ROOMS

Image via J Caroline Creative (framed scrapbook paper) No room is complete with empty walls. I am all for investing in expensive, beautiful and original artwork - I think it is money well spent. Unfortunately, we don't all have the means to do that. Therefore, here are some low-cost options that anyone can do with a little time and creativity. ___________________________________________ Take high resolution images, transform them to black and white, and enlarge. Purchase basic clean-lined frames for a gallery look or purchase frames of varying thicknesses/designs and paint them all the same color for a more unique look. (P.S. A few days ago I picked up two frames w/mats at a thrift store spending only $3...in a future post, I will show you what I did with them). Source Frame fabric. This option works best with a bold-print fabric. Image via Anne Becker in Elle Decor Stretch fabric over stretcher bars & staple on the back side. Stretcher bars can be found at any art supp...

So, you have an empty room you would like to decorate, or you have a space you would like to remodel & freshen up. How do you decide what color scheme to go with? Here are some ideas to help you figure it out: **Look in your closet - What colors are your clothes? This is a good indicator of what colors you are most drawn to. If your closet is full of clothing in earth tones maybe you would like your room being decorated in earth tones. **Build your room around a starting point piece - something you love. This could be a pillow, art, rug, etc. Look at what colors are in that piece and start putting your color scheme together from there. **Flip through a couple of current home decorating magazines and see what jumps out at you. *Look at other rooms in your home (if you are not completely starting over or in a empty new home). You want to have color flow in your home. This does NOT mean you want the exact same color scheme in every room. It just means you want to incorporate ...

I have been dreaming lately about how I would redo my master bedroom. There is a pretty good chance that we may be moving in the next few months, so I just might get that chance :) Shh!!...don't tell my husband.. actually, he did mention we needed new bedding... :) So, I have been debating on what color scheme I would go with. I have always been drawn to warm and cozy colors. Maybe that is because I am a 'summer girl' and love the heat. On the other hand, I like the relaxing feeling of cool colors, like light lilacs and soft blues. I think I came up with a compromise between the two. Here is the vision floating around in my head...

There is nothing more monotonous than a room with blank boring walls. All rooms need a focal point. A focal point grabs attention & draws the eye. A focal point also helps to make a room feel more balanced & inviting. If your room has a fireplace, a beautiful picture window, or a wall of built-in shelves you're lucky - there is your automatic focal point. If your room doesn't have any of those things you have to create one. Here are a few ideas: Put a vertical stripe of a bold printed wallpaper as a background to a console table- Without the wallpaper the plain console table with simple black lamps would be a boring vignette. Notice the piece of art on each side made of the same wallpaper design. Let the headboard do the talking - Isn't that just so pretty? It is just enough punch to add a wow factor. If the print is too much for your taste, you can always do a solid upholstered headboard. Just make sure there is enough contrast between the color o...

What a crazy last couple of days it has been! Phew! But, here I am doing a quick post on something we all love--PILLOWS!! When I went into work on Saturday, I saw that we had gotten in some of these gorgeous little things. Umm yes...I will take one of each! They are from Villa Home Collection . Love them!

Did anyone see the Nate Berkus Show yesterday? The segment was '$5 Home Fixes,' and they showed how to very inexpensively fix up a boring bookcase. A striking fabric was added to the back panel--Easy! I don't think this photo really gives it justice, it showed up a lot brighter when I watched it on T.V. Take a look! I have a bookcase that could really use a little jazzing up. I am totally going to do this idea! To watch the segment or learn more about this project click here .

Image via Rue When accessorizing for clients, I ALWAYS include books. I don't think there is a more charming accessory than simply stacking unique, nice-looking books on a side table, coffee table, or in a bookcase. Group books with other eye-catching accessories that are varying heights. Generally, group an odd number (three is usually good) together. Image via Elle Decor Another great idea is to hang art over the bookcase. Shh!! The art could hide clutter... Image via Domino Magazine And wouldn't grouping books by color really make a bold statement in a room? There are all sorts of bookcases available. This Herringbone Spine Bookshelf is from West Elm. I love this idea! These little shelves are made out of books! Looking for a DIY project? Create a lamp out of books! For the 'how to', click here .