11 Things You Didn’t Think You Could Fit Into a Small Bedroom

“Most of us have at least one small bedroom that you feel can’t hold much more than a bed, side table and maybe a small chest of drawers. So we end up scrimping on everything. Here are some ideas on what ‘else’ you could consider putting in your small room, that aren’t expected.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

While it’s fun to look at photos of spacious bedrooms complete with sitting areas, fireplaces, large armoires and more, the reality is that most people sleep in much tighter spaces. Personally, I love a small, cozy bedroom — it adds to the snuggled-up feeling. But often we also want a piece of luxury to go with that practicality in our modestly sized bedrooms, even if there is barely room for a bed.

Liquid Design & Architecture Inc.

1. A chandelier. So long as you meet code and place it so you won’t be bonking your head, an elegant light fixture can really make a small bedroom room feel special. Be sure to put it on a dimmer so that you can adjust the mood.

i3 design group

2. Plants. By using a custom living wall system, these designers were able to bring in life on the headboard wall.

Plant mounts: custom, The Floral Fixx

Cabbages & Roses Ltd

3. Twin beds. These beds are U.K. single beds, which are approximately 35 inches wide, as opposed to American twin beds, which are usually 39 inches wide. Those precious extra 8 inches leave a comfortable space between the two. Also worth noticing is the smart reading-light strategy — sconces mounted to the wall save space.

Hart Associates Architects, Inc.

4. Room to stash plenty of bedside reading material. There is ample room for dozens of books and magazines in this narrow bedroom, thanks to clever built-ins tucked behind the headboard. Note the nightstand surfaces and cabinets built in as well.

Right Meets Left Design LLC

5. Privacy. Sometimes a bedroom is so shallow that a bed barely fits between the walls, and there is no clearance for a door to swing. A pocket door allows plenty of room to close the space off, even though the end of the bed is very close to the opening.

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

6. Yards and yards of textiles. The long drapes in this room add softness, pattern and color while providing privacy. They really make the room.

Jen Chu Design

7. A large statement piece of art. With the walls taken up by handy shelves, a window and an upholstered headboard, you would think there wouldn’t be room for a big piece of art. But designer Jen Chu cleverly adorned this vinyl roller shade with a message stuck on with cut contact paper letters. (By the way, this quote is from Apocalypse Now.)

Sarah Fortescue Designs

8. An office. This bed flips up into the cabinet, leaving plenty of room to get work done at the desk during the day.

Mark Jordan Architecture & Design

9. A TV. If you love to catch up on your DVR right before bedtime, there are clever ways to tuck in a screen. This TV screen can be tucked right up into the ceiling when not in use.

ColeBuilt

10. Deep drawers. Precious drawers under these beds offer plenty of space for clothing, linens and other items.

InDesign / Lori Ludwick

11. The Lincoln Memorial. OK, not literally the Lincoln Memorial; let’s make that “a mural.” You shouldn’t give up on a large design element just because a space is tight. In fact, a small room is one of the best places to make a big statement. The wallpaper behind this bed is an image of the large stately columns of the Lincoln Memorial.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Becky Harris

8 Ways to Arrange Artwork

“Creating a wall of art, is an art in itself. We’ve all seen it done well…and poorly. Take a few tips from here and we’re sure your ‘Art Wall’ will look great!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Can’t wait to display that collection of pictures or artwork but stuck on how to hang it? Don’t feel bad. There’s a lot to consider in terms of symmetry, picture size and frame style. To get started, take a look at these eight different approaches to displaying your art and photos.

Kenneth Brown Design

1. Linear

What it is: Pictures are hung in a line – either horizontally or vertically. This style emphasizes rhythm and balance.

Benefit: A linear configuration works especially well with pieces that are the same size and are framed with the exact same frame.

Size of wall space: When the artworks are hung horizontally, this is a good choice for a larger wall or to emphasize another horizontal element in the room, such as a rectilinear dining table or seating group.

Limitations: You’re limited by the wall width or height and the quantity of pieces you want to hang. If you have five pieces you want to hang this way but room for only four, this approach won’t work.

This dining room features a gallery-style hanging system to maintain uniformity and add an industrial edge.

Bria Hammel Interiors

While a linear style works for identically sized frames, it’s not imperative that the frames be the same size. Here, designer Bria Hammel overlapped frames in two sizes.

D’Cruz Design Group Sydney Interior Designers

2. Grid

What it is: Pictures are hung in precise rows and columns that emphasize order and symmetry.

Benefit: Similar to the linear approach, the grid configuration also lends itself to artworks of the same size and with the same frame. The grid method works especially well for collections with numerous pieces. A grid installation is particularly striking.

Size of wall space: The grid system is more flexible, as it works well for walls with little or a lot of wall area. You can hang pieces as high, low and wide as desired. Pieces can be hung either close together, as in this design, or farther apart.

Limitations: Like the linear system, architectural dimensions are a limitation. Also, you need to have enough pieces to create full rows and columns — no stragglers!

A grid installation may be tricky to hang because all of the frames must align exactly vertically and horizontally. It’s unlikely the back hanging wires will be the exact same length, so you’ll have to measure each individually.

Sarah Greenman

This grid installation is smaller and has more breathing room between each frame.

Transitional Hall Chelsea Park Gardens | London | SW3

3. Clustered

What it is: A clustered configuration is freer; artworks are arranged within a loosely defined, more organic space. Although asymmetrical, a clustered configuration is still balanced.

Benefit: A clustered approach is ideal for artworks of various sizes and with various frame finishes. It’s also possible to add additional pieces without dismantling and rehanging the entire installation.

Size of wall space: With the clustered approach, you have complete freedom to use up an entire wall or just a portion of it. It depends on whether you’re trying to maximize your installation size or draw attention to a furniture piece, like the credenza shown here.

Limitations: Besides architectural barriers and the wall size itself, this approach comes with perhaps the fewest limitations. However, you should try to maintain a fairly consistent distance between the frames. Otherwise it can look messy. Also try to strive for frames of similar thickness. A medley of thin frames mixed with one fat, curvaceous frame can be unsettling.

See more on creating a gallery wall

Elizabeth Metcalfe Interiors & Design Inc.

Here’s a clustered wall-size installation of pieces all matted and framed in the same material.

ILevel

This installation brings together diverse artwork pieces finished in a variety of different frames. Despite being a visual melting pot, this scenario works because of the close proximity of the pieces to create a harmonious unit.

Katie Rosenfeld Design

4. Salon-Style

What it is: Salon style is truly old-school.Think of 18th-century Academic paintings on display at the Louvre. Salon style is characterized by a floor-to-ceiling wall-to-wall frenzy of artworks hung tightly together. The method has been gaining popularity lately.

Benefit: Salon style is romantically dramatic. Like the clustered style, it’s a good way to showcase pieces of art of different sizes and with different frame materials, especially if you have a sizable quantity of pieces. The framing materials define the space with hard, reflective surfaces, so this tends to make a room feel more closed-in. This isn’t a bad thing — think intimate and cozy.

Size of wall space: You can pull this approach off in small or large rooms, but it’s best used in spaces with high ceilings.

Limitations: Confirm your furniture placement before starting to lay out your configuration. That way you can work around furniture pieces. You don’t want to hang the entire wall and then realize a dining room chair back hits a painting or the sofa back doesn’t clear the bottom of a frame.

Adrienne DeRosa

This salon-style installation is joyously full of life.

Turner Pocock

5. On Shelves

What it is: Pictures aren’t hung on the wall but leaned on an architectural feature, such as a shelf.

Benefit: If you like to change your artwork frequently, but aren’t handy with a hammer or have space constraints, this is a good choice. The shelf approach also offers an added opportunity to layer smaller frames in front of larger ones.

Size of wall space: Depending on whether you want a single shelf or multiple shelves stacked upon each other, you can pull this look off with a large or small wall.

Limitations: The size of your wall is a limitation in terms of the shelf size but, as mentioned above, this is a flexible approach allowing for moving and changing pieces. If you’re considering stacking shelves, you need to make sure the height of your largest picture on each shelf will fit.

Sarah Greenman

6. Leaning Against a Wall

What it is: Placing artwork on the floor and leaning it against the wall offers the same flexibility as the shelf approach. However, it does have a somewhat calculated sense of casualness.

Size of space: You need enough wall space and floor space clearance to accommodate the piece.

Benefit: No holes to drill or nails to hammer, and it’s a great option if you have a large piece of artwork and insufficient wall space to hang it. Leaning artwork is unusual and, like salon style, can be dramatic.

Limitations: If you’re clumsy or you have small children or pets, this is probably not the best route to choose. You need to be able to move the artwork to clean behind it. Leaning also tends to look strange with wall-to-wall carpet because it looks like you just moved in and are in limbo. Somehow, this scenario really looks good only with hardwood floors.

Janel Holiday Interior Design

If you like the leaned look but aren’t sold on the floor idea, place the art on a piece of furniture against the wall. Just make sure it’s nothing you use frequently and are liable to bump, like a make-up vanity or bar cart.

Ehrlich Architects

7. Singles Only

What is it: Hanging up a single large artwork.

Benefits: A single artwork creates a strong focal point or zone in a room. It’s also easier to hang one piece than align several pieces, such as in a grid arrangement.

Size of wall space: For a large artwork, you’ll need ample wall space — enough for the piece and breathing room around the perimeter so it doesn’t look cramped.

Limitations: You’ll need to take into consideration the weight of the artwork and how to anchor it into your wall material in the desired location. Logistics are tricky too — is this something you want (or are able) to tackle on your home stepladder, or do you need professional help?

Most large single artworks are centered either on a wall, as shown here, or in relationship to another component, such as above a fireplace.

Christopher Elliott Design

Another option besides centering the artwork is aligning it with a seemingly unrelated architectural detail. In the example shown here, the top edge of the painting aligns with the corner of a perpendicular wall surface. If the painting were otherwise moved up or down, the relationship with the corner would look bothersome.

Turner Pocock

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8. Channel the Spirit of Your Artwork and Break All the Rules

You’ve gotta love this installation. Not only does it defy any attempt to be symmetrical, but it really pushes the envelope. Because of that, I find it delightful. The butterfly theme clearly helps this unconventional arrangement work, as if the butterflies are fluttering away before your eyes. However, without the right subject, this approach is hard to successfully achieve.

Originally published in HOUZZ, by Karen Egly-Thompson

11 Ways to Create a Beautifully Styled Bookcase

“Books, Nick Nacks & Tchotchkes all need a way to be displayed. Stylish and interesting bookcases can do that.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Bookworms, rejoice. The options for lining your walls with books are nearly limitless. Whether you are a stacker, sorter or color-coordinator, we’ve got you covered. Learn how to leave your mark and create your very best “shelfie.”

Jamie Keskin Design

1. Pair it with paint. Try painting the back of your bookcase to provide a hit of color. Add a letter for your initial, vases or your favorite knickknacks to give it a personal touch.

Vicki Simon Interior Design

2. Maximize space. Fit a bookcase wherever you can. If the wall is slender, as pictured here, you’ll gain some shelf space without giving up too much square footage. This is one of the best ways to take advantage of overlooked or hard-to-decorate spaces.

Chloe Warner

3. Go all the way up. If you want to add dramatic floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, make your dreams a reality. Add a library ladder to reach the highest levels while creating a classically cool look.

kim scodro interiors

4. Mix your media. Built-in bookshelves are a great way to frame a flat-screen television. It says: “Sure, I watch TV, but I also like to read too.” They’re also a great way to add functionality to an often wasted space.

Transitional Home Office Transitional Home Office

5. Integrate a desk. A desk and your books in one place make for a great pairing. By leaving a flat surface in your built-in bookcase to set up a computer and space below to slide in a chair, you can deftly create a home office.

Cory Connor Designs

6. Add a reading nook. A window seat between two bookcases makes for an easy reading setup. For extra storage, choose a window seat that can be opened as if it were a large trunk.

Webb & Brown-Neaves

7. Add a splash of color. If you prefer white walls and furniture, you can still add some color to your room by filling a bookshelf with colorful books. Switch out the books for more or less color depending on your mood.

Whitten Architects

8. Highlight the hallway. If you have a wider hall, lining it with bookshelves frees up walls in other rooms. Try filling all the shelves with only books to reinforce your bookworm status.

Design Manifest

9. Remember that sometimes smaller is better. If you don’t have the money or space for a large built-in bookcase, a small, low shelving unit can do the trick. Style it with your favorite vintage treasures. Stack books both vertically and horizontally for an effortless sense of style.

Lucy Call

10. Be open to the possibilities. If you want a less traditional look for your bookshelves, consider a series of open shelves. They provide just as much space for storing books, but feel lighter and tend to work well in modern homes.

Redo Home & Design

11. Get the best of both worlds.Why choose between a bookshelf or art on a wall, when you can have both? Leave an opening on the wall and display art in it to add dimension and visual interest.

Originally posted on HOUZZ by Michelle Gage

Those Built-Ins Are Going to Look Smashing in Color

“Usually, built-ins are painted white or stained natural. However, here are some really interesting uses of color to really bring attention to your built-in.”

Denise Buck & Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Adding color is one of the fastest and easiest ways to stamp our personality on a room. We usually do this through the choice of wall color, followed by color on furniture, drapes, rugs and finally accessories. Seen far less often is color on built-ins and cabinetry, a more daring surface for a hue besides white since these are among the more expensive elements to install in a home. As a result, we tend to play it safe here. But the following examples convincingly suggest that white isn’t the only option to consider.

Adrienne Chinn Design

The decision to add color, and in particular a bold shade, strikes fear in many. But the payoff can be a space brimming with personality that’s unique to you and your home. The key is to apply color selectively. Rather than painting everything in sight, strategically cover a contained area, such as this built-in hutch painted a brilliant blue. Most of the cabinetry remains white, allowing the hutch to become a balanced focal point. Adding accessories and art in a similar blue is a smart move that helps integrate the hutch into the design.

Exquisite Kitchen Design

But don’t worry, the color doesn’t have to be quite that bold to have a big impact, as illustrated by the muted blue-gray built-ins flanking the fireplace in this living room. An upholstered ottoman and accessories continuing the color theme complete the design.

W Design Interiors,LLC

In a strikingly similar living room, nearly identical dusty-blue built-ins add significant character, with the blue tones repeated on the fireplace surround and pillows for an elegant look.

Carolina Kitchens of Charleston, Inc.

Painting built-ins with a distinct color seems somehow less daring when they’re surrounded by white millwork. And when the cabinetry to be painted comes as a pair, this classic symmetry gives license to introduce color without visually upsetting the cart.

Traditional Entry The Happy Home Project

In other instances, it pays to just go all out. The purple covering an entry built-in is happily vibrant mixed with green walls and white trim.

Lucy Interior Design

Bright orange is taking bold color to the extreme, but it’s absolutely wonderful here. Lucy Penfield ofLucy Interior Design shares the specifics. “This was a fabulous old pine cupboard original to the house. We repurposed it with a splash of coral enamel and relocated it from the kitchen to the lower level to use as a bar.”

Jaffa Group Design Build

If bringing bold color into the living areas continues to put fear in your heart, how about trying it out on built-ins in a child’s bedroom or bonus room? The use of color is generally more expected in these spaces, which are also typically self-contained rooms not visible from the main areas of the home.

Wick Design

Bookshelves are a wonderful item to consider painting since they provide the option to break up the expanse of color not only with books and decorative items on the shelves, but also with artwork. The gorgeous blue here is Pratt & Lambert’s New Moon in a satin finish.

Caisson Studios

To ensure that built-ins boasting color visually make sense with the adjacent areas, one tactic is to extend the color from one space to another. In this example, the navy blue on a pair of corner hutches in a dining nook shows up on lower cabinets in the adjoining kitchen.

Caisson Studios

While the lower cabinets are navy, the upper cabinets, walls and appliances remain white to keep things light and fresh.

Christian Rice Architects, Inc.

In another example of extending color from one room to another, the gray-blue on these built-ins repeats in the entry on the front door and sidelights.

Christian Rice Architects, Inc.

The color looks a shade darker here, and it certainly could be, or it may simply be due to lighting differences. Carrying accents of color from one room to another is an effective way to bring visual harmony throughout a home.

Laura U, Inc.

OK, so you love the idea of painting built-ins with a rich color but are thinking, “Why stop there?” Good for you! Yet another approach is to continue the color from the cabinetry on the surrounding walls.

Laura U, Inc.

Here, a deep shade of eggplant covers the bookcases and walls — particularly effective since both the cabinetry and wall sheen are the same. The color’s volume is balanced by ample white trim, white window coverings and furniture, and the bright light filling the room.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

And if one color is good, add a second complementary hue in an adjoining room. In this home, a light turquoise, Benjamin Moore’s Spectra Blue, covers the shelves and walls in the living room, while the library next door benefits from the same treatment in a different color.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

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The beautiful pale yellow, Benjamin Moore’s Golden Tan, covers built-ins and walls for a cozy reading environment.

Rikki Snyder

Is all this color a bit too much, but you’re intrigued nevertheless? As an alternative, start with a small surface to cover. A good spot to test your color tolerance could be the back wall of open cabinetry, or perhaps the back of cabinetry and built-in hutches featuring glass doors where a peek of the color will show through. Just pick up a small can of your favorite paint color and give it a try.

Originally published by Janell Beals, HOUZZ

10 Creative Ways to Work With a Sloped Lot

“Many of us have had to deal with less than level yards. Here are some very interesting ideas on how to deal with a yard that is presenting some challenges.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Steep or hilly yards can pose some of the biggest landscaping challenges, but also some of the most beautiful solutions. Make the most of your sloped lot with artful stone, terraces, built-ins or even a slide — these 10 creative outdoor spaces tackle the problem with style.

Mariposa Gardening & Design

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1. Artful stonework. Go beyond the average retaining wall and opt for something extraordinary instead. These walls were created using dry stacked Arizona sandstone, slate and bluestone.

Eldridge London

2. Hillside slide. Why stick with stairs when a slide is so much more fun? In this kid-friendly yard, a stainless steel slide is set into the terraced landscape, ending next to a sandbox with a removable cover.

Roger Washburn Landscape Architecture

3. Stone ramp. If the terrain in your yard isn’t too steep, a ramp lined in stone makes a lovely alternative to stairs. Interspersed with mossy ground cover, the “steps” develop a weathered look over time.

Cary Bernstein Architect

4. Built-in bench. Create a retaining wall and seating area in one with a built-in bench that swoops upward. As part of a larger patio, the built-in seating provides a quiet space to read or relax next to the outdoor dining area.

Thuilot Associates

5. Steel-lined steps. Corten is a steel that develops a patina over time, without causing corrosion to the metal. Here, it was used to form a retaining wall along a stepped path, leading from one zone to another on a hillside lot. Lush ornamental grasses soften the lines of the steel wall and concrete steps.

Groundswell Design Group, LLC

6. Sunken patio. Create a lush, private outdoor space with steps leading down to a patio ringed in terraced planting beds. The multiple levels of greenery make even a small patio feel more spacious.

D-CRAIN Design and Construction

7. Desert garden. Get a similar terraced garden look in an arid climate by incorporating xeriscape plantings. The color and shapes of these corten steel planters enhance the architecture and landscape.

Envision Landscape Studio

8. Hillside hearth. Snuggled into a hillside, this outdoor fireplace looks extra cozy, and the hill provides a natural windbreak. A splash of bright red and yellow in the seating area echoes the hue of the plantings, drawing the eye into the garden.

Universal Developing

9. Treehouse perch. On a very steep lot, a deck extending from the house can provide a lovely spot from which to view the rest of your property. Here, curving decks wrap around the home, even incorporating a mature tree with built-in bench seating.

a Blade of Grass

10. Terraced gardens. Fieldstone terraces beautifully divide the space in this expansive, gently sloped lot. The upper terraces lead to a picket-fenced vegetable garden, while a path of stepping stones leads down to a bluestone patio with stone fireplace.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Furniture Clinic: End the Curse of Slouchy Couch Cushions

“More than once we’ve seen this happen and it’s actually an easy fix. The tufting is just an added touch”

DC Metro Realty Team – Denise Buck & Ed Johnson

With cold weather and holiday entertaining just around the corner, our attention often turns to our home interiors. Take a good look at your furniture from the perspective of a guest: How do things really look? A few easy updates can make a big difference in how people see your home.

My big problem piece is a sofa from the mid-1970s that I haven’t had time to repair or reupholster. To get one more year out of it, I updated the loose back cushions with symmetrical tufting. This is a quick, easy trick that I tried out on a love seat last year with amazing results. You just need a tufting needle, tufting twine and basic sewing skills.

Before Photo

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

The tufting serves two purposes. First, it visually updates the loose, boxed and corded cushions that were standard in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Second, it solves the saggy back-cushion problem.

Boxed-back cushions tend to get saggy because the cushion inserts are usually sewn with a baffle straight across the center. The baffle acts as a shelf and keeps the fiberfill from sinking down to the bottom of the cushion. When the filling is new, fresh and unmatted, it looks and feels great. But over time, the filling in the top channel sinks to the bottom of that channel, and the filling in the lower channel sinks to the bottom of that channel.

That’s what had happened to this sofa. No matter how many times I fluffed the cushions, they always ended up slouched down.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

AFTER: Tufting keeps the filling evenly distributed and give those plain back cushions a fresh, modern update. With this simple trick, even an old, tired sofa can last a little longer.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

How to Add Tufting to a Cushion

Determine the number and spacing of your tufts — I did four, evenly spaced, in the center of the cushion. Then measure and cut a template on a piece of white paper, so each cushion will be exactly the same.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Place the cushion on a flat surface and even out all the inside stuffing. Mark the vertical and horizontal centers of your template on the cushion.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Push in pins where the tufts will be to see if you like the placement.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Thread two long tufting needles with tufting twine, or any twine that will slide through your cushion fabric.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Place needles ½ inch apart at the tufting spots and push both needles through to the back of the cushion.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Create a slipknot to hold the tuft in place.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

As you push the cushion down to tighten up on the knot, hold the short end in your right hand and pull the left end snug to tighten the knot. When all the tufts are uniform, tie a standard knot to secure the tufts. Either cut the twine ends near the knot or thread a needle and push it through the cushion, so it comes out on the other side. Pull the ends snugly while putting pressure on the cushion and snip the ends. They’ll be hidden inside the cushion.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

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This kind of tufting takes only an hour or so, but it’s a practical and affordable solution that will prolong the life of your old sofa for a good while

How to Carve Out a Corner Designed Just for You

“Want a special place in the house you can call your own? Check these out to see what might work for you.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Having a room of one’s own is an appealing idea — a space just for you, where you can read, journal, craft, do yoga or simply relax, away from the bustle of a busy house. But even if you don’t have an entire room to spare, carving out a special corner designed for you and you alone is something doable. Rev up your inspiration with these 10 creative corners, from reading nooks to hammock hangouts.

Quercus Gardens

1. Tea garden. Carry your tea and a treat outdoors to enjoy in the fresh air for a delightful change of pace. Essentials for a tea garden include a place to sit and set down your tea, and lush plants (in pots or planters is fine). With a tea garden, small can be considered a virtue — look for a private corner of the garden, or revamp a small side yard or patio. Add a wall fountain or wind chimes for ambiance and a few plump cushions for comfort. If you’re concerned about keeping your cushions clean and dry, store a few indoors (a storage bench makes an ideal spot) and take them with you when you venture out.

Interior Solutions Design Group Inc.

2. Reading nook. Set up a cozy corner for diving into that new book by arranging a comfortable armchair and footstool, a reading lamp and a table for setting down your drink and book. Next to a window where you can read by natural light during the day is ideal. A bookcase nearby for choosing your next read and a soft throw to wrap up in on chilly days will complete the scene.

Joanna Thornhill Interiors

3. Napping porch. A sun porch makes a wonderful spot for a catnap. Position a daybed for maximum sunlight and plump it up with a feather mattress and plenty of cushions. Adding green plants all around will help clean the air and add to the relaxing vibe, while a rattan stool can keep a stack of magazines or a mug within easy reach if you’re not feeling sleepy.

Topsy Design

4. Hammock hangout. Relax in your own private backyard retreat with a fringed hammock and quiet seating area. Weathered finds in wood and wrought iron will lend an earthy feel to the space. If your outdoor space is a patio, you can still bring in greenery in the form of potted dwarf trees and mossy ground cover planted between stones.

Frida Svahn

5. Meditation corner. If you want to start carving out more time for meditation, one good way to begin is by earmarking a corner in your home as a meditation zone. Clear away clutter (and dust) and place a few floor cushions within reach. If you like, add a statue, candle, bell or a stack of inspiring books.

Paul Craig Photography

6. Creative work zone. Whether you’re a writer, crafter or artist, having a dedicated space to pursue your art is essential. A simple desk by a window with a bit of shelving nearby, along with good light, is all you really need. Keep the tools of your trade on display — it’s convenient as well as inspiring.

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

Mark Jordan Architecture & Design

7. Guest bed getaway. If you have a guest room, it can feel like a waste of precious space between visits. Instead of letting it go unused, why not think of it as your own mini getaway? Put fresh sheets and extra pillows on the bed, hang a vintage painting and add a comfy chair. Treat yourself to a nap or an afternoon of reading and journal writing from your private lair.

Backyard Buildings

8. Yoga shed. Sure, you can roll out a yoga mat just about anywhere, but having a special spot dedicated to your practice can actually make it more likely that you’ll use that mat. Here, a tiny backyard shed was transformed into a yoga studio for one, but you could create the same feeling in a corner of a master bedroom. A rug defines the area and provides extra cushioning beneath your mat. Store blocks and other props nearby and add a few inspiring details like potted plants and candles.

Rehkamp Larson Architects, Inc.

Carpenter & MacNeille

9. Window seat. Positioned to take in the view, a window seat makes the perfect perch for reading, napping or simply daydreaming. Put your feet up and let your mind wander — and store a blanket nearby in case you start to drift off.

Burnham Design

10. Thinking chair. A swinging or rocking chair placed in a peaceful corner of the home is a wonderful spot to sit and think through things that have been on your mind. If something has been worrying you, purposely sit down in your “thinking chair” to consider the problem, and consciously let it go when you get up.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

5 Tweaks for Updating Your Wood Deck

“If you want to continue to enjoy your deck, check out these updates that you can do to enhance your outdoor space.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The deck is one of the most useful outdoor spaces because it can support so many different functions: lounging, cooking, throwing parties, container gardening or just sitting outside to enjoy the view. As a multifunctional surface, a deck needs to always look its best. Read on if you have an existing wood deck and are looking to make some simple tweaks to update its look and improve how it feels and functions.

DE atelier Architects

1. Practice basic deck care. A deck can be improved in just a few hours through routine surface care. It’s recommended that you refinish a wood deck about every two years, either naturally with a linseed oil rub or with stains and sealers, to keep moisture away.

Whatever refinishing method you choose, know that moisture invites organisms into the wood that cause it to rot over time, so remove and clean up anything that is allowing water to collect in parts of the deck. Also, repair anything that may be habitually splashing water onto the deck, such as a leaky hose spigot.

To winterize, clean your deck of debris and remove and store your outdoor furniture in a dry place. Leaving your furniture out during the wet winter months can cause it to wear down more quickly.

How to Refinish a Wood Deck

2. Upgrade your railing. If your railing is looking shabby, consider changing it for an overall deck upgrade. A cable railing can contribute to a more contemporary deck style, or consider a different balustrade style or material.

You will likely need to hire a carpenter or contractor to help you design and install new railings, because they consist of detailed parts and connections. Have an idea of the railing type you want installed, and ask for product and design recommendations from the professional you hire. Also, check that your preferred railing type meets local codes before having it installed.

Resolution: 4 Architecture

3. Add an edible container garden. If your deck receives full sun, and you have the space, consider building or purchasing a few containers for an edible garden. Edibles growing close to the house are easily accessed from the kitchen, and with a deck, you are always working on a level surface.

Keep water from pooling under your containers by placing a saucer beneath them to collect excess water or raising the containers off the deck.

Be aware that large containers can add a significant amount of weight to the deck, so it’s best to locate large, heavy containers over structural beams. Always consult a professional if you are unsure of your deck’s weight capacity.

10 expert tips for growing edibles in containers

Kate Eyre Garden Design

4. Create more lushness at the edges. Sometimes a deck feels too open and exposed. Create a lusher setting by planting large shrubs or a small tree around the deck’s edges. Be sure to keep them away from the foundation of your home. If you can’t plant directly in the ground around the deck, create lushness with planted containers around the deck’s perimeter.

TEA2 Architects

5. Use the space underneath the deck. If your deck is raised to meet a second-story door, consider how you can use the space underneath the deck to create a shaded outdoor area. The ground below should be sloped to drain water away from the house and have basic paving that allows you to use the space. Once those pieces are in place, you can add seating, potted shade plants, a hammock, lighting and whatever else you desire.

Long Cove Builders

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Advanced project: Screen it. Screening all or part of your deck is not a simple tweak, but it’s an option for getting more out of your deck. Screening all or part of your deck transforms it into a space that can be used more comfortably on the sultriest, most mosquito-filled summer nights. If you are only screening and not adding additional levels, you may be able to proceed sans permit, but always check with your local building department first.

Your Clutter-Clearing Plan for the New Year

“Some great ideas to help with the declutterring process so that it’s not as daunting of a task.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

With an entire new year ahead of you, decluttering your home may not seem so hard. But after January, when that new year energy begins to wane, the prospect of tackling such a big project tends to overwhelm.

Enter your New Year Clutter-Clearing Plan, a month-by-month guide to clearing the clutter from every room in your house. I’ve zeroed in on areas of the home that I find fit with certain events, such as back-to-school or spring fashion, but feel free to reorganize as you see fit to tackle specific areas of your home that need attention sooner.

No matter what, by the end of the year, your home should be feeling more spacious and, perhaps more important, you should be feeling more capable of maintaining a clutter-free space.

Jamie Keskin Design

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Getting started: Turbocharge your decluttering. If you’re feeling inspired and motivated by the new year, take advantage of that energy and spend a few weekends clearing clutter throughout the house. Making noticeable headway will help motivate you to keep up the decluttering effort in the coming months. Try to get the other members of your household onboard — but if they are not interested, don’t try to force it. Hopefully they will see the positive changes happening around the house and change their tune!

Habit to cultivate: Keep an empty reusable bin in a closet, and use it to corral items you plan to give away.

CKS Design Studio

January: Kitchen and pantry. Give yourself a fresh start for the new year with a clean kitchen, decluttered cabinets and a healthy pantry and fridge.

Toss worn dish towels or cut them up to make rags
Sell or give away specialty small appliances and tools you seldom or never use
Recycle or toss freebie cups and Tupperware containers without lids
Toss expired food and spices
Take stock of cookware and dishes; give away or sell pieces you do not need

Habit to cultivate: Clean out the pantry and fridge each week before shopping.

Turner Pocock

February: Home office — digital documents and papers. Get a jump-start on tax time by getting your files (paper and digital) in order.

Sort through random stacks of paper; file, shred or recycle everything
Streamline your files, shredding any documents you no longer need
Use one calendar to keep track of all events
Switch to paperless bills and statements if possible
Clean out computer files and back up everything, using cloud-based storage and an external drive

Habit to cultivate: Sort your mail at the door, tossing junk immediately into a recycling bin.

stylingfieber

March: Clothes and accessories.The seasonal transition is a good time to sort through clothing. Sort through winter clothes before storing, and pare back spring and summer clothes as you begin to wear them.

Donate or sell clothes, shoes and accessories in good condition
Have winter clothes laundered or dry-cleaned before storing until next year
Try on all clothes for the upcoming season and give away or sell any items that do not make you feel good

Habit to cultivate: As soon as you wear something and notice it doesn’t fit, has a hole or doesn’t flatter you, toss it in a bag in your closet. When the bag is full, donate it.

Holst Brothers General Contractors

April: Bath and beauty products and medicine cabinets. Give your daily routine a spring cleaning by sorting through all of those bottles and jars hiding in medicine cabinets, on counters and in drawers.

Toss expired makeup and skin-care items, as well as anything you do not use or like
Clean drawers and shelves before returning items
Store heat- and moisture-sensitive items (medications and some skin-care products) away from the bathroom

Habit to cultivate: Keep a list of your favorite bath and beauty products and order them online rather than shopping in person. This helps avoid overshopping and impulse purchases.

Ashley Winn Design

May: Laundry room, linen closet, cleaning supplies. Cleaning routines are much easier and more pleasant when the supplies you need are neat and orderly. Sheets, towels and other household linens do not last forever — go through them this month and make some space.

Recycle worn-out and stained towels, washcloths, sheets and tea towels at a textile recycling center — search for one near you through the Council for Textile Recycling
If your child has graduated a bed size, donate the old bedding to charity
Clean under sinks and in any cupboards where cleaning supplies are stored. Get rid of empty containers and products you tried but did not like

Habit to cultivate: Don’t downgrade old towels and sheets to “guest” status. Only keep linens you would personally want to use — get rid of the rest. Your guests deserve better!

Nicole Gibbons Studio LLC

June: Family room, playroom, media, art and schoolwork. The end of the school year is a good time to review collected artwork and school papers, and choose a small number of special pieces to save in a portfolio or document box.

Edit schoolwork and art from the past year
Gather a bag of DVDs, books and CDs to give away or sell
Sort through toys and games; get rid of those your family no longer enjoys, as well as anything missing key pieces

Habit to cultivate: At the beginning of each school year, pick up a simple art portfolio. When your child brings work home, enjoy all of it for a while, but choose only a few special pieces to put in the portfolio.

Rock Paper Scissors Landscape Design Build

July: Yard, shed, garage and tools. Being outdoors in midsummer makes this a good time to get outdoor tools and equipment in order.

Get rid of broken tools and those you no longer need
Sort through gardening supplies
Toss worn-out outdoor furnishings and decor
If you’ve been collecting items to sell, hold a yard sale this month. At the end of the day, take unsold items to a charity donation center

Habit to cultivate: Keep everything in your garage or shed on shelving, not on the floor. This helps prevent accumulating a pileup of junk and keeps your gear cleaner.

Annie Hall Interiors

August: Photos. Photos seem to be one of the most problematic items for many people to keep organized. Use the lazy days of August to sort through old photos and make books or prints from new ones.

Choose a few favorite photos from this year and have them framed
Edit digital photos and back up using a cloud service as well as an external drive
Make a photo album or book from recent photos
Sort through any bins of loose photos and put them in acid-free photo boxes or simple albums

Habit to cultivate: Take a few extra moments to tag favorite digital photos each time you upload. Then when it’s time to print or make an album, you can go straight to your favorites.

Help for Whittling Down the Photo Pile

CG&S Design-Build

September: Mudroom, entrances and junk drawers.Embrace the back-to-school spirit (whether or not you have kids) by getting the busiest zones of your house clutter-free this month.

Put away stray items in entrances that belong elsewhere
Add extra hooks or shelves if you need them to help corral items
Sort through junk drawers, baskets, trays and any other spots that accumulate random junk
Invest in drawer organizers or a wall-mounted organizer to keep small items neat

Habit to cultivate: Do an end-of-day tidy-up of the entryway, putting shoes, coats and random items back where they belong.

Heydt Designs

October: Dining room and entertaining supplies. With the big holidays coming up over the next few months, October is a good time to get ahead of the curve and sort out your entertaining arsenal.

Get rid of worn-out and stained tablecloths, placemats and napkins
Count your dinnerware and serving pieces and consider whether you have enough, too much or too little for the amount you entertain
Get rid of decor, table linens and serving pieces that you don’t like or that no longer fit your lifestyle

Habit to cultivate: Just like creating a wardrobe with lots of pieces that work together, think of creating an entertaining wardrobe that you can mix and match, rather than having lots of distinct sets of dishes.

tesa SE – International

November: Hobbies and crafts.Get ready for holiday crafting and gift wrapping by clearing out your stash and organizing supplies this month.

Clean out gift-wrapping supplies, tossing empty tape dispensers, out-of-ink pens and shreds of gift wrap and ribbon
Downsize your craft stash by donating spare fabric scraps, yarn, scrapbooking paper and other materials — many organizations (schools, retirement centers and the like) are happy to accept donations of craft supplies, and there are even some craft-specific donation centers, like Scrap in San Francisco
Keep works in progress together in bags, bins or boxes
Habit to cultivate: Take the time to put away your craft supplies neatly when you are done working. A messy stash makes it more likely you will buy something you already have simply because you couldn’t find it!

Houseology

December: Holiday items and decor. With so much going on around the holidays, it’s wise not to expect too much of yourself when it comes to clutter-clearing. That said, with all of the new gifts coming in, it does make sense to do some paring back to preserve balance in the house.

Give away holiday ornaments and decor that you did not use this year, or that you no longer love
Toss broken ornaments and strands of lights that no longer work
Exchange or give away gifts you received but know you will never use, and do not like — don’t keep things out of guilt. The one exception to this rule may be hand-knit sweaters. The knitter will never forgive you; that’s just how it is.

Habit to cultivate: Tell friends and family who ask (in advance of the holidays) that you and your family would prefer gifts that are experiential or edible. Most people honestly want to give you something you will like, and are happy for the guidance.

Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Cooktops vs. Ranges – Which is right for you?

“Thinking about some new appliances for your kitchen? What makes sense for you?”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

The centerpiece of your kitchen is your stove and oven. You have a couple options to choose from, cooktops and ranges. What is the difference? Find out here.

Photo by: Shutterstock

Ah, the kitchen. Done right, it’s a sight to behold. But done poorly, it can come back to haunt you. Seemingly trivial differences often end up playing a large role in the room’s success. Today, we’ll focus on the centerpiece itself: Cooktops vs. Ranges.

Understanding the Differences

So what is it exactly that makes a cooktop different from a range? Well, in simple terms, a cooktop ditches the oven portion of a range and takes up only counter space. This means that the burner’s knobs and buttons are on top of the counter, rather than on the front. Of course, if an oven is needed, that means opting for a wall-mounted oven in addition to the cooktop.

A range, on the other hand, is both of these units in one. This means it’s a freestanding appliance that has the burners on top and the oven down below. The knobs and buttons on a range are typically on the front as to not get in the way of the pots and pans while cooking.

There is a third option, however, called a rangetop, which is essentially just a cooktop with the knobs and buttons placed on the front. It typically takes up a little bit more room than a standard, flat cooktop. For our purposes, we’ll group this option in the regular “cooktop” category.

Which type is right for you?

There are many benefits unique to a cooktop, but really it all depends on what your needs are. Is your kitchen cramped or full of space? Do you cook alone or as a team? Do you host large dinner parties? Do you suffer from bad knees or back? The questions are endless, but answering them is crucial when deciding which would suit you best. Here’s a handy guide to help you quickly decide which option might be your best bet.

Cooktop Benefits:

• Cooktops require a much smaller cutout in your counter space, and are surrounded on all four sides, leaving ample room for cabinet space below.
• Because there isn’t an oven below it, you don’t have to stand by extra heat (which usually radiates from the oven) if you use both appliances at the same time.
• Purchasing an oven separately gives the option for you to select a single ordouble wall-mounted unit.
• Cooktops are also better for people with knee or back problems because their accompanying ovens are more at arm height.
• If you have small children in the house, a cooktop could be a safer choice because the control settings will be out of their reach.
• Glass, or smooth cooktops also make for much easier cleaning, since things like burners don’t need to be removed.
• Cooktops offer more flexibility in burner style, size and options like induction burners.
• Electric cooktops also provide constant, even heat and can maintain very low heat for simmering.
• If your kitchen already has a focal point, such as a window, sink, view or back splash, a cooktop is a good choice so it will let the other features stand out.
• A cooktop is best for multiple-cook scenarios because of separate cooking and baking zones.
• Oven cooking can be more ergonomic: at eye and arm level.

Range Benefits:

• A range is best for small kitchens with limited space because it houses the cooktop and oven in a single appliance and location.
• Ranges are easier to install as well as less expansive, and there are more options at the lower end of the budget spectrum.
• If your kitchen needs a strong focal point, a range can help bring the room together.
• There are several different types, sizes and cooking styles available, including freestanding, slide-in, drop-in, double oven and dual-fuel ranges – all at an added cost.

Our Favorites:

Now that the breakdown above has given you a sense of what fits your needs best, let’s take a look at some of the best options in each category. Of course, there is a huge variety of features you can choose from, but these top models have proven themselves time and time again. Our top 3 favorites come from scouring sources like Top Ten Reviews, Consumer Reports, Reviewed.com and our own personal experience.

Cooktops:

Whirlpool Gold GCI3061XB

This 30” induction cooktop costs the same as a regular electric cooktop but offers additional benefits, such as direct cooking, responsive control, quick boiling, energy efficiency and consistent low temperatures. Its smooth, sleek design and flattop controls makes for easy cleaning as well. (Est. price: $1,209–$1,349)

GE Café CGP650SETSS and CGP350SETSS

Coming in both 30-inch and 36-inch designs, this first-class cooktop features stainless steel trim, illuminated controls, continuous cast iron grates and a Lodge griddle. Outperforming the competition on almost every metric, the high temperature was strong enough to sear a steak, while the low was light enough to melt and simmer. If you’re after the best of the best, you simply can’t beat the GE Café. (Est. price: $1,499–$1,599)

Electrolux EI30EC45KS

With touch controls and curved stainless steel trim, this 30-inch electric cooktop is the epitome of modernity. Boasting a wide range of temperatures and quick boiling times, the Flex-2-Fit element offers three separate sizes to match your collection of pots and pans. On the other end of the spectrum, this cooktop was able to reach temperatures as low as 86ºF – perfect for simmering. (Est. price: $1,073)

Ranges:

Frigidaire FGGF3054MF

Highly affordable, Frigidaire’s new FGGF3054MF comes with five burners, continuous cast iron grates with an optional griddle, true convection, a temperature probe, quick preheat times, a fast boil, low simmer temperatures and superb baking. Now that’s value. (Est. price: $949–$1,149)

Amana AGR5630BDW

When it comes to basic gas ranges, the Amana AGR5630BDW is as good as it gets. Sure, cheaper ranges exist, but none of them match this one’s cooking performance, contemporary design and digital controls. Chock -full of features, unlike most price-conscious ranges, this one offers a self-cleaning option, a storage drawer, a broiler, Easy Touch electronic controls, Temp Assure™, four sealed gas burners and a versatile cooktop offering power from 5,000 to 12,500 BTU. Plus, when you’re all finished cooking, the Spillsaver™ upswept cooktop makes for an easy cleanup. (Est. price: $549)

LG LDE3037ST

This beautiful double-oven range comes with its own suite of unique technology. Besides being able to bake multiple dishes that require different temperatures at the same time, it also has a quick-heating infrared broiler, an EasyClean coating that makes self-cleaning cycles more effective and top-of-the-line temperatures and boiling times. What does all that mean for you? It’s one of the best cooking experiences money can buy. (Est. price: $1,625)

In Conclusion

Now that you have a good sense of the differences between a cooktop and a range, the benefits and some of our favorites, you’re well on your way to creating your perfect kitchen. But don’t let those new appliances go unprotected. Protect your budget form unexpected repairs and replacements with a Home Warranty Planfrom American Home Shield®. Happy cooking!

Originally Published by AHS (American Home Shield)

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Your Clutter-Clearing Plan for the New Year

Cooktops vs. Ranges – Which is right for you?