5 Surprising Ways To Make Your House More Inviting

Thursday, August 10, 2006

1. LET THE SUNSHINE IN – Nothing makes a house look more sad and gloomy than the lack of natural light. The first thing you should do is open every blind & curtain you can get your hands on. Go around the house and turn on the lights in any room that seems dark or dingy. I recently went to dinner at a friend’s house and, other than the breakfast room where we ate, the entire house was dark. It was rather cold & uncomfortable and I couldn’t help but get the subliminal message that this house was off limits. Make sure you send a message to your guest that they are welcome in your home.

*As part of your yearly maintenance schedule you should make sure you clean your windows at least once a year (twice is even better). To prove this point, I recently cleaned the windows in my family and my best friend walked in and asked if I had painted the room! Everything sparkles with clean windows!

2. Listen to your mother and MAKE YOUR BED – my grandmother had a saying “as long as you make the bed & have fresh flowers, no one will notice the dust”. Making your bed gives the room a fresh and clean appearance. It also eliminates clutter by getting your pillows etc. off the floor.

3. FRESH FLOWERS – I know it would be ideal if we all had a vase of blossoming tulips to greet us at the door, but this isn’t what I’m talking about. I can bet you can find something fresh and beautiful in your yard to put in a vase. Try a single daisy in a jelly jar, or how about a hosta leaf with some long blades of grass. In the winter I’ve even clipped a few limbs of my pine tree to give me that much needed burst of fresh greenery. The point is, this little touch of nature shows that you care about your house and the way it looks. A simple handpicked bouquet will transform your messy kitchen into a “lived in cottage” – well almost!

4. CLEAN THE BATHROOM - If you have only 5 minutes to spare this is where I would spend 4 of them! Wipe down the counter and the toilet (and ALWAYS put the lid down) and wipe up the floor. Put out a clean hand towel and fresh roll of paper. REMOVE your personal towels. There is nothing worse than using someone’s bathroom and being forced to wipe your hands on their bath towel – YUCK! Stash away anything that your guest wouldn’t need (medications, your slippers, your toothbrush etc.)

5. THE HILLS (OK HOMES) ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC – Turn off your squawking TV and put on some very soft background music. Music is a room warmer; it permeates every nook, cranny & corner. It makes a house feel like people belong there and beckons your guest to pull up a chair and stay a while.

Whether you have 5 or 50 minutes warning there is always something you can do to make your home a special place for guests to visit. Don’t be surprised if, after you employ the above tips, these unexpected visits start to come a little more often. If so, just know your doing something right!

About the author:

Melissa Lauer is an interior decorator and custom window treatment designer. She has recently opened http://www.onlinesilkfabricstore.com which specializes not only in exquisite silk fabrics from around the world, but also in custom silk drapery and silk bedding. With its reasonable prices and ease of use, http://www.onlinesilkfabricstore.com has become a favorite of both weekend decorators and professionals.

Stanley Mirror Door

If you've decided your bedroom could use a makeover adding mirrored closet doors is one of the quickest and most effective ways to do this. And a Stanley mirror door is one of the best choices you can make.

Stanley has been building closet mirror doors for years and they devote a lot of time to making sure fitting the replacement doors is a quick and easy undertaking. And they also provide a variety of terrific options in style. What more could you ask for?

Nothing seems to brighten up an area and add style like a Stanley mirror door. It's the perfect way to complement your existing décor or turn up the heat and give your room a new face lift. And what a great way to show your personal style.

These mirrored doors are made from only the best quality glass. You will experience no distortion and images will be crisp and clear. The sliding system is of the highest quality providing quiet and smooth opening and closing. In fact the hardware has been tested to the equivalent of 25 years use and Stanley is so confident in its quality it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The mirrors have a safety backing so they will withstand impacts. They are available in a sliding style, swing style, or bi-fold style. The doors are easy to install and they look great not only in a bedroom but also in a family room, foyer, or bathroom.

So what are the styles available?

1. Framed Mirror Doors
Add a touch of class to any room with these beautiful framed mirror doors. Choose slider or bi-fold styles.

2. Swing Mirror Doors
The newest addition to the Stanley lines is these 6 panel mirrors which are perfect for a closet, bath, or bedroom.

3. Frameless Mirror Doors
Because of the no frame design these doors provide a beautiful uninterrupted flow that is a real compliment to any room's décor. They are available in both sliding and bi-fold styles.

4. Wood Frame Mirror Doors
The wood framed doors create quite a distinctive look to any room. Choose from a variety of finishes from a rich mahogany finish to a chic white finish. The frame width is available in both 2 ½" and 4" widths. The distinction of these doors makes them an excellent choice for almost any room.

5. Classic Mirror Sliding Wardrobe Door Panels
The classic design is fitting to any room from the most traditional to a contemporary style.

6. Solid Mirror Wardrobe Door Kit
Here you can have your paneled doors match your room and then opening presents a full mirror. Nice touch to a bathroom.

There are many different manufacturers on the market that offer quality mirrored doors but Stanley has been in the business for what seems like ever and with Stanley you can certainly count on quality and pricing.

A quick search online will reveal many sites selling Stanley products so do your research and find out who has the best prices to offer. And of course check with your local dealers too.

About the author:

Janett has worked as a home interior decorator for more than 10 years, so she knows the importance of a well placed mirror in your bedroom or your bathroom. Janett will give you a list of answers to questions on http://www.mirrorguide.com , in order for you to find the best contemporary mirrors that is best suited for your room.

Selecting Laminate Floor Colors To Fit Your Home

Laminate flooring colors are quite unique. There are plenty of ways that you can change the look of a room with just a simple different color. Yet, when you are purchasing laminate flooring, you will likely be investing quite a bit of money into it. Therefore, you really should try to select the colors that provide the very best complement to your rooms and your home. There are many things to think about here.

Color To Match

The first thing to consider is how well the color of the laminate flooring will work with other types of coloring that you have in your home. If the laminate will be pine and will have a light gloss to it, determine if this will match the other tones in the room. Look at baseboards, mantels, window frames and furniture. Light colored wood works well with other light colors. Cherry colored laminated will have a richer, darker tone with a hint of red to them. You will want to insure that the right blend of colors accompanies this.

The color of the laminate can also play a role in the function of the room as well. You will want to insure that the laminate will have the ability to handle the travel that it gets in the way of color. You should concentrate on having a color that will hide debris well in a heavy traffic area.

Laminate is available in many colors. You should also consider the pattern of the laminate flooring. You will want to take some time to find the pattern that works well in the room. This may be a natural wood grain or you may want to shape the wood into planks of varying sizes. This will allow for a more sophisticated look. You can find a number of patterns to compare right on the web. Although placing the laminate flooring down in a detailed pattern is more work, it will pay off in the long run.

There are two main things to think about when purchasing laminate flooring in terms of color. First, select the wood pattern that you enjoy. The pattern of the flooring will create part of the coloring scheme. Second, select the finish that works well with the surrounding area. Most types of laminate can be stained in virtually any color that you would like. The goal is to create a look with your laminate that is fitting for the home and for your tastes.

Adam Peters contributes adding articles to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com Your guide on home decorating and interior design, wiht ideas on how to choose from hundreds of decorating styles and tips. Adam will inspire you to capture the look you want. More info in hardwood floors at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/hardwood-floors.html

Designing the Perfect Bedroom

Being a quite place where one goes to relax and forget about the laborious day they had, the bedroom should be a comfortable retreat. It is likely that one spends perhaps the most time in their bedroom in comparison to any other room and most of this time is spent resting. As such the bedroom should be the quietest and coziest place in your home. Not only should your bedroom be a calm sanctuary it should also reflect who you are and, in essence, bring to mind warm, soothing thoughts.

Obviously there are a multitude of bedroom sets and furnishings one can choose from to put into their bedroom. Thus finding one that suits you can be a rather easy. It may take some deliberation but eventually you will discover a bedroom suite ideal for your personality. Along with uncovering the perfect bedroom set deciding on a color is another decision that you must contemplate. Not only must you find the color aesthetically pleasing, you should also consider how the color makes you feel. Inviting colors that create a relaxing atmosphere of serenity are best suited for your bedroom space.

If at all possible, having just the bare bedroom essentials in your room, that is, simply a bed and bedroom furnishings, is best for aiding the creation of a tranquil retreat. Sometimes, however, space within the remainder of the house is limited and one must include office space of recreational space within their bedroom. To minimize the rousing effect these things have, it is wise to isolate them from the bed. Have your bed and your office space on opposite ends of the room.

Ensuring that your bedroom is lit well is a must as well. Lighting can mean everything in a bedroom as it can essentially create an intimate atmosphere if necessary or it can generate a peaceful aura ideal for sleeping.

If you need House and Home information or have articles on House and Home issues, visit our House and Home section for more in-depth resources. Free reprint articles

How to Decorate Your Home in One Day

It’s amazing what you can do with one day if you really put your mind into it. Instead of wasting it, why don’t you:

Freshen up the bedroom by:

-Buy some new sheets, pillowcases and a comforter cover? While you are at it, get a great soft throw as well.

-Put some fresh flowers in the nightstand and some nice, expensive scented candles.

-Get some nice massage oils and put it in the nightstand drawer—you’ll never know when you might get lucky.

Brighten up the bathroom by:

-Buy some new towels, a shower curtain and a nice bath rug.

-Replace those tacky builder-standard hardware with antique silver or nickel knobs.

-Get some nice bath oils, soap and scented candles for your bath.

-Get some new faucets that are stylish and functional.

Add some colors to your life:

-Paint your rooms in a beautiful color instead of white.

-Buy some fresh flowers, or if you are a practical, some really expensive silk flowers.

-Hang up some artwork on the walls.

-Get some new home accessories that you can display in group. The more substantial the piece the better.

Update your room:

-Simply by moving furniture and accessories around. You'll be amazed how different things look in different locations.

-Add some throw pillows or slip covers to update a chair or sofa.

-Put some fresh flowers in the room.

About the Author:

Tessa Luu is a founder and owner of Inside Avenue, a luxury home decor catalog specializing in high end home furnishings and home accessories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tessa_Luu

Interior Decorating For Fun & Profit!

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Interior decorating has grown 11% in the last five years and will continue to grow as more people are working outside the home and acquiring more money. If you are constantly being asked for your interior design ideas, this could be an incredible opportunity for you. All you need to do is make a few decisions and love to create beautiful home interiors.

The first thing to decide is if you want to be an interior designer or just do interior decorating. It may not seem like a big difference, but it actually is. An Interior Designer has to graduate from an accredited Interior Design program, and in many States, the person must take an exam and are licensed. However, if you dont want to attend school right now or ever, you can opt to be an interior decorator instead.

Before selling your interior decorating services, you must practice. Learn some of the tricks to decorating on a budget, and get ideas about what services you want to provide to your customers. Try these services out in your own home, and offer them for free in the homes of your family and friends. It is great practice and can help to build your portfolio.

To build your portfolio take before and after pictures of each project you do, whether it is large or small. You should have fifteen to twenty pictures in your portfolio and letters of recommendation from happy clients. It is also a good practice to create design boards for each project, and keep them with your portfolio.

Once you have decided on opening an interior decorating business, you should call around to different competitors to get an idea of the services they provide and the fees they charge for their services. This is a great way to decide on how to charge your clients.

There are several ways to price your interior decorating services. They include using a flat fee, hourly fee, percentage fee, cost plus, retail cost or per square foot fee. Most interior decorating businesses use the cost plus method for their fees.

To use the cost plus method, you must contact wholesalers and retailers who offer interior decorating businesses discounts. This way you purchase everything for the project from paint to furniture. You then, sell the products and your services to the client for your cost of the products plus the twenty percent going rate.

Now that you have decided what services you will provide and the cost for each, it is time to advertise. Since you

have contacted suppliers, ask them if you can leave interior decorating flyers and business cards at their locations. If these suppliers have seen your work, and make sure they do, they may also refer their customers to you.

You should also contact realtors, new homebuilders, business offices, stores, hotels and just about anywhere that uses an interior that needs to be decorated. Send each a letter announcing the opening of your business, make sure there is a name on the letter and envelope, and not a generic Business Owner opening. Follow up with a phone call and try to get an appointment to present them with information about you and your interior decorating business. Even if they are not interested right now, they will be in the future, and you want to make sure they remember you.

You can also offer services in the way of teaching a class on home interior decorating. Many community colleges offer personal enrichment classes for everyone in the community. In the class have each person pick a room in their home they want to redecorate. By the end of the class, their room should be complete and you will have more happy customers to spread the word about you and your business.

Once you have started your business, you should subscribe to trade periodicals, and visit websites to get interior decorating tips and ideas from others in the industry. You should purchase books about different areas of decorating and techniques you can use.

Many of the industry associations will only accept members that are licensed Interior Designers. Keep this in mind when you are planning your future goals, but remember there are also many successful interior designers who are not licensed.

With your thoughts now racing about interior decorating, costs, marketing and keeping up with trends, you seem to have made your decision. Start calling competitors, and decorating friends and familys homes. Open your own interior designing business now.

Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as Best Home Based Businesses and Batting Cages Business. Also has a blog: Profitable Home Businesses.

Natural Fiber Rugs

Many people today are finding comfort from nature and enjoy the feeling of having their home surrounded by items made of natural materials. There are many natural fiber rugs available today made from seagrass, bamboo, coir, hemp, jute, mountain grass, sisal, wool and paper. Each is unique and has its uses throughout your home and is a great alternative to synthetic carpeting which depends on the oil industry.

This article will concentrate on the seagrass rugs as one of your natural material area rug choices.

What is Seagrass?

Seagrass is a salt marsh grass grown in paddy fields where a flooding of sea water is needed during the crops cycle. Seagrass reeds are thick and rigid and are non-porous and smooth to the touch. After harvesting, the long reeds are dried and spun into yarns. These yarns are then woven into a variety of designs which produce a smooth broadloom with a long lasting finish. Seagrass is never dyed and comes in its natural color, which has a natural sheen and greenish sage tint that becomes brown with age. Depending on harvest conditions they also may carry a hay like scent which dissipates over time. Because of their texture and color variations in the weave no two seagrass rugs are the same.

Seagrass Rugs

Seagrass rugs are made of natural fibers and are one of the most inexpensive and versatile of all the natural floor coverings available today. Seagrass rugs are strong, withstand heavy traffic, durable, resilient, stain resistant and are also low dust and allergy free. Because of the light colored, mottled variegated appearance it hides most dirt well.

Seagrass rugs are recommended for indoor use only. They are not recommended for bathrooms, kitchens, basements or any other damp and humid area as they can be susceptible to mold and mildew.

Because seagrass rugs are made of non-porous fibers and a naturally smooth surface they are relatively non-absorbent and hard surface they are stain resistant and dirt easily brushes loose from them.

If you have pets, kids, and/or a heavily trafficked area to cover seagrass rugs are the recommended choice more than any other natural material area rug.

Seagrass rugs can last from 5 to 15 years depending on where it is used, the amount of traffic, it’s exposure to high moisture, spills, and nasty stains.

Seagrass Bindings and Backings

Seagrass rugs usually come with a natural latex backing that will keep your rug from slipping so a pad is not needed. But should you wish for additional cushioning or more protection for your floor underneath a rug pad can be used.

Bindings come in many different widths, patterns and materials. These bindings will add the personal touch to bring any room together. Some of the basic bindings to choice from are herringbone cottons, textured linen, jute, wool, chenille, leather and suede. Some prefer to have a binding that is as close to the natural color of the rug.

The width of the binding usually comes in one two or three inches. This gives you the option of deciding on how much of the binding you want to enhance the color schemes in your room.

Seagrass Rug Sizes

Seagrass rugs in most cases come in a width of 13’. The length is never usually an issue as it comes in 85’ rolls. It is not recommended that seagrass rugs are seamed together so you need to keep this in mind when selecting a size. Seagrass rugs can be cut to any shape that you may be looking for. They can be shapes like circles, ovals, L-shaped, or shapes with cut-outs to accommodate areas around a fireplace or built-in. You would need to see what the custom options are from where you plan to purchase your area rug.

Installation of a wall to wall seagrass rug can be tricky and it is recommended that you check into professional installation options.

Cleaning and Care of Your Seagrass Rugs

Seagrass is raised in the water and takes to cleaning and fluid cleaning procedures. Using dry cleaning products like K2R and the Host system avoid seeing a wet spot until the area is completely dry when using a fluid cleaning procedure.

Professional dry cleaning can also be an option you may want to use should you have a stain that is very difficult to remove. Make sure that the professional you use is experienced in natural fiber floor coverings.

Your rug should be rotated every six months or so to change the traffic pattern on the surface. Regular cleaning should be done because loose particles of dirt deduce the life span of the floor covering by causing a scouring effect when left on the rug.

Visible and loose dirt should be regularly with a vacuum. Seagrass rugs are easily cleaned because the dirt does not cling. Your vacuum should have a strong suction and brush attachment or beater brush on it to work loose those particles in the creases and edges.

Dry spills are the easiest to clean by scraping the stain off of the material using a blunt blade such as a spoon. Remove the spill from the edge to the center and vacuum.

Liquid spills can be a little more challenging. Most carpet cleaners can be used on seagrass rugs.

First use a dry clean cotton cloth, rotating frequently to it is always a clean area on the cloth, to blot the spill pressing firmly to absorb as much liquid as possible. Do not rub the area as this can cause the liquid to go further into the fiber. Work from the edge of the spill toward the center to contain the spill.

If the spill is oily try adding a little white vinegar to our cloth to help cut the grease. A mixture of water and a small amount of detergent (such as one used for delicate garments) can be used to also.

Use a carpet cleaner if you have a spill with color. Make sure that you use one that is recommended for the spill you are trying to remove.

Should you use liquid removers, you can use a pad of absorbent tissues, or cloth with something weighing it down to help absorb the remaining moisture in the rug. Using a fan or hair dryer will also dry the area faster. You may still see a water mark at the cleaning area for some time until the area is completely dry, but it will not leave a water mark stain as seagrass is raised in water and takes to cleaning and fluid procedures wonderfully.

If you are interested in seeing the popular seagrass rug and all its choices and selections please visit me at my website Mainlyrugs.com. Seagrass rugs are a perfect choice for your natural fiber area rug purchase.

I am a Maine native offering the best quality, selection and price on seagrass, sisal, bamboo, shag, children's activity, theme and character rugs for all your home decorating needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Faunce

Feng Shui Tips For Your Bedroom

Bedroom is considered as one of the most important feng shui spots in the house. As we spend almost one-third of our time in the bedroom, we just have to make sure it is decorated with good feng shui design or we would end up suffering from many a bad feng shui symptom.

One of the symptoms of wrong location of the bed can be observed in those who are always accident prone. When one is subject to disturbing energy due to bad location of the bed on which one is staying static for at least 8 hours per night or more, one can be very nervous and ill-tempered during the day, to say the least. Not to mention a host of other problems that are related to this bad feng shui symptom. And this can be just the beginning of many problems, which include all kinds of dis-eases at the mental, emotional as well as physical level.

To locate the bed in the best feng shui manner, there are several main points to observe:

1. The bed has to be positioned in such a way that it has to have a solid backup to it. This is to say that it'd be vital to sleep with our heads close to the wall against which the head of our bed is leaned. The further away our head is from the solid wall, the less auspicious energy we're exposed to during our sleep.

2. It's not a good idea to have a ceiling fan right above the bed as, according to the 'Kua' in I-ching, it gives out intrinsic energy imprints for our 'middle section' to be empty, which is absolutely something a pregnant lady should refrain from no matter what. Even for those who are not concerned with pregnancy, such intrinsic energy imprint would throw the solar plexus' energy off balanced, which would create the 'un-groundedness' that is so evident in those who're always considered as having 'bad luck'. Hence the reason for 'bad luck' - when one's not 'grounded', one has nothing to show for, let alone 'luck'.

3. There is no place for mirrors in the bedroom, straight and simple. Besides being used for drawing in energy from its opposite direction, mirrors can bounce energies back and forth, thus creating much dynamic movement of 'chi' - the 'Yang energy'. When too much 'Yang energy' is present in the bedroom, the 'Yin state' is not facilitated. Therefore, it's a wrong idea to have mirrors in the bedroom where the 'Yin state' is to be preferred.

4. The height of the bed is also of much importance in terms of feng shui. One would not want to feel being suspended in mid air when sleeping. The issue of 'un-groundedness' comes into play again here as feng shui has a great deal to do with earth energy. When one is in the open and static 'Yin state', one's energy system is wide open and thus easily affected by many external factors such as those mentioned above. Sleeping with such feeling as being suspended in mid air renders one vulnerable to unstable energetic upheavals; therefore, it's not good feng shui design at all.

On top of all the above-mentioned is the importance of precise configuration of bed location according to the 'flying-stars' table, without which all feng shui work is not complete. What the 'flying-stars' table is to feng shui is very much like the multiplication table to mathematics. No advanced work can be done without it...more on that later.

Dr. Kang-pang Chan is a board-certified naturopathic physican who also is a traditional Chinese Feng Shui master of over 25 years of experience. He can be contacted at http://www.go4realfengshui.com for more expert advice.

Wrought Iron furniture

Wrought iron furniture is among the most elegant styles of furniture that you can have today. Especially if you are keen to buy some outdoor or patio furniture, wrought iron is the best choice. Whether as simple household furniture or as a collector’s item, wrought iron furniture has a unique place. It is very classy in style, durable and design friendly. Some maintenance can enhance the life and usability of the furniture. Interested to know more? Read on.

The Benefits of Wrought Iron Furniture

Durability and weather resistance are the two best aspects of wrought iron furniture. Besides this, it is forever in style, has an elegant look and, in general, matches almost every kind of house style. You can find wrought iron furniture suitable for modern as well as antique and old-fashioned décor.

Wrought iron furniture material is practically indestructible. Furniture made out of wrought iron can hold any weight and size without being even slightly damaged.

The Properties of Wrought Iron Furniture

The word ‘wrought’ is derived from the old past tense of the verb “to work”. Therefore wrought iron can best be described as iron that has been worked. In chemical terms, furniture made out of wrought iron has lower than 15 % iron content. It also contains some slag. Wrought iron is usually tough, malleable and can be easily welded. This property of the material makes wrought iron furniture durable, strong and able to be shaped into different designs. Wrought iron is usually corrosion resistant and, therefore, is ideal as outdoor or patio furniture.

One of the major advantages of wrought iron furniture is that it can be transformed to give a different look. For example, if you simply throw a tablecloth over a wrought iron table, it has a more formal look. As soon as you remove it, the look becomes casual. Therefore, by simple innovative use of linen you can use your wrought iron furniture to transform the look of a room.

Disadvantages of Wrought Iron Furniture

Wrought iron furniture is often expensive. However, the advantages far outweigh this minor drawback. Yes, you have to pay more to buy wrought iron furniture. But, in the end, it is so long lasting and elegant that buying wrought iron furniture is worth the money. Usually molded into exquisite designs, the wrought iron pieces add an elegant look to any patio.

Wrought iron furniture is also susceptible to environmental changes. Iron is a good conductor and so in chilly weather the wrought iron furniture can become too cold to touch. Again, they can become very hot in summer. Wrought iron furniture is also vulnerable to oxidation and therefore can often develop rust.

Maintenance of Wrought Iron Patio Furniture

A little careful maintenance can ensure a long life for your wrought iron furniture. To make your wrought iron furniture weather resistant, you must paint it regularly. Once treated, you can leave it outside in winter. Have a good look at the finish when buying wrought iron furniture. If there are any cracks in the finish, get it touched up with paint. Clean your wrought iron furniture with mild soap and water.

Still waiting? Get your rooms dressed up today with designer wrought iron furniture and make a style statement.

Mario Chompass is a product designer that used metals and hard materials to create home furniture and garden utility furniture, combining the outdoors to the functionality of the material. Read Mario’s articles about Wrought Iron Furniture

Decor Goes Green

Green and sustainable building have gathered wide acceptance, but green is slowly moving into interior design. While green building means resource efficient and environmentally conscious, sustainable design is based on three areas; energy conservation, indoor air quality, and resource conservation. Sustainable renovation and earth-friendly materials make green decor a no-brainer.

-Look for all flooring and furniture to be Formaldehyde-free. These vapors and smells from these can linger for years. They are used in adhesives to construct just about everything. And in making carpet pads and some fibers.

-New biodegradable yarns can create fabulous fabrics for supports and drapes. Available in a wide variety of colors for todays looks.

-Wood bowls are a great friendly accent. Look for abstract shapes and unusual woods.

-Shop for paints that emit low or no toxic fumes. Consider new paints and stains that use henna and clay for as the base for wall finishes.

-Organic wood products are being adapted as wall papers. Barkskin and bamboo are the most popular.

-Locate furniture that is made from sustainable hardwoods such as bamboo. Woods such as oak and maple take many years to re-harvest.

-Don't overlook organic cottons for fabrics and wall coverings. With many new styles and patterns that say today and not hippie-chic.

Mark Nash is the author of "Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional", "Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate", "Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing", and "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home". Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, and USA Today.

View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com

Fireplace Mantels Can Make or Break the Interior Design of a Room

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Fireplace mantels can make or break the interior design of a room whether you use your fireplace or not. Because a fireplace takes up a large section of a wall or dominate a corner, they naturally draw the eye when you first walk into a room. Go for the "cool" factor by incorporating a great design or material in your mantel.

Most people perceive fireplace mantels as those shelves that extend out beyond the firebox. However, a mantel can encompass not only an ornamental framing around the firebox, but also the facing which makes up the outside of the fireplace "wall." If your fireplace has a mantel shelf, the panel or area above it can also be construed as part of the mantel as well.

Many fireplace mantels are made from non-flammable materials for safety and can be incorporated into the design until it butts into the opening of the firebox. No facing is needed. However, if you decide to use other materials like plaster, drywall, fiberboard or wood, you will have to use a noncombustible material to create a facing that frames the firebox. Consult with your local building safety inspectors to determine the measurements of this facing to avoid creating a fire hazard.

Because fireplace mantels are a highly visible element in any room, take your time and shop around for a few options. Fireplace stores will have a variety of options on their showroom floors. Even home improvement centers can offer up some ideas. Do a little research on the internet for inspiration. When you have narrowed down your designs, do a little budget exercise to see how much you are willing to spend on creating a new mantel. If you are not an adept handyman, enter the cost of a contractor into the budgetary equation.

There are a number of prefabricated kits on the market that are geared toward the home do-it-yourselfer. These can be found in a number of styles and materials like solid wood, metal or items with a wood veneer finish. You can also purchase pre-made mantel pieces that are a natural wood or fiber board. With this option, it is less expensive and you can either paint or stain it to your specifications so that it matches your room's d¨¦cor.

Starting fireplace mantels from scratch is the optimal choice, but most people buy a home with an existing fireplace. When the mantel does not reflect the new homeowner's taste, they can either purchase the prefabricated kits as mentioned above or have a mantel custom made-to-order.

This is especially attractive option if the mantel area is an odd shape.

However, expect custom jobs to be pricey.

Do-it-yourselfers can also give existing fireplace mantels a cosmetic facelift. This could be anything from simply painting the brick or resurfacing it with a thin stone veneer. Plastering or drywalling over an existing mantel are other options. Theoretically, you are only limited by your imagination and of course, your wallet! Just think things through before setting the wheels in motion for your mantel re-do.


About the Author

Jon worked in construction for 10 years before starting his own local fireplace installation service 8 years ago. At his website, Jon will show you how his years of experience in the industry can help change your fireplace into the focal point of your home. To learn more about fireplace designs visit http://www.fireplacegate.com

Managing Space in Living Room Efficiently

It's an expression of your personality, on display to all visitors – and it makes both the first, and the last, impression. It's also where family members congregate to lounge around, to watch television, to read or simply for a relaxed chat. Designing this space correctly is crucial.

FURNITURE: Consider the focal point and arrange the rest of your furniture around it. If you have an imposing statue, for instance, or a grand piano, let this be the center of attention, and set the other furniture around it. It's important to consider traffic in the area; does the arrangement allow free movement and give an uncluttered look? Try off-square angles, for a warmer and more casual look. Also, instead of having your sofa touch the wall, you could consider placing it a foot or so away and install a plant or a lamp. To create a “lived-in” aura for your living area, position small furniture in the room. This can be a small bench, or a low sofa table. Place magazines, journals and newspapers under the table. Placing flower vases, baskets and small plants on your table also creates beauty and livens up the room.

For people who have space and want to make a statement, a 12-ft running sofa in artificial leather and off-white will get your guests talking. There is a growing preference for antique furniture used in consonance with contemporary furniture – for instance, a straight-line sofa set with an ornate center table. Today, furniture suitable for different segments of society is available.

COLOURS: Do you want your hall to be a vibrant, or a restful, space? Colours can intimidate, invite or irritate. Green is a relaxing colour and there are several shades to choose from. At the other end of the spectrum, there are people who like orange and red on their walls. Choose a shade that goes with your personality, and ensure your carpets and furniture are well-coordinated. Of course, for the most classic, elegant look, creams and whites always work best, providing the perfect canvas for experimentation with upholstery and furniture.

MIRRORS: If your room is small, particularly, mirrors can add space and depth.

LIGHTING: This can really create or affect the mood in your living room. Don't go in for harsh tube-lights in your living room; they may seem more practical, but do not do anything to bring in a soothing atmosphere. Try focus lighting for items like artifacts and paintings.

WORKING WITH A BUDGET: If your budget is low – say, about a lakh for the living room, opt for basic, minimalistic furniture – cane sofas can also be truly elegant. Colourful mosaics or simple kotah or Jaisalmer stone slabs should be used for flooring to give warmth. Rugs or colourful chatais or durries can be dramatic. Use earthy cottons for upholstery so that stains aren't too visible, and stack colourful cushions around to make your space welcoming. Carry the terracotta theme further with pots and other artifacts. Straight lines, with minimum maintenance and materials are quick to work. Try ceramic or vitrified tiles in an economical range. For the walls, velvet touch emulsion paint can be used.

Instead of opting for expensive materials like marble, play with colour and texture. Avoid false ceilings since they can be expensive and will need maintenance. Of course, if you have a high budget, there is nothing like Italian marble and expensive artifacts to make your living room special.

Find out more about this in http://www.mumbaiproperties.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sreelekha_N

Designing with color

The use of color is also something very personal. It stimulates our senses, power our mood, and helps create a particular ambiance. How we respond to an individual color depends on our nature, extroverts tend to feel happy with bold colors, while introverts prefer more passive colors. Through using specific combinations of color, combined with a careful consideration of simple color schemes is often the most effective.

Try not to use more than one or two principal colors in a room, as well as a contrasting or balancing tone. The best way to choose a background color for the room is to trial with a palette of different shades and tones, in combination with the color and textures of the furniture and materials. Remember the general color schemes of a home have to be in agreement. The walls define the space in a room, while the colors, to a large degree, define the mood.

Colored light, furnishing materials, and structural proportions, we can create a home that is welcoming, helpful, and comfortable. Walls are similar to background music: each color tone is like a musical note can create a pleasant-sounding harmony while others grate with each other. The color with which we surround ourselves will without doubt have an effect on us, and so it is important to feel comfortable with our choice. A discussion with a professional color consultant can help to decide individual needs and select appropriate color.

Colors can be divided into three main groups: those that stimulate and uplift, those that relax and calm, and those that provide harmony or balance. So, having taken a number of things into thought when decorating a room, such as the size of the space, the amount of light, the function if the room, and the style and mood we wish to create, we finally, and most importantly, need to consider the needs of the people who use it.

About The Author: Roger King has been involved in home interior painting for several years, and has been helping people find and review the best value for interior painting solutions. Visit his Web site www.decorativeinteriorpainting.com to learn more about this service.

Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com

Some Kitchen Lighting Design Tips

The kitchen today is the busiest room in the house and kitchen lighting is probably the most important element in kitchen interior design.

Since the kitchen is now being used as a home office, a homework area for children as well as a gathering area for friends and family good kitchen lighting is very important. The right kitchen lighting is able to create just the right atmosphere for entertaining.

Selecting just the right kitchen lighting can be a simple process. You first need to identify the main areas of the kitchen that need sufficient lighting. With specific tasks over the range or cook top, you can use an energy efficient fluorescent tube along with a standard range fan, or a recessed down light in the general area of the stove. One or two track lights over the sink area can provide the correct amount of illumination that would be needed for washing dishes and scouring pots and pans.

For the sink, and countertops a combination of track or recessed lighting, and under cabinet lighting will be to achieve best results in lighting up the countertop and creating a work area that is well lit and free of shadows. Mount the lights as close to the back of the cabinets as possible to avoid creating glare and off the work surfaces. Try to select energy-efficient fluorescent fixtures that will cover at least two-thirds of the of the counter's length.

For the breakfast area a good overhead light is useful since this area is also frequently used for reading. For more kitchen lighting ideas you can consider such lighting systems as chandeliers to high-tech flexible track lighting with decorative pendants. With a dimmer switch these ceiling-hung fixtures will produce adequate task lighting for family activities. You can also lower the light for entertaining.

When considering kitchen lighting design it is important to create muliple layers of lighting including ambient lighting, accent lighting as well as decorative lighting.

Examine the amount of space and try to imagine the opportunities that you have in considering different categories of kitchen lighting design to create an inviting and livable space.

Ambient Lighting - This is the general light in the room. This type of kitchen lighting is needed for all casual activities. This can be achieved through the use of reflected light for different surfaces. An example of this is track lighting.

Task Lighting - An example is under-cabinet lights since they make excellent task lighting. This kind of kitchen lighting is commonly achieved with small light sources using higher and more focused levels of light with a combination of under cabinet lights and overhead lights that are strategically located. This type of lighting will be mostly found in closets, pantries, cabinets, or drawers.

Decorative Lighting - This type of kitchen lighting can add sophistication and color to a space.

Down Lighting - Down lighting is energy efficient and consists of small aperture cans in the ceiling. They can produce a longer lamp life, minimize glare and produce a bright crisp light.

Low Voltage Track and Mono Rail Lighting - These lighting systems can offer an interesting and more flexible type of lighting and are easy to install. They can be hand-bent and shaped to provide architectural interest. Low voltage lighting dims more easily and lights decorative objects and surfaces dramatically.

James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com. He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design.
About the Author

James Mahoney is the owner of Kitchen Designers Idea.com. Learn about today's kitchen design ideas by visiting his site at http://www.kitchendesignersideas.com. If you liked this article and would want to subscribe to his information packed newletter visit: http://www.kitchendesignersideas.com

Decorating Your Home With Art Prints and Posters

Decorating your home doesn't have to be hard. In fact, maybe all you need are a couple of well placed art prints. A plain wall can really look boring, but having a quality framed art print on your wall can really add the needed finishing touch to create the illusion of a perfect room. Just imagine a room with a bare wall versus a living room with a large art print of a beautiful scenic image of nature like a national park, a waterfall, or maybe the Grand Canyon. Today, thanks to the Internet, in scenic art prints alone you can literally choose between thousands of art prints online and have them delivered to your door. Scenic images are available for beaches, oceans, castles, sky lines, lighthouses, meadows, rainbows, seasonal nature scenes, tropics, sunsets, and my favorite, western art.

In choosing a work of art for your home wall, you, of course, have to consider the function of the room you are shopping for and your own personality. While your teenager might want a poster of the latest movie like Pirates of the Caribbean on their wall put up with thumb tacks, you'll probably want something a bit more elegant for your living room. If you have a home library, you might want a historical piece, perhaps showcasing one of the Presidents, American history, education, or world culture fine art prints. Perhaps something by one of the great artists like Vincent Van Gogh would be fitting for your home.

Obviously the atmosphere you want to represent in your home is of key importance. If you want a western feel to your home then art featuring horses, cattle herding, canyons, wagon trains, and of course western sunsets should be right up your alley. It's all a matter of capturing your personality with the look and feel of your home.

If it's a garage or work area it doesn't hurt to add an poster of a classic car. Images of Elvis Presley, James Dean, or other classic 1950's images really go well in areas like this.

If you're a collector at heart then you might consider a vintage art print. These are considered art today, but once they were simply ads for products like soap, Coca Cola, travel, and magazines.

For the collector of entertainment related items, like movie posters and comic book characters, take note that these posters have never been hotter. Original movie posters are becoming extremely collectible. Movie posters are great for the contemporary home or family rooms.

Shopping online for art prints offers a wider selection than you can possibly imagine. There is no other logical way to shop for fine art, particularly if you are searching for a that perfect art print or poster or have an item already in mind you're looking for.

This article is by http://www.posterlovers.com the home for art prints and posters find what you are looking for to decorate your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Frady

7 Simple Interior Decorating Tips and Ideas

Interior decorating for quite some time has been a concept or task left to the interior decorator.

But because people nowadays are becoming more and more aware and involved in the interior decorating aspects of their homes, there are many homeowners that are forced into adopting their own interior decorating techniques and processes.

Home or interior decorating, as wrongly perceived by people ages ago, need not be expensive and need not requiring degrees and diplomas in the discipline.

Overall, the idea behind interior decorating is going for the basic or going for the simple. Being interiorly designed and comfortable, a home does not need to be really equipped with the most expensive devices and equipment.

Remember, the basic idea of interior decorating is functionality and usage. It is to be put above all, above the aesthetic and beauty of the home.

Interior decorating of homes can be as simple as one, two, three. Here are some practical and very simple solution on how the interior design of your home could be improved and boosted.

1. Free up spaces. Throw away unnecessary items and equipment. Old equipment that already obsolete or useless should already put to retirement.

2. The storage room is the room for decorations that are not in season or timely. Christmas decors should be kept out it is already March.

3. Make the home spacious by freeing it from useless materials and equipment. Huge sofas and tables are also a no-no if the space of your home is already limited.

4. Put out all the small figurines and picture frames that are distracting the atmosphere and scaring them, instead of awing and amusing them. Those are old-styles, the modern interior decoration go for less displays. Less is totally more this time.

5. Consider replacing carpets, or putting one in the living room if there is not already one in place. That would provide for a cozy atmosphere.

6. The kitchen should be clean and well-lighted because it is the most important area in the house. It should be painted with light to even darker colors to make up for a more appetizing atmosphere.

7. The bathroom should still be spacious. Remember functionality, uses are more than aesthetics.

Interior designing a house need not be really tedious. Just follow your instinct and remember, functions come ahead of beauty. Good luck!

For more simple interior decorating tips and ideas, please visit http://www.home-decorating-made-simple.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Lee

Smarten Your Interiors

Monday, August 07, 2006

Interior design is the process of shaping theexperience of interior space, through the manipulation of theavailable volume as well as surface treatment. Interior Designis dependent on environmental psychology, architecture, productdesign and furniture design in addition to traditionaldecoration.

The role of the interior decorator evolved in the 18thcentury from the Parisian marchand-mercier(a "merchant ofgoods") and the upholder in London.

With the existing architecture of any building, one candecorate it or arrange the various elements in such a way thatit looks good and at the same time easy to use. There is adistinct difference between interior decorating and interiordesigning. Interior decorating is generally focused on finishes,such as wallpapers, paint, window coverings and furnishings.

While interior design involves manipulating the integrity, havethe available interior space, as well as creation of a lifestyleexperience through the study of human behavior. Designingdepends on the type and size of the room. The basic roomsinclude living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, deck, and homeoffice. But these can be further classified into

Drawing room

Guest room

Dining room

Adult's room

Kids room

Teen's room

Interior designing is not only meant for houses but alsoextensively for corporate offices as it's very important tocreate good atmosphere for pleasurable work experience. The goalof interior decoration is to provide a certain "feel" for theroom, it encompasses applying wall paper, paintings walls andother surfaces, choosing furniture and fittings, such as lightfixtures, and providing other decorations for the area such aspaintings and sculptures.

Home design concentrates on architecture, and might also beinvolved in cabinet making, room layout, window placement,appliance selection, tile and floor selection and so on. Homedesign tends to be more integrated with the architecture, and inaddition to the above areas, might also be involved in cabinetmaking, room layout, window placement, appliance selection, tileand floor selection, and so on.

The Living Room:

It's the place where we spend most of the time and since itshere we welcome our guests; it is the most important room of thehouse and its usually the first room of the house. Its veryimportant to make this room look good as this room gives notonly the impression about the house but also the people. Theroom should contain extensive

wall hangings and lights which iseasily available in smdblue.com Fountains and beautiful flowervases also add to the beauty of the room. When you are away tomake a cup of coffee, you can make your guests engaged by havingsome of your family photographs and other special occasionphotos in beautiful and unique photo frames. To make the photoslook more interesting, hanging frames from smdblue.com can alsobe used.

Bedroom:

Based on for whom the room is meant one can decorate itaccordingly. If it's for adults then you can embellish it with ahuge master bed with a bed canopy, ethnic floral cushions andbolster pillows. If it's meant for kids then decorate it withflower pillows and princess pillows from smdblue.com

Kitchen:

Since its here, where all the delicious delicacies are made.It's not only sufficient to have all the necessary equipmentsbut they should be attractive enough. To achieve this one canuse eye-catching coasters, cookie jars, serving trays, salt andpepper shakers, plate racks, wine racks and fruit wall plague.

Bathroom:

Most of the people are not concerned with the decorationinvolved in the bathroom. It's very essential to decorate itwith suitable things. Towel holders, wood caddies, wall cabinet,bathroom set, keepsakes box are a few items which can be used tomake your bathroom look stylish and at the same time neat.

Office:

Most offices opt for a formal look. Apart from regular elementson the table of the employee or the boss, certain elements likecherub bookends, shelf sconces, cactus tables can create acenter of attention and give a very delightful feel to the placeof work. Essential parts of all design styles are concept,colour, proportion, balance, and function of design. Althoughall styles differentiate their usage of each of these, they areall an integral part of the overall look and feel of a room orspace. Designers incorporate the seven elements of design tocreate and enhance style: form, mass, shape, line, color,texture and pattern Apart from all the design style smdblue.comhas a collection of exclusive and stunning products that willadorn your interiors and give them a startling look.

About the author:

Reena Madhu is a SEO copywriter for smdblue.com,She has writtenmany articles in various topics.For more information visit http://www.smdblue.com.

She can be reached at reenaamadhu@gmail.com

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* Article Source: Michael Russell
* Your Interior Design Guide
* Visit us for more information.
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Interior Design Tips For Smaller Living Rooms

Living room in every home generally has the largest volume. The simple reason behind this is a living room is considered as a "gateway" to all other internal spaces. But in case of an apartment block in crowded city, scarcity of space is an issue resulting in compact architectural planning. This gives rise to apartments with bare minimum spaces.

Whatever be the case we can make minor changes to internal design and presentation to create a look and feel of a bigger living room.

There is one very important thumb rule when it comes to playing with internal spaces. The more light you will allow to enter a room, the more it will be perceived as a big room as far as volume is concerned. Also if you use brighter color shades that will help a uniform and smooth reflection of light equally in all the corners of the living room, it will be easier and effortless transition from small to big room perception.

There are certain points we can consider here.

1) Avoid using heavy furniture such as big stuff sofas, wardrobes or bookshelves that have closed shutters. Instead if you use sofas with sleek frame (like the one in bamboo furniture) this will create more transparency and will help in perception of more space. Also storage units such as TV unit, book shelves if kept open will reveal more wall surface behind them and reduce the "bulky" look.

In an interior space that is empty the perception of "small or big" is usually decided depending upon the dimensions of the space. The volume of the space defined by the boundaries of walls, floor and ceiling defines the space. The openings in the walls further help in reducing the bulkiness of the space. Next when the furniture fits in its place the importance or influence of the walls reduces and all attention gets focused on the furniture facades.

That's why it is necessary to use sleek furniture in smaller rooms, that will help in revealing the true nature of a space.

2) Allow more light to enter the living room by using light curtains. Instead of using heavy looking "valances" use simple and if possible semi transparent curtains that are just enough to reduce glare that might be caused because of direct sunlight.

3) Use brighter color schemes commonly known as "hot" color schemes. These create a very good transmission and reflection of natural as well as artificial light inside the living room.

There is one more different approach to defining the perception of the living room (or any interior space) and that's the empty volume left behind after all the furniture and other accessories have been fitted. Because anything in our living world is always "relative". The perceived volume is always relative to the empty volume that is normally used for circulation. The more empty volume you get, the bigger the room will look.

This also applies with transmission of light in all the spaces. The more you can get inside the room better it is for the healthy habitat inside the living room.

I hope this article was informative and will help you understand the concept of smaller and bigger perception of internal spaces.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of http://www.livingroomdatabase.com Visit today to get more free tips on designing and decorating a beautiful and charming living room of your wildest dreams.

Clawfoot Bathtubs: A Classic Touch in Your Own Home

Flat TV’s, contemporary art, remote controlled curtains, and all things modern can be found everywhere in a typical American home. They may be pleasing to own but too much of it can make your house too “modern” to look at and sometimes dull and boring.

You may remember the times when simple things were beautiful to look at. Today, many people are considering adding a touch of history in their homes. The warmth and homey look of a home isn’t found in modern appliances and fixtures. Even bathroom fixtures are now integrated with state-of-the-art technology. Home bathtubs are integrated with personal Jacuzzis with a large plasma TV and a floating remote control. These things can be great but it just lacks that classical, homey look that a home should have.

Whenever you visit your grand parent’s house, you will notice the inviting look of a simple yet very classic look inside their homes. No plasma television, no remote controlled curtains, simple kitchen fixtures and those great cookie jars. You may even notice that their bathroom is equipped with simple yet attractive fixtures.

Even the bathtub has its traditional look. If you want this in your own home, you may try and consider buying a clawfoot bathtub. A clawfoot bathtub is very popular for people who want to have that classic American look in their bathroom. It is very simple in design and very pleasing to look at.

There are different styles in a clawfoot bathtub. You should consider choosing one that will compliment your bathroom more. There are clawfoot bathtubs that are made from cast iron or acrylic. The style also varies from roll top, dual and dual slipper. You can also choose from different kinds of feet for your clawfoot bathtub like a ball & claw, lion paw, imperial pedestal and skirt.

Choosing what kind of clawfoot bathtub you want for your home is up to you. Basically, here are the things you should know about the two different kinds of materials used in the clawfoot bathtub.

If you are a strict traditionalist and want a clawfoot bathtub to have that original look, you may want to consider having a cast iron clawfoot bathtub. These bathtubs can be painted and repainted to match the décor in your bathroom. Cast iron clawfoot bathtubs are heavy and are not suited for people with bathrooms in the second floor of their house. And, since it is metal, it will not retain heat too long. One advantage of cast iron clawfoot bathtubs is that it can last a long time.

On the other hand, the acrylic clawfoot tubs are light weight and are easier to move and install. It is also perfect for upper story baths because of its weight. Acrylic clawfoot bathtubs are good insulators that can keep your water warm longer.

One disadvantage of acrylic is that it will break down if strong cleaning chemicals are used, like acetate.

You can also install different kinds of faucets for your clawfoot bathtub. Try experimenting or think about what designs you want your faucets to be in your clawfoot bathtub.

If you want your home to have that classical touch, you can start redecorating it in your bathroom. Having a clawfoot bathtub installed in your bathroom can have a pleasing effect with the things around it. With a clawfoot bathtub, you will surely have an enjoyable and relaxing experience while you are bathing.

About the author:

Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Clawfoot Bathtubs where you will find further tips to spruce up your bathtub.

An Overview Of Commonly Used Materials In Interior Design

Every interior space has some unique qualities attached to it.If you have visited a natural outdoor space like a forest, youwill notice thousands of varieties of "textures" in the form ofwooden barks, leaves, ground surfaces, stones, water etc...

All these natural elements create a unique visual effect and allvisual effects have a corresponding effect on human mind. That'swhy when used carefully textures can create wonders in interiordesign.

The most commonly used materials in interior design anddecoration are wood for furniture, cloth for linen,rubber/leather for flooring or upholstery, paper as wallpapers,plastic for accessories like lampshades and other decorativeitems, steel for furniture.

Let's take a closer look at these materials and their texturalqualities.

1) Wood....

Most commonly used for furniture, door frames, shutters. Themain reason behind this is it is easy to work with wood. The artof carpentry is an age old profession. Because of the nature ofwood like softness and the same time the amount of strength itcan withstand, makes it a popular choice amongst furnituredesigners.

A fully polished wood surface gives a very rich finish andprojects user friendliness. Also wood comes in many varietiesand colors, each having its own pros and cons.

2) Cloth....

A very natural choice for linen. Since a cloth finish is asmooth one it is most suitable in a bedroom where comfort is avery vital factor. The biggest advantage of various types ofcloth is that most types are washable so maintenance is easy.

Cloth has one more important quality that it can be "painted"for expressing detailed decorative patterns, that can greatlyadd to the beauty of the space.

It is also possible to do "embroidery" on cloth, if painting isnot a good choice or budget doesn't allow. Depending upon theweave of the cloth strands the thickness, transparency, etc. canbe easily achieved. This makes the cloth most suitable forvarious kinds of uses such as linen, curtains, bed sheets, etc...

3) Rubber/Leather....

Rubber is used in the form of PVC flooring, is easily availableand most importantly is wash proof and durable. It can beprinted upon using design patterns of any style, rich

withcolors. Comes in the form of large sheets or even individualtiles.

Unlike tiled flooring the PVC flooring is much less affected byatmospheric changes. Other types of tiled floorings or evenwooden flooring can have a direct effect on the surface becauseof the expansion and contraction of the flooring material. A PVCflooring is glued to the tiled flooring I hope you havebenefited from these words.

4) Plastic....

There are infinite uses of this great material. The onlydisadvantage environmentalist have pointed out that it is notbio-degradable.

Because of its artificial nature it can be "manufactured" invarious. colors, shapes, sizes, strength. The biggest advantageof plastic is it is waterproof and electrical shockproof. That'swhy mainly used for electrical accessories. It is lightweight ascompared to other material types. Entire furniture pieces suchas chairs, tables can be easily molded out as a seamless modelin plastic.

5) Steel/Iron....

Steel is mostly used in interior design where the main purposeis to give support and carry weight to the floor. That's whymain use of steel is done to create the structural frame thatcarries the weight of the people who are going to use thefurniture piece.

A very common type of steel is the "Stainless Steel". Because ofits shining nature, it very quickly gives a rich quality to theobject being used on and enhances the overall quality of theinterior space.

Furniture objects that have been designed with a combination ofwood and steel look much balanced from aesthetic point of view.But doing so requires a careful study of the joiner details,especially where wood and steel joint together.

The following discussion was only a brief introduction of thetypes of material being used in interior design industry. Everyday more and more good quality and cheaper material types arebeing presented in the market. I hope this article wasinformative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

About the author:

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster ofBedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Here you will find somegreat concept level design tips for bedroom sets.Visit today.


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* Article Source: Michael Russell
* Your Interior Design Guide
* Visit us for more information.
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Interior Design That Builds A Family Legacy

After 40 plus years as a furniture restorer, it still warms my heart when a client brings in an old item for review, wondering if it might be possible to do something with it. There was a time long ago when if the item presented was not really worth the time, I would recommend against the restoration. As I have grown a little older I have begun to realize, there is a kind of value that defies appraisal.

The furnishings and other artifacts we have, and pass along to our kids and grandkids are more about preserving a family tradition and carrying on a pride in our family and loved ones than just a place to sit. As I slow down and really listen to what my clients are saying, it starts to become more and more clear, It isn't really about the chair or end table or whatever on the surface it seems to be. The little thing they brought along for me to see. The thing they are trying to grab onto is really more a legacy than any thing else. It's a way to preserve what seems good about the past, and to bring that forth in their home today.

Maybe that thing lives inside the chair, where as a kid they remember Grandpa sitting on the front porch, smoking his pipe and telling stories of how it was when his daddy raised him. It's a reminder of stories from a time before people had electricity in the house, and chilly visits to the outhouse on a cold November night.

For example, not long ago, a client of ours named Barbara stopped by to drop off a family piece. My associate commented about a rocking chair, it was laying just inside the door of our shop in pieces where barb left it just a moment before, I think something like "why in the world, would anybody spend money on that?" At face value, it's a valid question. The chair wasn't that good. The cost of restoration probably was every bit or more what it would cost to replace the rocker, but there was more to it than that, he had totally, missed the point as so many do. The rocker belonged to Barbara's Mother whom had used it to rock barb and her little brother when she herself, was a young mother, it was a gift to her from her mom and in turn Barbs Mom had given to her just before passing away. I'm pretty sure that Barb had a lot of other chairs, and I'm sure she could have gone out and bought one just as nice for the money she was spending for the restoration, but knowing what we now know, that's not the point is it?

As time goes on, my hair gets thinner, and my belly gets thicker, and I see more and more, the importance of leaving a legacy, as individuals, families and even as a country. And the stuff we have in and around our homes, while it is so true that we can't take it with us, what we leave behind helps us to tell a story. The story of what we hold dear, the values we ascribe to and the example we set for future generations to model.

Christmas dinner on Grandma's dining set will always taste better, and a book enjoyed in front of a fireplace is more intriguing if you are seated in mom's rocking chair. So, when taking inventory and planning what to do with potential heirlooms when they come your way think twice. Remember, it's not only about cost benefit analysis and replacement cost. When you decide to keep that rocker, or table or dining set, keep this in mind, these things are heavy laden vehicles, vehicles that transport fond memories, important values and sometimes several lifetimes worth of identity. I believe, that if you plan your interior design projects with these thoughts in mind, you will develop a real beautiful and warm home, a back drop for all the things you hold dear, and an opportunity to teach the next generation what is good and true and praiseworthy in life.

About the Author

John VerHines is a seasoned restorer and president of Gramco. With 40+ years experience in the craft of furniture restoration.To learn more visit http://www.GramcoFurnitureRestoration.com Copyright 2006Gramco Furniture

Creating Your Own Home Interior Ideas

Sunday, August 06, 2006

It is quite rare to ask a person about their dream house, and to hear that they 'haven't really thought about it'. I am sure you have some of your own home interior ideas but you may need a little jumpstart to really get creative. This short guide will get your creative juices going.

What's Your Style?

You should keep in mind that in order to design your home, you have to get in touch with the signature style and express it in your own unique way. If you end up looking at a lot of other people's house, and merely try to replicate what they have done, it will be likely that you will not really feel like your home is an expression of
yourself. Don't be afraid to be unique and creative with your home interior ideas.

You could express your style through the kind of collectibles you display, the artwork on your walls, the kind of foliage you maintain, etc. However, it is important to keep in mind that you are not doing all this just to occupy space. Each article should be an inspiration and convey a certain message about yourself and family. The true beauty in developing your unique home interior ideas is that you own the ideas, feel and look which is truly priceless.

More importantly, ensure that in the pursuit of decorating in line with your style, you have not forgotten to make it a comfortable living area for yourself. It would be a pity to have a wonderfully decorated house, which you refuse to comfortably live in, for fear of ruining your decoration.

Ask for Opinions

It's amazing how different a perspective you will get on things, once you ask for another person's point-of-view. This does not mean that you should run around asking everyone you meet for advice and suggestions. But, you will be surprised how someone else could easily come up with an idea, which would be a real stunner for your decoration style and will help create even more unique home interior ideas.

Matter of Finance

Before actually putting your plans into effect, it is very important to decide on how much money you are going to put into decorating your home. This is quite vital, as anyone can get carried away with all the wonderful ways in which they find they can decorate their home.

Take Action

How long has it been since you have been thinking of buying that 'perfect' piece of art for that wall? Or going to your aquarium store to buy a really nice set for your living room?

Quite often, we make all these plans and put them aside to be done 'sometime'. Well, now is the time to put your home interior ideas in action.

A good idea would be to actually make a list of all the ways in which you would like to decorate your home and implement it. Consider different kinds of rug for your floors, or wisely chosen artwork for your walls. You could think of buying prints or even framing your children's artwork for their own home space.

Whatever the kind of decoration design you choose, what is most vital is to ensure that it fits your budget and reflects your own personal style. Ok, now that you are done reading, get going with your home interior ideas.

About the Author:

Tim C. Smith is a succesful webmaster and publisher. You can find more creative and useful home improvement information at Home Interior Ideas

An Introduction To Kitchen Cabinets

One of the most common things that you see in the kitchen is the kitchen cabinet. In most homes, the kitchen cabinets reflect the personality of the homeowner. Actually, these are the ones that have the greatest impact on the overall look of the kitchen. That is why it is necessary to have them in your kitchen.

Kitchen cabinets come in different shapes, sizes, designs, colors where you can choose one that will best complement your kitchen. You can also go either for framed cabinets or frameless types. Aside from these, you can also choose from stock kitchen cabinets, semi-custom or built-to-order cabinets, and custom cabinets.

Stock cabinets are constructed in standard sizes which are often available off the shelf or within days. These are referred to as the most affordable fully assembled cabinets. The semi-custom or built-to-order cabinets, on the other hand, give you better options since these are made to order within standard specifications and may even include accessory items for a more customized look. Meanwhile, custom cabinets offer you more advantages since you can have them built according to your desired specifications in order to best go with your kitchen’s looks.

With the many options available for kitchen cabinets these days, finding one is not a difficult process. But before purchasing, make sure that you look for important qualities of the cabinets that you choose such as conversion varnish, high solid sealers for protection of the wood, hand-rubbed stains, ultra violet inhibitors to prevent from over exposure to damaging light, and sanding procedures between finish steps to produce smooth surfaces.

Kitchen cabinets can be easily purchased from your local shopping centers. However, if you don’t have time to visit one, you can always go online and check online sites that offer quality kitchen cabinets at affordable prices.

Kitchens provides detailed information on Kitchens, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Designs and more. Kitchens is affiliated with Free Floor Plans.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando

The Oriental Vs. Contemporary Bedroom Design Theory

Dear friends,

If you have read any interior design books/articles, visited
a few websites on the internet, you will find the word theme used
quite often.

What exactly is a theme-based design?

A theme according to me is a collection of various parameters of
design of an interior space. So a theme may include a certain set
colors, materials, repetition of a certain element, such as
a decorative item, etc...

Primarily there are two basic themes under which a design can
be categorized, 1)Oriental 2)Contemporary.

Oriental Bedroom Design Theme:

These kind of themes have a still drilled down niche design
themes, such as country, rustic, vintage, elegant, etc...
One of the major thing about these kind of themes is that much
emphasis is given on the natural beauty of any material.
These designs are close to nature or are shown to be close to
nature.

These kind of design styles are very rarely found in the urban
city interiors. Mostly the countryside homes adopt these kind if
themes, to replicate the flora and fauna of the outside environment.

The designer tries to include the patters seen in nature, such as
leaves, flowers, plants. All these natural patterns are seen on
wallpaper patterns, decorative lamps, curtains, furniture
upholstery, wall paintings, etc...

Homes which are build on country side such as farm houses, the scarcity
of space is not an issue, but this creates another problem as far as
designing interiors is concerned.

A bedroom, no matter of what size it is, requires some basic
furniture elements as functional needs, such as a double bed,
dressing table, wardrobes, study tables, a book shelf etc..

It is sometimes possible that because of the large spaces, the
bedroom looks empty after the furniture is arranged. At such
times "decoration" plays a major role. During ancient years
the palaces and castles had such large built spaces, where
extensive use of decoration was used in the form of paintings,
heavy decorative flooring patterns, carvings, moldings as a
decorative architectural elements.

So in this oriental design trend, decoration of the space using
various accessories plays a major role.

Contemporary design Theme:

These kind of design themes are very new as compared to the
previously mentioned oriental design theme. But how did the
designers came along using these kind of designs?

During the starting years of the 20th century, the "Industrial
Revolution" in Europe changed the face of our planet. It
was easy to design and manufacture goods on a mass scale
with amazing speed and efficiency.

This created a flood of industries in and around the cities.
These cities attracted large amount of people to migrate from
rural areas to city centers in search of a living.

Because of this migratory effect there was a sudden need of
housing requirement for the workers. This is where the concept of
an "apartment" was introduced. Because of the pressure of demand,
a school of thoughts emerged within the architects, who
believed that "simplicity" is the need of today's era.

They thought that, the design of the building has to be simple
and easy to build, then only we can compete with the growing
demand of housing needs in cities. That's why simple designs with mostly plane and square faces with square or rectangular openings
were used. These forms and masses were easy to build and still
beautiful. If everything from "safety pins" to "space ships"
could be built on a mass scale, why not "buildings".

The school of thought believed that a plane rectangular form
is in itself beautiful and they proved this using infinite
permutations and combinations of the basic square form. That's
why decoration was given a second preference. Today we call this
school of thought as "contemporary". In contemporary design
every element has an order.

That's why in today's modern interior design, simplicity is the
key to an efficient design. Unlike the previous oriental design
theme, the contemporary design theme states that any kind of
architectural decoration is always dependent on the basic form
of the building. The form itself is so beautiful, that the need
to further decorate it is not required. Today's modern interiors
spaces are simple to understand, simple to construct, and
project a kind of simplicity.

By reading the above paragraphs some of you might say that,
decoration is no more needed. But this is not true. I am not trying
to force some ideas here. But most people confuse the whole
concept of "Interior Design" and "Interior Decoration". Both
are quite different and both have a unique value in today's
complex society.

Decoration was something the primitive man learned, looking at
the nature around him. He saw plants, flowers, birds, animals
and tried to copy these elements. We still use "embroidery" on
our dresses. But the modern design theory says that any sort
of decoration can only "enhance" the existing form, but can not
be an element of design.

What does this mean?

In the above said example the "embroidery" pattern can certainly
add to the beauty of the cloth, but the modern theory denies to
accept the cloth to be of a cheap quality. It states that every form, texture, material, shape is in itself beautiful and must be
accepted as it is. Because of this the need to further decorate it
does not arise.

Thus decoration whether used in architecture or elsewhere is always
dependant on the form on which it is used, but design is
an independent entity which does not need any justification from the
external factors.

The two design themes mentioned above are still widely used today.
The user must look upon them from a point of view of what best suits
his/her likes and dislikes. Only then can you give yourself and
your family the best quality of living.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

About the author:
Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit TODAY to get an in-depth knowledge of master bedrooms, teen bedrooms and child bedrooms.

About Beautiful Decorative Oriental Carpets and Rugs

The Oriental carpet has always been synonymous with exotic luxury, elegant design, and a comfortable, highly aestheticized environment. From the earliest times, humans have needed to embellish and ornament the circumstances in which they lived, and the medium of woven carpets soon emerged to meet such requirements. Carpet production is attested from ancient times. Flatwoven floor coverings are probably as old as textiles and architecture. The oldest knotted pile carpets can be attested by the sixth century B.C., but their production may well be considerably older. Some experts believe that pile carpets originated among tent-dwelling nomadic peoples to the east of Central Asia as a more decorative substitute for animal hides, providing comfort and insulation as well as decoration. Carpet making reached the Near East through contact with such nomadic peoples. Since relations between Central Asian nomads and the Near East were more or less constant, the production of pile carpets in the latter region was probably stimulated and influenced by nomadic traditions again and again.

This process first becomes clear in the medieval period, between the eleventh and the fourteenth centuries, when various Central and East Asian peoples like the Turks and Mongols came to power across the eastern Islamic world, bringing with them traditions of carpet making that were by now many centuries old. The earliest Near Eastern carpets of this kind are those of Seljuk Turkey and those made in Iran under the Mongol and Timurid dynasties. Carpets of this kind now began to have highly complex designs influenced by contemporary textiles, especially silks.

From this period on, the knotted pile carpet became an increasingly standard feature of Islamic art and high culture, and soon it captured the attention of wealthy Europeans as well. Already by the thirteenth century merchant travelers like Marco Polo remarked on the beauty of the Oriental carpets they encountered on their journeys, and soon such carpets began to be imported into Venice and thence to the rest of Europe. While actual early carpets of this kind are rarely preserved, European painting by the great masters from Giotto and Ghirlandaio to Holbeim, van Eyck, Lotto, and Vermeer constantly depict carpets from Turkey and Iran. Such paintings document the importance that the Oriental carpet had attained by this time as a quintessential symbol of cosmopolitan taste and affluence. So valued were these carpets that there were various attempts to imitate or adapt them in Europe.

After the seventeenth century Europeans briefly lost interest in the Oriental carpet. This probably reflected developments in the Near and Middle East, where all the great ruling dynasties collapsed or went into regression, bringing about a corresponding roll-back in the quantity and quality of carpet production. During this hiatus European carpet production was stepped up, creating the Aubusson and Savonnerie types in a Neo-Classical western style. Carpet production in Spain, which had begun under Muslim rule in the Middle Ages, also moved in to meet the European demand for rugs.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, rug weaving in Iran went into a great period of revival under the highly retrospective Qajar dynasty, re-awakening the European interest for Oriental carpets and creating a new American market for them as well. This eventually led to a revival or expansion of carpet production in Turkey and also a revival of Indian carpet weaving under British rule. At this time Chinese carpets, whose production went back to ancient times, finally became known in quantity to European and American markets.

From that time on the western world became used to an endless variety of Oriental rugs and carpets whose production continues into the present time. The most notable recent developments are the revival of vegetable dyes and hand-spinning of wool, which had largely died away in the course of the twentieth century. Such new productions capture much of the quality and original flavor of antique Oriental rugs. But only a genuine antique can preserve the soul and spirit of Oriental rug weaving, an art form that reaches back virtually unbroken to the earliest times. Antique Oriental rugs are not only objects of great beauty and rarity; they are a much-needed bridge to a bygone world of consummate skill and expressiveness that is vastly different from the mass-culture of modern western experience.

Written by David Castriota

David is an expert in art and Oriental rugs.

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