26 Thursday Jun 2014
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≈ Comments Off on Thursday- Travel to Design…AFRICA! Be
Thursday- Travel to Design…AFRICA! Be Bold, Be Bright, Be Beautiful! Use bright colors and bold patterns to inspire you! Mix it up!
20 Thursday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, Interior Design, travel to design
≈ Comments Off on Thursday Travel to Design: Spain!
Spanish interior design is lovely and unique because while simplicity reigns, it still maintains warmth and character!
If you’re looking to design with a Spanish motif, there are just a few guidelines to follow. First, the color scheme should focus on warm neutral colors such as amber, beige, caramel and white.
If you’re up for a major home renovation, go with large terracotta tiles for the floors.
Also, embrace wrought-iron fixtures! Gates, chandeliers, chairs, etc. that are wrought iron bring an authentic Mediterranean feel to your decor.
Shop Maidstone Transitional Foyer Light
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19 Wednesday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, CERTIFIED STAGING PROFESSIONAL, decorating, Design Recipes, Home Staging, Interior Design
≈ Comments Off on Home Staging Secrets: Take Your Dining Room From Drab to Fab
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Cathy Hobbs, CERTIFIED STAGING PROFESSIONALS, Design Recipes, dining room ideas, home staging classes, Interior Design
Is your dining room outdated? Maybe you have wallpaper that hasn’t been replaced in years, old or mismatched furniture, or poor lighting. If that’s the case, it’s time to give your dining room a complete makeover! Because it’s a place for families to congregate on a daily basis, dining rooms should be warm, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing — and this can make it a major selling point for your home.
The dining room below has not only obviously fallen victim to clutter buildup, but it appears to be outdated and poorly lit.
When we staged this home (belonging to famous author Maurice Sendak, who wrote the acclaimed children’s book Where the Wild Things Are), we saw a need for new furniture, neutral walls, balance, and focal points. We got rid of all clutter and added updated furniture and lighting fixtures, plants, a patterned rug, and wall art.
Here’s the after:
Photo Credit: Cathy Hobbs. Room staged by Cathy Hobbs.
When you’re staging your home, don’t be afraid to paint, replace, or add furnishings if necessary! You may have to invest a little now, but staging your home the right way can lead to higher offers and quicker sales.
Want to learn more about home staging? Check out one of my Home Staging Classes. The next classes take place on February 28th in Boston, MA, and on March 14th at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina!
Are you on social media? I would love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these platforms!
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18 Tuesday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, decorating, Design Recipes, Interior Design, Tips
≈ Comments Off on Cathy’s Tuesday Tip: Brass is Back!
It’s hard to beat the look of gleaming metals in your decor, from bright shiny silvers to antique golds. Depending on the color and finish, they can add a modern twist or a gorgeous vintage look to your home.
Right now, brass is a very on-trend way to give your decor an update. There’s nothing quite like the warm glow of brass, and it brings a great nostalgia from popular decor of the 70’s. We particularly love it in kitchen and bathroom fixtures, but it can be used anywhere in the home!
These tables are a bold way to use brass:
Shop Deborah Brass Transitional Cocktail Table
Brass light fixtures are also a fool-proof way to go:
Shop Yemen Transitional Pendant Light
As you can see, there are many ways to use brass in your home. What are your favorite ways? Let us know!
Are you on social media? I would love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these platforms!
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17 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, decorating, Design Recipes, Interior Design
≈ Comments Off on Think Patriotic This Presidents Day!
Happy Presidents Day everyone! In honor of the holiday, we put together some great ideas for incorporating a little patriotism into your decor (no, we’re not talking about those tacky plastic flags!) Right now, using the American Flag in decor is very on-trend and easy to incorporate into any room! We especially love items that have a vintage twist. Here are some of our favorite looks and top picks:
Shop Caola Patriot Bench / Ottoman
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14 Friday Feb 2014
Posted in affordable interior design, Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, ehow.com, Interior Design, living room tips
≈ Comments Off on Ehow Friday How-To Video: Decorating With A White Couch & Colorful Throw Pillows
A white couch is a gorgeous, neutral foundation for virtually any space! In this video, we walk you through some ways to decorate around a white couch using colorful toss pillows. The possibilities are endless — there are infinite ways to switch it up and incorporate a variety of colors and textures, so don’t be afraid to get creative! The best part is, you can completely re-vamp the entire look of the room just by switching out the pillows. Talk about a quick, easy and inexpensive way to redecorate!
Are you on social media? I would love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these platforms!
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13 Thursday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, Design Recipes, Interior Design, travel to design
≈ Comments Off on Thursday Travel to Design: Japan!
A common misconception of interior design is that “more is more.” While bright, bold patterns and fun accessories can be harmonious when done correctly, there’s also tons of beauty and appeal in the simplistic approach — and Japanese design epitomizes just that!
The elements of Japanese design stem from ideas of minimalism, balance and a total lack of clutter. The concept is called “Ma,” which translates to “negative space.” This makes for a simple design with plenty of space and balance between objects.
Don’t be afraid to use pops of color — just be sure to keep the overall design simple and clutter-free!
Clockwise from top left: Fusion Transitional Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Pink Japanese Blossom Branch, Mosii Pillow, Mixed Faux Succulent Arrangement
Are you on social media? I would love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these platforms!
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12 Wednesday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, CERTIFIED STAGING PROFESSIONAL, Design Recipes, Home Staging, Interior Design, mythic paint
≈ Comments Off on Home Staging Secrets: Don’t Replace; Paint!
The kitchen is, arguably, the heart of the home. After all, it’s the place where family and friends gather to enjoy meals and spend quality time together! So it’s no secret that the kitchen is a major selling point for any home on the market.
The kitchen should not only be functional and comfortable, but it should also look updated and well taken care of. One of the biggest signs that a kitchen hasn’t been updated recently is the cabinets. Scratched, dull wood and outdated hardware are dead giveaways! But replacing cabinetry is very costly and time consuming. The quick fix? Paint!
There are tons of options for painting your cabinets. One is to stick with a natural look and choose a great stain. We love this rich, dark color:
Photo Credit: Cathy Hobbs. Design by Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes
Or, you could choose a color! If you decide to take this route, just be careful to keep it to a neutral color so that it will appeal to as many buyers as possible. We love this muted green from Mythic Paint:
And there you have it! A quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to update your kitchen. Happy selling!
Want to learn more about home staging? Check out one of my Home Staging Classes. The next classes take place on February 28th in Boston, MA, and on March 14th at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina!
Are you on social media? I would love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these platforms!
Be sure to also LIKE Cathy Hobbs, Interior Designer on FACEBOOK
and Follow Design Recipes on TWITTER
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And Design Recipes on INSTAGRAM
Plus enjoy our Design Recipes How-To-Videos on YOU TUBE
11 Tuesday Feb 2014
Posted in Cathy Hobbs, decorating, Design Recipes, FLORAL TIPS, Interior Design
≈ Comments Off on Cathy’s Tuesday Tip: Florals are Fun!
It’s the dead of winter, so what better time than now to conjure up thoughts of spring and summer! Floral prints are not only timeless, but they’re incredibly versatile and a great way to brighten up any room.
Many people shy away from “busy” patterns such as florals, but what they don’t realize is just how easy it is to incorporate them into their decor! Here’s a few tips to help you get started:
1. For beginners, try accent pieces such as lamps, wall art, and throw pillows
2. For those more committed, try a large area rug, wallpaper, or new furniture upholstery
3. Look for patterns that coordinate with the color scheme you already have in the room
4. Be sure to balance! Tone down loud prints with plenty of solid colors
5. Don’t be afraid to mix and match prints! A very chic and modern combination is florals and stripes.
Use these looks and accessory ideas for inspiration:
Photo Credit: Cathy Hobbs. Design by Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes
Shop Flowers and Fudge Contemporary Framed Wall Art
Are you on social media? I would love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these platforms!
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11 Tuesday Feb 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes Expands to MA, NH and RI
With our expansion into MA, NH, and RI in January, I wanted to introduce everyone to my fabulous staff! Our coverage areas are now NY, NJ, MA, NH, and RI.
Cathy Hobbs Blog: Design Recipes (Do-It-Yourself Interior Design Solutions, Approachable Design and Home Staging Techniques) www.design-recipes.com 
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