It's pretty standard for people to leave their holiday decorations up through New Year's, and even a couple weeks into January. And for those who decorate before Thanksgiving, that means the halls will be decked might a good two months. So, now that the guests have headed home and the presents have been unwrapped (and returned/exchanged, ha!), it's about time to start cleaning and packing up after months of hard partying. Unfortunately, your home can be hard hit by the slew these fêtes — if you're the hostess type. But, it's actually not such a daunting task to bring it back to good shape, with just a few steps. To learn the steps, check out this slideshow.
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While some people refer to sofas simply as Chesterfields, the term usually refers to a sofa marked by upright, curving armrests and tufting. And while I'm not necessarily a fan of leather sofas, when leather is used on a classic Chesterfield shape, I have no complaints. Chesterfields are imbued with an antiquated elegance, even when their shape is updated by more modern designers.
I love the look of this Chocolate Brown Chesterfield Sofa ($1,300) from Maisons du Monde, which is outfitted in cotton velvet that's been treated with Teflon to minimize stains. It just looks so plush and perfect for falling into after a long day's work.
Unless you have an artificial Christmas tree or none at all, you'll need to safely dispose of your live tree after the holidays. First things first: Don't burn it in your fireplace! This can contribute to creosote buildup in your chimney, and most Christmas trees will dangerously pop and spark in a fire.
Beyond that, you have several other options. Most towns offer curbside tree pickup for a few weeks following Christmas. Call or Google your municipal office for info. Many nonprofits, such as the Boy Scouts, offer pickup services for a small donation, like $5. Look out for fliers around town for these services or search for them online. Or, drive your tree to a dropoff recycling center; most counties have several locations. Next year, considering getting a live, rooted tree, which you can then plant in your yard after Christmas! Source
Happy New Year! While it may be chilly and gray outside your window, that's no reason to get the Winter blues. Instead, embrace the new year by keeping your home cheerful and bright. Start by creating a cozy reading nook with this George Kovacs Genie Table Lamp (on sale for $78). To see some other great products that will have you singing a happy tune throughout the month, check out the slideshow.
Are You Using Your In-Home Communication Services? Once you have taken stock of your in-home entertainment memberships, spend some time thinking about your in-home communication services and whether or not you are using them daily. The upkeep will not only help you maintain your resolve to live below your means, but it will allow you to measure whether the service is worth the cost.
According to David Ngo, the designer behind the Jacob's Stool, it is "designed to maximize the user's living space and bring added aesthetics to the room." The stool's legs collapse, and then it can be hung on the wall by its fabric hinges as a piece of art. I think it's an innovative solution for small-space living. What about you? Source
I spotted this home in Sweden's design glossy Skona Hem, and loved the coziness of the living room, and how courageous, rather than predictable, the dark colors are. The mix of materials — velvet, silk, leather — brings so much texture and life to the room. In most rooms, a purple velvet sofa such as this one could be abrasive, but the palette here welcomes it; it belongs in this room. I thought I'd show you how to get the look of this room, since I love it so! It's not the type of space that comes naturally to most; it's quite eclectic. To learn how to achieve this look, read more
Maison Martin Margiela
Moschino
Jovovich-Hawk