Monday, February 22, 2010

Power of Pink

In the spirit of the recently passed Valentines Day I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you about the power of my favorite color…PINK.

There are so many different shade of pink: Salmon, coral, hot pink, fuchsia, blush, flesh and rose. All of these shades provide feelings of caring, tenderness, self-worth and acceptance. This description can also be attributes for a room. A pink room will be a peaceful and calm environment.

Studies have shown that the color pink calms heart-rates, making it difficult for one to get upset in its presence. It has even been used in opposing team locker rooms and prison cells. The softer the shade the more delicate the feeling the room will convey. All shades of pink become more sophisticated looking when combined with black, grey and shades of blue.

Even though pink is often labeled a girlish color, the several rooms in the pictures below show how warm and sophisticated a pink room can be. Don’t be afraid to give it a shot!

Monday, February 8, 2010

How to Make a Small Space Feel Larger

Lots of people live in a small home, a small room, or just a small space. Not only can small be beautiful but it is also easy and practical. Regardless of your reason for living in a small space you will have to make some compromises in your décor in order to not feel cramped.

Here are some simple suggestions to make a space feel larger.

Clear out the Clutter: Nothing makes a space feel smaller than having too much stuff. Organize what you need and get rid of what you don’t. With things neat and organized the space will definitely feel much larger.

Choose Soft Light Colors: Dark rich colors make a space feel cozy and intimate where light cool colors make a space feel open and airy. Light blues and greens are great options.

Coordinate Wall and Furniture Colors: When you contrast colors it has a tendency to break up the space and make it feel choppy. Your eye will wander from one piece of furniture to the next rather than the room as a whole. In a small room this makes the space feel even smaller.

Lighten up the Space: Any room will look larger if it is well lit. You can accomplish this by getting rid of heavy window treatments and by adding more lighting.

Even if you just choose to do one of the four I promise you that your small cramped apartment will feel larger in no time. Good Luck.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Magic of Candlelight

When you are designing a room one of your main objectives may be to create a warm environment where people feel comfortable and at ease. Sometimes this is not so easy if you have a very cool space with minimal textures and lighting. Even in the coolest rooms or on the snowiest of days, you can always create warmth by lighting candles which will give off a warm amber glow.
Candles can be used in casual, sophisticated, practical, fun and elegant applications. They are also very cost effective in comparison to flowers. Almost any type of candle can be used in a centerpiece, and you don't need to stick with only one style at a time. They can be mixed and matched in whatever pattern or freeform design you'd like. Try using some different types: Pillars, votives, tea lights, floating candles, jar candles and tapers. Also don’t be scared to mix colors. In the right application this could be very attractive. I do suggest staying away from scented candles. The strong smells can easily overpower what you are serving and may unpleasant to some.
If you are using candles as a centerpiece on a long table, an easy way to create depth and extra light is by placing a mirror underneath the different size pillar candles. The light from the candles will reflect in the mirror and give a really nice warm sophisticated ambiance. Water is also a great reflector of light and looks great when you float candles in a hurricane or bowl. Going back to last weeks post you can always get personalized candles. These are great for weddings; perhaps in the bathrooms.
If you are hosting an outdoor summer party or a wedding at the beach, luminaries are a simple and cost effective way of creating a dramatic entrance or pathway. If you are worried about fires you can also now purchase battery powered votives that set off great light.