Furniture Makes the Room, Antiques Can Make It Unique - Without Looking Dated

Interior Design: Furniture Makes the Room, Antiques Can Make It Unique - Without Looking Dated

Sometimes it's easier to pick a color scheme for a room than to pick furniture and accent pieces. I personally love antiques and reproductions alike. Why? Well obviously because of the history and character of the pieces but also because when I invest in decor for my home.... that is what it is: an investment.

Much like investing in the stock market, old cars, or homes - antiques can be a really great investment. You should always shop at reputable antique stores if you are looking for high end investments, but you can always find great antiques in old pawn shops and country stores that need just a little elbow grease to make them shine again.

Another great thing about antiques is that, for the most part, they are very unique. When I was browsing for furniture online at Bond and Bowery (Bond and Bowery is a great compilation of all types of furniture from modern to vintage) I came across G. Evans Ltd and these fabulous antiques (and a few non-antiques but still unique furniture pieces). Most of these pieces date from the late 1700s to the 1870s. The green chaise is 1970s and a few of the tables are from the 1940s. Why is this important? Because you can find antiques that don't look too dated to use in your home, all you  have to do is keep an open mind and go shopping.

A new logo for That Lovely Shop!!

What a special treat to have a new custom designed logo compliments of Andrew Bateman of Bateman Design. Check out his other artwork here under photos!

The Forgotten Craft Room and Design Ideas

Interior Design: The Forgotten Craft Room and Design Ideas
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Everyday I meet more and more people who do some sort of craft. Whether it is sewing, painting, scrapbooking, writing, etc and for them (and myself too) it is important to have a space all to yourself. It does still surprise me though when I go into homes where it is obvious that talented people (or a person) live there...but their stuff is stuck everywhere or their craft room is just a mess. Not only is that bad for trying to sell your home (it makes the home appear to lack storage, a very important feature to most buyers - always de-clutter and organize) but how can you find anything?!

Now, if you are renovating or adding on a bonus room for crafting or organizational needs there are a few things you will want to include in the room. Other than the obvious importance of being eco-friendly, you will need storage drawers and space for bins. Ideally you will want to have a floor to ceiling built in with various sizes of drawers, some open and some covered, on at least 1 wall. Another great feature is having a large island. The island would be a great place for storage and it will give you the ability to spread out and work. If you don't have that much space, try to reserve 1-2 walls for a counter with custom built storage units above and below.

If you are doing your own craft room feel free to decorate and paint the room so that it inspires you. If you are not sure what to do, try to make the room feel light and airy (aka bright neutral colors and lots of lighting (natural or unnatural). Use quality materials (that are eco-friendly but also investment friendly) such as granite and real wood (or bamboo). The flooring should be either tile or hardwood. If it is hardwood make sure to put at least three coats of an oil-based polyurethane varnish on the floor so it doesn't get scuffy and ruined while you get creative.

If you still need a little inspiration, here are a few rooms I came across that I just love:

What to do once you move in your house and...Velvet furniture, oh-la-la

Real Estate: I just bought my house...now what?
Interior Design: Velvet furniture
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Real Estate: I just bought my house...now what?

Buying a home is a long, and sometimes stressful, process. But what happens after you close and get everything unpacked? You might be thinking, "What else can there be to do? I have the house I'm unpacked...I thought I was finished?" But the truth is, there is always something more to do when you are a homeowner.

Being a homeowner means changing the way you think. This is your investment so upgrades, landscaping, painting, and maintaining the roof are just a few things you will need to make sure you do in order to ensure the value of your home.

To help you out I have compiled a list of common things you will want to do once you purchase your home:

1. Change of address cards - make sure to mail them to your friends, family, co-workers, etc. It is becoming more acceptable to send e-notes as well, but letters via post are encouraged.

2. Forward the mail from your old house - visit your local post office and fill out the mail forwarding sheet. This will make sure you are getting your mail that you might have forgotten to change the address for.

3. Meet the neighbors - be warm and friendly and introduce yourself to the neighbors. You don't have to visit everyday but being on friendly terms makes the community safer and better all around.

4. Security - make sure to change all the locks on any door that has a key to it. The previous owners might have keys still, etc. You might also look into getting a burglar alarm (it sometimes lowers your home insurance too). Also make sure you have a basic set of tools and fire extinguisher.

5. Make it your own - You might want to consult an interior designer, or just do it yourself, but make the home your own. Paint the walls, add trim, put down hardwood....whatever it is to make you feel comfortable and happy.
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Interior Design: Velvet furniture

 I really like velvet furniture - I know I am probably alone on this one, but I think it works. It has the ability to add texture and luxe without breaking the bank. You do have to be careful the colors and the style...you don't want to look 60s!

Here are a few pieces I found that I really like:

Ideas For Man Caves and Say Hello to the McLaren MP4-12C aka P11

Interior Design: Man caves... what are they?
Road Trip: Introducing the newest baby to the family, the McLaren MP4-12C
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Interior Design: Man caves... what are they and can they really be created with organization :)

Man caves.....what in the world is a man cave? Well don't worry! It's just a buzz word for a room where the guys can hang out. A man cave is not a new idea over time they have been called cigar rooms, smoking lounges, media rooms and studies.

I did a little research and it seems like a lot of new homebuyers are looking for this 'man cave' and it is a fairly important feature. So if you want to add a 'man cave' to your home there are a few features you always want to try to incorporate into it.

Always have a flat screen television, large couches and chairs, full bar, and lots of storage. You can add things like a pool table, darts, fridge, etc depending on your space. You should also consider the area you live in when designing it. For example I live in Nashville Tennessee - it would probably be a good idea to include in the design a small recording studio or band space in the room because so many musicians live in Nashville.

Here are some really great ideas for 'man caves' and always remember to consult a interior designer, real estate agent or licensed contractor before starting any home renovation project!

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Road Trip: Introducing the newest baby to the family, the McLaren MP4-12C

Say hello to the newest baby of the McLaren family, the MP4-12C (also known by its codename P11). The sleek design, luxury interior and delicious surprise under the hood would even make your grandmother blush.

Under the hood you will find a 3.8 liter V8 engine that can produce around 600 horsepower and 433 lb-ft of torque. The carbonfiber body makes going 0-60 in a little over 3 seconds a snap. Oh, and it has top speeds in the 200mph range.

If you are interested in this car expect it on sale late 2010 (Europe) and early 2011. It's generously priced at about $265,000 USD (£160,000). OK! So it isn't an ultra car, but it sure is a pretty baby.