My family and I love to be outdoors.  If the weather is right, it is likely that you will not find us sitting around indoors.  Nope, we will likely be outside enjoying ourselves and the weather.  Because we spend so much time outside, I like to be sure that our outdoor spaces are designed and decorated to be as welcoming as possible.  That means outdoor rugs, comfy furniture, and accent decor.

Yes, I said it, accent decor.  Some people think I’m pretty silly for decorating and using accents for my outside designs, but I really do want the outside of my home to be a reflection of the inside.  So many people just throw a couple of uncomfortable outdoor chairs outside and expect it to beckon guests.  Well, that just is not my style. Continue reading

Designing a home library that is opulent, comfortable, and inviting can bring a great deal of joy to your life and value to your home. It doesn’t matter whether you have 1200sf or 5,000sf at your disposal, chances are there is something clever you can do by using your imagination and some professional design tips to make a space that is simply for cuddling up and reading. One important thing is to choose your space. Continue reading

I love all things white when it comes to home design.  Of course, everything cannot be white in a house, but I love to find new ways to introduce the crisp fresh look that white can bring into a space.  For example, white bedding is one of my favorite things.  A white duvet with just a hint of color around the hem is absolutely gorgeous, and it looks so clean and inviting.
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Your entryway should not be a cluttered mess that greets you every time you come and go.  Another thing it should not be is non-functional.  There should be a balance of function and beauty in an entryway that will help you to not only stay organized but also aid in reflecting your personal style and displaying unique treasures.  Your entryway is one of the areas in your home that everyone sees, so let it reflect your personal style as well as set a vibe for the rest of your house.  No matter how much room you have to work with in your entryway, here are some tips for decorating your entryway space. Continue reading

French country decorating has been popular in all parts of the world at various time throughout history, and it is a look that adds a certain comforting charm to any home, and can be accomplished through a gradual, shabby chic game plan that will have your friends and neighbors positively gawking at the loveliness of your home.  Certain modern aspects of everyday living can be masked through a French country home decorating plan, like the control panel for an adt system, televisions and computers, and other essential aspects of 21st century life that one might want to downplay in order to preserve the decorum. Continue reading

…and cook, laugh, dress, find inspiration, and more.

I have recently found my new favorite thing as a decorator.  It’s Pinterest.  If you have not joined in all the fun that is Pinterest, I suggest you go right now to request an invitation.  It does not matter what you are looking for, you are definitely bound to find it on Pinterest.  My current obsession is decorating ideas for the home and for the holidays.  Some of the images are just simple decor inspiration and others are do it yourself projects that I have put on my to-do list.  So to give you some ideas on holiday decorating and simple decor for your place, I’m going to show you some of my favorites from Pinterest.  Click the image to go to the tutorial on the DIY projects. Continue reading

Remodeling your kitchen to bring it up to date, whether you are dressing your home  up to put it on the market, or just wanting a refresh for your own enjoyment, doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  While it’s true that kitchen and bathroom makeovers are generally among the most costly renovations anyone will ever make, there are still some simple things you can do to really modernize the look of either of these rooms without breaking the bank.  You just have to know where to find the right tools, the right supplies, and of course, some time.  Also, be prepared to apply some serious elbow grease, because most of your savings will come from doing the work yourself instead of contracting out. Continue reading

If you ever want to sell a house, apartment, condo, or whatever; you must remember that forever 1 person that loves your eccentric design elements there will be 2 more that hate it. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do white walls and make the house a blank canvas either. Neutral colors and moderate accents are the key to selling the most potential buyers. the same goes for flooring and counter tops. if you think those blue counters are great then that is ll well and good but if you are renovating a house to sell, the best counter to go with is neutral. It doesn’t have to be super expensive or have to please everyone but if it please more than the blue counter you wanted in the beginning, then the work paid off. Even small accents like the base boards and ceiling fixtures can make or break someone’s opinion so fixing those with pleasing pieces to a majorities eye is the best practice. Remember that no matter what your individual tastes are, if the buyers don’t like it then they will go elsewhere. Which could cost you on how much the offer is or whether or not they will even offer at all.
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When you are off to visit at someone else’s home, then you may often find that you feel most comfortable in a certain room in the house.  Sometimes it just seems like some rooms are far more inviting than others in the home and so, of course, people tend to flock to the room that stands out the most with a warm and inviting feel.  In your home it is quite possibly the very same way.  People will tend to go into the room that feels warmest and offers an invitation to relax and take in the surroundings.  If you are looking to add in some invitation and warmth to a room in your home, there are certainly a couple of ideas that are inexpensive and will do the trick. Continue reading

A room can always benefit from having a rug in it.  A rug can add in texture, color, and warmth in any room.  One of the most difficult challenges I find that my clients face though is choosing the perfect rug for their space.  Often they want to leave that decision up to me, but I like for my clients to be completely involved in the whole design process and choosing a rug is in fact a part of that.  You have to think of your rug as the anchor in your space.  The texture will make it eight stand out and make a statement, or it can blend into the space.  It should of course be based on all of the things that your surrounding decor is based on, and the colors should mimic the current feel and surroundings also.  So, what’s the best rug for your space?  Here are some tips for choosing rugs that are patterned for your space. Continue reading