Showing posts with label Design Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Design Tips. Show all posts
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Monday, July 29, 2013
Mantel: Before & After
Buying our first home was the most stressful thing I've every experienced thus far in my life. It's not that the process was overly bumpy, it was actually extremely smooth compared to the stories I read online. I guess it's those stories that freaked me out. I was comforted when I found out others I knew felt the same way buying their first home. :-) I wasn't crazy!
After getting the keys the joy quickly faded as the renovation process started. I wondered if we'd ever unpacked all the boxes filling the two bed rooms, would we ever fix this and that, would the feeling of being a visitor in our own home ever fade? I knew I needed to complete the living
room and bed room, then I'd have two spaces to enjoy.
Now that we have those two rooms almost complete besides a few decor items I'm in love with our house again *emotional roller coaster*. In this situation it's important to remember where you're headed, and not focus on where you are. Fixing up an older house can be taxing, but if you hang in there and remember why you started you will find great joy in every accomplishment.
Right now we are enjoying our mantel. It's come a long way.
After getting the keys the joy quickly faded as the renovation process started. I wondered if we'd ever unpacked all the boxes filling the two bed rooms, would we ever fix this and that, would the feeling of being a visitor in our own home ever fade? I knew I needed to complete the living
room and bed room, then I'd have two spaces to enjoy.
Now that we have those two rooms almost complete besides a few decor items I'm in love with our house again *emotional roller coaster*. In this situation it's important to remember where you're headed, and not focus on where you are. Fixing up an older house can be taxing, but if you hang in there and remember why you started you will find great joy in every accomplishment.
Right now we are enjoying our mantel. It's come a long way.
BEFORE
AFTER
(I love how you can finally see the green in our peacock tail blue by Behr)
(I love how you can finally see the green in our peacock tail blue by Behr)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Think Long Term
When shopping for big items (sofas, entertainment center, dining table etc), think long term. These staple items are usually the most expensive pieces in any room and should be looked at as an investment - something that will be with you for a long time. So think practically, not emotionally!
Take my husband and I for example! We live in a small apartment (that we love), but we know we wont be here forever (maybe another year or two). It wouldn't make sense to buy anything based on this temporary living space alone, because when we move we'd have a bunch of stuff that didn't work with our new space (talk about a waste of money).
Ever since we got married we've been shopping around for a new TV console to replace the rinky-dink black wooded box the TV was sitting on. At first we wanted a corner console because it made more sense with our small space, but honestly, it didn't make sense for our future plans to move. Where else would we need a corner console? So we kept shopping, praying and thinking. As we shopped we couldn't really find a small console that was as dramatic as we wanted, they were all so boring, but we did find a Karolina cabinet that we LOVED. We decided to buy it and use it as our temporary TV console. After a few adjustments, like sawing a small, neat, hole in the back for wires, it will be perfect! When we eventually move to a bigger, more permanent place we will be able to use the cabinet in our entry way, hall way or dining room.
So, remember when buying big items to think long term. Be practical. Otherwise, you will collect random pieces of furniture and have a hodge-podge space.
Take my husband and I for example! We live in a small apartment (that we love), but we know we wont be here forever (maybe another year or two). It wouldn't make sense to buy anything based on this temporary living space alone, because when we move we'd have a bunch of stuff that didn't work with our new space (talk about a waste of money).
Ever since we got married we've been shopping around for a new TV console to replace the rinky-dink black wooded box the TV was sitting on. At first we wanted a corner console because it made more sense with our small space, but honestly, it didn't make sense for our future plans to move. Where else would we need a corner console? So we kept shopping, praying and thinking. As we shopped we couldn't really find a small console that was as dramatic as we wanted, they were all so boring, but we did find a Karolina cabinet that we LOVED. We decided to buy it and use it as our temporary TV console. After a few adjustments, like sawing a small, neat, hole in the back for wires, it will be perfect! When we eventually move to a bigger, more permanent place we will be able to use the cabinet in our entry way, hall way or dining room. So, remember when buying big items to think long term. Be practical. Otherwise, you will collect random pieces of furniture and have a hodge-podge space.
(Karolina console in our living room)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Go BIG in small spaces
It's common to believe that using smaller pieces of furniture and decor will fit better in a smaller space, but the fact of the matter is, a bunch of small stuff, looks cluttered, busy and hodge-podge. Smaller spaces look best with fewer, but larger pieces! Instead of filling your wall with countless individually framed pictures of your loved ones, try buying a collage frame. Also, try putting a slightly over sized piece of wall art to center a small room, and bring focus.
Remember the key to making smaller spaces look fabulous is FEW and BIG!
Remember the key to making smaller spaces look fabulous is FEW and BIG!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Rugs
Surprisingly, your rug doesn't have to lay in the same direction as your room. Laying your rug diagonally will actually give the illusion of a bigger space. The same goes for TVs, sofas, tables, etc. Try a little diagonal placement and watch your space expand!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Against the Wall
A big mistake people make when staging their furniture is placing everything against a wall! The truth is, you can make your space look bigger, and more functional by creating individual spaces in a room with your furniture. Try using a sofa or love seat in the middle of your room, to create separation between areas. It will make your space feel cozy and welcoming to guests!!
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