You are here: Home / Archives for Apartment Decoration

Bring the Outdoors In: How to Decorate Using Natural Elements

April 8, 2016 by

One of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to decorate your home is with natural elements. Use natural materials from the outdoors and colors inspired by nature to decorate for any season. If your space could use s breath of fresh air, follow these tips and get this organic look in your home.

  • Use unique pitchers or containers to keep flowers in to give any bouquet a fresh look.
  • Add three-dimensional antlers or any kind of faux taxidermy to your wall to break up some of your framed pictures on your wall.
  • Gather some branches in your backyard to put in a vase to make a centerpiece for your table. You can also use a piece of driftwood for a centerpiece as well.
  • Use a large twisted branch to hang on the wall to add some modern dimension to a room.
  • Use clear glass lamps and fill them up with pinecones, seashells and sand, moss, or anything else you can find.
  • You can also use bowls or trays to fill up with the pinecones or shells.
  • Hang artwork with an earthy theme to hang on your neutral colored walls.
  • Place a collection of small green houseplants in different sized pots on your wooden table to add some natural character to your dining room.

15 Ways to Decorate with Natural Elements [Ebay]
Decorating with Natural Elements [Better Homes]
12 Easy Decorating Ideas Inspired by Nature [Houzz]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Want to Decorate Your Apartment Without Emptying Your Wallet? Here’s Where to Shop!

April 7, 2016 by

Want your apartment at BLVD l Loudoun Station to look like something out a home design blog? If know the right places to shop, you can transform your rental into the home of your dreams — without emptying your bank account! Here are three great stores where you can buy stylish home decorations for less.

Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Imports isn’t exactly a budget store, but with its frequent sales and affordable versions of designer pieces, it can save you a great deal anyway. Shop here if you’re looking for a gold metallic side table, plush faux fur pillows, or luxurious frames for dressing up your walls. Don't miss the clearance section for even deeper discounts!

H&M Home
That’s right: the trendy clothing store now offers an equally affordable selection of home decor items, and they’re just as stylish as you might expect. From bedding sets for less than $50 to funky shower curtains and even marble print kitchenware, this is the perfect place to find all of the hottest decorating trends.

Z Gallerie
If your style is a bit more luxe, you’ll love the upscale touches without the upscale price tags that Z Gallerie has to offer. This popular home goods store is well known for its ornate wall mirrors and elegant tableware, but you’ll even find sofas, sectionals, and other affordable furniture pieces.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Expert Tips for Creating an Eye-Catching Vignette

March 25, 2016 by

If you have a hallway table or bedroom dresser that could use some sprucing up, the table vignette may be the way to go. A vignette is simply an embellishment that consists of different elements arranged harmoniously, from blooming flowers to vintage picture frames. The exact contents of the vignette are up to you (consider shopping around at thrift stores), but there are a few rules you should follow when you actually go to create the vignette. Here are four of the top suggestions, gleaned from the internet's interior design experts.

  1. Pick a focal point. Before you randomly start arranging knick-knacks on a coffee table, pick an element that will anchor your vignette. For example, it might be a vintage vase filled with flowers or artsy twigs. It could be a pretty picture frame with a personal photo or postcard. Regardless of what it is, make sure the focal point meshes with the colors and style of the rest of your home.
  2. Let light win over dark. If you don't already have a focal point in mind, consider using a cool lamp. When creating a vignette, it's imperative that you put it somewhere where the light can accentuate it—and what better way to do that than to make the light a part of it?
  3. Use the rule of threes. Interior design experts often adhere to the rule of threes, which essentially states that when grouping design elements, you should opt for odd numbers over even numbers. It creates a focal point that naturally draws the eye.
  4. Create depth and texture. You should also vary the arrangement of your vignette elements in order to intrigue onlookers. Instead of placing each piece in a straight line, pull some forward and push others back. Pick candlesticks or books of varying heights. Choose different textures. This will keep your vignette interesting and eye-catching.

Creating a Well-Styled Table Vignette [Jenna Burger]
8 Tips for Making Beautiful Vignettes [HGTV]
Rule of Three and Odd Numbers [Cecilia Walker Design]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Follow These Tutorials to a Cool and Kitschy Macrame Plant Hanger

March 18, 2016 by

Macramé may have originally gained popularity back in the 1970s, but the kitschy weaving craft is coming back in a big way. If you love plants and you’re always looking for fun new ways to display them, you may even want to try making a macramé plant hanger of your own. Here are a few tutorials to help you get started!

Colorful Polyester Rope Hanger [hgtv.com]
With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a macramé hanger using only a few colors of polyester rope, a carabiner, and a screw hook. The actual plant hanger itself is fairly simple, but wrapping the multicolored string around the top adds a fun pop of color.

Sturdy Macramé Plant Hanger [lowes.com]
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit sturdier to hang a particularly heavy plant, this is a great tutorial. It uses clothesline instead of the usual yarn or polyester rope, as well as 18-gauge steel wire and a chain ring for added reinforcement.

Mini String Planters [blog.freepeople.com]
For something quicker and easier, this cute tutorial from the Free People blog uses standard yarn that you might already have stashed away at home. This is a fun tutorial to do while you relax in front of the TV, and the finished product is a great way to hang small air plants or succulents in miniature pots.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Reduce Neck Cramps and Other Workday Ailments With These Ergonomic Furniture Ideas for Your Home Office

March 4, 2016 by

Do you feel stiff and sore after a long day spent in front of the computer? Even telecommuters struggle with an achy neck and shoulders, but luckily, working from home makes it so that you can set up your workspace in a way that feels comfortable. Here are desk and chair ideas to make your home office more ergonomic.

  • The standing desk. If you start to feel stiff and cramped after 8 hours sitting at your desk, eliminate the sitting entirely with a modern standing desk. These high desks are proven to reduce the user’s risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease, and they also keep you feeling alert and focused.
  • The saddle stool. Instead of slumping forward in your traditional desk chair all day, try switching it up with a saddle-style stool with casters on the bottom. This type of “active seating” encourages the user to sit up straight, improving your posture and allowing for easy movement around the room.
  • The ball chair. You may look a little silly sitting on one of these ball-shaped chairs, but they’ll sure make the workday more fun. Perch on top of the ball and you’ll engage your core while you work.
  • The laptop riser. If you can’t afford to invest in a whole new desk, try adding a simple laptop stand. This raises your laptop up to eye level, eliminating that arch in your neck that leads to cramping and stiffness.

These Active Desk Chairs Want To Transform The Way You Sit [Huffington Post]
Five Health Benefits of Standing Desks [Smithsonian.com]
Ditch Your Office Chair for a New 'Standing Desk' [Wired]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

How to Add a Pop of Color to Your Existing Decor

March 3, 2016 by

While a nice, neutral color palette is a great way to make your home feel chic and polished, things can also feel a bit drab without any color. If you’re looking for a way to add a pop of color to your home at BLVD l Loudoun Station without going overboard, these tips will help.

  1. Add a throw pillow. Even if you already have throw pillows on your furniture, adding just one more in a bright, complementary color may be all that you need. Try one bold shade and keep the others simple by using textures or patterns in neutral hues.
  2. Freshen up your window treatments. Replace your blinds or shades with sheer curtains in a fresh color. If you don’t want to commit to one color, try curtains in a repetitive pattern with an accent color throughout.
  3. Add some bright artwork. If your walls are looking a bit bare, try framing some colorful prints that are much brighter than the rest of your decor. This is a great way to maintain your existing style while still brightening things up a bit.
  4. Add colorful chairs. Update a home office or your kitchen table by swapping out the matching chairs with something in a contrasting shade. You may even want to paint your current chair in a bold turquoise or rich red!

Top 10 Tips for Adding Color to Your Space [HGTV]
10 Surprising Ways to Add Color to Your Home [House Beautiful]
Five Ways To Add Color to Your Home This Week [Apartment Therapy]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Clean Your Microwave Without Harsh Chemicals

February 19, 2016 by

From reheating leftovers to warming up bowls of canned soup, your microwave sees a whole lot of messes from its various daily tasks. You may think that you need to use a store-bought cleanser to get out those tough, caked-on stains, but if you want to avoid those harsh chemicals, you can actually make your own cleanser at home. Follow these steps for cleaning your microwave in an all-natural way.

  1. Pour one cup of vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl, and then add one cup of hot water and stir the two together.
  2. Place the bowl with its vinegar solution in the center of the microwave and turn it on. Let it run on average power for 10 minutes.
  3. Keep an eye on the bowl and remove it from the microwave when you notice it starting to boil (likely somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes). Note: Be sure to use an oven mitt, as the bowl will be very hot.
  4. Wet a rag with lukewarm water and give the inside a good wipe-down to remove the now-loosened debris inside.
  5. Once all of the debris is steam cleaned away, create a simple solution of lemon juice and water. Dip another rag into the homemade cleanser and give the microwave another wipe-down to freshen things up.

How to Clean Your Microwave Naturally With Just a Lemon [The Kitchn]
How to Clean and Shine Your Microwave Without Cleaner [One Good Thing]
Use a Lemon to Make Cleaning the Microwave Easy [Lifehacker]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Create a Chic and Stylish Bar Cart

February 18, 2016 by

Bar carts are the types of finishing touches that add a major pop of designer flair to any room in the home. From the living room to the dining room, adding a well-curated bar cart will really give your home the type of 1950s style that is right on trend. Here are just a few tips for creating a truly chic bar cart.

  1. Start with the perfect cart. Scour flea markets and thrift stores for an authentic vintage bar cart. If you can’t find one there, try purchasing one at an affordable furniture store or even using a small three-tiered bookshelf.
  2. Choose your spirits. The types of spirits that you add to your cart really depend on your personal preferences. Investing in three or four bottles of common spirits like vodka, gin, and bourbon is a good place to start.
  3. Add your glassware. Next, invest in new or secondhand sets of wine glasses, low tumblers and martini glasses. You may even want to add decanters to fill with mixers or to trade out unattractive liquor bottles.
  4. Add the accessories. Fill a glass jar with stirrers, add a small cutting board for slicing lemons and limes and even add stacks of mixology books for the finishing touches.

How to Style a Bar Cart [The DIY Playbook]
How To: Create and Stylize the Perfect Bar Cart [Guest of a Guest]
Assembling the Perfect Bar Cart [Primer Magazine]
How to Style the Perfect Bar Cart for Any Party [HGTV]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Clear Clutter from Everywhere in the Bathroom With These 4 Tips

February 12, 2016 by

If you’re short on space in your bathroom, it can be difficult to keep things neat and organized. Since many renters share their bathroom with guests, however, you’re likely always looking for ways to clean it up quickly. These 4 tips make it easy to banish clutter from the bathroom—and keep it clean for good.

  • Consider the essentials. Most renters store much more than they actually use every day in their bathrooms. Go through the contents of your medicine cabinets and under-sink storage areas and get rid of all of those specialty products and expired items (or at least find somewhere else to store them).
  • Add additional storage where it’s needed. If you can’t find enough storage in your bathroom after you purge your essentials, it may be time to create your own. Add wall shelves, a storage unit over the toilet or even just a few baskets under the sink.
  • Invest in matching sets. If your bathroom is often filled with mismatched towels, get rid of the ones you don’t use and attempt to create a matching set. By replacing those old, faded towels with bright, fluffy new ones (and cutting down on the amount of towels in general), you’ll reduce unnecessary clutter.
  • Add over-door storage. Hang an additional towel rack over the back of the door to give wet towels ample room to dry.

Decluttering the Bathroom [HGTV]
Small Bathroom Ideas: 5 Effective Decluttering Tips for a Tidier Space [Apartment Therapy]
Cut Clutter in the Bathroom: Easy as A-B-C! [Organized Home]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , ,

Where to Shop Host and Hostess Gifts Online

February 5, 2016 by

Going to a party in the near future? It’s polite to bring a gift for the host or hostess, but it may be difficult to decide what to give. Luckily, there are a number of fun and affordable websites are packed full of great ideas that anyone will love. Here are three of the best places to shop for host and hostess gifts online.

Uncommon Goods
This foodie-friendly website is filled with gift ideas perfect for any avid entertainer. From self-chilling wine glasses to sets of unique salts and pizza cutters in silly shapes, these unique items make great host or hostess gifts.

Mark & Graham
If you’re looking for a gift that’s a bit more personal, Mark & Graham offers many items that can be customized with the recipient’s initials. Add etched initials to the side of a set of goblets, a copper ice bucket, or even trendy Moscow mule mugs, or create your own complete set of stylish barware.

Terrain
For the host with more romantic tastes, Terrain’s selection of pressed flower sachets, bottleneck vases, and enamel candlesticks are truly a delight. You’ll also find decorative candies and bottled cordials that are a bit more affordable for those on a budget.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Pin It on Pinterest