Tag Archives: Design

Bedroom Design: Easy-to-Maintain Plants for Your Bedroom

Post by Tracy Kaler.

Looking to add a dash of greenery to your bedroom? Even if your thumb is closer to black than any shade of green, you can find plants that are low-maintenance and don’t require a lot of TLC. Let’s look at a few easy-to-maintain plant options that will add a breath of fresh air to your bedroom.

Spider plant

Calling first-time gardeners – the spider plant might be for you. Give your plant indirect light and well-drained soil and it should do just fine. Make sure your room isn’t too warm, since spider plants like temps in the 60s. If your spider plant is getting brown tips, try using distilled water or rain water rather than fluoride-filled tap water, and that might take care of the problem. Spider plants can get unruly, so don’t be afraid to prune your plant as needed.

Hierbabuena_0611_Revised

Jade plant

Need good luck? Then you’ve come to the right plant! Jade plants like full sun, so they’ll prosper in bright bedrooms. How do you know if your jade plant is getting enough sun? If it gets bare and leggy, then the plant is not getting enough light. Plant jade in a terra cotta pot, and use a water soluble fertilizer about twice per year.

800px-Crassula_ovata_+_Florero

Peace lily

Brighten up any bedroom with this elegant deep green plant. Drought tolerant, peace lilies need little water and thrive in low to medium light. Check the plant’s soil weekly, and only water as needed. Its large leaves will get dusty, so be sure to give the plant an allover spritz or a wipe down.

Spathiphyllum_cochlearispathum_RTBG

Areca palm

If your bedroom gets a healthy dose of sunlight each day, then the Areca palm is a good choice. A NASA study chose this palm as one of the top air-purifying plants. Lend a tropical feel to your room with this graceful, easy-to-grow palm plant.

Dypsis_lutescens1

Boston fern

This lush fern prefers medium to bright light. Although you’ll most often see Boston ferns as large hanging baskets, it’s not uncommon to see this happy plant in a small decorative pot. Hint, hint. I prefer the smaller versions for indoors, and leave the oversized hanging baskets for outdoor spaces.

Boston_Fern_(Nephrolepis_exaltata)_1

For more info on these plants and other options for your bedroom, visit http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/.

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Bedroom Design: Hooray for the Red, White and Blue: Patriotic Bedrooms

Post by Tracy Kaler.

The 4th of July is a day for Americans to celebrate our nation’s independence, but it’s also a day of picnics, outdoor parties, and festivities in red, white and blue. In the spirit of our nation’s history and the American flag, let’s take a look at some colorful, patriotic bedrooms.

A subtle tone-on-tone stripe on the wall, layered pillows and shams, and vintage accessories successfully pull this bedroom together. The blinds place even more emphasis on the stripe theme. Notice the small stars in the windows on the bed wall.

Patriotic Bedroom

This colonial beach bedroom in Santa Barbara boasts mixed patterns and a country feel. The quilts, painted walls, antique-looking bed, watering can lamp base, and the basket of hydrangeas add to the room’s relaxed style.

Santa Barbara Dutch Colonial

This charming little bedroom combines rustic with modern, and so well. The room could easily take on a different theme by switching out the pillows and dartboard.

celia lima

A Boone, North Carolina bedroom celebrates the American flag. With leather, dark wood, and ZACK pillows in red, white and blue, this rustic boy’s room is fit for a king. Dianne Davant and Associates designed the space.

Modern Mountain Home

I love the simplicity of this farmhouse bedroom in Maryland. The headboard is tall and stately; the American Flag makes a real statement at the foot of the bed, and the remainder of the furnishings are understated. The antique accent rug adds the perfect amount of pattern.

Renovation of 1735 Maryland Farmhouse

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Bedroom Design: 10 Summer Decorating Ideas to Try in Your Bedroom

Post by Tracy Kaler.

In my opinion, warm weather is the ideal time to redecorate. Most of us are in a better frame of mind when our bones are warm, so our creative juices are more likely to flow at full speed.

Whether you’re looking to spruce up your accessories, brighten your bedroom with a paint color, or take on a complete overhaul (perhaps you’re really ambitious!), this season is a fabulous time to rethink your décor. Here are ten summer decorating ideas to try in your bedroom.

1. Hang black and white prints for a timeless yet modern aesthetic.

2016 GBAHB Ideal Home

2. Add new light fixtures for ambience and task lighting.

Union Square

3. If you’re funky and adventurous when it comes to decorating, play with faux fur. Pillows are a terrific place to start.

Randolph Home

4. Paint a decorative pattern or stencil a motif on your walls.

Hampton

5. Go bold in your artwork and make it a focal point in the room.

Soho Loft - NYC

6. Tired of neutrals? Add color in more than one place. Perhaps you should start with a splash on the bed, and then move on to the accessories.

Northside Colonial

7. Want to redecorate, but on a budget? Get thrifty and try flea markets, where you’ll discover fantastic finds at affordable prices.

Lake House Minnesota

8. Splurge on a new area rug. Choose a soft yet durable style.

Mar Vista

9. Update your window treatments. Curtains can give new life to your bedroom.

Cliff Road

10. Invest in a new headboard. Why? Because you deserve it.

Napa Chic-Transitional Master Bedroom

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Bedroom Design: Great-Looking Garage Bedrooms

Post by Tracy Kaler.

Garages aren’t just for parking cars and storing tools and miscellaneous belongings. With some smart planning and TLC, these attachments can become usable living spaces. Let’s take a look at some great-looking garage bedrooms, courtesy of Houzz.

Who would have thought that a garage could be this chic? Beautifully designed by Jill Neubauer Architects, this Truro Beach kids’ room is colorful and well planned, providing and indoor/outdoor sleep space for six.

Truro Beach House Bunk Room

A Seattle garage keeps things minimal and modern, but gets the job done. Ideal for guests, this bedroom could use some additional soft goods such as an area rug and upholstered chair, but at least the paneled walls and ceiling warm up the otherwise industrial space. Murphy beds leave plenty of floor space, allowing the room to be used for entertaining or other functions.

Cabana with murphy beds down.

This Los Angeles garage was transformed into a shabby chic guest cottage for a college student. Not too shabby of a dorm room, if you ask me. The cost of the renovation was $20,000.

My Houzz: From Belgium With Love

A Shelter Island farmhouse garage gets a makeover with a bed, white curtains and bedding, and a mosquito net, lending a touch a romance to the room.

Farmhouse, Shelter Island

Believe it or not, this bedroom and living space used to be a garage. The conversion successfully created a studio apartment with all the modern conveniences. Could you live here?

Garage Conversion

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Bedroom Design: Sweet Pastel Bedrooms

Post by Tracy Kaler.

Rustic and cottagey, this dreamy, shabby chic bedroom relies mostly on neutral tones, but the pale pink flowers and celadon bring some pastels into the lovely mix.

Dreamy Whites
Photo by Dreamy Whites

A transitional Nantucket bedroom uses muted greens with white to create a sophisticated guest space using a daybed. This cozy room boasts just the right amount of texture.

Nantucket
Photo by Eric Roseff Designs

Pale pink rose is the primary color in this traditional bedroom with modern touches. Whitewashed floors and lots of natural light keep the space feeling bright and airy.

John Lewis Rose Mist Bedroom
Photo by John Lewis

Baby blue keeps this room feeling elegant and classy. A touch of bolder blue in the throw pillows adds punch while the rest of the space stays muted.

Greener Pastures
Photo by Urban Home Magazine

Various shades of pale yellow give this traditional room a monochromatic look. The 19th century Victorian home in Boston has been restored and expanded yet hasn’t lost its character. Brimming with pattern, the room doesn’t appear busy, but rather, soothing and homey.

Selkirk Ledge
Photo by Elizabeth Brosnan Hourihan Interiors

Which pastel color is your favorite?





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