Decorate the Child's Room March 24, 2011 12:54
Decorating a child's room can be great fun and with a little imagination, you can have rooms that are not only pretty but very practical. How fast does your baby grow? Any parent will answer "too fast" and this applies to the practical side as well as the emotional, far too soon has baby outgrown their baby clothes and crib. Clothes can always be handed down to a younger family member or friend, but a room must grow with the child...and it often becomes a room shared by two. If planned with care, your child's room can be transformed from nursery to toddler's room right up to a teenage boys hideout with a minimum of work and expense. Other than the crib, most of the furniture from your child's room can be retained. A few extra pieces of furniture, a new color on the walls, an area rug, imaginative accessories and the room grows with the child. When decorating a child's room, it is important to keep it simple and easy to clean. Paint walls in bright colors that will appeal to your child. Most important of all, put down a hard wearing, easy to clean vinyl floor. Curtains should be light and airy with a simple shade to dim the room. Hopefully the chests and tables, chairs or bookshelves from younger days will still be suitable for many years to come. A child's room should be decorated so that it grows with the child. You should be able to make changes as he/she gets older. Floor and wall coverings should be chosen with wear ability in mind. Teen-Age Rooms Teenage living in the middle of a family can pose many problems, particularly if overall space in the home is small. Yet all teenagers want a degree of privacy, including a room of their own, in which they can pursue their activities, to study and to entertain friends. The solution to this is to furnish a teenagers bedroom as a studio or den bedroom that works during the day and serves these purposes. For instance, a studio bed works as a sofa during the day, looks even better if it is fitted into an alcove; wall hung shelves and cabinets hold books, computer and home entertainment accessories. Decorating a teenager's room can be fun for all concerned. Once the shell of the room and basic furniture have been planned, let the teenage occupant of the room add the finishing touches. Imaginative teenagers have specific notions of what they want and ingenious ways of displaying their possessions.
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Window Treatments April 19, 2011 20:22
One way to trim the cost for window treatments is to sew them yourself. You're basically fitting a box. There's not a lot of fancy sewing required, and little mistakes are forgiven very easily. If you're wondering whats popular right now, there is a trend toward drapery panels as well as an increase in the popularity of roman shades which are also easily made at home, or even a combination of the two. A visit to your local fabric store will provide inspiration in the form of patterns and fabric. Having the right equipment will make any sewing project easier, and making window treatments is no exception. You'll need a sturdy sewing machine that can sew through layers. You'll also want to set up a work area. Because some of the pieces you'll be working on will be quite large, you'll need a big ironing surface. You can improvise, using a desk, dining room table or even a ping pong table covered with several layers of towels. You'll also need a good steam iron. How To Make Window Treatments Using A Tablecloth A tablecloth with a border pattern is a natural for making a small-size curtains. These instructions are for a matching set including a valance, cafe curtains and sheers. Valance Hem the band section, or use the finished edge of the tablecloth. Cut a 1x board to the width of the window and screw it to the window trim. Attach hook-and-loop tape to the valance and board. Mount the valance to the board, gathering it at the corners and staple into the fold, using the fabric to hide the staples. Cafe Curtains Cut the tablecloth into two cafe-length panels and a valance, allowing 1/2 inch for hems along cut edges. (The lengths of the panels and valance will depend on your window and the size of the tablecloth. Hem the cut edge on each panel and stitch curtain rings across the top of each; thread swing-arm rods through the rings Gingham Sheer Cut two shorter panels from the complementary fabric. Stitch a pocket at the panels top and bottom edges; hem the sides. Thread one tension rod through the top pockets and one through the bottom pockets and position the rods inside the window frame.
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Choosing Tiles For Ur Home October 08, 2010 17:25
Tiles cam add drama and interest to the room they are in. They can add a level of sophistication or they can help make the room inviting. Tiles can be used to make an area easy to clean. They can be used on the walls, for floors, on tabletops, windowsills or anywhere else you may choose to add them. They are one of the most versatile things you can place in a home.Bathrooms are one of the most common areas to find tiles. Placed on the walls, they can make the bathroom look lavish and like a spa retreat, or give it a retro feel. If you want to add shower tiles, they can be solid or used to create a pattern using mosaic techniques. You can use these to coordinate the color scheme and have it blend, or use these to make it look like a Roman bath house. The possibilities are endless here.Bathroom floors can also be tiled, and many people find this uncomfortable on bare feet. Heated tiles can also be good in a bathroom. These use a mat that rolls under the tiles and has an electrical system to heat the tiles above and is controlled by a thermostat. You can easily do this yourself, but you will need to get an electrician to install the thermostat.Kitchens also can make great use of tiles. They can be used on counter tops and as flooring, and be decorative or solid. Granite is one of the recommended types to use because of the stain resistant properties and the longevity of the material, and it comes in a large assortment of colors for you to choose from.Back splashes in the kitchen are also popular. There is no set hard and fast rules for these, they can be placed in a small area behind the stove, or they can be used as a border above the counter all around the room, but this allows the structure and walls to be protected and easily cleanable. You will want to choose your counter tops first so you can utilize the back splash to give a high contrast, furthering the beauty of the tiles. These can again be placed in a mosaic pattern or be solid and can be narrow or wide. Some of the more interesting kitchen tiles are now being produced in stainless steel, and gives it a rich feel to the kitchen. Glass can also be used effectively behind the sink to allow light in like a window would, but still maintain your privacy.Flooring is also popular when tiled, and they can be made of durable ceramic or granite as well. Both of these can withstand heavy use and come in many colors to match your decor to the room. You can choose to have these large or small and include patterns if you like.Tiles are also traditionally used for fireplaces and mantles. This can add new life to your existing one and make it a focal point of the room. Tiles can be used to make the fireplace more interesting and can create a traditional beauty in the room many modern builders have forgotten about. Some of the tiles for these can be unique and highly artistic.Tiles can make cleaning easier, and give your home an expensive look. Modern or rustic, tiles can fit into any home.As far as the tile itself goes, the work -- while somewhat involved -- can be carried off by someone who takes a few moments to study and practice just a bit before cutting and installing the tile itself. It is far more important to make sure that the floor underneath the tile is as flat as possible and on the same plane as the tile that will be going over it.
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Bedroom decorating theme October 03, 2010 18:18
Bedroom is more than a place of retreat and relaxing as it is that special confined place which makes you fall in love with this space away from all chaotic worlds. To feel the warmth and coziness of bedroom it is essential to decorate it with different thematic style to reflect your personal style. Today bedroom is not just treated as a place to make out or sleep, thus the word has broadened in other way out. Bedrooms of today are preferred with decorating themes and aesthetic styles and well illuminated with trendy lights.There are many themes which can be incorporated in a bedroom to decorate it in different style. Some of the best themes preferred by people are contemporary, traditional, and modern and western theme. So go ahead with your own personal style and blend with these mentioned themes to make bedroom a personification of your shadow. Contemporary theme : Theme of contemporary is stylish, elegant and especially for the people who love modern designs and follow trends.* To impart your bedroom contemporary theme, it is better to pick clean and simple line designer furnishings to enhance the décor. This theme makes alterations with painting and coordinating bedding and pillows with modern design.* contemporary themeContemporary theme uses light accessories and simple with clean line furniture usually made of chrome or metal. Additional decorating items like designer yet simple square flower vase and ethnic painting on wall will add another advantage to this décor.* Bedrooms incorporating contemporary style considers simple and stylish lighting fixtures especially a chandelier in conjunction with lamps would provide additional beauty to this theme. While fancy lighting fixtures should not be incorporated in this style décor instead pick chrome ceiling fixture with recessed lighting.* The key aspect of contemporary theme is the colour of wall which is preferred to be brown, black and tints of white. Neutral colours look best in contemporary theme as they need not to be decorated after paint because the accents do all the decoration themselves.* To give the real look of contemporary theme to your bedroom try out simple artifacts and artworks like photo frames, and abstract art in order to bring out the original feel.
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lighting fixtures in home February 23, 2011 14:39
The lighting fixtures in your home will have a large impact on the finished look of any room. You'll be surprised at the comfortable, creative room you can create just by taking the time to add home decorating details. In setting the atmosphere, consider the size of the room. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish? Do you want to highlight a task or accent an area for a special effect? Look for quality in design and craftsmanship.Lighting should look as beautiful in a room in the daytime when it is turned off as it does in the evening. Don't forget the outdoors, landscape lighting adds curb appeal to your home while increasing security for your surroundings.chandeliersThe proper mood of the rooms in your home is an essential step in home decorating. Chandeliers can be dramatic, simple, formal or casual. No matter what style you choose for your home, chandeliers will turn a simple room into a fabulous room, while adding a beautiful focal point.Ceiling Lighting and FixturesCeiling fixtures is a simple solution for many rooms. A dining room, entryway, living room, front porch, or even a bedroom can effectively use ceiling lighting.Ceiling fixturesCome in a variety of shades and styles. Add ceiling fixtures and see how it will enhance any room in your home.Ceiling Fan LightingBesides circulating air ceiling fans are also a great source of light. They are also a simple way to expand your heating and cooling options. Ceiling fans are easily installed, they also have dimmers and remote controls for extra options and easy operation.The lighting you choose will do more than complete the room it will create an atmosphere, and help you to express your style.Track LightingIs an excellent solution for highlighting artwork, collections, or any area of a room that you want to highlight.
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Add a nice touch September 18, 2010 17:23
Grow herbs on your windowsill and you'll have fresh herbs year-round. Herbs are lovely plants that will add a nice touch to your kitchen, and the aroma is an added benefit. Add a few extra herbs to your cooking, as fresh herbs have a better flavor than dried herbs but aren't as strong. Good choices for a window herb garden include chives, mint, thyme, parsley, basil, marjoram, oregano and rosemary.InstructionsThings You'll Need: * Pots with drainage holes * Drainage saucers or trays * Commercial potting soil * Sand or perlite * Water-soluble, organic fertilizer * Kitchen shears1.1 Purchase small herb plants at a garden center or nursery. Select compact plants with even color. Avoid long, spindly plants.2.2 Prepare a separate pot for each herb plant. Don't attempt to mix herbs in the containers, as various herbs have different growing requirements. Each container must have a drainage hole and should be at least 6 inches deep. Place a drainage saucer or tray under each plant.3.3 Fill the containers with a good-quality, well-drained commercial potting soil. Add a handful of perlite or sand to improve drainage.4.4 Plant the herb plants in the containers. Each herb should be planted at the same depth at which it was planted in the nursery container. Water the plants immediately.5.5 Place the herbs on a windowsill where the plants will get a minimum of five to six hours of sunlight every day.6.6 Water the herbs whenever the soil feels completely dry. Allow water to run through the drainage hole, then let the plant drain completely. Empty the drainage saucer and never allow the pot to stand in water as herbs are prone to rot in soggy soil.7.7 Fertilize the herbs every two to three weeks during spring and summer, using a water-soluble, organic fertilizer for indoor plants. Withhold fertilizer during fall and winter. Follow the directions on the label and don't over-fertilize, as too much fertilizer will decrease the flavor of the herbs.8.8 Clip the herbs for use as often as desired. Trimming the plants often will promote full, bushy growth.
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Bedroom Decorating February 13, 2011 15:55
Choosing Color CombinationsBedroom decorating ideas are endless. Color combinations of virgin white, brown and blue, rustic, earth tones, country cottage and primitive.designs. Bedroom decorating designs are as broad as your mind can imagine.Romantic Room Decor Creating intimacy in a room is about finding a mixture of elements that combine in such a way that they make both you and your partner feel comfortable and close.Simplicity In DesignThe first requirement for our bedrooms decor is to insure that it's clean, crisp, comfortable and cozy. All bedrooms must be restful, with simplicity in designCombining The ElementsColor, lighting, floor covering, walls, drapes, bedspread and upholstery are key ingredients in the bedroom decorating scheme.The bedroom in a modern home can be furnished in period style and look just as effective as it would in a Colonial mansion or farmhouse setting.The main function above all others is comfort and relaxation and the ability to incorporate your choice of style into your bedroom decorating scheme.Although it may not be practical to totally re-design a bedroom for a specific period style, simple changes in bedroom accessories can lead to dramatic results.For instance, the use of brilliant high-voltage colors can create a dramatic effect, reflective of an antique Spanish style. Changing color schemes throughout your bedroom is highly effective and comes at a minimal cost.Something as simple as a new wall color can bring a whole to life to your bedroom. Simple changes such as a new bedroom table lamp, a floral quilt, beautiful area or throw rugs can also make quite an impression.A contemporary bedroom can be made to look Early American with a few subtle changes. A brass fourposter bed could be considered strictly modern, but with the addition of a patchwork quilt, old pottery, antique bedside table and lamp transforms Modern into Early American.
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How To Choose Quality Granite April 06, 2011 13:12
The following is especially true in regards to buying granite stone.Nothing cheap is good and nothing good is cheap. In fact this is true of all stone so read carefully. Natural stone is graded depending on its suitability for any given task. It is also graded from the region of the world it originated. When shopping on the internet you will normally be shown samples of the best stone. You should be aware that this stone is probably not what you will actually receive. First, you need batched stone to get the consistent pattern throughout the surface. If you were to buy stone today and return for stone a month later to complete your project you can be almost guaranteed to get a mismatch . Make sure you are receiving the same batch and have it itemized on your order. If the stone is chipped or scratched during installment you will probably need a replacement piece. If the same batch isn't available you will have a problem.There have been some concerns about black counter tops fading, Black granite should not fade. The stone imported from Asia has often been doctored with oils and dyes to darken the surface. The fading is only the oils and dyes being removed. The only solution is to re-polish the top. This can be costly. Before purchasing a countertop perform the following test to find out if it has been doctored. Apply some acetone (nail polish remover) with a clean white cloth to the surface of the stone. If any black color is observed on the cloth, refuse it, it has been dyed. Take a piece you want to test and spill a few drops of lemon juice onto it. If dark spots develop very quickly under the drops it's not a good quality, if it takes a minute or more to absorb you are then dealing with a absorbency level that is very good and that you should not have any problems with if you apply a quality sealer. The difference between a good and bad stone is huge, the price between a good and a bad stone is smaller than you think, but it can be costlier.
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Flower vase for decor of your home August 12, 2010 09:00
Most of the people admire beauty of flowers and the magic of flowers increases manifolds when they are placed in beautiful vases. These decorative vases carry a lot of enigmatic grace that adds more style to your surroundings.Vases add a very classy and refreshing appearance to any space which you inhabit. There are several contemporary designs in vases that completely change the way your home or office looks. There are various types of vases such as a glass vase, a crystal vase and other types of flower vases in ceramic and clay. Flower VaseBeautiful flowers vases have become the focal point of the room you choose to decorate. It is truly fascinating how we can use different types of decorative flower vases to create a mesmerizing bouquet. With the vast selection of colors, designs and shapes, you can create a perfect arrangement for the decor of your home or office.Glass and Crystal VaseGlass vases and crystal vases are available in assorted styles, sizes and colors. Glass vases with flowers are used for decoration purpose in the household. They are elegant decoration pieces and serve as fine gift options. Crystal vases are a little more expensive than the glass vases. Crystal vases are offered in stunning shapes and designs like porcelain wave vases, elegant bud vase, vases in different warm shades, crystal with gold coating, vases with checkered patterns etc.
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Living Large @ Small Apartment June 18, 2010 14:55
Live Large in a Small ApartmentIn these days more and more people live in small apartments, because the prices for buying or renting an apartment are higher and higher every year. Now the most challenging issue with living in a small apartment is not the size of the apartment itself, but all the things you have to organize in a small place. Many apartment dwellers find themselves dealing with overcrowded apartment homes because of the economical advantages, sacrificing functionality for an affordable living arrangement. The solution for this problem is to create a living area that is comfortable, enjoyable, and at the same time maximizing your spaceWe know you like themes, so today we would like to show you this stylish apartments, a beautiful small apartment (61 sqare meters). You are looking at a crib that is perfect for socializing but also for meditation in solitude. With wide and spacious interiors, this home looks very warm and inviting. The color palette is cheerful, yet subtle and tasteful. A large living room greets the guests with its homey feel: pillows on the floor, plenty of books to chose from. Due to the presence of many glazed windows, the boundary between inside and outside is minimal.Swedish interior designers are famous for their ability to extraordinarily spice things up using the ordinary to come up with what we can easily call — work of art. So how about dwelving in, once again, into their amazing apartments.Home Office Idea for a Small ApartmentDevelop a Home Office Here is an interesting idea for a small home office especially if you live in an apartment. if you use your creativity a little. In this example at the end of this narrow corridor the dead space was transformed in a small and nice home office. You just need a little to install a desktop ( or a laptop, if you prefer) with some shelf space for the computer and a chair. Stunning creation of this piece is the incontestable living proof, it produces a clear and spacious ambiance. Love it? I guess you could say that the main “attraction” of this small apartment is its stunning looking terrace, perfect for having friends over.
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Good gardens at home February 02, 2011 12:03
1. A good garden plan involves more mulching and less hoeing. Mulching with leaves, straw, sawdust, or garden compost lessens much maintenance. Mulching will pay 500% in saving labor, holding moisture, and keeping down weeds.Also let rich land and plenty of natural organic fertilizer (really abundant fertilizer) give you more vegetables with less work than poorer land or less fertilizer would provide.2. Get the man of the house to do more garden work. The secret of successful gardening? "Never plant more than your wife can cultivate!" Nowadays, however, wives are smarter. They not only get the man to help in cultivating the good garden, but have come to insist in this practice.3. Grow an abundance of vegetables to make the family healthy. Now we know we can't be healthy without them. Fresh vegetables well cooked certainly taste better than a doctor's prescription and cost less. Simply as an example of a good garden, here are 18 such vegetables.a) For vitamins A and C: leafy and yellow vegetables such as turnip an mustard greens, collards, kale, broccoli, spinach, cantaloupes.b) For more vitamin A: sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, winter-type squash, Swiss chard.c) For more vitamin C: tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi.Let's not forget canning and freezing for off-season or year round use. Let's not make this a matter of merely preserving "surplus" produce but let's plan and plant a good garden that will provide enough for this purpose.No meal is complete without the right herbs and spices. When planning your garden don't forget to include an area for this purpose. You might want to consider a patio or indoor herb gardens in order to have easy access to fresh cooking herbs. kitchen garden image 4. Think of growing a good garden as an adventure by constantly trying on new vegetables, new varieties, new methods of cooking.5. Have the garden near the house. The nearer it is, the fewer steps one has to take. Make the garden so pretty you won't mind having it near the house.6. Get the kids interested. In addition to growing vegetables for the whole family, let's have plenty of watermelons and cantaloupes for the kids (as well as older ones).It helps to have melon to share with friends and neighbors every time they drop in all summer long!
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Color Scheme for Living Rooms February 08, 2011 11:50
Color is the most effective way of creating a mood for any room. While choosing a color scheme for living rooms as part of your interior painting, it is important to choose one which is stylish but practical. For example, if you select white for your living room, then you cannot expect it to be easy to maintain (especially if you have children!) To pick out living room color schemes, there are three options:Use one color, but varying shades of that color throughout the roomUse two or more colors that are similar to each other, or complement each other, to give a tranquil and warm feeling to the room.Use two contrasting colors. This kind of a look makes the room vibrant and alive.Once you have selected the kind of color scheme you want, it will be easier to choose living room color combinations. Besides just choosing colors that you like, you can also try and understand the psychology of colors for creating a warm and inviting feeling. The following are a few decorating ideas for living room color schemes:Red: One of the most popular colors for living room design ideas is red. It gives a feeling of intimacy and warmth. It is best if you use red for one wall, as using it everywhere can make the room look over the top. For the other walls of the room, go for lighter shades like cream or beige.Orange: Like red, orange is a very bright color which makes a person feel right at home. Using shades of orange in living room color schemes brightens up the room, making one feel welcomed. If you are going for this color, then your furniture and accessories should be of neutral colors. Another option of living room color designs is using orange color only in accessories, and using black or white for the walls.Blue: Blue is a tranquil color which brings elegance into your home. Light shades of blue are best for smaller living rooms, as they make them appear larger. You can play around with various shades of blue, like pastel blue, Mediterranean azure, turquoise, navy etc. Turquoise looks great with bold jewels and a contemporary living room furniture design, though it might not be the best choice for a traditional decor.Green: Bright green is used very often in color schemes for living room these days. It is easy to play around with, and looks great when paired with neutrals and deep browns. Again, it's best if you use green only in accents, and not for everything in the room! You can use different shades of green, like mint, olive and exotic jade for a feel of fresh and airy spring time living room color themes. Read more on living room designs and ideas.Shades of White and Gray: If you want living room color schemes which ooze of class and sophistication, then using white and gray in your home decor is a great choice. But this does not mean that you have to use only these shades throughout. Play around with shades like blue and warm gold tones in the upholstery, table cloths, accessories etc. But remember that white is not the best choice for maintenance!
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