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The vintage modern decor style that's been popping up all over the place sounds like a total oxymoron, but it's easier to grasp than you think. Instead of opting for a strictly modern interior with no sense of personality or quirky flair, or sticking with a straightforward vintage aesthetic, mix the two together for a style that feels just right. Here's how!

Mix up the eras
For a modern take on vintage design, avoid using pieces that are all from the same time period. After all, you probably don't want guests to feel like they've just stepped into the '70s every time they enter your living room! Play around with different items from the 1800s, 1920s, 1950s and 1980s. It's a lot more fun that way.

Add in some neutrals
People have had some pretty colorful tastes over the years, which often means that vintage items are chock full of bright patterns and hues. For balance, use plenty of neutrals to offset the pieces. For example, if

If you're the type of mom who enjoys having a tranquil, spa-like bathroom that's free of rubber duckies, toothpaste spatters and cartoon-character shower curtains, a children's bathroom is a must. Not only will you have the freedom to decorate your own space as you wish, but your kids will have the chance to choose their own decor, which is always fun! Here are some tips to keep in mind when you and your children start planning out the interior design of the room.

Safety comes first
To make sure that no accidents happen in the bathroom, certain safety measures should be implemented. For example, slippery surfaces like the tiles in front of the tub or the floor of the shower should be covered with mats, while drain and faucet covers can prevent kids from bumping their heads or turning hot water on by accident. Cordless shades for the windows might also be beneficial. For

As you measure your windows, you may find a window opening or two that are very large widths. In some cases it may be a picture window or an opening that has multiple windows within that opening. There are a few different options worth considering that have their respective positives and negatives.

Option 1: A single blind or shade 
Payless Decor blinds and shades have maximum widths that can be six, seven, or eight feet or longer, and thus can cover many large openings. One thing to consider is the weight of the window treatment and how much you are going to  want to open/close it. Faux Wood blinds, for instance, can be very heavy and a single blind of a large width may be somewhat difficult to lift. Many of our shades in very large

Sometimes, what we imagine when we think of a specific room can hinder the space's decorative potential. For example, if you see a sofa, loveseat, TV entertainment center, coffee table and two side tables arranged around the walls when you hear the phrase "living room," you might be limiting yourself to this boring arrangement.

Even if you have the perfect custom window shades, discount blinds, wall color and area rug, your design could be falling flat if you're not getting creative with your furniture layout. Here's how to liven up your living room arrangement.

1. Ditch your preconceived notions. A living room doesn't have to echo the designs of those pictures you see in interior decor magazines. It's your house and your space - do whatever YOU want with it!

2. Aim to use the space to its fullest. If one type of arrangement

Roller shades for windows are some of the easiest window coverings to operate - just give them a tug! There's no worrying about tangled strings or adjusting slats with these straightforward models, but there's one way to make the pulling process even easier - by attaching a tassel.

Tassels not only give your fingers something solid to grip, but they can add to your design scheme by incorporating colors and textures that fit your motif. You can find tassels for cheap at arts and crafts supply stores, or make your own with a little help from Martha Stewart. You'll just need a bit of linen yarn and some thread and you'll have a lovely tassel in no time.

Once you have the tassel ready to go, it's time to attach it to your roller shade. Some shades already come with pulls of their own, so you

There's nothing better than sitting down and relaxing on a porch after a long, hot day of work or weekend chores in the summertime. Porches are also convenient spaces to host guests, as they're typically a mix of indoor�and outdoor aesthetics. But is your porch comfortable enough to provide you with a go-to getaway? If you think there's room for improvement, here are a few ideas to help you revamp that space.

"Wicker, rugs, lanterns, lamps, artwork and accessories," says the Southern Hospitality blog. "All of those items make for a cozy porch to enjoy with family and friends." But what style should you go for, and how should you put the items together?

For starters, you'll want to make sure that the space is comfortable as far as illumination is concerned. You want plenty of natural light to flood the space during the day, as well as shade for when the sun starts to set on long summer

You may work hard to add your own decorative flair to each room of your home, whether it's cute homemade decorations, a new paint job or installing faux wood blinds. But clutter can take away from all of your interior design efforts. Follow these home organizing tips to keep a clean room so your home gets the attention it deserves.

Kids' cubbies

Having kids generally means having a mess, but you can do damage control by giving them a place to store all of their toys. You may want to think about constructing some simple cubbies out of a few planks of wood right in their rooms. You can include hooks and little shelves and let them customize with a paintjob of their favorite color and letter stickers to spell their names.

Kitchen cabinets

The more shelf space you have for your dishes and cups the more organized your kitchen will be.

Shades are a necessary aspect of any home's design scheme, but many people don't take the time to really consider which type is best for their windows. While there are many types of window coverings on the market, one particular kind is growing in popularity - roman shades.

Roman shades stack up in even panels when they're lifted, but fall in a smooth panel when they're let down, unlike other types of shades with slats or ribbed fabric. Because they're more ornate than other varieties, many homeowners opt to skip curtains altogether when they're using roman shades.

In addition to their decorative potential, roman shades are also practical because they're easy to use and maintain. They're easy to pull up and let down, and you won't have to struggle to clean them like you would with traditional blinds. They also come in a wide range of materials and fabrics (

Plain, white custom window shades can match virtually any decor and they're often less expensive than more decorative varieties. However, that doesn't mean you have to keep them plain and simple! If you're looking to add a bit of personality to your white blinds and shades, here are two easy DIY projects you might want to consider.

Ribbon trim
Choose ribbon that matches the colors or textures of the room you're using the shades in. This could be satin, squiggly edged or striped. Gather up a pair of scissors, some glue and a paint brush, then cut the ribbon to the width of the shades. Glue a strip or two of ribbon near the bottom and you're done!

Painted designs
Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

Summer is almost halfway through, which means time is running out for planning that vacation you've been meaning to take all season. If you've been lucky enough to inherit the old family beach house, then chances are this is exactly the place you want to head for lazy days enjoying the salty air and sound of crashing waves. However, you may also find that your childhood vacation home's decor has grown a little worn down and outdated over the years. Here are some affordable upgrades that will breathe new life into your summer cottage.

Furniture covers
If that sofa or lounge chair grandma bought in 1973 is still lingering in the house, you've probably been considering replacing it for quite awhile now. However, if there's no danger of it collapsing in on itself, you can give it a purely decorative upgrade by using a furniture slipcover. These inexpensive covers can provide new colors and patterns while also protecting from stains and messes.

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