Window Treatments…it’s a long story!

 

Almost everyday my Facebook inbox has a message for me from a friend asking me about a decorating problem she is facing with her home. This pleases me a lot because it gives me ideas of what you would like me to write about. The most often asked questions are about curtains. In today’s post I will help you with you window treatment challenges, and I tried to give as many possibilities as I could. I hope it helps many of you.

Treating your windows

For many homes, windows are the connection between the interiors and the exteriors, and are used to open up a space and make it feel more human and real. Window treatments are a nice of way of decorating your windows to create a finished and dressed look. They also serve other purposes, such as keeping out glaring sunlight, providing privacy from the outside, and they help control the temperature inside your home. Here are some decorative window treatment ideas for your bare windows I thought you would enjoy.

Curtains aren’t only for windows

While we all love to see beautiful curtains displayed at our windows, curtains can also serve as room dividers, focal points for the eye, or they can create a visual textured wall to delineate areas of your open space.  This striped curtain’s bold stripes are dynamic in this subtly colored bathroom. The ability to close them off for privacy is an added bonus!

 Image: Easy Curtain Ideas

Automated window treatments

Long gone are the days when we you had to control your window treatments with long cords, or cumbersome wands to turn. In modern interiors automation has become key and has opened the way for adding window treatments to skylights, ceiling high windows, and more.  Now you can change the ambiance in your home with a touch of a remote control.

 

Still enjoying the views

The ability to be able to see gorgeous views outside of your window doesn’t have to be sacrificed by your window treatments. Several window treatment manufacturers offer sheer treatments; mesh blinds, or partial roman shades. There is probably a window treatment for every window condition you can think of. Whether you live on a golf course, have a beautiful pool to gaze at, or you just want to watch your children playing outside. Sheer window treatments can cut the glare and still provide you with unobstructed views.             

 

Decorative window treatments to fit your design style

In addition to the functional use of window treatments is the decorative way they can enhance your interiors. Whether you like traditional, modern, romantic, or French-country, there are as many treatments as there are colors to compliment them! First, decide what type of window treatment fits your needs, and then determine what size you will need. Custom treatments can be made for irregular or custom sized windows too! Once you have these, find a design style that matches the rest of your interiors.

 

 

I used to say that window treatment and carpets…complete the interior design job. The best interior projects without curtains and carpets is unfinished. Use these helpful tips to bring beauty to your windows, and to help you with challenges such as too much light, not enough privacy, or a combination of both.  Your interiors will love how well they are complimented by window treatments.

Renia

 


 




 

Kitchen Nooks: The Heart of your Home

I am sitting in my kitchen, after having a “girl’s talk” with many laughs with my younger daughter.

I am still smiling, and looking at the table and I think to myself,  “Around this table we shared our family’s good and sad moments”.

So I thought, I should write a post about kitchens and why they are the most important part of your home.

The congregation spot of your home

Out of all the places in your home, the kitchen is the one spot that every inhabitant of your home goes to get nourished, and congregates with the rest of the household. There is no wonder we love them so much! Kitchen nook seating areas are the perfect area to share a laugh, swap stories about each other’s day, and of course, eat a delightful meal. The kitchen nook should reflect your lifestyle of your family as well as your sense of design to inspire all who enjoy the space.

 Jennifer Lopez residence - Veranda magazine

Comfy seating

Depending on the size of your kitchen nook will dictate what type of seating to incorporate. Large upholstered chairs maybe appropriate in a formal kitchen nook, while a built-in bench or pull-up chairs may fit your family perfectly. Remember, your nook area should be comfortable for hours of conversation, dining, and enjoying each other’s company.

 

 House and Home Magazine

Complimentary lighting

The lighting at your kitchen nook can make the difference between your inhabitants wanting to get up quickly from the table, or wanting to linger and share another cup of coffee and continue the conversation. Choose lighting that compliments the style, and colors of the surrounding kitchen, and decor. For the ability to change the lighting output, consider installing a light dimmer to create a different ambiance, depending on your guests.

 

Home interiors Cecconi Simone 

What a warm and inviting place your kitchen nook is. Whether it is a stand-alone area adjacent to the kitchen, or your kitchen bar serves as a ‘nook’, bring your guests and family together in style. Emphasize the lifestyle of your family. If you have a large family, long benches and a farm style table may be more suitable than a round table with a few chairs. Your kitchen nook is where you make memories. Enjoy designing this special space of your home!

Renia

 

 

 

THEY DESERVE A PLACE IN OUR HOME AND IN OUR HEART!

Our pets are cherished as much as our own children, and often times keeping up with them and their organization can be a challenge! 

I renovated a house with a garden lately and the lady of the house had asked me to find a solution for her cat’s to enter in and out of the garden. To solve her dilemma, I made a very small swing door at the bottom of her kitchen door that locks also for the night!

She loved how it worked for her cat and I was so pleased to find a solution that worked for her and her pet. From that experience and from my own dog experience (I have a 13 year-old pequinese dog) I realized my readers could benefit from some pet organization ideas and solutions. I hope you find this post useful! 

A place for everyone

Whether you are organizing for people or pets, the idea of having a place for everything doesn’t change. Since most pets don’t clean up after themselves, we need helpful solutions to make your pet access their area easily and still make your interiors look great. Determine what the lifestyle is of your pets. Whether they are indoor or outdoor, and how large of an area they need for eating, playing and resting. Design your home to reflect their lifestyle and yours! The eating area can be customized into your kitchen cabinetry, or can be hidden in clever wall and furniture units.

Comfortable and stylish sleeping areas

Determine if your furry family member needs his or her own bed, or if an integrated area within a communal area is ideal. For larger pets consider if you need the ability to close them off, or if the sleeping quarters can be open to the rest of your home. The possibilities are endless for your pet, look at these ideas:

Easy access

When planning your pet’s area, ensure there is easy access for your pets to feel independent and happy to roam. Creative solutions can mean adapting pet doors, customizing cabinetry, and even designing a pet area of your home that is solely adaptable for your pet. Ensure this area works for the rest of your family too.

And this is my lady!!! She is a Pequinese and she been with our family for 13 years now.She is nice and sweet… and likes to hide among the pillows :)

Organize and design your home with your pet in mind. While it may seem frivolous, your pet brings you and your family joy and ensuring your home allows for both of you to enjoy your interiors is essential. Let me know if you have any other pet organization and interior ideas you’ve tried in your home, I’d love to try out some new ideas!

Renia

 
 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming Guests with an Inviting Foyer

The first impression is the one that stays…

The moment you walk into a home, the entry foyer is the first impression that greets your guests and the last impression they see leaving your home. Many people think the foyer is a place to come out of the cold, and hurry into the warmer part of the house! While it does serve as a vestibule, it also is the perfect area to add decorative touches to introduce the rest of your home.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas to welcome in guests and to set the tone for your gorgeous home.

Make a Statement

Your foyer is the first opportunity to make a statement about your home, your style, and show off beautiful finishes, colors and patterns. Whether you have a floor with a commanding pattern, such as mosaic tile, granite, or a marble insert to catch the eye, or commanding doors to usher in your guests, determine what makes your foyer unique and go for it.

 

House & Home Magazine

Furniture can make the foyer

If you are fortunate enough to have a foyer that can fit furniture, this is a great opportunity to add sophistication, drama, and even a touch of glamour to your foyer. Scale furniture in relation to your space, and ensure there is enough space for guests to walk freely by, since the foyer is a point of entry and leaving to your home. Enlarge the feel of the space with a decorative mirror, table, and a tablescape theme full of decorative items: vase, collectibles, or a beautiful urn. 

 

 Image via

Accentuate your stairwell

For those living in a multi-story home, your foyer adjacent to your stairs is another great area to decorate, especially with seating, lighting, and decorative wall art. Play up the colors and finishes of your stairwell, and borrow design elements into your foyer to meld the two spaces aesthetically. The foyer is a perfect place for guests to wait and ensuring this area is adorned with beautiful decor will help the wait not seem so long!

 Image via

Your foyer can say a lot about your home, and bringing in beautiful finishes, furniture, and welcoming colors can help make it memorable. If your foyer has a dramatic ceiling, play it up with the addition of an eye-popping pendant light fixture. The opportunity to welcome your guests with an inviting foyer can be easily achieved!

Renia

 

 

 

 

10 Easy Time Saving Organization Ideas for your Home

Now that the New Year is here, it is time to get organized and enjoy your home again! Organizing can be a challenge for many, and a frustrating chore that can make you not want to do it all. Instead, of being frustrated, I will show you 10 organizing tips that will boost your confidence to want to organize, and make your home look fantastic in the process. Let’s get you and your home organized!

1. Kitchen organizing

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, but is also where multiple family members must share at once, and therefore organization is essential. I find that when you good kitchen organization, it makes you want to be in the kitchen, preparing sensational meals.

Ensure all utensils have a place. From canisters that sit on the counter, to hanging and drawer organizers, everything should be easily identifiable, and look good too. Consider putting labels on spice jars, shelves, and containers to make identifying easy. 

2. Sewing corner

Your sewing corner should have plenty of space to spread out, and should have organization that is functional while you are sewing. Take advantage of vertical wall space to hang supplies, and use walls to display materials, patterns, and swatches of material. The more you can display and have at arms reach, the better.

3. A place for ribbons

Whether you are a crafter that uses ribbon, or you keep it around for gift wrapping, ribbon can be a challenge to keep from unraveling, and still have it displayed beautifully. Look at these creative ideas for keeping it organized, and viewable at a glance.

4. Organized paper storage

Paper clutter is one of the biggest culprits of why we can’t keep our homes organized. Determine which papers are essential to file, which ones can be thrown away, and which ones should be kept at close reach. There are numerous trunks, filing cabinets, and colorful boxes to file your papers away in. Find one that matches your style, decor and filing needs. Don’t forget to purge first!

5. Messy cords. Never again

In our electronic driven world, there is no wonder cords are everywhere! If you’re like me, you have a device for everything, and the cords are creating an unattractive site at your home. Cord management products are out there that can be used below your desk, at the back of your desk, or you can make do it yourself varieties too. Look how these binder clips make creative and inexpensive ways to hold your computer cords.

6. Scarf display and organization

Womens accessories can be a handful to keep up with, and to be able to view all of them at once. Scarves displayed on hangers, hung on hooks, and hung on closet door racks can be a great way to see exactly what you have, and reach for the perfect scarf, when you need it. 

7. Bathroom storage tips

Let’s face it ladies, the bathroom is the one room that we want to be able to get in and out, especially when waking up in the morning. Good bathroom organization can add minutes back into your morning… instead of wasting them in the bathroom. Keep curling irons, and hair dryers in easy PVC tubes on the back of your cabinet door. Use neatly labeled baskets or clear bins to separate small hair accessories, and makeup. Affix a magnet strip to your cabinet for a quick and neat area for hair bobby pins!

 

8. Jewelry organizing

Keep your resolution to get organized this year by starting in your jewelry area. Whether you have a large or small collection of jewelry, utilize hooks, wall organizers that double as picture frames, or come up with your own DIY organizers. If you have a bust, or sewing mannequin, they make great places to hold your jewelry beautifully.

9. Organizing cleaning supplies

Cleaning supplies, detergents, and cleaning clothes need an organized place to be stored. Cabinets are the top choice, and hanging a vertical pole beneath your sink, can capitalize on vertical storage space. Small baskets can separate small cleaning items, scour pads, and sponges. If you have space install small hooks inside the cabinet and hand dusters, and dust pans out of the way!

10. Garage organizing storage solutions

Don’t forget the garage. This room of your house tends to be the most forgotten, but can make the difference in how well you can fit your car into it. Even if your garage doesn’t house your car, most likely it is home to seasonal decorations, recreational accessories, and garden supplies. Determine what activities and storage your garage needs to house, and specify shelving, drawers, hooks, and hanging ceiling storage for large bikes, and lawn equipment.

I found this tips clever and easy to adopt and share them with you.

I know I will use the

1. Kitchen organizing

3. A place for ribbons

6. See all scarves at once

7. Bathroom storage tips

9. Detergents easy to reach

10. Garage organizing storage solutions

How about you? Which do you find best to use in your home organizing?

A gift from me to you, to make your home organizing easier with these free printable tags.

 

The New Year is the perfect time to get organized, and these 10 easy home organization ideas can do just the trick! Each room of your home requires an assessment of how you use the space, to most benefit your organizational plan. Once you figure this out, the rest is up to you.

Happy organizing!

Renia