Decorating Coffee Tables and Ottomans

By Coral Nafie
About Decorating
Here are some of our suggestions for a piece of furniture to place in front of the sofa.

A coffee table should be chosen in a proper proportion for the size of the room and the sofa in front of which it stands. A large square room would look strange with a small, delicate oval glass-topped coffee table, just as a small room would be cramped with a large, heavy, dark-painted square coffee table.

Before buying a coffee table, place a large piece of newsprint or brown on the floor in front of the sofa to help determine an appropriate size and shape. You can cut down the paper or add to it until you get the right proportion for the rest of the furniture and the room.

When shopping for a coffee table, take the measurements of the sofa with you, in addition to a floor plan of the room and the measurements you've determined will be best. You may have difficulty finding just the right size, but this will help.


A Coffee Table Ottoman
By combining the top of a table with cushions of an ottoman, you'll get the comfort for resting your feet and the convenience of space to place items. Usually with this type of design, the ottoman cushions pull out from below the table top, meaning you can use both the top and the cushions at the same time.

A Large Ottoman
As homeowners are gearing furniture selections to comfort, the ottoman has taken center stage in front of many sofas. Really, an ottoman is just a large padded or upholstered stool or bench. It's a perfect piece to use in front of a sofa, as its soft top offers comfort for legs, the upholstery fabric contributes color and texture to the room, and the large flat to is ideal for placing a tray or books.

A Pair of Small Tables
Two small square tables, placed side by side, give a slightly more formal look than the more modern large coffee table. A matched pair looks best, but a mismatched set of small tables, of exactly the same height, can be used together with matching tops. If you have a pair of small antique tables, this may be the perfect place to use them.

A Picnic BenchFor a very rustic or Cottage Style home, a long, low, wooden bench is a perfect touch. The long flat top works well for placing books and beverages without adding too much formality.

A Piece of Glass on a Base
A large built frame, a pair of cement columns, interesting sculptures, or large pots can serve as a stable base for a piece of 1/2 inch thick beveled-edge plate glass, cut to the perfect size. This is a good option for a very small space, as you can place the bases as close together or as far apart as you wish and have the glass cut to fit your space. Keep in mind that the larger the glass, the heavier it will be. So the bases need to be sturdy enough to support the weight.

An Old Dining Table
This is the perfect place to put a dining table. Of course, you'll need to cut the legs down to the proper height (between 15" and 22") for your seating space, but the large surface will be convenient for many purposes, including playing games, doing homework, and entertaining.

A Piece of Wrought Iron Fencing
Find an ornamental piece of wrought iron fence or a gate and have a wooden frame for it. Place a piece of 1/2 inch thick beveled-edge plate glass on top of the iron for a smooth surface.
You can see that you can use almost anything for a coffee table. Keep in mind that the piece should be sturdy, properly proportioned, and durable, and it will give you great wear and convenience in any room.

Laminate Surfaces in the Home

By
Jolene Gragert

Laminates are extremely popular for kitchen floors, bathrooms, and entry ways. Laminate surfaces are durable and easy to clean. You can select a wood look or a tile look for your floor.

Wood Floors and Area Rugs

By
Jolene Gragert

Area rugs are all the rage now with so many home having wood floors. Select one that is proportioned for the area, is proper size, and color coordination. Rugs are usually imported, hand loomed, power loomed, or hand tuffed. They can be man made or synthetic. Pet spots can be neutralized with mild dish soap, water, and vinegar.

Paint Tips and Trends

By
Jolene Gragert

Paint is the cheapest way to dramatically change the look of a room. Painting techniques such as: ragging, sponging, and decorative roller cover can give the illusion of wallpaper with less maintenance.

Deep warm natural colors are popular with white wood work. White wood work also compliments colored accessories.

When selecting prints, keep in mind the style, colors, and personal style. What are the key elements you want to focus on or bring as a highlight to your room. Then you can begin to work around the main focal points.

Make sure to hang nails and screws eye level a few inches above a sofa or high table. Insert nails and screws at a slant, Plastic anchors also work well for heavy pieces.

Window Treatments: A Few Quick Ideas

By Jolene Gragert

Select window treatments to fix the style, color, and scale of the room.

Wood Blinds add a warm and casual feel.

Cellular Shades are great for a softer more formal look.

Contemparary Rollerblades are light and roll up for easy clearance.

Side Panel Draperies are hot right now. Most hang 1/2" off the floor or puddle a few inches on the the floor. Decorative rods give a sophisticated look.

Tips for Kitchen Remodeling

Tips for Kitchen Remodeling
(ARA)Photo
An effective design is crucial when planning a kitchen remodel. Even the most beautiful kitchen will cause stress if it isn't designed properly. Today's kitchens are used for a multitude of activities, including cooking, eating, arts and crafts, entertaining, and gathering friends and family. Several techniques are used in creating a user-friendly kitchen design. Some involve improving the kitchen work triangle and others involve proper organization and storage.

Remodeling the Work Triangle

Designers use the kitchen work triangle to create efficient use of the kitchen. The concept focuses on the arrangement of the three basic work stations: the refrigerator, sink and stove. The idea is to make the distance from each of these areas far enough to not feel cramped and close enough to carry food and dishes without strain.

Organize and Consolidate Kitchen Contents

It is very easy to become disorganized and cluttered in the kitchen. This is especially true when several people are in the kitchen at the same time. One way to organize and consolidate the items you have stored in the kitchen is to install a walk-in pantry.

This popular modification allows a homeowner to quickly take in the kitchen's contents without having to search through cabinets and drawers. Pull-out pantries can also be used for kitchens that are tight on space. Kitchen pantries localize the kitchen traffic, providing more open space in the work triangle.

Use All your Kitchen Space

Every inch of space in your kitchen can be used to store the many items that clutter this room. Consider installing tall cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. Also, add baskets and shelving inside to maximize storage space. For larger items such as pots and pans, consider adding a hanging rack to free up some space in your cupboards.

Extra Convenient Appliances

Think about how your appliances can simplify your daily routines. For example, a third rack on a dishwasher can cut down on the number of times you have to load your dishes. You could also invest in self-cleaning ovens. Furthermore, energy efficient appliances can save money on your monthly energy bills. Consider a dishwasher or even a refrigerator with the Energy Star rating.

Designated Areas

Remodeling your kitchen is the perfect time to sit down and think about who uses the room and in what ways. You then have the opportunity to create specially designed areas to suit those needs. For example, many children do homework or other activities in the kitchen while mom cooks dinner. Consider adding a couple of stools at the kitchen counter to create an easy, informal place for kids.

When remodeling your kitchen, remember that beauty isn't everything. Of course everyone likes to have a glamorous kitchen with granite countertops and solid wood cabinets, but beauty only goes so far. Your kitchen design still needs to accommodate how your family lives and the traffic flow, and should be energy efficient. These important aspects should not be overlooked during your next kitchen remodel.

Home Improvements to Your New Home

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What to Do Before the Moving Truck Arrives
By Coral Nafie

When you arrive in your new home, you're faced with even more challenges. It may seem a small thing to decide where to put the best china or everyday dishes, but after all the work moving out of the old home, the last thing you need is another big decision or another major project.

But doing some work to your new home right away will make moving in feel great.


Replacing flooring is a major project, and if you have the money and you can make just this one decision at moving time, you'll really be doing yourself a favor. If you put it off, you'll be faced with moving all your furniture out of the rooms. What a bother! Not just for you, but for the flooring istallers as well! There will be furniture all around the place, and you'll have to move it back into the room when they're done. If you can do it when you move, be sure to order the flooring well in advance of your move. Make arrangements to have new flooring installed a day or two before you move in. Cover the new flooring with mats, tarps, or area rugs so the movers don't track in dirt or scratch the wood. Then, when they set your sofa and coffee table in place -- you'll be home.

Below are some other pre-move-in projects that can save you time and trouble.

Choose the projects that are the most pressing. If your budget won't allow re-carpeting the entire house, just do one floor. If you can't face paint decisions for every single room, then just do the rooms where the decisions are easy.

Painting - Whether you do the work yourself or hire someone to do it, it's a lot easier to paint an empty room. There will be no need to move furniture, take down draperies, clear out the closets, or take every picture or mirror off the walls. Allow several days to repaint before the movers show up, especially if you'll be doing the work yourself. This type of work always takes longer than you think. Or, hire a crew (professional painters or friends) to come in and get it over with in a day or two. Painting even part of the house before you move in can be a terrific time saver. If you can't decide on colors, then just have everything painted a clean white, a pretty light beige, or other background color you love -- depending on what works best with your furniture and color schemes. Once the major patching, priming, trim work, and base coats are in, adding another wall color at a later date can be a snap.

Crown Molding - Does anyone not love the look of crown molding? It's a wonderful luxury to be able to install molding around the whole house all at once, before you move into your new home. Be sure to prime and pre-paint the strips of molding before installation, just before painting the interior walls. You may need to do some touch up at the joints and nail holes, but that's a lot easier than standing on a ladder for days trying to paint three coats fo paint on the molding near the ceiling!

Re-Key - You'll never know how many keys are floating around for your new home unless you get new locks or re-key the existing locks. The previous owners may have given a key to neighbors, workmen, relatives, or cleaning services, and you'll get some peace of mind if you get new ones. This is a project to do just before or soon after you move in.

Closet Systems - Having things organized, fitting into your new home, will really make you feel great. You'll love wonderful closet systems with double hanging poles, drawers, and shelves up to the ceiling. If you wait til later, you'll have to take everything out, pile your clothes in stacks on your bed or floor (can you visualize your clothes wrinkling in giant stacks), and live out of suitcases for a day or two until the closet fittings can be installed.

Sell Your Home Faster

A How To Guide For Selling Your Home Fast

ForSaleByOwner.com

It's simple. When a seller chooses on selling a home without a real estate agent, they significantly benefit from the elimination of the agents commission. Because you're not paying the traditional high cost of a selling commission, you can now afford to price your home more aggressively. The lower the price, the more likely it will sell fast. You will still walk away with thousands in savings, but you'll just be doing it faster.

The required steps to selling your property or home without an expensive real estate broker is much easier than most people think. Nevertheless, it will require some modest work on the part of the seller. You'll be doing a lot of things that a real estate agent might normally do, but you'll later discover the work to be conveniently minimal.

Your home's presentation is everything when you desire for a fast and easy selling process. Home buyers are attracted to clean, spacious and attractive homes. Your goal is to impress each and every one of the prospective buyers. You should perform some basic maintenance to ensure your home is in ideal selling condition. Some of the more important areas to check when selling your home include:

Flooring
Plumbing fixtures
Lighting fixtures Heating and ventilation systems
Doors and windows
Interior paint
Exterior paint
Outdoor drainage systems
Driveway and walkway (for cracks)
Outdoor watering systems
Roof
Home Improvements



Cosmetic and Decorating Improvemnts

Make reasonable cosmetic improvements to better increase your ability to sell the home.

Make the entryway to your home as inviting as possible.
Consider even planting flowers in the front yard for a memorable appearance.
Remove any items that might potentially take away a room's natural appearance.
Touch up both the kitchen and bathrooms to help increase the home's value.
Make sure the home's interior and exterior paint is in good condition.
Make sure your address numbers are clearly legible to prospective buyers driving by. Repair if needed.
Check the working condition of all electrical features such as your home's doorbell, lights, and garage door.

Home Improvement Projects to Speed the Sale of Your Home

Fix-It Projects to Speed The Sale of Your House

By Amy Hoak
From MarketWatch

The interior walls are neutral. The clutter is a distant memory. A shower door has been replaced and even the design of the bedspread has been factored in. The Green family's Chicago home also got a professional inspection and appraisal to limit any surprises down the road, said Dan Green. Now it is ready for sale.

"We're paving the road to make the closing process much smoother," Green said.

He has even created a blog, partly as a marketing tool for his Lincoln Park neighborhood home. See the blog.


Six Tips for Selling Your Home Without a Real-Estate Agent

For some sellers, a little extra work can mean not only a difference in how smoothly the sale goes or how much they can ask for their home but also if they get to the closing table at all in an uncertain market.

"Talk to Realtors and they will tell you anything you do cosmetically to increase curb appeal is going to help the resale value," said Sal Alfano, editor of Remodeling magazine.

In addition, many home buyers stretch economically to get into a home, said David Lupberger, home-improvement expert for ServiceMagic.com, an online company that connects homeowners with screened home-service professionals. If a home has number of projects that will need to be addressed in the near future, a buyer might decide to pass it over.

"The last thing you want is a list of projects that has to be taken care of," Lupberger said.

Here's the bright spot: Many improvements that have an impact on selling a home aren't very expensive at all, said Jim Gillespie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker. And some tasks, such as giving rooms a fresh coat of paint, quickly pay off.

Those planning on adding a "for sale" sign to the front lawn this spring might want to consider these five areas while creating their to-do list.

1. First impressions count

It's wise to make a good impression from the moment a potential buyer pulls up to the house, experts say. First glimpses of the home will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.

Peeling trim could be a kiss of death. Paint the exterior of the home in an odd color and you could lose their attention before they come inside. Don't underestimate the importance of good lawn care, either.

"A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression that someone cares about that home," said Trey Rogers, professor of turfgrass management at Michigan State University and author of "Lawn Geek," a book of tips on how to maintain a lawn.

His advice is "keep it green and keep it cut." Mow the lawn about three inches high at least twice a week when a home is on the market; two inches if the home is in a Southern state. The more it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, starting at the beginning of the season, he said.

Bypass store-bought sod and instead borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn if there are small spots that need to be filled in, Rogers said. The grasses will match better if they come from the same lawn.

Early birds selling at the tail end of winter should keep the sidewalks shoveled if there is snow on the ground.

2. Neutralize and declutter

When it comes to preparing a home's interior, any real-estate professional or stager worth their paycheck will advise a client to make a move to more neutral colors in a home.

"People can't visualize beyond what they see," Gillespie said. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, can also have an added advantage of making a room appear larger -- an effect that Dan Green noticed right away when he repainted his bedroom walls.

Removing a home's clutter is also extremely important in getting potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home, Gillespie added.

Beyond that, do some basic spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, rebuff hardwood floors and oil any wood cabinetry, Lupberger said.

3. Consider replacement projects

Sellers might also consider having a home inspection done prior to listing the home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects, Gillespie said. A seller has the option of either fixing the problem or giving the buyer a discount to account for the needed repairs, but Gillespie is an advocate for making the necessary repairs before selling.

Home buyers recognize the value of a house that doesn't need major repairs, Alfano said.

"The house is probably not going to move, or you're not going to get all the value out it, if the new buyer knows they're going to have to replace the roof sometime soon," he said.

In fact, according to the 2006 "Cost vs. Value" report from "Remodeling" magazine, a roof replacement for a midrange home had an average cost of $14,276, and returned $10,553, or 73% at resale. A vinyl siding replacement had an average cost of $9,134, and returned $7,963, or 87% at resale, according to the report.

A wood window replacement in a midrange home had a national average cost of $11,040, and $9,416, or 85%, was recouped at resale. A vinyl window replacement had an average cost of $10,160 and returned $8,500, or 83%, at resale. See the full report.

4. Kitchens and bathrooms rule

It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms.

"If the last time it was remodeled was in 1980, that's going to be points against versus another house that was upgraded even five years ago with sort of a modern look," Alfano said. "It's hard to go wrong with a kitchen or bath remodel unless you get a little too edgy with the design or the materials you use."

That said, a seller with less than a couple years to spend in a house probably isn't going to do a complete remodel of either room. Sellers should decide where these rooms need the most improvement, and then zero in on how much they want to spend, Lupberger said.

If kitchen cabinets are structurally fine but their exteriors are outdated, it might be worth it to reface them, Lupberger said. If counters are old, maybe replacing them will add new life to the room. In the bathroom, there are companies that will come in and resurface chipped and damaged bathtubs, he said.

5. Warranty coverage and documentation

Sellers can provide some extra peace of mind to buyers by purchasing a home warranty on their home that will cover such things as heating and plumbing should the buyer run into problems after closing. The coverage is getting a bit more popular nowadays, Gillespie said. Warranties can be bought from companies including American Home Shield and AON.

"Little things like that ... you need that today to set the property apart with all the competition out there," Gillespie said.

Gillespie also recommends displaying the age of the water heater and furnace; if either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly.

And if replacement projects have been done in the past few years, dig out the documentation to prove it, Alfano said. Also, explain if any of the improvements have produced a cost savings in terms of energy usage.

Decorating Tips for a Teenager's Room

(ARA) - In some ways, decorating a baby's room couldn't be easier. The room's primary occupant really doesn't have much to say about the décor. Enter the teen years. Now, she hates the pink carpet and floral curtains you thought were precious beyond words. He's into Japanese anime, and your clever pirate theme makes him want to walk the plank.

If your teen's room is overdue for a makeover, there is some good news: Your child is probably old enough now to do a lot of the work him or herself.

"Teenagers are all about independence, control and being cool," says Lisa Jerlstrom, parent of a teenager, and a trend-watcher and art buyer for Environmental Graphics Inc. "Allowing your child to redesign his or her room not only lets them express their independence and look cool in their own space, it can be a great way to teach important budgeting and home improvement skills."

Here are five simple steps to help your teen tackle his, or her, own room makeover project:

Step 1
Set a budget. You can be generous, and give your teen some money to spend in the room. Or you can really drive home the financial lesson by making her create a budget based on her own sources of income - from allowances and part-time jobs to gifts from grandparents. Either way, make sure she understands she must accomplish her redesign with the money she has, just like in the adult world where going over budget would have serious consequences.

Step 2
Help him choose a theme for the room. Most teens have definite opinions about what they like - and dislike. So chances are your teen will have an idea of a theme he would like to pursue. Encourage him to choose a theme that will grow with him, or that he will enjoy at least until he's a college freshman.

Step 3
Enhance the theme with color and artwork. Painting the walls and hanging artwork are two of the easiest ways to underscore a design theme. Most teens are capable of painting. They can also enhance the theme with a wall mural.

"Today's wallpaper murals make it easy to customize your room theme and accomplish the job on your own," says Jerlstrom. Numerous teen-friendly wall murals can be found at www.urbanoutfitters.com. Living with a surfer dude? Try a beach scene. Have a budding Broadway-bound star on your hands? Why not set the stage with a cityscape mural of Manhattan?

Step 4
Don't forget the floors. There are several quick (and relatively low-cost) fixes for flooring. A large area rug that fits the new theme can hide the objectionable flooring. Give existing carpeting a good scrub with a rented carpet cleaning machine. Or, use fabric paint to create a pattern, design or scene on the old carpet - but only if you would have been throwing the carpet away otherwise.

Step 5
Finish with furniture. Early in the redesign process, your teen should decide if his existing furniture needs to be replaced, updated or is fine as it is. Maybe he can live with painting or refinishing his old dresser if it means he will have the cash for a new bed. Perhaps her old bed will work with her new theme if she removes the canopy and posters. Explore discount stores, consignment shops or charity-sponsored stores that resell reconditioned donated furniture.

Decorating: Tips for Choosing Colors

Get comfy with color step by step:

Want to give your home a splash of color but are afraid it will be too brash? Incorporating color into your décor doesn't have to be intimidating - if you put it into perspective.


According to many home decorating experts, the first thing you should concentrate on is the color of your walls - before you add or change the colors of your furnishings.

"Unless you live in an apartment and can't paint, avoid white walls," says Davis Remignanti, lead design consultant at Furniture.com.


"Reflect on your own fashion tastes when choosing colors for your home," he says. "Many people know what colors look good on them. Those same colors can be incorporated into your personal space, because they are familiar, flattering and comforting."

Enquirer news services

CREATIVE COLORING

First things first: Identify any major room features that you can't or don't want to change - the color of woodwork, the brick in the hearth, custom draperies, etc. - then decorate with and around them.

Work your way up: If starting with an empty room, select a rug or floor covering first. You're more likely to match walls and furniture to the rug than vice versa. The colors in your rug will provide good choices for wall and accent colors.

Create a color palette: Good room design should incorporate a palette of at least five colors: two main colors, one supporting color (this is often a neutral or wood tone) and two accent colors. For hints on combining colors, visit www.furniture.com/color on the Internet.

Create a flow: For rooms connected by an open archway or large doorway, choose harmonious color palettes. You'll create a color link between the spaces and avoid a jarring transition from one room to the next.

Use patterns sparingly: For beginners, it's better to use only one multicolor pattern per room. If the rug carries a pattern, avoid "competition" by keeping window treatments, upholstery and accents simple.

Don't over-indulge: Too much of the same color in a room can be a mistake. Even if it's your favorite color, maintain a good balance of main colors and accent colors around your room.

Light it up: Generate an elegant room-wide glow by using gold- or peach-hued light bulbs in table lamps. Bright enough for daily tasks, they also add a beautiful warm tone to a room.

Embrace change: Be brave with your accent colors; they can be changed easily. Candles can be burned, picture frames repainted, pillows recovered. Go with your instincts, but don't be discouraged if you're not happy with your choice - it's all part of the process of getting comfortable with color.

Davis Remignanti

Newlyweds: How to Blend Your Decorating Style

Tips for Newlyweds on Blending Decorating Styles in a New Home

by
Furniture.com

Copyright 2007 Furniture.com All rights reserved.

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"While newlyweds receive lots of advice about marriage, there's little offered on designing their new home together. To ensure their new home doesn't become a 'post-wedding house divided', newly married couples can follow these decorating tips to help create a blended outcome when 'his meets hers'."


Waltham, MA (PRWEB) -- Of the 4.6 million newlyweds who tie the knot this year, nearly 60% plan to buy a new home and 75% plan to redecorate. But while newlyweds receive lots of advice about marriage, there's usually little offered on the intricacies of designing a new home together.

"Picture the newlyweds, as the moving van pulls away, standing amid the stacks of his and hers boxes in their new, shared residence - and each wondering how they're going to pull it all together," said Davis Remignanti, lead design consultant at Furniture.com (www.furniture.com).

To ensure that their happy new home doesn't become "a post-wedding house divided," Remignanti offered newly married couples the following decorating tips towards a "blissfully blended outcome when his meets hers":

Relax
Don't worry about what goes with what: Mix, don't match. A new home, like a new relationship, is about the couple. Follow decorating instincts with pieces that suit both his and her interests and activities.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Beware of underlying emotions. She'll trample his feelings if she trashes his well-worn recliner - a hand-me-down from Dad. Instead, both need to get creative and compromise: Give it a corner in the bedroom if it's a "no" for the living room.

Prioritize
Blending pieces from the past is one thing while shopping for new furniture is another, and larger, undertaking. Step one: List what's needed most. While he may want a sleek new media center for the television, does it make sense if the couple is left to sit on a dorm-room futon?

Budget
Be realistic in setting spending limits and work within them. Ask when shopping: Will this be a "forever" dining room or is it just a temporary solution until a future move into a larger place? Saving money now for a better selection down the road is an option, too.

Get inspired
Research the possibilities as a couple. Get together on the couch and scan newspapers, magazines, and TV shows. Discuss friends' homes. Find design inspiration and common ground. If she likes Cottage Style and he prefers Modern, both should rejoice upon discovering they prefer lighter wood tones and color schemes.

Collaborate
Many couples include one décor-conscious person and one "it's just a chair" person. While one partner may be driving most decisions, for the long-term good of the relationship, involve the other. Don't forget - it's his/her home, too.

Try before you buy
Free Internet resources, like Furniture.com's Room Planner at www.furniture.com/roomplanner, offer couples the opportunity to browse, try lots of items, and see what fits where - without spending weekend after weekend driving from one store to another. Even better, once the newlyweds have created a room plan they both love, they can turn their plan into a purchase with a few clicks of the mouse.

Keep it light
Rome wasn't decorated in a day. Couples can remove much of the pressure by viewing the experience as an opportunity to share what they love about each other. They should focus not only on the beautiful outcome of creating a new décor together, but the bigger picture as well - starting a new life together.

"Even if a couple starts out worlds apart, there are more looks and options to chose from today than ever before, and plenty of opportunity to find common ground and create their dream home," Remignanti said. "Of course there's no prouder moment than when guests stop by and admire the result - and he turns to her and says: 'Well, great minds think alike.'"

Jolene's Interiors - Columbus Nebraska

Jolene's Interiors - Photos of the Store

Decorating Decks and Patios

Expand Your Living Space For This Spring

By ARA
Soon, winter weather will give way to warmer temperatures and clear, blue skies, and you know what that means -- it's almost time to pull your patio furniture and grill out of storage and revive your out door living.

Residential architects report there has been a sharp rise in the popularity of outdoor living space in the past couple of years. In fact, one of the hottest home improvement projects these days is to transform an existing deck or patio into a destination where people can just kick back and relax at the end of the day.

If you're considering joining the ranks this year and updating your deck, think of it as you would any other remodel, and ask yourself a few questions before getting started:

* What do I want to use this room for? Cooking? Entertaining? Relaxing?
* What is my budget?
* Will my plan require additional plumbing or electrical circuits?
* Will I need a building permit?
* Do I need to build overhead protection?

If you want to be able to enjoy the space anytime you want (day or night, in inclement weather, when the bugs are thick, etc.) the answer to the latter is yes. To add a layer of protection, you could extend the roof, but that will be expensive. It would be more practical to add on a canopy or retractable awning.

Canopies are temporary roofs that can offer you a shield against harmful UV rays and light rain-showers while still opening up your porch, deck, or balcony to fresh air and cool breezes. They are made of water-resistant, fabric materials that are durable enough to defend against the elements yet won't fade in the sunshine.

Retractable awnings offer the same protections, along with some additional flexibility. "If you want to sunbathe on your deck on occasion or let the rain in to water the plants, all you have to do is put the top down with the flip of a switch," says Larry Bedosky of Durasol Awnings, a New York-based business that manufactures custom-made motorized retractable awning products. Durasol's SunSetter series of retractable awnings are custom-made to suit any home size and style. They feature long lasting 100 percent acrylic fabrics, combined with non-corrosive hardware, contribute to a maintenance-free investment.

"Awnings of the past were generally made of cotton or canvas fabrics and were easily affected by time and the elements," says Bedosky. "The newer solution-dyed, acrylic covers provide a better fit, greater stability and can last for well over ten years."

With a wide variety of over 200 vibrant fabric colors and patterns, Durasol's retractable awnings will compliment any d�cor. An optional Wind Sensor is available which allows awnings to automatically retract when wind speeds reach a predetermined level, preventing awning damage. A Sun Sensor can also be added to allow for automatic operation determined by the sun's strength.

An optional wireless remote control provides easy-access operation, and when not in use, Durasol Awnings are easily retracted, safely stored, and will subtly blend in with the exterior beauty of any home.


Home and Garden Link

Decorating Baby's Room and Nursery

Expectant Mother's Guide

Having a baby is a new and exciting time in your life, but decorating the nursery for a newborn infant can be a daunting task! So much to do before baby arrives. However, it does not have to be so daunting. Approaching each aspect of the design process as an individual task can make it fun. The design process is a creative one, but it helps immensely to be organized. Writing down ideas and drawing little sketches can go a long way towards channeling your ideas into the actual expression of those ideas.

Incorporate safety considerations into your design plan. Once infants begin crawling and then walking, they want to explore their world. But their level of motor coordination does not always match their thirst for adventure. As a result, accidents are quite common. Bumping heads and rear ends is not uncommon. As adults, we see things at our level. One way to see things the way children do is to physically go down to their eye level and look at objects from their perspective. All of a sudden, a perfectly normal flower pot on the floor can become an object filled with loose soil that can very easily find its way into a child’s mouth. Light objects (glass, ceramics) which can easily tip over, the sharp corner of a table, or exposed sockets could all pose potential danger. When designing the nursery, it is important to keep this in mind.

As suggested earlier, the way to approach the design process is by breaking it down into smaller and more manageable steps.

Step 1: Walls
Deciding on the perfect color for the nursery can be quite overwhelming. The more traditional approach is pink for a girl and blue for a boy. While there is nothing wrong with that, you might want to consider a new approach. Picking a more neutral, non-gender specific color works just as well for a boy or a girl. One major advantage to this choice is that when the next baby arrives, you do not have to repaint the walls. Another way to go is to pick more than one color for the room. Possibly two or maybe even three cheerful colors can be applied very creatively.

Yet another option and current trend is to have a mural painted on one or more walls of the nursery. Murals provide visual stimulation for baby’s constantly developing senses. It could be a favorite character or animal or maybe a little scenery. Murals provide a platform for learning as children are able to identify objects painted in their own personal space.

As an alternative to a mural, you could choose a form of decorative painting: faux finishes, stenciling, or stamping. Faux finishes originated several hundred years ago before the invention of brushes and rollers. Paint made from vegetables dyes was dabbed onto walls creating patterns. Technology provides us with brushes and rollers, but to create interest in any room, dabbing, sponging, rolling, ragging and other techniques of faux finishing have been refined to produce amazing effects. As you can see, the options for walls are endless.

Step 2: Flooring
This is another area where neutral tones are the way to go, as flooring tends to be more permanent. The choices most homes have today are carpet or wood floors, and both choices have their pros and cons. While carpets are comprised of fibers that can be harmful for breathing and provide a home for dust particles, they serve as an excellent cushion for heads when little ones lose their balance. On the other hand, while wood floors allow for easy clean up and no carpet fibers, they cannot protect against possible head injuries when your child falls. A way around both these options is to use play mats, painted canvas rugs, or rubber mats in the room. This way, when your toddler’s motor skills are adequately developed, you could choose to put away the rug or mat. It is also a way to add a splash of color to the room. Remember, infants can only see bright, primary colors initially (red, blue and yellow).

Step 3: Furniture
Picking the right kind of furniture is important. Furniture stores offer a range of designs and prices. When selecting furniture for baby’s room, consider how long you intend to use the item and whether there are coordinating pieces that you can add on as baby grows. You might want to invest more in a permanent piece than you would in an item that will only be used for a short period of time. Cribs, cradles, and bassinets will soon be outgrown. You might want to consider a convertible bed, which is a crib that converts to a toddler bed that converts to a teen bed. This way, you get more mileage from the same piece of furniture. When choosing furniture for the nursery, look for items with rounded corners at child height. One important principle often adhered to in interior design is that form follows function. In other words, while an object might be aesthetically pleasing, it must primarily be useful. When selecting an area for the diaper changing table, make sure you have diaper changing accessories (wipes, creams, diaper genie, etc.) within easy reach. A great deal of time will be spent changing diapers for a couple years at the very least, so make this area accessible and convenient!

Step 4: Window Treatments
Explore fabric options and several designs before making your selection. Try to come up with something different that coordinates with the rest of the space.

Step 5: Accessories
In this situation, accessories are almost synonymous with toys. Kids tend to acquire a large number of toys as they grow. Factor into your plan the organization of space for toys in the form of shelves, toy chests, boxes, etc. Accessorize the containers in creative ways to blend them into the design.

Step 6: Lighting
The stage is set. The nursery is ready. Now all you have to do is to bring it to life. Lighting does that brilliantly. Soft lights and lamps in strategic locations can really make the room come to life.

Window Terminology

Ever find yourself looking through decorating magazines and wondering what on earth is an arched valance or a dowel? Knowing simple terminology can help in your decorating choices. Below is a list of common terminology.

By Carol Nafie

Here's a guide to windowcovering terms, from A to Z:

Apron: Window molding located below the window sill on a window frame
Arched Valance: A valance treatment that is arched along the lower edge.

Austrian Shade: A fabric windowcovering with soft draping scallops which run the length of the shade. They move up and down by a series of cords threaded through rings.

Awning Windows: Windows which are hinged on top and swing outward to open. They are usually rectangular, and wider than they are long.



Balloon Shades: Fabric shades with deep inverted pleats that fall into airy, rounded poufs at the bottom.

Bay Window: A window area that extends outward from the main wall, forming an protrusion on the exteriof of the home.

Bias: This term refers to the grain in fabric. The bias grain runs diagonally at a 45 degree angle to the straight grain and tends to stretch when pulled.

Bishop's Sleeve Curtains: Extra long curtain panels that are cinched up gathered up and over the cinched area.

Box Pleats: Deep, inverted, tailored pleats which are flat on the right side of the drapery to create a classical boxy look.

Brighton Shades: Similar to balloon shades, but without the pleats, rings, and cords along the sides. This allows the sides to fall in relaxed tails. The center section is usually wider than the sides.

Butterfly Pleats : A pleat with two, rather than three, folds to distinguish it from the basic pinch pleat.



Cafe Curtains: A window treatment that covers only the bottom half of a window. A cafe rod is most often hung at the halfway point of the window, at sash level.

Cascades: Side panels, usually pleated, which flank swags. They can be long or short.

Casement Window: A casement window has two verical sections that crank open outward.

Casing: A tunnel of fabric created by stitching parallel seam on folded fabric. A curtain rod is threaded through the casing.

Cathedral Window: These windows are usually seen in rooms with cathedral ceilings. The top of the window follows the slope of the ceiling. Many times the sloped top of the window is left bare.

Combination Rods: Two or three drapery rods sharing one set of brackets. They are used when installing draperies with sheers, or to create any layered look.

Cornice: A decorative wooden, fabric, or foam header placed above a window to conceal drapery hardware.

Curtain: Usually unlined, a curtain is a panel of hemmed fabric hung from a rod at the top of a window. Panels can be floor length or end at the windowsill.



Draw Draperies: Draperies which hang from a traverse rod and can be drawn to open or closed over the window by means of a cording system.


Double Fullness: Using fabric that is twice the measured width of the window. Double fullness creates a fuller look and that is more pleasing to view than skimpy fabric.

Dowel: A round of unfinished wood that is available in many lengths and sizes. Dowels can be used as inexpensive curtain rods, and can be painted, stained, or fabric-covered, and finished with finials on each end. Draping: A technique of looping and securing fabric in graceful curves and folds.



Envelope Shades: Casual curtains attached to a mounting board and hung as a pair of flat panels. The bottom inside corners are pulled out and hooked onto the wall.



Facing: The strip of fabric that is sewn to the raw edge of a fabric and folded back to the wrong side.


Fan Shades: Arcs of fabric pulled together in the center by cords and rings fastened to the back of the shades. The arc, or fan, faces down. When lowered, the shade becomes a flat panel.

Fan Curtains: The same as the fan shade, but used on half circle windows with the fan facing up. A curved curtain rod is required to install fan curtains.

Festoon: see Swag.

Finial: A decorative piece attached to the ends of drapery rods. Usually made of wood or metal and can be many sizes and shapes.

Finish: Product applied to fabric as a protection against water marks and fading.

French Door: A door with with rectangular panes of glass extending the full length. Usually hung with a pair of doors in one frame, with both doors opening outward.

Fringe: A decorative trim sewn onto the edges and hems of curtain panels and rugs. Also often used to decorate pillows and lampshades.

Fullness: Refers to the width of the fabric in relation to the curtain rod. Most window treatments are two to three times fullness.

G through S
T through Z

Decorating Bathrooms for Kids

Designing Bathrooms that Appeal to Kids



By Shannon M. Craig
Special to the Arizona Daily Star

The whole idea is to design a bathroom that's appealing to youngsters and gives them a sense of control so they want to use it, said Diana Patterson, a Tucson-based interior designer who helps families create kid-friendly spaces.

"Safety is the main issue," Patterson said. "It's a tricky project because, of course, the children are going to grow, so it's important to use accessories that can be upgraded and changed as they do."
Some very simple and inexpensive changes can turn the bathroom into a kid-friendly space, said Patterson. Use towel hooks instead of racks. Hang hand towels on the front of cabinets for easy reach. Consider installing an attached step stool so kids can reach the counter with added stability — a very important safety element with small children.

If you must use a free-standing step stool, make sure it's broad enough so it won't easily tip, Patterson said. Nonskid pads on the bottom of the stool will keep it from sliding.

Patterson is currently working with her daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Conrad Masterson, to redesign a guest bathroom in their sprawling 2,700-square-foot Foothills home that will be shared by their two girls, ages 2 and 5, and a baby boy due in March.

The challenge for Gayle Masterson, who's also a psychiatrist, is to make the bathroom easier for the kids to use but keep the space appropriate for adult guests.

"It's important for us to make the bathroom kid-accessible but not with Winnie the Pooh all over," Masterson said, adding that she will focus much of her initial effort on doing practical things like installing towel hooks at a kid-friendly height. Long-term, Masterson said she plans to add another sink as well as build step stools into the vanity that stow away to look like cabinets.

The transformation of Masterson's plain hallway bathroom began with a new paint job in sherbet-colored hues such as mist green, banana yellow and rosy pink along with white. To make the space inviting to the children — and bring the bathroom down to their level — Patterson will create a mirrored wall across from the vanity with 12-inch beveled tiles. Resembling a checkerboard with an explosion of color in between the mirrored tiles, the design serves as both a mirror and an attractive piece of artwork that the Masterson family will enjoy for years to come.


Continuied

Find Your Decorating Style

How do I find my decorating style?



Defining Your Decorating Style
By Leslie Shannon

How do you define your decorating style, what you like, what suits you? Well, in pretty much the same way that you find clothes to wear that you like. By knowing yourself and what suits you; seeing what’s out there, in stores and on other people; and seeking out constant inspiration in magazines and the media!

Take Your Time

If at all possible, try not to pressure yourself, or let others rush you. Spend time looking for ideas and inspiration in books, magazines, catalogs and on-line. Live in the space for a while, look at the light at various times of the day, and see how you actually use the rooms. In short, find out what the space needs.

Develop Your Eye for Design

Make a point of looking around houses that are open to the public—model homes, furnished homes for sale and so on.

If you’re eating out at a nice restaurant or visiting a museum or gallery, take note of the décor and details. It’s probably the work of a highly experienced interior designer.

You can even sharpen your design sense at the movies, by looking at the sets and scenes with rooms in them, which are usually styled by skilled set designers down to the smallest details.

Ask friends and acquaintances whose homes you admire how they created their look—most people are flattered and will love to give you tips.

But don’t just go with what others say is good. Be honest with yourself. Look for what you truly like.

What Attracts You?

What colors do you particularly respond to? Do you like light or dark? Strong or muted? How about textures—man-made or natural? Do you like antiques, or reproduction, or modern? Or all of the above? What rooms do you most enjoy being in—cozy, or ultra-modern?

Don’t design to impress others, or just to demonstrate that you know the latest trends (without perhaps actually liking them very much). Design for yourself and your family. After all, friends and colleagues just visit. You have to live there, day in and day out!

To assist you in defining your personal decorating style, some general styles are outlined below.

Traditional Warmth

A traditional style is generally formal, sophisticated and timeless, using antiques or high quality furniture reproductions, rich woods, overstuffed seating and muted understated colors. The emphasis is on comfort, style and classic, refined elegance.

Fabrics are luxurious and rich, fixtures are of high quality, and accessories may include paintings, vintage prints, and sculpture and framed personal mementos. Traditional rooms are thoughtfully composed and generally have a rather formal feel.

Modern Elegance

With its roots in the Bauhaus art movement of the 1920s, classic modern (which may also be called contemporary), treats interior spaces almost as pieces of three-dimensional art, balancing form, shape, color and texture, and banishing clutter and fussiness.

Surfaces are plain, colors are usually clean and pure, and shapes are geometric, with immaculate detail and finishing. The whole look is pared down and polished. Materials may be either the highest quality natural (silk and cotton, slate and marble, for example) or quality man-made.

Country Comfort

Country today is an assemblage of related styles, with names that include rustic, peasant, pastoral, natural, floral, romantic, nautical, beach, cottage, country house, colonial, New England, Shaker and Provençal, to name a few.

Signature elements are materials and textures that are natural rather than man-made; colors and designs that echo nature (floral motifs, for example); furniture that is simple and hand-crafted; and an absence of modern artifacts (they may be there, but are concealed).

Casual Blends

Casual can also be called eclectic—it’s a well-chosen and harmonious mix of furniture, fixtures, colors, textures and treasured accessories that appeal to you.

Casual requires a confident hand to team up ancient and modern, to combine, say, the clean lines of contemporary with the warmth of country, and tie it all together with color and texture.

The most successful casual rooms generally confine themselves to two or three different styles, and frequently use a common decorating theme, such as color or shape.

Lighting Ideas

More Bright Lighting Ideas
Wilkes Barre, PA Times Leader

February 16, 2007

People are thinking about lighting more MODESTO, Calif. -- Once upon a time, installing interior lighting meant someone stuck a ceiling fixture in the middle of a room and called it a day. Often, that lone light was supplemented with a floor or table lamp.

Fast forward to present day. Lighting has become an integral part of interior design. Not only is lighting practical -- it provides needed illumination when sunlight is scarce -- it can be used as a decor element, adding drama and visual interest.

'People are thinking about lighting more,' said Carrie Arnold, a lighting consultant at Phillips Lighting & Home in Modesto. 'They realize lighting needs to be considered an important element in home design.'


Lighting needs vary depending on the space, and there are some general tips to follow depending on the room:

Kitchens

Kitchens have become the hub of many homes and are used for much more than preparing food. It's where kids do their homework, adults peruse the Sunday paper and guests congregate during gatherings.

The kitchen's lighting needs to be versatile as well. A small kitchen might require only a central ceiling fixture for general lighting and task lighting underneath cabinets to brighten a countertop. A larger kitchen with multiple features, such as a dining table, an island and a computer workstation, requires a blend of general, task and accent lighting. Some areas to consider:

** Consider using recessed downlights over the stove and sink areas for cooking and cleaning jobs.

** If a kitchen table is used, it is one of the room's focal points and should be illuminated. A decorative pendant light or chandelier are two choices to provide adequate lighting.

** Add lighting above and underneath cabinets. Above-cabinet lights emphasize high ceilings; under-cabinet lights brighten a countertop.

Lighting experts recommend zoning the lights in the room and placing them on separate circuits. For example: the light over the sink should have its own switch, while island and counter lights should be paired with their own switch.

Bedroom

** Know the dimensions of the room before you buy any lighting. Take the room measurements with you to a lighting showroom. It's also a good idea to sketch where the outlets are located in the room, as well as furniture placement.

** Don't forget to measure ceiling height. Bedroom ceilings are typically 8 feet to 9 feet tall, so using a short fixture or one flush with the ceiling would be a better choice than a long one.

** Reconsider having a light installed over the bed. Soft light at face level is better than direct overhead light.

** Don't forget about the closet. Light should come within 12 inches of a closet's upper shelf or hanging rod.

** A quick and easy way to add task lighting is to put floor or nightstand lamps on both sides of the bed.

Bathroom

Because the bath is where many people conduct their grooming, proper lighting is essential. Experts recommend starting with vanity lighting because it does the most work (offering lighting for putting on makeup, shaving, styling your hair, etc.).

** Using layers of light is better than using one source. Layering also reduces glare.

** Use frosted bulbs instead of clear ones to further reduce glare. For that same reason, avoid fixtures with exposed bulbs.

** Consider using a recessed fixture to light a tub. Aim the beam toward its outer edge.

Dining room

** Use layers of light. Place a chandelier over the table with accent lights on both sides. Accent lights such as wall sconces will help brighten the room's perimeter.

** If chandelier-style lighting will go above the table, choose a fixture with a diameter 12 inches less than the table's width. It should hang about 30 inches above the table.

** Consider using a dimmer switch with dining-room lights to help create ambiance.

** Does the table do double duty as a homework area? Use a portable light to brighten the area.

** High or vaulted ceiling? Consider a two-tier chandelier to help 'fill' the space.

Copyright © 2007 Wilkes Barre, PA Times Leader, All Rights Reserved.

Organize Your Closet

Spring cleaning is just around the corner. Organizing and tossing clutter can be a daunting task. Below are tips on how to get started and make your life a little easier.


Organizing Clues
By Jamie Novak, Professional Organizer
Complete Story

How do I find the time?

Stop waiting for a huge chunk of time to get organized. It probably won't come, and even if it does, you'll squander it doing something else.

The solution: Lose the all-or-nothing attitude. Instead, break up your organizing tasks into 18-minute segments that can be managed easily while your infant is sleeping, the laundry is spinning or dinner is finishing up in the oven.

But Jamie, you wonder, what could I possibly get done in just 18 minutes? You'll be surprised. Set your timer for 18 minutes once a day, and dive in. After a few days you'll realize how 18 minutes of focused work is as good as 45 minutes spent multitasking.


What if it's not perfect?

Don't bother. Once you get close to what you think is the perfect solution, situations change and you wind up modifying your system anyway.

The solution: Go for good enough. Does it really improve your life dramatically if your towels are folded with perfect edges? Wouldn't you rather save time and effort by relaxing your standards a little or allowing someone else to take over the task, even if it's not done exactly as you'd like?



How do I store artwork and supplies?

Noodles, glitter and the creations they become can quickly overtake your home.

The solution: Store art projects in unused pizza boxes, which are cheap and stack well. Store craft supplies the way teachers do — keep crayons, markers and colored pencils in coffee cans. Put sequins and other little things in plastic baggies, then toss those into plastic containers alongside glue, pipe cleaners, etc.

Where do I put all my reading materials?

Are newspapers, magazines and catalogs piling up because you fear you may need them someday?

The solution: Grab a three-ring binder and fill it with clear plastic sheet protectors to store articles you want to read. At some point — you'll know when, based on how often you actually read the articles — institute a household rule that for every article that goes into the binder, one must come out, whether it's been read or not. Too much to read? Cancel subscriptions, change the address to a local salon or nursing home or give the magazines away.

Staggering statistic: Ninety-eight percent of what is filed is never referenced again.



How do I avoid "clutter magnets"?

Any horizontal surface in your home quickly attracts things you intend to get to "later." Yet later rarely comes.

The solution: Create storage near these clutter hot spots so you can put things away immediately rather than having to deal with a huge mess that accumulates after several days or weeks.



Why does my family sabotage my organizing efforts?

Family members, whether intentionally or not, can thwart our best efforts to stay organized. Often this is simply a matter of different clutter-comfort levels.

The solution: Work together. If one of you prefers piles instead of files, compromise by disguising stacks of paper in pretty baskets without lids (for easy access).



What do I do with the odds and ends?

All that little stuff — batteries, light bulbs, birthday candles, picture hangers — can quickly add up to a big mess. Whether this stuff lands in your junk drawer, gets shoved in a closet or stays on your kitchen island, the result is the same. You can't find what you need when you need it.

The solution: Group similar items together and give them a home. Zip-top plastic bags work well, and they don't need labels because you can see through them. Put birthday candles and a lighter in one bag, batteries in another.


How do I unclutter my closet?

A crowded closet means valuable time is wasted looking for an outfit, a bath towel, a matching sheet set or a left sneaker.

The solution: First, bring in the light by installing a battery-operated light fixture. Next, create more storage by using the back of the door and adding shelves or by placing step shelves on existing ones. Designate areas for specific items: linens on the bottom shelf, towels on the next or shoes on a slim bookshelf tucked in the corner of the closet.



How do I prevent things from getting lost?

Do you spend a lot of your time searching for keys, sneakers and black cords that connect to electronic devices?

The solution: Create a lost-and-found container. It can be a basket, bin, drawer or shelf that the whole family can reach. The next time you find something left out, simply toss it in the lost-and-found bin. Make sure everyone knows where to look when they're missing something. What to do when the container is overflowing? Call a family cleanup meeting and have everyone take what's his or hers. Whatever is left behind gets dumped or donated.


What's the cure for brain freeze or analysis paralysis?

When we don't know what to do first, we often do nothing at all. What system should we use? How should we categorize? Should we color code? Should we buy the 13-gallon or 20-gallon plastic tub?

The solution: Stop analyzing, and do something. Anything! You can always change it later. The key is to get started. Once you get moving, your progress will keep you motivated to keep going.

Sweet: 21 Natural Ways to Scent Your Home

Sweet: 21 Natural Ways to Scent Your Home
by Mary Ellen Pinkham, Everyday Problem Solver



Mary Ellen Pinkham suggests in her household hints book creative ways to scent your home. Below is an exert from her book with new recent ideas and tips.


Selling your home?

Before an open house, add to a pot of water any combination of allspice, cloves, orange peel, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract and fresh ginger, and simmer the mixture slowly on the stove. Prospective buyers will feel instantly at home.


Running late with dinner?

Buy a little time by sauteing an onion in a little oil. The savory aroma will serve as a signal to hungry family members that dinner is on the way.


Want to give your home that "what's in the oven" fragrance?

Consider the idea I called "faking baking": Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar in a tin pie pan and burn it slowly on the stove top over very low temperature or very low flame.


No time to clean?

A spritz or two of pine cleaner will give unexpected visitors the impression that you slaved all day. Times have changed since I wrote those first words of advice, but the simple techniques still work like a charm. Want a few more homespun fragrance tips? Here are up-to-date suggestions that will rid your home of off odors and circulate sweet scents throughout the day.


More
Natural Ways to Scent Your Home

Interior Decorating Columbus Nebraska

Business Flyer for 2007
Jolene's Interiors

Top Ten Home Decor Trends for 2007

By
Murals Your Way

Home and Garden News

Copyright 2007 Murals Your Way All rights reserved.



Certain themes will continue from previous years, with some gaining momentum as they become more widely accepted. Still others will explode onto the scene as fresh, inventive options for today's decorating enthusiasts. All of them will be woven together seamlessly by the thread of personalization and comfort.

COLOR

Color is key in home fashion, according to Lori West ASID, of Everyday Spaces, Inc., with red taking a turn to the softer side with offerings of peach, melon, and muted yellows and oranges. Blues, greens, aquas, purples and pinks will continue to evolve, and be featured in both brilliant and more subtle hues.



STYLE

ct and drama. Based on PANTONE's Home Furnishings Forecast for 2007, Anderson suggests consumers look for hints of violets within taupes; deep browns and greys; and hues like "Adobe Rose", "Deep Taupe" and "Grape Nectar" added to the natural palettes of greens and desert tans. Vicki Ingham, senior editor and group manager of Home Decorating & Design Books, sees formal and traditional decorating styles enjoying new popularity with younger homeowners, as GenXers look to historically inspired design as an anchor. Pairings of traditional and casual, or traditional and modern - once the preserve of high-end designers - will also become increasingly mainstream. Ingham cites Vera Wang's new line of home goods for Kohl's as directly targeted at the consumer who wants "classic style with a modern twist."
TEXTURES

WALL TREATMENTS

Madonna's newly adopted son has one. So does Andy Roddick. For years, decorative wall murals have been popular and cost-effective ways to change a room's appearance. According to Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics who produce the Murals Your Way line of wall murals (www.muralsyourway.com), this trend will continue to gain strength in the coming year. "There's no better way to customize a home or office than by adding a decorative wall mural," says Imholte. "By reflecting your individual tastes and interests, it creates a very distinctive look plus fosters a warm, comforting living environment."


FUNCTIONAL DESIGN

Today's consumers are seeking a look that's beautiful and sexy, but also practical for daily living, says Scott Yerkey ASID, of Scott Arthur Yerkey Design, Inc. Rather than having a certain style imposed on them, consumers will continue to design their homes to reflect their individual habits and lifestyles. Trevira decorative and upholstery fabrics will be popular options, as they're full of life and texture, yet also user-friendly and functional.

FURNITURE

Well-designed rooms are about finding the "wow" factor in combining seemingly disparate finishes, materials and textures in new ways, according to Furniture.com lead designer C. Davis Remignanti. Grain, imperfection, age and character will continue to dominate wood finishes, with a focus on time-proven styles rendered in finishes that emphasize the natural quality of wood.

CABINETS

Paula Peterson ASID, of Interior Viewpoints, predicts kitchen and bathroom cabinetry will continue to boast a more customized, furniture approach. Cabinets will take on a more casual look by receiving painted and glaze finishes, and may also feature a combination of wood, glass, stone and metal (including wire mesh in cabinet doors.)


METAL INFLUENCES

However, stainless steel's dominance as the "in" metal is over, says Frederick Miller ASID, of HKM Architects + Planners, Inc. Warm-toned, oil-rubbed bronze and copper will become more prevalent in hardware, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and will also take center stage in both large and small appliances. In addition, the shiny, mirror finish of chrome will make a strong comeback, appearing in unexpected places like decorative accessories, vases and small furnishings.

ENVIRONMENAL INFLUENCE

Miller also cites a focus on "sustainability." The availability of green products is increasing dramatically, thereby allowing professional and amateur designers to create aesthetically pleasing homes and workspaces, while minimizing their environmental "footprint."
COMFORT

The relaxed yet ultra-stylish cottage look has recently taken off, adds Remignanti, with even the trendiest pied-a-terres in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles adopting a "lake retreat" attitude. This cozy ambiance fosters the prevailing theme that "every room should be a living room" of comfort and relaxation

I want to decorate a room in my home, but where do I even start?

Redecorating or starting a new home project can be a daunting task. It's hard to know where to begin, what choices should be made, and ultimately how to make the pieces fit together. It is always a good idea to start simple and add as you go. Understanding a few simple rules will make the process less stressful and more enjoyable.

Many websites offer tips and advice of dos and don'ts which I think are extremely helpful when making first decisions. If you have more questions or want personal decorating advice always feel free to contact local decorating services or post questions on individual websites.

About Decorating has the perfect article of dos and don'ts when starting a decorating project. Tips range from picking wall colors to the placement of furniture.
More of This Article

What Buyers Want

Another part-time endevour I have is selling home real-estate. Many times our company gives advice to home owners to help aid in the selling process. Tracy Hanes wrote an excellent article in the Toronto Times about what buyers want in a new home. Tracy stresses the importance the neutral colors and decorating choices. She also highlighets the new trends for floors and ceilings.


Link - What Buyers Want