Candice Olson : Create a Livable Yet Stylish Home

<div class="intro">Comfortable and chic don't have to live miles apart. Find simple tips for designing a home that's functional and beautiful.</div><ul class="article-info clrfix"><li class="byline"><cite>By Candice Olson</cite> </li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NNFJ-ymgShvsME-2NSMweu3QqzCA4mrxmaPimnvi-cOJDm1qxc2PClZ1AUZM3cOiD2hWO7sz2zROfc9OShdrSG-7K_FYzoFYMG9inlF1drkvPAqBEBKrlkKmQTTEQexUKjAi53T-/s640/living-room-contemporary-fireplace_design-ideas-2012.jpg" width="480" /></div><br />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. <br />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.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3LfuOPT8R-V-2cDVLKfYlmSkxb05mAHC02ayhaZq7tcSjE7Oqg8_1nJiv3rPodrTkdR2AqMnY7CCGOONKDhe4mYtwryUyJmHnihlvxHFJRbpGiZwYuHFI7S7VPcwAV_o3Pe3gWsX/s640/p_100675738.jpg" width="480" /></div><br />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.<br />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!"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtuzF_uXpMJtarMI9qFg0jsC_g_3fTWMXHGMsqYGm0ywdQZJ9IdzGqvyXe9j4Td45BviNoJimeq-euOkxbppXI-w7KACw_swef3Q5xQ4h-vcDLGtBa56o8QvjNlTouGE_bUTWjwHo/s640/green-living-room-ideas-2011-11.gif" width="480" /></div><br />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.<br />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.

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 Candi...

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Create a Livable Yet Stylish Home By Candice Olson

<div class="intro">Comfortable and chic don't have to live miles apart. Find simple tips for designing a home that's functional and beautiful.</div><ul class="article-info clrfix"><li class="byline"><cite>By Candice Olson</cite> </li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NNFJ-ymgShvsME-2NSMweu3QqzCA4mrxmaPimnvi-cOJDm1qxc2PClZ1AUZM3cOiD2hWO7sz2zROfc9OShdrSG-7K_FYzoFYMG9inlF1drkvPAqBEBKrlkKmQTTEQexUKjAi53T-/s640/living-room-contemporary-fireplace_design-ideas-2012.jpg" width="480" /></div><br />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. <br />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.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3LfuOPT8R-V-2cDVLKfYlmSkxb05mAHC02ayhaZq7tcSjE7Oqg8_1nJiv3rPodrTkdR2AqMnY7CCGOONKDhe4mYtwryUyJmHnihlvxHFJRbpGiZwYuHFI7S7VPcwAV_o3Pe3gWsX/s640/p_100675738.jpg" width="480" /></div><br />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.<br />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!"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtuzF_uXpMJtarMI9qFg0jsC_g_3fTWMXHGMsqYGm0ywdQZJ9IdzGqvyXe9j4Td45BviNoJimeq-euOkxbppXI-w7KACw_swef3Q5xQ4h-vcDLGtBa56o8QvjNlTouGE_bUTWjwHo/s640/green-living-room-ideas-2011-11.gif" width="480" /></div><br />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.<br />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 Candi...

Read more »

How to Create a Spooky Halloween Bar 2012 Ideas from HGTV

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Are you entertaining this Halloween? Turn your cocktail bar into a "mad laboratory" by serving scary potions and dressing up the bar with spiders, blood and dismembered hands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="by-line"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>By : Joanne Palmisano</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOikYSilcWxnAIF1jhSseh1ZHjh9qZGg6NmkdDHk8ZpLlraPk0BpILd4QuCSxH61sQGb2_5N93eMVW5p9gsKP2csvmk30JWsZINVHIwU9ZQFFj2QObf4vZsC_1KXz6VJGKtmmGyhWVBTK/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV.jpg" width="480" /></div><h2 jquery1349165795967="115" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Halloween Cocktails</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="127">We used old utility car as a beverage bar for a Halloween party. We covered the cart in spider webbing then filled the bar potions, magic spells and some spooky decorations. </cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOIVnaCpbLyAE_nxSO8-huSBaCvkJrghtv1FDImX83RN4vX4BhE4LTzNWQ6MlNjG3HV2cvNMLlrCQHANJBXxIislxpfMwuRb-HoGJhV_vKJ_imdpu7lbMeYcBk62vk0y1rH4Mj6_ggOoC/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV-2.jpg" width="480" /></div><h2 jquery1349165795967="116" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Make Concoctions</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="128">Download and print labels to turn your beverage bottles into serums, potions and magic spells. Our labels are editable, so customize them to your desired poison. Use a glue stick to adhere the labels to the bottles. We used wine and liquor bottles. </cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6LJm3c1klwA0nOGzLxHwHpSnduBtG2DeBqp7GLI735xWE820qmKxKF543Q0f86_vFHsshBNekYUZ93Y-2T4JotP_7Y4sahxn3EvWVPb7CjySEpQGJIfbuc_kT_Vd4Rd1u3lyFt2obSxm/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV-3.jpg" width="480" /></div><h2 jquery1349165795967="144" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Add Flesh & Blood</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="150">Cut a piece of cardboard to fit on the bottom shelf of the cart. Make some bloody handprints on the cardboard using red craft paint. Add a little oatmeal to the paint if you want a little more flesh and gore. Let the handprints dry then lay the cardboard inside the bottom of the cart. </cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vfAmyptpAxSJJvqovsQ2bUArijc9k-DVXuY3m_6y5Fepq81UbYminlpl1TUnMqONszF13ra1PmwTQO56l4wa79zlSzcScpwxKAhI0nJVq3x6dn3cTfB-WQy-99AKbet97_rCZKWROX34/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV-4.jpg" width="480" /></div><h2 jquery1349165795967="168" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Web It</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="174">Stretch the white webbing over the cart, use a hot-glue gun to attach it the corners and underneath the edges of the cart. Stretch it out to make it look like a spider web, leave a little room to get to the bottom shelf of the cart</cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5kxHP20A7gNusdpaPlIsP09R_kAIcmIJtiGOMvVxEbDoVFEeypZ2OV8vWVJr97mcigB6cS_q2h8vJ6vwclGxXtwACYe7PcAEXJQRyn9cQHsqygDKsOt3lH9vmpHd9D_s-QmHbeaC1p7t/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV-5.jpg" width="480" /></div><h2 jquery1349165795967="189" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Add Giant Arachnid </span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="195">Place large spider on the web to make it look like it is crawling up the side of the cart. Use a little hot glue if necessary to attach its feet in place.</cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoh4HzY3WduM9cPx-xrWbCUxgMfrJsGppeGaPqWGRlJyYEDCRqf92vAEV5lcTaVuCcqY6fHR6En9c-gn_T6LM60SWrBTkgKeYoKTUxnvLSU2xUY4xV9wrCedqCPMHuo_VSF6I8-nhyphenhyphenKHJ/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV-6.jpg" width="480" /></div><h2 jquery1349165795967="211" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Lend a Helping Hand</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="217">Place the cut off hands at the end of the cart (preferably if there is a handle) to make it look like as if they are pushing it. Use hot glue gun on a couple of the fingers to keep them in place.</cite></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBoFM36sYK3CuSEMyxqkLQXjEySuVuOHTP_BWx1UTsORx1L3LfZ748WKWzZVFjcgsWyzdoQGzE8xxYApyN3BE8MsFkAUq5WrwIEqRkVBIGLvaqK3igxbGOXHHCkIPs5en8jvIm-LRl-Rz/s640/Spooky-Halloween-Bar-2012-Ideas-from+-HGTV-7.jpg" width="480" /> </div><h2 jquery1349165795967="233" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Set Up Bar</span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><cite jquery1349165795967="239">Place the bottles, glassware and a candle on the top of the cart. Then arrange the little spiders in and around them.</cite></div>

How to Create a Spooky Halloween Bar 2012 Ideas from HGTV

Are you entertaining this Halloween? Turn your cocktail bar into a "mad laboratory" by serving scary potions and dressing up the b...

Read more »