My Best Friend’s Living Room

I first discovered what a living room could be through a friend of mine named Talya. She was moving into a studio apartment with only one large room and a separate, very small kitchen-bathroom area. There was only a tiny bit of space to work with. But Talya was determined to make her home a place where people would feel welcome and could really enjoy themselves. For Talya, the most important thing was a create a beautiful warm space where all her guests could feel relaxed and connect to each other in a comfortable and open way. Since she already knew what kind of feeling she wanted in the room, her next step was creating a blueprint. Because every inch of space was so valuable, Talya made sure to get the measurements down exactly. She then drew in an approximation of where the furniture would be placed. Next came shopping; since she had been living in dorms for a few years, she had almost no furniture of her own. (I can put in here a….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea

Your Decorating Style

In today’s world we have so many choices, especially when it comes to style. When deciding which style is best for your home, begin by checking our 5 favorite themes used in interior decorating. 1. Traditional Style Do you love homes that exude a homey, all-American feel? Then try decorating your home with a traditional style. This style is elegant yet simple giving off a warm and cozy feel. In the traditional room, furniture is upholstered and functional but not at all flashy or high-tech looking. Everything is supposed to appear even and organized, so furniture is arranged with that in mind. The colors used in a traditional design are usually neutrals and mid-range tones. Floors are wood or carpeted and windows are definitely decorated with full, flowing fabrics. Accessories are classics; like china, framed art or embroidered pieces. 2. Contemporary Style If you like keeping up with what’s in style and love things with a chic modern look, you might want to decorate with a contemporary style. This style embraces clean lines, geometric shapes….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea

7 Easy Ways to Decorate on a Budget

Stylish decorating doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some chic tips for decorating on a budget. 1.  Poster Art: Beautiful framed art is great for adding color and style to a room. That’s why I love the idea of “poster art”- one of the cheapest but most elegant room decorating ideas. There are numerous sites (such as http://www.postercheckout.com) where you can browse through stunning posters with a huge variety of themes and designs. Pick up a classy, inexpensive frame at an art supplies store or a discount department store and voila! You have a masterpiece. 2.  Lamps: Lamps are some of the most functional items in interior design. By arranging the lighting in a room you can choose what stands out and what gets hidden. Lighting can be positioned to highlight artwork, plants or any other object you want to accent. You can also place lamps behind your furniture to create an upward glow. Lamps come in all sorts of shapes and designs and take up very little space. Unusual shapes, like ovals….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea