Our 2nd Pinterest Inspired Room

When we came across this photo on Pinterest, we were immediately reminded of the upholstered, nail head trim ottoman from our recent Warehouse Event (pictured below, right). 

Large Round Ottoman by Kenneth Ludwig (at Divine Consign) - Item # 10538 $999.99Call 708.386.3366 for info/to purchase 

Using the ottoman as a starting point, it was a piece of cake coming up with some awesome ways to recreate the look of this breezy, relaxing bedroom with items currently in our store! Our second step was to search the Surya website to find a perfect rug (remember: Divine Consign is a distributor for Surya and we can order ANY rug you see on their website for under retail value!)

Here were our faves:

1. Portera   2. Sculpture   3. Sculpture   4. Aurora
Call 708.386.3366 for pricing or to place an order

Next, we started browsing through our furniture for similar items - and there are LOTS! We decided beds like these would work well:

Iron King Size Bed Frame - $246.39 (Item #9406)Call 708.386.3366 for info/to purchase 

                 4 Poster Silver Queen Size Bed Frame - $233.19 (Item #9985)

Call 708.386.3366 for info/to purchase

...As would these chairs (We happen to have 2 identical in stock, both NEW from our Horchow shipment!)

Ramona Chair by Horchow - $439.99 (Item #10874)
Call 708.386.3366 for info/to purchase

...And an interesting, functional nightstand/side table (pretty detailing + storage = heck yes!)

French Style Marble Top Side Table - $133.09 (Item #11819)
Call 708.386.3366 for info/to purchase

To put the finishing touches on the room and bring everything together, we'd finish it off with a table lamp and some hanging wall art, such as these:

Crystal Knobs Lamp - $65.99 (Item #11810) & 3 Stone Sphere Lamp - $49.49 (Item #9023) 

Framed Wall Art - Prices on items pictured range from $3-$35
Please visit our showroom at 809 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL to purchase

Viola! The room is done. We hope this inspires you to recreate rooms from your own favorite "Pins"...whether it be from items in your own home or from your favorite consignment store! (hey..just sayin')

Divine Consign
www.DivineConsignOakPark.com
708.386.3366
Facebook.com/divineconsignoakpark

Happy Halloween! - Check out our fave Halloween décor

The spookiest day of the year is almost here! At Divine Consign we just LOVE Halloween and everything that comes with it...especially the decorating part! (Who woulda thunk?) We're sure you've been busy getting your kids costumes ready and eating  stocking up on lots of Halloween candy...so we won't judge you if your home decor just isn't there yet. We've compiled some of our favorite ways to decorate for Halloween and posted the genious ideas here for some decorating inspiration. We'd love to hear from you! Send us a pic of your halloween decor...we bet its Divinely Spook-tacular!

From My Minds Eye

From The Decorated House

Love the use of antique pieces and candelabras/candle holders that make these setups extra spooky.

From Pinterest

Gather all the Halloween/Fall tchotchkes you can find and arrange them on a shelf or in a china cabinet, illuminated by candles of various shapes and sizes. Come on, Halloween decorating doesn't get much easier than that!

From Starshine Chic

This would be easy! And how adorable?! Use free internet print outs or have your kids make some Halloween-themed arts and crafts....mix and match intricate frames in black and white and viola! 

This awesome Halloween decor is from the home of one of our lovely customers! The bird cage (left) and Mission Cabinet (right) were both Divine Consign purchases! We're obsessed with how she creatively turned these pieces into festive Halloween decor...LOVE!

Picking the Perfect Area Rug

It’s Monday at 6 a.m. Your alarm goes off, you groggily reach for the “off” button, stretch your arms, rub your eyes, push your warm covers aside, and hesitantly slide out of bed to go turn on the coffee maker and begin your week, when suddenly…

WHAM. You’re awoken by the unsympathetic chill of those freezing-cold hardwood floors on your bare feet! Oh, the torture! Why haven’t I invested in a nice, soft, cozy, area rug for my poor shivering floors? you think. They deserve to stay warm this season, too!

You’re right! Why suffer any longer? Here is our super-official guide to picking out that perfect area rug so your little piggies stay toasty warm in every season.

1. High-quality fabrics are worth the investment. Seriously. Wool or silk rugs last a TON longer than cheaper materials like jute, sisal, or coir (which stain easily). You could end up replacing a cheap rug several times, adding up to be much more costly than having gone with a more quality rug from the start.  Plus, they just feel so much nicer!

2. Open your door, and then take room measurements. Not much is worse than bringing home your perfect rug only to realize that the door gets caught on it whenever you enter your room. If you subtract the width of the door from your measurements so that the rug starts a few feet in from the walls, your rug will last longer (and it will act as more of an accent piece and won’t overpower the room!)

3. Don’t over-spend! Shopping for a rug should be fun! You shouldn’t have to live off Ramen noodles for the next 3 months because that oh-so-perfect, dream rug practically costs you your first born. Divine Consign is a distributor for Surya Rugs…which means we sell BRAND NEW, never-been-used Surya rugs (literally, anything on their website!) for wayyyyyy less than retail price…aka in your budget!

We posted some of our favorites here…Go ahead and browse Surya’s huge online store and pick out your own favorites! Then give us a call at (708)386-3366 and we’ll give you the best deal in town.

The Divine Diva’s Guide to Mixing Patterns: Why Chevron is the New Black

Whoever said patterns should be used to accent a room was sorely mistaken. 

Photo from Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

Patterns are all the rage this summer, especially those boasting bright colors and geometric shapes and lines. 

Why not have some fun and pile those patterns up?! 

Accent, Shmac-cent.

Probably the most popular pattern this season is Chevron – somewhat of a modern take on the traditional stripes, usually characterized by rows of clean zigzag lines in two or more different colors.  Often, chevron consists of a bright, pastel, or neutral color + white, making it easy to match with the other décor in your space. 

Because it is a simple design, chevron is also easy to mix it with more complex patterns in different styles.

Here are a few general pattern-mixing guidelines to consider:

- Stick to similar color families/shades or use a few complimentary colors

- Use 3 different patterns (or 5, as an odd number tends to look better)

- Scale is important (if using 3 patterns choose 1 each of small, medium, and large)

- At least one of the patterns should be completely different than the others (for example, mixing stripes + polka dots with an intricate floral pattern…just remember to stick to similar colors!)

Do you dare try this technique? We hope you do, and we hope you snap a few pics and share them with us!

Wallpapered/Stenciled Furniture

Okay, we know what you are thinking. 

"Wallpaper….really Divine Consign? That is soooo 1972."

Not so quick, missy! We’re not telling you to wallpaper your entire house  (that could be a little disastrous…)We're just encouraging you to (tastefully) play with pattern!

If you take a leeeeetle bit of your favorite fancy patterned wall paper…

…and add an item in your home that just needs a little "sprucing"…

You end up with  a super adorable and fun (and DIY..aka cheap!) updated piece of furniture, like this!

From Blissful Musings

See! We would never misguide you!

Check out some more great crafty ways to use wallpaper on items in your home:

From House to Home

 From Better Homes & Gardens

        

And…if you are REALLY too chicken to use wallpaper…here’s how a stencil and some paint can give you the same effect…without the commitment!

From Better Homes & Gardens

 From Royal Design Studio

 From Savvy Young Something

Alright now get to work you crafty-young-thing, you! We’d love to see your finished creations.

Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical design

It’s Spring! Which means it’s the perfect time to do some redecorating!

Okay, don't stress out…redecorating your space doesn't have to be difficult! It can be as inexpensive and easy as moving your sofa around or adding some wall art. You don’t need to be a creative mastermind to update a room’s style—that’s what the lovely people here at Divine Consign are for!

Anxious to add some pizzazz to your living room, but afraid of doing something wrong? One word my friends. Say it with me. BALANCE.

Contrary to popular belief, balance does not necessarily equal symmetry. Sure, symmetry is naturally more appealing to the eye. But asymmetrical decor can be just as appealing, AND it allows you to add personality and character to your space.

Ready to give it a go? Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to remember when decorating your home in an asymmetrical design:

Do make sure furniture is proportionate to each other and to the size of the room.

Do create a center focal point, and decorate around that area or item.

Don’t over-decorate. Simple is almost always better, especially when room décor is not symmetrical.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match! Go pick up that awesome piece you found at Divine Consign, we're sure there's a way to work it into your room! After all, mixing and matching furniture is what makes decorating fun.

On your mark...get set...GO! Let us know how your redecorating experience went!

DIY Bench

Have an extra dresser sitting in storage that you just can’t seem to part with?

Did you find a super-great deal at your local consignment shop, but you just don’t have the use (or room) for another dresser?

Well we found a great idea….SO great, in fact, we just couldn’t keep it to ourselves!

Our repurposing idea of the day-- Turning your dresser into a bench (with storage!)

Once your done, this piece could go anywhere! Your entryway, backyard, living room, bedroom, kitchen...the possibilities are endless!

Yippeee! Now get to work! And when you’re done, we’d love to see your masterpiece!

YIPPEEEE! You just purchased your dream home!

(Diamond in the rough?)

Okay, maybe it’s not your dream home…..yet. It might need a little work here and there—a fresh coat of paint, some new carpeting…an entirely, brand spankin’ new kitchen. 

Let’s face it, furnishing and updating your home is EXPENSIVE.  And buying brand new, matching furniture sets for every last room? Forget it! We feel for you, sister. And we want to help you out in the only way we know how.

Lucky for you, consignment furniture can work WONDERS in your space! It saves you money, adds character to your home, and let’s be honest…it makes decorating so much more fun!

Worried about your room looking like a hodgepodge of random, mixed-and-matched pieces all jumbled together? Here are some tips on making your mismatched space look absolutely DIVINE.

       1. Pick a general style/time-period

      Whether you choose to go modern, vintage, antique, or anywhere in between with your furniture, try not to let yourself mix design-eras together. Pick furniture that represents one general era, and your room will seem to fall together effortlessly.

       2. Decide on a color-scheme

Painting or staining a set of mismatched furniture can really unify the varied styles.

       3. Use coordinating fabric

Pick one or two fabric patterns that work well together and use them to upholster chairs, create matching drapery, and add accent pillows around the room to really tie everything together.

These are just a few ways to coordinate mismatched furniture….but I bet all of you creative minds have even more great ideas! How would you (or did you) make this look work in your space? We’d love to hear from you!

(PS...Still need help designing your dream living space? Divine Consign does in-store (FREE) and in-home design consultations! Come on in, we’d be glad to help!)

5 Quick-N-Easy Staging Tips

Ready to sell your home? Have a $0 budget to work with? Short on time?

No worries, here are five quick tips for an easy-breezy solution for home staging!

1) Start getting rid of stuff!
    - closets should be cleared and easy to access
    - accessories should be at a minimum - unclutter tables, mantles, bookshelves
    - we love our family pictures, but prospective buyers don't! Outta there!

2) If you have any leftover paint in your garage, break it out now and touch up your walls

3) Re-arrange furniture to create clear traffic patterns. Arrange pieces around important focal points like a fireplace or picture window rather than the TV! (See our blog post about Floating Furniture for ideas)

4) Clean, clean, clean! Do the white glove test on all surfaces, even those you can't see!

5) Add splashes of color by using decorative pillows, fresh flowers, towels, rugs, etc.  You probably already have these things elsewhere in your house, move 'em around!

There you go, your realtor will thank you and hopefully your house will sell soon!

Happy New Year!

What will 2011 hold for us?

Well, our crystal ball reading skills are a bit off today, but we know it's going to be a great year!

We will be officially launching our new Design Center with a BIG grand opening (more of that to come).

Get ready for our 12 week "shape up your house" program!

Who knows what else we'll come up with?

Best wishes for a prosperous and joyful 2011!

Mig and Tig at Their Best!

You know you want me.

I don't blame you, I think I'm pretty amazing too! Love my solid cherry wood frame showcasing simple, yet striking, lines. My comfortable seat & back are upholstered in a neutral fabric to work in any space.

Oh yeah, did I mention I'm from MIG AND TIG?!

An obvious location for me would be in a living/family room. But have you also thought about how impressive I would be in your office? How about as an extra chair in your bedroom (I would look so awesome next to a platform bed!)?

Now for the best part ... I can be purchased for only $947! That's a fraction of the price I was originally retailed for. I'm almost insulted, you know? I'm worth at least 3 times that amount! But hey, whatever it takes, right?

"Floating" Furniture

Have you fallen victim to the FAW syndrome (Furniture Against the Wall)? Bet you didn't even know there was such a thing.  Don't let your furniture be sad wall flowers - move them out and create a FLOATING FURNITURE space plan!

1) Think about the purpose of your space - is it conversational? for entertainment? for activities?

2) Determine a focal point - this could be a television (hurray for flat screens!), a fireplace, or a beautiful view through the window.

3) Plan as much seating as possible around the focal point. Other furniture pieces (like consoles, bookshelves, etc.) can be dispersed along the wall.

4) Anchor the space with an area rug, even if you have carpet! This visually ties the space together and encourages the traffic flow around the area.

There now, you can see out your windows, get in and out of your doorways, and enjoy a conversation without yelling across the room!

No thanks necessary folks, we're happy to help!