Thursday, February 21, 2013

9 Fast Solutions for Decorating Mistakes


When my grandparents painted their house, they thought the color would be a soft apricot — but it went on looking more like fluorescent pumpkin. They couldn't (or wouldn't) repaint, so they lived with the color for many years. The first time I walked into an Anthropologie store I was so entranced by the atmosphere that I came out with a pair of hideously expensive red silk curtains I couldn't afford. Also, they matched nothing in my apartment and were like magnets to my cat's claws.

It's only natural to make missteps when decorating — even top designers make mistakes, overspend and have regrets. The difference between those top designers and us mere mortals is their uncanny ability to make it work. Many years later, my grandparents' jack-o'-lantern house color did mellow to a peachy hue — but they could have mellowed the look earlier with a bit of landscaping. (Read some landscaping tips below.) And perhaps if I had had more decorating experience at the time, I would have refashioned my embroidered silk curtains into beautiful cushions and tied in the color with other accessories.

Some Solutions

Whatever your decorating woes, know that you are not alone! And here are loads of creative ways to turn a problem into something fabulous.
1. Move it around.Perhaps you bought a zebra print rug for your living room, but once you got it home, you realized it's much too bold for the look you want. Don't give up yet! If you like the piece, try using it in another room in your house instead of getting rid of it altogether — that zebra print rug could be just the thing to spice up your bedroom.
2. Soften bold walls with a gallery of art.The gorgeous green featured in this workspace might have seemed bright on its own, but with the gallery of art in place it's a stunningly vibrant backdrop for personal treasures.

A tightly spaced gallery wall is an easy way to balance the impact of a bold interior color — you may find that the hue you weren't sure about is bold in a good way with just a bit of it peeking through.
Petrie Sofa, Snow - $1,699.00 »
3. Bring in some white space. If you have a lot of color and pattern going on in one room, it can help to add something really simple to give the more exciting pieces some breathing room. Try white, beige or gray upholstery or slipcovers, a natural-fiber rug or matchstick blinds.
modern family room by Esther Hershcovich
by Esther Hershcovich
by Esther Hershcovich
4. Experiment with rugs — and no rugs. Changing your floors, whether you lay new tile, install carpeting or have your wood floors painted or refinished, makes everything else look different. You may find that your old rugs no longer work with the fresh flooring — try rolling them up and go bare for a change. Bare floors can be beautiful, as in the slick loft featured here. If it's the flooring you would prefer to cover, experiment with layered rugs until you reach a look you love.

See more of this Montreal penthouse
Bethany Scrolls Chest - $1,199.00 »
5. Paint and embellish.Changing the color, finish or hardware of wood furniture can give your piece a completely different look without much further investment. In fact, altering and customizing your finds is a great way to put your own stamp on your home.

Tip: Re-covering single-seat cushions is a relatively straightforward and inexpensive DIY project. But beware larger reupholstering jobs, as they can be quite costly — sometimes they can cost more than what you paid for the furniture itself!
6. Repeat the color. If you've purchased something that you love, but it's just not working in your space, consider what you could add to help the piece feel more at home. Often this means repeating a color from your new purchase somewhere else in the room. In the living room featured here, vibrant lime green is repeated in a pair of X-benches and throw pillows for a rich look that feels intentional and pulled together.

7. Glaze or layer color on walls. If your interior paint color is almost but not quite right, you could try painting a glaze over the paint to tone down the color, or go back to the store and ask for a tint, mixed using your color plus white. Designers often use this trick to get a custom look, because a blend of several shades results in a richer, more natural-looking color.
8. Add landscaping. If your exterior paint went on brighter than you expected, but you don't want to repaint, try investing in landscaping instead. Lush green foliage and blooming flowers can go a long way toward helping your house fit in with its surroundings. The gorgeous home and garden courtyard shown here use color to great effect, with the green and purple of the home repeated in the landscape, drawing the eye in.

Just as with interior paint (or even more so) it is important to test exterior paint on your house before committing. Test all of the colors you're considering using (siding, trim, front door) to be sure they work together as well as individually.
Gradiated-Stripe Cotton Rug - $19.00 »
Before making a purchase, be sure to ask about the return policy. Some shops will allow you to bring home art, rugs and other items to test out (usually with a refundable deposit), while others have a no-refund policy. You won't know unless you ask. And always save your original receipt and any documentation that came with your product — not only are they needed to process a return, but they can be helpful if you end up selling your purchase later.

9. Learn to love it. Sometimes it's the thing that is a little "wrong" that ends up being the most memorable, taking a room from so-so to uniquely wonderful. Keep your sense of humor and use your mistakes as conversation starters rather than trying to hide them. Besides, over time you may grow to love that punchy color or unusual object.

Source: Houzz By Laura Gaskill
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Friday, February 8, 2013

Cozy Offices


"Cozy" might not seem like the first word you'd use to describe your ideal office; it may make you think of quilts and clutter that don't inspire efficiency. However, "cozy" can mean a room that's inviting, warm, layered and, yes, even organized. For instance, personal objects, a comfortable seat and a rich blend of textures all offer the comfort that "cozy" implies. Here are 20 of the coziest home offices around Houzz — and what makes them so.
traditional home office by Chalet
by Chalet
by Chalet
Cushy leather club chairs, a roaring fire and cowboy artwork add Western warmth to this sophisticated office space.
eclectic home office by Margaret Donaldson Interiors
by Margaret Donaldson Interiors
by Margaret Donaldson Interiors
Grounding the room with a red, well-worn Oriental rug is a great way bring in warm textiles.Library lights and an overhead lantern create a soft lighting scene. I think I'd reward myself for getting my work done while lounging in that overstuffed chair.
A cozy library vibe includes warm wood floor-to-ceiling shelves stuffed with books and a comfortable leather chair for reading.
A desk tucked into the corner, grass cloth wallpaper, warm wood tones and stacks of books make this workspace in aFrank Lloyd Wright housecomforting.
traditional home office by Beach Glass Interior Designs
by Beach Glass Interior Designs
by Beach Glass Interior Designs
Rich gray walls, a comfortable chair, a stately wood desk and a long and comfortable window seat give this office its cozy appeal.
Individual touches — like the graphic floral wallpaper, the dress form, the grid of shelves with neatly displayed supplies and the art wall — give this workspace a very personal look.
Personal touches make this space, too; the wall above the desk looks like it has a collection of meaningful favorite things. The low wood ceiling, braided rug, built-in shelves and rustic chair lend a camp feeling.
traditional home office by Gast Architects
by Gast Architects
by Gast Architects
A rich texture palette, autumnal hues, a red leather armchair and a blazing fire will tempt the homeowner into this office.

This ideabook is giving me serious office fireplace envy.
eclectic home office by Laura U, Inc.
by Laura U, Inc.
by Laura U, Inc.
Exotic shapes and colors give this workspace the feeling that the owner has brought back beloved items from far-flung adventures.
This is stripped-down cozy. The black, white and shades of gray keep the palette clean and allow for eclectic touches, like the library wallpaper, chalkbaord wall and funky table lamp.
traditional home office by Diane Bergeron Interiors
by Diane Bergeron Interiors
by Diane Bergeron Interiors
Grass green and glossy white keep this office fresh and light, but the vintage camel leather desk chair, overstuffed sofa, thoughtful lighting and architectural details on the ceiling make it inviting.
traditional home office by Oak Hill Architects
by Oak Hill Architects
by Oak Hill Architects
The wraparound desk, individual spaces all within the same room, low pendant lights, red throw pillows for when one needs extra lumbar support, and beautiful windows make this a space where a group can work in harmony.
Vintage industrial pieces are made cozy by soft creams and tans and a large woven rug underfoot. This office holds a lot of items, but they are neatly organized, and the reclaimed wood table provides a lot of space for spreading out.
Wood grain, layered rugs and that to-die-for contemporary take on a coffered ceiling bring stylish charm to this transitional office. The large window gives it a tree house feel.
eclectic home office by Nicole Lanteri
by Nicole Lanteri
by Nicole Lanteri
Allowing work right next to the radiator on a chilly day makes this office supercozy, for starters. The casters on the chair allow the worker to go from desktop to files with ease, and the small proportions of the room feel just right.
traditional home office by Debra Campbell Design
by Debra Campbell Design
by Debra Campbell Design
Warm gold tones, traditional style, wood trim and a bay window make this a room where anyone would like to spend a lot of time. It seems like it would make paying bills less painful.
Rather than being shoved against a wall, this desk enjoys sitting in the center of the room, atop an area rug. The furniture arrangement is tight, yet the room is not too full. The white walls and ceiling and built-in shelves keep it from sliding from cozy status to cramped status.
traditional home office by RLH Studio
by RLH Studio
by RLH Studio
This office has a classic men's club vibe — rich tufted leather chairs, wood paneling, an iron chandelier, a coffered ceiling and, best of all, a panel opens up to reveal a hidden bar.
traditional family room by RLH Studio
by RLH Studio
by RLH Studio
Oh, and yes, this same men's club–style office does have a desk. (I thought you might ask.)
You can have Hollywood Regency sophistication (starburst mirror, animal print desk chair) and clean surfaces yet still have a homey-feeling office. The printed drapes, grass cloth wall covering, personal photos and window seat are comforting touches.
This office, full of the homeowner's favorite collections, is part of a full-blown man cave.

See the rest of this man cave, a renovated basement
















Becky Harris - Contributor to Houzz

www.austinhomegroup.com
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Art for Beginners


Don't let a lack of knowledge or limited funds keep you from the joy of owning art. This guide will put you on the collector's path

Starting a collection of art that speaks to you is a worthy goal, but it may seem out of reach ... and more than a little confusing. Where do you begin? What is the difference between an original work, a limited-edition print and a poster? Where do you shop for art — especially if you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a single piece? We will tackle these questions and more in this handy art-buying guide, including resources for collecting on a smaller budget.
Explore your taste.Before diving in and making a purchase, spend some time getting to know what sort of work you respond to. Make weekend dates to browse local art museums and galleries, pick up an art magazine or flip through a stack of art books.

Are there certain styles, colors or subjects that draw you in? Do you gravitate toward black and white photography, modern abstract paintings, still lifes? Note what you love. Exploring and observing will build confidence, not to mention expose you to new styles and artists you might never have found otherwise.
Types of Art

Original art (and why it costs so much). Original work includes any art that is one of a kind: original paintings, drawings, sculptures and more. Why the high price? To draw a parallel to the literary world, imagine if J.K. Rowling could sell only one copy of the Harry Potter series — how much do you think that would be worth?

An artist can profit onlyonce from the sale of an original work, such as a painting on canvas; then it's gone. Even if the work grows in value over time, it is the collector who profits. If you understand that, it makes sense for original pieces to have a higher price than prints or reproductions.
traditional artwork by Factory 20
by Factory 20
by Factory 20
Irving Amen Italian Landscape Woodcut - $215.00 »
Prints. A true print, while not one of a kind, is still an original work of art. The artist uses any one of a number of methods to create an original image on a surface like wood, rubber, stone or metal, applies color and then creates a print on paper.

Print types include engravings, lithographs, screen prints, aquatints, linocuts and woodblock prints.
Limited-edition prints.If the artist sets a limit for the number of prints he or she will make with a given image, that is known as a limited edition. Of course, today the lines are being blurred, with artists using digital media to create original works, and a piece may be called a limited-edition print even if it was created or reproduced digitally — that is, it's not one of the types listed earlier.

Term to know: A runincludes all prints made from a given work. For instance, "a run of 50" means the artist created 50 limited-edition prints from the original piece.
Posters and reproductions. When an artist creates an original work and reproduces it (usually digitally) without limiting the run, it is a poster, or a reproduction. Posters are a great way to explore art, since they are so budget friendly — once you build up a bit of a collection, you could even swap out art seasonally.
Fine art photography.Since photographs by their very nature are easily reproduced, it is up to the photographer to limit the number of prints created with a certain image. Generally, the fewer prints available, the higher the price.
traditional living room by Austin Patterson Disston Architects
by Austin Patterson Disston Architects
by Austin Patterson Disston Architects
Where to Shop

The basics. There is nothing like seeing art firsthand, especially when you are still training your eye and learning about your taste. Student sales at art schools, auctions, antiques fairs and local galleries are all excellent places to start your search. Use your own judgment and don't ever feel pressured to buy something.
Finding affordable art.The world of art buying has become much more democratic in recent years, thanks in great part to the influence of online retailers and auction sites offering well-curated art collections, available no matter where you are and at every price point. Here are a few of my favorite sources.

Laura Gaskill - Houzz
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