Candice Olson : Create a Livable Yet Stylish Home

Comfortable and chic don't have to live miles apart. Find simple tips for designing a home that's functional and beautiful.

• By Candice Olson

It's important to make your home both stylish and livable. There is one word that designers either love or hate: function. Personally, I love it. I really believe you can have the right balance of both style and function.
The one thing you need to do when embarking on a design project is to be realistic. Think about this question: How does your house have to work for you and your family? If you're like me with a young, busy family full of kids and pets, you should never have anything white in your house unless you're sure the material is stain resistant.

However, you can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you're a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you're a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef's dreamy (and stylish) gas range.
It's important to know what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and home, so don't choose colors, fabrics or even materials that won't work for your family, children or pets. Be realistic about what you can and can't live with because there are some things you might love the look of, that are very stylish, but just aren't practical with a Great Dane. For example, I absolutely love the look of white Carrara marble countertops, but they can be stressful in a kitchen because they stain so easily, especially by red wine or coffee. You don't want to always be on high alert for spills, or be the crazy lady saying, "Don't touch the counters!"

That's not to say if you have a busy lifestyle with kids and pets, you can't have a gorgeous, stylish home. Companies have caught on and now function can be stylish, too. For instance, there are great-looking, durable fabrics that are made to handle extreme wear and tear. Some are even made with Teflon. Sometimes you might pay a little more for a high-performance material that looks great and can stand the test of time. Be smart about it, and if you get a light color sofa (or you had one before the kids came along), consider having a slipcover made that's in a dark, machine-washable fabric.
If you have a hectic home life with lots of activity, think about your choices and always go with the most durable materials you can find. Or tell you kids to stay in their rooms until they're old enough to go to college.

Functional Kitchen Before and After By Candice Olson

When a celebrity stylist needed help making over his kitchen, he called Candice Olson. The divine designer transformed his space from 1980s and old to glamorous and now.

• By : Candice Olson

Before: Outdated and Cold

This outdated kitchen doesn't exactly say "stylist to the stars."

After: Fashionable and Functional

Enter Candice Olson who created a new kitchen that is both traditional and hip. Divine details include travertine floors, a quartz-topped island, crystal chandeliers and a stunning, silver-foil wallpaper.

Functional Kitchen Before and After By Candice Olson 2013 Ideas

When a celebrity stylist needed help making over his kitchen, he called Candice Olson. The divine designer transformed his space from 1980s and old to glamorous and now.

• By : Candice Olson

Before: Outdated and Cold

This outdated kitchen doesn't exactly say "stylist to the stars."

After: Fashionable and Functional

Enter Candice Olson who created a new kitchen that is both traditional and hip. Divine details include travertine floors, a quartz-topped island, crystal chandeliers and a stunning, silver-foil wallpaper.

Create a Livable Yet Stylish Home By Candice Olson

Comfortable and chic don't have to live miles apart. Find simple tips for designing a home that's functional and beautiful.

• By Candice Olson

It's important to make your home both stylish and livable. There is one word that designers either love or hate: function. Personally, I love it. I really believe you can have the right balance of both style and function.
The one thing you need to do when embarking on a design project is to be realistic. Think about this question: How does your house have to work for you and your family? If you're like me with a young, busy family full of kids and pets, you should never have anything white in your house unless you're sure the material is stain resistant.

However, you can find the right mix of function and style. Just make sure you think your design decisions through carefully. If you're a large family that spends all your time doing homework in the kitchen and family room, then a large kitchen island or an open-concept kitchen and family room will probably work really well for you. If you're a retired couple who loves to cook and entertain, your priority might be gorgeous kitchen appliances, so you splurge on a chef's dreamy (and stylish) gas range.
It's important to know what makes the most sense for your lifestyle and home, so don't choose colors, fabrics or even materials that won't work for your family, children or pets. Be realistic about what you can and can't live with because there are some things you might love the look of, that are very stylish, but just aren't practical with a Great Dane. For example, I absolutely love the look of white Carrara marble countertops, but they can be stressful in a kitchen because they stain so easily, especially by red wine or coffee. You don't want to always be on high alert for spills, or be the crazy lady saying, "Don't touch the counters!"

That's not to say if you have a busy lifestyle with kids and pets, you can't have a gorgeous, stylish home. Companies have caught on and now function can be stylish, too. For instance, there are great-looking, durable fabrics that are made to handle extreme wear and tear. Some are even made with Teflon. Sometimes you might pay a little more for a high-performance material that looks great and can stand the test of time. Be smart about it, and if you get a light color sofa (or you had one before the kids came along), consider having a slipcover made that's in a dark, machine-washable fabric.
If you have a hectic home life with lots of activity, think about your choices and always go with the most durable materials you can find. Or tell you kids to stay in their rooms until they're old enough to go to college.

Candice Olson Window Seats Designs Ideas 2012

The divine designer creates 5 nooks that are perfect for reading and relaxing

 Candice annexes an old porch and adds a sectional for a nap-perfect nook.

 
 Simple seating and exotic pillows give this retreat a warm, inviting feel.

An already lush bedroom gets an extra dose of luxury from a chocolate-colored window seat.

In this art studio (once a closet), Candice adds an alcove for creative contemplation.

This easy-breezy window seat is perfect for lazy days.

2012 Candice Olson Living Room Design Tips

Check out these designer living rooms with simple tips from Candice Olson on how to transform your ordinary living room into an extraordinary space the whole family can enjoy.

Add Floor-to-Ceiling Tiles

Glass mosaic fireplace tiles are an easy way to spice up a living room design. To create a vibrant and contemporary focal point, designer Candice Olson suggests adding an elevated fireplace covered in floor-to-ceiling glass tiles in hues that coordinate with your palette. This will add both visual and physical warmth within a room, she says. Design by Christopher J. Grubb

Splash Color on the Walls

Add some zest to your living room design with a fresh coat of paint. Use the mosaic fireplace tiles to help inspire your entire color palette. Whatever color you choose for your walls will set the mood and tone for the entire space. To create a warm and inviting environment, Candice prefers using bold hues, like charcoal or chocolate brown. Design by Kenneth Brown

Warm Up the Window Treatments

One of the most common decorating mistakes is forgetting the window treatments. To soften charcoal walls and make a dramatic statement, Candice suggests adding copper-colored silk panels and woven blinds. In this contemporary living room, designer Ana Donohue enhanced charcoal walls with ivory, copper and charcoal patterned panels in a shiny silk fabric.

Create a Conversational Atmosphere

You can never have enough seating, and if you're living room isn't quite large enough to house a large sectional or L-shaped sofa, then individual chairs are always a great option. Candice suggests adding lounge chairs with a high, round table to provide plenty of space for guests to relax and unwind. In this contemporary living room, designer Troy Beasley added four separate lounge chairs on either side of a sofa and small bench. A conversational furniture arrangement can make all the difference in the world, especially when hosting parties.

Add an Extra-Large Sofa

When creating a family-style living room, comfortable seating should be one of the top considerations when choosing furniture. A stylish and cozy L-shaped microfiber sofa provides plenty of seating for everyone, and the kid-friendly fabric is ideal because of its durability, absorption and softness. Add lots of throw pillows in various patterns and fabrics for extra comfort, Candice says. Design by Gregory Augustine

Showcase Your Collections

A built-in wall unit can be the perfect addition to a living room. Add mirrors to a few of the shelves to visually expand the space while adding extra dimension. Candice likes to use living room bookshelves to showcase the homeowner's collection of artwork, accessories and books. This can also be the perfect place to hide a flat-screen television. Design by Christopher J. Grubb

Add Proper Lighting

Along with a beautiful wall color, proper lighting can alter and affect the tone of a room. To help brighten a space without washing out the walls and furnishings, Candice says to install recessed lighting, monopoint spotlights and to incorporate stylish drum pendants above the sofa side tables. The result is a bright and inviting living room with continuous warmth and comfort. Design by Andreas Charalambous

Don't Forget the Accents

No room is complete without striking accent pieces and coordinating decor. To finish off a room, Candice says to add a contemporary coffee table, a spacious area rug and eye-catching pieces of art. Designer Joseph Pubillones spiced up a neutral color palette with vibrant blue artwork and unique sculptural pieces.

Basements Decorating Ideas 2012 by Candice Olson

Designer Candice Olson has mastered adding function to the most underused space of your home: the basement. See how she transforms with stunning color palettes, cozy furnishings and smart layouts.

Renovate your underused basement with decorating ideas from Divine Design's Candice Olson.

Relaxing Basement Hangout

Rust grasscloth and buttery yellow walls set the scene for a warm, inviting basement. A deep L-shaped sectional in sage linen features tons of textured pillows in rust, gold and cream. To brighten the windowless space, Candice installs recessed lights and track lighting behind a bulkhead.

 Classic Meets Rustic Basement

By blending masculine textures with feminine touches, Candice creates a basement fit for the whole family. A dog-friendly sectional in bark brown is paired with two leather green ottomans and a coffee table made of logs and glass. A gas fireplace flanked from floor to ceiling with sandstone tiles adds a rustic touch to the space.

Modern Retreat

By modernizing the dated features, lightening and brightening the space, and adding new fixtures and finishes, Candice creates the perfect family refuge. Candice updates the paneling with wood battens placed in a grid-like pattern over the paneling and then paints it a light putty color with a tinge of green, while the ceiling is painted a neutral color with a hint of blue. The space has to be multifunctional, so she divides it up into three major areas: a relaxation/entertainment area, a bar area and an office area. Distressed hardwood flooring and comfortable seating complete this cozy family hangout.

Beach-Inspired Getaway

To create a beach-like space inspired by sand, sea and sky, Candice paints the walls a light sea-green paint and chooses a color palette to match in natural grass, warm coral, breezy sand and dreamy sky-blue. She designs a multifunctional floor plan in order to accommodate the family's many needs, including a playroom, entertainment area, guest retreat, bar/snack area and an office.

Sporty Hangout

Candice paints the walls a cool cream and divides the room into two zones: a bar area and a sports area. The bar area has a funky fridge, a slim-line electric fireplace and a gorgeous vanilla quartz bar with accompanying stools for lounging. In the sports area, Candice use dark wood and glass cabinets to house all of the couple's sporting memorabilia.

Artistic Inspiration

By adding lots of color, plenty of organization and some personal touches, the formerly chaotic basement is transformed into a colorful and playful family room. Using Linda's artwork for inspiration, Candice decides on a color palette of golden wheat, russet red and soothing sage. The artwork also becomes the new fireplace surround by transferring it onto vinyl wallpaper and hanging on top of the brick. To meet the family's needs, she divides the space into three areas: a storage zone for the kids, an art gallery for mom and a lounge area for dad.

   

Colorful and Inspiring

By combining modern finishes and fixtures, exotic colors and fabrics, and functional cabinetry and furniture, this room is now ready for work, play, sleep and endless music rehearsals. The walls get two different treatments: some areas are painted a peppery, reddish-orange color, while the rest are papered in a heavy, textured grass cloth. For the floors, Candice uses a hard-wearing vinyl that looks like hardwood, but is more durable and perfect for basements.

Multipurpose Space

To create a feeling of cozy intimacy with a touch of drama, Candice paints the walls and ceiling a sultry charcoal gray and uses a similar shade for the carpeting. The lighting, which is an absolute necessity for dark-colored rooms, is layered throughout the entire space with ceiling halogen lights and lower in-wall fixtures to light the floor during a movie.

Exotic Indian Lounge

To set the scene for this Indian-inspired basement, Candice covers the walls in a black-and-gold paisley wallpaper and a metallic-backed sisal wallpaper. Black-and-white carpet tiles create a chic checkerboard across the room, while luxe fabrics on the furniture and window treatments add a glam factor.

Spiced-Up Basement

To create a space with the energy and warmth of a Mexican cantina, Candice starts by grounding the basement with durable tile that has the look of wide-plank hardwood. Color plays a big part in this space with a chili-pepper red glass backsplash, a red and guacamole green chair and a fiery red media cabinet. To create the illusion of a large window, she hangs wall-sized translucent blinds over the tiny basement window.

Playful, Artistic Basement Retreat

Bright and colorful, this basement features a cozy family lounge and a fun, functional art studio. Muted green carpet compliments the sky blue walls, and slipcovered furniture is the perfect solution for this art-loving family. To create the illusion of natural illumination, Candice installs floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Whimsical vinyl transfer words add color and playfulness to the room.

Comfy, Neutral Basement

Neutral walls are paired with dark vinyl tiles that give the look of real wood. The painted brick fireplace is the focal point of the space and features a wood mantel with a built-in nook for the TV. Cozy seating and a space set aside for the family's musical instruments complete this basement makeover.

Cool Teen Hangout

For this basement makeover, Candice transformed an empty basement into a hip teen bedroom that also doubles as a family hangout. In the bedroom, she uses masculine shades of brown, blue and black to create a comfy and relaxing atmosphere. Over in the family room, a big media area features a desk for homework, a beverage fridge, a big screen TV and cozy, oversized furniture. For an added bit of fun, she includes a three-in-one games system, featuring foosball, hockey and pool.

Candice Olson Decorating Ideas 2011 , Kitchen , Dining room ,Bathroom , Bedroom , Living room

Can't you just picture coming downstairs to the smell of coffee in your chic kitchen? Even though it isn't huge the space is really used well. I love the glass door cabinets and dark counter-tops. The fridge gives it a sleek look but the little touches like the green stools and cute lamp keep it more traditional and warm. The great thing about these types of designs is they look beautiful but it's nothing the average person couldn't do with a little elbow grease.

This dining room is a dream! Soft powdered blues and cremes are so serene and calming. It would be lovely to have a fireplace in your dining room to roar while you have your family dinners. The detail on the chairs is phenomenal as well. It's a solid light blue on the seat but the back has a pretty pattern upholstered on it and the rug below matches perfectly with the whole scene. Bon appetite!

I think this bathroom would be like having your very own spa in your house. Lots of dark finishes and stone looking tiles with a large soaker tub make it feel classic and comfortable. I think the floating counter is a really interesting look and the white coral accessory is the perfect touch. Give me my glass of wine and dim the lights because I'm ready for a soak!

This massive bedroom is the size of my entire apartment! It's so warm and inviting and the vaulted ceiling gives it a unique architectural touch that draws the eye. A bedroom is your sanctuary so it should be a representation of you and whatever makes you comfortable. A fireplace in the bedroom is so romantic and a chaise always looks like a luxurious place to flop down with a good book. I would love to retire to this paradise every night.

This is a basement hang out Candice did on a more recent episode and I am digging everything about it. It's such a warm colour pallet but it's practical at the same time. One thing that always drives me crazy is when designers fill a room with white furniture. Of course it looks beautiful but will it after your dark furred kitty has rolled around on it and the kids have spilled their juice or the dust settles and it just looks grubby? A dark couch helps you to feel less neurotic about spills and messes. The recessed lighting really works well here with a few lamps and sconces and the neutral rug ties everything together. Pop in your favorite movie and cuddle up with the ones you love!

For more great designs by Ms Candice Olson check out her show on the Women's Network or at her website at http://www.divinedesign.tv/master.asp

candice olson bedroom wallpaper collection 2011

Candice Olson Designs

Elegant ostrich-skin prints, mod metallic paisleys and shimmering sisal highlight the Candice Olson Collection of Fine Wallpapers. The detailed and sophisticated collection by popular host of HGTV's hit show Divine Design, is Olson's first foray into wallpaper design. "This collection reflects my style, referencing the best of traditional design, but reinterpreting it in a modern, stylized way to create a current, but classic look," says Candice.