 At Toscano Interiors, we believe that home is more than just a place—it’s an experience, a feeling, and an opportunity to create something truly meaningful. That’s why we are excited to feature a guest blog from Tina Martin, a writer who understands the emotional and practical challenges of starting over in a new place. In her piece, “Building from Scratch: How to Heal and Thrive in a New Home,” Tina explores the transformative power of relocation. Moving to a new city isn’t just about unpacking boxes; it’s a chance to reset, redefine your purpose, and embrace new opportunities in your personal and professional life. Whether it’s finding a supportive community, advancing your career, or immersing yourself in local culture, Tina’s insights will help guide you through this exciting transition. Join us as we dive into her expert advice on how to make your new house feel like home and your new city feel like it was always meant to be yours. 💡 Ready to transform your space and your life? Read the full article below and explore our boutique for the perfect pieces to bring warmth and personality into your new home.  Moving to a new city is more than just a change of address; it’s a chance to redefine your life and career. This transition can be a catalyst for personal growth, offering fresh perspectives and new opportunities. Whether you’re considering further education, exploring new professional paths, or seeking community connections, a new city provides a fertile ground for transformation. Embracing this change with an open mind can lead to a fulfilling and enriched life, where your aspirations align with your actions. Find Community and Purpose Starting fresh in a new city can be daunting, but attending religious or spiritual gatherings can offer a meaningful way to establish a sense of community and belonging. Engaging in these gatherings not only provides spiritual enrichment but also opens doors to new friendships and social support, which are crucial for emotional rebuilding. The shared values and collective experiences in these settings can foster a deeper sense of purpose and happiness, making them an invaluable resource for those looking to rebuild their lives. Enhance Your Career Prospects Relocating offers the chance to redefine your path and pursue what inspires you. A new environment brings fresh energy, making it easier to step into a different career or start a business you’ve always dreamed about. If healthcare is your passion, furthering your education with a master’s degree in nursing can open doors to roles in education, informatics, administration, or advanced practice (this is a good starting point). Online programs provide the flexibility to balance work and studies, allowing you to transition smoothly. Embracing this new chapter with purpose can turn your move into the foundation for a more fulfilling future. Navigate Financial Success Starting fresh in a new city can be exciting and daunting, especially after a challenging period in life. One effective strategy to ease this transition is to consult with a local financial advisor. These professionals can offer personalized guidance to help you understand the regional economic landscape, from tax implications to investment opportunities. You can build a productive, long-term relationship by selecting an advisor whose communication style and expertise align with your needs. Opting for a seasoned advisor can provide valuable insights for those with complex financial needs. Embrace Your New City Through Its Cultural Treasures Exploring your new city's cultural landmarks, parks, and museums can be a transformative way to connect with its history and community. By visiting these sites, you gain insights into the city’s past and engage with its vibrant present. City parks, for instance, are more than just green spaces; they play a crucial role in urban life by offering recreational opportunities and boosting local economies. Parks enhance urban infrastructure and public health, and museums are pivotal in the cultural landscape--often attracting more visitors than professional sports events. Rebuild Your Life Through Cultural Immersion Engaging in cultural workshops or classes, such as cooking or art, offers a transformative way to rebuild your life in a new city. By participating in activities like Uzbek cooking classes, you enhance your culinary skills and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s rich history and cultural influences. Similarly, joining art classes, such as ceramic design or painting workshops, can help you connect with the local artistic community and express your creativity. These experiences foster a sense of belonging and help establish a new routine, enriching your life meaningfully. Boost Your Mood and Connections via Exercise Starting fresh in a new city can be daunting, but incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can significantly boost your mood and help you build a supportive social network. Engaging in activities like joining a local gym or participating in outdoor sports reduces stress and negative emotions and enhances cognitive functions such as memory and decision-making. By becoming part of a fitness-focused community, you can meet new people who share your interests, fostering a sense of belonging. Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins and endocannabinoids, natural chemicals that promote happiness and relaxation. Embracing a new city is a journey filled with personal and professional growth opportunities. By actively engaging with your new environment through education, community involvement, or cultural exploration, you can transform this fresh start into a fulfilling chapter of your life. Each step you take towards building a new routine and connecting with others will help you create a sense of belonging and purpose, making your new city feel like home. Discover the art of elegant living with Toscano Interiors—visit our boutique in Clearwater or explore our website to transform your space today! 
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  Your home is more than just four walls and a roof; it's a reflection of your personality, your style, and the place where memories are made. However, as the years go by, even the most cherished homes can start to show signs of wear and tear. But fear not, because in this guest blog post, we have Tina Martin, a seasoned home improvement enthusiast, here to guide you through the process of reviving your home. Tina understands that a home makeover isn't just about aesthetics; it's an investment that can breathe new life into your space and add significant value to your property. Whether you're preparing to sell or simply want to create a more comfortable and enjoyable living environment, these tips will help you embark on a journey of transformation that will make your home feel brand new. So, without further ado, let's dive into Tina's expert advice, including some of my own personal tips too, on how to give your home a fresh start and a new lease on life. Reviving a home with a makeover is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your living space and increase its value. However, the process of renovating can be overwhelming, especially if you're unsure where to start. Here are some tips from Toscano Interiors on how to revive your home with a makeover. Select Value-Boosting Improvements for Property Before starting your home makeover, it's essential to consider future resale value. While it's important to create a living space that suits your needs, it's also crucial to choose improvements that will enhance your property's value. For example, modernizing your kitchen or bathroom can make a significant difference in how much your home is worth. Use a Home Maintenance App It’s a good idea to use a home maintenance and repair app if you need to make repairs to your home. The right app allows homeowners to quickly schedule service appointments, track the status of their repairs, and access important information about their home systems and major appliances like the refrigerator and washer and dryer. By using the Frontdoor application, you'll also be able to access service professionals, who can provide quotes for repairs or maintenance work. Create an Outdoor Space You Can Be Proud Of Creating an outdoor living space can be a worthwhile investment for homeowners seeking to improve their home's value and appearance. SuperMoney notes that hardscaping elements such as patios, walkways, and retaining walls can enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your backyard. Replace Your Bathroom Tiles A bathroom is one area of the home that can become outdated quickly. A simple way to revive your bathroom's look is by re-tiling the walls or floors. Choose neutral colors and patterns that will stand the test of time. This will give your bathroom a fresh look and feel while also increasing your home's value. Thoroughly Clean Your Home Cleaning your home can be a powerful way to rejuvenate and transform it. A thorough deep clean, including vacuuming the right way, surface wiping, and carpet cleaning, can make a significant difference in the overall appearance and health of your home. With a sparkling clean environment, you can enjoy a more attractive and healthier living space. To get started, go online for tips and hacks from cleaning experts. Maximize Storage Space To create a welcoming and spacious living area, it's essential to eliminate clutter. One way to achieve this is by maximizing your storage space through the use of shelving, cabinets, or closet organizers. This will not only enhance the functionality of your home but also make it feel more inviting by creating a tidy and organized living environment. Declutter by Digitizing Paper Files By digitizing your paper records and converting them into PDFs, you can significantly reduce clutter in your home while also ensuring that all important documents are easily accessible. If you want to combine PDF files after scanning, there are various online tools available to help you do so (click here for more info). This practical solution will save you time and improve your overall organization. Unveil Fresh Art Pieces Anne Anderson Home points out that artwork can add color and personality to your home. Introduce new artwork into your living space that reflects your style and taste. This can be done through paintings, sculptures, or other decorative items. Artwork can also be an investment, and certain pieces may increase in value over time. Upgrade Lighting Fixtures Lighting is a crucial element that can significantly impact your home's ambiance. Replacing outdated light fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home while saving you money on your electricity bills. Don't underestimate the power of updated lighting fixtures to transform your home's atmosphere and improve your overall living experience. Revitalizing your living space through a home makeover and a good cleaning is a fantastic investment that not only enhances the aesthetic value but also boosts the overall worth of the property. By utilizing the tips provided, you can turn your house into an exquisite and practical living area that will significantly increase its market value. In conclusion, a home makeover is a worthwhile venture that adds charm and functionality to your dwelling while also providing a substantial return on investment. Ready to bring some fun, magic, authenticity, beauty and inspiration to your space? Call on Toscano Interiors today! 813.539.2085  Decorative Outdoor Lighting Tips
5/5/2022
 Example of neo-classical outdoor lighting Photo Courtesy of Homesoftherich.net *This post contains affiliate links The interior of a house or commercial place should complement the exterior, and vice versa. This can be achieved by creating an artistically balanced ambience by using decorative outdoor lighting fixtures at different angles and points. For example if for a small garden or deck canister sized lighting fixtures create a loud and crass effect. To get the right balance the area should be highlighted by using small lights closer to the ground, on tree trunks or eaves of structures around. Light designers and manufacturers realizing potential of decorative outdoor lighting introduced shapes, styles and finishes in consonance with changing times. Decorative outdoor lights in neo-classical designs, informal or contemporary and stylistic create harmonious setting matching the interior with the exterior. Purpose also decides design of decorative outdoor lightings. For pathways, lightings with top covers or shades are preferred as light is directed out and down but not on the face. There is nothing worse than to be momentarily blinded by instant glare. One does not need a beacon on private property but a decorative light to focus on special features of the house as well as safeguard it. In commercial places such as malls, hotels, schools, colleges, clubs the decorative outdoor lighting should be artistic as well as utilitarian. Compact fluorescent lights, ground level moon lamps, post lanterns are some of the designs that help control glare and spill. Another transformation from old to new is the use of decorative outdoor lighting with timers and photo cells. One can visualize the gas-burning lamps of 1800's used to light streets. We have come a long way but nostalgia plays a hand as same idea is incorporated in electricity bulbs available in flame shaped designs. Whatever the design or style from diamond shaped to opal, antique lamp posts and shades, lights with frosted exterior, guests and visitors should not be inconvenienced by faulty placement and design selection. Instead of being influenced by neighbors, store catalogues or particular shape and color consider requirement, budget and appropriate lighting. If pathway is long and dark then hang Chinese lanterns or wanting to create a partition in the lawn then plant tiki torches available in different sizes and color. Choices are unlimited, requiring a level headed thinking mind to select decorative outdoor lightings.  Photo courtesy of Cast Lighting  Photo Courtesy of Architecture & Design
It is no surprise that workplace has changed significantly due to COVID-19. It crucial for companies during these times of change, to create workplace settings that encourage efficiency and improve productivity while abiding by social distancing preferences.
This week's blog topic is a great infographic courtesy of guest blog writer, Skylar Ross with Avanti Systems. Discover the details of how a workspace can improve productivity through architecture and design with the below infographic.
  *This post contains affiliate links Recently I was given the opportunity to design a small apartment at a local assisted/independent living facility. This little apartment is going to be used a model/virtual tour for future retirees. I was so honored to take the project because several months ago I staged one of the independent cottages affiliated with the same company, for a Realtor who was referred by another Realtor...talk about a long list of referrals!!! That was what made it such an honor and so exciting! Anyhow, this cute one-bedroom apartment was so much fun to design, but there was just one issue...it was small. So how do I make the space look functional for future resident's? That was my biggest challenge going into this project. Starting with the living and dining area, these two rooms share the space; that there wasn't a lot of. I wanted to use a regular sized sofa and oversized accent chair, but what about the small dining area? Well the good news is there is a restaurant inside the facility for it's residents- so the dining area wasn't something I really wanted to play up. I used these fun gold barstools and a small bistro table and chairs set, allowing for at least 4 guests to sit comfortably in the dining area. Without having to sacrifice the living area, I added the ottoman that functions as a coffee table and storage- because yes, the top comes off! This piece serves 3 functions! SMALL SPACE PRO DESIGN TIP- Adding texture to the room helps create dimension in a small space That oversized wall art above the sofa- one wouldn't think incorporating something really big in a small space would be right. Wrong! Texture gives the eye something to investigate, something to sink its teeth into, something that makes the whole space feel a lot bigger.  I think texture is something most people forget when designing a small space. They focus more on storage solutions, often it’s intentionally overlooked for fear of cluttering up an already small space. You can add some small extra home décor pieces to add textures to your space. Focus on the finishes of your existing furniture pieces too. Like the faux fur rug I draped over the ottoman, the gold side table and gold hammered lamp. It could even be a simple fabric couch with wooden arms and legs. The key to achieving visual balance and to keep visual clutter at bay is to have one or two pieces of furniture in similar textures. The faux rug on the ottoman ties into a larger faux rug under the dining table.  Another way to work in texture in small spaces is through adding texture to walls. Textures on walls make a big impact and they don’t take up any floor space. You can do so through a variety of ways including wallpaper, textured paint like Dulux’s Ambiance Paints (the paints can offer up anything from a rustic linen feel to a luxurious marble finish), wall cladding or wall moulding. In the living room I added a hanging ladder to a decorative hook then folded some textured throw blankets. An easy and unique way to not only store extra blankets, but also adds texture! FINAL SMALL SPACE PRO DESIGN TIP: When adding textures to your space, use juxtapositions e.g. metallic vs matte, weathered vs smooth, see-through vs opaque. Keep in mind that textures don’t have to be felt to be sensed; they can also be visual to make an impact  So you are sadly looking all around the Internet for a way to make your small space look so much more than it is. It’s not that you want to make it appear like you live like Donald Trump, you don’t. Right? It’s just that you are really trying to live within your means now and you’ve scaled down appropriately, but you can’t figure out how to make it look nice and big. Big without looking like you have just squished a Hummer into a compact space. I got ya. Show a little leg. You know how there are some couches where you can’t see the legs? Yes, they still do have legs under there. Really. They aren’t held up by some really strong dude. All day long. Sheesh. Come on. So, find yourself a sofa or a chair, whatever you’re in the market for, and go for the ones that don’t have those cute little skirts. Yes, you will have to make sure you keep your floors from looking like the wild west of dust bunny tumbleweeds, but you can do it. It’s called a Roomba. See-‐thru tops. I know you like to be modest most of the time, except when you’re shaking your moneymaker. This is one of those times where I need you to get a little loose. Glass top coffee and side tables are gonna help you out. While you’re at it, order up some glass shelves for the bookcases. What? Yeah, it will cost money, but you want your place to look light and airy like some waify super model right? Well, put up or shut up. Lighten Up. You may be the depressive type and go for dark colors to get you thru your Nirvana phase. He’s dead and you’re not. Let’s pick lighter colors. Which just so happen to be my February Freebie right now- my top neutral paint colors! Things that would remind you of pretty fantasyland with birds and nice china. Not like Alice Cooper’s your personal stylist. Skip the Hokey Pokey. Think of patterns like a hokey pokey. Nobody likes to do that stupid dance and you don’t have the space for it. Really, they don’t like doing it, stop asking. Hokey pokey is intrusive like patterns in a small place. Put your left eye here, put your left eye there, put your left eye here and swirl it all about. Jesus! You’re gonna poke an eye out with that kind of patterned nonsense. It’s too much. We need our eyes to swirl around your room like a smooth wave of bliss. And before I forget, since February's topic of the month is Artwork- how do you incorporate it in your small space? You don't, you burn it. Okay, I'm kidding. But really, if space is not your friend but you have some fancy smancy artwork you want to show off, a bold piece of wall decor is all you need to bring character and visual interest to a room. Remember that less is more. March is almost here, and we will switch focus...don't miss out on my February freebie! Sign up with your email when that obnoxious box pops up on your screen again!  |
Designer, Life Coach, + Realtor® - Candance Toscano"You can design the life of your dreams and acquire that luxurious, fulfilled and empowered lifestyle you know you have always wanted." Archives
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