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9 Pro Secrets for the Perfect Tile Backsplash

May 10, 2019 by admin

Make your DIY kitchen backsplash a focal point. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

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When you’re remodeling or creating a new home, your kitchen and bath are the rooms that will need the most attention. Luckily, they can be the most fun to design. No matter your favorite decorating style, your kitchen and bathroom tile backsplash can be the focal point of your room.

Choosing a beautiful tile for your backsplash is just the first step to creating a memorable kitchen or bathroom. If you have the confidence and the right tools, your backsplash project can be a DIY victory. Because of the time-sensitive nature of setting tile and difficulty undoing tiling mistakes, you’ll need tips to create your own pro-style backsplash. Here are our favorite pro secrets:

1. View Your Tile in a Large Sample Before Committing

Many homeowners and designers have been surprised when the tile they ordered arrives at the job site. What seemed like the perfect tile when looking at a small sample can be quite different over several square feet in a kitchen or bathroom backsplash. If you are unable to see photos of a project of a similar scale to yours, consider purchasing a few square feet of your tile in sheets to see how it will look in your space.

2. Choose the Right Grout Color for Your Backsplash

The dark grout trend has been popular for a few years, but it’s not for everyone. Choosing white grout or matching your grout to the tile will give you a seamless look, especially in a large backsplash area. Dark grout lines with light tile is stylish but can be busy for large-scale areas.

3. Follow Seam Size Recommendations for Your Tile

Grout lines matter when setting tile. Tile comes with grout line size recommendations that are important to follow for a professional look. If you’re doing a DIY backsplash, invest a little in tile spacers, even if you are using tile adhered to mesh sheets. Tile sheets make it easier to set tile, but it’s important to match your grout lines between each sheet to the lines already established in the pattern so that the overall design is symmetrical.

Tiled walls are a trending choice for bathrooms and kitchens right now. Image: ImageFlow/Shutterstock

4. Know Where to Stop Your Backsplash

There’s nothing worse than finishing your tile backsplash project and realizing that it doesn’t line up with a cabinet or window line. Plan out your backsplash stop and start before you begin setting tile. You can play with it, too. The latest kitchen and bath trends feature floor-to-ceiling tiling, instead of a small backsplash.

5. Use a Tile Border or Bullnose for a Finished Look

Installing a border or matching bullnose tile to your backsplash edges is a crucial step to achieve a professional-looking design. Buying tile that has matching bullnose edging available will make your project so much easier, but you can improvise with a tile border in a similar color.

6. Purchase 10 Percent More Tile for Breakage

Tile breakage is a fact of life when installing tile — even for the tile pros. The pros purchase 10 percent more tile than they’ll need for a backsplash to be sure that they have enough. Some tile can have color and texture variations from batch to batch, so it’s best to purchase all at once like the pros do.

Create a focal point with a tile accent above your range for a designer look. Image: Alabn/Shutterstock

7. Create a Tile Accent Design Behind Your Range for a Luxury Look

Your backsplash is a major focal point for your new kitchen. Take your design to the next level by creating an accent design on the wall above your range or cooktop. Using your vent hood or built-in microwave as your size guide, you can create a backsplash within a backsplash. Your accent can be as simple as using your backsplash tile in a different pattern or color, or as elaborate as an intricate mosaic with a tile border.

8. Electrical Outlets Can Be a Problem for Your Backsplash

Let’s be honest: the electrical outlets in many kitchen and bathroom backsplashes are an eyesore. Even in professional backsplash projects, badly placed or poorly chosen outlets can ruin a beautiful design. We need those outlets and the placement may be out of our control, but there are ways to work around them and maintain your gorgeous backsplash design. Here’s how:

If you are designing a tile accent stripe in your backsplash, place it above or below your outlet line.
White backsplash tile and accents can incorporate standard white outlets stylishly, as they disappear when put together.
Shop for outlet cover options in colors that coordinate with your backsplash tile. There are options beyond just white or beige available now.
Clever companies have created pop-up outlets for kitchens that can leave your backsplash free of wall-mounted outlet covers. Your electrician can give you more information on making this work in your kitchen.

9. There’s No Shame in Hiring a Tile Pro for Your Backsplash Project

You may be an absolute rockstar when it comes to home DIY projects, but perhaps tile is just outside of your comfort zone. It’s totally okay to hire a professional for your backsplash if you don’t want to take it on yourself. You can save your time and talents for another project.

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The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Furniture

May 8, 2019 by admin

We’re seeing rapid growth in the sustainable furniture business. Why? Because more people know that making responsible choices about the products they put in their homes matters for the environment. But are all green furniture claims true? Not always, and there’s a term for that: greenwashing. So it’s important to know all the facts.

We’ve put together this eco furniture guide to help you make better-informed choices when shopping for eco-friendly furniture.

Green furniture is not just a color. It’s a lifestyle choice. Image: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

What is sustainable furniture?

Manufacturers create sustainable furniture using materials that have a minimal negative impact on the environment. Sustainable furniture uses:

Woods or other materials that come from renewable sources
Minimal chemicals that can pollute the environment
Local material and/or manufacturing to save on transportation

Natural materials and living plants protect the air quality in your home. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Why is green furniture a better choice?

Eco-friendly furniture causes less damage to the environment and makes your home environment safer. When you choose eco furniture made with minimal amounts of chemicals, you’ll get less harmful pollutants, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), released into your home’s air.

Paints, fabrics, furniture, carpets and building materials can all release VOCs that cause allergies, migraines and asthma in people. According to a report by the European Respiratory Review, “The possible health effects of indoor VOC exposure are a cause for concern, given that people in general, and children in particular, now spend most of their time indoors.”

Bamboo is an earth-friendly alternative to exotic wood. Image: Beata Becla/Shutterstock

What to look for when shopping for eco furniture.

When shopping for green or sustainable furniture, think about the following:

Does the country where the piece was made use green building practices? How far did the piece have to travel?
Is the piece durable? Pieces that are cheap in price and materials don’t last as long and end up in landfills soon after purchase.
What materials and chemicals are used in the piece? Is the frame of the furniture piece solid wood or particle board, containing formaldehyde? Did the manufacturer spray the fabric with a chemical to resist stains? It’s better to choose a microfiber or leather material than one that needs to be sprayed for stain resistance.
What finishes add color or seal the item? Is the paint, stain or finish water-based? If not, it’s probably high in harmful VOCs.
Could a different material be a better idea? Although exotic woods are stunning, bamboo, stone or porcelain may be more durable, require less harmful finishes and not affect forests.

You can also check the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) website‘s database of furniture manufacturers committed to eco furniture practices.

Second-hand furniture and recycled furniture made of shipping pallets are a good way to reduce waste because they minimize the need to produce new materials. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

What are the best sustainable furniture choices?

The best sustainable furniture choices are created from recycled items like salvaged wood, recycled textiles and reused materials like wood pallets. Additionally, natural materials like bamboo, rattan and seagrasses are excellent materials for furniture and home decor.

Second-hand furniture and vintage pieces are also great green furniture choices. Pick vintage or antique pieces because they’re often handmade and built to last. Plus, their manufacturers often used fewer chemicals than modern manufacturers.

Look for these green furniture terms and certifications when you’re shopping for eco furniture:

Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE)

This partnership between industry and government increases carpet recycling and reuse to reduce the amount of old carpet going to landfills.

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

C2C certified furniture can be dismantled to be repaired and recycled or so that parts can be replaced. This practice extends the life of the piece and makes a piece more sustainable because it keeps it out of a landfill.

Eco3Home

This hang tag certifies that the manufacturer was responsible in their sourcing and manufacturing and, additionally, that they can provide safety, health and environmental information for each registered product.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification

FSC-certified furniture uses woods that are responsibly harvested and meet the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council.

Green Housekeeping Seal of Approval

This seal is available for many categories like cleaning and beauty products, building materials, paints and coatings and appliances. In order to award approval, scientists and engineers evaluate a product’s packaging, ingredients, logistics and manufacturing.

Green Label Plus

Look for this tag to ensure that the carpet you are purchasing emits the lowest amount of chemicals on the market.

GREENGUARD Certified

Use this certification to find indoor goods like building materials and furnishings with low chemical emissions. It serves you and the environment because GREENGUARD certified goods do not affect air quality.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified

LEED promotes and awards certification for a whole-building approach to sustainability. To certify a building, LEED checks five categories: water savings, energy efficiency, sustainable site development, sustainable materials and good indoor air quality.

Low VOC

Check a product’s label. Look for low VOC because it means the product or finish is water-based or does not contain chemicals that can off-gas, or release into the air.

Rediscovered Wood Certification, Rainforest Alliance

This certification confirms that a piece of furniture actually uses reclaimed wood.

SBD (Sustainable by Design)

SBD gears their program towards furniture manufacturers to sustainably source and manufacture home furnishings.

Zero Waste to Landfill

This award goes to companies that send less than 1 percent of their waste to a landfill.

A little research and consideration are all it takes to make a sound choice about the furniture and home decor you bring into your home. Your choice will benefit the environment and your family’s health in the long run.

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Drew Barrymore’s New Flower Home Collection for Walmart is Adorably Quirky

May 5, 2019 by admin

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There’s something about Drew Barrymore that has captivated audiences for years. Her quirky personality and free-spirited nature have made her a one-of-a-kind figure in modern history. These days, she’s bringing that energy to the world of home decor.

The actress recently released a line of home products for Walmart. It’s an online-only offering that will be available through Walmart’s site, as well as two of the retail giant’s subsidiaries, Jet.com and Hayneedle.com.

The Drew Barrymore Flower Home line consists of over 130 home decor pieces.

Drew Barrymore’s new line is extensive and eclectic. Image: Business Wire

Like Barrymore herself, the collection is pretty eclectic in nature. It covers a range of home decor products, including furniture, lighting, wall art, dishware and even pet supplies.

In a press release for the launch, Barrymore had the following to say about her inspiration for this project:

I have always had a love for creating joyful spaces — places where unexpected prints and patterns, shapes and styles and colors and textures come together in the most delightful way. My new collection of furniture and home decor is inspired by this passion and I hope it inspires everyone to make themselves at home.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite pieces from the line for you. Check them out below:

Vintage Palm Barrel Accent Chair, $499

If you want to bring a relaxed, bohemian vibe to your home, look no further than this statement-worthy accent chair. Its clean lines and vintage pattern will bring those vacation home vibes to your design in just the right way.

Rattan Oval Wall Mirror, $69

If pieces like this are any indication, rattan is set to make a comeback in a big way. We love the way this mirror’s oval shape and interwoven loops give it a modern twist by providing a nod to the current geometric trend.

Zig Zag Table Lamp with Grecian Blue Velvet Shade, $75

Sometimes a lamp can be more than just a lighting fixture. It can be a statement piece in its own right. This zigzag table lamp proves it. We can’t get over how well the blue velvet shade pops against the monochromatic pattern on the base.

Vintage Marble 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, $60

Who says dishware can’t be fun? This vintage marble 16-piece dishware set is enough to brighten up any meal. Plus, if you’re not a fan of pink and yellow, you’re in luck. This set comes in a variety of patterns, including a pink and red marble design and vintage floral pattern.

Black Cat Decorative Vase, $38

Cat and dog fans alike have to admit that this vase is beyond cute. There’s just something about the smiling creatures that adorn the base that will undoubtedly spark joy in your home. It’s the perfect vessel to help you put those fresh spring flowers on display.

Hand Woven Macrame 3-Piece Basket Set, $70

A basket set is just so useful to have at home. Whether you’re using the baskets to store extra throw blankets or to hide children’s toys from view, there’s no doubt that this set will come in handy. Plus, its neutral color scheme ensures that it will fit in with just about any aesthetic.

Vintage Sun Wood Frame Pet Bed, $199

Every pet lover knows that their pet deserves the best. This wood frame pet bed will make sure that Fluffy or Fido is sleeping in style. The pillow also comes in a pale blue pattern in case that’s more in line with your pet’s personal tastes.

Ceramic Ombre Side Table, $89

It looks like the ombre trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. This pink ceramic side table is a great way to add a fun pop of color to your design. Consider adding it to your teen’s bedroom to give her a place to store odds and ends or using it to make a statement in an eclectic living room.

Day Birds Champagne 33.37″x43.37″ Frame, $124

Not all wall art has to be complicated. This simple design is unobtrusive enough to go well in any room, yet the bold colors will inject a feeling of energy and vibrancy into the space.

Tufted Chaise Lounge, $799

There’s nothing like a chaise lounge to make you feel like royalty. The subdued shade and plush pillows on this one only serve to drive that feeling home. This piece would be the perfect addition to any bedroom seating area or formal living space.

Like what you see? You can view the full collection here.

Be sure to keep your eyes open for updates because Walmart — and Drew — intend to update their offerings seasonally.

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Ceiling Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

May 3, 2019 by admin

Your ceiling is more than just a wall. Use these ceiling tips to make the most of it. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Our ceilings are the unsung heroes of the home, but they’re so much more than that. We don’t give them much thought unless there is a problem, but your ceiling can do much more than act as a fifth wall.

5 superpowers of a great ceiling

Helps to control odor
Can lighten up a dark room
Adds an unexpected accent color
May reveal hidden problems in your home
Can make a small room look larger

Did you know your humble ceiling can do all that? This area of your home doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, but there are things you can do with your ceiling that will benefit your entire home. Here are the ceiling tips you may not know:

Your ceilings should be cleaned (really)

Washing your walls isn’t a typical to-do list item, even for spring cleaning. Most walls get washed before painting or when we move out. Ceilings are definitely not on a regular cleaning rotation in most homes, but there are situations where it makes sense to add them to the list.

Our ceilings can trap odor, grease and dust as they rise around us every day. Homes with wood-burning fireplaces, smokers or pets can benefit from ceiling cleaning once or twice a year. Cleaning your ceiling can be done with an all-purpose cleaner, water, a ladder or step stool and lots of towels. DIYing your ceiling cleaning is not an easy process, so many homeowners call in a professional to do the work.

Even a soft, neutral ceiling color can enhance your rooms. Image: cr8tivguy/Getty Images

Ceiling paint color can make a big impact

Ceiling paint color may be the last thing on your mind when you move into a new home. Ceilings have been traditionally painted bright white, which is a simple look that can lighten any room. Today’s builders often prefer to use one neutral color throughout their homes, including the ceiling. A completely neutral paint color on walls and ceilings creates a relaxing and effortless look in every room — but it can also look a little generic.

Ceiling color trends are moving away from the all-over neutral look and into using your ceiling as an accent wall. Choosing an accent color for your ceiling is a great way to incorporate a rich color that you may not want on your walls. Foyers and dining rooms are excellent locations for a ceiling accent color.

Reclaimed wood is a hot trend for ceilings

Painting an accent color is just one way to personalize your ceiling’s look. With the popularity of modern farmhouse decorating, reclaimed wood is showing up on ceilings everywhere. If you love the look of reclaimed wood for a ceiling or wall, there are wood paneling products available that can give you that rustic vibe without the hassle of heavy boards. Redesigning your ceiling with light-weight wood paneling is a fun weekend DIY project that can totally change your home’s style.

Bright white ceilings are more effective for lightening up a room than a reflective paint sheen. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Ceiling paint sheen: you have options

Choosing the right paint sheen for your ceiling doesn’t have to be a challenge. Most builders and designers choose matte or flat paint for ceilings. Paint with less reflection hides imperfections and gives ceilings a smooth and soft look. If you’d like a little more brightness or light reflection, eggshell finish is more lustrous without being too shiny.

If you’re hoping to bring more light into a room by using a high- or semi-gloss ceiling paint, it can backfire by creating glare, taking away from your wall color. A ceiling paint color that is one to two shades lighter than your wall color can lighten your room more comfortably.

Your ceiling can reveal clues about your home’s condition

We rarely notice our ceilings until we spot a problem. Check your ceiling regularly for cracks, discoloration and surface changes. A regular look at your ceilings can help you identify changes in small cracks that may be getting larger and require professional evaluation for structural issues.

Water spots can appear when your roof or plumbing is leaking, so they should be investigated right away. Once a repair has been made and the ceiling has dried out completely, it’s okay to repaint. Repainting the ceiling after the damage has been corrected will help you recognize future problems.

Ceilings can bubble or swell when water damage is accumulating from above. This is an urgent issue for your ceiling and may indicate an active leak that is more extensive than just that one area. The fix for an active leak can include plumbing or roofing, removal of wet materials and replacing drywall in your ceiling. If you’re a seasoned DIYer, you can handle some or all of that work depending on the source, but don’t hesitate to hire a contractor if it’s out of your comfort zone.

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Trend Alert: Kokedama (Japanese Moss Balls) Adds Live Art To Your Home and Garden

May 2, 2019 by admin

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Japanese moss balls, known as Kokedama, are hot right now. No pot required — the ancient Japanese art form is a way to display a plant where the exposed round root ball is the focal point. Hang it, mount one on the wall or create an arrangement on a table for a modern-zen look. A Kokedama ball is traditionally created by using soil that has a heavy clay composition and doesn’t crumble easily. You can wrap the ball in moss or colorful twine to hold the shape and retain some moisture.

Wrap colorful twine around the root ball for a bold, modern look. Image: Mattis Kaminer/Getty Images

Or, if you’d rather not get your hands dirty, there are kits available:

Choose your plant according to where you’re going to display your Kokedama moss ball. Orchids, African violets, ivy, succulents and ferns work well both indoors and outdoors.

Here are some ways you can display your Kokedama around your home and garden:

Group a cluster of Kokedama as a dining table centerpiece. Image: chikaphotograph/Getty Images

Ferns are great plants for a hanging moss ball design. Image: Dorling Kindersley and Rob Streeter/Getty Images

Group a collection of different styles of plants and hang them at varying heights. Image: Dorling Kindersley and Rob Streeter/Getty Images

Use small succulents for a low-maintenance and low-water design. Image: kindoki/Getty Images

This kit available at Target includes everything you need to create a zen vignette, except for the vase or bowl. Image courtesy of Target.

For an artistic look, use a Kokedama ball in a design inspired by a pendulum. Image: yasmintas/Shutterstock

Replace a collection of pots with hanging moss balls wrapped in twine. The design is a great way to take back valuable floor space. Image: esekerke13/Shutterstock

Use a colorful flowering plant or orchid inside your Kokedama — like this Super Moss Kokedama kit at Amazon — as part of your moss ball design. The pop of color adds vibrancy to a setting. Image courtesy of Amazon.

How would you display your moss balls: hanging or as part of a table setting design?

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Arched Doorways Add Interest and Beauty

May 2, 2019 by admin

Straight lines versus curved lines. In a study published in PNAS, participants were more likely to label a room as “beautiful” when it had curves than when it only had straight lines. Straight lines certainly serve a purpose, but they can be formal and predictable. On the other hand, curves add a level of softness and interest. Arched doorways are one way to add soft curves and elegance to any space. Below, we’ve listed some of the ways to use arched doorways in your home.

Highlight entrances and corridors

Archways highlight entrance areas. Image: EricVega/Getty Images

“When you are refurbishing a historic property, arched doorways are a welcome change and distinguish more important and grand entrances and corridors from mere utilitarian corridors,” says Michael Schienke, Director and Chartered Architect at VORBILD Architecture in London. However, he doesn’t think this look would work in every type of design. “In new and modern properties, creating an arched doorway seems rather unnecessary,” Schienke explains.

“External double doors with arches in traditional properties enable more light to enter the building. Usually, you would have a fixed glazed panel there,” Schienke tells Freshome. And the type of repeating archway style shown above can help you create a grand entrance with your entryway.

Add a Mediterranean vibe

A light and airy San Francisco home. Image courtesy of John Lum Architecture.

“Once a staple in older homes, arched doorways can help achieve various architectural styles and are essential for implementing Mediterranean design styles including Spanish-Style Villas, Spanish Colonials, Italian Renaissance, and Renaissance Revivals,” says John Lum of John Lum Architecture in San Francisco. Lum is the architect for the photo above. “And if you don’t have a particular design style, arched doorways will add an element of play to your desired look,” he says.

Provide contrast

Archways can balance a room. Image: Fuse/Getty Images

Sometimes, arched doorways serve another design purpose. In the photo above, the curved archway serves to contrast the square design on the ceiling, columns, fireplace mantel and the room’s square furniture.

Create a pattern

These archways form a repeating pattern. Image: Mood Board/Getty Images

In the photo above, the arch in each doorway is repeated in the round chandelier and pendant lights, as well as the round barstools in the adjacent room and to the right.

Infuse elegance

Archways add architectural detail to formal rooms. Image: akurtz/Getty Images

If you have a formal dining room and/or a formal living room, arched doorways can add to the elegant look you’re trying to achieve. In the photo above, the magnificent arched doorway contributes to the grandeur of the room. The archway also complements the architectural details on the columns, walls and windows.

Making your own archway

Archways frame a room. Image: Fuse/Getty Images

“For the DIY-er who has moderate carpentry skills, changing from a rectangular door to an arched entryway is fairly straightforward,” Lum says. “Be aware that drawing out the arc takes some precision as you want the radius to be symmetrical throughout its span.”

However, once the archway is made, he says it’s simple to frame it out. “For homeowners working with a professional, be mindful of scale, proportion and function, as the arch may lower the entryway height by an inch or so,” Lum advises.

Converted doorways. Image courtesy of CurveMaker Arch Kits.

You can also convert a square doorway to an archway with products like CurveMakers Arch Kits. In the photo above, several square doorways were converted into archways. The kits typically include two columns and one top header (you can choose between round or elliptical headers). Depending on your budget, you can choose between paint-grade MDF or solid poplar wood. Homeowners can also add architectural details with these types of archways since the columns include a plinth block, column casing and capital. You’ll need to measure your opening to ensure that you order the right size.

The directions in a nutshell: if you have any existing trim, remove it from the doorway. Using the arch template, cut your arch shape. Finally, install the prefab arch kit.

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How to Design a Small Space Open Floor Plan

May 2, 2019 by admin

Usually, when you see a photo of an open floor plan, it’s this spacious, modern design. The kitchen sits way off in the distance, large windows let in plenty of natural sunlight and there may even be space for multiple sitting areas. But just because you might have a smaller space, that doesn’t mean that an open floor plan is out of your reach. With some smart adjustments, you can create a small space open floor plan.

This might be one of the most involved home projects you could undertake. If you don’t live where you already have a small space open floor plan, you may have to work with a remodeler, move or even design your own dream home. However, if you already live with a small open floor plan, some of the design ideas below can help you make the most of the space you already have. As such, the cost of this project could range in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a new build or it could be a free endeavor of just moving around furniture.

A single sofa or loveseat can work wonders in small space open apartments. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Go Minimalist with the Furniture

Whether you already have a small space open floor plan or you’re in the process of designing/finding one, a major feature in the space will be the furniture. If you are working with a smaller space, you’re not going to have as much room for multiple sitting areas. And you’re going to want to keep the space looking as open as possible.

The easiest way to work with furniture in a small space open floor plan is actually to go big. This is counterintuitive, but a single larger furniture piece along the wall keeps the space more open. Otherwise, you’re cluttering up the space with many smaller items like individual chairs. Depending on the layout of the room, you could use a long sofa, a sectional or even add a loveseat.

Boldly colored wall art can make a stunning focal point in an open space. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Create a Focal Point in your Small Space Open Floor Plan

If you’re working with a small space open floor plan, you might want to create a focal point to add visual interest to the room. One focal point item will add plenty of style to your space without cluttering up the smaller area the way designs with more working parts might. Examples of small space focal points can include a:

Small accent wall
Fireplace, either real or electric (smaller electric fireplaces fit well into small spaces)
Single piece of larger, bold furniture, like a brightly colored sofa
Television over a mantel or a display cabinet
Piece of large wall art

These ideas also create their own sense of organization, as you’ll often organize other items like furniture around the focal point.

Open railings can visually expand small floor plans. Image: Waclaw_EPI/Shutterstock

Think Open Balconies

If you’re in the process of finding a new place to live or designing that dream home, a key feature to keep in mind is an open loft design. That way, even if the space is on the smaller side, you have a whole second story that is visually open.

An open loft design leads to the illusion that the space is far bigger than it is. And it helps add to the small space open floor plan feeling by actually opening up the space. This is a design that is both illusion and literally more open.

Small Space Open Floor Plan Light Colors

Neutral and bright shades can stop a small space open floor plan from feeling closed in. Image: Dariusz Jarzabek/Shutterstock

Keep it Bright

You’ll also want to keep a close eye on the color scheme of the room. A common feature of open floor plans is that they tend to stay on the bright and neutral side of the design spectrum. A small space open floor plan is no exception. In fact, in smaller spaces, it’s even more important to keep the space light and neutral. Lighter colors help keep spaces feeling free and open.

Also, keeping the area well-lit will help it feel more open since darker spaces usually automatically feel closed off. You might consider elements like large windows or skylights. These will keep the natural light flowing into the space. If these are not an option, other lighting features like recessed lighting, pendant lighting and even casual chandelier designs can keep the space well-lit.

And remember, everything in this style is about keeping the space looking as open as possible. Your small space open floor plan goal is to make the space feel more expansive.

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Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Its First Home Line, Bee & Willow

April 4, 2019 by admin

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Weathered vintage, farmhouse chic, updated traditional. Are these descriptions music to your ears? Bed Bath & Beyond just launched its very first home line, Bee & Willow, and it’s just for you.

According to the website, Bee & Willow is “an eclectic mix of rustic and modern styles, designed with character and charm and made to last.” And if you love the look, but don’t have Joanna Gaines’ natural flair for pulling a room together, Bed Bath & Beyond has you covered. The line of more than 300 pieces includes furniture and accessories for every room in your home, priced between $3 and $1,000.

Here’s a look at some of the best pieces from the new Bed Bath & Beyond Bee & Willow home line:

bed bath and beyond farmhouse bee & willow

Natural, earthy tones and textured fabrics add dimension to the collection’s accents. All images courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Shop the look:

bed bath beyond farmhouse furniture bee & willow

A living room that’s classic, elegant and still warm and casual enough for the whole family to enjoy.

Shop the look:

A farmhouse-chic dining room setting in indigo blue.

Shop the look:

Rustic modern meets farmhouse for a clean, classic and inviting bedroom.

Shop the look:

Love what you see? It can all be yours for 20 percent off and free shipping when you become a Beyond+ Member.

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4 Creative Ways to Hang Curtains

April 3, 2019 by admin

When we picture curtains, we see them hanging long on either side of a valance. It’s functional, it’s attractive and it works with any room style. But that style is also not your only option. You can get creative in the way you hang curtains. From giving them unique spacing so light can filter in easier to even placing them at angles, there are many interesting ways to hang your curtains. With clever placement, they can accent any room design and add a flair all their own. So read on to learn how to hang curtains in creative ways.

Create a style with interspaced curtains to let in a muted amount of light. Image: Svet_Feo/Shutterstock

Use creative spacing to let in softer light

This is perhaps one of the easiest and most common ways of hanging curtains a bit more creatively. This style is all about placing curtains so that more light can suffuse the space. As you can see in the photo above, hanging curtains in spaced intervals helps bring in light — but also keeps too much light from overpowering the space. It’s the best of both worlds.

A look like this would work well with bay windows. That would allow you to hang curtains in the corners of the windows, creating a more organized yet organic design. The curtains could add an attractive texture to the corners.

You can even place curtains at an angle for a softer, romantic look. Image: Marko Poplasen/Shutterstock

Get creative with geometry

Perhaps one of the most involved ways to hang curtains creatively is to put them on slanted walls. You can see an example of the style in the photo above, behind the TV. The curtains adorn the walls and go all the way up to the ceiling in a tiered design. It goes to show that you don’t have to just hang curtains around straight windows.

This is another style that would look great in romantic and artistic spaces, like a boho-style loft, especially if the curtains were to extend all the way up the ceiling. The curtain design would add a soft and romantic texture.

Bold-colored curtains can make a statement. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Hang curtains in accent colors

Another idea is to focus on curtains with bold color. Going for a wild color can be its own means to hang curtains in creative ways. The photo above shows how the deep cherry red curtains go well with the red accents in the rest of the space. They also work well as part of a colorful high-contrast style.

To get some design cohesion in this look, you’ll want to choose the curtain color as your main focal color. Then work that shade into the rest of the space in more subtle ways. You might have a subtle wallpaper, or you could go for small items of the same color on end tables or small accent throw pillows. All around, bold curtains are a great way to work with an accent color.

Creatively placed, textured curtains can add a visual kick to a room. Image: Fuse/Getty Images

Think texture in the bedroom

You might also want to pay attention to deep texture. In the photo above, you can see how the lush curtains add some romantic texture to the space. By focusing on lighter shades to get that texture, curtains like these could fit well with any color scheme in the rest of the room. An example is how well the gold shading on the curtains matches the very light yellow on the pillows.

The placement of the curtains behind the headboard is also a good idea if you want to hang curtains in creative ways. You don’t expect a full-length curtain behind a headboard, so it makes an interesting backdrop for the room.

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Take a Tour of the Season 3 Queer Eye Loft and Shop the Look

March 28, 2019 by admin

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Season 3 of Queer Eye is out now and we’re taking you on a tour of the Fab Five’s fabulous Kansas City loft. You’ll see plenty of the modern-industrial space in the new season. The guys gather to do their makeovers and watch the final transformation at the end of the show in the Queer Eye loft. And the best part – you can shop the look at West Elm.

Rich, masculine neutrals and textured fabrics and finishes warm up the large, open loft space. All images courtesy of West Elm

Bobby Berk and West Elm worked together to pull the space together. Working with a large, open loft space has its challenges, but Bobby shares his secret: “Creating different vignettes throughout the room in a cohesive color palette allows me to define the different spaces without having them feel separate from each other,” he said.

Let’s check out the Queer Eye Loft:

The men gather on the cozy Andes sectional to watch the results of their makeover on TV.

Shop the look:

Step up a platform into the entertaining and styling area where the makeovers happen.

A vintage barber styling chair adds charm to the modern industrial loft design.

The loft features plenty of tropical plants that separate each area into an intimate space.

Shop the look:

The kitchen is a showstopper, with a large kitchen island for the Fab Five and guests to gather around.

A “living wall” along the large kitchen windows uses hanging potted plants on industrial poles.

Shop the look:

Check out more of the Queer Eye Loft Season 3 on Netflix!

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