Browsing Tag

interior decorating

small-accessories-guide-how-to-subtly-change-the-home-in-big-way

Often, we become a bit tired of our house looking the same old way, day in day out. We yearn for changes but don’t have the time or the budget to do anything drastic on a large scale. The good news is that we can make lots of small changes that all add up to something special. Check out these fantastic suggestions.

Art & Ornaments

We could go down the usual route of buying some prints we like from Walmart or somewhere similar, but that shows little imagination, doesn’t it? We could use a multitude of pictures and portraits to create a gallery wall. Other options include using stencils to create exciting patterns or even going to paint a mural if you are artistic. It is even possible to have custom wallpaper made up.

Shelves & Storage

What type of shelves and storage we use may not immediately seem like the type of choice that says much about our style, but they can make or break the mood of a room? Consider the most basic storage we can think of? Perhaps we could use cheap plastic storage boxes stacked along the wall; this would work in a garage or storage unit, but it’s not aesthetically pleasing at all. There are many better choices, and we should consider both the style and our taste. 

Books & Other Media

We cannot talk about shelving without having an idea of what we should put on them. The type of books, music, and other media we store on our shelves can say much about our personality. For others, it is ornaments or personal possessions. If storage were just about keeping our possessions in place, we wouldn’t bother, but it signifies what we are into.

Kitchen Tools

Sometimes we can be forgiven for thinking of the kitchen as purely functional, but there is a lot more to it than that. Creating food for the family takes up much more of our time than we realize. Even something as simple as this iron brush can look good if in keeping with the room’s theme overall. We should keep this in mind whenever we are purchasing anything for the kitchen. We could keep the kitchenware on a consistent style in many ways; by brand, by colour, or even by style and design. Consider we have an old farmhouse, and the kitchen is styled in a very traditional way; all of our cookware and other items must keep to this theme.

Eating Area

Somewhat connected to the kitchen, often literally, is the dining room or eating area. Some houses these days choose not to have a dedicated eating area and decide to have dinner in front of the TV, but for me, this is a big no! Sitting down to dinner can often be the only opportunity we have as a family to have a proper conversation about our lives and what we have been up to? These opportunities are invaluable and cannot be substituted for by anything else.

Subtle Themes

We have touched on the idea of themes up until now, but this is really a subject that requires some dedicated discussion. When discussing our potential kitchen ideas, we floated how we might buy items for a kitchen in an old farmhouse-style property; let us consider other ideas as well, what if we are living in an inner-city apartment. It is possible we could lay out the interior of such an apartment with décor that would normally be present in an older build, but it would be a bold move. A much more appropriate design would be to look to a modern and slightly minimalist look. The key in achieving a minimalist look is the effective use of space and light. Clutter is generally something we would always look to keep to a minimum, but to be minimalist is a step further than that. We must keep everything simple; if we consider the colour scheme, then it will not do to have too many involved; as little as two will look good. We must have space in between furniture, shelves, and artwork on the wall. It is essential to take a brutal and unwavering attitude to this style of decorating.

Door Handles

This may sound like something that is daft, to highlight door handles with a section devoted to such a small part of the house. It is possible that in many ways, no one really notices door handles, but you would certainly notice if they were wrong or out of place. What we are actually saying with this point is that you need to be mindful of all aspects of the house, no matter how small they might first appear.

House Numbers, or Name

Speaking of doors and entrances, we can also make our style be known by how we present the house number or name. There are so many ways we can subtly modify our house signifier. The first choice to make is whether we go for numerals, or the number spelled out in words? Using words can add a touch of class to the simple job of marking your house. But to take it a step further we can give our house a name. It is very easy to do as we are not actually required to change anything legally; we are simply referring to the property by a different name. You can pick a name in many different ways, it could 

Plant Life

If we add a splash of green, it always livens the home up. House plants are a great way of connecting with nature and making the house feel natural and smell great. It can give a fantastic sense of achievement to see something we’ve looked after grow and thrive in our home. Plants can be a lot of work if we keep a lot, but others are virtually no work at all, take cacti as an example; they barely need water and pretty much are self-sufficient.

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important-repairs-to-complete-before-you-sell-your-home

When you’re busy, it’s easy for time to slip away. Before you realize it, it’s been months since you’ve done any repairs in your home. Whether it’s antique clock repair you need, or the tiles on your roof need replacing, it seems that there is always something that needs to be sorted out. It can be difficult trying to stay on top of it everything you have to do in your home!

You might be happy living with a few broken items in your home until you find time to replace them or call a professional in to fix them. However, if you’re looking to put your property on the market in the near future, it’s a good idea to get any major issues fixed before you sell.

Research shows that around a quarter of all house sales fall through due to problems found during a home inspection or environmental issues. To avoid your property sale being one of the quarter that falls through, you want to get as many things fixed as possible!

To make the selling process a little less overwhelming, here is a list of the important repairs you need to complete within your home before you sell.

Fixing the Faulty Wiring

You will not be able to sell your home if there are problems with any electrical wiring. Usually, electrical problems can be fixed quickly and easily by a qualified electrician. If your home requires a circuit breaker, you may need a replacement to comply with the local rules and regulations. Most homes are advised a maximum of 100 amps, but some larger homes may require a 200 amp circuit breaker.

Sorting Out the Walls

If there are any holes in your walls from previously hung photo frames or mirrors, fill them in using some filler. Once this has dried, don’t forget to apply a layer of paint to the wall to ensure it’s all the same color. Even if your walls are hole-free, giving them a fresh coat of paint can immediately make your home look more modern and inviting to potential buyers. If possible, stick to a more neutral palette for your walls as opposed to bright and bold colors, as this will appeal to a wider range of buyers and will increase your chances of selling.

Fixing the Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is the heart of the home. Therefore, before you sell, get your kitchen in tip-top shape to impress any potential buyers. Replace or repair any chipped cabinet doors, make sure all of your handles are matching, and fix any issues with the plumbing system to the room.

Organizing the Bathroom

There are a number of repairs that your bathroom might need. Firstly, you need to check that none of your equipment is broken or damaged. Make sure the tiles aren’t chipped, the bathtub isn’t dented, and the cabinets aren’t scratched. Remember to take a look at the handles too, and check for any built-up dirt or rust.

From here, you’re going to want to make sure the sinks and faucets aren’t leaking and that all drains are clear. Turn on your taps and ensure there is hot and cold water flow. If you identify a major issue, it’s probably best to call in a plumber to take a look and fix any plumbing problems.

Next, take a look in the shower. Due to the moisture-prone environment of the bathroom, mold can start to build up in the corners of your shower before you even notice. If this is the case, grab some bleach and give your shower a good scrub. In the worst-case scenario, you may have to reseal the shower edges.

Fixing Heating Issues

Sorting out your heating system might seem like a non-essential task when you’re selling your home. However, if it’s the middle of winter and your home reaches extremely cold temperatures due to a lack of sufficient heating, nobody is going to want to buy it! If your current system is not working correctly, you may not need a full replacement. It may just need a few repairs by a qualified technician, and this shouldn’t cost you too much money.

Fixing the Lawn

If you’ve decided to sell your property, don’t forget about the outside as well as the inside! If you’ve managed to maintain your garden all year round, you might have very few things to do outside. Spend some time removing any weeds, trimming the bushes, and repairing any damaged fencing. You may also wish to apply a quick coat of paint to your fencing to give it a new lease of life.

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new-home-or-fixer-upper-what-to-know-before-buying

When you’re buying a new home, you want it to be your perfect dream home. The problem is that when you are dealing with a house that has already been built, it may not be exactly to your standards or wants. 

This means that you have to make some tough decisions. Namely, should you buy a house that was just built, or buy something to fix up? It’s not an easy decision to make so you have to think about a few things before buying. In this article, we will go over several factors you should consider while house hunting. 

New construction has everything

When you see some land for sale Werribee, or wherever it is that you are looking to buy, you have a completely blank slate on which to create a masterpiece. You can use your wishlist to construct the house that has everything. All the modern conveniences and the exact style you are looking for. 

If you can dream it you can build it. Though, if you aren’t very creative when it comes to building design, you can often choose to have a prebuilt home done and still get some say in the design and style of the house. 

A newly constructed house will also be able to use the land and materials to be very efficient and use a lot less energy than an older home. For instance, you can position the house to make the most out of the sunlight in the winter so it can heat itself passively. And new materials keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter so you use less energy. 

Downsides to building from scratch

One of the biggest downsides to building a new home is the cost. Land alone can cost as much as a house in some areas. And then the costs of construction can be more than most people can afford. Not only that, but financing a new construction is also a bit tricky. You’ll need to have substantial savings to be able to pull it off. 

Finding land where you would actually want to live is another challenge. In areas near a city where you would likely be commuting to there is not much land available where you can build a home. Though with remote working being so prevalent now, and new developments popping up that offer something of a village, you can live further away from a metropolitan area and still enjoy modern conveniences. 

Buying a fixer upper

When you buy an old house to fix up, you have the second best thing to having a blank slate. You can strip the house down to the studs and essentially make it to your exact standards. 

You may already love the structure and just need to modernize it to where it can suit your needs. The downside is that the structure may not even be that good. And the materials are not as efficient as modern ones. 

You will save some money, but you will also have to compromise on many things so you never really get everything that you want with a fixer upper.

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7-tips-to-protect-your-beautiful-home-interior

You’ve put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into creating a beautiful designer-style home interior. Just looking at the results gives you a good feeling, but now that interior decor has to stand up to its greatest test: the rough-and tumble of daily life. Keep it gorgeous for longer with these handy hints and tips. 

1. Take Precautions Against Plumbing Mishaps

Running water is a wonderful thing – but not when it’s running through the ceiling and all over your stunning decor. Burst water pipes and water heater disasters can all-too easily turn your home into a flood zone causing untold damage to furniture, ceiling boards, and paint finishes. All in all, it’s best to avoid the nightmare altogether. In the first place, get expert advice on preventing burst pipes in your home. Even so, accidents can happen. If they do, it’s worth being aware that water damage restoration experts are out there. Call for help and see what can be saved or restored.

2. Protect Upholstery and Carpets From Mishaps

From careless kids to errant pets and those butterfingers moments when that glass of red wine slips through your fingers, it is possible to protect your carpets and upholstery from mishaps, thrills, and spills. Knowing that little accidents can be easily cleaned up will be a big stress-saver. When it comes to stain protection, Scotchguard is the big name that everyone knows and trusts – this is no sales pitch, but it has to be said. If you can find a good alternative, feel free! Either way, being able to relax and laugh off little slips that would otherwise cause costly damage is a plus that will make your and your family’s home life pleasanter.

3. Ensure that Wood Finishes Can’t Get Water Marks

If you feel the need to rush around with coasters before anyone rests a cup or glass on a wood surface, it’s time to think about protecting wood so that it can’t get unsightly water marks even when there’s an unnoticed spill. You don’t need to spoil that warm finish – it’s just a matter of finding the right product to repel moisture so that you and your guests can relax. There are plenty of options on the market. Enquire at your local hardware store, or look online to see what your options are.

4. Protect Walls From Scuffs and Scrapes

Presumably, you’ve taken the precaution of using high-quality wall-coatings that allow you to wash away the occasional grubby fingermark – but scuffs and scrapes are another matter. From bed headboards to doors that bang against walls when carelessly opened, it’s easy to spot the areas that are vulnerable. Protecting your interior wall finishes and maintaining those carefully chosen paint colors could be as easy as installing rubber stoppers in the right places. Look for possible problems areas and prevent damage before it can happen.

5. Invest In Sun Protection

Natural light is glorious, but the direct rays of the sun can fade fabrics and damage artworks faster than you might imagine. Keeping drapes closed spoils the feeling of airiness and freedom you get from having big windows that let the light shine in. Fortunately, there are many more ways to protect interiors against sun damage. These range from film coatings for windows to exterior awnings that let in the light but not the sunshine. While protecting your decor, they will also help to reduce your summer cooling bills. 

Do you need this kind of protection? Pay extra attention to South-facing windows (or, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, North-facing windows) and see whether the sun’s rays pose a risk to the longevity of your interior decor investment.

6. Maintain Leather

Light-colored leather makes a great style statement, but it can stain quite easily. Once again, your answer lies in choosing the right products. Look out for leather furniture waxes and conditioners that help leather to shrug off stains. It’s not just a matter of spills. The dye from denim or the natural oils of skin and hair resting against surfaces can create ugly, dark marks. Choosing darker coloured leather helps, but if you’ve gone for light shades, do keep your preventative maintenance schedule up.

7. Hello Kitty

Most of the time, cats don’t actually damage furniture – but if they take to claw-sharpening on the corner of your expensive couch, the harmony between you and your feline companion will be short-lived. Scratching posts offer an alternative, but cats don’t necessarily feel the need to think the way we do. There are ways to train cats not to scratch furniture, but while you’re working on it, you might want to consider unobtrusive couch corner protectors or thick throws to protect that upholstery.

Nothing Lasts Forever: When it’s Time to Freshen Up your Interior

You’ll know when it’s time to freshen up, but do check out ways to refresh or restore items that are starting to look a little tired. In many instances, it is possible to give good quality furnishings a new lease of life. Consider doing a few simple repairs even if you want a complete change. The resale value of your furniture will be much better if it isn’t looking too tired – and the proceeds can go towards your next decorating project.

SHOP HOME DECOR NEUTRALS….

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7-secrets-from-an-interior-designer

In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to design a well-organized, cohesive decor scheme. With some internet inspiration and a few simple guidelines, you can make your home look like you hired an interior designer.

Here are some helpful tips to guide the process.

Plan Ahead

One of the key elements of stunning interior design is planning out the various components before getting started. You can do this by spending an afternoon looking at design magazines and clipping images that inspire you. You can also use tools like Pinterest to create a vision board. 

Outlining the design features of your room will also help you develop a shopping list and budget. Give yourself time to shop around and compare prices. 

Choose Statement Pieces

Generally speaking, an interior designer will incorporate one or two statement pieces into each room. These pieces become the focal point of the design scheme with the room working around it. A statement piece could be anything from an ultra-modern couch to an elaborate chandelier. 

Remember that statement pieces are meant to stand out, rather than to blend into the background, so leave your preconceived notions about matching at the door. While the piece should fit into the overall decor, use a pattern, shape, or color contrast to help it stand out.

Keep the Layout Simple 

When it comes to interior design, less is more. Having too much in one area makes the room look smaller and cluttered. Everything in your room should be functional as well as fashionable.

Take some time to declutter and experiment with the room layout. You can use a room planning app to see how everything will fit before making any significant changes.

Focus on the Finer Details

It’s the finer details that make the most impact when trying to make your home look professionally designed. For example, adding custom hardware to RTA cabinets in the kitchen completely changes the look of the room (check out RTA Cabinet Reviews). In a living room, the pattern on throw pillows can take the room from mediocre to luxurious. It’s all about the little touches.

Build Over Time

Don’t feel as though you need to handle your design project all at once. You can make small changes over time to fit your budgetary needs and overall vision. This approach is great if you’re waiting to find that perfect finishing piece for your room as well.

Building over time will also help you create a unique look as trends continue to change. By doing so, your room will look less cookie-cutter and more professionally planned. 

Use a Color Wheel

A color wheel is both the simple and most powerful tool to have on hand when creating a designer-inspired room. This device can help you find contrasting and complementary colors that you might not have considered. If you have a favorite color in mind, this tool can help you build around it without risking clashing or being too matchy.

There are plenty of apps and websites online that replace the handheld color wheel, and can even print paint codes for you to take to your preferred paint store. 

Prioritize Lighting

Lighting is the element that brings a room to life. Don’t just focus on the colors and patterns; consider how you’ll set the ambiance. Getting as much natural light as possible is a must. Many designers will use mirrors and reflective surfaces to improve light distribution.

Light fixtures also play into the overall look of a room. Choosing warm lighting that reduces hard shadows can make the room look more welcoming.

With these tips, you can create a house that looks as though it was put together by an interior designer. Get organized, be creative, and add a unique flair that sets it apart.

SHOP HOME DECOR….

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10-ways-to-effectively-add-decor-to-your-home

Are you looking to breathe fresh life into in your home? Adding new decor will transform your rooms and make them more soothing and energizing. The good news is it’s very easy to add style to every corner of your home with some well-laid plans and a few accessories.

  1. Pillows, pillows, pillows

Pillows can add personality and color to any room. They can also be quite useful. A good place to start decorating with pillows is in your living room. Does your couch look a bit boring? Adding a few throw pillows will help liven it up. Look for pillows that bring contrast to the fabric on the sofa. The contrasting colors add more visual appeal to the room.

The bedroom is the next place to experiment with pillows. You don’t have to pile a dozen pillows on your bed to make it a designer’s dream. Add a couple of pillows in fun fabrics. This can help draw the eye towards the bed, making it the room’s focal point.

  1. Add paintings and art to your walls

Blank walls can be intimidating when it comes to decorating your home. However, adding paintings and art to your walls will give the room some visual energy and coordination.

Walk through your home and figure out where paintings will have the most impact. Common places to display paintings and art include over the fireplace or couch. Look for long walls that need a bit of color and vibrancy. A painting can even adorn a wall in a guest bath.

  1. Frame and display personal photos

One way to make your house into your home is to bring to bring out your personal photos. These pictures of your family and friends will give your home a warm and cozy feeling for anyone who visits.

Now, displaying personal photos doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can add a stylish touch to any room. Put some of your favorite memories in identical frames. Then group the frames along the wall beside your staircase or down the hall. The identical frames provide visual coordination and style.

  1. Add a new coat of paint

Every few years most rooms require a fresh coat of paint to look their best. However, painting an entire room is not the only way to use paint to embellish the look of your home.

Consider adding an accent wall to draw the eye to a particular place in a room. You can go with a contrasting color or just paint the wall a few shades darker. Paint your front door a brand new coordinating color. This will help draw visitors to your entry and give the house a bit more curb appeal.

Try painting an old piece of furniture a bright fresh color. You can give any room a pop of color with the furniture transformation. You can also salvage old furniture pieces that look bad but are still in good structural condition.

  1. Place blankets in key locations

Blankets can be both decorative and functional. A warm blanket draped over the back of a sofa in front of a fire draws a person to snuggle in for the night. Adding a blanket to the end of your guest bedroom makes it more inviting for your guests.

When selecting blankets, it is important to consider their style and their intended use. A heavy blanket is great for winter nights but may be too much for a spring evening. A blanket with an antique pattern might not fit into your modern designer room.

  1. Upgrade your countertops

When you walk into a kitchen, the last thing you want to see is peeling Formica countertops. Those old plastic coated countertops look and feel tacky after a few years. Natural stone is the preferred replacement option.

Visit a store that specializes in natural stone to get some ideas. You can find a wide selection of stones including marble, quartz, and granite. Each slab of stone comes with its own unique beauty since no two are alike. You get the fun of looking through the selection and picking out the slab that you think will fit your home best.

  1. Create a memorable entryway

Where is the place your guests go through when they first arrive? It might be through the front door or maybe even through your mudroom. In either case, you want to make your guests feel at ease and comfortable. You can do this by giving your entryway a simple makeover.

The area should be clean and organized. Be sure to add a mirror where guests can have a quick glance. If you want them to remove their winter boots or summer sandals before going any further, give them a comfortable place to sit. Add some personal decorative touches to finish the space.

  1. Bring in seasonal touches

When it comes to seasonal touches, a lot of people think about the fall and winter months. But, bringing in items for each season helps keep a room feeling current and fresh.

Fresh flowers and blooming branches are a great way to bring in a touch of spring. Trading your heavy winter drapes for light flowing ones are a great way to celebrate summer. Of course, shades of orange and red are perfect for autumn, while ice, snow and the Holidays round out the winter.

  1. Add rugs to your floors

Rugs are items some people forget when it comes to home design. It may be that much of the house is carpeted or that the homeowners value a minimal design. Rugs, however, can work in any situation.

You can put rugs on any floor, including ones with carpet. A well-placed rug can bring a conversational area together. It can give guests a soft place to put their feet. It draws the eye to a particular location on the floor. It allows you to play with shapes and textures. It can also be a designer’s inspiration for the entire room.

  1. Get creative with textures

Texture appeals to the senses. It gives a space visual dimension and brings a luxurious feel to a bland room or set the room’s mood entirely. Repeated use of texture can harmonize a room.

The fun part of texture is that you can use it evoke different emotions and moods. An exposed brick wall offers visual texture. A woven textile brings warmth. A concrete countertop lends an industrial vibe. A fluted column brings a classic touch. Linear molding soothes a person.

Each of these options will help you transform your average home into a designer’s dream. Just remember to give yourself the time to plan what you want to add to each room and which items would work the best.

And always have fun with it!

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boys-bedroom-update

Last fall, my son announced that his bedroom needed an update! I was a bit surprised to hear this from my 8 year old … (and honestly wished he had brought this up over the summer when I would have had time to actually make this transformation) but he was tired of sharing a bedroom with his younger brother and that was something I understood completely (my middle son is a bit of a handful..)

Boys Bedroom Update

So what did I do to give my son a more ‘grown up’ bedroom on a tight timeline and smaller budget.  Well this room was a nursery for my youngest boy, so we had to purchase a new bed for my eldest.  I wanted an industrial look for his room and I found this bed on amazon

 

 

I wanted to get him a full size bed and mattress (thinking long term) and I needed something that wasn’t too bulky since he is in the smallest bedroom of the house.  This was perfect and the price is great, too!

The next part of the boys bedroom update was bedding – again I wanted something simple and something that would grow with him.  I found a great white and navy stripe 3 piece set – with a quilted detail. I love how simple and classic the bedding is and mixing it with star Wars or Pokemon sheets is so easy and it brings his personality into the space.

Boys Bedroom Update – Brick Accent Wall

OK so this was the biggest transformation of this room.  Like the rest of the bedrooms in my home, they are all painted out in Benjamin Moore’s ‘Jute’ a creamy beige tone with a soothing soft warm grey undertone – but I found his room looked ‘blah’. I knew art and accessories would play an important role in adding some colour and personality into his room but I wanted more.  I had been toying with the idea of a wallpaper accent wall in my master bedroom (my husband was not a fan of that idea) so I thought it might add the missing piece in my son’s bedroom.  I wanted something subtle and again something that he wouldn’t grow out of…

Now here’s one thing you may not know about me – I love brick and especially a brick accent wall (see previous projects below)

Legendary Lofts Model Suite

QWC model suite

Timberwood Towns Sales center

Back to the ‘brick’ accent wall…

I love the texture and the gritty (in a good way) element of a brick accent wall but the cost and labour were not options for me and with the timeline to get this done not possible.  But I did find a peel and stick wallpaper option in a brick pattern – I was hesitant that it might not look great but the product wouldn’t damage the walls – so why not?!

 

The install was easy and not messy at all! I was able to get this done in a few hours and on my own (my husband isn’t a DIYer)

I LOVE it! The white and grey tones of this brick peel and stick wallpaper give the whole room a very clean and crisp look (plus is brightened up the room)

It really added a great ‘texture’ to the space or at least the appearance of texture.  I added a gallery wall with some fun art finds from my local HomeSense.

Other great finds from this Boys Bedroom Update:

I often shop for art and accessories at local stores like HomeSense and if you have ever shopped there you know that their inventory is constantly changing but these are some similar finds that you can purchase online….

Industrial table lamp

Plaid throw blanket

Star Wars Art

Baseball pillow

Whenever I decorate a child’s bedroom my goal is to keep it somewhat classic and have the ability for it to grow with the child.  I like to keep the main elements like walls and furniture adaptable to change with their interests – so having Star Wars themed bed sheets as opposed to a theme duvet or wall mural.  Diving into a theme can be costly, so I try to avoid breaking the bank! I also like to keep a calm and soothing bedroom, so I keep bolder colours off the walls and furniture and leave that to accessories.  My son loved his bedroom update and still loves this room today!

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10-most-popular-posts-2017

 

Rounding up our most popular posts from 2017…

Thank you so much for joining us this year on our design, decorating and home staging adventures – the one year anniversary of this ‘new’ blog is coming up and to celebrate we are doing so with a round up of our most popular posts of the past year. We love and appreciate all of your comments, likes and feedback! We hope that our projects have inspired you in some way and we look forward to sharing even more in this coming year!

Here’s our 10 most popular posts from 2017

10. In July, we joined the $100 room challenge…Kristi designed a homework station just before her children headed back to school.  The final results were super cute and we are so happy you liked them, too. Week 4: $100 Room challenge – Homework Station

9. In June, a project we had been working on since February was finally coming to a close. After all of the interior and exterior colour and material selections it was time to style this model townhome.  The look was clean and fresh with lots of great textures and neutrals. a mix of modern and industrial – the final results were fabulous. Take the tour…Home Tour: Stittsville Walk

 

8. Home staging is a MUST (but if you have been reading our blog at all, you already know that). There are some simple ‘props’ that you can use to spruce up the look of your home and make it more attractive.  We love to share home staging tips with you! 6 Best Props to Stage Your Home

 

7. What we are seeing every year is these new ‘hybrid’ styles of interior decor that are emerging each and every year.  Scandinavian design has come back into fashion in a huge way but Industrial is still here – so what happened? The birth of Scandi-Industrial and it is a very popular look.  Let us explain this ‘new’ look. What is Scandi-Industrial Home Decor Style? 

 

6. Why is Farmhouse style so popular? Another look that was huge in 2017 and continues to be popular is Farmhouse style.  We are both big fans but we still are able to put our own spin on the farmhouse look.  If you ever wondered why this look was so popular – we did too!

5. We love home decor – it’s our passion but for some they just want a place that looks great and they don’t know quite where to start – that’s where we come in with our tips on what every living room needs….10 Things Every Living Room Needs

 

4. The kitchen is the heart of any home so it has to look good! We love the classic feel and the versatility of the white shaker kitchen – you can give this staple a farmhouse feel or a contemporary look it all depends on what you pair it with.  Why the White Shaker Kitchen will Never be Out!

 

3. Millennial Pink had a big moment in 2017 and we sure loved it! Maddie certainly did – she certainly embraced the trend in her own home and we had to share some of our favourite rooms and decor pieces that celebrated the year of millennial pink. Millennial Pink Inspiration

2. You know that red and black checkered plaid that everyone seems to be rocking these days? Did you know it is called ‘Buffalo Check’? We love this winter inspired print in clothing but also in the home…make those cold and snowy winter days at home more inviting with this plaid. Decorating with Buffalo Check

 

and the number one post from 2017….The 8 Biggest Home Staging Mistakes to Avoid …home staging is a MUST (as you all know) but there are times when we can forget the basics of home staging and presentation. If you are selling your home – be sure to avoid these mistakes!

We hope you enjoy the little trip down memory lane with us and we will have even more to share in the up coming year. Cheers!

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5-amazing-dining-tables

We are so thrilled and happy to host a new guest blogger this week – Mark from Foosballzone.com

5 dining tables that are insanely awesome

A dining room is where the whole family sits and spends time together over lunch or supper so it is essential for them to feel good. With an astonishing dining table, you can make the whole space look amazing.  Due to that, I have made a rundown of 5 extremely stunning tables which will draw your family in the dining room. One thing you must keep an eye on is the fact that tables like those are not for everyone. Having an amazing table like that is a statement and you should be proud if you are looking to get one of the tables from the article:

Millenium Bontempi

The Millenium Bontempi is a dining table made for contemporary homes of individuals who value basic plan. Just by looking at the table you can see that it doesn’t have any excess decorations and it looks absolutely amazing. There are two shapes of the table; rectangular and roundabout shape so you can pick the table to fit your room. What I like the most is the fact that it is produced using one material. You can pick one from 3 materials: wood, glass and steel. The greatest highlights of the table are the legs. They aren’t in the corner of the table; they are in the middle of it.

Concrete table

The concrete table is a standout amongst the most fascinating dining tables on the market, but it comes with a catch.  It is challenging to locate the perfect one. The concrete table must be smooth, equally hued and with no breaks. That means that you don’t do that alone, you leave it for experts. The ideal blend you can discover that comes with a concrete tabletop is wooden legs. A table like that is impressive dining furniture and it is for a modern house.

Foosball dining table

Another dining table made for the bachelor’s apartment is a foosball dining table. Remember this isn’t just a foosball table with glass top, it is a table made to be a dining table. A table like that will leave an impact on everybody who comes into the room, including the ladies. A dining foosball table like this one has style and class. A tempered glass over the field is lifted because the height has to be like on the real dining table. The glass covers the rods so you won’t hit them while eating dinner.

Swing dining table

I can completely picture this table in a lunchroom in Google since it speaks to the casual environment you need to have in a lounge. It is made for individuals who are kids at heart and I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that this table will make you smile. Awesome for family dinners because it is a rare opportunity to see your grandmother in the swing! The table is completely safe and it has enough room between the swings so you won’t feel cramped.

Driftwood dining table

This table may not be modern, but it is absolutely amazing. A driftwood table is extraordinary furniture for any home since it tells to you its story. It would be a disgrace to put the driftwood table in little lounge area so I would propose putting it in an open space kitchen/lounge area. With tempered transparent glass on top a driftwood table, the extraordinary wood will be visible forever.

Author bio:

Mark is a blogger who has a blog about foosball tables. On his blog he shares all that one foosball player has to know, including the posts about various foosball tables like the one you can look at this link: http://www.foosballzone.com/sportcraft-foosball-table/

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2018-colour-of-the-year

It is that time of year where all of the fashion and home design experts are making their predictions for what will be the hot colour of the year…. Benjamin Moore has already announced their pick for colour of the year for 2018….Caliente – and just like the name suggests this colour is red hot.

More about the colour of the year….

This colour, Caliente, is hot, sexy and has lots of bold personality….this red hue has a touch of orange so it is a bit of a departure from the purple based wine tones. For anyone who is drawn to rich and warmer tones, caliente is Perfect!

Photo credit: Architectural Digest

 

The experts already were way ahead of this announcement and started to declare red as the new ‘millennial pink‘ over the summer months….

Red is a great next step from millennial pink….it is bold, a little unexpected in certain places (a red kitchen island….) . It can add a lot of richness to an exterior. It can be both feminine and masculine  depend on how you use it in your space.

How to decorate with the colour of the year…

This colour is so versatile … you can add this colour in a modern space that needs a colour injection but you can also make this work in a country or nautical inspired theme.  A Persian rug in this rich hue is another way to add this tone and some sophistication into any space.

Red Rug

This boho inspired room is so relaxed and the red makes a statement without taking over the space.  this room really combines a mix of styles like modern and traditional along with some great texture.

Photo credit: Havenly.com
 Add a touch of red with some pillows – a solid red pillow might be too much red so opt for some pattern … This living room styled by Pottery Barn has a great mix of boho and fresh coastal
Photo credit: Pottery Barn

 Red Furniture

 You can add a bold punch to your space with some red painted furniture.  This lake house bedroom is fresh and colourful with painted red twin beds…
Photo credit : Country Living
 

 Red sofa

Alright this is for someone who is really looking to e bold in their home decor.  A red sofa makes a statement but if you love colour…why not go bold? Red is a great colour for a major piece of furniture like a sofa because it really does work with a lot of other colours…

Photo credit : House of Turquoise

 Red accessories

Red is a great colour to accessorize with! Switching up your accessories along with new trends is an easy and affordable to change up the look of your decor…whether it’s pillows in a living room or bedroom or some kitchen items.

Photo credit: HGTV.com

 What do you think of Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the year?

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