Before you hire a professional painter to coat the walls of your home, asking them a few initial questions can help you determine whether or not they're the right contractor for the job. Your first question should inquire about their prepping process. Every skilled, experienced painter knows the importance of proper prep work, and they should be able to explain their prepping process to you when … [Read more...]

Renting a home can sometimes feel limiting when it comes to decorating, but there are a variety of ways to decorate without upsetting your landlord. You may not be able to paint the walls, but you can certainly hang patterned or textured temporary wallpaper to add a bit of flair. Adding a playful strand of string lights or plants into your motif will also cheer up any space. In addition to these … [Read more...]

Two architects, Andrea Fisk and James Klauder, decided to renovate their own property, which happened to be a Brooklyn townhouse that was largely unmodified from its original design. However, there were two main considerations: the financial cost and the necessary renovations for the old structure. The couple decided to rent the apartment after they made the necessary repairs and cosmetic … [Read more...]

Modern furniture with space-saving features are great for small living spaces and an overall decluttered look. Ottomans and coffee tables with storage are great places to stash blankets and books. Petite end tables with hidden storage provide a place for remotes and knick-knacks. Baskets and bins offer attractive and accessible storage for items such as toiletries and kitchen accessories. Also, … [Read more...]

In a rental home, it may be difficult to do a full remodel because you don't technically own the property, but there are plenty of other ways that renters can spruce up their living arrangements and make them into a true home. People can add art to the bathroom, temporary flooring to the bedroom, or even shelving to the kitchen. There are so many ways to truly make a rental unit beautiful, cozy, … [Read more...]

Two remodeling enthusiasts, Erin and Nick Reggars, turned their out-of-date, 117-sq.-ft. basement nook, into a cozy, relaxing living area, which could even house their in-laws when they were in town. The basement was painted with neutral colors, with a California Modern design in mind. The storage nook in the basement was the most difficult part, while the homeowners favorite element was the dark … [Read more...]

Color psychology supports the belief that there are certain hues that you can incorporate into your bedroom to promote a good night's sleep. Since blue has been shown to reduce blood pressure and produce a feeling of calmness, experts recommend opting into bluer shades before anything else. Some of these colors include Misty Blue, Wondrous Blue, Oriental Iris, and Perfect Periwinkle. If you aren't … [Read more...]

Those who have limited space and unfortunately missed the spring season to show off their botanical beauties can now look forward to a new indoor gardening system called the Verdeat. The Verdeat is created through materials that are environmentally friendly, and it gives growers access to over 76 plants that are 100% free of pesticides. There is no soil involved in the growing process, and a … [Read more...]

Jim and Hillary Straatman have always been enthusiasts when it came to historic houses, and they often showed their love for these older homes through renovation projects. They ended up finding a Seattle home that they began to remodel with the key goal of maintaining its original architecture. Lisa Staton was a neighbor who ran her own interior design business, and she not only put an offer on … [Read more...]

A home can always be rearranged, redecorated, and renovated. A good place to start is with the layout of the objects in a room and with buying brightly colored furniture and accessories. A paint job with well thought-out tints and hues will definitely be better than haphazardly chosen colors. Changing the lighting is one often overlooked yet highly effective way to improve a home's appearance. … [Read more...]