If you adore spending a trendy, relaxing day outdoors, a deck is the perfect addition to your house and provides the additional advantage of increasing your home’s value and making it more attractive for sale in the future. Regardless of your preference for fashion or the size or shape of your yard, you can create a deck that fits your taste and provides you hours of pleasure.

Stained and Scored Concrete

If you currently have a concrete patio and are looking for a way to dress it up, consider staining the concrete. Stains can be found in a variety of colors that can mimic other and stone, tile surfaces. It is possible to choose multiple stain colours to make a pattern or design. Scoring the concrete gives the appearance of tile to the patio. Even fancier options are concrete painting, engraving and stenciling.

Composite Decking

If you like the look of a wood deck but don’t like staining wood or coping with rot, composite decking might be the best choice for you. Composite decking comes in a variety of colours and mimics the look of wood without the timber problems that are real. Composite decking won’t rot and will continue much longer than wood, making the extra price of composite decking well worth it in the long term.

Stone

Stone makes an attractive patio deck, especially if you prefer the look in your landscaping. Stone comes in a variety of shades and textures, which means that you can purchase stone look you desire or to match any colour scheme. You can purchase or cut stone to squares and install at a tile-like pattern or purchase organic stone and fill in the gaps with mortar or sand. Use stone shapes, if you’d like a look and allow moss grow between the stones.

Pavers

Pavers are constructed to look like brick and offer homeowners the benefit of relatively simple installation without professional aid. For installation is sand and flat ground all pavers require. You can purchase pavers in a variety of colours and also select distinct patterns for installation, for example basket-weave or parquet. Pavers can also be readily utilised to make walkways to other areas of the yard that fit your patio. They can also be stacked and mortared to make landscaping beds.

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You can be transported by home decor. It doesn’t matter where your property is located, you can”create” the place that you would like to be through the use of color, fabric, accessories and furniture. Mediterranean design has its roots at the Moorish method of living, when the needs of these materials available ordered the way they decorated. Whether you buy a house in Southern Missouri or even Northern California, you can bring the Mediterranean fashion to you.

Walls

Mediterranean style walls are textured, providing them that aged look of a more rugged moment. You can apply sand paint to your present walls as a base and add color to them later, or consider one of those Venetian plaster paints on the market which coat the walls at an burnished wall texture. Mediterranean style is all about balance, so make sure your walls do not fight for attention with the colorful accessories you’re likely to be adding to this room. Creamy yellow , muted burnt-orange, rich sand and sea green are good options for wall colors.

Flooring

White or natural washed pine floors and terracotta tiles make the ideal backdrop for colored rugs rugs.

Furniture

Furniture in the Mediterranean fashion are often thick and low, inset with accents of timber, marble or iron. They’re pieces that seem like they have been around awhile and are likely to last another generation or two. Tables are made of iron, glass, wood and terracotta.

Fabric

Gauzy curtains blend nicely with a Mediterranean design room since they do not compete with the rich colors on the walls, but do let breezes and plenty of light to the space. Throw pillows with beaded fringe and trims add a little authenticity, as do rich tapestries hung on the walls from elaborate iron hardware.

Accessories

Accessories pick up the colors of the Mediterranean area. Cobalt blue glass, colorful hand painted tiles and pottery, and terracotta pots full of rich greenery bring life into any space. Sconces and wrought iron candelabras include a Moorish flavor of elegance.

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Interiors are about the details. This American style is undergoing a significant resurgence, appealing to those who prefer the timeless, comforting design of a simpler time. It is a blend of architectural elements, most easily known by its own covered porches, inherited bits, light colors and rough-hewn finishes.

This easy-breezy, sentimental appearance is no longer only for people living on their own acreage — it could be accomplished by anybody, anywhere. Listed below are a few farmhouse details that could help you to get the look in your home.

Whitten Architects

1. The porch. A outdoor living room, the porches was traditionally employed as a mudroom or a place for gaining respite from the heat if it was hot inside during the summer. It eventually became a place for enjoying common moments with family and friends, rocking away the time while shooting in the night air.

Get this appearance: Do not own a wraparound porch? A porch, patio, balcony or stoop of almost any dimension can still help you to get the farmhouse appearance. Rockers and country flowers are timeless, but if you’re short on space, a rustic planter full of wildflowers will set the tone.

Barnes Vanze Architects

2. Traditional lantern lighting. A beacon of colonial American lighting, the timeless lantern has inserted itself into farmhouse decoration and will not budge for this day. This clean and easy fixture is perfect for a farmhouse exterior or interior.

Get this appearance: Consider replacing a bit of focal lighting in your home with a timeless lantern. Smaller sconces suit entries well, and bigger pendants operate beautifully above a dining table. If installing a new fixture isn’t in the cards right now, pick up a few budget-friendly tabletop pendants.

3. The warmth of timber. Wood was frequently used in farmhouse homes because of its abundance and accessibility to landowners. The scuffs and scrapes that come with longtime use communicate a farmhouse home’s history. Do not be afraid to embrace timber — even the more rustic the end, the more nostalgic it will feel.

Get this appearance: If you can not manage to put in hardwood floors throughout your house, consider putting them in a part of your home that’s observed the many — such as the family room. Wood furniture, wall paneling and accessories can also enable you to make that farmhouse warmth without repainting your entire home.

Ben Herzog

4. Bright and Light. For some early farmhouse owners, the walls were kept mild because of restricted access to more expensive colored finishes. Families with a little more money sometimes used wallpaper in important spaces, such as entryways, to showcase their design or affluence. But easy, mild walls have become an identifiably classic feature of farmhouse interiors, providing rich contrast against darker treasured design components.

Get this appearance: Paint your walls, trim, doors and baseboards in a light shade to get an affordable and effortless method to honor farmhouse design. Woodwork isn’t constantly painted in farmhouses, however if your home has restricted light, you may look at painting any dark timber to brighten your space. Just be careful — when you paint timber, there is no going back.

Historical Concepts

5. Relaxed fabrics. Farmhouses are not fussy. Textiles and upholstery traditionally were frequently handmade or passed, well loved by the generations that inherited them. As a consequence of this heirloom kind of decor, fabrics were generally mixed and matched to get a comfortable, diverse and texture texture.

Get this appearance: In early rural America, cotton was king, so take that as your cue if thinking of a comfortable base cloth to work with. If child chaos is a concern, use a poly blend for wear and tear, but maintain the styling easy.

Group 3

6. Heart of the home. Kitchens will be the center of a farmhouse. Because this is a heavily populated area, finishes are meant to be tried and tested. Apron-front countertops, sturdy hardwood countertops and cabinetry may look great, however they were initially designed take a beating and appeal to a house full of guests.

Make this appearance: Farmhouse-style apron-front sinks can operate in almost any kitchen. But if your budget is restricted, add ceramic accessories, such as utensil holders or dishware. A couple well-placed, chunky cutting boards can substitute for farmhouse-style butcher block counter.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

7. Dining staple. One word could sum up the centerpiece of any farmhouse dining room: sturdy. As the main event in this space, the traditional farmhouse dining table has been generally handmade and lovingly passed on to relatives.

Get this appearance: in case you don’t have a family heirloom (or even the funds to get a wooden table), a large wooden cutting board can produce a fantastic base for any rustic centerpiece. Take farmhouse style’s mix-and-match motto to center with a set of varied chairs, also.

Tom Stringer Design Partners

8. Mix and match in the bedroom. The traditional farmhouse bedroom would have been adorned with weathered, matched and mixed heirloom pieces, inherited from friends and family. Airy and light linens and whitewashed walls complete the appearance.

Get this appearance: Search for brand new or used bits that have a 19th- or early-20th-century appearance to them. Do not worry about finding matching sets, either. The more collected your bedroom appears, the better.

Bosworth Hoedemaker

9. The luxury of a claw-foot tub. Though claw-foot tubs were not readily available in America until the late 19th century, they have become a staple of farmhouse layout. Initially made from cast iron and lined with porcelain, these hefty pieces typically hold more water compared to modern tubs. The sloped end permits users to recline, unlike the bathtub’s European counterparts.

Get this appearance: Fiberglass replicas of this initial beauty can be purchased from just under $1,000 up to several thousand dollars. Not ready for the extra cost? Consider giving your bathroom a dose of farmhouse design with accessories. Hang hooks on walls to hold towels. Include a wooden seat for dressing or to utilize as a side table. Throw down a woven carpet instead of a typical bath mat.

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Envision stepping through the threshold to your own summer home, hearing the screen door shut behind you while you drop your bags and sigh with relief. You have came. What is it all about summer getaways that makes us feel wonderfully carefree? What if it were possible to re-create at least some of this atmosphere in our own homes, daily? In this new show, we’ll be focusing on ways to do just that. Join us as we go room by room discovering creative ways to get this away-at-the-beach atmosphere in the home daily.

Have a look at these 16 creative, budget-friendly tips for bringing this wonderful summery feeling to your kitchen.

Venegas and Company

1. Decorate with market finds. Place juicy berries ripe peaches in a major bowl, then plunk an armful of sunflowers in a pitcher and also keep fresh citrus hand in a glass apothecary jar.

2. Roll an indoor-outdoor rug. Bring in a dose of colour without worrying about spills and stains with a tough indoor-outdoor rug in the kitchen.

Martha O’Hara Interiors

3. Place palm fronds in a huge glass jug. Unusual and fun, large palm fronds will outlast any blossom fragrance and are much more striking.

Carter Kay Interiors

4. Curate beach finds. Sift through these buckets of flotsam and set your best finds open shelving in the kitchen. Coupled with stacks of plates or glassware, they’ll attract a festive, beachy vibe to the room.

5. Set up a kitchen bar. You understand everybody ends up in the kitchen at parties anyhow, therefore be ahead of the curve and also establish a bar right on the counter.

Daleet Spector Design

6. Paint a wall. A great huge chalkboard in the kitchen is the best spot for writing shopping lists, go-to recipes and inspiring quotes.

7. … and use it in order to make your summer record! Give yourself an inspirational boost by listing all of the fun things you hope to do (spend all day at the beach, make ice cream, go to an outside concert) this summer.

SHED Design & Architecture

8. Add portable tunes. Make cooking the easiest weeknight dinners feel fun and summery by cuing up some music. A tiny portable iPod dock is going to do the trick — and portable speakers can even proceed with you in the event that you have dinner al fresco.

Portico Design Group

9. Grow herbs. If you rig a creative wall-mounted container garden such as the one displayed here or plant a few basic pots and plunk them on the windowsill, using fresh herbs on hand is a summer must.

Alice Lane Home Collection

10. Pack away half of your dishes. Make your shelves and cabinets easier on the eyes and reduce cleanup time by packaging away everything but your most frequently used dishes, glassware and cooking resources.

11. Put up open shelving or eliminate cupboard doors. Give your kitchen a breezy feel by doing away with cupboard doors swapping out upper cupboards for shelving. You will be astonished at how much bigger your kitchen will feel.

Seattle Custom Cabinets

12. Organize a baking station. Be prepared for summertime treats by collecting all of your go-to components and ingredients in a handy spot. Flours and sugars decanted into resealable glass containers not just seem pretty but will remain free of pesky bugs.

Dresser Homes

13. Curate your cookbooks. Keep things simple and inspiring by sorting through your cookbooks and placing aside volumes that you know you will not utilize during warmer months (winter soups and stews, I’m looking at you). In the first nip in the air this autumn, it is possible to go grab that box of books and then swap from the summery ones.

Jute Interior Design

14. Update a skillet with trendy colors and easy-care cloths. Seat cushion covers and cushions in swimming pool hues feel refreshing once the sun is blazing outside. If you reside in a warm climate, then you might also want to think about using fadeproof (and easy-to-clean) outside fabrics.

Tim Barber Ltd Architecture

15. Go for a natural appearance. Keep things simple and new with colors produced from natural fibers, wood and white ceramics. Try classic bistro chairs or stools in the breakfast room, a sea grass or sisal rug, woven baskets to keep dish towels and a large earthenware jug for wooden spoons.

Linn Gresham Haute Decor

16. Swap out cookware. Dig your biggest bud for freshwater stalks and dust off the ice cream maker — it is time to prepare for summertime cooking! If you’re tight on space — and that is not? — pack the gadgets and tools you probably will not be using anytime soon (such as the turkey roasting pan) to make room.

Inform us : How do you prefer to utilize your kitchen in the summertime? Any summertime rhythms you can not wait to make?

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There’s a seat once made by farmers and fishermen on the remote Orkney Islands (off the coast of Scotland), crafted from whatever materials they can scrape together. Now called Orkney seats, today they grace a number of the chicest homes round the world, as well as the furniture collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Everything about the seats was created of necessity; made for modest homes, the original seats were written of straw and driftwood. Here is how they’ve evolved.

Taste Design Inc

The Orkney chair provided a place to sit near the hearth; its back blocked chilly storms while enveloping its occupant from the warmth from the flame. Therefore, it’s also known to sometimes as the Orkney heating seat.

Function determined its form initially, however, the chair is now used to add texture and character into well-appointed rooms. Once a very short chair that was nearer to the flame but past the sooty air, it has evolved through the years.

EcoFirstArt

Orkney Island Hooded Chair

From the 1870s Orkney resident David Kirkness started a joinery workshop and started to create the seats across the side, but they soon became his most popular item. The style of most of the reproductions available today is dependent on his seats, which he created from designs passed down through many generations.

Kirkness crafted versions for gentlemen, women and children, and made a hooded version with a drawer. It is transformed by the hood . The drawer beneath is the correct size for a knitting project, a publication or perhaps a bottle of whiskey to help heat up its occupant.

Kelley & Company Home

Orkney chairs made their way round the world due to the Scottish Home Industries Association, which encouraged them in exhibitions.

Today in coastal Southern California, chilly drafts aren’t such an issue, but the seat’s wrap-around back provides coziness in a desk. The woven back adds a rustic beach texture.

Watch the rest of the home

Kelley & Company Home

“The Orkney seat is a personal favorite of mine. There’s something fantastic about a handwoven seat,” says interior designer Kelley Motschenbacher. “The springs are not wicker but stitched rush, so they are thick and provide when you lean back into the seat.”

Motschenbacher likes to match the Orkney with more modern furniture, such as this glass-topped sawhorse desk. “They are simply very different and interesting and a little bit old English nation in style,” she says.

Wicker Home & Patio Furniture

Orkney Chair With Woven Seat – $1,230

The original makers of Orkney chairs had to use driftwood due to a lack of trees on the islands, but today you can buy reproductions made of woods such as Filipino mahogany.

Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

An Orkney seat adds some background, feel and heft to the hall at a beach house on the Jersey Shore.

Wicker Home & Patio Furniture

Orkney Warming Chair – $670

For those of you at the center of the nation, Orkneys will look fantastic in your houses, too. Their history of being made of hay leaves them a fantastic match for a farmhouse. This version, with classic white timber, would work nicely in a cottage or a house with Belgian flair.

Harte Brownlee & Associates Interior Design

Some furniture designers have co-opted the Orkney look to more modern pieces, such as bar stools. The interior designers in Harte Brownlee Associates had their upholsterer wrap the backs of those bar stools in raffia. Given the contour, they seem like the Orkney seat’s younger cousins.

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Before starting construction of the house, this husband-and-wife artist group decided they needed a studio first. Mark and Kelli McDowell both needed space to function — he, on product design; she, on photography and interior design. But no ordinary studio would do. “We are very diverse in what we do and needed a room to allow for that,” says Kelli.

Working closely with Jason Bekebrede of Monticello Homes & Development, the couple created an 800-square-foot studio which simplifies and respects their beautiful Springfield, Missouri, land. A nature-inspired exterior and also an industrial, antiques-filled interior supply the twosome with plenty of room to conquer their next projects.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

The McDowells’ studio sits on 20 acres next to a creek that flows into a big pond. They wanted to make the most of the scenic place and to have a material and color palette which will blend in with the environment. Perched over the pond, the studio overlooks the opinion without interfering with the landscape.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

Though the McDowells had functioned with Bekebrede to design the main house, they started building the adjacent studio instead so Mark would have somewhere to work. Both simple sloped roofs will mimic the roofing of the main house. The design works very well with structural insulated panels (SIPs), which the couple used for efficient heating and cooling.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

Corrugated metal and antique fixtures lineup the front entry of the studio, and concrete floors add to its industrial style. The crucifix on the wall is a 200-pound iron antique piece they fell in love with.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

Kelli and Mark have an affinity for flea market finds, as you can see from this wall of old yarn bobbins. Displayed at a grid of 12, the unique pieces serve as hat and coat hangers.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

The galvanized metal wraps around the corner, where a toilet door sheathed in metal blends to the wall. Light beige paint (Sherwin-Williams’ Loggia) adds heat to the industrial space.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

The McDowells functioned with Bekebrede to fill the toilet with more finds. Bekebrede altered a cupboard from Restoration Hardware to make a dressing table. Kelli found that the poured concrete sink to get a buck on eBay. A classic exterior door serves as a shower partition, even while vintage commercial bread pans hang the shower wall to maintain soap and shampoo.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

The most important interior is a large, open room with concrete floors. A scarcity of built-in furniture and accents keeps the room at the McDowells’ disposal for whatever project they need to work on. “I enjoy the huge area,” says Kelli. “It is exactly what it is, and we can be free to do whatever comes to us.”

The bunch has had the gears close to the toilet for quite some time; they had a neighborhood blacksmith make stands to get them so that they could serve as sculpture. A classic gaming wheel along with two vintage globes sit over the flea market locker set.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

Mark picked a glass garage door; it not only extends the studio space to the outside, but also allows fresh air indoors when the McDowells paint. Both seldom utilize the air conditioner due to this feature. When closed, the door lets in plenty of light.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

A cement terrace provides additional workspace and room to lounge. The same community blacksmith who left stands for the gears made the outside fire pit and many planters, also.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

Board and batten exterior siding in an earthy taupe contrasts with cultured stone accents.

Siding: James Hardie batten board; stone: cultured, Centurion

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

Kelli and Mark love many distinct styles of architecture and integrated many influences to the studio’s design. Mark is half Japanese, therefore certain elements — such as the slanted entrance and offset concretework outside the door — pay tribute to that aesthetic.

Monticello Custom Homes and Remodeling

The front entrance and deck were inserted throughout the construction process as an elongated outdoor space. The cedar decking is prestained for a weathered appearance. When built, the most important house is going to be retrieved via the entrance gate.

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A delicate equilibrium is required by putting a television and fireplace. Both of these focal points require a precise plan for them to feel comfortable and welcoming instead of out of equilibrium or out of scale. Take care to think about the size of each when figuring out which layout works best for your property. Whether you choose to have them over and under or side by side, some of those winning fireplace and television mixtures could assist you in finding a really harmonious appearance.

Julie Williams Design

1. Complete cohesion. Place the television right on top of the fireplace and deliver both of these focal pulls together by enclosing them with molding and wood details in precisely the exact same style.

Design suggestion: Consider painting the shades of flanking bookcases exactly the exact same colour as the fireplace for additional design cohesion.

Echelon Custom Homes

2. Separate. Separating the fireplace and television within precisely the exact same space is difficult to get right, but it’s done masterfully here. The timber paneling running up the walls and over the ceiling to surround the fireplace wall makes for a perfect integration — it feels as though they are on precisely the exact same wall.

Layout suggestion: Think carefully on your own furniture plan when you’ve got two focal points in a living area. What will you and your guests prefer to see — the fireplace or the television?

Jae Chang

3. Art form. This living area joins the television and fireplace on one wall. The television is offset by the hearth for equilibrium, while the compact fireplace nearly evaporates under the brightly cavity when it’s not on.

Design suggestion: A surround like this can easily be customized to full-overlay doors for extra living space storage.

Cornerstone Architects

4. Texture twist. You’ll be able to use feel when combining a fireplace and television on precisely the exact same wall. The extra texture really makes the components subtler; the eye skims over the TV and fireplace, instead focusing on the timber, rock and cubbies.

Design suggestion: Even if your fireplace is front and center, you are able to camouflage it by using the exact same neutral colours for the firebox as the surrounding rock.

Ziger/Snead Architects

5. Matched in scale. This fireplace and television, one on top of the other, make for a stunning lesson in scale. The perfectly sized parts almost make them seem like they’re combined.

Design suggestion: When placing your TV above your fireplace, make sure it’s low enough to be comfortable to check at. You don’t want anyone to crane a throat when seeking to relax and watch TV.

More info for optimum TV viewing

6. Side by side. This design works magical, as both elements stand side by side in perfect harmony. The television and the firebox are alike in size, which helps to balance each other’s weight on the wall. The materials offer contrast while linking into the rest of the property’s design.

Design suggestion: If concrete is not the right finish to your own fireplace surround, try out a gray-colored tile to make the same effect.

Steven Miller Design Studio, Inc..

7. Three’s company. Some might have trouble combining two major design elements, but this homeowner was able to do three. This asymmetrical layout mixes the size of all 3 bits (television, fireplace and art) comfortably into one design by maximizing the height and balancing the width of the wall.

Design suggestion: When incorporating art above the fireplace, do your homework before buying to ensure it could withstand the heat output.

Laura Burton Interiors

Bonus: another look at different. Sometimes the best approach to cope with these two focal points would be to separate them. This design makes great use of an angled wall while still making it easy to enjoy the fireplace and the TV at precisely the exact same moment.

Design suggestion: Connect your fireplace mantel visually to the main shelving. In a design such as the one displayed here, you also could carry over all 3 shelves to make a triple mantel.

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There are things that I totally hate If it comes to buying the house. Buyer’s remorse is one of these.

As I’ve become more experienced in making purchases for clients and my own home, I have discovered that the quality of particular items should not be jeopardized due to lack of research or the inability to delay gratification. Delving into a products’ specifications, reading product reviews or coming across the ideal ideabook will help us feel much more equipped to make a determination on high-ticket items for the home.

I have always appreciated the saying”Buy after, purchase right.” In other words, buy. Here are just seven guilt-free buys to allow yourself plus budget-friendly alternatives should you come up a few bucks short.

Stitch Custom Made Furnishings

Bow, Curved and Bay Window Coverings Solutions

1. Window Coverings

Frequently it appears your options are unlimited when it comes to window coverings. However, window positioning, frame structure and other external factors help narrow your options.

It is best to seek professional advice when you’re confused about which option is best for your house. There is generally no way around custom window treatments when there are remarkably tall windows or odd placements. Stay conservative on your choice and they’ll be a good investment in your house when it’s time to market.

Another option:Take readymade drapes to a professional seamstress to get them hemmed and/or add special trimmings that tie to your current decor.

Bauhaus Custom Homes

2. Linens and Towels

Consider something which touches your bare skin an investment in comfort. Bed linens and towels using a high thread count are softer, durable and long lasting.

Another option:Educate yourself on luxury brands and shop local home discount stores known for transporting famous brands.

Chloe Warner

3. Upholstery

buying a quality couch or other piece of upholstered furniture that stands up to the demands of your life is almost always a good idea. Cotton blends that have a high proportion of polyester provide optimal stain resistance and long-term use.

An option: Shop local secondhand stores for bits with solid wood structure and also have them reupholstered within an upholstery-grade cloth of your choice. This may provide you a high quality item for the cost of a lower-quality new piece.

MuseInteriors

4. Room-Size Rug

It can take months to find the perfect rug, and when you do, it generally isn’t cheap. Prices vary based on the era, weaving procedure, fiber material and dye method. Hand-loomed rugs wear well and have added charm and character. Minor repairs do not affect the value of this rug as long as they have been done well.

Another option:Until you buy your dream rug, arrange two smaller rugs side by side to emulate the look of a bigger rug. When it’s time to replace them using all the new rug, the former rugs are available to work with in other areas.

Design Within Reach

Sonno Prima Medium Mattress | Design Within Reach – $1,100

5. Mattress

Great health is one of the most important strengths, and a good night’s sleep is vital to your well-being. Experts recommend buying what’s comfortable for you; there is not any 1 size that fits all. Take your time while looking for a mattress and select one that provides optimal support when you are sleeping on your side with hips and knees slightly flexed.

Another option: buy a mattress topper as a temporary repair for a mattress that is too firm. It molds to a body’s contours, providing pressure relief and eliminating pain in the trunk, shoulders and buttocks.

Gary Hutton Design

6. Original Artwork

A one time piece with its character has particular price. Besides adding beauty and attention to the house, fine art gains extrinsic value as time passes.

The alternative: Seek out emerging artists and buy pieces you enjoy from them. Their work is likely to cost less than that of recognized artists, and you’re still likely to see your investment grow in value over time.

Interiors

7. Countertops

When a homeowner contacted for information on kitchen updates, fellow contributor Rebekah Zaveloff reacted with helpful advice. In respect to replacing the homeowner’s aged laminate countertops with classic honed granite counters, Zaveloff advised,”white and Black never goes out of fashion. If you’d like a classic black and white kitchen, go ahead and change out those countertops”

Another option: “When granite isn’t in the cards, budget-wise,” Zaveloff continued,”contemplate an alternative charcoal gray color named Medea out of Corian.”

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I like fall colors. Not orange, but purples and heavy reds and vivid sunflower yellows. I also love flower arrangements. I love them in that I think they can alter an entire room. Oh, also I love fruit, particularly the autumn types: apples, pears, pomegranates, figs, persimmons, oranges.

But what I really love is all three of these together. A large, vibrant fall arrangement using fruit. Gorgeous.

Whether fruit is tucked in one of the petals or standing alone in a vase, it adds texture and color and a sculptural component. Additionally, fruit leaves you want to eat — ideal for this foodiest and most hospitable of seasons.

Rizzoli New York

How beautiful are these branches at a bucket? Simple and cheerful and elegant.

Rizzoli New York

Fall figs are so beautiful, they can stand alone. This arrangement is simple, rustic and natural but also contemporary and sculptural. It is going to also persist for a long time.

Cecilie Starin Design Inc..

More stand-alone figs.

Irene Turner: IT Sonoma Design

Fig branches with blossoms.

Persimmons and berries are autumn icons which happen to be bright and cheerful and glistening. Perfect for a centerpiece.

Using lemons or limes in a clear vase helps reestablish tall arrangements and adds texture and color to the mix.

Kathy Campbell

A large glass vase full of citrus and fruit is a wonderful option to a flower arrangement. It is brilliant, but it lasts longer, and you may eat it.

In Detail Interiors

Artichokes are blossoms. They include an earthy, homey part to some bouquet.

Tim Cuppett Architects

Here a simple white bowl of artichokes is contemporary and sculptural, giving this very sharp room just a little earthiness.

Zuniga Interiors

Berries. For looking at, not eating.

Fruit wreaths are brilliant and ideal for autumn decorating. There’s just something welcoming and warm about fruit.

A pear wreath. I bet it smells good, too (when the pears are real, that’s).

Here’s a fantastic tutorial about the best way to create large, colorful autumn flower arrangements.

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When decorating with throw pillows, I’m a loyal believer in the 2-2-1 ratio. It’s a simple notion that accomplishes spectacular results. Simply decorate your couch with two square pillows of one size and pattern on the ends, two smaller pillows in another pattern next to them and one jazzy rectangular pillow to the center. The graduated sizing generates height intrigue, while the contrasting patterns and colors add whimsy. It’s especially endearing when one cloth sets the tone and the others are chosen with its color scheme in your mind. Use this styling trick to spiff up your couch quickly, easily and affordably.

Caitlin Wilson Design

Celerie Kemble’s Hot House floral pillows set the tone to the other cloths chosen here. You can observe that the blue and rust colors of the middle pillows were pulled out of the floral scheme.

The Decor Fix

Heather Freeman made the art above her couch to match the color scheme and patterns of its five-pillow arrangement.

LDa Interiors & Architecture

The 2-2-1 ratio also functions on beds. Rather than organize the pillows from the outside in as you would on a couch, organize them from back to front.

Beth Dotolo, ASID, RID, NCIDQ

Both couches within this modern Texas living room feature exactly the same throw pillows in the 2-2-1 arrangement.

Studio Marcelo Brito

While this is technically a 2-2-2-1 arrangement, the effect is exactly the same. Take note that the middle cushion is in exactly the same cloth as the room’s striped upholstered seats — this really is a great way to tie things together.

Caitlin Wilson Design

Think about using only two materials for your own 2-2-1 arrangement. Here you might find that the center bolster pillow’s toile fabric smartly matches that of their finish pillows.

Michelle Hinckley

Michelle Hinckley produced these striped pillows from Target’s DwellStudio baby blankets.

Anna Lattimore Interior Design

The N.4 Blue Coral Pillow takes center stage whilst attractively coordinating with the wall color.

Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Both sets of square pillows feature a trellis pattern in different colorways, while the center pillow is at a brand new pattern but features both colors.

Spinnaker Development

While the pillows on the endings are not exactly the same pattern, their similar coloring and size contribute to the 2-2-1 effect.

Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

Using only two colors, Tracy Murdock place the ratio to good use with solid cloths and embroidery details.

Tobi Fairley Interior Design

The 2-2-1 ratio matches daybeds, too.

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