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6 Can’t Fail Sofa Buying Tips

 

Keep sofa buying tips in mind so you don't regret your purchase

Keep sofa buying tips in mind so you don’t regret your purchase

Buying a sofa can mean a big investment, so before you head out to shop, consider these tips so you not only get a bargain, but a good buy.

1. Take measurements:  The last thing you want is a sofa that’s over- or under-sized for the room. Start by measuring your room. Make a drawing, noting doors and windows, and bring it with you. Most furniture stores have onsite decorators who can put your dimensions into a computer and show you just what your new sofa would look like in the room and if it will fit.

2. Photograph your room and bring the picture with you as you shop: Even a digital photo on your phone is a big help in remembering important details about the room. Better yet, you can show it to the store’s interior designer for input.

3. Ask for a designer: Furniture stores, from large national chains to locally owned shops, often have designers on staff to help you make a selection. Rather than relying on a sales person, a designer can offer considerations and ideas you might not have thought of to help you make a more informed purchase.

4. Give it the Goldilocks test: Size matters, and when it comes to sofas, there’s more to size than length. Size also refers to the size and pitch of the seating. Check that seat cushions aren’t so deep that your feet are off the floor, making you feel like a little kid and your petite guests uncomfortable. Other sofas have backs with a pitch that causes those seated to lean far back, making them unsuitable for formal use, and possibly uncomfortable for guests with neck or back problems. Older family members may have trouble getting up from these sofas. You want to be sure, like Goldilocks, that the sofa you pick is “just right.”

5. Take it for a test drive: Once you’ve found a sofa you like and that fits in your room, it’s time for a test plop. Sit on it, lie on it and generally use it the way you’d use your existing couch. If the sofa is for watching TV, stretch out on it the way you would at home. If you’ve brought the kids along, have everyone sit on the sofa together.

6. Ask yourself, will it blend? To make sure the sofa will match your decor, use the photo you’ve brought along. Does it match the rest of your furniture? If you’re tempted to go with a large or wild pattern, remember that you’ll be living with that for a while, and it may turn stale. A smarter choice is to get a neutral sofa and use pattern in your wall coverings or cushions because you can change these elements more easily.

 

Chinoiserie styling adds timeless appeal of the Far East

 

Asian scenes on this commode complement the orchid...all favorites of Chinoiserie style

Asian scenes on this commode complement the orchid…all favorites of Chinoiserie style

In the not so distant past, Asia seemed a world away. Today, the exotic cities stretching from Singapore to Shanghai and beyond are fully accessible. But you don’t have to take a 16-hour flight to give your home a touch of the Far East. That’s where the Chinoiserie style comes into play. Fortunately, there are many resources and ways to incorporate Chinoiserie style into your home decor.

Although Chinoiserie style refers to Asia, and China, more specifically, the name “Chinois” is the French term for decor that incorporates Asian accents and designs. However, it was the English who first popularized the style by incorporating motifs with Asian scenes (or what they thought looked Asian) onto porcelain ware. Here’s a quick how-to on some of the most key elements in Chinoiserie style.

BOLD AND DYNAMIC

While Chinese style has its own appeal, Chinoiserie is decidedly more flamboyant and dramatic. In other words, it’s Chinese style with a touch of Vegas thrown in. Rather than simple bamboo chairs surrounding a dining table, the chairs are painted a bold, brilliant, high-gloss fuchsia.

Color is a prominent feature in Chinoiserie, never taking a backseat to accessories or architecture. And sometimes, color is what’s missing, but what stands out most. White porcelain dragons, ginger jars, garden stools, or white furniture all make a strong impression when incorporated in Chinoiserie styling.

TAKE IT TO THE WALL

Another prominent feature in Chinoiserie is emphasis on the wall treatments. Whether with color, big bold designs, or wallpaper, Chinoiserie-accented walls make a statement that’s daring and luxurious. Often, they’ll feature a raised relief, or a design in the paper that incorporates natural elements such as leaves, branches, or animals. Motifs often include birds, deemed auspicious and harbingers of good news in Chinese culture.

If you’d like to impart that oh-so-stylish Chinoiserie look in your home, it helps to know how to make the most impact. Without a doubt, color leads the way. Look for unique colors like deep teal, dark fuchsia, robin’s egg blue, or lime green — and don’t be shy about using them!

GO GRAPHIC

Many Chinese patterns are highly geometric; your look doesn’t all have to be all about dragons and bamboo. A quick search on a photo website such as istockphoto.com yields many geometric graphics of Chinese patterns. Purchase one, then send it to a custom mural site to enlarge and use to create your own Chinoiserie wallpaper (muralsyourway.com).

If you’re starved for accessories to go with your Chinois style, a quick search on the Internet will lead you to everything from lime green fu dogs to a luscious, deep blue pagoda style lamp (charlotteandivy.com).

Maybe you’re hunting for a garden stool to stand-in as a side table. Look no further than San Francisco’s Gump’s Department store (gumps.com). Whether you want interlocking circles, fu dogs, or garden stools in Easter egg colors, you’ll find them here, plus a variety of other Chinois accents.

For a full-on variety of Chinoiserie, also take a look at Inside Avenue’s Chinoserie collection (insideavenue.com). For both sites, check under Shop by Style.

 

Living Space: Creative decorating can give your small kitchen panache

 

Bright light and unique stove hood give this small kitchen big style

Bright light and unique lighting fixtures give this small kitchen big style

With a small kitchen, you might think your decorating possibilities are limited but that is short-sighted. Small kitchens have a cozy, inviting charm of their own and there are many ways to stretch your space and add flair.

Embrace light

While color is fun, it can quickly chop up a small kitchen. Instead, opt for a clean palette of white, tan or another neutral color. Bathing the kitchen in a pale shade brightens up and visually expands the space.

If you have a window in the kitchen, make the most of the sunlight streaming in by limiting window dressings. Add more interior lights. Brighten things up with recessed or can lights combined with an over-the-sink fixture, an island light and lighting under counters.

Places, everyone

While it’s common to place the sink and stove opposite each other, this is a risky proposition in a small kitchen. When two people are working back-to-back, they risk bumping into each other. Instead, place the sink well away from the range.

To cut down on sink clutter, install a single-handle faucet with pull out sprayer. Invest in a refrigerator that’s the same depth as the counters, maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted line along the wall of cabinetry.

Shelve it

In a small kitchen, even a dish towel casually tossed on the counter can make the room look messy. And unless you have time to keep things neat, open shelving is not a good option. The more items you can stash behind cabinet doors, the neater and larger your kitchen will feel.

Use organizers in both drawers and cabinets. Plate stackers, spice racks and the like will help you stay organized. Maximize storage by using the backs of cabinet doors to store things like dish soap, plastic wrap and pot lids.

Go for style

Even if your kitchen is tiny, you can still go big on style. Opt for one standout decorating feature – maybe a patterned floor, beautiful glass tile backsplash, a unique island, lighting fixture or set of bright, quirky bar stools.

With some creativity, you can make a small kitchen captivating. Look for decorating items at architectural salvage stores, shop online or visit your local Habitat for Humanity Restore Outlet for one-of-a-kind items that will give your kitchen panache.

Industrial style has heavy metal edge

 

METALLet’s say you like rustic decor, but you want something more cool than cabin. Industrial style might be the perfect choice. This style has an edgy look that can be both masculine and feminine, has a time-worn appeal and is budget friendly.

MIX AND MATCH

One of the hallmarks of industrial style is the way elements are mixed together. Wood and metal, stone and glass, brick and brass, and any other combination you can think of, can work together. Metal that’s tarnished, faded, dented and worn is what’s most striking in industrial design — a far cry from the polished chrome and shiny finishes found in most contemporary decorating styles.

In fact, the more abused and time-worn your industrial decor looks, the better. This is especially true of wood. Look for wood furniture that can warm up the room but still retains plenty of character and imperfections. Perhaps most interestingly, this beaten up patina works well when placed next to a leather sofa or upholstered chair.

MINIMIZE

Other wonderful aspects of industrial design are its clean lines and lack of adornment. Don’t have a lot of accessories? No problem. A large metal sign looks better against an exposed brick wall than a table full of knick-knacks, anyway. Less is certainly more in industrial design, so pare down your accessories to a few single objects with impact. Look for items that are simple in function and have some kind of industrial look or function to them.

WIRE AND WHEELS

Another common design characteristic of industrial style is the wheel and wire. When placed on a cart, a wheel takes on an informal look and a more industrial feel. The same is true of wire. Instead of wicker or linen baskets, opt for wire ones. Perhaps the best part is that many of these items are recycled.

Look for cool old school lockers and rusty gym baskets at your local thrift or salvage yard. Sometimes you can even find them online. Nowadays, you can also buy new products that look old and have an antiqued industrial edge, such as Restoration Hardware’s industrial tool chest console; it has all the panache of an old piece with the function of a new one (restorationhardware.com).

PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Whether you have an old loft or a new condo, you can give it an industrial edge quickly and easily. If you have concrete floors, add some rugs. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting and can pull it up and expose the floors, do it. Follow up with some metal tables, carts, or shelves and an upholstered piece.

Look for antique signs or graphics, such as old patent drawings available free online through Google. Search for drawings of things you like, such as computers, cars, engines, farm equipment, or furniture. Print, enlarge at your local copy center to a poster size, and, Voila! You have a great-looking print with industrial feel.

 

Bad weather? Redecorate! Ideas for a Rainy Day

 

“On the next rainy day, I’ll…” We all say it. But when those showers actually arrive, we often forget our promises.

If Mother Nature leaves you trapped indoors, use the time to some redecorating. During good weather, purchase needed supplies so you’ll be ready to beautify your home when the rain begins.

Why not decorate on the next rainy day?

Why not decorate on the next rainy day?

 

A FIXTURE FIX

One of the fastest ways to perk up your decorating is by changing fixtures, including everything from chandeliers to plumbing fixtures. If you’re handy, you can easily switch out dated lighting fixtures. Changing plumbing fixtures goes fast, too, if you have the tools.

Replacing old fixtures can really freshen up a bathroom, and possibly even save you money on water. Switch out your shower head for a low-flow option. If this is too complicated, other decorating changes that don’t require as much DIY experience include replacing cabinet pulls and door knobs. Door knobs are a fast update and can be replaced quickly with a simple electric screwdriver. Try replacing old-fashioned round knobs with contemporary lever style models that are easier to open.

PICK A WALL, ANY WALL

Too often, we push furniture against them but don’t use walls for the great backdrops that they are. Select a wall to make a statement on with paint, wallpaper, artwork, or photos. Try wallpapering or painting the wall behind a sofa, a bed, the wall of the powder room that you first see when you enter the room, or the key wall in your dining room. Or, instead, add a wall of maps or prints that are similar. The unity will create drama and make the wall an instant focal point.

MAKE IT MOSAIC

Tiling is one of the easiest DIY jobs around the house, and mosaic tile is ease to work with. Because the tiles are often as small as half an inch square, it’s easy to make them fit into a given spot. Typically attached to a webbed backing, they’re a cinch to put up and trim. Try tiling the backsplash in the kitchen, a wall in the bathroom, behind the sink in a powder room, or cover the top of a small side table. Use premixed adhesive and grout and you’ll be amazed at how much punch you can get in a small amount of time.

NO-COST DECORATING

For only the cost of elbow grease, try moving a bed on an angle, re-arranging your living or family room furniture by swapping chairs and sofas to the opposite spots. Remove the art from all your rooms and replace with new pieces. Go through the house and pull furniture out from the wall.

And don’t forget your home office. If the desk faces a wall, turn it around executive style. Color-coordinate your rooms by finding items with a similar color scheme and create a red-themed or yellow-themed room. The change will really give your home a bright, beautiful new face when the weather is ugly outdoors.

(For more information, contact Kathryn Weber through her Web site, http://www.redlotusletter.com.)

Showcase your collection on a salon-style art wall

 

Grouping your pieces can create more impact than hanging only one per wall.

Grouping your pieces can create more impact than hanging only one per wall.

Enjoying art is one of the great pleasures of life. Too often, though, art gets short shrift in home decorating. It’s remarkably easy to showcase what you have by creating a salon style art wall.

The salon style of hanging artwork involves grouping your pieces vs. hanging a single artwork on each wall. Besides being a terrific way to display your collection, salon style display has the added benefit of turning a wall into your own personal gallery.

Salon style display has a long history that began as a way to feature works by particular artists. Each artist would have a single wall upon which all their works would be hung. Today, arranging a collection of artwork or photos on a single wall is favored by art lovers and collectors, and looks very stylish.

Salon-style placement is especially helpful if you have a lot of artwork but a shortage of wall space.

Before hammering any nails into the wall, design your salon wall on the floor. Begin with a central piece that will be your anchor for the arrangement. The pieces you display don’t have to be similar, but they should relate in some way, if possible. It could be a similar coloring that brings them together, or a particular style. If there are no common threads, that’s OK, too. Sometimes it’s the differences in works of art that make them look interesting together.

Place your anchor piece on the floor, then begin arranging other works around it. The idea is to keep the arrangement balanced. Once you have a design that pleases you, snap a photo with your cell phone or digital camera. Try to take the picture from above, so you can get a better representation of how your collection will look on the wall.

Another helpful idea that takes a little upfront time is to cut paper templates of each piece, then tape them on the wall, rearranging as necessary. Using this technique as you hang the artworks, you’ll be more confident about the best placement. Not sure about how high to hang your pieces? Try hanging one work of art centered at the eye level of someone about 5-feet-8-inches tall, or about 68 inches from the floor. Then, hang the other pieces around it.

While your art wall can feature framed pieces, it can also include dimensional works. Small figures or sculptures can be added to the mix. Use small display shelves. Plates or ceramic pieces can add dimension and varied shapes amid a wall of square and rectangular frames.

Once all your pieces are up on the wall, add rubber bumpers on the back of each for stability. You don’t want a whole wall of artwork to look crooked after one slammed door!

(For more information, contact Kathryn Weber through her Web site, http://www.redlotusletter.com.)

Borrow some decorating ideas from “Downton Abbey”

 

British Colonial StyleIt’s taken the U.S. by storm. In fact, if you weren’t watching the Super Bowl recently, chances are you were tuned in to “Downton Abbey.” The hugely popular English period soap opera takes places in a fictional manor house filled with intrigue, scandal — and loads of gorgeous rooms. Filled with rich architectural details, luxurious embellishments and Victorian and Gothic opulence, Downton offers plenty of decorating inspiration.

Watch each scene closely for touches of vintage glam you can add in your own home. Here’s a short list:

1. Embellish it. Check out the lamps with fringe, chandeliers dripping with dangling crystals or topped with lace-trimmed shades and plenty of gilding. All these elements can easily be added with a glue gun or items purchased from a decor store. Try adding fringe to a lampshade or drape tassels around lamps, a dresser or door handles.

2. Think thick drapes. Heavy damask drapes with thick cords and tassel pullbacks create a luxurious look. Add these to room openings, above doors and, of course, on windows.

3. Get a writing desk. Take a cue from Lord Grantham and Violet, the Dowager Countess, and add a writing desk out in the middle of a room. Top with a candelabra. Writing desks are available online (homedecorators.com), or for a vintage writing secretary, check Etsy.com for some stylish options.

4. Add architectural details. Deeply carved woods and stone mouldings, ceiling treatments — they’re all there on “Downton Abbey.” Adding details to the ceiling, around doors and on walls — such as upgrading baseboards, adding paneled doors and chair rails — all add depth and detail. Columns can also be added easily, and create division between rooms. Ceiling beams are another nice addition. Draw out details, such as on doors, by painting the interior panels.

5. Display finery and everyday ware. Tables of china, crystal and gleaming silver are part of the scene for diners upstairs at Downton. Downstairs, even everyday ware is there to see in a cabinet that displays the servant’s china. There’s also a wonderful standing pot rack that’s as useful as it is decorative (Williams-Sonoma.com).

6. Oriental carpets. Get the Downton look by rolling out some heavy wool carpets in traditional designs and colors. The look is Victorian and elegant.

7. Treat yourself to damask wallpaper. The walls of Downton Abbey are lavishly papered in mint green or deep taupe damask printed wallpaper. For a touch of Downton, wallpaper an accent wall behind a bed or sofa. Try Sherwin-Williams Traditional Twist wallpaper for a Victorian look with a modern touch (Sherwin-Williams.com).

8. The look of layers. Whether it’s the red velvet sofa in the drawing room dotted with fringed pillows or Cora’s bedroom with its celery-colored carpet layered with an aubusson rug; a canopy bed with fringed drapes or a damask-padded headboard, each room in the Abbey is layered with decorative touches. Follow this lead by adding extra pillows, throws, rugs, and layering drapes.

9. Get literary. In almost every room of Downton Abbey, there’s a bookshelf with gold-leafed tomes. You can pick these up online, at swap meets and flea markets to give your home a studious touch.

10. Palm theory. Large, full palms were a hallmark of almost all Victorian homes and add an opulent green touch to the corner of a room.

(For more information, contact Kathryn Weber through her Web site,http://www.redlotusletter.com.)

Digital decorating: Check apps, websites and blogs for design help, inspiration and products

Beautifully appoint your rooms with web based decorating apps.

With the rise in popularity of smartphones and tablets, computers are more portable than ever before. This means we can surf websites, open apps and make online purchases anywhere, anytime.

Rather than searching through multiple expensive magazines, you can find almost limitless design ideas and resources with a click of a mouse. With all the options to view great decorating blogs and browse stores, it’s never been easier to decorate smartly.

SETTING YOUR SITES

As you begin a decorating project, the first stop might be a decorating website or blog. Both are available for just about any decorating style. The same is true with color.

Houseofturquoise.com is filled with gorgeous photos of lush room settings in blue-green tones. The accompanying blog, Everything Turquoise, highlights products. Other sites with terrific photos and inspirational tips include elledecor.com and Jadoredecor.blogspot.com.

If you’re an apartment dweller, apartmenttherapy.com offers snappy ideas and clever space-saving ideas that can be adapted for any home. Looking for something really fresh? Take a peek at Chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com. It’s chock-a-block with fun, fresh and beautiful Chinois-style decorating examples and taps into a style enjoying renewed interest. For the ultimate in image surfing, click on the Home Décor page at pinterest.com for a fabulous assortment of interior design photos.

APPS AND HELPER

If you own a smart phone, decorating ideas are only a swipe of your finger away. Houzz, a free decorating app, follows in the steps of the website, Houzz.com. You can peruse decorated rooms, save info to folders, and link to items shown in the photos to make purchases.

The app Paintingwallspro can help you envision your space painted in different colors, taking the fear out of a big color change. SnapshopPro can help you decide if a piece of furniture would look right in your space. You simply drop an image of the chair or chest into a photo of the room where it’s intended to go. If you’re considering a big furniture purchase, this free app could save you thousands.

WEB SOURCES

Ready to buy? Check sites like ebay and craigslist for bargains on the items you want. Specialty sites can point you to any style you fancy. Sofa looking stained and tired, but you hate those saggy slipcovers that look like oversized sheets? Try Stretchandcover.com for covers that fit.

Insideavenue.com offers everything from sleek upholstered headboards to contemporary bar stools. Insidefabric.com has a huge supply of cloth, trim and wallpaper. Like the Chinoiseriechic blog, Thepinkpagoda.us is both a blog and a source of Chinoiserie if you’re looking for an Asian touch.

Simple changes can give your house a ‘new’ look for 2012

When your old calendar comes down each year and the new one goes up, it marks the passage of time, but your house may still be stuck in the past. Now is the perfect time to give your house a new look for 2012.

Reposition seating

Look at the current set-up of your furniture and see if you can swap seating positions. Sometimes, simply shifting things around is enough to make a room look fresh. If you have a sofa and loveseat in an L-shape, try positioning the pieces across from one another. Or, reposition seating in an L-shape if you currently have a conversational arrangement. Add an armchair from a dining room or another room of the house to finish off the open end of the square.

Refocus

Another way to add punch to a room is to create a new focal point. If you have a window and a fireplace and furniture is arranged around the hearth, shift the focus to the window. A wall of color, an architectural detail, or a large piece of furniture, such as an armoire or entertainment center, can also serve as a focal point.

Take a different tack

Decorating shows on television often suggest that simply doing the opposite of what you’ve been doing has the most impact. Interior designers take spare, clean, contemporary rooms with minimal color and give them a warmer traditional look with rich tones and luxurious appointments. At the other extreme, they banish dark colors and heavy fabric and furnishings to make a room light, bright and airy. Such transformations, while more labor intensive, add more impact than merely rearranging design elements.

But you don’t have to make drastic changes to shift the way a room looks. For example, if a room has an open concept and lacks coziness, add furnishings and accents to make it feel more intimate. Folding screens can bring a big room down to size. Placed behind a sofa, against a flat wall or in a corner, a screen adds intimacy and focuses the attention on the furniture. Adding or removing window treatments can also make a big impact without a huge amount of effort. Swapping lamps and artwork takes little time and makes a room look instantly refreshed.

Small touches

Once you’ve moved your furniture, it’s time to tackle the rest of your decor. Remove plants or shift them to different positions, switch out old plants with new ones, clear off shelves, and try using different pieces of furniture in a room; instead of a leggy sofa side table, place a small nightstand with drawers there instead. Rearranging a room can take less than an hour, yet give the space a whole new look – and really make you feel like you’ve turned over a new leaf for the new year.

Hidden Rooms Are Safe and Fun

hidden room

It looks like a standard bookshelf, but this bookshelf moves and folds in the middle to reveal a hidden room. Hidden rooms are becoming more popular today and more people are putting hidden features into their home for added safety and security.

Everyone has something to hide. Whether it’s a coin collection, guns, silver, artwork or just plain junk, you sometimes need a place to store things that’s out of plain view. That’s the beauty of a hidden room. In Victorian times, furniture was often made with hidden drawers and compartments. I have an old Victorian dresser that has a hidden drawer perfect for hiding silver and other precious items. The beauty of a hidden room is that only you know about it and access isn’t readily available.

The closet
Recently, I spoke with a client about a house plan. The plan included an upstairs closet in a guest room that she said would be used for storage and items such as her husband’s guns. I suggested that instead of a normal door, she might want to consider concealing the entrance to this room with a bookcase on a piano hinge. Years ago, I worked in a custom cabinet shop that made fine cabinetry for upscale homes. One of the items we frequently worked on was cabinets with hidden features. We also created lots of pivoting bookshelves that opened into a secret room.

Safety first
Hidden rooms are great for storing valuables and they are also good choices for anyone who keeps precious objects or cash on hand. A hidden room can often be undetectable. Few people would move bookshelves to look for a safe they way they would a painting. There are even companies now that build bookshelves just for the purpose of concealing a room. Several of these companies are on the Internet. A quick search on hidden rooms will reveal a number of these firms. Each one typically has more than one type of cabinet style.

Do it yourself
Building a bookshelf into a doorway for a hidden room effect is not very hard. A simple bookshelf with trim is easy to make and can be mounted on a door opening with a piano hinge. A piano hinge has very small hinges that run the length of the doorway versus the three large hinges that doors are typically mounted on. If you want ideas on how to build your own hidden room bookshelves, secretdoorways.com has a book to show you how.

Function
There are many uses for hidden rooms besides just storage. Sometimes it’s to hide an eye sore, such as an air exchanger for your air conditioning and heating system. Another fun option is have a hidden room in a child’s room to make a fun and mysterious space. If you like technology, but don’t like the look of it, a hidden room would make the perfect “James Bond” spy office and technology center. Outfitted with computers and hi tech equipment, you could surf the web for hours on end without having to put all that hardware out in the open. Want to move a candlestick to reveal your hidden room automatically? Then, check out hiddenpassageway.com. This company creates automated doors and staircases like something out of a horror film.

Hidden rooms have become very popular in recent years as people want to create safer homes and worry that others may be able to locate their valuables that aren’t carefully stored and hidden. I once lived in a home with a hidden staircase. No one could figure out how to get upstairs and that made it quite a novelty. If you’re building a home, work some hidden features into it. You can have hiding places built into cabinets and furniture — and easily create your own hidden room with a bookshelf in a weekend. You might be surprised at how much you have to hide or want to keep away from prying eyes.

 

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