Country Homes for Sale in Hunterdon County!

I always browse through real estate that is for sale in my neck of the woods. As you know I have a passion for older restored homes and these are some great homes for sale right now and I am so tempted.....They have a character that new homes just cannot replicate. You may say like many others, I don't want to repairing my home all the time because it is older but finding one completely restored including the mechanics is like having a new home with all the charm. Here are some examples of a couple that I love! Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Post: 5 Design Tips To Open Up Your Space!

5 Design Tips To Open Up Your Space

All over the country, it is starting to get warmer as winter finally gives way to spring. Flowers are in bloom in the local parks and birds are chirping in the warm morning sun. We start pulling out our sunglasses collection and putting away the cashmere scarves as the weather gets warmer and warmer and we start spending more and more time outside. We watch as the sidewalks fill up with people enjoying outdoor lunches and mid-day strolls. But no matter how warm it gets outside, we still spend a lot of time in our homes, so it is important that we love them and enjoy being indoors, too. If you live in a small space, you might find yourself feeling a little cramped. There is good news though: you can make some adjustments in your design and décor to make your space feel larger. Below are some tips to get you started opening up your space.

#1 – Clean up! If you have piles of clutter around – even just a stack of mail on the counter – it will make your space feel smaller. The more clutter you have, the less open your space will feel, not to mention that clutter induces stress. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the storage space you have and not allowing bookshelves, coffee tables, and armchairs to accumulate what should be in drawers, closets, or the garbage.

#2 – Paint the walls a light color. Any designer will tell you that one of the easiest ways to make a room feel larger is to paint the walls a lighter color. Dark colors can work well in large spaces that you want to feel cozier, but should be avoided in tighter quarters. If you want to pick a color that coordinates with your current furniture – instead of buying new furniture – then just go with a lighter shade of the color you have.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4086/4843222591_c3e0fdda00.jpg

#3 – Organize your furniture according to the room’s shape. Instead of trying to find ways to fit your furniture into the room, let the room dictate the furniture’s arrangement. That might mean not using a beloved piece, but sometimes that is the price you pay for great design! Ask yourself if that corner table really belongs where you have it.

#4 – Use area rugs to break up space. Sometimes a studio-type apartment can look like it has more rooms if you use area rugs to break up the space into the bedroom, the sitting area, the doorway, or a combination. Even a couple small area rugs with little else can create the illusion of a multi-room apartment. A small silver lining: because rugs are often priced based on their size, when you are shopping for small ones, you might find higher quality rugs in your price range than if you were looking for a rug for a bigger room.

#5 – Keep the ceiling white. Though an interesting or creatively decorated ceiling can be a fun way to personalize your apartment, it will also make the space feel smaller. So if you have low ceilings, stick to basic white. And while you’re looking at the ceiling, make sure there are no watermarks or cracks that need to be inspected! Not to mention, that if it looks a little dingy, consider repainting it.

About the author: Jillian Watkinson is a DIY expert and has written about home and gardens for many years. When she’s not writing, you can find her covering CHS, and other useful supply companies for various projects.

New at Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware!

I have been pleasantly surprised by some new, really great pieces at these big box stores that I wanted to share with my readers. They have some great lines and great prices for what you are getting. They are on the masculine side in style but I believe every room should have at least one piece for the men in our home. Let me know if you decide to take a closer look at any of my favorites!

Spring Colors in the Dining Room!

With the warm weather us east coasters are enjoying, we all have spring on the mind. It has been a very long cold winter here....

Spring comes to mind when I look at this image. By far one of my favorite dining rooms I have come across!

Sometimes simple IS better....

especially in the bathroom. There are endless ranges of tile choices and pricing out there. But I am definitely a fan of simple white bathrooms that don't have to blow the budget. Patterns and colors can be trendy and really date your bath 10-15 years down the road. Choosing simple white tile will always be classic and with a little bleach can always look fresh and great! Home Depot and Lowe's have plenty of options that are affordable. Playing with grout colors can also have a great impact. These photos below tell the story.....

Before and After: Melissa's Family Room

Fellow blogger Melissa of Everything Fitabulous, reached out to me for some help with her family room. I was excited to say the least to help her with it. She had a general vision and all I needed to do was help her bring it to life!  They have two beautiful children and it is a room that they use everyday, so comfort along with style was important. As with most clients, there were several pieces that were staying in the room: sofa, chair, ottoman and armoire. After all, most of us aren't in a position to replace everything in room when we redecorate! We worked within a specific budget and the room is a perfect blend of high and low end selections. I wanted to share it with you all! Can you believe it is the same room with most of the same furniture? We love how it turned out and hopefully you do too!

BEFORE........

AFTER!

Some closer up shots!

Hope you enjoyed this reveal! 

Sofa and Chair: Existing with new slip covers from Pottery Barn

End Tables: West Elm

Lamps: Regina Andrew

Coffee Table: Bungalow 5

Armoire: Exisitng and painted new by Melissa
Knobs: Anthropologie

Stool: Horchow
Pouf: Home Goods

Frames: Ikea

Chandelier: Currey and Company

Rug: Overstock.com
Pillow Fabric: Fabric Yard

Accessories: Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Personal

Beautiful Office of the Day!

this space inspires me and i would love to help a client recreate this beautiful and simplistic office....

please contact me for design services 

Denise Briant Interiors