Painting Ideas: Simple ways to add your personal touch on your home

There are many different ways to customize your home to make it adhere to your style. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this is by painting! A quick and easy paint job can turn the style of your home from drab to fab in no time.

1.  Add texture to your wall. Transforming your plain walls with a sophisticated finish is a simple way to style to your room. Painting over crinkled tissue paper is a simple way to do this. Add a layer of paint on the wall, apply the crinkled tissue paper, and then finish it off with another layer of paint. 

2. To create a classic, elegant background, paint parchment stripes on your wall. First mark the stripes on your wall with a water color pencil. Then, simply put a small piece of tape on the stripes to keep it all straight. Last, mix your paint with one part water, and one part glaze in separate containers to get two separate colors. Now you’re ready to paint your stripes!

3. Transform a plain accent wall with a distressed paint job. Using simple household items, this is an easy way to create an antique finish on your walls. Paint your walls with a toilet brush to create rough streaks to give your walls a distressed look.

4. Spice up your furniture with an antique look. By adding your favorite stencil to your furniture pieces, you can easily get an antique feel to your room.  First cover your furniture with an oil-based primer. Once it dries, paint your favorite stencil on with a satin finished paint and blot with a towel.

Once your new style is adapted by your painting technique, complete the remodel with furniture to match. Check out all of our different styles of furniture at http://hudsonsfurniture.com/.

Smart Design Ideas for Small Spaces

Making the most out of small spaces is easy with these simple design ideas. All it takes is a little creativity to optimize your living space.

1.  For tight kitchen spaces, consider open shelves instead of cabinets. This will give you an open feel to your kitchen, as well as provide you with plenty of organization space.

2.  To create a work space in a small bedroom, add a small nook with a desk. Add shelves above the desk to create more storage and to be sure not to let any space go to waste.

3.  Narrow wall shelves are the perfect solution to a crammed bathroom! Invest in small baskets and containers to store extra towels and bathroom accessories.

4.   Use light colors for furniture and walls. Keeping the major color pallet in the room light will make your room appear bigger. Add darker and brighter colors as accents, such as pillows or wall decorations, to make your room look less bland.

5. Use a curtain divider to turn two spaces into one, or to add more privacy.

6. Utilize any and all space you can! Use the extra space underneath your stairs for added storage.

7. To make your walls appear larger, use floor to ceiling length window treatments. This is perfect to make your living room appear more spacious.

8. Add mirrors to walls and closet doors. The reflection will make your room appear bigger and is a quick and easy way to visually expand your space.

Arranging Your Living Room

Now that you have your new furniture, the next step is arranging it. Where you place your furniture in a room will ultimately set the tone for how you live in it. Here are seven must-know tips for arranging your living room, whether you’re relaxing with family, entertaining friends or watching TV.

The first step in arranging any room is determining just how much space you have to work with. You can use a tape measure to get dimensions or simply measure your foot and walk heel to toe across the room.

To add visual interest to a room you should incorporate a variety of furniture with different characteristics. For example, use an extra-large sectional with small armchairs and side tables to create an energetic vibe in your living room with various volumes.

When furnishings are out of scale you’ll notice that it just doesn’t feel comfortable or right. That being said, make sure you use scaled pieces to create balance. Note that similarly scaled pieces create a more serene atmosphere when used together.

There are two forms of balance: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Decide which you’d like in your living room. While symmetry is very restful, asymmetry adds visual motion and excitement. Asymmetry refers to imbalance, for example to candles of slightly different sizes next to each other.

When designing your home, try thinking like an artist. Look at your space like a painter looks at a piece of art. One trick painters use is ‘triangulation’. In interior design, this can be utilized by placing two end tables on either side of a sofa with a painting above it.

Another trick painters use is the creation of depth in artwork. Paintings often have foreground, midground, background and vanishing point. Placing a chair at an angle can be the foreground. A cocktail table will provide a midground and a sofa with the wall behind it will serve as the background. A window or painting placed above the sofa will give you a vanishing point.

All furniture arrangements should have a certain gestalt, or ‘totality’ or ‘form’. For instance a long, narrow living space can be split in two by creating different zones of function. Create one half for the sofa and the function of conversing, and the other half for a dining set and function of dining. Dividing rectangular rooms into squares according to their function helps to make us feel more comfortable and less formal, which is exactly what we want for our living room!

Simple ways to add curb appeal to your home

Everyone wants to make a great first impression. So why not make one at home? Your guests and neighbors will want to know what’s inside.

First, add some symmetry to your entrance way. Not only is it an easy way to please the eye, but it’s fool-proof. Whether it’s a light fixture or potted plants, a balanced arrangement will create a welcoming pathway to guide visitors inside.

Replace simple hardware that is outdated or old. Think along the lines of coordinating finishes more than mix-and-match. For example, oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits contemporary ones.

A super easy way to spruce up your entry way is to add some color to your front door. Consider repainting it or perhaps buy (or make) a new wreath to hang.

Install outdoor lighting to add safety and curb appeal. Illuminate a walking path or landscape. (Opt for low-voltage lighting.)

Create an instant graden to liven up your entryway. There are many options at garden centers. You can purchase a ready-made container or create your own with your favorite plants. Staggered, asymmetrical arrangements work best to create a dynamic, garden feel.

Add window boxes to bring color and appeal to your home exterior. Choose any type of box– from copper to wood. Mix and match plants and flowers to create your personalized color scheme.

Although it may take some time, consider replacing gutters and downspouts. Eventually they get run-down and may convey a sense of neglect. You may also want to look into a nicer (but a bit pricier) look by using a copper system.

Tile or paint your doorstep. Find a contrasting pattern or color that accents your porch for an easy, permanent welcome mat.

What’s your home decorating style?

We all have a certain style to fit our personalities, habits and likes. Why shouldn’t our homes reflect it?

By expressing yourself at home -where you sleep, eat, play, and lounge- you give visitors (and the rest of your family) a chance to see a part of you through different distinguishing elements. It can be hard at times to get started, and you may be worried that changing your home to reflect your personality is a huge time investment. Another common issue may come to mind- you spot things literally everywhere that you love… but it doesn’t go well together. Don’t panic, we’re here to help you with that. Let’s get those creative juices flowing with this list of styles from TLC Home. All you have to do is pick and choose.

Traditional Home Decorating

Traditional home decorating — frequently associated with older generations — has been updated with a look that young families can embrace. Learn how to create a cozy room in the traditional style.

Country Decorating Style

Whether you like simple American country or the more elaborate French provincial design, there’s a country style for you. Learn more about the widely varied country styles.

Cool Contemporary Decorating

No longer strictly cold and austere, contemporary decorating still embraces clean lines but can be warm and welcoming, too. Learn more about how contemporary designs have pushed into the environmental arena as well.

Eclectic Decorating

Do you already have a number of objects and pieces of furniture you love but don’t fit into one coherent design style? Find out how to combine your favorites and create a style that reflects you!

Decorating Retro-Style

A room can provide the perfect platform for vintage collectors and flea-market shoppers to display their most treasured finds. Discover how to decorate a room retro-style.

Decorating with a World Flair

African, Indian, Asian, Scandinavian…styles throughout the world are as varied as the countries and their unique cultures. Find out how to create an interior design plan that celebrates the world in your own home.

Arts and Crafts Decorating

The natural colors and patterns of wood and stone are the inspiration for Arts and Crafts Decorating. Simple and clean lines give rooms a sleek yet warm look. Find inspiration in an Arts and Crafts design.

Casual Chic Decorating

This country style is a blend of patterns and colors that is inviting and homey. A mix of patterns and textures make a room rich and welcoming. Learn how to create a comfortable, casual, and chic design.

Southwestern Decorating

The wide-open spaces and spare look of the Southwestern landscape inspire Southwestern design. The furnishings may be minimal, but a Southwestern room is filled with character. Find out how to incorporate your favorite aspects of this style into your own home.

Spacious Decorating

A spacious and elegant design can unify areas of a home with an open floor plan that are used for different purposes. The design flows easily from seating areas, to the dining room, and even into the kitchen. Get tips on how to give your own space a feeling of spacious unity.

Entertaining at home during the holidays

Plan the flow. From the moments your guests arrive to when they sit down at the table, to when they walk out the door. Try to envision the flow of activity at your home. A good example of what a average event consists of is: guests arrive, welcome toast, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, main meal, musical interlude, dessert, presents.

Set up a day in advance. It’s best to know ahead of time if you may need extras of something. It never hurts to see your table set up the day before so you have time to make any changes that may come to mind a few hours before if need be. This can also make a huge difference in your stress level that day because you know all too well that you have enough on your plate already.

Stick to the tried-and-true. Stick to dishes you have made in the past that were big hits. For one, you don’t want to have any mishaps in cooking times, under or overcooked food, or not-so-tasty meals that your all-too-polite friends and family feel obligated to eat. And again, you’ll be more relaxed when you have confidence in what you’ll be serving.

Give a parting gift. Whether it’s something small like pretty cellophane-wrapped cookies or a small holiday tchotchke. Something showing you care that they can look back on and remember the holiday spent at your house is perfect to give out to your guests.

Relax. It’s the holidays and your house probably looks great. Just sit back and enjoy the company, food and drink. Also, an added tip is to light some candles. Somehow, candles always have the ability to set the holiday mood. Humans have had a love affair with fire since its discovery – it’s an archetypal symbol of community, heart, gathering, warmth.

Have a great time. After all, if you’re enjoying yourself it will be that much easier for your guests to have fun.