After all the fanfare of the holidays die down and we are done purging, cleaning and reflecting on 2010, its time to breathe some new life into our homes and give ourselves a well deserved design infusion to rejuvenate and restore our souls for the upcoming year.

Giving your home some TLC doesn’t have to cost a fortune or become a long and arduous process.  Here are some very simple and highly effective ways to freshen up your home in this New Year.

1.  De-clutter it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
We build our lives, save our memories, and document every nuance of our children’s growth.  The next thing we know we’re inundated with stuff we’ve accumulated over the years and can’t part with.  Living in a home that is cluttered and disorganized will immediately drain your energy – without even realizing it.

To eliminate the mess and get you to a peaceful resolve start by going through every bin, shelf, drawer and cabinet.  Gather all the papers, old toys, books and back issues of magazines – and get rid of them!  Don’t shuffle the clutter from one side of the room to the other.  Purge and remove everything from the space you’re about to redesign.  Only once everything is cleared away, you can start your project

2.  Re-arrange it! (Degree of Difficulty –easy)
Once you’ve de-cluttered your space start moving things around.  Take inventory of the furniture in each room and start experimenting.  Maybe your adorable bedroom chair would look even better in the living room, and those pair of table lamps would revitalize your bedroom ambiance.  Paint out the entry chandelier in a sleek finish and re-introduce it in the dining room.  Don’t be afraid to move your sofa and chairs and swap out the accessories from room to room without spending a dime.

3.  Paint it or Paper it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy to moderate)
For a fresh new look introduce splashes of color back into the home.  With a huge focus on hearth and home, natural colors will be dominating interiors this year.  From earthy browns, buttery yellows to tomatoes, pumpkins and greens or the dreamy glamour of a more pale, frosted and opalescent color palette may be more your style.

Another new trend to freshen up your home is the application of wallpapers.

I’m thrilled to see the resurgence of grasscloth!  This natural wall covering that was popular back in the ‘70’s has returned with even more elegance and sophistication than before.  The endless selection of hemps, silks, linens and metallics, are striking in both traditional and contemporary interiors – instantly adding texture and character to the space.  This material is the epitome of understated Eco-Chic. – Love it!

4.  Welcome it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
Enhance the front entry of your home by welcoming and exuding a positive energy flow into your home for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.  Sound good?   Start by simply creating a focal point somewhere in your foyer.  A simple console table with a favorite piece of art hanging above, highlighted by a sophisticated table lamp – will evoke a positive feeling each time you and your friends walk through your front door.  Add a small water element or a mirror on the wall perpendicular to the door will only help in creating a well-balanced, healthy and prosperous life.

5.  Flower it! (Degree of Difficulty – easy)
Adding fresh flowers to your home décor is the piece de resistance in any design project and an instant pick-me-up! Next time you’re shopping for groceries or at your local farmer’s market pick up some fresh flowers and create some fun and unique arrangements. You don’t need to spend a fortune, just look for what’s in season, well priced and colorful enough to enhance your mood.  Place them in colorful glasses, pitchers or clear bowl and sprinkle these arrangements throughout your home.  I do this every week – it makes me happy.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

I have a question for you.  What goes through your mind when you’re flipping through those stunning high-end home design magazines?  Are you thinking: “Wow if I just had that budget I could live like a queen too!”  Or are you feeling: “If I only had that extra space then I could really show off my style!”

Well, it’s easy to get the high-end designer look for a fraction of the cost.  You just need the right inspiration, a solid direction and know where to look.

When it comes to making your house the home you’ve always wanted – consider Budget Decorating Online, your one-stop resource for all kinds of decorating projects on any budget. They have assembled a team of interior design pros to share their insider tips and trends to help guide you through your home design projects – at reasonable costs.  From learning how to avoid the biggest decorating blunders to making small spaces seem larger – these pros lead you down the path of least resistance, empowering you with everything you’ll need to finally live in the home you’ve only dreamed of.

As a new online contributor to Budget Decorating Online, I suggest you grab your laptop and settle in with your morning coffee and check out this fabulous decorating resource. www.budgetdecoratingonline.com/about-us/

You’ll find accessible design ideas for all your home design projects.  So get started now – It’s all at your fingertips!

Stay Inspired!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Small spaces can be big on style. You just need to know how to implement some tricks of the trade to give it that look of grandeur.

Older homes can be loaded with detail and charm, but many tend to be quite compartmentalized – with one small room after another.  Creating that extra space doesn’t have to be that costly if you creatively repurpose and reconfigure some of those existing rooms to gain that extra square footage – where you really need it.

Here are some great tips for living large in a small space.

Space Planning.

• Know how your room must function for you now and later.  The more flexible the space the greater the longevity of having it work for you through the years.
• Plan traffic flow to increase convenience from room to room.
• Have your spaces relate to each other by creating a sense of flow, visually and spatially.
• Expand your room by creating an opening in a wall adjoining two spaces or add new and more expansive windows flooding the interior with natural light and inviting the outdoors in.
• Recognize the circulation patterns within your small space and make sure you can move about without obstacles blocking you.
• Circulate the traffic off to one side of your room – not through the space.
• Use every inch of space have – don’t waste any!

Maximize Storage.

• Use the storage beneath your stairs to build in a closet, shelving unit or bar area.

• Add recessed shelving and niches anywhere you have ample wall space to do so – always keeping the architecture of your home in mind.  Built-in china cabinets in the dining room or a stone ledge over your pedestal sink in the main bath will provide added storage and surfaces for those tighter spaces.
• Add window seats or banquettes nestled into the corners of your bedrooms, living rooms or kitchens with easily accessible drawers for storage.
• Use an archway for additional book storage and build in additional shallow floating shelves for added detail and storage.

Add Detail and Character.

• A small space doesn’t need to be a bland one!
• Define it by introducing some architectural elements such as arches, columns, new moldings, wainscoting, and even chair rails to your walls – and beams or molding to your ceiling.
• Adding crown moldings to your ceilings will add a greater sense of volume and depth to your space.
• Mirrored wall panels framed with architectural moldings will provide a brighter and more expansive feel and create some sparkle.
• It’s all about creating a warm and beautiful environment – no matter the size of the room.

Minimize and Categorize Accessories.

• Purchase larger scaled, more substantial pieces to create a stronger impact in your cozy space rather than displaying dozens of little knickknacks.

• To really highlight your favorites, gather similar pieces together and cluster them in odd numbers, e.g., sets of three or five, to create a collection.  Whether they are placed on side tables or in shelving or display cases, rotate your collections throughout the seasons.
• To achieve a sense of balance, place the largest piece in the center and have the smaller ones radiate around it.
• Re-frame all your family photos in similar finishes so the photos pop, rather than the frames.

Highlight With Lighting.

• Overlapping pools of light can create drama and provide an amazing effect over the entire space.
• Not only will decorative lamps and wall sconces add a decorative touch to a room, they can enhance the design and provide a sense of sophistication to the elements you’d like to highlight.
• For general lighting in every room, I like to specify dimmers to control the mood and transform the space.
• In built- in cabinetry and shelving, small halogen puck lights create a sense of drama and accent accessories.
• Install your gorgeous dining room chandelier no more than 36” to 42” inches from the top of your table to the underside of the fixture.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Would you say your overall design style sleek and chic?  Do you enjoy the true architecture of a space with its linear simplicity rather that an overly adorned and accessorized space?  If you’d like to translate your modern vision into your Master Bath here are a few design ideas to help get you started.
1.  Cabinetry

• When it comes time to selecting the design of your cabinetry lean toward clean, crisp and streamlined furniture.
• To create a lighter and sleek bathroom environment consider cantilevered cabinetry secured to the wall creating a minimal look to the vanity piece.  Create some drama with strip lighting added to the bottom side of the cabinet – which will cast a warm glow to the floor below.
• Provide additional built in wall-to-wall storage elsewhere in the bathroom to compensate for the reduced storage in the vanity area.
• Deep dark rich woods evoke a sense of warmth to the clean lines of contemporary design.

2.  Fixtures

• Crisp clean and sleek white fixtures speak to the contemporary/modern design.
• If space allows introduce one of the hottest trends – a free- standing bathtub.  They are available in all shapes and sizes and nothing creates a more dramatic focal point in the bathroom than an exquisite free-standing tub. Simply position it in front of a spectacular picture window with a breathtaking view as the backdrop.

3.  Surfaces and Materials

• Utilize solid surfaces for countertops, whether quartz, limestone, granite, concrete or glass to give it a clean contemporary look.  Keep the edges simple and square for easy maintenance and sophisticated style.
• Always introduce an interesting backsplash material in contrast to the counter top color and material.  Whatever the surface I like to apply it on all walls from floor to ceiling.  It creates instant architecture and adds great detail and drama to the space.
• Glass tile, mosaic, stone or ceramic details are just a few of the highly decorative backsplash products out on the market today that create a sense of modern style.
• Keep geometry in mind when selecting the material for your contemporary backsplash.  Consider tile shapes that are rectangular, oversized, or small mosaics to create detail in the pattern of the application.  If the tile is oversized and rectilinear install it in a brick pattern. If it’s shape is longer and thinner then stacking the tile creates a very interesting modern vibe.  Stay away from the common square tile in any size.

4.  Luxurious Shower

• Create a steam shower with multiple rain heads, and body sprays.  If your budget allows, add chromatherapy and aromatherapy to your master bath wish list as well.  These fittings represent the epitome of modern luxury design.  Don’t forget a built in bench and access panel to hide the steam system.
• Design a full seamless glass enclosure from floor to ceiling and finish the interior with complimentary mosaics or stone tile to set it apart from the rest of the space.  This glass enclosure creates a more visually open space within the overall space.

5.  Accessories

• Remember to keep clutter and display to a minimum.
• Accessorize with towels in a bright color for punch or stainless steel and woods. Keep everything to a minimum and clutter free.
• Select chrome, nickel or silver toned drawer/door pulls, towel bars, towel hooks and paper holders for sparkle.
• Frame vanity mirrors in woods or silver tones – in similar finishes to the other accessories adorning your modern bath.

Draw the bath and enjoy the modern luxuries of your new space.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

Whether you’re ready to re-design your entire home or just intend to redecorate a single room, make sure you have a master plan.  Here are the top 5 decorating mistakes and how you can correct them.

1.  Poor Furniture Placement.  A bad furniture layout can set the tone for the room and is still one of the most common mistakes that many people make.

• Mistake: Don’t line up all your furniture and seating against the walls of a room, it’s almost impossible to carry on a decent conversation.  And no matter what you think it does not give the illusion of more space.
• Solution: Try moving the large sofa off the wall and position it in the center of the room facing the focal point whether it is the fireplace or entertainment unit.   Re-orient all the other furniture pieces to work off that sofa, creating a more intimate living space where great conversations can happen.

2.  Oversized Furniture. I can tell you that, contrary to popular belief, size does matter.

• Mistake:   Oversized furniture can be overpowering and chunky, eating up the space within the room by making it feel cluttered and smaller than it really is – particularly when those pieces are disproportionate to the space.
• Solution: Large-scaled furniture works best when fewer pieces are used.  In construction, there’s a saying: measure twice, cut once.  The same should apply to decorating.  Measure (your space) twice and purchase (the right pieces) once..

3.  Unbalanced Room. This is where furniture placement and size come together to create balance.  It’s very important to be aware of the height, width and depth of all your major pieces.

• Mistake: If your bulky sofa, heavy wood cocktail table and your inherited bombe chest are gathered to one side of the room with a pair of club chairs, all of those “bottom heavy” pieces create an imbalance in the space, both physically and visually.
• Solution: Make sure your overall layout and conversation area is balanced. Then introduce some lighter pieces into the mix.  By all means use your sofa, but introduce glass, iron or metal combinations for cocktail tables and end tables.. If you have a very tall unit or hutch in your space, balance it out with a beautiful tall tree or an art arrangement.

4.  Poor Traffic Patterns: The ability to walk through each room in your house without navigating through a maze of furniture can be a challenge for some.

• Mistake:  You don’t want to walk into your family room and immediately be faced with an aisle just wide enough to squeeze through, then knock into the corner of that lethal weapon called an end table…. bruising your thigh again, in the exact same spot as you did yesterday!  Always keep the doorways at the top of your list when thinking about traffic patterns in every room of your home.
• Solution: If you have two openings into and out of your space, then move the traffic behind the seating, not through it.  If you have a sofa floating within your space and away from the wall make sure there is at least 30” to 36” of clear floor space to walk around between the wall and other furniture pieces. The ultimate solution is to arrange your furniture so that you direct traffic through the space.

5.  Identifying A Focal Point. Every space needs to have a focus or anchor for other design elements revolve around. This highlight is the glue that holds the room together, and creates a sense of interest.

• Mistake: Some people never really figure out what the focal point to their room is, while others try to highlight too many.  Not taking advantage of natural focal points, such as fireplaces, expansive windows with a killer view, or charming French doors onto the patio can dull the senses and be very uninviting.
• Solution: A good rule of thumb to follow is to look for the most dramatic element in the space.  In the family room or great room, the focal point is either the fireplace, windows to the view or the entertainment unit.  Make sure that your conversation area somehow faces the area or at least part of it.. If you lack a focal point – create one!

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.

When I design a home, it’s my desired goal to create a personal experience, inspired atmosphere and enhance my client’s quality of life. Developing a plan that integrates the interior with the exterior and invigorates a daily renewal of mind, body and spirit is more important now than ever.  Not only should your home reflect your personality, it should envelop you, calm you and make you say “Ahhh” the moment you walk through the door.

Does your home do that for you?

If you have a crazy busy schedule like I do, you undoubtedly yearn for a sense of calm, order and serenity at the end of your day – a place that neutralizes the daily chaos of life and allows you to unplug from the external stresses.

Like any design project transforming your home into a retreat and sanctuary requires some homework on your part. In order to create a home that is more comfortable, more satisfying and more balanced, you need to take good look at how you currently live, and then visualize the way you want to live.

The more thought and consideration you give to your home now, the more pleased and satisfied you’ll be with the end result.

So ask yourself these questions.

• Is your home welcoming and inviting?
• Does it make you happy and bring you joy?
• Is your home comfortable?
• Is it uncluttered, organized and visually restful?
• Does your home feel balanced and congruent with who you really are?
• Have you incorporated natural elements such as wood, stone, water and plants throughout your home?
• Do you hear soothing sounds to relax you?
• Are you welcomed by a familiar scent as you open your door?

Tactfully combining the five natural (feng shui) elements of earth, fire, water, wood and metal along with the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell will ultimately create a soothing and tranquil home environment. Creating this unparalleled home experience will re-energize your spirit and repair your sense of well-being.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca. © 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc.