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Go For the Old! Here’s What to Look For at The Local Thrift Store

June 14, 2016 by

Whether you're looking to add a touch of character to your home or simply trying to save some money on must-have furniture items, shopping at thrift and antique stores is a great choice. Before you set out on your thrifting journey, learn about the best items to look for on your hunt.

  • Solid wood pieces. Anything built of solid wood likely means it's built to last. Inspect tables, desks and bed frames to see if they're made of real wood instead of particle board or laminate materials.
  • Mid-century modern items. The mid-century modern movement is having a big comeback, so you can feel confident that these items will stay in style for years to come. Seek out chairs and sofas with tapered wooden legs, sleek desks and tables with metal hairpin legs, and items made of sturdy teak wood, which was popular during this era.
  • Woven or imported rugs. While purchasing a new rug can cost you a pretty penny, you'll often find trendy vintage styles for much less at the thrift store. Search for woven styles, Southwestern patterns or imported designs, like Persian or Moroccan rugs.
  • Vintage picture frames. Picture frames are also pricey when purchased new, so you should always take a look around for metal or wooden frames at the thrift store. Even if it already has a photo inside, you can take it out and start fresh with your own print.
  • Kitschy electronics. While purchasing an old TV can be a bit dangerous (many thrift chains don't even sell them anymore), you should keep your eyes peeled for antique radios, clocks, and other analog items that are now collectibles.

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Style a Catalog-Worthy Bed With These Pro Pointers

May 10, 2016 by

Styling your bed can be a little difficult. There are so many different color and pattern options for bedding, not to mention the wealth of options available for pillows and decorative accents! Follow the tips below to create a unique bed that fits your style.

  • Follow guidelines on how to layer your pillows depending on the size of your bed. For example, a king bed should have three Euro pillows, then two king pillows, then two standard pillows, and a few accent pillows on top of that.
  • Use a simple, neutral color for your comforter or duvet cover and add a splash of color with your pillowcases or accent pillows.
  • Place a throw or blanket at the bottom of your bed. Make sure the texture or color matches the same as your pillows at the head of your bed.
  • For a sophisticated look, be sure to make your bed tight with little to no wrinkles.
  • Style up your bed with a traditional wooden, upholstered, metal, or neutral headboard.
  • If headboards aren’t your style, hang a piece of art or a large mirror on the wall above your bed to create the illusion of a headboard.

How To Make a Bed [Pottery Barn]
How to Style a Bed [The Everygirl]
Dressed to Snooze: 20 Ideas for Styling a Bed [Apartment Therapy]

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How to Add a Pop of Color to Your Existing Decor

April 12, 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 The Paddock at Norwood 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]

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How to Transform an Old Piece of Furniture With Paint

December 8, 2015 by

Do you have a well-made but outdated piece of furniture in your home that you hate to throw away? Luckily, it’s easy to transform that ugly wooden chair or banged-up dresser into something fresh and modern with only a simple coat of paint. Here are a few tips that will save you money on new furniture by showing you how to re-vamp your existing pieces.

  1. Sand it thoroughly. One of the most important steps when painting furniture is to completely remove the old stain or paint first. Sand the entire piece with a medium-grit sandpaper on an electric sander, or if you don’t own one, get to sanding by hand—just make sure you don’t sand too much and damage the wood underneath.
  2. Wipe off the residue. After sanding, wipe the entire surface using a tack cloth designed specifically to remove sawdust.
  3. Prime the piece. Some people say that you don’t need to prime a piece of furniture, but if there’s a chance that the wood might be laminate, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Purchase a primer designed for your specific needs and smooth it on with a foam roller.
  4. Paint. Apply at least three coats of paint using a different foam roller, allowing at least eight hours of drying time between coats. Once the third coat dries, your furniture will look like new!

The 5 Biggest Mistakes You Make When Painting Furniture [Country Living]
Paint Makeovers: An Expert Tells All [Bob Villa]
Quick Furniture Makeovers for Fashionable Results [Benjamin Moore]

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How to Create an Eye-Catching Vignette

November 11, 2015 by

While design magazines and blogs make it seem effortless to throw a few things together on a shelf and make it look stylish, in real life, it’s not quite as easy. If you want to learn how to create a magazine-worthy vignette, these simple tips will show you the way.

  1. Start with a blank slate. No matter what type of finished product you have in mind, it’s always best to start with a blank surface so that you can really visualize where things will go.
  2. Gather complementary colors. Before placing the items in your vignette, make sure that they all look good together. They don’t have to match exactly, but they should look purposeful together.
  3. Start with the largest item. Place your largest item first, whether it’s a lamp or a vase of flowers.
  4. Think of layers. Place items at varying heights and depths, such as a couple of large frames against the wall and smaller candles at the front. You can also stack books horizontally to offset the vertical items.
  5. Play with spacing. Move objects a few times, then step back and admire your work to find the right spacing.
  6. Consider texture. Finally, create texture in your vignette. Incorporate lush plants, flowers, feathers or even a woven basket as a finishing touch.

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

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Don’t Have a Green Thumb? Read These Tips for Growing Cacti and Succulents!

August 11, 2015 by

Don't have a green thumb? Try growing cacti and succulents! These low-maintenance plants are used to living in dry desert environments, which means they require little watering. Use these simple tips for keeping your succulents happy and healthy.

  1. Keep them in a sunny spot. Because both cacti and succulents like a lot of sunlight, try to position them in the sunniest spot in your home.
  2. Use well-draining soil. These plants are very sensitive when it comes to watering, so use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage system in the bottom to help prevent root rot.
  3. Rotate frequently. To ensure that each side of your succulent gets an equal amount of sunlight, rotate the plant once a week or so.
  4. Water according to the soil. Instead of watering them on a set schedule, water your succulents only when their soil is bone dry. Soak them completely by letting the pot sit underneath the showerhead for a good ten minutes.
  5. Promote dormancy in the winter. While your cactus should be watered frequently in warmer months, allow the soil to go almost completely dry in the cold winter months to help the plant go dormant.

Cacti And Succulents Inside Your Home [Gardening Know-How]
Cultivating Cacti and Succulent Plants [HGTV]
Growing Guide – Cactus [Cactus Land]

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How to Keep Your Furniture Looking Like New

March 10, 2015 by

Purchasing furniture is one of the priciest investments that you make in your home, so you likely want to keep it looking as good as new. Follow these smart tips for preventing stains, rips, and other signs of wear and tear on your new furniture.

  1. Invest in high-quality pieces. First and foremost, investing in good quality furniture is one of the very best ways to ensure that it keeps its original look for years to come.
  2. Protect your fabrics and upholstery. When you first purchase a new rug or upholstered sofa, pay a bit extra to have a professional administer a protective coating to repel stains.
  3. Flip sofa cushions. By flipping your sofa cushions monthly, you can distribute the weight from frequent use to multiple parts of the cushion.
  4. Minimize eating in the living room. If you’re already trying to break this bad habit, just imagine a food stain on your brand new sofa for a bit of extra motivation.
  5. Tackle stains immediately. Whether it’s on a rug or the sofa, the most important way to prevent permanent staining is by addressing it immediately so that it can’t sink into the fabric. Read the care instructions on your furniture or rugs when you purchase them so that you know exactly how to remove that red wine stain before it inflicts major damage.

How to Keep Your Furniture Looking Like New [WikiHow]
4 Steps to Keep Your Furniture Looking New [Apartment Therapy]
Keep Your Sofa Looking Like New in 3 Easy Steps! [Shofer’s]

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How to Make the Most Out of Your Closet Space

February 3, 2015 by

No matter the shape or size of your closet, there are ways to make it work for you (and your wardrobe). Here are a few smart tips for creating a space for every sweater, shoe, and t-shirt in your closet.

  1. Add shelves. If your current closet only contains a few clothing rods, you’re not getting the most out of the space. Hang some sturdy shelves along the sides or in any unused space underneath your clothing in order to store shoes and other small, folded items.
  2. Pack away out-of-season items. If your closet is overrun by winter coats that go unworn in the summertime, considering storing them in vacuum-sealed bags under the bed or on a shelf.
  3. Use tie and scarf hangers. If your ties and scarves are creating a tangled mess in your closet, invest in some hangers designed specifically for separating these items.
  4. Purchase storage boxes. Affordable storage boxes are available at just about every home goods store, and they can be stacked neatly on a shelf to minimize clutter. Use these to store things like scarves, hats, socks, and other small items.
  5. Give it a good cleaning. Finally, one of the best ways to clean your closet for good is by sorting through your clothes and donating all of the unworn items. As a general rule, donate anything that you haven’t worn in six months.

How to Gain More Closet Space Without Renovating [This Old House]
Maximizing Your Closet Space [Martha Stewart]
Maximize Small Spaces: 8 Revamps for Your Closet [HGTV]
10 Tips for Maximizing Closet Space [Apartment Therapy]

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