Fireplace Decorating Design Ideas 2011 From Candice Olson

Natural Beauty

A soaring stone fireplace is an impressive and rustic focal point in this living room. To reduce the scale of the stone and add interest, a long mirror is placed above the mantel. Candice also uses the fireplace as a jumping off point for the room's palette, by selecting the hues of sage, stone, taupe and caramel from the fireplace stones.

Raise It Up

A sleek stainless steel gas fireplace is installed at the perfect height to enjoy from anywhere in the space. Surrounded by a beautiful stone facade, the fireplace is the perfect combination of contemporary and natural.

Illusion of Grandeur

Paint the wall over the mantel the same color as the surround to give a fireplace more presence in a room. When a fireplace is flush with the floor, place a beautiful screen in front to provide ambience and safety.

Striking Focal Point

Floor-to-ceiling glass and marble mosaic tiles in brown, gold, cream and grey tones are a spectacular setting for an elevated gas fireplace. The contemporary focal point adds both visual and physical warmth to the room.

Classic Centerpiece

Sophisticated moldings are combined with a marble-tiled surround for a traditional fireplace. To allow the space to be a conversational area as well as a space to watch television, Candice hides a television behind a piece of remote-controlled artwork so it's out of sight when not in use.

Pure Luxury

A simply elegant fireplace surround is painted cream to offset the dark wallpaper in the dining room. Raised off the floor, the visual warmth of the fireplace can be enjoyed from each seat around the table. The fireplace is also flanked with mirrored panels that add depth and dimension, as well as reflect light into the room.

Contemporary and Streamlined

The show-stopping feature wall is a modern arrangement that boasts a long, linear gas fireplace and a massive surround of grey and white marble mosaic tiles. Not only is it eye-catching, but it brings much-needed warmth into the space. The fireplace is flanked with a custom-built cabinetry unit that holds a big-screen television, media equipment, books and some display items.

Crowning Jewel

A true glam centerpiece of the room — the fireplace surround is covered with silver dollar-sized stainless steel tiles and above the mantel is a glittering ebony quartz.

Cozy Gathering Spot

The fireplace, which features a wood mantel and is clad in a beautiful circular glass tiles, anchors the room. Traditional beadboard panels above the fireplace add texture.

Read more »

Kitchen Appliances Buying Guide : How to Choose the Right Kitchen Appliances

Your kitchen appliances in your home make up the one of the largest investments for your pocket, as well as your time, which equates to functionality for your lifestyle in the kitchen. Buying kitchen appliances can be a daunting task when you look at all of the options, from energy saving, to high end designer models, to low cost models, how do you choose? Here are tips to guide your through the buying process and to help you feel informed and confident with your kitchen appliance buying decisions.

Refrigerators: With any appliance, before you get enamored with all the whistles and bells of how beautiful it looks and all of the gadgets assess your lifestyle. With refrigerators consider how many times you and your family cook and eat from home. For larger families, larger capacity units will be necessary, as well as the ability for longer preservation of food. Higher end models that offer dual refrigeration, on-door controls, and energy efficiency may be more important for your families needs. While singles or those who don’t cook a lot may prefer a snazzy stainless steel or built-in model that looks fantastic, but doesn’t need all of the accompaniments. Also consider if your home would need separate wine refrigeration storage, or possibly refrigerated drawers for easy

• Ovens/Stoves: When considering an oven and stove, think about how you typically cook and if you’re a novice or an experienced cook. The oven or stove you choose can have a great impact on how you cook and whether the energy you use to heat them is worthwhile. Convection over conventional ovens tends to use more energy but for expert cooks they enjoy the even distribution over heat and can usually cook their food faster and with more control. For those interested in buying a stove or cooktop, there are several options: induction, gas or electric all have their pros and cons. Most beginning cooks appreciate electric for its slow heat up, while experienced cooks prefer induction and ultimately gas stoves for its fast heat up and ability to cook under precise conditions.

• Ventilation system: One area of your kitchen that is forgotten when considering appliances is the ventilation system. Range hoods overhead, or down draft systems that are integral into the countertop or cooktop are great for unobstructed overhead views. Depending on the size of your stove/cooktop and if you have an integral grill, griddle, burners, and other heating elements may increase the need for higher ventilation systems overhead. Research your favored appliance manufacturer too see what type of ventilation system is recommended for your kitchen.

• Dishwasher: Similarly to your refrigerator, your family’s lifestyle will largely dictate what type of dishwasher will be ideal for your home. Lower end models tend to have simplified controls, while more elaborate ones will have energy efficiency qualities, hidden controls, and noise reduction qualities – especially helpful in small homes or open floor plans. Dishwasher drawers are also available for smaller amounts of dishware and can save water usage when you don’t have large loads to clean.

Choosing kitchen appliances for your home should be a rewarding experience but also fulfill your lifestyle and aesthetics of your kitchen. Use this helpful buying guide before you venture out to choose appliances. Also measure out the clear opening width and height of your space for the new appliances. There is nothing worse than investing on new appliances, for them not to fit in your kitchen!

Read more »

STYLE OBSESSION: Shopper bags

I've always been a fan of BIG bags. And not so much because of style, but because of the freedom it grants me to carry all things I may need and still leaves extra space to squeeze in a water bottle, a cardigan if I get too hot or a magazine. Now lately I've been running around with a rather modestly-sized (by my standards) cross-body bag and it surely has it benefits, but recently I found myself falling deeply in love with the SHOPPER bags. Fact is I've never had a bag exactly like a shopper, also most of them are also supplied with an extra strap for cross-body wearing and of course, the allure of space inside is so hard to resist. The color-blocking shoppers by the Greek brand Fullah Sugah and the classy brown one from ASOS are among my top choices.

FULLAH SUGAH

FULLAH SUGAH

ASOS

ASOS

ASOS

FULLAH SUGAH

TOPSHOP

Read more »

Let the sunshine in

I decided to celebrate the departure of a very nasty cold (I suffered for over a week!) with a very relaxed and unpretentious outfit post. Another cause for "celebration" is my new hair - today I've finally cut it, and more importantly, dyed it a bright red which was once my signature hair color, but which I haven't worn for almost two years. I just felt a strong need to make some noticeable change to my appearance - so here it is...

As for the outfit, that's how I love to dress lately in this springy yet not too hot weather when going shopping in the neighbourhood or just taking a walk. The denim shirt is one of the more recent purchases of mine and is clearly going to be viral in my wardrobe all summer (I'm loving it!). This VOLCOM t-shirt, on the other hand, is already a few years old and it still remains among my favorites for its original cut and cool print.

This ALDO is about the same age as the tee, and it does look worn on the back side, but I still love its unique design and ginger brown leather.

These two bracelets are my most recent purchase. Since I have fallen for the multiple handmade bracelets trend, I decided to start my collection in SAMOS where I spent my vacation only two weeks ago. There, in a small shop I browsed among dozens of handmade bracelets until I picked out those two beauties made from leather, string, wood and metal.

Read more »

STYLE OBSESSION: Head scarves

I have never felt comfortable wearing things on my head - at least not since I became seriously self-conscious about my look. I felt that no hats looked good on me, plus they always messed up my hair. Same went for all sorts of scarves and since I have been wearing a fringe since 14, hair bands seemed to not sit right either. But I'm stubborn, ready to experiment and since I kind of adore this latest head scarf trend I'm willing to give it a chance. I'm not exactly a vintage fan, but I love the retro appeal of the scarf worn as a band - I'd combine it with a cropped tee, a lingerie-style top or my denim shirt.

Katy Perry

Rihanna

Amy Winehouse

Cher Lloyd

ASOS

ETSY

Read more »