StyleEstate | Interior Design Blog

Little Home Improvements that Make a Big Difference

Style Estate — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:54:14 PDT

If you’ve been spending a lot of time browsing the interior design boards on Pinterest, you may have an overwhelming urge to makeover your home. However, if your budget won’t stretch to this, you can still improve your home on a smaller scale.

Be Original

While it’s a great idea scouring the internet for home decor ideas, if you want your home to make your guests green with envy, it’s time to put your own spin on things. For example, you may have been inspired by a colour scheme for your bedroom that you saw online but by arranging the furniture and the accessories in your own way it automatically becomes unique.

Luxurious Furnishings

Can’t afford to invest in new bedroom furniture? No problem. You can change the appearance of your rooms dramatically simply by adding a little luxury. High quality bedding and throws, plush cushions and contemporary light fittings can turn your home from drab to fab at speed.

Choose a Theme

If you want to make an impact, choose a new theme for your home and buy accessories and furniture accordingly. Top decor trends for 2013 include channelling the Far East with earthy tones and minimalist styling.

Create Space

Light and airy rooms make your home appear bigger and create the illusion of space. One of the ways that you can do this without knocking down walls is to dot mirrors around your home in strategic places to reflect the light. Mirrors not only add style to your home but are a practical addition to every room.

Lighten Up

Light plays a key role in interior design and can change the atmosphere and appearance of every room in your home. Whether you want to make your home look bigger or you simply want to use lighting to create an innovative feature in your home, there are designs to complement every home decor theme.

Experiment with Art

Lastly, if you are struggling to make a room in your home stand out, a striking piece of artwork can provide a solution.

Where to Look

When searching for unique furnishings and accessories for your home, go online to find the products you require at the best price. Click Here for Brushed Chrome Switches at harbro & LED Mirrors & Bathroom Cabinets from Illuminated Mirrors.

Modern Interior Design for Your Kitchen

Style Estate — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:42:08 PDT

Kitchen design in the 21^st century has very much been about mixing the modern and the traditional. A predilection for vintage fashion has shown itself in clothing, art and music, as well as in interior design.

However technological advancements have meant that now, more than ever, we are able to seamlessly integrate cutting edge products into our kitchens, from fridges to flat screen TVs. So ideally, your modern kitchen design will incorporate elements from both of these worlds.

Country Style

Parallel to the preference for shabby chic interiors has been running a fondness for French or country-style kitchens. This trend is all about making your kitchen look warm and cosy, as well as modern and chic. If you go for a country style kitchen, make sure you get your accessories just right. They should match your overall colour scheme but not overpower it. The best thing about a country inspired kitchen is that it will work within almost any home, no matter the style of the rest of the house.

Modern and Minimal

Minimal kitchens are great for people who have a similarly minimal aesthetic running throughout their entire homes. Best suited to apartments and ultra-chic townhouses, these types of kitchens are glossy, high tech and make good use of chrome, glass and discreet lighting.

If you’re thinking about going for a minimal look for your kitchen, you should make sure that you have as few accessories as possible lying around. This is why storage, in a minimal environment, is extremely important. Your furniture should also be chose carefully, so it integrates seamlessly into the overall look of your kitchen without making it seem cluttered. You can find contemporary furniture UK at Lovers Lounge – the perfect choice for interior design enthusiasts.

Complimentary Kitchens

When choosing a new design for your kitchen, you should always be realistic about what kind of kitchen would work in your home. For example, you may love the idea of a minimal kitchen, but it may not be practical in a home with small children or messy animals.

You should also take into consideration the design of the rest of your home, particular those rooms closest to the kitchen. For example, if, like some people, you have a conservatory leading off of your kitchen, make sure to keep the look of your kitchen interior design flowing through the entire space, and even into your garden by opting for complimentary garden furniture sets.

Pink Interior Design and Decorating

Style Estate — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:05:41 PDT

Pink

Raspberry, Fuchsia, Petal, Mystique….call it what you want, but shades of pink are working their way back into interior decorating.

Pink is a color of renewal and hope, and may be just the shot we need to enliven our outlook. Once looked at as a frilly, feminine outcast, pink is making a stronger name for itself.

Chocolate Brown and Blue

Style Estate — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:38:38 PDT

Decorating With Brown and Blue

For the last few years, blue and brown has dominated the palette, shifting from light tones to dark.

Like chocolate brown and green, this trend appears to be sticking and there are many beautiful creative combinations emerging. Here are a few inspirational ideas.

Check out our Interior Design Picture Galleries for more inspiring images.

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Decorating With Brown and Blue

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See Also: Chocolate Brown and Blue Picture Gallery.

Stylish Foyer and Entryway Ideas

Style Estate — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:22:10 PDT

Design Pictures to Help Inspire Your Entryway Ideas

Sure the front entryway or foyer is always the star, grabbing all of the attention and more of the interior design budget. After all, that’s the first space guests see when they arrive and it sets the tone for your entire house. However, for most families, it’s the other entryway that gets used constantly, day in and day out. The space just inside the backdoor may be one of the most important and most neglected areas in your home—in both design and function.

Entryway IdeasEntryway Ideas

Stylish Entryway Ideas

HOW TO HELP SIBLINGS MAKE THE MOST OF SHARED BEDROOM SPACE

Style Estate — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:10:31 PDT

When two children share a bedroom space is always in demand. Careful planning maximizes the usability of the area and helps keep peace between sisters and brothers. Here are a few tips to help you optimize space in a multi-child room.

Dual Purpose Bedroom Furniture

Selecting furniture that serves more than one purpose in a room is a strategic style choice. A toy box that also works as a bench or a chair that flips into a bed for an overnight guest are examples of two-for-one furniture that makes the most of floor space.

Bunk beds for kids are a great option that are both functional and space saving. Choose bunk beds that offer storage beneath the bottom bed and a chest or desk attached to the vertical end to get the most use from a small area. Another resourceful idea is to build cubbies or shelves above the upper bunk.

Bedroom Storage Secrets

It seems there’s never enough storage in kids ‘rooms. Stretch the space by going upwards instead of horizontally. Stack colorful storage cubes or boxes in a corner or add floating shelves to the walls. Over the door shoe racks neatly organize footwear and more in one small space. Plastic ice cube trays make great organizers for tiny pieces like Barbie shoes and dice.

Maximizing the space in a room shared by more than one child is no guarantee there will always be peace but it does eliminate some of the causes for arguments.

Beautiful Art by Saatchi

Style Estate — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:49:23 PDT

Reflected (red canoe) Charlotte Evans

Interior decorators advise you to choose a focal point in the room you’re decorating.

Sometimes the room has a feature that automatically draws the eye - maybe a great view, a fireplace, or a set of French doors leading to a balcony. If the area is missing a natural focal point, however, it’s smart to create one using an attention getting piece of art. No galleries near your location or their hours aren’t convenient for you? Then find art that will be the star of your room at internet galleries like Saatchi Online.

Shopping at an online gallery gives you the expansive selection you need to find the perfect piece for your home or office and the time to browse the collections at your leisure. That’s important because there’s a lot to contemplate when you’re choosing art to feature in your personal space. Then find art that will be the star of your room at internet galleries like Saatchi, where you can find original paintings online for sale.

The Thinker, Greg Rivera

I Found The Silence (edition of 25; 4 sold) - Martin Stranka

The Irregularities of Discernment; Edition of 10 - Michael Vincent Manalo

BLUE DESIRE - Larisa Ilieva

The Souvenir of The Love Letter - Aileen McEwen

60 Magical Kids Rooms

Style Estate — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:34:06 PDT

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1970's Inspired L.A. Penthouse by Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Style Estate — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:39:26 PDT

Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a multi award-winning Los Angeles based interior designer who is renowned for his broad range of styles and eclectic, yet sophisticated and always inviting interiors.

Martyn’s extraordinary attention to detail and commitment to quality have won him international acclaim. His work has appeared in over 4000 publications worldwide including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House & Garden, Interior Design, W, Vogue, House Beautiful, both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times and many more. Currently his projects are featured in 10 coffee table books. Martyn’s book, Live, Love, & Decorate, published earlier this year covers his ten years of work in the glamourous world of interior design.

1970’s Inspired L.A. Penthouse

Kissarias Rag Rug By Anthropologie

Style Estate — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:18:31 PDT

Check out the beautiful Kissarias Rag Rug by Anthropologie

nspired by an ancient Moroccan technique, recycled fabric bits are hand-woven and knotted into a one-of-a-kind piece called a boucharouette, or rag rug.

In addition to the rag-rug, you may also like the range of beautiful shaggy rugs seen here.

40 Chic Rooftop & Terrace Designs

Style Estate — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:38:58 PDT

27 Dramatic Console Tables by Taylor Llorente

Style Estate — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:04:23 PDT

Architectural profile and geometric design ethos brass console table with matt black iron legs with details in dark and light burnished brass. Surface and sides in hand painted lacquered wood. Details and boxes in burnished brass. Brass mirror and console lamps available separately.

Visit Taylor Llorente for more.

Stylised sculptural console table pictured in black and white gloss lacquer finish. The contrasting colour scheme enhancing the vivacious and sculptural profile and ethos of this gallery style sculptural console table. This console table is also available in other finishes from the collection on request.

A wonderfully unique table of architectural design ethos and profile with top in heavily figured marble above an architectural beveled mirror glass frieze. This console table has a highly decorative base with intricate sculptural twisted blown Murano glass columns above an architectural mirror polish stainless steel plinth on stylised and unique Murano glass ball feet. The top of the console is also available upholstered in leathers of the collection. Part of a highly stylised couture collection. Prominent and bold architectural profile and design ethos with emphasis on true contemporary and highly stylised design and aesthetics.

Iron console table with an amazing silhouette. Hand welded iron with hand applied green/grey lacquer. Top in aged glass mirror. Also available as a table and side table. Options on request. Part of a unique handmade artisan collection.

An art deco referenced console table with structure in ebony finished wood. Central panel and drawer front of this deco console are finished in decorative leather design. Reeded console legs. Decorative handles. Finish option for this art deco console table are on request. This design is also available as a side table with one drawer.

Sculptural designer console table in shown in black lacquered finish or ‘mother of pearl’. Designer solid wood carved console table. Free standing console table with four legs. Exceptional and highly stylised sculptural console table with exaggerated stylised cabriole legs and shaped apron. Part of a high profile designer furniture collection.

Antique silver patina designer console table. Steel framed console with table top and plinth in black polished lava stone . Bespoke sizes and options on request. Handmade and finished console tables. Part of a ‘chic’ and ‘unique’ range of designer European furniture and interiors.

A wonderfully unique and highly stylised console table in highly polished walnut and solid brass decorative elements. The design ethos cross referencing the art Deco period; highly stylised sculptural profile and outstanding use of materials and cabinet making skills and or production.

An architectural and highly stylised console table with two drawers in highly figured Macassar ebony, X frame stretcher and feet in lacquered finish. The highly figured Macassar ebony wood emphasising the overall architectural approach to the design in terms of its clean lines and enhancing the front of the drawers with a geometric configuration.

Venetian mirror glass console table. A couture ‘gallery’ piece, wonderfully unique and exquisite. Shown here in antiqued mirror, the linear top above an architectural and detailed frieze above stylised exagerated cabriole legs of bold design terminating in crisp and prominent ‘hand carved’ claw and ball lacquered feet finished in gold leaf. An academic piece with influences referencing designs exposed at the 1938 Courtesy Galerie in Paris. Part of an exceptional and distinguished collection of antiqued mirror furniture with academic design references, highly stylised sculptural profile and the epitome of excellency in traditional cabinet making skills and manufacturing characterised by the use of outstanding and highly specified materials and highly skillful artisan techniques and production methods.

Of sculptural profile and design ethos. The demilune top in black ebony finish with hand applied goldleaf decorative frieze above a highly stylised textured goldleaf sculptural base, the profile of the ‘column’ in the style of a ‘ribbon’.

Architectural profile console with leather shelf display unit in black lacquer or macassar ebony with goat’s skin leather shelf.

Theatrical and stylised single wall mounted console table illustrated here finished in gloss lacquer ebony and silver leaf architectural detail. The shaped top above a highly stylised and exaggerated shaped apron further adorned with an architectural geometric carved detail finished in silver leaf. Highly stylised single tapering leg with ball above.

Architectural console table with hand painted lacquered wood base and top. Spheres in hand turned enamelled and pearlised white majolica.

Polished Steel Console. Prominent and wonderfully solid reeded architectural console table. Illustrated in high gloss lacquered cherry and highly polished steel. Also available in either gold and or silver leaf and other combinations and finishes from the collection. The distinctive architectural profile and design ethos dictated by the stylised and clearly defined reeded frame; the highly polished steel contrasting with the high gloss lacquer cherry wood. Clean, pure and sharp lines.

Grand and prominent sculptural console table with classical references and proportions. Realised in carefully selected highly figured macassar ebony, further enhanced by the arrangement of its figuration in a stylised sunburst design at the top. One central macassar ebony drawer with velvet insert. The stylised curved base further adorned with a central part in British sycamore wood. The console finished in high gloss lacquered finish, enhancing the exaggerated figuration of the macassar ebony. Other pieces from this collection on request to include coffee tables, seating and further cabinets.

A wonderfully sculptural and highly stylised and specified console table. Part of a couture collection with a classical referenced design ethos. Emphasis on traditional cabinet making skills and production methods this ‘theatrical’ piece shown here finished in lacquered cream ‘old pearl’ to emphasise the sharp sculptural design and essence of its profile and proportions. The architectural graduating top defined by the crisp and highly decorative architectural frieze above the most wonderfully exaggerated and sculptural cabriole legs.

Gloss ebony console table with Stylised single leg. The top in ebony and or any of the wood finishes from the collection. Top also available in leather on request. The frame in gloss ebony and the top frieze with carved silver leaf architectural detail. Stylised single tapering leg with ball above.

Console table with clean and pure cabriole legs in solid Mahogany wood.

“Gallery” and couture console. Part of a couture collection of highly stylised design ethos and essence. Shown here in black ebony contrasting with gold leaf. The architectural profile of the body is emphasised by the highly decorative and crisp raised geometric design; this is in contrast to the extremely exaggerated sculptural tapered legs, defined by the lentil motif on the knee of the leg. Emphasis on traditional cabinet making and production.

Wonderfully fine and elegant console table of generous proportions. Part of a couture and high profile collection. Shown here in ebony and gold contrasting and enhancing the classical profile and design ethos of this piece. The classically referenced and highly decorative reeded frieze emphasising the clean, pure and architectural profile of the frame with tapering legs.

Unique conversational piece. Designer console table; the half dome top further stylised by the shaped apron in gold leaf on an exaggerated sculptural graduated ball pedestal.

Extremely architectural console table cross referencing the Art Deco style and period. The ebony finish contrasting with the gold leaf architectural detailed and crisply carved apron. On graduated tapering legs.

Wonderfully architectural console table with highly patinated macassar ebony top and highly polished steel frame. Extremely pure and clean profile and ethos; the highly patinated macassar ebony contrasting with the highly polished steel.

Gold finished solid carved wood wall console.

LP1 gilt console Extremely stylised and sculptural forged steel small console table with antique gold finish and black granite plinth top. Wall Mounted. Radical clean lines and purity to the profile and its aesthetics.

50 Yellow & Blue Rooms To Inspire

Style Estate — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 04:37:49 PDT

Yellow and Blue Decorating Inspiration

Tips for Organizing Your Home

Guest — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:14:13 PDT

Home Organization Tips

Living in a cluttered, messy home can be nerve-wracking and dangerous.

When you do not organize your home, you run the risk of damaging it, as well as possibly injuring yourself by falling over clutter. However, organizing your home to eliminate personal and home damages is not as difficult as many people assume.

Organize your storage.

Many people simply pack things and store the boxes in the garage or attic. However, if you do not store the boxes properly, they can fall and end up damaging your house or injuring someone. Consider putting your stored belongings in plastic containers. Not only do plastic containers stack better than cardboard boxes, but they also help protect your belongings better. When you store your belongings label every box or container clearly. This can also help you by reducing the amount of boxes you have to move to get to the items you need.

Keep your kitchen and bathroom items organized.

The kitchen and the bathroom seem to be two places that are always disorganized. Whether you accidentally drop an item down the sink and clog the drain or accidentally spill something on the floor, it can become costly to repair when renter’s insurance does not cover it.

To avoid problems in the bathroom, place items such as toothpaste, nail polish, and other small items in a drawer. Throw out old products to keep your bathroom drawers or cabinet clean. To keep your kitchen organized, throw out all old products and avoid too much clutter on the counters. You should also keep all rags and sponges in a special area, and not in the sink.

Bedroom Secrets: How to Sleep Like a Star

Style Estate — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:50:06 PDT

Taking a look at famous celebrities’ bedrooms on the internet is a great way to get ideas about how you could transform your own bedroom into a more comfortable space. For the less celeb-fanatical, perhaps you could blend several features into your own room to create a stylish yet unique design?

More often than not, creating a bespoke, celebrity-endorsed bedroom is just a matter of buying things such as paintings or tapestries and simply arranging your furniture in a certain way. Take a look at some of the bespoke bedroom interiors from top celebrities and see how you can achieve a similar look.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera’s home in Beverly Hills has a very rich and luxurious bedroom, with a four-poster bed built upon a two-tiered podium, which is covered in a lavish shag pile carpet.

This is a feature that you could definitely include in your own bedroom and if you don’t want to build the podium, then simply opt for a larger bed that sits higher from the ground than conventional options. With rich tapestries hanging around a spectacular four-poster bed, in a room that is well lit with old-fashioned lampshades, you’d soon feel just as famous as Christina.

Cher

Cher has a look of the Far East in her bedroom. Indian style arches lead into this flamboyant room and this is certainly an element you could borrow. Why not have them made as simple panels placed along the bedstead? Back with subtle lighting and place a few strategic mirrors and you’ll soon create the illusion of depth and space.

As you would expect from Cher, the bed is a bit of a showpiece. Huge carved legs and sides maintain the eastern style and the lighting is chosen to blend in seamlessly. Cher’s bedroom looks like one you might expect to find an exotic princess sleeping in, but with some savvy shopping and clever positioning, you could achieve the same effect.

Whether the minimalist style is your bag, or you have a preference for the rich and exotic, your bedroom is a place where you spend several hours every day. It is therefore worth finding a bespoke design which gives you all the comfort and practical features you need and there are plenty of reputable firms which can help.

Rough and Smooth Collection By Tom Dixon

Style Estate — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:01:39 PDT

“This year we’ve been exploring all new materials and have found ourselves fascinated by honest production as well as futuristic processes. Focusing on texture, finishes and materiality we introduce our new collection: Rough and Smooth.”

Rough and Smooth By Tom Dixon

Gem is a family of angular lights, tables and mirrors which all take inspiration from the facets of cut gemstones. Each product bears indentations of sand and grit from its making. Instead of filing these away we have left them to give each piece its own personal, texturized character.

Bell is a dome suspended over a dome – and its ultra-polished, mirror finish means it will take on the colours and characteristics of its surroundings. Made from chrome-plated steel, the same material used on vintage car bumpers, this super-shiny lamp gives off a soft and clean light through its frosted glass under-side.

Like a mysterious chemistry experiment, Flask is a spherical hand-blown glass light made up of two parts; a flask and a hood. The bottom flask is ridged and rounded to refract light and give a warm, rippled glow while the top hood is smoked to cover the lamp and give an elegant subtlety.

Just like our much loved Etch Shade, Cell is made from etched brass. Tiny holes across the surface filter the light to cast intricate shadows and throw a satisfyingly dappled glow.

Our Spun Champagne Bucket and two Spun tables are ultra-expressive, occasional furniture pieces designed to bring disco glamour back into the cocktail bar, dining hall or living room. Made from curves of solid brass, they are maximal rather than minimal and could be Space Age, Art Deco or pop – everybody sees a difference influence.

Mass Coat Stand and Book Stand are two huge chunks of heavyweight, metallic minimalism. These two pieces of monster furniture are brass-clad and govern authority over any space, developing a natural patina across the surface over time so each piece will age like a prized bronze statue.

17 Cool Kids Bathrooms

Style Estate — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:27:26 PDT

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Momentum 3 & 4 Fabric Range by Harlequin

Style Estate — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:39:48 PDT

Initially launched in 2011, the stylish Momentum range is now firmly established as a signature Harlequin fabric collection and has become an iconic range within the brand.

The two most recent collections, Momentum 3 & 4, are totally on-trend, keying into the current ‘look’ of the international hotel interiors scene. They are design-led, eclectic and beguilingly tactile, an enticing fusion of textures, colours and techniques. The epitome of global chic and effortless style, the Momentum 3 & 4 weaves are designed to be mixed-and-matched: the patterns, which incorporate several shades - from monochrome to multi-colour - facilitate multiple, exciting combinations.

Multiverse - Cutting Edge Wallpaper Design by Karim Rashid

Style Estate — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:24:09 PDT

Karim Rashid’s style has been described as pure and sensual. His ideas are techno-organic and info-aesthetic.

Multiverse encompasses kaleidoscopic worlds generated by brisk colours, curvy lines and biomorphic shapes with tactile perception blending together.

“Ornamentation is a modus operandi for communication, for providing dimension, pattern, depth, and spirit. It is a way to liven up space, to move the eye and break up surfaces, to bring illusion or entropy, to embellish and give richness to surfaces.”

Dazzle - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Auro - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Miasma - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Mirage - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Orb - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Quake - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Treble - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Whisp - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Zap - Multiverse Wallpaper Collection by Karim Rashid

Ultra Modern Bathroom Concepts By Flora

Style Estate — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:16:58 PDT

The products included in the new Flora Style line demonstrate a refined and inspiring evolution of the bathroom setting into a true living space.

The materials, colors, and components ensure superior value, in terms of quality, selected based on an exclusive, intimate, appealing design that melds perfectly with today’s lifestyle.

Visit Flora for more.

25 Amazing Outdoor Kitchens

Style Estate — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:04:20 PDT

Outdoor kitchens can be as grand or as minimal as a homeowner’s inclination and budget.

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Ceiling Platter Sculpture

Style Estate — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:26:13 PDT

For wow factor, there’s nothing like the glow of color from this hand-blown glass ceiling sculpture.

Endlessly variable, the ceiling platter sculpture can be made to perfectly suit your room and imagination. The only limiting factor is the manufacturable size of plate glass.

This chandelier has won the distinguished 2009 Gold ADEX Award. ADEX stands for Awards for Design Excellence and is the largest and most prestigious awards program for product design of furniture, fixtures and finishes marketed to the design trade.

Visit Artisan Crafted Lighting for more.

100 Beautiful Bathrooms With A Copper Tub

Style Estate — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:15:11 PDT

Bright and eclectic - love the copper tub. [via]

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The painterly detail of an enlarged classic portrait creates a dramatic and striking bathroom scene. The copper bath is from Catchpole & Rye. The wall panel is an enlarged section of Manon Balletti by Jean Marc Nattier from The National Gallery Collection. [via]

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Tips For Selling Your Home

Style Estate — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:12:37 PST

Ok so it’s not the greatest time to be selling your home but honestly, when is?

It seems the housing market has been struggling for a lifetime now and you can’t just put your life and plans on hold forever! If you are thinking about moving home and selling your house there are a number of things you can do to lend yourself a helping hand.

If you don’t already have them, get uPVC windows

Unless you have original leaded Edwardian windows (or something to a similar description) that add value to your house then the only other option is uPVC windows. If you don’t already have them it may seem like an unnecessary expense when you’ll be up and out soon enough but not having them can be far more costly in the long term. Unless potential buyers are looking to strip a house to its core and give it a complete make-over, you won’t find many who aren’t put off by the idea of having to install new windows soon after they move in. You can get quality uPVC windows online for great prices so get replacing them today!

Location, location, location

We all know how important location is when looking for a new house so why would it be any different for other house hunters? The most immaculate of houses can struggle to sell if they’re in an undesirable area and the biggest dives can have people fighting over them if they’re in a fantastic location. If your house is in a great location make sure you shout about it and likewise if it’s in a not so great area shout about the lovely park that’s only a 15minute walk away or how great the transport links into the city centre are. Chances are wherever you live there is something special about it, whether it’s the amazing restaurant at the end of the road, the friendly sense of community or the huge garden possible because of the out of town location!

First impressions are everything

The same applies for houses as it does for people, just like a job interview first impressions can count for everything and be the difference between a sale or a fail. It’s not rocket science but it’s amazing the amount of people who don’t have a clean house before a viewing. If the walls are looking a bit grubby give them a fresh lick of paint. If you have anything that screams personal taste i.e. that 3 meter long African wall hanging, put it away! People need to be able to imagine themselves and their own possessions in a new home. Finally, a fresh pot of coffee never goes a miss.

Pins Of The Day 03-07-2013

Style Estate — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:24:32 PST

An oversized rug placed underneath your bed, but extending generously beyond the perimeter, gives a plush and cozy appearance. [via]

The lampshade frame perched atop the glass base, is welded from cold rolled steel and covered in handmade paper with feathers and copper flecks suspended throughout. The cord snakes out the side, between the shade and the glass, leaving the glass base empty for you to fill with whatever may inspire you. [via]

Cool blues and greens mingle easily in this room. Layered tones add depth and interest to finishes on furnishings and cabinetry. Using seven colors in the same color family throughout the space creates variations that are subtle, delicate, and deliberate. [via]

How to Make a Coffee Table from Wine Crates [via]

Pallet kitchen island. [via]

Design solutions for shared kids bedrooms. [via]

With renovations by Madrid-based architect Ignacio García de Vinuesa and interior designer Elisa Rodríguez, this home is the perfect compilation of old and new. The design team salvaged original architectural details, from the interior doors to ornate plaster work, while using modern furniture throughout. Final touches include a contemporary art collection and chocolate brown pine floors. [via]

45 Cool Tipsy Pot Planters

Style Estate — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:20:04 PST

The tipsy pot planter is a great Do It Yourself project anyone can do, with just a few supplies and a bit of a green thumb.

Oh, sweet Summer time. The sounds of bees buzzing around the yard and the laughter of children fill the air, the grass is warm on your toes and you are ready to plant some flowers, but aren’t sure what to plant to be different from every other garden on your block. [via]

Annie Steen has ‘upped the ante’ with her galvanized ‘tipsy pots’ and has added water flowing from the middle tub pouring into a little stream that flows into her pond. [via]

Tipsy Pots Tower Planter, plant herbs this way. [via]

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How To Make A Tipsy-Pot [via]

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When drilling the hole in the saucer, fill saucer reservoir with water. Drill directly into the water. The water will keep the bit cool and prevent the saucer from cracking. [via]

Mosaic Tipsy Pots by Carol [via]

Tipsy Pots Tutorial [via]

DIY Project - Build Your Own Typsy Pot Planter [via]

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DIY – Tipsy Stackable Pot Planter [via]

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Tipsy pots. Stake a 6 foot piece of rebar into the ground, paint terra cotta pots, fill pots with soil, and then arrange them to your liking. The pots hide the rebar, so it appears that the pots are balancing on their own!

Tipsy tiered planter! Bought the pots for $2 a piece (there are 6) I decorated them with neon tulip paint pens. The rebar was cut to about 6 feet with 1 foot in the ground to make it sturdy. Placed the pots on one at a time thru holes that were already in the pots, and planted the flowers. Gravity kinda keeps the pots in place and they are also kinda stacked on each other at one edge so there is no danger of them falling or moving. This was so fun and it makes the flower bed so pretty!

his tipsy flower pot tower is made up of 4 terracotta pots is supported by a metal rod and ranging in size from 3 inches to 6 inches. Cheerful colors and vinyl lettering with the words ‘grow’, ‘fresh’, ‘tasty’, & ‘earthy’ top each one of these chalkboard bottomed pots. The base is made from a large terracotta saucer painted in black satin indoor / outdoor acrylic paint. [via]

Kitting Out An Office

Style Estate — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:27:16 PST

What do you think business owners are trying to do to get the best out of their operations in 2013?

Let’s take their office for example. Do we think all they do is worry about securing competitive business insurance quotes or are they getting a bit more creative when it comes to their office space? Depends on the business sector really – if it’s a corporate kind of business, you’d expect the office to be grey, drab and serious.

But what about those creative types? They need a space to flourish. Here we take a look at some of our favourite offices from around the UK from last year; what will 2013 bring?

Mind Candy

If your office is in Shoreditch you can’t really mess around can you. Now we may all expect it to be just like Nathan Barley, and you know what; it actually is. Take gaming company Mind Candy; their East London based office has been turned into a play den with every imaginable office toy. When work is basically play, it doesn’t hurt to play a little Guitar Hero on your lunch break does it?

Innocent Drinks

You know those nice drinks that may cost an arm and a leg, but make you feel like you’re at least getting something healthy into your system. Well their workers also get a daily boost every time they take a break from their busy working lives. The guest area has fake grass, picnic tables, and there’s also an old school red phone box knocking around somewhere too. How quaint.

Red Bull

To be fair, Soho isn’t too far behind Shoreditch in terms of cool. We know, we know it’s a moot point to argue. Soho once had it, now Shoreditch does, but in reality it’s a case of individual taste. But one thing which isn’t up for dispute is the fact that if you have a slide in your office that is amazing. Red Bull in Soho does. Amazing!

Virgin Money

So, using your imagination when kitting out your office isn’t just about the quirky and the kitsch, if you can do it in an environmentally friendly way too all the better. Take Virgin Money’s Edinburgh HQ – it won “Best Recycled and Refurbished Workplace” in the UK in August. It looks cool too. Who knows Branson and Bolt might be there as well.

Google

Do you want your own plant on the roof off the office to call your own and tend to when office life gets tough? Google might be the place for you then. I hear it’s pretty easy to get a job there. Good luck green fingers.

Decorating For A New Arrival

Style Estate — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:37:27 PST

Although many people enjoy decorating their homes, there are few DIY projects more enjoyable than preparing for a new addition to the family.

There are many decisions to be made on the décor for your new baby’s room, but at all times, your watchwords should be comfort and safety when creating a peaceful and hospitable sanctuary.

From deciding on the right colours to ordering made to measure roller blinds, here are our tips for ensuring that the decoration process is a success.

Choosing the right theme

Before you buy anything for the new room, you’ll need to decide on an overarching theme. Perhaps you could use cars, trains, ships, football or even dinosaurs as possible themes for your little boy’s room, whereas the likes of butterflies, fairies or angels may be most appropriate for a girl. It’ll be so much easier to decide on paints, accessories and window treatments once the theme is decided on.

What would be the most appropriate colour scheme?

A newborn’s eyes will soon develop and adjust, and given that this is also a room that you will also be spending a lot of time in, the colours chosen need to be warm, inviting and relaxing. Shades such as soft blues, warm greens and cream yellows all create a calming and tranquil atmosphere.

Make the most of the ceiling

Your baby is going to spend plenty of time looking up from their cot, and by stencilling their ceiling with objects and shapes, you can help to stimulate their developing and enquiring mind.

Have Roller blinds installed

Light plays a big role in bringing your baby’s room to life, but you also won’t want it to be too intense on those sunny mornings. Made to measure Roller blinds allow you to better control the amount of light in your baby’s room, helping to contribute to that all-important calming and relaxing atmosphere. They are also easy to use and clean. Be sure to opt for a blind supplier that uses child safety devices for protection and peace of mind.

With these tips, comfort and safety are combined to create an engaging space for you to welcome your new arrival.

Pins Of The Day 02-28-2013

Style Estate — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:35:30 PST

Doors on the stairs to keep the noise down, heat down, and/or pets on one side or the other. Very interesting and clever. [via]

Great blog for pottery barn look on a budget. [via]

Evoking the architectural classicism of turn-of-the-century design, St. James is grand in both scale and beauty. [via]

Repurposed old drawer as small bookcase.

Recycled shutters for headboards. [via]

Passionate about French style, Eloquence designs fresh interpretations of classic Louis XV and Louis XVI style furniture, re~styled and re~created for every day use. [via]

Unique garage conversion into a beautiful space. [via]

The 14 Series Chandeliers by Omer Arbel for Bocci. [via]

Give Your Home A Face Lift With Bright And Airy Vertical Blinds

Style Estate — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:20:18 PST

If you’ve been looking around your home recently and thinking it could do with a little brightening up, a great place to start is with the windows.

Thick curtains are great for keeping the heat in and do look nice and cosy in the winter time, but they can make the room seem a lot smaller, particularly if they’re made from heavyweight material. If you’re trying to achieve a brighter, more spacious feel, blinds are perfect and with so many styles and colours available they work well with pretty much every style of decor.

If you’ve got large bay windows in your living room or perhaps a patio door leading out to the garden then vertical blinds could work really well. They give you plenty of privacy if you need it and also let in plenty of light when tilted to an angle. The overall look is simple and elegant and great for a modern home or office. Take a look at a range of vertical blinds for examples of the colours and materials you can choose from. There is a style to suit everything from the modern minimalist apartment with a monochrome colour scheme to something a bit more rustic with lots of patterns and bright colours.

Vertical blinds are a fantastic way to create a truly personalised look to your room. You can buy individual coloured slats for vertical blinds, meaning you can colour coordinate and personalise your window covering to suit your tastes – after all, your home should really reflect your individual style, and what better way to do this than with customised window coverings? Try mixing colours of the same palette together for a well-blended style or if you really want to make a style statement, try inserting bright slats to mix things up – this would make the perfect look for a child’s bedroom as it adds a fun twist to an interior style.

You can also use vertical blinds as room dividers too (who’d have thought it?), so if you’re looking for a quirky way to split up your room space, think vertical!