Tactful Thanksgiving Decorations for Your Home

Are you tired of decorating your home with turkeys for Thanksgiving? Avoid that overdone, tacky decor this year. Purchase classy fall-inspired pieces or make your own from nature. You will be thankful for your beautiful, original home interior. 

1. Anything fall-inspired

 

Fall decorations will last all season long. Replace the turkey and cornucopia decor with fall leaves, wreaths, and warm autumn-inspired colors. Decorate with red, orange, and yellow - or plum, chocolate, gold, and any other hues that strike your fancy. 

2. Words of gratitude

 

You may already have inspirational words decorating your home in the form of a plaque or wall clings. Live, laugh, love: These are nice words to live by, but they are not your only option. Something as simple as "Count your blessings" is a good reminder during this holiday season. 

3. Fruit bowl centerpieces

 

Fruit is a yummy way to decorate the table or countertop. Get creative with your fruit bowl centerpiece by selecting a unique basket to display your fruit. Or, surround the apples and oranges (or pomegranates, pears, etc.) with foliage to create a sweet masterpiece. 

4. Inspiration from nature

 

Nature provides inexpensive options for home decor. Step outside your door and find fallen sticks or pinecones to decorate the home for Thanksgiving. A vase filled with branches is a simple but elegant accent, as is a shallow glass bowl with a candle surrounded by a handful of pinecones. 

5. Candles and flowers

 

Candlelight is pretty any time of the year, but it is especially lovely in the fall and winter. Pair candles of any size with flowers (real or artificial). A shallow bowl or basket provides the perfect container for several candles, surrounded by flowers in fall hues. Protect your flowers from the flames by keeping the candles inside a clear jar or vase. 

6. Front door decor

 

Thanksgiving wreaths don't have to be the standard rings covered in fall leaves. Change up your door decor by making a creative accent; this pinecone-and-ribbon door piece is charming and easy to make. It consists of eight pinecones, each of which is hanging from a wide purple ribbon. The ribbons are tied together and the "wreath" hangs on the door. 

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Photo courtesy of Flickr / HomeSpotHQ

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces Using Pine Cones

Are there pine cones filling your backyard? If you can, you might as well put them to use indoors, rather than raking them all up into trash bags with the fall leaves. Why not make your own table centerpiece using pine cones to use for Thanksgiving? There are several different crafts you can try, from pine cone turkeys to homemade bouquets. These are just three DIY Thanksgiving centerpieces you can make using pine cones. 

Pine Cone Candle Centerpiece

 

You will need: a wide, shallow glass bowl or vase; a pillar candle; and an assortment of pine cones. The pillar candle can be in any fall-inspired color. Look for pine cones of varying sizes. Paint the cones if you like, or leave them in their natural, woody color. Place the candle in the center of the bowl. Surround it with pine cones, making sure at least two-thirds of the candle is visible. Center your bowl on the dining table in time for Thanksgiving. 

Pine Cone Turkey Centerpiece

 

You will need: a large pine cone; assorted colored feathers; two small google eyes; glue; and colored foam scraps in the shapes of a head (circle), beak (teardrop), and feet. Lay your pine cone on its side, finding a side where it will not roll around. Starting a couple rows back from the wide end, start gluing the feathers in the spaces of the cone. Work your way to the narrow end until each slot has been filled, making sure to fan out the feathers to look like a turkey. Glue the foam to the appropriate areas of the pine cone, and glue the google eyes to the face above the beak. 

Pine Cone Bouquet Centerpiece

 

You will need: a gift box; barbecue skewers; foam; hot glue; ribbon; pine cones; and a drill bit. Drill a hole into the bottom of each of the pine cones. Use hot glue to attach each of the pine cones to the end of a skewer. Poke the skewers into the foam so the cones look like a bouquet, and fill in the spaces with colored leaves. Place the foam into the gift box and wrap ribbon around it. Place your Thanksgiving centerpiece on the dining room table. 

Enjoy making your pine cone centerpiece, and have a happy Thanksgiving holiday. 

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Photo courtesy of Flickr / Porsche Brousseau

Fall Home Decor Shopping Tips

Fall home decor embraces the cooler season with cozy decorating touches in the home. Decorate your home interior with fall-inspired decor, from rich colors to pretty accent pieces. Need some help shopping for fall home decor? Consider these five shopping tips. 

1. Get great deals once the season is over. Prices always drop at the end of a season, and sometimes in the middle of a season. Rather than buying fall home decor a month ahead of time, why not keep it simple and wait to buy for next year at reduced prices? 

2. Showcase the fireplace, dining table and so on. These are common areas of the home to decorate during any season. Use these areas to showcase your fall decor and, when the season is over, you can clear it out and re-decorate with winter centerpieces.

These two polka dot fall pumpkins would look adorable in front of the fireplace, or even on the front stoop.

3. Incorporate Halloween and Thanksgiving accents. Who says you can only decorate for these holidays over a few days around the actual holiday? Decorate with holiday-inspired accessories and leave them out during the entire season. 

4. Change up the accessories in your home. Do some of your accessories remind you of spring or summer? Swap out brightly-hued decor for pieces that remind you of autumn. This may include wall art, accent pillows, candles and more. 

Check out this gorgeous Ty Pennington medallion orange fabric that would make the perfect accent pillow for fall.

5. Remember to include outdoor decor. Sure, the changing leaves might be enough of a visual cue that fall is here. But if you are going to spend the time decorating your interior for the season, why not take it a little further with a few outdoor fall decorations, as well? 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission when you make a purchase. Thank you in advance.

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Photo courtesy of Flickr / peapodsquadmom

Color Scheme Ideas for Fall Decorating

When the weather starts to cool and leaves fall from the trees, it is time to get rid of summer decor and replace it with autumn-inspired pieces. Fall is about warm, rich color palettes, often in deep hues. When I think of this season, pumpkin pie and oak leaves come to mind. Autumn colors are inspired by these things and more. First of all, determine whether it is feasible to change up your color palette and home decor for fall. 

Should you change the decor for fall?

Some might wonder how much, if any, redecorating they should do for any given season. After all, there are four seasons in a year, and some decorations might not work well with your overall design scheme. It could end up being much more work than you had bargained for. First, what is the style or color scheme in your home? Traditional homes with warm color schemes make a great canvas for fall decorating. Cool, contemporary homes might not. Do you have a neutral design and color palette? Then you might be able to change out accent pieces to suit each season. Simply work with your existing decor to come up with the perfect balance each season. 

Color scheme ideas for fall

1. Pumpkin pie. For the pumpkin, choose an orange hue. The pie calls for a light tan or beige color. Blend them together for a spicy pumpkin pie inspired color scheme. If your main color is beige, highlight the room in orange and accent it with a deep brown. 

2. Purple plum. A rich burgundy or a plum colored purple is pretty for fall. Accent the room with gold and a deep blue. For a neutral room, use plum as your accent color. 

3. Changing leaves. Mix leaf-inspired colors together for a rich, fall look: red, burgundy, orange, gold, brown, green ... To avoid a haphazard feel, choose a color palette of three to five of these colors. Choose one to use as the main color, and use the remaining colors as accents throughout the room. 

Ideas to change decor for the season

 

Neutral color schemes work best if you plan on changing out accessories each season. Once summer is over, remove anything that is too summery and replace them with fall-inspired pieces. For example, get multiple throw pillows for the sofas or chairs in your favorite colors. For fall, put out the warm colored pillows: orange, brown, yellow, red and so on. Also, consider changing out wall hangings, throw rugs and other accessories that are easy to replace. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr / ~Pawsitive~Candie_N

DIY Pine Cone Decor for Fall

3 Fun Craft Projects Using Pine Cones

Once fall draws near, you might start noticing pine cones in your yard. Are you wondering how you can use them to decorate your home? Pine cones make great fall and holiday decorations for the home, whether they are used to craft wreaths, centerpieces and more. If you have pine trees in your yard, gather some of the fallen cones and make some do-it-yourself fall decor for the house. Here are a few ideas to get started. 

1. Pine Cone Door Wreaths

You will need: a plain wreath and door hanger; a hot glue gun; pine cones and other fall-inspired items. You can buy plain wreaths made of branches or other items from nature at many large retail stores. If possible, look for one with twigs or leaves - or make your own using these items. Use a hot glue gun to attach pine cones to the wreath at random intervals or in small clusters. Vary the pine cone sizes for interest. Also, attach dried berries, acorns, ribbon, and even a little glitter if you like. Once it has dried, hang the wreath from your entryway door to welcome visitors. 

2. Pine Cone Mirror or Photo Frame

You will need: A cheap mirror or photo frame with a plain frame; a hot glue gun; pine cones and other fall-inspired items. Start to glue the pine cones to the mirror frame, using plenty of glue. Avoid lining them all up perfectly, but place the cones in random directions for a more natural look. Use as many or as few as you like. Fill in the spaces with smaller objects, like acorns, berries or whatever suits the look you are going for. You can paint the pine cones if you like, but leave them natural for a more outdoorsy look. For a smaller photo frame, cluster two or three in the bottom corner to avoid overwhelming the photo you are displaying. 

3. Pine Cone Table Centerpieces

You will need: A shallow, wide glass vase or bowl; a hot glue gun; a white pillar candle; pine cones and ribbon. Place the candle inside the vase and wrap a fall-colored ribbon around it, attaching it with hot glue. Surround the candle with pine cones of varying sizes, filling the vase while making sure the top third of the candle is still visible. Place the vase on your dining table to use as a fall centerpiece. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Maegan Tintari

Responsibilities of the Interior Design Professional

Time management and attention to detail are two significant qualities of the interior designer. Besides the variety of responsibilities that come with a project, the designer may be working on several other projects and is possibly in different stages with each one.

It is a complicated process, but the design professional has to be able to pay attention to and keep track of every little detail of the project. 

1. Collaboration

In the beginning stage, as well as throughout the duration of the project, the designer is responsible for setting up meetings with the clients. The initial meeting is to consult with them and be sure that they will be able to effectively work together to come up with a unique design solution. The designer needs to be able to listen to the clients and help them decide what needs to be done. Along the way, the designer will need to be able to coordinate times to present plans and ideas to them. 

2. Attention to detail

Once the clients have agreed to hire a designer, the designer will need to survey the area and take measurements. The designer is responsible for taking and recording accurate measurements at the job site. It usually helps to take another person along to take the measurements or to record them. 

It is important to get the measurements right the first time around to prevent wasting your time and your clients' money. Items to take to the job site include: a tape measure, notepad and pencil, and a digital camera. You will want to take pictures so you don't have to go back to the job site every time you forget one of the details. 

3. Research

After the measurements have been taken and the clients' needs and wants have been assessed, the designer is responsible for coming up with a logical design plan, while keeping sustainable and universal design in mind. The designer may have to do some research at this point. 

4. Making appropriate changes

The designer will draw floor plans and perspective drawings with furniture layouts to present to the clients. Perspective drawings are often color rendered to help the client visualize the design. This is where the designer will need to set up a presentation meeting with the clients; any changes that need to be made to the plans will be discussed here. 

5. Execution of the plan

After the plan has been approved, the designer is responsible for working alongside other people, such as subcontractors, and setting up inspections to be sure that the design is coming together smoothly, as well as keeping the clients informed on the status of the project. It is important to inform the clients as soon as an obstacle comes up in the design process. The designer is also responsible for purchasing any furnishings, accessories, and materials needed. 

The design process is often complicated and may not be as straightforward as an interior designer may have hoped, but a competent designer will be able to keep track of each project and to keep the design process on track. The experienced designer has good time management and pays attention to detail.

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Unique Ways to Decorate the Mantel for Fall

As fall draws near and the weather grows cooler, the fireplace will once again become the center of attention. Fireplace mantels are a great place to display decorations, especially seasonal decor that can be easily changed to showcase relics of each season. Are you looking for ways to decorate the mantel for fall?

There are dozens of autumn-inspired items that can be displayed this time of year. Let's begin by looking at a few things that work great as fall mantel decorations. 

Fall-inspired mementos

 

These are just a few items that will look good on your fireplace mantel in the fall. What else could you add to the list? 

1. Pumpkins
2. Gourds
3. Fruit
4. Candles
5. Leaves
6. Pine Cones
7. Acorns
8. Mini Scarecrows
9. Corn
10. Sunflowers 

Ideas to decorate the mantel for fall

 

Your options for fall mantel decorating are limitless. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

• Leaf garland with mini pumpkins: Place a few mini pumpkins in random places on the mantel. Weave leaf garland around the pumpkins and place a couple candlesticks somewhere in the arrangement, on one end or the other. 

• A walk in the woods: Choose items that can be found in nature. Go out and find pine cones, leaves, acorns and berries for your mantel centerpiece. Arrange them in a clear, decorative vase or a shallow dish and center the arrangement on your mantel. 

• Pears, pine cones and leaves: Arrange some plastic pears and leaves in a shallow dish. Add a couple pine cones. Center it on the mantel, and surround with garland and randomly-placed pine cones. Place a couple candlesticks on either end. 

More mantel decorating tips

 

Here are a few more tips for decorating your fireplace mantel in the fall. 

1. Arrange any fall-inspired items along the mantel; don't be frugal with your fall decorations. 

2. Fill jars and clear vases with smaller fall-inspired items, like acorns and berries, and line them up along the mantel. 

3. Be careful that garland or anything else does not hang down from the mantel while the fireplace is lit. 

4. Decorate the wall above the mantel with mirrors, photos or anything else you like, whether they have a fall theme or not. 

5. Do not light candles and leave them unattended, especially if they are surrounded with dry leaves and garland.

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Pet-Friendly Materials and Finishes for the Home

Those of us with pets are very aware of the types of materials and finishes that are in our homes. Certain fabrics, for example, collect animal fur more than others and certain colors show fur too well. 

Pet owners often hesitate to buy new furniture or flooring because of their pets, whether they shed a lot, drool or have frequent accidents. You may know what doesn't work well for households with pets, but are you aware of the various pet-friendly materials and finishes available for the home? 

These are just a few types of fabric, flooring and colors that are better for homes with four-legged family members. 

1. Pet-friendly fabrics

 

Does your current furniture collect your pets' fur very quickly? Opt for crypton, leather, ultrasuede or matelasse when it comes time to buy new living room pieces. Crypton is not vinyl or plastic, but it is moisture-resistant, easy to clean and it is still comfortable. 

Matelasse is a stitching pattern that appears to be quilted; it is thick and heavy but there is no padding inside. This is a great option for anyone who lets their pets sleep in the bed. 

2. Pet-friendly flooring

 

If you have dark carpeting and light-colored pets, you might find yourself vacuuming very frequently. If you have pets and want new carpeting in your living areas, choose a low-pile carpet that is not continuous loop--it can snag on a claw and unravel quickly. 

Otherwise, ceramic tile is another good option for households with pets. Keep in mind, though, that hard floors can be slippery for little paws so be sure to provide plenty of non-slip rugs so your critters don't get hurt. 

3. Pet-friendly colors

 

Colors can be difficult to choose if you have pets that shed frequently. Overall, medium neutral hues are likely to be your best bet. However, if you have light-colored pets you can probably get away with lighter furniture and flooring, while families with darker pets might opt for darker materials and finishes for the home. 

No matter what, you should still vacuum and clean fabrics frequently to get rid of pet fur and dander that can cause allergies in people. 

My cushion-back sofa is NOT very pet-friendly; Mila & Loki like to sleep on the cushions, permanently deforming them over time

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

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Interior Design Tips to Sell Your Home

It's all about the presentation of your house

As a student in the Interior Design program, I learned about various aspects of the Interior Design process: space planning and color coordinating, as well as a variety of materials and finishes. To sell your home, however, you do not need to be an experienced Interior Design professional. 

All you need to do is follow a few simple steps for sprucing it up. 

1. Keep your home clean

Keep it clean - a potential buyer does not want to see your everyday lived-in mess. Yes, this means picking up after yourself in the mornings and before you go to bed. De-clutter the house by throwing out what you no longer need, or try selling it in a garage sale. Clean up the kids' toys and store them in baskets. Keep everything else in storage totes for the time being. 

2. Replace damaged materials

You will also want to get rid of any spots and stains. Tear out the carpet and replace it with wood or laminate floors. Tile is another option for kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and laundry rooms. This will give the home a cleaner and more open feel. A cheap way to clean up the walls, rather than by scrubbing the stains out, is to repaint them in neutral colors. Keep the colors interesting to attract buyers, but not too wild, because that could drive them away. 

3. Replace outdated home furnishings

Replace outdated appliances. Also, worn cabinets should either be replaced or refinished to give the kitchen a newly remodeled look. The kitchen is often the most important room on a potential buyer's wish list. A buyer does not want to walk into a kitchen only to see a remodeling project in the future. This may be a little extra money spent now but, in the long term, it will mean more money in your pocket. 

Where to save - and where to splurge - on your kitchen remodel

4. Stage the rooms to sell

Living areas should not be cluttered with furniture. Take out what you seldom use and arrange the remaining furniture in a way that is easy to maneuver around. Add colorful decorations to end tables - sparingly, of course - to give the room an interesting appeal. 

5. Create curb appeal

Finally - and no, this is not part of the Interior Design, but it will help to sell your house - it is all about the curb appeal. Mow the lawn, trim weeds from flower beds, and keep toys off the yard. Clean the windows and give the house a fresh coat of paint if it is starting to look shabby. 

In order to sell a home, it should be in good condition and it should be able to attract a variety of potential buyers. By following these tips, you will be able to get the most out of selling your home in today's market. 

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

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Where to save - and where to splurge - on your kitchen remodel

It can be hard to know where to begin when you are first starting a kitchen remodel. The first thing you should figure out is a budget. Where are you going to try to save money, and where can you afford to splurge a little bit? 

Some things, like a built-in espresso machine, are going to depend entirely on your budget and your priorities. Things like appliances, cabinetry, and flooring are necessities in a kitchen, so you will need to know how they rank in your project. 

Where should you save, and where should you splurge, in your kitchen remodel?

1. Appliances

There are hundreds of refrigerators, ranges and dishwashers, among many other kitchen appliances, available on today's market. How can you narrow down the options? 

Save: Trendy Colors, Styles

 

Are you designing your kitchen around a vintage style? There are some very nice appliances available in numerous colors from past decades, and they are becoming popular in today's design industry. However, you should be careful when you are choosing appliances in trendy colors. If you choose colors that are sure to go back out of style, look for ways you can save money on them. 

Splurge: Energy-Efficient Appliances

 

Most appliances available today are energy-efficient and are not outrageously expensive. If you are going to splurge on appliances, they need to be energy-efficient to ensure you will save money on future energy bills. Plus, they use less energy, so they help in preserving valuable resources. Look for the Energy Star logo on your new kitchen appliances. 

Splurge on energy-efficient appliances in your kitchen remodel

2. Cabinetry

 

Cabinets are a large part of a kitchen remodel budget. When buying cabinets, should you save money or should you splurge? 

Save: Standard Cabinets for Rental Property

 

You should try to save as much money as possible on cabinets for a rental property, while making sure they aren't going to fall apart with the first tenants. Solid wood or laminate doors are going to be your best bet; I have seen all too many broken door panels that renters had put holes through. Standard hardware - hinges and pulls - is best for a rental property in case you need to replace them, which is very likely in a home you are renting out. 

Splurge: Custom Cabinets for Long-Term Home

 

If you are planning to live in this home for a long time, you might want to consider splurging on custom cabinetry. If you have to live here, you should like the place. A cabinet designer will help you determine which color, style, etc. best suits your needs, as well as any extra amenities that might prove to be worth the splurge. 

Splurge on custom cabinets for your home's kitchen remodel

3. Flooring

 

Flooring material can be cheap, but should you splurge on something you really like? 

Save: Patterned Vinyl Flooring

 

Do you like to change up the look in your home every 10 years or so? Vinyl flooring is cheap, and can be very durable. However, it is easy and inexpensive to replace when you get sick of it. If you want patterned flooring right now, vinyl might be a good option for you. 

Splurge: Rapidly Renewable Materials

 

Are you worried about harming the environment with plastic laminate or wood flooring? Splurge on something that is rapidly renewable, such as bamboo or cork. Another thing to consider is locale; how far will that material have to travel to be installed in your home? If it comes from overseas, you might be better off looking locally for wood flooring that does not have such a big impact on your environmental footprint. 

Splurge on sustainable flooring for your kitchen remodel

If you are planning a kitchen remodel, consider the areas where you should save and where you can afford to splurge a little. Keep the above tips in mind, but ultimately, the allocation of your money is up to you.

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

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*Photos courtesy of Flickr:

Sitka Projects / https://www.flickr.com/photos/sitkaprojects/

Susan Serra, CKD / https://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchendesigner/

designbuildinhabit / https://www.flickr.com/photos/designbuildinhabit/

Non-Tacky Ways to Decorate Your Home for Fall

Has tacky fall decor turned you off the season for good? We've all seen them: Homes that are so overly decorated in autumn colors - red, orange, and yellow - and silly figurines that you quickly become overwhelmed. Don't let these houses stop you from decorating for the entire season. It is possible to decorate your home for fall in non-tacky ways. 

Keep the decorative fall figurines to a minimum

As they say, "less is more." Rather than pulling out every fake pumpkin and tacky fall figurine, carefully select a few decorations and strategically place them around the home. It is better to have one large focal point, instead of a dozen small decorations that litter the coffee table and shelves. Keep it classy; overdoing the decorative fall figurines is just the opposite: tacky. 

Choose colors that complement existing decor

Perhaps your current color scheme doesn't exactly welcome the addition of fall hues - or what you think of as fall hues. Decorating for fall doesn't necessarily mean adding tacky colors to your carefully selected interior color scheme. Complement your home interior with neutral fall accent pieces, or fall-inspired pieces in non-traditional fall colors, such as teal or plum. 

Seamlessly incorporate fall accents

Too many people simply drop their fall decor into any open space they can find. This can look incredibly tacky, especially when these people have too many fall decorations in the first place. It's called clutter. Instead, seamlessly incorporate fall accents into your home interior by removing existing pieces to make room for them. You don't have to remove every single non-fall decoration from your home, and these pieces can be replaced when fall is over. 

Temporarily replace un-autumn-like artwork

Any paintings or photos that resemble other seasons may be removed and replaced with fall-inspired pieces. This is a non-tacky way to decorate your home for fall without taking up valuable floor or shelf space. Choose paintings, sculptures, or other types of wall hangings that both complement your decor and remind you of autumn. 

Don't let tacky fall decor turn you off the season for good. Avoid doing the things that make fall decorations so tacky: cluttering a space, overdoing the accents, and choosing colors that don't work with your interior. 

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

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*Photo courtesy of Flickr / Wicker Paradise