True to their name, Roman Blinds got their start in Ancient Rome. In the time before roads were paved, heavy foot traffic, travel by donkey, and constant construction left the air in the city extremely dusty. To trap dirt and dust before it came into the home, Romans hung wet cloths over windows. When people noticed that these fabric coverings also kept homes cooler by blocking the sun, window coverings of all kinds became more popular and elaborate. Bali Custom Tailored Roman Shade Roman shades are most well known for their overlapping folds. Some historians attribute the inspiration for this design to the fabric awning that sheltered spectators from the sun in the Colosseum. The long awnings extended out over…

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  Spring has sprung, and along with it, the season of home improvement and redecorating is upon us. The design world is ripe with modern minimalist spaces for spring 2013. To achieve this look you don’t have to throw out all your belongings and leave behind one bare bulb.  Here are 5 easy ways to modernize your home. Turn Up the Contrast The modern look is all about industrial shapes and clean lines, but this visually stunning furniture can be cold an unwelcoming in reality. Add comfort and high contrast by pairing hard shapes with soft textiles. This wire chair and furry throw are the perfect match. Even more traditional shapes, like this Windsor style rocking chair look cozy with…

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Feeling the winter blues after weeks of grey days? Create an indoor oasis from all things cold and bland that will brighten your spirits until spring comes. Our favorite Pinterest picks will rejuvenate your home as you reconnect with nature and create cozy spaces to finish out your hibernation. 1. See the Sea – This nautical influenced decor won’t be found on any other beach house on the block. Natural elements are always in style, but keep the look modern by mixing clean lines and unruly organic pieces. 2. Set a New Benchmark – Add extra cushiness and eclectic charm to your kitchen table by replacing a few chairs with a plush high backed bench. Crisp stripes add formality to the…

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Apart from shopping, gift-giving and consuming more sweet treats than any human body is able to gracefully endure, one of the best staples of the holiday season would be Christmas decorating. But what if you’re not into the traditional look of red-and-green everything, tinsel that sparkles like a Twilight character and colored lights so bright you could direct a 747 down into your driveway? For anyone trying their hand at a balanced, modern and more rugged approach to the season, here are some ideas for more manly Christmas decorations. The Rustic Christmas One key to adding a dash of gender equality to the Yuletide cheer is the use of natural, earthy touches and colors that will make your space feel…

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Were you a little weary pulling out the same old Christmas decorations this year? It may be time to find some fresh holiday colors to liven up the look of your home this season. We love that this dining room maintains a modern black and white palette while splashes of traditional holiday crimson add a festive feel. Many of us deck our halls (and mantles and trees) with decorations that have been passed down from parents and grandparents. The heart of the holiday season is tradition, so we’re bringing you Christmas decor palettes that will blend heirloom decor with new bright-hued treasures for a chic contemporary look.   Dusty Berry Hues Add holiday cheer to a neutral year round porch…

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We love a nice set of custom window draperies, but sometimes your windows (and sliding glass doors) need a window treatment that gives you more light control AND a great look. Lighting and looks with Vertical S Blinds Meet customer ‘Cornwell’ from Indiana (and their dining room above!) who fought back against annoying, sunny glares to reclaim their space: We bought the vertical Levolor “S” blinds for our Dining Room because: 1. We were tired of the affect our heavy drapes were having on room appearance, and 2. Tired of the necessary upkeep required for the heavy material used in the drapery. The Levolor Blinds exceeded our expectations in several areas. Not only did the blinds improve the visual aspect…

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As Halloween approaches it’s time to add some spook to your decor! Though many of us are dreaming up the perfect costume, half the fun of this haunting holiday is dressing up your home!  We hope these pins help you bring some Halloween fun for kids and adults alike. 1. This hooty friend may be more cute than creepy, but he’ll certainly bring some Halloween spirit to your front porch. Find a taller pumpkin for the Owl’s body and use mini ones to make his eyes, beak, and horns. Find other creative pumpkin ideas on our Fall Home Decor Board. 2. Surprise your guests with macabre wall art mixed in among family portraits. Find a vintage photograph and dress it…

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It’s time for another week’s worth of Pinterest gems. This time we decided to zero in on home organization tips and tricks. The pinboards are abounding with ideas for increasing efficiency at home without being an eyesore. Because, when you get down to it, we’re a lot more motivated to take on an organization project if it’s cute as well as functional. 1.  Methodical Measuring- Say, “No More!” to looking up conversions every time you cook. Including a measurement conversion chart on a cabinet door is genius. It’s a great way to utilize this space and with the labeled hooks for measuring cups and spoons you’ll never have to rifle through a drawer to find the one you need. Click on…

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In our Dream Dorm Decor Series during the month of September, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite dorm products and design tips to help make your dorm room reflect your personal style. You may already have the basics, but now it’s time to make your space a less generic and more like home. Read on to find out more about our Dream Dorm Decor Giveaway and be sure to comment on this post for a chance to win!   First thing’s first, you’ve got to have a place to sleep. That plastic-covered, bed-bug-resistant mattress that’s been used by who knows how many generations before you isn’t going to cut it for the next 8 months. Let’s start from the bottom up. Make that…

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It’s a funny thing I like Pinterest as much as I do. Before discovering the website, I was not a fan of cooking, fashion, or arts and crafts, and now, well I spend at least an hour day browsing about…

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