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Skip the Reno: Ways to improve your Bathroom on a Budget

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Maybe you were in the middle of planning a spa bathroom make-over when your second eldest child announced that she was accepted into law school. Perhaps the décor has been fine in the past, but now you feel that your bathroom could do with more color and new decorations. And especially if you have a small bathroom and fantasize about knocking down a wall or two to accommodate a whirlpool bathtub, but can’t go that route for whatever reason, you might think it’s a lost cause. However, with a little creative thinking, elbow grease and some serious bargain hunting, you can give your bathroom a new look without it have to be a costly or time-consuming venture.

 Take Inventory then Spring Clean

Of course you clean your bathroom on a regular basis, but if you’re like many of us, stuff tends to accumulate in the bathroom vanity drawers and our bathroom cupboards can become cluttered with old medicine prescriptions, abandoned beauty products and multiple bottles of the same brand of shampoo (because we thought we were running out and we weren’t). Sort through all of your bathroom storage space and throw out or recycle everything that you no longer need or use.

Once you’ve finished spring cleaning your bathroom, take a few minutes just to look around and assess the room as it is now. What jumps out at you? Do the towels look a little shabby? Has the shower curtain had its day? Are the lighting fixtures the original ones from the 70s? Make a list of all the things you would like to change; then prioritize the list in terms of what you can do in the near future and what will have to wait. 

Refresh and Renew

Since most bathrooms are typically smaller in size in comparison to the other rooms in your home, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to give your bathroom a new look is to paints. Particularly if the walls haven’t been repainted in seven to 10 years, it will be worth your while.

Re-accessorize. Buy several sets of new towels that you can change with the seasons; replace the worn-out shower curtain and bath mat; add decorative lotion bottles, a soap dish or a new bathroom mirror. You’d be amazed at how any one of these little changes can make a big difference.

Has the caulking around the shower or tub turned gray and dingy and/or become cracked and unsightly? Remove it and replace it with new caulking.

Purchase a new vanity and install a new sink. If that’s not in your budget right now, replace the sink and/faucet. For a stylish, cohesive look buy matching taps and shower head for the tub/shower.

Giving your bathroom a new look doesn’t have to involve an expensive renovation. Pick one or more of these simple ways to give your bathroom a new look while on a budget.

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Posted in Bathroom Furniture & Design Ideas, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture | 1 Comment »

From the Design Files of Heather B – Moving from the Southwest to Minnesota

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Design Question

I’m from the sunny southwest and I love light and white and comfy inviting places. We’ve moved to *Minnesota!*.  The winters are long, cold, and mostly dark all the time. I miss the light and friends being able to pop over any time of day to drink some sweet sun tea (it’s a major ordeal to leave your house in the winter here).

We just bought our first house and it has good windows/natural light. The big entertainment center will go, the divider wall and entryway tile will go, and all the trim and windows are being installed white. There is gray/tan tile in the dining room and kitchen, and our floor plan is very open – you can see the dining room and kitchen from living room. We need to put down new flooring in the living area – which is where I need help, that and paint colors.

I want a wood floor in the living room and hallway. I can’t decide if I should go with a Scandinavian look with white walls and light wood floors, or do light walls and a dark wood floor. I like the look of both, and I have found lots of photos that seem to “decorate with light” and show white on white, but none with dark couches and dark floors that don’t look cave-like, or light floors with dark couches. I’m having a hard time deciding what would look best and not make my home look dark.

Design Answer

Congratulations on your new home. What a great space! I think you made the right choice to replace all the trim and the dark-framed windows with white. You should definitely make the most of them, especially as you mentioned, come winter time, you’ll be glad for whatever natural light you get in the space.

It is my understanding that you are keeping the tile that is currently in the kitchen and dining room. Because it includes lighter hues, my instinct tells me that light wood floors with white walls would work better with the tile than a dark wood floor. I think this would also be a better choice for the hallway, since from your photograph it appears dark and very closed in – the lighter color choice will help to “open” up the hallway and make it brighter. I know you said that you would be getting rid of the entertainment center, but in terms of color, it does work well with the furniture in the room. In terms of the lighter floor color, if or when you add wood furniture to the space, I wouldn’t go any darker than your dining table or the entertainment center.

If you do go with the lighter colors for both the floor and the walls, I would also consider bringing more color into space, especially warm colors like soft yellow, pale gold, even orange. You may even want to pick two accent colors, one for one wall in the dining room and another accent color for one of the walls in the living room. Because the dining room directly faces your front door, I would pick the wall with the window on it (in the dining room) for your accent color. By placing pictures on either side of the window, or a group of pictures just on one side or adding a piece of furniture like a corner curio cabinet creates a focal point for your visitors and helps to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Thanks for writing in. Let me know how it turns out. Good luck!

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Posted in Dining Room Furniture & Design, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Living Room Furniture & Design | No Comments »

Out in the Open – Transitional Style for Open Concept Living Spaces

Friday, August 27th, 2010

If you’ve just bought a condo or purchased a loft or moved into a bachelor/studio apartment for the first time, it might have never occurred to you before how are you going to decorate a space where all the “rooms” run one into another. Do you have to stick to one wall color? How do you arrange the living room furniture? Are you going to be stuck with the kitchen in your peripheral vision while you’re watching television? Even though you have considerably less space to work with when decorating a bachelor or studio apartment than you do when moving into a condo or a loft, the principles for making an open concept floor plan comfortable and inviting will be the same. Choosing an interior design style like transitional for an open concept home, will give your living space a contemporary synergy while honoring certain traditional elements that add sophistication and a chic sensibility.

 The good news is you can choose only one for the whole space or not; it’s really a personal preference. You do however, want avoid painting the same wall two different colors even if they are a part of two distinctly different areas, like the dining room and the living room, unless it makes “sense” visually. However, picking an accent wall and choosing to paint it another color, especially a bold one, will give your transitional style living space definition, while letting you introduce more color into your interior design.

It’s important to mark out individual areas of an open concept home: having clearing defined areas, each with a specific purpose, prevents the furniture from appearing “lost” or “jumbled.” Transitional style living room furniture and dining furniture include traditional decorative and architectural elements as interpreted by contemporary design principles is a great way to decorate a condo, loft or studio apartment, because you can select furniture for the different open areas, that while still transitional in style, possess a slightly different look or feel. Even though everything is out in the open, some other ways to create the sense of separate rooms are:

  • Use a different area rug for you dining area than the one chosen for the living room
  • “Divide” up the space with strategically placed open shelf bookcases or decorative folding screens
  • Hang artwork on the walls that emphasizes what the particular space is being used for (pictures of Parisian cafes or outdoor bistros in the dining area)

When choosing furniture for an open area living space, select furniture pieces like a coffee table or an entertainment center that includes hidden storage. Dual or multi-purpose furnishings such a hallway bench or an ottoman coffee table will increase your storage options in the long run, giving you more place to tidy things away – something that is ultra important in an open design condo, loft or apartment.

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Posted in Dining Room Furniture & Design, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Interior Design Styles, Living Room Furniture & Design | No Comments »

Skip the Reno: Ways to improve your Kitchen

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

If you have a kitchen that is in need of a renovation that you just can’t afford right now, but it’s is driving you a little crazy, there are some inexpensive things that you can do right now to improve the space. You can get a lot of redecorating mileage out of simply taking inventory of your kitchen and making note of what needs your immediate attention. Particularly if the kitchen is small, include a “spring cleaning” as part of your inventory process – discovering what needs to be removed (permanently), replaced or recycled will free up cupboard and counter space, giving you more room to work with.

Think Color

Mix it up color wise. Bring as many different colors into the space as you can without making it feel “busy” or cluttered. A blue glass vase with yellow and white flowers in it sitting on a stone counter can add that perfect accent. A cheerful ceramic bowl displaying fresh fruit brightens up a kitchen while making it feel welcoming.

Think Upgrading

It doesn’t have to mean a major expense. When finding ways to give your kitchen a facelift without a major renovation, choosing one thing in your kitchen that you would like to change, for example the kitchen taps, will make a big difference to the look and feel of the space. Especially if something is outdated like the faucet or the kitchen cabinet hardware, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to upgrade one specific thing or area.

Think Accessories

When accessorizing, think practical and pretty. Curtains, decorative shelving or hanging baskets can convert a bland kitchen into a pleasant place to spend time, preparing a meal, making the kids a snack or just hanging out with the family.

Think Furniture

Particularly if it’s a small kitchen, avoid placing items such as a trash can on the floor. Not only does it use up valuable floor space but it can give the kitchen an untidy look. Pieces of furniture like the Venture Horizon Granite Top Butcher Bin Venture Horizon Granite Top Butcher Bin with Pantry that is multipurpose will add both functionality and style to any food prep area. The Winsome Drop Leaf Table with 2 Square Stools doubles as a breakfast bar and a kitchen cart, providing you with versatile, space-saving solutions.

Today’s kitchens aren’t just for meal prep any more. The modern kitchen is often the social hub of the house, whether you’re hanging out with the family, entertaining friends or need somewhere to finish your cup of coffee while completing the Sunday crossword. But it’s not going to be the heart of your home if you’re unhappy with the space. Without going through a major reno, try some of these ways to breathe new life into your kitchen without having to break the budget.

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Posted in Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Kitchen Furniture & Design | 4 Comments »

From the Design File of Heather B – Accent Color Paint Choice

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Design Question

I need advice on interior paints. Currently I have Fresh cut Grass (~ cream from Benjamin Moore) colour in my living room. I also have lot of Cherry wood furniture on dotted gum (Brown) wood floor. I like to paint one wall with a different colour. Could you please advise me which colour goes with this setup?

Design Answer

You’re definitely starting off on the right foot. When choosing an accent color for a living room, you want to take several elements into consideration: the main paint color choice (fresh cut grass); the predominant color of the furniture whether it’s construction material of the furniture or the fabric of the sofa/chairs; and the mood you would like to create with your paint choice. Another thing to remember about choosing an accent color is that many people think that it must be bolder or darker than the main color that has been chosen, but it all depends on your personal taste and the effect you would like to achieve.

Warm Colors

Warm colors are red, orange and yellow. They, of course, include any shades, tints and hues in the red, orange and yellow color families. Warm colors have specific characteristics that contribute to the overall mood of the living room and how it interacts with the rest of the living room furniture. A warm color has the appearance of “moving toward you” which is why bright reds, yellows and oranges have a tendency to make a room look smaller in the cozy sense (not the cramped sense). Because warm colors are closely associated with fire, they energize a room. 

Cool Colors

Cool colors don’t mean “cold,” but they do have the opposite effect of warm colors. Cool colors include blue, green and violet. A cool color looks like it is “moving away from you.” This will make the room seem larger; contributing a sense of distance or space in the living room’s décor. Cool colors have a comfortable soothing and tranquil vibe to them.

Even if we are conscious of the affect that color has on us, the color choices in a room does contribute to the overall mood. So, it really is a personal preference, depending on whether you would like your living room to energize (warm accent colors) you or to soothe (cool accent colors) you. However, from the description that you gave me of your living room, but without seeing any photographs, I would be drawn to warm color choices.

I hope this has been helpful. I answer your design questions every Monday, so keep sending them in! I love to hear from all of you.

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Posted in Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture, Living Room Furniture & Design | 2 Comments »

Mix and Match or Mishmash? – Eclectic Style Dining Room

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Eclectic style is appealing to many people because it isn’t just one style, but rather a pleasant mix and match of a number of different elements and influences. And because it’s the one style that is unashamedly not bound by rules, it is a good place to start if you’re consciously decorating a room or living space for the first time. While there may not be prescribed rules for eclectic style, when planning a dining room interior design, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind so that everything works together and even though different elements are involved, the overall effect ends up harmonious.

Balance

A dining room can often end up naturally eclectic. When furnishing a dining room, of course the most important piece of furniture is the dining set. You chose contemporary style for your dining area because the lines were casual and relaxed, and you could easily blend it with the kitchen which had been already decorated. Once the dining table and matching chairs have been bought and used for awhile, you might want to repurpose a dresser as a sideboard or add an armoire or china cabinet that was given to you by a favorite aunt. The styles don’t match, but that’s okay. It’s eclectic. The first trick to eclectic style decorating is balance – balance the contemporary dining table with your aunt’s traditional china cabinet; the oversized traditional cabinet with a transitional sideboard; the bold wall color with earth-toned or neutral upholstered dining chairs.

Furniture

Furniture for an eclectic dining room should include a variety of profiles, lines and finishes. But again, keep balance in mind. While you want to mix and match more contemporary furnishings with traditional reproduction pieces, you will want to do so in moderation. Yes, there are no rules, but for eclectic style to really work, moderation and even restraint can save your dining room interior design from becoming too busy or even making the space feel claustrophobic.

Finishing Off

Eclectic style allows you to create the exact mood that you want for your dining room – it can be formal in the traditional sense; chic with a causal vibe; laid-back or dramatically sophisticated. Layering is important: a clever blend of textures, colors and finishes give an eclectic style dining room meaning and depth. When accessorizing, don’t forget to pair a collectible pottery jug with an antique-style porcelain piece; window treatments, rugs and furniture fabrics are a mix of materials like silk and wool; and a variety of finishes like distressed wood finishes matched with wrought iron and brass lamp bases.

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Posted in Dining Room Furniture & Design, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Interior Design Styles | No Comments »

Board Silly – Accent Tables that will Amuse You

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

An accent table is often used to complement the décor by adding another focal point or additional layer of texture to the living room’s interior design. The distinguishing characteristic of accent tables is their beautiful and detailed design that gives any room a unique, decorative touch. Another defining characteristic of an accent table is that it typically combines functionality with style or esthetics. Accent tables can be utilized in a number of ways: as end tables in a living room; as a side table placed next to a recliner or armchair in a den; or as a conversation piece in a bedroom or guest room. Designed with a den, living room or game room in mind, some accent tables will even amuse you. An accent table that can be unfolded or opened from table to game board or one that has a game board for a tabletop lends a room a decidedly aristocratic and sophisticated air.

The Lexington Barclay Square Newbury Distressed Square Game Table is the perfect example of an accent table that elegantly combines style with function. When it’s not being used as a game table, you can convert into a dining table for four. It’s also the ideal place to put a vase or drink a cup of coffee on a weekend morning while doing the crossword.

To create a space that is both a functional workplace and personal retreat, the AA Importing Weathered Blue Chess Table adds those little touches that will individualize your den or home office. Because of the intricate, hand-painted detail of this table, it has the Old World appearance of an antique or heirloom writing desk. When not being used as a chess board or game board, just by placing an accent chair or desk chair  in front of this enchanting accent table you’ll have a place to pen a short note, update your electronic organizer or an extra place to park your laptop for a few hours.

Accent tables that also do double duty as a place to play chess or a quick game of checkers, lend the rooms they are in uniqueness and a timeless sense of elegance. Cozy up with two oversized armchairs and settle down to a serious (or not so serious) game of chess or backgammon. And when you’re done, your game table will be the ideal accent table to rest your wine glass while you continue to chat with your “opponent.”

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Posted in Family Room Furniture & Design Ideas, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Living Room Furniture & Design | No Comments »

From the Design Files of Heather B – Small Teen Bedroom

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Design Question

My daughter wants to redecorate her room. My dilemma is that the bedroom is small. The dimensions are 11′ high ceilings, in a 13′ x 11′ room. One wall has sliding glass doors that lead out to the pool (we live in FL) which she rarely uses. Another wall has the room entrance and a large four panel louvered door closet, which basically leaves two walls with a corner in between to place her bed, dressers, desk etc. We have used in the past probably every possible configuration we can think of, so I was looking for some help or new ideas.

The furniture pieces involved currently are a dresser with a mirror, a lingerie dresser, an oversized night table, a corner desk, and a wrought iron full size bed. All the furniture is white. The walls currently are chocolate brown. Can we place the bed in front of the sliders? Or is that a just not done? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Design Answer

Arranging furniture in a small bedroom can be tricky, but not impossible if you follow a few general guidelines.

  • When redecorating a bedroom, the first thing to do is to decide what the focal point of the room will be. Typically in a bedroom, it is the bed. For a cohesive bedroom interior design, the other furnishings should be arranged around the focal point. Once you have chosen the room’s focal point, you can then decide how to arrange the furniture.
  • Start with the largest bedroom furniture piece in the room, which in this case from the great detailed description you gave will be your daughter’s bed. Choose the wall that will best accommodate the bed.
  • Make sure that your daughter will be able to move around each piece of furniture easily without bumping into something else. Ensure that doors and drawers can be opened and closed without impeding the room’s traffic flow.

There are no rules about using the sliders as a “wall” for the bed. As long as it is not one of the house’s escape exits in the event of an emergency, there’s no reason that the bed cannot be placed in from of the sliding doors.

If your daughter doesn’t use the sliding doors, another option is to put the corner desk in the corner formed by the glass doors and the wall, and then place the bed on an angle in the corner that was occupied by the desk. Sometimes placing the bed on an angle in a small space opens up the room by altering the focal point. See if this little trick will work in your daughter’s bedroom.

Hope this is helpful in giving you a workable solution. Thanks for writing in. Come back next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. Keep sending me those emails and don’t forget to include pictures if you can.

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Posted in Bedroom Furniture & Design Ideas, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture | No Comments »

From the Design Files of Heather B – Vaulted Ceiling Paint Dilemma

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Design Question

Hi, I have a master bedroom that I just don’t know what to do with. The main problem is choosing color for the walls. My husband and I have a great master bath which is relaxing and soothing in color (light blue) but I am stumped on color for the bedroom. I feel if I could just get some ideas on color than the rest will fall into place. I want a relaxing/romantic feel for our bedroom. I have attached two pics. I tried to show that we have a vaulted ceiling as well.

Any suggestions are most appreciated. Thanks!

Design Answer

.Especially a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, the instinct is to paint the entire room white or some other neutral color like beige, light tan, cream or gray because these colors on ceiling give the illusion of more space. You don’t have to stick to neutrals, but it would be wise to pick a softer shade since a richer color on both the ceiling and the walls has a tendency to make the space feel claustrophobic or too dark.

You like the color in the master bath; I would start there. See if you can find a varying shade of the blue in your bathroom that would suit your bedroom. You also said that you would like to give your bedroom a romantic feel, which typically means softer tints of purple, such as lavender or lilac or deeper shades of pink like rose.

Another trick for helping you to decide what paint color to choose, is to start “backwards.” Go shopping for new bedding or select a favorite bedding set. Pick out some colors that you like and search for comparable paint chips at your local hardware store. It doesn’t have to be a bedding set; you can take your color inspiration from a colorful print or painting; a treasured memento or an upholstered accent chair. I love the curtains; blue is actually a complementary color (the color directly opposite on the color wheel) of gold.

Once you have a specific color in mind, don’t forget to take the room’s natural and artificial light into consideration. You will want to invest in a little paint sample you can actually apply to the wall and see if you like the color you have chosen in all types of light from the sun coming into the room (if the room faces east) in the morning to how it looks in early evening and then again how the color appears in the room when a lamp is lit or the overhead light is on.

I hope this has been helpful. Thanks for writing in. Stay tuned next Monday when we tackle another interior design question. And don’t forget to keep sending me those emails!

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Posted in Bedroom Furniture & Design Ideas, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, How To & DIY Furniture | No Comments »

Country Living Cottage Style – Cottage Style Dining Room Ideas

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Today in the last part of this 3-part mini series “Country Living Cottage Style,” we’re focusing on the dining room. A cottage style dining room reflects lazy days spent by the lake or a place to come back to after a long trek through the woods or down a winding  lane in farm country. It’s comfortable, cozy and completely charming. If done “right,” it will give you the impression that time is not so important and this wonderful evening with family and friends is not going to end any time soon. Cottage style is eclectic and can be as casual (taking its cues from country) or as sophisticated (incorporating more traditional influences) as you want it to be.

When choosing a color palette for you cottage style dining room, pick earth tones, preferably more intense shades than lighter – the yellows and golds of autumn leaves; the greens found in moss, forests and grasses; and the browns and reds of the earth itself.

Another option is to start with antique white or soft cream. Then add a bold accent color or paper one wall with classic floral wallpaper in a bright hue. This will provide an ideal background for a two-tone dining table like the one that is part of the Jofran 7 pc.Round to Oval Dining Set. While two-tone finishes are often found in country style dining rooms, it also works well in a cottage style dining room interior décor design, adding visual interest and texture.

Cottage style furniture is typically made of wood, but as demonstrated by the Stanley Furniture Portofino Ivory Wood and Metal Table, iron is a natural element to throw into the mix. The metal base of the dining table includes traditional scrollwork that looks great when paired with wood. Popular woods used in the construction of cottage style dining furniture are pine, oak and ceder. Common finishes include pine, antique white, distressed and washed. It’s not uncommon for cottage style case goods such as sideboards, buffets, dresses, china cabinets or hutches to have beadboard panels or louvered doors.

Consider adding a large dresser to your dining room – it will perfectly emphasize the comfortable and versatile nature of cottage style while giving you an ideal place for storing tableware and displaying items like jugs, baskets and decorative plates. It is also an ideal way to re-purpose a now unused dresser from a redecorated bedroom.

A cottage style dining room is ideal for a home with children because it is an eclectic style, allowing you the freedom to be a laid-back or as formal as you want it to be. It’s easy to get that certain look that will make your dining room the place to entertain (with or without the kids around). Just remember to mix and match collectibles with more traditional reproduction pieces; when dressing windows use at least two different patterned fabrics like pairing gingham with floral; and finally, when accessorizing, don’t forget to include some natural, organic elements such as ceramic bowls, pottery jugs, heavy iron or stone candlesticks.

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Posted in Dining Room Furniture & Design, Home Decor Design Ideas, Home Decor and Design Ideas, Interior Design Styles | No Comments »

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