Trying to redo a room in your home but seem to be collecting random items instead of making a cohesive look?

Here’s a tip: look in design magazines, high end furniture websites and the internet for inspiration then recreate the look with less expensive pieces.

This room for example features furniture and accessories that total over $4,000.00. Instead of shelling out all that cash, use it as inspiration to see how to put things together. Search second hand book stores for books, use that 20% off coupon at Bed, Bath and Beyond that always seem to come in the mail for bedding and hit up some discount stores for furniture and voila! With a little creativity and a bit of hunting, you can get designer looks at a fraction of the price.

Has anyone seen this show yet? It’s fantastic!

Basically a camera crew follows the buyer for anthropologie all over the world as he searches for the new, now and next in home design. Have you ever wondered who decides what is cool and what isn’t? Well, he’s one of those guys. Can you say best job ever?!

What I particularly love about this show is it shows the journey from discovering one unique piece to creating mass market retail items. He’ll find pottery in Sweden or a chair in Scotland and at the end of the show they tell you which items anthropologie picked up and which they passed on. Man Shops Globe airs on the Sundance Channel.

Baby, it’s cold outside! It’s time to switch out bedding for warmer, cozier sheets and duvets. Are your linens looking a little dated? Upgrade them in one of these three current trends and get a good nights sleep in style!

      1.  New Romance  - Romantic touches in unexpected metallic accents for a new twist on classic romance.

2.    Clean and Bright – Bold patterns and bright colors make a bed fresh and fun.

      3. Going Country – Crochet, denim and quilts bring classic country home.

Are you looking to buy a home and want to find a property that is both a good deal AND a good investment? Search for properties that have good bones but are in need of updating.

 Most buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready, complete with updated kitchens and baths – and are willing to pay extra for it.

But if a home has good bones, most interiors can be updated for minimum investment and maximum return. This photo of a bathroom might turn a less imaginative buyer off, but just by changing the light fixtures, replacing the toilet and spraying sink, shower, etc. (a special process done by professionals only) it could be gorgeous. By investing about $700, you could increase your resale value by as much as $5,000!

If you’ve been procrastinating about winterizing your home, you’re running out of time. Don’t worry, you don’t have to completely overhaul your home, just do a couple important chores to save yourself any headaches later. Here are 5 essential tips:

1.    Clean your gutters. It is likely that leaves have collected there during the fall and may cause drainage issues.

2.    Bring in outdoor hoses so they don’t freeze and split. Insulate exposed plumbing pipes so they don’t freeze and burst.

3.    Have your furnace inspected.

4.    Weather strip windows and doors.

5.    Check and service winter weather equipment.

If your windows are particularly drafty you can pick up a plastic sealing kit, which while not very pretty can help keep cold air out. Oh, and most important? Make sure to stock up on plenty of hot chocolate!

I don’t know about any of you, dear readers, but one of my favorite places to get lost is in IKEA. We don’t have one locally, so I always like to make the drive worth it and spend the whole day exploring everything they have to offer.  And a little secret between you and me – I always bring my camera! They have such clever displays, I take pictures and save them for a day when I need a little extra inspiration. It’s also great for keeping track of any little details I might forget by the time I leave. If you’re going shopping – especially for furniture or home accessories – take along a digital camera so you can compare all the items you’re interested in or to have a visual of a particular room arrangement. It helps prevent getting over-stimulated and, well, lost!