5 Natural Stone Styles for Dramatic Home Design

These five eye-catching natural stones will make for an unforgettable living space.

Amazonite Extra Granite 

With shades of teal and gray infused with white crystals, this makes a design statement in any room.

Pink Onyx

Swirls of pink and white make this mesmerizing surface feel simultaneously relaxing and energizing.

Nero Antico Marble

The contrast of black and white Nero Antico marble gives your home a sleek and modern feel.

Fusion Wow Quartzite

A range of colors including shades of gold, orange, blue and peach make it one of the most unique stones around.

Earth Glitter Granite

Black with shimmering swirls of gray, pink and orange, this stone brings a room to life with its stunning appearance.

Five Designs Tips to Create an Eclectic Space

Joining the Zero-Waste Movement Is Easier Than You Think

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average American generates nearly 4.5 pounds of trash on a daily basis, more than half of which goes to a landfill.

If you’re looking to reduce your net trash output with the ultimate goal of joining the zero-waste movement, there are a variety of small steps you can take today.

Refuse
Start by not bringing any items into your house that you don’t need. This includes company giveaways, such as a promotional tote bag from a work conference, free pens that make their way into your hands, plastic bobblehead figures from the ballpark and plastic utensils that come with your takeout order.

Reduce
Buying fewer things will ultimately save you money. Before buying new clothing, electronics, home appliances or anything else, ask yourself if you truly need it.

Reduce your reliance on single-use items such as plastic water bottles, individual yogurt cups and disposable plastic razors. When you do buy something, take advantage of reusable canvas grocery bags.

You can also lower the thermostat in your home and lower your energy usage, plan meals each week so that less food is wasted, and take advantage of public transportation so that you use your car less.

Reuse
Picking up a new skill such as sewing can help you repair some of your clothes and give them a longer life. If there are too many holes in a shirt to repair, use it as a rag instead of using paper towels. Reusing items for something other than their original purpose is a chance to get creative and see just how far you can go.

Recycle
If you’re already recycling, you may be able to take your efforts up a notch. Recycling is a great way to properly dispose of something you no longer use so that it can be turned into something usable again.

Beyond cans and bottles, many items can be recycled. In fact, household appliances, batteries and old toys can be responsibly recycled or given away for free for others to use.

Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings

Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet?

 

Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance.

Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often.

Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition.

Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner.

Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging.

Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can.

Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)

 

4 Tips to Pick the Right Artwork for Your Home

Keep these tips in mind when selecting artwork for your home.

Golden Rule of Art Acquisition

Surround yourself with works that truly inspire and excite you.

Size and Scale

Whether it’s a painting or a sculpture, try to maintain a sense of size and scale that’s appropriate to the room.

Consider the Atmosphere

In each room, we strive to create a different ambiance. Keep this in mind and select art that captures the perfect mood for each setting.

Color and Style

The art you choose to display should be consistent with the overall aesthetic, so consider how the colors and textures will fit into a room.

Lighten Up Your Living Space

Do you dream of a light, airy living space?

Achieve the desired effect with these simple tips:

Paint it white. Two coats of white paint will turn your living space into a year-round winter wonderland.

Minimize. Cut clutter by adding hidden storage systems. Minimize furniture to a handful of necessary pieces.

Add mirrors. In addition to wall mirrors, add mirrored backsplashes or mirrored trays. Not into mirrors? Sparkle can do the trick, too.

Lighten the linens. Breezy, airy curtains will make your space seem plush and comfortable.

Incorporate shades of gray. Add soft, light shades of gray or blue to your color scheme.

5 Great Additions for Your Fall Garden

Here are five of the best plants to introduce to your garden this fall.

Chrysanthemums

They can thrive long after summer is over and will add the perfect fall colors outside your home.

Pansies

These heart-shaped annuals are an ideal way to re-energize your exterior practically any time of year.

Tulips

The best time to plant bulbs is six to eight weeks before the first frost of autumn.

Cold-Season Vegetables

Hearty vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts and beets can survive even after the frost arrives.

Trees and Shrubs

September and October are usually considered the best time of year to plant trees. Now is the time to add lush vegetation to your property.

4 Mantras to Make You Happy

Some days, keeping a smile on your face can be a struggle. Whether you’re dealing with a stressful career, medical issues or just feeling weighed down by your daily routine, repeating positive mantras can help shift your mood—if you’re open to it.

Below are four helpful happy mantras to lift your mood.

You can do it. Whether you’re under a huge deadline for work or trying to finish that last mile on the treadmill, telling yourself that you can do it will make your success more likely. Be your own cheerleader!

Just breathe. Feeling overwhelmed? Remind yourself to breathe. Pair this mantra with big, deep inhalations to feel calmer and happier.

Thank you. Gratitude goes a long way, and can shift your perception of things (and the way people perceive you) if integrated into daily life. Be thankful for getting to work safely, even if you had a longer-than-usual commute. Be thankful you have the funds to buy groceries, even when your list of errands seems endless. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

No judgements. This is easier said than done, especially in a world where other people’s lives are constantly popping into our news feeds. Annoyed at your co-worker’s cheesy engagement photos? Irritated that your college roommate seems to be traveling constantly, when you can’t even afford a staycation? Remind yourself to pay attention to your own life, and don’t judge or envy others for their choices.

Make More From Small Spaces

Living in a small space?

Try these tips to make more room in your tiny home or studio.

– Take advantage of vertical real estate by using wall space to install shelving for books, off-season clothes, and more.

– Hanging storage is king in small spaces, and again, can maximize height. Think hooks to hang your bike or a rack for hanging pots and pans.

– Choose functional furniture that double as storage, like ottomans that open and couches with stash space in the arm rests.

– Create stackable storage on any surface or shelf with a wire rack that lets you stack glasses above your plates, mugs above your glasses, and so on.

Use your space wisely, and you’ll be living large in your small home!

5 Kitchen Styles for any Home!