A fresh, light and airy house tour that totally has me craving spring!

Even though the winter here in Maryland has been mild, I feel like we really haven't been getting much sunshine. This morning there was a fleeting 10 minutes of bright sunshine coming in my bedroom window, so I just stood there soaking in the light and heat while I could get it. It was nice to feel a little perked up for a while, and apartments like this one give me the same feeling of spring, when things are first starting to brighten up and you can smell spring in the air.

Now that my curtains are finished - I'm thinking of slip covering my couch in a lighter fabric like this.  I love the easy look of it.

Like my apartment, which is a one bedroom, the living room also serves as a dining nook and home office.

A white chair and clean-lined Parsons desk helps integrate the office space into the living space

How could pretty pink flowers not make you think of spring?!?

The more I see simple white linens, the more I want them.

What do you think, is this space too sparse and white for you, or could you feel right at home here?


via Rue mag

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A house tour that oozes comfort, clean design, and individuality

This house tour is coming at you from a BRAND NEW online mag from our stylish friends across the pond, 91 Magazine.  It comes as no surprise that this UK e-glossy is full of charming and lovely crafts, style, inspiring vintage decor, and shopping.

The feature that caught my eye was this fabulous house tour of a Surrey semi-detached abode of a couple and their 3 year-old daughter.  Enjoy!

I like to see a salon-style wall with a lot of different style frames

I love the simple and clean look

Neutral tones keep the space airy

What do you think of 91 Magazine's debut house tour?

via 91 Magazine

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Pure green beauty: eco-friendly interiors that can't get much prettier

drooling - those white curtains make this shot super dreamy...

love the archway which leads from the dining area to the living room

love this cozy home office

stunning windows, airy lush bedding

via Pure Green Living

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Wonderful eclectic

Eclectic is one of my all-time favorite decorating styles. There's nothing quite as special as a home filled with one's treasure's from traveling, or just unique finds brought over from another land...

Love this softly colored kitchen.  It was originally a sitting room, but the owners loved it so much they transformed it into a kitchen.

I generally try not to get swept up in trends but I really love suzani.  The table filled with objects is nice, too.

beautiful

via Elle Decor

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A house in gorgeous warm whites filled with vintage treasures

I've had this house tour for a while and have been anxious to share it with you. This is the home of Marcia Nelson, who you could probably guess from her marvelous collections not only collects antiques, but owns an antique shop.

I LOVE vintage suitcases




Great desk

"Marcia Nelson's 1868 house is a repository of collections, neutral in palette but not in passion."


I adore white pottery as well.

What do you think?

images and quotes via Design, Decor...

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Using interior design to increase your home's value

Put simply, yes it can! Interior design projects are great for making your house look the way you want it to and feel like home, but new interior design is also a great way to boost your home’s value.

Obviously a new kitchen or bathroom suite will increase your property value, as modern fixtures and fittings are always more desirable than used, old ones. But the changes don’t have to be as extreme or as costly as this.

Making your home look more appealing can be as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint, cleaning the carpets or just getting new curtains. The more aesthetically pleasing your home is the more interest it will attract from potential buyers and therefore will increase in value.

However, although new decor will usually increase a property’s value there can be cases in which it doesn’t. When prospective buyers view a house they want to see a blank canvas to put their own mark on, so make sure to decorate with natural tones and universally appealing fixtures. You may think bright yellow with orange spots is beautiful but there are those who would disagree!







All of these images demonstrate homes that would show well. Keep personal or quirky items out of sight so potential buyers can see themselves living there.
via LivingEtc.

You should also weigh up the increase in value with the initial design costs. A new kitchen or bathroom may increase the property’s value but the increase could be less than the cost of the new fixtures! What’s more, you will also have to think about the cost of labour and the impact on your home insurance cover.

My advice would be, if you are staying put for a while and will get to enjoy the new decor than go for it! You will get use out of it and in the long term the value of your property will be healthier because of it. If however you are looking for a quick bump up in value before you move, stick to small improvements that won’t cost an arm and a leg but will still have a slight impact.

disclosure: this post is sponsored by fresh! home insurance

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Beauty from Domino - Rooms in a neutral palette

Our beloved Domino is gone - but luckily I snagged all the images I could before the website went under. Here are some gorgeous interiors showing neutral done right. Enjoy!

Kathy Ireland's bathroom

I love grays like the one in this bedroom




ADORE this entryway. What a nice view to enter and leave the house to.


via Domino

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