Attention Pack Rats

Less is more. Please do not fill up every blank space in your home. Cluttered corners and surfaces are unattractive and unneeded. Just because you see blank space somewhere does not mean it’s begging you to cram it with accessories. Try using one or two more powerful pieces than a bunch of tiny garnishes, or as I say “dust collectors”. Remember, clutter is chaos and the less of it you showcase, the better.

Under Budget

Is it time for a change, but you don’t have a large budget to play with? Are you looking to design a room on a tight fund?

My suggestion consists of 3 easy steps:

Paint – Paint is inexpensive and will definitely feed your need-for-change craving. Pick a color that will work well with your existing furniture.

Rearrange – Move your furniture around. Play with it. Create a conversation area if you don’t already have one. Place the furniture in a way that makes sense. Don’t put a sofa in front of a doorway.

Thrift Store – Visit your local thrift stores for cheap accessories and decorations. Don’t let the word thrift scare you away. Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Just because their inexpensive does not mean they can’t be beautiful.

When Doing A Theme

Themes can sometimes be scary. They can be so over-the-top that the room is no longer inviting.

Children’s rooms are the most common rooms to theme. The reason is because parents like their children to be surrounded by imagination and fun feelings. They want them to be interested in aspects of real life, such as baseball, or aspects of fantasy, such as a fairytale garden. Whatever the theme may be, my point is, people amplify it a little too much.

Say you are interested in doing a barn theme and you buy all accessories and furniture that just scream barn. Why not go for a more subtle feel? Instead, look at colors, fabrics, and wood tones that are common in barns. Keep your eyes guessing rather than just giving the flat out answer: “Oh, it’s a barn.” Not everything in the room has to jump out at you; it is just too overwhelming when doing a theme. But, the overall feel should be one of a barn.

Another example would be doing a beach or underwater theme. Just shoot for the feel of the beach using a color scheme of different shades of blue and sand. Use soft whites and creams and choose fabrics that have a light and airy feel to them. Not everything in the room has to resemble a sea shell.

I'm Seeing Green

Green is the new pink, and black, and blue, and purple, and every other color you can think of.

The Green movement is an immense effort to aware the people of the U.S. that we are facing a major problem within our environment and we need to start changing our habits NOW. In case you didn’t know, this is a big deal. Going Green includes changing what you eat, what car you drive, where you work, and what products you buy, just to name a few.

But, going Green also applies largely to your home. In our houses we use so much energy and so many materials that are damaging to our environment and ozone layer. Because of this new and extremely stressed awareness, companies and designers are providing Green options to suit people’s needs. Some examples consist of reusing recycled wood for fireplace mantels and floors, substituting eco -friendly materials for counter tops that give off a unique an interesting feel, and buying low energy kitchen appliances. Being Eco-friendly may not be the most lavish, but it is the best thing to support in the now and future.

Get out there and see how you can go green, even if it is in small ways.

If You Were A Sofa, What Would You Look Like?

When you picture your perfect room, what trend comes to mind? Does a trend even come to mind?

Are you one of those people who solely likes Contemporary style? Clean lines and simplicity?
Exclusively French Country or Mid-century Modern?
Or, are you more of an eclectic designer where mixed-matched furniture and decor make up your design scheme?

If you know exactly what style you are interested in, than I suggest you stick with it. You can’t go wrong with what you love. But, maybe, a little researching of other designs will do you good. You will be surprised with all the new trends coming out that never existed before, and even old styles seen in new light.

If you’re like me and enjoy many different styles, the eclectic approach seems to be the easiest and the most fun style to work with. In my opinion, mixing and matching antiques with modern décor, or traditional furniture with Arts and Crafts touches makes design interesting, innovative, and unique.

My advice is do some exploring of what actually defines the titles of design and see what best fits your lifestyle.

They Just Don't Make Em' Like This Anymore

I went to a wedding this past summer at a Victorian house. I took more pictures of the house than I did of the actual wedding because I was captivated by the beautiful touches that are now rarely found in homes, if they are even found at all.

I decided to share these photos with you. They may inspire you if your building a new home or you might just look at them and agree that it’s true: They just don’t make them like this anymore.

While looking through these pictures, keep an eye out for:
-Stained glass windows
-Rich wood paneling
-A large fireplace, hearth, and mantel
-Custom made built-in shelves

-Custom moldings
-A custom built-in table/nook

(All photos above by L. Burgio)

Hit The Floor

When it comes to flooring, we are all designers and we all know exactly what we are interested in.

Tile, carpet, hard wood, bamboo, cork; the options are endless.

· Tile flooring, common in bathrooms and kitchens, provides a million options by itself. Glass, marble, and slate tiles are all popular and they come in infinite shades, colors, styles, and cuts.

· Carpet is probably the public’s least favorite option. But even so, the warm and fuzzy feeling under your feet is cozy and still hanging in there (even if it’s only by a thread).

· Hard wood flooring is so “in” right now. Even if it is laminate hard wood, the look is what homebuyers and homeowners are interested in. Why? Hardwood is sleek, natural, and environmentally friendly (as well as bamboo). It too comes in an infinite selection.

· Laminate flooring has a broad range of colors, shapes, and sizes. However, the impression I have gotten says laminate is a alternative of the past.

Choices, choices, choices. See what you like and don’t like right off the bat; after the basics, just keep narrowing it down.

Look Outside The Box

(Photo by L. Burgio)

Creativity is the staple of design. If you are looking for the one thing for your room to accomplish, it should be originality.

I know you hear phrases like, “I want it to look like it came out of a magazine!”, but I will never tell you to replicate a picture in a magazine. Getting inspiration from a magazine is ideal, that’s what the magazines are printed for. Yet, copying gives you no play room. When decorating, you NEED room to play; trust me.

(Photo by L. Fitzgerald)

The only way you can look outside the norm is to get out there. Visit furniture showrooms or go to antique shops and challenge yourself by stopping at places you wouldn’t usually stop at for art, furniture, or accessories.

Basically, be innovative. Be original, creative, and imaginative. Think different and overall think fun. This should be fun for you, if it is not, I suggest hiring an interior designer.

(Photo by L. Fitzgerald)