Color Trend: Cobalt Blue

Cobalt blue is one of my favorite recent color trends. It can be applied to almost any space, in a large (paint all the walls) or small (add a throw pillow or two) amount. It's a classic color that sometimes borders on navy, and is appropriate for every style from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. Colors such as coral, pink, and gold are perfect compliments to create a complete scheme that includes cobalt. Finish it off with pops of bright white molding, accessories and accent pieces of furniture.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

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Interiors with Gold

This may shock some of you, but gold is back -- especially in interiors. Every furniture store and design magazine is featuring contemporary pieces and spaces that have a touch of the shiny metallic finish. It's easiest to incorporate gold in small doses such as light fixtures, end tables, and furniture accents (for example, chair legs and dresser knobs). Stick with pieces that have clean lines and simple shapes to keep this look fresh and updated.

Photo: Houzz

Photo: Euro Style Lighting

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Photo: House Beautiful

Wrap Around Porches

These long, cold winter days have me daydreaming of summer. On a nice warm day there are few things better then relaxing on a beautiful wrap around porch. (My future dream home definitely includes one). Now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to get your porch ready for use in the upcoming seasons. Consider adding a pop of color by painting the ceiling of your porch a vibrant hue. You can never have too much comfortable seating either, so invest in a new outdoor sofa or pair of rocking chairs. Turn your porch into a space for living so that you're ready to take advantage of it when the weather warms up.

Photo: EBuild

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Pantone Color of the Year 2013: Emerald

Pantone has named emerald as its color of the year for 2013. If you're not familiar with Pantone, it is a company that is, in many opinions, the expert in color. So if you're ready to give your home an update try incorporating this trendy color. For maximum impact paint an entire room in the hue. Otherwise, consider reupholstering a chair, adding throw pillows, or outfitting your windows in emerald. One tip to keep in mind when shopping for this style: a lighter shade of emerald gives a more contemporary look, while a darker shade tends to be more traditional.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: Martha Stewart

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Photo: Three Pink Dots

Small Spaces: Loft Beds

Living in a small space? When floor space is limited, it's important to think vertically. Loft beds are a great way to utilize otherwise unused real estate. If you're living in a rental, a relatively inexpensive piece from a furniture store such as IKEA will do the trick. Make it a little more personal by painting the bed frame a fun color and adding coordinating bed linens. If you are a homeowner or intend on staying in your space for a while, it might be worth your while to invest in a built-in loft bed. Incorporate additional storage, a seating area, dining table, or anything else that fits your living needs.

 

Photo: NY Times

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Love Your Laundry Room

Bizarrely enough, I kind of like to do laundry. Us laundry-lovers are few and far between though. For those of you who dread laundry day, use these tips to create a laundry space that is functional, organized, and clean. Who knows, it may become a place that you actually want to spend time in.

• Organize laundry supplies on shelves, in cabinets, and in labeled bins.
• Stack your washer and dryer to utilize vertical space.
• Set up an easy-to-use drying rack. Hide a permanent rack with a small curtain, or set up an expandable rack that can easily be put away when not in use.
• If sitting your washer and dryer side by side, create a large folding area on top. Try not to cover it with "stuff", keep it designated for clean clothes only.
• Add a little color here and there to brighten your day.

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

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Bright White Bathrooms

When in doubt, bright white is the way to go when it comes to a bathroom. White is a color (or lack thereof) that will never go out of style. Accent an all-white bathroom with touches of black, natural wood, or pops of color. With a backdrop of white, it's easy to make updates without spending a ton of money. Switching out accessories can give the space a whole new look.

Photo: Architectural Digest

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