August 23rd, 2011
Going off to college or university and being on your own for the first time is an exciting experience. You want your dorm room to express your personality and give you that warm homey feeling while you’re away from the comforts of your home. Whether you have your own room or a shared space you need to personalize it to your needs.
Before you head out shopping, make a budget and plan your space based on what you need. Design and art students need more space and storage for supplies, whereas an IT student might be fine with just a computer table and a bookshelf. Either space can be fun and personalized. Think about the mood you want to create in the dorm room. Do you like bright colourful spaces or do you prefer a more Zen-like clean lines?
Dorm rooms can often be small which makes organization key. Invest in items that double as storage or have more than one function; like an ottoman that doubles as storage or a futon that pulls out into a bed.
Here are some of our top picks for making your room functional yet chic.
The eclectic Lawson cabinet can be used as a dresser and as a bonus comes with drawer space for extra storage. This stylish piece will absolutely jazz up any room. Another easy way to spice up a room is with colour but, it doesn’t necessarily have to come from the paint. Bright cushions or even a duvet can add that splash of colour without overpowering a small space. This Woodland duvet is made from 100% organic cotton which is important as it is breathable and easy to wash.
Rugs are a great way to warm up a space, add some colour and give the room a finished, cohesive look. Try the Nolan Peacock rug for that punch of colour; the best part is that when it gets grimy you can just toss it in the washing machine. Another must-have piece for a dorm is an ottoman. It works as great seating and there’s extra storage under the seat. You can group a few of these KSP ottomans together and turn it into a coffee table or simply collapse them and hide them under the bed when you need more room.
Our final pick for the perfect dorm room is the Chalkboard Frame-Memo Board as it as great way to keep you organized and on top of all those projects and deadlines. You can write yourself little reminder notes, put up some pictures of the family and tack up your lists with a magnet all in one handy spot, or you can just use it for a daily doodle. We hope these tips make you more confident about decorating your first space away from home.
For other decorating ideas and how-to’s check out our blogs or get answers to your specific questions on www.facebook.com/interiorsbyartofliving/
These items can be bought at
Pier 1 Lawson Cabinet:
Pottery Barn Woodland Organic Duvet Cover and Sham
Crate & Barrel Nolan Peacock Rug
Kitchen Stuff Plus KSP Sit Collapsible storage Ottoman
Crate & Barrel Chalkboard Frame-Memo Board with Magnets
Tags: cabinet, dorm rooms, duvet, memo board, rug, space, storage
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July 19th, 2011
Creating the perfect home-office
More and more people are choosing to work from home these days. Whether it’s to spend more time with the kids, cut down on commuting or to follow their entrepreneurial dreams; people everywhere are saying goodbye to the traditional office and hello to the more casual home office. However, let’s not forget that working from home can pose its own challenges.
Here are some tips on how to make your workspace, inspiring and business ready. I’ve also included a couple of Feng Shui tips to get you off to a prosperous start:
Get Inspired: It’s very important to determine the feel of a space. Do you want a space that’s sophisticated or funky? Are you more drawn to pieces that exude a sense of luxury or are you more inclined to pick artistic items? Your office should be a place where you feel inspired and surrounding yourself with beautiful things can help get those creative juices flowing. You can do this through framed pictures, artwork, home accessories or anything else you are drawn to.
Put those Blinders on: It’s very easy to get distracted when your office is in the same space as the rest of your life. Define your space and make sure that you assign a separate space for your office – not necessarily a separate room – just a space that can be cordoned off with room dividers when you’re working. Don’t think this can’t be accomplished in a small space. We custom designed an armoire for one client’s living room that doubled as a filing cabinet and office desk for work; and folded back into a piece of furniture for play.
Choose with Feng Shui: Never put your home office in your bedroom. The energy in your bedroom should be calm and relaxing so you can wake-up rejuvenated and ready to work. The activities we perform in a space add to its overall energy and you don’t want to feel stressed out about a project as you’re trying to unwind and fall asleep.
Let there be Light: It’s very important to have the right lighting in an office as we all know that lighting affects our mood. Don’t think it’s true? Just think about how you feel on a gloomy day. A workspace should always be well lit. Bright spaces make you alert and ready for action. This doesn’t mean that the lighting has to be that obnoxious florescent lighting that’s used in most offices; you can use multiple warm lights to make the space bright. There are plenty of energy-saving warm lighting options to choose from on the market.
Keep it Neat: Organizing the space is the first step in setting up a functional office. The basic principal of Feng Shui states, that in order for a venture to thrive in a space, there needs to be free flowing energy. This means there cannot be blocks of clutter or disorganisation that traps energy and makes it stagnant. The rule of thumb for organizing is to use the vertical space, but don’t overdo it or you’ll feel boxed in. Wall mounted shelves add an illusion of space as your eye travels to the wall.
Does your home office inspire you? Tell us about how you made your office inspiring. Or if you have questions related to your home office, let me help to get you going.
Tags: home-office, office, space, work from home
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