While Target is focusing on their kids’ bedroom collections, the use of color intimidates many homeowners regardless of the room being tackled.  However, it doesn’t have to be scary to mix and match color, texture, and prints.  Doing so correctly can lead to a very unified and welcoming space.

In the master bedroom, just like any other room of the house, color schemes should be selected by first finding a muse.  If you recently purchased a bedding set in a pattern that you love, then you already have your source of inspiration.  Stores like Lowes and Home Depot are often willing to match paints to fabrics you have purchased elsewhere.  Bring in a sheet, comforter, rug, or pillow and they will go to work pulling a color from it to be used for the walls or accent areas.  While having an accent wall in the main color of the quilt can be beautiful, painting all walls in the tone will take emphasis away from the piece you love so much.  Instead, choose another color existing in the pattern and use that for the wall color.

When finding other patterns that work well with the one that you have already selected, keep in mind that contrast works best.  If you have already selected a floral, then consider a strong stripe, plaid, or checked pattern that incorporates the same colors.  It is best to incorporate three patterns (or another odd number) that work well together.  This trilogy will bring the room together better than if you were to select just two.

Bedroom Color: Pulling Inspiration from Bedding is a post from: Beautify Your Home

A popular website called Artnet is now making it possible to get a feel for what the homes of artists like Salvador Dali may have looked like.  In fact, they have made it possible to bring those same unique pieces into your own home.

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle called attention to the sale being held by the website, mentioning big names such as Tom Sachs, Donald Judd, and Man Ray.  Included on the list of available décor pieces are the famous shopping cart chairs by Sacks, which are valued between five- and seven thousand dollars, and the Panorama Desk by Hans Op de Beeck.  Bidding for this piece will start at twenty-five thousand dollars.

Of course, it would be difficult to make a house feel cohesive or even functional when utilizing only pieces like this, but artist inspired furniture is something that many homeowners are coming to appreciate.  When mixed and matched with more traditional dining sets, sofas, and entertainment centers, these inspired elements can give a room interest and eye appeal.  For instance, the Tutti Designers Lamp by Michaelangelo Pistoletto would look terrific in a home bar space, alongside contemporary barstools.

The trick of great design is to incorporate interesting pieces in a way that still allows a room to have a welcoming, comfortable feel.  In this way when entertaining, a room provides function and conversation starters.  Undoubtedly, buyers in the Artnet auction will want to showcase their newest design elements at upcoming parties.

Bringing a Real Design Eye to Your Home: Furniture By Artists is a post from: Beautify Your Home

The natural thing for most people to do when laying out a room with furniture for the first time is to set the largest pieces against the walls of the room.  Sofas, lounge chairs, china cabinets, and bakers racks find their way to these room boundary markers.  However, that is not always an option in a new space.  Many living areas today have rooms with walls that are eaten up by architectural elements.  Fireplaces, oversized windows, decorative entryways, and staircase railings are all beautiful, but they can present a problem when they take up wall space.

If this is the case in your new space, do not fret.  Furniture is often so beautiful today that it can stand on its own without the need for an anchoring wall.  Even couches with less than beautiful backsides can float in the room with the help of a decorative table behind them, adorned with welcomed accessories.  A piece in The Gainsville Sun recently addressed this topic.  It makes mention of the use of area rugs and coffee tables to make floating furniture appear intentional.  In fact, large spaces – even those with plenty of wall space – can feel more intimate when furniture is arranged in this way.

These same principles can be put to use in a large bedroom.  The bed can float in the room and feel perfectly natural when a rug is used as an anchor.  The addition of a table or chest at the end of the bed and other well-aligned accent pieces can make it feel even more natural.  An elegant wrought iron headboard can even add interest from all angles.

Wall Space at a Minimum? Create the Perfect Furniture Arrangement is a post from: Beautify Your Home

Paint. Each color or group of colors is said to evoke different emotions.  Depending on the purpose of the room, some hues, therefore, may be more appropriate than others in a space.  Paint is the perfect way to inject that color on a budget.  When you have just spent money for new furniture, your wallet will likely thank you for making the transformation cost-effective.

Greens, soft yellows, pale blues, and even beige are often used in bedrooms because they have a calming feel about them.  They are pulled from nature and give a person the feeling of being one with the universe, which is a good reason to use them as the backdrop for a new bed.

Brighter yellows, oranges, and reds are more fiery and exciting.  They make for great accent walls, but would likely be too much if used throughout the entire room.  Matched with calmer tones and sleek lines they can be striking and beautiful in a kitchen, studio, or even a home office.

Wall Paper. Years ago, wallpaper was the most favored wall covering.  It could be found in many different colors, styles, thicknesses, and, of course, patterns.  Today, wallpaper and wall art are making big comebacks in the world of design.  Choosing to use wallpaper on an accent wall can be a great way to feature special pieces of furniture, such as antique chests or baker racks. 

If you change your mind frequently and are scared of the permanence of wallpaper, you might consider an approach like that featured in a recent issue of IndyStar, DIY Journal.  The use of stencil or artists’ tape to create striking patterns with paint can be as effective as or even more so than wallpaper.  The fully-stenciled wall is something that is popping up on many home design websites recently.

Creating a Backdrop for Your New Furniture Pieces is a post from: Beautify Your Home

In this news piece, Brooke responds to questions about her love of Patina and how that can make a space feel so much more homey and inviting.  It is absolutely true that the old and new are meeting in fun and exciting ways in recent years.  Many homeowners are finding the beauty in yesteryear’s junk.

Giannetti recommends painting a room with “natural, muddy colors” to make it feel more serene.  Many design experts agree that this is a very welcomed palette, especially in bedrooms.  A new organic mattress can be brought in and supported on an antique bed frame and be a very beautiful way to set the tone for the room: natural, peaceful, and serene.  Matched with the right Hillsdale dresser or chest, the patina of the bed frame can be met in beautiful contrast as well.

For many people, it is difficult to move away from the matchy-matchy of sets and ensembles, but truly beautiful works of art incorporate pieces that aren’t exact matches, but that mesh well.  Antique iron frames with plush ivory bedding and a soft, washed sage wall can be even more striking than the modern lines and cool finishes of all new pieces. Finding ways to incorporate used items can “…give you the feeling of being connected to the past,” Brooke reminds us.  She is absolutely right.  Old and new have made us who we are and they can also work hand-in-hand to create the beauty around us.

If you love the look of patina, then you may also love Giannetti’s blog that will provide excellent ideas for mixing and matching to create the perfect home for your family.

Design-Minded Couple Makes Millions Rethinking Furniture Choices is a post from: Beautify Your Home

The new HGTV host, who studied Interior Architecture at the Art Institute of Chicago, tackled many jobs during her time on the competitive reality program.  She immediately showed promise when she and her partner brought fun and funky bedding together with clean lines and splashes of color in week one.  In week three, it was the mix of old and new with a soft palette that really proved that Meg was going to fight for the top spot.  A refinished sideboard in the beach-chic dining room won the designer high regards for the panel of judges and from that point forward, Meg was a fan favorite.  Though she did have a few rough spots along the way, her engaging personality and think-outside-the-box approach maintained her front-runner status.

Now, Meg Caswell will team up with her very own crew to recreate large spaces into fabulous great rooms on the aptly named Great Rooms. The large family rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms serve as homeowners’ primary living spaces and Meg is challenged with providing them interesting furniture solutions, color combinations, and real functionality.

If you have a large, open room that your house is centered around, whether it is a kitchen, dining room, or multi-purpose space, this show can help encourage you to rethink it in unique and fun ways.  Furniture should serve a purpose, but it should also be beautiful.  We believe that this year’s Design Star can help you make it just that.

New Queen of Design Crowned by HGTV is a post from: Beautify Your Home

There are a few new changes that are occurring, according to the article, as a result of people moving in with family to save money.  For one thing, existing space is becoming more cramped, but also, it is suggested, that the average size of a home is going to become larger in years to come.

Whether or not that is the truth, the concept of moving large families into existing homes does present a challenge on the design-front.  Furniture needs to function, but also read well, so the home does not take on a cluttered feel.  Excess furniture, like decorative bistro tables may be removed, but they could also come to serve a more important purpose.  Rather than rushing out to buy an oversized table to fit the many bodies now occupying the home, small bistro sets can provide extra seating in a intimate way.

Bedrooms will also become an issue.  While master bedrooms today are built to be large and roomy, most additional rooms tend to be small.  When two adult couples live under the same roof, this can make things complicated.  In order to adapt to the smaller bedroom, one generation might be forced to consider leaving the extra dresser behind.  Storage beds are compact, but still provide the necessary spaces for clothing and other personal items.

Small tricks like this can make a less-than-desirable time into something much happier and enjoyable for all.

Tough Economic Times Call For Smart Furniture is a post from: Beautify Your Home

While locking doors and windows can help defend against this, there are, unfortunately, many other concerns that one must consider before putting their child to sleep at night.  There are a few things that parents can do to ensure kids of all ages sleep a little more safely. 

A child’s bedroom set should be set within the room, with special emphasis paid to the door and the windows.  Access to the door should be quick and easy, in case the child needs to get out during the night for any reason.  Furthermore, pieces of furniture such as nightstands or dressers that have sharp edges should be tucked out of the way of little heads that could be cut or seriously bruised when a kid runs through the room.  While many sets will include nightstands, there is also the option of choosing a storage bed that has drawers and shelves built-in.  This will free up the space that would otherwise be eaten up by the side table and will also help prevent accidental collisions.

Windows, as mentioned above, are also an important point to consider when laying out a child’s room.  His or her bed should not be placed in front of windows that can be easily reached.  Accidents involving falls or broken glass are far too likely if this is the case.  However, windows should not be seen as the enemy either.  In case of a fire, a child’s bedroom window can be a lifeline.  It is still recommended that something be displayed in the window that would give rescue workers a clue that a child sleeps in the room.

Making Your Child’s Bedroom A Safety Zone is a post from: Beautify Your Home

Many days later, homeowners are finally able to start considering where to begin the rebuild process.  Those with insurance and those who are able to receive federal funding will likely be in the market for furniture of all sorts, along with new furnaces, hot water heaters, and other appliances commonly stored in basements.

This makes a person stop to consider how a house can be completely refurnished on a rather tight budget.  With natural disasters occurring nearly every year in different parts of the country, the need to do so is very common.  Design experts suggest that a person make very detailed plans before shopping.  Some design elements, such as large hutches, accent tables, and home bars may need to be put on a back burner for a while, in order to ensure larger, more necessary items can be afforded.

Laying out an approximate budget for each room is a good start.  One this is done, the estimates can be broken down further until there is a value attached to each piece of furniture and each appliance needed.  Fortunately, many retailers today offer package deals, giving discounts when several pieces are bought all together.  For instance, discount bedroom sets are commonly found for a fraction of the price that would be paid if each piece was bought individually.  Also, washer and dryer combos can typically be found, and a few box stores will run deals to encourage the purchase of several appliances at once.

Though shopping on a limited budget may make it difficult, rebuilding after tragedy can be a great time to reinvent a space, and perhaps make it more inviting.  Smaller pieces can be found as time goes by and soon the house will begin to feel like home again.

The Post Flood Rebuild: Making the Best of It is a post from: Beautify Your Home

If you are among those who have found the joys of a commute-free job, then there are a few things you should consider before logging on for your first day at a new desk – the first of which may very well be the desk.

A home office space will often need to fulfill many purposes.  Because many Americans don’t have a space defined by four walls to call “work,” it becomes necessary to build the function into an existing area.  Whether you are doing this in your living room, bedroom, or kitchen, there are ways to make it work, without overwhelming your current décor.

Try to make the desk work with the floor plan of the house, without making it easy for you to be distracted.  A silk or bamboo privacy screen can be easily pulled out or tucked away, if you need a little added privacy while working.  If a desk is already existing, then part of the battle is already over, but if you are buying a new workspace, try to choose one that will provide instant organization – via drawers, built-in filing cabinets, or an abundance of surface space.  For those who use more than one monitor, or must have a printer within arm’s reach at all times, an L-shaped desk might be a better option.  You might also consider having existing furniture serve a double purpose, such as a night stand that is able to hold both the printer and the alarm clock or let the decorative bistro set second as a place to host clients.  The idea of a surface working for two purposes is certainly not a foreign one in the corporate world.  Great Falls Tribune just documented that more than one-third of the employees in this country will let their workspace double as a table for lunch.  That’s one good thing about working from home – the kitchen table is always a short distance away.

Creating the Perfect Work Space is a post from: Beautify Your Home

A recent article in the ABC News Travel section inspired this post, as the piece discussed a common travel issue of etiquette.  Three related couples set off for a holiday getaway, but there is immediately a disagreement about which couple will get the king size bed. 

While it is not uncommon for resorts and apartment buildings to make use of varying bed sizes, this does raise an interesting point for landlords around the world.  How will your space welcome guests?  As stated above, this same principle can be applied to a basic studio apartment in the middle of a congested city or to a 50-acre resort property in the Caribbean.  The first impression can make or break your chances of enticing clientele.

So, if you are going to furnish a space for others to stay in, stop to consider the problems that could be caused by a poorly executed décor choice.  If you believe that couples will come together in the space, then provide them equal living arrangements, so battles do not ensue.  Stop to consider what you would want in a space.  Obviously, a design budget will limit what you can provide your guests, but a comfortable bed does not have to be expensive.  Discount bedroom sets can give the space a homey feel without breaking the bank.  Even the extras, like a bar space for enjoying time with friends can be made special through unique bar stools and beautiful artwork.

While the bedroom layout is undoubtedly important, there is also the matter of setting the mood as soon as the person steps in the front door.  A small room with bulky furniture will give the space a cramped feel and a large room with too few, or too small pieces can become overwhelming or all-together uninviting.  Attention should be paid to color choices, fabric textures, and layout.  Be sure that the first room a guest sees paints a picture of what life could be like while staying at your property.

Preparing Rental Property: Landlord Design Etiquette is a post from: Beautify Your Home

A recent headline in USA Today suggested that one way to achieve growth of income was through the purchase and sale of collectibles.  Among those with the most promise for a high return were furniture items.  While new beds, dining sets, and bar stools have undeniable appeal, many individuals are looking to recreate the past in new homes, condos, and apartments.  While high-end collectibles carrying massive price tags remain the wisest form of investment in this genre, there is significant interest in ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s décor pieces.

So, why is it that many are turning their attention to furniture trends of the past?  There are many reasons, actually.  For one thing, the bold colors, lines, and styles of chairs, tables, and stools from those eras have renewed appeal in a time when many people are looking for familiarity, comfort, and unique style.  Furthermore, the use of pre-owned pieces of furniture in conjunction with the new buys can be beautiful and seen as very environmentally friendly.  After all, one of the highly praised three “R’s” is “reuse.”

While some furniture collectibles will sell at a premium price and may be out of your budget, this movement does bode well for most Americans.  Those who have held on to large pieces in basements, storage units, or garages may be able to walk away with a profit and others who are looking to decorate on a budget may now find that it is easier to stay with the trends without spending an arm and a leg, as “used” becomes a welcome word in the design industry.  A brand new upholstered headboard can be paired with a lightly used nightstand, or a new contemporary table can be dressed with chairs straight from the ‘70s to create interest and contrast, for example.

Financial Woes to be Answered with Furniture? is a post from: Beautify Your Home