Lucy Norton

The kitchen is the most frequently upgraded room in the home and homeowners are smart to invest their home improvement dollars there since it’s almost always the most important room to prospective buyers and can easily make or break a sale. They also tend to add considerable value to a home while adding to its aesthetics and functionality as well. But not all kitchen remodels are created equal. Many homeowners make the mistake of investing too much--more than they can ever expect to get back--f...

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of professional interior decorators don’t have a degree--at least not in design or decorating--unlike interior designers which must have a degree, decorators do what they do more off of instinct. A good eye for colors, patterns, and textures, and you can create your own great interior spaces without having to pay out for a pro. Here are a few fast tips. Start with color palette Don’t make the mistake of trying to pick out pieces without an over-arching...

No matter how prepared you feel you are, you still won’t be fully ready for the difficulties that come with a major remodel. The following tips can help you get through it however. Establish a line of communication with the contractor Whether you’re making arrangements to live elsewhere during the remodel or you plan to stay in your home, you won’t be around every second of every day to monitor things. Occasionally your general contractor will encounter an issue that needs to be run by you be...

Amateur decorators and designers are bound to make mistakes along the way. After all, they don’t have the training that professionals do. But even if you’re planning on decorating your home yourself to save money, there are a few mistakes you can avoid. The following five interior decorating mistakes are ones that homeowners should be able to avoid. The wrong-sized area rugs Homeowners tend to buy too small when it comes to area rugs. Area rugs are supposed to be the foundation for the space ...

Good lighting is a key aspect of interior design but it’s one that’s often overlooked. In addition to furnishings and accessories, don’t forget these lighting tips to make sure all your hard interior decorating work is well-illuminated. Smart lighting Smart lighting is a relatively new development in the ever-growing connected home craze. Smart light bulbs have a small chip embedded in the base that allow them to connect to your home’s wireless network. This enables you to control your lighti...