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Home Upgrades: A Romantic Touch

Home upgrades are fun ways for individuals to add a personal touch to their home, which can vary based on a person’s style needs and preferences. At some point, however, we all long for a little bit of a romantic atmosphere within our home. From warm color options to simple accessories, check out these tips on how to add a little romance to your home decor.

Roses are Red: With so many color options to choose from, it should be no surprise that one of the easiest ways to achieve the ideal mood and tone for your home is through a color scheme update! If you’re looking to build on a romantic setting in just one room, the expert Flower Mound painters recommend a simple upgrade to the color of your walls. Combine warm reds, soft pinks, and deep neutral beiges to enhance the atmosphere in the best way possible. Paint an entire room deep red to add warmth and comfort, or add in an accent wall to a dark beige color scheme for a fun pop of color that will make your heart flutter. Lighter colors, such as pinks and whites, can be added in as accents or within the furniture, such as through pillows or bedding.

Accent Your Heart Out: Accents are the most universal way to liven up any space. In the case of turning your room or home into a romantic getaway, the accents you choose must match this aesthetic. Sticking with the warm red, light pink and deep beige color scheme, look for accents that enhance this palette. Blankets and throws are a comfortable choice and, with the right material, provide a relaxing, snuggly option for watching a movie or reading a book. In addition, accents that offer an uplifting feeling to your sense of smell, such as candles or diffusers, will tie everything together from the moment you walk through the door. Scents such as lavender and jasmine are perfect for those relaxing thoughts and feelings after a long day.

Wooden Details: When you think ‘romantic’, the idea of wood doesn’t come directly to mind. However, worn wooden details will add an unexpected romantic touch to any home design. Find a chair with a carved wood back and add a whitewashed finish to achieve the worn look, which will be a conversation piece as well as a beautiful ‘antique’ looking seating option. Find antique wood pieces at thrift shops or yard sales that you can give new life to throughout your home design. Often, these types of furnishings are unique, amplifying their romantic qualities.

Adding a romantic touch to your home doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. By finding a beautiful color option, including warm accessories, and customizing pieces to offer a more rustic look, you can turn your home into the romantic getaway you’ve been dreaming of!

For more help bringing romantic accents into your home, contact Sandra Burroughs and Allison Fikejs, Overland Park, KS interior decorators.

Creating A Budget A Home Improvement Project

Home renovations can be stressful, take more time to complete than you anticipate, and wind up costing you a fortune if you aren’t careful. To ensure that your home improvement project doesn’t become a money pit, it’s essential to create a plan before the remodeling begins. More importantly, you should come up with a budget. Not sure where to start? Here are tips on creating a budget for your next home improvement project.

Come up with an estimated figure. Imagine your dream renovation and how much it would cost. Now, come down to reality and decide where you’re going to begin. Will it be a single room? An entire floor? Just a paint job? If you can’t determine how big or small the renovation is going to be, work backward. Think of a dollar amount that makes sense for you to spend at this time – that will help you figure out what your priorities are.
Consider taking money from your savings or financing. Once you have a number you’re comfortable with, you must decide if you can afford to pay for the renovations out of pocket or if you need to finance the project. If you have the money saved and can pay with cash up front, that’s great- no interest! If you don’t have the money, talk to a financial advisor and decide what the best option is for you. The three most common borrowing options are: a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Choose a plan that has a low-interest rate and one that you will be able to keep up with month-to-month.
Find a contractor that fits the scope of the project (and your budget). Now that you’re getting to closer to the number you are going to spend, it’s time to start getting quotes from contractors. When interviewing potential contractors, make sure they’re licensed, have reviews and references, and a portfolio of their work. With a contractor, the work will get done quickly and efficiently, but it will cost more than if you were to go the DIY-route. If the estimate prices you’re receiving seem outrageous, it may be smarter to do the work on your own.
Itemize what you need. Start from the beginning. What’s it going to take to complete this home improvement project? Create a spreadsheet and include everything from inspection costs to a roll of duct tape. When you have everything written down and in one place, it’s easier to see where your money is going. Whether you’ve hired a contractor or are doing it yourself, you should still create this list to keep your budget on track.

Is the home improvement you imagined bigger than what you can afford? Consider tackling a smaller portion of the project first like simply painting a room. You should also leave room for mistakes. You never know when an unexpected problem is going to occur or if something winds up costing you more than you had hoped. Leave room in the budget for these mistakes and you won’t be surprised along the way.

This post brought to you by Bohnne Jones, an interior decorator in Brentwood, TN.

Keeping Your Bathroom Organized In 2018

Picture your bathroom – the place where you clean and prepare yourself for everyday life – a place many homeowners tend to ignore on the list of “places to clean.” Many people’s bathrooms quickly become cluttered with hair product, makeup, razors, and bath toys in the blink of an eye. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get organized, take a look at these ideas to help remove and prevent clutter in your bathroom.

Under Sink Storage: Many disregard the area right under the sink, considering it as a space that won’t quickly become cluttered due to the lack of space from plumbing.Many homeowners forget that there is still plenty of space there that can quickly fill up with cleaning, personal care products, and other bathroom accessories. To avoid clutter, install a shelf or pull-out bins for storing items. When you need something, you’ll be able to find it!
Wall Storage: Never underestimate the power of wall space in your bathroom! Try adding a narrow cabinet above your sink to store washcloths, hand towels, and everyday toiletries. Medicine cabinets are a popular choice, as they often double as a mirror and serve as discreet bathroom storage. If you’re still in need of extra space, add shelving to your walls. Sleek, minimal and functional floating shelves provide the right amount of space without looking bulky. Storing your toiletries on exposed shelving has become a very popular trend, as long as you keep them organized! Use decorative baskets to disguise items usually left out in the open on shelves and a hamper for placing dirty towels or laundry clothes. Don’t forget about the space above your toilet – take advantage of it by adding shelves or a small cabinet.
Tiered Storage: Layering has become a popular trend within interior design. Try incorporating this trend into your bathroom with tiered towel rods or bath caddies. Instead of using a single towel rod, try using a tiered one that allows for variously sized towels to be stored in one place. For added storage, keep all of your shampoo bottles and soaps under control in one area of the shower with a tiered bath caddy. If you’ve utilized all of your wall space for storage, consider your bathroom door! Mount a towel rack over the door to hang robes and towels, or hang a shoe organizer to store various toiletries.

Whether you are a new homeowner or have lived at your residence for years, be aware of your bathroom and how quickly it can become cluttered. Maintain organization in your bathroom this year with these awesome tips!

Trending In Home Design: Barn Decor

The rustic barn look has become increasingly popular in home design. Homeowners in the city and beyond crave the welcoming country vibes this style gives off. Here’s how you can achieve this style in your home, no matter where you reside.

Play around with natural elements. The key to any rustic decor are the natural accents and features you incorporate into the room. Elements found in nature like stone, wood, leather, and linen, are utilized to give that comfortable, natural feel. Wood accents are a major component to any rustic home. Whether it’s wooden wall panels, hardwood floors, or exposed ceiling beams, the appearance of wood amplifies all that is warm and welcoming in modern farmhouse design.
Add a focal point. Barn doors are an extremely popular accent that homeowners want to feature in their farmhouse design. Install them as sliding doors to create room dividers or on larger walls to create the look of more depth. Barn doors can also be repurposed into coffee or end tables, chairs, or window shutters. Using this element as your focal point will tie the entire barn look together!
Accessorize with rural fundamentals. Accents are a homeowner’s best friend, particularly when it comes to barn décor. Compliment hardwood or stone floors with a woven rug. Dress your walls up with photos in frames made of reclaimed wood. Treat your windows with natural layered fabrics like canvas or cotton. Other accessories in fabrics like burlap and striped or checkered patterns make for great accessories that will give your home the feel of an old farmhouse.
Create harmony with color. Loud, vibrant colors aren’t used throughout barn house design. According to the color experts at Glenview painters, light neutrals like white, linen, cream, and beige create a backdrop that pairs well with the accessories and country-style elements incorporated into barn décor. Play around with variants of these colors, like caramel and cream, to bring even more warmth to your decor. Adding pops of color in shades of rust red or navy blue can tie the look together and add personality to the space.

Try something new in your home with these rustic barn looks. For all the best in home décor and design, stay tuned to Jaron’s Furniture blog.

Home Decor Ideas: Shelving

Looking to add depth to your home decor? Have an idea for a wall display but not quite sure how it should be organized? One of the most versatile ways to improve any room in your home is shelving. Whether you add floating shelves to a wall or incorporate a standing bookcase, there are many ways to dress up these displays in order to achieve your desired look. Here are some shelf styling tips that will help you organize and create a noteworthy layout.

Vary shelf heights. If you are adding shelves to a wall, make sure to vary their heights and locations. Having your shelves in a perfectly straight line is both boring and inefficient. When you place your shelves at differing heights, you are opening up the space for larger and more intricate pieces to be put on display; in comparison, having your shelves too close together limits your decorating options. There is no ‘set’ pattern for how shelves are supposed to look, but asymmetric arrangements offer a greater sense of balance than a calculated, equal visual.
Take pride in your display. It can be difficult to find the perfect object or item to put on display in your home, but creativity is key! Factor in your passions and interests when determining what to place on a shelf. If there is something you’ve been collecting for a while, a shelving arrangement is a perfect way to show it off. This is an opportunity to personalize your space and customize a display that allows others to enjoy the wonderful memories and experiences you and your family have created together.
Incorporate books. Regardless of the type of shelving you’re working with, books are a great way to add depth and layers to your design. A bookshelf is the simplest type of book display, as you can easily line them up in an organized manner. If you’re looking to mix it up, try organizing books by color instead of traditional methods, which makes for a visually pleasing array. With regards to other shelving styles, such as wall shelves or standalone options, adding books will create a sense of organization. Stack books on top of each other, or display them up and down, similar to a bookshelf style, for a unique display.

Shelves are a fun way to add variance throughout your house, and the styling methods you use should reflect your personal interests. Don’t be afraid to try something new and break away from familiar ideas! These tips are just a few ways you can put together a stunning shelf display, but always be open to new decorating suggestions.

For more shelving tips, contact C&J Interiors, Montgomery, TX interior decorators.

How To Use Oceanside In Your Home

Using Sherwin-Williams 2018 Color of the Year

Recently, Sherwin-Williams announced the 2018 Color of the Year is Oceanside (SW 6496). Their decision was inspired by wanderlust, or the urge to travel and experience all of the beauty the world has to offer. Oceanside is a beautiful, opulent greenish-blue that will work well in a variety of mediums throughout your home. Discover how to incorporate 2018’s Color of the Year into your home design!

Mix and match. Oceanside is a versatile color, which means it plays well with a plethora of other colors, from bright neon pinks to natural sandy beiges and desert taupes. Whether you’re looking to do a total room renovation or you’re simply looking to upgrade the color of your walls, it’s easy to pair Oceanside with your existing decor or whichever colors and textures you have laid out in your plans.
Bring in the calm. Oceanside was chosen for the sense of wonder and adventure it evokes, but the cool undertones the color is based on, making it the perfect shade for living and bedrooms. The hue evokes a tranquil sense of peace, making you feel as though you’re relaxing in a watery oasis.
Incorporate accents. If you’re not sold on Oceanside as a wall color, you can still utilize it throughout your decor. Find Oceanside chevron print curtains to pair with the neutral walls and dark furniture in your living room. Dress up a neutral couch with an Oceanside throw pillow or blanket. Incorporate the shade into your dining room tablescape with Oceanside flowers or a printed tablecloth. The possibilities are endless!

Use Oceanside in your home to remind yourself that adventure is out there. For more tips on using the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year in your decor, contact Mary Paul, a Leander interior decorator.

Creating A Baby-Safe Playroom

When your baby gets old enough to move around on their own and decide which toys they’re going to entertainment themselves with, it’s time to designate a space in your home for them to play. Doing so will not only protect your baby from injury, but it will help keep your home organized as well. Here’s how you can transform a room in your home into the perfect play space for your baby.

Choose the right room. The ideal playroom will be in an area of your home that doesn’t have access to stairs. Designate a room on the ground floor to be the play space. This will serve as a catch-all for your baby’s toys, helping to keep the rest of your home organized, as well as a space you can dedicate time and resources to transforming into a neutral, baby-proof zone.
Keep furniture at a minimum. Furnishings should be as low to the ground as possible to avoid tipping issues. Many children can be injured or even killed in furniture tipping accidents. To ensure furniture never tips over, anchor large pieces to the wall with L-brackets. This will give the furniture the strength to withstand the weight of your child should they decide to climb the shelves or hang onto any ledges the furniture has. Find more information on anchoring furniture here. The less there is for your baby to bump, scrape, or bruise themselves against, the better!
Cover electrical outlets. You can use traditional plastic coverings or invest in the outlets that come equipped with the automatic coverings. Whichever route you take, these coverings will prevent your baby from sticking their fingers or unwanted objects into the outlets and causing electric shock.
Maintain cleanliness. A sanitary play space is a safe play space. Even a thin layer of dust can end up in your curious baby’s mouth. Clean the playroom on a regular basis, using microfiber cloths to wipe surfaces and vacuuming the floor to remove debris. Sanitize toys on the top rack of your dishwasher to remove any surface germs, especially after play dates.
Give your baby a soft landing. The flooring of your baby’s playroom should be carpeted. This is the softest surface for your baby to crawl, tumble, and occasionally topple over on. From broadloom to plush, you’ll find carpeting in a variety of styles and colors to match your existing home decor. If you prefer the look of hardwood, use foam mats and a baby gate to designate a safe, soft play area.
Always supervise. Whenever your baby is at play, an adult should always be present, whether it’s a parent, a responsible sibling, or babysitter. This will help ensure baby doesn’t get into anything they aren’t supposed to and limit their chances of climbing on furniture or playing with outlets.

With the right planning, designing a neat and stylish playroom that is safe for your baby is easy. For more decorating tips for your baby’s playroom, reach out to Janet Bertin, an Arlington interior decorator.

How To Remove Crayon From Surfaces

Is there a toddler running around your house? If the answer is yes, the chances of having a work of art drawn on your walls, flooring, furniture or clothing is rather high. Children like to express themselves in any way that they can – this includes using their art supplies on your home’s surfaces. In honor of National Crayon Month, we rounded up the best ways to remove crayon from surfaces around your home. just in case your child’s masterpiece ends up somewhere other than their paper.

Here’s how to remove crayon from the following surfaces:

Walls: The experts of Englewood, FL painters recommend heating the crayon marks with a blow dryer. Next, use a wet, soapy wash cloth and scrub the surface. If this doesn’t work, make a paste of equal parts baking soda and water and scrub the stain with the paste. Another tried and true method is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Though it’s not DIY, it still works wonders and can be used on multiple surfaces and for various stains. Use with caution – scrubbing too hard can remove the paint from your walls.
Hardwood Floors: There are a few solutions for removing crayon from hardwood floors. One option is to use mineral spirits. This is a type of solvent used for cleaning grease and grime, but it works well with crayons on hardwood floors, too. You can also use Goo Gone, which cleans up stains and sticky substances. If you don’t have mineral spirits or Goo Gone available, scrub the area with dishwashing detergent and water.
Countertops: One of the easiest ways to remove crayon from your countertops is to spray an all-purpose cleaner on the stain and scrub away. Once again, warm water and dish soap or a Magic Eraser will also do the trick.
Carpets: Start by removing crayon from your carpet by scraping off as much of the wax as you can. Follow that with a carpet cleaner. You can also place a paper towel over the stain and heat it with a blow dryer. Any spots that aren’t absorbed into the paper towel can be dabbed with hydrogen peroxide.
Clothes: Similar to the carpet, first scrape off as much as you can. Then, throw the clothes in the wash on a high setting. If there’s an entire pile of crayon covered clothes, wash the load with hot water using laundry soap and one cup of baking soda.
Furniture: As an interior decorator in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Laura Maxwell has seen it all when it comes to furniture stains, particularly amongst families with young children. Like other fabric based surfaces, start with a scraping. Then make a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Use a brush to scrub the stain away.

When removing any crayon marking, make sure to test a small hidden space with your desired cleaning method to make sure it’s not going to further damage the surface. A little elbow grease goes a long way when removing crayons from surfaces. Most methods are DIY, saving you a fortune on home cleaning costs! Remember these tips the next time your child’s masterpiece ends up somewhere other than the drawing board.

How You Should Be Choosing Patio Furniture

No matter the season, having a place to sit and relax outside of your home has many benefits. You get to breathe fresh air, up your Vitamin D intake, reduce stress and generally feel happier. The patio is the perfect space to optimize for maximum outdoor comfort and pleasure. When designing your patio, there are few things to consider throughout the process. Furniture is at the top of that list! After all, it’s what transforms your patio into the ultimate place to relax. Here are tips on choosing patio furniture:

Think about the elements. When purchasing patio furniture, keep Mother Nature in mind. Rain can cause metals like wrought iron to rust. Dry air can cause wood to splinter, and the wind can cause light items to blow away. To avoid these problems, consider your geographic area and the bones of the furniture you’re going to invest in, as well as any cushions or pillows. Look for fabrics that can withstand different weather conditions so you don’t always have to run outside and bring them into the house.
Make sure it’s comfortable. There’s nothing worse than sitting down to unwind and not actually being able to because of the furniture. With that in mind, a good rule to follow is: make hard things soft. No matter what type of chairs, benches, or chaises you buy, get cushions to accompany them. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or enjoying a meal al fresco, you’ll want comfort to be a priority.
Look for more possibilities. If you don’t have a garage, shed or room anywhere inside your house to store the furniture, think about ways the patio furniture itself can act as a storage unit. An easy solution is a bench or ottoman with a removable top. Inside you can store cushions and accessories when it’s raining or during the offseason. Place cushions on top and you have extra seating too!
Don’t be afraid of color. While most of your chairs and tables will come in black, white or a neutral color, you can incorporate pops of color in the cushions, pillows, and rugs. Look for bright solids or fun patterns that go with the vibes of the rest of your home. You can also use the colors of the nature surrounding you to compliment the decor. Surrounded by greenery? Throw some red in the furniture. Is your view an ocean or lake? Nautical patterns are perfect!
Invest in UV protection. Have you ever stepped outside for a moment only to wind up sitting out there for hours? In times like these, it’s easy to forget sunscreen. Make sure you invest in a sturdy umbrella or awning for those spontaneous moments or particularly sunny days. Even when it’s scorching outside, a little shade will go a long way.

Your patio is your outdoor oasis. When it comes to choosing your patio furniture, weather resistance and comfort are key factors to take into consideration. For more help designing your patio, contact Mimi Wilson, a Northern Virginia interior decorator.

Designing Your Bedroom To Promote Better Sleep

Did you know that how you style our bedroom can actually affect your ability to have a good night’s sleep? Our quality of life is dependent on the quality of our interior spaces. It is important that we take care in designing our spaces thoughtfully, with an emphasis on our bedrooms. These 3 secrets will help you create a bedroom that promotes a better night’s sleep.

Allow Darkness. Lights communicate to your brain that it is time to wake up, so keeping your room dark is one of the main foundations to promoting better sleep. If you live in an area where there is a lot of light pollution or an area where your bedroom windows face the rising sun, invest in light-eliminating curtains to block out lights and activity that would otherwise cause anxiety and distraction. It’s important to eliminate as much light as possible in the bedroom. This includes the glow of our electronic devices. Many of us use our phones as our alarm clocks, but the light from our phones can also be disturbing to our sleep cycles. Try an analog or vintage alarm clock rather than your cell phone. Coming out of a deep sleep to the brightness of your phone can be damaging to your vision.

Similarly, televisions in the bedroom can be a distracting light source for your sleep cycle. Use an armoire to conceal your television while it is not being used. While it can be comforting to fall asleep with the TV on, the light from the monitor can disrupt your sleep pattern. If you absolutely need the television on to fall asleep, set a timer so it turns off automatically, or replace the habit completely with soothing music or a sleep meditation recording. In addition, use soft lighting in your bedroom. Try investing in bedside lamps with low wattage light bulbs to avoid the use of overhead lighting during the night. Bright lights remind the brain of wake time, and it is important to enhance and promote the feeling of sleep time.

Clear Clutter. Too much clutter can disturb your ability to have a good night’s sleep. Always keep your work out of the bedroom to promote relaxation and peace. The more your bedroom promotes a feeling of leisure, the more it will actually feel like a luxurious place. Keep household items like your laundry basket in a closet or other enclosed area. Leaving clothes around the room can remind one of daily tasks and chores that need to be done. By neatly enclosing these items in a designated place, you’ll eliminate the look and feel of a clustered space. The same goes for all of your personal items. Clothing, jewelry, and accessories should all have a place. Keeping your items organize will promote a feeling of an organized life.

Color palette. Soothing colors can actually promote relaxation and enhance your ability to fall asleep and feel calm. Muted earth tones, such as blues, creams and greens, are ideal colors for bedrooms, according to the experts of Yorkville painters. Try to avoid bright and loud colors in your bedroom to create a more restful atmosphere. Pale gray is the perfect color for bedrooms. It creates a sense of balance in any kind of lighting, plus it plays well with accent colors like lavender, pale pink, and cool blue. Use these hues in your bedroom accessories like your comforter and wall art to create the ultimate relaxing space.

Sleep is an important and sacred part of our everyday life that benefits both our physical and mental health. The better sleep we get, the better we feel throughout our day. Simple design concepts, like light, color, and organization, create the foundation for the perfect night’s sleep. By utilizing these tips, you too can promote a better and healthier sleep for yourself. For more relaxing bedroom decorating tips, contact Angie Lowry, a Smithfield, VA interior designer.