Style Divas – Best of the Web – September 28th 2007
What Is Style Divas – Best of the Web? It’s about bringing attention to and highlighting the very best and most fabulous design and style blogs/websites that make their home in this large, boundary-less world called cyberspace.
The criteria is simple – We look for value to the reader, engaging content, originality and creativity. Each week we will select the most outstanding posts or articles from sites we find or that are submitted to us for review. You can submit your design and style nominations to styledivasbestoftheweb@thedecoratingdiva.com.
Idealist serves up your favorite coffee, wrapped pretty with a knit coffee sleeve. Just one little, but brilliant, idea that’s decorative, crafty and reusable which helps reduce the every-day waste that litters the planet.
This Old House makes organizing and hiding clutter so easy with these beautifully designed small space solutions.
Is space at a premium in your home? Then you might just be interested in a lovely piece of decor that serves multiple purposes – such as, oh, I don’t know, how about a rug and with the pull of a string – it transforms into a stylish ottoman. This interesting design find comes courtesy of Luxist.
Read More »Style Divas – Best of the Web – September 21st 2007
What Is Style Divas – Best of the Web? It’s about bringing attention to and highlighting the very best and most fabulous design and style blogs/websites that make their home in this large, boundary-less world called cyberspace.
The criteria is simple – We look for value to the reader, engaging content, originality and creativity. Each week we will select the most outstanding posts or articles from sites we find or that are submitted to us for review. You can submit your design and style nominations to styledivasbestoftheweb@thedecoratingdiva.com.
Domestik Goddess lights up the dance floor with her home flooring picks.
Like to live Green or are you wanting to learn how you too can be a bit more eco-friendly? We do too. One of our favorite tips comes from Ideal Bite.com. You can make this year’s Christmas much more green by following their easy tips and advice and who knows you may just save a tree 
Selling Your Home In A Down Real Estate Market
It’s no secret that the real estate market is headed for a soft landing. No longer can we expect the wonderful appreciation in home prices that we saw between 2004 and 2005. If your house is on the market then you need to do everything in your power to position your home in a better light than the dozens and dozens of other ones just like yours out there competing for buyers.
Design To Sell -Low Cost – High Impact
Keep your home clean and smelling fresh. Buyers are in control of the real estate market now and they have plenty of homes to choose from – so you can avoid losing a potential buyer by simply keeping your home tidy. I’ve been to several open houses over the last few weekends and I’ve seen buyers turn around and walk right back out of a condominium that was, to put it gently, worse for wear. The smell of left over pizza and kitty litter didn’t help either. The condo was priced below market value, was on the beach and had quite a few nice amenities but buyers weren’t going to waste their time – one look and one sniff and they were on to the next home on their list.
Design To Sell – Moderate Cost – High Impact
Fresh Paint and Deep Cleaned Floors. Two relatively small changes that can really make a difference. Scuffed walls covered with your toddlers artwork isn’t going to win over buyers. A weekend and a few gallons of paint will make your home look “newer”. Buyers aren’t looking for fixer-uppers – there are so many homes on the market that they can pick and choose and STILL get a really good price. If you have carpet then get it deep cleaned by a service such as Sears or Stanley Steamer – it may seem pricey up front but it will more than pay for itself in the long term. Buyers in today’s market will be keeping a list of all that is wrong with your property and they will bring it to the bargaining table – to reduce your asking price. It’s your job to anticipate and address your property’s short-comings and by doing so you will better position your property against other like properties.
Design To Sell -High Cost – High Impact
Bathroom or Kitchen Remodel. Aside from the monetary expense associated with a remodel you will also have to consider the time expense. Remember that we are in a down market and the longer you take to get your property ready for prime time the harder it will become to sell as more properties enter the market and non-selling properties begin to reduce their prices. In this case – you may want to either reduce your asking price or add a suitable “Decorating Allowance” for the new owners to update the bathroom and/or kitchen.
If you aren’t sure what to do with your property then enlist the aid of your realtor – they have a vested interest in selling your property. Therefore, they will give you tips and advice as to what changes or fixes will give you the most bang for your buck.
RELATED: Decorating Tips for the Home Seller
Read More »Halloween Decorating with A Purpose
Have you started thinking about your Halloween decorations yet? The spooky ghoul fest will be upon us before you can say boo. I’ve found several great websites that will inspire you to create your best Halloween decorations ever! Over the next few days one of those sites will be highlighted.
Today we shine the spotlight on Komar.org a website with a higher purpose. Alek Komarnitsky, the web master and owner of komar.org, has been decorating his Colorado home for Halloween and Christmas since 1999. In 2002, a new tradition was born, Alek, invited the world to
share his magical and fun holiday decorations via a webcam he had pointed at the festively decorated house.
So whether you’re in New York, Paris or anywhere in the world with an internet connection you can delight in the beauty he has created.
Even more beautiful and inspirational than Alek’s holiday decorations is the deep love Alek and his wife have for their children. Their two little boy’s have Celiac Disease which is an auto-immune disease. Over the years, Alek and his family have helped raise awareness and over $17,000 for Celiac Disease Research at the University of Maryland. All the funds raised have come from generous donations from visitors to his holiday decorations site.
Halloween Decorations with a Purpose
Visit Alek’s Halloween Decorations and the Halloween Decorations Webcam for Celiac Charity. This is also a fun website for children. Alek has implemented remote control holiday lights and inflatables that you can turn on and off with the click of the mouse. Fun!
Source: All images from Komar.org.
Cross-Posted at thedecoratingdiva.refurber.com.
Read More »Fresh & Modern Furniture and Decor – Cool Blue Chic
The simple lines, cool tones and elegant simplicity of the sofa and chair from the Tulane Dell Collection at Room In Board are complemented beautifully by Lamp’s Plus crystal and black nickel lamp ( love the contrasting crisp white against the cool spa blue of the sofa and chair) and the metal and glass table also from Room & Board.
The compact 65″ Tulane Dell sofa ($799), Tulane Dell Chair($600) and Eclipse cocktail table ($430 – glass additional) – from Room & Board .Vienna Full Spectrumâ„¢ Crystal and Black Nickel Table Lamp (63648) – from Lamps Plus.com
Fresh & Modern Furniture and Decor – Cool Blue Chic
The simple lines, cool tones and elegant simplicity of the sofa and chair from the Tulane Dell Collection at Room In Board are complemented beautifully by Lamp’s Plus crystal and black nickel lamp ( love the contrasting crisp white against the cool spa blue of the sofa and chair) and the metal and glass table also from Room & Board.
The compact 65″ Tulane Dell sofa ($799), Tulane Dell Chair($600) and Eclipse cocktail table ($430 – glass additional) – from Room & Board .Vienna Full Spectrumâ„¢ Crystal and Black Nickel Table Lamp (63648) – from Lamps Plus.com
Domino Magazine Decorating Contest
If you love to decorate and your home looks like it belongs on the glossy pages of your favorite shelter magazine then the Domino magazine decorating contest is for you. The top winner will receive a MasterCard loaded with $10,000. The contest is only open to non-professionals.
More information: Domino magazine decorating contest rules and regulations.
Read More »Style Divas – Best of the Web – September 14th 2007
What Is Style Divas – Best of the Web? It’s about bringing attention to and highlighting the very best and most fabulous design and style blogs/websites that make their home in this large, boundary-less world called cyberspace.
The criteria is simple – We look for value to the reader, engaging content, originality and creativity. Each week we will select the most outstanding posts or articles from sites we find or that are submitted to us for review. You can submit your design and style nominations to styledivasbestoftheweb@thedecoratingdiva.com.
If you love cool gadgets, pretty things and yes even unusual yet fashionably witty decor (like the cat fish bowl shown on the left) then you too will love one of my favorite home design sites CribCandy.com.
LifeInAVentiCup.com shows us what $11.9 million can buy (hint – think luxury estate in Orlando).
PeakofChic.com shares a story on 70′s jewelry and accessories artist and style icon Elsa Peretti.
Read More »Sexy Hi-Energy Orange Pillows – Runway Inspiration
FASHION INSPIRATION: Orange energy and sensuality are captured in this haute couture piece from Bulgarian fashion designers Livia Stoianova’s and Yassen Samouilov’s Fall-Winter 2007/2008 collection. (image source: The AP)
DIVINE DESIGN: Our sexy and modern “Dress My Nest” pillow
picks from LeBello featured on the left. The color palette of Oranges, Whites and Blacks from the models outfit are echoed in these decorative pillows. As in the model’s outfit White is used to anchor and bring the strong oranges into balance. The Black outlines in the pillows mirror the touch of darkness in the model’s bracelets and sunglasses adding sophistication to the overall design and the various shades of orange in the pillows has the visual feel of the models top.
Honorable mentions - we like these too but there can only be one Divine Design – the runner-ups:
Orange Full Print Cardinal on Agapanthus Rectangle Pillow ($28) from Joom’s Shop on Etsy. We are quite impressed with the pillow designs from this shop so expect to see more of Joom’s divine designs in upcoming Dress My Nest posts.
The Asher Cut Diamond Orange pillow ($69.95) from Pillow Decor.
Buy LeBello Fire Pillow featured in this article – retailer information.
Read More »Top 10 Budget Decorating Ideas
Below are my top ten tips for decorating and designing on a budget.
1. Draw up a financial budget add 15% to 20% padding to accommodate surprises (which always do happen).
2. Determine what it is you need by room sofa, chairs, tables, bed, accessories etc.
3. Perform home inventory at times one only has to shop within their own home to find hidden (aka forgotten treasures). Ask friends and family if they have some items they no longer want that can be used in the decorating project.
4. Find local consignment stores such as United Way, Salvation Army and privately owned ones- get well acquainted with the layout and selection. Its really easy to tell which ones are treasure troves by the quality of the furniture and accessories. In Tampa my favorite is the Salvation Army on MacDill (near the Beef o Brady’s). The best thing you can do is get friendly with the staff at these stores they will act as your personal shoppers. They will call you when an item comes in that meets your requirements. Also make a habit of visiting the stores a couple of times a week if you don’t not only will you miss new items that come in but you will miss out on the random discount calls which are time sensitive.
5. Don’t buy anything just because its cheap. Cheap is not good. Value is what home owners should be seeking. Buying things because they are cheap but not needed is a quick way to blow a budget.
6. Decide on the items/tasks you can do. When I work with clients I ask them to detail their skill sets. Can they sew? Can they use power tools? Are they crafty? Since money is tight homeowners on a budget need to minimize costs by doing a lot of the work themselves. One of our clients’ needed a sofa (as well as many other furniture and decor pieces) for her new apartment. Her budget was under $900. We determined the best use of her budget was to buy quality used furniture. In the end, we found her a sleeper sofa ($50) that had very ugly pastel upholstery (and that’s being nice). Aside from the ugly upholstery the sofa was in nearly new condition. The homeowner created a lovely neutral colored slip-cover for the couch that transformed it from horrible to fashionable. She knew how to sew and that helped. Total for the couch and fabric $150; labor $0 because she did the work. If she wasn’t able to sew we would have recommended off-the-shelf slipcovers (which are inexpensive) since the couch was a standard size.
7. When a bargain isn’t a bargain. A perfect example of that is buying a couch that is not in very good condition but its inexpensive however the homeowner fails to take into consideration both the short-term and long-term costs. The short-term costs include the costs of getting said couch into the condition the homeowner wants since it is rare to find the exact sofa you are looking for in the second hand market and that usually entails slip-covering or re-upholstery. Either way the homeowner would be paying a professional between $800 to $3000 making that couch an expensive purchase. In the long-term a cheap sofa may have weak coils and deteriorating internal structures which means that it wont last long and the homeowner will need to spend more money for a new couch to replace the old worn out couch.
8. Be smart. Decorating on a budget doesn’t always mean buying used it’s all about buying smart. Don’t automatically think you cant afford new in today’s competitive home furnishings market homeowners can purchase new sofas for under $400 at Ashley’s or Rooms To Go. Some homeowners are also surprised to find amazing deals at high-end stores such as Ethan Allen. The key is to know what you need to purchase, what your budget is, and then dedicate the time to find what you need the bargains will come. Your primary job is to be ready to take advantage of any deals that might just “pop-up” and you can do that by being thoroughly prepared.
9. A current client of mine is on a tight budget and her condo was empty. She needed furniture but didn’t want to spend thousands right away. She knew that the more time she had to shop around the better the deals. So she rented furniture for two months until she found the pieces she needed at prices all well within her budget.
10. Become creative and learn how to see the potential beauty in items this one skill is critical for those homeowners who are working within a tight budget. A pair of old wood doors can be seen as trash or to the truly creative they quickly become the basis for a coffee table or joined together and painted retro colors they become an interesting wall art panel.
Read More »