AskAnnie
Q: Can re-arranging my furniture really give my bedroom a whole new look?
A: Absolutely! Sometimes we just get stuck in a rut and moving our furniture is one small change we can control. Something fun to do angle your bed in the room. While this may take up a bit more space, it’s an unpredictable look that adds “Wow.” Take a chance, move your night stand to a different location and add a big wicker basket or settee to the end of the bed. A big, fun rug does wonders to creating a focal point if there isn’t the room to angle a bed. Something else to consider is lighting in your bedroom. Make sure you have bright lights to insure you’re not walking out the door with one blue pump and one black, but soft lighting is just as important. When it comes to providing a mood for your bedroom, nothing says “it’s time to rest & relax” like soft, warm lighting.
Most of all, have fun making some small, simple changes!
Q: I like to have all of my kitchen gadgets at my fingertips. However my kitchen is looking cluttered. Help!! Any storage advice?
A: I completely understand! With so many cool kitchen gadgets on the market it’s hard not to want them all! After all, they are there to make our busy lives easier. However, when they are out, they can make a sleek kitchen look cluttered. A great thing to a is a pot & pan holder that hangs over your kitchen island. Now a note of caution, your pots & pans need to look fresh & clean. Otherwise, you’ve just added an unappealing focal point. Another suggestion is an appliance garage. These can be sleek, fun additions to your kitchen that can be really helpful in hiding your gadgets.
Q: How can I effectively mix a variety of patterns together to achieve the eclectic look I love?
A: Eclectic look? Oh you’re a woman after my heart. An eclectic room can be so fun and interesting to be in… if done correctly. If not, watch out! We can go from fun & eclectic to cluttered & confused in no time. So when thinking eclectic decorating you do want to have some consistency. I recommend consistency in your color scheme. Feel free to pair stripes with floral as long as they are in the same family of color. Also, pair various textures together. You’ll be surprised how creativity and texture go hand in hand.
Q: I love the color blue and have used it in every room by my home. What other color can I introduce that will update my look?
A: Good to hear you still love blue! That could be a decorating dilemma, but if you are looking to add a complimentary color you came to the right place. Depending on your other accessories, bright yellow is a great color to pair with blue. This will give you a French country feel while adding some spunk to your “blue” surroundings. Don’t be afraid to try different colors in your other blue rooms. A spunky dash of red may look great, or a calm green is a very current look.
A: Yes, the age old window treatment question… “How much should I spend?” Window treatments can range in costs as you know. You can go with a custom window treatment which can be stunning, or you can get creative with your windows. The choice is yours! Either way, you need to achieve a look that is perfect for you. To answer your question, no you do not always need to spend a lot of money. If you sew, you can fashion great looking window treatments to match your bedding just from some simple tricks using sheets. If you lack sewing talent and vision, there are many great window treatments available from stores such as Target. If you go this route, you may want to consider buying a really knock out drapery rod as this will be the back drop to your creation. Also, consider using valances. A valance frames your window and warms up the room. Valances whether your purchase them or create them yourself is an economical way to go! Here’s to your new look!
A: There are a number of ways to breathe new life into your kitchen. After all, the kitchen is the heart of your home. The best way to give you that “Wow” is to paint one wall or all of your walls a color that you love. There are several great small sample containers of paint you can “test drive” before you completely commit. If you are really feeling daring, consider using different colors of the spectrum to achieve that eclectic look. Another option to add a pop of color, freshen up your rug, towels and even kitchen window treatments. Just a few small changes can really add that pop to your kitchen. Good Luck!
Q: My family room is suffering from the winter blues. What can I do to brighten up this tired space?
A: Great Question! We all feel like we need a little boost this time of year. When it comes to your home it’s important to inject a spirit of vitality so we can beat the winter blues. There are a few ways to do this. It can be as simple as adding fresh flowers to your dining table or adding bold, bright pillows to your couch. If your budget allows, you can do more. What if you painted just one wall a bright, funky color? Or bought a fun rug you may have had your eye on for some time. Winter’s a great time to make those changes in your winter décor. Whether your changes are big or small, re-decorating is a great way to kick the winter blues!
