The Finishing Touch

6 Ways to Decorate Your Patio or Backyard for Summer

Are you dreaming of sunning by the pool, margarita in-hand? Ready or not, Summer is here! Birds have headed home, gas prices are steadily climbing, and warm weather wardrobes are just waiting to explode from closets everywhere. There’s no better time than right now to decorate your porch, patio, or backyard. Maybe you’re feeling inclined to opt for a stay-cation this summer. If so, turn your backyard into a relaxing sanctuary for you and your family. Toss out your old white plastic patio furniture, and make your backyard a place you can be proud of. Then, invite your friends, family, and neighbors over for a little Summer vacation barbeque. Bring on the hot dogs… Hebrew National, of course!

Don't Build a Home Until Reading THIS!

There are so many elements to consider when designing and building a home or addition that it is easy to overlook window treatments. This article will show you how to avoid the most common pitfalls, and hopefully save you money.

Window Depths

Window depths should be at least 2-1/2 inches, especially when decorative casing surrounds the window. Homeowners prefer to mount treatments like shutters and plantation size (2") wooden blinds within the window frame. When installing double-hung windows the 2-1/2 inches applies to the bottom window, where space is especially shallow. Some plantation shutters have 4-1/2 inch louvers These and some other treatments require even more room.

In Honor of St. Patrick's Day... Green Blinds and Shades!

I know it’s Monday, but I’m feeling festive. Whether you’ll be drinking green beer or decorating shamrock cookies with your kids on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a great day to spend some time catching up with friends and family. It’s also a great day to start thinking about your Spring décor. It’s almost April, and before you know it, the sun will be beating down on you and your furniture. Make sure to cover your windows and reduce your need for air conditioning. Green blinds are a perfect way to honor St. Patty, but they’re also very in style in 2009. By utilizing a wide range of colors on your windows, you’ll be right in line with the window treatment trends of 2009. Don’t be afraid of a little color. Express your creativity this year, and branch out. I'm a sucker for green; it's been my favorite color since I knew what color was. Maybe that's why I enjoy these window treatment so much. Green is the color of rebirth, it's the color of nature, and it's a restful, restorative color. Use it with abundance in your home to make you feel energized and safe. Below are some beautiful examples to model your home after:

Window Treatments for Manly Men

I don’t mean to generalize here but sometimes you men need help choosing the right window treatments. You don’t mind letting the lady in your life carefully choose each blind and shade. It’s also not uncommon for you bachelors to fashion some kind of homemade drapery out of an old sheet. I understand; you’re busy, you’re not sure what looks good, and you don’t want to spend the money. But if you really want to impress your lady, or not scare away the next one who happens to see your place, pick something that matches YOUR personality. Trust me, she’ll love it too.

Color and add-ons make a big difference. When in doubt, go with something in a dark wood. Mahogany and walnut woods are generally on the darker side of the spectrum. They’re sophisticated and classic without drawing too much attention. Choose something cordless, which are more sleek than corded blinds. Choose some accents, like cloth tapes or edge binding (depending on the product you choose) in black or brown. If you want to add a little color, you might choose Hunter green cloth tapes or blue. The valance is also important; choosing an outside mounted valance with an inside mounted blind provides depth to the room.

Now this is what I'm talking about...

You also might choose a simple solar shade like this one. It's great for media rooms, computer rooms and offices because it protects your high-tech gear from the sun, and it prevents glare. Functional AND good-looking... just like you.

One of our customers submitted this photo to us. He even told us that his girlfriend was totally impressed with the blinds in the game room.Woven woods are rustic and cool, and compliment any type of room.

Aluminum blinds are all about function, function, function. They're extremely durable, resistant to little kids and pets (they're tempered aluminum, can't get much sturdier than that), and they're no fuss. They're really easy to install, and they get the job done.

Last but definitely not least, the holy grail of window treatments, are shutters. This customer not only installed them in his windows, but in his skylights as well, a very non-traditional look. You can see the kind of effect wood shutters have on a room. Instant upgrade!

 

Tell me your thoughts - what type of window treatments are perfect for modern men?

Happy decorating,

DIY: Paint Fun, Unique Custom Wall Murals on a Budget

Are you the mom or dad of a little Spiderman? Does your princess dream of Disney castles and spinning teacups? I found this adorable site called Wallnutz (how cute is that?) that lets you create your own murals using large wall stencils and DIY kits. It’s quite ingenious, actually. The kits allow you to paint these yourself in a Paint-by-Number fashion, and who doesn’t love a paint by number? I’m particularly taken with this one:

 

How adorable are these animals?

Wallnutz also offers tons of other sticky accessories, from wall stickers, to chalkboard decals, to sticky interactive decals. I love this “Day in the Park” decal, which allows kids to write on the wall, no punishment necessary:

 I can’t imagine a more wonderful gift for a child this holiday season. A beautiful new wall mural would brighten anyone’s celebration, and you have to love the price. These would also make great nursery murals. With redecorating being pricey, it’s a great way to make your sister-in-law jealous, don’t you think? She’ll have no idea you did this yourself! Check out their site and browse their collection, they have a lot of adorable designs.

Happy decorating,

You Don't Have to Spend a Fortune to Design a Beautiful Home

Nick Olsen at daily dose: Domino Blog posted about this beautiful mirror tray from Mermaid Hut yesterday and I just love it. I'm about to order it. I'll let you guys know how it looks with some old fashioned egg nog sitting on top of it. Check out the post. In fact, check out all his posts! He's a great resource if you're looking for home items that look expensive, but never are.

Happy decorating,

Trend Watch: Holiday Decor on a Budget

Holiday season is upon us! Well, it's definitely upon me as I prepare for my seasonal company (yikes) to arrive. It's always a little scary, getting ready for the masses to ascend upon me for some apple cider and figgy pudding. Okay, so I don't know what figgy pudding is. Or how to make it. But I do know a thing or two about redecorating on the cheap while making it look like I spent a fortune. I'll share a few of my recent purchases with you on one condition… don't tell my overcritical neighbor this is how much I spent.

1. Multiple prints in similar styles

This is a popular style right now, and I made it work with these beauties by Albert Koetsier. You can find many more prints like these at ArtSelect. They have one of the best selections I've ever seen, and if you get the prints unframed and just frame them yourself, it's really inexpensive.

2. Hang an exotic tapestry

I hung this piece from HomeDecorators.com in my living room and it's truly gorgeous. I'm a sucker for deep chocolate brown and blue combos. It's a great piece for the holidays; just rich enough to feel inviting and warm. This colors can easily carry into your spring décor. Toss some sky blue throw pillows on a neutral-colored couch for an instant change.

3. Add a pop of bright color

We've all become familiar with winter white… why not winter yellow? Imagine this yellow-rimmed mirror form HomeDecorating.com hanging in your living room, above the fireplace, in the entryway. Its unique design and color make it something your guests won't forget. They'll be envious of your design savvy! "Sunflower yellow in winter? How chic!"

4. Plant a conversation piece somewhere conspicuous

I cannot tell you how much I love this bowl. Love, love, love this bowl. Everything about it. The size (it's on the large side!), the color, the design, the price. It's my favorite purchase of the season thus far. Target has loads of fun goodies like this one, many available for under $100. Trust me, it will get your houseguests talking. Put holiday cookies in it, potpourri, or nothing at all. Mine is currently empty, and it looks beautiful. It stands alone quite well.

5. One of these pieces of furniture is not like the others…

It's plush, it's hot pink, and it's comfortable to boot. This bench is perfect for a second floor landing or entryway, but also as extended seating in your living room. It's so luxurious! It's risky, I'll admit, to add something so bold to your décor, but you'll be pleasantly surprised how well it blends. The material is uniquely patterned. Plus, I love that they ship to Canada. Canadians need pretty seating areas too!

Happy decorating,

John Derian for Target

The holidays are right around the corner and our schedules are all jam packed with visits from the in-laws, parties, and of course the usual holiday dinners.  I am not quite ready to succumb to turkey-printed china in honor of Thanksgiving and wanted to up the style quotient of my first real bachelorette pad with unique housewares that would impress and work for events from my housewarming, to cocktail parties and family gatherings.  

I became a fan of John Derian's decoupage work after reading his story in the New York Times last year, but needless to say my champagne taste and Diet Coke budget prevented me from becoming a large patron of his art.

Conveniently, starting September 15th, Target will be featuring a line by John Derian starting at only $5 for decoupage coasters at http//www.target.com/johnderian.

DIY: Bathroom Cubbies

Remember back to kindergarten when everyone had there own individual cubby to store their lunch box, coat and personal items?  Cubbies are a great way to give everyone in the family a separate space in a shared bathroom or just to keep different types of toiletries organized.  Choose the DIY cubby project below that fits your skill level and personal style and in an afternoon you will have a more stylish and organized bathroom.

 

A simple, divided plywood box covered in newsprint adds creative inspiration and storage to a petite bathroom. Vintage style apothecary jars and boxes make the most of otherwise limited storage areas.

Easy Storage for Small Bathrooms

Have you run out of (bath)room but not out of stuff?  Read on and discover three ways to add major storage without a remodel.

Linear Storage
Problem: You don't have the floor space to add storage units.

Solution: Without using much wall space, this modern shelf offers significant storage. Oversize baskets maximize storage. For a symmetrical look, top each shelf with identical storage boxes or baskets.

Concealed Cabinet
Problem: Want to put a pedestal sink in the plans
for your new bathroom, but you're afraid
to give up the storage space?

Solution:  Add a Concealed Cabinet or two in your design and get the bathroom of your dreams.  Even if your bathroom is tiny, it can still be well organized.  You don’t have to toss your medicine, toiletries, dental supplies,air fresheners, and extra toilet paper. Store them in the concealed cabinet and keep them tidy.