furniture and decor blog

Always trust your eye to detect subtle differences in measurement, because there is a range of ideal proportion depending on location, composition, material, and other circumstances. For example, I wanted the longest and deepest counter possible for our small master bathroom. I lined the ledge up with the tub and made it as deep is the space allowed, ensuring enough space to sit on the toilet on the opposite wall and have access to the bathtub. The dimensions of the counter, 23 1/2 X 66 1/4 inches, are not ideal, but with mirrors placed along the entire back wall, the proportions changed character and became harmonious.
If you are going to tile a bathroom counter, the dimensions of the counter and tiles should be taken into consideration in determining how the tiles will look laid out with grouting. Ideally, you don’t want to cut tiles to fit. Even if your counter has ideal proportions, if you haven’t worked out the execution of the material, the harmony you are seeking will be diminished. When using tiles or when painting a checkerboard pattern on a wooden surface, plan your layout on grid paper, taking into account the dimensions of the area to be tiled and the measurement of the tiles themselves. Whenever possible, try not to use half tiles on the floor or other surfaces. If your tiles don’t lay out ideally, you can probably get a border tile that will work out mathematically for a finished look. If you need to use half square tiles, use them on all four sides as a border.

I found our bedroom hallway extremely cramped. The walls are only 39 1/2 inches apart. To make matters worse, the floorboards are laid parallel to the walls, running with the narrowness of the space and making it appear even narrower than it is. We hung botanical watercolors on the walls as well as antique porcelain plates to give the walls vitality and energy. The glass over the watercolors and the surface of the porcelain glow with light.

What else can you do to visually widen a narrow hall without reverting to mirrors? One solution is to install wall-to-wall carpeting over the floorboards, in effect covering up the directional lines that further narrow the space. But in the case of our bedroom hall, because I love wood, I chose to solve the problem by staining and bleaching the floor in a folk art manner—a chevron pattern from east to west—disrupting the north-south direction of the floorboards. The eye is relieved by the feeling of expanded space.
Another option is to place area rugs of different shapes and sizes to break up the linear appearance. A hall runner will do the opposite; it will further narrow the space. But a rug that contrasts with the floor looks like an island in the ocean. The eye is drawn to the pattern and color of the rug, making the space around it appear smaller, more broken up. Select rugs with a background color similar to that of the floor.
Square tiles laid on the diagonal widen a space. This principle also applies to squares of sisal carpeting or, ceramic tiles.

When curtaining a dormer window, you’re often dealing with an undersize window in a narrow niche. Let your drapery, at least, create a sense of generosity. Buy sheer fabric in a light, neutral color (or use tulle from a store that sells bridal fabrics ). Install the rod above the window at the highest possible point of the dormer wall. Make the curtain three times as wide as the dormer niche, and let it float all the way to the floor. The cascade of fabric creates architectural stature and still admits light.

A cohesive space is always an inviting retreat. Employ the basics of space planning to make the most of what you have. Use color to emphasize or create the illusion of expansiveness by wrapping the room in a single pale hue.

It’s a good time to start shopping for modern furniture online. There are a lot of furniture retailers on internet, like this store, or this discount wholesaler.

Visually extend a wall using the strong horizontal line of a built-in shelf. Use bold patterns to focus attention on an area. When it comes to furniture, keep in mind that you can increase the sense of spaciousness by choosing closed, streamlined storage. Tables, beds, and chairs that sit high off the floor make rooms appear airier and less cluttered.

A family bedroom embraces the best of two worlds: play area and soothing retreat.

Paired with kid-friendly furniture, washable fabrics make it easy to transform a bedroom into a communal family space. The area in front of a gas-burning fireplace is designed as a place where kids can play, read, or work on projects. A soft wool rug, slipcovered chaise, and child-sized chairs carve out an inviting seating area where children can cuddle with parents in front of a fire. Built-in cupboards and recessed bookshelves provide clutter-resistant storage while framing the stone fireplace within their crisp lines.

An easy-to-clean floor of pickled pine boards with a semigloss topcoat takes the worry out of spills and art projects. A soothing palette of pale green and white promises to calm energetic toddlers as they settle down for a nap or bedtime story.