Bring on Spring!

Bring on Spring 

What a great phrase "spring is in the air" is, especially after a long, dark, stormy winter.If you've been suffering from a case of cabin fever because you've been in lockdown all winter, now is the time to have your spring awakening by greeting the season with freshness. And by all means, lighten and brighten your décor. Mother Nature isn't shy about color and you shouldn't be either. Throw a floral pillow on the sofa. Scatter pressed leaves on your table and don't forget the fresh flowers.

Get your bright on with colorful vases, pillows, rugs and other accessories. Goodbye to winter's heavy burgundy, navy and gray colors, and hello to the bright end of the spectrum. Add splashes of citrus colors or other fun shades like happy blues or purples. Keep it modern and avoid pastels.

  



Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist
Distinctively Home Interiors
http://www.distinctivelyhome.com
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Candle Tips

Candle Tips

from Candlemart.com

• Candles will fade if left in the light for an extended period of time.Never put candles in a window or directly expose to bright outdoor light or indoor spotlights.

• Keep lit candles out of drafts, drafts create large flames, shortening the burning time.

• Wicks should be trimmed to a 1/4" from wax for longer burning time.

• Votive candles must be in a container. They are made of a low melt wax. The tighter the fit the longer the candle will burn.

• Votive burning is fun, however the clean up of the container is frustrating and time consuming. Eliminate this aggravation. Simply place 1/8" of tap water in the base of the votive holder prior to lighting. Once the votive candle is extinguished, allow the wax to solidify. Once solid, gently push on the wax and the contents should pop loose. If that doesn't do it , put container in the icebox for about 15 minutes. Take out and press on wax a little, it should pop out.

• Floating candles can provide both a formal and informal setting for either a dinner party or a back yard picnic. Floating candles in a clear bowl creates an extra special lighting effect. Using distilled water eliminates mineral buildup on the side of crystal or glass, preserving its unique presentation of floating candles.

• Let spilled wax solidify so when it hardens it can be removed in pieces by covering with paper towel and or a brown paper grocery bag and gently press out with a warm iron - the wax will melt and be absorbed into the paper.

• A candle will burn more slowly and evenly if it's refrigerated before using. Wrap the candle in plastic or foil before refrigerating to prevent wicks from absorbing moisture.

• Each time you light a pillar candle, burn it long enough to create a pool of wax across most of the diameter of the candle. The candle will last longer and burn more evenly.

• Before a dinner or party, light and then extinguish the candles as they will light more quickly and easily when you are ready to use them.

• Extinguish candles when they get within 2 inches of their holders or decorations.

• To extinguish a candle, dip the wick into the liquid wax, using a nonflammable instrument. This little known technique eliminates smoking of an extinguished wick.

• After extinguishing candles, re-center wick. 

Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist

Distinctively Home Interiors
http://www.distinctivelyhome.com
Visit out Facebook at
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We Offer Interior Design Services!

Interior Design Services  

Distinctively Home offers Interior Design Services, everything from window treatments to color and paint consultation. Robin Anderson, DH's store manager and talented interior designer, delights in working with clients in creating a graceful and thoughtfully conceived space that says "Welcome" and "Welcome Home".

With the Holidays right around the corner, it is the perfect time to enlist Robin's expertise and joyful design ideas. Distinctively Home carries hundreds of swatches and can custom order upholstery, window coverings, furniture, lighting, and accessories. She can streamline any project -- attaining your tailor-made, guest-ready space without delay.

   

Robin begins by getting to know her client -- to determine her client's individual aesthetic and their objectives for the space. By incorporating the client's personal treasures and originality with design ideas that are timeless and sophisticated, Robin is able to provide a space that is tranquil and comfortable.  

For $75, Robin will provide her client with an initial in-home consultation. Robin can also take a look at photos at the store and suggest ideas and colors, free of charge. Please contact Distinctively Home to schedule an appointment.

We offer custom interior design to include:  

• Space Planning
• Color and Paint Consultation
• Window Treatments (Hunter Douglas Dealer)  
• Custom Bedding and Pillows
• Special Furniture & Upholstery Orders 

Contact Robin Anderson today at 360-723-5570 to schedule an appointment!  

Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist

Distinctively Home Interiors
http://www.distinctivelyhome.com
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2013 Color Trends

2013 colors are sophisticated options that invite you to embrace a neutral pallet For Your Home.  Pantone predicts that neutrals will make a major comeback during the next design cycle.  The bright, shocking colors of the last couple seasons will give away to a more soothing backdrop for this year’s trendy accessories, lighting and furniture.  Neutrals need not be boring, or colorless.  Focal points are not always based on color.  Folded and sculptural shapes, intriguing textures, luminous finishes and an emphasis on nature inspired motifs such as feathers create opportunities for focal statements that transcend even reliance on color.

Color Movements

• Lighter blues and navy increase in importance.
• Leathery brown becomes more important as a basic.
• Olive becomes stronger.
• Purple is still evident.
• Brights have a singular status for winter.
• Camel evolves into cappuccino and creamy hues.
• Yellows become softer and less sporty.
• Reds are becoming more orange.
• Traditional winter darks and berry colors are more mid-toned and less blackened.

Distinctively Home Interiors
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4 Ways to Use a Room Divider

Room dividers come in a variety of sizes, styles and designs from traditional, Old-World privacy screens to Asian-influenced rice paper screens, contemporary folding screens and much more. No matter what style of decor you prefer, there is sure to be a folding room divider that will make an excellent accent to your decor.

Like many other home accents, room dividers are not only beautiful additions that will enhance the look of your decor, but they are also functional pieces that can be used for many different practical purposes. Here are only a few ways that you can use a room divider.

Creating 'Zones' in Your Home
One of the most useful purposes a room divider offers is to do exactly what the name implies: divide your room. If you live in a small space and are using rooms for multiple purposes, try clearly defining which part of the room is which with your folding room divider. For instance, many people set up their home offices in their bedroom or in a guest room. While this is very convenient, it doesn't make for the most relaxing sleeping area. Section off the office by surrounding the computer desk or workspace with a folding room divider screen. Blocking the view of the office from the bedroom will make it a more peaceful place to rest, while fewer distractions make for a more productive workspace. The same concept can be applied to creating a cozy breakfast nook, or dividing your large living room into a combination family room and dining area.

Add Privacy to Any Space
Using any of our room dividers as a privacy screen is an effective way to create a concealed dressing area or a way to block off any area from view. This is a great idea for a guest room, or even for your daughter's bedroom. Not only does it add a feeling of security, but a room screen also makes a wonderful accent to any bedroom.

Hide Clutter and Increase Storage
Incorporating storage areas into a stylish room design is something that designers often struggle with. A simple solution for this is to choose a room divider that accents the look of your space, and behind it, place storage carts, laundry hampers, or other storage and organization pieces. This way, you have added storage space to your home without losing any of your home's stylish appeal.

Interesting Accents
Be creative! Room dividers have many uses that can complete the look you are hoping to achieve. Place one against a bare wall to add the look of interesting texture to your living room, or unfold one and slide it behind your bed as a unique and original headboard. With our room dividers and privacy screens, the possibilities are limitless. 

 

Reference Home Decorators Collection

 

Distinctively Home Interiors

Battle Ground, WA

http://www.distinctivelyhome.com

 

Give your home a little boost!

If you want to give your home a little boost, you don't have to completely redecorate. Check out these easy home décor ideas anytime you need a quick change.

• No one wants to hear it, but cleaning your house is the best way to make it look great. Wash the windows, dust the lampshades, polish the silver – the list goes on. But when everything sparkles and shines your house will look fantastic and you'll feel great.

• Buy some inexpensive ribbon and stick it (either with double-sided tape or a glue gun) around the room as a border. Outline each wall and run it up the corners.

• Lay a patterned area rug over your solid carpet. It gives the room a whole new look.

• Wallpaper your front entryway with a really bold or dramatic design. It makes a fabulous first impression.

• Paint the backs of your bookshelves or cover them in wallpaper.

• Rearrange your furniture. It's free and your room will look completely different.

• Treat yourself to new extra large fluffy towels in the bathroom. It's a simple indulgence and will make you feel like you're visiting a spa every time you have a shower.

• Add an unusual, sculptural item to every room in the house. It could be a lamp, a vase, or an unusual piece of art. Every room needs a conversation piece.

• Cut out pictures from your favorite coffee table book. Frame them and hang them on the wall. It's an inexpensive way to fill your rooms with fantastic pieces of art.

• Cover the inside or outside of a lampshade with fabric. The outside if you want a bold change, the inside if you want a subtle change.

• Can't afford a nice headboard? Make your own. Buy some molding and attach it to the wall above the bed in whatever shape and height you like. Wallpaper or paint the inside.

• Spray paint a vintage chandelier a vibrant new color.

• Add a natural element to every room. It can be as little as a plant or as much as a sea grass rug or raffia wallpaper. It adds depth and texture in a way nothing else can.

• Pull out your best silver and use it every day. What are you saving it for?

• If you've got an ugly brick fireplace, paint it. It's not hard and it looks amazing.

Visit Distinctively Home Interiors for a variety of home decorating ideas!

http://www.distinctivelyhome.com

Adding Wall Art can make eye-popping focal points.

Creating the perfect interior design for your home can sometimes feel like a complicated two thousand piece puzzle. Fortunately, utilizing an accent wall in each room can give you focus and structure like finding all of the outer edge pieces of that sophisticated puzzle design. Decorating an accent wall is an important part of interior design. Accent walls are the focal point structural elements that bring all of the characteristics of a room together in a way that is artistically pleasing and inspirational. Decorative wall art can also be used to draw special attention to your accent wall.

Decorating trends over the past few years have transformed the use of an accent wall in home interior design. The modest and uninspiring use of three accent wall art pieces in a collage-type design on an accent wall has come and gone. A more dramatic single piece wall art design has emerged as the dominant and more inspiring style for home décor. Accent walls that are highly visible and contain artistic pictures and eclectic wall art can create eye-popping focal points for your interior room design. Accent walls are the perfect way to bring a dramatic impact to your home design. For a few tips on how to create an accent wall, follow these suggestions.

At Distinctively Home Interiors located in the Battle Ground Village, we have several different styles of wall art for you to accent any wall.Visit us today or view our website http://www.distinctivelyhome.com.

Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist

Reference: Yahoo! Voices

The Cutest Easter Decorations For The Home Ever!

Ah, cute, adorable or outstanding Easter decorating items and collectibles displayed all around the house!  The spring has set in and installed for good and we all get a special feeling of fresh air, the need to bring bright colors to our homes, and feel happier and more joyful than in the winter time.

One of the best ways to celebrate the advent of the spring is to put up your Easter decorations or browsing the stores searching for spring-y colored decorating items. Here you will find a wide range of Easter decoration ideas that will set up the new season in your home and bring a smile on your face.

Visit http://www.distinctivelyhome.com for all kinds of Easter decorating ideas!