Shelterpop

Decorating With Gray

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-09-10T18:15:00 00:00

Filed under: Color, Your Home, Design, etc

From its often gloomy implications to its sophisticated (and apparently escapist) appeal in decorating, we consult color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color on the psychology behind this neutral tone and how to make it work in our homes.

When it comes to the color gray, everything from rainy days to industrial lofts come to mind. But the neutral tone has long been a decorating staple and it's very much the color of the moment according to color expert Kate Smith at Sensational Color. "We're very attracted to gray right now," says Smith. "Black and white are absolutes and gray is the middle ground. It feels balanced and there's something very clean and simple about it."

There's no denying the subtle beauty and elegance of gray, but we were curious about the deeper meaning behind bringing this color into our homes and what it conveys. We talk to Smith who offers us some insight on the psychology behind gray and ways to use it indoors.

1. We see gray everyday, everywhere outdoors, but is there a greater meaning when it's used in your home?
"It seems a lot of us are feeling the need to relax and escape from our often complex and overloaded lives, so gray is a great color for helping us turn off and get away. It's a more peaceful color that's clean and simple and yet beautiful and sophisticated."

2. Gray is a neutral color that sometimes seems dull, do you think that is still the case?
"There are so many sophisticated grays that are more complex and it's no longer just the blending of just black and white. Complex grays are colors that tend to say 'ish' when you're looking at them, and those grayish tone are ones that can hold our attention for a long time. Attraction to gray isn't just about versatility, it's a desire for sophistication and simplification from a more complex world.

Smith suggests a couple approaches to applying gray inside your home. Scroll down to see five different ways.

sierraromeo [sarah-ji], Flickr

Accent wall: "Gray is a great color that provides an ethereal backdrop," says Smith. "It's atmospheric and there's an openness to it. If you're using a mid-tone gray, paint all the walls. If you're using a strong gray, like gray flannel color, paint one wall for an accent wall, such as the wall behind the bed."

highstrungloner, Flickr

Floor: "The floor is a great place to bring in gray, polished concrete for example. In general, the gray floor tends to be liked by people who want to communicate sophistication as opposed to the warmer wood tones. It also evokes a certain stability and there's a groundedness and sturdiness to it."

Ceiling: "This can work, but be careful that it might remind you of a gray day. From a more psychological stance, a home with a gray ceiling could mean that the person might have a lot on their mind and a lot coming at them and they want to have a neutral surface. And gray is a resting place here that the eye and mind needs."

Jayson Home & Garden

Sofa: "For a sofa, darker gray makes more of a statement and seems to be more about communicating a strong, trusted appeal. Light gray would be more about a cool, clean appeal and less of a statement but more of a blending."

Crate & Barrel

Bedding: "Gray makes beautiful bedding. It's a great place to mix subtle texture. Gray bedding conveys softness, subtlety and low contrast, and it can be meditative, relaxing, calming and introspective.

Also check out our story on how to decorate with green!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Make A Small Bedroom Look Bigger

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-09-05T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home

The proportions in this narrow Manhattan bedroom were all off. But thanks to designer Ondine Karady the space gets a bold upgrade that makes it look balanced in size and eclectic in style.

Homeowners: A Manhattan couple with two kids.

The Dilemma: Although this bedroom is narrow, it has good bones. The walls run up high and the gentle arches on the ceiling provide an interesting architectural detail for the room. However, the homeowners placed a low bed in the center of the room, which diminished--rather than highlighted--the overall height of the space despite the large-scale painted trompe l'oeil panels that span the walls. Another point of contention? The low bed shares space with a pair of big, beautiful antique dressers, which ultimately made the bed seem smaller and the room seem emptier than it actually was.

The Fix: Step in makeover designer Ondine Karady whose challenge was clear: Draw the eye upward. Karady spotted the problem right off the bat and decided that the vertical space in the room and the high-ceilings needed to be utilized in a better way to create a balance in proportions.

First off, Karady opted for a canopy bed, which solved many of the problems that the low-lying bed had presented. The tall bed frame immediately created a strong focal point in the room that not only took advantage of the vertical space but also balanced out the furnishings with a more composed look.

Then to warm up the room, Karady outfitted the room with an eclectic mix of colors and modern patterns to offset the traditional trompe l'oeil detailing and antique furnishings, from a graphic textile for the canopy bed to vibrant pillows for the bench to a Rococo-style mirror set on top of a dresser.

The result? A bedroom where old meets new...and a lot of eclecticism.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See how you can spruce up a bedroom by switching up your pillowscape or changing your bedding with the seasons. Or check out how you can turn an extra room into a guest bedroom.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

How to Clean Faster and Better - Use All Senses

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-09-02T22:42:00 00:00

Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Cleaning

We obviously use our sense of sight to identify a mess...but what about our sense of hearing? And taste? Trust us, it's not as weird as it sounds. Being aware of your other senses while gearing up to tackle chores can help you work faster and better, according to environmental psychologist Sally Augustin, PhD.

Flickr, ubac

The sense: Sight

How it affects cleaning: "A visually complex mess can trigger a psychological reaction, namely stress," says Augustin.

How to work with it: Focus your attention on one component at a time, in order to feel less overwhelmed. Then, call on storage items that contain...and hide...clutter. "Just keep it from directly confronting you," Augustin says.

The sense: Hearing

How it affects cleaning: Whether it's the scream of an infant or the sitcom laugh track in the background, the ambient noises of your home can be distracting.

How to work with it: Crank up the music. "Your heart can actually start to beat to rhythmic sounds-you can sync up to a song with a fast beat, which in turn energizes you," Augustin says.

The sense: Smell

How it affects cleaning: "Scent has an significant effect on us--a really strong, trash-type scent can either motivate us to clean or, if it's really strong, can be overwhelming," says Augustin.

How to work with it: Spritz a minty scent. According to Augustin, "Peppermint produces a physically energizing reaction that can strongly motivate you into action."

The sense: Taste

How it affects cleaning: Yes, there is a relationship between taste and cleaning. And you can thank your salivary glands for it. Dry mouth is physiological response to stress, which can produce an "off" taste. And anytime you feel "different," you are less likely to pick up the broom and clean.

How to work with it: "Chewing peppermint gum will make cleaning seem less of an effort," says Augustin. Because taste is so closely tied with scent, you'll get the same benefits as tasting peppermint as you do smelling it: Namely, a boost of energy. Chewing gum also stimulates the salivary glands, fighting dry mouth.

The sense: Touch

How it affects cleaning: "Stickiness (and greasiness) are distasteful to experience," says Augustin. "But it physically decreases our control over the environment and also psychologically signifies a lack of control."

How to work with it: It's time to bust out the cleaning gloves.

To learn more about the impact design can have on your mood and mind, visit Sally Augustin's website, Place Coach.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Win This! A Framed Print by West Elm And 20x200

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-08-16T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Living Room

Spruce up your wall with a graphic print. Here's how to win one from the new West Elm and 20x200 art series along with a $100 e-certificate to shop at 20x200.

Courtesy of West Elm and 20x200

Last week we announced that West Elm and 20x200 have launched a new art collection of 10 limited-edition prints by various emerging artists. And we're excited to be giving away one of the collection's graphic black-and-white prints along with a $100 e-certificate to a winner to shop at 20x200. Scroll through to see how you can enter to win!

Interested in winning? Here's how you enter:

To enter click below to tweet and tell us what you love about art prints. Don't forget to follow @ShelterPop and add #SPArtGiveaway so we can find your tweet.

o. If you're not a Twitter fanatic, leave a comment below!

o. Your comment or tweet must be left before midnight on Monday, August 22nd and you may enter only once.

o. 1 winner will be randomly selected to win a framed print of Atlanta22A by Bert Teunissen, a $100 e-certificate from 20x200, and a 16" x 14" frame from the 20x200 collection for West Elm.

o. The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

* Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to provide a valid email address!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

What The Location Of Your Mess Says About You (And How To Fix It)

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-08-15T16:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization, Cleaning

We've learned what a mess says about you, but have you considered the impact of where that mess is located? Author and environmental psychologist Sally Augustin, PhD, sheds some light on this surprising revelation. (And yes, we've learned lots from this!)

Joseph Cote, flickr

Mess location: The entryway
Chances are you are: Extroverted
"A mess in an entryway that contains personalizing items [think knick-knacks, photos, art, etc.] communicates a need to clearly and immediately establish information about themselves to their visitor," Augustin says. "People with this sort of mess are also apt to be extroverted and interested in establishing a bond with visitors. Personalizing items also establish territory."
What to do about it: Extroversion isn't a bad trait! But have you been welcoming so many people in your home that you don't have time to tend to your own needs? Then it's time to put "you" on your calendar. Make it a habit to clear up clothes, jackets, and other "drop off" items that you leave by the door when you get home and for when you are leaving. As much as you enjoy welcoming guests into your own home, your entryway should be equally welcoming upon visitor arrivals.

Mess location: The living room
Chances are you are: Tense
"Cluttered spaces...generate tension for humans because our eyes continually review our environment. With lots of stuff around, that process becomes more arduous. In addition, since our possessions are extensions of us, lack of care for them could also indicate, potentially, a lack of self respect-but it may also indicate a toddler is present, money is in short supply, or other similar things."
What to do about it: Since the living room area tends to be the cluster zone for your family, it's all a matter of finding space to hide the clutter. Utilize decorative storage bins and storage ottomans. Seeing a messy area will induce more stress and tension, so take that extra minute to keep things in allotted places. Then, recover from the visual tension by closing your eyes and listening to music.

Mess location: The dining room
Chances are you are: Avoidant/Shy
"A mess can indicate that the space-owner wants to avoid this area, which they might want to do for a number of reasons-from negative experiences in dining rooms at an earlier time in their life (like getting grilled at the table when young about their day in school), to a more current issue, such as being on a perennial diet."
What to do about it: It's time to bring in the storage benches...and work on reconnecting with friends. It doesn't have to be formal entertaining-a simple cup of coffee will do. Remember, avoiding the mess won't help your mind relax and overcoming shyness means sitting well in your own skin, so making sure that the dining table surface is cleared off and that non-dining related items--such as papers, magazines, mail, and the random pile of jackets--are not taking up space in the dining room will also help make tackling the mess, and life, easier.

Mess location: The kitchen
Chances are you are: Adventurous
"Messes in this space that are due to things like unusual items...think rarely-used spices...or a cookbook for varying cuisines indicates openness to new experiences."
What to do about it: Capitalizing on your interest in all things new and exciting is as simple as making sure spices and cookbooks are easily accessible. For the latter, use a step-style spice rack, which ensures that everything you need is in sight and in reach. And why not bring in a small bookshelf to store your culinary guides?

Mess location: The bedroom...or bathroom
Chances are you are: Feeling insecure
"Bedrooms and bathrooms are the inner sanctums of our lives, the spaces where, to the extent they are private, we are most free to express who we really are. Therefore, messes composed of personalizing items here indicate a need by the people who control the space to remind themselves of who they are as a person."
What to do about it: It's hard to feel secure when the last place you see before going to sleep (and the first thing you see in the morning) is a mess of magazines, books and clothes. Conversely, if grooming products and extra bathroom supplies are stumbling blocks in the morning, you won't leave the house feeling ready to tackle the world. For the bedroom, make use of under-bed storage with sliding storage containers or boxes. Limit books or magazines to one per person, then relocate the rest to a bookshelf in another area in your home. Or better yet, donate them. For the bathroom, throw out all the old cosmetics you never use and consider storing surplus supplies in a bathroom étagère that is sized to fit right where the toilet is.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Daily Clean-Up: Vacuum Your Bathtub To Start

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-08-15T08:43:00 00:00

One of everyone's least favorite places for cleaning is probably the bathtub. It's hard to reach all the corners, you have to bend over and scrub...in the end it seems more trouble than it's worth. But think about all the hair and grime build-up in it and you'll reconsider.

An unexpected way to make sure all the dust and hair is removed is to use a hand-held vacuum on the bathtub when it's dry to suck up all the bits, or wipe it down with a dry microfiber towel. Do this before adding in any cleaning products. It will prep the tub for an easy clean.

Have a cleaning tip to share? Let us know at Twitter.com/ShelterPop.

Chiot's Run, Flickr

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Streamlining Space In The Kitchen

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-08-11T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Storage & Organization

This small kitchen goes from cramped to revamped with clever storage solutions and an island that does double duty as an eating surface and a storage space.

With an abundance of kitchen supplies and limited cabinets to store everything, the supposedly eat-in kitchen in the Haskins' home became a something more akin to a storage cave. Given thus, dinner and meals meant setting up folding tables in front of the TV.

By maximizing wall space for hanging knives and pans and using occasional storage cabinets, kitchenware and dishware are now neatly streamlined. Additionally, a large island multi-tasks as a prepping serving, a dining table, and a compact storage unit. The island not only creates a focal point and gathering spot in the kitchen, it also helps clean up the visual landscape in the space. And we all know that visual clutter is not an inspiring sight and it's often what keeps us from wanting to keep a space clean and neat. And remember, when it comes to space-challenged rooms like the Haskins' kitchen, the solution is usually just a matter of picking out a few versatile storage pieces.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See our four-seasons makeover and our guides on how to hide wires and how to baby-proof your kitchen.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Prevent Kitchen Clutter

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-08-04T14:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

From precariously stacked tupperware to too many photos on the fridge, one family's kitchen is over-stuffed and overwhelming. Luckily, a few simple adjustments were enough to get it clean and clutter-free.

Mismatching containers and a photo-covered fridge simply makes the Haskins' kitchen feel small, cluttered, and physically (and visually) cramped. When under-counter storage is limited in the kitchen, it's hard to avoid stacking boxes, containers, and tupperware on top of the fridge and cabinets. This makes it hard to reach things and it can quickly become a precarious situation where things may topple over. For the Haskins, the solution was simple: Make better use of their vertical space with wall shelving and limit their plastic containers to a few handy sets. And remember...while photos can add personality and charm to a room, too many displayed haphazardly on surfaces like the fridge can have an opposite effect.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See our how to baby-proof the kitchen -- stylishly and have fun with changing up your pillowscape.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Making the Most Out of Wasted Space

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-07-28T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home

A lack of functional space leaves one family to less conventional kitchen storage solutions. But pots and pans in the oven? Oh, we can do better than that.

If we could only get our hands on the contractor behind the Cartegena kitchen, we would let him have some of our building and organizing tips. Many of us move into homes with poorly laid out, wasted spaces that we can't seem to do much about. But one thing to remember is you can always take a step back and improvise and maximize. For the Cartegena' kitchen, it was important to look up and consider the vertical space, which was perfectly suited for a pot rack. And always consider compact solutions like drop-leaf tables and built-in wall storage--they're space-saving and -expanding.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See our how to baby-proof the kitchen -- stylishly, organize your cabinets and have fun with changing up your pillowscape.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Change Up Your Pillowscape

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-07-21T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home

Bold bedding isn't the only way to shake up a room. With a neutral base and an array of throw pillows, you can create endless options.

Maybe you don't want to go through the trouble of changing your bedding four times a year. You can still get a whole new look with some creative throw pillow arranging. Just stick to these loose rules: Try to keep your color palette to two to three colors, make sure that you're striking the right balance between mixing and matching and you know, the obvious: Have fun. You're arranging pillows here, this should be play, not work. Try rich fabrics and florals for a romantic vibe, neat small pillows with clean lines for a contemporary look or bring out the patterns for an eclectic feel.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See our how to baby-proof the kitchen -- stylishly, organize your cabinets and fall in love with this vintage bedroom makeover.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Baby-Proofing the Kitchen

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-07-14T14:26:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

Watch one family make their kitchen a safe -- and fun -- place for their tots.

Yes, baby-proofing is a must. But no, it doesn't have to zap all the style out of your kitchen. Instead of going the traditional route with chunky white plastic locks, our Minute Makeover guru Bob Richter brought in easy-to-install sleek hooks that get the job done ... on the inside of the cabinets.

Once the cabinets and drawers are safely locked up from little wandering hands, Richter created a kid-friendly space just for the Pratt kids. Mini, bright furniture gives them a space to draw and play while their parents can get dinner ready.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See our four-seasons makeover, a kitchen saved by a "culinary man cave" and see how to make open shelving work for you.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

WIN IT! Springmaid's New Garden-Inspired Bedding

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-07-14T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home

Change things up this summer with new, sweet bedding. Here's how to win your favorite comforter.

You change out your summer and winter wardrobes ... why not change our your bedding for something light, summer-y and cheerful? Enter to win one of four brand new comforters from Springmaid's new garden collection, the Garden of Surprise & Delight right here -- just scroll to the bottom for details! And then make sure to be a part of its online debut this coming Monday, July 18th exclusively on springmaidgarden.com and www.springmaid.com.

Now, take a look at these comforters and let us know which one is your favorite -- you could win!

Lemonade Tea Party - Bright aqua with pop-y, decorative blooms on a vine.

Love Me, Leave Me - A sophisticated, grey and white garden.

Pretty Grande - Soft honeysuckle with a kicky damask pattern.

Indigo Bouquet - Big fluffy flowers on a deep blue backdrop. So dreamy...

Interested in winning? Here's how you enter:

To enter click below to tweet and tell us which bedding you love the most. Don't forget to follow @ShelterPop and add #BeddingMakeover so we can find your tweet.

o. If you're not a Twitter fanatic, leave a comment below telling us which bedding set is your favorite. And make sure to include what size you need!

o. Your comment or tweet must be left before midnight on Wednesday, July 20th and you may enter only once.

o. 1 winner will be randomly selected to win one of the comforter sets (not including accent pillows) valued at either $89.99 (twin), $99.99 (full/queen) or $109.99 (king).

o. The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

* Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to provide a valid email address!

And don't forget - we're also giving away a Sony laptop over on Facebook!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Organize Those Cabinets!

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-07-07T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

This kitchen might look OK, but lurking behind those cabinets is a ton of wasted space. Here's how to put it to work.

The Pratt family is lucky to have new, great-looking cabinetry. But once you open the drawers and doors, it's a whole new story. Their subcontractor skimped on the inside shelving, leaving them with vast spaces to be filled with piles of clutter. Not very attractive, and not very conducive to finding what you're looking for on a rushed morning.

Luckily, our Minute Makeover guru Bob Ritcher has the perfect solution. Shelf inserts maximize space by dividing up the unused area and turning it into prime storage. And by using drawer dividers in the Pratts' junk drawer, he turns it into an organized, streamlined resource -- not an eyesore. Now, things look great inside and out -- just like they should.

Looking for more Minute Makeovers? See our four-seasons makeover, a kitchen saved by a "culinary man cave" and see how to make open shelving work for you.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Decoroscopes: Cancer (June 21-July 22)

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-07-01T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Fun Stuff

Not sure about a renovation project or just feeling lost about redecorating? We've consulted the stars to offer you some divine decorating guidance.

CANCER
It seems like you've hit a decorating wall this month dear Cancer. But no fear, this is the time where your friends are really going to shine. Don't hesitate to ask your family, coworkers and friends for their guidance and advice. Not sure if you should take on that accent wall? Don't make the decision alone.

Clockwise from left: John Derian. Thomaspaul. Peyton & Clark.

Clockwise from left:
Crabs decoupage tray, $185, John Derian.
Crustacea linen pillow, $104, Thomaspaul.
Crab With Sailboat engraved and embossed cotton flat cards, $48/set of 8, Peyton & Clark.

LEO (July 23-August 22)
July is going to be kind to you. So go with your gut! Your instincts are spot-on this month. Lusting after a settee in the window of your favorite antique shop? Buy it. Trust yourself. It will lead to great things.

VIRGO (August 23-September 22)
Start rearranging: Now! Take July to cross all the organizing tasks off your to-do list. The stars are aligned for you to get your home life into shape. What you accomplish now will serve you well for the rest of the year. So get those file folders ready...

LIBRA (September 23-October 22)
Don't be afraid to take on any tasks this month -- like planting new bulbs or installing great new fixtures. The home improvement results will be lasting and you'll luxuriate in these accomplishments.

SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)
Great news -- this is a good month for you, financially. So don't be shy when it comes to stocking up on all the things you've been holding off on buying. That new area rug? Make it happen. The latest coffee table that's made your heart beat fast? It should be yours. Go forth and spend.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)
It might sound boring, but this is your time to knock out all the cleaning/bookkeeping/organizing chores you've been avoiding. It'll make you feel productive and extra time spent at home will work in your favor...in mysterious ways.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19)
If you've been considering renovating a room or space, now's the time. You're especially primed for group activities this month so make sure to surround yourself with a willing and able team. You'll all benefit.

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18)
The home will be your sanctuary in July. So don't feel guilty if you find yourself spending weekend after weekend on the sofa -- it's important for you to destress in the comfort of your own space so that you can excel later on.

PISCES (February 19-March 20)
Be open-minded to new ideas, whether it be a paint color you've never considered, a recipe you thought was too difficult or a table setting that's out of the ordinary. Venture into new horizons this month, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)
June may have wiped you out, but the work's not over yet. Get ready to keep up with errands, chores and maintaining the calm at home. It may not be glamorous, but it'll be emotionally rewarding.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Put your negotiating skills to work this month! Maybe you want to institute a chore chart or rearrange your living room furniture. Let your personality and opinions be heard. You will win against any opposition at home.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
It's in your nature to have multiple projects going on at once. Don't fight it! Your motivation is unstoppable in July so take on that craft project you've been meaning to try. Your multitasking skills will not disappoint.

Check back in on August 1st to see what next month has in store for you...

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Change Your Bedding With the Seasons

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-06-30T12:28:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home

Changing your entire room four times a year? That's a bit much. But bedding is the perfect thing to play around with as the seasons change.

The easiest way to give your bedroom a new look is to bring in new bedding. And the perfect times to do it? With the changing of the seasons. Match your sheets and duvet with the season's color palette -- greens and yellows for the warmer seasons, rich earth tones for fall and fresh winter white for when the temperature drops (and you need that extra optimism).

Another benefit of the seasonal switch? You can lighten up. Pack away the flannel sheets and heavy knits as summer sets in and make way for light cottons and linens. You might even save on your energy bill.

Looking for more great (and fast!) transformations? Check out our favorite Minute Makeovers.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

6 Non-Cheesy Ways to Decorate With Flags

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-06-27T13:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Holidays

The secret to patriotic decor that doesn't go out of style on July 5th: Interesting textures, shapes and treatments.

Leave it to our friends at "Country Living" to pull together a mix of flag-inspired home accessories that never gets stale -- these piece will look as elegant on the 4th as they will year-round. Forget the drugstore-bought flags and garland -- if you're looking for a statement piece that does Americana right, go with one of these.

Country Living

Feeling smitten? You can see the rest of their patriotic picks and get more great ideas in the July/August issue when it hits newsstands tomorrow!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Why Did ReadyMade Fold? An Exclusive Q&A With Editor Andrew Wagner

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-06-23T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Design, etc, News & Trends

Today I met with Andrew Wagner, the now-former Editor in Chief of ReadyMade, to get his thoughts on why Meredith decided to fold ReadyMade. It's a decision that's gotten much buzz around the DIY world, especially when Meredith cited "weakness in the home category."

ReadyMade; DIY Business Association

So, we're all dying to know: What are your thoughts on the ReadyMade closing?

"I've always thought of ReadyMade as the most successful zine of all time. It was a real passion project from the very beginning. But the goals of a niche publication like ReadyMade and that of a major publishing house like Meredith don't always align. Small, developing brands like ReadyMade are in constant need of in-depth attention from all those working on it but large publishing houses aren't necessarily set up to run in that fashion. This is neither good nor bad, just really unfortunate in these circumstances."

Read the rest on DIY Life!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

ReadyMade to Fold? Unfortunately, Yes

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-06-16T15:30:00 00:00

UPDATE: ReadyMade will close tomorrow.

A little birdie told us that the writers for ReadyMade have been emailed saying the mag is folding. We are so incredibly super sad to hear this so we're hoping it's just a rumor. Check back later, we'll update this post as we hear more.

DIY Life has the scoop and is updating until we get a final answer!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Open Shelving 101

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-06-16T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization

"Open shelving looks great ... when everything is perfectly clean. How can I keep it looking neat all the time?" -Mary-Paula Allegart

Want to give your kitchen a dramatic new look? Open shelving is a great option. But when you take off your cabinet doors you're also risking another new look: An extremely cluttered one. Here's how to make sure you keep things under control.

1. Edit, edit, edit. Haven't used that tupperware in six months? Toss it.
2. Plan storage. Rarely used items go up higher, commonly used pieces are within each reach.
3. Invest. In sleek storage pieces and monochromatic dishware.
4. Give yourself a break. Purchase one piece of furniture that has doors -- you'll need some hiding spots!

Love this kitchen? See it get even better after our warm-it-up makeover.

And watch our other Minute Makeovers for more great ideas!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Minute Makeover: Warming Up the Kitchen

ShelterPop Staff — 2011-06-09T10:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

"I love my bright white kitchen. But it can feel a little cold. How can I give it more personality?" -Mary-Paula Allegart

Sometimes, in our quest for creating the perfect home, things end up looking a little too perfect. And that kind of extreme decluttering can translate to an impersonal, almost sterile look. Lucky for the Allegarts, we were able to bring in just a few cozy touches that made a world of difference. Curtains in casual cotton, a low-key rug and chair covers set the tone, while small accessories like pot holders, dish towels and placemats tie the look together. Now, the kitchen still looks tidy and put-together ... but it's much more welcoming and comfortable. Want to pull up a seat?

Watch our other Minute Makeovers for more great ideas!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments