You want flexibility in your kitchen. It’s the place you cook, sometimes the place you eat, and it can be a place for family and friends to gather, too. So for all of these purposes, you want a kitchen design that will remain versatile.

One of the best ways to achieve a versatile yet vibrant kitchen is by incorporating white kitchen cabinets.

On the surface, white might sound a little boring. But it’s far from it.

White kitchen cabinets are versatile. They can be paired with nearly any color walls and floor for a stunning effect. This flexibility means that you can let your creativity run wild.

White kitchen cabinets are also a timeless fixture. In a country-inspired kitchen, a modern minimalist kitchen or any style in between, they’ll be perfectly at home. As they compliment any architecture and style, white kitchen cabinets are a perfect starting place for almost any interior design.

In addition to all of this, the white color will make your kitchen feel light and spacious. This will make eating, chatting and cooking a much more enjoyable experience.

If you’re looking for a safe but effective kitchen redecoration move, try white kitchen cabinets. They will allow for vibrant complimentary colors, provide a timeless appeal, and open up your kitchen to an airy space.

Sometimes a big, blank wall is an exciting canvass – but other times it can be a daunting hurdle. How do you dress it up? Do you paint it? Install some shelving? Put up art?

One fantastic new modern trend that can be installed on a large scale is grid art.

Smaller painting, pictures, photos or images can be framed or left unframed and put up behind a sofa or along a blank wall. In three rows of three, or four rows or five, or whatever combination you choose, grid art is a fantastic way to create an eye-catching artistic landscape without having to purchase a single oversized canvass.

It’s a great way to bring together some thematically similar art you might have lying around, and display it all together. Think of colorful photos of different flowers, black and white pictures of Paris, or close-ups of textured surfaces. These would look stunning lined up in grid form.

If you are going to frame the images behind your sofa, it’s best to use the same or similar frame for each. This will give the grid some consistency, and let you play around with the actual images inside the frames.

You can do a single line of three photos for the most basic grid art, or go the extra mile and include a dozen small photos in a circular or triangular grid. The way you set up your grid art is limited only by your imagination.

Looking for a big project this winter? Consider opening up one of your closed staircases. Your home will appear lighter, airier and generally more open.

An enclose staircase is one whose base extends from the top to the floor, effectively creating two walls on either side of the staircase. Most staircases, unless they have some special treatment, are closed – but they can be opened up with a little remodeling know-how.

By knocking the wall down, you give yourself so many additional options for your home. Think about all the space that could be used underneath for storage now. You can put a lovely shelving unit or some storage boxes under your stairs, and expand your storage space by a significant margin.

Or, try using that space as an architecturally interesting design canvas. You can display plates, artwork, collectibles or any number of things beneath an open staircase that would have to find another home otherwise.

The whole room will seem larger if you knock out the wall beneath your staircase. More sun will filter in, and you’ll find yourself wondering how you managed before all this new space was available.

An open staircase can also be used to architecturally connect one room to another. As staircases often separate rooms, opening them can bring two spaces together harmoniously.

Just a word of warning: this can be a rather large project to take on, so be sure that you have professional help or advice before you get started.

The rug has been a part of interior design for generations, and it’s usually a safe bet for bringing any room together. But you don’t want to just be “safe” with your design, do you?

Rectangular rugs are safe, no doubt about it. There are some stunning ones available, featuring florals, geometric patterns, swirls, colors… A rectangular rug will always fit your room, so there’s no worrying about positioning or spacing. It’s a natural fit. Not so the circular rug.

A circular rug needs coaxing to look great, but if you get the sweet spot with positioning, color, pattern and texture, it will make your room pop.

Circle rugs are great for small spaces, as they open up a room. If the rug you choose is a bolder color than the colors around it, it will draw the eye inward, away from the walls, and make the space appear larger than it is.

Circles have no edges, no boundaries. They represent infinity, and when incorporated into a space, this sensation of never-ending form will permeate the atmosphere.

Think about adding a circular rug underneath a sofa to pull it, visually, away from the wall and move it towards the center of the room. Or, you can add a circular rug to the center of a room for a great, eye-catching symmetry.

The possibilities are as endless as the edge of a circle.

You have a lot to think about when installing a sunroom, especially if it is an extension that you’re adding to your home. What material are you going to use? Where are the windows going to go? How big should it be? But all of these question should come after you think about the most important aspect of your sunroom: the sun itself.

Of course, the name gives it away, but so many people get caught up in adding an extension to their home that they forget the purpose of the room in question. A sunroom is designed to give you that experience of being outdoors, bathed in sunlight, without having to leave your home.

So how do you achieve this sunny bliss? First of all, positioning: the room should be positioned to get the most sun possible. You know your property best, so find the sunniest spot year-round and try to maneuverer your sunroom there.

You also want to include plenty of windows to let that sunlight in. A good rule of thumb is including windows on three sides of the room, but you can choose two if that works for you. And it’s not necessary to have a glass ceiling in your sunroom to get great sun exposure, but of course it can’t hurt!

And finally, a big warning: no curtains! If you don’t install them, you won’t be tempted to pull them, and isn’t letting the sun in what a sunroom is all about? So just ditch the curtains and keep your sunroom simply sunny!

The backsplash is an often overlooked area of the the kitchen. It is certainly a functional item, protecting the back wall from splashes. However, it adds a splash of style as well as it usually stands out from the rest of your kitchen walls. If you’re looking to get creative with your kitchen, take a good hard look at your backsplash and see if you can’t spice it up.

One option that is becoming increasingly popular is continuing the counter material up the wall to create the backsplash. This maintains a cohesive pattern, design, and texture, and it can make a statement, especially if you counter material is unique like granite or funky tiling.

And backsplashes don’t have to be one solid material the whole way around your kitchen. You can play with changing the material based on the location, such as darkening the color behind the stove and sink, or by running the countertop up from the counter but choosing a completely different style for other areas of the kitchen.

There are a variety of materials you can choose from when creating your perfect backsplash, and they each have their own style personality. For instance, tile can be plain or pack a powerful punch if you choose an interesting pattern or color combination. You can go laminate, black glass, or ceramic. And then there are the more daring options, like bamboo or other woods, and even metal backsplashes.

This is one style detail that you don’t want to overlook when re-decorating your kitchen!

Live Edge Design has a motto: “Reclaimed. Refined. Remarkable.” And it holds many degrees of truth.

The furniture you’ll find at Living Edge Design is not your typical sleek and stylish modern fare – but it is definitely stylish in its own right.

Living Edge Design features wood au natural at the center of its pieces. And it doesn’t just buy its wood at the local hardwood store: it takes an eco-friend stance towards its materials, and only uses wood that is reclaimed from trees that have been knocked over during a storm, or left by forest and construction companies.

The wood is then refined using an innovative process. It is turned into slabs, dried, and detailed before being finished with detailed sanding and glazing at their Vancouver studio.

You’ll get that West Coast vibe with any piece from Live Edge Design. Their pieces are designed to last generations, featuring solid construction and natural feel.

And as an added bonus, you can ask to receive a “story book” that outlines the life and journey of your very own tree. This can be set on the table, and it will act as a great conversation piece for you and your guests.

Living Edge Design focuses on large, stunning dining room tables and countertops that could be located in the heart of your dining room or brought to your home-away-from-home luxury cabin. Although their furniture is quite expensive, it is worth it for the small carbon footprint and the stunning natural, simple beauty that their products exhibit.

Today’s Friday Fun post is all about cartography. While it might not spark that “fun” sensation on first glance, your standard map has the potential to spice up your home and add a unique splash that your neighbors can’t compete with.

Take a gander at the image above. The world map above the sofa brings in a lovely blue color, and compliments the beige colors around it. And, it’s a wonderful talking piece – your guests will love examining the map as they chat during cocktail hour before a scrumptious dinner in your modern dining room.

Maps come in all shapes and sizes. For instance, the world map above is oversized and extremely detailed. You can also find maps that enlarge a certain area. Try looking for a map of your hometown, or where your house is, to add an interesting conversation piece to your wall.

Sepia toned maps are also a wonderful addition to any wall. That warm, “archived” look is something special, and will give your room an inviting atmosphere.

Some of the best maps are the authentic ones – those old maps you’ll find at flea markets and in antiques shops. You can also find local artisans to hand paint older maps to give them a touch of color, like the azure in the map above.

If you are already a map collector, putting your collection up on the wall is a viable option to improve your home’s aesthetic value. However, if you haven’t considered maps as both an investment and a style statement, maybe it’s time you should!

Green is the color of nature, of life, and powerful organic energy. If you want to incorporate green into your home, remember that it represents harmony and growth so that you can balance its calming aura with surrounding colors.

One of the best places to start with green is the bedroom. Because it is organic and natural, it will help you fall asleep embraced by the sensation of nature. You can try painting your walls in a lush cream green, and pair this with a linen beige comforter and accents. This look is reminiscent of a tropical resort on the beach, especially if you add bamboo and other natural elements.

Or, green in the bedroom can start with something as simple as plants. Adding one or two potted plants to your bedroom will increase the oxygen flow and give you a better rest at night, as well as truly reflect the natural beauty of green.

Green accents in the living room are wonderful touches of natural style too. How about a pair of green accent pillows on a chocolate brown sofa? Green curtains in a softer shade will also look stunning.

The brighter you go with green, the more energy it will bring into your home. Emerald green is a powerful, forward-looking color, while pastel green will give a calming, balancing sensation. You’ve got to examine your room – considering its size, shape, and the emotion you want to evoke – to decide which type of green is best for you.

Did yesterday’s “Clean House” quiz make you think about your cleaning habits? Well, someone here at Padstyle who will remain nameless went home and scrubbed out her shower for the first time in a month after we worked on that quiz!

We’ve got some tips for you on how to keep your home clean and sparkly. The tips are divided into three groups based on the letter result you got after doing the quiz, but all of them are good!

If you got… mostly a’s: You’re a cleanliness guru! We don’t really need to give you any tips (in fact, you’ve probably got some for us!), but here are some things to keep in mind as you clean house:

• You don’t have to be perfect – we sure aren’t. If cleaning too often is causing you stress, you’re at a point where you can take it down a notch and your home won’t suffer.
• Try buying more organic, natural products to clean with next time you’re out shopping.
• Enlist the help of family members for the little tasks – you’ll appreciate the time off from housework!

If you got… mostly b’s: You’ve got the instinct, now just amp it up! Some tips:

• A little now goes a long way later. You probably know this, but if you do small things more often – like using a daily shower spray – you will have less work later on.
• Stay vigilant. Don’t put off your Saturday afternoon kitchen scrub-down just because your favorite program comes on TV.
• Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and you’ll not only help the earth, but your skin as well!

If you got… mostly c’s: You need serious cleaning help! Thankfully we’ve got some ideas for you:

• Start small. You barely clean, so start by wiping your windows one day, counters the next, and then tackle floors on the weekend.
• Tidiness is the first step. Keeping things off the floor and in their proper place goes a long way in making a clean house.
• Ask for help. If you’re not sure of the best way to get things clean, get friends and family to pitch in!

Happy cleaning!

We’re not perfect. We have rowdy kids, long days, and not enough energy to tidy our modern homes during the week nights. But it’s nice to find out just how clean you are naturally, so you can find your ideal balance between hours of scrubbing and living in a pigsty.

Take this short quiz to see how clean your home really is (and be honest!), and look for some quick and easy home cleaning tips in tomorrow’s post!

How Clean is Your Home?

1. If you smell a distinct odor coming from your kitchen, what do you do?
   • a. Rush to your refrigerator and cabinets with anti-bacterial spray in hand, determined to get to the source of the problem asap.
   • b. Do a quick wipe down of the counters, toss the garbage, and spray some Febreeze.
   • c. Wonder for a second if it might be the three-day-old yogurt you spilled on the counter this morning, and move on.
2. How often do you change your bathroom towels?
   • a. I wash my towels every 2 weeks.
   • b. Whenever I’m doing a load of laundry that could use a few more items, I’ll throw them in.
   • c. Change them? I guess I would change them if they began to sprout…
3. When do you clean your bathtub?
   • a. I spray it with daily shower cleaner after every use, and wipe down the curtain. I’ll also usually give it an intensive scrub down every week to keep it glistening!
   • b. Every two weeks, I’ll spray and clean it.
   • c. If my mother-in-law comes to visit, I’ll scrape away the grime and throw out the four or five empty shampoo bottles… if I have time.

Did you get mostly a’s, b’s or c’s? Remember your letter, because tomorrow we’re going to give you targeted tips to keep your home clean without going crazy!

If you’re anything like us here in the Padstyle office, you fall into the “convenience trap” of using your smartphone to wake yourself up every morning. Now, we’re not saying that smartphones aren’t stylish, just that they maybe don’t belong at your bedside when you have other options.

We’ve gathered three stunning, modern alarm clocks that will hopefully serve as inspiration for a little bedside redecorating. Without further ado, three stylish alarm clocks that will replace your smartphone:

Sleek. Black. Sophisticated. This minimalist alarm clock is any modern bedroom’s dream. The Sonoro Cubo Elements alarm clock features lots of little extras in addition to its bold style, like an iPod recharging dock, great speakers, and internet radio capabilities. But aside from all that, we really just love its black lacquered, high gloss finish and brushed stainless steel accents.

Image credit: Mobile Whack

This Jacob Jensen alarm clock is compact and stylish. The extra large chrome buttons that flank the flat LCD screen really make the clock pop. It features a 24 hour clock and a sophisticated beep alarm.

Image credit: Studio Design Collection

If you’re looking for a little retro-mod for the bedroom, look no further, This cute clock is the perfect accent piece. It features a smart white front plate, birch construction, and a prominent starburst front-facing speaker. Mornings don’t get funkier than this!

Image credit: BedZine