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Fall: The ideal season to give your guest bath a makeover |
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For most people, overnight house guests go hand-in-hand with the holidays. Rather than waiting until the last minute when stress levels are already high, fall is the ideal time to begin preparing for company and refresh the guest bath. In fact, updating a tired bathroom can be an easy goal to achieve on any budget. |
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Create a playful kid zone on a budget |
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Nothing better sums up kids' personalities than their favorite spaces: their bedrooms or playrooms. And in today's design-conscious society, there's no limiting the ways you can create inviting, kid-friendly spaces that reflect your children's personal tastes while encouraging imaginative play and creativity. |
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How to get a custom closet on a do-it-yourself budget |
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Both fashion and budget-conscious Americans alike are taking better care of their clothing and other possessions, starting with how they store them. But if you haven't been reading today's most popular home and style magazines, sneaking a peak inside your neighbor's closets, or house-hunting lately, you might not have noticed: Closets have evolved from clumsy and non-functional to downright fabulous. |
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Cozy up to redecorating and prepare your home for indoor entertaining |
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After months of sunshine, cookouts, beach-going and outdoor entertaining, it can be a little disappointing to realize the cool bite of fall is on its way. But warding off those cold-weather blues can be as simple as redecorating a room (or a few) to create a hideaway that you can enjoy until spring arrives. With a little time and creativity, you can create a fresh space that will outlast the dreary weather of the coming months. |
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Fall ceramic tile trends go bold and beautiful |
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Home renovation and building go on year-round, but as with any design statement, each season brings new looks and trends. This autumn's trends share a flare for boldness and innovation. Here are the hot trends to watch in ceramic tile this season. |
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A guide to getting rid of clutter in your home |
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You're feeling like the walls are closing in. You're not a hoarder, but you just have too much stuff. It's not that difficult to change your ways. If you want to take control of clutter, get a few boxes, one for each room in your home. Start by organizing one room at a time. |
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Luxe looks for less |
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When summer's over it means back to spending more time indoors. But don't let the dropping temperatures take you down with them. Instead, spruce up your space with easy projects. With a little time - and even less money - you can transform your home with simple and luxurious looks ... for less. |
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Home decorating: the cool, clean whites of summer |
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There's nothing like white to add a cool, clean look to your home. From linens and pillows to china and cabinetry, a splash of white not only adds light to your interiors, but can lighten your mood as well. The kitchen is one of the best spaces to go wild with white. |
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Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days |
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Replacing dark accessories with brighter, lighter ones is a fast, easy way to lighten the mood in your home. Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from some home decor experts to get you started. |
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Just married? How to reconcile your decorating differences |
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After the "I dos" are exchanged and the reception is over, couples find out that the realities of cohabitation do not always make for smooth sailing, especially when it comes to blending different tastes and styles. While newlyweds find themselves saying "I do" at the altar, that phrase frequently turns into "I don't" when the couple begins combining two unique decorating styles into a single household. |
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Hot interior design trends and design psychology for 2010 |
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Interior design trends definitely change with the state of mind of the majority. So, with the stresses and challenges of the recovering economy, continuing fast-paced lifestyles, and a desire for positive change, the latest hot design trend is to create a tranquil and optimistic home environment. |
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Easy crafts update your fall wardrobe and home fashions |
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As fall arrives, our world changes to a place decorated with vibrant colors and filled with the tastes and abundance of the harvest. And as the season changes, it's only natural that we crave some changes of our own. Whether you want to update your wardrobe with some new looks for the cooler weather, or warm up your home with some stylish new decor, it's good to know that you can make changes without breaking the bank. |
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Lower costs make now a great time for a bathroom remodel |
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Have you outgrown your small home, but you're staying put for financial or economic reasons? Or maybe you recently bought a house in foreclosure that was a great deal, but needs fixing up. If so, you're part of the re-energized remodeling market. For the first time since 2006, home-improvement spending is up, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. |
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Get more bang for your renovation buck in the bedroom |
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Whether you're renovating to attract potential buyers, or to improve your enjoyment of your house, sprucing up the master bedroom has multiple benefits. You can make the most of your money by adding high-quality, high-impact touches like these. |
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Color, murals can turn your kid's room into a castle |
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The effect of color and decor on mood is widely recognized by both designers and psychologists - but among the general public, not so much. You can use color and decor to help your kids relax after a hectic day or stimulate them when it's time to get up. A wallpaper mural is a great way to incorporate both color and theme into the decor in your child's room. |
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How to make your house spectacularly haunted for one day |
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Most days, you probably want visitors to feel welcome and secure in your home. But one day a year, it's fun to scare the dickens out of them - so make the most of Halloween and all the good-natured frights that come along with the spookiest of holidays.
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Sticking to a budget? Tips for affordable and easy home upgrades |
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Living on a budget is the norm, rather than the exception, in the current economy. Whether you're trying to entice potential homebuyers or just want to give your living space a quick spruce up, here are a few tips for making a big impact in the look of your home without breaking the bank. |
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Feathering your nest: top ways to add warmth to your home in the fall |
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Just as animals use the fall to prepare for winter, now's the perfect time to transform your home into a cozy nest where your family and friends will love to gather. Ginny Bean, publisher of Ginny's catalog, suggests the following simple decorating touches to add seasonal warmth. |
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Fast, frugal fall fix-ups |
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The ebbing sun and dropping mercury in the garden thermometer signal the end of summer. The shorter, cooler days also mean you might be coming back inside from the great outdoors to discover your home could use a little pizzazz. After all, you spent the past few months soaking up the rays while you worked and played in your yard rather than inside the house. |
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Tips for choosing a focal point for your space |
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When planning a room redesign, the right focal point is probably the most important design element you need. A room's focal point is usually what people notice first, and it can determine their opinion about your room. |
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Doors and trim should top your list of remodeling projects |
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Fall is here. Time to rake the leaves, carve a pumpkin, and start drafting your holiday shopping list. It's also a perfect time to tackle do-it-yourself projects around the house. Updating your interior doors and replacing old exterior trim are two great ways to spruce up your home and increase its value inside and out. |
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Cut heating costs with simple home decor changes and home improvements |
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With a scorching summer drawing to a close and last winter's deep freeze looming in their minds, many Americans are already looking for ways to curtail energy costs this winter. Fortunately, a few simple home improvements - and even some decor changes - can help reduce your home's heating costs this winter. |
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Put a little personality in your outdoor entertaining |
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Warm sun-drenched days and cool starry evenings can inspire the host or hostess in us all. It's the perfect time of year for easy outdoor entertaining - to reconnect with family and friends at a backyard barbecue, neighborhood block party or rooftop soiree. It's also a time to show off your unique style and personality without the pressure of planning an elaborate sit-down dinner. |
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Simple fixes that will make your kitchen feel brand new |
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When it comes to your kitchen, details make all the difference. It's often the most used and best-loved room in the house, so having a room that meets your needs and expresses your personality is key. If your kitchen's design has been frustrating you by creating clutter and giving your home an out-of-date feel, it's time to make some changes. |
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Help kids get back into the swing of school with simple room updates |
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There's no avoiding the return to school. But parents can help kids ease the transition by creating an environment that's comforting -- and conducive to learning at the same time. If your child is struggling to adjust to going back to school, some simple changes in her bedroom might help make the move less difficult. |
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Bring the beach back with you - creating cottage style in your home |
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Nothing's harder to face than packing up your belongings after a week at a cozy beach house and heading back home to the real world. Sure, it's hard to leave paradise behind, but who says you have to? Why not just transform your own living space to a beach-inspired haven that lets you get away from it all, even if you aren't on vacation? It's easy and inexpensive to do. |
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Demystifying contemporary home decor and design |
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Mixed up by modern? Confused by what's considered contemporary? With more emphasis on home design today, it can be difficult for homeowners to distinguish between the array of design styles. Here are hints for creating a modern look in your home. |
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What quality lighting can add to a space |
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Did you know that just by changing the lighting, you can completely alter the look and feel of a space? In the interior design world, that gives lighting some significant power. |
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Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion |
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Do you love the idea of entertaining, but feel like getting your home ready for a social event requires too much time and attention? Not to worry, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your home is always ready to host guests and they may not be as difficult to accomplish as you think. |
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Create an outdoor patio that's fit for the cover of a magazine |
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While the nice weather lasts, there's nothing better than expanding your living space to the great outdoors. Luckily, it's easy and affordable to create a comfortable and chic outdoor room that's perfectly put together. Use these quick tips and inspiring ideas to transform your deck, porch or patio into one you'll be proud to show off. |
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Virtual showrooms make shopping for bathroom renovations easier |
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Big box store or specialty showroom, the hardware store down the street or the home improvement center four towns over - just where do you go when it's time to shop for your bathroom renovation? If you're looking for the widest range of options in colors, sizes, shapes and brands in hard-to-shop-for items, the answer just might be - "online." |
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Ten tips for the perfect bathroom remodel |
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Giving an old, tired bathroom a makeover is one of the best things you can do to increase your home's resale value. And while it can take some planning, remodeling your bathroom is easily within the capability of most homeowners. |
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The renovation revelation: Top tile trends for today's renovations |
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When renovating your home for the long run, it makes sense to choose materials that offer outstanding design flexibility, affordability, durability and eco-friendliness. Ceramic tile continues to be a favorite choice of savvy designers, builders and homeowners seeking those qualities for home renovations. |
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Create a kids room that inspires learning and creativity |
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As the cold weather approaches, kids spend less time outdoors burning off all that wonderful energy. There's an easy and inexpensive way to turn any room into an environment that fosters your child's learning and creativity. What's even better: You are very likely to think, "it's too quiet in there," while the kids play intently in their new space. |
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Design SOS: simple solutions for updating your space |
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With the emergence of home improvement design shows, DIY websites and blogs to reflect every style, it's becoming easier than ever to make your home a reflection of your personality. But what if your space is giving off the wrong impression? Whether it's the retro wood paneled basement inherited from previous owners or unsightly pink carpet that might have been a better idea in theory, there are countless ways for well-intentioned design decisions to turn into regrettable rooms. Although updating your space can seem overwhelming, a little organization, creative inspiration and a few simple weekend do-it-yourself ideas can help you take any space from unfortunate to unforgettable. |
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Tips for keeping your home's office organized |
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You don't have to run a business from your home to need a home office. In fact, it's one of the most common uses for spare rooms - a place where bills can be paid, homework can be done and schedules can get organized in a quiet setting. Here are a few tips that can help you get your space organized. |
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Rounded, organic shapes soften a bathroom's style |
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A major concept unveiled this year in bath design was "soft geometry" - using rounded, organic shapes in room structures and products to soften a bathroom's style. Learn how you can use this top trend, as well as others, in your next remodeling project. |
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Decorate your dorm room to express yourself |
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Freshmen heading off to college don't have to over-think decorating dorm rooms. Save all that mental energy for your studies. Creating inexpensive and interesting living spaces is easier than your high school finals. |
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Practical upgrades pay off in kitchens and bathrooms |
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Practical pays off when it comes to kitchen and bath renovations. Gone are the days when virtually every kitchen or bathroom remodel involved top-of-the-line luxury upgrades and a budget big enough to fund an Ivy League education. Today's homeowners want more value for their remodeling dollars, and that means turning to improvements that make both functional and fiscal sense. |
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Today's laminate floors - a 'real' wood alternative |
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You love the look of natural wood flooring but are afraid to install hardwood because you know the floor will take a beating from the kids, dogs and the heavy day-to-day traffic all too common in modern family life. But you don't have to sacrifice high style looks for boring sensibility when considering a new flooring option in your home - not if you choose laminate. |
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The master material: Unexpected uses for ceramic tile in the master suite |
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Ceramic tile has held a hallowed place in bathroom renovations for generations. Durable, easy to clean, and available in a wide range of color, format and design, tile just makes sense in a bath. But some enterprising designers and homeowners are finding a new spot in the home where tile not only works well, but can take center stage - the master bedroom. |
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