Bookcases are a often overlooked place to create beautiful and interesting arrangements in addition to housing your favorite books.  With thoughtful planning and a creative eye, your bookcases can stand out as a focal point in your room, rather than just a background storage feature.  Use the tips below to create bookcases that will look fabulous in any room.

• Get creative in arranging your books.  Line them up vertically, horizontally, laying flat against the back of the bookcase, etc.  The books can become sculptural pieces when placed in contrasting arrangements.  Vary the heights on a single shelf.

• Incorporate collections that you may not have found a home for  yet, but make sure that they make sense.  A variety of substantially sized objects in interesting textures and materials (look for shine, pattern, feel) will draw attention without looking scattered or disjointed.

• Paint the back or your bookcases or cover with wallpaper.  Look for a shade that is darker or substantially brighter than your bookcase frame.  Objects will pop against the colored background.

• Light your bookcases in the same way that you would highlight a painting or sitting area in your home. Use a small accent lamp if possible or install downlighting or sconces.  Illuminating your bookshelves will add drama and capture the eye.

• Make sure to spread out your books.  You don’t want to run out of actual books after the first couple shelves.  Bookcases look best when each shelf is home to a variety of both books and collections.

• Small paintings, lamps, and mirrors can look lovely if you are looking for a filler object on an empty shelf.  Also use them as bookends.  Use vases, small sculptural pieces, and frames to create visually interesting look.

With a little planning and creativity, your bookcases will no longer appear to be a disorganized jumble of books but will stand out as one of the highlights of your home.

At Ciao Interiors we are always getting in new arrivals.  Check out a small sample of some pieces from Environment.  Contact us for a full list of products, pricing and details.

About Environment:

Part design consortium, part modern craftsman, Environment Furniture creates timeless contemporary collections for the home that respect the planet.

Environment selected as one of the “smartest, most innovative, hands-down brilliant companies.” “Entrepreneur Magazine: 100 Brilliant Companies”

Beds:

Dining Tables:

Coffee Tables:

Dressers:

Side Tables:

Consoles:

Seating:

Are you trying to stay a little more organized this year?  Use the ideas below to incorporate creative and stylish organizational ideas into your own home.

Under the bed is a great place to store things as long as you keep it in order.  Rolling bins such as these are attractive and also functional.  They are easily accessible for reaching items in storage and can be moved for cleaning under the bed dust.

Install cubes on the wall in the bathroom for storage.  Towels and other bathroom supplies are within reach and take on a contemporary look.

For extra bathroom supplies that are not needed on a daily basis, install a hanging shelf above the door.  This creates an architectural look while adding several feet of extra storage.

A bench that opens is a spacious place for storing sports equipment, pet supplies, or toys.  When closed, no one would ever know how much is hiding beneath the seating.

Photos: Martha Stewart Living

A coffee table is a piece of furniture that often does not get a lot of attention in the furniture selection process, and yet it will likely become one of the most used pieces in your living or family room.  You’ll want to go through a careful thought process before deciding on the right coffee table for your room.

• As is the case with any big furniture decision, measure the space.  Allow for 15″ between any seating and the table.   Coffee tables can range anywhere from 11″ to 25″ in height.  If you plan on eating in the living room and setting dishes on the table, then opt for the highest height possible.  If your room is extremely contemporary, then a low 11″ table can be a stunning look.

• Consider the amount of traffic that will be circulating throughout the room. If your living room is always filled with people and action, then you will need to pick a durable table rather than an antique.  A sturdy wooden table with built in storage can be a great option for a busy family.  A large upholstered is perfect if you have family members who like to prop their feet on their coffee table; it can also work in anywhere from the most casual room to a formal living room.

• If you have a stylish rug or beautiful flooring that you want to show off, a glass coffee table will do a wonderful job of showing that off.   A glass coffee table reflects light and makes the space seem bigger as well.

• Go with the opposite look of the other pieces of furniture.  If your sofa and chairs have exposed legs, then an upholstered ottoman can be the best look.  If the sofa and chairs are skirted, then a glass table with metal legs or a wooden table with defined legs will look best.

• Typically, rectangular tables are the most functional.  However, in a space where the other furniture is square and sharp at the corners, a round or oval table provides a nice contrast.  In a particularly large room, a square coffee table provides a huge amount of space for placing books, plates, and glasses.

With a decision based on size and function, as well as materials that best complement the look of the room, your coffee table will become a focal point rather than simply a holding place for books and drinks.

It’s easy to throw a bunch of hand me downs into an extra space, call it a guest bedroom, and create a perfectly fine place for overnight guests to stay, but with a few small touches, you can create a room that is a wonderful and welcoming place for your guests to spend the night.

• Keep sentimental belongings to a minimum and limit any knick knacks or overly personal touches.  Just the bare essentials creates a more restful room.

• Stick to neutral decor.  Use taupes, beiges, and calming blues to create a universally appealing room.  While trendy, loud colors can make a big impression, they may not be what every guest wants to see first thing in the morning.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Store extra linens in the room and make sure to let your guests know where they are.  If they need to replace the sheets or grab a new towel for any reason, they won’t have to disturb you at an inconvenient hour.

• Use the best quality sheets that you can budget for the guest room and find a pretty coverlet with complementing throw pillows to create a comfortable, relaxing bed.

Photo: Coastal Living

• A small sitting area is the perfect place for your guests to retreat at night.  They can read a book or newspaper before bed without feeling like they are getting in the way of your nightly routine.

• Good lighting is essential. Don’t leave your guests in the dark for bedside reading or getting ready in the morning.

• Since we don’t often spend time in the guest bedroom at night, we may not realize that the room is visible to the street or neighbors at night.  Make sure to provide privacy in the windows.

• Leave a small tray with toiletry essentials and a few snacks so that your guests won’t feel like they are bothering you if they realize that they left something at home or find themselves hungry.

Photo: My Home Ideas

Your interior could be straight out of home decor magazine, but if the exterior of your home is not up to par, then the inside will not get the entrance it deserves.  Take advantage of the spring weather and get outside to make some essential improvements to your home’s curb appeal.

• If your budget allows, consider the position of your driveway.  Though a side drive allows for more yard space, a circular drive allows a more welcoming flow of traffic towards the front door as well as a symmetrical look.

• Get your front door in prime shape.  Splurge for a beautiful antique door or an intricately detailed new one.  If that’s not in your budget, than at least make sure your door has been refinished or painted and the hardware is in mint condition.  If you’re feeling bold, go for a bright, unexpected color!

• Keep shrubbery out front pruned and short enough to that it does not distract from the doorway.  Simple shrubbery surrounded by a tidy, weed free bed of colorful flowers or ground cover is perfect.

• Make sure that your street address is adequately highlighted.  Whether it is next to your front door or on your mail box, there is plenty of room to get creative.  Go traditional or artistic, just make them easily visible.

• Frame the door in plants.  A beautiful vine or wisteria growing around the door evokes images of a cottage  hidden in the woods.

• A potted plant with an interesting arrangement is the perfect complement to your newly refinished front door.  Use colors that serve as an accent to your home’s color scheme.  If you have a green front door, try a pot featuring reds and oranges; if you have a blue front door, go for yellows and pinks.

A few simple improvements can make a huge impact on the curb appeal of your home.  Your exterior will be a beautiful entryway into the inside beauty of your home.

The UK-based trend-forecasting agency Trend Bible began working on its autumn/winter 2012/2013 in early 2011. The experts observed social, economical, cultural and consumer behavior to build a picture of what they thought the future might look like. What they found is the resurgence of “casually styled” spaces, where decor is mismatched yet sentimental and where tactile handmade goods take center stage. Learn more about these four trends on the horizon below. Compliments of High Point Furniture Market

Undone
“Artful, eclectic curation to reflect a sense of personal style” sums up this trend. Salvaged, “rustic, weather-beaten materials and finishes sit alongside warm and cozy fabrics,” according to Trend Bible. “In essence, this trend is about the celebration of tactile qualities in a post-digital era, where products that tell a story and bring a wholesome, unrefined attitude are valued.” Think reclaimed rough wood, rusted metal, hand-knitted and crocheted fabrics as well as felt, leather and wool. Distressed finishes on furniture add a tactile quality as well.

Curiosity
Dramatic yet whimsical romantic elements will carry over from spring/summer 2012. “Products have a playful quality and reminds us of our childhoods, as adults retreat into child-like worlds in times of political, economic and environmental confusion,” according to Trend Bible. Along with the romantic elements comes bold, graphic patterns and “feather-light” fabrics. Decor elements include chandeliers, pendants, flowers and nostalgic, vintage decor make up this trend story, plus soft lighting, plush rugs, flowing curtains, hand-drawn illustrative characters and damask patterns.

Grey Gardens
This trend forecast gathers inspiration from the 1970s documentary and subsequent 2009 film Grey Gardens, which tells the story of the decline of a 1920s household and its inhabitants. Once decadent and luxurious, the bohemian home slowly decayed, resulting in “flickers of faded grandeur,” reports Trend Bible. The agency’s forecasters say the trend also was inspired by the effects of the global recession, resulting in “down-at-heel glamour.” More elements picked up from the original Grey Gardens include the concept of a garden inside the house, such as wrought iron and rusty finishes, birdcages and fresh flowers; luxe finishes like plush velvets, paisley patterns and furs; and chinoiserie.

Wild Spirit
This trend story celebrates different culture’s traditional handmade goods. Patterns and crafts from “Scandinavia, Mexico and South America” and Native American goods like “dreamcatchers and feather trims influence decoration and print,” according to Trend Bible. The trend includes a multicolored palette, primitive decoration, simple illustrations, handcrafted textiles, pieced and patched fabrics and wood, raw and rough-edged ceramics and strong angular geometric patterns.

Successful lighting does not begin and end with one overhead light or just table lamps.  To create a room that uses lighting in a way that enhances your space, you must learn that layering is key.

• Use a variety of fixtures all intended for different purposes.  Make sure each and every room has ambient, task, and accent lighting.  With the exception of extremely small spaces, such as a powder room, almost every room requires various lighting depending on the time of day and activity.

• Vary the heights of lighting throughout the room.  Use floor lamps, ceiling fixtures, sconces, table lamps, accent lamps.  Place lighting on the side table, on the mantle, on shelves.  The more places that light is radiating from, the more interesting your room will appear.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Create shadows and drama.  Spotlight conversation areas while leaving others in the dark.  Use lighting to create mystery and romance in your room.

• Illuminate bookcases, cabinetry, and molding with accent lighting.  Use a ceiling fixture to provide a more overall  lighting so that these areas can serve as an interesting side note that adds dimension and beauty to the room.

• Use recessed lights in addition to a chandelier.  The chandelier will cast a soft glow while the recessed lights provide a functional lighting of the entire space.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Stick to 60 watt bulbs in your table lamps and floor lamps.  Anything higher is too bright and not flattering.  These light bulbs will create  a warm glow that makes your space inviting and cozy.

• In your entry way, use a gorgeous pair of sconces but complement them with table lamps on a console.  The lamps will bring the light lower into the room to avoid casting a dark shadow on everything below the sconces.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Sconces are also functional in the dining room where they can light the areas of the room that are missed by the central light of a chandelier.

Lighting is an inexpensive way to completely makeover a room.  By adding layers of different kinds of lighting and various fixtures, you can create depth and interest in a room.

Red is a classic in interior design.  When you choose to paint your walls red, you are making a clear decision to make a statement.  That room becomes bold, dramatic, and meant to be noticed. So if you’re in the mood to stir up energy and emotion in a room, take a look at the photos below for inspiration.

White architectural molding around the windows is a nice contrast to the rich, cherry red of the room.  An oriental rug is traditional yet never outdated when paired with red walls.

The red wall takes on a literary appeal when used next to a map print wallpaper.

High shine lacquer, a crystal chandelier, shiny floors, and antique inspired furniture is endlessly glamorous.

Shades of yellow give red a warm, family appeal and make it suitable for the most conservative of homes.

White geometric accents and a bright red are the perfect welcoming committee in this foyer.

Children’s rooms are one of the  spaces in your home that you can go absolutely wild with color and design.  They are a wonderful space for whimsy and fun, however there is one large obstacle on the way to creating the perfect space for your child: disorganization.  Children and their toys, games, and other accoutrement are inherently messy, so it’s our job to come up with ways to organize the disorganization and make the space look stylish at the same time.

Use calming, soothing colors like the light blue above.  The less active the color in the room, perhaps the easier the child will relax in the evening and fall asleep.  Accent the relaxing color with bold primaries to keep it kid appropriate.

Make sure that all the storage bins coordinate.  Try an earthy wicker, painted wooden bins, or a durable plastic like the ones above.  These are an easy way to bring a sense of order to a child’s room.  Even if there is chaos within the bins, the outside appearance is one of harmony.  Storage can be incorporated almost anywhere.  Find a bed with room for storage bins or turn the bottom shelves of a bookcase into storage disguised by a curtain.  The more colorful and playful that the storage looks, the more likely your child is to look forward to cleaning up.

Photos: House to Home, Ruby Beets, Real Simple, Real Simple, House Beautiful