Posted by Jason Gettum on Tue, Nov 20, 2012 @ 11:34 AM
Add mid-century design flare to your home
Trends come and go... and then come back again. Mid-century modern design has come full circle and back into everyday home decor. But you need to be careful: you don't want to go overboard and have your whole house look like a mid-century catastrophe. Here are six ways to add some vintage flair into your home without overdoing it.
Furniture
Dig deep and find inspiration from the iconic 50s and 60s furniture. Spruce up your bedroom and find some retro wood nightstands. Look for one with two deep drawers, steep slim legs and a nightstand that's low to the ground. Modern sleek and simple designs dominated the 50s and are sure to transform any room.
A great way to incorporate some style is to include a bar cart. "Mad Men" displays the importance of cocktail culture that was a staple of the era. Select a gold cart and decorate it with vintage glassware, cocktail shakers and ornate decorations.
Bedroom
Don't forget the bedroom—bold patterns, contrasting colors and a striking print-adorned bed will add just the touch your modern room needs. If you need a new mattress, now is the time to look. Slim profile mattresses were especially in vogue in the 50s and 60s. If you're going to get new bedding, go out and get a new mattress as well!
Art Work
Retro art work will add an unexpected element to any room. Find abstract art or vintage silk screen pieces. A popular vintage art piece is a graphic wall hanging consisting or squares or circles in red, orange and brown components.
Wood Pieces
Let all the wood pieces take center stage in any room. For a living room, accent wood pieces by using neutral wall colors and soft fabrics. If using a modern wood couch, decorate with earth tones and decorative throw pillows (shag, perhaps, if you're feeling daring).
Lighting
Mid-century-style lamps are easy to find in any vintage or antique store. You might even be able to find the perfect style for you by looking in your grandparents' house. Look for a curvy base with a tall, long, slim lampshade.
For a bold look, update that entryway or any ceiling lighting with a brass helix-style chandelier. Using this style of lighting will tie the room together and won't hurt the pocketbook too much either; you can find great retro lighting at flea markets and antique stores.
Traditional Color Scheme
Embrace the modern mid-century era and focus on colors in shades of mustard, avocado, tangerine and browns. A great way to implement the color scheme is to use suede or leather couches in yellow or avocado and accent the room with wood pieces, wood floating shelving and a natural cream wall color. If you want to tone down the room and not go full 60s, place a few mid-century pieces (wingback chairs with wooden legs and a low mod table) in a room and keep the other details simple by mixing grays, whites and blacks.
About the author:
Lisa Gonzales Lisa is a freelance journalist who writes about food and travel, especially to her native country, Mexico.
Posted by Jason Gettum on Wed, Apr 25, 2012 @ 01:02 PM
How to Cut Energy Costs This Summer
Summer is just around the corner, and temperatures are already starting to rise. If you live in a relatively warm part of the country, you’re probably accustomed to high electricity bills in the summer thanks to how hard your air conditioning has to work. No matter what you do, your electricity bills will typically be higher in the summer, but they don’t have to be significantly higher. There are things you can do in your home to cut energy costs, even when it’s incredibly hot outside. Here are some of the things you should consider doing if you want to save energy and some extra money this summer:
1. Invest in a new thermostat – If you don’t have a digital thermostat, consider getting one. Older thermostats are generally not as good at measuring and regulating the temperature in your home. Additionally, digital thermostats that are programmable allow you to set how hard your air conditioner works during different parts of the day, minimizing how much energy is used to keep your house cool when you’re not around. Look for thermostats with the ENERGY STAR label because these will generally help you cut down energy expenses the most. Plus, these types of thermostats only cost around $40, so they’re not much of an investment.
2. Turn off all the lights when you leave – You probably already turn off most of the lights in your home before you leave your house. However, many people forget to turn off porch lights and lights in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen when they leave their home. Get into the habit of turning off all the lights in your house when you leave and when you go to bed. You may also want to unplug appliances and electronics before you leave or go to sleep. Appliances and electronics use up energy, even when they’re not running, if they’re still plugged in.
3. Get your insulation inspected – If your home isn’t properly insulated, your air conditioner has to work harder and use up more energy. Get a professional to come out and inspect your walls, windows, doors, floors, and ceiling to see if these areas are letting any heat into your home. If you’re home isn’t properly insulated, consider hiring someone to help you seal and insulate it or consider sealing and insulating problem areas yourself.
You’ll be amazed by how much cash you can save this summer if you try out the tips above. Taking the time to turn off all the lights in your home when you aren’t using them and investing in a new thermostat and better insulation can make a huge difference!
Author’s Bio: Ryan Franklin is a guest blogger who writes about home improvement, renovation, and cross country relocation with the help of cross country movers.
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