while most in suburbia use basements as storage, if you’re from the Empire State - New York you’ve often wondered where you would store all that extra stuff we too often collect. I've learned that to survive NYC clutter, its best to invest in self storage units. You might have seen the various signs and listings of different self storage centers but how do you pick which storage center to use and what to pack in your storage unit?

Before you begin to move stuff into your storage units, remember, unless your storage facility is brand new, people have probably used your storage unit before - so clean it out!

Here are some tips:

1.Store your off season clothing. Things like those big over-sized coats, but make sure to clean them professionally before storing. Bugs are attracted to food and sweat stains. In a storage facility, you won’t be monitoring your items on a consistent basis – so make sure you won’t be attracting moths and other clothes chewing insects.  You can use a clear vinyl canvas clothes closet to properly store them.


2. Bikes and other seasonal items. Bikes aren't used all year round but they take up loads of space - especially in NYC apartments. Take that bike, scooter, skateboard, - all to your storage unit and pack them away when the weather gets too cold to be outdoors for long periods of time.


3. Suitcases and other travel paraphernalia  Suitcases are ideal for travel but can clutter any hallway and bulk up any closet. This is another item that should be taken to the self-storage center.


4. Memorabilia. Finding storage for your prized memorabilia can also be very daunting. You want to display them but you can’t put everything out on display. Take the items and place them into clear plastic bins - labeled and sealed.


5. Bulky Appliances. That juicer that your sister in law gave you as a wedding gift would be the items that would be a good idea to store.  You might want to place in storage until you own your own home.


Rule of thumb:

Make sure you take inventory of everything in your self-storage unit and that your boxes are carefully labeled in a very detailed manner. The frustration when looking for something in your storage unit and without labels – can be tenfold when you have no idea where you don’t remember where you packed the roller skates and it’s a warm beautiful day out!

Renting a storage unit is a great way to keep your apartment uncluttered but make sure you keep it as organized as you would your own home! 

pastels are so 2000 and late! 2010 is all about being BOLD! 

Unleash the free spirit in you and choose colors that livens your life and your home space! But please note, the color you choose for your room will influence the effect the room has on you! 

When choosing bright colors, first consider what the space is for. Is it an office, a bedroom, or a dining room? Are you going to want to be soothed by the surrounding color or stimulated? 

Living with bold colors like red, royal blue and bright yellow can be difficult. These are intense, BRIGHT and saturated colors and their effects can be overwhelming. 

Don't be afraid to choose bold colors - just make sure you follow these simple steps:

• Use bright colors in rooms where high activity levels occurs - for example, children's playrooms, dining room or physical activities areas such as a gym area, laundry room or even a family room.  If you must bring them to your bedroom, focus the high intense color on the back wall of your bed. 
• Mute down your bright, bold color with large doses of a dark color like black, brown or white. 
• Cool your warm brights down with a neutral like blue or green, or touches of beige. 
• Mix and match your pastels with the bold colors to create a more balanced haven. Using a white background with hints of colors can provide flexibility for painting furniture, and adding lots of bright color without completely overwhelming the space.
• As always - Lighting is VITAL! I can't stress enough the importance of light on any color on your walls. Bold, bright colors benefit from lots of bright light. Check your lighting in your home and how it hits your walls at different parts of the day before you decide on a color. 

Great thing about paint is that it is totally reversable! If you don't feel like you're brave enough to let it all go and add that bright orange, why not try it out on area of your wall - make sure the area you choose gets a lot of light - and if after it dries, you're not set on it - just REDO!! 

For more information on how to redo your room with these BOLD colors, please email us!


Best, 

not only are the bed canopies the dream of every little girl, they can also shade you from the natural light. So go ahead and indulge in your favorite canopy! Long fabric panels fall from under a valanced top section, making a sweep of color and style that is totally unforgettable! 


This may sound exotic or out of reach but really all you need to create your own private hideaway by investing in a tension rod and a couple of your favorite curtains. 


The easiest way to create a simple canopy for your bed is to hang a piece of fabric over the top frame rails of a structured canopy bed. But if your bed doesn't have a canopy frame, there are other ways to get the look of a canopy and to surround your bed in softness and color. You can achieve a very attractive canopy bed look by installing curtain rods to the ceiling, placing one over each end of the bed.



Using either tab-top, tie-top, pinch-pleated or gathered panels, attach the fabric to each curtain rod and let it drape softly to the floor. You can also attach a rod to the ceiling, perpendicular to the head of the bed on each side. Hang the panels to the floor and tie back with a drapery tieback.



Like the feel of the sun on your face as a wake up call then embroidered shams might be more to your liking - Or If you prefer the dark - some beautiful indigo curtains for a sense of richness and romance would be a better fit!


Have no idea how to make your own canopy, then email us today and we'll walk you through the process! 

Hope you enjoyed the post! 


Best, 

P.S. After we published this post, I found this FANTASTIC and most perfect canopy bed!! 

Absolutely gorgeous - and you can purchase it here: Mach Studios! It isn't exactly inexpensive at $4,400 but I think it's worth it! 

KG STYLE DESIGNS has been featured at The Very Best Housewife Blog!


Follow the link and check us out over there for a chance to win a $100 OFF Coupon (!!!) from our usual $250 organizing service only for Blogmania. The winners will be announced in September.

KG Style Designs has revamped the logo. I wanted something a bit more sophisticated so this is what Gsting came up with! 

What do you think of it? 

last week, I asked my readers for advice on creating not only a catchy but perfect slogan for my new design firm. Thank you to all who have helped me create the slogan! We finally chose one. We did announce the winner and will be rewarding them shortly with a free T-shirt from our designers! The firm's mission is to consist of all things design, graphic artists, t-shirt designers, interior designers, web designers - all who have their education rooted in Art. 

I'm living my dream of being a designer. Have any of my readers also been thinking about this career path? There are so many schools to choose from when it comes to picking that perfect school for your continued education in design but I've read that the University of Redlands is a top university for Art as well as many other studies. What are the benefits of going to a Southern California University? Not only is the weather fantastic but it is one of the best California universities as ranked by U.S. News & World Report to get a bachelor's degree. The program being offered in their College of Arts and Sciences is aptly named Art Studio in which students work to expand their knowledge in studio, graphic, and conceptual dimensions of arts as they earn a university degree. 

Take a minute to apply and start on your road to your dream career at beautiful Island Empire College.

 

we've announced our winner of the Free Tshirt with Caricature! - whose insight "It's not Desi*n without the "G" - or something like that.." helped us come up with our twist and final slogan ..."A G in every Design!"  It's just one of the many things we do at Gsting! :) Thanks to everyone who participated. We couldn't have done it without you!

Congratulations to P.J. Cloud!!