'The Best of Living'

What makes a living room go from cookie-cutter to swank and on the cusp of fashion? HGTV profiles some of the best living rooms in any and all styles (from traditional to modern or exotic) for a little style inspiration.

These are my favorites:

1. Maybe it’s because I am partial to city living that this urban living room designed by Nicole Sassaman is one of my favorites.

If you live in a high rise or home with stunning backdrop or vista, the goal is to make the view the focal point. Interior designer Sassaman accomplishes this by removing cabinets once located under the large windows and replacing them with smaller windows.

Notice how the designer opts for classic black and white, but chooses to experiment with the combination for an unexpected painting of the mantel and shelving. Learned Tip: Take your pick of two accent colors and don’t be afraid to paint a wall, mantel or furniture piece with the two colors for a nice twist.

2. It doesn’t have to take a trip to India, Africa or the South of France to summon the taste exotic spices, the adventure of a safari or the warmth of a Mediterranean breeze. Designer Amy Bubier brings a bit of the exotic to a neutral room through her choices in the accessories.

Lush pillows and throws with fringe, indoor plants, artwork and a statement chair bring this living room to life. Warm lighting (love the ceiling lamps) sets the mood.

Learned Tip: If you like to regularly update your home décor, it might be best to keep the wall colors and upholstery neutral. The room’s strength comes from the details.

3. Mix the old with the new for a result that is extraordinary.

Classic vintage chaises upholstered in pink with animal print pillows transform a living room that otherwise would be commonplace with its sea foam walls, white shelves and curtains.

Notice the white faux fur rug that matches both the shelving unit and curtains. The use of fresh cut flowers redistributes the pink to the rest of the room. Learned Tip: Don’t feel obligated to buy large furniture in order to update your décor – it could be as simple as adding a bouquet of flowers or potted plant to a coffee table or stand.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.hgtv.com

'How to Headboard on a Shoe String Budget'

Revamping your bedroom décor does not necessarily require a budget of gargantuan proportions. All it takes is a little bit of ingenuity and materials that you can find readily: a curtain rod and set of blackout curtains or coverlet – to create a dramatic headboard (example above).

Whether you are looking to buy a new headboard for your bed, or to draw some attention to your existing headboard and bed, this how-to project is quick, inexpensive and easy-to-follow.

Here’s what you will need:

- Coverlet, a set of blackout curtains, or fabric that measures at least 4 inches wider than the bed on either side.

- Curtain rod kit

- Pencil for marking

- Screwdriver and/or drill

1. To find the perfect height: The headboard can measure anywhere from to 3 to 6 feet in height. Remember that you do not want to have your headboard touching the ceiling, especially if your ceiling is not too high. Starting from the bottom of your mattress, measure your desired height and mark the walls on either side with a pencil.

2. Center the curtain rod over the bed where you have placed your markings. Make any extra markings that you might need in order to attach the brackets.

3. Attach the brackets to the wall and then the curtain rod.

4. Once the curtain rod is securely in place, drape your blackout curtain over the rod and pull it to straighten.

5. Tip: To add weight to the bottom and keep the fabric even and flat, attach weights to the bottom of the hem of the curtain. The small weights will give the curtain more of an appearance of a drape and less the appearance of a curtain without a window. If the curtain drapes too low, use some fabric tape to shorten the bottom.

6. All that’s left now is to fluff up those pillow, to lie back and relax!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of Womansday.com