Photo by: nbkix17 / sandy

Nic’s Tip #1: http://www.etsy.com/: This is a wonderful website to purchase an array of handmade gifts. There are thousands of items on this site: stationary, photographs, ceramics, clothing, hand knit hats and blankets, jewelry, cards, you name it...it’s probably there! Esty is the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind items for your parents and loved ones. You can also search for local artists in your area to lower the carbon footprint of each item. My favorites: for mom: gemstone jewelry. jennytrinh.etsy.com handbags. drikab.etsy.com organic jewelry. erosasjewerly.etsy.com for dad: cufflinks. sandandsea.etsy.com beer soap. goatsdesigns.etsy.com leather journal. favola.etsy.com

Nic’s Tip #2:

Make your gift:

Tap into your creative side and make your gift. I know this sounds a little daunting, but trust me when I say that a gift made from the heart goes a long, long way! We are all feeling the effects of our economy and here’s your chance to give a piece of your heart and not a chunk of your wallet. Purchase a simple pillow that matches your dad’s favorite chair or your mother’s favorite color. Think of a sweet note or a simple “I love you.” It could even be the shilloette image of you or your children’s faces. Purchase iron on transfer paper and print out the message or image you want. All you have to do is iron on the image and voila, you now have a comfy, custom designed pillow for them to cuddle up next to. Be creative. You can even make t-shirts or customize your bed linens!

Nic’s Tip #3:

A little compromise:

These two tips are tailored for Mom or Dad to honor each other. Give your partner something they’ve always wanted...or should I say something they are always asking you about. We are all familiar with the “honey do” list. This is the perfect opportunity to give a gift you know they will appreciate and won’t need a receipt to return.

1. How often does your partner ask you to come along on their adventures? They probably know not to ask anymore at this point, because you always have the perfect excuse. Here’s your chance to be part of the experience and give a gift they will always remember. Make your partner a beautiful handwritten note stating you will join them on an outing of their choice...you may even like it enough to join them the next time around!

2. How many times have you heard, “Honey, when are you going to fix the garage door, the leaky faucet, the dying patch of lawn?” Give your partner a free pass for any work they need done in the house to redeem at any time. I know this doesn’t sound very romantic, but after the hard day of work you put in, surprise them with a romantic evening. They’ll be thrilled you worked all day and had time to plan a thoughtful date. Bonus points for you!

If you have any questions or would like more information on where to find products mentioned above, please email me at info@nicolefacciuto.com

Learn more about Nicole at NicoleFacciuto.com 

Thank you for all the wonderful questions you sent me over the past month. They ranged from transforming nurseries to selecting wall colors.  Regardless if it’s hot and humid or below freezing temps outside, I believe everyone should have a warm and sexy bedroom. One question clearly stood out to help you achieve this goal.

“I need ideas for a DIY headboard for $100 or less.” - Carrie (Concord, CA)

Here are three design directions to suit your taste and skill level.

Nic’s Tip #1:

Placemats are not just for your dining room table.

Think outside the box and use a common household item in an unexpected way. Make a headboard using placemats!  This is a fantastic way to create a textural focal point in your bedroom. Method: Find either a bamboo, cork, woven, or a three dimensional placemat at a local retailer. You’ll need roughly 45 to do a floor to ceiling queen-sized headboard depending on your ceiling height. I suggest 5 rows wide and 9 tall. All you have to do is tack the placements into place with small nails or even a staple gun. Just be sure the fasteners are hidden when you secure them. The end result makes such a strong impact in your bedroom, no one will ever know they’re placemats! Try: Pier One . Target . Cost Plus Floor to ceiling placemat headboard.

Nic’s Tip #2:

Paper Bags: Free

Glue: $3 Leather Headboard: Priceless Make a faux leather headboard. This is an easy DIY project for the entire family. The finished product is an ultimate “wow factor” perfect for any bedroom. All you need is a sheet of FSC certified plywood or luan cut to fit your bed size, paper grocery bags, Elmer's glue and a paint brush. FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council. For more information go to www.fscus.org. Dresser covered with paper bags and antique glaze.

Method:

Mix 1 part glue to 2 parts water in a container. Tear up your grocery bags and decoupage them onto the wood, making sure to layer and wrap edges of headboard. Pieces can be as big or small as you like. Paint a layer of glue mixture on the wood first, then lay the paper down and finish with another coat of glue mixture on top. It will tend to wrinkle, this is normal. Make sure you place the paper graphic side down. Once paper is dry you may antique with a water based stain in any color and seal with a water base sealer. Mount headboard directly to wall with either nice looking screws into studs or a cleat. (A cleat is a 2x4 ripped lengthwise at a 45 degree angle. One half is mounted to the wall, the other to the headboard)


Nic’s Tip #3:

Fabric is your friend.

This is a simple project to create a warm and luxurious feel in your bedroom. You’ll need a sheet of FSC certified plywood, an electric staple gun, organic batting and fabric. Method: Cut plywood to desired size. Wrap and staple batting to plywood. For extra cushion you can always mount foam to plywood and then cover with batting. Staple the fabric working from the middle outwards. Make sure to pull wrinkles out of the fabric as you go. I recommend purchasing a duvet cover for the fabric because you only use one half. That way, if you ever need to replace the instillation (or you make a mistake!), you have the other half of the cover available. Fabric upholstered headboard.

Method: Use cleat to mount to wall. Another option is to cover the entire wall or outer side of bed with fabric. Secure a 1x4 along the top of wall. Staple and pleat fabric across length of room. Hot glue coordinating trim to cover staples. If fabric is not too heavy, you can also staple directly to your walls. Try purchasing ready made curtains as a cost effective alternative to unfinished fabric. Pleated fabric side panels with center block of color.

Learn more about Nicole at NicoleFacciuto.com

Children seem to have the natural ability to pollute every corner of the house. We’ve all seen many well-decorated living rooms doomed by an outbreak of Barbie’s, stuffed animals, and Legos. Here are a few simple steps to de-clutter your dwelling so you and your child’s toys may live together in harmony.


Photo by: huladancer

Nic’s Tip #1:

It’s functional and pretty.

Let me guess, there’s a big unsightly plastic container in the corner of the room brimming with toys? You’re not alone. We all struggle to find ways to preserve our decor while also creating a functional play area for our children. Try using an actual trunk as your coffee table, or a storage ottoman that can double as the perfect hiding place. You can even use baskets which slide into open shelving. Remember: make the play area aesthetically pleasing for you and functional for them.

Nic’s Tip #2:

Art appreciation.

Yes, we all know your child is the next Picasso. Aren’t they all? What’s a parent to do with their little one’s macaroni and finger paint masterpieces? Display them of course. But not just on the fridge. Use magnetic paint to cover an area or an entire wall in your home. Once dry, it can be rolled over again with the same color that matches the rest of the room. All you need are magnets and voila, you now have the perfect real-time art museum. Use this opportunity to teach your kids about thematic groupings. One week, it’s pasta: The next, the color blue. It’s like Facebook for your children and their art.

Nic’s Tip #3:

Thin the herd.

How many toys does one child really need? They only have two hands after all. If you take the time to rummage through all of your kid’s toys, you’d quickly realize they don’t even play with half of them. Use this opportunity to pass these toys onto someone who could use them. I believe in the “one item in, one item out” policy. This is an easy way to balance their toy collection. Maybe even try a toy swap. Have kids in the neighborhood exchange a few toys they’ve outgrown or no longer play with. After the rummaging and toy swaps, you’ll finally be able to walk barefoot at night without piercing your foot when you unwittingly step on your child’s Stegosaurus.

If you have any questions or would like more information on where to find products mentioned above, please email me at info@nicolefacciuto.com

Learn more about Nicole at NicoleFacciuto.com

I know right now a lot of you want to make design changes in your home, but feel the wallet tightening down. So, this design tip is reflective of just that: a cost effective transformation.


Photo by: laurenlemon

Paint. The single most cost effective way to transform your living space. This is also the number one question I receive from clients and viewers, “how do I chose the perfect color?”

Here are a few tips to help you pick out the perfect shade for any room in your home:

Nic’s Tip #1:

Purchase a paint deck:

Not a lot of people know you can acquire the tools and tricks of the trade. All brands of paint make professional paint decks, showcasing every color they make. These run about $10-$15.

How many hours have you stood in front of the paint chip display, agonizing over which colors to take home? It is nearly impossible to pick out a color in the store. The lighting is different, chips are missing, your spouse is roaming the isles looking for a new power tool. This is why having your very own deck of colors is the easiest and stress free route to take.

You can now make a decision without having to make a trip to the hardware store. Hold it up to your daughter’s comforter to pick out the perfect shade of violet or compare colors you like in the deck with the ready made curtains you’ve just found on sale! The possibilities are endless.

Companies who sell paint decks: Freshaire paint (no voc): Home depot, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.

Nic’s Tip #2:

Don’t be afraid of the dark:

So many people think that by painting a small room a dark color it will make it feel smaller. I say give into what it is and accept it. Painting a small room a lighter color is not going to make it feel bigger. You have to knock down walls for that to happen.

Give it personality. We all want the runt in the pack to survive, right? Make that room stand out. Give it a purpose. I was recently hired to do a color consultation for a therapist’s office. My client had never considered going with a darker shade and she hesitated when I suggested a rich plum color. A few days later I received a phone call from her expressing how thrilled she was with the color. She realized that by painting it a rich, darker shade, it made the rest of her existing furniture look even better and the room felt more inviting.

Don’t be afraid to richen up a room with a dark color. Keep in neutral and soothing and you’ll be amazed at the transformation.


Nic’s Tip #3:

Be inspired:

I’m sure you have many inspirational pieces scattered around you home. From that small little piece of pottery you found on a trip overseas to the cover of the design magazine sitting on your kitchen table. Pull out that paint deck of yours and find yourself a beautiful shade that inspires you.

Color is everywhere...keep your eyes peeled, your paint deck at hand and I know you will have the confidence to pick out the perfect color for your home.

If you have any questions or would like more information on where to find products mentioned above, please email me at info@nicolefacciuto.com

Learn more about Nicole at NicoleFacciuto.com

We’ve all taken small steps in our home, work and play to embrace being “green.” Wether it’s turning off the lights in rooms we’re not using, or carpooling to work with friends, we are beginning to alter our way of living to reduce our impact on the environment.

We should look beyond the everyday things we do to conserve energy and resources. Let’s use this holiday season to make an Eco-friendly impact: on our planet, in our homes and with our families. ‘Tis the season to be “green”! Here are a few tips to get you started:

Nic’s Tip #1:

Make your own wrapping paper:
 

This is one of my favorite projects. Not only are you creating another use from something that would otherwise be thrown away, but you get tap into your creative juices. If you have children, it’s a great way to get them involved in a fun art project while you’re secretly wrapping presents in the other room. To create your own personal wrapping paper, all you need are paper bags from the grocery store and any art medium you wish: pencil, paint, or crayon. You can even create a specific theme. Maybe grandma loves flowers or you want to color code your gifts, let your imagination run wild. This is a special way to show your love for your family and the environment. Photo By: fuchspanzer

Nic’s Tip #2:

LED holiday lights:


Photo by: Tony Reynes

It seams as though every year we scramble to the store to buy at least one strand of lights either because we just can’t seam to get that one strand to work or even better, we can’t find the ones from a previous year. Take this opportunity to buy LED lights. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and these new holiday lights use 90% less energy than their counterparts. Saving you an estimated $50 per season on your electricity bill. Most major retailers keep them stocked on their shelves now that they come in an array of colors. You can also purchase online.

Nic’s Tip #3:

Fresh holiday trimmings:
 

Wander through your back yard to find the perfect table centerpiece. Cut a few branches off an evergreen tree or pick a few pieces of fruit to decorate your table. During the holiday season I was the chosen one to dress the table. I’d grab the clipper and run from tree to tree cutting away like a mad hairdresser. In the past I’ve used evergreen branches, bamboo stalks, oranges, pomegranates, nuts and berries. We never spent any money on buying extra trimmings for the house, it was all at our fingertips. To keep your greens from drying out, soak them in water and seal the end with wax. Either by pouring a dripping candle over the end or submerse in wax. Photo by: Accolady

Learn more about Nicole at NicoleFacciuto.com or DesignTheCity.com