Office in the Living Room?

Hi Friends,

Welcome back!

Office in the Living Room? Absolutely. In this day and age it is essential to utilize every inch of space. Its not surprising that we live and work in a mutual space so why not make it work for both. An office can be attractive even in the most elegant space. Determine the style of your space; Contemporary, Eclectic, Mediterranean, Modern, Romantic, Traditional, Transitional, Tropical, Asian, English Country and implement a cohesive workspace that is also functional. Accent your desk with flowers and accessories that are stylish but not cluttered. Incorporate ample storage for an overall result that is casual, comfortable, sophisticated or even elegant but it's essential to blend with the existing surroundings. Most importantly, avoid clutter; it's the enemy and I stress that you will have a true appreciation of uncluttered surroundings.

Larger spaces can accommodate an armoire, perfect to close when not in use but affords the space and storage required to run a smooth and successful business right from your living room, bedroom or family room. Whatever the piece, arrangement is paramount. Blending seamlessly is key in any design addition. Think about adding a console to combine with or compliment existing pieces; contrast can be your friend but not in this case. Traditionally credenzas were designed specifically for offices but styles have evolved and they work in most any space if placed and accessorized appropriately. Your environment determines your mode so make it work for you and your family, and whenever possible, think ergonomic. It Works!

Hope you enjoyed this week's feature and check back with us for more decorating ideas.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Lighting a Room the Right Way

Hi Friends,

Welcome to our feature on Lighting a Room the Right Way and a special thank you to lighting designer Eddie Cohen for tips on how to properly light a room.

1. When you design lighting for a room you have to consider what activities you're going to engage in in that space. The types of activities will influence your choice of fixtures and placement. Most rooms serve more than one function. Lighting must be considered when highlighting certain room elements.

2. Recessed lighting is a good choice for a living room. Consider placing above a sofa, coffee table or chairs.

3. Sconce lighting is a beautiful decorative option that can add color and style to a room. Sconces come in a variety of materials such as glass, metal and ceramic. They will spill indirect light on sections of the wall and form interesting backdrops or accents to the room.

4. Table lamps and floor lamps are a key source of light for a room. This is an easy option for everyone, but there are many things to consider before purchasing. For example, you don't want light shining directly in your eyes while you are sitting next to the lamp. There are also various qualities of light through different types of shades. Shades can change the brightness and the color of the light that fills your room.

5. Think of the activities you will be doing in your room. If you read in your living room, a good light is needed near your favorite reading spot in the room. A floor or table lamp next to a chair, sofa or on a desk should provide the right amount of light.

6. Accent architectural elements in your home such as a fireplace mantel. You can do this with special spot lighting that is either recessed or on a track. Track lighting is nice over a bookshelf.

7. Light fixtures can be a piece of art. An interesting fixture on a table or shelf can be a conversation piece as well as an added light source to a dark corner.

8. Candles are always great for creating a casual or even romantic atmosphere. There are some specially designed light bulbs that simulate the light that comes from candles.

Hope the above tips help with your next lighting project.

Check back for more decorating ideas and happy lighting.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Unique Collage For Your Space

Hi Friends,

Collecting and displaying our most valued items start for some of us at an early age. In this feature we talk about collecting unique items that can be displayed as part of your interior design. Accessorizing is a big part of design and extremely important if you're working with a tight budget. Accessories will enhance your current design or add to a new one.

Add charm to any space with flea market finds or garage sales. You'll be surprised at the incredible deals and unusual pieces found in the most unlikely places. In the end, your overall result can be either casual and comfortable or sophisticated with a flare of elegance; you decide...

Create the perfect focal point with unorthodox yet functional pieces. Consider varying shapes and sizes of containers/boxes and use them to display your most valued collection of cups; perfect for a dinning room or spices for your kitchen and even perfumes for your dressing room. No limit to the imagination and be sure to check with us for great ideas.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Romantic Bedroom in Gray

Hi Friends,

If you have been following us over the past 3 months you know we featured 12 weeks of stylish, romantic bedrooms. Last week was our final feature in this series but we wanted to share one last romantic idea with you; Romantic Bedroom in Gray.

This bedroom not only has romance but a zen-like quality that many will appreciate. An over-sized headboard brings drama without the over-sized price. Visit your local hardware store for discarded wood blocks, ideal for this project and at a steal. Then take a trip to your local fabric outlet for foam, fabric, spray adhesive and no-sew tape. Check our earlier features for instructions on covering an ottoman, simple window treatments, and a no-sew duvet cover. Remember, recycling your comforter and throw pillows for this part of the project is not only a great cost saver but Earth-friendly.

Cut the foam to the size of the blocks, adhere each to the blocks then cover individually with the fabric. You may hang them separately on the wall then frame it out or have a piece of wood cut to your dimensions and frame that out for the perfect headboard at very little cost.

Recycle your night tables and pull a chair from another room that will compliment your bedding, you will be surprised at how renewed old furniture looks with a new headboard and bedding.

Always make every effort to recycle whenever possible. Take care of the Earth and it will take care of us.

Check back for more decorating ideas and enjoy your new Romantic Bedroom in Gray.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Romance the Bedroom Series: Week 12

Hi Friends,

Welcome back to our final series in stylish ways to make your bedroom romantic and a special thanks to Caren Baginski. Our last feature of romance begins with sunflowers to brighten the mood. It's summer year round in this bedroom and you can imagine the sun even on the rainiest of days. Decorate your bedroom with sunflowers and get the feeling of a warm, lazy summer day.

Summer not your favorite time of year; pick a season you love and live in it year round. View some of our earlier features for great ideas at very reasonable cost.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for visiting us over the past 3 months in our Romance the Bedroom Series. It is our sincere hope that you have not only enjoyed but obtained some really great ideas for your romantic bedroom.

Keep in touch for more decorating ideas and enjoy the romance.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Romance the Bedroom Series: Week 11

Hi Friends,

Welcome back to our series in stylish ways to make your bedroom romantic and a special thanks to Caren Baginski. This week we are featuring Calming Water. Organic colors, slate and wood with bamboo panels below the window are combined to create a soothing bedroom water feature. It appears to be a daunting task but given a little time and a visit to your local hardware store it can be a breeze.

Remember your last beach vacation; the sound of the water outside your window, the calm and peaceful feeling as you went to sleep. Duplicate this feeling in your own space and create what will be the calm to your hectic lifestyle.

That's all for now, be sure to check back for more decorating ideas in our last series on Romance the Bedroom.

Enjoy your new water feature!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Romance the Bedroom Series: Week 10

Hi Friends,

Welcome back to our continued series in stylish ways to make your bedroom romantic and a special thanks to Caren Baginski and Candice Olson. Last week our feature was all about unexpected focal points. Hope it inspired some creative thinking for your space. In Week 10 we are going outside the box with a Passionate Red Minimalist bedroom. The palette is sophisticated and neutral, yet elegant when the pops of passionate red are added.

Modern and minimalist bedrooms can be elegant if you keep the palette sophisticated and neutral, then pop it with passionate red, apple green or even a fuchsia for the lovers of pink. Recreation of this bedroom in your space will give you that zen-like feeling and can be easily done on a budget. Your local linen outlet, my personal favorite, have clearance items that are missing bedskirts or pillow shams which you can pick up at fraction of the cost. Perfect for this design since the pillows shams will be in complimentary colors so matching sets are not important. Another great avenue is your local fabric store. Recycle and cover your existing comforter; not only does it save Mother Earth but mother wallet, as well. Check out our previous blogs on no-sew decorating to make your own duvet cover in less than 2 hours.

You can create a bedroom that is luxurious, sophisticated, elegant and most important, wallet-friendly.

Check back for more decorating ideas in Week 11 and enjoy your romantic bedroom.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne