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Spring-Inspired Paint Colors

May 7, 2015 By Casey Danton

Spring is here and you may feel the need to do a little redecorating. Whether that is simply trading out your heavy blankets for light linens, or switching your curtains to a lighter cotton material, there are countless ways to bring the spring season into your home. If you really want to change up the look and feel of your home, consider repainting. There is nothing like a bright blue bedroom or serene yellow walls to add some life to your home. Take color psychology into account when you choose paint colors. For example, blue has been found to make people calmer, and green has been found to make people concentrate more.

Start the season with these spring-inspired paint colors.

1. Benjamin Moore Jet Stream: This soft blue is filled with hidden lilac undertones, resulting in a peaceful and serene blue. It creates a very soothing feeling, perfect for a bedroom or nursery!

2. Benjamin Moore Peony: If you want a bolder look, try this bold purple color. The color of some flowers, this peony purple will breathe life into whatever room it graces.

3. Sherwin Williams Classical Yellow: As the name suggests, this is a classic yellow. It’s pale in shade, but bright enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. Yellow is the signature color of spring, so why not add it to your home? It’ll brighten up any room in no time.

4. Sherwin Williams Julep: This color is a tad bit darker than your typical mint julep, but it still screams springtime! It’s the perfect mix of teal and green, giving off a deep, spring vibe.

5. Pratt & Lambert Moss Green: With just a subtle touch of green, this incredibly light shade goes with any room. It has gray undertones and would be a great accent color.

There are so many incredibly beautiful paint colors that can add a bit of the springtime season to your home. Whether it’s bold, or barely there, these colors may bring something special to your home.

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How to Make a Rental Feel Like Home

June 14, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Living in a rental can be a bit of a challenge because you want to make the space your own – even if it technically isn’t. Luckily, we have come up with a few creative (and inexpensive) ways to makeover your rental without upsetting your landlord or incurring hefty fees!

Paint Your Walls: Most landlords allow you to paint your space as long as you paint it back to the original color when you move out. Painting your walls a different color or even a crisper shade of white makes a huge difference. If you paint your apartment a shade of white, your landlord is less likely to make you repaint it. You can also paint just one wall (an “accent wall”).

Change Hardware: Changing hardware makes a big difference. Buy cabinet pulls, door knobs, and drawer pulls that match your style. Keep all the old hardware so that you can put them back when your lease is up. Take photos before you make any changes so that you remember where everything goes when it’s time to move.

Cover the Walls: If you can’t paint, there are other ways to decorate. We recommend making a gallery wall. A gallery wall is a wall of art and/or personal photos arranged to look like a wall in an art gallery or museum. Removable wallpaper and decals are also a great way to cover the walls, without upsetting your landlord.

Let There be Light: Rentals often have fluorescent lighting or unsightly light fixtures. Take down the light fixtures and put in new ones. Also consider buying floor lamps, desk lamps, or table lamps and using them instead of the main lights for a room. You can also buy new light switch covers as long as you put the old ones back before you move. There are a lot of different types of decorative light switch covers like mirrored ones, or ones in almost every color imaginable.

Area Rugs: Area rugs can help to divide a small space like a studio apartment into sections like a breakfast nook, living room, and bedroom. They also cover up floors with scuff mark or tiling that you don’t like.

DIY Backsplash: If you are feeling creative, make a DIY backsplash in the kitchen! We especially like the removable tile and removable mirror ideas from Apartment Therapy.

Curtains: Buy curtains that match the color scheme or aesthetic of your home. They make a space feel fancier and also hide broken or ugly blinds.

Furniture: If you are moving or renting a home that is furnished, you can still make it feel like your own. Style the pieces differently and add little things that fit your personality. For example, add some of your favorite books and photos to the bookshelf, coffee table, or nightstand and bring your favorite bedding!

Everyone deserves to come home to a home that feels like home. We hope these tips help you make your rental into a home you love.

Recommended Reading:

-Your Guide to Summer Rentals

-How to Style a Bookshelf

-How to Style a Centerpiece

-How to Style a Coffee Table

-How to Style a Nightstand

-Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

-Five Simple Chalkboard Paint Projects for the Home

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How to Style A Patio

June 13, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Warm weather means more BBQs, bonfires and quality family time in the backyard. Before you get ready to entertain guests, get your patio summer ready for you and your family.

Follow our tips to turn your patio into an outdoor oasis:

Floor Design: Decide what kind of style and atmosphere you’d like to achieve before buying your materials. If you’re looking for a contemporary feel, choose an interesting stone design. For a more classic look, stick with a wooden deck. For less maintenance, consider using a wood alternative.

Furniture and Fabric: Summer means extra heat and occasional rain storms. Choose durable furniture and fabrics that will withstand the natural elements. When you are decorating consider how you want to use your space. Are you primarily hosting dinner parties or simply lounging outside? Choose furniture and accessories that will work well for you!

Kitchen Area: Grilling season is here. Make a mini outdoor kitchen by arranging your BBQ next to a side table. Store kitchen utensils, plates, and other grilling supplies on the side table.

Fire Pit: You don’t need a big space to enjoy a summer bonfire. Make a small fire pit the focal point of your patio. Do your research before placing one in your yard so that it is a safe distance from your home, then start making summertime s’mores!

Finishing Touches: Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to add the finishing touches! Outdoor lanterns make great lighting for the evenings. Add some greenery to your patio with flowers and plants from your garden to keep the look cohesive. Don’t forget some candles to keep the bugs away.

Gather your loved ones and celebrate summer the right way – and in a space you love!

Recommended Reading:

-How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

-A Day in the Garden: Paint Palette

-How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

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Sweet Dreams are Made of These: How to Style a Bed

June 4, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Isn’t it wonderful to come home to a warm and cozy bed? Your bed is the focal point of the bedroom and a vital component for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A good night’s sleep is crucial, and being in a comfortable bed will increase your chances of sleeping well.

Follow our bed styling tips to achieve maximum comfort and style:

Bed: The right bed will set the tone for the style of your bedroom. If you have a laid back style you may like a wooden or iron bed for a more formal and sophisticated look you may like a upholstered or tufted headboard. If you have a small room you might want to get a bed with a built-in bookshelf, drawers, or space for under the bed storage.

Sheets: Material matters! Flannel or silk sheets retain heat and are great for colder weather. Linen and cotton are great sheets for warmer weather. Thread count also makes a difference – the higher the thread count, the softer the sheets!

Comforter vs. Duvet: The primary difference between a comforter and a duvet is that a comforter is used alone and a duvet requires a duvet cover. A common analogy is that a duvet is like a pillow and a duvet cover is the pillow case. Comforters and duvets can both be filled with down, down alternatives, synthetic materials, silk, or wool. If you like to change the style of your room often a duvet and duvet cover may be a better choice because you can switch it as easily as switching your sheets. Comforters often don’t fit in normal washing machines so people usually wash them less often and use a top sheet.

Pillows: Pillows can be filled with down-feathers, poly-cluster fill, synthetics, or memory-foam. If you like soft pillows you’ll like down-feather or poly-cluster pillows. If you like medium support you should opt for synthetic fill. For maximum support opt for memory-foam. Did you know that you should choose a pillow based upon how you sleep at night? If you sleep on you back you should have medium support, if you sleep on your side you should have firmer support, and if you sleep on your side you should have soft support.

Shams: Show off your style with shams that match your bedding. Most shams will come with a set with sheets and a comforter to complete a specific look. If you choose to go with a duvet, choose sham covers that match the rest of your bedding.

Accent Pillows: Complete the look by placing one or two accent pillows on your bed. Incorporate different styles, textures, or colors to make your bed stand out.

Throw: Some people choose to add a throw for additional style and added warmth on chilly nights. Choose a neutral color that will blend in with the existing palette to keep the look simple and sophisticated.

How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

May 29, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Buying a home is expensive, but decorating doesn’t have to be. You can decorate a home that shows off your style and personality without breaking the bank. Use these tips to decorate your home on a budget.

1. Make a Budget: Before you start shopping, create a budget that makes sense for you. How much are you willing to spend for a quick update? Figure out which pieces are essential in your home decor and work around that. For example, if you’re decorating a living room, a majority of your money will go towards a nice couch or entertainment center. List out what you’re willing to spend for certain items.

2. Shop Flash Sale Sites: Flash sale sites like Joss & Main and One King’s Lane offer their customers designer brands for discounted prices. These types of sales are a great way to stay within your budget, while still achieving the look you want.

3. DIY: Estate sales and flea markets are great ways to find vintage pieces for less. Don’t be discouraged by their rugged appearances! The furniture might need a little TLC, but a simple DIY project will do the trick. Quick paint jobs, new hardware and some dusting will have these pieces looking good as new! You can also buy less expensive furniture from stores like Ikea. Paint them, add new fixtures, and make them your own. Google “Ikea hacks” for inspiration.

4. Personal Touches: Grab a camera and get outside! Sometimes the best wall decor is your own. Print your favorite photographs to display in nice frames. Play around with patterns and color depending on your style. Create gallery walls with your favorite family photos, photos from trips, wedding pictures, or pictures around your neighborhood.

One added benefit of this approach is that it encourages you to infuse your personality into every element of home design. You don’t have to stick to the status quo – you are making decisions that represent you and your family.

Recommended Reading:

-How to Style a Nightstand

-How to Style a Coffee Table

-How to Style a Bookshelf

-Color Palette: Ginger Jars

-Color Palette: A Day in the Garden

-10 Secrets for Making Your Room Feel Larger

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How to Style a Bookshelf

April 13, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Marcus Tullius Cicero once said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” We agree! A bookshelf is a great place to store your books and, when styled correctly, it can be a great tool for decorating your space!

Here are four simple tips for styling your bookshelf:

1. Shh…don’t tell any librarians but we recommend skipping The Dewey Decimal System in favor of organizing books by color, height, category (i.e. fiction or non-fiction), or alphabetically by author or title. Extra Credit: Do all of the above!

2. Don’t limit your shelves to just books. Add other items like your favorite pictures, small framed art, topiaries, small statues, vases of fresh flowers, or jars of candy! No one likes it when books fall subject to the domino effect, incorporate bookends that are quirky and fun or sleek and sophisticated.

3. Use your favorite paint color or wallpaper to decorate the inside of your bookshelf and create an unexpected pop of color or pattern!

4. Now that you’ve styled your bookshelf beautifully shine a spotlight on your work by invest in bookshelf lighting.

We hope you enjoy our tips!

For More How-To’s:

Centerpiece

Coffee Table

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How to Style a Coffee Table

April 3, 2014 By CENTURY 21

A coffee table is a focal point of any den or living room. Style your coffee table to show your personality and create an area that your family and guests will love!

Here is our list of essential items for your coffee table:

1. Box: Conceal clutter by storing remotes in a covered box.

2. Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers make a big difference in a room. If you are hosting company, put a vase of fresh flowers on the coffee table. A succulent or cactus is a great year round alternative to flowers.

3. Coffee Table Books: You can find coffee table books in almost any bookstore. They are books that are intended to be a distraction or conversation starter for guests. They are usually large hardcover books. We recommend having a stack of three books on your table.

4. Candle and Matches: Burn your favorite candle and keep a beautiful matchbook nearby.

5. Photo Album: Place a small photo album on you coffee table so that your guests can look through your pictures and reminisce.

6. Paperweight or Figurine: Place a paperweight or figurine on top of the stack of books. Choose a conversation starter or something quirky that shows your personality.

What essential items would you add?

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How to Style a Centerpiece

March 26, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Use your centerpiece to infuse personality and creativity into your dinner party or event.

Here are seven creative and simple centerpiece ideas that you and your guests will love!

1. Flowers: Flowers are a very common centerpiece. Choose flowers that complement one another and match the decor of your room or the theme of the event. You can put multiple types of flowers together or display different types of flowers separately throughout the table. Get creative with how you display the flowers! Try using wood boxes, ginger jars, mason jars, or an assorted array of vases.

2. Shells: If you are hosting a summer party, fill a vase or pretty container with sand, shells, sea glass, and coral.

3. Wishing Well: Fill a vase with pens and strips of paper then ask all of the guests to write something. If it is a New Year’s party, have people write one New Year’s resolution. If it is a Thanksgiving dinner, ask people to write down one thing they are grateful for. If it is a party where someone is honored (e.g. a birthday party, graduation party, or engagement party), have your guests write down a message, piece of advice, or wish for the special person.

4. Fruit: Fruit makes a quick and easy centerpiece. Fill vases with lemons, limes, apples, or oranges for a fun pop of color!

5. Candles: Dim the lights. Place candlesticks around the table or fill shallow dishes with tea lights.

6. Candy: For a birthday party, Valentine’s day party, or casual event, fill vases, mason jars, or dishes with candy!

7. Lanterns: Lanterns are excellent for outdoor events and, especially, romantic occasions like wedding and anniversaries.

What are your favorite centerpiece ideas?

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Home Decor 101: How to Style a Nightstand

February 24, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Style your nightstand to reflect your personality and streamline your morning and evening routines.

A nightstand is an important component of your bedroom. It is the last thing you see when you turn off your light and fall asleep and the first thing you look at when you turn off your alarm and turn on the light before getting out of bed.

Here is our list of essential items for your nightstand:

1. Reading Lamp: Choose a lamp that fits with the decor style of the rest of your room. For example, if your room can be defined as Art Deco choose a modern lamp and if your room includes Coastal elements choose a lamp design that is inspired by the ocean.

2. Clock: Regardless of your morning routine a clock can help insure that you are on time.

3. Accessory: Add an accessory such as a tray to store the jewelry you wear every day, your favorite candle, or a vase of freshly cut flowers.

4. Picture Frame: Style your nightstand with a picture of loved ones to make you smile when you fall asleep and when you wake.

5. Books: Who doesn’t love reading in bed? Keep a few books at arm’s length.

6. A Notebook and a Pen: You never know when inspiration will strike! Be prepared.

7. Art: Hang your favorite print, photo, or painting above your nightstand to tie the look together.

What recommendations do you have for styling a nightstand? How have you styled the nightstands in your home?

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