Is Your Bedroom Less Than Inspiring?

Let’s face it. Life is busy! By the time many people finally end up in the bedroom after a long day, they may not find the inspiration they need for the activities that usually take place there ~ sleep and intimacy. Here are a few ideas to get you moving in the right direction towards correcting that!

Lose the Office ~ Many people have desks or workstations in their bedroom. How are you going to forget your worries about work or bills, when it’s staring you right in the face? Make every effort you can to get the desk into another room. If that’s not at all possible (and I want you to really try!), then how about concealing the area behind a decorative screen? Another alternative is installing a curtain rod that suspends from the ceiling and hanging some drapery panels. Both of these options will achieve the goal, and also add decorative appeal to your room. It’s a win-win!

Rethink the TV ~ This one can be a case for argument, but most designers (as well as many health professionals) are not supporters of televisions in the bedroom. Not only are they a distraction, but depending on what you’re watching, they can keep you from getting a restful night’s sleep. Is watching the negativity on the late night news going to relax you into blissful slumber?

Family Photos Too ~ This is another one to rethink, yet is not always agreed upon. As much as you may like your mother-in-law, do you really want her smiling at you in your bedroom? I don’t! Keep the photos in your bedroom limited to just those of you and your mate, and yes, this means no photos of the children either. Surround yourself with photos that will make you feel connected as a couple ~ you as a couple, not as parents. Worries and discussions about the kids (and we all have them!) can steer you in the wrong direction.

Find Inspiration! ~ Lastly, bring elements into your bedroom that make you feel good … bedding that you love, soft lighting from lamps, candles and accessories that you enjoy, and my favorite indulgence, fresh flowers.

Check back weekly for more home improvement and decorating tips! If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Room Refreshers ~ Fast and Affordable!

Do you have a room that you’d love to give a lift, if only you had the time or money? Well, it CAN be done! Many times, a few simple changes is all that’s needed to give a room a completely new look, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Just let your imagination run, and have fun with it!

Paint, paint, paint ~ I cannot emphasize enough what a fabulous material paint is. There isn’t one other material that can give the most dramatic impact for the most economical price. As you can see in the “before” photo, the previous owners of this home tried this theory with the blue vanity cabinet, yet in this case, I think they missed the mark. The whole feeling of this room was changed when I repainted it a soft black. Add some new cabinet hardware, and you’re set!

Accessorize ~ Your next best bet for sprucing things up is with accessories. I’ve talked about this before, but there are lots of great retail stores with wonderful selections of stylish accessories at affordable prices (see my blog post “Great Design Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive!”). I purchased all of the accessories for this bathroom from Target, Pier 1 and Michael’s Crafts, and all for about $100! Woo hoo! Instant make-over!

Check back weekly for more decorating and home improvement ideas. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don't hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that's needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home ~ Inside and Out!

Lighten Up Your Landscape

Is your front or back yard in the dark? Landscape lighting is not only functional, but can make a dramatic difference in the visual appeal of your home. That said, try and consider both of these elements when designing your lighting plan.

Miss the Runway ~ If you’re lighting a walkway or driveway, try and add some uniqueness to the layout. Though lights perfectly lined up along your walkway seem like the natural thing to do, it can appear more like an airport runway than an entrance into your home. Stagger the lights for a more natural effect.

Give the Light Some Shade ~ Think about positioning the lights in such a way that plants will be gently tucked around them. This will soften the glare, but still expose enough light for function. As you see in this photo, there’s plenty of light to illuminate the space, but several fixtures are hidden to where you don’t even see them.

Reduce the Glare ~ Though bright lighting is functional for guiding the way and security purposes, it can be offensive if it’s glaring at your guests upon arrival. The purpose of landscape lighting is to add beauty to your home, and create enough lighting for you and your guests to safely move throughout the space. Of course, there are exceptional times when you may need brighter light for tasks, or if you have people with special needs. For these instances, you can still have the light available, but installed on a switch that’s separate from your main landscape lighting.

Check back every Friday for more decorating and home improvement tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!

Beauty Without Color ~ Designing with Neutrals

Don’t like lots of color? There are other options! Rooms with a neutral color scheme can be just as appealing as rooms vibrant with color. I find neutral palettes very inviting, and notice that I really focus on the individual details of the room because my attention is not immediately pulled to pops of color.

Neutrals are all shades of whites, beiges, browns, grays and blacks. Neutrals aren’t technically colors, so the theory is that they harmonize with all colors. If you think about it, there is at least one neutral that will coordinate beautifully with any color. Hardwood floors range from very light bamboo to dark walnut, and there is something to complement every color scheme! Here are some guidelines to follow when designing a room with a neutral palette:

Vary the Saturation ~ Saturation of color refers to the value of light-to-medium-to-dark in the colors you choose. Even in rooms where color is present, you need to have a balance of saturation. Notice the variety of shades in the room pictured here. It ranges from dark brown on the windows, wood furniture and picture frames, to medium brown on the chairs and sofa, to dark beige on the window treatments. Soft white walls complete the formula.


Vary the Textures ~ The secret to a successful palette of neutrals is to combine a variety of textures. Because you aren’t using color, the result can be a bit dull and lifeless if you have a room with entirely smooth surfaces. The woven chair and sofa are a beautiful example of this theory, and the linen roman shades add texture to the windows. Even though they’re a relatively smooth fabric, they hang with a billowy softness that brings texture. Live greenery and floral are added for interest, and the little pops of green in the accessories are a perfect complement to the brown/beige palette. Though green isn’t a neutral, it’s prevalent in nature, so goes with just about any color you can imagine. Have you ever seen a leaf that wasn’t in perfect harmony with its companion flowers?

Check back every Friday for more decorating and home improvement tips. If I can give you any assistance with your design or decorating needs, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Many times a single consultation is all that’s needed to pull your ideas together!

Everyone deserves a home they love ~ Inside and Out!