Along with numerous other New Year resolutions, many people also resolve to make improvements to their general over all lifestyle.  One of the best ways to increase your feeling of day to day contentment is to give your home a fresh new look.  Investing in home improvements not only increases the value of your home it may  also improve your happiness, and money spent to enlist the help of a interior designer in Seattle will not only make the job less intimidating, it will also ensure that things turn out in reality the way you have them envisioned in your mind.

Each year brings exciting and innovative changes in the decorating world. If you’ve been considering a new look for your surroundings, here are some of the hot trends for 2010 that you might look into:

Coziness and comfort are returning to the decorating scene as people focus on staying home more.  With this trend come the desire for natural fabrics, calm, relaxing colors and plenty of texture.  Hot colors will include grays, lilacs and off whites.  Accent colors will be bold and rich in hues of plum, magenta and even orange.

Environmentally friendly products will be favored in paints, fabrics and accessories, but especially in lighting.  LED fixtures will continue to be the choice for those wishing to save energy, and new bolder, bigger lighting fixtures will emerge.  Particularly popular will be long rail LED lights, and rectangular chandeliers for large dining tables.

Wall murals will be in vogue and designers will offer them in everything from bold geometrics and edgy urban styles to Asian prints and soothing scenery.

Fabrics and textures will be very mix and match for a country comfort kind of appeal.  Focus will be on natural materials such as cork, wool and felt.  Large floral patterns on dark backgrounds may see a comeback.  Interesting color combinations such as a navy and lavender, plum and pink, and even turquoise and tangerine, may emerge in fabrics for window dressings, upholstery and accessories.

Trends in furniture will follow the mood of staying home and staying comfy.  Pieces will be functional and comfortable but elegant at the same time.  Following the lead of fabrics and textiles, furniture pieces will be a mixture of styles and materials.  Formal and casual, vintage and art deco, modern and contemporary will all reside together for an eclectic yet sophisticated appeal.

Woods of choice will include cost-efficient alder and maple, with bamboo being a very popular choice among the environmentally conscious.  Woodwork will be clean and classic with very little if any ornamentation.

These are just a few of the predicted trends for the new year as seen by various designers across the nation.  If some of these ideas appeal to your sense of home, why not give your interior designer in Seattle a call and see how you can comfy up your living space this year?

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

The most important element of a successful interior design project is a good plan.  As your Seattle interior designer will explain, there are many aspects of a project to consider, such as the wise use of space, the right creation of atmosphere and the creation of a visually pleasing room. Bringing all of that together is, to say the least, a challenge.  In order to arrive at that point successfully, a good interior designer will ask a lot of questions before drawing up a plan for any project.  As a client, you should be ready with answers to those questions.  That is your part in reaching the ultimate goal of that superbly designed space you’ve been dreaming of.   Ask yourself this:

1.    How will I be using this space most of the time? Will it be a room for activity, for relaxing, for working or perhaps a studio?  Consider how it will be used for the majority of the time.

2.    What other uses might I want to include in this space? If secondary uses are planned for this room, list them as well.  Areas for different uses must be incorporated into the plan from the beginning.

3.    Will this be a high traffic area, and if so, how do I envision people moving through this space? Study the location of this space to determine if it can be used as you would like without interrupting a natural traffic flow of your overall space.  For example, designing a sun room sitting area that can only be accessed through the master bedroom may not be ideal if you plan to use the room for entertaining.

4.    Will the overall plan include other rooms as well? If ultimately you want the project to include changes to other rooms, those changes should be laid out in the beginning even if the actual work is to be done at a later date.

5.    What type of lighting do I want or need in this space? Do I need bright lights for games and activity, warm subtle light for quiet times, or perhaps some of each?

6.    Will I need additional mechanical elements such as electrical, heating or plumbing? These aspects tend to be costly and in some cases structurally impossible to install.  It’s best to know right from the start if that’s the case.

7.    Will I need special noise reduction or sound enhancement elements incorporated into the design? For example, for a home theatre you may want to consider using materials that provide for better sound quality.

8.    Do I want and, and is it possible to add extra windows or doors? You may want a window for enjoying beautiful sunsets but the room must be able to accommodate them.

9.    What kind of feeling do I want the space to have? Here’s where paint color, fabrics and textiles can be used in different ways to create the perfect mood for the room.

10.    What is my total budget for the project? It’s easy to get carried away when creating a dream space.  Know your limit and stay within it.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Loft living has become the home of choice for all kinds of people from young business professionals to middle-aged empty nesters to older retired couples.  If you love the feel of open spaces and unique design, then loft living may be for you.  The one thing that all loft lovers do agree on, however, is that the interior design of a loft living space should be left in the hands of a professional, such a Seattle interior designer.  For the amateur home decorator, lofts present issues that can become quite frustrating and overwhelming.  Here are just a few of the design elements that call for a trained eye and creative hand:

• Lofts can sometimes be one open space where individual “rooms” have to be created using just the right elements of design.

• Some lofts have been built from refurbished industrial space leaving steel girders and exposed brick intact.  It can be tricky incorporating these elements into a finished design that works.

• That big open space will most likely mean very few walls.  Most of us are so used to plunking furniture against a wall, we wouldn’t have the first clue how to arrange our furniture any other way!  And how would we ever decide where or how to “hang” our favorite art pieces or gallery of family photos?

• Another thing that loft living doesn’t have is a closet around every corner.  Fewer closets mean less space to hide our “stuff.”  Open space loft living often means a lot more of the things we own have to be either creatively displayed or cleverly stored!

• All of that bare floor space is going to require area rugs to keep our toes nice and toasty.  In a loft, it’s not just a case of buying a 9×12 rug and plunking it down in the bedroom.  Several area rugs are likely going to be needed and much to the dismay of the “decorating challenged,” they will need to be coordinated!

• All of those gorgeous big windows that flood us with natural light during the day have to somehow be “dressed” for the night time hours too.

• Stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops make for a beautiful contemporary kitchen with lots of space for culinary adventure.  But what about the fact that the kitchen, bedroom and living room are actually all the same room?

• And then of course, there is the question of paint colors.  Does one open space necessarily mean everything needs to be all one color?  How do we choose different colors for different rooms when there are no “rooms?”

Most of us who have visited lofts have seen them as they are after interior designers have worked their magic.  These are the professionals who know how to turn that big open space into the exciting and unique style of living space that new loft owners dream about!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

There is always a good reason to want more space at home, and during hard economic times, it may be easier and more budget-friendly to add to your current home than to sell and find a bigger place.

However, how do you decide what to do?  Should you finish the attic?  Turn the basement into an apartment?  Build a completely new addition to your home?

The best option will depend on your home, your needs, and the budget you have to work with.  Here we give you a list of the advantages and the disadvantages for the three options mentioned above:

Option one- Basement remodeling
The basement is a very large open space that offers tons of different and interesting opportunities.  Your basement could become a full apartment, a playroom, a guest room, an office, an entertainment center, or a gym, among a variety of options.  The amount of money you have to spend is the decisive factor.

Basements have an important inconvenience: moisture.  Before beginning any basement remodeling, you have to make sure the space is protected against moisture; otherwise, you will have wasted your money and time.  A good interior designer will help you find the best solution for any moisture condition you may have to solve.

Option two- Attic remodeling
Remodeling the attic may be more difficult than remodeling the basement because of the low ceilings.  A very good design is needed to ensure the space is taken full advantage of while making it look beautiful and ensuring it is safe.

Attic floors may require reinforcing or replacing to support the weight of new furniture and regular traffic, and stairs may be needed to make the attic easily accessible.  These are all aspects that may discourage you to pursue an attic remodeling project; however, when they are done, attics turn out to be one of the favorite places for family members to hang around, because they become cozy and beautiful spaces.

Option three- Room building
To add an entirely new area to your house may be, by far, the most expensive option; nevertheless, it is the one that will add more value to your house if it is done right.

One of the preferred ways to add more space to a home when building a new room is by building a sunroom or enclosed patio, which offers a different and pleasing option of family room or place to throw parties.

If you decide to build a new room, you will most definitely need the help of a professional interior designer, because no matter where you live, there will always be permit issues and construction standards that you will have to meet.  Interior designers in Seattle take care of everything for you; they ensure your project runs smoothly in the practical, technical, and creative sides.

The most important thing after making the decision is doing it right, thus, find the right help, and make your home a better place to live.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Saving energy is becoming a priority for everyone these days.  The world is going through a decisive period, where everybody has to do his or her part in order to save and restore what we have so irresponsibly wasted in the past.

This year 2010, choose to favor life, and your budget, by following these 8 tips to save energy and to contribute to the world’s wellbeing:

1.    Get compact fluorescent bulbs
These are the saving alternative for traditional light bulbs, because they will save lots of energy and money annually.  Try to use the lowest watt capability that you need for each light’s purpose and you will save even more.

2.    Change the thermostat
If you have neglected changing your thermostat, it is time to do it.  Get a programmable thermostat, install it, and please, don’t forget to program it; you can save over $100 per year.

3.    Prefer low flow models
Take the time to replace your shower and toilets for low flow models that use much less water but work just as well as the traditional ones.

4.    Wash clothes with cold water
It is no longer necessary to use the hot cycle, because the new laundry detergents work perfectly with cold water, helping you save tons of energy and money.

5.    Clean the lint filter
If your dryer’s lint filter is dirty, it will lose efficiency and will be forced to use more energy to perform, thus increasing your bill.  Cleaning the lint may take you about two minutes or less, so there is no excuse.

6.    Reduce the hot water heater’s temperature
Set it to 120 degrees instead of the normal 140.  You won’t feel the difference, guaranteed!  Well, that’s not completely true; there will be a difference… in your bill.

7.    Unplug appliances
If you leave appliances plugged, even when they are not in use, they are consuming a lot of energy.  You can save as much as $160 a year if you unplug your plasma TV every night. Do it for other appliances as well and be pleasantly surprised every time your bills arrive.

8.    Replace and repair
Replace old technologies for new ones that are designed to save energy, for example, the water heater, windows, and exterior doors.  Repair the appliances that are worth it; you can very easily save a lot of energy and money by doing so.

Talk to your interior designer in Seattle and ask her about the best ways to make your home energy-efficient without sacrificing the homey feeling that makes it so special.  It is absolutely possible, completely necessary, and amazingly satisfying.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

It is as much a tradition as setting your goals for the New Year.  Every year, the color authority ‘Pantone’ picks the color for the year, amid a lot of excitement and speculation in the interior design industry as to which will be the next year’s color inspiration.

The color chosen for 2010 is turquoise, a color that, according to ‘Pantone’, reflects “thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing”.

It is certainly a very valid and important reason to choose such an important color, one that may bring calm and happiness in such turbulent times we are living in today, but also one that has to be considered carefully in order to use it in the right way.

Turquoise is a very strong color that must be used as a complement with lighter tones so as to not overwhelm the space and to make it look classy and fun.  It can look great in bathrooms, as it reminds us of the beautiful tones of seawater, and it can also be an amazing accent color for living rooms or bedrooms.

We always want to follow the trends in design and fashion, even more so when we start seeing the beautiful décor in magazines and TV shows; however, it is important that you also consider if the trends fit your life and home, because even if it looks great in a magazine, it may not be the right choice for your surroundings.

The best way to go when you want to make a bold change in your home’s décor is to ask for professional advice.  An interior design specialist will help you find the right way to use turquoise in your living space, or any other color for that matter, and she will explain what truly works for you, your family and your lifestyle.

If you live in the area, the Seattle interior design industry is booming with expertise, and is ready to start the New Year with you the right way and with the right colors.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

You have been looking for a house for months, and you have discovered that finding a home suitable for six people and at an affordable price is not an easy task.  But suddenly, one day, an ad catches your eye.  It is a five bedroom, four bathrooms, fireplace, big yard, and huge basement house at a great neighborhood and at an incredible price, however, the last line of the ad reads: “fixer upper”.

So, it’s ok. It’s too good a deal pass up. You know you can convince your family that this is the best option and you can all make some sacrifices to give the place a facelift and to imprint your family’s personality in it.

Many people have gotten into amazingly successful fixer upper projects and you can surely be one of them, however, you have to consider several things:

1.    Is the property worth it?
In order to clearly assess this, you will need a professional.  You can immediately see and feel when a property has potential, and if it does, go see it again with a good engineer, a quality contractor, and a top interior designer.  Why? Because some problems will be obvious, like an outdated kitchen or peeling paint, but the biggest issues, like rotted wood or old plumbing may not be, and only a professional with experience can tell you where to look to find the dangerous weaknesses.

2.    How much will you have to invest in fixing the place up?
If you are really into buying the place, get the professionals to give you estimates of how much the remodeling project will cost.  Add these costs to the house’s price and compare the total with the prices of other similar and better houses in the area.  For example, if the house is listed at, let’s say, $150,000, and others around the neighborhood are being sold for around $210,000, and the remodeling estimates you receive oscillate around $50,000, you definitely have a winner!

3.    Can you finance the fix up?
If you are buying the property with a mortgage, most probably the bank will assess the place based on its current condition, not its potential value once remodeling is done, so you may not receive enough money to pay for the fix up work.  You could research the renovation loan opportunities available in your city, but you will certainly have to work the numbers to make sure you can pay both loans without sacrificing your family.

You will certainly feel it. You will know if the place is ‘home’ even if it is a wreck.  If this is the case and this house is destined to be yours, don’t worry, it will be, energies will align and the right people will find you so as to make your dream a reality.

And if your precious future home is around the Seattle area, here’s your first sign.  Talk to a professional Seattle interior designer; there’s no one better to guide you in the right direction. With her help, you will experience what serendipity is all about.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:

Any remodeling project causes interference in a household’s daily routine, but a major one can result in total chaos and even threaten your sanity.  Once cabinets are ripped out, walls come down, and wiring is exposed, suddenly you are wondering why you decided to go through such hell, since you cannot even imagine how the place will look in the end.  You basically trust your interior designer and her experience to get you through the project without going nuts and in one piece.

There is no question about it, a home remodeling project can be stressful; however, the right guidance and the following advice can make the process easier on you and your whole family:

-    Design a plan to keep your daily routine working
Even though you are living in a chaotic environment, you still have to cook, wash clothes, and take a shower.  If staying at a hotel or with a relative is not an option, you have to design a practical plan to live at home while the work is being done, and you have to do this before the interior designer and her crew start tearing down walls.  You could adapt a new temporary kitchen in another room while remodeling is taking place there, or ask a friend or neighbor to allow you to shower at their house if water has to be turned off for several days.  Knowing what you will do when your home is not livable will give you peace of mind.

-    Keep an eye on the clutter
Of course there will be a mess while the project is underway; however, the loads of trash and dust that come out daily should be taken care of immediately.  Before remodeling begins, talk to your interior designer about this, and make sure you have clarity, and that everyone knows, how trash should be handled.

-    Protect your valuables
Even if your interior designer is the best and most careful one out there, dust will surely spread all over your house.  Ensure all your furniture and electronics are well protected against dust, or remove them if necessary.  You can choose a room away from the chaos to put everything for the duration of the project, lock it up and make sure everyone understands that that area is out of bounds.  In this way, you will feel comfort in knowing that your things are safe.

-    Keep an eye on things
Whether you are living elsewhere or at home during the remodeling project, you have to talk to your interior designer every day, and even several times a day, to make sure everything is going smoothly.  This will help you feel in control of what is happening right now and know what’s coming next.

If you live in the Seattle area, contact experienced interior designers in Seattle. You can rest assured you will remain sane no matter how huge your remodeling project is.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:

Renovating an attic means you can add lots of useful space to your home.  Normally, attics are full of junk from ages ago; there is no better time than now to think of a better way to use such valuable space within your home.

Attics are not meant to be dirty, dark, and moldy. Very much the contrary, they should be modern, cozy, bright and beautifully designed spaces that bring value to your home and life.

One of the challenging situations attics present is the low ceiling that limits its use.  However, a professional interior designer knows the clever design principles and the best remodeling strategies to take 100% advantage of these difficult areas in a practical and beautiful way.

Here are 9 great ways to take full advantage of your attic space and to enjoy it as much as you enjoy the rest of your home:

1.    Storage area
Use the space along the attic’s walls as storage area, using shelves, drawers, niches, or cupboards.  In this way you add value to your home, you keep the place organized and free of clutter, keep people away from low ceiling areas, don’t need standing dressers and bookcases, and maximize the use of dead zone areas.

2.    Change the stairs
Very often, the stairs to the attic are built to use a lot of the attic’s floor space that you could put to better use.  In order to solve this, you can locate the stairs on the low roof side by breaking the stairs up with two half flights and a landing, by working with the roof line’s slope by having stairs that go down to a landing before changing direction, or by adding a skylight to the stairwell.

3.    Place furniture
You can put furniture under low ceiling areas to maximize their use.  Locate the head of the bed there, a couch or chair, a dresser, desk, bookcase, or entertainment unit.

4.    Skylights
These add lots of light to dark attics and are easy to install.  Skylights on sloped roofs give the sensation of more vertical space in the room.  They go great in bathrooms above sinks, in built-in bathroom shower stalls, above built-in bed or desk niches, in kitchens, main living areas, and stairwells.

5.    Reflect light
Walls, ceiling, floor, and objects in the room can absorb or reflect light.  Light colors on walls and ceiling next to the windows help natural light flow throughout the space.  Paint ceilings and walls white, use hardwood floors or light carpets, and use mirrors and other reflective surfaces to produce the feeling of a larger space.

6.    Add enough lighting
If your attic is a little dark, think about the kind of lighting that will light it up, perhaps, overhead lighting, lamps, wall lighting, or task lighting.

7.    Dormers
These add natural light and usable space, add height to bathrooms, kitchens, seating areas, and niches for desks.  Dormers will help you gain more space in the middle of the attic to improve movement and circulation.

8.    Windows
Add natural light and open up the space.  Choose wide or tall windows, or both, to allow light to penetrate deep into the attic.

9.    Build a bathroom
A small bathroom in the attic is a great way to use low spaces.  Use the low roof side to put the toilet, the sink, or the shower.  You can add a skylight over the sink for more light, a bench along the shower wall, or a skylight over the shower to add more headroom.

Contact a local Seattle interior design firm to find out your attic’s potential.  They can give you a good idea of what kind of work your space needs and how to make it fit your budget.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:

The day finally arrived!  Your child has gone to college and, now, the house is all yours.  As soon as this happens, the first thing many couples do is remodel the house to fit their new life.  Maybe you’ve been dreaming about building a gym at home, or a home office, or a meditation spot, or a quilting room, and now is the perfect time.  You have a spare room where you can design the personal space of your dreams without having to think about the kids’ safety, their primary activities, or even the colors that will show the dirt less.

However, as soon as everything is ready and you are happily enjoying your new space, you get a phone call.  Your ‘little one’ is returning home and your newly acquired liberty is at stake.

For many reasons, one of them being the economic crisis, many kids who left home to study or to live other experiences are returning to the nest.  When adult children or elderly parents move in, the space, privacy, and lifestyle differences can be a huge problem.  In this case, homeowners have to find a way to create two homes in one, and in many cases the answer may be the basement.

Now more than ever basements are being remodeled to become a full living space, an apartment within a house.  This is a perfect way to welcome family members into your home while keeping your privacy, and personal space intact.

There have been many advances in finishing techniques, materials, and trends that help transform basements into amazing spaces, making them cozy, practical, modern, private, and independent.  It doesn’t matter if it is a small or big basement; the project will be successful if you do it right:

1.    You have to know exactly what kind of space you need.  Young and elderly people have very different needs and thus, you have to know for who this space will have to work for, so that it is functional and attractive to them.

2.    Research the local interior designers to find the right professional to guide you.  Yes, you need a professional.  Basement remodeling is a huge project that requires a lot of knowledge in regards to proper insulation, ventilation, lighting, colors, storage solutions, furniture and fixtures that will work by not making the space look crowded, and the practical design of limited spaces.  These are only a few of the aspects that make basement remodeling a task of high level difficulty.

If you want to do it right, if you want the basement remodeling project to add great value to your home, and besides being home to your loved ones, become a source of return on investment if you ever decide to sell, you need to get quality help.  If you hire the help of a Seattle interior designer or someone in your area, you can ensure faster communication and action in case of emergencies with the project, and it will mean great savings in time and effort for you.

Once your project is ready, and for many years to come, the interior designer’s expertise will prove vital for the comfort and economic return it will provide.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email: