As the saying goes, our home is where our heart is. There’s no doubt about the veracity of this statement. Well, your lot area doesn’t matter. It has been proven so many times that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to home design. What matters the most is how you maximize the space and make the most out of it.

Stagetecture visited the Target House in Memphis, Tennessee on the Brizo | St. Jude Children’s hospital tour and it inspired us to seek out other organizations who are helping the community through home design.

This year, Southern Living chose the best team to design, build, and decorate the ultimate Southern farmhouse on the grounds of Fontanel, former home of country legend Barbara Mandrell. See how the design trends of the year and southern comfort can be used as inspiration in your home!

All images via: Southern Living

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This year, you will be more amazed as to how home design ideas are going. These designs combine beauty, functionality and eco-friendly components in your home. And it’s not only in your home interior but also the exterior. This is pretty exciting especially that it’s all about your home. Of course, you never get enough when it comes to your home. Check out these beautiful home ideas trending this 2013:

• Living room

A rustic and refined living room makes a mark in this year’s home. This brings nostalgic moments and very effective when it comes creating a rural outlook in your interior. You will see the wood beams horizontally layout like that of a barn house design. But keep in mind that these wood beams are beautifully installed like a decorative item. The refined arrangement provides a systematic array of displaying your furnishings in the living room. Your living room will never look so classy with this design.

• Kitchen

Nowadays, the kitchen is one of the main areas at home that designers are looking very symmetrically. The trend for kitchen is to provide more balance in terms of design and space. A symmetrically balanced kitchen gives more proportion as to how you feel inside your kitchen. Gone are the days when you will be overwhelmed with the kitchen tools and equipment. This year, you will see different elements at every corner but the scale and size balance each other. This will definitely enhance your kitchen experience in a symmetrical manner.

• Porches

Who says porches are for loner? Well, think again. The new trend is to create inviting porches where you can accommodate your guests or even spend quality time with the whole family. Designers are using subtle color palettes to complement the surroundings. You also have great help with comfortable seating and furniture to provide an inviting ambiance to anyone. Your guests and loved ones will definitely find this place worth their time.

• Master suite

This should be part of the list. A graceful master suite is making thumbs up this year. Nowadays, spool beds are getting nods with American manufacturers. The graceful spools complemented with well-designed posts are a perfect combination. Also, this type of bed is finished with a nice paint for optimum appearance. The design of the graceful master suite is completed by adding beddings, furnishings, lamp shades and other room essentials that blend with the theme.

• Dining room

The dining room is the heart of the home. This place is where the whole family gathers together and share, not only the food, but also quality moments. A casual design dining room is making an impressive run. The design is highlighted with wide windows on the sides, covered with sheer café curtains. The windows allow the sunlight to enter the room providing natural light and heat to the surroundings. Also, the graceful dance of the curtains brought about by the soft blow of the wind makes it more stunning.

You see, when it comes to home designs, everything is evolving. It never stops and never will. It continues to enhance and willing to face the challenge. The Southern Living 2013 Idea House is certainly one to give you ideas and inspiration for your cozy abode.

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

You’ve just purchased a brand new home and are looking for some decorating inspiration to turn your house into your dream home. We have some of the latest decorating tips from the experts as to what’s hot and what’s not in 2013.

The Colours for This Year

Bright and bold seems to be the calling for 2013 when it comes to hot home decorating colours. Vibrant blues and bright greens are what the top decorators are tending towards. Vibrant blue hues work well in any room and go together great with bold and graphic symmetrical patterns, another favourite for 2013. And don’t worry; blue is set to stay as the colour for 2014 as well. But if blue really isn’t for you then try bright shades of green. You can use it on the walls, for window treatments or even for floor coverings.

If you don’t feel as bold as to commit to too much colour, then simply accent your rooms with these great colours. Vases, artwork, cushions or ornaments can introduce the hot colours for 2013 into your new home with ease and elegance.

Image via: Imagine Living

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Bring Back 1920s Art Deco

One of the most loved and classic styles of the 20^th century, art deco is all about beautiful lines, symmetry, simplicity and elegant opulence. Who doesn’t want their new home decorated in this way? Choose one or two simple pieces for each room, such as a large wall mirror, side cabinet, centrepiece light fitting, large lamp or piece of artwork to introduce art deco into your home. Remember that with art deco style, less is more, so be sure not to overdo it. The right pieces carefully selected simply won’t date and will bring elegance and sophistication to any room in your home.

Go for Raw and Natural

A homey, lived-in look is what you want for 2013 — not cluttered or shabby, but raw and natural. Natural stone, wood and slate complement the warm earthy metals that are all the rage for this year. Kitchens and bathrooms are a great place to introduce these natural elements into your new home. And being natural, they aren’t going to date any time soon. You can easily mix the raw, natural look into your personal decorating style, whether that is modern minimalism, country chic, lived-in bohemian or super neutral.

Don’t Be Afraid of Metals

Tying in with the 1920s art-deco theme, metals are all the talk for 2013. But forget silver and chrome; instead, warm, earthy metallic tones such as brass and gold are what you need to consider this year. Shiny brass against a lacquered background is what the top decorators are looking to create. Large brass lamps, gold picture frames and metallic patterned fabrics complement the rest of what is hot in home decor in 2013.

Image via: Tendances Concept

It’s Good to Go Graphic

Vivid graphic patterns can be used on the walls, floors, on furniture, for window treatments, as artwork or as room accents. You can choose to go symmetrical with your patterns or choose something slightly more feminine and graceful. If you don’t want to over-commit yourself on the graphics with walls or floors, then window treatments may be a great option for you. You might find you’re prepared to be a little more adventurous if you choose drapes in a bold and graphic pattern. The benefit of patterned drapes is that, when opened, the patterned softens significantly so not to overpower the room.

Don’t Feel the Need to Buy New

Decorating your new home isn’t about getting rid of what you’ve already got and getting something new. Instead, it’s about reworking what you already have. You can re-frame or re-matt your wall prints, replace the lamp shade on your bedside or living room lamps, and pull out those old vases you had packed into the top shelf of the cupboard.

Image via: J. Grant Design Studio

Try Going Gloss

Glossy, shiny, lacquered surfaces are in for 2013. This can include wall paints, floor coverings, furniture or big ornamental pieces. Whatever you choose to go glossy on, remember that ultra-high shine is was the home decorating experts are aiming for.

This article was written by Sara-Jane Myers, an interior designer and decorator based in central Melbourne. She is often involved in decorating display homes for a number of top class developments, including the MandalayBeveridge.com.au.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

There is something to be said about a color that is the most abundant in nature and naturally makes you feel comfortable! This year, Pantone chose Emerald: 17-5641 as the color of the year for 2013.

Image via: Nostalgia and Now

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According to Pantone:

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature — the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a press release. “It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity — no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.”

Image via: Octavia Brown NYC

The firm characterized emerald as “vivid, verdant” and “promoting balance and harmony,” according to the release. In contrast, 2012′s  “spirited” hue Tangerine Tango “provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and move forward.”… courtesy of Time.com

2012 – Pantone color – Emerald

2012 – Pantone color – Tangerine Tango

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2011 – Pantone color – Honeysuckle

2010 – Pantone color – Turquoise

Can’t wait to see all of the gorgeous green tones that come our way in 2013 for your home, fashion, and more!

For more color ideas and the past Pantone colors, click here!

You may or may not be aware that the master bathroom can require a pretty large budget when it comes to an overhaul, but it can also deliver a decent return on investments when you opt to sell your property down the road. However, if you don’t have a large budget to work with and you’d rather not accommodate a contractor and his crew for weeks on end, there are several upgrades you can do on your own at a lot less expense. While this strategy may not get a new whirlpool tub installed in your bathroom, it can definitely allow you to do away with the outdated wallpaper and tile that make your bathroom look like it belongs in the home of Mike and Carol Brady. So here are just a few tips to create an updated look in your master bath with a limited budget and a DIY attitude.

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1. Paint

The absolute easiest area to address is going to be the wall color. Even if you’re dealing with wallpaper, you’ll be surprised at how easy the removal process can be when you use the right tools. The best option is generally to steam off old wallpaper with a simple and inexpensive hand steamer. From there you may have to do a bit of scraping or sanding, but a belt sander (and a light touch) can make the work go a little more quickly so that you can get to the painting. As for covering existing paint, consider using a paint and primer in one so that fewer coats are needed, and always use a satin or gloss finish that is moisture-resistant and easy to clean.

2. Tile

You might be a bit worried about the ease of removing and installing new tile, but the process will probably be a lot easier than you anticipate. Removing old tile is simple enough if you’re not trying to save it; a hammer and crow bar should do the trick. Then you’ll have to scrape the old grout and concrete away to create a clean, smooth surface. From there it’s just a matter of marking your layout, mixing up your concrete, and securing the tiles. If you’re unsure about the steps involved simply pop by your local Home Depot or other hardware store to inquire about lessons. Many offer a variety of workshops for free as a way to drum up business.

3. Lighting

Replacing light fixtures doesn’t have to cost a lot if you frequent Craigslist, hit up garage sales to find steals, or opt for reclaimed furniture and fixture outlets instead of buying brand new. From there it’s just a matter of turning off the proper breakers and installing your new lights.

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4. Cabinets and counters

You don’t need the expertise of master builders in order to address this area of the bathroom. The truth is that you can easily demo existing cabinets and counters and replace them on your own. Generally, you will want to buy pre-built cabinetry, and you can either find it reclaimed or check out discount stores like IKEA (or even Overstock.com) for affordable options. Then it’s just a matter of measuring for the countertop surface so that you can order it cut, finished, and ready to install (the cost depends on materials).

5. Accessories

Mirrors, towel racks, shelving, and other bathroom accessories may be the last items on your list, but you can find second-hand options in abundance at a greatly reduced cost. And with a little TLC these accessories can make for a fun family project that adds character and appeal to your master bath.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

One of the best areas of your home is the bathroom and ultimately relaxing in the bathtub. It is amazing how the water in a bathtub can naturally relax and rejuvenate your body.  Adding to its comfort is the fragrance of bath soaps and bubble bath solutions. Before you can get to relax in a tub, how do you go about deciding what is best bathtub material to choose?

Having your own bathtub can be a necessity and not a luxury. With all the stress and fatigue that you have all day, it is definitely a must to find a place at home to revitalize your body. A cool and refreshing plunge in a bathtub is something your body deserves. One of the things to consider in buying a bathtub is the type of material it is made of.

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To give you some of the best bathtub materials, you can choose from the following:

Fiberglass

This one is lightweight but sturdy. A gel-coated fiberglass bathtub is best for people who are on a tight budget since it is less expensive compared with other bathtub materials. Fiberglass bathtub can be fabricated according to how you want it to look like. It also comes in different colors as preferred. It is easy to maintain and naturally glossy.

Acrylic

An acrylic bathtub is naturally shiny like a glass. It has similar characteristics with a fiberglass like it does not fade and stain resistant. This material provides natural warmth and typically lightweight. It is easy to fabricate and can last a long time. Acrylic is one of the most popular bathtub materials in the market today.

Porcelain

Porcelain-made bathtub is quite expensive. This type of bathtub requires a sturdy base because of its substantial weight. Unlike acrylic, a porcelain bathtub is naturally cold. It is scratch-free and highly durable. A porcelain bathtub is noticeably elegant and stylish. It comes in different shapes, curves and colors.

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Marble

This type of material for your bathtub is more expensive than acrylic but lesser than porcelain. You can find several designs for this type but customizing one will be very costly. Marble bathtub requires more maintenance.

Whether you are getting ready for a bathroom remodel or you are looking at moving soon, choosing the right bathroom material for your budget and lifestyle is essential. Use these tips to make choosing the perfect bathtub material easier!

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Not all of us have the luxury of space in our living room. You often find it very difficult to accommodate the furniture you have so as not to create an impression of getting your living room too crowded. Having a limited space will restrict you from choosing the furniture you like; hence, you will be bound to its dimension or size.

But having a limited living room space does not mean you cannot have a comfortable living space. You only have to be creative in furniture arrangement to embrace the little space you have. There are several things you can do in order to achieve a cozy and inviting space for entertainment and relaxation.

Here are a few tips to arrange your furniture in a small living room:

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Choose neutral colors for all your furniture.

Having a neutral color of furniture all over your living room provides an illusion of having an extended space. This tends to push back the walls and your living room will look more spacious in the eyes. You may have a combination of light brown and beige color tone on your furniture and walls. It also helps when the floor complements the shade of neutral colors you choose.

Use small and sleek furniture that is appropriate to the scale of the room.

There are several small scale furniture designs that are suitable to your need. Make sure that it is not too small that it will take away the comfort and convenience you get from bigger furniture. For instance, you can opt to get an armless chair as it is more hefty and boundless. You can also take on tulip chair and parson table for your living room. Also, custom-made furniture can be a great option.

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Add a window seat.

This is a great idea to maximize the area of your living room. A window seat will not only provide addition accommodation but an extra relaxing place in your living room. It offers an excellent view outside your home and can be a picturesque area for your guests.

These are some of the things you can do to arrange your furniture and make the best of your living room. While you may not have the largest living room, using these tips will make your small room feel welcoming and comfortable for all.

For more summer home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/how-to-arrange-your-furniture-to-make-your-room-look-larger/feed/ 2 27644 https://stagetecture.com/stagetecture-to-launch-ebook-111-simple-tips-for-your-everyday-home/ https://stagetecture.com/stagetecture-to-launch-ebook-111-simple-tips-for-your-everyday-home/#respond Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:11:31 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=27654 Entry #1248, June 3, 2012

I’ve have exciting news that I have been trying to keep secret for months now! If you subscribe to the Stagetecture – Everything Home Newsletter – you already know the exciting news! For my subscribers get daily updates and monthly features that is exclusive to them. Well without keeping the rest of you in suspense any longer…

Stagetecture is launching an ebook

111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home

in late June 2012!

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To most of my readers, followers and friends you are yelling at your screen, “It’s about time Ronique!!!”.. ha! Well… I’m here to say, yes it is time. Stagetecture has reached many milestones in it’s 3 years of existence including: Over 1200 blog posts, over 500 guest blogs and over 4,000 gorgeous images to give you home inspiration daily. While the idea of an ebook has always been an idea of mine, I really didn’t know how to compile the essence of Stagetecture into a source that would be helpful, beautiful, and inspiring for every room in your home.

After many sleepless nights and talking with many of you, I realized that all of the information that is contained on Stagetecture is what readers already love, so compile the best tips in short snippets with beautiful images and create a room-by-room decorating and organizing ebook for everyone to enjoy!

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So why did I pick 111? Whether you believe in numerology or not, I have learned that 111 means:

“Whenever you see the sequence 111 or 1111 show up, it is a great sign of a golden opportunity. Both sequences mean that a “doorway” has opened up in which your intentions and goals will manifest extremely quickly. The Angels have taught me to focus my thoughts and intentions whenever I see 111 or 1111, almost like making a wish when a cake with candles is presented to you.“… Angel Scribe

While I was compiling my tips and ideas for this book I daily would look at the clock at 11:11, or I would have 111 views on Facebook at a particular time, or I would have 111 emails waiting to be read! After further research I realized my door of opportunity to share my ‘home love’ with the world was now.

Thus the naming of

111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home

All the details aren’t finalized, but I can give you a sneak peek of the rooms covered in the ebook:

Front Entry

Hallways

Kitchens

Bathrooms

Kids’ Rooms

Home Offices

Small Interiors

Outdoor Home

& more!

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While I love to peruse through interior design magazines and online design blogs, isn’t there times you want to know how to make your small living room look larger now? Or your hallway seems long and boring and you want to add visual interest without taking 2 hours searching design magazines before getting the answer?

I made the ‘111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home‘ just that, SIMPLE. You can ‘flip’ right to the room of choice and find instant tips to add color, space, save money, get organized, in your everyday home.

I can’t wait to tell you more details as we get closer to the launch date. As we get closer I will have more surprises in store!

Thanks everyone and stay close!!

-Ronique

Note: All images in this post do not relate to the ‘111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home’ ebook, they are strictly used for inspiration and are not related to promotion of the ebook.

Outdoor furniture including patio lounge chairs offer a great comfort and convenience after a stressful day. This can be near the swimming pool, overlooking the backyard and other relaxing panorama. The popularity of having a lounge chair for a patio inspires furniture designers to create cutting edge designs. With unique and comfortable design, lounge chair will definitely attract attention and catch the interest of people to make use of the certain product.

Image via: Westelm

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There are several types of patio chairs to choose from. Some great options are:

Adirondack chairs

Although this lounging chair is seemingly traditional with its design but wait until you sit down and experience a one of a kind comfort. The design is simple yet very effective in providing its purpose. It is originally designed for outdoor and built to last most weather conditions. They now come in a variety of colors to match any outdoor patio area and can be custom built for children and adults alike.

Image via: Belgian Pearls

Rocking chairs

Rocking chairs have always been in the top priority list of people who wanted to experience a great relaxing or ‘lullaby’ at their patio. It provides a soothing sensation as it gently moves back and forth while seated. These movements allow the superb resting position for users. This type of chair is ergonomically designed for great accommodation. The effortless  provision of movements is made possible when the center of gravity is achieved while comfortably seated.

Wrought iron lounge chairs

This type of chair is popular not only because of its stylish curves and edges but also for its durability. The wrought iron material that is primarily used in this chair can last more than any other materials can offer. Taking into considerations the changing weather conditions, it is very important to take into account the level of resistance and sustainability of materials used in the construction.

Image via: Bhg

The decision in having lounging chairs for your patio should include its capacity to provide the chill, relaxing posture and durability.

For more outdoor living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The summer is only a few weeks away and cool summer  colors in white inspiration is all around! From your interiors to your outdoor home, white is versatile and can be casual with comfortable cotton or more formal with crisp  linens. Here are some inspiring cool white ideas for your home this summer.

Image via: The Decorista

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White outdoor home furniture

When lounging in the sun and enjoying the cool summer breezes who doesn’t enjoy relaxing white and soothing blue combinations? This nautical inspired colored scheme makes you want to go sailing on a beautiful yacht, or envision you’re on one as you close your eyes and daydream!

Image via: Bright Bazaar Blog

Slipcover perfection

Don’t shy away from white because of the upkeep! Modern slipcovers in streamlined form are great solutions to a lifestyle that needs versatility and beautiful furniture. Throw the slipcovers in the clothes washer for those mishaps that commonly happen and still brighten your interiors with summer whites.

Image via: My Paradissi

Rustic white bedroom

Add whites to rustic surfaces for a natural and organic appeal to your home interiors. This bedroom is beautiful with its reclaimed wood headboard and natural fabrics. Consider layers of white, tan, beige, gray and neutrals for a bedroom you will want to relax in all day!

Image via: Fleaing France

With warmer weather on the way, white is the perfect way to cool off and relax. Whether you are decorating your outdoor home or adding touches to your indoor summer home, create the perfect feeling with the addition of white. Layer your fabrics, textiles in variations of white for an interior that isn’t stark but rather welcoming and warm.

For more color ideas in your interiors on Stagetecture, click here.

One of the best amenities that you can offer yourself in a home office is the comfort of a comfortable chair. There is more than comfort that home office chairs can give. Designers are now producing a distinctive style of chairs to provide not only comfort but features such as storage, shelf and other useful elements.

Image via: Positive Sharing

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With all these innovative designs, you can be certain of the utmost comfort provided for your clients and guests. Here are some examples:

Image via: Jessica Goldfond.Pinterest

Bibliochaise

Aside from being just a chair, this chair is also designed to act as book shelves. It is dual purpose that can absolutely save you space. With its popularity, several designers are making their own version of this two-in-one chair. Your guest will never experience boredom as he or she can indulge with great amounts of reading materials while waiting for your attention. On top of it is the comfort of the high quality cushion of the chair for convenience.

Image via: Positive Sharing

Backrest design with leatherette cushion rolls office chair

This chair provides seating at its best. With its leatherette cushion rolls at the backrest, you will certainly get pampered with a massage-like experience. The cushion rolls give soothing pressure on your back while you are at rest. It is also ergonomically designed to accommodate a comfortable sitting position even when longer sitting duration is required. This is highly recommended for people who wanted comfort in long hours of sitting.

Swivel Lounge Chair Design

This innovative chair enables you to move around your office easier. True to its name, it swivels easily and comfortably in any direction. You can also adjust its length and angle. The design is so great that by simply looking into its style, you will know the comfort it provides. The high quality cushion also gives utmost convenience.

Image via: Carsmach

Having one of these contemporary chairs will definitely boost the amenities you have in your home office. Whether you are looking for comfort, sleek design, or both, these seating options may help you not dread “coming to work”!

For more home office ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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