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Renovation House

Top 7 Decorating Mistakes

Being an interior designer for over 25 years I’m quite familiar with the most common mistakes most people make (even some professionals) when decorating a home. Decorating should reflect our taste and style, and it is a very personal thing. However there are a few decorating blunders that should be avoided. Below is a list of mistakes and fixes.
MISTAKE 1: The Line Up…lining up the furniture on one wall. I see this done a lot especially in bedrooms, where several different size dressers are all shoved against one wall. This creates a “cluttered” look and feel. It’s also unbalanced.
THE FIX: Be sure to measure the space and the dimensions of the furniture you’ll be placing on each wall. Place one main piece of furniture on a wall. You want to make sure the room looks and feels balanced. Also, be sure to leave enough “walk room” between the bed and the furniture. You don’t want to be bumping into things if you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Scale is very important here.
MISTAKE 2: Furniture people think pushing the living room sofa against the wall and by having the open space in the center of the room will make the room appear larger…False. This type of arrangement makes it difficult to carry on a conversation.
THE FIX: Since the sofa is the largest piece in the room it should be placed in the center and across from either the entertainment wall or fireplace (the focal point). Rearrange the other pieces around the sofa to create an intimate setting that is more conversational. (group all piece in the center of the room) Make sure you’re TV is hung/placed at eye level and the sofa is placed at the correct distance from the TV. The distance depends on the size of the TV and your preference. A good rule of thumb is to take the size of the TV and multiply it by 1.5. For example, if you have a 42″ Flat Screen TV, you would multiply 42 x 1.5 = 63″ or 5’1/4″. If you feel that it’s still too close you can move your sofa back to about 6′. The larger the TV the further back the sofa should go. So it’s important to know your room size before purchasing a TV. (measure to the back seat of the sofa)
Some rooms are too small for this configuration, if you have to place the sofa against a wall be sure to group the other pieces around the ‘t push the chair against another wall, etc.
Upon entry you see the back of the ‘s a great place for a console table to be placed with a few accessories displayed.
MISTAKE 3: Fear of I first moved to the dessert I was shocked at how many beige / cream colored houses I went to. Floors, walls, ceilings and furniture were all beige, which tends to look boring and lacks creativity. Many of the clients told me that they love color but were afraid to use it. Many think using a paint color, other than off white; will make the room look smaller and be difficult to match with furniture.
THE FIX: Use your favorite colors! I recommend selecting the upholstery and window treatments first. You can start with a palette of three colors in different shades and contrast – you can have one dark deep color, complimented by lighter colors. Select the main color followed by accent colors. Darker colors tend to ground while lighter colors tend to float. Don’t use all jewel tones or pastels – mix it up. After those selections are made then the paint color can be selected. It is best to select a few colors and paint them on the wall in the room. Stay with it for a day or so and see how the color looks in the natural light and nighttime light, then select. The goal of paint color is to enhance the other colors being used and to create a mood. You can use paint color to make something pop or to create a soft glow. But always surround yourself in the colors you love.
MISTAKE 4: Too Many Patterns… using too many patterns can become distracting to the eye, busy and overbearing. However, you don’t want to be “matchy-matchy” either. There are many ways to introduce patterns to the d?�cor of a room but there is also a fine line with how many to use and where.
THE FIX: I love to decorate a room with different patterns, it creates interest. However, you must stay true to your color palette and plan. Use patterns and prints very specifically to support the main color and draw attention to the accent colors. Mix it …

Bathroom Remodel

How to Avoid Getting Burned With Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes

People choose to remodel their kitchen for a variety of reasons. Some homeowners simply want a more updated look. They choose to upgrade their kitchen in more modern décor and colors. However, others feel the need to remodel their kitchen room due to inconvenience and inefficient use of the available space. Whether you are displeased with the layout of the room or simply want a new look, there are some mistakes that you should steer clear of when remodeling your kitchen.
Skipping Ventilation
When remodeling your kitchen, consider adding outside ventilation. It is important that stove hoods or be vented to the outdoors if at all possible. This simple addition can dramatically reduce smoke and odors in the kitchen.
Creating a Large Island
Many modern kitchens include a work island. Islands can be wonderful work spaces for a cook. However, if not properly thought through, they can be a kitchen nightmare. The key is having an island which is the right size and in the right spot. A 3 foot by 4 foot island provides plenty of workspace for most purposes. It is also essential to make sure that you have at least 3 to 4 feet between your island and your cabinets. Anything less can make both the island and the cabinets difficult to use. The best practice is to block off the size and location of your potential island in your kitchen before making a purchase.
Forgetting the Garbage
Kitchens can be messy. Most cooks have both containers and food to throw away. Not properly planning for the disposal of these items can make a kitchen look messy. When planning your remodeling, think about the most convenient ways to store your garbage. The best method is to hide waste receptacles in cabinets. Make certain that you have enough room so that your can is not overflowing all of the time. Creating a separate space for z food waste container or installing a garbage disposal is also a good idea.
Creating Unusable Cabinet Space
Cabinets are very important for storing utensils and non-perishables. Think about the size, height and location of your cabinets before buying them. Draw a sketch and plan what items will go into each cabinet. Consider that while deep cabinets hold more, they are not practical if you cannot reach the items in them. Deep corners are often unused in cabinet spaces. Consider installing lazy susans and swing out or pull out caddies.
Inadequate Lighting
Most kitchens need more than one middle of the ceiling light. Ensure that you plan for proper lighting above the stove, counters, sink and other work areas. Under the cabinet lights are also popular choices with many people.
Remodeling your kitchen may be a once in a lifetime adventure. Give it care, planning and thought before taking the plunge. While considering all of the things that you want your kitchen to have, keep these common kitchen remodeling mistakes in mind.…