March 01, 2008
Uncluttered Decorating
This is an article I was reading today and couldn't agree a more with it. Although I do publish information on home decor and decorating.
Decorating for the un-senses by Marni Jameson, For The Calgary Herald - Published:Saturday, March 01, 2008 she also has a book available - The House Always Wins
It starts out - Busy family homes need baking soda and soundproofing more than candles, soft throws and fountains. As a father of 5 teenagers at home I couldn't agree more. I really don't care if my kitchen is inviting me in, mind you if it did I figure it is possessed anyway.
As I help my wife in the kitchen (ok stop laughing now and lets just say thinking about helping) I realize its more about travel time and how many trips to the cupboard you have to take to get something. If you watch someone long enough doing a task even vacuuming you quickly see how much they are on their feet and how pretty little home accents just collect dust and get in the way.
The only real sensory feeling you need is what lots of bright light gives, thats what makes a room feel inviting and it doesn't matter if it's the bedroom, family room or kitchen or how expensive the decor is.
A home should be functional before anything else. Before you add anything in the kitchen you should ask yourself - will it save me time (cooking or travel). If it doesn't then look for something else. Let take pot racks for instance; if you have one hanging above the stove this can save you time from climbing in a cupboard for the pot you always use, but your kids seem to think it is supposed to be buried way in the back. This kitchen accessory is great if you have a sore back and can't bend as well anymore. You get the idea this is a useful item and can be very decorative at the same time.
Bedrooms need as little as possible to stay functional and organized, unless you enjoy clutter.Laminate floors with one area rug is the easiest to clean.
My thoughts (Marni Jameson broke it down like this)
Sight - A clean uncluttered floor adds a whole new dimension to a room.
Smell - If you like to use scented candles ( I don't allow them in my teenagers rooms). Choose a scent that is seasonal, spring, fall and Christmas time. Summer scents - well if you like the smell of cut grass go ahead on it.
Marni Jameson has a good idea listed in her article about noise. If you have a family room in the basement or a noisy bedroom beside you insulate the walls. You can have insulation blown in and this will keep the noise level down. Or buy all your kids mp3 players that only work with headphones.
The only point I disagreed on was "touch" the temperature in rooms. They should be kept on the cool side they usually heat up during the day anyway. My wife and daughters love soft blankets and pillows when watching TV. As long as the colors are co-ordinated with the other furnishings they will look good. What I had to do was add a blanket rack, because the throws were left just like that thrown on the couch.
For me food belongs on the kitchen counter unless you are entertaining or you have to make a special trip to the store at 10:00 o'clock at night because a few certain individuals seem to think you are only there to get them chocolate bars.
As far as bathroom lighting goes, the brighter the better. Side mirror lights are best, if you hear someone complaining about turkey neck. Having light shine from above a vanity creates a shadow under your chin and is not the best for putting on makeup. The most important part of lighting is not the design but the type
of light bulb you choose. I just want to add here that it is that time of year that we all should be out cleaning the garage. Treat this like you are decorating any other room in your home. You can read more about planning a garage storage area.
February 10, 2008
New color trend for 2008
Natural colors are going to be the new trend in homes for 2008 with green leading the way.
We are not taking about the standard color green. Environmentally friendly green incorporates shades of bleached shell, sand, stone and wood. This follows the trend of white which is not just one shade of white anymore.
Neutral colored area rugs will adorn floors, coffee tables and dining tables be made to look like real wood but be made of recyclable materials.
Anything that looks like it helps save the environment or at the least be kind to the environment will be big. This trend doesn't necessarily have to be enviro friendly just look that way. This prediction is from the Color Marketing Group they forecast color trends in interior designs.
Just in case you are worried about having a dull living room expect to see a lot of bright and bold colored accents and accessories. You won't need to spend a lot of money for this type of decor because there are many simple ways you can incorporate this design theme into your home.
Fashionable will be natural looking meaning anything that is handmade, un-dyed and unbleached. This is going to be big because people are tired of manufactures using too many chemicals in the finishing process.
Texture in your home is going to be an important when using a neutral color.
Natural imperfections are big in luxury home decor, so adding texture going to be an important addition when using neutral colored furnishings. You can do this by using natural fiber rugs like jute and neutral colored furniture slipcovers.
Accents of blue and green create a calming environment that people like to use, but this year consumers will be looking for bolder accent colors other than the blue and green mix.
Like we saw in the last Olympics in China and with the feeling of the global economy, the marketing group predicts hot hues will be sizzling in throws, pillows and other accents. Think of the colors of India, Asia, Africa and Latin America, rich reds, oranges, yellows and rosy pinks.
Vivid colors work well on accent walls, decorative vases which decormotif is also starting to offer in their selections of home accents. The splashy colors will add pizazz to a neutral room.
Who else is predicting colors trends for this year:
Trend spotters at the large New York based advertising agency JWT are thinking blue will replace green as the symbolic color of the environmental movement. Sky blues and deep navy already are showing up in home decor and products, even in the kitchen.
I noticed Martha Stewart is already is on to this trend with her Macy's line of light blue silicone bakeware. KitchenAid is producing light blue small appliances that are quite popular. KitchenAid products are particularly colorful, especially in its line of mixers that get put away in cabinets most of the time. Now they are being left on the countertop as a kitchen accent. This manufacturer is also starting to sell a lot of larger appliances in bronzes and coppers.
Stainless, chrome and nickel still are big, but expect to also see a warmer range of metallic finishes in everything from vases to refrigerators. Technological innovations are making a wider range of metallic finishes easier and less expensive to produce, says Larrabee of the Color Marketing Group. Expect to see more bronze-finished refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens that have already been on the market, but not yet widely available.
The Color Marketing Group gathers about 400 of its members each year to forecast color. It's serious business. Color can be up to 85 percent of the reason people decide to buy one product over another, the group said. Marketing folks from all manner of companies -- Cadillac to Kleenex to Thomasville Furniture -- gather each year to look at social, political and economic trends and events, and then translate those ideas into colors they think will be appealing to buyers.
Posted on 09:46 PM | Details | Comments (0)
November 02, 2007
Choosing a Christmas Tree
Your Christmas tree is the most important holiday decoration. The perfect Christmas tree can transform a living room or family room into a winter wonderland.
The size should be appropriate for the room it is going in. Trees look much smaller outdoors with the sky as the ceiling. Before you leave for the tree farm or your local retailer, measure your ceiling height accurately. Then subtract the height of your tree top ornament and the height that your tree stand will raise it off the floor. Now you have the height measurements you need, now for the width. If it is going in a corner, near tables or a sofa measure the distance between these objects to get the correct size.
If you are placing a real or live Christmas tree near a window or against a wall make sure it is not over a heat register. Direct sunlight and heat will dry it out faster. Live trees should not be touching a wall either, you can get pine pitch on your walls that is not that easy to clean.
Do a freshness test before you buy. Grab hold of a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Shake or bounce the tree on its trunk. You should not see an excessive amount of green needles fall to the ground. Some loss of interior brown needles is normal and will occur over the lifetime of the tree.
Keep your christmas tree looking and smelling fresh by following these easy tree care tips
Let the tree stay outdoors on a cool porch or garage, out of the rain, until you are ready to decorate. An area that provides protection from the wind will help the tree retain its moisture.
Before you set up your tree, make a fresh, straight cut across the base of the trunk (about an inch up from the original cut) and place the tree in the stand that will hold close to a gallon of water or more. Trees may soak up between 2 pints to a gallon of water per day – so make sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. Remember, a constant supply of water is essential to keep the tree fresh and the needles from drying and dropping off. It will also help the boughs in staying straight and your tree smelling great.
A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. If a seal does form, another fresh cut will have to be made. This is very hard to do if you have decorated your Christmas tree.
September 06, 2007
House flipping woes
"Flip This House" is a great TV show on the learning channel but is this a realistic option for the average person.
Not really, it seems far too many people today are thinking they can follow along and make a quick buck. The trouble is most people forget that this is a tv reality show based on ratings. And that they have many people all over the country looking for good deals. They may have looked at a thousand homes before picking one. The other problem is their cost is not going to be the same as yours. Some companies are probably not charging them for a lot of things because they get to advertise their products on tv for cheap. This lowers the developers expenses when buying the home that will be flipped.
Definition of house flipping: buying and renovating a house to sell for profit — A "flip" occurs when an individual purchases a home, remodels the home in a short period of time (anywhere from 3 weeks to 4 months) and then re-sells the home for a profit.
Many speculators are trying to buy up homes that are being foreclosed on and think they can resell for a profit just be applying a fresh coat of paint. This practice is now starting to overinflate housing prices and we (meaning the editors of decormotif.com) feel that is going to cause another real estate pricing downturn in the near future.
Putting on a fresh coat of paint and landscaping a front yard for higher curb appeal is something you should be doing anyway. Part of the problem is realators are adding fuel to the fire by telling people they can charge more for the home. In reality you are just bringing your home up to market value. Think about it, an agent is going to give you a high price quote so they get your listing. A house is rarely sold for the highest asking price. I have seen people setting an asking price only 10,000 lower than new homes in the area. Why would anyone pay that price when they can buy new for only an extra 100 bucks a month in mortgage payments.
True renovations require careful planning and should be down by professionals. It soesn't mean simply adding a new lino floor or painting the kitchen cabinets. Kitchens and bathrooms are the two main rooms that if done well will add value to your home. To renovate a kitchen you have to install new modern cupboards, new granite countertops and normally ceramic tile floors. This is going to cost anywhere up to 20,000 dollars. Bathrooms require you to install all new fixtures and finding a way to make the main bathroom larger, this can cost anywhere from 3 to 5 thousand dollars.
Another problem is if you find major structural damage in a home or even a mold problem you are legally bound to tell the prospective home buyer about it and that you had to fix it. Beleive me when I say this is going to lower the bid from any buyer.
Most prospective home buyers expect to see tile and laminate floors throughout except possibly the bedrooms, they won't pay extra for these features because they are considered standard today. Doing this will help you sell the home but not necassarily add a higher price.
This can cause many people to lose a lot of money and ruin their credit rating if they get into financial trouble because they took out a second mortgage to fip a house. For most people a safe and more realistic approach should be to buy a house that they feel can be improved on if it is in the right location and then live in it. Take the time to renovate it over the time span of a year and then sell, when they see a sellers market trend. Vacency rates in your local area are a good indication of this. If there are lots of homes and apartments for rent or to buy it is not a good time and you should wait it out.
With the mortgage meltdown happening now and will probably continue for the next six months to a year you need to be very careful.
Posted on 08:53 AM | Details | Comments (1)July 06, 2007
Being prepared for anything
Today I wanted to briefly touch on a subject that seems to becoming a major concern. Taking care of yourself and your family during a disaster, like a flood, earthquake or a terrorist act.
The federal goverment leading by example, shows that you will not get any help for at least 72 hours after something happens. The only one you can rely on is your family and you neighbors.
The problem is you won't be able to help anyone if you have no survival gear or equiipment stored away for the unexpected. These survival kits don't have to be elaborate or expensive just a few non perishable items and a few well thought out pieces of equipment.
Emergency lighting, solar radio and a cell phone are three such items that you can use whenever the power goes out. Even if it is only for a couple of hours. I even use mine when I go camping and pack with me when going on long hikes in the mountains.
To be prepared you need to consider the part of the country you live in and what types of emergencies or disasters have ocured in your state over the past couple of years.
It's no good to buy earthquake survival kits if you live in the midwest and have never had one. If your state is prone to hurricanes and floods, fresh water and emergency lighting may be all you need. Where someone living on the west coast may need a 72 hour survival pack with a bit of freeze dried food.
When winter storms can be a factor staying warm is a major concern, so a kit designed for your car are needed.
Around your home, outdoor solar lighing for pathways is a must for security reasons.
Keeping fresh water around the home isn't a problem for most people because many use bottled or purified water anyway.
The two most important items for all areas is first-aid and sanitation supplies, that will last for a minimum of 7 to 14 days. An evacuation kit that you can just pick up a go with a minute notice is also very important if your area is prone to fires.
You can get more information and find a company that specializes in this type of gear by clicking here and going to squidoo/emergencysupplies
Posted on 10:23 AM | Details | Comments (0)June 21, 2007
Does your home feel clean
Are you always cleaning your home because of dust and dirty windows?
It could be caused by indoor air pollution!
Having a nice home and furnishngs is nice but not if you have to constantly clean to keep it looking good and feeling clean. Indoor air pollution is the leading cause of allergies and dusty homes. It will leave a film on your widows, make you have to vaccum your carpets and clean you furniture much more than you should have to. Indoor air pollution will also fade your painted walls and ruin artwork that you have hanging on your walls.
Many times you will see ads for area rugs saying keep your floors cleaner by simply placing an area rug on the floor. This is true to a certain extent, they will catch large particles of dirt and sand coming into the house. The problem is they will also catch smoke, cooking fumes, pet dander and pollen that is the main cause of concern for allergy sufferes. The only way you can control any of these is with a home air purifier that uses a hepa filter.
These conditions can also play havec with your nasal passages. If you live in a dry climate and find you have a clogged nose most mornings or dry skin this can be eliminated with a room air cleaner and by using a humidifier. Opening a window for fresh air to help you sleep better just allows more dust and pollen to enter your home. These types of pollutants are very common if you live near a busy highway or if there is any construction going on within a mile of your home.
- Learn more about indoor air pollutionand how to control it here.
June 07, 2007
My son had an unauthorized party
I hope not too many parents out there have had to say that. You keep hearing these stories from friends and neighbors on how destructive some of these parties get. The problem usually is from uninvited guests that their so called friends have told. The damage to some homes can be in the thousands and normally when this happens the police are involved. Luckily for me and may I add extremely lucky lucky for my son there was a bigger mess than their was damage. It took him and a couple of good friends a whole day to scrub the house from top to bottom. I made him clean places that even I had never been.
My girlfriend who's son was at the party, came over with him to help so we drank coffee and glared at them for the day. As I was saying it was a bigger mess than anything, until we went and sat down in the living room. As we were talking I glanced down at one of my couch cushions and there was a huge cigarette burn right through the fabric into the middle of the cushion. I just about went ballistic because this was a very expensive couch, that I loved.
After I calmed down I told my son that if it was possible that he was going to pay for the reupholstering work. I phoned around to a few shops and found out that although it would be possible to recover I would not be able to match my colors. This really saddened me because it took me a long time to decorate my living room with furniture that was just the right shade that I wanted, everything matched so well.
My friend knowing how much I liked it recommended that I look at couch covers and that she had bought some for her sofa and loveseat. She remembered that she saw a slipcover that was the color of my couch on one for the sites she was on. Frantically I searched and sure enough there it was. I was a bit unsure about buying one because the slipcovers that I had seen in the past didn't look all that great because they were too loose. This one I noticed was a new form fitting slip cover that hugged the furniture tightly and looked really good.
After a couple of days of thinking about it I returned and bought one for the couch that was ruined and a matching cover for my love seat. It took me and my girlfriend about a half an hour to fit both of them on. I have to say they did look really good.
If this ever happens to you or you need to add a new color to your living room go to decormotif.com and read more information about furniture slipcovers. Oh and by the way my son did pay for them and humbly apologized for everything. That was going to be the end of it until I heard that his father said it was ok to have a couple of friends over. I kind of wondered why he wasn't saying too much about anything. So you will have to excuse me know because I am going shopping for a new outfit or two.
June 01, 2007
Isn't it true
I received this in an email today, I don't know if it really originated with GM, but thought everyone would get a kick out of it.
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the
way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared
the computer industry with the auto industry and stated,
"If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has,
we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press
release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics :
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash........
Twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have
to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason.
You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows,
shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could
continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would
cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would
have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on
only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would
all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation"
warning light.
I love the next one!!!
7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you
out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to
learn how to drive all over again, because none of the controls would
operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
Posted on 08:50 PM | Details | Comments (0)April 26, 2007
Bellacor
Reveiw of bellacor.com where you can shop for home decor and lighting
Bellacor is a bizrate certified store and is tested as hacker safe on a daily basis. It is an online home decor store that you can feel comfortable shop at. Most meople are familiar with bellacor lighting, but did you know that they are one of the bigger sites for shopping for home furnishings, kitchen decor, bedding and outdoor decor. They even have a section dedicated to childrens furniture and lamps.
This means that they have always got a sale going on something. Normally it is always a product category that you are looking for.
Sometimes I find it a little hard to shop at bellacor because I like t search by seeing pictures. For example pendant lighting, you have to know what style you are looking for in order to see the entire collection. If you know the style for instance modern, art deco, tiffany or even country cottage you will find it easier to shop here. Most people that shop online know what they are looking for (I am not one of the) so this isn't a problem and is actually a more productive and faster way to find what you need.
When you visit bellacor it is always best to check their hot deals first to see if what you are looking for is on sale or if they are offering a discount or coupon.
For you conveinance we have placed a link here to bellacor:
Spring Inspiration Sale - Save up to 50% off Lighting & Home Furnishings
April 10, 2007
Wallpapering paneling
We are going to get off the area rug topic for a bit to answer a question from shelby. If anyone of our readers has done this before please enter your comments on how this went for you.
Shelby asked about the best choice in wallpaper for panelling.
If you are going to wallpaper over paneling you will need to prime the paneling first. Homedepot has primer just for this. Otherwise the glue on the back of the paper will not hold for that long.
As far as choosing a type of wallpaper a heav vinyl or foil wallpaper would be best, you will need to try and hide the grooves.
Choose a print pattern with a lighter background for the best effect.or stripes going up and down, these usually work the best for hiding irregularities in walls. I have used a textured wallpaper for this with pretty good success.
Wallpaper rolls are fairly close the width of the grooves on paneling, but don't try to match the edges up with a groove, it won't stick that good. Cut your first sheet so that the edges don't line up.
- Go to American Blinds and Wallpaper to get an idea of what is available
- choose wallpaper and fabric then clock on material. Grass cloth would work nicely or a fabric backed vinyl.
the first pattern is a fabric backed vinyl and the other is a grass cloth.
April 06, 2007
Furnishing a teenagers bedroom
Decorating a teenagers bedroom can be a hair pulling experience at times. Teenage girls are the hardest to decorate for because they like to change the colors up and furnishings as their mood changes throughout the year. Decorating teenage boys bedrooms can be a little easier.
We have a simple 5 step guide on this page about decorating a teenagers bedroom. Read about what the different kinds of furnishings that are most useful and where to comparison shop online. Find tips and ideas on rugs, beds, nightstands, wall mirrors, lamps and desks.
Posted on 11:47 PM | Details | Comments (0)February 12, 2007
Custom mailboxes
Just in case anyone was noticing that this site www.decormailboxes.com had disappeared from our site it was because they had taken it off line for awhile. It is now back for anyone that is interested in finding a locking decorative mailbox or address signs and plaques. These are pretty cool outdoor decorations that you don't see a lot of in new subdivisions. They kind of set your house apart from others if you live in a neighborhood with many homes looking the same.
Posted on 11:29 AM | Details | Comments (0)February 06, 2007
Repairing a ceramic floor tile
Every homeowner that has a ceramic tile floor is going to run across the problem of what to do with a broken ceramic tile. The other problem is what to do with cracked or broken grout between the floor tiles.
Lets start with what you dont want to do when it comes to floor grout. That is not to repair the whole floor. It is far better to buy a specially formulated grout cleaner and use that instead. If you try to regrout an entire floor you will probably end up replacing all the tiles to save time.
If you have a broken or cracked floor tile go to this page that has an easy method for repairing ceramic floor tiles and grout lines.
Posted on 08:14 PM | Details | Comments (0)January 23, 2007
Ideas tor the garage
Cleaning up the garage and putting things in their own place is something we seem to do on a regular basis. This is one room in our home that seems to have the biggest mess in it all the time.
Why? Mainly because it is also the most neglected! We should think of the garage as another room in our home and that is how it should be decorated. You don't here that term used much when talking about garage orginization. Gargage storage systems, cabinets and shelving are all needed, but we need to co-ordinate these things the same way we decorate a room in the home.
We have a started a site called "garage storage" mainly because this is a topic that always gets passed over when trying to think of new home decorating ideas.
Many people are converting the garage into another room or games room because they need the space. Cars are not parked in there as much anymore. This room can be a main storage area to keep tools. sports equipment and items that you don't use much, it can also if decorated properly double as a games room oor a hang out for your teenagers. Flooring is the most important feature if you want to do this.
All these topics will be featured on our blog including where you can buy garage storgage orginizers that are highly decorative. Go here to storage.decormotif.com
Posted on 06:42 PM | Details | Comments (0)December 25, 2006
Decorating ideas for 2007
We just want to wish everyone a happy holiday and a very prosperous new year.
Christmas comes fast and seems to go even quicker. Lets just take this week and enjoy our home and family the way it was meant to be. After that its time to look back on all our decorating projects that we accomplished and the ones that we would like to have done but never seemed to have enough time.
With the 2006 coming to a close its time to think of new decorating ideas that we want to do in 2007. The the trend this year is going to be uncluttered, simple spaces in a well organized home that is furnished with one thing in mind, relaxation.
In the kitchen we are going to empty out some of our cupboards with the things that we never use. Many people are going to add a hanging pot rack to create more space.
Patio furniture is going to be big this year, not just for homes with large outdoor areas but condo's and apartments with smaller decks. Bistro tables and chairs are going to be the focal point for these small spaces.
These are only a few of the ideas and decorating trends for 2007 that we will be taliking about. Colors and fashions in 2007 window treatments and flooring will be discussed later on so be bookmark this site for future ideas.
Posted on 10:17 PM | Details | Comments (0)November 22, 2006
Dehumidifiers in the home
Eliminate moisture with a dehumidifier for the basement.
If you have a games room in the basement of your home or live in an area that has a high humidity level you may have a problem. Especially if you have expensive wood furnishings lke a pool table. Moisture can realy cause you some problems.
Too much moisture in a home can create all kinds of problems including breathing problems for allergy sufferers. It can also start mold and mildew growing in damp areas. A basement dehumidifier can eliminate this problem. They are also great for closets, bathrooms, and any other areas where the humidity level is high.
Home dehumidifiers are commonly used in order to make homes more comfortable, to remove moisture from basements. Dehumidifiers for the basement is particularly useful when a room or area have been flooded by water and need drying out. Without removing the excess moisture in the air you run a risk of mold and mildew growth.
One of the better models that we have come across is the Santa fe residential dehumidifier it effectively eliminates basement mold and mildew problems. The Santa Fe can remove more than 100 pints of water per day for the same cost as a standard dehumidifier. In a finished basement it can be located out of sight and ducted to provide air circulation and humidity control to the entire basement area. If your basement is unfinished your are a lucky one because you can then place it where ever you want and install ducts much more easily.
September 01, 2006
Creative Advertising
By becoming an advertising partneryou will find the best way to reach out to more than 2.0 million readers per month. Creative webloggin offers a full range of ad sizes: - 120 x 125 button right sidebar - 468 x 90 under the article - 728 x 90 banner above the header- 300 x 250 within editorial or right sidebar and 120 x 600 right sidebar. With a creative that allows up to 90 characters. They are specialized in tailoring advertising campaigns to your needs! For any company that is serious about advertising online www.creative-weblogging.com is the company that can make a real difference. This is not a venue for someone with a samll advertising budget, or for those just wanting to see what kind of interest they can drum up. This is a high volume site they can make a difference in your sales.
Pesonally I think that if your goal is to reach a large audience fast google adwords is the best advertising medium.
Posted on 10:17 AM | Details | Comments (0)August 29, 2006
Interior decorating shools
Most people that have a flare for interior decoration would benefit from taking online courses from an online interior decorating school. But before you do you should decide whether it is interior designing or interior decortaing that interests you. There is a difference which you can review from this page and also review schools that offer online courses.
Working from home in your spare time to put your knowledge to work and create yourself a new job is only one benefit of interior decorating. Many people people have the creative ability, just look what you have done to your own home. You could enrol in a course and then help your friends in there homes just to get you started. Once other people see your work then they will start to refer you to other jobs to get your business going.
Posted on 01:42 PM | Details | Comments (5)August 25, 2006
Painting and wallpaper color choices
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. Read more here about choosing wallpaper and paint colors
About this Blog and contact information
We offer free decorating tips and from time to time mention sites that we feel have a good deal to offer our vistors.
Our main site www.decormotif.com contains tips and ideas for the home and garden. You can find everything from area rugs to tips on choosing flooring and how to buy accessories for your yard. Our blog is where we post our daily information and decorating ideas it is the most up-to-date with information that changes daily or at least every two days.
We are always on the look out for other sites related to our industry that have something interesting to say. Our contact information is here.
Mailing address for the USA
115 Cherry St.
PO Box 8000 #583
Sumas Wa. 98295
In Canada
#9 32442 G Ferguson Way
PO Box 8000 #583
Abbotsford BC Canada V2S 6H1
Email address is chris@decormotif.com
Phone: 778-241-0906 ( Please be aware that this may be long distance from your area)
Why did we pick Decor motif as a company name: If you look at the definitions of both words you will see how it all comes together. It has to do with the two word definitions: of decor and motif
- Definition of motif: A dominant theme or central idea
So because our focus is on decorative ideas for the home we have put the two words together to form decormotif.com Posted on 10:42 AM | Details | Comments (0)
August 08, 2006
Shopping Locally Online
Shopping online for companies that offer home decor products locally is getting easier because of companies like www.pennysaverusa.com. PennySaverUSA can help you find garage sale listings, cars, furniture, appliances, computers, pets, home services or even a new career.
PennySaverUSA.com, the Web site of the shopper publications of Harte-Hanks, Inc. (NYSE: HHS), has entered a relationship with ShopLocal.com, a Web shopping service for retailers and other companies, to bring ShopLocal.com's full suite of offerings of national and large regional retail advertisements to its site.
This partnership brings to the PennySaverUSA.com Web site advertisements from hundreds of retailers nationwide with searchable listings and weekly online sales. All areas of the United States are served by these series of ShopLocal.com listings.
ShopLocal.com is committed to providing valuable shopping information to consumers and extending the reach of our retail partners brands and products online, said Brian Hand, CEO of ShopLocal.com. Their partnership with a popular site like PennySaverUSA.com reinforces a commitment and helps them continue to achieve our goals. What does this mean for consumers? It allows you a better source for shopping for home decor products and services locally. Get more information from marketwire.com
June 05, 2006
Indoor Air Pollution
The effects of indoor air pollutants range from short-term effects - eye and throat irritation - to long-term effects - respiratory disease and cancer. Exposure to high levels of some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can even result in immediate death. Also, some indoor pollutants can magnify the effects of other indoor pollutants. Based on cancer risk alone, federal scientists have ranked indoor air pollution as one of the most important environmental problems in the US.
“Sensitive” Groups
Many groups are especially susceptible to the health effects of indoor pollutants. These include infants and the elderly, those with heart and lung diseases, people with asthma, and individuals who have developed extreme sensitivity to chemicals. Unfortunately, these are the people who often spend the most time indoors.
Economic Impacts
The economic impacts of indoor pollution - including health care costs, lost productivity, legal costs, and human welfare impacts - have been estimated at billions of dollars each year.
What Can You Do About Indoor Air Pollution?
The most effective way to protect your family and yourself from indoor air pollution is to prevent or minimize the release of pollutants indoors in the first place.
Use Products Safely
Products such as cleaning agents, paints, and glues should be used outdoors whenever possible. Directions on the label should be followed carefully. If the product must be used indoors, lots of ventilation should be provided. Also, it may be possible to use safer consumer products, such as baking soda instead of harsher cleaners, or products in solid or liquid form rather than aerosol sprays.
Restrict Smoking
Restricting cigarette smoking to outdoor areas is especially important because cigarette smoke contains many toxic pollutants. It is harmful to both smokers and nonsmokers.
Use Appliances Properly
Use gas appliances, wood stoves, and fireplaces only as intended. Gas stoves should never be used to heat the house since high pollutant levels can result. Wood stoves and fireplaces should only be used to burn properly sized and aged wood, since other types of fuel may emit toxic compounds.
These combustion devices pollute less when properly maintained. Annual inspections and cleaning by your gas company’s service personnel or by other qualified individuals will help reduce pollution and save energy.
Select Building Materials and Furniture Carefully
Many products, including some types of plywood and particleboard, emit significant amounts of formaldehyde or other gaseous pollutants. Try to avoid those products if possible.
You might request that new carpets or furniture be aired out by the manufacturer or distributor prior to delivery. Otherwise, you may want to air them in your garage or yard before bringing them inside.
Practice Good Housekeeping
Proper storage of solvents and frequent housecleaning to remove dust and molds are necessary steps in maintaining good indoor air quality.
Provide Adequate Ventilation
Adequate ventilation is another easy and effective way to maintain good indoor air quality, although it may not completely remove all pollutants. Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors when the weather permits. This is particularly important when using products or engaging in activities that may generate pollutants. Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans that are properly vented to the outdoors are very effective at removing pollutants generated during cooking and showering. For effective ventilation while conserving energy during extreme weather, consider installing a heat recovery ventilator.
Continue reading "Indoor Air Pollution" »
Posted on 09:32 PM | Details | Comments (0)
