Fall into Fall Design

With school starting back, football season beginning – that means it’s the beginning of the fall season.

Decorating for the fall season includes decorating for Halloween and for Thanksgiving - so why not decorate your home with the interior design trend colors of fall 2011. Pantone is the leader of the color industry - and one of the most trusted nterior designer resources in the industry. If you want to know about design colors – especially for your interior design needs – visit Pantone to find out the latest colors and hues for the season.

For Fall 2011 – the idea is to go natural. Lovers of all things warm will be going hot this year with Tangerine Tango and some brown additions like Cinnamon Stick. Enhance the fall décor with yellows such as Lemon Meringue and Flan and Pear Sorbet.

Designing your fall table should be easy with beautiful dried leaves and foliage. Add some corn stalks to bring in the yellow and green. Throw in a vintage mason jar full of candy corn and dribble some acorns throughout the table for a warm and inviting addition to your formal dining table.

Don’t forget the mantel in the sitting room - topiaries with orange foliage and pine cones - lots of hurricanes with candles - all of this will certainly give the feel of autumn in your space. Make use of berries, and leaves to spice up for fall.

Designing A College Boy's Dorm Room

Entering college comes with many questions about the professors, intramurals, the social scene - but perhaps MOST importantly: How do I turn this 10 x 10 square they call a “dorm” into my home for the next two semesters?

While girls are busy bringing their fun accessories and fluffing-up their up-kept, clean and tidy rooms—it can be easy to neglect the interior design needs of dorm rooms for guys. You don’t have the be a interior designer to make your dorm your own, and especially for males – it's about finding the right balance - and the right interior furnishings.

Guarantee your room stands out from the rest and still stay within your budget. Rock that college dorm room interior decorating thing!

Designing Uber-Small Spaces for Young Men - 101

1 - Use “manly” colors. Typically, fall colors are considered the most masculine. These colors include browns, khakis, and dark reds and greens. Painting your walls one of these colors will not only make your room look more lively, but also be recognized as a room full of men! Long gone are the days of posters on the walls and beer signs. And don't forget the super-cool, super-metro GRAY shades - they go with nearly everything - and are very HOT right now.

2. Get that young man a futon & bunk combo. Nothing says "college" like a comfortable futon underneath a lofted bed, so get one! Plus, it's a HUGELY efficient use of space. Have your friends over for late-night gaming sessions or movies on the couch and soak up as much of the dorm community as possible! Throw some nice pillows on the futon for a more classy if you have a date. Toss a nice quilt or blanket over the back to add some personality.

Utilizing your space is important, but making your space personal is key. Remember these two tips for your room to make it home.

Dorm Room Design 101

You’re FREE from school.... and with that freedom comes a new responsibility and some new fun. One of the greatest joys of going off to college is being able to work your own magic with the interior design of your dorm room.

Decorating your collage dorm room is a great way to show off your new found freedom and independence and you can throw in your fun personality.

BE EFFICIENT: Let’s face, dorm rooms haven't always been the most 'super great' space in terms of space, location and size – but they are getting better. They don't have great closet space, and at times – more than one person in the bathroom and not too many quiet nights... but with efficient space saving home furnishings and uber cool stores like Ikea, the things you can do and the money you can save when decorating a dorm room are growing! Many colleges and universities are making their dorm rooms larger and a little more hip.

PERSONALIZE: Personalizing your dorm room with your own bedding is a great way to start. Typically you will have a twin or XL twin bed in your dorm so make it WORK! Shop for fun comforters and pillows and make it colorful and make it YOU. You can even add a mattress cover for extra softness. Mattress covers even come in organic materials if you have allergies.

MAKE IT FUN: Add fun things to your dorm room wall like pictures, bulletin boards or posters but BE WARNED – don’t infringe on your roommates territory. This can be the biggest mistake ever when going off to college. You'll want to work to get along with your roommate - and bring them in on the designing aspect. They might have some throw pillows that make the combined space. Toss down some rugs and some fun lamps and put on the fun tunes and your time will be great. Don't forget - cool cowhide rugs add lots of pizazz to a dorm room - super cool, super durable.

REMEMBER WHY YOU'RE THERE: Unless you are there to become an interior designer - it's important to prioritize with money and time spent on decorating. Don’t forget that the reason why your there at college and that is to learn. So before you have the coolest, most awesome decor on the hall - make sure you have the basics: that your desk is equipped with a nice desk lamp, plenty of space for your laptop and books and of course.. a picture of Mom and Dad from home. Picture frames reminding you of home can be influential in your success.

Good luck, Graduate!