Saturday, September 5, 2009
creating guide for a childs bedroom
Planning Planning a decorating project will save you time, money and effort and produce professional looking results. Paint, wallpaper and fabric calculators Work out exactly how much you'll need to complete the job and save money on waste and leftovers
Colour ideas Be inspired by three different looks aimed at all ages Nursery Soft-grey walls are the perfect neutral shade for a new baby's room. Warmth can be added with vibrant limes, pinks and blues in stripes and checks, while pale furniture creates a restful feel and keeps the look clutter free. Boys Blues and green's combine to make a striking feature wall and are a good foil for warm, wood furniture and natural flooring. Cheerful motifs on the window treatment add to the sense of fun and create a welcoming look. Girls Pink is the obvious choice for a girl, but to prevent it becoming too sugary use a mix of patterns in vibrant shades of raspberry, red and orange. Temper them with white walls and furniture to keep the look fresh and contemporary. Safety guidelines Keep kids safe and sound with our essential guide to child-proofing your home Think about bed location. Don't position the bed underneath a window, directly against a radiator or with shelves, ledges or appliances above that a child can get hold of.
Avoid hanging heavy pictures or mirrors above the bed.
Secure free-standing furniture by fixing it to the wall with anti-toppling devices such as straps or fixing brackets.
Avoid open drawers that can be used as a climbing frame - use child-proof latches on lower drawers.
Avoid bunkbeds if your child is under six. Cabin beds are a better option if you can squeeze them in - there'll be plenty of extra storage underneath too.
Use socket covers to keep plug sockets safe from probing fingers.
Secure all dangling lamp cords to prevent injury from pulling on them.
Childproof the windows. Use latches that will let the window open no more than 10cm.
About the Author
housetohome.co.uk is the one stop shop for all your interior design and home decorating ideas
Changing the Size of a Room With Paint
The choice of colors must to some extent largely be based on the situation and location of the house. If the house is in a town, bright clear colors will look extremely vibrant and will serve to brighten the rooms in dull districts.
However, if bright clear colors are used for interior decorating in houses situated in the country, where they are seen against a background of nature's own colors, they very often look harsh and cold.
The colors on the walls will also have some effect on the home décor you have scattered about. Whether you prefer metal wall décor (http://www.laserwallart.com) or posters, the color of the room is going to either compliment it or be a hideous contrast.
Tenants of houses situated in seaside districts may have a problem of their own to consider as certain colors will fade to a neutral gray when exposed to sea air. These are mainly pastel shades of pale greens and blues, and this fading may also happen in some country districts in rooms which have southern aspects where sunlight is particularly strong.
The deep greens of modern paints are able to stand up both to air and to light, and many of the best known brands of different kinds of paints are guaranteed against fading.
When planning an interior color scheme it is first necessary to choose the main or basic color which should be one that will do most to help the shape of the room. Here are some simple examples:
Low Ceilings: As previously explained the effect of low ceilings can be largely offset by the use of pale colors such as the shades of ivory and light blues. If the main colors are used for ceilings and walls and it is really no bigger, floor length curtains considerably affect the appearance of the height of the room, as do plates and other wall décor like a small metal wall art (http://www.laserwallart.com/servlet/-strse-COLLEGIATE/Categories) piece hung up high. Metal art is better fort his than canvas because it is slender.
High Ceilings: To give the effect of decreasing the high ceiling it should be painted or distempered in a deeper shade of color than that used for the walls. Pink and beige are good examples of this when set-off by a deep colored carpet.
North Room: North rooms usually lack sun, but they have a strong light, and colors most suited for rooms that face the north are warm creams, yellows, gold, pinks, peach and shades of reddish browns, which also tend to give warmth to these rooms which have a cold light.
The type of art that best suits a room of this type would be celestial themed art designs. You can find a lot of laser cut metal wall art (http://www.laserwallart.com) like this in holistic shops, or laser cut to order magazines.
About the Author
Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in do-it-yourself interior design, home improvement, gardening, and landscaping. For an amazing selection of laser cut metal wall art and other types of metal wall décor, check out http://www.laserwallart.com/.
What Is Your Design Style
One of the most fundamental aspects to interior design is knowing what your personal design style is. But, it can be the most difficult aspect of your personality to figure out.
There are some wonderful ways to determine your interior design style but first let's take a look at why it is important to identify your preference at all.
There Are Fundamental Reasons
Image yourself needing a new car. You wander into a car lot already feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices so when approached by a sales representative who politely asks "May I help you?" it becomes almost overwhelming.
At that very moment, you realize you have no idea what you are looking for. Sure, you have a basic idea of color and desired interior features but as far as the specifics in regard to style, size, fuel type etc., you are at a total loss.
One of two things may happen at this point...you stomp out of the dealership feeling totally frustrated or, you end up buying something by default...not quite what you want, but you'll be happy with it for now.
Frequently, interior design consultants deal with this. Working with clients becomes more of a system of wading through a hodge podge of likes and dislikes. It's almost like pseudo psychology - counseling for the design constipated.
Most people already have a vague idea of what they like, but lack the clear thinking and vocabulary to communicate and implement those likes, in a clear designer fashion.
There Are Practical Reasons
By coming to a basic understanding of your style, it orders your mind and brings a cogency to the process. You will save time and definitely money being able to work within the parameters of the determined interior design style. You will know what works together and what wont'. The effort to implement will be simplified by understanding the theme options.
So, imagine yourself going back to the car lot. This time you are fully prepared. You know what vehicle you want, color, size, trunk capacity etc - you have worked out every facet of what you are looking for to best compliment your personality. Now you are prepared to make a deal. The dealer appreciates your preparedness, and before you know it, you are driving away with the car of your dreams.
There Are Emotional Reasons
A home that reflects who you are, will always provide a place of rest, rejuvenation and happy feelings. It's a known and proven fact that a home full of clutter and disorganization will darken any ones mood to some degree or another. Often, the feelings are not clearly identified, it can be just a low burn malaise or a down and dirty depression.
This, along with a purely "functional" view of home furnishings will not contribute to your overall well being and personal success.
Back to the car example...imagine yourself behind the wheel in the car of your dreams. Energized? Happy? Totally pumped? You've got a gas tank of sunshine! That's exactly how you can feel when it comes to your home that expresses your style.
So how does one go about identifying their personal design style? Here are some options:
1. Don't do anything at all and call yourself an "eclectic" when the subject comes up.
When I was teaching High School art students several years ago, I would often get the kid that would run up to my desk with a finished product that frankly, looked like....trash. When I would ask this aspiring young artist to explain why I should even consider evaluating it for a grade - the answer would often be "It's modern art".
Slowly and carefully I would rise out of my seat and explain to the student that "modern art" is not an excuse for sloppy and careless work. It's a choice made from an educated understanding of the art principles that inspired it.
What they did not understand was that most of the current modern artist put themselves under an exhaustive education of learning the fundamentals, the disciplines, the practice of solid art theories...once these were "mastered" they CHOSE the venue of modern art. It was not an excuse for lazy and haphazard, slap happy paint on a canvas explosion.
The same is true with the design style known as "Eclectic". Is is your choice or just a default mode because you don't think you deserve or can afford the home interior you want.
2. If you have the money - hire an professional.
A good design consultant will sit you down and pull out the shadows of your likes and dislikes. Once they identify a style to move into, the will be delighted to take it to the next level. This is a good option.
3. Take a Quiz
If you are more of a money saving do it yourself type, you can find in books, magazines and even online. One well known publisher (The For Dummies series) provides just such a quiz in their popular Home Decorating for Dummies paper back.
Another option are online surveys you can take that are fun and actually very insightful. Many not only identify your personal design style but will also help to clarify your over all personality in ways that you may have been aware of. One in particular can be found on the website called "iVillage", and contains a simple 8 question, instant analysis system.
4. Browse Around
Spend some time at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble. Grab a super sized coffee and hit the magazine and book racks to find the look you like. It could be a bit of this, some of that...there really is no hard and fast rule, but it may help to determine a consistent theme or approximate design style. Be sure to bring a notebook to jot down those important impressions for future ready reference.
About the Author
Frugal Home Design understands that a person can feel overwhelmed by all the design input that comes from so many sources so they have developed a unique personal design style product to clear away the fog and help you discover your perfect interior design style. Visit http://frugalhomedesign.com to learn more.
All Yellow Posters Concepts for the Summer
Poster printing is a very practical way to change a room's façade fast. Also, with the right online printing company, you are provided with templates you can use, edit, add onto, and eventually turn into your own. Here are some concepts you might find useful for your summer redecorating project.
1. I Spy all yellow: For a kid's room, you can have a print of an I Spy book page, change the whole finishing in yellow to make the display more challenging. Now, with a gigantic poster of their favorite game, kids can always have something interesting to do on their walls.
2. Sun shot: A poster possesses a shiny finish that sunny shots will look extra good when printed on these materials. With standard poster sizes, you can collect different shots of you and your family under the sun such as beach/sand shots, biking/sports, or nature photographs. You can align these prints vertically on one corner of your room.
3. Yellow Elements: You can schedule your own photo shoot even at home. Build photos with different yellow elements in the photo. For example, you can have a garden shot of you wearing a yellow raincoat, yellow sprinkler, or have yellow flowers. With several 8.5x11" posters, the yellows in the prints will stand out when seen as a group.
Redecorating rooms and playing around with colors is one way to build themes for rooms. Also, with your online printing company to assist, you can count on high quality color and materials that pushing for a bright color, such as yellow, will be as bright as the sun.
About the Author
Nikki Sabato is a writer with a background in landscape architecture and design. She currently works in the field of marketing and design communication.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Water Fountains Brighten Any Room in the Home
For many years water fountains have been increasing in popularity and people have begun to understand not only can they add a fresh feel to your home but they can provide many other benefits as well. Within this article we will take a look at the different types of water fountains and how they can be used and where they are best suited within your home. If we start at looking at the different styles of water fountains available and how they can be used within your home then you will be able to grasp just how versatile these objects are. There are five different types of water fountains and each one of these has various styles included, the five types are wall fountains, floor fountains, tabletop fountains, outdoor fountains and custom fountains. In the home the most popular of these are the wall, floor and table fountains and each of these can be used in different ways in your room to suite what you are trying to achieve, see below to discover some of the uses and ideas.
If you are short on space in a room of your home or you want to find something unusual or different for the walls then the wall fountains are the ideal solution. These can be added to a room and come in various shapes and sizes to blend in perfectly with your existing décor. By adding a wall fountain you are not only improving the look of the room but they give you much more including purifying the air and creating a tranquil and peaceful backdrop. If a wall fountain is not what you require then you should consider one of the floor fountains and these are the most versatile of all the fountains. These can be added to any room either near to a wall or as a divide for the room and they come in a whole range of sizes, so depending on how large your room will reflect on which of the designs will best suite your home. Floor fountains can be easily moved from area to area so if you want to create a different feel to another room in your home you can easily move the fountain. Tabletop fountains are the smallest of the range and are very decorative and can just about go in any location in the home where there is a shelf, table or ledge for them to sit on. They are ideal as a centre piece for a table or a decorative item in a conservatory or dining room and are extremely flexible and popular.
Chris Courtis is proud to write for soothingwalls.com which are an online provider of Water Fountains and many other indoor and outdoor water features.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Courtis
Cheap Blinds For Families on a Budget
When it comes to decorating your home, windows are one of the most aspects to consider. Without windows in your house, you would be living in a box, and for many people, a lot of thought is put into the placement of windows before the house is even built. People like to have the best view possible, and every situation is different. Some houses have beautiful views of parks or lakes, while others need to put a little more effort into making the most of their environment.
As important as it is to have the best window placement in your home, there are times when you are just going to want to cover up and enjoy the privacy of your own space. This is where the topic of window coverings comes into play, and it is just as important to have a good covering as it is to have a good view. Curtains and blinds can be expensive, though, and if you don't put in the effort in to find the best price for your blinds, you will end up paying way too much.
If your budget is tight, there are a couple of important things that you can do to cut your costs. The first is to make your own. This may sound like a huge undertaking, but it is not necessarily so. If you have a basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine, you can choose from a huge range of fabric and pick up some easy to follow patterns to help you in the process. In fact, making your own blinds will give you the luxury of having a much wider choice of fabrics than you would have if you were buying ready made.
If your skills are lacking in the sewing machine department, then your other option is to do your research online. The Internet has a huge number of trusted websites that specialise in window coverings. We got our cheap blinds off the Internet, and are extremely happy with their quality and the service provided. Whether you are after roman blinds or bamboo, you are sure to find something within your budget by doing a little shopping around
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_D_B
Brighter Carpet Colors For a Modern, Bolder Room
If you've recently moved into a new home or you're looking for a way to add a modern boost to your current living space - the answer could be right under your feet. Most homes, especially if they're new, feature a neutral colored carpet. Typically, you'll be working with something along the lines of light beige to maybe a dark tan color. Although these neutral colors are great if your room is composed primarily of brown hues, you may want to go in a different direction with the look and feel of the space. Whether you want to brighten up a previously neutral room or you're looking to modernize your home - updating your carpet color could be the solution you're looking for.
Although you don't have to go drastically bold with a bright red or neon green, you can certainly add color and style to a room with a brightly colored carpet. Complimenting bright floors with toned down walls creates a fun and coordinated atmosphere without overwhelming. For example, if you're looking to make a room feel lighter and bolder at the same time - you may feel as though you've hit a brick wall. Rooms that require this kind of attention can often be awkwardly shaped and/or don't get a lot of natural lighting. If this is the case, lightening the room up while still creating that bold style can become conflicts of interest. A great way to do this is by placing a deep hue on the floor and choosing a lighter, pastel shade of the same color for the walls. The pastel color will help reflect the light that does come into the room while the carpets will give that coordinated and rich look that so many homeowners desire throughout their homes.
If you have wooden floors and aren't crazy about the idea of placing carpet over them completely, you still have options. Throw rugs and area rugs are a great way to add a pop of color and still keep your beautiful wooden floors. These small rugs can act as the perfect accent piece to any room and certainly give that "modern" look that so many strive for today. If you have a primarily black and white room, adding a red throw rug underneath the coffee table can add a pop of color instantly the room. If you have a primarily brown or tan space, which go great alongside hardwood floors, you can add pizzazz to the room by choosing a cool leopard print or a boldly patterned rug as the perfect accent piece. Although many homeowners think they have to turn to the walls to add that pop of color or bold pattern, the floor offers plenty of space to give your room personality.
So even though the idea of a bright red throw rug might seem strange at first, you will be amazed at the subtle, but beautiful, impact that a brightly colored or patterned rug will have on your room. If you've moved into a brand new home, picture your floors as blank canvases. Although you may be used to focusing on the wall colors for the décor of the room, choose some carpet colors as inspiration, as well. By coordinating your room from the ground up - you can be sure that your finished product gives you the results you've dreamed of... and then some.
Tori Spade works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of decorative floor registers and door knobs to help customers with home remodeling projects.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tori_Spade
How to Remove Wallpaper
You don't always need to change your wall paint or install pricey wall enhancers to keep your home stylish and fab. Wallpapers are perfect alternatives because they are cheap and very easy to install. Then again, a lot of homemakers are too afraid at looking through this option because they do not know how to remove wallpaper. Well, we've got the details!
Wallpapers can be messy to work with, especially when it's time to take them down and replace with new ones. But there are tricks to make a how to remove wallpaper project mess-free and stress-free. That is, if you know the right tools to choose and the right procedure to follow.
Tip #1: Before learning through how to remove wallpaper, gather the tools you will need for the project first. There are wallpaper removers available in the market. Then again, they may come in pricey and impractical, especially since lots of alternatives can be found lying around in your home. However, different wallpapers may require different cleaners. Vinyl coated wallpapers, for example, come off just fine even without the help of water or any kind of cleaner. If you are finding it more difficult to deal with, try using hot water and some fabric conditioner. Non-vinyl coated wallpapers, on the other hand, works better with an ammonia and water solution.
Tip #2: After removing the paper, the harder part comes in, which is cleaning the glue and other residue that is left behind after the wallpapers are peeled off. To deal with this, you need a scraper and some cleaning solution. The cleaning solutions could be the same ones you used before. You just need to mix a fresh batch of it.
Tip #3: When your walls appear smooth already, finish it off by sponging it with a water-vinegar solution.
After going through the step-by-step guide on how to remove wallpaper, it is time to redesign your walls. As soon as the wall dries, put on new sets of wallpapers or paint the wall to your heart's delight. Be sure though that you won't make any dressing up without repairing some damaged parts of your wall.
A project concerning how to remove wallpaper can be fun too. This is especially true when you are looking forward on the difference you will make afterward. Wallpapers that are old and aged sure need replacement to enhance the look of the room without having to spend a fortune.
Assure Long Lasting Natural Stone Beauty by Understanding Sealers
Flooring, counter tops, vanities, mantles and even wall panelings designed with marble, creates a richness that transcends most interior surfaces. However, with that luxurious stone comes a required need to protect it's natural beauty. Buying and using stone sealer effectively is the best way to assure long lasting enjoyment.
Natural stone, especially marble, risks staining, chipping, cracking and even moisture related warping, if not properly installed and then protected on a regularly scheduled basis. Due to its porous natural properties, common household acid such as milk, wine, vinegar, and citrus juices, can do extensive damage. The life long beauty and strength of natural stone will be assured, once it is protected against the potential damages caused by common household oils, liquids, salts and other minerals.
There are 3 types of sealers available
Topical Sealers
Topical sealers of urethane or acrylic, are simply applied to the top of a natural stone surface. Acting more as enhancers then sealers, they do provide some level of protection but wear out quickly, especially if applied to high traffic floor tile or busy kitchen counter tops. Resealing will have to be done frequently. The resulting finish is a polished appearance that will change the look of the natural stone and make the surface slippery when wet.
Penetrating Sealers
These sealers actually seep into the stone and are effective in repelling liquids and oils. This marble and natural stone sealer will not effect the look of the stone upon application. The application of a penetrating sealer may require the use of a special cleaner to avoid damaging its protective properties. Though this type of sealer will last longer than the topical form, they too will need to be reapplied based on the manufacturers recommendations, usually every 6 months to a year.
Impregnating Sealers
This is the best choice for superior protection. This natural stone sealer will bond to the stone at a molecular level. It will not affect the surface color and will repel oils and waters from inside the stone.
Application
1.Test in a more obscure area first, to visually evaluate the effect of the sealer on the stone.
2. If satisfied with the result, apply sealer with a white cotton cloth rubbing it into the stone. Most natural stone sealers need rest time on the surface to properly seep into the surface. Refer to manufacturers recommendations.
3.Wipe off any remaining sealer from the surface to avoid leaving unwanted build up. Specific drying times will be found on the packaging.
4.Test with a drop of water when surface has had time to dry. Another coat may be needed.
Buying and using stone sealer effectively is the key to preserving the beauty of natural stone in your home.
Sue Krippner is a Free Lance Artist, Home Staging and Redesign Professional. She is attracted to "all things beautiful, especially as it relates to interior decorating and design.
Visit http://frugalhomedesign.com to see samples of her art and find plenty of professional design, tips hints and secrets to help facilitate your personal interior design goals with money saving frugal flair!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_E_Krippner
Antique Style Curtain Holds in Colored Glass
Glass curtain tiebacks are a simple and elegant way to redecorate your home and an opportunity to introduce unique designs and colors into your window treatment. Pressed pattern glass tiebacks became popular in America post civil war (around 1840) to brighten up the war worn homes (although glass tiebacks had been available since the early 1800's). Tinted glass and a variety of vibrant designs were available to add color and detail to otherwise plain window designs. Although the popularity of materials and styles for curtain tiebacks has varied over time they do remain an important part of home decorating for both their functionality and beauty.
Curtain tie backs are a useful tool for many reasons. Not only do they hold curtains back to allow sunlight and air into rooms, they can be used to further incorporate common decorating themes throughout the home. Glass curtain tiebacks are an especially elegant touch when glass hardware (such as lighting or doorknobs) is used in the same room. Not only are glass curtain tiebacks available in a wide variety of colors they are also available in a variety of designs and sizes to accommodate specific window needs. Heavier drapes need larger curtain tiebacks to accommodate the additional weight while lighter curtains (such as kitchen curtains) can easily be held back by smaller tiebacks.
Glass and Crystal curtain tie backs are still produced today - many of them based off the original pressed glass designs of the 1800's. By using glass curtain tiebacks you can easily incorporate them into a common theme that can be used through every room in your home. Remember that a tieback can transform your entire window treatment from boring to a beautiful showpiece. There are a few steps to follow when selecting curtain tiebacks for your home however. First, it is important to use tiebacks appropriate for the weight and size of your drapery - larger panels will require a heavier duty tieback to function properly and hold your curtains back. Second, replace older and worn doorknob sets and lighting fixtures with glass knobs and shades. This will help tie the look together for you. You can ask an interior decorator for help or look through home decorating magazines for more great ideas.
Glass curtain tiebacks are readily available online as well as in most home decorating catalogs. Search for glass construction with a solid brass base for extra support and durability. When you work with glass hardware you can be sure that different designs and shapes will work together nicely.
These tiebacks are available online through LookInTheAttic & company and they also offer free design assistance and help.
Kohn Coleman born in Michigan - received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2000. He is president of LookInTheAttic & Company online at http://www.LookInTheAttic.com and authors numerous articles and publications on historical architecture.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kohn_Coleman
Low-Cost Ways to Get a Designer Look For Your Home Decorating on a Budget
Looking through decorating magazines can fill you with ideas -- and also leave you discouraged at the price tag that accompanies the look. But there are several ways to create remarkable rooms at a reasonable cost. Check out the following seven tips for budget-friendly decor:
1. Just Add Paint: One of the simplest ways to change a room is to paint the walls. Adding colour provides a nice backdrop for your furnishings and instantly changes the look and feel of your room -- all for the cost of a can of paint. Not ready to paint a whole room? For a very dramatic look, paint or stain your interior doors in a dark colour, keeping the trim white.
2. Affordable Artwork: Don't want to spend a fortune on artwork? Make your own! Simply purchase pre-stretched canvas (I get mine at Walmart for $3 each) and some paint in colours that co-ordinate with your decor (paint testers work perfectly for this!). Then grab a foam brush and a rag, and let your creativity flow. The end result is a unique piece of abstract artwork at next to no cost. This is a really simple project that can be done by absolutely anyone. A neat twist: push three canvases tightly together and paint across all three as though they were one large canvas; when you separate them after painting you have a trendy three-piece painting.
3. What's Old is New Again: Find a new use for something you've salvaged from the attic or garage. An old door becomes the easiest headboard ever with a coat of paint. Just paint it, turn it on its side, and there you have it -- instant headboard! Paint can also turn an old wooden stepladder into a unique shelf for books or accessories.
4. Look to Nature: A simple (and free!) idea -- bring the outdoors in. A vase full of brightly coloured leaves, branches or pussy willows can quickly dress up a mantel or side table. A large bowl of mini pumpkins or pomegranates makes a great fall accent, while shells, rocks and driftwood are perfect for summer. Create an easy centerpiece by placing an odd number of pillar candles on a tray (vary the heights for a more eye-pleasing look) and surrounding them with natural elements like pinecones or stones. In the fall, add a bit of leaf garland to a single large pumpkin for the easiest centerpiece ever.
5. Mission Trim-possible: Inexpensive molding can be a decorator's best friend! Use it to heighten your baseboards (add half-round a couple of inches above existing baseboards, then paint the trim, baseboard and wall in-between the same trim colour) or create a picture gallery (a few rows of crown molding become wonderful little shelves to display your photo collection). You can also get the look of panel molding by simply creating rectangles out of thin molding and applying them to the wall.
6. Sew Easy: Here's an affordable way to get the look of custom-made draperies: simply add fabric borders to the bottom of your existing drapery panels. You can also enhance your throw pillows by adding some fringe, buttons or beadwork. Plain bed linens can be given a new look by sewing a band or 2 of satin ribbon or braiding a little way in from the hems of the pillowcases and sheets.
7. Paper It: Tin ceilings look fabulous, but the cost can be prohibitive. Recreate the look with embossed wallpaper in a tin-panel pattern. Once it's up and painted, it will look just like a real tin ceiling, but at a small fraction of the cost. (Side note: when hanging wallpaper on the ceiling, a third person comes in really handy. So does a heating pad -- working overhead can really do a number on your neck!). A but more expensive but MUCH less work: 12" x 12" tin-style ceiling tiles. The result is the same, but it becomes a one-person job.
Any of these fun projects will improve the look of your rooms easily and inexpensively. You don't have to spend a fortune to make your home look beautiful!
Heather Côté is an interior decorator and owner of Stylish Solutions, a full service decorating service in Timmins, Ontario. She can be reached at http://www.stylishsolutions.biz/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Cote
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Psychology of Color For Interior Design - Mood Enhancement
Some of the better choices of color for bedrooms, according to findings in the study of the psychology of color for interior design, are blue, or earth tones such as lighter shades of browns or greens. These work to promote feelings of tranquility. Browns take in a wide spectrum and can bring about a feeling of security while greens, especially sage, offer neutrality and can works quite well in a spare bedroom.
Colors Can Reflect Owner's Temperament
When using the psychology of color for interior design, it's important to understand the color's historical use. For instance, dark green was traditionally linked to banking, and deep purple is historically linked to kings, queens and royalty. A pastel purple, traditionally known as lavender, will appeal to younger females as well as have a calming effect. There are many aromas associated with aromatherapy involving the herb lavender for relaxation.
Gray is typically thought of as a neutral color and works well as background for many color combinations. The psychology of gray for interior design indicates that it can enhance productivity and is used in many offices. Black, on the other hand hints at submissiveness and will only work well in residential environments if it is used as an accent.
Yellow is most often used in kitchens and in children's rooms. This particular color can invoke arguments and the psychology of color for interior design has shown it to rile people to anger. Yellow can make some people feel happy and others feel angry. Studies have shown that people who like shades of yellow, like them immensely while those who do not like them, dislike them completely. There's no in between.
You can also find more info on gothic interior design. Interiordesignbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about interior designs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Hopkins
Interior Design Ideas - How to Spice Up Your Living Space
Don’t Throw Out the Old Furniture…Paint It!
Paint is inexpensive, and the color choices are endless. Of course you might not want to paint that old cabinet a neon orange! But there’s also no rule that says you have to stick to neutral colors, like black, antique white, and tan. If you’re feeling bold, you can try a sage green or deep red. Or perhaps you’re looking for something more tranquil, like various blues, greens, and yellows. And while you’re at it, save some paint for the walls, too.
Glass Is Fragile, But It Can Be Quite Stunning
This may not be the best idea if you have small, rambunctious children. But if you don’t have to worry about things getting broken easily in your house, adding some glass is a great idea. Head down to the discount store for an inexpensive, yet trendy glass lamp. You can even find places where you can take an old vase and have it converted over to a lamp. If you want something with more pizzazz, you can purchase some artistic imported glass fixtures. Other ways of using glass to add décor to your home include French doors, window treatments in the bedrooms, and changing out some of those kitchen cabinet fronts with decorative glass insets.
In Short…Keep it Simple and Spacious
You don’t’ have to go all out to design a home. Keeping things simple and spacious can make a big difference. When choosing a window treatment, you don’t have go get a bulky curtain that you can’t even see through. Try an elegant, see-through curtain such lightweight Roman shades. Also consider the fact that less can sometimes mean more. If you remove some of the knick-knacks and anything that could be considered cluttered, it will open up your rooms and make it seem larger. Plenty of good interior design ideas simply rely on rearranging the things you already have.
Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.instant-interior-design-ideas.com - Interior Design Ideas
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Murren
Decorate Your Home With Interactive Decor Accessories
If you have school-going age children, put all traditional home décor ideas on hold for a while and try re-orienting your decorating mind. Instead of putting out your porcelain figurines and forever admonishing, "Stand far and look! Do not touch!" why not have on display interactive accessories that are accessible to children. Whether on the wall or on the table, these interactive accessories encourage inquisitive minds to "Come on over and have a look. Go ahead and touch me too".
Interactive accessories don't just sit in a corner looking fabulous. They promote interaction between family members and can also teach children a lot, in a fun and interesting way.
Still puzzled? Think world maps, jigsaw puzzles, coffee table books, photographs and children's artwork and you'll immediately realize their potential as interactive home décor accessories.
Replace your conventional home décor with these ideas for interactive home accessories and see what a difference it makes:
Jigsaw Puzzles
Replace your designer centerpiece from the centre table in the living room with a large 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle and watch the whole family get more and more involved as bits and pieces come together right in front of their very eyes. Did you think most children considered jigsaw puzzles old-fashioned? On the contrary, any child would happily give up their X-Box or Play Station time for a chance to spend time doing something with their family. Put out a 1000-piece double sided jigsaw puzzle for twice the fun!
Even your guests are sure to enjoy trying to piece the puzzle together every time they come over to visit. Nobody will even notice the absence of the gorgeous centerpiece that you've taken away to accommodate the puzzle.
World Maps
Unless every inch of your wall space is already used up to hang picture frames and what not, you don't really need to remove anything. Just find a spot on the wall that is highly visible and hang a world map at a little lower level. Just pointing to any one country or city on the world map opens up endless windows of discussions. Tell your kids some interesting facts about the place they've pointed to- the geography of the place, an interesting historical anecdote or perhaps their culture.
In another area, hang up a frame map of your home town. Challenge your kids to identify places they have visited and if you spent your childhood in the same town, regale them with interesting stories of "your days" and what used to be at that very spot just a few years ago.
Photographs
Convert one part of your wall into an interactive album. You could change the display according to the occasion. For your child's birthday party, display photographs of all past parties. Your kids and their friends as well as all the parents, you too, are sure to have a blast remembering the fun times they all had. It also serves as a great way to see how the kids have grown over the years.
At other times, put up a random assortment of photographs of the immediate family with various friends and extended family. Photographic walls evoke a lot of bittersweet memories and make for a very emotional interactive décor accessory.
Rugs can also be interactive, if you choose the right kind. And for the kid's room it is easy to find interactive kids area rugs. Something like a traffic rug with roads and cars would be ideal.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francis_Chang
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
10 Tips For a Good Nights Sleep Using Interior Decoration in the Bedroom
1. Go easy on the colour scheme. Avoid dark, heavy colours and bright, stimulating colours, like navy blue, burgundy, red and bright orange. Instead, steer towards the softer more subtle tones of pale green, soft peach, gentle coral, pale blue and soft butter yellow. You can add highlights and accents of bolder colours but keep the bulk of the bedroom in soft neutrals or pale tints of colour to create a restful environment.
2. Avoid filling your bedroom with gym equipment, computers and TV's. Remove all mental and physically stimulating items. The bedroom is where you go to sleep so make sure that the rooms makeup portrays a cosy, comfortable and relaxing feeling.
3. Keep furniture to minimum- bedside tables, the occasional chair, set of drawers. Allow the bed to dominate and keep furniture uncluttered. You want to unclutter your mind before you sleep, so set the scene in your bedroom.
4. Ventilation. We all need fresh air for a good healthy lifestyle, so ensure your bedroom is well ventilated. During the day open windows and in the heat of summer, use a fan or air-conditioning to keep the temperature at a constant, comfortable level. In winter, try adding a few more blankets and keep the heating to a minimum as this can dry your body out and you will wake feeling tired and dehydrated.
5. Darkness. This triggers a reaction in your brain to sleep, so try blackout curtain linings. These are fantastic for places with daylight savings or people with young children. They keep the room dark and are very good if you have streetlights outside that shine through your windows. Wooden shutters can be used in warmer countries that don't require draperies but aren't as good as blackout linings.
6. Sheets. Cotton! 100%- no polycotton. Cotton absorbs moisture better than polycotton and allows you to stay cool and feel fresh whilst sleeping, and they don't pill. Choose high quality cotton sheets with a high thread count- anything over 200 are good quality.
7. Quality duvet- from personal experience 100% goosedown is the best option. It is light yet incredibly warm and they last forever. It absorbs moisture, which then evaporates into the air keeping you warm and dry. Did you know that you lose on average a litre of water every night while you sleep? Thank goodness for goosedown duvets and cotton sheets! Wool is another quality product for duvets. It has similar features to down but is a lot heavier.
8. The perfect bed. This is one thing I can't tell you- which type of bed is best as it really is a personal choice. But I can tell you to spend as much as your budget allows on a good quality mattress. As you have read above, you lose a lot of moisture from your body at night, so the mattress must breathe. It should be firm enough to support your body but not too hard that you ache lying on it. Some mattresses allow for turning, which reduces the eventual role-together syndrome. Slat beds allow you to adjust the slats to make your bed firmer or softer. Some beds come in two parts so each partner can have different spring mattresses. The choices are endless, so definitely lie on as many as possible before you buy!
9. A good quality pillow will ensure your neck is well supported and provide you with the environment for a good nights sleep. Most top class hotels allow you to order the pillow you require, as they know the difference it makes to a guests enjoyment of their stay. Whatever product you select, remember it should breathe and be comfortable fro you. It should be replaced every two years as they get flattened and lose their shape and fail to support you any longer. I have slept at a friend's house on a pillow that had lavender essentials oils built in- wow did I have a good nights sleep! The choice of pillow is extensive- as you can see they even come scented now!
10. Keep the lighting soft- you want to set the mood for sleep. The subtle glow from a side lamp is best. Enough so that you don't crash into anything, but your body has started to count down to a good nights sleep.
Lee Brown is a professional designer with 15 years experience and co founder of interiordezine.com, a website dedicated to providing free interior design and decorating information.
http://www.interiordezine.com
For your free interior decorating course visit
http://www.interiordezine.com/index.cfm/Products/interior_decorating_ecourse
For more information on bedroom design visit bedrooms.interiordezine.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Brown
Design Your Home Sweet Home by Yourself With Your Design Theme Choice
There are a few questions must be provided before you start to design your home:
1. What is your home design theme do you want? modern minimalist, art deco, resort, transitional or ethnic contemporary?
2. What is your most favorite color do you like?
3. Any specific needs of your family member for their room? For example, your son has so many toys at his room, so he needs some cabinet or display to keep.
4. And the important thing is, how many budget do you have to redesign your home? This will determine everything.
Modern minimalist is the most favorite design theme that people like. Because it is simple , clean look, easy to maintain and no need a lot of furniture. I think for 3-5 years from now, people still will like it. And because it is simple style, so no need many colors to use. But, the important thing is, you must careful with the size of material will be used ( must be accurate and suitable with the lay out of the room , so will look nice ).
But, for some persons, they prefer like a transitional design. What is transitional design? It is combination of contemporary style and traditional ( ethnic ) style.
Transitional design is a brilliant new take on an old thought. The combination is fast becoming the decorating style of choice for many who are ready for a change. Embracing the comfort of traditional design with the stylish looks of contemporary design, consider pairing traditional-looking furnishing with contemporary fabrics like ultra suede or chenille.
Transitional decorating represents a kind of compromise between contemporary and traditional decor, a halfway point in which the subtle elegance of contemporary styles meets the comfort and familiarity of traditional styles.
Similarly, some of the sleek lines and stark minimalism that define contemporary decor are replaced by the gentle curves, coziness, comfort, and lived in appeal of traditional decor in the transitional interior.
And how about art deco style? Art deco style is almost same with the modern minimalist style but the colors more blowing and appears. Usually colors used are red, orange, yellow, blue and purple. But sometimes black and white color also can be used, depends on the color theme.
Art deco usually come with wall art painting ( with blocks, squares and stripes design ) in variety and mixed colors. For myself, I rather prefer this style. Why? Because, I like the colorful of the art painting and it looks modern and young.
And do you know about the ethnic style? Ethnic style is mixed with javanese and balinese style from Indonesia. Many people from European like this style. Especially with the balinese style. Yes, it is unique, and not everybody can do the design. For the materials also not easy to find. Just in tropical country can provide, such as coco husk for feature wall or the special woods from Bali. And chiefly, the home accessories such as coconut bowl, wood plate, plants for indoor or outdoor and many thing else not easy to provide as well. But, do not worry, nowadays, many stores online can provide these items. You can buy from them by online and they will deliver to you directly.
Home furniture admirably important for home designing decision. If every materials ( carpentry works, home accessories, lighting, tiles, painting colors and others ) used are already suitable with the design theme but if the furniture not appropriate, it will look awful.
So, you have to learn more about the furniture style properly before you start to design your cozy home sweet home.
For further information of home designing, you can visit to my web, http://www.designhomefurniture.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Wang
Designer's Guide to Choosing the Right Bed For Your Bedroom
Things to look for are:
1. Size. Think about where you are going to put your bed. Does it need to fit through narrow doors or go up narrow stairwells? Measure it to ensure you can get it into your home and then that it will fit in your bedroom. Sounds simple but it can be an expensive mistake if overlooked!
2. Support. Try out the mattress, lie on the bed in the store, take your time and try different positions. Ensure you feel supported, that the bed is not too soft or too hard. You will need to spend quite a bit of time doing this- take a book with you and leave the kids at home!
3. Comfort. Is it warm to lie on? It may have a wool topper that makes it feel soft and cosy. Get someone to lie beside you, ask then to move around and toss and turn to see if it upsets your side of the bed. You want to both be able to have an undisturbed lights sleep.
4. Design. Something that often sways out decision the wrong way is what it looks like! As a designer I know it is important, but not as important as what you lie on! Find the mattress first, then look at the bed head and matching furniture. Don't let design get in the way.
5. Price. Beds vary greatly in price and so does the quality. Most mattresses will last for 10 years but you should start checking for wear and tear after five years. The price does often reflect the quality of the beds structure and the mattress materials. So spend as much as your budget will allow remembering that you do spend a third of your life in bed! I know sometimes it doesn't feel like it but averaged out over your lifetime it is a great deal of lying down, so best be comfortable!
Main Types of Beds
Spring Base or Boxed Base Beds
These have large coil springs in the base and are boxed in. the spring mattress then sits on top. This style of bed has been popular but is losing its status, as it tends to sag in the middle over time and is heavy and cumbersome to move in the bedroom and clean around. It also doesn't allow for any under bed storage- vital in small apartment bedrooms.
Flexi-slat Base
This is becoming a popular choice of bed as it allows for air movement under the mattress, leaves space for under bed storage, has adjustable slats to personalise the support of the bed and is easy to get in and out of small apartments or through narrow stairwells as the base comes apart and can be reassembled. It is easy to clean around and the bed will never sag in the middle due to the style of slat construction- a support strut through the centre of the bed. Ensure you love the design of the bed head, as this is usually part of the bed construction and will be expensive to alter at a later date.
Solid Base
Not recommended as an everyday base as there is no movement, it doesn't breathe and is very hard to lie on it generally used as a spare bed in a guest room as it is usually an economical price for a bed. Solid slats are available and a better option.
Main Types of Mattresses
Spring Mattress
Most mattresses use coil springs. They vary by the spring size and their configuration and packing: the springs are wrapped in cotton and then covered with wool or latex. The amount of padding varies and defines the comfort level.
The topping of the mattress varies and is either wool or latex. You can purchase additional toppings to enhance the comfort level of the mattress. The mattress is covered in a breathable fabric and often has airholes for ventilation.
Latex Mattress
Latex is a natural product but is also produced synthetically. The latex is manufactured with a series of small holes. It feels unusual to lie on if you have come from a spring mattress as it is firmer and has less movement. It is a cost effective mattress as latex is very strong and durable and lasts for a long time.
Memory Foam
I just tried this out last week- it feels really bizarre. It was supportive and had no "sound", no movement and was very solid to touch. The foam was invented by the space programme and is relatively new on the market. It has a high price point but like latex is very durable and has a long life expectancy.
Foam Mattress
A simple, synthetic foam mattress is ideal for a trundler bed, spare bunk bed or as a throw down on the floor mattress for visiting kids. However, it isn't very supportive and doesn't breathe so is not recommended for everyday sleeping.
So now you are armed with basic bed knowledge you can go and quiz the sales people at the bed store to find yourself the perfect bed.
Lee Brown is a professional designer with 15 years experience and co founder of http://www.interiordezine.com - a website dedicated to providing free interior design and decorating information.
For your free interior decorating course visit free interior decorating course Find more information on bedroom design.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Brown
Where Do Granite Slabs Come From?
Granite is quarried across the world with the major part being imported to the United States is from India, Brazil, Italy, China and some parts of Africa. It is from the quarries that the granite is excavated in the form of large blocks. The blocks could be 20 feet in length, 10 feet in height and more than 10 feet wide, blocks do not have to be a standard size, at times blocks could be much larger, up to 50 feet in height.
These granite blocks are then cut using the sophisticated and modern state of the art machinery, making easier the transportation of these blocks to the stockyards. Further, in the stockyard the granite blocks are sawed to get the desired thickness of slabs. These granite slabs are checked for fissures and surface pits by the resin process. Then granite slabs are subjected to polishing with abrasives and diamond wheels which brings out the beauty of texture, pattern and the color in the granite.
The granite slabs are then stacked together into various categories, based on color and thickness, and dispatched to the importers or the local warehouses per their requirements.
Marble City Company is the leading and largest importer of granite slabs in the Bay Area, California.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R_Govindan
Netsuke Designers - Artistically Expressive
Starting out so innocently by the means of quintessential needs of the Japanese, the small Netsuke toggles were first made only for holding in the personal belongings around their waists, while going throughout their average day. Since the Japanese traditional dress of Kimonos did not have pockets, there were pouches, or small woven boxes worn around the waists by most of the Japanese culture, so to carry along their coins, medicines, tobaccos and so forth, while going about their daily routines. It was the small 1-inch size toggle that kept the personal items from falling out of the personal carrying device.
In a closed society that was not allowed to be freely expressive, the Netsuke toggle soon became a way of quiet individual expression that could be worn. These Netsuke creations quickly became the ways of expressing all that was seen, desired and experienced during the daily lives of the average Japanese person. Not only were the Japanese Netsuke craftsmen personally being openly expressive and very individual with their highly detailed creations, but so were those that chose to wear the openly expressive Netsuke carvings.
Netsuke carvings would be based upon all of the different types of surroundings and actions of the natural world, such as animals above and below the seas, trees, and humanistic formations with and without animals intertwined, along with the fantasy realm of Japanese culture. Netsuke was and still is made today from some of the most precious natural resources around, such as various legal animal ivories, natural hard woods, hard ocean corrals, along with glass, and ceramic mixtures for making the delicately beautiful Netsuke art forms.
The Netsuke handcrafting designers and the collectors of today have continued to carry the history, tradition, the beauty and the passion for the love of Netsuke today, just as was felt by the original Japanese creators and collectors in the beginnings of Netsuke so many centuries ago within the Japanese culture.
Anita Satin Choudhary writes for Ivory and Art Gallery. Browse the gallery for unique collection of artifacts ranging from Netsuke to Bronze and Silver Art
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anita_Satin_Choudhary
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Bedroom Decorating Ideas - Turn Your Bedroom Into A Getaway!
Bedroom decorating ideas are everywhere. You can find inspiration in magazines, on television, in movies, and even in store displays and catalogs. What you have to do is decide what feel you want for your sleeping area. In most cases, you want a relaxing color. A bright red or yellow might not be the best idea. However, a deep maroon or a very light yellow might be all right. The idea is to make sure the color is relaxing to your eye and not energizing or bright.
There are other bedroom decorating ideas you can consider. If you don’t want to paint, you can choose to go with wallpaper. There are many from which to choose, and what you choose should be to your taste, but again, not bright or noisy. Look for something soothing, elegant, and easy on the eyes. You can find unique wallpaper designs by shopping around. You may not know what you are looking for, but don’t let that stop you. You will know what you like when you see it.
You can also watch home improvement shows like Trading Spaces, or television networks like HGTV to get bedroom decorating ideas. The options are endless, and you may end up feeling overwhelmed. Once you have found three or four ideas you have fallen in love with, turn the television off. If you have too many choices, you will end up having a hard time narrowing it down. Don’t let your selection of bedroom decorating ideas get the best of you.
If you can’t decide and don’t know what to do, you can ask with an interior designer to get bedroom decorating ideas. They will charge you a consulting fee, but it may be well worth it when you really want to do it yourself, but you have no idea where to begin. You can give them a general idea of what you want, and they can design something to fit the space you have, with the look you are looking for. They know how to mix and match colors, patterns, and ideas to make the perfect sleeping space for you.