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| Courtesy of Coastal Living Magazine
Mid-season is a great time to change things up a bit in your home. If you're happy with your wall paint color, but something seems missing, maybe this could help.
Adding a little color to a space can give you the feeling of a new space, a new look and a new start. You don't always have to 'reinvent' the wheel to gain a new perspective on your home. For instance:
New chair cushion fabric color may be all you need to give your day a great start! Maybe a zippy print design is enough to wake you up in the morning. Or, instead of table and chairs, use a banquette. Contrast cool white surfaces with warm wood pieces. Add a new light fixture over the table. New placemats are the easiest way to get a new look.
In other words, shake things up a bit,
be brave, and try something different
for a change!
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Showing posts with label decorating a kitchen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decorating a kitchen. Show all posts
Need a Lift to Brighten Your Day? Try this...
Adding This Can Change Your World
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| Photo courtesy of Leonie Freeman / Hardie Grant Books |
One of the most talked about words I can think of is - color. Maybe it's because I'm a designer and I select colors almost every day for my clients. Yet, I notice at parties, events and chats with friends, that color almost always comes up in the discussion.
We could be discussing colors for the upcoming wedding, the color of a sunset or the color of a new puppy. We select fruit, vegetables and even meat, fish or poultry based on how the 'color' looks.
However, one color I never seem to wear is the color 'green'. I think it goes back to years wearing a green school uniform. It's not that I don't like green (our bedroom is a forest green), it's just one of those things with my wardrobe.
In our home though you can find lots of green as an accent color. Mostly it's the green of the hydrangea leaves or the green of a large fern in a basket. I can't imagine not having plants in our home. The most beautiful homes I've visited have plants like orchids with their wide leaves, or ficus trees with shiny leaves, or beautiful rooms with leafy design wallpapers. Plants 'complete' a room just like jewelry completes an outfit.
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| Photo courtesy of Thibaut |
Beyond the beauty of the plant is what it does for your emotions. According to NBC News the article states that "Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels and boost your mood — making them perfect for not just your home but your work space, too."
Imagine that! You can bring some beauty into your home, reduce your stress level and boost your mood at the same time with the addition of plants.
Today add a plant to your desk or cut some stems from your garden. Visit garden centers like Terrain to get inspiration you've never experienced before.
Mary Alice Smith - 732 608-7583
Residential and Commercial Interior Design
Allied Member ASID
Website: http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Serving Coastal New Jersey homeowners and businesses for 20 years
The Most Important Advice For Decorating Your Home
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| Keep it Clear and Simple |
I captured this image on one of my morning walks. What I like about it is its clarity and its simplicity. It's the same thing when you hire people to help you decorate or renovate your home. To have a successful design project, you must have clarity about how everyone in the project will work together and who, when, where and how things will be accomplished.
It’s as simple as that!
It’s as simple as that!
Here are some of the ways to make your renovation successful:
Collaborate: Getting along with everyone is a win-win attitude. (Being pushy or demanding will only render a lot of push-back = slow progress)
Communicate: Roadblocks to communication stifle creativity and progress. There are so many ways to communicate today - text, email, phone or in person. Do whatever works for all involved in your renovation to keep the momentum going.
Finally and really important: Be ready to go to Plan B, or C, etc. Sometimes the best ideas need some time to appear. Your redesign will get done. So having an 'open attitude' is the key to success.
It's simple!
After years of working on interior design projects, I've noticed that having a ‘yes’ attitude makes all the difference. It's okay to communicate your needs and wants, but keep your mind open for new ways of solving a problem.
For professional help, for a nudge to get started, for the best year ever,
call Mary Alice at:
732 690-2030
1288 Beauchamps Place, Toms River, NJ 08753
Allied Member ASID
Member of Kiwanis of Greater Toms River
Blog: Coastal Confidante Blog
Blog: BestDesignCoach.com
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York City
Why You Should take Time to Think Through your new Kitchen's design to get the Kitchen of your Dreams
Answer: Because that's the only way to get the kitchen you really want!
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| Photo courtesy of HGTV |
A few years ago I worked with a new client on the redesign of their kitchen. However, on my first visit to their home, I noticed that their existing kitchen looked rather new. Why would they plan to change their few years old existing kitchen?
What happened to make them want to go through changing and investing in another new kitchen? Simply put, poor planning and design made their kitchen inefficient and uncomfortable in the preparation of daily meals.
However, at the end of our new re-design, their kitchen has the open, spacious and efficient layout that their lifestyle demands. This time I made sure there was in-depth discussion on everything involved in the remodel.
From countertop selection and height to appliance selection, from range placement to range hood style, flooring and more. We covered it all and discussed every detail to get it right this time.
Simply put, an investment in time will insure the best results in your remodeling investment. Whether choosing paint colors, rug style, drapery or bigger projects like kitchen and bath remodeling, do the research, communicate your wish list and make sure everyone understands your ultimate goals.
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