Room of the Month

Design by Nate Berkus

What I like: 

1. Creation of many seating areas without overcrowding the space   

2. Use of color while still maintaining an open and clean look 

3. Use of shapes and texture

Pimp My Cube

I recently started a new job and have yet to decorate my cube. I haven't had a cube in a long time so it's taking me some time to embrace my space. In my previous job I had absolutely zero privacy due to the open lofty design. The design of the office was modern and cool, but let's just say a jar of pens and a few souvenirs from my co-workers was the extent of fanciness. I was told to never hang or tape anything to the walls... oh well that was my past life. Moving forward I plan to sprinkle a little sunshine in my humble abode and make it my home away from home. Hmmm... I wonder how I can repurpose the yellow lava lamp the previous tenant left.

I recommend just keeping your space simple. Don't hang items on every square inch of wall space, keep your work area clean and organized - no clutter, and don't crowd your desk space with a million photos (especially inappropriate photos). Think about it... do you really want the VP stopping by for a quick chat and you are nicely framed in a bikini from your college spring break days with a beer in hand? Photos are great, but keep it to a minimum and make sure it's work friendly.

I came across this cute little cube design and wanted to share. It's simple, organized, inviting, and colorful... just what I want! A nice cube to come home to after a long and tiring meeting. Stay tuned... I will post a photo of my pimped out cube soon.

And by the way... this is a major cube design DON'T

The Fifth Wall

Flooring can truly revolutionize a room. Some people refer to flooring as "the fifth wall" which defines a room's overall feel. Flooring can make a room feel warm, cozy, polished, strong, natural or even relaxed. Here are several flooring trends for 2011:

Bamboo
Pros: Durable, eco-friendly, easy to clean
Cons: Expensive, possible moisture damage, scratches easily

Cork
Pros: Natural shock absorber, durable, lightweight, mold/mildew resistant
Cons: Regular maintenance, absorbs stains (if not treated), expensive

Reclaimed Hardwood

Pros: Unique appearance due to age, eco-friendly, can increase home value

Cons: Expensive, requires research to find quality wood, refinishing is labor intensive

Modern Shag Carpet

Pros: Variety of color and fiber options, comfort, inexpensive, easy installation

Cons: Shedding, catches dirt and dust (bad for allergies), holds moisture

Concrete

Pros: Durable, versatile, moisture/bacteria/allergen resistant, low maintenance

Cons: Installation, hard, conducts heat/cold/sound

Marmoleum

Pros: Durable, color variety, natural materials, prevention of mites, anti-bacterial properties, comfort

Cons: Installation (heavy)

Anti-Bacterial Tile

Pros: Reduces air pollutants, easy to clean

Cons: Concern of long term effects of anti-bacterial product use

Ooohhh Baby!!

So my closest friends are now entering parenthood and I have to admit... I'm starting to catch the baby fever :-) Besides planning for the delivery, thinking of names, and buying all the necessary baby items, one of the first things that I will tackle (when the time comes) is decorating the BABY NURSERY. Creating a cozy and soothing environment is very important for both baby and mommy. A couple of things to think about...

ONE - Think functional first, then style second. The experience of creating a beautiful room for your baby should be fun -- just make sure the design and layout is efficient. Your hands will be very full after bringing baby home and you want to be able to find everything easily.

TWO - Don't be afraid to abandon the predictable color choices, pink and blue. The goal is to create a peaceful space, so maybe all white is your taste or splashes of bold colors in a neutral room is your cup of tea. Have fun with color. Babies love color!

THREE - Select the larger furniture pieces first -- Crib, Changing Table, Rocker, Armoire -- then accessorize! Purchase one unique piece that acts as the focal point of the room.

FOUR - Also, you may want to create zones in your space design. For example, you can create a reading zone in the corner with books or educational games. Whatever you decide, just make sure the room is easy to navigate, functional, and organized.

Bottles and diapers and pacifiers, oh my! Here are some of my favorite nursery designs.

Spring Color!

Infuse energy into a room with a bright and vibrant color.... just in time for Spring! Go bold, subtle, or add just a touch of color to a neutral room.