Refresh Your Nest
Affordable Ways to Liven Up Your Home

As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. And these days people are looking for ways to make their home a more enjoyable living space.
“Rather than flipping homes, like people did when the housing market was strong, we’re seeing more and more families embracing what they already have,” says Bob Maricich, president and CEO of World Market Center Las Vegas. “The idea of refreshing one’s environment, even in the smallest ways, can have a restorative power and transform a house to a home.”
Home furnishing experts say that it’s important to recognize that it’s the littlest things that matter when you’re making enhancements to your home. Simple touches of a new sofa or end table, rug or even a decorative lamp shade will create a different look and feel to a room or space. This is a small lifestyle change, and not an unobtainable luxury.

Timeless Trends
Nancy Robinson and Julie M. Smith, of Nine Muses Media, have put together some timeless trends that will help you visualize and explore the possibilities for updating your home.

Calm Yourself
Living with a neutral interior palette is like being enveloped by a cloud. Get the look by blanketing rooms in the softest neutral shades: cream, mocha and, most especially (and perhaps surprisingly), gray. “A dash of a neutral metallic accent, such as silver, adds a welcome sparkle,” said Robinson. “It’s like sunlight peeking through the clouds.”

Distressed to Impress
Modern Country is ageless and exudes a comforting charm that takes imperfection to new heights. Natural finishes, heavily distressed surfaces, reclaimed woods, rattan, wicker and other natural textures are livable finishes for busy families. And the look fits farmhouse style or urban loft with equal ease.

Ethnic Inspiration
Far-reaching global influences are no longer far flung. Ethnic-inspired fabrics are turning up all over in American homes. “The organic patterns, vibrant color palettes and handcrafted looks create an aura of sophisticated warmth,” said Smith. What to look for: motifs inspired by traditional African design; susani patterns from Central Asia; ikats and batiks from Indonesia; and handblocked woodprints from India.

Power Play
A smaller footprint, lighter weight and better performance are important purchase considerations when buying a new laptop. The same things matter when buying home office furniture. In fact, Robinson and Smith note that as laptops have become the most popular home computing choice among consumers, so, too, have writing tables and petite desks moved to the fore. Unlike their executive suite predecessors, these modestly scaled workstations don’t take up an entire room. Instead, they slip easily into most interiors, providing needed workspace without taking up too much space - or too much money.

Seeing Black and White
The go-to item in your closet may be the little black (or white, depending on season) dress. In home furnishings, it’s the combination of the two that offers the most impact. It’s twice the look in one great product, and it never goes out of style. Smith and Robinson say to consider making a statement with a black and white combo in bedding ensembles, window treatments, wallpaper or upholstery fabric.

Refreshing your nest doesn’t have to be out of reach. With a few simple changes it’s possible to fall in love with your home all over again.
For more inspiration and tips, visit HomeYet.com.


Tips for Choosing Furniture
Measure, measure, measure! Too many people don’t measure their rooms, doorways and stairways before buying a furniture piece. Make sure it will not only fit in the room, but will fit through all the doorways it takes to get into the room.
Color Trial: Just because you like the color in the showroom doesn’t mean you’ll like it in your house. Lighting and surrounding elements can change a color drastically. Get color swatches and live with them for a few days before making a final decision.
Reality Check: Think through how this piece of furniture will be used and who will be using it. Small children, pets, shoes on the ottoman, snacking in front of the TV - they all can cause wear and tear on furniture. Light colored fabrics, delicate construction and fine finishes might just have to give way to more practical concerns.


Win Big During National Home Furnishings Month
September marks the first “National Home Furnishings Month” - and it’s a great time to get inspiring ideas (and big values) for your home.
HomeYet.com features new ideas for home trends and a chance to win a room makeover. Throughout the month of September, five lucky winners will be awarded weekly with a $5,000 cash prize. There will also be a 10-day industry-wide event, September 19 through 27, with in-store promotions and sales events offered at retailers throughout the country. Find participating stores near you with the on-line Store Locator tool.
To kick of National Home Furnishings Month, interior designer and lifestyle expert Monica Pedersen will be offering her personal design tips to help consumers recreate and redecorate their homes in a whole new way. Whether big or small improvements, Monica will share her ideas at HomeYet.com on how to update your home furnishings and make it a bigger part of your everyday lifestyle.
For great ideas and your chance to win, visit HomeYet.com.


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Imperfections can be the perfect accent. Interior by Regina-Andrew Design.

Black and white never goes out of style. Côte de Rhône bedding ensemble by Amity Home.

Smaller desks pack big benefits. Origins laptop desk by aspenhome.

A dash of silver adds sparkle. Star chest, table and chairs by Bolier & Co.

Monica Pedersen

by Family Features -

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