Decor-Blog.com

By Christina VanGinkel

Sometimes life demands that we bring a bit of luxury into it, no matter how small, and I have found that one of the perfect ways to do that without spending a fortune is to buy a smashing set of luxurious sheets for my bed! With colors, patterns, and fabrics available in such a huge variety, you are sure to find something that you consider fits the theme of luxury, whether your pocketbook is screaming champagne, or champagne like! Mine is usually shouting at the top of its lungs cheap wine, and I still manage to find a set that I find elegant enough to keep me smiling for months to come.

Actually, I am a big fan of bargains. Even if I have tucked away a few extra dollars for something, when it comes time to buy that item, I still try to get it for as reasonable a price as I can. As bedding is one of those things that I try to buy a new set of at least once a year, and the more luxurious the better, I still follow this rule. Through the years, I have even earmarked a few of my favorite places to shop for bedding, and have been known to browse even before my bedding fund is topped off and ready to shop. With the new year at hand though, I know I am quickly approaching that time, as it has become routine the last few years to purchase said bedding for my husband's and my self's anniversary right after the new year.

I have usually gone with a patterned set, but have been looking at crisp, white sheets this year. There is just something about them that combined with the moderate amount of remodeling we have done so far, though none yet in the master bedroom, seems to call to me that they will fit more than any other sheet set that I might find. So far, I have found a 1200-Thread-Count 100% Cotton Sateen King Sheet Set, in Ivory, from the Grand Company, which feels as if they come right off the bed of a five star hotel. You know the feeling, soft, silky, smooth, and all rolled into one. The best part though is that as luxurious as these are, they are totally machine washable. The set comes with both a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two oversize pillowcases for king sized pillows, and it is still less than one hundred dollars. Originally, I saw it listed at a bit higher than three hundred dollars at a store nearby where I live; I found it through a direct link from FurnitureDestination.com for the reduced price.

I also have fallen in love with a Luxury 800 TC 100% Egyptian Cotton King Sheet Set in White. Also deeply discounted from an original price of three hundred and ninety nine dollars and ninety-nine cents, down to one hundred and nine dollars and ninety-nine cents, I was not able to find these locally, but did find them direct through FurnitureDestination.com. They also come with one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, but the pillowcases are regular size. While the thread count is not as high, I know from experience that Egyptian cotton is just the ultimate expression of luxury. Machine washable too, there is not a lot to dislike about them, including the fantastic price.

One other set caught my eye, though they are not white, but a baby blue. Also made of Egyptian cotton, the Luxury 1500 TC 100% Egyptian Cotton King Sheet Set In Light Blue, the included fitted sheet actually is fitted slightly larger than a typical fitted sheet, made to fit up to a nineteen inch deep mattress, complete with deep sixteen inch pocket corners to make sure the sheet stays on the bed and is not slipping off every time you turn over. The one downfall of these is that while they are also marked down, they are marked down from one thousand, six hundred and ninety five dollars, and ninety-nine cents, to what I still consider a king's ransom of three hundred and forty nine dollars and ninety-nine cents. If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury bedding, these will definitely fit your search.

By Christina VanGinkel

Putting your home up for sale will often leave you with the attitude that what they see, the potential buyers, is what they get. In order to get top value for your home during its sale though, you should take care of all those small repairs you have been putting off throughout the years, both cosmetic and otherwise. What have become small annoyances to you, maybe even to the point that you do not even notice them anymore, could be big red flags for potential buyers. Buyers want new, even an in older home, which is just human nature.

Not to say that you need to rip out everything and redesign the whole house, just update the aged items that are getting old and worn, not mature and charming. That leaky faucet that you have dealt with throughout the last year by sticking a washcloth beneath it at night so you do not hear the constant drip, drip, drip is a great place to start. Worn curtains, frayed at the edges even, or so faded that their original color is only something you can hazard a guess at, are also an inexpensive way to breathe new life into one of the main rooms or bedrooms of your home.

Painting the walls is one of the most inexpensive, and at the same time one of the most dramatic ways to make that older home look as if it is just waiting for the new homeowners. Keep the colors to a neutral palette, but avoid going all white, or all cream, as that will shout out that it was done just to try to cover over imperfections. It should be done in a manner that tells the potential buyers that the house was loved and cared for.

If your home has a basement, or an upstairs, take a walk up and down the stairs and see if there are any loose carpet treads that you have learned to step around, or any other minor imperfections. Fix them and at the same time, take an honest look around the home for clutter. If you are a pack rat by nature, or life has just caught up with you through the years that you have lived in the home, now is as good as time as any, to get rid of some of it. Pack it up, toss it, and give it away. Even though in your mind, you are selling the house, what buyers see is the clutter. The lone person here and there may be able to see past it, but most cannot. They will miss things like fireplaces, beautiful arched windows, spacious bedrooms, and ample counter space in kitchens and bathrooms, all because they cannot see past your day-to-day life. Piled up magazines, desks overflowing with paperwork, even too many kitchen appliances on the countertop should all be removed before the first potential buyer ever crosses the threshold.

Talking about the threshold brings us to your home's front door. It is the first thing buyers will see upon entering your home. In today's energy conscious world, if it is old, drafty, and just generally banged up by life, you will find that the few hundred dollars spent replacing it will be well spent.

Floors are any area that we tend to overlook because we live in the house on a daily basis. If the floors are extremely worn, replacing them, at least the main rooms, or tearing up carpeting to expose a wood floor that had been covered long ago, can provide your home with a dramatic new look for not too much money.

If you find yourself saying that all of these things could be done to your house, plus even a few items not mentioned, but money is an issue, then be realistic and do those you can afford. Keep in mind that clearing the clutter will not cost you a dime and in the end will often have one of the most dramatic results of any repair or replacement overall.

I know one couple, friends of ours, that did just about everything listed here and were so impressed with the results that they ended up taking their home off the market and keeping it.

By Christina VanGinkel

Every time someone thinks wallpaper has made an exit from the decor scene, it makes a smashing comeback. Not a fan of wallpaper myself, I decided that I wanted to know what was so special about wallpaper in general that it keeps coming back time and again to homes across the world. Hence, I have checked both online and in local stores to see what they have available, to see if I have been missing something that might be just the answer to my next decorating dilemma, our spare room.

Let me first tell you that I was impressed with the selection of wallpapers that I found. However, before doing a search for wallpaper patterns, I did ask myself why I did look so unfavorably on this home fashion icon. The answer was simple. When I thought of wallpaper, I thought of the home I grew up in, of the wallpaper that was giant swirls of patterns and animals, flowers, and greenery, all in garish colors. I also remember having to help strip some of that very wallpaper so that my parents could re-hang some new, even more garishly designed paper than what we were stripping. It was horrible. We literally peeled it off in tiny little pieces, and it took us forever! I remember swearing a promise to myself right then that I would never be so stupid as to hand wallpaper in any home I were to ever live in as an adult!

While I am sure there is still many walls across the world that have some of this very hard to remove paper still in place, let me also tell you most of the new wallpapers on the market are both pleasant to look at, easy to apply, and just as easy to remove. Wallpaper is so popular because it is an inexpensive way to breathe lots of life into a room. You can determine the style, the mood, the way you will use a room, all by the wallpaper that you hang on the walls. From pastels to primary colors, from bright stripes to sedated lines, eclectic styles to contemporary patterns, and everything imaginable in between, you can find wallpaper to fit your mood. In addition, where changing wallpaper was so hard to do that once you hung a style, you lived with it for years and years, (Or harangued your children into working like slaves to help strip it from the very walls it clung so diligently too!) It can now be removed quite easily, and changing it can be done as often as repainting without much more work than rolling it out onto the walls. That is if you choose properly. Keep in mind that not all wallpapers are equal. There are still papers on the market that are no easier to hang and remove than those from days past are. Shop with the knowledge that easy to hang and easy to remove paper does exist though, and read the fine print of any paper you might choose.

Wallpaper was once hung on every wall in a room too, and while this is still done, picking a single wall to hang a graphic wallpaper of interest on is a great way to breathe life into a space without overdoing it. Wallpaper can also be applied to other objects in a room to cement the feel without making the room feel as if it is closing in if you were to apply it to every single wall. Consider using it to cover one wall, then a few select objects such as picture frames or a small tabletop.

Durability of the wallpaper you choose should also be a major consideration when choosing a paper. If the paper will be hung in a room where small fingerprints will be common, be sure it is washable. Any paper hung in a laundry room or washroom should also be waterproof. Never assume that a paper you choose is waterproof or will be easy to clean, as finishes are as varied as the paper themselves. Just because wallpaper is modern, does not mean that it is will be easy to care for. Just as there are many colors and designs to choose from in today's marketplace, so are their numerous finishes, some much easier to keep clean than others.

By Christina VanGinkel

When I refer to buying art, I am actually referring to anything that you use as a decorative accent in your home, a collectible plate that you hang on the wall, a limited edition print, even a knick-knack. Art is what the purchaser makes of it. Often, when someone states that they want to buy a piece of art, they are referring to getting something of value more as an investment, than as a decorative piece for their home. While buying art in that sense is something that many people do, the majority of people buy art for just what it is, something to liven up the space they live in, to add a splash of color, a decorative accent, a conversation piece.

I am a firm believer that if you bring something into your home it had better be something that you are going to like longer than it will take the price tag to wear off. In this world of fast buy, just as quick to replace it, finding art that you will want to keep can be something that we as a nation have lost the knack for. So here follows a primer on finding the perfect piece of art for you home.

Ask yourself what you like. Think of both work and play. Ask yourself what intrigues you, what makes you stop flipping through the television channels, then head to an actual art show or museum, a few home furnishing stores, even a couple of gift shops. If you like to shop the Internet, browse some of the online stores or Ebay. Not to buy anything, but to take the time to look at colors, textures, to allow yourself to discover if there is something that makes you stop and say oh or wow. The rule for this step is to not eave you wallet at home, but to not buy anything unless it so impresses you that you just have to have it. This is not a shopping trip though, so keep that in mind. It is what it is. To see if something pops out at you as something you like. Then, when you are done for the day and head home, to see if that something sticks with you, makes you think about it after it is no longer in front of you. The first few times I shopped this way, I was surprised at how easy it was to not buy something unless it was perfect, as I had taken the pressure off myself that I just had to buy something that trip. Remind yourself the stores are not going anywhere, and if you do regret not buying something, then you will have at least defined what it is that you do like.

When I referred to a plate hanging on the wall at the beginning of this, it was for a specific reason. Years ago, I was intrigued by a decorative plate that I saw at a flea market. It was handcrafted by an artist from Mexico. I did not buy it, but it so affected me when I saw it that I dreamed about it, told everyone about it. The reason I did not buy it that day was that I was broke. Plain and simple. I had gone because a friend wanted to go and it was a beautiful day to be out at a flea market. A few years later, my brother was in Mexico and later told me that he had a gift for me. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and it was the plate. I had described it so often that when he saw it, he bought it without hesitation. If it is the same plate, we will never know, but it is by the same artist, but as he spoke no Spanish, and she spoke no English, he could not ask her if she made the design more than once. To me, it does not matter. It is what it is. A piece of what I consider art, that has some draw to it that just touches deep into me each time I look at it and makes me smile.

Buy what you love, whether it is two dollars, or a price that reflects what you think it needs to be to equal art. As long as you love it, you will have achieved success in choosing that favorite piece of art for your home.

It is a bit too late to think about decorating for Christmas this year if you haven't already done so, but it is not too early to start thinking about some ideas for the next time December rolls around. In fact, if you will be using store bought decorations, the best time to buy Christmas things (including the wrapping paper you will need for next year) is the day after Christmas. Many retailers offer 50% discounts on all things Christmas on the 26th of December.

If you want to make some of your own decorations, you can buy the materials at a discount and then perhaps work on your chosen projects throughout the year. One thing that makes a difference in any room is festive pillows.

This is probably the easiest decoration that you will be making. Simply buy a pillow form from the craft department and then buy holiday fabric for covering the pillow form. Often the holiday fabric is part of the 50% discounts, so be sure to buy as much as you will need. Any sofa, chair, or bed will be perked up for the holiday season with a bright and cheery pillow adorning it. You can decorate the pillows you make with ribbons, too.

In addition to sewing some pillows for your "handmade Christmas" next year, think about picking up a plain (artificial, of course) wreath and making it your own. This is done by attaching basically whatever you want to use for your decorated wreath. A few ideas would include various sizes of boxes that you wrapped with fabric (regular wrapping paper would probably work, but it certainly would not last very long); brightly colored ribbons tied into bows or streaming; little toys; shapes that you have made with dough and baked; hard candies; or things like pine cones.

You can finish the wreath by spraying fake snow over the branches if that is the look you wish to achieve. Those little red and white striped individually wrapped peppermints look great on wreaths no matter what you chose as your main theme.

Whether or not you plan to have live poinsettias in the house for the holiday, it looks great to have some faux poinsettias in vases around the house. You can also decorate with holly and berries and while you are planning the greenery to display, don't forget a sprig or two of mistletoe!

You may want to keep an eye open for holiday recipes throughout the year, too. Often in my travels on the internet I find a recipe that I copy and then make a mental note that it would make a great Christmas cookie. The same goes for party ideas that you come up with or hear about during the year. One idea is to buy a plastic recipe card box and some lined or unlined recipe cards. Just jot your recipe or idea onto one of the cards and call it your "Holiday Idea Box."

But back to decorating, don't be afraid to try new ideas or add new things every year. Many people use the same things year after year but never add new decorations or ideas and it ends up getting stale. Put the old things out by all means, but plan to add a few new things for your holiday home decor each year, too.

Another great decorating idea is to fill a basket with wrapped boxes. They can be either real presents that you will be giving to family members or just empty boxes. Decorate the handle of the basket with ribbons and you have an instant decoration that will become functional year round if you want to re-use the basket. Many are sold now with linings that can be used in many different ways.

Although it is not generally though of as part of decorating, don't forget the ambiance in the house while you are "decking the halls" and play some holiday tunes. It can be just softly in the background, but have a nice variety of musical styles available.

If you receive a lot of Christmas cards and want to display them, you can do that on a bulletin board that is covered with wrapping paper and decorated with ribbon. If that doesn't offer enough space, try other ideas for displaying the cards.

With a little research throughout the year and some craftwork, you will have a brand new decorating theme next Christmas whether or not you put the "same old" decorations out.

By Christina VanGinkel

Home decor and furniture are the defining sense of how a room is used, how it feels to someone entering it for the first time, or the thousandth time for that matter, yet there are other, important aspects that can have just as much influence to how a room feels, and is used, by the people living in the home. By now, you might be asking what could possibly have as much or even more of an impact to a room beyond its furnishings and decor, and the answer is quite simple, the location of the room within the house, and the location of the house itself. As so many others have been saying for years, location really is everything.

Think of it this way. You have a beautifully designed living room. It's location within the house is actually good, the furnishings are top quality and of a design and color that is pleasing to the majority of people who encounter it, and the colors and materials for things such as the walls, window treatments, and floors are just as pleasing. Back up a minute to the window treatments. What is on the other side of those window treatments, or more aptly, the windows they cover, can have a huge impact on the room itself. Certain scenes will of course appeal to some more than others will, and will truly be the choice of the owner, whether it is located on a city street, high rise building, set in a country meadow, or high atop the side of a mountain. All of these and many other locations could be just the perfect setting, as long as it agrees with the owner. Yet, there are some settings, which just do not work.

A room that suddenly has a house built next door where once none sat, and the owners built a large window overlooking an existing window in that very living room we just describes, will have a negative effect on the space no matter how you look at it, or out of it! If the house was built overlooking a large tree, which has been home to a child's swing, a bird's nest, or just the shade it has always provided, and suddenly that tree is blown over by a storm or struck by lightning, leaving a burned corpse where the majestic tree once stood, will also have a negative impact on the room.

These are of course just examples, and minor ones in the scheme of things in all reality. A new sub division could suddenly grow up where before that window looked out at rolling hills, a new building suddenly blocking what was your dream view of the ocean, an the list could go on and on. Some of these things are unavoidable, such as the tree being blown over or struck by lightning. There is no way you can control nature. This is something called life and all the planning, and tender care you have given that tree through the years could help prevent it. Many of the others though can be handled before they ever have a chance to happen.

Before you invest your time, your life, in an ideal that you have built up and around a home, consider some of these possibilities and see what can be done prior to any of them happening. If that ocean view is your main reason for buying, be sure to buy a home that has no chance of a building being built between you and it, or at least one tall enough that it would block the view. Many city buildings have rules regarding neighboring buildings over a certain height. This often means a higher price for those on upper levels, but you are assured of your view even if a new building sprouts up, at least directly next to the building you are in. If a rolling hill or forest view is what it will take to provide you with relaxation when you sit at your living room window, be sure to purchase enough property around the home to ensure that no one builds and blocks these important views. If a neighboring piece of land suddenly goes up for sale, or before you ever buy the land in the first place actually, it is prudent to know what the zoning laws are, so down the road a garbage dump, power plant, or strip mall does not suddenly develop when you were under the misguided information that you were in a residential area. Location is everything, be sure you know what the location really is before you build that dream living room overlooking who knows what!

By Christina VanGinkel

Choosing a new bedding ensemble for your room is a great way to save money, as they are usually less inexpensive in comparison to purchasing the needed pieces to give your bedroom a new look all individually. It is also a great way to be sure that everything matches, and you are not left trying to find certain needed elements that match the rest of the room. Occasionally though, bedding ensembles are not as complete as some others, and you will still need to purchase items such as curtains and rugs that will match the rest of the room's decor, while other bedding ensembles will offer every imaginable item you could think of for purchase separately, with all of it matching.

If you happen to be design challenged, this is a great way to be sure that you can pull together a room without it looking as if a clown did it for you. I am always amazed at how some manufacturers can combine elements that include stripes, checks, and even other patterns, and because they took care with the colors, and which pieces were to be used where, they all work together!

Some great companied that offer some absolutely fabulous bedding ensembles for you to choose from include Waverly, Thomasville, Lawrence Home, Croscill, Laura Ashley, Royal Sateen, Wamsutta, Veratex, Dakotah, and Sheftex. To give you an insight into the many patterns you would have to choose from just one of these companies, I found not less than fifteen choices of bedroom ensembles for Croscill alone! Keep in mind that these are just a select few, and depending on your choice of style, there are many other companies that have taken the time and effort to put together bedding ensembles complete from top to bottom so we do not have too.

What is all included in the initial purchase of a bedding set will vary, so if you are also shopping with a budget in mind, be sure to take this into consideration as you compare packages. Some basic sets will include a comforter or spread, dust ruffle, and sheet set with pillowcase(s), and shams. Others may only include the comforter or spread, shams, and dust ruffle. I even saw an ad once for what I thought was an exceptionally good price of $39.99, for what was listed as a complete bedding ensemble if choice of sizes. The word used in the ad was complete. There meaning of complete was a comforter and two matching shams, nothing else!

From there on, a good set that will provide you with enough options to give your room a completely pulled together look will also offer matching components, including window treatments, rugs, throws, throw pillows in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and styles, tabletop accessories including desk sets, picture frames, garbage cans and liners, and much more. If you like to still have a bit of choice, even after the initial purchase, look for those bedding ensembles that offer more than one color or pattern of sheets that match the main components, allowing the room to have a bit of a different feel without changing the more dominant pieces such as the comforter or the spread.

If your bedroom has its own bathroom right off of it, there are even manufacturers that have taken this into consideration, and created complimentary sets that also wind their way into that space. Many of them come complete with curtains sized and made of materials more adequate for bathroom windows, shower curtains, shower curtain rings, bath and toilet style rugs, and bathroom accessory sets with toilet lid covers, soap dishes, cups, toothbrush holders, and more.

An few extra considerations if you plan to go this route for decorating your bedroom space, are to be sure that you choose a set that you will be able to live with for some time, as you will not want to be replacing such an all encompassing set. Also, be sure that it is made well enough that the individual pieces stand up, that only one or two of the main pieces are manufactured well, but that the many smaller pieces are of such a poor quality that they need to be continually replaced. If this happens, then the initial savings in time spent not having to look for matching items, is ruined by the wasted money spent constantly replacing items.

By Christina VanGinkel

Impatient person that I am, when we arrived home late last evening after being out to my husband's annual Christmas party hosted by one of his larger contractors that he works for, I realized that I was already thinking about taking down our Christmas tree next weekend, as soon as the hubbub of Christmas day was over. This has actually become a tradition at our house, which I take down the tree and all of the trimmings Christmas afternoon, to get our small living space back to order. Not so that everyone thinks, I am a scrooge; it is just that we look forward to having our space back to normal so that we can enjoy whatever items we were fortunate enough to receive Christmas day. Not to mention that after dining out in a place where the space was large and festive, and walking back into our living space, I was reminded how much we depend on order to keep the small area we call home running smoothly.

We have also recently had our eldest son move back into our home, and while the majority of his things have been moved into his brother's room, I am looking forward to all the additional Christmas items and packages that have either landed in our spare room slash craft room being put back away or gone to their new owners. This so that he can move a few of his things into there, so his brother does not feel so overwhelmed by all of his extras landing in the small room they are going to be sharing.

Whenever the space that someone lives in is small, order is truly the only way to keep things running smoothly. Just one or two items out of place can make a small space feel crowded, and disorganized. Tackling the disorganization can be a constant struggle, but by following a few organizational rules, keeping order can be accomplished in the smallest of spaces.

Keeping clutter in control is the number one way to keep a small area organized. Enacting and following the one in – one out rule is mandatory. This rule is exactly what it sounds like. If an item comes into the household, an item that equals it in size must leave. If a new magazine (one of my own personal big clutter problems!) arrives in the mail, then a magazine that is already in the house must be tossed into the garbage. If someone buys a new pair of shoes, then an old pair must go. This rule also saves the household members money, because they know that they cannot just shop frivolously, that there are consequences that go along with bringing the new purchase home, i.e., tossing something that they own out to make room for the newest item.

There are occasionally items that come into the house that this rule cannot apply to though, such as the new tool set my husband just bought for work. He has a very organized space specifically for his tools, in the basement, and before he makes a large purchase such as he did with the tools, he evaluates the space he has, and with this purchase, it meant having to add an additional cart for storage of the tools he bought. This tactic should be put to use with any large items coming into a small home, or even a larger home for that matter. Consider where the item is going to reside, so you can provide yourself with a clear vision of whether you truly have the space for the purchase. This simple tactic can really make a huge impact on whether you bring home just one more thing!

Keeping a small area organized can be difficult, but with just a bit of work and thought, it does not have to be so hard that clutter overruns your life. Start small by clearing any existing clutter, and then investing in small things such as extra hangars for the coat closet, a shoe rack to keep shoes by the door in order, storage pieces for inside of your kitchen cabinets, magazine racks for the bathrooms and next top your favorite reading chair, or a basket that serves the same purpose. Think small for your organization needs, and you will reap a huge impact on order.

By Christina VanGinkel

If you discovered a look you love, a style of decorating that is exactly what you have been looking for, then when you checked the prices of some of the pieces you nearly dropped over from sticker shock, take heart, not all may be lost.

It is entirely possible to put together the same look for a lot less money than what it all adds up to, especially with the Internet to help you do the shopping. First, remember that if what you fell in love with was an overall appearance, you may be able to substitute some, if not all, of the individual pieces for less expensive items, and still keep the overall style intact. Think about what you absolutely love about the style. If it is an actual room, are their one ore two pieces that really define it? If so, what are the prices on those pieces? Would it be possible to buy those and then fill in the room with much less expensive pieces?

If there is not a single item in the room that is within your budget, all is still not lost. Consider what style defines the look and start from their. Shop for the style, instead of the pieces, and you should be able to pull together a room with the same attitude, the same feel, for much less than what even one of the items would cost, sometimes, for far, far less! Let us use a rug that I came across when I was in a small, but exclusive store in downtown Aspen Colorado when I was visiting as a tourist years ago, and was spending some of my plentiful time doing window-shopping, as an example. I fell absolutely in love with this stylish Indian print rug, but when I checked the price and saw that the rug was nearly fifteen thousand dollars, I swear my heart stopped right there. I knew I would never own that particular rug, but I did know that I loved the look of it and spent many a years looking for room accents in that very style, and to my surprise, not only did I find them, but in abundance and at costs that fit even my meager budget.

What the Internet has done to increase the possibility of you finding the looks and styles that you want at prices you can afford, is essentially opening up access to an infinite number of stores and shops, more than you would ever be able to visit in a lifetime, let alone an afternoon or two. If you know what you are interested in, all the better. Even if you are still at the browsing stage, with online storefronts now considering that fact, most have made viewing individual items easier and more detailed, with many of them even offering 3D views of just about any article they are selling. This makes for a more informed purchaser too, saving them on restocking fees, and it works both to the buyer's and the store's advantage.

Shop online, right here at FurnitureDestination.com, and you will soon be on your way to recreating that look you fell in love with, and still have money in your wallet at the end of the day to add the next piece you fall in love with.

By Christina VanGinkel

I never thought it would be possible to say that a room or house in general, had too much closet space. Then, last night, I was viewing a show on television, one of those programs where they have a couple who are trying to sell their home, but it has not been getting any offers. So, they bring in an expert and have them walk through the house, and they give their expert opinion on what is wrong, why potential buyers are not only not purchasing, but also not even giving bids.

The house on the show last night had many of the same problems that nearly every one of the homes showcased does. Too much clutter, kids toys piled in nearly every room, areas that needed a bit of updating, and worn out carpeting and hardwood flooring in need of refinishing or covering. Then, the expert walked into a room that was off the master bedroom. It was in an odd place to begin with. You walked through the master bedroom, which was complete with its own closets, and then this was like a small bonus room. The expert's initial reaction was to ask what the room was. It had a spare dresser and a chair in it, but other than that, not a lot else. That was until you looked around the room and realized that every single wall held a closet.

Not much was stored in any of the closets, which was a surprise to me, as they had just given the walkthrough of the rest of the house and I would have at least used the closet space to store some of the kid's toys and off-season stuff. The expert decided that they could reclaim the space by closing the entry into the room from the master bedroom, and put in new doors on the other side of the room directly into the main part of the house, essentially turning a two-bedroom house into a three bedroom, or two bedroom with a bonus office.

As they started their demolition, her initial plan called for taking out the largest bumped out closet, freeing up a lot of additional floor space, providing enough to be able to really call it a room, and not just an alcove. Once they had the closet out though, and they had a visual of just how much floor space was reclaimed, they decided they would also take out the closet right across from the first one. This still left the room with two large closets for storage of any future homeowner's needs.

The room looked fabulous when they were finished, and I personally could not believe how much roomier and spacious it looked minus the two closets. Before, the visual of the room made it look like nothing more than just a spot to toss some extras. With the area opened up, it really gave the feel that it was a room that could be used for some serious work and storage, an office space that could actually accommodate a burgeoning home business, or an efficient space to make into a media room, or even a kids playroom.

I would have argued before seeing this that a house could never have too many closets, now, I would have to say that I would need to see the house first before I said that. If you are looking to reclaim some space in your own home, take a serious look at the layout of the rooms, and consider if a solution such as this is a possibility.

By Christina VanGinkel

In this fast paced, need and want it right now world, doing home improvements projects ourselves is still something that many of us are brave enough to tackle, even if it means we do not get instant results. In fact, if you are going to courageously tackle a DIY project, you should not be in a rush. The quickest thing that rushing a DIY project will lead you too, is frustration instead of results. Before tackling any type of home improvement project, on your own, first do your homework.

Ask yourself if there is any aspect of the project that should be handled by someone more experienced, or even a professional. Consider electrical jobs and those involving ladders. Even if you believe you are capable, is there some advanced instruction you should first get?

Will you need a second pair of hands? Think about if some part of the project is going to involve heavy objects, or awkwardly sized materials. You may need help to move these items. Be sure that someone will be available to help you before you get to that part of the project so you are not left sitting and waiting when you could be advancing on the work.

Where will the project take place? The answer may seem logical, as in the room the DIY project is going to affect, but not always. Yes, if you are painting, there is no way for the work to take place somewhere else, but if you are constructing something, say built in cabinetry, some of the initial work may be done in the garage, basement, or workshop, to keep some of the mess out of the house itself.

Are there any special tools you will need, and if so, are they costly? Must they be purchased, or could you rent them? Handling issues such as these, before you start, will save you a lot of aggravation down the line.

If you are going to do cutting, painting, etc., inside, be sure there will be good ventilation, and that you have enough tarps and throws to cover any household items that cannot be moved from the area. Be sure that if there are any easy to break or valuable items in the room you will be working on, that they be moved elsewhere, out of possible harms way.

Check you budget and then check it again if there is any chance you will not be able to afford to complete a project once started. Big ideas are great and all, but if a project grows beyond what you can afford, being left with a partially completed venture while you drum up the extra cash may not be fun, especially if you have to spend that time minus some major items, say a kitchen, or other often used space.

Do it yourself home improvement projects are challenging, fun, and a great way to save money on your home improvement dreams and ideas. Just be prepared before you start, and you will soon be happily finishing one project and maybe even taking the needed steps to begin another one.

Many of us find that although our homes are to be thought of as a sanctuary from the outside world, home can often be the place where we have the most stress. It is the place where families congregate, where messes are made, problems are solved, bills are paid, and extra work is finished. While some find solace in staying home for a vacation, most of us seek to get away from our homes in order to relax. Home is not often a place of rest, relaxation, quiet time and renewal.

Although our homes will always have the day to day grind in them, to a certain extent, there is a way to create a sanctuary within the supposed sanctuary of our homes. This is known under a variety of names: a quiet time nook, a prayer closet, or just a cozy corner. Most of us don't have the room to section off an entire room for the purpose of creating a stress-free environment, but often we can find part of a room; a corner, a nook, or just a protected space where clutter won't gather, and where we can find a place of quiet.

Most quiet time spaces require some type of seat. Whether you prefer a cushioned bench, a love-seat, an easy chair, or a bean bag chair, choose something in which you can relax and find comfort. If possible, it is nice to have a seat you don't sit in at other times; for instance, your regular sofa or your kitchen table are fine, but they may provide too many distractions of dishes that need to be cleaned or TV shows that need to be watched.

Another important part of a quiet time space is a hard writing surface. Many prefer a small desk and chair, on which to write down thoughts, prayers, or journal entries. Sometimes an old fashioned TV tray is all that is needed. Cushioned lap desks can come in handy, and are easily stored out of site in a drawer or under a chair. In addition to journaling, quiet times can be a wonderful opportunity for writing hand-written letters or notes of encouragement. With your desk, TV tray, or lap desk, you may want to keep a small box of note cards, pens, writing paper, and envelopes. This is also a good place to keep inspirational books, devotional books, fun novels, books of poetry, and your Bible.

Last, but certainly not least is lighting. Your quiet time sanctuary should be a place of rest and relaxation, not a place of harsh lighting. The lights should be bright enough with which to read or write, but they should also be soft and soothing. Consider having a candle or hurricane lamp lit during your quiet time, to help set the mood.

Of course, furnishing a quiet time nook will be useless unless we actually take the time to use it. Set aside a portion of time each day to have your quiet time; whether it is fifteen minutes or two hours, do it regularly and keep it as something to look forward to. Soon, you might find that your home actually is your sanctuary of rest.

By Christina VanGinkel

Each year, when the holidays roll around, we unpack our stored decorations and ornaments. We know where each favorite goes, and if you have been doing this enough years, you may even have certain spots on the tree for special ones. Suddenly though, you discover a few that did not weather storage as well as you wished they would. Perhaps you noticed that a few of them are getting old and worn. On the other hand, it could be that you are in the process of celebrating your very first holiday season in your own home, and need a few ornaments to get your decorating off to a good start. Alternatively, maybe it is routine to add a few new ornaments and decorations each year. Whatever reason you find yourself needing or wanting some new decorations though, look no further. I have assembled a few tried and true, and most importantly, quick decorations for you to create, making them all the more special as you use them to decorate your home, plus you can tell everyone who ooh's and aah's over them, that you made them all by yourself!

Glass All a Glitter Ornaments

Pick up a dozen clear glass ornament globes, or any shape that you prefer, and decorate them with glass markers on their exteriors, personalizing each one with touches of ribbon. Look for the markers that actually say they will work on glass. These can be found in craft stores, or even in a home store, such as Home Depot or Lowe's. The metallic markers look positively extravagant, and you do not have to be an artist to make them look like as if you are, or that you spent big bucks on purchasing them. Freehand swirls, squiggles, and stars are easy to accomplish, and can be done uniformly or mixed together. The same glass ornaments could also have a touch of glitter dumped inside, just keeping in mind that a small amount of glitter will go a long way. You could also swirl gold and silver acrylic paints in each. Mix the paint with just a touch of water to make the paint swirl better. Let dry, then finish each off with a hand tied ribbon.

Paper Dreams

With the craze of scrapbooking sweeping the nation, one big plus for the average crafter, even those who only create something on occasion, is the abundance of fancy papers now available. Purchase some silver, gold, or whatever colors would look nice on your tree, and cut yourself some holiday shapes, such as wreaths, snowmen, or trees. I picked up a pack of Crayola brand Stardust paper that I cut into snowflake ornaments. I used a bit of fishing line on each to make the hangers, and I hung them both on our tree and suspended several of each at various heights in the windows of our living room, kitchen, and entry door.

Decorating your home for the holidays should be fun. And if you are not really in need of any new ornaments, craft a few of these anyhow, to bring back that homemade, handcrafted feeling that can remind us of when times were simpler, less complicated, and fun, then share them with a family member or friend who could use a little holiday cheer in their home this season. Happy Holidays Everyone!

By Christina VanGinkel

If you live in a house with average to small sized rooms, but would love to create the impression of more space, you can generate the illusion that the rooms are bigger than they actually are. By following just a few steps, none that are even very difficult, you can be living large as far as the feeling of space goes, even if not in actual size.

First, remove any clutter that exists in the room, whether it is deliberate, such as a stack of extra pillows piled high on a couch, or non deliberate, such as an overflowing basket of magazines. Once the clutter has been removed, assess the furniture that is already in the room. Ask yourself if it is scaled properly for the space. Big, bulky furniture can take an average sized room and make it appear minuscule, and it will make a tiny room look even smaller than it actually is! Be careful though if you use furniture that is too small, as you may be tempted to use more pieces, making the room appear overly crowded. A few, well-selected pieces will make the room look inviting and uncluttered.

Make sure the floor plan is arranged in a way that will still allow flow through, or into the room, whichever is required. Even if the furniture is scaled well in size, if it is arranged in a way that blocks the flow, it can still appear crowded.

A mirror on the furthest wall is an easy way to create the feeling of more space, but be sure not to use to small or too large of a mirror. As with the furniture, size will be important.

Color is oftentimes avoided by people when decorating a small room. This is not necessary, but you should keep the ceiling a very light color, or better yet, paint it white. It will work to keep the room feeling open and not too closed in. It will also help to keep the furniture and any large accessories, such as a rug, light colored. Also, make sure the room is well lit. Dark, shadowy corners will eat up space you cannot afford to lose.

Provide the room with a focal point, or otherwise it has the chance of feeling like a box with nothing more than some stuff dumped in it. If you create a focal point, it will provide the room with a purposeful feeling, giving the eye something to be drawn towards. The mirror I suggested before could be a focal point, or a fireplace mantel, or a piece of appropriate art. The important thing is to keep it in line with the overall feeling of the room, and to keep the area between the entry to the room and the focal point itself clear. This does not mean you cannot place low furniture in between, just the visual path clear.

Following these tips will provide your space with more of an open feel, providing spaciousness to the mind at least, if not in actual square footage.