Tag Archives: Home Selling

Happy Houseplants, Happy People

“Plants can soften a room, as well as bring energy into a room.  You can put them in just about any room in the house to liven things up.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Walk into a home filled with happy houseplants, and you’re bound to feel instantly more relaxed. Living plants boost oxygen, clean the air and enhance any room they’re in with fresh, organic style.Of course, if you think you are not blessed with a green thumb, then keeping houseplants alive, let alone happy, can seem next to impossible. Read on for styling ideas, encouragement and easy-care tips for keeping houseplants to boost health and happiness.
Transitional Staircase by Melissa Miranda Interior Design
Melissa Miranda Interior Design
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Houseplants fill otherwise dead space with vibrant energy. In the practice of feng shui, plants are considered one of the most effective cures for areas in the home that need help. Boost any unused or awkwardly shaped space with a potted or hanging plant, and you’re sure to notice an immediate change. Always choose houseplants that are suited to the light levels in your space — ask staff at a local nursery if you are unsure what to pick.
Eclectic Kitchen by A Darling Felicity Photography
A Darling Felicity Photography
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Houseplants bring the kitchen to life. The kitchen makes a wonderful home for plants, from delicate vines twining down a shelf to a pot of culinary herbs ready to snip while cooking. Especially in an apartment where you cannot change the wall color or appliances, bringing in fresh plants is an easy and budget-friendly way to personalize your space.
Eclectic Kitchen by Heather Banks
Heather Banks
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Growing tip: Keep houseplants in clusters. If you’ve had trouble keeping houseplants alive and healthy in the past, you might want to try keeping them in a group this time around. Not only will it be easier to remember to water them when they are conveniently located in one spot, but a group of plants also creates its own microclimate, which boosts humidity and helps prevent water loss.
by Dulux Paint
Dulux Paint
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Airy, open bookshelves like the ones shown here can make a stylish plant stand with plenty of room for a host of specimens. Don’t tuck potted plants into a bookcase with a back and sides, as the poor plants will not receive enough light.
Eclectic Dining Room Eclectic Dining Room
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Why not dine in a jungle? Create a lush ambience in your dining room by filling the space with plants. For the most jungle-like effect, set a few large potted plants on the floor, place a cluster of smaller potted plants on a windowsill or credenza, and hang a pot or two from the ceiling.
Contemporary by Rikki Snyder
Rikki Snyder
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Project idea: Planted centerpiece. Tired of changing floral arrangements? Buy yourself some extra time and give the air in your home an oxygen boost at the same time with a living centerpiece instead. Wheatgrass, cat grass and herbs are good choices for the table, though just about any small potted plant will work. Be sure to use containers with saucers beneath them to protect your table from drips, and save the taller plants for elsewhere — just as with flowers, you want to be able to see the person sitting across from you.
Transitional Sunroom by Melissa Miranda Interior Design
Melissa Miranda Interior Design
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Revive the conservatory of flowers. If you are lucky enough to have a sunroom (or any space with skylights and ample windows), consider it your solemn duty to fill it with as many beautiful living plants as you wish. Unlike most rooms in the house, in the sunroom you don’t need to stick with plants that require indirect light — so you can try your hand at something tropical, like a bird-of-paradise.
Eclectic Bedroom by Lisa Sorgini
Lisa Sorgini
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Sleep soundly with greenery around. Refresh the air in the bedroom with a potted plant or two for a more peaceful sleep and a healthier atmosphere. If your bedroom doesn’t get too much light, put your houseplant in the sunniest possible spot, and elevate it on a stool or plant stand to maximize the light that falls on its leaves.
Eclectic Bedroom by A Darling Felicity Photography
A Darling Felicity Photography
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Growing tip: Finicky plants love the bath. The humidity created by steam from the shower and bath makes the bathroom a haven for fussy houseplants, like maidenhair ferns. And since the bath is all hard surfaces, having a few living plants around is a wonderful way to soften the space.
by Warp & Weft
Warp & Weft
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Give macramé a chance. Popular in the 1970s and experiencing something of a revival, macramé has a new, brightly colored look and a modern boho vibe. Try hanging just one plant or suspend a cluster for a lush, jungle-like feel. Ferns and other plants with a tendency to drape do especially well in hanging planters.
Eclectic by Jennifer Young
Jennifer Young
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Start small. Even a single air plant on a bedside table can bring a welcome dose of optimism when it’s the first thing you see each morning. So if you’re not sure where to begin, start with one little plant, well tended and loved.
Contemporary Hall by Sarah Davison Interior Design
Sarah Davison Interior Design
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Don’t be afraid to go big. Whatever ails your space, a great big houseplant can go a long way toward fixing it. A large potted plant (or small tree) can bring more personality to your home, make a small space feel bigger or fill a big, open room without costing a fortune.
Eclectic Kitchen by Ryland Peters & Small | CICO Books
Ryland Peters & Small | CICO Books
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Live, learn and let it go. The fact is, we all kill plants — some more often than others. Just because you’ve had bad luck in the past shouldn’t mean you must deny yourself the pleasure of enjoying living green plants in your home forever. Give it another go! Forgive yourself and move on. For the best chance of success in the future, shop for healthy plants from a reputable nursery, enlist the help of a knowledgable staffer to choose the right plants for your space, and embrace technology (set a reminder on your phone) to remind you when to water.
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Clever Drawer Tactics for Kitchens

“Tired of cluttered drawers and cabinets in your kitchen? Want some clever ideas for storage?  Here are a number of interesting solutions that you might want to consider.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson
Have your kitchen-drawer contents turned into alarming tangles of plastic and metal, cunningly hiding whatever you are hunting for? Are your knives nicked and blunt from being thrown into the fray? Coffee cups chipped? Can’t find the cinnamon or the lid of your favorite pan? All hardworking kitchens descend into disarray occasionally, but if chaos is your daily kitchen companion, it may be time to reassess your storage. Putting everything back where it belongs (and where it can be found again), and saving precious countertop and fridge space are a piece of cake with some basic drawer strategies. See how to maximize pullout convenience to keep your kitchen shipshape.
Contemporary Kitchen by The Kitchen Design Centre
The Kitchen Design Centre
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Keep cups at the ready. You’ll never regret a cup drawer — it’s so much easier than digging in an overhead cupboard. Make sure it is deep enough for your tallest mugs, about 7 or 8 inches, storing them upside down to protect their rims. Cups have a habit of multiplying, so estimate how many you really need and donate or store the rest for emergencies.

A side compartment for tea, coffee, spoons and sugar completes a tidy and convenient coffee station.

Modern Kitchen by Divine Design+Build
Divine Design+Build
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Store glassware upside down on nonslip rubber drawer liners, sold in kitchen and cookware shops, to cushion rims and prevent sliding. Silky smooth soft-touch drawers are best for storing glassware, especially stemmed wineglasses, which may tip.

by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
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Reunite saucepans with their lids. There are many ingenious cabinetry ideas for keeping pots and pans in close proximity to their lids, like a rear or side divider or a shallow internal drawer above the pots.

Tip: Pots and pans are usually standard sizes, and often a saucepan comes with a lid that will fit several other pans. Save space by not storing every lid — just a few that multitask.

Traditional Kitchen by Trish Namm, Allied ASID - Kent Kitchen Works
Trish Namm, Allied ASID – Kent Kitchen Works
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A dedicated lid drawer with vertical storage slots is a space-savvy way to keep lids neat.
Traditional Kitchen by ShelfGenie National
ShelfGenie National
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Oh, for storage like this with plenty of room for pots and lids to cohabit. Two-tiered shallow drawers in a countertop-to-floor cupboard mean no stacking of pots.
Contemporary by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
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Plastic containers often mysteriously become separated from their lids too. A couple of internal shelves make for a tidy solution. Instead of throwing containers of every shape and size into this drawer, save similar containers that fit into one another and stack them neatly in separate piles.
Modern by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
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Stay sharp. Treat your knives like the fine instruments they are. Never put them loose in drawers with other equipment — that way lie cut fingers and scratched, blunt blades. Store them off the countertop in a shallow drawer fitted with knife cavities or a slotted wood block that fits horizontally into the drawer, to keep their sharp and undamaged edges for many years.

Tip: Out-of-sight knives can’t tempt little fingers.

Transitional Kitchen by Signature Design & Cabinetry LLC
Signature Design & Cabinetry LLC
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By sacrificing 6 to 8 inches of cupboard space, you could put a wood knife block fitted into a narrow pullout drawer near your prep area.
Traditional Kitchen by Trish Namm, Allied ASID - Kent Kitchen Works
Trish Namm, Allied ASID – Kent Kitchen Works
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Get onboard. Another use for a narrow space is a pullout chopping board and tray drawer. It can be integrated behind a door like the rest of the cabinetry but is a good spot to display decorative boards and trays.
Traditional Kitchen by Inspired Remodeling & Tile by Peter Bales
Inspired Remodeling & Tile by Peter Bales
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An extra board, like this pullout one, is always handy to separate chopping jobs — nobody likes onion-flavored apples! Make sure it is at a comfortable working height and is firm enough to work on without its wobbling or tipping.
Traditional Kitchen by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
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Don’t waste an inch of space — fit a removable chopping board over a shallow drawer.
Contemporary Kitchen by The Kitchen Design Centre
The Kitchen Design Centre
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Get a kick out of your drawers. Who thought of toe kick drawers? Give that person a medal. Depending on your cabinetry construction, drawers can be retrofitted in this forgotten space. Keep drawer pulls simple and flat to avoid accidentally kicking them.
Transitional by kitchens by peter gill
kitchens by peter gill
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Toe kick drawers are handy for horizontal wine storage; infrequently used platters, trays and boards; table linens and tea towels; instruction books and paperwork; oversized cooking pans; a hidden supply of chocolate; pet bowls; and valuables.

Tip: Avoid storing good wine in the kitchen if you can help it. It’s probably the hottest room in the house. Toe kick spaces are a better, cooler option than something in the open kitchen area.

How to Add Toe-Kick Drawers for More Storage

Traditional Kitchen by Kitchen Classics - Charles Heller
Kitchen Classics – Charles Heller
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Give drawers air for food storage. Store some vegetables — for example, onions, garlic, uncut pumpkins and potatoes — in ventilated drawers to maintain their flavor and save fridge and bench space. Potatoes particularly hate the cold, as the starch converts to sugar, and the texture and taste suffer. Don’t refrigerate tomatoes, either — they taste better at room temperature. Lemons and oranges also give up more juice when not chilled. A low-level drawer with a mesh screen front is ideal for fruit and veg storage.
Traditional Kitchen by Degabriele Kitchens
Degabriele Kitchens
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Cane baskets in wooden frames on runners or brackets maintain air circulation around vegetables and are a rustic touch for a country-style kitchen.
Traditional Kitchen by Schrocks of Walnut Creek
Schrocks of Walnut Creek
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“Egg of an hour, bread of a day, a wife of twenty years” … or something like that. Crusty artisan bread should be eaten as soon after baking as possible. Commercial sliced bread is best stored somewhere cool, but not cold, and sealed against any wandering pests. Bulky countertop bread bins take up prep space, and fridge storage can actually accelerate staleness, so consider a bread drawer with a cover and an insulating pad in the base.

Tip: Freeze sliced bread after two to three days for toasting, and crusty bread after one. There are many uses for less-than-fresh bread, like garlicky, olive oil–y panzanella salad; bread crumbs for gratin dishes; yummy eggy French toast; and berry-soaked summer puddings.

Modern Kitchen by The Kitchen Design Centre
The Kitchen Design Centre
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What a mouthwatering display — no more delving into the pantry. Do you love to make curries and spicy Asian and Moroccan food? This spice “library” does need space but saves plenty in the pantry. I like how it is at a convenient height and how the lids can be popped off when a pinch of this or that is needed.

24 Hot Ideas for Stashing Spices

Contemporary Kitchen by Esther Hershcovich
Esther Hershcovich
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Make a go-to multipurpose drawer close to your prep surface. Keep frequently used herbs and spices and, if you bake, items like a flour sifter alongside everyday implements like vegetable peelers, can openers and tongs in side compartments.

Tip: Store bandages and burn cream in your go-to drawer.

by WoodWorks INC.
WoodWorks INC.
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A drawer insert with holes cut to fit metal or plastic buckets (very cheap) will help you get a handle on cooking clutter.

Tip: Separate utensils by material — wood, plastic and metal — so you can grab something quickly.

Transitional Kitchen by Crystal Cabinets
Crystal Cabinets
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Soak up spills fast. Kitchen paper rolls need to be at the ready for quick action in case of spills and splashes. A clever little alcove in a drawer front puts a roll at your fingertips.
Traditional Kitchen by Midwest Stone Source & Custom Cabinetry | Rockford
Midwest Stone Source & Custom Cabinetry | Rockford
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Simplify undersink space. Undersink drawers that fit around plumbing fixtures are often an awkward shape. They can quickly turn chaotic, chock-full of bits and pieces. Creepy-crawlies love the warmth and sometimes moisture of this area, so don’t cram stuff in. Which items do you actually use in the kitchen? Do you wear more than one pair of rubber gloves at a time? Could some items go in, say, the laundry area? Pare down items like gloves, brushes, cloths and detergent for day-to-day use and top up from a supply in another area as needed.
Traditional Kitchen by David Heide Design Studio
David Heide Design Studio
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This is a practical arrangement for undersink storage. Narrow drawers on either side store cleaning products while rods multitask to hang paper rolls and tea towels.
by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
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Put rubbish in its place. We all recycle now, right? Double-bin drawers neatly separate recyclables and general waste.

Tip: This cabinet design allows the bins to be easily removed from the side; they don’t need to be lifted over a side rail.

Modern Kitchen by Shenandoah Cabinetry
Shenandoah Cabinetry
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In a small household, full-height bins might be overkill and will waste space. If side-by-side bins or just one shorter bin can deal with your rubbish load, use the extra drawer depth for a bag holder. This will create space underneath for infrequently used items and room for a handy drawer above the kick space.

Take Your Recycling Station From Blah to ‘Ahhhh’

Contemporary Kitchen by Cross Custom Homes
Cross Custom Homes
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Wire your drawers. Do you need your technology while you cook, perhaps to look up recipes or cooking hints, make cooking notes, play music or make diary entries? A powered drawer can keep your electronics off the counter and away from cooking mess and moisture and can charge them at the same time
Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Janet Dunn

How to Pick the Perfect Accent Color

“Accents, when done right, can give any room an extra touch of interest.  But how do you select that ‘extra’ color?  With a little planning and thought.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Choosing a favorite color is easy. Choosing a two-tone color scheme for your home? Not so much. Mistakes come easily, and the frustration might leave you reaching for a bucket of white paint. But don’t wipe the slate clean just yet. Here are my suggestions for pairing the right accent color with each of the six primary and secondary colors — and more.
by Paul Anater
Paul Anater

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A quick brush-up on the color wheel before we start:Primary colors: Yellow, red and blue

Secondary colors: Green, orange and purple

Analogous: Colors that are neighbors on the spectrum, such as green and yellow, or red and purple

Complementary: Colors that oppose each other on the spectrum, such as green and red, or yellow and purple

Beach Style Dining Room by Tom Stringer Design Partners
Tom Stringer Design Partners

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Primary ColorsYellow walls with blue accent.

Yellow is scientifically the lightest and brightest of the hues (and naturally warm). The most classic pairing is a cool blue accent — blue being the least aggressive color choice possible. Whether you pick muted pastel shades or pair a saturated lemon with deep navy, mixing a warm yellow with a darker, chillier blue creates balance to keep the space from visually getting too hot or too loud.

Contemporary Living Room by 1800Lighting
1800Lighting

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Yellow walls with purple accent. For an edgier appeal, a complementary scheme (using colors on opposite sides of the color wheel) will produce a high-fashion, high-drama look. Just check out how the purples pop against the soft yellow walls in this photo.I recommend choosing a pale yellow or using both colors sparingly, and breaking up the look with plenty of neutrals to keep the scheme from looking too jarring. The result will be the essence of spring.

Contemporary Kitchen by Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

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Blue walls with yellow accent. Since yellow as a main color pairs so well with blue as an accent, it’s only natural that if you switch them, it would still be true. In fact, it works even more smoothly. When pairing blue walls (or in the case of my personal kitchen, blue cabinetry) with yellow accents, you can safely choose a bold blue and a pure, saturated yellow without overloading. Small hits of yellow are easily swallowed into the background, and blue is a very livable color, so you don’t have to be scared of accidentally going too intense.
Transitional Living Room by Alice Burnham, Inc.
Alice Burnham, Inc.

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Blue walls with blue accent. The liquid, mysterious qualities of blue make it an excellent choice for a monochromatic scheme, using a mix of tones to complement themselves. If you don’t feel confident choosing a hot color, simply pair blue with more blue (or some blue-greens and indigos) and let the oceanic shades run together.
Beach Style Bedroom by Terrat Elms Interior Design
Terrat Elms Interior Design

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Red walls with white accents. Red almost has a life of its own outside the color wheel. It’s so intense, and associated with such symbolic meaning (love, romance, fire, appetite), that it can be the hardest to pair with an accent. Thus, one of the most popular choices is to pair red with fresh white to avoid any clashing.Even when red is applied to just one feature wall, it will feel like the strongest color in the space, so if you aren’t sure, consider it the dominant hue and not an accent.

Contemporary Dining Room Contemporary Dining Room

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Red walls with blue accent. Navy again comes to the rescue with red walls. Even though the heat of red and the iciness of blue may make them feel like they’re at opposite ends of the spectrum, red’s true complement is green, but trustworthy blue plays against it without piling on drama. Plus, the combination carries a sense of classic Americana and nautical inspiration, so the sight isn’t a shock to the system.
Eclectic Living Room by FOUR LIONS
FOUR LIONS

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Blue walls with red accent and yellow pop. A special note for primary colors: blending the three together is a timeless tradition found in everything from ancient artworks to hip modernist apartments. Start with blue walls, add moderate hits of red (in one or two furniture pieces) and sprinkle in yellow accessories for an easy-as-1-2-3 look.
Contemporary Bedroom Built Work

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Secondary Colors

Orange walls with green accent. Orange, as a combination of yellow and red, is one of the most controversial colors — it mixes red’s heat with yellow’s brightness for a result that cannot be ignored.Blue is orange’s direct complement. If you prefer to tone down orange a little, use a leafy green; it will add a touch of coolness without fighting to be the star of the show. Choose a yellow-green for an almost analogous effect that can feel positively uncontroversial.
Contemporary Bedroom by Home Staging
Home Staging

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Purple walls with purple accent. Purple, like blue, is another hue that works quite well with itself. When used as a main color, it is typically either a dark and moody shade for a royal effect or a pale, grayed-out tone that keeps a look from feeling childish. Mix in some red-purple and indigo hues to keep the look from feeling too loud or too one note.
Beach Style Bedroom by WA Design Architects
WA Design Architects

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Purple walls with yellow accent. With a very soft purple, an earthy golden yellow tone will create a sense of whimsy and energy without feeling cartoonish. Just be sure to include some additional accent colors if you want to avoid creating a theme room.
Tropical Bedroom by A. Rejeanne Interiors
A. Rejeanne Interiors

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Green walls with yellow, red and orange accents. While the other two secondary colors are a bit more temperamental, green is probably the easiest dominant color to work with, which leaves lots of room to get creative. Try going for an analogous color scheme but taking it one step further, mixing in various hues from half of the color wheel. For example, this room moves from green to yellow and on to orange and red.
Contemporary Dining Room by Vendome Press
Vendome Press

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Green walls with blue, purple and violet accents. This room moves from green to analogous blue and on to purple and violet. In each case the bold hue is anchored by naturally flexible green (like a flower grounded by a stem) so the space feels full of color and yet not overwhelmed by contrast. Sticking to half of the color wheel creates a lot of interest while keeping the different energies tied together.
Shabby chic Living Room by Andrea Brooks Interiors
Andrea Brooks Interiors

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Pink walls with green accent. While pink is truly just a light shade of red it takes on a life of its own, which is probably why it gets its own name. Pairing pink with green is a long-standing preppy tradition that creates a sense of playful positivity tempered by an air of sophistication, so it doesn’t even read as a complementary scheme despite the two hues’ being true opposites.
Victorian Living Room by Favreau Design
Favreau Design

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Complementary ColorsLike pink and green, the fail-safe secret to creating a complementary scheme (that your guests will indeed compliment) is to let the primary hue dominate, in a toned-down shade, while sprinkling in a light helping of the accent hue, preferably in small doses and patterns. This will ensure that the look is lively but not loony, with just the right amount of edge.

Beach Style Family Room by Rachel Reider Interiors
Rachel Reider Interiors

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White walls with any color. When choosing an accent for white, you truly can’t go wrong with just about any favorite hue. However, to keep your color pop from popping too hard, the best bet is to mix a variety of colors, lest one dominate and take over the palette. Looking to a fun fabric or painting as inspiration, take slightly toned-down versions of its hues to apply to fabrics and accents throughout the space.
Tropical Living Room by Mead Quin Design
Mead Quin Design

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Gray walls with gold accent. If no accent color seems quite right for you, consider adding natural elements like gold and natural greenery. Both will add depth to a scheme based on sophisticated grays and off-whites (or, really, any color in the spectrum) without interrupting the flow, giving you the perfect antipop pop.
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Yanic Simard

8 Twists on the Guest Room-Office Combo

“Most of us have a room that’s pulling double duty, and usually it’s the guest room.  Getting balance is a bit tricky at times.  But it can be done with a little extra planning.“
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Unless you host overnight guests frequently — and have space to spare — it’s smart to make a guest room do double (or even triple) duty. Here are 8 examples of guest quarters that pack in space-saving features with style.
Transitional Home Office by Ashley Bell Interiors
Ashley Bell Interiors
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1. Triple-duty guest room, den and office. A den with a door that closes for privacy can make an ideal guest space — and, with some smart planning, can work as an office too. In the space shown here, a daybed plumped up with lots of cushions serves as a sofa for watching TV or as a bed for overnight guests. A pair of tall lamps flanking the computer helps the desk feel like part of the room.
Contemporary Home Office by Patrick Brian Jones PLLC
Patrick Brian Jones PLLC
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2. Modern daybed. If you’re looking for a sleeker version of the typical guest bed, consider a modern, low-profile daybed like the one seen here. During the day, the room functions as an efficient home office; at night, the desk chair can be wheeled away and the bed pulled out to create a cozy nest for guests.

Daybed: Case Study Day Bed, Modernica

Contemporary Home Office by Ample DESIGN
Ample DESIGN
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3. Platform storage bed. A custom platform bed like this one hides a lot of storage in the compartments below while offering a sleek, one-of-a-kind look. The sturdy base makes it well-suited to either a Japanese futon or a traditional mattress, no box spring required. A slender built-in desk along the opposite wall keeps the narrow room feeling serene and spacious.
Contemporary Home Office by ANNA CARIN Design
ANNA CARIN Design
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4. Built-in daybed. This space-saving design can tuck in at the end of a small room, even in places a standard-size bed might not fit, leaving the rest of the room freed up for a desk. If you decide to have a daybed custom-built, do refer to standard bed sizing when making decisions about where the bed will go— if it’s too short, your guests will not be comfortable!
Contemporary Bedroom by Richard Cole Architecture
Richard Cole Architecture
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5. Over-the-bed cabinetry. To fit in more storage without skimping on having a real guest bed, consider installing wall-to-wall upper cabinets. Here, a slim desk provides ample workspace below the cabinets on one side; on the other, a comfy bed invites relaxation.
Industrial Bedroom by Kirkwood McCarthy
Kirkwood McCarthy
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6. Mezzanine guest loft. Mezzanine levels can be tricky to furnish, especially as a sleeping space where guests will want privacy. One smart solution is to install floor-to-ceiling drapes that can be pulled shut when the space is being used by guests and left open the rest of the time. Here, a settee bed takes up little space while providing a comfy place to sit or sleep, leaving the other wall free for a desk and chair.
Contemporary Home Office by Michael Kelley Photography
Michael Kelley Photography
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7. Tailored daybed. A backless upholstered daybed like this one is a good choice for spaces where the bed must go in front of a window. Piled high with throw pillows, it looks like a sofa during the day but can easily be called into service for guests at night. A glass-top desk takes up little visual space, making it a smart piece for a compact home office.
Contemporary Home Office by Ample DESIGN
Ample DESIGN
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8. Folding bed. For maximizing space, you can’t beat a Murphy bed. But instead of the typical vertically folding design, you might consider one that folds out from the wall horizontally. The example shown here was customized with built-in shelves inside and a whiteboard covering the exterior.
Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Gap Under the Deck: Hide It or Use It!

“Knowing what to do ‘under’ your deck, can be a challenge.  To do storage, or not to do storage.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
At last your ready to install the deck of your dreams. Before you begin construction, it’s important to consider how to address the underside of the deck and accompanying staircase. If the deck will extend from the second story, this can be quite a lot of potentially usable space. There will be less space to address if the deck will extend from the ground-level story, but the eye will still be drawn to that dark (often weedy) slit of earth.

So how do you maximize this awkward space? Whether you want to completely hide this area, create a semiprivate screen or turn it into storage, here are six ideas to help transform what’s often a landscape eyesore into a landscape feature.

Modern Landscape by ecodesign Pty Ltd
ecodesign Pty Ltd
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1. Soften the edges with plantings. If you don’t feel the need to completely obscure the deck’s underside, try surrounding it with plants. They will soften the deck’s edges and in the absence of railings will act as a natural barrier to keep people from stepping off into the surrounding bed.

Tip: Be sure to include some evergreens so there will be screening year-round. Agaves surround this Australian deck.

Asian Landscape by Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
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Depending on your home’s style, mixing boulders with plantings can work well for obscuring the underside of a deck as well.
Contemporary Landscape by D-CRAIN Design and Construction
D-CRAIN Design and Construction
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2. Terrace with planters. If you want to completely block the underside of the deck, one option is to build a planter around the deck’s perimeter. It is a great way to soften the deck’s edge with plantings and is an interesting alternative to railings.

Tip: It’s standard that a deck 30 inches or more above grade level must have a railing at least 36 inches tall. Be sure to check your local building codes.

Step Up Your Garden Game With Terraced Plantings

Traditional Porch by Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc
Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc
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3. Screen artistically. A screen can be a perfect solution if you want to obscure the underside of a deck or staircase while still allowing light to pass through. This is a good option if the space underneath the deck will be used for storage or as a separate entertaining space. A trellis for this purpose is both functional and economical.
Modern Patio by Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc.
Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc.
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Tip: A trellis surrounding a deck or staircase is a great place to grow vines or an espaliered tree. It helps break up the space and provides seasonal interest and color.
Contemporary Exterior by Mark English Architects, AIA
Mark English Architects, AIA
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The underside of a staircase can be especially tricky. Try horizontal slats. This is definitely a modern look, but it’s a great way to turn an awkward space into a feature that ties in with the home’s architecture.
Eclectic Landscape Global Garden, San Carlos
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Why not use this space to showcase your creative side? Laser-cut metal panels allow light to pass through in beautiful patterns while providing ample screening and privacy. These panels have a fabric backdrop and are backlit at night for drama.
Traditional Patio by Goodman Landscape Design
Goodman Landscape Design
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4. Build a solid wall to blend the deck with the house. If you want to completely hide the area under your deck, create a wall that extends from the base of the deck to the ground.

Tip: Use materials that match the style of your home. Here wood shingles on the side of the deck mimic the wood shingles on the home. Matching materials is a great way to create a cohesive look between your home and its surrounding landscape features.

Contemporary Exterior by Sam Crawford Architects
Sam Crawford Architects
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5. Extend steps the entire length of the deck. By extending the steps the length of the deck, you not only will successfully hide the underside of the deck, but you’ll also create an open, graceful transition from the deck to the garden beyond.
Contemporary Deck by RDM Architecture
RDM Architecture
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Tip: Create wide steps with a run of 1½ feet or more. By doing so, you’ll lessen the angle of descent, making them safer as well as creating an inviting place for casual seating.
Traditional Deck by PLATFORM design studio
PLATFORM design studio
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6. Add storage. Creating ample storage around the home is a challenge for most of us, especially when it comes to our yards. Just like indoors, the underside of a deck or staircase is a perfect space to convert into storage; use it for items such as garden tools, empty pots and outdoor recreational equipment.

Tip: Even if your deck is only 2 or 3 feet off the ground, creating a hatch for access to the crawl space is a good idea if you have utilities or pipes that run under your deck.

Rustic Porch by Tate + Burns Architects LLC
Tate + Burns Architects LLC
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Make sure the items stored under your deck are weatherproof. If not, place them in watertight bins, as rainwater and runoff from pots will seep through deck boards onto whatever is placed below.

Regardless of the size of the space under your deck and stairs, there’s a creative solution for every situation that will suit not only your needs but also the style of your home and garden.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Courtney Olander

Pegboard Ideas for Your Whole House

“It’s amazing how useful pegboard can be all around the house, and it doesn’t have to be a dingy ‘board’ color.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Pegboard is an old-fashioned material that today’s savvy homeowners are using in rooms throughout the house. I’ve spied items as disparate as kitchen utensils, baseball mitts, hammers, necklaces and even paintings and sock monkeys pegged to walls featured on Houzz. If you have an area that needs some organizational help and you’ve run out of shelf and closet space, check out these clever ways to make pegboad work hard for you.
Contemporary Garage And Shed by Wyndhamdesign
Wyndhamdesign
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Over the workbench. When my family was house-hunting years ago, my father kept saying, “But where am I going to put my [work]shop in this house?” My mother replied, “Danny, all you do in your ‘shop’ is hang your tools on a pegboard and open paint cans!” Which sent us all into fits of laughter, picturing the carefully hung tools that never seemed to leave his pegboard. But I digress. Pegboard’s classic spot is above a workbench, with all those myriad tools hung within easy reach.
Eclectic Kitchen by Liv By Design Interiors
Liv By Design Interiors
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In the kitchen. Julia Child famously appropriated the workbench staple for her kitchen, hanging copper pots and utensils on it. Today you can see her kitchen at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

More: Boost Your Kitchen Storage With Pegboard on a Wall

Eclectic Home Office by Valerie Wilcox: Photographer
Valerie Wilcox: Photographer
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In the study or drafting studio. Pegboard is a material that architects, interior designers and others have been using in their studios for a long time. It’s a great place to hang the compass, T-square and other drafting tools and art supplies. It also provides space for inspirational artwork.
Contemporary Home Office by Bright Bold and Beautiful
Bright Bold and Beautiful
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In the art studio. Watercolor artist Laura Trevey uses this pegboard to display her work. Notice how she painted the pegboard a lovely pale blue and framed it with molding. Also worth noting is the easy solution of hanging unframed (perhaps even wet) artwork with binder clips.
Contemporary Nursery by The Home
The Home
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In a child’s room. Art, utensils, supplies, even a stuffed monkey can be hung and moved around with ease on pegboard. Covering the entire wall gives the objects a cohesive look.

Safety note: Be sure to keep the objects out of the reach of tots who are able to pull themselves up to a standing position.

Contemporary Nursery by The Home
The Home
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Here’s a closer look at the variety of things the pegboard holds in the nursery. With shelves like these, pegboard near a changing table could hold lots of supplies, such as baby powder and wipes.
Scandinavian Kids by Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design
Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design
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A triptych of blue pegboards serves a similar function in an older child’s room.

Light: Ikea

Transitional Home Office by Bickford And Company
Bickford And Company
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In the craft or sewing room. If you make regular trips to fabric and craft stores such as Michaels and Jo-Ann, you’re probably in dire need of pegboard. Keep hoops, ribbon, pliers, thread, tape, scissors and other tools organized so you can find everything you need when you need it.
Transitional Laundry Room by JALIN Design, LLC
JALIN Design, LLC
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At a gift wrap station. Long pegs can hold all of your ribbons, while standard ones will hold scissors and tape. Hanging baskets can corral gift tags and pens.
Transitional Closet by Clos-ette Too
Clos-ette Too
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In the dressing room. There’ll be no more tangled necklaces if they’re hanging from pegboard. There’s plenty of room for hats, scarves and headbands too. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a walk-in closet or dressing room, this idea can also work well on a bedroom wall.
Contemporary Bathroom by ZeroEnergy Design
ZeroEnergy Design
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In the bathroom. I know whenever I need to reach for my hair dryer, I’m going to knock over every other object in the cabinet as I pull it out. A pegboard insert in this clever medicine cabinet has a special place for everything, keeping counters clear and cords untangled.
Contemporary Kids by Wanda Ely Architect Inc.
Wanda Ely Architect Inc.
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In the playroom. Hang canisters from pegs to hold crayons, markers and safety scissors in the art area. This will provide a place for everything and help keep the area neater when it’s not in use. Pegboard also provides a spot to hang fresh artwork from binder clips, as previously seen.
Midcentury Entry by Front Studio Architects
Front Studio Architects
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In the entryway. This New York City couple covered two walls and the ceiling in simple pegboard from Home Depot. In terms of function, they wanted a place to hang all their kids’ gear and their own bags and hats before the stuff made its way into the living spaces and cluttered things up. In terms of form, covering two walls and a ceiling gave the space a unified look.
Midcentury Home Office by Hunkydory Home
Hunkydory Home
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At the landing strip. If you’re not ready to cover a wall in pegboard, that’s OK. Even a small pegboard can hold keys, tickets, sunglasses and those other important items you need to grab as you go out the front door.
Modern Garage And Shed by Joseph Sandy
Joseph Sandy
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In the garage. More expansive sheets of pegboard and heavy-duty pegs can hold large tools and keep floor space open for the car.
Contemporary Garage And Shed by diamondLife
diamondLife
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If you think pegboard might look too old-fashioned for you, check out new options in steel. They’ll fit right in if the room is sleek and contemporary.

Pegboard: PegBoard X2 in stainless steel

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Becky Harris

Smart Solutions for Clothes Closets

“Ever struggled with how to store your clothes in the space you have?  Looking for some new ideas?  These just might work for you.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Whether yours is spacious or practically pocket size, the clothing closet is a space that can nearly always use some improvement. Here are tips for adjusting the layout, choosing the right closet components and finding extra space.

Hardworking space: The clothes closet.
The challenge: When the clothes closet is working well, it makes getting ready (and getting on with your day) a breeze; when it’s not, mornings can become a hassle. These ideas can help you find the right storage and organizing plan for your space.
Good to know: It helps to measure your stuff before investing in a closet system — that way you can be sure you’re getting exactly the right storage for your wardrobe.

by Neat Method San Diego
Neat Method San Diego
Design idea: Double up on hanging rods and make room for narrow shelving.

Why: Having enough room to hang your crisp shirts is a must, but using a sliver of extra closet space for a tall, narrow shelving unit can be worth sacrificing a bit of hanging space — shoes, jeans and sweaters can all fit on shelves 12 to 16 inches wide (measure your belongings to see what size you need).

Cost: From $100 for a simple freestanding shelving component; more for a semicustom unit with integrated shelving and hanging rods.

by Neat Method San Diego
Neat Method San Diego
DIY idea: Bookcase as closet storage.

Why: A simple bookcase with adjustable shelves is often just the right size for holding shoes, boots, bags and more.

Extras: To use your bookcase as storage for sweaters, add shelf dividers to keep piles from toppling over. If you keep your shoes in their boxes, label the outside with a photo of the shoes so you can tell what’s what at a glance.

Cost: From about $150 for a simple bookcase. Or repurpose a bookcase from elsewhere in your home for free.

Contemporary Bedroom by Sims Hilditch
Sims Hilditch
Contemporary Bedroom by Sims Hilditch
Sims Hilditch
Design idea: Wardrobe behind the bed.

Why: Get more function out of a spacious master bedroom by using free space for a dresser and wardrobe. Positioned in the same zone, these pieces act like a dressing room, with everything you need to get ready in one place.

How: Position the master bed in the center of the room instead of on a wall to allow room for a dressing area behind the bed. This works best with a large (king- or California king–size) bed with a solid headboard, as shown here. Place your dresser behind the headboard, facing the closet or a freestanding wardrobe.

Layout tip: This arrangement works well onlyin large bedrooms — once everything is positioned, you should have 3 to 4 feet (or more) between the dresser and closet doors.

Contemporary Closet by Gregory Davies Photography
Gregory Davies Photography
Design idea: Sliding shoe shelves.

Why: This smart space saver can pack dozens of pairs of shoes into a relatively small space.

How: Many cabinets and closet systems can be customized with sliding shelves. If you already have a closet system, purchase components from the same manufacturer to ensure that they fit. If you are creating a closet from scratch, work with a closet designer toget exactly the shoe storage you need.

Planning tips: Note the measurements of the shoe shelves you will be purchasing, and tape out the dimensions on your floor. Then fill the space with shoes you want to store — this will allow you to know precisely how many pairs each shelf will fit. Pay attention to the height of the shoes you want to store, too — flats and sneakers can go on shelves positioned closer together; heels and boots need more space.

Cost: From $50 to $150 and up per shelf.

Eclectic Closet by Jason Snyder
Jason Snyder
Small-closet tips: Make the most of a small, shallow closet by outfitting it with components that make sense. Instead of one long hanging rod, go with a pair of shorter valet rods to hang clothes boutique-style. Fill in all the extra space above and below the rods with shelving for shoes, accessories and sweaters, and install hooks under the shelves to hold bags or scarves.
Transitional Closet by BHSDesign
BHSDesign
Design idea: Pullout accessory cabinet.

Why: Sneak a lot of storage into a sliver of space with a slim pullout closet component for shoes, bags and more.

How: This is best worked into a larger closet design plan. Look for pullout shelving in a ready-made closet system, or work with your closet designer to create the perfect slide-out shoe shelf for you.

Planning tip: Take the time to measure your shoes, bags and anything else you hope to store before choosing a piece like this — it won’t do you much good if your favorite shoes are too big to fit inside!

Cost: Around $500 and up, with higher costs for better materials, more intricate details, additional shelving and custom designs.

Eclectic Closet by Nanette Wong
Nanette Wong
DIY project: Make your own scrap-wood closet components.

Why: Handy folks can save cash by building their own shelving and hanging rods. Doing it yourself also will allow you to customize the pieces to fit your space perfectly.

How: Use scrap wood and simple brackets to create shelves to store clothes, shoes and accessories. To make a hanging rod, drill a hole near each end of a wooden pole. Thread rope through each hole and knot it securely before attaching to the ceiling — an improperly tied knot, an insecure connection or too much weight on the rod can cause it to fall. If you’re at all unsure, get a handyperson to install it for you.

Cost: If the components are purchased new from a home improvement store, a project like this could cost from $200 to $500. To keep costs lower, search locally for free or low-cost scrap wood and supplies.

My Houzz: 2 Tools + 1 Resourceful Guy = Lots of Great ‘New’ Furniture

Contemporary Closet by Architecture Architecture
Architecture Architecture
Design idea: Ceiling-mounted curtain track.

Why: Hide a wall of clothing storage with the sweep of a curtain — a great solution for studio apartments and other small spaces.

How: Hang ceiling-mounted curtain tracks along the length of your closet storage wall.

Planning tip: Measure carefully before ordering curtains to ensure they are long enough to reach from ceiling to floor — you can always have them hemmed a bit shorter, but if they are too short, there’s not much you can do.

Cost: $5 to $50 for a ceiling-mounted curtain track, plus the cost of the curtains.

Hardworking Home: Clothes Closets
Design idea: Outfit a spare room as a dressing room.

Why: If you’re short on closet space but lucky enough to have a spare room, turning it into a spacious walk-in closet and dressing area can make getting ready a pleasure. Using closet components that can be removed will give you the flexibility to use the room for another purpose (guest room, nursery, office) down the road.

How: Houzz user babacon, who shared this photo with us, used pieces from the Hemnes line at Ikea to transform a small spare room into a highly functional dressing space. Dresser drawers and shelving hold folded clothes and shoes, while storage above hanging rods holds items used less frequently.

Cost: $400 to $800 for dressers and basic closet components, installed yourself.

Turn That Spare Room Into a Walk-In Closet

Hardworking Home: Clothes Closets
Extras: Houzz user pmartinezv used Ikea’s Pax closet components to turn a spare room into a walk-in wardrobe — and kicked it up a notch by adding a sparkling chandelier and a comfy stool for perching while putting on shoes.
Traditional Closet by 3north
3north
Design quandary: Open or closed storage? If your closet is visible from the master bedroom, consider going with closed storage— an open closet can be less-than-restful to look at when you’re trying to unwind. A few doors with mirrors will save you from needing to hang a full-length mirror elsewhere. If you have a walk-in closet, you may want to leave off the doors. It will cut costs and allow you to see your wardrobe at a glance.
Contemporary Closet by C+M Studio
C+M Studio
Design idea: Open hanging and accessory storage space in the bedroom.

Why: Supplement limited (read: overstuffed) closet space with a hanging rod, a bench and woven bins for accessory storage in the bedroom. Give outfits for the upcoming week room to breathe and keep favorite shoes and accessories close at hand with this setup.

How: Install a ready-made hanging clothes rod or create your own using plumbing pipe and fittings from the hardware store. A bench positioned beneath the hanging rod (purchased or made to fit) can be a perch for putting on shoes or can act as a shelf. Tuck a few baskets beneath the bench to hold accessories or sweaters.

Clutter-busting tip: This setup runs the risk of looking messy if you store too many clothes on the rack. Instead of thinking of this as a second closet, treat it as a weekly display area where you can keep your current seasonal favorites within reach and come up with new outfit combinations. Pay attention to what you bring into this zone — things that don’t make the cut could be items to consider culling.

Cost: From around $20 to $75 for a hanging rod or plumbing pipe and fittings, depending on materials and size, plus the cost of the bench and baskets.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

7 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees

“Tired of deer munching on your trees.  But not sure what they ‘won’t’ eat?  Here are some tree that you can plant that deer don’t seem to care for.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Deer love to browse the tender, succulent growth of most young trees and will sometimes strip the bark from them as well. As the trees mature, it’s not uncommon to see deer up on their hind legs yanking down tasty leaves. There are very few flowering trees that deer don’t enjoy, so we’re offering a list of seven of the best.Fall planting season is just around the corner, so we’ve decided to provide a comprehensive guide for deer-resistant species. Just as you’d expect with any good planting guide, we’ll break it down by specific plant categories — here with flowering trees. Whether you’re gardening in USDA zone 2, 10 or somewhere in between, there’s a tree here for you.

Landscape Chionanthus Virginicus
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1. Fringetree
(Chionanthus spp.)Fringe trees aren’t a household name, but they should be. The dainty, fringy flowers appear in early spring, just as the leaves unfurl. They’re quite shade-tolerant and are commonly planted as an understory specimen in a shade garden, where they really light up the space when in bloom. They will also tolerate full sun.

The Chinese fringetree (C. retusus) is particularly deer-resistant, though the Eastern U.S. native white fringetree (C. virginicus) is also a worthwhile choice where deer are an issue.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone)
Light requirement: Shade-tolerant but will also tolerate full sun
Water requirement: High
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide

See how to grow white fringetree

Transitional Landscape by Creative Environments
Creative Environments
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2. Crape Myrtle
(Lagerstroemia indica)Crape myrtles are one of the most popular flowering trees in warm climates. They have smooth, exfoliating bark and their brightly colored, paper-textured flowers make a stunning midsummer display — few trees flower for as long as crape myrtles. These sun lovers are tough, easy to grow and quite unpalatable to deer.

Many varieties of crape myrtle are available with different flower colors and sizes. Shades of pink, purple and white are most common, and sizes range from 18-inch dwarves to 40-foot giants.

Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 7 to 9)
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Mature size: Varies by species

See how to grow crape myrtle

Craftsman Exterior by Acton Construction, Inc.
Acton Construction, Inc.
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3. Saucer Magnolia
(Magnolia x soulangeana)With their delicate pink blush and teacup size, the flowers of saucer magnolia are a real head-turner when they emerge on the tree’s bare, gray branches in late winter. Despite their delicate appearance, these flowers are fairly resistant to deer damage. Plant these small- to medium-sized trees in full sun in a fertile bed of topsoil to encourage good health and abundant flowering. Saucer magnolias grow slowly to 20 or 25 feet, though there are related magnolia varieties, such as M. ‘Ann’, that stay under 10 feet tall when mature.

Most magnolias are quite deer-resistant, so you can also consider star magnolias (M. stellata), with large, white, star-shaped flowers; southern magnolias (M. grandiflora), with white, cup-shaped flowers on a large evergreen tree; and many others. Saucer magnolias are hardy in zones 5 to 9, but some magnolia varieties survive down to Zone 3.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9)
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate, but prefers moist, fertile soil
Mature size: 20 to 25 feet tall

See how to grow saucer magnolia

Traditional Landscape by GardenArt
GardenArt
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4. Serviceberry
(Amelanchier spp.)Serviceberries are native throughout North America and are known for their delicious blueberry-like fruit, as well as the profusion of white flowers that appear when the trees break from dormancy in early spring. They tolerate partial shade to full sun.

There are numerous species of serviceberry, all of which show good deer resistance. They are a popular choice in cold climates; one species, commonly referred to as a Saskatoon (A. alnifolia), is hardy all the way down to Zone 2. The same species can be suitable all the way up to Zone 10, making it one of the most widely adapted flowering trees. The cold- hardiness of other serviceberry species falls somewhere in between. Most varieties grow about 15 to 20 feet tall, though the downy serviceberry (A. arborea) grows up to 40 feet.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 2 to 9), depending on species
Light requirement: Varies by species
Water requirement: Varies by species
Mature size: Varies by species

See how to grow serviceberry

Landscape by Monrovia
Monrovia
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5. Flowering Quince
(Chaenomeles spp.)This type of quince is known for its spring flower display, not for its fruit.The flowers are most often seen in shades of pink or red, but white cultivars are also available. Flowering quince is a true dwarf that rarely grows more than 6 feet tall and wide. The variety pictured here is called ‘Pink Storm’.

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9)
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate to regular
Mature size: 6 feet tall and wide, depending on species

Traditional Pool by Golightly Landscape Architecture
Golightly Landscape Architecture
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6. Hawthorn
(Crataegus spp.)There are many species of hawthorn available, and on the whole they are tough, adaptable trees, tolerating both wet and dry sites. The white flowers are often tinged with pink, like an apple blossom. They are, in fact, closely related to apple trees and produce a small crabapple-like fruit that is edible but usually very bitter.

Hawthorns vary in size, but most are in the range of 15 to 30 feet tall and wide. They are cold-hardy trees, with some species growing as far north as Zone 3. Other hawthorns tolerate warmer regions up to Zone 9. ‘Winter King’, the variety pictured here, is hardy in zones 4 to 7.

Where it will grow: Varies by species
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, depending on species

Traditional Landscape by Wallace Landscape Associates
Wallace Landscape Associates
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7. Chinese Dogwood
(Cornus kousa)Chinese dogwood is absolutely covered in white flowers in spring. It is also known for its ornate shape and 1-inch red berries that ripen in summer (they’re edible but bland).

Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 8)
Light requirement: Full sun or part shade
Water requirement: Consistent moisture
Mature size: 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide

7 Inky Colors to use instead of Black

“We love accent colors and accent walls.  But some of these take it to another level.  Great looking ideas that could be used in many homes.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Want a deep inky color that brings the high-fashion appeal of black but without the attitude? Try one of these soft and sumptuous alternatives with plenty of personality to suit your mood and your space.
Traditional Bedroom by The Wee House Company
The Wee House Company
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NavyFor inky appeal with a nautical twist, classic navy can’t be beat. It makes white look especially bright and fresh. In fact, the two of them together can be all you need. Plus, it balances masculine and feminine appeal, making it a great choice for a bedroom, especially a guestroom.

Transitional Home Office by City Homes Design and Build, LLC
City Homes Design and Build, LLC
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Despite having a large amount of navy surface, this study doesn’t feel dark and depressing the way it might if the walls were black. Rather, it’s studious and sophisticated.Navy is a great shade for spaces where you need to concentrate, because it’s not too somber and not too stimulating.

Paint: Hale Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore

See more on decorating with navy

Contemporary Bedroom by For People design
For People design
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Charcoal and Warm GrayGray is the truest “off-black.” It’s essentially black mixed with white. Warm gray, with a slight hint of brown, is an excellent choice for making a bedroom feel peaceful and cozy when black is too stark and dramatic for your taste.

Paint: Rogue Blue, Valspar

Contemporary Kitchen by L&E (Lofts and Extensions)
L&E (Lofts and Extensions)
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Warm grays can help make a modern space feel more inviting, even when mostly hard materials are used. They mix well with nearly any hue, but especially warm metal tones and soft shades like yellow and peach.See more on decorating with warm gray

Contemporary Bedroom by Chad Jackson Photo
Chad Jackson Photo
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ChocolateDeep chocolatey brown has been a little off the radar in the modern gray-obsessed world, but it’s more than possible to make this classic shade work for traditional or modern spaces. It pairs well with espresso woods, allowing the sense of warmth to carry through the entire space, and it helps tone down wild shades like orange.

Paint: Beluga, Behr

Transitional Living Room by Ruard Veltman Architecture
Ruard Veltman Architecture
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Chocolate also works quite well on dramatically textured surfaces like velvet or tufting, which keep it looking modern and elegant. Mix it with a little warm gray for contrast and you’ve got the look of a high-end boutique or cafe.
Transitional Kitchen by Adam Butler Photography
Adam Butler Photography
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Cool GrayIn kitchens and bathrooms, a cool gray with slightly blue and green undertones is a smart choice because it carries a sense of cleanness. It still works well with hot colors like vivid red, and it suits the glossy finishes typically found on appliances and fixtures. That it is less stark than black also helps the space feel a little more open, especially when used just on lower cabinets to anchor the space.

Base cabinet paint: Mercury, by Fired Earth

Contemporary Bathroom by Grace Blu Designs, Inc.
Grace Blu Designs, Inc.
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This bathroom feels calm and spa-like with the mid-dark cool gray. Look for a cool gray with hints of lavender or aqua to give an extra sense of freshness to white fixtures, similar to the effect of navy but with much less undertone, for an even more “clean and serene” atmosphere.See how to pick the right gray

Traditional Living Room by J. Hettinger Interiors
J. Hettinger Interiors
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Forest and EmeraldDeep forest or emerald greens are trendy new off-black shades with a classic upscale appeal that can feel traditional or modern depending on what they’re mixed with. Paired with a variety of warm colors and materials, they feel neutral while adding an extra layer of complexity, making them a great upholstery color for must-sit sofas.

Sofas: Swaim; chairs: Lexington; wall paint: Sandy Brown, Benjamin Moore

Beach Style Living Room by Tom Stringer Design Partners
Tom Stringer Design Partners
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Forest green is especially effective as a worn-in paint treatment for woods. This chair appears almost black at first glance, but the rustic green gives it a much softer, cottage-inspired vibe that looks beautiful even in an urban apartment.Curtains: Robbins Hill paisley admiral fabric, Ralph Lauren

Contemporary Bathroom by Keramostone
Keramostone
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Vivid emerald is a great option for bathrooms. It creates a moody shower space that cocoons you while maintaining that clean and fresh appeal, and not shocking you awake in the morning like a deep black might.See more on decorating with emerald

Traditional Living Room by S. B. Long Interiors
S. B. Long Interiors
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BurgundyPossibly the ultimate in stately appeal, burgundy is no shy shade. But despite its red undertones, it can be just as easy, if not easier, to decorate with than true black. By pairing it with white, browns, golden metallics and woods, you can create a moody but welcoming scheme without the extreme contrast of black, for a true curl-up-by-the-fire vibe.

Contemporary Living Room by Handman Associates
Handman Associates
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Burgundy may not match with every shade, but if you choose it for upholstery, you won’t need any accent pillows. Pair it with warm neutrals in clean lines and classic materials and you’ve got a timeless look that will outlive color trends.See more on decorating with burgundy

Coffee table: Bradley Hughes; wallpaper: Sinkiang, Wolf Gordon

Beach Style Kitchen by SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.
SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.
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ChalkboardIf you want to soften the look of black without settling for a different shade, try a chalkboard finish. It gives an opportunity to add plenty of white and provides a more touchable, casual feel that cuts black’s seriousness and brings a sense of you back into the space, offering the best of both worlds.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Yanic Simard

Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving

“It can be a daunting task to get ready to sell your home and move.  Having a list of steps to follow makes things easier.  Work with your Real Estate agent to make sure which ones of these apply to your situation.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson
From finding a real estate agent, prepping, staging and selling your home to packing up and moving, the entire process of getting out of one home and into another can be overwhelming. Whether you are still debating if you should remodel your home or just move, or feel ready to put up a for-sale sign, this guide is a good place to start — it’s packed with advice and articles from Houzz covering just about every aspect of selling and moving. It can’t do the work for you, but perhaps it will at least help you feel more organized in the middle of this inevitably messy process.
Contemporary Kitchen by LINCOLN BARBOUR PHOTO
LINCOLN BARBOUR PHOTO
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Find the right real estate agent. A good real estate agent is one you not only trust to help sell your home quickly and for the best price, but also to support and educate you throughout the selling process. As you are searching for an agent, look for someone with a realistic but tactful approach. A good agent will be able to name a few drawbacks of your home — as well as the selling points.

Beach Style Entry by Francesca Owings Interior Design
Francesca Owings Interior Design
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Make a plan to prepare your house for sale. As soon as you make the decision to sell your home, start a master list (or several lists) to keep track of potential home repairs and other tasks, from tiny to major. It’s easy to let the to-dos make your head swim, and having everything on paper (or a note on your phone) can help you stay on track. Decide on a timeline for the “launch” of your home sale, and work backward from the date of your first open house to figure out when you need to complete tasks.

Tip: If you need to get a lot of furniture and accessories out of your home while it’s on the market, consider renting a storage unit. It could be worth the expense it if it helps your house show better and sell faster.

Transitional Kitchen by Annette English
Annette English
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Decide what to fix and what to leave be. The sad fact is, it is unlikely you will be able to recoup the full cost of home improvements in the sale of your home — so make the most of your money and choose fixes wisely. One criterion to use when deciding whether to fix something before the sale is to ask if the item gives the impression that the property has not been well cared for. Leaky faucets, cracked tiles, a broken doorbell or anything that doesn’t work as it should can raise a red flag for buyers.

Tip: Always ask yourself if you can you find a less expensive fix before committing to a big-ticket item. Can you repaint the cabinets rather than replace them? Clean and polish the wood floors instead of refinishing?

More: Fix It or Not? What to Ask When Prepping Your Home for Sale

Traditional Porch by Highland Homes, Inc.
Highland Homes, Inc.
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Boost curb appeal. There’s much ado about curb appeal in the real estate world with good reason — many potential buyers make a first drive-by trip to see your home and decide then and there whether attending the open house is even worth a visit. Draw people in with big, bold house numbers, a freshly painted front door and blooming flowers.

Tip: Don’t forget the garage door. If your garage is positioned near the front of your home, any flaws in this area can detract from the overall impression.

More: 17 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Traditional Exterior by Eric H. Gjerde AIA
Eric H. Gjerde AIA
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Tweak your home to help it sell. Budget-friendly fixes often have the biggest impact, so it makes sense to start there. Quickly clean the exterior and landscape, steam clean the carpeting, replace worn area rugs and fix any scuff marks, nail holes and paint cracks. If your bathroom needs updating, give it a quick makeover with a new showerhead, faucet and fluffy white towels.

More:
10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell
10 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Resale Value

Contemporary Family Room by nicole helene designs
nicole helene designs
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Get a fair home appraisal. Avoid being shocked by a home appraisal that comes in below what you think your home is worth by doing some homework in advance. Before your appraisal, make a list of recent improvements to your home, including everything from renovating the kitchen to painting your deck. And ask if your real estate agent can tag along on the appraisal — he or she may be able to offer some insight about the unique benefits of your home.

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Appraisal

Traditional Exterior by Smith & Vansant Architects PC
Smith & Vansant Architects PC
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Stage your home to sell. Before you start buying new throw pillows, stagers agree it’s best to get your house sparkling clean and decluttered. Aim to make as much room as possible on surfaces and inside closets and cupboards to show off your space. Make sure each room has a clearly defined purpose. There’s no shame in having a room that’s a bit of a mishmash, but no one wants to see it like that during an open house. Buy, rent or borrow inexpensive furnishings to make a clearly defined room out of the mess, and enjoy a big payoff.

Tip: Don’t forget to stage the outdoor areas, too. A shined-up stainless steel grill and a hammock in the backyard help potential buyers imagine enjoying summer weekends hosting barbecues and relaxing.

More:
Sell Your Home Fast: 21 Staging Tips
How to Stage Your Kitchen for a Home Sale
10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

Modern Hall by Webber + Studio, Architects
Webber + Studio, Architects
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Save money on staging. Showing your home at its best doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Pare back what you already own, and borrow items from a friend or relative if you need to fill in gaps. If you do end up making a few purchases, choose things you would like to use in your new home, too.

More: Save Money on Home Staging and Still Sell Faster

Traditional Family Room by Brian Watford ID
Brian Watford ID
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Get listing photos right. The listing photos of your home will be responsible for drawing most people into that first open house. When the photographer comes to take pictures, make sure every lamp is turned on, all the window coverings are pulled open and the floors are shiny and clean. In the listing, make sure your real estate agent only includes photos of your home’s most attractive rooms, plus written descriptions of the other spaces. Potential buyers will be attracted by your home’s best features — don’t wreck it by including a photo of that dated powder room.

Tip: The more flooring that can be seen, the larger the room will appear, so consider removing area rugs before having photos taken.

More: Attract Home Buyers Easily With Great Photography

Beach Style Exterior by Polhemus Savery DaSilva
Polhemus Savery DaSilva
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Prep your home for an open house. You’ve put in a lot of work to get your home ready for showtime, so don’t drop the ball by skipping important details on the day of the open house. Cleanliness ranks number one in importance, so be sure to sweep up every last breakfast crumb and smear of toothpaste on the bathroom sink, and sneaky dust bunnies in the corners. Also make a quick run through the house, removing any personal items (party invites, mail, school projects) that have migrated onto the fridge and counters.

Tip: For your own security and peace of mind, remember to shut down and password-protect all your computers, and hide small valuables.

More: 7 Must-Dos on the Day You Show Your House

by Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
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Downsize without losing your cool. If you’re going to be moving into a smaller space, figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of can be a massive headache. Start by listing your must-have, nonnegotiable items, and commit to bringing these things with you. Measure carefully and bring only the items you know will fit in the new space. Get rid of duplicates and invest in storage solutions for the new place.

More:
Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space
Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

Eclectic Kitchen by Corynne Pless
Corynne Pless
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Take time to say goodbye to your old place. Leaving a home, especially one you have lived in for many years, can be an emotional event. Consider taking some photos of your old home before you pack up, when your rooms are not clean and tidy, but just as they are on a normal day. Having a small photo album can be a comfort when you’re waxing nostalgic about your old house, and can be a wonderful keepsake for kids. And if you’re in the mood for some fun, throw one last party in your old place amid the boxes and packing tape.

More: Saying Goodbye to One Home and Hello to Another

Midcentury Living Room by yamamar design
yamamar design
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Be a savvy buyer. When looking for your new place, the home inspection can tell you only so much. Keep your own list of items of personal importance to you, and check them off each time you look at a potential home. For instance, you may want to consider indoor-outdoor flow, layout, size and placement of windows, natural light and closeness to neighbors.

More: Home-Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Consider Beyond the Inspection

Contemporary Exterior by Coates Design Architects Seattle
Coates Design Architects Seattle
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Pack smart for a smoother move. If you remember only one tip to make moving easier, make it this one: Purge before you pack. The more stuff you have to move, the more it will cost, the longer it will take and the more challenging it will be, both to pack and unpack.

Tip: Keep a master packing list. Number each box as you pack it and mark the number on all four sides. Instead of listing the contents on each box, write down what’s in each numbered box on your master list. Make things even clearer by color coding boxes with basic label stickers to indicate which room they should go to in the new place.

More: Relocating? Here’s How to Make the Big Move Better

Traditional Exterior by Sapia Builders Corp.
Sapia Builders Corp.
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Tackle key tasks before you move in. If your timeline allows, it can feel so much more civilized to take care of certain tasks before you move in, instead of hassling with little things right after moving in. Change the locks on all the doors, get mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced, hook up utilities and install window treatments.

Tip: Double check that your pets’ tags have the new address and your cell phone number on them.

More:
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
Relocating? Here’s How to Make Moving In a Breeze

Traditional Bathroom by Shoshana Gosselin
Shoshana Gosselin
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Put together a moving-day kit. Having essentials on hand — toilet paper, toiletries, an overnight bag of clothes, coffee and a coffeemaker, some trash bags and a Leatherman tool or Swiss Army knife — will make those first few nights a lot saner. Think ahead and include whatever you know you’ll want at your fingertips in a moving-day kit.
Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill