February 04, 2008
Square glass vase
Don't take away from the natural color of your fresh cut flowers. They should really be put in a clear glass square vase for the proper effect. The vase size is a perfect 4 1/2 inch square and 15 inches high, this is a good glass size for long stemmed flowers. The leaf etching on the sides will perfectly compliment any flowers you place in it.
Buy from vasesglaoreThis tall glass table vase is a square shaped vase which flows down onto a thick round base. It is opaque with clear large leaf etching which will really make your flowers look stunning. This clear glass vase is made in Poland and is perfect for a dining room table or an end table in the living room.
December 22, 2007
Cheap waterford lismore crystal
The Lismore pattern was created in the 50's by Mirek Havel. In 2005 Waterford updated the pattern by creating beautiful diamond shaped vases. These crystal vases from Ireland all have the beautiful cut pattern by lismore.
Some collectors do say that these are cheap waterford crystal as far as collecting expensive crystal goes. We admit the price from our supplier is rather cheap, which is a bonus for you. They are still made of the high grade crystal that you have come to expect.
The rare beauty of these waterford flower vases comes when you display a single flower or 3 in the larger crystal vase.
The benefit of displaying only a flower or two allows you to better show the colors of the flower, combining with the beautiful crystal pattern.
The 9 inch vase is an elegant way to display the beauty of a single flower. By combining the simplicity of a bud vase with the intricate detailing, Waterford captures the beauty of displaying a single flower in a vase.
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Posted on 04:59 PM | Details | Comments (0)May 02, 2007
Scented pillar candles
Illuminate your home with this fragranced pillar candle
Candles have alway been one of the nicest accessories that you can use to decorate your home. The bonus is that the scented candles have great stress relieving properties. Fragances have been use for hundreds of years in aromatherapy to help people feel more relaxed and stress free.
If you want to use a scented candle like the vanilla scented one featured here, be sure that the fragrance doesn't clash with other scents in the room. The aroma from Potpourris sometimes don't mix well with the scent that you have chosen. Cinnamon scented candles go well in a kitchen.
Illiminations - Vanilla Bourbon Scented Candles
Floating candles are the best choice to use in a glass bowl as a centerpiece for a dining or coffee.
For more on scented candles you can visit our main page on jar candles, pillar, scented and floating candles.
Posted on 10:54 PM | Details | Comments (0)April 18, 2007
Metal wall decor
Metal wall decor and wall sculptures - treat this type of home decor as if it were art
Each room has it's own personality and normally what looks good on a living room wall may not be something that you want hanging in the family room. Metal Wall
decor can transcend this problem when you are decorating. Most wall accents or furnishings can broken down into two main categories formal and informal designs. Wrought iron wall decor can be both which makes it a good accent choice to decorate with.
wrought iron wall decor can add a whole new level to your decorating.
In your front hallway a hanging wall mirror with a metal frame can make this area seem to be much bigger than it really is. (
just make sure the door doesn't swing into it.) For the dining room wrought
iron wall decor seems to be catching on with a lot of interior designers.
Wrought iron wall decor in the shape of a clock can be a quite striking display on any wall, go to this page if would would like to see more about iron and other metal wall clocks.
Wall decor ideas that are interesting and unique
Vases and metal wall sculptures that are small enough to place on wall shelving are very eye catching when shown about eye level in a living room. For the average person this would be around 5 feet 10 inches any higher up the wall and people are liable to miss it because they have to glance upwards.
If you are buying small bronze sculptures as part of your wall collection, the shelving you choose to display these on can make a big difference in how it looks. A traditional accent piece may look better on a wood shelf that is straight, other than say a collection of modular shelving.
Posted on 12:45 AM | Details | Comments (0)February 25, 2007
Ceiling fans with lights
Ceiling fans with lights are not just to cool you down in the summer but also to keep you warmer in the winter
Fans do double duty when it comes to proper air flow in the summer and winter, this is generally a good way to keep a large rooms temperature even. Change the direction of the fan in the winter time and you will circulate the warmer air by the ceiling downwards to keep you more comfortable.
Click here to view all Ceiling fans
For other light needs in your home you can get more ideas about home lighting fixutres here or go back to our main site page about home decor.
A good choice for a home in a hot climate for a ceiling fan is the tropical fan style which really looks great if you have a solarium or a lot of plants in the room. There are even outdoor ceiling fans for the patio for those days where it is very hot and no wind to cool you down. Now you can create your own and be more comfortable out of doors.
Ceiling fans come in a variety of sizes from 38 inches to a whopping 60 inches. If you are going with the larger size just make sure the room you are installing it in is large enough. And please be careful if you are placing a fixture in a bedroom and there is a bunk bed in the room. ( measure to make sure the ladder and top of bunk are not too close to the fan blades.) For replacing the light bulb or to see which type of bulb you should be using in your ceiling go to this page about halogen light bulbs.
If youwant to create a draft when you have a window open, set your ceiling fan to pull the air upwards and it will draw air into the room from the window. If the fan is pushing air downwards you will be forcing air out the window and if there is no breeze outside then ou are not getting fresh air.
Posted on 09:08 AM | Details | Comments (0)February 18, 2007
Decorating a home with pets
One area that we haven't talked much about is what about your home decor and pets.
It would be a shame to decorate a room living room or family room with nice furnishings only to have your family pet ruin it by coming in the home all wet and dirty. You dont want to have an ugly old blanket for your pet to lie on if you have new furnishings or expensive flooring.
What you can buy now is designer pet beds and designer pet blankets for your dog or cat. They can be expensive sometimes so have listed a site call www.pmapered-pet-supplies.com that offers information and a way for you to buy discount pet supplies.
If ou have a small dog you are most fortunate because you can get a designer dog crate that will fit under an end table so that it is out of the way. I know some people don't like to crate their dogs but it is the most pet friendly thing you can do. Because my little dog hates to be sent to another room when we have company and causes more of a problem there than he would in the room, I leave the door off the small dog crate ( I use a soft crate that the colors match my couch and floor) so that he can go in and out when he wants if things get too noisy for him. I have his favorite dog blanket in there so he feels quite secure and comfortable.
Posted on 10:06 PM | Details | Comments (1)February 13, 2007
Plan for spring decorating
If you are house bound it would be a good idea to start planning your next decorating project.
First take notice over the next few weeks while there is still snow around and you cant get out of the house to work in your garden, of where people are hanging about in your home. Which room seems to be the most popular and why.
As you go room by room pay attention to details. What people are doing, where they are sitting and how they are interacting between each other. This will give you an idea on what you need or what you should take away from the room.
If people are turning on more lights than you would like this is a clue that you have a lighting problem and need to update or add a lamp or two.
If your accent tables are always cluttered with magazines, books and coffee cups this is an indication that your coffee table is too small or not in the right position. It may be too far away from your couch to be useful.
In the kitchen if you notice that your kitchen chairs are being pulled out and not put back into place under the table, it could mean that you need kitchen counter bar stools for people to sit at.
In the family room or tv room are your kids arguing that someone is always in the way when others are watching tv. This is an indication that your tv or your couch and chairs are in the wrong position. The traffic should be behind this furniture.
To get other decorating ideas go to the main section of our site and read more decorating ideas and to see which home furnishings would benefit your household.
Posted on 07:56 AM | Details | Comments (0)January 20, 2007
Wall hangings
What to do with a large blank space on a wall.
Decorating large walls with something unique other than using wallpaper is modern choice that most decorators would choose. One of the main home decor items that is ideal for this situation is a wall hanging. A wall tapestry is usually what most people would like to hang.
Some times people will use a particularl nice persian area rug, but the problem with these are they are a little heavy and are harder to hang. A tapestry on the other hand is made just for this purpose and can be hung on a tapestry rod that is designed for this purpose.
The average size that you want to use is about 2 feet by 3 feet, whcih is good for most sized walls in living rooms and dining rooms. If you have a very large wall with a lot of blank space you can use two or three to make a displa like wall art. Our main site has more information about different wall hangings here.
If you want ideas for decorating a nursery wall this site here has some good ideas in wall hangings.
Posted on 11:15 PM | Details | Comments (0)January 18, 2007
Home decor stores
These are specialty home decor stores that have a wide selection in traditional, modern, contemporary furniture and home decor accessories. If you want something unique and interesting to go in your home, finding a store that specializes in unique furnishings is half the battle.
We have hand picked these stores from our customers favorite places to shop. Most of our shoppers are decorating by room so they wanted a home decor store that would cover all kinds of home decor.
This as we found out didn't really work because not all stores can carry everything and this left out the more interesting furnishings that people wanted. That is why we decided just to have a list of the most popular choices for finding home decor and home furniture online.
Kitchen stools and bar stool sets
Find a rather large selection of barstools, home bar furniture, pub tables, bistro sets, breakfast tables, beverage carts, serving trays and wine racks. This online furniture store offers beautiful bar furniture from Powell Furniture, Hillsdale House Furniture, Holsag, Grace Collection, Unique Fusion, Victory Land, Wine Cellar Innovations and Winsome Wood.
Glass and wood coffee tables
This store carries coffee tables, cocktail tables, coffee table ottomans, as well as matching end tables and console tables.
Bedding including sheet sets and duvet covers
Bedding and More offers the world's largest selection of sheet sets, duvet covers, luxury bedding, and crib bedding. Browse hundreds of colors, styles, thread counts and fabrics.
Cookware, bakeware and kitchen accessories
Cookware Essentials offers a big selection of cookware, bakeware, barware and kitchen furnishings. Buy nonstick pans or stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and ceramic cookware and bakeware.
Modern Furniture
Modern furniture selections include sofas, beds, coffee tables, bar stools, wine and bar furniture, teak dining sets, clocks and modern rugs.
Wall clocks, mantel clocks and grandfather clocks
The best variety of grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks and other home timepieces. CSN Clocks offers a wonderful selection of clocks from manufacturers including Howard Miller, Ridgeway, Seth Thomas and Movado.
Lamps and lighting fixtures
Here you find an extensive selection of lamps, lanterns, hanging pendants, ceiling fans, wall sconce lighting and chandeliers. CSN Lighting carries a full line of home lighting fixtures from manufacturers like Quoizel, Murray Feiss, Kichler, Sea Gull, Progress, Hinkley and Westinghouse.
Wall mirrors for home decorating
CSN Mirrors offers the best selection of mirrors available online. We carry wall mirrors, floor mirrors, cheval mirrors, dresser mirrors in all styles and sizes. With the hundreds of options of the industry's best brands to choose from, our vast array of mirrors is sure to meet your needs.
Area rugs for any room in your home
Complete your home decor by decorating your floors with area rugs ranging from traditional to contemporary styles in a variety of sizes, textures and colors.
Garage storage shelving, racks and systems
Storage solutions for any garage! Extensive selection of garage storage sets, garage storage racks, bike racks, workbenches, tool chests, peg-board hutches & cabinets, tool chests and sports equipment racks.
Garden sheds for secure outdoor storage
Vinyl sheds to coated steel sheds, we have the storage shed you're looking for. Garages, some large enough for two cars or compact sheds just the right size to store your gardening tools, you'll find them at CSN Sheds. Cover a car, boat, RV, tractor or even a party with our outdoor tents. This company is offering free shipping on these items.
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Posted on 03:52 PM | Details | Comments (2)January 13, 2007
Blank wall spaces
Large or small blank wall spaces have always been a little hard to decorate. You don't want your walls to look too busy or it takes away from the rest of your decor.
What you need is something that is unusual or unique but doesn't jump out at you when you enter the room. There are many ideas you can use wall clocks, art glass and framed artwork. Some wall decor items might need a decorative shelf to sit on, while others can be hung, like wall tapestries.
To give you a few interesting home decor ideas you can go to this page on our main site about wall decor.
My favorite for games room wall or in a room that has mexican decor for furnishings are aztec and mexican masks that are hung just above eye level to so feel like you are being looked at. With a wall mirror directly across on anither wall you get a very striking look.
Posted on 03:10 PM | Details | Comments (0)Blank wall spaces
Large or small blank wall spaces have always been a little hard to decorate. You don't want your walls to look too busy or it takes away from the rest of your decor.
What you need is something that is unusual or unique but doesn't jump out at you when you enter the room. There are many ideas you can use wall clocks, art glass and framed artwork. Some wall decor items might need a decorative shelf to sit on, while others can be hung, like wall tapestries.
To give you a few interesting home decor ideas you can go to this page on our main site about wall decor.
My favorite for games room wall or in a room that has mexican decor for furnishings are aztec and mexican masks that are hung just above eye level to so feel like you are being looked at. With a wall mirror directly across on anither wall you get a very striking look.
Posted on 03:10 PM | Details | Comments (0)November 14, 2006
small rug cleaners
The little green machine is one of the better spot removers for rugs, carpets and even car upholstery that I have used. This little steam cleaner works really well and saves you a lot of money by not having to rent a big carpet cleaner or spend all that time on your knees scrubbing a stain.
Bissell has a deep cleaning machine to fit any budget and any need. Hand steam cleaners, deep carpet cleaning machines from uprights to compact or canister carpet cleaners and vacuums. Most carpet stains can be removed easily if you have a Bissell carpet cleaning machine on hand and use it fairly quickly.
The bissell deep heat and clean is the only upright deep carpet cleaner with an on-board heater to heat hot tap water up to 25 degrees hotter for continuous maximum cleaning performance. The other features are scotch guard protector - twist and spray for extra protection against dirt and tough stains to keep your rugs clean twice as long as before. Dirt lifter power brush lifts out deep-down dirt and gently grooms carpet for professional-style results. Bissells perfect pass system electronically monitors your speed for optimal cleaning performance.
I just bought the little green machine and I have to tell you it does a great job. I used it on the couch and it worked great, After that I was so impressed I used it to clean the carpets in my car. What I liked best about this product, it was very light weight and could be moved around without any effort. The tank held enough water and cleaner to get many spot jobs in a couple of different rooms. I did have to use the right cleaning products for a couple old tough marks on the carpet.
October 14, 2006
What is Feng Shui in decorating
You here a lot about feng shui decorating these days. I am not sure I buy into the whole philosophy of this type of decorating but I do believe they are sound decorating principles to follow, they do make sense. Feng shui is not a decorating style. Rather, it is a discipline with guidelines that are compatible with many different decorating styles. Basically it is arranging your furniture according to how it looks and feels when you enter a room. Round curves and symmetry are important as is not blocking an entrance or doorway with clutter. You want to create a welcoming atmosphere that gives people a good feeling in tune with nature. If you are going to use this type of discipline to decorate your home you should use in all rooms.
Posted on 01:57 PM | Details | Comments (0)September 25, 2006
Feng Shui and your home
Feng Shui is decorating your home for calm stress free living and is all about using forms with furniture arrangements that create harmony with nature. Its using circular tables and arched doorways, arrangeing your furniutre in matched pairs or groupings of three, six or nine. It is about balance having an order without being obvious.
Feng shui is not a decorating style. Rather, it is a discipline whose guidelines are compatible with many different decorating styles.
If you are using these principals in decorating do it slowly and in small chunks at a time. Fengshui decorating really is a unique way to arrange your furnishings so that they appear to be more inviting and comfortable. I am not one to get into the whole balance or spritual sense of the word but it does have strong decorating values. For instance if you where arranging furniture with a feng shui order you would not put a couch in the center of a room with the back facing the entranceway. This would be blocking your sense of welcoming into a livingroom. This is the sort of thing that I am talking about when I mention feng shui. Start in small chunks at a time at then move to the ajoining area so that everything will flow together in the room. Move things around and then wait a day or two to see how you fell about it. What you will notice lets say in the living room is after a few days of decorating that certain things in the room will look out of place or not in harmony with what you have done.
This what you are trying to achieve. Now move to the area that catches your eye or to the part of the livingroom that seems to be out of sync or place with what you have done. Change it to balance out the area you like and then move into another section of the room. If you are trying to create a feng shui bedroom the principles are the same with only subtle differences.
Posted on 09:04 AM | Details | Comments (0)September 13, 2006
Choosing a fireplace and material
Fireplaces where always used as a main source of heat and one of the most popular options or decorative features in most homes. Today they are used more as a decorative accent for in the home and now are being used outdoors. The trend seems to be heading towards outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas. In additon to keeping you warm on chilly nights, people are starting to use outdoor fireplaces as pizza and tandoori ovens.
If you are installing a new indoor fireplace or remodeling the old one take the time to choose the perfect surround and mantle so it will become the focal point of the living room or bedroom. Choose the style that fits your home if you have a modern styled home you don't want something that reminds you of the victorian area.
Choose your material: Stone facings andd dimensions and are also safer than wood or resin surrounds. But stone is expensive and can be hard to work with requiring speciial tools which adds to the cost, manufactured stone is a little cheaper and a lot lighter to work with.
Start your selection by setting a budget before you head out to shop. Remember that less weight usually means cheaper costs, because of less labor, shipping costs and quicker completion times.
For outdoor fireplaces make sure the material can with stand harsh weather like snow and rain, cement, brick and stone are usually a favorite here. You can take on this project yourself but if you are using natural stone indoors it would be best in the long run to have a professional do the work. If you are lucky enough to be using an interior designer they can help you choose your materials otherwise your local lowes or home depot sales people are very helpful.
September 11, 2006
Easy decorating ideas
Here are a few easy decorating ideas that many interior decortators use when helping someone remodel their home.
Easy Create a sense of space by displaying artwork to enhance a rooms character. It doesn't matter if your tastes are contemporary or traditional or if you prefer paintings, sculptures or photographs that you have taken. Well placed artwork does have a huge impact on your living space.
If you have a flat ceiling with an attic above you can add height and volume to a room by opening up the ceiling. If you don't want to take on this larger project, you can get somewhat of the same effect by adding an archway, new doorway or a sky light.
Spend money on good decorative lighting. Just remember that you don'e light the middle of a room. Keep lighting towards the outer areas of a room so you create indirect light.
To make your walls look higher use full height wall panels, to make your room look wider cut these in half or use wainscotting.
Don't decorate each room as an individual entity. Well designed spaces flow together as a unit. For example repeat your flooring and funiture arrangements that are a feature in one room or in adjacent outdoor space so the remolded or renvated space looks and feels like a larger space. Continuity and flow contribute to a well decorated home that flows together.
You can make a connection beteween an indoor living area and the outdoor garden by bringing in natural light. If you have a waterfeature or display garden you could add a large window or french doors to connect this view to your home. If not a skylight can also create a a striking affect by bringing in natural light.
Posted on 09:39 AM | Details | Comments (1)August 25, 2006
Preparing for the fall season
Early september is the best time to inspect and prepare your homes interior and exterior for the fall and winter season. One change that usually slips everyone's mind is to change the direction of your cealing fan so that it creates an upwards draft so the warm air recirculates down from the ceiling area.
Exterior home inspection tips:
Look for loose or peeling pain and touch this up.
Check windows for drafts and seal with silicone.
Clean gutters before the rainy season.
Make sure your garage door seals tight to the cement to stop cold drafts and mice from looking for a winter home.
Interior home inspection:
Check and repair any furnace problems, replace air filters on any forced air systems.
Vacuum the baseboard units for electrical heat.
If you live in a very dry climate in the winter make sure you have a humidifier.
Inspect and clean your firelplace.
Put away all your spring and summer tools in an organized way into your gaden shed or garage.
Out in the garden:
Rake up all the leaves and keep grass as short as you can.
Fertilize the lawn with a winter food.
Mark on your calender when you will service your lawn mower and change its oil.
Cut back plants that are going to need it and cover with a mulch.
Feed your roses for the last time.
Check your water system for weak spots.
Turn your compost over and airate.
gardening, interior home inspection, exterior home inspecton, yard work, home repairs,
Posted on 03:04 PM | Details | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)August 14, 2006
Interior design courses for beginners
Interior design is one of the fastest growing industries today. The benefit of this industry is that it also allows people that want to start a work at home business to learn right from their home by taking online workshops. These beginner workshops from blackboardarts.com are fun and educational at the same time. They are excellent
courses for beginners just starting out and for people already working in the industry. They would be particularly useful for people interested in working in the interior design or home renovation industry.
Taking the advertising and interior design workshop would look good on anyones resume that wanted to work in an import store catering to home decor or even a paint and wallpaper store. These are excellent places to start gathering hands-on experience if you are thinking of becoming an interior design consultant or working for someone that is.
Blackboardarts.com not only offers interior design workshops for beginners but complimentary beginner courses in Photography, Jewlery Making, writing courses, advertising and graphic design. This is an ideal setting for women that have been working hard at home and want enter the workforce again. These online educational workshops can help you gain enough knowledge to confidently apply for a job or simply broaden your own horizons in the arts.
Posted on 10:04 AM | Details | Comments (0)July 25, 2006
Decorating a home office
If your are going to decorate a home office pay particular attention to your colors and the amount of light it gets.
Making a home office in a basement corner with no windows will affect how you feel and ultimately affect how much work you are going to get done. I fit is dark and dismal you will be coming out of there more often to take a break.
Decorate your walls with light and bright colors and hang a few outdoor pictures on the walls. Place your desk near a window if possible with a blind that you can angle to keep bright sun out of your eyes. Winter moneths and rainy days are the hardest days to feel comfortable in if you use earth tone colors through out your office decor.
If your small home based business recieves clients now and then a bright airy feeling to a room is very important for your customers to feel at ease. You can do this simply by placing a few flowers around the room. A coffee machine and water cooler will also help.
Posted on 10:53 AM | Details | Comments (0)July 16, 2006
Common Causes of Allergies
Allergies come in many forms. The most common causes of allergies are the particles in the air. Hay fever is the most common allergic disease. Allergy symptoms include itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny, stuffy or itchy nose and fatigue. The symptoms are a lot like cold symptoms but they usually last longer. Dark circles under the eyes or postnasal drip may also accompany hay fever. You can often discover the cause of an allergy by noting when symptoms occur. Symptoms that occur at the same time each year especially during spring and early summer or fall are often caused by tree, grass or weed pollen. Allergies that persist all year long may be due to dust, mites in household dust, cock-roaches, mold spores, or pets and their bedding. They also seem to run in families. Parents with hay fever often have children with allergies. Hay fever may develop in children but is more common in teens and adults.
A few people have severe allergies to insect stings or to certain foods or drugs, especially antibiotics such as penicillin. For these people the allergic reactions is sudden and severe and may cause breathing difficulty and a drop in blood pressure which is call anaphylactic shock.
This type of reaction is a medical emergency and prompt care is needed. if you have ever had a sever allergic reaction your doctor may suggest that you carry an epinephrine syringe designed for giving yourself a shot that will decrease the severity of the reaction. If you have had an allergic reaction to a food or drug wear a medical alert bracelet that will tell health professionals about your allergy in case you cannot.
June 24, 2006
Other sites to search
I ran across this site called LS Blogs. It is a very good resource to find other decorating tips and ideas.
I found it very easy to use, all you need to do is type your topic in the seach bar and it takes you to the information page that you need.
The other thing I liked about lsblogs is that you are not limited to just home decor, if you have any other interests the owners of this blog site have added other topics that are most interesting to people.
The main thing is that it is not flooded with ads and is information based.
June 08, 2006
Outdoor Reception Decor
Having a party outdoors or some other type of reception requires very careful planning. The weather will be a huge factor in what type of decorations or outdoor decor you will buy.
Start with your general theme and then work from there. Two main features that you will need are: lighting usually in the form of lanterns and a main area structure. If you are using your patio then an arbor or trellis is a good addition. Water fountains are always popular and can be quite inexpensive. It will be the little decorations that will make a lasting impression at your reception.
Tabletop decor, windchimes, lanterns, welcome signs, door decor and wall decor, you will find all these and at SohoDecor: they provide the best garden decor and ornaments for your to impress your visitors at your next reception.
Popular small items are cute wine glass charms that tell your guest which glass is theirs. These cute designs will be a great conversation piece and leave them asking "Where can I get some?" Get any party started when you present the hostess with a gift of wine, sparkling cider, perfume or spiced oil adorn with our cute Hand Painted Metal Wine Bottle Charms. Glass Marble Flower vase in Large or small makes an elegant centerpiece or great vase for a unique way to give flowers to that special someone.
June 06, 2006
Mexican Home Decor
Decorating with an eye for unique and unusaual home decor requires only one thing. Knowing where to look. Mexican home decor creates a southwestern theme in our homes and can be quite striking. Shop for art glass, mexican area rugs, ceramics, garden and patio decorations and other items that you will find very interesting. Archaeological Replicas, Aztec Calendars, Masks, Mayan Replicas, Musical Instruments are only a few of the categories you will find here.
Go here to search for more Home decor from Mexico
Some items are original while others are replicas, in any case these featured artists works will set your home apart from your friends and families. Interesting conversation pieces are a must when you need to add a dispay piece in a room because it is needing just one more thing.
Mexican or Mayan hammocks are a big seller for people looking for relaxing outdoor furniture that is very comfortable.
Add an exotic flavor to your home and dare to be different with with mexican home decor.
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Posted on 11:03 AM | Details | Comments (0)May 24, 2006
Painting Myths
Because I am painting my home again these next few entries are going to be about painting your home.
Contrary to popular belief you can paint over oil or alkyd paint with latex paint. All you need to do is clean your walls that are to be painted with a acrylic primer, then the lateex paint can be applied. If you don't know if your walls have an oil base, go to the nearest paint store and see if they have a test kit. Or you can use methyl hydrate (gas line anti freeze for your car) or a non actone based nail polish remover.
Apply a small amountto a cotton ball and rub on the surface of the paint in question. If the surface remains shiny it is oil based if the paint color is stripped away it is latex. I have also heard if you take a small piece of paint that is peeling off and light a match to it, you can see if black smoke comes off it, which would mean a presence of oil base products.
Posted on 04:30 PM | Details | Comments (0)May 15, 2006
House painting and wallpaper
Color trends in home decorating especially house and wallpaper colors and in blinds and moldings are becoming bolder all the time. Contrast in window fashions is the common trend. This is where you need to concentrate and pick your colors for your walls or wallpaper first and then the blinds and window coverings.
Mixing black with white is a very bold and exciting choice. For the home, we see the black and white in tile, floors and in the foyer or the bathroom. Now you see that color combination in fabrics, wallpaper, and in accessories. Black and white are hot as well as bold black and white graphics. Having a white blind with a contrasted black shade or moldings can be very striking. When you mix touches of black in a colorful room, that black color is what your eyes will glance at. It becomes the transition color.
Red is another bold color when decorating a room. It ranges from a fuchsia to raspberry, from pink to lacquer-red or rose to cherry-red. It's perceived as a warm color. Many fine dining rooms are painted red because it creates warmth and a good feeling effect. Lighten the red to the deep pink and you might also love soft yellow, mixed with that pink and green.
Orange is also a popular color and can be a soft peach, ripe mango, tangerine, salmon or coral. You will find these colors in many prints from traditional to contemporary to tropical. Because orange is such a saturated color, many of you will be more comfortable using it in small doses because our eyes tire of that color first. We tend to balance this color with wood furniture and neutral earth tone colors. Color like terra cotta, sage green and creams are also nice and go well with the orange colors.
Posted on 10:37 AM | Details | Comments (0)May 13, 2006
Wall treatments and wallpaper materials
Wallcoverings that are made of paper coated with a thin layer of vinyl, looks like paper and not vinyl, so it lends an air of sophistication to light-use areas. Even those vinyl-coated papers that are washable can stain and tear more easily than other papers with vinyl content.
Textile wall coverings come in many colors and textures, from very casual to elegantly formal. They're usually made of cotton, linen, other natural plant fibers, or polyester, often bonded to a paper-type backing. Grass cloth is a traditional favorite among textile wall coverings; its threads can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or in a woven pattern.
Hemp, another textile, is similar to grass cloth but has thinner fibers. Wall coverings made of yarn and string (really thin yarn) have been surpassing grass cloth in popularity lately because they're often easier to install. For a rugged appearance, consider burlap, usually bonded to a backing. At the other end of the spectrum are the sophisticated moire silks and wall coverings featuring a flame stitch or a pattern printed over the dyed textile.
Some textiles require liner paper underneath; many should be installed only by a skilled paperhanger. Keep in mind that most textiles fray easily and are not washable, though most will accept a spray-on stain repellent.
More about wallpaper and wall coverings can be found here.
May 05, 2006
Home Air Cleaners
If you want a portable air cleaner, there are two kinds of cleaners on the market - small tabletop units and larger console units that can be moved from room to room. Small tabletop units will not provide many benefits in a large room but are ideal for small office areas if your work at home. Room sized air cleaners provide better cleaning in any room but not as much as an air cleaner designed for your whole house.
What your need to look for in portable air cleaners include is the clean air delivery rate, which is based on removal of smoke, dust, and pollen particles. The CADR refers to the amount of cubic feet of clean air delivered per minute.
The standard filter you use in your furnace is not designed to remove fine particles or all the dust. Use a replacement filter made of a pleated, paper like material to increase the efficiency or your furnace. They are easily purchased from hardware stores and are inexpensive, and provide modest, but improved filtering capability. These filters will block air flow as they accumulate dust, so they will need to be regularly checked and replaced every few months during operation (they only filter the air while the blower is operating). Some of these filters are made of a charged material (electret) to enhance particle capture.
Using a vacuum cleaner a lot just doesn't cut it. The air that is sucked up by the vacuum is blown back into the room, with a small amount of dust. In most cases it is the smallest of dust particles that are re-circulated into the air, that give allergy and asthma sufferers the most problems.
Posted on 10:36 PM | Details | Comments (0)April 08, 2006
Home Office Furniture
Home office furniture over the past several years has undergone great changes since the introduction of the computer in our lives. Employees working from their homes and small home businesses are becoming common to us all. Office furniture is a key part in this new era. To be able to operate properly we need to be equipped with a smooth flowing workspace.
Home office furnishings must meet the same needs as furniture in the office place and still be attractive as it may be visible as part of our home furnishings. Functional is key ingredient to buying this type of home furnishings. If hte work space is in a corner of the living room, try to choose something that will fit into your common decor so it won't look out of place. An armoir or hideaway computer station works well. Corner units can be made to fit most computer screens, with the main computer on the floor hidden away.
Many home offices are incorporated into living space used for other purposes as well. Wood wall clocks, folding book shelves, lights, desks and build your own furniture. Steel storage cabinets, safes, file carts, studio tables, desks and more.
April 05, 2006
Make your own Wall Mirrors
Oversized mirrors are one of the most popular home accessories found in homes today. They make interesting focal points in hallways and can make a small room space look much larger. The only drawback is that large wall mirrors that are least 5 feet high are very expensive. Be creative with your molding and buy 2 different sizes with the widest being on the outside so that it looks good resting on the floor. This is another way to reduce the hanging weight.
If you own a saw or know someone who does it is fairly easy to make a very decorative wall accent yourself. All you need is four pieces of baseboard molding, which you can purchase at any building supply store. Buy a mirror of the size you would like from a glass store, ( normally any auto glass outlet would have this). Next rough cut your moldings to at least 6 inches longer than you need. Before you put everything together double check your wall to see where you are going to hang it. Have someone mitre the ends like a door frame normally 45 degrees and then attach the moldings like a frame with square corners. You can use the mirror for this. There are different methods you can use to attach the mirror to the moldings - it is best to explain to the building supply store member what you are doing and they can tell you the best way to attach the mirror.
Read this befor buying a custom cut mirror
Large wall mirrors are very heavy so you will want to hang them on wall studs. Most homes are built with studs being 16", 18" and 24 inches. The reason you need to check this is to make sure your mirror frame will be positioned evenly across at least two studs. It just makes it easier at the end.
This idea was brought to you by www.decormotif.com
March 27, 2006
Where to Mount a Flat Screen TV
The most important start to finding a place to mount your new flat panel tv is to make sure your framing is strong enough to support the weight. You may have to add reinforcementsfor the heavy screens. If you have metal studs like in some new homes or offices you will need to add a bit of wood framing.
If the framing in your home won't allow you to do this then choose the alternative. You could also use a few tilting mounts to make it fit properly. This allows the flat panel screen to slide about a foot left or right of the obstruction. You will also need to think about how you are going to plug it in. If you are tearing out drywall do so in the area of a plug in then you can easily run the cable and cord inside the wall. To flush mount the tv make sure that you have proper ventilation to get rid of the heat buildup.
For a more elaborate installation a custom installer could set it into a tabletop so that it lifts out or they can install a drop down from the ceiling. Another option would be to custom alter an existing piece of furniture in the room, which would make it blend in a little bettter. Before you finish or even start don't forget about speaker placement and style.
March 24, 2006
Indoor Home Accessory
There is one interesting accessory for the home that most people do not think about, and that is bonsia trees. Thee small indoor trees are not very difficult to grow even for a beginner. They make a very interesting home accent and are very much appreciated as a house warming gift.
A bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant. It is any tree or type of shrub species that is growing but kept small by branch and root pruning. In theory any species could be used, although plants with small leaves and twigs would generally make a better bonsai. This would help to create the illusion of a larger tree in miniature. Properly maintained bonsai can have life spans, some over a hundred years old. It is a great form of relaxation and stress reduction. It is very exciting to see the vision we had of the plant take shape over time.
This dwarf Juniper from Japan is the most popular evergreen in the U.S. When we think of a traditional bonsai and what it should look like, we think of a "Juniper Procumbens Nana." They are very hardy, long-lived, and tolerate many adverse conditions. Trained in the traditional style, this Juniper Procumbens is popularly known as the "Karate Kid" tree.
If you would like to know more about bonsai trees or view the different selections you can find, even flowering bonsai and artificial trees - go here to - Starter Trees Under $30 and buy direct from the nursery
March 20, 2006
Cheaper Wall Treatments
What do you do if you are remodeling and you are just about ready to paint, but one wall is more work to get ready than you really want to do?
One easy way if the wall needs major work is to hide it with a curtain, which will also make an interesting room accent. What you would do is box in the perimenter of the wall with the same color of paint you will be using for the rest of the room. Paint at lest a foot and a half in from the four corners. Then when everything is dry hang a curtain rod near the ceiling, metal curtain rods are expensive so you could use a long piece of wood doweling from a lumber yard or a couple of shorter pieces with a center bracket.
Choose a fabric that is interesting and coordinates with the rest of your decor and then place a decorative finial at each end of the curtain rod to dress it up a bit.
Posted on 11:28 PM | Details | Comments (0)March 15, 2006
Vacuum Cleaners a Powerful Tool
One of the most imoportant tools we have in our homes is thse vacuum cleaner. This is especially true for peole with allergies, a household vacuum will pick up nearly all of the allergens that affect most people, pet hairs and dander, dust and pollen.
The selections rang from uprights, stick or broom styles to central vacuum systems. The latter becoming very popular because of it's high quality. Installations is releatively simple and the cost is comparative to highter priced cleaners. Think of it as an investment towards your families health.
The benefits include:
Convience because they eliminate the need to pack a heavy canister vacuum around the house, great for people with back problems.
Heathier air in the home because you do not recirculate dirty air back into the room which decreases the amount of dust and allerens in the air.
Power, most of these vacs have at least 4 to 5 times the power of a standard vacuum cleaner.
The noice level is much quieter.
Versatility, these machines come with all the attachments that portables have.
In a perfect world it would be nice to think of installing these when we first build a house or when starting major home rennovations. But the truth is that they can be installed in any home with only a few simple adjustments.
