Decorate Your Bedroom Like a Bed & Breakfast Inn: 10 Tips

Decorate Your Bedroom Like a Bed & Breakfast Inn: 10 Tips

By Kathryn Bechen

We all need a romantic getaway weekend now and then. Even if funds are tight and time is short, with a little ingenuity and creativity you can turn your own bedroom at home into a romantic and relaxing "Bed & Breakfast Inn" retreat for you and your mate.


10 Tips to get you started:

1. Clutter Cutter. De-clutter your bedroom when you begin your fluff-up. Nothing kills romance faster than a pile of dusty magazines and techno paraphernalia.

2. Maid Brigade. Next comes the dust rag and vacuum. Turn on some music and make it fun!

3. Sensuous Sheets. Purchase some colorful new sheets in a pattern you love with a thread count of at least 300.

4. Divine Duvet. Invest in a pretty new duvet cover or bedspread. It will freshen up the room instantly.

5. Pillow Pizzazz. Some new pillows and pillowcases that coordinate with your sheets and duvet will add softness to your bed.

6. Flower Finesse. Buy some fresh flowers and put them in a favorite vase.

7. Candle Cozy. A few flickering candles will add instant romance to your new B&B bedroom.

8. Music Magic. Now for some light jazz or classical music to set the tone for the evening.

9. TV Tune-out. Unless you and your mate purposely choose to watch a funny or romantic movie together, turn the TV off.

10. Tray of Delights. Bring in a wine and cheese tray with some fresh fruit, dim the lights, and you’re on your way to a lovely and romantic stay in your very own Bed & Breakfast Inn bedroom. Enjoy!

c2005 Kathryn Bechen. All rights reserved worldwide.


Visit http://www.kathrynbechendesigns.com for more free ideas and tips for decorating your cottage style home on a dollarwise budget and to sign up for Kathryn's free e-newsletter of decorating tips and resources. Kathryn is an interior decorating consultant and author who specializes in Cottage Style, Non-Toxic, and Dollarwise decorating.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Bechen

**photos above of One Woman's Bedroom

Cottage Style Home Decorating: 10 Secrets to Charming Chairs

Cottage Style Home Decorating: 10 Secrets to Charming Chairs
By Kathryn Bechen

Cozy comfy chairs, collected wooden chairs…whatever your taste, interesting chairs can give your cottage a personally charming and eclectic flair.

Here are 10 secrets to “chair charm” for your home:

1. French Flair. Upholstered chairs with French curved legs and backs create a sophisticated cottage look. They don’t have to be expensive—search flea markets and consignment shops and reupholster.

2. Ladderback Love. Rush seat ladder-back chairs add architectural interest. Paint each rung of the ladder-back a different color for interest.

3. Quite a Pair. Pair two classic rolled-arm upholstered chairs next to each other with a small table in between to encourage reading and conversation.

4. Quirky Consignment. Scour consignment stores for sturdy and interesting looking wooden chairs of different but complementary styles and size. Paint each one a different but complementary color and use around your dining table.

5. Unique Upholstery. Purchase several upholstered chairs in interesting but different styles and unify them by reupholstering all in the same upholstery fabric. Choose pieces with interesting wood trim and legs for an eclectic look.

6. Wicker Wonder. Collect different styles of wicker chairs and chaises and paint them all the same color for a unified look. Add floral seat cushions in one style upholstery fabric to tie them together.

7. Slipcover Splendor. Soft comfy slipcovers say “instant cottage.” Try white canvas or a faded floral print.

8. Quintessential Quilts. If your favorite upholstered chair needs recovering but you don’t have the funds, drape your favorite quilt over it. Or, consider using a favorite quilt as the actual upholstery fabric for a unique and charming look.

9. Fabric Finesse. Search upholstery fabric outlets for the best quality of upholstery fabric you can find. If you’ve saved money on the cost of the chair, you can splurge on the fabric!

10. White Wonder. Paint all your chairs’ woodwork white and upholster with colorful floral fabric for a fresh and airy look.

By creating some “chair charm” in your cottage, you’ll be happy to linger and enjoy your home and your guests will feel welcomed and comfortable too.

c2006 Kathryn Bechen. All rights reserved worldwide.

Visit http://www.kathrynbechendesigns.com for more free ideas and tips for decorating your cottage style home on a dollarwise budget and to sign up for Kathryn's free e-newsletter of decorating tips and resources. Kathryn is an interior decorating consultant and author who specializes in Cottage Style, Non-Toxic, and Dollarwise decorating.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Bechen

Cottage Style Home Decorating: A-Z "QuikTips" for Instant Cottage Style

Want some quick tips for creating cottage style decorating at home? Just use the following A-Z "Quik Tips."

Cottage Style Home Decorating: A-Z "QuikTips" for Instant Cottage Style
By Kathryn Bechen

~Arrange your living room furniture in a “U” shape for great conversations.

~Birdhouses painted to match your home are wonderful.

~Cats in a windowsill are “very cottage.”

~Dogs curled up in front of the fireplace say “cottage cozy.”

~Entertain your friends around a round table with good food and wine.

~French touches in furniture say “sophisticated cottage.”

~Gates with clever signs hung on them say “instant cottage.”

~Hatboxes covered with vintage wallpaper are great for storage.

~Ingenious cottage touches are a claw-foot bathtub and thick fluffy towels.

~Junk from flea markets can be repurposed into creative plant containers.

~Knickknacks from family or collected from your travels add personality.

~Lattice lining patio walls creates charm.

~Mementos framed in shadow boxes add personality to your cottage.

~Nurture yourself with a four poster bed and sumptuous linens.

~Ottomans can be used in place of a coffee table or at the end of a bed.

~Pictures of florals, botanicals, or your travels say “instant cottage.”

~Quilts on the end of a bed or draped over a chair are pure cottage style.

~Rugs in sisal, jute, or colorful cotton add a cottage touch.

~Sink-down-in-and-rest-awhile white slipcovered sofas are very cottage.

~Texture in rugs, fabrics, and pillows creates interesting dimension.

~Upholster your furniture in coordinated florals, plaids, and stripes.

~Vintage trunks make great coffee tables and linens storage.

~Welcome signs are charming near your front door.

~Xtraordinary touches include floral painted mailboxes and fountains.

~Yellow in a bright canary shade is a great color for a cottage front door.

~Zest for living always accompanies the cottage style spirit!

c2006 Kathryn Bechen and Kathryn Bechen Designs.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Visit http://www.kathrynbechendesigns.com for more free ideas and tips for decorating your cottage style home on a dollarwise budget and to sign up for Kathryn's free e-newsletter of decorating tips and resources. Kathryn is an interior decorating consultant and author who specializes in Cottage Style, Non-Toxic, and Dollarwise decorating.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Bechen