Keeping it Family Friendly

When you move into a home with your family, you have so many ideas and dreams of how you want the space to look but...will it work with your lifestyle?

I believe you can use any decor style(contemporary, traditional, country, modern and more)  in a family home but just be smart about where to spend, where to save and what will work plus a few easy tips; and you can still have a stylish home for the whole family.

Yes!  a family home can be stylish, too!

In the dining room, if this is a space that you plan on having family meals - I would opt not to have a area rug.  Why? Because you will be forever cleaning it, so keep the floor bare and appreciate the beauty of your flooring.  This will save you time and energy and maybe once the kids are older and less messy, you can introduce a rug into the space.

 

For the dining chairs, again if this is a space that your children will be eating in - think about your chairs.  Are they upholstered? If so, what is the fabric?  In my dining room, my husband and I purchased some leather dining chairs although we would have preferred a softer textile, the leather is so much easier to clean (just a damp cloth and bingo!  Done) And in our eat-in kitchen we purchased some (easy to clean) metal chairs from Urban Barn.  They look great, fit in our budget and most of all can easily be cleaned!  Perfect for a family home

For area rugs, I like to purchase rugs of natural materials like a sisal because again it can handle traffic, be cleaned easily and it wears well plus it looks great with neutral palettes.  But if natural woven rugs aren't your thing I'd look for mid to darker tones in a pattern again it can hide spills more easily than something light.  With younger children, look for economical options that are stylish - there's a good chance these rugs will need to be replaced in the future so don't blow the bank. And always read the care instructions to know how to clean otherwise your dry cleaning bill could be outrageous!

 

Look for stores that allow trial runs and have a return policy.  This will help you to avoid costly mistakes.   It can be tough to see how a piece will look in your space until it's actually in the space.  You need to find what works for you and yes, it requires some patience but it will be worth it!

Don't rule out custom pieces.  space is always a premium and you always want to make the most of it.  Not every custom piece will blow the bank so be smart and shop around.  If you know you will be in the home for quite a while, the custom option might be the best option if it allows you to make the most of your space.  Pieces that offer double or triple duty are often custom made and the fact that they serve multiple purposes is worth the extra cost and wait. A perfect sectional sofa with a sleeper is a worthwhile wait and expense.


Don't be afraid to personalize pieces like hand-me downs.  We all have them, even when we are at a point in our lives where we have a career and kids we still have hand-me downs but sometimes just a bit of creativity can take a so-so piece to the next level.  Paint, new hardware, fabric and maybe even stone can make a world of difference.  Ask for some professional assistance and your piece can have a whole new life.

Work with what you have.  Try re-purposing things even if they aren't your favourite - it gives you a new look and for free.  Sometimes a new location gives it a new life or instead of buying all new, just add to it.  Let's say you have some old boring beige bedding, add a richer or more colourful set of pillows and a throw to change the look for less.

Budget tips:

- look online for discounts on high end pieces.  Ebay.com, Wayfair.com, Overstock.com are some great places to start.  You can also find unique pieces on etsy.com

- if you have found a number of items at one online store, put them in your basket and wait a while you will like after 24 hrs receive an email from the company offering you a discount of those items in your basket

- art doesn't need to be expensive.  Try framing your own photographs or your children's art in some frame with over sized mattes to give it an elevated look. Plus I love photos of my kids and their art pieces in their bedrooms and rec room, they are so proud to see their art on display!

So where to spend? 
Spend on  classic cabinetry (not necessarily formal) if you are renovating pick a stain or colour and style of cabinet that won't be seen as trendy, same goes for the counter and tile.  If you have it in your budget, go with a stone counter top.  Keep it neutral, too

Spend on a lighting design and the lighting fixtures.  Making sure you have plenty of light when you need and want it and always use dimmer switches.

Spend on quality paint, it shows better and lasts longer.  And usually you end up spending just as much on cheap paint if not more.

Furniture that is made of real materials so a solid wood bookcase or trunk will always be worth it and as you move around it will hold up and can be used in many different areas of the home.

Remember if you love something, furniture, mirror, fabulous art piece you can spend a bit more because you will always make room for it.

Style at Home celebrates their 15th anniversary

Style at Home - one of my go-to magazines for great decor and design ideas, hottest trends, design on a budget and my specialty 'the look for less' is celebrating their 15th anniversary.

Check out their 15 years of covers.  It's really fun to see how home decor has evolved over the years...

Great Garage Sales!!

It's that time of year - garage sales are everywhere! My mother-in-law is a big garage sale shopper and she always finds great deals - I never really understood how she did it, I always seemed to find junk. "It's best to start early," she says "that's where you find the best stuff at the best deals." I have heard this before but I always found them to be overwhelming, so much stuff and how to sort through it all. Many garage sales are not organized like some of the ones you see on TV shows like "Clean Sweep", so it is best to go in with a strategy or a plan of attack. Go with a list, know what you are looking for - furniture, clothing etc...but don't be too specific because this is a different kind of shopping. By narrowing your search you'll feel less stressed and overwhelmed.

Garage sales are great for unique finds such as lamps, artwork and even furniture but go in with some creativity and imagination. For example - you may find a table with great lines and the perfect size for your eat-in kitchen but the colour may not be your taste. Think about sanding off the finish and painting it. Can't find matching chairs? Purchase chairs from an inexpensive store that match or white garage sale hunting find mismatching chairs in the appropriate size and refinish them in a fun and fresh paint colour. Find an interesting lamp but the shade is dated? Switch up the shade.

If you are looking to add some special touches to your home, garage sales are a great starting point. You can really find some treasures that may need some polishing but you'll save a bundle and no one will have the same pieces that you will. It's a lot of fun too!

Damaged goods??

If you are looking for a unique piece or maybe just a little something to liven up a room, try the clearance aisle.

I know it's a lot of junk, right? Wrong. Often the clearance aisle (in many cases) consists of items that were once floor models, items from 'last season' and pieces that have been on the show room floor for too long. Yes, there will be some damaged goods but take a close look before you buy you can find some really great deals.

Just last week at Home Sense, I purchased a beautiful, crochet-knit blanket in a sage green for $3.00. This week, I purchased some Italian glass vases for under $20.00

You can find art pieces and even furniture at IKEA. Their floor models always end up in the "as-is" section. A few weeks ago, they had a great chrome and glass kitchen table set with 4 chairs for under $100 and in great condition.

Clearance, sale or as-is shopping can be like a fun treasure hunt, you just don't know what you'll find. It is also great for anyone on a tight budget or shopping for your first home.

D.I.Y - Headboard

Headboards add dimension to a bed and room but they can be very bulky and take up important and much needed space, so here's a simple, unique and inexpensive way to create a headboard. This is perfect for condos or small bedrooms.

1 -- You will need a curtain rod set. These can be found in most home decor stores from IKEA to Zellers. You will also need fabric. You can use pre-packaged curtains or go to a great textiles shop such as C&M Textiles and select a fabric of your choice to create whatever mood you like. The fabric panels should be at least 4 inches wider than the bed on either side (the rod should be at least 8 inches wider than the fabric).

2 -- The height of the headboard should range from 3 - 6 feet from the edge of the mattress. Go higher if you have high ceilings. Centre the rod over the bed and use a level to ensure it is installed and hung properly. Be sure to use the brackets as instructed.

3 -- Make sure the rod is completely secure before you drape the fabric. Make sure the fabric is straight and if weight is needed to keep it in place, use office binder clips at the bottom hem. Use an iron on steam set to remove wrinkles.

4 -- Now make you bed and keep the pillows fluffy to achieve a comfy yet chic hotel look and feel in your made over bedroom.

Enjoy the view

A window is a piece of art and should be treated as such. Based on this principle, the window dressing acts as the picture frame, framing the view, enhancing the picture and helping the eye to focus.

There are many options when it comes to dressing your windows - what to choose? what is current? what is timesless? But the first step in dressing a window is establishing the purpose and impact that the window has on the room. If the window has a “you’ve got to look at this” view then you need to support and encourage the eye to take it all in. We do this with drapery that is designed to focus the eye towards the center of the window and then to serve as a frame around the picture. The drape or covering must therefore not overpower or distract from the view. For example, if your drapes are too bright or dark or are too much of a contrast with the colours of the view or the room, then they will simply take away rather than enhance the view or the picture.

The same is true if you simply use a valance (a valance alone often is too top heavy and makes the view uncomfortable as it is not proportionate to the scale of the window nor does it balance the window as it only supports the top as opposed to the two). Instead of a valance, consider a fabulous curtain rod and drapery panels. Drapery panels also serve to soften the hard lines of corners and window to drywall transitions.

Bottom line; if you have a window with an amazing view - frame it The best solution is usually two well-proportioned drapery panels held in place with an equally gorgeous curtain rod and finials.

Now what if the view isn't so wonderful?

Just as we dress ourselves to cover and disguise unflattering parts of our bodies, we can do the same with drapery. If a window is off center in your room, use drapery panels designed to balance the window. For example, if the room has a window that is not centered, center the window by using extra wide drapery panels that are placed on each side of the window to give the illusion of a centered window (the panels are hung to cover more wall than window on one side and more window than wall on the opposite side). By framing a window with a rod and curtain pannels framing the exterior frame of the window, the window also appears larger.

What should we do if the picture is not so pretty? If the window doesn’t have a particularly nice view then the window’s objective turns to the light and we design accordingly. Allow the light to enter the room but distract from the view using a soft covering such as the Hunter Douglas Silhouette blind inside the frame (alternatively you can also use sheer panels instead of a blind) with drapery panels, a rod and finials above.
In this situation we can add a few embellishments such as sexy tassels to tie the drapery back and to give the window some curves.

As for budget friendly window dressing tips - bamboo blinds are always in style and work well in areas that fabric can cause problems such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Bamboo blinds are a more casual look but they are timeless. Pre-made curtain pannels are a very inexpensive option that you can find in most department stores such as Wal-Mart, Zellers and IKEA. If you want your home to look large and bright look for white or off white, especially if your walls are of a similar hue. Blackout pannels are a must for bedrooms, and no the curtain do not have to be dark in colour to block out the light.

Remember to enjoy the view....

Favourite things - Wall Tattoos

What is a wall tattoo? It is a vinyl decal that sticks to your wall adding some funk and colour but can be re-used and does not damage your wall!

What is a wall stencil? It is a template where the design must be painted on. It is more time consuming, tricky to get just right and is only removable by painting over it!

Why do I love wall tattoos? Well, they are funky, colourful and they add a lot of personality to any room. They are easy to "install" and they can be removed without any damage. But they are also an inexpensive alternative to wall art. The wall tattoo I purchased for my son's nursery cost $34.99 and was purchased at my local RONA.

Do they come in different colours? Yes, they do. The kids series is very colourful and thematic. Fairies, Pirates, Animals and Fish are all available in the kids line. But for more "grown up" spaces, you'll find leaf motifs, stars, bamboo, and more; and in colours such as white, grey, charcoal, black, green, brown and red.

Where can I put a wall tattoo? Anywhere even moist areas like the bathroom. I personally find they make a bigger impact in a smaller room like a powder room or a child's room but they can go anywhere.

Where can I find wall tattoos? I have purchased mine at RONA. but they are also available at HomeSense and some craft stores.

Look for...Wall tattoos by Mur*Mur (a Canadian Company).

Deck the walls with funky decals....lalalalalalalala.....

Area Rugs - why use them?

A lot of people use rugs in order to bring a bit of color and style to their home. If your flooring is dull at best, you may be able to use one of these in order to bring things together a bit. For instance, when you move into a new home you may not like the flooring that is in place. But at the same time, you may not have the money needed to get everything redone. If you are in this position, a great compromise is to use a bunch of area rugs. For a little bit of money you can change the entire look and feel of a room.

Rugs are a great way to cover up any imperfections that you may have in your home. This includes everything from marks on your wall-to-wall rugs to pet stains. Anything that you want to cover up on your floors can be done with the use of an area rug. This may not be the best choice for you, but it is one to consider if you are looking for a quick, cheap fix.

You can use rugs as a way of keeping your flooring clean. For instance, many people use these in every room where there is a door that leads to the outside. This way, when people come into your home, they will step onto a floor rug before they get to your good flooring. This gives them the chance to wipe their feet off, and if not, at the very least they will be able to clean up just a bit. So as you can see, area rugs are meant for much more than good looks. They can also help to preserve the good look of the rest of the floors in your home.

Area rugs are also a great way to define your living spaces. If you live in an open concept place it can be difficult to plan the dining room, family room and living room spaces - by placing area rugs in those places you can have a firm idea of how the open space is to be used.

Hardwood flooring is a great feature in your home whether living or selling. It's easy to clean and looks great but area rugs add warmth, colour, practicality and purpose; and they do not have to be expensive try stores such as IKEA, CarpetSense, Wal-Mart and Home Depot for some inexpensive yet stylish options. With so many reasons to use floor rugs, it is a wonder that so many people do without year in and year out. Consider the benefits of using area rugs before you decide against laying them in your home.

Bored with your decor?

Are you bored with your existing decor? Want a new look but don't know what to do? Here are some great ideas to liven up your space.

1. Make your bedside beautiful

Add photos, a grouping of books, flowers (a floating single gardenia bloom will stay fragrant for five days), and a lamp with personality. Stow moisturizers, lozenges and other personal stuff in the night-table drawer; keep magazines hidden but handy in a basket beneath.

2. Add a mirror

A reflective surface makes a small entry feel bigger and airier. Choose a long mirror so as you head out the door you can check out more than just your lipstick. (Note: Oval or round mirrors won't call attention to crooked ceilings or asymmetrical walls.)

3. Maximize storage

A table with a drawer keeps necessities like gloves and dog leashes nearby but out of sight. A trunk tucked underneath will hold shoes and boots and also double as a convenient seat.

4. Light it up

Opt for a lamp with a small footprint, like a candlestick base, so it doesn't take up too much space on a table. Or skip a table lamp entirely and add drama with a hanging crystal chandelier or a sleek modern one. And paint the ceiling a warm shade (even if it's white) so it reflects a more flattering light.

5. Go for a strong statement

This is a great area for bold design choices that could overwhelm a larger room. Try a deep or bright paint color (warms like red or orange are kinder to skin tones than green and blue) or a patterned or vertical-striped wallpaper that can compensate for too few art pieces or furniture. And a graphic rug, like the zebra print here, ideally in a cleanable wool for this high-traffic area, will add impact underfoot.

6. Display the basics

Store quantities of oft-used items (soap, cotton swabs, cotton balls) in clear Pyrex canisters. Everyday practical items can be beautifully simple.

7. Pick one bloom

A single color and type of flower gives you more bang for your buck. An arrangement of peonies, lilies or tulips in one colour hue alone packs a visual punch that a varied-flower bouquet doesn't.

8. Contain yourself

Display an open tray or basket to drop essentials. It will neatly hold keys, sunglasses, Ipods and more. If they always land here, they're less likely to be misplaced. Choose a shallow tray -- not too big and no deeper than 3 inches -- or you'll be tempted to fill it with too much stuff.

9. Refine your color palette

Neutral colors such as cream or chocolate brown are best big-ticket items like upholstery, walls and curtains. One strong accent color -- tomato red, bright yellow or aqua -- in pillows, vases or an ottoman are your splashes of colour. Limiting the accents to one hue makes a room instantly more cohesive. And if you tire of them, these smaller accessories won't break the bank to swap out.

10. Frame the bed

Put a twist on the traditional headboard with a statement-making screen -- the room gets another great piece of furniture without sacrificing any space. Look at new and antique options, particularly ones with interesting all-over patterns or motifs (for more stability, they can be wall-mounted too). For a smaller bedroom, non essential furniture can take up space that could be better used, so paint the wall above the bed a deeper colour in lieu of a headboard - you still get the drama without sacrificing the space.

Gardening on a dime

The outdoor space is the new indoor space. Outdoor design is more popular than ever before, with so many downsizers and first time buyers moving into the condo market, the outdoor space has become an essential part of their lifestyle.

Outdoor furniture has come along way with a variety of chairs, tables, benches, loungers and even fireplaces! But for those purchasers who have downsized from their large family home or for the first time buyer who loves the outdoors, the lack of yard can be an issue, gardening is a popular pass time and is not one that has to be given up just because you live in a condo. Gardening is a great way to get fresh air, to learn something new and to decorate your space!

But gardening can also be a big expense, so how can it be more affordable? Check out these tips for DIY gardening projects that can make any patio look polished.

1 -- Large plants are the most expensive so instead of spending a lot of money on a large tree or bush consider going fake (I know a lot of people think this is tacky but it can look rich, please read on...) By purchasing large boxwood or ivy topiary that are already in planters, you eliminate a big price tag and to avoid looking too fake add other planters with real flowers, look for ones that stay in bloom all summer. Place your planters in groups (odd numbers are best such as 3 or 5). You have spent very little on the small plants and your large fake one you will reuse every year or update it with each season by adding white lights or some fall foliage.
A lot of people have a real concern with using fake plants, because they tend to look fake but if used sparingly and in the right spot that can add a real feel of luxury.

2 -- Planters come in all shapes, looks and sizes. If you plan on reusing yours each planting season consider fiberglass planters and not clay. the fiberglass is much lighter to carry and tends not to crack (in the winter they must be brought inside or at least in a storage area of some kind). They are easy to find and come in a variety of price points. But if you want a designer look here are a few ideas to try:

a) Take your basic terra cotta pot and purchased chalkboard paint (in now comes in a spray). Spray the pot, it takes about 2-3 coats and do this outdoors for ventilation purposes. Once the paint is dry, using chalk you can write an inspirational quote or word or label the plant. This is a great idea for an herb garden or for a simple Mother's day gift (psst...it's right around the corner)

b) Use your recyclables. Take metal cans in various sizes and using a metal spray paint in high gloss, paint the cans (again it takes about 2-3 coats and do this outside). Once the paint is dry you can add some decorative twine (a very nautical look) or add some ribbon to complete the look. Plant your plants and/or flowers inside.

c) Using a basic terra cotta planter, spray paint the planter in bright, fun colours to add punch and interest to your patio space and plant your plants and/or flowers inside.

3 -- Don't have a green thumb? Check out the By Ward Market in Ottawa and purchase flower baskets or pre-made planters there, whether for ideas of what looks good with what or to purchase. Talk to the merchants and explain your gardening conditions to them (shade, sun, both etc...) You can bring these home and maintain them over the summer. It's not cheating, you are taking steps to learning about gardening.

4 -- Want a no maintenance garden? Decorate your outdoor space with branches and stones in a tall plastic vase. Even though they are not living, it does add life to your space. They are natural and organic materials and they are also no maintenance.

You don't need a large space to have a beautiful garden, just an imagination and a passion!