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Ways to Make This Thanksgiving One Your Family Will Cherish Forever

November 9, 2018 by admin

Looking for ideas to make this Thanksgiving special? Edward Perotti is an event designer who has worked with artists like Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas. From intimate settings to spectacular events at the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul and the Great Wall of China, he knows a thing or two about producing extraordinary experiences. We asked him for some ideas to make this the best Thanksgiving ever.

Incorporate natural colors in your design. Image: Anita Diaz for Far Above Rubies

“What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?” Perotti asks. “Do you imagine a time of gratitude with your family, all the while counting your blessings? Or is it merely a day of eating, partying or watching sports on TV and showing your team spirit?”

Perotti grew up in San Francisco in a very traditional Italian-American home. Thanksgiving was a day for family and a celebration of togetherness.

“Over the years, I have seen and done many things to make this day special for my family and friends,” Perotti says. “Here are a couple of decor and tabletop ideas to make this year’s event one that your family will look back on with fond memories.”

Pumpkins add a decorative touch to your table. Image: Kitchen Magic

Thankful Table

Perotti recommends creating a Thankful Table by first focusing on your dining table centerpiece:

Take a potted Manzanita tree, wrap it in something simple like ivory or cream linen fabric and place it in the center of your table.
Add various mason jars and glass milk bottles around the table, spray painted in a color to match your decor.
Fill all but three jars with a single type of flower, like dahlias or hydrangeas.
Label the three empty jars with FAMILY, HEALTH and GOOD FORTUNE. Mix the three labeled jars with the others jars, all building out from either side of the tree.
As your guests arrive and get comfortable, have them take a slip of paper or index card to write down one or two things they are thankful for or consider a blessing this season.
Before your meal, take the cards and tie them to the tree branches with ribbon. This has now become your family blessing tree and the centerpiece to your table decor.
When you are ready for everyone to join the table, go around the table and have each person take a card off the tree and read it aloud.
Once they read the card, they can place it in the appropriate blessing jar.
When you’re done, you will have a fairly good view of your family’s strongest blessings. You’ll be amazed (and moved) when you hear how people truly feel.

A beautiful table makes food taste even better. Image: Sandra Bunn Designs

Thankful Table

“People who know me personally know how much I love to mix china patterns,” Perotti says. “Since Thanksgiving is about bringing together people of all backgrounds, it’s a time to embrace this concept. You can start by designing a table inspired by and honoring the women in your family.”

Start with a minimum of 40 mini orange and white pumpkins. Mix the colors to create a one-foot wide ‘table runner’ of the mini pumpkins. Strategically place 4 single candles within the pumpkin runner.
Add florals in small and subtle varieties, like mini ivory hydrangeas. Disperse the flowers randomly within and on top of your pumpkin runner.
For the actual place settings, ask your grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, etc. if you can borrow some of their fine china and stemware. You will only need a handful of pieces from each.
Set your table by using the salad plate from one set, the dinner plate from another set and so on with additional plates and glassware.
Don’t worry about matching. This table is all about your family and the blending of different styles to create one overall experience.
For dessert, gather a bunch of digital pictures from all your family members and create a photo collage of the pictures. Print enough 5×7 prints of the collage so that you have one for each guest, and insert the prints into frameless glass picture frames. These frames are your dessert plates.

Candles provide a soft, warm glow. Image: Sandra Bunn Designs

Family stories

“When everyone gathers around the table, have each person who donated china tell a favorite family memory, perhaps about why they chose the china that was used that evening,” Perotti says. “A story I loved hearing is about how my grandfather proposed to my grandmother.”

If you want to save this Thanksgiving memory, he recommends recording everyone sharing their memories with your phone so you can save it for future generations. “This is a great way to always remember your family story and journey.”

Be grateful for time with family and friends. Image: Chalk It Up Décor

Happy Thanksgiving from the Freshome team!

The post Ways to Make This Thanksgiving One Your Family Will Cherish Forever appeared first on Freshome.com.

5 Top Tips for Arranging Your Home for Entertaining

November 9, 2018 by admin

With guests coming over for the holidays, you may be wondering how to accommodate them all. This can be especially true if you have multiple people coming over from different sides of the family or other separate social areas of your life. Without proper organization in your home, you could end up with crowded clusters of people milling about awkwardly. Luckily, it’s actually pretty easy to accommodate all kinds of different people. Some of these ideas just involve changing the furniture around. Others might have you planning for your next remodel. Below, you’ll find multiple tips for arranging your home for entertaining.

Arranging your Home for Entertaining Seating Area

Your guests will appreciate intimate seating areas. Image: Scott Weston Architecture Design PL

Think Intimacy for Sitting Areas

A hallmark of a well-organized home during a party is having multiple intimate seating areas. The photo above shows an example of such an area. Multiple individual seats face each other. They’re not too far apart, but not too close. An ottoman in the middle helps give some visual balance and organization to the area. The space itself is also set off to the side by a window, making it a cozy area to sit and enjoy some catching up with friends or family.

And as far as the color scheme goes, this space has a good visual cohesion to it. The blue chairs stand out slightly from the blue wall and curtains behind it due to the slightly different shades of blue. It’s a good example of monochrome layering. The teal chairs in the foreground don’t clash with the blue, but they still stand out for an additional layered feel. Paying attention to color can make a sitting area look like its own design element in the room.

Arranging your Home for Entertaining Foyer Space

Set a welcoming and well-styled tone for your home right in the entryway. Image: James Traynor Custom Homes

Have a Welcoming Foyer

You’ll also want to pay attention to the foyer area when you’re arranging your home for entertaining. Make sure it’s welcoming and stylish to set the tone as guests enter. The photo above shows a good example.

Small accents like plants can give a touch of warmth and life. Having personalized items like art or family photos in the foyer can make the space feel like a natural part of the house. Matching rugs, like in the photo above, give a sense of well-planned cohesion and can help set the design tone that guests can expect in the rest of the home. Seating areas by the door are good for guests to take off shoes or have a rest. And remember, foyer color is important. Little additions like these can help the foyer feel less cold and forgotten, as can often be the case with such a space.

Arranging your Home for Entertaining Pool Table

Guests will like multiple activity options. Image: Synergy Design and Construction

Have Multiple Spaces for Different Guest Interests

It can be tempting to have a pattern where the furniture is organized surrounding the TV when you’re arranging your home for entertaining. After all, that’s how we tend to live the rest of the time when we don’t have guests over. However, you might want to pay special attention to how your space is organized so different interests can be accommodated. Not everyone likes to sit around and watch football.

For instance, the photo above shows a pool table for people who like to be more active at parties. You might also try having tables and chairs set out with games on them or poker tables set up. Also, think about individual seating areas set away from the TV for people who like intimate conversations.

Arranging your Home for Entertaining Sectional Sofa

Try a sectional sofa for seating in smaller areas. Image: Brad Ramsey Interiors

Sectionals Can Be Good Visiting Spaces

The seating ideas above tend to work well if you have a larger space. But for smaller spaces, a larger sectional sofa can work well for seating guests. It’s counterintuitive, but larger one-piece furniture sets like this work well in smaller rooms since the spacing between chairs can actually take up more floor space.

The photo above shows how a larger sectional can work in a narrower room. People can either sit next to each other and talk or watch TV. The four-piece ottoman set can also be a good place to put serving trays for snacks, as long as there isn’t a grabby pet around.

Arranging your Home for Entertaining Seating Space

Multiple large-scale seating areas can accommodate different groups of people. Image: BUILD

Try Multiple Sitting Areas When You’re Arranging Your Home for Entertaining

You might also want to consider multiple sitting areas while you’re arranging your home for entertaining. The photo above shows a large-scale example of multiple sitting areas. This can work well for parties where people from different parts of your life gather, like work friends and family. That way, different groups can have enough space to talk to each other.

If you don’t have such a large space, you can also make the idea work by placing small groupings of chairs around your home. You might face two smaller sofas away from each other and surround each in chairs or loveseats. You can also place additional chairs around natural eating areas, like adding chairs to a breakfast nook.

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Jonathan Adler And Amazon Partner Up To Bring You Happy Chic at Amazing Prices

November 9, 2018 by admin

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Believe it or not, Amazon is just now rolling out their first exclusive home collection. And who better to collab with than designer Jonathan Adler, Mr. Happy Chic? The line, called Now House, features luxe furniture, rugs and home decor – all at amazing prices when compared to Adler’s signature collection.

Here are our favorite items from the new Jonathan Adler Now House Line, exclusively at Amazon:

Breakfast In Blue

This tall bar set featuring a mirrored top is perfect for small dining spaces or your terrace. All images: Amazon

Shop the look:

Pretty In Pink

Every object in this living room setting features a fresh, new color, from Millennial pink to powder blue to teal.

Shop the look:

A High-Contrast Entryway

jonathan adler now house black and white furnishings

Graphic black and white patterns – down to the rug – make a bold statement in any small or large entryway.

Shop the look:

A Modern Mint Home Office

The small mint desk has a mirrored glass surface that matches the colorful mirrored wall art.

Shop the look:

Blue Modern Living Room

A fashionable blue and white living room setting is fresh, fun and modern. The patterned area rug pulls together all the living room’s tones.

Shop the look:

Now House Graphic Bedding

amazon bedding from new jonathan adler now house

Layers of black and white grids and checks are accentuated by a blush pink tone.

Get the look:

Jonathan Adler and Amazon’s collaboration is bright, graphic and features a nod to the 60s, 70s and 80s. There are hundreds of pieces in the collection (and more to come). What’s your favorite color from the series?

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Think Wallpaper is Outdated? It Can Actually Update Your Bathroom

November 8, 2018 by admin

Wallpaper. Just the sight or sound of that word usually evokes 18^th Century scenic or floral images or, worse, the gaudy, headache-inducing designs that were widely – and wildly – popular in the 1970s. However, wallpaper is making a comeback. Maybe “reincarnation” is a better word since, thankfully, the new trend in wallpaper looks radically different from the styles of yesteryear.

In fact, wallpaper can actually be used in the bathroom to create glamour, elegance, drama and even fun. Below are some of the various options to consider:

Half-Wall Application

This gold and white wallpaper helps to create a luxurious bathroom. Image: Moen

You don’t have to wallpaper the entire bathroom. Used sparingly, like the wallpaper applied below the chair rail molding in the photo above, it can still create a powerful impression. “Wallpaper done tastefully can add character to any room, especially bathrooms and bedrooms,” says Angela Williams, a Birmingham, AL-based realtor at Extreme Agent Realty. “I don’t suggest papering an entire room, but accent walls are trendy,” Williams says.

Updated Classic

A stylish powder room in a Wellington, FL home. Image: Pegasus Builders

The clean lines of this classic plaid wallpaper work well in this design. Always order extra wallpaper, just in case you need to replace a section and the manufacturer has stopped making that particular style (or has gone out of business).

Another bathroom in the same home. Image: Pegasus Builders

In both bathrooms, the wallpaper is tasteful and doesn’t overwhelm the senses.

A classic Victorian bathroom. Image: Great Neighborhood Homes

In this bathroom, wallpaper adds more interest than mere paint would.

Glam

A Minneapolis bathroom with bling. Martha O’Hara Interiors

This hand-painted, patterned wallpaper brings out the metal in the console, sconces and faucet. When combined with the chandelier, it creates a glitzy bathroom design. “Wallpaper has really transformed over the last decade,” explains Kimberly Schmunk, an interior designer at Focus Builders. “There are several new designers that have a variety of fresh and graphic designs and textures.”

A London spa bathroom. Image: Gemma Zimmerhansl Interior Design

The wallpaper adds just the right amount of sparkle in this master bathroom in London.

Understated

The wallpaper blends into the background in this Miami home. Image: Krista + Home

The aqua linen wallpaper in this Miami master bath complements the grays and whites in the design.

Dramatic

This aptly named circus mural design is unforgettable. Image: Malcolm Duffin Design

If you have a flair for the dramatic, you can definitely express it in a beautiful and vibrant wallpapered ceiling. This particular design is called Circus Mural and is made up of several strips of wallpaper. “I am a big fan of mural wallpaper or ‘photo wallpaper,’ which is wallpaper on a very large scale,” Schmunck says. Other popular types of wall murals and photo wallpapers include such options as brick effects, marble, underwater images, sports themes and graffiti.

Whimsical

This bathroom is the location of at least one of the three Rs. Image: Angela Gutekunst

This wallpaper design is an ode to the fact that many people spend most of their reading time in the bathroom.

However, keep in mind that Williams isn’t the only realtor not completely sold on the merits of wallpaper. “In my experience, wallpaper, while not a deal breaker, generally affects a sale adversely,” says Sheila Trichter, an agent at Warburg Realty. “The first thing many buyers ask is, ‘How expensive and difficult is it to remove the wallpaper?’ No matter how beautiful.”

Mark Ferguson, a real estate agent, investor and the author and creator of Investfourmore.com, agrees. “I have never been a fan of wallpaper and that may be because it is such a pain to take off and we have to remove a lot of it,” he says. “I have seen it start to come back and I think it is crazy – I would not put it in a house I was rehabbing because I think it would only appeal to a small portion of the population.”

Peel and Stick

Tempaper provides the freedom to change your mind. Image: Soft Surrounds

If you think you might want to try a wallpaper design in your bathroom, but you’re not sure if you’ll like it or not, you might be more comfortable using removable wallpaper. Since you just peel off the back and stick the paper on the wall, it’s easy to remove or reposition it.

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Decorating With Orange: 25 Ideas Using Apricot, The Hottest Hue This Fall

November 8, 2018 by admin

Apricot, pale terracota and salmon are the most common names for the hottest hue of orange this fall. The on-trend color is a lighter, earthier version of the standard orange. It’s blended with white or brown to create a color that’s not quite the vibrant pumpkin shade you normally see in the fall, but still very fresh and autumnal.

decorating with orange and apricot paint

Layers of various salmon, terracotta and tangerine textiles and pillows, paired with sage, add a warm and modern look to any room. Image: Jill Wolff Design

Here are fresh decorating with orange ideas using the new apricot color trend:

Fall And Thanksgiving Table Decorating With Orange

decorating with orange and salmon color decor

An elegant holiday table features off-white pumpkins and china, sage-toned eucalyptus leaves and a combination of floral and copper glasses in apricot hues. Image: Maison de Pax

A plaid tablecloth in greys and salmon is the perfect backdrop for a Thanksgiving pumpkin tablescape. Image: Ciao Newport Beach

Adding Salmon Accessories To Your Room

A Scandinavian modern dining room feels warmer than the everyday white look thanks to salmon and apricot accents, like the lamps and suede dining chairs. Image: Scandinavian Homes

Mid-century modern patterns and textiles feature a combination of terracotta, salmon and greys. Image: Dwell

An understated, white living room gets a warming up for fall with a couple of salmon-colored throw pillows and vases. Image: Elle Decoration UK

Salmon is the perfect accompanying color with another on-trend color: sage. Image: Beth Bourque Design

A graphic-patterned rug in apricot is one of the best and simplest decorating with orange ideas. Image: Surya

scandinavian design featuring peach, apricot and salmon decor

Small splashes of terracotta and apricot in a minimalist white room add an unexpected, lively tone to the space. To add more of a fall or holiday feeling, replace plants and greens with berry twigs and arrangements featuring sunflowers and fall leaves. Image: Gravity Home

To add warmth and luxury to a space for the holidays, choose apricot textiles and pillows in soft fabrics like velvet and chenille. Image: This Old House

Layering Salmon Or Apricot With Other Colors

Salmon, apricot or muted tangerine pair very well with vintage aqua, as you can see in this open floor plan home. Image: Content Modern

Muted apricot layers well with other related fall and holiday colors like brick and deep burgundies. Image: Dulux

Vintage mod sofas in apricot add fun to a neutral, muted steel living room. Image: EnviDesign

An Apricot Christmas

You can work salmon, apricot and terracotta into your Christmas decorating, too, by choosing accessories in the fresh, new color. Images: Craftberry Bush

Dreamy Pale Terracotta And Apricot Bedrooms

You don’t have to change your whole bedroom to warm it up for fall and the holidays. A throw blanket, pillow and some wall art in a new color like pale terracotta is all you need. Image: Habitech Systems

Terracotta and grey are a natural pairing for fall. Image: DK Interiors

Pale apricot sometimes needs a boost of richer tones of the color, like an exotic rug featuring the light apricot shade and deeper tones of salmon and terracotta. Image: Leivars

Choose textiles and materials featuring apricot that are heavily patterned and textured to create a global-chic look. Image: Black Lacquer Design

Apricot and Salmon Paint Colors

The rich, pale terracotta shade on the walls adds an intimate and global-chic vibe to this sitting room. Image: Dulux

decorating with orange and terracotta paints

Paint the section over your fireplace in a bolder version of the salmon hue for a striking focal point. Image: Elle Decoration UK

The dividing wall in this mid-century home was painted in a matte but vibrant apricot shade. Image: Nick Noyes Architecture

The earthy feel of the new terracotta is best when painted in a matte finish. Velvet accent pillows add a touch of luxury to the room. Image: Benjamin Moore

Kitchen cabinets painted in the new apricot color will look fresh and modern year-round. Image: Honestly Designed

Change up a traditional white farmhouse kitchen by painting the floating island in a vivid salmon or muted coral color. Image: House Beautiful

Would you try decorating with orange like these softer, earthier hues for fall? Or do you like a brighter orange tone? Check out some ideas of ways to decorate with primary orange.

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24 Thanksgiving Table Runners That Can Add Flair to Your Table

November 7, 2018 by admin

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For as little as $18, you can transform your holiday table with a Thanksgiving table runner. You don’t have to go all out with fine china, pumpkins, leaves and a forest wonderland (although that would be pretty cool). All you need is a dining table, countertop or coffee table and one of these table runners. Layer as much or as little as you want to add Thanksgiving flair.

Once you add a table runner, consider layering your table setting with candles, dishes and a centerpiece. The more the merrier this holiday season. And the more delightful your table will look!

The foundation of your festive Thanksgiving table is the table runner. Add as much or as little as you like. Runner: Crate & Barrel Autumn Leaves Runner, $70

Thanksgiving table runners with an exotic or boho-chic vibe

Boho-chic and far-flung or folksy patterns are the biggest trend of 2018. Why not mix earthy Thanksgiving spice colors with sumptuous exotic patterns like the ones below? The combo is stunning.

Thanksgiving table runners featuring plaid

Plaid will always be a classic pattern for the holidays. Go with earth tones like browns, spices and mustard colors at Thanksgiving. Or for a modern take on the classic, choose buffalo checks or plaids in grey, black and white.

A lush Thanksgiving table setting featuring an earthy plaid table runner by Threshold from Target, $18.

Farmhouse-chic table runners

Natural materials like linen and burlap in soft, understated colors are the perfect table runner choice for a farmhouse-style Thanksgiving table. Image: Elle Decor

Thanksgiving table runners for a little bling

A little sparkle or shine goes a long way in adding a festive feel to your Thanksgiving table. These runners vary from very subtle metallic thread or embroidery – to bold metallic or beaded patterns.

Love the idea of a Thanksgiving table runner? You can run one down the middle of the table or arrange two or more across the table as a shared place setting for guests sitting across from each other. Don’t forget to add colorful coordinating paper or linen napkins for the occasion.

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What’s Trending in Bathroom Design? The National Kitchen + Bath Association Reveals All

November 6, 2018 by admin

Traditional bathroom designs are taking a back seat to a more spa-like, clean and minimal look, according to the National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA). The organization queried hundreds of designers, remodelers, architects, manufacturers and dealers to discover the trends in bathroom styles, sinks and tubs, cabinets, lighting, flooring, colors and other elements.

Freshome asked trend spotter Elle H-Millard, Certified Kitchen Designer and Industry Relations Manager at the NKBA, for photos and comments on key design trends in U.S. bathrooms. Here are the NKBA bathroom design trends you should know.

The most popular bathroom styles

A transitional bathroom. Image: NKBA

According to H-Millard, both transitional and contemporary styles are popular in bathrooms. “Transitional bathrooms have clean and classic lines, with painted walls and wood cabinetry,” she says. Undermount sinks, brushed nickel and cool color palettes are also features of the transitional style.

A contemporary bathroom. Image: NKBA

“The uptick in soaking tubs lends itself to a more sculptural feel, giving rise to the contemporary look,” H-Millard says. Features include frameless cabinetry and porcelain tile. “Also, larger surface areas in the bath make it easier to clean, making both transitional and contemporary popular.”

Trends in cabinets

A freestanding vanity with creative storage options. Image: NKBA

Freestanding vanities, wood vanities, linen storage cabinets and open shelving are the most popular types of storage options. Medicine cabinets, console tables and toilet-topper cabinets – not so much.

Trends in surfaces

A bathroom with soft blue painted walls. Image: NKBA

Quartz is far and away the most popular choice for countertops, with granite a distant second and marble/cultured marble an even more distant third. “Another runaway favorite is porcelain tile floors, followed by ceramic tile and stone floor,” H-Millard explains.

When choosing a wall surface, paint is the most popular option, although porcelain tile is also popular. Ceramic tile is a distant third.

Sinks and faucets

The trending porcelain sink. Image: NKBA

Undermount sinks are almost twice as popular as an integrated sink/countertop or a vessel sink. “The preference for porcelain sinks is significantly higher than the desire to use glass or decorative metal,” H-Millard says.

Regarding faucets, brushed nickel, satin nickel and polished chrome are in a virtual dead heat.

Trends in bathtubs

A white acrylic bathtub. Image: NKBA

Acrylic is the most popular bathtub material, followed by cast iron and fiberglass. “By far, the most popular configuration is free-standing, compared to a skirted or platform configuration,” H-Millard says. In terms of bathtub fixture colors, white is the overwhelming favorite, although silver/gray is gaining popularity. Beige/bisque/bone/almond is only preferred by a small percentage.

Trends in sustainability

A bathroom featuring sustainable materials. Image: NKBA

The most popular trends in sustainability are LED light bulbs, followed by energy-efficient vent fans and low-flow toilets.

Trends in master vs. second/guest bathrooms

Multiple shower options. Image: NKBA

A handheld showerhead paired with a mounted showerhead is the top feature in a master bathroom, followed by a freestanding tub and a soaking tub. “In second or guest bathrooms, a smaller percentage list having a handheld shower (in addition to a mounted showerhead) as the top feature,” H-Millard says. However, instead of a freestanding tub, a standard tub with shower surround is more popular. “The third most popular feature in the second/guest bathroom is water saving shower fittings,” she says.

Other trends in bathroom design elements

Soft colors in a relaxing bathroom. Image: NKBA

The most popular bathroom color schemes are whites and off-whites, grays and blues. Lighting in the shower is the top lighting trend, followed by recessed lighting and sconces. Radiant floor heating is also popular, along with towel warmers and steam showers.

Emerging trends

A wet room. Image: NKBA

“The wet room, using the linear drain, is an emerging trend in the bathroom,” H-Millard says. If you’re not familiar with this term, in a wet room, there isn’t a shower enclosure. The entire bathroom (or, in other cases, the entire shower and tub area) is considered the shower enclosure. H-Millard notes the two-person, spa-like statement shower is another emerging trend.

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Underutilized Spaces: Getting the Most Out of Your Home

November 5, 2018 by admin

Let’s face it: some of the areas of your home can feel like an afterthought. After all, it’s not like you’ll be showing your linen closets off to your guests. But just because a space isn’t Pinterest-worthy doesn’t mean it should be any less functional. In fact, some of the underutilized spaces in your home can actually become the most useful. By thinking outside of the box, you can turn what seems like wasted space and dusty corners into your favorite places in your home. Here are some ideas to help you look at every nook and cranny a little differently.

Use stair space as a play area. Image: Elena Del Bucchia Design

The Space Under the Stairs

The space under the stairs is typically ignored or drywalled. But, with the right repurposing, it’s valuable square footage. Before you opt to drywall that empty area, consider making it into a kids’ play area. It might not be a great space for adults, but it’s the perfect area to set up with toy storage, or even to create a playhouse.

No kids? The space under the stairs can make an ideal mini-library. Installing simple shelves means your favorite books stay dry, organized and easily accessible.

Turn a messy mudroom into a homework space. Image: Jim Schmid

The Mudroom

The mudroom is one of those spaces that you can’t live without – but don’t really want to see. It can become a dumping ground for backpacks, coats and shoes, so put it to work: rearrange to create a homework nook. If your kids tend to dump their backpacks there anyway, a small desk with supplied and dedicated study space makes sense. It’ll keep the endless papers and pencils out of your main living space and give kids a quiet place to work that’s still close to the action.

Keep blankets and sheets at the foot of each bed. Image: JCD Custom Homes

The Foot of the Bed

There’s nothing like your own bed – unless it’s the foot of your own bed. This underutilized space is ideal for solving storage problems, especially if your home is short on closet space. A hinged ottoman becomes the perfect place to put on shoes and can help stash away blankets, sheets, clothes and any other quick-access items. Or, add a desk and chair for study space that won’t fit on any of your walls. Rethink the space at the foot of your bed as functional square footage and it becomes more than just a place for your socks.

Double up by using your guest room as an office. Image: California Closets

The Guest Room

If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated guest room, you know how great the space can be. But while it’s an ideal place for friends and family to crash, it can sometimes go unused. Instead of keeping one room as just a guest space, double up on functionality so you can use it when you’re home solo.

Turn your guest room into a sleek office part of the time, or store craft supplies in the guest room closet for when you’re feeling creative. There’s no reason to leave an entire room unused except for when you have house guests. Be a little selfish and use the room for yourself the rest of the time.

Think beyond linens for functional storage. Image: ClosetMaid

The Linen Closet

Most people would say the linen closet is one of the most underrated spaces in a home. But that doesn’t mean you have to fill it with linens and blankets. If you’re able to store extra blankets in bins underneath each bed, you’ll free up an entire closet for things that make more sense to you. Whether it’s outfitting your linen closet as bathroom storage for products and towels or making over your closet as a storage pantry, think beyond sheets when rethinking your linen closet.

Look up for great storage space. Image: Ike Kligerman Barkley

The Space Over Doors

Look up! The space over each door in your home is a treasure trove for storage and decor. With simple shelving solutions, you’ll find a totally new space to store books or to show off souvenirs and decor items that don’t have a home elsewhere. Simple, straight shelving is easy to install and remove and can add plenty of character to an otherwise stark hallway.

Think of your garage as a multifunction space. Image: Garage Solutions

The Garage

Bikes, trikes and tools: oh my! The typical garage is a catch-all space for anything you don’t want in your house. But it can also be valuable space for other interests. With the right storage solutions, you can get larger items off the ground, opening up precious square footage.

Store bins up in your garage trusses to get rarely used items out of the way. Then, use wall hooks to keep bikes and gear organized. With your new floor space, you could have a great indoor gym, a lounge, a rec area for rowdy kids or even a music studio.

Sure, there are other spaces in your home that are more photogenic and fun. But underutilized spaces can be some of the most functional places in your house. By thinking beyond the usual, you can create storage, work and living spaces that make sense for you and your lifestyle. Get creative and you’ll learn to love every inch of your home.

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Using Mirrors as a Design Element

November 4, 2018 by admin

We all know that mirrors can make a room appear larger – and that’s a neat trick – but mirrors are more than just one-trick ponies. They can also be used as a design element to help complete whatever look you’re trying to achieve. A mirror can provide either contrast or balance when used correctly. It can also unify a space or serve as the focal point. However, it’s important to make sure that the scale and proportion are harmonious with the setting.

Below are just some of the many ways you can use mirrors as a design element.

Suspended Mirror

A trendy New York bathroom for two. Image: SGH Designs

This mirror is suspended from the ceiling and serves as the room’s focal point while providing both interest and contrast. However, the mirror is also functional, serving to separate the two back-to-back vanities and allowing the users on either side to view it simultaneously as needed. In addition, the mirror is low enough to be used by people of almost any height, but it’s also high enough to avoid getting splashed with water.

Tile-Surround Mirror

A Naples Beach, Miami, FL powder room. Image: 41 West

This is just one of the vanity stations in this home’s master bath. The mirror – with beveled sides – has a glass mosaic iridescent tile surround with diamond glass grout. The mirror is the attention grabber in this small space with high ceilings, and the sconces are placed slightly above eye level to balance the room and draw the eye upward.

Mirrored Closet Doors

A walk-in closet in Chicago, IL. Image: Randy Heller Pure and Simple Interior Design

The walk-in closet in this Chicago lake home has antiqued mirror closet doors, in addition to the antiqued door leading into the walk-in. This touch of old-world glamour adds just enough bling to make the room stylish without being gaudy.

Mirror as Unifier

A Boston powder room. Image: Cynthia Discroll Interiors

In this elegant Boston powder room, the mirror unifies all of the room’s other elements. It brings out the polished chrome and crystal handles of the faucet and the chrome light fixture. The mirror also highlights the soft grays on the walls and countertop as well as the design in the charcoal drawings.

A Wall of Mirrors

A lobby in Miami, FL. Image: Pegasus Builders

This may look like the lobby of a commercial building, but it’s actually a Miami-based residential lobby. Using a wall of mirrors, it plays on the design element of pattern, which adds another level of interest to the room and complements the repeating pattern on the floor and cabinet.

A Mirrored Wall

A Sydney, Australia bathroom. Image: Ian Moore Architects

The horizontal and vertical lines in the wall of mirrors help to define this sleek space and focus attention on the wall-mounted sink and toilet. The mirrored wall also helps to bounce the natural light around the room.

Mirror Used to Complement Nature

A bathroom in a modern New York home: Image: William Reue Architecture

The view outside is clearly the focal point in the space. However, the mirror, wood floors and cabinets in this minimalist bathroom provide contrast to the otherwise all-white areas. The geometric shape of the bathroom mirrors also adds texture and interest, which keeps this space from looking sterile when the windows are closed. The mirrors also provide a repeating pattern, a popular element in design.

Mirror Backsplash

A New York home with a mirror backsplash. Image: ML Interior Designs

This New York home uses a mirror backsplash as a unique way to add interest. The subway tiles create a repeating pattern and are also easy to clean since there are no ugly grout lines.

Mirror Furniture and Accessories

An elegant home office in New York. Image: Vanessa DeLeon

A desk is another way to incorporate mirrors in your design. And according to Lyndsey Dianne, owner and operator of DianneDecor.com, mirrors can also be used in other ways to provide accents. “Mirrored trays and vases make great centerpieces, and they add a bit of glam to a space, particularly when paired with chrome or silver,” she says. “A small mirror embellished with a few rhinestones or diamond wrap is a great design element, and it can be used as a lovely jewelry tray or a place to hold your perfume,” Dianne says.

The post Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Using Mirrors as a Design Element appeared first on Freshome.com.

6 Tips to Get an Updated Color Scheme Without Painting

November 3, 2018 by admin

If you want to get a fresh look in your home for 2019, then you might want to try updating to a new color scheme. Playing with your room’s color is a great way to breathe some new life into the space. But you may be picturing major changes, like having to completely repaint the room or get all-new furniture. There are actually several different ways to update the color scheme in your home that don’t require a major overhaul. So take a look below for some easy ways to get a new or updated color scheme in your home for the new year.

Don’t feel limited to just one accent color. Image: Mary Dewalt Design Group

Two Accent Colors

If you already have an accent color that you worked perfectly into your space, you can still have an updated color scheme. One idea is to incorporate a second accent color into the space. You can see how the concept works in the photo above.

The blue and lime green are both well-balanced in the space. The green in the area rug is balanced by the blue of the scenery outside. Small elements like chair cushions, vases and throw pillows are equally shared between the two shades. By creating a similar balance, you can combine any two colors for a fresh look in your space.

Throw blankets and pillows are so easy to update, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Image: AVI Homes

Throw Pillows and Blankets

Another idea for breathing some color into your space is to choose new shades in the throw pillows. The photo above shows how some simple throw pillows add a layer of color to the neutral room. These do a good job of creating layers of color in red, orange and pale yellow. And you really can’t get any easier than placing some throw pillows.

Along the same lines, you can also use a large throw blanket over a sofa or chair in a bright color. That can breathe a good dose new color into the space and is also very easy to place.

A variety of items work for bringing a new color into a space, like lamps, statues, ceramics and candles. Image: The Spotted Frog

Tabletop or Shelving Accents for an Updated Color Scheme

You can get an updated color scheme in any space by wisely choosing what elements you have on the tables and shelves. The photo above shows how some bright aqua works into the neutral space above simply by placing the lamps, a bowl on the coffee table and some bright candles back by the mirror.

This photo also shows how well uniform throw pillows placed throughout the space help add balance. By only focusing on tabletops and shelves, the color may not reflect on the furniture, leading to less balance. But the throw pillows are, again, an easy way to make a new color work in a space.

Updated Color Scheme Furniture Paint Job

Bring new life to a space with updated smaller pieces of furniture. Image: Burnham Design

Painted Accent Furniture

Another idea for an updated color scheme is to simply paint some accent furniture or buy small pieces that have the new color you wish to introduce. An example is the orange nightstand in the photo above. Furniture pieces like this are easy to find new, used or you can paint them yourself. You could get colorful wooden chairs, coffee tables or end tables, as a few other ideas. They’re a low-fuss way to get a new color in the room without having to do any major paint jobs or large-scale furniture replacements.

The photo also shows how well a colored furniture piece can work with colored tabletop accents. By choosing a shade that’s slightly different between the furniture and table pieces, you end up layering the color in the space in an attractive way.

Wall art has always been a great way to bring color into a space. Image: Olive Interiors

New Wall Art

One major benefit of wall art is that it’s easy to swap out as your whims change. If you’d like a new color scheme in a space, start by changing or adding in wall art that incorporates the new color. An example is the wall art in the photo above, which has orange tones that reflect the chairs and tones in the throw pillows.

The photo above shows that you don’t have to be overbearing with your wall art, either. You can go for a more muted piece that features accents of the new color. Of course, if you’d like to go bold, you can also find art that features just your new shade.

Area rugs are easy to place and often pack plenty of color. Image: Hollub Homes

A New Area Rug

Another easy way to get updated color in your space is to go for a new area rug. You get the color saturation on the floor without completely carpeting a room. And the look is more temporary if you like to update your space often.

The photo above shows the concept in action. The pink shades in the chairs, lighting fixture and ottoman are reflected in parts of the area rug. If you’re going for bold color, you can choose a multicolored rug like this that matches the accent color in the rest of the room. It’s a good way to get a multicolored look that still fits in with the room’s overall design. Or you could get a solid-colored rug that just has the new shade you wish to bring into the room.

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