REPOST: Designer Erin Gates on how to find your style

Many people judge others by how they set up their homes; their taste in furniture and overall interior design is a reflection of their personalities. This article featured in the Columbia Daily Tribune shares some tips about finding your own interior design style from designer and writer Erin Gates.

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Designer and writer Erin Gates, 35, lives in a white clapboard Colonial in Newton, Mass., with her husband, two dogs and a leopard-print stair runner.

Gates pens the popular blog Elements of Style, where her advice is glamorous yet practical and often served up with humor. In her just-published book “Elements of Style: Designing a Home and a Life,” Gates shares secrets including dressing up a closet to finding a kitchen counter material that will fit your lifestyle.

The book has lots of lists and charts and advice. She has got a great list of housewarming gift ideas — terrariums instead of flowers, for example, or a return-address rubber stamp — and assorted tips for renters — if you’re not allowed to use huge nails to hang a weighty mirror in an entry hall, try leaning a tall wall mirror behind a console table. Her primers on the 12 best sofa styles and 45 favorite paint colors are keepers.

I spoke to Gates recently about her book and her insights into helping people discover their personal style.

Q: How do you find your own style if you haven’t a clue?

A: Go through your closet. Your wardrobe says a lot about the colors and patterns and textures you are comfortable with. If you see a lot of bright colors and patterns, this is what you are drawn to and should do in your rooms. If you have a more muted wardrobe, more businesslike, then I advise people to decorate with neutrals and clean lines.

Q: What other tools can you use?

A: Pinterest has been the most helpful tool for people to really explain and figure out their style. You can look back at your pins and say, “Oh, I have 57 linen couches pinned here. I must love them.” We always ask clients to make a board of anything they are attracted to, whether a wall color or type of chair or a fabric. When you gather these things and look at them as a cohesive unit, trends will pop out.

Q: What else do you have to consider?

A: Be honest about your lifestyle. If you are somebody who doesn’t throw things away or has lots of stuff or kids who have a lot of hobbies and toys, a streamlined space that is super modern with little storage will not function for you. Do you have dogs? Kids? That should play into the fabrics and rugs you choose, and the style of furniture and materials. You don’t want glass coffee tables or white silk fabrics if you have kids.

Q: How do you add personality to a room?

A: Add antique or vintage goods or hand-me-downs. If you see a room with brand-new, high-end and fancy things, it looks unlived-in, like a hotel room. I always try to bring something vintage or antique with a little patina. Look for things a bit quirky. If it’s too perfect, there is no warmth to it. Add a funky upholstered chair or cool piece of art. Make sure that there is something unique that is not in everyone’s Pottery Barn catalogue and seven people in your neighborhood have as well.

Q: What is one of your favorite neutral paint colors?

A: My favorite is Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist.

Q: What are five home accessories no home should be without?

A: A beautiful collection of books; greenery (either a fresh flower arrangement, plant or tree); an amazing-smelling candle; a work of art you absolutely love; and beautiful trays for coffee tables or as a catchall atop a bar or in the bedroom to corral jewelry.

Q: How can you make a personal statement in a tiny apartment?

A: Use wall color. Dramatic wall color changes everything, especially in a small room. The adage that small spaces can’t be dark colors is wrong; it actually makes them feel bigger. Another way is to incorporate a large-scale work of art; the dramatic size will be especially impactful in a smaller-scale space.

Q: Would you share a couple of budget decorating tips?

A: Etsy is the best source to find pillows made from trade-only, designer fabric for much less than even we designers can make them. It allows you to decorate with pillows that not everyone else has bought from the same company. Don’t overlook hand-me-down furniture: A fresh coat of glossy white, black or bold-color paint and a change of hardware can take Grandma’s dresser from blah to beautiful.

Learn more about choosing the right style for your home by subscribing to this Circus Furniture blog.

Choosing the right lamp for any space

Gone are the days when lamps were mere accessories to a living space. These days, lamps function both as a practical fixture as well as a decorative piece. In particular, many furniture designers are now creating new and more innovative designs that feature all kinds of intricate details such as iron scroll work, trimmings, and even crystal beading. Given the variety of choices currently available, some homeowners may find it a bit challenging when choosing the appropriate lamp for their home. Here are a few tips that can make all the difference:

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Variety is the key: One of the nicer features of lamps is that they are generally small. This allows for a certain amount of experimentation. Compared to a mattress or sofa that has to match the size of the room, lamps follow no rule in terms of room size and space. In fact, most interior designers recommend mixing and matching lamps to create a more unique and trendier feel. The objective is to create interest in the room, so having a collection of both floor and desk lamps are suggested.

Image Source: shadesoflight.com


Choose the right lamp shade: The focal point of lamps are generally their shade. This is why it is important that the homeowner choose one that compliments both the room and purpose. For example, a shade that is made from heavier material blocks light more effectively and often provides a more romantic feel. This would not be recommended in areas where a brighter light is needed.

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Lamps are often the first things homeowners can experiment with if they want to upgrade the look of their space. It is recommended though that they ask their local furniture store for interior design tips.


Keep up to date with the latest in furniture design from Circus Furniture, one of the leading stores in Tucson, Arizona. Visit this Google+ page for additional information.

REPOST: 5 Tips for Decorating a Small Space From Cool New Interior-Design Site Laurel & Wolf

In this article from Glamour, Lindy Segal makes a list of 5 tips to transform a small space  into a cool new interior design. 

A Laurel & Wolf-designed office | Image Source: glamour.com

The chance to have interior designers compete to design your space? That's the dream. Brand-new design website Laurel & Wolf is bringing that reality-show-esque concept to the masses. Here's how it works: 1) Take the style quiz. 2) Share details about your space using the room survey. 3) Let the company's interior designers compete over you, HGTV-style. Such a fun idea, right? They just send you inspiration boards, and you pick the one you love most. And if a full-service designer is outside your budget, Laurel & Wolf's packages are a more affordable alternative (some start at just $199). In the meantime, I scored some free advice for decorating a small space from the company's founder Leura Spielman. Check it:

1. Get organized. Before you can design the perfect space, you absolutely must get organized. The key to maximizing the beauty of a small space is to give everything a home. Make sure that the stuff you are storing in your bedroom are all things that you use and need, and donate everything else.

2. Make your furniture multitask. Look to combine beauty and function when selecting furniture. Think beds with extra storage, nightstands with drawers, and tall armoires. Before you select anything for your space, think not only about how it looks but what else can it do for you.

3. Bring in the light. Light is key to making your space feel larger. If you have windows and lots of natural light, make sure to highlight them with beautiful window treatments. Fabulous bedside lamps and a nice ceiling fixture are always a great addition to any space. There are great flush-mount ceiling options now that not only provide you the wattage you need but also look incredible. Mirrors are also the ideal wall decor for small spaces because they are decorative and reflect light into a space. Plus, they're always handy to have around for checking your makeup!

4. Think vertical. When floor space is precious, make sure you are maximizing your wall space. Take advantage of the walls by selecting a tall armoire, bookshelf, or dresser. Also, when hanging draperies, make sure to hang them as close to the ceiling as possible to maximize the visual height of the space.

5. Design like you dress. You dress to accentuate your best assets, right? Design can use that same practice. Keep your color palette simple, and don't go for multiple statement pieces. Invest in items that are timeless, and have fun with accents that can easily be swapped in and out for seasons or style changes.

Circus Furniture offers quality furniture and accessories to help their clients turn their places into their dream home. Follow this Twitter page for more updates.

Choose the best desk for a home office

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No home office is complete without a desk, which provides a work surface and storage space and also functions as the focal piece in one of the most important rooms in the house.

When choosing a desk, one should look at five important factors. These are:

Ergonomics

The wrong desk can cause injuries like neck strain and repetitive strain injury (RSI). To prevent these, the work surface should allow for the keyboard and mouse to sit closely together, and it should be high enough for one to be able to type without bending the wrists.

The work surface of the desk should have enough room on it for the monitor to be placed an arm's length away and at about eye level.

A desk should be at a height that allows enough space for one's knees and thighs to fit comfortably underneath it.

An ergonomic desk should be partnered with an ergonomic work chair for best results.

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Size and shape

One should choose a desk that's right for the size of work space it's intended for. Foldable computer stands, Parsons-style desks, and wall-mounted versions with vertical shelving are practical options for small offices. A larger home office with extra floor space calls for larger desks.

L-shaped desks are great for corner offices. Home offices with more than one user will do well with a u-shaped desk that has a divided surface area and provides plenty of space to be shared.

Storage

A good desk should have storage space for documents, cables, and other home office supplies. Before purchasing one, it should be screened for sufficiency of storage space (in the form of drawers, hutches, or attached shelving) for the owner’s needs.

Construction

Laminate desks are a popular, inexpensive option. High-pressure laminate desks are more durable than their low-pressure counterparts but are slightly pricier. Wood is classic and durable but prone to surface nicks. Metal is even more hard-wearing but might not be a good fit for the home, style-wise.

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Avoid ripoffs when purchasing furniture purchase and inspect and test the desk before buying it. Check the corners for fraying and splinters and the entire desk for exposed nails. Give the drawers an in and out slide run to ensure they do so smoothly. For more furniture buying tips, follow this Circus Furniture Twitter account.

A few tips on cleaning your leather furniture

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Leather furniture are an investment. While they are generally more expensive than other types of furniture, they instantly provide a classy, elegant feel to a home. They are also known for long lifespans. However, with the everyday life might not be generous in furniture maintenance time and a homeowner might be caught offguard by the intricacies of furniture cleaning. Caring for leather, however, can be easy with the proper techniques . Here are a few simple tips that a homeowner can use:
 

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Read the tags: The tags that come with the furniture provide the necessary details for cleaning and maintenance. For leather furniture, tags would also contain the type of leather used and specific instructions for caring. In the event of missing tags, homeowners are recommended to contact the manufacturer or supplier of the specific furniture to get instructions.  

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Place leather furniture in the proper environments: Leather is similar to wood in that it can crack, fade, or stiffen when directly exposed to the sun. Homeowners should place their leather furniture a safe distance from a furnace or from areas where they will be hit by sunlight.  

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Blot with dry cloth: For relatively simple stains, leather should be cleaned using gentle methods. Use dry cloth to blot out stains. Avoid rubbing as this could help spread the stain further. Leather also absorbs moisture. For this reason, use dry materials. The stain should disappear after a few days, but if it still remains, consult a professional leather cleaning company.

A reputable furniture store is a reliable source of supply and information about furniture that need special attention. Circus Furniture assists its clientele in the search for and maintenance of different types of furniture. For more tips, visit this Twitter page.

A short guide to buying furniture for a starter home

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For first time homeowners, choosing furniture for a starter home is a difficult task. Lack of experience in furniture shopping coupled with a limited budget often lead homeowners to settle for the cheapest pieces available, regardless of quality. This short guide will help homeowners furnish their starter home with the pieces they need while staying within budget.

Some pieces of furniture are necessary for a home. These include:  

 A bed frame and mattress. The average person will spend about a third of his or her life in bed, so homeowners should take care in choosing one. Bed frames come in different styles, sizes, and material. Platform beds often consist of just a base and a headboard, and are a good choice for a minimalist bedroom. A good mattress should both be comfortable and supportive: not too soft and not too hard. Mattresses should be tested in-store before purchase. Make sure to match the mattress to the size of the bed.

Image Source: blog.zenbedrooms.com

A dining table and chairs. First time homeowners can't go wrong with classic round and rectangular tables. Round tables are best suited for small families while rectangular tables can accommodate more people. Make sure to bring a measuring tape when shopping for furniture to avoid space issues. For chairs, choose comfortable, well-made pieces that complement the table. Some retailers offer dining room sets, which can be more economical than purchasing the pieces separately. Check the construction: the pieces of quality wooden furniture should be jointed, not nailed or glued together.

A sofa. Those who prefer a firm sofa should choose one with coiled springs, while those who prefer a soft sofa should choose one with zigzag coils. A sofa upholstered in durable fabric, with a sturdy wooden frame, can last a long time with careful use. To save money on starter home furniture shopping, homeowners can check local furniture stores for sales, visit garage sales (but be sure not to buy mattresses and bedding secondhand) and furniture overstock outlets, and regularly visit furniture store websites for ongoing deals. It's best to purchase new furniture from a reputable furniture store like Circus Furniture, as an unscrupulous retailer may try to rip-off less savvy shoppers.  

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For more tips on finding affordable quality furniture for a starter home, like this Facebook page.

Furniture styles: Which one to get?

There are several styles of furniture to choose from. If you’re not familiar with any of them, you may find yourself at a loss when shopping in furniture stores.

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Furniture retailers like Circus Furniture in Tucson, Ariz, advise to have at least some basic knowledge on the different styles of furniture and decors. Having such knowledge will make the purchase of furniture a lot easier. Below are some furniture styles:

• Eclectic – This is when you go from one style to another and find some degree of commonality among the pieces of furniture. Not really a style, but more of a choice.

• Traditional – It is a furniture style that evokes a formal design from the Victorian period. What’s best with this style is its timeless appeal. Traditional furniture are mostly functional and they can easily transition to a different style in case homeowners want to do some changes later.

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• Contemporary – This style is a combination of past and present designs made to stand on its own. Among all styles, it is the most flexible as it takes the best from all designs and it can easily be mixed with the others.

• Modern – Often confuse with contemporary style, modern is a combination of leather, steel, vinyl, molded plywood, and plastics for a stylish furnishing. This style has a modernist appeal.

• Retro – a bit difficult to define, but mostly, this style is achieved when a modern design is no longer trendy, but still look sleek.

• Provincial – A popular choice in Europe and in the U.S., it has both the classic and country feel that was popular during the 17th and 18th centuries in French provinces.

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Whatever style of furniture a homeowner favors, what is important is that the pieces will elevate further the beauty of the home.

Circus Furniture offers a wide selection of home furniture and accessories for the discerning homeowner. Visit its official website for its latest offerings and in-store promotions.