There is something so beautiful about beach inspired decor. While I have not ever personally indulged in this style, I have a true love for it. Maybe in my next place! Here are my top seven beachy inspired spaces!
1. Pelican Focal Point.
2. Fresh and Bright.
3. Coastal Kitchen.
4. Bathroom Bliss.
5. Sunny Chic.
6. Beach Smart.
7. Coastal Nursery.
Our living room is one of the busiest parts of our home. It is an area used for entertaining, watching our favorite movies, and chatting about the day’s events. This room typically has the most seating, from sofas, to armchairs, to ottomans. We like our living room to be welcoming, warm, and most importantly, comfortable.
One of the biggest design dilemmas that we face when choosing how to decorate our living room is figuring out a plan. It is difficult to decide on paint color, furniture, and accessories, while maintaining function and aesthetics. We thought it would be helpful to give you some tips on how to make these choices, and show you some of our living room inspirations, as well.
Choosing Paint Color
Choosing a paint color for your living room can be difficult. It is overwhelming- the amount of paint colors that are out there, nowadays. So, here are some rules of thumb when it comes to choosing paint color:
1. Size of your room. If you are trying to make your room appear larger, stick to lighter, brighter colors. If you are trying to make a large room feel more cozy, darker colors are the answer.
2. Natural light. If your living area is in direct sunlight, you are best off painting it with more saturated colors. The natural brightness of the sun can have a dulling affect on paint visually; bold colors can withstand this, and make their statement. However, a simple, clean white paint can really emphasize the sunniness of the room, if that is what you are going for.
If your living room area is away from natural light, you will want to stick with neutral, light colors. This will make the room feel brighter. Dark colors typically are placed as accent walls, or in rooms where a cozy feel is desired.
3. Warm vs. Cool tones. Do you like your living room to feel warm and cozy? Or, perhaps you like a clean, fresh feeling living room. This is where color choice can play a large role, as well. Warm toned colors, such as red and orange will give your room a well, warm feeling. Cool tones, such as blues and greens, tend to give your room a fresh, cool feeling.
Choosing Furniture
When it comes to choosing the furnishings you will put in your living room, there are two very important factors to consider:
1. Size of the Room. How large or small your living room is, can play a large role in choosing your furnishings. It is important to consider scale. If you are furnishing a room with 20′ ceilings and an open floor plan, you may want to consider larger scale furnishings to fill the space, while emphasizing the grandiosity of the architecture. If your living room area is smaller, closed off (more traditional layout), you will want to choose furnishings that fit the space, while maintaining flow.
2. Function of Your Room. Do you like to entertain? Do you have family movie night in your living room? How many household members are there? Do you have small children who keep their toys in this room? It is the function of your living room space that is an important factor to consider when choosing furniture. A large comfy sofa with a chaise would work for a family with children. A modern, sleek sofa would be ideal for a single professional.
3. Storage. Do you need storage? It is important to consider storage when purchasing living room furniture as well. Would a coffee table that doubles as a storage trunk be ideal for your space, or a simple, lightweight ottoman instead?
Choosing Decor
Once you have figured out the paint and furnishings, it is time to consider the best part: the decor. People are always amazed at the impact the little things can make on a room. From throw pillows to accessories, it is the decor that can pull all of the other factors together.
Here are some key things to consider when choosing your decorative items:
1. Color Palette. A very common misconception people have when decorating their homes, is that everything must match perfectly. Actually, there is some truth in this; but not fully. It is often key to integrate the colors of your paint and furnishings into your throw pillows and rugs. But, did you know that you can integrate those colors in different saturation, lightness and darkness, even hue, and still have it look gorgeous?
Complementary colors (colors opposite from each other on the color wheel) work best when choosing a color palette. If your walls have a blue tint for example, some orange-toned items in your room would flow nicely.
2. Pattern. It used to be trendy to match your sofa to your drapes, to your pillows, and so on. This is no longer the case (thank goodness)! Having a mixture of pattern in your space can allow for many secondary focal points, and bring harmony to the design. When choosing patterns, it is important to consider where you are placing it.
If you have a large scale, repeating pattern, it may look to busy on your sofa, leaving the mind restless. Large scale, and brighter colored patterns work best as throw pillows and rugs (unless you are trying to make that piece of furniture your focal point).
Small scale repeating patterns work well on furniture and window treatments.
Theme. You don’t necessarily need to have a theme to your room, but having a general style is always going to bring some cohesiveness to it. If you prefer very ornate, traditional style furnishings, it is probably safe to stick with that look. If you prefer more of a modern, streamlined look, you can go with that, and have it work together. But, most of us prefer an eclectic mix of both traditional and contemporary. This style is called, “transitional.”
I have always had a love for the culinary arts- the anticipation and excitement that goes into the perfect meal is enough to make my day, or I should say week, when it turns out fabulous! Here are my favorite recipes, placed into infographics-- perfect for the visually inclined, like myself!
1. Greek Tzaziki.
2. Bisquick Finger Lickin' Chicken.
3. Chicken Broccoli Pockets.
4. Perfect Ginger Bread Cookies.
5. Cinnamon Rolls.
There is nothing more refreshing than waking up in a clean, crisp, beautifully designed room. Here are my top ten favorite soothing rooms- ones that anyone would adore morning and night.
1. Industrial Calm.
2. Blue and White Classic.
3. Glisten and Sparkle.
4. Rustic Cabin.
5. Princess Ballerina.
6. Coastal.
7. Fresh and Colorful.
8. Boho Beauty
9. Shabby Chic
10. Contemporary Classic.
The most influential contributors to your kitchen’s overall design are the cabinets. If your cabinets are old, dated, or just plain ugly, I have an easy solution for you!
Image Source: Curbly, Online
Many people are apprehensive about taking on cabinet painting DIYs, but we are here to tell you that there is nothing to be intimidated by. Once you follow these simple steps, you will be amazed at how so little work could make such a big difference.
DIY Friday: The Simple Way to Repaint Your Kitchen Cabinets
1. Empty and Remove Doors from All Cabinets. Once you have set up a “painting station” in your garage, back yard, etc., you are ready to lay the doors flat, and begin. It is important to have them flat to avoid drip marks.
Image Source: Handyman Club Online
2. Stay Organized. Put all knobs and other hardware in baggies and label them according to where they go in your kitchen. On the back side of your cabinets, label their location as well, in pencil. This will save you a lot of time when re-assembling, and it will keep them aligned perfectly.
Image Source: Wikihow, Online
3. Clean Your Cabinets. Take a spray bottle with some mild soap and warm water and wipe the surfaces to be painted. Removing dust and other residue will allow the paint to adhere better.
4. Sand Surfaces. If your cabinets are already painted or finished, it is important to sand them down to the wood so that you have a fresh surface to work with. It is important to sand because this can make or break the life of the new paint; you want it to last, right? There are many different types of sandpaper out there, so be sure to choose one that is right for your surface. Click here for a sandpaper guide.
5. Primer. Choose a primer that is made for the material you plan on painting. There are many different selections at your local home improvement store. Color is key, as well. If you are planning on painting your cabinets a darker color, you will want to prime them with dark primer. If you are planning on painting them a light color, white or light gray primer will work best. Now, take your brush and using long strokes, cover the cabinets with the primer. Remember that primer is only an adhesive, so it is okay if it doesn’t fully cover the surface, it may almost look transparent. Once you have applied the primer, let it dry.
Image Source: DIY Network, Online
6. Paint. Latex paints are recommended for kitchen cabinets. They are easiest to clean, and the color doesn’t fade over time. We would recommend an angled brush as well as a cabinet roller brush for painting. When painting the doors, it helps to elevate them from the surface you are working on, so you can get to the edges easier. When painting the cabinetry in your kitchen, be sure to tape off any surface you don’t want paint to get on. It is important to avoid dripping. Allow for all surface to dry completely before re-assembling. *Remember that it is not always necessary to paint the inside of your cabinets.
7. Re-assemble, and Enjoy! You will be amazed that you were able to complete this task in such a short amount of time, and make such a difference to your space. It isn’t always necessary to completely reface your kitchen cabinets, especially if your pre-existing ones are still in decent shape. Click the video below for a more visual tutorial.
We are all a little star-struck, fascinated by the jet-setting, luxurious lifestyles of the rich and famous. We can only imagine what it would be like to spend a day with our favorite musician and truly get to see their real personality off-stage. Some of us may have this opportunity at some point in our lives, but unfortunately most of us will not. But, here is a little peek into their pasts.
5 Celebrity Musicians: The Homes They Grew Up In
1. Madonna. Currently she travels between her gorgeous homes in New York and London, but Madonna grew up in a modest, middle class home in Rochester Michigan. It was here that she was raised with her seven siblings, an all-American upbringing in a small town outside of Detroit. This four bedroom, two bath home is complete with a library and garage, and on 1.3 acres.You don’t suppose that since we are living in a material world, is why Madonna had other plans for herself?
Image Source: Zillow Blog, Online
2. Elvis. The King of Rock and Roll spent the early years of his childhood in the small town of Tupelo, Mississippi in this small home, built by his father in 1935, with $180.00 that he had borrowed from his employer. It was a two bedroom flat, lit with just a single light in each room. The city of Tupelo purchased this home in 1957, and it is currently a museum that has been fully restored with period furniture. If you’re ever in the area, check it out!
Image Source: Delsjourney, Online.
3. Michael Jackson. It is hard to believe that such a large family lived in such a small house. This little home in Gary, Indiana, was home to the Jackson children for most of their early childhood. Michael, born in 1959, was one of five children (hence the “Jackson Five”), and had a modest upbringing prior to fame. The town of Gary is an old mill town; quiet, with a small population. It is speculated that the Jackson children were raised by a “stage father,” who demanded they get their “Jackson Five” act perfected under any consequence.
Image Source: Flikr, Online.
4. Johnny Cash. This small home in Dyess, Arkansas, is where Johnny and his siblings would reminisce about a happy childhood. His brother, Tommy recalled to a local radio station, “Mama was a great housekeeper, and she made it very homey for us.” Johnny was only three when they moved to this house that was situated on 20 acres of farmland. His family was relocated to the town of Dyess as a new start in an “Agricultural Resettlement Colony.” It is here that Johnny speaks about, in his songs about the Arkansas plains.
Image Source: WBUR Radio, Online.
5. Jimi Hendrix. The house that Jimi grew up in was on a neighborhood corner in the Seattle suburb of Renton, Washington. His father secured the home in 1950 with a $10.00 deposit, and it is where Jimi found his passion for music. He grew up there with his large family, who still to this day have fond memories of their childhood there. Unfortunately in 2009, the home was demolished by investors based on complaints by neighbors that it was an “eyesore and had to be removed” from their neighborhood.
Image Source: The Guardian, Online
We have been seeing photo-print fabrics on the Runway, but they are becoming increasingly popular in Interior Design. There is something so vibrant and interesting about seeing a photograph on a material, able to bend and move while maintaining its stillness. So, how can we apply this trend in our space?
Here Are Our Top 5 Computer Generated Finishes in Interior Design:
1. Wallpaper. There are many new photo-realistic wallpaper patterns on the market now, some which can be used to make a space appear larger or for a focal point. You don’t suppose the Greeks and Romans were onto something when the Trompe d’oeil was the interior fashion trend?
Image Source: Nicedecors, Online.
2. Furniture Upholstery. With today’s technology, you can display your favorite image on your furniture. Talk about making a statement!
Image Source: Fresh Home, Online.
3. Flooring. It has become a popular trend mostly in commercial design to put a Google Earth image on your floor. What an appropriate place for it, pictured here, at an airport!
Image Source: GizMag, Online.
4. Curtains. There really are no limitations as to where you can put digital images, as long as they are placed on something flat, and tangible. More importantly, there are no limits as to what you can have printed!
Image Source: Meat Artists, Online.
5. Pillows. Probably the most common photo-image printed items that are trending right now are throw pillows. You can find almost anything printed now, so the design sky is the limit! Here are some of Pure Home’s picks:
