Design Trends for 2009

We all struggle to maintain a cozy home atmosphere that's functional yet stylish at the same time. Keeping up with fashion and design trends can be intimidating and expensive to change and update on a regular basis. However, with a few accent changes along with the courage of spending an afternoon with a paintbrush and a fresh can of paint, you can dramatically change your living spaces to be comfortable and fashion-forward at the same time. According to the Style Estate Blog, here are the some simple and fun design trends for 2009 that anyone can accomplish with minimal effort and funds.

Top Ten Decorating Do's for 2009

1. Taking more risk with interior colors
2. Choose unusual decor
3. Mixing up modern and traditional
4. Interior color trends 2009 - Chocolate with Apple Green
5. Interior color trends 2009 - Red
6. Home decor trends 2009 - Subtle organic materials
7. Painting walls a color
8. Use metal and metallics
9. Straighter lines in furniture
10. Better use of proportions in a room

Click here for the description and photo of each line item listed above.

Of course AzuHome.com can help with some of the trends listed above. How about a handmade lamp (one-of-a-kind and made in Miami), an interesting piece of affordable glass art, a clean-line piece of furniture that can be combined with traditional furniture or a metal scroll candleholder that adds elements of metal with a modern swirl design.

Now...a Yummy Summer Treat! Chocolate covered strawberries. Sweet and refreshing!

INGREDIENTS
16 ounces milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

DIRECTIONS
1. Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
2. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
3. Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.


Now...for those of us that can't seem to find the time to make these strawberries ourselves...check out Shari's Berries. These are the best dipped strawberries I've ever tasted!