Using Interior Design Principles for Your Backyard

By Julianne  |  2012/01/16 22:17 Posted in Garden Decor  |  Comments Off

Depending on your outlook, home renovation and design is either a thrill or a pain in the behind. There’s no doubt a lot of work is involved and you’ll likely have to shell out a hefty amount of money to plan your budget. It’s important to go into any renovation or planning job with the right education and organization in mind. You’ll find that many areas of the home are interconnected both in design and aesthetics principle. When it comes to coming up with ideas for your backyard, you might be staring at obvious answers with your interior design. Rather than looking for something revolutionary, you can use basic interior design principles to get the most from your backyard living area. Here are some things to consider that apply for both the inside and outside of your home.

The Right Budget – it doesn’t matter if you’re working on the inside or outside of your home, you have to think of your overall budget first. It’s far better to forgo certain features than to proceed with the job you know you can’t afford. There’s nothing worse than having a half-built backyard that is rendered unusable thanks to unfinished features. One of the most important rules of any home improvement job is to make sure you can afford it in the first place.

Not too trendy – you want your backyard to look fantastic but at the same time, you have to be okay with it 10 years from now to. Sometimes going too trendy can backfire for interior or outdoor renovation plans. While it’s good to get some ideas from the latest home improvement magazines, you have to be practical at the same time. Avoid going too trendy because you will undoubtedly regret it in the future.

Everything works together – everything in your backyard should work together to form a complete picture that serves a purpose. Rather than having a random toolshed, a portable charcoal grill on a bench, or a garden that doesn’t quite fit in with everything else, think about keeping things simple and blended. One area should lead into another in a practical way while utilizing a general design.

Work with what you have – there are many aspects of your backyard that could be treasures without realizing it at first. Some people are tempted to go all out with new gas grills, fresh furniture, or a completely new pathway design. But in many cases, you can actually keep what you have and save money by enhancing it. It might be tempting to throw everything away so that you can start from scratch, but you might be setting up a starting point that’s very difficult to overcome.

Get Help when needed – most people who consider themselves handy like to tackle jobs all by themselves. But just like on the inside of your house, it has a job that requires a professional touch you should definitely ask for backyard help as well. There are some jobs that are just too complicated for ordinary people to handle, and you don’t want to risk injuring yourself in the process. Finding the right people to work on your backyard can be a godsend it saves you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Decorating Your Vacation Rental

By Kathrine  |  2012/01/06 13:08 Posted in Decorating Ideas  |  Comments Off

You’ve just purchased a rental property at your favorite vacation destination.  The good news is, given the current economic climate and the property’s need for an update, you got a really good deal on it; the bad news is now you need to rehab and redecorate it.

While appropriate decorating styles will depend a lot on the property’s location – for example, grass cloth or a bamboo-themed wallpaper works well to create a focal wall when  decorating a beachfront condo on Kauai but would probably not work well when decorating a mountain retreat cabin  – some decorating tips and techniques are universal.

If you’re working within a tight budget, you’ll need to set priorities.  Items that should top your list are up-to-date furnishings in the main living space and especially in the bedroom.  Fresh and clean mattresses and bedding are an absolute must-have for a vacation rental!  You can often get away with just posting photos of these two spaces (along with photos of nearby amenities like lake or beachfront access, a golf course, etc.) in your online advertisements and thereby spare yourself (at least initially) the expense of a total update for the kitchen and/or bathroom. 

Paint is, of course, the least expense way to update any living space, and it can go a long way toward bringing new life to tired 1980’s kitchen or bathroom cabinets, as well.  The video below provides some great tips for you DIYers.

http://youtu.be/xIaBI_E89Tc

Updating your rental property’s electronics should be a priority, too.  Flat screen televisions provide a lot of “visual sizzle” for would-be renters looking at your advertisements, and in this day and age wireless Internet access is a must for any sort of vacation lodging accommodations.

Home Decorating Styles

By Erik P  |  2011/12/30 21:17 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Decorating your home in a manner that showcases your personality and sense of style can be challenging, particularly when you are working with a limited budget. Instead of rushing into purchases without a plan, spend some time browsing through interior decorating magazines and learning more about some of the popular decorating styles so that your are equipped to make every purchase count.

Traditional Decor

Elegant architectural details, including wainscoting, gleaming hardwood floors, intricate crown molding and elaborate wall sconces, are the hallmark of traditional decor. The style usually mimics one of many historic periods, such as the Victorian or neoclassical eras. Think wingback chairs, luxurious fabrics, Oriental rugs, candelabras and mirrors with gilded frames when planning out your traditional decorating scheme.

French Country Feel

Give your home a Parisian flair by incorporating French country decor. Choose paint in soft tones and fabrics in French toile or taffeta. Incorporate pastoral oil paintings on the walls, or skip artwork altogether and use groupings of porcelain plates or hand-painted tiles. Keep the furniture simple, selecting rustic tables, stately armoires and chairs with curved accents.

Southwestern Style

Southwestern decor reflects the heritage Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, and is heavily influenced by both Mexican and Native American cultures. Use neutral, earthy tones throughout the home, punctuated by accents in vivid turquoise, reds and greens. Natural elements are at the heart of Southwestern style, combining stucco, terra cotta tiles, wood and brick. Pull your furniture away from the walls, and arrange several small, intimate groupings.

American Country

Also known as Colonial American or Americana, American Country harkens back to our country’s earliest days. Utilize colors that our founders would have used, such as barn red, gray, dark green or straw. Incorporate rustic farmhouse reproduction furniture into the rooms, and make judicious use of early American antique accents. Use simple fabrics on the furniture and windows, and warm up the rooms with a selection of early American or Amish quilts.

 

 

Urban and Industrial Contemporary

Although contemporary decor used to be rather stark and cold, it has evolved significantly over the past decade. The black and chrome used in the 70s and 80s has been replaced with natural elements, such as glass, stone and various metals. Choose a monochromatic theme for your contemporary rooms in neutral tones such as sand, cream or gray, and carefully place accent pieces in bright red, orange or green. Furniture should have clean lines and make sure that all textiles are impeccably tailored.

As you decorate your home, choose furniture and accessories that feel right rather than those that necessarily fit your chosen decor style. Remember that your rooms should make you feel comfortable while reflecting your personality and style.

Homemade Fire Pits

By Kathrine  |  2011/12/13 18:11 Posted in DIY Design  |  Comments Off

On any given summer night you can find people in your neighborhood huddled around their fire pit with friends and family. Pot luck dinners are an inexpensive way to come together, slow down, and enjoy life. The only problem is the cost of purchasing a fire pit.

Some of fire pits are very expensive and require upkeep to insure you are able to use the fire pit year after year. Many people are now opting to make their own homemade fire pit.

I have seen it all, from a metal wheelbarrow in the middle of yard to an old wooden sandbox filled with stones acting as a fire pit. Neither of these are good ideas. Metal gets very hot, and even with stones wooden boxes tend to start on fire themselves. If you are planning on my making your own fire pit take proper cautions by choosing the correct materials and location for your fire pit.

It is a good idea to know where the electric, water, and gas lines run in your yard before you grab a shovel and start digging your fire pit. The last thing you want to do is cost yourself hundreds of dollars by not choosing a good location. Make sure you choose a spot at least 10 feet away from the house to avoid accidentally catching the house on fire. Once you have found the perfect location make a whole at least 12 inches deep and 2-3 feet wide.

You will not want to leave a muddy pit in your yard as there are many options to finish the project off. You may purchase cement mix to frame the outside of your pit as well as 2 inches above the rim to avoid the grass catching on fire. If you do not want to mess with cement you can also begin laying rocks and gravel in the pit to help with any water drainage. Before you know it, you will have your very own fire pit to gather your friends and loved ones around to sit back and enjoy quality time with.

Oh No! The Toilet Has Clogged

By J Schrage  |  2011/12/05 00:19 Posted in DIY Design  |  Comments Off

Let’s pile on the bad news.  Not only has the toilet clogged but it’s the only toilet in your apartment; you don’t have one of these toilet plungers; you don’t have a toilet auger and your new boss is due to arrive at your house in 10 minutes.

Before you panic, it’s worth noting that most “soft” clogs will resolve on their own.  Soft clogs are generally the result of too much toilet paper being flushed down the toilet trap and getting stuck.  Hard clogs are a different matter entirely, but for the sake of this article we’re assuming the problem is a soft one.

As you don’t have time to see if it will clear on its own, it’s time to head to the kitchen and get a bucket full of hot water and some detergent.  (Some people swear by coke, but I’ve tested it, and don’t see any point in using it instead of hot water).   You don’t want the water to be at boiling point as you’ll run the risk of damaging the porcelain of your toilet bowl.  You just want it nice and hot.

If you bowl is full to the brim, unfortunately there is not much you can do until some of the water has seeped away.  But if there is space (and there usually is) add the hot water and let it sit for a few seconds.  As you don’t have that much time on your hands, squirt in some dishwashing detergent (ideally of an eco-friendly variety).  

The hot water combined with the lubricating effect of the detergent should help breakdown and dislodge the blockage – giving you that encouraging sucking sound of a toilet unblocking itself.  The detergent is more dense than plain water so will sink to the lowest spot in your trapway, freeing things up as it does so.  

Don’t bother trying to stick a wire down the trap.  You won’t get far enough round the bend to do anything significant to the blockage.  Also you may end up scratching the toilet.

Good luck!  Ding Ding.. Is that the doorbell?

Mess and Mistakes with Home Decor

By J Schrage  |  2011/11/30 20:35 Posted in Decorating Ideas  |  Comments Off

Decorating a new home can be a challenge for anybody, and outfitting your home decor to suit your style, without removing it’s style completely can be a difficult task.

There are plenty of messes and mistakes that can be made when decorating your home decor, so lets start with messes.

The biggest mess when decorating a home is clutter.  Trying to keep clutter down can be difficult when you find yourself wanting to decorate everything but the truth is, simplicity is sometimes better.

Often you don’t realize how cluttered your decorating is becoming because of the actual mess you are making.  Stips of wallpaper, cardboard boxes, packaging material.  It son gets scattered around your home and can disguise how much stuff you are packing in to one space.

I ended up getting one of the best Austin maids to clean up which allowed me to focus on decorating while having an unadulterated view of my home interior so I could see just how much I was packing in to a room.

Once you can ensure your home is not becoming too cluttered you might want to also check where your home decor is positioned to help ensure that your room is as open and as light as possible  This is of course down to personal preference, some people prefer snug and cozy, over open.  However, if you are trying to sell a home, open is definitely the way to go.

While mess in a home is a relatively common mistake, some hownowners go in completely the opposite direction.  While mess is bad, don’t forget that your home is your personal space. If things are too sterile, empty, and unloved, your home may as well be straight out of an Ikea catalogue.  You can help prevent this by adding some personal touches to your home, and make it a part of you.

4 Concerns For Buying Large Chandeliers

By J Schrage  |  2011/11/28 16:27 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Are you redecorating and you don’t know where to start? A good idea is to select one truly special accessory, and to do all he redecorating around that object. If you are redecorating your living room or your dining room, you could start with a spectacular, large chandelier. Chandeliers are interior design accessories that have the power to completely change the space. When shopping for a chandelier, there are more things you need to consider:

  1. Very large rooms can be decorated with two large chandeliers. Not only the room will look more balanced, but you’ll have the right light intensity. It’s very hard to obtain enough light on every corner of the room if you have only one, central chandelier.
  2. You can find large chandeliers in every possible style: from Victorian to ultramodern, minimalist ones. If you already have the furniture, buy a chandelier that match the furniture. But, if you are starting from scratch, just pick the one that really likes you and buy the right furniture for it.
  3. Before buying a large or small chandeliers, ask a specialist to calculate how many light bulbs you need to ensure the normal level of ambient light. Large chandeliers have at least six arms, but you can find ones with eight, ten or even twelve arms.
  4. Large chandeliers are quite expensive items- a good quality one is around 500 $. So, make sure it’s just what you want and it’s the right item for the room. Otherwise look into used chandeliers as an alternative.

Giving a Body Pillow as a Gift this Holiday

By O Symonds  |  2011/11/21 04:33 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

It may seem strange to give a body pillow, which is a very personal thing, as a gift, but if you know somebody who has trouble sleeping at night or  who suffers from back or leg pain, it can actually be a godsend.  We aren’t talking about something like a CPAP pillow, which  should definitely be left up to the individual to choose (since that type of pillow depends very much on the person’s personal sleeping habits).  A general pillow that helps a person maintain a comfortable position throughout the night is not only appropriate, but it can also be stylish, depending on what type of cover you choose, and how much you want to spend.

For a person who suffers from leg pain, the best type of pillow would probably be one of the triangular or wedge shaped pillows that allow the sleeper to lift their legs.  This can relieve pain in the legs and in the lower back.  For someone who has lower back pain, one of the longer, full body pillows might do the trick.  They can be used either in front of the person (who can tuck the pillow between their legs, or even “hug” it with their arms in order to help maintain the proper spinal alignment.  Alternatively, the pillow can also be use behind the back, as a simple way to help the person maintain their position in the bed and prevent them from rolling over or torquing their back. 

 

The Best Sewing Machines for DIY Home Decor Projects

By Ericka S  |  2011/11/20 23:53 Posted in Blog  |  Comments Off

If you make a lot of your home decor items such as pillows and drapes you probably know that having a good sewing machine is very important. If you don’t currently have a sewing machine or you in the market for a new one, here are some of the best sewing machines for do-it-yourself home decor projects.

Brother CS600i Computerized Sewing Machine

This machine has 60 built in stitches that are great for all kinds of projects. It also is a computerized machine which means you can download different stitches and patterns from the internet if you happen to find a stitch or pattern that you absolutely love. This machine works great all kinds of fabric from silk to corduroy. The nice thing about this machine is that although it is a high quality sewing machine and has a lot of features to it, the CS600i won’t cost you a fortune. In fact, you can buy this machine for approximately $170 on sale, when it normally retails for over $400.

Singer 7470 Confidence Electronic Sewing Machine

This sewing machine is slightly more expensive than the Brother CS600i, but it is well worth the money. It has 173 built in stitches which is more than enough for just about any home decor project you could want to do. Of those built in stitches there are plenty of decorative ones which look great on things like decorative pillows and crafts like fabric blocks. This machine was actually made with ease of use in mind and although it has a lot of features it is a very simple machine to use.

Whether you go with the Brother sewing machine or the Singer one, you will be getting a high quality machine that is one of the best on the market for home decor projects.

The Best Christmas Decorations Are Made At Home

By Kathrine  |  2011/11/19 04:14 Posted in Blog  |  Comments Off

Christmas can be a really expensive time of year, especially if you want to buy a lot of presents for all your loved ones and have extensive dinner celebrations. There are plenty of ways though to cut down on the costs, without looking cheap.

One of my favorite things to use for decorating the home and giving it that real Christmas feel, is making origami Christmas ornaments together with the kids.

When we first began doing this several years ago, the results were far from perfect, but many a times have we looked back at the photos taken with our 3D digital camera during that period, remembering the beautiful moments we spent as a family, laughing and chatting away while making these decorations.

Over the years we have actually gotten pretty good at it, and have moved on to making more complicated origami decorations, and many people compliment us on our original christmas decor whenever they walk in to our home.

Now, if you think that making your own Christmas origami ornaments is far too difficult for you, think again! It really is not all that hard to do, but far more important than the end result, is the fact that it is the perfect way to spend quality time with your kids!