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Here Are Your Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019 According To Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

January 5, 2019 by admin

Nippon Paint, Asia’s largest paint brand, has released their Colours of Fortune Paint Collection for 2019. Grand Master Phang, Nippon Paint’s Colour Advisor and one of Asia’s top authorities on feng shui and Emperor Star Astrology, put together the collection of feng shui lucky colors to ensure your home attracts plenty of wealth, health, luck and love.

Find your Chinese Zodiac animal first and then scroll down to learn about your home’s feng shui lucky colors, according to Nippon Paint:

Year Born | Chinese Zodiac Animal

Rat Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

Cool, coastal colors are your lucky colors for 2019. Think pink sand beaches, sunny skies and azure waters.

All paint color swatch images courtesy of Nippon Paint.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

This year’s colors are perfect for a spa-like bath. Image: Monterrey Peninsula Condos

Paint your cabinets and walls in complementary colors to freshen up your space for 2019. Image: Brett Mickan

Ox Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

Oxes will find that they’re not only lucky when they include plums, merlots and pinks in their decor, they’re also on-trend for 2019 and beyond.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Layers of polished pinks, plums and berry tones freshen up this elegant living room. Image: Niche Interiors

The luckiest colors for the Ox this year would work well in the bedroom. Image: Tahar Decor

Tiger Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

If you’re a Tiger, choose warm and rich colors like golds, tans and mustards that replicate the regal animal’s coloring.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Classic neutrals flow well with a bold mustard-colored grasscloth wallpaper. Image: ATG Design

Add warmth to your room with luxurious furniture in mustard. Image: Blazing Embers

Rabbit Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

Berries, mochas and chocolates sound like the perfect dessert, but they’re also the luckiest colors for those born under the Rabbit Chinese zodiac year.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

A soothing bedroom ties together the color theme of pale mauve, ivory and grey. Image: Chateau

This room is all about luxurious texture with a chocolate velvet sofa and plum silk pillows. Image: Living In Space

Dragon Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

The Dragon is the most powerful animal of the Chinese zodiac. This year, the peace and tranquility of modern neutral colors bring you good luck.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

The pale grey walls pull together the beautiful veining of the marble surfaces. Image: Brett Mickan

To keep neutral colors like ivories and beiges interesting, layer shades in dark and light accents for contrast. Image: Brad Ford

Snake Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

The Snake should reconnect with the colors of a beautiful spring day to achieve the most wealth and luck for 2019.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Sumptuous layers of periwinkle, lavender and ink create an intimate bedroom setting. Image: Stephen Fletcher

The combination of lavender and sage brightens a room – and the outlook for Chinese zodiac Snakes for 2019. Image: Just Perfect Home Staging

Horse Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

The overall theme for 2019 for most of the Chinese zodiac animals includes cool shades like pale greys, blues and purples. Horses should include a splash of invigorating yellow or gold to keep luck and abundance flowing.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

A simple bed runner in a vibrant yellow magnifies the luck of this bedroom. Image: Just Perfect Home Staging

Coordinating walls painted in mauve and yellow bring in good luck for those born in the Year of the Horse. Image: Shamanth Patil

Goat Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

If you’re born in the Year of the Goat, be sure to complement your blue room with earthy red accents, or vice versa.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Adding accent furniture in your feng shui lucky colors creates the flow of luck in your space. Image: Stephen Fletcher

Sky blue and red are an unexpected color pairing, but this modern kitchen combines the two well. Image: Amitzi

Monkey Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

Monkeys should incorporate colors and accents that inspire optimism (green) and passion (red) into their spaces for the best 2019 possible.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Red adds a striking effect to a neutral room featuring deep olive green walls. Image: Brett Webber

This regal bedroom features luxe fabrics like silk and velvet in bold colors like red and emerald. Image: Katie by Design

Rooster Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

Get ready to bring in good tidings, Rooster, by creating a soothing, tranquil room in cool, neutral colors.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Layers of understated neutral tones are both tranquil and elegant. Image: Kravet

If you’re decorating with neutrals, be sure to add unique art or architectural details to make your space memorable. Image: Bellas Arte Design

Dog Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

Dogs should work with plenty of bright and optimistic blues and greens for a 2019 full of good health, wealth and love.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

If you want to warm up a blue space, paint the walls in a deeper color tone. Image: Storybook Interiors

The striking color combination of this living room is inspired by the colors of a peacock. Image: Rikki Snyder

Pig Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019

It’s your lucky year and you should embrace the beautiful, modern tones of indigo and greys, which have been so popular in home design as of late.

Here’s how to use your lucky feng shui colors:

Layers of indigo blues create a personalized bedroom. Image: Lindsay Pennington

Have fun with your favorite shade of blue by mixing and matching fabrics, textures and varying tones of your blue. Image: Dulux UK

Don’t forget to look up the Chinese zodiac sign for those you live with, too. Mix and match the colors to create the luckiest home possible for you and your loved ones.

The post Here Are Your Feng Shui Lucky Colors For 2019 According To Your Chinese Zodiac Sign appeared first on Freshome.com.

Follow These 4 Tips To Successfully Move During Winter (And Make It As Pain-Free As Possible)

December 29, 2018 by admin

Making a move during winter isn’t exactly the most pleasant task, but sometimes it’s one that’s unavoidable. No matter why you’re moving, it can be done. All it takes is a little extra planning and forethought.

With that in mind, we’ve brought you some of our best tips for how to move during winter. Read them over as you prepare for your big day. If you follow these tips, you should be able to complete your move without the weather getting in your way.

Make a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Image: John Maniscalco Architecture

Plan around the weather

If you live in a seasonal climate, you know that winter storms can cause life to come to a grinding halt. The last thing that anyone wants is to have their already-stressful move delayed by inclement weather. However, unfortunately, it’s a distinct possibility when you move during winter. You need to have a plan in place so that you know what to do if it starts to snow.

If you’re hiring movers – which we highly recommend because heavy boxes and icy walkways are not a good mix – be sure to ask them what their procedures and policies are in case of a weather delay. If you’re moving on your own, have a backup moving day in mind in case your first one doesn’t work out. In either case, be sure to start earlier in the day since winter days are shorter and offer much less sunlight.

Take extra care when packing to protect your belongings from the cold. Image: Maple & Gray

Pack for cooler temperatures

In the summer months, packing for a move is as simple as placing your items in boxes with a little bit of padding and taping them shut. In the winter, however, the same packing process gets a little bit more complicated. You need to prepare for your items to be sitting out in cooler temperatures for hours on end and you need to contend with the possibility of wet weather.

Glass and porcelain items can break in the cold. Make sure you surround them with extra packing materials in order to keep them properly insulated. Electronics are particularly sensitive, as well. If possible, try to move them in their original packaging as those were made to handle transport. Then, once you get to your new home, move them in first to limit their time in the cold.

Clear any pathways to the house for easy access. Image: Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC

Prepare the outside of the house

Before the movers arrive, prepare the exterior of your home to ensure that they can access everything safely and easily. If it’s snowed recently, be sure to shovel your driveway, as well as the pathways to and from the house. If it’s been cold and icy, you may also want to put down some salt or kitty litter to reduce the risk of a fall.

Most importantly, don’t forget to do the same for your new house, too. You don’t want to slow down the moving process by having the movers arrive with your belongings only to be unable to access the house. An hour or so before they’re ready to leave, send someone over to your new property to get it ready for the unloading.

Protect your floors from people tracking in ice and snow. Image: Christoff and Sons Floor Covering Inc.

Protect the inside of the house

Though you’ll want to clean your new home as soon as you move in, there’s no reason to make the job harder for yourself by allowing your movers to track in mud, ice and snow. In this case, asking people to remove their shoes before entering your home is unrealistic. Your only other option is to take measures to protect the inside of your home.

Your best bet is to designate one room of your home as a drop-off area and disperse your belongings to the appropriate spots after everything has been unloaded. You can then protect the floor of the drop-off room with a disposable tarp. Just be sure to secure the edges to the floor with tape so that there aren’t any tripping accidents.

A move during winter requires some extra planning, but with these tips you can easily pull it off.

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These Are The Biggest 2019 Interior Design Trends, According To The Pros

December 27, 2018 by admin

Believe it or not, the new year is right around the corner and with it will come some eye-catching new design trends. With that in mind, we went straight to the source and asked some top interior designers to share what styles they think will capture our interest in the coming year.

Keep reading to learn their picks for the biggest 2019 interior design trends, as well as some tips on how to incorporate these looks in your own home. By the end of this post, you should feel ready to tackle 2019 in style.

Big, bold plants are in this year. Image: A.Jennison Interiors

Big, bold plants

“One trend that will be at the forefront of home interior design in 2019 is big, bold plants. A dragon tree, a rubber tree or any kind of palm tree make eye-catching statements anywhere in a home. You can flank your sofa with one on each side or situate one in any corner. The bigger, the better here.”

– Kenny Colvin, Designer, Giant Squid Creative

Incorporating plant life into your decor is a bit different than taking on other 2019 interior design trends. Here, instead of relying purely on aesthetics, you’ll want to allow the plant’s care-and-keeping instructions to dictate its placement in your home. Be sure to check how much sunlight and water a plant needs before purchasing it to ensure that whichever plants you end up using will flourish in their ideal environment.

Don’t hesitate to give your ceiling a pop of color. Image: Elena Calabrese Design & Decor

Painted ceilings

“In 2019, we’ll start to see people taking advantage of the fifth wall – the ceiling has been ignored for too long! From wallpaper to molding and daring paint colors, the ceiling will be the place that people start taking chances and creating a ‘wow moment’ in their spaces.”

– Rebecca Rowland, Owner, Rebecca Rowland Interiors

Consider this look for spaces that you want to feel intimate, especially bedrooms and formal dining spaces. Here, you’ll want to keep the 10-30-60 rule in the forefront of your mind. Either continue to the ceiling with your base color, which covers 60 percent of the room, or make a strong statement by using your accent color – the last 10 percent – to add a pop of visual interest.

When it comes to furniture, make it multi-functional. Image: Antonio Aurigemma

Multi-functional spaces

“With more and more people adopting the ‘Less is more’ attitude, we are seeing a shift in interior design. For 2019, I predict we will be seeing more multi-functional spaces. The murphy bed has been making a comeback and I think we’ll see even more modernized versions.”

– Alexis Kokolias, Owner, Lexi Interiors

Multi-functional furniture doesn’t just have to be for small apartments anymore. Think about incorporating it into any multi-use spaces, such as an office that pulls double-duty as a guest room. On a smaller scale, you could also think about incorporating an ottoman that doubles as added storage. The key here is to start thinking outside the box when it comes to functionality.

This year, colors will be bolder than ever before. Image: Дизайн — бюро Ecole

Bold colors

“In 2019, bold colors are going to explode even more than they already have. Think navy blue, deep red, and burnt orange to really bring some excitement into the room.”

– Shea Nikkel, Owner, Blue Charlotte Lifestyle

Bringing bold colors into a room is all about creating balance. Make sure to pair your bold shade with calmer, neutral hues like white or gray. Use your bold color sparingly, either as a statement piece or an accent.

Look out for mission-style details like patterned tile. Image: Mark Green Home Design

Mission-style details

“Recently, I’ve seen a lot of the modern looks that photograph well, but feel very cold and clinical in-person. 2019 will be about adding warmth to modern spaces through mission-style details. You’ll see things like patterned tile in a kitchen backsplash, texture on walls or terra cotta colors. It’s all about finding ways to inject more character into the room.”

– Anna Dunn, Owner, Paper Cranes Designs

Successfully paying homage to a certain style is about incorporating small touches of it into a room, rather than trying to copy the look in its entirety. Take Anna’s advice here and stick to adding mission-style touches into your existing design.

The post These Are The Biggest 2019 Interior Design Trends, According To The Pros appeared first on Freshome.com.

The 7 Most Important Household Tasks After a Move

December 21, 2018 by admin

For many people, the first few hours after a move are a stressful time. There’s so much to do that it can be hard to even figure out where to start. That’s where we come in. We’ve narrowed down the seven most important household tasks to take care of after the move. Read them over and use them as a a jumpstart on that to-do list.

Take care of the utilities before anything else. Image: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Turn on utilities

The last thing you want to happen after a long moving day is for the sun to go down and you realize that you don’t have any electricity. If you haven’t taken care of it already, call your utility companies and transfer service into your name. If you’re moving locally, this should be as easy as changing the address on your account. However, if you’re moving from out of the area, you may want to get your new utility information from the seller.

Locate the breaker box and water shut off valve

In the middle of an emergency, you don’t want to be searching around frantically for these important items. Make sure you know where they’re located before you need to use them. It’s worth the effort to find them when you first move in. Be sure to learn how to use them, as well. Test out all of the switches in the breaker box and label them for easy access later. Turn off the water and faucets to ensure the valve will do its job in a pinch.

Be sure to change the locks. Image: Urban Home Windsor

Change the locks

When you move into a new home, you don’t know who might have an extra set of keys to it. It’s in your best interest to have a mobile locksmith come and change all the locks as soon as possible. If an exterior door is missing a deadbolt, this is a good opportunity to have one of those installed, too. Once you’ve been handed your new keys, be sure to label them so that you know which key is used for which door. You can have extras made later, just in case.

Check your moving boxes and furniture

The next step is to check all your moving boxes and furniture for signs of damage or dings. Also make sure that nothing got lost in the shuffle. (This is where your packing inventory list will come in handy.) You’ll want to do this as soon as possible after a move so that you can submit a claim to the moving company and your insurance company. Take photographs of any visible damage and keep your paperwork handy so you can refer back to it later, if needed.

Put together sleeping arrangements well before it’s time for bed. Image: Gaetano Hardwood Floors, Inc.

Make your bed

Even if you’ve prepared well beforehand, moving day is going to be a long one. To minimize stress and frustration at the end of the night, make sure you have your bed and sleeping arrangements set up well in advance of when you plan to use them. That said, you don’t have to take care of unpacking every single item in one day after a move. Just make sure that you have your bedding, a change of clothes, and any essentials like toiletries or medications ready to go when you’re ready to call it a night.

Change your address

Next, make sure that all your mail gets to the right place. If you haven’t already, fill out a change of address form with the post office. (Luckily, these days, you can take care of this task online.) In addition, you’ll also want to change your address with any agencies who regularly contact you through the mail, like your credit cards and insurance companies.

Don’t forget to say hello to the neighbors. Image: CJS Woodworking & Design

Greet your new neighbors

The last step after a move is to get out and greet your neighbors. You don’t have to do this on the first day you move in, but the sooner you take care of it, the sooner you’ll settle into the neighborhood. Greeting the neighbors doesn’t have to involve a big gesture like handing out fresh-baked cookies (although it can). Simply going door-to-door and introducing yourself should be enough to assure the neighbors that they can find a friend in you.

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These Are The Outdated Interior Design Trends You’ll Be Waving Goodbye To In 2019

December 19, 2018 by admin

Interior design trends are cyclical and, unfortunately, no trend will last forever. With that in mind, we decided to ask the experts what outdated interior design trends they think we’ll be saying goodbye to in 2019. If their predictions are right, the new year looks to be an opportunity for some big style shake-ups. Keep reading to find out which of your favorite trends are on their way out and which are still going strong.

The era of grey everything is about to end. Image: Milan Design + Build

Grey shades

“While there has been a bit of a craze for the color grey, I think this is likely to die down and stay that way for some time. The sometimes-bland color palette of a grey room doesn’t work as well as it used to.”

– Charlie Worrall, Designer, NGI Design

Though it may be hard to believe that the era of “grey-everything” is coming to an end, it’s finally happening. In 2019, people are craving neutrals with more personality. If you’re looking for a neutral that will please the masses in the new year, go towards warmer tans and browns. Alternatively, a stark white can also be used to create a look that’s still on-trend.

Metallic accent furniture is on its way out. Image: Alexander Pollock Interiors

Metallic accent furniture

“One home trend we can kiss goodbye is metallic accent furniture. Gold and silver settees and accent chairs are being traded for jewel tones in suede and velvet. We’ll still see a presence of metallic in tabletop decor, but it’s disappearing from furniture trends.”

– Erin Fausel, Lifestyle Blogger at American Freight Furniture & Mattress

Like it or not, metallics seem to have fallen out of favor. In gathering quotes for this post, we received several submissions about rose gold alone. If you want to switch out your metallic pieces for something a bit more current, we suggest opting for natural materials. In particular, green and sustainable design has been gaining popularity recently.

The tide has changed on tropical design. Image: Martha O’Hara Interiors

Morrocan and tropical design

“Tropical and Moroccan themes are going to be out. These trends tend not to be long-lasting so it’s no surprise that they’ll be overtaken by the likes of Dutch House and color-blocking in 2019.”

– Nicola Croughan, Interior Designer, Blinds Direct

Like Nicola says, it’s no surprise that tropical and Morrocan looks will decline in popularity in 2019. Trends like these offer such specific aesthetics that they often don’t last long. Next year, you should be looking to trade out your tropical accessories for solid-colored items in bold hues and jewel tones.

Say goodbye to industrial design. Image: MARTIN Architects

Industrial design

“The industrial look was on the tail end this year. What we’re seeing come from this shift is clean and modern. You can style a home to be clean, modern and have a little personality and that’s why we believe we’re seeing this style preference.”

– Debi Davis, Owner, Debi Davis Interior Design

Though the industrial design trend has served us well over the last couple of years, again, we see tastes moving in a warmer direction. These days, instead of migrating towards starker aesthetics like industrial design, if you want to be on trend, you should take Ms. Davis’s advice and move toward styles that allow for more self-expression. Maximalism, for example, is a great way to embrace newer looks.

The post These Are The Outdated Interior Design Trends You’ll Be Waving Goodbye To In 2019 appeared first on Freshome.com.

The Freshome Dream Bedroom

December 13, 2018 by admin

Find out what the Freshome staff thinks you need for a dream bedroom. Image: Turnbull Griffin Haesloop

Imagine dreaming in your dream bedroom. At Freshome, we spend a lot of time thinking about exactly that. Because we’re obsessed with design and decor, each person on our team has spent time, energy and – yes – even money creating the ultimate bedroom for each of our personal tastes. And while all of our rooms look pretty different, there are some overarching similarities. In fact, there are some elements we all agree that a dream bedroom needs.

What makes the ideal place for sleeping, lounging and (we can be honest) binging our latest Netflix addiction? Like we said, the little details will look a little different depending on personal preferences, but the key elements are the same. Here are the “big four” to consider when creating your dream bedroom.

An upholstered bed frame is a cozy touch in any room. Image: Joss & Main

The bed: cushy and cozy

It’s no surprise that none of us are coveting the twin beds of our youths. Instead, the Freshome team is strongly in favor of a king bed (or California king, if you want to go really crazy) where you can spread out and get some quality sleep. And if you’re going to get a big, cushy bed, you might as well frame it well. We’re fans of a grandiose four-poster bed if you’re looking to make a big statement.

Or, if you want to give your room an extra cozy feel, try this upholstered headboard from Pottery Barn or upholstered bed frame from Joss & Main. Adding extra padding around your mattress makes your whole bed feel like a cloud for an extra comfortable place to cozy up.

Layered bedding makes your bed look and feel luxurious and gives you the opportunity to swap out accent pieces. This cool-toned bedroom could be warmed up for spring by simply swapping the throw and accent pillow. Image: John Lewis & Partners

The bedding: luxe and layered

When it comes to bedding, it’s all about layering. Finding a duvet you love is a great start, but it’s just the beginning. From there, layer on lots of pillows, including decorative throw pillows in your favorite accent colors, and throws.

Because you’ll want the flexibility to change out your accent pillows and throws with your changing tastes and the seasons, we vote for a neutral duvet cover as your bedding’s base. If you need a simple duvet, this one from Target is ideal to get you started. Think of it as your canvas. You’re the artist – you can use this simple base to create your dream bed! All you need is a little creativity. To spark your greatest ideas, we’ve rounded up some cold-weather bedding and extra luxurious bedding ideas for you.

Free up more space in your closet by adding storage – and style – to the foot of your bed. Image: Pottery Barn

The closet: big and beautiful

Of course, every single one of us would love to have a walk-in closet. If you’ve got the space, it’s well worth creating an area you can step into when picking out your outfit, or just admiring your wardrobe. A walk-in is easier to keep organized and adds resale value to your home.

But what about those of us who live in a more compact footprint? Even if you don’t have space for a walk-in à la Carrie Bradshaw, you still deserve a closet that looks nice and is easy to use. Closet organizers, like these gorgeous linen ones from The Container Store, can help you transform your closet from ho-hum to oh dang! Switching to thin, velvet-lined hangers can similarly streamline and beautify your wardrobe.

Still feeling cramped? Free up some precious closet space by adding a storage bench – like the one pictured above from Pottery Barn – to the foot of your bed. Not only does this create a great place to stash bulky items like sweaters and blankets, it adds a finishing touch to your bed and gives you a convenient place to put on shoes or drop bags.

Creating the dream bedroom is all about adding touches you love. Image: Studio Revolution

The ambiance: plush and peaceful

Your bedroom is a place of respite. It’s your harbor from the storms of life, a place where you can go to get some peace and quiet when you need it. When creating your dream bedroom, think about your ideal vibe for a place of serenity. That doesn’t have to mean muted tones and dim lighting. Maybe lots of bold colors are what feels most comfortable to you. Your bedroom is your space, so go for it!

We love adding little touches that help create ambiance, like scented candles, cozy textures (like from this softly patterned rug from West Elm) and the right lighting. A number of us agree that plentiful windows looking out onto a spacious, green-filled outdoor area is key in creating a restful, restorative space. If you don’t have windows, however, you can mimic that feel with art you love or mirrors to add light to the room. Ultimately, creating your dream bedroom is all about adding touches that bring you joy.

What would we find in your dream bedroom? A cozy knitted throw? Some eye-catching art? Statement lighting? Let us know in the comments!

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The Freshome Dream Dining Room

December 12, 2018 by admin

We polled our Freshome team to come up with a list of must-haves for a dream dining room. Image: Urbanology Designs

The dining room is such an interesting part of the home. It’s gone through a number of transformations over the years. It first served as a mark of wealth, setting apart families who could afford the extra square footage to dedicate an entire room just to eating. Then, it fell out of favor. As dinnertime because less of a formal affair, many families turned to casual eating areas like breakfast nooks (or even the couch in front of the TV) as the primary spot to dine. Today, all too many dining rooms sit sad and vacant.

It’s time to reclaim this space! Because the dining room isn’t used as much as, say, the kitchen or master bedroom, it’s an exciting design opportunity. You can take some risks and make bold choices. When you do, you turn the space into something visually interesting that might entice your family to make more use of the room.

At Freshome, we love the idea of doing something extra fun with dining rooms. We’ve dreamed up some ways to help you breathe life into yours. Whether you’ve got a large formal dining room or are working with a compact corner of a room, these are the things you need – according to our Freshome team – to create a dining room you’ll love.

Plenty of seating creates a welcoming dining room – and makes it more likely to actually get used. Image: Envision Custom Homes

Set out seating

A good dining room needs a place where people can dine. If you’ve got the space, set up a table that seats at least eight. Hosting friends and family just got that much easier! We love a large, sturdy dining table – like the 96″ Sydney Dining Table from Wayfair – as a way to establish your dining room. If you’re tighter on space, a smaller table can work just as well.

Extendable dining tables can help you find a middle ground between roominess when the space isn’t in use and functionality when you’ve got a handful of people coming over for dinner. Either way, find a table you love and you can build from there.

Once you have your table picked, it’s time for more fun shopping. Your dining chairs set the tone for the room. Think of your dining table like the sofa in your living room and your dining chairs as the accent pillows. This is a place to have some fun! Maybe you want to go traditional, like the Hayes Tufted Chairs from Pottery Barn, or mod, like the Mid-century Chairs from Target. When it comes to dining chairs, your options are virtually endless. As proof, we’ve rounded up some great dining chair options for you.

A bar cart is a chance to add a pop of personality to your dining room. Image: Wolfe Design House

Build out your bar cart

If you’re the kind of family that sits down together for dinner every night, your dining room will get more use than most. If, however, you primarily gather around the table when you’re entertaining, you still need a dining space that will meet your needs. Building out a bar cart ensures that you’re set up for whatever the night has in store.

Much like your dining chairs, your bar cart is a design opportunity. Don’t be afraid to choose something fun. We love the Mid-Century Bar Cart from West Elm, but you could also go sleek with an all-chrome cart, find a truly vintage piece at your local antique store or add casters to a small bookcase for a DIY solution. If you’re ready to live that lush life, we’ve got a list of fabulous bar carts – and they’re all under $300.

Once you’ve picked the cart itself, the fun continues. Start gathering glasses, decanters, bottles and the other essentials. Pick up a bouquet of fresh blooms or a scented candle. Adding little touches you love to your bar cart gives your dining room personality and keeps it from feeling stuffy.

Your dining room is a place to play with design. A bold accent wall is just the thing. Image: Duet Design Group

Work on your walls

Like we said, because your dining room is less used than other spaces in your home, it’s a place to go big with your design. If you’ve ever wanted to try a bold wallpaper, a bright accent wall or a major piece of wall art, this is the place. We love making a big statement with your dining room walls.

You can choose a unique paint color (why not black?) or striking wallpaper (we love the options from de Gournay). An accent wall covered in Palm Wallpaper from CB2 or hung up with some large-scale, eye-catching art is just the thing to transform your dining room. You know those design ideas you’ve had pinned on Pinterest for years but never had the guts to try? This is the place to finally put them into practice.

Adding storage to your dining room makes entertaining easier. Image: Granger Family Homes

Set up storage

When you invite people over for dinner, the last thing you want is to spend the evening running around. Adding convenient storage to your dining space makes the entire evening easier, from the moment you start setting the table to clearing the dessert dishes.

Create a space in your dining area where you can store dishes, salt and pepper shakers and whatever else you find yourself running to the kitchen for during a meal. A couple of our Freshome picks include a vintage hutch sourced from your local antique store or a sideboard with lots of drawers, like this Beaufort Farmhouse Sideboard. Or, if you have the space to add built-ins, go for it. Again, this is a chance to expand the design of your dining room. Feel free to go bold and choose a piece of furniture you truly love.

What would we find in your perfect dining room? Image: Studio G Interior Design

What’s in your dream dining room?

We had a lot of fun coming up with these key ways to make your dining room one of your favorite spaces. But, obviously, we didn’t cover everything. If you want to keep exploring ways to take your dining room’s design to a higher level, we’ve got a list of four ways you can get started.

What would your dream dining room contain? Statement lighting? A knockout centerpiece? Tell us all about it in the comments.

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4 Ways to Ensure a Large Room Doesn’t End up Feeling Too Stark

December 5, 2018 by admin

Normally at Freshome, we spend a lot of time talking about how to design around small spaces. However, the reality is that those with the opposite problem also deserve our time and attention. Today, we’re revealing our best tricks for how to design a large room. Read on to learn how to put together an expansive space without it feeling too stark.

Break the room up into distinct functional areas. Image: Lindye Galloway Interiors

Visually divide the space

Here’s one of the biggest secrets in dealing with expansive spaces: You can break the space up however you choose. In this case, each large room in your home doesn’t have to have one, singular purpose. Instead, you can divide the space up into distinctly different areas in order to increase functionality while using up square footage at the same time.

Take the photo above as an example. Yes, the main purpose of the room is to serve as a bedroom. However, if the room was just a bed and some dresser drawers, it would be swimming in empty space. That’s why the owner included two additional seating areas. The room still offers plenty of room to sleep, yet you now also have a place to curl up with a good book or your morning coffee.

If you decide to go this route, you’ll design the room the same way that you would an open concept space. Go in with a plan of attack for what purpose you want each of the distinct areas to serve. Then, include visual clues like area rugs, lighting fixtures and designated pathways to help signify to the viewer that each section of the room has its own unique purpose.

Use a rug to ground the room. Image: Blue Ocean Design

Anchor the room with a rug

If you’re looking to visually tie a large room together, there’s no better way to do so than with a great area rug. An area rug will help ground a seating area, dining table or bedframe. It helps by making the placement of the furniture look purposeful rather than like all of your pieces are just floating out in space.

When buying an area rug, the correct sizing is key. In general, you can follow these guidelines:

If you’re choosing a full room rug, remember to leave room for a border of flooring around all sides. 18 inches is considered the standard border measurement.
If your rug will be grounding a seating area, measure the length and width of the seating area in its current layout and buy the next size up.
If the rug is meant to highlight a piece of furniture like a dining table, make sure it’s big enough to extend beyond the piece with room on all sides. For a dining table, 24 inches is standard. However, it should be less if you’re working with a smaller piece like a coffee table.

That said, the placement of your furniture is also important. When designing a large space, it can be tempting to place all of your furniture along the walls. However, doing so can leave an uncomfortable amount of dead space in the middle of the room. Instead, think about keeping your furniture – and by extension, area rug – centralized. At that point, any extra square footage will become a useful walkway.

Choose furniture that fits the scale of the room. Image: Mary Cook

Pay attention to scale

Another thing to think about is the scale of the items, and especially the furniture, that you put in the room. In interior design parlance, scale and proportion refer to how well an item’s size corresponds to the room itself. Here, it stands to reason that if you have to fill a larger room, you’d want to also have larger furniture to go with it.

You’ll want to focus on finding furniture that has a heavier visual weight. In general, upholstered items often look heavier than those without cushions. Furniture that sits low to the ground appears heavier than items on tapered legs. Keep in mind, this principle extends beyond furniture, too. You’ll also want to find lighting fixtures and wall art, for example, that are large enough to work within the space.

When in doubt, think in multiples. Image: JCD Custom Home Design

Think in multiples

The last tip we have to offer for larger rooms is to not be afraid to double up on furniture and accessories in order to take up more space. It may seem strange at first to try and wrap your head around the idea of having two couches and two ottomans, but as you can see from the picture above, you can use multiples to create a chic look.

If you decide to go this route, it’s important to give the large room a sense of balance. Not only has balance been shown to be psychologically pleasing, but it will also help your design to feel more cohesive. Focus on using your doubled design elements to create near mirror images.

The post 4 Ways to Ensure a Large Room Doesn’t End up Feeling Too Stark appeared first on Freshome.com.

What Classifies A House Style: What Makes A Contemporary Home?

November 20, 2018 by admin

For many people, the meaning of the word “contemporary” is hard to pin down because it’s always evolving to fit a modern context. The same can be said for contemporary architecture. However, we’re here to put a face and a definition to the contemporary home once and for all. Keep reading to learn how to identify this style of architecture, as well as what sets it apart from the crowd.

Contemporary homes reflect today’s architecture. Image: Lochwood-Lozier Custom Homes

What is a contemporary home?

Put simply, contemporary homes reflect the architecture of today. While you may think that definition makes it synonymous with modern architecture, that’s actually a common misconception. Modern architecture refers to a style that was popularized from the 1920s to 1950s, one that embraced clean lines and stark minimalism. Contemporary architecture goes beyond that to define the ever-evolving architectural styles of the 21st century.

Most contemporary homes do have a modern flair to them, with design tweaks from postmodernism and deconstructivism, as well. For the first time, we also see homes where the building materials are just as important as the final product. With contemporary homes, we see a huge emphasis on natural and sustainable building materials.

Contemporary homes are popular because they allow for individuality. Image: Openspace Architecture

What makes these homes so popular?

Contemporary homes are popular because they’ve broken the mold when it comes to changing architectural styles. Traditionally, the dominant architectural style of the time will be the complete opposite of the one that came before it. For example, the simplicity of Craftsman homes is in direct opposition to the over-opulence of the Victorian era that came before it.

However, the same cannot be said for contemporary architecture. In fact, this style borrows a lot from modern design, its predecessor. It borrowed what worked, as you can see from the emphasis on clean, simple lines and a connection to the outdoors, and fixed what didn’t. Contemporary homes are often much warmer in design than modern versions.

This ability to pick and choose characteristics led to a never-before-seen emphasis on individuality. Homeowners were free to design their homes in a way that truly worked for them, architectural conventions aside. It also may be why contemporary design seems to be sticking around for the long haul.

In general, contemporary homes try to bring the interior and exterior together. Image: RW Anderson Homes

Defining features of a contemporary home

Though contemporary design does hold a strong emphasis on individuality, there are a few defining characteristics that tie this style of home together. They are:

Exterior:

An irregular, asymmetrical façade
Strong emphasis on geometric shapes
Large windows
Clerestory windows
Use of recycled building materials
Mixed materials on the exterior (e.g. wood and stone)

Interior:

One to two stories
An open floor plan
Lots of natural light
Use of natural or recycled materials
Green systems for plumbing, heating and air conditioning
A flexible layout suited to meet the family’s needs

The post What Classifies A House Style: What Makes A Contemporary Home? appeared first on Freshome.com.

50 Powder Room Ideas That Transform Your Small Half Bath From Ordinary To Extraordinary

November 20, 2018 by admin

The powder room, also known as a small guest bath or half bath, is usually located near a home or apartment’s entrance and consists of a toilet and sink. Most half bath spaces are small and basic, but they don’t have to be.

If you entertain often, your guests will most likely use your half bath. What does the room say about you? It’s time to transform your half bath from ordinary to extraordinary with our powder room ideas and tips that will make your guests’ visit a swoon-worthy experience.

Use Some Creative Powder Room Ideas To Create A Picture-Worthy Setting

What’s the first thing a first-time visitor will notice when they open the door to your half bath? Make it creative and memorable, like this powder room. The homeowner layered a decorative, antique mirror over the simple wall mirror and included plenty of half bath decor and art to finish the room. Image: Cynthia Driscoll Interiors

First things first. Don’t treat your powder room like an ordinary bathroom. See your half bath as a tiny treasure box waiting to be opened and discovered. And so the first secret to creating a gorgeous space is to consider what guests will see the first time they open the door.

Tip: Open the door to your half bath and visualize what it should ideally look like. Will there be a bold splash of color? Will the vanity and lights be symmetrical and perfectly centered in the door opening? Will the colors and textures draw you in?

Pretend you’re a photographer and snap a photo of your half bath from outside the room with the door open. Then see how you can improve the design for a better photo, like these half bath ideas:

When visualizing what you want your half bath to look like, imagine what guests will see when they open the door. Draw them in by choosing the best and most beautiful elements you can afford. Images: BK Interior Design and Alidad

Half Bath Ideas Featuring Color

Powder rooms are where you “freshen up,” so why not freshen up your half bath by adding an unexpected color like violet? Image: Black Lacquer Design

You’re dealing with a small space, so don’t be afraid to be bold. One of the easiest ways to make a big statement is with a bold color.

Tip: Forget the rule that small spaces should be white or light. Add your favorite color to the walls. Some powder room ideas that add color to your space include:

Painting the entire room in a deep, rich color – ceiling included
Painting the wall behind the vanity in a high-gloss, bold shade
Adding colorful accents like towels and art in bright tones

Here are some powder room ideas featuring color for inspiration:

Primary Color Powder Room Ideas

blue powder room ideas and half bath decor

Blues and indigos are a natural color for a half bath. If choosing rich colors, contrast the tone with a white or light secondary color for the vanity, toilet and towels. Images: Elena Phillips Interiors and Carla Aston

Colored glass and high-gloss finishes add a reflective quality to rich colors and create a vibrant half bath. Images: Weinstein Luxury and Chris Jovanelly

The color lilac is on-trend – and the perfect shade for a dramatic powder room. Images: Carey Karlan and Black Lacquer Design

Black Half Bath Ideas

There’s nothing chicer than a black powder room. If you’re going black, commit 100 percent and include the color on the ceiling and floor. Images: Just Jill Interiors and Cornerstone Architects

Wallpaper Your Powder Room Walls

A high-glam powder room featuring velvet, tufting, marble and a metallic geometric wallpaper. Image: Eurodale

The latest wallpaper designs are a great way to breathe life (and design) into your small powder room. The variety of colors and patterns available can transform your powder room into quite the showcase!

Tip: Choose a vinyl, water-resistant wallpaper, just in case splashing happens. And if you live in a rental, look for removable wallpapers that make it easy to take the wallpaper down without damaging the walls when you move out. You can read more on removable wallpaper here.

Colorful botanical or floral prints are popular choices for a powder room. Images: Together Interiors

The latest removable wallpapers are both water-resistant and easy to take down. Images: F.A.D. Inc. and Kriste Michelini Interiors

Splurge On Stunning Tile

A geometric tile in fashion-forward lilac creates a one-of-a-kind powder room. Image: Complementto Tiles

Tile can be expensive. But if you have a tiny half bath, you don’t need a lot of tile to make a big statement. Go for it – the effect far exceeds the initial cost.

Tip: If you’re going to splurge on tile, choose a tile with a graphic pattern or unique look and use it floor-to-ceiling. If your budget is limited, tile the vanity wall and use a less expensive flooring option, like vinyl adhesive tiles, that look like stone or real tiles.

These powder rooms show unique ways to feature tile. Images: TEC Plumbing & Construction and Risa Boyer

Don’t Settle For Ordinary Powder Room Mirrors

Your half bath square footage is limited, so make every inch count! Powder room mirrors are not only the exclamation point in your half bath’s design, but they also expand a tiny bathroom.

Tip: Don’t shop for a basic mirror. Look for an interesting art frame and add a mirror to one. Or do something unexpected like creating a gallery wall of small mirrors over your vanity. Get creative!

Look for a mirror with unexpected details like a lattice design to the glass or a Moroccan shape, like these dramatic powder room mirrors. Images: MHouse and St. Amand Design

What’s the first thing you notice in these powder rooms? It’s most likely the beautiful, unusual mirrors. Images: Pulltab Designs and Croma Design

Choose Powder Room Lighting That’s Functional And Fashionable

There are several lighting elements in this modern powder room: a wall-washing overhead can, a candle and lighting mounted behind the mirror to cast a glow. Image: Chris Jovanelly

Good lighting can make all the difference in your powder room. Consider the powder room lighting to be the earrings that complete your outfit (or half bath).

Tip: Layer your lighting to include mood lighting and functional lighting. A pendant can create a statement and still light up the room. Wall sconces or candles can add to the ambiance. Consider a brighter, cooler-temperature bulb for your functional lighting and dimmer, warmer bulbs for your ambient lighting.

Architectural wall sconces set the right ambiance in your powder room. Images: Jodie Rosen and Charlie & Co Design

A combination of wall sconces and an overhead pendant create the perfect lighting effect in your half bath. Images: Diel Design and Raegan Ford

Offset The Elements On Your Focal Wall For Visual Interest

Want to do something fresh and modern in your half bath? You can center everything and go for a symmetrical look. Or you can break the rules to add interest by grouping things to one side.

Tip: Some ways you can add visual interest by offsetting the elements in your powder room include:

Mounting the mirror to the left or right of the vanity
Hanging lighting or pendants in a grouping on one side
Grouping accessories on one end or the other

Here are some examples of how you can freshen things up by not centering elements like lighting, accessories and the mirror as expected. Images: Laney and UA Creative

Make The Vanity The Star Of Your Half Bath

The powder room has two main functions: washing up and using the toilet. The vanity, therefore, is very important in your small bathroom. Make it a showstopper.

Tip: Choose a small piece of furniture to repurpose as a vanity. Add a vessel-style sink that sits on top of the piece. Or to save space and go for a contemporary look, mount a floating-ledge counter. Looking for the perfect small bathroom vanity? Check this roundup out, featuring the best small bathroom vanities for sale now.

These geometric vanities create an interesting effect. Although they don’t feature a lot of storage, they do add a clean, minimalist look to your powder room. Images: Amy Emery Designs and Sara Baldwin Design Blog

For a contemporary look to your small half bath, mount a floating-ledge style surface with a vessel sink that sits on the ledge. Images: Zero Energy and VT Constructors

Here are two creative half bath vanity ideas: an antique sewing table and a farmhouse-style basin sink. Images: Int2 Architecture and Aamodt/Plumb

Dress Up Your Half Bath Walls To Add Value

The elegant wall panels, reminiscent of a French drawing room or traditional library, can add a luxurious look to your half bath. Image: Gresinger Construction

A little bit of carpentry can add a high-end, expensive feel to the most basic half bath. If you own your home or apartment, adding wainscoting, paneling or molding to your powder room can increase your home’s property value.

Tip: Mount crown molding or pre-fab wood wall panels to your half bath and paint them in a semi-gloss or eggshell finish for a high-end feel.

Here are some paneling ideas you can incorporate into your powder room design. Images:MHouse Development and Laura Iverson Designs

Small In Space But Grand In Texture Is The Secret To A Stunning Half Bath

The designer sourced an antique Moroccan tile for the powder room. To continue the high-texture and pattern theme, the pendant, mirror, wall art and vanity feature Moroccan design. Image: Imperfect Interiors

Texture adds an air of sophistication to any interior. Texture is also incredibly attractive to most people because of its tactile feeling that draws people closer to touch. Although your powder room is small, layer as much texture as you can to add depth.

Tip: When working with texture, stick to a soft, monochromatic color theme. If you stick with natural colors that are varying shades of the same tone, mixing and matching different patterns and textures will be successful.

Some ways to add more texture into your powder room include natural stone finishes with varying (and imperfect) patterns and surfaces. Images: 2id Interiors and Laura U Interiors

Complete Your Half Bath With Accessories

Here’s a half bath that’s crisp and well-tailored in neutral tones with black and white accessories like hand towels, candles and wall art complete the look. Image: Magleby Construction

Now that you’ve created the coolest powder room ever, it’s time to pull it all together with the perfect accessories. After all, the magic is in the details.

Tip: Some items you may want to add to complete your powder room include:

A wastebasket that coordinates with a soap dispenser, tissue box cover and tray
Wall art
Candles or room diffusers
A vase or decorative vase collection
Towels featuring a unique design detail
Plants or orchids

Check out these half bath decor ideas that complete the space:

Monogrammed towels, flowers and touches of high-polish silver personalize these powder rooms. Images: Traci Zeller and Lucy Interior Design

Add some fragrance to your powder room with reed diffusers and candles. Images: Moodhouse and 2id Interiors

Nix the plain white towels and choose guest towels in fun colors or patterns. Don’t forget to add a bathroom-loving houseplant like an aloe or orchid. Faux silk ones look realistic and will always be in bloom. Images: Mercury Mosaics and Traci Zeller

We hope you’ve found plenty of inspiration in these powder room ideas so you can execute the most memorable half bath ever. Share your transformation with us on our Facebook page!

The post 50 Powder Room Ideas That Transform Your Small Half Bath From Ordinary To Extraordinary appeared first on Freshome.com.