How 8 Bold Decorating Ideas Will Change the Way You Feel About Your Small Rooms

July 24, 2020

Little houses usually don’t Have big rooms where you can experiment and close them off until you’re ready to reveal your creativity. That luxury of space doesn’t exist for small homes where the all rooms are literally steps away from the front door.

So, it’s totally understandable to not want to challenge tried and true small space decorating ideas in favor bold, gutsy choices. But, when you think about a bold decorating choice as a way to highlight the good or diminish the bad, then the prospect of embracing that choice isn’t as scary.

20 Incredibly Clever Ways to Decorate with Mirrors in a Small Living Room

July 17, 2020

Small living rooms can be challenging to decorate. This is especially true if you feel that your room is small and boxy.

If you’ve struggled to make your small living room feel a bit roomier, using mirrors in strategic and creative ways can help to make your space feel bigger and brighter.

10 No Fail Rules for Styling Small Floating Shelves

July 10, 2020

Sometimes there’s a fine line between styling a shelf and overloading it. I recall one of the pearls of wisdom Coco Channel said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” This advice applies perfectly to decorating wall shelves too.

It’s especially relevant for small, floating shelves. Their openness doesn’t provide much space to hide stuff. And, when you cram too much stuff on an open shelf, you know it right away because it feels heavy and unbalanced.

What You Need to Know to Pick the Right Outdoor Fabrics

July 3, 2020

I’m going to break down the top 4 outdoor fabric types and give you the low down on the durability, clean-ability, water resistance, mildew resistance and UV protection for each.

Depending on your home turf, you’ll have all the information you need to make a solid buying decision whether you’re looking to purchase a full outdoor seating area or if you’re in the market for accents like pillows and curtains.

Why a Round Table and 6 Chairs is Perfect for Your Small Patio

June 26, 2020

The outside patio dining area isn’t all that different from the dinning area inside the house. Many of the same rules apply to placing furniture so that you get the most comfortable and functional space possible.

And, now that we’re spending a lot more time at home, it’s even more important to have a space that’s just as comfortable and inviting outside as you have inside.

Summer Staycation? How to Create the Perfect Outside Oasis!

June 19, 2020

Chances are the summer of 2020 will be nothing like previous summers. A global pandemic has many of our favorite theme parks, concert tours and any large gathering activities closed cancelled and shelved. But before you go and get all bummed out, this could be the year of the epic staycation!

If you can’t or are unwilling to brave the usual summer fun times this year, why not invest in a sweet outdoor space instead?

Take a look around the yard and see where you might put down some paver stones or have a small cement pad installed. Maybe you already have a small patio space that’s been neglected or under used over the years?

If there was a year to put a little elbow grease into that outside space, this is that year!

11 Amazing Hacks to Create Space You Didn’t Know You Had!

June 12, 2020

Ah, the small house… It’s often described as charming, cozy and quaint. But what you don’t hear it described as roomy, accommodating or versatile. That’s because unlike larger homes with space to spread out and grow, smaller homes are finite, and you have to work with what you’ve got.

There’s no “bonus” room that lacks definition, or a great room in addition to the family room and living room. Nope, the small house is purposeful. Bedroom(s), kitchen, living, and bath are all exactly what they are intended to be with little wiggle room for any other purpose.

hate your 18 x 10 living room heres 10 flex layouts to make you love it again pin.png

Hate Your 12 x 18 Living Room? Here’s 10 Flex Layouts to Make you Love it Again!

June 5, 2020

Small living rooms can be a P.I.T.A. Especially long narrow ones. It often feels like you’re playing Tetris; trying to maneuver a beefy couch next to a an even beefier chair. You lug and push until you’re too exhausted to care and you just leave your furniture any old way to avoid more stress. After a couple of weeks of “living with it,” you look at it and you know there’s a better way to arrange it so, on you go again, lugging and pushing, micro-positioning and tweaking angles ever-so-slightly…

The 5 questions designers ask before buying furniture and why you should too.

May 29, 2020

Maybe you’re fed up with the lumpy sofa and you can go through one more Netflix binge on something that feels like you’re sitting on a bag of sand and rocks.

But, if your room has a tricky layout or architectural obstacles, you may be hesitating to pull the trigger on new furniture.

Whatever the case, furniture shopping has changed for the moment and making the right decisions from home, when you can’t see or touch furniture, is more important than ever for determining a good experience from a bad one.

Master These 5 Essential Ways to Mix Scandinavian & Bohemian Like a Pro

May 22, 2020

What happens when you mix the relatively minimalist Scandinavian design aesthetic with the maximalist Bohemian look? Well you get Boho-navian or Sandi-hemian. Whatever you call it, it’s a pretty distinct pairing that’s as unique as you are.

You get to have all the color and whimsey of Boho with the restrain and curation of Scandinavian. And that can fit delightfully well in small homes.

5 Quick Tips for Mastering the Art of Mixing Modern Classic & Rustic Like a Pro

May 15, 2020

When a modern house is paired with rustic touches, there’s this phenomenon that takes the edge off the starkness of the modern style. Rustic’s texture and warmth contrasts modern’s simplicity and coolness by mixing in history with aged materials and worn in vintage charm.

5 Key Tactics the Pros Use for Mixing Mid Century Modern & Farmhouse Design

May 8, 2020

Throughout the years one of the most common stumbling blocks I’ve come across with clients is not knowing how to define their style. Many times I’ll hear, “I’ll know it when I see it” or, “I like different things form different decorating styles and it’s too hard for me to narrow it down.” I totally get that. You’re not a one-dimensional being and you don’t live in one-dimensional home.

Good design, just like a good partnership, requires give and take. You can take elements from one design style and mix it with another to give that combination a distinct look that everyone can enjoy. The same goes for one person with an affinity towards different design styles. A little from one style sprinkled into another makes for a dynamic and interesting combination.

9 Ways to Flawlessly Decorate Your New House with Old Furniture

May 2, 2020

Congratulations! You just moved to your new house! You’re thrilled to finally be in after months of jumping through hoops and standing on your head for banks and lawyers. Now, the house is finally yours, just in time for the stay at home orders… You’re spending loads of time on your furniture, looking at it day in and day out. As you look around, you’re beginning to feel bummed because it doesn’t quite look like the Pinterest board of your dreams. Maybe you’ve just been cooped up too long lately and you are just plain sick of your old furniture.

How to Get a Fabulous Gallery Wall for No Money!

April 24, 2020

This is all about simplifying the compilation of a gallery wall. Learn how to unify an eclectic group of items in 3 steps with items that you have on hand right now.

Don’t Just Sit There! Create a Vignette with Stuff Around the House

April 17, 2020

Here’s my 7 step process to easily and creatively get a new vignette styled with stuff from around your house. Now, this process can be applied to small spaces or big spaces, in any room of the house. There are no rules for where it should be.

How to Plan a Gorgeous Room Makeover Online, Step by Step

April 10, 2020

This week I’ll show you my step by step method for tackling a room refresh in your home. You can use these steps to update your current décor by adding in a few new pieces or you can start from scratch and get a whole new room planned while you’re social distancing.

If you’d like to go a bit further than just planning, then this post is the perfect chance for you to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

15 Easy Ways to Decorate Without Leaving Your House

April 3, 2020

As we navigate this strange time, planning out some little projects around the house can make a huge difference in how we feel each day. That’s exactly why I wanted to offer these 15 ways to decorate. They’re a compilation of easy projects – most of which can be done in a day or two. None of them will cost you much money, and some of the ways are even free!

The 8 Most Important Things to Know When Buying Accent Furniture Online

March 27, 2020

Not too many of us are leaving home to go shopping these days. As you’re hunkering down, you might be walking around at your house and cooking up some ideas to add in some accent furniture. Maybe you’re looking at the entry hall and thinking a small chest could add some functionality or style. Maybe that corner of the kitchen is crying out for a tall cabinet with glass doors? Perhaps the landing at the top of the stairs could use a short bookcase to display some treasures? Whatever the case, finding great accent furniture online can be just what you need to make your space look refreshed and new.

The Feng Shui Of Cleaning, Minimize Your Clean Time With These Design Tips

March 13, 2020

Harmonizing your environment is the philosophy behind feng shui, and whether you’re a cynic or a true believer, there’s something to be said about achieving balance in your life. I’m no feng shui expert, but I do know a thing or two about set-ups, and I bet you’ve never thought about how arranging your furniture can affect your ability to keep your house clean. Intrigued? I hope so, because nothing is more rewarding than finishing your chores and looking over your sparkling environment.

Top Four Home Upgrades to Enhance Your Health

February 28, 2020

When you think about your health, you may not think that your home has that much of an effect. But the reality is that the place you hang your hat does have an influence on the way you feel, both mentally and physically. And if your home does not promote health and wellness, you may find yourself visiting the doctor more often than you’d like. Here are four improvements you can make that will improve your quality of life, starting with your health.

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