Embarking on decorating or updating your home to the latest trends ,or theme, needs imperative and adequate knowledge of current themes and trends.  Just having a vague idea or only a little knowledge about a theme is not sufficient to achieve the perfect look.  It is important to interact with an interior designer and share all your expectations, budget, the theme you love, and the space available.  To achieve the best results you need to acquire in depth knowledge of the theme you want, and discuss in detail this idea with the interior designer. If you are among those who do not wish to go through each and every detail, then it is better to find a professional interior designer, or decorator, who would give the best results within your budget.

When decorating, you have many fun and challenging themes to choose from. You also have many sources to get your hands on, be it magazines, internet, designers, or friends.  You may have been inspired by some of the places that you’ve been to, and wish to incorporate the same theme into your home.  It is important to get adequate knowledge of the theme you choose from all sources available to you, and to create a mood board for your theme. Mood boards come in handy at the time of decorating your home.  Another great idea is to collect all the samples of the specific theme you intend to use for your home, and arrange it accordingly to see if it is really what you want.

If you are fond of International themes like Japanese style, Mexican style, Asian style or Moroccan style, you can check online and you will find plenty of resources and images.  Magazines and interior designers are also a great source to use for your favorite theme.

An Integral part of any interior of your home is the furnishing.  Choosing furnishings intelligently goes a long way in decorating your home and creating a pleasing impression.  It's a good idea to select furniture that adds panache to your interiors and at the same time solves your storage problem.  Furniture and accessories should be selected in such a way that they coordinate with the interiors of your rooms. This is a good idea so that you can move them around when you need to or change the look of any room.

It is important to pay more attention to main furniture: like the sofa, dining room tables or beds. This furniture needs to be sturdy, comfortable and elegant.  Make sure high quality materials are being used for furniture before spending money on them. You can always save money on small furniture like side tables, curtains or accessories like artwork, pillows etc.  It is a good idea to choose fabrics, pillows, side chairs or lamps that compliment the color scheme of your home.  This way whenever you feel you need a change you can move your accessories, or small furniture, from one place to another and create a new look whenever you would like.

You can give your furniture a new look by adding slipcovers, or pillows, in accenting colors.  You may also add a touch of glam by re-upholstering a dining room chair in floral print or a bold color.  Be creative and experiment with arrangements of your furniture.  Interior designers often get creative and experiment with the arrangements of your furniture in such a way that your home looks enchanting.  Get guidance from interior designer, or decorator, before you start splurging money on your furnishings.

                                                                           
Are you feeling the need to renovate your bathroom? Are you not happy with your overhead light? Do you like the tiles of your bathroom? You are not satisfied with the shower curtain or do you think the sink doesn't look cool? Then your bathroom needs a renovation. 

Renovating a bathroom requires you to take a step by step approach.  First of all you need to make a list of all those things that you wish to change, or are not happy with in your bathroom.  For example, if you don't like your bathroom tiles, the color of your bathroom, the shower curtain, the lighting or many other aspects not mentioned.  Now that you have your list ready it is time to get your plans into action.  Check out the internet, your friends home, or magazines for new designs; you can browse bathroom images and see how beautifully the bathrooms are designed. 

Save the images that you like the most and try to figure out whether it would match your bathroom.  Once you have got new ideas and are sure what accessories you want, discuss your project and the cost estimation with the electrician and plumber.  If you are unable to handle all this, and feel it is taking up too much time and money, contact a professional Interior designer who will be able to do justice to your budget and give you the desired results.  Interior designers have acquired abundant professional knowledge with their experience and would be able to deliver a pleasing and satisfactory renovated bathroom for you.

                                                                                        

For over 16 years the Interior Design Directory has been an influential force in the world of interior design marketing. This formidable directory has been featuring the industry’s greatest talents and sharing their work with the world.

The Interior Design Directory, often casually referred to as IDD reflecting their domain name i-d-d.com, offers state specific listings.  Unlike some newer directories that are list everyone under the sun and list designers like popularity contests to keep them chasing the carrot of exposure, IDD is a dignified and sophisticated medium for top designers to showcase their work to a very discerning clientele.  

Most design schools and influential voices in the design community reference IDD on their sites, and thus IDD has become a breeding ground for TV personalities.  When producers and journalists look for reputable and esteemed designers, IDD is the site they turn to.  It is like shopping at Nordstroms as opposed to Marshalls.  The quantity is lower, the quality is higher- exactly what journalists and discerning clients demand.

What interests me in IDD is how their designer profiles are such powerful sales tools.  For example, Miami, Florida interior designer Dawn Causa is now being featured on IDD and her online visibility and traffic has increased because of it.  On the other coast, Pasadena interior designer Debbie Talianko is listed on the directory in their Southern California section, and her work is showcased to an entirely new audience.  

Sometimes the Interior Design Directory is already in a dominating position, such as for New York interior designers, where it features many notable and published designer including the extraordinary Betty Wasserman.  Yet, in other markets, such as in Philadelphia, the Interior Design Directory is not as high in search results yet still gets top traffic from its reputation and its extraordinary referral network, all to the benefit of award winning interior designer Donna Hoffman.

As a trusted name in the promotion of interior designers IDD is not just serving the design community, it is serving clients in locating the top tier designers worthy of hiring.  For all of the above reasons I fully encourage design clients to refer to IDD as a uniquely suited directory of top designers.  For designers, I endorse getting in contact with the fun, personable woman who runs IDD and seeing how she can help you meet your marketing needs.  She is a lot of fun, and she knows her business well.  People like her make my life more fun and easy as I pursue the perfect designs, designers, and design tips.

The accessories added to a dining room are as important as the decorations in the living room.  Apart from the living room, the next favorite gathering spot for friends and family is the dining room.  A creatively and neatly decorated dining room makes the best impression on your family and friends.

Accessorizing the dining room can be quite tricky. The dining space has its own limitations and you need to think carefully about its functionality.  A few creative tricks can make your dining room appealing and welcoming. 

You should chose the right size and shape of dining room table for your area, and choose accessories like plates and centerpieces that fit what table you have.  If your dining room table is rectangle then the plates can be round, and if your dining room table is round then the plates can be square.  The addition of color to your dining room can be made through accessories like reupholstered colorful cushions, area rugs, napkin rings, etc.

Accessorizing that are well balanced and in the right place, like light fixtures, lamps and candles, can add warmth to your dining room area.  The addition of greenery and flowers add life to your dining room.  You can place potted plants in the corner, and use fresh flowers in beautifully carved vases as the centerpiece for your dining room table.  By hanging a mirror or placing a painting on the wall, you can add a focal point to your dining room area.

Interior designers have good knowledge in decorating and can be of great help.  Interior designers can give the proper guidance that can make your dining room appealing and welcoming.

Luxurious living room implies a huge budget and when huge budget is involved nothing can go wrong.  This is not the time for Do it yourself projects, it is better you start looking out for a professional interior designer with good expertise and creative skills.  Your professional interior designer will have a plethora of resources on how to turn your living room into a stunning, gorgeous and luxurious living room.

People’s views vary when it comes to standards of luxury, for a few luxury is costly furniture, costly lighting fixtures, costly window coverings etc.  Whereas for few luxury is minimal decor with best chosen and rightly placed furniture or accessories.  When it comes to interior designing of the luxurious living room, you need to have an idea of what all goes into achieving it, from room dimension to suitable style to right furniture to best quality window coverings to best matched area rugs to stunning wall decor to perfect color combinations for the living room.  All this points need careful analysis, just one mistake like the wrong wall decor or the improper placement of furniture can turn your dream of luxurious living room into not so happening living room. 

Before investing on your luxurious living room, consult a professional interior designer and discuss your plans.

After a hectic day your body and mind needs peace and relaxation, which better place for relaxation than your bedroom?  Your master bedroom is the only personal place where you can relax and rejuvenate your body and if your master bedroom itself is shabby and unwelcoming, how would your mind relax?

Master bedroom ambiance should be inviting and soothing at the same time.  Interior design of the master bedroom should be relaxing with pleasing colors, comfortable bed and bedding, good lighting, well co-ordinating window treatment and beautiful decor.

The first thing to be considered for any room be it master bedroom, kids bedroom or living room is color.  Colors decide the type of lighting, window treatments or furniture to be used in your master bedroom.  Color selection is a personal choice depending upon the mood you wish to create for your master bedroom but still to know the best suitable combinations and the color choice of your master bedroom decor you can take guidance from interior designers.  Neutral colors such as cream, beige or blue tones have a calming effect and are suitable for bedrooms.

Along with colors the lighting should be wisely selected to give your master bedroom a relaxed atmosphere.  Various types of lighting fixtures can be used for your master bedroom depending on the activities that takes place in the bedroom.  Table lamps or desk lamps along with a central lighting system can be adopted.  Window treatments should complement the color choice and turn your master bedroom into a private abode when you wish.

Your bedding is the one of the most important aspect of your bedroom.  Choose the right bedding that would be comfortable and chic.  If your walls are of neutral color then you can try contrast color bedding to add drama to your bedroom.  You can even try to play with multiple colors by accentuating with different color cushions, area rugs and bed covers   Accessorize your master bedroom with your favorite photos, wall art, mirror or other decor but see to it that they complement the decor of the bedroom. Even wall papers or stencils can be used to add a new and trendy look to your master bedroom.  Decorative plants add freshness and make your bedroom look cool.  The interior design of your master bedroom should boast of a space that is relaxing and rejuvenating with the most attractive, serene and simplistic decor.

You have a wonderful house, the best art, the most elegant furniture, stunning color combinations and beautiful décor that you are proud of, yet you find something lacking, something is missing and making your décor seem rather dull and unwelcoming, when you try to analyze the problem you find out your lighting is not perfect.

Lighting enhances the beauty of your interior design and highlights your accessories creating the mood you want.  Proper lighting for each room is necessary in order to make your rooms feel welcoming and have a great ambiance.  You need a variety of lighting depending on the room, it’s size, the tasks performed or to highlight special features, like background lighting, accent lighting, task lighting or wall lighting.

Lighting schemes are to be planned keeping in mind the interior design of the room, the placements of furniture, and the usage of the room whether to entertain or relax or study, the décor of the room and the natural light it receives, accordingly lighting should be done.  If a room has bad lighting it feels unwelcoming.  Installing floor sockets should be done before you start decorating your room.

There are varieties of lighting fixtures and you can always find the right ones that suit and enhance the beauty of your home.  Lightings can be selected according to the tasks it performs like ceiling lights that fill your room with ambient light.  Wall lights can be used for large expanses or to highlight your favorite wall art.  Floor lamps to brighten up your room and add lighting to your otherwise darker areas of your room.  Desk lamps or task lighting to provide the ample lighting needed for the task to be performed like studying.  Table lamps, outdoor lighting, recessed lighting and the list go on.

Lightings comes in all shapes and sizes, lighting not only illuminates your home but can also be used as décor and sometimes with the right decorative lighting fixture as the focal point of your room.  Lighting affects color, so lighting should be carefully selected in order to make your room color appear natural and not tinted or if you have already invested on the lighting fixtures, then better try to take the color decision wisely.  Your interior designer can help in the process of selecting the right lighting fixtures and colors for your home.

Redecoration is the most creative way of uplifting your mood, the best way of relaxation and an innovative way to start a new fresh life.  The one main question that gets repeated during redecoration is, from which room to start? How to start? How to redecorate within budget?

Living room is the heart of your home, where the whole family spends time talking, relaxing, having fun or watching TV.  Living room should be pleasant, beautiful and comfortable.  So when you start thinking about redecorating, then the first would be your living room.   

If you want to change the interior design of your living room by redecorating it, the first thing you need to do is contact an interior designer or decorator to guide you through this redecorating project.  Decorators or designers are much cheaper and know the exact way of decorating your living room in the most pleasant and perfect way.  They can guide you through the most suitable color or furniture for your living room thus giving you the best.

When it comes to redecorating, then the first thing that comes to mind is colors.  Colors can liven up or make the room look drab.  Before you start painting your living room walls, you should be aware of colors and its effect.  Like yellow or red can be inviting, whereas green or blue can be relaxing.  You can always find out the different effect colors have through your decorator or designer.  They will have a complete knowledge of which color would suit your living room and the effect it will have on you and your family.  You can even mix and match the colors, like paint the three walls in a neutral tone and paint the fourth wall in a bolder color, adding an instant zing to your living room.  Colors have an effect on your mood and hence needs to be chosen wisely.

Along with color, you can boost your interior design of the living room by creating a great ambiance through the perfect lighting complementing the colors of your living room.  Adding overhead lighting, Table lamps, valances or wall sconces should coordinate with the colors of your living room.  You can always depend on your decorator for the right choice of lighting.

Redecorating your living room by changing furniture or adding a new rug, wall art, window treatments or colors needs you to allocate a fixed amount.  If you do not want to go overboard with your budget and spend more, than you can take the help of a designer or decorator, who would work within the budget providing you the most stylish and pleasant living room.

Houzz has recently become the hottest Interior Design website.  It is part search engine, part directory database, part review site, and part social media framework.  Ambitiously covering so much ground it succeeds in what it promises and offers homeowners and commercial buyers an extraordinary environment to discover the designer that best fits their needs.

The above image is the Houzz page of noted Bucks County and Philadelphia interior designer Donna Hoffman.  What you can see is that it shows her latest projects, reviews, and information on her services.  It is like a personal website, yet it is integrated into a larger web of relationships.

Let's say you are searching for a Washington D.C. Interior Designer in Google.  Likely you will come across a Houzz page.  Houzz then directs you to their listings of DC Interior Designers.  It is like having search engine results showing in search engine results, yet this time the results are tied to their database and not the world wide web.

The same applies in Canada, in case you are north of the border.  If you explore Toronto or Southern Ontario interior designers you'll come across the Oakville Designer Joanne Jakab.  Like other designers in her area, she maintains a Houzz presence to showcase her work and connect with the design community.

If you happen to wonder why some designers appear higher in the Houzz rankings it is not because they are better, per se.  The placement is made based upon what is an elaborate mathematical formula, an algorithm, which gives certain preferences to different metrics related to the portfolio such as how much others like it by adding it to their Ideabooks and how responsive the designer is to questions about their work.  

Wishing you luck in finding your perfect match on Houzz so that your home will become your sanctuary and a fantastic place for entertaining!