Living Experts

All about wall art

Robin Baron — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 05:00:00 -0700

Wall art is to a room what lipstick is to an outfit: It's the finishing touch that adds that ever-so-important dash of personality and pizzazz. There's no better place than the walls to infuse a bit of your personality and a little drama into a room -- the opportunity for creativity and experimentation is endless. The best part about wall art is that it can evolve and change over time! You can switch it up, and play around with size, scale, color and placement until you find a look that works for you and your home.

Design challenge: Playing with pattern

Robin Baron — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:00:00 -0700

Making a home flow from room to room is a unique decorating challenge. This is true whether you have an open floor plan or not. It’s important that rooms have a relationship to each other. A great way to create separate living spaces with a cohesive look and feel is to integrate distinctive patterns that play upon each other. Patterns that relate to each other with color, texture and print will act as a visual thread, tying each room together without them looking the same.

Creating outdoor entertaining space

Robin Baron — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:00:00 -0700

The warm days of summer are finally upon us. A great way to start off the outdoor entertaining season on the right foot is with a Fourth of July get-together in your home’s outdoor space. Here are four helpful tips to create a successful, customized outdoor party.

Trend alert: White-on-white

Robin Baron — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:40:00 -0700

Decorating with white-on-white is fresh, fun and full of color-matching possibilities. It’s a hot trend right now, just in time for summer. Depending on how it’s incorporated, a white-on-white look can conjure feelings of beachy boho chic or tailored sophistication. Whether you want interiors that make you want to kick off your sandals or curl up in a faux fur throw, white-on-white is a versatile trend that can fit the bill.

Illuminating design: Fun, functional floor lamps

Robin Baron — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:30:00 -0700

A well-lit space does wonders for the mind, body and soul. An instant fix for a poorly lit space is to illuminate the often overlooked corners of a room with standing floor lamps. Light the corners of a room and watch the space instantly breathe with new life.

Feng Shui for the bedroom

Robin Baron — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:00:00 -0700

The art of feng shui can help achieve balance and a stable flow of good energy in your home. Feng shui for the bedroom is particularly important because not only does your day begin and end in the bedroom, it's also the most personal and intimate space in your home.

Entryway organization: Stylish umbrella stands

Robin Baron — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 06:02:00 -0700

As the season shifts from winter to spring, the age-old adage “April showers brings May flowers” comes to mind. Yet at this time of year, I’m seeing many more dripping-wet umbrellas than beautifully blooming buds. The question is where to store these eyesores. The answer? In a stylish umbrella stand, of course!

Stylish wedding gifts

Robin Baron — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:47:00 -0700

Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year for couples to get engaged, so odds are there's a new bride- and groom-to-be in your circle of family or friends. Also, don’t forget that wedding season is just around the corner -- once the weather warms, bridal showers and spring weddings will abound! Whether you need to find the perfect gift for an engagement party, a bridal shower or for the big day itself, here are a few great ideas.

Zen out your cube: Feng shui at work

Robin Baron — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:32:00 -0800

Cubicle living isn’t always easy. If you are lucky enough to work at home, creating a home office that is comfortable and conducive to working can be easily tackled. Just take a look at my article on home office design. However, we don’t all have that luxury. Working with a cubicle or pre-designed office space is a bit trickier than designing a home office, but it is equally important to create a space that makes you feel good, attracts positive energy and keeps your stress levels down.

Tips for the stylish indoor gardener

Robin Baron — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:06:00 -0800

Spring is right around the corner and it’s a great time to think about how you’ll welcome in the new season. One of the best ways to prepare your home for Spring is to bring in fresh, living plants. Your home will reflect what’s soon to come outside your door, and the thriving plants will bring a new energy to your living space.

Trend alert: Lacquer

Robin Baron — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:48:00 -0800

Lacquered decorative objects from Asia were all the rage in Europe during the 1600s and their appeal as home accessories hasn’t faded since. Lacquer is a multi-layered varnish technique that creates a beautiful and durable finish. It comes in any color imaginable and ranges in sheen levels from matte to glossy.

How to create your own spa

Robin Baron — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:42:00 -0800

Whether you're a working woman, a mom, or both, it’s important to have a space in your home that allows you to unwind and enjoy simple pleasures. Creating your own spa bathroom is easier than you think! Here is a quick guide on how to enlighten and relax every one of your senses.

Spice up your fireplace

Robin Baron — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:25:00 -0800

With all the snow fall happening all over the country, staying home and snuggling up by a fire sounds better and better. A fireplace is not only beneficial for the environment but also helps cut down your electricity bill. Outfit your fireplace with stylish accessories that will look great and help keep your home a haven from the cold.

10 Reasons to sell your home in the New Year

Veronica Montelongo — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:42:00 -0800

You may have loved the "perfect house" when you bought it, but your home may now be a major source of stress. You may not even be able to put your finger on why, but something tells you that your abode just isn’t right. Here are 10 reasons to sell your home – after all, it’s a new year, and selling may be the best resolution you make.

Bring in the new year with green home design

Robin Baron — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:22:00 -0800

The new year is here, and we are all thinking about our resolutions whether they are improvements to our lives, communities, or ourselves. One of my resolutions is to continue recycling, reducing, and reusing and to inspire others to do the same. The new year might be just the right time for you to refresh your home while maintaining a commitment to eco-consciousness! Here’s my quick green guide to home design.

Entertaining on New Years Eve

Robin Baron — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:53:00 -0800

I always love to entertain… New Year’s, however, ranks highest on my list. Everyone is ready to have a good time on New Year’s, and nothing is too glam for the holiday! Champagne is a must on New Year’s Eve, making what you serve it in all that much more important. Here are some of my fabulous selections that are perfect for raising a toast.

Stylish calanders for the new year

Robin Baron — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:11:00 -0800

As we inaugurate 2011, it’s time to reassess goals, start planning new adventures, and decide how this upcoming year will be even better than the last. As old-fashioned as it may sound, I find that that the best way to start is with a calendar! I, probably like most of you, use a digital calendar to keep on track. But there is nothing like having a desk calendar right in your line of site while working. Of course it helps if this calendar fits your taste and style…it is always important to surround yourself with things that inspire you.

Hot careers for 2011 and beyond

Laurence Shatkin, PhD — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:03:00 -0800

This is a tough time to find a job. The Great Recession is officially over, but employers are still reluctant to hire. Instead of taking on new full-time workers, many are squeezing more productivity out of their current staff, hiring part-timers, shipping jobs overseas or installing automation. That’s why you should aim your career planning at high-growth fields. Your odds of finding a job will be better in the following hot career fields for 2011 and beyond, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Boston interior design inspirations

Robin Baron — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 10:33:00 -0800

Boston is a must for design enthusiasts! Rows of red brick brownstones and Georgian style structures will feed an historical thirst and please the eye of an architecture aficionado. One walk through Beacon Hill, Boston’s historic neighborhood of Federal style rowhouses, proves this point.

Gift guide: Home gifts for the holidays

Robin Baron — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:54:00 -0800

If you love home décor, share that passion this holiday season! As a designer and someone who loves to make spaces beautiful, I always give friends and family stylish gifts that will inspire them. Here’s a quick décor gift-giving guide for everyone on your list.

Expert lighting tips for entertaining

Robin Baron — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:08:00 -0800

As you plan holiday parties, don’t under estimate the not-so-subtle power of lighting. The right lighting helps set the stage for an event. I love utilizing candles to create the perfect atmosphere and buy them all year long so they're ready to go when I need them. Here are a few of my tips on how to create an illuminated soiree.