Ready to Renovate? Inspiring Kitchen Designs ....iVillage.com

Does your kitchen need a refresh?

Get inspired with these picture-perfect spaces.

From chic and modern to

bright and sunny, we've got fun, functional eating spaces for everyone!

(58 Photos)

MarthaStewart.com: Our Favorite Colors

Shades for Every Space

From superneturals to deep hues, our editors' picks will provide you a rainbow of inspiration.

http://www.marthastewart.com/276997/decorating-color/

45 Beautiful Bedroom Decorating Ideas: iVillage

Sweet dreams!

These incredible bedroom designs will give you all

the inspiration you'll need to create your dream room.

(45 Photos)

click pic for more

Special Celebrity Homes Houses worth drooling over. : Curbed.com

AARON SPELLING'S HOME, VALUED AT MORE THAN $15M, IS SAID TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT HOMES IN BEVERLY HILLS, CA. THE HOUSE BOASTS A "CHRISTMAS GIFT WRAPPING ROOM" AND A $50K COMPUTERIZED WARDROBE SYSTEM FOR DAUGHTER TORI SPELLING.

( June 2, 1999 - Photo by Bauer Griffin) more pics like this »

See Full List»

Inside Chef Gordon Ramsay's Mean New California Abode: Curbed.com

http://curbed.com/archives/2012/01/27/inside-gordon-ramsays-mean-new-coastal-california-abode.php

Friday, January 27, 2012, by Sarah Firshein

As rumors predicted, Gordon Ramsay has left London for parts West Coast, settling on a $6.75M mansion in Bel-Air, Calif. The famously hot-tempered British chef, TV personality, and, now, Kmart housewares designer and Acura spokesperson will soon live with the walls of a Ken Ungar-designed five-bedroom, which was built in 2003 and has views of the canyon, city, and ocean. The home measures 7,400 square feet and, while it's certainly no comparison to the $18.75M Bel-Air behemoth Ramsay looked at in April—nor his London property, which has a $350,000 wine cellar—let's hope it's a notch more than adequate for the man who can find a nightmare in just about anything.

http://curbed.com/archives/2012/01/27/inside-gordon-ramsays-mean-new-coastal-california-abode.php

Inexpensive Ways to Redo Your Living Room

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/home-makeovers/living-room-decorating-ideas-pictures-selke-0710

By Suzy Rubenstein

Reviving the decor in your living room does not require a large budget. It also doesn't necessitate a complete renovation of your space. There are many things you can do to freshen up your living room without spending a lot of money. Well thought out changes to key elements in your decor and a bit of creativity are all you need to change your living room's look, without breaking the bank.

One of the easiest ways to change the look of a room is to reposition the furniture. Move pieces around to get a different perspective of how the pieces can work in the space. Take into account traffic flow and how you use the room to best determine how to place the furnishings. After you are satisfied with the furniture placement, adjust your existing wall hangings and accessories to compliment the new layout. Moving things around can dramatically change the look of the room, without costing you a dime!

Another easy way to revive your space is to paint the walls a new shade. A fresh coat of paint will spruce up any space. By changing the color, your furnishings and the room in return will achieve a new look. For example, a light colored couch would pop against a dark wall. The accent color in your upholstery fabric can be brought out by a new wall shade. You can highlight an accent color present in the living room, or tie the room to a color scheme seen throughout the home.

Take a careful look at the furnishings in your living room. Determine how you are using the space. Is the furniture in the room what you need? Remove what isn't working and make a list of what would make the space better. Look in other rooms in your home and repurpose items that might work better in the living room. Repurposing items you already have is a wonderful, inexpensive way to add a new look to a space. It can also help to limit the purchases you might need to make.

Adding new wall décor is another inexpensive way to add a fresh look to your living room. One striking new piece on your wall can change the look of the space. A new piece of wall art will become a new focal point in the room. New wall décor can highlight colors in the space and tie together a style in the room. For example, the addition of a decorative mirror with a wrought iron frame will add light and depth to the room while tying together the Tuscan style of the sofas and tables. Candles in wall mounted candle holders can highlight the accent color used in the room.

Changing your window treatments is another way to change the look of your space, without completely replacing everything in the room. Using a different color or style of drape will alter the look of your living room and the furnishings in it. Going with a different type of window treatment can also dramatically change the appearance of your room. For example, going from cellular shades to drapes, or shutters. The amount of light in the space may also be affected by the change. More light may be brought in to the living room or more light might be filtered out. Also how you hang the window treatment can highlight high ceilings or a nice view, or conceal shortcomings.

Replacing one key furniture piece is another way to keep your budget low. Carefully determine what should be replaced due to wear or poor function. Adding one new item can make a large impact on the look and function of the space. For example, adding a new coffee table with storage drawers where there had previously been a beat up table. The addition will freshen the space, while reducing clutter with the useful storage for remotes, magazines, etc. in the drawers.

Overall, changing the look of your living room does not need to cost a lot. By making strategic changes to your space you can avoid the need for more costly renovations and still achieve a fresh new look to your room.

For more information on home decorating, as well as a large selection of Tuscan home décor products, please visit http://www.cheapchicdecor.com, where you will find no hassle return policies, price matching and excellent customer service.

10 Basement Remodels and Renovations by Candice Olson: HGTV

Renovate your underused basement with decorating ideas from Divine Design's Candice Olson.

Before

After

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-basement-remodels-and-renovations-by-candice-olson/pictures/index.html

Window Treatments for an In-Law Suite

By Jeremy P Stanfords

In-law suites have become increasingly popular alternatives to senior citizen communities or assisted living facilities. Once the in-law suite is built or remodeled, the first decorating decision is how to dress the windows. The foremost criteria are the parent's individual needs. Keeping that in mind, the ideal window treatment does these six things.

1. Gives privacy
Older adults usually want complete privacy in the bedroom and bathroom, so these windows need coverings that can be completely closed. For the bathroom, light-filtering shades, blinds or draperies that don't need to be opened or closed are easiest for older adults.

2. Provides a pleasing view
Retired senior citizens often don't get outside as much as they used to, especially as they get older. Most seniors still crave a feeling of being outdoors. Windows with a view of the lawn or garden deserve draperies or shades that can be fully opened. Roman shades are a stylish alternative to blinds when homeowners want an uninterrupted view of the yard.
If the in-law suite has a French door or sliding glass door to a patio, full-length draperies that can be fully retracted allow the parent to stroll onto the patio. Avoid curtains that are difficult to move aside when opening the door.

3. Lets the light in
Many in-law suites are in daylight basements in which only one wall has windows. Since one side of the basement has to illuminate the entire in-law suite, homeowners should be cautious about purchasing anything that blocks the light. A pair of full-length retractable drapes across a wall of windows makes a daylight basement as stunning as a first-floor living area.

4. Is easy to open and close
Even if a parent is active now, an in-law suite should be completely handicapped accessible. Motorized window treatments with a remote control can even be operated from bed if the parent becomes ill. All draperies, blinds or shades should be able to be operated from a wheelchair if necessary.

5. Provides a good night's sleep
As people age, they may find it harder to go to sleep and stay asleep. Room-darkening shades and draperies can be a solution to this problem, especially when there are street lights outside.

6. Accommodates any special health problems
If the parent has breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema, the ideal solution is something that doesn't collect dust or require irritating cleaning solutions. Doctors usually recommend roller shades since dust won't accumulate on them. Although roller shades used to be bland, now they come in many styles and colors. Light-filtering shades with designs woven into the fabric are especially attractive. Wooden molding makes a striking top treatment that's easily cleaned.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about Roman shades, please visit http://www.fashionwindowtreatments.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_P_Stanfords

Tips for Developing a Personal Decorating Style

http://www.designshuffle.com/filter/bathroom

By Mob Jarrock

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to interior design. Unfortunately, many people struggle in the beginning when trying to figure out what exactly those preferences are. Fortunately, there are many ways to determine what you're most attracted to and thus help you to develop your own personal decorating style.

You, Yourself and You!
To start, the only want to figure out and develop your own personal decorating style is to know exactly what you are most interested in and to know what you are most attracted to. Places you've been, people you've met, they all influence who you are as a person. Few people realize that this also affects their interior design preferences and decorating ideas.

Look at the Architecture
When you bought your home, you did so for a reason. There was something about the space that you were drawn to, whether it was a well planned kitchen, a beautiful original fireplace or perhaps just the layout of the entire home in general. That being said, take note of those details! They're items that you're drawn to and they're a great way to start looking into what your personal decorating style may be.
Take note of the floor plans, as well. These will help influence your personal style when you are working to come up with a bedroom design or living room designs, kitchen designs or bathroom designs.

Incorporate Pieces You Enjoy
Nothing will speak more about your personal decorating style than the various home accessories and other pieces that you choose to incorporate into the interior design of your home.
For example, when you're out shopping for items to complete your living room ideas, you should purchase items that you're most drawn to and you most enjoy. You'll know them when you see them, so don't feel obligated to buy something just because you think it might "fit" into the grand scheme of things. Buy an item because you love it and you'll find that purchasing items that you love, even if they don't seemingly "go together," will actually end up meshing together quite well.

Reality Check
Last but not least, realize that you can be drawn to a number of different decorating styles, colors and interior design elements. However, that does not mean that you have to incorporate all of these different elements into your home. To prevent yourself from overdecorating a space, figure out what you most love best about the room and eliminate everything else that is 'so-so' in your eyes. Sure, you may have loved it at one point or it may have even been an impulse buy. Whatever the cause, don't be afraid to eliminate things from your space even after you've bought them.

Personal decorating styles evolve constantly throughout the years. You may love something one year and hate it the next. Interior design is like fashion, it's always changing and so are your tastes. That being said, don't feel like you have to keep something just because you once loved it.

Mob Jarrock invites you to find more bathroom design and bedroom design inspirations for your remodel, found on the creative playground of Design Shuffle!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mob_Jarrock

Home Accessories - Designer Secrets to Creating a Beautiful Home

http://notjustanothermilla.com/2010/04/30/milla-adores-textured-living-room/

By Pamela Jaffke

So you have some furniture - maybe a sofa, a loveseat, some end tables, and a coffee table. But the room lacks personality. What do you do now? Think of your room as an outfit. An outfit needs accessories like jewelry, shoes, scarves or belts to complete the look. Don't you love it when you see a woman who really knows how to put an outfit together? Well, you can do the same with your home.

The key is to add layers. The most beautiful designs consist of layers of color and texture. Find a piece of artwork or an area rug that really speaks to you. Use that piece as inspiration for the rest of the room. Add complementary art pieces that fill your walls with color and texture. Lamps can add so much personality while adding a glow and being functional, too. There are so many unique and beautiful lamps. Think of them as the jewelry in your room. Every end table should have a lamp on it, and where there is no table, use a floor lamp to balance the light. And they don't have to match! Most of the design that I do is eclectic, which encompasses a variety of periods and styles and is brought together through the use of color, texture, shape, and finish.

Greenery and flowers add another layer and help to bring the outdoors inside. If you don't have a green thumb, think silk or preserved plants. Preserved plants are real plants that have been preserved through a special process so that they won't deteriorate. They look, feel, and smell like real plants because they are real!
Add another layer by putting some throw pillows on your seating. Choose colors and textures that complement the artwork or area rug that you've selected. Make sure that the pillows are large and fluffy.
Get some decorative photo frames, add some favorite family photos, and place them in a grouping of three or five. Don't overdo it. If you'd like to display more family photos, rotate them from time to time or get a digital photo frame.

Other types of accessories that you may include are candleholders (great for mood lighting), decorative boxes (great for holding remotes), trays (great for serving), and bookends (great for holding a few special books on a console or sofa table). All of these accessories create layers that add a richness to the room and a balanced feeling.

Be creative, and make your selections based on what you love. If you need inspiration, please visit our online home accessories boutique. I've personally selected the most amazing, unique, and beautiful pieces. I've recommended complementary pieces to help you to create the place you love coming home to.

Pamela Jaffke has 25 years experience creating beautiful, functional interiors. She offers practical advice on how to create a home environment that reflects your lifestyle, your passions, and your personal taste on her Design Blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Jaffke

Interior Design: What to Do About Your Room When You Don't Know WHAT to Do

By Julie Nolta

If you're like most people, you have a room in your home that could really use a makeover, but you haven't done anything about it because you don't know WHAT to do about it. You need direction, but don't know how to find it. The simplest way to set things in motion for your room makeover is to use something you absolutely love as your inspiration.

Your design inspiration could, literally, be anything at all. Maybe you have an area rug with some great style and color. Maybe you have a treasured souvenir from an unforgettable vacation. It could be that flirty, floral party dress in the closet. (One of my favorite commercials featured a woman who loved her cat so much, she took some fur to the paint store to have it matched!)

Let's say your inspiration piece is a painting you could stare at all day. Analyze what you like about it. Is it the subject matter that you love? Is it a color that you can get lost in? Does it put you in a specific mood when you look at it or remind you of something or someone special?

Now take the answers to these questions and work them into your room.

First, what are the colors you like best in the painting? Pick two or three of those colors and use them in different intensities and textures all around the room: maybe one color for your walls and upholstered furniture, another color for your throw pillows, your carpet, curtains, etc.

Back to that painting. What color is the picture frame? If it's a wood-tone, use that same wood for an end table or cabinetry. If it's a metal, use that metal in a lamp base, drawer pulls or plumbing fixtures.

What is the painting's subject matter and how does it make you feel? If it's a beach scene for example, pull in a couple of beach-y accessories like a bowl of sea shells or an arrangement of grasses. Just know your intentions for the room. If you want a serene getaway, don't go overboard with the props (oops, sorry about the pun!). Keep it subtle to keep it classy. However, if you're going for an adventurous, tropical island kids playroom, go for the gusto!

Find your inspiration and use its color, subject, and mood in your room to express who you are and how you want to live.

I am an interior designer based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in helping people like you solve your home design problems - - taking the stress out of the process and creating a space that reflects your personality and how you want to live.

I listen carefully to what you need and want, and then I don't stop until you get exactly that. I provide floor to ceiling services including space planning, flooring, countertops, cabinetry, furnishings, and remodeling plans. Contact me about how I can help you create a beautiful place you'll love to come home to.

Visit my website at: http://www.julienolta.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Nolta

Gorgeous Homes In 5 American Cities With The Lowest Cost Of Living

curbed.com

Rob Bear, Curbed | Jan. 23, 2012, 11:06 PM | 2,474 | 5

The Council for Community and Economic Research just released their annual ranking of the cheapest cities in the United States, as ranked by cost of living. Just like last year, the far southern town of ....

2: Memphis, Tenn. With all the relatively small cities on this list, it was a bit of a shock to find Memphis, the legendary music town, at number two. According to CCER's numbers, the city has the lowest average cost of housing, but we've spotted a view listings around town that seem to hike the average up. There are parts of town where $1.7M doesn't even buy a completed house. Instead, it gets the buyer 14,000 unfinished square feet on 3.8 acres.

3: Ardmore, Okla. Texas appears three times in the top five cheapest, so this Oklahoma town, even if it's just to the north, is a welcome respite. Home to the cheapest average apartment rental, at $500 per month, Ardmore also has its fair share of large historic homes. This columned manse was built in 1932, spans 4,750 square feet, and has a renovated kitchen to complement the historic details. Listedfor $350K, the white house sits on 0.79 acres with a charming two-bedroom garage apartment.

4: McAllen, Texas Like Harlingen, this city is also located on Texas' southern arm, close to the border with Mexico. Sugar, jeans, and wine are at their cheapest prices here, with the latter averaging $5 per bottle. With a nice wine buzz on, it's time to go house hunting. This gated estate costs a pretty penny by any city's standards,$1.75M, but includes six acres, a 5,900-square-foot mansion, and a vaguely Spanish style.

5: Waco, Texas Infamous as the site of a showdown between an armed cult and allegedly overzealous government agents, Waco should, today, be better known as the place where parmesan cheese is the cheapest. The town is located halfway between Dallas and Austin and is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper soda. Historic homes are plentiful here, like this 1885 mansion built by one of the founders of the now wildly-successful soft drink. The 7,100-square-foot white manse has four beds, four baths, and some remarkably well preserved historic detail, and is available for$895K.

Contemporary Bedroom Ideas for Young Women

http://freshome.com/2010/06/17/25-room-design-ideas-for-teenage-girls/

By Luningning De Guzman

Changes in a little girl's physical appearance are not the only things that are manifested when she grows up. Coupled with her growing up are the changes in her tastes and preferences. This can be seen in her choices of personal belongings, clothes, etc. as she graduates from her little girl's penchant. As she embraces the status of being a young woman, she would want to have a bedroom revamp.

Contemporary bedroom ideas for young women
Revamping the bedroom for young adults must not concentrate on a particular theme for they will easily outgrow this. The concentration must be focused on the color scheme, furniture, furnishings, accessories, etc.
Let us begin with the wall color. This younger set of women has preferences for pink and pastel colors although not all of them. Other colors that may excite them are blue, red, green, purple, etc. that can have some dramatic effects on their bedroom walls. There are those who have a penchant for darker colors for an awesome optical effect. If she goes for a darker shade of color, use it for her accent wall and have the lighter shade of the same color on the three walls. Stencils of different designs can also be utilized on the walls and ceiling. A wall paper on one side of the wall is another option.

Selecting furniture for her room. Furniture must be casual, easy to clean, small and light in weight so she can easily move them herself. The first item is the bed, as she definitely will not need her old bed as its size no longer fits her. She may opt to have a full-sized bed so she can have more space to stretch. A bed with underside drawers is a good choice. Another choice is a sofa bed where she can use it for dual purposes. Practicality is of the essence in a young adult's bedroom. Other pieces of furniture that she would need are:

study desk where she can have her laptop and a comfortable chair as well as a desk lamp
cabinet for her books and other school materials
nightstand to place her table lamp
comfortable seating furniture like a loveseat, chair, bench or bean bag
wardrobe that can house her fashion accessories (get one that has drawers and shelves).

Selecting furnishings for her bedroom. These consist of bed linens, blankets, pillowcases, duvet, curtains, etc. The presence of these items will give her bedroom a touch of softness in its total interior design. It must be simple, unconventional and well-coordinated with her bedroom wall colors. Choose fabrics that are soft and smooth such as cotton or silk. You can also have some prints on the linens and pillowcases. Have some colorful throw pillows in various geometric shapes. A colorful rug on her floor in front of her bed would similarly give her bedroom a modern and relaxing appeal.

Add accessories to her bedroom. At this age, young women would want to post her photos, postcards and posters of her favorite celebrity stars. A collage of her pictures together with her friends would be great. Frame posters to augment their visual appeal. Having a mirror in a decorative frame would also be a welcome treat in her bedroom. Nevertheless, do not fill her walls with plenty of accessories, leave one wall free. Have some scented candles or aromatherapy oil burners for a softer and romantic ambiance. Have some plants to clear the air of her room.

There is one thing, though, that you should not forget. Get her involve in this project. Let her incorporate her ideas in her bedroom, as this is hers anyway.

LA Furniture store: LA furniture store & bedroom

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luningning_De_Guzman

HOUSE OF THE DAY: A Scottsdale Estate With An Indoor Basketball Court

HOUSE OF THE DAY: A Scottsdale Estate With An Indoor Basketball Court And 8-Car Garage Is About To Hit The Auction Block

Meredith Galante | Jan. 23, 2012, 4:39 PM | 22,787 | 4

Scott Wang Photography

This contemporary Scottsdale, AZ estate, currently owned by William Gibbs, the former president of The University Of Phoenix, is about to hit the auction block.

Gibbs is selling the home, which sits on 16 acres of land, at an absolute auction in early February.

The house features eight bedrooms, nine full baths and three half baths. The more luxurious amenities included two gourmet kitchens, five fireplaces, an infinity edge pool, a 4,700 square foot indoor gym, an observatory with a retractable roof, and an eight-car garage.

Oh, and there's also a zip line and a custom-built riding train that encircles the property.

Gibbs built the home for $12 million, but the auction website says there is no starting bid and no current appraisal on the house.

Click here to tour the house >

30 Elegant Dining Rooms: My Home Ideas

http://room-galleries.myhomeideas.com/pictures/dining-areas/all/traditional/index.html?ad=4&dir=back&view=gallery&No=0&sp=topRated

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