Living In Westford Ma

Living In Westford Ma

Like many parents of young children, John Flanagan came to Westford for the schools.

Compared with some Boston suburbs known for their academics, Westford was, and still is, a bargain, he finds. The school system is also what has kept Flanagan, his wife, Beth, and their three daughters in this town — home to such attractions as Kimball Farm, Nashoba Valley Ski Area, and The Butterfly Place — since 2000.

Today, Flanagan, 51, lives and works in this community of roughly 22,000 along the Interstate 495 high-tech corridor south of Lowell. Flanagan, senior director of corporate citizenship for software maker Red Hat Inc. in Westford, says his activities are still dictated by his children, ages 13, 16, and 19. He often finds himself at Westford Academy, the town's public high school, where one daughter participates in theater productions, and he has helped raise money for turf fields and spent hours on the sidelines coaching soccer. "I always wanted to be coaching . . . You're giving back to the community,'' Flanagan says.

Now that he is no longer coaching, Flanagan is giving back in other ways, including as president of the Westford Rotary Club. "It's important for me to have the community connection in town, and the Rotary is a great way to network and give back,'' he says.

Flanagan says Westford has a nice mix of shopping and restaurants along Route 110 but historic homes and friendly neighborhoods in other parts of town.

"They've done a good job of isolating the commercial growth and leaving the rest of the town to have that country feel,'' he adds. "You can still come down 110 and have plenty of restaurants and shopping, but take a turn and you have a historic district. It's got a great look and feel.

"It makes it a great place to come home to.''

BY THE NUMBERS

11

The number of lakes and ponds in town. Whether you're looking for a place to swim, fish, canoe, or just take in the beauty of the town's natural resources, Westford's got the fresh water to do it.

430,300

The commercial square footage in town added between 2010 and 2014, including the construction of the Cornerstone Square shopping center, space for software maker Red Hat Inc., and a Boch Honda dealership

14,000

The number of panels in Westford Solar Park. Constructed on 22 acres, it was the largest privately owned solar plant in the state when built in 2012.

40+

The number of native and foreign species of butterflies flitting around The Butterfly Place, an indoor garden with flowers, koi fish, and birds open mid-February through October

PROS & CONS

Pro

Balance

Coming in at No. 11 on Money magazine's Best Places to Live list in 2013, Westford is home to several high-tech companies such as Red Hat and Juniper Networks, yet it has roughly 2,200 acres of conservation land, a community garden, and the Nashoba Valley Ski Area.

Con

Traffic

The reconstruction of Minot's Corner (Route 110/Boston Road/Carlisle Road) improved matters with an additional lane and sidewalks, but the town's country roads can get congested during rush hour when commuters (many from New Hampshire) cut through to Interstate 495.

Pro

Schools

Families flock to here to take advantage of its highly ranked schools without breaking the bank. Westford (median home value $483,100, according to Zillow.com) is relatively affordable compared with other communities with top-tier systems like Wayland ($651,900), Weston ($1.35 million), and Lexington ($820,300).

The Country Store at Kimball Farm —Mary Schwalm for The Boston Globe

The town common —Mary Schwalm for The Boston Globe

Don't let the picture deceive you, some trails are open at Nashoba Valley Ski Area. (Shot was taken in December 2015.) —Mary Schwalm for The Boston Globe

Jennifer Fenn Lefferts can be reached at [email protected]

Living In Westford Ma

Source: http://realestate.boston.com/location-location-location/2017/02/14/like-live-westford/

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Pastel Color Living Room

Pastel Color Living Room

Pastel color schemes can be used with a variety of decorating styles. The most creative pastel palette ideas usher in summer and spring goodness. You can combine pastels with gentle whites or sophisticated grays and every combination looks absolutely stunning. Match the elegance and soothing charm of pastel hues with our guide below.

Whether you offset gentle shades with crisp white, combine them with more vivid colors, go subtle with a touch of pastel style, or saturate your space with these irresistible hues, you're sure to have a winning interior! Check out the images below and see which ones inspire you to paint your space with delicate tones. And add a dash of the unexpected, of course…

Pair Pastels with White

We begin with a tried and true strategy for heightening the effect of pastels: pairing them with crisp white! In fact, many prefer to let soft hues speak for themselves simply by NOT covering the room with them. For example, an accent wall gets the job done, especially when complemented by a pendant light in the same hue. [from The Yvestown Blog]

Pastel pink study

In fact, pastels can really pop in a completely white room. The secret: save the pastels for accent pieces, such as lighting, textiles and artwork. [from SF Girl by the Bay]

Touches of pastels in an all-white room

In the San Francisco living room below, white is the color of choice. But it's the pastels that really stand out! Modern artwork and a rippled lamp steal the show, while greenery comes in at a close second. [from Laura Martin Bovard Interiors]

White living room with pastel accents

Pastels can be used to create a soft glow, as shown in this next space from Jerry Jacobs Design. For example, light pink roses combine with a cream and gold palette to create a heavenly haze of warmth and softness…

Pastels in a room with a soft glow

When the walls are pastel shades, going with white furnishings and textiles can be a powerful choice. Especially when pastel accents (like pillows and a throw) tie it all together. Below we see a charming pastel girls' bedroom from La Borda Bleu.

Blue and pink pastels crisply combine with white

Combine Pastels with Unexpected Bright Colors

If pastels + white = crisp, then pastels + vivid colors = WOW! One of today's biggest design trends involves playing up pastel shades with doses of bright hues, such as neon hues. In the next image, we see a picture from the bookPretty Pastel Stylefrom Serena Lake. Note how radiant doses of neon pink tape are just the punctuation mark this lovely space needs…[Photography by Catherine Gratwicke via Decor8]

Pastels with neon accents

The pastel blue room below is heightened by rich tones such as bright orange and lime green. A grayer, greener version of the shade can be seen on the dining room chairs. This color echoes the hue of the wall, yet it adds a unique twist rather than simply repeating it. [from Mark English Architects]

Pastel dining room with bright accents

Check out the pastels on the sofa in the next image. Pale green, lavender and light chartreuse are irresistible, especially when placed next to hot coral-pink! Would the vignette be the same without that vibrant end piece? We think not! [from Segev Photography]

Pastel couch in a modern living room

The next room features the lightest of green walls and peachy sheets. Yet a modern shelf houses books in bright colors like orange, teal and royal blue. Throw in a hot pink throw and a rug with fiery details, and you have a bedroom that is anything but sleepy! [from Cardea Building Co.]

Bright accents in a pastel bedroom

Why is the combination of pastels and brights so alluring? Because next to the brights, the pastels somehow pop even more! You can see the effect in this girls' from 3 Doors Down Home Staging & Interior Redesign. Hot pink is the color of choice, and it appears on bed, mirror, pillows and lamp…

Hot pink pops in a pastel pink bedroom

In another girls' room, we see powder blue walls, but this shade is infused with an extra jolt of color. Add a bright orange bed and a comforter with shades such as red and magenta, and the space comes alive. Of course, the sculptural 3-D tree doesn't hurt, either! [from Incorporated Architects and Designers]

Orange pops in a pastel blue bedroom

 Go Subtle

Another approach to pastel interior design involves keeping it subtle. Really subtle. Below we see a room with a white and silver color motif. A lamp and a bowl showcase the lightest of blues. The result: an undeniably modern room that celebrates a pastel shade without going overboard. [from Marie Burgos Design]

Sparse pastel accents in a gray and white room

In fact, combining gray with pastels creates a contemporary look that is sleek and soothing. Cool tones reign in this next space from Pulp Design Studios. Which says a lot, given the warm glow of the nearby fire…

A pastel chair in a silvery gray living room

Pastel blue stripes combine with taupe, gray and beige in the bathroom below. The effect: subtlety at its finest. Note how the vertical stripes are a refreshing counterpart to the horizontally-oriented subway tile of the shower. [from Faiella Design]

Subtle pastels in a modern bathroom

Go All Out

We end with a final approach to true pastel paradise. Go all out. Really. The room below uses the strategy of monochromatic saturation to create a powerful statement. Minty gray-green walls are reinforced by upholstery, furniture and pillows in the same hue. The effect is refreshing and clean. [from Sophisticate Interiors]

Mint green penthouse bedroom

We see a similar effect in the powder room below, which is bathed in lavender. Wallpaper, tile, flowers, accessories and towels all match, creating a unified look that is anything but sickly-sweet. [from Polmaster Tile Center + 3D Design Studio]

Lavender bathroom

Next we see a close-up of the same room, which reveals how variety is achieved in a space that boasts one main color. Through patterned wallpaper, sleek tiles and textured towels, diversity of the decorative surfaces is key, even under the umbrella of lavender.

Detailed wall coverings in a lavender bathroom

If you desire more than one pastel hue in your room of choice, try putting it all together in a concentrated display. The space below is enhanced by a row of pastel pillows featuring shades such as mint green, lemon yellow, dark pink, and once again, lavender.[from Lonny]

Row of pastel pillows

For a similar effect, try combining window treatments of various shades. For example, the seating area below features a display of window treatments in pastel hues. Color can't help but take center stage, especially when the sun shines through the glass panes…[from Lonny]

Pastel window treatments in a modern living room

What do you get when you blend saturated pastels in equally powerful shades? One bold statement! Even though the room below is white, all we see is radiant color… [from Digs Design Company]

Saturated pastels in an upscale sitting area

Would you decorate with pastels in your home? Perhaps you already have! Do you prefer to stay in more traditional territory or add a touch of unexpected style? Are you a fan of complementing pastel shades with neon or vivid hues? Or perhaps you enjoy a monochromatic approach! Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below…

Pastel Color Living Room

Source: https://www.decoist.com/decorate-pastel-colors-ideas/

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Living Room End Table Lamps

Living Room End Table Lamps

How to Calculate the Best Table Size for Your Dining Room

ErikaWittlieb/CC0/Pixabay

Congratulations on your decision to get a new dining room table. Choosing a new style of table can change the whole vibe in your dining area. It's important to choose a table that fits the size of your room so there's room for everyone to walk around. Taking the time to measure the size of your dining room and comparing your open floor space to standard table sizes can help you choose a piece of furniture that's a good fit for your home.

Determine the Size of Your Dining Area

Hook the end of a tape measure to something solid against the wall, like the door trim, or have a helper hold the end against the wall. Measure all the way across the room to the opposite wall. Make a note of this size, and then repeat the measuring process on the other two walls in the room. Multiply the two numbers together to determine the size of the room in square feet. If you're choosing a dining table for a room in a house with an open floor plan, measure to the edge of the area where you want the dining area to end.

Draw the Room

Sketch the room on a sheet of grid paper or enter the dimensions in a 3D room layout planning tool. While a larger open space around the table gives a room a casual, airy feeling, allow a minimum of three feet around the perimeter of the room for walking space. The remaining space in the center of the room is the maximum to allow for a dining table. It's easier to fit a small table into a large room than it is to crowd an oversized table into a tiny room. If you have extra floor space available after placing your dining table, you can adjust the way it's positioned in the room to enhance the flow of foot traffic and increase visual appeal.

Consider Decor Elements Around the Room's Outer Edge

Some pieces of furniture are big enough they're hard to move, making them almost a permanent part of your floor plan. If there are other large furnishings around the outer edge of the room, such as a hutch or curio cabinet, be sure to include the dimensions of those items in your sketch and in your calculations.

The Role of Table Top Shapes in Choosing Table Size

This is a tip you may see at play if you look closely at tabletops for restaurants. This is because restaurant tables are often packed in snugly to provide seating for as many patrons as possible. When space is at a premium — for example if you have a small dining area and can't arrange it to leave floor space around the table — consider a round or oval table. The rounded edges of the tabletop can allow for foot traffic.

Consider a Table That Has a Leaf

Choosing a table that has a leaf is one easy way to accommodate an occasional large group while enjoying the coziness of a small table. Just add the leaf when guests are coming over and remove it when there's a smaller group present. Floor space may be tied up with the leaf is installed, but it's also freed up when you restore the table to its smaller leaf-free size.

More From QuestionsAnswered.net

Living Room End Table Lamps

Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/how-to-calculate-the-best-table-size-for-your-dining-room?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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European Country Living

European Country Living

A Guide to Living With Glaucoma

CC-BY/Skitterphoto/pexels

If you have glaucoma, you know that the main goal is to prevent damage to the optic nerve. If undetected or untreated, this can cause irreversible damage to the eye. That's why it's important to find the best treatment of glaucoma for you.

Here are a few things to know if you have been diagnosed with glaucoma.

Be Informed

Know the signs and symptoms of glaucoma so you can recognize whether your chosen treatments are working. The major signs are fluctuations in vision and peripheral vision that sometimes fails. For many people, high pressure in the eyes is also noticeable. However, in the early stages, there are often no signs. It's important to get regular eye doctor screenings for confirmation.

Common Treatments

The goal of all glaucoma treatments is to regain ideal eye pressure. You can achieve this via eye drops and occasional systemic oral medication. Laser treatment for glaucoma is equally effective as medication to prevent further damage in glaucoma eye conditions.

Possible New Treatments

Medical professionals are developing and testing new treatments for glaucoma. One possible option is contact lenses that contain glaucoma medicine. Another is a type of gel eye stent for glaucoma. These eye stents could provide an appealing alternative in cases where surgery is necessary. Stent placement only takes a few minutes and has a much quicker recovery time than surgery.

Natural Methods

My patients choose to treat glaucoma naturally. Methods include eating foods rich in carotene. These are found in fruits and vegetables that are orange, such as carrots and squash. The carotene is beneficial for the proper functioning of the eye. Other methods include limiting caffeine, as caffeinated drinks can raise eye pressure, and limiting sugar, as glaucoma often occurs in people who have diabetes. Limiting sugar can help both conditions.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, keeping a good schedule of doctor visits is crucial. He or she will have more information about glaucoma pertaining to the specific type you have. With your doctor, you can talk about which type of treatment you would like to take to give your eyes the best care possible.

More From QuestionsAnswered.net

European Country Living

Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/a-guide-to-living-with-glaucoma?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Family Pictures In Living Room

Family Pictures In Living Room

 Photo Courtesy: [BakiBG/Getty Images]

There are many wonderful things about getting older, but going through the aging process also means you might start experiencing bodily fatigue, achy muscles and joint pain more often than you used to. Because of this, you might have difficulty moving and exercising. But you don't have to let that slow you down. It's vital for older adults to get regular physical activity — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity — but what if you want to gently ease into more movement without exacerbating aches and pains?

One way to get started is to practice chair yoga. Chair yoga exercises are a perfect way for you to stretch and get moving, all while you're safely seated in a chair — no need to get down onto the floor. This type of yoga can help loosen your muscles, improve circulation, build strength and even relieve stress. Even better? You can do it any time from the comfort of your own home.

Photo Courtesy: [SilviaJansen/E+/Getty Images]

Chair yoga, or sitting yoga, for seniors is a modified version of traditional hatha yoga to help relieve body aches and stay healthy in a safe and accessible way. Hatha yoga is a form of this type of exercise that's more gentle and more slowly paced with a focus on stretching and breathing. It's ideal for anyone who lives with pain that could make more complex yoga poses difficult, such as chronic pain, osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, chair yoga can also be ideal for people who spend long hours sitting in a chair.

Many seniors find their lives become sedentary with each passing year because movement may become more tiring, uncomfortable or painful. Practicing chair yoga regularly can provide a way to prevent or relieve those issues. It's a low-impact way to get the blood in your body flowing and stretch your muscles.

In terms of equipment, all you need for chair yoga is a stable, armless chair. Make sure the chair is resting on a flat, stable surface and that you're wearing comfortable clothes that allow for a generous range of motion. Chair yoga can also be ideal if you're a wheelchair user.

Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors

 Photo Courtesy: [RyanJLane/Getty Images]

Getting regular exercise can add years to your life and slow the aging process. However, many types of exercise can become more difficult to perform with age. High-impact exercises like weightlifting, running and other types of intense cardio can be particularly hard on your joints and muscles. Chair yoga provides a way to get your body moving without stressing your joints with hard impacts like running does. Practicing chair yoga for 20-30 minutes per session several times a week can provide significant health benefits.

First of all, it can help manage and reduce pain. One recent study from the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that chair yoga effectively helped relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, chair yoga involves stretching the neck, upper back, lower back, shoulders, arms, legs, knees and ankles without much impact on the joints. This not only reduces stiffness, tension and pain, but it can also help to improve mobility in the long run.

Another potential benefit is improved flexibility, which can make it easier to perform regular movements as you go about your everyday routine. Being flexible also can improve muscle coordination and posture and lower the risk of future muscle soreness and injuries. Chair yoga helps improve your strength and balance as well, meaning falls become a lot less likely. Having a strong body also increases your ability to withstand injury.

Chair yoga even has benefits for your mental wellbeing. As with traditional yoga, chair yoga involves a lot of deep breathing, which can help clear your mind similarly to meditation. This often results in reduced stress, a better mood, less anxiety and a calmer state of mind.

Try These Great Chair Yoga Routines

 Photo Courtesy: [Fitness With Cindy/YouTube]

There's no need to leave your home, join a gym or go to chair yoga classes at a fitness studio — plenty of outstanding chair yoga routines are available online. Some are written out with pictures, while others are instructional video workouts you can follow along with.

If you're unsure about the idea of following along with a chair yoga video, you can simply make your own routine consisting of exercises sitting in a chair. Here are some great options for all skill levels:

The Forward Bend Pose involves bending over so your chest is resting on your thighs and your hands are reaching towards the floor. If you can, place your palms fully on the floor. To get the most out of this stretch, hold for 30 seconds or more, taking slow, long, deep breaths.

The Chair Pigeon Pose is another great chair yoga stretch. Sitting up straight with your knees aligned above your ankles, bring your left ankle to your right thigh. If you can, try bending forward as low as possible to make the stretch more intense. Hold here for several deep breaths before doing the same pose with the opposite leg.

For the Chair Spinal Twist, begin by sitting sideways on your chair facing right. Twist your torso to the right while grabbing the back of the chair with both hands to anchor yourself in that position. Stay here for several deep breaths. Then, switch to the left side.

The simple Overhead Stretch starts with you sitting up straight in your chair, facing forward with your arms relaxed and hanging by your sides. As you take a deep breath in, slowly begin to raise your arms up towards the ceiling. Once they're fully extended upward, take a moment to engage your core and ensure your back is straight. Hold this position for a few seconds. Let out a long exhale while slowly lowering your arms back down. Repeat this a few more times.

You might find it easier and more convenient to follow an exercise video routine that provides instructions and demonstrates the different positions for you. There are plenty of free chair yoga classes and routines for seniors to choose from. Here are some that come highly recommended:

• Chair Yoga for Seniors With Adriene: Adriene is a master of making yoga fun and easy for everyone. In this 17-minute chair yoga video, she guides you through the moves slowly and clearly so that it's easy to follow along and enjoy learning the basics.
• Gentle Chair Yoga With Mary Beth Kealy: This gentle, stimulating 41-minute chair yoga practice is great if you want to spend a little bit of extra time stretching. The background of the video incorporates soothing, meditative music to make the experience especially relaxing.
• Chair Yoga for Lower Back Pain With Cindy: Cindy walks you through 18 minutes of sitting yoga for seniors. The stretches are specifically designed to ease lower back pain while helping you build strength at the same time.

Resource Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410195/

https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/move/exercise-is-key-to-living-longer

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28008603/

MORE FROM SYMPTOMFIND.COM

Family Pictures In Living Room

Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/health/chair-yoga-for-seniors?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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Living Room And Bedroom Ideas

Living Room And Bedroom Ideas

DAVID TSAY, styling by Janna Lufkin

Your bedrooms are arguably the most important rooms in your house. After all, the master bedroom is where you both start and end your day, while the guest bedroom is the place where you welcome those special overnight guests. That's why we've put together this inspiring bedroom design guide. Jam-packed with more than 100 (!) of our best and brightest bedroom decorating ideas, it'll help you visualize your dream space and provide the tips and simple ideas you'll need to get that look.

First up, figure out the style you'd like for your room: are you dreaming of a cozy bedroom ideas that beckon you to curl up with a good book, a cheerful, gingham-filled hideaway, a farmhouse rustic bedroom, or a white bedroom that removes you from the stresses of the day? With that in mind, let's get started. Whether a spacious master suite or a small bedroom, the easiest and most affordable way to update your space is by painting the walls a fresh, new hue. (Check out our list of these best paint colors for bedrooms to get you started.) If you're looking for something a little more involved, consider a bedroom wall decor treatment such as wallpaper, salvaged wood, built-in millwork, or a statement hanging installation.

Now it's time to dig into the fun stuff! Your bed and other pieces of bedroom furniture are important pieces to help set the mood and style of your bedroom. One of the best ways to ensure that your bedroom is unique and personal is to mix and match your bed, bedside tables, dresser, armoire, and other bedroom furniture rather than buying a matching suite. If you are up for a DIY challenge, consider even making your own DIY headboard and adding some floating nightstands for a bedroom that will be truly one-of-a-kind. Lastly, don't forget to add a cute bedroom chair (best paired with a floor lamp and side table) or cozy window seat for reading. Lastly, to really give your bedroom personality, consider new bedroom curtains, a cozy rug, layers of sink-in bedding, and a few fun accessories and collections that will bring you a smile every morning. Keep reading for sweet dreams ahead.

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Cozy Built-in Bed Nook

In their New York cottage, Sea Roost, Mate Gallery owners Matt Albiani and Ron Brand transformed the small bedroom into a dreamy coastal retreat by building a cozy captain's bed that they then surrounded with vintage indigo textiles and topped with an indigo-inspired wallpaper.

SHOP WALLPAPER

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Small Space Storage

You would never guess that this bright and airy all white bedroom measures only 170 square feet! Painting the planked ceiling, shiplapped walls, and trim all the same crisp, clean white was key to achieving this deceivingly spacious look.

Small Space Storage Tip: If you have a small bedroom or your closets are in short supply—as in nonexistent!—bring in a vintage clothing rack to add function with style. Also place a trunk or blanket chest at the end of the bed as a makeshift linen closet.

SHOP CLOTHING RACK

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Statement Headboard

In her master bedroom, style blogger and author Liz Marie Galvan (@lizmariegalvan) chose a mantel-inspired headboard to add architectural interest against the plain white walls. A chunky cable-knit throw atop layers of subtle striped bedding provides softness.

SHOP WHITE WOOD BED

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Mixing Patterns

For a bedroom that really pops, like this Texas guest room, start by painting your walls and trim a crisp white. Then bring in graphic patterns through a rug and upholstered headboard. Topping the bed with all white bedding helps the patterns pop even more. Tip: Choose pieces of similar colors to keep the look tailored and sophisticated.

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Salvaged Headboard

For a unique headboard, stylist Matthew Gleason turned a salvaged door on its side. To keep installation easy, attach the door directly to the wall and pair with a simple platform bed.

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Built-in Bedside Bookcase

If you have a small bedroom, consider swapping a floor space-sucking bedside table with a narrow recessed built-in bookcase. The space-saving nook provides not only storage space for your favorite books and bedside essentials, but also display space for an arrangement of accessories, vintage finds, and bedroom-perfect houseplants.

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Pops of Color

Painting all the walls and trim a crisp white (try Simply White by Benjamin Moore) provides the perfect backdrop to showcase colorful painted furniture and graphic framed art. In this cheery California bedroom, an overscaled green painted four-poster bed takes center stage, while the vintage art provides even more eye-catching color.

SHOP FOUR POSTER BED

8 of 123

Painted Accent Wall

In the attic bedroom of her Wisconsin home, designer and DIY columnist Jenni Yolo (@ispydiy) painted the ceiling and side walls a crisp white to make the small bedroom feel more spacious. She then chose to paint the oddly shaped end wall a calming blue (Dusty Laurel by Behr) to add some interest.

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Natural Wood Accents

Maria Carr of @dreamywhiteslifestyle knows a few things about decorating an all-white bedroom. In her airy California cottage, the master bedroom is awash in a variety of white hues, from white painted planked walls to a white slipcovered chair to layers of soft and pretty white bedding. To break up the sea of white, she replaced the original closet door with a natural wood salvaged door, chose black oak herringbone flooring, and added a rustic pine bench. For an easy and romantic bedroom curtain idea, Maria simply hung a vintage monogrammed textile.

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Embrace the Architecture

Old houses come with all kinds of lovable nooks and crannies, so embrace—and enhance—the quirkiness of your space when decorating. In this small bedroom, homeowner Matthew Gleason emphasized the slope and height of the low ceiling with contrasting paints. The pretty blue ceiling (Fantasy Blue by Benjamin Moore) also brings the sky indoors.

Small Space Bedroom Tricks: Follow Matthew's lead and forget the footboard, instead opting for a just a headboard. For extra bedside storage, try pulling up a vintage chair.

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Textured Neutrals

In this Georgia bedroom, designer James Farmer embraced a soothing grasscloth for the walls, then brought in additional layers of texture with a woven headboard and an arrangement of rattan basket trays for the wall.

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Bold Headboard

The master bedroom in this Mississippi farmhouse features a charcoal headboard inspired by an old door, which brings out the blue in the hand-woven rug and serves as a perfect accent piece in an otherwise neutral room.

SHOP BUFFALO PLAID PILLOWS

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Nature-Inspired Neutrals

The soft color scheme throughout this Alabama lake house brings an element of serenity to this room. The muted brown, green, blue, and tan hues were all inspired by the breathtaking scenery surrounding the home.

SHOP WICKER BASKETS

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Shiplap on a Slope

The way that this California bedroom's white shiplap walls slope inward while maintaining a space above the bed adds dimension and extra coziness. The laser-cut lanterns casts soft shadows on the walls at night, adding to the effect.

SHOP SHIPLAP

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Pile on the Heirlooms

Made by this East Alabama homeowner's grandmother, the hand-stitched quilt provided design inspiration for the entire guest room, starting with the red-orange paint on the French doors. The Laredo iron bed, another historically accurate touch, tempers the sweetness of the graphic floral motif.

SHOP COUNTRY QUILTS

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Stylish Murphy Bed

A good tiny bedroom strategy: Think like a boutique hotel. Far-flung friends—a.k.a. air mattress aficionados—will appreciate the fluffy towels, reading lights, and wait a minute, is that a pull-down bed? Get even more inspiration for making small spaces work harder.

SHOP MARKET BASKETS

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Serene Symmetry

The owners of this Maine cottage converted a storage unit already on the property into the ultimate he-and-she-shed. Now attached to the main house, the cozy quarters accommodate a queen-size bed and headboard flanked by custom floating bedside tables. Petite lamps and a homemade single-bulb pendant provide ample light without bulk, and a custom lumbar pillow made from Indian textiles helps the room feel a bit wider.

SHOP FAUX WOODEN BEAMS

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Cozy Treehouse Getaway

The owners of this Nashville treehouse designed the space around this iron bed, which was originally in a guest room in the main house. Made of bark cloth, the pillow's material is aptly named for its environment.

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White Shiplap

"We just wanted a spot that was restful and calm," says the owner of this Washington farmhouse. Once they peeled the 1970s pink floral wallpaper off the walls, they uncovered drywall that was bowed, so a friend hit it with a hammer and discovered shiplap, which they painted white. They brought in a platform bed, antique blankets, and an old leather chair from Craigslist.

SHOP SHIPLAP

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Views of Nature

Yes, the guest room of this Maine home is small (just 10 feet wide!), but what it lacks in square footage it more than makes up for in views. It overlooks the scenic backyard filled with birch and spruce trees. The tiny table—just big enough to accommodate a bud vase, cell phone, or coffee cup—was a gift from the owner's aunt.

SHOP SMALL NIGHTSTANDS

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Passion for Color

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard isn't afraid of color—and you shouldn't be either! A seafoam green four-poster bed pairs perfectly with a bright blue comforter and patterned wallpaper.

SHOP REMOVABLE WALLPAPER

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Dreamy Spring Bedroom

Refresh a tired space with a lively mix of patterns and hues. A playful bedspread (Tatiana by Kathryn M. Ireland) provides an easy jumping off point to inspire other design elements, like a chippy vintage whitewashed bed that gives soul to the space and keeps feminine prints from feeling too prim. Bold textiles pop against neutral wood paneling, and unexpected accents like a vintage hat mold on the table make a space feel truly personal.

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A Room With a View

Inspired by a collection of vintage landscape paintings, designer Stephanie Sabbe created a boy's bedroom with the potential to grow with him.

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Cherished Art Display

Rather than edit down a large collection of artwork, this California homeowner created a gallery wall that stretches from the crown molding to the baseboards, making room for every cherished piece.

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Updated Parlor Retreat

The bedroom in this 105-year-old Victorian farmhouse was originally the house's parlor. The homeowner upholstered the white-painted bed in a graphic blue-and-white-check fabric to complement the whimsical sheets. Wallpaper with a wood grain pattern, a fresh way to achieve a similar effect as unpainted, wood-paneled walls, creates a warm backdrop for the crisp bed.

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Blue and White Bedroom

Patterned textiles add dimension to light, bright spaces, as seen in the master bedroom of this rural Connecticut farmhouse. Although the homeowner mixed multiple patterns—windowpane plaid, vertical and horizontal stripes—the effect is still subdued, thanks to the consistent palette.

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Golden Accents

A 1950s brass Hollywood Regency headboard that the homeowner picked up at a local antiques store is the centerpiece of the master bedroom in this Arizona ranch home. Its metallic finish inspired the room's other golden accents, from the nightstand's campaign details to the 1960s tufted yellow bench.

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No-Fuss Neutrals

The laid-back atmosphere of country superstar Ronnie Dunn's Tennessee barn home is maintained by keeping the palette neutral while focusing on organic textures (lots of linen and rope) and raw materials (metal, wood, and stone). An antique barn door track gets a second life as a picture rail above the tufted burlap headboard in the master bedroom.

Living Room And Bedroom Ideas

Source: https://www.countryliving.com/home-design/g1192/bedroom-designs-gallery/

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Simple Sofa Set Designs For Living Room

Simple Sofa Set Designs For Living Room

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Use these living room design ideas to make your living room a comfortable, inviting place to gather with family and friends.

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1. Set the Mood with Color

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The colors you choose for your living room will affect how guests feel in the space. Colors can energize or relax the space, depending on how intense they are and how warm or cool they are.

A serene scheme of soft blue and white makes this spacious living room feel calm, cool, and collected--a gracious setting for elegant gatherings. A light tan carpet underfoot warms the space and keeps the cool tones in balance.

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2. Finish the Walls and Ceilings

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Traditionally, living room walls receive more elaborate or formal treatment than other rooms because the room is a public space. To make it a welcoming room that expresses your personality, choose wallcoverings or treatments that reflect your style.

The walls in this room are wallpapered with a chic print. The effect brings warmth and texture to the walls and gives them a look of antiquity.

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3. Add Character with Architectural Trimwork

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Trimwork serves practical purposes, covering the seams where floors and ceilings meet walls and supporting the structure around openings. But these elements serve aesthetic purposes too. The style of trimwork helps give your home a distinctive look, whether classical, contemporary, old-world, or regional.

Projecting lintels over the door and windows, a deep cornice, and a paneled and beamed vaulted ceiling combine to give this white-washed living room a sense of place.

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4. Choose Stylish, Comfortable Flooring

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In keeping with the function of the living room as a public space, choose a floor covering that provides comfort underfoot and makes a design statement as well. This vibrant wall-to-wall carpet lays the foundation for a refined mix of florals and stripes.

If you prefer a less bold floor, choose a solid neutral flooring that allows attention to focus on furniture or art. Hardwood floors with area rugs are one of the most popular choices for living room floors, but ceramic tile, stone tile, and full carpeting work too.

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5. Create a Focal Point

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A focal point anchors the living room and helps draw you into the space. A fireplace is a natural focal point, symbolizing hearth and home, but in most living spaces, the television is the true center of attention. To keep them from competing, pair them up. A beautiful view or a stunning piece of art can also serve as a room's focal point.

Here a the fireplace becomes the central point in this living room that features a simple and chic look.

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6. Arrange Furniture for Conversation

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Living rooms are gathering spaces, so use furniture arrangement to promote conversation and interaction. Pull seating pieces away from the walls and arrange them to face each other.

If you have a large living room, break it into two conversational groups for a more comfortable, intimate feeling. Chairs and ottomans that can be pulled into the group as needed allow you to expand the circle and still keep the intimacy.

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7. Plan for Inviting Lighting

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Lighting in the living room should be geared toward creating a relaxed, comfortable mood. Aim for layers of light, and position light sources so they form roughly a triangle to ensure good distribution of illumination.

Table lamps that focus the light down will encourage people to sit down and relax. The overlapping arcs of light illuminate the seating instead of the upper walls, sending the message to sit.

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8. Dress the Windows--or Not

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Although heavy window treatments are mostly a thing of the past, living rooms are the place for elaboration and luxury if you're so inclined. This combination of relaxed shades and floor-to-ceiling draperies is understated yet elegant.

The elegance comes from the generous use of fabric in the draperies--they're not fancy, but the thick folds and puddling ends communicate luxury. The shades block light and provide privacy when desired.

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9. Design a Media Center

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If your living room is also your family room, watching TV may be the main use of the room. Whether you have the newest model or an older one, incorporate it into the room's design so that it's a feature but not dominant.

In this living room, a built in bookcase is the perfect spot to accommodate the television.

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10. Accessorize with Art and Collections

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Living room walls come alive when you use them to display art or collections that you love. Group items for impact, and hang them low enough to relate to nearby furnishings or architecture. The most common mistake in hanging pictures is putting them too high.

This grouping of four large prints hangs low enough to connect visually to the sofa. The painting on the adjacent wall hangs at standing eye level and relates to the lamp in the corner.

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Simple Sofa Set Designs For Living Room

Source: https://www.bhg.com/rooms/living-room/makeovers/living-room-design-tips/

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