Garden Pallet for Small Spaces

Fern at Life on the Balcony is a whiz at maximizing garden space

This is an easy way to bring a garden to a small area, wall, or apartment balcony. This project calls for 6 simple supplies:

a pallet, 2 large bags of potting soil, 16 six packs of annual flowers or herbs, a small roll of landscape fabric, a staple gun, and sand paper.

What a great way to re-use a pallet and a creative idea to design an unusual garden. It will bring color and nature to a space that might not usually have anything, give a small space definition, or create a scene on a blank wall.

Guest blogger: Katherine Fountain

Small Space Design

Since 1960 homes had been doubling in size. For the first time in 50 years the census data now shows a decrease in home sizes. With a decrease in size comes the challenge of adjusting from large spaces to smaller while still having a feeling of comfort and design.

5 tips for small spaces

Have a bench and hooks at an entry way to allow jackets, hats, and shoes to stay together in an organized way.

Make a room feel more open by using glass tables.

Hang a mirror at or above eye level to open up the space without showing clutter on the floor. Hang it across from a window to bring more light into the room.

Create multifunctional zones within a room: a drop leaf table behind a sofa can act as a sofa table, dining table, and desk.

Larger furniture with fewer accessoires allow a room to feel comfortable and uncluttered.

Guest blogger: Tess Johnson

Have fun with murano glass beaded wallpaper

Faux glass bead wallpaper makes for a lovely and glamorous look for your wall anywhere in the home. The wall coverings shed beautiful light to give an impact. They give a statement to any space and are available in a wide array of colors. This is an easy way to bring color and texture into your home while making an impression on the space itself.

Guest blogger: Katherine Fountain

Organic Design

Organic design

In today's society the use of organic materials is becoming not just a trend but also a necessity for people with extreme allergies. Many products have “off gassing” that contributes to air quality in the home. Designers are working with organically made products to create a more healthy environment.

• Organic bedding made with organic cotton

• Organic rugs and carpets made of wool, jute, bamboo, cotton, and hemp.

• Flooring made of bamboo and reclaimed wood.

• Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints

These are just a few materials you can begin to change when designing or redesigning your home.

Guest blogger: Rebecca Plank

Decorated Stair Risers

I wanted a new look for the stair risers at my Smart Move Design office but didn't want to paint. This was done in an hour using wrapping paper. (I found the paper at Hobby Lobby and it had a nice one inch grid on the back for easy cutting). I cut the paper to size, painted modge podge on the risers, placed the paper on the risers and smoothed it out, then trimmed with an exacto knife.

2010 Parade of Homes

Smart Move Design has been chosen as the design company to work with Sciuga Builders this year on their home in the 2010 Parade of Homes.

The Parade of Homes will take place September 11-26 at Mallard's landing in Manlius, NY. Eight distinguished Central New York builders, representing the latest in design, decorating, construction and energy-saving techniques are participating in the 2010 Parade of Homes. The Parade of Homes is open to the public and usually sees 20,000 or more come through to view the homes during the 16 day event.

Sciuga Builders are three generations of artisans working together to create the finest in custom homes today. The home featured in this year's parade is a Craftsman Style Home. We look forward to working with Sciuga Builders to create a showcase home at this event. More info to come in future weeks!

Lisa Ryan, Owner
Smart Move Design
Professional Home Staging and Redesign
Serving Syracuse, NY and surrounding areas.