20 Interesting Interior Decorating Tips, Links, And Ideas To Spice Up The Decorator That’s Down On The Inside!

1. Living With Pets  - Tips On How To Decorate A Space When Pets Will Live There Too!  
2. 30 Inspiring Living Room Decorating Ideas – Need Some Inspiration, These Pics Will Give It To You! 
3. 11 Foolproof Decorating Tips – Decorating Tips Without Spending Much!   
4. 15 Stylish Window Treatments – Great Ideas On Completing A Room With Decorating Your Windows! 
5. New Ways to Decorate With Shades of Blue – If Your Favorite Color Is Blue, Here You Go! 
6. 12 Clever Holiday Decor Storage Hacks – Happy Holidecoratings! 
7.  19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - This One Speaks For Itself! 
8. Celebrating Christmas at the White House Through the Years – Back Down Memory Lane!  
9. Stop Household Clutter: 15 Things to Get Rid of Right Now  - Looking To Stop Clutter? This Link Should Do It For You! 
10. 15 Garage Storage and Organization Ideas – Great For Those Needing To Clean Out That Garage!  
11. Top 10 Designer Tips – Tips from Designers themselves!  
12. Innovative Pivoting Doors Double as Room Dividers – Amazing Idea That Puts A Twist On Pivotal Doors!  
13. Winter Wall Murals Bring the Magic of the Season Indoors - You Have To Check This Out! Wall Murals Take A Whole Other Level!  
14. Wood Warms Modern Mexico Apartment in Unexpectedly Creative Ways - Something Fun To Look At! 
15. 25 Modern Bathroom Ideas to Create a Clean Look - Here’s for the Bathroom Fans! 
16. 40 Hot Fireplace Ideas for a Cool, Sexy Space – And To Top It Off, They Get Better! 
17. Designer Sculpts Wood Into Elegant Freeform Lighting - Great Lighting Design! 
18. 10 Best Free Online Virtual Room Programs and Tools - Awesome Starting Point For Interior Design Beginners! 
19. 5 Hot Paint Color Ideas to Try Now - Speaks For Itself! 
20. 20 Steal-Worthy Kitchen Decorating Ideas - Last But Not Least, We Have Arrived At The Kitchen!

8 Tips on Converting Small Cluttered Rooms Into Functional Habitats!

When I think of the art of Interior Decorating, I often think of ways to make a space better, more functional or better organized. Interior Decorating can be fun and definitely cathartic. But there should also be some form of positive change that occurs. Whether it is converting the aurora of a room, giving a room a drastic makeover, or choosing to add pieces that will create a functional operating space, there should be some sort of transformation that takes place. These don’t have to be drastic changes, but sometimes the smallest alterations can convert a small space into something totally different. Let’s look at 8 easy tips for converting a small cluttered room into a functional habitat.

1.     Pick Your Paint Color Last. 
I ran across about 3 blogs that all recommended picking your paint color last and focusing on the items that make the room comfortable. Sometimes the color can make the room look small versus looking bigger. I’d say get all the items you want in the room first, and then go for the color. http://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/interior-designers/tips/g864/decorating-secrets/?slide=19
 

2.     Make Use of Storage Spaces. 
You can utilize a lot of space by making use of areas that are somewhat hidden. Such as under the bed drawers, storage baskets, etc. This will surely free up your operating space. http://www.gurl.com/2015/01/07/bedroom-organization-tips-for-small-rooms-ideas-tricks-diy-storage/
 

3.     Take Advantage of Tall Ceilings. 
If you have narrow space but height, you’ve got something to work with. Optimize the space vertically to reduce clutter horizontally. You can use tall chests, armoires etc. http://www.gurl.com/2015/01/07/bedroom-organization-tips-for-small-rooms-ideas-tricks-diy-storage/
 

4.     Utilize Multiple Layers of Lighting.  
This can be by adding multiple types of artificial lamps. Since your space is small you might want to steer clear of floor lamps. http://www.decoist.com/2013-10-05/small-bedroom-decorating-tips-ideas/
 

5.     Proportion Your Furniture. 
Try not to have mismatch furniture, whereas your bed is small but is surrounded by large nightstands, side tables or dressers, etc. This can create a room that looks confusing. http://www.decoist.com/2013-10-05/small-bedroom-decorating-tips-ideas/

6.     Try To Create A Focal Point. 
Focus on an area in your room that you want to make your focus. This could be the bed or the window with a comfortable chair. This can cause for your guests to draw toward what your focal point is and draw less upon the areas that aren’t so put together. http://www.gurl.com/2015/01/07/bedroom-organization-tips-for-small-rooms-ideas-tricks-diy-storage/
 

7.     Add Mirrors and Glass. 
This can create a larger space than what is there.  Glass makes for a sense of openness. This can be a big bonus in a small space. However don’t go overboard with the mirrors; you might just tip into the mirror-maze phase. Then you’ll never find your way out. http://www.decoist.com/2013-10-05/small-bedroom-decorating-tips-ideas/

8.     Keep It Simple. 
Last but certainly not least, keep the artwork simple. Adding art can be difficult. Instead of adding multiple pieces of art, opt to adding one or two large statement pieces. This will create less of a claustrophobic area. Less is more, especially with art! http://www.guidinghome.com/interior-decorating-tricks-for-small-bedroom/

Dainty Decors by Design: Where Does Your Passion Lie?

Dainty Decors by Design: Where Does Your Passion Lie?

Where Does Your Passion Lie?

Often times I have found that Interior Decorating is heavily influenced by inspiration and passion. Frequently I think that this passion is what catapults many interior decorators into their gift, or what I like to call “their calling”. I believe that everyone has a calling, or a specific path that they are unequivocally supposed to follow. How do you know? Well because when you follow your path, or thrust yourself into your “calling”, it’s as if you are just breathing. It’s second nature to you, something you don’t have to think about. Why? Because, it’s your passion, the thing that drives you. I ran across an article by the Chicago Tribune on the latest work of a Chicago Artist, Theaster Gates. Mr. Gates has recently renovated an old Stony Island Trust and Savings Bank located on 68th St. South Stony Island Ave into an “Arts Bank”. The article describes the bank as a $4.5 million renovation in which, Mr. Gates has transformed it into a library and cultural center. This bank will house magazine and book collections of John F. Johnson, founder of Ebony; JET Magazines. This newly renovated building will also house exhibits from all over the country. In the article Gates explained the determination and commitment he had toward finishing the project despite the opposition he faced. The large building that was once abandoned and poorly maintained is now transformed into a magnet for cultural diversity and historical reflection and appreciation. I found this article to be a great read because it speaks volumes about passion and determination. Even though others advised Mr. Gates to walk away, his passion wouldn’t let him throw in the towel. Interior Decorating doesn’t have to be chic, or trendy, it all depends on where your passion lies.

For a complete viewing of the article referenced above, please click here!

"C.O.S.I.T.O.L."

Kids. Family. School. Friends. Work. Relationships. Bills. Fitness..and finally, Vacation! The list really can go on and on – we know! Things don’t always seem to become easier, so we usually find ourselves looking for ways to get some sort of pleasure out of the hectic lives that we live. Although, working out, having a bowl of ice cream, going shopping, or just doing something incredibly spontaneous can take our minds off what is current for a moment, we seem to end up exactly where we started – AT HOME. The place where reality sinks in time and time again, and our excitement comes to an end because it’s at that moment that we realize – nothing about our situation has really changed. We went out, had a good time, and spent some alone time and still…. in the same old environment. It sucks, I know. So, I recently got to thinking on this, and here’s what I was able to come up with: “C.O.S.I.T.O.L.” Now, this one can actually be pronounced out loud – but it also has meaning associated with it – so here goes: Change One Scene. Improve Tons of Lives! Creative, right?! – I’m kidding, anyone could have come up with that. Nonetheless, just think for a moment: “COSITOL” – Change One Scene. Improve Tons of Lives. This may appear to be unrelated to home decorating, but in actuality, it’s really not such a bad idea, when applied.

C.O.S.I.T.O.L. in Theory: 

For most individuals, outside of work, school, and in some cases, church, our homes are the where we spend the most of our time. If it isn’t, it is at least, a place wherein we eat, sleep, wake – up, and celebrate various occasions in – in most cases. Conversely, it can also be the place in our lives that receives the least amount of our attention. Most of the things that I mentioned at the beginning of this post take place outside of the home and have a significant impact on our perception and attitudes when we finally arrive at our last destination for the evening.

The Challenge: 

 Considering all that I have pointed out so far, I would like each of my readers to take on a challenge. I challenge you to pick any room in your home, or if you feel inspired, choose all of them. It could even be a closet if that’s an area that you would prefer to focus on (small, but still somehow still very significant to many home owners). Pick any room in your home, both large and small, and do something different – ChangeOne Scene/Space (C.O.S.). Whether you spend little time or a huge amount of time in your home, I don’t think many realize how much the environment and feel our homes truly make an impact on our lives. In fact, our environment is just one of the five factors that contribute to our happiness levels, in addition to chance events, social conditions, personality, and genetic predisposition.