Search Results for: blog change the feel of a space with these decorating tips

The Big Room

My wife likes having a clean house. In the aftermath of sickness going through our family, my constant (and never-ending) study for qualifying exams, and my general inability to notice dirt in places that are obvious to her left the house in a fine state of disarray. My wife was getting off of work early and I had an appointment to meet with an instructor for further preparations towards my exams. Our son had just fallen asleep. I took off to deal with my exam issues and my wife (I later found out) started cleaning. When I returned to the … Continue reading →

Warm Weather Decorating: Your Home Office

With spring in full swing and summer quickly approaching, you may find yourself feeling a little cooped up in your home office. While we all want a tasteful, organized space to work in there is nothing wrong with adding light, color, and even some whimsy to the space in which we spend so much time. Light may be the most important aspect. Of course, lighting is essential, but I’m talking about light in another sense. Letting in the sunshine so you don’t feel so closed up in your office is important. Bringing the outdoors in is a familiar theme, not … Continue reading →

Spring and Summer mean Color

There’s just something about the sounds and scents of spring and summer. But, what about the sights? Everything is fresh and new and filled with vibrant color. Does that include your home? One of the ways many people welcome warm weather is by changing the look and feel of their homes to mimic spring and summer. We like to bring the outdoors in with more casual furnishings and accessories as well as flowers and plants. This is simple to achieve with just a few strategically placed bursts of color. By adding colors such as those found outdoors in nature, we … Continue reading →

Letting Kids Decorate Their Way

We all have different tastes when it comes to decorating. Getting a parent and a child to agree on how the child’s room should be decorated is sometimes difficult. I tried as much as possible to enlist Tyler’s input on how he wanted his room redecorated and some of his ideas were pretty wild. Before Katrina I was actually beginning the process of switching my office with Tyler’s room because it was the bigger bedroom. Although he was just four at the time, I knew he would soon need more space and since I needed to remove the wall of … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: September 24 – 30

We hope you had a great week and are enjoying your weekend. Here’s a quick look at the articles shared in the Home Blog this week: Odds and Ends: Birthdays and Tailgate Parties Here are a couple fun ideas for birthday parties and after party memories, and some tips for tailgating (Go Bears!). Home Chore List: Quarterly Cleaning Chores Filters, windows, storm windows, screens, light bulbs, candles, baskets, dust ruffles… what do all these items have in common? They need a good cleaning at least quarterly. Hot Home Style Trends From green flooring and kitchen counter tops to the great … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: August 20 – 26

More Dining Room Ideas Last week, in Start Decorating the Dining Room, we talked about getting design plans together for fall decorating and beyond. With the holidays approaching, now is a good time to start planning and even picking up a few things here and there to change the look and feel of your dining room. This week, there were some ideas including layering rich color, flooring options, and new dinnerware. Easy Ways with Artwork Artwork can make a dramatic difference in any space, giving it more sparkle, color, and texture, and making the room feel more finished. Give pop … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: August 13 – 19

Where Dirt Hides Dirt and dust can hide is so many places. In fact, sometimes, it seems like it’s everywhere! Check and clean the following spots and if you want to share some tips for combating hidden dust and dirt, please let me know. Top Ten Tips for Puppy Proofing Your Home We just brought home the most darling puppy. He is a Yorkie-poo, a mix between a Yorkie and poodle, and he is absolutely adorable. The only problem is that bringing home a puppy is not all that different from having a baby in the home, so check out … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: August 6 – 12

If you missed anything this week, don’t feel bad. I missed a couple days myself, and had to backtrack to catch up. My area has been experiencing one of the worst heat waves in years and we had to conserve energy during the day to avoid power outages. There were days I had nothing on but air conditioners and fans (and sometimes the lights would still blink, making my heart race). With the heat index topping 115, I did not want my family to be without air conditioning. At that extreme, it goes beyond simple comfort and is more about … Continue reading →

Change the Feel of a Space with these Decorating Tips

Sometimes, a few touches go a long way. Try these tips to change the look and feel of almost any space in your home: Cool Down I’m not talking about the temperature but about the color. If you have a space that’s filled with warm colors, adding a touch of a cool color may help create balance. A burst of blue or silver or even white can help bring the heat down a notch if it is overpowering. Adding a piece of artwork, some accessories, or a couple of accents such as a rug or pillows in cool colors may … Continue reading →

Holidays: Seven Tips to Set the Stage

Here are seven quick, easy tips to set the stage and the mood for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any occasion: Set a Great Table Let your dining table become the focal point. Even if you do very little decorating elsewhere, your table can set the entire mood for any occasion. Set the Mood with Music and Lighting Soft, soothing music floating gently through the air can help create a special ambience. Lighting can also play an important role. Keep entertaining areas bright, airy, and upbeat. Do Seasons instead of (or along with) Occasions You don’t have to have turkeys, pumpkins, dried … Continue reading →