Category Archives: Design and Decorating

Design 101: Repetition in Decor

This contemporary living room is a good example of repetition.  The lack of color helps the design elements stand out. One of the basic design principles that is easy to follow is repetition.  Repeating a color, a design element, a pattern, or an object throughout a design helps pull the look together to create a polished [...]
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Decorating with Warm Earth Tones

In an all white room, like the living room pictured here, warm earth tones can be used to give warmth to the cool space.  Even deep red can be considered an earth toned neutral when paired with browns and ochre yellows.  This living room is a beautiful example of using earth tones and neutrals to [...]
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Living in the Living Room

Our living rooms are often more than just a place to watch television and entertain guests.  For many of us, we do most of our living at home in the living room. These rooms become a media room, home office, dining room and sometimes even a guest room.  While we might not admit it, many [...]
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Space Saving Wall Mounted Faucets

We’ve talked about design solutions for small bathrooms and powder rooms before. These small spaces need to be functional as well as stylish in a tiny footprint.  For a small bathroom that may not have much counter space, a wall mounted faucet is a good design trick.  Wall mounted faucets can be installed in kitchens [...]
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Glass, Stone and Wood in the Bathroom

For some bathroom designs, porcelain or ceramic tile is the material that dominates the space. Tile can be found on the floor, shower, tub surround and even as counter top material. This approach is a classic but it isn’t the only way to cover the surfaces of a bathroom.  Glass, stone and wood are all [...]
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Room Do-Over: Starting from Scratch

With the New Year comes a desire for a fresh start. For some it may be a personal makeover that includes a fresh diet or exercise plan. For others it may be a makeover of their home.  If 2012 has you looking around your home and plotting remodeling or redecorating projects, you have a lot [...]
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Going Bold with Color

Sometimes in decorating, as in life, we have to break the rules. Most designers and retailers will tell you to buy your big investment pieces of furniture in neutral colors that will withstand the test of time. Neutrals like white, cream, tans, beiges, greys and browns are the typical colors for sofas, loveseats and chairs. [...]
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A Bedroom for All Seasons

Whether the night outside is freezing or sweltering, the bedroom should be a comfortable oasis for sleep.  Decorating a bedroom that can work in all seasons is a very good idea.  Transitioning between seasons can be as easy as switching linen sheets to flannel, bare floors to cozy throw rugs. Having good bones and a [...]
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Decorating the Table for the Holidays

No matter the holidays you celebrate this time of year, gatherings of family and friends mean special dinners and the need for festive tables. Many of us break out the good china, silver and crystal for these special occasions. Because they are seldom used, many people are not comfortable setting a formal table. Formal tables [...]
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Inviting Room

What makes this room so inviting? It certainly breaks more than one design rule. The furniture is too big and crowded for the space, seating is limited and not set for conversation, and colors are all over the map. This room demonstrates that sometimes rules are made to be broken. It is so individual and [...]
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