I love adding new decorating elements and accessories to my home, and with the change in seasons, there are plenty of fun shopping options to pull in colors of the season. This weekend, one of the quickest ways to add fresh autumn colors is to decorate your front entrance.
Category Archives: Outdoor Decorating
How to Choose an Outdoor Rug
A fantastic way to add a fresh look to your outdoor deck or patio is to add a rug. As it does in your home, an outdoor rug ties an area together, adds comfort, and can be a beautiful way to add a fresh color combination. The questions are what type should you purchase and are all outdoor rugs the same? There are two categories of rugs that you may choose from: synthetic and natural fibers. Be sure to check the label or the product description, so you know what you are buying. Let’s review the types and benefits:
5 Tips for your Outdoor Pots and Containers
Now that we are safely past the time of a nighttime frost in my region of the northeast, it’s a great time to get all of your containers filled with beautiful plants for your deck or patio. Before you start, review these 5 tips to get your outdoor pots and containers ready:
Continue reading 5 Tips for your Outdoor Pots and Containers
Decorate with a Rug Inside or Outside
In a home with an open floor plan where one area merges into another, a rug is a fantastic way to separate the rooms by purpose, to add comfort, and to add color. Because the rug anchors the room, you will want to purchase the right size and meet your family’s needs. To learn more about selecting the correct rug material and size, check out How to Buy the Right Rug.
Indoor and Outdoor Plant Ideas
It’s that time of year when we think about plants and gardens. I’m not a gardener but enjoy plants and love the colors that they can bring to any space. With that in mind, I wanted to offer a few indoor plant ideas that are easy to care for and anyone can find success:
Planning Spring Outdoor Projects
I don’t know about you; I am very ready for spring, warm weather, and outdoor entertaining! As we head into April, it may be a good time to come up with your outdoor decor and decide if there are any outdoor projects you want to consider doing and to take stock of what you have and what you want to change. Continue reading Planning Spring Outdoor Projects
5 Tips to Add New Life to Your Outdoor Containers
As we go from summer to fall here on the East coast, some of the plants in our containers look shabby or have died. I have a few ideas to help you give them a fresh look as we go into Fall. The first thing you need to do is remove all the dead or dying plants and assess what is salvageable. Here are five ways you can keep your outdoor containers looking great:
1. Add ornamental grass for height and color.
If your vines still look good and all your annuals are gone, replace them with a lovely ornamental grass. One of my favorites is the Purple Fountain Grass because of its beautiful color, texture, and height.
2. Fill empty spots with branches or twigs.
If your container needs instant height, take some cuttings from your trees and strategically place them in the center of the container to add interest. If you want a particular color, use spray paint. My recommendation, keep the colors based on the colors of the season. If you don’t have trees to cut from, go to your local craft store and go through the dried or silk floral area and find the shape, height, color that you want to use to fill in empty spots.
3. Add late blooming plants.
Go to your local garden center to find the best options. In our area, Cone Flowers, Black-eyed Susan, Zinnia, and Pansies continue to bloom into the fall. Though it may seem too early for Chrysanthemum, you will see them in your garden centers, incorporate them into existing pots to add color and interest! There are also cooler weather succulents that you can add, again check your local garden center for options.
4. Fill in bare areas with accessories.
Does is sound crazy to add accessories to your containers? Why not! Think about adding a Mirror Globe gazing ball that will reflect the colors from existing plants and fill up space. Or, add a solar-powered lantern for interest during the day or night. If you already have a lantern you want to use, add an outdoor battery-powered candle (that has a timer). Do you have a favorite yard statue or a garden gnome? Consider moving it to the bare area of your pot for a whimsical look.
5. Reshuffle your pots and arrange them for interest.
Move your pots around to create a color interest. Consolidate containers to maximize interest in one pot. If all the flowers in small pots have died, consider placing them in the center of a larger pot, based on color and insert tree cuttings or twigs to achieve the desired height.
Photo by Singing Gardens – Search patio design ideas
I hope these five tips help you enjoy your outdoor time as long as possible this summer season! If you need home decorating or home staging assistance, give me a call 610.955.8202 or email, I would love to help!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram. (Feature photo from Houzz: Kim Gamel.)
5 Tips for a Fabulous Deck or Patio Area
As we head into summer and have the ability to spend peaceful time outside on our deck or patio, is your outdoor seating area what you would like for it to be? For a fresh look, enjoy these five tips to help you achieve the look you want for your outdoor seating, entertaining and eating area.
1. Bring the comforts of the indoors outside.
In a sunny area, add a solar powered lamp that you can make yourself! Click here to see the step-by-step instructions; you will be amazed at how easy this is to create!
2. Warm up your setting with the soft glow of candles.
3. Any space, small or large, can get a fresh look by the use of pops of color and patterns.
In this example, the seating area is pulled together with a lovely shade of blue in the pillows and accessories.
On this balcony, red is a fantastic color to make this small space shine with comfort and interest.
4. Incorporate plants into your outdoor area.
You will want to vary the height of the plants to create your conversation areas and add potted flowers for color and beauty. If you are placing pots in a full-sun area you will want to choose heat-tolerant plants, click here to review a list of options. Use a potting soil that will help maintain moisture if you are not a consistent person that waters, such as MiracleGro’s Moisture Control Potting Soil. If you already have the potting soil add the “water storing crystals” to the soil, link for more information.
5. Paint your furniture a new color.
I recently had a client, inspired by my latest articles on furniture transformation, sent me photos of her latest DIY project. She transformed a bistro style table and chairs with new paint colors.
Furniture before being painted:
Furniture after being painted:
What a difference! She didn’t like the color it was and used Rustoleum’s Paint + Primer in Satin Espresso, and finished it with Rustoleum’s Metallic Flat Burnished Amber for a slight metallic sheen. A couple of tips that she offered: Your hand gets tired from spray-painting, to help, use the Rustoleum Spray Paint Can Soft Grip to prevent hand fatigue. Wear gloves; nitrile is the strongest won’t tear as easily. Now all she needs to do is figure out some fun pillows! The best part of any redesign, the accessories! Thank you for sharing your fabulous project with us!
If you require help selecting a color palette for any area of your home, or any home decorating question, give me a call 610.955.8202 or email, we can come to your rescue!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram.
Outdoor Decorating Trends
I love this time of year, warmer weather, longer days and a time to think about outside entertaining. Is your deck or patio ready for guests? Just as there are trends in indoor décor, you will see the same in outdoor decorating. There are some new trends this year I wanted to share with you.
Indoors Goes Outdoors
The concept of creating a look outdoors that appears like the indoors isn’t new, the amount of items and accessories available is more readily found and at an affordable price. Just as we like a cozy and comfortable indoor, we have the same expectation outdoors. You will see more options in rugs, ottomans, side tables, outdoor lighting and all the accessories to complete a comfortable and stylish outdoor seating area.
The options for brightly patterned and colored cushions and pillows are plentiful, click here to view some options. You will see more furniture made of natural items such as rattan, wicker, and teak. This style from the ‘70s will make a big comeback with a mixture of these materials, incorporating weaving and a “crochet” look. Click here for an example of mixed materials in outdoor seating.
You will need an option for storing your throws and candles and anything you would not want to be exposed to nature all the time. I love this idea from Target, it uses the look of wicker and serves as a coffee table and storage area, ideal for a small deck or patio.
Finish the Look
- Pick the pop color you wish to use in your outdoor seating area and incorporate it into garden stools that will serve as side tables.
- Add a beautiful rug to create a conversation area.
- Add lighting. Use table lamps constructed for outdoor use or string lights, whatever fits your style.
- For some inspiration check out my Pinterest board displaying seating arrangements and accessories.
If you are not in the market for new furniture and want to bring life back to your old furniture here are a few tips:
- How to Clean Cushions and Fabric
- How to Clean Metal, Wood and Other Types of Furniture
- Add a fresh coat of paint to bring old furniture to life. Go to your local home store and ask for the best way to handle what you are trying to paint.
For all your home decorating, color selection, home staging needs call Debbie 61.955.8202 or email for a consultation. Do you love home decorating and would like to learn how you can make money in the redesign and home staging business? Sign up now for one of my upcoming hands-on classes and get started on your new career!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram.
Front Door Refresher Tips
As we prepare for Spring, it’s a good time to reevaluate your front door and overall entrance impression. I decided to take a fun approach to this topic that I find fascinating. In Feng Shui, the entrance of your home is considered important as your house receives energy, or Chi, from this entry. What is Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”)? The phrase is comprised of two Chinese words feng meaning wind and shui meaning water. The thought is that wind and water are the two elements essential to humans. These key elements are carriers of chi, life force or life energy. Mind Body Green offers this explanation:
Feng shui is a powerful method of experiencing more balance, joy, and inspiration in your life. The ancient Chinese art and science of feng shui give you the tools to create balance and harmony in your surroundings, which helps you to move forward with ease and inspiration. One of the basic tenets of feng shui is that you are influenced by everything in your outer environment. So, if you arrange your environment in a way that properly circulates life-force energy, you will flourish.
In conclusion, if your front door has good health and is balanced the better the result you will have in your home. On that topic, here are a few ways to ensure good Feng Shui for your entrance:
- Remove the clutter from your entrance and clean all debris, wash windows, to increase the flow of energy to your home.
- Check the way your door looks. Does it need to be painted? Is the hardware rusted and need to be replaced?
- Add proper lighting.
- Note, the direction that your front door faces determine the paint color you should use, click here to read an article on picking the proper front door color using Feng Shui guidance.
As I have been in the Interior Decorating and Home Staging business for over 15 years, I know that the impression of the front door is critical and sets the tone for how someone feels when walking into the house. I take homeowners through the step of looking at their front door with fresh eyes, at the door, and from the street view. They are both critical when you are trying to sell your home and make a good impression. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:
- Add appropriately sized pots with tall, healthy plants (that you can see from the street) at the entrance; they should not block your way.
- Add a new and clean welcome mat.
- Clean your front door, add fresh paint, and hardware.
- Add a springtime wreath that is welcoming.
May your home bring you peace, joy, prosperity and happiness! If you need help with your interior decorating, picking paint colors, tile colors, countertops or fabric call Debbie 610.955.8202 or email for a consultation.
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram.
