Ok folks, it is officially time to show your yard some love!

• Start with a clean canvas – clean up rogue branches and leaves from the yard and powerwash the deck if needed.
• Bring the patio furniture out of storage – try to arrange them differently that you did last year…just for kicks.
• Bring in some color – tune up your flower beds, add some container plants, hang colorful lanterns or a bird feeder, etc.
• Find some new  “must-have” outdoor dinnerware and invite some friends over!

Not only will these projects make you happy, but if you’re considering putting your house on the market, you’ll have instant curb-appeal!

What do you do to prepare your yard for spring?

New media room

In my previous post, “Formal Rooms to Fun rooms, part 1“, I wrote about rooms we have in our homes that get little or no use. You might call them “trophy rooms”, mostly for show.  My friend had 2 rooms with little use, but needed more family activity and entertainment space. So she asked me to help her turn her little used living room and dining room into rooms her family and friends could enjoy. In “part 1″, I posted her dining room, turned billiard/game room.  Here, I’m posting her living room, turned theater/media room.

Living room, before

Here’s the living room before, and here’s what we did to transform it to a wonderful place to watch movies, TV,  play video games or board games.  (click on pictures to enlarge)

1. The carpeting was removed and hardwood floors installed. We had an area rug made from a broadloom remnant. The pattern is a blue background with popcorn boxes, popcorn and red swirls. Very durable for kids, pets and provides the color palette for the room.

Media room

2. The walls were painted a warm golden beige ( Dunn Edwards Paint color, Buckskin). This is one shade darker than the Bisque Tan color used in the billiard room, open to this room.

3.  A wall mural was hung on the wall between two speakers. The subject is a drive-in movie scene in blues and soft colors. This was hung with wallpaper paste and then framed with white molding.

Right view media room

4.  A theater quality TV/media system was hung above the fireplace and the components are stored out of sight in a wenge wood credenza to the right of the fireplace.

5. Five super comfy black leather reclining  theater chairs were placed on a curve across from the TV.

"Drive-in" wall mural

6. A game table with a flip-top and 4 chairs was placed by the window. One top can be used for casual dining or flip it over to play games.

7. On the windows are red grommet-topped  drapery panels, and  pull-down black -out shades to lower when movies are watched. They retract to a compact size when not used.

8. 3 red leather storage cubes keep video clutter down and the tops flip over for trays to be used for drinks by the seating.

Left side media room

9. Accents include a working popcorn machine, contemporary lamps,  themed art, and live flowers and plants.

The family is enjoying their rooms, and the spaces that were not used often, are now gathering places for activities that will have lasting memories for family and friends. 

If you need extra living space, borrow from little used spaces for a while, they can always be changed back.  Homes should function for families at different stages of life and not just be rooms full of fancy things off limits to everyone except company.

Enjoy your homes and make every room a “LIVING”  room.

Previously, I converted part of the kids’ playroom to a retreat area by placing a twin bed in front of the window. I used lively kid-friendly colors since it was a playroom.

HOWEVER…I’ve tired of the kid vibe, and finally took my own advice and transformed the space using color and texture. Now it’s really a place I can relax in, AND it’s more appealing as our guest room. Now all I need is to install a soundproof curtain to hang in front to make me invisible to the kids!

How have you used color to transform a room?

Click here to see the inspiration room from a previous post.

Goldfish Bowls

Do you ever get tired of looking at the same old candle or centerpiece in the middle of your kitchen or dining room table? I know I am ready for a change. The internet is such a great place to wander when I am trying to get my creative side kicked into gear.

I’ve shared with you before that I am a fan of My Home Ideas. The Room Gallery provides an abundance of beautiful photos grouped into room by room categories.  If you need help as you begin a new project, My Home Ideas will probably be able to help you narrow your focus and direct your planning. As I searched through photo after photo of dining rooms I came up with a few favorites that I would like to share with you.

This first one featured in Cooking light uses Goldfish Bowls. It is very simple and it’s entertaining. What a great conversation starter!!

Birdcage

This next one is so much fun!! A small unique birdcage can be filled with a variety of things to make your tabletop festive. I found photos of cages filled with candles, some with flowers, or you could even add a bird’s nest and eggs for a springtime feel. I don’t recommend a live bird for this one, they tend to be a little messy. This photo is from Spring Centerpieces and Table Decorations at CountyLiving.com.

Pinwheels

 This last one is a great project to keep your kids busy one day during their spring break. This is a Better Homes and Gardens find. Click here for a complete list of materials and instructions.

I’m inspired to finally change out my jar candle with its artificial pansy candle ring. How about you? It’s time for a change! Do you have any additional suggestions for us?

My friend came to me and said, “Cathy, you’re going to think I’m nuts, but I want to turn my little used living room and formal dining room into family entertainment areas”. I told her, whatever worked for her family and their needs was the best use of space, and have their house really function for them.  Just because a room is specfied a “living room” or “dining room” doesn’t mean it has to be one. Too many times we let function follow form instead of form follow function. 

So, we worked as a team to transform two idle rooms into two rooms that are alive,  exciting, and fun places to enjoy with family and friends. These rooms are now enjoyed daily and the house feels like its increased its living space in a big way. Also,  kids can have a fun safe place to hang out in with their friends.

These are  before and after pictures of the dining room /turned game room. Here’s what we did…

Billiard/Game room (click on pictures to see details)

1. We painted the red walls a warm neutral color ( Dunn Edwards Paint color, Bisque Tan) because we wanted all of our colorful furnishings and accents to stand out and be showcased.

2.   We found a fun 8′ x 11′  red area rug that has colored billiard balls  all over with a black border. The perfect color inspiration for the room.

3. We then found a large (6′ X 6′)  “8 Ball” wall mural that made a grand focal point on one wall. It was hung with wallpaper paste right on the wall and framed with black decorative molding. Two light sconces flank the mural to light up the wall.

4. The compact billiard table was ordered with a custom blue felt top to match the color scheme in the room, a nice fresh change from the typical green on most.

5. Overhead,  is a 3-light pool ball chandelier to reinforce the theme a bit more.

6. We added some great  looking antique gameboards on one wall. The playing pieces were glued on for affect, but you could leave them loose if you wanted to take the boards down to play. The antique boards add a nice counterpoint to the comtemporary room.

7. We also added some super fun cool red stools and black table in one corner for a snack, drinks or just to sit and watch the action.

8. On the window, we hung 2  simple red grommet-topped drapery panels from 2 cue sticks with pool balls for finials. To close off light when movies in the next room are on, we installed a black-out shade that stacks compactly when not in use.

So, that’s the new game room. My friend says her kids and friends are in there all the time having a great time and she doesn’t miss her old dining room one bit.

Stay tuned for her living room turned theater/media room in my next post in about a week.

If you’re short on space, think about utilizing those little used rooms, you can always change them back when the kids move out!

Rack-em-up and don’t scratch!!

I found this adorable “time out” chair this morning. How cute is that?! If a home needs a place for time out, don’t you think it should be cute!?!

Just in case you want to provide some time out reading material, or you prefer to distract your little person before a time out is necessary . . . HG is a great source for Children’s Books. It’s my favorite place to find board books for little fingers, and story books to add to your child’s library.

One of my favorite things about HG is that for me it provides one stop home decor shopping.  I can pick up items for my kitchen, bedroom, family room, and bath; then sneak over and pick up a toy for the grandbaby and even treats for our Bichon. Maybe I’ll see you there the next time I find myself wandering the aisles dreaming about all of the places to put my newly found treasures.

So often I find that “sentimental, can’t part with it ever” items are stuck in the back of a closet, boxed up in the attic or basement, stuffed under the bed or even hidden in plain view beneath a layer of dust and other non-sentimental clutter.

If you truly treasure and object but don’t have a way to use it, you should at least give it a place of honor in your home.

I love this creative display of sentimentality by Eleanor at A Bit of Heaven blog.   She has taken 3 generations of baby silverware and placed them in a shadowbox bordered with a sweet childhood poem.  So much better than storing them in the attic, don’t you think?

Shadow box frames, glass curio cabinets, domed display boxes or showcase tables are just a few ways you can protect and display treasured heirlooms throughout your home.

Even sentimental clothing can be displayed by turning those garments into teddybears, quilts or handbags.

There are lots of creative ways to showcase your sentimental heirlooms so that you can both enjoy your memories and share that joy with others who visit in your home.   What sentimental heirlooms do you have beautifully displayed?

Here’s a few spaces to negotiate a nook or create a cranny…

(click on pics to enlarge)

Top picture  #1. and #2.  Grab that space by the back or garage door to add great “grab and go” storage for backpacks, jackets, shopping bags, keys, etc.

#3.  Add an office/study in a hall closet, laundry room, or under the stairs.

#4. Add some art,  a shelf, beadboard or accent paint color on a dead-end hallway wall.

#5. Add some storage under a window seat on a stair landing or bay window.

#6. Add storage in the bathroom on a dead-end wall.

#7. Add a giftwrapping, craft,  or sewing center in an unused nook. Add a simple counter to work at.

#8.  Dress up an entry niche with beautiful finishes and functional furnishings.

#9.  Remove drywall, on one side of an interior hallway, paint the inside and use the studs for displaying art and accents…found space.

Be careful not to fill nooks just to contain and collect clutter, that defeats the purpose of the space. Use those niches to function but keep them clutter-free as well.

Look around the house for any found space to increase  living/work areas. It’s like discovering a little bit of treasure you didn’t know you had…Eureka…more space!

Nothing says Spring and Summer like polka dots, checks, and stripes. Think gingham, patio stripes, polka dot bedding and aprons. The list could go on and on with pillows, umbrellas, rugs, etc.

If you’re looking around your home and thinking to yourself, how in the world can I incorporate polka dots, checks or stripes into my decor? Take a look at a few of the links that follow there are some great ideas, and if nothing else they will give you a sense that Spring is on the way!!

Squidoo.com – Decorating With Polka Dots - This article does a good job of suggesting color combinations and little ways to make a big impact.
Home Decor Resource.com – Creating Stripes - A how-to on painting stripes on your walls.
BHG Remodeling Center.com – Painting Stripes: 8 Expert Tips for Great Results.  I could spend hours on this Remodeling Center site!
Don’t forget to do some digging around at HGTV.com.

You can redo a room with paint, wallpaper, or stick ons. You can keep it simple with bedding, table linens, pillows, rugs, or dishes. Whatever your project don’t forget to consider a little whimsy by adding polka dots, checks, and stripes. I’m ready for anything that helps me that helps me prepare for the return of warmer weather.

By the way, I have one quick question: What are your favorite color combinations for polka dots, checks, and stripes?