Are you feeling a little blue now that the holidays are over? With the cold weather and limited sunshine, sometimes it’s hard to cheer up. Why don’t you do something for yourself to brighten the season? How about redecorating a room in your home?

A new coat of paint and maybe new carpet or a rug can make a big difference in a space. Although most people think of redecorating as a spring or summer activity because of opening the windows to let the strong smells dissipate, that problem is gone.

Many of today’s home products are completely or almost smell-free. Those strong odors came from volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that were part of the products. However, as consumers developed an interest in buying products without VOCs, manufacturers responded by developing more and more options that don’t force you to leave windows open. Today, making a low or no-VOC choice won’t limit the colors or styles you want for your home.

To discover more about how you can redecorate a room and keep your windows closed, talk to one of our salespeople. We’ll help you fix up a room that will chase the winter blues away!

Pets are members of the family. Like all other family members, pets create unique cleanliness issues that are battled daily. No matter if your pets stay inside; or are allowed to go outside they constantly shed hair and dander. Don’t allow this battle to become overwhelming. There are some things you can control to help with this never-ending battle.

1. Use washable fabrics for upholstery and drapery. Expensive, delicate fabrics are not practical in a house with pets. Don’t allow yourself to become stressed with constantly protecting expensive luxurious fabrics.

2. If pet hair is an omnipresent entity within your house, a cheap, low power vacuum is not going to help. You’ll need high suction vacuums that may cost more, but will remove more amounts of pet hair embedded in carpet and upholstery.

3. Carpet on the floor where pet traffic is high, is never a good idea. If you have the choice of choosing the flooring, select tile over carpet (carpet can be stained) and wood floors (can be scratched by pet claws). If you don’t have the option to choose your flooring in theses high traffic areas, buy inexpensive rug runners that can be replaced once they become worn out.

4. As far as décor is concerned, you might want to design your pet’s sleeping and eating areas with mats and bowls. While shopping for these, keep your house’s décor in mind and buy accessories that would fit in, not stand out.

5. A toy box with a lid to house all of your pet’s toys.  This can be anything from an attractive basket to a trunk type box. Buy a toy box that will blend in with your décor. A box that can be closed off from your pets will allow you to keep a handle on the amount of pet toys laying around. If the toy box is open to your pet, you will find yourself constantly picking up toys and your pet dragging them all out again!

Pets are members of the family. Like all other family members, pets create unique cleanliness issues that are battled daily. No matter if your pets stay inside; or are allowed to go outside they constantly shed hair and dander. Don’t allow this battle to become overwhelming. There are some things you can control to help with this never-ending battle.

1. Use washable fabrics for upholstery and drapery. Expensive, delicate fabrics are not practical in a house with pets. Don’t allow yourself to become stressed with constantly protecting expensive luxurious fabrics.

2. If pet hair is an omnipresent entity within your house, a cheap, low power vacuum is not going to help. You’ll need high suction vacuums that may cost more, but will remove more amounts of pet hair embedded in carpet and upholstery.

3. Carpet on the floor where pet traffic is high, is never a good idea. If you have the choice of choosing the flooring, select tile over carpet (carpet can be stained) and wood floors (can be scratched by pet claws). If you don’t have the option to choose your flooring in theses high traffic areas, buy inexpensive rug runners that can be replaced once they become worn out.

4. As far as décor is concerned, you might want to design your pet’s sleeping and eating areas with mats and bowls. While shopping for these, keep your house’s décor in mind and buy accessories that would fit in, not stand out.

5. A toy box with a lid to house all of your pet’s toys.  This can be anything from an attractive basket to a trunk type box. Buy a toy box that will blend in with your décor. A box that can be closed off from your pets will allow you to keep a handle on the amount of pet toys laying around. If the toy box is open to your pet, you will find yourself constantly picking up toys and your pet dragging them all out again!

What makes this bedroom’s design feel cohesive and inviting? To create a cozy environment, it’s important to think inside the box.

Every room has six surfaces: the four walls, the floor and the ceiling. You need to take all six into account when you’re planning a space.

This bedroom has every element needed to make a room feel comfortable. The oak-brown carpeting is almost an exact match for the warm brown walls. Cream and brown bedclothes stay in the same color family while using texture and pattern to keep the room interesting.

The most exciting design decision, however, is the ceiling. By choosing a very dark brown combined with the cream-colored wide crown molding, the sixth surface moves from an afterthought to a powerful design feature.

This is an old fashioned room, from the plates on the wall to the furniture and accessories. But the ceiling is daring and takes the space out of great-grandma’s house to a bedroom that would work in an expensive country inn.

Look up. Are your ceilings white and forgotten? Next time you redo a room, work with all six sides of your box.

This photo shows a beautiful space. The vaulted ceiling provides a great open feel, the glass doors allow the bright light to spreads throughout, and the wood floors are a rich beautiful medium brown that works with just about anything.

Just about anything, that is, except for the furniture shown here. Let’s take a minute and figure out why.

By themselves, the elements that make up this furniture grouping work well together. The pink on the pillows and throws are echoed in the tables and large pot. They are also in proportion with each other. However, there is no connection to the space they inhabit.

Consider color. The white walls and wood floor are clear tones. This makes the “sort-of” white wicker loveseat frame look dirty, which is echoed by the dull grey cushions. The white-on white plus grey on the largest piece of furniture doesn’t give it enough color strength to stand up to all what white. Pulling in black through painting the wicker and changing the cushions would give the loveseat more presence and anchor it in the space. The two tables coordinate well with the floor, but get a bit lost by echoing the wood tone. The pink pot needs to be brighter to really link well with the other pieces.

Size is the other disproportionate factor. The grouping is simply too small for its space. Creating a bit more separation among the pieces, adding furniture elements and adding one or more large art pieces on the surrounding walls would help pull everything together.

Are there places in your home where the space and its furniture just don’t suit each other? Look beyond the immediate view and take an opportunity to see the big picture. You may find that a few changes create the connection you want between your home and its décor.

This room demonstrates the classic folk art style. Unlike country décor, the folk art approach is much more Spartan and simple. You won’t see ruffles. Instead the feeling is almost colonial frontier, with every element looking hand crafted.

Although this room has many traditional American pieces, folk art is not limited to one country. The rugs are clearly from the Middle East, and their colors and well-worn look work well with the room.

One critical factor for creating a successful folk art look is flooring. Wood is the only real choice. This old pine floor is a natural part of a folk art style. You can reproduce much of this look with a good honey-stained heart pine floor with wide planks. Although you won’t have the patches that are part of this original floor, the flavor will still be there.

Certain colors link the different features. The muted light green and the red of the carpets are echoed throughout the room, pulling things together. An exciting element comes from the contemporary art over the dining table. Although it is not traditional, the colors work well in the space, adding an eclectic feel.

To add a folk-art flavor to your home, visit craft fairs and antique shops to find original handmade furniture, quilts and accessories. Also, as you travel take the time to explore the regional and national crafts to find pieces that will work in your home. You don’t need to carry the theme as far as this room has to capture the same warmth that emanates from this inviting space.

Do you wish you could redecorate your home but don’t want to go through all the hassle? A fresh coat of paint can make an enormous difference in a space. Painting is the simplest, most effective home improvement out there.

The most difficult part of painting is not the actual labor of painting; it’s selecting an appropriate color for the space. When trying to decide on a color, keep in mind what color fabrics are in the room.

Before purchasing enough paint to coat the entire space; buy a small pint of the color you are considering. Paint a large enough area, so you can get a feel for what it will look like on all the walls. This will allow you to see what the color looks like with the type of lighting in the space. If you are lucky enough to have natural light in the space, check out how the color looks during different times of the day (morning, mid day, afternoon, dusk and evening). Doing so will prevent making the wrong choice and having to buy more materials and painting over.

There is more to decide than simply what color to paint. Sheen is an important aspect to consider. High gloss sheens tend to highlight imperfections on the walls; but it is easily cleaned with water and a towel. Satin and eggshell sheens go on smoothly and have a nice matte finish. These are the safest choice for paint sheen.

Painting a room or two can be done over one weekend. There are paints available now that have primer built and usually only require one coat. You may need two coats if your color is really bright, intense or dark. This home improvement really is worth considering if you are looking to enhance your space.

People typically associate wallpaper with being out of style and dated. This is not the case, with faux finishing on the rise. Wallpaper companies are trying to keep up and compete with faux finishing, and doing a great job at that! There is an abundance of variety and styles available in wallpaper today.

The days of floral dated wallpaper are over. Sheik wallpaper is available in all decorating styles from traditional to contemporary. If not done right, faux finishes can look cheap and rushed. In many cases, wallpaper looks better than faux finishing.

Textured wallpaper is available in all types of styles and many different materials, such as Grass, Cork, Stucco, Rock and Embossed Leather, and the list goes on and on. Tromp L’oeil style wallpapers are popular. Tromp L’oeil means realistic imagery that creates an optical illusion of being the real thing. For example there may be a wallpaper that looks like an old rock wall or a marble wall.

Patterned wallpapers are really sheik and interesting. The traditional Damask pattern has gone under a makeover. A wide variety of modern damask patterns are available in an array of sizes, colors and even metallic.

Use wallpaper to turn an ordinary room into an extraordinary room with character. Dinning rooms and powder rooms are great spaces to install wallpaper. These rooms can handle drama; use wallpaper to add instant drama and appeal!

Outdoor living is not just a trend anymore. In today’s world outdoor spaces are being used almost as much as indoor spaces. Below are some guidelines to follow when designing your outdoor space.

Create Harmony

Take some time to observe your home. What style architecture is your home? What style of decorating is your interior? When shopping for outdoor furniture take a picture of your interior. Look for furniture that has similar styling and characteristics of your indoor furnishings. Your interior and exterior should mesh well together to ensure an appropriate look.

Buy the right furniture

Most likely there will be a seating area somewhere in your outdoor space. Buy outdoor furniture that will hold up in all types of weather. Fabrics and cushions should be rated for outdoor use. Be sure to ask the sales person what type of fabric and cushions are used on the furniture you are considering. This cost a little more but you will get your money’s worth by selecting furnishings that will last for years to come.

*Outdoor rated fabrics and cushions allow water to pass through. Standing water on outdoor furniture is a bad sign that it is not rated for outdoor use. Standing water allows mold to grow. It also wears down the strength of fabric and cushioning.

Outdoor = Natural

Use natural elements where you can. Making a path? Instead of cement, use natural pebbles. Pebbles allow water to filter into the ground. Cement prohibits that natural cycle. The pebbles will make a beautiful contrast against grass and it is environmentally friendly

Cater to your four senses.

Add flowers and greenery that are pleasantly fragrant. Don’t forget to create contrast for a pleasing view. Comfortable furniture will allow you to spend more time in your outdoor space. Running water always creates an immediate sense of comfort and relaxation. Install a small fountain or a fishpond with a small waterfall that adds oxygen to the water.

Reign of England’s Queen Victoria is where the decorating style “Victorian” evolved. During the 19^th Century, this type of architecture and interior styling was most popular. Victorian style of decorating is not done half-heartedly. It is true to interior furnishings and architectural details specific to this time period. Below are some truly Victorian decorating tips.

1. Wall coverings: Wall coverings during this time period were dark hues of red, purple, green and blue. Patterns, if any, were stenciled on. These patterns tend to be smaller, motif type details.

2. Area rugs: Victorian style homes tend to look incomplete without an area rug or a carpet. When shopping for a rug, look for the deeper colors and smaller, tighter patterns.

3. Window coverings:  Draperies of this time period were most likely embroidered, or lacey, transparent fabrics. Heavier velvet type fabrics were used to overlap the embroidered or lacey sheer layer. The heavier fabrics were also used on simple cornice boards.

4. Vintage accessories: Old framed photographs and dark oil paintings were popular décor of this era. Beautifully carved clocks atop mantels were one of the most popular accessories of that time. Antiques and replicas of this time period are still around today. Finding them may require a little more effort, but they are out there for the finding!