If you are building a new house or just renovating your kitchen, one of the big decision to be made is what type of flooring to put in your kitchen.   Tile, wood, vinyl, and, and stone are all appropriate choices for different people.  How do you know which is the right one for your home?

While it will not last for generations, vinyl is  a good option for those looking for an option that will be inexpensive and easy to install yourself.  Vinyl can be tricky around the edges and at seams of a pattern.  You will have to take great care to cut very carefully and match the repeat of the pattern perfectly.  Vinyl is best for those looking for an interim flooring that will last them until they are ready to make a bigger investment.

Tile comes in a wide variety of looks.  You can get tile to look like almost any type of stone and in any color imaginable.  Make sure to have a professional installer measure so that you buy the exact amount that you need.  Dye lots can vary in color from day to day and if you come up short, it could be difficult to match your tile on a future trip to the supplier.  Tile is extremely durable and if a tile does become chipped or break, it is possible to replace it.  Installation can be expensive, but is worth it because of the precise nature of laying tile patterns.  Glazed tile will stand up to stains much better than unglazed, so it is a better option in the kitchen.

Stone is one of your most durable options for the kitchen, and though it can be expensive and installation must be done by a professional, it will last for generations.  It is a beautiful, timeless look, but is not the best option for children or the elderly because when it becomes wet, it becomes extremely slippery.

Wood is a wonderful option because it can often be carried over from the other rooms in the house and contribute to an open flow throughout your home.  Wood is an extremely strong, durable material that will last the life of your home as long as it is kept in good shape and refinished when necessary.  One of the drawbacks is that it will show wear and tear in the finish in high traffic areas.

Each type of flooring has pros and cons, so it is important to make a decision based on your ability to invest at this time and just how durable of a floor you will need in your kitchen.

Extravagant Closets are one of those interior spaces that we can never get enough of. Endless space for expensive shoes, shiny marble floors, and flattering lighting.  If only we could all live like movie stars.

Photo: The Nanny Diaries

Photo: Sex and the City The Movie

Though we may not all be so lucky as to have closets the size of a bedroom or enough shoes to fill an entire wall full, there are ways to make your closet so organized and pretty, that getting dressed will be simple indulgence every single day.

Photo: Real Simple

Take advantage of all of the organizational tools that are available at discount stores like Target.  Matching plastic hangers, clear shoe boxes, and hanging sweater organizers are all useful and attractive ways to give your closet a dose of organization.

Photo: Real Simple

Use pegboards to organize everything from belts to jewelry to scarves to any accessory that can hang.

Photo: Real Simple

Though shoe racks are functional and a great option for closet organization, a graduated shoe rack such as this gives a look of luxury and display to your prettiest shoes.

Photo: Real Simple

Adding a mirror and a place to sit can take a simple walk in closet from a normal space to a lovely dressing area.

Photo: Coastal Living

A chandelier adds a touch of whimsy and character to your walk in closet.  Even if your closet is small, a beautiful piece like this can make a huge impact.

The kitchen table is often one of the most used pieces in our entire home.  It is truly the definition of a multi-tasking piece.  From science projects to bills to catching up with friends to actually eating, the kitchen table takes us from morning to night.  Because we spend so much time with this one piece of furniture,  it is essential to choose a table that meets both our needs and our style.  With practically unlimited choices in aesthetics and size, how does one begin the process of selecting the right kitchen table for their own home?

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Measure the size of your kitchen or breakfast nook.  You will want at least on each side of the table where there will be chairs.  Anything less makes it difficult to push the chair out.  Ideally, you will have more in the range of 3 feet, but this is not possible in all spaces.  A small round table fits nicely if you have a large, open kitchen and plan to break the space up with the table towards the middle.  A rectangle is nice when you are trying to separate a living area from the kitchen.

Photo: House to Home

How many people will typically dine at your kitchen table?  A small round table is a nice look, but is only practical for very small families.  If you have more than four people dining on a regular basis, then you should consider a rectangular table.  Do you need ample room for serving dishes in the middle of the table?  This will be an important consideration when choosing a table width.  Remember you can always get a table with additional leaves if large groups occur, but are a rarity.

Consider what kind of activities will be taking place at the kitchen table on a regular basis.  If you have children that will often do their homework, crafts, and playing at the table, then you will want to pick a table with an extremely durable top.  There are tables with marble, tile, and polyurethane coated woods that will stand up to all sorts of marks and spills.  If you have a contemporary style, you could even go for a plastic or metal style.  Whatever material you choose, you just have to remember that you do not want to buy a table that you have to tiptoe around.

Photo: Veranda

Lastly, you will want to decide on a style.  There are endless options available on the market today.  Depending on the style of your kitchen, you could do anything from a rustic, farmhouse table, to a french country pedestal table, to a contemporary, clean lined plastic table.

Photo: Hickory Chair

As one of the most versatile pieces and biggest investments that you will make in your home, it is worth sitting down and giving thought to the considerations that go into choosing the right kitchen table.  You’ll end up with an attractive and functional table that takes you from morning to night and from reading the paper to sneaking a late night snack.

Clear, trendy, and contemporary, lucite furniture is a wonderful way to add a touch of the unexpected to your home.

Photo: Veranda

Lucite can be found in a wide variety of applications in the home.  Lamps, tables, and seating are all readily available in lucite.

Photo: House Beautiful

Lucite stools accented with deep turquoise fabric are a fresh addition to a more classic pedestal dining table.

Photo: Keno Brothers

Photo: Traditional Home

A traditional bed and vanity are given a youthful twist by adding a lucite bench seat.

Photo: Geoffrey Bradfield

The contemporary lines of this geometric coffee table complement the curvilinear lines of the furniture and the neutral tones of the room.

Photo: Architectural Digest

Decorating a small space can seem like an impossible challenge.  Furniture can seem cramped, the room can appear dark, and frustration can ensue.

1. Paint the walls a light color.  The lighter the walls, the more spacious the room will appear.  Pale colored walls will fade into the background and allow the rest of the room to take center stage.

2. Avoid heavy window coverings.  Covering up the windows restricts light and makes the room seem cave-like.  If possible, hang window treatments on the wall next to the window so as not to block any light at all.

3. Hang mirrors up to reflect light and make the room seem larger. A mirror hung directly across from a window not only reflects light, but reflects the window and doubles its room enhancing benefits.

4. Place objects and artwork high.  Pictures hung low will draw the eye downward; you want to draw the eye up, making the ceiling seem taller.  Instead of bookshelves that are low to the ground, place books on wall  mounted shelves.  Be creative in getting things off the floor and onto the wall.

5. Find pieces that can multi-task.  Day beds, trunks, and storage ottomans can all serve as seating while also serving their intended purpose.

With these tips, a small space can become one of your favorite spots in the home.  Pair these basic rules with your favorite fabrics and colors, and your once tiny room will now be packed with personality.’

Photos: House Beautiful, Southern Living

Can’t find that perfect sofa you’ve been searching for?  Well, look no further, because Lee Industries has something for everyone with their endless amount of styles and customizable options.  They offer a great selection of fabrics and leather, and you can personalize everything from the trim, finish, cushions, and even the size!

One of our favorites at Ciao’s, and new to the showroom, is this wedge sofa from Lee Industries.  It’s perfect for conversation with its slight curve, and can cozy up any room.  Shown here in a slipcover option for easy cleaning, but also available fully upholstered for a more tailored look.

Right now you can order any of Lee’s pieces without breaking the bank!   Choose your favorite style, covering, and size and you will save 40% off for a limited time!!  For more details, contact us at Ciao Interiors.

When decorating a room, the sofa is the piece of furniture that is the most important.  Whether it takes front stage in a bold print or provides a backdrop in a textured neutral, the sofa is the largest and most used feature in the room.  Because of its importance in your room, it is essential to go in to the sofa buying process fully armed with knowledge.

1. What look are you trying to capture in the room? Though it can be an interesting look to contrast a sharp edged sofa in a room full of antiques, generally you want to stick with something that goes with the style you are going for.  For a contemporary room, choose straight, clean lines.  For a traditional room, go for a sofa with a loose back and big fluffy cushions.  This is a piece which you will hopefully have for years, so steer clear of trendy shapes and choose something that will grow with your style.

Photo: Metropolitan Home

2. What purpose will this sofa serve?  Is it for lounging or entertaining?  If your needs are casual and you plan on reading, watching television, or relaxing on your sofa, then you will want a deep seated sofa with loose seats and back.  Down is your most comfortable option.  If you are outfitting a more formal room, then a tight back and tight seat will provide a more elegant look.  A shallow pitch to your sofa will cause you to sit upright and easily engage in conversation.  Armless sofas can look fabulous in rooms that are not built for lounging.

3. Make sure you measure before buying your sofa.  There are a lot of oversized pieces on the market right now, and those may or may not work in the proportion of your room.  The sofa must work with the size of the other seating pieces in the room as well.  This makes for a better conversation setting.

Photo: Coastal Living

4. Choose your fabric carefully.  If you are placing this in a room with heavy traffic, then a strong textural fabric which can stand lots of wear and tear is best.  In a room that is less often used, you have the flexibility to choose a delicate silk or a bright and bold print.

Photo: Elle Decor

Buying a sofa is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your new decor.  Be sure to select carefully and with the future in mind.

Photo: Traditional Home

Don’t limit your metallics to cameo appearances on lamps or coffee tables.  Entire rooms draped in shades of silver, gold, and shiny grays make a dramatic, glamorous statement.  Mix all of these colors together to create a monochromatic metallic effect.  Create interest with tone on tone prints and textures.  Shimmer and sheen take the center stage in these fabulous rooms.

Photo: Phoebe Howard

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Phoebe Howard

When you are dealing with a small room such as a bathroom, the details are instrumental in creating the aesthetic of the room.  A pop of color, an interesting object, an unexpected piece can set the mood and bring style into a small space.  In the bathrooms below, we see several different methods of pulling a room together in the details.

Photo: Coastal Living

This room is filled to the brim with fabulous details.  From a bold wallpaper to an ornate mirror to bright splashes of yellow, this room is not boring in the least.  The details create a room that is cheerful, exciting, and youthful.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

A small detail such as  a seashell soap dish set against whites and pastels creates an ethereal, ocean inspired look with minimal effort.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Instead of a typical towel rack, try a ladder.  This detail creates a country atmosphere, and when paired with a woven basket that houses hand towels, the look is complete.  The white accented with turquoise in the towels and in an unexpected spot such as the basket is a fresh look.

Photo: Southern Living

Don’t forget that the sink can be a spot for style!  This copper sink is a striking look and served as inspiration for the rest of the bathroom, from the walls to the mat to the towels and shower curtain.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, the place where friends and family gather for good meals and good conversation.  Follow the tips below to create a kitchen that welcomes and encourages guests to feel at ease.

1.  Try to center the stove as much as possible.  If you have an island, this is the perfect placement.  It lends itself to creating a center for conversation without leaving out the cook.  Meal preparation can be a great place to spark up a conversation.

Photo: Elle Decor

2. Pick warm, cheerful colors for the kitchen.  Try a bright yellow, orange, pink, or red.  These colors stimulate the appetite and encourage energy among your guests.

Photo: Sunset Magazine

3. Pay attention to the little details that can make your kitchen a more comfortable place to linger.  Potted plants or herbs, fresh fruit bowls, cookie jars all are nice touches that make guests feel at home.  Add those special details while avoiding clutter.

Photo: House Beautiful

4. Nice place settings will make serving meals more peaceful and organized.  They do not have to be expensive; crisp, white plates can make a huge statement and make your food stand out.  Presentation can make your kitchen a welcoming place to eat.

Entertaining starts in the kitchen and creating the ideal home for welcoming guests, friends, and family depends on the tone you set in the kitchen.