Friday, May 31, 2013

2013 Luxury Living Room Curtains Designs Ideas

When it comes to decorating your home, there are certain things that can be done to give it a complete transformation. You could try out a few simple things like, changing the cushion and the cover of your sofa, changing the paintings or wall hanging. More importantly, it is the curtains that can really change the look of your place.
Curtains can be a defining aspect of a living room. Large windows may benefit from the long, graceful lines of a traditional drapery or a more contemporary sheer fabric. A wide of variety of curtain choices are available to dress your living room window. Take a good look at the layout and color scheme of your living room and start searching.
I hope you’ve been inspired by these living room curtain designs ideas. Most of all, have fun with it!
















Wednesday, May 29, 2013

2013 Fresh Kitchen Decorating Update Ideas for Summer

Use these easy kitchen decorating ideas to refresh your kitchen without an extensive remodel.
I hope you’ve been inspired by these kitchen decorating ideas. Most of all, have fun and enjoy with it!


Use windows as a spot for pattern and color in a kitchen where neutrals reign. To create a coordinated look, use a fabric that has a color already found in your kitchen. The fabric on these Roman shades contains a gray similar to the cabinets. Consider using an easy to wash fabric for your treatments so you can wash them from time to time and prevent the retention of cooking odors.


Outfit your banquette or breakfast nook with an ensemble of pillows. These pretty additions will decorate the eating space when it's not in use and provide an extra layer of comfort when you are gathered around the table.


Even though a kitchen is called upon to be highly functional, that doesn't mean it can't be stylish. Display artwork like you would in a living room or bedroom. Consider vintage food or grocer signs to add collected flair, or a pretty painting for a more elegant vibe.


Turn castoff and mismatch plates into a fun display. Cruise clearance racks and thrift stores to find lone plates that share a commonality. The plates in this display all sport red designs, which unifies the display and creates a bond with the nearby red island.


Give old chairs a boost by re-covering the seats or adding new cushions. Choose a fabric that goes with other elements within the kitchen so your new addition blends seamlessly.


Kitchens typically don't have a lot of wall space, thanks to cabinetry, backsplashes, windows, and doorways. Use limited wall space as a chance to display a color you might not otherwise choose for a large wall or whole room. Here, a sable brown colors the space above the windows, which grounds the light kitchen. Also, look to the "fifth wall" of a room  the ceiling  as a place to add color with paint.


Small kitchens, especially those with U- or L-shape layouts, can accommodate an island, if it is the right size. Measure your kitchen and keep in mind that walkways around the islands should be 36 inches wide. Determine what size of island your kitchen could handle and start looking. A rustic worktable suits this kitchen's cottage style. Consider an island on wheels to make it easy to move as necessary, such as when you're serving a buffet.


Paint the insides of your cabinets for an update that will give your kitchen decorating mileage without much cost. Choose your color from an existing element in your kitchen, such as a fleck that appears in your countertops or backsplash, or a color that is featured on window treatments.


Activate the space in front of a window as bonus storage. Mount shelves in front of the window by either anchoring them to the wall or along the sides of upper cabinets. This handy solution can also block a not-so-great outside view while allowing light to come in from the window.


If you have a beloved collection of cookbooks, don't relegate them to a cabinet put them on display. The pretty covers will serve as artwork when arranged and layered facing outward on the shelves within an island. Floating shelves on the walls are also an easy display solution just make sure the shelves aren't too close to the sink or range so there isn't the risk of a book falling into soapy water or onto a hot burner.


Give a narrow galley kitchen a focal point by painting the "end" wall a bright color. A contrasting and vivid hue will draw the eye through the kitchen and make it appear longer. Consider a color that's complementary to a color already found in your kitchen. Here, a coral-orange paint is the complement to the dusty blue cabinets.


If you have a cabinet door that is irreparable, replace it with a curtain. Cut and hem a piece of fabric to size (you'll want the fabric to be wider than the door, so it can appear gathered and pleated) and sew a pocket on the top of the fabric. Place the curtain onto a tension rod and mount inside the cabinet doorway. Keep in mind that this project should not be used on cabinets near an oven or range to avoid creating a fire hazard.


Rather than going to the task of painting all of your cabinets, paint just the island for a quick kitchen pick me up. Try a bright hue or color that contrasts with the perimeter cabinets in your kitchen. Use accessories to introduce the color elsewhere in your kitchen so the island will blend with the rest of the space.


Unite adjacent areas to the kitchen by repeating a color or motif. An L-shape sofa in this sitting nook just off the kitchen picks up the blue from the kitchen's tile backsplash.


Line the back of shelves or a backsplash with beaded board to add cottage style texture to your kitchen. Paint the beaded board a fun color that matches the rest of your kitchen and be sure to finish it with a waterproof sealant if you are installing it behind or around a sink.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Style on a Budget Decorating : House Tour from BHG

Take a cue from this home and see how easy it can be to rework remnants, castoffs, and closeouts into stylish, personality-filled home decor.


From the outside, this Colonial style home looks about like any other. But one step inside reveals a carefully accumulated collection of furniture and accessories purchased from yard sales, closeout sales, and antiques shops that have all been updated and brought to life with paint, upholstery, and other decorative touches.


Inspired by the bold pattern blue and white area rug, a navy blue accent wall adds dramatic appeal to the home?s living space. Hits of high contrast white, including the coffee table and fireplace surround, brighten the room. Simple white curtain panels make a window that lacks molding look finished. The homeowner hung the window draperies high and wide to make the window seem larger.


Look online to score deals. This pair of bookcases, an online score, was given new life with a coat of soft blue paint. Paired together, the units create a focal point along one wall of the living room and offer plenty of storage and display space. The backs of the bookcases were painted navy to help tie the units in with the area rug and accent wall.


Give a mismatched group of furniture a cohesive look with paint. Here, a thrift store cabinet, painted white to match other living room furniture, serves as a media console. The doors of the cabinet feature a motif similar to that of the area rug, which helps tie the piece in with the rest of the living room. Different size black and white images hung above the TV add height and make use of old frames the homeowner had on hand.


A variety of gold accessories scattered throughout the home?s living space lends glamorous appeal. Here, a dramatic gold mirror frame makes use of empty wall space. Use gold paint or gold leaf to give ordinary objects sparkle. A small half moon shape console table below the piece provides a bit of additional display space and visually grounds the mirror.


Mix and match furniture by relocating pieces from different spaces. In the casual breakfast nook, a hand-me-down table is paired with chairs that originally came with the dining room table. An outdated yard sale chest was painted black to match the chairs. Designer fabric snagged from a remnant bin was used to create the zippy curtains that add character to the neutral space.


With the dining room chairs relocated to the breakfast nook, a bench was introduced for seating in the formal dining room. Thrift-store chairs painted white and reupohlstered with fabric to match the drapes serve as additional seating. The final look is an eclectic, unpexpected alternative to the basic matching dining room set. A former TV console now serves as a handy buffet, topped with lamps that were updated with spray paint and new shades.


No guilt, no fuss is the feeling in the master bedroom, where simple white bedding and cool gray walls allow for easy redecorating for pocket change. The clean lined four poster draws the eye upward and toward the unique ceiling treatment. White painted dressers flanking the sides of the bed work overtime as both nightstands and clothing storage space.

2013 Decorating Update with What You Have

Giving your home a decorating update shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Lucky for you, we have the best tips and tricks for boosting your home’s style on a budget. Browse these creative ideas and learn how easy it can be to achieve big style without breaking the bank.

Decorating is easy and affordable when you build upon what you already have. See how you can take ordinary items and work them into your decor with a few easy tricks, updates, and simple supplies.


Display favorite memories and photos in a vignette that is personal and welcoming. Get a streamlined look by using fewer photos printed at larger sizes. Use frames you have and paint them the same color for a unified display. Or invest in inexpensive, basic black frames for a polished look.


Bring outdoor pieces inside for an easy addition. Garden stools work just as well indoors as they do on patios and porches for extra seats and drink tables.


Sometimes decorating is just as much about subtraction as it is addition. Examine the inside of your cabinet boxes to determine if they are display-worthy. The insides may need a fresh coat of paint or just a good cleaning. Remove doors and fill any holes with putty and paint or stain to match the cabinet box. Display favorite dishes, utensils, and cookware or large jars filled with pantry staples, such as flour, pasta, and rice, inside the newly exposed cabinet.


If your drapes have enough length, consider moving the curtain rod to the ceiling, which will give the room a greater sense of height. Before you make the move, measure your curtains to make sure they will still graze the floor if you move the rod. If you need a little extra length and your drapes currently hang by a rod pocket, invest in drapery clips, which will make the drapes hang a little bit closer to the floor.


Pillows can be pricey, and if you are getting weary of yours, consider pillow covers in the same size as your existing pillows. The old pillow can act as an insert, and when zipped or buttoned into a fresh cover, no one will know that your new green pillow was once red. If you're handy with a needle and thread, make your own pillow covers.


Bring hardcover books off the shelf for an interesting tablescape or mantel arrangement. Removing dust jackets can reveal a beautiful cover with eye catching colors or designs.


Even decorating basics can look extraordinary with a little embellishment. Wrap rickrack around a lampshade, hang picture frames with ribbon, or attach decorative veneers or gingerbread to plain bookcases.


Incorporate mementos from vacations or special occasions into your decor. The move will integrate your personality and life experiences into the spaces, where they can be admired by guests and family. Whether it's a collection of shells from a beach vacation or a framed wedding invitation or birth announcement, even the simplest of items become display-worthy when they recall a special memory.


Wallpaper, fabric, and wrapping paper remnants are all perfect fodder for lining the backs of boring bookcases or built-ins. Score a discounted material and start lining for an easy, instant update.


Turn a hodgepodge of plates into a fun display. Use items from your own collection and scope out inexpensive companion pieces at thrift stores. Plan out your arrangement before you start hanging to avoid making unnecessary holes in the wall.


Paint is a must have tool for budget decorating. But, this versatile medium is not restricted only to walls. It can also be used to give dated furniture and accessories a much needed lift.


Bring a blanket out of storage to add an extra layer of color to a living room or bedroom. Fold a throw over the back of a sofa or the edge of a bed, allowing any pretty edge detailing, such as trim or fringe, to be visible.


For another way to wake up your bookcases, incorporate objects from throughout your house into the display. That serving platter you love, but never use? A horse figurine from your daughter's past fascination with all things equine? Anything with an interesting shape or design can be a candidate. Look for objects that have commonalities, such as white finishes, to create a more unified display. And resist the urge to add "just one more" item. If you have a large collection, rotate objects in and out from time to time, rather than displaying everything all at once, to ensure the vignette strays from cluttered territory.