10 Creative Ideas for Eye-Catching Walls

Screen Shot 2014-06-04 at 12.35.36 PMTransform an empty wall into an artful display with unexpected additions and personal collections

Looking to freshen up your walls? Why not try something new, like swapping out plain artwork mats for colorful ones or hanging floor tiles or a giant knot as art? Here you’ll find 10 creative ways to wake up your walls.

7 Magnificent Oversize Backsplashes

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 7.56.30 AMThey go up to the ceiling and don’t fall short on making a major impact. Are you ready to hop on the big-backsplash bandwagon?

As far as kitchen trends go, few are as currently as pervasive as the oversize backsplash.

Designers are using materials such as glass mosaic tile and marble in backslashes that stretch from ceiling to countertop or wrap around entire prep areas. The result is an oxymoron: a subtle design feature that can add that wow factor to even the simplest kitchen update.

Here are seven magnificent oversize backslashes to inspire you.

Small but amazing changes when redecorating

Website pic 1Do you ever get the feeling that your home is just a bit outdated when it comes to design? Maybe you’ve lived somewhere for many years and are just ready for a change. Or maybe you’ve just moved in and really want to create an amazing feeling to your new home. Whatever the case may be you deserve to live in a space that feels uniquely yours and is designed according to your preferences. Many people think that great design has to come at a large cost, so they find it easier to avoid this altogether. But this is simply not true. You can redecorate your home, on your own, for a very low budget and end up with great results. Here are some ideas on how to do it.

Swap out pillows

It’s a small change, but swapping out your old throw pillows for some new and fresh ones can really brighten up your living room. The same goes for your bedroom as well! Toss out old pillows in monotonous colors, they are doing nothing for your room! Instead, bring in some bright colored pillows to add a punch to your space. Add some pillows with fun patterns as well, and don’t be afraid to mix and match! Old traditional design rules might frown upon mixing colors and patterns that don’t match, but you can create a fun and funky feel this way.

Window treatments

If you think about how many windows you have in your house, you’ll see what an impact the window treatments can have on your overall interior design feel. If you have old curtains that aren’t doing anything to add ambiance to the room, swap them out! You can get some more brightly colored curtains or even remove them altogether. Curtains add a more traditional feel to a room; if you’re looking for something more modern, consider polyvinyl shutters or something similar. Shutters create a crisp and clean look in your room.

Fresh paint

There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to add new zip and pizzazz to your room. It can be so much fun trying out different paint colors to see what really resonates. Don’t be afraid to use a punchy, bold color you might not normally try. It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone in a way that’s totally reversible if you really don’t like it. Try painting just one wall a different color for a fun, modern feel.

Lighting

By changing up the lighting style in your room, you can completely change the feeling. So rather than investing a lot of money in new furniture and remodeling just try this quick fix first! Add some soft hanging lamps or lanterns in your kitchen and dining room area to create a great ambiance for meals. Add reading lights to your living room, and fun colored string lights on your porch outside for a festive atmosphere. If you add a dimmer switch to your overhead lights, you’ll be able to adjust the mood of the room. This is a great option for the dining room, bedroom, or anywhere you might want to take the lighting from high to low.

To-Dos: Your June Home Checklist

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 7.53.07 AMMake summer easy by getting your home and outdoor gear in shape now

June is here, and it’s time to get in the swing of summer. Whether you are watching your kids say goodbye to another year of school, scheduling a major home improvement project (like painting the house), or just looking forward to some much-deserved time hanging out on the porch, these to-dos will help get your home and yard in shape so you can fully savor the months ahead.

How to Install a Wood Fence

Screen Shot 2014-05-28 at 11.07.12 AMGain privacy and separate areas with one of the most economical fencing choices: stained, painted or untreated wood

Each frame speaks to the masterpiece it contains, and in your home’s yard, the way you surround your landscape can be both an accent and a solution to needs for containment and privacy. A wood fence is a versatile choice, offering picket pageantry and modern styling, as well as endless opportunities for customization. It also happens to be one of the most economically viable ways to wrap your yard, and an achievable DIY project. I talked with Bridget Lowing of Fence Consultants of West Michigan to find out how to install one right.

Choosing Your Room Colours

the-colours-and-moods-of-your-home

Designs That Can Transform an Entry

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 7.51.55 AMTake your foyer from merely fine to fabulous with one brilliant touch

It takes a combination of many design elements to make a room beautiful and welcoming: things like color, scale, furniture, accessories, rugs and lighting. But even when all these things are executed well, there is often oneparticular thing that really kicks the room up a notch — that gives it that little something extra. Without this touch, the room would still be good but not great.

Today we will consider entry halls — with an eye toward that one particular thing that makes a difference.

Colors of Home: Improve Your Mood By Painting

Color of Home

Clever Kids’ Rooms: 9 Inventive Ideas for Bunk Beds

Screen Shot 2014-05-05 at 7.55.03 AMCreate functional and fun living spaces with these imaginative, clever custom-built designs

When a family grows, space can get a bit thin on the ground and crowd-control measures may be necessary. Instead of stressing over blown-out budgets and inconvenient home extensions to accommodate your little additions (and their masses of stuff), consider the cheaper way of going up. Dodgy bunks in holiday shacks of years past are unrelated to the real possibilities bunk beds offer to create havens where childhood memories are made. These inspiring rooms will show you the way.