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Designer Secrets: Choose a Perfect Rug for Your Space

Designer Secrets: Choose a Perfect Rug for Your Space

At the first glance, interior designer’s job seems easy: put an armchair here, a sofa there, a coffee table in front, and voila! But the big stuff are maybe much easier to fit in than the details. What about the curtains, tablecloths and of course, the rug? The right rug can make the space look amazing, warm and welcoming, while the wrong rug can make the room appear unfinished and awkward. There are so many things to consider in such a small item: the size, the texture, the color and the design. All of them together can make or break the look of the entire room. We’ll let you in on a few designers’ secrets about choosing a perfect rug for every space.

Start with the Color

Start with the Color

Choosing the right color is the best starting point when purchasing a rug. Since rugs are usually the last thing you are buying for the room, you will already have a pre-established color palette to guide you. This doesn’t mean that your rug can’t be a show-stopper, but only that it has to be in coherence with the remaining colors. However, if you have many shades and patterns in a single room, consider getting a neutral rug or a single color rug that complements your furniture or walls.

Move onto the Patterns

Move onto the Patterns

There’s nothing more appealing in a room than a patterned rug, but be cautious when choosing the patterns for each space, because you don’t want it to be overwhelmed with too many accents. You can use a rug with an all-over repeat pattern in a simple space with almost every piece of furniture, but if you are going to use a rug with an asymmetrical pattern, it’s better to combine it with furniture that has a more open and delicate frame. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns of different proportions. That is a much better choice than combining a chair, sofa, curtain and rug with the same pattern, where there would be no clear distinctions between these pieces.

Mind the Size

The second big (or small) thing you have to keep in mind when choosing a rug is its size. Size of the rug will depend on the size and the function of a room. Take living room for example. There are two widely accepted approaches: all the furniture sitting within the outer perimeter of the area rug and the front legs of the seating furniture on the top of the rug. In the second case, the rug being beneath the furniture gives the illusion of spaciousness, while in the first, it defines the sitting area. In the bedroom, the area rug should allow you to land on a soft spot when getting up, so it is best to occupy two thirds of the bed, say the professionals from DecoRug. The kitchen and the bathroom usually have small area rugs, simply for aesthetic reasons.

Texture Makes a Huge Difference

Texture Makes a Huge Difference

It’s the last thing we remember when buying a rug, and one of the first things we notice when spotting it. Every interior designer knows that a room rich with different textures will feel layered and warm, so paying attention to the texture of the rug is essential. Here, you can aim for contrast between the furniture and the rug. A sleek leather sofa, for instance, should be contrasted with a fluffy shaggy area rug, while a soft velvet couch will go perfectly with a smooth and hard material like sisal. The function of the room will also dictate the texture. That is the reason why you should never put a shaggy rug in your dining room – the frequent traffic, spills and stains would make cleaning and walking much more difficult. A rug like that, however, would be perfect for the bedroom, because you want your feet to land on soft and fluffy spot upon waking up.

Rugs define the space and enhance the décor, so making this choice shouldn’t be taken lightly. Following some basic rules and designers’ tips is the safe way to go, but if you have an idea of your own, sometimes you should simply go with your gut.

Guest Post By:

Chloe TaylorChloe is an art historian, recreational ballet dancer and a contributor at smoothdecorator.com. She is passionate about photography, dance and music. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world with her husband and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. She also enjoys learning and writing about home design, since she is crazy about aesthetics. You can find Chloe on FB, Twitter, and G+.

How to Set up the Perfect Nursery for your Child

How to Set up the Perfect Nursery for your Child1

Having a baby is the happiest moment in everyone’s life and everything that is connected to this wonderful event is beautiful. This also includes decorating and setting up a nursery for the upcoming child. It is an exciting decorating project and if it is done right, it will result in the best possible space for your child’s first months and years. So, what exactly does one need to take care of in order to set up the perfect nursery for one’s child?

Theme or no theme?

Many parents decide to go with a certain theme when they are decorating the nursery. Either they want to keep things simple and go with a theme or they are fans of a certain motif that will pervade the new nursery. Most themes are gender-based, with princesses for girls and sports for boys, for example. There are also plenty of nursery themes that are gender neutral and that will work for any child, like animal kingdom or something retro. Other parents choose against a theme and they come up with the design and the “feel” on their own.

Best furniture you can afford

If there is one thing where you will not want to skimp is buying furniture for your nursery. We think there is no need to list everything you will need for your nursery, but we will tell you this – make sure you get the highest-quality furniture you can afford. Try to make it natural and untreated with anything that might harm the baby. We are not saying that you should spend thousands on a bassinette, but do not skimp either. A good idea is also to put in “support” furniture that will not be for the baby itself, like a chair and a coffee table for the parents who spend time in the nursery.

Choosing the color

You have to be very careful when choosing the color for the nursery. Painting services professionals we talked to recommended something mild and calming, as opposed to something very aggressive and exciting. We are talking shades of beige, milder shades of blue and green or even yellow or orange, but making sure the actual shades are airy and easy on the eyes. Some of the colors you will want to avoid in the nursery are red, strong yellows and orange, as well as aggressive shades of pink or purple.

Controlling light and warmth

A baby needs to spend time in warm and comfortable environment with enough light, but not too much. Because of this, most experts will recommend that you enable precise control of lighting in the nursery. For instance, you can put in shades that will allow you to control how much natural light gets in at any given moment. Also, when artificial lighting is in question, it is always a good idea to install dimmers. You should also install air-conditioning and heating that will enable you to finely tune the temperature in the nursery at all times.

Tips To Modernize Your Home

Modernize your home

tips to modernize your home

Photo Credit: Flickr

As modern technology changes our lives, it changes our homes too. At the turn of the twentieth century, closed-off rooms and cramped living spaces were about what the average person could expect. But now we have more solutions to home and design-based problems than we’ve ever had before, and a fabulous modern interior could be right at your fingertips.

Find the look you like

The best thing about modern home design is that there are many different styles to experiment with, styles that can be adapted and individualized. Maybe you’re a lover of the outdoors and want your living room to fade seamlessly into the garden. This can be done by using the same design elements and colors in both, and opening your living room up to the light with open space and large windows. Textures like fur (preferably not real fur), stone and wood can also add to an ‘outside’ effect in an indoor room.

Or – maybe you hate the outdoors, and want a cozy space where you can keep your widescreen television and favorite gadgets. Using soft lighting (pinks, reds) and bringing in lots of comfortable seating space can help you there. Remember, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your house, as does everyone! It needs to be something you enjoy. Make your favorite things the focal points of any design.

Choose your favorite things

Clutter isn’t going to do a room any favors. Go through your stuff and decide what you really need- don’t be afraid to get rid of anything that just doesn’t work for you. Those hideous pink cushions from your grandma? She’ll forgive you if you throw them away.

Invest in some clever storage solutions

Hidden storage spaces are often the backbone of modern room design. Sliding panels can keep things out of sight, or a piece of furniture with storage space beneath it can be used to store books, DVDs, or anything you like.

Some designers incorporate the storage space right into the room – shelving units in bright colors, a bookcase as the biggest, boldest thing in the room – which is also a perfectly valid design choice; weigh up the options and see what works for you.

Decide on the furniture

Trendy minimalist spaces often use minimalist furniture, but perhaps that’s not for you. Perhaps you want lots of cozy sofas and chairs so you can entertain guests. Well, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive – minimalism is about the freedom of space. There’s nothing stopping you making a seating area the focal point of a minimalist room.

Try and choose furniture that will last a long time and that can be adapted to any style. Things that can be easily painted to fit in with any color scheme are a good idea too!

Choose your favorite colors

A modern design usually blends the functional with the vibrant. So you can have the metals of your chairs and the textures of your worktops topped off with a bright color, anything you bedroomchoose – shades of green if you want your room to match your garden, perhaps.

Different colors can open up (or close) your room in different ways. Yellow can make an otherwise drab room feel cheerful; purple, in the right places, can make a room look sophisticated and luxurious. Blue is apparently the best color for productivity, so use it for an office or study!

But keep green in mind

windowsSustainability is a big issue right now. Therefore, designers are making choices to save on energy and money – did you know there’s a house made entirely out of recycled materials? – and using natural resources instead. Open plan houses with lots of windows to bring in the light use a lot less electricity. Solar power and wind power are being used as the main source of energy for some houses. This extends to the garden as well – people are creating vegetable patches to provide food for themselves, and doing away with wasteful patio heaters and outdoor lights that eat up electricity.

A modern home, done right, will always be a modern home – ideally it should be easy to update whenever an update is needed. But it should also be an open, useful, sustainable space, tailored to fit in with the likes, dislikes, and personality of the person living in it. That’s you!

Guest Post By:

Jelena Djurdjevic is a business woman, mom and wife. She is currently staying at home due to a great reason, her family. In her free time she loves  blogging about home design.

 

3 Easy Ways To Warm Up Your Bedroom

As the weather cools down, people are preparing for cozy nights indoors. Perhaps nowhere is the desire for warm, comfortable living spaces more important than the bedroom. Fortunately, it only takes a few simple tricks to warm up any bedroom in just one weekend.

Step 1: Switch to down and feather bedding

cozy bedroomDown and feather users reported warmth as the main reason for purchasing down products, tied at 55 percent with softness and fluffiness, according to a 2013 nationwide Harris survey conducted on behalf of the American Down and Feather Council (ADFC).

“Down is a natural insulator that creates warmth without the added weight that many synthetic fill materials have; and the lightness creates a fluffier bedding experience,” says Stephen Palmer, ADFC president.

That warmth even allows homeowners to turn down the thermostat and save some money on heating costs. In fact, 80 percent of users said down and feather products can help save money on home heating bills, the survey found.

Step 2: Opt for a warm color palette

bedroomDon’t underestimate the psychology of color. Warmer colors, such as shades of red, orange and yellow, can heat up a room. Choose rich tones to create an inviting feel. Popular interior paint colors this year include cayenne shades of red, deep oranges, and bright, botanical-inspired yellows.

Accent walls or warm, richly-colored accessories are excellent options for those not ready to commit to such a bold color in the entire bedroom. Throw pillows and blankets, rugs or art can be easily changed with holidays or seasons.

Step 3: Select warm, effective lighting

Warm up your bedroom and create an inviting living space with strategically placed lighting. When selecting artificial light, avoid bulbs that cast blue tones and select bulbs with yellow hues that light the space with a soft glow. Keep in mind that sometimes overheard lighting can be harsh, especially in a bedroom. Place table lamps on bedside tables or add a standing lamp near a comfortable chair.

Candles are a simple and inexpensive way to add a warm glow. If desired, pick an inviting scent that complements the season – apple cinnamon for fall or evergreen for winter. And don’t forget to take advantage of natural light by selecting window treatments that let in sunlight, such as transparent curtains.

Just these few simple changes can warm up the bedroom during the cold days ahead. Not only will you keep toasty warm at night, but you’ll enjoy the inviting space during the day as well.

Ready to warm up your bedroom with a new rich paint color?  Contact us for a free in home estimate!

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Contractor for Interior Home Painting

room-painting-ideasAre you planning to paint or repaint the interior walls of your home? If the answer is yes, then you should consider hiring a professional contractor. While it is true that you will spend a higher initial cost compared to just doing the paint job your self, the benefits of hiring a professional contractor are better felt in the long run. If you are not yet convinced, take some time reading the following benefits of acquiring the services of a professional contractor.

Expertise

A professional contractor is not just your average painter. They have the expertise of the best painter in town. They have the training and the specialty skills to deliver the best services. For example, as the professional contractor paints your wall, they can spot structural defects and weaknesses. They can easily find factors that may affect the integrity and life-span of the paint on your wall. In addition to this, if they cannot handle the structural problem themselves, they can refer you to other experts to fix the problem.

Advice and recommendations

Professional contractors know what they do. They can look into your walls and determine the best course of action possible. You will be presented with various color schemes and how it should be done. Of course, if you already have a plan, they can involve you in the planning phase to come up with the best solution.

Cost effectiveness

Like what was already mentioned above, you will have to pay the contractors as well as the paint you use. Nevertheless, they will help you save in the long run. In case you have a larger than usual project, then you will save more by hiring a professional contractor. Moreover, they can suggest cost-effective means to save on your project as they already have the experience and knowledge to know what really works or not. Mistakes can be very costly. However, if you work with a professional, then you will surely avoid potential mistakes.

Experience

Professional painters exist solely for this craft and the years of their experience are a valuable asset of their profession. Through experience, a professional contractor acquires the best knowledge and expertise. They gained enough time to hone their craft.

Creativeness

Professional contractors will paint your interior wall with an artistic touch. They have a wide range of paint style and paint color. If you have wallpaper in mind, just let them know. Professional contractors will be able to take into consideration the color of other elements within your room and choose the best color to blend these elements.

Increased real estate value

The value of your home will surely increase exponentially with the help of professional contractors. If you are planning to sell your house, then you should consider repainting the whole building. With the expertise of a professional contractor, you will be able to increase the selling price of your home.

These are just some of the benefits of hiring a professional contractor. Your home will surely never be the same again when you hire the best contractor to do the job.

Guest Post By:

Morton Karrie has worked in the landscaping industry in various roles. She loves to write topics about child care, organic gardening, patio pavers and landscaping.

Contact us today to take advantage of our limited time 10% discount on all painting services! Gary B.

How to Work With a Color Consultant

Turn to a color pro to brighten your home’s outlook in the way that suits you best

How to Work With a Color Consultant

 

If you were building a new home or remodeling an old one, you’d probably rely on a bevy of professionals to get the job done right, from architects and contractors to interior designers and artisans. But would you think to hire a color consultant?  Read more…

Source:  Houzz.com, Lisa Frederick

Interior design trends

Easy seasonal changes refresh and revive your home:

spring home designsSpring’s new growth and warm sunshine provide inspiration for renewal in our lives. It’s a time to pack away the sweaters and boots for lighter layers and brimmed hats. Homeowners should embrace this same mindset – one where you pack away the heavy textures and colors of winter in favor of breezy fabrics and fun decor that inspire a fresh feeling in your house.

Break out of the winter gloom by making some simple changes to your home with bright, fresh decor. Here are the top trends in interior decorating that capture the optimistic feeling of springtime, without having to spend a lot of time or money.

1. Color your world happy
To uplift your mood and give your home a new personality, color should be the first thing you address. Paint is an easy and affordable way to dramatically change a living space. Spring’s hot color palette includes rich hues of blue and turquoise, vibrant pink and orange tones, and soft greens and neutrals. Visit your local Lowe’s for inspiration from the paint color studio that allows do-it-yourselfers to identify the “hot” paint colors of the season and even pick up samples of each hue to try at home.

Feeling adventurous? Dabble in some vibrant shades inspired by the flora and fauna in your region. Love the bright red of blooming tulips? How about the rich blue of the sky at the noon hour? Try picking one thing and paint it that bold color – a single wall, a door, or even a piece of furniture. Watch as the entire room suddenly comes to life.

2. Mix in light and fresh decor
Making small changes to your home’s decor is a great way to refresh the interior, and you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Window treatments are a great place to start – replace dense fabrics with airy options that beg to blow in the warm breeze.

Next, store away existing rugs and replace with ones that feature bright colors or botanical designs. Dark accent pillows can be replaced with fluffy, colorful options that add life to dated couches and chairs. Seasonal decor changes are simple and can be swapped out year after year.

3. Bring the feeling of “green” indoors
The buds and blooms of spring are a big reason it’s such an inspirational season, and houseplants are a great tool for awakening that sense of nature and bringing the outdoors inside. Houseplants make any room look more luxurious, and they are natural air cleaners, awakening the senses of spring’s fresh air. Good, low-maintenance indoor houseplants include the peace lily, spider plant and snake plant.

Interior decor can also reflect the natural feeling that indoor plants provide. Coordinate pieces that feature nature’s elements, such as a leaf motif on a lamp shade or a beach scene on a piece of wall art. These elements, while subtle, will work together to provide a seamless update to any drab decor.

4. Cut the clutter
Of course any home refresh is not complete without some cleaning. Don’t let spring cleaning overwhelm you – start small and go through any clutter, sorting into piles to use, store, give away and throw away. A good dusting goes a long way too, so be sure to hit all the surfaces with a damp cloth. Shine up mirrors, which will reflect that beautiful spring sunshine to brighten and enlarge the feeling of the room.

To stay on top of your organization and home management, create a MyLowe’s profile at www.lowes.com/mylowes. While there, you can create a virtual version of your home for easy project planning. You can add items you need or save ideas that inspire you to your profile for easy reference, making it simple to keep track of your to-do list. Millions of people are currently using the program to make home project management simple.

Changing your home to reflect the seasons is easy with a few basic steps and a little creativity. Remember to embrace the feeling of spring, and the inspiration will come naturally.

A Jewel Tone Color Palette That Will Make Your Home Appear More Cozy

A Jewel Tone Color Palette That Will Make Your Home Appear More CozyRecently we’ve been inspired by the rich colors of jewel tones and how they can easily change the look and feel in the home. So far, we’ve explored how ruby red can infuse a room with passion, how shades of sapphire and amethyst can make a space feel calm, and how amber can provide a lively touch. This week, it’s about bringing all these rich colors together. What set us off? This photo of stylish heels.

When it comes to decorating, it’s important to remember that jewel tones are vivid, so they work best with other bold colors. For example, amber glassware will look more vibrant on top of a dark green tablecloth as opposed to a pale pink one, and a ruby red chandelier would look extra glamorous in a navy blue setting. If that seems like too many colors in one place, use jewel tones with neutral shades like gray and black.

Also, because of their richness jewel tones can have a cozying effect in a room.  Click to continue reading…

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