We’re currently working on redecorating my eldest daughter’s room. She is nearly 9, and is ready for a look that is a little less “cute.” We’ve been talking about doing it for nearly two years already, and without fail, every year or so, she changes her mind on what type of theme she’d like. So, I came up with a fairly simple solution and decided to go with a simple solid color for the main (aka expensive) pieces – furniture, beddings, chairs, etc.

My daughter picked chocolate brown as her main color, which is perfect. We used shades of neutral browns to match, and there are plenty of neutral colors that work well: blues, greens, etc. My daughter’s wall were painted a light beige color and her bedding and curtains are chocolate brown. Now we are working on adding a few simple accents to give it her current theme: horses. In the future, if we want to change the theme, we simply change the accents for an affordable, quick makeover.

For her horse theme, we are using a horse print fabric for curtain pull-backs, a horse throw pillow, a framed horse poster, a cowboy hat hanging on the wall, and a few horse ornaments on her dresses, and we specifically used items with blue in them to add color as well. But, in the future, should she decide for example that she wanted a ballerina theme, a bit of pink fabric, a new throw pillow & poster, and a few ornaments and there you have it – a whole new look on a very small budget. Other things that could be changed very cheaply include removable wallpaper borders, throw rugs and perhaps a new color of paint on one wall. Here are two examples (all items shown available from Target.com ).

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One of the best things about my job is all the great new decor ideas I learn with each new issue. In the latest issue of Canadian Homestead, I found an ad for Custom Concrete Engraving that peaked my interest, so I visited the site and I LOVE it!

Basically, concrete engraving is done on dry concrete, and can be done on any concrete, any age. It doesn’t refinish the floor, instead they use concrete engraving tools to create grout lines, making the shape and size of tiles or stone you are looking for. Then, they use a stain to stain the floor to match your desired look!

It’s a great option for sprucing up walkways, driveways, concrete garden paths, etc, but it’s also a perfect choice for basement floors where moisture is a concern. For us, moisture is a bit of a concern because it stays so humid and moist downstairs all the time, even with the dehumidifier on. Engraving would be a great way to spruce up the concrete floors, and they would be easy to clean and maintain afterwards as well.

Here are a few samples from Bell’s Custom Concrete Engraving, showing some of the possibilities.

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The August/September issue of Canadian Homestead arrived from the printer’s last week and it’s gorgeous! One of the features in the magazine is on bamboo, and it’s many uses. When you think bamboo as decor, you’re probably thinking of green stick-like plants as part of an Asian decor theme, but bamboo is now being used in SO many other applications!

My in-laws are currently in the process of renovating an older house. When they started on the kitchen, they discovered old wood flooring under the lanolium. They’re original plan had been to repair and refurbish the old flooring but when they discovered that the price of repairing the old, partially rotted flooring would be more then laying new hardwood, they decided to go with new flooring instead and ended up choosing a lovely bamboo flooring, shown in the picture on the left. This is strand woven bamboo, created by pressing bamboo, and it is stronger, more dent-resistance and moisture resistant the most hardwood flooring. It’s also gorgeous!

The other benefit of bamboo, other then it’s strength, is it’s environmental friendliness. While trees take decades to reach a large size, bamboo is full size and ready to harvest in 5 years. Bamboo also spreads new roots very aggressively so you don’t have the soil erosion problems that occur with tree harvesting.

Bamboo can be used for many things beyond flooring. The experts at Global Access Distributors use bamboo to create flooring, furniture, cabinets, mouldings, fencing, doors and more. You can also get bamboo veneer if you are looking to recover your existing cabinets or other wood items. Here are a few great pieces in Bamboo from Global Access Distributors, you can see more on their site as well.

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One decor accent that has been sticking to me lately has been empty frames and even more so, collections of empty frames. I think the first time I saw this was on the cover of an issue of Martha Stewart’s Blueprints magazine (see the first picture). I love that it is different and unique, and can be done to suit any decor theme. I also LOVE that it’s AFFORDABLE, especially if you are a DIYer like me. Can you say “flea market”? Come on, say it with me…..

Lol – but honestly, second hand frames can be picked up for a few dollars here or there, and then spray painted to the color you are decorating with. There are three great places that I have seen frame collages used recently. The first is the dining room, creating a collage of empty frames, framed photos or a combination above the buffet. Another great place is in place of a headboard above your master bedroom. A long hallway is also a great place to create a frame collection because it gives a big decor impact without taking up any floor space.

Here are a few photos to inspire you – click on the images to find the source.

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My husband does some carpentry part time and my best friend recently approached him about making a side table that would look like a regular side table but also work as a bed/crate for her chihuahua. So – we started googling for ideas and were surprised by the number of options out there!

Obviously, if you need a crate to hold your pet for longer periods, you may not want to put it in your living room. But, my friend needs something to use for short bits – when company is over, etc. Since her dog is well trained, there is no need to worry about smells or messes and she doesn’t have to resort to leaving her precious pet in the garage. Take a look at some of these different option we found online – with prices ranging from 198 and up.

Once Dave finishes building the one he designed, I will post some pictures for you as well:)

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Okay – it’s not a doghouse. It’s a garden shed, lol. For many of our readers, working at home is something you do to be at home with the children. But there are many who have children who have gone off to school and still choose to work from home. One common issue with many moms who work at home is space. I know for many years, my office was the dining room table and whatever random drawers I found to put my papers and things in.

This garden-shed style home office idea comes from CedarSheds. The kits, which sold for $13,000, offered a usable space for a home office for less then the cost of adding on an addition to your home. The end result is beautiful, and could easily be used for a business that requires in-office client meetings. For many work at home moms, where a business meeting involves a computer and a chat room, a simple, affordable garden shed like this 10′x10′ shed from Target (Shop at Target.com ) could very easily be converted into an office space.

One of the great things with an office like this would be that it would give you a place to “go to work”. For wahms who struggle separating life and work – this would allow you to stay home, but still “go out to work” and then “leave work to go home”.

What do you think? Have you found a unique way to make space for your home office?

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Bulletin board design is generally viewed as a practical aspect of home decor, and there is a pretty good chance that most people will have one somewhere in their home. Fortunately, a bulletin board no longer has to be something you “work around” but can actually be worked into your decor scheme to accent and enhance you existing decor. I thought I would take a look online to see what I ideas I could gather for you. To start off with – here is my bulletin board:

Okay – sorry for the camera phone photo. I know, it sucks. Anyway – this is my bulletin board. When I purchased it, I needed something for the front hall where I could put things that I needed to remember to take with, take care of, etc next time I went out. I picked this bulletin board from Walmart because it was affordable, practical and still pretty. I have matching frames for photos on the facing wall and it helps to pull the look together. That’s a very basic example though – take a look at some of these other great ideas that I found.

Idea #1: Unique Shapes

I found this photo on a recent post on Design Sponge. This bulletin board design is a great way to use an awkwardly long space in a fresh and fun way and yet still functional. This was done using cork trivets from IKEA – very affordable at 3 for $1.99. I would love to try something like this in my office, but I would pick random trivets and mount black and white images cropped to the same size on each one. You could also play around with other shapes and layouts. For example, you could do a square checker board design, perhaps with a stencil design in random open squares?

Idea #2: Hoop It Up

I love these hoop bulletin boards from etsy seller, Little Pretty Studio. They come in a variety of sized and fabric designs and you can customize them with other fabrics if you wish. This would let you match them with existing fabrics, drapes, throw pillows, etc. These would be wonderful for anyone who is a little crafty, and they are sure to be an interesting conversation piece if you put them where guests will see them.

Idea #3: Make A Wall Of It

I love this idea from Martha Stewart that turns an entire wall into a decorative bulletin board. You can customize the fabric and colors to match any room, and if you wanted – you could even coordinate a solid fabric color and your paint colors to match if you didn’t want it to stand out! You can find the complete instructions on Martha’s website, and it sounds like a fairly easy and affordable project.

Do you have a bulletin board at home? Where do you have it? What do you use it for? Have you done anything different with it to tie it in with your decor?

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You’ve been watching all the popular home makeover shows, and you’ve decided your own home could use some sprucing up. You follow a natural style of living, and you want to conquer the task in such a way that uses the least amount of resources and the most earth-friendly materials. Thanks to architectural salvage centers, environmentally friendly building products and recycled goods, it’s not difficult to do.

Families who tread lightly on the earth can make substantial impact by reducing consumption. Resist the urge to purchase home decor, furniture and materials from your local big-box retailers. Besides, reusing materials, buying second hand and furnishing a home with loved pieces of art and sentimental objects creates a more interesting and individual look. Decorating a home should be a creative effort that reflects your family’s personality.

Start at the very beginning
So, where should you begin an earth-friendly decorating project? Start the way they do on the decorating shows. Clear the room out. Re-evaluate what you want to keep and what can be donated to charity or recycled — or trade and barter with friends or neighbors for objects you like better.

Select a color palette. You might look at an “inspiration piece,” a piece of art or fabric you love. Colors derived from nature can offer the most soothing, sophisticated interiors. Focusing on only a few colors narrows your scope and makes shopping easier. (This is also a great tip for building and maintaining a clothing wardrobe. Pick those colors that make you look best and carry them through each new piece you purchase, making mixing and matching easier!) Assuming you aren’t starting from scratch, you already have gathered some possessions over time. Is there a recurring color scheme?

Build a foundation
A well designed room needs a good backdrop. A room might never look quite “right” without good walls and windows. Choose a no-VOC or low-VOC paint, milk paint or natural clay plaster to color your walls in a unifying neutral. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are petrochemical-derived substances that become breathable gas, contaminating indoor air. Milk paint is free of petrochemical solvents and is made from milk products, natural minerals and pigments. (See the resources listed below for more information.) Unless you are doing an all-neutral, monochromatic color scheme (whites, browns, grays, etc.), white is usually not the most satisfying choice for tying together your color palette — it actually makes any other color that does not belong jump out!

Window coverings are an important part of the foundation of your room. Vinyl or plastic window coverings contribute to off-gassing as the material becomes heated by the sun. Blinds and shades in natural materials like bamboo and reed offer clean lines and simplicity. Organic cotton, hemp or linen can be fashioned into simple curtain panels. Coverings that are easy to clean and care for will simplify maintenance.

Flooring can make or break an environmentally friendly design. Synthetic wall-to-wall carpeting harbors dust and mites, mold and mildew and decreases indoor air quality. Wood floors with a non-toxic finish, cork, bamboo or natural linoleum are good choices. For softness and warmth, use wool or woven cotton rugs, or use jute or coir mat.

Furnishing your room
Buying suites or room packages of furniture results in lifeless arrangements lacking a sense of identity. The furniture itself is usually poorly constructed of particle board, petroleum-based foams and all kinds of other earth-unfriendly materials.

Flea markets and antique stores are a great way to start your décor shopping. If thrift stores and garage sales aren’t appealing to you, there are plenty of high-end consignment shops and antique galleries that cater to the more refined palate. Buying second-hand is preferable to purchasing new goods; the materials usually have off-gassed, and re-using furnishings reduces consumption. Look for solid wood pieces and signs of quality craftsmanship such as sturdy joints and strong construction. Most vintage and antique pieces are classics that can stand the test of time, whether it be a Chippendale chair or a sleek mid-century modern sofa.

Try the unexpected when it comes to selecting wall art and accessories. An amateur oil painting might be more interesting than a poster print of an old master’s work of art. Shabby frames add character, but if that isn’t your style, have your art reframed or hang the canvas without one. Old paint-by-numbers from the 1940s through 1960s have become highly collectible and can be found inexpensively on auction. Support small villages by using folk art or pottery made by local artisans. Old books can be dismantled and the best illustrations can be framed for a great graphic statement.

When it has to be new
For goods that must be purchased new, try locating small or home businesses to supply your needs. By searching the Internet or browsing the ads in the back of natural living magazines, you are sure to find plenty of ecologically sound products for your home. Use what you love, surround yourself with art and beauty and minimize the cycle of consumption in your family.

Article by:

Marisa Miller is the co-owner of www.businessincolor.com – a t-shirt screen printing and graphic design company she runs with her family from home.

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I found a really neat paint in the Lee Valley catalogue a few weeks ago – it is called Magnetic Paint. It is actually a primer that has very very tiny particles of metal in it. When you paint your wall with it, and then paint any color latex paint over top, magnets will stick to the wall. That would be great for any kid’s room – it basically turns your wall into a giant alphabet letter board!

You can also buy a paint that is called a BlackBoard Paint (at local hardware stores) which when used on the walls, leaves a blackboard finish that can be drawn on with chalk and erased/washed just like a chalkboard! Also great for a kids rooms!

I have no idea why, but I was thinking about paint today and it occurred to me that if you used the Magnetic Primer with the Blackboard Paint, you would have the ultimate magnetic blackboard wall! My nephew’s mom had mentioned one time that she thought it would be neat to do her son’s room with blackboard paint on the bottom half, with a chair railing around the middle and then regular paint/decor on the top half. The benefit of that is that they can actually reach the blackboard area. Another option would be to pick one wall and use molding to mark off a section of the wall like a real blackboard area, or to pick a specific area like the closet doors.

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