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area rugs

how-to-clean-and-maintain-your-area-rug-for-long-lasting-beauty

Are you looking to take better care of your area rug? Area rugs are beautiful, but only if they remain in decent shape. You need to keep them clean, maintain them, and be proactive about their protection if you want them to last.

What do you need to do to keep your carpet looking great so you can enjoy it for years to come? Let’s explore everything you need to know in our simple guide on how to clean and maintain area rugs. Keep reading to learn more.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming your area rug is easy but very useful. It draws out tiny particles that you can’t see. These particles can damage your rug if you leave them.

Vacuuming often keeps your rug fresh and clean. It’s best if you vacuum your rug once a week. If the rug is in a busy part of your house, you might need to vacuum more.

Use a vacuum that has height-adjustable settings to save the rug’s fibers from deterioration. To protect the rug’s fibers, handle it gently. Recall that a clean rug looks nicer and lasts longer.

Rotate Your Rug

Rotating your area rug is a simple task. Yet, it has a big impact on the rug’s longevity. This task is all about moving your rug around. Doing this every few months can help avoid damage. High-traffic spots on your rug get worn out faster. By rotating, you spread out this wear. This means all parts of the rug wear out evenly.

The best way to remember is to rotate with the seasons. When the new season starts, turn your rug. This keeps your rug looking fresh. It also makes sure your rug lasts a long time. It’s a small task, but it helps keep your rug beautiful longer.

Blot Spills Immediately

Blotting spills on your area rug is key. Don’t wait, act fast! Stains set in if you delay. Find a clean cloth or a paper towel and use this to blot the spill. “Blotting” means pressing down softly. Pressing on the spill helps absorb the liquid. Don’t rub or scrub, rubbing can spread the stain. It can also harm the rug fibers. Your goal is to soak up the spill. Blot from the outside of the spill towards the inside. This keeps the stain from spreading.

Handle with Care

Just like rustic furniture, your area rug needs careful handling. Dragging or pushing your rug can cause harm. This is true for all rugs, even those that seem strong. When you need to move your rug, lift it gently. Don’t pull or drag it. This can lead to tears or stretching. If your rug is big, ask for help. Two people can make the task easier and safer.

Use Rug Padding

Rug padding is an essential investment when it comes to area rug maintenance. Not only does it provide added cushioning and comfort, but it also helps protect your rug from damage. Rug padding acts as a barrier between the rug and the flooring surface, preventing slipping and shifting which can cause premature wear and tear. It also helps to reduce friction between the rug and the floor, which can cause damage to the rug fibers over time. Rug padding also helps make your rug feel softer. It’s like a cushion for your feet. So, it’s not just for your rug’s health. It’s for your comfort too.

Shake Out Your Rug

Giving your area rug a good shake is easy. Yet, it’s a big help. This task is all about taking your rug outside. Once there, you just shake it. What does this do? It gets rid of dirt. It also shakes out any loose debris. Not all rugs can be shaken. This task is best for smaller rugs. Can’t carry your rug? Then skip this task. Remember, shaking is a quick way to clean your rug. It also freshens up your rug. It’s a simple step, but it makes a big difference.

Deep Clean Twice a Year

While regular vacuuming and spot cleaning can keep your rug looking clean, it is important to deep clean it at least twice a year. You might do it once in the spring. Then, you might do it again in the fall. There are a few ways to deep clean. Some people hire a pro, while others do it themselves. If you hire a pro, they will bring tools. They will also bring cleaning solutions. They know just how to clean your rug. If you do it yourself, you’ll need the right tools. You’ll also need the right cleaning solutions. Take your time and do it right.

Protect Your Rug from Sunlight

Protecting your area rug from sunlight is important. Sunlight can cause damage and your rug can fade if it’s in the sun too much. This means the colors can become less bright. You can protect your rug in simple ways. Think about where your rug is. Does it get a lot of sun? If yes, consider moving it. You can also use curtains or blinds. These help to block the sun. This means less sunlight gets on your rug.

Use Professional Cleaning

When to call a pro? Once a year is a good rule. This is in addition to your regular cleaning. This way, your rug gets a deep clean every year.

What do the pros do? They use special equipment and they can do more than your regular vacuum. It can draw out hidden dirt and also tackle stubborn stains.

Maximizing the Longevity of Your Area Rug

Proper maintenance is key to keeping your area rug looking its best for years to come. By following these tips, you can ensure that your rug remains clean, fresh, and beautiful.

Remember, a well-maintained rug not only adds to the aesthetics of a room but also contributes to a healthy and hygienic living space. So take good care of your area rug and enjoy its long-lasting beauty. Happy cleaning! 

Did this article help you? If so, take a look at some of our other blog posts for more informative reads.

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how-to-choose-the-perfect-rug-for-your-room

Like many things in interior design choosing a rug can seem like a perfectly simple decision. In many ways it is, but like many other pieces a rug can literally make a break the flow, mood and appearance of a room theme.

Of course, practical restraints like budget and cost come into consideration. The perfect rug for your ideal room might be made of organic wool sourced from New Zealand or Scotland. But we can’t all have that luxury.

Unlimited budgets aside, the main points are simply style and size. So, let’s get started.

What Size of Rug is Right for My Room?

The answer to what size of rug do I need really comes down to your preference of how you want to room to look.

The first option is if the rug is going to be the defining style for what the eye sees on the floor. Do you want the main visual on the floor to be the rug? I.e. your furniture sits on it completely? If so then you’re going to want to leave at least 12-18 inches of floor visible from the wall on all four sides. This helps create a nice separation between the wooden flooring underneath and the style of the rug.

The second option is if you only want the front two legs of your major items of furniture to sit on the rug. This is more budget friendly than a ‘whole room’ rug, but still gives the rug a commanding presence in the room’s appearance.

The final option is what is referred to as the ‘no legs’ option where a smaller rug is simply placed in the centre of the room. The only legs touching a rug of this size would be all four legs on your centre piece coffee table. As you would expect this is also the lowest cost option as it uses the least material.

What Style of Rug Should I Choose?

There is obviously no ‘correct’ style of rug, it is completely down to your personal preference. But a rug that you like the look of in isolation might not work with the theme of the rest of your room.

So here are some simple rules to help you get it right:

1 – Know your colour contrasts

In most cases you’re going to want the colour of the rug to contrast with the colour of your furniture. You can look up colour palettes on a number of different interior design blogs to help you get started. But a trend which is in just now and helps demonstrate the concept would be contrasting a grey furniture palette with a mustard rug and cushions.

It’s important to create these visual contrasts to make the room flow correctly and give it an appealing look.

2 – Patterns only belong in one place

If you like the look of a patterned rug, such as a rag rug then you need to make sure that your furniture is not pattered as well. Keep the furniture plain and let the rug do the talking if you want a vibrant and visual patterned rug as a centre piece.

This is an easy mistake to make, because even a subtle imprint pattern on your sofa and chairs for example can really cause a clash and ruin an otherwise carefully constructed room design.

3 – Be careful with texture matching 

Similar to pattern matching you need to be careful on the rug texture as well. If you have a high volume fluffy rug then you need to be careful about what cushions you have on your furniture.

The hard and fast rule would be to match your rug texture with a similar feel on your cushions. For example fluffy rug matched with fluffy cushions. A tight knit firm rug should be matches with smooth cushions.

Final Thoughts…

All in all if you still feel lost you should go to showrooms and take inspiration from displays that you like there. Or if because of current covid restrictions showrooms in your area are close, you can browse Pinterest or Instagram interior design accounts.

More often than not whoever has staged a showroom will get it right and you can copy their design, and the same thing goes for popular social channels.

Good luck!

SHOP AREA RUGS…

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Neutral rugs – let’s talk about one of my favorite decor items. I am a big fan of neutral decor – I know it sounds a bit boring but I love mixing textures and playing with pattern and all within a neutral palette. A rug with pattern or texture (or both) is a perfect addition for any room in your home. My own home has neutral rugs throughout and I have found some great options – and I’m sharing my favorites with you…

Neutral Rugs Inspiration…

Let’s get inspired ! – Here are some of my favorite rooms with neutral floor coverings…

Photo credit: Amazon

This room is a combination of so many neutrals! I love the pillow combination – that green colour is so rich and dramatic. The texture element with tassels and pompoms – add some whimsy to the room. And the brass metallic accent is subtle but adds another textural element. And this rug…love it! I love the versatility of it – plus a mix of neutral tones with pattern and texture, it adds a subtle statement to the room.

Photo credit: HomeBunch

I love the distressed look of this rug – it adds so much character to this bedroom. This dreamy bedroom is layered with neutrals – I love the black night stands and the small black accents in the bench and ceiling fan. I love the linen texture on the bed – it is so soothing, fresh and relaxing. This rug is a big statement piece – it’s like having a big art piece that pulls it all together!

So why decorate with neutrals?

  • Neutrals are easy to decorate with – you can mix them with bold colours or with other neutrals – they are so versatile!
  • Neutrals are timeless – sure trends come and go but neutrals are never out!
  • Neutrals can be in a cool palette or warm palette – so you do have options…
  • Neutrals work with different styles – modern, farmhouse, boho, traditional etc…
  • Decorating with neutrals allows for you to play with and feature other design elements such as texture and pattern

Shop…

  1. Southwest flatweave rug
  2. Flat weave natural rug
  3. Casablanca southwest shag rug
  4. Artistic Weavers Amalia rug
  5. Woodrum southwest rug
  6. Tashi Hand Knotted rug
  7. Diamond Texture Trellis rug
  8. Modern abstract rug
  9. Safavieh multi/cream rug
  10. Keagan Grey area rug
  11. Tribal diamond rug with tassels (no longer available but here’s a similar option)
  12. Safavieh Cosmopolitan Zenovia Vintage Rug

All of these rugs are so versatile and they very in terms of pattern, texture and detail. But these could work in many rooms and many decor styles. I love what a rug can do for a room, too!

Do you have a favorite neutral rug?

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I’m working with a client right now and we have been decorating her new home. It has been so much fun! Right now we are almost finished with her master bedroom. We have selected, ordered and placed almost all if the pieces – but we still have not decided on a rug. The look for her bedroom is soft, soothing and a beautiful space to relax at the end of a long day.  We opted for furniture with slightly darker than natural wood tones (but we wanted the wood look). The headboard is upholstered with tufting details and a wingback which adds so much presence in the room. The table lamps and accent mirrors will be flanking the bed for his and hers plus balance in the room.  The bedding is slighting more feminine with a modern floral motif but the grey and white tones keep it looking gender neutral.  The soft pop of lavender adds a splash of colour but it is soothing.

Shop the Master Bedroom Look

  1. Upholstered Headboard
  2. Accent mirror
  3. Table lamp
  4. Accent pillow
  5. Decorative succulents (faux)
  6. 2 drawer nightstand
  7. Bedding set

Master Bedroom area rug options

So this is where we are a bit stuck. There are so many options that we love and we just have not decided on one area rug yet.  The floors in the bedroom are a medium stained oak hardwood.  The area rug will not cover the hardwood completely but area rugs always help to define and anchor a space.

  1. Arana Hand-Tufted Area Rug
  2. Makenzie Woolen Cable Hand-Woven Area Rug
  3. Marcelo Hand-Woven Area Rug
  4. Hillsby Area Rug
  5. Arviso Hand-Woven Wool Area Rug
  6. Brandt Dark Grey Area Rug

Help us decide and let us know your favorite for this master bedroom!

BEDTIME FAVOURITES….

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scandinavian-rugs

Scandinavian Rugs…

If you have been following home decor trends no doubt you have come across Scandinavian inspired rugs.  Typically they are black and white and with some type of ‘tribal’ pattern.  The shapes and patterns look almost hand drawn. Many of these rugs have a shaggy texture adding to the character of this trend.

Photo credit : 79ideas.org

This hand woven rug is a great example of the Scandinavian rugs that are trending now.  These rugs add a bold pop of pattern in a space so for those of your that like a clean and minimal look but worry that it might be boring – this is a perfect option!

These rugs are versatile

Scandinavian inspired rugs also work well with industrial style – they are neutral, they add some texture and print into an industrial space plus the ‘hand drawn’ designs work with the imperfect nature of industrial style. The blend of minimal and clean Scandinavian style and the raw material industrial look have created a look known as Scandi-industrial

Photo credit : Kathy Kuo Home

Scandinavian rugs also work well with modern farmhouse – the subtle and neutral designs add visual interest to this farmhouse look –  we used a Scandinavian inspired rug in one of our recent model home designs – we love the subtle and soft pattern in the space.  The mix of textures and patterns in this room make this space interesting and deep.

Shop Scandinavian Rugs…

Love the look of these neutral pattern rugs? So do we! Here are some of our favourite Scandinavian inspired rugs …

This rug is a great find on amazon – we love the black and white motif and the pattern is visually interesting and has a ‘tribal’ inspired feel.

This rug is very similar to the one we used in our recent model home project.  This pattern is very subtle and the cool combination of grey and white is very one trend.

This rug is a great deal on Amazon (8 x 10 for under $300!) – has a bit more contrast with the ivory and charcoal tone and the pattern is so unique -which is why we love it!

More black and white …. the diamond pattern is popular in these Scandinavian rugs and this one has some amazing shaggy textures which brings some texture to the room.

This rug has such a unique pattern (imagine this paired with some reclaimed wood) – it’s like art on the floor!

We love what area rugs can do for a room…don’t you?

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Stripes are a classic and even better they can work with any decor style!  If you have read any of our posts, you know that we love a print and mixing patterns.  So if you are thinking of trying out a pattern in your space consider a stripe – it’s very transitional, it come in all scales and colours, too! You can’t go wrong!  Not sure where to add this classic pattern? We have some ideas for you!

Wall treatment

– whether it’s wall paper or a streamlined paint job – try stripe son the wall.  You can get as big and bold as you like in terms of colour and scale – or opt for a classic neutral. It could fill an entire room or just an accent wall.  We also love to layer our patterns, so don’t be shy to add some art, photography and mirrors over your striped wall.

Pillows

– this is an easy addition (or subtraction) in a room.  Adding some printed pillows can completely elevate the look of your room.  There’s just something about a pattern that adds a designer look to a space.  Some of the great things about pillows is that they aren’t permanent, the selection is endless and they are affordable!  On a sofa, side chair, bed – they work everywhere!

Furniture

– this might be an intimidating step for many but trust us!  A stripe furniture piece can really add a WOW factor to a space.  We do recommend sticking with a neutral palette if you are opting for a pattern piece – it’s easier to work with long term as you want to change up your decor.  And for someone that likes neutrals this can add another sophisticated element to your room, mix it with some other patterns and some solid to give it a designer look.

Drapery

– We love what window coverings can do to a space – from a functional side but also a decor side – sure they block the sunlight (or an unpleasant view) but also add a softness and again, visual interest in a room.  Whether it’s panels or roman blinds – we love them both!  This is a great option for a living space, dining room and a bedroom – we love a stripe window treatment in a kids’ room so timeless and it can grow up with them!

Floor covering

– we love area rugs in any room, they add another layer of softness, they are nice on bare feet,  they pull a room together and of course, it’s another opportunity to add some pattern.  Area rugs can be pricey depending on the size and material you choose, so if you are concerned about budget consider a classic pattern like a stripe.  A stripe area rug is a classic (we have said this a few times, but it’s true!).

Outdoor furniture and accessories

– decorating your outdoor living space is no longer boring! There are so many options for furniture, umbrellas and accessories, too.  We love the look of a stripe in an outdoor space, it’s so fresh and clean! Pillows, umbrellas, cushions and even rugs – it’s up to you!

Stripes are everything – fun, classic, fresh, bold, and also soft – it’s all about the colour tones and what you mix them with this print – you can’t go wrong with bringing stripes into your world…

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“I see cowhide rugs everywhere.  I purchased one but it’s too small for my living room.  How can I use it ?”

Cowhide (real or faux) is a great way to add some natural animal elements to a room and also some texture.  We love how every cowhide is unique – it’s adds a cool and organic element to a room.  But you are right the size can be tricky especially in a larger room.

Try this – it’s actually a great trick for any area rug that you want to use that’s too small…

Layer it!

Yes, that’s right – layer it!  OK let us explain.  The cowhide is going to add a great graphic pop or natural texture to your space.  Underneath the cowhide use another rug in the correct size – in a neutral tone (we highly recommend a rug that is close in tone to the wall to wall floors).  We love the look of another natural textured rug like a sea grass or sisal or recycled leather but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are some examples:

Here the black and white cowhide is layered over a natural sisal – the mix of textures adds an extra element to the room.  Also the black and white pillows add even more visual interest in the space.

Try layering multiple rugs in one room.  Keep the largest one in a neutral and then the medium one is next and lat the smallest.  Feel free to lay them in an off set manner.  They don’t need to be completely centered and perfect. We like the look in this clean and modern space.  The walls being white allow for a ‘busier’ floor.  Notice the cream rug is layered with a black and white stripe and a cow hide.  It adds such a sophisticated feel to the space.

This is also a great way to update a space that has wall to wall carpet

You might think that this technique doesn’t make a difference but it does!  The larger rug pulls the eye out and wide and the smaller rug adds a pop of colour/print so the room still looks big and spacious whereas just having an area rug that’s too small will make the room appear small as well. In order for this to be effective – the largest rug must be of the proper size for the room.

You can also angle the rugs – they don’t have to be straight on and centered. This can work in any room, too!

This is a great way to still use your favourite area rugs even though they are too small!

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It’s officially November and we can all see it, not just on the calendar but outside, too!  The days are shorter, the leaves have fallen off of the trees and those beautiful fall colours have turned to grey….everything is just a little dreary.  So maybe it’s time for a change, a dash of colour and some fun at home.

The easiest way to make a change to your space to liven it up is with colour.  Here are some of favourite (and easy) ideas to add some pop to your decor.

1 – Florals.

This is perfect for anyone non-committal, fresh flowers don’t last for after about 10 days – they will need replacing. Or try some silk flowers, these keep, they are low maintenance and you can bring them out when ever our home needs an extra boost! They look great in bedrooms, bathrooms, on coffee tables and more….

2 – Art.

Such an easy way to add as much or as little colour as you like.  Any style of art piece can have colour from abstract to landscapes – go with what you love.  You can use the colours in that piece as an inspiration for adding even more colour in that room, so not, it’s up to you!

3 – Area rugs.

Think of them as art on the floor.  This is a great way to make a statement in any room.  Mixing colour and pattern can really transform a room.  The options are endless!

4 – Drapery.

A fun way to add colour, pattern and texture to your space.  This can really wake up a neutral space.  Like area rugs – the choices are plentiful…

5 – Small furniture pieces.

Keep your main furniture pieces neutral but try adding an accent chair, side table or stool in a colour.  This is unique and it’s a great way to show off your personality.  We love this kitchen with orange stools – it really adds some fun to a mostly white on white space.

6 – Decor pillows.

This is probably the easiest way to give your room a colourful update.  We love to mix bold colours, patterns and complimentary colours against a neutral sofa or bed.

7 – Accent wall.

If you feel you need a bigger change, consider a painting accent wall in a fun colour or splashy wallpaper.

Colour your world – add a little or a lot …

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“Summer is almost over but I love the look and laid back feel of my rattan furniture.  Is there a way to bring rattan pieces inside so I can keep that summer style all year?”

It is so sad to see summer on it’s way out – no matter how great the summer is it never seems long enough.  Rattan aka wicker furniture definitely has an outdoor air about it but it can definitely be brought indoors.  You definitely want to avoid bringing certain outdoor pieces inside, many are too bulky and don’t “translate” well inside.  If you love rattan than use it indoors and follow these tips.

1.  Mix.

Don’t have an all rattan set like a dining set indoors.  It just looks like you brought the BBQ inside.  Try this instead. The rattan chairs have an indoor look with clean parson style legs and the slip covered captain chairs in a light airy canvas fabric help to soften all of the wood tones and textures.  This dining space has that breezy and laid back style but it still looks like an indoor space.

2. Moderation.

A little bit can go a long way.  Try a few accents on indoor pieces.  This contemporary kitchen table with a touch of rattan on the seats only gives the space a casual look but doesn’t change the style of the space.  It adds an organic and natural touch to the space adding warmth and texture.

3. Decor.

Rattan has so much texture and warmth but maybe using it in furniture is too much for you or maybe it doesn’t work with your style.  Try using wicker baskets for storage and decor. We love the look of this wicker plate/basket ‘gallery wall’ it really softens up the modern streamlined look in this space and it gives the whole space such a unique style and up against the white washed brick wall it is a great contrast.

4. More than just seating.

Rattan is used in many pieces of furniture not just chairs, look at using a rattan ‘trunk’ as a coffee table or maybe a toy box.

5. Streamline.

Be sure to use items that have clean lines and feel free to add some great pops of colour and pattern but use indoor fabrics so the whole piece looks and feels like it belongs inside. We also love this image because of the wicker basket by the fireplace.

6. Colour.

Don’t love the natural look of rattan but love the texture? Paint it!!  It is so easy to do.  be sure to do it outdoors and choose any spray paint colour you like!  It’s a great way to customize your furniture on a budget.  Go as big and bold as you like

7. Tight on space?

Try stacking low wicker ottomans for coffee tables, end tables and maybe even some spare seating.  These are so versatile and we love them!

8.  Bedroom.

Wicker and rattan have a great way of making the bedroom cozy.  We love it as a textured headboard.  It looks amazing against a bold accent wall and the tone and texture add so much warmth to the space.  It is a great addition to a coastal or beach inspired room.

9. Lighting.

Rattan and wicker  light shades look great either as table lamps, floor lamps or pendants.  The texture is so organic and sculptural.  It works with so many styles of decor.

10. Alternative, sisal.

Sisal and rattan/wicker have similar tones and textures. If you are looking to add this natural texture and tone to your space but not finding furniture pieces you like or don’t want to buy new furniture pieces a sisal rug on the floor.  A classic casual area rug gives any space a casual look and works with most styles of decor.

We love what texture can do for a room, any room…

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The open concept plan is still very popular.  Buyers love it because it is so open and fluid.  You have many options for furniture placement and layout – open concept allows you to do so much in a smaller space.  But open concept can be intimidating and tough to visualize.

As home stagers, we understand how buyers get ‘stumped’ when they see a big and empty open concept space.  Where do I put my sofa? TV? dining space?  Will my furniture fit? It’s very intimidating and over whelming.

This is why staging is so important.  when we stage a home we not only make it pretty for pictures but we think about living and entertaining in the space.  We think about the common questions that buyers have.

Here’s a great example of an open concept living/dining room in a townhouse.

Photo from centsationalgirl.com

It’s a great space for living and entertaining.  Seeing this property vacant you would never guess that you could have dining for six, a sectional and an armchair plus plenty of room to walk around.  So how did this work? Well, the size and scale of furniture is important but so is the placement.  Planning really is key.

A sectional adds so much seating and a clean line which is one of the reasons we love them.  We used the light cream tone because it is neutral and it brightens up the space.  By using a mix of bold and pattern pillows this brings some life into the room.  We love area rugs for a few reasons: they add some soft texture, colour and pattern to a room but they also help define the space.  This rug helps buyers visually understand this space is the living room and over there is the dining area.  It’s like building a wall.

 

You can apply the same ideas to a condo space.

Photo from westernlivingmagazine.com

What you will notice these images have in common:

sofas: choose the largest possible sofas to maximize on seating and the other furniture is a bit smaller
lighting: you do not have matching table lamps on matching end tables.  Instead have floor and table lamps around the room to help spread the light around the room
area rug: to add some colour, pattern and/or texture; they also define the rooms and pull the space together

Remember the following when it comes to decorating an open concept space:

– size and scale matter but look for the largest dining table and sofa that will work in the space.  Lots of little items will make it look and feel cramped.
– glass is a great way to get surface space without the bulk
– area rugs help define spaces without building walls
– a consistent colour concept with make the space look fluid and make it feel larger
– layer your light so add table lamps, floor lamps, under valance light in the kitchen
– get creative with nooks and corners – think storage, organizing or work spaces.
– think lifestyle.

Make the space work with your life,

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