Wallpaper is the perfect remedy for the plain wall.  A stunning statement whether it is hung in a large or small space, wallpaper can look conservative and traditional or cool and contemporary.  Look for prints that are monochromatic or incorporate just two or three contrasting colors for a modern look.  Graphic, geometric prints are a bold, youthful look while more organic, floral designs are perfect for a classically elegant look.  While smaller repeats are often easier on the eye, a large scale mural wallpaper can be absolutely striking in the proper context.  Whether it is the dining room or the powder room, the living room or the foyer, wallpaper can make a fantastic impression in a room.

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Accent lighting in the kitchen is a great way to update your kitchen.  Not only does it add a touch of ambiance but it can serve to light up your workspace.  Under cabinet, in cabinet, and above cabinet lighting will warm up the look of your kitchen and provide a bit of homeyness that you can’t achieve with overhead lighting.

The warm wood tones of these contemporary cabinets are brought out by downward lights that cast a geometric and sophisticated glow.  The subtle lighting also brings out the polish and sheen of the countertops and floors.

The rich red of this kitchen already created a room that seemed warm and welcoming, and the soft yellow light makes this an inviting place to spend your evening.

Lighting the area above the cabinets with spotlights can make your ceilings seem higher.  The lights create a grand look that emphasizes the molding on the cabinets as well as the ceiling.  The lighting in the cabinet shows off the glass cabinetry and pretty glassware withing the cabinet.

The under cabinet and in cabinet lighting in this kitchen reflect off the tile backsplash and the glass cabinet doors to make this kitchen seem to glitter with light.  This sort of accent lighting is a fabulous effect at night.

For a fairly inexpensive weekend project, kitchen accent lighting can make a huge difference in the look of your kitchen.  Whether you choose above cabinet, under cabinet, in cabinet lighting, or some combination of the three, the results will make a warm and welcoming place to gather the family every day.

Mirrors don’t have to be exclusively for primping; there are many places in the home that can be spruced up by including aesthetically interesting mirrors.

Horizontal mirrors hung in groups create an unexpected window effect.  You get the advantage of light reflecting throughout the room and an interesting pattern upon the wall without the overwhelming quality of an uninterrupted mirror of this proportion.

Antiqued mirrors have a smokey beauty to them.  Use them anywhere that you do not need any true reflection, but would still like to bounce light around the room and add shine to the walls.

This mirror arrangement has a contemporary art feel to it.  The same square shape mirror used over and over again at varying angles draws the eye in then bounces it around.

Mirrors with elaborate, sculptural frames can substitute for artwork.  Sunburst frames are one of the most commonly seen mirrors and they can be found everywhere from pricey antique shops to contemporary, budget friendly stores.

Use mirrors in your home to accent artwork, highlight a wall, make a room seem larger, or serve as the focal piece in a room.

Photos: Elle Decor

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

Is your new years resolution to get your house in order? 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

The white kitchen is a timeless, classic look.  Whether it is accented with pops of color, such as blue, or kept completely neutral with stainless steel and light wood, it is a fresh look for the home.  Below are several photos of beautiful white kitchens, from contemporary to country to traditional to nautical to outdoor.  It is a theme which one can play upon in a wide variety of ways.

Photos: Traditional Home

With green design being the “it” thing these days, many people are looking for ways to incorporate eco-friendly aspects into their home.  However, one of the things that can hold people back  is the fact that green design can often carry with it connotations of extremely contemporary style.  This does not have to always be the case.  Below are examples from Coastal Living Magazine of eco-friendly rooms with a traditional look.

These rooms utilize techniques such as protecting the mechanical systems and ductwork from extreme temperatures, bamboo floors, formaldehyde-free fabrics, all natural plaster free of VOC’s and mold, and sustainable furnishings.  When you use green as the backbone for the construction of the room and take care to use the most sustainable products possible, even recycling and re-purposing antiques, you have the freedom to create a room that is traditional and pretty in style while using contemporary ideas for eco-friendly homes.

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: Traditional Home