Tribal themes were popular at the fall 2011 High Point furniture market.  Here are a few highlights.

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Take a look at the multitudes of color seen at the High Point Market in October 2011.

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Living Areas

If you don’t already have a large mirror hung on a wall in your main living area, then now is the time to add one. There are mirrors for every style and budget, and they are the quickest way to make a room appear larger. Try placing a large mirror on the wall opposite the largest window in the room; ideally, this will be over a seating group. Take down some pictures if you have to – it’s worth it to make a space for the mirror.

Pull the furniture away from the walls and arrange it at an angle. Don’t be afraid to remove a chair or extra table.  Then add a floor mirror in a corner to reflect the new grouping. Put a tree or large floor plant off to one side of the mirror – it will appear twice as large without taking up twice the space.

If you have a fireplace, put a mirror over it. Don’t worry if you’ve already hung a mirror on another wall. Mirrors on adjacent or opposite walls will further enhance the feeling of openness.

Dining Areas

A popular trick with designers is to mirror the wall next to the dining table. This works great in dining areas that are more or less niches or only have one wall and are little more than passages from one room to another.

If you have a server or buffet piece in your dining room, put a large mirror over it. If your server is particularly long, a grouping of 2-3 smaller mirrors works just as well and is less costly. Choose frameless mirrors with beveled edges if you’re concerned that multiple frames will make the wall look cluttered.

Bathrooms

Remove small medicine cabinets or individual mirrors over the sinks and install a single large mirror over the entire bathroom vanity. Even better – mirror the entire wall space above the vanity – all the way up to the ceiling. You’ll really see the space open up if you are able to mirror one of the adjacent walls as well.

Got an inside bathroom with no window?  The previous suggestions will make the enclosed space feel larger. Go one step further and add a hanging plant and a plant on the counter, if you have the space. The mirrors will instantly double the size of your greenery. This trick of “bringing the outside in” will add a breath of fresh air to a small, dark bathroom.

Bedrooms

This is a classic but it works – install mirrored closet doors. You’ll find mirrored sliding doors readily available in standard sizes and they can be installed fairly easily. If you have folding doors, you can transform them to mirrored doors with the help of mirrored tiles.

Borrow a trick from the living spaces and re-arrange your bedroom furniture. If you can remove something that no longer belongs, like the treadmill that’s been used as a clothes rack for the past 2 years, replace it with a floor mirror. It takes up less space and in addition to making the room seem larger, it will give you a place for a quick head-to-toe check before leaving.

Hanging a large mirror over your dresser works just as well here as large mirrors do in other rooms. Mirrors are neutral pieces – you absolutely do not have to match the mirror frame to the other wood tones in the room.  If your bedroom is exceptionally small and wall space is at a premium, hang long mirrors on the walls behind your nightstands. A lamp in front of the mirrors will do double-duty just like the illusions created from plants in front of mirrors.

Miscellaneous

Mirror the backs of shelving units. This can work in any room. If the units already have downlights, consider replacing solid shelves with glass shelves. The lights will shine down from the top all the way through the unit. Otherwise, rope lights are a great way to illuminate the shelves and enhance the reflections of the objects on them. This works best when you’re displaying collectibles and items of varying sizes, as opposed to row upon row of books.

Got an odd wall niche? Mirror the back of it!  If it’s a small niche, tuck some plants, statues or other collectibles on the shelf in front of the mirror. If it’s one of those extra-large niches left over from when builders though everyone was going to buy a rear-projection TV, you can still mirror the entire back wall of the niche. Be sure to fill the space with appropriately sized objects, like a tree, a wood-framed chair, a pedestal with a statue on the top and so on.

Try a little mirror magic  – you’ll be amazed at how your rooms will open up!

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Get the Kids Involved – Even dinner with the kids can be romantic if you get creative.  Help set the table with your kids, giving them chocolates and paper hearts for decoration.  Have your child dress up and pretend to be a maitre d’, serving sparkling grape juice and grilled cheese sandwiches to the family.  Have fun with it!  Turn off the lights and dine by candlelight, and play soft music to create that romantic atmosphere.  To round out the meal, dive into cupcakes and ice cream for dessert.  Finally, don’t forget to tip your waiter!

Flowers With Style – If you’re running by the florist to pick up some beautiful flowers for your significant other, don’t forget to stop by your local drug store or supermarket and grab a box or two of candy sweethearts.  When you get home, take a small cylindrical vase and arrange the flowers in it.  Then, put that vase in a larger cylindrical vase.  Fill up the larger vase with the sweethearts, arranging them so that the smaller vase is surrounded by them.  Voila!  You have a creative, unique, and edible way to present your flowers!  This can also be done with small cinnamon candies called Red Hots, also popular and easy to find during Valentine’s Day.  These look especially great with red rose bouquets, the quintessential flower arrangement for this holiday. (Thanks to our friend, Mary Leigh Howell, for this great idea!)

Sweet Chocolate Dreams – Once you’ve had dinner and put the kids to bed, turn up the romance by doing a special turndown service for your spouse.  Light some candles on the bedside table, and make sure the bed linens are crisp and turned down.  Scatter Hershey’s chocolate kisses or Dove chocolate hearts and rose petals on the top of the duvet.  Write a special, handwritten note for your significant other and place it on their pillow.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to show your romantic side.  In most cases, simple is the most effective.  Your thoughtfulness, coupled with a little creativity, will be a sure hit with your loved ones.  Remember, showing the people you love how much you care doesn’t have to be a one-day event.  These tips are great for today, but can be used anytime!  We hope that you have a happy Valentine’s Day!

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Whether you’re breathing a sigh of relief as the last of your family pulls out of your driveway, or you’re wiping the tears away as you board a plane back home, you might soon be faced with a home that feels less than exciting. Here’s a list of things that you can do to keep those warm-fuzzy feelings and energies in your home.

1. Make sure all your holiday décor is gone!
There is nothing worse than finding candy canes and bits of fir tree on your floor in the middle of January! Take care that all your holiday decorations have been properly taken down and stored for next holiday season. A little extra care goes a long way – do you really want to be untangling strings of lights for hours next December?

2. Surround yourself with comforting things.
Whether its holiday pictures of the memories that you just shared with your family and friends, or cozy blankets and pillows that keep you cozy when you curl up on the couch with your favorite book, keeping comforting items around the house not only give it a personal touch, but also make it feel warm and inviting year-round.

3. If you have a working fireplace, stock it up!
Although a lot of fireplaces are gas or electric these days, sparking up your fireplace and stocking it with wood (if applicable!) can add a post-holiday warmth and charm to your home.

4. Think about rearranging some furniture.
Nothing says warm-fuzzies like old furniture looking new and fresh again! Think about moving your furniture around in your most lived-in rooms. It will not only give you a chance to get creative, but it will also be a conversation piece for any friends and family that might not have visited in awhile!

5. Look forward to the next event that will bring your family and friends together.
Whether you get together for a crazy Super Bowl party, a quiet Valentines Day dinner, or even a fun family game night, figure out when you and your loved ones will be together again. You can preoccupy yourself with planning the event, decorating for said event, getting your guests excited for your event, and then everyone will be back together before you know it!

What do you do in order to keep warm, calm, and happy in a post-holiday new year?

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After the holidays, many people forget about their decor and just leave it up for the rest of winter. It may be because they are simply not up for “redesigning” the whole space. Your porch only needs a few changes to transform it from Holiday Cheer to Winter Chic. Here are a few tips:

Take out the holiday colors and go for a winter theme.
Red and green are a dead giveaway to Christmas decor. Make it more seasonal by removing most of the red and green combinations and leaving the whites and greens. For example, an evergreen wreath can still be left behind for the rest of winter, but you may want to take out the red bow and top the wreath with more pinecones. Changing up your colors to icy white, deep purples and navy blues is much more season-friendly than the red, white and gold you started with on Christmas.

Make it about the weather.
If you live in an area where snow doesn’t fall, a spray of artificial snow on your porch can make the winter theme more attuned. Please don’t go overboard and make the space look as though it was caught a snowstorm, though. You can also hang paper or cloth snowflake doilies from the beams or place glass icicles in a clear jar. If you have an old pair of ice skates, place them by the door or the steps.

Warm it up.
Beautiful blankets and throws are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve a double purpose: you and your guests can wrap yourselves in them when it gets chilly. They make a cozy ambience and perfect for sipping a cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.

Find the beauty of the old and make it new.
Items in your attic or basement can make your porch more personal. Take out old wagons that your children have grown out of, stack a bunch of firewood on it and make it seem like your first defense against the cold. Unused items in storage like buckets, brooms, and other items that look aged make for attractive decorative elements to warm the space up.

Use natural elements.
Bring in the beauty of nature even in the harsh conditions of the season. Pots of winter flowers scattered around the area bring color and a wonderful scent. For those who do not have a green thumb, plastic alternatives are available at design stores and need no maintenance. Decorative dried branches swooping from long pots or vases are ideal for flanking the front doors.

Brush on a touch of metal.
Gold, silver, bronze and copper make a dramatic accent for the porch. Dip winter gourds in a coating of gold paint and group them next to the porch steps. Brush your wreaths with a hint of copper around the edges to make them more luxurious. You can also try placing golden artificial apples in a basket.

Redecorating the porch after the Christmas season is easier than you think. With these ideas in mind, your porch will look inviting not only during the holidays but throughout the winter.

Jessica Phan is a designer for Balsamhill.com a purveyor of high-end artificial Christmas Trees. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is perfect for her because she has a wide range of interests, including Art & Design, Fashion, Photography, Painting and Thrift Store Shopping.

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Here at The Home, we’re SO excited for New Year’s Eve! While we’re certainly fans of big get togethers, you just can’t beat an intimate house party with family and friends! We’ve put together a short list of preparations that you can take if your home happens to be playing “party central” this New Year’s Eve.

1. Make sure you’ve stored all your holiday decorations that you don’t want guests to see!
Sure, we all know that person that keeps their tree up into January, but New Year’s parties are all about ringing in a *new year*! Trade your Santas and menorahs for festive flower arrangements, tinsel, and balloons. While you’re putting things away, give a quick once over to tables and lamps that might have accumulated some dust over the holiday season.

2. Have a firm head count!
Having a good grip on the number of people that will be attending your party will allow you to get the right amount of food, drinks, party favors (think fun hats, blowers, and goofy glasses!) and chairs. Instead of chasing down potential guests via phone calls, texts or Facebook, think about sending out e-vites that require an RSVP; they’re free and easy to use!

3. If you’re serving food, eat in a different room than you celebrate!
Eating in a separate room allows guests to dance, sing, play games, or watch the ball drop while other guests may be having conversations over an appetizer or drink. This also keeps the majority of the mess in one room and can prevent spills on carpeted areas or furniture. Remove any fragile items that you think might be in danger in case of an impromptu dance party!

4. Have alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available!
While we all know that New Year’s Eve is a time for people to sip champagne and toast to a bright future, not everyone wants to or is able to drink alcohol! Make sure you have a variety of drinks available for all of your guests.

5. Have a cleanup strategy!
Since you’ll most likely be reveling late into the night, make sure you have a strategy in place to clean up afterwards! Decide what you will clean up that night (sticky plates, serving dishes, etc) and what can be saved for the next day (maybe vacuuming up that confetti can wait until morning). Cleaning up as you go can save a lot of time and effort on New Year’s Day!

Making sure your home is prepared for your New Year’s party is a great way to ensure your guests have fun, your decorations look great, and nothing unfortunate happens to your furniture/carpets/etc!

Be safe this New Year’s Eve, have fun, and best wishes for a great 2012 from all of us here at TheHome.com!

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The family has left, the Christmas tree is dying, and the kitchen is still in shambles. Not knowing where to start can lead to procrastination while juggling work and other time-consuming tasks. But have no fear! You can tackle this messy holiday monster. Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Organize Your Décor
Sometimes it’s easiest to shove all the tinsel, ornaments, Christmas lights, and knick knacks into boxes. However, that creates a problem the following year when all your holiday things are mangled and tangled. A great way to keep your ornaments in line is to use an organizer specifically made for just that. Ornament organizers sell for around $15, and they will help keep your ornaments safe when they are stored away. Christmas lights are tricky as well. Cramming them into a box can ruin the lights and cause massive tangles. Use a cardboard paper towel roll or similar object to wrap your lights around neatly.

2. Clean, Clean, Clean!
A holiday mess can give new meaning to spring cleaning. This includes the refrigerator. Leftovers are only good for a few days, so toss out anything that seems “questionable.” You can also toss out ingredients used in your holiday cooking that will expire before you ever plan to use them again. If your family stayed over for the holidays, you probably have sheets to wash and tables to clean as well. Freshening up your living space with thorough cleaning is an important part of ending the holiday madness.

3. Replace the Holidays with Spring
Get excited about the coming season by replacing holiday décor with spring décor. For example, if you had a Christmas wreath on your front door, try replacing it with a spring-inspired wreath full of brightly colored flowers. Replace Christmas quilts with floral ones and trade in cinnamon potpourri for lavender. Even tie back heavy curtains and open the blinds. Adding spring-inspired elements to your home can revive your living space and get you out of a holiday rut.

The holidays are a blast, but transitioning into the New Year is essential. Prioritize these tasks and you’ll feel revived in no time!

Lisa is a proponent of organization and Brooklyn storage. She likes DIY projects, travel, and Home and Garden magazine.

A big thanks to Lisa for this wonderful post. If you have an idea for a submission of your own, please shoot an e-mail over to contribute@thehome.com!

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Why we love The Perfectly Imperfect Home

Unlike all the other design books we listed, The Perfectly Imperfect Home uses gorgeous hand painted illustrations of room designs and inspirational pieces (illustrated by Virginia Johnson) rather than typical design-book glossy photos. The use of these illustrations kind of goes along with the main idea of the book — not every home has to be a perfect full page, full color spread. Homes are imperfect by nature, and there are ways to embrace that and make them beautiful regardless. We also adore this quote by the author’s ten year old son on the back of the book’s jacket:

“This book is just about moving stuff around in your house so it looks better.”

Needleman offers useful wisdom with a splash of welcomed honesty; for example, a section entitled “I don’t do any of this, but I wish I did” (page 158). She answers age-old questions posed by the average person (Where can I put my tissues, remote control, and other useful things not typically scene in designer created homes?) and inspires the average home owner to create beauty from what they have, rather than creating something new from scratch.

Deborah Needleman is the editor in chief of the Wall Street Journal Magazine and creator of the Off Duty section of the Wall Street Journal.

The Perfectly Imperfect Home can be found at a variety of online retailers, including:

Amazon – New for $19.23
Barnes and Noble – New for $19.23 (Also available in select retailers)
BooksAMillion – New for $21.20 (Also available in select retailers)

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Why We Love The Allure of Style

Let’s just start by saying that Mary McDonald’s book The Allure of Style is absolutely gorgeous. The full color two-page design spreads are our favorites, but we have to be honest; its hard not to fall in love with Mary McDonald’s sharp wit (we interviewed her back in October at the High Point Furniture Market and just love her!). The explanatory interludes that accompany her designs provide a splash of humor, a sprinkle of diva, and wonderful insight into her thought processes.

We really love the chapter and section introduction pages that provide fun, often sassy quotes that really get us excited about certain rooms, ideas, or styles. Here are a few of our favorite quotes:

“Design is like theatre, the better the sets, the better the play. As in life, if the play isn’t good, you might as well like the set.” (page 220)

“Intense. It takes courage to mix things up and conviction to push a look to its limit. When you do, the reward is rooms that exude passion, personality, and flair.” (page 146)

“There is no formula for glamour. It combines shimmer and charisma. It’s elusive, but you know it when you see it.” (page 114)

“Dressy. I don’t insist that everyone live glamourously, but once you try it, there’s no turning back.” (page 44)

The Allure of Style can be found at a variety of online retailers, including:

Amazon – Starting (new) at $34.65
Barnes and Noble – Starting (new) at $38.73 (also available in select stores)
BooksAMillion – Starting (online) for $41.66 (also available in select stores)

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