99 cheap tricks

Seriously. Ninety Nine.


From our friends at style at home…check out this fabulous online article!

http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/budget/99-cheap-decorating-tricks/a/30663

There are tons of great, cheap décor ideas for your home. Ninety Nine, in fact.


Don’t get overwhelmed. Just take a read through. Some things may be just what you are looking for. Some may not. But a really good read to kick start your creative mind into action. Or just a good resource that may come in handy later.


A small note of caution, though…don’t try them all at once!!!


Have fun!




For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

tell me about it, stud

I got chills, they’re multiplying…and I’m loo-sing contro-ol...the power you’re supplying…it’s electrifying!

You’re the one that I want, you’re the one I want, want…ooh, ooh, ooh honey…


Phew, now that I got that out of my system, let’s talk about studs!


Studs are everywhere. And they aren’t just for traditional dens, stuffy libraries, or a man’s study (although, these are available too!)

There are many other looks that also feature studs...here are just a few to think about:


Dining room chairs – black fabric and silver studs are tres chic and will last the test of time, while these sparkly silver leather and silver studs are a more slick option.

A combo of silvery grey, black, and purple patterned fabric are fun and bold, but still cozy and inviting.

Beige chairs with a Paris word motif offer a more French country look.

Occasional chairs – I love this rounded back, tufted and studded dark grey chair that would be a great choice for just about any modern décor (see above too!)

How about something that looks a bit more like an antique such as either of these two?

Finally, my absolute favorite (despite the footprints!!) is this raspberry-pinkish velour chair that would be a bold hit of color in either the living room, bedroom, in an entryway or alcove.

 All chairs shown here are available at Home Sense, so think studs next time you are looking to update your décor!







For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

inspiration boards

I thought I’d show you a couple of inspiration boards that I’ve recently done for a client.

After purchasing a new home, the client’s design challenge was to use all of the existing furniture and accessories from the old home and give the new house a refreshed and new look and feel.


rouge was hired to tackle the kitchen, dining room, living room, master bedroom and master bath.

New paint colors go a long way to achieve this goal.

Furniture placement in each room is also different from the old house as each room is a different shape and the flow of the house is also different.

This was also a great opportunity to use existing pieces in new way…for example, the buffet that was in the old dining room was placed in the new living room and now holds the TV and other electronics. One of the sofas from the old living room is now placed in the new master bedroom.

I can’t wait to see the finished rooms...I hope to show you some before and after pictures as soon as the client finishes all the painting I left her with!


The inspiration boards should help keep her focused and help her achieve her ultimate goal of creating warm, inviting and refreshed spaces to enjoy.





 For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

retro-cool electric stove

The aptly named Dimplex White Cube Electric Stove is a retro-cool electric stove with enough modern pizzazz to liven up any room in your home. With rounded edges, clean lines, and a stylish chrome finish pedestal base, this electric stove makes a statement simply and efficiently. The white lacquer casing keeps this faux fireplace more modern, and less kitsch.


Built-in manual switches allow you to choose heat options (off, low, high) and power it on and off. Hit the power button and watch as lifelike 3-D flames dance over molten embers.


It's green and safe, too. The Mini Cube Stove doesn't produce carbon monoxide or other emissions, and the safety glass stays cool to the touch, so the whole family – and even pets -- can enjoy the fun of the fireplace.


Bask in the warm embrace of fireplace heat during winter months, or enjoy the beautiful flames without added heat in the summer. Either way, this stove gives the room a glowing feeling and ambiance that's hard to resist, and you can take it room to room as you wish!


With this fun modern electric fireplace, it's okay to light the fire every night to create a relaxing retreat to keep cozy and warm.


Available at Gallery 1 Furniture in Highfield Park in Dartmouth (NS) for about $250…but you may have to ask, these sold out quickly. If not in stock, they can be ordered through the store (expect an approximate 3-4 week delivery).






For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

hohoho

The tree is trimmed. The Yule log is burning. The twinkle lights are twinkling. The presents are wrapped and under the tree. The fridge will soon be stuffed with delights…just like the turkey. And I’m humming along to holiday favorites. Friends and family will soon be gathering.


rouge is ready. Now all that's left is to wait for Santa.


‘Tis the season for many wonderful things…including a good holiday break. So, you won’t find just a little rouge for the next two weeks. Fret not, I’ll be back after the festivities are over.

In the meantime…enjoy and be merry.


Happy hohoho!


xx rouge






For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

sparkle and light

Last year, I went glam for the holidays (see last year’s blog). This year, it’s really all about using the same collection of decorations, which admittingly is getting large, in new combinations.

A more traditional feel in the living room where the real tree -- with white lights and white ornaments mixed in with sparkly silvery ornaments -- smells divine! (The white and sparkly ornaments were previously hung from a dowl over the threshold between the living room and kitchen.)

The tree is pulled together with a white and silvery tree skirt – rimmed with light grey fluffy faux fur! So awesome.

A silver star hung on the back of the door, silver bells on the door handles and a big wooden bowl filled with fresh pine cones rounds out the decorations in the living room. (The silver star was used as a tree topper last year.)

Much more colorful décor is in the kitchen/dining area. To fit with the existing décor, there are glass bowls filled with red and turquoise ornaments which serve as a centre piece on the dining table.

White candles top off the table setting offering a comfy and warm holiday glow. (The turquoise ornaments were my pop of color on the tree two years ago. The red ornaments are from at least 4 years ago...maybe more.)

Silver tissue paper flowers, with silver balls in the centers, line the staircase railing which leads to the second floor. (I made them last year for the holidays.)

This year, I added sparkly turquoise birds with feathers to help tie the flowers in with the overall color scheme. (These were part of the tree decorations two years ago.)

The new mud room features my vintage glam white feather tree with black ornaments. A silky white and black tree skirt hides the not-so-nice metal stand. (All new last year, when this was my only tree.)

The tree looks great with the bold black and white floor and the large metal sliding doors provide an excellent backdrop. To finish it off perfectly, a sparkly pink feather peacock sits near the top of the tree. (New this year...$1.25 at the Dollar Store.)

And outside? Well…that’s bit more traditional with lots of fresh spruce boughs in existing pots, a bit of a lime green ribbon, pine cones and little white lights.


This week’s decor lesson is finding creative ways to use what you already have. I’m often surprised at how easy it is to make existing decorations look like new by using them in different ways.


I hope you’re enjoying your festive spaces as much as I am! And don’t be afraid to get creative with what you already have.



For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com

wrap it up

I LOVE wrapping Christmas gifts. Love it.

For me, the presentation of the gift is just as important as the gift itself. Maybe because I take special care in it, or maybe it’s because I try to put lots of thought into it. Maybe it’s simply because I love wrapping!

This year’s color scheme is red and green, but it’s not traditional as you might think…it’s more fresh and modern and fun.

I found this great red paper with polka-dots, and a fresh shade of green ribbon. As I was looking through my stash of other papers, I realized that I already had a solid green paper that was a perfect match to the ribbon. So I added that tone-on-tone look into the mix.

I like to add a little something different or unexpected to my holiday gift wrapping…this year it was wooden ‘noel’s (that I think were meant to be painted and used as tree ornaments). I actually picked these up after Christmas last year at the Dollar store and had them safely tucked away. Yup…5 per $1 bag! What a find.

For my homemade gifts, I used plain, clear cellophane bags, the same green ribbon and pine cones I picked up last month along my favorite walk in the woods. They still smell divine!

For gift tags, I’m using the left-over papers from last week’s blog project. Simply cut to size, punch a hole in the corner to tie to the gift, and write your message on the back.

I’ll have to tell you about my homemade gift ideas later…many of my friends and family are avid readers of just a little rouge and I don’t want to ruin the surprise!

Until then, I’m imagining lots of these presents tucked under my tree, waiting for the recipients to enjoy. I’ll enjoy wrapping everything, I’ll enjoy seeing them under my tree, but mostly, I’ll enjoy giving a little something to the wonderful people in my life.

For other gift wrapping ideas, check out this style at home story: www.styleathome.com/how-to/simple-projects/5-fun-and-easy-christmas-gift-wrapping-ideas/a/38152

Happy wrapping.

 

For more about rouge, visit www.littlered.ca or check out past blogs at www.justalittlerouge/blogspot.com