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. 

Creative Furniture Idea: Home Design Tips

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

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.

Vacation Home Style

Cottage style interiors are lovely because they remind you of long days spent at the beach, sailing under blue skies, and the warmth of the summer sun. This décor is not only beautiful, but it is very comfortable and familiar which makes it all the more appealing. It’s the ideal style for a beachside vacation home. Influence for this décor can come from the crisp nautical style to eclectic beach style. There are so many different nuances to choose from, that you can be sure you’ll find one to suit your home and personality. While each home is different, there are elements of this style that unify it and set this charming décor apart from others.

Color
The color palette in a cottage style interior often reflects the beauty of the natural surroundings. Beachy neutrals and aquatic colors set the tone for the whole room. A neutral palette allows the outdoor landscape to really shine. Crisp white reflects starchy canvas sails, while nudes and tans mirror the warm sand on the beach. You can even introduce a toned down shade of green reminiscent of mossy stones. To highlight a neutrals like these, blue is a tried and true solution. A variety of shades work in this decorating scheme. Try a pure cobalt blue to echo the clear skies or a stunning turquoise to mimic the sea. If you want a warmer color, a pink-orange reminiscent of underwater coral will make a bold statement against a neutral backdrop. You could also use a true red or sunny yellow.

Texture
If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood floors or even exposed rafters that bring that earthy, organic feeling into your home, you’ll find that cottage style will fit well. If not, don’t worry! To bring a more natural feeling to your home bring in natural fabrics and textiles like crisp linen and soft cotton. These fabrics are homey and familiar but are still lightweight and perfect for summers by the seaside. Throw a slipcover over the sofa for a relaxed look. Rattan or wicker furniture is also very common in cottages both inside and out. If you like the look of rattan but don’t want to commit to an entire set of furniture, try using a few rattan baskets for storage or decoration.

Seaside Flair
Of course the easiest way to deck your home in cottage style is to bring in some seaside flair. Decorating with natural elements from and inspired by the sea will bring the beauty of the outdoors in. Fill glass apothecary jars with the seashells you and your family collect on the beach and set them up on the mantle or coffee table. Driftwood can be picked up and used in a variety of ways in your home. Bundle small pieces together around a votive and secure with twine to add a little costal feeling to your candles. It can also be arranged into a wreath you can hang on your front door as a welcome to friends and family. Other seaside touches like sand, beach glass, wooden oars, or anchor décor would add cottage style to your rental.

Lighting
Lighting is important in any home, but especially at the beach! Cottage style is light and airy. Light window treatments, like sheers, will help let in the most amount of light possible while still giving you privacy. Heavy fabrics will block the sun and surroundings and shouldn’t be used in this kind of home. When the sun fades and the stars start to shine, shed some soft light inside your home. Using a few smaller lamps instead of a bright overhead light gives your home a cozy cottage feeling.

This article was written by Erie Construction. Follow Erie Construction on Twitter for daily updates on home remodeling, home improvement, and more.

Five Common Kitchen Remodel Mistakes to Avoid

Overspending
It is easy to get carried away when planning a new kitchen. You want brand-new matching appliances and a $10,000 range. Here are some things to keep in mind to keep the price of your project from soaring.

• Do not spend more than ten to twenty-five percent of your home’s current worth on your kitchen remodel.
  
• Spending more money on a stove or other appliance will not make you use it more often.
  
• Updating your kitchen too much can make the rest of your house look outdated by comparison.
  

Updating your kitchen can be a good way to add value to your home and usually provides a good return on your investment. However, be sure not to guild the lily here. Keep in between ten to twenty-five percent of the current worth of your home, and under ten if your home is on the low end for the area. This will help to ensure you get the most return on your investment.

Just because you buy a $10,000 range does not mean you will begin cooking gourmet meals every night if you do not already. If cooking is important to you and you will be in the home a while, by all means, go all out. However, if a more standard model stove will suit your needs, go with that. Your new kitchen is not likely to change your cooking habits much.

If you go all out on your kitchen remodel, the rest of your house can look out of place and outdated by comparison. Make sure your remodel keeps your kitchen in line with the design of the rest of your house to avoid a mismatch of the appearance of worth.

Shortsightedness
Getting caught up in the moment when remodeling your kitchen is another common mistake. It is important to make a design that will work over the long term, rather than filling your short-term needs. You will likely eventually sell your house, so plan a kitchen that a majority of people will want, not just one that suits your needs. An overly-customized or quirky kitchen can be a turn-off for home buyers, and can drive down the resale value of your home. This is not to say that you cannot have fun and be unique, just understand that you will need either to change your kitchen for resale or reduce your price because of your quirky designs. So, to recapture the most value from your kitchen remodel, keep the design reasonable for overall layout and other hard to change design elements.

Design mismatching
If you update your kitchen too far, it can become mismatched with the design and architecture of the rest of your home. This is a bigger issue with modern open layout kitchens. With these open layouts, the kitchen is open to at least one public area of your home. Keep this in mind when planning your kitchen remodel. Either plan on updating adjoining rooms along with your kitchen or keep the design and décor in these spaces in mind during planning. You should also consider using a custom wallpaper to add a special touch and design to your kitchen.

Changing mid-project
Getting your remodel plan right the first time and sticking with it will keep your costs and headaches down later. Do research, look at samples, tour homes, talk to your contractor and designer, and be sure to get your design set in your mind before going forward. Because while changing your mind later is possible, it will likely lead to delays, problems, and soaring costs.

Ignoring problems or settling
While you should avoid overspending and changing your mind mid-project, you should also make sure not to gloss over issues to save time or money. If a layout issue or extra expense comes up during your remodel and it is the difference of just getting it done and getting it done right, do not cut corners. Fixing these types of issues later is usually exponentially more expensive later. Also, visible issues will make buyers question the quality of the entire project if you were willing to put up with shoddy work in that area. So make sure the job is done right the first time and spend the extra time and money to iron out issues as they come up.

Author Bio: Jay Buckley is a large format printing expert and online publisher for megaprint.com who writes on the topics of design and printing.

Make your Decor Unique with a Personal Touch

If you love to decorate then you’ll know that it’s the personal touches that really make a house into a home. For the last few years TV shows about interior design and selling houses have been trying to persuade us that our homes should be neutral and impersonal. That’s fine if you are trying to sell your property, but if you actually want to live in and enjoy your home then why shouldn’t you decorate it in the way that you like and fill it with the things that you like, rather than following fashion or trying to please others?

How to Personalise your Home

Make your Colours Pop!
We’ve been obsessed with magnolia and dull, neutral decor for far too long. For some reason we all seemed to forget that our homes are designed to be lived in and are not purely a commodity to be sold on and profited from. If you love colour (and who doesn’t?) then don’t be afraid to use it. For those who are a little nervous about being too bold then choose an accent colour and simply paint one wall. Then you can choose accessories that tie in with your colour scheme. You’ll soon see that your room looks far more cheerful and inviting with an injection of colour.
Once you see how well colours work you could try papering an accent wall with a boldly designed wallpaper. There are thousands of different types to choose from including retro styles, pretty florals or ultra modern geometric patterns. Choosing a wallpaper that you love will make your home more individual and reflect your personality.

Personalised Pictures
A great way to make your home unique and to bring a smile to your face whenever you walk into a room is to choose a favourite family snap and have it transferred to canvas. You can have pictures transferred to canvas for as little as £20. You can even have your snaps made into a collage or transformed into a Banksy or Andy Warhol style print, which will look super stylish but still be personal to you.
If you like the idea of transferring your snaps then don’t stop at pictures! You can have your photos printed on all sorts of other household items like cushions, throws, mouse mats, trays and even radiator covers. It’s a great way to add an element of fun and surprise to your rooms and you could also give gifts printed with special photos to friends and family, which makes a fantastic personalised gift for Christmas.

Bring Back the Nick Nacks
Remember when people used to have all their ornaments on show? Nowadays when you visit the average house you’ll see that there are very few ornaments. In fact, many people seem to keep their rooms quite bare, probably thanks once again to house selling and interior design shows. But if you’ve got nick nacks that you love then why not have them out on display where you can see and enjoy them? Or if you don’t have a lot of ornaments then start a collection.

Your home should be about you and your family and the things you love, so if you want a collection of ceramic frogs, antique glass or vintage hats then go for it!
Remember - your home is for you, not for the people who may or may not buy your home in the future. So be bold, be brave and inject some personality into dull and lifeless rooms by making things more personal.

Decorating With Mirrors

I think decorative mirrors are like the little black dresses of the decorating world. The one piece of clothing that everyone has hanging in their closet, looks good on all shapes and sizes, and with not too much effort, can make something ordinary look like a million bucks. Whether your style is traditional or modern, decorative mirrors and the LBD are an essential "must have" for this season and beyond. Here are just a few ways a decorative mirror can dress up the look in your home.

1) Change the Size

Much like the perfect LBD, mirrors can change people's perception of how big or small a thing is. You know how you can have not lost a single pound, but when you put on a LBD, people always comment on how thin you look? Well, it's the same thing with using a mirror in your room, but in the opposite direction. You may not have added any square feet to the room, but that mirror is going to make it look bigger. It's absolutely true about the age-old adage that mirrors help to make small rooms appear and feel larger. (Just as we know the color black makes you look thinner and white makes you look like you have spent a week at the beach!) Mirrors bring light and depth into a room by highlighting color and downplaying dark corners. Be sure to place mirrors on a wall opposite the window wall and see how the light is multiplied throughout the rest of the room.

2) Affordable

You don't have to spend a fortune to look amazing in your LBD, and the same stands for using decorative mirrors in your home. There are so many different ways that you can use mirror. From hanging a group of vintage mirrors that you have gathered from thrift stores, to a high-end marble framed mirror, there is a mirror for every room and budget.

3) Hide Blemishes

We all have those little tiny features of our bodies that we would rather people not focus on, and the same goes for your home! Mirrors can help hide blemishes on your walls that you might not want others to see when they come into your home. Cracked walls, uneven surfaces, or even an old fuse box can be quickly covered and dressed up with a mirror.

4) Versatility

Part of the beauty of the LBD is that it can be dressed up or dressed down, and the same is true with decorative mirrors. As long as you are mindful of the rest of your room's personal style when picking out a decorative mirror, your room will be all the better for it. For example, if your style is contemporary, use something with clean lines and solid colors, whereas, if you are looking for a Mexican Riviera vibe, go with something containing vibrant colors and ornamentation. Mirrors, like art, should blend with the other pieces in your home, and become part of your personal design style. Just like your LBD.

This guest blog post was written by MirrorMate Frames®, which offers information on how to frame a mirror by attaching beautiful frames to boring, builder grade mirrors. This mirror framing system, frequently used on a bathroom wall mirror, can be installed in 20 minutes and comes in over 65 different frame styles to complement any type of décor.

PURE LOVE { Modern warmth }

In the Winter I love the warm cozy, presence of my fireplace.  It is almost always on - it makes winter more pleasant and comfortable.  My fireplace is rustic stone and not very modern, but I LOVE these modern fireplaces I found on Pinterest!  I REALLY love the turquoise one against those metallic tiles - It's PURE LOVE!!!

Have a great day everyone and keep warm! 

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via PURE on Pinterest

Source: homeinteriorszone.com via PURE on Pinterest

Source: decorati0ns.net via PURE on Pinterest

Source: trendir.com via PURE on Pinterest

Mirror Framing Project - How to frame a mirror and the options

This guest blog post was written by MirrorMate Frames®, which offers custom cut mirror kits to attach beautiful frames to boring, builder grade mirrors. This mirror framing system, frequently used on bathroom wall mirrors, can be installed in 20 minutes and come in over 65 different frame styles to complement any type of décor.

Framing a mirror yourself may seem intimidating, but don’t let the idea of the unknown stand in your way. There are simple and inexpensive steps you can follow to successfully undertake your own mirror framing project and, as a result, spruce up the look of your existing mirror. Remember that purchasing a mirror-framing kit also is an option.

Measurements
Measure the mirror’s width and height before you move on to any other step. This can affect each of the other steps.

Picking out the pieces
Based on your desired design, select molding trim pieces (there are many options) that complement the room or area where the mirror hangs. Take note: the wider the trim pieces, the less mirror surface you will have left. Measure the four molding trim pieces to size based on the mirror measurements. Mark the measurements.

Cut, sand, wipe
Using a miter saw, cut a 45-degree angle on the ends of the trim pieces (a home improvement store can do this for you for a fee). The angled ends should match up together. Next, sand the cut ends with sandpaper until smooth. Wipe the edges with a cloth to remove the sandpaper dust.

Time to paint
With a paintbrush, paint or stain the molding trim. Allow it to dry and, using another paintbrush, apply a coat of polyurethane to the molding trim and allow it to dry. Note: polyurethane is available in different finishes - such as glossy, matte or satin.

Placement
Place several dots of epoxy adhesive onto the back of your first piece of trim, and place and press the molding trim onto the top of the mirror. Do this for the remaining three pieces, aligning the angled pieces together. Allow the pieces to dry.

Finally, the finishing touches
Apply a small amount of like-colored wood putty into the corner angles and smooth the putty into the trim pieces. Smooth the putty well and, to disguise any unwanted adhesive or seams, touch up the trim with paint.

Brighten Up Your Home In The Winter Months With Cheap Curtains

Following a glorious few days at the end of September, summer now seems as distant memory and the UK has been lashed with rain and buffeted by high winds. The nights are drawing in sooner and it won’t be long before we are all making our way home from work in the dark. At this time of year many people start to suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which can leave them feeling miserable and lethargic.

A great way to keep your spirits up in the winter is to brighten up your home with the use of cheap curtains.

The concept

Due to the fact that it is darker for longer during the winter months; we tend to have our curtains drawn for longer periods. This of course makes the interior of our home darker, which is exacerbated further if your curtains are made from darkly coloured materials.

By changing your curtains to brighter shades you can greatly improve the vibe of the room. As curtains are usually quite large, they not only brighten that particular area, but also increase lighting throughout the rest of the room through reflection.

Considering the cost

Of course, winter is a particularly expensive time of year. Many of us will be faced with the cost of buying Christmas presents, in addition to more expensive heating and lighting costs. This could leave you questioning whether new curtains are a viable option at this time of year. However, if you have a good shop around you can find cheap curtains that shouldn’t cost you more than about £35, with some options costing as little as £20. That isn’t really too much when you consider it could have a big impact on your mood right through the winter period.

Options

You may of the impression that the range of cheap curtains available to you might be quite limited due to the price. However, there are many different styles, colours and designs they should be within your price range.

The simple plain cream curtains above are a great choice in that they will really maximise the amount of light that is reflected back into the room. In addition the light faux silk material is light and breezy, which can help evoke the feeling of warmer months.

If you prefer a busier design then you might want to consider a striped theme as seen above. The contrast of red, beige and cream helps to keep the mood of the room feeling light and fun. Adding matching cushions is a great way of integrating the curtains into the rest of the room’s decor, without spending a fortune.
There are of course many other designs that can be as equally as uplifting from, floral to oriental themes. Whatever decision you decide to go for in your cheap curtains; be sure the fabric is vivid in colour and has a cheerful pattern.

Small Space, Big Impact

Submitted by Elliman Real Estate: Featuring NYC real estate for sale. Written by Julianna Lundblad (@juliannanyc)

It is said that good things come in small packages. That can certainly be true within your living space. With just the right bit of imagination, a once cramped, unusable space can be transformed into your new home office or guest bedroom.

While it would be nice to expand your living space for more square footage, that is not always possible. Say you live in a NYC apartment, the trick is to use design secrets to make the space feel bigger.

Color can play an important role in the feel of a space. While warm colors can create a cozy feeling, they can make small spaces feel cramped. When choosing colors for a small space, choose cooler shades. Blues and greens are cool colors that are calming; when light shades of these colors are chosen, a small space can suddenly feel much more expansive.

Another key to opening up a small space is to keep furniture in the center of the space. This creates the illusion that the space is roomier than it truly is. Mirrors also help to create the illusion of roominess. Add a large mirror to your small space or a grouping of mirrors, and your small space will seem to grow.

Another trick to making a small space seem larger is to declutter. Clutter can make even a large room feel cramped. Be certain not to let clutter undermine your efforts to reclaim a small space as a workable area. Try to have furniture in your room that can double as storage, like a bench with hidden storage inside, so you can keep things that you don't use often out of sight.

Keeping a sense of scale is also important when dealing with a small space. You want your furnishings to be in proper proportion to the space. Don't seek out scaled-down furniture. Instead, choose furnishings that have a low profile. This will serve to make the ceiling in the small space seem higher. Also, seek out designs with a clean line when you are choosing furnishings for your small space.

One more trick to help your transform your small space is to utilize rugs. An area rug of the proper scale can help to define the space as being something specific--a new work space or office. This is important not only so that other people see the space as being "X" but also so that you can see it. This is especially important if you have lived in your home for a while and are used to the space as simply being an extension of another, larger space or as a haphazard storage area.

By taking these steps, you can reclaim your small spaces and put them to proper use. Whatever purpose you decide to choose for it, your small space can be a beautiful and useful part of your home.

Looking to sell your house quick? Contact NPT Assisted Sale today

Utilising colour schemes in decorating projects

When decorating a home, colour schemes are an essential aspect of putting your personality on the design, and making it feel welcoming. Obviously the general colours chosen are a matter of personal choice, but it’s important to consider colours that go well together, and colours that clash.

Picking colours

The selection of the colour scheme should be the bedrock of the whole design, and in decorating, the uses of the colours again depends on personal taste. In terms of colour’s effects on the mood of a room, blue and green are generally more soothing tones, whilst yellow and orange brighten up an area. Safer colours like beige and tan are good for more neutral themes.

A colour wheel is a must have for any aspiring decorator, and colour combos work best when they are near each other on the colour wheel, with opposite colours contrasting. It can also be easy to forget about how many different shades of certain colours there are, for example, purple includes hues close to black, right through a pale shade that is almost white, not forgetting the gulf of colours in between those two.

The walls

After making a choice about the colour schemes, a good idea is to start any work on the walls. They are essentially the backdrop of the room and any further installations such as furniture, and what the direction of the rest of the room should be based around. Depending on personal preference, wallpaper or paint might be used. Buying wallpaper direct from the internet can save a lot of money.

Furniture designs

When picking furniture to go in a decorated room, there are two ways to go: pick a neutral colour scheme that will go with whatever scheme the walls and ceiling will be hosting, or use the colour wheel to pick matching colours. With the neutral choice, you have the extra option of adding different colours and textures via throw pillows and covers, without overpowering the ensemble, and conversely, with a suite or similar that matches the main colour scheme, tone down any extras with neutral colours.

Fabrics

Other extras like window curtains or blankets on a bed can differ. Curtains may be densely textured with its own design, or use lighter materials with solid colours throughout the item. Mixing one texture on the curtains with another on bed linen is a good technique, as it adds more depth to the room as a whole. Again, use a colour wheel if not sure, and match accordingly.

Details

Things like paintings, statuettes or ornaments are a matter of taste, and what resources you have available. A splash of colour in a detail within a neutral room can draw the eye to certain areas, and again, vice versa for me held back detail pieces and brighter general colour schemes.
On the whole, decorating effectively merely means what makes and individual feel comfortable, and personal taste should be paramount, especially if you intended to spend a lot of time in said room. If you are unsure about what you want to do with the room, or don’t want to create a ghastly nightmare with clashing colours, then a neutral theme is the safe option.

Choose An Oak Console Table To Reinstate Your Living Room

Only a few short years ago most people had telephone tables in their hallway which meant that every time there was a phone call your home had a designated space for taking it. Nowadays with the popularity of mobile phones and landline phones which can be carried around the home, often time taking phone calls seems to encroach on creating a happy and relaxed family environment.

If you’re fed up with teenagers or other family members taking or making calls in your living space there is a quick and simple solution.
If you purchase an oak console table it can easily be placed in a hallway or box room and house your telephone, meaning that phone calls coming in or going out will no longer encroach on your space.

You can say goodbye to disturbances when you’re watching your favourite programme and your teen decides that they must make that all important phone call.
Dinner time can be dinner time again as your dining space won’t be invaded by ringing phones, so you can have better quality time with your family.
There’s a lot to be said for the old tradition of keeping your phone separate from your living space, especially these days when we use technology so much. Particularly when you consider that most of the technology we use only serves to make us more solitary.

Most parents would agree that technology can make it harder to spend quality time with your family. That’s why it’s a good idea to have rules about what happens in different spaces in your home.

When you purchase an oak console table for your hallway then you and your family can all agree that family living spaces are for spending time together, rather than everyone doing their own thing and any telephone conversations can be kept away from the living areas of your home.

If you’re simply looking at ways to save space then an oak console table could be the perfect solution. Console tables are more slimline than conventional tables meaning that they can fit snugly into a small space without encroaching too much on the surroundings. That means they’re ideal for small bedrooms, bathrooms, studies or box rooms. They also work well near front doors as they can be used to store post or other important papers and are an ideal place to pop your keys when you come in.

So reinstate to your living room and encourage your family to spend more time together simply get yourself an oak console table from Cambridge Oak

Kitchen Design Dilemmas Solved

This guest blog post was written by Tracy Tesmer, founder of Tracy Tesmer Design • Build • Remodel • Repair, a design/build remodeling company specializing in kitchen remodeling. Tracy has over 30 years experience in the construction industry and also hosts a weekly home improvement radio show on WDUN in North Georgia.

The kitchen is where most people spend the majority of their time while at home. It’s no longer just a place to cook meals – it’s evolved into a hangout room where kids do their homework and friends and family congregate. Because we are requiring more out of a kitchen these days, it’s important to have a space that is both comfortable and functional. The following are 3 frequent kitchen complaints and ways to solve them, both with some DIY elbow grease or with the assistance of a home remodeling professional. 

1. Insufficient Lighting. This is a common problem, especially in older homes that may just have an overhead florescent light and a light in the vent hood.
   
   • DIY: Replace your dated florescent lighting that is probably collecting bugs with some more stylish fixtures that give off more light. Since the hookup is already installed, this can be installed relatively easily. Make sure to completely cut the power before beginning to work on it and note you may have to do some paint touchups if the new fixture is a different size. You can also add some under cabinet lighting that either plugs in to your wall socket or is battery powered with no wires to mess with!
     
   • Professional: Unless you are a super handyman, you will probably need to hire somebody to tackle the installation of new recessed can lights, or new pendant or track lighting where there were no fixtures before. You may want to also consult with a kitchen designer to make suggestions on the look and feel of the space.
2. Lack of Storage Space. For many people, lack of sufficient storage space in their kitchen is a major complaint. Whether the builder failed to take full advantage of the storage space or the usage of your space has changed over time, it’s important to have a kitchen that is organized and not cluttered.
   
   • DIY: Before doing anything, take a few hours to sort through your current kitchen items to see if you can get rid of or reorganize some of your clutter. You may have just solved your problem! If you still need more space, consider an overhead pot rack to free up some shelf space, adding some shelving for the inside of your pantry door, or purchasing a rolling kitchen island with storage cabinets.
     
   • Professional: If the installation of an island sounds like the right thing for you, but you want to go the permanent route, hire a remodeler to build and install one for you. You can also replace your upper cabinets to reach to the ceiling, often adding a shelf or two of storage space. For smaller improvements, adding a Lazy Susan to corner cabinets will help you fully use the awkward space to your advantage.
     
3. Impeded Work Flow. It’s important to be able to have a flowing kitchen that works well. Even though today’s kitchen serves as a place to entertain, organize one’s day, and communicate with family and friends, it is above all else still a place to cook. The "kitchen triangle" is the area between the refrigerator, sink and stove.
   
   • DIY: Although it may be difficult to fix much of the floor plan with DIY skills, you may be able to save on the cost of remodeling by doing some of the demolition, painting, or appliance installation of this remodeling project yourselves.
     
   • Professional: Most professional remodelers are excellent at figuring out how to maximize the functionality of the “kitchen triangle.” Common renovations include adding a wall unit oven to replace a standard stove, installing a cook top, veggie sink, and/or dishwasher in an island, or moving the location of a refrigerator.

Before you decide whether you want to take matters into your own hands and give your cooking space a makeover yourself, or call a licensed remodeler, it’s important to first identify the source of the problem and then decide which logical solution works best for you. Whether you need a major renovation of your existing kitchen or a simple quick fix, there are many opportunities to make the kitchen more efficient as well as more enjoyable.

Give Your Home a Weekend Makeover

So, summer is over. The kids are back at school, the nights are getting darker, and let’s face it, it’s getting a little chilly. It’s time to bring in the barbecue, put away the fans, and start planning for autumn.

The changing of the seasons is used by many people as an excuse for a decorating spree, but who has time for those these days? If you can’t afford to take a week off work to strip the wallpaper and lay some new carpets, then why not try this quick and easy home makeover plan.

1. Start with the kitchen: Clean out the cupboards and declutter the counters. Invest in some attractive bowls, hangars, and boxes to use for storage so that you never have to worry about clutter again. If you have time, you could consider painting the cupboards a different colour – it makes a big difference.
   
2. Revitalize the bedroom: Make your bedroom a relaxing place to be. Get rid of those thin summer curtains and replace them with heavy roller blinds that will do a better job of blocking out the winter chill. Move everything that isn’t bed or dressing related out of the bedroom. Less is more in this case – you don’t want any distractions in your bedroom. Replace all the bedding, and treat yourself to some fresh pillows.
   
3. Accessorize the living room: Sometimes all that you need to make a room feel different is a change of colour. You can’t feasibly do that with paint, but if you make creative use of throws, roller blinds, rugs, and other accessories, you can re-theme a room in a jiffy. Even better, when spring comes around you can put all the warm and cosy stuff away, and replace it with something refreshing and airy – giving you a second “instant makeover”.
   
4. Simple bathroom tweaks: Bathrooms can be high maintenance. Make sure that the tiles are clean, the taps are sparkling, and your bath or shower is freshly rinsed. Often, what drags down the mood in the bathroom is a tatty bath mat or shower curtain. Replace those, and perhaps add matching toothbrush and soap holders, and you should be able to quickly bring some cheer to the room.
   
5. Don’t forget the garden: Your garden is the first thing people see when they come to your home. At this time of year, it’s easy to start to let things slide, but don’t. If it’s nice outside, cut the grass and do a little weeding, make sure your paving stones are OK, and then consider planting some hardy plants that will survive until the winter. A neat and trim garden is always a nice sight when you get home from work on a dark night.

A lot of the above tips may sound like they’re about cleaning up, but in truth it’s amazing what changing a few things, such as roller blinds or shower curtains, can do. A change of colour, and a lack of clutter, is a big deal. Another area where subtle changes make a big difference is smell. If you normally burn incense or candles, consider changing the scent as the seasons change. 

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Creatively Different Roller Blinds. James writes on subjects relating to the home and interior design ideas.

A dream to have a beautiful, simple life....

In 2001 I was just starting my career as an interior designer.  I was addicted to design books - always reading and learning - full of that relentless energy and true passion.  I have always been drawn to the book "PURE Style Living" by Jan Comberbatch.  It is not really a design book, it is more of a lifestyle.  It talks about simple living, uncluttered functional spaces, soft beautiful color, natural textures, fresh food...  I've had this book for 10 years and every time I pick it up it still feels relevant and I dream of a simpler life and hope to achieve this type of peace & serenity if not today maybe tomorrow....