Is your home in need of a quick makeover? Before you contemplate a major overhaul, consider making small tweaks. Here are 5 simple ideas that will help you bring a static room stylishly back to life!

1. Add a wall shelf to create a spot to display a collection of photography or artwork. Select a theme of photos, for example, black and white, vacation, settings, family members etc. and rotate these collections every few months.

Paxton Wall Shelf, $49-69, West Elm

Picture Rails, $79, Room & Board

Kimball Wall Shelf, $39.95, Crate and Barrel

2. Mix and match fabrics, prints and textures to create new feel in your living room. For a modern, eclectic look, arrange pillows in sets of odd numbers mixing textures and textiles from smooth silks to plush velvets. Chose pillow colors by looking at fabric, artwork and other accents in room. Drape a solid or printed throw over the corner of the couch or place on an ottoman.

Prism Berry Pillow, $89, Room & Board

Tiles Saffron Pillow, $139, Room & Board

Ogee Throw, $200, Macy’s

3. Update your bedding with new patterned sheets and show them off by pulling your coverlet halfway down the bed.

Marimekko Wisteria Sheet set, $112, Crate and Barrel

Thomas O’Brien Pale Paisley Sheet Set, Target

Organic Rice Sheet Set, $34 - $119, West Elm

4. Add a new rug! Rugs are a great way to add pizazz to a room and enhance a room’s design. Use rugs to create zones and define spaces. When using more than one rug in a room, make sure that they are different sizes; rugs of the same size can make your space appear smaller. A rug is the perfect accent piece to use to tie the colors of your room décor together. You can even bring your carpet to life by floating a fun rug on top of it!

Mesh Dot Azura, $294, Liora Manne

Indoor Gold Abstract Rug, $118, Overstock.com

Cadiz Rug, $199-$1299, West Elm

5. Repaint! To accentuate and add a dramatic flair repaint a wall, the front foyer or an entire room in a darker shade. I love these new colors by Benjamin Moore from the Fiery Sunset collection!

Peruvian Chili-CSP-1100, Benjamin Moore

Egyptian Clay-CSP 1140, Benjamin Moore

Hot Tamale-CSP 1155, Benjamin Moore

Visit me on Pinterest.com to see the complete design board of the suggested items and where to find them!

Pantone announced that Tangerine Tango is the color of 2012. And what a lovely color it is! Sophisticated, dramatic and seductive, this reddish-orange hue provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward. This color is truly versatile but magnetic enough to be attention grabbing and vivacious.

Celebrate this color and add Tangerine Tango to your wardrobe. The versatility of this color makes it easy to transition from spring to fall fashion.

Visit me on Pinterest.com to see the complete design board and all the details on where to buy!

Pantone announced that Tangerine Tango is the color of 2012. And what a lovely color it is! Sophisticated, dramatic and seductive, this reddish-orange hue provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward. This color is truly versatile but magnetic enough to be attention grabbing and vivacious.

Energize your home or office with these Tangerine Tango inspired accessories!

Visit me on Pinterest.com to see the complete design board and all the details on where to buy!

Happy New Year!

There is no better time then the beginning of a new year to get organized!  This week my tips and ideas will help you organize, plan and shape your year into gear!

Indispensable Game Plan

In this digital age where we rely heavily on online calendars (I can’t imagine life without my iPhone calendar!) I still love having a traditional planner!

The ideal planner I like to have devotes a full page to each day allowing me write my essential “to-dos” as well as quickly jot down any design ideas that come to me as I navigate through the day.  Plus having a daily planner is a great way to track accomplishments and progress over the year.  By year-end you can take a quick glance and see where you started and where you ended up!

My favorites are these colorful planners by Cavallini & Co.  $35 available at www.JennyBlick.com.  What a great way to keep track of daily appointments and to-dos in style!

Winter Blues

Is your front foyer closet in disarray with a flurry of hats, gloves and scarves just thrown in and stuffed wherever you find room?  A great way to keep your closet neat and clutter-free this winter is to use these artful wooden hangers by Toma, $20 available at www.TomaObjects.com or www.MtlDesigners.com.  They are the smartest catchalls for nearly anything!

Label It

Tidy your cabinets, closets, desk and storage area with these adorable labels in a variety of sizes and colors designed by Better Homes and Gardens.  Check them out at:  www.bhg.com/labelideas

I love decorating for the holidays and every year I always pull out my favorites like these Holiday Penguins I purchased from Pier 1 last year.

But what’s even better is when you can add glitz and glam to your home for the holiday season and leave them up all year-round!

Here are my picks of some traditional favorites that can bring holiday cheer 365 days a year.

1. A metallic acorn mix placed in a hand-woven baguette basket in the front foyer is warm and inviting!

2.  Everything does not have to match perfectly….I love to mix in several different holiday themed plates with regular ones to create a festive dining atmosphere!

3.  Arrange a few of glitzy cachepots along a kitchen bar, in the front foyer or dining table to display dry or faux botanicals.

4.  Create a mid-century modern vibe with starburst wall art ornaments such these.

December is here and this of course means lots of holiday events to attend!

My December holiday events calendar is starting to fill up which makes me immediately think, “what do I wear”?  So I came up with a list of versatile holiday dress options from casual dresses to fancy cocktail wear that can get you from work to the evening holiday event.  Enjoy!

Holiday Fashion Tips:

1. Feeling overwhelmed by the many holiday events you have to attend?  No problem! Create a new holiday look simply by recycling your cocktail dresses and just add in a layering piece such as a glittery cardigan or wrap, tights or new accessories such as a clutch or a stunning necklace.
2. Keep it simple.  When in doubt of what to wear, you can never go wrong with a classic black dress.  This is universally flattering and will always look stylish at any event.
3. To easily update your look from day to evening, add a sequin scarf/hat or a gorgeous animal print handbag or shoes.  This will be sure to take your look from basic to brilliant!

A table centerpiece adds charm and elegance to a dining and entertaining experience.

You can easily create a lovely centerpiece using fresh flowers, candles, decorative stones and table runners.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Magic of glitter & gold

For a glamorous look, create a centerpiece in gold, silver and bronze.  This sets the mood for a party and adds a festive feel.

Simple & Elegant

My all time favorite look is fresh cut flowers in a white porcelain vase placed on a table runner.  This adds simple elegance for a family affair.

Sweet & Savory

An edible centerpiece is always a treat for your guests!  Arrange edibles such as crackers, cheese, fruit, cookies and other small pastries in decorative trays, wood pedestals and tiered serving patters.

Coffee tables add an interesting design element and can serve as a functional piece of furniture or be a decorative centerpiece of a room. When deciding on a coffee table style for your home, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. In a small space, rectangular or oval coffee tables work well.  Select tables with additional shelving or select a stylish trunk that can provide functional storage space and be decorative too.

2.  Square or round tables are great with larger seating arrangements such as sectional sofas.

3.  When selecting a coffee table to be a decorative centerpiece, these elements will make it stand out:  size, material, style, surface finish and color.

4.  The height of a coffee table should be the same height as your sofa or lower.

Office-Envy, a fabulous site whose mission is to improve office spaces and make them more enjoyable, livable and inspiring for employees recently asked me this:

“My desk has exposed brick behind it. How can I accessorize the wall without overpowering it…and taking into account that it’s hard to hang things on?”

Exposed brick walls add character and charm but can present a decorating challenge when trying to coordinate the color, texture and style of the brick with the rest of the room décor and atmosphere.

Here are my tips for decorating an office setting with an exposed brick wall:

1. To emphasize the textured surface of the brick wall and highlight it as a focal point, avoid cluttering your brick wall with too many prints or wall hangings. Instead use large, simple prints, large wall hangings or wrought-iron artwork.
2. Use lighting to make the brick wall glow.  Using spot light floor lamps or table lamps will allow you to direct the light onto the brick wall.
3. Use mirrors on the opposite side of the wall to create interesting an interesting reflection.
4. Look for interesting vintage or antique-type décor items to create a cohesive and overall retro feel.
5. Soften the industrial look and feel by adding neutral, earthy and rustic color fabrics and textiles for rugs, curtains and pillows.

To see the complete mood board on Pinterest.com, CLICK HERE.

As fall is now in full swing, I’m in search for trendy, stylish boots!  After the harsh winter we had last year, I ended up having to throw away all my pairs, so now I’m ready for some new finds.  Here are my picks:

Ellen Tracy Elements Boots, $179, Macys.com

Alfani Women’s Shoes, Veronika Booties, $109, Macys.com

Bella Black, $119, Naturalizer.com

Jessica Simpson, Tustiny, $189, Lord & Taylor

Audrey Brooke April Riding Boot, $129, DSW.com

Diba Chic Boot, $64.95, DSW.com

Franco Sarto Ravel Boot, $89.95, DSW.com

Rain Boots, Calvin Klein, $119, Shoes.com

Rain Boots, Ralph Lauren Rossalyn, $65, Shoes.com

Ellen Tracy Cosy Suede Lace-Up, $159, Lord & Taylor

Tahari Delia, $149, Lord & Taylor

Nine West Magic, $179, Lord & Taylor