Adding unique lighting elements can instantly change the look and feel of a room. Installing lighting is much easier than you think, but if you are unsure, it is always better to be safe than sorry, particularly when dealing with electrical. If you are in doubt, hire a reputable electrician. Sometimes you may need to do some drywall repair if you are changing a lot about the lighting setup. Before you start your project take note of all the aspects of your project that will need repair and rank it from low level to top priority repair work and make a rough timeline and budgeted costs. Doing a little homework in advanced of starting will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

I love unique lighting fixtures like highly architectural chandeliers that cross a balance of tough and strong with elegance. Using varying light bulb wattage and colors help provide different focal points just with lighting. You can find great inspirations on the internet or look through catalogs from Restoration Hardware, Ballard Designs and more.

When you are at a luxurious resort, it’s easy to get into vacation mode. From the first class service, to the soft sheets and comfortable beds. A lot of research goes into the amenities that will keep people coming back and inspire them to tell others about their experience.

You don’t have to go to a resort to have this kind of treatment at home. You can very easily create your own resort like oasis buy making a small investment into your bedding and linens. Offering yourself and your guests super soft sheets, new pillows and a clean and attractive area to sleep is one of the best ways to keep your friends coming back for more visits.

When picking out sheets, don’t just look at thread count, look at the material they are made out of as well. Egyptian cotton is super soft and sateen sheets are very easy on the skin. Pick a theme and a few colors to use as accent pieces and you are well on your way to making your guests feel like they are on vacation.

Market umbrellas are one of the quickest and easiest ways to add a little color and theme to your outdoor areas. Now available in beautiful designs and a wide assortment of colors, these patio umbrellas are ideal for blocking skin damaging ultra violet rays while still allowing cool breezes to pass through. If you get the kind that tilts, even better. This is worth the extra investment for late afternoon sun that is not directly overhead. You can find great prices online at sites like Hayneedle.

To make the most of your umbrellas, make sure to get the right size for your space. You want to have plenty of room to walk around the umbrella without having to duck or have it in the way but you don’t want it to be too small for the space either, forcing you to have to incorporate other options to fill the space.

The most important part is making sure that you get a sturdy base. Heavy winds can lift your umbrella and carry it away or cause property damage to your house or a neighbors, so make sure the base is strong and for design purposes, attractive too.

This summer it’s time to redesign my boys bedroom. Because he is a baseball fan and player he wants to go with a baseball trading cards theme.

We have picked out his favorite players, they include Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Daniel Santana. I found a store online that sells giant wall stickers of the players baseball cards. These are great decorations for the walls. I have also ordered a few wall plaques with the front and backs of some baseball greats cards including Jackie Robinson.

On the shelves around the top of his room we will display all of the autographed baseballs he has been collecting. My son and my husband go to all the meet and greets they can make it to. They bring brand new baseballs to the meet and greets to get signatures on them and put them in display cases.

It’s going to be fun to redecorate my son’s bedroom with him. I know he will really appreciate all the hard work we put into it when he can sit back and relax to enjoy the finished project. He has been very busy shopping for accessories to add to his wish list. He had a budget for this redecorating job and some of the items are putting him over budget so as an incentive for his behavior I am giving opportunities to earn these accessories.