Inspiration is everywhere! If you are stuck on a color scheme for your home, why not use a favorite photo or piece of art for your jumping off point? As you can see here, gorgeous color schemes are all around us. Mother Nature does it best.

11ft 10inch Square Shade Sail

Tommy Bahama Home Ocean Club Reef Cocktail Table

Pulaski Accents Hall Chest in Weathered Blue

ITALMODERN Oliana Brown Rattan Swivel Chair

You spend a great deal of time every day in your office (whether it’s a home office or not) so it’s important to make sure that your office is a healthy one. Don’t let your work environment create long-term health problems. Here are our five tops tips to improving your office ergonomics:

Office Star SPACE Collection REVV Space Flex Back Managers Chair in Tang and Black

1 – Buy A Comfortable Chair

A comfortable chair is very the best investment you can make in your office. Choose a model that provides lower back support and has adjustable height and arms. Your arms should be at a 90 degree angle while you are typing when you are sitting straight with both of your feet flat on the floor. Make sure that your chair sits at the proper height for you to access both your keyboard and mouse as well as to view your monitor.

Home Styles City Chic Student Desk Hutch Combo in Espresso

2 – Use the 20/20/20 Break Pattern

It is important to take frequent breaks to relieve your eyes from strain. Continuously staring at your monitor can result in headaches, nausea and eye strain. To combat this, try using the 20-20-20 rule. It’s very simple to use: simply look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Cymax on Pinterest

3 – Watch Your Posture

Even with the right chair, it is only easy too easy to begin slouching. But poor posture can lead to health problems so paying attention to your posture throughout the day is important. Keep your weight balanced on your chair from front to back and side to side. Sit up straight and try to line up the ears, shoulders and hips in one vertical line.  Watch out for common unbalanced postures that can cause issues such as leaning to one side, hunching forward or tilting the head.

Stanley Furniture Continuum Wood Writing Desk in Amaretto Cherry

4 – Stand Up

A sedentary lifestyle can be a huge health risk. Sedentary lifestyles are associated with rising obesity rates and conditions such as diabetes. Sitting at a desk all day isn’t healthy for anyone. Fortunately research shows that even small changes can help to make a difference. It’s a great idea to take the time to get up from your desk every hour. Take a short walk or stretch. Try standing during phone calls or meetings.

Steve Silver Bella Desk in White

5 – Get Proper Lighting

Proper lighting can help to reduce eye strain. Eye strain is caused by excessively bright light from harsh interior lighting or bright exterior light. Reducing the overall level of lighting in your office may sound counter intuitive but it can help to reduce eyestrain. Try dimming the lights or, if that’s not possible, turn off fluorescent overhead lighting and use lamps instead. If you can’t replace the lighting in your office, you can still take steps to help your eye health. Reduce eyestrain caused by glare by angling your monitor away from nearby light sources.  Choose full spectrum lighting wherever you are able to.  Not only does it bring out the true natural colors of your environment but it can reduce eye fatigue, reduce stress levels, reduce glare and slow aging of the retina.

Source: lonnymag.com via Cymax on Pinterest

Creating a healthy work environment goes beyond basic well-being. It actually helps to reduce stress levels and lowers worker error and mental burnout. Take a critical look at your work environment and see how it can be improved.

Shop The Look:

Klaussner Furniture Fifi Sofa

George Kovacs 2 Light Wall Sconce in Chrome with Black Fabric Shade

Stanley Furniture Continuum Upholstered Ivory Fabric Chair in Amaretto Cherry

Winsome Nadia Oval Coffee Table in Dark Espresso

Ameriwood Mission Shaker Bookcase in Espresso

Magnussen Darien Rectangular Sofa Table

When designing a space, often the very first question that homeowners are faced with is: what is your style? It can be a difficult question to answer. Before you can think about all the little details, it’s a great idea to take a moment to figure out what your style is. Some people will say either traditional or contemporary. But what if your style lies somewhere in between?

Transitional design is a design style that is not that well-known outside of the interior design world but it’s probably the category that most homeowners fall into. Transitional interior design happens naturally when you take the best elements of two design styles and combine them together in an elegant way. That might sound easy to do – and sometimes it can be – but there are definitely some guidelines you should adhere to when creating a transitional space.

Here are seven key points to think about when decorating a transitional style space:

1 – Think carefully about your colors. A neutral palette is the most popular choice for transitional design but don’t be afraid of color. Try using soft and soothing colors like lilac or powder blue mixed with lots of neutrals like white, cream or taupe. Furniture in dark colors like espresso or gray acts a counterbalance and helps to anchor the space.

2 – Transitional furniture needs to be chosen with care. Choose furniture with simple lines and elegant curves. Try to choose pieces that are not overly masculine or feminine. Some details such as tufting or piping can be incorporated to add interest. Wood finishes tend to be dark in chocolate or espresso and lately we are seeing the rise of gray. Some simple furniture styles such as Asian, Mission or Shaker lend themselves nicely to this look.

Ave Six Curves Hourglass Chair

3 - It’s also important to think about texture when choosing upholstery and fabrics. Try to include a few different types of texture such as linen, silk, velvet, chenille or cotton twill. This will create dimension and add interest to your room. Fabrics tend to be solid or tone-on-tone but some graphic patterns will work beautifully.

4 – If you are designing your space from scratch, try to incorporate flooring that will work with the transitional look. Espresso stain or walnut hardwood flooring is a great choice but off-white or pale grey carpet that is low-pile (like a berber) can work in some spaces, particularly bedrooms. Rugs tend to be neutral with a tone-on-tone pattern or a texture like sisal.

Steve Silver Orbit Cocktail Table with Casters in Zebra Veneer

5 – The classic lighting choice for transitional design is the white linen drum shade. This works just as well as a pendant light as it does on a table lamp. Other choices include sparkly modern versions of the traditional chandelier or lamps with chrome or silver metal details.

6 – Window coverings should be kept fairly simple. A nice shirred drape on a simple rod with plain finials would look great. Other suitable options include Roman shades and textured woven blinds.  Stay away from ruffles or any other excessive style.

Stanlely Furniture Elliots Wingman Upholstered Low Profile Bed

7 – Accessories should be kept to a minimum. Style your bookshelves with a few white sculptural vases or small stacks of books. To add interest, try to incorporate a few pieces that sparkle like a cut glass bowl or a trio of silver candleholders. Other great accents for this look include potted orchids, a mirrored tray or artwork in black or silver frames.

Creating a transitional style room in your home doesn’t have to be difficult when you stick to these guidelines. The key is to carefully consider each and every purchase before you bring it home. Be sure to remain true to your design vision. If you only bring home truly beautiful pieces then you will already be half way to having a gorgeous transitional space of your very own.

Global Furniture USA Coffee Table in Matte Natural Finish

In addition to living in smaller spaces, the trend these days is to stay in and entertain at home more and more. So how does the average homeowner accomplish this in their new smaller space? Entertaining in a small home can be tricky but there are a number of ways to accommodate a gaggle of guests. Furniture that multitasks is gaining popularity. With limited storage space, it is doubly important that your furniture work for you year round.

Homelegance Redell Round Cocktail Table with 2 Ottomans

Coffee tables with pull out seating are a particularly smart way to do this for your living room or family room. Coffee tables with seating don’t take up any extra floor space. Plus they keep the extra seating close at hand so it’s easy to pull out when you are entertaining.

Magnussen Juniper Tables Round Cocktail Table

Always keep in mind that form should follow function. Make sure the table fits comfortably in your space. It should also meet your needs as both a coffee tables and extra seating. And of course, your design style and budget are all important things to take into account as well.

Magnussen Gaston Bunching Cocktail Table

Fortunately these days the selection of coffee tables is almost endless. Coffee tables with seating are available in a wide range of colors and styles. Consider a sleek metal and glass coffee table or with the dark and sophisticated look of espresso stained wood.  It’s easy to find one today that works for your lifestyle and looks great.

~ Our Pinterest account ~

So how can you use Pinterest? Pinterest is a great place to collect your favorite images of bedrooms, cute puppies, future vacation destinations or whatever else you like. It’s the perfect spot to collect ideas for your upcoming wedding or to post inspirational quotations. The choices are endless – which also means it can be confusing or overwhelming when you begin.

~ Blue Eyed Yonder via Pinterest ~

While there are lots of different ways to use Pinterest, this article is going to focus on how to use Pinterest specifically for interior design. It’s the perfect place for everyone to begin making a concept board or moodboard whether you are a professional or a DIY-enthusiast.

~ Apartment Therapy via Pinterest ~

1 – The first step (after signing up) is to create a pin board just for your project. Perhaps you are working on your living room. Begin by creating a board that you’ve named something easy to remember like “Living Room” or “My Project”.

~ Love From the Oven via Pinterest ~

2 – Now that you have your board set up, it’s time go out and start browsing for images. There are many ways to do this. Looking through interior design blogs o ronline magazines is a great way to start finding visual images. A Google image search can also work well or you can upload photos you’ve taken with your iPhone. Of course, you can always browse through Pinterest itself. Re-pinning other people’s pins is very quick and easy. Clicking on the Pinterest logo at the top will bring up the latest pins from you and the people you follow. Try the search box to look for specific items. Click on one of the categories like Home Décor to get some general images. If you really don’t know where to begin, try clicking on Everything (to find the latest pins from all users) or Popular (to get a look at what has the pinning world is currently going crazy for).

~ Mimi + Meg via Pinterest ~

3 – Pin your images! Use the Pin It bookmarklet to pin almost anything on the web. Pins are part fantasy so don’t be afraid to pin anything and everything you like. Go ahead and pin some items from fancy stores that are out of your budget, rooms by famous interior designers or a house that belongs to a celebrity. You should also pin individual items for your space – lighting, flooring, color schemes – as well as whole room photos with the style you are looking for. Just make sure that you make a note of the reasons why you chose your pin (Pinterest will prompt you to do this).

~ Lovely Clusters via Pinterest ~

4 – Invite others to pin. You can invite other users to help you pin to your board. This is a great way to collaborate on design ideas. Maybe you’ve hired an interior designer. Or perhaps you are hoping for the input of your husband, mother or best friend. Allowing others to pin can be very helpful for illustrating your ideas back and forth. Another option is to create two different pin boards and compare them. This part is especially helpful at speeding up with design process.

~ Project Nursery via Pinterest ~

5 – You can also go a step further and create a final pin board for your space. On this board you would only pin the items (sofa, lighting, rugs, paint colors etc.) that you have actually chosen. It’s a great way to ensure that you get a cohesive look for your project.

~ Houzz via Pinterest ~

6 – Create your shopping or to-do list and away you go!

Now that you are ready to use Pinterest, make sure you keep up with Cymax by following us here.

Some say that married couples deserve to celebrate this day more than others (due to the hard work), would you agree?

Joking aside, whether you are married, dating, or single, Valentine’s Day highlights the need to celebrate love. It is not always about the gifts, flowers, and fancy dinner. Spend Valentine’s Day at home for a change and appreciate how simple things can make life that much more enjoyable.

Get Inspired for Valentine’s Day! Here are a few suggestions:

• Whip up some treats in the kitchen

  Image via Pinterest

  Valentine’s Day treats are welcomed by everyone in the family. Also, the more leftovers, the better.

 

• Get crafty

  Image via Pinterest

  No need to spend a fortune, just dedicate a few hours and you will be amazed by the simple yet beautiful décor you can make yourself. Best thing about DIY is that it’s heartfelt (pun intended).

 

• Cozy up to a warm fire

  Image via Pinterest

  How long has it been since you last sit in front of a fire and simply enjoy each other’s company without the distraction of the TV or smart phones?

 

• Share a drink

  Image via Pinterest

  Okay, if you must go for chocolate, how about a cup of hot cocoa?

Can you tell we are addicted to Pinterest? Take a look at our Valentine’s Day pin board for more inspirations! Follow us and let us follow you back!

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

There is something utterly relaxing about beach style interior design. That is the reason that it stays so popular year after year. And there’s no reason to keep this style reserved for beach or cottage homes. It’s easy to bring beach-inspired décor to your bedroom year round.

Elle Décor – Interior design & Photography – Vincente Wolfe

There are a few simple ways to get the look:

Elle Décor – Interior design & Photography – Vincente Wolfe

House Beautiful – Interior Design – Jacqueline Derry Segura – Photography – Simon Upton

1 – Color
Choose your color scheme. A beach-y palette is easily achieved with classic blue and white. Paint up your walls or existing pieces of furniture. Wood panelling and beadboard have a particularly fantastic coastal look when painted white. But you don’t need to be restricted to blue alone. Brown, grey, green and even orange can look beach-y too. Just be sure to temper your color choice with lots of white to keep things fresh feeling. The above two rooms use yellow for  a super fresh take on the look.

Elle Décor – Interior Design – Victoria Hagan – Photography – Eric Piaskecki

Lea Seaside Dreams Nightstand

2 – Furniture
The coastal décor look calls specifically for painted wood furniture with details like turned legs. If you don’t have existing pieces that look the part, it’s easy find something new. Try a new bed frame or nightstand that already has oodles of charm in white or a color that works with your chosen scheme.

Canadian House and Home – Photographer – Monic Richard

Lexington Long Cove Newport Poster Bed in Shell

3 – Accessories
Here is the fun part! Add in some accessories that have a beach-y feel. Wicker baskets, sea shells, glass floats and hurricane lamps are all great beach-inspired décor ideas. Keep your floors bare or go with a sisal rug. Remember to keep things clean and uncluttered. There is nothing relaxing about clutter! Finish your room off with some artwork with a relaxing vibe and a few chunky white candles.

Hillsdale Lauren Nightstand

And voila! Sit back and enjoy your new beach-inspired bedroom retreat.

Elle Décor – Interior Design – Rebecca Ascher -Photography – Roger Davies

Stanley Shelter Island Hampton Poster Bed

Fatboy Outdoor Bean Bag Chair

Every year Pantone picks a hue as their Color of the Year. And this year bright color fans can rejoice! For 2012 it’s a brilliant shade of orange named Tangerine Tango taking the crown from last year’s Honeysuckle.

Zuo Anime Acrylic Chair in Transparent Orange

The color is described by the company as being “a vivacious, enticing hue” and “a provocative go-getter” and we couldn’t agree more. The orange color is energetic and a little exotic, while still feeling friendly and accessible. It makes a great addition to a neutral interior.

KidKraft Avalon Chair in Tangerine

Its easy to incorporate this color into your home. A little goes a long way! Try any of these items out for a look that’s totally on trend.

Southern Enterprises Allie Orange Ochre Lamp

This lucky person will win the KidKraft Metropolis Table and Train Set! Look forward to hours of fun with this amazing set!

Drawn from Random.org, the winner of the third and last Cymax & KidKraft Giveaway is…

Julie Kieras!

Congratulations Julie!

Thank you to everyone who participated! Stayed informed about our promotions and giveaways by following us on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter!