Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! This week's problem is from Kylie.

Help me I can't take it anymore! I hate my kitchen and the family room is just BLAH. We live in a rental and I can't paint the walls or damage the kitchen in any way (the landlord's words not mine). The furniture is all hand me downs and the room is where the two older kids do their homework while I get dinner ready. We like to keep an eye on their computer activity as well. My youngest uses it as a playroom. I don't have much money to spend. I really need your help. I want something light and bright and beachy. Can I do beachy in a room like this?

Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! This week's problem is from Julie B and to begin with I need to say that we are all jealous that this is the problem that she has ... sigh ... got that off my chest :) Secondly these photos are from a real estate listing and the furniture is not Julie's but the previous owner's.

I just bought a cabin by the sea in Humlekjær in Norway. I'm willing to spend more money to improve it. Here are the areas I want to improve:
- The inside plan and the facade looks a bit messy, partly because of the windows in different sizes. So Im thinking of having a big panorama window in the front where the balcony is, to open up or something else?

- The balcony is not very elegant, it looks very old and grey, what can I do with it?

- I would love to get more suggestions on improvement from you.

Thank you so much ...

Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! This week's problem is from Kelly.

I'd like to submit photos of the master bedroom in our new apartment for the design crew's input.  This wall is the only one that really works to put the bed on, but I'm stumped because of the windows being off-centered.  I'd like to build an upholstered headboard, but I just feel like it will look silly covering half of the window?  And I don't want to push the bed in the corner either because then either my husband or I will have to crawl across the other to get in/out of bed! I'd love some suggestions as to what I can do to balance out this wall/make the bed/headboard work!  Don't worry- new nightstands and bedding are on the agenda as well.  Thanks!

Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! This week's problem is from Alev who has made a great start (and sent lots of photos) but she needs help taking the next step.

I bought the ap. almost a year ago and I really tried to make it feel like home. I'm always wondering what it is I can do to make it look more original (and maybe add some more colors?) I feel like I haven't finished the decorating yet - I actually think I will never be satisfied when it comes to decorating - it's always keeping my mind busy. I never knew I would be interested in furniture and decoration. It kinda happened when I made the move.

Half of the things I own are from second hand shops (really the only place I can find furniture I feel connected to). My bed, my dining table, my sofa, the little cute chairs and all of the bigger peaces I have managed to find in outlet stores at reasonable prices (which I am very thankful for cause I love them). The drawings are made by myself. I've been drawing since I was a little girl and for the first time I decided to hang some of them up.

I would appreciate it if you could give me some tips to make my home look more lively and colorful and original.

Alev's lovely bedroom is after the jump.

Click to read more ...

Design Crew

Got a problem? Need some help? Just standing there shaking your head? Don't know what to do? You're not alone. Send us a link to photos of your design quandary and let the Desire to Inspire design crew help you .... that's you lot ... the readers! This week's problem is from Mercy in Edinburgh.

I have a balcony facing Holyrood Park and all its glory. However, it is a blank canvas - concrete floor and black railing. Ideally, I would like to create a green haven for al fresco dining, sun bathing on rare sunny days and star glazing cove at night. The railing offer no privacy and it would be great to avoid any glaring eyes. The design would need to require minimal care as I would not have time to trim, pluck, weed,... . Tips welcomed.

(These photos) taken on a wet Summer (!) evening. Balcony is east facing and normally gets the morning sun. Oh a couple of other areas to address as part of the balcony's revamp:< birds flying over. Great to watch but they can drop their remnants! balcony looks into neighbour's bathroom window!