Archive for April 2011

Coordinating window treatments to the nature of your space
Interior design expert Sue Rainville shared some of her insight when choosing window coverings, and color should be one of the main determining factors, according to the Abbotsford Mission Times.

A splash of color and well-organized storage brightens a laundry room
Laundry rooms aren't usually high on the list of decorating projects. But making it attractive as well as organized may be the enticement a homeowner needs to get laundry duties done.

Faux wood blinds are a versatile choice for an updated bedroom
Home decorators looking for a way to spruce up their bedroom can take a hint from the "bed in a box" sets that have become popular in home goods shops.

Home wall galleries becoming a popular decorating trend
Home decorators can be as creative as they choose when designing a wall gallery that reflects their personal interests and captures special memories.

Glass and mirrors give kitchens an open, expansive look
Glass and mirrors offer homeowners an easy way to give the illusion of more space in a small kitchen.

Dark hues are wonderful options for home offices
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the shade works best when combined with varying shades of the same color, and could be a savvy option for home offices.

A few white accents is a charming backdrop for spring styles
According to The Columbian, a few white candle holders, window treatments and some spring slipcovers will provide a stunning backdrop for your spring styles.

Woven shades help create the first impression of a well-designed entrance
Whether a door opens into a tiny vestibule or a spacious foyer, the entryway to a home is the equivalent of a person making a first impression.

A faux headboard can be a bedroom focal point offset by simple soft sheer shades
Creating an alternative to a traditional headboard is a space-saving way to give a bedroom a unique look.

Roman shades provide an attractive window covering for a reading nook
A reading nook for lazy weekend afternoons and relaxing before-bed reads can be set up in the corner of a room with a minimum of fuss.

Light-blocking window shades are one way to treat sleeplessness shown in study
People who have trouble getting to sleep, or staying asleep without tossing and turning, may benefit from neuroscience research under way at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

Make the best use of light in your business' waiting room
This is a cost-effective way to improve your business' aesthetic and will provide superior light-filtering ability to cut down on glare.

Renew the look of your home to reduce allergens
Your home should be a sanctuary from the pollen outside, and one way to counteract this is by changing your window treatments to solid or fabric designs, according to TheSpectrum.com.

Variety of window treatments with a valance create a focal point in an apartment
Apartment dwellers often feel confined by the neutral colors on walls, floors and tiling in their rented homes, but it doesn't have to be that way, according to HGTV.com.

Choosing window treatments for the modern kitchen
Kitchen interior design has shifted away from the wood cabinets and linoleum floors of the past to feature sleek lines, dark hues and stainless steel appliances.

Jazzing up your small apartment
However, there are still some easy cost-effective improvements, to make your small apartment feel a lot more like home, according to ReporterNews.com.

Going green just in time for spring
One of the most cost-effective means of improving your home will come in the form of window blinds and shades.

Sloping walls place emphasis on window treatments as a focal point
Having steep slopes in a home's architecture inevitably leads to nooks and crannies created by sloping interior walls that can be a challenge to home decorators.

Furniture choice and sheer window treatments open up small bedroom
Giving the illusion of more space in a small bedroom can be deceptively easy for home decorators who try some new tactics when choosing their furniture.

Kitchen makeovers can have a stylish look without breaking the bank
Homeowners often find the price tag of a full-scale kitchen renovation reason enough not to do a makeover. But there are small changes that can be made that give a tired kitchen a facelift without the cost of a renovation.

Whether formal or informal, mantel décorations need a balanced look
There was a time when a painting was hung above the fireplace and the mantel was kept bare so it wouldn't detract from the art.

Window treatments for small spaces
Luckily, window blinds and shades are cost-effective options that will instantly spruce up your space.

The perfect window treatments for screened-in porches
Using some durable window treatments in this space will spruce up the look of your porch.

Finished basements offer expanded space and added value for a home
When a family outgrows its home above ground, it's time to look below to design more living space in the basement.

The right window treatments for sunrooms
The best layout is to use window treatments that allow light to filter in and form a tight seal during the winter time, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Cost-effective spring improvements that will spruce up your household
Window blinds and shades, draperies and even a fresh coat of paint will improve your home without hurting your wallet.

Fabric roller shades complement ensembles that include decorative throws
Decorative throws have become a staple in home decorating ensembles as well as serving a function as a quick cover in a chilly room.

Custom drapery blends well in a room with different fabrics
Using three types of fabric in a room's design instead of just one solid and one print can add not only variety in color and pattern, but also in the scale and texture of the décor.

Decorating in small spaces means weighing your choices carefully
Interior designer Tessa Roulston has decorated her fair share of small apartments and she believes that the best way to create a homey space is to blur the line between where the home begins and ends, according to the Melbourne Leader.

Increase your home's energy-efficiency for Earth Day
Improving your home's energy-efficiency may seem like a daunting task, but with today's window treatments, you can cut down on your utility bills and improve the look of your home for very little money.

Incorporating natural materials into your interior design
Kristin Drohan is one of American's top interior designers, and she recently told the news outlet that incorporating eco-friendly materials into her client's homes is the best way to create a healthy home.

Make window treatments a major part of your spring cleaning
Make the effort to clean your window treatments this spring, or install some new fabric shades instead, according to NorthJersey.com.

Choosing window treatments with dark furnishings
One of the easiest ways to perk up your living area is to add some medium or light-colored window treatments to accent your furniture, according to The Kansas City Star.

Making visitors welcome includes furnishings that will keep them comfortable
With the onset of spring, families start getting ready for visitors and family reunions that aren't as easy to accomplish when snowstorms and blustery weather threaten to interrupt get-togethers.

Visualizing your space before taking action
She recently interviewed with The Mississippi Press to share her designing process of visualizing the space before her, and choosing the perfect decorative accents to pull it all together.

Rules you don't want to break when choosing window treatments
Interior design expert Sue Rainville recently interviewed with the Caledon Citizen to help homeowners choose the perfect window treatments for their home.

Colonial era paint choices still work in modern-day home decorating
Modern home decorators can take a cue from the American colonial era when distinct styles of design emerged and continue to this day.

Kitchen 'command center' helps keep non-kitchen duties in order
St. Petersburg kitchen and bath designer Paul Anater warns his clients not to build a kitchen desk, because too often they become an unused repository for junk. But he acknowledges the need for a place to get non-kitchen duties done in the room most people consider the heart of the household.

Lend some beauty to your bathroom with contemporary window treatments
Bathrooms are normally the first places where renovations take place, and window blinds and shades are cost-effective ways to renew the look of the spaces in your home that get the most use.

Slipcovers can unify furnishings and change the seasonal look of a home
Long viewed as part of an easy room makeover, slipcovers offer home decorators a way to unify furniture that is mismatched in color and style.

A winning interior design is all in the planning
It's also important to go into a design project with a clear idea of your room's layout, and personalize your space from there.

Cottage decorating is an eclectic style that combines what homeowners love best
Being eclectic is the heart of cottage-style decorating, in which a variety of furnishings can reflect what homeowners love best.

Pleated shades provide privacy needed as part of half-bath decor
For homeowners who are looking for a way to make their half-baths look less cramped, some decorating tips can help give the illusion of more space in those tight quarters.

Faux wood blinds are durable choice for your home
Faux wood blinds are a popular choice for interior designers, as they lose the drawbacks of real wood while keeping its visual brilliance.

Let your design choices shine with bold colors
Topper uses a multitude of different schemes, but she believes that pairing neutral colors with bold hues is a wonderful way to open up a space.

Ottomans and occasional tables offer seating and storage in living room
Comfortable seating may be the most important element within a living room or family room, but having the right tables and other surfaces play an important role in the function of any gathering place.

Roman shades have a classic look that upgrades the look of an apartment
No matter how small their apartments, renters should take their decorating lead from people who have much larger dwellings. Flea market furnishings are fine as long as there is some unity throughout the apartment that's often found as rooms flow from one to another in a well-designed house.

Choosing the perfect color for your window treatments
Interior designer Elizabeth Hassé recently gave journalists from the Montreal Gazette a tour of a private showroom open to design professionals only to show some of her tricks of the trade.

Dos and don't when considering window treatments
Interior designer Barbra Yaffe has been designing living spaces for over 15 years, and recently shared some tips with the Montreal Gazette to make your living room beautiful.

Attic renovations are increasingly done to extend a home's livable space
A recent survey by the Home Improvement Research Institute found that one out of five homeowners polled said they were planning to renovate their attics into livable space in the near future.

Custom blinds are well-suited to the geometric style of Art Deco
A decorating style that began in the 1920s is well-suited to today's homes, because it includes many of the sought-after materials that homeowners want most for a streamlined decor.

Window treatments can minimize eye problems related to computer glare
Dry or sore eyes, headaches, blurred vision - all are symptoms that can affect both children and adults who spend long periods on a computer.

Show off natural materials in your living space
Blurring the line between indoors and outdoors is a common style choice for interior designers by using natural accents and warm colors to create a welcoming living space.

Simple decorative accents to get your home ready for spring
There are some cost-effective ways to spruce up your living room to ensure that your guests will be impressed at your next get-together, according to The Morning Call.

Fabric roller shades in gray can offset or complement other room colors
Home decorators who want to integrate gray tones in their homes don't have to give up their love of warm colors.

Home office needs clutter-free, functional floor plan to enhance productivity
Portland, Oregon interior designer Angela Todd believes that the design of a home office can have an effect on the productivity, creativity and energy level of those who use it.

White blinds offer a sleek look for spring
White blinds could be a wonderful choice if you're looking to remodel your living room or kitchen, and their reflective qualities will enhance your usage of natural light, according to The San Fernando Valley Sun.

Get rid of those tired window treatments with warm spring styles
Spring interior design trends are usually those that make great use of natural light and tend to lean towards bold, vibrant colors.

Fabric window treatments can add textured patterns to your living room
Fabric wallpaper and window treatments are an easy way to add texture to a space and the wide range of color possibilities will ensure your space is truly personalized, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Skylight window treatments can be controlled by remote or electric switch
Consumers have a choice of window coverings that are well-suited to skylights, but for the ease of adjusting the amount of sun that enters a room, a motorized window shade or blind can manage both light and window drafts.

White is a wonderful way to decorate for spring
Replacing the dark neutrals will work wonders to open up your home, according to the Northwest Herald.

Choosing the perfect window treatments in the kitchen
If you've caught the spring fever for home remodeling, one of the first places you should put your time and energy into improving is your kitchen.

Window treatments can offset cabinetry in kitchen decor
Setting up different "zones" within a kitchen can provide defined spaces for cooking activities, conversation spots or a place for bill-paying and homework.

Cellular shades can block sunlight from damaging a book collection
Creating a book lovers' haven in a den or in part of the family room can also provide an opportunity to organize the family's book collection.

Be adventurous with your window treatments
Window treatments are one of the most cost-effective options available when redesigning a home.

Wood accents add warmth and personality to bathrooms
Whether you choose a wicker basket or some quality wood blinds, the style is the easiest and most cost-effective way to modernize your bathroom.

Small changes can revamp an outdated bathroom at little cost
A bathroom renovation can cost thousands of dollars, but homeowners can take an alternate, less costly route to revamping an outdated bathroom. Changing cabinetry hardware, adding open shelves and refinishing an old vanity are some easy, low-cost ways to update a bathroom.

Increase your energy efficiency with greenhouse shades
The addition of cell shades or shutters will help to cut down on utility costs to make the space more functional.

A sense of balance is essential for interior decorating
For bedrooms in particular, choosing the right wall color and creatively using window treatments is essential to having a room you can live with for years to come, according to Silentnight.co.uk.

Movement to open design offices requires more control of light and sound
Open design in offices is a resourceful way of allocating space in a workplace. It often saves money for a business by fitting more people into less space and saves energy by allowing natural light to stream throughout the work areas.

Eco-friendly window treatments are in line with Feng Shui principles
The principle behind the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui is to enhance energy in one's home that is beneficial to health, prosperity and relationships.