Hi gang!

Are you looking to redesign your kitchen soon?  Check out this handy video reference from HGTV for creating the best kitchen for your home. Get inspired!

What is your dream style kitchen? Share in the comments below!

Ciao!
Lisa

Hi Gang!

Today, I'm sharing a little photo inspiration, courtesy of HGTV! Are you ready to step inside HGTV's 2012 Dream Home? Today, we're focusing on the foyer.

As the first room guests see, the foyer sets the tone for your entire home interior. How do you decorate yours?

Ciao!
Lisa

Hi gang!

Today, I'm sharing an oldie but a goodie -- my primer on painting! Enjoy:

Repainting can dramatically change the mood of a room, and it's one of the first projects that many home designers choose to tackle. But it's not as simple as just dragging a brush across your walls! The better your paint prep is, the fewer disasters you will have and the better your paint job will look in the end. “Save now, spend later” – that goes for time and money.
 
If you need to save money, don’t skimp on paints. Better paints cost more…it’s a fact. Better paints have more pigments and binders and may mean fewer coats of paint and less work! The same is true for paintbrushes.

Follow these tips for a flawless paint job for your home:

Prime your walls first – it seems like an extra step, but primer is cheaper than paint and means that in the end you will use less paint and get a truer color read – and more durability long term. Definitely prime if you are going over a dark color or will be applying a dark color. The whole process will be quicker with primer. Many people don't know to prime at all - we often skip that step on TV shows because it doesn't make exciting television.  But trust me, we always prime first!

Choose a great paint – many companies now sell primer and paint all in one. When you’re shopping, be thoughtful about the environment and use low or no VOC paints. A great brand I use is KILZ Primer. Find out where you can buy KILZ here!

Be prepared. Before you get started, make sure you have lots of plastic tarp for protecting flooring and furniture, paint rags for clean ups (you will need them!), a variety of paint brushes, a roller handle, and lots of replacement rollers

Tape it. Be sure you have a good quality painters' tape for taping off moldings, window trims, and the ceiling. Use tape as a guideline only. Tape is not an excuse for sloppy edge work. I need lots of tape guidelines because I drink soooo much coffee!

Choose the right tools. There are many types of paint brushes and they all handle differently. They all work well, so choose the kind that feels the best. When you're buying, hold the paintbrushes and test for hand comfort!

Know where to skimp and where to spend. Don't skimp on paintbrushes. You want quality brushes and rollers that will result in the best paint application. You can go cheap with paint trays, rags, and drop cloths.

While painting, avoid quick zig zag movements. Instead, apply paint with long and continuous rollouts, top to bottom. This helps avoid arm fatigue and paint pick up. Using an extension pole for all rolling, even at body level, is better for the back.

Don’t forget to turn on music and hydrate! You can skip your normal workout for the day.

Ciao!
Lisa

Hi gang!

It’s a new year, which for most of us, means New Year’s Resolutions! One popular resolution is getting organized, so I thought I’d share a few tips for going from cluttered to calm courtesy of HGTV’s Fran Harris. Check it out:

Home Rule #1: Everything Has Its Optimal Place 

Newspapers don't belong on top of the refrigerator or on the floor by the front door. Earrings don't belong on the counter by the stove. Decide where things should go and start putting them there today.

Home Rule #2: Put Things in Their Place Immediately aka the Ice Cream Rule

If you walk into your house with a pint of ice cream, you don't leave it on the counter for an hour, do you? No. It goes in the freezer now, or you'll be sorry later. Apply the "ice cream rule” to everything in your house and life. Doing so will minimize the likelihood of creating a cluttered living space.

Home Rule #3: Alert the Troops

Make sure everyone in the house knows about the new organization system so that your hard work and commitment aren't in vain. It may take a while for the new system to catch on but don't worry. When people see how much smoother things are at home, they'll jump on board.

Thanks, Fran! How do you plan to get organized in 2012?

Ciao!
Lisa

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Hi gang!
 
New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for you! Kick off the New Year by giving your home a little TLC. Here are a few ideas:
 
 
Declutter
 
Spring cleaning can happen in winter too. Tackle those closets, your garage, or wherever you’ve been stashing stuff you don’t need, and clear the way for a home refresh or redesign in the new year. Find tips for getting organized here.
 
Decorate
 
Out with the old, in with the new. Pack away your holiday decorations in bins and label them for easier unpacking next year. Make way for a return to cozy, calm winter décor. Go au naturel with embellishments like these twig crafts that evoke winter in an understated way.
 
Techorate
 
Since we spend more time indoors during the cold season, it’s a nice time to rethink how your TV and other technology fits into your living room décor. Does it dominate the room? Do you have 5,000 remotes strewn about the room? Consolidate, and consider investing in a few pieces to decorate around your television. Lastly, hide those unsightly cords! Get tips for this and more here and here.
 
What are your New Home Resolutions for 2012? Share them in the comments below!
 
Happy New Year!
Lisa

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Hey Gang!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season! No matter how many holiday parties I need to attend, or however busy I am, I'm always checking in on... believe it or not - ebay! This may sound a little crazy at first, but Ebay continues to amaze me with incredible deals that are being offered, especially the higher end and luxury items for our homes.

Do you use ebay for inspiration, or do you ever buy items there for your home? Tell me in the comment section below.

Ciao!
Lisa

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Hi gang!

During the holidays, all eyes are on your hosting skills, and that extra festive feel comes from unique holiday decorating! Why not spice up your home with these celebratory DIY projects and easy decor ideas:

For a tutorial on how to make this cedar wreath "Chandelier", click here!

Find out how to make this paper-chain garland by clicking here!

Find out how to make these mason jar snowglobes by clicking here!

Click here to learn how to make this Hanukkah garland.

How are you decorating for the holidays? Share them in the comment section below.

Happy Holidays!
Lisa

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Hey guys, Happy Holidays!

Today I want to share a few gift ideas that I've come across recently. These will please any design lover, and you may even want to pick up a couple of things for yourself ; ).

For a stocking stuffer, get a magazine subscription to a home interiors magazine like House Beautiful or Romantic Homes. 

How about a super cute tape measure? If you know someone who loves DIY or has moved recently, this gift is a great idea!

Pretty serving bowls are both decorative and functional.

For bookworms, beautiful book ends are a great gift. Pictured below is an agate/quartz set (quartz is my fave)!

Do you have any great interior design-themed gifts in mind? Leave your ideas in the comment section below!

Ciao!
Lisa

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Hey Gang!

I hope everyone is having a stress-free and festive beginning to the holiday season!

Today, I'm sharing a short video that I did on behalf of Purdy Painting Tools. Included is a useful tip for anyone looking to unify or change the color scheme in your home, especially before all the relatives arrive. The question is: "How do I use paint to create color flow from room to room?" Check out the video below to see my answer:

Do you have any tips for creating a unified flow of color within a house? What colors are your walls? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Ciao!
Lisa

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