More and more of us are working from home, either at a home-based business or telecommuting and reducing trips into the office.  While you can get away with sitting on the couch in your pajamas while you work, having a dedicated office space really does help boost motivation and productivity.  Here are some tips for making your office functional but also beautiful and inviting.  You’ll love to go to work!

Making it functional first. Before you concern yourself too much with accessories or art, make sure your office works.  Is your furniture comfortable and usable?  Do you have equipment set up in accessible locations?  Invest in cute cabinets for your files and supplies; this helps keep them organized and out of sight.  Any organizational aid will be helpful – clutter can quickly take over any office, and it is doubly true at home.

Color a great work environment. Color is crucial to any room, and the same goes for your home office.  It is usually recommended that you go with neutrals or soothing tones of green or blue.  If, however, you need to be energized to work, not soothed, why not go with a bolder color choice?  The key is to create a space that allows you the freedom and clarity to work, so color choices should not overwhelm a room, especially if your home office is small.  Try white walls with an accent wall of red, orange, purple, or your favorite color.  This will give your office a chic, modern look while not being obtrusive or distracting.

When choosing your accessories, think again about what will motivate you to work.  If, for instance, you tend to work best in serene environments, accessorizing your office with neutral and soft tones, as well as natural fibers like bamboo will create a light, calm atmosphere.  If you need color and stimulation to get you going, you can tone up white walls with bright accessories.  Likewise, if you’ve gone with a bold color for your walls, try white for your accessories.  This creates great contrast, but again, it will not be overly distracting.

Remind yourself why you’re there.  If your business has a pamphlet, brochure, or creates a product, incorporate into your décor.  For instance, frame your brochure and hang it both as a piece of art and as inspiration to you – it also tells people what you do when the visit your office.

Use the space you have, even if it is a corner of a larger multifunctional room to create an environment that allows you to work. It won’t be the same for everyone; those who work at home have tremendous freedom to work how they see fit.  Take advantage and create your haven.

In the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for 2009-2010, we are shown how much of our investment we recoup when we undertake renovations in our homes.  For instance, if you do a “minor kitchen remodeling,” at a cost of about $21,000, you will recoup, on average, about $16,680 upon resale.  If you are like most people, there is nothing “minor” about $21,000!  Luckily, though, there are improvements you can make to your home that cost much, much less and that will help you retain, if not raise, your home’s value.  In today’s housing market, even getting close to your asking price is reason for celebration.  Perhaps some of these tips can help you make a better sale:

Clear the clutter. No one likes to live in the midst of a cramped, cluttery home, and it can be deadly when you are showing a property.  Pat Petrosillo, a New York real estate agent says, “Get rid of the clutter.  Put it in a box and store it in the garage – this makes the house look bigger.”  Fellow NY realtor Shannon Martin agrees.  “De-cluttering completely opens up a space and shows the true size of the home…It’s priceless what some simple cleaning and de-clutterind can do for a home.”

Clean and sparkly. “This may sound nuts,” says Petrosillo, “but if windows are clean they sparkle more.”  Attack those windows and shampoo the carpet.  You can rent a shampooer at a local hardware or department store, and it makes a tremendous different.  Clean carpets not only look better, they smell better and make the entire home look cleaner and brighter.

Freshen up. A new coat of paint freshens the entire home, making it appear newer.  Go with neutral tones if you are considering selling your home because this gives potential buyers a nice, clean canvas on which to picture their future home.  If you’ve done it up in turquoise and brown – very trendy colors today – it may not appeal to someone more sedate  or to a buyer next year when the hot colors have changed.  Others recommend using neutrals, like white or cream, for trim and accents, while going with bright, cheery colors to brighten rooms.  Go with a color that will not fade out of favor in the next few years and one that can be easily covered up by the new owner.   In any case, a coat of paint can transform a room very affordably, allowing you to see a return on your investment.

Pay attention to your kitchen. Kitchens are big selling points, but if you don’t have the money for a minor remodeling that costs more than your car, you can still make improvements that will engage potential buyers.  Again, paint is helpful and can freshen a room dramatically.  Also, consider having your cabinets resurfaced or repainted or changing the hardware to something more contemporary, like polished chrome or brushed nickel.

Replace your front door. This is one improvement that is well worth it at selling time.  Switching a standard door for a steel model for $1172 will net you $1470, a 128.9 percent increase.  And that’s even before the buyer steps in to admire your new paint jobs.

You can also make sure your yard is, at the very least, neat and tidy.  Some shrubs or flowers will brighten its appeal, even among those who do not garden.  If you can, adding a deck can help you raise your home’s value because it is seen as an addition to its usable space, and that is always a good seller.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make improvements to your home.  In fact, realtors advise you not to.  Pat Petrosillo says, “Houses are selling, but not for what people are expecting.  Don’t put a lot of money into the home because you may not always get it back.”  It has been shown that small improvements like the ones mentioned above provide better results and return on investment than major remodeling efforts.

What is the first decorating job that new homeowners tackle?  If there is any wallpaper in the home, that is bound to be the first casualty of new ownership.  Whether you have one room done in a hideous pattern or each room is home to its own wallpaper style (none of which match or coordinate, of course!), this is often the first thing that gets painted over or stripped down.  Our walls are integral in our home’s appearance, and wallpaper has fallen out of favor because of the many uninspiring patterns and odd color choices.  But thanks to new, innovative, and chic designers, wallpaper is making a bit of a comeback.

Besides the appearance of the designs, the placement of wallpaper has changed.  Instead of covering each wall in a room, or in a home, with wallpaper, elegant homes are using them with the attitude that less is more.  Accent walls, of course, can make a dramatic addition to a room. Instead of paint, many homeowners are opting for paper.  As with paint, the wall becomes the focal point, making it perfect for behind beds, sofas, or desks.

Along similar lines, we are seeing wallpaper appearing in the insets of doors or niches in a home.  This adds flair to a home that is otherwise painted, specifically if the colors and tones are more sedate.  Another great spot to consider is your foyer.  This can make a smaller space more inviting and give visitors a beautiful first impression.

In the bedroom, you can use wallpaper to create a fabulous headboard.  Upholstered headboards are hot right now, and you can create your own take on this trend very easily and affordably.  Have a piece of plywood cut to size and then simply cover it with your choice of wallpaper.  This adds incredible dimension, texture, and style to the entire room.

While wallpaper’s days of covering entire rooms may be over – or at least in hiatus – there are still plenty of ways to incorporate it into an elegant home.

Ma Weidu, a renowned Chinese antiquities expert and television host, recently spoke at a celebration for interior designers in his native land, saying that “home decoration should strive to meet people’s spiritual needs rather than fulfill desires for luxury.”  We would like to amend this slightly and say that meeting your needs and desires is its own kind of luxury, perhaps the most pure and enjoyable kind.  Our design philosophy is “choose what you love.”  We can, however, help you look at your space and figure out how to blend the elements you love with the space that you have so you make the most of both.

Elegant Interiors by Tabitha Yount can help you realize the full potential of your home, whether it is a rambling multi-story structure or a cozy studio.  If you love bright colors, we can work to make your home bold and beautiful without being gaudy or busy; if you prefer neutrals, we can help add some hints of color that will fit perfectly with your personality.  There is a whole world of wonderful colors, fabrics, textures, and furnishings; among them are the ones that will be perfect for your home.

We care about style, about trends – it’s our job.  We can create rooms that manage to be both current and timeless.  But most importantly, we can design your rooms around your needs, desires, and ideas of beauty.  Schedule a free consultation with us so we can work to realize your home’s potential.  We can even help if you have avocado green furniture.

Before you reupholster your pieces, it is important to ask yourself a few questions and evaluate the piece that you would like to transform.  The first is: does the piece have any sentimental value?  If you inherited a tremendously comfortable, faded chaise from your grandmother, covering it – even with an exceptional fabric – may cause you to lose some of its sentimental value.  On the other hand, if your grandmother had atrocious taste, reupholstering could be a way of honoring her memory while updating her look!  In either case, make sure to ask yourself if a change will actually cause you to lose some enjoyment in your piece.

For other furnishings, it is important to look at the quality of their construction.  For instance, you may have been given furniture from your parents’ or grandparents’ home – increasingly common as new homeowners seek to save money.  If the construction is solid, reupholstering is a wonderful idea.  If, however, you see that the piece has nails instead of screws or has other features which make you think its life is soon to draw to a close, then reupholstering will not be a great decision.  If it is solid, though, a makeover can bring these pieces up to date, more comfortable, and more in line with your personal design style.

Reupholstering furniture can be an excellent way to save money; buying high quality furniture new can be very expensive.  Recovering those great yard sale finds or attic specials can add style and beauty at a fraction of the price.  It is also a great way to avoid having more custom furniture built.  For instance, if you have a couch that fits your non-standard living room perfectly, purchasing a new one is a time-consuming and pricy option.  Reupholstering, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy your couch anew at a savings.

We’ve talked about slipcovers before, and we still think they are wonderful for some pieces.  However, reupholstering certain pieces can add a look of elegance and class that is not typically possible with a slipcover.  Antique furnishings, for instance, can be preserved and yet made new again with this process.  If you are not sure if your pieces need reupholstering or how to go about it, stop in!  We have an extensive selection of beautiful fabrics that are certain to provide the change you need.

We may be in the midst of summer, but now is the perfect time to look ahead to the fall season.  You don’t have to give up your picnics, barbecues, or days lounging in the sun – please don’t!  But it is a great time to plan ahead if you’d like to bring the beauty of flowers into your home long after the last frost.  Dried flowers are excellent staples to have on hand for any number of centerpieces or craft ideas.  They are always classic, elegant, and welcome additions to any home – especially in the midst of fall or those cold Northwest Missouri winters.

Drying flowers is extremely easy – you can let the air do most of the work. Choosing the right flowers, though, is important.  Those that work well include amaryllis, dill, chamomile, bamboo, heather, baby’s breath, straw flower, safflower, peonies, poppies, roses, yarrow, and decorative grasses.  Look around your garden, though, and see what you have.  Experimentation is the spice of life.

It is important to cut your flowers at the right time.  Experts recommend late morning so they are open but not yet wilted by the sun.  It is generally best to cut the flowers just before they reach full maturity.  Waiting until the blooms are entirely open may make the petals fall off.

When you’ve selected and cut the flowers you want to dry, make small bunches of them and wrap the stems tightly with a rubber band.  Next, simply hang them upside down to dry.  Try to keep them out of sunlight to preserve as much of their color as possible.  Allow the flowers enough space – and air circulation – to dry properly.

You can also use silica gel if you’re finding that your flowers have too much moisture.  Use an airtight container and put about an inch of the granular silica gel (reusable and available at craft stores) into the bottom.  Put your flowers on top, and then add another layer of silica.  Seal it and wait 3 to 5 days for drying.  You can speed it up further by microwaving the gel and flowers for about 3 minutes.  Let the container cool in the microwave for about 20 minutes, and your flowers should be dried.

Hanging dried flowers can look quite pretty, but if you want to store them until you’re ready to make wreaths, centerpieces, or other beautiful decorations, wrap them carefully in newspaper, and place them into a box.  Keep them away from light and humidity as much as possible.  When you’re ready to create, they are there waiting for you and are ready to brighten your home no matter what the season.

We always  have some beautiful arrangments of dried flowers throughout the shop. Stop by and see what you can find!

On Saturday, July 31^st from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, our bustling little shop transforms into a relaxing retreat for the ladies.  We will have appetizers, wine, live music, exciting vendors from all over the area, and the opportunity to shop, shop, shop.  Browse through great purses and belts, delicious baked goods, Pampered Chef’s professional offerings, gorgeous sterling silver jewelry, and much more as we invite the very best that Northwest Missouri has to offer.  We will also be showcasing our exquisite fall collection. Summer is winding down; what better time to get into the autumn mood?  Enjoy the hot fall colors and beautiful textures we have in store.

It’s time to celebrate the hard-working women we all know and treat them to a wonderful night out.  We’d love to give back to these great ladies with wine, food, and even some prizes.  But the real prize is having a fun-filled, shopping-filled night out!  Join us Saturday and bring your appetite for beauty – and for scrumptious treats.

We don’t have to sacrifice aspects of our personality in order to have a décor that men will find pleasing.  And it doesn’t have to be boring, all in shades of neutral.  A great way to start is with the walls.  Instead of opting for a white, cream, or beige tone, why not choose something a little more interesting?  A smoky grey or blue, for instance, instantly offers a very masculine feel.  Then, to avoid it being too dark, trim with white.  White curtains, white bedding, and perhaps a complementing color for your pillow shams.  Accessories and furnishings can be very spare, with clean lines for a look that is very tranquil, cool, and inviting.

On the other hand, you may want to start with a neutral base and dress it up with color.  Men like color too!  Choose colors that will appeal to both of you: greens and blues are very soothing and natural.  Even some more “feminine” color, like a magenta or purple, can be a great choice in accent pillows or throws.  Using fabric is a good way to get that masculine feel without turning your bedroom into a men’s den.  Try adding suede, leather, Egyptian cotton, bamboo, and other more natural fabrics in your bedding and accessories.  When you opt for pleasing textures, you are helping build a décor that will appeal to both of you

In the end, you may decide that having your mismatching pieces live in harmony makes the best statement – and this can be beautiful too.  Tie the pieces together with coordinating accessories, if you wish.  Men – and women – ultimately just want to be comfortable in their bedrooms.  Even simply asking what he thinks of an accessory or comforter before you purchase can be a great way to make him more comfortable in his bedroom.

Speaking of men: let’s leave them at home on Saturday, July 31^st from 5:00pm to 9:00.  Elegant Interiors will be hosting Ladies’ Night Out, a great night of shopping, food, wine, and the company of other exceptional ladies.  Join us!

Candles are the perfect finishing touch on any winter décor; they provide us an instant sense of warmth, making even a cold, snowy night in Northwest Missouri seem more cozy and inviting.  But they can also add just the right splash of color and elegance for the summer months as well.  Here are some tips to help you use candles effectively for your warm weather décor.

Your favorite winter scent may not be a great choice for summer, for obvious reasons.  Winter scents are designed to make us feel warm – and that is the last thing we need on 90 degree days!  Swap the apple pie, French vanilla, pumpkin spice, and fir tree flavors for very light florals or fruits.  Instead of a spiced apple, for example, opt for a green or red apple scent.  Many candle makers also create scents like fresh cotton or linen to evoke the essence of clothes freshly dried on the line, or you can find delightful ocean breezes even if you’re landlocked.

Keep scents in the living room, bedroom, and bathroom.  Candles make wonderful centerpieces for the kitchen or dining room table, but too many scents can confuse the nose and ruin the appetite of your dinner guests.  A floral candle, mixed with real flowers, mixed with the smells of your food can overwhelm.  Stick to unscented, hard, long-burning candles for dining areas.  A possible exception to this rule is to use a natural beeswax candle; these do have a fragrance but it is very light and non-cloying.

When placing your candles as a centerpiece for your table, create arrangements that are either low or high.  If you choose candles that are at your guests’ line of sight, you will see a lot of shifting as they look around, under, or over to see other guests.  A low ensemble or a tall, slim arrangement work equally well and eliminate the discomfort of trying to see people across from you.

If you are entertaining outside or just enjoying an evening out on the porch, be practical and elegant as well.  Citronella candles will give you the enchanting light you want as well as keeping flying pests away.  When outside, place supplemental candles in hurricane candle holders; this is beautiful as well as practical because it keeps the flame from burning out while adding a great decorative touch.

Candles are a great necessity on which to stock up; have a store of plain, unscented varieties, and you will be ready for any occasion. Stop by the shop to pick up an amazing selection today.

Using color on our walls is one of the easiest and effective ways to create radical change in our homes.  A boring, tired, or stale room is completely transformed.  As I work with client after client throughout the Northwest Missouri area, I find lots of rooms that just need a simple coat of paint. After all, it’s the easiest fix there is. With a few simple accessories, your job is done, and done beautifully.  While we are bringing color into like never before, most people tend to leave it out of the bedroom.  Whether we want our bedrooms to be as calm and quiet as possible or we’re not sure how to incorporate color, this is one room that, by and large, keeps its white walls.  Should you keep it that way or would you like to experiment with color?

There is nothing at all wrong with white.  In fact, there is nothing better for very warm, sunny climates because it creates a fresh and cool feeling.  But there are also some very exciting color choices that you may love.  The key is to choose the right color for you and for your mood.  Red, for instance, is a color that most people would instantly reject for their bedroom walls.  In our culture, it is an active color.  While it can signal passion – which is important in a bedroom – it can also signal anger and aggressiveness.  In Chinese culture, though, they view red as we view white – very calming and serene.

The traits we assign to colors are largely cultural, which means red has no inherent magical powers.  It is what we believe and want it to be. A red tone can be very soothing, warm, comforting, and intimate.  Before you commit, spend some time thinking about the color and the effects it may have on you.  Another way to incorporate red is with a great piece of art or with your bedding.  This may be just the infusion of passion or stimulation you need.

Popular choices for the bedroom include earth tones, blues and greens.  These are very soothing to us, and blue has the advantage of curbing appetite. (If you notice, most restaurants in our culture are done in red, yellow, and orange colors.  These, of course, spur the appetite.  Blue, however, can suppress because we don’t associate it in our psyches with food).

If you don’t want to paint your entire room with color, choose an accent wall.  This is the wall where your eyes naturally turn when you enter the room, usually the wall on which our bed is placed.  Paint this the color of your choice, while the other walls remain white or a much lighter shade of the same color.  This produces an entirely new look, but doesn’t overwhelm your room.  It can also help you ease into colors.