JANUARY DESIGN TIP

Out With the Old, In With the New
Must Have Items for Decorating in 2009

Try a colored chandelier in just about any room in the house to add that little bit of Pizzazz. One of the newest trims is colored crystals, including black, red and blue, says Frank Fontana, host of HGTV’s Design on a Dime.

Bamboo is making quite an impact on the eco friendly design world. Once only seen in pots holding Bamboo Sticks, you now see it every where from flooring to wall coverings to linens and towels.

Free standing Bathtubs are in many new homes the focal point of the bathroom. Claw footed tubs are being replaced by new flat bottom sleek versions to give a contemporary feel.

Midlevel Vessel sinks will compliment your new freestanding tub in addition to giving your bath a spa like atmosphere.

Wallpaper is making a comeback. Textures such as grass cloth and flocked wallpapers
And patterns are popular among designers. While kitchens and baths use to be the popular spots to paper you will now see a lot of accent walls and niches papered.

With Condo living becoming popular there is a trend in multipurpose furniture designed for small spaces. Murphy Beds and Daybeds allow rooms to have multi functions. Coffee tables designed to convert into computer workstations along with Coffee tables that house additional seating underneath are a must have in a tiny space.

Kitchens take on a sleek new look with Espresso Cabinets. Over the counter cabinets are being replaced with open shelving giving the kitchen very contemporary European feel. This look however is not for everyone. If you are a clutter bug or own a conglomeration of mixed matched dishes you may want to stick to the old cabinets that hide a multitude of sins.

If remodeling is not in the budget but you desire a new look painting is your answer. Hot colors for the New Year include Charcoal Grey, Navy Blue and don’t count out Browns and Blues just yet. The 2009 version is Espresso and Peacock Blue and opposed to Chocolates and Teals.

Source: design.hgtv.com

DECEMBER DESIGN TIP

WINTER HOLIDAY DECOR

Do you want to achieve a festive mood around your home without going over budget or looking as though your grandmother lives there? Try warm, deep shades of burgundy, emerald, bronze or even navy blue to create a comforting rich atmosphere. The perfect way to transform your space into a current holiday look is by adding throw pillows, blankets, or accent lamps with beautiful shades accented with beads, trims or feathers in festive tones. Change your everyday candles with the deeper tones to fit your holiday colors. Use rich fabrics such as velvets, chenilles, brushed suedes and even nice faux furs. Fill a crystal or silver bowl with like colored Christmas baubles. It's easy to substitute these accent pieces out with your normal, chic decor when the holiday season is over. Relax, have a hot toddy and enjoy the season.

DINING ROOM DECORATING TIP: USE A MIRROR!

Mirrors are one of our favorite accessories to use when decorating a home, especially in the dining room. You will find that dining rooms almost always have one big wall with no windows. This is the perfect place to make a statement! A mirror is easier to choose than a piece of art and the reflective qualities offer great aesthetic benefits. Use a large mirror (the bigger the better) that fills up as much of the wall as possible and be amazed at how much the room will open up! For those of you that enjoy the mystic side of decorating, mirrors are considered to be very "auspicious" in the ancient art of Feng Shui, especially when placed in the dining area. Not only is it believed to bring good chi (positive energy flow) into the room, but it also visually doubles your food, which symbolically doubles your money. Who wouldn't love that in an economy like this? Just make sure whichever decorating purpose the mirror is being using for, that it is reflecting something attractive.