Living Room

Stalking the Wild Divan Finding the Right Sofa for You! -- You know it's time for a new sofa when the only visable pattern on your old one is the one made by your kid's kool-aid stains. Or when there is more stuffing outside of the sofa than inside. Or when your guests need help "getting out" of your sofa. Or when you find out your sofa was a "divan" when your grandmother bought it new. Finding a new one that is right for your family and your lifestyle is a daunting task, but here are a few tips to make that task a bit easier.

Five Ways to Choose Upholstery That Will Stand Up to Even Your Kids! -- Is your family room a place where everyone can be comfortable? Or are you constantly worrying about the possibility of stains on sofas or chairs? Is your living room furniture "off limits" to all but adults because you are worried that having children within twenty feet of it will cause it to fray, pill, or wrinkle?

Cherry Kool-Aid and White Damask - 5 Ways To Make Sure Your Young Grandchildren and Your New Furniture Can Co-Exist! -- We all know that childhood passes quickly, and as grandparents, we want to enjoy the time we spend with our young grandchildren. But we also want to enjoy that new furniture that was impractical (and unaffordable) when their parents were young!

Five Easy Tricks for Handling Problem Rooms -- Do you have a room that's just too much? Too long? Too narrow? Too tall? You can camouflage that problem space with a few visual tricks!

Furnish Your First Home in Style, Even on a Budget -- Chances are, after saving every penny for a down payment (not to mention paying off all the wedding expenses), you don't have much money left to spend on decorating your first house. But don't worry; with a little planning and creativity, you can turn your house into home sweet home without breaking the bank. And you won't have to give up comfort, individual expression or warmth.

Live Life in the Comfort Zone -- All of us have to deal with stress at one time or another. It comes with the territory when you have kids, a job, and interaction with others.

What's Old is New Again -- Without a doubt, traditional style remains at the top of the popularity charts in America’s home decorating. Gracious and inviting, traditional design evokes images of understated elegance and the grand style of the 18th and 19th century -- and the warmth and classical comfort many of us remember from our childhood homes.

Oriental Rugs Are Luxurious and Affordable -- An Oriental rug instantly transforms any space, whether it’s a living room, a home office or a foyer. Luxurious and colorful, these rugs have a timeless quality that enhances any decorating scheme. But if you think something so elegant is out of reach, think again.

Buying Upholstered Furniture -- Like the best suit in your wardrobe, a sofa is the foundation of your room setting. The piece you choose should allow for versatility and be an expression of personal style. "Purchase a sofa as a staple item to your personal style -- just like a good suit," said T.J. Schmitz, an upholstery designer for Arhaus Furniture. "But always consider the construction and durability as well as the fashion statement it makes."

Welcome to the New Old World -- Despite the deluge of minimalist magazine images as slick as a well-licked plate, there are countless reasons to remain drawn to traditional décor: Perhaps you grew up surrounded by antiques or antique reproductions; you marvel at the craftsmanship and delicious lines of an inherited desk (lamenting that it seems lost amidst a hodge podge of competing elements); you’re comforted by the style’s staying power and the feeling it creates of living well. Or perhaps you’re just puzzling over how to fit your traditional furnishings into a new, larger, or more open home.

Make Your Den or Family Room Cozy and Inviting Affordable With New Curtains -- Next to your dining room, your den or family room is one of the most important gathering places in your home. Therefore, it’s very important to try to make it a pleasant, happy place for relaxing family times. Make decorating the family room a genuine family effort, so that everyone can feel a part of, and enjoy the decorating results.