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5 Tips to Curate Art for Your Home

September 29, 2022
Art is an incredible way to inject your space with some personality. Not just for the walls, art can be found on bookshelves, kitchen counters, and all around the home. Plus, choosing artwork doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive! If you take time to consider size, style, and budget, you’ll be on your way to peppering your home with some great decor.Mix & MatchFrom mixing and matching prints and patterns to the actual medium, there are so many options for art today. Many people automatically think of prints and paintings, but art can come in the form of ceramics, tapestries, sculptures, shadow boxes, and so much more. Every artist has their own distinct style; don’t be afraid to decorate your home with the work of multiple artists.Create ThemesIf you feel overwhelmed in what to choose for your home, start with a general theme. It could be a color (like, green or yellow) or a specific style (modern, let’s say) or a hobby you love (tennis, reading, you name it!)... Whatever the theme is, you’ll find art to go along with it. For example, if you do love tennis, you can find a framed print of a famous tennis athlete, or a painting of your favorite court. The art in your home should reflect who you are and it should make you feel comfortable in your space.Consider the ScaleIf you have a smaller space, you probably won’t want to opt for a huge painting or sculpture to squeeze in. Conversely, if you have a home with large walls and open areas, you’ll want to do it justice with art that can handle the size of the space. You can also mix it up and create asymmetry by placing larger pieces next to smaller ones.Gather InspirationWant to gather art for your home but you’re not sure where to start? Take time to stroll through local galleries and art markets. Consider supporting local artists and others in your community. Search for local artists on sites like Etsy. There are so many talented artists creating beautiful work in all parts of the world– get out there and find it!Choose What You LoveAt the end of the day, art is subjective and beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. It is your home, your space, and you have the power to decorate it in any style you see fit. Whether you want bold pops and funky pieces, or more muted tones and sophisticated styles, you can find an artist who has created what you’re looking for. And, if not, you can always commission a piece that suits your style and space.Remember, you don’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of money on art for your home. Consider creating a budget for yourself and know that you don’t have to do it all at once. Art is meant to be curated over time, as you grow with the space.  
5 Tips to Curate Art for Your Home

Choosing Outdoor Lighting

April 13, 2022
Choosing Outdoor Lighting When you own a home, you can do plenty of things to improve the home's value, appearance, and curb appeal. Unless you built your home from the ground up, the property you've purchased would have had at least one other owner, which means that the house may not perfectly match your style and personal preferences. One of the more effective tools you can use to improve your home, and its value is to upgrade your outdoor lighting. The proper outdoor lighting can make a difference to your home's curb appeal and security. Before choosing from your many outdoor lighting options, there are several considerations you should keep in mind. Things to ConsiderBeautiful lighting and light fixtures can add ambiance to a home. Even small landscape lights can provide your home with a more welcoming atmosphere. When the exteriors of your home look better, your home's curb appeal will improve, which can be advantageous if ever you decide to sell your home. Try installing lights in several locations to maximize your property's curb appeal. SecurityIf you want to make sure that you and your family are always safe and secure in your own home, consider installing security lights. These fixtures will light up whenever motion is detected, which is excellent for security.Having Enough Light at Entryways/WalkwaysWhen you arrive home late, and it's already dark outside, having lights around your walkways and entryways ensures that you never trip or have difficulties finding the door. How to Select the Right Outdoor LightingThe types of outdoor lighting you choose for your home depend on where the lights are positioned. Wall LightsWall lights are designed to be placed around porches, entryways, and patios. It's possible to position these lighting fixtures on practically any surface. Wall lights tend to be relatively durable and are a great way to ensure that your home is always lit up when you need it to be. Security LightsAs mentioned previously, security lights will activate whenever motion is detected in the nearby vicinity. These lights are similar to floodlights and should scare most trespassers away when they turn on. Consider selecting a photocell light design, a more modern form of security light that will automatically activate at night and shut off when the sun rises. These lights are best used in garages, walkways, and alleys.Landscape Lights Landscape lights are meant to be installed in gardens or on landscape fixtures. These low-voltage lighting fixtures come in many forms and can add a layered appearance to your property. The various forms of landscape lighting at your disposal include spotlights, floodlights, and path lights. Hanging LightsThese lights can be installed on a covered patio or porch and add a decorative appearance to the area. If you've built a veranda or covered porch around your home, you can use hanging light fixtures to ensure that the site is adequately lit. Hanging lights are built to withstand a certain amount of rain and moisture. Making a Final Outdoor Lighting DecisionThe style of lighting you choose largely depends on what you believe would look best around your home. The proper outdoor lighting can help you create a unique atmosphere or set the mood for guests and visitors to your home. When you install security lights around your landscape, any trespassers would likely be scared away before getting close to your home. Before choosing outdoor light fixtures for your property, try to identify why you want to change your outdoor lighting. Once you know this reason, selecting the right lights should be a much easier decision to make.
Choosing Outdoor Lighting

How to furnish a dual-purpose room

March 25, 2022
Whatever happened to your guest room?Whatever happened to your guest room? You know, the room with the exercise mats, barbells, and hand-weights scattered on the floor. Is that a treadmill in the corner? Did your guest room gradually morph into the home office where you launched a thousand Zoom calls? Maybe it's become the quiet room where you started working on that novel? Whatever you're doing there, we applaud you. And we have news for you. First, the great news. Life is slowly coming back to normal. All the people you love and who love you back will want to come for a visit. You're going to need that guest room again. That's right, for real people guests. Now the best news. You don't have to give up your newfound happy place. Instead, imagine a dual-purpose room that easily converts into a relaxing retreat for overnight guests. If you can think it, you can make it happen. Easy Transformation Whether your guests give you a week's notice or show up at your door without warning, your room transformation should be quick and easy. Think "double-duty" when looking for furniture and accessories for your multi-purpose guest room. You want a comfortable guest bed that also provides daytime seating and gives you floor space to do jumping jacks or yoga. The side-table functions as a desk or craft workspace. The lamp that works for bedside reading, or task lighting for sewing, crafting or scrapbooking. And you want storage—lots of it. Picture your multi-purpose room as a double-sized jigsaw puzzle. On one side is a charming guest room. On the flip side, your happy place awaits. Here's how to put the pieces together. Bed PeaceBefore choosing a bed for your multi-purpose guest room, put on your thinking cap. Consider the room size, whether your typical guests are older or younger, and how you plan to use the room after the guests have said their goodbyes.Blow up Mattress: An air mattress is ideal and fun for your younger, more agile overnighters. Spread blankets and toss in fluffy pillows, and they are all set for a good night's sleep. You'll have all the floor space you need when you're ready to exercise. Store the folded mattress and pump inside the room, so they're right there when you need them.Sofa Bed: When the in-laws or grandparents come to town, they may prefer a bed not so close to the floor. A pull-out sofa is sturdier, and they'll have an easier time getting in and out of bed. A small sofa makes your home office look inviting for meetings or a nap.Trundle Day Bed: A trundle bed accommodates a solo guest without any fuss. Raise the trundle for couples to sleep side by side. They can slide it under in the morning and have more space to move around. You'll have a cozy spot to finish that book when they're gone. Table ShapesA bedside table is a must for books, devices, eyeglasses, medications, or other personal items. But what you place bedside doesn't have to be a table. A short stool, low bench, or a self-storing ottoman gives guests the surface they need to feel at home. Later on, move it across the room for your convenience. A table with folding sides or a self-storing leaf makes a unique multi-function desk or crafts table and a sweet spot where your guests can sip a cup of tea before bed. Store an extra table with foldable legs in the closet.Movable LightingTable lamps take up valuable surface space in a dual-purpose room. Consider a floor lamp with an in-line switch. It's a cozy bedside light for overnighters. A movable task light for creative crafters. Set it by your desk when you're in work mode. Flexible StorageThere's no such thing as too much storage in a multi-purpose guest room. During overnight stays, wheeled storage is easy to tuck away in the back of a closet or temporarily moved to another room. Trunks and ottomans are decorative and functional, giving you ample storage for linens, office supplies, or exercise equipment. Your guests get the satisfaction of an extra seat or another usable surface – they can decide.The Big PictureOnce you've got the big pieces in place, look around the room to see how small accessories can pull it together. A wall clock is decorative and practical in any space. Throw pillows and area rugs are instant room refreshers. Fresh-cut flowers are a final welcoming touch. When the doorbell rings, swap out the pillows and show your guest inside.

Choosing the Right Furniture for Your Space

February 16, 2022
Choosing the Right Furniture for Your SpaceFinding the right furniture combination to fit your home’s spaces isn’t always easy. That sectional you adore might be much too big to work through the door. Or the cabinets you loved are too small to fill out the space. It can be like solving a puzzle – and just as frustrating when you can’t find the right pieces. Here are some tips for choosing furniture that fits your space. Remember, Furniture Needs to Fit Through Your DoorThis first tip might seem obvious, but you don’t want to end up in a situation where your new dining room table is wedged tight in your front door. Take measurements of every doorway and hallway you’ll need to fit the furniture through and keep ceiling height in mind. If you have hanging lights or chandeliers, make sure you won’t accidentally break a bulb carrying your new furniture inside.Tape It OutSometimes the easiest thing to do is grab masking or painter’s tape, take measurements of your favorite furniture, and mock out a configuration on the floor. Doing this allows you to visualize how each piece will fit in the room. You can understand how much extra space you’ll have, which orientation looks best, and how the different furniture will fit into your space.Avoid Designing a FunhouseAvoid creating a funhouse room by being mindful of furniture height. Measure the size of your ceilings, doorways, archways, and windows, and keep those numbers in mind when choosing furniture. If you pick high-backed furniture in a room with low ceilings or doors, the space will feel cramped and tiny. The opposite is true: Higher ceilings and windows can dwarf furniture with a low profile, which can make your room seem empty or cold.Design Virtually with AROver the last few years, furniture companies like IKEA and Wayfair have adopted augmented reality (AR) to turn any smartphone into a professional design tool. AR allows you to virtually place furniture into any space to see how it would fit. Usually, you’ll download an app that superimposes furniture of your choice into your room in real-time, making it simple to see what looks good and fits right.Keep Daily Activity in MindYour furniture choices should reflect your lifestyle. If you spend weekends entertaining, make sure you design your living room with plenty of seating, even if the room is on the small side. You can always add in moveable seating. Stools and benches work great for this. Focus on comfort and coziness if you spend your evenings lounging in the living room solo with a good book or movie. Add in oversized chairs or a larger sofa that fits the dimensions of your room. Make every space a place you want to be in.Take some time to get to know your space – its dimensions, the amount of light you get, how you’ll move through the room throughout the day. Use an app or plain ol’ masking tape to visualize the furnished room before making any purchases. Then, you’ll be ready to buy the right furniture to fit your space, no matter its size or shape.
Choosing the Right Furniture for Your Space