I have learned some tricks the hard way when learning about how to maximize space!  Let's be real...our house is tiny.  Yes, I LOVE our house but we've had to get creative on how to maximize our space!! Here are a few things that might help you solve your 'my space seems so small' problem!

{1}

Find multi-functional furniture pieces!

Using a dresser in a dining room works great!! It usually has more storage than most pieces and if it is low enough, it can be doubled as a desk! We use a dresser in our dining room for random storage as well as my work area!  When the computer is not in use, it serves as a piece of art because we have a screensaver of our favorite photos constantly playing! I spend more time sitting in front of this dresser than anywhere else in our house!


Also think about finding a coffee table with storage options! We have one storage ottoman that we keep all our blankets in! I love being able to hide away all the items you NEED but don't want sitting out all the time! Here are some of my favorites!

PS: If you are wanting an upholstered ottoman, try finding one easy to reupholster yourself!!  

It is so nice to easily switch out fabric when you get tired of them!

{2}

Leave your Windows naked! This will help your room to appear more spacious! Heavy or bold curtains are only creating distractions.  Most importantly, it is blocking useful light which makes a room seem larger! 

If you need them for privacy, think about solid, light-weight sheers! They are usually the least distracting!

PS: There is no such thing as Design Rules. (at least in my book!)

Who says you HAVE to have curtains!?

{3}

  I said to leave you windows naked....BUT in SOME cases... Long linear curtains make your space seem TALLER!  Tricks are to keep them SOLID, and to hang your rod as high as you can and to let you curtains hang all the way to the floor. 

Have I confused you yet?  If so--hire a designer! :)

{4}

 Hang a mirror! Any small space can be helped along by hanging a mirror.  It opens up the space and bounces light around. 

{5}

 Put your space on a diet!! You should have space for everything! If something doesn't have a home, either find one or toss the item! The less fuss you have the larger your space will feel...and be! 

Lets be honest...who's pantry looks like this!? I wish! :)

Joss & Main

I am a huge fan of Joss & Main!  Their deals are almost illegal to pass up! I wanted to make a post today on some of my favorite things I found on their website.  

Its not everyday that the Candice Olson rug collection makes it on Joss & Main!  I love anything Candice Olson because of her choice of color and pattern! I especially love the "Trellice Cloud" & "Arctic" Rugs! 

Visit the website: www.jossandmain.com

Eyedia treasures!

I was on my way home today and decided to pop into eyedia on Mellwood to see what they had! I found a few cool things and thought I would share them with you!

I loved this basket for several reasons! You can't find a basket that looks like this everyday AND it has a top...perfect for concealing the mess thats inside! It was huge and was only $40! 

 Couches like these are pretty easy to find these days! Most people would probably look right over it but if this got reupholstered in a great modern fabric--it would be awesome! The dimensions of these older couches are also nice because they can fit in pretty small places, like a bedroom or nursery.  I would love to see this reupholstered in a fun, colorful, geometric print! 

 I spotted this in the outdoor section and imagined it to be a great island for a farmhouse! I love the rustic style! 

 This table I thought was worth snapping a picture of because I thought it would make a great end table in a living room or outdoor area! Your end tables don't have to always match! This table brings in an eclectic style that can totally change up any space. 

Etsy Round Up!

I was talking with a friend last night and we were discussing how these days most items you need for your rooms come from the internet!! Of course, everyone has those Home Goods finds however getting a unique room requires at least a little internet shopping! When shopping online, many people can't trust their decisions!  Just remember before buying, read the entire listing, notice the dimensions and be sure it is going to work and most definitely know exactly what you are buying! Here is a quick round up of some of my favorite online Etsy items! 

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Click on Number to see item listing

Home Design Tips

Your abode is a reflection of your lifestyle and personality. Regardless of it's size, it is your personal touch and indulgence in your home that makes it look unique and warm. For many, the very thought of home decoration leaves them into frenzy considering the huge expenses, however, if your home is designed using a well-sorted designing plan, you will surely achieve the right look at a much affordable price.

Here are some home design tips that help you build your dream home.

The right color: Color is one of the most important home design tips that can add spark to the dull appearance of your home. Every room expresses something and the right hues and shades used gives it the right feel. Search what is the latest in terms of textures and colors and choose what best reflects your personality.

Home lighting: Your dream home would be incomplete if it looks dull and dark. Use the proper illuminating system for adorning the interiors of your rooms. Another useful home design tip is avoid putting dark items in the corners where lightening is bleak. Similarly, avoid putting bright pieces where light is in abundance.

Place the main furniture first: One of the most effective home designing tips to avoid cluttering at your home is to place the main and the most important furnishing first. For example, beds, couches, desks at all should be placed first and at the center of the room so that enough space is left for the placement of the rest of the furniture. Make sure that large pieces of the furniture are evenly placed in the room to strike the right balance. After the placement of the main pieces is done, then place the rest of the sundry furniture to ensure smooth flow of the traffic in the room.

Accessorize: After your fixtures have been placed, wall's painted, think of accessorizing your home, only if your budget allows you. Start with your living room as that is the most visited place by your guests. Soft illumination, unique decorating items, colorful drapes, comfy furniture will all make for an appealing living room. You can also select one from a varied range of home decoration accessories like floral decor, glass ware decor and wall decor to add a touch of class in your abode.

Years ago I started compiling all of my favorite designs! It has really helped me to discover my own style! Whenever you see a room that inspires you cut it out and store it away! Once you have a collection, it is fun to look back! It is also easier to realize the patterns that you are drawn to!  You might not realize some of the things that reoccur in the your photos! I didn't realize how much I liked lime green until I looked back! 

If you are like me, your style is however constantly changing! Just remember the key is finding room that you can LIVE in and absolutely LOVE! Don't fall for room that make you think, "Yeah I kind of like this!" This is great to do before any design project! Run to your local half price books and buy a handful of magazines and rip em up! Remember that it doesn't just have to be rooms! Save other images you are drawn too such as art decor, accessories, stores, etc. I even have some hotel lobbies in my collection! 


Another Tip: Considering we are all on our iPhones more often than the kitchen table cutting up magazines, You can also just keep a photo folder on your phone of your favorite images. Browse on the decor pad app and save the images to your phone! 


Don't feel that you style has be pinned into one category!  The whole purpose is to find YOUR style NOT what style you fall under! 


My favorite interior design magazines:


House Beautiful!
Traditional Home
ELLE Decor
Interior Design


:) Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Fabric Friday! 2 days early! :)

Every Friday I plan on featuring fabric! I am a little ahead of schedule but really wanted to make another post this morning! If I have the time I'll post a second set on Friday! 


My absolute favorite thing about design is Fabric!!! Not only it is great for additional texture in a room but the pattern fabrics offer makes your design fun and most importantly, different!!!! The options are endless these days!  Choosing fabrics for you will certainly make your room different! :) I've gathered up some of my favorite fabrics from online fabric stores and wanted you to see! I am a huge pillow fan and love them mostly because they only take ONE YARD of fabric to make! I'm a girl who would much rather pay $50 for an awesome yard of fabric and some pillow guts than a target pillow (that everyone has) for $25! :) Agreed?!

CHEVRON!!!

My latest obsession....the CHEVRON pattern!!! This pattern dates WAY back but today it is a TOP ITEM! It is mod, traditional & eclectic!! If you need to freshen up your space or make your space a little more fun...Chevron's your friend!!! I have recently been trying to incorporate a few pops of pattern into my designs and it never fails me!

Here are some of my favorites chevron items!

West elm! My favorite store EVER! It can be pricey but their sales never disappoint me! I love this rug because of the citrusy yellow border! I think this would be ADORABLE in a nursery but could work great in a family room too!

Don't be scared!!! I LOVE the play with the pattern and it works!!! Chevron works with other patterns!

Solid white bedding becomes so cheerful!!! {Image from Craftzine!}

Gallery Frames: Successfully!

Everybody knows how popular Gallery Frames are these days!  However, successfully installing a variety of frames can be tricky!  I can't share ALL my secrets but hopefully this helps encourage you to give it a shot!!!

First decide: if it would be best to have a wall/hallway "wallpapered in frames" OR a simple collection to give your room some extra umph!?

Here are some helpful tips:

-Before you put a single nail in the wall (and your husband gets upset) experiment with different layouts and take pictures from above as you move things around. These pictures will help when you transition from the floor to the wall.

-Use newspaper to cut out the shapes of the frames or objects and tape them to your wall so you can be sure you like the way your grouping looks before you hang anything!

-If you aren't exactly sure where to even start, hang your largest pieces in the center and work your way outward with smaller pieces.

-If you are using different colored frames, be sure to even spread the color for a balanced look!

-If your looking to only have a few frames, always use an ODD number! Usually odd numbers create a more balanced look!

Remember EVERY space and EVERY client is different so take those things into consideration!

Take a look at some of my favorite gallery frame installations below! Feeling confident yet?!

I love this!! Lighting makes SUCH a big difference! 

Notice how the heavy wood frames are evenly distributed!

This is a perfect look for a fun, colorful house!! 

This images proves that all frames don't have to MATCH!

I absolutely love the color of this wall and how it works so well with the black and white frames! Hmm...Fav!!!

I am excited to announce that I am going to be offering Interior Design Services more seriously! Lady of the HOUSE has become Lady of the HOUSE interiors!! :) I am going to be designing for common people who have realistic budgets with modern style.  I am excited about this decision and feel completely inspired by the things around me! For all you who have told me, “I need to hire you to come to my house!”  Here it is!!! I am going to be offering full-design services as well as smaller projects such as one-hour consultations, space planning, artwork, accessorizing, etc. 

This blog is going to be for both my clients as well as myself! I will post anything that catches my eye or might help my clients with their spaces! Contact me if you would like to hear more about information on services I am going to offering! I would love to help you out and hear what you have going on in your home!!! 

The Organic Interior Home Design Trend

Many people around the world these days are opting for organic or green interior design. This is in part due to the fact that people prefer living a life that gives them a feel of nature. As evidence of that, look at the ratio of places where people travel on vacation to relax - they are all close to nature. People simply love nature and prefer inhaling pure and fresh oxygen.

Artificially ventilated interiors and big cities do not offer fresh oxygen or the feel of nature; this is why people travel far away to such natural places to relax. Now, decide for yourself; what sort of room would you prefer spending most of your life in? A room that gives you a natural breeze, natural light, and fresh oxygen, or a room that is just artificially created?

Several 'experts' used to think that organic interior design is the choice of those who do not want to invest in their interior designs. Well, if you are thinking that your interior will not look attractive and different if you turn to organic interior designing, then you are wrong! Your interior can be organic, yet at the same time unique, attractive, highly relaxing and healthy at the same time.

What can you do to boost your organic interior design? Bamboo is one material that has been utilized by almost every civilization over the centuries. It is used in shelters, building water wheels, dishes, making utensils, carving walking canes, weaving baskets together, and now they are available as bamboo shades as well. When you install bamboo shades in your home or office interior, you are making sure that fewer chemicals are in the air, and you breathe fresh and more purified oxygen. Not only this, the addition of bamboo looks beautiful as well; it gives a feel that you are in an entirely different natural place.

Another idea for the organic interior design is solar energy. This doesn't always relate to solar panels either; it also means incorporating natural light into your home. It's always best to let natural sunlight come inside as much as possible, as moderate doses are healthy for our skin. To increase sunlight in your home, leave bigger areas open, or make wider windows which allow more natural light to come in during the day.

Another idea for organic interior design is to add great indoor plants as well. You can get a few of them and place them on the stairs, at your home entrance, on each sides of the TV set, on your countertop, or wherever you have room!

Home Design Services

To own a home that you actually designed and created according to your taste is virtually everybody's ambition. Rather than just renting or buying a house was designed by someone else, you of course would want a place that you have planned yourself to fit your likes. But designing a house could be a very difficult endeavor. Chances are you do not have a background in architecture and could probably only draw stick figures. How then can you put into paper what you have in mind about the house of your dreams?

Fortunately, this problem may easily be solved by availing of home design services that could make the job so easy and convenient for you.

Here are among the many reasons you should avail of home design services:

-Home design services could boost your ideas and help you create beautiful house designs that you find difficult to translate into an actual plan.

-Home design serves may also work according to you budget so that you do not overspend nor would you be too stingy about your dream home.

-You can still add your personal touches because the home design service would cater to your needs and preferences.

-Home design services would do the actual sketching and drafting job for you, plus many more services that would help you build a home.

-You would not be wasting your paper and pencil because the plans that home design services make are very efficient and cost effective. They would know how best to fit the cabinets and furniture you would want to have in your house.

-Home design services could go beyond the floor plan of your house, they could also help you plan your landscape and other elements included in your dream home.

-You can get sound advice regarding technical matters such as the plumbing and the electrical wiring system of the house because they know a lot of such details. Home design services may even tell you the kinds of cooling, water, heating, and power systems you might need.

-You can ask home design services different materials to visualize your dream house such as blue prints, computer aided graphics, prospective sketches and even scale models.

-It is also better to be able to talk to someone as you plan your dream home. When you avail of home design services, you would be working other human beings and be able to share with them the joys of planning your home.

What to look for when availing of home design services:

1. Service package inclusions - the home design service provider you choose should go beyond just drawing floor plans and making blue prints. They should be able to give you different perspectives and useful suggestions regarding the house you are dreaming about. They should be able to listen to your wants and follow them as much as possible given the constraints of your resources.

2. Good Communication Channels - you would want the home design service company to be easy to deal with. The main reason you are availing of their service is that you need help to design your house, and thus you should be able to have an effective means of communication to do this.

3. Good Service - the service provider should be able to assist you with all your needs. Designing a house is a complex matter, and they should be very knowledgeable about issues of building a house.

Designing your house can be very fun and exciting and it can definitely be made easier with the help of home design services. So why not look through your local directory or search the web to check for home design services near you.

Modular Home Design Options

There are many homes for sale right now, but finding the perfect home for your family can be a challenge. Rather than waiting for your dream home to go on the market, why not design it for yourself? Modular homes allow consumers to customize almost every aspect of their house, choosing options and designs that will enhance their family's lifestyle while staying within their budget.

If you have been house hunting for some time you know how difficult it can be to find a home that meets all of your criteria. Whether it is too few bedrooms, not enough storage space, or bathrooms that are too small, homebuyers may end up purchasing a home that is not exactly what they want. The good news is that modular homes offer hundreds of floor plans and customizable options that allow families to design their perfect home.

Your modular home will look almost identical to traditional built homes. However, unlike a traditional home, it will be completely customized to meet the needs of your family. Your builder will work with you to design a home that will work for your entire family while staying within your budget. Because there are so many floor plans and options available, there is a style and floor plan to suit every individual.

Selecting an appropriate foundation should be one of the first decisions you make. Today's modular homes can be built on many different types of foundations, including a slab, crawl space, or basement. There are advantages and disadvantages to these different types of foundations. Your budget may determine which option is best for you.

Another decision to be made is how many floors you want. Modular homes are available in one-story, two-story, and even three-story models. There are hundreds of floor plans to choose from as well as a vast range of choices for exterior treatments, customized interior features and accessories, flooring, cabinetry, kitchen and bath design, and much more. Consumers are able to design every aspect of their home to make it personalized and customized for the specific needs of their family. There are plenty of options available for every budget and style.

Specialty options like decks, porches, garages, and attics can be incorporated into your new modular home. These items not only make your home more enjoyable and functional, they improve the overall value of the house. These additions help consumers to individualize their house and make it as close as possible to their dream home.

You can be sure that the modular home you design will be built to last. Tight quality control standards are maintained within the factory environment where your modular home is constructed. Internal and third party inspectors are on hand to ensure that your new home will meet and exceed all federal, state, and local codes. Constant inspection and supervision means you get the highest levels of workmanship available.

A quality modular homebuilder will work with you to design a home that will be both beautiful and functional. He will guide you step by step through the design process so that you end up with the house you have always wanted.

Fabian Sparrow is the manager of Carolina Customs Homes of Burlington, NC, offering high quality modular homes to central North Carolina.v

Benefits of a Universal Home Design

A universal home design is a growing concept in house planning and construction that provides for changes that can occur in living such as disability issues, aging and general accessibility for everyone. Many homes today are built with the idea that no matter who the occupant is, the living spaces within as well as outside the home, should be readily used by just about anyone. A growing number of home designers, builders and contractors are embracing this concept as the baby boomer population ages and a new wave of disabled or elderly home occupants emerge.

Here are some of the best benefits of a universal home design:

Home values

If you decide to use a universal home design to build your new home, you can expect your house to be worth more at the outset than another home of similar square footage and amenities, but that is not built from a universal design. The reason is that a universally designed house is more appealing to all segments of the population because of its practicality and usability for everyone. Universally designed homes are easier to sell and acrue in value more readily.

Good planning for the future

For those who plan on living in their homes until they die, this type of house design is excellent because it will accommodate occupants in any change of life. If an occupant becomes suddenly disabled or eventually must have certain handicap amenities in areas like the bathroom due to aging issues, this design allows for changes in life that are bound to occur.

Important design elements

There are many elements of design that go into a universal home, but several of the most important are constructed into the bathroom area, kitchen, hallways and the construction level of the home. The bathroom is perhaps one of the most important areas of the home, as it is designed to be accessible by combining within the design some handicap requirements. Wider doorways for wheelchair accessiblity, nonslip flooring, wet room style spaciousness and open shower areas are just some of the common features for a handicap bath area that can be enjoyed by all.

Other important aspects include choosing a design that keeps the house on one ground level and that does not include stairs or other common obstacles to those who are less mobile. If you are interested in the useful aspects of a universal home design, there are more and more designers and contractors available who are experienced at creating houses that are accessible for everyone.v

What Is a Minimalist Home?

Many people have an impression of a minimalist home as a mostly white, bland space with very little furniture and a not very welcoming feel. But a truly minimal home can also be comfortable and reflect something of the owner's character with carefully selected statement decorations. Minimalist living is not about removing comfort and personality from a space but about injecting a calm, stress-free atmosphere by removing all clutter and storing the majority of necessary items out of sight.

As with all styles of decorating and living, there are different levels of minimalism that work for different people but every minimal home will have some of these common elements:

Clear surfaces - the majority of visible flat surfaces will be clear of any items. There may be a few open bookcases and the kitchen surfaces may contain a few items that are impractical to store away such as the kettle and toaster, but, in general, even the most frequently used items will have an allotted storage space inside a cupboard or drawer.

Simple Furniture - rooms will only contain essential furniture and it will all be of a simple, elegant design, without any fancy decorative touches. Soft furnishings will be in neutral, or pale, muted colours and there will be no patterns in sight.

Simple Window Treatments - a minimal room may have curtains but they will be a plain feature of the room (no tie-backs, pelmets or fancy rails) but more often the windows will be unadorned or have just a simple blind for privacy.

Plain Neutral or Muted Colours - one of the ways of creating the calm atmosphere of a minimalist room is to use neutral and soft, muted colours only. This will not create a bland or cold room if combined with some textural elements in the furniture or flooring. There will be a distinct absence of any patterns however subtle.

Personal Touches - it is important for a home to reflect something of the character of the owner and no one would wish to live in a completely impersonal space so a few carefully chosen items will be on display; maybe an elegant Scandinavian vase on the window ledge or a simply framed family photo on the coffee table.

Decoration - good paintings often play an important part in the design of a minimalist space; they enable colour, texture and vibrancy to be added to a room without encroaching on the physical space. They also reflect the personality of the owner and bring character to the room to prevent it from seeming too bland.

Abundant storage space - this is the most essential element in any minimalist home, without which a minimal lifestyle would be impossible. The storage space should be abundant but also well organised with a defined space for every item that needs to be stored away.

To many of us it may seem like an impossible ideal to live in a minimalist home but it is possible to start to move towards that calmer and more serene way of living by taking one step at a time. Start by de-cluttering and creating plenty of storage cupboards and drawers. Attempt to make the easiest rooms minimal first - those that already have the least amount of furniture and clutter and discard all but the most essential pieces of furniture. Next, redecorate in neutral colours and you are already nearly there.

The act of redecorating a room will involve removing almost everything from the room so it is then simply a matter of resisting the temptation to put everything back again. Review every item again, even if you think you have already discarded everything possible there is always the opportunity to remove even more stuff. Try to ensure that all flat surfaces are completely clear and store away the essential items you have kept in their pre-allocated space in the storage cupboards. It is vital that a minimalist home has plenty of good, well-organised storage space from which items are easily accessible.

Design Styles, Minimalistic Interior Design

In this age of less equals more, minimalism, has found a growing population of admirers. While not everyone is ready to "let go" of their materialistic tendencies and embrace an ideology that promotes space and empty areas as desirable interior design elements, many do. If you're toying with the idea of simplifying your life and your interior design scheme, but aren't ready to sell the Chippendale yet, then design styles featuring minimalistic interior design elements can be added to an existing decor very sparingly (pun intended).

For instance, let's consider an average home that contains: two bedrooms, two baths, a living room, a dining area, a kitchen and maybe a den. In the "average" home that is already decorated in one of the more typical design schools, you'd have well over a hundred items of furniture inside, and usually a lot more. In a minimalist house, on the other hand, you'd have no more than twenty-five and probably less. Since the extremes between how most of us live and the minimalist ideal decor are so very far apart from one another, compromise seems a wise course of action.

In an ideal minimalist home, the living room would have a simple, flat bench, a rug and maybe a lamp. No television set, no coffee table, no chairs and no excessive materialism would be allowed in the space. In a compromised minimalist environment, however, you could winnow out some of the excess furniture and banish the clutter gathering bits. It would not, of course, be purely minimalist but it would be headed in the direction of it.

Design ideas incorporating minimalistic interior design elements can be added to existing homes and incorporated into emerging decors with ease. In fact, the biggest problem with this school of decorating is working too hard at it.

Minimalist Architecture For New Home Designs

If you are looking for modern house designs especially designed for style and functionality, then choosing Minimalist house designs and plans is right for you. It makes use of clean, geometric lines to create a sleek look. This is great for house design with limited area space. You will be able to make full use of all the space. It is simple, stylish and effective. To achieve a full minimalist effect, most houses use multiple function elements. The heater, for example, could be directly installed in the floors or walls.

Lighting is also very important when it comes to minimalist architecture. It makes use of only high quality lights, because the idea is to create a simple effect. Also, the colours black and white are very common. They are usually the basic colour of minimalist design houses. Sometimes, dark wood is also used for the floors. The roofs are usually flat, unlike regular houses. This is to further create a simple effect. It pays attention to the cleanliness of the joints of the walls as well. This is another reason why minimalist design makes use of flat roofs.

Pops of colour brighten the minimalist designed house. Bright colours like red, yellow and orange provide an interesting and aesthetically pleasing contrast to the overall design of the house. They usually take the form of vases, artworks, or simple pieces of display furniture.

If you want to know more about the latest in home design, it would be best to consult new home builders. They can design homes for you in any style you want. They can easily make use of the minimalist design. You can look at their various house designs and plans to see which one works for you. You can also look at a few house design and plan, for some inspiration. You can easily get your dream minimalist house and land package with the help of a good, reliable home builder.

Minimalist Interior Design For the Modern Home

A minimalist interior design scheme doesn't need to be stark and cold!

Modern minimalist designs are not the old, harsh decor of years ago. The new look for minimalist interior design is a softer look, more personal and easier to live with. Yes, you can have a real life, or even kids, and go for a minimalist look in your home!

It is true that you do really need to be a certain kind of person to get on well with a minimalist scheme - messy people need not apply! But seriously ... if you find it easy to stay neat and tidy, are very organised and hate clutter in any form, this is very likely a look that will work for you.

I love the look of a minimalist interior design scheme. But I have come to realise it just isn't for me! If you do struggle to keep on top of mess or clutter, if you like your knick-knacks and collections, or just enjoy being surrounded by all your favourite possessions, this probably isn't a look you can live comfortably with...

Keeping your house 'spick and span' and clutter free can be hard work, there's no two ways about it. But your reward will be worth it! A minimalist interior design scheme is a very simple, relaxing style, which will bring an air of real tranquillity to your home - but it has a great, cutting-edge, contemporary feel too!

Walls and Color

Of course, white has got to be the ultimate color for any self-respecting minimalist scheme.

But, you can opt for a softer look, by choosing warm neutrals and colors from nature. Try stone, beige, taupe, brown and even green. Your base colors should be 'pale and interesting' - but go for a splash of a bolder color for accents.

Your accents can be as little or as much as you like. Try a vase, or cushions for quite a subtle introduction to color, or a whole wall or sofa, for a bigger statement!

Only choose one color, or color group, for your accent color. Bright red is a good choice, or any other bright color. As an alternative, just choose a darker natural tone - a deep green or brown will always work well.

Furniture

Choose something simple and classy for your minimalist interior design look.

Plain, modern-looking furniture is ideal - in natural wood (especially dark wood), dark leather, white or bright colors, or chrome, glass, mirror and stainless steel.

Low level furniture will help with the modern look and minimalist feel in your room, as it is much less bulky!

Floors and Windows

Less is more with a minimalist style. Choose plain, wooden floors for a simple effect. But don't forget to add a rug, for live-ability and style.

Try to keep your window treatments simple too. Bare windows, shutters and blinds will give a very minimal look, but you might feel happier softening up the look a touch. Choose simple, neutral curtains or white floaty voiles, for an easy look.

Accessories

Naturally, accessories are not a major part of a modern minimalist look. But don't just sweep the shelves bare...! By all means clear out the clutter, and have a god sort out, but remember that your minimalist interior design look does need a few, well-chosen, carefully positioned accessories, to complete the look, and make your house into a home.

One large, very striking picture, painting or wall hanging will make a better statement than several smaller ones. Choose something you really love, and are proud to display as large as life in your home.

This picture will probably set the choice of accent color for the rest of your accessories - cushions, vases, candlesticks and lamps.

Limit yourself to only 1 or 2 accessories on each display surface. If you have special treasures you can put these into storage for a while, and display them in rotation.

Of course, managing your storage will be another big part of making a minimalist interior design scheme successful in your home, so think very carefully about what you need in your room, where you need it and how you will use it, before you invest in your storage solutions.

Maintaining a successful minimalist interior design scheme will take a little more work on your part. But the results are very satisfying - a beautiful, clean and tidy room, with a tranquil, soothing air - exactly the kind of room you want to relax into when you come home after a hard day...!

Victorian-Style Home Design Ideas

These days, most people believe that 'simple is better'. You may notice that most houses built today have minimalist style. As a result, we often find that one house is not so different from the other. If you are the type of person with quite an eccentric taste, you might not like the idea of minimalism. You will likely to expect something different, especially when you are designing your house. Instead of following the trend of using modern, minimalistic home design ideas, you probably would like to give Victorian style a try. Because of its complexity, people tend to avoid designing their house in this manner. Therefore, you can be confident that your house will be unique and one of a kind.

This unique home design idea emphasizes on the use of beautiful and sophisticated decorative pieces as well as furniture pieces. Just as the name suggests, this style is inspired by the architectural style commonly utilized during the era of Queen Victoria of England. The houses and buildings built during that period were elegant and luxurious, due to the choice of furniture and colors. The one thing that you have to keep in mind is that building a Victorian-style house might cost you a large sum of money. Even so, the result will not disappoint you. If, however, you are running on a limited budget, you can just take some important aspects of this style to decorate your house. Nowadays, there are also lots of second-hand Victorian-inspired furniture pieces that you can find with relatively cheap price and good quality.

The walls of a Victorian-style house need to be painted in bold colors. Try using dark yet lively colors such as ruby or sapphire. You can also use wallpapers with floral motifs. Choose wallpapers with smaller patterns if your house is small, so that it won't appear smaller than it really is. Opt for wood flooring and cover with luxurious carpet. For the curtains, use materials such as velvet or brocade for that Victorian look. And to decorate, you can put antique figurines, candles, flowers, or oriental dolls in a display cupboard or on a table.

Remember that Victorian style is all about uniqueness and being different. This home design idea is not just for anyone. You need to be artistic and creative when it comes to decorating your house and the house that you have always dreamed of is yours.

Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Sets For Minimalist Home Design

These days, people are now concerned with space. As much as possible, they would like to spend lesser space particularly in their home area. This is why minimalist home design has been one of the top design choices of people with the help wrought iron patio furniture sets.

The concept of minimalist came from the term minimal or minimum. In home design, people would like to remove unnecessary elements to give an effect of lightness and cleanliness in homes. And aside from Zen inspired furniture, wrought iron patio furniture sets has the ability to bring this minimalist feel on your home.

Why does this type of furniture has this capability? First of all, they are made from thin pieces of iron material. This means that this furniture will offer you mere frames. Thus, it will give the minimalist feel in your home. This type of furniture also comes in different types that will be useful on your patio area.

The first type of furniture that you will get is the seating options for your patio. There are seats where you can have your coffee and with coffee tables that can be good places where you can hangout with your guests. Since they look like frames, you will not really feel that the furniture are there in your home.

You will find different inclusions in getting wrought iron patio furniture sets like a magazine rack. Again these, magazine racks made from this material looks very simple but can still be a good item to keep your magazines at your covered patio. These frames will be good pieces of furniture to attract the attention of your guests who will visit your home.

Finally, you will find some wrought iron patio furniture sets that include garden racks. These are perfect for you if you want to have an item where you can keep your beautiful flowers in small pots like bonsais. You will find them as good display items that will make your home looking beautiful than what it used to be.

So if you are all about space and would like to apply the beauty of minimalist home design, you just need to get these wrought iron patio furniture sets for your home and get its modern and minimalist feel right on your patio. This will definitely improve the overall look of your home and make it more functional in terms of getting the space that you want.

Minimalist Home Interior

Minimalist home design, with very little and simple furniture, has impressed many people. Many a time the way we value our home, the way we furnish and decorate a home with carefully selected decoration, reflects the character of the owner. Though it looks simple, minimalist home design can also be comfortable, it is not about removing personality and comfort from your home, however, minimalist home design presents a stress-free environment by storing the majority of necessary items out of sight and removing all clutter, arranging the pieces of furniture and offer them a simplistic aspect, making them both spectacular and functional. Minimalist home interior enhances your overall home appearance without wasting so much money and space.

If you are kind of person with a minimalist sense of style, you can have a serene and organized living room, for example. You can make things a lot simpler, if you can decorate your home with minimalist viewpoint and you will feel much more comfortable and peaceful with your environment. Why minimalism has become so successful and very popular because it removes all the unnecessary elements.

In order to create a simple model, you can use technology; you can create a high quality and an innovative model on the computer. You can create a beauty design by using basic shape and combining different color and textures when drawing, so that you can create neat and clean product.

The advantages of minimalism

• More elegance and attractive. Your simple and elegant pieces of furniture are only surrounded by clear uncluttered space. Rooms will only contain essential furniture.
• Easier to clean. Since your floors are free from clutter, it is much easier to Hoover and dust. You don't have to move so many object before you can clean them.
• More stress-free life. Removing all clutter and neatly storing the majority of necessary items out of sight, in their own allotted space, will make them easy to find when needed. No more rushing time.

Minimalism is great for home with limited area space, where you can make full use of all the space; especially it is designed for functionality and style. You can consult your designer or home builder about the latest design. You can add your own concept, or maybe you can ask the opinion of your family member to add personal touch. Or you can combine the different concepts to see which one works for you.

Minimalist Home Designs

Minimalist home designs are often chosen by house owners these days to refurbish or build their properties, because their simple and seamless style makes their abode more comfortable and relaxing. Minimalist design is influenced by the Japanese art elements of clean lines and open spaces. It doesn't support elaborate features, clutter, and unnecessary items that take up space.

If you'd like to apply this principle on your own house's architecture, you have to focus on being simple and keeping things at their most natural state. You should choose a flatter roof and more open spaces. Try avoiding a roof structure that has a steep pitch. For your interior house design, if you need to have a private space, try avoiding permanent walls and use a shoji or a sliding door, instead. In this way, you can still have an open space when you don't need an enclosed area.

Flooring should go with the simple and natural theme. Wood is often the choice for this style. You can still have stone tiles, but refrain from the shiny types. Muted stone tiles in earth colors would be best.

Wood beams, walls, and countertops should be left in their barest look. If the item is of wood material, the most you should do is have it stained to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Stone countertops should just be polished also to bring out the grains and specks of the material. Metal items should also just be polished and not painted.

Minimalist home designs should have an overall look that's spotless and effortless. When choosing paint for the walls, you can still veer away from white, though. But you have to stay with the neutral shades like beige. The strongest color you can pick is a pale shade of terra cotta. The guideline in selecting colors for this type of design is to remain creating the feel of open spaces. Colors that make an area feel enclosed should be avoided. The idea is for your home to be in harmony with nature. You can add mirror doors for a modern twist, if you wish.

Windows are also crucial in creating open spaces in minimalist house designs. Large sliding windows are ideal. If you need to use blinds, select those made of bamboo or wood or those that are of neutral color. If you prefer to use curtains, don't use ones with floral or ornate prints. Choose those with sheer materials, preferably of white, beige, sand, and other neutral hues.

These are just some ideas to help you have your own home in the minimalist look that you want. You can add in your own concepts to add personal touches. Simply keep in mind about open spaces and being one with nature and you won't go wrong.