Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: Home decor

  • Different Styles of Desks

    While sending texts and emails may have largely replaced writing long letters, a desk remains an essential item in every home.  A great desk can be the focal point of any space dedicated to a hobby, academics or a job. Lucky for every home, there is a wide range of models. The following desk guide and design tips will leave the work behind when adding to your home’s style.

    Secretary

    Ideal for the modern home, a secretary’s desk features a set of drawers for storage, a folding writing surface and a small cubby for display purposes. This classic also goes by the names secretaire, bureau, and escritoire. Whichever name you prefer, this charmer serves many purposes for almost every room. The desk typically comes in low or high heights. A low one would be exceptional in a bedroom, standing next to a leather, velvet or faux fur chair. Nautical themes that harness the wealth of drawers that some believed was a nod to a sea captain’s desk work well with those placed in the living or foyer. Glass-fronted options allow for ample display of vintage finds and essential reading materials. If a study is not available, create a reading nook with a cozy chair that can fit into any corner of your home.  

    Writing

    A writing desk is perfect for those who prefer a minimalist approach. While not known for expansive storage, this open desk has a large top/counter that is perfect for spreading out, if a laptop is the computer of choice. The conservative style works just as well in a bedroom or living room. To add visual interest, consider using a patterned or boldly hued rug. Create a gallery wall that inspires. Include framed motivating quotes done in calligraphy and photographs of famous authors to act as muses. Plants are also a great way to inspire the written word. Choose leafy selections that will not get in the way of your craft.  

    Executive desk

    An executive desk offers an abundance of drawer storage and surface space. They also provide a canvas for intricate designs and grandeur on their panels. Their timeless appeal encompasses an array of styles and shapes. They can be rectangular, L- or U-shaped. Choose gold trim and light work for a look that would fit in on Mount Olympus. Go for dark wood if the rest of the room is kept all-white or neutral. One way to add a touch of style with this type of desk is to play with lamps. Choose one in an unexpected color to showcase creativity or a unique shape, such as an oval or a salt lamp.

    Roll-top desk

    Featuring a moveable top crafted from horizontal wooden slates, the roll-top desk is a delight. Small cubbies or drawers are hidden by the covering, giving the homeowner privacy in their affairs. It is also an ideal canvas for a bold or varnish. Consider bright shades like apple green, rose gold or Living Coral. If feeling adventurous, paint the desk one color and the hood another. Put down a tarp to catch debris from sanding and cleaning the desk. Apply primer from the top down. Once dry, use latex enamel paint, avoid painting the track or slates. Find the right desk for your home, inspired by the April 1958 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

  • Three Classic Dining Arrangements

    Explore how to make every meal a pleasant experience with these three dining arrangements. No matter the placement, a dining table and its accessories must function to make meals enjoyable and allow for loved ones to move around freely. As such, chairs should be placed around 18 inches apart for ample elbow room. Additionally, rugs should extend 18 inches beyond the back legs of the chairs with the dining table in the center.

    Use windows as the focal point

    For sunshine-filled breakfasts and a view to set the ambiance, move the dining room table next to windows. Casters will make this rearrangement doable if this only works for weekends or special occasions. While Mother Nature may be the best accessory, the right type of window treatments will make your décor shine. Roman shades offer a casual style with minimal fabric. Corniced and woven blinds enhance the color and pattern of a dining set when the sun hits it. These blinds also give off a sense of continuity and provide architectural interest. Swags generate a luxurious feel for traditional dining rooms. If you are seeking an unexpected treatment, consider going asymmetrical or creating depth and a dramatic mood with black curtains. Dashes of pink create a whimsical glamour, while traditional draperies in any color provide privacy and light control.

    Invite every loved one

    Thanksgiving and other holidays are the perfect reason to invite a large number of guests to celebrate at your home. Don’t worry about having enough space for everyone; placing your dining table in the traditional position at the center of the room is ideal for a formal atmosphere or large groups. To make any shared meal extra memorable, focus on crafting the perfect tablescape. Gorgeous linens will ground your feast and express creativity. If serving a meal with sauces as part of the piece de résistance, consider darker colors and laundering tablecloths as soon as possible. Try patterns such as paisley in seasonal colors for an inviting look on a large or small scale. While florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, you can select unexpected hues, such as gray or Pantone’s Color of the Year, Ultra Violet. Fabrics can include burlap or velvet for any occasion. Think about layering or using a runner to set the right tone for your gathering.

    Serve the perfect meal on a grander scale

    For a buffet service, push the table right up to the wall. This will leave ample room for traffic in the center of the room. As the host, consider the following etiquette tips to put guests at ease. Serving a bounty of food offers the opportunity to sample a wide variety of dishes. Give guests a tour of the food stations beforehand or while placing dishes on the table. Ensure that there are plenty of tongs, spoons and serving forks to fend off the use of fingers. Encourage guests to place all serving utensils in their original dishes to avoid cross-contamination and allergic reactions. Keep in mind that spills happen. Provide plenty of napkins or paper towels to keep guests from feeling embarrassed. Handle any mess graciously and discretely if it requires more than a few wipes. Announce whether guests can start eating as soon as they are seated or if you would like for everyone to wait until a prayer is said, speech given or guest of honor is seated.

     

    Serve meals in any of these three arrangements to create a memorable feast that were inspired by the September 1958 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

  • Unique Kitchen and Bath Design Trends for 2018

    Style changes over time. For example, in the 1970s, laminate countertops and dark wooden cabinets prevailed in the kitchen, while in the 1980s and well into the 1990s, super-saturated primary colors were found even in the bathroom. Are you up for a home improvement project? Let us tell you about some of the unique kitchen and bath design trends for 2018.

    Smart technology

    Move over, George Jetson! Over the last few years, home technology has quickly advanced. A smart kitchen doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. Kitchen faucets can be equipped with motion sensors that allow them to come on automatically. Lighting can be controlled by your smartphone. And coffee makers can be programmed to brew a cup of coffee without you ever pressing a button.

    Meanwhile, in the bathroom, fans can be installed that run when they sense a certain level of humidity. For the ultimate in relaxation, waterproof televisions can be installed so you can catch your favorite show while taking a bath. It’s even possible to install a toilet that cleans itself, albeit with a high price tag. These toilets come equipped with a toilet-cleaning robot.

    Hardwood and alternative flooring

    Over the last few years, do-it-yourself aficionados popularized the look of reclaimed hardwood flooring,.a trend that isn’t going out of style in 2018. In fact, it’s more popular than ever. Look for wooden flooring in old homes and barns, and work with a flooring expert to install it in your home.

    Other flooring options that are becoming popular are bamboo and cork. Both materials are eco-friendly, work well in either a kitchen or bathroom and, if properly cared for, can last for decades.

     

    Dark colors make a comeback

    If 2017 was the year of white-on-white, 2018 is the year of variety. White is still a popular option, but greys are also a great choice. Surprisingly, adding bursts of color have returned full-circle from the 1980s. Rather than primary colors, the ones that have made their way back are now softly muted. Look for dark ruby red, emerald green and deep peacock blue. If you decide to redesign with color, make sure it won’t take over the room. In small rooms, color should be used as an accent. In large kitchens or bathrooms, feel free to experiment.

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Housewarming Party

    Celebrate in style, no matter the size of your new home. Interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams shows you how to go from cramped to cozy with a few great tips for your housewarming party in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

    Q: “I just recently brought my new condo/townhouse.  It has 2 beds, 1 full bath, 1 partial bath, a basement, and it is 986 Sq. ft.  I am going to host a house warming this spring and would like to know how do I fit 20 – 30 guests in my small home?”

    — Nancy J

    A: Congratulations on your new home! It’s so fun to get settled into a new space and create a home for yourself that you love. And how wonderful to have a great group to help you enjoy it. Here are a few of my tips for entertaining your friends and family for any gathering.

    Expand outdoors! Add festive lighting and consider inviting the neighbors so they won’t mind your friends spilling out onto your driveway. Rent or borrow a pop-up canopy if it’s going to be hot or rainy. Have some spare throw blankets nearby if some of the seating is outside and it’s going to be chilly.

    Set up the bar/beverages area accessible but separate from the food. Your kitchen is going to be packed no matter what, so having the beverages further away will keep your gathering a little more spread out. Consider someplace where spills are not very consequential but still social, perhaps in the back yard or garage if you have one.

    Push the major furniture pieces toward the walls. You’ll need the extra room for people to mingle. Turn the dining table sideways or place in a corner to make even more room, and remove all your breakable accessories. The table surfaces and seating are still going to be useful for food and mixing up conversations groupings, so don’t hide it all. After the party you can re-arrange your furniture how you like it for daily life and smaller gatherings.

    Keep the food prep and beverage service simple. With that many people, there will be that many extra drink glasses and plates! Serve mostly finger foods that are easy to eat while standing up. Pre-plan an obvious place for garbage and the empties, so your guests can more easily clean up after themselves.

    Invite your closest friends and family a little early to help you set up. That way there will be people at your home when the rest of the guests arrive! It’s kind of awkward to be the first guest to show up at a party set up for a big event.

    Remember, you don’t have to have everything perfect! In fact, nothing has to be perfect. Plan ahead, but if you run out of something, you can send somebody to go get more. Invite a casual atmosphere, and everyone will have a great time, including, yourself!

    — Jennifer Adams

     

     

     

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Adding Color to Your Home

    While neutrals provide a great foundation for any room, color offers personality and drama. Learn how to transform a brown space into a visual delight with a few brightening hues from interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

     

    Question: How do I add color to my interior design? I currently have brown floors, couches and a tan rug.

    Kim F.

    Answer: Brown is a wonderful foundation in which to add color. I recommend contrasting completely and boosting interest with white or ivory, especially for walls.

    Add textural fabrics

    Wool, linen or raw silk provide options for increasing visual interest in a room. Baskets, natural treasures, aged wood pieces or large driftwood pieces make for darling accessories. Furry area rugs make great options, particularly ones from Morocco. Consider one with colorful geometric shapes for drama.

    For some color

    Consider warmer tones or navy blue along with off-white colors. Stay away from bright turquoise, forest or mint. If you like green, choose warmer olive or sage. Earthy burgundy tones and dusty rose hues are also stylish alternatives.

    Artwork and area rugs

    Natural tones will give you a starting point to add color. Choose some of the warmer tones for pillows, vases, blankets and small accents.

    Jennifer Adams

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Updating Different Rooms in your Home

    A new year can mean a fresh start for your home’s style. How can you achieve this? Interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams has the answers to go for dramatic touches, textures and colors in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

    Q: How do I update different rooms of my house…specifically my family room, bedroom, and kitchen.

    — Amanda M

    A: This is a great question, one that I hear a lot! And it’s not hard to make a few simple changes to completely update the look of any room in your house, particularly the family room, kitchen and bedroom.

    A quick declutter makes any room look fresh, airy and new. Pull out all the accessories off your shelves and other surfaces, and put back only about half of them, or, even less! Just a few of your favorites deserve a spot. If you can’t make up your mind about an item, save it to rotate back in later.

    Color is a quick way to update a room. Or, actually, these days it’s a lack of color that is making news. My whole house is basically white, wood tones and different grays from light to charcoal to dark iron. New decorative pillows, throw blankets, area rugs and accessories, even books, candles and art on the walls are great opportunities to change any room’s tone without even opening a can of paint.

    A new bedding set with fresh sheets, and a bold comforter or duvet will completely change the look of your bedroom. Contrast your wall colors for a little bit of drama, or keep things quiet with off whites, grays and lots of texture, such as a throw blanket with big tassels or fringe, or soft stripes.

    Emphasize the natural. I love natural curiosities such as interesting pieces of wood, fossils or shells, crystals and stones, because the color is subtle but warm, and the textures are so fascinating.

    Large plants! For a rich pop of color and dramatic touch, add some big architectural plants with interesting leaves. If you can’t spring for something as big as you want, buy smaller ones in multiples, and use a pedestal or plant stand to vary the heights. I generally use odd numbers for any accessory grouping, 3 is a magic number for this!

    — Jennifer Adams

  • Kitchen remodel: 8 must-know tips before you get started

    There are a number of reasons why a kitchen remodel is trickier than most other rooms in a house: furniture arrangement is less flexible, high expenditures are required on appliances, and a number of functions have to be accommodated by the layout. However, remodeling a kitchen is also a solid investment as it can drastically increase the value of your property. So, before you get started, check out a few tips that will help you make the process more time- and cost-efficient.

    1. Identify the purpose
    Before you select a color scheme or even get a contractor, make a list of the different functions of this space. Is the kitchen going to be used solely for cooking or will it also serve as a dining area? Do you have children who will hang out in this area with their friends after school? There are numerous ways in which you will use the space outside of the primary purpose of making meals, so think through each and every one of them and evaluate whether they all can be incorporated in the design or if you have to prioritize.

    2. Prioritize your investment

    There are items that are worth investing and those that you can try to save on. Of course, if you have your dream budget then there is no reason not to go with top-of-the-line products for everything. However, for the most part it is a puzzle game as we try to put together more expensive pieces with more affordable ones in a nice cohesive image.

    Here are a few things that are worth the investment:

    • Countertops: quality materials, such as marble, will both last you a very long time as well as increase the value of your home should you decide to sell at one point.
    • Proper drainage: there is a lot of waste that we dispose of in the kitchen, often times using a sink – cooking oil, for example. Make sure that you invest in a proper disposal system as well as install quality pipes.
    • Energy efficient and smart appliances: if you have to pay more for an energy-efficient appliance – be it a refrigerator or a microwave – do it. You will get this money back in reduced energy bills and, once again, if you ever decide to sell your house together with the appliances, you will be happy that you invested in energy efficiency. When it comes to smart technology, we are not talking about a fancy coffee maker, but rather a smart fire alarm system.

    There are also a few items where you can cut corners:

    • Hardware finishes: knobs and handles are not worth the investment. When selecting kitchen cabinets, pay attention to the quality of the cabinets, not the design of the knobs on them. You can purchase a different knob or a handle for as little as $4-$5 and it is easy to replace these elements.
    • Tiles: porcelain tiles are often recommended for kitchen floors as they resist chipping and cracking, while also being affordable.

    READ: HIGH VALUE ROOMS: IMPROVING YOUR KITCHEN TO BOOST HOME VALUE

    3. Design based on your habits
    How often do you cook? What is your cooking routine? For example, do you tend to cook 3-4 meals at the same time or in portions? How much counter space do you need? How often do you bake? How much food do you freeze? Do you usually cook alone or with another person? These are all the questions you should ask yourself before you remodel your space. No detail is too small. For example, does it make sense for you to create a sub-cooking space where other family members can microwave their food or wash dishes without interfering with your cooking process? How many items do you need to be easily accessible – from pots and pans to a spice rack? Do you purchase in bulks? That will determine the design of your storage space.

    4. Pay for the design
    Once you have identified what you want and what you want it for, allocate some of your budget for a professional design. Even if you think that you have thought through every possible detail, you will be surprised by how many items you couldn’t even envision that come up when you consult a professional. You may be able to create a pleasant color scheme. A designer will create a stunning one. You may be able to create a detailed storage plane. A designer will figure out how to use dead spaces in the kitchen for storage. You may be able to select quality materials. A designer will explain which materials work best for your maintenance needs. A designer will be able to take your idea and perfect it. This is something worth investing in. The best part is that it can be affordable as well. For example, you can use Arcbazar to crowdsource a dozen of designs from the network of thousands of architects for a fraction of the cost.

  • How to Create a Perfect Reading Nook in 5 Easy Steps

    If you are a book lover, you know that there are very few pleasures in life that compare to curling up with a book and a glass of wine or hot chocolate (whatever your preference is) and spending some quality time with your true love – a good book. There are two types of book lovers: those who have switched to reading books on a Kindle and the “traditionalists” – these people love the smell of books, love the feeling of turning actual pages, can’t walk past a bookstore without walking in and spend countless hours online searching and ordering books by favorite authors. If you belong to the second category, you can probably skip a couple of steps outlined below. In either case, read up! Our today’s priority is to create the perfect space for you and your books.

    Step 1: Allocate the space
    There is nothing better than reading a book by the window on a rainy day or a sunny lazy Sunday morning. Therefore, we recommend selecting a spot closer to the window. Plus, it gives you the advantage of natural light. If you have space to take over the entire area, even better. If not, a corner will do.

    Step 2: Create a home for your books
    A book nook will not feel right if you are not surrounded by books when you’re in it! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to go. Here are a few fun options if you can afford to or prefer to buy bookshelves or can build a more elaborate set of shelves yourself:

    However, if you can’t invest (or don’t want to) in a major transformation or want to create something yourself but don’t happen to be too handy, don’t worry because there are numerous options for incredibly easy DIY bookshelves. Here are a few tutorials:

    Here’s one made entirely out of IKEA boxes and binder clips (instructions here)

  • 10 Easy Low-Cost Upgrades for Your Home

    You don’t need to remodel your entire house to make it look fresh. A few upgrades here and there, completed on your own schedule and budget, can do wonders for your space. Check out some of the easiest and cost-efficient upgrades.

    Whether you don’t have the budget or the time to go through a complete home renovation process, there are still plenty of smaller things you can that are budget-friendly and are not as time-consuming. Some of them will further increase the value of your home. All of them give a fresh new look to your space.

    Repaint the walls

    Repainting is one of the easiest ways to completely reinvent your space. It is an opportunity to shine a new light on old furniture and items of decor. You can re-program the mood of a room by understanding the psychology of colors and picking accordingly. Even if you decide to stick to the same color, a fresh coat of paint will make your home look more polished. Before getting started, check out the 6 things you should know before repainting.

    Upgrade kitchen cabinets

    Start by repainting your old kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint has the potential of making your kitchen unrecognizable! The next step is to replace old handles with something more elegant and trendy. Et voilà! A small kitchen upgrade like this one can also significantly improve the value of your home by making it look more expensive.

    Add crown molding

    Crown moldings visually unify a room, add more elegance and a smoother transition between dimensions. From classic to colonial, you have a range of choices in terms of style and budget. You also don’t need “the guy” to install crown moldings. Check out this guide and you can do it yourself.

    Swap out the faucets

    Replace the old faucets in your kitchen and bathroom with new ones. This is something that will uplift the style of the space surrounding the sinks. An easy home upgrade like this one may seem insignificant, but you will be surprised by how much small things can transform the overall feel of a room.

    Replace the backsplash

    Your options of tile materials are diverse and can accommodate any budget. Ceramic is the cheapest. Other options include glass, stainless steel and stone. Select something that’s easy to clean and adds personality to your kitchen.

  • Home for the Holidays: Clever Hacks with Household Items

    Getting your home ready for the holidays goes beyond hanging a stocking or trimming a tree. With family and friends spending extra time together, why not create a feeling of coziness around the house? The Danes have a word for this warm winter mood: “hygge” (pronounced ”hooga”). This word loosely translates to taking pleasure in soothing things and enjoying a comforting, warm atmosphere at home with loved ones. There are many ways to get in the spirit, without spending a lot. Here are our favorite “holiday hacks” using common household items.

    bhgrelife.com - Household Hacks for the HolidaysDisplay Your Good Cheer

    If you have a gallery wall in a hallway or gathering room, greet your guests with this easy decor hack: Swap out the photos or artworks in the frames with some in a seasonal spirit. Use colorful greeting cards saved from years past, treasured holiday photos or photos of friends, kids’ winter drawings or snowflake cut-outs, bits of wrapping paper, or festive words!