How To Rejuvenate Your Living Room!

This article is provided by Lora Young.

Nothing impresses a visitor more quite like the living room. After all, it is that special place in the house where you entertain your guests and make them comfortable. After all, that is just as important as other areas like the dining room and bedroom. The living room is also where you unwind to watch your favorite TV moments or simply doze off on the couch.

With all this in mind, it is only best that we focus more on keeping our living rooms as comfortable as possible. Investing in a home improvement project makes all the more sense if you focus more on making a truly great living room experience. Plus, the fact is that you are also improving your home’s value considerably.

Let us take a look at a few things you need to do to rejuvenate your living room.

1. Change the wall paint

What paint will you be giving your living room? For sure, the choice of color is crucial since it allows you to achieve a certain mood in your living room. For instance, if you want it to feel like you are on vacation, you can try lighter shades of blue to really capture that tropical vibe. You can also try bolder colors if you want your room to feel energizing.

2. Go minimalistic

Marie Kondo has a point: A clutter-free life is a life that is anchored on joy. That alone should convince you to adopt a more minimalistic mindset when it comes to making your living room an important part in de-stressing. For this, you just have to start by throwing out the things you need and determine if you want more of the same item. Sure enough, this mindset keeps you from achieving a less cluttered lifestyle, so be sure to use all that energy toward making your home more spacious.

3. Hang wall decor

If blank walls are not your style, you can always create decorations you can hang. One good example is to grow some hanging plants and put them in places where you can easily see them. Aside from plants, you might also hang a few artworks here and there to really maximize the available space on the walls of your living room.

4. Change your flooring

It is an expensive project, but considering the long-term benefits, upgrading your flooring is a great way to increase the value of your home. You just have to determine the right material to use on your floor. You can always opt for carpeting and vinyl, but if you want an easy-to-clean option, then hardwood floors are a good choice. You just need to find a capable contractor offering wood floor services. Installing the material is hard, but with a little patience, you can achieve a more rustic vibe for your living room.

5. Change your lighting

To impress your guest even though nighttime has already arrived, make sure to install a few accent lights in areas where they illuminate pieces of art and such. You can also install dim lights for when you need to enjoy a bit of intimacy with your better half.

Choosing The Right Accessories To Enhance Your Bedroom Décor!

This post is provided by Jeremy Sunders.

The right accessories can bring life to your bedroom décor. On the other hand, using them in the wrong way can create a feeling of chaos – the last thing you want in your private sanctuary. Here are some tips for choosing the extra touches that will enhance your bedroom décor.

Quality Matters

Choose high-quality accessories for your room. Of course, assessing quality is not always easy. A more expensive item is not necessarily better. The object should certainly be well-made. Read how well the accessories hold up for others in the company reviews profile, like 1StopBedrooms reviews tab. Choose items with a unique flair instead of run-of-the-mill knickknacks.

Use Color, Light And Texture

Neutral or subtle colors are great for large furniture items, because they are easy to live with for the long term. Accessories are where you can perk up your room in different ways at different times. Here are some ways to do it.

-Add splashes of bright or contrasting colors, but make sure they coordinate with the main color scheme.

-Accent mirrors and decorative sconces or lamps add light and reflection. 

-Touches of varying textures in pillows, throws, and rugs make your room more interesting, too.

Add Interest

Want a more interesting room? Just add accessories that have a little character.

-Unusual decorative vases or candle holders can hold your attention without assaulting your senses. 

-Brass or glass sculptures add to the light effects while increasing interest.

-High-quality, unique figurines with an antique look add a sense of depth.

-Unusual glass or silver trays are both interesting and useful.

-Add fascinating artwork but do it sparingly.

Get The Proportions Right

When you are choosing accessories for your bedroom, think about the size of the room and the furniture in it. If your room is huge, tiny objects would not have much impact. If your room is tiny, overly large items will overwhelm the main design elements.

Arrangement Tips

Before you even look for accessories, it is a good idea to learn a few arrangement tips. After all, what you choose depends on where you have a place to put it. Here are a few ideas.

-Do not overdo it. If you put in too many accessories, your eyes will be so overwhelmed you would not really see each individual piece. Instead, choose only the accessories you love most.

-Arrange items so they are balanced but asymmetrical.

-Put small items together in odd-numbered groups, such as three or five.

-Place large accessories first, then add smaller objects.

-Place items at different heights, from interesting rugs on the floor to decorative throw pillows on the bed to eye-level mirrors to hanging lamps.

-Make groupings of items that vary in height.

-Choose items with a seasonal flair. Then, swap them out for other accessories for the next season.

-Consider using a few identical items in a grouping.

If you are still unsure of how to create the right atmosphere in your bedroom using accessories, a furniture company with design experts can help. All you have to do is show them the main design features of your room. They will be able to suggest suitable accessories. From there, the choice is yours.

Five beautiful ideas to place the Corbusier Lounge chair in living rooms!

This post is provided by Tiffany Lewis.

At the core of its design, the Corbusier Lounge Chair is a ‘living room product.’ Yes, it is highly versatile and can be featured in a number of other spaces, but featuring it grandly in a space it was designed for in the first place is not something that you can completely overlook. So, if you want to feature this unique furniture piece in your living areas, here are 5 inspirations to get you started. Let us take a look:

In between plush and stately

The half-baroque and half-modern designing of this living room ambiance is something of a dichotomous construct. It is not only attractive, but also offers a stately and charismatic aura that makes the whole space feel like the perfect mix of traditional and modern. But the thing that stands out the most amongst all else is the timeless aesthetic and comfortable recline of the Corbusier Lounge Chair. Its simplistic presence within the semi-dark theme of the living room feels very trendy and stylish. You can definitely construct such a theme in your own homes as well.

Ahead of the accent game

The large girth and artistic body of the Corbusier Lounge Chair are perfectly suited to be the accent piece that your living room needs. This image features a unique configuration of sofas around a mantelpiece, and the Corbusier Lounge Chair sits snugly at the forefront while adding some much needed shapely and pattern contrast to the whole space.

The penthouse effect

The penthouse effect is the perfect way to feature the Corbusier Lounge Chair as it is inherently graceful and sophisticated. It can make a large space feel highly welcoming while providing the perfect place to recline and relax. This image features an excellent representation of such a living room layout, where the grey LC2 chairs complement the artistic body of the black Corbusier Lounge Chair perfectly well.

Grounded amidst colors

Usually, the Corbusier Lounge Chair itself is used as an accent piece to create contrast within an ambiance. However, if your living room is colorful and eclectic enough, you can actually use the chair as a piece to anchor the whole aesthetic. Just take a look at this image. The use of gorgeous red and blue jewel tones is highly distinct, but it is actually the black Corbusier Lounge Chair that grounds the whole ambiance.

Understanding the contemporary

The contemporary aesthetic is something of a dissimilar construct. It tales sleek, mismatched pieces, and used them to deliver a wholesome ambiance. This is why the Corbusier Lounge Chair would be a great addition in such a living room. This image is proof enough; with the cream couch, black one-seaters, and trendily minimalistic feature wall, the cowhide upholstery and luxurious curves of the Corbusier Lounge Chair feel like the most statement worthy accent piece.

The idea of using the Corbusier Lounge Chair in living rooms may be a conventional one, but the way you create an ambiance around it makes all the difference. We hope some of these ideas inspired you to get started with your own.

Book review- American Originals!

Today, I wanted to share a wonderful new publication from Vendome Press with you. Thanks to Meghan Phillips for sending me American Originals. In this amazing book, photographer William Abranowicz invites us into the private spaces of extraordinary and fiercely authentic individuals, as seen through his distinctive eyes. 

Let's check out some of the fabulous photographs you will find inside this book!

Photo credit: William Abranowicz

This book is truly a visual feast! Honestly, how can you not be mesmerized by the extraordinary homes of accomplished painters, poets, rock stars, designers, tastemakers, politicians and celebrities?

Some rooms have a few quirks and surprises, some are charming and familiar but most importantly, they all exude style, character and originality, which I love! With more than 250 stunning photographs (most never before published), you can easily spend hours upon hours pouring over the gorgeous vignettes and interesting details in each space! 

Engaging, inspirational and unforgettable, this incredible publication shouldn't be missed! I absolutely enjoyed seeing these creatives express beauty in their personal sanctuaries, how about you? 

Don't forget to get your copy here!

*I received  this book to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Ideas For A Memorable Backyard Wedding!

This post is provided by Matt Collins.

A Fine Wedding You Can Afford

Here are some hot wedding trends; but sometimes going the nostalgia route makes more sense- it all depends on you and your future spouse. For example, getting married in the backyard can be very romantic, and it can be convenient. It can be fun, it can ease the stress of the ceremony, and it can allow you to spend more than you would have been able to otherwise. Did you know the common cost of a wedding in the United States is north of $20k?

Certainly you want to be able to have the most extravagant event you can; but the realities of today may prevent you from having such an experience. However: with your own backyard, or that of a close relation, you may be able to get there. If you have a beautiful backyard, that is even better! And take this into consideration as well: just because your marriage is on the property, does not mean you are necessarily being thrifty.

Remember The Godfather? That wedding took place in a backyard, and it was a downright top-tier event! Certainly that is an extreme example, but it is worth keeping in mind. It may just be that the venue of your parents' home, or that of a relative, represents a better place to get married than any chapel or beach you can think of. It all depends on you.

If you do decide to go the backyard route, there are a number of things to take into consideration. Following, a few suggestions to help you maximize your options will be explored.

Wardrobe, Decor, Honeymoons, And Catering

The internet is making all kinds of wedding costs less impacting than they would be otherwise. Consider these lovely light pink wedding dresses as an example. It is possible to get the style you like, the quality you expect, and the cost you can afford online. Shopping for you and your bridesmaids using such techniques makes a lot of sense.

Another internet savior comes in the form of crowdsourced funding. If you think a crowdfunding option could work for you, you should check this website: https://www.honeyfund.com/unique-wedding-registry. You may find resources to extend your honeymoon, too; and that can be important as an initiating force in your developing marriage.

Something else that makes sense is decorating with the backyard you have chosen, rather than against it. Are there trees? Bushes? Is there a garden? What kind of lawn is there? Does a pool take up most the premises- could it be covered? Ask and answer these questions, then ensure the decoration you have in some way pays homage to that which was there before; this will make it look the most natural and graceful.

When it comes to catering, ask yourself: will the family whose backyard you are using do a better job than caterers? Are they inclined to do so? Perhaps let them, and even give them a little money for goods. You may be surprised; some people really like to cook, and would jump at this sort of opportunity. If they are also good at cooking (as desire is not enough), let them shine!

More Control, More Savings, More Fun

With a backyard wedding, you are in a venue over which there is more control. Other parties booked in the same location would not be at the fringes of your wedding. You would not have to leave for the reception.

You will be able to cut the cost of the event down substantially, and involve more people. Altogether, this could make a backyard wedding more fun collaterally. Whether going this route makes any sense will be up to you, but there is a lot to recommend a backyard wedding.

New Silestone Concrete Looking Counters For 2019!

This post is provided is by Sherley Grimes.

The kitchen is the heart of every home. When it comes to kitchen worktops and other elements of this precious space in the house, you can always trust Silestone. The brand is known for being able to provide the perfect color, style or design to any property. If you are looking for a versatile product that can be used practically in any of the interior, Silestone is the name to remember. You can choose from a palette of over fifty colors available in the UK as off 2019. You can also consider the immaculate integrity sinks. These will match the color of your worktops, offering a seamless and minimalistic look. 

Silestone makes quartz products in different colors, thicknesses and finishes. It boasts 8 different collections called ‘Series’. There is a strong trend for industrial features in interiors that are both functional and beautiful. An industrial feel in the kitchen puts you in touch with different elements of nature, creating a sense of calm and relaxation. Also, it is a special place in which you gather with friends and family, disconnecting from everything else. The Loft Series is the latest collection in the range of the leading quartz surface manufacturer. It is inspired in traditional building materials such as concrete and cement. In contrast with the building products, the surfaces are easy to clean and require no special maintenance.

Here is a look at the concrete-inspired colours for kitchen worktops that you can choose from.

The “Loft Series” created by Silestone has two new, sophisticated colors.  They offer a fresh and modern take on the architectural and industrial look of cement and concrete. The Loft Series by Silestone consists of Brooklyn and Silver Lake. They are both classic colors that will complete any kitchen, regardless of their style or design. 

Silestone Brooklyn: A part of the Silestone Loft Series, Silestone Brooklyn is a fantastic color inspired by the look of concrete. If you are looking to change your worktops in the New Year to breathe a new life into your kitchen, this is one of the best choices you can make. Fresh and modern, this color will add a cool, contemporary look and feel to your space. Brooklyn is available in slabs with thicknesses in 12mm, 20mm and 30mm. The slab dimensions are 3250 x 1590mm which means you have a huge canvas to create seamless designs. Similarly, you can use large panels in the walls, creating splashbacks in matching material.

Silestone Silver Lake: Silestone Silver Lake, from the Loft Series is another superb choice for those who want to create a clean, modern look for their kitchen or bathroom. Like Brooklyn, Silver Lake has a concrete look, a trend increasingly popular among designers and architects alike. If you are looking for a color different from the usual grey or white, then this is the one you should pick for your kitchen countertops and work areas. In addition to magnificent looks, all Silestone colors come with added benefits such as exclusive bacteriostatic protection and N-Boost treatment on the material. If that was not enough, you can protect your investment by registering the purchase of your worktops at Silestone’s website via an approved supplier of their products.

Happy 8th blog anniversary!

In a blink of an eye, my blog turned 8 today! Yay!

Many wonderful and exciting opportunities continue to come my way since I started this blog. At the same time, I am becoming more and more selective of the collaborations I picked and have declined a lot of product reviews to stay true to the original purpose of this blog. 

Some of most satisfying moments came from design clients who came back again and again to ask me for design help. Another client recently wrote to me to tell me they still loved their room that I helped them designed more than 5 years ago. As a decorator, I couldn't be happier!

On another positive note, my blog has garnered over 11 million pageviews throughout the years! Without you, my wonderful readers, my blog wouldn't have come this far so I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who loyally follow, read my blog and take a moment to leave an encouraging and positive comment from time to time. 

I feel so blessed and grateful to all of you! I am sure my blog will continue to evolve over time but I will try my best to provide good inspirational content for you. Hopefully, you will continue to stay with me. 

Thank you my awesome readers, you are the best!

How to get modern landscaping on a budget!

This article is provided by Samantha Waites.

There is no denying that the clean lines used in modern architecture and design are appealing, especially when they appear in the great outdoors. Modern landscaping is marked by its emphasis on strong graphic elements that impose themselves on the natural spaces; clean, structured hardscaping dominates in the form of stone, concrete and wood, and flora and fauna fill in the cracks. It feels fresh, is functional and ensures a high property value for years to come.

However, just as creating a modern interior is not easy and breezy, landscaping a modern design outside can cost a pretty penny. If you want a modern look to your landscaping without a modern price tag, read on for some helpful tips and tricks.

Understand The Tenets Of The Trend

In truth, modern is one of the easiest styles to master on a budget. That is because the fundamentals of the trend lend themselves to the cost-conscious DIYer. Still, it does not take much effort to get off-trend and into an unattractive mish-mash of styles, so before you do anything to your landscape, you should know these modernism rules backwards and forwards:

Clearly defined spaces. There should be a delineated difference between the area used for entertaining, any pathways around the yard, the kid’s play space, flower boxes and vegetation regions and any other area. This usually entails relying heavily on borders and frames, but you can achieve a similar feel with different materials, like a gravel space, a grass space, a concrete space and more.

Use of hardscaping. Modern yards do not lack greenery altogether, but they certainly are not wild and untamed forests. Instead, your yard should largely be hardscaped, which serves several functions that contribute to a more modern look and feel. For one, hardscaped features tend to be more geometric; for another, they look less cluttered and ensure lower maintenance responsibilities. For hardscaping, think natural materials like stone and wood as opposed to plastic.

Striking and well-maintained plant life. The flora that does occur in your outdoor space should be remarkable and impeccably maintained. Instead of picking up expected blooms from your local plant nursery, you should opt for somewhat outlandish greenery, like succulents and cacti. You should try to group similar types of plants together, perhaps in tiers. Then, if you do install a lawn, you need to be meticulous about fertilization, aeration and other oft-overlooked tasks that keep it healthy and green.

Artistic features. Modernism is not just a design style; it is an entire genre of art. Thus, you should drive home your modern landscape with a few key artistic touches. These might be functional, like statement planters or fireplaces, or they might simply add décor, like modern lawn ornaments.

Be Crafty

While you could pay a professional landscape designer and contractor to give your yard the modern feel you crave, it is much more budget-friendly to do most of the work yourself. Thankfully, because modern landscaping is simple and sparse, you can DIY a great deal of it. Here are a few projects to get you started:

Grass tiles. You can arrange concrete tiles and sod to make a geometric pattern with your lawn. You can conform to a grid pattern or blur the lines between natural and manmade. This allows you to enjoy a lawn but also create a work of art from your landscape.

Stone tiles. If you do not want the hassle of grass, you can cover your yard in gravel and install stone tiles of varying sizes and colors. You should try to create geometric interest, though that does not have to mean symmetry or perfect balance. In fact, asymmetry is common in modern design. If all that tile is outside your budget, you can also create a similar look by pouring quick-mix concrete into small blocks around your yard.

Upcycled planters. You can create stylish and striking planters in a variety of ways. For one, you could make molds for concrete planters using items you already have around your home. For another, you can purchase inexpensive or clearance planters from a home décor or home improvement store and paint them in bright, modern colors.

Upcycled hardscaping. You should not shy away from unconventional materials when designing the hardscaping of your yard. Corrugated steel, wood scraps and other found objects integrate well into a modern design, especially in fences and patios. You can also use these materials to make art objects to decorate the yard.

When executed well, modern landscaping will remain attractive and in-style for eternity. If you can cut costs without cutting corners, you will end up with a modern yard that you love and love to show off.

Four Beautiful Kitchen Interior Upgrades!

This post is contributed by Matt Lee.

One of the simplest methods for refreshing a home and increasing the property value is to upgrade the kitchen. The kitchen is a functional and comfortable gathering place which acts as the center of many homes. Each element must work cohesively in order to serve and function properly.
   
Sometimes the features of a kitchen no longer suit the style or needs of its occupants. Instead of a pricey, time-consuming kitchen remodel, consider some smaller kitchen upgrades. Simple changes such as swapping out old hardware or adding a new coat of paint can make a world of difference in the appearance and feel of a kitchen. 

Here are 4 stunning kitchen upgrades that will transform your cooking space. 

1. Revamp Your Cabinets

Cabinets form the face of the kitchen. The size, shape, color, and design of the cabinets can make or break the tone of the kitchen space. Fortunately, kitchen cabinets are also among the easiest transformations to undertake. 

For a subtle, understated change, the cabinets can be stained a natural color. Humble pine or maple cabinets can take on the appearance of pricier mahogany or cherry with a simple coat of stain and varnish. For a bolder statement, try a bright coat of paint. 

If you are not looking to make a serious change, consider a simple hardware swap to give the kitchen more up to date interior features. Consider swapping black handles for stainless steel or bronze to compliment dark colored cabinets for a more industrial look.

2. Quartz Countertops

Many older homes feature countertops made from lackluster materials, such as laminate or faux stone. Upgrading your countertops is no small task, but it can be a stunning change that will last for years. But what material should you choose?

Granite may be a popular choice, but quartz countertops are a more durable and lower maintenance option. Quartz is generally a light cream or beige color, which will stay on trend for years to come. But quartz can be easily customized to fit any style. If you are looking for a more sophisticated look with some design to it, consider quartz that looks like marble.  

3. Install Under Cabinet Lighting

Recessed lighting is a classy way to incorporate style and functionality. By installing under cabinet lighting, you can easily see and navigate the kitchen space while maintaining the warm feel of the kitchen. Under cabinet lights can eliminate the need for harsh overhead lights. Additionally, many under cabinet lighting systems can be installed easily on your own without having to call an electrician, making this upgrade a seamless transformation. 

4. Update Your Kitchen Faucets

The sink may not be one of the first places that comes to mind when upgrading the kitchen. However, with so many new advances in sink technology, there are thousands of styles, colors, and finishes to choose from. Faucets provide an opportunity to showcase your style and improve water efficiency at the same time, as many new faucets are designed with an eco-conscious purpose. 

Consider matching your faucet to the hardware on your cabinets for a seamless look. If you are considering upgrading the kitchen, a faucet upgrade can be an excellent place to begin.

Upgrading the kitchen is a rewarding undertaking. You can do as little or as much as you want and still transform the room. 

How To Spruce Up Your Commercial Space In 2019: 3 Key Steps!

This post is provided by Lora Young.

Better late than never! A new year has begun and businesses are eager to make very significant changes. Indeed, investing in office renovation is always a great idea. After all, a business has to change the way it looks in order to stay relevant to its existing and potential customers. But you will have to admit, sprucing up an office space, or just about any commercial setup for that matter, is too much of an investment already. 

If you are an entrepreneur, expect even a partial remodel to be very costly. And I mean COSTLY! After all, you will have to know which parts of your commercial space deserve a much needed upgrade. Other than that, you will need to know whether you have a large enough maintenance budget to handle such projects.

Luckily, there are ways you can spruce up your commercial space this year without having to spend too much time and energy. Here are a few of them:

Consider upgrading your storage

Right off the bat, the main problem that most businesses face is clutter. Especially for many startups that have yet to set up an effective storage system, it is hard to find hard copies of documents if they are not properly stored or at least archived.

If you have this very same problem as last year, you might as well consider investing in filing cabinets and other storage systems that will help keep your files safe and secured. If you do not have a proper storage room for these files, you might as well utilize an existing room or partition a part of your office space to create a separate area for storage.

Replace old furniture

If you are still using the same furniture ever since you started operating your business, chances are it is becoming dilapidated. It becomes worse if there is an indication of termite damage, in which case you will have to consider replacing your old office furniture with brand new pieces.

Make sure to opt for hardwood furniture, especially when it comes to refurbishing the lobby. But if you are on a budget, you can always consider giving your old furniture a new lease on life by way of  a simple restoration project. This will at least add a few more years to the life of your furniture.

Get an experienced construction contractor

Planning something big for your commercial space? Maybe you are considering adding a new office building on the premises? At any rate, you will need to find a contractor that is capable of handling projects no matter how large.

For simple office space additions, you can find small construction companies. Such companies usually make use of construction equipment financing to acquire the right assets. Still, it is always important to look at a contractor’s track record. Obviously, finding any anomalies in a company’s history should indicate a no-go. To be safe, you should ask for recommendations from business partners or colleagues to vouch for a trusted company.

With these three steps in mind, you will be on your way to a good year for your business, with a brand new look to match!