Dorm Decor: Have the Most Stylish Room on Campus

It might feel as though summer will never end, but it’ll be time to head back to school before you know it. To help you and your brood with this potentially difficult transition, we’ll be sharing our best tips for hitting the schoolyard in style. First up: dormitory decor.

Post secondary digs are a big deal. Moving from high school to university or college is a huge change, with some seriously new waters to navigate – more challenging academic requirements, social responsibilities, and independence – so making your new space as comfortable and relaxing as possible should be a priority.

Before you start shopping, it’s important to first consider the look you’d like to try out in your room. It’s easy to get overwhelmed during this time; there’s bound to be a lot on your mind as you start preparing for school, so make sure you have a good understanding of what you want before you hit the stores. And not just, we need to get pillows and a duvet, but what style you’d like. You’ll be more pleased with your purchases and it will be a less stressful experience overall.

Unless you are exceptionally lucky your room will be cramped, dated, and drab. Expect to see some combination of cinder blocks, single beds, and small windows. Since you’ll be a little limited when it comes to what you can do with your room, (not many residences will let you drill holes in your walls or paint), focus your decor ideas on the two main areas of your space: your bed and desk. These are the two blank canvases that will help to shape the look of your room. They’re easily customized and will have a big impact on the rest of your space.

To help give you some ideas you can take back to your room we’ve found some beautiful dorms you can try and emulate. We hope these cute spaces inspire you as much as they have us.

BED

Playfully Preppy – There are a few reasons why we love this style. The color combination is excellent. It’s cute and fun without being overpowering. Remember, you’ll most likely have a roommate who’ll be bringing their own sheets and decor ideas. Deciding on a versatile palette is a good idea; you don’t want your sides of the room to clash. The headboard is fantastic. It really softens the space and makes it feel more homey. The prints are fabulous. They help hide the cinder blocks and go well with the bedding. Plus, who doesn’t love an oar?! It’s original and ad-oar-able, a win win.

Image via Prep Avenue

Cute & Cohesive – While it’s unlikely you’ll have a room like this (sorry!) you can take some cues from what they’ve done here. Subtle hues of pink, heightened by the bright pink pillows, create a sweet, cohesive vibe throughout the entire side of the room. Also, having lots of pillows is a great idea. Little throws make everything more comfortable, and having several large pillows means you’ll have spares for when friends come to visit!

Image via Cosmopolitan UK

DESK

Gorgeous Gold – Your desk won’t be large, but you’ll have room for a computer and a few accessories. We love the use of gold here, it adds a fun touch of class (and goes with almost anything!). It’s also a really nice idea to have a cute plant or some fresh cut flowers on your desk. They’ll help brighten up your room.

Image via M Pression

Aren't interested in buying flowers regularly or have the green thumb needed for most house plants? Try succulents!

Motivational Mantras & Sweet Snaps - Again, you won't have a lot of space for anything other than a computer on your desk. But you aren't limited to just using your desk when it comes to decorating. We love the motivational posters and pictures that surround this desk. These will help keep you on track as you’re working and add a little more flare to your room.

Image via A Merry Mishap

We hope these dream dorms help as you start your back to school shopping. Check back with us for more back to school tips – we’ll be sharing several as August comes to an end.

The start of fall means the start of school and home show season (guess which one we’re more excited about!). To help celebrate the beginning of this fabulous time of year we’re offering 2-for-1 tickets to the Marketplace Events Home Show of your choice! Visit us on Facebook to learn moreand get your discounted tickets.

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Kitchen Inspiration: Seven Stylish Ideas

When it comes to upgrading your home decor, sometimes less is more. You don’t always have to take a sledge hammer to your space to achieve a big change. If you want to spruce up your kitchen without breaking the bank or the walls, we’ve got just what you need. Transforming one or two strategic pieces can have as big an impact as completely remodeling – you just need to be clever. Consider the following ideas as you begin to revamp your space; we’ve got a list of seven fun things to try in your kitchen.

Beautiful Backsplash – Getting a little creative with your backsplash can go a long way. Have fun exploring styles and colors before selecting a new one. There’s a myriad of options available to you, so think carefully about what will work best for your kitchen and your taste.

Image via Mobile Home Living

Cute Chalkboard – There are few spots in the home better suited for a chalkboard than the kitchen. Write messages, shopping lists, recipes, notes, and more! Help get your family more organized and your kitchen more stylish.

Image via Hunted Interior

Fun Fixtures – This is a grate light fixture! It’ll add tons of zest to your kitchen. Ok, we’ll stop, but seriously, how cute is this cheese grater light? And the best part is, it’s a breeze to make!

Image via RecyclArt

Sweet Seats – Why not use this project as a chance to experiment with color and patterns? Not everything in your kitchen has to be entirely uniform, so get a little playful. We love these unique chairs – they’re clearly part of a set, but their different patterns have a great effect on the rest of the white kitchen.

Image via Rue Daily

Happy Herbs – Improve the look of your kitchen and the taste of your cooking by making a fun and functional herb garden! These gorgeous plants will freshen up your space and food.

Image via Camille Styles

Wonderful Wallpaper – Wallpaper can add some much needed warmth to an otherwise icy kitchen (stainless steel appliances and white walls are classic and stunning, but they can also be a little cold). Try using a nice pattern to create an accent wall. Heat up your space without going overboard.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

Cozy Color – Instead of making your space more cozy using wallpaper, you can be a bit bolder and try paint. We’re loving the mint green they’ve tried in this kitchen. Make sure to pick a hue you’ll love for a long time; painting is a more serious commitment than wallpaper. 

Image via Apartment Therapy

We hope these ideas help inspire you to try something new in your kitchen. Will you update your lighting or try growing a herb garden? Make sure to share your kitchen transformation with us @HomeShows on Twitter and Instagram! We’d love to see what you cook up! 

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Create An Oasis In Your Bedroom

Whatever your style, your bedroom should act as an escape, a place where you can put your feet up and relax after a long day. Need some help creating your bedroom oasis? Try some of these techniques when decorating your space.

Statement lighting fixtures. A sparkling chandelier or statement wall lights at either side of the bed are both functional lighting solutions that create a feeling of luxury in your bedroom space.

Image via Decoholic

Double up on window treatments. This allows you to block out the sun on those cherished weekend sleep-in mornings, while giving you the added opportunity to layer for a more dynamic design.

Image via Love Home

Play with shapes and graphics. If you want to create an interesting space and aren't sure where to start, trying playing with shapes and bold graphics, For example, a statement, custom headboard or furniture set can do wonders for a space.

Image via Brit + Co

Take advantage of your view. Whether your bedroom looks out on a gorgeous mountainscape or the garden in your backyard, try reorganizing your furniture to make the view the focal point.

Image via Apartment Therapy

For more tips on how to wow guests with your next redesign, visit Mary Taggart, Editor of Ottawa At Home, at the Ottawa Home & Garden Show, March 26-29 at the EY Centre. Mary will be gracing the Main Stage on Saturday, March 28th at 4:30pm, with a presentation on defining your personal style and implementing it into your home decor.

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Raleigh Home Show Sponsor Spotlight: Go Girl Shoppe

We're thrilled to have the Go Girl Shoppe joining us at the Raleigh Home Show, February 13 - 15 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Before you see this traveling shop at the show, get the inside scoop on what they're bringing, who they are, and what you can expect from them!

1. What are your featured products this season?

"I don't think we ever have one item that we would call a featured product. All of our items are different and don't fit standard categories. We are always trying to make our items more funky than before, or different. Sometimes an idea pops in our heads and that is the trend that we are on for a while, but we quickly move on to a new one."

2. What can we look forward to from you at the show?

"LOTS of COLOR and patterns."

3. What home design and decor trends are you anticipating for 2015?

"We have really become obsessed with all the new chalk and milk paint brands that are out right now. It seems like every week there is a new one with a new color. It's fun to experiment and mix the colors to see what new color comes out of the mix. I can't say I have a favorite brand though. Every time I try a new one, I like it better than the one I tried before, however they all have different qualities about them that I like."

4. What inspires your products?

"Color and patterns. We are obsessed with trying new combinations. We love mixing the not-so-obvious with one another and sometimes we find that they looked like they belonged together all along."

5. What is your favorite part of the Raleigh Home Show?

"This is our first year attending so we are excited about seeing all the new home decor trends that are out there."

6. What advice would you give homeowners?

"Our advice for homeowners, either first-time or previous homeowners, is don't be afraid of color and don't buy something UNLESS you absolutely love it! People sometimes settle because it's an easy choice or they can't see past what something could be. If it's the right piece but the wrong color, change it. If you find a really cool, funky piece of furniture but aren't sure what will go with it...well, there is always something, it just might take a little time."

7. What is your creativity process like?

"I don't think we have a creative process. When we see a piece of furniture it speaks to us. It's the fun of the hunt. Never knowing what is out there but keeping an open mind and stretching our creativity to do something different."

Don't miss out on the Go Girl Shoppe's fine features and the excitement they're bringing to the show! Buy your tickets early to get the best deals and avoid box office lines. Right now you can get 2-for-1 tickets on Facebook. Bring a friend or family member to the show - we can't wait to see you there!

FEBRUARY 13 - 15, 2015.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER 

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Calgary Exhibitor Spotlight: Martie Fox Interior Design *Bonus Giveaway Included*

Excitement is building as exhibitors put the finishing touches on their booths for the Calgary Home + Design Show. As if the arrival of the Calgary Home + Design Show wasn't enough to get you keyed up for all things home improvement and entertaining, we’re adding to the anticipation with yet another giveaway right here on our blog.

*The Giveaway* 

Today you can enter to win the opportunity to make their decorating dreams a reality with a free design consultation from Martie Fox Interior Design. If you’re in need of Martie’s magic touch, enter to win this stylish prize by clicking here.

We sat down with Miss Martie herself to find out more about her business and her favourite part of participating in the Calgary Home + Design Show.

Tell us how you got into interior design.

I started a construction company 15 years ago with my partner Derek and from there I was inspired to branch out into my true passion, interior design. I’ve really been designing since I was a kid. Just ask my mom how many times she came home to a completely rearranged house!

What inspires you when creating designs for your clients?

I’m inspired by the idea that I will be channeling the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the my clients. I’m not a fan of cookie-cutter design, so it’s fun to play around with a space and make it truly unique.

How many years have you been involved with the Calgary Home + Design Show and what is your favourite part?

This is my inaugural showing! I’m so excited to be getting involved, I’ve attended for years but being an exhibitor is a whole new ballgame. If I had to pick just one feature, I’d have to say the IKEA White Room Design Competition is the one I’m most excited for.

Describe your design style in just 3 words.

Modern Classic Glamour.

Click here to enter to win a free design consultation from Miss Martie and you might get the chance to experience her modern, classic and glamourous design style for yourself!

Meet Miss Martie at the Calgary Home + Design Show by purchasing your tickets online today to save $3 off regular adult admission. For more giveaways and promotions from exhibitors and sponsors of the Calgary Home + Design Show click here.

We can’t wait to see you at the Calgary Home + Design Show in less than a week!

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