Simple, inexpensive tips for keeping it green around your home! DO Use reusable bags. Those “convenient” plastic bags will be sitting in the landfills longer than we can ever imagine! DON’T Think you need to but everything new in order to be “trendy”. Many furniture manufacturers are hopping on the green wagon and using recycled […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Designing for your Pets
Most every household has at least one pet – whether it be a dog, cat, or even a guinea pig. I would venture to say that most of us treat them just like family. And just like we would baby-proof our home for our children, we should pet-proof our home for our furry family members […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Kitchen and Bath Remodeling
October is National Kitchen and Bath Month. Now is the perfect time to think about those changes you’ve been wanting to make – especially since selling a home for most is not an option right now. DO Determine your budget FIRST.It’s pointless to get started on a project without knowing how much you can, or […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Small Spaces
DO Find furniture pieces that do “double duty”. Check out places like Ikea that cater to smaller spaces. Use a storage ottoman as your coffee table. A bookshelf makes a great room divider and adds tons of storage space. DON’T Think you need to use only light colors. We’ve all heard that dark colors can […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Wall Treatments
DO Think wallpaper again. We’ve come a long way since the 1970’s orange and avocado green mushroom-laden prints 🙂 There are tons of new and fresh wallpaper designs out there – from updated grass cloth to stunning beaded papers (via Maya Romanoff). DON’T Use primary colors for your overall paint color. Unless you run a […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Organization
DO Utilize a closet for office storage.Build shelving (or purchase ready-made pieces from an organization store) to accommodate your bulky office equipment such as printers, fax machines, etc. This will free up much needed work space on your desk. DON’T Neglect your Kitchen Pantry.Inventory the entire contents and categorize them (boxes, paper goods, pasta, etc.). […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Shopping
Shopping for new furniture and decorative items can be a fun, but daunting, task! DO Measure your room thoroughly before you head out. Draw a simple floorplan, and record all the dimensions. Measure each wall, windows (don’t forget to measure the sill height!), and doors. The take overall dimensions of each room just to double […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Furniture
DO Have one dramatic element that commands your immediate attention. This could be an architectural element (such as a fireplace) or a unique piece of furniture. DON’T Place all your furniture against the wall. Experiment with angles and avoid the urge to line everything up on a right angle. DO Measure the arm height of […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Accessories
DO Group objects by similarities. For example: color, shape, and motif. DON’T Always place items in a straight line. Vary the depth when possible. DO Mix and match eclectic pieces to create visual interest. A few ethnic inspired pieces paired with contemporary pieces will liven up a stale space. DON’T Overdo the accessorizing.Too many items […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Artwork
DO Lay out the arrangement of the artwork on the floor before hanging it on the wall. DON’T Hang artwork more than 6”-9” above furniture pieces.This will allow your artwork to visually coordinate with your furniture pieces. PROPER ART PLACEMENT DO Unify a mixture of art themes by coordinating framing styles. DON’T select artwork solely […]