Room Do-Over: Starting from Scratch

By creatingyourspace | Published: January 2, 2012

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 of company. Perhaps the big addition and new kitchen are off the table, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t tackle smaller projects to update your home.

If you are tackling a redecorating project and not a major remodel for a kitchen or bathroom, you probably have a pretty modest budget. If you are replacing flooring, it can be a substantial part of your budget whether you are doing carpeting or wood floors. Flooring can definitely be the best place to start for a new look for a room. Wall color is the second major way to change the look and feel of a space. Paint or wallpaper will transform your room.

One of the best ways to stretch your budget is to shop your own home for pieces for the newly designed room.  Pull everything out of the room and only put back in what you really love. Then begin shopping around your home for other furniture and accessories to work with your new design, flooring and wall color. You might find a home for your existing nightstand in a kid’s bedroom or swap the bedside lamps for the table lamps in the family room.  The options are plentiful.

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Going Bold with Color

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 28, 2011

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. But what if you aren’t a neutral kind of person? What if you don’t always follow the rules?

Going bold with color on your furniture is something that can bring your personality into your home décor.  If you wear a lot of color in your clothes and accessories, living in a home decorated in neutrals just may not feel like you.  A red sofa might better suit your taste and personality than a neutral grey sofa.

Bold color can be painted on the walls or a single accent wall. Or you can go bold on the floor with patterned area rugs, carpet tiles or paint.  There is no limit to where you can put color. Even color on the ceiling can work. Just like furniture, walls and floors do not have to be neutral.  Accessories like lampshades, pillows, throws and objects are more ways to bring color into the room.

Of course if you do go bold with color, you’ll want to create balance so your space isn’t too overwhelming. White is a great way to balance bold color. And if you get tired of the red sofa, you can always cover it with a white slipcover.

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Caring for Wood Floors and Furniture

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 26, 2011

The wood floors and furniture throughout our homes add beauty and quality to our décor. Wood’s durability lends itself to cabinets, floors and furniture as well as baseboards and molding.  Wood can be stained or painted or left natural with a clear coat to protect it from water and dirt.

Wood furniture should be dusted and gently cleaned with a damp cloth for normal cleaning.  Harsh cleansers and cleaning products should be avoided as they can strip or damage the finish.  If you have questions about the type of finish on your wood, it is best to err on the side of caution and treat it as gently as possible.

For antique furniture, be careful with the finish. For some pieces, the original finish is where all the value lies.  Strip it, and you’ve stripped the value from your investment. Consult with a local furniture restorer or antique dealer for tips on how to care for your antique wood furniture.

Wood floors should be treated much like wood furniture.  Sweeping floors of surface dirt is the first step to keeping your floors in top condition. Properly sealed floors should be able to withstand traffic and the occasional spill.  Simple cleaning products are best.  If you have newly installed wood floors, consult with your flooring retailer on what cleaning products to use and which to avoid.

The beauty and durability of wood can last for generations if we take proper care.  Cleaning and care of wood can protect your investment for the next generation.

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A Bedroom for All Seasons

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 21, 2011

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 color palette that works year round are a must.

This bedroom features a lovely creamy color palette with soft yellow and green accents.  These colors can work year round and be layered with seasonal accent colors like blue for summer and charcoal gray for winter.  Having both a fireplace for extra warmth and a fan for cooling breezes makes this bedroom perfect for cold or hot weather.  Reversing the direction of the ceiling fan for warming or cooling means it will be used year round.

Lined curtains work for both cold and warm weather. In the winter they will keep in the heat, and in the summer they can help keep the heat from the sun out of the room.  Bare floors feel cooler in the summer months. Adding a small throw rug on each side of the bed makes for a warm place for your feet on cold mornings. Heated floors are an even better option but are a bigger investment.

Layering the bed with a lightweight blanket, a quilted coverlet, and down comforter creates a variety of cozy options for warmth.  Like layering for outdoor activities, layers on the bed will make for cozier sleeping in cool weather.

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Decorating the Table for the Holidays

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 20, 2011

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 for the holidays or any festive occasion are not just about where to put the dessert spoon; they are about making the meal feel special.

Of course knowing how to set a table and put the silverware and glassware in its proper place is a good skill to have. If you don’t know where the butter knife goes or always forget which is your bread plate (it is to the left), you can find plenty of diagrams online.

Look at pictures online to get ideas for your holiday table. It’s more than okay to borrow someone else’s good idea and make it your own. We do that all the time in the design world. Hence the big trends like wood floors and stainless steel appliances.

A beautiful white tablecloth is a must have in your cupboard. The white tablecloth can be dressed up with a runner or patterned napkins. Choose festive holiday colors for your linens or coordinate with existing elements in the room like the floor, area rug or curtains. Glassware and china can be kept simple to work with multiple occasions and holidays. To make things extra special, you can even collect glassware and china with holiday patterns to be used each year and make those meals feel extra special.

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Inviting Room

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 16, 2011

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 almost quirky that it’s more about the people who live here than about design, and that’s alright.

Even if you are not inclined to create spaces as unique as this, you may find some ideas about breaking the rules that you can borrow from this room. First, the large rug overpowers the flooring, but this can be a good thing. If you are not ready to replace flooring in a room but it doesn’t work with your taste or color preferences, a rug like this can change the flavor of a room instantly.

Next, let’s consider the use of color. The rug and painting on the far wall have vivid colors that take over the color palette of the room. However, much of the furniture is neutral. By choosing white and black for the larger pieces, the smaller elements can carry some color without overwhelming the room.

Next, accessories have a particular place in this space. Take a look at the three figures in front of the piano. They are unusual and intriguing. Their position in the room gives them star status, and the white stand and piano behind them supports this. Sometimes a special piece of art or sculpture deserves center stage, as in this case.

Yes, this room breaks rules, but it does it in the right way. So don’t be afraid to step beyond the traditional standards of design to create a room as vivid and interesting as this one.

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Testimonials

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 12, 2011

Two Thumbs Up!

-Shawn P  Odessa, MO  September 2010

We’ll be back! Loved Scott, He was very helpful and exceeded our expectations.

-Rob S  Olathe, KS September 2010

I have never been in a store that was so wonderful with its customers and followed up with ‘Thank you’s ’ – Thank you

-Judy O  Levasy, MO  August 2010

I have been very pleased with both of my purchases from Big Bob’s.

-Denice D  Independence, MO  August 2010

Big Bob’s is my favorite store to shop. All of the personnel give you personal attention (Furniture and Carpet).

-Frances C  Kansas City, KS  September 2010

I’m very proud of what we bought and how it was put in. Excellent on everything. Will refer anyone I know there.

-Pete P  Kansas City, MO  September 2010

Found just what I wanted after a long search. Thanks. And it was on Sale.

-Fran S  Liberty, MO  September 2010

Corey at the St Joseph store was VERY helpful and honest (bought a couch from him). Bought carpet from Brooke who was equally helpful.

-Kimberly A  Bedford, IA  August 2010

I have bought carpet at Big Bob’s twice now. It was a good experience both times.

– Jimmie D  Olathe, KS  September 2010


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Creating a Gallery Wall

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 8, 2011

Blank walls can be intimidating to decorate. Where to start? What to put up there? For some reason many of us find art intimidating. Art can be expensive.  Custom framing can be expensive too.  These are all reasons many people live with blank walls.  Not only are blank walls intimidating they are also boring. And who wants to live with boring walls?  Solution? Create a gallery wall.

Gallery walls can be made up of original art, family photos, children’s art and pretty much anything you can put in a frame. You can use just one type of art or a big mix of different types of art. Works can be all in black and white, all color, or a mix.

Wait. What about the high cost of custom framing? Yes, you can custom frame each art work if you have the budget but there are ways to get around the cost of framing. You can buy readymade frames with mats included in standard sizes inexpensively . You can buy mismatched frames at the thrift store, sale bin or flea market for an eclectic look.  Or you can paint all the mismatched frames the same color with spray paint for a more unified look.

When choosing frames and frame colors, take your room’s décor into account.  If you have blond wood floors, you could use blond wood frames to tie with the floor.  You could use black or white, which goes with everything. Or pick a bright color to really make the gallery wall pop in the room.

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When Living and Dining Spaces Share

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 6, 2011

Many open-concept homes end up sharing living and dining spaces.

In this photo, there is no natural separation between the two functional areas. It took several design decisions to keep this space feeling cohesive while creating a clear delineation between the two. Let’s see what choices work in this space.

Color/material cohesion: The dining chair fabric appears again in throw pillows on the sofa. The dark metal base material covering the dining table’s legs also covers the small table between the two living area chairs. Finally, the wood flooring, window treatments and walls are consistent throughout the room. There is no attempt to turn this space into two rooms, which could make the room feel cramped.

Area rug as divider: By choosing an area rug to define the living area, the separation is clear without using any space-absorbing options such as a bookshelf or buffet. The rug is large enough so that every piece of living room furniture is captured on it, further emphasizing the boundary.

Dining room table choice: By choosing a rectangular table that matches the shape of the space available, the dining area is even more strongly delineated. Add the chandelier and the two tall plants and it’s clear that the dining room stands on its own.

The furniture choices and layout take advantage of the full scope of the room. They create separation without making the room smaller. Smart choices lead to a well-designed room that meets all of its functional needs.

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Cozy Lodge Style for Winter

By creatingyourspace | Published: December 1, 2011

We don’t hibernate but do enjoy the creature comforts when the weather turns cold outside. Lodge style inspired by winter mountain sports is a good choice for winter decorating. Make a fire and some hot chocolate while you snuggle in for a long winter’s night.

Lodge style can be a literal translation of a ski lodge with rustic beams, Swiss style vaulted ceilings, furs and enormous stone fireplaces. Or it can be subtle nods to the mountains and the ski lodge with comfortable seating, cozy accents and warm lighting options. Like this living room, lodge style is about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for lounging with a book or sitting by the fire.

Leather is a great choice for lodge style furnishing or furniture to go in a mountain lodge. Leather is durable yet soft, and can stand up to lots of traffic. Leather is also a great choice to go with all the wood in lodge style rooms. From beamed ceilings to heavy wood mantels and wide plank wood floors, lodge style has a strong connection to the outdoors through wood building materials and accents.

A Western lodge inspired by the slopes of Aspen or Jackson Hole might have a Native American patterned rug or an antique Navajo rug or blanket used as an accent in the room. Mission style furniture and lighting is also great for creating a lodge feel. Stained glass and bronze bases have a handcrafted look that creates a warm, cozy light. Sheepskin or shearling accents round out the lodge look and add cozy texture.

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