home décor Archives - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

5 Ways to Keep Winter Decor Bright

January 13, 2016 By Casey Danton

Traditionally, spring and summer corner the market on bold, bright colors, with fall and winter ushering in richer, more muted tones. However, this year’s popular colors, featured in Shutterfly’s Hottest Hues Guide, have a versatility that helps enhance decor year-round. Incorporate pops of modern color trends into everyday home accessories to warm up your house and your heart in the cool days ahead.

1. Set a Color-filled Table

’Tis the season for holiday dinners, and your dining room table is the perfect place to fill your room with color. Saturate your tablescape with chargers, plates, placemats and napkins in festive colors. Deep reds and burgundies are not only perfect for the holidays, but they add warmth to your tablescape throughout the winter season. But don’t limit yourself to the standard red and green—get creative with color palettes as you set your table, bringing in metallic and unexpected shades for a dose of fun!

2. Patch it Together

Invite color to visit by adding seasonally inspired throw pillows or a practical and colorful quilt to your couch or bed. Think outside of your regularly colored box, and experiment with contrast to create a cozy space without committing to a color scheme.

3. Bring the Outdoors In

Flowers lend a festive touch as well as a hint of brightness to any area. A bold spray of pink orchids or peonies can add a pleasantly surprising shock of color to a sleek neutral winter space. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you’re stuck with poinsettias. Pale pink is enjoying a comeback in the design world as a romantic neutral with a range of versatility—and rose quartz just happens to be one of Pantone’s colors of the year for 2016. As interior redesign specialist Wendy Wrzos says, “In fall, it can be paired with a rich brown and cream. In winter, a touch of pale pink will add a cozy warmth to a room, or be an unexpected addition to the more saturated colors.” Pick your palette from a favorite bouquet for a touch of color you already love.

4. Live a Little Large

Bring big color to a small space by painting your laundry room a bold color for brightness you can enjoy all year round. “The laundry room is a room that gets used all the time, and it is rare to see one that has been decorated. A painted wall and a colorful rug takes no effort at all, and will cheer it up in an instant.” —Wrzos advised. Use a small, out-of-the-way area to be brave with a shade that brings you joy when you see it.

5. Hang It Up

The artwork in a room is often a focal point and the perfect place to feature color. With a foundation of neutral furniture, flooring, and walls, art and decor accessories can take center stage. Create a canvas or three-panel piece of art from a nature-inspired vacation photo and select a matching color palette to complement your art work. If you’re looking for a more seasonal do-it-yourself option, wrap poster frame inserts in pretty wrapping paper for a temporary triptych to match your holiday decorating scheme.

Between bad weather and Daylight Savings Time, winter feels dark enough. Fill your life with brightness all year round by incorporating color in easy, unexpected ways and bring a little more boldness and brilliance into your everyday world.

About the Author

Ashley McCann shares home décor tips for Shutterfly.com. She is a mom of two and enjoys reading and karaoke. For more from Ashley, you can find her on Twitter.

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Post-Holiday Storage Hacks

December 26, 2015 By Casey Danton

With all the excitement of the holidays, you may not have thought about how you’ll store your holiday wares. When the time comes, you may want some help storing your holiday paraphernalia in a way that is both stress-free and efficient. With these storage tips, you could save yourself time and energy while making the transition out of the holiday season as merry as the season itself.

Label Everything
Your life could be infinitely easier come next year if you take the time to label your storage units right now. Every single bin and box you stow holiday items in should be tagged with a label detailing its contents and what room those items go in. This may make finding items and decorating in the following years much simpler. It could also help you inventory holiday accoutrements and help determine what items you actually use and which you could live without.

Pick a Room
Not all homes are well equipped to store holiday accessories. If your home is one of those where storage space is scarce, be sure to resist the urge to scatter your storage units around the house. There is nothing more frustrating than scouring your home for decorations all housed in different rooms. Deciding on one room to store your holiday items may spare you the trouble of a holiday scavenger hunt next year.

Store Safely
Don’t dampen the holidays next year with broken heirlooms and damaged knick-knacks. The plates and dishes that make holiday dinners special are fragile and should be stored somewhere they won’t be disturbed. Other fragile items should be stored on the ground to avoid falling from great heights and breaking, but they also shouldn’t be at the bottom of a pile of other potentially heavy boxes. Also factor in perishable holiday items such as candles, which should be stored somewhere that they won’t overheat and warp over the summer.

Tie Up to Avoid Tangles
Holiday decorations are decidedly stringy in nature. From garland to strands of lights, these bright and colorful lines help make the holidays festive. You might be so eager to take down holiday lights and other stringed items that you shove them into boxes without thinking about it, only to encounter a tangled mess the following year. Try using zip-ties, rubber bands, and twist ties to neatly contain individual strands of lights or garland before storing them. Then store them in boxes with layered dividers to prevent further tangling.

DIY Storage Units
Sometimes traditional boxes, bins, and other storage units don’t fit your holiday storage needs. If there are certain items that seem like they have special storage requirements, find them yourself. For example, an artificial wreath might not fare well in a cardboard box full of other holiday wares, but it would be adequately preserved in a repurposed hat box. Old egg cartons, coffee cans, and garment bags can all be utilized as storage vessels for certain holiday decorations.

The holidays may be over, but you can still give yourself the gift of convenient storage and stress-free future holiday decorating.

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5 Thanksgiving Space Savers

November 24, 2015 By Casey Danton

‘Tis the season to welcome your entire extended family into your home (including the twice-removed uncle you didn’t know existed until your mother invited him over). If you’re used to only hosting a small number of people at the same time, these helpful hacks will make your space go the distance during Thanksgiving.

Make room for mingling. Hang some simple mirrors on the wall; they’ll give off the illusion of a larger room. Invest in some chic foldable chairs, and move seating towards the walls to make room for as much mingling as possible.
Minimize mess. Make one signature cocktail for the night and serve them in pitchers or punch bowls. Clean as you go throughout the day so you’ll have more breathing room as dishes hit the sink.
Aim high. Set your sights on hanging decor like festive lighting instead of tablescapes to make room for edibles.
Ask for help. Ask each guest to contribute a dish. Be specific, though. You don’t want to end up serving three green bean casseroles and four interpretations of cranberry sauce.
Take a break. Give the house a breather and take the party outside—head to the park for a post-dinner stroll or some football.

With these space saving hacks, the only extra space you’ll need to worry about is saving room for dessert!

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5 Fantasty Homes for the Football Fan

November 15, 2015 By Casey Danton

Autumn may have foliage, Halloween hauntings, and pumpkin spiced everything, but one thing dominates the minds of the most dedicated sports fans: football season. Chances are you’re not going to leave the house on Sundays between now and the Super Bowl, so you might as well cozy up in a nook that reflects your passion for your fantasy football team and admiration for eating hot wings in sweatpants. Here are some must-haves for the ultimate baller’s crib.

Crawl into the Man Cave

Your wife wouldn’t be a huge fan of the entire home being a giant shrine to your favorite team, but one dedicated room will easily become your favorite in the entire house. Some must-haves for your dream man cave might include at least two flat-screen TVs no less than 60 inches so you can catch every bit of action from every game, a sound system that’s all about the bass, sound installation to noise-proof the space outside of the cavernous doors, a floor-to-ceiling wall mural of the home team, and theatre-style recliners where you can kick up your feet and sink into the seat.

The Ultimate Bar

Drinking Budweiser might be okay for Game Day, but you’re not one to settle for a run-of-the-mill six-pack. Upgrade your bar area to include leather stools, a sleek bar top, and a fully-packed fridge that includes your quintessential hops and IPAs. Don’t forget about the liquor cabinet; always have the right ingredients (or perhaps an engraved cocktail shaker) for your signature martini or weekly Make-Your-Own-Bloody-Mary Bar.

XXL Backyard

When you’re not busy watching or analyzing football, you’re probably playing football before the game with your bros. Having an extra spacious yard saves you a trip to the local park—and also the embarrassment of having strangers watch you practice your touchdown dance. Wrapping up the game with an impromptu tailgate on your wooden deck is the ideal way to unwind after getting down and dirty on the green.

A Bar-Centric Kitchen

Your doctor recommends being healthy six days out of the week so you can splurge on Football Sunday. Having the ultimate buffet set up on a spacious kitchen island gives you enough room to spread out the mountain of hot wings and seven-layer nacho dip you’re planning on sinking your teeth into by the end of the first quarter. Getting pizza delivered from Domino’s is a decent standby for newbies, but wouldn’t a pizza oven make your slices that much better? If you don’t have space in the house for one, setting one up in the backyard is a good alternative.

Game Room for Game Day

You’re never too old to have game nights with your buds. A room solely filled with the works—a billiards-style pool table and a foosball court, a curated jukebox with nothing but the hits, darts in one corner and a Pac-Man arcade machine in another, a poker table for weekly Blackjack, an Xbox and PS4 (or a Super Nintendo if you want to go retro) hooked up to a massive flat-screen, and a cabinet filled with addictive faves like Cards Against Humanity and Monopoly—will keep you and your crew occupied for days.

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How To Stage Your House Over the Holidays

November 3, 2015 By Casey Danton

Selling your home during the holidays doesn’t mean you have to hold back on the festivities. Let your home shine while attracting buyers during the most wonderful time of the year with these seasonal touches.

Deck the halls:

Don’t let selling your home stop you from spreading the holiday cheer. Subtle hints like a welcoming evergreen wreath at the front door, mulled cider brewing on the stovetop or hand-sewn stockings hanging from the fireplace awning gives the space a jolt of spirit.

Trim the tree:

Usually the most eye-catching piece of the living room during the holiday season, make sure your spruced-up Christmas tree matches the aesthetic you want to sell to potential buyers. If your living room has a clean-cut scheme with ivories and whites, for example, make sure your baubles fall under the same color palette.

Tone it down:

As tempting as it is to blow some lawn ornaments to celebrate the season, it’s best to go for a minimalist approach during this crucial selling time. Neatly highlight the defining elements of your home’s exterior with snow white lights or hang fresh garland with bright red bows from your rooftop or mailbox.

Warm up:

Before open houses, make sure your home feel as cozy as possible. Now’s the perfect time to light a fire in your fireplace and warm up your home. If your home is lacking the fiery centerpiece, turning up the thermostat to a comfortably toasty level gives potential buyers extra incentive to linger for a while to escape the brutal cold outside—and allows them to fully digest the best qualities of your home.

Tune up:

Fill up the hallways with contemporary holiday classics while potential buyers are roaming the halls. Make a mix of festive favorites: go old-school with Frank Sinatra’s “White Christmas” or Natalie Cole’s take on “The Christmas Song”…or just play Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas (Is You)” on a loop.

Feed the masses:

The best way to make somebody feel at home—potentially at their future home—is through their stomach. Whip up some holiday-themed cookies and mocktails to serve during your open house; the extra hint of hospitality will keep you in the mind of prospective buyers even after the last present is unwrapped during the holidays.

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Be My Guest: How to Get Your Home Guest-Ready in 15 Minutes

October 28, 2015 By Casey Danton

Anticipating some last-minute company? While you may not have time to scrub down the house, some simple tricks of the trade will make it look like you did. Prepare your home for the unexpected—even if the unexpected is your mother-in-law inviting herself over for dinner.

Take a whiff:

Burning a few candles around the abode will not only brighten up the space, but it will also upgrade the usual aromas of your home. Light up a rich Mahogany Teakwood in the den, or perhaps indulge your guests’ senses with a fresh Vanilla Bean scent in the kitchen.

Pillow talk:

Upgrade your low-key loveseats and couches with hints of color. Take decorative pillows and throws out of the closet and add them as accents to the coziest spots. Be sure to fluff them, and then watch as everyone sits back and relaxes.

Reduce, reduce, reduce:

Having a magazine or book at arms’ reach in every room may be convenient, but there are stylish ways to hide them away. Minimize your reading materials clutter by stashing them in a basket or bin. It instantly improves the ambiance of your living space.

Show off your green thumb:

Pick out a simple bouquet from your garden and proudly display it on the dinner table. Also, swap out the run-of-the-mill vase with an empty wine bottle to highlight your creativity and charming style.

Feng shui the space:

If you haven’t moved your couch since it was first delivered, now’s the perfect chance to rearrange and harmonize the room. Even the simple act of angling your furniture a few inches can make each living space look brand new.

Throw it down:

Every room needs an anchor—and for those who are missing one, a bright throw rug brings the space together.

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5 Creative Ways to Decorate Your Home for Halloween

October 25, 2015 By Casey Danton

Goblins and witches and ghosts, oh my! How many of these ghoulish creatures will you be greeting this Halloween? Hopefully you’ll have the candy and creepy (but cute) ambiance to avoid the “trick” end of “trick-or-treat!” If you haven’t yet decorated for the holiday, don’t worry. Here are five easy ideas for a “spook-tacular” home.

Eerie Entranceway
- Paint black jack-o-lantern faces on small, glass votives. Drop a flameless tealight candle in each of them and use them to decorate around your front door.

Frightening Florals
- Black calla lilies have a wonderful dark, purply color. Plant some in flower pots around your home for a gloomy look with an exotic twist.

Raven’s Nest Wreath
- Remember last year when you weren’t as prepared for Halloween? Nevermore. Grab a twig wreath from your local craft store and place a faux black bird in the middle.

Black Cat Pumpkins
- Paint two pumpkins, one smaller and one larger, all black. Stack the smaller one on top of the other, and add eyes, a nose, and whiskers. Add cat ears cut from card stock and stand back! You won’t want these bad boys crossing your path.

Mummified Glassware
- Whether you’re serving up a glass of pumpkin flavored punch or a dish of fun sized candy bars, dress up your glassware to match the mood. Tape gauze to the bottom of the cup and wrap upwards, tucking in an end piece at the top to secure it.

With decorations like these, you just might have trick-or-treaters flocking to your home—if they’re not too scared, that is!

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Back to School: Home Office Essentials

September 3, 2015 By Casey Danton

Back to school season is in full swing, and that means your kids will be coming home with more and more homework. They will need a productive space to study, and your home office can be a good option. But the office may need a few essentials before it’s ready for the school year.

Get Good Lighting

Studying in the dark can strain your eyes or put you to sleep. To avoid the likelihood of snoozing during study time, you’ll want to have adequate lighting. Add a small desk lamp, a floor lamp, or a brighter bulb in your overhead lighting.

Create Comfort

Your kids will ideally spend a lot of time studying in the office. Make it comfortable. Invest in a good chair or a lumbar support cushion.

Keep Supplies Within Reach

Your kids may need pens, pencils, paper clips, glue sticks, and all of the things on their long back to school shopping list. Try to fit the necessary supplies in arms reach. Set up pencil holders on the desk surface, or dedicate a drawer to school supplies. If they can simply grab what they need, they’ll be likely to save time and stay on track.

Be Organized

People are more productive when they work in an organized space. So instead of throwing supplies and papers anywhere, make sure everything has a place. Invest in folders, binders, and a file cabinet (and make sure the entire family uses them).

Decorate

Creative work is done best in a visually pleasing space, so don’t skimp when it comes to interior design. Personalize the space and make it one where your family actually enjoys spending time.

Get your home office in shape. Your entire family may be more productive as a result.

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6 Home Improvement Projects to Tackle While Your Kids Are At Camp

August 13, 2015 By Casey Danton

While your kids are playing tag, making friendship bracelets, and enjoying s’mores, you can get projects done around your home. These home improvement projects may increase the value of your home. Not looking to sell right now? These projects may make your home more enjoyable in the meantime!

Design a Kitchen Backsplash: Protect your walls from kitchen messes in a stylish way. Backsplashes can be made with all kinds of materials, such as glass, stone, tile, or metal with the versatility to fit any type of design preference. Whether you want something muted or vibrant, plain or intricate, you may be able to create a look you love.

Plant a Garden Path: Embrace your green thumb, and enhance your time spent outside in the sun. Clear a space through a garden or grassy area and lay down stones or tiles to create an easy way to maneuver through your yard. There are countless creative ideas for setting up a charming and unique garden path.

Replace Showerheads: There’s nothing better than cooling off after a hot summer day. Enjoy a refreshing shower with new showerheads. You may want to choose a showerhead with features such as water conservation, stronger water pressure, or even speakers!

Restore Your Deck: Protect your deck so you may be able to use it for many summers to come. Consult with a paint specialist to pick the right finish — make sure to get something waterproof and UV resistant. Clean the entire deck beforehand, and apply the finish with a paint roller or brush.

Paint a Room: Pick up a paintbrush, and change a room’s aesthetic. Read up on color psychology to choose a color that may suit your intended mood. For example, you may want to paint a bedroom or bathroom blue because the color has been associated with feeling calm and tranquil.

Create a Family Organization Station: Getting out the door may be a little bit easier when the entire family is organized. Create a station with a calendar of family activities, a spot for keys, hooks for backpacks, and any important papers like school permission slips or baseball game tickets. Once you do this maybe everyone can sleep in for, “Just five more minutes.”

Get started on these home improvement projects while you still have the house to yourself.

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5 Interior Designers to Follow on Pinterest

July 6, 2015 By CENTURY 21

Summertime can be a great time to reinvigorate your home decor! Redecorating isn’t always as easy as it may appear. If you find yourself stuck in the redecorating rut, it might be time to turn to Pinterest. We’ve gathered a list of five inspirational interior designers. No matter what kind of design ideas you’re looking for, you’ll be likely to find it on one of these pages! For even more interior design ideas (and a splash of DIY projects and house cleaning tips), be sure to follow us on Pinterest!

K.D! Designz, Inc.

This Pinterest pro has over sixty boards dedicated to interior design ideas, covering everything from bed crowns to entry halls. So whether you’re looking for a new bathroom design idea (like the elegant and modern look featured above) or some inspiration for a new wall backdrop, you’ll probably find it here!

Dorothy Durbin Interior Design

One glance through Durbin’s Pinterest page and you just might find yourself wanting to redo your entire home and your garden! In addition to innovative ideas for kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom designs, Durbin also has boards organized according to color scheme. So, if you find yourself inspired by a certain color, check out her boards and get ready to do some redecorating!

Georgica Pond

Pond features beautiful, modern bathrooms and kitchens. But, no need to fret, if you enjoy a more traditional or rustic look for your home, she has plenty ideas for that as well. Scroll through her thousands of pins to get inspired!

Mark Sikes

Whether it’s people or homes, Sikes’ Pinterest page is a spot for all things stylish. With different boards for different rooms of the house, Sikes offers up some interior design advice on everywhere from the entry, to the bedroom, to the pool.

Gary Inman

Inman’s page is full of classy and elegant looks for all rooms of the house. He even has a whole board dedicated to mudrooms — and his pins prove that a mudroom doesn’t have to be that ugly room where people put their shoes. Check out his pins for some redecorating motivation!

Luckily for those of you who love interior design, these are just five of the thousands of interior designers on Pinterest! One scroll through these Pinterest profiles might just be all the incentive you need to get started on that summer redecorating project you’ve been thinking about. Time to change things up!

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