Home Decor

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.

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 Home Decor  |  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 Home Decor  |  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!

Protect Your Home’s Design by Addressing Common Roofing Problems

By Ericka S  |  2011/11/16 16:58 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

After you’ve gone through all the hard work of making your home look perfect, the last thing that you want to happen is for a leaky roof to destroy your expensive wallpaper and carpets.

Other than the foundation of your home, your roof also defines how well your house will stand against the heavy and constant barrage of the elements. Not only does your roof shield your loved ones against the elements but it also protects your home’s structure against water damage. But as with any other structure in your home, your roof also needs to be properly maintained, repaired and replaced when necessary.

 

As roofs are bound to yield to deterioration over time, understanding the proper and efficient ways to address your roofing problems is one of the best ways to avoid a costly roof replacement. To help you out, the Roofing Oklahoma website has summed up some of the most common problems in shingle roofing and how to best remedy them.

Damaged Shingles – if a part of your shingle has already chipped off, then you will need to replace them immediately. As this is quite common, it would be best to ask your contractors for any leftover or excess shingles used during your roofing installation. If there is none, you can always buy a new one at any home center depot or lumber yard. When removing shingles, locate the nails first and carefully remove them before prying the damaged shingles out.

Curled Shingles – as asphalt age, their corners have a natural tendency to curl. To delay this, you will have to glue down the curling sections of your shingles at the onset.

Cracked Shingles – another common roofing problem encountered by mane homeowners is that of cracking. As explained by www.roofingoklahoma.org, cracked shingles do not necessarily have to be replaced. If the shingles are still intact and in good condition, you can make do with applying a strong sealant to cover the crack.

By identifying and properly correcting the problems in your roof, you can help keep your family and home protected as well as save thousands of dollars in roof replacement costs.

Make the perfect Elmo nursery

By Kathrine  |  2011/11/16 13:20 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Do you have a tot who is totally in love with the little red guy? Then they will love a Sesame Street themed nursery. Here are my tips for creating the perfect Elmo bedroom:

1. Keep the walls neutral.

There is a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, I know it is tempting to put up themed wallpaper, or a pasted on border to get the co-oridnated look, but based on my own experience I urge you not to do it. It is expensive, it takes a lot of time and effort, and unlike an adults room that once papered will be good for up to ten years, you will likely be changing the theme of this room within a couple of years.

So instead use paint. Since all things Sesame Street are very brightly colored with strong reds and blues, you should paint the walls a neutral color so as to not clash with the other things in the room, and not over stimulate your child at bed time.

2. Sesame Street Bedding

There’s lots of different types of Elmo bedding to choose from. If you are on a tight budget go for plain bedding, then buy an Elmo comforter of fleecy blanket to throw over the top.

3. Toys

There are some fantastic looking toys you can use to adorn shelves, or leave within reach to be played with, like the new rock star Elmo toy, or the latest talking Sesame Street plush toys.

4. Wall hangings

For inexpensive wall hangings look out for posters that you can frame, or even gift paper that you can cut out the characters from to make a collage, for a truly unique addition to your child’s bedroom.

Remember, whilst it may be easy to just hop into Amazon and buy all the matching Elmo wallpaper and bedding, creating your own handmade additions, like a framed collage, is what will make your baby’s room unique.

Choosing The Right Small Bathroom Designs

By Julianne  |  2011/11/07 14:37 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

A bathroom should contain all the needed elements while feelings comfortable and looking stylish, no matter what size is that you are working with. Dealing with a small area can sometimes be a challenge to any homeowner. However, with a little planning and the right small bathroom designs, your small bathroom can be just as functional as a larger one without giving up style.

Replacing Fixtures:
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get more room in a small bathroom is to replace your fixtures. Replacing your vanity with a pedestal type sink gives your bathroom much more floor space. Wall mount sinks are another option you may choose to save space. Many hardware stores offer a large selection of sinks for small bathrooms in many different styles and colors. Also, you may want to consider replacing your toilet. Some newer models of toilet or made smaller than the older model and take up a lot less floor space. If, the shower in your bathroom has a swinging door, you may consider replacing it with a sliding door or railing.

Wall Cabinets:
Attaching small cabinets to the walls are a great way to keep all of your personal items together. These cabinets are a great way to hide items while still having all necessities at hand. The idea is to keep everything organized and not take up any extra floor space.

Tricks With Mirrors:
Every bathroom should have a mirror. However, mirror are not only functional, but can make any small bathrooms appear larger, as well. A large mirror stretched along one wall looks great, or you can even arrange several in different shapes or sizes. The options are endless.

Using Light Colors:
When choosing your colors for decorating your small bathroom, think light shades of pastels. Try to avoid all dark colors that will only make it seem as though the walls are closing in on you. Solid colors without big, bold patterns work best in small areas. Although, if you must have a pattern for your bath, try to choose small prints. Tiny print wall paper with a soft colored background gives a very elegant and cozy feel to all small bathroom designs.

Clearing the Snow off the Driveway with a Snow Thrower

By O Symonds  |  2011/11/07 12:46 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

Well, it is getting to that time of year again when the cold weather is going to set in and more than likely, we are going to get more heavy snow.  Last year was really difficult for me because not only did he continue to snow but both my uncle and my father were bedridden for long periods of the winter.  This meant, that not only did I have to clear all the snow off my own driveway repeatedly, I also had to do the same thing at my mom and dad’s house and my uncle and aunt’s house so that my mom and my auntie could continue to go to work everyday. 

Like a fool, I did it all manually with a snow shovel, especially at the beginning of winter.  However, my uncles next neighbour had a Greenworks 26032 snow thrower and he let me have a go one day when were coming to the end of the snowy weather.

This snow thrower worked like a dream and saved so much hard work and effort that I promised myself I would invest in one this year, before the snow arrived.  It made life so much easier so that clearing snow from the drive every couple of days did not become a chore.  I am hoping that I will not have to do my mom and dad’s and my uncle and aunts again this year but I would definitely take round my new snow thrower so they can see just how easy it can be to move to snow.  I reckon that once they get their hands on it they will want to use it all the time. If they do, I will direct them over to Oslosa where they will be able to pick one up themselves!

 

Spend More Time at Home with a Herbalife Business

By Julianne  |  2011/11/07 05:39 Posted in Home Decor  |  Comments Off

If you enjoy decorating your home and making improvements here and there, then you probably wouldn’t mind having more time on your hands. If so, then joining a network marketing company like Herbalife might be for you. Okay, so doing a search for Herbalife scam will make you realize how shady this type of business can be but hey, if you can actually make it work, it can mean making money without a traditional job. Think about not having to answer to some boss and making as much money as you want. Think of all of the home improvement projects you’ll have the time and money for!

Well, perhaps this company or even industry isn’t for you. After all, if you’re not a people person and you hate the idea of recruiting and seeing people as a money making machine, then you probably won’t do so well with this type of business. However, your dream of working for yourself and having more time can still come true. If you’re really good at fixing up the house, you can make videos and a site to teach people to do those things. There’s a guy who does just that and makes a ton of money doing what he loves. Perhaps you can too.