Monday, November 2, 2009

New Stylish Living Room Furniture Designs by Hülsta

There are many ways to decorate your living room. As this is usually the room where a family entertains guests and spends time together, much thought usually goes into the design. Sometimes, however, inspiration is hard to come by. Here are a few living room decorating ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.

1. Determine your design style. Look through home decorating magazines and see what you like. You may have thought that you were a country gal, but find yourself drawn to the clean lines of a modern design. Even if you like both styles, you can mix them to create a style that is your own. You can choose country items that have a more modern edge, and modern design pieces with country flair. This way you can achieve a look that you love without settling on one style.

2. One living room decorating idea that is sure to spice up your space is to choose a bold wall color. Many people shy away from saturated colors, but these are the very hues that can make a dramatic statement about your personality. If you do not want to paint all of the walls in your living room a bold color, you can paint an accent wall. These walls are great to make an impression without overwhelming the room. You can then use accessories to tie the color into the rest of the room.

3. Updating your window treatments will also go a long way towards improving the atmosphere. Choose drapes or curtains that compliment the design style you have chosen for the rest of your room. Using rich looking fabrics on the windows will add a feeling of luxury to your room, and help to bring all of your living room decorating ideas together.


4. Another key element in living room decorating ideas is lighting. Make sure your lighting is adequate, but not overpowering. Don’t use florescent lights as they are very harsh, and a living room is all about mood. Use an updated overhead fixture to provide general light, and a few lamps around the room for task lighting. Another lighting aspect that is often overlooked is the use of candles. Not only are they decorative, but they provide mood lighting as well. You can get candles and holders in all different colors and sizes to help achieve your living room decorating ideas.

5. On thing not to neglect is putting art on your walls. This helps to bring the room together and adds a personal touch. You can choose painted canvases that can look great all on their own, or a framed print in shades that compliment your color scheme. Another great wall art idea is photographs. These can be family pictures or perhaps a black and white landscape or city sky line. The key here is not to overdo it. Keep it simple and uncrowded. If your walls are too busy, it will detract from the overall atmosphere you are working to create.

Once you get started, your living room decorating ideas will flow. Begin by determining your style, and then go on a hunt for the perfect things with which to fill your home. It will be fun and the end result will be something you can regard with pride.




so what

when u go 2 a junk shop or a yard sale there's always 1 of these. it's not the girl u geeks, it's the antique sewing machine base.

1. granny plant stand

ebay has them from $12.50 UP TO $300. ur granny might have made a plant stand out of 1.

2. this is a good sink base

the sink base idea seems popular.

3. this is not a good sink base. it would be better if u ditch the wood & the pine cone.

3. u can make a pretty nice table - white wash the base & use a piece of carerra type marble.

4. mega blog apartment therapy showed this restaurant table using the bases.

5. here's the antique white base again with the marble top - notice how a sea grass rug makes it sort of chic.

6. here's a hot granny mess, but the idea of using the base with a top as an island is cool.

7. a simple solution - a piece of glass on the base.


8. this is not pretty, but the idea is great 2 use 2 bases like saw horses with a better table top. u could paint it all out in a hot, bright color & use it as a big desk or dining table. a ghost chair would rock it.

9. this sink idea was in the new york times. a couple of girly dudes in minnesota made a pretty cool sink using the sewing machine base. the vessel sink makes it current & dated at the same time. the mirror rocks it.

10. this is sad. don't do this. 2 much fric & frac & bric & brac. & i would paint the base white & faux marble the top.

11. thom filicia big time hot shot designer (u know he's 1 because he imbeds his name on his photos) found another kind of sewing machine table base. it's pretty chic, don't u think? of course we'll never find 1 like that.

& if u really sew (i don't) an antique machine looks pretty cute in ur sewing room.

Living Room Furniture Designs Photos













Sunday, November 1, 2009

Before & After With Interior Designer Marlene Buckner



We've encouraged interior designers in our area to show us their before and after pictures of projects they've completed. We want to give you an idea through their examples why we recommend you use an interior designer.

Our latest example is from Marlene Buckner, president elect of ASID Oregon Chapter, and a consummate professional having passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Exam (NCIDQ)

This 1916 residence in Dunthorpe was designed by famous Portland Architect Wade Hampton Pipes. The kitchen was so small the family ate at the farm table that doubled as a work surface. After Marlene designed an 8 foot addition on the opposite end of the room and developed the kitchen design with the homeowners, a new larger kitchen emerged that included an island and nook with built-in banquette seating (in the old kitchen location).



True to the period, painted cabinets with inset doors from Wood-Mode were installed and a satin-etched Mysore Black granite counter was chosen for its aged appearance.

Challenges included lacing in and finishing the new oak kitchen floor to blend seamlessly with the original 90-year-old oak floors found everywhere else. The oven cabinet also required careful modification to bypass the top two steps to the landing above that were hidden in a soffit.

Due to the complexity of this addition and the beauty of its integration with the original home, this project received the 2008 ORA Outstanding Remodeling Achievement Award as well as the prestigious national Chrysalis Award for Best Residential Addition in its price category.

Marlene Buckner specializes in Spatial Design, Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors and is a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer through NKBA.

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Contemporary bathroom from ArtCeram - the new La Fontana bathroom

Modern Bedroom Interior Design