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Going Green at Home *4 Tips to Save Energy & Money*

We all have bills piling in each month. It does not matter who you are — when you have your own place, bills are bills.Whether you live in a smaller Denver apartment or you spend your days in a modern Winter Park luxury unit with an amazing interior design, each month, you’ll pay a ton of bills. Groceries. Rent. Transportation. Utilities. And more.In most cases, you have options. You can pick and choose which providers you use and this could save you a few dollars on individual bills. But utilities are less flexible, and that could be why utilities are one of Americans’ largest annual expenses, with the average household spending almost $5,000 on utilities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  That said, you should always seek new options and work hard to save a few bucks where you can. Here are some tips to “go green” and save a few dollars while doing so.Update Your BulbsThis is one of the most common and best energy tips you’ll get. You’ve likely been hearing about the energy saving benefits of LED and CFL bulbs for years. But have you actually tried to make the switch yet? According to Energy Star, if we all just replaced one bulb with a qualified CFL, we’d save enough energy to light up 3 million homes for a year and more than $600 million in annual energy costs.That said, it’s true — CFL light bulbs cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but they use about 75% less of the energy and they’ll even last ten times as long. This is a no brainer.Watch Your WindowsWhen running the heat or air conditioning in your home or apartment, make sure all the windows and doors are closed as tightly as possible. It’s easy to forget that your small bedroom window was cracked open a bit, but when the air starts seeping out, the heater or air conditioner has to work much harder than it needs to. This causes unnecessary cash (and energy) to be spent.You can still have some amazing interior detailing done in your home while saving money on energy costs — nothing has to be sacrificed!  Smart ThermostatsYou might have heard about the innovative Nest Learning Thermostat. This product — basically just a little computer bolted to your wall and connected to your home Internet — will familiarize itself with your schedule and habits to adjust your house’s temperature to keep you comfortable while reducing unnecessary energy use. Simply put, this thermostat will absolutely save energy and money. The Nest device will automatically adjust to your specifications and you can also control it to function on “away” and “eco” modes to ensure that your home doesn’t get too hot or too cold while people are away and while people are at home.New Appliances?EnergyStar offers some amazing appliances that can help you save money on your utility bills. These appliances might cost a bit more upfront, but the long-term savings will make it well worth your initial spend. For example, EnergyStar clothes washers use 50 percent less energy than your standard washer and dryer. That’s hugely important over time.Creating an energy-efficient home utilizing smart interior design ideas can be a great way to reduce costs on your utility bills. The items used to furnish and decorate your home can also provide the finishing touches of energy-efficient design, which is something that we all hope to accomplish.All in all, money saving is important to everyone. Whether you have bad credit and are struggling to purchase a home; or you’re saving money for a down payment while renting an apartment, we all can benefit from saving a few dollars and becoming eco-friendlier in the process! Written By Guest Blogger- Sam Radbil with  https://www.abodo.com/

The Hottest Trends In Home Decor~ Summer 2018

From glamour to natural tones, this time Beasley & Henley presents to you the summer trends for 2018. Summer is the time to give your home a face lift and a leap into creating something beautiful. Last year we saw a lot of metallics, tropical prints and embracing your inner bohemian. This summer we are going to see ceiling that pop, ice-cream pastels, the perfect imperfect effects of Terrazzo and more! Long gone is the need for a space to feel thematic and matchy. You want rooms that have a variety of textures, prints and materials that work together and are cohesive. May the warmth of the summers rays bring a more carefree, eclectic and stylish home to all. Here are a few of our favorite home decor trends of Summer 2018!GEN Z YellowThis summer we say goodbye to millennial pink, there is a new hue in town. Let's take a moment and give a gracious bow to Gen Z Yellow. She's a little more carefree, outgoing and bold. She wants to be noticed in an effortless way. She's multifaceted and not afraid to tailor her shade to match ones personality.  You can achieve her glow with textiles, accessories, lighting or furniture. Gen Z Yellow can make a glowing appearance through a light fixture, flower arrangement, artwork, throw or as simple as bath towels.         TerrazzoTerrazzo may not be for everyone, but for those who just love the look of  mid-century styles, you will be ecstatic by its resurrection. This summer you will see it reworking into different colors and more creative applications. The perfectly imperfect terrazzo consists of materials such as granite, quartz, glass and marble. It's an undoubtedly bold look with a sea of versatility. If your not looking to replace your flooring or counter tops no worries. You can apply this pattern into a kitchen backsplash, wallpaper or home accessory.    Bone InlayBone inlay of one of this summer's hottest trends. It is a decorative technique that consists of inserting small pieces of bone, shell or ivory into a pattern. The variation gives every accessory and piece of furniture it's striking character. It can be the perfect conversational piece providing your home with design and interest. The intricate patterns create striking textural contrasts that we love to see in homes.    Decorative CeilingsCeilings that pop will be all the rage this summer! This are looking up in the world of ceiling designs and we are all in! We love the wow factor in a home and the 5th wall can be the way to achieve that!  Whether painted a bold hue, applied moldings, plaster work,  shiplap or exposed beams ceilings are as hot as a summers day on Miami Beach.   TextureTexture is such a big thing this summer. You will see furniture that has a more natural handmade feel such as rattan and wicker. Textiles with lots of embellishments will be irresistible to the touch.  From textural wall patterns to baskets texture is everything! Woven furniture, lighting and accessories offer a visual interest without being impactful in color. I feel texture makes a home warmer, lived in and welcoming.   

The Great Love Affair With A White Kitchen

We love a dazzling kitchen and have been in love with the classic white kitchen for some time now. White kitchens repeatedly stand the test of time and unlike prominent misconceptions, they don't have to be stark and plain. Some may also say too much white can make a kitchen feel, sterile and unwelcoming. We are hear to debunk those pesky little rumors once and for all! Crisp, clean white kitchens with gleaming marble counter tops make our hearts skip a beat. White makes a space appear larger and airier and will enhance other design elements. Your light fixtures form into sculptural elements, your stainless appliances sparkle, and richer toned flooring gains an extra hint of luxury against white cabinetry.There are many variations to a white kitchen that can be adapted to your home. A grand and welcoming white kitchen can be quickly warmed up by adding a few key elements. You may desire to add a butcher block counter, a colored mosaic tile back splash, a copper chandelier or contrasting lower cabinets for warmth. Another great way to add warmth to an all white kitchen is in the form of flooring and furniture, which also adds a bit of charm and character to the space. White also makes for the perfect backdrop for small dashes of bold color too! If you are looking for a more untroubled and smoothing space, add other light neutrals, such as shades of gray, tan and beige. 

White cabinetry paired with a white tiled back splash is scrumptious!  With this real white on white color pattern, you can introduce pops of color like sunny yellow!

A great way to add warmth to your white kitchen is by adding natural wood flooring a different colored back splash and island.

  

Two toned kitchen cabinets are still having a big moment! The darker shade on the bottom allows you to make a statement while simultaneously helping to ground the space. It will also make the space look larger because the white upper will help draw the eye upward.

   

White kitchens give off a sense of luxury and when paired with bold statement looking pendant lights your kitchen is sure to make a lasting impression!

 

Adding wood tones furniture pieces to your white kitchen adds the perfect amount of warmth to the space.

 

Adding shades of beige, gray and taupe's make for a luxurious kitchen!

  

Dock Your Cell Phone In Style

Everyone's been in that problematic scenario where there's an outlet for every phone in your home, but nowhere convenient to rest them. The endless arguments about who moved the charger this time (I swear it's never been me :)) and the mismatched tangle of charges on your kitchen counters. These scenarios played over in my home quite frequently, so I finally decided to do something about it. These little predicaments added a little stress to our lives, so I decided to take the initiative and purchase a few docking stations for my family.  It was time we gave our phones a proper home and loose those unsightly cords and unflattering bickering and I was feeling excited!! Just a few days ago I started my search for that perfect docking station. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of styles and sizes. While scavenging the internet for the perfect one,  I found a few that I was quite found of, so I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.  Suffice to say, there is a dock for every phone, but to find the perfect match for your needs, here are a few considerations to get you started: *Just click on the photo to buy*       

Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas for Kids

Celebrating Christmas with younger children in the household is a magical experience. If you have younger children in your home, you may be on the lookout for Christmas decorating ideas for your kids. The reality is that there are some simple projects your children can undertake that result in what prove to be highly attractive decorations for your family Christmas tree.

Foil Christmas Tree

When it comes to craft projects your children can participate in to create decorations for the family Christmas tree, foil is at the top of the list of materials to consider using. Foil is highly versatile and can be utilized by even young children to create interesting, attractive ornaments for the Christmas tree. The shiny silver is absolutely perfect for the holiday season.Martha Stewart actually has shared some ideas of how your children can use foil to decorate the tree. She suggests having your kids scrunch foil into stars, balls, and canes. The foil ornaments created in this manner can then be hung on the tree using yard. Red and green yarn adds a nice, seasonal touch.Martha also recommends turning foil cupcake liners inside out. These can be strung together using yarn as well. A tiny hole can be punched in the back. A tiny light can be inserted into the foil liner, resulting in a magnificent, radiant glow for your tree. 

Cotton Ball Tree

Like most people, you probably have a bag or box of cotton balls lying around the house. If you do not, pick up some the next time you are at the drug store. They can be the basis of a great holiday decoration project for your kids. Thread a needle with about 15 inches of lightweight fishing line. Sew through cotton balls, leaving gaps between each ball. Place a dab of old-fashioned white glue next to each cotton ball to prevent it from sliding. Once done, the string of cotton balls can be placed on the family Christmas tree. Your kids can repeat the process with multiple strands of cotton balls until the tree looks like it is dotted with wintertime snow.  

Paper Snowflake Tree

If you are like many parents, you probably recollect cutting out paper snowflakes when you were a child. This represents another perfect holiday season craft project for your kids. Have them cut out an array of different types of paper snowflakes. They can then adorn the family tree with their creations. The paper snowflakes can easily be affixed to the tree using paperclips, unfolded into "S" shapes. Bringing together a bunch of paper snowflakes created by your children actually makes a truly dramatic presentation on your Christmas tree. They can be made even more vibrant with the addition of twinkle lights in different colors. 

Snowball Tree on Your Lawn

Your children can get involved in decorating the exterior of your home as well. If you are like many people, you already place lights on trees in your yards. You enhance the look by adding ornaments.You can take the decoration of the trees in your yard a step further, depending on where you live and the prevailing weather conditions. You children can make "ornaments" for your outdoor trees with fist-size snowballs. You might want to consider using a snowball making tool (available in many toy and department stores) to make well fashioned icy ornaments. This not only provides uniformity, which renders the final product more attractive, but speeds up the process of making suitable snowball ornaments for use on a tree.Make a note. Snowball ornaments are easiest to make if the snow is not too powdery or too slushy. Pay attention to prevailing weather conditions for the coming days to make sure your kids' creations will not melt away too quickly. You do need to take care to position the snowball ornaments at points that provide a distance between them and any lights that are included on a tree. 

Make a Lasting Memory for Your Children

The artwork made by your children will be Christmas decorations that you will value forever. You can also make lasting Christmas memories for your children by buying a special ornament each year for the young ones in your home. For example, you can purchase a silver ornament or even a silver bell for your children from a quality outlet like the Silver Superstore. Not only can these decorations be displayed on your family tree this year, they can continue to be part of holiday decorating well into the future. BY- Guest BloggerJessica Kane   

The Ultimate Home Christmas Gift Guide

Yes, it’s the holiday season and I’m in a state of euphoria. I can feel the brilliant electricity that fills the air of Christmas. I wish for little miracles that seem impossible to achieve, but nothing is impossible this time of year, for those who just believe.  This time of year the infectious holiday cheer that reverberates from our home to the next. This wondrous season oozes magic, and it’s always been important for me to share this delight with my loved ones.I’m excited about purchasing that perfect gift for my friends and family this year. I do know that finding the perfect present is a time-consuming task. Browsing online can take hours, even days and our time is precious. If you’re like me, you want the gifts to be unique, meaningful and to provoke an emotion. Give a gift that says something about that person. Top it off with a glistening red bow, pass it along and make your loved ones feel a little more confident and special. The gift should say I was purchased with love and we have a connection. Whether your on the hunt for that big Christmas gesture or simply a stocking filler, take a look through our collection of favorite home decor gifts for an extra boost of inspiration.My curated list will make for a merry and bright holiday season. “My Favorites” make my heart pitter-patter at the thought of them. Be the best gift giver you can be!

CUSTOM ARTWORK AS UNIQUE AS YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY ARE!

You can upload a photo of your favorite person, place or object and an artist of your choice will recreate your very own custom painting! You can also upload a photo of your room, provide a Pantone color, or share a link to your furniture and receive original art that matches your decor. Just click on the photos below to be directed to Minted.com.   

Garden Drive Square Jewelry Boxes By Kate Spade

Because you can't always wear all your treasured jewelry all at once, these bright lacquered boxes with flocked interiors are perfect for the fashionable women in your lives. 

Gem Water by VitaJuwelLove 

Restructure your water using the power of rose quartz gemstones, while also boosting pH and oxygenation. Put a little romance into your gift with these Love gen-water blends.

Kendra Scott Stone Slab Tray

This stunning stone 16" x 10" tray will look outstanding on a neutral ottoman or as an luxurious accent to your master bedroom or bathroom.   

Stylish Cooler For Wine Lovers

Keep your wine chilled in style without condensation on your table, while protecting the bottle from water or ice. The stunning Portaghiaccio copper wine bottle cooler will certainly be a conversation piece. It's hand-crafted in a workshop in Ravina, Italy and features a hand-hammered traditional leaf design as well as a cork-screw style handle. Can be found at Ahalife.com 

Poetry Books 

For all the readers in your life these stunning poetry books will be sure to please. The black and white books feature a custom jacket design that displays snippets of manuscripts and typescripts from poets, a visual encapsulation of the varying styles and voices in the collection.

The women's  lovely collection of poetry books features the works of five world-renowned women poets. A custom, removable book band ties the volumes together and makes the set a striking addition to any bookcase. The Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets series consists of small, beautifully bound poetry volumes in charming jackets. Each hardcover book is bound in cloth and features a silk reading ribbon, acid-free, natural cream-colored paper, and European-style half-round spines.

They can be found at Ahalife.com

 

 

A Drink Caddy Set With 24K Gold Banded Drinking Glasses

A refined addition to the home bar, this set includes an ice buckets and 8 24-K gold banded drinking glasses that are neatly housed in a brass-plated caddy.  Can be found on OneKingsLane.com   

Alabaster Coffee Pot & Creamer Collection   BY- Ahalife.com

Its mid-century silhouettes feature lustrous metal bases, capped with translucent alabaster lids. The alabaster is made in Italy, by artisans with five generations of knowledge of working with this stone, and the stone comes from the last existing alabaster quarry in Tuscany.

Antique Mirror Glass Spheres  By- Onekingslane.com

 

Speakers With A Fabulous Twist  By- https://us.amara.com

I had to throw something fun and colorful into the mix. I'm totally in love with these fabulous and vibrant speakers! They will make the perfect gift for your beach loving friends and family! Get the party started in any setting with this Beach Sounds radio from Sunnylife. Easy to carry and transport from place to place, these speaker radios are adorned with a playful print and is perfect for playing your favorite songs on any occasion. Compatible with any smart phone or tablet, the water and sand resistant body is ideal for beach days, the odd spot of rain or outdoor dining.Beasley & Henley Interior Design

What Do You Want Your Thanksgiving Table To Say To You?

I would like to start off by asking you a question. How often do you stand back and reflect on what you have to be grateful for? I ask this because this year has been big year of reflection for me. It's been a year of mindful contemplation and thankfulness that I carry forward from month to month. My soul is a little richer and filled with the joy that my mind has allowed me to feel how beautiful things really are. I've become accustomed to such a life and see its incredible beauty.   Like the infectious smile of a cherub faced baby I hope you find it difficult to hide the jubilation this holiday season brings upon you. With Thanksgiving  just a few days away I hope the thankful spirit spreads from my table to yours. Almost as important as the food itself, is the Thanksgiving table and I want to share some of my favorite dining table decor  with you. Whether your reminiscing about Thanksgiving past or anticipating this years celebration, your dining table should reflect those memories. How much or little you decide to decorate is up to you, but your guests will undoubtedly appreciate the thought you put into creating a special place for them. Here are a few items you can add to your table settings as inspiration for you to create your own memorable design.

A memorable tablescape is a lot like a well-appointed room. The more layers and texture there are the more interesting it can be. Grass cloth-tablecloth-runner-placemats.....

 

Anton Paisley Table Runner By Pottery Barn- This intricate paisley design adds rich color and pattern to a table setting. Pair our runner with the matching napkins (sold separately), or combine with similar hues for a stunning look.

Cozy Knit Ivory Table Runner- By Crate&Barrel  The striking ivory table runner adds instant coziness to winter gatherings. Looking just like your favorite sweater, this unique runner is hand knitted of chunky wool-blend yarn in an oversized cable pattern.

 

Ashlyn embroidered placemat by Crate&Barrel. An elegant backdrop to solid dinnerware, their fully embroidered placemat is lavishly decorated with silky, earth-toned blooms

  Placemat by Crate&Barrel. Charming leaf-shaped placemat is handwoven of natural abaca fibers, lending an organic, tropical note to the table.

On to a little sparkle and shine here are a few of my favorite hues of this seasons popular rose gold trend. Mix them with rich colors with sublet contrast for a luxurious effect...

  

Rose Gold Twig Salad Forks Set Of 4 By World Market

For the start  

 

Pumpkins By- PlushPumpkin.com

 

I found these beauties in a local Winter Park home decor shop- Why I Love It
The "mix and mingle" of crafted glass, metal and wood lends a display of organic fluidity. I like how the metal in these pieces play the little side kick to the leading role.  The combination will add a clean beauty to your Thanksgiving table.

  

The Perfectly Imperfect World Of Wabi-Sabi

I recently attended a Sherwin Williams color forecast seminar. They spoke about what trends we will see in 2018 and what influenced them. Sincerity, unity and connectivity were the three topics of discussion. Some of 2018's trends were based upon silence, Instagram, treasuring your flaws, revamping our sense of community, techies being the new hippies, productivity and environmentalism. Thought provoking and moving as they were, the topic of finding beauty in the imperfect was what stood out to me the most.  How a hyper-local approach allows us to connect with our roots in a sustainable way. They spoke about the world of Wabi-Sabi. It's not the fiery paste that ignites a storm in your nostrils, but a decorating style and way of life. Wabi-Sabi interiors favor a more minimal approach and sees the beauty in timeworn treasures. There is a mutual respect for natural objects which can overlap into our everyday lives. The way one thinks, works and the mindset of becoming increasingly unencumbered. For example clearing the clutter from your home. The more clutter the more one feels distracted from whatever calm your home provides. The Wabi- Sabi approach teaches one to simplify, don't buy what you don't need and take time to block out noise and technology. This approach does not have time for the over-stressed consumer culture.Wabi-Sabi tends to lean into minimalism. In an intentionally modest way, but not in a stark way. One can appreciate the flaw and injured in the Wabi-Sabi thinking. Go ahead and be conscious of a room's unwitting flawlessness. Enjoy the imperfections of your grandparents rich oak dining table, or a crack in vase that makes it more interesting, giving it a greater meditative value. The quirks that can arise in the construction of an object add to it's uniqueness and beauty according to the Wabi-Sabi way. Its patina or visible repairs heighten the love of a space. If you find yourself in favor of this style, then earthy tones is the best way to go. Browns, greens and grey colors with worn unfinished, imperfectly shaped pieces will fit perfectly with the Wabi-Sabi concept. Look for natural handmade fabrics and accessories. Natural stone, clay and wood become interesting in a Wabi-Sabi space as they exhibit changes that can be observed over time. Remember this style  is not a shabby chic . These pieces are not intentionally distressed to look antique they are pieces that have evolved over a natural cycle of growth.  I'm also in favor of letting filtered light permeate our homes. Too much harsh light doesn't give one lift one's mood and general well-being as much as filtered light. A Wabi-Sabi aesthetic is big on hanging thin, gauzy curtains inside.With all that said go ahead and look at some ideas below and get inspired!