From Small to Spacious

Decorating and furnishing a small apartment or studio can be challenging, but when done correctly your small spaces will look and feel more spacious..

Try these suggestions for creating space.

Furnishings

When selecting furniture for your small space choose smaller pieces that have a more open design.

Example:

A love seat with exposed legs, two small side chairs, and a small round glass top coffee table, would be a better choice than, a large sofa with hidden legs, love seat, and a large solid wood coffee table.

Arrangements and Traffic Flow

When arranging your furniture be aware of traffic patterns, all traffic should flow uninterrupted through your room. In a living room start with the sofa or love seat. When arranging your furniture start with the largest piece on the largest wall and facing your focal point. Then create a conversation area. Place a side chair on each side of the Love seat and place your coffee table where it can be reached from all three sitting places.

Accessories and Patterns

In small spaces be careful not to over use accessories. Remember, less is more if you want to create that open feeling. Mirrors and shiny reflective accessories help create the illusion of more space. Larger patterns should be limited to pillows and smaller accessories rather than a large sofa or love seat.

Color

When choosing color schemes, select soft and monochromatic colors.

Use the same or similar colors for your large pieces of furniture and your walls and keep your ceiling lighter than the rest of the room. See Color and Proportions

Lighting

Use a soft even light and eliminate shadows which tend to slice a room up into smaller spaces. Incandescent lighting will also soften a room. Avoid ceiling lighting this will visually lower your ceiling.

Tips

Keep your apartment simple and clean. If you don't need it throw it out!

Clutter free - Stress-free! Less is more

By Barbara Goodwin

Creating a Mood with Scents

Have you ever noticed how the warm scent of a candle wafting through the air can be uplifting, energizing, or make you cozy? Or maybe there's a certain body spray, soap, or perfume that just keeps you going through the day. Did you wonder why maybe that Key Lime candle smelled yummy but also energized you or even motivated you to clean? Or why that Apple Pie scent really helped you appreciate fall? Wonder no longer, study after study has shown that scents do affect your mood! Take a look below of some scents that can really enhance your moods:

1. Citrus Scent - Energy

Need a pick-me-up? Grab a cup of java and light a citrus candle, citrus scents enhance energy and boost mood; so look for candles with lemon, lime, grapefruit, verbena, or orange scents.

2. Lavender Scent - Relaxation

When it's time to wind down try burning a lavender candle. In studies, lavender has been found to correlate with slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and lower arterial pressure. It has also been found to decrease muscle tension. Other scents that have been found to have relaxing effects are bergamot and sandalwood.

3. Citris, Minty, and Pine Scents - Uplifting, Clean

If you want to create a cheerful, clean environment in your home, choose candles scented with citrus, mint, or pine. Often these scents can be not only uplifting and motivating, but just give that "clean" feel. When you or your guests walk in, these scents will be a fresh breeze to welcome anyone.

4. Jasmine, Gardenia, Sandalwood, and Rose Scents - Romantic

There's romance in the air if you're burning scents such as these. Floral and woody scents give that wistful, romantic feel to a room.

5. Season Enhancing Scents

Delve into the season with your favorite candles scents! Autumn's a great time for burning pumpkin spice candles, as well as other baked good candle scents, as is winter. To create that cozy winter environment, choose cinnamon, apple, berry, and pine candles. Fresh candle scents such as cucumber melon are great for spring, as well as fresh cut grass candles which carry into summer. Nothing says summer like a nice citrus, like a lemonade candle scent drifting through the air.

If you love a certain candle, soap, or body spray - whatever the scent may be - don't do what I too often do, which is save it until that scent runs out! Light it and enjoy, it's sure to affect you in a positive way!

by: Jennifer Hall

Jennifer Hall is the founder and editor of Savvy-Cafe.com, a journal for fun home ideas and an online guide to saving money; and onetimesone.com, an online magazine featuring independent music and film. When she's not online, Jennifer's spending time with her family, gardening, or playing the piano or accordion.

New Renter? Decorate Your New Home on a Budget!

Perhaps you are just starting out in your first apartment rental home, or are starting over again and you don't know how to begin decorating your new place? Here are some easy, inexpensive, landlord friendly ideas for making a space your own!

Choose a feeling you want in your apartment or rental home.

Since apartments and rentals tend to be smaller spaces, choosing a set of feelings as a theme to cover the whole space can both visually enlarge the space, and make the job much less complicated. Want a relaxed, calming atmosphere to unwind in? Choose neutrals or cool colors such as blues and greens. Want to express your colorful personality? Try using bright, energetic color combinations.

If you are in need of furniture, check out yard sales, classified ads, and even thrift shops to save yourself big bucks.

Keep your choices to simple pieces that will blend with any décor, in the case of a move or a change of taste. You can make a simple platform bed with concrete cinder clocks and ¾ inch plywood or mdf board. Futon mattresses are less expensive then regular mattresses, and can offer good firm support.


Add Some Personality.
Now that you have a few pieces of furniture and have chosen your color scheme to represent the feeling of the room, its time to add some personality! Throw pillows and throw blankets add color and charm, warm up the room, and disguise imperfect furniture.

Most renters can't paint the walls, so add color in creative ways.
Pick up a collection of dollar store frames, spray paint them black for sophistication, then frame unusual things such as pretty pieces of fabric, cd covers, soup can labels, or even sheet music! Pick something you love, then display them as a grouping on the wall.

Don't be afraid to paint that old furniture your Aunt Rose gave you.
(Unless its an heirloom, of course!) Anything can be painted these days, even cheap laminate bookcases. Clean the piece well, sand lightly, then prime with a specialty primer such as KILZ Original. Now simply paint the piece with regular semi gloss house paint! You can add stenciling or stamps to give it a custom feel. Paint all the furniture one color to tie it together and make the room seem larger, or feel free to experiment and paint all the dining chairs a different color. (Remember "Friends"?)

Just because it's a rental doesn't mean it can't be home.
Add your own stamp to each and every room giving it personality. Bring out those family photos, use that rug you made in the third grade as a seat cushion, or hang your Grandmothers costume jewelry from your chandelier. Use creativity, and learn to use your home to express yourself.
By Kathy Wilson
Kathy Wilson is the editor of TheBudgetDecorator.com . Visit her site now for thousands of free budget home decorating ideas and to sign up for her free newsletter.

Survey Results Show Consumers Place Importance on Design Themes When Decorating

Style Survey Says ...Are You a Little Bit Country?

- No, this isn't an article chronicling the '70s dynamic duo of Donny and Marie Osmond. Actually, the question, "Are You a Little Bit Country," refers to today's decorating trends. Research conducted by Creative Specialties International, a division of Moen Incorporated; and Rooms of America, a consumer research organization, have found that consumers typically decorate in three primary thematic approaches: country, casual/contemporary and traditional.

Rooms of America surveys thousands of Americans annually to track consumer decorating trends and preferences. Recently, this quantitative research showed that 74 percent of those surveyed believe style is "very important" to "extremely important" in their overall decorating decisions.

In terms of specific style preferences, 38 percent of the population decorates in a casual style, often referred to as contemporary. Following closely behind, 35 percent of consumers choose a traditional style of decorating. Lastly, 27 percent of Americans decorate in a country theme, which includes secondary themes such as Shaker, Country French and Mission.

These decorating styles vary across regional areas, however. For instance, survey results showed that traditional decorating themes are preferred in the Southwestern and Eastern Great Lakes areas of the United States. Those living in the Southeastern and Western states typically choose a more casual style of decorating; and country is more prevalent in pockets of the Northeast and Midwest.

The Person Behind the Style

Now that we know how Americans decorate … let's take a closer look at the person behind the style. What type of individual decorates in a country fashion versus contemporary? Does a certain age dictate a style? Do particular colors influence a decorating trend? Read on to see how the characteristics of decorators have changed over the years.

Rounding up the largest decorating style, consumers who decorate in a casual fashion take their direction from many sources, including the pages of Pottery Barn catalogs or Martha Stewart magazines. Once thought of as a style filled with black plastic chairs and combinations of chrome and glass, this decorating theme now includes clean, simple lines, geometric shapes and neutral colors such as beige, white and gray. Furniture and accessories falling under this style typically include light woods, such as natural maple.

The traditional style of decorating hasn't changed much over the years. Its trademarks still include rich, ornate designs and deep, dark colors -- a classic look that never goes out of style. Jewel tones, such as emerald green, burgundy and navy blue, are very popular, as are ornate detailing in polished brass and gold. Woodwork and furniture in this style is typically made of leather, cherry wood and dark stains.

The country style of today no longer features the '80s look of plaids, ducks and pineapples. Instead, today's "cool" country is very stylish -- a favorite of baby boomers and Generation Xers. The trend here is displayed through a mix of bright colors, such as lime green, bright blue and red, as well as softer tones including some pastels and earth tones. Much of the furniture in this style is sturdy and overstuffed, and features a crackle or distressed painted finish to give it almost an antique, nostalgic style. It's the perfect approach for those seeking a comfortable, "relax and put your feet on the coffee table" feel.

Style in the Bath

Many believe that decorating trends are limited to family rooms, kitchens or dining areas. However, that theory no longer holds true. In fact, the decorating survey found that more than 75 percent of respondents said that decorating themes are "somewhat important" to "extremely important" in their master bath or powder room.

What does that mean to manufacturers of bath-related products? According to Eric Jungbluth, vice president and general manager of Creative Specialties International, a leading manufacturer in the bath accessory marketplace, "Consumer style preferences are our number one consideration when designing new bath accessory collections. We take these survey results seriously and even conduct our own focus groups to further substantiate consumer preferences."

According to the survey, chrome is still the most popular bath accessory finish, but brushed nickel, consumers' second choice, is on the rise. In addition, other finishes, such as oil-rubbed bronze and wrought iron, are also increasing in popularity with consumers. In fact, non-chrome finishes represent almost half of bath accessory sales.

Relying on this extensive research, Creative Specialties International recently introduced four new bath accessory collections designed to reflect the styles used in today's bath. Sold under the Inspirations brand, the Kelse, Vernini, Sienna and Westbury collections each fall into one of the three design categories -- traditional, contemporary/casual or country.

"From a 'retro' style in oil-rubbed bronze to contemporary designs in brushed chrome … dramatic wrought iron finishes and even accessories made of maple and oak, the bath accessories category has really come to life with new and innovative designs," added Jungbluth. "The collections totally complement any bath décor and provide the perfect finishing touch to an overall bath design."

The Finishing Touch

It doesn't matter whether you decorate in a country, contemporary or traditional style, it's the finishing touches that can really make a difference in any décor. For instance, simple bath accessories, such as a stylistic open towel ring or decorative glass shelf, can add a touch of innovative design to a powder room or bathroom.

"Homeowners are starting to realize that bathroom decorating doesn't end with the faucet and showerhead selection - it's really just the beginning," said Jungbluth. "Accessories are now manufactured in so many varieties -- including those that actually match the design and finish of faucets -- that they truly add another dimension to bathroom decorating."

Thinking "out of the box" and using traditional accessories in non-traditional ways can alter the overall feel of a room. Following are a few, simple decorative ideas to use bath accessories as stylish additions to a room, rather than simply as functional pieces.

To add a soothing and intimate glow to a room, try placing small votive candles in existing (or new) soap or tumbler holders. In a larger bath, use tall tapers to complement the smaller candles and add drama to a room.

If counter space is a concern, install a decorative glass shelf on a wall. Its purpose can be more than functional -- place fresh flowers, potpourri, or small photographs on the shelf to add a bit of character to the bath.

Larger photographs, that may not fit on a glass shelf, still can find a "home" in the bath. Experiment by suspending a picture frame with a colorful ribbon, and hang it from a unique robe hook. Try using a frame that matches the accessory style and finish to complete the room's look.

To add color to a room -- throw away the paint brush! Instead, install double towel racks and place a variety of towels on them in different sizes, colors and textures. Many towels are available in whimsical prints and styles to liven up a bath or powder room, and can be changed regularly to create a different décor in a minute.

On a budget? Place fresh flowers in a toothbrush holder to add a bit of color to the bath room. Or, hang decorative robe hooks in a unique pattern on the wall to enhance the character of a room.

Try out ideas and if they don't work, try again. That's half the fun."

For more information on bath style trends, or accessory products available from Creative Specialties International, write 25300 Al Moen Drive, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070-8022, call toll free (800) 321-8809, or visit their Web site at www.moen.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Basic Home Decorating - A Balanced Approach

Decorating a home is about finding a comfortable balance between the different furnishings in the space. This balance is achieved by placing objects with varying characteristics in places where they compliment one another. The idea is to create relationships between your possessions, in order to develop a whole which is more impressive than the sum of its parts.

Scale

Scale refers to the size of architectural features and furnishings within a space. With scale, finding a balance is particularly important, as otherwise you will get a room that feels chaotic, and looks peculiar.

Large rooms should generally be furnished by larger items. Tall armoires, high backed sofas, and shelves that reach towards the sky are all different objects you can use to put a larger room into perspective. If you have a smaller space, create the illusion of height with shorter possessions.

Scale is also about creating a room that matches your own size. If you are a tall person, you will want possessions which don’t make you feel like you are living in a doll house. If you are petite, you don’t want the room to tower over you. If you are a large person living with someone who is tiny, you will have to balance big and small furnishings as if they were on a see saw, to create a space which is not only scaled to match you both, but which also has an inherent harmony to it.

Contrast

Controlling contrast is a relatively difficult balancing act when decorating a room. It is like trying to tame fire, it can be very useful, but if it gets out of control it can destroy the whole design.

Contrast is red napkins on a white tablecloth. It is a green wall clock on a stark black wall. Contrast makes the design interesting, adding an exciting power to the ambience of a space

However, using too much contrast can create a room which is muddied and chaotic. People will feel agitated in the space, and their thoughts will become disordered. It can even make the room irritating to be in.

You have to try and find ways to create contrast, without overwhelming the space. Try using tiny accents throughout the room, so that the overall order of the space can tone down the bright colors in small places.

Alternatively you can use a single bold contrast, such as a bright yellow pillow, or a pair of luxuriously red curtains, to create a focal point which will give the room an inherent premise.

Rhythm

Rhythm is the art of creating a theme throughout a space. The theme does not necessarily have to be overt, such as animal prints, or historical geography, it can be as subtle as a color, or series of contrasts, or even a series of patterns which are all reminiscent of one another. When you are able to create rhythm in a room you can bring the entire space together, giving it a single purpose, and a unified artistic vision.

These are just a few of the considerations that professionals decorators bear in mind when creating beautiful and comfortable interiors. While the art of creating a space is much more complex than these concepts, they can help to keep you grounded and give you direction when creating your home.

Article provided courtesy of http://PebbleZ.com

Me and My House Interior Design: Let's Talk Design

Me and My House Interior Design: Let's Talk Design

The Influence of the Colors

Sir Isaac Newton developed the first circular diagram of colors in 1666. Since then, scientists and artists have studied modern color theory, amassing a vast collection of rules and formulas. So, what do those rules and formulas have to do with making a small room seem larger? It's all about optical illusion; one of color theory's clever mysteries. With a few basic principles, you can improve that small space that always seems too packed, even when it's tidy and in order. Color enthusiasts have known for ages that colors create optical illusions, but it wasn't until modern times that these effects were mapped out and documented in a scientific manner. Here is an example: if you place two squares - identical, except for the

fact that one square is black and the other is white - side by side, the black square will appear to be smaller than the white square. Now, take this concept of the squares into a living space. If a lighter color makes something seem larger than it is, a room can be "opened up" by painting the walls white, or beige. This works the same way with other colors of a light tint; a room with powder blue walls will seem larger than a room with navy blue walls. A single color will create an optical illusion on it's own, but the human eye barely notices this until it can compare that color with another. Use two colors together to enhance the illusion that you want to create. A low ceiling - or any ceiling, for that matter - will seem to open up if you paint it a color lighter than the walls. The ceiling can be painted a lighter version of the same color that you used for the walls (this will create color harmony), or you can use any contrasting combination that you like, as long as the walls are darkest in comparison. So what about furniture, and how will it's color affect the perceived size of your space? A color theory mantra is that warm colors advance, and cool colors recede. Warm colors, like red, brown, and orange will warm up the room. They are typical for the Tuscan style interior design…. The monochromatic furniture and accessories are inherent to the very slick modern design. All though the burgundy and purple colors with golden accessories are an inheritance from the Royal period and they are identified with luxuries and wealth. The green color has a calming influence. A green plant existence in the room is a must in order the coziness to be created. Although, the American design society, plead restraint of much greenery in the commercial interiors in 2009. In conclusion- optical illusion in color theory is a about how colors effect other colors; and how they affect our mood, therefore – efficiency…. and there is where the interior decorator is most needed!

Let's Talk Design

Me & My House

Interior Design

Why choose Me and My House Design? Because we do believe that even small changes in your interior environment will lead to significant changes in your life! Because designing your residential or commercial space is not just another job to us, it is YOU - so specific, so unique..... Design is our passion, our talent our mission! Every place has its own character and our goal is to accentuate the space through style, color, furniture and accessories. The love of beauty is taste, the creation of beauty is art!

The designing process is a mix of fun, responsibility, trust, and an enormous dose of patience while dealing with all unexpected occurrences. And here is a brief description of the process:

• Initial interview (free of charge). At this very first point we will gather important preliminary information regarding the style of your home or business, and how the design can suite your personality and your way of living. Based on that we will create your design.
• My style of design is different than your traditional designer. It is very hands on for the client. I believe that designing your space is a team effort, I work with local suppliers to help our local economy. I would select the materials for your project at these suppliers. We would then go to the supply house to go over these selections.
  
• If you would like a sample board there is an extra fee. The board would have:
• Samples of fabrics, pictures of the accessories, furniture, paint colors, rugs, etc. We will present a financial estimate as well. At this stage the client has the opportunity to decide if I am the designer for you.
• At the next meeting we will set up the time frame, and we will discuss the details of the project. I bill four different ways depending on each project.
• Hourly fee – calculated by the amount of time that is spent on your project.
• Flat fee - This can include color selection, design concepts, or shopping trips.
• Percentage based fee – a percentage of the total project cost depending on the size of project.
• Square footage fee – this applies to new construction or additions.
• I will maintain a tight control on the budget, organize dealing with contractors, furniture delivery, shopping, and oversight of the project.

With Me and My House Design you will experience a stress free, enjoyable, and satisfying residential or commercial interior design process!