December Events at Furniture Showcase

JINGLE BELLS SWEEPSTAKES

Jingle Bells Sweepstakes Tickets with Every Purchase through December 12th!  We are giving away one ticket for each $10 you spend at Furniture Showcase!

DECEMBER 12th

The Jingle Bells Sweepstakes Drawing will take place LIVE at Furniture Showcase on December 12th at 5:00 PM.

This year, you do not have to be present to win.  The winning ticket numbers will be announced on Stillwater Radio at 5:00 PM on Friday, December 12th.  If you can’t attend that day, be sure and listen for your ticket number.  If your ticket number is drawn, you’ll have five minutes to call and claim your prize!

 

 

DECEMBER 18th

Santa is Coming!!  Santa will be at Furniture Showcase Thursday December 18th from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM.  Santa visits will be broadcast live on TV31!

Brooks with Santa in 2012

Max with Santa in 2013

Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests

by Holly Franklin

‘Tis the season for pumpkin pie, stuffing your face with turkey, and out-of-town guests! Taking some time to make your home a truly welcoming place can really make all the difference to your family and friends. A lot of times, we don’t take into account the best way to make a guest feel at home during their stay. Using these helpful tips as a guide, you and your guests are bound to have one of the most successful holidays yet!

If you have a dedicated guest room:

Think about what you like in a hotel room. Many people consider the bed the most essential aspect of a relaxing visit. You may want place the greatest consideration on the condition and size of your mattress. If you find your guest room mattress to be incredibly uncomfortable, so will your guests. Also, since queen sized mattresses are only six inches wider and five inches longer than a full size bed, upgrading will make your guests a lot more comfortable by only taking up a little more space. If you are considering a new bed for the guest room (or upgrading your mattresses and moving the old one to the guest room), the holidays are a great time to shop for a new mattress. Many of the best mattress manufacturers, such as Serta and Tempur-Pedic, offer special deals during the holiday season.

Another way to ensure your guests are sleeping comfortably is to make sure the sheets are freshly washed before your guests arrive. Also, make sure you have plenty of pillows. While most of us just keep two pillows on the guest bed, many people need multiple pillow for maximum comfort.   And don’t forget some extra blankets in case your guests’ feet get cold at night.

Some other comfort features to consider include a nightstand with a generous amount of tabletop surface for guests’ electronics, reading glasses, and books with a nice bedside lamp. Be sure there is easy access to an electrical outlet so you guests can plug in their cell phones and laptops. If you really want to make your guests feel like they are staying in a five-star hotel, place a mint or chocolate on their pillow.

Since your guests will be relaxing here in their down time, make sure it is a comfortable place to lay back and unwind. Try to keep it from feeling like a wall-to-wall storage bin for leftover furniture and knick-knacks—even if that is what it normally is used for. One solution might be including a storage bench. Not only does it give guests a place to store their personal belongings, but it also provides added surface space while concealing the clutter.

If you don’t have a dedicated guest room:

Think of ways to make your guests comfortable without having to give up your own bed. Since Stillwater is such a great place to visit, it is not unusual for homes to be maxed out on sleeping space. During special times, like homecoming, every room of my home is filled with friends and family. If every bed is taken, you may need to think of an alternative solution.

It seems like many kids have their own rooms these days. Consider adding a trundle bed or bunk bed to your children’s rooms. They can bunk together for the night and clear out some space for extra guests.

The addition of memory foam and adjustable air mattresses to sleeper sofas has made them more comfortable than in years past. If you are considering a new sofa or sectional anyway, make it a sleeper. You will be surprised how often you end up using it, especially if it is a comfortable one! The main complaint we hear about sleeper sofas is that they are heavy and hard to move. If you like to move your furniture around, try this trick: Remove all the cushions, remove the mattress and use some rope to tie down the mechanism. By doing so, the sleeper will be no heavier than a traditional sofa. Investing in furniture sliders is another option.

If you like the idea of a sleeper sofa, but it is not in the budget to buy a new sofa, the Air Sofair air mattress sits right on the edge of any sofa with removable seat cushions. This way it takes up less floor space than a standard air mattress. The sofa holds the air mattress in place and your guests can lean against the sofa to relax and watch Christmas movies.

If you’ll have guests sleeping in a common area like a living room, here are a few tips to make them more comfortable.

1. Talk to your family and designate nighttime hours in which the common area will become private for your guests. Once everyone is up, take a few moments to fold the sheets and blankets and tuck them away during the day.
2. Make your guests have a place to put their belongings. If there is a bathroom right by the living room, designate a drawer or shelf to place their toiletries. When I travel, I always bring home extra hotel toiletries and store them in a jar or basket in the bathroom. It’s nice to have some choices of lotions, soaps and conditioners for them.
3. Setting up a privacy screen is another way of instating a personal sense to make your guests feel like they have their own room.

Accommodating Special Circumstances:

It is important when you have guests to accommodate any special circumstances they may have. It seems as though at least one person you know is allergic to something these days. For instance, if you have a guest staying with you who is allergic to peanuts, avoid making peanut butter cookies or serving mixed nuts on game night. It is okay to ask if your guests are allergic to anything specific to avoid a visit to the emergency room. It could really ruin Aunt Gertrude’s holiday if your specialty stuffing with your top secret ingredient (peanuts) sent her into anaphylactic shock!

Entertaining Guests:

If your Wi-Fi is password protected, be sure to leave the password on a pillow or nightstand so your guests can enjoy posting pictures of the delicious turkey with cranberry sauce on Instagram without fear of using their data.

Don’t want your guests or family members sitting mindlessly in front of the television or on their phones? Have a game night! Game nights are great ways to connect with your guests. I remember several nights of staying at a friend’s house playing dominos or Uno until midnight or later. However, a cozy movie night is never a bad thing to do after a long day of Christmas shopping! Holiday classics to set the mood such as Home Alone or Miracle on 34^th Street are some good ones to consider. While watching your favorite holiday cinematic adventure, string some popcorn for your Christmas tree.

Do be mindful of your guests! If your laundry room is right next to their room don’t do a load of dirty laundry right before everyone goes to sleep. Try to do it in the morning or earlier in the evening while everyone is still awake.

Guests, there are a few things for you to consider when staying at someone else’s humble abode.

• Do not sleep in until the late morning or afternoon. You are still a guest in someone’s house. Be sociable! Most hosts want to talk and see what new and exciting things are happening in your life.
• Be mindful of your manners! In your house, it’s perfectly acceptable to lounge in your boxers all day with un-brushed teeth and disheveled hair. However, when staying at someone’s house, please wear appropriate clothes; this includes a shirt and pants. Be polite and chivalrous. Remember “please” and “thank you” still go a long way in today’s society. Maybe even offer to do small chores such as setting the table or washing the dishes!

3)       Once you return from your stay, be sure to write a thank you card to your host.

 

 

By Holly Franklin

Holly is a graduate of OSU’s Interior Design Program and is an interior designer at Furniture Showcase

What’s UP with Beds Today?

By James Hutchison

Have you ever considered purchasing an adjustable base for your new mattress? Are you afraid it will make your bed look like one found in a hospital? Well you are in luck! Long gone are the days when the only people that had an adjustable bed were those with health problems or mobility issues. There has never been a better time to buy a mattress with an adjustable foundation. Today, adjustable foundations for your mattress represent the pinnacle of luxury and comfort, and they have become more affordable than ever. In fact, they have become so common that Tempur-Pedic reports that nearly half of all their mattresses are now sold with movable bases. If you have been considering an adjustable base or are still on the fence about whether or not you should get one, here are some benefits to consider:

1. Stop the Snoring! If you or your partner has an issue with snoring, an adjustable bed may be worth a try. When we lie flat on a bed, our throats tend to close a little tighter than normal because of the relaxed state of our bodies and gravity. This tighter airway makes it more difficult to get sufficient air which can lead to snoring. That awful nose that keeps so many awake at night may be lessened with just a slight raising of the head from your adjustable bed. If you can raise your partner’s side slightly without even waking him, it may be more effective than just the nudge that you usually give.
2. Be comfortable watching TV in bed. Are you one of those people that love catching up on the late night shows or do you simply like watching a good movie just before you go to sleep? An adjustable base is the perfect solution for you! It will allow you to watch TV from the most comfortable position so you don’t have to pile on the pillows anymore! If you love to watch television in bed, try looking for a base that has an adjustable lumbar and headrest to find your perfect TV watching position – your bed will be more comfortable than any chair around!
3. Is back pain an issue you’ve been dealing with? An adjustable bed may improve how you feel. Raising your head and your feet slightly can relieve pressure on your lower back, allowing it to relax. The majority of people I’ve talked to with about an adjustable base tell me that this is their number one reason for buying an adjustable bed.
4.  Many adjustable beds come with built in massage features. So after that long day at work or just dealing with the kids or family all day, it’s nice to be able to relax in your own bed and be pampered at the same time. Just imagine the comfort of being able to slowly drift to sleep while the gentle massage helps you to relax. Some people find that the massage feature can also be good for circulation or minor aches and pains after working or working out.
5. Love the idea of having breakfast in bed? With the ability to adjust to an upright position, having breakfast in bed will be a piece of cake! No more messes or spills to worry about! You’ll be able to enjoy the most important meal of the day in the luxury and comfort of your own adjustable bed!
6. Work from home easily! Now, normally I am not much of an advocate for doing work at home, but in the event you find yourself rushing to get that project done before the 8 o’clock morning meeting, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to do it from the most comfortable place in your home?! An adjustable base can bring you into that perfect, comfortable position for working on your tablet or laptop and you won’t strain your neck.
7.  Choose the features that best suit you. The basic models just raise the head, while the fancier models have features like adjustable lumbar support, movable headrests for reading or watching television and even built-in nightlights and blue-tooth speakers.

Remember- if something doesn’t feel right, you should really have many of these issues (like pain or chronic snoring) evaluated by your doctor. You never know, an adjustable base could be an important part of the treatment. Most people put a lot of time and care into choosing the right mattress. You may not have spent much time thinking about the box spring or foundation that supports your mattress. After trying adjustable bases and feeling the benefits yourself, it may be hard to justify not changing to an adjustable base the next time you go mattress shopping!

Decorating With ORANGE

Ask anyone in Stillwater to tell you their favorite color, and there is a good chance that orange is the answer. Check any of our closets; most of us have an entire orange section. We have no problem adding orange to our wardrobes, but many people are more nervous about adding orange to their home décor. A lot of people I talk with, love orange, but they feel it is best reserved for very modern spaces, game rooms, or kids rooms.

My husband is a true fan. If it were up to him, he would happily paint every room in our home bright orange.   He might even add some black accents, a few jerseys and some sports memorabilia for good measure. For most of us, that would be a hard combination to live with on a daily basis – especially if your goal is to make your home a relaxing retreat.

Our challenge is to incorporate orange into each room in a unique way. To make our “orange rooms” look sophisticated, we want the punches of orange to be noticeable, but not the only thing that you notice. Incorporating orange into any room adds warmth and a more energetic mood. This is especially great for living rooms and kitchens. When used in a creative way, orange can complement almost any other color or room style.

When considering adding orange to your home, think about other colors you might want to pair with it. Here are a few combinations to consider:

Orange and Black is a very harsh contrast. It can look a little “halloweenish” if you are not careful. Most often this combination is reserved for OSU themed rooms – like a children’s room or media room. Unless you’re going for a themed room, it might be a safer choice to consider pairing orange with another neutral instead.

Orange and Grey can look very fresh and contemporary. It looks great accented with cream or citron.

Orange and Cream, Khaki or Chocolate Brown can look very warm and cozy and can be accented with many other colors.

Orange and Navy or Steel Grey/Blue can be a sophisticated combination that still has a lot of energy. Orange and blue are complementary colors- meaning that they are opposites on the color wheel.

Orange and Lighter Blue or Spa Blue can be a great combination for a bedroom or a bathroom. The spa blue is calming and the contrast of the orange wakes it up!

Orange and Turquoise is a popular combination right now – especially if you go with a brighter tint of orange – like coral.

Orange and Pink is a bright, feminine combination. Pink is so often used for girl’s rooms, and the orange adds something unexpected, making it more interesting.

Because orange and blue are complementary colors, the combination is naturally very pleasing to the eye. When used in smaller doses, perhaps using orange as an accent color, the combination is vibrant and interesting. If you were to paint an entire room bright orange and blue, the result would be rather harsh. When you look at more orange rooms, you’ll notice that some of the most loved rooms are quite often paired with blue – from navy to aqua to turquoise.

With each of these combinations, consider which orange you want to use: a shade, tint or tone. Lighter tints (orange with white mixed in) can come out looking like peach – which is not what most of us in Orange Country are going for. Darker shades with more black mixed in might look more masculine or sophisticated. A tone of orange or a greyed out orange means that black and white have been added – tones are more easily mixed into traditional décor than bright orange. If you want to paint a room orange, consider using a tone or greyed out orange.

If you want orange to be the main star of the room, consider upholstering a large piece of furniture in an orange fabric or leather. In other places this might be considered a trendy color to put on a larger piece that is a bigger investment, but in Stillwater, orange never goes out of style!

If you don’t want to go that far, try adding orange accents to your room in another way. Accessories can add interest to an otherwise neutral room. To make orange part of the color scheme, repeat the color several times around the room. Consider all parts of the room. Area rugs, drapes and pillows are a great way to add a lot of color. If wall art and tabletop accessories or bookshelves repeat the orange, it will help make the room more cohesive. The great thing about a stand-out color like orange is that a little bit can make a big impact!

If you’re shopping for furniture, and notice that most of the pieces you love seem to only be shown in brown or neutral tones, don’t be discouraged. Many pieces can be customized to bring a little “Orange Power” to your room!

We love decorating with orange! Our goal is to find ways to decorate with orange in a way that will be comfortable and inviting for family and friends. If you’d like to see more rooms with orange, check out our “Orange Power!” board on pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/FurnShow/orange-power/

Simple Tips for Shopping for an Area Rug

Where do you go for style inspiration? Do you have a file of magazine clippings, a Pinterest Board or a Houzz Ideabook filled with rooms you love? Have you spent time analyzing what you like about each room or which elements the rooms have in common? Look back through your photos and notice the floor. Chances are, that most of the rooms you love utilize an area rug.

Most interior designers will tell you that there are few things that can change the look and feel of a room faster than rolling out a new rug. A rug can set the tone for a bare-bones room or it can be the one thing that helps tie several pieces together.

I often hear people say, “I don’t need a rug. I have wall-to-wall carpet.” It is okay to layer rugs and to use rugs in a room with carpet. Even though you may not need the rug for warmth and comfort, a rug will still add to the overall design of the room. Area rugs help define spaces and add color, pattern, texture and interest.

Choosing a rug can be quite overwhelming. There are several factors to consider and the options are endless – many rug catalogs are hundreds of pages thick. I often hear people say, “I’m sure the right thing will just jump out and grab me!” or “I’ll know it when I see it.” These people often become frustrated and often give up the search. Putting some thought into what you are looking for will help you narrow your search and really increase your chances of finding the right rug that will give your room the look and feel you are trying to achieve. Here are a few tips and factors to consider:

1.  Start Early

If you have an empty room, choosing a rug first is one of the easiest ways to begin. Most of your bigger furniture pieces are likely to be made of solid colored fabrics or leathers. A patterned rug can provide your color palette for the entire room. Colors for furniture, paint, and window coverings and accessories can be selected from the rug.

If you are adding a rug to a room that is mostly finished, keep an open mind. Look for a rug that incorporates the colors from the pieces in the room that you like the best. This will help reinforce the color palette that you like. I do not recommend choosing a rug (or any other pieces) to match pieces that you do not love or that you plan to replace in the near future.

If you have an otherwise neutral room, adding a bold color on the floor can make a big impact fast. Repeat the color a couple more times around the room, and it is surprising what a big change you can make with just a few touches.

2.  Consider Pattern and Color

When deciding what kind of pattern would work best on your rug, consider what overall style you are trying to achieve. Large over-scaled patterns and asymmetrical patterns are often used in contemporary rooms. Smaller, more intricate patterns are often considered more traditional.

One of the most popular styles today, is transitional – which is a mix of both, or what we often refer to as “updated traditional.” In a transitional room, natural materials like jute are often used, and jute rugs can be layered with other rugs or even with cowhides (which are very durable and resistant to spills.) Transitional patterns could be geometric, or if they are a more traditional pattern, like a paisley, the scale is larger, making it feel more contemporary.

Solid colors in a flat, plush or shag texture can look good in any kind of room. A darker color can help ground a space. It can help designate a conversation area in a large room. A lighter rug can help make a space feel light and airy and more open.

3.  Texture & Comfort

Consider how you use the rug. Do your kids lie on the floor? If so, some of the shag rugs with very soft fabrics are great for relaxing. Do you eat in the room? – if so, it would be wise to opt for a rug that can be vacuumed. There are also different thicknesses of rug pads that can affect the comfort of the rug.

Many “indoor/outdoor” rugs are now stylish and nice enough to use indoors and they are durable and resistant to spills.

Flat weave rugs are not the most comfortable, but they often pack a punch of color or a graphic pattern for a relatively lower price.

4.  Size

Rugs can be used to designate a space. A small rug can look wrong in a large room. If your room is an odd shape, you may want to consider a round shape or even layer more than one rug. There are many guides available for selecting the right size for your room. Designers often disagree about how furniture should be placed on a rug. Some say every foot of a piece of furniture must be on the rug, others say that this is a “rule” to be broken.

The most common mistake is to go with a rug that is too small for the room or the area. When you are selecting, it is a good idea to tape off the space with painter’s tape to make sure the rug fits your area appropriately.

5.  How much to budget

Some people shop for Heirloom quality rugs and spend tens of thousands of dollars on one area rug. This is not the case for most people. If you invest this kind of money in an area rug, some rugs can last for years and be passed down from generation to generation.

Do you want to keep the rug forever? Or will you want to feel justified in replacing it after it has been spilled on and walked on for a few years.

If you like to redecorate and change styles often, an heirloom quality rug, may not be the best choice. When you are shopping, it is always a good idea to communicate your budget with your salesperson or designer. This will help them offer you suggestions that will fit your qualifications.

6.  Where to shop

The internet is a great source for finding different styles of rugs, but a local retail store can usually beat internet prices and you won’t have to pay extra shipping. Often the prices that pop up on your screen are for a small rug and do not include shipping. If you shop online, make sure that you are pricing the size you want and including shipping and a rug pad. If you find something you love online, be sure to compare the price with an actual brick and mortar store. Most of our customers who have shopped online are surprised to find that our prices are actually lower.

7.  How to decide

To visualize the rug in your space, some websites have programs that let you set a piece of furniture on a rug in a room with your choice of wall colors and floor coverings. This can be very helpful in determining what the pattern and scale will look like.

I like to make a board or collage of my room when I am planning for the big purchases. Ask for a second opinion of someone whose style you appreciate.

Most stores that sell rugs should have some kind of option to order or check out a sample of the rug you are considering. Taking a sample home and seeing it in your own space can reassure you that you are planning in the right direction.

 

 

 

Furnishing Your First Apartment by Rachel Maxwell

Moving into your own, very first, apartment is an exciting time in your life! You are finally getting the freedom you have dreamt about since middle school. You have already made so many plans for decorating, entertaining guests, and just enjoying having some space to yourself. Even though this is a very exciting time in your life, it can quickly become overwhelming. There is a lot that goes into making an apartment a home. Here are a few tips for setting up your first apartment:

Plan ahead

Start the apartment search early, especially if you are moving to a college town. Many leases in a college town start in the beginning of June or August, so it is best to start your search around the beginning of March. Once you have found an apartment that works for you, immediately start making a list of necessary furniture pieces you will need for the space such as a mattress, bed frame, sofa, loveseat, dining table, etc. A lot of people do not realize some furniture can take up to twelve weeks to order, so it is very important to plan ahead in order to achieve the look you are going for.

Document the space

It is very important to know the size of the space you are working with when selecting furniture. Many apartment complexes have a floor plan online that you can print out and take with you to the furniture store. If the floor plan is not readily available, you can measure and do a quick sketch of each room. I know what you are thinking, “I’m terrible at drawing,” but it does not have to be perfect! All you need are the dimensions of each wall and the placements of windows and doors. If you are working with an open floor plan, sometimes it is helpful to know the placement of outlets for side tables and lamps.

If you already own some pieces that you plan on using, it is a good idea to bring a cushion or a drawer along with you when you shop. You can see how the new pieces you are considering will coordinate with your existing items.

 Set a budget

This being your first apartment, you have probably never bought furniture and have no idea the cost that comes with it, and this is okay! In the beginning, it is always a good idea to decide whether you want your furniture to be long term or short term. Lets use buying a mattress for an example. A queen size mattress set can range in price from $299 to $7,499. If this is a mattress you do not see yourself using after your four years of college, then the high-end mattress probably is not the best choice for you. Keep in mind that a good quality mattress can always be moved to a guest bedroom, if you decide in the future to purchase a better bed or different size. In most cases the price of furniture will reflect the quality.

Do your research

Find local furniture stores in your area and ask about their pricing. This will help you figure out how much you need to budget for certain items. Many furniture stores will have a website displaying the different pieces that can be ordered. It is a good idea to browse through these items to get an idea of the style you are looking for. Think about what styles you like best. If you have a pinterest board or just a picture of a room with colors that inspire you, bring it with you.

Ask about local delivery and setup. It can be a hassle to move into an upstairs apartment. Sometimes it is best to leave the heavy lifting to the experts. Even though a furniture store might offer free local delivery and setup, it is still a nice gesture to tip the delivery guys, as most of them do not receive commission from the purchase. Also, many furniture stores do not offer same day delivery, so plan your shopping trip accordingly.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Walking into a furniture store can sometimes be overwhelming at first, especially if you are not sure exactly what you are looking for. Many furniture stores have interior designers on hand who are trained to help you find a solution that best fits your needs and style. Do not be afraid to tell them what you do and do not like. This will only help them to achieve a better understanding for what you are looking for and result in a better overall shopping experience. It also helps to have a designer look over your floor plan. The designer might see an opportunity to arrange your furniture in a way you had not thought of. It is always good to come in with an open mind, but ultimately it will be your home, and the designer is there to help you achieve your overall vision of the space.

Don’t forget the accessories

Even though you have made your shopping list of furniture, it is often easy to forget about the accent pieces. In many design situations, the accents are what make the room. Accent pieces that are often forgotten are rugs, throw pillows, lamps, pictures, and other small accessories. Choosing a color palette, and adding colorful accessories can change the look of a large piece of furniture, such as a sofa or bed. Do not be afraid to add color to the room through your choice of accent pieces.

If your new apartment happens to come furnished, accessories are the best way to personalize a generic, dull space. Adding bright pillows to the same neutral couch that you and all of your neighbors have will make it uniquely yours. Try adding or changing existing curtains (these are often easy to fold up and put in the top of a closet until you are ready to put them back when you move out). If the apartment is furnished with just the basics, you can add a few pieces of accent furniture, such as a colorful accent chair to go with that boring sofa. With just a few touches, you can easily make your new place your own!

Last but not least

With the right preparation, furnishing your first apartment can be a great experience! Keep in mind not everything has to be done at one time. Sometimes adding pieces over a period of time are what make an apartment a home. Choose pieces that you love, and they can move with you from your first apartment to your first house and beyond. Use your apartment to express your individual style and creativity. Do not be afraid to break away from the norm. After all, this is your very own apartment.

 

-Rachel Maxwell is an interior designer at Furniture Showcase and a graduate of Oklahoma State from Pocola, Oklahoma.

Six Ways to Freshen Your Décor and Let the Sunshine In

Spring is right around the corner. While all the neighbors are sprucing up their yards and flower beds, we wanted to share a few tips to update the inside of your home, as well.

• CLEAN IT UP:
• After you pack away holiday décor, it is a good time to examine what is left and change things up.
• Save the cobwebs for Halloween!  When the bright sun starts shining in, I notice all the spots I’ve been overlooking. We all invest in seasonal holiday décor, but when it is all boxed up and put away, I enjoy how clean and open my house feels again. Sometimes after it is all packed away, it can seem like something is missing. Why not invest in a few accessories in spring and summer colors that are not holiday themed so they can stay out for a long time
• ADD COLOR:
• Add seasonal color –In a dark room, Think of adding some white. A light colored duvet cover lightens a bedroom faster than anything else. Photos in white frames or mats can brighten up a wall in any room.
• Change out your pillows (or add more) to your sofa. If you are crafty, you can sew new covers for the pillows you already have.
• Bright turquoise accents have been very popular, and it is surprising how many different color schemes that turquoise works with. Trade dark evergreen accents for a brighter citrusy-green. In Stillwater, you can never have too much orange, and orange accents work well in spring, summer and fall.
• If your room has a neutral color palette, it is easy to add just about any color and a few touches will make a big impact. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2014 is “radiant orchid.” It pairs well with grey and with other neutrals.
• If your room is already colorful, think about what colors you are already using and how adding spring color will complement what you have. If you choose the opposite color on the color wheel, you’ll find the complement to the color you are using. For example, if you have a blue room, orange is the complementary color. Blue looks great with lots of colors, but orange is the highest contrast, so adding just a tiny bit makes a huge impact. If you have a green room, red is the complementary color – since we are thinking about spring, use a bright pink instead.
• If you want a calmer feeling room, choose colors that are closer together on the color wheel – like a room with blues and greens.
• USE FAMILY PHOTOS AND MEMENTOS FOR A PERSONAL TOUCH
• A fun way to welcome a new season is to rotate the family photos that you display. Pictures of a summer vacation or family photos of past Easter Egg Hunts are fun to see and can add color without spending any money. In the summer, I love to bring out photos of beach vacations and photos of kids in sparkling blue swimming pools to add more color.

 

• KEEP IT MOVING:
• Spring Cleaning – Remove items / dust collectors. Box them up and rotate them out. Sometimes it is better to display a few things you love rather than everything you own. Too much stuff is not visually appealing.
• Take everything off of your mantel or book cases, line it all up, and start over… add a few new items or use half as much stuff. Sometimes re-arranging the items you already have can freshen up an area without spending any money.
• Remember that your room never has to be “finished”.   It is okay for a room to remain a “Work in progress” with constantly evolving décor that grows with your family and changes with your needs. I find that as soon as I say a room is “finished”, I start to grow tired of it. Small changes help keep rooms fresh and continually editing what you display and updating with something new now and then can keep rooms from feeling very dated.
• ADD LIGHT
• Consider whether it would make sense to re-arrange your furniture to make a window your focal point.
• Open up the blinds, find the sunniest spot in the house, and make that a special area for reading or relaxing.
• If a room does not have a lot of natural light, add more lamps. Lighting from lamps changes the look of a room by accenting certain areas where overhead lighting is just intended to light the entire room.
• ADD LIFE:
• The most obvious way to bring spring into a room is fresh flowers or a new houseplant. Spring flowers like tulips or daffodils brighten your space and your mood.
• Instead of a traditional houseplant, try potting fresh herbs near a kitchen window.   Fresh mint, basil and cilantro not only look beautiful in your kitchen, they smell great and will add freshness to your kitchen.
• A big bowl of fresh lemons is the summer equivalent to decorating with pumpkins in the fall.
• If you use scented candles in the winter, a new scent for spring can brighten your mood too. We love citrus scents.

How do you like to welcome spring to your home?