Category Archives: Home Improvement/Interior Design

Your Astrological Home Decor and Cleaning/Organizing Style-Part 2

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Libra (Sept. 22-Oct. 22)-“Should I clean up this mess or not?” is your philosophy. While you don’t mind tidying up after a sports event or birthday party, you don’t like doing regular tasks, like cleaning up and organizing clutter. So you’ll tend to put it off. What you can do is listen to music on a headset or talk on the phone as you’re working to make the time fly by.

Your home has a simple, yet elegant design-straightforward with architecturally attractive lines. You enjoy having a yard or garden to balance or complement the home.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)-You focus on what can be seen (believing that at least 80% of an orderly appearance can be done with just 20% of effort). You can deal with some very quick dusting, but you don’t want to handle a pile of clutter.

There’s a visual, unique element in your home’s architecture, placement, or interior design-or in all of these.

Color schemes can vary widely with you, but you lean primarily toward deep hues, blues, and dark reds. Metals, wood, and leather are also prominent in your dwelling.

Sagittarius (Nov.23-Dec.20)-You love having as many people as possible helping you! But you don’t like to be tied down to a schedule; you’ll work the cleaning up and clutter busting around your personal time. Your home may display red tints and purple shades in bold patterns or solids, with soft gray tones as the background.

Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 19)-You don’t mind occasional cleaning help, as long as they do what you say (to you, there’s your way-and there’s the wrong way. Period!) The bottom line is, you don’t like a messy place.

Your ideal home décor is efficient and understated with simple and traditional designs. Your colors lean toward muted gold, silver, and dark blues ranging to almost black, and tan.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)-You’re totally into “green” (environmental products and living). And you always help others to keep their clutter under control. You’re also neat (for the most part). You’re all about recycling.

You may either redecorate an older home in a very unique way or buy a brand-new house with a standout architectural design.

Your home décor colors include deep shades of purple, blue or green. You tend to create your own blend of traditional and modern decor.

Pisces (Feb.19-Mar. 20)-Any cleaning up that involves bleach, suds, or bubbles and/or brushes, you’re so there, but first you have to feel like cleaning. And you don’t like to fuss over it either. You’re drawn to soft-lined, fairly ornate architecture and décor. Rich earth colors, darkening to black and light green, blue, and rose shades please you.

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Your Astrological Home Decor and Cleaning/Organizing Style-Part 1

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Aries (Mar. 21-April 20) A fast ‘run-through’ suits you just fine (you don’t clean every nook and cranny, and don’t want to). You don’t want to spend an entire weekend, days, or even hours cleaning. Clutter buster products are right up your alley!

The fiery aspects of Aries will most definitely come through in your home décor; the most unconventional furnishings are often found in the home or apartment, complete with flamboyant red tones. Yet you’ll also often have a ‘quiet room’ done in soothing blues or other soft colors, reflecting an inner self few people see. Many will often decorate totally in soft hues or shades.

Taurus (April 21-May 20)-You don’t mind cleaning up at all, but you’d rather not pick up after grown folks or people who are physically capable. Organizing the closet clutter isn’t a daunting task; it’s a good workout session!

You like traditional styles in furniture and subtle combinations (you’re drawn to greens and soft metallic hues). Many of you love antiques; your home often has beautiful objects that are both functional and decorative. Both males and females have a flair for interior decorating!

Gemini (May 21-June 20)-” If nobody sees the clutter, is it really clutter then?” That’s the mindset and motto you live by. You will clean up when it’s really needed (like when you run out of clean items!), but you’d rather not.

You have eclectic tastes in your home décor. You like bright, open rooms with lots of sun, big windows (looking out over traffic!) and clear yellows, whites and reds. Balance these colors with blues and pastels for calming nerves.

Cancer (June 21-July 20)-You don’t mind cleaning or organizing clutter if it has anything to do with the kitchen. If it’s centered near the oven, you’re a happy camper!

You’re very picky about your home décor, and will often completely remodel a home to be “just right”. You like silver, white, black and watery shades. And you like having everything in a precise, highly organized manner.

Leo (July 21-Aug. 21)-Cleaning up and organizing clutter should be done quickly, so the pain doesn’t linger! (But you’ll do it when you know someone else will also benefit; and if you can play some music and dance while you‘re cleaning!) If no one’s looking, you’d rather not worry about the mess.

Your home décor tastes lean to modern (even avant-garde) and deep shades of all colors. Even when sharing a home, your “spot” will always be known by your particular style.

Virgo (Aug. 22-Sept. 21)-You either live to clean up and organize clutter, or are a total slob! If it’s the former, you’re a master at this; teach others your clutter-buster techniques.

Your home is usually in the best of taste, with warm, understated earth tones accented with yellows and greens.

Decor Gift Ideas and Products for Everyday Use

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From the Better Homes and Gardens Collection featured at Walmart; all under $25!

An Acacia Tray with Brass Finish Handles (it’s beautiful!)

A 6-piece Electric Wine Opener Set with a Wood Base

A 4-piece Oven Mitt, Pot Holder, and Mini Mitt Set

Sustainable Glass Spray Bottle (very cute)

A 2-piece Oversized Woven Kitchen Towel Set

A 3-piece Glass Canister Set with Acacia Wood Lids (great for organizing things; and very cute)

A Glass Wine Decanter with a Wooden Sphere Stopper (looks very elegant!)

A 16-oz. 2-Wick Stoneware Candle

A 5-piece Stainless Steel Bar Tool Set in a Wooden Block

Here are a Few Recommendations from the BHG Holiday Gift Guide:

The glass competes of two-wick Aura Candles can be filled with candy once the candles are gone. Retail price is $32 each at paddywax.com.

Not your grandma’s plain old matchbooks anymore! The Blue Match Holder (it’s beautiful!), made of hand-poured concrete, has a match striker on the side. Retails for $22 at tennprairie.com

Star-shaped ceramic dishes in cobalt blue (one of the best colors ever, in my humble opinion) will make anything look good on it. It’s $47 for a small plate, and $59 for a large one. They’re available at ecruonline.in

The Holly and Pear Pie Dish is also very striking; you can bake and serve in it. $42 at anthropologie.com

Old Pine Round Serving Boards are recycled lightweight, food-safe pinewood. Retail price is $40 for a 12″ one, and $62 for a 17″ at airandanchor.com

Putty Tapers are long, skinny candles with navy-colored flowers painted on them. Retails for $42 at nickeykehoe.com

The Flower Grow Kit is a ceramic planter with a reusable hydroponic watering setup that allows you to grow annual flowers indoors. It costs $38 and is available at store.modsprout.com

Here are a few decor gift ideas and everyday products from Midwest Living:

Base Vase, from Des Moines, Iowa, is a slim tube sized so that any taper candlestick will fit it, which in turn can create a custom- build vase (this will also work for a slim branch of one or two flowers). It’s $15 for one or $35 for three. For more info, go to basevase.com

Mosser Jadeite Glass Candlesticks is an absolutely beautiful product from Mosser Glass, a heritage company in Ohio. They come in three colors and retail from $75 for two at food52.com

Baileybuilds.com feature wood mosaics, modern wall hangings, and the Heritage Round Monogram by Anna and Nathanael Bailey (Duluth, Minnesota). The monogram’s available in three colors and measures 6, 15, or 23 inches. From $49.

Sources: BHG ad; Celebrate section-“Holiday Gift Guide”-produced by Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes and Gardens, Dec. 2022 and home and garden section, life gift guide-” ’tis a gift to be local”-Midwest Living, Winter 2022

Basic Essentials of Houseplant Care

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Perhaps the most crucial factor regarding the care of a houseplant is that they are dependent on you for food and water (like a pet!) because they’re confined to containers.

Containers

Fortunately, there’s no “right” or “wrong” container; you can spend a small fortune on a fancy one or spend nothing at all, just using cartons or even butter dishes. In between, there’s practically an endless variety of containers, whether for indoors or out, for a flat surface, or as a hanging decorative basket.

Here are a few essentials: 

Clay pots are the most common and traditional.

Glazed pots are very decorative and adapt well to any type of décor.

Plastic pots are very lightweight; they’re less expensive than clay, with a variety of sizes and colors.

Wood Boxes or Containers-If they’re made of redwood or cypress (resists rot), these look good and can last a long time. Commercial products can rust quickly, however. If time allows or if affordable, you can have wood boxes and containers custom-designed and built.

Baskets are not strong containers; they’ll need to be lined with plastic or light soil. Hanging baskets can be made out of all the previous materials, plus wire or reeds, string, or yarn.

Light

Plants vary in the needed amount of light required, but most will grow well in four basic categories:

Sunny areas will get at least 5 hours of direct sunlight in winter. Windows facing southeast, south, or southwest are the best options.

Semi-sunny places get 2-5 hours of sun daily in winter. East or west windows are the best options.

Semi-shady locations offer bright, open light, but little or no direct sunlight.

Shady places don’t receive sunlight but do offer enough light to cast a shadow.
Whatever part of the world you live in will also affect how much light you’ll get.

Local industries can also impact light, as well as trees and bushes (They reduce light, but for shade-loving plants in a southern, western, or eastern window, it’s a good option).

A white house reflects light. 

Clean windows will provide more light, but window screens will reduce it by 30 percent.

Day length also affects light and determines when certain plants bloom.

Artificial light will provide optimal lighting year-round.

Air and Temperature

Frequent misting is a good option.

Most plants will grow between 65-75 degrees F (give or take a little below or above).

Watering

Just test by simply checking with your fingers. If the soil feels like dry powder, water. If you get water or mud, leave it alone. 

The amount of watering needed will always vary, depending not only on the plant but also on the seasons and the sizes and shapes of the containers.

For more info, visit http://www.ourhouseplants.com and http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com.

New Scrubbies, Wipes, All-Purpose, and Others

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Please Note: (I’m not being paid for the following; this is my own personal, humble opinion and the opinion of one expert).

Pure Sky Glass and Multipurpose Glove is a double-sided, sturdy, microfiber cleaning glove that works on a variety of surfaces. Retails for $10

Skura Style Wipe Envy are microfiber cloths that are not only washable but have a super-grabby texture. $8 for a set of 10

According to Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens home editor, using the Scotch-Brite Swift Scrub Bathroom Buildup Remover cut her cleaning time in half: “No more hard scrubbing, no more sore arms.” Retails for $5

Wipes and Paper Towels

For big cleanup jobs, Clorox Multi-Purpose Paper Towel Wipes can more than handle it. The cost is $5.

Reel Recycled Fiber Paper Towels are perfectly designed for those super-messy messes. They’re also American-made, disposable, biodegradable, compostable, and are $100 recycled fiber. No plastic wrapper; $40 for 12 rolls

All-Purpose

Two ideal picks are Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Probiotic Multi-Surface Concentrate, which retails for $15, and the Bare Home All-Purpose Cleaner for $11.

For Wood Floors, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner now has a “greener” formula and is an EPA Safer Choice. The retail price is $10. And Wood Surfaces; Aunt Fannie’s is a good option. It cleans great and smells wonderful! Costs $9

Seventh Generation Power and Easy Dose Laundry Detergent also cleans great. The small bottle packs enough for 66 loads! (just one squeeze for the right amount). Retails for $14

Gain and Dawn in all their various forms are two of the best dishwashing liquids out there (the Gain laundry liquids aren’t too shabby either!). Two standouts are Gain Power Blast ($4.50) and Dawn Platinum EZ-Squeeze ($4). Both instantly go through cooked food, clean up a storm, and smell fantastic!

Vac-Mop Combos are exactly that, a combination of a vacuum cleaner and a mop or carpet cleaner. I have one and I love it! Prices can vary on these, from high-end/expensive to budget and on sale.

Cleaning, Multitasking Classics

Bar Keepers Friend

Dry sheets

Dishwashing liquid

White vinegar

Steel wool (like Brillo pads)

Hydrogen peroxide

Baking soda

Sources: “Better Homes & Gardens Clean House Awards”-Home section by Katy Kiick Condon and Samantha Benoit, BH&G-April 2022 and “Cleaning All-Stars” by Leslie Corona, Real Simple-April 2022

Room Accents: A Pop of Color

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Did You Know That…..

The Sherwin-Williams 2022 Color of the Year is Evergreen Fog (SW 9130, an herbal, earthy green with a touch of gray).

You can try it out with color chips or at your nearest Sherwin-Williams store, s-w.com/store.

Mon-Fri-7 am.-6 pm.

Sat-8 am.-5 pm.

Sun-10 am.-4 pm.

Additional soothing green shades were also selected as 2022 Colors of the Year by other notable paint brands, including Guacamole (PPG 1121-5) by Glidden, Olive Sprig (PPG 1125-4) by PPG, and Laurel Leaf by BHG (Better Homes and Garden).

“Green acts almost like a neutral because it’s such a perfect earth tone.” (they’re everywhere in nature and pair well with almost every color).-Bria Hammel, designer

A small space tames the effect of a big, bright pattern.

Going for the Bold

From interior designer Seyie Putsure:

Analogous colors (those next to each other on the color wheel) will always work together.

Introduce accent colors for interest but stay within the same color value for added contrast).

Build on the variations within a color family to add depth. “It’s important to have continuity so it all feels like part of the same home.”

Additional Info

Pillows are a quick and easy pop of pattern.

Check out http://www.society6.com.

Art is an instant way to add color.

Log on to http://www.minted.com.

Three Common Room Accent/Color Misconceptions

White paints are all the same.

No, they’re not.

Greg Roth of Home Front Build further stated that a pure white paint will not work well in all situations:

“It would be too brilliant in a room that gets direct sun, for example.”

“Almost all white paints contain some mixture of colored pigments, which give them tone and shading.”

Roth’s personal picks would include a soft white with creamy gray, like Milk Mustache (DE 6169) by Dunn Edwards; a cool white with subtle but distinct blue leanings, like Ice Cube (SW 6252) by Sherwin-Williams, a warm shade, golden and blush tendencies, great for sunny south-facing rooms, Timid White (OC-39) by Benjamin Moore, and a bright white, super neutral with cool undertones, such as Brilliant White (OC-150) by Benjamin Moore.

White ceiling=larger looking room.

“The eye will often ignore a white ceiling; painting it a complementary shade adds interest and draws the eye up, creating a feeling of a higher ceiling.”-Gil Walsh, Gil Walsh Interiors

Barry Goralnick of Barry Goralnick Architecture and Design agrees, stating that “color on the ceiling can uplift the space, give a sense of extra dimension while adding freshness or drama. It also makes the light fixtures pop.”

All the walls in a room need to be the same color.

No, they don’t.

“As well as capturing attention, another wall color helps define a separate zone in a room without a divider,” says designer Rebecca Haskins. “It can also be used to add contrast and highlight an architectural feature like a fireplace or special room shape.”

Sources: “bhg.com/what’s trending online,” home section-color-“Herby Greens” by Kathryn O’ Shea-Evans, “local color” by Jennifer Fernandez, and “paint Myths Busted” by Rima Suqi-Better Homes and Gardens, April 2022

How to Custom Design and Properly Clean a Wood Floor

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 Wood adds a warm, inviting quality to any room (and wears like iron!). Here are some floor makeovers that can be done on a weekend, easy cleaning tips, and other info to keep your wood floor (or floors) looking its best.

To give a textural, basket-weave effect to an old floor, lightly sand it, then wipe clean with a tack cloth. Next, coat the floor with one layer of latex paint; let dry. Then, dip a regular broom into a mixture of one part latex accent-color paint and one part water. Sweep excess onto cardboard, turn onto the floor in one direction; let dry. Sweep paint in opposite direction; let dry. Use store-bought stencils for extra detail, if wanted. Finish with a few coats of polyurethane.

To embellish a floor by natural stamping with a random fallen-leaf pattern, sand the area to be stamped with fine sandpaper. Wipe clean with a tack cloth. Apply a thin layer of paint to the leaf. Place the leaf paint-side down on the floor; cover with wax paper. Use a roller to transfer the design. Lift the paper and leaf; let dry.

Make a new floor look like a classic one with the antique effect: Lightly sand floor and tack clean. Apply 2-3 coats of latex paint (follow the can’s directions), changing the color for each coat you apply. Sand surface with medium-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand more vigorously areas to penetrate layers and create a surface that is realistically worn and uneven. Distress your wood floor further by pounding on it randomly with a hammer and chisel. Sand the floor lightly to smooth. Apply 2-3 coats of satin-finish polyurethane.

The first rule for cleaning a wood floor is to avoid using water unless absolutely necessary. Dust or vacuum your wood floor regularly to prevent dirt and dust buildup. Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe up sticky spills immediately. For heavily soiled floors, make a solution of one-fourth cup white vinegar to 1-quart warm water. Dip the mop into the solution and clean one small area at a time. Buff dry. To remove stubborn stains, use a bit of silver polish or a cloth dampened with ammonia.

Additional Info

Squeaks are caused by wood rubbing wood. Try lubricating the floorboards with furniture wax or liquid soap.

Overfill Chips, Dents, and Gouges with wood putty. Let dry. Sand smooth. Use a furniture-repair crayon or shoe polish to tint the wood putty to match the color of the floor.

Types of Wood Flooring and Color Finishing Plank or Strip-These are solid or laminated boards installed in parallel rows. The wood is generally one-half to three-fourths thick with board widths ranging from one and one-half to 8″. Look for boards that have been quality marked “select and better.” Avoid lower “common” grades.

Parquet-Flooring installed to create a pattern. It’s usually sold in 12″ squares. Check for even coloration. Wood pieces should fit together snugly and securely.

Inlaid-These are intricate patterns cut and installed as part of a new floor plan-usually in the form of borders or medallions.

Natural Stain is a translucent finish, usually in shades of tan or brown, that enhances the natural color of the wood.

Colored Stain-It’s a transparent finish that gives wood flooring a hint of red, blue, green, etc., without hiding the natural grain.

Paint-A semi-transparent to opaque finish that allows you to create personalized effects like a basket weave, diamond pattern, or a special stamped design.

A Simple Check is the classic two-toned checkerboard pattern that goes with most decors from country to contemporary.

Framed Check is a pattern that plays with scale, using a combination of big and small squares.

A Twist Check (or Diagonal Design)-When checks are turned on their sides, a diamond pattern emerges.

Enhancing Bedtime/Maximizing Sleep (Decor): Tips and Ideas

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  •  For That Perfect Snooze
  • According to a 2015 study in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders, weighted blankets improved duration and sleep quality for insomniacs; they can provide the same calming pressure as a hug and may lower anxiety levels and heart rate.)
  • Try Chambray-This fabric will keep you comfortable year-round.
  • Percale is great for hot weather and sweaty people; it’s cool and breathable.
  • Sateen has a slight sheen and always looks smooth (no ironing needed).
  • Three Pillow Types
  • Back Sleeper?
  • A contoured style is your best option; it relieves neck pressure.
  • Side Sleeper?
  • Go for a thick, gusseted one (has panels on all four sides); it bridges the distance between your ear and shoulder.
  • Every-Which-Way?
  • Get a memory-foam that responds to your every movement; it’ll provide good alignment.
  • Blankets and Comforters
  • According to Rebecca Robbins, Ph.D., a sleep researcher at New York University Medical Center, “Blankets are a great way to stay in your comfort zone, especially when it gets cold at night, or if you sleep with someone with different preferences.”
  • Use wool for weight and warmth; cotton’s best for a lighter covering.
  • A synthetic comforter should be reliably hypoallergenic.
  • A comforter made with real down should have a fill power of 600 or higher.
  • Gaining Better Sleep Habits Through the Day
  • Maintain a regular wake-up time seven days a week; consistency will help stabilize your circadian rhythm and your internal clock. And don’t sleep in on the weekend; it’ll throw you off. If possible, eat breakfast by the window (is it a sunny day? Getting a good dose of sunlight early in the morning will not only lift your spirits but will set your circadian clock correctly).
  •  Do you make your bed regularly? Then you’re 20% more likely to get a good night’s sleep on most days than people who don’t, according to a National Sleep Foundation survey.
  • If possible, eat a light dinner and a hearty lunch (big dinners will drag out your digestive process; opt for a 500 calorie-or less-meal). And reduce caffeine intake (stays in the body for hours!).
  • I’ve found that any extensive, intense activity will put me “out” in an instant (I’m also a caregiver). Staying awake has become a challenge! I’m able to keep going as long as needed, but once I sit down or rest…..It’s often recommended to turn off all lights, the TV, etc. to induce sleep; I no longer have that problem.
  • The Calm Meditation App is a go-to stress buster for actress Holly Robinson Peete: “Sleep is the hardest self-care practice for me. This app helps me get an afternoon nap in my dressing room” (free, iTunes).
  • Did You Know That…..
  • Humans spend a third of their lives sleeping.
  • Fish sleep with their eyes open because they don’t have eyelids.
  • There’s no cure for snoring.
  • U.S. presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt all snored.
  • According to the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, just one sleepless night could increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes (researchers found that sleep-deprived mice had higher blood glucose levels and fat content in the liver-both of these factors are linked to diabetes and insulin resistance.
  • “When I was training in surgery, we were taught that if you could train yourself to do things without sleep, it made you a better doctor. It’s the opposite! You’re more creative and able to perform better if you sleep more. It’s not a sign of weakness. Prioritize it. And you should be sleeping long enough to dream.”-Dr. Oz
  • When you type “Why Am I So” in Google Search, the most common auto-fill result is “Why Am I So Tired.”
  • At least 71% of people own three sets of sheets for their bed.

Do you tuck in your top sheet?

44% do, 40% do not, while 15% don’t use a top sheet at all.

Getting Enough Zzzzs

Did You Know That…..

Using nasal strips or treating allergies often quiets snoring. A short nap can help you get the hours of sleep you need; the ideal one would be just 20-30 minutes and no later than early afternoon. That’s least likely to cause grogginess or mess up regular nighttime sleep. You’re getting enough sleep if you wake up feeling refreshed. You’re NOT if you doze off at:

A traffic stop or in a line of traffic for a few minutes.

In a public place

In the car passenger seat (for an hour)

While watching TV or reading

40% of teens aren’t getting the sleep they need (it’s due to their changing biological clock; many are not tired until 10 or 11 pm., according to Wendy Troxel, Ph.D., and a senior behavioral/social scientist at the RAND Corporation). Teens-or anybody else-can’t really catch up on sleep, but what CAN be done is to return to a regular schedule. After two or three good nights, the body will bounce back.

Sleep-Deprived

“Most of the time when someone says they only need five to six hours of sleep, that means their ability to tolerate sleep deprivation is better than most,” says  Meeta Singh, M.D., medical director of  Detroit’s Henry Ford Sleep Laboratory. “They’re actually walking around with sleep debt and have forgotten what it feels like to be awake and alert.”Older people are affected even more; the amount of deep sleep received tends to decrease with age.

“You start slowly losing the robustness of ‘slow-wave‘ sleep,” (the dreamless, non-REM sleep that’s among the most restorative), according to Sigrid Veasey, M.D., University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

Veasey also says that the sleep-deprived function in a state of impairment, to the point where they don’t notice anything’s wrong. But, the people within their inner circle WILL notice; they’ll see the depression, non-interest in regular activities, and the short temper.

Good sleep not only provides a much-needed rest, but it also gives the brain a chance to clear and clean itself out; what’s called the glymphatic system gets rid of the debris and toxins from the brain and nervous system that accumulates during the day.

Three simple ways to overcome tired are:

1. Pick a consistent, regular bedtime schedule and follow it.

2. Take a nap whenever possible.

3. If your body clock’s off-kilter with the job you do or your personal life, readjust. Shift it with light. To be a night owl, opt for sunshine or bright lights later in the day. For an early bird schedule, consider dimming overhead lights and shutting off electronics about an hour before bedtime. Opt for bright light in the morning.

Another factor to consider is the mattress. According to the Better Sleep Council, whether one wakes up feeling refreshed can depend on the age of a mattress and its condition (one that’s seven years old or older may need to be replaced).

Sources: “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This”-Edited by Alison Abbey, Parade Picks, Parade magazine, March 18, 2018, and “The Art Of The Bed” by Petra Guglielmetti, Martha Stewart Living, April 2018, Better Family Health segment-Better Homes & Gardens, June 2019; “The Walking Tired” by Christie Aschwanden, Parade, January 2019; “Your All-Day Guide to Better Sleep” by Karyn Repinski-Spry Living, November 2018, “A Helping Hand” by Nicole Pajer-Spry Living, November 2018, “It’s About Time!” by Paula Spencer Scott-Parade, September 9, 2018, and “A To Z Guide To Your Best Night’s Sleep” by Diana Dickinson-Better Homes and Gardens, January 2017, and”How mattresses affect sleep quality” by MetroServices, Vindy Homes supplement-The (Sunday) Vindicator, May 5, 2019.


Picking the Right Size Rug for any Room

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The right rug type and size can go a long way to really highlight a room’s decor or bring it into sharp focus.

Here’s a small guide to help you.

1. Runners-This protects wood floors while adding warmth and softness to high traffic
areas like stairs and hallways. (a striped runner’s great for this; the
pattern helps you get the right alignment.) The standard size is 2′ 3″ x 8′.
To get the placement right, allow at least 4″ of space between the sides of the
runner and the walls or edge of steps.
In a corridor, keep a close eye on proportion. Standard runners may be too
narrow to fit the space.
Just remember that the gap between rug and walls should be no more than
one-third the width of the runner

2. Accent (or Scatter) rugs are small (usually 2′ x 3′), adding instant color and
pattern. And they can be moved on a whim!
To position an accent rug the right distance from a piece of furniture, wall or
cabinet, take the width of the rug and divide it in half.
The number you’re left with is the maximum distance the rug should be placed
from the furniture.
You can use two or three rugs in complementary colors to break up a long,
narrow hallway or corridor

3. The next best thing to a wall-to-wall rug is a full-size one (4’x 6′, 6′ x 9′, 8′ x 10′,
or 9′ x 12′). If you want to showcase the floors, pick a rug that’s a little smaller
than your room.
Standard decorator rules state that a full-size rug should be placed within 18″
of at least two of the walls (Do you have a large china cabinet, an
entertainment center, or series of bookshelves? If so, then measure from these
pieces instead of the walls.)
Ideally, the legs of all main furniture pieces should be on the rug. Make an
exception for wall-hugging pieces like a large china cabinet; this should be
completely off the wall.
Picking a full-sized rug in a centralized position in a room helps bring attention
to its main focal point.

Additional Info

Types of Rugs

 For ageless beauty and sheer elegance, go for a classic Oriental rug. When shopping for one, keep these
tips in mind: Consider pale colors and neutrals (such as cream) to make a small room look larger. For a room with light-colored
walls, deep jewel tones provide a rich look. Simple designs will give a room an open, airy feel, while more detailed
patterns convey cozy intimacy. You don’t have to spend thousands on an Oriental rug; one costing in the low hundreds (or
even less) can wear as well as the pricier model. It’s because the higher-priced rugs are made of more costly and fragile,
natural fibers. 

Straw-Most rugs made of jute, hemp or coir come in beige, but you can paint them. And they also come pre-dyed.
Remember that small patterns go with traditional furniture, while large patterns suit country styles. 

Rustic-A multicolored
rug and braid rug will give you a wide variety of colors to build your room’s palette around. Rugs made from this
yarn complement any décor; thick weaves in oval shapes soften a room with angled ceilings and walls. 


Pile rugs add a
spot of color to wood or tile floors. They also provide contrast when layered over wall-to-wall carpet. Pile rugs are
available in strips, with borders, or geometric patterns.

Rearrange Your Furniture, Rethink Your Living Space

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Across America, heavy drapes have been exchanged for lighter curtains, lawn chairs and tables are sprawled out on decks, porches, backyards, and patios, walls are being checked over for possible repainting, and even your “cast of regulars” (the furniture, lamps, etc. that’s been in one room or area forever) are taken stock of.

Purging-Items you’ve removed can find new life in other rooms (It’s a fact that if you leave things in the same place for months or years, you’ll tend to stop seeing them). For example, a table that you hardly noticed in your living room might instantly perk up the bedroom or den. If you’re having trouble visualizing a different layout, have a friend or relative come over (make sure it’s someone who doesn’t see or live with your furniture arrangement every day). They’re a fresh pair of eyes! 

Swapping or Switching-Move your artwork or paintings to a different wall or room. Mix different shapes and sizes together (You can also do this with furniture). Pair older items with brand-new, traditional with modern. 

You can move that sofa!-You can also try new locations of major furniture pieces too. If possible, try the sofa on the opposite side of the room. By changing a room’s focal point, you can also give the space a new purpose. For example, if the couch was facing one wall, and now it’s facing the nearby kitchen, suddenly there’s more conversation flow toward that particular area. Even outdoor tables or patio chairs may be used (and useful) inside. 

Consider the new-Once you’re done purging and rearranging, you may still want to acquire one or two new items. But always bear in mind that the changes you make with your current furniture might be much more inspired-and better looking!-than what you’d do with new.

 Sometimes just moving one or two pieces is all it takes to give a room a total makeover and have you (and everyone else) re-admiring your home from a new, fresh perspective!

The 60-30-10 Color Formula-Redecorating in terms of color can be simplified by using 60-30-10. Take a look at some rooms in magazines or online. Most of them have the 60- 30-10 color formula. 60% is the dominant color or hue, unifying the entire room (A good example would be the walls). 30%’s the secondary color, which would be the upholstery or furniture. The “30” provides visual interest. The 10% is an accent color, which provides that touch of sparkle. This would be an accent piece like a small rug or floral arrangement