Brass Shower Head with Color Changing LED Light from Lightinthebox.com
Feb 22, 2012 11:14 AM
Feb 16, 2012 11:02 AM
Moving is always an exciting event. Whether you’re leaving your parents house for the first time, moving into your first home, or just moving into a new place, there are many things to consider. How you’re going to decorate your new living space is one.
Having just moved, I have been researching, reading and watching design blogs, books, articles, Pinterest and television shows for tips and ideas on how to decorate my new California home. One of the best lists of tips I have come across is a roundup from Family Circle and top designers. From the research I have done, and in starting to decorate my home, I have found that the following tips are most helpful for making a house a home:
- Eclectic furnishings, handcrafted objects and personal touches lend character to a home.
- A room needs a single focal point—a great work of art, a dramatic piece of furniture, an architectural element or a stunning view—and the rest will fall into place.
- Surround yourself with what you love. Trends may come and go, but your personal style is always in fashion.
- Don’t postpone collecting because you think you can’t afford it. You can find paintings and pottery at every price in flea markets and online.
- If you have the space, place a comfy reading chair in the corner of each bedroom to create a quiet, private nook.
- Mirrors give the illusion of more space by bouncing light around. Hang one over a mantel or lean an oversize version against a wall.
- A successful room incorporates all five senses. Get the look with a textured throw, scented candle, good music, pretty art, and a cup of delicious hot chocolate or tea.
- A room needs at least one clash piece, like zebra pillows or colorful art, to add that dash of whimsy to an otherwise straightforward decor.
- Decorating in one style—using exclusively antiques or modern pieces—is a bit cookie cutter. Mix up designs to give your rooms personality.
- When decorating, trust your instincts. Choose colors and patterns that make you smile.
What other tips would you add to this list of making a house a home?
Feb 15, 2012 11:09 AM
Suitcase Chair, Recreate.com
Feb 14, 2012 11:22 AM
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this week’s Pinterest Picks are inspired by the color red. Not only is red the color of love, but also known to increase enthusiasm, stimulate energy and boost confidence. Home IQ expert, Caitlin Haskins, believes these physical effects of red can be directly applied to the home, and shares a few red design inspirations that truly pull our heartstrings.
This kitchen is the apple of our eye!
Bold and bright – these walls bring energy to the room.
Add a little drama with one red accent wall.
Red brings some pop to this front porch.
Open your eyes to the energy of red in the morning.
Red chairs are sure to bring energy to your next dinner party.
Feb 09, 2012 01:36 PM
Web. Social. Mobile. Cars? The digital landscape is expanding into an entire ecosystem in which we access the Internet across multiple devices. This gives brands incredible opportunity to engage consumers, but doing so requires a digital strategy that addresses how to create effective content and distribute it across online channels.
The first ever website was published just over 20 years ago. Since then, the rate by which digital content is created and consumed has grown exponentially. In this relatively short period of time, the way we access the Internet has expanded from desktop computers to laptops, mobile phones and now everyday things like TVs, cars and household appliances. By 2020 the GSMA estimates that there will be a networked ecosystem of 24 billion devices connected to the Internet.
As consumers, we are entering the era of “The Internet of Things.” A time when the refrigerator suggests recipes based on its contents, or the car directs you to the nearest home center as you drive past a billboard advertising lawn mowers. The good news for marketers is that the proliferation of digital channels creates more opportunities to reach target audiences. Unfortunately, many brands currently struggle to maintain their existing web and social properties, so the idea of managing an entire digital brand ecosystem is daunting to say the least.
The Digital Brand Ecosystem
Marketers have the ability to reach audiences through a variety of owned assets such as corporate websites, Facebook pages and mobile apps. In addition, they can engage in conversations that happen on third-party sites such as Twitter, Pinterest or blogs. The full range of online channels makes up a brand’s digital ecosystem, and each consumer interaction is a reflection of the brand.
As the number of digital channels expands, brands need a strategy that encompasses the entire ecosystem. Trying to manage it without a plan means the brand is constantly reacting to external influences, and ultimately loses its focus.
In our experience, the best way to manage a digital brand ecosystem is to start with a well-defined brand positioning. If you know what the brand stands for and who your audiences are, then you have the foundation for good content.
Good content is purposeful and can be used and re-used in multiple channels. Initially the content may live on a website, but it should be managed so that it can be re-purposed in other channels like Facebook, YouTube or mobile sites. The plan should also take into consideration how the brand will participate in conversations on third-party sites. This can include a strategy for monitoring and responding to comments on social networks as well as contributing content. Overall, the digital strategy should be a roadmap that addresses how each component works together and reflects the brand positioning.
Feb 08, 2012 10:58 AM
Salvador Dali-style Melting Desk Clock, X-Tremegeek.com
Hourglass Salt & Pepper Shakers, Potterybarn.com
Flat Clock by Johnson House Design, as seen on Design Milk
Feb 02, 2012 10:55 AM
The month of love is upon us and we felt a need to share our adoration for some of our favorite designers and bloggers we have enjoyed following on Pinterest. Below is a list of a few of the boards we lust after, and some recent pins we just couldn’t resist:
- Roeshel – Creator of the popular DIY blog The DIY showoff
- Marissa Waddell – Designer, Marissa Waddell Interiors, blogs on ROOST
- Jennifer Mehditash – Designer, Mehditash Design, blogs on Dec-a-Porter
- Marilyn Storey – Interior Designer, blogs on MS Design Maven
What boards do you find yourself re-pinning often?
Feb 01, 2012 10:52 AM
Lila Jang's Wall-Climbing Sofa
Jan 31, 2012 11:07 AM
What part of your home décor soothes you? For this week’s Pinterest Picks, Betty Lyn Eller, Vice President, Home, shares here favorite ways to light a home, noting the soothing feeling she gets from the warm glow of the vintage crystals. Find inspiration to set the mood on our IMRE Home IQ Pinterest page.
Jan 26, 2012 11:04 AM
More than five million Americans work from home, and over the next few years that number is expected to increase significantly.
As someone who regularly works from home, I find this trend hardly surprising. There are a number of advantages to both the employer and employee to working at home. I enjoy my short “commute” in the morning, my casual attire, and seeing my son at lunch.
Working from home successfully takes careful planning though. The first step, and I think the most important one, is having the right set up for your home office space.
When I first started working from home five years ago, I made the mistake of using an old table for my desk and a chair I had moved with me from previous college apartments. The table wasn’t big enough for me, and the chair was terribly uncomfortable. My printer was on the floor and my phone jack was on the wrong side of the room. The set up was awful.
I spent that first weekend re-thinking and planning my home office set up, and now five years later I’m so glad I did. Taking time to plan your home office is critical to making working from home go smoothly. Here are five home office design tips for a great set up:
Buy good furniture and supplies
You should try to make a home office as much like a true office as possible. Find a good office desk and storage solutions. Get a speaker phone or head set – you’ll likely be on the phone a lot. Get an oversized calendar and a dry erase board for quick notes and appointments.
Find a comfortable chair
If you invest in anything for your home office space, make it your chair. It’s where you’ll spend most of your time. There is a big difference between a cheaply made office chair and a quality one. I have a swivel office chair with a high back and adjustable lumbar support .
Limit distractions
My friend Ryan shared with me another good tip to keep in mind. Ryan shared, “I have a TV in my home office, but I’m very disciplined not too turn it on. I can imagine a TV in the office can be very distracting for some people.” Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the home office you don’t want the room to be too distracting for you.
Keep it warm
My home office is painted a warm buttercream color. I like having the space a warm color. It helps keep the mood relaxing and peaceful, which is especially helpful during a stressful workday. Additionally, you’ll want a paint color that is easy on your eyes.
Personalize it
My friend Meghan reminded me try to personalize your home office as much as possible. Her office has black and white photos of Baltimore from today and from years ago. She also has a letter “B” on her bookshelf for her last name and a few personal pictures on her desk and bulletin board. Much like you’d personalize a traditional office, you should do the same at home.
Do you work from your home office? What other home office space advice would you share?