How do I make my sun room feel finished?

The darker furniture pieces help anchor this large sunroom

Dear Dawn,
I have a sun room that was added on to my home several years ago. Once all the work was done I realized it was a challenge to not only decorate, but for some reason it still feels like it is in a state of transition, and not a finished room. Where am I going wrong?
Leslie, Ft. Wayne

Dear Leslie,
One mistake a lot of people make with their sun rooms is making them too different from the rest of the home. If you want your sun room to feel more integrated and finished, you should try a few of the tips listed below:

Pull color from adjoining rooms 
A sun room feels less like an addition when you pull color from the rest of your home into the space. This doesn't mean you have to use the exact color, but using lighter shades in an existing color already present in the home should help the room feel integrated. Try to find furniture that is similar to what your already have and love as well. Don't be lured into buying furniture that looks like "sun room furniture" that looks picture perfect but isn't user friendly or comfortable. This could keep the room feeling not only unwelcoming, but disconnected from the home.

Anchor the room
So many times, we see sun rooms that are light and lovely to look at, but they still feel like a glorified enclosed porch. While sun rooms should be filled with light many times people forget that a few visually heavy pieces can be just the anchor a sun room needs. So what exactly are visually heavy pieces? This can be items with strong presence in the room either in size, color, or texture. With all the strong light usually present in a sun room, you may feel the room has a light, ethereal, floaty feeling that doesn't really say, come on in and get comfortable. Adding a few dark furniture pieces, a bold print rug, or some texturally interesting pieces should help "settle the room down" and make it feel like it has substance.

Make sure the temperature is under control
Believe it or not, humans are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. A few degrees in either direction can be all it takes to make a room less appealing. Sun rooms that tend to be too warm in summer and too cold in winter will not be utilized to the fullest. If you haven't done so yet, look into adding heating and air conditioning to the space. Light control is important in keeping a room from feeling too warm during peak sunlight hours. Investing in window blinds may be a way to help stabilize the temperature in the room. Consider adding additional sources of heat  and air with electric fireplaces, and ceiling fans as well. 

Related articles

• That room no one goes into....
• Top 5 questions on how to get your home sold
• Reader Inquiry: How to cover water heaters

Wallpaper: It's come a long way

If you're trying to update your homes look, especially if you're trying to sell, paint is not the only option for giving your home a nice new update. While you may have been hesitant to use wallpaper in the past or you've heard countless times how it is a turn off to a potential buyer the truth is, wallpaper is coming back in big way. What wallpaper can give you over paint is it can hide a multitude of imperfections in the wall.

Easy installation- For kitchen and bathrooms, there are great neutral choices that are easier to install like this example: Brewster 425-6004 Trends For Kitchen and Bath Paper Crackle Wallpaper. Why is this paper a great choice? Well it is neutral, and so will not offend most buyers since it will go with a wide array of styles and décor. It has a random non repeating pattern which means you won't have to line up patterns. This saves you a lot of money because there are no extra cuts needed. It's scrub able, peel-able and this is something you can pass on to the new buyer or homeowner.

Damaged walls- How about a wallpaper that will really cover damage? Here's a great solution and it's paint-able so you can make it as neutral as you like: Large Tile Flower Heavy Textured Paintable Wallpaper. This wallpaper gives you all the flexibility you need to customize it to your existing décor or make it an easy match for the next family if you're selling. This is an ideal wallpaper for walls that have a lot of minor damage, scrapes, scratches and shallow indentations. Here's another example: Graham and Brown 13194 Cordoury Wallpaper.

Gray is the new beige- Don't forget, gray is the new beige in neutrals and it is extremely popular today. Gray has found a new following in the décor industry. It pairs well with bright white trim, and dark woods that are popular in many furnishings today. Try using updated modern wallpaper to create a focal point or a feature wall in your home, like this style: Brewster 176-65522 Beacon House Dynasty Foils Petals Wallpaper.

Reader Inquiry: How to cover water heaters

Old Water Heater (Photo credit: smysnbrg)

Water heaters are unsightly and as such usually are located in a closet or room that is usually utilitarian in nature. However, you may still feel it needs to be covered. My suggestion is to either invest in a Shoji screen/room divider like these:



You can also easily build your own room dividers by using louvered door panels that are attached via piano hinges. Piano hinges run the length of the screen or a good portion of it and are fairly sturdy. See Below examples:



Yet another solution may be to simply use a tension rod and hang an attractive drape in front of the offending water heater. Tension rods are great because they can adjust to the size you need very easily. You can use shower curtains with rings,(clip rings are a great way to convert an ordinary flat sheet into a drape) drapes with large grommets or tabs, or a sheet with clip rings attached. See examples below:

That room no one goes into....

American Signature Vineyard Manor dining room table and chairs (Photo credit: Dawn Gagnon)

Do you have a room in your home that seems to be the one room everyone avoids? Does it seem to feel uncomfortable or have a  confused purpose? Well we all have these types of rooms. There are any number of reasons as to why a room in your home may be the one that gets avoided, under utilized and wasted as a great space. There are a number of reasons this may be. Lets look at a few:

Space is undefined: All rooms need an identity. Try to figure out what space you'd like to add to your home and use that as an initial inspiration. Do you need a home office? Craft/sewing room, library? Spare bedroom? Try to give the room a purpose that is really needed, it may be an inexpensive idea or more costly, but it should always address a key need you have in your home. Otherwise it will still be the "room no one goes into.." which is still a waste.

Space is too small or too large: Small spaces can always find a use if you examine first what your needs are. Many people will use small spaces as a place to simply create a "nook" for reading, sewing, meditating or convert into a closet. Spaces that are too large can be divided up into smaller spaces via a room divider or have a half wall built to separate the spaces. This way you can focus on creating two separate spaces individually. Because the spaces are close together you may want to consider spaces that will work well in close proximity to each other.  Perhaps a media room/game room?

Space is odd shaped or has little available wall space: Odd spaced rooms can be a real challenge but the first step is to try and treat the space like it is symmetrical. I know that may be hard to do, but you can read this article : Designing and decorating odd shaped rooms to get more information on this subject. Limited wall space is always a problem but you may want to create a faux wall where there is none and there are many ways to do this. You can build or add a shelving unit or use screens to make a faux wall as well to work off of. You can also suspend long drapes from the ceiling that can be opened and closed as needed where a wall is desired.

Space is too cold, too dark, too hot or too bright: All of these problems can be addressed with a few key strategies, for instances, cold rooms may need an additional heat source. Consider an attractive electric fireplace, which can provide not only heat but a focal point. Try to find units that have additional storage. Also consider where the cold feeling is coming from. Is there a draft? Are there windows that are in poor shape? Is the room really cold or does it feel cold because of the design and decor? Likewise, you'll want to ask yourself similar questions for a room that is too light and too warm. Rooms that are both too bright and too warm usually suggest that there are many windows and not enough air flow. Again consider adding an additional supply of cool air via an air conditioner. You can also tone down the brightness using black out curtains, installing shades or exterior awnings for the windows. Cool down the room visually by adding "cool" neutrals like gray or taupe or with blues and pastels. Go easy on the pastels mind you, or you'll have an 80's look. Pastels will work fine if you keep the trim in the room either bright white or very dark and remember to outfit the room in modern, contemporary furnishings. 
Read more here on The Unused Spaces to Your Home.

Related articles

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• The pros and cons of open concept design
• Decorative and functional ideas for your kitchen
• Decorative and functional accessories for your kitchen
• How to find a compromise on color and decor in your home

Outdoor living spaces

Interior decorating is not limited to indoor spaces. When we decorate our homes, we always have to remember to include the outside spaces as well. In doing so we extend the beauty of our homes beyond doors and walls. Adding visual interest outside enhances the beauty of the inside.

Focus on what you see from the window

To create a beautiful interior, it is sometimes necessary to improve what can be seen on the outside. Try to add outdoor visual interest wherever there is a window in your home to improve the look a feel of the room from the inside. You'd be surprised how much this impacts the beauty of an interior space.

Create outdoor living spaces in multiple areas

Having one deck on your home is a nice feature, however adding lots of little outdoor hidden niches creates a little surprise around every corner. Designated areas that have a lovely view, are adjacent to entries to your home create welcoming areas to sit and enjoy your home and garden.

Limited green space doesn't mean limited options

If you have a small yard or little grass doesn't mean you can't create a beautiful little place to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Focus on container gardening, lovely small scale Bistro chairs and tables are all it takes to create a beautiful exterior space. Small bird baths and bird feeders will add to the space and also bring the nature to you.

Finding kitchen inspirations that make financial sense

It is easy to go crazy when it comes to updating your kitchen. However, more important than just getting what you want, you have to factor what makes sense in the financial realm as well. Kitchens are the heart of the home, and as such have to be given the greatest priority in renovation and design. So knowing what is financially savvy is important for long term reward.

Trends Trends come and go, so be leery of jumping on a trend train. Look for timeless upgrades that will keep their value and public appreciation throughout the ages. Timeless design never goes out of style, and this is a wise move in design financially.

Hardware In a kitchen there are many different ways to update a look simply through the various finishes supplied by the hardware. Whether it's faucets, lighting, or cabinet pulls, make sure to be consistent. Pick a finish and use it throughout the design for a polished and professional result. Don't get stuck purchasing from just one place, sometimes the best deals on items come from casting a wide net. Ebay, Amazon and other online outlets often have great prices on bulk items like kitchen drawer pulls and handles.

Pick a look you already live with
 We all have our tastes in design. Some may love vintage, old world, while others appreciate the clean lines of modern design. Thumb through magazines, and save pictures of designs that speak to you. Walk through your home and look for recurring themes in patterns, textures, colors and style. Chances are these are choices you can apply to your kitchen design that you will be able to live with for a long time. Financially this means you'll live with the look a long time and be less likely to grow tired of it. That means less money spent changing things later.

Open concepts
 If your home is an open concept design, you'll need to make sure that the small details make sense.  While the kitchen doesn't have to mirror the room it is open to, it is important that it compliment the room it is connected to. Find common finishes, colors and textures to tie the rooms together. For example, if your living room is open to your kitchen and is primarily traditional in furnishings and colors, don't be afraid to go modern or contemporary in your kitchen, just make sure both rooms share common ground in colors or finishes.  A contemporary lamp with an oil rubbed bronze base, will still still compliment an Old World style oil rubbed lighting fixture because both share the same finish, just a different design aesthetic.


Enjoy your project and see the video below for more great practical tips:

7

Furnishing small spaces

Of all the spaces that offer a challenge in furnishing small spaces are more than likely the most difficult.

1. Opt for a loveseat instead of a couch. Loveseats are about a foot smaller than a couch but for a small space it is by far a better choice than trying to put in one large piece. Smaller spaces usually mean smaller walls, so pairing down your sofa to a loveseat may be the ideal solution. Look for straight clean lines and good quality. Over sized furniture will overpower the room and leave you little wiggle room.
   
2. Replace your coffee table with a storage trunk or ottoman. We all know small spaces lack storage so any time you can find a piece that serves dual duty you'll be far ahead of the game. Make sure to do this in every space of your small home. Always seek out multifunctional pieces.
   
3. Use floor lamps to flank your furniture. Tight spaces can't always accommodate side tables and end tables, however in most cases you still need lighting. Floor lamps can fit into a tight space and offer you the lighting you need.
   
4. Opt for one large piece that serves as the only seating. Sometimes more is best depending on the individual layout of the room. In these cases a sectional may prove the best option and allow for the most seating with no additional furniture required. Chose models that have built in storage, and fold down drink holders etc.
   
5. Raise up your bed. If you can manage, raising up your bed a little more will allow you to have additional storage underneath. Use luggage to store seasoning clothing and extra blankets etc.
   
6. Keep your chest of drawers and get rid of the dresser. While dressers usually come with mirrors, They usually take up far more wall space. Mount a full length mirror to a door or wall and use a chest of drawers in a small space instead. If you are handy, many drawers from dressers can be outfitted with rolling casters on the bottom allowing drawers to slide under your bed for easy access.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Lightening up a dark room

Up lights can do a lot for a dark space

If you are like most homeowners you have at least one “problem” room in your home. Dark spaces can feel dank, depressing and usually wont be used as much. To brighten up these dark rooms there are a few tricks that can be utilized to maximize low light areas.

1. Paint the ceiling in a semi gloss paint- If it is popcorn, you may want to consider scraping it. Before you do, read: Popcorn ceiling removal.
   
2. Paint walls in a semi gloss- Keep in mind that your walls need to be in pretty good shape as with all reflective paints, they will also highlight marks, dings, and scrapes that a matte paint can conceal.
   
3. Use “up lights”- Up-lights are cylindrical lightening fixtures that sit on the floor and cast a light upwards into the room. When you paint your ceiling in a semi gloss paint, the ceiling will reflect off of the up lights and back down into the room creating more light overall.
   
4. Place mirrors strategically- Mirrors do well to reflect any light source in the room provided you place them where they can reflect the most light. That means trying out different spots in the room, and in some cases placing a mirror opposite of a window, light or doorway.
   
5. Use a monochromatic design scheme- While a monochromatic design scheme can't place light into the room, lighter neutral shades give the room a lighter feel and can keep the room from feeling darker.
   
6. Use fabrics with a sheen- There are a lot of fabrics out there that cast a sheen, they usually make for great pillow covers,drapes and furniture covers. When it comes to a dark room you have to seize all ideas available to brighten the space up.
   
7. Windows- Adding a window to a room can do a lot to brighten it up, however, if you don't have that in your budget, simply use a faux mirror window like the one shown in the Amazon link below.
8. Metallics- Metallics have a reflective surface and here again, will aid in having light bounce around a space. Using metallic lamp bases, picture frames, vases, and other accessories will all help in chasing darkness from a room. When using metallics in conjunction with the other suggestions listed here, you will increase the light in a dark space dramatically. Reflective wall art done in chromes and silvers can do so much to add more light where there was none, give it a try.
   
   
   

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

Monochromatic design: making it sparkle

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you are the type that will be reluctant to try a monochromatic design scheme because you think it is boring, take heed, there's great ways to make this soothing design aesthetic pop. When we think of monochromatic, we think of bland colors, similar shades and lackluster appeal. However, this is far from it once you understand the ways to make a monochromatic design wake up. Here are the key ways to make this design aesthetic work for you, without being boring.

1. Add plenty of interest to the room with texture. 
Textures add a lot of interest to design because they force the eye to stop and take in the subtle change in the color scheme. Texture in accessories can make the room feel more dimensional. Texture in patterns and fabrics can give off a subtle color change through the shadows created and this adds interest to the room without veering off the soft color scheme. Adding texture can be as easy as adding textured drapes, pillows, woven patterns and embossed wallpaper.




                                            
2. Add shine with metal accessories
When pressed to create a monochromatic design scheme that comes alive, it is important to recognize how important metallic accessories are in creating the sparkle that doesn't compete with the colors in the room but illuminates and reflects them. Warm metallic accessories like bronzes,golds, and copper will work wonderfully with creams, and beige,and warm pastels. Cool metallic accessories like silver, chrome, nickle will work great with whites, grays, and   soft cool pastels.                                                                            

Image via Wikipedia 3. Get sparkle from glass and lighting
Keeping a monochromatic design scheme simple doesn't mean leaving out all the details that make a room sparkle, in fact these details become more important since they serve more function. To wake up a room where color is simple, try incorporating sparkle through lighting. Crystal chandeliers often add not only sparkle to a room, and visual interest, but refract light and create more detail.








4. Using shapes, lines and curves
To continue to make soothing monochromatic design visually stunning the use of
interesting shapes in the room should be explored. Curvy headboards, or sharp angles that are repeated through the design will pull the room together and keep the eye traveling along the rooms space.

 

 

Related articles by this author:

• Going retro and getting it right
• Holiday decorating and knowing your style
• Are home buyers too obsessed with Stainless Steel appliances?

Going retro and getting it right

Retro design is a popular and personal design. Nothing quite brings one back to their roots, their childhood memories of grandma's kitchen like retro design can. However, like with most design decisions, going retro in a room requires a little research. You don't want to just jump in because you stand the risk of having the end result look like an indoor garage sale and not the warm nostalgic space you envisioned.

Research
Do your homework for the specific time period you are interested in. This may require hitting up on various informational sources, including but not limited to, Antique malls, libraries, museums, and even grandma's house. In fact, if you take grandma along with you on your quest for authentic retro decor, she may be able to help you a lot with figuring out what is a great piece to add to your overall look. Research popular colors of the specific era you want to capture and don't limit yourself to just kitchen gadgets, there are a lot of vintage fabrics out there that you may want to look into such as table linens, window treatments etc.

Mixing old and new 
There are a lot of new appliances out there that have a retro feel to them. Don't be afraid to mix and match along the way, keep the focus of the overall feel of the space in mind and don't obsess over every little detail being completely authentic. There are new lines of retro inspired replicas and design accessories emerging every day that have some up to date advantages that shouldn't be overlooked. It is better to go with some of these updated options when dealing with anything electrical.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day
Be careful, it is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to bring a vision to life in decorating and design. Start off small and add as you go along. If you try to do too much too soon, you will most assuredly run out of money, patience and energy. Part of the appeal of retro design is it has a time worn, well loved and comfortable feel. This can't be achieved in a day, but takes time, love of the style and a good eye. Relax, enjoy the experience and let the design occur naturally, not under pressure. You want the look to be authentic not intentional.

Going too far 
One thing you don't want to do with your retro design is go too far. How can you go too far? Well, too much matchy-matchy deliberate accessories will  again, offset what you are trying to achieve and actually work against the design aesthetic, especially if you are trying to really capture a moment in time with your design. Better to have a few well chosen pieces, than to have a whole room where each element was bought from the same store, with the same logo, or color.

Also check out : Retro RefrigeratorDealer.com

Take a look at these wonderful retro finds that can really give you a jump start on your retro design scheme:

Unifying large multi purpose spaces in your home

Image via Wikipedia

A clean slate is best. It may be best to clear out the room if it isn't already done. Take note of things like wall outlets, cable and phone lines etc. These all will play a key part in space assignment and definition. Once the room is clear you will notice the large expanses of individual surfaces like the ceiling, floor, and walls. These large surfaces have to tie in together to create a unified design. When choosing paints, or flooring, window treatments etc. remember that they will be the background for the room entirely. Creating too many colors, and varying window treatments or flooring will make the room feel disjointed. There are far better ways to create definition for a large space. If you live in South Carolina and would like to have a local contractor help in your renovation or remodel, see the * link at the bottom of this article for more information.

Ideas and potential problems

Ideas are free, so this is perhaps the easiest part of your project. Start off by writing down a list of ideas based on need vs. want and cost vs. budget to get a good idea what you are in for. After you've gotten a list going, it is time to take a look at the space and survey it in these key areas: ceiling, floor, walls, windows, entrance and exit. Assess if you space needs a new ceiling, flooring, walls removed or added, windows or lack thereof, and adequate accessibility. Not all large spaces were designed to be something else and in the case of attics and basement areas, having proper entrance and exits may need to be looked at. By going down this list you can write down your thoughts on how to improve them, as well as in what order. Most people who have done renovation work will tell you these broad surfaces have to be addressed in a certain order especially if the room requires painting. Ceilings should be installed and painted first, then walls painted, added, or removed, Windows can be installed next, and finally flooring. Flooring is best do to last so that paint drips, damage from wall and debris, etc wont destroy it's finish.

Here are a few common ways to utilize wasted space in your home

home office/study area

If you lack a home office, this large space may be just the place to create a home office, study area for the kids, or even a small library to read in.

Need media room/ game room

Many homes being built today are incorporating into their design media rooms and home owners are also requesting game room/play room space. Why? Well it may be due to the fact more Americans are feeling the pinch economically and spend more recreational time at home.

Additional Storage

If your home has cramped storage, having a partition built may be a clever way to create storage. In most cases, it would involve installing a wall framed in 2 X 4's spaced every 16 inches from the stud's center point to the center point of the next stud, a few pieces of sheet rock, molding, and joint compound. Creating a hidden area or large walk in closet in a large space is a great way to add storage that may be lacking in other areas of your home.

Define and unify

Once you have chosen the right details for the large surfaces of your multipurpose room, it is time to designate space allocation. Work on the room as a whole so that you don't end up with a disjointed space. Example: If you are adding a home office, you may want to take care to make sure that the finishes you use in choice of materials is one that can be carried out into the rest of the space. Cherry cabinetry in your home office area needs to be repeated elsewhere in the space to create a cohesive feel. The same applies to fabrics. Whether it is window treatments, throw pillows, furniture coverings, they need to have one common among them all. This should be in color, texture, pattern. Try to keep it simple by choosing three main colors to work off of. Similar textures, shapes and patterns with like colors will give your space a unified feel without compromising each rooms defined purpose.

Updating kitchen cabinets

Image via Wikipedia

The top three biggest expenses in kitchen renovations are cabinets, appliances, and counter tops. If your home hasn't been updated in the last ten years you may find yourself in for a great deal of money to bring your home up to speed. How can you make improvements with out going broke? Well there are alternatives to updating your cabinets if you are willing to open up your mind, and abandon a few preconceived notions.

Painting- 
Cabinets can always be painted or refaced- Some may be under the impression that wood should never be painted however, this depends on several factors. Inexpensive and builder grade woods can and should be painted if they are in bad shape, dark, dingy or dated. The key is to make sure you do the job right. If you can't then have someone professionally paint your cabinets with the right tools needed for lasting beauty, research the best paint products to use for your cabinets, whether they are real wood, laminate, etc. Using the right paint product with the right material of cabinet will give you the best results.

Re-staining-
Now, for some of us that just can't bear painting our wood, consider re-staining your wood. If you have, for instance old Oak cabinets or a light finished wood cabinet that just doesn't work for you, restain them a darker color. There are several products on the market, Lowe's offers Minwax Stain and Finish In One, and it states that it can easily go over existing stained cabinetry. Lowe's also offers Minwax Gel Stain that is made to go over wood veneers, etc. Tip: Be sure to read the reviews before you make your decision. Try out the stain on an inconspicuous area beforehand.

Refacing -
Refacing cabinets can also be an alternative. Ideally real wood cabinets are the easiest to reface. They can be covered in bead board and framed out with a nice trim. There are also companies that you can order replacement cabinet doors from that will allow you to instantly improve your kitchen. Maple Craft USA has not only kitchen door replacement options but also sells cabinet veneers to reface your existing cabinets with, as well as cabinet drawers etc. See the link at the bottom of this article.

New pulls-
New cabinet pulls will definitely help your kitchen look it's best and in some cases this may be the only thing you need to do. Ebay offers a huge selection of knobs and pulls for updating your cabinets. Prices and shipping costs are competitive, just make sure you check the stats on the seller, and do comparisons. Check measurements on your existing cabinets before placing your order. Tip: Don't overlook hinges. Now that the world is abandoning polished brass finishes in the home, you may want to update your old hinges to brushed Nickle, Oil Rubbed Bronze, etc which can also be found on Ebay. Check around for the best buy and make sure you get the right size for your needs. If you can't find them, spray paint them to match.

Want more interior decorating solutions and inspiration? Check out
Dawn's Interior Decorating Solutions.

*South Carolina Kitchen Remodeling

*Lowes Minwax Stain and Finish All In One
*Lowes Minwax Gel Stain

*Maple Craft USA

Related articles by this author:

• Sensa Granite with SenGuard product review 
• Timeless home design, the key to not becoming a trend 
• Laminate counter top restoration 

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.

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