INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS

Home Decorating

2009-06-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

Utter the two words home decorating in a crowd or women and the place will go mad. These two words seem to breathe fire in women’s bellies. Most women love the idea of home decorating. When discussed in a crowd, there will likely be all sorts of ideas and tips passed around. For some strange reason the female population enjoy making changes, especially to their homes. The idea of getting rid of the old and bringing in the new gets women all excited.

Many people like change, women and men, boys and girls. Home decorating is a great way to make immediate changes in a person’s space. Even slight changes in home décor can make a space seem new and refreshed. Home decorating is an excellent way of taking a tired looking space and transforming it into a bright, happy atmosphere. It is a terrific way to bring people up when they are feeling down.

Home decorating can involve all kinds of different colors, fabrics, furniture, flooring and accessories. Some people spend thousands of dollars decorating their homes while other people use only imagination to make magnificent changes. Home decorating depends on the individual’s taste, their intentions and of course their finances. When people have plenty of money to use for home decorating, often they will hire a professional home decorator.

Hiring a professional home decorator is a great opportunity to have a home transformed into a trendy environment. Home decorators are in touch with the latest trends and styles in home decorating. With their talent and experience they are able to take a plain, boring room and transform it into a happening, exciting space to hang out in. With regards to home decorating, if a person desires something totally unimaginable, they might want to hire a professional home decorator.

Home decorating is very important to some people. In fact there are those who make changes in their home each and every season. Most people like to do a little home decorating at Christmas time but there are those who like to jazz up their home in the spring, summer, fall and winter. Using home decorating tips and ideas, people transform their homes to fit the each season.

When a homeowner is trying to sell their home, a bit of home decorating may increase their chances of success. People viewing a home are often attracted to the cosmetics of the space. Home decorating provides a homeowner the opportunity to give their home a face-lift before putting it on the real estate market. With a few slight changes to the furniture placing in a room, perhaps a calming color on the walls and a bouquet of flowers in a lovely vase on a table, a potential buyer might be won over. When a home is nicely decorated, there is evidence that the homeowner takes pride in their home and cares for it. This would certainly make a good impression on a potential buyer. Just a few little home decorating tricks may be responsible for selling the house.

About the Author:
Harry Henderson runs his own home decorating company and writes articles and reviews for several websites as well as his own homes-interiors-and-gardens.com/Home-Decorating.html.

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Home Decorations

2009-05-23T04:06:00.000-07:00

There are many home improvement projects that you can carry out to make your home a more comfortable space and to add to its value as property. These home improvement projects include remodeling the basement, kitchen, and bathrooms, and painting both the exteriors and interiors regularly.

Whenever most people think of home improvement projects, they think in terms of doing up the living areas, such as the bedrooms, drawing room, and dining room. However, there is just so much that you can do in a bedroom—maybe add a comfortable bed, a reading lamp, a table or ceiling fan, a bookshelf, and a study table. Most people seldom entertain formally, so areas such as the drawing room and dining room seldom get used. You can, however, put in some comfortable sofas, chairs, end tables, and coffee tables, and put in an expandable dining table, chairs, and breakfront in the dining room. You are most likely to use your kitchen as an area to not only prepare and cook food, and wash utensils and laundry, but also to serve family meals and entertain informally.

You can add electric floor warming systems for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements to make these areas of your home more comfortable. If you waterproof and ventilate your basement and use glass blocks to let in natural light, you can use it as a gym, study, home office, or home entertainment room. You will need to put in an intercom system so that you can not only make and receive calls in the basement, but also keep in touch with other family members.

To make your kitchen a visually appealing space, you can add countertops that complement or match the cabinetry, floor, or walls. Your countertops could be of granite, marble, wood, or stainless steel. To bring in more light into the kitchen, you can place a large ceiling fixture in the center of the kitchen, with track lights near the sink, range, and countertops. You can also use warm colors for the kitchen walls and floor, add recessed lights and dimmers, and highlight your cabinets. You can use tiles, laminates, and hardwoods as flooring. Your cabinets can complement or match the colors used in the walls and flooring. You can even use stained glass panels for kitchen cabinets.

To make your bathroom a truly relaxing space, you can always add a steam shower, a body spa, or a comfortable bathtub where you can soak for hours and allow the tensions of the day to flow away from you. See that your bathroom is well-lit. If you are interested in chromatherapy, you will find several products, such as bathtubs, shower systems, and sinks, which feature chromatherapy options. You can also install multiple showerheads and a waterfall in the bathroom to get a spa-like experience. You can also include a large bathtub, fog-free mirrors, and a towel warmer for more comfort. The tiles and walls in your bathroom should be in warm colors. You can also put plants and pictures in the bathroom to give a lived-in feel, and replace the sink sunk in a counter top with a pedestal sink. Nowadays, sinks come in a variety of materials, such as glass, stainless steel, stone, and copper—you can select a material that suits you. Your vanity cabinet could be of stone, wood, or glass. You can select from a wide variety of faucets, including single-hole and single-lever, widespread, centerset, and wall-mounted faucets.

At Total Remodeling, we can help you with home improvement ideas and projects. We can improve your home in line with modern trends, thus adding to its comfort and value.

About the author:
Dan Noyes totalremodeling.com

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Home Decoration

2009-04-23T04:05:00.000-07:00

Generally there is one room in the house where most of the "family living" takes place. In order to have a pleasant and welcoming living area for your family, and a place you can be proud of when you have visitors, you need to come up with some type of organization and storage for your main room, whether it be the living room or family room.

Step back and take a look at your room as a stranger would. Is it cluttered? Are there newspapers, catalogs and magazines piled up all over the tables? Kids toys thrown all over? Shoes lying around? What is the condition of the furniture, would you feel comfortable sitting on your sofa, or does it obviously belong to the family dog?

One great way to start organizing any room in your house is to start with empty baskets with the name of each family member. Anything that you find in the living room/family room that doesn't belong in that room goes into that person's basket. That pair of sneakers, those comic books, that old sweatshirt, the toys. Deliver the basket to the appropriate owner. Once you've gone through the clutter, focus on newspapers, catalogs and magazines. Throw out the old ones. If you must have your magazines and catalogs get a nice magazine holder you can put next to your chair.

Now that you've cleared most of the clutter take a look around again. Just how dusty was that furniture under all that "stuff"? Get one of those nifty magnet-like dust cloths and dust, dust, dust. It's likely that once you see clean and shiny surface you'll be more apt to keep it that way. Use some Windex on your TV and stereo cabinet. Looking much better by now isn't it? Now it's time to vacuum. If you have the time, do it thoroughly. Have someone help you pull the sofa and chairs out, vacuum behind them. If you don't have the time, vacuum around the furniture until you do have the time for a thorough vacuum.

Now it's time to focus on the furniture. If your sofa has been stained and shredded by the kids and the animals, and if the site of it make you cringe, imagine how your guests feel when you invite them to sit on it. It might be time for a new one. If a new one is out of the question, you can easily give your sofa a new and updated look with a slipcover. There are lots of fitted slipcovers available in wide varieties of colors and patterns and there is sure to be one to suit your decorating taste.

There, wasn't that easy?

About the author:
This article courtesy of vac-answers.com

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Decorate Home

2009-03-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

Do you have an attic in your house? Lucky You! You can decorate your attic however you like and create your own favorite corner in the house, or even an extra place for your children or your guests. Depending on your attics’ space and on your own personal taste, you can finally have an attic that fulfills your needs.

Need an extra bedroom? The attic can turn into a beautiful private bedroom for a friend that stays the night, a visiting couple, or a relative from out of town. Use light shades and soft fabric materials; you don’t want your guest to get tired and dizzy from the lively colors. Instead, create a pleasant, romantic atmosphere. You will need a single or, if there is enough space, a double bed, a small closet with drawers and one or two small bedside tables. A big, elegantly shaped mirror will add several points and will make the room seem spacious. If the room is already spacious enough, you can place a bedroom chair facing the window. Add a dream catcher or a wind chime and enjoy the results!

How about a playroom for your children? They would love to have their own, “No Moms Allowed!” space for their toys, their games and their imagination. You will need a soft, warm carpet to keep the room cozy during wintertime. Don’t carpet the corners though, as you will need some room to swap out for a lighter, cooler carpet for the summer days. You will also need large pillows or soft inflatable chairs. When opting for a playroom, use lively colors that will keep the children excited and happy. This room could have a small TV and DVD play set, video games, board games, many toys, and puzzles, whatever a kid needs! Don’t place sporting material such as bouncers, trampolines and swings because the roof is too low in attics and the children might get hurt while playing.

Are you an artist? Even if the answer is no, an attic can make you one! Make your own inspirational studio. Don’t use a carpet this time. Color and material chips will stain it. If you are a painter, equip your studio with painting knives, palettes, art pencils, drawing sticks, charcoal, paints, brushes and canvas, paper blocks and rolls. If you are a craftsman you can create a wood art studio. Equip it with a large working table, hole cutting templates, curving tools. Place furniture with shelves in the corner to place and admire your artwork.

An attic can be your gym! You’ll need adequate ventilation in there, or a large window. Dress the room with a soft carpet and buy your gym equipment. Don’t buy large fitness equipment. Prefer many smaller ones, or a few multi training machines. You can also have light exercise tools like fitness balls, tummy trimmers, weight sets, yoga mats. A small refrigerator filled with bottled water or energy drinks is necessary for the attic gym room so that you won’t need to run downstairs every time you get thirsty. A mini stereo will enhance your exercise with power music.
There is no limit to your imagination about the potential use of your attic space. Sure, it comes in handy as a storage place, but what moments of joy can you invest in a storage place? With creativity and a little money, the attic can be your favorite room.

About the author:
From Just an Attic… to Your Favorite Room! Visit Ventinfo.com at www.ventinfo.com and Learn Some Simple Steps To Help Turn Your Dusty Old Attic Into Your Favorite Room In The House.

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Home Decorating Ideas

2009-03-23T04:02:00.000-07:00

With the new craze for interior decorating inspired by "home makeover" television programs, more and more people are tempted to hire a professional decorator, even if they can't afford one.

Simplicity: the Art of Home Decorating

If you're thinking about breaking the bank for the sake of a beautiful room, think again. You don't have to spend as much as an oil tycoon to have a home every bit as beautiful. Here's why:

A pair of human eyes can only take in so much, no matter how much is put before them.

The secret is not to aim for beauty that comes from opulence, but for a simple beauty. And simple beauty is usually less expensive.

The best way to go for simple beauty in interior design is to make the focus of a room a single well-chosen decorative element.

Art Prints: Simple Home Decor Focus

But what single beautiful element could you actually afford?

Unless you happen to get really, really lucky at a crafts fair or estate sale, there's only one sure way to buy high taste on a low budget. Not original paintings or expensive wallpaper. Just a well-chosen print of a painting or photograph that reflects your style and taste and matches your room.

Surprised at such a simple answer to the decorating conundrum? Perhaps, like most people, you do not understand what art prints really are.

What Art Prints Are Not

Art prints are not posters.

Posters are made using paper stock similar to what magazines use. Art prints are made using special heavier print stock especially for prints.

Posters often play rather loose with the original image, cropping it, resizing it, adding text, or even changing shading. Prints will typically come much closer to the original, and will rarely crop the original image or alter its appearance significantly.

Posters are vastly less durable than art prints. You can expect a high-quality print to last decades without showing signs of age.

Art prints are not reproductions (though they are close).

Reproductions of a work of art, usually a painting, involve using exactly or nearly exactly the same brush strokes and materials, which is why they are so expensive. Prints, meanwhile, reproduce the look of the artwork without reproducing every detail of it. For instance, even though many prints of paintings use textured surfaces or even artificial brush strokes, the exact brush strokes of the original are not copied.

Reproductions also have to be conserved as carefully as original paintings in most cases, or they will fade. High-quality prints are given protection against fading, either in the form of a coating to the surface, or a Plexiglas case.

Reproductions, being paintings, are not very durable, and must be treated with special care. Prints, though not indestructible, are more likely to survive accidents. Some prints can even be washed with glass cleaner.

Of course, no art print will be a good anchor for a room's decor if it's not well chosen. Unfortunately, many people either don't have any particular tastes when it comes to art or decor, or else do not trust their own taste. Luckily, the internet puts the accumulated knowledge of thousands of decorators, artists, and art experts at your disposal. Thanks to the internet, your home can look as good as the ones on TV.

About the author:
Joel Walsh writes for a1-paintings with a buying guide for art prints.

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Home Interior Decorating

2009-03-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Most decorators traditionally recommend a minimalist decor for many spaces, particularly small spaces such as apartments and guest houses. Unfortunately, many people believe that this means that the walls should be kept completely bare for a minimalist decor to work. Aren't pictures too flashy for a minimalist decor?

Art Prints: Perfect Complement to a Minimalist Decor

In a word: no, pictures are not too flashy to use with a minimalist decor. In a few more words: art prints are not too flashy for a minimalist decor, as long as you select your prints carefully. In fact, in rooms with minimalist decor, art prints add character and highlight the fact that the decor really is minimalist and not just neglected.

The trick with choosing art prints carefully is just to pick one print, or pick a few prints on a highly related subject or in a similar style, preferably all by the same artist. In a room with minimalist decor, the prints will easily get more attention than anything else in the room, so you want to be careful that the prints do not conflict with each other. An obvious example: if you really like Monet's paintings of water lilies, you could get several prints each of a different Monet painting of water lilies.

There is a special concern if your decor is not just minimalist but strikingly modernist (for instance, lots of simple furniture with clear angles or curves rather than carved woodwork). In a room with a particularly modernist decor, prints that are from an earlier era might seem out of place. Go with prints that were created more or less in the era in which your furniture was designed, or in which your furniture's design was most popular.

Obviously, there is a lot of room for personal judgment as to what goes with what, since modernist anything always was designed not to look as though it belonged to a particular period of time. It can be even more confusing if your modernist-looking furniture was really just designed to look spare in a general way rather than to hark to a particular school of design. In those cases, just try to go for something that looks like it matches, sticking to prints of artworks that are modern but that are not immediately recognizable as belonging to a specific decade.

If your furniture leans toward the 1950s and 60s style of modernism (the kind of playful curves that would be at home in a room with a sunburst clock on the wall), try prints of the work of a period artist such as Jackson Pollack. If your decor's modernism leans toward the seventies or eighties (e.g., glass-topped coffee tables and very spare design, you might be better off with Jasper Johns than Jackson Pollack.

Choosing Art Prints for Rooms with Multiple Colors

* Minimal does not necessarily mean subdued. Just look at the vibrant paintings of modern artist Mondrian, such as "Broadway Boogie Woogie", composed entirely of interlocking rectangles, square, triangles, and circles. If you'd like to keep your decor simple even with a striking color scheme, art prints can actually help. Here's why:

* Art prints pull together disparate colors in a room. A print gallery or website will be able to recommend the best art print based on the colors in your room. Some sites even have search engines that match a room's color scheme with appropriate art prints.

* When the furnishings in a room attract attention art prints make sure the walls provide visual interest, too, so the eye is not pulled relentlessly downward toward the furniture or rugs. Of course, you have to be careful not to give people a headache. As a rule of thumb, the more riotous the play of colors on the ground, the more orderly the play of colors on the walls should be. If the vibrant colors of your furnishings tend to swirl together, lend the room calm with artwork that takes those colors and presents them in neat lines and blocks.

* Art prints make it clear that your colorful decor is a well-rhymed composition, not just a loud burst of color. Visitors to your pad who see a blue couch, red end tables, and yellow lamps might well wonder what you were thinking--until they see a print of "Broadway Boogie Woogie," or other artwork that shows how these disparate colors really do belong together.

* In the end, there is beauty in the simplicity of a room with a minimalist interior design, and there is beauty in the art that takes the same simple approach. If you keep that fact in mind when choosing artwork for your minimalist room, you can make sure your decor is more than minimally beautiful.

About the author:
Joel Walsh has written a buying guide for art prints at: http://www.a1-paintings.com

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Decorating A Home

2009-03-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

(ARA) – Choosing the right floor for your home is a big decision. It sets the tone for the whole interior of your house, and is the foundation for everything else you put in a room. Your choice should fit not only the way you want your home to look, but also the way your family lives.

“When making a decision about flooring, keep in mind such factors as design options, comfort, warmth, safety and maintenance,” says Piera Marotto of Forbo Linoleum, Inc. “And don’t forget you can have fun with color!”

Each family is unique and will have different demands and expectations for their flooring choice. A large family with kids will have a different set of needs than a retired couple. Pet owners will have particular requirements as well. Allergy and asthma sufferers will need to keep a clean and dust free environment.

For households that have light traffic, carpet is one option. It is an attractive addition to a room and the color choices are virtually unlimited. It is however, high maintenance -- regular vacuuming and shampooing are mandatory, and stains are a constant worry.

Hardwood floors are a classic choice for many homes, and they work with most kinds of decor. However, they are sensitive to climate changes and may expand and contract throughout the year. They are also susceptible to water damage and need constant maintenance. These kinds of floors can also be quite cool in the wintertime.

A flooring choice that has a lot more flexibility is Marmoleum. Made mainly from organic materials, it is an environmentally friendly surface that is easy to maintain and is enhanced by time. Exposure to the air serves to increase its durability, yet it remains a comfortable and warm surface on which to walk.

“Homeowners today want a flooring product that is easy to clean, comfortable to live with and one that looks great too,” says Marotto. “Marmoleum is an exciting alternative.”

Cleaning involves just the occasional dust and damp mopping. Unlike with other surfaces, muddy footprints and other stains don’t sink in. They can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth.

Not only is Marmoleum practical, it can enhance any interior design style from retro to modern to country. Available in sheet or tiles, it can be customized with decorative border and corner pieces. Colors range from solids to cubed or spattered effects and can be mixed in unlimited ways. Some of the color palettes offered include mixed greens, rhythmic blues, grey-dations, sunsets boulevard, and neutral color collaborators.

“If you can imagine it, you can create it,” adds Marotto. “Have fun with it!”

For more information about Marmoleum, or to find the dealer nearest you, log on to www.themarmoleumstore.com or call (866) MARMOLEUM.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Tuscan Home Decorating

2009-03-23T03:57:00.000-07:00

Are you having difficulty deciding on a home decorating theme?...How about Tuscan?

It's rich cultural heritage and simple elegance are what draw so many to this beautiful style. Because it combines a unique antique flavor and 'livability' more and more homeowners are opting for this Italian masterpiece.

Using a palette of earth tones, Tuscan (which is an Italian country design) brings the outdoors inside. This design uses distinct materials to help accomplish it's magic. The Tuscan style is unique as well as beautiful.

When deciding on a Tuscan theme, you'll be using textures, such as stone and tile for the flooring and furnishings. This helps to create a natural atmosphere. Plaster is suggested for the walls, again, to add texture and a natural feel. This would provide an opportunity for you to use your creativity and even have some fun.

Tables are often made of stone and Tile mosaics are another possibility for in the Tuscan themed home.

"What are four walls, anyway? They are what they contain. The house protects the dreamer. Unthinkably good things can happen... " From Frances in Under A Tuscan Sun

No decorating theme that centers around nature would be complete without wood. It's exquisite textures and intricate details make wood a perfect compliment to the Old World style and Tuscan makes great use of this natural resource. One example of this is the exposed framework. The large wooden beams create a comfortable, rustic look. Another is in the construction of furniture. The goal here is to make it look aged and antique. By staining and 'aging' the wood, you can create an antique feel while maintaining rugged endurance.

Tuscan is based on a cultural heritage. By using accessories this heritage can be highlighted and celebrated. Accessories that are homemade are common for this genre. Ceramics are big in Tuscan decorating too! Silver, copper, iron are all common in Tuscan design. Themes that include olives, grapes, wine and pottery, scrolled ironwork, stone, marble and handcrafted tiles in an old world style and many other possibilities. Terra cotta is also popular when using the Tuscan theme so a vase for fresh cut flowers on the tiled mosaic table in the center of the room under the cast iron chandelier would make a fabulous entryway into your home.

Tuscan fabric is unequalled in it's simple beauty. Savannah and tobacco cloth, burlap, abaca, fibers from the banana and coconut trees are all used to create a natural lived-in space. These materials are very versatile and your only limitation is your imagination. They can be used for just about anything from curtains and drapes, blinds, wall decorations, room and space dividers, privacy screens, elegant table placemats or conversation pieces on your coffee table, entryway rugs and floor coverings can all be created simply by using some of these various Tuscan fabrics because of their weight, density and flexibility allow for many applications.

Tuscan also uses colors such as yellow and red. These colors can be used in decorations for tables, a chair cover, tie-backs to accentuate and complement curtains and drapes. Use of yellow and red ribbon and ties to decorate candlesticks is not uncommon. Any material or color that reminds us of the ocean, the earth, the beautiful blue sky or the deep rich forest, will bring a warm and inviting feel to Tuscan home. The color, texture, fabric and accessories will create a warm and inviting feeling in any space in your home.

This warm and inviting theme of simplicity and nature is a great home decorating idea.

About the Author:
Ron Berry runs Antique Stuff I Found Online. Antique.stuffifoundonline.com - a specialty niche site dedicated to bringing bargain hunters and sellers together.

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Decorating Your Home

2009-03-23T03:55:00.000-07:00

Asking yourself furnishing and decorating questions

Whether you’re decorating a room or a house, a dorm or a castle, the same principle in furnishing and interior decoration applies. You will need to identify and find your own personal preference. There’s no shortcut for this process. In order to find your own personal preference as to interior decoration and furnishing, you have to, first, focus in on your likes and dislikes. Do you prefer a casual style or a more artistic and modern look for your home? Would you prefer contemporary interior decoration done or French?

Only when you stop and think about what you like will you be able to decorate and furnish a room or home according to your likes and dislikes. A home should express your own unique taste and preference – not someone else’s.

Get inspired with interior decoration pictures and researching on furniture and colors. Go to a newsstand and grab a good copy of a home furnishing magazine or better yet, go and buy yourself a good book on how to decorate a home or furnish a rent apartment. This should get you started soon enough. The next step to decorating and furnishing your home is to find out what colors interests you. Select the color and shade that makes you think of HOME – and then try combining the colors together. There are tons of quizzes and questionnaires online that can help you identify your favorite color…if you don’t already have a couple of favorite colors in mind. However, note that sometimes your favorite color may not be the right color and shade to use on your home. For instance, if your favorite colors are lime green, bright sunny yellow and crimson red, it’s pretty hard to match the colors together and not make the home look like a circus tent!

Looking at pictures of well-decorated homes can help you identify your personal style as well. Select the pictures that you like and compile them together in a special interior decoration book that you will continue to look through until your home is decorated and furnished. Sometimes, looking at pictures, you’ll surprise yourself with the conclusions. From time to time, look through the pictures again and see if you can see similarities – like if most of the homes you like are with mirrors, white or dimly lit. Do the homes look very serene or open?

Take note of the make, color and design of the furniture and decoration of the room that you like. If you’re still stumped for answers and ideas, take a look at chairs, sofas, beds, closets, cupboards and try to identify the ones that you like. Note their type and make. Are they wood types mainly brown and earth-toned? Are they bright and cheerful? Or are they white or beige in color? Are they leaning more towards conventional types of furniture, bold and modern or are they classy types of furniture?

Decorating and furnishing your own home is not as hard as people make it out to be. It’s only difficult and feels like a chore when you’re not sure what you want your home to look like. Once you know what you like and what kind of furniture, color and look you like, decorating and furnishing your own home will be a walk in a park.

About the author:
Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.furnishings-source.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

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Country Home Decorating

2009-03-23T03:53:00.000-07:00

How do you add that country touch” to a decorating style? Since the country look” has evolved over the years and taken on a wider variety of characteristics, it can add a special touch to decorating from rural to contemporary. Here are a few ideas to give your home a touch of country” and retain that feel of tradition.

Add a little extra luxury in your country home decorating such as pampering guests with a serene bedroom furnished with a high-quality mattress and specially-selected cotton sheets that feel good against the skin.

A layered look in fabrics gives a tranquil feel to a room. Country home decorating makes use of patterned fabrics, florals, and stripes as well as eyelet. They complement one another and provide a special touch in any room.

Another idea is to add blue and white checks on cushions and pillows to give that country appearance. Blue denim is also an icon of the country home decorating style. It is a traditional, timeless American classic that gives a relaxed, comfortable feel to a room.

Quilts, quilts, and quilts, what a wonderful way to add that country touch to your decor. There are countless patterns from which to choose that will harmonize with your country decorating idea.

Old and new photographs are an outstanding addition to your country home decor. The space above a staircase is a place to display your photos for your own enjoyment as well as for your family and guests. Make sure the staircase is out of the direct sunlight.

Take time from decorating to relax in a hammock for an hour or two, what a true country experience!

As you can see, these are just a small number of the unlimited ways to add a touch of country to your country home decorating ideas.

For ideas on keeping your home organized, download a free copy of the ebook "The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home". This ebook has many practical, easy-to-use tips to make home organization a reality. Go to http://www.lynnshomedecor.com/f/Opt-in_Pages.html for your free download.

About the Author:
At Lynn's Home Decor you will find country home decor, shabby chic home decor and furniture and wrought iron home decor as well as interior decorating ideas.

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Decorating Home Office

2009-03-23T03:52:00.000-07:00

Artists have known for centuries that color schemes taken from the Color Wheel have a dramatic effect on the final impact of their paintings. There are hot, energetic colors which leap off a canvas, and there are cool, soothing colors which recede, drawing the viewer's eye into the distance. The ways in which these colors are juxtaposed can completely change the emotions a painting evokes, and they can do the same for interior spaces.

Interior designers who specialize in home office decorating know that the color schemes they choose will have an affect on the mindset of the home office worker, so they determine in advance if a calming, or invigorating, style of home office decorating is more appropriate.

Those home workers who expect spend several hours at a stretch in the home office should do a bit of self-assessment, and determine if they would benefit more from a home office decorating scheme which helps them stay calm and focused, or a home office decorating scheme which makes them feel energetic and confident. For more info see http://www.i-homeofficefurniture.com/Cheap_Home_Office_Furniture/ on Cheap Home Office Furniture

Calm, Cool, and Collected

The cool colors--blues, purples, and greens--will provide a low-impact home office decorating scheme which quiets the mind and allows the worker to focus on a project instead of his or her surroundings. If concentrating is one of your weak points, stay at the cool end of the color spectrum.

Spicing It Up

If, on the other hand, you feel like falling asleep as soon as you sit down and turn your computer on, you will benefit from a home office decorating scheme which features warm colors. Yellows, oranges, and reds make their surroundings much more invigorating, and stimulate the brain. In office spaces, however, it's a good idea to limit the pure reds, yellows, and oranges to accents and have larger areas colored with more diluted warm shades like russet. You don't want to go overboard with your home office decorating scheme.

The Neutral Zone

If you have a very small office space, consider a neutral home office decorating scheme. Light neutral colors, when used without too many dark accents, can make a small space appear much roomier. And neutral schemes adapt beautifully to any type of furnishings. If you find them too boring for your home office decorating scheme, just enliven them with touches of your favorite warm or cool pure colors. You'll have enough color to soothe or energize you, and a home office which seems much more airy and spacious than its dimensions give it any right to be!

You can also find more info on Home Office Chairs & Home Office Computer. i-homeofficefurniture.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in home office.

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Home Decorating Tips

2009-03-23T03:46:00.000-07:00

Choosing plantation shutters for form or function? Plantation shutters offer both to today’s homeowner. These unique window treatments trace their roots to ancient Greece. The Greeks used them for both privacy and security. Interior shutters were used to close windows. Along with imposing columns, shutters are hallmarks of Classical Greek Architecture. This ancient order and form in building design later influenced buildings and architecture throughout the Western world. Before the widespread use of glass, shutters were used to close windows. They were used to protect the interior of the house from the weather and from intruders as well as provide privacy. They could be opened to allow sunlight and fresh air into the building or home.

Elements of Greek architecture are seen in many buildings and homes from the late 18th century, the 19th century and the early 20th century in the United States. It was especially prevalent in banks, office buildings and many public and government buildings. The plantation mansions of the old South borrowed heavily on the architecture of the Greeks. The antebellum mansions of the great plantations from South Carolina to the western edge of Mississippi borrowed heavily from the building concepts of the Greeks. A number of these grand old mansions have been restored and preserved at Natchez, Mississippi.

Just as did the ancient Greeks, plantation owners used shutters for both their beauty and their function. By closing the windows in this manner, these homeowners were able to add a level of security to their homes. This was important because in the era before the Civil War, the agricultural areas of the South were only sparsely populated. Plantations were largely isolated. Plantations were also symbols of wealth, making them targets for bands of robbers. There was also the potential of attack from revolting slaves.

Times have changed and today’s homeowners use shutters primarily for their beauty or form rather than for security.

What are plantation shutters?

Plantation shutters are louvered interior shutters. They cover the entire window. They are most often made from wood, although modern materials including PVC and vinyl are also being used with growing acceptance. The shutters are hinged and can be opened or closed and latched. In addition to swinging open, some models have moveable louvers that can be opened and closed. Other models have stationary louvers. There is great flexibility in being able to partially or completely open the shutters and/or partially or completely open the louvers. This allows tremendous control in directing the inflow of outside air as well as sunlight.

Typically the panels of plantation shutters range from 15 inches to 36 inches wide. Louvers are available in several widths, ranging from 1-3/4 inches wide to 4-1/2 inches wide, appealing to different tastes and fitting with a variety of decors. The width of the louver has a practical application as well as aesthetic. The wider the louver, the more air or sunlight will be allowed to filter through. These shutters are often used in series. Rooms with a number of windows, several adjacent windows or large picture windows look especially good with plantation shutter window treatment.

Pine is frequently used in construction of hurricane shutters as well. Contractors and do-it-yourselfers can find them both pre-finished and unfinished. Unfinished allows the contractor or diy to finish with any paint or stain color desired. PVC and vinyl panels come in colors, including white. These panels may be plain or have embossed wood graining. PVC and vinyl are excellent choices for rooms where there can be high levels of moisture or steam. They are good for pool rooms, bathrooms and utility rooms.

Shutters with moveable panels have the added advantage of providing privacy at the same time they admit light and air. You can adjust the louvers in such a manner that light and air is allowed into the room while at the same time preventing outside passersby from seeing inside.

Some tips for selecting shutters for your home

1. Consult your carpenter or contractor. Determine if the present window casings will support the weight of the hinged shutters when opened and closed, or whether additional framing will be required.
2. Consider the width of the louver. The louver width affects the appearance as well as the function of the shutters. The wider the louver, the more light and air will be permitted to flow into the room.
3. Choose between wood and vinyl. Wooden, especially faux wood shutters can give the room a warmer feeling. Vinyl shutters work well in rooms that have high moisture or steam content. Vinyl shutters are easy to clean and will not warp.
4. Choose between moveable and fixed louvers. If you want to use the shutters primarily for privacy and security, you may wish to use fixed position louvers. If you want to be able to open the shutters to admit light, ventilation or see through the window, you will want to select adjustable louver shutters.
5. Read the reviews written by home improvement consultants and also by consumers. These reviews are posted on websites and are published on home improvement websites and in home decorating magazines.
6. Choose a reputable company with a reliable warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Today’s homeowner is going to use plantation shutters more for beauty, but they are also important for privacy and security. Shutters are often an excellent choice for living rooms, sitting rooms, dens, home libraries and home offices. There is a special feeling that comes from sitting or working in a room dominated by the rich warmth of wood. Sunlight, ventilation and artificial lighting can all be adjusted to provide just the right atmosphere.

About the author:
J.B. Beker contributes very often to http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com. He is helping people finding the best solutions for hurricane protection and storm shutters.

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Home Decorated

2009-03-23T03:42:00.000-07:00

Is an art that most women have imbibed in them. Home Improvement increases the worth of the family residing in it. Also By maintaining it and improving it, you’ll ensure it continues to increase in value.

Maintaining Your Home
Taking regular care of your appliances and checking plumbing and heating/cooling systems regularly can save on costly repairs or even more costly replacements. Review your home inspector’s report to help you prioritize tasks. It is worthwhile to consult a professional for anything you have a hard time fixing or inspecting. Some professionals may charge a fee.

Cosmetic Changes vs. remodeling
you have visions of color and comfort. The back porch could use a fresh coat of paint. The kitchen cabinets need to be updated. When do cosmetic changes (paint, window treatments) turn into major remodeling and renovation projects? To keep the cost of remodeling from increasing dramatically it’s best to set a budget first and work to maximize the features you want within that budget. This may also help set the limit between cosmetic and major improvements. Many homeowners believe that any improvement will automatically increase the value of their property. Appraisers offer a more cautious perspective.. In other words, if you live on a street of modest two- and three-bedroom bungalows, don’t turn your home into a six-bedroom mansion. Cosmetic changes such as new paint, flooring and window treatments are considered matters of personal style and therefore, add the least amount of value to a home.

Your home is your greatest financial asset. Take proper care of it and most likely, it will do the same for you.

Planning takes time and includes lots of mundane tasks such as getting permits and financing. But the benefits are immeasurable both in time and money saved.

Individual plans will vary depending on the scope of the project. Steps overlap and sometimes changing in one aspect of your plan forces changes in others. But almost every plan will include at least these five steps.

1. Dream It
Make sure your concept for the addition blends with the existing houses materials and design. For example: Adding on a Cape Cod family room to a 50s ranch style home would look silly at best.

Do a quick sketch of the addition you're planning even before consulting with a builder or designer.

2. Design It
If your plans require the removal or alteration of a supporting wall, contact a building engineer or architect to learn if your idea will affect the strength of the existing structure. Major structural changes may increase the time and cost of your project. A consultation may provide you with alternatives.

3. Paying for It
Establish a budget for this project and determine where the money is coming from. The money available will impact the scope of the project.

Remember that anything not included in the original contract will cost extra. It's tempting to start making changes and expanding the original plan. Try to control yourself or you might be adding hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars that will shatter your budget and your time line.

4. Permits and Codes
If you've hired a local contractor or architect, he should be able to tell you if your idea will pass the building inspection. A professional should be able to handle the entire permit process, from drawing up plans, applying for the permit and scheduling inspections.

If you're doing it yourself, visit your planning department and research the codes that pertain to your project. If the agency requires certified plans, you may still have to consult with an architect or engineer who can provide them.

5. Timing
Establish a time frame for the project. Much of an addition is exterior work and will need to be accomplished according to the seasons. Your start date should be the date you actually beginning construction, so make sure your financing is in place before this date.

Your time frame needs to take into account who is doing the work. If this is a do-it-yourself project, your time will probably be more limited because of job and family. If the job takes eight full days to complete, and you can only work weekends, it will take you four weeks. Consider if the money saved by doing it yourself is worth the extra time.

About the author:
For more information on Home Improvement please visit the Home Improvement resource center at http://www.home-inprovement-guide.info.

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Home Decorating Design

2009-02-23T03:40:00.000-08:00

Is it time again to consider decorating the interior of your home? Are you enthused about this possibility or are you frustrated? Does the thought decorating the interior or your home make you want to skip town or does it make you anxious and excited? There are certainly mixed feelings when it comes to decorating the interior of homes.

Not everyone is creative or skilled. They might assume they are incapable of interior decorating. Some people simply do not like this sort of project. Then there are those individuals who can't wait to roll up their sleeves and get into the paint and plaster. There is plenty of help available for every single individual, no matter what their feelings are regarding decorating the interior of their home.

Because there are so many online decorating catalogs, you might want to narrow the search. If you're looking for a particular item such as furniture, there are online home decorating catalogs which specialize in furniture only. If you are looking for accessories for a particular theme such as contemporary or French country, there are online home decorating catalogs that specifically deal with accessories for your home.

There are catalogs for flooring, lighting, paint and any item you might choose to use in your home decorating project. The Internet provides a world-wide shopping center. Access to home decorating catalogs from all over the world gives you a selection that no department store could offer.

Picking items from online home decorating catalogs will provide you an opportunity to find unique items for your home. A great example of the benefits of online home decorating catalogs from other parts of the world is, using Tuscan design for your decorating project. Because this is a theme that is derived from the cultural heritage of Italy, finding accessories or even fabric to fit the Tuscan theme may compel you to shop from an online home decorating catalog from Italy.

If you live in North America, chances are you aren't going to hop on a plane, go to Italy and shop for accessories and fabric. The online shopping option allows you to have the things you want for your home without going out and searching. With buy direct online shopping, it's as simple as finding the articles you want, whether a pair of silver candlesticks or a terracotta jug, using various forms of payment, you can order these items and have them shipped to you from anywhere in the world.

How do you access these online home decorating catalogs? The Internet makes it very easy for you to find these catalogs. Using Google, Yahoo or any search engine will put you in touch with a very long list of online home decorating catalogs.

Using the various resources available for decorating the interior of your home, you ought to be capable of picking a color palette that will enhance your room, choose fabric that will add warmth, select furnishings which are comfortable and accessories which will accent and compliment your space. With the many resources available to you, many of them offering free home decorating ideas, you should be able to make decorating the interior of your home an exciting adventure with little or no stress and frustration.

About the Author:
Information supplied and written by Jessica J Brown is the owner of the web site about Home Decorating and Decorating the Interior of your Home.

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New Home Decorating

2009-01-23T03:36:00.000-08:00

You are really excited because you are moving into a new home and although it is structurally sound the interior decorating is not quite to your taste. Sometimes when people sell their homes they do a good job of presentation but when they have moved out and the furniture is gone then the cracks begin to show. The lighting may have obscured the fact that the ceiling is dingy and the curtains may have hidden the peeling paint on the window frames. Whatever the situation it is usually the case that most people get involved to some extent in new home decorating.

You bought the house because you liked the general scheme of things but now you have decided that the avocado bathroom suite really isn’t to your taste. You have a couple of options here, you can get hold of a couple of cans of special bathroom paint and cover it up so that all you need to replace is the toilet. On the other hand you might decide that white bathroom suites are a must for you and a complete change is called for. If this is the case then it is a good idea to go to a specialist bathroom outlet or one of the discount do it yourself outlets. If you do some rudimentary research and look around you may find that you can get a new bathroom suite quite cheaply – then you are left with the problem of installing it.

Unless you are used to a mix of plumbing and electric and unless you have a kind relative or friend who is in the trade then you will probably have to have a professional in to install it. New showers are a particular problem for beginning do-it-yourself enthusiasts and really require professional expertise.
If the bathroom suite is ok then perhaps the smallest room in the house would benefit from a coat of paint or maybe some new tiles. Even a new blind would brighten a tired bathroom.

If the kitchen is the bug bear in your new home then try updating the cabinets, either with new doors or just a coat of paint. Paint the walls if they really need it but don’t go for bright colors – they soon look tired. Neutral is best, then add color with blinds and accessories

Before you make any decisions take a good look around your new home. Decorating may not be the answer. Unless there are things that you feel you feel you really can’t live with then try using different furniture arrangements and swapping curtains i.e. living room to bedroom etc. Get some potted plants if you don’t have them because they brighten any room.

Lee Dobbins writes for Perfect Home Decor where you can get more interior decorating ideas.

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Beach Home Decorating

2008-12-23T03:35:00.000-08:00

There may still be snow on the ground outside, but you don’t have to live like its winter in your heart. Beat back the cold and create a haven of warmth by designing a beach theme in your own home.

A beach theme is relatively easy, with many of the components being things you can pick up at a local beach. Sea shells, sand, and drift wood are all materials that are free of charge, provided you have a beach close enough to you. If you are stranded from the ocean however, most of those items can also be purchased at the local arts and crafts store.

Please note that anything which you take from a beach should be washed, and sanitized before you bring it into your home.

Finding clever ways to use these materials throughout the space is the next step. Large sea shells can be turned upside down and used as ashtrays, or if they are stable, as candle holders and incense stands. Sand can be placed in a glass dish as a decorative item in its own right. Spruce it up by adding tiny sea pebbles, rocks, glass gems, bits of shell, or whatever takes your fancy. If you have a small fork, leave it by the dish, and you will have created your own Zen sand garden, a constantly evolving piece of temporary art, which will reinforce feelings of tranquility within the room.

There are also a number of decorative items which you can buy to round out your beach theme. Anything with a palm tree will evoke the proper atmosphere. Some people even like to purchase real, miniature palms, to increase the reality of the theme. Natural sandstone coasters can serve to add sandy texture to the space, without the mess of using actual sand.

If you want to get really committed then you can alter the color of the walls, floors, and other fixtures to match your tropical theme. The best tones to use are light, tan, and sandy colors. You can also mix in reds, oranges, and golden hues, to simulate the look of a beach at sunset. Deep ocean blue accents should be used sparingly, but can provide some wonderful contrasting effects.

Another key to a beach themed decor is to include plenty of illumination. You want the ambiance of the space to feel warm and sunny, like a summer day. Having lots of clear open windows is a natural way to achieve this exact effect. You should also do your best to maintain a warm, toasty temperature, as this will all contribute to the beachyness of the space.

A beach themed decor is a great way to fight back against the winter blah’s, and keep the warmth and joy of summer in your heart all year round. It is also relatively easy to accomplish using just a few natural materials, some printed accessories, and few color tricks to simulate the ambiance of a warm day by the water.

This article was written by Joey Pebble, one of the designers who has contributed to the natural stone home accessories offered on http://pebbleZ.com – This line of decorative, functional, and natural accessories includes an eclectic collection of clocks, games, and kitchen accessories, as well as a unique line of totally original onyx designs.

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Home Decorating Art

2008-11-23T03:28:00.000-08:00

If you would have your rooms interesting as well as beautiful, make them say something, give them a spinal column by keeping all ornamentation subservient to line.

Before you buy anything, try to imagine how you want each room to look when completed; get the picture well in your mind, as a painter would; think out the main features, for the details all depend upon these and will quickly suggest themselves. This is, in the long run, the quickest and the most economical method of furnishing.

There is a theory that no room can be created all at once, that it must grow gradually. In a sense this is a fact, so far as it refers to the amateur. The professional is always occupied with creating and recreating rooms and can instantly summon to mind complete schemes of decoration. The amateur can also learn to mentally furnish rooms. It is a fascinating pastime when one gets the knack of it.

Beautiful things can be obtained anywhere and for the minimum price, if one has a feeling for line and color, or for either. If the lover of the beautiful was not born with this art instinct, it may be quickly acquired. A decorator creates or rearranges one room; the owner does the next, alone, or with assistance, and in a season or two has spread his or her own wings and worked out legitimate schemes,
teeming with individuality. One observes, is pleased with results and asks oneself why. This is the birth of good taste.

Treat your rooms like "still life," see to it that each group, such as a table, sofa, and one or two chairs make a "composition," suggesting comfort as well as beauty. Never have an isolated chair, unless it is placed against the wall, as part of the decorative scheme.

About the author:
Marjan Zemljic is owner of http://www.home-decorating-ideas-and-tips.com and author of How to break into the interior design industry. In his book you will find out how you can do exactly that. For more information on home decorating ideas visit his website and learn how to create the home of your dreams.

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Home Interior Decoration

2008-10-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

Most people would like to revitalize their interior walls with some colorful paint, but are too afraid to make the leap from off-white or beige. The homeowner is afraid that a daring color choice may not match their furniture, will be too bright, and have a host of other reasons.

Painting your walls is a basic element of design and can enhance any room for only $50. Your furniture and artwork can take on a new look with a designer flare just by painting your walls.

So, the first question you may ask is how do I choose the right color? Below are some recommendations to help you choose.

The first recommendation is to choose a tinted neutral. Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral color such as beige or gray and thus will not date the room or create a jarring palate that you will easily tire of.

At your local home improvement store, you will be faced with a sea of color swatches - hundreds of versions of basic beige and gray to choose from. So before you visit your local paint store, consider these steps in choosing the right color for you.

If you like the feel of a warm and cozy room - think of fireplaces, brown leather and sunsets - then you'll want to start with a beige tone.

Now, consider your furniture and accessories. What colors do you see? If you have a lot of black or navy, you may wish to choose beige with orange or pink undertones to keep the look warm. If you have browns or reds in your furniture, select cooler beige with ashy tones to avoid 'overheating' your room.

If you prefer a cooler, airy look - chrome, glass, and shades of icy blue - then select gray tones. Some stores will have a 'true gray' color swatch which you can use to compare with their designer selections. On comparison, you will notice that each gray has undertones. Some will have blue or lavender tones; others may have green or even a hint of pink.

Using the same guide as stated above, identify the main colors of furniture and accessories in the room. Use green or pink toned gray with cool toned furnishings to avoid it from feeling like an icebox. Use blue or lavender undertones in rooms with warmer colored furnishings.

If you undecided between beige and gray, than the easiest color to work with is green. Keeping it in a muted tone will make it very easy to live with, and will work with most color palates.

Painting your rooms with color will bring a finishing designer touch to your home.

About the author:
For more information, visit http://www.interiordesigninfocenter.com

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Home Decorating Pictures

2008-09-23T03:21:00.000-07:00

Best collection of Home decorating pictures.

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My Home Decorating

2008-08-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

Did you grow up with the interior decorating idea that colors had to match? Whether that idea was in reference to colors in home decor, shoes/purses, makeup, or any number of other areas of our lives, everything had to match! That thought is not as prevalent today but still merits attention especially as your home decorating idea begins to develop.

You might say that color is an imperfect science. If you don’t believe me, try looking through a paint sample display for that perfect” color. Remember, the lighting in the store is much different than the lighting in your home which also changes with the weather conditions and the time of the day and year.

Let's look at the pros for matching colors in your interior decorating idea:

* You have a favorite color
* Your favorite color makes a statement and you want lots of it
* You don’t want to make so many decisions, you know what color you like and stick to it
* You love the challenge of perfectly matching colors
* Matching colors is second nature to you and you don’t want to change

Now, let's look at the cons for matching colors in your interior decorating idea:

* It’s difficult to match color because of texture
* It’s difficult to match color because of light
* You want to incorporate several colors in your decorating plans
* You like the challenge of mixing and matching colors
* There is more flexibility and freedom to change your home decor over time

Consider a middle of the road” approach to your interior decorating idea:

The middle of the road” approach includes coordinating and grouping colors as well as paying attention to lighter and darker shades and tones. Putting three varying shades of purple together will look magnificent. Putting five reds with the same tone together will certainly give energy and pizazz to a room, get the idea? What a great way to implement your interior decorating idea!

As you walk from room to room, color makes a home flow comfortably; it is the connecting component. In your mind you unknowingly take the color scheme from room to room for a few brief seconds. Use a single color as a theme that runs throughout the house while still providing each room with its own color persona. Keep that in mind as you are embarking on your next home decorating project.

As a side note, I read in a recent newspaper article that matching shoes and purses are making a comeback, but not as perfectly matched as in the past food for thought!

About the Author:
Lynn Cressy is the owner of Lynn's Best Price Home Decor which was created out of a love for decorating and shopping for home decor. There you will find interior decorating ideas as well as shabby chic and wrought iron decor and furniture. http://www.lynnshomedecor.com

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Home Decorating Accessories

2008-07-23T03:15:00.000-07:00

When most people think of coat racks, they think strictly of hanging coats, hats, and scarves. But coat racks can be a lot more than just a place to keep clutter off the floor. They can also provide you with an opportunity to display your own, unique decorating tastes.

One of my favorite ways to decorate with coat racks is to display vintage clothing on them. Wall-mounted coat racks work particularly well for displaying vintage hats and bonnets. And floor-mounted coat racks are a natural for cloaks, gowns, shawls and scarves.

Don't go cheap when using coat racks as a decorating accent. True, you can pick up a generic wall-mounted coat rack for under $10 and a floor-standing one for under $30. But if your goal is to create an eye-catching accent, don't expect a cheap one to have the effect you want.

Bent wood, rattan, wrought iron, or brass give you the best eye appeal in a floor-standing coat rack. And look for furniture-quality solid hardwood in wall-mounted coat racks. Don't settle for generic, dime-store coat hooks on your coat rack when you can easily combine the beauty of brass and porcelain or get the rustic strength of wrought iron.

You can find wall-mounted coat racks with rosemaling, or other styles of decorative painting. These always add to your accent, as do such features as a plate rack or decorative shelf on top that allows you to display other collectibles.

And a mirror, whether etched or plain, on your wall-mounted coat rack is always a big plus. Not only does it enhance the beauty of your accent, but it provides a much appreciated service to your guests of letting them check their appearance after coming in from outdoors.
As for finding vintage hats or clothing for your coat rack, here are some places to try.

Most larger cities have at least one vintage clothing store available. You can also find vintage clothing in many estate sales. And more and more second-hand stores gather vintage clothing donated to them into a special area.

Or you can look for reproduction vintage clothing and hats from merchants who specialize in supplying the participants of living history events with clothing and items from daily life of the eras these participants portray.

I've found Renaissance festivals and Civil War Reenactments to be especially rich sources of quality reproduction vintage clothing (and many other interesting items useful for decorating).Both events attract a large number or merchants who specialize in reproduction vintage clothing and other items of those times. And you can find many of these merchants on the Internet, as well.

Be aware, though, that while you can usually find a greater variety of items through these merchants in brand new condition, the prices for reproductions can be expensive because of the amount of labor involved in faithfully reproducing construction techniques from a pre-mass production era.

In looking for vintage hats to display on a wall-mounted coat rack, you can either go for a single era, or go eclectic with vintage hats from a number of eras and styles. And don't forget the eye appeal of including one hat in your collection that drapes a ribbon down beneath. Or consider dangling a vintage umbrella or cane from one hook to create various lengths of items hung from your coat rack.

And the hats you use don't necessarily need to be formal. Some of the most effective hats I've found for decorating have been the well-worn, but extremely unique, vintage hats of everyday laborers.

For a floor-standing coat rack, avoid reproduction or vintage clothing that really needs a hanger for it to look its best. Look instead for drapey items such as cloaks, gowns, shawls, and scarves. Experiment with interweaving a colorful scarf or shawl among dark and elegant formal wear.

Or try hanging a coat or gown by the shoulder instead of by the collar for a casual, asymmetrical look. Include a vintage purse. Or, depending on the effect you want to create, consider the effect that draping some vintage silk stockings or lingerie could add to the accent you create.

The options are endless when it comes to combining coat racks and vintage clothing. Just use a quality coat rack that does justice to what you display and let your imagination, and your decorating taste, be your guide in selecting items to display on it.

About the author:
Mark Scott is the creator of fine etched mirror coat racks and other wall decor and furniture. Check out http://www.mastervisions.com/coat_racks.htm to see high-quality coat racks with depth and shading you've never seen in etchings before.

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Home Decorating Guide

2008-06-23T03:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some great home decorating ideas for bringing the freshness of spring into your home.

Sponge paint your walls, or a key piece of furniture. Blues, greens, pinks, and yellows in pastel shades refresh a room, and the softness of sponging gives an impressionistic appeal.

Take clippings from outdoor ivy, and root in water for FREE houseplants. Buy inexpensive shade annuals and pot them up for indoors- fuchsias, impatiens, begonias, and primroses are wonderful for bringing in color, and deal well with the lower light indoors.

Dress up candles as natural works of art instead of putting them away for the warm months. Use a glue gun to attach organic materials such as dried twigs, flowers, cinnamon sticks, worn out potpourri, pressed leaves, coffee beans...use what you have! Or, tie on raffia or ribbon and group candles on a shelf, tabletop, or on a mirror.

Paint inexpensive houseplant pots to give your room designer touches. Sponge paint over clay pots, or use a stencil or simple pattern to give interest. This technique can also be used on your outdoor pots. Hint: for a more elegant look, try using the new metallic craft paints over clay pots. Simply sponging on some metallic paint (try combining them) can look extremely upscale.

Got an old wooden stepladder? Use it as a great plant stand to bring the green indoors. You can paint it or leave it rustic and weathered, depending on the style of your room. Full size wooden ladders can look great on the patio.

Add spring detail to your window treatments by using small grapevine wreaths as tiebacks or swag holders. You can add more interest by gluing on a small bunch of dried flowers. This is a great way to reuse flowers from a damaged arrangement, or leftovers from another project.

Buy artificial plant vines at the craft store, and drape them over the tops of your window treatments, or wrap them around a floor lamp. Watch the craft stores carefully, and you can usually catch them on sale for just a couple of bucks.

Cover cardboard boxes with fresh floral fabric, and stack on a table like hatboxes. If you utilize scraps from another project, you will have creative, decorative storage, virtually free!

About the Author:
Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it yourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com

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Home Decorating Photos

2008-05-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

Best collection of home decorating photos.

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Inexpensive Home Decorating

2008-04-23T03:01:00.000-07:00

When it comes to cheap home decorating ideas, one of the biggest hurdles that you may face is finding the right idea to beautifully decorate the walls of your house. Since your goal is not only to create a warm atmosphere with the design of your choice, your mission is also to find the most cost-effective ways to create the design changes you wish to make.

Cheap home decorating idea #1: On your main wall, try to avoid the common mistake of just 'filling up space/.

For those of you that are not exactly 'trained' for interior design but are doing your best to come up with cheap home decorating ideas, try to avoid the natural tendency to fill up space on the walls of your home with anything you can find. Trust me, it's perfectly natural to do so, especially on a tight budget, however, there is a better way to do this that will look more appealing.

Instead, using tape or even an imaginary line, create a triangle in any spot on your wall. My advice would be to start with the main wall in the very first room that your guests enter when they come inside. This wall should be considered the main area that you're looking to fancy up a bit.

The next step is very simple: fill the inside of this imaginary triangle with works of art that you find appealing. These pieces can consist of picture portraits to hang on your wall, artwork that you find soothing, or even uniquely designed clocks that have a touch of color to them. Remember, your goal is not to clutter the entire wall up with your displays, but instead only place these items inside your triangle. Once finished, step back, and appreciate this one simple cheap home decorating idea that has helped you accomplish your goal and cost next to nothing.

Cheap home decorating idea #2: Make life easier by displaying one large piece on your main wall

If our first idea of creating a centerpiece with multiple wall decorations does not appeal to you, then perhaps you may want to try something much simpler. What is the idea? Find just one thing, yes - just one item - and hang it in the very center of your main wall. In fact, you can do this in every room of your house and create a very structured, yet appealing design to your wall. You're probably thinking that it is extremely expensive to purchase a large painting, and it can be! However, you do not have to run out and spend hundreds of dollars to do this.

If you look hard enough and enjoy shopping around, you will be surprised at just how many bargains you can find in your local newspaper, flea markets, and even garage sales on the weekends. On the other hand, one of my favorite items to use for wall displays is a colorful rug or a quilt.

We even have one room where the main wall shows off a piece of white painted wood that our 10-year-old used to create her own artwork on. Of course not everybody may find this large children's painting appealing, but we do, and that is what is important here - find the right cheap home decorating ideas that makes you and your family happy!

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2008-03-25T23:36:00.000-07:00

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