Small Changes that make a BIG Difference

As I have said before, I have a big appreciation for Lauren Conrad and almost every type of styling tip she has to offer. I check her blog frequently, but it wasn't until yesterday that I discovered this older blog post. I love that this is a budget-friendly article that can help update and personalize any space in your home. You can find this article in its original format at: http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/room-redux-update-your-space-room-home-on-the-cheap!

Room Redux: Update Your Room on the Cheap

Think of room accessories as jewelry. Sometimes all you need to revamp an old outfit is a bold cuff and a sparkly pair of earrings. The same goes for rooms. There are plenty of ways to change up your home on the cheap. Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix it up and give a room an entirely new personality without breaking the bank: 

Paint. Believe it or not, I used to paint my room several times a year. Why? It made everything feel fresh and brand new. Paint is also an inexpensive way to transform a space based on the season. 

Pillows. Swap out accent pillows for an instant pick me up. For example, a few crimson throw pillows can instantly take your bedroom from summer to fall. 

Artwork. Swap out your wall art for something that's seasonally relevant. Or you can even try rotating artwork around within your home. I adore AllPosters.com since you can buy pieces that are framed and ready to go. New artwork is like a mini facelift for rooms. 

Flowers. This is another inexpensive yet effective method for changing up a room. Flowers not only add a lovely splash of color, they offer a seasonal vibe as well. 

Candles. Did you know scent is one of the strongest senses? A particular smell can completely change your perception of a space. Scented candles are an excellent way to change the ambience of a room.  

Curtains. Give new life to a basic space by spicing it up with pretty drapes. Or update your curtains based on the season. Create a cozy atmosphere by subbing in heavier materials during the colder months. As for spring and summer, opt for lighter fabrics that are diaphanous or lightweight. 

The best piece of advice I can offer is to make your space "update friendly" by furnishing your home with neutral colors such as white, beige, camel or grey. Having a neutral backdrop to work with will grant you the freedom to make simple updates with greater ease. In Laguna, I did my room mostly white with turquoise accents. The white setting allowed me to swap out the turquoise pieces for other colors depending on the season. 

Contemporary Commendations

As I have been working on this blog and my corresponding website, utahhomedecor.com, I have been on the lookout for some solid style-specific tips. This particular article is one of the better "contemporary" collection of tips I have come across. You can find this in it's original format at: http://interiordesigntips.org/category/living-room/!

7 Tips for a Contemporary Living Room Design

1. Warm Tones: If you want your living room to feel cozy and welcoming, you may want to consider using neutral tones such as chocolate browns paired with various cream colors for a clean but welcoming atmosphere. 

2. Floor Your Guest with Bold Colors: Patterns for the floor do not have to be limited by just rugs. Find a new bold funky pattern that you like in carpet or tile and do a new wall to wall design accenting the flooring.

3. Mix Patterns: As Long as the colors compliment themselves it's ok to mix patterns (such as stripes and flowers). Don't limit your creativity; you may be on to something that really works for your home! 

4. Don’t throw out the old for the new: Does your home have an old feature such as sealing beams? Instead of redoing the ceiling or any other old feature of your home why not spruce it up a little. Stain or varnish the wood, whitewash the brick and add some new furniture to finish the look.

5. Versatile Furniture: It’s easy to get bored with the same type of furniture year after year, and sometime our budgets don’t allow us to get the types of furnishings that we would like. Its never too late to get a little creative, instead of getting a new coffee table how about using a sturdy floor cushion instead?

6. Featured Wall: Use one wall in the room as the focal point or accent wall, and then tie the room together with a few pieces here and there that compliment both the wall and other furniture. 

7. Assortment of Accessories: When decorating the coffee table everything doesn’t have to be right in the center or an even number of pieces. Invest in a number of pieces and then place them together to make one beautiful side piece arrangement.

Walls that POP

As you can probably tell, I feel like I hit the jackpot when I discovered hgtv.com. There are hundreds of articles that are separated into specific categories and are so easily accessible. With two incredibly artistic grandmothers, as well as great-grandmothers, art has always been a selling point for me. In my mind, one amazing painting or piece of art can completely set the tone for a room. I especially love this article because it combines two greatly important elements of interior design: art and personality. This and as I have said, countless other fabulous ideas can be found at: http://www.hgtv.com/accessories/10-personalized-ideas-for-art-and-wall-hangings/pictures/index.html.

8 Personalized Ideas for Art and Wall Hangings

When choosing art and sculptural items for your home, find pieces that speak to your lifestyle, family, and hobbies. To help, we've put together 8 ideas for making the most of your wall space.

For Cat Lovers

Artist Cheng Yan pays homage to cats with his Chinese Cat I print, perfect for animal lovers and those interested in sleek, Asian design. 

For Dog Lovers

Are you a serious dog lover? Check out the breed prints from Ballard Design. Each portrait is hand-colored and emblazoned with notes about the breed. Plus, every print is matted, framed, and signed by the artist. 

For Foodies

For a cook, gourmet or gourmand, add a little levity to your kitchen with something like this chef-inspired by artist Jo Parry.

Making Music

Attention music lovers: Here's a great way to display your passion with an unexpected piece of artwork such as this funky jazz print. Combine it with real instruments on the wall for an unusual boost of interest. 

Oversized for Style

Think outside the frame. For maximum impact, go for an oversized print like this hand-painted foliage design. It can easily lean against a wall, yet creates an automatic focal point for the room.  

Home Sweet Home

Get a taste of Ireland and add vintage flare to your home with these map-covered letters spelling HOME. Hang them on the wall or prop them on your mantel for a multifunctional look. 

Beachcombing

If your favorite summer days involve sand, surf and sun, show off your interest with a tropical, seaside print. The sweeping palm trees and ocean waves will leave you impatiently waiting for those summer months.  

Sports Nuts

If sports are your thing, find a great piece showcasing your favorite athlete or team. 

The Power of a Revamp

This article is one that stuck out to me because it deals a lot with dealing with your belongings you already have around. These tips are simple and fun and can turn a traditional, even dull, room into an exciting, vibrant space that you and your guests will love spending time in! You can read the original article and get many other fabulous tricks at: http://www.interiorholic.com/rooms/living-rooms/revamping-traditional-living-room/.


Revamping Traditional Living Room 

Traditional style is common but it can be exciting as well. Adding various new elements to a familiar decor or swapping a color scheme for a fresh one can do wonders to a traditional living room. If you are on a quest of revamping a traditional living room take a look at our ideas on how to make it more interesting and eye-catchy.

Get Rid of Dull Tapestry

Dull curtains can ruin the look. Go for something airy and light especially if your living room is not very big or lacks natural light. Same goes for upholstery. Too many neutrals can make the room look bland and boring. Go for interesting prints like ikat or chevron to spruce up the neutral color scheme. 

Wooden Coffee Table Out

Swap a wooden coffee table for the one in gilded metallic frame with a glass tabletop or better yet invest in a big ottoman and replace your coffee table with it. Furniture set made of one type of wood is though to bring everything together but sometimes it can be too bland.

Go Eclectic

Add a few elements from other styles to your traditional living room. For instance, a Moroccan side or drum table is a perfect choice for vamping up the traditional decor or you can go for a bit of art deco with a drawer in

Add Art Objects

Artworks, sculptures and various other art pieces add a lot of character to decor. They also act as standout accents and can add a splash of color to neutral rooms. Make sure not to overload the room with art objects though to avoid a museum look. 

Change Lamps

Last but not least, you can try to revamp a classic decor with a statement chandelier or a pair of stylish new table lamps.

Shades, Hues, Moods, and Meanings

With how much I love color, I couldn't let my last post go on all alone. When I found this specific article, I had to include it for its fun and informative nature. With each color coordinating with a specific meaning, each color instills within us a certain feeling. Knowing these meanings can only improve a designer's ability to choose the perfect color to create the perfect room. This fantastic article and many others can be found at: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/color-meanings/pictures/index.html?ic1=obnetwork.

Color Meanings
By: Mark McCauley, ASID

Learn how color affects your mood and how to maximize its impact in your home.

GREEN: Associated with life itself, the color green represents newness (and naivete) and birth. As with the trees of the forest, green is photosynthesis, the act of turning light into life. Green also has a whimsical, fun nature and is seen as talkative and stimulating to conversation.

ORANGE: Orange is warming and uplifting, as in the softer energy found in the last rays of sunset. It relates to our entire lifecycle as the color of fall, symbolic of the end of life. Orange, as clay, has a primitive side as well.

BLUE: When associated with liquid, blue represents the soft lapping of waves or the running of a clear mountain stream. As the air we breathe, blue is fresh and vital, reminding us of the clarity of a sunlit day under azure skies.

WHITE: White is "up in the air," as in marching clouds. It has associations of an upward "heavenly" motion and is pure as the driven snow, innocent in its ultimate nature. White represents cleanliness and the absence of pain and is as inviting as a pure white cotton sheet on which to lay our troubles and our bodies.

BLACK: Black is the forever color--forever night, forever faithful, forever formal. It's a color that can inspire fear through its association with nothingness and earth but can also feel calming due to its solid, orderly and define appeal. Nothing wishy-washy here.

PURPLE: Purple brings to mind royalty and ancient civilization. It's the color of the muse, soothsayers and prophets. It is clairvoyant and psychic, headstrong and powerful. Yet it is also the color of sorrow and passion intertwined, as in the Christian sense, with death and resurrection.

YELLOW: Yellow is associated with "higher powers," greater than we mere humans. For the Egyptians, the sun god Ra ruled; for the ancient Greeks, Apollo's chariot blazed across the skies. Yellow is the sun, as any child can tell you; it relates to intellectualism, random thought, and innocent happiness.

RED: Red reigns! The color that calls on powerful emotions, either love or hate, red is the arbiter of our deepest feelings. It's the dynamic motion of flame and the color of the blood that courses through our veins. It's all of the things that mean so much to life itself. Full of ego and "inner" flames, red is the life force.

GOLD: There is an old world reverence and true depth of emotion about the color gold. With gold, we inherently think of wealth, luxury and desire, yet it also relates to satisfaction and intimacy. Gold is the finest we have to offer and often represents our highest achievements.

PINK: Depending on its strength, pink can make us feel young and joyfully alive or gentle and calm. It's innocent and playful and is often associated with the feminine side of our natures. Pink also represents garishness and a devil-may-care attitude in its hotter intensities.

Jonathan Adler

GRAY: Gray can feel warm or cool or no temperature at all. It represents "the rock," therefore solidity and support. Gray is nondescript , just gray and nameless. Gray is trying to fit in but not bring attention to itself. The color of the wallflower, gray is also the color of wisdom and longevity.

TURQUOISE: This high-powered blue isn't as restful as its near neighbors on the color wheel. Turquoise is vibrant and spirited enough to represent a kinesthetic, athletic tension, while reminding us of the opulence of the Topaki Palace and ancient intrigues and mysticism.

BEIGE: The great balancing act of neutral beige allows the other colors to come out and play. Beige is the arbitrator, joining disparate ideas together and forming new unions. It is the color of noncolor, the sameness of the desert lulling us to sleep through its unchallenging nature.

BROWN: Brown is the Protector, the "Mother Earth" to us all. Security and contentment are found in brown. It's the cozy color, enveloping us in strength and allowing for rest and recovery. Brown shelters us from the storms of life.

Color Me Mine

One, if not the most defining element of a room is...drumroll please....COLOR!! This post stuck out to me because I am the target market, as someone whose mood is greatly affected by the color, lighting, and ambiance of a room. When done correctly almost any color can transport you to a specific place and feeling, allowing any kind of space to reach its potential and transform any space into your own personal haven. To find the original article and more tips and tricks from HGTV, visit: http://www.hgtv.com/color/6-tips-for-painting-with-strong-colors/index.html?ic1=obinsite.

6 Tips for Painting with Strong Colors

In the 1800s, most Americans painted their walls white. Only wealthy people had color in their rooms, because colored paint was very expensive. Today, color is accessible to everyone and it can make a room come alive.  

The main goal of using color is to give a room a new look. Turning away from the neutral palette is a great way to add spirit to a space and give things their own personality. Here are some tips for pulling it off:

1. Deep red walls do more than just add color — they create a mood that brings down the brightness of the surroundings, providing a feeling of being encompassed by the room. They also set neutral furniture off.

2. The trick with working with sunshiny-bright yellow is selecting upholstery and accessories to match the walls. Find a painting or a floral or patterned chintz that combines different bright colors, and use that as a guideline.

Jeffery Bilhuber

3. Not all strong colors are stimulating. Forest-green walls can blend beautifully with mahogany furniture, and the contrasting colors are comfortable because they're found in nature. 

4. Dark colors recede. When a room is painted a dark to medium color, the color will actually make the room look larger rather than bringing the walls in, which is a common concern.

5. You don't need to commit to painting the walls intense shades to have a room all about color. Painting the various colors found in furniture behind a wall of bookshelves can create a theatrical backdrop for favorite pieces, for example.

6. When in doubt about a color, don't limit yourself to small color chips. Paint big sheets of cardboard and prop them up in the room in question. This gives you a better idea of what it's going to look like.

Niche Interiors Pitches the Entryway

As I was surfing around from blog to blog, this particular post stuck out to me simply because of the word "entryway." I am a firm believer of the idea that the entryway of a home/apartment speaks for the rest of the space. With certain lighting, wall decor, etc., the entryway is like the introduction, it gives an overview of the rest of the house and can either invite or turn away a comfortable feeling for one's home. This, and many other fantastic tips can be found at http://www.nicheinteriors.com/entryway-essentials/. I highly recommend checking out this blog; even though there are a lot of higher-end design ideas, they can still be very useful in contributing to anyone hoping to put his or her personal interior design skills to work!

Entryway Essentials

The foyer is the hardest working room in the house!  Not only does it set the style for the rest of the home, it provides storage, organization, and a place to primp on your way out the door.  Use our cheat sheet to make sure you have all your entry essentials covered. 

Lights On.  There is nothing worse than a dark, gloomy entry! Provide ample lighting with a pendant or table lamp.  Consider wall sconces if you’re tight on space. 

Slim Storage.  Create a catch-all zone for mail and keys. Look for console tables with drawers, small dressers or wall mounted cabinets. 

Mirror, Mirror.  Prevent wardrobe malfunctions by hanging a mirror by the front door. Added bonus: Mirrors reflect light to make your space appear bigger and brighter. 

Take a Seat.  If space permits, include an ottoman, bench or chair to take shoes on and off. Try tucking one or two ottomans under a narrow console table as shown above. 

A Little Feng Shui

As a college student with limited funds, one of the interior design elements that I have been focusing more on is the idea of working with things you already have around the house/apartment. The biggest part of being able to transform a space, mostly using already-existing decor, is the ability to feng shui and arrange one room into something completely different. I found this particular article on http://dailyinfographic.com/10-feng-shui-tips-infographic. Although this is tips for everyone to do "in 2012," they remain essential in the transformation of a room using the art of feng shui!

10 Feng Shui Tips Everyone Should Apply in 2012

ID Advice from Lauren Conrad

I have always been a big LC fan, typically for her make-up tricks. It wasn't until recently that I discovered this blog that has all sorts of advice, including some excellent interior design tips. This is an older post, but the tricks she mentions are timeless. Check out her full blog here: http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/interior-design-5-things-you-should-know

Interior Design: Five Things You Should Know

1. Personalize your space.
Your home (or room) should reflect who you are. If someone were to walk into your home, they should know that it's yours. The best way to achieve this is by including accessories that reveal your hobbies and interests. What's important is that you distance yourself from what the stores are telling you to buy. Often times we are drawn to ideas that are trendy or pre-done: "Of course this white lacquered elephant statue would look great in my bedroom!" But is that really you? Maybe not. Instead, aim for pieces that compliment your personal clothing style. You may be surprised to discover that styling an outfit isn't too different from decorating a room. So take a look in your closet. What colors are you drawn to? Do you prefer mod or modern? Clean cuts or lacy ruffles? Use your taste in clothing as a style guide for your home–it's an easy way to ensure your space is 100% you.  

2. Work with your surroundings.
It's important to understand your design limitations. Be familiar with the size and scale of the room. Also, consider your environment and respond to it. Whether you're in the city or the countryside, it helps to take a cue from your surroundings. In turn, you can narrow down your choices based on the context of your space.

3. Keep comfort in mind.
Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture simply because it was pretty, only to discover that it's painfully uncomfortable (or useless)? I don't know about you, but I am definitely guilty of this offense. Nevertheless, the silver lining of this mistake is that I learned an important lesson: comfort is key. When I think of "home sweet home," the first word that comes to mind is cozy. Making your home comfy and cozy is a must. Nothing is worse than going to a friend's house and awkwardly balancing on their post-modern chair. Your space should be inviting and comfortable.

4. Stick with the classics.
There's a reason classic is, well, classic. Incorporating pieces that have withstood the test of time gives you the freedom to translate them as your design style evolves. Using classic furniture, prints, and fabrics provides you with a basic foundation to build on with trendy or personalized accessories and finishes. Let's say you find a gorgeous antique credenza or a traditional armchair. You love the shape and feel of the piece, but the finish or fabric is all wrong. In this situation, I say: invest! There are plenty of ways to transform an older, classic shaped piece of furniture. If it's a sofa: reupholster, add throw pillows... An aged dresser: paint it! The possibilities are endless when it comes to updating a timeless piece. 

5. Less is more.
Keep it simple. You don't want to overcrowd your space. If you edit the items in each room, the area will appear to be cleaner and even bigger. Just remember, you can always add more! 

This month at Housebeautiful.com

As I have gone through countless blogs and websites, I have come across article upon article that give great advice on how to give a room the extra oomph you have been looking for. As the most recent article I have found, I love all of these fun tips and plan to implement them in my own home when given the opportunity! To view the complete post, feel free to visit them at http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/decorating-secrets#slide-1 , and even look around and check out more of the articles written that may help turn any space into your space. 

20 Decorating Secrets - By Multiple Authors

1. Pile on the Pillows- One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures. (photo: Design by Melissa Warner)

2. Buy a Bigger Bed- Small-scale furniture only makes a small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will grow. (Photo: Design by Melissa Warner)

3. Leave Cabinets Open- An open armoire is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world! (Photo: Design by Dan Marty)

4. Go Dark- Dark walls do the opposite of what you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger. (Photo: Design by Kristen Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford)

5. Wallpaper is Easy- The fastest way to make over sliding closet doors is to wallpaper them. (Photo: Design by Melissa Warner)

6. Large Collections Need Order- Wall brackets can bring order to a large collection or odd shapes. (Photo: Design by Mary Watkins Wood)

7. Use a Real Rug in the Bathroom- Use a rug instead of a bath mat. It was made to withstand a lot more wear than the occasional wet foot. (Photo: Design by Mary Watkins Wood)

8. It's Okay to Skip the Sofa- There's no rule that a living room has to have a sofa. (Photo: Design by Dan Marty)

9. White Works- You'll never get tired of a white living room. (Photo: Design by Vicente Wolf)

10. Mix Styles- A four-poster bed will take the chill out of a modern bedroom. (Photo: Design by Vicente Wolf)

11. Layer Your Lighting- Four lamps are better than two. You need ambient light for mood and direct light for reading. (Photo: Design by Kristen Fitzgibbons)

12. Tuck in Your Throws- Keep your throws under control. Fold them lengthwise, then in half, then tuck them into cushions. (Photo: Design by Kristen Fitzgibbons)

13. Kick Your Traditional Coffee Table to the Curb- The most versatile coffee table you'll ever own is an ottoman topped with a tray. (Photo: Design by Vicente Wolf)

14. Skirted Furniture Finishes a Room- Too many chair and table legs can make a room "nervous." A skirted piece or two will make it feel "grounded." (Photo: Design by Melissa Warner)

15. Gold is Gorgeous- Gold is back in a big way. A few accents will warm up a room, like this classic living room. (Photo: Design by Kristen Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford)

16. Plants Cheer Up a Lonely Corner- Nothing softens a lonely corner in a big room like a potted tree. (Photo: Design by Dan Marty)

17. Leather Lasts- The most indestructible fabric for dining chairs is leather or vinyl. Especially if you want white. (Photo: Design by Melissa Warner)

18. Switch Up Your Seating- Mix up the seating at your dining table. You wouldn't have eight identical chairs in your living area. (Photo: Design by Vicente Wolf)

19. Don't Forget the Closet Lighting- Love your closets. Paint them, paper them, hang pictures in them to inspire you. And definitely light them. (Photo: Design by Melissa Warner)

20. Refinish Vintage Finds- Don't be afraid to paint a vintage piece. Every piece of furniture can't be brown. (Photo: Design by Dan Marty)