Garden And Home Decor

Buying the sofa was easy. Truth be told, it was love at first sight. The matching wingback chairs? They just worked. All in all, it’s becoming the room you dreamed it could be, but wait…something’s missing…

What’s that at the center of your vision? That barren space is more like a small dance floor than the lovely oasis you envisioned. You’ve left buying a coffee table for last – afraid of making the wrong choice. Like an ostrich you’ve got your head buried in the sand. (That is, the sand colored shag area rug you bought the last time you were supposed to be coffee table shopping.)

Choosing a coffee table doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Follow these easy guidelines for buying the perfect coffee table:

A picture is worth avoiding a thousand mistakes. When shopping for a coffee table, take a photo of the room with you. It’s a helpful way to see how a table will fit into the space.

Add some sense to your sensibility. Most coffee tables range from about 16 to 18 inches high. If you are going to be doing a lot of entertaining, you’ll want the height of your coffee table to be slightly lower than the seat height of your sofa or at the same level.

First class always has leg room. When buying a coffee table, don’t use your words… know your numbers! Keep room and furniture measurements handy. Bring along a tape measure and remember to leave at least 18 inches between a sofa and coffee table. More space will leave the table too far out of reach.

To thine own self be true. You want something that both complements your lifestyle and unifies your décor. Want to put your feet up at the end of the day? Choose a practical bi-cast leather ottoman with storage and top it with a tray for food and drinks.

Shape things up. Do you have a sofa with rolled arms? An oval or round coffee table will harmonize the look. Square tables balance a sectional sofa. Is your space long and narrow? Break up the space and provide usable, reachable surfaces with two smaller square tables. Be sure rectangular coffee tables are long enough to be reached by everyone sitting on the sofa.

Coffee tables come in a dazzling assortment of styles and materials. Go ahead and break the rules for something that looks great and serves you well. Above all, don’t let the fear of making a decorating faux pas keep you from buying the perfect coffee table.

“There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”
~Vincent van Gogh, Dutch Painter 1853-1890

With Halloween behind us, it’s good to know that orange doesn’t have to scream Jack o’ Lantern or Trick or Treat. In its truest form orange can be challenging to live with, but if you’ve been shying away from orange, just look out the window. T’is the season when reds and oranges transform the landscape. Maybe it’s the time to rethink this vibrant carroty color, let your guard down… and have an orange crush.

You might not consider terra-cotta an orange, but it is a popular expression of the same hue. So are salmon, peach, shrimp and coral. In fact, this season’s hot color is coral orange. Looking for ways to warm and energize a tired room? Here’s a guide for squeezing some orange into your life.

Orange in the bedroom
Peach may be safe and quiet for a bedroom, but orange doesn’t have to be loud. Adding warm woods and pairing it with hushed hues like lavender or pale blue (yes, really!) will offset the boisterousness.
If you have a lot of wood in your bedroom, like a wooden bed frame and side tables, for example, painting your walls a deep orange will energize it by day and give a warm, cozy glow at night. Finish the look with sable colored bedding for a rich, earthy feel.

For an energetic punch to white walls and black furniture, try tangerine bedding. Toss in other juicy accents in matching tangerine tones, like a vase or a bold colored lamp for each nightstand.

Orange flavored living spaces
Blazing orange walls always look great surrounding a fireplace and make the fire burn brighter. Add a tall, dark and handsome wooden mirror to cool things down.

Warm up a great room or family room by combining golden yellow walls with burnt orange tie-back curtains. Keep things balmy with matching burnt orange throw pillows.

Use orange accents to brighten a predominantly brown room. An orange throw paired with a gold and orange patterned pillow can be stunning against a solid brown chair or ottoman.

Don’t rule out colorful furniture as a way to pop open some color. A neutral office space can always use a walk on the less serious side, with a brightly colored file cabinet. Does your loft need a pick me up? Add a touch of contemporary with a cozy orange sherbet colored lounge chair.

If you have a secret crush on orange but aren’t sure just how much citrus you should pour into a room, use this foolproof formula: 60-30-10. Main colors should cover about 60 percent of the room (painted walls). A secondary color covers approximately 30 percent (window covers, upholstery and rugs). The last 10 percent is for accent colors (artwork, tiles and cushions). When you know the formula, orange becomes a lot less spooky.

The carrot has been dangled…time for an orange crush.