchen renovation, since this project has been a focus for some time now. I looked to these and saw elements I loved. Then made them work for our space and combined them in way that worked with our budget. I feel its really important to have a starting point, some kind of inspiration to work off of. And these truly helped my creativity and determination.

Photo Credit: House of Anais

Inspiration Photo Friday: Renovation Dedication
Photo Credit: {Left} Unknown {Right} Kitchen Building

We are currently in the middle of the process and are ready for demo. Everything is getting ripped out, walls and all. Besides my uncle helping us with the drywall, Dan and I are doing this all by ourselves and we couldn’t be more excited. We are DIY all the way and when its all finished, we can look back and be proud of what we accomplished. It just proves that with true dedication, you can do anything. Check back for my before and after photos soon as well as a detailed post about the project.

The Key to a Cozy, Comfy Living Room

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

comfort, Country Living, cozy, design, floor plan, furniture, home, interior design, living room, Simple Country Wisdom, Susan Waggoner

Being a designer, I can’t help when I am in someone’s home and my mind is racing with ideas. I usually pick out a few things that aren’t working, which is normal because not everyone has the eye for design. I find that most people have issues with layout and not understanding the space. This is the most important key in creating a cozy and comfortable home that not only you love but others love being in as well.

I am currently reading Country Living’s, Simple Country Wisdom and it has so many great ideas and advice. Its a great book to run through for helpful tips and ways to simplify your life. Author Susan Waggoner hits a lot of good points and includes so many beautiful photos. I just came across the section on how to stage a room and it reminded me how many people get this wrong. I had to write about the issue so my readers can learn how to create a fantastic space they love. Even if you have layout figured out, you can gain some inspiration.

I think the number one problem with living rooms is ignoring the center. Having a small space can be easier to figure out but when you have a large room, it gets tricky. As Waggoner states, “the bare space in the middle of a room becomes an alley people want to pass through as quickly as possible, because there’s nothing to keep them there, no objects of interest or comfortable places to perch.” I think we’ve all been in a space where the furniture lined the walls and the middle of the room was like a black hole. You’re far from the TV, far from the other couch or chairs, and everything is just laid out without any thought of people actually living there. And its funny because the resolution is easy!

All you need to do is focus on the center of the room. This is where your furniture should be along with a coffee table and side tables, if you have them. This will enable all foot traffic to stay around the edges where it belongs. It also helps you create clusters of little areas where people can relax, talk, or just admire your belongings on display. I like how Waggoner mentions, “life takes place in the center of the hut,” which is how it has been for hundreds of civilizations such as the Vikings, Native Americans, and villages in Africa, to name a few. This creates coziness.

The room below isn’t really cozy. The warm colors in the space help but with the furniture so far apart, it seems a little bare. By bringing in another 122DESIGN chair, adding a small table in between them, and shifting the pieces a little closer, it will surely be cozier. The addition of a small rug will top it off nicely. It’s always good to have an anchor in the room so your furniture doesn’t look like its floating.

Photo Credit: Shelterness

This next space may look a little cozy, thanks to the colors and textured rug, however, it seems very museum like. There is at least two feet between the couch and the table, so the spaces seem like aisles. This is not cozy in my book. I think the room would be more successful if it only had one large couch and maybe a smaller one across from it. The space is so airy and lofty, it’s screaming for cozy! Focusing on the middle of the room would do the trick.

Photo Credit: Home Interiors

To successfully pull this off, its good to draw up a floor plan and play around with different scenarios. Pay attention to the scale of your pieces. For example, if you have large furniture, don’t crowd lots of pieces in the space. Let everything breathe. A good thing to keep in mind is what Waggoner suggests, use the letter H to guide you. First, start from the center. Then, arrange two large pieces {sofas, a sofa and chairs, etc..} across from each other acting as the two parallel lines of the H. Adding a coffee table in the middle links them together.

Photo Credit: They Call Me Domesticate

Arrange seating in the space so that they are facing each other instead of just next to each other. This also helps create an inviting and more friendly environment. With the open space you now have around the room, you can dress up windows and have a corner or two to create another cozy cluster. Who doesn’t love a reading nook? And finally, with the addition of textiles, accessories, and wall decorations, the space will feel much more comfortable, inviting, and whole.

Here are some good examples for inspiration.

Photo Credit: Ohua 88:Interior Design Resources