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Buying a home is the largest investment most people will ever make, so it’s no surprise that such a big decision may seem daunting. There are, however, some simple guidelines that can help you find a home that you will be happy with for a very long time.

A recent study conducted by Merillat, a leading manufacturer of cabinetry, examined what consumers think about when they’re purchasing a home. The study found that the kitchen sways more minds than any other room, followed by the great room and the master bedroom third.

“The kitchen is the gathering place for special occasions, family functions and day-to-day activities, which is why it is so important for prospective buyers to ensure their new kitchen will meet the needs of their family from a design and functionality prospective,” said Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat.

Try creating a checklist to help you decide whether a kitchen is right for you. Ask yourself these questions: Read the rest of this entry »

No wall space for a mural? How about accent tiles placed every foot or so of your favorite cooking herbs in an 1800’s style, right out of the Farmer’s Almanac? Or an easy-to-clean backsplash behind the kitchen sink of fruits connected by flowering vines all in a lively color scheme?

The best part about tile is you only have to do it once. You choose timeless and tireless motifs and place them where you need something durable. Side-by-side with gold, ceramic is the most durable substance we know. What else has told us the history of human culture as accurately? Nothing the manufacturers have come up with can surpass ceramic tile for lasting beauty. Nothing.

Working with an artist as opposed to a factory has many benefits. The artist has sentimental memories too, and usually does the work she does for other reasons than moving out volumes of product for profit, so she is more than happy to fill your space with warm homey decoration. We all have a favorite old pattern or print, maybe Grandma’s stitching or an old tapestry. Everything eventually wears out and must be discarded. Except ceramic. Have it painted on tile and installed for all time. Read the rest of this entry »

Does your living room need updating but you don’t know where to start? Let Britain’s doyenne of interior design Nina Campbell make it easy for you with her guide to using fabrics to pull a room together.

“You want to work hard at getting it right but the result has to look as though it’s been thrown together in five minutes.”
Step 1
“Start with a fabric you love and then worry about what to do with it.”

High street department stores, specialist haberdasheries or even markets are great places to find a good selection of materials. Or you may find an accessory, such as a rug, throw or cushion that catches your eye.

Whatever you choose, this will form the basis of your colour palette for the room and gives you something to build on.
Nina Campbell choosing fabrics Read the rest of this entry »

You might not realise you’ve got bad lighting but you’ll recognise the symptoms: headaches and sore eyes, frustration in the kitchen at not being able to see what you’re doing and arguments in the bedroom over whose turn it is to get up to switch out the light. Good lighting will make your home feel spacious, clean and welcoming.

The key is to create a flexible scheme that takes you right through the day and all the different uses of your room. At the flick of a switch, you should be able to transform it from a bright, vibrant living space to the setting for a romantic dinner for two.
Natural light

It’s a fantastic asset to any home, but the quality of the light depends on the aspect of the room. Read the rest of this entry »

Using a mood board will give you a direction for your creativity, somewhere to crystallise your thoughts and a way to share your ideas with others.

Begin by choosing your main base colour from the colour wheel. This might be a colour you particularly like. Most people are always drawn to a certain colour. Look around you, what colour do you wear the most? Is there a colour that you’d love to wear but doesn’ t suit you that you’d love on your walls instead?

It is rare we get a total free rein or start with a totally blank slate, the base colour might be dictated by something you’re stuck with such as a grey carpet or an avocado bathroom suite. However, this doesn’t have to hold you back. Use the colour wheel to look at what colours go with this colour and decide whether to go for a tonal, harmonious, or complementary scheme.
Colour schemes

For best results, choose one of the following schemes.

1. Tonal - use just one colour but varying tones of it throughout a room or use more than one colour but all with the same depth of tone.
2. Harmonious - pick colours next to each other or near each other on the wheel. These schemes generally give a look that’s easy to live with and are tranquil and restful.
3. Complementary - or ‘contrasting’ colours lie opposite each other on the colour wheel. Complementary colours generally inject some life into a scheme, are more daring and will make more of an impact but might not be so easy to live with. Read the rest of this entry »

Finishing touches are how ordinary things become remarkable masterpieces.

For example, if you were to look beyond the sequins, a ballerina’s intricate tutu is just a plain leotard. Without that secret dash of something extra, the gourmet chef’s chicken tastes just like something you whip up for dinner any normal night. The same can be said for your home design – the little details like trim and moulding can make all the difference in the overall look and feel of your personal paradise.

Once upon a time, moulding was an installation nightmare that overwhelmed the most ambitious designers. Materials were heavy, difficult to manage, and still needed to be primed, painted, cut and positioned – certainly not a task for the average homeowner to undertake. Today’s materials eliminate some of those challenges, making moulding and trim installation a wonderful do-it-yourself task that is not terribly time consuming. But before busting out the caulk gun and your hammer, there is some preparation.
Living room decorative moulding and trim in home

Moulding and trim is both decorative and functional. Once installed, the details are eye appealing and add significantly to your décor, all while hiding joints from your walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors. Mouldings are available in several materials that vary based on finish and price:

* Hardwood – meant to be stained or left with a natural finish; expensive
* Pine or Fir – typically paint grade; less expensive
* Polyurethane foam – can be painted or stained to resemble wood; most inexpensive and manageable

Each of these materials comes in a variety of styles. Prefinished options come ready to install without need for painting or staining. There is also minimal touch up necessary when installed correctly. There may be a limited selection at your local hardware vendor, so take your time researching all your options. Contact stores or manufacturers about catalogs with available styles and suggestions based on home design.
window trim style for home plan. Read the rest of this entry »