What to expect when purchasing furniture
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Furniture can range a lot in pricing but it all comes down to quality. In most cases you get what you pay for with furniture, but there is that rare occasion when you can find quality furniture for a discounted price (usually around major holidays).
Below is a list of general mid-range prices to consider when purchasing furniture:
36”x 84” Sofa: $2300-$4000
30” x 60” Lounge Chair: $925-$1050
30”x 60” Coffee Table: $500-$800
Bed Frame: $600-$1700
24” x 30” Side Table/ Nightstand: $200-$400
24” x 48” Writing Table: $750
24” x 72” Dresser: $1700
Adding a bathroom to your garage to become an ADU? Here are a few things to Consider when Designing for a family member to age in place
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Bathrooms are the one room in the house that have the highest injury rate because, when wet, they can be a very dangerous space. The most common times to slip and fall are when stepping out of the shower, and into the bathroom, regardless of how old you may be.
But it is especially important to consider how to make your new bathroom safer if you are re-designing or building new for a family member of loved one to be able to age-in-place. Every detail and design decision counts. There are many preventative design decisions that you can make by assessing your Bathrooms Safety with this checklist:
🔳 Slip Resistant Flooring
🔳 Eliminate any steps
🔳 Shatterproof Glass
🔳 Pressure-balanced, temperature control valves
🔳 Bench inside the shower (not necessary but helpful)
🔳 Emergency Shut off for Whirlpool Tubs
🔳 Ground Fault Circuit interrupters on electrical outlets (usually a small red label GFC)
🔳 Cabinet Locks (if desired or necessary)
Want help designing a bathroom space that will take all of these ideas into consideration? Consider hiring an Interior Designer such as myself to work with you on developing a well thought out plan for your loved one’s home.
Types of Lighting to Consider for your Home
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Lighting is essential when picking everything from fabrics to finishes.
Below is a list of all the different types of light fixtures:
Recessed Down Lights
Pendant Lights
(Semi and Full) Surface-mounted Lights
Wall Sconces
Chandeliers
Common Questions:
At what height do I hang my light fixture?
Chandeliers over a dining table: 34-36" from the top of the table or 30" if the light is semi-flush (to the bottom of the light).
Chandelier over a kitchen island should be hung 75" from the floor or 28-34" from the countertop to the bottom of the light.
What is the best size light for my space?
Take the length of 2 (out of the 4 walls) in a room, measured in feet (round to the nearest half foot) and add the measurements together. This is the size of a chandelier you should consider in your room.
How to Choose the Best Paint Finish for your Home
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Below is a list of different types of paint finishes and their best use:
Flat Finish - 0 to 5% gloss. A paint with a flat surface that does not reflect light and generally used on ceilings and walls of formal rooms. Flat finishes are usually non-washable and cleaning is not advised. Great for ceilings.
Matte / Velvet Finish - 5 to 10% gloss. A durable paint with a flat, non-glossy finish usually used for walls. Matte finishes can endure light cleaning, but heavy cleaning is not recommended. Also a good option for ceilings.
Eggshell Finish - 10 to 25% gloss. A durable paint with a low sheen and gloss reminiscent of an eggshell. Eggshell finishes have a slightly higher sheen level than flat, and clean better than flat finishes as they can endure moderate level cleaning. A good option for walls.
Pearl or Satin Finish - 25 to 35% gloss. A durable paint with a smooth, velvety gloss texture. Satin can be used in high traffic areas because it can hold up to heavy cleaning and light scrubbing, and is most often used for doors, windows, and other trim.
Semi-gloss - 35 to 70% gloss. Paint with a semi-gloss finish goes on smoothly and has a nice gleam without being too dramatic. Trim, doors, windows and cabinets are the surfaces most often applied with semi-gloss.
Gloss - 70 to 85% gloss. Gloss paint has a has a shinier finish than semi-gloss and is popular for trims, doors and cabinets. However careful attention should be given to prep work and undercoats to create a smooth surface for glossy paint.
High-gloss - 85% gloss and higher. This highly luminous sheen has the greatest amount of gloss and looks almost like plastic. High-gloss paint certainly offers durability and washability, making it ideal for cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom. The reflective surface of this paint finish really exaggerates imperfections, so prep work is important to a clean polished look.
How to Choose the Best Natural Rug For Your Home
Here are a few of my favorite natural material rugs:
Jute - derived from a plant called Genus Corchorus – is much softer than all the other natural floorings and, for that reason, a lot less durable. It is not recommended for high foot-traffic areas, but an eco-friendly option for the less used areas of the home. Sisal - is created from twisted yarns that imitate that hardy woven grass feel. With a stiff texture, it is particularly good for heavily-trod areas and comes in plenty of designs, colors and weaves. Sisal – unlike most other natural carpets – can be dyed and is available in an assortment of styles and colors, such as silver and blue, as well as all the naturals. It can be pricey but it’s highly durable. Seagrass - A strong bit of flooring that is grown in paddy fields in China, and during the growing season, the fields are flooded with sea water. Once harvested, it is dried and spun into yarn to create the well-known sea-grass carpet. The yarn is pretty solid and therefore hard to dye, so it’s often just available in natural shades.
Wool- comes from sheep’s hair that is dyed, spun, and then woven into a rug or carpet. Wool is very durable and the pile/knots are so tightly woven that it is very difficult, if not impossible for dogs and cats to destroy them. wool rugs add durability for high-traffic areas, softness and elegant, earthy natural color to the mix. Wool also holds up to natural sunlight better than most materials and won’t fade nearly as quickly as synthetic materials can.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Downsizing
Here are a list of Questions to Consider Asking Yourself Before Moving into a Small Space:
1. How long do you plan on staying in your home? If you are remodeling, this will help you determine your scope of work and if it is worth it to you to continue the process.
2. Who are you building for? Are you remodeling/building new for a potential renter? Family member? Yourself? All of these answers will likely produce very different outcomes, depending on your answer.
3. What hobbies do you enjoy? If you plan to live in your new small space, think about storage and what kind of solutions you will need in order to continue your hobby (if needed).
4. Do you have pets? What Kind? Think about what materials you will use (flooring, window treatment, sofa, bedding, etc. All of these elements will be important when selecting the right finishes for your home. Also, consider storage for their belongings too, if needed.
5. Do you entertain guests? Consider an indoor-outdoor experience to allow your guests to feel comfortable in your small space.
6. Do you travel often? Consider only taking the items you can fit in your suit cases. Now what additional items will you need in your small space that you can not live without? Be sure you consider these items in your small space design so that there will be little to do when you want to pack up and take a trip on a moments notice. In other words, think minimalism.
7. Consider your furniture selections. Often times, most items will not fit in your new small space. Most of the time, furniture will need to be multi-functional. Not just using your coffee table as your dining table, or your dining table as your desk, but you will need to become creative with your storage options within the furniture that you purchase as well.
The Difference Between a Designer and Decorator
This is one of the most common questions I get; "What is the difference between a Designer and a Decorator? Aren't they the same thing?", the short answer is "No, they are not the same thing." Here's why:
My Favorite White Paint
Here is another little change I am making to my blog- every Friday I will share with you some of my favorite products!
New Year's Design Resolution: 20 Things to Get Rid of Right Now
1. Old Magazines
2. Expired Coupons
3. Unread Books
4. Old Cell Phones
5. Outgrown clothes
6. Expired Food
7. Mismatched Socks
8. Mismatched Tupperware/ Food Storage Containers
9. Duplicate Kitchen Utensils
10. Expired Cleaning Supplies
11. Worn Out Towels & Sheets
12. Unused Sporting Equipment
13. Broken Toys
14. Broken Jewelry
15. Old Mail & E-mails
16. Unused Toiletries
17. Old Cosmetics
18. Old Spices
19. Scratched DVD's & CD's (if you even have any CD's anymore)
20. Offices supplies that don't work anymore (broken scissors, empty pens, etc)
How to Decorate your Small Space for the Holidays
Christmas Tree Alternatives
Christmas trees are such a significant part of celebrating Christmas and yet there are a thousand different ways to decorate a tree (or tree substitute). When you have a small space, or not enough space to have a tree in your home, try a tree substitute!
1. Try using logs nailed to a wall in the shape of a tree. Start with the longest log on the bottom and the shortest log on the top to give that tree shape, and nail each log horizontally. This saves trees worldwide!
2. You could even use a old frame and nail Christmas ornaments to a cork board inside the frame in the shape of a tree. This is an easy project to take down once the season is over.
3. Place a few nails on the wall in the shape of a tree. Place a nail at each point where your tree line will adjust course. String a few pieces of yarn or ribbon from one nail to another until you have a tree shape made of ribbons!
Here are some ideas on how to decorate your windows:
Wreaths- hanging a wreath “(or several) by a ribbon in your window is a great way to affordably add some great texture and color to your room.
Ornaments hung by a ribbon. Just like the wreaths ornaments can add a fun pop of sparkle into a room.
Hanging Pine Cones- just like the wreath and the ornaments, pine cones can be a fun addition to your windows.
Using a frosted window spray paint also makes for a fun window treatment in addition to the hanging ornaments.
If you are lucky enough to be able to have enough space for a tree in your home, there are many ways to decorate a Christmas tree. Here is a step by step guide on how to make your tree great:
Start with the lights. Wrap the lights around the tree from the top to the bottom in equal distances if your tree will be visible from most sides. If you are tucking your tree into the corner of a room I suggest you string your lights back and forth down the tree in a zigzag pattern to save on lights, your electric bill, and the condition of your walls.
Secondly- the ribbon. You can get creative with your ribbon choices- maybe your prefer to go more rustic and use a natural element like popcorn or cranberries, or maybe you prefer something a little more glamorous like a sequin ribbon string. Or maybe you would rather decorate with faux poinsettias or cranberry bunches- which ever type of “ribbon” you prefer, refer to the diagram on the right for a visual on what type of ribbon you would prefer.
Thirdly- the ornaments. Try grouping the more simple ornaments together in sets of three. This way the ornaments will look more full . If you are going to display a collection, spread the ornaments out across your tree in an even distance from one another.
If you are not able to fit a Christmas tree in your home, not to worry! My favorite part about having a Christmas Tree in the home is the smell. But you can get a really delicious scent just by cooking up some easy ingredients. Here is my receipe:
Put the following ingredients in a bowl and bring to a boil:
1 Orange Sliced
4 Cinnamon Sticks
2 Tablespoons of Whole Cloves
4 Bay Leaves
1/2 Cup Cranberries
1 Lemon Sliced
4 cups water
Your Complete Thanksgiving Planner Checklist
Thanksgiving can seem like such a crazy day, between getting the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and mashed potatoes prepared and on the table all while and making sure there are snack for everyone to munch on while they wait for the food to cook, and setting the table with your favorite dinnerware- you don't want to miss a thing. Below is a checklist from PopSugar that will help you keep everything in line and on track.
Two Weeks Before
* Plan a Menu
* Decide what kind of turkey you will serve- fried, oven baked, pick-up, etc.
One Week Before
* Make a Grocery List
* Plan Your Tablescape Setting
* Prepare your Kitchen (clean!)
*. Make a cooking Plan. I suggest using a list of what order each item needs to be prepared and put in the oven at in order for all the food to come out hot when you are ready to serve. How long did each recipe say it will take to make? Work your way back from the time you want to serve in order to determine when you should start cooking.
The Monday Before
* Defrost the Turkey
* Make a Seating Chart (if you want one)
The Tuesday Before
* Prepare any items you will need in adance. For instance the cranberry sauce, the pie dough, the bread for the stuffing, etc.
The Wednesday Before
* Prep your side dishes: Chop Veggies, Peel Potatoes
* Pick up your Fresh Turkey
* Prep Appetizers
The Day Of
* Remove the Turkey from the Fridge
* Make the Appetizers
* While the turkey bakes, make the remaining side dishes according to your schedule.
* Set the Table
Which type of light bulb should you use?
Lighting is so crucial in a room. Some lighting can make a room look green and sickly while others can make a room warm and bright. Knowing the difference between these types of lighting will help you decide what light bulb to use in each room.
Lighting is so crucial in a room. Some lighting can make a room look green and sickly while others can make a room warm and bright. Knowing the difference between these types of lighting will help you decide what light bulb to use in each room.
There are mainly four types of light bulbs: Silver Bowl, Soft Pink, Round Candelabra, and the Edison bulb.
Silver Bowl: Has a metallic finish on the top half of the bulb which helps soften the light, which is a great solution to overhead exposed bulbs.
Soft Pink: Just like it says- it gives a soft pink glow which makes everything look warm. Perfect for mood lighting the living room, dining room and bedroom.
Round Candelabra: These are perfect for making an outdated chandelier look modern.
Edison: These lights have a visible filament and rustic glow. They work best in a light that has an exposed bulb.
