Creating a Professional Home Office That Still Feels Like Home

By shannonbilby | Published: August 31, 2010

Even more than the look, your home office has to be a comfortable place for you to spend long hours if needed. Ergonomics, used primarily with computers, takes a scientific approach to a workspace, helping it work with your body rather than against it.

The first place to start is your chair. Make sure it’s comfortable, and that it can be adjusted so that your feet can be flat on the floor while you’re working. To make sure that the seat fits you, position yourself against the back of the chair. If the front of the seat hits your knees, the chair seat is too big.

When you set up your computer, check for these things: mouse and keyboard at the same level as your elbows, the top of the monitor even with your eye level if possible, and lighting that doesn’t cause a glare on the monitor.

Think about your work goals as you choose your office furniture. Do you need desk space for working off the computer? How much filing will you be doing? Are there books and papers you will need to have handy? Planning will give you a chance to create an office that will help make your work easier as well as more enjoyable.

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Bobby Flay – the Essence of Sophistication

By shannonbilby | Published: August 26, 2010

So, if the Food Network and HGTV had studios next door to each other, what could happen? Well, let’s start with having a few chefs stop by HGTV to create a space that would work for them.

Bobby Flay is one of the Food Network’s superstars. His food is unparalleled, and his style is the essence of cool. As a New Yorker, he fits in a luscious high rise. (Have you seen Selling New York? One of those places.) Walk in and the first impression of the modern space comes from the rich dark ebony hardwood floors. The shiny almost-black floor still shows some evidence of the natural wood, but the aura it gives the space is completely different from a standard wood selection.

In contrast to the dark foundation, the furniture is vivid and colorful. A white leather sofa is covered with pillows in reds and oranges. The colors are carried forward with several chairs in an orange/red retro print. No window coverings. Who would want to cover that Manhattan skyline?

In the kitchen, dark solid-surface countertops contrast with a bright red accent wall. Black wood open shelving holds bowls and platters in colors ranging from bright yellows to greens and reds, matching the peppers Flay loves for cooking. A sleek rectangular table with six simple chairs has an orange table runner and is set for the main course. It’s paella tonight – one of Bobby’s specialties.

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When Paula Deen Visits HGTV

By shannonbilby | Published: August 24, 2010

Home and Garden TV and the Food Network appeal to many of the same people, and one advertiser has recognized this by bringing in several HGTV celebrities to design sandwiches on a series of Food Network commercials. Let’s expand this idea to bring some Food TV chefs to HGTV to design their ideal cooking space.

Paula Deen, the queen of butter, is a great place to start. Her fun and appealing style combines with her natural southern charm so that you know her space would be both welcoming and comfortable. To begin, give her heart pine on the floor. Wide plank pine with real personality makes any space inviting. The golden color will complement the rich brown of her casseroles.

Paula needs a big table to fit her friends and family for southern feasts. You just know butter will be involved. Add some comfy cushioned dining chairs and a few big couches to lounge on after one of her amazing meals, and you have a room with Paula written all over it.

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Polyester Carpet

By shannonbilby | Published: August 19, 2010

There are several versions of polyester fiber available today, and this has created a significant amount of confusion. There is the traditional “old” polyester, PET polyester and PTT polyester. Most of the polyester carpets you see today are manufactured with PET fibers, which are produced from reclaimed plastic soda bottles. While it is true that today’s PET is better than the old polyester, it still brings the performance baggage for which polyester has always been known.

The biggest draw for PET carpets is price; they are inexpensive, compared to nylon. PET carpets when new also have a distinct luxurious and soft feel (often referred to as “hand”). Besides price and feel, PET carpets are highly resistant to water-based staining agents, and because they’re solution-dyed, are also amazingly colorfast. The biggest complaint against PET carpet is its tendency to crush and mat quickly, especially in areas of high traffic. In addition, oil-based stains are difficult and sometimes impossible to remove.

PTT, introduced by DuPont in 2000 is a new fiber sold under the trade name Sorona. Sorona is a unique fiber, containing 37% renewable resource content (corn-based) and carries claims of dramatic improvements in stain resistance and wearability, compared to older generations of polyester. In fact, those claims were so well documented in carpet construction that the FTC granted DuPont the new fiber name and classification, Triexta. Mohawk’s Smartstrand carpets are manufactured from this new triexta fiber.

Both Mohawk and DuPont are claiming that from test results and consumer reports, triexta carpets are performing every bit as well as nylon – yet still retaining the stain-resistance – and feel of polyester carpets.

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Create a Jewel Box Bathroom

By shannonbilby | Published: August 17, 2010

Do you have a small guest bath that you don’t know what to do with? Instead of seeing this as a problem, remember that special things can come in small packages.

The first step in making this room special is a change in your thinking. Jewel boxes are small but exquisite. Make your bathroom something unique. Do you have a color or style you’ve been longing to try? Here’s the perfect space for experimenting. Have you fallen in love with a tile that is out of your budget range? The small size bath allows you to splurge on your square foot price without breaking the bank.

When you look at tile, keep your choice in proportion with the space. This is not the room for 24  inch squares. You can go simple, light and unobtrusive, but a distinct two-color pattern can add personality to your small space.

Pick the most noticed wall – generally the one opposite the door – and turn it into an exciting accent for the room. You could tile the wall with graduated small glass or colored porcelain tiles to add a splash of style. Too much tile for you? Think about a panel of tile running up from your sink to the ceiling, with a beautiful over-the-sink mirror on top. Add paint or even wallpaper to complement the look and you’re most of the way to an amazing bathroom.

Finish up with a light fixture that matches the style and color of the space, and add maybe one accessory or piece of art that carries your bathroom further along your design path. You now no longer have a half-bath to ignore, but a jewel box of beauty to enjoy.

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Mix Woods and Colors for a Beautiful Room

By shannonbilby | Published: August 15, 2010


Wood floors lend themselves to an eclectic approach. If you take a close look at your flooring, chances are there are both light and dark tones. If so, many other types of wood will work well with your floor. In this photo, four woods work together to create a warm and inviting space. The dresser is the closest match for the floor, while the bed captures the darker tones. The chair in the foreground connects with the picture frame on the back wall with a strong dark contrast to the other wood in the room.

The mid-range paint choice pulls all of the woods together. This paint color is smart. Wood always looks better with a neutral or colors other than white. White pulls the sparkle out of wood, while colors and richer neutrals showcase both your furniture and floor.

Using the light moldings, canopy and bedding keeps the space from looking dark or dull. Pulling in these lighter tones brightens up the space while positioning the bed as the focal point of the room.

The thoughtful combination of woods and rich neutrals in this space turns this bedroom into an inviting oasis. What inspiration can you draw from this photo to warm up your own bedroom?

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Contrast Creates a “Wow” Kitchen

By shannonbilby | Published: August 13, 2010

Every new kitchen is beautiful. Have you noticed, however, that some kitchens really catch your eye? Color is part of that, but contrast is even more important.

A kitchen that contains only light tones: light wood cabinets, light countertops and backsplash, and light flooring has nothing for those beautiful light elements to play against. Without contrast, even the most daring choices blend into the background. Just adding a dark countertop and maybe taking the floor tiles to a mid-range will allow those beautiful cabinets and daring backsplash to pop.

Too much dark can be just as ineffective. Without some light tones to play against, a dark kitchen can go from cozy and rich to cave-like. Think about a light backsplash and lighter tile or wood on the floor. Dark wood shines against a lighter background.

As you select your kitchen options, build in a balance of light and dark tones. Throw in some mid-range elements to connect everything together, and remember to factor in how your choices will look with your appliances. Take advantage of the power of contrast to make a kitchen everyone will notice and remember.

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Make the Best Wood Choice for our Forests

By shannonbilby | Published: August 5, 2010

Protecting the environment doesn’t require major sacrifices. Instead, it is the small decisions over time that will make a difference for our planet. One choice comes into your hands when you plan to select a wood floor. The following simple step ensures that your floor was produced responsibly.

Look for the Forest Stewardship Council certification when you purchase a wood floor, or any wood product. This ensures that your purchase was harvested responsibility, with no hazardous pesticides or harm to any indigenous people.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) started in 1993 as a way to help manufacturers, distributors and consumers make sure that the wood they use was obtained in an environmentally sound way. With re-certification annually and a structured certification process, the FSC’s approach has led to recognition by over 50 countries and every major environmental group. In the United States, FSC certification has become the standard for green building and green certifications.

It’s the everyday choices that can make a difference, particularly when everyone works together to make things better. Take one small step to protect our planet by looking for the FSC certification on your wood flooring options and any other wood products you purchase.

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Turn Wardrobe Tips into Décor Tips: Part 9

By shannonbilby | Published: August 4, 2010

“Be grateful.” That’s our final tip from Rita Wilson, and we think this one translates very well into our homes. We are lucky to have the opportunity to have homes of our own, but it’s easy to let the day-to-day frustrations that are naturally part of the home buying and decorating process distract us from recognizing our good fortune.

When you find yourself dissatisfied with your budget, just take a moment to think of the many people in the world who will never have a home of their own. Instead of focusing on what you can’t afford, take a good look at the wealth of options available in your price range. You can make your home special and unique. Recognize and enjoy that privilege.

Think beyond yourself to all of the people who are helping you along the way. From the salespeople who share their expertise to the installers who create the reality of your space, as well as all the other people who have helped you find, purchase and complete your house. Finally, take a moment to be proud of your efforts. It’s not easy to go through the process of home buying or renovating. Be grateful for your good sense and good taste, and savor that moment when you walk into the finished house and see the results of your work. You can be grateful – for oh so many things.

If you enjoyed this series and would like to see the other tips in this series, click here.

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Turn Wardrobe Tips into Décor Tips: Part 8

By shannonbilby | Published: July 29, 2010

Two of the tips in our ongoing series involve travel, “If you travel a lot, have a packed toiletries bag ready to go,” and “There are one thousand stylish things you can wear while traveling…” When we move these into the realm of home décor, travel translates into moving. From your perspective as a new home owner or home renovator, now is the time to think about resale.

Horrifying thought? It’s hard to even comprehend wanting to leave your lovely new home, and you shouldn’t spend much time on it. But as you make decisions on permanent elements in your home, you may want to take a few minutes to factor it into your calculations. If you choose permanent elements that are too different from the mainstream, it may put you at a disadvantage.

We are not recommending a world of boring neutrals here. However, does your love of pink lead to a desire for pink tile in every bathroom and maybe even in the kitchen? We’re suggesting you curb your enthusiasm, and let paint and accessories showcase your color preference. You can still make your home totally yours, just balance your decisions. If you have trouble figuring out whether your choices may not be best for resale, we can be a terrific resource.

In the wealth of options offered for flooring, countertops and cabinetry, you can make your home a unique expression of your taste while still allowing the next owners to love it in their own way.

To see the other tips in this series, click here.

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