Candice Olson : Create a Livable Yet Stylish Home

Comfortable and chic don't have to live miles apart. Find simple tips for designing a home that's functional and beautiful.

• By Candice Olson

It's important to make your home both stylish and livable. There is one word that designers either love or hate: function. Personally, I love it. I really believe you can have the right balance of both style and function.
The one thing you need to do when embarking on a design project is to be realistic. Think about this question: How does your house have to work for you and your family? If you're like me with a young, busy family full of kids and pets, you should never have anything white in your house unless you're sure the material is stain resistant.

However, you can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you're a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you're a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef's dreamy (and stylish) gas range.
It's important to know what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and home, so don't choose colors, fabrics or even materials that won't work for your family, children or pets. Be realistic about what you can and can't live with because there are some things you might love the look of, that are very stylish, but just aren't practical with a Great Dane. For example, I absolutely love the look of white Carrara marble countertops, but they can be stressful in a kitchen because they stain so easily, especially by red wine or coffee. You don't want to always be on high alert for spills, or be the crazy lady saying, "Don't touch the counters!"

That's not to say if you have a busy lifestyle with kids and pets, you can't have a gorgeous, stylish home. Companies have caught on and now function can be stylish, too. For instance, there are great-looking, durable fabrics that are made to handle extreme wear and tear. Some are even made with Teflon. Sometimes you might pay a little more for a high-performance material that looks great and can stand the test of time. Be smart about it, and if you get a light color sofa (or you had one before the kids came along), consider having a slipcover made that's in a dark, machine-washable fabric.
If you have a hectic home life with lots of activity, think about your choices and always go with the most durable materials you can find. Or tell you kids to stay in their rooms until they're old enough to go to college.

Create a Livable Yet Stylish Home By Candice Olson

Comfortable and chic don't have to live miles apart. Find simple tips for designing a home that's functional and beautiful.

• By Candice Olson

It's important to make your home both stylish and livable. There is one word that designers either love or hate: function. Personally, I love it. I really believe you can have the right balance of both style and function.
The one thing you need to do when embarking on a design project is to be realistic. Think about this question: How does your house have to work for you and your family? If you're like me with a young, busy family full of kids and pets, you should never have anything white in your house unless you're sure the material is stain resistant.

However, you can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you're a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you're a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef's dreamy (and stylish) gas range.
It's important to know what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and home, so don't choose colors, fabrics or even materials that won't work for your family, children or pets. Be realistic about what you can and can't live with because there are some things you might love the look of, that are very stylish, but just aren't practical with a Great Dane. For example, I absolutely love the look of white Carrara marble countertops, but they can be stressful in a kitchen because they stain so easily, especially by red wine or coffee. You don't want to always be on high alert for spills, or be the crazy lady saying, "Don't touch the counters!"

That's not to say if you have a busy lifestyle with kids and pets, you can't have a gorgeous, stylish home. Companies have caught on and now function can be stylish, too. For instance, there are great-looking, durable fabrics that are made to handle extreme wear and tear. Some are even made with Teflon. Sometimes you might pay a little more for a high-performance material that looks great and can stand the test of time. Be smart about it, and if you get a light color sofa (or you had one before the kids came along), consider having a slipcover made that's in a dark, machine-washable fabric.
If you have a hectic home life with lots of activity, think about your choices and always go with the most durable materials you can find. Or tell you kids to stay in their rooms until they're old enough to go to college.

2013 Stylish And Feminine Living Rooms Decorating Ideas

A living room is an important space to enjoy your guests’ company and have a good time but if you’ve decided to make a feminine interior, you’ll need to add some accents and features. Pastel colors and pink are beyond competition, don’t hesitate to use them for wallpapers, curtains, furniture and accessories – these colors are top feminine ones! Natural plants and flowers are great for décor of any space because they enliven it very well. Beautiful fireplaces, delicate coffee tables, exquisite portieres and pretty cushions – choose any accessories and colors you like and be maximum exquisite in design! Look for some more examples below.

2014 Stylish Stone Kitchen Countertop Ideas

Stone countertops are durable and versatile. Browse this collection of our favorite materials from high end granite to vintage style soapstone to find the right one to install in your kitchen.

You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

Granite Options : Granite countertops add a rich, natural look to your kitchen. Granite is popular because it provides a virtually maintenance free and scratch , stain , and heat resistant option after it’s been sealed. Plus, it comes in a great variety of color and veining options.

Stone Shopping Tips : Stone naturally varies in color and pattern, so make sure you pick one to coordinate with your kitchen. Try taking a large sample back to your house to see how it fits your space, instead of relying on a small piece. Then double check the exact slab you're buying to guarantee you like the look before you make the purchase.

Simple and Subtle Style : Quartz surfacing makes an ideal countertop for this modern kitchen. The matte, uniform look is simple yet sophisticated, and it's a low maintenance alternative to natural stone. The gray green tint adds subtle color to the room as well.

Muted Texture : This seagrass limestone countertop brings texture and visual interest to the muted color palette of this kitchen. The subtle speckles and veining tie in the light color with the green backsplash.

Soapstone Sophistication : This soapstone countertop beautifully contrasts the crisp white cabinetry and marble backsplash. The combination of dark matte countertops with the sleek white color palette gives the kitchen a sophisticated look.

Popular Quartz : Quartz is probably the most common type of engineered stone countertop. This island is topped with quartz surfacing, which bridges the gap between the light features of the room and the dark stained wood.

Add Color with Stone : Caramel color limestone warms up this white kitchen. This colorful addition to the room is both practical and stylish, and it adds a casual look to the traditional limestone countertop.

Color-Scheme Countertop : The color scheme for this kitchen is based off the granite countertops throughout the room. Dusty lavender and organic brown undertones are speckled in the granite, producing a neutral color scheme with timeless style.

Customizable Concrete : Concrete countertops can be customized to the ideal color and thickness for any kitchen. These countertops were slightly tinted to complement the pine-paneled walls and dark maple floors, giving the room a cohesive look.

Faux Stone : Want to get the stone-countertop look but on a tight budget? Solid surfacing comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and it can give your kitchen the look of more expensive materials like stone for a much lower price.

Glossy Finish : A 3-inch thick black granite countertop is the perfect stone to contrast the back painted glass backsplash. The smooth, glossy finish of the granite transitions almost seamlessly to the backsplash, giving the kitchen a sleek and modern look.

Dark Marble : Marble takes on a darker look in this kitchen. An elegant Pietra del Cardosa marble countertop on the island provides a handsome work space, perfect for quick cleanup after meal preparation. The 2-1/2-inch thick marble matches the profile of the stainless-steel countertops around the perimeter of the room.

Aged Character : Flamed granite countertops have a distinct texture that gives them a timeworn look. This aged character adds to a rugged, country style in the kitchen. The speckles in the stone add texture and variety to a space.

Functional Surface : Black granite countertops provide a simple, solid surface in this kitchen. More colorful, elaborate details are found in the kitchen's slate tile backsplash, so the granite countertops are the perfect subdued countertpoint.

2014 Stylish Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Bathroom lighting can illuminate the darkest spaces or add a subtle, calming sparkle. You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

Crystal Chandelier : Crystal Sconces

In this luxurious bathroom, a crystal chandelier takes center stage, adding glamour and sparkle to the traditional decor.

Antique Sconces : Antique sconces hang above the oversize mirror and add unexpected flair to the light and bright bathroom. The dark finish on the light fixtures adds weight to the room and helps unify the dark legs of the chair and the cabinet hardware. Their position above the vanity also provides task lighting for makeup application and grooming.

Work of Art : The organic shape of this blown glass light fixture works well in the contemporary style bathroom. Modern spaces can feel cold and be full of hard edges, but the round globes on the light fixture and the hand-shape towel hooks in this bathroom add a touch of playfulness.

Candlestick Sconces : Candlestick wall sconces, ornate details, and custom-glazed cabinets are a nod to country French style. Keep in mind that decorative fixtures add flair, but you'll want to ensure that you have another source of light, such as an overhead fixture or recessed lighting, to provide ample illumination for applying makeup and grooming.

Light Tubes : Streamlined tube lights enhance this sleek bath vanity while providing soft light. Try multiple light switches in the bathroom so you can customize the amount of light. Flip one switch to turn on only the overhead lights, and flip the other switch when you need more precise lighting at the vanity.

Lamp Sconces : Classic lamp sconces add to the romantic feel of this 1920s style bathroom. The white shades diffuse the glow of the lightbulbs and help to soften the light.

Old-World Lanterns : The ornate styling of these iron lanterns hanging over the vanity is a work of art. Add the curved architecture of the ceiling and detailed craftsmanship on the vanity and there's no doubt: This small bathroom is fit for royalty.

Indoor-Outdoor Lighting Fixtures : Wall mount lighting fixtures seem to float in this ethereal bathroom. The rounded lights echo curved shapes found elsewhere in the bath and nod to the styling of vintage exterior porch lights.

Layered Lighting : Lighting in a bathroom is paramount, so layering the types of light produces the best results. In this bath, the combination of overhead light from the chandelier, natural light from the windows, and light from the fixtures above the mirrors covers all of the lighting needs.

Crystal Bathroom Lighting : In this elegant bathroom, delicate light fixtures were chosen to interject a counterpoint to weighty cabinetry. A finely detailed crystal chandelier crowns the space, while a trio of sparkly sconces mounted directly on mirrors creates a dazzling show of reflections.

Colored Shades : Add color with the lampshades in your bathroom for an easy and inexpensive way to update the space. Dark-color shades will block a lot of light, so stick to light colors to maximize illumination.

Backlit Beauty : A large mirror framed in onyx is lit from behind, casting a warm glow on the opulent master bathroom.