Easy-to-Do Room Layouts

 The last thing you want to do is go out and buy a sofa, chair and coffee table only to discover it doesn't fit in your room. Here's a great and quick tip for space planning the rooms in your home.
Use Graph paper to draw out the room and use scale (ie; 1/4" = 1') After you draw out your room, draw out the furniture. Now here's  a little tip from yours truly. Once you draw out the furniture cover the drawings, on both sides, with clear packaging tape. When you cut them out they're now laminated so you can use them again and again. Place the furniture in the room and arrange to figure out the best layout options. Hope this helps!

Starting a room

Starting to design a room from scratch can be a difficult task that can get very overwhelming. As with any project it helps to have a plan. Even if you can’t draw or sketch it’s beneficial to have a drawing of the layout you desire. This can be accomplished by using a template or by freehand sketching. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s for your eyes only. Take advantage of the great sites out there that allow you to piece a room together virtually.  (http://www.urbanbarn.com/Room-Planner).  Another thing that will help you to get started is a color scheme. This can be tricky. I like to find one great piece to build my room off of. Whether it is draperies or a pillow, find something that you like and then pull from it. A tip that I live by is the larger the piece the more plain it should be. For example, keep your sofa neutral. You can always dress it up with pillows or accent chairs. This way when you get sick of the colors you only need to replace the pillows and not the entire sofa. 

 Here’s an example of a “great piece” to pull your color scheme from. There are lots of great colors used in these pillows. I see a taupe sofa, blue curtains and gold accents. 

This room was transformed from boring to sunny and warm by adding pillows and bringing some nature inside.  

How to use wallpaper

Bold wallpapers

It seems that wallpaper has been around forever, but most of us hear the word and think of our grandmothers home. Well think again, because wallpaper is the latest interior design trend and it’s a great and fast way to update that boring room of yours.

When it comes to wallpaper, especially those really bold prints; you need to remember some design tips. While wallpaper is a great new trend I believe it works best in doses, so here are three guidelines you can follow.

Use it as an accent.

By using the wallpaper as an accent (on only one wall) you avoid pattern clash or overwhelming yourself to the point where you get sick of it.  Try using it with painted walls or even a simple pattern painted wall.

Use it in a frame

How about using it in picture frames? Not only is this a genius way to make inexpensive art work, it also gives you the opportunity to use multiple patterns without overdoing it.

Try it on your ceiling.

How awesome is this? Use the wallpaper on your ceiling for a really chic look.  A tip for ceiling wallpaper; keep your walls white and accent with pillows, draperies and furniture.

For any of you on the fence about wallpaper, I hope this helps you out a little. Of course if you’re really comfortable with your design skills, or if you love that bold look, go all out and put wallpaper everywhere! Check out Pinterest for even more wallpaper ideas.

Mint Green

Love the botanical prints behind this mint green sofa. 

Decorative knobs and spray paint can quickly and inexpensively update old furniture. 

Old wood chair updated with mint green paint

After you paint your old dresser. Rough it up a little to give it that aged antiqued look.

Great example of transitional style and a slight pop of color. 

By adding these mint green chairs, to this all white kitchen, you instantly update. 

These old lamps were spray painted mint green and are a perfect addition to any room.