Repainting a room is one of the easiest ways to freshen the décor while changing
the feel of the room. The hottest design trend this year takes this to a whole new
level. Color-blocking techniques are dominating magazines and social media with
vivid color palettes and bold geometric patterns, turning the traditional painting
project into something special.
Color-blocking takes many forms—everything from a simple way to differentiate
one space from another by changing the wall shade, to artistic pairings that would
feel at home in a modern art gallery. Your style most likely falls somewhere in
between. The common theme is to try something new while changing the feel of
the room.
Before you start your project, take time to consider the desired final look.
Consider the relationship of your chosen colors and how each plays a part in the
design. Bright shades create a sense of energy while softer tones are calming. Use
blocked color to trick the eye into adding or subtracting space using light or dark
colors. Color-blocking can also be used to draw attention to architecturally
interesting elements, such as a curved entrance or crown molding.
This weekend is a great time to update your space by trying something new and
modern. Choose traditional color palettes and subtle shapes to compliment your
current design or go bold and completely change the room. Any home décor style
can benefit from the techniques of color-blocking with a little imagination,
masking tape, and a paintbrush.

Remember the feeling of walking into your favorite restaurant and looking
forward to a nice meal in a great atmosphere? With the shutdown of indoor
dining around the country, social media has been flooded with beautiful pictures
of homemade food. Now it’s time to bring that same enthusiasm to your dining
room décor and complete the transition to a true restaurant-quality experience.

• Add Texture – Looking for a bistro feel? Add some fuzzy pillows and a cozy
(preferably washable) floor rug to draw attention to the space.
• Change Up the Seating – Have you noticed that more and more restaurants
are using non-conventional furniture in their dining rooms? Adding some
armchairs, stools, or benches to the dining room will have a big impact.
• Gild the Room – One of the easiest ways to bring elegance to your dining
room is to add a gilded mirror. Keep an eye out for these and other special
touches at garage sales and some décor stores.
• Mix and Match – Take an eclectic approach to your dining room. No need
to use matching chairs or place settings.
• Add Ambience – Keep an interesting vase full of fresh flowers on your
table, add soft lighting or candles, and play ambient music over speakers to
remind you of your favorite restaurant or bar.

Offer those delicious meals a special place to be enjoyed by adding a few simple
touches to your dining room. Even with more time at home, there’s no reason we
can’t enjoy a “dining out” sense of elegance.