Spend sometime in your beautiful laundry room!


 

 BEFORE: A Bare, Narrow Space
Christina, the blogger behind The DIY Mommy, started with a totally barren workspace.



AFTER: Efficient Wall Storage
Christina took pegboard and covered the whole darn wall with color-coordinated tools. Plus, she turned the tops of her machines into extra workspace.


BEFORE: Beige and Cluttered
When Kim, the blogger behind Sand and Sisal, moved into her new home, she couldn't wait to tackle the blah walls and barely-there storage space in her laundry room.


AFTER: Bright and Blue
After hanging some floating shelves, investing in decorative storage bins and painting the room a pleasant color, things are became a lot more functional and cheery.


BEFORE: A Single, Messy Shelf
We're sure Kelly (of the blog View Along the Way) was sick of staring at her cluttered wire shelf.


AFTER: Much More Stroage
Lucky finds (a hanging drying rack bought on clearance) and DIY skills (a chic geometric lamp!) meant the whole look came together for just $157.


BEFORE: A Tired Mess
When you have four kids, two dogs, and a husband, it takes some effort (and patience!) to make your laundry room a calm, happy place. But Debbie — the blogger behind Me and My DIY — was up to the challenge.


AFTER: A Clean-Cut Space
Swapping out generic light fixtures for stylish pendants and adding beadboard wallpaper make this room much more pleasant on wash day.


BEFORE: A Neglected Nook
An avid party planner, Jennifer Carroll once used her laundry room as a dumping ground miscellaneous supplies (we're all guilty of it).


AFTER: Pleasantly Purposeful
A pastry shop in Paris inspired this new look — not only does it remind Jennifer of her fave place for French cuisine, but also makes doing laundry a much easier.


by:
HouseBeautiful.com

Coffee tables are often the centerpiece of the living room. We arrange seating around the coffee table. We use it to hold essentials such as books and drink coasters. It becomes an impromptu appetizer buffet when it’s time to entertain.



Coffee table featuring sculptural decor
Transparent glass is another way to go, whether the glass is colorful or clear. Try filling a clear container with sculptural objects (or one artful item) for an alluring centerpiece.




Minimal coffee table decor
Sometimes our first instinct is to cover large surfaces with an array of items. Yet lots of “stuff” can make even the largest of spaces seem cluttered. Try leaving a portion of your coffee table exposed for a clean look.




Coffee table with a sleek vase
Tempted to display your entire vase collection? Start with just one. You may decide that one is all it takes!




Floral arrangement on a coffee table
For those who prefer a bountiful yet tidy look, try placing one bloom-filled vase on your coffee table. The look is abundant yet contemporary, especially if you choose interesting flowers for your arrangement!




Dramatic coffee table decor
A grouping of items gets a big dose of drama by varying the height of the items on display. Below we see a collection of interesting, elegant items, including a trio of striking black vases.




Monochromatic coffee table style
A tone-on-tone strategy is unexpected. By matching the decor to the color of the coffee table, items stand out simply because the concept is interesting. Plus, the look is anything but cluttered, as both decor and table make a unified statement.







by Kate Simmons
Decoist.com

Whether for your bedroom, living room or bathroom, curtains and blinds can offer just as much to the design of a room as the furniture. Curtains can add instant cosiness or grandeur. Blinds use a fraction of the fabric needed for curtains, but the variety of styles and textiles available means they don't have to fall short on impact, give your windows some love!



Centre stage
This 'Deniz' linen/cotton, combining the curtains with a roman blind in a small pattern creates a decorated look, but the simple shapes stop it looking fussy.



 Elevated style
These Italian strung curtains, in the bedroom, have a goblet-pleated header design. They are fixed in position at the top and then drawn up and down using a cord. The look is quite traditional and very pretty. 



Gather together
The soft gathered pelmet and thick jacquard curtains in this bedroom are perfect for a country bedroom. When rooms are not especially high, it looks good if the pelmet goes right up to the ceiling, as seen here.



Plain sailing
Patterned walls with duck-egg blue interlined linen curtains with triple pleat headings, hung from a simple white pole. If you are undecided about the amount of fabric falling on the floor, try slightly 'baggy trousers' as shown. 




Back in fashion
Some rooms require a relaxed edge and these provide that softness, a simple linen print that looks charming and not at all like a Viennetta. 




Bold Orange & White Wool Curtain
Reminiscent of the artist Matisse's paper cuts - has been applied to a pale wool curtain.





House&Garden.


Make the most of your month with this events and happenings in Houston during January 2017.

Things to Do in Houston: January 2017

    The Book of Mormon at Hobby Center | Tuesday, January 3 to Sunday, January 15 – Act quick and score discounted seats to the hilarious Tony-winning musical from the guys that created South Park, returning to Houston this winter.


    Houston Texans Playoff Game at NRG Stadium | Saturday, January 7 – The Texans have clinched a home game for the first round of the NFL playoffs. Get your tickets and cheer loud for the Texans as they fight to play in Super Bowl LI with a home crowd. Tickets start at $61, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 3:35pm.


    The Sale at Bayou City Event Center | Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8 – Shop items from various local boutiques under one roof during this massive sale that benefits The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.


    The “Blind 50” Competition at Anvil Bar & Refuge | Sunday, January 8 – 30 entrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis to attempt to taste 50 and correctly identify 47 spirits at this “Blind 50” taste test at Anvil.


    Galveston Restaurant Week at Participating Restaurants Around Galveston | Saturday, January 7 to Sunday, January 22 – Order off special prix fixe menus at participating restaurants around the island during the annual Galveston Restaurant Week to support the Galveston County Food Bank.


    Urban Harvest’s Fruit Tree Sale at Rice University | Saturday, January 14 | FREE to Attend – Pick out temperate, tropical and/or citrus fruit trees from an extensive selection during the 17th Annual Fruit Tree Sale hosted by Urban Harvest.


    Jerry Seinfeld Live at Smart Financial Centre | Saturday, January 14 – The hilarious actor, writer, and comedian Jerry Seinfeld is slated for back-to-back shows at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. You’ll want to catch at least one of them.


    Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events Around Houston | Saturday, January 14 through Monday, January 16 – Honor Martin Luther King Jr. at the 23rd Annual MLK Grande Parade, a birthday celebration in his honor at Rothko Chapel, the MLK Youth Parade and more.


    Chevron Houston Marathon in Downtown | Sunday, January 15 – Run, volunteer or simply show up to support runners during the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon that winds through Houston, beginning and ending in Downtown.


    Truffle Masters 2017 at the Hobby Center | Monday, January 16 – Chefs from local hot spots like Triniti, Cafe Annie, Brennan’s of Houston and more will come together to battle it out and see who will make the best dish featuring truffle.


    Rainbow on Ice at Discovery Green | Friday, January 20 | FREE to Attend – This annual family-friendly LGBTQ celebration brings electrifying performances and entertainment to The Ice at Discovery Green.


    YAGA Chili Quest & Beer Fest in Galveston | Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21 – The annual festival hosted by Yaga’s Café in Galveston is back again for a weekend full of chili sampling and beer tasting.


    Houston Press Artopia at Winter Street Studios | Saturday, January 28 – Artopia brings art, music, food, and fashion from local talent under one roof for an epic one-night event at Winter Street Studios.


    Super Bowl Live at Discovery Green | Starts Saturday, January 28 | FREE – Gear up for Super Bowl LI with music, performances, and football-themed activities in the heart of Downtown. Expect to see artists like Leon Bridges, ZZ Top, and The Suffers.


    One Pot Showdown at Saint Arnold | Sunday, January 29 – See what teams come up with when they’re challenged to a one pot cook-off using Saint Arnold beers. This delicious fundraiser, now in its 10th year, benefits Kids’ Meals.











INFO: 365thingsinhouston.com