Posts Tagged ‘home decor’

Put The Romance Back In Your Bedroom

Thursday, June 18th, 2009
by Nicole French

If you are looking for a change in your bedroom since its dull and boring why not try to make it the romantic spot for your and your special one? By designing a room around romance you’ll be put in the mood as you enter with its elegance and the textures which are used. Most of the times you’ll use cool colors when designing around the rest of the room where others spend time but the bedroom is the one place in the house you can be bold and try to make it more dark and passionate. Don’t be scared to take risks.

First things first: you have to pick out the colors you’ll use. Red is typical for romantic bedrooms that should have a more passionate, intense personality. A deep, dark red or burgundy color has just enough of that sensual undertone without being too loud or explicit. If you’re not comfortable with red on your walls, feel free to go with another color that’s easier on your eyes. Just remember that you’ll also be sleeping within those walls every night, and that those colors will be there for the long haul.

Before starting any project you should always have down what exactly you want to do. You want to make sure you have everything as well as the room for what you want your design to be.

Bedding is the one area you’ll spend a pretty penny on but it will be worth it. Since the bed is where most of the time is spent when you’re in your bedroom you’ll want it to be soft and comfortable. Splurge on a great bed set even if it is over the budget you’d normally spend. Spending more for a great bed set will last longer and you’ll get your monies worth. If you want to try something different go for silk. It is a wonderful texture especially for the new romantic room you are creating.

Get a painting or two to make your walls more interesting. As the bed will most probably be the central piece in the room, it’s a good idea to hang the artworks above the headboard where they can be easily seen. Abstracts and florals are a good idea because they’ll work with almost any theme or concept.

Soft textures are a big component of a romantic bedroom, and you should never overlook the floors in that respect. Your floor will most probably be hardwood, so you can soften that down with a rich area rug in the room. A single large area rug is usually placed under the bed, but you could also go with a few smaller rugs spread throughout the room. Rugs in colors that complement your walls will add even more depth and dimension to the space.

Lighting is the final step in creating the romantic space you’ve dreamed of. If you are able to place a dimming switch in the bedroom the design will work perfectly. You’ll be able to adjust the light to what you want at any specific time. Lamps placed on the night stands are another way to dim the light in the room. By placing great lampshades over the lamps you’ll reduce the brightness for that romantic spot!

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A Closer Look At Persian Rugs

Monday, June 15th, 2009
by Misty Stutter

Perhaps one of the most beautiful rugs on the market is the ever famous Persian rug. These rugs are known for not only their beauty but also for their longevity. These rugs are handmade, that includes the dyes that are placed into the fibers to change the colors. With the addition of a Persian rug in a room you will make any room look elegant.

First created in Iran the Persian is perhaps the oldest known rug. At that time it was called the Pazyryk carpet thought. The first one known to be made half a millennium ago. At the time that this rug was made it had 232 knots, that’s a lot, over a square inch. With more study it was shown that rugs lost a bit of popularity over the next millennium. Fewer drawings were shown of rugs. Perhaps the best known Persian is the Ardabil, a classic style that showed not only a beautiful arabesque design, but also had a nice poetic inscription on it.

Through writings it is known that these carpets sold very well until around the 16th century. At this time it seems that the choices of people were heading towards a more abstract pattern. Perhaps the best known of the Persian rugs is the Ardabil, which has a poetic inscription and a lovely arabesque design.

The layout and design of a Persian can be different depending on what is made. These patterns will be on one-side, in the central of the rug, or all over. These designs are on almost all Persian rugs that you will find. These designs may mean different things to different people, it just depends on who you ask on what they mean.

These rugs come with different types of layouts and designs. Though it’s not really know what the different motifs mean, since there are many interpretations. It is known that the patterns come in either a centered look, one side will have a image, or the image will be all over the Persian.

These rugs are a huge and popular industry. Just in 2008 alone it is said that $420 million of these rugs were exported to other countries. There are thought to be around 1.2 million people in Iran who work as weavers of these Persian rugs.

At present, the old industry of making Persian rugs is still a booming business. $420 million worth of carpets were exported in 2008 alone, amounting to 1% of the country’s overall exports. About 1.2 million weavers in Iran alone are thought to be actively producing new carpets, so there shouldn’t be any risk of running out soon.

These Persian rugs add in a nice amount of elegance to a room. It won’t matter what the design is, or what it means as long as you have a Persian it will look great.

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Decorating Tips for Unusual Spaces

Friday, June 12th, 2009
by Marsey Denton

As you have seen if you are house hunting, many older homes aren’t proportioned properly when it comes to room spaces. Many may seem extremely difficult to decorate due to one wall being at a different angle then you’re use to working with. Here are a few options when you are faced with an unusual space.

Bay windows are very popular in older homes as well as newer ones. It will give you much more daylight along with not having to use as much energy to brighten the space. If you are wondering what to do when you are faced with a large bay window, here is an option for you. You either can make this a great little seating area with a few pillows thrown upon it. If you are handy and able to make your own pillows you’ll save a few bucks in the long run, if not search around thrift stores and flea markets for great ones which will fit your personal style.

If you have a larger area and you aren’t quite sure how to decorate this space due to the lack of window seating you may get frustrated. Try finding a great area rug in a pattern or even in an animal print to place on the floors to soften the look as well as hanging crisscrossed window sheers across the ceiling to soften the spaces features. Area rugs are a great way to make a rooms appearance change drastically without having to spend a fortune.

Many times you’ll choose to place the child’s room in the awkward room since you really don’t know what else to do in this space. If you have a space in this room which dips inward and you wonder what you can place back there, try a great little play table. This can either be a great seating area for them to color. Of course you can’t forget a great area rug as well to save this rug which can be damaged if your child does arts and crafts in this nook.

If the area is square and not rounded, it maybe big enough to place a desk for writing and looking out at nature, or maybe just a big easy chair to curl up in and read a book on those days when you can’t venture outside. Alcoves and or offsets have many possibilities, and most of the time is usable space. Use your imagination and you may find other options besides the ones mentioned above.

If this is in a basement or even in another room which you have a gym like area set up, place the treadmill or bike in this area. It will give you a great view to admire as you run. It might just be the right inspiration to keep you motivated to work out even longer.

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Decorating Guidelines For A New Home

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
by Mark Doodle

If you have bought a new home and are planning on moving in soon then read on. After spending your hard earned money on buying the perfect house, decorating it can be expensive especially when on a tight budget. Putting your own style and decor would be pleasing and less expensive rather than hiring a professional to design your house.

Decorating is about implementing your style and taste. By choosing things that you like, decorating becomes a breeze. Decorating as a family makes it even more enjoyable.

In decorating a new house, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the space. Without furnishings to block the areas, you’ll know better which furniture goes well in what room. Obviously, measurements are important. Before buying new furniture, make sure that you know the measurements of the space so you won’t be spending your money for nothing. If you want to use your old furniture however, then work your other decors around your piece. If no other decors fit in the room, then so be it. You can enhance the room in other creative ways, such as through lighting, wall hangings and color.

The living room is a major room in the house. Make sure that it looks welcoming and appealing. Curtains and area rugs add color; cushions and coverings meanwhile add design and texture. You can buy these items for less in discount stores.

The bedroom’s focal point is the bed. You have a good bed and you’re all set. Decorating with personal items will make the bedroom more of your private space. You can choose your window treatments. Some prefer blinds from curtains for a more modern look. Beddings suitable to the bedroom’s color is a must to make the room look more coordinated.

The Children’s Bedroom: It should be bright and airy with lovely, pleasing to the eye wallpaper and matching curtains. Of course, if your children are small, a bunk bed to one side would be advisable, leaving enough space for them to play with their toys. A study table should be available for their use as well.

The dining room may be about the dining table set but it can look so much more than that with drapes to soften the room, some artworks on the wall, a nice centerpiece on the dining table, good lighting fixture and a display of china collection you have. You may choose to allot the dining room as a formal eating area for entertaining guests or have it incorporated in the kitchen as your family’s dining space.

The dining room should be attractive enough to be a party space too. Think of dinner parties, special occasions and family gatherings. Choose a dining set that can accommodate your family and add in some nice accessories like a pretty centerpiece and an area rug for the dining table set. Ensure that it’s the right size to be able to cushion the chairs even when they’re pulled back. You don’t have to buy new decors. If you have a collection of silverware or china, then you can display those.

Now that you have your house nearly done you can think of the remaining areas, such as the bathrooms and their accessories, the corridors, the entrance and all the corners that may be left unattended.

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Decorating Your Master Bedroom

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
by Martina Hanson

If you’re looking for change perhaps a new scenery, a different ambiance or something refreshing, it’s about time to redecorate the master bedroom. It may be quite a while since you last renovated the master bedroom or maybe years since you moved into your house. Having something new is exciting, especially for a place where you spend most of your time and one that is very personal to you. What better choice than the master bedroom?

When choosing a theme, go with something that reflects who you are. If you love everything Oriental then you might want to go with an Asian themed master bedroom. If you enjoy traveling around the world then maybe you should consider a theme with globes, maps and suitcases. Maybe you have simpler tastes such as flowers or animals? Your master suite should be about you and the things that you love. Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run a little wild.

With a theme, you can now have an easier time picking out colors, design and decorations. You’ll be wounding your way around a main idea and all you have to do is supplement with supporting details to make the picture complete. I’ll give my master bedroom as a case – it looks like any traditional bedroom without a television, sofa set and desk. However, I chose to make it modern by putting contemporary lamps, a small table where I put my laptop and with a stylish stool where I surf the net away. It has a bookcase for my books, magazine rack and CD case. The color is nothing fancy nor bright but a subdued beige and clean white with pastels for the curtains and chair drapes. For a classic look, the throw pillows and area rug are in subtle earth colors. This makes my master bedroom cozy and relaxing.

Think about the colors that you want to use for your bed linens and window treatments as well. White linen looks beautiful against light blue or lavender walls. Yellow linens are the perfect accent for red walls. Make sure that your colors flow nicely, but don’t be afraid to incorporate the colors that you love.

You also need to think about the storage space in your room. If you look around and see that you have a lot of clutter then you may want to consider some creative ways to store your items. Shelves are cheap and easy to make if you are handy. This will get your items up off of your furniture and will make your room appear less cluttered. If you have a lot of clothing laying around your room perhaps you should buy an extra chest of drawers. You can get racks for the back of closet door at a decent price as well. These can be helpful to store shoes, and accessories!

You master bedroom should feel like your own personal paradise. It should be a place where you can get away from it all and unwind from a rough day on the job. Remember to make it all about you and the things that you love!

Make your master bedroom a heavenly place. It should be a place where you can unwind and rest without worries.

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Lucky Seven: 7 Budget-Friendly Decorating Tips

Sunday, June 7th, 2009
by Tammy Hoag

If you are a decorator on a budget, this is the perfect read for you. Below are some money-saving ideas for home improvement:

First, recycle. No longer is recycling the activity of the active environmentalists. Even simple folks who are not activists are welcome to recycle. In fact, with the growing awareness for environmental conservation, recycling is encouraged. No need to buy new furniture if you still have items that are in good condition. A sofa that may look worn out but can still stand, only needs a re-upholstering or a new coat of paint and it’s good to go. Interchanging the use of pieces is also a quick way to revamp a room’s look. That table in your room? You can use that in the living room as a stand for knick-knacks, while using the chair in the living room to add to your bedroom decors.

Apply a Coat of Paint- This is one of the best ways to change the look of a room. It’s also very affordable. You can use your imagination and choose an entirely new color scheme or use a set of stencils for a unique look. If you aren’t sure of the color, buy a small can of paint and test it out first.

Another DIY decorating you can do is making your own fabrics, such as pillow covers and curtains. There are materials for a lot less or if you’re on a tighter budget, you can use old garments or cloth that you no longer use and make them into coverings and drapes. As long as the colors still look okay, they will make for nice decors.

Apply new paint – colors can make a room. If you’re up for a complete change in theme, use a different color. If you have neutral or rather plain walls, accent it with a bright shade. If you want a new color but still like your old wall paint, redo a room such as the living room or the kitchen and leave the rest as they are. You can also paint only one side of the wall. Another alternative is to still use the same color but just repaint the walls for a brand new look. There are numerous ways to apply colorlet your imagination flow.

Shop in unconventional stores – visit garage sales, flea markets, bazaars, discount stores and thrift shops. You’ll be amazed at the prices and the goods. Before buying, check first for any stains, rip, tear or damage. In case you find an interesting piece but there’s damage, assess how much repair it’ll need. If it won’t cost you much, ask for a discount, buy it then repair it. No wallowing over a missed piece.

Frequent the Community Yard Sales -For those bargain hunters, check out the local yard sales and thrift stores. You will simply be amazed at the goodies you can find here. Check each item over carefully for rips, tears, stains, or other problems. If you buy something with pieces, check to make sure they are all there. Get ready to haggle; no one expects you to pay the price listed on the item.

Find New Lighting- A new lamp or light source can quickly bring a new element to a room. If your budget allows, install some track lighting or a new light fixture. You will be surprised at how quickly this can change the look and feel of a room.

These are just a few of the many money-saving decorating tips you can apply. Be creative and resourceful and you’ll have a renovated home without having to spend much.

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How To Infuse A Homely Feel To Contemporary Design

Saturday, June 6th, 2009
by Janet Fino

The hallmarks of the contemporary aesthetic are the use of neutral tones and clean, sleek lines paired with little to no excess details. This doesn’t, however, mean that you have to deck your room out with all the sterility of a hospital. Going overboard with the contemporary look almost always ends up with a room that looks and feels cold and aloof. With enough variety and a few homey touches, you should be able to achieve a space that looks modern and feels comfortable enough to live in.

Decorating your home with a contemporary design is keeping up with the pace at its best. True, it can make a house far from the idea of a homely abode to unwind after a long day at work. But, it’s not a hopeless case for achieving a cozy and warm home albeit the modern furniture and basic colors.

Don’t just focus on one kind of material for furnishing your home so that your place won’t look too sterile. Choose a primary material then accent it with another. For instance, make your space stand out by using both metal accessories and glass furnishings.

You don’t have to go all futuristic with metals, though. Wood is still a good option for decorating a contemporary room, as long as you pick the right kinds. Instead of going with the old-style oak, go for very light woods like cherry or dark ones like mahogany so that they’ll stand out in their own respect. Aside from the flooring, you could infuse wood materials through your accessories (such as with frames) and furniture (such as a desk). Even if the piece is unusually shaped, it’ll fit in as long as it’s consistent with all the clean lines in the room.

Minimal decors are what make a contemporary design chic and unique. The blessing can also be a curse as this element is also what makes a modern home quite impersonal. To add a homely feel, use textures to break the sleekness of the design. The choice of fabrics in throw pillows, drapes, rugs, cushions and the like can make a space feel and look cozier.

A contemporary design is usually lighted by a bright, overhead or ceiling lighting. This leaves little warmth to make a room look intimate. To achieve this look, make use of lamps and recessed lights. These will bring a soft glow to the room as well as add a decorative element to make the space more stylish.

Finally, area rugs can seal the deal of a contemporary yet inviting abode. A good piece of area rug can bring all the decorative elements in the room together creating a space that looks well balanced and impressively decorated. The color and texture of the rug will make the room livelier from an otherwise neutral motif and the sleek look from the modern furnishings. The soft and lush textures of the rug will also give a comfortable and snug factor to the space making it more homely. Lastly, the addition of area rugs will make the place a real knockout, especially if you make use of pieces that have attractive designs or patterns.

It’s not impossible to soften a too trendy contemporary look of your home. From the ideas stated in this article – from the colors and texture to the decors like area rugs, you can make your place a truly welcoming abode, a relaxing sanctuary away from the hectic life you lead out there in the busy streets of the city.

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Completing Your Decor With An Area Rug

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
by Patrice Normand

Area rugs are sometimes for gotten to add into a redecorating scheme. They aren’t known to many as the decor which you need in a room. In fact an area rug is a great idea to bring a different change into a room at a reasonable price. It’s the quickest and easiest way as well to change your room’s style without having to do many other remodeling techniques. Keep in mind you need to figure out what shape, size, material, and pattern will work with your style!

Area rugs have changes in the past several years from what they use to be. There are so many shapes, sizes, and patterns to choose from. There’s always going to be an area rug design for everyone who is shopping for one but it may take awhile to find that perfect one. If you’re looking to make the design a different style as you had before don’t hesitate to use a unique area rug which you wouldn’t have used before.

What Shape is Best?- The shape of an area rug is very important. Traditionally, area rugs are either rectangular or square. However, more and more shapes are now available, such as a circle, octagon, hexagon, or oval. These shapes will often change the entire look and feel of the room. A smaller room looks better with a circular or oval rug, while larger rooms are best for rectangular area rugs.

Choosing the correct size for your room will be determined on what exactly you’ll be using this room for; whether it would be a bedroom, living room or family room, and of course the dining room. If you decide you need an area rug in the dining room and you’d like to make it shown to cover most of the room try keeping at least 8-10 inches around the area rug to show floor. The table and chairs as well should be sitting on the area rug comfortably when the chairs are pulled out and you’ll be sitting on it. You don’t want the chair sitting two legs off and two legs on the area rug. Living rooms and family rooms are different. You don’t need to place all the furniture on the entire rug. Why not just choose a great coffee table to be placed in the center of the area rug and place seating around it? It will still give you that warm and cozy feeling but will still show the beautiful floor which you have underneath.

If you notice there are many different materials that area rugs are made of depending where they have been made. The most durable rub would be an oriental rug or one which is made of wool. They are strong and great for heavy traffic areas in your busy home. They will last longer than a traditional rug which you may see is thinner.

Which Patterns Are Best?- This is completely up to you! For rooms that have extensive decorating, you may want a rather simple pattern and color scheme. For a room that is very low-key, a beautiful, busy pattern can add a splash of excitement. Consider what feeling you are trying to evoke in those that enter the room. This will help you choose the right pattern for your area rug.

Another great thing to remember about area rugs is that they are rather easy to change. You can have one rug for the fall and winter months and another that fits better with spring and summer. If you decide to store your rug in your home, keep it in a dry area and cover it with plastic to avoid any chance of a lone mouse calling it their home.

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Bed Makeover

Thursday, May 28th, 2009
by Kylie Peterson

Sigh…the feel of a relaxing bed and the sight of an inviting bedroom. That is one of life’s simple pleasures but nonetheless a wonderful feeling.

The bedroom is said to be the most personal space in the house. For teenagers, they call their bedroom their territory (unauthorized personnel enter at their own risk). There is a distinct sense of relaxation and coziness in this area of the house where shutting out the outside world is not at all impossible.

The bed is obviously the focal point in a bedroom. It is also the instrument for the sleep and downtime we all seek especially during hectic times. Paying special attention to this furniture is worth it. After all, it offers us the luxury of relaxation and ease.

So, while family and friends stack up big and stylish cushions with nice-looking covers, and this may be trendy too, you can go one step ahead of them and give latest fashion trends and wall-colors of your bedroom besides fabric choices for bedroom furnishings a look-up – right here!

Decorating your bed is nothing different from decorating your home. Your choices should be attuned to things that you like. It can be a reflection of yourself or the things dear to you.

Read on to learn some simple yet effective ways to beautify your bed, which inevitably will improve your bedroom’s look as well.

Pay close attention to the style of mattress you pick for your bedroom and purchase a protective cover for it to keep it from getting dirty, stained and worn out too soon. Buying classic prints or plain materials with organic weaves mixed with synthetic fibers will ensure your mattress covers need washing only once in 2 months. Moreover, if you team these with fine quality bed sheets in natural fabrics for duvets, it will ensure more zzz’s with soft and easy to maintain linen. However, remember to pick a duvet size that is just right for your mattress, not too loose around or too low on the bed skirting for then it’ll only look slapdash.

Select beddings that look good with the rest of the room. You might have chosen a theme or a motif, so base the color and design of your bedsheet, duvet, pillow covers and comforter from the theme or motif. It will make the bedroom very well put-together. Fabric that is soft and lush is ideal because it helps you have better rest. Whether it’s for sleeping, taking naps or just lounging around, the texture that feels good on your skin makes for a soothing bedtime.

Adding other decorative items like throw pillows will make your bed cozier, especially if it’s quite big. Placing an area rug nearby, like at the foot of the bed or beside it is also a beauty booster. Your bed and surrounding area will look complete.

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Customize Your Bathroom To Suit Your Requirements

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
by Luis Maragold

Improving the bathroom takes more work than it seems. Sure, it’s a fairly small space but it’s a highly functional area in the house and a poorly-working bathroom because of good-looking fixtures that aren’t useful just won’t cut it. The bathroom should look good and work well. Some people have made the mistake of spending a lot for decorating to find after that they don’t get satisfactory efficiency from their newly-decorated bathroom.

The first thing to remember while designing a bathroom decor is to have the right kind of flooring. If you are using your bathroom for the purpose of a laundry, then these wet areas require greater care and attention. Ceramic tiles can be a good option as they can be cleaned easily and they can be repaired in case of any damage. These tiles are available in different colors and varieties, which can be used for your bathroom flooring. Besides, they work out to be cheaper and affordable as well. Marble flooring can be expensive and at the same time risky as they have higher chances of slipping.

The bathroom floor material is dependent on the functions you’ve allotted to your bathroom space. If for instance you do some laundry, the floor should be able to take in the moist, water and suds. Ceramic tiles is a good option as it can be easily cleaned. The high-traffic factor of bathrooms will also have a favorable effect for ceramic tiles as this type of flooring can be repaired in a snap in case of damage. If you’re overly concerned about slipping accidents, don’t use marble flooring.

For practicality reasons, many toilets are now the mounted kind. This makes cleaning easier. Furthermore, just like with bathtubs, there are also various designs for toilets. You can also change the material if you wish. If you can’t use marble for the floors, then perhaps you might want to consider having a marble toilet. The sink can also be redecorated with a new material wherein choices vary from glass and porcelain to granite and marble.

Finally, don’t forget the cabinets or any other storage in the bathroom. Now is the time to sort your bathroom essentials and throw away items you no longer use. If you have been keeping the mouthwash for over a year now and an old toothbrush is still lying around, please do something about it! Organize your stuff and by doing so, you’ll know if you need new items or an additional storage.

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