No matter what kind of home you live in – traditional, Craftsman, a tiny house, modular, prefab – it doesn’t matter, we all want to bring the outside in. Whether you add indoor plants, weekly floral bouquets, or an indoor herb garden, bringing Nature inside warms your home and adds pops of color. Skylights do the same thing with the added advantage of adding window light and also saving you much needed energy. Just imagine taking a bath or shower in moonlight, or having your morning coffee in a beautiful sunrise. You can do all this indoors with added skylights.
Adding skylights also saves you energy. Using natural light cuts your energy costs, and adds to your overall energy efficiency. Also with an electric venting skylight you can create what is known as a “passive air conditioner” and keep your home cool during the hot summer months.
It seems that homes are being built more close together these days, and in rooms where there may not be a window, you can use a skylight to bring in natural light while still maintaining your privacy. Many bathrooms are built now with interior walls and no windows, so adding a skylight provides much needed light without compromising privacy.
It is quite liberating to keep off your electric lights because you have skylights in your hallway or kitchen. Even on cloudy days, the amount of energy you save with a skylight can be very considerable. And you can be outside while remaining safely inside on rainy days. Natural light illuminates even in inclement weather. There is nothing as lovely as feeling like you are outside when you must be indoors.
So adding skylights to your home can do double duty – you increase access to natural light while also saving energy. You can be part of the solution to increasing energy efficiency on the planet. So don’t add more windows. Add some skylights!
So you think you’re not an artist, eh? Well, the truth is that everyone – absolutely everyone – is creative, with a streak of the artiste inside. All you need is a bit of inspiration, and an idea for a project. And what better idea is there than to create some color and beauty for your home? Mobiles are the stuff of upscale museums and they are just the thing for a wonderful and simple DIY project for you, and the whole family. They take no special skill set, and very little time to complete, and I will bet you that once you get started, you will inspire yourself and many more ideas for artistic projects will come to you. And as far as being cost-effective, you can’t beat them. You can create these hanging mobiles out of common household objects and not spend a dime. Or you can go to a craft store and let that help inspire you.
My roommate and I once made one of these types of mobiles with tiny Christmas decorations and hung them from a wire hanger. We hung it in our den and it brought such a wonderful sparkle to the room and everyone who visited commented on it. It also took us less than 2 hours to complete! And anything goes with creating a hanging mobile. You can use colored art paper, even newspaper, small stuffed animals, fake flowers and greenery, shells, cutlery (which can also act as wind chimes if hung near an open window) , or you may want to create you very own sculpture with pipe cleaners and hang that. The sky is the limit! If you happen to be into doing origami you can make some birds or fun geometrical shapes and hang them.
And what to hang them from? Hangers are an easy solution. Thin flat pieces of wood or tree branches for a bit of rustic interest which you will need to drill holes in are also another option. There is always twisted jewelry wire, which comes in a wide variety of colors and thicknesses. Jewelry wire could also be the mobile itself if you choose. The possibilities are quite literally endless. And once you get started on your artistic journey, many more options will present themselves.
The examples here are meant to excite and inspire you. So get rid of the notion that you aren’t the “creative sort”! Of course you are! Each of us is. Just give it a try. I promise you will amaze yourself. And voila! You are an artist!!!
Check out the gallery of photos below (all images on our site are expandable, even the featured image at the top).
When we decorate and accessorize our homes there are certain areas that immediately come to mind: tables, mantles, the four walls, counters, furniture, and the floor. But what about your ceilings? They are too often overlooked as just necessary space and not given the attention they deserve. Trending for Fall in 2017 is creating interest on your ceilings. And when I say interest, I don’t just mean using a fun color paint, although that is certainly one of the ways to decorate ceilings and a very popular option. But many people put on their creative hats and really go at it. Famous paintings are being recreated, people who can draw are quite literally stretching their art on their ceilings. People are using tiles made of different materials like tin and Styrofoam, medallions, decals, stencils, and found objects. Ceilings are even becoming sculptural.
Anything goes when it comes to decorating your ceilings. Ceilings have become a new accessory in many otherwise neutral rooms. A fifth wall to put that splash of color, interesting textures, and a wide variety of designs. For a long time the bedroom was the only room in a home where the ceiling got attention. But now any room’s ceiling has possibilities. Even the ceilings in your basic white hallway are getting design and color and texture. The featured image with the different license plates is a very fun and unique way to bring interest to a ceiling, and whoever thought of it was definitely thinking outside the box.
Decorating your ceiling can be a great way to spend the weekend, and use your imagination and creative self. And it doesn’t have to be an expensive project. This can be your way of customizing your home even more and a wonderful expression of who you are. Leaving your own personal stamp on your home speaks volumes about your sense of humor, your sense of style, and your taste. Don’t neglect your fifth wall. It cries out for your attention.
All the images in this article, including the featured image are courtesy of Pinterest, as is the source material. The images can be enlarged on the website.
Nature is something most people get a great deal of joy from, and bringing the outside inside is also something that most people strive to do in their homes. Whether you prefer to have lots of plants, to grow an herb garden, or use natural fibers and materials in your home’s decor, there are many ways you can create interesting textures, shapes and colors bringing nature in. Wood is one of the most frequently used materials to warm interior design and the majestic tables seen below are a perfect example of that.
These unadulterated pieces of furniture are really pieces of art as well and things to be experienced as well as seen and talked about.
You might want to use one of these beauties as the focal point of a room and design the rest of the room’s decor around it. They are big statements for sure, and you must compliment the rest of your furniture with a piece like this.
Check out the gallery of photos below (all images on our site are expandable, even the featured image at the top).
The chair has always been a centerpiece of a classically styled living room, and even modernists have worshiped the chair as a must-have piece of furniture and conversation piece. A great chair has a few things going for it; it’s sturdy, durable, well-constructed mostly by hand, and most importantly, beautiful. Here are seven chairs that represent all those qualities and more, for they also will stand the test of time when it comes to style.
1. The Classic Chaise Lounge
The chaise lounge has become a staple in traditional and luxurious homes. It has become so popular that you may even find a cheaper, less durable version in a dorm room. However, the chaise lounge we love so dearly is made from beautiful and plush fabrics and are really used to lay your troubles down at the end of a busy socialite’s day. We introduce you to the perfect red chaise lounge.
2. The True Arm Chair
We have been trained in the past few decades to call just about any chair that sits in the living room, an arm chair. But the original arm chair was always made of the finest wood, sometimes maple wood, and upholstered meticulously, as is this pink arm chair we share with you today. It will never go our of style and you can pass it down to your grandchildren. The pink gives it a modern swing.
3. The Eames Chair
No list would be complete without showcasing the Eames chair. Eames chairs were first popular in the 1950’s and were staples in the hills of Hollywood if you visited a star’s home. Anyone who considered themselves to be someone special had an Eames chair, and there may not be Eames all over Hollywood homes anymore but it is still a prize to own this remarkable piece of furniture for nostalgia’s sake.
4, The Black Leather Chair
Any chair done in black leather is hard to resist. It’s like women resisting James Dean in his heyday. Black leather is just about the coolest chair you can have in your home. It’s super stylish, and also never goes out of style. It may not be known for comfort, as leather tends to be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but all chairs are meant for sitting, some are just meant for envy.
5. The Minimalist Chair
For all you minimalist and modernists out there, this sleek and slim chair is a must for any dining room. This chair will be a great complement to a home that is decorated in minimalist furniture. An NYC or London apartment would be the outstanding background for this beautifully constructed chair.
6. The Scandinavian Chair
Scandinavian design is well recognized throughout the world, especially when it comes to their design aesthetic. This aubergine/eggplant colored chair reminds of us a luxury beanbag chair for those who were around in the 70s. However, the construction and detail within the design are just perfect. A beanbag chair may last you a semester, while this chair will last a lifetime; perfect for that luxurious family room.
7. The Swivel Office Chair
This is no office chair you will get as an associate unless you may be an associate at Apple or IBM. The CEO will definitely be the one swiveling around from you to the window, in this amazing leather swivel chair. Made with the colors of gorgeous and rich deep burgundy and tan, this chair speaks of importance and is made for two people; one who rules and one who is happy thinking that he rules.
Often, decorating a new home can be daunting. An empty space is like an artist with a blank canvas, sometimes it’s a bit scary. You always feel as though you will make a mistake that you can’t correct, and actually this is not true. With a few tried and true methods of decorating, you can have a home that you will enjoy walking into. Candles are one simple way to decorate a home and make it feel welcoming. A lot of designers and home stagers who decorate houses for sale, use candles to create an atmosphere for a potential buyer.
Here are 7 ways you can decorate your home with candles that will give it that ambiance you’ve been seeking:
1. Food Scented Candles for the Kitchen
It’s very homey to walk into an apple pie scented kitchen or one smelling like blueberry muffins. There are so many candles that smell like desserts these days, choosing is endless. One of the most inviting scents is cinnamon or cinnamon bun. In research it has been said that cinnamon bun attracts people to other people. So even if you’re not looking for a date, cinnamon is a great candle scent to choose.
2. Vanilla Candles are a Go-To
If you are not really fond of strong scents, vanilla is a nice way to go when decorating with scented candles. It is a delicious scent that is also very mild and familiar and won’t take over your senses. Vanilla candles can complement any home in the room. So they are not just perfect for the kitchen and dining areas but for any room in the house.
3. Pillar Candles for Fireplaces and Bookshelves
Pillar candles, scented or unscented, bring a majesty to a room no matter where you choose to place them, but they are particularly beautiful on top of tall bookshelves and over fireplaces and mantel pieces. Normally they come with stands that give some of them, a real vintage or antique quality. They are perfect for the center of the dining room table as well.
4. Candles for the Bedroom
Choosing candles for the bedroom can be a lot of fun. You can choose romantic candles like red tea lights or heart shapes and place them at your bedside or on a dresser, or you can choose candles that promote a restful sleep, such as lavender. Lavender, Vetiver, Chamomile, are just three scents that are proven to relax you and get you ready for a good night’s rest.
Warning: As with every room in the home, but particularly, the bedroom, don’t ever fall asleep while a candle is lit. When you feel yourself getting drowsy, immediately, blow all candles out before officially going to bed. Also, many candles, like lavender, are so heavily scented, they don’t even need to be lit. You can simply enjoy the effects of the aroma.
5. Using Candles in Wall Sconces
Wall sconces add a magic to your home that is quite enjoyable and welcoming. You can find wall sconces in many different styles, such as, modern, minimalist, antique and vintage. It is up to you what you like and what actually complements the rest of the decor. Again, these candles should not be left unattended for long periods of time or simply use them for decoration without lighting them. This is very common.
6. Electric Candles
There are many styles of electric candles out there today at your favorite home store or online. Electric candles are great for safety and homes where there are small kids. You can still enjoy a beautifully lit room with an electric candle just as you can with candles that require lighting, and you don’t have to worry about blowing them out.
7. Outdoor Candles
Candles, whether electric or real, look amazing lining a walkway to your front door. You can also use candles to decorate your outdoor furniture. Why not place one in the center of your outdoor dining table. Tea lights, the smaller candles, can be randomly placed around a pool area for a cocktail party or family gathering at night. Pillar candles that have tall bases look wonderful as well along a walkway path or surrounding the pool.
Home owners can feel trapped into decorating their barn style homes a certain way. Just because it’s a barn house doesn’t mean that all furnishings must be traditional or southwestern. Your barn style house can be decorated in a way that is uniquely you, whether it be traditional, country, or modern minimalist.
The coffee table is the centerpiece of the living room area and can be a conversation starter if it’s style is unique enough. With a barn home you don’t have to limit yourself, you can compliment the traditional style or design through contrast, where you choose pieces of furniture that are the opposite of what is expected.
Here are some examples of coffee tables that go with the flow and traditional style of a barn style home:
Now here are some examples of more modern coffee table styles that will still compliment a barn style home:
The main difference between these more traditional coffee tables and the 2nd tier of tables, is that the second set of coffee tables are simply a bit more sleek and they play around with materials and angles, and also cultures, as the tables are lower to the ground, more Japanese style coffee tables.
The interior of a barn house can be decorated with furniture from many different cultures that will honor the dwellers, more so than honoring a tradition that the homeowner may not connect with. Everything from Asian to Hispanic can compliment a barn style house, you must simply choose the furniture you love and try it out inside the home. You may find modern minimalist may be your style and that it compliments the wood and moldings inside your home just beautifully.
When in doubt, try a glass coffee table, then you can decorate the coffee table with traditional and/or modern ornaments.
Here are some examples of glass coffee tables that can compliment a barn style house if decorated with the right accessories:
These three coffee tables are glass, which does give them a modern flair but their designs are incredibly versatile. The key is to find glass coffee tables that are more minimal and spare underneath, so that the glass stands out the most. But if you’re not afraid to be modern inside of your barn style home then go for it and choose the most modern table you can find. As long as you and your family enjoy it, that’s all that truly counts.
Your kitchen is the hub and main gathering place of your home. And counter tops are a major factor in deciding on the color palette of that room. So the choice of your counter tops is a very important way to enhance your personal style. With so many options around, choosing your counter tops can be very confusing. Here is a list of 6 types of counter tops that are the most popular among homeowners.
Soapstone
Image: Premier Surfaces
Soapstone is a wonderful, choice for a busy kitchen. Durable, stain and bacteria resistant, it can withstand a lot of use while keeping your counter tops germ-free. At $80-$100 per square foot it may seem like a bit on the pricey side, but it a real investment in your home’s overall value.
Granite
Image: granitecountertops.net
Granite is a real go-to option because of its versatility, durability, wide variety of grains and colors. If it is well sealed it is more durable than most other surfaces. It can be very cost-efficient running as low as $50 per square foot, but the price can go up depending on how customized the stone is.
Quartz
Image: mikeguss.com
If your home is very customized, quarts may be just for you. It comes in almost every hue imaginable, and is engineered of quartz, resins and color pigments. Non-porous, and great if your home is “green”, quartz counter tops come at a price though. They can run anywhere from $95-$105 per square foot.
Concrete
Image: Abington Concrete
Concrete may not be as cost-effective as other surfaces but it is very easily customized to your specifications. Different, colors, textures and stains, can make this surface your own very easily, and properly sealed this might be worth the investment. It can cost from $100-$150.
Laminate
Image: Classic Cabinets and Interiors
Laminate is a very popular alternative for many who swear by it. It can simulate many more expensive surfaces, and with a price tag of $8-$20 per square foot it seems very cost-effective. But it is not a very durable surface so it would not be recommended for very busy cooks and heavily trafficked kitchens.
Marble
Image: MSI Stone
Not being the most durable counter top surface, marble is still considered the surface to choose. It develops a brilliant patina as it’s used, and comes in a wide variety of designs on its surface. The other down side is that marble can scratch and stain more than other stones. At a cost of $70-$100, it is a classic choice for many.
A bed frame has always been staple furniture for bedrooms. However, a no-frame bed is also a good idea with just a touch of style and creativity. This is a minimalist approach in decorating a bedroom which is modern, simple and relaxed.
With the right concept and placement, a no-frame bed can actually be very comfortable, homey and creative. It does not require additional furniture yet can equally be decorated in a lot of ways. The mattress can be placed in a slightly elevated platform, or beside a window with a picturesque view of the outdoors, or against a wall with a headboard fixture, or even in a closet type compartment for added privacy. The ideas are endless and just as wonderful as having a standard bedroom concept.
For people who want less bulky furniture in their home as well as for those who prefer a minimalistic approach in decorating a bedroom, placing the mattress on the floor directly or with a flat base can be an excellent idea.
Our homes are our havens. They are where we come at the end of the day to breathe a sigh of relief, unwind, and renew ourselves for tomorrow. It doesn’t matter what type of home you live in. Whether it’s a tiny house, an apartment, a modular home or something more traditional, your home is indeed “where the heart is”. So it stands to reason that we want our homes be inviting and the types of dwellings you look forward to seeing at the end of the day.
It doesn’t matter if the style of your home is modern or shabby chic; there are certain things that are common for all home owners. Using natural materials is one of those things. Bringing the outside in is another. No matter how you decide to achieve these effects, having them in your home creates interest, splashes of color, and varying textures. Using stone inside your home is becoming more and more popular and the artistic affect of stone, the sculptural qualities of stone, can be unique to you and your sense of style.
Having a stacked stone wall in your home breaks up the monotony of the usual wall. It is a creative way to provide something tactile, textural, and colorful. In a modern home, stone walls introduce a warming element that creates interest and curves instead of just lines. In more traditional styled homes, stacked stone brings the warm and inviting elements to their fullness by bringing the outside in. If your interior design is basically neutral tones, stone can offer bits of color and patterns on your wall.
You can use the effect of a stacked stone wall in any room in your home. Hallways, living rooms, bedrooms, even bathrooms can be enriched with stone. And stone can be used architecturally to separate areas of your house. So put your artist’s hat on and get creative when you design your home’s interior. The wide variety of stone available ensures that you will absolutely find one that appeals to your sense of style and compliments the rest of your interior design. The pictures here are intended to inspire and excite you, and to give you some creative ideas.
Check out the gallery of photos below (all images on our site are expandable, even the featured image at the top).
How many of you have looked into these Quonset building kit homes? First thing you might notice is that there are a couple of standard types, based mostly on the roof. These are P and S styles. According to SteelMaster, “Quonset homes are becoming more and more popular with the DIY crowd; they can be […]
Barns are becoming increasingly popular. They are no longer just used for housing farm animals. It is not uncommon to see renovated barns used as event venues or gallery space. What is it about barns that has everyone raving? The rustic charm of a country barn is undeniable. To many it may feel a lot […]
Prefab houses, modular houses, and tiny houses. Why not combine these housing options into a small shelter? This is a real game changer. IKEA unveiled a solar-powered flat pack shelter for easily deployable emergency housing. That’s the target, but these tiny prefab homes, designed to be mass produced, could also serve as inexpensive home options for […]
A prefab house already being sold for little more than $1000? Yes, it’s possible, as Swedish ready-to-assemble company IKEA has now proven, after years of research and design, as well as extensive field testing, even if these prefabs aren’t ones you’ll find at your local IKEA store. There are already tens of thousands of people living in […]
“Going for a camp” is an exciting adventure and a perfect getaway from city noise and the fast paced-life. Spending time outdoors with tall trees around brings great health benefits. Camping is also an enjoyable occasion to chat, relax, catch up, and just be with friends. Aside from reveling in nature’s wonder and socialization, it’s […]
