How to Decorate your Home with Timeless Furniture

Choose a piece of bedroom furniture that resonates with you

Timeless furniture is only as good as the value you place in it. For me an antique canopy bed from my grandmother’s home could hold personal and sentimental meaning. For your home a modern Le Corbusier dresser and matching furniture could be more your style. Don’t get swayed by just looking in design magazines and perusing design blogs. Let them inspire you to choose bedroom furniture you love and holds meaning to you and your loved ones. Southern Living has an interesting article for choosing furniture by the scale of your room.

Look to custom furniture for your home office needs

Your home office is the perfectly place to show off your design style but it still needs to be functional and practical. Custom home office furniture is good for those who have a work at home profession or spend a lot of time at a desk. Custom options for crafting, surfing the Internet, or organizing photographs will need customizable solutions. You can hire a furniture craftsman or artisan to create a furniture piece for you, or consider using a traditional armoire or buffet table and put custom file organizers inside. This option is more affordable and if you visit your local organization or office supplies store you may be surprised at the options! Home Design Lover gives tips for choosing living room furniture that could be applied to your home office too.

Kids should have timeless furniture too!

The beauty of kids’ rooms is that they have no rules. Bunk beds that have unique configurations with matching futons are perfect for multi-age children who need to share a room. Bedroom furniture that fit a theme is common for kids furniture and should be a reflection of your child’s personality. A statement piece such as a bean bag chair, a dresser or even a rocking chair can bring a timeless appeal to your kids room, instantly.

For more furniture ideas on Stagetecture, see how to shop online furniture stores, here.

Happy DIY Saturday! Today we show you how to make a recycled or repurposed dining room table. Whether you have old furniture to repurpose or refinish it or you want to create an entirely new dining room table – today’s DIY Saturday is for you. Today, watch a video on how an antique bed was turned into a dining room table. Then read on to see how you can use everyday items for a dining,coffee table or night stand.

Video: How to Build a Distressed Farm Table

Link to video –> How to Build a Distressed Farm Table

Are you someone who’s obsessed with the latest DIY trends and who loves to have a project to do yourself?  Are you constantly looking for inexpensive and easy ways to spice up the décor in your home? Have you ever thought about creating a brand new coffee table or nightstand easily and affordably? Here are three table ideas you can use to create fresh, fun and brand new tables for your home all by yourself!

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Coffee Table   

Create a rustic coffee table made out of old crates! These charming crates can be purchased at any local craft supply store such as Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Make sure to purchase four of them. Find a color of wood stain that you like and that coordinates with the rest of your living room furniture.

The first thing you will need to do is sand the crates with any type of fine-grain sandpaper and wipe clean. Then spray each crate separately with your wood stain, and allow to dry. Once each crate has completely dried, you can arrange the crates however you like and nail or glue each crate together; taking care to use small enough nails so they don’t show through.

This charming and rustic crate-made coffee table is a perfect focal point for a living room.  Plus it has more than enough storage for décor display and organization. Just think, with the purchase of four simple crates and a can of wood stain, you can have a brand new coffee table for your living room!

Night Stand

Is your bedroom nightstand in need of a facelift? Check out this absolutely darling little nightstand and its extreme makeover! What’s even better is that the makeover is super easy to do with game-changing results!

The first thing you need to do is remove the drawers in your old, drab, forgotten about nightstand. If your nightstand has more than one drawer, that is okay! It will give you more surface area to add pops of color and pizazz!  Next, you need to sand down the nightstand to remove its protective glaze. Then wipe clean. Once the piece is dry, choose a fun paint color that coordinates with your bedroom design. In the case of this particular nightstand they chose a vibrant sea blue.

Once you have painted the nightstand with at least two coats of color, allow it to dry completely. Make sure to either spray or brush on a protective top glaze. This will give the piece some shine as well. Once the glaze had dried, apply the fun, funky and patterned contact paper you have chosen into the nightstand where the shelves once were. You will be amazed at its transformation, and how well the vibrant contact paper makes those open shelf areas pop!

Dining Table

This is such an amazing idea! How creative and crafty would you be when you repurpose an old wood door as a dining table! You can find an old door at any antique store, vintage shop or even your own home! Find one that suits your design style and is in fairly good condition!

You can use the door as is, or you can sand it down and of course repaint or refinish it to your liking. The above farmhouse door is being used as it is for an ultra-vintage feel.  You can have someone construct legs for your table or you can use old front porch posts for added charm. Find some dining room chairs that coordinate nicely with your table and its look and Voila! You have a brand new (to you) dining room table!

This is such an amazing idea! How creative and crafty would you be when you repurpose an old wood door as a dining table! You can find an old door at any antique store, vintage shop or even your own home! Find one that suits your design style and is in fairly good condition!

You can use the door as is, or you can sand it down and of course repaint or refinish it to your liking. The above farmhouse door is being used as it is for an ultra-vintage feel.  You can have someone construct legs for your table or you can use old front porch posts for added charm. Find some dining room chairs that coordinate nicely with your table and its look and Voila! You have a brand new (to you) dining room table!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

If you do not have the luxury of space for your kids’ room, you can go for vertical designs. This means maximizing your kid’s room space from top to bottom. The idea is to make their room look spacious by maximizing every corner of the room and have your furniture go for height and not its width.

The reasons for implementing this idea is to provide comfort for your kids, give them more room space to move and better air circulation. You can achieve this by considering some of the creative loft ideas for your kids’ room. By doing these, you can be sure that your kids have a great time in their room that is very ideal for school and other activities.

Image via: Kelowna Lake Life

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Look for bunk beds

Bunk beds are designed for multiple accommodations in a single room with a limited space. It is a double deck bed that is perfect for kids. There are several designs that you can choose from to fit the dimension of your kids’ room. You can accommodate four kids by placing two bunk beds adjacent with each other. Your kids will definitely love the comfort of these beds.

3-in-1 loft

This well-designed loft bed is really amazing to look at especially if it’s your first time.  It has a comfortable bed on top and at the bottom, plus a storage cabinet for your kids’ dresses and other items. The cabinet looks great and will definitely save you space for a storage to be placed in their room. This furniture is simply a work of art.

Image via: OJ Fotos

Triple bunk beds

The triple bunk beds can save a lot of space in your kids’ room. Although it’s not vertical all throughout but then it is designed to maximize the corner of the room. It is shaped in a right angle to accommodate three kids in minimal space consumption.

These ideas are not only designed to maximize the space of your kids’ room but also ensure the comfort and convenience of your kids. More than anything else, your kids deserve the best that you can offer!

For more kids’ rooms ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Does your master bedroom make you want to yawn, even in the middle of the day? No worries! Turning your bland bedroom into a romantic, restful, and relaxing abode is easy as pie with with these super simple master bedroom decorating ideas.

Let the Walls Work for You

You can enhance the mood of your bedroom instantly with the right color. Infuse the room with a passion color like deep lavender or earthen browns, ranging from pale caramel to rich chocolate browns. Staying on the warm side of the color palette promotes restful sleep and amps up the spice factor to the boudoir as well.
Create a custom wall mural from your favorite digital photo and use it as the focal point in your bedroom. From your honeymoon to your latest couple’s getaway, find your best romantic photo and let the memories work their magic!

Advice from the Ritz… and Mom

All the finest hotels in the world can’t be wrong when it comes to using crisp white linens. Take a hint from them and invest in a good set or two of your own. The same goes for summer and winter comforters. Get outside the “bed in a bag” thinking and find bed covers that feel and look amazing.

Once you have your linens, be sure to wash your sheets once a week minimum and launder the comforters seasonally (and as needed). And remember what Mom taught you- always make your bed. Nothing is as inviting as fresh clean sheets and a well-made bed.

Rethink the Lights

Switch out those old table lamps and go for wall sconces instead. These will tastefully frame your bed and free up nightstand space at the same time (fresh flowers anyone?). For a cozy colorful glow, go for a pair of Tiffany inspired sconces hung on either side of the bed. For a more elegant look, choose crystal chandelier style sconces with scrolling gold accents.
And instead of the expected boring ceiling fan above, consider crowning your room with a signature lighting piece. Whether this is a sleek Ikea design, a Japanese-inspired paper lantern creation, or a fabulous vintage thrift store chandelier, dim out the lights and bask under the romantic glow.

Peace and Quiet

For the best quality sleep possible, keep the bedroom an electronics-free zone. Reassign computers, cellphone chargers, and televisions to other rooms to create a sanctuary of uninterrupted quiet. If you can’t do without the TV, keep it tucked away and turned off in an armoire when not in use.

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Creating a restful and romantic master bedroom is as easy as paying attention to a few important details like the ones mentioned here. Let these simple master bedroom decorating ideas inspire you to design a room that you just can’t wait to come home to.

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Find wall murals perfect for the master bedroom or create your very own custom wall murals with your digital photos at http://www.ArtisticHomeowner.com.

Image sources: 1, 2

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

If your kids share a room in your home, you know firsthand how difficult it is to create enough usable space for each child.  Beds are one of the largest pieces of furniture that consume valuable space and a bunk bed is a great way to use vertical height to sleep children comfortably. Over the years bunk beds have seen a great shift from the traditional “military style” bunk beds and are now housed with desks, organization options, and even loft style bunk beds are more common then ever. Here are a few tips to ensure your choose the right bunk bed for your child’s needs.

Image via: Houzz

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Assess your current space:

The beauty of bunk beds is the ability to sleep multiple children in the same space it would normally take for one child. Although bunk beds require less space, you will still need to determine how much space is needed for your children to access the ladder to climb up, as well as circulation space around the bed for safety. Before investing in a bunk bed, look at the different orientation options for bunk beds today. There are “L” layouts for (one child to be on top) the high sleeper and the other bed below can lay perpendicular to the top bunk. This enables for a double or larger bed on the bottom. You will be surprised at how far bunk beds have come!

Determine your child’s comfort level when sleeping:

Bunk beds can be a joy for children to sleep in and determining who gets the top bunk bed and sleeps on the bottom can often be a challenge. Ask your children before you invest in the bed what they would prefer. If you have very small children, remember climbing up and down can be tricky, especially in the late night hours, or if they are tired. Consider having younger children sleep on the bottom until they can handle the stairs or ladder well. Older children may have to take turns with who sleeps where.

Image via: Houzz

Bunk beds are a great way to save space in their bedroom and still create room for studying, playing and other activities. When choosing the right bunk bed for your children consider versatile varieties that grow with your child. Bunk beds that house a bed on top and use the below area for a desk are often referred to as loft beds. These are great for teenagers and older kids that need more space along with their sleeping area. There are so many choices when it comes to bunk beds, have fun choosing the right one for your kids.

For more kids’ room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I have this love for anything well designed. It can be for your home, your car, office, and yes even for your pets. Today I ran across this beautifully designed Dog Pod from Vurv Design. Made from maple veneer, any small pet would enjoy sitting in this one of a kind piece of art.

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‘This piece is more of a recliner than a pet bed, It’s like an Eames chair for your best friend.  This day bed looks great in any living room.  Not only does it look cool, dogs like the sense of security from this this cosy little niche.  Bent ply with a choice of 5 veneers. Removable, washable, and ultimately replaceable pad. Suitable for small dogs.’.. Vurv Design

Priced at $598.00 your small pet’s bed will blend seamlessly with the rest of your modern decor!

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The long nights and dark days of winter bring with them an instinct to hibernate.  Although most of us still have to scrape the car windows, shovel the sidewalk, and head out into the winter winds each day to get the kids to school and ourselves to work, we spend the day dreaming about a hot bath and a bowl of stew when we get home.  The warm comforts that wait at home are the only things that make the winter months bearable.  And yet, if you’re not looking to some cuddle time with your honey to help stave off the chills that abound during this season, you’re missing out on a major source of shelter from the storm.  So leave your flannel PJs in the closet and get ready to generate some body heat with a winter bedroom makeover that’s geared at romance.

Image via: Luxury-Idea

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Make a nest

Okay, so you don’t need to pile on the pillows in order to create a warm and inviting love nest.  Even most women will admit that removing a bushel of pillows from the bed in order to get romantic is a hassle.  What you should do instead is use color, texture, and a few well-placed pieces to create a lush look that isn’t a frumpy, over-stuffed detriment to your sex life.  Forget about winter whites, which show every stain, and opt for high-thread-count linens in saturated jewel tones to entice the eyes.  Top them with a couple of fuzzy blankets and a gorgeous quilt that goes with your decor (skip the patterns and opt for a single color for a sophisticated look).  Then add just a few pillows in different sizes and maybe a bed scarf to approximate the feel of a posh hotel.

Dim the lights

Nobody feels sexy under harsh fluorescent lights, and even bright overheads can make you feel self-conscious.  So add a little mood lighting by dimming the bulbs in your bedroom lamps (try downgrading your 60-watt bulbs to a dim 25) and looking for options in soft pink (it’s flattering to every skin tone).  Candles are another option, and their gentle flicker will help to set the mood.

Use common scents

Your bedroom may not necessarily be smelly, but if you want to do your best to fan the flame in your relationship, it behooves you to tantalize all the senses.  For some warm and romantic relations in the heart of winter, consider scented candles, oils, or air fresheners that make you think of home.  Those that smell like foods are probably your best bet, with apple scents and baked goods topping the list of deliciously appetizing smells.  But you might also bring about a love connection with some light flower scents (just avoid heavy, cloying odors like gardenia or jasmine).

Avoid electronics

There is no quicker way to kill the romance than with a TV that is always on or a thousand lights blinking around the room.  If you really want to create a retreat geared towards a healthy relationship, consider ditching the electronics altogether.  Relegate the TV to the living room, send your gadgets to the office for nightly charging, and remove your digital clock in favor of your old analog standby.  You might be surprised what this simple transformation will do for your love life.

Image via: House Garden Design

Add romantic touches

Romance isn’t something that just happens on its own; you’ll have to make an effort.  And unless couples counseling is on your agenda this year, it behooves you to do what you can to keep the spark alive.  So introduce some massage oil, a few nice lingerie items, and even racy romance novels to your bedroom atmosphere to spice up the space and complete your romantic winter retreat.

For more bedroom & living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

In this new year there is a lot of talk about organizing for us humans, but what about your pets that share your home with you? Similarly to small children, they take up a lot of space, and often make the most mess! Use these helpful tips to keep your pet’s area clean, organized and enjoyable for all to be around.

One from the archives….

Image via: Babeczkaa

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Original Entry #402, January 30, 2011

I’m currently a cat owner of one, but at the most have had 3 cats and 1 dog at the same time – oh, and have 3 kids.. do they count as pets? Ok, probably not, so 4 animals at once was a hard feat to keep the house organized and clean. Over the years they have come and gone, and Meow Meow, my beloved feline friend is still with me.

As we round up January’s organization month, I thought I’d focus on the pet area. While for some it is not a huge concern, for others it is… or ehh ehh (clearing throat), should be. Today I found a good blog article from Tara’s Pet Sitting site. They explain how to organize your pet supplies, medicines and your home… oh so important!

Tips for your home:

– Choose a convenient location to store and organize all your pet’s supplies.

– Gather up all your pet’s accessories – bowls, leashes, brushes, medicines, toys – and organize them in the newly designated pet area.

– Throw away: rusty leashes, old, rusty or broken cages and crates, toys your pet doesn’t play with, or those that are disgusting (you know which ones these are), and all items left from a deceased pet that you no longer need.

– Throw away treats your pet won’t eat.

Image via: Bhg

Cleaning pet areas:

– Wash all bowls and water dispensers.

– Bathe your pet and clean his collar.

– Check your pet’s sleeping area. Wash beds, or throw away and buy new ones.

– Empty all litter boxes, scrub clean, and refill with fresh litter. Evaluate the location of the litter box. It should be in a very low traffic area, and there should be room to store fresh litter, a scoop and a trash can, so cleanup is easy.

– If you have caged pets such as birds or hamsters, clean cages and evaluate their location. Does the pet get enough attention where it is? If it is active at night, does it disturb anyone’s sleep?

Organization Tips:

– Take your pet to your vet for a regular check-up.

– Organize pet health records of checkups, vaccinations, major illnesses, surgeries, medical tests and treatments, licenses, and prescriptions.

– Keep a complete pet description, picture, license number, names of veterinarians, and other pertinent information. Print out a pet health record for traveling, changing vets, or for your pet sitter!

You can stay organized by doing the following:

Monthly:

– Bathe your pet and clean its sleeping area.

– Completely empty your cat’s litter box and refill with fresh litter.

– Clean your fish tank.

– Administer prescribed prescriptions such as heartworm and flea medication.

Semi and/or Annually:

Schedule Vet check-ups.

Update pet information and registration and licenses.

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! Have you ever wanted a designer look in your bedroom, but can’t figure out how to get it without spending a fortune? Look to your bed, it is the focal point of the room and the headboard behind it can make all the difference.

Image via: Beds Headboards

Today’s DIY Saturday I compiled a few You Tube videos from HGTV from their designers to help you make your own custom headboard. From upholstered ones, to beautiful reclaimed wood rustic ones, you name it, your custom headboard is within your grasp!

Creating a Headboard

Upholstered Headboard

Floating Headboard

Slatted Wooden Headboard for under $100!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Pillows have been around for a very long time

Pillows are thought to have been originally used by wealthy men in Asia and were found sometime later in Ancient Egyptian tombs.  They were greatly prized and highly decorated. Later the handcraft of designing pillows became an art form and textures, textiles and the creativity became varied and complex.

Image courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Besides bed pillows there are an interesting assortment of pillows used throughout the home:

• Throw pillows or toss pillows, generally called that because they are tossed on furniture to create a casual and inviting look.
• Novelty pillows which can be used on furniture for comfort but are also humorous to encourage conversation and a laugh or too. These may consist of our favorite cartoon characters or other stuffed objects.
• Accent pillows – a throw pillow created in a fabric to emphasize the area where it is placed.
• Sofa pillow or couch pillows are toss pillows belonging on the sofa or couch.
• Floor pillows – generally 26” X 26” pillows created to add needed casual seating.

Image courtesy of Circa Interiors

A pillow promises comfort.

Pillows can be created from a multitude of fabrics and textures and can be stuffed with many different fillings. They can be purchased or created for very little money and can add personality, warmth, color, comfort and charm to the décor. They can be filled with cotton, down, fiber, foam, buckwheat, synthetic fills, viscoelastic foam, latex or feathers. They can be washable or not. They also can be created to be hypo allergenic for those who suffer with allergies.

Pillows can be washable.

If purchasing a pillow which cannot be washed you may want to at least make the cover washable and create an opening of some type. It can be an envelope type where the pillow is tucked within the back or a snap or zipper closure. Pillows can accumulate dust and microbes so it is important to be able to clean them.

Without pillows a couch is just a couch.

It’s funny how a few pillows for less than $10.00 each can make such a difference, but they do.

Ordinary throw pillows can be found at a yard sale for less than a dollar each placed on a click clack futon purchased new for less than $100.

They can be tossed in a washer at the Laundromat. A normal wash machine used at home should not be used to wash pillows in, only an industrial one like the large front loaders at the Laundromat.

Image courtesy of Home Workshop

A scarf sized piece of sheer fabric tied around the center of the white pillow can take on a quite unique look like this lifting it from ordinary to extraordinary. The sheer scarf like fabric used to tie the pillow could also be used to drape over the curtain rods to truly make an interesting statement.

If you decide to keep it this way a couple of discreetly made stitches under the center knot will hold it in place. If not, remove the scarf and sew lace around the edges like this for a completely different look:

Pillows can do so much for your decor for so little cost.

Pillows and pillow covers can be made easily, quickly, and inexpensively. Fabric stores sell remnants of fabric for a fraction of the original cost and even an old pair of jeans or a shirt can be used to create a new pillow cover. Consider fabrics, colors, textures. Perhaps something sturdy is desired or perhaps comfort is the goal. The above pillow is created from very soft and plush suede like material which begs to be leaned back on. A pillow invites one to sit down and relax.

Marina Chernyak is freelance writer and co-owner of accent tables store located at – AccentTablesBoutique.com

For more decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.