Designing a Living Room You’ll Love by Robb Zerr

No matter what your décor, budget or personal
tastes, you can easily turn your hodge-podge of living room furnishings
and accents into a space that looks as if it was done by an interior
design pro.

As we often say, function is more important than form. Start your
interior design adventure by determining what your living room is for.
Is it a place for an intimate gathering of friends and family? Do you
entertain a large group of guests regularly? Is it a place to simply
relax and kick back?

The answer will determine the layout of the room. If you entertain a
lot, then you want your space to be more open so guests can flow freely
around the room without bumping into furniture. If you host more
intimate groupings, then you want to arrange your furniture to promote
conversation.

1. Select furniture that matches your needs

Once you know the function of the room, it’s time to work on
form. There are a lot of really wonderful pieces out on the market
theses days. Not only can you get inviting sofas and loveseats, but
also new ideas such as sectionals with a built-in chaise. If you
entertain a lot, consider going with groupings of furniture or pieces
that can be easily moved around the room. If it’s just family
and friends, go with a large sectional grouping so you can all sit
together in comfort and style.

2. Use color intelligently

The right colors can really make a living room come to life. Choose
wall colors that complement your furnishings. Contrary to popular
belief, a dark color makes a room appear larger, not smaller. Use
accent colors for your accessories. Don’t get too wild with
colors – they should work with one another, not against one
another.

3. Go with a neutral style

Resist the temptation to buy the latest trends in furnishings or
accessories. You don’t want your space to become dated.
Picking up the latest lamp or gimmicky clock cheapens the space as
well. Above all, don’t put too much of your personal tastes
into the décor. Keep the precious memories and souvenirs in
the bedroom or family room.

4. Let it shine

A good way to add some space to your living room is to go with
reflective surfaces for tables, fixtures and lighting. White glazed
cabinets are terrific for this, particularly if they have glassed
doors. The same is true with lighting. A lamp with a glossy shade can
make the room look bigger than it is.

5. Use rugs as décor

If you have a really large open space, consider breaking it into
smaller areas. The easiest way to do this is to use area rugs. Though
it seems odd at first, an area rug cannot only be used on wood or tile
floors, but on wall-to-wall carpeting as well. When using an area rug
to define a space, be sure that the furnishings either rest on the
carpet or touch the edges visually.

6. Locate the large pieces first

The sofa, loveseat and sectionals should be put in place first. Again,
consider the function of the room and arrange accordingly. If your
pieces are heavy, you may want to draw out the room on a piece of paper
and make shapes that match the measurements of your furniture. Move
them around on paper before you move them around the room. This saves
time and energy.

7. Work your way out from there

Once you have the large pieces of furniture set to your liking,
it’s time to add end tables, coffee tables and other
secondary furnishings to your grouping. Next, it’s
time for the accents: lamps, vases, plants, etc. Finally, hang your art
so that it complements the room’s new look. After painting
and changing the layout, you may find that some of your art is out of
place. Look in your other rooms to see if a different piece would look
better.

Most of all, have fun with your redecorating project. Once you have the
furniture you like, the rest can be changed easily down the road with
just a few cans of paint and some artistic touches.

Just like jewelry accent an outfit and the human body, throw pillows have the same
effect. Throw pillows are great to add  color, texture, depth, and style to your living
room. It is always great to bring a pillow from your current sofa and try to match
something that will complement it.

If you don’t feel like forking over $40 for throw pillows then a great way to
relieve stress or bond at home is to make a home project out of it. Bring your kinds
and yes- even husband into it and just have fun!

For those who are not so handy with a sewing machine we recommend a few local places in Miami which have great throw pillows at reasonable prices.
Jonathan Handler, Target, Ikea, and The Loft Sofas!

Good furniture will last for year and years with proper care.  Here are a few tips to keep your furniture in tip top shape.

Wood furniture for example needs to frequently be dusted because if not particles of dust might cause scratches to the surface of the wood. It is also extremely important you go with the grain of the wood.

As for polishing, that only needs to be done every couple of months.

Upholstered furniture should be vacuumed weekly and taken to the dry cleaner. Be    sure not to use any wet solution unless the manufacturer says “ok” because it might leave a stain on the upholstery.  Microfiber is a very easy to clean material as it can be washed with soap and water and clean up greatly.

Wicker furniture should be kept out of the sun and humidity. For a little bit of sheen just go ahead and polish it with some furniture wax.

The best thing you can do for plastic furniture is get it waxed with car wax or use a gently non abrasive hand soap.

Living in a small apartment doesn’t mean you don’t have the flexibility to decorate.

1. Curtains 101
By hanging curtains you create a sense of height in the apartment. Make sure you hang them from the floor to the ceiling.

2. Go Clear!
By using glass and Lucite you are giving your apartment a fine modern touch of class and creates openness.

3. Lights Light and more Lamps
Lamps and light are important to set the atmosphere without taking too much
Space. Using a dimmer is vital to adjust the light.

4. Give it some curves,
Small apartments tend to be very boxy . Adding curvy furniture lets you
you stylize the apartment. Add big style to your apartment.

5. Rugs are you best friend
Rugs are the best home decorating accessory to open up your apartment floor space. A light color is always best .

“South Beach revolves around us” is The Flamingo’s motto.  Located conveniently right on the bay, a walking distance from the Lincoln Rd mall, and of the trendiest nightclubs and ocean drive, The Flamingo South Beach is considered one of Miami’s trendiest places to live.   With over 1000 units in the north, center and south towers, you are surely to meet all types of people to mingle with.  The amenities are great as well.  The dry cleaning service is located on the first floor of the south tower as well as a spa in the south tower.  Spa Panico offers messages, manicures and pedicures, as well as facials. There are regular pool parties in both the north and south towers.  The Flamingo is very pet friendly as well.  You can walk your dog around the expansive courtyard.  There is also a doggy daycare for those who love to spoil their pooches.  The doggie daycare services also include walking your dog from your apartment during the day.  Monthly parties held by local 944 magazine, makes this a heaven for pool parties and people wanting to have some fun and enjoy live music as well.  The apartments themselves aren’t the best, but if your demand is quality of lifestyle then this is the perfect place for you to live.