Monday, April 29, 2013

10 Bathroom Decorating Tips

Here’s an honest question: how much time do you spend in the bathroom? Your answer makes the idea of updating the bathroom décor more sensible! Create an oasis for your home with these decorating tips.
















Personalize the space with details The line between house and home is often defined by how much of the owner’s personality is showcased in the space. The bathroom is no different. Create a unique ambiance by including thoughtful details in the décor of the room. For instance, change plain metal doorknobs with printed ceramic ones. I find that one of the easiest and effective ways of injecting some individuality in the bathroom is to get rid of commercial packaging for shampoos and lotions. Place them instead in prettier containers.

Place special items in the bathroom
One of the fastest ways to amplify the aesthetic value of a bathroom is to use unexpected design elements. An antique rug, a cushioned chair and pieces of artwork – these are items normally reserved for other parts of the house. However, there are no rules that say that they can’t be brought in the bathroom as well. Our bathroom wall is lined with pictures of the kids. Placing decorations such as these instantly make the bathroom feel part of the home.

Be creative with colour
The colour is a room’s personality. Do not always think in terms of size when it comes to choosing which hues to use. Generally, bright colours look great in small spaces because it makes a room feel more expansive. However, dark colours can work just as well. They make the bathroom feel more dramatic. Colour does not always have to come from paint though. Spruce up a bathroom by bringing in colourful fixtures and accessories.

Look beyond tiles
Bathrooms do not always have to use tiles on the walls and the floors. Explore other options such as wood or stone. The walls outside of the shower stall may also be covered in wallpaper in interesting prints and textures. The most important consideration when it comes to floor and wall coverings for the bathroom is the humidity. Make sure that they are constructed to be moisture-resistant so they don’t peel or warp.

Place plants in the bathroom
There are some plants that are just made to thrive in the bathroom. Pick a plant depending on the characteristics of the space. If the bathroom does not get enough light, explore the use of aloe vera, orchids, ferns. If gets enough light, tropical flowering plants might work. In any case, plants brighten the space and help freshen up the air.

Have enough storage
Bathrooms need a lot of storage to contain the various items that are needed to be accessible. Rolls of tissue, make-up, toothbrushes and medicines – the list goes on. Storage does not have to be limited to built-in cabinets and shelves. The use of other storage items such as a metal locker or a wardrobe can be just as functional and more visually interesting.

Invest in good fixtures
You will only be able to enjoy a bathroom if it works properly. This means, bathroom fixtures have to be dressed up and working at their best. Pick timeless pieces such as those made out of brushed chrome or bronze. For a more cohesive look, invest in a set so that the towel bars, sink and shower fixtures match.

Choose appropriate lighting
Lighting for the bathroom is not just as simple as installing a couple of fluorescent bulbs overhead. Accent lights can help open up the space. A good tip is to use the mirror as a start-off point. Recessed lights near the mirror can create a brighter atmosphere. Another option is to use sconces on either side of the mirror and installed at face-height. These lights also help illuminate the face when grooming or putting on make-up.

Do not neglect the shower curtain
Fortunately, there are plenty of attractive shower curtains available in the market. Take advantage of this! Rotate shower curtains of different designs to refresh the look of the bathroom. Start off a collection with having a curtain in plain white, then expand to colourful prints. No matter what design, stay away from cheap, plastic curtains as they can make the room feel inexpensive. Instead, go for softer materials to create a more luxurious atmosphere.

Watch out for extra space
Like most households, our main bathroom problem is that there is not enough space to hold everything. To remedy this, we had to learn where to look. To make a bathroom feel larger, find ways to make use of every inch of the bathroom. The back of the door is often an underutilized space. Hang rows of towel bars to maximize the empty vertical space. You may also place hooks to hold up laundry bags. It is an ideal way to increase storage without the need of additional furniture. The space underneath the sink can also be useful. Place decorative baskets, such as those made out of wicker, to hold cleaning supplies or dirty laundry. 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

How To Make A Cork Board

Reuse and recycle your wine corks. In this video, Jasmine Orchard will show how you can turn it into a crafty cork board.




Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Decorating with Mirrors

In a decorator’s arsenal of tools, decorating with mirrors is one of the most powerful. Using mirrors in the home can make it look bigger and expansive. Read on for some of the tricks to decorating with mirrors.
























Go big with mirrors
To maximize its impact, use large-scale mirrors in a room. Try using wall-to-wall mirrors and see how much depth is created in a space. Think in terms of proportions as well. If the wall is wide, a small mirror will look sparse and out of place. Instead, group together mirrors in different sizes to use the area better.

Use mirrors as artwork
Mirrors may be used as a substitute for artwork. Use them as a focal point of the room by having one standout piece, such as a mirror in a starburst design. In the alternative, hang several mirrors the way that you would pictures or paintings.

Keep in mind that mirrors are reflective surfaces
Mirrors have to reflect something that you want to see more of. For instance, place a mirror across a beautiful piece of artwork or a chandelier. If the mirror reflects random things, the room will tend to look cluttered.

Play with textures
The surface of the mirror does not always have to look clear. I love the look of vintage, so distressed or antiqued mirrors add charm to our living spaces. Another option is to have etched mirrors. Having mirrors with character can be another method of creating visual interest in a room.

No need to hang
Mirrors don’t always have to be nailed on a wall. An interesting way to decorate with mirrors is to place a framed mirror on the floor, leaned against a wall. My mother-in-law leans a large, vertical mirror at the end of their hallway. It adds an air of effortless charm to a room's decor!

Learn to edit
Just because mirrors are a good idea, it does not mean that you should use it everywhere. Know when to recognize that mirrors are unnecessary. For instance, you don’t need mirrors in the kitchen. Our neighbour has mirrors as backsplash accents. It takes so much effort to keep them looking good. All the activity in the kitchen will require constant maintenance for the mirrors, which would make them more trouble than they’re worth.

Mirrors can be used in furniture
Mirrors can be interesting accents when they are found in furniture. They have the tendency to make items look invisible, since they reflect what is in front of them. Select bulky furniture, such as a wardrobe, with a mirrored surface to make it seamlessly blend into a room. Mirrors on top of tables or trays are also quite glamorous.























 
Use mirrors to create a window
Not all rooms have the benefit of the view of the outside. After getting married, my husband and I moved into a tiny shoebox flat. To spruce up the space, we added mirrors as architectural details. Frame a mirror with window shutters to create your own unique views.

Use mirrors outdoors
Decorating with mirrors does not mean being confined indoors. Mirrors can also be used as landscaping elements to make the garden or patio more interesting. For instance, a mirror on the ground framed by rocks and plants can mimic the look of a small pool of water. Additionally, placing a mirror at your garden can also make it look twice as large.

Think of the frames
Decorating with mirrors is not just about the mirror itself. Do not take the impact of the frame for granted. They too, can be utilized for maximum impact. For example, gold-framed mirrors can make a room quite elegant. Faux tortoiseshell frames add earthiness to a room.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Creative Furniture Idea: Home Design Tips

Lacking furniture in your living room? Complete it with assistance from Phyllis Harbinger, a designer and interior decorator.




Sunday, April 14, 2013

Core77 @ IHHS 2013: Sodastream

This video showcases the International Home + Housewares Show 2013 in Chicago. Do not miss the table top soda machine and refrigerator with an integrated Sodastream dispenser.




Sunday, April 7, 2013

How To Upcycle A Chest Of Drawers

Convert your old chest of drawers to give it a new look. This video will guide you through the entire process.




Thursday, April 4, 2013

Creative Furniture Art, Save space

Brilliant pieces of art! Watch this designer demonstrate some amazing space saving furniture design ideas.




Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Tennis Ball Tips for Wiping Away Scuff Marks : Clean in :30

Removing scuff marks is so easy with the use of tennis balls! Cleaning expert Leslie Reichert shows you the instant effect.




Friday, March 29, 2013

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

DIY Cute Rugs | Easy No Sew Home Decor (BeautySplurge)

This video shows you how to make a personalised rug inexpensively, without having to sew a single stitch!




Sunday, March 24, 2013

Chalkboard Paint | At Home With P. Allen Smith (ehowhome)

Learn about chalkboard paint at a crafts market. Chalkboard paint easily makes any flat surface into a functional chalkboard, making the writing of notes, to-do lists and reminders a whole lot of fun!




Monday, March 11, 2013

Organize Your Makeup: How to Organize Cosmetics in the Bathroom

Trouble finding your your hair and makeup products in your bathroom? These simple tips can help.




Sunday, March 3, 2013

How to Create Creative Book Displays | At Home With P. Allen Smith

Allen explains his strategy for organising and displaying his book collection, including a look at his secret method for reaching the top shelves.



Sunday, February 24, 2013

Acacia & Aromatherapy : Naturopathic Medicine

Find out more about Acacia and Aromatherapy with help from a licensed naturopathic doctor in this video clip.




Thursday, February 21, 2013

Decorating the Purple Room With Rebecca Robeson | GHC In-Depth With P. Allen S

Using bright, bold colors against the soft purple walls, Allen and Rebecca select art, objects and furniture pieces to create a vibrant yet harmonious feel for the bedroom.




Sunday, February 17, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Homemade Laundry Detergent | At Home With P. Allen Smith

You can create your homemade laundry soap recipe using just a few simple ingredients like super washing soda and borax. Clean your clothes like never before!




Thursday, February 7, 2013

Living Room Reveal | GHC In-Depth With P. Allen Smith

Need decorating tips for your living room? P. Allen Smith reveals the finished living room that doubles as the main dining area for the home.




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

How to Show Off Your Home with Lighting

An essential part of choosing your home decor is planning the lighting arrangements you will use in your home.

Showing off your home with lighting can be achieved in many ways, from installing a complex system of electrical lights to simply opening your curtains! Many people choose to combine natural and electrical lighting to make their home look beautiful and show it off to the fullest extent.

Using Natural Lighting in Your Home

Natural lighting can be of enormous benefit to your home. It can make a room look bigger, elevate your mood and make your interior decoration and furnishings really stand out.

There are many tricks you can use to maximise the natural light in your home. Hanging a mirror opposite a window will reflect light and increase its potential within your home. You could also use glass within you home – for example, in table tops – to allow natural light to penetrate more fully.

Your choice of window covering will determine how much natural light is able to come in. If you’re concerned about privacy, net or lace curtains will allow light into your home whilst at the same time preventing people from seeing in. Textured or reflective glass windows will also achieve the same effect, but can be pricey to install.

Using Electrical Light in Your Home

Showing off your home with electrical lighting can be as simple as a well placed lamp or as complex as installing a light feature using spotlights and LED lighting.

Spotlights can be of particular use if you want to highlight a particular feature in your home. They can also be placed in unusual locations for innovative practical use, such as on your staircase. LED Spotlights by Energenie are a perfect example of spotlights which can be easily incorporated into your home for a variety of purposes.

Lighting in your home should be used both to highlight and create a mood. Consider using dimmer switches to create different atmospheres in your home, or mixing pendant lights with lamps and spotlights to create several different lighting areas within each room, to show off your home for maximum effect.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Give New Look To Old Countertops

Countertop transformation is so quick and easy with these tips from Shauna Gallagher. Give an old countertop a fresh look!




Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Master Bedroom Reveal | GHC In-Depth With P. Allen Smith

Need decorating tips for the master bedroom? P. Allen Smith reveals a finished master bedroom that is completed under tight budget and space constraints.




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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Girl's Bedroom Reveal | GHC In-Depth With P. Allen Smith

Need tips for designing a girl's bedroom? The bedroom features two focal points: the antique mahogany bed with a pineapple bedpost motif as well as a corner desk decorated with colourful objects, artwork and a lamp.




Sunday, January 20, 2013

Carpet & Allergies : Treating Allergies

Learn about carpeting and allergies with help from an expert from the Arizona Natural Health Center in this video clip.




Sunday, January 13, 2013

Designing a Daughter's First Apartment | Room Tour With Rebecca Robeson

Rebecca brings her DIY know-how and shopping savvy to one of her most challenging projects to date.




Sunday, January 6, 2013

The HemLoft - a secret treehouse, hiding in the woods of Whistler

IT worker-cum-carpenter, Joel Allen, harboured a dream of creating a house that organically mesh with his much loved woods around Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. His dream became reality after finding friends in two fresh new architects, who set him on his path of a uniquely egg shaped treehouse, now known as the HemLoft Weekend Cabin.



Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Green Diva Meg on FOX: Easy Ways to Keep it Green in 2013

There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint at home. Here're some easy ways to keep it green in 2013!