DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR STAIRS

One part of the house that often gets overlooked for its design potential is the stairwell. Stairs can be boring, ugly, and forgotten. With a little TLC, your stairway can become a part of the rest of your home in no time. It can even emerge as the new focal point of your entryway.


Photo: House Beautiful

Something as simple as an interesting or colorful runner going up your stairway can make all the difference. Imagine the above stairs without the runner. They would be very white and completely boring. A runner may be a little bit on the expensive side, depending on what kind you can find.


Photo: Elle Décor

A very simple, inexpensive change, as I’ve said before, is paint. This stairway shines with a pop of yellow paint. Be careful not to paint the walls a dark color, especially if there isn’t a window nearby. Too dark can look depressing and be a little dangerous, particularly for older adults because they may not be able to see the steps clearly. Hanging an array of pictures going up the sides of the stairs is also a great way to brighten up the walls.


Photo: House Beautiful

Throw an element of surprise into your stairwell. This design uses rope to bring in a rustic element and change what we normally think of when we see stairs. A unique element can be anything; a colorful runner, something hanging on the wall, something sitting on the landing.




Photos: Apartment Therapy

If you would really like a unique set of stairs, here’s one idea for you- a bookcase staircase. This will surely grab the attention of any guest to your home. To pull this off you must own a pretty big book collection and have no fear of the unusual.

Have fun with your stairs this spring and don’t underestimate the power of a really beautiful staircase. It just may be your new favorite part of the house.

BLACK WALLS... WHAT?!?

My friends and I recently had a debate about whether or not black is an acceptable paint color. My friend and I argued yes, while her husband said absolutely not. I would like to tell all that black is definitely an acceptable paint color and can actually be a very interesting choice. You will find that your colorful artwork, accents and furniture will stand out wonderfully against this dark background.


Photo: Martha Stewart

No color is sexier than black when used in a bedroom. A black wall can make an enormous impact and creates instant drama. If you are going to paint your bedroom black, a pop of color in bedding or throw pillows will look perfect. If you prefer neutral bedding, pick a side chair or other accent piece that will stand out against the dark walls. Using this color in your bedroom will create a very relaxing environment that will be easy to wind down in.


Photo: Apartment Therapy


Photo: House Beautiful

There are many colors of accents and furniture that go great with black walls. White furniture looks amazing against a dark wall. A bright pop of color or pattern can really pull a boring black and white room together into a fun and modern space. Khaki colored furniture also looks great against black walls if you prefer neutral colors.

The greatest thing about a black wall is the way it changes throughout the day. You will notice that as the sun rises and sets and the light varies in your home, the color of your walls will change dramatically. You’ll love watching the variations in color and it really adds something unique, interesting and beautiful to a room. To achieve the best effect, be sure to choose the room with the most windows to paint black. This will also help to prevent the room from becoming too dark and dreary.

For those of you afraid of color, this may be the ultimate fear, but I’m telling you to take a chance and add some drama to your home. This is a very inexpensive way to completely change the look and feel of a room. Go for it! After all, black is technically a neutral color.