Monochromatic ideas for your home

Look how beautiful Monochromatic can be....

All Pier 1 Imports  images provided via written permission to Dawn Gagnon by Pier 1 Imports

This area rug provides beautiful texture and interest and can wake up any Monochromatic scheme.

Crafted in India, this Ivory Rose Rug is crafted of wool and has been hand-tufted. With a textured finish, this rug is found exclusively at Pier 1. 

Product specs:

Color: Beige, Ivory

Size: 72"W x 108"H

Hand-tufted

Exclusively Pier 1 Imports 

On sale now at Pier 1 for $499.99

How about a touch of shabby chic inpiration for a Monochromatic look?

                                                                       

                                                                 

Rosette Hayward Lamp        

                    

This lamp serves double duty in the Monochromatic design, as it adds sparkle and interest with its lovely metallic curvy base, and texture with the application of these soft white flowers around the shade. These features are what we look for in the design world to wake up a calm pallet and make it anything but boring. This lamp is on sale at  Pier 1 for $79.99

Reflect your good taste with this Pearl and gold round mirror

                                                                  

Pearl and gold round mirror

Do you see where all of these items are well suited together? Well they all have common traits that make them work beautifully together. Oh and mix those metallics. This mirror has gold and silver so it works perfectly with the other selections in this post and allows you to mix your metallic finishes for more flexibility.  

Product specs:          

Gold/ivory/silver               

31.50" Dia x 1"D              

Engineered wood, capiz shell, mirror, glass               

Exclusively Pier 1 Imports               

                                                                Price: $179.95 Get it here

Keeping it floral and posh with the Ruffles Pillow 

Ruffles Pillow
Adding yet again more movement and texture in the room will keep the soft and comforting Monochromatic design interesting and lively. This Ruffled Pillow is just the right accessory for any bed, chair or couch. Check it out here








Take a load off and relax in style

Gillian Chair
Here again we see that with just the right amount of pattern and texture we can create interest and design while keeping in sync with our Monochromatic design. This chair is a perfect marriage of texture, pattern and a soft color pallet. It is currently offered at Pier 1 Imports for $ 379.95 and boasts a silver and platinum color pallet. Perfect with all of the items listed in this article.
See it here

Holiday decorating and color choices

Image by Zellaby via Flickr

With the onset of the holidays in full swing the urge to decorate our homes is the best way to get into the holiday spirit. However, there are homeowners that are intimidated by things like color. Being intimidated by the bold colors of the holidays send some of us into a tail spin. Do I use red and green in a beige room? Will my color choices clash and be tacky with everything else in the room?

There are a few things we can do to pull off a classy, polished and well designed room or, if it suits you an old fashioned and . The first thing we have to decide is which way you want it to go, and what sort of result do you want. Do you want magical timeless and classy, or do you prefer warm, old fashioned and homespun. Perhaps you'd like to add a little modern flare to the decorating scheme.

My suggestions:

For classy and polished

Image via WikipediaThis look screams magical and embodies the glow and magic that we associate with the holidays. It is flexible and the easiest because it will automatically work with your existing design scheme.

Keep colors simple, and let sparkles rule the design choices. Metallic ornaments, clear crystals, golds, and silvers and soft shades of white will give your holiday room a sparkle and refinement that will merge well with most existing designs. Use clear lights on your tree and make sure to repeat your lighting and color choices throughout the space. Keep colors to a minimum, no more than three ideally.

Designer tip- Don't be afraid to be creative. Use old jewelry to decorate mantle garlands, lamp shades, and even candles. Old dangling earrings look great hung from clear beaded garlands, and pearl strings. Just because you're going for classy and polished doesn't mean you can't be creative and use some of those wonderful jewelry pieces that have lost their mates in your jewelry box. For

For old fashioned and homespun

 Image via Wikipedia

Its all about home made and nature inspired décor.

When we think of the holidays from our youth, many times we remember that our parents decorated with reds, greens and every other color of the rainbow. Little focus was given as to whether it matched an existing décor scheme, and somehow, it always felt warm and welcoming. Didn't it?

You really can't go wrong with traditional colors if this is the look you desire. If it is somehow clashing with other things in the room, consider removing those things temporarily so that you won't feel uncomfortable with the end result. Using natural materials and homemade items in a room are an inexpensive way to get a great homespun holiday feel. Decorate mantles with pine branches, real pine cones, and candles. Drill three shallow holes in logs and inset tea light candles, fill baskets with pine cones, nuts and seed pods. Use lots of red and green checked and plaid ribbon as well. Chunky cuts of logs can be placed on your mantle and a great pedestal for large candles. Peppermint oils, nutmeg and cinnamon sprinkled in baskets and vessels of pot pourrie will keep the smells of the holiday season in mind too. No baskets? Use clay pots and sit around your fireplace hearth, fill with cinnamon sticks, twigs and pine branches, and as always, finish off with raffia, or great old fashioned ribbon. If you are using a natural Christmas tree, save any branches that you may have trimmed off for decorating.

Designer tip: Polish up old candles and restore their shine and luster with a little vegetable oil on a soft cloth.

Related articles

• Color trends that date a home
• HGTV helps you become your own designer

The importance of home accessories

Accessories are the jewelry of the home. Accessorizing a home is vital in many aspects on many levels and in fact, make the house a home. When we fail to add those little touches to the decor of a home we find a home that naturally is off putting, sterile, and it offers very little in the way of comfort to yourself and visitors. The environment will give off a negative energy in many cases. If you live in South Carolina and are looking for accessories to make a house a home, see: Pier 1 Imports in Columbia, SC for ways to become inspired.

Why are accessories Important?

Accessories add the charm, the warmth, and the visual statement, testimony of the home owner. They give the visitor insights, clues into who you are, what you value and create an environment that gives off its own energy. To understand how accessorize and decorate your home you must first ask yourself what is the ultimate goal you wish to achieve with in the space. This check list should help you get started in creating a home that you will not only love but create years of fond memories in.

1. What is my ideal home?

Defining your ideal home will give you an idea of where to start decorating and accessorizing. Many people find that the ideal home starts off with large ticket

items like gourmet kitchens, in ground swimming pools, and grand master suites. One should figure out how to prioritize big ticket items versus, smaller decorative elements

that can still give you the ideal environment.

2. What do I want my home to tell visitors about me?

The impression your home gives visitors is important. For some a home is a showcase of memories and family life, for others it is a showcase of your tastes and design style. Figuring out what you want your home to say about you, usually leads you in a specific direction in design. Example, if you want your home to say "I'm successful" you may find yourself accessorizing with valuable collections, or placing more priority on big ticket items, while another may want their home to say " I'm warm and friendly" and have a home that is filled with family relics, memorabilia, comfortable furnishings and warm colors.

3. Will I be selling this home within the next five years?

This may seem an odd item to have on this list but accessorizing a home can range from a lot of money, to very little. If you are planning to sell your home you will want to be more methodical in your approach to how you decorate and design it. Big ticket accessorizing can be mean a nice return on your investment, but it can also mean a loss as well. Smaller ways we accessories, "movable" decor means the basic home will stay the same. "Changeable" decor, usually costs a little more and involves things like wall color, flooring, and perhaps fixtures. Not all accessorizing is in art work and what nots. Accessorizing a home is also in the updates, fixtures, colors and flooring choices.

4. What function does each room fill?

Each room you plan on living in needs to have a clear function and purpose. Knowing this will help you decide what accessories will work, compliment and help

the room make its statement. For instance, a home office might be well suited for you if it is accessorized and decorated in a color scheme that is conducive to

concentration and focus. Accessories can be added that will not only be attractive to the eye but also perform a function as well. Example, a beautiful desk, is an accessory but

it also is decorative and performs a function.

5. What do I want my home to provide me with?

Whether you are retired, work all day, have a busy lifestyle, or are a stay at home mom, a home is expected to provide us with more than just a place to hang our hat. Ideally a home for most should be a place of comfort, rest and rejuvenation, safety and where family can be together and share time and space in. Knowing exactly what you want out of your house will make a big difference in where your priorities lie. If your home isn't meeting your needs, it could be due to the fact that your decor and environment has not been created to cater to you and your families needs. By following this list, you should be able to get there and create an environment that is nurturing and healthy on many levels.

Pier 1 Imports store offering 25 percent off

If you are in the market for kitchen and dining items, your local Pier 1 Imports store has

a great sale on select kitchen and dining essentials that will make your home beautiful and functional.

Whether its aprons, dinnerware or even adding to a salt and pepper collection, don't miss these special

deals. If you live in South Carolina, you can find a Pier 1 in the following areas, Columbia, Summerville, Anderson and Spartanburg. To get an idea what great décor and accessories you can buy, see: Pier 1 Imports. The Pier 1 Imports online store allows customers to shop online, and pick up at the store.
For those that are looking for more than just kitchen and dinning room decor and accessories, Pier 1 offers a wide range of great decorative items for every room in your house. Whether it is decorative pillows for the sofa, window treatments, area rugs or even furniture the choices are unique and special. See the slideshow!

Other articles by this author:

• Designing and decorating odd-shaped rooms
• How to give open spaces their own style
• Pier 1 Imports can add style to your garden
• Create a "Memory garden" for Mother's Day

Pier 1 Imports can add style to your garden

If you are getting a taste of Spring fever then it's time to make a trip to your local Pier 1. Pier 1 has some of the most tasteful old world garden accessories and furnishings to create those beautiful little Vistas all throughout the garden.
Take a look at these suggestions:
We can't all live in France, but we can certainly create a french inspired garden complete with these lovely furnishings:

Jardin De Marie Trellis

How wonderful is it to sit under a garden trellis that is covered in wonderful roses? Well this trellis has seating as well and will be a beautiful addition to any garden landscape.
Jardin De Marie Trellis
$399.95

Jardin De Marie Armchair

For beautiful seating in french elegance, how about creating a little spot on your patio or in your garden for this lovely chair?
Jardin De Marie Armchair
$149.95

Angelique Foam dining cushion

Want some extra comfort that has plenty of color in case your green thumb fails you? Why not add these great indoor/outdoor cushions for your lovely french inspired garden chairs?
Angelique Foam Dining Cushion
$24


   

Jardin De Marie End Table

Jardin De Marie End Table
$129.95

9 foot Pagoda Umbrella

Needing a little shade with a little punch of color?
See: 9-Foot Pagoda Umbrella
$199.95

Outdoor Perched Bird Table

For adding a little rustic charm, add this adorable table with the twig-like legs with the extra little birds perched on them. It doesn't get anymore charming than that.
   
Outdoor Perched Bird Table
$199.95

Copper Outdoor Clock

An outdoor clock can add style and purpose to a blank wall, or a privacy fence. Check out this awesome Copper Outdoor clock.
   
Copper Outdoor Clock
$99.95

Metal Plant Stand

Metal plant stands never ever go out of style for that touch of elegance on a deck, patio or even the front stoop. See this charming outdoor embellishment:
   
Metal Plant Stand
$69.95

Related articles by this author:

• Monochromatic ideas
• Timeless home design, the key to not becoming a trend
• Going retro and getting it right

Pulling together a room design with your local Pier 1 Import store

Pier 1 Imports Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Luckily for those living in South Carolina, we have a plethora of furniture stores to chose beautiful furnishings from. Pier One Imports currently has 9 stores located through out South Carolina and other states, check the website for one closest to you.

The Sofa

This sofa is moderately priced, and has great lines that add immediate style to the room you are outfitting.
See Abby Sofa. Resist the urge to always buy living rooms, dens etc in bulk packages.

Arm chairs

This matching arm chair repeats the same clean soft curves as its sofa counterpart for $499.95.
See:  Abby Arm Chair,

Lighting

Lighting in a room is also an important decorative factor. This lamp is a lovely compliment to the Abby sofa and Arm Chair. See: Orient Bird Lamp This lamp picks up the great dark finish of the coffee table.

Coffee and End Tables

The soft curves found in the Abby sofa and Abby Arm chair, as well as the lamps suggested here will compliment this coffee table that also has soft curved legs and a bold anchor color that looks great in a neutrally furnished room. See: Dexter Coffee Table also  from Pier One Imports. Also see: Dexter End Tables

Wall décor

Finding wall décor that will compliment the living room suggestions listed here in this article is easy if you remember a few key things. The big pieces are neutral, soft curves, the lamps are also curved with a leaf motiff, and the tables are softly curve with a dark finish. So naturally wall décor have has curves, a dark finish and a floral feel to it can only add to the style going on in this room. See Scroll Burst wall décor

If you are in the mood for pops of color, try this for a great compliment to this living room by adding this lovely wall art, see: Hand Painted Plates Wall décor

Pillows

Most sofas look lovely without them but for decorative purposes pillows can go a long way to help a room have some additional personality. These pillows add soft color that is reflected in all the decorative pieces chosen for this room. Green Ombre Paisley Pillow

Area rug

Looking for a super cool area rug to pull it all together? There are two schools of thought here you can either pick up the bold colors from the vases, plates and pillows with this: Blue and Brown wavy rug
This rug will pick up the lovely colors found in the accents for the walls and in the pillows.

Or anchor the room with this simple area rug...

This rug will pick up on the dark finish of the coffee and end tables featured in this article beautifully.
Wool Border Jute Rug

More suggested accents for this living  room ensemble

Multi Metal Urns

More wall art...

Metal Plates Votive Sconce

********Converting a closet into an office space

A wall closet in a residential house in the United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Convert that unused closet into a functional office space...

It may be hard to believe but there are times when you may need an office area far more than you need a closet. In those times, it is easy to take a spare closet and convert it into a functioning space. Latest and probably lasting trends that will be seen in the housing market is new construction that is accommodating to the needs of most home buyers to have a home office. For those who have an older home improvising is the name of the game.

Things You'll Need:

1 piece of 4 X 8 plywood (this should be enough but measure)

(2) 2X4X8's or(1 X 5's can also be used) You may need more so make sure to measure.

Box of 1 1/2 inch nails, or screws

(1) handsaw or skill saw

(1) level

(1) drill

molly bolts

Step 1

 First things first, you will want to measure your closet sides, and across the back. The closet in the photograph is the kind with two bi folds, so the measurements were roughly 2 1/2 feet on each short end and approximately 6 feet across.

Step 2

 Cut your 2 X 4 that will be mounted on the interior walls across the back and sides to fit according to your individual closet size. Nail one nail in the center of each 2 X 4 this will allow you the ability to move your 2 X 4 and adjust it to be perfectly level. Make sure to use a level and mark the wall with a pencil. You can now screw it into place using molly bolts and your drill. Add enough to make it very secure, and repeat this with the end too.

Step 3

 Now that your 2 x 4's are all in place and level and securely attached to your walls, it is time to cut your ply wood to fit on top. Make sure to put in several notches along the back of the plywood to allow for your computer wires, etc. Once cut simply place on top of the 2 X 4 braces and nail along the edges. If you want this space to also serve for other uses like sewing, its a good idea to place a 2 X 4 brace up from the floor to add extra support for a heavy sewing machine.

 

• Decorating for the potential buyer of your home
• Definition: Great room
• How to stage an older home for sale
• Giving space an identity in your home

Teen room make over on a budget

Teenagers are a finicky crowd to please and often will not like just any decor you suggest. However, there are times when it is necessary to breath new life into their rooms. You can come together with a great low budget compromise by simply allowing them to be a part of the decision making process.
First tell your teen ahead of time that the budget is low. It is no use in them dreaming up grand scale projects no one can pay for.

Keep it simple, start with new bedding. Be prepared, this is where the bulk of your budget will go, so it is imperative that whatever bedding your teen chooses, it be something you can work with. Colors, shapes and quality are important. You can always use inexpensive accessories.
Paint the room in a color that coordinates well with the bedding. If you aren't planning on selling your home in the next five years, use any color you like, however if you may be selling, always choose neutrals. Gray colors that might appeal to your son are a neutral a teenaged son might like so don't shy from that color.

Wallpaper questions? Many homeowners are told by experts on television to avoid this choice, however, wallpaper is sometimes a great inexpensive solution or accent. Most pre-pasted wall paper choices can easily be removed if you apply them to walls painted in satin and semi-gloss finishes. If you are still uneasy choosing wallpaper borders can be a safer easier choice as well.

Accessories are where you will have the fun. Have your teen help with picking out fun accessories and make sure you don't limit the options of where to find accessories. Your teen is a lot more creative than you may give them credit for so be sure to have the surf for accessories via the internet, tag sales, etc. for wonderful creative things to personalize their room. Use spray paint on items that may be ideal but need updating. Have your teen go through magazines to find inspiration for their new room make overs. Then find economical compromises.  Once you are done, your teen will be happy and you will have a clean coordinated room to appreciate, for a short while at least.