14 Ideabooks by Vanessa Francis

Everyone has their favorite bed covers. I have always preferred duvet covers over quilts, blankets or comforters. I have a lightweight duvet in the summer and I double up the duvet covers in the winter. The fun part of using a duvet is picking out the...

Choosing lighting for a powder room gives you a chance to select fixtures that are little prettier than what you would choose for a main bath or en suite. After all, guests will be using it. As powder rooms sometimes don't have any natural light, a combination...

I was recently at a friend's house, and she poured lemonade from a beautiful handmade stoneware pitcher. It certainly made the occasion feel more festive and special. Pitchers lend an air of celebration and are a stylish accessory when adorning a shelf....

Sometimes all it takes is a colorful accessory here and a textured basket there to make your home feel fresh and organized — just the perception you want to relay when selling your home. I have rounded up some inexpensive and stylish items that will...

Now that summer is in full swing, I thought I would round up some of my favorite things for the patio and garden. Adding color, pattern and whimsy will provide a fun vibe and be welcoming for family and friends, young and old! — Vanessa from

I have been on the hunt for comfortable and stylish sectionals for a few clients. Sometimes they are the perfect solution for a room design to maximize seating and create a welcoming space. The key to making it work is to draw a floor plan so you can...

There is nothing like art, whether an original or a print, to bring character and soul to a space. Try to avoid buying mass produced art at a retailer. I have rounded up some small paintings and photographs (less than 12 by 16 inches) to get you started...

I recently completed decorating my daughter's bedroom. The final area to tackle was a much-needed bookcase to house all of her stuff. Tween girls (well, my daughter anyway) tend to amass piles of it. I made a linen bulletin board to display her...

I love decorating girl's rooms — all of the pinks and florals have me at "hello." Still, there's no reason why a boy's room can't be colorful, stylish and personal as well. Inspiration or a jumping-off point for the design and color scheme can come...

I still find clients pretending not to hear me when I mention that "wallpaper" word. I think they're remembering the small-scale florals or the textured vinyl with the matching border from years ago. After I show them a few inspirational images and...

A simple way to revive a room is to style the mantel. Try one striking piece of art or a layering of mirrors, art, foliage and accessories — the possibilities are endless. Not sure what sort of accessory would work best with your decor or where...

A sofa is one of the most used pieces of furniture in a home, especially in the family room where comfort is key. In a living room used infrequently, a more formal, elegant sofa may be in order. Sofas come in all sizes, shapes and styles, and there are...

If I could design girls' rooms all day, I would be one happy designer! Anything goes in a young girl's room, especially color and pattern. A mix of investment pieces with inexpensive items, graphic elements and practical storage solutions will result...

Readying your home for sale can be a daunting task. After you have cleared out any clutter, bringing in a few inexpensive items can add loads of character — the good kind, that is — to your home. No reason to wait until you are selling your home...