Hall of Books-How to decorate a hallway

Was thumbing through the internet over the weekend and came across this lovely book shelf built into a hallway. What a great use of space and a great decorative item to add to a non descript area of the home. Like ceilings, nothing should be left undone including your hallways. Love this! What do you think of this design? Makes me want to start reading real books again!

Can also say I adore the lighting too!

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Via

5 Must-Have Furniture Pieces for Your Living Room

Living rooms have a tendency to become cluttered with non-essential furniture—TV trays, pianos, Stairmasters—the list goes on. And despite the clutter, they often lack what’s necessary. Whether you live in a cozy apartment in the big city or a suburban six bedroom Colonial, here are five essential furniture pieces that will complete any living room:

AB HOME Interiors

Sofa. Don’t buy any sofa—buy the right sofa for your place! If you have ample room, a plush, leather sectional brings comfort and style to your living room. Tight on space? Try a loveseat with a pull-out bed for guests. As for color, neutral leather sofa or solid microfiber couch are timeless options that can be jazzed up with throw pillows.

Entertainment set. Your TV is often the focal point of the living room. Showcase it with an entertainment set! Consider the aesthetics of your living room when purchasing this unit, but quality is a non-negotiable. Also be sure to get a TV stand or console that can adequately house your DVD player and those clunky cable boxes.

Shelving unit. A shelving unit can be both decorative and functional. Shelves allow you to display knick-knacks or photographs, but also serve as a catchall for blankets, the full 10 seasons of Friends and your pre-Kindle book collection.

Coffee tables. Coffee tables are a must. Stick a couple end tables next to your couch or a large accent table in the middle of the room. Coffee tables come in all shapes and styles. Try nesting tables for added versatility. But whatever table you go with, don’t forget coaster; nasty drink rings can ruin your furniture fast.

Lamps. And He said, “Let there be light!” With that inspiring proclamation, lamps can transform a room through lighting. Plus, a funky lamp adds another layer of visual interest. And forget your grandmother’s old Mod Podge seashell lamp; lighting fixtures come in all varieties to suit your needs and tastes, from floor lamps to side lamps to elaborate chandeliers.

Living room furniture doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. Just make sure they are well-made and you’re not going to get sick of looking at them in a week. Investing in the right pieces—starting with these five basics—can keep your home well furnished for decades!

This guest post was written by Elissa White, content contributor at DefySupply and shiparoom.com. When not writing, Elissa is dreaming of DIY ways to transform her tiny studio apartment into Buckingham Palace. Image: AB HOME Interiors

DIY-Clever and Easy Ways to Update a Room

Every season sparks our creativity and different moods. It is human nature to want warmth and cozy interiors in the fall and fresh bright colors in the spring. So what can you do when you decide to redecorate but fall flat on ideas? Here are a few clever ideas I found on the web that are sure to get your creative juices flowing, and decorating efforts going in the right direction!

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Paint your front door a fresh and fun new color. Excellent for welcoming guests, and gets the energy of your home revved up for good fortune. It also gets your guests excited to enter your home, and is a delight to their eyes. Don’t forget to add bright shiny hardware to give your door that extra bling!

Bright and floral chair

Front door fun

Reupholster one chair in the room you are decorating in a wildly fun print. It will completely change the look and feel in an instant. How amazing is this chair? Does it make you happy? Are the colors exciting? Yes and Yes! This would be a terrific addition to any room and will delight the eyes over and over making the room intoxicating and cheery.

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Update, organize and paint your bookshelves. This is something I will be talking about in my teleclass this week. Organizing alone will make a huge impact in your space, but add accessories and color and it changes the look instantly. It is also a great way to quickly change for the seasons.

Book pages

Book shelves

Add book pages to one or all of your walls in the room you are decorating for creating conversation and texture. Such a simple and easy way to decorate. Not to mention inexpensive. Find a book with noteworthy quotes, or scenes and recite during a dinner party…or perhaps the guests have to determine the author or book name. Make it fun and engaging!

Whether you redecorate the entire room or simply make a few adjustments those little things make a big difference in how the room looks and feels. And if all else fails:

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images: tiny white daisies, Dying of cute,House Beautiful, Denise McGaha, By wilma

Apartment therapy series

Over the past couple of years I have had the opportunity to decorate many apartments. In big cities like New York, apartment living is considered the norm. However, in smaller cities, being a homeowner is typically the norm. But the economy as it is, some people have lost their homes, some have moved across the country in search of jobs and others travel over state lines to work and have a place to stay. Some clients have gone through a divorce and are getting back on their feet. Whatever the reason, apartments today offer many amenties that a lot of previous home owners can really get used to. Fully equipped gyms, movie rooms, beautiful pools, lush landscaping, churning waterfalls, and if that wasn’t enough, many offer pet care, dry cleaning and housekeeping services!

I think it’s safe to say that apartment living is not what it used to be! A time when you should be a so called “home owner” according to society, the idea of living in an apartment after 35 no longer holds a stigma of a life gone no where. Nope, in fact many people I know, no longer want the responsibility of owning a home and are now opting for a luxurious life in a lavish apartment. I have to admit, the convenience alone and ease of living is quite appealing.

Today I kick off Apartment therapy, our newest series! My inbox has been flooded with readers glued to our remodeling series, but disappointed that many of the options shown are not available to their own circumstances. In an effort to help those living in apartments, this series will appeal to you, and the many decorating options you have!

So stay tuned, next week I kick off Mrs M’s Nashville apartment redo!

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Style and how to get it in 3 easy steps

When it comes to style decorating, sometimes homeowners get overwhelmed.(OK a lot overwhelmed!) They obsess trying to make their homes look like the magazines, or that TV show. But the warmest, most charming homes, are those with personal mementos that show your personal style off. (Won’t find that in a magazine.) In fact, I attended a magazine staging for Better homes and gardens last December and the entire shoot focuses on how the room looks through the camera lens. Flowers adjusted, lamps tweaked, and furniture placed just right. Literally everything is just so! Now I am a huge fan and reader of BHG. Their style is relaxed, easy and accessible to the everyday homeowner, however, remember that people don’t live in those pages.

How do you get that room from the magazine, but put your personal style in it? Here are three of my favorite tips.

1) Family photos

Family

There is nothing more personal than family. And who shares the best memories of happiness, love, sadness, and humor with you? Your family does! Turn them into your best decor and show them off. Nothing uplifts and supports you like family, honor them by making them a show piece in your home.

2) Color palette

Color

Nothing is more personal than color. Sure there are always those colors that are considered on trend. But most people have a color that they love, and while the intensity of that hue may change over the years, most homeowners stick to it. For anyone who has taken my design class, I talk about my mother and her love affair with mint green.

Mint paint. Moms FAVORITE color

Everything in our house when I was growing up centered around this color. Everything! The house trim, the tile in our kitchen, the floors…. Even today she has mint green bowls, dishes, a Kitchen Aid mixer, furniture, all of it mint green. Mom has never veered from the mint green ideology. If it’s mint, she loves it! When I SEE mint I think of her. That’s personal style! Color is intrinsic to who we are and it inspires us and our homes.

3) Art

Personal art

You have heard me say it before, I love art. And nothing is more personal than art. The art that you like, may not be what I like, and vice versus. Art is one of the best ways to add personal style to your home. Art inspires you and is uniquely you. A great way to show off your style, and make your home special.

What are some of your favorite tricks?

Ready to get your room started? Contact us. We offer an array of services to meet your design needs whether you live in our area, or out of state. Click here for more info!

Want more designer tricks, tips and trade secrets, delivered to your inbox, all for FREE? Click here for our monthly newsletter!

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images: The birds papaya, house tweaking, desire to inspire

Hall of Books-How to decorate a hallway

5 Must-Have Furniture Pieces for Your Living Room

DIY-Clever and Easy Ways to Update a Room

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office. It will be held THIS THURSDAY!

Apartment therapy series

Style and how to get it in 3 easy steps

1) Family photos

2) Color palette

3) Art

Sign-up! Get the latest monthly news from AB HOME

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AB HOME Interiors Featured on Houzz

AB HOME admin

Our work is copyrighted. Please contact us for more info.

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Hall of Books-How to decorate a hallway

5 Must-Have Furniture Pieces for Your Living Room

DIY-Clever and Easy Ways to Update a Room

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office. It will be held THIS THURSDAY!

Apartment therapy series

Style and how to get it in 3 easy steps

1) Family photos

2) Color palette

3) Art

Sign-up! Get the latest monthly news from AB HOME

Grab us

AB HOME Interiors Featured on Houzz

Popular Posts

AB HOME admin

Our work is copyrighted. Please contact us for more info.

Podcast