Believe it or not, this makeover is much easier than it looks! In fact, it is a great one for rental renovations! It requires no paint at all. All you need is a few panels of drapes against one wall to begin creating the drama and a cool piece of art to at some sizzle. This can be done in any room of the house. Behind a bed is a great one, too. Here, the whole design was perfectly executed with the colorful chandelier and the plates that tie in with the art. Great design is all about layering, but also knowing when to stop.

I just wanted to show you a great way to display a collection that you might have. Here, in this recording studio, I recessed boxes into the wall, added lighting and was able to display a guitar collection in multiple boxes around the room. This is a great look and it also doubled as a place to store the guitars. This could work for so may different types of collections that you might want to display and it is a great look!

This is just a perfect reminder that great style never dies. Using old and really special antique pieces like this is a great way to add style, interest, and a unique look that no one else will have to any room! I love old cameras, typewriters, signs, etc. Everything doesn’t always have to be new.

And the $100 Pottery Barn gift card goes to…. our only contestant of the month Ian Schorvitz! Congratulations and thank you for participating! We would love Ian to share the secrets of this amazing bathroom design with our readers.

We encourage everybody to follow the posts and participate in our upcoming contest, which will be announced very soon!

At last, Viking has come out with a new and improved designer’s series of appliances! If you love their classic look, but find it too industrial for your designs, this is the perfect solution! Not that we needed more, but it is also the best deal any where around! You can get a full Viking kitchen in the new designer’s series for under $10,000! Most people don’t choose Viking because they think that they can’t afford it. Think again! Thanks, to the fabulous Viking Range Corporation!

I just wanted to remind everyone to submit your designs each month for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate  and one of my yummy soy candles. This month’s contest is for great bathroom ideas. It doesn’t have to be the whole bathroom. It can be one great idea for a bathroom. Go for it and submit your ideas!

Take a look at this fabulous modern and elegant bathroom. If you really take it apart bit by bit, you realize how simple can truly be very elegant. The pendant lights, hanging mirrors, sinks and faucets all play a role in this masterpiece and you can do it too! Design Life!

Okay, this is ridiculous! I love it and it just goes to show you that a simple idea can lead to fabulous design that is uniquely it’s own. This is rusty barbed wire turned into a lamp shade. It is so appropriate for the space and is really the cherry on top for this space!  Keep thinking outside of the box and Design Life!

Image: BlueLabel Bungalow

There are three colors that are really hitting it big this season- pink, lavender, and TURQUOISE! Hooray! people are craving more color in their lives! Here are some fun chandeliers that can add the perfect splash of color to almost any room. You won’t believe this, but the fixture in the center is from Pottery Barn Teen! Great design is all around us, even where you least expect it. Open your eyes and use the inspirations around you to Design Life!

Okay, this is a suite at one of my very favorite hotels, The Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There are many things that you could study to pick apart and realize why it is so special, but I am going to choose one that is a great tip for everyone- the “art”. Notice that the art is simply logs that were carefully cut and finished, hung on the wall with bronze coated brackets, and back lit! They are the perfect rustic addition for this modern and calming space and so simple. Anyone could do this and even if you didn’t want to go through back lighting them, they would still be fabulous! This just goes to show you that the key here is the installation. You could choose so many things to display like this and turn into art. Just another example of how important that it is to think outside of the box!