Playing with scale: from our 2010 idea house, smart ways to create big impact without adding on

With our 2010 Sunset Dream Remodel, our goal was to make the most out of a small house (1,400 square feet) on a not-much-bigger lot. Built when the Silicon Valley was known for producing crops instead of chips, this 90-year-old Spanish-style bungalow in Los Gatos, California, by now needed a makeover and a new location, as it faced a very busy boulevard. Since we couldn't move the three-bedroom house to another site, we did the next best thing: reoriented it toward a side street. Then we gutted it, adding a modest 117 square feet, and reconfigured it with an eye toward using the space smartly and stylishly. The result: a thoroughly modern small home that lives Large.

BY SARAH GAFFNEY | PHOTOGRAPHS BY THOMAS J. STORYBy varying ceiling heights and removing walls, we made the public spaces look bigger and, in the process, created a view stretching from the front door to the backyard.

BY SARAH GAFFNEY | PHOTOGRAPHS BY THOMAS J. STORY

WIN..WIN..WIN

WE'RE giving three lucky readers the chance to transform their homes thanks to The National Home Improvement Show and Homebase - with a pounds 10,000 kitchen, a pounds 5,000 bathroom and a pounds 5,000 bedroom to be won in our pounds 20,000 home makeover competition.

Call 0901 609 2297 and follow instructions OR Text SMHOME2 then a space and your answer (a, b or c), name, address & postcode to 84080. For details of goods and services which may be of interest start your text SMHOME2IN. OR enter at www.sundaymirror.co.uk/ competitionsFor lots more info on the Homebase kitchen, bathroom and Schreiber Bedroom range you can visit www.homebase.co.ukNINE out of 10 customers recommend Homebase's award-winning bathroom installation service (available to purchase).a) Double b) Queen c) KingALL Homebase kitchens come with 10-year product guarantee. Homebase also offer the UK's best installation service (available to purchase).IN our third Homes & Holidays contest with The National Home Improvement Show and Homebase we're giving you the chance to make the most of your bedroom - pounds 5,000 will go to a lucky winner to spend on a dream bedroom.Q. Who is the City Gardener?A pounds 5k dream BEDROOMIN our second contest one lucky winner will get pounds 5,000 to spend on the bathroom of their dreams. Homebase have 30 styles of suites and shower enclosures so our winner will be spoilt for choice.A pounds 5k dream BATHROOMpounds 20k Homebase makeovers up for grabsIn our first fab contest one lucky reader will get pounds 10,000 to spend on the kitchen of their dreams. Homebase have more choice than ever with 26 stunning kitchen designs, more than 50 worktops and over 700 appliances to choose from. If you're looking for ideas, hurry to the National Home Improvement Show at London's Earls Court, which ends today. TV experts Michael Holmes, Julia Kendell, Matt James and Charlie Luxton will be there.TICKETS for The National Home Improvement Show - which ends TODAY - are pounds 12 on the door. For more information and seminar schedules see www.improveyourhomeshow.co.uk or call 0844 581 0802.FOR ALL 3 COMPETITIONS 1. Lines close 6pm Friday, October 8, 2010. BT landline calls cost 60p per min, max two mins. Other landline operators/payphones/mobiles may vary. Texts/ online entries cost pounds 1 each plus std network rate. 2. One winner (UK homeowner aged 18/over) selected at random after lines close from all correct entries. 3. Each prize includes delivery but not installation (winner's responsibility) and will be awarded as a voucher valid until Sept 30, 2011. No refund in lieu of underspend. 4. Prizes published in other Trinity Mirror titles, not transferable, no whole/part cash alternatives. 5. Std Trinity Mirror plc Rules apply, see www.sundaymirror.co.uk/rules. SP: Telecom Express Ltd, Tel: 0870 487 4870Correctly answer this question for a chance to win: Q. Which tradesman would you use to install a bathroom?Correctly answer this question for a chance to win:TERMS & CONDITIONSa) Plumber b) Electrician c) RooferHOW TO ENTERCorrectly answer this question for a chance to win: Q. Which bed is biggest?a) Charlie Luxton b) Matt James c) Julia KendellCall 0901 609 2296 and follow instructions. OR Text SMHOME then a space and your answer (a, b or c), name, address & postcode to 84080. For details of goods and services which may be of interest start your text SMHOMEIN. OR enter at www.sundaymirror.co.uk/ competitions

pounds 20k Homebase makeovers up for grabs

All about action: Woman entrepreneur to offer nuts and bolts of

Tory Johnson was sitting on a million-dollar idea, but didn't realize it.

Many businesswomen just starting out want to focus on developing their product or service - anything but selling their product," Johnson said. "Yet, where there are no sales, there is no business.""It is the feat factor: They spend a lot of time crossing their 't's' and dotting their 'i's' and it is planning, planning, planning. I'll ask someone how long they have been planning and they say, 'Oh, a year.' That is not planning, that is stalling."Like the name of the conference, "Spark & Hustle," Johnson is all about action.A business starts with an idea, a dream, a goal - that spark, Johnson said."But it takes sales too," she said. "And most women do not like to sell, especially when it is something for themselves. We are so much better at selling someone else or something else.""It is about learning the tips, tricks and tactics to start a business," Johnson said."Or they want to turn a $200,000 business into a $400,000 business - the common theme from New York to L.A., or in Tulsa - no one wants to be getting a pink slip while supporting the family," Johnson said.The conference is practical, Johnson said.In her conferences, she covers the basics, including mistakes that women make when launching a small business, ways to watch profits grow, ways to start a business without any money and how to use social media to start or grow a small business.While Johnson has been all over the U.S., she arrived in Oklahoma for the first time this month.Next year, Johnson plans to hold conferences in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, Orlando and Atlanta.Sadly, she said, people are tempted to over-think the process.Morrison, determined to bring Johnson to Tulsa for a conference, enlisted friends to send encouraging notes to Johnson on Facebook and Twitter.Whether women want to turn a $40,000 business into an $80,000 business, the fact is people want to be in control of their finances, Johnson said."This is nuts and bolts on making money and what to do when you sit at the kitchen table and decide to start," she said. "There are not a whole lot of theories. This is about making it simple and making it happen.""They just need to pull the trigger and do it," Johnson said."I talk to women all over the country and there are so many common threads that bring us together," Johnson said. "Wherever they are from, women have the great desire to make money for their family: Maybe it is to make up for a too small paycheck, or maybe their spouse lost their job, or there was a divorce, or the kids are in college and need money."Johnson is coming to Tulsa on Feb. 10 to 12 for a conference at the Hilton Tulsa Southern Hills. Johnson will be in Tulsa because Cindy Morrison, a former television news anchor, benefited from an Atlanta event.Yet an obstacle Johnson sees in women - and men - with kick- starting their business is procrastination.Today, Johnson is CEO of Women For Hire and a Good Morning America workplace contributor. She tours the country with her conference tour called "Spark & Hustle.""There is something to be said for planning, but there is only so much planning you can do. People are creating a five-year plan and they've not made a dime yet," Johnson said. "It is so hard to know what will happen in five years, or what will happen a year from now."Johnson was suddenly fired from a job she loved. With twin babies, she needed to make a decent living to support her family. In 1999, she started a women's career recruitment services business in the corner of her bedroom. Her goals were simple: to make a living and help other women find jobs.What Johnson has seen repeatedly is that people might have a terrific idea, but take too long to launch it.

"This is nuts and bolts on making money and what to do when you sit at the kitchen table and decide to start," she said. "There are not a whole lot of theories. This is about making it simple and making it happen."

Top 10 ..Family ski hols from just pounds 289pp

TO book today or for more Travel Top 10 ideas simply go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10A TRADITIONAL, picture-postcard Swiss hideaway with snowsure slopes and car-free streets plus a dramatic glacier for an impossibly scenic backdrop. Apres-ski starts with shots at Nesti's Ski Bar and there is plenty of choice that goes on late into the night.KNOWN for its riotous aprs ski, with a range of bars and clubs second to none, Mayrhofen is a top place to learn to ski or board. Passes cover five extensive intermediate resorts in the Zillertal valley.The traditional village has a nice cow byre feel, with stone and wooden inns and pensions, while the row of modern hotels at the base of the wide mellow slopes offer frills like pools and spas at rock bottom prices. After dinner, parents can have a little flutter in the casino, while experienced nannies watch the kids.The skiing, on both sides of a wide valley, has runs for everyone, ranging from wide motorways to steep and narrow "couloirs".THE DEAL: Direct Ski has seven nights at the two-star centrally located Hotel Arinsal from pounds 319pp halfboard (two sharing) with London-Toulouse flights and transfers. Beginners' ski packages, six- day equipment hire, tuition and lift pass cost pounds 216, intermediates pounds 224.4. SAAS FEE, SWITZERLANDSLOVENIA leading resort in the Julian Alps near the border with Austria is a paradise for beginners and families.SET in the heavily forested Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo is Bulgaria's friendliest resort. The mountain is ideal for beginners and intermediates, with a ring of welcoming mountain huts on the top. The nightlife, led by Brit Steve Clark in his White Hart pub, is a riot. BJs in the Hotel Perelik comes a close second.THE DEAL: Crystal Ski has the four-star ski-in, ski-out Hotel du Col from pounds 587pp (two sharing), seven nights' half-board, unlimited wine with dinner, flights from Stansted and transfers. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10THE DEAL: Family Ski Company offers seven nights at Chalet Hotel La Collina in a family room/double and twin for two adults/two children, from pounds 509pp, pounds 438 child, half-board, including flights to Geneva and transfers. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/ travel/top10THE DEAL: Ski Independence has 2-star Residence Antares from pounds 764, the 3-star Residence Les Balcons du Soleil from pounds 900, seven nights' selfcatering in a two-room apartment for four and FlexiPlus Eurotunnel tickets. Discovery package: ski hire for two adults, pounds 84 each, equipment for two kids free.DUTY free Andorra's ski blueprint has always been cheap and cheerful, and nowhere more so than in Arinsal. Expect hardcore bar action with funky DJs, theme nights and Sky Sports. El Derby is Irish, Cisco's Mexican, El Moli for cocktails, Black Bull for Full English.THE DEAL: First Choice Ski has the four-star Hotel Alpina from pounds 1,312 for seven nights' half board for two adults and two kids, including Gatwick-Salzburg flights and transfers.THE DEAL: Thomson Ski has seven nights at the Mayerhofen Ski Area Guesthouses - B&B from pounds 360, half-board from pounds 466 with Gatwick-Salzburg flights, transfers and two-for-one lift passes in January. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10Seven nights' self-catering from pounds 449pp, including flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Innsbruck, transfers, lift pass and equipment hire.A BIG high resort in the north-east near the Swiss border, Livigno's duty-free status makes for great savings, especially when it comes to shopping for cameras and clothes.5. AVORIAZ, FRANCE1. LIVIGNO, ITALYTHE DEAL: Zenith Holidays has seven nights' half-board for two adults and two kids at four-star Hotel Tri Studnicky, from pounds 2,656, or two-star Hotel Ski, from pounds 2,335, including transfers from Krakow airport, six-day lift passes, equipment hire and half- day lessons. Gatwick easyJet flights (www.easyjet.com). Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top1010. COURCHEVEL, FRANCETHE DEAL: Neilson has threestar Galli Apartments, one or two bedrooms, 50 metres from the lifts.7. KRANJSKA GORA, SLOVENIA'SCOSMOPOLITAN Sestriere, venue for the main Alpine ski events in the Turin Olympics in 2006, is a key link in the Milky Way circuit straddling the Franco-Italian border. Ski forever on a single lift pass, exploring everything this fine area has to offer: including rural San Sicario and fun-loving Sauze d'Oulx, or try the Olympic bob run or an afternoon with a team of huskies.Marco's and Daphne's are lively pubs, and the Pick Up club goes on until late, late, late...A SKI-IN, ski-out village in the Three Valleys with a gondola link into the main slopes above Courchevel 1850. The runs back to 1650 are on the easy side of blue - very encouraging for beginners with ambitions to go to faraway places. There's lots going on in the evenings at substantially lower prices than in glitzy 1850.6. SESTRIERE, ITALYWIN A skiing hol next week2. PAMPOROVO, BULGARIAHAILED as the benchmark for purpose-built good value apartments for 40 years, Avoriaz - the best gateway to the huge Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski circuit - is embracing a four-star future for 2011-12.8. MAYRHOFEN, AUSTRIA3. JASNA, SLOVAKIATHOUGH less well known than its eastern European rivals, Slovakia is very much a rising star. Jasna, in the Low Tatras, near the Polish border, is the best resort, a modern Alpine-style complex with varied slopes.9. ARINSAL, ANDORRATHE DEAL: Inghams has seven nights' half-board in the three-star Hotel Perelik, from pounds 289pp (two sharing) with flights Gatwick- Sofia and transfers.

WIN A skiing hol next week

Be like Dwight: Dwight Freeney's old-school work ethic and determination are the modern athlete's template for excellence

BRADY SMITH WATCHED DWIGHT FREENEY from a safe distance. Close enough not to miss anything but far enough away to keep from looking like one of them--the hordes of onlookers who represent an unnecessary distraction to the notoriously private superstar defensive end from the Indianapolis Colts.

"Listen, man," he says, liberally sprinkling sea salt onto a hunk of bison steak, which accounts for the lion's share of a diet specifically tailored to his blood type. "I played four years in college, and spending [nine] years in the NFL means I've played two more full college careers after that. When your body takes that kind of abuse, you've got to take care of it. This is a marathon now."There's no rags-to-riches redemption tale here, though. Freeney's transition to football was never the story of some diamond-in-the-rough kid who was set on a righteous path through the lessons he learned on the gridiron. The work ethic and ferocity that render him virtually unstoppable to offensive tackles a head taller and 50 pounds heavier were in place even as a high school freshman.For NFL teams, drafting players has become a high-stakes proposition over the past few decades. When you combine exorbitant player salaries and bonuses with the impact a high draft pick can have on a team's future success, franchises stand to gain--or, perhaps more important, lose--hundreds of millions of dollars based on individual personnel decisions. Football executives take their jobs seriously, and they perform their due diligence regarding the background and character of players they're considering.Freeney's marathon consists of caring for his body, studying his opponents' every nuance and making sure all the pieces of the puzzle are in place to keep his magnificent run--with his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame already assured--going as long as possible. "I like getting away from things and going to places like California to train because everyone's in a workout frame of mind, and that's all I need to think about without all the distractions," he says. "New York isn't workout-friendly. When you see someone running there, chances are he's running from the cops."Perhaps it was because Smith had kept his distance long enough to gain some degree of trust. Or maybe it was because Freeney wants to see football played the right way. His way. There could've been any number of reasons why he stayed on that field with Smith, running full speed through another hour of the same brutally taxing football drills, showing the young player the right way to get things done. Paying it forward.Over the past nine years, Freeney has left a trail of broken tackles and tight ends in his wake, crushed and befuddled by his patented repertoire of spin moves and bull-rushes, but it's the quarterback they're charged with protecting who has borne the brunt of Freeney's fury. With 89 career sacks at press time, he has joined the NFL's all-time leaders in the category and in the process essentially redefined the position of defensive end, long the province of men much taller and heavier than the 6'1", 268-pound Freeney.Anyone who has followed Freeney's career since his Syracuse days is familiar with his weight-room reputation. His bench, squat and clean numbers are still legendary in college football circles. After battling in the NFL trenches for nine years, however, that type of training doesn't exactly align with Freeney's stated goal of career longevity. "Am I strong enough?" he asks. "Absolutely, Fm strong enough. Nobody cares how much you squat or clean or how fast you run the 40 in the NFL. I know what I used to bench, but now? I'm going to lift that heavy and risk blowing out a pec muscle and being out for the season? That's not smart.""Bloomfield gets a bad rap in Connecticut because of our diversity," Waszkelewicz says. "But the way Dwight makes up for his lack of height and size with sheer determination is a perfect fit for this town and always has been. He was the perfect student from day one. You never had to worry about Dwight. He's just a natural."From Bloomfield High School in Connecticut to Syracuse University (New York) to nine years with the Indianapolis Colts, Freeney has been rock-solid since the day he first stepped on an athletic field. In fact, it was his prowess as a ninth-grade soccer goalie that first garnered the attention of the football coaches at Bloomfield.Under Capretta's supervision, Freeney and several other NFL players regularly run through a series of outdoor conditioning drills in the hills behind Agoura High School (Agoura Hills, California). He'll flip tires, run hill sprints and work on his get-off"--the speed and explosiveness with which he can come out of a three-point stance--in a sand pit restrained by bungee cords.Waszkelewicz tells the story of a playoff game in Freeney's junior year. He doesn't remember who Bloomfield played; it could've been either Branford or North Branford, but that's not important. What's important is it was a Friday-night game with rented lights, a packed house and the crisp air of autumn electricity unique to small-town New England football in late November."If I play against a veteran guy I know I have to bring it," he says. "I can't wait to play against a young boy from a learning-curve standpoint He's got to catch up, and believe me, I'm gonna catch him up as fast as I can.""Dwight was playing fullback," Waszkelewicz says. "He took the ball outside the tackle and one of their cornerbacks stepped up to make a play. He came up and hit Dwight solidly in the thigh and it was like everything just stopped. You could hear the sound of that hit throughout the stadium; everyone just gasped. Dwight crushed the kid. We knew then he was something special.""Dwight's an old-school guy," Capretta says. "He wants to go all-out all the time, but when you've been in the NFL as long as he has, you have to find a way to keep that fire under your ass without burning yourself out It's really about staying powerful as he gets fatigued without heaping unnecessary abuse on him at this stage of his career."The public wouldn't understand what Freeney was doing in a small bedroom community 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 3,000 miles away from his home in Connecticut. Smith knew, but the idea of seeing arguably the NFL's most intimidating player--one who has mastered the same position Smith plays on the junior-college level at nearby Moorpark College--toiling away in obscurity on his high school field was enough to make him skittish about approaching.A Super Bowl ring and five Pro Bowl appearances later, Freeney has the life of a professional athlete down to a science. From his finances to his training to the blinders he uses to keep the outside world at bay, the guy could write the book on how things should be done. You never hear of Freeney's exploits off the field because with the exception of his charity work, his mind and spirit essentially never leave the field."Dwight was dog-tired that day," remembers Ryan Capretta, one of Freeney's two off-season strength and conditioning coaches. "I mean, his bag drills are just ridiculous. And you have to remember, Dwight is a really 'to himself type of guy, so it probably wasn't the best time for Brady to come up and ask him a question."Freeney's weight-room foundation, through years of work with legendary Syracuse University strength and conditioning coach Bill Hicks, was already well-established by the time he started spending parts of his off-season in California with Capretta."We had about 23 kids on the team at the time," says Paul Waszkelewicz, Freeney's high school defensive-line coach. "It was true, old-school iron-man football, so we were always on the lookout for new guys. The first thing that stood out about Dwight as a soccer goalie was he was big, quick and had great hands. We knew we had to have him playing football."

For NFL teams, drafting players has become a high-stakes proposition over the past few decades. When you combine exorbitant player salaries and bonuses with the impact a high draft pick can have on a team's future success, franchises stand to gain--or, perhaps more important, lose--hundreds of millions of dollars based on individual personnel decisions. Football executives take their jobs seriously, and they perform their due diligence regarding the background and character of players they're considering.

My boyfriend's photo wall's a mess.. can you put him in the picture?

MY boyfriend has a wall of fitted wardrobes in his bedroom. He has stuck photos to the painted wooden doors to help liven up the space.

Then you can use magnetic photo frames, usually sold as fridge magnets to stick the photos to the doors. Dwell (www.dwell. co.uk, 0845 675 9090) sell them for pounds 3.95 for six.ZENA SAYS: I think this idea would look fab. First paint the doors with magnetic paint - pounds 17.99 for 0.473 litre from www.kidicraft.co.uk (0113 8150086).It's a completely safe, nontoxic, water-based emulsion paint which contains very fine iron powder and will make any surface magnetic.As it's a dull grey colour you'll need to paint over the doors with a normal emulsion in your colour of choice.But they're simply stuck on to the doors with Blu-Tac and look a bit amateurish. The walls need some decoration, but can you suggest a better way of showing off his photos please? - Roberta Crook, Dudley, West Midlands

Look around because you can buy all sorts of unusual and decorative magnetic photo frames.

Holidays

4&5 Our Top10 ways to spend the long Easter break.. from UK to long-haul

12&13 Blossoming ideas for Mother's Day gifts next Sunday16&17 Stylists spill the secrets of how to get that boutique look for your bedroom19 Our Top10 hot buys to treat mum to breakfast in bed, plus our lookalikesHomes11 Join Wills and Kate on the island of Anglesey for a perfect family escape8&9 All the buzz on cheap and trendy Belgrade, plus our expert travel advice14&15 Low tax, great beaches..would you make the move to Alderney?

19 Our Top10 hot buys to treat mum to breakfast in bed, plus our lookalikes

The Home Improvement Centre Launches for Design Ideas and Advice

The Home Improvement Centre, a leading website covering all interior needs, has arrived.

What's more, the site loves home makeovers so much that if you think you've got something unique or exciting to share, such as home ideas and pictures, then you can get in touch via the website.

David Holmes, Founder of The Home Improvement Centre, said: "Knowing where to start when improving any property can be a daunting and even stressful situation. But by visiting the website you'll be able to take advantages of the latest expert advice, helpful articles, breaking news and inspirational photo galleries."For more information on the home improvement industry, in depth articles and reputable household specialists, please visit www.thehomeimprovementcentre.comBorn out of a passion for home makeovers, The Home Improvement Centre has been created to provide the very best pictures, links and suppliers within one complete source. The aim is to inspire and aid the public's building and design endeavours!Contacts: Holmes Media (UK) Ltd Laura Elahi 0845 299 7050 laura@holmesmedia.co.ukWhether you're interested in a new fitted kitchen , bathroom suites , garden landscaping or a loft conversion the website www.thehomeimprovementcentre.com will be able to help.

Contacts: Holmes Media (UK) Ltd Laura Elahi 0845 299 7050 laura@holmesmedia.co.uk

Top 10 ..boutique hotels under pounds 100

TO book today or for more top 10 ideas simply go to..

JUST a hop, skip and a jump from the beach, this fun surfer-chic hotel in Bournemouth makes for a great base to explore this stretch of Dorset coast. It has just 12 rooms - two singles, 10 doubles - all boasting Egyptian bed linen, flat-screen TVs (check out the DVD library at reception), crushed velvet curtains, free wi-fi and luxurious en-suite bathrooms. The hotel's bistro specialises in using locally-sourced, sustainable produce, and in summer doors open on to a decked terrace for cocktails and barbecues. Don't miss the hotel's funky beachfront bar, caf and deli. Its restaurant Urban Reef is a short walk away on Boscombe promenade.4. Dunstane City Hotel, EdinburghTHE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 95 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top1010. The Lamb Inn, WiltsTHE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 70 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10THE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 80 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10THIS family-owned hotel in Shrewsbury has had a head-to-toe makeover and is now one of the most stylish in Shropshire. Each of its 22 en-suite bedrooms is individuallydesigned, with plush linens and silks. There's even an oak-trussed loft bedroom with a free- standing Victorian bath. The hotel also has two bars, including the Inglenook, with a roaring open fire, stocked with Shropshire real ales and affordable wines (the hotel has an extensive wine cellar). Hungry? Take a seat in the beamed restaurant and dine on top-notch food by Michelin-starred chef Alan Dann.HOUSED in an old Victorian farmhouse, this elegant hotel near Brancaster, King's Lynn, boasts sweeping views towards the coast and RSPB Titchwell Marsh. It has 27 rooms split between the main house, a wooden house and the converted stables. One room has a handmade oak bed, another has original Victorian features and an open mahogany fireplace. The Conservatory Restaurant has two AA Rosettes and is ideal for a candlelit dinner-for-two. For golfers, there are two championship golf courses nearby. Or treat yourself to a holistic massage or reflexology in the privacy of your room. Perfect. THE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 90 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10LOOKING to visit Cardiff on the cheap, but don't want to compromise on style? Good news - this converted 1890s townhouse, opened in 2009, combines a city centre location with budget prices. It has seven beautiful doubles with feature wallpaper, bespoke locally-made beds and ornate mirrors hung over the original fireplaces. After an afternoon exploring Cardiff Castle, kick back in the hotel's guest lounge with newspapers, books, a flatscreen TV, DVD player and well-stocked honesty bar. There is also an attractive decked garden - perfect for an early evening G&T.THE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 85 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10HOUSED in what was once an 18th Century corn mill in The Calls, a cobbled street in the waterfront area of the city, this award- winning designer hotel has oodles of class. Its 42 minimalist bedrooms and suites mix exposed brick walls and beamed ceilings featuring original Mill mechanisms with handmade beds, original artwork, satellite television and plush bathrooms. Breakfasts are just as lavish, with an extensive sausage menu, homemade jams and traditional Whitby kippers. Don't want to leave Fido at home? Bring him along - the hotel will even have doggy treats waiting on arrival.3. Titchwell Manor, NorfolkTHIS chic 18-bedroom hotel is just 15 minutes' walk from Edinburgh's city centre. After a day's sightseeing, unwind with a tipple in the Stane Bar, which boasts more than 80 malt whiskies (ask the staff, trained whisky ambassadors, to talk you through the malts), before dining on haggis in the fabulous Skerries Restaurant (both are in the sister hotel Dunstane House, across the road). Then retreat to your bedroom, with either a king or superking-size bed, comfy armchairs, modern artwork and sleek bathrooms.1. The Traddock, North YorksWHEN it comes to attention to detail, this hotel in the heart of the city takes the crown. Each of its 14 bedrooms, spread over three levels, are beautifully designed with bespoke handmade furniture, Egyptian cotton bed linen, striking artwork and intimate lighting. The en-suite bathrooms are just as impressive, with walk-in rain showers or deep bath tubs and Aveda toiletries. The cool cocktail lounge and restaurant - winner of Gold in the Taste of England regional tourism awards - is the icing on this very sumptuous cake.8. Urban Beach, DorsetTHIS charming inn near Salisbury began trading as a public house as early as the 12th Century and retains plenty of its original features, including inglenook fireplaces, flagstone floors and heavy wooden beams. Last summer the Lamb was relaunched by the Scottish Boisdale Restaurant group. All 19 bedrooms (four with four poster beds) are decorated in the Boisdale style - traditional tartan with antique furnishings and paintings, free wi-fi and Neal's Yard toiletries in the bathrooms. Like a dram? The malt whisky menu in the bar is said to be the largest in Wiltshire. There is also an extensive choice of Cuban cigars.5. 42 The Calls, Leeds9. Fronlas, Carmarthenshirewww.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top102. The Lion and Pheasant, Shrops7. Hotel Maiyango, LeicesterTHE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 87 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10THE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 79 per night, room only. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10THIS Georgian country house hotel in Settle, surrounded by rolling hills on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, bags the title for most spectacular location... don't forget your walking shoes. It has 12 spacious and homely bedrooms, with Sheridan cotton sheets, duck-down duvets and Molton Brown toiletries in the bathrooms, most of which have impressive views of the countryside. After a romp though the dales, put your feet up by the crackling log fire in the lounge before refuelling on hearty locallysourced dishes in the award-winning organic restaurant.CHIC, cheap and green - this Edwardian townhouse hotel in Llandeilo, within walking distance of the Brecon Beacons, ticks all the boxes. It has four individuallydesigned bedrooms with solarpowered underfloor heating, designer wallpaper, flatscreen TVs, luxury organic mattresses and natural stone en-suite bathrooms. Most rooms offer splendid views of the Tywi Valley, too. The breakfast - from the toasted granola to the awardwinning organic pork sausages - is one of the highlights (if you're having a lazy morning, ask for a tray in your room). There is also a lounge with an honesty bar, DVD library, books and literature on the local area.6. Hotel One Hundred, Cardiff

THE DEAL: Doubles from pounds 85 per night, B&B. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

Solid Solutions

A New York Designer Proves Solid Surface Materials Aren't Just for Countertops

Additionally, solid surface material was used in other parts of the apartment to transform the industrial space into a residential setting. In the kitchen, a custom, two-level sink made from solid surface material was incorporated into the island. The sink is deep on one side for washing dishes and shallow on the other side for food prep.Converting an early 20th century industrial high-rise into residential flats created many challenges, including how to ensure natural light penetrated the interiors of the apartments. When Kevin WoIz was hired to remodel a 2,500-square-foot apartment with windows along only one side, he specified translucent solid surface material as walls for two bedrooms and sliding pocket doors to allow natural light to penetrate the space.In the master bathroom, a custom sink was created from a single slab of solid surface material. By creating an indentation in the material, the sink and countertop remain a solitary element. Solid surface material also was used in the shower area for a tub, pan and tub surround. Because of the precise fitting of these components, typical waterproofing measures were not required during the installation.The bedroom walls and pocket doors were fabricated from 1/4-inchthick translucent LG Hausys Ltd. HI-MACS solid surface material. The color is lucent opal. The master bathtub surround, tub and pan are fabricated from DuPont Corian solid surface in a vanilla color. The same Corian material was utilized in the kitchen island sink.Fabricator/Installer: Sterling Surfaces, Sterling, Mass., SterlingSurfaces.comTHE MATERIALSDo you have an inspirational single element from a recent remodel to share? If so, send it to Jon.Minnick@cyqnusb2b.comTHE IDEATHETEAMDesigner: Kevin WaIz, New York, WalzWorkInc.com

Do you have an inspirational single element from a recent remodel to share? If so, send it to Jon.Minnick@cyqnusb2b.com

Will you furnish me with cabinet ideas?

I BOUGHT some Schreiber Boston fitted wardrobes from MFI just before they closed down in 2008. Now I would like to add a chest of drawers and bedside cabinets but I can't find them anywhere. Can you help? - Mrs Christine Howton, by email

ZENA SAYS: 2 Argos and Homebase sell some Schreiber bedroom items of furniture but Boston is not one of them. Without knowing what your furniture looks like, it's difficult to know how similar it is to ones they sell. Take a look at www.argos.co.uk or www.homebase.co.uk - they both sell the same range. If they don't have anything suitable, you'll have to try a non-Schreiber range. I wouldn't try to match it too closely but go for a contrast instead, such as mirrored or painted furniture.

Broadhead celebrates ten years

The agency that became Broadhead was born, like most great things, in a converted spare bedroom. The year was 2001. Square feet: Unknown.

The approach was summarized by the Broadhead mantra, "Cut the bull."We've always been focused on exploring new avenues of thought for our clients, always with the goal of producing real results beyond expectation. We've grown, the definition of an agency has evolved, but those goals have continued to guide our efforts."FORMIDABLEAt the same time, he proved unafraid to play with the traditional boundaries of conventional agricultural shops. John Walker had built a career around consumer-directed marketing, serving as a creative director at Best Buy, BBDO and Bozell before joining Broadhead in 2007."'Cutting the bull' is about doing what's right for the client's business," says Broadhead VP Burgy. "For a lot of our clients, both ten years ago and today, the success of the campaigns and programs we have proposed is measured against the bottom line. In addition to providing top-line strategy and planning, we have to ask ourselves, 'How can our work generate more calls to a dealer or sales rep, or drive more prospects to a web site?'"This dedication to staying abreast of change and appropriating new technology to match client potential is one of the reasons turnover has remained so low at Broadhead, both in terms of clients and employees.Broadhead explains, "Our willingness to invest in top-level talent, putting years of experience on the ground each and every day for clients, is one of the things that has set us apart from other shops."AGENCY MODEL CHANGEDTom DiBacco, a Beltway insider, had served in the press corps aboard Air Force One and worked as a producer at ABC News for more than a decade, joining Broadhead in 2006 to bookend the agency's consumer media relations capabilities from his D.C. office.When Broadhead first opened the doors of the agency in 2001, the "plus Co" was a network of trusted associates in the Minneapolis ad community. The addition of agency veteran Beth Burgy to Broadhead in 2003 typified his goal to hire great people who could move the ball forward for clients."We have a lot of people here who are very knowledgeable about the ag industry, and we've intentionally hired creative people with non-ag backgrounds--people who can generate fresh ideas," says Walker, the agency's creative director. "At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter if you're selling Heineken or herbicide, the problems are the same; so you have to be relevant, interesting and get noticed."LOOKING AHEADIn those first few years, Broadhead quickly built up an enviable roster of agency and industry veterans. Dee Weeda, Linda Romander, Troy Schroeder, Lori Maude, Kiersten Schroeder, Lannie Dawson and Cliff Owen all had years of experience when they joined Broadhead, and their resumes read like a roadmap of "Who's Who" in rural and agricultural communications.If you stepped inside Broadhead today, you might be surprised to find a creative team with a decidedly non-ag background. In fact, a growing number of agency hires have backgrounds outside of rural communications.In the decade since Broadhead set up shop in a spare bedroom, the agency bearing his name has grown by nearly 1,000%. Square feet: Growing."Part of what attracted me to Broadhead six years ago, and a large part of what has kept me here since," says Associate VP Troy Schroeder, "is the fact that Dean has a real vision when it comes to serving the needs of producers, rural consumers and the companies that work on their behalf.PEOPLEOUTSIDE OF RURALWith the ten-year anniversary approaching, it's a time to celebrate past successes, but for Dean and others at the agency, it will be but a brief look back before pitching in once again toward the evolution of Broadhead and what it means to be a rural lifestyle agency today and ten years into the future."By 'growing up' over the past decade, we've been able to embrace and build for the market," Broadhead says. "We have not had to retrofit and fundamentally change an existing culture and process, and that's a huge advantage. Since we started, we've worked hard to read the market and build an agency to meet its needs, while remaining unafraid to invest in the people and technology that allow us to better serve our clients.""It starts with thought leadership," Broadhead says. "We've seen the marketplace evolve in the past ten years at a pace like never before and there is no doubt that rate will only increase.Indeed, Broadhead's client list is formidable. Boehringer Ingelheim, AGCO, The Mosaic Company, The Almond Board of California and several U.S. government agencies all have long-standing relationships with the agency, and all have benefited from Broadhead's commitment to exploration without sacrificing results.As Broadhead enters its tenth year of business, the office is more established but far from settled. With additions to core account teams, an expanding creative arsenal and a burgeoning interactive discipline, it's clear that Broadhead's dedication to providing the most to clients hasn't waned."From the start, I was really looking for people who had the experience to advise clients--answering questions from experience," says Broadhead. "Senior people on your business daily means we can think several steps down the line and make quick shifts in our approach. With today's technology that can be the difference of a campaign hit or miss."by the Agri Marketing Editors"The agency business model fundamentally changed when the Internet came along," says Broadhead. "Not only did it change the way in which we built communications for clients, it changed how those communications were produced. It changed productivity. It changed margins. It changed everything."Still, Dean Broadhead saw an opportunity, in the rural sector, specifically, but from an agency standpoint as well. A smaller, more flexible shop could more easily meld itself around client needs and, in the process, better serve that client's business objectives.At a time when many of the larger agencies in Minneapolis were just beginning to feel the pinch and most of today's award-winning boutique shops were still ideas or barely hatched, the decision to go out and do your own thing carried a sizable risk.

by the Agri Marketing Editors

Accessories will leave your teen tickled pink

MY 15-year-old daughter has just decorated her bedroom baby pink. One of the walls is bare and I was wondering if you have any ideas as to what I could put there... maybe some wall art? Also, is there any furniture suitable for a teenager's bedroom? I suggested a desk/ dressing table but she says it's "not cool". - Mrs Welch, Liverpool

ZENA SAYS: How about a small sofa? Whether she uses it for chilling out or just dumping clothes on, it's perfect. Tesco have a leather-effect small sofa in pink for pounds 150 (www.tesco.com, 0845 600 4411). For wall art, try this butterfly wall sticker (pounds 16, www.spincollective.co.uk, 01242 255244). Or, for something really cool, try a multi-photo frame mirror (pounds 22.99, www.hiccupgifts.com, 0845 373 1430).

Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Girls: Enchanting Garden Bedroom D�cor

Bunnies, butterflies, blossoms; an enchanting wonderland awaits�

A room could be painted in solid feminine colours that are complementary to the theme like a bold pink or combined pink, yellow, and greens in various patterns seen in today�s kid room styles: stripes, big coloured spots, and colourful hand painted or vinyl wall flowers.Take note of gardening tools used in gardens that could be incorporated into the room d�cor. Plain, fairly large metal buckets or plastic flower pots like those seen and used with gardens could be purchased inexpensively, spray painted bright pink or yellow, and used to store toys next to the wall or under a sweet garden bench piled on top with cottage rose inspired bench cushions and pillows! The same could be done to a watering can to be used as a vase for fresh or silk flowers you noticed in the gardens. Keep these and other inexpensive garden ideas in mind!The best place to start in the design process is by taking your child to a real flower garden! While some parks, zoos, and public botanical gardens have spectacular flower gardens, perhaps the best place to start is their own home garden! Encourage your child to describe what they see. Do they see butterflies? What colours are the flowers? Are there snails, bugs, or birds around, or could they picture a rabbit hiding in the roses? Take all of these design ideas with your child, and find out what they want their magical bedroom garden to look like!What other things did you both see while you were out in the garden? Many home improvement stores will even have small window flower gardens that will allow your child to grow her own flowers right in her very own enchanting garden room. Find other creative ways of incorporating those colours and objects throughout the d�cor! For any questions or if you need help with ideas, The House Queen will be available to guide you, http://thehousequeen.com.au!Another great idea is to actually make the walls part of the theme by painting a mural of a garden! Garden scene wallpapers are also available through some online retailers if you prefer not to paint a garden onto the wall. A mural is particularly fun as it seems to really transform the room into a secret garden. Add to the magic by painting the back of her bedroom door or closet door like an old wooden door to a secret garden.After the major projects are underway, look into ways you can use small details to make a big impression. A painted wall bunny peaking out from behind a girl�s bed or curtain and flying butterflies and dragonflies located all throughout the room will delight your daughter�s fancy. Small decorative butterflies found at any hobby store can be tied into the curtain rings on the top of window curtains and even glued to her bathroom shower curtain rings.With a little fun and creativity, the garden can be a great inspirational place in creating a magical and serene environment for a girl�s bedroom. Letting your child participate in redecorating their bedroom is a great way to strengthen your bond with them and help foster their creativity and imagination.After considering what type of products and designs you and your child want to incorporate into the room (colour choices, garden objects you noticed on the garden trip, and furniture pieces), start with the biggest decorating projects like painting and moving in furniture, and then focus on the fun garden details. Remember to let your child help where she can!

What other things did you both see while you were out in the garden? Many home improvement stores will even have small window flower gardens that will allow your child to grow her own flowers right in her very own enchanting garden room. Find other creative ways of incorporating those colours and objects throughout the d�cor! For any questions or if you need help with ideas, The House Queen will be available to guide you, http://thehousequeen.com.au!

Themed Bedroom Ideas That Can Grow With Your Little Girl

As a parent, how to decorate your child's room is one of the tough decisions you have to make. She might love Dora the Explorer today, but it's not likely that she'll want cartoons on her walls forever. You could end up spending a ton of money redecorating every year or two if you don't think ahead. Here are seven theme ideas for girls' rooms that can grow with her over the years, saving you money.

GardenCreating a retro room for your daughter can be fun, but don't go too crazy with the flower power and smiley faces! Instead, stick to using colors that were popular in the 1960s and add fun touches like beaded curtains, printed rugs, and beanbag chairs. Use a lava lamp as a nightlight and stick to fabrics in funky prints, like paisley.BeachAll little girls love to be princesses - and teens like to act like them too. Take a more mature approach to it from the start. Chose a subdued pink and pair it with browns to give the room a Victorian look. Canopy beds are regal, but they can be expensive. Instead, go for a smaller, removable net canopy, which attaches to the ceiling via a ring and only flows over the head of the bed. Use gold touches to finish the room with an elegant feel, and display princess toys that your child has until she outgrows them.Hollywood GlitzMost young girls love to play dress up, and teens may also be very into fashion. A Hollywood glitz and glam room can be great for themed bedrooms. Instead of a traditional dresser, chose a vanity, which your daughter will appreciate when she's in high school, and instead of a wallpaper border, string white Christmas lights around the room that can be kept up all year. Use clear beads that give the illusion of diamonds in the window treatment and for a chandelier-like lighting fixture and add a few touches of animal prints in pillows, throw rugs, etc. for a little fun.RetroRemember, your toddle may not grow up to like the style you chose, so be prepared for your tomboy teen to hate her garden-inspired room or your cheerleader to have an issue with the beach theme you picked. The good news is that no matter what theme you use today, if you switch out the accessories, she'll love it tomorrow. Avoid huge dcor choices that are hard to change, because you want her room to grow with her tastes.PrincessCelestialParisTropical themed bedrooms are always a hit for kids, but creating an island paradise that will still be appropriate when your toddler is a teen can be challenging. Subtlety is key here. Use beach colors like aqua and blue for the walls or furniture and instead of carpeting, go for a wood floor that gives the room a more beach bungalow feel. For small children, use some tropical-inspired rugs to make the play surface safer, and use shells and hibiscus flowers to complement your design. You can also use bamboo and wicker for furniture and blinds in the room, and frame artwork featuring mermaids, dolphins, and sailboats for the walls.Pink French poodles and polka dots look cute in a little girls' room, and it is actually fairly easy to take that style idea and make it appropriate for any age group. Start with color - a Parisian themed room should have elements of black, pink, white, and tan. Stuffed poodles can easily be replaced on shelves with more sophisticated dcor, such as an Eiffel Tower replica or French country prints. Add mirrors and sconces to the walls (out of reach of small children of course) and for the furniture, think wrought iron and wood painted white or cream and distressed.Instead of painting cartoon flowers and bumble bees all over the walls, which can be fun for a toddler but overwhelming for a teenager, try using real flowers (or silk flowers if you don't have a green thumb) on shelves that are out of reach of tiny hands. Use natural colors, like greens and browns, for painting and sheer curtains to let in as much light as possible. Keep the artwork on the walls whimsical enough for a children's room - like pictures of fairies or butterflies - yet sophisticated enough for teens; skip the cartoons and look for prints of paintings.

Remember, your toddle may not grow up to like the style you chose, so be prepared for your tomboy teen to hate her garden-inspired room or your cheerleader to have an issue with the beach theme you picked. The good news is that no matter what theme you use today, if you switch out the accessories, she'll love it tomorrow. Avoid huge dcor choices that are hard to change, because you want her room to grow with her tastes.

Inspirato, the Next Generation Destination Club, Adds Punta Cana, The Bahamas, Chicago, London, and Paris to Its Growing Destination Portfolio

DENVER, July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspirato, the new luxury vacation solution and next generation destination club, announces the addition of five destinations to its growing portfolio of luxury residences and suites.

About Inspirato: Inspirato is a new luxury vacation solution ideal for travel with family and friends offering the best of destination club's consistency and service with the value and flexibility of villa rentals. Access to Inspirato's personalized travel services and advisors, club-managed portfolio of over $100 million in luxury vacation homes, and exclusive discounted everyday rates, is available for an Initiation Fee of $15,000 and a small Annual Renewal Fee of $2,500. There are no complicated restrictions; members travel as much or as little as they like. Signature Residences are outfitted with the highest quality amenities and located in popular destinations including Italy, Mexico, Hawaii, California, South Carolina, the Caribbean and Colorado. Beyond Signature Residences there is Inspirato Metropolitan, a collection of select fine hotel and resorts in major destinations around the globe, and Inspirato Experiences, offering expertly curated vacation adventures."When selecting new destinations and product, we listen to our members' suggestions and ideas. Our growth is directly related to where our members want to travel," says founder and chief experience officer Brian Corbett.PUNTACANA Resort & Club, Dominican Republic: The two-level home features five bedroom suites, a gourmet kitchen, and multiple expansive communal areas that frame stunning ocean and golf views."Inspirato is growing exponentially now offering vacations in the world's most popular cities," says Brent Handler, founder and CEO. "The PUNTACANA Resort & Club in the Dominican Republic and The Abaco Club on Winding Bay in The Bahamas are important to our members who enjoy the convenience and location of a sun-filled vacation, and our city breaks are perfect for work or play."Inspirato founder/CEO Brent Handler is the former president and founder of Exclusive Resorts, a destination club industry pioneer. Today, Inspirato's new business model is revolutionizing the industry by leasing its properties rather than owning. The company is able to keep membership fees low, offer up to 80% off market rates, and easily add homes and destinations as demand increases, maintaining that members will always have a vacation in a destination of choice during a time that works for them. For more information about Inspirato, visit www.inspirato.com.In addition to Inspirato's other 12 international destinations, members can now reserve vacations in the following locations:Villa & Hotel Majestic, Paris: The hotel is enviably located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, literally steps away from the landmark Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees.The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, The Bahamas: Two, multi-bedroom cottages are perched on natural bluffs overlooking Winding Bay on the famed island of Abaco in the Out Islands of The Bahamas.Trump International Hotel & Tower, Chicago: An unrivaled riverfront location that offers immediate access to the city's famed Magnificent Mile and close proximity to the Chicago Loop.SOURCE Inspirato

SOURCE Inspirato

I TURNED MY HOUSE INTO A TEA ROOM

A BAND of amateur cooks are turning their hobby into new businesses - and their homes into tea rooms and restaurants. ANNA TOBIN investigates...

While Lynn gets the kettle on her husband David, 57, who is also retired, helps to serve their customers.Lynn is covered by public liability insurance, her kitchen is registered with the local authority and she has a food hygiene certificate."i've always loved baking and people like the idea of coming into someone's home for afternoon tea," says Lynn, 60, who charges pounds 13 a head.EVERY month Lynn hill, turns her three-bedroom semi in Leeds into the Secret Tea room."I like the flexibility of running things from home. I don't think it would work as well in a conventional teashop. People like the idea of coming into someone's home, it's much more social because you have to chat to the others on your table. it's a new way of going out."

"I like the flexibility of running things from home. I don't think it would work as well in a conventional teashop. People like the idea of coming into someone's home, it's much more social because you have to chat to the others on your table. it's a new way of going out."

Bedroom Decorating Ideas - Turn Your Bedroom Into A Getaway!

Your bedroom should be one of the most relaxing places in your home. If your bedroom feels disordered, you may not sleep well. Experts suggest mess or reminders of work in your sleeping space will interfere with getting a good night of sleep. These things keep your mind moving, and you may be worried about what you forgot to do, or what you will have to do the next day. You have to design your sleeping space for peace and relaxation. Bedroom decorating ideas are abundant, and your biggest problems might not be finding ideas, it might be narrowing down what you want from a list of things you like.

You can also watch home improvement shows like Trading Spaces, or television networks like HGTV to get bedroom decorating ideas. The options are endless, and you may end up feeling overwhelmed. Once you have found three or four ideas you have fallen in love with, turn the television off. If you have too many choices, you will end up having a hard time narrowing it down. Don�t let your selection of bedroom decorating ideas get the best of you.There are other bedroom decorating ideas you can consider. If you don�t want to paint, you can choose to go with wallpaper. There are many from which to choose, and what you choose should be to your taste, but again, not bright or noisy. Look for something soothing, elegant, and easy on the eyes. You can find unique wallpaper designs by shopping around. You may not know what you are looking for, but don�t let that stop you. You will know what you like when you see it.Bedroom decorating ideas are everywhere. You can find inspiration in magazines, on television, in movies, and even in store displays and catalogs. What you have to do is decide what feel you want for your sleeping area. In most cases, you want a relaxing color. A bright red or yellow might not be the best idea. However, a deep maroon or a very light yellow might be all right. The idea is to make sure the color is relaxing to your eye and not energizing or bright.

If you can�t decide and don�t know what to do, you can ask with an interior designer to get bedroom decorating ideas. They will charge you a consulting fee, but it may be well worth it when you really want to do it yourself, but you have no idea where to begin. You can give them a general idea of what you want, and they can design something to fit the space you have, with the look you are looking for. They know how to mix and match colors, patterns, and ideas to make the perfect sleeping space for you.

Can You Update Bedroom Furniture Decor While Keeping It Classic?

Are you comfortable with your bedroom furniture? Do you feel that it can last you another ten years, but see that the colors are fading or that the surroundings are less than satisfactory for the 21st century? How can you update the furniture and bedroom decor in your home so that it brings you into the modern era without doing away with all of your classic objects? Here are a few places you can start to maintain your style and still make it appear more modern.

Rather than looking for furniture that matches the original classic style that you like, shift your focus to what it is about that style that pleases you. For instance, do you like your classic couch and loveseat because of the size of the units, or is it the design on the material? Perhaps you like the material itself, or you like the intricate carving on the wood of the arms of the unit. Whatever it is that you particularly enjoy, you can most likely find that element implemented into a more modern design. You can do the same when it comes to window dressings, kitchen hardware, and restroom accessories.Don't ditch your furniture or knock out walls. Start with small changes. For example, you can update a room by simply adding a few accents, such as a throw rug to bring more color into a room full of earth tones. Pastels and earth tones are very classic colors, and adding splashes of bright reds, golds, greens, and blues can update the area without getting rid of the furniture style. To bring the room together, add matching throw pillows so that the splash of color carries over to the couch or bed (depending on the room).Look for the Design.Classic style doesn't have to mean huge and imposing furniture, and it certainly doesn't have to include expensive antiques. Go to a modern furniture store and choose a design that mimics the old Victorian bed your grandmother had but is much smaller in size. Remember, the original designers of classical furniture were often working with much larger rooms than you'll find in a home now, and trying to stuff furniture this size into a single room will make it feel cramped or even be difficult to maneuver in. Also, faux antiques can look very real without costing a great deal of money.Learn to Compromise.Stop Thinking Big.You may not find exactly what you are looking for when you go shopping for new d�cor or furniture because you have the idea in your head that you must have a specific color and style. If you find something pleasant that is a shade off, this can still be a good addition. As an alternative, you could always recover the furniture or sand and refinish any wood. If you can't seem to find furniture you can easily locate other elements to update your room without giving up your clearly classic sense of style.

You may not find exactly what you are looking for when you go shopping for new d�cor or furniture because you have the idea in your head that you must have a specific color and style. If you find something pleasant that is a shade off, this can still be a good addition. As an alternative, you could always recover the furniture or sand and refinish any wood. If you can't seem to find furniture you can easily locate other elements to update your room without giving up your clearly classic sense of style.

Author: Ben Weissman

Inexpensive Bedroom Decorating Tips

When decorating a bed room, keep in mind that the end outcome ought to create a disitnct and memorable impression. Colors, room and decorations all set a bedroom's mood, and when place together nicely, can create a definite, pleasurable appear.

Most likely than in every other space as you're more likely to appear at it in here, your bed room ceiling is essential.Painting is among the easiest bed room decorating ideas and most affordable methods to transform your haven. Once your walls are painted, wallpaper borders are a easy method to add attractive detail and integrate person appearance.Regardless of whether you like natural woods, painted furnishings, lacquer, or steel, attempt to choose bed room decorating pieces that improve the appear you're attempting to create.Your bed room should be a location where you are able to 'get absent from it all. Doing a bedroom-decorating undertaking adds to your person taste and a crucial thought. Above all issues, you want it to become at ease. Believe of your bed room as being a retreat, and let your imagination go!High quality linens not only appear fantastic, they feel fantastic too. The greater the thread count, the more durable the material.Draperies and blinds provide some privacy, shy absent from anything that is too heavy or overwhelming. Your ground and ground coverings are not just some thing you stroll on. They play a crucial function inside your bedroom-decorating appear, and feel of the space.When it comes to the arrangement of objects in a bed room, symmetry is the most significant element. The bed room is your personal room and ought to not be cluttered with too many objects making a claustrophobic impact. For a space to appear personal, unique touches should be added that reflect your unique loves and interests. This consists of your preferred colors, books, photographs, etc. Make sure colors are balanced in delicate shades reflecting your way of life and interests. The older generation seems to prefer more subdued shades than the more youthful generation, who go for vibrant, textured colors. To preserve balance, the color of a chair placed at one end of the space can be repeated on throw, pillows or carpet. Furnishings in the bed room is of utmost importance. Don't more than do it with too many pieces making your bed room appear overdressed and cluttered. The size of the bed should be in proportion towards the size of the bed room. What matters the most is co!mfort. Therefore, a bed ought to provide high quality, comfort and a feeling of elegance. Nightstands or aspect tables should be on both aspect of the bed for books, medications and phone. A dressing table comes in handy for ladies, and dressers with a lot of storage room are ideal. Sufficient closet room is essential, as are mirrors and wall decor. Mirrors assist to provide a space a larger appear and also assist to reflect light. Lighting should be mild and soothing. Valence lighting is ideal for bedrooms, and colored lights can be utilized for added effects. Delicate light gives a romantic feeling towards the space, and targeted light is good for detail work like studying without disturbing somebody sleeping in the space.This is an affordable method to light up your sense of style. Lighting can assist create a soothing mood, when it is soft and indirect.In the event you can stroll into your bed room and think, 'I adore this!' you've carried out an excellent task. Keep comfort and your personal tastes in mind, and you ought to end up with your bed room decorating undertaking that is wonderfully and restful.

In the event you can stroll into your bed room and think, 'I adore this!' you've carried out an excellent task. Keep comfort and your personal tastes in mind, and you ought to end up with your bed room decorating undertaking that is wonderfully and restful.

Author: Amy Wells