Celebrate Your Independence from Costly Decor: Great Items to Buy in July

Believe it or not July is the best time to buy home decor! One reason for this is that stores are eager to move items that are on the floor so they are having tons of sales this month to encourage people to buy! Summer is the least popular buying season so retailers have plenty of sales to combat this. Below are some great decor items to buy this month!

Window Treatments

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Window treatments can sometimes be the last thing you think of when decorating your space. You may look around and think why do I really need them? Good question! Window treatments do an amazing job of softening your whole space as well as serving a purpose of light control as well as privacy. This is why window treatments are a great item to go ahead and purchase this month when you come across one of the MANY sales!

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Area Rugs

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Area rugs are another great item to purchase this month. We suggest this because they can be a pricey investment depending on the type and size you choose. While they can be a bit costly, they can absolutely transform a space and bring it all together. This is another item that does a great job of softening your room which is always nice. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Art

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Purchasing art for your home is such a personal experience. We truly believe that you should fall in love with the art you buy because it is such a personal choice that is unique to you and your personality. That being said, art that you love may not always be the top on your priority list when it comes to your decor. This is another way you can take advantage of summer sales and buy that piece you've been eyeing! wayfair.com is one of our favorite places to find affordable and stylish art.

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

How to Update your Patio

Update or Add an Outdoor Rug

PDR Interiors

If you have an outdoor rug that has taken a beating for multiple years it may be time to update it. On the other hand if you don't currently have an outdoor rug on your patio, consider adding one. You will be amazed at what a transformation simply adding a rug can do for your space. The goal of any outdoor living area is to make it feel as warm and inviting as your indoor living spaces. The addition of an area does just that!

PDR Interiors

Refresh your Outdoor Pillows

decor8blog.com

Outdoor pillows are easy items to update almost every season if need be. If your patio is covered you have a better chance of stretching the life of your pillows. If your patio is uncovered however, there is a good chance you'll need to update your outdoor pillows almost every year. Places like Target or Ikea are great options if you are not wanting to invest a lot in items that may only stick around for the season.

coastalhomepillows.com

Add in New Accessories

stylemepretty.com

Outdoor accessories can really make the space. These include items like lanterns, string lights, and planters/plant stands. One fun addition that can really create a nice ambiance while also combating mosquitos is putting citronella candles in lanterns. Lighting like candles and string lights can add great warmth that your outdoor space may be lacking. 

blog.styleestate.com

How to Create a Gallery Wall

makinghomebase.com

Start by laying out all the pieces you are planning to use in the gallery wall, on the floor.  Once you find an arrangement you like, measure the overall height and width of the grouping to make sure it will fit on the wall where you plan to hang it.  If it is too large, make adjustments as needed.  

PDR Interiors

Brown craft paper can be a great tool for hanging gallery walls. You can use it in a couple of ways:

1. Roll out the paper on the floor and place your pieces on top.  Arrange the pieces in whatever way you want them to hang on the wall.  Then outline the pieces on the paper.  Once you have your outlines drawn, remove the pieces from the paper and hang the paper on the wall.  This will show you if you need to adjust any spacing between pieces OR if you need to adjust the group’s placement on the wall. 

2. You can trace the outline of each piece you are including in the gallery wall on the craft paper.  Then cut out the shape and tape to the wall.  You are then free to move the shapes around as much as you like until you land on an arrangement that pleases you.  If you want to take it a step further, you can mark on the paper shape where the hanging mechanism is located.  That allows you to nail right through the paper and eliminates the possibility of placing the nail in the wrong place.

PDR Interiors

As a rule of thumb, start with 2” between pieces in a gallery wall.  Depending on the size of the pieces, you may need to adjust this to be more or less than 2”. Hang smaller items close together, while spacing out larger pieces. This offers good balance.  

The center of an art piece, or a gallery wall should fall around 60” from the floor.  Again, this may be adjusted if your ceilings are exceptionally high, or if your family members are tall.  Start at 60” and adjust based on what looks right with the scale of your room.

Your design aesthetic will dictate the style of your gallery wall.  A minimalist may prefer black and white photos in black frames with white mats arranged in neat rows.  Someone with an eclectic style may hang oil paintings in ornate frames next to abstract prints in simple frames.  The most important thing to remember is that the wall should reflect YOU and your style.  What do you want the space to say about you?  That should be what guides your choices for the grouping.

apartmentapothecary.com

How to Make your Guest Room Feel Holiday-Ish for Guests

Table Top Tree

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Guests & holidays go hand in hand, so when this time of year rolls around its time to get your guest room prepped and ready. It can be an easy room to forget about when it comes to adding in holiday decor. There are some simple things you can add to make your guests feel that much more at home. A table top tree is the perfect holiday touch to add to your guest room. This does not have to be a large investment, and it can make such an impact in the space. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Holiday Throw Pillows

thecraftpatchblog.com

Another easy holiday decor item to add to your guest room are seasonal throw pillows. These can be something simple like furs and plaids all the way to trees and gifts or holiday sayings. You can find pillows like these at great prices in stores like Target or Homegoods. Holiday pillows with neutral colors are always a good bet so you don't have to worry about matching them perfectly to the bedding in the guest room.

mostcraft.com

Wreath in a Frame 

instagram.com

One super simple DIY you can add to your guest room is a small wreath hanging inside of an empty wall frame. This takes a simple wreath and turns it into a piece of art that is more appropriate to hang on a wall in a bedroom than just a wreath on its own. We personally love the look of a classic green wreath and red bow with a white frame, but you can take it in which ever direction you choose! 

starfishcottageblog.com

The Colors of Spring - How to Decorate with Floral Patterns

Start Small

studio-mcgee.com

When it comes to introducing florals into your decor, start with just a little here and there. Things like a simple throw pillow, or a piece of art are a good way to add florals to your space without feeling overwhelmed by them. Florals have gotten a bad wrap in the past for feeling a little “grandma-ish” so for some, it will take time to get that perception out of their heads. 

blog.purehome.com

Try Floral Wallpaper (Gasp!)

mydomaine.com

Can you believe I said it? Floral wallpaper? Thats right, in the right space it can work beautifully! Don't be concerned, these are not the florals of the past I am talking about. These florals are both chic and on trend. Some places to appropriately use floral wallpaper is in a nursery or as an accent wall. 

shop.projectnursery.com

When in Doubt, Go Large-Scale

studio-mcgee.com

One of the things we picture when we think old, outdated florals are tiny patterns. This was part of the problem that added to our distain for these patterns. The new florals that are back and better than ever are mostly large scale patterns which differentiates them from the others. These photos show two great examples of large scale florals that added to the spaces in a major way. 

entirelyeventfulday.com

The Colors of Spring - How to Decorate with Pink

Here at Polka Dots & Rosebuds we have a special place in our hearts for the color pink. We have the pleasure of working with Sororities across the country on their spaces and some of them have pink as one of their main colors. As you can imagine, we have A LOT of fun working this color in!

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Not only is pink a fun and feminine color that fits in perfectly at a sorority house, but it is also one of the gorgeous colors we get to see all around us during Spring time. This prompted us to share snap shots from some of our favorite projects where we could work in the color.

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Although these are all examples where we used pink in a big and bold fashion, that certainly does not mean it can’t be worked in in a more subtle way. When you are living in a home with other members who may not be as open to pink everywhere, small subtle pieces here and there is always an option as well.

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Three Cost-effective ways to Transition your Home from Winter to Spring

Add in Greenery

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

One great way to transition your decor from Winter to Spring is by adding in greenery throughout your home. Seeing more green in nature is the first sign of Spring so it makes perfect sense to bring that feeling right into your home. We like using faux greenery along with other accessories for our clients for their hassle-free qualities. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Swap Heavy Fabrics for Lighter Ones

estliving.com

It is easy to weigh your decor down with heavy fabrics and textures through the cold winter months. Once Spring comes, a great way to transition away from that look is by shedding those layers and swapping heavier fabrics for their lighter weight counterparts.

countryliving.com

Find your Favorite Spring Wreath

diyallwomenstalk.com

One of the most simple ways to welcome Spring to to your home is by adding a fun seasonal wreath. There are countless styles of wreaths that can fit right in with the light and fresh feeling that Spring brings. These are just two examples of the types of wreaths that would work perfectly!

etsy.com

Winter Reno - How to Choose Flooring Based on your Lifestyle and Space

Hardwood

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Hardwood is a timeless and classic choice for flooring. With that being said, it is also pricey and not ideal for all lifestyles. One major downside to hardwood is that it is not water proof or water resistant, so you have to be careful on the areas in your home where you decide to put it (or keep it). Another downside is the upkeep it needs over time. Although hardwood can stand the test of time, it will need refinishing every so often that you may or may not be willing to deal with cost wise. On the other hand, it is a truly beautiful choice, and in the right space can be a fantastic option.

LVT

Polka Dots & Rosebuds

LVT or luxury vinyl tile (or plank) is a relative newcomer to the flooring scene. Gone are the days when you heard the word “vinyl” and thought “1970’s” or “cheap looking”. This has become one of the most popular types of flooring that can truly go anywhere in the home! LVT can either look like wood or tile depending on the space you are putting it in. One of its best qualities is its overall durability as well as its resistance to water. This makes this flooring a fabulous choice for any area that is going to get a lot of use, and even water like a bathroom or basement. 

Carpet

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Carpet is ideal for places like bedrooms or living rooms. It adds a softness and warmth to your space that is almost unmatched. However, people are getting away from having carpet throughout the house, especially how it used to show up in places like the bathroom or kitchen where you will never see it now a days in any new construction. If you are looking to get the softness of carpet but still love your hardwood or some other type of hard floor, an area rug can be a fantastic addition as well.

Tile

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Tile is a great choice for any space that is going to get a lot of use that includes water or messes of any kind, i.e. the kitchen, bathroom, basement, or foyer. These are ideal spaces for tile because it is by far the easiest flooring to clean as well as being extremely durable. The great thing about tile these days are all of the gorgeous styles and sizes it is available in, namely the “wood look” tile that has become so popular. One of tiles main downsides is how cold it can make a room feel. Adding in rugs on top of tile in places like your kitchen or foyer can help alleviate this issue.

Quick Tips to Ready your Home for Thanksgiving Guests

Create a Centerpiece 

(Bottom) Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

If you are not wanting to go all out with Fall/Thanksgiving related decor, you can simply create a centerpiece for your dining table. This is a great way to concentrate your decor on one space which will create a nice impact without having to break the bank by having pieces throughout the house. These are all good examples of centerpieces that would work perfectly for your Thanksgiving table. The all white centerpiece was created by Liz from the inspiration photo beside it. This shows you how you can get an idea from places like Pinterest, and make it your own!

elledecor.com

Do a Quick Decor Refresh

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Another easy way to ready your home for your Thanksgiving guests is to do a simple decor refresh. This can be accomplished by taking down all of your accessories off of builtins, bookshelves & console tables, for example, then re-working where you have them placed. This will give your home an updated, fresh feel to you and your guests who may have been to your home recently. This is a great way to give your house a little pick-me-up without spending a dollar!

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Consider the Best Placement of Your Furniture

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Depending on the amount of guests you have coming over, you may need to re-think the way your furniture is placed to accommodate more people, or at least make it feel a bit more spacious. The more open you can make your home feel the better. When you have a large amount of people coming to visit, comfort is key. This may even mean tucking some things away that will make the space feel more crowded, like large blanket baskets for example. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors