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Create a Chic and Stylish Entryway With These Pro Tips

September 20, 2016 by

Your entryway has the power to wow or bore guests as soon as they step into your apartment, so it's important to make sure you spend ample time on its interior design. If you're just getting started glamming up your entryway, here are a few tips that should help get the ball rolling.

  1. Create a vignette. First things first: find an entryway table. That's where you'll put your hallway vignette. It's part functional, part aesthetically pleasing. Include a tray to collection your keys and loose change when you walk in, but also add strictly decorative touches such as candles, flowers, and other odds and ends that reflect your style.
  2. Add a mirror. When you're working with a cozy entryway, you can really expand the space (without knocking down any walls) by just hanging a mirror. Find one that fits in with the rest of your aesthetic, perhaps a round, vintage mirror for last-minute touch-ups before you walk out the door, or maybe a more contemporary square mirror if that jives better with your minimalist decor elsewhere.
  3. Glam up your walls. Creating a gallery wall is a surefire way to engage your friends as soon as they walk through the door, especially if you create that gallery wall using personal photos in artfully mismatched frames. You can also use mirrors of different shapes and sizes, however, for the ultimate space-creating effect.
  4. Throw down a runner. When you're interior-designing, don't forget about the real estate underfoot, either. Spruce up your floor with a chic, colorful runner.

How to Style an Entryway [The Everygirl]
Small Apartment Entryway [Pinterest]
21 Ways to Enhance an Entryway [Real Simple]

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Create a Cozy, Chic Look in Your Bedroom With These Simple Steps

September 6, 2016 by

To improve your sleep, create a relaxing atmosphere, and add a chic look to your bedroom, all it takes are a few smart upgrades. From incorporating plush textures to changing up the color scheme, these simple tips will show you exactly what to do.

  • Replace your current bedding with crisp, white bedding. If your current sheets and duvet feel drab and outdated, upgrading to chic white bedding will give your bed a timeless look that's just like a four-star hotel.
  • Create storage for every loose item and stray article of clothing. If you constantly find yourself tripping over clutter, head to the home goods store and invest in additional drawers, bins and other storage items.
  • Frame some art to dress up your walls. Choose soothing nature scenes, neutral abstract prints or framed family photos that will make you feel calm and relaxed.
  • Add throw pillows and blankets that will add additional depth to your bedding. Choose one statement pop of color or something in a fun faux fur for some soft, eye-catching texture.
  • Update the lighting by replacing the current bulbs with muted lights or bulbs that imitate natural sunlight.

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Love Home Decorating? These 4 HGTV Shows Will Give You Major Design Inspo

August 2, 2016 by

If you consider decorating your home one of your favorite hobbies, then you're likely always on the hunt for new sources of inspiration. Tune into these four popular HGTV shows during your next lazy Sunday on the sofa!

  • Flip or Flop. With its high stakes gambles in the risky house-flipping market, this fun show is one of HGTV's most exciting. You'll love watching as married hosts Tarek and Christina bid on foreclosed houses and renovate them for resale.
  • House Hunters. This classic HGTV show is now in its 18th season, but you'll never grow tired of watching real people purchase homes in places around the country.
  • House Hunters International. If you love House Hunters, you'll especially love watching Americans purchase their first homes in other countries around the world. From France to India, this show gives you a glimpse into the housing market all over the globe.
  • Fixer Upper. Watch as married couple Chip and Joanna renovate houses all over the Waco, Texas, area. By purchasing older homes and renovating them on a budget, they give their clients a chance to live in their dream neighborhoods.

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Super-Simple Fixes for Kitchen Clutter

July 5, 2016 by

Out of every room in your home, the kitchen seems to be the space that gets used the most—and it's also the space that's first to attract clutter! Sound like you? Follow these tips to help maintain order in your busy kitchen.

  • Go through your cabinets and donate or toss out the items that are not frequently used. Your main goal is to have only the items that you love and use.
  • Create groups or categories for your items. For example, sort all of your baking items together in one section and your cooking items in another.
  • Use clear containers to store items and place them inside your cabinets. This keeps everything from being scattered all over the place.
  • Place hooks underneath your cabinets to hold mugs or use a stemware rack in the same spot to hold wine glasses. You could also use adhesive hooks inside of your cabinets to hang measuring cups or oven mitts.
  • Use rotating trays in your cabinets to hold oils, vinegars, or spices. You can also use them in your refrigerator for beverages.
  • Use a small bar cart to store some silverware or your coffee pot and mugs.

Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets [Container Store]
10 Kitchen Organization Hacks To Keep Clutter Contained [The Stir]
10 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen [HGTV]

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Decorate Your Walls On the Cheap With These Affordable Art Websites

June 7, 2016 by

While you may not be able to afford a priceless work of art for your walls, that doesn't mean that you can't decorate your home with beautiful paintings and inspiring prints. From works by independent artists to reproductions of well-known pieces, there are a number of smart ways to turn your home into your own personal gallery. Here are just a few great websites that sell affordable artwork online.

Society6
With art for everyone from the minimalist to the bohemian, Society6 is one of the most modern and varied art websites. Not only can you purchase framed and unframed prints in all sizes, you can also buy the same designs in the form of smartphone cases, T-shirts, and even tapestries.

AllPosters.com
If you still love the look of hanging a poster of your favorite movie or band on your walls, try All Posters. This expansive online store offers high-resolution posters of almost any pop culture icon, as well as reproductions of classic works of art.

Etsy
Etsy is well-known for its handmade jewelry and quirky vintage apparel, but you'll also find handmade art from little-known artists. Browse abstract paintings, original photography and colorful prints for very affordable prices.

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How to Squeeze Every Inch Out of Your Closet Space

May 10, 2016 by

If you have a messy closet, your whole room can feel off, and putting outfits together can be difficult when you can’t find what you’re looking for. Organizing your wardrobe can be a little overwhelming, so follow these tips to achieve an orderly, well-maintained closet.

  • Donate or get rid of any clothing items that you haven’t worn in more than two years.
  • Keep out-of-season clothes in large plastic bins and place them under your bed or on high shelves to make space for items that you’ll be reaching for during that time of year.
  • Use a shoe hanger to place over your closet door to free up some floor or shelf space.
  • Hang your most worn items at eye level where you can see them.
  • Keep your folded clothes and accessories neat and tidy by using shelf dividers.
  • Hang hooks inside your closet for extra storage space. These are great for jackets and will clear up a lot of space for your clothes.
  • Color-code your clothes so you’ll know exactly where everything is when you need it.

20 Ways to Organize Your Bedroom Closet [Apartment Therapy]
The Experts Spill Their Tips For A Clean, Well-Organized Closet [Who What Wear]
How to Organize A Lot of Clothing in Very Little Closet Space [Lifehacker]

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How to Give Your Bathroom a Spa Makeover

May 3, 2016 by

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spa in the comfort of your own home? Your bathroom is a private, quiet space and it’s where you go to take a nice relaxing bath or shower to de-stress. All you need to do is add a few more elements to create your own spa atmosphere at home. Use these hacks and tricks to give your bathroom a spa makeover.

  • Use minimal decor and a clean, simple style to achieve a serene and spa-like setting.
  • Soften your lighting and get a relaxing feel by installing lights with dimmer controls.
  • Create a barrier, such as a dramatic shower curtain or large plants, to make yourself feel a bit transported
  • De-clutter your bathroom by keeping your toiletries well organized or hidden.
  • Keep your bath salts and soaps in attractive containers. The presentation of everything will really make a difference.
  • Invest in a towel warmer or use towel-warming bars.
  • Use lavender or jasmine scented candles or oil diffusers. Aromatherapy is a huge part of a spa atmosphere.
  • Create a playlist of relaxing and meditating songs to play while you’re soaking in the tub.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas: 5 Ways to Make Any Bathroom Feel More Spa-Like [Apartment Therapy]
6 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa [Popsugar]
10 Affordable Ideas That Will Turn Your Small Bathroom Into A Spa [Improvenet]

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Bottoms Up! How to Drink More Water Every Day

April 5, 2016 by

Did you know that there's a miracle drink that helps to improve your skin tone, promote weight loss, and even prevent headaches? It’s true—and it’s water! Drinking enough water is very important, and not just to keep dehydration at bay. Here are a few simple ways to drink more water every day.

  1. Invest in a refillable water bottle that you’ll actually want to use. There are a number of different kinds on the market today, and some even contain cages in the middle that you can fill with fresh fruit to make your own all-natural flavored water.
  2. Replace your coffee with an herbal tea. Because teas like chamomile and mint don’t contain caffeine, they won’t detract from your water intake in the way that coffee does.
  3. Replace soda with sparkling water. You’ll still get the same refreshing, bubbly taste without all of the added sugar and calories.
  4. Eat more fruit or drink fresh fruit smoothies. Because fruit is filled with water, you’ll get a double dose of healthy each time you eat it.
  5. Make your own infused ice cubes by filtering fresh herbs and fruit through some water using a strainer or French press, then freeze in your usual ice cube tray. Pop them into your glass of water for an extra kick of flavor.

How to Get More Water in Your Daily Diet [Healthiest Life]
How-To Get More Water Into Your Diet [Skinny Ms.]
Benefits of Water: How to Incorporate More Water into Your Diet [P&G Everyday]

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How to Disguise Unsightly Cables, Cords and Wires

March 1, 2016 by

Nobody likes the sight of tangled, messy cords and wires, but these long cords are essential for operating electronics. If you want to tuck away unsightly cords to preserve your decor at Retreat at Cross Mountain, these smart steps will show you how.

  1. Mark each cord. First, begin by wrapping a piece of matte tape around the cord and leaving a bit of extra at the end. Label each cord with a marker to keep things organized.
  2. Clip the cords together. Next, clip the cords together in a smooth strip using a binder clip. For longer cords, you may want to add additional clips.
  3. Tuck cords away. Now that the cords are all clipped together, you’ll want to hide them as best as you can behind their corresponding piece of furniture. Try winding the cords into a loop if you have a larger piece of furniture. For desks and other items with slender legs, you may want to line the cords up behind one leg.
  4. Secure the cords in place. Once you decide where to place the cords, secure them using sturdy tape or Velcro strips. This will ensure that the cords stay hidden through daily use.

How To Hide Home Wires [Apartment Therapy]
36 Genius Ways To Hide The Eyesores In Your Home [Buzzfeed]
Hiding Cables [Pinterest]

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No Green Thumb? No Problem! Grow These Houseplants at Retreat at Cross Mountain!

February 2, 2016 by

Even if you haven’t had the best luck with plants in the past, that’s no reason to give up on having a greenery-filled home. While certain houseplants are very finicky and seem to die as soon as you glance in their direction, others are hearty, resilient and made for people whose thumbs aren't exactly green. Here are just a few.

  1. Succulents. The desert native succulent plant is beloved by many for its very sparse watering schedule. Because it only needs watering once a month or so, this trendy houseplant is perfect for forgetful owners.
  2. Aloe plants. The unique looking aloe plant is another one that doesn’t need much watering (or even much sunlight). Simply give it a bit of water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
  3. Cast-iron plant. There’s a reason this great plant has a name that’s tough as nails: the cast-iron plant can tolerate everything from low light to changes in the atmosphere like a champ.
  4. Snake plant. The high-reaching snake plant (sometimes called mother-in-law’s tongue) not only offers a stylish, impactful look, it can also survive in low light and with sporadic waterings.
  5. Jade plant. This gorgeous plant will live for years without much care at all, eventually growing into a small tree with a large enough pot.

Houseplants for People Who Can't Grow Houseplants [This Old House]
How To Choose the Right Houseplant [Bayer Advanced]
Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [Better Homes & Gardens]

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