Do you have a daughter who dreams of a feminine room, filled with pink or purple, flowers and “girly” touches? This dressing table provides a good start.

To begin, shop used furniture and thrift stores for a dressing table with drawers. Don’t worry about the finish – you can paint the table white like this one.

If it needs refinishing, sand it lightly, wipe it down and then prime and paint. This bright white is fresh and inviting. Choose a durable paint so that it’s easy to wipe it down.

If the piece doesn’t have a mirror, shop for a simple one that will work well with the table. If needed, paint its frame white to match. The three-way mirror in this room is nice for checking out the back of a hairdo.

This little girl’s favorite color is pink, so the roses around the mirror, the boxes and bottles, as well as the ribbon trim on the curtains reflect this preference. Silk flower garlands with a wide choice of flower types and colors are available at hobby and some fabric shops.

A few more touches can make the whole room connect with this dressing table. Add a pink flowery bedspread and an area rug that coordinates. Hang hooks for hair ribbons and jewelry. With just a little effort, you can turn what had been a toddler’s room into the vision of your daughter’s dreams.

Homes are more interesting when people bring in some special personal pieces. The elements shown here could have been part of an inheritance or maybe discovered when traveling or at some intriguing antique store. The secret to making them work in a home is to use them to their best advantage.

Although all of these pieces say old and unique, they are clearly not a set. The first step is to decide if any go together or if they are better apart. It’s best to take advantage of each pair – lanterns and candlesticks – but not put the four together. In terms of style, era and function, they will do better in different rooms.

The tall drawer chest, on the other hand, works well with the ceramic horseman. The colors and styles coordinate with each other. These two pieces would make an interesting statement in an entryway or transition area in a home.

Take full advantage of the painting with its rich shades of gold and lovely though simple frame. This will not work in every room, but it will stand out wherever you put it. Experiment until you find just the right spot.

Look at proportion when determining location. The candlesticks are tall and heavy, so they won’t work on lighter furniture. You could place them on the floor on either side of a buffet, or framing a fireplace.

With the brown and gold carpeting, these pieces add no color to the mix. Consider an area rug in rich tones that pull in the browns and gold and add some much-needed jewel tones. An oriental style would suit these pieces well.

If you’re fortunate enough to have some unique pieces in your collection of furniture and accessories, take the time to showcase them and add personality to your décor.

Are you happy with your kitchen but want to add a little more personality and style? There are some simple ways to make a kitchen more interesting. Take a look at this simple kitchen. The cabinets are modern with clean lines. The flooring has a light tone that works well with the wood. But the style stops there.

Having the countertop match the cabinets reduces the contrast in the space. The black trim on the upper cabinets is a good design touch, but a matching black countertop would up the drama and interest in the room. And the backsplash has “ignore me” written all over it. Let’s take another look at what could be done to spark up this space.

The simplest option is replacing the backsplash with something that uses the colors and tones already in the room and adds some color and contrast. Take a look at the one-inch glass tile shown below. Imagine this instead of the white squares on this kitchen’s backsplash.

First, the browns mix well with the cabinets and countertops. The light neutrals will connect this backsplash with the flooring. Then you have the additional colors. Yellows and greens pick up the feeling of the space, adding light as well as color. A few orange tiles add personality and a spirit of adventure. Do you want to have a kitchen that needs vegetables and fruit on the counter to add visual interest? Or would you rather have people impressed when they walk in without you even having to cook? Consider the spark a new backsplash could make in your own kitchen.

This outdoor living area has more than the view to recommend it. In every way, the space is inviting and comfortable while appealing to the imagination.

Given the late sunset timing of this photo, one of the first elements that make this space work is lighting. The chandelier over the table provides more than light with its reflection creating an abstract design on the ceiling. Other lights are simpler, but allow the entire space to be visible. Although this space is outside, adding two lamps on low tables adds to the feeling that this is almost an indoor space.

The remarkable flooring also sets the covered “room” apart from the rest of the deck. No need for an outdoor rug with this mosaic of rectangular stone in varying light and dark tones. This works well with the larger rectangles of stone in neutral tones that make up flooring for the outer area.

The strong architectural patio cover requires a home in a style that measures up to it, but any cover will define an outdoor space. The furniture under cover would be suitable indoors, but with today’s outdoor fabrics these pieces may be designed to handle the weather. The more traditional outdoor table toward the railing would appeal to those who want a closer look at the view.

If you want your outdoor area to feel as magical as this one, look at your lighting and other design elements to add a special appeal to spending time outside.

From a time when they were totally out of style, crystal chandeliers and light fixtures are coming back to popularity with some interesting differences. Are you drawn to the old-fashioned glamour of crystal? Here are some suggestions for introducing it into your own home.

First, crystal is not just for dining rooms anymore. The right chandelier can make a bedroom or bathroom really sparkle. There’s a charm to crystal, particularly at low light as this photograph shows. Would some crystal elements add romance to your bedroom or bathroom? Why not take a chance?

Second, consider style when choosing to add a crystal light fixture. Newer options reach far beyond the traditional circular light with handing teardrop crystals. Take a look at the dramatic crystal light on display in the contemporary dining room below. Sparkle can be traditional or ultra modern. Choose the look that suits your taste and your home’s style.

Third, consider proportion. Some chandeliers will look out of place if they are larger or smaller than the room needs. From a height standpoint, lights need to be 32-35 inches above the surface of a dining table. In other locations, the lights need to be high enough to walk under.

Finally, remember that a crystal chandelier or other light fixture has some maintenance requirements. In order to keep that sparkle, an annual cleaning of the crystals makes a noticeable difference. For complete cleaning instructions, check your manufacturer’s instructions as different materials require different types of care.

Are you ready to add some sparkle and shine to your home? Take a look at both today’s and yesterday’s crystal chandeliers. You may find something that makes you sparkle!

Have you noticed that people at parties often tend to end up in the kitchen? Well, how about planning a party in your kitchen?

While you may not be able to throw a large party in one room, particularly if your kitchen is not very large, you can still have a handful of friends over and make the event special and unique.

Start with the menu. Stick with finger-foods that you can pull out of the refrigerator or heat up quickly in a toaster oven or microwave. You don’t want a hot pan on the stove or a heated oven to increase the temperature of your kitchen or create a risk of burns. Combine some healthy snacks such as vegetables and dip or cheese and crackers with something indulgent but tidy such as cookies or chocolate. Look for an opportunity to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables.

For décor, coordinate your linens with your kitchen. If you have a light kitchen like this one, add some color with a series of tablecloths or napkins scattered on your counter top under your serving plates. Add some fresh flowers and bowls of fruit to make it feel even more inviting. Take advantage of a kitchen in earth tones by placing small pots of herbs among the appetizers.

If your kitchen is eat-in or has a snack bar, set that up for seating. If not, bring in some chairs and even a few small throw rugs to define a seating area. Think about adding in a couple of special cold drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic to satisfy both preferences.

If you love your kitchen, show it off with a special event that highlights it and let other people enjoy it too.

Are you drawn to the look of a foreign market such as this tourist bazaar in Tripoli? While you can’t really recreate the authentic look and feel of another country in your home, you can borrow ideas from your travels or even photos when you plan your space.

Let’s take a look at the architectural features that make this place feel exotic and special. The first element is the graceful arches that define the area. The curves lead down to columns with a raised surround. The finishing touch comes from the old stone sidewalk adding charm to the street display of rugs, hangings and old earthenware urns.

Can you recreate this mood on your own home? Maybe not exactly, but you can borrow some design elements to echo the exotic.

Let’s take a look at the photo below to see how you could borrow and modify a few ideas to make your back patio special.

To start, how about adding some arches to the back of your home? While the color and style of the arches is different, this simple addition brings the flavor of another world to your home.

The second idea borrowed from the Tripoli marketplace is the bands between the arches and columns. Choosing another color for the bands helps them stand out and provides a second hue for future decorative elements.

The final borrowed design concept is using tile to create an interesting and varied patio floor. This is a simple design that allows for many choices with the rest of the decorating.

Add some rugs or hangings with an Eastern flavor and you can be reminded of Tripoli every time you step out your back door.

Happy day after the 4th of July!  We hope you and your family enjoyed your holiday weekend!  If you were barbequing at all, we thought we’d share some tips with you on how to remove barbeque sauce from the carpet, just in case there was a spill.  We hope you don’t have to use this, but if you do, we hope you find in useful!

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – 1-800-882-8846.

Mirrors like these help drivers on switchback roads spot oncoming traffic before they turn the sharp corners. Mirrors in our homes can be almost as useful if you think carefully before you choose and position them.

Mirrors actually almost turn into pictures, framing a reflection instead of art. This makes it critical to take a look at what a mirror will show before placing it on the wall.

Is your mirror merely decorative or also functional? Setting a mirror just inside a commonly-used home exit provides an opportunity for family members to do a quick final check of how they look before leaving. However to make this work, the shortest and tallest family members need to be able to see themselves. This often means hanging a mirror lower than you expect. Find an average eye level that will work for everyone.

Mirrors can also brighten a room by reflecting window light. Consider adding a mirror in a dark corner positioned to grab some light from elsewhere in the room. As before, experiment with placement to make sure it meets your light goals well.

You have other opportunities to create reflections in your home. Using shiny or metallic accessories provides reflective surfaces. A well-polished wood floor or some tiles also add a reflective quality that can add light or interest to a space. As you plan or rearrange your home, pay attention to how reflections can add style and personality to your home.