Welcome May Flowers into Your Home Decor

Posted on May 1, 2013 by jmckenzie

Florals are in this season, and there are a number of creative ways to incorporate this popular trend into your home.

Match your style: Choose flowers and floral patterns that complement and enhance the look and personality of your home. If you are looking for ideas, consider roses or carnations for traditional decor, callas or orchids for contemporary, mixed spring flowers or heather for country, ivy or flowering green plants for casual, or peonies or lavender for Victorian style.
An abundance of accents: If you love the floral look but don’t want to worry about the care or maintenance of live flowers, there are a wide range of patterned pieces you can decorate with – throw pillows, dishes, furniture, area rugs, wallpaper, and much more. Mix and match your favorite designs, but be sure to also incorporate neutral accents to balance the patterns and avoid overdoing it.
Perfect placement: When using live or faux flowers, size and placement is key. For open spaces like large entryways or dining rooms, go big and bold with abundant arrangements of large blooms. Smaller bouquets add a touch of color to personal areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. And placing just a few flowers in your guest room will create a subtle, yet welcoming touch.
The final finishing touch: Don’t forget the containers! They are important to completing the overall look. Whether it’s a simple glass vase, an ornate brass pot, or a classic clay planter, choose materials and colors that complement your flowers or plants and their surrounding environment.

Choose a Greener Cleaner

Posted on April 24, 2013 by jmckenzie

With Earth Day right around the corner, many of us are thinking more about our impact on the environment. And, as more and more all-natural products hit the market, it’s becoming easier and easier to think green. So, before you reach for that chemical-filled cleaner to tackle the next spill, consider these all natural options.

Grease spills can be a nightmare no matter where they happen, but here’s a tip to tackle the mess on carpet: pour cornstarch on the spill and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. The grease will adhere to the cornstarch, which can be easily vacuumed away.

Carpet odors got you down? Just like in the refrigerator, baking soda can help. Sprinkle it on, leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum.

Hardwood floors ca benefit from a little natural TLC too. Rubbing alcohol can be used to remove permanent marker stains from finished wood floors. Simply pour onto a cotton ball and apply gently until the marks disappear. For scuff marks, sprinkle baking soda on an only slightly dampened sponge and rub gently.

For more stain removal tips, click here.

Get Away with these 3 Ideas for Destination Decor

Posted on April 17, 2013 by jmckenzie

Whether it’s a quiet mountain lodge, a sunny beachfront, or a hotel in Paris, the places you visit for rest and relaxation make the perfect inspiration for your home design. Infuse your home with the places you love with these tips for destination decor.

Trees, please: If log cabins, warm fireplaces, and the sounds of nature at your doorstep make you long for your next vacation, consider bringing woodsy, mountain styles to your home no matter its location. Fill your home with the forest – rustic wood furniture, picture frames made from sticks and twigs, even wood panels on the walls will give your home that cozy and natural look. Instead of a comforter, top your beds with quilts. For the walls, make your own art by tacking dry leaves to paper or canvas, then spray painting with warm fall colors, or even gold or silver for a glam look. Remove the leaves once dry and frame your creation.
Catch a wave: Crisp, clean fabrics, window sheers, and lots of white set the perfect backdrop for a beach-themed design. Pops of blues, from the pale blue color of sky, to turquoise and aquas, to deep shades of navy, will bring the ocean into your design. Try them in accent pieces like throw pillows, candles, and wall art. And don’t forget the shells and sea creatures. Though kitschy when overdone, there are many ways to incorporate these traditional beach staples without going overboard. Pen and ink drawings of sea horses and starfish, mason jars filled with sand or shells, and interesting pieces of driftwood are elegant ways to evoke the feeling of seaside living.
C’est chic: Indulge yourself in the glamour and decadence of Parisian style. To recreate it at home, look for rich color, ornate furnishings, and elaborate accessories. Pair gold and crystal to create a lush look, using the combination in light fixtures, candlesticks, and mirrors. Luxurious fabrics – like red velvet and metallic silks – in curtains and even accent furniture will add just the right amount of extravagance to your room. Finally, don’t forget the obvious. An elegant French poster or gold or silver Eiffel Tower accessory will complete your look.

Get your floors spring-clean!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by jmckenzie

Will you be doing a bit of spring cleaning this year? Make sure your floors are in tip-top shape with these easy tips:

Sweep, mop and vacuum everywhere! Now is the time to move that big furniture, entertainment center, appliances, and other usually-permanent items and clean behind them. Just be careful to protect your floors from scratches and scuffs when moving things in and out of place. For tips to move furniture safely, click here.

Schedule a carpet cleaning. Many warranties require a professional carpet cleaning once a year, so why not schedule it during your spring cleaning? Your local store will be happy to recommend a trusted cleaning service.

Freshen up that tile. Left unchecked, the grout between your tile floors can darken with stains. Take the opportunity to freshen it up by simply making a paste of baking soda and water, and scrubbing with an old toothbrush.

Click here for more floor care tips.

Are these 3 tips on your spring cleaning list?

Posted on April 3, 2013 by jmckenzie

Ahhh, spring is just around the corner so it’s time to get a jump start on home cleaning projects. Here are a few tips and tasks to make your cleaning efforts more efficient.

Breathe easier: For pollen sufferers and those allergic to dust, deep cleaning carpets will help rid your home of dust, allergens and pet dander. Go over them thoroughly with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and remove dust from sheers by placing them in the dryer on low with a fabric-softener sheet.
Switch it up: Most ceiling fans have a switch on the base that allows you to adjust the rotation. Running the fan clockwise in cold weather creates an upward draft and redistributes the warm air to heat your home more efficiently. Switching your fan to the counterclockwise rotation in spring will provide a pleasant breeze during warm months. You’ll also want to wipe down all the blades and dust off light bulbs.
Nooks and crannies: A good rule to remember is to “spring high and low.” That means reaching up and down into all the nooks and crannies where dust and grime may gather. Use the vacuum hose to reach under the refrigerator to brush dust away from the condenser coils. This will help keep the system from overheating. Dust under all furniture and above all cabinetry, and clean all items on high shelves. Wipe down walls, door frames and window sills, too.

With a little elbow grease and an organized approach, you’ll soon be finished and on your way to enjoying summer fun!

Floor Care for Your Home Office

Posted on March 27, 2013 by jmckenzie

Chairs on rollers, leaky pens, and the occasional coffee spill don’t have to mean the end of beautiful flooring in your home office. Protect your floors with just a few simple steps.

Your office chair can cause ruts, crushing, indentations, and scratches in your carpet or hard surface floor. Keep damage at bay by simply purchasing a plastic chair mat at your local office supply store.

When the occasional spill disaster strikes, be prepared with a few cleaning supplies. For ink and coffee stains on your carpet, blot up any excess, then apply a mix of 1/2 tsp. of clear dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of warm water. Blot, then apply straight white vinegar using a damp towel. Wash with a water-dampened sponge. Weigh down a half inch thick pad of white paper towels to absorb the moisture.

Click here for more stain-removal tips.

4 tips for romantic décor you’ll love

Posted on March 20, 2013 by jmckenzie

Today’s romantic styles are soft, fanciful, sweet, warm, and personal, and there are numerous ways to add them to your home decor.

Find your color: Pinks and roses of every shade, subdued corals and terra-cotta, rich plums and violets, apricot – select hues that are designed to create dewy, flattering glows and bring out natural skin tones. For more sophistication, keep the chosen color scheme monochromatic, like barely-there blush pink walls paired with neutral furniture and deeper pink fabrics.
Treasures new and old: Antiqued mirrors, mercury glass lamps, bird cages, silver trays, crystal vases, shiny candleholders – you can literally find your treasures or create them. From tarnishing and distressing to weathering and faux patina treatments, there are a variety of techniques to apply to new items that will create an old-fashioned appearance.
Mood lighting: Douse the fluorescent lights. Wall-mounted sconces or elegant chandeliers diffuse light and create a softer backdrop for your room. Choose lower-wattage bulbs to give off a warm ambiance. Better yet, group together a variety of white or cream candles for accent lighting.
Send flowers: Whether you’re adding real flowers, artificial greenery or floral patterned wallpapers, fabrics, rugs or carpets, the key to achieving a romantic look is to stick with florals that fall into the same color family. Too much of a good thing will take your design from sweet to saccharine.

For more tips on creating today’s fresh-faced romantic style, check out these tips from Houzz.

Protect Your Floors From Rain, Snow, and Mud

Posted on March 15, 2013 by jmckenzie

While a fresh blanket of snow may bring joy to the heart of your inner child, it can wreak havoc on your beautiful floors. But, with a few simple precautions you can keep flooring safe from rain, snow, salt, and mud.

Keep the outdoors out with mats both inside and outside every door to your home. Outdoor mats should work like scrub brushes – with tough bristles for removing larger particles of ice, salt, and mud. For inside, use a softer mat to catch liquids and any remaining debris.

Should any water, mud, or ice make it onto your floor, wipe it up right away. Standing water is a sure way to damage your floor.

Train Fido to wait by the door before re-entering your home and keep a towel nearby to wipe muddy paws. Too late for training? Stash a leash by the door to keep your pet under control while you clean up.

For more floor care tips, click here.

3 Tips to Get Organized in 2013

Posted on March 12, 2013 by jmckenzie

Clear the Clutter

There’s no better way to start off Spring, than with a clutter-free home. The hectic rush of the holidays has passed, decorations have come down, the weather’s warming, and now it’s time to sort through the stuff, both new and old. Just as the saying goes, with a place for everything and everything in its place. Read on for three great tips for keeping your resolution to get organized this year.

Don’t wait, donate! Tackle your rooms one at a time, armed with a few empty boxes and a trash bag. Sort everything into four piles: items to keep, throw away, or donate, plus one pile of the “maybes”. Take donation items to your car so they’ll be there ready to drop off at a local charity. Then take a hard look at your “maybe” pile. If you simply can’t decide on an item, put it on probation – leave it out for a month or so somewhere where you’ll see it every day. If you use it, put it away, but if it’s still out when time’s up, give it away.
Store in plain sight. There are a number of furniture items and accessories that can do double duty in your home by offering a place to store things inside. Consider storage ottomans, coffee tables with drawers, even couches with a space to hide things right under the seat. For a list of ideas, check out this article from RealSimple.com.
Closet overhaul. Sometimes it’s necessary to rethink your storage solutions from the ground up. Make a list of categories of stuff to be stored. Then, make a list of the available closet and storage areas in your home. Assign categories to storage places, ignoring what may already be stored in those spaces. Once your lists are paired, go through a little at a time, making changes to follow your list.

For more de-cluttering tips, check out this list from OrganizedHome.com.

Easy Tips to Protect Your Floors this Holiday Season

Posted on December 18, 2012 by jmckenzie

There’s nothing like holiday decorations to get your home into the spirit of the season, but don’t forget to keep your floors in mind.

Often, it’s necessary to rearrange your room to accommodate a tree or other holiday items. If you’ll be moving heavy furniture, you can protect your floors by using a dolly with wide-base air tires or furniture movers which help slide your heavy furniture effortlessly. Put down a clean sheet of quarter-inch plywood before you begin to stabilize the tree stand.

If you’ll have guests dining with you, consider slipping some festive holiday socks over the legs of your kitchen or dining chairs to protect your floors as they’re moved around.

Real holiday tree? Be sure to use a tree skirt that is at least as big around as the widest part of the tree to catch sap drippings.

If you’ll be enjoying wood fires in your fireplace this season, protect the floor nearby with a hearth rug. It will catch and protect against floating embers, sparks, and soot.

For more tips on keeping your floors beautiful, click here.