How to Pick the Best Paint Color For your Home

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What colors do you feel comfortable surrounding yourself with?

You might really like colorful accent walls in other people's houses but you wouldn't feel comfortable living with that. Or you might love the look of all white walls but you might need color to feel cozy. Think about what colors you might enjoy seeing everyday. When it comes to paint I suggest sticking to three colors throughout your house. One finish for your trim; , one color for the majority of your walls in dry areas, and color on walls that you want to draw attention to (wall at the end of a hall or your fireplace, etc).

How to Choose the Best Tile Flooring for Your Home

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Tile comes in many different sizes, shapes, variation, grout, and accents and it it durable, scratch resistant, and water resistant- perfect for wet areas.

Ceramic Tile. Crafted from a mix of clays. Because the material is porous, it is finished with a protective glaze. Ceramic tile is slightly more prone to wear, cracking, and chipping than porcelain tile.

Porcelain Tile. Made by firing finely ground clays and minerals at extremely high temperatures, is harder and denser than ceramic. Porcelain is better at resisting water and stains and is often used outdoors as it won't crack in cold temperatures. However, it is harder to install than ceramic tile.

Natural Stone Tile. Usually made from travertine, limestone, marble, granite, or slate. Stone is the most durable, improves with ages and lasts a lifetime. However, it is the most expensive option.

The Best Yardage Guide for Reupholstering your Furniture

The Best Size Furniture in Your Home

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The most common sizes of furniture are the following:

• Sofa (3 seater): 78-90” W x 34-38” D x 30”H (with an 18” Seat Height)

• Love Seat (2 seater): 56-68” W x 34-38” D x 30”H (with an 18” Seat Height)

• Chaise Lounge Chair: 72-90” W x 30-36” D x 30” H (with an 18” Seat Height)

• Club Chair: 30-36” W x 30-36” D x 30” H (with an 18” Seat Height)

• Dining Chair (with arms): 22-24” W x 16-24” D x 30” H (with an 18” Seat Height)

• Dining Chair (without arms): 18-22” W x 16-24” D x 30” H (with an 18” Seat Height)

• Coffee Table (square): 24-48” W x 24-48” D x 18” H

• Coffee Table (rectangle): 24-48” W x 16-28” D x 18” H

• Cocktail Table (Round Coffee Table): 18-32” D x 18” H

• Ottoman: 22-46” W x 22-46” D x 18” H

• End Table: 14-24” W x 14-24” D x 24-30” H

• Rectangular Dining Table: 36-48” W x 36-48” D x 30” H

• Round Dining Table: 36-60” D x 30” H

• Drop Leaf Table: 36-72”W x 31-63” (with leaves) x 30” H

• Console Table: 48-72” W x 15-20” D x 30”H

• Desk: 28-48” W x 24-30” D x 30”H

• Buffet: 48-72” W x 16-26” D x 24-30” H

• Armoire: 36-60” W x 30-30”D x 48-60”H

• Dresser: 30-74” W x 20-24” D x 30”H

• Nightstand: 14-24” W x 14-24” D x 24-30”H

The Best Dimensions for Your Bathroom

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To ensure your bath  is functional, comfortable, and safe, use the following dimensions - all of which are suggested minimums unless otherwise noted.

Doorway: 32" Wide

Walkways: at least 36" Wide

Shower: 34"x34" Wide (36"x36" is better)

Tub Controls: 30-34" above the bottom of the tub

Shower Controls: 77-81" from the shower floor

Height of Shower Seat: 17”-19”

Depth of Shower Seat: 15”

Height of Grab Bars (in a shower): 33”-36”

Robe Hook: 60" Height

Vanity Sconces: 60”-72” Height

Distance between sconces (for optimal lighting): 36"-40" Wide

Vanity Height: 30-32" is average , but if you a tall person 34-42" might be better suited for you needs.

Sinks: 15-18" from the center of the sink to the side wall, 36" is best (center to center) from one sink to another sink, and 8" from the edge of a sink and the end of the counter for landing space.

Backsplash: Allow 8" or more from the top of the countertop and the bottom of the medicine cabinet or mirror.

Pedestal Sink: 32-36" Height

Toilet Paper Holder: 26” Height

Distance from Toilet to TP Holder: 8” - 12”from edge to edge

Toilet: 16" from the center of the toilet to an obstruction (cabinet/fixture, etc). Toilet seats are usually 17"-19” above the floor.

Towel Bar: 36" Wide Space, 48" above the floor.

Types of Light Bulbs to Consider using in Your Home

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Bulb Shapes:

Silver Bowl: Metallic finish on the top half of the bulb softens the light. A great solution for overheads with exposed bulbs especially if there isn't a dimmer.

Soft Pink: Emits a gorgeous rosy glow, perfect for mood lighting since its coloring looks great on your skin.

Round Chandelier: These bulbs look great in an open chandelier.

Edison Bulb: Visible Filament bulbs give a soft warm glow since they are low wattage and look great hung on their own.

Bulb Types:

Incandescent: White Light, Low Voltage (12-24), and they require transformers.

Fluorescent: (CFL's) greater energy and longer life than incandescent. These also come in rope lighting and cove lighting which are great for under the cabinet lighting.

Halogen: Offer bright white light which is good for task or accent lighting. These are usually low voltage, but do put off some heat.

Best Wattage for each situation:

40-50W: Reading

50-70W: Staring at a Computer

70-80W: Putting on Makeup

How to Choose the Best Type of Wallpaper for Your Home

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Wallpaper

If you want to use wallpaper, make sure to prep your wall surface. Your walls should be smooth coat (I suggest using level 5) so there are no bubbles or funny marks. I highly recommend hiring a professional for your wallpaper installation. If you haven’t installed wallpaper before, talk to a professional, watch how-to videos on youtube, and consult with the staff at home good stores before starting because it can be a lot more complicated than you might think. Wallpaper can be expensive and we wouldn’t want you to make any costly mistakes.

Vinyl Wallpaper

Vinyl is great for any wet area or if you have kids or dogs and want to use wallpaper but are afraid of the maintenance. Vinyl is very durable and usually cleanable with soap and a sponge when needed.  

To Remove Wallpaper

If you have ever removed wallpaper before, you may know that there are generally three parts to the removal process.  Top layer, Under layer, and glue remnants which can be removed with a specialized steamer, scraping and peeling.

How to Choose the Best Size Rug For Your Home

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Below is a page taken from my e-course "Everything you Need to know About Interior Design, for the Do It Yourself Homeowner", available for $97

42" Round Table = 96" Round Rug

48" Round Table = 96" Rouns Rug

60" Round Table = 108" Square Rug

60'x 42" Oval Table = 96" x 120" Oval Rug

97" x 49" Oval Table = 60" x 42" Oval Rug

70"x 36" Rectangular Table = 96" x 120" Rectangular Rug

76" x 32" Rectangular Table = 96" x 120" Rectangular Rug

84" x 36" Rectangular Table = 96" x 120" Rectangular Rug

90" x 39" Rectangular Table = 96" x 144" Rectangular Rug

108" x 41" Rectangular Table = 96" x 144" Rectangular Rug

120" x 30" Rectangular Table = 120" x 168" Rectangular Rug 

How to Choose the Best Fabrics for Your Home

What to expect when purchasing furniture

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Furniture can range a lot in pricing but it all comes down to quality. In most cases you get what you pay for with furniture, but there is that rare occasion when you can find quality furniture for a discounted price (usually around major holidays).

Below is a list of general mid-range prices to consider when purchasing furniture:

• 36”x 84” Sofa: $2300-$4000

• 30” x 60” Lounge Chair: $925-$1050

• 30”x 60” Coffee Table: $500-$800

• Bed Frame: $600-$1700

• 24” x 30” Side Table/ Nightstand: $200-$400

• 24” x 48” Writing Table: $750

• 24” x 72” Dresser: $1700

Adding a bathroom to your garage to become an ADU? Here are a few things to Consider when Designing for a family member to age in place

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Bathrooms are the one room in the house that have the highest injury rate because, when wet, they can be a very dangerous space. The most common times to slip and fall are when stepping out of the shower, and into the bathroom, regardless of how old you may be.

But it is especially important to consider how to make your new bathroom safer if you are re-designing or building new for a family member of loved one to be able to age-in-place. Every detail and design decision counts. There are many preventative design decisions that you can make by assessing your Bathrooms Safety with this checklist:

🔳 Slip Resistant Flooring

🔳 Eliminate any steps

🔳 Shatterproof Glass

🔳 Pressure-balanced, temperature control valves

🔳 Bench inside the shower (not necessary but helpful)

🔳 Emergency Shut off for Whirlpool Tubs

🔳 Ground Fault Circuit interrupters on electrical outlets (usually a small red label GFC)

🔳 Cabinet Locks (if desired or necessary)

Want help designing a bathroom space that will take all of these ideas into consideration? Consider hiring an Interior Designer such as myself to work with you on developing a well thought out plan for your loved one’s home.

Types of Lighting to Consider for your Home

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Lighting is essential when picking everything from fabrics to finishes.

Below is a list of all the different types of light fixtures:

• Recessed Down Lights

• Pendant Lights

• (Semi and Full) Surface-mounted Lights

• Wall Sconces

• Chandeliers

Common Questions:

At what height do I hang my light fixture?

Chandeliers over a dining table: 34-36" from the top of the table or 30" if the light is semi-flush (to the bottom of the light).

Chandelier over a kitchen island should be hung 75" from the floor or 28-34" from the countertop to the bottom of the light.

What is the best size light for my space?

Take the length of 2 (out of the 4 walls) in a room, measured in feet (round to the nearest half foot) and add the measurements together. This is the size of a chandelier you should consider in your room.    

How to Choose the Best Natural Rug For Your Home

Here are a few of my favorite natural material rugs:

Jute - derived from a plant called Genus Corchorus – is much softer than all the other natural floorings and, for that reason, a lot less durable. It is not recommended for high foot-traffic areas, but an eco-friendly option for the less used areas of the home. Sisal - is created from twisted yarns that imitate that hardy woven grass feel. With a stiff texture, it is particularly good for heavily-trod areas and comes in plenty of designs, colors and weaves. Sisal – unlike most other natural carpets – can be dyed and is available in an assortment of styles and colors, such as silver and blue, as well as all the naturals. It can be pricey but it’s highly durable.                                                                                                                      Seagrass - A strong bit of flooring that is grown in paddy fields in China, and during the growing season, the fields are flooded with sea water. Once harvested, it is dried and spun into yarn to create the well-known sea-grass carpet. The yarn is pretty solid and therefore hard to dye, so it’s often just available in natural shades.                                    

Wool- comes from sheep’s hair that is dyed, spun, and then woven into a rug or carpet. Wool is very durable and the pile/knots are so tightly woven that it is very difficult, if not impossible for dogs and cats to destroy them. wool rugs add durability for high-traffic areas, softness and elegant, earthy natural color to the mix. Wool also holds up to natural sunlight better than most materials and won’t fade nearly as quickly as synthetic materials can.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Downsizing

Here are a list of Questions to Consider Asking Yourself Before Moving into a Small Space:

1. How long do you plan on staying in your home? If you are remodeling, this will help you determine your scope of work and if it is worth it to you to continue the process.

2. Who are you building for? Are you remodeling/building new for a potential renter? Family member? Yourself? All of these answers will likely produce very different outcomes, depending on your answer.

3. What hobbies do you enjoy? If you plan to live in your new small space, think about storage and what kind of solutions you will need in order to continue your hobby (if needed).

4. Do you have pets? What Kind? Think about what materials you will use (flooring, window treatment, sofa, bedding, etc. All of these elements will be important when selecting the right finishes for your home. Also, consider storage for their belongings too, if needed.

5. Do you entertain guests? Consider an indoor-outdoor experience to allow your guests to feel comfortable in your small space.

6. Do you travel often? Consider only taking the items you can fit in your suit cases. Now what additional items will you need in your small space that you can not live without? Be sure you consider these items in your small space design so that there will be little to do when you want to pack up and take a trip on a moments notice. In other words, think minimalism.

7. Consider your furniture selections. Often times, most items will not fit in your new small space. Most of the time, furniture will need to be multi-functional. Not just using your coffee table as your dining table, or your dining table as your desk, but you will need to become creative with your storage options within the furniture that you purchase as well.

How to Decorate your Small Space for the Holidays

Christmas Tree Alternatives

Christmas trees are such a significant part of celebrating Christmas and yet there are a thousand different ways to decorate a tree (or tree substitute). When you have a small space, or not enough space to have a tree in your home, try a tree substitute!

1. Try using logs nailed to a wall in the shape of a tree. Start with the longest log on the bottom and the shortest log on the top to give that tree shape, and nail each log horizontally. This saves trees worldwide! 

2. You could even use a old frame and nail Christmas ornaments to a cork board inside the frame in the shape of a tree. This is an easy project to take down once the season is over.

3. Place a few nails on the wall in the shape of a tree. Place a nail at each point where your tree line will adjust course. String a few pieces of yarn or ribbon from one nail to another until you have a tree shape made of ribbons!  

Want more tips on how to Decorate for the Holidays? Check out my e-book available on Amazon now for only 99 cents! 

Here are some ideas on how to decorate your windows:

• Wreaths- hanging a wreath “(or several) by a ribbon in your window is a great way to affordably add some great texture and color to your room.

• Ornaments hung by a ribbon. Just like the wreaths ornaments can add a fun pop of sparkle into a room.

• Hanging Pine Cones- just like the wreath and the ornaments, pine cones can be a fun addition to your windows.

• Using a frosted window spray paint also makes for a fun window treatment in addition to the hanging ornaments.

If you are lucky enough to be able to have enough space for a tree in your home, there are many ways to decorate a Christmas tree. Here is a step by step guide on how to make your tree great:

1. Start with the lights. Wrap the lights around the tree from the top to the bottom in equal distances if your tree will be visible from most sides. If you are tucking your tree into the corner of a room I suggest you string your lights back and forth down the tree in a zigzag pattern to save on lights, your electric bill, and the condition of your walls.

2. Secondly- the ribbon. You can get creative with your ribbon choices- maybe your prefer to go more rustic and use a natural element like popcorn or cranberries, or maybe you prefer something a little more glamorous like a sequin ribbon string. Or maybe you would rather decorate with faux poinsettias or cranberry bunches- which ever type of “ribbon” you prefer, refer to the diagram on the right for a visual on what type of ribbon you would prefer.  

3. Thirdly- the ornaments. Try grouping the more simple ornaments together in sets of three. This way the ornaments will look more full . If you are going to display a collection, spread the ornaments out across your tree in an even distance from one another.

If you are not able to fit a Christmas tree in your home, not to worry! My favorite part about having a Christmas Tree in the home is the smell. But you can get a really delicious scent just by cooking up some easy ingredients. Here is my receipe:

Put the following ingredients in a bowl and bring to a boil:

1 Orange Sliced

 4 Cinnamon Sticks

2 Tablespoons of Whole Cloves

4 Bay Leaves

1/2 Cup Cranberries

1 Lemon Sliced

4 cups water

Your Complete Thanksgiving Planner Checklist

Thanksgiving can seem like such a crazy day, between getting the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and mashed potatoes prepared and on the table all while and making sure there are snack for everyone to munch on while they wait for the food to cook, and setting the table with your favorite dinnerware- you don't want to miss a thing. Below is a checklist from PopSugar that will help you keep everything in line and on track. 

Two Weeks Before

* Plan a Menu

* Decide what kind of turkey you will serve- fried, oven baked, pick-up, etc.

One Week Before  

* Make a Grocery List

* Plan Your Tablescape Setting

* Prepare your Kitchen (clean!)

*. Make a cooking Plan. I suggest using a list of what order each item needs to be prepared and put in the oven at in order for all the food to come out hot when you are ready to serve. How long did each recipe say it will take to make? Work your way back from the time you want to serve in order to determine when you should start cooking. 

The Monday Before

* Defrost the Turkey

* Make a Seating Chart (if you want one) 

The Tuesday Before

* Prepare any items you will need in adance. For instance the cranberry sauce, the pie dough, the bread for the stuffing, etc. 

The Wednesday Before

* Prep your side dishes: Chop Veggies, Peel Potatoes

* Pick up your Fresh Turkey

* Prep Appetizers

The Day Of

* Remove the Turkey from the Fridge

* Make the Appetizers

* While the turkey bakes, make the remaining side dishes according to your schedule. 

* Set the Table