Tag Archives: Home and Garden

Spring Decorating Tips You Can Use Today

Freshen Up Your Home For Spring

It’s time to freshen, brighten and update all the rooms in your house.  A few quick changes this weekend will improve the outlook of your entire family.

1. Clear away the clutter.  Are there things on your coffee table, kitchen counter or nightstand that have piled up since the first of the year?  While you are clearing, now is the time to pack away any leftover holiday decorations.  Please take the Christmas wreath off your front door and put those long-lasting poinsettia near a sunny window in the basement.

2.Freshen up your reading materials.  Break out the gardening books and magazines.  Even if you don’t get excited at the thought of digging in the dirt; you can still be inspired by the beautiful photography.

Amazon has a gardening book for every style.

3.Front door decor.  Add a pretty spring wreath to your front door.  Choose materials that are a high contrast from your door color.  Add a pretty bow that will blow in the breeze. Nothing adds a welcoming touch to your home as an inviting entrance does.

So there you have a few things to get you started on refreshing your decor for Spring.  If you’re confused whether something is a decorating do or a decorating don’t, email me a photo.

 I am always happy to help make your house into a home you love to live in.  

You deserve it!

8 ½ Steps to a Romantic Bedroom

Note-I wrote this article for my Ezine a few years ago.  I have reprinted it each year since, because we all need a little reminder to keep the love alive.   If you would like to copy it would you please show me some love and link it back to me for credit?

XOXO,

Marie

Happy Valentine’s Day

The bedroom is the most important room to a romantic couple.  It is your own little sanctuary away from family and work demands.  Your bedroom should be calm, clean and uncluttered.  The decorations set the stage for the mood of the room.  Paying attention to some simple details will transform your room from just a place to sleep to a lush romantic getaway.

  • 1. Get rid of the clutter. A cluttered room makes for a cluttered mind. Eliminate the distraction of bills, laundry and kids toys.  Pack away everything that does not say “love” into boxes and put them someplace else in the house.  (Under the bed works fine too.)
  • 2. Make an inviting bed.Invest in the best mattress that your budget allows.  You spend 1/3 of your life in bed; you might as well be comfortable.  Splurge a little on your bed linens.  Sheets that are worn and scratchy are just going to be irritating.  I like cotton flannel to keep us warm in winter and luxurious cotton sateen for summer.  Add a down filled or fluffy fiber filled comforter for an inviting look.

    Romantic Bedding

    Romantic bedding with lots of pillows and a custom throw

  • 3. Pillow talk. In addition to your sleeping pillows, add lots of throw pillows in various shapes and sizes.  Use luxurious and sensual fabrics.  Pillows create the romantic ambiance of a bed that you just can’t wait to jump into.
  • 4. Candle light. Place lots of candles around your room. Use different sizes and colors.  Be sure they are in a safe and fireproof place.  Light them all, turn off the lights and feel the warmth and sensuality of flickering light.
  • 5. Something pretty to look at.Flowers are nature’s gift of romance.  A few simple flowers will brighten up any room.  Float rose petals in a glass bowl.  Keep the decorations simple but meaningful.  Dig out the valentines you gave each other in the past, frame a picture of the two of you when you were first dating, add anything that has special meaning to both of you.

    LOVE Flowers

    I saw these flower over on Design Sponge. Click on the photo for a closer look.

  • 6. Heavenly scents. Entice even your nose in the bedroom.  Studies show that vanilla is the most appealing scent to both men and women.  Burn scented candles, put out a bowl of potpourri, lightly spray the sheets with your favorite perfume.
  • 7. The sound of music. Do you have a special song?  What played at your wedding?  Special music will trigger happy memories. Make a play list on your ipod and plug it into speakers.  A favorite CD you both like will work too.  No radio stations with interrupting commercials.
  • 8. In case you get hungry.Bring in a tray of plump juicy strawberries, smooth dark chocolate and tickling bubbly champagne.  In addition to how yummy they taste, the colors, shapes and textures are beautiful to look at too.

    Romantic Pink Cupcakes

    Even cupcakes can be romantic. My daughter Amy made these.

  • ½. You. The most important thing you can do for your partner is take care of yourself.  Get plenty of rest (just not tonight with this romantic bedroom you’re creating!), eat healthy foods, get some exercise and spend time enjoying what you love to do.  I have given you all the necessary steps to decorate your room for romance.  Now go find your other half!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When it’s time for you to transform your house into a home you love,        contact me.

Copyright 2012 Window Designs etc. by Marie Mouradian


Room of the Week ~ Cozy Oasis

Cozy up with a cup of tea as you armchair travel to exotic places 

A place to sit, read, dream and reflect

This anti room off a formal living room was designed as a garden room with three walls of windows and a tile floor.  The Worcester Massachusetts homeowner wanted a warmer feel for quiet conversation and reading.

The window treatments are mock relaxed Roman shades.  The bottom swoop makes them more relaxed than straight fold Romans.  The shades are stationary so they are more like valances.  The fabric is a rich chocolate-brown dupioni silk.

A Hunter Douglas Silhouette window shading protects the furnishings from harmful UV rays while still letting in the light.

The room gets its pop of color from the love seat that is reupholstered in the warm fiery shade of Tangerine Tango.  Down filled pillows of the window treatment fabric are trimmed in black brush fringe to pull the room together.

What do you think of this room?

Where would your armchair adventures take you?

Contact me to begin transforming your house into the oasis of your dreams.
 

Sophisticated~Dramatic~Seductive. Are Your Interiors Ready For Tangerine Tango?

Sophisticated~Dramatic~Seductive

Tangerine Tango

Pantone's Tangerine Tango

 “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

A few more of my favorite rooms and custom window treatments I’ve done featuring Tangerine Tango.

Tangerine Tango Walls and Pillows

Vibrant Tangerine Tango walls are the backdrop to this cozy window seat with custom-made cushion, pillows and relaxed Roman shades.

Triangle Valance with Tangerine Tango Border

The addition of a Tangerine Tango border transforms this custom valance from a neutral brown and beige to WOW! The contrasting banding not only adds a great punch of color, it also highlights the shape of the triangles.

Tangerine Tango walls add warmth and whimsy to this dining room. Heirloom furniture and an art deco light fixture add personality to a room. The custom window treatments are made of a multi color (including Tangerine Tango of course) fabric with a contrasting band of teal. The sheer Roman shades diffuse the light and offer a little privacy.

What do you think of this dramatic and edgy color?

Would you be able to live in a Tangerine room?

Have you purchased anything in this trendy color yet?

Expect to see lots of Tangerine Tango in 2012

Leave a comment or shoot me an email and I’ll show you how to transform your house into a home you will love in 2012.

2012 Color Of The Year ~ Custom Window Treatments in Tangerine Tango

Pantone Announces

Tangerine Tango

The 2012 Color Of The Year

According to the color experts at PANTONE in a highly anticipated press release early this morning, “The 2011 color of the year, PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, (my ever favorite pink) encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

Over the past few years orange has surged in popularity in both the fashion and home decor industries.  I have noticed a much larger selection of all shades of orange/tangerine in fabrics and trims.

Here are a few of my favorite rooms and custom window treatments I’ve done featuring Tangerine Tango.

Embroidered Tangerine Tango Silk Swags

Elaborate swags with bouillon fringe, tassels and rosettes are made of exquisite embroidered Tangerine Tango silk.

Tangerine Tango Den

Tangerine Tango is toned down on these faux finished walls. Warm wood blinds control the sun and privacy. The custom relaxed Roman valances are made of muted Tangerine Tango Dupioni silk.

Moreland Valance in Tangerine Tango

Asymmetrical Moreland valance in Tangerine Tango perks up beige walls

Tangerine Tango Banded Arched Valance

Keystone fabric in Tangerine Tango makes this simple arched valance fun with a banding of cream keystone and accent edge cord of teal.

What do you think of this dramatic and edgy color?

Would you be able to live in a Tangerine room?

Have you purchased anything in this trendy color yet?

Expect to see lots of Tangerine Tango in 2012

Leave a comment or shoot me an email and I’ll show you how to transform your house into a home you will love in 2012.