30 Days of Wow
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Refreshing and easy decorating tips to make your house a little less shabby and a little more chic. No renovations required.
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Entryway
1. Anchor Your Space
If you took anything away from geometry class, it's that symmetry is key--especially when it comes to home decorating. To achieve a polished, uniform look in your entryway, place two identical (and stunning) lamps on your console table. This also helps to fill a sparse wall.
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Entryway
2. One For the Money
Gallery walls are great and all, but sometimes one standout piece of art is much more impactful. If you have lots of space above your entryway and not one clue what to hang, DMG Studio will create a custom piece suited to your aesthetic and according to how much wall space you have.
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Entryway
3. Make a Statement
Your entryway is the first space people see when they walk into your home, so why not make it special with a bright Kelly green chest of drawers? To get that coveted lacquered satin finish, try Valspar Chalky Finish Paint in ?Grosgrain,? followed by a coat of their sealing wax. Watch this quick video to see how it's done.
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Entryway
4. Try a Natural Selection
Forget fresh flowers. (Quick math: $20 a week x 52 weeks = $1,040 a year!) Instead, add some life to your entryway with a low-maintenance succulent or snake plant trio that only requires you to water sparingly.
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Entryway
5. Clear the Way
Remember, folks: This is an entryway, so it should be kept uncluttered for comings and goings. Limit yourself to one focal piece (a chest or a set of chairs). You don't want anyone tripping as they leave your house.
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Kitchen
1. Show Off What Your Mama Gave You
Including all that inherited good stuff from Grammy Rita. Open shelving means you can put your best dishes and glassware on full display. This cubby-like version adds geometric structure and interest, all while opening up a small space.
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Kitchen
2. Add Wood For Warmth
An all-stainless-steel kitchen is super-cool but super-austere thanks to the monotony of steel gadgets, gizmos and appliances. Warm up your space with natural elements, like bamboo shades, slatted drawers and wicker catchalls. Don't be afraid to mix wood types and textures--just keep the palette similar.
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Kitchen
3. Display the Good Stuff
Who says those farmers?-market red potatoes need to be hidden away in the pantry? Put your prettiest produce on display. Get a cake stand and display those blueberry muffins, even if they?re store-bought (we won't tell).
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Kitchen
4. Embrace a Dark Wall
Navy on an accent wall? Boring. Navy in an entire room? Bold. This moody blue looks sophisticated and unexpected in a kitchen. Carry the hue into the next room by using it as an accent color (like on these doorframes).
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Kitchen
5. Sneak In Storage
Sure, you could stick pots and pans here (sneaky storage is always OK in our book). Or, you could make that space two inches from the floor artful and aesthetically pleasing. Take advantage of unexpected low shelving by showcasing your cherished cookbooks and keepsakes on it.
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Living Room
1. Sit and Reflect
It's Interior Design 101: Hang a mirror across from a window and see how your space seems to double in size. Now do it one better and turn said mirror into a work of art by hanging multiples and stacking them on top of one another.
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Living Room
2. See How Opposites Attract
The only time it's appropriate to be matchy-matchy is when comes to the matching set. Otherwise, contrast is queen. As in, a simple white canvas couch paired with a plush gray velvet sofa.
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Living Room
3. The Bigger, the Way, Way Better
A too-small rug in a large room is the quickest way to shrink the space and make it appear unbalanced. Instead, invest in a 9-by-12-foot area rug, like this Moroccan-souk style number. It will fill up your square footage and immediately make the room feel more inviting.
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Living Room
4. Be Accomodating
Can't fit another armchair, but desperately need extra seating? Look for small, fluffy stools that beckon guests to take a load off but are fairly unassuming and more structured than an outdated beanbag. (If you have a beanbag in your living room, please text us immediately. You need emergency, individual attention.)
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Living Room
5. Adopt the ?LIVED-IN? Look
A good rule for styling your coffee table: Don't make it too perfect. In other words, leave some room for actual living. While a table full of neatly organized books may look great, it gets pretty annoying to move them every time you want to rest your wine glass. One or two stacks, topped with a few tchotchkes works best.
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Bedroom
1. Add a Stylish Accent
An open, airy space makes for a modern bedroom, but don't be afraid to add an antiqued accent. This side table anchors the entire room and adds structure and function. You can get the same effect with a coat of Valspar Chalky Finish Paint in one lazy afternoon DIY (learn how here.)
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Bedroom
2. Make It Pop
A jewel-toned throw pillow punches up monochromatic bedding, especially in this season's rich slates and robin's-egg blues. What's more: Blue hues add a naturally calming element to your space.
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Bedroom
3. Mind Your Footing
Crisp whites and dark neutrals make any space feel ultra-modern, which is why a warm element is crucial to maximize comfort. A nubby area rug in warm, rich hues completes the room. Plus, it keeps bare feet happy.
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Bedroom
4. Get the Hang of It
A gallery wall is a must for any room, but your bedroom should really showcase your sentimental faves. Curate your collection with a mishmash of beloved postcards, prints and miscellany. The more mix-and-match, the better.
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Bedroom
5. Time for Your Curtain Call
Dark, heavy drapes make a room feel more ?crazy Aunt Mary? than ?chic retreat,? so opt for light-as-air curtains. This floor-length version still feels breezy, thanks to the gauzy fabric. Install hidden blackout shades if you need a womb for sleeping.
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