I love Christmas – I’ve always loved Christmas!  I couldn’t wait to put up my 1^st Christmas tree in my 1^st apartment after college!  It wasn’t very big, but my favorite symbol of   the Season was standing in my little living room!  It’s the smell of evergreens that I enjoy so much – that and all the lights and ornaments that create the bejeweled king of the holidays! 

I use a lot of evergreens to decorate during the season – especially outdoors.  It is remarkable what you can create with evergreens, holly & boxwoods.  You can create gorgeous window swags, lamp post & mail box swags and beautiful arrangements in urns, planters and large outdoor pots.  Use floral foam and soak it in water so that your arrangements will last during the season. When creating any of these outdoor decorations remember to start with the largest and sturdiest branches (blue spruce, holly) and slowly fill in with small and softer greenery (pine, boxwood, arborvitaes).  Holly branches with berries add color as do variegated boxwoods, but so do pinecones and simple small ornaments or red ribbons. 

Creating a welcoming exterior for the Holidays is as easy as pie!  Look around your yard – you’ll probably have everything you need to create beautiful arrangement – all you’ll need is some floral foam & your imagination!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

How frustrating is it to dine at a long table and try to have a conversation with someone sitting a few people away?   It’s just not happening!  Enter the round dining table!  It is an excellent conversation area where everyone can be the center of conversation! Beyond the ease of conversation, a round table is so functional – the shape accommodates both large and small parties. 

Round and oval dining table are space efficient too!   If you think you don’t have any space for a dining table in a small living space – think again.  Many round tables are drop leafs so when you are not using it, drop the leaves and you have a small rectangular table that can fit easily against a wall. 

So you’d like to host a dinner party and you don’t have a round table – how about DIY?  Find a small table base (maybe an outside table or pedestal side table) and add a round glass or plywood top (be sure to anchor it) and cover with a table cloth and voila – a charming and warm dining area is ready for the party!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

As we feel the fall’s first chill, my mind goes immediately to a cozy fire in the family room.  Nothing is more mesmerizing than those flickering flames.  But how do we decorate around our fireplace?  My thoughts are that “less is definitely more”!  Don’t clutter the mantel with large collections of pictures or collectables all surrounding a large picture or mirror.  It is so easy to do because a mantel gives the appearance of a shelve and what’s the harm in adding just one more item on that shelf?  Decorating is really about accenting a beautiful feature, so most often less will always be more.  Here are some quick tips for decorating your mantel – Start with one large piece of art or mirror; which anchors the mantel; it can rest on top of the mantel or be hung very close to the mantel.  That piece does not have to be centered, especially if you’d like to add a few more decorative features.  Once you have your anchor, step back and see if you like the simplicity of it.  If you feel it needs a little more, add small accents – small vases or plants that will co-ordinate with the anchor piece.

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

Lighten & Brighten and then add Interest

So many home owners want to update their homes and are just not sure where to start. And in today’s economy they don’t want to spend a fortune to make those changes.  I say, it is relatively simply & inexpensive – Lighten & Brighten and then add Interest!  One of the most important parts of decorating is using the right paint color on your walls.  It is remarkable how much the color of a room can transform the tone and feel of the space.  Plus, it is the most inexpensive way to change the look of your space.   Now, check out your windows.  Allowing nature light to flow into a room is must in my book!  Use airy window treatments, such as muslin or raw silk panels.  They allow light to flow and create elegance.  Window Cornices are another great option.  Cornices open up a window to light and add interest with unique fabrics and styles. Let’s add a little more interest.  The easiest & most inexpensive way is to add pillows.  Use a variety of sizes, shapes, textures and colors.  But pillows will not complete the finished look.  Using interesting accent furnishings, adding wall art, lamps & ambient lighting and greenery will finally complete the transformation! 

 EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

How unique are lamps today?  I’ve just fallen in love with all the lighting choices.  I often blog about how accent pieces can create your “one of a kind” space and adding lamps are certainly no exception.  Regardless of the style of the room you’ve created, spice it up with some original lighting.  Don’t dismiss table and floor lamps because your room has plenty of recessed lighting.  Using ambient lights, for example, will direct the eye.  It is soft, indirect lighting that will illuminate the space and create an inviting glow.  So what are the latest looks?  Lamps and shades are big, small, colorful and amazingly unique.  They are made out of cork, woven wire, and silhouetted with photos.  Artisan lamps are bejeweled, chain linked, ceramic, glass and made from reclaimed materials!  Today’s lamps are like pieces of art, so no matter what your style – there is truly a unique lamp for everyone!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

Have you noticed what’s happened to the old coffee table?  For the most part, the classic walnut or maple rectangular or oval tables are gone.  Home owners today are opting for unique and eye popping pieces that can become the center of the living or family room.   What a great opportunity to express your individual taste!  Even if your decorating style leans toward traditional or transitional, a “one of a kind” coffee table will have your friends and family talking as soon as they walk into your room.  Simple colorful cubes or garden stools are functional both as a table and additional seating. And they’ll also create sparks of color!  Unique bases with glass tops are another great option.  And always a favorite, the upholstered bench – just don’t forget the tray to place drinks and snacks!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

Have you noticed that the classic dining room furniture set has long been a thing of the past?  If you are still living with an outdated dining room here are the two best changes you can make to update your room and bring it into the 21^st century.   Change out your dining room chairs & paint your china closet a great color that will pop in the room!  Changing the seating will change the whole look of the room.  The variety of dining room chairs today is so creative.  Upholstered chairs offer the most options for a traditional style, not just because of the fabric choices but also in the upholstery style.  However, the choices are endless – try director’s chairs for a relaxed look, painted chairs for a cottage style, stainless steel for that trendy industrial look.  If your budget is tight, try changing just two of the chairs and use them at the head of the table.  Re-use & recycle by updating older pieces (like a china closet).  Painting them is an excellent way to decorate with the environment in mind!  And if you are not up to the challenge of painting your piece, there are many artisans who specialize in updating older pieces with paints and stains.   With these changes prepare to entertain, enjoy and dine in style!

EASYdesigns – Interior Design made easy!

-          Freshen up all landscaped areas with fresh mulch and new shrubs & flowers

-          Keep grassy areas well maintained

-          Power wash the exterior hard-scape areas

-          Wash all your windows

-          Make small repairs in walkways & porches,

-          Paint your front door and shutters a bright color that contrasts with your home’s exterior

-          Add potted flowers or small shrubs on each side of the front door

-          If space allows, add an outdoor seating area complete with decorative pillows

These small and inexpensive changes will make a huge difference to buyers as they pull up to your home.  And if they like what they see you are one step closer to selling your home!