This Week's Ideabook on Houzz - Practical and Pretty Linen Storage

This week on Houzz.com, I'm talking about pretty and practical ways to store your towels and linens. I'm absolutely in love with this bath...

traditional bathroom design by birmingham photographer Sylvia Martin

To read the entire ideabook click here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Pretty in Pink - Candy Colored Kitchens~

This week on Houzz.com, I'm having a little fun with a showcase of pink kitchens. I don't know if I'd personally ever be brave enough to try one of these in my own home...but kudos to these daring designers!

modern kitchen design by los angeles general contractor Alon Toker

To read the entire ideabook, click here.

Have a great day~

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Locker Room Chic~

This week on Houzz.com I'm talking about adding a bit of industrial design to your home through the addition of lockers. Yep, as in gym lockers.

eclectic entry design by other metros interior designer Salvage Secrets Design Professional

You can read the entire ideabook here.

Have a great day~

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: It's About Time~

This week on Houzz.com I'm talking about using clocks as focal points in design. I'm currently in love with this chalkboard wall clock. Seriously. In. Love.

eclectic kitchen design by san francisco general contractor Fitzgerald Studio

To see more great clock ideas, read the entire article here.

Have a great day!

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: House Tour...Traditional Goes Coastal~

I could not be more EXCITED about this week's ideabook on Houzz.com because I'm featuring the home of one of my favorite bloggers (and friends) Paige of Simple Thoughts. Paige's blog is delightful and her photography is beautiful! I always feel happy when I visit her blog.

When I was asked to do a home tour for Houzz, she was the very first person I thought of. Since we've never met in real life (so I haven't had the chance to see her home in person)....and the photos of her house that she shares on her blog are always intriguing, I was thrilled when she agreed to let me feature her home.

Here's a little teaser...the outside of her BEAUTIFUL home covered in snow (yes, I promise she lives in Georgia...)

spaces design by atlanta media and blogs simple thoughts

To read the entire house tour click here.

Thanks again Paige for giving us a peek into your lovely home.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Pretty Dressing Rooms

I long for a nice walk-in closet. Somewhere I can hang my clothes up with room to move around. No such luck. So this week on Houzz, I'm daydreaming about having a beautiful dressing room where I can get ready every morning.

traditional closet design by san francisco general contractor Moroso Construction

If you feel the same way, you'll love the great dressing rooms I'm sharing. You can read the entire ideabook here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Arches Frame the Home and Landscape

There's something very graceful about an arch. This week at Houzz, I'm talking about the ability of these lovely lines to add beauty and interest to our homes.

mediterranean entry design by atlanta architect Summerour Architects

To read the entire ideabook, click here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Let the Sun Shine In~

We received another 4 or so inches of snow last night. And as I gaze out the window...it's still coming down. Sigh. I'm dreaming of warmer weather and good old Mr. Sunshine.

It' my readiness for spring that inspired this week's ideabook on Houzz.com where I'm talking about letting light into your home with walls full of windows. Hop over here to check out the inspiration!

mediterranean living room design by atlanta architect Summerour Architects

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz - Using Furniture as Bathroom Vanities~

eclectic bathroom design by toronto interior designer Lucid Interior Design Inc.

I have always been intrigued with the idea of using a beautiful old piece of furniture as a bathroom vanity. This week on Houzz I've shared a collection of inspiring bathroom vanities all created from furniture pieces...some old, some new, all unique. Bye bye builder grade bathroom!

To read the whole ideabook click here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Zebra Print~

spaces design

This week over at Houzz.com, I'm talking about wild animals running amock in our homes! Okay, not really. But I am talking about using zebra print in your decor. Lots of fun photos in this ideabook. To read the whole article, click here.

Have a great day~

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Dramatic Staircases

I admit that I have a bit of an infatuation with a pretty staircase. The home that we owned in Massachusetts before we moved here to Utah had a unique and lovely staircase that turned at a 45 degree angle toward the bottom. The home we live in now is a ranch. Boo. We have a staircase that leads down to our finished basement...but there isn't anything exciting about it. I hope that we'll have another home someday with a lovely staircase to appease my aesthetic need for such things.

In the meantime, I'm talking about pretty staircases over at Houzz.

modern hall design by san francisco architect Sutton Suzuki Architects

Click here to read the article.

(Working on some REALLY fun stuff to share this week...I can't wait!!)

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Making the Most of your Hallway~

This week on Houzz, I'm talking about creating usable space out of hallways. Don't overlook these utilitarian spaces. By incorporating the ideas in the inspirational spaces I'm sharing this week, you can make your hallway fabulous!

traditional hall design by new york architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

traditional hall design by atlanta interior designer Valerie DeRoy Interiors, LLC

traditional hall design by other metros architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

To see the whole story, click on the badge below.

Creative Spaces: Are You Making the Most of Your Hall?

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This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Great Shared Spaces~

This week on Houzz I'm talking about keeping everybody happy with fabulous shared spaces.

I grew up sharing a bedroom with my sister. My two youngest boys share a bedroom. A shared bedroom can be a fabulous way to learn about getting along with others. But for those of us who are design-minded, a shared bedroom can be a decorating challenge. Creating spaces that are both cozy and cohesive takes a little bit of thought, and a little bit of inspiration.

With that in mind, here are just a few of the amazingly inspiring spaces I shared this week in my Houzz.com ideabook.

home design

traditional kids design by chicago general contractor Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

modern kids design by ducducnyc.com

To read the full article, click on the badge below.

Keep 'em All Happy: Great Shared Spaces

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Decorating Ideas and Photos:

Kitchen Design Ideas · Bathroom Design Ideas · Living Room Design Ideas · Bedroom Design Ideas · Dining Room Design Ideas · Patio Design Ideas · Landscaping Design Ideas ·

And my thankful thought for the day? Today I am thankful that we were able to return the lift chair that the Hubby has been using since he came home from the hospital after his accident because he is now able to sleep in a bed! My living room looks like a living room again, not a hospital room! And I am so thankful for the neighbors who lent us the lift chair in the first place. We've got great neighbors!!

Have a great day~

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Built-in Bookshelves~

Do you love to read? If you have a collection of books like I do, storage becomes an issue. Sure, you can go buy bookshelves. And that works just fine. But dedicating a space to your books with built-in bookshelves is a lot more fun, and definitely more stylish.

Feeling inspired to make a commitment to your tomes? Here's a collection of built-in ideas that will have you ready to read. Not much of a reader? Built-ins are great for tchotchkes too!

contemporary family room design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.

An entire wall dedicated to bookshelves can be overwhelming. Make it work by varying the size of shelves and perhaps adding space for a TV. Make top shelves easy to reach by adding a library ladder.

eclectic bedroom design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.

A clever way to fit a built-in into a tight space is to frame out a doorway.

traditional living room design by other metros Witt Construction

Adding larger doors to built-ins while still leaving the top shelves exposed creates a more streamlined look without eliminating display space.

For other built-in inspiration, you can read the entire article here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Padded Headboards

This week on Houzz.com I'm talking about Padded Headboards...

If a bedroom is supposed to be an escape from the cares of the world, doesn't it follow that it should be one of the most comfortable spots in your home?

I don't know about you, but curling up in bed with a good book (or surfing the web on my laptop) is one of my favorite leisure time activities. Lucky for me, there is a trend at present toward using padded headboards in home decor. The thought of cozying up in a soft bed and leaning against a cushy headboard is an idea almost too good to pass up.

Check out these photos just full of padded headboard inspiration. They make me want to nap...

traditional bedroom design

A tall tufted headboard is a smart choice for a bed backed by windows.

contemporary bedroom design by san francisco interior designer Niche Interiors

A fun shape and brightly colored fabric lend a touch of whimsy to this tufted headboard.

eclectic bedroom design by austin interior designer Terri Symington, ASID

A wing-back upholstered headboard is a unique alternative to a more standard shape.

Doesn't it just make you want to sneak away for a little snooze? For more padded headboard inspiration, click here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz - How to Travel The Globe Without Leaving Your Living Room~

This week at Houzz.com I am talking about using maps in your home decor...


Do you have wanderlust? Do you ever daydream of visiting exotic locales? Most of us would love to see the world, but traversing the globe isn't very realistic for many of us. Making our homes look like we are well travelled, however, IS within our reach.

Maps in home decor are extremely popular at the moment. They will add a fabulous design element to your house, and may even appease the world-traveller-that-lies-within without breaking the bank.

Here are some great ideas for incorporating maps into your decor.

traditional home design by other metros interior designer Riehl Designs, Inc.

A stylized map in a soft palette adds sophistication to an entryway.

traditional home design by other metros interior designer Riehl Designs, Inc.

An oversized map used as wallpaper throughout adjoining rooms makes for a fun and unusual wall treatment.

modern kids design by new york architect Dufner Heighes Inc

A focal wall treated with an oversized world map can set the color story for a room, and eliminates the need for artwork.

To see the entire article, click here.

This Week's Ideabook on Houzz: Trend Watch - Sunburst Mirrors~

This week over at Houzz.com, I'm talking about Sunburst Mirrors...

As we head into the cooler and shorter days of autumn and winter, we can still bring a touch of summer into our decor. And what better way to do that than with a fun and unique accessory?

Sunburst mirrors are a perfect way to add a subtle reference to summer while staying on trend with what's "hot" in decor today. And yes, I am trying to be punny when I say that. But all joking aside, sunburst mirrors can be used equally well in all sorts of spaces from traditional to contemporary. They can look sophisticated or whimsical, retro-inspired or modern. Check out these examples, and then go grab yourself a pretty mirror and let the sun shine in!

media room design by toronto interior designer Jennifer Brouwer

This dramatic oversize mirror creates a statement when placed above a fireplace in this living room.

living room design by toronto interior designer Jennifer Brouwer

A retro-inspired sunburst mirror shines in a traditional space.

room by Emily A. Clark

A sunburst mirror is perfect as a singular statement above a bed.

I hope you'll all come and join me over at Houzz. To read the complete post click here.

This week's ideabook on Houzz: Using Dishes in your Decor~

This week at Houzz.com, I'm talking about incorporating dishes into home decor...

Every day as we prepare our meals we pull out dishes of various shapes and sizes. We use them to cook. We eat off of them. We take them for granted. But dishes can be works of art! And when displayed correctly, they can offer unexpected beauty to our spaces.

There are many different ways to incorporate dishes into decor. Some are more traditional. Some are completely unexpected. But all of them can add a unique "flavor" to your space. Follow these tips to use dishes effectively in your decor. Bon Appetit!

Display dishes in the traditional way...in a hutch. This is a great opportunity to showcase a collection of similar pieces.

Open dish storage creates a sculptural, artistic display in a kitchen or dining area.

Don't be afraid to use dishes in children's spaces. These pretty plates add romance to a little girl's room.

To see more ideas on how to incorporate dishes into your home decor, you can read the entire article here.

Have a great day~