Showing posts with label HGTV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HGTV. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A book that every DIYer, remodeler, and frugalista must check out!

HGTV's Design on a Dime Host Frank Fontana's Dirty Little Secrets of Design; I have to say I was very impressed by this book when I received it. Lots of decorating books have inspiring and pretty images, but this is one of the few rare ones that you actually want to read. It is packed with great tips - and not just how to make your house a better place to live, but how to live in your house better.

Is this not a home office/studio to die for? It's home office heaven! Tons of surface space, storage space, and natural light.

Some of Frank's home office dos and Don'ts:

Don't:
• Locate your office area where it can interfere with social spaces in your home.
• Keep a cluttered, messy desk for all your guests to observe.
• Us overbearing decor that will distract more than soothe and motivate. Keep the TV in the other room, unless it's part of your job requirement.
• Make your office at home feel too much like your other office. Leave harsh lights and sterilizing styling for the hospitals.

Do:
•Provide yourself with basic office supplies to keep the work flowing.
•Find a quiet space for your office that will allow you to forget about it when you only want to relax. Conversely, put the dog in the kennel when serious work needs to be completed.
• Use closed-storage, multi-functional, and organizational furniture to keep the things you need easily in reach but not constantly exposed.
• Use items like privacy screens, curtains, and solid dividers to separate your focus from the rest of the house (if you don't have a dedicated room).
•Add personal style to your office furnishings that inspire creativity and success

A lovely restful bedroom.
Bedroom dos and dont's from Dirty Little Secrets of Design

Don't:
•Bring the drama of our day into the bedroom. Change your design to help change your attitude.
•Use bright hues of color that make you feel a sense of urgency. (Of course, these colors will vary depending on your personal taste.}
•Overdo your design to the point where you feel as if you are sleeping in a museum. Like color, decor should lend itself to subtlety instead of intensity.

Do:
•Create a destination out of your bedroom that carries you to a calm, peaceful place. Seek inspiration from your favorite vacations.
• Work with earthy colors, and don't be afraid of dark colors, as they will aid in letting you sleep later in the morning. Keep an equal balance of design, high style, and downright warm cozy comfort.
• Include decorative pillow, but use the rule of three for this one. Two matching Euro-sized pillows with shams and one funky pillow that makes a statement.

A fun and chic entryway.

A tip I was so happy to see - Frank's tip on how to work with wood
"Many design styles will call for lots of wood furnishings. Avoiding buying a set of furniture or decor is a great way to save money and stay original, but that means you need to have an eye for matching distinct items. When purchasing wood furnishings, a good rule of thumb is to not have the color of all the wooden items in a space differ by more than three shades. If you absolutely love a piece but it is too dark or light, you can always sand it and add a new finish"

A super chic reading nook in my fav. colors at the moment - grays.

Well...have I whetted your appetite? This book is definitely a great addition to the library of a big do-it-yourselfer. It can be purchased at Amazon , or from the publisher, Abrams.

I received this book as a sample

Monday, October 11, 2010

Check out my interview with HGTV designer Martin Amado!

I always like it when I get to ask the experts design questions that seem basic enough, but we tend to forget. They always leave me saying "ohhhh yeahh..." Well I was offered the opportunity to ask Martin a few questions and came up with a few that either I always seem to need help with or that I get a lot from readers. Here are my questions...


1. For those who love to rearrange and change things around in their home a lot, what’s the most cost efficient way to “change” up your décor? In other words, what décor change gets you the most bang for your buck?

2. If one can only make one purchase or change to improve the eco-friendliness or green rating of their home, what singular purchase/installment would you suggest?

3. What is the most valuable lesson learned from a renovation/redecorating “mistake” you made in the beginning of your career that others can learn from?

4. This is one I get a lot - a young family moves into an old home with great original architectural elements – for example – dark wood paneling, floors, and molding. If painting or altering the wood in anyway is 100% out of the question, what design tips and tricks do you suggest for adding some youth, funk, style, and modern flair? How do you lighten up the space and “ungrannify” it with decorating elements other than paint?


Watch to hear me ask Martin these questions and to hear his really great answers:



Thanks again to Martin for his wise words of wisdom! To see some of Martin's fab work or to learn more about him, go to his website.

Friday, January 2, 2009

And the winner of the HGTV software redraw is....

Rebecca! Congrats Rebecca, who is also a fellow blogger, and the creator of Harmony and Home. Thanks again to everyone who participated!

Rebecca- Just email me with your shipping address and I will send it over asap!

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

HGTV Winner Update - New drawing on 01/01/09

Hi Folks -
It's been two weeks and Cheryl Ng has yet to claim her prize. So I will be redrawing a winner for the HGTV Home and Landscape Platinum Suite software. You can read about the contest here. I will be drawing from the same group that originally entered, so check back tomorrow to see if you won! Also, if Cheryl Ng happens to read this, you have until midnight tonight to email me.

Friday, December 19, 2008

And the winner of the HGTV software is...

Number 13! Cheryl Ng! Congratulations Cheryl Ng; I hope you enjoy the software - you will have to let me know how you like it. Email me with your shipping address and it's all yours*

Thanks everyone for participating, this was a lot of fun, and I hope to have more giveaways in the future.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

One of you will get this HGTV giveaway!

Consider it a holiday present from me (and HGTV) to you! I'm giving away a copy of HGTV's Home & Landscape Platinum Suite, which normally sells for $79.99. All you have to do is leave a comment with your name. I will be drawing a name from a hat and announcing the winner via a new post on Friday December 19th. The giveaway will close at 11:59 PM on Thursday the 18th. Good luck to all of you, share with your friends, and don't forget to comment and mention your name!






Go to www.homedesignsoftware.tv to read about all of the cool decorating features and tools. You can even do 3D walk-arounds of your rooms after you've uploaded photos and virtually redecorated!

*System Requirements:

HGTV’s home design software is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and Vista and requires 1GB RAM; CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive; a color monitor 1024 x 768 display or higher and an Internet connection for Internet features such as additional home plan templates.


Images via HGTV Home Design Software

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Chic and easy DIY


Hanging a striking canvas in place of a headboard creates instant drama. I also think the mirrors here are great because they open up the bedroom so much! Image via HGTV


One of my favorite headboard ideas, and so easy! Just install a curtain rod to the wall, drape your favorite fabric or quilt, and instant headboard! via Martha Stewart



Two great ideas from Martha Stewart for hiding tvs. Top, a "TV cozy," just pick out a fabric you wouldn't mind looking at all the time, and with a few simple stitches you have pretty tv camo. Or install a simple clean roller shade at the top of your tv cabinet for super easy hide and reveal.


From Domino readers, you can pick up some cheap frames from a place like target, collect your favorite paper or fabrics, and frame them as art. It's inexpensive, and you won't feel guilt if you get tired of something and rotate it out with something new.



Want moulding but lack the budget? Paint some! grab some painters tape and a level to create an even line around the wall, and create the illusion of moulding in any color you desire. Via Domino



Some bathroom tips from Martha Stewart again. For a one-of-a-kind soap dish, epoxy two shells backs facing one another. Instead of ho-hum towel hooks, screw in some stylish knobs!