Avoid Halloween Decoration Overkill

Irwin Weiner ASID - Tis the season to be kitschy ... and I can say that about any holiday that demands redecorating your home to fit the season. For Halloween and any other season, I abhor the compulsion some homeowners have to create a holiday vignette everywhere you look. Jack-o-lanterns at the front door, witch cutouts on the windows, Halloween lights strung up on the eaves, ghost tea towels in the guest bath - you get the idea. 

Totally overboard.

Here and there, it's alright to add a holiday-themed accent, like the Woman's Day Felted Mummy Doll craft (top photo) added to the throw pillows on your sofa, a few Halloween silhouettes clustered together on a wall (below, top photo), or a Candy Corn inspired centerpiece - simple to make, yet imaginative - on your dining room table (bottom photo). These ideas prove

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Down with "That Unfinished Look"

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - I watched the following video fully expecting to hear a litany of interior design mistakes that men make. Yes, I heard a few goodies, but the main reason to watch this video is to hear a design philosophy (or two) that I heartily second: finish off the decorating in a room to give it a more sophisticated, finished look. There's nothing worse than half-hearted attempts to decorate, leaving the project dangling for all to see. It looks sloppy, and it will convey to everyone that you either got intimidated by the work or was very bored by it. You're sentenced to live in the half-baked results day after day. Avoid living in purgatory; make an effort and finish what you start. Thanks to Montreal, Canada's Igloo Design and designers Alain Courchesne and Anna Abruzzo for some thought-provoking design opinions in this AskMen.com video.  

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Mario Buatta Song Celebrates an Interior Design Legend

Chester Higgins Jr. / The New York Times

Irwin Weiner ASID - One of the most memorable interior designers ever to grace the New York - nope, let's call it global - stage is Mario Buatta. I want to see encore after encore of his work. His room compositions are always balanced, luxurious, colorful, and tasteful yet daring. I'd love to be as accomplished as this design master someday. You'll love our featured video, with a slideshow of his design work - and "The Prince of Chintz Song," written and performed by Christopher Mason at the Metropolitan Club on March 9 to celebrate

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There's an Interior Design App for That!

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - Never fear; interior design apps for your iPhone and iPad are here, and it's technology to the rescue. We've done a little digging and found a variety of apps that are appropriate for homeowners and design professionals alike. The goal of most is to help everyone visualize what a room might look like if it were painted a certain way, lit in a certain mood, designed with a certain furniture plan, etc. For Apartment Therapy's take on favorite apps, click here - the article will take you to 5 apps to set up your home, with an internal link to another 15 apps. Here are some video demonstrations of some apps we came across (click on the app name for more info).

Home Design 3D

Home Style by Kelly Hoppen

MagicPlan

mySurface from DuPont

GE MoodCam

DESIGN2SHARE APPS: We're proud of our own D2S apps; check out the I Can Decorate! and Home Remodeler! apps at the Apple Store.

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Update on May 21, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.